Saturday, January 28, 2006

Evolution through Culture and Diversity

Science aims to uncover objective truths and is focused on uncovering the nature of the material world. Art, religion, culture and diversity explore the subjective dimension to life and nature. Even scientists have an interior dimension that springs out hypothesis to be validated empirically. Today the rapid advances in objective science have been at the expense of subjective interior growth. There is a growing awareness that the views of Buddha, Freud and Einstein all need to be honored as a part of the evolutionary cycle.
In a small way we hope to restore the balance. Our vehicle for change will be Indian Culture and Diversity. Through our association with eminent writers, classical musicians, musicologists, dancers, photographers and historians we will help seekers observe, absorb and connect. Potential experiences include music appreciation workshops, self development corporate training workshops, performing art concerts and creative therapy. The programs are set in beautiful distant places which enable self reflection. We embrace interactive technologies for education in a manner which fosters learning through teachers.
In fact, India is home to, what became over time, Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam (including Sufism) and their various strains. The pluralism sowed the seeds for profusion in the realm of artistic traditions, architecture, healing and science. The territorial idea of India came about after the British administratively tied the subcontinent together. Culturally, select historians maintain that India’s unified cultural consciousnesses emerged from the times of the great Indian teacher of Advaita, Adi Shankarcharya. In the 10th century, he travelled the four corners of the country and set up institutions of learning that research existential questions and popularize Vedanta among other Hindu ideals to this day.
The secular nature of the highest Indian thoughts saw Sufi saints, bhakti (devotion) exponents, Sikh gurus, Jain munis and Buddhist monks along with their various strains co-exist with Harmony.From the late 19th till the mid 20th Century, India's fibre was built by exemplary human beings who integrated the best of Western with Eastern thought. Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda are but a few remarkable human beings who transformed the lives of people in India. They cut through the ossification of Indian thought and blazed through the lives of millions with love, compassion and strength.
Modern India on several objective indicators is a failed state. The high ideals of our great leaders have given way to corruption, nepotism, illiteracy and unemployment. Yet, there are today exceptional human beings who carry with them wisdom of the past and passion for today.
Our Offering
Travel seeking knowledge, wisdom and a broader worldview was a key facet to travel in ancient times. The great travellers of yesteryears went in search of knowledge and brought back stories and wisdom of distant lands home. Huan Tsang left China in 629 and travelled for 16 years through Turkestan, Bactria, and Tashkent where he came in contact with Western culture. Then he went on through Kashmir and down to India along the Ganges. He studied Sanskrit and Buddhist philosophy and collected Buddhist scriptures. On his return to China in 645, he translated the sacred books of Buddhism from Sanskrit into Chinese and founded, in China, a Buddhist school.
We hope to, in our tiny little way, to bring about connecting renaissance by bringing Indian heritage and culture (historical and contemporary) to you. Bombay Heritage Walks, Journeys of Truth influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, Temple Tours in South India, Introduction to Vedanta, Adi Shankara tour in Himalayas, Jain Temple Architecture and Philosophy, Indian festivals, Buddhist exploration, Tour of Indian Cinema, Vaishnav Traditions, and Sufi Thought are some of our offerings. Soulitudes Home Himalayan Tales Creative Exploration Jungle Rules Enable Change Cricket Safari Civilization Unveiled We the People Contact us himalayan village sonapani

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