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Sri Aurobindo
The Mother
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Insights
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Brief Introduction
Political Life
Spiritual Life
The Teaching
15th Aug 1947
Works of Sri Aurobindo
Search-Works of Sri Aurobindo
Brief Introduction
The Mother As An Artist
Works of The Mother
Search-Works of The Mother
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Dates in The Ashram
Organisation
Departments
Living in the Ashram
Relations with others
Samadhi
The Character of the Ashram
Work in the Ashram
About Departments
Art Gallery
Auroboutique
Ayurvedic Section
Bureau Central
Electric and Water Service
Embroidery Section
Guest Houses
Library
Physical Education Department
Philatelic Department
Photo Section
SABDA
Sanskrit Department
School for Perfect Eye Sight
Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education
Theatre, Dance And Music Halls
Transport - Sri Aurobindo Autocare Services
Nolini Kanta Gupta
A B Purani
Pavitra
Champaklal
Sahana Devi
Pujalal
Satyendra Thakore
Ganapatram
Chidanandam
Dr. Rajangam
Kanailal Ganguly
Kodandarama Rao
Maganbhai Desai
Mrityunjoy
Romen Palit
Shanti Doshi
Shivabhai Amin
Champaklal
Janina
Sanjiban
The Mother's Music
Sunil
Mohan Mistry
Recitations-Savitri
Darshan Messages
New Year Messages
Beauty, Art and Yoga
Art of Living
Calligraphy
Human Relations
Other Subjects
Religion And Philanthrophy
Simple Life
Speech
Wastage
Work
Works of Sri Aurobindo
Works of The Mother-English
Works of The Mother-French
Works of Disciples
Bande Mataram_Volume-01
Karmayogin_Volume-02
The Harmony of Virtue_Volume-03
Writings in Bengali_Volume-04
Collected Poems_Volume-05
Collected Plays Part-I_Volume-06
Collected Plays Part-II_Volume-07
Translations_Volume-08
Future Poetry_Volume-09
The Secret of the Veda_Volume-10
Hymns to the Mystic Fire_Volume-11
The Upanishad_Volume-12
Essays on the Gita-Volume-13
Foundation of Indian Culture_Volume-14
Social and Political Thought_Volume-15
Supramental Manifestation_Volume-16
The Hour of God_Volume-17
The Life Divine_Volume-18
The Life Divine_Volume-19
Synthesis of Yoga_Volume-20
Synthesis of Yoga_Volume-21
Letters on Yoga_Volume-22-23-24
The Mother_Volume-25
On Himself_Volume-26
Supplement_Volume-27
Savitri_Volume-28
Savitri_Volume-29
Index and Glossary Volume-30
Prayers and Meditations_Volume-01
Words of Long Ago_Volume-02
Questions and Answers_Volume-03
Questions and Answers_Volume-04
Questions and Answers_Volume-05
Questions and Answers_Volume-06
Questions and Answers_Volume-07
Questions and Answers_Volume-08
Questions and Answers_Volume-09
On Thoughts and Aphorisms_Volume-10
Notes on The Way_Volume-11
On Education_Volume-12
Words of The Mother_Volume-13
Words of The Mother_Volume-14
Words of The Mother_Volume-15
Some Answers from The Mother_Volume-16
More Answers from The Mother_Volume-17
Prayers and Meditations in French_Volume-01
Words of Long Ago in French_Volume-02
Entretiens-1929-31_Volume-03
Entretiens-1950-51_Volume-04
Entretiens 1953_Volume-05
Entretiens-1954_Volume-06
Entretiens -1955_Volume-07
Entretiens-1956_Volume-08
Entretiens-1957_Volume-09
Entretiens-1958_Volume-10
On Thoughts and Aphorisms in French_Volume-11
Notes sur Le Chemin_Volume-12
Education in French_Volume-13
Words of The Mother in French-I_Volume-14
Words of The Mother in French-II_Volume-15
Words of The Mother in French-III_Volume-16
Some Answers from The Mother in French-I_Volume-17
Some Answers from The Mother in French-II_Volume-18
Nolini Kanta Gupta
A B Purani
Pavitra
Amrita
Champaklal
Nirodbaran
Kireet Joshi
Copyright © Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust 1990-2023
General Information
Where is the Ashram located?
How do I travel to the Ashram?
Where can I stay in the Ashram?
