Curriculum Materials for 21 Stages Trainers

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CurriculumMaterialsfor21StagesTrainers

Thismaterial includesinstructionsforpartsofthecurriculumflowthatarenot inthestudentmanual.Thestudentmanualcoversall thestagesandthethree journeys indetail. Ithasan introductiontoallthe stageswhich isused forall the courses. It also includesa fewsectionswhichareessential to thestagesprocessofmeditation.

InthisdocumentIhaveincludedtheoverviewsofthedaybydaycourseflowandothercommentaryforthetrainers.Ihaveseparatedthematerialsthestudentsneedforreferenceandleftthecourseguidancethroughbreaks,discussionsandvarious interactions to the trainer toguideasneeded.ThesearenotpreformattedaswedidforthecoursemanualsinTransformation.

Togetasenseoftheflowandintensity levelforthesedeepmeditationexperiences Ihaveputaflowchart foreachof the three journeys through the21stagesdaybyday.Although thesequenceof theexperiencesispartofthecoursethetimingsthatarelistedfortheentiredayarejustforillustration.Thelengthofthemeditationsisfixed.Thetimingsforthestart,ends,breaks,discussionlengthsandothersare up to the trainer to provide the best experience. See the letter from theDirector of Training forsomesuggestions.

In addition to the overview provided in the flows of the days, I have added pieces that fill out thesections in the flow that are interactive exercise topics, recommended kriyas, home study for eachjourney,andothercommentstoassistindeliveringthesecourses.

Contents

CurriculumFlows

CrystallizetheSelf

ExpresstheSelf

TranscendtheSelf

Contentsofthe21StagesManual

CurriculumTransitionPieces

KeyFocusDiscussions

InteractiveProcessesUsedinEachJourney

Kriyas

HomePractices

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CurriculumFlows

Thefollowingsnapshotsofthecourseflowsshowtheprocessandsequenceofthecourseactivitiestocreatethedepthofexperienceofthestagesoftheself inmeditationthatwewantstudentstoreach.Eachjourneyofsevenstagesis itsowncompleteprocess. Ideallyastudentwilltakeeachofthethreecourses periodically.Onemay be takenmore frequently than others depending onwhat the studentwantstoemphasizeintheirdevelopment.Goingthroughthejourneysinorderofthestagesthemselvesis idealsincethere isaprocessofgradual refinementthatoccurs fromstagetostage.Thecurriculumdesign preserves the integrity and spirit of what our teacher intended in sharing the experience ofstagesanddeepmeditationforeveryone.

KRI has yet to conclude the bestway for this to integrate into the processes of theATA structure intermsofrequirementsforthoseparticipantsseekingfulllevelthreecertificationbytheschool.

The important things to note are the sequence and timing of the meditations, the division of theprocesses into four stages on one day and three on the next in each journey, the skill enhancementexercisesandtheinteractiveexercises.

Thetimesattachedtothisflowaresuggestions.Thatwillvaryaccordingtoyoursituationandjudgment.Thetimesofthemeditationsthemselvesarepartofthemeditationsasgiven.Forexample,tooptimizegroup participation, orientation and the different backgrounds of the students who come for thepractice,whetherintheATAornot,trainersmayaddanafternoonornightbeforedoingtheprocessofa journey.This timemightbeusedtocreateagroupconnection, reviewallmeditations,mantrasandunderstandtheexpectationsandthebasicapproach.Witheveryoneorientedto thematerialandthesamegoalthecoursecanhavegreaterimpactandsuccess.

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JourneytoExperienceandCrystallizetheSelf-DayOne

JourneytoExperienceandCrystallizetheSelf

DayOne

Welcome;Introductiontothetrainersandsupportingstaff.Overviewofthedayandtheprocess.meetandgreet

8:30-9:15am

KeyFocusforthisJourney.Thechallengeandtheskillstodevelop.Howtoengagethesepractices,paceyourselfandprogress.

9:15-9:45am

TheKundaliniMantraMeditation:theAdiShaktiMantraastheDNAofKundalinitoinitiateenergyforallthestages

9:45-10:30am

Chant371/2minutes

Break 10:30-10:45am

InteractiveProcess:toLocatethesensationoftheself;howwecansortdistraction,rumination,commotionandhijacksandidentifyoursenseofself.HowUpset,Boredom,IrritationandFrustrationhappeninourlivesandhowwedealwiththeminmeditation.

