Self realization Program
The Self Realization Program (SRP) is a life long self-transformation program.
The Self Realization Program (SRP) is a life-long learning program for those who want to know themselves. “Know Thyself” is a direct path.
The SRP is about both the lower self and the higher Self. The lower self is the mind and the higher Self is Individual Consciousness. The SRP is for those who seek complete knowledge of both.
The SRP is for those who are open to the interpretation of Yoga concepts from the perspective of Samaya Srividya Tradition in the lineage of Swami Rama. When we refer to Swamiji here or any other SRP related documents we are referring to Swami Rama of the Himalayas.
The SRP is for those who are willing to spend 10-15 years in deepening the concepts of Yoga through direct experience in Systematic Yoga Meditation as opposed to intellectual study and superficial understanding of the same.
The aspirant should be motivated enough to integrate the practice in his daily life. Without discipline and practice on the part of the aspirant no progress is likely.
While this program is tailored to those who aspire to attain Self Realization, there may be other benefits that may accrue from the systematic practice and interpretation of the teachings, such as improved physical health and mental stability. These may also reflect in more supportive external circumstances. However, these are only “positive side effects” that may come along. The focus of the SRP is and remains Self Realization.
The SRP will guide and train aspirants in a systematic practice to attain realistic goals set by the aspirants themselves. One of the major roles of the primary mentor is to help the aspirant to remove obstacles in progress rather than merely add practices.
The unbroken teacher-student lineage
Our Tradition is over six thousand years old. This tradition comes down from the ancient rishis of the Upanishads. Some of the teachers were householder sages and others were renunciates. They prepared the young students and gradually revealed to them the mysteries of life and death.
In the traditional approach the student evolves for himself. He may teach eventually as well, but he does not enter this relationship to get a certificate at the end. This approach is not focused on learning and information; it is about unlearning and attaining self-knowledge through direct experience. Thus, the emphasis is not on aparavidya, scriptural knowledge or professional knowledge, but on paravidya, the self-knowledge and inner wisdom that reveals the mysteries of living and dying.
The teacher takes responsibility for the welfare of the aspirant and preserving the unbroken lineage. The lineage is the cornerstone of the oral tradition.
The only thing that counts is how the student evolves. To evolve the student must do sadhana (practice). This kind of yoga education is about unlearning the limitations created by the conscious minded helping it to expand by becoming aware of the unconscious mind. This is the highest form of education. This system acknowledges that there can be no standardized form of learning and unlearning. Each individual is unique and thus only a 1:1 relationship with an authentic teacher can transform a student.
Mentors are common in the fields of education and management. One might think this is a new idea. It is not. It is in fact an ancient idea, dating back to the times of the Vedas and Upanishads over six thousand years.
If we study the etymology or the origin of the word mentor, we would discover that is actually comes from the Sanskrit root, “mantr,” which means one who thinks, a counsellor, guide or preceptor. It is closely related to “mantra,” a sacred word, to “mana” which means mind and to “mantri” which means prime minister or chief advisor to the King. So the word mentor is not all that new and foreign to Yoga.
Why do you need a mentor at all? Because the mind is tricky and meditators need guidance in the unfamiliar and unknown territory of the mind. Any understanding from a book is limited by your own limited understanding. To grasp the deeper truth behind the words of the scriptures you need someone has practiced and validated the teachings, this teacher can clarify your misunderstandings and interpret the teachings correctly. The greatest difficulty faced by the modern student is incorrect understanding of the scriptures.
Benefits of the Self Realization Program
The following are only a few of the benefits of the SRP:
Satsang, a community of like-minded persons
We are all enjoying this amazing journey together and are part of this community to support each other in the transformative process.
Interpretation of the teachings from the Samaya Srividya perspective
There are many religions, traditions, lineages and traditions, and each understands the scriptures and the teachings in their own way. The SRP interprets the scriptures according to the internal path of Samaya Srividya in the lineage of Swami Rama.
The SRP provides a systematic practice
A systematic practice that leads from the gross to the subtle and from external to internal is provided by the primary mentor to the members step-by-step as the member progresses in a transformative process.
On-going guidance
The primary mentor provides guidance through different phases of life, dealing with different health issues as well as cultural and social habit patterns. Everyone is unique and so is your practice.
What is the SRP all about?
There is a general syllabus for all those who want to be part of this program. This is not about intellectual study. The understanding comes from contemplation upon and guidance in these concepts.
Download the Self Realization Program Study Plan.
There are 12 SRP online sessions a year. The monthly sessions take place on Sundays for a duration of two hours. The last half hour of the session is an open Q&A session for members to clarify doubts and pose questions of a general nature.
