- In-depth study of Sri Aurobindo’s major writings: Savitri, The Life Divine, Essays on the Gita,
The Synthesis of Yoga, etc.
- Participate and present papers on the vision and work of Sri Aurobindo at seminars, conferences and symposia organized by Sri Aurobindo Centers, Colleges and Universities in India and abroad.
- Publish quarterly journal “New Race: A Journal of Integral Studies”.
- Publish books written on the vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
- Organize an audio-visual library of talks given by various scholars studying the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
- Provide research guidance for learners who are studying various topics in Sri Aurobindo’s thought and vision as part of their MA, M. Phil, or Ph.D. work or otherwise, in other universities in India and abroad.
- Organize and develop its online educational division.
- Organize and develop correspondence programmes in Sri Aurobindo’s thought and vision.
- Organize seminars and conferences on various topics related to the philosophy and thought of Sri Aurobindo.
- Conduct Value Education programmes for teachers and students in schools in and around Pondicherry.
SACAR is situated in a building of 10,000 square feet with two large halls for lectures and workshops, meditation room, library, office spaces, guest rooms, a spacious terrace overlooking the ocean, and a beautiful garden that has ample space for organizing seminars, performances, exhibitions, or just quiet relaxation. The library is home to approximately 3000 texts in a wide variety of subjects from psychology to futurology to world literature, philosophy, and education. It specialises in literature by and about Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, their philosophy and yoga.
With an objective to grow into a living and vibrating campus for learners and scholars who are focusing their research in Sri Aurobindo studies and other related areas, SACAR undertook an ambitious project of building an International Scholars’ Home. Construction is now complete on this Scholars’ Home, which has rooms for more than 20 people, kitchen, dining area, dormitory and other common areas. This Home is meant to provide affordable accommodation for those learners and seekers who would be taking up research and study programmes with SACAR. Those enrolled in online programmes will also be able to use these lodging facilities when they visit Pondicherry for their Master’s or Doctoral thesis or coursework. This would help these distant learners to imbibe the atmosphere of the Ashram and Auroville and experience the unique ambience of a spiritual community.
FUTURE PROJECTS
Mankind on the March
The story of creation is nothing else than the unfolding of consciousness. Out of matter — practically a mass of inconscience, — stirred by a semi-awakened pulsation came Life. There was again a period of gestation and incubation because of which emerged rudimentary Mind, and then evolved self-conscious consciousness. With the emergence of elementary consciousness came into existence the animal world, and with the higher grades of self-conscious Mind Man appeared. Matter, Life and Mind are the three major planes of consciousness which Man has taken up into himself and is expected to transcend them all into yet another dimension of consciousness. Such then are the stages in the progression of consciousness. Mankind on the March is the story of the birth and the adventure of consciousness and an evolutionary history of human civilisation.
An undertaking of such a nature is as formidable and difficult to accomplish as it is alluring and rewarding; it seems to be as ambitious as it is imperative. Few nations in the contemporary world know as much as India about the great movement, now astir in all mankind to live together as a single family. India has not a little contributed to carry it forward and install in the minds of millions of people all over the world the great ideal of world-fellowship founded on the principles of liberty, equality and spirituality. Perhaps no single nation has been so close to this ideal, none else has sympathised so deeply with the aspirations of sensitive men and women the world over for the unity of humankind and peace among fundamental unity of the human spirit in spite of the infinite variety which faced man from the dawn of history of man is indeed the story of the increasing manifestation of Spirit in an through Matter – of the growing establishment of Heaven upon Earth.
Of course attempts have been made by outstanding people like Toynbee, Oswald Spengler, Niebyhr, Will Durant and A. L. Bhasam, but the present Project differs from all these in that the scope of the project is more inclusive and global and not confined just to civilisation, history or other specific aspects. In a way the present Project is an attempt to integrate these earlier efforts and also extend the scope. Mankind on the March has its focus on the nisus of Consciousness through History and its manifold manifestation in different cultures. Its theme is the evolutionary thrust in nature leading to a greater understanding of the truth of multiplicity in the context of their underlying essential spiritual oneness.
The Project will primarily be an ‘Exploration Consciousness' — a comprehensive study of the many maps of consciousness devised through the ages to free man from the limitation of his phenomenal nature. It will be an educational experience of the entire gamut of human achievements in natural and social sciences, psychology and sociology, world-literature and world-polity, philosophy and fine arts within the theme of the evolution of consciousness, for it is the chemistry of inner change that lends us the planetary perspective and unfolds Nature's secret design of shaping man as a cosmic being.
It is now becoming increasingly evident that humanity is passing through a profound crisis which is inalienably linked up with its spiritual renewal. It certainly warrants an extension of our perception to follow the big change that is coming about and to integrate the simultaneous expansion of our world in both outer and inner directions. It is a case for a new human renaissance, it is the beginning of a new cycle of all-inclusiveness – the signaling of a new creation as it were, and the birth of a planetary awareness.
The Project will be a major contribution to evolutionary and inter-cultural studies intended to promote the vision of the world as a big global community with the Superconscient as its foundation. It will be a symbiotic and comprehensive design study of all of mankind since the dawn of history with a focus on consciousness-expansion and integral perfection. It will be the story of man's secret aspiration and heroic effort at perpetual self-transcendence.
The project includes studies in World Philosophy, History and Meta-History, Fine Arts and World Literature, Science and Evolution-Theories, Social and Political thought, comparative Religion, Philosophy and Psychology of Religion, the many cultures and civilisations through the ages, spiritually and Yoga as well as Integral and Future Studies in the context of the rapidly changing images of Man with a focus on Human Unity, Universal Peace and Man's golden destiny. In brief, it will be the story of the adventure of consciousness with a nisus toward world fellowship, freedom, and manifestation of infinite human potential.
Tentatively, it is planned to bring out the project in three seed volumes which could then be developed in 12 volumes. These will contain the cumulative accomplishment of the human race in different parts of the world in successive epochs of history with the underlying theme of Evolution of Consciousness.
It is hoped that this series of volumes will make a significant contribution to our knowledge of the cultural heritage of mankind and its evolution and promote better understanding among different peoples of the world.
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