Sri Aurobindo Society June 2008
Next Future Editorial
Eternally Yours O Divine and adorable...
Living Words When, in our despair...
Flower of the Month Psychic Love
Question of the Month Life is a Dynamic Mirror
Genius of India The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation - V M.S. Srinivasan
Rishayah – The Seersof Ancient India Maharshi Bhrigu Dr. Sampadananda Mishra
Commentaries on Dhammapada Impurity The Mother
True News Bridging the Gap
The Upanishad Katha Upanishad Sri Aurobindo
Art of Life Does God Exist? Anonymous
Whispers of Nature Nature Channels Song J. Donald Walters
Creative Corner Welcome to my World Vilasni Narayanan
Food for Thought The Way to Think Mencius
Integral Health Search and Research (Part II) Dr. Alok Pandey
Integral Education The Teaching Profession... M.P. Pandit
Savitri Instalment-V Mangesh Nadkarni
Tales Told by Mystics The Sinner Manoj Das
Reflections Preparing the Path The Mother
Spotlight Yaksha
Your Voice
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Next Future June 2008
The Awakening Ray: Secrets of Health
Current Issue: Secrets of Health
Editorial : Anuradha
The Awakening Ray : Sri Aurobindo and The Mother
KEYNOTE
Swasthya: Anuradha
Secrets of Health : Kakoli Banerji
POWER OF ATTITUDE
A Personal Experience : Leena Chatterjee
Sunseeds
An Infallible Cure (story) : The Mother
Who Won the Battle? (a Chinese tale) : Author unknown
ISSUES OF LIFE
What Health Means to Me : several contributors
HEALTHY LIVING
Herbal Teas for Health : Yogita
DID YOU KNOW
What the Ancients Knew? : compiled by Anuradha
NEWS FROM THE GNOSTIC CENTRE
Events
Celebrating L'avenir's Birthday
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Monday, July 28, 2008
Dharanidhar Pal gave a brief account of the construction work of SAU at Dalijoda
All Orissa Conference of Sri Aurobindo Bigyana Parishada & Annual State Level Science Exhibition, 6th and 7th September 2008
Dear friends,
You may be aware, the All Orissa Conference of Sri Aurobindo Bigyana Parishada and & Annual State Level Science Exhibition for year 2008 will be held at Matrubhaban, Cuttack on 6th and 7th of September 2008 (first Saturday & Sunday of September).
A letter in this regard had been sent to all schools earlier requesting to send us details of projects being planned by the schools for exhibition by end of April. We hope you must have received the
same. We have so far received a few responses to that letter.
We hope you have already started working on the projects you plan to exhibit. We would appreciate if you can send us the details of your projects by end of July 2008 so that we can stay prepared.
Please note that participation in exhibition is open for students from Std-5 to Std-10. We invite projects (Maximum 2) from your school.
You can confirm your participation through the following channels:
1. Intimate Samarendra Bhai (Ph: 9438436620)/ Muni Apa (Ph. 9437277208) at Matrubhaban (0671-2344338)
2. Send the details to The Convener,
Sri Aurobindo Bigyana Parishada
Matrubhaban, Sri Aurobindo Marg
Cuttack – 753013
3. E-mail your project details to matrubhaban@bsnl.in
4. Provide your details to the state organizers of Sri Aurobindo Study Circle Committee during the July tour
In any case please send the project details to Matrubhaban address mentioned above.
Sri Prasad Tripathy Er. Ananda Subudhi Er Biraja Kinkara Sinha
Sri Aurobindo Engineering and Technical Group
MATRUBHABAN, CUTTACK
Dear Friends,
SAETG has been in existence for quite a few years now. While each one of us has contributed towards the cause and objective of the group in some capacity over the years, we are sure each one of us also believes that there is so much more to do than what we are able to do now. We believe there is a significant need to build the strength in our organization to come together and do something different. We need to get organised, communicate with each other, share our thoughts and ideas to make it a much more effective group. Needless to say it requires absolute sincerity from each one of us.
We feel its time for each of us to think seriously about it and work with more commitment and sincerity to achieve the objective. Towards this we have jotted down a few thoughts as our action plan for this year.
1. As the first step towards getting effectively organised and sharing our ideas, let’s have a meet of all SAETG district convenors and other interested members in the month of September 2008. We can organise it on 6th of September at Cuttack. This date coincides with the date of Annual State Level convention for Sri Aurobindo Bigyana Parishada and also almost a month prior to the Annual State Level conference of SAETG.
2. We urge the SAETG district convenors to conduct similar district level meets to organise the team at Block levels to make it more effective and participative. Apart from these two key points we feel there are few other activities that can be taken up by us during this year.
1. SAETG monthly special pathachakra may be held in the residence of a member every month in rotation. It has been observed that this pathachakra plays an important role in organizing the unit. District convenors and SAETG convenors are requested to ensure minimum of 12 pathachakras in every district.
2. In the last few annual conferences, we have felt the need to compile a list of SAETG members in different parts of Orissa to help communicate to everyone regarding our activities and to build the organization. We request SAETG district convenors to compile and send us a list of the members of SAETG in their areas with details such as Name, Address, Phone, Mobile, e-mail etc.
3. While we believe many of the schools have now constituted Sri Aurobindo Bigyana Parishada in their schools, there might still be some schools where this has not been implemented yet. It would be prudent on our part to identify such schools and work with them to organize the Bigyana Parishada. We request all the SAETG district convenors to work towards this.
4. Similarly many schools, districts and zones are now organizing school, district and zonal level science exhibitions. We request all the SAETG district convenors to continue their focus towards this and help organise such events in a way that meets our core objective and aspiration.
5. Workshops, seminars, awareness programs in schools and centers on safety, solid waste management, energy conservation continues to be our focus and we urge the SAETG disctrict convenors to work towards it as before State Level Program for 2008
1. All Orissa Conference of Sri Aurobindo Bigyana Parishada and & Annual State Level Science Exhibition to be held on 6th and 7th September 2008.
2. All Orissa Annual Conference of SAETG for 2008 will be held on 12th October at Dalijoda, Cuttack. Theme for this years conference is considered to be "Architecture".
Sri Prasad Tripathy Er. Ananda Subudhi
Proceedings of the meeting of Sri Aurobindo University held on 08.06.08
A meeting of the district convenors of SAUER (Sri Aurobindo Unit of Educational Research) and the Counsellors and Registered Learners of SAU ( Sri Aurobindo University) was held at 10-30 a.m. on 8th June,2008 at Matrubhaban, Cuttack in order to discuss the progress in the activities and some organisational matters. Altogether 25 members attended the meeting and Sri Prasad Tripathy, Convenor of SAU presided over it.
