DOCSLIB.ORG

Spiritual Ideals and Social Psychology of Auroville: A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Spiritual Ideals and Social Psychology of Auroville: A SPIRITUAL IDEALS AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF AUROVILLE: A TRANSDISCIPLINARY INTERPRETIVE INQUIRY by Bindu Mohanty A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the California Institute of Integral Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities with a Concentration in East-West Psychology California Institute of Integral Studies San Francisco, CA 2008 CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL I certify that I have read SPIRITUAL IDEALS AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF AUROVILLE: A TRANSPERSONAL INTERPRETIVE INQUIRY by Bindu Mohanty, and that in my opinion this work meets the criteria of approving a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities with a Concentration in East- West Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. _____________________________________________________ Jorge N. Ferrer, Ph.D, Chair Department Chair, East-West Psychology _____________________________________________________ Daniel Deslauriers, Ph.D Full Professor, East-West Psychology _____________________________________________________ Karen T. Litfin Professor, University of Washington © 2008, Bindu Mohanty SPIRITUAL IDEALS AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF AUROVILLE: A TRANSDISCIPLINARY INTERPRETIVE INQUIRY ABSTRACT This theoretical and qualitative study explores the relationship between spiritual ideals and the social psychology of the tranpersonally-oriented community of Auroville. Located in rural south India, Auroville is a growing international town based on the spiritual vision of the philosopher-sage Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950). Founded in 1968 by Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual collaborator, the Mother (née Mirra Alfassa), Auroville’s primary mission is to aid the spiritual evolution and transformation of the world by manifesting a spiritual society. This evolutionary vision, which gives the community its transpersonal orientation, comprises a number of spiritual ideals that have inspired people to join Auroville. The dissertation uses interpretive qualitative research methodology to determine the spiritual ideals that are individually held by the residents of Auroville, and the relationship between the spiritual ideals and the following facets of the social psychology of Auroville: the dialectic between the individual and the collective; challenges and inspirations that arise for individuals as they relate to the community; and potential collective shadow issues. A community- wide survey, researcher’s observations, archival data, individual as well as focus- group interviews were the means of data collection. iv A transdisciplinary approach that engages theoretically with the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, social psychology, and transpersonal psychology was adopted in the analysis and interpretation of data. The analysis reveals how Aurovilians, inspired by their transpersonal ideals, struggle to transcend their personal, socially constructed identity to embrace a wider and more comprehensive sense of self. Research findings indicate that, as an experimental society, Auroville offers an alternative to mainstream society, particularly in the social aspects of work and organization. Both in its ideals and in its development, Auroville is characterized by the evolutionary processes of self-organization, differentiation, unity, and random fluctuations that allow for the emergence of novel structures. By analyzing the positive effect of Auroville’s spiritual ideals on its population, this dissertation demonstrates the power of human imagination in furthering the development of societies. The study concludes that Auroville, despite the numerous social and developmental challenges, is an evolving postsecular and spiritual society. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It was January 1st, 2005. I woke up shivering in an unfamiliar room. As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, I remembered that I had arrived here from Auroville, half-way across the world, only hours ago in the midst of a rain- shower. I was clear on my goal—I wanted to work at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) on this research project that had gripped me. But the path did not promise to be easy—in mid-life, I had launched myself and my partner into an unknown adventure (both of us being penniless and strangers to the area). As Karlheinz slept, peacefully enough, next to me, I sat in the dark taking stock of our situation. When dawn broke through, dispelling the last withering remnants of the night, the new light of a new year revealed something that I had never witnessed before: Across the bay, framing the famed bridges of the Bay Area was the covenant of a double rainbow—not one, but two rainbows lit up the gray skies. I knew then—knew with my heart—that this journey was meant to be. My deepest gratitude goes out to the Energy that sustains us as the Universe. I am grateful for its guidance in my life and in the writing of this dissertation. All that has given love and meaning to my life, I cherish as unique forms of this universal Energy. First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the unconditional support of my loved ones—my parents, brothers, and Karlheinz—in all of my endeavors. This particular journey would not have been possible without an initial grant from Stichting de Zaaier of the