Provence Academy

Update 2025: A Journey into Indian Art, Philosophy, and Spirituality

Foundational Research for the Provence Academy
After three years of immersive cultural research in Auroville, South India, the Provence Academy is relaunching with a renewed mission: to bring the richness of Indian art, philosophy, and spiritual practice into dialogue with European culture in the heart of Provence. This report outlines the foundational journey of inquiry that has shaped our new vision.
Our research was not a detached academic study but a deep, experiential immersion into the heart of Indian wisdom. It was a process of "unlearning" Western paradigms to create space for a genuine encounter with a different way of being and understanding the world. This journey has provided the bedrock for the cross-cultural dialogue we now aim to foster.

A Holistic Exploration of Consciousness

At the core of our research was the study of Indian philosophy, which places consciousness at the center of existence. This involved a deep dive into foundational scriptures, particularly the Vedas and the Upanishads. We engaged with these ancient texts not as historical artifacts, but as living sources of wisdom on the nature of reality, the self, and the cosmos.
The integral philosophy of Sri Aurobindo was a guiding light throughout this process. His work provided a powerful framework for synthesizing spiritual experience with intellectual inquiry, showing a path for the evolution of consciousness that moves beyond the limits of pure rationalism. Through dedicated practice in Meditation and Yoga, we explored these concepts experientially, understanding them not just as theories but as transformative practices.

A Critical Dialogue Between East and West

A central goal of our research was to create a meaningful dialogue between Indian and European thought. This required a critical re-evaluation of Western philosophical traditions, from German Idealism to scientific materialism.
The postmodern philosophy of French thinker Gilles Deleuze served as a surprising and profound bridge between these two worlds. The project, which began under the title "Reading Deleuze in India," revealed deep resonances between his concepts of immanence, becoming, and the "body without organs," and the non-dual (Advaita) philosophies of the Upanishads. This dialogue allowed us to forge a unique intellectual path that honors the complexities of both traditions without reducing one to the terms of the other.
This comparative approach extended to the arts. We contrasted the Western aesthetic focus on representation—what we term "retinal art"—with the Indian concept of Rasa. Rasa refers to the evocation of an essential, universal emotion or "taste," a direct aesthetic experience that connects the audience to a deeper reality, rather than merely depicting it.

Field Research: Art and Culture in Practice

To understand these principles in their living context, our research was grounded in extensive fieldwork across South India.

Sacred Spaces: We studied South Indian temples as complex ecosystems that weave together architecture, cosmology, community life, and spiritual practice. We saw how principles from ancient texts like the Agamas and Vastu Shastras create spaces designed to connect the microcosm of human experience with the macrocosm.
Living Traditions: We engaged with classical Indian music through workshops on Dhrupad, understanding it as a form of Nada Yoga (the yoga of sound). We also explored contemporary art at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale and studied folk traditions like the drawing of Kolams, recognizing them as sophisticated systems of knowledge that merge mathematics, art, and daily ritual.

An Integrated Approach to Healing and Well-being

Our journey revealed that in India, philosophy and spirituality are inseparable from practices of healing and well-being. This holistic understanding, which sees the mind, body, and spirit as deeply interconnected, became a vital part of our research. We encountered a rich landscape of therapeutic modalities designed to restore balance, release trauma, and foster profound personal growth.
In line with our mission, the Provence Academy will become a center for these practices. We plan to invite distinguished healers and practitioners from India and across Asia to share their wisdom. Our programs will include workshops and retreats focusing on a range of disciplines, from ancient Indian traditions like Yoga and Ayurveda to powerful therapeutic techniques such as hypnosis, craniosacral therapy, and regression therapy. Furthermore, we will explore practices that harmonize our inner and outer environments, such as Chi Gong, the Japanese art of flower arrangement (Ikebana), and the principles of spatial harmony found in Feng Shui.

A New Beginning in Provence

This three-year journey was a profound metamorphosis. It has equipped us with a unique perspective, one that is deeply informed by the spiritual, philosophical, and healing richness of India while remaining in critical conversation with our European roots.
The culmination of this research is the renewed mission of the Provence Academy. We are not simply importing concepts, but creating a fertile ground for a genuine cultural encounter. Our goal is to share the depth, beauty, and transformative power of these Indian traditions—spanning art, philosophy, and holistic healing—fostering a new dialogue in the heart of Provence that can enrich, challenge, and inspire us all.

For more read New Spirits the blog that documents the inner journey...

About

The Provence academy offers courses that are open to all paths of life. We specialize in 3-10 day packed programs, where you can choose different classes in different fields.

The classes range from painting and drawing, photography, art history and perfume making to experimental writing, community development, languages, listening, sustainable life, design workshops etc… Classes are taught by professionals with long academic teaching experiences and artistic and professional standing.

Set in the hidden gem of Saignon, France, classes take place in ateliers, outdoors and on excursions to villages including: Ménerbes, Bonnieux, Gordes, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse as well as excursions to major cultural hubs like Aix-en-Provence, Marseille and Nîmes. We offer visits to places like Collection Lambert and the Palais du Papes (Avignon), Villa Dartis (L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue), MUCEM and Vielle Charity (Marseille). The Romanesque Cistercian sister monasteries Abby Senanque, arenas in Nimes and Arles, van Goghs Yellow Cafe (Arles) and St Paul Asylum (St. Remy), Foundation Blachere (Apt), and Cezanne’s studio in Aix-en-Provence.

Whatever you choose, our mission is to root the study program and the experience in academic discussion, with an enjoyable yet rigorous curriculum and teaching materials. With our vast network of artists and teachers we are able to meet special requests. If you have an idea or a project in mind, let us talk.