Chinmaya Mission San Diego (CMSD) — Attraction in Poway

From day one, my experience with Chinmaya Mission San Diego was disappointing and disheartening. We enrolled with great enthusiasm, expecting a spirit of learning, warmth, and community. Sadly, what we encountered was the opposite.

The environment at CMSD did not feel like a healthy or nurturing place for children to grow. Rather than encouraging curiosity, creativity, and self-expression, the culture seemed rigid, robotic, and overly disciplinary — almost as if the goal was to turn children into obedient followers rather than confident, thoughtful individuals. It's difficult to understand whether the aim is to raise leaders or merely compliant rule-followers.

One particularly upsetting incident was when our child was not allowed to perform in a program simply because we were a few minutes late for the final rehearsal. We were told we would have to ask for "forgiveness" in order for our child to be included. Frankly, that's not disciple— thats humiliation. Holding a 5-year-old to that kind of standard shows a lack of compassion and basic understanding of child development.

More than once, I was publicly spoken to in a disrespectful manner by volunteers and teachers, in front of other parents and staff. I won’t go into detail, but these incidents were deeply hurtful and left a lasting impression that this is not a place rooted in compassion or true spiritual growth. A spiritual and educational institution should never make people — especially parents and children — feel humiliated or excluded.

CMSD might work for those who value strict structure above all else, but if you're looking for a nurturing and respectful environment for your child — or for yourself — this may not be the right place. I wish the community well, but our journey with...

“Less Said the Better – Very Disappointing” I’ve been part of other Chinmaya Missions in the past and always had a great experience, so I came here with high hopes. Unfortunately, this branch was nothing like what I expected. I had my doubts even after orientation, but I decided not to judge too quickly. After sticking it out for a whole year, I really wish I had trusted my instincts earlier. The volunteers here honestly need a reality check. Many of them come across as rude and dismissive, almost as if they’re doing people a favor instead of building a community. There’s a very strange colonial-style attitude—lots of unnecessary, rigid rules that don’t make sense, and worse, the leaders and volunteers don’t even follow those rules themselves. It really gives out mixed signals, and as someone who has also donated, it felt quite disrespectful. The Pre-KG teacher, in particular, was shockingly rude—not just to kids but also to parents. Patience, warmth, and empathy seem to be in short supply here. It’s ironic that the very people who are supposed to be role models for children often display the opposite behavior. What really bothered me, though, was the approach to kids in general. Instead of encouraging curiosity, questions, and creativity, kids are pushed to just follow orders and stay quiet. It felt less like education and more like training kids to obey without thinking. That’s the last thing I’d want for my child’s growth. Overall, this branch was a huge letdown. While the mission elsewhere has been inspiring, here it feels rigid, unwelcoming, and disconnected from its core values. I wouldn’t recommend this place if you’re looking for a positive, nurturing environment for...

I was a member of a local Chinmaya Mission in another state. I would drive 1 hour to the center for the community and knowledge the Mission provided. The Chinmaya Mission gave me an opportunity to improve myself and the world around me. Once I came to California, I decided to attend Chinmaya Mission Jyoti and become a member. I felt very unwelcome and isolated. That is not the mission of this organization and I am truly saddened by my treatment. After a few attempts at joining the community, I stopped traveling 30 minutes out of my way for an unwelcoming experience. I now donate my money and time online studying vedanta through Chinmaya Mission instead of Chinmaya...