Netherlands. I particularly would like to vi thank board members Mia Berden and Henk Thomas for their belief in and support of Auroville and in me as an Aurovilian. Auroville has been and will always be one of my deepest loves. I thank the community there—the “refractory, smut-nosed children of the dream”—for inspiring me with their enduring chutzpah. I would also like to express heartfelt gratitude to Ananda Reddy for deepening my understanding of Integral Yoga through his weekly classes on The Life Divine at Auroville. In the writing of this dissertation, I am particularly indebted to all my survey-respondents and interviewees for their engagement in the research process. I specially thank Carel, Grace, Tim, Harini, Jothi Charles, Amy, Auralee, Alan, Gilles Guigan, Manoj and Raji of Auroville for helping me out in various ways during the research period. I am not sure how much they believed in the research process, but I know that they believed in me. For my stay in the Bay Area, I am grateful to the Cultural Integration Fellowship, particularly to Jean Johnson, Shyamsundar Kotagal and the late Bina Chaudhuri for their generosity and hospitality. Thanks also to B Sullivan, fellow- Aurovilian in exile, for being there for me, as always, unconditionally. Over the years, CIIS has been my home away from home. Because of all the student jobs that I have held in various departments, I came to know most of the staff, student-workers, and faculty, and I am sincerely appreciative for the sense of community that was instilled through these relations. I would particularly like to thank Stephen Julich and Roché Wadehra for enduring with me all those late hours at the Institute’s computer lab, long after everybody else had gone vii home. It is hard to imagine myself going through the grueling challenge of being a PhD student without their love and support. I treasure the fun and friendship I have had with the staff. Because of my work, I particularly got to know Euler Bautista, Jonathan Mills, Ishtar Kramer and Angie Choi, and I would like to voice my appreciation for the way they embody the values of CIIS while discharging their duties. I also value the dedication of the library staff and particularly thank Lise Dyckman and Tamara Thebert for their professional help, cheerfully rendered. I express my gratitude to Joseph Subbiondo, President, CIIS, Dorotea Reyna, Director of Development, and Michael Szkotak, former Director of Financial Aid for awarding me the Watumull Scholarship and the Louis Gainsborough Scholarship to support my work. Right from the beginning the faculty of the East-West Psychology Department has been extremely supportive of my studies, and I especially cherish the guidance I got from my advisor, Brendan Collins, committee member, Daniel Deslauriers, and chair, Jorge Ferrer. Jorge has been an encouraging friend and mentor, even before I embarked on my PhD, and I trust will always continue to be so. In the context of my dissertation, I owe a scholarly debt to Jorge for his brilliant articulation of the participatory nature of our spiritual reality. I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to the core faculty of the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Department for their openness and passion in the pursuit of knowledge and for letting me join their oversized classes. I particularly thank Brian Swimme for his inspiration, friendship, and, well, simply for being Brian! Lastly, I offer my viii gratitude to committee member Karen T. Litfin and close friend Shanti Pillai—I deeply value their work as scholars and cherish them as women who have inspired me by their determination and courage. ix DEDICATION For all those who love adventure x TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................... vi DEDICATION ........................................................................................................ x CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION: THE CITY OF HUMAN UNITY ................... 1 Background to Auroville ................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • No 847 a Weekly Bulletin for Residents of Auroville 5Th December 2020
    News and Notes No 847 A weekly bulletin for residents of Auroville 5th December 2020 “Sri Ganesha” by Jyoti Naoki Eri/acrylic on canvas HOUSE OF MOTHER’S AGENDA “In fifty years the whole world, all the receptive section of humanity (I am not saying intellectual, I am saying receptive), all the receptive section of the world will be embraced – not “embraced”: ABSORBED in the power of Sri Aurobindo's thought. Those who already are have the good fortune of being the first ones, that's all.” — The Mother. The Agenda . 16 February 1972 (+ 50 years = Year 2022) Death's sombre cowl was cast from Nature's brow; Traveler and hewer of the unseen paths, There lightened on her the godhead's lurking laugh. He is the carrier of the hidden fire, All grace and glory and all divinity He is the voice of the Ineffable, Were here collected in a single form; He is the invisible hunter of the light, All worshipped eyes looked through his from one face; The Angel of mysterious ecstasies, He bore all godheads in his grandiose limbs. The conqueror of the kingdoms of the soul. An oceanic spirit dwelt within; A third spirit stood behind, their hidden cause, Intolerant and invincible in joy A mass of superconscience closed in light, A flood of freedom and transcendent bliss Creator of things in his all-knowing sleep. Into immortal lines of beauty rose. All from his stillness came as grows a tree; In him the fourfold Being bore its crown He is our seed and core, our head and base.