Bus and train services in Pondicherry
How do I move about in Pondicherry?
What passes do I need in the Ashram?
What activities of the Ashram can I participate in?
Sri Aurobindo's Yoga
What is the basic principle underlying Sri Aurobindo's teaching?
What are the main lines of practice of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga?
How is Sri Aurobindo's Yoga related to earlier systems of Yoga?
Is this not a very difficult spiritual discipline?
General Information
Where is the Ashram located? The Ashram is located close to the Bay of Bengal in the eastern part of Pondicherry, a small city and a union territory of modern India. Pondicherry was a French colony until 1954, long after India attained its political freedom. It is located 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state and a major city of southern India. back How do I travel to Pondicherry? If you are traveling from abroad, you can fly to Chennai on one of several airlines. If your first destination in India is elsewhere, you can fly to Chennai by one of the several local airlines, or else take the train. If you are geographically close to Chennai, you can also take a bus or taxi. Once you are in Chennai, you can take a taxi from the airport or the railway station to go to Pondicherry. If you reach Chennai at night, it is best to stay in a hotel for the night and resume in the morning. If you have reserved in advance, Autocare Services will pick you up either at the airport, hotel or railway station. This is usually cheaper than hiring a taxi from Chennai. Alternatively, you can take a bus from one of several bus services in Chennai. Buses are often uncomfortable and inconvenient if you have a lot of luggage, but the cheapest mode of transport between Chennai and Pondicherry. back Where can I stay in the Ashram? Apart from the many hotels, lodges and guest houses in Pondicherry, there are a number of guest houses run by the Ashram where visitors can stay. However, as these are primarily for the guests of the Ashram, it might be difficult to get accommodation without prior reservation, especially during the Special Days in the Ashram. Visitors from abroad must be registered in the government's Foreign Registration Office and only few of the guest houses are authorised to do so. There are a few decent hotels in town, although they too may not have vacancies. back Information on bus and train services in Pondicherry
TTC Express Bus Service Timings: 8.00 am to 8.00 pm (daily) Phone: 2237464
TPTC General Bus Service Timings: 5.00 am to 12.30 pm and 2.0 pm to 9.30 pm (daily) Phone: 2236919
Railway Station Timings: 8.00 am to 1.00 pm and 1.15 pm to 8.00 pm (weekdays), 8.00 am to 2.00 pm (Sundays) Phone: 2236684 back How do I move about in Pondicherry? Pondicherry is a relatively small town, so if you stay close to the Ashram, you can manage by walking. If you have put up far off, you may need a bicycle or a motorised two-wheeler. Some guest houses rent bicycles, mopeds and scooters. These of course, can also be rented in the town. back What passes do I need in the Ashram? When you are given accommodation in an Ashram guest house, you will be given a pass needed for attending Ashram activities such as collective meditation at the playground. The Ashram canteen, called "Dining Hall", provides food for the inmates and guests of the Ashram. If you would like to take your meals there, you will also need to purchase a dining room coupon. Guest house attendants issue daily or weekly passes. If you are staying at a hotel, the Bureau Central may be able to give you an Ashram pass and dining room pass, or both. back What activities of the Ashram can I participate in? Visit to the Samadhi You can go to the samadhi for pranam and meditation any time during the day. The Ashram gate opens at 4.30 in the morning and closes at 11.00 at night. There is also a meditation hall inside the main Ashram building where you can sit. Collective Meditations On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday there is a collective meditation around the samadhi from 7.25 pm to 7.50 pm. This is open to everyone. No pass is required. On Thursdays and Sundays, a collective meditation is held in the Ashram Playground between 7.45 pm and 8.15 pm. This is open only to the Ashramites and the visitors staying in the Ashram guest houses who have been given Playground passes. These must be shown at the gate. Exhibition and Video programmes at Bureau Central The exhibition is an introduction to the life and yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother through their own writings. It also offers a glimpse into the Ashram and its activities.Everyday, except Sundays, there is a video presentation on one of several topics. The video programmes present the life and work of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, the Ashram, flowers and their significances, etc. Conducted Tours Autocare Services operates two tours every week day: at 8.15 am, to see Ashram and Ashram-related departments and at 2.00 pm, to visit Auroville (Matrimandir). The Auroville trip does not wait for the meditation (5.00 pm to 6.00 pm) at the Matrimandir, since first-time visitors are not allowed.back Sri Aurobindo's Yoga
