The central theme is to help participants end overthinking and experience effortless living through the teachings of the Ashtavakra Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, with guided awareness practice in every session.
Here is a structured 16-day outline.
Day 1 – Why We Overthink
Understand the nature of overthinking, how identification with thoughts creates suffering, and the possibility of effortless living. Guided awareness practice to observe thoughts without judgment.
Day 2 – The Witness Consciousness
Explore the Ashtavakra Gita’s teaching of the witnessing Self. Learn to observe the mind without becoming involved. Guided practice of silent witnessing.
Day 3 – Understanding the Mind
Study Patanjali’s concept of mental modifications (chitta-vritti). Recognize habitual thinking patterns. Practice awareness of thoughts as passing events.
Day 4 – Freedom from Psychological Identity
Discover how attachment to roles, memories, and beliefs creates inner conflict. Cultivate freedom through self-observation and present-moment awareness.
Day 5 – Living in the Present
Learn why the mind lives in the past and future. Experience the peace available in the present through guided awareness meditation.
Day 6 – Letting Go of Mental Resistance
Understand how resistance sustains suffering. Learn acceptance without passivity. Practice observing emotions without reacting.
Day 7 – Quieting the Inner Dialogue
Identify repetitive mental chatter and techniques to reduce it naturally through awareness rather than suppression.
Day 8 – Cultivating Inner Stillness
Experience the difference between temporary mental silence and abiding inner stillness. Practice extended periods of silent awareness.
Day 9 – Action Without Mental Burden
Explore acting efficiently without anxiety, inspired by the effortless action described in the Ashtavakra Gita. Awareness practice during simple activities.
Day 10 – Patanjali’s Eightfold Path
Understand how ethical living, discipline, concentration, and meditation support a calm and clear mind. Practical awareness exercises.
Day 11 – Emotional Freedom
Learn how awareness transforms fear, anger, worry, and anxiety without repression. Guided observation of emotional states.
Day 12 – Intuition Beyond Thought
Discover how mental quietness supports clearer perception and intuitive understanding. Practice deep listening and silent awareness.
Day 13 – Relationships Without Overthinking
Apply awareness to communication, expectations, and interpersonal conflicts. Learn to respond with clarity instead of habitual reactions.
Day 14 – Effortless Productivity
Work efficiently with a calm, focused mind. Replace stress-driven effort with relaxed attention and mindful action.
Day 15 – Integrating Awareness into Daily Life
Bring awareness into work, family life, decision-making, and everyday activities. Learn practical methods for continuous mindful living.
Day 16 – Experiencing Effortless Living
Integrate the core teachings of the Ashtavakra Gita and Patanjali. Review key principles, undertake an extended awareness meditation, and prepare a personal practice plan for lasting freedom from overthinking.
This sequence gradually moves participants from understanding the mechanics of overthinking to developing the practical skill of awareness and finally integrating the teachings into daily life, which aligns well with the promise of the workshop flyer.
Past Workshops & Participant Impact
Over the past few years, Prof. Narayan Behera has successfully conducted several intensive 16-hour online workshops through S-VYASA Deemed to be University. These programmes integrate modern psychology, meditation, and the timeless wisdom of Indian spiritual traditions to promote personal transformation, emotional well-being, and higher performance.
1. Self-Abidance: Spiritual Solution to Every Problem
Date: 6–14 April 2024
A 16-hour advanced programme integrating the Ashtavakra Gita, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vasistha, Ramana Maharshi, Buddhist philosophy, Shiva Sutra, and guided meditation to cultivate lasting inner peace and Self-realisation.
Participant Benefits
Inner peace independent of circumstances
Stronger intuition
Emotional balance
Better relationships
Self-healing
Peak professional performance
2. A Journey Towards Higher Consciousness and Greater Success
Date: 20 November 2023
A practical exploration of Yoga Vasistha and Tripura Rahasya using storytelling, meditation, and interactive discussions to connect higher consciousness with success in everyday life.
Participant Benefits
Purpose and meaning
Higher productivity
Better relationships
Thought mastery
Greater mental clarity
Spiritual growth
3. Spiritual Transformations in Personality
Date: 7 August 2023
An integrated course drawing upon Buddhist philosophy, Patanjali Yoga, and Advaita teachings to develop emotional intelligence, intuition, resilience, and personal transformation.
Participant Benefits
Better decision-making
Higher IQ, EQ and SQ
Self-healing
Emotional resilience
Improved relationships
Greater fulfilment
4. Ashtavakra Gita and efficient Life Management
Date: 15 May 2023
A comprehensive introduction to Advaita Vedanta through the Ashtavakra Gita, combining spiritual inquiry, meditation, and practical applications for modern life.
