The "Arya" was published monthly between August 15, 1914 and January 15, 1921

Sri Aurobindo's Works published in "Arya" (1914-1921)

Links to external sites on the Web where you can read them(and to many internal links) Updated on November 24, 2002 What's New on the site? Where to buy the books ? You can ask for a free emailed catalog at SABDA (Publisher of the Ashram, Pondicherry - India) or visit SABDA's own website (catalog and prices, international correspondents) In the U.S.A. see also the Website of Lotus Light Publications (US editions of all the major works of Sri Aurobindo, as well as a major importer of the books from the Ashram) See the special section on the Weblinks page See also a list of booksellers on the special page of the Miraura Website (external link)

"The careful student of Sri Aurobindo [and of The Mother] is ALWAYS aware of the period to which the work he is reading belongs" (from the introductory note to the 'Glossary of Terms in Sri Aurobindo's Writings') The "Arya" (of which you may want to read a list of contents Link on external website) was published monthly between August 15, 1914 and January 15, 1921. Sri Aurobindo wrote there his major works for the first time (they have been revised afterwards):
Aim of the "Arya" : "To feel out for the thought of the future, to help in shaping its foundations and to link it to the best and most vital thought of the past."(Sri Aurobindo in "Our Ideal" in 'Arya' 15 August 1915)
Conditions of writing: "As for calm and silence, there is no need of the supramental to get that. One can get it even on the level of Higher Mind which is the next above the human intelligence.[...] A calm or silence that is what I have had - the proof is that out of an absolute silence of the mind I edited the 'Bande Mataram' for 4 months and wrote 6 volumes of the 'Arya'. Not to speak of all the letters and messages." (Sri Aurobindo letter from August 23, 1935 in 'On Himself' page 162)

