Upcoming Events
Savitri Study Sessions - February 2010 Dr. Alok Pandey will conduct sessions on Sri Aurobindo's epic 'Savitri' at the Society's Beach Office, Pondicherry, from 22 to 28 February 2010. The sessions will be held at 5.15 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. All are welcome to attend the talk series!
Recent Events
Bonne Année - 2010
In the Ashram at 6.00 a.m. Sunilda's recorded New Year music was played on the New Year Day to mark the dawn of the year 2010. There were visitors from different parts of India. A beautiful folder with Bonne Année with the blessings of the Mother, a message of the Mother (given below) and pictures of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo was issued by the Ashram for the New Year.
BONNE ANNÉE
This year is consecrated to Sri Aurobindo.
To understand his teaching better and try to put it into practice, is certainly the best way of showing our gratitude to
him for all the light, knowledge and force which he has so generously brought to the earth.
May his teaching enlighten and guide us, and what we cannot do today, we shall do tomorrow.
Let us take the right attitude in all sincerity, and it will truly be a BONNE ANNÉE.
The Mother
Maha-Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo - 5 December 2009
On 5 December 2009, there was collective meditation around the Samadhi at the Ashram in the morning and at the Playground in the evening, to observe Sri Aurobindo's Maha-Samadhi day. A visit to Sri Aurobindo's Room was arranged in the morning.
'Management Development Programme' - 13 December 2009
Prof. Saikat Sen, Ms. Smita Gupta, Prof. S. Pradhan
Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Integral Management (SAFIM), a Centre of Excellence in Management of Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry organized a one day Management Development Programme(MDP) for senior corporate executives on "Management by Consciousness" in association with IIMT, Bhubaneswar at Hotel Presidency, Bhubaneswar on 13 December 2009.
Senior Executives of Orissa Hydro Power Corporation, The Dharma Port Company Ltd., CESU, RD Dept, Govt. of Orissa, Sambalpur University and others took part in the workshop.
In the morning half Prof. Saikat Sen, Senior Associate of SAFIM took the session on "What is Consciousness and Relevance of Consciousness in Today's Business Practices". After that a practical session was conducted on "Be conscious of yourself". Post Lunch session was started with a Business Game on Decision Making followed by an audio-visual presentation by Ms. Smita Gupta, Senior Associate of SAFIM on "How to Make a Right Decision".
Participants actively took part in each session and responded very well. They have suggested conducting this kind of MDP more in future and for a longer duration.
For detailed report please visit the link:
http://fdi.sriaurobindosociety.org.in/cms/index.php/fdi/events/3
Management by Consciousness Workshop - 24 December 2009
"The workshop was excellent. It made to realize what consciousness means."-
Comment of one participant, Dr. S. Dhandapani, Principal, Dr. N.G.P. Institution of Technology, Coimbatur, Tamilnadu
Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Integral Management (SAFIM), a Centre of Excellence in Management of Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry conducted a one day Workshop for faculty members of various Govt. Engineering College on "Management by Consciousness" organized by Entrepreneurship Development Cell of Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat at the Auditorium of Institute of Engineers, Surat on 24 December 2009. The workshop was sponsored by AICTE, Govt. of India.
Morning session was conducted by Prof. Saikat Sen, Senior Associate of SAFIM on "What is Consciousness and Relevance of Consciousness in Today's Business Practices". The next session was "Be conscious of yourself". Live demonstration was conducted on relaxation and inwardisation technique. Post Lunch session was started with a Business Game on Decision Making. In the second half after tea break Ms. Smita Gupta, Senior Associate of SAFIM took a session on "How to Make a Right Decision". Participants actively took part in each session and responded very well. They have suggested conducting this kind of Workshops more in the future and for a longer duration.
For detailed report please visit the link:
http://fdi.sriaurobindosociety.org.in/cms/index.php/fdi/events/3
Annual Women's Council Seminar - November 2009: 'Energy Turned towards the Divine'
Talk by Dr. Alok Pandey
"In Nature" by Richard and his team
"Opening the Body to the Divine Energy" guided by Datta
Dance Performance by Students of Udhavi School, AurovilleIn our day to day life, we hardly think of the Divine unless we face a problem or calamity which is beyond our ken. To think of turning our energy to the Divine is really rare, though it should be our normal way of life as the Divine alone is our source. Sri Aurobindo says, "To turn to the Divine is the only truth in life". To reflect on this truth in order to realise it, 60 delegates, both women and men from different walks of life, keenly participated in the Society's Women's Council seminar held at its Beach Office in Puducherry, on 21, 22, 23 November 2009.
