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Date: 06-Dec-2025 Location: Sharanam Community Centre On 6th December 2025, a two‑hour session titled Awakening the Inner Flame was jointly facilitated by Shivakumar and Priti of SAFIER, the Integral Education initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society. The session was part of AntarJyoti , organised by Sri Aurobindo Society State Committee, Karnataka, a retreat hosted at the Sharanam Community Centre near Ousteri lake, a model of eco‑friendly design and culturally sensitive architecture created by the Society. The retreat, held on 6th and 7th December, had 25 seekers from all walks of life to embark on an inward journey of rejuvenation and connection with the Divine. Shivakumar opened the session with an exploration of the “Gift” that Sri Aurobindo describes as inherent in every human being—the psychic presence within. Through selected passages of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, he guided participants to understand the nature of this inner flame, its wisdom, and the new capabilities it awakens when discovered. He clarified common misconceptions by distinguishing the psychic from vital feelings and mental conscience, and emphasized the importance of aspiration and self‑detachment in the sadhana of discovering the psychic being. The interaction concluded with the mention of practical methods for awakening this inner guide, including mantra chanting, connecting with nature, and direct concentration in the heart. Priti then led participants into a deeper experiential journey through the theme Be Like a Flower . Drawing on the Mother’s guidance, she invited the group to cultivate soul qualities of love, harmony, and beauty by connecting with flowers as living symbols of psychic presence. Participants engaged in meditative exercises with flowers from the Sharanam garden, observing their form, fragrance, and subtle vibration, and then writing or drawing the qualities they perceived. The spiritual significance of the flowers given by the Mother, was further pointed out in order to deepen the experience. Through stories of the Mother’s own discoveries and references to J.C. Bose’s pioneering work on plant consciousness, Priti highlighted the profound role of nature in awakening one’s inner being. Together, the sessions offered a rich blend of insight and practice, combining philosophical clarity with experiential depth. Participants were left with a renewed awareness of the psychic flame within and a simple yet profound way to nurture it—by being like a flower, open, equal, generous, and kind. The session stood as a beautiful step on the Sunlit Path, aligning with the retreat’s purpose of guiding seekers towards inner light and harmony.

Date: Apr  7- Apr 10, 2024 Location: Society House   Ek Nayi Usha  (7–10 April 2024) was a four-day exposure programme organised by SAFIER, the Integral Education Initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society, for 40 people, aged 18–50 years, from Paigamberpur, Rudrapur and Haridwar. The primary goal of the camp was to deepen participants’ experience of Sri Aurobindo’s and The Mother’s vision and strengthen local centre work through experiential learning and Integral Yoga practices. The main facilitators were Shivakumar and Priti from SAFIER and the workshop was coordinated by Kirti Adhikari of Sri Aurobindo Society, Paigamberpur centre. Main Activities ●      Welcome and Knowing Each Other More Deeply:  kit distribution, Welcome address by Chairman - Pradeep Narang, group chanting, name-with-quality enactment and icebreaker activities to set the tone of inner and outer yatra. ●      Visit to Ashram and Ashram departments:  visits to Bureau Central, Sri Smriti and Samadhi with guided reflection and evening meditations. ●      Knowing Sri Aurobindo and the Mother:  screening of the film ‘Sri Aravind: Ek Nayi Usha ’, an animation film on the life of Sri Aurobindo with interaction; a reflective session on the poem “Invitation” by Sri Aurobindo; introduction to the story of The Mother via a presentation. ●      Auroville Immersion:  orientation at Unity Pavilion; presentation and guided visit to Matrimandir and its gardens and a session focused on the twelve qualities, a visit to Savitri bhavan. ●      Connecting to one’s Psychic being: session on flowers and their spiritual significance, a session on the 4 powers of the Mother and its connection to our every-day life, a guided meditation to travel inwards to become aware of one’s inner-weather and express it through art and a session to light the Flame of Aspiration. ●      Creating a Dream Centre:  facilitated a discussion and reflection on the role and functioning of a “Dream Centre”. This was a group activity to produce practical ideas and commitments. Outcomes ●     Stronger Cohesion:  enhanced trust and bonding across participants and coordinators. ●  Spiritual Deepening:  clearer experiential understanding of Sri Aurobindo’s teachings and practice tools for meditation and reflection. ●     Actionable Ideas:  concrete proposals and renewed commitment for local centre activities from the “Dream Centre” exercise. ●      Motivation to Continue:  participants left motivated to implement learnings in their home centres. Conclusion Ek Nayi Usha  successfully combined spiritual exposure to the Vision of Integral Yoga as propounded by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and experiential learning through various activities. The participants left Puducherry more united, inspired and equipped to carry forward centre-level transformation work.

