The Chinmaya Niagara Seeker-to-Facilitator program arose out of a pressing need to have more individuals who are both firmly established as spiritual seekers in Sanatana Dharma and equipped with the necessary training to serve as facilitators to open and enhance the spiritual journeys of others in their communities.

Thus, from June 2023 to May 2024, our inaugural 14-seeker cohort of the Seeker-to-Facilitator program engaged in rigorous weekly training. Our seekers, all highly dedicated and insightful seekers from across the United States, play vital roles in their respective communities, whether as Balavihar teachers, weekly course teachers, study guide facilitators, and Chinmaya Mission center organizers.

The cohort was trained intimately by Shri Vivekji, who expertly guided the seekers to better understand and reflect on vital concepts for facilitation, such as:

• The purpose of a spiritual facilitator.
• Deepening personal sadhana.
• The right attitude towards facilitation and seva.
• The importance of relationships in spiritual facilitation.
• Frameworks to properly incorporate scriptural teachings into facilitation.
• Designing engaging facilitation sessions.
• Ideating and implementing high-level seva initiatives.

These teachings from Vivekji were supplemented by intensive workshops on topics such as:

• Confidence in public speaking.
• Developing a robust toolkit of facilitation techniques.
• The art of asking and answering questions as a facilitator.
• Constructing safe and inclusive learning environments.
• Designing dynamic activities for youth.
• Attending a 50-hour Silence Retreat.

Our Seeker-to-Facilitator program culminated with the seekers working together to develop and execute several new initiatives for Chinmaya Niagara, such as the upcoming Essential Love (Gita Saara) book and the upcoming Enhanced Seva Training program.