29 August to 01 September, 2024, 

Om Shanti Dham Ashram, Ramanagara (Dist), Karnataka

The idea behind this retreat stemmed from the fact that most of our participants over the years have been involved in the field of education and have been experimenting with alternatives—seeking ways to "step-- out" of the physical and mental violence embedded in modern systems. Many of them have regularly shared their experiences and the challenges they face in their personal and organizational efforts to

29 April to 07 May, 2024, 

Narayan Ashram, Dharchula, Phithoragarh, Uttarakhand

Narayan Ashram, situated approximately 136 kilometers north of Pithoragarh and 14 kilometers from Tawaghat. Nestled at an altitude of 2734 meters amid picturesque landscapes. Founded in 1936 by Sri Raghavendra, known locally as Narayan Swami, this serene retreat blends spirituality with socio-educational initiatives. Before the 1962 Indo-China War, it was a key rest stop for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims. 

5-day Contemplative Retreat at Varanasi

3 to 8 October, 2023

The four-day SIDH Samvaad, focused on reading and discussing Dharampalji’s Bharatiya Chitta Manas Aur Kaal, concluded successfully at the picturesque Krishnamurti Study Centre. This serene venue, set within a 100-year-old, 300-acre wooded campus, also houses the Rajghat Besant School and Vasanta College for Women. Nestled at the confluence of the Varuna and Ganga rivers, the study centre offered a tranquil setting for reflective

5-day Dialogue Retreat at Banglore

16 to 20 August, 2023

SIDH organized a 5-day contemplative, residential retreat with our partner organization Udhbhavaha at the Art of Living Ashram in Bangalore. Using insights from A.K. Saran’s book Illuminations, participants explored the themes of tradition and modernity. The objective of this parisamvaad (dialogue) was to help participants 'see' through the fog and conditioning imposed by modern education system. It seems the objective was achieved to a

Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh

26 April to 01 May, 2023

This retreat, drew inspiration from Illuminations, a book by Professor A.K. Saran, one of India’s most insightful scholars. Rooted in the belief that a fulfilling life requires us to transcend the constraints of modernity, Illuminations invites readers to explore brief, thought-provoking passages by perceptive modern philosophers. Through contemplation and group discussion of these passages, participants were able to look beyond modern

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