The meeting started with a silent prayer at the Lotus Feet of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. The Convenor Sri Prasad Tripathy welcomed the members and briefly explained the purpose for which the meeting was called. He also hinted on the points that were discussed in the 2nd Annual convention of SAU held at Dalijoda and called upon the members to expedite its activities.
With the request of the President Sri S.C. Mishra briefly pointed out the future programme to be undertaken by SAU. He particularly emphasised on the activities of the University to be introduced in the Integral Education Centres of the state so as to create the Junior learners and the Teacher Counsellors. He suggested that the New Life Education Trust (NLET) may be requested to discuss the matter at their level and take suitable steps to implement it.
The President then requested the District Convenors of SAUER to present brief reports of the activities undertaken by SAU in their districts. Accordingly, the district convenors attending the meeting presented their reports and suggested some programmes for better implementation of the activities of SAU. Those were as follows.
1. Sri Lambodar Dey, (Baleswar):- There is not much progress in the activities of SAU in the case of senior level Learners. In the junior level, the work has just been started and the application forms have been distributed among the schools with classes above Std. VII.
Suggestions:- Some writings of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo should be included in the syllabus prepared by NLET for awareness among the students.
2. Sri Sahadeb Sahoo, (Sundargarh):- A project has been under proposal to write the history of the three Relic Centres of the district by three members of Pathachakras in the senior level. In the Junior level activities of SAU have been started at SAIEC, Biramitrapur and 22 students and 04 teachers have been involved in the programme. The SAIECs at Sundargarh and Rourkela have been contacted to start the work soon.
3. Dr. Kanakalata Sahoo, (Jajpur):- All the 22 SAIECs of the district were requested to start the programme of SAU as soon as possible. Only 02 schools have reported to have started the work. There are two senior registered learners in the district and their projects are in progress.
4. Dr. Golakbihari Sahoo, (Bhadrak):- There are two senior registered learners in the district and one of them, Sri P.Hrushikesh has submitted his thesis on Sri Aurobindo Ashram Press which is under examination. The other is slowly progressing. In the junior level the activity has been started in the SAIEC at Charampa. It is yet to be started in other schools of the district.
Sggestions:-Some orientation camps with the learners and counsellors should be organised at Dalijoda. A good library should be developed there or at Matrubhaban , Cuttack for their use.
Each counesellor of SAU should be requested to submit a model synopsis on some of the topics of his/ her choice that would be published in Matrubhaban Patra or a bulletin of SAU for the benefit of the learners. Every project taken up by the learners should have a definite objective to find some new findings /ideas.
His model synopsis on "A comparative study between Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga and the Yoga of the Geeta" may be published in the Matrubhaban Patra for guidance of interested learners and counsellors, if felt so.
5. Kamalini Mishra, (Dhenkanal):- The activities of SAU in senior/junior level is yet to be started in the district. Steps would be taken soon to implement it in the SAIECs of the district.
6. Sarat Chandra Mishra, (Cuttack):- There are three registered learners in the district and their projects are in progress. In the junior level the work has been initiated in the Integral Schools at Matrubhaban, Cuttack and Kalapada. It will be started in other SAIECs of the district having classes above std. VII just after the summer vacation.
Suggestions:-The New Life Education Trust should be requested to take steps for implementation of the programme of SAU in all the SAIECs having classes above Std. VII of the state. A student will be allotted the Project in Std. VIII and must complete it before the Annual examination of Std. IX. The teacher counsellors should be oriented phase – wise to go ahead with the programme.
7. Sri Bhagirathi Mahapatra, (Ganjam):- There is only one registered learner in the district. In the junior level the programme is yet to start in the SAIECs. It will be taken up soon.
Suggestions:- References on the topics suggested for school level should be prepared by some counsellors and circulated to the Principals of the SAIECs and the District convenors of SAUER for guidance and progress in the activities of SAU.
The counsellors of the registered learners should be requested to review the progress of the learners from time to time and intimate to SAU.
As per the agenda the President then requested the registered learners to mention briefly their progress in the projects. Accordingly the five registered learners:-Sri P. Hrushikesh, 2. Sri Rasabihari Mahapatra, 3. Smt. Jyotshnarani Dash, 4. Smt. Kanakalata Sahoo, 5. Sri Kalandi charan Senapati and 6. Sri Pradeep Jena expressed their experiences and difficulties faced by them during the progress of their Projects.
Counsellor, Sri Dharanidhar Pal gave a brief account of the progress made in the construction work of SAU at Dalijoda. He expressed that nearly four rooms would be ready within the next four months to start small workshops there. He emphasized on the submission of synopsis for any research project, particularly in the case of senior learners.
He said that the aim of SAU is to make one enter into the consciousness of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo through study.
Sri Pravakar Mishra, counselor, explained point-wise the writings of The Mother on Psychic Discovery and requested everyone present in the meeting to practise it in daily life for progress in consciousness.
In his concluding remarks Sri Gadadhar Mishra impressed upon all the tremendous possibilities behind the implementation of the project and requested every body to work with sincerity and patience for the success of the programme. He hoped that all hurdles in the path would be overcome slowly and gradually by the Grace of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo.
Sri Prasad Tripathy mentioned that a copy of each letter sent to the learners/ counsellors /principals should be sent to the respective district convenor for information and required action.
After a vote of thanks extended by Sri Ramesh Chandra Dalai, the meeting ended with a note of gratitude at the lotus Feet of The Mother and one minute’s silent prayer.
Sri Prasad Tripathy
Convenor, SAU
THE MATRUBHABAN PATRA JULY 2008
Printed, Published & Edited by Sri Gadadhar Mishra on behalf of the Matrubhaban Trust & Printed at Graphic Art Offset Press, Nuapatna, Cuttack-1 & Published at Matrubhaban, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Cuttack - 753 013. E-mail - matrubhaban@bsnl.in Please visit us at : www.matrubhaban.com
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sri Aurobindo and the Mother moved to the Library House (in the Main Building) on 25th October 1922
From: "SABDA eNews" mail@sabda.in to sabda@auromail.net CC: Subject: Ashram Main Building Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:49:16 +0530
This issue features a new book about the Ashram main building, the block of four houses where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lived for more than fifty years. Concerned almost exclusively with the physical structures, Sri Aurobindo Ashram: The Story of the Main Building traces its history, which began when Sri Aurobindo and the Mother moved to the Library House on 25th October 1922, paying as rent the then handsome sum of one hundred rupees per month. Soon the Rosary House and the Secretariat were acquired and finally the Meditation House, into which they moved on 7th February 1927. Thus a small world was created within the compound walls of these now connected properties—a world that was the very centre of the lives of all the sadhaks.