Each day from 6 to 7 am the delegates were happy to learn from Ms.Datta, an experienced teacher at the Ashram School, very simple, graceful and conscious movements of different parts of the body to open it to the "divine energy which abounds everywhere. It was an enjoyable, very useful and well attended session despite the rains.
The main programme started at 8.30 am with meditation on the Mothers recorded music "Quiet Power" followed by a powerful collective recitation of Sri Aurobindo's "Durga Stotra". It was a part of the centenary celebration of "Durga Stotra", lead by Arya Vishnu Lalit. On 3 days there were talks by different speakers covering the subject of the seminar from various angles, as follows:
Introduction of the Subject by Dr.Alok Pandey, Self-Introspection on the questionnaire on "Energy turned towards the Divine" followed by group discussions, "Woman - A Shakti", followed by interaction with the delegates, by Maitreyee, "Opening to the Divine solves all my problems" by Bharati Dhar, "Music connects us to the Supreme Energy" by Dr.P. Bharathi, "Painting - A medium for offering our energies" by Sushanto, "A Dialogue" by Krishna and Sagarika, "How my energy is turned towards the Divine" by Dr.Arati, "Questions and Answers with the delegates": Shri Pradeep Narang, "How my life turned towards the Divine" by Latha, "Two Stories on the subject" by Mangay, "How to regulate our energy in the body" by Monisha, "Be a channel of the Divine Energy" by Saikat Sen, "Healing by activating energy in the body" by Sundararajan, "In Nature: Richard and his team, and "Boundless Energy, Limitless Action" by Shivakumar.
On the last day, the delegates put up an impressive cultural programme which included a graceful Bharatnatyam dance by 'Udhavi' School children and an interesting playlet by Cuddalore group. Sushanto then arranged participants in 4 groups and lead each group in a masterly manner for his presentation: "Flight of Energy". It was based on Nolini Kanta Gupta's story: "A parable of the sea-gulls", in which a beautiful white seagull, not satisfied with an ordinary way of life, separates itself from its flock to fly only for the sake of flying, to develop various skills of flight - horizontal, vertical, even with speed faster than light. Ultimately, that led him to fly without bound, instantly to wherever his imagination took him. There was laughter and joy all around, with this freedom of flight - a delightful sight ! It was the last item.
The participants finally gathered together to offer their obeisance to the Mother by reciting "Anandamayi Chaitanyamayi Satyamayi Parame", ending with a collective chanting of "Om", and receiving prasad from the Mother.
The details of the seminar with photos are being published in the January 2010 issue of the Women's Council monthly magazine "Awakening to the Beauty of the Future".
Visit by Students of Sri Aurobindo International School and Sri Auro Mirra Centre of Education Patiala
Saikat, Interacting with Students
A view of Students
Sunrise
Yogic ExerciseFrom 24 to 29 October 2009, a six day Programme was organized for Students of Sri Aurobindo International School and Sri Auro Mirra Centre of Education, Patiala. It was attended by 49 students, age group of 13 to 14 along with the school staff, at Sri Aurobindo Society Pondicherry. Sessions on various subjects like Art, Music, and Management were held. They were also introduced to Suryanamaskar or Yogic Exercise, Significance of Flowers, and admiring the beauty of Sunrise. The sessions were followed by a visit to Ashram Departments, Matrimandir - Auroville, Hand Made Paper Factory and Chunnambur.
News from Branches and Centres
News from India
Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh)
On 5 December - Sri Aurobindo's Mahasamadhi Day, there was a collective Meditation in the morning from 10:00 am. to 10:30 am. And in the evening at 5:00 pm. a recorded talk by Dr.R.L.Kashyap on the subject, "Veda Knowledge in Modern Context" was played. This was followed by the usual Saturday evening reading session of the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother as contained in the previous issue of AIM.
Bangalore (Karnataka)
9 to 11 October 2009, a Youth Camp was conducted by Sri Aurobindo Society Bangalore Branch at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Ulsoor. There were 22 participants. Shri Kaivalya Smart from Surat conducted the camp. On the first day the main subjects covered were 'what is youth', 'religiosity', 'morality and spirituality'. These apart the game played on "what should India be proud of" evoked tremendous enthusiasm.
On the second day the main topics were 'personality', 'person', 'meditation', 'fear' and 'depression'. Extensive examples given by Shri Kaivalya Smart drove home the point well. On the final day the issues dealt with were 'success', 'true happiness' and 'work'. Various sayings and writings of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo formed the basis of the entire curriculum.