    [Show full text]
  • News and Notes
    News and Notes #862 A weekly bulletin for residents of Auroville 20th March 2021 Anusuya Forest photo: Piero Cefaloni HOUSE OF MOTHER’S AGENDA (continued from last week) 18 April 1970 The Mother: In last night’s experience, it was everything at the same time: the body felt, acted, it was conscious, it observed, decided – everything, just everything at the same time. There even was... I don't know, I didn't have a vision of Sri Aurobindo, but I had the sensation of his presence (that often happens: at times I'll see him and he won't speak; at other times I won't see him but I'll hear him, he'll speak to me – the laws are no longer the same), and he made me notice, or rather I noted that although the body was suffering a lot (the situation was critical, you know), there wasn't the shadow of a fear in the body. Then he told me, “Yes, it's because it is able not to be afraid that you can do the work.” The absence of fear is really the result of the yoga for so many years – for half a century. It was like this (gesture, hands open), offering its suffering, all the time like this. (silence) After last night, I have every reason to think that the work is very, very active – very active. Satprem: But on the level of the earth, how do things take place? For instance, you say that Sri Aurobindo, yourself and a number of us are working in this subtle physical to prepare the new world: how is the permeation of this subtle physical made? The Mother: But in that way.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Study by Helge Jung.Pdf
    1 INTEGRATED URBAN-RURAL LANDSCAPING Research paper by Helge Jung Auroville April-September 2001 Table of Contents 3 I. Introduction 4 II. Auroville Universal Township: Conditions, Problems, targets 6 III. The areas of work: Present situation and future developments 7 A. Present State of Landscaping in Auroville 8 B. City area 8 1.) Matrimandir Gardens 9 2.) Four Major Parks 11 3.) Green Corridors and Green tunnels 13 4.) Open space planning between the settlements 15 5.) Roof and Courtyard gardening 15 6.) Avenue planting 17 7.) Parking and Service Nodes 18 C. Green Belt 18 1.) Integration of city into Green Belt 19 2.) Protection of countryside scenery in the Green Belt 23 3.) Recreation area of Green Belt 23 4.) Afforestation area of Green Belt 24 5.) Agricultural area of Green Belt 25 IV. Program of action and implementation 25 A) Actions to be taken 26 B) Maintenance, care and development 27 V. Annexes 27 27 Bibliography Addresses 6 Maps : 8 1. City Green areas 10 2. Matrimandir Gardens 12 3. Four Major Parks 14 4. Green Corridors 17 5. Ground coverage and densities 29 6. Road sections 7. Overall area with existing settlements and 30 proposed zone uses 8. Water and climate 31 9. Habitat connections for wildlife 32 10. Townscape and spatial elements 2 Acknowledgements I am very grateful to Luigi Zanzi, Director of 'Auroville’s Future', Auroville Town Planning Office, for welcoming me to Auroville and giving me a lot of trust and support to do my work, which also helped me to widen my perspective.
    [Show full text]
  • News and Notes #867 a Weekly Bulletin for Residents of Auroville 24Th April 2021
    News and Notes #867 A weekly bulletin for residents of Auroville 24th April 2021 24th April 1920 – The Mother’s final return to Pondicherry HOUSE OF MOTHER’S AGENDA (continued from last week) 4 July 1970 The Mother: The body has itself reached that point, it finds it very difficult to feel a separate existence for itself, and (laughing) curiously that's only (Mother touches her cheek), only when it's in pain. For instance, I constantly have a toothache, here (this area as I told you [Mother points to her mouth and throat]), and that's it, it's the only thing that gives me the sense of being “my body” It doesn't feel separate. So I think that's the natural condition for the normal development. You understand, the impression of “feeling” in a certain way, of “thinking” in a certain way, all that has completely vanished: you receive indications – sometimes of the way this person feels or that one reacts – but that's when a work needs to be done: it's an indication, and it's something taking place there, like this (gesture around, some distance away), it's not within. No, I looked several times: I've always had the impression that things are fine (I mean for you), that the progress is quite fine. You're on the way. It's all right. And I find a great change.... There's only one corner, maybe of the speculative mind, that still has an attitude of its own – high enough in the mind, not an ordinary mind, a mind..
