Course Overview

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 Syllabus Unit 1 (4 hours)

Causes of Stress: The problem of not being relaxed. Need for meditation -basics of stress management at home and workplace. Traditions and Culture. Principles of meditation– promote a sense of control and autonomy in the Universal Human Value System. Different stages of Meditation. Various Meditation Models. Various practices of Meditation techniques in different schools of philosophy and Indian Knowledge System.

Unit 2 ( 4 hours )

Improving work and study performance. Meditation in daily life. Cultivating compassion and good mental health with an attitude of openness and acceptance. Research and Science of Meditation: Significance of practising meditation and perspectives from diverse fields like science, medicine, technology. philosophy, culture, arts, management, sports, economics, healthcare, environment etc. The role of meditation for stress and anxiety reduction in one’s life with insights based on recent cutting-edge technology. The effect of practicing meditation for the wholesome wellbeing of an individual.

Unit 3 (4 hours)

Communications: principles of conscious communication. Relationships and empathy: meditative approach in managing and maintaining better relationships in life during the interactions in the world, role of MAOM in developing compassion, empathy and responsibility, instilling interest, and orientation to humanitarian projects as a key to harness intelligence and compassion in youth. Methodologies to evaluate effective awareness and relaxation gained from meditation. Evaluating the global transformation through meditation by instilling human values which leads to service learning and compassion driven research.

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

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. 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.