'Arya': Its significance (in 'Arya': September 1914) (internal) and French translation/ Traduction française "Arya" Pourquoi ce titre ? (tiré de Arya en français N° 3 - Octobre 1914) (18 Kb) (interne)
The Life Divine Important Bibliographical Note on the changes in "The Life Divine" [from 1914/1919 to 1939/1940] (internal) internal on this site: Special Page for "The Life Divine" (presently on site: internal) "The Life Divine" Book Two Part II: The Knowledge and the Spiritual Evolution
Chapter 2-05: The Cosmic Illusion; Mind, Dream and Hallucination (chapter entirely re-written in 1939 for the 1940 edition) (internal) (76 Kb)
Chapter 2-14 - The Origin and Remedy of Falsehood, Error, Wrong and Evil (entirely re-written in 1939 for the 1940 edition) (internal) (76 Kb)
Chapter 2-22: Rebirth and Other Worlds; Karma; The Soul and Immortality (part from original in Arya March 1917, much re-written in 1939 for the 1940 edition) (internal) (92 Kb) (Fulltext in Word6-Format to download)
Link (?-Russian) First book of "Life Divine" (667 Kb) (External site) (updated June 2002)
Link (? - Russian) Second book of "Life Divine", part 1 (814 Kb) (External site) (updated June 2002)
Link (? - Russian) Second book of "Life Divine", part 2 (1 010 Kb) (External site) (updated June 2002) - also: Links to selections from The Life Divine (too here) (External sites) see also: Sri Aurobindo's Major Teaching: The Spiritual Evolution: ( = The last 6 chapters of "The Life Divine") (written in 1939-1940)
See the Special page Live Divine Section: Spiritual Evolution (internal)
You can download the fulltext of the 6 chapters zipped in TXT-format
Links to Chapter 2-23: Man and The Evolution : Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
Links to Chapter 2-24: The Evolution of the Spiritual Man : Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5
Links to Chapter 2-25: The Triple Transformation : Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
Links to Chapter 2-26: The Ascent towards Supermind : Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5
Links to Chapter 2-27: The Gnostic Being : Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5
Links to Chapter 2-28: The Divine Life : Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 also: Links (excerpts from The Life Divine assembled by Pavitra (Philippe Barbier Saint-Hilaire) together with excerpts of "The Synthesis of Yoga" and of "The Human Cycle" in "The Future Evolution of Man", also (?) here (130 Kb) (External sites)
The Synthesis of Yoga (Special Page)Important Note on the History of Revision and Publishing of 'The Synthesis of Yoga'Presently on site: internal: Part 1: The Yoga of Divine Works
*01 - The Four Aids (Arya January 1915 - moderately revised in 1932) (46 Kb) (internal) Part 2: The Yoga of Divine KnowledgePart 3: The Yoga of Divine Love Fulltext in 8 Chapters (from May to December 1918) (155 Kb) (internal) 1 - Love and the Triple Path / 2 - The Motives of Devotion / 3 - The Godward Emotions / 4 - The Way of Devotion / 5 - The Divine Personality / 6 - The Delight of the Divine / 7 - The Ananda Brahman / 8 - The Mystery of Love.also in French La Synthèse des Yoga - Le Yoga de l'Amour Divin Chapitre 8 et dernier "Le Mystère de l'Amour" (français, traduction de Mère) (30 Kb) (internal) Part 4: The Yoga of Self-Perfection (all internal) Note: No chapter in this part was ever revised by Sri Aurobindo. The texts of these twenty-five chapters are identical to those of Arya chapters XLIX–LXXIII. They were renumbered I–XXV by the editors of the 1955 edition. The Appendix consists of two incomplete versions of a chapter Sri Aurobindo began to write in 1920 or 1921, just before he discontinued the Arya.
Chapter 11: The Perfection of Equality (November 1919) (33 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 12: The Way of Equality (December 1919) (37 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 13: The Action of Equality (January 1920) (25 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 18: Faith and Shakti (June 1920) (28 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 19: The Nature of the Supermind (July 1920) (37 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 20: The Intuitive Mind (August 1920) (29 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 21: The Gradations of the Supermind (September 1920) (35 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 22: The Supramental Thought and Knowledge (October 1920) (38 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 23: The Supramental Instruments - Thought-process (November 1920) (internal)(60 Kb)
Chapter 24: The Supramental Sense (December 1920) (64 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 25: Towards The Supramental Time Vision (January 1921) (53 Kb) (internal)
Appendix or Chapter 26: The Supramental Time Consciousness (unpublished - January 1921) (13 Kb) (internal) Warning: Regarding the sense of the word "Supermind" in the last chapters of the "Yoga of Self-perfection" please see the importants letters of Sri Aurobindo here. (06 Kb) (internal)Link Selection from The Synthesis of Yoga (too here or (? - Russian) here) (External sites)
The Secret of the Veda (Link Fulltext on external erratic PC93 site (?) here: one Html file of 1 Megabyte!) also in chapters:
Chapter 5: The Philological Method of the Veda (December 1914) (internal) (28 Kb)
Link Chapter 6: Agni and the Truth ( January 1915) (Excerpt on external site) (13 Kb)
Hymns to the Mystic Fire (translation of the Veda)
Introduction: The Doctrine of the Mystics (September 1915) (fulltext - Html - 42 Kb) (internal)
Link (?) Hymns to the Mystic Fire (External site) (Fulltext 432 Kb)
Bhagavad Gita as translated by Sri Aurobindo, a special page from where you can read the Bhagavad Gita chapter by chapter, (internal) 01 - The Dejection of Arjuna / 02 - Sankhyayoga / 03 - Karmayoga / 04 - Towards the Yoga of Knowledge / 05 - The Yoga of Renunciation / 06 - The Yoga of the Supreme Spirit / 07 - The Yoga of Knowledge / 08 - The Immutable Brahman / 09 - The King-Knowledge or The King-Secret / 10 - God in Power of Becoming / 11 - The Vision of the World-Spirit / 12 - Bhaktiyoga / 13 - The Field and Its Knower / 14 - The Three Gunas / 15 - The Supreme Divine / 16 - Deva and Asura / 17 - Faith and the Three Gunas / 18 - Renunciation and Mokshaor in fulltext (137 Kb) (internal)
Essays on the Gita (August 1916 - July 1920) Special Page
First series
Chapter 4: The Core of the Teaching (fulltext/internal) (31 Kb)
Chapter 5: Kurukshetra (fulltext/internal) (24 Kb)
Chapter 6: Man and the Battle of Life (fulltext/internal) (29 Kb)
Link Chapter 9: Sankhya, Yoga and Vedanta (excerpt) (External site)
LinkChapter 18: The Divine Worker (Fulltext - External site)
Second series
Link Chapter 3: The Supreme Divine (excerpt) (External site)
Chapter 10: The Vision of the World-Spirit - (1) Time the Destroyer (fulltext/internal) (35 Kb)
Link Chapter 23: The Core of the Gita's meaning (excerpt) (18 Kb) (External site)
Link Chapter 24: The Message of The Gita (fulltext) (External site)
The Ideal of Human Unity (September 1915-July 1918)
(Link Excerpt of Chapter 1: The Turn towards Unity: its Necessity and Dangers) (September 1915) (External) (17 Kb)also internal:
Chapter 31: The Conditions of a Free World-Union (March 1918) (Internal) (24 Kb)
Chapter 32: Internationalism (April 1918) (Internal) (20 Kb)
Chapter 33: Internationalism and Human Unity (May 1918) (Internal) (30 Kb)
Chapter 34: The Religion of Humanity (June 1918) (Internal) (21 Kb)
Chapter 35: Summary and Conclusion (July 1918) (Internal) (24 Kb)
Additional Chapter: A Postscript Chapter (April 1950) (Internal) (47 Kb)
The Human Cycle (former called: The Psychology of Social Development)
Link Excerpt of Chapter 1: The Cycle of Society (August 1916) (External site) (13 Kb) Also internal
Chapter 8: Civilisation and Barbarism (August 1917) (24 Kb) (Internal)
Last 4 Chapters (The Spiritual Age)21 - The Spiritual Aim and Life (April 1918) (30 Kb) (internal)22 - The Necessity of the Spiritual Transformation (May 1918) (39 Kb) (internal)23 - Conditions for the Coming of a Spiritual Age (June 1918 - revised 1949) (44 Kb) (internal)24 - The Advent and Progress of the Spiritual Age (July 1918 - revised 1949) (27 Kb) (internal)
The Future Poetry
Link Chapter 2: The Essence of Poetry (January 1918) (Full Chapter - External Site) (32 Kb). If the link above doesn't work, try here.The site does not indicate the reference: SABCL volume 9, pages 10-16.
Link a few quotes here (in an article on External site)
Heraclitus
Heraclitus Full text of the 7 chapters (December 1916 to June 1917) (internal) (96 Kb)also Link on external site: Heraclitus - Chapter 2 (Full chapter - External site) (13 Kb)
Links The Superman (too here ) (35 Kb) (Fulltext) (External sites)
Links Ideal and Progress: (Full Text in 5 chapters - External site)
Link On Ideals
Link Yoga and skill in works
Link The conservative mind and eastern progress
Link Conservation and Progress
Link Our Ideal
Evolution (Full Text in 3 chapters - internal)
Part1: Evolution (internal) (22 Kb)
Part 2: The Inconscient (internal) (25 Kb)
Part 3: Materialism (internal) (37 Kb)From A Defence of Indian Culture:
The Renaissance in India (internal)
The Renaissance in India (August 1918-November 1918, reviewed and corrected in 1920) Full Text of the 4 chapters in one file (100 Kb) (internal)also
The Right Remedy Last page of 'The Renaissance in India' (9 Kb) (internal)
Indian Spirituality and Life (in 'Arya' August-December 1919) (Full Text in 5 chapters - internal)
Chapter 1 (August 1919) (52 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 2 (September 1919) (49 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 3 (October 1919) (49 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 4 (November 1919) (33 Kb) (internal)
Chapter 5 (December 1919) (39 Kb) (internal)
On Indian Art (full book in 4 chapters) Links From the E-zine Srijan (or here) Vol1, No1
Link Chapter 1 (January 1920) (Full Chapter on External site) (47 Kb). Non-indicated reference is SABCL volume 14, pages 196-210.also Link Indian Art - Chapter 1 (Excerpts) (External site) (13 Kb)
Link Chapter 2 (February 1920) (Full Chapter on External site) (46 Kb). Non-indicated reference is SABCL volume 14, pages 211-225.
Link Chapter 3 (March 1920) (Full Chapter on External site) (42 Kb). Non-indicated reference is SABCL volume 14, pages 226-238.
Link Chapter 4 (April 1920) (Full Chapter on External site) (51 Kb). Non-indicated reference is SABCL volume 14, pages 239-254.
Indian Literature (May 1920 - September 1920) Full text in 5 parts (internal)
1 - The Veda (May 1920) (42 Kb) (internal)
2 - The Upanishads (June 1920) (38 Kb) (internal)
3 - Mahabharata, Ramayana (July 1920) (37 Kb) (internal)
4 - Kalidâsa, Bhartrihari (August 1920) (40 Kb) (internal)
5 - Puranas, Tantras (September 1920) (46 Kb) (internal)
The Upanishads
The Isha Upanishad, as translated by Sri Aurobindo and published in 'Arya' in August 1914. With transcription of the original text in Sanskrit and notes of the translator. (41 Kb) (internal)Isha Upanishad en français. Traduction de Jean Herbert, revue et corrigée par Sri Aurobindo. (9 Kb) (interne)
Links Selection from Comments on the Isha (Fulltext) and Kena (Fulltext) Upanishads (External sites)
War and Self-Determination
Link The passing of War ? (April 1916) (Full text - External site) (16 Kb)
The Unseen Power (December 1918) (internal) (29 Kb)
From The Problem of Rebirth (later 'Rebirth and Karma')
The first chapters from the year 1915 on one page (internal) (50 Kb) or
Chapter 1: Rebirth (November 1915) That chapter can be read also on an external site.
Chapter 2: The Reincarnating Soul (December 1915)
Link Chapter 8: Karma (External site)
Thoughts and Glimpses (Aphorisms: in "Arya" March, May, June 1915 and Thoughts and Glimpses in "Arya" May 1916 and August 1917) (internal) (31 Kb) et [Translation in French ] Aperçus et Pensées (internal)
Aperçus
Le But (11 K) - La Joie d'Être (09 K) - L'Homme, le Pourousha (09 K) - La Fin (08 K) - Les Chaînes (14 K)
...et Pensées (17 K) and also :
A Preface on National Education (Nov-Dec 1920 & January 1921) (internal) (29 Kb)
translations (Link Bhartrihari on External site, out of order),
aphorisms (internal) (7 Kb) (Mother's comments, Link selection on External site here) and epigrams,
miscellaneous essays (Link All-Will & Free-Will - Delight of Works on External site),
discussions on materialism, meditation, astrology (Review: About Astrology [internal] (23 Kb)) and the universal consciousness,
notices of books and journals,
reviews: South Indian Vaishnava Poetry = on Tamil poets: Andal - Nammalwar (May & July 1915) (internal) (14 Kb)
appreciative notes on poetry and art... (Thanks to the encyclopaedic work "Sri Aurobindo, a biography and a history" of K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar !)

