The Supreme Meditation Ashram is established in the ancient tradition of the Gurukula (school of the Guru) which was also known as The Spanda School, so named by Vasuguptacharya and his successors. Our Gurukula is a place of deep self-reflection and ongoing study in the ancient principles and science of spiritual development and transformation.

Our program of study is a full curriculum established in the great oral tradition of the Yoga of the Siddhas. It is based on the Chidakasha Gita of Bhagawan Nityananda and the sacred texts and Agamas of The Spanda School of Trika Shaivism.

Based on the oral tradition, as taught by a Siddha Guru in a lineage of Masters, these sacred texts are highly applicable to modern life. They directly address the woes, struggles and concerns of seekers everywhere today; those who are seeking true peace, joy and freedom of the heart and want to experience these right where they are naturally, inside one's own being.

The scriptures of Shaivism and Vedanta, as well as the Tantras of the Eastern mystics, contain many hidden meanings that cannot be understood from the level of practical experience, without the guidance of one who has experienced those teachings and merged with the principles they represent. Also, many of the teachings set forth in these sacred texts are purposely obscured in an attempt to prevent them being used for the wrong purpose. This is why the guidance of a competent Master, established in an oral tradition, is essential for permanent transformation to occur. Acharya Kedar is such a Master.

OUR CURRICULUM OF STUDY AT A GLANCE

The Supreme Meditation Intensive

The Supreme Meditation Intensive is the start of our curriculum. It is the cornerstone of everything that occurs here. In it, you receive Shaktipat, the necessary spiritual awakening that we call full kundalini awakening, that makes meditation spontaneous, invokes healing and marks the beginning of your Sadhana (spiritual practice under the direct guidance of a Siddha Master.)

Many people return to take additional Supreme Meditation Intensives. They do so to accelerate their spiritual practice and to deepen their experience of the Self. They also experience that their spiritual practice expands and deepens in a spontaneous way, as they come to love and enjoy the benefits of group participation known as Satsang.

All Supreme Meditation Intensives are led by Acharya Kedar and ashram staff. They are conducted in small groups in a quiet setting.

New-comers to Supreme Meditation are encouraged to attend our free introductory program.

Introduction To Trika (Kashmir) Shaivism

This 1-Day Introduction to Trika Shaivism course is a Contemplation on the teachings and principles of Trika (Kashmir) Shaivism and The Spanda School of Vasuguptacharya and his successors.

The principles taught in this course are taken from the Shaiva Agamas and Tantras of The Spanda School of Vasuguptacharya. These timeless teachings and practices of Shaivism are taught by Acharya Kedar, out of his own inner experience of these teachings and practices that, by his Gurudev's Grace, have Liberated him.

This 1-Day course is rich in practical wisdom and knowledge of the Sages of steady wisdom of the Siddha Path to Total Freedom. These principles are easily applied to every day living and the Mastery of life that is so necessary in an increasingly restless and superficial world.

The philosophy of Shaivism is the highest philosophy for living in the world while loving and remembering God by embracing all the forms of this manifold Universe. This course is a prerequisite to the Maharudra program.

Daily and Weekly Programs

After taking intensives students return on a daily and weekly basis to gain support in their Sadhanas and to deepen their daily spiritual practice by participating in the daily/weekly free meditation and chanting programs offered in the ashram. This is an invaluable aide in one's spiritual growth.

Acharya Kedar leads many of our daily and weekly free programs.

Supreme Meditation Home Study Courses

People who are not able to attend our daily/weekly programs on a regular basis participate in our home study course and also purchase talks on various topics given by Acharya Kedar for the purpose of deepening one's spiritual practice. These courses and talks are available on both CD and DVD. Students who attend our programs also purchase these as an aide to their spiritual development, to deepen their understanding of the Supreme Meditation path.

Supreme Yoga

Within the Supreme Meditation offering, we also offer Supreme Yoga. Supreme Yoga is a special set of Hatha Yoga programs designed specifically to enhance the Supreme Meditation teachings and practices instructed by Acharya Kedar. This Yoga is designed to give you the direct experience of the Absolute, and to better prepare you for sitting Meditation. Each posture is guided with a Contemplation or centering technique that has been created and interpreted by Acharya Kedar, based on the scriptures and sacred texts of Trika (Kashmir) Shaivism.

Supreme Yoga is taught in classes and weekend intensives by Lakshmi Satya Devi and Anugraha Bakshi, two of Acharyaji's disciples.

Week-Long Courses and Retreats

Students who have taken one or more intensives, and who wish to continue their study to deepen their experience of Supreme Meditation, go on to enroll in one or more week-long courses and retreats.

Throughout the year we offer week-long courses and retreats to deepen your understanding, experience and practice of Supreme Meditation. These week-long courses and retreats are designed to provide you with practical ways in which to apply the Supreme Meditation teachings to daily life in your home, work and relationships.

One of our most important week-long courses is our program in the understanding and practical application of the Chidakasha Gita of Bhagawan Nityananda.

Week-long courses and retreats are taught by Acharya Kedar and ashram staff. The prerequisite for enrollment in any week-long retreat is that you have taken, at least, one Supreme Meditation Intensive.

The Maharudra Program

For those who want to continue their study of Supreme Meditation in The Spanda School environment, in order to accelerate their journey to attain the goal of our practice, Acharyaji has created the Maharudra Program.

The Maharudra Program is designed to foster and support the true Guru-Disciple relationship as it was cultivated in the times of our ancestors of the Siddha Path to Total Freedom.* It supports direct contact** between you and Acharya Kedar in an atmosphere of intense focus on removing the barriers to your Liberation. Shaktipat is the beginning but God-realization comes with Sadhana.

In such an environment, you are guided in prioritizing your life around the goal of your Sadhana (daily spiritual practice) so that you can learn true discipleship in a way that allows you to break through ALL the obstacles to your realization of God.

The Maharudra Program is for those students of Supreme Meditation who have a sincere desire to attain the goal of the Supreme Meditation path by imbibing all that the Acharya has to offer. In this program you immerse yourself in the oral teachings of the Spanda School of Trika Shaivism, based on the practical application of the principles taught in the Shaiva Agamas and Tantras,*** the primary focus of which is the practical, daily realization of The 5-Fold Act of Divine Consciousness.

The Maharudra Program is a 3-year (36 months) program that is conducted on one (1) weekend of every month, 9 months of each year, for a period of 3 years. Interdispersed with the most valuable oral teaching is the close examination of the sacred texts of Trika Shaivism and the scriptures of The Spanda School of Vasuguptacharya. A sample list of texts, along with the curriculum plan, is made available with your application for enrollment.

This program will be inaugerated in 2008. Enrollment is by application only and there is an application review process and brief interview. Entry is by approval only and enrollment is limited to a small group of students. An application package will be made available soon.

Prerequisites: To apply for enrollment in The Maharudra Program, you must have attended a minimum of two (2), full Supreme Meditation intensives, the week-long Chidakasha Gita course and retreat, and the 1-Day Introduction to Trika Shaivism course (our intro home study course in Trika Shaivism can be substituted for the 1-Day live intro, if necessary).

*there is no association between the Siddha Path to Total Freedom and the Siddha Path magazine belonging to SYDA Foundation ® and no association between the Siddha Path to Total Freedom and the Siddha Yoga ® Path.
**please note that this is not private therapy sessions.
***this has nothing to do with sex.