We are now inviting applications for taking in a new group of international students for our Gurukulam program.

The Gurukulam, Swami Rama Institute of Meditation and Interfaith Studies, is a residential program based on a tradition that has perpetuated itself since the ancient Vedic times. As such it is developed to train and educate aspirants so that spirituality would permeate the whole of their lives. It was established in 2003.

“The Vedic tradition, that continues to be followed to a certain extent up to this day, envisages personal spiritual experience to be the foundation of all education in every area of learning. Such education can be imparted only under the guidance of an acharya who him/herself has undergone the disciplines and purifications necessary to qualify as a guide. This is the ideal of a guru-kulam, literally, the Guru’s Family.” – Swami Veda Bharati

The Gurukulam program is suitable for persons who are interested in long-term intense study while carrying out spiritual practices given by the Spiritual Director. Students commit to a 3 to 5 year of study and training at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG) in Rishikesh, India.  The academic term is from November through June with a summer break.

The purpose of the Gurukulam program is to prepare aspirants as teachers, spiritual guides and citizens and to produce graduates who excel in both scholarship and the practical disciplines.

Ma Radha Bharati, Academic Director of Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG), has written about the Gurukulam program, “Although there are many institutions in India and abroad introducing people into various meditation methods, the specialty of the Himalayan tradition is that in it are included hundreds of the paths leading to the inner self, and the knowledge of the natural relations and systems of these paths is integrated. It is suitable for people of varying religions, paths, temperaments and backgrounds. This path is systematic and scientific. Certain methods are given along with explanations of their effects and benefits so that they can be verified. In this way students can also examine their own progress. The systems and texts of spiritual philosophy have their origins in the profound meditative states of the ancient sages. This tradition specializes in teaching yoga as well as the works of Swami Rama and other great yogis purely as a meditative experience. The assigned texts are drawn primarily from the Patanjali Yoga, Vedanta and Tantra systems with practical training from within the physical, mental and spiritual realms. Philosophy and practices are inseparably intermingled. Physical aspects of yoga are taught in their meditational context. Our approach is to establish a strong foundation on which to build deeper and more subtle practices. Students are given individualized spiritual practices once they are established in the basics. Pranayama practices and mastery of breath are necessary for progress in inner focus, concentration practices, and meditation methods.”

The e-mail for interested prospective students would be: vidyamandiram@gmail.com