    [Show full text]
  • Auroville: City of the Dawn, City of the Future, Now
    A DES/PROPÓSITO DE Teknokultura ISSNe: 1549-2230 http://dx.doi.org/10.5209/TEKN.59078 Auroville: city of the dawn, city of the future, now Ian Parker1 Recibido: 22 de febrero de 2018 / Aceptado: 22 de agosto de 2018 Open peer reviews Abstract. This paper briefly describes the formation, present-day functioning and problems facing the futuristic city ‘Auroville’ in the state of Tamil Nadu in south India. Founded in 1968 as a ‘universal’ city, and planned to have 50,000 inhabitants that would, its founders declared, take the next step in human evolution to exist as a self-sustaining community independent of nation states. Auroville manifests another utopian attempt to create a ‘common’ space which resonates with communist hopes to reclaim the commons from capitalist enclosure. This paper explores the problems that face Auroville when it creates its ‘commons’ on existing peasant land and so becomes implicated in colonial politics. Keywords: commons; colonialism; south India; Sri Aurobindo; utopian communities. [es] Auroville: ciudad del amanecer, ciudad del futuro, ahora Resumen. Este artículo describe de manera concisa la formación, el funcionamiento diario y los problemas a los que se enfrenta la ciudad futurista ‘Auroville’ en el estado de Tamil Nadu en el sur de la India. Fundada en 1968 como ciudad ‘universal’ y pensada para acoger a 50.000 habitantes, según su fundador supondría un avance en la evolución humana en el sentido de hacer posible la existencia de una comunidad autosuficiente e independiente de los estados nación. Auroville supone un nuevo intento utópico de creación de un espacio ‘comun’ que recuerda los anhelos comunistas de arrebatar los bienes comunes de los dominios capitalistas.
    [Show full text]
  • Broadcast Bulletin Issue Number 157 10/05/10
    O fcom Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 157 10 May 2010 1 Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin, Issue 157 10 May 2010 Contents Introduction 3 Standards cases In Breach Bang Babes Tease Me 3, 16 January 2010, 03:20 Bang Babes Tease Me, 17 January 2010, 00:30 5 The Pad Tease Me, 26 February 2010, 11:45 The Pad Tease Me 3, 27 February 2010, 11:45 10 Tease Me: Earlybird Tease Me TV (Freeview), 26 January 2010, 07:15 14 Sponsorship of Do Hanso ka Joda NDTV Imagine, 4 March 2010, 21:00 18 Sponsorship of Jhansi ki Rani Zee TV, 8 February 2010, 20:30 20 Chal Sitaroon Ki DM Digital, 18 February 2010, 13:00 22 Retention of recordings BEN TV, 26 November 2009 25 Resolved LunchBreak CUR1350, 5 February 2010, 13:00 26 Access Services cases In Breach Subtitling provision The Box, April to December 2007 and January to December 2008 4Music/The Hits, April to December 2007 and January to December 2009 28 2 Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin, Issue 157 10 May 2010 Advertising scheduling cases In Breach Advertising minutage ITV1, 31 October 2009, 21:00 ITV2, 16 December 2009, 21:00 30 Advertising minutage STV, 27 December 2009, 17:00 33 Other cases Bath Radio Ltd, Brunel FM Ltd, Three Towns Radio Ltd, Quay West Radio Ltd and BCR FM Ltd August 2009 – present 35 Fairness & Privacy cases Not Upheld Complaint by The Auroville Foundation and the community of Auroville made on their behalf by The Working Committee of the Residents’ Assembly of the Auroville Foundation through its authorised representative, Mr Carel B Thieme Newsnight, BBC2, 21 May 2008 38 Other programmes not in breach 73 3 Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin, Issue 157 10 May 2010 Introduction The Broadcast Bulletin reports on the outcome of investigations into alleged breaches of those Ofcom codes which broadcasting licensees are required to comply.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Documents Required for an Entry Visa