Renovations, reconstructions, alterations and additions to the structure are all detailed here through the text, quotations from letters and other documents written during those early years, detailed graphic explanations, drawings and diagrams, and many old photographs, often juxtaposed with similar views of the same scene taken recently. The result of this meticulous research is a book filled with interesting details that will be new to many readers. More significantly, perhaps, is that the book helps to recreate an atmosphere from those early years, when an important part of life at the Ashram was the daily contact of the disciples with the Mother within the Ashram compound. In that context we asked a few sadhaks to share some memories from those days—memories that contribute to the story of the Ashram Main Building.
The Kitchen in the Rosary House
The Kitchen with the branches of the Service Tree on its tiled roof1932-1942View from south-west
Tara-ben Patel, after two earlier visits, settled in the Ashram in 1930 when she was 18 years old. In those days everyone took up a work assigned by the Mother. Tara-ben and her elder sister Lila-ben were asked by the Mother if they would like to do the cooking. Lila-ben replied that they were just village girls from Gujarat and didn’t know any dishes outside of their village cooking. When the Mother offered to teach them, they happily agreed, and soon took up the work in the tiled-roof kitchen that stood in the centre of the courtyard. You can see this building here, with the branches of the Service Tree resting on its roof.
The sisters would prepare a variety of dishes after looking at the available vegetables. When once asked by the Mother to repeat a particular preparation that she had liked, Lila-ben replied that she could not at all remember how to make it. She had cooked it while in a trance-like state of inspiration, thinking only of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
Thus began the Mother’s Kitchen, which ultimately was shifted across the Rue Saint Gilles to the place where Grace is now located. The Mother’s Kitchen only closed after Dyuman passed away in 1993. Tara-ben worked in this kitchen and also at the Dining Room up until this time.
The Library House Backyard
Prosperity courtyard View from east 2001
Banana garden View from south-west 1922-29
In the Prosperity courtyard there is a small garden which back in the 1920s was a lush banana garden. The photographs above clearly show the transformation of this space. Noren Singh Nahar recalls that several years after he came to the Ashram in 1936, he asked the Mother if he could take up gardening work. One day in 1940 she called him to the window in Pavitra’s room on the first floor of the Secretariat, where he worked on the Ashram stamp collection, and pointing to this small garden area, asked him if “this would do”. And so he began growing vegetables for the Mother. In the morning before Balcony Darshan he would pluck the ripe vegetables and put them before the Mother. He recalls that she was especially fond of green beans and tomatoes, of which he even grew an heirloom variety called the Mikado tomato. When Ali and Alice Hyderi came to the Ashram in 1940 or ‘41 they suggested he also grow asparagus and artichokes. While he grew many varieties of vegetables, the artichokes were not a success!
Noren Singh-da also remembers that the place was used for growing paddy, which he used to water daily with more than one hundred cans of water. But the soil was not good for paddy and only a few stalks came up. This was the first attempt at farming in the Ashram, before the Cazanove and Rizière farms were acquired.
The First Construction Work
Construction of the Balcony blockcirca September 1929View from south
Completed Balcony blockcirca October 1930 View from Rue Saint Gilles
Almost immediately after the Secretariat and the Library House were purchased in 1929, construction of the Balcony block began, providing one long hall and a room for Pavitra upstairs and a place for his workshop, the Atelier, downstairs. When Robi Ganguly came to the Ashram in 1941 he was just ten years old, and the Balcony block and the new Secretariat building had been complete for almost ten years. He was given work at the Atelier, very simple work for a child such as turning on the bellows, and he remembers that tinning, or the enamelling of old pots and the like, was going on in the portico outside the Atelier throughout the day. The Mother, who spent most of the time in her salon on the first floor across the courtyard from the Atelier, was serenaded with the tok-tok-tok sounds of the tinning work. Robi-da remembers with what joy everyone worked throughout the day. No one sat idly by; all were carried along in their enthusiasm to do the Mother’s work.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
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ENGLISH
Sri Aurobindo Ashram: The Story of the Main Building
— Edited by Raman Reddy ISBN: 978-81-7058-892-4 Publisher: Sri Aurobindo Ashram Publication Department, Pondicherry Binding: Hard Cover Pages: 184 Price: Rs 550
The block of four houses that we know collectively as the Ashram Main Building was the abode of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother for more than fifty years, from October 1922 until November 1973. This book tells the story of how the houses – the Library House, the Rosary House, the Secretariat, and the Meditation House – were originally taken on lease, subsequently purchased, then renovated or reconstructed over the years. Later chapters describe the construction of the Mother's rooms on the second floor in 1962 and the history of the central courtyard where the Samadhi and the Service Tree are located. The book describes every structural change since the time Sri Aurobindo and the Mother moved in, using detailed drawings, explanatory graphics, old photographs, extracts from letters, and notes from some of the early sadhaks as it traces the story of the Ashram Main Building.
Becoming One
The Psychology of Integral Yoga— Compiled from the writings of the Mother Publisher: Project Coordination Group, Auroville Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 406 Price: Rs 250
This compilation presents some of the Mother's conversations and talks on subjects of a psychological nature. The selections cover such topics as the unification of the inner being; ego, desire, and opening to the adverse forces; the play of the universal mind; using sleep, dreams, meditation and concentration to become more conscious; and the nature of the inconscient, the subconscient, and the subliminal. In the Introduction the compiler provides a brief background to the relationship between Indian and Western systems of psychology and compares certain aspects of the work of Freud and Jung to the psychology of Integral Yoga, quoting from the work of Indra Sen in this regard. An Appendix of one hundred pages includes articles on related topics by the compiler, David Johnston, and Raymond de Becker as well as extracts from the books of Satprem, Nolini Kanta Gupta, and Kishor Gandhi.
