The usual process goes
something like this;
After attending an
Introductory Talk to furnish the potential meditator with an overview of
what meditation & BMS is about, and having asked any initial questions
that may arise, the next step would be;
To learn & complete the
Preparatory Meditation course, which includes learning four simple
techniques that balance each other. A universal mantra technique (in
that everyone starts with the same one), a visualisation technique (to
focus & ground the individual), a pranyama (breath) technique and a
shakti technique (shakti roughly means 'grace'), which enhances
awareness.
After regular practice -
twice a day for 20-30 mins, for a couple of months, assuming one is
usually
'ready', then you would receive your personalised techniques. It's
impossible to say exactly what these would be, as they are individual to
that person. Usually it includes a personalised mantra and the other
techniques often remain the same and you may receive a technique to work
on a specific area of the body or specific chakra (energy centre).
A year or so on, then you
can put yourself forward to become a teacher to teach the preparatory
course. It is also helpful along the way to attend any local or national
'get-togethers' (satsangs). These come in various forms from a local
evening satsang, one day or weekend event or a national 3-5 day event.
The teacher training
process involves supporting a local teacher, if there is one, with their
teaching classes or the teaching of individuals.
The actual teacher training
itself is done by our teacher trainer & would involve 2 or 3 intensive
weekends.
Then getting out there &
dipping your toe in the water, and getting on with it supported by the
BMS network of teachers, of course.
Becoming a healer, if
that's of interest, then after a year of establishing yourself as a
teacher and if you've shown an interest in healing, then another teacher
or a healer may put you forward to become a healer.
The preparatory healer
training is usually done on one of the residential retreats that we
usually refer to as 'courses'.
There are two advanced
meditation techniques, called mandalas.
These are to accelerate
your spiritual growth or unfoldment. If you progress onto the second,
then this would replace the first.
Training to become a Full
teacher, that teaches the full personal techniques.
Becoming an advanced
healer, by learning the advanced healing techniques.
Much ado & money
This may all seem like an
awful lot to do, but it is actually more about regular practice & the
supporting philosophy (the teachings, that were imparted to us by our
founding guru, before his passing in 1988), that go with the techniques.
There is no ongoing
dangling of an elusive carrot, with endless promises, that you may
acquire the carrot if you learn the next stage or technique.
As far as outlay in
monetary costs go. The initial outlay for doing the preparatory course
is the largest, which is currently around £150 in the UK. This course is
usual taught over about 7 sessions, in as many weeks, but there is some
variation between teachers.
When someone receives their
personal techniques, then they are asked to make an annual or bi-annual
donation. A guide amount of something like £15 or £20 is suggested.
Essentially this allows BMS to stay afloat, contributes to the running
of courses and goes toward a tri-annual newsletter.
The teachers teach on a
voluntary basis, but can opt to have a small expense amount returned to
them if they choose.
We do not teach for free,
as we find this devalues the teachings & techniques and neither do we
ask for a percentage of income.
Obviously, some residential
courses attended may cost more, but this is purely because the large
part of the cost is actually for bed & board. A small portion of the
overall cost goes to BMS, which does not make a profit on these and in
fact does not make a profit at all.
