Privacy Policy
Hariharananda REAL Institute ("REAL Institute," "we," "us," or "our") operates the website realinstitute.netlify.app and related pages (the "Site"), through which we share our research, publications, teaching resources, and Kriya Path materials, and through which visitors may make voluntary donations, register for courses or meditation sessions, or submit prayer and fellowship requests. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices available to you.
1. Information We Collect
- Information you provide directly: name, email address, and any details you share when writing to us (for example, expressions of interest in Kriya initiation, prayer requests, fellowship or research post applications, chapter requests, or journal submissions to Prajnanabha).
- Donation information: where you make a voluntary contribution via UPI or other payment channel, the payment is processed by the relevant payment provider or bank; we do not store your card, UPI PIN, or full payment credentials on our own servers.
- Automatically collected information: basic technical data such as browser type, pages visited, and referring links, typically gathered through standard web-hosting logs (our Site is hosted on Netlify) for the purpose of maintaining and securing the Site.
- Third-party links: some materials (journal issues, call-for-proposal documents, fellowship applications) are hosted on third-party platforms such as Google Drive, GitHub, or Amazon. Those platforms have their own privacy practices, which we encourage you to review separately.
2. How We Use Information
- To respond to inquiries, prayer requests, seva and volunteering interest, fellowship or research-post applications, and requests to open a REAL chapter.
- To coordinate meditation sessions, teaching programs, and Kriya Path correspondence.
- To process and acknowledge voluntary donations that support our research and educational activities.
- To maintain, secure, and improve the Site, and to communicate updates such as new journal issues or program announcements to those who have specifically requested them.
3. How We Share Information
We do not sell or rent personal information. We may share information only:
- with service providers who help us operate the Site or process donations (e.g., our web hosting provider or payment/UPI processor), solely to perform those functions;
- where required by applicable law, regulation, or a valid legal process; or
- with your explicit consent, such as when you ask us to publish your name in connection with a submitted paper, book, or acknowledgment.
4. Data Retention
We retain correspondence and submission records for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purpose for which they were collected (for example, ongoing correspondence, active fellowship cycles, or journal publication records), after which they are deleted or anonymised unless a longer period is required by law.
5. Your Rights
You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of the personal information you have shared with us, or withdraw consent for future communications, by writing to the contact address listed below. We will respond within a reasonable time and in accordance with applicable Indian data protection law.
6. Children's Information
The Site is intended for a general adult audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate parental or guardian involvement, particularly in connection with campus ministry or educational outreach activities.
7. Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect the information you share with us. However, no method of transmission or storage over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or in applicable law. The "Last updated" date at the top of this section indicates when it was last revised.
9. Contact
| Entity | Hariharananda REAL Institute |
| Website | realinstitute.netlify.app |
| disnance[dot]ac[at]gmail[dot]com |
Terms of Service
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the REAL Institute Site and the educational, research, publishing, and community activities described on it, including the Kriya Path, Prajnanabha journal and press, teaching and meditation sessions, seva/volunteer programs, and the Book Conservatory. By using the Site or participating in any of the above, you agree to these Terms.
1. Nature of REAL Institute
REAL Institute is a research laboratory and self-realization organisation aiming for a non-profit structure. Its work spans information theory, quantum physics, consciousness studies, Kriya Yoga, publications, teaching, and seva, and it publishes an open-access journal, a book press, and various educational materials. Participation in any teaching, meditation, or Kriya Path activity is voluntary and undertaken at your own discretion.
2. Eligibility and Conduct
By using the Site or contacting us, you confirm that the information you provide is accurate and that you will engage respectfully with our staff, teachers, volunteers, and fellow participants. We reserve the right to decline correspondence, applications, submissions, or initiation requests at our discretion.
3. Educational and Spiritual Content Disclaimer
Content on the Site, including material relating to Kriya Yoga, meditation, scripture study, quantum physics, and consciousness studies, is offered for educational, contemplative, and informational purposes. It does not constitute medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice, and is not a substitute for professional guidance. Any spiritual practice, including meditation and Kriya initiation, should be undertaken with personal discernment and, where relevant, in consultation with a qualified professional regarding your physical or mental health.
