Auroville aura

The Religious, the Spiritual, and the Secular: Auroville and Secular India

(S U N Y Series in Religious Studies) (Paperback) by Robert N. Minor (Author)

Editorial Reviews. Book Description: The Religious, the Spiritual, and the Secular presents an account of Auroville, a city in contemporary southeast India, and the vision of founder and well-known guru Sri Aurobindo. Auroville's eventual takeover and the promotion of its goals by the Indian government leads to a thought-provoking discussion of the meaning of "secularism" in India.

About the Author: Robert N. Minor is Professor of Religious Studies at The University of Kansas and author of several books, including Modern Indian Interpreters of the Bhagavadgita and Radhakrishnan: A Religious Biography, both published by SUNY Press, and Sri Aurobindo: The Perfect and the Good. Amazon.com

We were completely sold on Auroville after we ate at the cafeteria-style Solar Kitchen

We were completely sold on Auroville after we ate at the cafeteria-style Solar Kitchen. They gave us mashed potatoes and raw veggies...I was sold, it was ao good and it just felt good to be there. We then wandered to our community . It was called "Vikas" and seemed to be run by this rather abrupt Russian woman named Anna. We stayed in a capsule, which is basically a bamboo hut set 20feet off the ground on huge granite pillars. It was pretty cool and the perfect accommodation for us and our budget. The only time it sucked was in the middle of the night when we really had to go to the bathroom because in order to do so we had to climb down a ladder and walk to the bathroom. It had a shared kitchen and it just proved to be a nice place to hang out.
We did a three day bike introduction tour. It was not as thorough as I expected but it was still fun and the facilitators were very friendly. They explained the foundation of Auroville to us, talked about the Mother's essay "The Dream", which Auroville is modeled after and gave us an intrioduction to some of the communities and some of the people that live in Auroville. We visited schools, a farm, a forest, a women's group, a woman that works with the neigbouring Tamil villages, an art gallery, restaurants, tea shops in a couple of communities and the "heart and soul of Auroville", the space-like Matrimandir.

The tour was pretty informative and one of the guides, Ross, was pretty memorable and wonderful. We went to an art opening at his community (mainly because of chai and cookies) and he gave us a tour of his apartment and continued to share little tidbits of information with us about his 13 years in Auroville. Nikki and I visited the inner concentration chamber of the Matrimandir twice and the meditation pedals once. What a crazy experince. The silence is amazing and time passes very quickly when you are in there.
We got around Auroville on bikes, very rusty bikes. It was a fun way to get around and a good way to work off all of the baked-goods we ate over the course of the week. On our last day we visited the beach. It was very quiet and the Bay of Bengal was spectacular. We both have sunburns to prove we were there.
I am not sure how to accurately describe my Auroville experince, so I am not going to attempt to. The week we were there felt right and it felt like it was time to leave when we left. If you want to know more about Auroville I wuld be glad to talk about it, but right now I am a bit too tired to attempt to organize my thoughts concisely enough for others to read. danielleyf.spaces.live.com/ 5:55 AM

Ours is the time of transition

S180 End of Grand-tier 2 (Clear Light in Wilber, Supermind in Aurobindo), Beginning of Grand-tier 3

The concepts of Grand-tier 1, Grand-tier 2, and Grand-tier 3 feature such an apparently "enormous span" as to not be of much use for most purposes, so far as I can tell. However, it is very interesting to note that our current situation is one that may be described as approximately S174 with most pioneers of culture at S176 to S17B. Ours is the time of transition from the First Grand-tier to the Second Grand-tier...posted by Joe Perez at 2/27/2007 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 Kronology on the present human condition, its location within the total scheme of evolution

Kishor Gandhi

1. The Fallacy of Karl Marx: A Critical Appraisal of Marxism in the Light of Sri Aurobindo's Social Philosophy by Kishor Gandhi Dr (Paperback - Sep 1, 1996)
2. Social Philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and the New Age by Kishor Gandhi Dr (Paperback - Jan 1, 1992)
3. Lights on Life-Problems, Kishor Gandhi, ed., 1950

Sri Aurobindo Ashram Paper Mill

South India, has two well known paper mills. One, in Pondicherry, is called, "The Sri Aurobindo Ashram Mill" (visit this one when in india). This mill uses both European and Asian methods of paper making. Papers are tub sized, the paper maker using his/her hands 2 spread pulp, but uses a European wove mould and a deckle (wooden frame) which creates a deckle edge. The sheets are couched into "woolen felts" (why wool?), they then hang to dry & are tub sized (euro method again). Posted by Marcia Neblett at 9:53 AM

Dance performance at the Matrimandir amphitheater

Pondy has become so expensive! It used to be that a westerner could arrive in India poor and suddenly feel quite wealthy. Those days are gone, at least when it comes to the kinds of things tourists like to buy as gifts and mementos. Carved boxes, cast bronze Shivas, stone Ganeshas, silk-screened tapestries – all these distinctly Indian trinkets that used to be a steal are now fetching near-American retail prices...After seven hours in Pondy, the return to Auroville was a breath of cool fresh air. Even as our taxi entered Kuilapalayam, a Tamil village “in” Auroville that has grown significantly since I was last here, the vibe was distinctly calmer than that of surrounding India.

That evening we attended a dance performance at the Matrimandir amphitheater, an Aurovillian mélange of ballet and contemporary styles. I believe this was the first such performance in Auroville’s history to take place at that venue, which I have known only in the context of sunrise mediations and bonfires on the Mother’s birthday (February 21st), Auroville’s birthday (Feb 28th) and New Years. It was a really stunning place for such a show. The acoustics are eerie and wonderful, and the ever-present Matrimandir — its gold disks bathed in solar-powered floodlight — lent a certain majesty and significance to the whole affair. By teal Monday, February 26th, 2007

Om Poorna Swatantra

The Future Vision of Sri Aurobindo by Om Poorna Swatantra. Sringara Prakashana, Chikkanayabanahally, Karnataka. Pages 154. Rs 125.

Om Poorna Swatantra is a research scientist of life in the line of Sri Aurobindo. "Swamiji", as, he is affectionately called by his friends, is the founder of Sri Swatantra Yoga Niketan, The New World Centre and New India Movement and New World Movement in New Delhi. He endeavours to evolve a new life and create a "new world" through the application of the principle of integral consciousness and the embodiment of the light of the supermind...by Anju Mohan tribuneindia.com/2000/20000423/spectrum/books

Spirulina and spirituality

About 50 panchayats of Villupuram, Nagapattinam and Sivaganga districts will tie up with self-help groups and individual entrepreneurs to promote rural-oriented businesses. Under the programme of Rural Business Hubs, activities including production of compressed bricks and natural food nutrient products, including spirulina, will be carried out. Also planned are establishment of Internet kiosks and biomass energy plants.