Date: Sep 02 - Sep 06, 2025 Location: Society House SAFIER, the Integral Education Initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society, together with SAS Hindi Zone, hosted AntarYatra 2025 — a five-day exposure trip to Puducherry for 24 participants from North India. The trip in the form of a workshop ran from 2–6 September 2025 at Society House and was conducted mainly in Hindi. The SAFIER facilitators were Shivakumar and Priti; SAS Hindi Zone facilitators were Aneeta Bansal and Kirti Adhikari. Purpose and Spirit The journey aimed to introduce the living spirit of Integral Yoga as presented by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, not as abstract theory but as something simple, real, and usable in daily life. From the very first moment we invited participants to travel on two yatras at once — an outer journey and an inner search to “know oneself” — and that gentle invitation became our thread throughout the five days. What We Did We blended short talks, experiential activities, quiet inner work, and visits around the Ashram and Auroville so the experience felt organic and connected. Sessions moved from playful awareness games and painting to chanting, singing bhajans , and visits to the Samadhi, Matrimandir, and Savitri Bhavan. Conversations and practices were mostly in Hindi, creating an intimate, easygoing atmosphere. Key Sessions and Activities . Welcome by Pradeep Narang, Chairman of Sri Aurobindo Society . Opening reflection on the twin yatras — outer and inner — by Shivakumar and Priti . Connecting to oneself and each other through deeper qualities — Priti . Introduction to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother through films and a presentation — Shivakumar and Priti . Q&A on Sri Aurobindo, the Mother and the Ashram — Dr. Alok Pandey . Invoking peace and devotion through a bhajan — Aneeta Bansal . Chanting Sri Aurobindo’s Gayatri Mantra to invoke the higher light — Priti . Connecting with flowers and their significance — Sushanto and Rathirekha . Awakening to the physical through awareness games — Shivakumar . Connecting to Nature — watching a Sunrise in Silence — Priti . Jeevan Ek Prarthana — living life as an offering — Kirti Adhikari . Introduction to Sri Aurobindo Society and its activities — Shivakumar . Bheetar ka Mausam — inner discovery through painting — Priti . Introduction to Auroville — Lakshay . The Mother’s symbol and Yoga Nidra — Jaya . Introduction to Savitri — Neel Conclusion The closing practice — invoking the Fire of Aspiration — tied the experience together and gave everyone a simple personal resolve to carry forward. Participants left with soft, bright changes rather than dramatic conversions. Many felt touched, grateful, and quietly joyful. Several discovered inner layers they hadn’t noticed before and found small treasures — new ways of being that feel helpful in everyday life. AntarYatra 2025 was a gentle, heartfelt journey that wove inner discovery with shared moments. It offered approachable tools from Integral Yoga so that the participants could bring spirituality closer to their daily lives, carrying back small sparks of change and renewed belo nging .

Date: May 16 - May 24, 2025 Location: Sharanam Community Centre & Society House Glimpse of the Photo-Album of the Workshop on Facebook . Intensive workshops on Integral Education have been an integral part of SAFIER, the integral education wing of Sri Aurobindo Society, for the last three decades. This year, the Antah-Kamalam workshop, held from 16th to 24th May 2025, was more than just a training—it was a personal and collective awakening. Rooted in the philosophy of Integral Education as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, the nine-day journey brought together 33 sincere seekers of IE from across the country including pre-primary, primary and high school teachers, co-ordinators, consultants, psychologists, directors and principals, ranging from the age of 25 to 55, from across geographies into a space of shared learning, reflection, and deep connection. Set in the serene and spiritually charged 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 the demands of daily life and explore what it truly means to be an educator, a learner, a facilitator and a 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. From physical yoga and nature walks to soulful storytelling and art, the experiences were simple yet powerful—reminding the participants that education begins with self-awareness and grows through connection, creativity, and care. Whether it was roaming in nature barefoot, sketching a tree, or reflecting on a teacher who shaped their lives, every moment held the potential to transform. What stood out was the ease with which strangers became companions and how silence often spoke louder than words. The facilitators—Shivakumar and Priti —held the space with grace, allowing each participant to unfold at their own pace, ably assisted by the volunteers Harsh and Nagajyothi. By the end of the nine days, participants carried back not just tools and insights, but a renewed sense of purpose and a deep knowing: that to teach well, we must first be willing to learn from within. Course Facilitators: SAFIER, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry. Introductory address - by Shivakumar The workshop began on the 16 th of May at Sharanam Community centre of Sri Aurobindo Society, which aspires to provide a conducive spiritual atmosphere to the guests and participants. Shivakumar addressed all the participants by telling them that this workshop- ‘ANTAH-KAMALAM ’ - is an opportunity to go within and look for the lotus that blooms within each one. Shivakumar read a quote by the Mother: “We are not here to do (only a little better) what others do. We are here to do what others cannot do because they do not have the idea that it can be done.” The sessions on laying the foundation of Integral Education and giving the participants an experience so that they could assimilate the essence of Integral Education were: Jointly facilitated by Shivakumar and Priti: Knowing the Founders of IE: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Developing Conscious Hands with the help of Kolam patterns (with Pre-Primary & Primary level teachers), Exploring & Refining the Vital, Shikshak to Adhyapak. Facilitated by Shivakumar: Story of Sharanam, A Re-look at Current Education – Part I and Embarking on the Journey of Integral Education, Where does Inspiration Come