Want to deepen and expand your meditation practice?

Join us for Rishi Training.

Rishi Training is an advanced course designed to take you deep into our Vedic wisdom tradition. With a feminine-led perspective, this live training is here to AWAKEN you to your true nature, who you are, why you’re here, and DEEPEN your understanding of the full-spectrum of life. It’s about unfolding your innate purpose, finding your service in the world, and embodying it through powerful action. Rishi Training reveals the truth of LOVE, shares the secrets of heart opening relationships, and uncovers the power and purpose of DEVOTION. It’s about re-learning how to live a life of fearless grace and radical love. Learning, unlearning, and discovery, is always more enjoyable when shared with others. A big part of what we offer in Rishi Training is the cultivation of a like-hearted community, where life-time friendships are formed and nurtured.

What is Rishi Training?

This timeless Vedic wisdom, and the eyes-open techniques and practices that help us embody it, have been passed down for generations through spiritual lineages, making it relevant for the need of the time. Rishi Training is a synthesis of the ancient Vedic texts we have been studying over the past 15 years, the wisdom passed down through our Shankaracharya lineage, our experiences in India with our spiritual teachers, the Vedic culture, and our own direct experiences as feminine-led meditators and teachers. We are humbled to be sharing this all with you, going on the journey of inner discovery together, and supporting you in becoming a Rishi - a ‘seer’ of reality.

Curriculum

Rishi Training is taught LIVE in 4 parts over either 1 or 2 years, in-person or online.

Part 1 - AWAKEN

AWAKEN to what you are - unbounded, infinite, and already free. Explore the deepest aspects of who and what we are, shares new eyes-open practices and techniques, while unfolding the timeless wisdom of Veda.

Part 2 - DEEPEN

Journey into your timeless nature, exploring the full spectrum of Self, and your role in the life of all living beings. Unfold your innate purpose, DEEPEN your service in the world, and embody it all through powerful action.

Part 3 - LOVE

Drop into your heart space and explore what love is, why it’s the driving force of all evolution, and how you can experience more radical LOVE in your life. Re-enliven your intimate relationships, learn ways to commune on deeper levels, and re-discover deep self-love.

Part 4 - DEVOTION

Finally we bring it all together into one, whole, embodied understanding. Explore the depths of more expansive states of consciousness, while learning practices for enlivening the Divine in your life through DEVOTION. Learn a powerful advanced technique for accelerating your evolution. For this instalment only, you can choose to join us in India for a 14 day pilgrimage and rounding retreat, or sit with us online.

India Retreat - DEVOTION

If you journey to India with us for the conclusion of Rishi Training DEVOTION, you’ll be coming to the birthplace of our Vedic tradition. We will be exploring the purpose and power of bhakti (devotion) and seva (service), connecting with the most subtle layers of life, and going deep within and without. The first 10-days are a pilgrimage to the heart of our spiritual tradition in the northern Himalayas. Explore holy sites, temples, and walk snowy mountains, while deepening your understanding and direct experience of the Vedic culture and more expansive states of consciousness. The last 5-days are a deep dive inwards with an intensive rounding retreat, Vedic wisdom sessions, and devotional Vedic ceremonies.

Join us in Noosa or online

Noosa with Laura Poole

Each part is 3 full days, 9am-5pm each day

AWAKEN - 22-24 March, 2024

DEEPEN - 25-27 October, 2024

LOVE - TBC, March 2025

Final part is a 15-day India retreat

DEVOTION - TBC, October/Nov 2025

Online with Sarah O’Brien

Each part takes place over 3 weeks every Sunday 8am-10:30am and Thursday 6:30pm-9pm. Total of 6 sessions each part.

AWAKEN - 10-28 March, 2024 (AEDT)

DEEPEN - 28 April - 16 May, 2024 (AEST)

LOVE - 11-29 August, 2024 (AEST)

DEVOTION - 14 Nov - 1 Dec, 2024 (AEDT)

Prerequisites for Rishi Training

You need to be practising Vedic meditation twice daily, and have at least a few months of practice. You’ll also need to learn the advanced technique of rounding before the training begins. If you are yet to learn either of these please email us (or your teacher) and we can get you going.