What is the basic principle underlying Sri Aurobindo's teaching? Sri Aurobindo's teaching states that there is a one Being and Consciousness involved here in Matter which is impelled to enlarge and develop towards a greater and greater perfection. Life and Mind are only the first two steps of this evolution. The next step of the evolution must be towards development of a greater spiritual and supramental Consciousness which will release the involved Divinity in things after which it will become possible for life to manifest perfection. back What are the main lines of practice of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga? In Sri Aurobindo's view, Man, at present, lives mostly in his surface mind, life and body. There is an inner being within which pushes him to a constant pursuit of a greater beauty, harmony, power and knowledge. He has to awake to the greater possibilities of this inner being and purify and orientate by its drive towards the Truth the rest of the nature. There can follow afterwards an opening upward to the several ranges of consciousness between the ordinary human mind and the Supramental Truth-Consciousness and their power brought down into the mind life and body. This will enable the full power of the Truth-Consciousness to work in the nature. back How is Sri Aurobindo's Yoga related to earlier systems of Yoga? There are many things belonging to the earlier systems that are necessary on this way - an opening of the mind to a greater wideness and to a sense of the Self and the Infinite, an emergence into the cosmic consciousness, mastery over the desires and passions; an outward asceticism is not essential, but the conquest of desire and attachment and a control over the body and its needs, greeds and instincts are indispensable. There is a combination of the way of knowledge through the Mind's discernment between Reality and appearance, the heart's way of devotion, love and surrender and the way of works turning the will away from motives of self interest to the Truth and the service of a greater reality than the ego. For the whole being has to be trained so that it can respond and be transformed when it will be possible for a greater Light and Force to work on the nature. back Is this not a very difficult spiritual discipline? The opening of all parts of the being to a conversion through a descent and working of the higher Consciousness cannot be done at once or in a short time or by any rapid or miraculous transformation. Many steps have to be taken by the seeker before this is possible. The process of this discipline is therefore long and difficult but even a little of it is so much gained because it makes the ultimate release and perfection more possible.
Sri Aurobindo
The Mother
The Ashram
Early disciples
Artists
Music
Messages
Insights
E-Library
Related Links
SAA Mail
Help
Brief Introduction
Political Life
Spiritual Life
The Teaching
15th Aug 1947
Works of Sri Aurobindo
Search-Works of Sri Aurobindo
Brief Introduction
The Mother As An Artist
Works of The Mother
Search-Works of The Mother
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Dates in The Ashram
Organisation
Departments
Living in the Ashram
Relations with others
Samadhi
The Character of the Ashram
Work in the Ashram
About Departments
Art Gallery
Auroboutique
Ayurvedic Section
Bureau Central
Electric and Water Service
Embroidery Section
Guest Houses
Library
Physical Education Department
Philatelic Department
Photo Section
SABDA
Sanskrit Department
School for Perfect Eye Sight
Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education
Theatre, Dance And Music Halls
Transport - Sri Aurobindo Autocare Services
Nolini Kanta Gupta
A B Purani
Pavitra
Champaklal
Sahana Devi
Pujalal
Satyendra Thakore
Ganapatram
Chidanandam
Dr. Rajangam
Kanailal Ganguly
Kodandarama Rao
Maganbhai Desai
Mrityunjoy
Romen Palit
Shanti Doshi
Shivabhai Amin
Champaklal
Janina
Sanjiban
The Mother's Music
Sunil
Mohan Mistry
Recitations-Savitri
Darshan Messages
New Year Messages
Beauty, Art and Yoga
Art of Living
Calligraphy
Human Relations
Other Subjects
Religion And Philanthrophy
Simple Life
Speech
Wastage
Work
Works of Sri Aurobindo
Works of The Mother-English
Works of The Mother-French
Works of Disciples
Bande Mataram_Volume-01
Karmayogin_Volume-02
The Harmony of Virtue_Volume-03
Writings in Bengali_Volume-04
Collected Poems_Volume-05
Collected Plays Part-I_Volume-06
Collected Plays Part-II_Volume-07
Translations_Volume-08
Future Poetry_Volume-09
The Secret of the Veda_Volume-10
Hymns to the Mystic Fire_Volume-11
The Upanishad_Volume-12
Essays on the Gita-Volume-13
Foundation of Indian Culture_Volume-14