HINDI
Kramvikas aur Parthiv Bhavitavyata
— Nolini Kanta Gupta ISBN: 978-81-7058-887-0 Publisher: Shankar Prasad Khare/ Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, Pondicherry Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 134 Price: Rs 70
Sri Aravind Ka Purnayoga (J. P. Tiwari)
— J. P. Tiwari Publisher: Sri Aurobindo Society, Lucknow Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 95 Price: Rs 40
BENGALI
Sangeet Satadal (Part 1)
Sur o Swaralipi— Tinkodi Bandopadhyay Publisher: Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Kolkata Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 109 Price: Rs 100
RUSSIAN
Na Puty
— Perepiska Materi so Shyamom Sundarom Publisher: Sri Aurobindo's Action, Pondicherry Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 171 Price: Rs 175
The Mother's correspondence with Shyam Sundar.
Na Puty k Bessmertiyu
Fragmenti iz rabot— Iz rabot Sri Aurobindo i Materi ISBN: 978-5-7938-0050-1 Publisher: Aditi (Russia) and All India Press (India) Binding: Soft Cover Pages: 82 Price: Rs 80
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Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Shivakumar spoke on "Why read Sri Aurobindo and the Mother"
News from Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry)
Recent Events at Beach Office
Release of Book: "Dr. M.V. Nadkarni: A Journey on the Sunlit Path" on 4 April 2008
On the Dais (L to R): Shri Ranganath, Shri Manoj Das, Shri Manojdas Gupta, Shri Vijaybhai and Mrs. Nadkarni
A function was held at the Beach Office of Sri Aurobindo Society to release the book "Dr. M.V. Nadkarni - A journey on the Sunlit Path" edited by Shri Ranganath, in which tributes were paid to Dr. Nadkarni who passed away recently. The book contains a few articles from his talks as well. In front of an audience who loved and cherished Dr. Nadkarni, the book was released by Shri Manojdas Gupta, the Managing Trustee of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
A view of the audience
Shri M. Jamshed compered the entire programme, introducing all the speakers and also sharing some of his own reminiscence of Dr. Nadkarni. The Editor of the book Shri Ranganath briefly recounted Dr. Nadkarni's life and his love for Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Dr. Nadkarni used to encourage new, young speakers to share their thoughts and develop their power of truth expression. In this spirit, three young speakers also were part of the function and they spoke on the following topics:
The young speakers: Devdip Ganguli, Shivakumar and Dr. Sampadananda Mishra
Devdip Ganguly gave a summary of Dr. Nadkarni's book: "India's Spiritual Destiny - Its Inevitability and Potentiality" Shivakumar spoke on "Why read Sri Aurobindo and the Mother" Dr. Sampadananda Mishra spoke on "Sanskrit in the Light of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother"
Shri Vijaybhai spoke on his association with Dr. Nadkarni and described as the Narada of this age, singing Sri Aurobindo's works in a way the common man can understand, appreciate and enjoy. The main speaker, Shri Manoj Das, in his speech recalled some memorable events related to Dr. Nadkarni. The function concluded with a Note of Thanks by Mrs. Nadkarni.
Education Camp - Study And Dialogues Cum Workshop: 20-27 May 2008
This year the annual All India Education Camp-Cum-Workshop was organised at the Beach Office of the Society from 20 to 27 May 2008. Fifty-one participants including teachers, educationists, principals and parents from various parts of the country attended the Camp. The details of the Camp will be given in the next month's Newsletter.
Visit by Dr. Sampadananda Mishra to University of North Bengal, Siliguri - 28 March 2008
On 28 March 2008 Dr. Sampadananda Mishra, head of the Society's Sanskrit dept., visited the University of North Bengal, Siliguri, to participate in a National Conference on Moral Language Analysis. Dr. Mishra presented a paper on the morals of Bhartrihari in which he pointed out that though Indian philosophers have not formulated any moral theory as such, the ethical and moral thoughts are available in the written records of ancient India i.e. Vedic and classical periods, and can very well be used for any illuminating discussion on Moral Philosophy. He concluded the paper saying that Bhartrihari's Nitishataka is a perfect guide to the art of right living and it presents a Moral Philosophy - not only in thought but in action also.
On 30 March 2008 he delivered a talk on the Gita at the Siliguri branch of Sri Aurobindo Society.
News from Branches and Centres
News from Abroad
Nairobi (Kenya)
On 9 April 2008 two members of the Nairobi Centre visited the Doctors' plaza at the M.P. Shah Hospital and distributed fifty sets of mini booklets.
On 14 April 2008 one of the members of the Nairobi Centre addressed the school assembly of Kutchi Leva Patel Samaj School which has students from all religious backgrounds. The assembly was briefed about the ideals of Sri Aurobindo Society and the students were invited to participate in these ideals by promoting harmony and unity in the school and the country which is passing through a difficult phase at large. About 2,200 booklets were presented to the school. The Society member also presented approximately twenty books, Mother's Morning Prayer, Mother's ideal on Beauty, Mother's Listening to the Inner Law and a calendar of quotations. The Chairman of the Board of the school Mr. Naran Hirani and the Headmaster Mr. Gill expressed the school's appreciation for the offering.
Hong Kong - Visit by Dr. Alok Pandey
Dr. Alok Pandey was invited to Hong Kong by Nimu Dani, Chairperson of Sri Aurobindo Society Centre there. He delivered two talks on 9 April 2008.
In the first talk Dr. Alok Pandey spoke about the need of gathering one's energies - mental, vital, physical and spiritual, and offering them to the Divine with an aspiration to find Him, to know Him and to serve Him. That is the essence of our Godward endeavour.
His second talk at the Visual Arts Centre, was based on "Evolution and Creation" as per Sri Aurobindo's vision. He said that evolution is the process of God's self-fulfilment through the emergence of better and better forms capable of manifesting the higher Perfection upon earth and in embodied life.
News from India
"Exploration" Workshop by Safier, Mumbai - 5 to 9 May 2008
SAFIER unit of Mumbai conducted a workshop called "Exploration" at the Shantivan Garden Nepeansea Road, Mumbai, for a group of young adults aged 12 to 18 years from various schools and colleges in Mumbai. The workshop was held during 5 to 9 May 2008, everyday for 2 hours between 9 to 11 am. There were 12 participants. The sessions included the following:
Veerabhadraasan
1. An Exploration of who we really are versus what we think ourselves to be. Low self esteem is almost an epidemic among our youth today. The toxic environment in which they grow up takes them far away from their true Selves. This session was designed to expose the youth to the practice of self exploration. As they come closer to their selves, the One Self that pervades all existence, they contact a love and dignity which is the very fabric of that Self. This exploration was done through discussions followed by Yogasanas.
2. Tuning into goodwill (Maitri) that is inherent in us, based on the oneness we share in our secret Selves with all life forms.