Please apply to join Rishi Training 2024 using the links below. Please note that this is an application process and we will email you to inform you if your application is successful. Not sure if it’s for you? Email hello@mahasoma.com to ask or for all general enquiries.

Rishi Training investment

We offer a tiered pricing structure for Rishi Training to create greater diversity, equity and inclusivity in our community. Our desire is for everyone to be able to advance their meditation practice and experience the life-changing benefits diving into the Vedic wisdom. We have based our tiered pricing structure on the green bottle method developed by Alexis J. Cunningfolk, which helps you determine where you fall on the sliding scale based on your financial privilege. Please read all the options available. You might not say yes to every statement in the option, but the option that has the most YES answers will be your contribution. If you are a dependent, or are supported by your partner, parents, family etc. please answer the questions based on WE, rather than I. We operate on an honesty system as we want to encourage our community to give what they can and receive what they need. It’s about supporting each other and seeing the collective rise as a whole. Sometimes that means you’ll be giving more than others, which in the Vedic tradition is a blessing in itself to be able to share your abundance for the benefit of all. Payment plans are also available. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.

In-person Rishi Training in Noosa

Inclusions:

  • Each part is a 3-day intensive non-residential retreat diving deep into Vedic wisdom and practice

  • You will receive tea, lunch, sweets, and afternoon tea over the 3-days

  • There is the option to join us for the 15-day India Pilgrimage and Rounding retreat to conclude the training, or you can do the final part online.

  • 5 x Rishi Handbooks to support your study with over 500+ pages of wisdom and practice

  • Ability to re-listen to the wisdom sessions online at your own convenience

  • 3 x in-person community catch-ups and live experiences

  • Access to our Rishi Training private online community to connect and share experiences

  • Access to the LIVE Online Rishi Training to help deepen your understanding

  • Ability to re-sit the course as a refresher - online (free) + in-person (small fee + seva)

  • The gift it forward option is for me (or us if supported by partner, parents, family etc.) if:

    • I am feeling generous and want to share the love by paying for a scholarship enabling someone to sit the course who would otherwise be unable to join

    • I have abundance in my life and the ability to support others

    • I meet all of the GIFT YOURSELF points

  • The gift yourself option is the actual cost of the training. It’s for me (or us if supported by partner, parents, family etc.) if:

    • I am able to meet all of my basic needs (e.g. food, housing, transport)

    • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of my basic needs

    • I own my own home OR I rent a property OR I live at home and don’t have to pay rent

    • I own or lease a car

    • I am employed (or don’t need to work to meet my needs)

    • I have access to healthcare options (e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy, osteopathy) to support my wellbeing

    • I have access to financial savings

    • I have some expendable income (e.g. can buy coffee or eat out, buy new clothes, concert tickets, massages etc.)

    • I can buy new items if needed

    • I can afford an annual holiday or take time off

  • The subsidised training investment is for those whose current life circumstances means they need some support and don’t have family, partner, or friends who they can ask for financial support. This was our previous concession, pensioner, full-time student (with no financial support) or NDIS card option. The subsidised option is our ‘grassroots’ offering for the training. The subsidised option is for me (or us if supported by partner, parents, family etc.) if:

    • I am able to meet all my basic needs (e.g. food, housing, transport) but it sometimes stretches me quite a bit

    • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of my basic needs

    • I rent a room or comfortable property

    • I own or lease a car

    • I am employed OR studying with government financial support OR I have retired and have a pension to support my living expenses

    • I have access to Medicare and occasionally see other healthcare practitioners (e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy, osteopathy) to support my wellbeing

    • I have access to financial savings

    • I have some expendable income (e.g. to buy coffee or eat out, new clothes, concert tickets, massages etc when I can).