Where to buy the books ? You can ask for a free emailed catalog at SABDA (Publisher of the Ashram, Pondicherry - India) or visit SABDA's own website (catalog and prices, international correspondents)In the U.S.A. see also the Website of Lotus Light Publications (US editions of all the major works of Sri Aurobindo, as well as a major importer of the books from the Ashram) See the special section on the Weblinks page See also a list of booksellers on the special page of the Miraura Website (external link) If you know other places with Sri Aurobindo's or The Mother's Works on the Web, please email me. Thanks [ Sign my GuestBook ] [ Read my GuestBook ] [ GuestBook by TheGuestBook.com ]

The Life Divine explores for the modern mind the great streams of Indian metaphysical thought

Spirituality and Religion
Sri Aurobindo, the great Indian saint who developed Integral Yoga is the Eastern father of modern evolutionary spirituality. He writes, "Before there could be any evolution, there must be an involution of the Divine. Otherwise there would be not an evolution but a successive creation of things new, not contained in their antecedents, not their inevitable consequences or processes in a sequence, but arbitrarily willed or miraculously conceived by an inexplicable Chance, a stumbling fortune, or an external Creator....Evolution is nothing but the progressive unfolding of Spirit out of the density of material consciousness and the gradual self- revelation of God out of this apparent animal being."

Reading: The Life Divine, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, 1973. The Life Divine explores for the modern mind the great streams of Indian metaphysical thought, reconciling the truths behind each and from this synthesis extends in terms of consciousness the concept of evolution. The unfolding of Earth's and man's spiritual destiny is illuminated pointing the way to a Divine life on Earth.

The Synthesis of Yoga. Pondicherry, India: Sri Aurobindo Ashram. 1955. A master work from the great Eastern yogi, who along with Teilhard de Chardin established the ground work for evolutionary spirituality and the emergence of the universal human. Websites: www.sriaurobindosociety.org.in, www.miraura.org

About FCE EVOLVE Partners EVOLVE Advisory Council Donors/Sponsors Site Map FAQs

The Gnostic Centre has developed several Growth of Consciousness Programs

The International Centre for Integral Studies (ICIS) is the Higher Education unit of The Gnostic Centre, for academic programmes. Its aim is to open up a field of on-going higher education and research in all areas of human development so as to generate the understanding, responsibility and skills to respond adequately to the opportunities and problems of modernity and to create a better global future. (see: Preamble) Online Postgraduate Courses
ICIS postgraduate courses are offered in the areas of:
Philosophy (Ph)
Consciousness Studies (CoS)
Social Studies (SoS)
Cultural Studies (CuS)
Creativity and Aesthetics (CrA)
Indian Studies (InS)
Sri Aurobindo Studies (SAS)
These courses may be taken for University credit leading to a Master of Arts degree in Integral Studies. The courses are classified according to levels of required understanding as either beginner’s level, requiring a general undergraduate level of understanding (500) or higher level, demanding prerequisite reading and/or coursework, as determined by the instructor (550).

Courses under Preparation
ICIS is currently developing Online Postgraduate Courses to be offered from this year. The courses under preparation are:
Paradigms of Psychological Knowledge:
A Historical & Cross-Cultural Perspective
Dr. Suneet Varma (CoS – 550, 3 credits)

Introduction to Indian Culture:
An Approach through Sri Aurobindo
Dr. Kavita A Sharma (CuS, InS – 500, 3 credits)

The Philosophers of Evolution
Prof. Arabinda Basu (Ph – 550, 3 credits)

Vedic Studies in the Light of Sri Aurobindo
Vladimir (InS, SAS, 550 – 3 credits)
The details about the admission procedure, fee, curriculum etc. will be put up by September 2007 on this site. You can also contact ICIS at integralstudies@icis.org.in .

Online Study Session
ICIS also has a weekly Online Study Session on:
Sri Aurobindo's book 'Life Divine' (Book Two, Part II). Every Friday morning (IST) 8am to 9.30 or 10.00am (US West Coast time: Thursday evening, 7.30 to 9.00 or 9.30pm) - The study is conducted over Skype, an internet based voice messaging system and is free. It is conducted by Dr. Debashish Banerji, director and faculty member of ICIS.
Instructions on how to participate in the Study Session
What you will need to participate are a computer with an online (preferably DSL or cable connection), headphones or speakers and a mike connected to your computer and a Skype Id (free). If you are unfamiliar with Skype but wish to participate, Please visit www.skype.com
On the top of the Skype screen, you will see a number of menu items. One of them says Download. Click on it. It will download Skype and also take you into a page which tells you what to do to install it and establish a Skype Id. Please let Debashish know this ID and we can include you in the conference. Debashish's id: debbanerji@yahoo.com If you have any difficulty with this process, please let Debashish have your phone number and he can lead you through the steps.

Over the last eleven years, The Gnostic Centre has developed several Growth of Consciousness Programs of varying durations and engagement:
On-site Courses leading to a Certificate of Professional Studies
Intensives & Study Programs
Workshops, Talks & Presentations
On-site teacher-education programs
Program for Children & Youth
These programs are for all ages. A unique feature about these programs is that they are customised to the student's needs. We are often engaged in developing new courses based on needs expressed by different people. It is also possible to especially design a program for a group of interested persons, in an area of its choice, with inputs in topics relevant to the group.
On-site Courses leading to a Certificate of Professional Studies
The main focus areas for these courses is Growth of Consciousness.
Duration: 6 weeks to 18 months. On-site classes mainly on weekends, combined with assignments. The longer courses also have a residential component (a retreat for intense work - 4-5 days).
The on-site courses aim at both conceptual understanding and practical application in one's own life. For this reason, the courses involve self-reflective exercises, meditations, self-analysis along with subject knowledge. Project work or research is also a part of the longer courses, to ensure integration in one's daily life and work. The emphasis is on practice and application in one's own life, along with conceptual clarity. These courses are relevant for those who are striving to lead an integral life, and are no longer satisfied with the present education and its aims and methods.

Each course has its own specific aims - but all derive from an integral paradigm of life that views the individual as a fivefold entity (physical, vital, mental, psychic and spiritual) and includes all these aspects in its approach for interpreting the world within us and around us.

Each course leads to a Certificate of Professional Studies, upon successful completion.

Special Features
Integrative Learning : The courses are supported by intense research, an integration of subjective and objective realms of knowledge, an inclusion of self-reflective methods of learning along with the more academic ones.
Application Oriented Learning : Each student is asked to master not only the concept but also its practice in one’s own life and work – to at least make a beginning.
Learning Materials
Learning materials are developed especially for the courses – a rich base of not only printed booklets and worksheets, but also audiocassettes and multimedia.

