Our Liberation Learning Group is an opportunity to get together and connect over ideas of freedom and liberation. This is a fundamental idea in yogic tradition. Indeed, spiritual liberation is the purpose of yoga: the process of moving into a state of freedom - freedom from our past conditioning, freedom from our self-limiting patterns, habits and behaviours, freedom from oppressive thoughts, freedom to unite with, what in yoga is seen as, divine presence.

This Learning Group explores ideas of freedom - but not purely on an individual level. It will explore ideas of collective freedom. This will include learning from brilliant writers and thinkers who have taught us about the ways in which oppressive systems function and interact to prevent human beings from living in freedom. We will not only read inspiring articles, chapters and books (for those who are into reading), but we will also watch videos and films, listen to podcasts, share and create art and poetry. We will learn about liberation traditions and movements and we will re-learn many of the 'truths' that history has taught us and that has shaped how we understand the world.

We will drink tea, read aloud together, ask questions, share stories and ideas, reflect, dream, meditate, vision and embody together the ways in which we can create both individual and collective liberation. 

The text we will be working with for now is 'Caliban and the Witch' by Silvia Federichi. This cult classic from 2004, will educate us on Capitalism, Colonialism and Patriarchy - moving through the peasant revolts of the late Middle Ages through the European witch-hunts, the rise of scientific rationalism and the colonization of the Americas. 

If reading isn't your thing (and the text is a bit academic), then you can check out You Tube videos or podcasts about the book - there's a lot out there.

You can access a free online version of the book here: Caliban and the Witch | The Anarchist Library

You dont' have to read the whole thing - this group is for learning and there is no pressure to turn up with the answers or full of knowledge. Just come as you are, with your curiosity and an open mind and heart.

To run this group, Seana and Chiraswa put in their time and energy for planning sessions and to ensure that things run smoothly, and we also use Satyam as a venue to host, which has its overheads. Therefore we ask for a contribution toward running the group, from those of you who can afford it. There is always the option to come without making payment, so choose what works for you!: £12/ £6 / £3 / £0