    • I am able to buy new items and thrift others

    • I can take a holiday annually or every few years without financial burden

  • The helping hand training investment is for those who are currently experiencing financial hardships, need a greater helping hand to advance their practice, and don’t have family, partner, or friends they can ask for financial support. The helping hand option is our ‘base cost’ for the training. The helping hand option is for me (or us if supported by partner, parents, family etc.) if:

    • I am only just able to meet all my basic needs (e.g. food, housing, transport)

    • I have debt and it noticeably impacts me in meeting my basic needs

    • I own or lease a car but may not always be able to afford petrol

    • I am employed but my income goes towards supporting others and I am unable to save OR I have limited employment due to my health/personal circumstances

    • I only have access to Medicare to support my health and wellbeing

    • I have less than $1000 savings

    • I have no or very limited expendable income (e.g. to buy coffee or eat out, new clothes, concert tickets, massages etc.)

    • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

    • I cannot afford a holiday or have the ability to take time off without financial burden

  • Scholarships are available to those unable to contribute to the above options. We ask for a $108 exchange however full scholarships are also available if needed. We have one scholarship spot available per training or more if there are multiple gift it forward contributions. This option is for me (or us if supported by partner, parents, family etc.) if:

    • I frequently stress about meeting my basic needs (e.g. food, housing, transport) and don’t always achieve them

    • I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs

    • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing

    • I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford petrol

    • I am unemployed or underemployed

    • I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & healthcare

    • I have no access to financial savings

    • I have no or very limited expendable income (e.g. to buy coffee or eat out, new clothes, concert tickets, massages etc.)

    • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

    • I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden

    Please apply for the scholarship by emailing sarah@mahasoma.com or laura@mahasoma.com.

Online Rishi Training

Inclusions:

  • Each part takes place over a 3-week periods with 6 x 2.5 hour sessions each - total of 60 hours of Vedic wisdom and practice

  • Option to attend our 15-day India Pilgrimage and Rounding Retreat

  • 5 x Rishi Handbooks to support your study, with over 500+ pages of wisdom and practice

  • Ability to re-listen to the online sessions at your own convenience

  • 3 x 1.5 hour online catch-ups to support you during the training

  • Access to our Rishi Training private online community to connect and share experiences

  • Ability to re-sit the course as a refresher online for free

  • The gift it forward option is for me (or us if supported by partner, parents, family etc.) if:

    • I am feeling generous and want to share the love by paying for a scholarship enabling someone to sit the course who would otherwise be unable to join

    • I have abundance in my life and the ability to support others

    • I meet all of the GIFT YOURSELF points

  • The gift yourself option is the actual cost of the training. It’s for me (or us if supported by partner, parents, family etc.) if:

    • I am able to meet all of my basic needs (e.g. food, housing, transport)

    • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of my basic needs

    • I own my own home OR I rent a property OR I live at home and don’t have to pay rent

    • I own or lease a car

    • I am employed (or don’t need to work to meet my needs)

    • I have access to healthcare options (e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy, osteopathy) to support my wellbeing

    • I have access to financial savings

    • I have some expendable income (e.g. can buy coffee or eat out, buy new clothes, concert tickets, massages etc.)

    • I can buy new items if needed

    • I can afford an annual holiday or take time off

  • The subsidised training investment is for those whose current life circumstances means they need some support and don’t have family, partner, or friends who they can ask for financial support. This was our previous concession, pensioner, full-time student (with no financial support) or NDIS card option. The subsidised option is our ‘grassroots’ offering for the training. The subsidised option is for me (or us if supported by partner, parents, family etc.) if:

    • I am able to meet all my basic needs (e.g. food, housing, transport) but it sometimes stretches me quite a bit

    • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of my basic needs

    • I rent a room or comfortable property

    • I own or lease a car

    • I am employed OR studying with government financial support OR I have retired and have a pension to support my living expenses

    • I have access to Medicare and occasionally see other healthcare practitioners (e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy, osteopathy) to support my wellbeing

    • I have access to financial savings

    • I have some expendable income (e.g. to buy coffee or eat out, new clothes, concert tickets, massages etc when I can).