Exploring the 5 Elements
3. The understanding of creation as different permutations of the Pancha-Mahaabhootas (the Five Elements - sky/ether, air, fire, water, earth). The essence of each element was explored along with their relevance to their own thinking processes and emotions, and were incorporated into different Yogasanas. These activities brought out the essence of each of the 5 elements.
Exploring using the Senses
4. Sense awareness exercises like blind folded nature walk, to give them the experience of 'seeing' with the ears and 'hearing' with their bare feet. These exercises aim at refining the senses into more perfect instruments of perception.
5. Auro-sealing techniques to put the youth in touch with the protective Mother's Force that constantly hovers over them. This was aimed at giving the youth an experience of the fact that they are not alone in their struggles, that they are indeed a part of a magnificent whole which forever nurtures them.
Some Feed Backs: -- "Connecting with the 5 universal elements was the best because I could really connect with them & they actually relieved me of a few things." Rajvi Std 10th.-- "Yoga to me is the only thing that brings me closer to the truth. It is not just asanas, it is the way of life." Priyasha std 10th. -- "Yoga has brought me closer to the Mother and the Mother is everything for me." Shreyas Std 10th-- " I always knew that in the end it is only God who matters but there are always turns I would end up feeling low, after coming to this workshop it gave me an inner feeling that I have to keep on working on 'Oneness' with God. It is not impossible." -- "The Nature walk & the aura shielding makes one realise there is so much more to life than worry." Kaushali Std 12th.
Noida (U.P.) - May 2008 Programmes
Discourses 4 May 2008: On Sunday, the 4th May 2008, Brahmachari Govind Chaitanaya, Director, Chinmaya Yuva Kendra of Chinmaya Mission, gave a talk on "Meditation & Consciousness - in the context of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother". About 40 devotees and their families took part in the function.
Talk on "Sri Aurobindo's Yoga": Shri Vijay, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Research and Social Sciences, Puducherry, addressing the gathering. On the dais are Dr. Pradeep Puranik, Vice-Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Noida Branch
Talk on "Sri Aurobindo's Yoga": Shri Vishwa Mohan Tiwari, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) addressing the gathering. On the dais are Shri Vijay and Dr. Pradeep Puranik
24 May 2008: On Saturday, the 24th May 2008, Shri Vijay N. Poddar, Chairman of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Research and Social Sciences, Puducherry, gave a talk on "Sri Aurobindo's Yoga" which was followed by Question - Answer session. The Talk evinced keen interest among the participants. Present on the occasion included Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, former Governor of Karnataka; Shri Vijay K. Poddar, Chairman SAS (Hindi Zone) and Shri Vishwa Mohan Tiwari, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.). About 80 devotees and their families attended the Talk.
Daily Reading of Savitri at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan: 'Savitri' is being read daily at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan from 5:00 to 5:30 pm.
Education at Sri Aurobindo Shiksha Niketan 17 May 2008: Shri Satinder K. Puri, Director, Knowledge Exchange Centre, had an interactive session with the Children of Sri Aurobindo Shiksha Niketan for about an hour. Thereafter the children were explained about the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and Sri Maa and all of them paid tributes to the Holy Shrine.
3, 10, 17 and 24 May 2008: During the month of May 2008, on 3, 10, 17 and 24 May 2008, Shri Vishwa Mohan Tiwari, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) and Col. M.K. Nigam came to Sri Aurobindo Bhavan and interacted for two hours with the children of Sri Aurobindo Shiksha Niketan. Poems, stories, good manners and discipline were explained to the children.
Health Treatment by Acupressure Therapy: Acupressure Treatment for two hours daily from Monday to Friday by Mrs. Sudha Kesharwani at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan is going on well. While giving treatment, she is also using the relevant quotations of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, and the persons coming for acupressure treatment are evincing keen interest in them.
Free Eye Check-up/Consultation on every Sunday at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan: Free Eye Check-up/Consultation is being organised on every Sunday, for two hours from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm by Dr. P.S. Chauhan, Eye Specialist and Project Director, National Blindness Control Programme, Govt. of India, at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Noida. Development of Women: Agarbatties, Candle, Chalk and Toys Making Classes: Agarbatties, Candle, Chalk and Toys Making classes at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan are going on well. About 20 girls are learning these activities regularly.
Sewing & Tailoring Classes: Sewing & Tailoring Classes are being conducted daily from Monday to Friday at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan by Smt. Jaya Nigam and about twenty ladies/girls are learning the same.
Other Activities: 3rd Anniversary of Enshrinement of Sacred Relics: On Thursday, the 1st May 2008, on the occasion of completion of three years of enshrinement of Sacred Relics at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Noida, a programme of Bhajans on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother by Mrs. Kuntala Dasgupta was organised at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan. Shri O.P. Dani briefly talked on the Significance and Importance of Sacred Relics. About 40 devotees and their families took part in the Programme.
Regular Activities: Besides the above, regular activities of Meditation with the Mother's music daily in the morning and evening, Library, Playing of spiritual audio/video CDs etc. are held.
Chennai branch: K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar Annual Endowment Lecture on 17 April 2008
Shri Erwadi Radhakrishnan speaking during Prof. K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar annual endowment lecture: Also seen are Shri C.D. Ayyan, Shri Tiruppur Krishnan and Shri Srinivasa Gopalan
Chennai branch organised the Prof. K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar annual endowment lecture on 17 April 2008. Shri C.D. Ayyar, Chairman of the Chennai branch, presided over the function. Shri Ayyar explained the salient features of Prof. K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar's writings and recalled his own experiences with him and Dr. Venkatasubramaniam who created the endowment. Dr. Tiruppur Krishnan welcomed the chief guests. The main speaker was Shri Srinivasa Gopalan, Retd. Dy. Secretary (Finance), Govt. of Tamil Nadu. He spoke on "Grace in Day-to-day Life". Kalaimamani Erwadi Radhakrishnan spoke on "Annai Potrum Pennmai" (The Mother on Woman). He also quoted some valuable guidance from the book "How to Bring up a Child?" About 150 persons attended the meeting.
A view of the audience
The Chennai branch arranged the following special talks during the month of April 2008:
Date Speaker Topic
01.04.2008 Shri M.K. Ramaswamy "Rose as Divine's Intense Grace"06.04.2008 Shri Janagan "A few Pages in a Book"13.04.2008 Shri Venkat "Supramental Ship"20.04.2008 Mrs. V. Janaki "Thoughts Full of Flashes"27.04.2008 Shri M.K. Ramaswamy "Magnificent Silence"
West Bengal State Conference and 4th Annual Conference of the Jharkhand State Committee
The ninth Annual Conference of the West Bengal State Committee of Sri Aurobindo Society was held at the Bankura branch on 5 and 6 April 2008. About 200 members from 12 branches and centres participated. Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee from Pondicherry presided over the conference. Important issues on work were discussed. Group discussions were also held. A steering committee consisting of 10 members was formed to look into the various projects pertaining to the work of Society in West Bengal.