10:45-11:15am

Stage1Meditation-Upset11:15-11:50am

31min

Lunch noon-1:15pm

Walking/BreathwalkMeditationandSocial 1:00-1:15pm

Stage2Meditation-Boredom1:15-2:30pm

62min

Break 2:30-2:45pm

Stage3Meditation-Irritation2:45-3:20pm

31min

Break+walking 3:20-3:40pm

Stage4Meditation-Frustration3:40-4:45pm

62min

Break 4:45-5:00pm

GuidedVisualizationExerciseandKriyatoamalgamatethebasecampmeditations

5:00-5:30pm

Closing:Debriefandconcludesession 5:30-6:00pm

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JourneyOnetoExperienceandCrystallizetheSelf-DayTwo

JourneytoExperienceandCrystallizetheSelf

DayTwo

Welcome,DayOverview;checkin 8:30-9:00am

KeyFocusoftheday:meditationtasksforfinalascentfrombasecamptothepeakofcrystallization.Primaryskillstouse.Blockstoovercome.

9:00-9:45am

ExerciseKriya9:45-10:15am

31min=HarAerobicSet11min+twistdance5min+freedance11min

Break 10:15-10:30am

Stage5Meditation-Focus10:30-11:10am

31min

Break 11:10-11:25am

Stage6Meditation-Absorption11:25am-12:30pm

62min

Lunch 12:30-1:45pm

InteractiveProcess:CrystallizeanImageoftheSelf;asseedoftheinfiniteinthefinite;asselfthatisconsciouswitnessandonewhouseswilltoselectanddirect

1:45-2:15pm

Stage7Meditation-CrystallizetheSelf

2:15-4:45pm 21/2hours

Part1 MeditationHumeeHumBrahmHum31min

Part2 MeditationHumeeHuminHeartLotus31min

Part3MeditationHumeeHuminTraatikDhianMudra31minutes

Part4 MeditationHumeeHuminPartnersmudra31min

Part5

MeditationHumeeHumHandsCrossedHeart31min

Afterthisdeepmeditationdoadeeprelaxationfor31min.Itisrequired.

DeeprelaxandhealwiththeGong4:45-5:15pm

31min

Groupdanceorbreakandwalking 5:15-5:30pm

ClosingandPersonalPractice;forindividualcontinuoushoningtheskill

5:30-6:00pm

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JourneyTwotoExpressandDistilltheSelf-DayOne

JourneytoExpressandDistilltheSelf

DayOne

Welcome;IntroTeachers;overview;meetandgreet

8:30-9:15am

KeyFocusandHowtomasterthisjourney.Keychallenges.MeditativeSkillsweneedanddevelopandhowtoprogresseffectively.

9:15-9:45am

TheKundaliniMantraMeditation:theAdiShaktiMantraasDNAofKundalinitoinitiateenergyforallstages

9:45-10:30am

371/2minutes

Break 1030-1045

InteractiveProcess:Howdowesidetrack;howdowedistillselfthroughthewelterofdistractions;whatisitliketobesteadyandcertainintheself;whendoeshappinesscomefrombeingnotfromcomparison;howtobecontentcontainedandthereforemoreprojectiveandexpressivenotjustreflectiveorreactive.Thefourstageswefacetoday

10:45-11:15am

31minprocess

Stage8Meditation-Rasa 11:15am-Noon

Lunch Noon-1:00pm

SkillEnhancement:WitnessYourConsciousnessfromwithinYourSelf1:00-1:15pm

11min

Stage9Meditation-Delight1:15-2:00pm

31min

Break 2:00-2:15pm

SkillEnhancement:PartnerandGroupKundaliniHealingandMentalBeaming

2:15-3:00pm

groupsof8:2couplesencircledby4otherpeopleso

2rounds15minapiece

InteractiveProcess:howdoestheabilitytostabilizeyoursenseofself,createaprojection,savorasensationandrelaxyourprojectionhelpyoudevelopcharacterandtheabilitytohealinyourlife?Whatisyourexperiencetodayinsavoringandthesenseofraptureinconsciousness?

