content (Spirituality) Yesterday morning at quarter to six when the birds were still asleep, hundreds of Aurovillians and Auroville guests came to the Matrimandir amphitheatre for meditation to honor the mothers birthday. Shraddhavan who came to Auroville almost forty years ago is giving us an interview about the mothers birthday and the reasons why people are so enthusiastic about her. She is looking after Savitri Bhavan which aspires to be a center for spiritual education aiming to realize human unity.
Read more
Wednesday, 22 February 2012 (News) At Savitri Bhavan is open the exhibition THE TEACHINGS OF FLOWERS - THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE MOTHER OF THE SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM. In today's news we feature interview with Shraddhavan at the occasion of the Mother's Birthday. Tonight On the eve of the Tibetan Dragon year 2139 at Pavilion of Tibetan Culture in International Zone at 6.45 they prepared a meditation for peace starting with the gathering of Tibetan Chanting by the visiting Students from Tibetan Childrens Village School from Dharamsala followed by a meditation.
Read more
Tuesday, 21 February 2012 (Spirituality) Loretta, an Aurovillian since 1972, interacted with students at the Tibetan Pavilion. She introduced them to the life and teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, and to an extent, also demystified the concepts such as 'consciousness', 'aspiration', 'supra-mental' and 'transformation'. Some insightful questions were put up by students and Loretta explained more about Sri Aurobindo's life, books written by him and the Mother, their vision of the future and much more.
Read more
Thursday, 16 February 2012 (Spirituality) The program 'Matter Precipitates... It is in a hurry to transform itself' by Sri Aurobindo Centre for Studies... India and the World, concluded with the 'Auroville Round'. It was a session open to all to come together and share their perceptions of how to take the next steps towards creating a new collective space. Aurovillians, scientists, philosophers, researchers, followers of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, and curious tourists, who had attended all or some parts of the program got together to share their learnings and experiences.
Sunday, 12 February 2012 (Spirituality) Deepti Tewari has been in Auroville since she was 16. She has read the Mother and Sri Aurobindo extensively and has achieved much clarity on their ideas of the 'earth consciousness'. Today she shared with us her understanding of the 'type of consciousness' that Auroville was built on, and the consciousness that Aurovillians perhaps need now. Auroville was built to be a psychological garden of harmony, sweetness and beauty, she says, but it can be that only if we renounce our egos and let the 'collective realization' take over.
Sunday, 12 February 2012 (Spirituality) Dr. Chris Macann, a philosopher, first explains that it's crucial to know 'whose' vision we subscribe to in our understanding of the world. He goes on to draw comparisons between the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and that of the French philosopher Henri-Louis Bergson on the 'visionary element in human thinking', and the 'Ladder of Being' (i.e. matter / life / consciousness / self consciousness). He then proposes an alteration in the ladder, that of replacing 'matter' with 'nature', and explains what can be made possible with this change.
Saturday, 11 February 2012 (Spirituality) Dr. Rekha Tandon, an Indian Classical dancer, presented an often forgotten similarity between yoga and dance, especially classical Indian, where both are exploratory forms in which we work through matter to find the spirit. As in yoga, the Indian classical dance poses are much about balancing the body, the spinal chord, and so the chakras. And as in the yogic chakra system, by practicing the Indian classical dance forms, a person can truly begin to experience the transition from matter to spirit.
Saturday, 11 February 2012 (Spirituality) Dr. Prema Nandkumar talked about the growing need for humanity to break the seal of the last chapter of the play she calls the 'evolutionary destiny of man'. With stories and poems ranging from Norwegian folklore to western legends, from Indian mythology to Greek mythology, Dr Prema spoke about the meaning of the cycle of life and death, and if a total transition of the matter is possible. Finally she draws our attention to relying on the power of the soul, not science, to explore matter.
Saturday, 11 February 2012 (Spirituality) Devdip Ganguli reflects on dilemma around 'right action' - how to evaluate an action as right or wrong? In the context of solutions provided over the ages, such as codes, testaments and religious principles, Devdip uses some very interesting anecdotes and letters written by the Mother to present her view on this issue and her strong belief in a person's inner sense to take decisions. Devdip concludes that 'right action' is what is inspired from the highest light available to us at that time.
Read more
Saturday, 11 February 2012 (Spirituality) Uma Haimavati, founder of a design unit at Auroville, shares her experiences of being in Auroville and of the inspirations that the Mother provides her. After experiencing 'extreme vulnerability' during the recent cyclone Thane, Uma's past experience was reinforced that 'creativity' must apply itself to human unity in order to counter the feeling of nullness that arises after a disaster. She strongly believes 'knowledge would be delivered at the doorstep of action,' and looks forward to humanity arriving at its best composite for the future.