Course Evaluation
Keeping in view the unique nature of the our courses, the Centre has worked out an evaluation system that can do justice to the objective as well as the subjective aspects of the student's coursework. The evaluation is ongoing, continuous and is based on an in-depth interaction between the course guide and the student, as well as peer feedback and external evaluation.

The aim of the Evaluation is to help the students gauge how far they have come, what have been the stumbling blocks, what their unique victories and what steps would they like to take in future. It is as much of a learning process as the rest of the course – for the student, the peer group, the facilitators and the examiners.
Details

Intensives & Study Programs

Intensives (3-5 full day sessions spread over one or two weeks)
The Intensives introduce new perspectives in a particular subject area, and highlight the underlying constructs and factors that influence a discipline. The discipline no longer remains a dry academic subject outside of oneself, but is viewed in its impact on life, society, oneself. The focus is on areas such as Psychology, Management, Education, Culture, Attitudinal Change:
A New Vision of Psychology: Integral Psychology
Foundations in Integral Education
Management by Consciousness
Foundations of Indian Culture
The Human Cycle
An Indian Approach to Building the Creative Organisation
A New Vision of Economics
Power of Attitude
Details

Study Circles & Study Programmes (1-2 hr. sessions spread over a few weeks)
These are centred around the study of a particular book, along with explanations, discussions, etc. The emphasis is on deepening and widening one's understanding through reading and discussion, along with some activities.
Widening the Mind
The Brain of India
Fivefold Education
Four Austerities and Four Liberations
The Mother
The Synthesis of Yoga
The Life Divine
Savitri
Essays on the Gita
Money

Workshops, Talks & Presentations

Workshops
The Workshops are for people from all walks of life (3hrs. to 3 full days). These introduce basic concepts along with self-reflection and experiential exercises, centred around a particular topic relevant to the participants.
On Self-development:
* The Journey * Meditation for Inner Growth * The Rising Sun * Introduction to Karmayoga: Perfection in Work * Communication: from alienation to communion * Fear: its cause & cure * Human Relationships * From the Mountain Top to the Horizon Beyond * Power of Attitude * Agni - the psychic fire * Work as a Means for Inner Growth * Dynamics of Consciousness in Life * Coping with Stress * In Search of Perfection
On Education
* Education for the Future * Attitudes of a True Teacher * Developing the Powers of Concentration & Meditation * The Three Principles of True Teaching * Developing Creativity in Education * Designing Worksheets Creatively * Self-development & Education * Psychic Education * Education & Higher Faculties
On Management
* Dynamics of Consciousness in Work * Leadership Challenges in Everyday Life * Equality: A Yogic Approach to Managing Urban Chaos
On Health
* Hathayoga, Pranayama, Mudra & Bandh * The Art of Healthy Living * Getting to Know your Body
On Parenting
* How to Bring Up a Child * The Role of a Parent * Understanding your Child * Motherhood: A Creative Perspective
On Music
* Shruti - the Nada Brahman * Healing & Meditation with Swara
On Architecture & Design
* Collaboration for Creation
On History
* Mankind on the March
On Philosophy
* Isha Upanishad Details
Talks
The Talks are for School & College Youth, for Teachers, Educators & Professionals (1-2 hrs.). These provide a preliminary introduction to a particular idea or a topic.
On Culture
* Foundations of Indian Culture
On Education
* The Future of Education * Attitudes of a True Teacher * Creativity in Education * Education & Self-development
On Parenting
* The Golden Gift
On Philosophy & Yoga
* The Concept of Prakriti in the Gita * Integral Yoga * What is Yoga?
On Self-development
* Power of Attitude * The Science of Living * The Psychic Being * Beyond Violence & Non-Violence
On Spirituality
* Science, Spirituality & Life
On Theatre
* Contemporary Theatre & Its Practice
On Sri Aurobindo
* Socio-Political Thought of Sri Aurobindo Details
Multimedia Presentations
These presentations combine the screening of a multimedia (developed by The Gnostic Centre) and discussion, along with some conceptual inputs and reflective activities. They serve as an introduction to issues related with self-development, education, social change, inviting the participant to a deeper engagement.

The Centre has also organised special screenings and exhibitions. Details

On-site Teacher-education Programs
Teacher education has been a prime focus of the Gnostic Centre. The Centre has worked with over 150 educational institutions, including teacher education colleges. The programs fall broadly into the following categories:
Pre-Service Teacher-Education
In-Service Teacher-Education
Integral Teacher Education
The Gnostic Centre's teacher education programs are need-based and are designed for specific groups after interacting with the faculty or the management. Please contact the Centre should you be interested in such a program for yourself or for a group you know of. Details

Programs for Children & Youngsters
The Gnostic Centre has conducted several programs for children of all ages, starting from age 4, adolescents, and youth. While self-development has been a focus for youth, with children, the emphasis has been on the training of mental faculties, character development, physical education.

The Centre has organised talks in schools & colleges, as well as meditation sessions. It has also held a number of workshops and camps (including residential camps) for children. Details

Patients are given a week-long training in simple exercises and mental relaxation

Home > Lifestyle > Out of Line The School for Perfect Eyesight

Puducherry, Nov 20: The 'School for Perfect Eyesight' here, which attempts to cure visual disorders using simple exercises and mental relaxation, was witnessing a steady rise in the number of visitors from different parts of the country as well as from abroad. Not less than 3,000 people turn up every year seeking cure for their disorders as well as training in the simple exercises developed by the school, which was launched some 50 years ago by Sri Aurobindo Ashram, official sources told agencies.

Apart from people from different parts of the country, patients from middle east countries, Germany and Ireland reached here this year after coming to know about the school and the efficacy of its treatment method. The school believes that mental relaxation is the key to improvement of eyesight. Patients and visitors are given a week-long training in simple exercises and methods for mental relaxation, which can be practised later at their convenience. The treatment method was particularly beneficial for myopia, sources said. zeenews.com Bureau Report

Sri Aurobindo and the Mother on Integral Yoga and Integral Psychology

saccs the aim of saccs integral psychology
ipi the aim of ipi Indian psychology ipi projects ipi components ipi newsletter
integral yoga themes authors ip research
by the way events inspirations what is new? related sites
SRI AUROBINDO CENTRE FOR CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES
saccs ipi integral yoga themes authors events links
Texts by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother on Integral Yoga and Integral Psychology
Texts by Sri Aurobindo Texts by the Mother Compilations

Texts by Sri Aurobindo
The Human Aspiration This is the first chapter of The Life Divine. It highlights the close link between the urge for progress in the individual and the large movement of the evolution of consciousness in Nature.
The Hour of God A short essay on the very special moment of time we are living in now.
What is Consciousness? A few short quotes on the nature of consciousness.
The Riddle of This World A letter about pain and suffering and their role in the evolution of consciousness.
Sri Aurobindo's Teaching and Method of Sadhana A letter explaining the difference between Sri Aurobindo's yoga and other paths.
The Object of Integral Yoga A selection from Sri Aurobindo's Letters on Yoga, dealing with the different reasons why people can take up Yoga.
Aspiration and Grace The first three chapters of Sri Aurobindo's booklet The Mother, dealing with three core-elements of yoga: aspiration, rejection and surrender.
The Triple Transformation One of the most important chapters of The Life Divine, explaining the basic processes involved in the psychic, spiritual and supramental transformation.
The Renaissance in India Four essays dealing with the awakening of India and its role in the future of mankind.
The Doctrine of the Mystics An essay on the secret meaning of the Rig Veda
Narad's Reply A passage from Sri Aurobindo's Savitri about the problem of pain.