Auroville Foundation, near Puducherry, will provide the panchayats with technical expertise for making spirulina and bricks. It has agreed to buy back spirulina, according to `Americai' V. Narayanan, an adviser to the Union Ministry of Panchayat Raj. Besides the Ministries of Panchayat Raj and Youth Affairs and Sports, the district administration and the Gandhigram Rural University will play the role of facilitators for the two events. M. Balasubramanian, Director of the Nehru Yuva Kendra in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, says the Abhiyan has been launched in Haryana, Punjab and Manipur. The next State to be covered is Kerala. The Hindu Tamil Nadu - Chennai Sunday, Feb 25, 2007

Sri Aurobindo Marg lecture

Engagements - New Delhi In the Capital Today The Hindu Sunday, Feb 25, 2007

Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Dr. Ramesh Bijlani will deliver a lecture on "Internal Yoga- Theory and Practice", Delhi Branch, Sri Aurobindo Marg, 10 a.m. to 11-15 a.m.

It is the sort of book you own but don't read

narensomu comments: on Feb 24 2007 11:52PM Dcindia, yes, we await your blog on Aurobindo's Savitri too. I too had a copy once and I am trying to get another and read with care as I am told its philosophical...keep posting. Regards
dcindia comments: on Feb 24 2007 11:08PM Thanks, guys...I have read a fair part of Sri Aurobindo's Savitri. I am a big fan of his writings. I just did not want to make a comment before reading it completely.
M.V. Balaji comments: on Feb 24 2007 8:48PM Hey! I can understand you not having fully read Aurobindo's Savitri. It is the sort of book you own but don't read.
dcindia comments: on Feb 24 2007 12:37PM I forgot to say that I do have Sri Aurobindo's Savitri. I am yet to read it carefully.

narensomu comments: on Feb 24 2007 8:33AM dcindia, Thanks for the blog...Sri Aurobindo has written a book called Savitri and if you haven't read that already please go through the book when you can. dcindia.sulekha.com

Sri Aurobindo Ashram’s Himalayan Centre. It was a long walk upto the top of Van Niwas

Nanital, the most busy hill station of Kumaon region situated at a height of 1938 meters above sea level. Our guest house was at Sukhatal so passing through the busy thoroughfare we finally reached our guest house. We found this guest house to be the most well maintained among all the Kumanon Guest houses we stayed earlier. After we had some refreshment we walked upto Bara Patthar to visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram’s Himalayan Centre. It was a long walk upto the top of Van Niwas. We were welcome by the in-charge Mr. Nolin Dholokia and the chief organizer of youth camps, Mr. Nirankar Agarwal. We went round the Ashram building and especially the flowers grown by Nolinji were the most attractive thing of the Ashram. Before it got dark we bade them goodbye and got back to our guest house. Posted by SUKHENDU ROY CHOWDHURY at 10:16 PM Thursday, February 22, 2007 A visit to Uttaranchal (May 19th to 30th, 2004)

Auroville, a rather creepy commune, very cultish with weird rituals

We also visited Auroville, a rather creepy commune, where some 2000 people live in a fashion layed out by Sri Aurobindo and Mother, two beloved teachers of international repute. It's very cultish with weird rituals and education systems that do not seem quite up to snuff. They say theyre waiting for the coming of a new human species on earth. The settlement was sadly built in the shape of a galaxy (what board of directors sat around and said "OOOH! Shaped like a galaxy, great idea Pierre. Let's go with galaxy shape) I mean come on people, I am a physics major and even I acknowledge that that is a silly idea. I wandered into the residential area and spoke with a French guy who has a house there. Link Leave a comment Add to Memories Feb. 22nd, 2007 11:59 am

We saw a couple of hundred people sitting in line inside

Dressing up :) After food we walked around and we went to the Aurobindo ashram because it was “Mothers” birthday (mother is the founder of auroville and a very enlighted person) and when we came there was no line. We passed the gates and there we saw a couple of hundred people sitting in line inside….we sat down and chilled and waited. We didn’t know what that was going to happen, so we just went along. The tour went around in the house where they lived when they were alive. Nice and sacred. Nice smell, nice energy

We went home…on one bike, as we came. I was sitting in the back riding Sari-Indian style
Today after my massage course I went to town with the girls from my course. All in all we were five. I was riding with Katja and Frida on my bike and Michella (from DK) had one Marjoe on her bike. Girls on tour. We had lunch and went shopping for ayurvedic books and essential oils And we got a lot of it
We also joined a meditaion at the ashram. I was home quite late, then Stan and I had dinner. And I spoke to Erik on the phonme. He’s comming to Auroville tomorrow That’s nice Looking forward to see him again:) By cecilie posted on Thursday, February 22nd, 2007 at 10:39 am and is filed under What´s Up?.

This place is an experiment in human unity, a laboratory of evolution

There are so many things I could write about Auroville. This place is an experiment in human unity, a laboratory of evolution, a land reclamation project, a glaring hypocrisy. The some two-thousand Aurovillians are here for reasons to numerous to recount, but all have some vision of a human future in which they can be conscious participants rather than helpless subjects being swept downstream.

So why did we choose this place to kick off several years of conscious adventuring? There are obvious reasons: I lived here ten years ago, so I have some context. My mother lives here still, and I owed her a visit. Imelda had heard much about Auroville, but hadn’t yet seen it. But beyond these easy justifications, Auroville is an excellent choice for the symbolic start of a literal and metaphoric journey. It is, to be sure, a place for daring ideas to take root. First Crack at a Mission Statement. By teal mail@adventureofconsciousness.com, or you can contact either of us individually at teal@adventureofconsciousness.com or imelda@adventureofconsciousness.com. posted on Thursday, February 22nd, 2007 at 9:33 pm under Uncategorized.

Pondicherry really is one of the loveliest cities in India

I just spent a week and a half in Auroville. I'm really too tired to start banging on about Auroville right now, but it's a great concept, a man-made town inaugurated in 1968 as a place where ' men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities'. I was here years ago but back then I really wasn't so perceptive to such things as eco-living and communal experimentation. This time I'm happily switched on. Of course, one needs at least six months to a year of living among the people of Auroville to understand the place, and to feel the attitudes which exist just beneath the surface.

But the constitution is sound and it's yet another example of the great tolerance of India, to allow such an experiment on their own soil. For all the drawbacks of such a complex, populous, and conservative society, there is a certain aspect of Indian thinking which is way ahead of its time. I really don't want to do Auroville a disfavour by summarizing it all up in a single paragraph, but at the same time I can't be arsed to write anything else about it. The official website of the universal township of Auroville can be found here.

