This 74-credit programme is designed to give the learner a broad and deep understanding of
Sri Aurobindo’s thought, vision and spiritual practice. It consists of several structured courses, and combines both theoretical and experiential learning. A 7-day personal contact period is also included. Plenty of course choices are also available for learners to structure their programme according to their areas of interest.
Towards the end of the programme, the learner makes a final presentation at SACAR for which they receive 5 credits. Detailed guidance is provided for this presentation. For foreign applicants, we generally suggest appropriate alternatives for this final presentation (they may email at sacaroffice@gmail.com for details).
Important note for August 2010 candidates for PGD, MA, M.Phil & PhD programmes
7-day PCP will be held at SACAR, Pondicherry from August 1 - August 6, 2010 Oct 4-10, 2010
Foreign applicants, please email at sacaroffice@gmail.com for details
- Two (2) years for full-time students
- Four (4) years for half-time students
- Maximum time allowed to complete the programme: Five (5) years
This 74-credit programme is designed to give the learner a broad and deep understanding of Sri Aurobindo’s thought, vision and spiritual practice. Plenty of course choices are also available for learners to structure their programme according to their areas of interest.
Compulsory Courses (credits are in parenthesis)
7-Day Personal Contact Period at SACAR (4)
Sri Aurobindo and His Essential Thought (4)
Academic Writing (4)
Foundations of Indian Culture (8)
The Philosophy of Evolution of Consciousness (8)
The Psychology of Yoga (8)
Final Presentation/Interview at SACAR (6)
Electives (choose 4)
Principles of Integral Education (8)
Science of Living (8)
Secret of Indian Scriptures (8)
A Psychological Approach to the Bhagavad Gita (8)
The Rhythm of Social Development (8)
Emergence of the Inner Being (8)
Towards Human Unity (8)
Poetry of the Future (8)
The Vision of the Future (8)
Personal Contact Programmee (PCP)
While most of the course facilitation and instruction happens online, the programme also includes one 7-day visit to SACAR campus. This personal contact period is scheduled at the beginning of the programme. During this time, learners work closely with facilitators in Pondicherry and participate in different academic activities organized at SACAR. These may include lectures, discussions, preparing projects and conducting other research work in consultation with SACAR faculty. They are also given demonstration and hands-on training for the online learning system used for the programme. Additionally, learners benefit immensely by experiencing and absorbing the spiritual atmosphere of Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.
Sri Aurobindo and his Essential Thought
This course introduces the learner to some of the key details of the outer life and personality of Sri Aurobindo. Learners also learn about his spiritual collaborator, the Mother, and gain a brief overview of their vision and work. Through the selected readings learners are exposed to the multiple facets of Sri Aurobindo as a political revolutionary, nationalist and globalist, philosopher, social thinker, psychologist, yogi and a poet. They also write a short paper on any one particular facet of Sri Aurobindo and his work in that area.
Academic Writing
This course is designed to enhance students' skills and abilities in writing that is appropriate in an academic context. Specific exercises will be given to the students to develop and practice necessary skills for interpretive and reflective writing for scholarly purposes. Additional opportunities will also provide practice in the areas of proper citation and referencing. Students will also be introduced to basic ethical standards concerning academic integrity and plagiarism.
Foundations of Indian Culture
This course will provide a broad overview of spiritual foundations of Indian culture from its ancient times to contemporary scenario. The learners will also have an opportunity to engage in cross-cultural study and analysis. In addition to the main text, Sri Aurobindo’s Foundations of Indian Culture, the course material also includes several articles and selections from other relevant books.
The present course, while taking a cursory interest in the evolution of spiritual thought in Indian Philosophy, focuses upon Sri Aurobindo’s integral world-view and his integral Advaitism. What is of equal importance is his vision of individual and cosmic evolution and his faith in the higher destiny of man culminating in the descent of a supramental race. His views are at the same time essentially modern and synthetic in nature giving solutions to the present predicament of man.
The Philosophy of Evolution of Consciousness
India has been a perennial source of spiritual philosophy wherein the experiences of the Reality, the World and Man have been analysed in a systematic manner. The different views, be they epistemological or dialectical, or cosmological, have had their own deep impact on the ideals and goals of an individual’s life upon earth.
The present course, while taking a cursory interest in the evolution of spiritual thought in Indian Philosophy, focuses upon Sri Aurobindo’s integral world-view and his integral Advaitism. What is of equal importance is his vision of individual and cosmic evolution and his faith in the higher destiny of man culminating in the descent of a supramental race. His views are at the same time essentially modern and synthetic in nature giving solutions to the present predicament of man.
