Introduction

Welcome to the Society of Awareness Generation & Education's web site. SAGE is a social service organization and works, like others in this genre, in the area of development. However, it draws its area of interest, which is advocating the Science of Self Realization, from the holistic idiom of development as defined in the Vedas, rather than to the modern myopic model in vogue.

The Vedic model of development recognized humankind as transient beings in cyclic existences. It sees the cyclic existences as one of bondage, and has deduced that a pathway that leads eventually to liberation from this dreaded treadmill as the truly progressive one. Thus the four-pronged approach taken is that which not only ensures sufficient exposure to the limited pleasures of life but also enables one, at the end of life, to be eligible for liberation. The four prongs are as such:

1. A principled lifestyle aimed at progressively bettering oneself in the context of a cyclic life - termed dharma.
2. A sustainable approach to economic development, rather that a exploitative one - termed Artha.
3. A pursuit of sense enjoyment within the framework of principled lifestyle rather than a licentious one that is clearly detrimental - termed kama.
4. An after-death initiative in the context of a cyclic life aimed at bettering ones prospects there as well and or wholly escape from the eternal cycle altogether to the real world - termed moksha.

As can be seen, the Vedic model of development uses a philosopher's interpretation of development. It is different from the one in vogue, which can be said to be a technologist's or a capitalist's interpretation of the same. The fundamental difference is that the latter does not take into consideration a very fundamental eventuality in the life of any individual - namely death - and therefore is an incomplete interpretation. Using this deficient model, we see the world from an unreal perspective.

Let us therefore realistically re-evaluate our position using the philosopher's model. What we seek in this world is unbridled happiness in a 'forever setting.' With this goal in mind, if we examine this world, it reveals a fundamental defect. On first glance, it does look like a wonderful place to dig your heels and comfortably settle in, but unfortunately, our allocated time here is ridiculously short. We are allowed merely a brief halt; here today, gone tomorrow. The sheen of life wears out all too quickly, and before you know it, we are left holding a hefty bill in terms of bad health, debilitating old age, and painful death and not to mention a hefty bad karma baggage.

Now, we do want to live life to the fullest extends and, if life is cyclic, we would certainly want to be able to do so continually. Death is a reality; it cannot be wished away. Even if one lacks the knowledge or conviction at to what happens after death, it is better to be safe than sorry. So, the question is: why do so foolishly we swear unwavering allegiance to science and technology and burn our after-life boats? Why do we let them, foolhardy men of science, dictate our metaphysical needs? Where indeed are our philosophers gone?

This is exactly SAGE’s thinking. SAGE does what sages did in the past. It hopes to provide you with a firm philosophical anchor releasing technocrats of a function they were never meant to fulfil. Incidentally, SAGE is emphatically not a religious organization; it does not advocate any particular sectarian ideology. Nor for than matter, does it pay obeisance to the popular political ideology of secularism and offer a mish-mash of philosophies, or change reality to suit the convenience and perceptions of today's world. It accepts and presents realities as they are and invited you to take charge of your lives.