top of page

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)

Chakras .jpg

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

Bhajanananda janmastami 2015_edited.jpg

 

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 book cover.jpg

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 cover.jpg

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%

__________________________________________________________

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.

Modules
shiva%20parvati%20(2)_edited.jpg

June 19 - June 25

MODULE 1

THE TANTRIC WORD

Tantra, Yoga, and Cosmic  Evolution

educational-technology-learning-apprendi

Avalable June 19th

Access Module 1

nadis.jpg

June 26 - July 2

MODULE 2

INNER LANDSCAP

Antarkarana, Kosha, Prana, and Nadi

educational-technology-learning-apprendi

Available June 26th

Access Module 2

6a00d83451c22e69e20120a5a73c4f970b-500wi

July 3 - July 9

MODULE 3

THE SERPENT POWER

Kundalini and the Chakra System

educational-technology-learning-apprendi

Available July 3th

Access Module 3

sadhu asana.jpg

July 10 - July16

MODULE 4

STEERING WHEELS OF PRANA ~ Asana, Bandha, Mudra, Pranayama, and Kriya

educational-technology-learning-apprendi

Available July 10th

Access Module 4

tumblr_4a0d7e6cd81dda19dfd5955bba56e52c_

July 17 - July 23

MODULE 5

HIDDEN IN THE BREATH

Svara, Svara Yoga, and Yogic Therapy

educational-technology-learning-apprendi

Available July 17th

Access Module 5

photo (73).JPG

July 24 - July 30

MODULE 6

INNER PURIFICATION

Bhuta Shuddhi and Tantric Ritual

educational-technology-learning-apprendi

Available July 24th

Access Module 6

yogini%20painting_edited.jpg

July 31 - August 6

MODULE 7

INNER TRANSFORMATION

Puja, Mantra, Dharana, and Dhyana

educational-technology-learning-apprendi

Available July 31st

Access Module 7

cchinamasta.jpg

August 7 - August 13

MODULE 8

VISUALIZING THE DIVINE ~ Subtle Anatomy in Tantric Imagery and Myth

educational-technology-learning-apprendi

Available August 7th

Access Module 8

bottom of page