Social and Political Thought_Volume-15
Supramental Manifestation_Volume-16
The Hour of God_Volume-17
The Life Divine_Volume-18
The Life Divine_Volume-19
Synthesis of Yoga_Volume-20
Synthesis of Yoga_Volume-21
Letters on Yoga_Volume-22-23-24
The Mother_Volume-25
On Himself_Volume-26
Supplement_Volume-27
Savitri_Volume-28
Savitri_Volume-29
Index and Glossary Volume-30
Prayers and Meditations_Volume-01
Words of Long Ago_Volume-02
Questions and Answers_Volume-03
Questions and Answers_Volume-04
Questions and Answers_Volume-05
Questions and Answers_Volume-06
Questions and Answers_Volume-07
Questions and Answers_Volume-08
Questions and Answers_Volume-09
On Thoughts and Aphorisms_Volume-10
Notes on The Way_Volume-11
On Education_Volume-12
Words of The Mother_Volume-13
Words of The Mother_Volume-14
Words of The Mother_Volume-15
Some Answers from The Mother_Volume-16
More Answers from The Mother_Volume-17
Prayers and Meditations in French_Volume-01
Words of Long Ago in French_Volume-02
Entretiens-1929-31_Volume-03
Entretiens-1950-51_Volume-04
Entretiens 1953_Volume-05
Entretiens-1954_Volume-06
Entretiens -1955_Volume-07
Entretiens-1956_Volume-08
Entretiens-1957_Volume-09
Entretiens-1958_Volume-10
On Thoughts and Aphorisms in French_Volume-11
Notes sur Le Chemin_Volume-12
Education in French_Volume-13
Words of The Mother in French-I_Volume-14
Words of The Mother in French-II_Volume-15
Words of The Mother in French-III_Volume-16
Some Answers from The Mother in French-I_Volume-17
Some Answers from The Mother in French-II_Volume-18
Nolini Kanta Gupta
A B Purani
Pavitra
Amrita
Champaklal
Nirodbaran
Kireet Joshi
Copyright © Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust 1990-2023
General Information
Where is the Ashram located?
How do I travel to the Ashram?
Where can I stay in the Ashram?
Bus and train services in Pondicherry
How do I move about in Pondicherry?
What passes do I need in the Ashram?
What activities of the Ashram can I participate in?
Sri Aurobindo's Yoga
What is the basic principle underlying Sri Aurobindo's teaching?
What are the main lines of practice of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga?
How is Sri Aurobindo's Yoga related to earlier systems of Yoga?
Is this not a very difficult spiritual discipline?
General Information
Where is the Ashram located? The Ashram is located close to the Bay of Bengal in the eastern part of Pondicherry, a small city and a union territory of modern India. Pondicherry was a French colony until 1954, long after India attained its political freedom. It is located 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state and a major city of southern India. back How do I travel to Pondicherry? If you are traveling from abroad, you can fly to Chennai on one of several airlines. If your first destination in India is elsewhere, you can fly to Chennai by one of the several local airlines, or else take the train. If you are geographically close to Chennai, you can also take a bus or taxi. Once you are in Chennai, you can take a taxi from the airport or the railway station to go to Pondicherry. If you reach Chennai at night, it is best to stay in a hotel for the night and resume in the morning. If you have reserved in advance, Autocare Services will pick you up either at the airport, hotel or railway station. This is usually cheaper than hiring a taxi from Chennai. Alternatively, you can take a bus from one of several bus services in Chennai. Buses are often uncomfortable and inconvenient if you have a lot of luggage, but the cheapest mode of transport between Chennai and Pondicherry. back Where can I stay in the Ashram? Apart from the many hotels, lodges and guest houses in Pondicherry, there are a number of guest houses run by the Ashram where visitors can stay. However, as these are primarily for the guests of the Ashram, it might be difficult to get accommodation without prior reservation, especially during the Special Days in the Ashram. Visitors from abroad must be registered in the government's Foreign Registration Office and only few of the guest houses are authorised to do so. There are a few decent hotels in town, although they too may not have vacancies. back Information on bus and train services in Pondicherry
TTC Express Bus Service Timings: 8.00 am to 8.00 pm (daily) Phone: 2237464
TPTC General Bus Service Timings: 5.00 am to 12.30 pm and 2.0 pm to 9.30 pm (daily) Phone: 2236919