About 10km south of Auroville lies the former French colony of Pondicherry. It's a friendly city with a mad weekly market, a few good eateries which try hard to emulate their former French counterparts, and a mixed population of Hindu, Muslim and Catholic Tamils. It prides itself on having a reputation as the French Riviera of the East. Colonial mansions brightly painted in blues and yellows nestle alongside Tamil bungalows with shady verandahs and long gardens, while people snooze on the pavement beneath the trees, and cycle-rickshaws and old Ambassador taxis cruise the wide, tree-lined streets. If this paints a pretty picture, then I'm happy, because Pondicherry really is one of the loveliest cities in India. posted by matt at 10:56 AM Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Raghunath Pani passes away

Educationist and author of Integral education: Thought and practice and many other books, Raghunath Pani (1923-2007) passed away at his Puducherry residence on January 3. He was the Joint Editor of Navajyoti when it commenced publication in 1958 with Prapatti as the editor. His autobiographical writings are replete with documentary evidence of the spread of the teachings of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo across Orissa over the last half a century. [News source: Navaprakash, Feb ’07 – TNM]

Indian Scriptures and the Life Divine by Binita Pani (Author)

I am a great fan. Check out The Foundations of Indian Culture

Pondicherry! Pondicherry is personally most famous for being home to Sri Aurobindo's Ashram, the place where he produced a large bulk of his writings, of which I am a great fan. Check out The Foundations of Indian Culture, if you have a chance. Pondicherry is also by the sea, and ALSO near this small experimental village called Auroville. I loved my time at the Ashram as well as at the sea, where I saw humongous crabs, so if you're interested ask me sometime later, because right now I'm going to focus on Auroville as that's where adventure/mishap #2 happened.

Auroville sounds interesting, but it's actually rather weird, in my opinion. Read on the website and decide for yourself, I suppose. It's set up like a galaxy, with this giant golden orb at it's center. By the time our group arrived, the orb was already closed to the general public. But being the adventur-er that I am, I bought a town map for RS 10 and jauntily set out with Brittany and Gabriel in search of the orb. At first we were on the main road, down which a lot of Aurovillians were coming all at once, for some reason. They all looked rather odd, kind of Ithaca commons hippy-esque...and whenever I made eye contact, which was probably not a good idea, they gave me this strange smile. After several such encounters I suggested we move off the main road onto a side road to avoid unnecessary contact. Posted by IndiAnna at 2:47 AM

Hoisting of the Mother’s flag

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

February 21 at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture, Lakshmi’s House, 3 regent Park: The 129th birth anniversary celebration of The Mother features hoisting of the Mother’s flag (8.30 am), meditation (10 am), darshan message distribution (10.30 am) and devotional songs by Swapna Ghosal (11.15 am).

February 21 at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, 8 Shakespeare Sarani; 6 pm: The Mother Jayanti function features reading by Sabtwana Chowdhury, recitation by Subir Bandopadhyay and Koel Ganguli, song by Prasad Sen and a talk by Amalesh Bhattacharjee. Jayanti meditation from 7.30 pm to 8 pm.

The Telegraph Front Page > Calcutta > Timeout Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Auroville still stands out as the best for its unmatchable discipline and standards

Am in my last few days of work at THE Shankar Narayan Architects......Was only a 6 month journey but feels like it has been forever.....It was a wonderful experience all in all considering the variety of work I got to do...residences, banks, estimations, tenders, damn...just about everything!... Lesson: Do not get typecast in one particular field,,,,be open to everything. Well, that makes it three offices I worked in... but Auroville still stands out as the best for its unmatchable discipline and standards and blah blah....posted by navisa @ 12:09 PM

Hand painted garments from To be Two from Auroville

India : Fashion Fest-2007-a resounding success February 19, 2007

Fashion Fest 2007, held at Chennai between February 12 and 13, 2007 and inaugurated by actor Sarat Kumar was a resounding success showcasing dresses, jewellery, accessories and lifestyle statements presented by 25 fashion designers...On display were exquisite sarees by Anushka's from Kolkata, Shubh-Prabha from Benaras, Pachrangi from Jaipur, Plums from Pune and Maya from Mumbai, tunics and Indo-Westerns by Anubha's Kiah from Chennai and Molly Designs from Mumbai along with Pakistani suits by Nona's exclusif-Delhi and hand painted garments from To be Two from Auroville. Home > News February 20, 2007

Thousands to throng Sri Aurobindo ashram on Wednesday

PUDUCHERRY: Thousands of people from across the country are expected to visit the Aurobindo ashram here on Wednesday on the 129th birth anniversary of its co-founder late Mirra Alfassa, better known as the ‘mother’. All necessary arrangements were being made for the convenience of the devotees who would throng the premises, ashram sources said here on Tuesday. When Sri Aurobindo founded the ashram in November 1926, he entrusted its full material and spiritual charge to the Paris-born Alfassa. She became the leader of the community after Aurobindo’s death in 1950 and passed away in 1973.

The devotees would be allowed to meditate at the Samadhis of the mother and Sri Aurobindo for half-an-hour from 6 am, the sources said.The management of the ashram has erected special shamianas outside the premises to enable devotees to gather and come in a queue for dharshan inside the premises. There would be programmes like march past by the children of the international centre of education of the ashram later in the day. A team of four member’s of the Auroville International Advisory Council would also visit the ashram on Wednesday to pay homage to the mother and Sri Aurobindo. Tuesday February 20 2007 13:56 IST info@newindpress.com PTI

21st February, 2007

CLASSICAL DANCE "The Journey & Beyond" Bharatnatyam Recital by Pratibha Prahlad - 21st February, 2007 Time : 6:45 pm - 7:45 pm
Chief Guest : Mr. Pavan K Varma, Director General, Indian Council For Cultural Relations
Place : Sri Aurobindo Education Society, Adhchini, New Delhi 110017
Website : www.sriaurobindosociety.org.in Posted by Rohit Malik

The French part of Pondy is so neatly planned

Then, lunch with uncle and finally visited the French-part of Pondicherry. You know, Indians somehow are not too good with planning. The French part of Pondy is so neatly planned with quaint little houses, rectangular layout of blocks and paved streets - and just a kilometer away, is the chaos of yet another Indian town - what have we learnt ???!!!

