SAFIC conducted its annual Sanskrit for Beginners course, titled ‘Spandana: Feeling the Pulsation of a Divine Language’ from January 20 to 26, 2019. A group of 18 individuals, from different parts of the country and some from abroad, young and old, diverse and alike, participated for this week-long intensive course conducted at Society House. The course was facilitated by SAFIC Director, Dr. Sampadananda Mishra.
Sessions covered topics such as Learning through Mantras, Learning the Alphabet and Grammar in Creative Ways, Spoken Sanskrit and others.
Some feedback from the workshop:
“The sessions of the workshop are so beautifully planned; we could grasp the basics with great ease.”
“I liked the mantra yoga sessions the most because they helped to calm the mind. The discussion on Chandas helped me appreciate the Sanskrit language at a deeper level.”
“I liked the sessions on root sounds the most. Because I feel this is the origin from where we can understand the whole Sanskrit language.”
“Learning Sanskrit gave me more clarity of thought, sense of direction and deeper experience. I have to travel along this, to go deeper, to integrate it in my life.”
To read the full report, click HERE
On January 9, 2019, SAFIC organised a Special Lecture by Dr. Kundan Singh, titled “Sri Aurobindo and Renaissance in India.” The event was held at the Society Beach Office, and was attended by about 40 participants. This was the fourth edition of the SAFIC Special Lecture Series.
Dr. Kundan Singh opened his lecture with a brief general introduction to the place India and the unique and distinct spiritual character of Indian civilization and culture held in Sri Aurobindo’s larger vision for the humanity and the world. Quoting some of the key insights from Sri Aurobindo’s essays titled ‘The Renaissance in India’, he highlighted what he thinks may be understood by Sri Aurobindo’s emphasis on the ‘recovery of the old spiritual knowledge and experience in all its splendour, depth and fullness’ as the first and most essential work that must be done for a renewal of India’s unique civilizational spirit. He spoke about some of the existing ideologically-driven narratives on India and Indian culture which hamper the much-needed intellectual process of a sincere quest for the truth about India.
Speaking on the necessity of a deeper educational rethinking in India, Dr. Singh emphasized the need for nurturing and unleashing the power of thought in a way that uplifts the consciousness of students.
For a full report, click HERE.
December 5
Dr. Mishra explained in a simple language how to live a spiritual life by following certain inner disciplines. Sri Aurobindo’s famous statement ‘All Life is Yoga’ was elaborated in the talk. This talk was attended by many dignitaries and elites connected with Vigyan Samiti, Udaipur, and members of the Sri Aurobindo Society, Udaipur.
December 6
On December 6, 2018,
December 9
At a Satsang (spiritual congregation) organized at the Sri Aurobindo Society, Jaipur Branch on December 9,
December 25–30
On December 28, 2018,
The natural and serene ambience of the open-air, under-the-tree setting at Udavi School, Auroville provided the relaxed backdrop for an almost 3-hour-long session, divided into two smaller sessions with a tea break in between. Beloo organized her presentation in an interactive format with a brief introduction of the topic as she interpreted it, and then encouraging the participants to share their thoughts and insights on some of the questions she raised for discussion.
Read the full report here.
A one-day retreat for a group of about 25 senior managers and management executives from iLink Systems – an ISO 9001:2008 Certified Global IT company – was organized by Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Indian Culture (SAFIC) on December 20, 2018. The programme was conducted at the Society House of Sri Aurobindo Society.
Date: December 20, 2018
Venue: Society House of Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry
For more information, click here.
The Samskrita Bala-Sahitya Parishad, an initiative of Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Indian Culture (SAFIC), and Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidhyalaya (SCSVMV), are jointly organizing a three day National Seminar titled “Children’s Literature in Sanskrit” from April 4 – 6, 2018 to generate ideas related to the topic and to understand how Sanskrit can be brought to children in various innovative ways through literature.
Date: April 4 to April 6, 2018
Venue: Sri Chandrashekharendra Saraswati Vishwa Mahavidhyalaya (SCSVM), Enathur, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
For more information please click here.
Sacred scriptures comprise only 12-15% of all the Sanskrit literature available from the Vedic to the pre-modern times. Nonetheless, they form the bedrock of Indian culture and spirituality. To approach the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Gita not from a scholastic point of view, but rather to understand the living message pulsating in their words is the aim of this workshop. By plunging into the philosophy of these scriptures, by gleaning their symbolism, and through a focused understanding of some of the significant words, verses and stories mentioned in these scriptures, the participants can begin to appreciate the significance of the Vedas, Upanishads and the Gita in the modern day and how they can guide us in our day-to-day living.
Date: May 6 to May 12, 2018
Venue: Madhuban campsite, Talla Ramgarh, Nainital district, Uttarakhand
For a list of all the past events of SAFIC, click here.