from?, The Journey begins — the Magic Mirror, An Awareness Game, Exploring the Physical, Opening Up of Our Senses, and How do We Proceed? Facilitated by Priti: Knowing oneself and Knowing others, Exploring the Space and A Re-look at Current Education – Part II, Source of Inspired Education, Introduction to Science of Living,  Journey continues: Decoding oneself,  Inner Weather, Connecting with One's Soul, through Art in Nature, Chanting, Dialogue with Oneself, Exploring the Powers Within, Sunrise Walk, How to celebrate Birthdays!, How to build an Integral Classroom, Introduction to Project Based Learning [PBL] in the Integral Way and Project Work Facilitated by Shekhar and Aditi: Yogic Exercises and introduction to Yogic Living Facilitated by Kavita: Connecting with Nature (visit to Aurovanam) Facilitated by Sushanto and Rathi: Connecting with Oneself with the help of Flowers Facilitated by Rathi and Surendhar Developing Conscious Hands with the help of Origami (with Pre-Primary & Primary level teachers) Facilitated by Beloo Introduction to Indian Culture, through Art & Architecture Facilitated by Shilpa Implementing IE at Pre-Primary [KG] Level Facilitated by Uttama Nature, Colour & Me (with Pre-Primary & Primary level teachers) and Storytelling - A Sharing Facilitated by Vikas Fun with Maths Facilitated by Anurekha Enjoying Dance movements (with Pre-Primary & Primary level teachers) Facilitated by Arjita Singing Sanskrit songs Mehfil - A Celebration at Sharanam Mehfil was the cultural offering made by all the participants, which was conducted in the indoor hall. The hall was nicely decorated with flower and candle arrangements and a beautiful environment was created. The participants got to know about their hidden potential and opened up like a flower opening petal by petal. In the end everyone held their hands standing in a circle and expressed the harmony and unity felt deep within the hearts of all, in the form of a song sung together. Flower Mandalas and preparing Fruit-Salads Every morning in Sharanam, a group of interested participants got-together before the sessions started and everyday made beautiful Flower-mandala and Fruit-Salads. This became an engaging, quiet, concentrated and a healthy way to begin the day. Project Presentations All the four groups beautifully and creatively presented their Journey of Growth during the 9-day workshop, ‘Antah-kamalam’ , at an Individual and Collective level by the way of songs, dances, PowerPoint-presentations and musical dramas. The presentations gave a nostalgic review of the workshop and gave an opportunity for sharing and listening to each other's progress and challenges. Conclusion: Flame of Aspiration  The Antah-Kamalam workshop was not just a programme—it was a lived experience of Integral Education. Across nine days, hearts opened, habits softened, and a deeper way of seeing took root. Participants returned to their schools and lives with new questions, deeper faith, and a quiet Flame of Aspiration to bring something sacred into the everyday. It wasn’t the end of a workshop. It was the beginning of a new way of being. Feedback by some of the Participants: “What I liked the most was the visit to the Ashram garden, ‘Matri Udyanam’ because the art of nature has awakened my inner calmness and deepened my realisation of the profound connection between o ur soul and the universe. It’s an eye opener that there is more to nature than meets the eye.” A poem written in the form of a feedback: Seeds of wisdom sown, Hearts now bloom. May this transformative journey’s essence forever stay, And its light illuminate future generations. Usha Chaitanya.K, Coordinator, Sri Prakash Synergy School, Peddapuram, Andhra Pradesh “The balanced integration of theory and practical sessions allowed deep understanding through hands-on activities and made the concepts more relatable. I learnt about the profound vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Their ideas on education are rooted in Self-realisation, Consciousness and Evolution. The food throughout the workshop was simple, sattvic, nutritious and filled with care and love. It reflected the spirit of Integral Education by supporting not only the body but also contributing to a calm and receptive state of mind.”  Divyajeetsinh Zala, Principal and Educator, Rungta Vidya Bhavan Bharuch, Gujarat “Antah-Kamalam was not just a retreat—it was a homecoming to my inner self. Bathed in the grace of The Mother and guided by the light of Sri Aurobindo, I experienced stillness, awakening, and a deep soul connection. Grateful beyond words for this sacred journey of self-discovery and inner blossoming.” Priti Rajput, Pre-primary and Primary head, Silver Bells English Medium School, Nashik, Maharashtra “What I liked the most was the aim of the workshop. I liked it the most because it helped me to know myself and motivated me to bring out my best.” Monica Taneja, Pre-Primary teacher, Seth M.R.Jaipuria School ,Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh “What I liked the most was the 3 principles of Education. By having a good understanding of 3 principles of IE, I can work on the inclusion of special needs students more practically.” Nidhi Sharma, Seth M.R.Jaipuria School, Bhiwadi, Rajasthan “What I liked the most  was our mentors' concern, care and love. I learnt that as a facilitator, I need to adapt this approach to have a strong bonding and connection with my children. ” Shashikala Patil, The Chief Directress and Pre-Primary teacher, SUPM Montessori school, Manvi, Karnataka “I am going back with the aspiration of making yogic exercises an inevitable part of my life. I will share my experiences with my family and friends. All the activities that we did here were interesting, engaging and helped a lot to know about oneself.” Debalina Banerjee, Pre-primary teacher, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education, Kolkata “After attending the Chanting session I felt that we are forgetting our Ancient language ‘Sanskrit’ which was the most scientific one, how well it is designed. I need to work on that.” Sudesh Thakur, TGT Science teacher, Sri Aurobindo School of Integral Education, Chandigarh “Every activity was followed by discussion that gave enough scope for reflections of one’s and others that helped in affirmation of learning.” Sonika Tyagi, GM-Curriculum and Training, Sri Aurobindo Society-Rupantar, New Delhi “All the activities and sessions were interactive and always made us be on our toes, completely engrossed.” Indumathi. S., Academic coordinator and Senior school teacher, Auro Mirra International School, Bangalore, Karnataka