The afternoon was spent in a nice French cafe, and evening too was spent there after much hunting around for greener pastures. Quiet ushuring in of the New Year and early start to the next day - Auroville - a place bookmarked to revisit and spend 2-3 days.Back now to the grind - Cheers to the forthcoming year ahead! Posted by chillaxe at 8:28 PM

Her dream was do a different series of paintings after each reading

Sunday, January 14, 2007 Serendipitous Discoveries

I was looking for audio recordings of the Bhagwad Gita online for J and the search lead me to places I would not otherwise found.Autobiography of a Yogi I have seen this book several times but have managed to never read it. As luck would have it I jump right to Chapter 8 that is about J.C Bose and his experiments on the consciousness of all matter animate or not. I read about this last in a school text book when I was about twelve.

Then after wandering some more, I arrived at some writings of Sri Aurobindo Ghosh reminding of my childhood visit to the ashram in Pondicherry. There was no Auroville then as I recall. Encouraged by the discovery, I looked for the text of Savitri online and found it too ! I remember having looked for it when my friend P had first shown me the amazing series of pictures she had painted in Photoshop inspired by this reading this epic poem - I had not found it then.

She had said "As an adult, Savitri became the link between me and my father. He liked to read it every year and said that it conveyed some new meaning to him each time. I think it does the same for me as well" Her dream was do a different series of paintings after each reading based on her understanding and interpretation at that point. Her father died five yeard ago I realized that I have not heard from P since then. Labels: Books, Friends, Nostalgia, Religion Heartcrossings, 7:45 AM

The power of heart to heart connectivity

We went to Aravind Eye Hospital, Auroville and Aurbindo Ashram, met people who we didn’t know and experienced joy that was spiritual in nature as we received pure love. That is the power of heart to heart connectivity, the power of invisible bonds that ties each of us to each to each other...

Auroville (Indus Valley and the Matrimandir): After the rathas and stone carvings, we headed to Auroville- The Mother’s village, located outside of Pondicherry. There we met many brothers – Manoj, one of the creators of Tsunamika dolls and Dhruv, one of the creators of Indus Valley, Auroville’s version of Seva Café. We had a beautiful time in Auroville. The village is very peaceful, full of greenery and interesting architecture. To have Manoj as our guide was very special. If there is one word to describe Manoj, it would be serenity. His face glowed with this understanding. Soft-spoken, each word was spoken with care and depth. Being able to have a satsang with him as we walked amidst the trees is something I won’t be able to forget.

The first place that we went to was Indus Valley. Indus Valley was inspired by Seva Café. After the tsunami, the Indicorps fellows gathered in Tamil Nadu to help with reconstruction work and stayed in Auroville. During this time, the founders interacted with Anjali and Anand and the concept of Seva Café came up. The founders had a space where they were going to make a café and they decided to base it on the idea of gift economy, thus Indus Valley was born. The space they have created is beautiful. It’s an open space with many little details that make it perfect. It’s connectedness with nature is moving and of course, the food was great.

From Indus Valley, we went to see the Matrimandir, located beside the center of the Auroville. When the Mother had a vision for the city, she said it would be centered around a tree. That tree is an old banyan tree. Beside the banyan tree is a large golden egg, the Matrimandir. Representing the Golden Egg that emerged from the earth, the center dome (made from real gold) is surrounded by 12 petals. Each petal is a meditation room that has its interior in one of twelve colours, which represents a value and stage of in meditation. One progresses from one petal, one colour to the next, until reaches a level of consciousness to mediate in the dome, the white room. Lined with white carpet, the central room, housed in the golden egg, houses a crystal in the middle. The sun is directed to the crystal, through which light is dispersed throughout the whole room.

The Matrimandir has been under construction for over 40 years and will be complete in February. As it was in its final stages of construction, we could only see if from the outside. The third element in the garden is the giant urn topped with a lotus bud. When Auroville was founded in the 60’s, the Mother had two children from every country (123 total) come to the international city (Auroville) with soils from their land. One by one, each pair of children offered their soils, creating the earth of humanity. From the urn, emerged the bud of a lotus.The information center at Auroville is a super green busy and very architectural cool, so the civil and environmental engineer was thoroughly pleased. Our trip was short, but incredibly moving. I would love to go back and spend more time in Auroville.

Aravind Eye Hospital- Pondicherry: From Auroville, we checked into the Guest House at the Ashram in Pondicherry and then Jayeshmama and I headed to the Aravind Eye Hospital where Kannamma had called a meeting for their nurses to hear Jayeshmama speak. I got to serve as the translator. I loved the opportunity to hear Jayeshmama speak and the girls enjoyed the conversation also. It was chance for Jayeshmama to express his thought on Dr. V and appreciate the nurses for all that they do. The nurses of Aravind Eye Hospitals are very inspirational. The hospital trains rural girls who have passed their 12th standards as nurses.

At Aravind, they are always trying to maximize efficiency, be it of space or people. So these nurses are trained in everything that does not require a doctor, including refraction testing, etc. They are also the caregivers, the women who offer love and support to the patients. Aravind places a strong emphasis on making sure that each patient is treated with love and respect and it is these women who has the greatest responsibility in enacting this ideal.At the end of the talk, I conducted the activity that I had learned in Tirupati with the nurses. It was a perfect way to end as it embodies the idea of supporting each other and working as a collective soul force, which is what Jayeshmama spoke of.

We then had a feast literally. The staff had prepared a wonderful meal for us, which shared with Kannamma, Ravindra and Dr. V’s brother, Dr. Srinivasan, who happened to be in Pondicherry at the time. By this point, the rest of the gang also had joined us. We unfortunately did not get a chance to get a full tour of the hospital, but felt the love and spiritual strength that embodied the space. When we walked out of the hospital, Devendrabhai pointed something out that I had not taken note of: the lack of smell. The hospital had not smelt like a hospital with scents of medicines, etc even though we had gone through the patients’ area! Pondicherry is the first Aravind Hospital where there was ample space, so the campus is beautifully set up on one plot of land. posted by Heena at 2/13/2007 02:03:00 PM

Lovely accessories for the concientious buyer

About Eka
Eka is a fairtrade brand that is committed to producing high quality, lovely accessories for the concientious buyer. Handmade in Auroville India, where the proceeds from trade go to develop the town and surrounding landscape.
Eka is designed by Gilly Seagrave and is constantly developing and expanding, -watch this space for the next installment. Another project eka is involved in is www.ninii-eka.be a subscription to fashion and a style report with Swedish fashion brand NINII - www.ninii.com.

