Sri Aurobindo Darshan :The University of Tomorrow (an Online University)

The CD is composed of 4 talks by Dr.V.Ananda Reddy
1.The Call
2.The Effort
3.The Grace
4.The Supramental Mahashakthi

Dr.V.Ananda Reddy is the Director of Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research. He graduated from Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, in 1969. He Joined Auroville in 1971 and participated in the early experiments in Integral Education.

He has travelled widely in India as well as in the U.S.A, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and England, Italy, Russia, Spain, Japan, Bangkok and Singapore and delivered extensive lectures and conducted workshops on the vision and work of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research (SACAR), started in Pondicherry in 1998, is a research unit of the Institute of Human Study which was launched at Hyderabad in 1964 with the Divine Mother as its permanent President. SACAR has for its objective an in-depth study of and research into the vision and experience of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and to relate it to the present and future of India in particular and the world in general. We encourage study and research into all allied thought and perspectives from other thinkers and visionaries from different cultures with an objective to offer a synthetic view of the future.

SACAR is a centre of research and learning dedicated to acquiring and implementing in all areas a new and broader perspective on human life. This new perspective has a spiritual aim and basis, and underlies and unifies the multifarious solutions and changes to be made throughout the nations of the globe. The guiding principle of all our activities is the synthesizing movement to unite in a practical and progressive way the highest spiritual realisations with the development and perfection of the outer life—two fields that have been historically the special domain of Eastern and Western nations, respectively. Our focal point in this endeavour is the spiritual knowledge and vision behind this effort of synthesis.

SACAR’s HIGHLIGHTS

1. In-depth study of Sri Aurobindo’s major writings: Savitri, The Life Divine, Essays on the Gita, The Synthesis of Yoga, etc.
2. Participate in seminars, conferences and workshops organized by Sri Aurobindo Centers, Colleges and Universities in India and abroad, and deliver talks and lectures on the vision and work of Sri Aurobindo.
3. Offer refresher and continuing education courses on The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga, Savitri, The Mother, etc.
4. Publish quarterly journal “New Race: A Journal of Integral Studies”.
5. Publish other books written on the literature of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother by scholars of SACAR.
6. Organize an audio-visual library of talks given by various scholars studying the works of
   Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
7. 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.
8. Organize and develop its virtual university project – Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES

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.

INTERNATIONAL HOME FOR SCHOLARS

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 has launched an ambitious project of building an International Home for Scholars. Construction is ongoing at present for this Scholars Home which will have 15 rooms, 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 and its online teaching and learning unit, Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow (TUT). Those taking online courses with TUT 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.

Sri Aurobindo Darshan:The University of Tomorrow

Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow (TUT) is one of the main projects of Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research. The University of Tomorrow provides effective in-depth instruction and guidance of student-directed research into the teachings and spiritual ideals of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother in such areas as spiritual philosophy, integral yoga, social and political evolution, futurology, poetry and literature, Indian culture and spiritual scriptures. It has drawn together numerous scholars pursuing their research and creative work related to these ideals. It offers programmes of study in two modalities, through distance education (i.e. correspondence) and through “online instruction” provided over the internet. As an “online university,” it seeks to utilize the best possibilities of the internet to provide a combination of academic excellence and spiritual depth to students in an effective, affordable, and convenient manner. It aims to be a true university of the future seeking solutions to the difficulties of human existence through the integration of man’s instrumental nature of mind, life and body with his higher spiritual possibilities. Learners from all over the world devote themselves to the knowledge of the spiritual foundations for the future, following Certificate, Master's and Doctoral level programmes of study. TUT seeks to consecrate itself to the discovery and practice of the fundamental principles of a new society that embodies and expresses a new consciousness.