    • I am able to buy new items and thrift others

    • I can take a holiday annually or every few years without financial burden

  • The helping hand training investment is for those who are currently experiencing financial hardships, need a greater helping hand to advance their practice, and don’t have family, partner, or friends they can ask for financial support. The helping hand option is our ‘base cost’ for the training. The helping hand option is for me (or us if supported by partner, parents, family etc.) if:

    • I am only just able to meet all my basic needs (e.g. food, housing, transport)

    • I have debt and it noticeably impacts me in meeting my basic needs

    • I own or lease a car but may not always be able to afford petrol

    • I am employed but my income goes towards supporting others and I am unable to save OR I have limited employment due to my health/personal circumstances

    • I only have access to Medicare to support my health and wellbeing

    • I have less than $1000 savings

    • I have no or very limited expendable income (e.g. to buy coffee or eat out, new clothes, concert tickets, massages etc.)

    • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

    • I cannot afford a holiday or have the ability to take time off without financial burden

  • Scholarships are available to those unable to contribute to the above options. We ask for a $108 exchange however full scholarships are also available if needed. We have one scholarship spot available per training or more if there are multiple gift it forward contributions. This option is for me (or us if supported by partner, parents, family etc.) if:

    • I frequently stress about meeting my basic needs (e.g. food, housing, transport) and don’t always achieve them

    • I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs

    • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing

    • I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford petrol

    • I am unemployed or underemployed

    • I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & healthcare

    • I have no access to financial savings

    • I have no or very limited expendable income (e.g. to buy coffee or eat out, new clothes, concert tickets, massages etc.)

    • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

    • I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden

    Please apply for the scholarship by emailing sarah@mahasoma.com or laura@mahasoma.com.

FAQs

Is this the right training for me?

If you are a twice daily meditator, have learnt rounding, and are keen to deepen both your eyes closed meditation practice and your eyes open experience of life… then YES! Commitment to a twice daily practice is important, as you will be learning many advanced techniques that flow on from your daily meditation practice. We will be taking a deep dive into the Vedic wisdom tradition, and you will need time to practice, both eyes closed and eyes open, to integrate the wisdom sessions. This however, is fun practice! What we teach is very accessible, and able to be integrated into active, creative, and dynamic lives. If you have any specific questions about whether this is the right training for you, please reach out.

What if I can’t attend all the in-person parts?

Lucky for you, we have both in-person and online cohorts. That means, if you can’t make one of the in-person parts, you can simply do that part online. The timing may be a little different as the two cohorts begin and end on different dates, but we will be able to make it work.

Can I move between in-person and online?

You can! However, we recommend trying to come for all the in-person sessions, as we have structured the year of learning to support you in the best way possible. You can however do one part online if needed (see above). This includes the India retreat, however we would highly suggest coming along if possible as the content will be curated for that experience.

Is this the same as Exploring the Veda?

No! Rishi Training is Mahasoma’s advanced wisdom training. It has been inspired by Exploring The Veda, as that was our initial offering 10 years ago. However, this new training is a synthesis of the ancient Vedic texts we have been studying, the wisdom passed down through our Shankaracharya lineage, our experiences in India with our spiritual teachers, Vedic culture, and our own direct experience as feminine-led meditators and teachers. Rishi Training also includes more hours of learning, community catch-ups, access to the recordings of the course, 5 x Rishi Handbooks to support you in your learning, and more! If you have completed Exploring The Veda with Laura Poole in the past and would like to re-sit, please get in touch with her to find out your options. If you have completed Exploring The Veda with any other teacher, then this will be a new course for you to take from the start.

Can I start with the first part and see if I like it?

Of course! You can start with Rishi AWAKEN and see if the way it’s shared and what you learn is relevant. If you’d like to continue on, you can do so. Please note however, that if the in-person sessions are fully booked, you’ll need to attend the following part online.

Can I join the India retreat in other years?

Yes! If you can’t make the India retreat in the year you take Rishi Training, then you are welcome to join us in subsequent years.

Can babies or kids attend in-person?

If you are able to engage and absorb the teachings with your baby or child present, while respecting the learning environment of the group, then it’s a yes from us! There will be in-person catch-ups where babies and children will be welcome. Please chat to us to see what would best suit you and the group dynamic.