1. Heartfulness Webinar Series 2.1
Welcome Desk India

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Welcome Desk Administration
After 3 sittings, Welcome card issued
Data to be collected about all newcomers and shared with . If not started,
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

13. Support & Materials
This presentation will be available at
For more information on establishing a Welcome Desk at your center write to
To talk directly to a Heartfulness Associate call the Toll Free Number

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