3:00-3:30pm

Stage10Meditation-Politeness3:30-4:10pm

31min

break 4:10-4:25pm

StageElevenMeditation-Humility

4:25-5:50pm

11/2hours

bowingkriyasanddeeprelaxationsequence

harhum11min;break;hariharrockpose31min;deeprest/gong;akalsat11min

Closing:debriefoftheday;moveandshare

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JourneyTwotoExpressandDistilltheSelf-DayTwo

JourneytoExpressandDistiltheSelf

DayTwo

Welcome,OverviewoftheDay,Checkin 8:00-8:30am

FocusoftheDay:whataretheskillsofmeditationweneedandhowweattendtothemduringthisfinalascentofthisjourney.Howdoeselevationandneutralityletusactasacontrolledratherthananuncontrolledpolarity?Whataretheblocksanddiversionsatthisstageofthepath?

8:30-9:00am

IntroducetheKundaliniLayaMantra

9:00-9:30am

WarmUpexercisesfor15min

PracticeChantfor11minutes

Precisioninformandsoundaswewillpracticefor21/2hourslater

Break 9:30-9:40am

InteractiveProcess:Discusswhatholdsusbackfromacceptingourownelevationinconsciousnessandcharacter;whatisyourexperiencewhenyoubeamyourmindandsuspendintoanaad?Inthisprocesswedirectournaadandenergythroughthecentralchannelandtapthekundalini.Whatmakesthiseasyandeffectiveinyourexperience?Whatistheeffectofbeamingyourmindintotheinfinite?

9:40-10:05am

25min

Stage12Meditation-Elevation

10:05-10:40am

33+3=36

Adaneel

11minAdAneelmax

then11minharharatarclineforpit

11minmoreofadaneel

Break 10:40-10:50am

SkillEnhancement:PranayamClearingwithBreathofFire

10:50-11:25am

preparefornextmeditationtogoabovepolarityandhandleallpolaritygracefully

31min

Break 11:25-11:30am

Stage13Meditation-GracefulEnlightenment11:30am-Noon

31min

lunch Noon-1:30pm

InteractiveGroupProcess:Howdoesabsorptionintoyourelevatedselfhelpyouactpracticallyandintuitivelyineverythingyoudo?Howdoesthishelprelationships?Whatisneededduringthemeditationtosenseyourselfsensingyoursselfandstayingdeeplyintheflowofthenaad?Whatisitliketoimmerseoneselfintonaad?Mentallyprepareforthemeditation.

1:30-2:00pm

30min

Stage14Meditation-ExpressyourSelf

2:00-5:00pm

LayaYogakundaliniMantraMeditation

45mintotal

Naadpreparation15min

Chant31min

SankhMudraKriyawithNadiSodhanaLayaKriya

35min

LayatoBeamandCreate 31min

LayaSukhSadhanaMeditation 35min

LayaforSubtleBodyandSelf 31min

Deeprelaxationandgentlegong5:00-5:30pm

31minutes

ClosingProcesses:debriefing,sharing,homepracticesuggestions 5:30-600pm

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JourneyThreetoTranscendandSublimatetheSelf-DayOne

JourneytoTranscendandSublimatetheSelf

DayOne

Welcome;IntroTeachers;overview;meetandgreet 8:30-9:15am

KeyFocusandHowtomasterthisjourney.Challenges.Skillsinmeditationthatweneedforthisjourney.Howthechallengestoprogressareremovedinthefirstfourstages:Presence,Radiance,Stillness,andtheprojectionofthePreacher.Howdoourself-concepts,eventhehigherones,limitourmoveintothissublimerealmofmergerandtranscendence.Howtoprogressintheseparticularmeditations.

9:15-9:45am

TheKundaliniMantraMeditation:theAdiShaktiMantra;theDNAofKundalinithatinitiatestheenergyforallthestages.

9:45-10:30am

37.5minutes

Break 10:30-10:45am

InteractiveProcess:Whatdoesitmeantotranscendtheself?Howdoyouexperienceintuition?Howarenoselfandinfiniteselfthesame?WhatisyourdefenseagainstmergerandsurrendertoyourhigherselforGod?

