Welcome to the Subtle Anatomy course page!
"Thus the rousing of the kundalini is the one and only way to attaining Divine Wisdom, superconscious perception, realization of the spirit. The rousing may come in various ways, through love for God, through the mercy of perfected sages, or through the power of the analytic will of the philosopher."
~ Swami Vivekananda (from Raja Yoga)
A required course for the Certificate in Hindu Studies and Diploma in Applied Theology programs. (This course can also be taken independently of our Certificate or Diploma programs.)
In this eight-week course we will explore Yogic and Tantric understandings of the energetic body and its relationship to the transformative effects of spiritual practice (sādhanā).
This course consists of eight modules, one module per week. Materials for this course will be a combination of original content (live webinars, recordings, and writings from the instructor) and curated content ( PDFs of articles, essays and selections from books and journals, readings from textbooks, and links to online videos and articles).
Each Saturday students will gain access to the new module’s study material (links below). Every Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm - 8pm (PST) there will be a live webinar from the ashram's dhuni (fire altar) via Zoom that will include a 90-minute class-lecture and 30 minutes for questions and discussion. Recordings of webinars will be posted within a few hours of the live meetings for those who cannot attend the live broadcast. There will also be two additional Sunday afternoon Zoom meetings (at weeks four and eight), for further clarifying the topics that have been studied and discussed. Students also have access to a course discussion forum, a student group page, and online office hours with the instructor.
By participating in any program or course given by Ramakrishna Seminary, students consent to our Terms and Conditions Agreement.
Tuition for this course (originally $500) has been reduced to $350 in consideration of the financial strain that many are experiencing due to COVID-19 pandemic. Limited scholarships may be available.
(Please consider contributing to the RKS Scholarship Fund, to help ensure that no sincere student is denied the opportunity to study due to limited finances.)
Course Instructor
Rev. Dr. Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati
A Hindu monk, priest, educator, and Dean of the Seminary with more than twenty-six years of experience in presenting the teachings and practices of Sanatana Dharma, Indian philosophy, Tantric rituals, and the devotional schools.
Textbooks
Most study material for this course will be provided by the instructor as part of the modules, but students are requested to acquire Chakras, Energy Centers of Transformation and Tantra: Path of Ecstasy. These two books can be purchased from TheDevaShop.com, and may also be available from other online booksellers.
Chakras: Energy Centers of Transformation
by Harish Johari,
Destiny Books , 2000
Pundit Johari's text is among the best of Western explications, combining traditional, visionary, and practical views. Chakras is illustrated, detailed, accessible to the neophyte, and notable for its valuable discussion of Tantric vocabulary.
Tantra: Path of Ecstasy
by Georg Feuerstein
Destiny Books , 2000
Dr. Feuerstein offers readers a clear understanding of authentic Tantra, removing many common misconceptions, providing an accessible introduction to the history, philosophy, and practice of this extraordinary spiritual tradition.
Evaluation of Student Performance
This course is worth 3 Seminary Credits, and can be taken for either Credit or No Credit. Students not taking the course to earn Seminary Credits are not required to turn in written assignments or a final paper, but are expected to participate in online lectures and discussions and keep up with assigned readings and other materials. Students who are taking this course for Seminary Credits are expected to attend weekly online lectures and discussions. If students must miss a live lecture, they are expected to watch the recording of the session and to participate in the discussion forum.
Each module includes assigned reading and/or engagement with other curated material such as articles, videos, audio files, PDFs, etc. Short writing assignments should be emailed to the instructor as Word files. At approximately the halfway point of the course several topics will be suggested for students to choose from for their final writing project. The final paper should be six to twelve pages in length and be handed in or emailed to the instructor as a Word file within a week after the final day of the course.
Attendance/Participation 40%
Class assignments 30%
Final paper 30%
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Passing grade for Seminary Credit 70% and above
Accessing Course Modules
Click on the module links below to access online meetings, supportive materials, and assignments.
(Access restricted to enrolled students)
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 0f Copyright Act in 1976, allowance is made for “Fair Use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research or scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citations or incorporation of copyrighted material in anther author’s world under a four-factor balancing test.
All opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Kali Mandir or Ramakrishna Seminary.
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June 19 - June 25
MODULE 1
THE TANTRIC WORD
Tantra, Yoga, and Cosmic Evolution
Avalable June 19th
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June 26 - July 2
MODULE 2
INNER LANDSCAP
Antarkarana, Kosha, Prana, and Nadi
Available June 26th
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July 3 - July 9
MODULE 3
THE SERPENT POWER
Kundalini and the Chakra System
Available July 3th
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July 10 - July16
MODULE 4
STEERING WHEELS OF PRANA ~ Asana, Bandha, Mudra, Pranayama, and Kriya
Available July 10th
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July 17 - July 23
MODULE 5
HIDDEN IN THE BREATH
Svara, Svara Yoga, and Yogic Therapy
Available July 17th
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July 24 - July 30
MODULE 6
INNER PURIFICATION
Bhuta Shuddhi and Tantric Ritual
Available July 24th
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July 31 - August 6
MODULE 7
INNER TRANSFORMATION
Puja, Mantra, Dharana, and Dhyana
Available July 31st
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August 7 - August 13
MODULE 8
VISUALIZING THE DIVINE ~ Subtle Anatomy in Tantric Imagery and Myth
Available August 7th
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