“True counseling is getting oneself out of the way, and trying to give clarity to the other person
in such a way that he will recognize it as being that which he needs.
…Try to tune in to what that person's higher Self is saying to him.
Then you will be doing the best possible kind of counselling”. 
—Swami Kriyananda, The Art of Spiritual Counseling

We all find ourselves eventually in a situation where someone is looking to us for advice, be we professional counselors, educators, group leaders, yoga teachers, parents, or just friends.

Spiritual counseling is not so much about advice as it is about guidance. It is a very subtle art, one which requires a developed intuition, a sensitive ability to listen, and an attunement with higher consciousness. Experienced spiritual counselors create a vibrational atmosphere in which the counselee becomes receptive to the guidance of his own higher Self.

This program focuses first on how to ask and receive guidance for our own lives, how to test that inner guidance, and the journey that ensues as we attempt to follow that guidance. Then we will explore way in which we can help others do the same. While there are guidelines, there are no formulas.

Some of the topics that will be explored:

• how to receive inner guidance for your own life, and for others;
• how to develop and test your intuition;
• qualities of an effective spiritual counsellor;
• intuitive listening, observing, understanding;
• understanding the souls’ evolutionary journey and the next step for the counselee;
• helping the counselees to see themselves and their situations from a higher perspective
• evaluation of the counselee’s self-perception, emotional state and energy level;
• how to develop a relationship of trust and spiritual friendship;
• the use of meditation, visualization, affirmation and prayer in the counselling situation;
• the ethics of spiritual counselling

Your teachers:

Nayaswami Shivani Lucki, founder of the Ananda Raja Yoga European School, is one of Ananda's founding members. She studied with Swami Kriyananda for many years, becomimg a yoga and meditation teacher in 1973, Ananda Minister in 1982, Yogacharya in 1993 and Kriyacharya in 2005.

In 1979, she began yoga training programs in the Expanding Light guest retreat at Ananda World Brotherhood Colony in California, and was the coordinator of Ananda teachers and ministers in the United States. Since her arrival in Italy, she has been responsible for creating guest courses at Ananda Assisi and training meditation teachers throughout Europe. She often travels around the world giving lectures and seminars on Self-realization and Kriya Yoga.

She is the executive producer of the film "Finding Happiness", released in 2014 in the United States, Europe and India.

Nayaswami Uma Macfarlane is a Kriyacharya, Counselor and Raja Yoga Teacher. An astute counselor and teacher, Uma offers a number of classes on Raja Yoga at the Ananda Assisi center.
A student and teacher of yogic philosophy and spiritual science for 40 years, Uma lived for many years at Ananda Village in California, where served for a time as secretary for Swami Kriyananda.

She has taught at Ananda communities in the United States, as well in India and many parts of Europe. A native of the England, she brings wonderful wit and charming warmth to her classes as well as obvious depth of experience. She is currently serving in our Assisi, Italy retreat.

Nayaswami Kirtani Shirley Stickney has been a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda and on the path of Self-realization since 1974. She came to Ananda Village in 1975, where she later served as co-director. In 1980 she was appointed an Ananda  Minister by Swami Kriyananda and co-directed the first Ananda teaching center in Italy in Rome. Since 1985 she has been serving Ananda in Europe, where she became the first Kriyacharya in Europe in 1993, and in the same year became Spiritual Director of Ananda Europa, Yogananda's work through Ananda in Europe.

Visit the YOGANANDA ACADEMY web site --> Ananda Life Therapy School

The total price of your all-inclusive stay, which includes course, board and lodging, is:

240 euros (120 euros per day)* in a single room,
180 euros (90 euros per day)* in a double room,
160 euros (80 euros per day)* in a 3- to 5-bed dormitory.

* Price of membership card not included (18€)






Credits immagine corso: ananda.it