Featured today is Tim; ‘Footsteps Through the Salad,’ his book on wildlife and natural phenomena. Conscious of the Supramental Light-Force in the Earth atmosphere commemorated 29 Feb. Banyan Tree morning meditation 6-7 a.m. First sale of wood from cyclone: Rs 133,086 for 87 tons into the Wood Sales Cyclone Relief A/C. Garbology project update: developing curriculum on solid waste for AV and outreach schools. And, 6,057 kg. of waste collected in January 2012. 24.9% was landfilled. Remaining 75.1% recycled. Read more

Today's news features a bit of the road story by Andrea and Alain Grandcola. Tomorrow: anniversary of the Mother’s birthday commemorated by meditation 5:45am, Matrimandir Amphitheatre. No More Pesticides campaign: spraying of Endosulfan temporally banned in India by Supreme Court; now awaiting the final decision. Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be... Abraham Lincoln. 'Landscape as Spirit - Creating Sacred Space by Martin Mosko visiting landscape architect, monk and author at Town Hall Conference Room Wednesday 4-6 pm. Read more

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

Talking about Anu's book 'The God Enchanter' so recently published, as well as other recited excerpts, the question came up while at Bharat Nivas on humanity, hardly to be avoided. According to Sri Aurobindo, transition takes place when every man recognizes his sacred state. Tolerance for one another, deeper recognition of the other as equally sacred should take place in little shifts in our attitude individually. In search for human unity we still tend to look for an external mechanism, where growth in consciousness to take place. Read more

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.

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.

At the end of the Auroville International Meeting 2012 we heard what AVI Centres actually do, how many active members they have, what is their focus and their aspirations. AVI Germany, USA, UK.... are one of the largest ones, with several activities and also considerable donation to Auroville for different purposes and projects. Today the number of AVI Centres is growing, adding to the family of centres supporting Aurovillie ideals and work all over the world. Soon we will have liaison of Turkey, Haiti, Hungary, Ethiopia.... joining us. Read more

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.

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

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.

As part of the "Matter Precipitates" program by Sri Aurobindo Centre for Studies, India and the World, we had a chance to experience a small preview of Anu's recently published book "God Enchanter : Beings in Transition" at Sri Aurobindo Auditorium, Bharat Nivas, Pavilion of Indian Culture in International Zone. This is a story that begins during the war in Iraq and is spoken by different people around the world as their lives transform when they come in touch with the God Enchanter. Read more

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

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

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?

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

"Passage" - a contemporary dance performance organized by Auroson, we can see on Saturday 11th of Febrauary at Sri Aruobindo Auditorium, Bharat Nivas in International Zone. Auroson stopped at our studio and talked about it. Town is busy with many events, workshops and performances, so tonight we can listen to musical event at Pitanga at 7.30 pm with Jacky Mouvillat playing on Champan Stick, with Anaka, Matt and Manosh Bardhan. At Bharat Nivas we can see Loretta's preimere of a fim "The Teachings of Flowers – The Life and Work of The Mother" Read more

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 Auroville’s 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

As every year in the second week of February also this year Sri Aurobindo Centre for Studies... India and the World Bharat Nivas, prepared series of talks and cultural events with the read thread "Matter Precipitates... It is in a a hurry to transform itself". Starting with Thursday 9th of February for three days many scientists and researchers, as well as artist will share with us their particular view on fluidity in our beings, transitions which so adventurous lead into unknown world of changed matter, so much palpable with its new qualities. Read more

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 Loretta’s 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

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

..."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

An interview with Sathiya, secretary for the Council; she is enthusiastic about this Council. Auroville Wood-link, an initiative of the Auroville Forest group seeks people to run, maintain and manage the project. The financial impact of the storm is devastating to many forests; there is a lot of timber on the floor, but the forest will not have any other source of income for the next 10 to 15 years. Concert on 7 January: French nomadic pianist Marc Vella with Ana, Hartmut, Suryan, Joy, Jivatman, Taranti, Caroline, Elisa, Anisha and Tiago. Read more

Under the Matrimandir Banyan Tree John Harper speaks of how it looks here. Juan, professional tree pruner called in to cut the badly broken limb of the Banyan, cyclone damage. Juan offers a class in safe handling of chainsaws. All service connections in Auroville and surrounding villages without power since the cyclone struck. A total of 42 distribution transformers affected. Funding priorities: to restore Electricity, Water, Security, Access, and Shelter. Pavilion of Tibetan Culture: Lighting of Lamps and Meditation Tuesday Tuesday 7 pm. Read more

Auroville Council member Sonja gives an update on what's current on their table; not surprisingly, a lot on cyclone relief. Info on making a donation provided in the news; see more at cyclonehelp@auroville.org.in. Cyclone Relief Services information listed for water, generators, solar, tree clearing, housing and help in the Greebelt. Matrimandir closed to visitors until Pongal, mid-January. Wind/Solar Renewable Energy Design Workshop coming up on January 9 to 14. For more images open the READ MORE section. Read more

Cyclone Thane swirled around Auroville at the end of 2011 changing the landscape; people reuniting, working together, small differences forgotten, cleaning and clearing the roads, the land. Interviewed is Alok, organizer of clean-up work teams, meeting daily 9 a.m. Town Hall parking. Auroville Electrical Service asks for assistance both financially and physically to help their team to hasten the return of power. Carrie Dashow NYC-based interdisciplinary artist shares her work at Paradiso. Read more

Featured is Ludovica who presents a one-day workshop with partner Paola to share the language of music, of composing and playing; another workshop on the deeper level of the community and remembering those who left us this year: Aurovilians Lucia, Tenzin, Bhavana, Alumelu, Tatiana and Anna Maria. Living abroad Mark Aspi, Erica and Myriam, ShyamSundar in Pondy and Mia Berden in Holland. a moment of remembrance..at Matrimandir no bonfire at the Amphitheatre on 1st January... 6 pm to 9 a Meditative Space in Candle Light under the Banyan Tree. Read more

Ricardo of New Dawn Carpentery speaks about his work in Auroville, his work in fine woodworking, his work as his yoga. Announcements: Thamarai, a cross cultural project that provides informal education, offers an open house 18th December, 10 a.m. E-mobility: a solution for AV Guests and Volunteers; they would like to offer an alternative to th rental of petrol vehicles. Contact chandresh@auroville.org.in for more information. Read more

Lola speaks about the Hibiscus Art Village project, which finally has a site location; it plans to be a place for arts and crafts to flourish, a place to work and to learn. Announcements: a Rudra Veena concert Saturday 17 December, 7:30 pm at Bharat Nivas; a monthly mime workshop at Life Education Centre; a 5-day course in Organic Food Growing at Buddha Garden and free interactive seminars offered by Insight Seminars at Auroshilpam. See the photo of the total lunar eclipse during last Saturday's full moon taken by Lalit (read more section). Read more

5 December 2011, significant for AurovilleRadio: it's our 7th birthday. Hear Andrea, AurovilleRadio's founder. Also today: the anniversary of the passing of Sri Aurobindo the great avatar, who has given more than can be told. Road construction: Bharat Nivas gate to existent paved road built by Martanda some 4 years ago, promised completion for the 2012 Marathon. Housing news: Line of Force Housing Project has conditional site permission for a first phase for 75 residents and, Kalpana Housing Project, a phased development of 64 apartments. Read more