Course

Unit 1

Describe Meditation and Understand its Benefits (CO1)

A: Importance of meditation. How does meditation help to overcome obstacles in life

Reading 1: Why Meditate? (Swami Shubamritananda ji)

Video Resource: Pre-recorded Video with Swami Shubhamritananda Puri

Unit 2

Causes of Stress and How Meditation Improves Well-being (CO2)

A: Learn how to prepare for meditation. Understand the aids that can help in effectively practicing meditation. Understand the role of sleep, physical activity, and a balanced diet in supporting meditation. B: Causes of Stress. The problem of not being relaxed. Effects of stress on health. How meditation helps to relieve stress. Basics of stress management at home and the workplace.

Reading 1: Mayo Clinic Staff (2022, April 29). Meditation: A Simple, Fast Way to Reduce Stress. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art- 20045858 (PDF provided)

Reading 2: ‘Efficient Action.’ Chapter 28 in Amritam Gamaya (2022). Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust.

Video Resource: Pre-recorded Video with Dr. Ram Manohar

Video Resource: Pre-recorded Video with Prof. Udhayakumar

Unit 3

The Science of Meditation (CO3)

A: A preliminary understanding of the Science of meditation. What can modern science tell us about this tradition-based method?

B: How meditation helps humanity according to what we know from scientific research

Reading 1: Does Meditation Aid Brain and Mental Health (Dr Shyam Diwakar)

Reading 2: ‘Science and Spirituality.’ Chapter 85 in Amritam Gamaya (2022). Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust.

Video Resource: Pre-recorded Video with Dr. Shyam Diwakar

Unit 4

Practicing MA OM Meditation in Daily Life (CO4)

Guided Meditation Sessions following scripts provided (Level One to Level Five)

Reading 1: MA OM and White Flower Meditation: A Brief Note (Swami Atmananda Puri)

Reading 2: ‘Live in the Present Moment.’ Chapter 71 in Amritam Gamaya (2022). Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust.

Video Resource: Pre-recorded Video with Swami Atmananda Puri

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Master Over the Mind (MAOM) is an Amrita initiative to implement schemes and organise university-wide programs to enhance health and wellbeing of all faculty, staff, and students (UN SDG -3). This program as part of our efforts for sustainable stress reduction gives an introduction to immediate and long-term benefits and equips every attendee to manage stressful emotions and anxiety facilitating inner peace and harmony.

With a meditation technique offered by Amrita Chancellor and world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), this course has been planned to be offered to all students of all campuses of AMRITA, starting off with all first years, wherein one hour per week is completely dedicated for guided practical meditation session and one hour  on the theory aspects of MAOM. The theory section comprises lecture hours within a structured syllabus and will include invited guest lecture series from eminent personalities from diverse fields of excellence. This course will enhance the understanding of experiential learning based on university’s mission: “Education for Life along with Education for Living” and is aimed to allow learners to realize and rediscover the infinite potential of one’s true Being and the fulfilment of life’s goals.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

After completing this course, students will be able to:

CO1: To be able to describe what meditation is and to understand its health benefits

CO2: To understand the science of meditation

CO3: To understand the causes of stress and how meditation improves well-being

CO4: To learn and practice MAOM meditation in daily life

CO5: To analyze how meditation improves communication and relationships

CO6: To apply the power of meditation to compassion-driven action

TEXTBOOKS:

• Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, “Cultivating Strength and vitality,” published by Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Dec 2019
• Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri,” The Color of Rainbow “published by MAM, Amritapuri.

REFERENCES:

1. Craig Groeschel, “Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life” Zondervan Publishers, February 2019
2. R Nagarathna et al, “New Perspectives in Stress Management “Swami Vivekananda Yoga Prakashana publications, Jan 1986
3. Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri “Awaken Children Vol 1, 5 and 7 – Dialogues with Amma on Meditation”, August 2019
4. Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri “From Amma’s Heart – Amma’s answer to questions raised during world tours” March 2018
5. 5. Secret of Inner Peace– Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri, Amrita Books, Jan 2018.
6. Mata Amritanandamayi Devi “Compassion: The only way to Peace:Paris Speech”, MA Center, April 2016.
7. Mata Amritanandamayi Devi “Understanding and collaboration between Religions”, MA Center, April 2016.
8. Mata Amritanandamayi Devi “Awakening of Universal Motherhood: Geneva Speech” M A center, April 2016.