Texts by the Mother
The Science of Living A passage from the Mother in which she explains that on the quality of our aim depends the quality of our life.
What is the Psychic Being? A short explanation of the divine element in us.
To Dwell in the Psychic A text by the Mother on the experience of living in the psychic being.
Remember and Offer How to make every aspect of life part of one's yoga?
The Spiritual Evolution A short explanation of the nature of the supramental realisation.

Compilations from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother
Yoga and Consciousness: An Integral Perspective This booklet was brought out on the occassion of the National Conference on Indian Psychology, Yoga and Consciousness, held at Pondicherry from the 10th to the 13th of December, 2004.
Foundations of Indian Psychology
Svabhava: Self and Personality
Chitta and Chittavritti: Pathways to Knowledge
Rasa and Bhava: Experience, Emotion, and Motivation
Yoga, Health and Healing
Shiksha: Education
Loka Sangraha: Social Issues
The Integral Psychology of the Future

Integral Psychology This booklet was brought out on the occassion of the National Conference on Yoga and Indian Approaches to Psychology, held at Pondicherry from September 29th to October 1st, 2002.
The Vision of Integral Psychology
Psychology and Yoga
Vedic Knowledge
Yoga and Society
Psychology as the Science of Consciousness
What is Psychology?
What is Consciousness?
The Ongoing Evolution of Consciousness
The Graded Worlds
Being Human
A First Look Inside
Physical, Vital, Mental-- Outer and Inner
The Centre of Identfication
Parts and Planes of the Being
Development
Human Development
Integral Yoga and Other Paths
The Science of Living
The Path

Thousands of devotees from all over the country and abroad thronged the Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Home > News> November 17, 2007 > Full Story
Devotees throng Aurobindo ashram Saturday, November 17 2007 12:16 (IST)

Puducherry, Nov 17 (UNI) Thousands of devotees from all over the country and abroad thronged the Sri Aurobindo Ashram here to observe the 34th death anniversary of ''the Mother,'' a leading disciple of Sri Aurobindo, today. A mass meditation was organised by the ashram to mark the occasion. The room used by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother was thrown open for public since yesterday. UNI PAB JJ YA HT1148 news.oneindia.in

All those who are interested in a conscious, harmonious and progressive self-transformation