Date: Oct 21—Oct 26, 2024 Location: Kolkata From 21–26 October 2024, the Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Integral Education and Research (SAFIER) team, Shivakumar and Priti, conducted visits and workshops that brought alive Integral Education (IE) as “The Education of the Soul,” inspiring teachers, school leaders, and parents to begin an inner and classroom transformation. Visits and workshops — brief chronology 21 October — Future Foundation School, Kolkata: The SAFIER team met five senior staff members, including the Principal, to celebrate the joy of implementing Integral Education practices and to stress that IE — The Education of the Soul — is the need of the hour. 22 October — The Mother’s International Institute of Education (TMIIE), West Midnapore:  A half-day introductory workshop for 14 participants (TMIIE teachers, Sri Aurobindo Vidyabhawan teachers, and director Indrani Basu) introduced the Founders and the IE framework through talks, activities, and an awareness game. The concluding activity, Flame of Aspiration , moved participants and inspired them to strengthen themselves first to bring out every child’s strength in the classroom. 23–26 October — Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education (SAIE), Kolkata:  A three-and-a-half-day workshop for 35 Primary and Pre-Primary teachers facilitated the Framework, Practices, and Principles of IE with interactive talks, films, skits, experiential activities, and games. Principal Anthony Das inaugurated the workshop; Governing Body members Nandita Chandra and Anindita Sil participated fully. A two-hour parent interaction on A New Education for New Humanity  drew about 70–80 parents. Key sessions covered ·        A New way of Knowing Oneself ·        A relook at the Current Education System ·        Inspired teachers lead to Inspired students ·        Decoding the Source of the Inspiration ·        Knowing the Founders of Integral Education: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother ·        Getting introduced to IE and experiencing IE ·        Learning Vedic Mantra chanting as an aid to develop Peace andConcentration ·        Becoming aware of one’s Inner weather: A guided Meditation ·        Methods to Connect with one’s Inner Friend — The Psychic Being ·        Connecting with Nature through Flowers and Expressing through Art ·        Exploring one’s Physical (Body) through a four-point programme ·        Exploring one’s Vital (Centre of Emotions and Feelings) ·        Refining one’s Vital with the help of Poetry, Art and Music ·        Looking at Developing the Mind ·        An Introduction to Integral Project Based Learning: the 3 Principles of Education ·        An assignment: A Project on ‘Awakening to the Physical’ The workshop closed with a flame of meditation to the Mother’s music and teachers writing aspirations on cards to kickstart inner exploration and live an integral life. Follow-up Two online interactive sessions on 23 November 2024  and 15 February 2025  continued the work on the project assignment ‘Awakening to the Physical’ , sustaining practice and reflection. Participant feedback from SAIE Oct 23–26 workshop 1.    “I discovered my inner being that was in slumber within, though not absolutely but to some extent which provided a kind of hand-holding in odd situations. The workshop touched that tune of the inner Harp that was not played earlier. … I am overwhelmed and enriched.” -        Sanhita Banerjee, English teacher at SAIE school, Kolkata 2.    “The concept of Psychic being was not so clear when I had read about Integral Education earlier. Now I have started to know the meaning of these words and am looking forward to knowing more about it. The most interesting thing I found from this workshop is the power of mantra and that there is a possibility of a different outlook towards life.” -        Ananya Tarafdar, Biology teacher at SAIE school, Kolkata 3.    “From this 3-day workshop, the main thing I realised is that all the powers, all energies are sleeping within us only. It is our duty to feel that power, the source, through knowing our Body (Physical), Emotions (Vital), Mind and Soul and then only we can consider ourselves as ‘Manush’.” -        Jayoti Chatterjee, Chemistry teacher at SAIE school, Kolkata 4.    “One insight that I gained from the workshop that has touched me is that I have started feeling myself in 4 planes: Physical, Emotional, Mental and Psychic. I feel I am on a journey, travelling with my body, mind and heart, in search of my soul. … For me the workshop is just the first step towards an eternal journey.” -        Ajita Mitra, Vice-Principal at SAIE school, Kolkata 5.    “From this 3-day workshop on IE, I became aware of my Inner being. I now know it was there before but it was not known to me. I have started to realise what I’m going through — in my Physical, Vital, Mental — which part is active. Sometimes there is an overlap too. … I have got a ‘marg’ — a way now to look forward to and live life this way. I want to learn more about Integral Education.” -        Anindita Sil, Core-Committee member, SAIE school, Kolkata 6.    “‘First experiencing, then believing’. Before this workshop, I was only hearing quotes by Sri Aurobindo and Maa, and saw others worshipping them without entirely understanding the ‘importance’ of their philosophy. Now after experiencing the ‘Anterer Bandhu’ or the ‘Divine within’ through various activities that we did, I realise how great Sri Aurobindo and Maa were. My whole education in Psychology was based on a very western approach of looking at things which did not give me as much insight as I got from these sessions.” -        Maitree Bhattacharya, Psychology teacher at SAIE school, Kolkata 7.    “The mind opened up to the fact that the Divine within is always there, waiting to surface. Only we have to constantly strive to be in touch with that ‘Psychic Being’. My suggestion is to have more mantra chanting and IE workshops should be a continuous process.” -        Nandita, Core-Committee member, SAIE school, Kolkata Conclusion The Kolkata visit gave teachers and parents a clear, lived experience of Integral Education as an education for the soul. The programme combined inner practices, pedagogy, and creative expression to awaken teachers first so they can inspire each child to grow from within.