Once accepted into the SRP you will be invited to join the SRP group on Facebook. You can also ask me general questions and clarify doubts about the practices given to you in this group.
Members of SRP can avail of the 1:1 mentoring sessions with me twice a year. The sessions, limited to a duration of 45 minutes, take place in May-June and once again in November-December. Members of the SRP can put forward any private and personal questions during this sessions. Besides this, you can write to me directly to clarify any further doubts and queries in February and August.
Apart from the personal guidance, you have opportunities during the monthly SRP group sessions to ask questions or post them anytime in the SRP Facebook group.
SRP has been developed by me, keeping the following in mind:
1. Unbroken Lineage: All ancient spiritual traditions of Yoga Meditation are based on the Guru-Shisya Parampara i.e. the tradition of handing down authentic teachings from teacher to student, forming an unbroken lineage over millennia (not just a couple of years or decades).
2. No compromise: Any standardized form of teaching Yoga Meditation is a compromise.
3. No dependency: SRP takes you to the inner teacher and thus makes you independent. It does not encourage the seeker to get dependent on the mentor.
4. Medicine is bitter: You need to get in touch with me and make appointments. The focus is on individual development, on shreyas (the good) and not on preyas (the pleasant).
5. Confidential: All 1-1 sessions are personal and confidential. All sessions are in person, telephonic or using online facilities such as Facebook Messenger, Zoom or Whatsapp. You may be assigned a novice mentor.
6. No instant results: This training can take up to 15 years depending on the quality of the student. Those who have had deeper mystical and spontaneous mystical experiences seem to dive into the tradition and the teachings effortlessly. Others may struggle to evolve and develop.
7. No certification: You do this for yourself. You are ready to teach when you have developed out of your limitations and evolved. You are “empowered” to teach, when you receive the ajna (command) to teach.
8. Not reinventing the wheel: We do not need a new style or new yoga. All the experimentation has been done. Just follow the path laid out by the sages; that’s the highway. If you want to experiment, this may not be your “thing.”
Pre-requisites for membership in SRP
For a successful start in such a relationship it is necessary that the mentor and the aspirant both want to enter into such a relationship.
Regular Participation in the SRP online meetings taking place 12 times a year. The duration of each session is 2 hours. Plan your life events around them.
You will have 2 personal mentor sessions in the year with the primary mentor and/or novice mentor. A mentor session is a 1:1 session to discuss your practice, your development and how to integrate these in your life. These take place at the end and middle of the year.
On the basis on the mentor sessions and your participation in the group meeting, the mentor can assess your progress.
For whom is SRP suitable (and for whom is it not)
This program is for those who ask fundamental questions like: Who am I? From where have I come and why have I come? What is happiness? What is suffering? What is my relationship with the universe and other human beings? What is the essential nature of my being and of the world? Do we live after death?
SRP is suitable for those:
who are willing to nurture the relationship between teacher and student based on mutual respect, humility and trust.
who feel, “I am bound. I want to be liberated.”
who seek something permanent; who are uninterested in the transient and ever-changing.
having a sense of discrimination, who know what is right and what is wrong.
having a bit of vairagya or non-attachment, that is the student should not be overly attached to the worldly objects.
who are willing to discipline themselves.
with the right attitude, that is, humility and the willingness to study and train the mind.
who are courageous and willing to listen to the bitter truth.
The SRP is not suitable for those:
who want to evolve their own version of yoga from various books and websites according to the whims and fancies of their minds.
want spiritual entertainment and are “window shopping” for teachers.
who are just curious and want to check it out.
who already have a teacher who is competent and leading you on the inner journey.
who want to expand their egos by acquiring more information or learn some “secret” practices.
who do not want to make any changes in their current lifestyle and attitude to life.
How to apply for the Self Realization Program
If you have got as far as the end of this long article, there is a possibility that you are seriously interested in the Self Realization Program.😊
If that is so then:
Connect to Radhikaji on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radhika.shahgrouven
Join Facebook Group Self Realization with Radhikaji: https://www.facebook.com/groups/radhikaji
Subscribe to YouTube Channel Radhikaji: https://www.youtube.com/@radhikajiselfrealization
Follow Radhikaji on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radhikagrouven/
Follow the Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/radhikajiselfrealization
You can write to me using the contact form on this site or a private message on Facebook or Instagram. Please introduce yourself and explain why you want become a member of the SRP. Mention your age, educational and family background as well as your occupation.
As part of the membership application process an audio and/or video call may be necessary.
Updated April 12, 2024