    LIST OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR AN ENTRY VISA 1 Original passport valid for a minimum of 6 months and having at least 3 blank visa pages. 2 A photocopy of the data page of the passport. 3 Two passport size photographs (2X2 inch). Photos should be glued to the form: the first on page 1 in the box provided and the second on the bottom right hand corner of page 2. 4 An Indian Government visa application form duly filled in online. The application form for Regular/Paper visa can be found on the official website www.indianvisaonline.gov.in ​ ​ ​ ​ Your form should be signed in the box under the photograph on page 1. This signature should match the signature on your passport. You should validate the data on your form and accept the declaration by signing at the bottom of page 2. LIST OF ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS ● If the applicant is of Indian origin (born Indian) and has held an Indian passport in the past (one of the documents mentioned below to be attached with the application form) A copy of their “Surrender Certificate” A copy of their cancelled Indian passport A “Sworn Affidavit” which can be obtained at the Embassy of India ● If the applicant is of Indian origin (born in India) and was granted a nationality other than Indian by birth (one of the documents mentioned below to be attached with the application form) A copy of the first passport (provided it was delivered in India) A copy of the “Nationality Certificate” specifying that they have obtained their current nationality by naturalization/birth.
    [Show full text]
  • Details of Visas Granted by India
    DETAILS OF VISAS GRANTED BY INDIA I. e-VISA 1 Eligibility e-Visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine and business purpose and no other purpose/ activity. This facility shall not be available if the person or either of his / her parents or grand parents (paternal or maternal) was born in, or was permanently resident in Pakistan. e-Visa facility shall not be available to holders of Diplomatic/Official passports, UNLP (UN Passport) holders and international travel document holders e.g. INTERPOL officials. List of countries whose nationals are presently eligible for e-visa is given in Appendix I. 2 Procedure for applying for e-Visa The foreign national may fill in the application online on the website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html . The applicant can apply 120 days in advance prior to expected date of arrival in India. 3 Sub-categories of e-Visa There are three sub-categories of e-Visa i.e. (a) e-Tourist Visa : For recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, and attending a short term yoga programme, (b)e- Business Visa : For all activities permitted under normal Business Visa and (c) e-Medical Visa : For medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine. A foreign national will also be permitted to club these activities provided he/she had clearly indicated the same in the application form along with requisite documents.
    [Show full text]
  • No 842 a Weekly Bulletin for Residents of Auroville 31St October 2020
    News and Notes No 842 A weekly bulletin for residents of Auroville 31st October 2020 Paradise Birds by Crystal HOUSE OF MOTHER’S AGENDA (continued from last week) The devotee on the other hand tends to look down on the sawdust dryness of mere knowledge. And it is true that philosophy by itself without the rapture of spiritual experience is something as dry as it is clear and cannot give all the satisfaction we seek, that its spiritual experience even, when it has not left its supports of thought and shot up beyond the mind, lives too much in an abstract delight and that what it reaches, is not indeed the void it seems to the passion of the heart, but still has the limitations of the peaks. On the other hand, love itself is not complete without knowledge. The Gita distinguishes between three initial kinds of Bhakti, that which seeks refuge in the Divine from the sorrows of the world, ārta, that which, desiring, approaches the Divine as the giver of its good, arthārthī, and that which attracted by what it already loves, but does not yet know, yearns to know this divine Unknown, jijñāsu; but it gives the palm to the Bhakti that knows. Evidently the intensity of passion which says, “I do not understand, I love,” and, loving, cares not to understand, is not love’s last self-expression, but its first, nor is it its highest intensity. Rather as knowledge of the Divine grows, delight in the Divine and love of it must increase. Nor can mere rapture be secure without the foundation of knowledge; to live in what we love, gives that security, and to live in it means to be one with it in consciousness, and oneness of consciousness is the perfect condition of knowledge.
