2. Welcome Assignment Reflection

Question 1: What are the qualities of a swami and how does a swami serve others? *

A swami is someone who has mastered all physical yoga postures and serves others by teaching them how to maintain perfect health through exercise.

A swami is a master of himself (personality, emotions, and consciousness) who serves by performing the miracle of softening the hardened hearts of mankind through self-discipline and radiating love.

A swami is a person who has memorized all ancient scriptures and serves others by correcting their theological errors during debates.

A swami is an individual who has renounced all worldly possessions and serves others by living in isolation to pray for the world from a distance.

A swami is a leader who requires total obedience from their followers and serves others by making all their life decisions for them so they don't make mistakes.

Question 2: What is Tarka and how can it be of value in the life of a swami or spiritual teacher? *

Tarka is a physical cleansing technique that removes toxins from the body, ensuring the swami stays healthy enough to teach for long hours.

Tarka is a form of chanting that protects the swami from negative astral influences while they are traveling.

Tarka is the practice of debating scripture with others to prove the superiority of one's own lineage and knowledge.

Tarka is the practice of reflecting on one's daily life to see how the personality responded, which helps balance the inner and outer life and reveals the inner nature of one's being.

Tarka is a financial tithing practice where the swami calculates 10% of their time to give to the temple to ensure the organization's survival.

Question 3: What are some guidelines for performing Tarka? *

Perform it only on holy days, in a temple, while wearing specific ceremonial robes.

At the end of the day, quietly let the day flow through your mind, checking if you admitted mistakes, avoided arrogance, and if your external life reflected your internal life.

Write down every sin committed during the day and burn the paper in a ritual fire at sunrise the next morning.

Confess your daily faults to a superior priest every evening so they can judge your progress.

Sit in a lotus position for three hours without moving, regardless of the mental activity, to force the mind into submission.

Question 4: What does it mean to grow spiritually? *

To acquire supernatural powers such as levitation or reading minds to prove one's holiness.

To memorize the entire lineage of Kriya Yoga sages and recite their names daily.

To grow up and mature into a balanced personality, rather than escaping into the "ethers" or becoming extremistic.

To convert as many people as possible to your specific religion or spiritual organization.

To completely destroy the ego so that you no longer have any personal preferences or individual traits.

Question 5: How does your growing in wisdom and unselfish love help the Temple? *

It allows you to make more money, which you can then donate to the Temple's building fund.

It helps the Temple become famous, attracting more paying students to the program.

It creates good merit and karma that strengthens the collective "inner circle," allowing the group to better carry the torch of light and remove darkness.

It reduces the workload of the guru, as you can take over the administrative duties of the organization.

It proves to the public that the Temple is superior to other organizations, helping to defeat spiritual rivals.