Date: 05-Jun-2025 Location: Society House On 5th June 2025, twelve faculty members from Auro University, Surat, participated in an immersive one-day workshop on Integral Living — an approach based on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother's vision of Integral Yoga. The workshop was facilitated by Shivakumar and Priti of SAFIER, the Integral Education initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society. The sessions included interactive presentations, experiential activities, awareness exercises, and an insightful interaction with Shri Pradeep Narang, Chairman of the Society. It was a transformative day blending learning, reflection, and soul-touching inspiration.  Key Highlights: Introduction to Integral Living & Integral Education – The approach, relevance & modern context Experiential Activity – Flower meditation & reflections on inner self Awareness Games – Focus, awareness, and play-filled introspection Closing Reflection – Group sharing & meditation Special Interaction – Shri Pradeep Narang, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society Flow of the Program: Welcome & ContextShivakumar and Priti set the tone with a warm welcome and an inspiring overview of the Ashram, Auroville, and the context of Integral Education in our life. The teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother came alive through real-world relevance and soulful reflections. Glimpsing the Soul A unique activity invited participants to intuitively choose a flower and contemplate on the message it communicated through a value. The Mother’s quotes on flowers deepened the experience, blending the Soul-presence in Nature and the Inner-Soul presence beautifully. Awareness Through a Game Post-lunch brought playful yet powerful awareness-building activities — exchanging beanbags and tennis balls in a unique way, beanbags balanced on heads, conscious walking paths, and laughter in between! These activities enabled the participants to heighten their awareness and feel the power of concentration, presence, and inner discipline. Reflection & DialogueAt the conclusion, there were many honest sharings, heartfelt realizations, and thoughtful insights. A closing meditation anchored the learnings of the day. The TakeawayShivakumar and Priti across the day helped participants connect with the invisible yet powerful force of the inner Truth, known as ‘the Psychic Being’ in Integral Education.  From an immersive flower meditation to help connect to one’s Inner being, to a heightened awareness with the beanbag and tennis ball, the day was a journey inward. The participants left with a renewed sense of awareness, clarity of purpose, a deep curiosity and some insights to weave an Integral, more Conscious and Soul-based Living into their personal and professional lives. They also realized that as educators, embracing Integral living in their own lives would eventually reflect positively in the education of their students at the university.

Date: Apr 10 - Apr 13, 2025 Location: Society House A spiritual Retreat was organised by Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Lucknow for 21 people, comprising teachers, principals and a management person, from 10th April 2025 to 13th April 2025 in Puducherry in order to deepen the understanding and experience of Integral Education (IE) and its focus on Psychic Education. Shivakumar and Priti of SAFIER, the Integral Education initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society, helped the management of the school to hold sessions by varied facilitators, connected to the topic, in the premises of Society house, Sri Aurobindo Society and also facilitated a 3-hour session titled ‘Connecting with the Psychic and staying rooted in the Psychic’ on the 13th of April 2025. Shivakumar, with the help of powerful quotes from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, shared some insights on the Psychic Being, by starting with its relevance to IE. He also further discussed ‘What is not the Psychic’ in order to enable more mental clarity on the topic.  The participants enthusiastically participated in the discussions and were eager to know more about the Psychic being and its effect on our lives. Priti joined in the interaction by sharing a few internal and external methods mentioned by the Mother to get in touch with the Psychic and act from there. With the help of one of the methods ‘engaging in an activity of higher vibration — mantra chanting’, she facilitated the importance of the Universal and Eternal Sound ‘OM’ through anecdotes and quotes by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and led the participants into an experiential journey of getting connected with their Psychic Being with the help of the chants and a written & colourful expression of OM. The participants were grateful for the learnings during the three days and went back doubly enriched, touched by the soulful experience of the quietude and sanctity of the Ashram atmosphere in Puducherry and also the deep dive into the depth of Integral Education in the form of interactions, discussions, activities and soulful talks.

Date: Mar 23 - Mar 26, 2025 Location: Seth MR Jaipuria School, Bhiwadi, Rajasthan A four-day residential spiritual retreat at Seth MR Jaipuria School, Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, held from 23rd March to 26th March 2025. It was a transformative experience for around 60 students from classes 6th to 9th. Centred around the profound teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, the retreat focused on the four Soul Forces: Wisdom, Strength, Harmony, and Perfection.  Rahul, Palak and Neel on behalf of SAFIER, the integral education initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society, along with the Team from Seth MR Jaipuria School, facilitated the Retreat. Through an immersive journey of self-exploration and collective learning, students engaged in activities designed to deepen their understanding and experience of these inner forces. Day 1: Aspiration – Igniting the Inner Flame: The retreat commenced with the theme of Aspiration, symbolized by Agni—the inner flame of yearning for higher consciousness. Through guided meditations, reflective discussions, and creative expression, students were encouraged to kindle their inner fire and set personal intentions for the retreat. This day laid the foundation for an inward journey, inspiring students to aspire towards their highest potential. The day also included cooperative fun-filled outdoor games, fostering teamwork and camaraderie among the students. Day 2: Self-Enquiry – Exploring Wisdom and Strength: The second day was dedicated to Self-Enquiry, a deep dive into the soul forces of Wisdom and Strength. The day began with an invigorating yogasana session, helping students cultivate awareness and inner balance. Activities included contemplative exercises, storytelling, and interactive workshops that encouraged students to question, reflect, and recognize their inner Wisdom. Then, Strength, at the level of physical, vital and mental, was explored through dynamic group exercises, emphasizing resilience, courage, and determination. The students learned that true wisdom arises from self-awareness and that strength is not just about power but about endurance and the ability to uphold truth. Cooperative fun outdoor games were also organized, further reinforcing the spirit of teamwork and joyful learning. Day 3: Synthesis – Discovering Harmony and Perfection: The third day was devoted to Synthesis, focusing on the forces of Harmony and Perfection. The morning began with a yoga session, encouraging mindfulness and inner harmony. This day highlighted the importance of balance—within oneself and in relationship with others. Through group discussions, team-building exercises, and artistic endeavors, students explored how harmony fosters unity, and perfection is not about flawlessness but about continuous progress. The idea that life itself is a field for perfection in action deeply resonated with the participants. Day 4: Aspiration and Hope – Culmination with Deeply Moving Presentations: The final day was a culmination of aspiration and hope, where students reflected on their journey and integrated their learnings. The retreat concluded with a heartfelt presentation by the students, in the presence of their parents, showcasing their experiences and insights gained over the four days. This soulful presentation, filled with expressions of gratitude, personal stories, and creative performances, deeply touched everyone present, marking a meaningful closure to the retreat. This spiritual retreat was an enriching experience that left a lasting impact on the students. By engaging with the four soul forces—Wisdom, Strength, Harmony, and Perfection—the participants not only explored their inner selves but also built a deeper connection with their peers and mentors. The retreat served as a stepping stone for their ongoing spiritual growth and self-discovery, instilling in them a sense of purpose and aspiration that will continue to guide them in their journey ahead.