The University of Tomorrow, directed by Dr. Ananda Reddy of Pondicherry, has assembled a talented faculty from India and abroad that are the facilitators of the courses. It has an elaborate website (www.sacar.in) which has a public area that provides detailed information about the university’s inception, mission, philosophy, methods, subject areas, programs, courses, fees, application procedures, and also features on online journal. Learners who enroll are given a username and password to access the private areas of the website where the courses are taught. The courses provide learners with a structured program of study, and the support and guidance of doctoral-level facilitators who have expertise in the material. Generally, courses are taught in a group email-like format, and are structured with specific weekly reading assignments, discussions stimulated with the facilitator’s questions, writing assignments, and tests. It also has a weblinks facility which gives quick access to many books and articles by and about Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, and other features such as a general discussion café. Properly designed online courses are effective, because unlike oral lectures, students have the opportunity to spend the time needed with material and return to it as often as necessary to understand and digest it. At the same time, learners can more readily identify those particular aspects of the course material that they do not understand and seek clarification from the facilitator in a relaxed and private atmosphere.

THE GENESIS

The genesis of Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow was pure inspiration. The making of this inspirational vision into a reality was dependent upon Prof. V. Madhusudan Reddy's devotion to the great contemporary spiritual masters of India, Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Professor Reddy was an inspired scholar who wrote prolifically on Indian philosophy and culture, specialising in Sri Aurobindo's and the Mother's spiritual work for India and the world. He was also the founder of several educational institutions such as the Institute of Human Study, and Matridarshan.

Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow was a recurring dream-vision that Professor Reddy experienced in 1966 while travelling widely throughout southern India. These dreams were “grandiose and utopian, apocalyptic and revelatory – of a sprawling campus of education and culture, of a living laboratory of Light and Truth-seeking, an academy of seeker-souls with a spiritual focus.” (V. M. Reddy, The Alchemy of Her Grace, p.108).

The Mother was living at the time that the vision of the University came to Prof. Reddy and so it was to Her that he wrote to ask whether the vision could indeed be realized. The Mother blessed and approved the University project and also its name Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow. On April 24th 1998, the Institute of Human Study in Hyderabad, an institute started by Prof. Reddy in 1964, sponsored the establishment of the Sri Aurobindo Centre of Advanced Research (SACAR), a Charitable Trust, in Pondicherry, India.
Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow physically came into being in February 2004.

OUR IDEAL FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TOMORROW

As an institution of integral higher education pursue an aim and ideal of helping learners develop the psychological and intellectual faculties and skills required for them to know clearly, and to manifest, their highest ideals. We focus on the thought and vision of Sri Aurobindo, which comprise the best of Eastern and Western intellectual and spiritual traditions and philosophy. This grand synthesis, we believe, is extremely relevant to the modern world as it struggles to find its future and its new form and spirit.

With this central focus and starting point we aim to provide learners with what we consider to be a clear and comprehensive exposition of the spiritual bases of the new creation that is emerging, and of the role, destiny, and proper function of the human being in this process.

Our courses help learners acquire and develop faculties, skills, ideas, and ideals that help them formulate their own and the world's best future. We encourage our learners to study widely, and to know other schools of thought and to compare and contrast these with the thought, work, and ideals of Sri Aurobindo.

We do not insist that our learners accept any particular teaching, practice, or point of view, and encourage a thoughtful and critical examination of all ideas.

INTEGRAL WAY TO LEARN

Our educational approach is inspired by the Free-Progress Integral Method developed by the Mother at the school and college of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, and utilised successfully in a variety of learning institutions. The term ‘free-progress' means that within certain basic educational structures, the learner is given full freedom to approach and explore the subjects they study in their own unique manner, but without sacrificing the concentrated focus and rigour necessary for high quality work. This educational method encourages the development of the individual and fosters original and courageous thinking. Learners find programmes and courses at TUT a refreshing and illumining alternative to traditional fields of higher study.

PROGRAMMES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TOMORROW

The University of Tomorrow offers several online learning programmes and a distance learning programme in Sri Aurobindo studies.

1. Distance Learning Certificate Programme for residents of India:

The “Introduction to Sri Aurobindo Studies” correspondence course extends 18 weeks and covers five areas of Sri Aurobindo’s thought: The Indian Tradition, Social and Political Evolution, Philosophy and Metaphysics, Integral Yoga-Psychology, and Literature of the Future.