The participants gave some performances on the final day. The wonderful depiction of the physical, vital, mental and psychic given through the enactment of the personality of Osama bin Laden truly presented the subject matter. The written feedback received from the participants was encouraging.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
The Chennai branch organized the following talks during the months of September, October and November 2009:
Date Name of the speaker Topic
01.09.2009
Shri M.K. Ramaswamy
"Easy way for God awareness"
06.09.2009
Shri Venkat
"Divine's Comrade"
13.09.2009
Smt.Kanthalakshmi Chandramouli
"Ideal Child"
20.09.2009
Shri M.K. Ramaswamy
"Receptivity"
27.09.2009
Kavingnar Vairabarathi
"Sri Aurobindo" - Peerless poet
"The Mother- Magnificent Splendour"
01.10.2009
Shri M.K. Ramaswamy
"Instrument"
04.10.2009
Shri S. Rangarajan
"Masks and Moulds"
11.10.2009
Kavingnar Chandramohan
"Lord Vasudevan, The ALL that is the One"
18.10.2009
Shri M.K. Ramaswamy
"Progress"
25.10.2009
Shri K. Jagadeeswaran
"Mother's Guidance"
01.11.2009
Smt. Kamala Rangachari
"How to Do Meditation?"
Shri M.K. Ramaswamy
"How God Reveals Himself?"
08.11.2009
Smt. Malini Narayanan
"Sri Aurobindo and Sri Krishna"
15.11.2009
Shri M.K. Ramaswamy
"Courage"
22.11.2009
Shri S. Rangarajan
"Dream"
29.11.2009
Smt. Padmini Pattabiraman
"True Happiness"
On the 1 of every month at the end of the collective meditation Shri M.K. Ramaswamy gives talk from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother for half an hour. Shri Ramaswamy also explains in Tamil the "Mother's Prayers and Meditations" on every Saturday at the end of the collective meditation.
Annanagar, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
The Annanagar Centre has brought out two publications recently - 'Anger Management' in English and 'Kopappaduvathai Niruthuvadu Eppadi?' in Tamil both priced at Rs.20/- each. Centres and Branches of the Society will get a discount of 33 ¹/3%. They may contact the Annanagar Centre at "Sri Annai Dhyana Maiyam", AP-514, J-Block, 8 Street, Annanagar, Chennai-600 040, Phone : 044-26161826, e-mail : sastc16@yahoo.co.in
Noida (Uttar Pradesh) November 2009 Programmes
Special programmes:
17 November 2009, the Mother's Mahasamadhi Day, a collective meditation was held at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Noida on the occasion. About 20 devotees along with their families were present.
24 November 2009, Siddhi Day was celebrated at the Noida Branch with collective meditation and a brief on the importance of 'Siddhi Day' was read. About 40 persons participated in the programme.
Discussion on Gita: Lead by Shri Viswa Mohan Tiwari, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.):
On every Sunday (1, 8, 15 & 22 November, 2009) during the month of November, 2009, from 11 am to 1 pm discussion on Gita took place at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan. There were about 20 participants in the programme.
7 November 2009, a talk on 'Integral Education of Sri Aurobindo' by Dr. Prabhjot Kulkarni, Principal, MaharshiValmiki College of Education (University of Delhi) was organized at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan from 5:30 pm to 7 pm About 35 devotees and their families participated in the programme.
On 12 November 2009 (second Thursday of every month) from 5 pm to 6 pm Bhajans/'Mata' book was read. Eight devotees were present.
Health:
Activities of Treatment by Acupressure Therapy and Eye Check-up/Consultation at the Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, are going on well.
Development of Women:
Sewing & Tailoring Classes are being conducted twice a week, 3 pm to 5 pm on Tuesday at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan and about twelve ladies are learning the same.
Other Activities:
Besides the above, regular activities of reading of "Savitri", meditation with the Mother's music daily in the morning and evening, Library, playing of spiritual audio/video CDs etc. are held.
Ballia (Uttar Pradesh)
The Ballia Centre organised a seminar on 1 November 2009, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee year of Sri Aurobindo Society. The topic was 'All Life if Yoga". The function started with "Deep Prajwalan" of the offering of flowers to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Thereafter collective meditation on Mother's music was held.
West Bengal
Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee visited various Branches and Centres of West Bengal in November 2009, to initiate Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Society.
Shri Bhattacharjee spoke at a conference organized by the Dinhata Centre on 7 November 2009, at the Maharaja Nripendra Krishna Hall. In his speech he stressed the significance of the Golden Jubilee of the Society and underlined the salient features of the integral yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The function concluded with a cultural programme.