Date: Mar 23 - Mar 27, 2025 Location: Neevam The School, Amravati, Maharashtra A 3-day Integral Education workshop was held for the teachers of Neevam–The School, from the 24th to 26th of March 2025. It took place at the beautiful consciously designed premises of Neevam The School, Amravati, Maharashtra. 23 teachers, and the school board members participated in the workshop which was facilitated by Shivakumar, Director of Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Integral Education and Research (SAFIER) and Priti (SAFIER). SAFIER is the Integral Education vertical of the Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry. This workshop is a part of the series of annual training held by the school for the teachers to help them have a more solid grounding of Integral Education practices. On 23rd of March, the school management hosted a two-hour interactive workshop led by the SAFIER facilitators for the Parents titled "Integral Insights: Empowering Parents, Enriching Children". This event was designed to educate and motivate parents on the significance of their influence on their children's development. In the past years, a general introduction was given with reference to principles, practices and approaches of Integral Education to all the teachers at the ‘Neevam—the School’ through annual workshops by the SAFIER team. The participants have been introduced to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother as the founders of Integral Education and also the basic vocabulary of Integral Education (IE). Psychic education has also been introduced with several experiential activities. In a workshop held in 2022 a brief preview was given to the practices of Physical Education, through interactions and discussions and the approach was introduced through awareness games and activities. A Project assignment was given which was designed to help the teachers assimilate the learnings of the workshop and build some practices in their every-day life. In February 2024, an introduction was given to Vital Education beginning with Sense Development games as sense development is the doorway to building a robust Vital Education. Activities such as awareness games, painting in nature and writing poetry, and an introduction to Value Education through the first four values of the Mother’s Symbol were taken up. This helped the participants to start becoming aware of and refine their Vital nature. They also learnt many activities which they could start introducing in the classrooms. The current workshop held from 24th-26th March 2025 revolved around deepening and strengthening the understanding of the basic aspects of IE and deepening the importance and implementation of Vital Education in one’s life and in the classroom through experiential activities, body-awareness games and interactive discussions. The Integral Education workshop commenced with the most beautiful aspiration that the Mother, the Founder of IE, has put before us: "We are not here to do (only a little better) what the others do. We are here to do what the others cannot do because they do not have the idea that it can be done. We are here to open the way of the Future to children who belong to the Future." - The Mother This aspiration was followed with experiential sessions that helped the participants to explore deeper into Vital Education: Day 1 1. Knowing oneself through a poem and knowing each other too in a deeper way. 2. A recap of the Approach to IE which was shared in the previous workshops: The need to know the different Parts of the Being and discover the Genius Within - the ‘Andar ka Dost’ through ‘The Science of Living’ for a teacher. This was done through a skit. The need to understand the Growth of a child as we want to help the children follow their natural growth cycle. Laying the Approach of IE in order to help the children develop their Physical, Vital and the Mental and to discover their Soul, the teacher has to shift the focus on herself first, the Mother says: "The first thing to do, in order to be able to educate a child, is to educate oneself, to become conscious and master of oneself …." 3. The importance of Physical Education in a teacher’s life was again stressed upon with the help of an Awareness game and a revision of the 4-point programme and the necessity of making it a part of one’s life. 4. Vital Education was re-introduced with its two principal aspects: The development of the sense organs Progressing awareness and control of the character leading to its transformation 5. A sense development activity which would help in transitioning into the world of emotions was taken up with the help of clay. This concluded with a powerful quote which helped in understanding the need of a rich Sense-development programme in the school: "A methodical and enlightened cultivation of the senses can, little by little, eliminate from the child whatever is by contagion vulgar, commonplace and crude. This education will have very happy effects even on his character. For one who has developed a truly refined taste will, because of this very refinement, feel incapable of acting in a crude, brutal or vulgar manner."- The Mother 6. The day concluded with an understanding of the 5 characteristics of the Vital nature with the help of a game. A home assignment was given to the teachers to read on the ‘Vital’ from the chapter ‘The Science of Living’ from the book ‘On Education’. Day 2 The day commenced with a chanting of OM, along with the participants understanding the significance of the universal mantra. Chanting mantras is a psychic practice which helped in setting the tone for the day towards peace, harmony and for a day of introspection. An introduction to Value Based Education was given stressing on the importance of the teacher possessing the values she wants the students to acquire. Also, when values deepen, they give a great joy as soul-values - they are a means to reach our Soul! An interactive discussion was taken up to understand that Negative values are nothing but a reverse side of a Positive quality. This point was further explained through a very interesting story of how ‘Love’ turns into ‘Hate’. 3. The Value ‘Courage’ which is a value so essential to develop in each one’s life was taken up as a further exploration. The teachers were inspired to reflect on their own experiences and share stories of courage, demonstrating how this essential value can be seamlessly integrated into teaching practices. Methods to overcome ‘Fear’ were also taken up and a home assignment was given to the teachers to work on their fears. 4. For further refinement of the Vital, A beautiful quote by Mother centering around ‘Beauty as the constant ideal’ was taken up with the help of a song and then a beautiful quote by Sri Aurobindo was taken up where he stresses upon Poetry, Art and Music to be the True Education of the Soul. Following this a poem by Sri Aurobindo was taken up for an in-depth exploration.  This helped the teachers experience the delight when the emotions are raised and uplifted to a higher consciousness.  Day 3 The Day began with a collective chant of ‘OM’ and doing an experiential activity connected with it, so that one can experience the atmosphere of peace created within and without when being with the mantra for more than 45 minutes. Peace is a necessary requirement to get connected with one’s ‘Inner Friend’. The home assignments were discussed and this was followed by a reading on the ‘Vital’ from the chapter ‘the Science of Living. There was an open session where teachers clarified a lot of doubts with reference to IE practices. The workshop ended with a brief meditation which activated the Flame of Aspiration within each teacher. A quote from the Mother was read out Where the Mother says, “There are people who love adventure. It is these I call, and I tell them this: “I invite you to the great adventure.” A prayer — ‘Hero Warrior’ was also read out to leave the teachers with a renewed enthusiasm of a hero warrior and a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of Integral Education. The teachers were happy to experience a new awareness enveloping them and their outlook towards education got completely reawakened with the shaking out of old ideas about education and the emergence of a new understanding with the help of Integral Education. Many small practices such as playing cooperative games, sense awareness games and creating a psychic atmosphere in the classrooms have already been started in the school.

