Heartfulness Webinar Series 2.1 Welcome Desk India www.heartfulness.org www.heartfulness.org

Content What is a Welcome Desk in the context of Heartfulness? How to establish a Welcome Desk in the HFN way? Volunteer/Preceptor Requirements – qualities Logistic Requirements of WD Welcome Desk Administration Newcomer Introduction Process Flow (types) Support & Materials Contact 2

What is Heartfulness Concept Initiatives of Heartfulness Heartfulness is a simple approach to Sahaj Marg. A Relaxation Technique is introduced When needed scientific approach – with and without transmission The elements of the practice are introduced when he is ready for it. Expertise and Professionalism Preparation, Training, Team Players and Continuous improvement Initiatives of Heartfulness U-connect, C-connect, Conscious Living, Welcome Desk, Heartfulness Workshops … and many more to come A total gentle embrace of the humanity 3

What is a Welcome Desk Ashrams and Centers are now open for newcomers to sit in Groups straightaway A Welcome Desk is the first interaction of the newcomer with Heartfulness/Sahaj Marg when he decides to visit an ashram/meditation center. Welcome Desk should have both a great deal flexibility in its operations, and at the same time follow certain principles of Heartfulness Concept in a very judicious and balanced manner – as way of introducing visitors to Sahaj Marg. 4

Welcome Desk Etiquette Newcomers may be invited to share meals/snacks/refreshments in the ashram/meditation center if they visit during those times. No rigidity should be expressed not only for practice elements, but also in interactions and conduct. The Welcome Desk volunteers have to treat the newcomers in such a way, that they acquire a feeling of having “come home” at all stages.

Newcomer Introduction Process Flow (types) comes to WD Introductory sittings Data Collection Welcome Card Follow-up/ Stages of Practice Handover to Prefect Visits Prefect directly Data Collection – given to WD Follow up By prefect in groups (CC, UC, HFN WS) Group given to WD by HFN team (UC/CC/etc) Group Follow-up & Welcome Card Card & A B H Y S I ID C R D Type-2 Type-3 6

Hand-holding of Welcome Desk Preceptor Introduce newcomer to stages of practice slowly This time frame determined by the new comers, depending on interest, level of understanding and assimilation. “Stages of practice” introduced subsequently. Share Heartfulness Fliers for cleaning and prayer The preceptor supports and mentors in this stage 7

Qualities of Welcome Desk Volunteer/Preceptor Easy access to ashram/meditation center (applicable to Welcome Desk work only) At all times have an open heart, broad mind, all encompassing attitude, dynamic, flexible A good knowledge of mission literature, though it need not be used with the newcomer.

Qualities of Welcome Desk Volunteer/Preceptor Soft skills like empathy, art of listening, optimism Ability to cut short a long conversation A balanced mind to nudge the newcomer to try meditation once Ability to Inspire a newcomer to start meditation, if not, challenge the newcomer to start meditation 9

Newcomer Interactions The WD Volunteer may have the ability to analyse the new comers on a case by case basis. Categories of a Newcomer: Some want to fill their lives with something meaningful. Depression, etc (which has to be handled with only Relaxation Technique). Stress, work life balance, etc. (typically easiest) Very orthodox people (who have to be handled with gentle care and not to offend them), agnostic, atheistic newcomers. Normal people with normal lives, looking to do something new. (easily handled, because they are very open to the experiences of a meditation) Interact relevantly to satisfy them to start HFN meditation. 10

Logistic Requirements of WD Infrastructure Requirements/Refreshments Heartfulness Meditation pamphlets, Relaxation technique posters kept handy. A register or a laptop to enter contact details of the newcomer. A separate procedure to keep track of the stage of practice of the HFN candidate. 11

Welcome Desk Administration After 3 sittings, Welcome card issued Data to be collected about all newcomers and shared with introductions@heartfulness.org . If not started, newsletter@heartfulness.org After practice elements of Meditation, Cleaning, Prayer, Universal prayer is introduced, establish contact with another preceptor near his residence for continuation of individual sittings. Abhyasi card 12

Support & Materials This presentation will be available at http://content.heartfulness.org/ For more information on establishing a Welcome Desk at your center write to in.welcome@heartfulness.org To talk directly to a Heartfulness Associate call the Toll Free Number 1800 103 7726

Contact Welcome Desk India in.welcome@Heartfulness.org 1800 103 7726 Purnima Ramakrishnan in.welcome@Heartfulness.org 1800 103 7726