Saturday, 11 February 2012 (Spirituality) Georges Van Vrekhem, as a physicist, curiously observes that 'matter is weird stuff'. With interesting examples and clarity, he compares the general religious view of matter or the human body (i.e. burdensome) with that of Sri Aurobindo's (i.e. miracle of matter). He also explains the 8 ways of interpreting matter and goes on to ponder on texts by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and explains the relationship between matter, mind and spirit. His conclusion: In matter lies the truth, the reality. Human existence is then a matter of matter! Read more Saturday, 11 February 2012 (Spirituality) A presentation by Dr. Anand Kumar, Professor & Chairman, Department of Reproductive Biology, AIIMS, New Delhi. Also a student of Life Divine, Dr Kumar discussed how Science has used several connection, metaphors and simile to explain the wonder of human life. Often 'life' has been reduced laws of chemistry and physics, sometimes DNA, genes and proteins. But do they explain our being? 'No', comes the clear answer from Dr Kumar. Perhaps there is no definite 'program' that explains the 'higher beings' that we are.
Read more
Friday, 10 February 2012 (Spirituality) Dr. Ashok Mukhopadhyay from the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, has been studying stem cells extensively, and alongside finding correlations between the human body's natural survival behavior and experiences of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. He explained certain biological process and demonstrated how the natural tendency of the cells to multiply, evolve, fight against threats and heal is what Sri Aurobindo and the Mother may have called 'physical transformation of biological matter and the yoga of the cells'!
Read more
Friday, 10 February 2012 (Spirituality) Manoj Pavitran, an Aurovillian, once used to run away from technology. Today he sits in front of his 'square foot of light', his computer, connects with the whole world, and even develops web programs for Auroville. We have a love-hate relationship with technology, he says, and directs our attention to the technology-led knowledge economy and what it represents. For example, Wikipedia and open-source are examples of a radical shift in human consciousness, where people come together to create wealth for humanity and earn joy by 'giving'.
Read more
Friday, 10 February 2012 (Spirituality) Dr. C.V. Rao from America gave an informative session on 'How Globalization and IT Revolution is Erasing the Boundaries of Science, Technology and Medicine.' Dr Rao expounded on the origins of globalisation and IT revolution, and the tendency of civilizations to look for 'other' sources to fulfill their needs. Despite erasure of geographical boundaries, however, globalisation and IT have their downside. And yet, the two phenomena are here to stay and it is unto us how to utilize them best... for human unity perhaps?
Friday, 10 February 2012 (Spirituality) Jean-Yves Lung opened 'Matter Precipitates' with his ideas on the present status of humanity. Today, he says, the world is coming together through technology, economy, education, ecology... as well as the problems. But we are drifting away from the solution with our reliance on technology, finance... At one time, humanity was considered at the peak of evolution, today we see much irrelevance in what we have become. What is the true development we seek? And of what? Is there an answer in Sri Aurobindo and the Mother's ideals of human unity?
Read more
Friday, 10 February 2012 (News) Auroville Council member Sonja, longtime Aurovilian, skilled counselor and facilitator of the Transformation Game speaks in depth about some of the current issues in the Council. The Study Group for Self Governance, including a selection process for members of Aurovilles working groups, find responsible participation in the General Meetings with respect for the Working Groups must happen for positive change. Residents should resume their key role of participation; absolute transparency should be maintained by all Governing groups.
Read more
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 (News) Loretta talks about her film The teachings of Flowers; the Life and Work of the Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Aikido Wokshop 2012: Jean-Pierre Pigeau, offers a 12 day workshop. Auroville Marathon 2012 on February 12. A conference by Dr. Aster Patel: Matter Precipitates
It is in a hurry to transform itself... beginning on 9 Feb. with a premiere of Lorettas film. Ela for Insight Seminars: a one-day-workshop on the deeper level of the community: An Introduction to the spiritual dimension of Auroville 9th February Center Guest House.
Read more
Monday, 06 February 2012 (Arts & Culture) During the homage celebrated past Sunday 22th at the SAWCHU in Bharas Nivas, Gordon performed some of the compositions of Saint Tyagaraja.
Every year the commemorative music festival Tyagaraja Aradhana is held at Thiruvaiyaru in Tyagaraja's honour. This is a week-long festival of music where various Carnatic musicians from all over the world get together with their veenas, violins, flutes, nagasvarams, mridangams and ghatams.
Read more
Friday, 03 February 2012 (Arts & Culture) On Saturday 28th January, 4.30 pm at the Tibetan Pavillion, Auroville was graced with a visit by Prof Samdhong Rinpoche. Rinpoche was greeted by children and guests who had arrived for the inauguration of a rare photo gallery documenting the 1959 departure of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Tibet and arrival into India. There was a sense of nostalgia and appreciation to be present at such an auspicious event that dated decades back, during which His Holiness's asylum had been facilitated by the Government of India and, at their invitation.