News from Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry)
Upcoming Events
17 and 20 November 2007 - Maha-Samadhi of the Mother
The Mother
The Mother left her body on 17th November 1973. Her body was laid in the Samadhi on 20th November. The Mother's room will be open for darshan for devotees on 17 November 2007.
On Her life's aim, here is what the Mother once wrote:
"I am French by birth and early education, I am Indian by choice and predilection. In my consciousness there is no antagonism between the two, on the contrary, they combine very well and complete one another. I know also that I can be of service to both equally, for my only aim in life is to give a concrete form to Sri Aurobindo's great teaching and in his teaching he reveals that all the nations are essentially one and meant to express the Divine Unity upon earth through an organised and harmonious diversity."
When pressed about the details of her physical life, this was Her brief reply:
"Do not ask questions about the details of the material existence of this body; they are in themselves of no interest and must not attract attention. Throughout all this life, knowingly or unknowingly, I have been what the Lord wanted me to be, I have done what the Lord wanted me to do. That alone matters."
24 November 2007 - Siddhi Day
24 November 2007 is a very significant day, especially for the devotees of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, as it marks the 81st anniversary of the Siddhi Day - The Day of Victory -, the descent of the Sri Krishna Consciousness or the Overmental Consciousness into the physical. This was the first decisive step towards the Supramental Manifestation which took place later in 1956.
About this event Sri Aurobindo later wrote in a letter:
"The 24th November [1926] was the descent of Krishna into the physical…. The descent of Krishna would mean the descent of the Overmind Godhead preparing, though not itself actually, the descent of Supermind and Ananda. Krishna is the Anandamaya; he supports the evolution through the Overmind leading it towards his Ananda."
The 24th November 1926 is also the day when the Sri Aurobindo Ashram came into being. It is therefore the planting of the seed which has how grown into a huge and mighty banyan tree with a presence all over the world.
And this is what the Mother once explained to the children when she was asked why She and Sri Aurobindo created the Ashram at Puducherry:
"My child, that is why the Ashram was created... because, in France, I was always asking myself: How can one find the time to find oneself ? How can one even find the time to understand how to become free? So then I thought: a place where material needs will be sufficiently provided for, so that if one truly wants to become free, one can do so. And the Ashram was founded on this idea, not on any other -- a place where people would have enough to live on so as to have time to think of the True Thing."
Annual Seminar of the Women's Council: 21-23 November 2007, on "Self-Transformation"
The very purpose of our life on earth is to transform ourselves into a being better, purer, higher, deeper and wider in consciousness so that our gross animal-human nature is transformed into the more beautiful human-divine nature. If we are not attuned to the process, the natural rhythmic force of evolution, we are pushed by the circumstances to move forward fast and thereby suffer due to friction with our natural and human elements around us.
All those who are interested in a conscious, harmonious and progressive self-transformation are invited to join us at the Society's Beach Office hall, No.1, Rangapillai Street, Puducherry, where a sincere group of seekers will introspect and deliberate, individually and collectively, on this topic in the Light of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, from 21 to 23 November 2007.
For more information and accommodation, write to The Secretary - Women's Council Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry - 605 002 mentioning the type of accommodation required and in what range.
Study Camp by Dr. Alok Pandey on 'Savitri' - 25 Nov. to 1 Dec. 2007
From 25 November to 1 December 2007 a Study Camp on Sri Aurobindo's 'Savitri' will be held at the Society's Beach Office Hall. Dr. Alok Pandey will conduct the study camp. There will be two sessions daily in the afternoon: 5 - 5:45 pm and 6 - 6:40 pm. The talks are open to all. Our earlier announcement informing about Dr. Nadkarni taking this study camp stands cancelled, due to his sudden demise.
Some Special Days in November 2007
8 & 9 November 2007 - Deepavali / Diwali
Deepavali - the Festival of Lights
8 & 9 November 2007 will be celebrated as Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, more popularly known as Diwali, all over India. It comes 21days after Dushehra and Celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile. To celebrate this event, people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit up their houses with lamps. According to another legend, it is on this day that Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during the samudra-manthan, the churning of the ocean. Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of prosperity and wealth and it is believed that she visits everyone's house during Diwali and brings peace and prosperity to all.
In West Bengal, Kali Puja is performed on Diwali as it is believed that on this day Kali killed the wicked demon Raktavija. In South India, Diwali is celebrated signifies the killing of the evil Narakaasura by Sri Krishna. Another Southern legend associates Diwali with the killing of the demon king Hiranyakashipu by Lord Vishnu during his incarnation as the man-lion Narasimha.
During the festival, the houses are lit with rows of lamps symbolising the kindling of the inner light that drives away from our lives the darkness of falsehood and ignorance. Exchange of traditional sweets with relatives, neighbours and friends forms an important part of the celebrations.
News from Branches and Centres
News from Abroad Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee's Visit Abroad
Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee was on a tour to Europe and USA from 8 August - 25 September 2007.
In Germany he gave talk on "Sri Aurobindo and his relevance to the Present day happenings of the world". He also had many group discussions regarding sadhana, work etc.
At London he was invited to give a talk on Sri Aurobindo on the occasion of India's 60 years completion of Independence.
At USA, Sri Aurobindo Society, Plattsburg, organised a meeting at North Country Cultural Association Hall. People from all walks of life attended the function of Sri Aurobindo's birthday held on 9 September. Dr. Michaela Albl, Secretary of Sri Aurobindo Society, Deutschland, Germany, attended the function and gave a talk on Sri Aurobindo and her personal experience in sadhana as well as the work of the Society in Germany.
News from India
Workshop for learning Sanskrit (Mumbai)
A seven-day workshop for learning Sanskrit was held in Mumbai from 13 to 20 of October. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Sampadananda Mishra, Sanskrit Research Coordinator, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry. Twenty-five participants took part in the workshop. During this period Dr. Mishra also addressed the students and teachers of Bombay International School and J.B. Pettit School of Mumbai and explained to them the importance and relevance of Sanskrit. He gave two talks at the Sri Aurobindo Society Centre, Sahakar, Mumbai. The two topics were: "Sanskrit - A Creative Force" and "Sanskrit - An Ever Living Language".
Dr. Mishra also went to K. J. Somaiya Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham to have a discussion with Dr. Kala Acharya, Director of the Institute. He proposed a few plans for a true and effective propagation of Sanskrit, and invited them to work together in collaboration with Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry. Dr. Geetha Mukundan, Head of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Ali Yavar Jung Nation Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, was convinced by Dr. Mishra's presentation of the phonetic system of Sanskrit in which he explained that Sanskrit can be a powerful tool for speech therapy. Dr. Mishra also put a few proposals before them and invited them for collaboration.
Date-wise Programme Details:13 Oct. '07 11:00 am to 1:00 pm: "The Wonders of Sanskrit Alphabet", Power Point presentation by Dr. Sampadananda Mishra at Sterling Apartments, Peddar Road, Mumbai.5:30 to 7:00 pm: "Sanskrit - A Creative Force", a talk by Dr. Sampadananda Mishra at Sri Aurobindo Society Centre, Sahakar, Mumbai
14 Oct. '075:30 to 7:00 pm: "Sanskrit - A Living Language", a talk by Dr. Sampadananda Mishra at Sri Aurobindo Society Centre, Sahakar, Mumbai
15 Oct. '0710:45 to 11:45 am: "Amazing Sanskrit", a talk delivered at Bombay International School for the students of class nine.
16 Oct. '078:00 to 9:30 am: "Amazing Sanskrit", a talk delivered at J.B. Petit School for the students of class nine.10:30 to 11:30 am: Interaction with the students of pre-primary section of J.B. Petit School.
17 Oct. '079:00 to 10:00 am: Interaction with the students of upper-primary section of J.B. Petit School.2:30 to 4:00 pm: Meeting with Dr. Geetha Mukundan, Ali Yavar Jung Nation Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai.
18 Oct. '079:45 to 10:45 am: Interaction with the students of class five of Bombay International School.12:00 to 1:00 pm: "Relevance of Sanskrit", a talk delivered at Bombay International School for the students of class six and seven.
19 Oct. '071:00 to 2:30 pm: Meeting with Dr. Kala Acharya, Director of the K.J. Somaiya Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham, Vidya Vihar, Mumbai.
Workshop on Learning Sanskrit: From 13 to 20 October everyday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Sterling Apartments, Peddar Road, Mumbai.
Noida (U.P.)
1. SPIRITUAL DISCOURSES 6 October 2007: A talk on the topic "Sri Aurobindo Ke Jeevan Ka Adhyatmik Paksh" by Shri P.M. Saxena, Retd. Deputy Commissioner (Trade Tax), was organised at the Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Noida. The talk was attended by about 35 devotees & their families.
Shri S.K. Jain, Secretary and Shri V.M. Tiwari at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Noida
View of devotees at the Talk
13 October 2007: A talk on "Relevance of Upanishads" by Shri Vishnu Mohan Tiwari, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.), was organised at the Bhavan. About 30 devotees and their families participated in the programme.
2. EDUCATION Sanskrit Classes: Sanskrit Classes at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan by Shri B.B. Pant, Vice President, Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan, are being conducted daily for one & half hours from 9:30 to 11:00 am. Twenty students are learning Sanskrit and the course will continue up to December 2007.
Sri Aurobindo Shiksha Niketan: The School opened for children who belong to economically backward families starts daily with Pranam and Prayer to the Mother & Sri Aurobindo. On all Thursdays in October 2007 (4, 11, 18 and 25 October), Air Marshal Vishnu Mohan Tiwari and Commodore D.D. Chopra came to Sri Aurobindo Bhavan and interacted with the children of Sri Aurobindo Shiksha Niketan for about two hours. Poem, Story telling, good manners and discipline are taught to children. Impact of their visit is being felt on the behaviour of the children. The visiting dignitaries, along with children of the School, also visit the Holy Shrine and pay tributes to the Mother and Sri Aurobindo.
3. HEALTH Acupressure Therapy Training Camp: From 8 Oct.'07 to 15 Oct. '07, an Acupressure Therapy Training Camp was organised at the Bhavan. The Acupressure Training was imparted by Mrs. Sudha Kesharwani, Acupressure Therapist, in association with the Acupressure Shodh, Prashikshan Evam Upachar Sansthan, Allahabad. Nine participants benefited by the Programme.
