Science of Living – A Path to Inner Discovery

Date: 16 May - 26 May, 2026

Location: Sharanam Community Centre & Society House

Intensive workshops on Integral Education have been an integral part of SAFIER for over three decades. This year’s workshop, Science of Living: A Path to Inner Discovery, held from 16th to 24th May 2026, was not just a training—it was a lived experience of awakening. Rooted in the vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, the nine‑day journey brought together 34 educators and seekers from across India into a space of reflection, practice, and deep connection.

Set in the serene environments of Sharanam Community Centre and the Society House of Sri Aurobindo Society, the workshop offered a rare pause—a chance to step away from daily demands and explore what it truly means to be an educator, learner, facilitator, and conscious human being. Each day unfolded like a chapter, guiding participants through practices that awakened the body, stirred the heart, engaged the mind, and invited the soul.

Highlights of the Journey

1. Knowing Oneself: Shivakumar and Priti invited participants to look beyond roles and discover the deeper identity of being a good human before being a good teacher. Poetic self‑exploration exercises and soulful sharing created bonds of trust and openness.

 2. Exploring Sharanam: A treasure hunt through Sharanam revealed its “soul,” awakening curiosity and wonder. Reflections on current education contrasted industrial, utilitarian models with the child‑centred and soul-centred vision of Integral Education.

 3. Inner Explorations: Through yogic-exercises, awareness games, skits, films, and art explorations in nature and many more experiential activities participants explored the Physical, Vital, Mental, and Psychic aspects of the being. Journaling and decoding exercises deepened self‑awareness.

 4. Aspiration & Change: Chanting “Om,” reflections on the aim of life, and visits to AuroVanam highlighted harmony, ecological interconnectedness, and the importance of aspiration and self‑mastery.

 5. Conscious Hands & Creativity: Origami, Kolam, sound exploration, music and collaborative and expressive art awakened the senses and refined awareness. A mehfil celebrated creative self‑expression in music, dance, and poetry.

 6. Special Practices: Daily Yogic exercises guided by Shekhar and Aditi, mantra chanting led by Priti, and collective shramdaan (fruit salads, flower mandalas, and community duties) added depth and joy to the camp, embodying Integral Education as a way of living.

 7. Carrying the Flame: Project presentations and collective sharing captured the journey of growth. Participants returned with renewed purpose, deeper faith, and a quiet flame of aspiration to bring something sacred into everyday life.

Facilitators

The workshop was held with grace and depth by Shivakumar and Priti, supported by Shekhar, Aditi, Kavita, Sushanto, Rathi, Surendhar, Dr. Beloo, Shilpa, Uttama, Shantanu and Arjita — each enriching the journey with diverse sessions on yoga, nature, culture, storytelling, music, and art.

Essence

Across nine days, hearts opened, habits softened, and a deeper way of seeing took root. Participants carried back not just tools and insights, but a renewed sense of purpose: that true Integral Education begins with self‑awareness and blossoms through connection to one’s deeper self and manifesting the qualities of love, wisdom, power and perfection in day-to-day living.

It wasn’t the end of a workshop—it was the beginning of a new way of being.

Feedback by some of the Participants:

“Thank you for showing the difference between living and surviving.” 

• Maitree Bhattacharya, Assistant teacher and School Counsellor, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education,Kolkata

“What made the workshop especially meaningful was its practical and experiential approach. Through poetry, music, art, reflection and shared experiences, we explored different dimensions of learning. These were not simply activities but moments that touched the heart and revealed how education can inspire, heal and nurture growth in subtle yet powerful ways. I left the workshop feeling renewed and inspired.”

• Anannya Nandi, Educationist, Future school, Auroville

“What I liked the most was the process of connecting oneself within.” 

• Shabana Dayani, Academic head, Sri Aurobindo school of Integral Education, Chandigarh   

“What I liked most was that through the workshop I could connect with myself deeply and now I know exactly what I will be doing with my children.”  

• Meenal Dalal, Teacher and Co-ordinator, Wisdom High International School, Nasik 

“The applicability was a strength of the workshop. The core messages were truly experienced and that made it worth it all. I experienced how everything one does can be an offering. The attitude and approach of the facilitators and the energy and the force in the environment were the true teachings and learnings.” 

• Nilima Barde, Teach

• er Training, Auroville

“The workshop helped me understand the true purpose of education and the importance of self-development before teaching others.”

• Meeta Sharma, Primary teacher, Seth, M. R. Jaipuria School ( Navsrijan ), Lucknow

“What I liked the most in the workshop was the genuine compassion, goodwill and attention to minute details.”

• Sharanya G., Primary teacher, Sambhav vedic school, Mumbai

“The workshop deeply influenced my inner clarity. The ‘Science of Living’ concepts helped me understand the balance between physical, vital and mental education. I truly appreciated the reflective quiet moments built into the daily schedule. The environment created by the ‘SAFIER’ workshop team was incredibly welcoming, warm and. The facilitators just didn’t teach integral education, they embodied it. Thank you for your patience and inspiring guidance. The food provided was good, fresh, with great hygiene and all meals were served right on schedule.”

• Ujjwala Vijayrao Patil, Pre-primary educator, PRAKRITI Pre-Primary School, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra 

“What I liked the most about the workshop was discovering one-self through nature, art and conscious activities. This is because self-discovery will help the teacher to connect more with the child and their profession too. This workshop has inspired me to continue my journey of self-growth and become a more conscious facilitator.” 

• Chandrashekhar Patil, Principal, Sri Umapati Patil Memorial Montessori School, Raichur, Karnataka.