Inner Companion Foundation

Notes & Updates

Shorter reflections alongside our essay series — event recaps, community updates, and things we're noticing as the work moves forward.

Looking for longer reading?
Our three essay series go deeper into the questions we carry
Life, Learning & Responsibility · Dualities of Modern Life · Applied Intentionality
Read the Series →
2026-09-01
August 2026 — Monthly Report
The month we found ourselves surrounded by families — in kitchens, on a beach before sunrise, and in libraries. Plus one thing we changed our minds about.
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2026-08-20
What Did I Do With the Land I Live On?
A visit to EPIC-SS in Padur, where a retired IAS officer turned thirty-three cents of arid plot into a self-reliant farm — and the excuses it dismantled in me.
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2026-08-14
Get Out of the Way
What we changed for the second season of Readathon Live — why the reading hour moved, why we still refuse to count anything, and why play is doing the heavy lifting.
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2026-08-01
July 2026 — Monthly Report
The first of our monthly reports. 78 people met one at a time, three gatherings, one workshop that changed our minds, and a full August ahead.
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2026-07-31
Eight Verbs
I couldn't sleep, so I asked myself what I would actually do with a day if money were no object. Eight verbs came back. Here they are.
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2026-07-26
Be Found, Be Understood, Be Trusted, Be Supported: What Atma Taught Us About Our Website
We spent two days in an SEO workshop run by Atma, and left a little humbled — then rebuilt our whole website. An honest before-and-after, and a thank-you.
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2026-07-25
It Was Never About the Question Paper
A statement on the student protests and the exam-paper leak — and the far larger questions underneath it. From an organisation made of educators, parents, and people trying to shape a livable future.
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2026-07-21
So What? — A Note on Conscious Innovation, After iinventindia
On the question every innovator learns to skip — and why Inner Companion Foundation believes it belongs at the very start of the innovation trajectory, not the end.
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2026-07-21
Finding Our People: Notes from a Hi-Tea Gathering for Chennai's Social Sector
When we moved back to Chennai, we found no room where the social sector actually gathered — to talk about the work, the loneliness, the burnout, the uncelebrated wins. So we built one. Notes from the first Social, co-hosted with Vidhya Vidhai Foundation.
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2026-06-04
You Can't Broadcast a Reading Habit
Impact and reflections from the Season One Readathon pilot — what worked, what didn't, and what an eleven-year-old taught us about how a reading habit actually grows.
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2026-05-12
A Letter to the State We Are Becoming
An open letter to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay — and to every citizen of Tamil Nadu who wants to be more than a spectator. On climate, farming, education, technology, and what civic participation actually requires.
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2026-04-05
Panjali Play
My grandmother Panjali drew the dhayam board every afternoon and was ready before I got home. I am still learning to be ready.
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2024-03-23
Residential Summer Camp for Adolescents Apr 2024
Announcing the 2024 residential summer camp for teens. This archival post details our early-bird offerings and the unique immersive experience we co-created for young learners in the heart of Tiruvannamalai.
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2022-12-31
Why ask for money?
Shedding egos and seeking a collective lift: A raw reflection on the challenges of sustaining an alternative learning space and why we chose to embrace community funding over a traditional business plan.
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2022-12-31
Why alternative learning now?
A critique of 'factory schooling' and a call for a new game. Exploring why we must unschool our minds to prioritize indigenous wisdom, compassionate community living, and the radical idea that education is not preparation for life, but life itself.
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2022-11-17
Circle of Connections: Family & I
A summary of our intergenerational 'Circle of Connection' session, exploring the meaning of family, the importance of healthy boundaries, and how our familial roots shape our authentic selves.
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2022-07-12
Family retreat: June 2022 - Our Reflections
Reflections on our June 2022 family retreat in Tiruvannamalai: a journey of turning strangers into a soulful community through shared rituals, child-led exploration, and deep inquiries into regenerative living.
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2022-04-09
[Closed] 2022 Research Internship Application
A look back at our 2022 research internship program in Tiruvannamalai, which focused on action-research at the intersection of psychology, culture, and local ecology.
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2022-03-27
Recenter
A milestone in our journey: The 2022 opening of our first physical 'Recenter' space in Tiruvannamalai—a self-designed learning sanctuary for families, artists, and seekers of all ages.
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2022-03-21
Reflections of our 1st Family Retreat, March 2022
Where the journey began: Reflections on our very first family retreat in March 2022. A look back at the five families who joined us to co-create a community based on intentions, regenerative living, and emotional integration.
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2022-02-20
Embracing Regenerative Living
A deep dive into our family retreat framework: exploring inner harmony, redefining family roles, emotional integration through movement, and building intentional communities of practice.
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2022-02-13
Embracing Regenerative Living: Community of Practice
Join our 21-day community of practice to build positive daily habits, connect with your deepest self, and embrace a regenerative mindset for holistic wellbeing.
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2022-02-11
Embracing Regenerative Living
What does it mean to leave our own being in a better state than we found it? Join us in the Nurturing Zone to explore strategies for centering yourself and making intentional choices through a regenerative mindset.
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2022-01-28
Reflecting on the Tiru Nature Camp 2021
Nature as our anchor: A look back at our 2021 Tiru Nature Camp where children explored indigenous plants, theater, and eco-crafts, proving that less restriction leads to wider imaginations.
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2022-01-07
The year that was 2021
A look back at 2021: The year we chose to stop 'business as usual.' A raw reflection on overcoming cognitive dissonance, transitioning to full-time community work, and the messy, beautiful reality of starting an unschooling journey.
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2021-01-20
The Gratitude Journal
Why is gratitude an act of self-love? Learn how keeping a simple gratitude journal releases endorphins and shifts your perspective, even on days when you feel crunched for time.
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2021-01-06
Gratitude Month: 10 mins of Prayer
What does it mean to pray in a modern world? A deep dive into 'deliberate communication'—exploring how silence, words, and daily routines can build inner strength, compassion, and a sense of belonging.
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2020-06-21
Why Reflective Practice?
From childhood solitude and classical dance to the teachings of Swami Vivekananda: a personal journey into why reflective practice is the 'muscle' that keeps us grounded, empathetic, and connected to our inner divinity.
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2020-05-27
How did I get into reflective practice?
Where did it all begin? Exploring the 'Mountain of Life' exercise that sparked a lifelong journey into reflective practice, self-awareness, and the quest for stillness amidst the chaos.
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