Ekawear: Fair trade snow wear By Shiny Media If you think you'll like the cut of their jib (or just look at some very pretty butterfly animations), Ekawear have just launched a new website with lots of info on the company's ethics and links with Auroville, India, ...Hippyshopper - http://wirelessdigest.typepad.com/hippyshopper/

“Samarpan” – Italian Beach Guesthouse – Auroville

31/12/2006 - 11.15 AM Venue: “Samarpan” – Italian Beach Guesthouse – Auroville, Pondichery Venue: Samarpan Hut Cottage posted by Suriya DK at 1:15 PM

It is all very inspiring and what strikes me is the optimism and ego-free spirit that grows in this society

And oh, yes, I didn't tell you about "Le grand finale" of my journey... I spent a week in Auroville! For you who doesn't know about Auroville, here are the links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auroville

In short, Auroville is a universal village, founded in the sixties, to realize human unity. It has around 2000 inhabitants (30% Indians, 15% French and 15% German), and might be the most progressive society in the world. Auroville is a unique place for people interested in areas like ecology, renewable energy sources, meditation, experimental architecture, collective yoga, art and alternative medicine.

First thing that happened on arrival was that I almost lost my mind. It was hot and sunny, all the Guesthouses were full and I had 30kg backpack. I walked around randomly and was almost out of hope when a gray-haired hero comes to my rescue. His name was Manfred, and he offered me a ride to his place, and to stay in a bamboo tree-house in his garden! Manfred, as it turns out, is a retired German cryo-physicist, and has lived in Auroville for 13 years. I stay in the hut for a week, trying to help Auroville's researchers with their computers, and attending interesting lectures about human evolution, problems and solutions on climate changes, collective yoga, karma and architecture. It is all very inspiring and what strikes me is the optimism and ego-free spirit that grows in this society. Everyone seems willing to help you, and have time to discuss with you!

In Auroville I also meet Amos, who is a German artist and singer who arrived Auroville just a few days before me. He is planning to spend 6 weeks in Auroville, trying to create texts for the music which he creates with the laptop and recording-equipment he brought with him. I will never forget one of the nights in his tree-house, when we were recording sounds and trying out the effects of his kaos-pad. We were the high-tech monkeys! ;-)See you all soon! Marcus Olsson Saturday, January 20, 2007 posted by techstil @ 6:22 PM

My friend gaurav was ready to leave psychiatry and spend the rest of his life here

This part of town is full of old-wordly charm , saw these two ladies catch up on old times at the aurobindo institute opposite the Ashram. Contrasted merrily with this tropue of rather giggly and definitely pretty school girls who like all good school girls had made a line to get into the Aurobindo Ashram. They gave us magnificient company until the time that we were there. My friend gaurav was ready to leave psychiatry and spend the rest of his life here.

Photography inside the Aurobindo ashram is not allowed. It was beautiful inside. I know nothing about Aurobindo, but when I got back, I did some reading and found some interesting stuff here. The samadhi was covered with flowers with all manners of people sitting besides it, with their heads bowed, touching the marble and lost in meditation. Fair number of foreigners too, and people in wheelchairs. They are supposed to be espescially benifited by his presence. Such scenes, always fail to move me. Maybe I am a bit psychopathic. Posted by Shrinked Immaculate at 3:30 PM

Rich Europeans right next door in a house that has won architectural design awards

Next day I took a tour to a few sights in Pondi.......the backwaters (a bit of water with a couple of boats and a whole heap of Indian tourists), and Auroville.....where I ditched the bus in favour of finding my own way back and taking a goodlook around! Randomly came across a German and Frenchy from the night before and whilst we were wandering the other French guy turned up on his bicycle having just checked into Auroville for a week!

Auroville is quite mad! All of these hippies come tothe place from around the world in order to get away from religion, the restrictions of race/culture and personal possesions......all fair enough I suppose, until you take a walk around behind closed doors (as we did) and descover that there are Indian communities living in hovels, and rich europeans right next door in a house that has won architectural design awards and is FENCED off!!!????

My conclusion - a whole bunch of hippies on drugs, trying to seek acceptance from others rather than being happy with who they are.....or some other drivel! Anyway.... .their renewable energy jazz was quite interesting and some of the architecture was quite stunning! Lost in Auroville from When India Met Sally Trip Date: Jan 25 '07 Location: Pondicherry, India Author: SalReid

The solar kitchen and progressive harmony

The Matrimandir is considered the soul of Auroville and it's like a giant golf ball, with out-of-space appearance. It was designed to meditate inside and that room is white marble containing a solid crystal (70 cm. diameter). I was surprised to find that in 40 years this experiment in international living where people could live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, politics and nationalities, has only a total of 1,700 residents. Most people who live there eat at the solar kitchen, who serves more than 400 meals daily. Labels: Pondicherry - Auroville (Tamil Nadu) - January 30th posted by Maria @ 7:21 AM 0 Comments

Ann Gilbert from Auroville

Bhakti Pop in 'Tamil Voodoo' style Syed Ali Mujtaba Monday, February 12, 2007 Auroville crowd (an international commune near Pondicherry) had gathered there in large numbers. The Dune inmates too had assembled after their supper for the concert. The musical extravaganza timed for 8.30. PM actually began at 9.
In the next two-hour or so, there was free flow of Bhakti Pop music of a rare kind. Kovai Kamla with her deep husky voice created a spiritual aura with chants of 'Murga,' ‘Govinda' and ‘Rama'. Internationally renowned pop singer Susheela Raman transformed the atmosphere into a high voltage raw pop. The drummers from of Tanjore and Mettupalayam representing the Tattapam and Tudumbattam traditions provided the rythemic beats. Guitarists Samuel Mills and Paul Jacob lifted the entire musical concert into dazzling heights.
Shusheela's solo number "Om Nmh Shiva" demonstrated her training in the Indian classical music. . Her stage eccentricities during her performances sent the crowd into tizzy. They were in a boisterous mood to shake their entire body. Some guys were seen taking of their shirts to dance freely on the drumbeats. The drummers gave a non-stop performance for fifteen minutes towards the close of the concert. The crowd went wild and was in ruptures.
"It was an unique experience unheard and unseen before. The sound of music was forcing me to shake my legs," said Suzanne Clark from Paris, who was holidaying at the Dunes. Ann Gilbert from Auroville who came to watch Kovai Kamla perform live did not appreciate the stage mannerism of the Bhakti singer.
“Kamla has a wonderful voice, I have got three CDs of her, but her stage performance did not suit her age. She is sixty plus, I am disappointed seeing her doing a teeny-weeny show,” Ann said. Bob, Ann's boyfriend was more magnanimous. “Kamala and Susheela created an atmosphere that cannot be described in words. It was experience to be felt alone,” he said. INDOlink.com Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai, India. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba@yahoo.com

Auroville, of course, sets a pretty high standard

I confess i haven't been to many ashram's... The only ashram i actually have spent any meaningful time in is the Aurobindo ashram in Pondicherry and in Auroville. Auroville, of course, sets a pretty high standard, and i found that VVMP matches up quite well...posted by Tragicomix @ 10:48 AM

Aurobindo PU College, Javalli

PU student dies in mishap Newindpress (subscription) - Chennai,India Kavya (16), I PU student of Aurobindo PU College, Javalli, who was badly injured breathed her last on the way to hospital while her cousin Venkatesh and ...