Date:11-Mar-2025 Location: Society House The Integral Education initiative of the Sri Aurobindo Society—SAFIER—conducted a one-day Facilitator Workshop on 11th March at the Puducherry premises of the Sri Aurobindo Society. This was the second in the series of workshops to facilitate understanding and deepening into the core principles and approaches of Integral Education. The workshop was to facilitate the seven facilitators from the Sri Aurobindo Society Chennai branch, who were joined by the Tamil Nadu State committee chairman, Shri Sivakumar, to conduct programs for ‘Auro Kids’ on how to engage children, how to identify their aspirations, and how to make them future-ready. The workshop not only talked about the struggles of ‘Auro kids' but also awakened the facilitators with the help of Integral Education (IE) practices in the light of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. This will further aid the facilitators to live an Integral life and facilitate an Integral atmosphere in their children corner activities. Key Highlights:  Facilitators' Growth: The workshop emphasized that the facilitators must evolve to be future-ready alongside the children they guide. Beyond Conventional Education: Auro Kids aims to create a unique approach to learning that others may not have imagined. From a child-centred to a soul-centred approach. Self-Discovery as a Foundation: Education begins with mastering oneself, as advocated by The Mother in ‘The Science of Living’. Poetry, Art, and Music as Tools: These creative mediums were explored as effective ways to connect with higher emotions and thus connect with the Inner Friend. Engaging Activities: Awareness games heightened self-observation and perception, while Kolam as an art form demonstrated harmony and stillness. Integral Learning Approach: The workshop seamlessly integrated the mental, emotional and physical with the spiritual dimension, ensuring an integral experience. Practical Takeaways: Facilitators were encouraged to incorporate nature walks, simple songs, and collaborative teaching strategies to enhance engagement. Closing Reflection: The workshop ended on a deeply unifying note with a Tamil song, reinforcing the spirit of Beauty and harmony in each aspect of one’s life . Reflections From Participants Understood the essence of "Science of Living" as mastering oneself — being conscious, aware, and aspirational. Expressed emotions freely while enacting the poem, discovering different shades of themselves in the process. Became more aware of their body, senses and surroundings during the blindfold activities — heightened alertness, balance, and trust. Acknowledged the need to practice patience, cooperation, and humility through the recommended team facilitation method. Realised how beauty in action, thought, and sentiment can become a constant ideal, guiding both personal and professional lives. Summary: The Auro Kids workshop was a transformative experience for the facilitators, challenging them to grow alongside the future-ready children they teach. Through self-mastery, creative expression, engaging activities, and integral learning, facilitators explored new ways to enrich their lives and those of their students. The session underscored the importance of beauty, aspiration, and consciousness in education, leaving participants inspired and equipped with practical tools for fostering a nurturing learning environment.

Date: 10-Mar-2025 Location: Society House On March 10, 2025, SAIFER, the Integral Education initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society, facilitated a 90-minute interactive session for 7 students and one accompanying faculty member of Auro University, Surat. The session commenced with Shivakumar and Priti of SAFIER, asking reflective questions to the students on the ideal of Beauty — What does a beautiful place, object, moment, emotion, thought, sensation do to you? This discussion was taken up as an exploration and with the help of sharing from the participants of their personal experiences, the first part of the interaction concluded with the following insights from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother: “... without perfect love there cannot be perfect beauty, and without perfect beauty there cannot be perfect delight.” - Sri Aurobindo “Let beauty be your constant ideal. The beauty of the soul The beauty of sentiments The beauty of thoughts The beauty of the action The beauty in the work so that nothing comes out of your hands which is not an expression of pure and harmonious beauty. And the Divine Help shall always be with you.” -The Mother As a finishing note the students were asked to keep ‘Beauty as their constant ideal’ and see how they can make their outer and inner atmosphere beautiful and note — What were the few practices that they would start in order to experience the ‘Delight of Beauty’. The interaction concluded with an ending thought put forth to the students — on Finding the Source of Delight within, for which the ‘The Science of Living’ by The Mother is the path.    The students were happy to express their views and experiences and found the discussion and interaction very engaging. They enthusiastically shared the practices that they will take up in order to make Auro University, their homes and their Inner-Selves a place of Beauty and Delight.

