Frequently Asked Questions


What is the Ishayas Ascension?

The Ishayas Ascension is a series of simple, mechanical meditation techniques, collectively known as the Ascension Attitudes.  These techniques are based on Praise, Gratitude and Love and require no belief whatsoever to practice.  The Ascension Attitudes effortlessly draw the mind inward to ever deepening levels of rest and peace, quickly reducing stress and increasing your awareness of the Present Moment. 

The word "Ascension" literally means "To rise beyond".  In context with the Ishayas' teaching, this means to rise beyond the entire limiting structure of our stress-filled minds, bringing us to an immediate experience of deep relaxation and increasingly unshakable peace.

The Ishayas' meditation techniques have the capability to eliminate stress, bring balance to life, and directly and permanently reveal the limitless nature of your own awareness - an experience traditionally known as enlightenment.

What are some of the benefits?

The gentle and regular practice of Ascension will improve every aspect of your life, immediately.  Some benefits include:
  • Deep Rest,
  • Immediate reduction of stress,
  • Awareness of the Present Moment (or, "the Now")
  • Increased productivity,
  • Enhanced creativity,
  • Improved relationships,
  • Refined judgment,
  • Better sleep,
  • and Deep Relaxation.
Our minds and our bodies are impacted with the impressions of virtually every experience we have ever had.  Through repetition of life experience, these impressions form patterns of limited behavior or habits we call "grooves".  These patterns simply amount to immense levels of judgment - directed mainly toward ourselves and the world around us.

From the perspective of our stress-filled minds, it's impossible NOT to live life from these subconscious patterns - it is even considered "normal" to do so.  Our experience of life becomes increasingly limited when viewed through the obscured vision of our judgments.

It takes an incredible amount of energy to maintain this limiting structure of belief and judgment, and this energy is mirrored in our minds as a barrage of chaotic thoughts.  How many of us sometimes hold our head in frustration at the incessant hammering of "busy brain"?  How often do we have a clear experience of the Present Moment - right here, right now?

The good news is it doesn't take long to clear that stress from our minds and bodies.  Immediately upon learning to Ascend, the nervous system begins to experience extremely deep levels of rest.  Because of this rest, the stresses and habitual "grooves" that have built up throughout our lives are able to be effortlessly released, restoring balance to mind and body. 

Very quickly, our perspective on life begins to shift as our attention moves further and further away from those phantoms of limiting beliefs, and life becomes easier as peace and joy percolate into every part of your experience of living.

Whatever you do from that experience, whether it's work, sport or play, becomes more and more fun and complete. The practice is also very beneficial for physical health for, as the mind stills, the body is able to settle into a deep state of rest. This allows the metabolism to stabilize and the natural process of healing to occur.

For many people, learning the Ishayas’ Ascension is the first time in their lives they have truly given to themselves. The more relaxed and happy you become, the more you are able to enjoy and support those around you. Your relationships with family, friends, partners and colleagues naturally improve when you are more content, grounded and focused.

How do I learn?

The Ishayas’ Ascension is usually taught over a weekend, at what we call the First Sphere course. This course usually runs from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on a Friday night, during which time you will learn the first Ascension Attitude. The course continues on Saturday (10:00 am to 5:00 pm) and Sunday (10:00 am to 5:00 pm).

As we teach you the first technique on the Friday evening, you are able to practice it so you can immediately dive into a new, restful experience and have a lot of fun.

First Spheres are taught all over the world. For more information on course locations around the world, click on www.thebrightpath.com

Being a sponsor for courses is a great way to bring Ascension to your area, if it’s not already available. It’s also a great service to the community. For more information on sponsoring a course in your own town, please contact us using the information on the web-site's "Contact" page.

How long will it take to get results?

The results of the Ishayas’ Ascension are immediate, in terms of deep rest and a change in perspective. Most people notice a significant difference during the course itself. The rate of growth is different for everybody and dependent upon a number of things.

Regularity of practice is important, and your willingness to apply what has been learned in the First Sphere course makes a big difference. All of this is discussed in detail in the course, and every person’s experience is different. Ascension is NOT a goal oriented practice; it is very much a way to enjoy the journey of life.

What if I don’t believe in it?

Fortunately, no belief is required. These techniques are mechanical and work whether you believe they will or not. The Ascension Attitudes completely bypass the surface of the mind and bring your awareness to the very Source of who you are. This is a completely simple and natural process.
 

What about my other practices?

The Ishayas’ Ascension is not a belief system. It has no dogma and therefore does not conflict with any other belief or practice—religious, spiritual or otherwise. Its profound benefits are equally available to people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles.
 

Why do I have to attend a course to learn?

As simple as the Ishayas’ Ascension is, it is a completely experiential teaching. It’s important to learn from qualified teachers who can impart the techniques correctly and give experienced feedback.

In this way, as you learn, you will know that you are practicing the meditation correctly. For this reason, the Ishayas’ Ascension has always been shared from teacher to student, in person. It is not possible to learn it from a book, or other kind of impersonal media.
 

What does Ishaya mean?

The word Ishaya is a Sanskrit word. Sanskrit is perhaps the most ancient of all languages and stems from the region known today as India. The word Isha means “Lord” or “Highest Consciousness”; ya means “for” or “of”. So the word Ishaya means “for (or of) the Highest Consciousness” or “for (or of) the Lord”.
 

Who are The Ishayas?

The Ishayas are monks who have dedicated their lives to sharing this precious teaching with all who would receive it. We have committed ourselves heart, mind, body and soul to the timeless Tradition from which it springs.

This is not a new religion and we are not looking for followers or devotees. We are simply teaching a simple and easy technique that allows anyone willing to learn it to not only free themselves from the limits of stress and negative belief structures, but to remember the Truth of who they are.
 

Where does this teaching come from?

The Ishayas’ teaching has its roots in both the East and the West. In the East it stems from the Vedic Tradition of India, the very tradition of enlightenment itself. In the West it has roots in the Judeo-Christian culture of the early First Century C.E.

The Ishaya Tradition itself is many thousands of years old. It stretches over oceans of time in an unbroken lineage from teacher to student.  Maharishi Sadasiva Isham (M.S.I.) began teaching Ascension publicly again in the early 1990’s.

Since that time, Ascension has spread almost exclusively by word of mouth, to all corners of the globe.   M.S.I.’s direct students, as well as their students, continue to carry on his vision and teaching.