Participant Benefits
Self-understanding
Stress reduction
Inner peace
Clear thinking
Freedom from limiting beliefs
Practical spiritual wisdom
Overall Impact
The total participants were 90. These workshops have demonstrated the practical value of integrating meditation with Indian philosophical wisdom for personal and professional transformation. Participants consistently reported improvements in mental clarity, emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, productivity, and inner peace. Many participants returned for additional workshops, reflecting sustained engagement and confidence in the programmes. Feedback voluntarily provided by participants consistently indicated very high levels of satisfaction.
- Online Spiritual Workshop
Based on the timeless wisdom of I Am That and Indian Philosophy
Guided by Prof. Narayan Behera
- Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from IISc, Bengaluru
- International research experience in France, Japan, Holland, USA, and Finland
- Decades of dedicated meditation practice
- Experiences many benefits associated with higher consciousness.
- Affiliated to: SVYASA University, Bengaluru & Yogi Rama Tapovanam, Nellore, India
Workshop Benefits
- Meditation on the Spiritual Eye
- Efficient inner energy flow
- Enhancement of intellectual clarity
- Greater emotional regulation
- Stress-free living & inner joy
- Expanded intuition and sharper insight
- Strengthening of the immune system
- Pathways to Self-abidance and inner peace
Course Details
- Level 1 Free registration;
- Live lessons: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday ( 8pm to 9pm IST)
Level 2 will involve intensive spiritual practice including meditation (registration will be announced later)
- Commentaries on “I am That”, a spiritual classic of modern times as told by Nisargadatta Maharaj;
- Yogic Science and expansion of human potential;
- Asanas, pranayama and meditation practices.
You will rise above dualities and view life through a renewed perspective.
Collaborating Institutions
This course is supported by:
- Swami Vivekananda Yoga (SVYASA) University, Bengaluru 560105, India
Website: www.svyasa.edu.in
- Yogi Rama Tapovanam and Rishi Marga Mission, Sangam Mandal, Nellore, AP – 524306, India
Website: https://atmaparisodhanayoga.com/
- Atma Prajna International Institute, New Jersey, USA
Website: https://api-institute.com
I am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj:
Suffering arises because we wrongly identify ourselves with our name, body, roles, and mental stories. This creates fear, desire, attachment, and conflict. But when we sincerely inquire into the question “Who am I?”, we discover a deeper truth—that we are the consciousness in which all things appear and disappear.
He repeatedly emphasizes the practice of staying with the sense “I Am”, the pure feeling of being—without adding anything to it. By abiding in this state with patience, our false identifications drop away, and we awaken to our true nature, which is limitless, peaceful, and free from fear.
The teaching of I Am That shows that true knowledge is not found through science, senses, or the mind, which are all limited. Science studies only what can be observed and measured, while our senses and thoughts give us a partial, changing view of reality. Nisargadatta Maharaj teaches that beyond all this is pure awareness—the silent, witnessing presence that never changes. This awareness cannot be known by the mind, but is the source of all knowing. When we turn inward and rest in the pure sense of “I Am,” we discover a deeper truth beyond the limits of perception and thought.
Maharaj’s message is practical: no rituals or beliefs are required—only deep attention, self-inquiry, and earnestness. Enlightenment is not something to be gained, but rather the removal of what blocks us from knowing that we already are That—pure presence, here and now.
Yogic Science and Expansion of Human Potential:
- Energy Flows in the Body
The human body is powered by subtle energy, which flows through invisible channels
(nadis) and supports health, vitality, and mental clarity.
- Five Layers of the Self (Panchakosha)
According to yogic wisdom, we are not just the body—we have five layers: physical
body, energy body, mind, wisdom, and bliss. True well-being means aligning all these
layers.
- Chakras – The Energy Centers
Chakras are energy centers in the body that regulate different aspects of our life—like
survival, emotions, willpower, love, communication, insight, and spiritual awareness.
- Kundalini Energy Awakening
At the base of the spine lies dormant energy (kundalini). Through yogic practices, this
energy can be awakened to fuel transformation, creativity, and inner growth.
- The Spiritual Eye and Brain Centers
The "third eye" (ajna chakra) is linked to intuition and clarity. It is connected to the pineal
and pituitary glands, which play a role in higher awareness.
- Expanding Consciousness
Through meditation and inner discipline, consciousness can expand beyond daily
thoughts—leading to inner peace, clarity, and a greater understanding of life.
Awakening Intuition
Yoga sharpens intuition—the inner voice that guides us rightly. It helps make clear
decisions without confusion or fear.