    [Show full text]
  • Designing a Base Station for Living Routes in Auroville, India Vandita Mudgal University of Massachusetts - Amherst
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Living Routes Student Projects Living Routes 5-2008 Designing a Base Station for Living Routes in Auroville, India Vandita Mudgal University of Massachusetts - Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/livingroutes_stuprojects Part of the Environmental Design Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, and the Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons Mudgal, Vandita, "Designing a Base Station for Living Routes in Auroville, India" (2008). Living Routes Student Projects. 1. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/livingroutes_stuprojects/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Living Routes at ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Living Routes Student Projects by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Designing Base Station for Living Routes Auroville,India A Master’s Project by Vandita Mudgal Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning University of Massachusetts, Amherst May 2008 Approved as to style and content by: Peter Kumble, Chair Jack Ahern, Member Elizabeth Brabec- Department Head Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Nothing can be done independently, there exists a support system behind that helps you in moving forward. The following people have given me that support to look ahead and beyond, and I would like to thank them…… Peter Kumble for his advice, enthusiasm and patience in understanding an Indian site, totally alien to his past experience. Understanding the Indian point of view on certain design issues and helping me in moving forward. Jack Ahern for his critical comments and feedback which were indispensable in the design process.
    [Show full text]
  • Mother India
    MOTHER INDIA MONTHLY REVIEW OF CULTURE Vol. LXI No. 2 “Great is Truth and it shall prevail” CONTENTS Auroville The Flowering THE MOTHER’S MESSAGE FOR THE INAUGURATION OF AUROVILLE ... 95 AUROVILLE CHARTER ... 96 THE SUPREME FESTIVAL OF THE LIGHT ... 99 Description of the ceremony by Mme. Yvonne Robert Gaebelé. Trans- lated from French FEBRUARY 28, 1968 ... 100 On this day, Auroville’s inauguration ceremony took place on a barren plateau in Tamil Nadu. What exactly happened? Gleaned from preparatory Ashram documents, participants’ memories and newspaper reports, this résumé is perhaps the closest we’ll get to the definitive story 28TH OF FEBRUARY ... 101 A representative remembers PREPARATIONS FOR THE CEREMONY ... 103 Three passages from Mona Sarkar’s notes of his conversations with the Mother about the inauguration ceremony. He was in charge of the volunteers and the ‘security arrangement’ AN ELECTRIC SHOCK ... 105 On the evening of 28th February, Hema noted this in her diary THE DAY THE BALLOON WENT UP ... 106 It was like this, wasn’t it? A long-time Aurovilian tries to remember the inauguration of Auroville THE DAY WE BAPTISED YOU ... 109 Maggi writes of what that day, that hour meant THE GRANDEST DAY OF MY LIFE ... 110 Tapas reminisces LIKE A WELL-OILED MACHINE ... 112 Udar recounts an interesting detail IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME ... 112 Else Jacobs was fortunate to be part of that significant event WHAT THE PAPERS SAID ... 113 THERE WAS A KIND OF MAGIC... ... 114 Bob and Deborah Lawlor are remembered as the first settlers in the area known as Forecomers.
    [Show full text]
  • News and Notes No 852 a Weekly Bulletin for Residents of Auroville 9Th January 2021
    News and Notes No 852 A weekly bulletin for residents of Auroville 9th January 2021 Photo by Piero Cefaloni HOUSE OF MOTHER’S AGENDA “In fifty years the whole world, all the receptive section of humanity (I am not saying intellectual, I am saying receptive), all the receptive section of the world will be embraced – not “embraced”: ABSORBED in the power of Sri Aurobindo's thought. Those who already are have the good fortune of being the first ones, that's all.” ~ The Mother. Mother’s Agenda. 16 February 1972 (+ 50 years = Year 2022) “Very Happy New Year to all Aurovilians in Auroville, in India and the world.” — Gangalakshmi 20 February 1981 You know, we are here to tread a new path in our own body-consciousness. We are here to open our small humanity to a new experiment. It is not a matter of creed and dogma and philosophy and policies; it transcends all ideologies whether capitalistic or socialistic, all religions and all atheism, all races whether white or black or yellow. We have to survive, and we can only survive if we change our human structure. On this point every human being can agree, whether from the East Bloc or the West Bloc. And we are here to attempt this experiment in our soul and body. Here all ideologies can meet, all creeds or non-creeds can meet. And this meeting-point is Auroville. We know what this deeper Necessity is and we are here to try it. Let the new wave start from one point at least, from one small corner of the world.
    [Show full text]