A Retreat at Songtsen Library, Dehradun
02 to 06 November, 2022,
Illuminations is a profound book by Professor A.K. Saran, one of modern India's eminent scholars and a critic of modernity. The book's subtitle, A School for the Regeneration of Man’s Experience, Imagination, and Intellectual Integrity, hints at its core philosophy. It argues that to lead a truly fulfilled life, we must break free from the constraints of modernity. The method proposed in the book is to read, contemplate, and discuss short passages from the works of insightful modern philosophers. This process of contemplation and discussion can help participants perceive the underlying truths obscured by modernity.
In November 2022, SIDH organized a four-day residential retreat centered on Illuminations. Participants engaged in reading, reflecting on, and discussing key excerpts from the book and other selected passages. These deep discussions with facilitators and fellow participants offered an opportunity to penetrate the complexities of modern life.
Workshop Highlights:
- Participants: A curated group of 21 like-minded individuals aligned with A.K. Saran's ideas. This was an invite-only event, not open to the public.
- Location: Songtsen Library, Centre for Tibetan & Himalayan Studies, Dehradun.
- Dates: 02-06 November 2022.
- Format: The workshop was facilitated by Pawan Kumar Gupta and Arun Elassery, who served as anchor and guide for the retreat.