There is also the Acupressure Treatment for two hours daily, from Monday to Friday, by Mrs. Sudha Kesharwani at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan that is going on regularly. While giving treatment, she also uses relevant quotations of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo, and the persons coming for acupressure treatment are evincing keen interest in this approach.
4. DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN Sewing & Tailoring Classes: Sewing & Tailoring Classes are being conducted at the Bhavan by Smt. Jaya Nigam. About twenty ladies and girls are learning the same.
Besides above, regular activities of Meditation with the Mother's music daily in the morning and evening, Pranayam & Yogasan, Library, Playing of Spiritual Audio/Video CDs etc. are being held regularly.
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Mass Communication (SAIMC), New Delhi: Convocation Day
View of the outgoing students with the Chief Guest Dr. Kiran Bedi
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Mass Communication (SAIMC) - a unit of Sri Aurobindo Society -, Delhi, held its convocation for the fourth batch of successful students on 22 September 2007 at the Hall of Divine, Sri Aurobindo Society, New Delhi.
It was an exhilarating and proud moment for SAIMC when the students of batch 2006-07 received their well earned diplomas from the Chief Guest, Dr. Kiran Bedi. They were presented their Post Graduate diplomas in a specially designed folder which was tastefully hand-painted with the Flower of Progress on it and a quotation by the Mother. This was to remind the students that they should constantly progress in life in a positive way.
Delivering the convocation address, Dr Kiran Bedi said that journalism has to progress by giving information to educate and eradicate the social evils of our society. There is a necessity today to have a sustained movement of excellence, and media students have a great role to play. She said that she has great expectations from media students passing out of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Mass Communication as they were trained differently and would rise in their profession to become models for others to follow. Taking a leaf out of her interaction with the media during her illustrious career, Dr Kiran Bedi advised the students to be fearless and "write the truth that you can defend".
Chief Guest Dr. Kiran Bedi, addressing the Students
Addressing the students, Shri Vijay Poddar, Member, Executive Committee of Sri Aurobindo Society, elaborated on the principles of Integral Teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, and its importance in today's world of cut-throat competition.
Wishing the students a bright future, Mr. Poddar advised them to be careful in what they write. He asked them to be very thorough with their research and assimilate the thoughts before they begin to put down the words on the paper.
Ms. Meera Juneja, Hon. Secretary of the Delhi Branch of Sri Aurobindo Society, wished the students a successful career and asked them to emulate the chief guest, Dr Kiran Bedi in following one's conviction.
Mr Rahul Dev, senior journalist, advisory board member, SAIMC, advised the students to choose the right path in their professional life and be fearless in following it.
After the special invitee's words of advise, it was time for the Head of Departments of Journalism Mr. Ramesh Menon, Advertising & Public Relations Ms. Sulina Menon and of Audio Visual Communication Mr. Arumughum to wish the students. The H.O.D.s wished the students well for their future and urged them to shine in whichever field they choose to work in. At the end they all had a single most important suggestion - to work hard.
As a gesture of appreciation, ex-students of SAIMC thanked the faculty and the institute for infusing confidence in them, helping them to shape up their career.
To showcase the work done by SAIMC students, a 20-minute film 'Dark Streets' directed by ex-students was screened. The film portrays the story of street children of Delhi who became victims of drug abuse.
Ms. Daljeet Wadhwa, Director, SAIMC, in her vote of thanks urged the students to define the definition of success in their view, not in contemporary worldview, and dare to dream and have the conviction and the courage to follow it up till it is realised.
As dusk fell, the entire Institute looked festive with the decoration of flowers and lighting of diyas all around. It was time for goodbyes and looking forward towards a bright future with the foundation made by SAIMC firmly in place. The students who were passing out dined with the present students and faculty.
Thiruchi (Tamil Nadu)
The flower decoration in front of the photographs of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother
View of the Exhibition
The Thiruchi Centre celebrated their 4th anniversary on 2 October 2007 at KAPV Hr. Sec. School, Thiruchi. An exhibition of Flowers and their Spiritual Significance and books and photographs of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother was held throughout the day. The event was inaugurated by Shri A. Kaliyamurthy, Dy. Commissioner of Police, Thiruchi. About 250 varieties of flowers and rare photographs of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother were exhibited. About 2000 people visited the exhibition. In the evening an open session on the topic "Towards a New Dawn" was held. Dr. M. Ponnavaikko, Vice Chancellor, Bharathidasan University, Thiruchi, presided over and Shri N.V. Balu, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society Centre, Annanagar, Chennai, gave a special address. The talks were attended by about 300 devotees.
Addada (Andhra Pradesh)
Participants of the Youth Camp organised at Addada
Shri Maataaravinda Divya Jeevan Kendram, Addada, organised a Youth Camp from 11 to 13 October 2007. Students in the age group 18-26 belonging to various places of the State participated in the Camp. In the beginning of the camp the participants were given an introduction of Sri Aurobindo and His Ashram. On 12th and 13th mornings Suryanamaskaras and exercises were given as a part of physical education. Shri B. Venkatramaiah, Chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Committee, Shri P.C. Swaroop, Vice Chairman, Prof. K.V. Ramana, former Vice Chancellor of Andhra University, Shri K.V. Rao, Shri K.R.L. Narasimharao and Shri Harshavardhana Raju were the resource persons. Talks on various topics like Integral Education, Spirituality in New Age, Importance of Sanskrit etc. were given.
Eluru (Andhra Pradesh)
A collective reading of 'Savitri' was done in the Eluru Centre for twelve days from 24 August to 4 September 2007. Everyday the members studied chapter-wise the Telugu translation of the Summary on Savitri of Shri M.P. Pandit and some chapters from text of 'Savitri' by Sri Aurobindo. On the 12th day there was a collective chanting of Sri Aravinda Naamam and distribution of Prasad.
Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
Two books, namely 1. Yoga and Zen and 2. Emerson's Orientalism, both authored by Dr. K.V. Raghupathi, Lecturer in English, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, were released at a function organised by the Tirupati Branch on 30 Sept. 2007 at the Sri Aurobindo Vidyalaya complex. Shri M. Blarama Reddy, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Tirupati Branch, presided. The books were released by the chief guest Prof. A. Ramachandra Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa.
Neyveli (Tamil Nadu)
The Neyveli Centre celebrated its 33rd anniversary and the 135th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo on 16 September 2007. Shri M.S. Sundararajan of Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, was the chief guest. He gave a talk on "The Mother's Guidance in Day-to-Day Life". Prizes were distributed to the winners of the Essay competition in Thamizh, held for the students of Sri Aurobindo Vidyalaya, Neyveli, on 25 August 2007 as a part of Sri Aurobindo's birth anniversary celebrations, the topics being "Life of Sri Aurobindo" and "The Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo" wherein 20 students participated.
Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu)
The Cuddalore Centre celebrated the birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo and the Centre's 4th anniversary on 26 August 2007. Shri C. Gopalakrishnan, Chairman of the Centre presided over the function and the chief guest Shri K. Balasubramaniam of Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry, spoke on "Sri Aurobindo and Sri Annai's revolutionary work on Children's Education". Shri S. Mahalingam, Shri Varadarajan, Shri M. Subash and Smt. Dhanalakshmi from Auroville participated in the function.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
Shri Pradeep Narang, Chairman of Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, gave a talk on "Living the Teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother" at the Chennai Branch of the Society on Sunday the 7th October 2007. The talk was attended by about 150 people. At the end of the talk there was an interesting interaction with the devotees present.
Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh)
The Jabalpur Centre organised a Seminar on 3 October 2007 on the "Destiny of India". The Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly was the chief guest. Shri Manoj Sharma, Vice-Chairman of Madhya Pradesh State Committee of the Society, was the main speaker. Essay competition and Photo exhibition were also held on this occasion.
Sri Aurobindo Complex Trust (SACT), Bangalore (Karnataka)
The 135th birth anniversary of Maharshi Sri Aurobindo and the anniversary of India's Independence were celebrated on 15 August 2007. Shri Ajit Sabnis, Managing Trustee, SACT, spoke on "Hierarchy of Minds" - an insight into Psycho-Spiritual Analysis of a Human Being in the Light of Sri Aurobindo and His journey from Mind to Supermind.
Sanskrit Day was celebrated in the school on 22 August 2007. The speaker was Mrs. Arathi, Arts & Sanskrit Scholar, Vijayanagar. Teachers Day was celebrated on 05 Sept. 2007. The speakers were Shri Ajit Sabnis and Shri AVM S.S. Lahiri, Trustee.
Apart from the above, the regular activities at the Complex are Weekly Satsangs by devotees on every Wednesday coordinated by AVM S.S. Lahiri, and weekly collective meditations on every Monday.
Jaipur (Rajasthan)
The following visits and programs were undertaken during the visit of Shri Pradeep Narang:20 Sept. '07: Visit to Children's Corner program to view & assess the progress.
21 Sept '07: One-day Orientation Camp at Centre: The selection was through invitation and lots of questions were raised and answered. Some of the subjects were The message of Sri Aurobindo, Meditation & its practice and Living in Yoga. Shri Pradeep Narang dealt with all the subjects & contributed in making the session lively.
22 Sept '07: Participated in 'Nature Quest' program at Central Park which is completely devoted to study of names & spiritual significance of flowers.Besides the above, the 47th Foundation Day of the Society was celebrated with study of 'Savitri'.
35th National Convention of the Company Secretaries at Jaipur: 20-22 September 2007
Shri Pradeep Narang was the chief guest at the valedictory function of the 35th National Convention of the Company Secretaries held at Jaipur on 22 September 2007. The theme of the Convention, which was held from 20 to 22 September, was "Excellence Through Business Value Addition". Shri Narang spoke at the valedictory function on "Management By Consciousness - Applied Spirituality". He emphasised that this is the best way of achieving the highest level of perfection in tical and value based management.
Dhar (Madhya Pradesh)
On 15th October 2007 Dhar Centre, Madhya Pradesh, organised a seminar on "Sri Aurobindo Ke Alok Me Bharat Ki Niyati" at its place. Shri Manoj Sharma and Dr. Suman Kochar spoke on this occasion. Shri Sudhir Vyas made the introductory address. Prizes were also distributed to the winners of an essay competition on Sri Aurobindo. Recitation and distribution of the small booklet 'Durga Stotram' also took place.

