SSY - Siddha Samadhi Yoga - of Sri Rishi Prabhakar is one such welcome addition to the list.
Life Sketch
Sri Rishi Prabhakar is the inspiration behind and 'originator' of the SSY programmes. In his fifties now, he had an illustrious academic career both during his school days as well as his college life. In 1968, he graduated as Bachelor in Engineering and went to USA for higher studies. Later he joined MBA course in London, Ontario, Canada. Not satisfied with the western way of life which was rooted in materialistic philosophy, Sri Prabhakar returned to India. Soon his inquisitive mind was engrossed in the study of Indian philosophy including Shankaracharya, Vedanta, Gita, as well as books by western thinkers.
Between 1979 and 1981 he deeply meditated on the puzzles of life. In 1983 he found himself well established in the theory and practice of Yoga and Meditation of his own: Siddha Samadhi Yoga. He started SSY centres and camps in 1987.
Philosophy Behind SSY
Siddha means something (knowledge) which is proven or accomplished.
Samadhi means a state in which the intellect is equanimous (equanimous intellect).
Yoga means union with one's higher self.
The intense life of Sri Rishi Prabhakar was punctuated by certain influences in his early childhood and adult life. In particular his father wished to have a child 'who would become Vivekananda'. Says Sri Prabhakar "I understood what it was to be Vivekananda. I was inspired by the books of Vivekananda." Around 1968 he visited Dakshineswar at his peak of study of philosophy. His trip to Dakshineswar changed his whole life. 'It was as if Vivekananda had enveloped me'. In appears that besides other powerful thoughts, Sri Prabhakar was highly impressed by spiritual patriotism of Swami Vivekananda.
But two important events were responsible for his success in arriving to SSY. First, during his early days he was fortunate to take diksha from his Guru Bhagawan Visweswaraiah, and secondly, during his stay in USA he came in contact with His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and his Transcendental Meditation programmes. In fact, in the year 1974 Sri Prabhakar was initiated into TM by Elizabeth Morrison after which he learnt many subtle things from the Maharishi.
All these events in his life convinced Sri Prabhakar about the effectiveness of ancient Indian spiritual treasures contained in Veda, Upanishad and the Gita. These concepts could be beneficially applied to on a large scale to effect the desired change on a social level. While western managers focussed on changing the things external Indian way was to change the individual from within.
These factors led Sri Prabhakar to experiment with himself through intensive meditation and Yoga and come up with his system of meditation technique:. He had attained such a state where he could now have the formulation of SSY as the science of human consciousness at work. Both the process and experience were possible along with the theoretical basis. He came to the conclusion that Liberation - Moksha - is the basis of education. "Samadhi is the true state of oneself as nobody. It is the process of erasing the cluttering mind just as we erase the black board. Samadhi practice cleanses all the five sheaths by opening up the Ananda maya Kosha (Bliss Body). SSY training goes into all the purifactory and energizing process for the five sheaths."
Activities Of SSY
Rishi Samskruti Vidya Kendra has over 500 centers all over world, including USA and Canada. The head office is at Bangalore, India. SSY is fast becoming popular in urban middle class, in particular managerial cadre and technocrats.
Programmes which SSY undertakes are basically holding the camps for the spiritual aspirants who have faith in his teachings and method. The camp are of 14 days. The food is simple and tea, coffee, alcohol are best avoided. Sprouted beans, vegetables and salad are included as beneficial to health. Gradually the aspirant is taught to have concentration and purification of mind in a graded fashion. The aspirant then continues his practices at home, at his work place, be it factory or office.
Within fifteen days one is quite self reliant and one requires to commit daily to 15 minutes of practice three times a day. SSY participants get together regularly for 'satsang'. These 'satsangs' are extremely beneficial in bringing out the inner strength of the individual. There are also Advance Meditation Courses for advanced sadhakas.
New activities include building of 'Rishi Adventure Schools', (one such is recently started at Vishakhapattanam in Andhra Pradesh -- a higher secondary school), rural development through schemes such as adult education, dairy farms, and collective farming.
To sum up: "SSY is practical approach which does not take you away from life and it's problems but helps you to face life and solutions automatically become clear. SSY is the essence of all religions which helps one to go beyond religion while including all the religions. It leads to positive health, better cure for chronic illnesses, a happy purposeful life, harmonious stress free relationship, and improved memory and concentration."