10:45-11:15am

31minprocess

Stage15Meditation-PresencelikeaBeacon11:15am-12:30pm

75min

Lunch 12:30-2:00pm

Stage16Meditation-EverywhereRadiance2:00-3:45pm

Individual+partnerexercises

DeepRelaxationwithProjectiontoTeacherandOngNamoplayed15-31minutes

3:45-4:00pm

Stage17Meditation-PrayerfulStillness4:00-4:45pm

31min+11min

Break 4:45-5:00pm

Stage18Meditation-Preacher5:00-5:30pm

31min

ClosingProcess:Debrief,Sharing,Movementand/orSong 5:30-600pm

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JourneyThreetoTranscendandSublimatetheSelf-DayTwo

JourneytoTranscendandSublimatetheSelf

DayTwo

Welcome,OverviewoftheDayProcess;Check-in

8:30-9:15am

KeyFocusfortheFinalAscentofthisJourney.Lettingtheegogo.Beingclearonego,selfandtheinfinite.Attuningtotheformless.Gainingabodyofsoundthatisourcreativevoicetobeawareandtomanifest.Whatarethekeyskillsofnon-attachment,self-correctionandmergerandwhataretheblocks.

9:15-9:45am

TheKundaliniMantraMeditation:theAdiShaktiMantra;theDNAofKundalinithatinitiatestheenergyforallthestages.

9:45-10:30am

37.5minutes

Break 1030-1045am

InteractiveProcess:Whatisourexperienceofshuniaa.Howdoyoudistinguishthatfrompassivityanddetachment?Howisneutralmindnecessarytoleverageourinfiniteself?Howislovepartofthisrealityandemotionnot?Whenshuniaaisproperlyunderstood,howdoesitactasagatewaytothehigherselfandabarriertofantasyand"true-believer"extremism?

10:45-11:15am

31min

Stage19Meditation-Teacher11:15am-Noon

31min

Lunch Noon-1:00pm

Stage20Meditation-Sage1:00-1:45pm

31min

Break 1:45-2:00pm

Stage21Meditation-InfinitePulse2:00-4:30pm

21/2hoursSodarshanChakraKriya

DeepRelaxation4:30-5:00pm

31min

InteractiveProcess:howdowecreatemanifestationinourlifeusingintentionthroughplacingabija,apotentiatedseedofsoundormentalprojection,intoourinfiniteorunknownself?Whatisitliketorealizeweareco-creatorsthroughourinnocenceandintentionwiththeformlessOne?Whatisthekeydifferencebetweenthepracticalco-creationwithintentionandmagicalthinking?

5:00-5:30pm

ClosingProcess:Debrief,Sharing,Discussionoftheco-creativenatureofourtranscendentandimmanentself;beingfullyaliveandfullyhuman.Suggestedhomepractice.Suggestedhomepractice.

5:30-6:00pm

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TableofContentsfortheStudentManualforthe21StagesofMeditation

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Realization.....................................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

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JourneyOne-ExperienceandCrystalizetheSelf.........................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

Stage1-Upset..............................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

MeditationtoConquerUpset...............................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

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Meditation:SeeYourHorizon...............................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

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Journey2-ExpressandDistilltheSelf.........................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

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MeditationforRasasandtheInnerEye................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

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MeditationforGracefulEnlightenmentandStrengthofHeart............Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

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Stage16-EverywhereRadiance...................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

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Stage17-PrayerfulStillness.........................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

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Meditation:DeekshaPatra-forPrayerfulStillness..............................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

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MeditationfortheSage:SarbGyanKriya.............................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

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CurriculumTransitionPiecesBy this I mean the parts of the daily flows that orient students to the activities, createtransitionsbetweensections,andadjustthespaceandenergyofthegatheringinthewayonlythetrainercanassessanddo.

Daily welcomes. This refers to normal daily orientation as needed. It includes some briefoverviewofthedayand logistical items ifneeded.We includedameetandgreetprocessonthe first dayof each journey. Ideally it is someprocess that connects participants and alertstheirminds to thedirectionof theparticular journey.On the seconddayof the journeysweincludeda“check-in”butthisisanyactivitythathelpspeoplerelax,connectandprocesstheirexperiencesandchanges.

ClosingProcesses.Thesewillvaryasthecreativityofthetrainerandtheneedsofthegroup.Itis always to help consolidate the experiences and help students take this into their non-workshoplife.Atclosingofeachjourneywealsogivestudentsasuggestedhomepractice.

