Rush for Meditation Studies : Ramakrishna Mission Institute Surprised.

December 9, 2005

The Telegraph, Dec 10.

Rush for study in spirituality and meditation.

MITA MUKHERJEE When life hits the fast lane, the need to take a

breather grows by the hour. This fact is now backed by figures, given the number

of applications piling up for the meditation course that the Ramakrishna Mission

has introduced.

The authorities at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and

Research Institute (deemed university) had thought that 50 seats would be enough

for the two-year diploma course on meditation and spiritual life, launched at

Belur Math on Friday.

But as applications started pouring in, the seats had to be increased to 116

in a month. After 200 application forms were distributed, the university decided

not to issue any more.

“When we took the decision to introduce the course, probably the first of its

kind in the state, we felt 50 seats would be enough. Our expectation was that

only retired and elderly persons would be interested,” said vice-chancellor

Swami Atmapriyananda.

The monks were pleasantly surprised on finding that the applicants were from

almost every walk of life and age group — engineers, doctors, lawyers,

management executives, businessmen, teachers and students. Only 14 of the 116

candidates are 60-plus.

“We are passing through a phase in which people, irrespective of their

position in society, feel that they must have a strong mind to stand on their

feet. This, I think, is one reason why so many applicants from such diverse

backgrounds are willing to join the course,” the vice-chancellor explained.

“The teachers, around one-fourth of the admission-seekers, said at the

interview that they wanted to be acquainted with their higher selves to impart

better training to their students,” a monk told Metro.

Each applicant had to face an interview, during which the monks examined

whether he/she was serious about delving into spirituality.

This was necessary as the students have to go through a regular academic

procedure, attending class and appearing for unit and semester exams. There will

be no practical session on meditation.

The monks’ expectations were, however, belied on one count. They had hoped for

a good response from housewives, but only six of them sought admission.

The course has no age bar for candidates, though they need to have passed the

Higher Secondary examinations.

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