The Annual Conference of the State Committee of Jharkhand was held at Doranda, Ranchi, in the premises of the branch on 12 and 13 April 2008. A large number of delegates including citizens of Ranchi city attended the conference. The conference had a happy beginning and an equally happy ending. Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee from Pondicherry presided over the conference.
Bhopal (M.P.) - Mother Memorial Lecture Series on 16 to 20 May 2008
The Annual Mother memorial lecture series was held at Bhopal from 16 to 20 May 2008. The central theme of the lecture series was Veda and Upanishad. Shri Vishwa Mohan Tiwari (Air Vice Marshal, Rtd.) was the resource person. On the last day he spoke on the topic "Old Age is a Boon, Not a Curse". Shri Manoj Sharma compered the programme.
Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh)
Dr. (Mrs.) T.V. Nagaranjani delivered six talks on some important portions of "Synthesis of Yoga", as part of the programme of lecture series Sri Aurobindo Vyakhyanamala, from 21 to 26 April 2008 at the Hyderabad branch.
On 24 April, Darshan day, besides the above talk, there was rendering of devotional songs by Mrs. Swati Srinivas in the evening and a special flower decoration and lighting with candles around the Samadhi containing the Relics.
Delhi - Darshan Day Celebrations on 24 April 2008
Delhi branch celebrated the Darshan day on 24 April 2008 and had an evening of Bhajans by Mrs. Kuckoo Mathur, a devotee of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The Mother's grace was invoked and the function started with a meditation. Mrs. Kuckoo Mathur sung the bhajans, whose lyrics were written by Dr. Alok Pandey. She kept the audience spell bound with her enchanting voice. Mr. Jai Singh, Executive Committee Member gave away the memento. All present made flower offerings and lit diyas at the Shrine. Prasad was distributed to all.
Vadodara (Gujarat)
1. The Women's Council of Sri Aurobindo Society's Vadodara branch arranged a one-day seminar on 20 April 2008. The subject was "Let us meet the Lord while Working". Smt. Jyotiben Thanki conducted the seminar under the chairmanship of Shri Hanskumar Mankad. It was attended by about 75 participants. The importance of work was emphasised in the light of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. A book in Gujarati on the same subject has also been published.
2. A State level resident youth camp was organised by Abhipsa Yuva Circle from 25 to 27 April 2008. 28 students from Dhari, Amreli, Himmatnagar, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, Oori and Vadodara participated in the camp and breathed in the spiritual atmosphere of Sri Aurobindo Niwas, Vadodara.
Study and workshop on different subjects like, Nature, Music, Art, Poetry, Physical Education, and India, in the light of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, were the theme of the shivir. All the students participated with enthusiasm and enjoyed their stay at the Niwas. Four exhibitions on different subjects with Sri Aurobindo's and the Mother's writings were also arranged during the shivir. On the last day a visit to Laxmi Niwas palace of Baroda was also arranged.
Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh)
The Sultanpur Branch organised readings by Ashwinbhai Kapaida from "Prayers and Meditation" in morning and evening session on 7 and 8 April 2008.
A collective meditation was organised by the Branch on 24 April 2008 - the Mother's final arrival day at Pondicherry - both in the morning and in the evening.
On 18 April 2008, Dr. J.P. Singh of Sultanpur Branch visited the Badlapur Centre. A meeting was organised by the centre and Dr. J.P. Singh spoke on the relevance of Sri Aurobindo.
Gulbarga (Karnataka)
On the morning of 24 April 2008 the Mother's final arrival day at Pondicherry, a Marathi book "Amchi Aaee Tumachi Aaee" was released by Shri Prabhakar Noolkar from Sholapur. Shri P.M. Galgali delivered a talk on the Mother's life, Shri T. Gandhoji and Shri Prabhakar Noolkar were the other speakers. The Mother's message was distributed along with prasad.
In the evening at 4:30 pm painting of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother by Dr. S.M. Pandit was exhibited at Chaitanya Mayi Art Gallery.
home about the site 15th August the mother sri aurobindo about sas sas activities onlife, online calendar sas & you the ashram centre of education auroville pondicherry sitemap what's new related links archive feedback audio "Om namoh bhagvate..."
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Commentaries on the Isha Upanishad by Sraddhalu Ranade
The Noons of the Future
Home Auroville Projects Partners Contact Links AurovilleRadio
Commentaries on the Isha Upanishad Since January 2008
Detailed study of Isha Upanishad.
These weekly classes on Sunday have been led by Sraddhalu Ranade since January 2008 in M.P. Pandit House in Pondicherry when another major class on the reading of Savitri was over. The Upanishadic expression takes Symbolic Truth of Veda into a form that begins to touch the mind. The very name Upanishad means to sit near by, to sit in closeness. Literaturely, in its deeper sense it represents an inner communion with the Truth that seen, sensed, perceived, felt and remain in that closeness and communion.
The Synthesis of the Yoga Since January 2003
Detailed study in the context of Sri Aurobindo's other major works.
These weekly classes on Friday have been led by Sraddhalu Ranade since January 2003 in Savitri Bhavan, Auroville. These classes are helping to create a new atmosphere in Auroville, and are deeply inspiring to many people. We feel honoured that Savitri Bhavan has become the venue for these very special sessions.
"The New Creation" , 10 March 2008
In an introductory note to Savitri, Sri Aurobindo states that this narrative“ … is not a mere allegory, the characters are not personified qualities, but incarnations or emanations of living and conscious Forces … ” [...]
Auroville Festival in Russia , 5 February 2008
In August a small team of Aurovilians were in Russia as a part of festival of Auroville in Ethnomir. Founded in 2006 Ethnormir is an 84-hectare cultural complex 90 kms west of Moscow in the Borovsky district of Kaluga Region. [...]
"Agni – the Flame within" , 31 January 2008
The canto entitled The Secret Knowledge is one of the more mystical cantos in Savitri, and though many of the passages seem simple enough in appearance one senses a deeper meaning running through the diverse images and ideas and descriptions [...]
