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 16th 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 our 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