- Stress-Free Living
Yogic techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and mindful living reduce stress, calm
the nervous system, and bring emotional balance.
- Strengthening the Immune System
Regular yoga practice boosts immunity by balancing hormones, improving sleep, and
reducing inflammation and stress.
- Self-Realization – The Ultimate Goal
The highest goal of yoga is Self-realization—knowing one’s true nature beyond the body
and mind. This leads to lasting joy, peace, and freedom.
Asanas, pranayama, and meditation,
- Balance the Body through Asanas
Yogic postures (asanas) gently stretch and strengthen the body, improve posture, and prepare the nervous system for deeper spiritual practices.
- Awaken Life Energy with Pranayama
Breathing techniques (pranayama) help control the flow of vital energy (prana), calm the mind, reduce stress, and increase mental clarity.
- Calm the Mind through Meditation
Meditation trains the mind to become quiet and inward-focused. Regular practice leads to peace, inner joy, and freedom from anxiety.
- Focus on the Spiritual Eye
The “spiritual eye” (between the eyebrows) is a doorway to higher awareness. Concentrating here during meditation deepens intuition and opens the path to Self-realization.
- Experience Inner Light and Stillness
With steady practice, one may begin to perceive light, stillness, or bliss within—signs of deeper connection to the higher Self.
Move Toward Self-Realization
The ultimate goal of the workshop is to help participants go beyond body and thoughts to realize their true divine nature—eternal, peaceful, and free.
Course Format:
- Comprehensive Materials:
You will receive access to course materials including e-books written by the teacher and
over 35 hours of audio and video lessons (around 200 in total). - Integrated Practice:
Each spiritual lesson will be paired with practical exercises. Participants are encouraged
to maintain a personal spiritual diary to track their progress and inner transformation. - Live Interactive Sessions:
Live classes will be held three times per week, covering:
o In-depth discussions on key chapters
o Question-and-answer sessions
o Guided meditation practices
Live sessions: Monday, Wednesday and Friday (9 pm to 10 pm, Indian Standard Time). Timings are subjected to slight adjustment later. - Extended Access:
All course content will remain available for six months after registration for flexible, self-
paced learning. - Certification:
Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate acknowledging their
learning and participation. - Inclusive and Universal:
This workshop is non-sectarian and open to all, regardless of religious belief or
background—atheists, agnostics, and theists alike will benefit deeply from its teachings. - Optional Contribution:
If you find value in the program, you are welcome to offer a donation of any amount to
support the ongoing spiritual mission. Q & A Archive:
All submitted questions and their answers will be archived on the website for ongoing
access and learning.
Registration Fee:
- Free for level 1
- For Residents in India: ₹600 (Six Hundred Rupees)
- For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs): USD 40 (Forty U.S. Dollars)
Introductory Offer for First 500 Registrations:
- For Residents in India: ₹400 (Four Hundred Rupees)
- For Non-Resident Indians: USD 25 (Twenty-five U.S. Dollars)
We encourage you to register early to take advantage of this limited-time discount.
Flexible Entry:
Participants may join the course at any time after it begins.
You have the option to pay in ten installments, with each installment spaced one month apart.
This offer is valid for a limited period.
Participants who benefit from the course are welcome to donate any additional amount to support the growth and mission of the organization.
The payment is being collected by Atma Prajna International Institute (YRT & RM – Mission)
The following additional courses will be offered in the future:
- Yoga Vasistha (Sage Vashitha’s teachings to prince Rama),
- Tripura Rahasya (by Lord Dattatreya),
- Guru Gita (by Lord Dattatreya)
- Ribhu Gita (Teachings of Lord Shiva to sage Ribhu),
- Bhagavad Gita (timeless teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna)
- Conversations with God (Books 2, and 3) (Inner voice of God as answers to existential questions)
- The Buddhist Bible (Lord Buddha’s teachings as preserved in various sutras),
- Sayings of Ramakrishna Paramahansa
- Teachings of Ramsukhdas ji
- Shiva Sutra (Lord Shiva’s teachings)
- Chinese Taoist Philosophy
- Upanishads
- Play of Consciousness (Experiences of higher spiritual planes by Muktananda)
- Spiritual levels (astral/causal)
- Voices of Babaji (three books dictated by Mahavatar Babaji to his disciple V T Neelakantan in mid Nineteen fifties:, Book 2- Masterkey to All Ills, Book 3- Death of Death
- Shankhya and Vedanta Philosophy
- Autobiography of a Yogi (by Paramahansa Yogananda)
- Mystical schools of Western philosophy
- Advanced meditation classes