Russian Flat Bells , 20 January 2008
Another time he set up the bells on a large hill and as he was playing them he saw that the people gathered in concentric circles down the hill. This was Mother’s guidance to me and I have kept the arrangement of concentric circles for both OM choirs. [...]
Narad ( Richard M. Eggenberger ) , 19 January 2008
Narad has got his heavenly name directly from the Mother. At the present he is actively involved in the manifestation of Matrimandir Gardens and the bringing down "The New Music" to be realised here. [...]
Ivan Leonidov " The City of the Sun", 1943–1959 , 12 January 2008
Meanwhile he wrote down sketchy dreams-visions about City of the Sun - the capital of the world which has stretched on man-made island somewhere in Indian ocean. [...]
Works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother , 05 January 2008
The Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust has now officially made available the Mother's and Sri Aurobindo's written works on its website. All the volumes of the "Collected Works of the Mother" and those that have already been published of the "Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo" are available for download in PDF format at, respectively [...]
Sraddhalu Ranade , 16 December 2007
Sraddhalu Ranade will be presented on this web site. We will provide regular, up-to-date and comprehensive information on various activities, lectures, retreats, and workshops which will be or have been offered in Auroville and the Ashram. [...]
New photos , 14 December 2007
Sergey has uploaded some of his photos from his pilgrimage in Indian Himalayas : Goecha La trek in Sikkim, retreat with Sraddhalu in Nainital, Binsar, Kausani, Almora. [...]
New website , 11 December 2007
We are happy to inform you that our new website http://futurenoons.com was launched on 11 December 2007. One primary goal of the website is to bring to a wider audience our aspiration to a higher life and to share our experience of living in Auroville; we might also go so far as to say we aspire to be an additional bridge between all those who [...]
News & notes The New Creation Agni – the Flame within Russian Flat Bells The City of the Sun
email : futurenoonsATgmail.com Category Sraddhalu's page Narad's page New website
Photos Pilgrimage 2007 more... Back on top ^ Auroville web site FutureNoons © 2008
Web site links
Web site of Auroville www.auroville.org English; wonderful website, optimized, a lot of material on Auroville
Web site of Sri Aurobindo Ashram www.sriaurobindoashram.org English
Web site of Sri Aurobindo Ashram www.sriaurobindoashram.info English; very good MP3 collection
Russian web site on Sri Aurobindo and Mother www.aurobindo.ru Russian, English; works of Sri Aurobindo, Mother and their followers, biographic and other materials; a photoarchive and audiocollection
Savitri by Sri Aurobindo www.savitribysriaurobindo.com English; nice web site on Savitri
Search for Light www.searchforlight.org English, French, Portuguese, Tamil, Russian; Innovative design, light and easy, used flash
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Prapatti and the Movement of Integral Education
Key events of the year Events Calendar News from events Monthly News
Monthly News - May 2008
ASTHA ZONE
BALASORE
On 9.4.2008 Sri Aurobindo Study Circle was held at Yogamandir, Santia, Jaleswar. Kirtan Bhai, Prabhat Bhai and Sushama Apa gave deliberations on various subjects like – “Savitri: the Legend epic of Love and Death”, “A big change is going to take place on this earth”, “Love oneself and others” and “The role of women in the present situation”… On 1.5.2008, Subal Chandra Sahoo of Rajpur arranged the annual Sri Aurobindo Study Circle in his house. Khagendra Bhai, Narahai Bhadra, Dhirendra Pradhan, Purna Chandra Senapati etc participated in this study circle… On 2.5.2008 Kirtan Bhai of Bartan conducted the 5th Annual Study Circle of Srimaa Sri Arurobindo Anandamayee study circle …On 7.5.2008 Gayaprasad of Rajpur celebrated the Annual Sri Aurobindo Study Circle at his house. Narahari Bhadra and Purnachandra Senapati participated in the discussion on the subject “Divine Grace”.
BHADRAK 2.4.2008 a new Sri Auroibindo Study Circle was opened at Sami Apa’s house and this was conducted by Bharat Bhai… On 5.4.2008 two new Sri Aurobindo Study Circles opened at Nrusimha Charan Prusty and Reeta Apa’s house… On 13.4.2008 the 158th session of Sri Aurobindo Moving Study Circle was organized in Kiran Chandra Gupta’s house. Subodh Kumar Das spoke on “Brief Life Sketch of The Mother”, while Golakbihari Sahoo spoke on “Adoration of Savitri” . Other speakers elaborated on “Brief life history of Sri Aurobindo and His poems”, “Everything:….. our working power and earning power belongs to The Mother.”…On 27.4.2008 Pitabasa Samal of Charigharia organised the Annual Sri Aurobindo Study circle at his house. Golakbihari Sahoo, Indramani Mahal and Subodh Kumar Das participated here and delivered their talks on various subjects like “Golden Day, Golden Light” and “Why we should take refuge at the Feet of The Mother?”…On 27.4.2008 The Sri Aurobindo Study Circle was organised at Tihidi in the house of Bishnu Mohan Nahak
KEONJHAR
8.4.2008 The Annual Function of Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, Champua was observed Nirmal Chandra Nayak, Manager TISCO participated as the Chief Guest in this function...On 10.4.2008 Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre Keonjhar organised its Annual Function…On 11.4.2008 a one dayYouth Camp was held at Sarei. …From 12.4.2008 to 13.4.2008 a district level Sri Aurobindo Study Circle Conference was organised in the premises of the Integral Education Centre which was conducted by Ajay Bhai. Prasad Tripathy and Dr. Debidutta Kar participated in the Conference and delivered their talks on subjects “The importance of Integral Education” and “The duty of the sadhaks in Integral Yoga” respsctively… 15.4.2008 Sri Aurobindo integral Education Centre, Binida celebrated its Annual Function. Ajay Bhai enlightened the students about the purpose of Integral Education. Dasarathi Bhai and Suresh Bhai participated in this celebration…20.4.2008 : A Workers’ Meet was organised on behalf of Sri Aurobindo Study Circle, West Joda Mines and this was hosted by Anang Mahana and Sujata Mahana. Anadi Charan Swain and Saroj Kumar Prusty discussed about the subjects “The need of Sri Aurobindo Study Circle” and “Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga in normal life”. Rajeswari Pattanayak and Namita Prusty also participated in this meet.21.4.2008 The annual Sri Aurobindo Study Circle was observed at BidyadharBhai’s house at Bathal. 23.4.2008 In the Annual Sri Aurobindo Study Circle, which was organised at Uma Apa’s house, Baldebjew Colony, Brahmananda Bhai briefly discussed about “The Miracle in The Mother’s name”.24.4.2008: The Anniversary of The Mother’s final arrival at Pondicherry was celebrated in many places of the district Keonjhar, like Kainipura, Matkambeda, Tentulinanda, Champua, Mugupur, and many more…On this day the Women’s Study Circle celebrated its Annual Study Circle and Pranati Apa and Uma Apa participated in this function.From 24th to 26th April a Sri Aurobindo Study Circle Conference was organised at Neudani. In this conference Satyendra Bhai, Fakir Bhai, Kirtan Bhai and Danu Bhai actively participated. From 28th to 29th April Mugupur celebrated its Annual Sri Aurobindo Study Circle. Radha Apa, Danu Bhai and Fakir Bhai took active part in this function.29.4.2008 Sanatan Bhai of Sulata conducted the Annual Sri Aurobindo Study Circle and on the same day a special programme was organised by Prasant Bhai at Jalasarpur. 30.4.2008 a special programme was organised in the Sri Aurobindo Integral School, Keonjhar. In this specially arranged function Pranati Apa, Kalpana Apa, Niroj Bhai spoke about “Prapatti and The Movement of Integral Education”.