Sri Aurobindo Seva Kendra

Dr Rima Mukherji, a consultant psychiatrist practising in Calcutta with the Westbank Hospital and Sri Aurobindo Seva Kendra, has been a witness to the sea-change that’s taking place. For a start, her appointments diary is choc-a-bloc. What’s more, people ? who in an earlier decade wouldn’t have been seen dead in a psychiatrist’s office ? are coming to her for all types of different reasons. “In the late ‘90s, I started getting serious psychiatric patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Now the range is much wider,” she says. Adolescent problems, marital matters, eating disorders, sleep disorders and sexuality issues ? these are cases that are increasingly featuring in the psychiatrist’s file. Arundhati Basu The Telegraph Saturday, July 23, 2005

The tranquillity of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram we had left behind

THE SITUATION MUST BE MET - Jinnah's Direct Action Day and its legacy SUNANDA K. DATTA-RAY A blazing delivery van near the Statesman office, Calcutta, 1946
We returned to Calcutta on Direct Action Day, August 16, 1946. As a child of nine, I had little grasp of politics, but I remember the mounting nervousness, so different from the tranquillity of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram we had left behind, as the Madras Mail steamed towards Howrah. Gory reports were brought to us at each halt. Blood was flowing like water. Shops were looted, houses fired. No one was safe. The woman with whom we shared our compartment exploded in hysterics. She lived in an Old Ballygunge rajbari, with bustees nearby. Her aged mother and young daughter must have met, she wept, a fate worse than death. The Telegraph Sunday, June 19, 2005

A wonderful bit of garden and peace in the middle of crazy Kolkata streets

aurobindo ashram February 10, 2007 Posted by eenauk in religion, me, philosophy, india, ethics, political philosophy. trackback I spent the day today at the Aurobindo ashram downtown Kolkata. Read some of his book on The Ideal of Human Unity, signed up for yoga classes and received initiation into the all important breathing techniques: you get, among other things, to sit crosslegged, put three fingers over each eyelid, your two thumbs in your ears and hum a closed-mouthed “aum” as you exhale. six times. The ashram is a wonderful bit of garden and peace in the middle of crazy kolkata streets. It has a decent library...

Comments» 1. Hiren - February 11, 2007 Sri Aurobindo was great and so is his Ashram but god knows who or how much of what he taught is followed.

Auroentreprises has nothing to do with any religion

Nature shall live to manifest secret God.
The Spirit shall take up the human play,
The earthly life become the Life Divine. [Savitri, page 711]

Sri Aurobindo has said: A total perfection is the is the ultimate aim which we set before us , for our ideal is the Divine Life which we wish to create here, the life of the Spirit fulfilled on earth, life accomplishing own spirtual transformation even here on earth in the conditions of the material universe. [Supramental Manifestation, page 5]

Auroentreprises is an attempt to realize progressively the ideal of the perfect man in a perfect society in all aspects of life, as envisaged by The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. Formed as a society with the Blessings of The Mother in 1971, Auroentreprises aims to create a microcosm of a commercially integrated spiritual society in order to promote integral progressive harmony. Auroentreprises has a broad agenda to take up all aspects of life from education, science, literature and the arts to industry, commerce, mining, media into the fold of spirituality to develop them in the Light of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo.

Auroentreprises is designed to provide a forum in which research can take place and solutions to the problems we face in the world can be demonstrated. Auroentreprises seeks to be a place where man can work away from all national rivalries, social conventions, self-contradictory morals and contending religions. It is a place The Deram of The Mother can be ultimately realized. The ambition of Auroentreprises is to grow as a field to integrate efforts to manifest the gradual evolution of mankind in the aspect of day-to-day activities. And such an ambition calls for a collective effort by this Society.

In this spirit of selfless service, Auroentreprises invites all those who are sincere in their aspiration, unsatisfied with this world as it is, and who want to grow in Her vision in order to establish harmony between soul and body, between spirit and nature, in the collective life of humanity. Now such an hour has come for materialization before Auroentreprises.
All things shall change in God's transfiguring hour. [Savitri]
OOOO
Auroentreprises has nothing to do with any religion, whether past, present or future, nor is it limited and conditioned by any dogma. Subject to prevalent law and international law, its membership is open to everyone on earth. Written by Abani [A T Das] Adapted and posted by Barin [Barindranath Chaki]

Travel blog photos in this photo album

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Puducherry

We were about to be brainwashed

we went to pondicherry, it was really weird. i kept saying to carla that I didn't feel like I was in India. The french influence was definately seen in the architecture. Although there was nothing really special about my spaghettiSeveral of the restaurants that we went to, I was the only Indian person dining there--the rest of the people were all white with all indians serving them. It was so weird.

while there we went to this weird ashram that felt more like a cult: we weren't allowed to go to the "compound" (yes they called it that) until we had watched a five minute video. I was convinced we were about to be brainwashed. The people that lived at the ashram were mostly old white hippies. The whole idea is that they are trying to build a city in south india that is international, based on human unity. You have to renounce all religions and symbols to join, and then they give you a new symbol--a crystal ball to focus on in the middle of their all white interior "temple". anyway im not going to waste more time explaining it. If you really want to know here is the website: http://www.auroville.org/ Posted by rupastotle at 4:51 AM

Sri Kapali Sastry Endowment Lecture

"Vedas are revelations of sages" Special Correspondent The Hindu Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007 Other States - Puducherry

Puducherry: Principal of the Veda Vijnana Gurukulam at Channenahalli in Karnataka Dr. Ramachandra G. Bhat said that the Vedas were the revelations of sages, who unearthed the mystery of the universe by their brainpowers. Delivering a talk on "Spiritual Interpretation of the Vedas" under the Sri Kapali Sastry Endowment Lecturers organised by Department of Sanskrit in Pondicherry University on Monday, Mr. Bhat said that the power also enabled the sages to realise the deep spiritual truth contained in the texts. He pointed out that in the modern times we focussed more on working with our logical and innovative brainpower that help us march ahead in the technological field.

