The Crystal Connection

- Sonia Dyne

Last month, during the course of a presentation on Auroville at our Centre, a suggestion was made that we might, collectively or individually, undertake to follow up on an idea proposed by August Timmermans in an email circulated to supporters of the Matrimandir and Auroville on 24.11.2000. More recently, many people have began to see Auroville as a radiating force -field with a centre (the Matrimandir itself) but no defined circumference: in other words all of us who have a heart-connection with the evolving consciousness that Auroville represents can consider themselves ‘universal Aurovilians’ and play their part in the continuing development of this ’city the Earth needs’ along the lines laid down by the Mother.

To quote an email circulated to AVI members: ‘Is Auroville only the 2000 people who live there, or is there a larger, invisible Auroville made up of all those who feel connected to this place? ‘ The writer, Enzo Fazzino, goes on to say ‘Since its foundation in 1968, thousands of people have developed a relationship with Auroville through visits, the books of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother or through strong personal contacts with Aurovilians. Auroville is a capital of connections and heart linkages that represent a strong presence beyond the physical city.‘

From the beginning, Singapore has felt an enduring connection with the development of Auroville and particularly the Matrimandir. At a time when Singapore had only just emerged as an independent nation, the initiative of the late C.V. Devan Nair caused the earth of Singapore to be placed symbolically in the Urn on Auroville’s ‘birthday’. Later we had the unique privilege of being the first in the world to respond to the appeal for donations for the crystal and gold for the surface of Matrimandir. Can we now build upon this foundation by responding to the need for an invisible circle of support by offering our prayers and meditation as well as our practical help?

Dear brothers and sisters on the path, When the Mother left her physical on November 17, 1973, this caused a critical void for sadhaks of the Integral Yoga, and even for the world, as she mentioned once in the Agenda, that the world would go through a critical period if she was to leave her body. Particularly Auroville, which was only in its beginning stage of construction, experienced serious difficulties for decades to come. It was on August 22, 1991, that the Matrimandir, still under construction, received its true Centre, the crystal globe, in the Inner Chamber.

For the first time there was a physical and visible point of focus in the Matrimandir, where previously people could only sense a Force or a Presence. Looking at the significance of the Matrimandir in the context of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother's Mahasamadhi and the Integral Yoga, it seems that the supramental force has been "anchored" to the earth by the the Matrimandir and its crystal which the Mother named the soul of Auroville. She also said that the sooner the Matrimandir is there, the better it will be for everybody and especially for the Aurovilians. What can the Soul of Auroville mean to those sadhaks of the Integral Yoga not living in Auroville?

What the Matrimandir gives is a point of focus, the sunlit crystal globe. Meeting with the Soul of Auroville is a situation where soul meets soul. The feel the sunlit crystal globe gives is one of solidity, stability, warm light, and that palpable Peace so inherent to the Matrimandir. Exactly the characteristics of a true Guru. The individual finds a haven of Peace and warm Light, a permanent Presence that invites for meeting with his own soul. The Mother describes the soul or psychic being as follows:

"To find the soul you must withdraw from the surface, withdraw deepinside, enter far within, go way down, down into a very deep hole,which is silent, still; and there you see something warm, quiet, of a rich substance, very still and very full, and exceedingly soft - thatis the soul. And if you continue and are conscious yourself, there comes a feeling of plenitude, something full, with unfathomable depths. You feel that if you entered there, many secrets would be revealed; it's like the reflection of something eternal... " (The Mother, Conversations, 1929)

Entering the Matrimandir is like going through this deep down passage toward a deeper stillness, away from the surface. In the Inner Chamber we meet a material soul, it is almost as if our own soul is invited Being where forces manifest. It is a Centre of Peace and Light but it is also a Centre of dynamic forces. Once one has contacted the crystal the connection seems permanent. Because of its physical and visible presence, it becomes easy to imagine the sunlit crystal globe wherever one is and the connection becomes direct. With this, a direct force of Peace and Light becomes part of the sadhak and this can give the physical assurance of a living support, exactly as the relation with a physical Guru would be. The sadhak becomes on the receiving end of the Matrimandir, and the inner journey can become a continuing experience.

Distance for the Matrimandir is irrelevant. The connection with the crystal becomes part of those who concentrate on it, and eventually this might become an easy exercise to do. Practically this means that the connection with the Matrimandir can extend worldwide. The Matrimandir becomes truly a world Centre of Peace and Light thanks to those who open themselves to it. A more direct relationship with forces of Peace and Light on the physical plane in this Yoga is available to us. The sunlit crystal can lead us onto the sunlit path.’ (August Timmermans)

By ‘being there’ around the crystal in our meditation and making it the focus of our attention and aspiration for the accomplishment of a true human unity, we will join our energies with those who are in Auroville itself and with hundreds of people around the world. No subscriptions, no formal enrolment... but perhaps, for those who wish it, some sharing with others of news or experience. If you are interested in this suggestion and have any comments or want to know more, you are invited to leave a contact address with our web team, Daya, or myself.