Background

When Mr. Leon MacLaren first met with Sri Shantananda Saraswati, the Shankarachrya of Northern India in 1965, the latter welcomed his visitor with the following words: 

“It is not my desire which has to be carried out.  The desire which has to be helped is that which arises in people looking for the truth, wishing to acquire the divine life, and to make efforts in that direction, and so as far as I can, I will always be ready.  My door is always open to anyone, known or unknown, eastern or western, irrespective of his up-bringing or culture, because in fact we all come from the same stock.  As long as that desire and the decision are strong, permanent and stable, the help will always be available”.

Since then, the School of Economic Science, now called the School of Philosophy and Economic Science, has flourished.  There are several Schools in many parts of the world, including our School of Practical Philosophy in Toronto. 

The School in Toronto is a registered independent charitable organization.  All course tutoring, building maintenance and property management are carried out by students of the School on a voluntary basis.  The School is where the Shankarachrya’s desire is carried out by extension, offering the teaching of Advaita Vedanta to the broader community.