Enlightenment Day / Questions and answers
Questions and answers
The date, the theme, registration, speaking and past years.
What is Enlightenment Day?
Enlightenment Day is an annual conference on enlightenment, consciousness and the world's wisdom traditions. It is presented by Divine Illumination Institute and has been held every October since 2023.
When is Enlightenment Day 2026?
Saturday, 10 October 2026, from 12 noon to 6 pm UK time (BST). That is 7 am to 1 pm in New York and 4.30 pm to 10.30 pm in India.
What is the theme for 2026?
Celebrating Enlightening Experiences. The day asks how enlightenment connects with the awakening of consciousness that can bring good to the world, from the wisdom of Bhagwan Shri Krishna to the awakening of the Prophet of Islam.
Is the 2026 conference online or in person?
Online. Joining details are sent to everyone who registers. The 2023 and 2025 conferences were also online. The 2024 conference had one online day and two days in London.
What does it cost?
Ticket details for 2026 have not been announced. Register your interest on the conference page and you will hear first.
How do I register?
Leave your name and email on the conference page, enlightenmentday.com/conference, and we will send you the joining details before the day.
Can I speak at Enlightenment Day?
Yes. Use the talk proposal form on the conference page. It asks for a title, a summary of up to two hundred words and a short note about yourself. Proposals from any tradition are welcome.
Is Enlightenment Day tied to one religion?
No. The conference began with the Sanatana traditions of India and keeps them at its centre, and it is open to speakers and listeners of every faith and none. Each tradition is presented in its own terms.
Who has spoken at Enlightenment Day?
Past speakers include Dr. Stanley Krippner, Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina, Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan, Rizwan Virk, Yogi Surajnath ji, Raja Choudhury, Peter Cloudsley, Dr. Golam Rabbani and Dr. Rubaiyat Jabeen. The full lists are on the past conferences page.
Is this about the Age of Enlightenment in European history?
No. Enlightenment Day is about spiritual enlightenment: bodhi, moksha, kevala jnana and related ideas. The eighteenth century Enlightenment is a different subject that happens to share the English word.
What is the difference between enlightenment and awakening?
Many teachers use awakening for a first clear glimpse, which may fade, and enlightenment for that seeing made stable. The page What is enlightenment explains the terms used in each tradition.
Are the teachers named on the site taking part?
No. Shri Krishna, Mahavira, the Buddha, the Prophet Muhammad, Guru Nanak, Sri Ramakrishna, Ramana Maharshi and Sadhguru are subjects of the 2026 theme. Naming them does not mean that they or their institutions take part in or endorse the event.
Can I watch past talks?
Yes. Twenty recordings from earlier years, including the full 2025 conference, are on the videos page, enlightenmentday.com/videos, and on the Enlightenment Day YouTube channel.
Where can I find the earlier conference websites?
Each year is kept online: enlightenmentday.com/2025, enlightenmentday.com/2024 and enlightenmentday.com/2023.