"There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of the spheres."
~Pythagoras~
In this contemplative retreat we’ll immerse ourselves in an age-old tradition that is not only the warp and weft on which so much of human culture is woven, it reveals the very fabric of nature's own designs, from molecules to flowers to galaxies.
WHY STUDY SACRED GEOMETRY?
From the great pyramids to the Taj Mahal to the credit card, the relevance of Sacred Geometry to how we arrange our built world has pervaded human cultures since time began, and yet its basic forms and expressions are easy to understand and can be replicated with the simplest of tools. Furthermore, because these same forms underly and permeate the living world, their recognition throws open the door to an experience of nature that is one of endless wonder and delight. From microcosm to macrocosm, the material world arises from and expresses itself by way of a small handful of geometric proportions and these same proportions form the basis of sacred art forms across the world.
ABOUT THIS RETREAT
During this retreat, by way of guided sessions of theory and practice, periods of quiet reflection on our serene and beautiful campus, and nightly bonfires under the stars, you’ll learn the basic outlines of the Sacred Geometry tradition which traces back to Pythagoras, its modalities of practice and philosophy.
First familiarising ourselves with the traditional tools of compass and straight-edge, we'll explore the three basic proportional systems (√2, √3, √5), and some of the myriad ways in which they express themselves in nature. Then, moving from nature to culture, we'll explore the manifestation and development of these same systems in the pattern-worlds of Islam, Gothic Europe, and the Yantra formations of India and Tibet.
This type of drawing was, for the ancients, a way of connecting with the natural world, of stilling and centering the mind, and of returning to our deepest self. Come and learn why; you'll never see the world the same way again!
“Geometry is the art of the ever true...
which purifies the eye of the soul, an organ worth more than ten thousand eyes.”
(Plato)
YOUR FACILITATOR
CHRIS SPRAGUE
Chris is a lifelong learner and an experienced, patient, inspiring and coherent teacher. He is an accomplished artist, woodworker, and musician, an amateur linguist, loves to read and to garden, and is a long-term student-practitioner of the Indo-Tibetan contemplative traditions. Australian by birth, he has called India home for nearly 25 years. You can see examples of his drawing and calligraphy work here, or more extensively on his Instagram page.
Student Testimonials:
"Every session brought me joy!" (Saanya)
"Amazing! Opened up a whole new world." (Aayushi)
"I feel incredibly grateful for your guidance, your patience, and the way you pour yourself into teaching." (Devika)
"I still carry that spark of wonder for geometric beauty that you once lit. I'm sure there will be many more people who'll come away with awe and wonder after learning from you." (Pragya)
Chris has a remarkable ability to make complex geometric patterns easy to understand through his clear and systematic approach." (Saumya)
MATERIALS YOU'LL NEED
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6" compasses will be provided (but you're welcome to bring your own).
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pencils (2H and 2B), pencil sharpener and eraser
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12" ruler
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Artists sketchpad with good quality, heavy paper (needs to be at least at least 180GSM for compass work). This is my preferred notebook
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colouring mediums (optional): your favourite coloured pencils, watercolour pencils, watercolour paints and brushes, etc.
FOOD & ACCOMMODATION
We have three options for accommodation:
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in our gorgeous Earthhome (limited to four people on a first-come, first serve basis)
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n a dormitory shared among four people. Shared showers and toilets are available on the premises.
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In a mud cottage or attic room suited for singles or couples wanting privacy. Shared showers and toilets are available on the premises.
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In any of the surrounding guest-houses. Two options are Panchabati Resort ( 850 m away from Dularia) or Khoai Village Resort (2.7 km away from Dularia).
Meals consist of simple yet wholesome vegetarian food containing fresh vegetables and greens harvested from our farm, and often cooked on our wood-fired stove in the Santal tribal tradition. We serve two big meals plus fruit, tea and snacks to keep you well-fed and energized for the tasks of the day.
DETAILS
DATES
Feb 12 - 16, 2027
Arrival is suggested on Feb 12 by 4 pm latest, and departure is after 10 am on Feb 16.
PARTICIPANTS
Min 6 - Max 10
Book your spot soon as limited places are available! This is an intimate retreat where you'll meet like-minded people.
FEES
Tuition fees: INR 9,000/-
Includes taxes, excludes materials, food & accommodation. To book your spot, a non-refundable deposit of INR 3,000/- will be required.
Food: INR 4,000/-
Includes all meals. Vegetarian meals using local tribal and Bengali recipes will be prepared using organic ingredients from the farm.
Accommodation (includes stay from Feb 12, 4pm till Feb 16, 10am):
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In a four-person dormitory: 2000/- per person
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Shared stay in our Earthhome (only 4 spots available, first-come, first serve basis): 4,000/- per person
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In a mud cottage or attic room suited for single occupancy or couples: 4,800/-
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For homestays outside Dularia please enquire with them directly
All inclusive prices, including food and accommodation:
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In our dormitory: 15,000/-
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In our Earthhome: 19,000/-
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In our mud cottage or attic room: 19,800/-
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In guesthouse: 13,000/- plus guesthouse fees
DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00 - 8:30: Breakfast (optionally tea/coffee)
9:00 - 12:30: Morning session. These sessions will cover the core content of the course. All content will be hands-on.
12:30 - 14:30: Lunch and personal time.
14:30 - 17:00: Afternoon session. These sessions will cover the core content of the course. All content will be hands-on. Afternoon tea & snacks will be served.
18:00 - 18: 30: Dinner
18:30 - 21:00: Bon-fire, songs, sharing, relaxation. Participation is optional.
21:00: Suggested bedtime!
WHERE WE'RE LOCATED
Dularia is located in a rural setting, just ten kilometers away from Shantiniketan, which has been recently recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site for its historical and cultural value. This makes it all the more attractive to visit Dularia and to take a few days extra to visit the surroundings.
HOW TO REACH US
The closest train stations to Dularia are Prantik and Bolpur stations, and the closest airport is Durgapur.
If you want to come by flight, you could fly into Kolkata airport, followed by either a train journey from Howrah/ Sealdah stations to Bolpur/Prantik stations, or take a 4-hour taxi ride directly to Dularia. Alternately, you could fly into Durgapur airport, followed by a 2-hour taxi ride to Dularia. Kolkata has several more flight options than Durgapur does, so both airports have their advantages/disadvantages.
If you want to arrive by train, you can come to Bolpur/Prantik stations, and then take an electric rickshaw (Toto) to Dularia. There are better and faster train connections to Durgapur train
Have questions? Contact Us
Contact Chris Sprague (WhatsApp): +91-7807963061, email: dulariatrust@gmail.com