Date: Jan 28- Feb 01, 2025 Location: Bejon Desai Foundation, Nashik, Maharashtra SAFIER, the Integral Education initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society, has been collaborating with Bejon Desai Foundation (BDF), Nashik since 2015. To further strengthen this collaborative work, a 5-day Integral Capacity Building Retreat was held from January 28 to February 1, 2025. The first two days took place at Grape County Resort, Nashik, followed by sessions and school visits at Bejon Desai Foundation. Facilitated by Shivakumar and Priti from SAFIER, the retreat engaged eight people, directors and facilitators from Bejon Desai Foundation in immersive sessions on Integral Education (IE). School Visits (Jan 30–31) Shivakumar and Priti visited schools associated with Bejon Desai Foundation: Silver Bells English Medium School : 23 teachers shared their experiences from the year-long IE intervention done by the BDF team and clarified their queries on IE. Anubhuti Alumni Interaction : 45 Participants from five batches of the ‘Anubhuti – teach by being it!’ course engaged in a two-hour insightful sharing by Shivakumar and Priti. Aseema Foundation School, Igatpuri : Primary and Secondary level teachers involved in IE programs being conducted by BDF team, interacted deeply with the facilitators on topics based on Integral Education. Shining Star Academy, Nashik - This school is aspiring to implement Integral Education practices. 80 teachers who have undergone a year-long school intervention program in Integral Education carried out by BDF participated in a session where they deepened their understanding of IE. The facilitators also paid a visit to the school’s Science Exhibition. Day 1: Setting the Vision The retreat opened with Dr. Bhardwaj, CEO of BDF, presenting the Foundation’s work over the past three years. Shivakumar and Priti offered feedback on the Anubhuti course and future directions. Priti led a session on mantra chanting, explaining its psychic significance. Shivakumar emphasized the transformative aim of IE, quoting from on of the founders of IE: “We are not here to do (only a little better) what the others do. We are here to do what the others it  cannot do  because they do not have the idea that it can be done. We are here to open the way of the Future to children who belong to the Future. Anything else is not worth the trouble and not worthy of Sri Aurobindo’s help.” The Mother He highlighted the double shift IE demands—from syllabus-centered to child-centered, and from child-centered to soul-centered education. The session concluded with reflections on the goal of IE and experiences from Namakkal School, Tamil Nadu. Day 2: Refining the Being The day began with a meditative Om chanting session led by Priti, followed by practices for IE facilitators to deepen their individual and collective journeys. To further this, approaches and practices to master different parts of the being was taken up. Mastering the Physical Being Shivakumar introduced a four-point lifestyle program to cultivate physical awareness and efficiency. Experiential games reinforced these habits. Refining the Vital Being Participants translated Sri Aurobindo’s poem “One Day” into Marathi, Hindi, and Gujarati, deepening emotional resonance. Later, a nature-inspired art activity helped participants express inner stillness through drawing. A guiding quote by one of the founders of IE framed the day’s theme: Poetry raises the emotions and gives each its separate delight. Art stills the emotions and teaches them the delight of a restrained and limited satisfaction …. Music deepens the emotions and harmonises them with each other. Between them music, art and poetry are a perfect education for the soul; they make and keep its movements purified, self-controlled, deep and harmonious.  Sri Aurobindo Evening Surya Namaskars were facilitated by Priti for both the days along with informal post-dinner sharing which added rhythm and reflection. Day 3: Training the Mental Being Shivakumar emphasized the need to train key mental faculties necessary for mental development within the Integral Education framework: Observation Memory (via comparison and differentiation) Judgement and Logic Imagination Mental Silence leading to Intuition He also explained that the mental faculties should first be exercised on things, afterwards on words and ideas. In order to further a deepening into the development of the mind, Shivakumar introduced the thesis–antithesis–synthesis model of argumentation, where opposing ideas evolve into a higher, integrated understanding. To illustrate this, Priti divided participants into two groups and assigned a topic, enabling them to experientially grasp how the mind can expand and engage with deeper perspectives. Shiva Kumar and Priti concluded the Retreat at Grape County with a beautiful thought that our job is to create inspired teachers with a psychic touch. Day 4: Integrating IE into Practice The final day focused on lesson planning and Project-Based Learning, anchored in the three principles of True Teaching. The final discussions were then centred on relooking at IE goals: Individual Goal : Harmonizing outer life with inner genius Collective Goal : Mastery through Love, Knowledge, Power, and Beauty A quote from one of the founders of IE illuminated this aspiration: When we reach this degree of perfection which is our goal, we shall perceive that the truth we seek is made up of four major aspects: Love, Knowledge, Power and Beauty. These four attributes of the Truth will express themselves spontaneously in our being. The psychic will be the vehicle of true and pure love, the mind will be the vehicle of infallible knowledge, the vital will manifest an invincible power and strength and the body will be the expression of a perfect beauty and harmony. The Mother Facilitators reflected on key questions needed for self-alignment as an IE facilitator: Is my inner environment in harmony with my ideal? Are my daily practices aligned with my highest aspiration? Am I consciously integrating my Physical, Vital, and Mental beings with the Psychic? The Integral Capacity Building Retreat finally concluded with a silent offering of gratitude to the founders of IE, the Mother and Sri Aurobindo.