Breaks.Theseareatkeypointsandaresuggestions. The idea isalwaystoallownormalself-careduringthisintensemeditationprogram.Theyarealsotocreateameasuredbuildupoftheeffectsofthemeditationsasweprogressformstagetostage.Thespecificinstructionsareuptothetrainers.Theyaregenerallyaround10-15minutesbutmayvaryasneededandastimeallows.

DeepRelaxation.Thisisnormalandcanbeguidedaccordingtothetrainer.Afewmeditationsrequirethedeeprelaxation;theseareindicated.Quiet,musicandorgentlegongisuptotheinstructor.Hereisanexampleoftheinstructionsforthisafteroneofthedeepmeditations:

After this deepmeditation do a deep relaxation. It is required. Lie downon your back. Relaxeach part of your body. Feel your navel center, heart center and browpoint. Gradually relaxyourmindintoapositiveupliftingvastness.Gobeyondbeing.Letgoofallefforts.

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Listen to a gently played gong or relaxing mantra music. Ideally listen to 31minutesofanorchestralPaistegongplayedgently.

Relaxfor31minutes.

Gradually comeback to yourbodyand full alertnessafter the relaxation.Takeabreak.Walk,chat,andtakecareofpersonalneeds.Anythingbutmeditate.Cometoearthandappreciatethejourneyyoutook.

KeyFocusDiscussions

These are sections done eachmorning to outline the central features ofmeditation thatwedevelop in the days stages. It is based on the materials in the student manual and theexperienceofthetrainers.It includesthechallengesnaturaltothestagesthataredealtwith.Onthefirstdayofeachjourneythisdiscussionisaboutthefirstfourstagesandgivesacontexttohowweprepareourmindwiththenewlevelofskillsinmeditationtocultivateandstabilizeourgrowth.Ontheseconddayitisasimilardiscussionbutinformednowfromtheexperiencesof the previous day of meditations. It is about the final ascent leading to the deep 2 ½meditation practice. It identifies themain skill and the challenge of the highest stage of thejourney.Herearebrieftopicalnotesforeachofthesekeyfocusdiscussionsinthecurriculumflows.Besidesthesethoughtswerelyontheexperience,wisdom,andhumorofeachtrainertomakethisdiscussionrelevantandeffective:

FirstJourneyDayOne

Key Focus: how do we sense our self when we are under so many emotions andreactions to our emotions? Our mind must learn to recognize its own defenses ofboredom, irritation, frustration and upset. The first task is to becomemindful of ourfeelingsasweletthempassthroughus.Thesecondistobealertandtostaypresentforall our experienceswithout isolation ormentalwithdrawal. To begin this journeyweinitiatethekundalinienergysothatallthechakrascanbeflexibleandwecanwakeupand change.Discuss how topace yourself andhow to let each shift of consciousnessfrom themeditations settle intoyourpsyche.Consider the challengeand the skills todevelop.Whatisthebestwaytoengagethesepractices,paceyourselfandprogress?

FirstJourneyDayTwo

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KeyFocus:whatarethemeditationtasksforthefinalascentfromthebasecampofskillsandstagesfromdayonetothepeaktodaytocrystallizethe

senseofself?Discuss

the primary skills to use and the blocks to overcome. What is the enticement ofabsorptionandhowdoes focushelpusenter intoa flow in life? Is focus aneffortoreffortlessifwebegintosensethecurrentoftheself?

SecondJourneyDayOne

Key Focus: How tomaster this journey.What are the key challenges in the first fourstages? What are the basic meditative skills that we need to develop and can weprogress effectively.What does it mean to be aware that we are aware rather thansimplymindfulof things?What is it like tosense thepresenceof the lightof selfandhowitchangeswitheachinteraction?Howdoweengagethingsfullyandnotbelosttounintentionalself-hypnosisormentalhibernation?

SecondJourneyDayTwo

KeyFocus:whataretheskillsofmeditationweneedandhowweattendtothemduringthis final ascent of this journey. How does elevation and neutrality let us act as acontrolledratherthananuncontrolledpolarity?Whataretheblocksanddiversionsatthis stageof thepath?Whydowe say in thispartof the journey to recognize ratherthanseek?

