Vision statement and overview

May the awakened body be home
to a tranquil mind
soul blossoms
on sacred earth
May all live in loving harmony
our kind actions bring
the Bliss of Conscious Existence.
Om
Asti - AstiAsti

Samagra aims to create an integral institution and a movement composed of individuals, each pursuing their vision of a harmonious relationship with themselves, the earth and the cosmos at large. The work of Samagra will be centered on integral awareness, action and living, focusing on such areas as health, spirituality, the environment, education, complementary medicine, interfaith initiatives and mind-body approaches to health. Another focus will be on greater self awareness through dialogue on such topics as politics, the environment, the economy, and education from a global perspective.

Overview

The core of Samagra’s philosophy is integral awareness, action and living. By this we mean each individual must actively pursue his or her own life path, leading them towards higher growth and evolution. This path, however, is not to be followed in such a way that it separates the person from the outer world and the earth. Attending to the needs of others, and to the needs of the natural world in which we live, is essential. An integral path encompasses both inner and outer effort and action. Each individual is born with his/her unique nature, and therefore the path that each person chooses will be different. For some, a primarily inward seeking spiritual path may be most important, while for another the focus may be on voluntary social work for the benefit of others. Samagra will be located both in Canada and in Uttaranchal, in the Himalayan foothills of India.

In Canada, the focus is on dialogue and action that fosters greater global awareness. Of particular concern are the issues of poverty, environmental deterioration and religious extremism. The significance of each individual in the challenges of the current global crises is being explored. In an environment of increasing religious fundamentalism on the one hand, and a pervasive sense of existential meaninglessness on the other hand, Samagra engages in dialogue and commits to actions of spiritual fulfillment that do not depend on a particular religious dogma or ideology.

In India, Samagra will be located in Uttaranchal, in the Garhwal Himalayas. The mountainous environment of the Himalayan foothills poses particular challenges for those who live there. Literacy rates are significantly lower than the national standard, and health indicators are similarly behind the rest of the country. Environmental deterioration due to deforestation and drying of water supplies creates living conditions which can be extremely harsh, particularly for the women. Poverty can be a crushing burden, and educational opportunities are limited. Yet Uttaranchal is also a place of great beauty and spiritual significance, the source of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, and home to the some of the mightiest snow covered peaks of the Himalayas.

In this setting we are creating an institution that is deeply grounded and enriched by spiritual awareness. At the same time we wish to make Samagra a source of health and healing to the land and its people. Some initiatives which we envision include a health outreach program to the villages around the center. Led by deeply committed and experienced health workers, the program will incorporate the provision of basic health services including the treatment of common diseases and a comprehensive preventive program. In addition, a training program for health workers in the region will be developed to specifically reflect the educational needs of primary care workers in mountain villages.

Acupuncture and Ayurvedic healing are valuable health modalities that are not well known in the area. We would like to facilitate the spread of this knowledge by developing a training program for health professionals and others who have a suitable educational background. There are many innovative ways to promote integrated health and we envision workshops and courses exploring mind-body medicine. In this program, affective (emotional) cognitive approaches to better health are combined with Yoga and meditation techniques. These programs have been shown to be effective for people suffering from a variety of conditions, and they promote a natural form of healing that honours the unique strength of each individual.

Within the Samagra program, attention to environmental concerns will be given priority. On the campus itself, alternative energy sources will be used and healthy land use practices will be promoted. If qualified individuals join the program, an outreach environmental program could be developed that includes promotion of alternative energy sources in villages, garbage disposal programs, and water harvesting techniques.

Since poverty is one of the most pressing concerns of the area, income generation programs will be developed in conjunction with the women of the area, linked to the health, environment and education work being undertaken. Once again, the nature of this program will depend on the particular interest and expertise of those who join the Samagra program.

A program for international visitors (students as well as other interested individuals) will be an integral part of Samagra’s work. Through the Student International Health Initiative (SIHI), university students have already been visiting this area for the past 5 years. As Samagra evolves, this international visitor program will expand. Using an approach of appreciative inquiry, students explore a radically different cultural milieu. In this process, they have a unique opportunity to come to know the strengths of the people in this region, and to reflect on the problems they face. This fosters a process of self reflection, promoting greater awareness about the world and their place within it.


(Hidden world of disability)