What to expect?

The Mahamudra program is **NOT** available online. You need to be physically present at the location for 10 days.

The program runs from 15th to 25th of the active month.

Once you join in, you must follow several codes of conduct during your stay as mentioned below.

The Precepts

All who attend a Mahamudra course must conscientiously undertake the following five precepts for the duration of the course:

  • To abstain from killing any being
  • To abstain from stealing
  • To abstain from all sexual activity
  • To abstain from telling lies
  • To abstain from all intoxicants

Noble Silence

All students must observe Noble Silence from the beginning of the course until the morning of the last full day.

Noble Silence refers to complete silence of the body, speech, and mind. Any form of communication with fellow student, whether by gestures, sign language or written notes is prohibited.

Students may, however, speak with the teacher whenever necessary and they may approach the management with any problems related to food, accommodation, health, etc. But even these contacts should be kept to a minimum. Students should cultivate the feeling that they are working in isolation.

Acceptance of the Teacher and the Technique

Students must declare themselves willing to comply fully and for the duration of the course with the teacher’s guidance and instructions; that is, to observe the discipline and to meditate exactly as the teacher asks, without ignoring any part of the instructions, nor adding anything to them. This acceptance should be one of discrimination and understanding, not blind submission. Only with an attitude of trust can a student work diligently and thoroughly. Such confidence in the teacher and the technique is essential for success in meditation.

Other Techniques, Rites, and Forms of Worship

During the course it is absolutely essential that all forms of prayer, worship, or religious ceremony — fasting, burning incense, counting beads, reciting mantras, singing and dancing, etc. — be discontinued. All other meditation techniques and healing or spiritual practices should also be suspended. This is not to condemn any other technique or practice, but to give a fair trial to the technique of Mahamudra in its purity.

Students are strongly advised that deliberately mixing other techniques of meditation with Mahamudra will impede and even reverse their progress. Despite repeated warnings by the teacher, there have been cases in the past where students have intentionally mixed this technique with a ritual or another practice, and have done themselves a great disservice. Any doubts or confusion which may arise should always be clarified by meeting with the teacher.

Interviews With the Teacher
Questions may also be asked in between 9:00 pm and 9:30 pm in the meditation hall. The interview and question times are for clarifying the technique and for questions arising from the evening discourses.

Separation of Men and Women

Complete segregation of men and women is to be maintained during the 10-day program. Couples, married or otherwise, should not contact each other in any way during the course. The same applies to friends, members of the same family, etc.

General Guidelines
To clarify the spirit behind the discipline and rules, they may be summarized as
follows:

  • Take great care that your actions do not disturb anyone.
  • Take no notice of distractions caused by others.
  • It may be that a student cannot understand the practical reasons for one or several of the above rules. So, rather than allowing negativity and doubt to develop, seek immediate clarification from the teacher.
  • It is only by taking a disciplined approach and by making maximum effort that a student can fully grasp the practice and benefit from it. The emphasis during the course is on work.
  • A golden rule is to meditate as if one were alone, with one’s mind turned inward, ignoring any inconveniences and distractions that one may encounter.
  • Finally, students should note that their progress in Mahamudra depends solely on their own good qualities and personal development and on five factors: earnest efforts, confidence, sincerity, health and wisdom.

May the above information help you to obtain maximum benefit from your meditation course. We are happy to have the opportunity to serve, and wish you peace and harmony from your experience of Mahamudra.

Other Related Queries

Food

The course management endeavors to prepare a balanced, wholesome menu suitable for meditation. However, it is not possible to satisfy the special food preferences and requirements of all the meditators. Therefore, students are kindly requested to make do with the simple vegetarian meals provided. If any students have been prescribed a special diet because of ill-health, they should inform the management at the time of application. Fasting is not permitted.

Clothing

Dress should be simple, modest, and comfortable. Tight, transparent, revealing, or otherwise striking clothing (such as shorts, short skirts, tights and leggings, sleeveless or skimpy tops) should not be worn. Sunbathing and partial nudity are not permitted. This is important in order to minimize distraction to others.

Laundry and bathing

No washing machines or dryers are available, so students should bring sufficient clothing. Small items can be hand-washed. Bathing and laundry may be done only in the break periods and not during meditation hours.

These may not be used except with the express permission of the teacher

Although physical yoga and other exercises are compatible with Mahamudra, they should be suspended during the course because proper secluded facilities are not available at the course site. Jogging is also not permitted. Students may exercise during rest periods by walking in the designated areas.

No such items should be brought to the course site. If brought inadvertently they should be deposited with the management for the duration of the course.

Students must remain within the course boundaries throughout the course. They may leave only with the specific consent of the teacher. No outside communications is allowed before the course ends. This includes letters, phone calls and visitors. Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices must be deposited with the management until the course ends. In case of an emergency, a friend or relative may contact the management.

The playing of musical instruments, radios, etc. is not permitted. No reading or writing materials should be brought to the course. Students should not distract themselves by taking notes. The restriction on reading and writing is to emphasize the strictly practical nature of this meditation.