`Yajna and yaga' : Highlighting varied features of Sanskrit, he said that the sages of the yore practised "yajna and yaga" as the highest human values and this way of life had led man ultimately to merge completely with the integral whole. Vedas were not ordinary literature. He explained the different statuses of Sanskrit language. Among those who spoke included Dean, School of Humanities, V.C. Thomas, Head of the Department of Sanskrit K.E. Dharanidharan and the research scholar in the department Anuradha Choudhry. Mr. Sradhalu Ranade of the Aurobindo Ashram referred to the details of the Sri Kapali Sastry Endowment and the lectures organised over the years.

Dilip Kumar Roy was the most outstanding of them all

SRI DILIP KUMAR ROY, founder of Hari Krishna Mandir

Dilip Kumar Roy - known as 'Dadaji' to his countless followers - was a most remarkable human being who spread light and joy wherever he went. A supreme seeker of Truth, missionary of music, musicologist, virtuoso singer, linguist, translator, poet, lyricist, novelist, biographer, raconteur, patriot and yogi, Sri Dilip Kumar Roy was one of the most gifted personalities of the recent times. Under the aegis of Sri Aurobindo, his entire personality blossomed as a complete, harmonious being.

A Mexican journal, 'El Norte' published an article of tribute about him, describing the patriot saint as one of a hundred world-celebrities. The only other Indian to feature amongst the rest was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Truly speaking, Sri Dilip Kumar Roy was much greater than all his achievements.

Dadaji strove to make the earth a world of harmony, beauty and love. He was a profound seer, philosopher, thinker and poet; but all his life he remained as simple as a child - unspoilt by the veneration and reverence in which he was universally held. His magic was not far to seek - he was so human! He had transparent sincerity and unswerving regard for Truth. For all those who had the privilege of knowing him, the impressions of his, spontaneous love, nobility and greatness remain etched upon their memories.

Sri Aurobindo had many disciples, and Dadaji was the most outstanding of them all. His work was an offering of love to his creator. As Dadaji said, "Grace involved responsibility". And he discharged that responsibility by ceaseless work. To quote dadaji, "Work is Sadhana". He wrote books which ranked only next to Sri Aurobindo's in their sweep of thought, spiritual insight and beauty of expression.

Rabindranath Tagore wrote "Dilip Kumar possesses one great gift; he wants to hear which is the reason why he can draw out things worth hearing. Wanting to hear is not a passive quality but an active one; it awakens our power of speech because we come to know our mind's true expressions. Dilip Kumar has on many occasions given me the joy of discovering my own thoughts."

On 6th January, 1980 he said to Ma Indira Devi, "Wash my hands, I have to touch the Lord's feet." The great minstrel saint reached the lotus feet of the Lord, at 3:40 PM.

Sri Aurobindo had once written to Dadaji: "Nobody can write about my life because it has not been on the surface for men to see". This can equally be said of Dadaji. So whatever we write about him, a lot more will remain unsaid. harikrishnamandirindiraniloy.com PILGRIMS OF THE STARS Autobiography of two Yogis, Ma Indira Devi & Dadaji Sri Dilip Kumar Roy. more >>

Creating the next stage superhumans via cellular evolution appear crackpot to me

05 February 2007 La vie Parisien en Indie: Pondicherry is about 100 miles south of Chennai (Madras) and is a remarkable town in many ways. The policemen wear those red kepis that General de Gaulle used to sport. There is a fine Hotel de Ville housing the administrative wallahs and there is a defined French Quarter with typical street name plates and the smell of good coffee.

My god! Coffee and croissants are here and proud. Our hotel is the former home of one of the French governors of the Union Territory and we are paying dearly for its heritage status but we thought for a while we'd be sleeping rough. The streets down this end of town are tree-shaded and amazingly clean compared to the typical Indian town.

Anyway, after a couple of days of Gallic lazing about, we have been thinking about our next move. The town of Pondicherry is dominated by the real estate holdings of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and a few miles North of here is the model town of Auroville. Founded in 1960 by Sri Aurobindo's successor, a French woman referred to everywhere as "The Mother", Auroville is envisaged as an international community ultimately covering maybe sixty square miles. At present it stretches over an area of ten square miles and is home to about 2200 Aurovilleans. There's a lot of creativity gone into engineering this community and its environment, including regenerating a barren plateau into a tropical hardwood forest. At the same time, some of its ambitions, like creating the next stage superhumans via cellular evolution appear crackpot to me.

We went for a visit today and in fact decided to stay in one of the guesthouses but our plans have currently fallen through so we shall have to see what tomorrow brings. It would be nice to converse with people who know more about the aims and methods of the society and just rest up in a rural setting rather than the enervating noise and bustle of the cities. More to follow. posted by John 19:02

This tiny city is an intriguing mix of east meets west culture

EXile: Pondicherry in southern India is one of the most delightful and calming places where you can go at this time. This tiny city is an intriguing mix of east meets west culture, both converging at the Ashram and Auroville communities. You can’t go anywhere here without seeing or hearing the ‘auro’ and ‘ashram’ words! It was once the headquarters of the French East India Company for some 200 odd years, and still retains the charm and influence of French culture. Today it is synonymous with the Aurobindo Ashram (Ranga Pillai Street), which was started by the Bengali revolutionary Sri Aurobindo and his French disciple known as the Mother. It’s a wonderful, peaceful place for meditation and reflection. At their bookshop, pick up The Complete Sonnets of Aurobindo and other such works to read away quietly in the evenings by the ocean.

EXplore: Auroville is the global village brought into reality by the Mother, and is located a short drive away, amid woods and well laid out gardens. It is the ultimate example of environmental legacy and design as it was built on land which was semi-arid with no trees or water. This is where the Mother dreamed up a place where people from all over the world could live together in peace and harmony. Visit the Matri Mandir, built in the shape of the globe; it’s architecturally very beautiful and has a meditation hall right at the top which is lit only by sunrays seeping through a little skylight. By Naiya Sivaraj - EX Rated Travel Guides

How he would visit Bharathi's house to distribute sweets on the occasion of Sri Aurobindo's birthday

It is for this devotion that the Pudhuvai Tamizh Sangam recently honoured her with the "Bharathipugazh Virudhu 2006". Right from her childhood, her father R. Nagaratnam, a reporter with the Dina Thanthi, would tell her tales of how he would visit Bharathi's house in Puducherry to distribute sweets on the occasion of Sri Aurobindo's birthday. Her fascination with the poet began then. Poet Mannarmannan, president of the Pudhuvai Tamizh Sangam, said, "The sangam decided to present her the award since she has contributed immensely towards the collections of both the Bharathi and Bharathidasan museums." The Hindu Tamil Nadu - Others Reward for an enduring fascination Deepa H Ramakrishnan Sunday, Jan 21, 2007

Matrimandir is a construction site

Access to Matrimandir for Aurovilians, Guests of Auroville and other visitors

We remind you that the Matrimandir is a construction site and that construction is our first priority. We are trying our best to keep visits to the Matrimandir not only possible, but peaceful, but please understand that the temporary conditions in which we have to receive you are far from ideal, and never stop changing. The opening or the closing of the different areas and their timings are subject to predictable - but also unpredictable - variations. Therefore we ask patience of Aurovilians and guests, a flexible attitude, and some occasional sense of humour! For any special request or for questions about the following information, please contact the Matrimandir office Monday to Saturday.

