UHU Seminars 2015 in Auroville



The Vedic Gayatri Mantra
 In the context of the original Yoga of the ancient Rishis
         (advanced seminar in Vedic philology and philosophy)

                Nishta Muller – Presenter

An exploration starting from the usage of the Gayatri Mantra at present times and travelling back via its appearance in the Yajur-Veda to its original place in the Rig-Veda; and finally with this background looking at the second chapter of the Shvetashvatara Upanishad which could be called the Vedic Solar Yoga, concluding with Sri Aurobindo's Gayatri Mantra.

Sessions 1 & 2 look at the usage of the Gayatri Mantra in the present day Yoga traditions with a special focus on the role of the Gayatri Goddess that is related to it as well as its basic literal meaning and the greater context of its invocatory words Bhur Bhuvah S(u)vah. In addition we also have a look at Sri Aurobindo’s description of the nature of the Vedic Sun.
 
Session 3 explores the Gayatri Mantra together with 6 other verses to the Sun-God in a section of the Shukla-Yajur-Veda, where we get already first hints of the greater world-vision and spiritual praxis to which it relates in the still older Rig-Veda. We also have a closer look at the very important term Dhi and the deeper meaning of the word Sumati and related terms.
 
Sessions 4 & 5 are dedicated to the study of the Gayatri Mantra in its original place in the Rig-Veda in Hymn III.62 by the great Rishi Vishvamitra, where it appears as verse 10 among altogether 18 verses which are built up in six layers of 3 verses each.
 
Sessions 6 & 7 study in depth chapter 2 of the Shvetashvatara Upanishad, which begins with 5 verses taken from the Shukla-Yajur-Veda (of which again 2 verses appear originally in the Rig-Veda), after which it uses a more typical language of the later Yoga tradition. Finally we end with a closer look at Sri Aurobindo’s Gayatri Mantra.

Nishtha Muller

Thursdays, Jan 22-Mar 12, 5-6 PM (Nishtha) 


 

The Philosophy of Consciousness -Hegel and Sri Aurobindo
(advanced seminar in philosophical thought)

Rod Hemsell – Presenter


Session 1 – Skepticism, Idealism, and Empiricism - the beginnings in Greek thought

Session 2 – Modern Phenomenology, Hegel to Sri Aurobindo

Session 3 – Neuroscience and neurophenomenology – science and philosophy 

Session 4 – Intuitionism and evolutionary cosmology

Session 5 – Hinduism and Buddhism - Sankhya, Nyaya,Vedanta and Mahayana

Session 6 – Hegel and Sri Aurobindo – Absolute consciousness and Supermind

Sessions 7/8  – to be determined

Rod Hemsell

Thursdays, Jan 22 – Mar12, 6:15-7:30 PM (Rod), Garden Room


 

Music – Self – Expression
(advanced seminar in music theory)

Ladislav Brozman - Presenter

Day 1 - Sound and Self: 
1st Part Presentation - Discussion -- What does sound reveal of the self, how does the Self reveal itself in sound and the problem of identification. 
2nd Part practical (identification – synchronization)

Day 2 – Sound and Senses
1st Part Presentation - Discussion -- How are the senses involved in sound-perception and how do they participate in its creation. 
2nd Part practical 

Day 3 – Sound and Force
1st Part Presentation - Discussion -- What is force in sound, what is force in expression – and what is the way to use force consciously and deliberately for the self-expression in sound. 
2nd Part practical (Application of the previous discussion)

Day 4 – Sound and Mind
1st Part Presentation - Discussion -- How does mind and how should mind interfere or participate in the process of learning in connection to sound-production. 
2nd Part practical (Application of the previous discussion)

Day 5 – Sound and Mantra
1st Part Presentation - Discussion -- The role of rhythm in execution of a piece of music and how it corresponds or not to the Self. 
2nd Part – Discussion – Practical -- Knowledge as utility, knowledge as barrier. 

Day 6 – Resume
Resuming all the stuff and finishing with a small improvisation

Ladislav Brozman

Saturdays, Jan 24-Mar 14, 10-12 AM, Garden Room  (21/2 & 28/2 no program)
(Preceded by Savitri reading, 9-10 AM)


 

English language self-study support
Program Outline

Ruslan D. - presenter and coach

Aims and objectives
To assist individuals and self-study groups and enhance the efficiency of their independent study of the English language.

Beneficiaries and eligibility requirements
Aurovilians, newcomers, guests, students and workers of Auroville would be the main beneficiaries of the programme. To be eligible to take part in the programme, the students must be on the pre-intermediate or higher level in English, or else be fluent in French, Ukrainian or Russian. Otherwise, the presence of a facilitator would be required.

Format of activities
The programme envisages a series of seminars and ongoing round tables held as drop-in sessions where the students would be given explanations of concepts, methods, techniques, etc., including examples, illustrations and demonstrations provided with corrections of and comments on the their self-learning activities, as well as solutions to their problems.

Sundays, 4-5:30 PM, Garden Room
(Preceded by Savitri Reading 3-4 PM  (perhaps in Big Hall a few times))