Shri Bhattacharjee also visited Mathabhanga town and other areas in Cooch Bihar district to meet people and explore possibilities of establishing Centres there. He then visited Siliguri where he participated in a press conference in the assembly hall of the Branch and explained the aims and objects of Sri Aurobindo Society and the philosophy and integral yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. He then inaugurated the conference by hoisting the Mother's flag.
Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)
Shri Vijay Poddar addressing the gathering
A view of the gatheringOn 25 October 2009 the M.P. State Committee meeting was held at Ujjain under the chairmanship of Shri Vijay K. Poddar who emphasized the need to spread the message of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother in different areas of activity by all the Branches and Centres of the Society especially during the Golden Jubilee year of the Society. The meeting was addressed by Dr. Suman Kochar of Indore and Shri Manoj Sharma of Bhopal. Representatives from Ratlam, Dhar, Khandwa, Indore, Jabalpur, Satna and Panna attended the meeting.
In the evening a public meeting was held which was attended by the Collector, S.P. and the members of the Society. Shri Vijay K. Poddar presided over the meeting. The chief guest, Ms. Mandakini Ramkinker, explained the Poorna Yoga of Sri Aurobindo in the light of Ram Charit Manas. The meeting was attended by about 200 persons.
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
Sri Aurobindo Shrine
Relics Installation Anniversary CelebrationAnniversary of the installation of the sacred of Sri Aurobindo's Relics at Bhopal Branch was celebrated at the Auro-Mandir on 16 December 2009. On this occasion Sri Aurobindo Memorial Lecture Series also was held. Topic of morning session was ''ALL LIFE IS YOGA''. Sri Aurobindo's Shrine was decorated beautifully on this occasion.
Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh)
A view of the participants
Talk by Shri Kaivalya Smart
Flag hoistingRatlam Branch of Sri Aurobindo Society celebrated the 19th anniversary of Relics-enshrinement at Auro-Ashram by organizing a Sadhana-Shivir from 5 to 9 December 2009, like every year. "SRI AUROBINDO UPANISHAD" was taken up for a special study. Sri Kaivalya Smart delivered talk on Sri Aurobindo Upanishad. Devotees from various Centres of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat participated in five days camp.
Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh)
The Branch celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of the installation of the Relics on 12 November 2009, in Sri Aurobindo Yoga-Peeth. Approximately 160 devotees and special guests were present in the function.
On 16 November 2009, a lecture was arranged in Maharani Laxmi Bai State Girl's Higher Secondary School, Khandwa. Shri Bharat Singh Jhala spoke on "Sri Aurobindo's Life and his Message". Shri G.S. Gour made the students aware of Sri Aurobindo Yoga-Peeth. About 100 students and teachers of 11th and 12th standard were present.
In the end booklets printed by Sri Aurobindo Society were distributed to all those present.
Burhanpur (Madhya Pradesh)
The Centre organised lectures on 13 November 2009, the subject dealt with were "Sri Aurobindo and his Yoga-Sadhana" and "Evolution and Sri Aurobindo".
Vadodara (Gujarat)
On 3 October 2009, Shri Sharad Joshi, Vice Chairman, Gujarat State Committee of Sri Aurobindo Society released the translated Gujarati book written by Late Shri Govindbhai Patel 'My pilgrimage to spirit' in English at Sri Aurobindo Society, Kapadvanj. About 150 people attended the function.
On 9 October 2009, Shri Sharad Joshi gave four talks at Bhuj, Gujarat. The subjects were:
•
Educational Thoughts of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
•
Maharshi Aurobindo and His Thoughts.
•
Thoughts about the Health and Healing by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
•
Short talks about Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry and about rishis Vasishtha and Vishwamitra.
On 25 October 2009, Shri Sharad Joshi attended gathering of Centres and Branches of North Gujarat and shared the above mentioned talks with Primary School Teachers, College and B. Ed. colleges.
18 November 2009, Shri Narendra Patel gave a talk on "Sri. Aurobindo's arrival at Puducherry - A Pride of the Century". About 50 people attended.
On 24 November 2009, Shri Kirit Thakkar gave a talk at Sri. Aurobindo Society, Nadiad. The subject was "'Yoga for modern man"'.
On 28 November 2009, 24 youths from all over Gujarat attended YOUTH CAMP at Jantral, Dist. Panchmahals on 28 and 29 November 2009. The themes were:
Shri Champaklal - an Artist
Shri Champaklal - Service to The Lord.
Spiritual Science of Flowers
Importance of Silence [Maun]
Transformation of Consciousness.
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