2. Online Learning: (see www.sacar.in for details and application form)

The University of Tomorrow offers four different online certificate programmes:

1) Orientation Programme: a single one-semester (16 weeks) college-level course.

2) Science of Living Programme: four one-semester college-level courses focused on practical aspects of spiritual living as explained by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.

3) Academic Programme: 10 one-semester courses plus master’s level thesis on Sri Aurobindo’s thought and vision. Programme may be taken full-time in three semesters or half-time in six semesters.

4) Advanced Research Programme: eight one-semester courses plus doctoral level thesis on Sri Aurobindo’s thought and vision. This Programme may be taken full-time in six semesters or half-time in 12 semesters.

COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

In a rapidly globalizing world, e-learning and educational partnerships allow all learners, irrespective of their geographical location, to take advantage of the unique strengths and offerings of various specialized institutions across the globe. With a humble intention to further pave the way for mindful and meaningful synthesis of East and West, we at SACAR and TUT have been exploring various opportunities to create unique partnerships with other national and international institutions with similar visions and missions. Through such partnerships students at these universities have been able to enroll in our online courses, and vice versa. We currently have such relationships with a few universities in the USA:

Hindu University of America, Florida, USA

Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow offers a master’s and a doctoral degree programme in collaboration with Hindu University of America. Hindu University of America (see www.hua.edu) is a private religious university located in Florida, U.S.A. offering several master’s and doctoral degree programmes relevant to Hindu thought. In collaboration with Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow, it offers:

1) Master of Sri Aurobindo Studies Programme (MSAS): ten one-semester courses plus master’s level thesis. Two of the online courses are taken with Hindu University of America. This Programme may be taken full-time in three semesters or half-time in six semesters. Degree of Master of Sri Aurobindo Studies is conferred by Hindu University of America.

2) Doctor of Sri Aurobindo Studies Programme (DSAS): 12 one-semester courses plus doctoral level thesis. Four of the online courses are taken with Hindu University of America. This Programme may be taken full-time in six semesters or half-time in 12 semesters. Degree of Doctor of Sri Aurobindo Studies is conferred by Hindu University of America.

Antioch University McGregor, Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA

Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow has also established a relationship with Antioch University McGregor (AUM) in Yellow Springs, Ohio. AUM offers a master’s degree programme called Integral Knowledge Systems as part of their Individualized Liberal and Professional Studies Programme (see www.mcgregor.edu/ilps/iks/index.html). The Integral Knowledge Systems programme is individually tailored to the student’s interests, and includes a set of graduate-level online courses in such areas as Integral Yoga, Meditation, Spirituality for the Helping Professions, and Spiritual Traditions of India, some of which are taught by faculty of The University of Tomorrow.

We are currently exploring similar collaborative opportunities with other universities in India and abroad.

A PARTIAL LISTING OF COURSES

Orientation Programme

OP 100: Orientation to Sri Aurobindo Studies

Science of Living Practical Courses

SOL 001: Science of Living
SOL 002: Governed by the Soul
SOL 003: Purification and Transformation of the Vital
SOL 004: Development of our Hidden Powers

General Academic Courses

SAT 101: The Philosophy of Conscious Evolution
SAT 201: The Psychology of Yoga
SAT 301: The Human Cycle
SAT 401: Towards the Unification of Humanity
SAT 501: India’s Spirit and Form
SAT 601: The Process, Form and Substance of Poetry
SAT 701: A Psychological Approach to Indian Scriptures
SAT 801: Education as Inner Growth
SAT 901: Evolution Beyond the Human Species

Advanced Academic Courses

SAS 010: Research Methods in Philosophy and Transpersonal Inquiry
SAS 100: The Philosophy of the Life Divine (Prerequisite: SAT 101)
SAS 200: Integral Yoga Psychology (Prerequisite: SAT 201)
SAS 300: Mankind on the March (Prerequisite: SAT 301)
SAS 400: The Ideal Solution for Human Unity (Prerequisite: SAT 401)
SAS 500: Resurgent India (Prerequisite: SAT 501)
SAS 600: The Five Suns of the Future Poetry (Prerequisite: SAT 601)
SAS 700: Indian Scriptures: Their Vision of Truth (Prerequisite: SAT 701)
SAS 800: Integral Education (Prerequisite: SAT 801)
SAS 900: Vision of the Future (Prerequisite: SAT 901)

SAS MT: Mentored Research and Development of Master’s Thesis
This course focuses on the development of a master’s level thesis of at least 15,000 words (approximately 40 double-spaced pages) in consultation with the facilitator and which must be approved by three faculty members.