ThirdJourneyDayOne:

KeyFocus:Howtomasterthisjourney.Whatarethechallengesofthisjourneythroughthe stages and what are the specific skills in meditation that we need. How thechallenges to progress are removed in the first four stages: Presence, Radiance,Stillness,andtheprojectionofthePreacher.Howdoourself-concepts,eventhehigherones, limitourmove into this sublimerealmofmergerand transcendence?Whatarepracticalexamplesof this shiftofperspective thataccompanies the subtleopeningofintuitioninthesestages?

ThirdJourneyDayTwo:

KeyFocus:forthefinalascentofthisjourneythecoreprocessistolettheegogo.Howcanwebecomeclearonego,selfandtheinfinite?Whathappenstoourperceptionandoursenseofselfasweattunetotheformless?Whatdoes itmeantogaina“bodyof

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sound” that holds and projects our creative awareness tomanifest fromour formless infinity? What are the key skills of non-attachment, self-

correctionandmergerandwhataretheblocksweconfrontatthisstage?Howdoesthepowerofbhaktiandshaktibothserveyourconsciousnessatthisstage?

InteractiveProcesses

Thesearemeanttobeinteractivediscussions.Thecanbedoneinwholegroupsorsmallorinpartnersoramixaccording towhat isneededandwhat fits the flow,energyandsizeof thegroup. Eachone is in thecurriculum flow tohelp the studentselaborate in theirown termstheirexperiences,changesandchallenges.Theywillencounterunfamiliarlevelsofexperiencesandthemselves inthemeditations.This isachancetoworkbothwiththequestionsthatthejourneysgiveusand theskills inmeditation thatwegain. It iseachperson formulating theirexperienceanddeepeningtheirunderstanding.Hereisabriefnotethatgivesthetopicalareasforeachoneinthecurriculumflows.

FirstJourneyDayOneMorning

InteractiveProcess: groupdiscussionabouthowwe locate the sensationof the self.Howcanwe sortoutdistraction, rumination, commotionandhijacksand identifyoursense of self? What are your experiences of this? What is it like when your mindentrancesyouinsteadofsupportingyourawareness?Howcanyourecognizewhenyouwake up from distractions? Can you notice before you are into an entrancement ofemotion? HowdoUpset,Boredom, IrritationandFrustrationhappen inour livesandhowdowedealwiththeminmeditation.

FirstJourneyDayTwoAfternoon

InteractiveProcess: Sit insmallgroups.Meditate for5minutes.Bringyourself intoadeepneutralmind.Senseyourselfasapresence.Becomeconscious thatyouare theonewhocanwitnessandsenseeverything.Meditateon thesensation thatyouareaseedoftheinfiniteinthefiniterealmsoftimeandspace.Youflowthroughlife.Youarebright.Youcaneasilyselectasensationthatyouoriginateandonethatyouletintoyourconsciousness.Whenyouarecompletelyawareandobjectivelypresenttoyourselfasawitness,letyourmindgiveyouanimageorametaphorthatcapturesthatsenseofyourself.Thensharetheresultwithyourpartnersinthesmallgroup.Asyoureadyyourselfforthedeep2½hourmeditation,what is it liketofocusonthesensationoffocusinguntilyouareapurewitness?

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SecondJourneyDayOneMorning

InteractiveProcess:Howdowesidetrack;howdowedistillourselfoutfromthewelter of distractions that beset us whenever we engage in our projects andrelationships in theworld?What is it like tobe steady and certain in the self?Whendoeshappiness

comefromourbeingandnotjustfromcomparisontoothersorfromouracquisitions?How can we use the meditative mind to be content, contained and therefore moreprojectiveandexpressiveinsteadofjustreflectiveandreactive?Howdothefourstageswe face todayofRasa,Delight,Politeness,Humilityhelpusdealwithothers inawaythathonorsandmaintainsourintegrityofself?Whatisyourexperienceifyoulosethismeditativestanceinarelationship;howdoesthataffecttherelationshipwithyourself?

SecondJourneyDayOneAfternoon

Interactive Process: how does the ability to stabilize your sense of self, create aprojection,savorasensationandrelaxyourprojectionhelpyoudevelopcharacterandtheability toheal in your life? In thehealingexercisewhatmeditative skillwasmostimportant? Inordertotruly letyourawarenesscreatehealingyouhaveto letallyoursensations into your awareness. What is the meditative skill that lets your self staypresentandhealinghappen?Howhaveyoublockedthathealingplaceandthoughtyoucouldnothealwheninfactitisanaturalcapacityinallofus?Whatisyourexperiencetodayinsavoringandthesenseofraptureinconsciousness?

