FAQ About CNS-Sweden/Prashiksana Matha

Q: What is CNS-Sweden?
A: The College of Neo-humanist Studies (CNS-Sweden) associated with Prashiksana Matha is a relatively new tertiary program designed to enrich the academic training of students who wish to lead a life of service.

This program was established in May, 2004 in order to supplement the academic training of yogic monks and nuns and also provide opportunity of yogic-learning to persons other than those preparing for the life of monks and nuns. CNS is gearing itself to offer an equivalent of Bachelors/Masters/PhD in Yogic & Intuitional Science; and Neohumanist Education(NHE) & Allied Sciences.

Students may enroll in the joint program of Prashiksana Matha and CNS or register in any one of the two currently running faculties of CNS.

CNS-Sweden has sister-institutions in Asheville (North Carolina, USA), and Sao Paulo (Brazil). Initiatives are underway to establish CNS in Croatia, Holland, and Taiwan in the very near future.

Q: What is Prashiksana Matha?
A: Prashiksana Matha is an institute for advanced training in the field of Intuitional Science & Social Service. It is a specialized international institution for preparing dedicated volunteers for social service and teachers of yoga and meditation.

Q: What is the speciality of Prashiksana Matha?
A: Founded in 1976 in Ydrefors, Sweden, the Prashiksana Matha is one of the few quality institutions in the world devoted to preparing meditation teachers imbued with high social-consciousness & service spirit. Its focus has been on quality rather than quantity. So the institutions’ program is tailored to individual needs and welcomes students from all parts of the world.

Q: What are the requirements of joining Prashiksana Matha?
A: 1. Willingness to lead a monastic life as per yogic principles.
2. Recommendation of a qualified Acharya of Ananda Marga.
3. Readiness to undergo rigorous training necessary for meditation & service.
4. Applicant must be between ages 18-30 years. Exceptions may be made for older students.

Q: What are the requirements of joining CNS?
A: 1. Minimum requirement is: highschool graduate
2. Additional requirements for each programme specified by each respective faculty.

Q: How long is the training period?
A: The training period in Prashiksana Matha varies from person to person but is at least one year. The applicant can choose to enroll in a joint program of Prashiksana Matha and CNS-Sweden which could take two to three years.

Q: What is the tuition fees for study in Prashiksana Matha or CNS?
A: Each student is required to pay 24,400 kroners as tuition fees for the entire program. Tuition fees can be waived for needy and serious applicants. In addition, each student must be ready to spend 7300 SEK per month for the duration of their studies. Necessary support is also provided to needy students by the Prashiksana Matha and CNS-Sweden. Dormitory Facilities & Sentient Vegetarian Food is available at the Ydrefors Campus for faculty, staff and students.

Q: Who is the faculty & Staff at Prashiksana Matha/CNS?
A: Rector- & Director - Dr. Ramesh Kohli ( Dr. Acharya Shambhushivananda )
Languages & Yogic Philosophy - Haldhar Panjiyar (Acharya Harikrpananda)
Voice, speach and oral interpretation: Agneta Ottander
Neo Humanist Education - Bella Montalban (Didi Anandabhadra Acharya)
Creative Arts - Mr.Ole Brekke
Office Secretary & Prabha’t Samgiita Instructor - Mr. Didrik Bogason

In addition, the Institute draws on a wider faculty base of Ananda Marga Gurukula (www.gurukul.edu) worldwide and gets regular visits of researchers, scholars and speakers for short-term courses, workshops, lectures and seminars. Furthermore, a team of staff-volunteers is also utilized to manage the three facilities at Ydrefors Campus. There are no paid volunteers or staff.

Q: What are the courses taught at the Prashiksana Matha/CNS?
A: The curriculum of Prashiksana Matha is classified into three parts:
C Part: Languages, Conduct Rules, Basic Social and Spiritual Philosophy and Prabhat Samgiita.
B-Part: Courses related to Advanced Social and Spiritual Philosophies, Yogic Texts; Field Internship, Independent Study & Presentations.
A-Part: Applied Intuitional Science; Pedagogy for Tantra, Yoga and Meditation Teachers.

Examinations are conducted in every quarter. At least two out of four are conducted by external examiners. Each member of the panel of examiners is a Senior Acharya and must be practitioner of highest Vishesha Yoga.

At CNS, the Faculty of Yoga and Intutional Science gives the following courses:

1. Yoga , Ethics and Society
2. Yoga Cosmology and Microvita
3. Yoga Psychology and Neuro-Science
4. Yoga Practices, Sutras and Mantras
5. Yogic Texts and Philosophies
6. Yogic Therapy, Nature Cure and Ayurveda
7. Yogic Science, Meditation and Mysticism
8. Yogic Diet, Vegetarianism & Recipes
9. Yoga Asanas & Benefits
10. Anatomy, Physiology, Massage and Acupressure
11. Yogis through the Ages: Lives and Examples
12. Yoga Education in Schools (YES!)
13. Comparative Mystic Traditions & World Religions*

The Program of Teachers Training in Neohumanist Education & Allied sciences consists of 12 modules developed by the Neohumanist Education Faculty of Ananda Marga Gurukula Inc in USA (www.gurukul.edu).

Twelve training modules relate to the following areas:

1. Spiritual Foundations of NHE
2. Cognitive Development: Approaches
3. Creativity in Education
4. Foundations of Holistic Education
5. Child Development & Psychology
6. Culturally Sensitive Pedagogy
7. Learning Theory
8. Curriculum, and Teaching
9. Assessment
10. Social Contexts of learning
11. Learning Environments
12. Administration, Leadership & Communication Skills

These can also be completed on a distance learning basis. The final presentation of the portfolios must however be made in person at the Ydrefors Campus.

Q: When do different courses start?
A: Prashiksana Matha has so far followed a flexible approach seeing the needs of arriving students. However, usually, both CNS and Prashiksana Matha follow the schedule of four quarter terms: Jan-March; April-June; July-September; October-December. Students may be able to join in the beginning of any of those quarters. Compulsory Courses are offered in every quarter term.

Q: Does Prashiksana Matha welcome Endowment Funds?
A: Yes, Prashiksana Matha and CNS welcome support towards Endowment Funds in order to facilitate educational scholarships to more needy students and for the development of library and other facilities of the Ydrefors Campus.

Q: Are there other recreational opportunities in Ydrefors?
A: Yes. Please refer to www.ydrefors.com

Q: Are broad-band internet facilities available at Ydrefors?
A: Yes, they are available in Gamla Skola for faculty, staff and students.

Q: How is Prashiksana Matha/CNS supported?
A: Through tuition fees, donations and two Sattva Organic bakeries in Stockholm (www.sattvanaturbageriet.com)