4. Publications and Submissions
Authors submitting work to Prajnanabha journal, Prajnanabha Press, or other REAL publications retain ownership of their intellectual property except as otherwise agreed in writing at the time of acceptance. REAL Institute reserves editorial discretion over what is accepted, edited, or published, including its stated policy restricting AI-generated submissions and content.
5. Donations and Fees
REAL Institute is substantially supported by voluntary contributions and by any fees associated with online teaching. Donations are voluntary unless a specific fee is stated for a specific course, program, or initiation requisite (such as the customary donation associated with Kriya initiation). See our Refund & Cancellation Policy below for details on how such payments are handled.
6. Third-Party Links and Platforms
The Site links to third-party platforms, including Google Drive, GitHub, Amazon, Zoom, and Netlify-hosted subpages, for hosting documents, books, and virtual sessions. REAL Institute is not responsible for the content, availability, security practices, or terms of these third-party platforms.
7. Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise indicated, original content on the Site, including text, journal articles, and artwork, is the property of REAL Institute or its contributing authors and is protected by applicable copyright law. You may not reproduce or redistribute such material for commercial purposes without prior written permission.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, REAL Institute and its affiliates, teachers, and volunteers shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Site or participation in any associated program, except where such liability cannot be excluded under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, or other applicable law.
9. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of India, and any disputes shall, subject to the grievance process described below, be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of India.
10. Changes to These Terms
We may revise these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
This policy explains how REAL Institute handles donations, course-related payments, and initiation requisites, in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and its E-Commerce Rules where applicable.
1. Voluntary Donations
General donations made to support REAL Institute's research and educational mission (including UPI contributions) are voluntary gifts and are, as a general rule, non-refundable, since they are not made in exchange for a specific good or service. If you believe a donation was made in error (for example, a duplicate transaction or an incorrect amount), please contact us within 7 days of the transaction and we will review the matter in good faith.
2. Course, Teaching, and Session Payments
Where a specific fee is charged for an online course, teaching program, or scheduled session:
- You may request a cancellation and refund by writing to us at least 48 hours before the scheduled start of the course or session, and a full refund will be issued.
- Cancellation requests made after that window, or after the program has commenced, may be eligible for a partial refund at our discretion, prorated for any sessions not yet delivered.
- If REAL Institute cancels or is unable to deliver a paid course or session, participants will receive a full refund or the option to transfer their fee to a future offering.
3. Kriya Initiation Requisites
The small monetary donation associated with Kriya initiation (customarily 250 Rs. or 250 USD depending on location) is a requisite offering connected to the initiation itself and is non-refundable once initiation has taken place. If initiation does not proceed for any reason before it occurs, the associated donation will be refunded in full upon request.
4. Book and Publication Purchases
Books published through Prajnanabha Press and sold via third-party platforms (such as Amazon) are subject to the refund and return policies of that third-party platform, not of REAL Institute directly. For any materials sold or distributed directly by REAL Institute, defective or undelivered items will be replaced or refunded upon verification.
5. How to Request a Refund
To request a refund or raise a payment-related concern, please email us with your name, the date and approximate amount of the transaction, and a brief description of the issue, using the contact details in the Grievance Redressal section below. We aim to acknowledge refund requests within 5 business days and resolve them within 15 business days.
Grievance Redressal
If you have a complaint, concern, or grievance relating to the Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Refund Policy, or any transaction with REAL Institute, please contact us using the details below. We will make reasonable efforts to acknowledge your grievance promptly and resolve it within the timelines prescribed under applicable Indian consumer protection law.
| Entity | Hariharananda REAL Institute |
| disnance[dot]ac[at]gmail[dot]com | |
| Subject line | Please mark your email "Subject: Grievance / Consumer Complaint" for prompt routing |
| Website | realinstitute.netlify.app |
If a grievance remains unresolved, you may also approach the consumer forums or authorities established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, including the National Consumer Helpline or the appropriate District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.