SAS-DT: Mentored Research and Doctoral Thesis
This course focuses on the development of a doctoral level thesis of at least 100,000 words (approximately 150 single-spaced pages) in consultation with the facilitator, and which must be approved by a committee of five members.

FACILITATORS

Core faculty

Beloo Mehra, Ph.D. (Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, 1998). Primary subjects: Integral Education, Indian Culture, Orientation Programme

Ananda Reddy, Ph.D. (Philosophy, Madras University, India, 1988)
Primary subjects: Sri Aurobindo's Philosophy and Metaphysics; Vision of the Future; Science of Living Programme.

Larry Seidlitz, Ph.D. (Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, 1993) Primary subjects: Integral Yoga Psychology, Science of Living Programme, Orientation Programme

Sivakumar, Ph.D. (Philosophy, University of California at Santa Barbara, USA, 1997) Primary subjects: Sri Aurobindo’s Social and Political Thought; Introduction to Sri Aurobindo Studies Distance Learning Programme.

Adjunct faculty

Soumitra Basu, MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Calcutta University, 1983); M.D. (Psychiatry, Calcutta University, 1988). Primary subjects: Integral Psychotherapy.

Jan Maslow, M.S.. (Organizational Psychology, Columbia University, NY, USA, 2001). Primary subjects: Integral Yoga Psychology.

Charles Flores, Ph.D. Candidate, (California Institute of Integral Studies, USA). Primary subjects: Sri Aurobindo’s Social and Political Thought.

Martha Orton, Doctor of Sri Aurobindo Studies Certificate (Sri Aurobindo Darshan: The University of Tomorrow, 2007). Primary subjects: Sri Aurobindo’s Philosophy and Metaphysics.

Daryl Paulson, Ph.D., (Psychology, Sierra University, California, USA, 1989; Human Science, Say Brook Research Institute and Graduate School – California, USA, 1992); Master of Transpersonal Psychology (Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, California, USA, 1998); MBA, (Business Administration, University of Montana, USA, 2002). Primary subjects: Sri Aurobindo’s Social and Political Thought; Integral Yoga Psychology.

Margaret Phanes, M.A. (Psychology, University of San Francisco, California, USA, 1972) Primary subjects: Integral Yoga Psychology, Orientation Programme.

Professor Kittu Reddy (Higher course (bachelor’s level) Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, 1957). Primary subjects: Sri Aurobindo's Social and Political Thought.

Dr. Don Salmon, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, USA, 1999). Primary subjects: Integral Yoga Psychology.

Vladimir Yesenko, Master’s level diploma (Oriental-Philology (Philology of Hindi) and Specialist in Theoretical Linguistics, State University of St. Petersburg, Russia, 1992). Primary subjects: Indian Scriptures.

INTEGRAL STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM FOR FOREIGN LEARNERS

At TUT we are also developing a unique “study abroad” program for prospective learners from other countries. Starting in March 2008, this program will invite learners from all over the world to search for an India that they would have till now only seen in pictures or their imaginations. This will not be a typical travel-oriented “discovery of India” program that only provides a surface view and focuses on only analyzing the outer form. Instead our vision for this program is to allow our visitors and learners to search for the soul of India, its inner reality and its spirit. We believe the outer learning becomes more meaningful when accompanied by an inner journey, an inward search. With this in mind, we are designing a program that would encourage learners to not only learn and experience India, but also begin a journey of knowing oneself.

We hope to coincide the completion and inauguration of International Home for Scholars at SACAR campus with the launching of this unique Study Abroad Program.