For further information please contact: Matrimandir Information Kiosk: phone (0413) 262-2373 E-mail: mmaccess@auroville.org.in

Auroville, a city dedicated to the search for a concrete human unity

Titled "Uniting People: Jean Monnet", the exhibition has been organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome that established the European Economic Community. It is also an ode to the contribution made by Jean Monnet to achieve European unity. A philosopher and man of action, Monnet's life is in itself an inspiring story. A pragmatic internationalist, he is widely regarded as the architect of European unity. Though he was never elected to any public office, never was part of any government and did not hold any diploma, Monnet exerted a huge and lasting influence on the most prominent minds of his time. He embodied values that can be described as universal but also happen to be at the core of Indian traditions. The exhibition recounts that story, using Monnet's own words and statements as well as some archival pictures.

The exhibition has been prepared in Auroville, a city dedicated to the search for a concrete human unity and based on the vision of Sri Aurobindo. The team that has been instrumental in putting up the exhibition includes a young Aurovillian artist from Switzerland, Aron Nicolet. Inspired by the words of Monnet and the vision of Sri Aurobindo, he has created a painting for each of the 32 panels put up on display. The exhibition not only presents the life of Monnet, it also evokes the main features of the entity called the European Union. It also looks at other experiences and adventures happening in Asia around that time.

The Ambassador-Head of the delegation of the European Commission to India, Nepal and Bangladesh, Francisco Da Camara Gomes, and the Director-General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Pavan K. Varma, inaugurated the exposition on Wednesday. The exhibition is on at the Art Gallery of India International Centre Annexe up to February 10. A three-fold programme has been lined up to commemorate the golden jubilee of the Treaties of Rome. Apart from the exhibition, a seminar-cum-round table has also been organised. -- Parul Sharma The Hindu Friday, Feb 02, 2007

About AuroMira Centre

The AuroMira Centre - Blog An online gathering place
The Auromira Centre , 126 Whitton Avenue East, Greenford, Midd’x UB6 OPY, UK Tel (+44) 20 8903 6504Nearest Underground Station: Sudbury Town, Piccadilly Line. Buses: 487, 245, H17, 18Email: v.manek@auromira.org

Sri Aurobindo's and The Mother's Centre of Integral Yoga is known as Auromira Centre.
Its aim is to promote spiritual progress in its entirety for everyone, irrespective of caste, creed or colour.
Auromira Centre came into existence in 1981, originally as a small centre for prayers, meditation and occasional lectures. Those activities gathered momentum and by 1988 the annual summer lectures on spiritual topics and the celebration of Darshan days became well known features. In 1996 a bust of Sri Aurobindo was installed at the Centre. The enshrinement of Sri Aurobindo's Relics took place on 1st January 1998 by Professor Manoj Das of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry.
A shrine room has been specially created to permanently house the bust and relics of Sri Aurobindo, where one can meditate in a quiet and peaceful environment.
Sri Aurobindo and The Mother's presence are also strongly felt in the Meditation Room, where regular meetings and talks are held.
Activities at the Centre include regular meetings with readings and meditation, as well as children's workshops and classes in Gujarati and music.
In addition, there are talks by various speakers on topics related to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. There is a library of spiritual literature including books and periodicals in English and Gujarati on Sri Aurobindo's and The Mother's teaching.
A variety of agarbatis, photographs, books and audio and video cassettes are available for sale.
The Centre is a charitable trust. However, it is not involved in any fund-raising activities and charges no fees. Everyone is welcome to participate in the activities of the Centre for the Divine Work. Any offerings will be gratefully accepted for the Centre's various activities, including inviting speakers from abroad. Home Sri Aurobindo The Mother Auromira Centre Matrugoda Photo Gallery Children'sCorner Universal Satsang Bulletin Board Introduction Special Events Regular Events

Joss Brooks, an ecologist from Auroville

CHENNAI: A former landfill in the city is set to become an urban jungle of the green variety in another six months. The Chennai Corporation has taken up an urban afforestation project with the assistance of Joss Brooks, an ecologist from Auroville, across 10.5 acres behind the Otteri Burial Ground and Corporation garbage transfer station.

Mr. Brooks has been working on recreating the environment of the Coromandel Coast for the past 35 years. Seeing a garden that had been set up in Auroville, Former Corporation commissioner M. P. Vijaykumar invited him to try a similar project in Otteri. J. Malarvizhi The Hindu Tamil Nadu - Chennai Thursday, Feb 01, 2007

Spinning silk into gold

Founded in 1926 by Shri Rishabhchand, who had plunged into the Non-Cooperation movement against the British and later fired by his patriotic fervour opened the INDIAN SILK HOUSE which has an 80 years old histiory of spinning silk into gold, with a hand in dressing Nargis, Supriya Devi Chhabi Biswas Sarat Chandra Bose, P.C. Sorcar senior and so on. Rishabhchand obeyed the call of his his inner soul and sought communion with Sri Aurobindo and The Mother at Pondicherry.

In 1931, he settled in Sri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry. The business was carried on by his brothers and son. The College Street outlet with their wide collection of silks from Varanasi, Bangalore, Kanchipuram Arni, Murshidabad Bankura and so on made a loyal client base over the years which grew with time.

Everything is named after them

The place in Pondicherry that Ronaye was talking about moving to is called Park Guest house and is run by the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Do you know what that is? Us neither, but all over the place there are pictures and writings of "The Mother" and Aurobindo. You can see them here:

http://giik.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/P7290159.JPG

She was a French woman that followed the same philosophies of Aurobindo in the early 20th century. When he died in 1950 she carried on his work and founded the town of "Auroville" in the late 60's. A commune sort of thing where any race, relgion, or person from any country could live their life free from any persuctions of such. To be fair, I know very little of their ideologies. The fact that everything is named after them, she called herself "The Mother", and that their pictures are staring down at you where ever you go scares me. The 2nd hotel we went to had as the last rule on its list "Pictures of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo are available at the front desk for you to display in your room during your stay."

Posted by Josh at 9:22 AM Skinner and Rockitt's Travels and Tribulations Wednesday, January 31, 2007