SecondJourneyDayTwoMorning

Interactive Process: Discusswhat holds us back fromaccepting our ownelevation inconsciousnessandcharacter;what is yourexperiencewhenyoubeamyourmindandsuspendintoanaad?Inthisprocesswedirectournaadandenergythroughthecentralchannelandtapthekundalini.Whatmakesthiseasyandeffectiveinyourexperience?Whatistheeffectofbeamingyourmindintotheinfinite?

SecondJourneyDayTwoAfternoon

Interactive Group Process: How does absorption into your elevated self help you actpracticallyandintuitivelyineverythingyoudo?Howdoesthishelprelationships?Whatisneededduringthemeditationtosenseyourselfsensingyourselfandstaydeeplyinthe flowof thenaad?What is it like to immerseoneself intonaad? If youhavegonedeeplyintothenaadbefore,howdoyoustaypresentandawareandnotsimplyattend

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to the pleasant feelings it brings?What do you think is the simplest andbestwaytoprepareforthisstageofmeditation?

ThirdJourneyDayOneMorning

InteractiveProcess:Whatdoes itmeantotranscendtheself?Howdoyouexperienceintuition?Howarenoselfandinfiniteselfthesame?Whatisyourdefenseagainst

merger and surrender to your higher self orGod?What is it like in your personal liewhen you overcame that hesitation?Underwhat condition does giving only give youmoreofyourself?

ThirdJourneyDayTwoMorning

Interactive Process:What is our experience of shuniaa? How do you distinguish thatfrompassivityanddetachment?Howisneutralmindnecessarytoleverageourinfiniteself? How is love part of this reality and emotion not? When shuniaa is properlyunderstood,howdoesitactasagatewaytothehigherselfandabarriertofantasyand"true-believer"extremism?

ThirdJourneyDayTwoAfternoon

Interactive Process: how do we create manifestation in our life using intention byplacing a bija, a potentiated seed of sound ormental projection, into our infinite orunknownself?What is it liketorealizeweareco-creatorsthroughour innocenceandintention with the formless One? What is the key difference between practical co-creationwithintentionandmagicalthinking?Whatcanitmeantousetheenergy,thetapas, of deepmeditation to clear your fate and support your destiny as a completehuman being who is creative, divine, prosperous, grateful, courageous, kind andhumble?

SkillEnhancementExercises

Therearethreeoftheseintheprocessofthecourse.Theyareincludedintheirownsectioninthestudentmanual.Theyfitintoaspecificplaceinthecoursecurricula.Theyareallduringthesecondjourney.Eachonefocusesonapartofthemeditativeskill thatwedevelopaspartofdeepmeditationinthestages.Theyarebetweenthestagesandaretoensureafocusontheskills needed and to deepen the understanding of what abilities those skills give to the

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practitioners. The studentmanual has detailed descriptions.Here is a shortenedtopicallistofthem.

SecondJourneyDayonebetweenStages8and9

Skill Enhancement: Witness Your Consciousness from within Your Self. This practicedevelops the ability to see your self watching your self. It moves meditation fromobservingmindfullytosensingyourownsensitivity.Itopenstheuppercentersofthe

headtobeawareoftheflowofyourlifeandpastlives.Itbeginstheprocesstosavorlifefrominsidetheconsciousnessofsensationsratherthaninsensationonly.

SecondJourneyDayonebetweenStages9and10

SkillEnhancement:PartnerandGroupKundaliniHealingandMentalBeaming.Thisisapivotalexperienceformanystudents.Itfocusesonhowwecanjoinintotheexperienceof another person and regain our own self after. It is the essence ofman y forms ofkundalinihealing.Itprovidesanexampleofhowwemergeasanindividualwithanotherandhowthegroupconsciousnessisaffectedsimplybyobservinghealinginothers.Thisdeepenstheexperienceofthenextstages.

