Philosophy Immersion

Mandrem, Goa | Jan 17-29, 2027

Join me in Mandrem for two weeks of mysore and philosophy. The plan for this program is simple—morning mysore practice followed by a series of philosophical talks on the spiritual significance of yoga. These talks will be searching and poignant. They will attempt to reimagine the meaning of modern yoga, by showing how the practice offers to reconnect us to our lost spiritual needs.

What we seek in these talks is not simply an understanding of how yoga was seen in the past, but a vision of what yoga now can be, a vision of how yoga might help us clarify and respond to our current mental health crisis. In other words, we seek an illuminating idea of what the modern vinyasa revival is all about, an idea that captures its promise, and helps us reorient ourselves toward its fulfillment.

This year, our theme is self-knowledge. We explore the role of yoga in the essential and ongoing process of rediscovering who we are, not just as instances of a kind, but as individual human beings. We take seriously the idea that each of us has hidden riches in the depths of our heart, and that one of our most crucial tasks is to unearth those riches, and bring them into the light. Through that soulful process, we become more fully who we are.

This theme will involve a beautiful collision of Eastern and Western perspectives on the nature of the self, and on the contemplative role of interpersonal love and friendship. It will take us from Patanjali and Shankaracharya to Plato, Arendt, Gaita, Murdoch and many others. Readings will be provided in advance.

This will be the third annual round of this unusual experiment. The last two were potent, inspiring and memorably sweet. We are excited to do it again, and we hope you can join us. Our mysore space will support both Ashtanga and Black Lotus practices, and you can divide your days between styles as you wish. If you want to learn some Black Lotus without enrolling for an extended workshop or retreat, this is a rare opportunity.

SCHEDULE

Mysore 7:00-9:00 Sunday-Friday

Philosophy Lab 10:30-12:30 Sunday-Thursday

The first day of the immersion is Sunday, January 17, and the last day is Friday, January 29. Mysore will take place Sunday-Friday, with no Philosophy Lab on Friday. Saturday will be the day off.

TEXTS

Reading materials will be provided digitally to all participants in advance. This year, our source texts include selections from the Upanishads, Yoga Sutras, and Bhairava Tantra, as well as the work of Nagarjuna, Shankaracharya and Plato. Modern selections will be drawn from the works of Ananda Koomaraswamy, Raimond Gaita, Hannah Arendt, Iris Murdoch, John O’Donaghue and others.