Read more
Wednesday, 01 February 2012 (Spirituality) ..."But the hour is often terrible, of fire and whirlwind and the tempest, a threading of the winepress of the feed of God..." says Sri Aurobindo on the Hour of God which Loretta quote in our interview or reflections on recent cyclone Thane raging over Auroville and nearby villages. And as she says that when something happens that hurts you, and it hurts you much, you stop and ask, although the Hour of God is not physical thing but it does crush down something inside of us. The bottom line is LOVE, which made and manifest the Universe.
Read more
Saturday, 28 January 2012 (Arts & Culture) Last Sunday in a pool outside of Auroville, AV's reputation for encouraging synchronicity succeeded in facilitating an artistic reunion of 3 accomplished performers. After catching up, all three musicians quickly realized they were available to perform on the same day as India's Republic Day, at 7.30pm for an hour at Arka. Mystical Meetings' concert began with Iraqi Oud virtuoso and singer, Anwar Abudragh, who quickly created a soothing ambience of subtle melodies transferring a packed audience to the Middle East and gently bringing us back.
Read more
Friday, 27 January 2012 (Arts & Culture) In this part of India, the months December and January reverberate with musical compositions of Saint Tyagaraja, one of the Trinity of Carnatic Music. There is a belief that during this time, the main audience is the Saint himself. The musicians sing and play their compositions as their offerings and receive blessings that nourish them in their Sadhana. Read more Wednesday, 25 January 2012 (Spirituality) Saturday 21th of January at Bharas Nivas, Jyoti Khare inaugurated the exhibition PRESENCE; a collection of paintings and collages developed during the past 10 years using The Mother's clothes and sarees.
In this interview Jyoti shares about the creative process, her sources of inspiration, and how a person without training can produce a piece of professional art.
The exhibition will be open until the middle of February 2012.
Read more
Wednesday, 25 January 2012 (Arts & Culture) Three exceptional musicians come together in Auroville to celebrate their shared cultures and music making. Anwar is one of the greatest living oud players from Iraq. The oud, a middle eastern lute is one of the most beautiful instruments , and Anwar sings in classical Arabic . Heather Lee has the finest high soprano voice in Australia and has sung all around the world . Dr Kim Cunio is a leading performer and researcher of sacred music who has set many of the vanishing spiritual texts of the world to music to international acclaim.
Read more
Tuesday, 24 January 2012 (Spirituality) Dr Elizabeth Ursic has been visiting Auroville during the month of January as a visiting scholar in residence and hosted an interactive session on Friday 13th January at the Sri Aurobindo Centre for Studies, Bharat Nivas on the Divine Feminine. During this session, Elizabeth shared her latest research describing 3 Christian communities in the USA that have adopted a contemporary approach to prayer and worship by bringing the feminine to the forefront, sometimes generating controversy among the more conservative members of their faith.
Read more
Saturday, 14 January 2012 (Spirituality) Yesterday, at the Tibetan pavilion took place the traditional prayer to celebrate the new year. It occurred exceptionally on the 10th of January due to the cyclone. Probably more meaningful than ever for Auroville, after a strenuous ending year, this collective celebration opens officially 2012.
Surrounded by 1000 candles, this event gathered everybody, Aurovilians as guests, to meditate and welcome the new year.
Here the recordings of the tibetan prayers and mantras, to bring you back to the atmosphere of that night of sharing and serenity.
Read more
Wednesday, 11 January 2012 (Economy) The old and symbolic mother-tree of Upasana felt over their roof during the last cyclone in Auroville. But Uma, the funder of the organization, has decided to keep material frustration aside and focus on the meanings behind this event. Next to the construction site she talks about Upasana, its foundations and the effects of the cyclone over the building and community.Read more Monday, 09 January 2012 (City Life) Stories about repatriation of Black and Rasta people might sound similar yet each of them is a story in itself. However, from the spiritual aspect, though not visible at first , a common thread runs through all life's faiths. The overwhelming experiences of first visits are similar. For Kathy and Winston it was closely connected by them being active members of Twelve Tribes, one of the largest Rasta organizations, and after first two months visit they decided to come "home" . They're talking honestly about their life, blessings, problems..
Read more
Thursday, 24 November 2011 (Spirituality) In and interesting interview with Latif Bolat , who is a Sufi musician and sufi scholar, born in Turkey and lived for a long time in the USA we can hear interseting comparisons - on Auroville with other alternative communities he has been visited troughout years of traveling around the globe; on Sri Aurobindo life with Latif Bolat's life and the way of thinking. The later is tryin to create the positive environment for his countrymen and society in general. And in his eyes Auroville got more spiritual perspective than most of the others he saw
Tuesday, 22 November 2011 |