SecondjourneyDaytwobetweenStage12and13

SkillEnhancement:PranayamClearingwithBreathofFire.This31minuteexerciseisameditationonbreath,purityandlightnessoftheself.Itbalancesallthemeridiansandhelpspassthecriticalbarrierintomergerandenlightenmentwherewecannotbringanybaggage form thepast. For this clearing the somaticbase is very important. This alsoremindsstudentsofYogiBhajan’schargetomaster31minutesofBreathofFire.

Kriyas

Bothofthesekriyasaretohelpandintegratetheprocessesofthefirstjourneyaswecrystallizethe senseof self. Each trainermayhaveequivalents they favor. Youmayhavemore time inyourcourseandwishtoaddkriyasatsadhanasthatsupportthephysical,mentalandspiritualneeds of the day. The few that are in the curriculum flow during the processes of the firstjourneyarelistedhere:

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IntheFirstJourneybeginningoftheday

The purpose of this exercise kriya is simply to wake people up, distribute andgenerateenergyandmovecirculationtopreparefortheday.Thiscanbeanythingthatworks. I recommend theHarAerobic Kriya for 11min then5minutesof the twistingdance exercise and then 11 more minutes of free style dance and bhangra. That isvariety,energy,largemovementsandfun.

IntheFirstJourneyendoftheday

GuidedVisualizationExerciseandKriyatoamalgamatethebasecampmeditations.Hereisabriefdescription.Thishastwoparts.

PartOne: The kriya is found in theKRImanualReachingMe inMeonpgs. 9-10. It iscalled “Balancing the Three Psyches”. This kriya is only 15minutes long and activelypreparesthemindtobalancethethreesourcesofyouractivepsyche.

PartTwo:thisisavisualizationledbyYogiBhajan.Itsupportsoneoftheprimarytasksof these stages to let gooff theemotions and the self-judgments youhave. In it youconsciouslyshifttoasenseofyourselfthatreliesontheinfinite.

Sitineasypose.Placetherighthandinafistwithindexfingerpointingupwithyourarmnexttoyourside.Bendtheleftarmsotheforearmisparalleltotheground;armatthesideandwiththepalmfacingup.Makeagianmudra.Focustheeyesatthetipofthenose.

Now inhaleandchant theGobindayMukandaymantraeithermonotoneormusically.Surveyyouremotionsandallthereactionsanddifficultiesyouhavefaced.Sensealltheemotionsthathavepassedthroughyourmindduringthemeditations.Becomeawareofall thatyouhave learnedandall yourmistakesandmisunderstandings.Appreciateallthestrengthyouhavegainedandalltheintegrityyouhavefoundinyourheartasyou.Thenasyouchantprojectallyourgratitudetothe infinite thatsupportsyour journeythroughtimeandspace.Feelyouhaveallsupportandprotectiontoaccomplishwhatistrueinyoursoulandheart.Continue11to15minutes.Theninhale,holdandrelax.

HomePracticesRecommended

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Attheendofeachcoursewewanttorecommendahomepractice.Thestudentshave a wealth of materials and profound experiences together. One of the

expectationsweshare is thatwe repeat thesecourseswhenwecan-onceayearorat leastperiodicallytokeepdevelopingtheentireprocessanddepthofmeditation.Whenwedothattheyareneverthesamebecausewehavematuredandourcircumstanceshavechanged.Weareabletoderiveincreasingbenefitsfromthepracticesofthe21stagesofmeditation.

We do not have a requirement for this course. Practice whatever has struck you as mostneededforyourself.

Wewillhowevermakeasimplerecommendation.Fora40daypracticetodirectlypolishtheprimaryskillofthejourneytheycompletedo:

JourneyOne 31minutesofHumeeHumBrahmHuminTraatikDhyanMudraasdoneinstage7

JourneyTwo 31minutesoftheLayaYogaKundaliniMantraasinStage14

JourneyThree 31-62minutesofSodarshanChakraKriya

In additionwe encourage students to experimentwith the KundaliniMantra- the Adi ShaktiMantra. On its own do it for 37 ½minutes. At some point do the 2 ½ hour 40 sadhana ofchantingthisinthemorning.

Wedonottrackthisaspectofthecourse,butencourageitandhopesomepartnersorgroupswilldoittogethertoshareexperiences.Ideallythe40daylongekongkarwillbepartofKRI’songoingglobalofferingandthisrecommendationcanalignwiththat.

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Documents

Curriculum Materials for 21 Stages Trainers