Three Year Sannyasa Training Course
2012 - 2015

Vision with a blueprint

A great mission was revealed to Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati in a vision, after which he founded the Bihar School of Yoga and later began conducting Introductory Sannyasa Training Courses. These courses were the first of their kind to be conducted along broader lines for the purpose of promoting a regenerated form of sannyasa life which could be passed on to future generations.

This great vision and plan of Sri Swamiji has taken further form and shape with the three-year Sannyasa Training Course in 2012, under the guidance of Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati. This course evolved from the life work and mission of Sri Swami Satyananda which was to take concrete steps towards the development of each individual’s awareness of the higher levels of consciousness and realization.

The purpose of this course is to awaken the real and deeper meaning of spiritual life and its value for each person’s unfoldment, development and fulfillment. Today such a course is necessary in order to clarify the meaning of yoga, of renunciation and of sannyasa, for modern aspirants who wish to dedicate themselves totally to the awakening of their spiritual potential.

This introduction to sannyasa life is not meant for those aspirants who wish to hide themselves in a remote place away from society and live a secluded and cloistered life. Rather, it is meant to expose the aspirant to all aspects of life, using life as a teacher. No one will be bound by any ideas and values which hinder the natural progress of consciousness.

Alternate way of life

Sri Swami Satyananda recognized that the chaos, unhappiness and disorder that exists in the world, in the mind and in the societies of today, are a direct reflection of the state and condition of human consciousness. In order to contribute to a better way of life on earth, he felt that man’s mind must be fed new rays of inspiration, new food for thought. A realistic and practical path for the development of homogeneous awareness and existence in the internal and external worlds was needed for all categories of people.

This could be achieved by first raising the level of consciousness of a select group of individuals who are willing to surrender and devote a period of their lives to the service of themselves in general and to humanity in particular. This group of men and women will be specially trained, directed and guided in the disciplines of sannyasa. All will be exposed to spirituality in all aspects of life: physical, emotional, mental and psychic.

Ceaseless activity

This course will be a time of ceaseless activities. Day will not be differentiated from night. There will be no time for idle thoughts, doubts or confusion. The mind shall always be centred on a constant path for the achievement of the end goal – the discovery of self. A vast amount of knowledge will have to be assimilated in a relatively short amount of time.

There will be an emphasis on the theory and practice of all aspects of exoteric and esoteric yoga, as well as the study of Vedanta, Samkhya, Tantra and other philosophical systems, Brahma Sutras, Major Upanishads, Vedas, Puranas, Sanskrit, contemporary spiritual literature, anatomy, physiology and comparative religions. Many subjects are to be covered.

Minds are to be expanded to their fullest capacities. Barriers will be broken within the mind with the aim of developing self-understanding and the ability to communicate with others. Without self-understanding, one cannot begin to understand and assist with the problems of others.

Purpose of the course

During the course the aspirants will experience the spontaneous unfoldment of samskaras taking place at an accelerated rate. Hidden thoughts will appear at the surface of the mind, and lifelong unconscious fears and anxieties will be eliminated. Sannyasa life will prove to be a means to an end, the purpose of which will be, not only to produce exceptional yoga instructors with a knowledge of spiritual philosophy, but to manifest the natural unfoldment of yogic consciousness and awareness of the self. The purpose of the course is to develop strong, creative minds capable of facing all situations on all levels of life with a positive attitude and creative approach.

Kaleidoscope of experience

In the ashram a kaleidoscope of life will be experienced with the combination of duties and activities shared by all. Books will be compiled, edited and printed by the sannyasins themselves from the material taken from class lectures, satsangs, seminars, yoga camps and conventions.

Communication, speaking will be planned, organized and executed, all as part of practical training. All the maintenance of the ashram, cooking, cleaning, typing, office and clerical responsibilities, gardening, press work, teaching, research, and charitable work will be assumed and shared by everyone at Sannyasa Peeth, Yoga Peeth and Rikhia Peeth.

A practical, creative, responsible as well as highly developed spiritual personality will be the aim. Individual creative thinking will be encouraged and stimulated. The ego or individual self should not be suppressed or lost, but the essence of the body, mind and soul should be spiritualised. The atmosphere will be of a strictly spiritual nature, stimulating individual initiative and expression. Meditation will be practiced with many advanced techniques. Many aspects of bhakti, karma, raja and hatha yoga, tantra shastra, kriya and kundalini will be included.

Sincere aspirants

The course will begin on 28th January 2012. This course is open to both Indian and foreign nationals, males and females between the ages of 18 and 60, who have the minimum qualification of High School Matriculation. Indian females must have written consent from both parents.

Please understand that this course will be an intensive period of rigorous training. We therefore advise you to think about it carefully before submitting your application.

The daily schedule will be challenging, from 4.30 in the morning until 7.30 at night. Only those of strong physical, mental and emotional character, who can face challenges and difficulties with faith and positivity, should apply.

All participants are to remain within the ashram premises for the duration of the course. Access to external services, such as internet, marketing and banking will not be permitted. Basic facilities will be provided by the ashram, however, you are advised to organize yourself in advance with personal requirements.

As part of the discipline of the sannyasa lifestyle, participants are advised to travel light, with minimum luggage and belongings. At the time of induction, participants will be given the ashram dress of dhoti and kurta to wear during the course. Therefore, other than warm clothes for winter please bring minimum clothing. The ashram will provide bedding for the cold winter periods; however, you may be more comfortable with your own sleeping bag, as winters can get very cold.

The use of mobile phones, laptops, electrical devices and other general household appliances are not permitted in the ashram.

The application form can be downloaded here in Hindi and English. For further information contact:

Sannyasa Peeth
Ganga Darshan
Munger
Bihar 811 201
India

Tel: + 91 (0)6344 222430

Fax: + 91 (0)6344 220169

All Indian nationals must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope along with enquiries to ensure a response to your request.

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