Railway Station Timings: 8.00 am to 1.00 pm and 1.15 pm to 8.00 pm (weekdays), 8.00 am to 2.00 pm (Sundays) Phone: 2236684 back How do I move about in Pondicherry? Pondicherry is a relatively small town, so if you stay close to the Ashram, you can manage by walking. If you have put up far off, you may need a bicycle or a motorised two-wheeler. Some guest houses rent bicycles, mopeds and scooters. These of course, can also be rented in the town. back What passes do I need in the Ashram? When you are given accommodation in an Ashram guest house, you will be given a pass needed for attending Ashram activities such as collective meditation at the playground. The Ashram canteen, called "Dining Hall", provides food for the inmates and guests of the Ashram. If you would like to take your meals there, you will also need to purchase a dining room coupon. Guest house attendants issue daily or weekly passes. If you are staying at a hotel, the Bureau Central may be able to give you an Ashram pass and dining room pass, or both. back What activities of the Ashram can I participate in? Visit to the Samadhi You can go to the samadhi for pranam and meditation any time during the day. The Ashram gate opens at 4.30 in the morning and closes at 11.00 at night. There is also a meditation hall inside the main Ashram building where you can sit. Collective Meditations On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday there is a collective meditation around the samadhi from 7.25 pm to 7.50 pm. This is open to everyone. No pass is required. On Thursdays and Sundays, a collective meditation is held in the Ashram Playground between 7.45 pm and 8.15 pm. This is open only to the Ashramites and the visitors staying in the Ashram guest houses who have been given Playground passes. These must be shown at the gate. Exhibition and Video programmes at Bureau Central The exhibition is an introduction to the life and yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother through their own writings. It also offers a glimpse into the Ashram and its activities.Everyday, except Sundays, there is a video presentation on one of several topics. The video programmes present the life and work of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, the Ashram, flowers and their significances, etc. Conducted Tours Autocare Services operates two tours every week day: at 8.15 am, to see Ashram and Ashram-related departments and at 2.00 pm, to visit Auroville (Matrimandir). The Auroville trip does not wait for the meditation (5.00 pm to 6.00 pm) at the Matrimandir, since first-time visitors are not allowed.back Sri Aurobindo's Yoga
What is the basic principle underlying Sri Aurobindo's teaching? Sri Aurobindo's teaching states that there is a one Being and Consciousness involved here in Matter which is impelled to enlarge and develop towards a greater and greater perfection. Life and Mind are only the first two steps of this evolution. The next step of the evolution must be towards development of a greater spiritual and supramental Consciousness which will release the involved Divinity in things after which it will become possible for life to manifest perfection. back What are the main lines of practice of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga? In Sri Aurobindo's view, Man, at present, lives mostly in his surface mind, life and body. There is an inner being within which pushes him to a constant pursuit of a greater beauty, harmony, power and knowledge. He has to awake to the greater possibilities of this inner being and purify and orientate by its drive towards the Truth the rest of the nature. There can follow afterwards an opening upward to the several ranges of consciousness between the ordinary human mind and the Supramental Truth-Consciousness and their power brought down into the mind life and body. This will enable the full power of the Truth-Consciousness to work in the nature. back How is Sri Aurobindo's Yoga related to earlier systems of Yoga? There are many things belonging to the earlier systems that are necessary on this way - an opening of the mind to a greater wideness and to a sense of the Self and the Infinite, an emergence into the cosmic consciousness, mastery over the desires and passions; an outward asceticism is not essential, but the conquest of desire and attachment and a control over the body and its needs, greeds and instincts are indispensable. There is a combination of the way of knowledge through the Mind's discernment between Reality and appearance, the heart's way of devotion, love and surrender and the way of works turning the will away from motives of self interest to the Truth and the service of a greater reality than the ego. For the whole being has to be trained so that it can respond and be transformed when it will be possible for a greater Light and Force to work on the nature. back Is this not a very difficult spiritual discipline? The opening of all parts of the being to a conversion through a descent and working of the higher Consciousness cannot be done at once or in a short time or by any rapid or miraculous transformation. Many steps have to be taken by the seeker before this is possible. The process of this discipline is therefore long and difficult but even a little of it is so much gained because it makes the ultimate release and perfection more possible.
Thank you....very much.....
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