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Practical suggestions for an experimental institution of integral education

From: "SABDA Sri Aurobindo Ashram" mail@sabda.in

Education has often been recognised, even sometimes proclaimed in books, seminars, conferences, sociology journals, and the like as the panacea for the problems of mankind, as the impetus to create economic growth and material well-being for the less-privileged of the world, as the key to a liberated, progressive society, as the path to self-knowledge and self-mastery, even as the means to achieve world peace. And yet communities, societies, and countries continue to struggle with providing an education that can and will fulfill these promises and realise these dreams. Teacher training methods and school resources remain subjects of debate among parents, professionals, and governments, and each decade or so, there is a paradigm shift as theorists labour to create the “new education”. It is evident these contradictions point to the importance and the validity of the argument. At the core of the struggles and debates, the many failures, and even the successes lies the need for a complete change in how education is viewed.

Sri Aurobindo and the Mother have written with vivid inspiration on the subject of education, laying out some of the broad guidelines for an integral education that addresses the human need to develop the entire being, including the mental, vital, physical, psychic, and spiritual capacities. The work of implementing those guidelines and of translating the theory of an integral education into practice is of primary importance. The three new books introduced below are concerned with this “work in progress”. Theory & Practice of Integral Education attempts to present the evolutionary vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother on this subject in terms familiar to modern educationists. A New Education with a Soul, which envisions education’s first goal as establishing inner peace, outlines an educational programme organised to look deeply into the unseen realities of the inner human being and of the planet on which he lives. Basic Education of the Body reminds us that the physical body requires its own special form of education to become supple and strong for its conscious participation in the evolution.

Two other books were previously introduced this year and as they bear on the same theme are worth noting again. Integral Education: A Foundation for the Future forcefully argues that the propagation of a new kind of education must be fully embraced by the collective if the ideal of creating a higher type of individual being is to be achieved. Along similar lines, Introduction to Integral Education: An Inspirational Guide offers psychological insights and suggestions for the kinds of changes teachers, parents, and schools need to undergo in order to create the type of environment in which the principles of an integral education can take root and nourish the child and the community. Each of these books is an effort to push us forward, to present practical steps we can take to work toward the realisation of what Sri Aurobindo describes as the chief aim of education:

Every one has in him something divine, something his own, a chance of perfection and strength in however small a sphere which God offers him to take or refuse. The task is to find it, develop it and use it. The chief aim of education should be to help the growing soul to draw out that in itself which is best and make it perfect for a noble use.

NEW PUBLICATIONS To order any book, click on the title, which will locate the book in our online catalogue. Next, add it to the shopping cart. You may then proceed to pay by credit card online.
ENGLISH
Theory & Practice of Integral Education
Educational Thoughts of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother— Dr Sunil Behari Mohanty ISBN: 978-81-904888-0-8 Publisher: Manu Publications, Pondicherry Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 128 Price: Rs 100
Beginning with an introductory chapter that uses paragraph summaries to present an overview of all the topics related to an integral education in the light of Sri Aurobindo's and the Mother's considerable writings on this subject, the author then outlines the aspects of a mental, vital, physical, psychic, and spiritual education. Additional chapters cover curriculum and methods of teaching as well as a sharp focus on the qualities and training of the teacher. Using his own experience as an educator, he concludes with some practical suggestions for an experimental institution of integral education. Aimed at reaching an audience of teachers and teacher educators, the book includes extensive references and a thirty-four-page bibliography on integral education.
A New Education with a Soul
— Marguerite Smithwhite Publisher: International Children's Peace Council Trust, Coimbatore Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 495 Price: Rs 495
The author believes that to achieve world peace, first all individuals must attain inner peace. The key to this is education, an education neither political nor religious, bringing an insight into the unseen realities of the inner being. Today science has moved rapidly into the areas of hitherto hidden things and is demonstrating facts which are spiritual in nature. Mysticism and science are converging to unveil the soul in all things animate and inanimate.
This book presents a curriculum for all ages, for a spiritual education towards a higher consciousness, fully illustrated to make it "a fascinating visual experience". It is hoped that this material will help the world's children to realise their potential and harness it to a powerful movement for human unity and peace.
Basic Education of the Body
— Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya ISBN: 978-81-7058-867-2 Publisher: Sri Aurobindo Ashram Publication Department, Pondicherry Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 81 Price: Rs 55
This book offers five different exercise programmes, each designed to give a complete workout to the entire body while using limited time, space, and equipment. Originally issued as five separate booklets, this new publication brings together these sets of exercises, designed by the Director of the Physical Education Department of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and notable for combining traditional Indian approaches, such as the use of asanas, with more modern methods. Included is a "minimum physical fitness test" adapted to age groups and gender. All the exercise programmes are accompanied by precise instructions and illustrations of each pose.
Maheshwari
Maheshwari Aspect of the Mother— Words of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother ISBN: 978-81-7060-269-9 Publisher: Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 39 Price: Rs 15
BENGALI
Dr. Syama Prasad Mukhopadhyaya
ek nirmal o nirbhik jeebon— Manoj Das Gupta Publisher: New House, Kolkata Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 68 Price: Rs 50
Bengali translation of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee
Based on a talk given at Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education on the occasion of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee's birth centenary, this book highlights his major contributions to Indian education and politics. Later known as "the lion of the Parliament", Mookerjee was an ardent son of India who led a courageous crusade against the partition of Bengal. The Mother chose him as chairman of the Sri Aurobindo Memorial Convention in 1951, where he concluded his speech with a call for India to fulfill her destiny and for the world to heed the voice of Sri Aurobindo and his message for the future of humanity.
GUJARATI
Bal Dakshina Path
— Sundaram Publisher: Sri Aravind Krupa Trust, Ahmedabad Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 103 Price: Rs 80
KANNADA
Swatantryayodha Sri Aravinda
— Ko. Chennabasappa Publisher: Karnataka Nilayam Trust, Pondicherry Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 165 Price: Rs 90

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