How a course works

You arrive in the afternoon of Day 1, the first date of the course. On the morning after the course’s last date, you may leave after the first morning sitting. You stay at the Kendra for the whole course, with no contact with the outside world.

Every day follows the same rhythm, from the morning bell at 4:00 AM to lights out at 8:30 PM.

Participants keep complete silence: no talking, gestures or written notes with other participants. You may speak to the teacher about the practice.

The practice is taught step by step through video discourses and group sittings. The teacher is available for counselling in the late morning, and there is time to meet the teacher after lunch.

A course asks you to stay at the centre for its full length and to follow its conduct sincerely. The practice is taught step by step and builds from one day to the next, so every day matters.

Throughout the course you stay within the centre, take no intoxicants or tobacco, wear modest and comfortable clothes, and eat the meals provided. Men's and women's areas are kept separate. In an emergency, your family can reach you through the centre's phone number. Please take care of the centre's rooms, furniture and other property, and tell the management at once if anything is damaged.

For the length of the course, practise only as the teacher guides, and set aside any other forms of meditation, prayer rituals or practices you usually follow. Keep no fasts, recite no mantras, and do not keep religious objects such as a mala, tabeez or ganda with you during the course. This lets you give the practice a fair and complete trial; afterwards you are free to judge it for yourself.

Men and women have separate living areas and sit separately in the hall. Please avoid all physical contact with other participants during the course.

Phones, laptops and other devices are handed in on arrival and returned at the end. There is no TV, internet, WhatsApp or social media during the course, and no newspapers, magazines, books or writing materials. Please do not record or photograph anything during it.

Wear simple, modest, loose and comfortable clothes suitable for sitting for long periods. Avoid tight, revealing or noisy clothing and jewellery.

Please come only if you are medically fit to stay at the centre for the whole course and have no infectious disease. If you have a serious physical or mental health condition, are pregnant, take regular medication, or are going through a particularly difficult time, mention it to the centre before the course so they can advise you. The course is a training in meditation, not a medical or psychological treatment. Back-rests and chairs are available for anyone who cannot sit on the floor.

Please plan to stay until the end. If an emergency arises, speak to the course management.

Instructions are given in Hindi. If you need help in another language, ask the centre when you apply.

Simple shared accommodation, with separate arrangements for men and women, and simple vegetarian meals. Tell the centre about any medical diet when you apply.

There is no fee. Every course is offered freely, made possible by the donations of past sadhaks, given in gratitude so that others may sit.