The Psychology of Yoga
The course will cover basic principles and important elements from each of four main branches of the Integral Yoga: the Yoga of Divine Works, the Yoga of Integral Knowledge, the Yoga of Divine Love, and the Yoga of Self-Perfection. In addition, the course will examine a selection of letters and conversations about yogic attitudes towards life, oneself, other people, work, difficulties, and spiritual practice.
Principles of Integral Education
This course covers the basics of Integral Education as developed by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. This educational philosophy and approach aims to develop the whole person, including the spiritual part, by bringing out what is latent in the being and seeking to emerge. Thus, it is a learner-centered approach, grounded in the individual student's unique personality, capacities, and style and rhythm of progress. The focus of this course is on the nature and training of the spiritual, psychic, mental, vital, and physical parts of the being. Towards the latter part of the course, the student will also learn briefly about the educational philosophies of some other Indian and contemporary Western thinkers more for developing a broader understanding and appreciation of holistic approaches to education as emerging from within Indian thought.
Science of Living
This course provides in great detail an analysis of the main parts and planes of the human being as a preliminary step towards knowing oneself, which, in fact, forms the first part of the science of living. The second part – to control oneself – is given as a fourfold discipline of the different parts of the being leading to an integral self-perfection.
Secret of Indian Scriptures
This course is dedicated to the studies of Sri Aurobindo’s writings on the Vedas and Upanishads, particularly Secret of the Veda, The Upanishads, and Hymns to the Mystic Fire. It is based on a selection of chapters from these major works, as well as from letters written by Sri Aurobindo and talks of the Mother to their disciples.
The course will introduce the basic elements and imagery of spiritual symbolism of the old psycho-physical tradition of the Vedas and the Upanishads in the light of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. It will examine their views on the planes and parts of the being, and the symbolism of the Vedic Sacrifice, Angirasa Rishis and the Vedic Gods Agni, Vayu, Indra, Soma, Usha, Brihaspati, and all the Adityas: Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman, Bhaga, Daksha, Amsha, Surya etc., as well as the anti-divine forces Dasyus, Vritra, Vala, Panis, etc., and the transition from the Vedic to Upanishadic psychological symbolism.
A Psychological Approach to Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavat Gita has been unique in its capacity to mirror in all ages the spirit and need of the age thus guiding the individual aspirants and the society as such in its march towards higher levels of spirituality. The modern age has a pointed need to approach spirituality from a psychological angle and hence a study of the Gita from this angle would be not only relevant but it is the need of the hour.
This study would be based primarily on Sri Aurobindo’s Essays on the Gita for it is a perfect blend of Gita’s integral philosophy and its yogic-psychological approach. The Gita’s study of the different levels of human consciousness, human nature and the practical solution it offers to face the battle of life are inimical and are of supreme importance to day to day life.
The Rhythm of Social Development
This course provides students with an introductory knowledge of Sri Aurobindo’s theory of social development in the context of other theories, with a view towards understanding their application in today’s world. Learners will examine the theory in terms of self-understanding and how his concepts may be applied in the contemporary world.
For all practical purposes the psychic being is the soul in each person which goes from birth to birth gaining different experiences. Normally it is not felt because it is covered by its instruments the mind and the vital. But contemplative, inward looking and introspective exercises could help in the uncovering of the psychic being. Once it is awake it could take hold control of the rest of the being and influence the instruments so that all may become the expression of the inner soul.
This course deals with the inner awakening on the psychological level giving an experiential and inward-look orientation to the syllabus.
Towards Human Unity
This course examines Sri Aurobindo’s theory of the evolution of political groupings of mankind that are leading towards the unification of the human peoples. It examines the relation of the individual and group in the historical development of societies, the problems of liberty and uniformity, the possibilities and problems of a world-government, and the necessity and possibilities of a free grouping of mankind. In considering recent political events and developments, it will examine the views of other social and political commentators and activists in international peace.
Poetry of the Future
This course introduces the learner to the basic principles of prosody, Sri Aurobindo’s theory of the future poetry, and his correspondence relating to his own poetry and that of others. It focuses on the nature of spiritual poetry that is inspired by higher levels of consciousness, and the various characteristics and signs of inspired poetry. It will also examine a selection of his and others’ poetry in light of these basic principles and theory.
The Vision of the Future
Sri Aurobindo is a bridge between the Vedantic ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the future evolutionary promise of a Supramental race. Hence his vision of the future comprehends the evolution the individual who would fulfil himself in an integrally transformed being; the evolution of the society culminating in a new Spiritual age; the evolution of the nations ending in a world unity based on the religion of humanity; the evolution of the human species concluding in a new race called the Supramental race.
This unique vision as seen by Sri Aurobindo has no parallels in human history. He has not only envisioned it but has poured all his spiritual force into the realisation of it. This course would guide the student in this adventure of human consciousness which promises to travel from the human to the divine.