MAYURBHANJ
14.4.2008, the 24th anniversary of Relics Installation Day of Sri Aurobindo Nitya Nibas was celebrated. Prasad Tripathy, Pravat Nayak, Gadadhar Mishra, Fakir Charan Sankhua participated in this celebration.
KRUPA ZONE
DHENKANAL
1.4.2008 the Annual session of the collective Study Circle was held in Sansailo village. “The Role of women in establishing the Divine Age” was the subject for discussion and the participants were Rudra Bhai, Nabin bhai, Tiki Apa, Kuni Apa and Jhali Apa. Kulu Apa and Lulu Apa participated in the Question-Answer Programme… Matrukrupa Study Circle was newly opened in Mukta Kishore Sahoo’s residence. Tiki Apa, Kulu Apa, and Kuni Apa discussed on “The Need of Sri Aurobindo Study circle”. 8.4.2008 Sanjay Bhai discussed about “The Necessity of Sri Aurobindo Study Circle” in a specially arranged study circle at Dhenkanal Town Hall.9.4.2008 A new study circle named Dibyakrupa Study Circle was started in the house of Krushna Chandra Sahoo of Sansailo Village. In this opening ceremony “Women in Integral Yoga” was the topic for discussion.
SAMARPAN ZONE
KORAPUT 6.4.2008 The Sri Aurobindo Study Circle of the adolescent girls was organised in the auditorium of Boriguma Hospital. In this study circle C.H. Santakar, Usharani, Sachidananda Ratha, Lalit Mohan Pattanayak, etc participated and many people of Sri Aurobindo Study Circle had attended the meeting. 13.4.2008, a zonal Sri Aurobindo Study Circle was held in the house of Milan Rani Sarkar of Ambaguda village. Santoshini Patra conducted the study circle. In this particular meeting many speakers delivered speeches on different subjects. C. H. Santakar discussed on “Divine Work”, Lalit Mohan Pattanayak told on “Sadhana of the woman”, Tarini Charan Pati on “Namajapa”etc. People of several studycircles of Sashahandi, Kodinga, Boriguma, Ambaguda, Nabrangapur, Koraput, Jaynagar etc had come to participate.16.4.2008, a special Sri Aurobindo Study Circle Conference was observed at Borigumma High School. Lalit Mohan Pattanayk graced the meeting as the Chief Guest and Bhubanananda Mohanty as the President. C.H. Santakar discussed on “In Search of Divine Ananda”and “Aim of Life”. In this conference Rajat Kumar Sarangi, Gobind Das, Gitanjali Behera and the teachers of Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre participated.21.4.2008, Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, Irrigation Colony, Jeypore observed its 24th Annual Function. In this Harihar Sahu acted as the president and George Lakra as the Chief Guest. Poddar Bhai, Uday Bhai, Nilamadhab Bhai spoke on various subjects.
NABRANGPUR
From 30.3.2008 to 1.4.2008 a Camp was organised at B. Maliguda. Sudhir Bhai and Lalit Bhai organised this camp. In the opening session Debidutta Kar, Tarini Charan Pati, Nirakar Bhai, Santosh Kumar Gahan etc participated in the discussion. In other sessions Harekrushna Bhai, Sangita Pattanayak, Subhashree Apa Sampada Mishra, Sujata Pati, Santoshini Patra, and Santakar participated.8.4.2008, a unique Sri Aurobindo Study circle was held in the premises of Nabrangpur Sri Aurobindo Study Circle Trust. “The Vision and the Smile of The Mother” was the subject for discussion and Chandan Bhumiyan, Ajay Sahu, Dasharathi Majhi took part in the discussions.9.4.2008, in a specially arranged Sri Aurobindo Study Circle, the subjects like “Rejection” and “Right Attitude” were covered in the discussion. Lalit Mohan Pattanayak, Suresh Chandra Mishra, Ajay Bhai, Santi Apa, Supriya Apa, Geeta Apa participated in this discussions.17.4.2008 Sri Aurobindo Integral education centre, Papadahandi celebrated its 12th Annual Function. Rabindra Nath Khosla attended the meeting as the Chief Guest and Lalit Mohan Pattanayak as the Chief Speaker. 20.4.2008, a district level Sri Aurobindo Study Circle Conference was organised in the premises of The High School, Khatubai which was organised by Chandan Bhumiyan. In this conference Lalit Bhai spoke on “The obstacles in sadhana”, Ramakanta Jena on “Sri Aurobindo Study Circle: Why, What and How?”, Abhimanyu Das “Divine Work”. Shayamsundar Ningi, Rammohan Pattanayak, Nanu Das etc participated in the function.24.4.2008 a special Sri Aurobindo Study Circle was held at Nabrangpur. In this study circle a discussion was held on “The significance of the 24th April Darshan Day”. On this occasion the 4th issue of Surabhi, the magazine was brought out by Rajendra Tripathy. 27.4.2008 a district level Sri Aurobindo Study circle was organised in Dangara village. Lalit Bhai discussed about “In search of Divine Ananda”. C. H. Santakar, Surendra Kuamr Panda, Abhimanyu Das etc participated in this meeting.
SAMATA ZONE
JHARSUGUDA 1.4.2008, A Sri Aurobindo Study circle was held in the house of Sadananda Pradhan where Surendra Nath Behera, Prasant Kumar Pal etc participated2.4.2008, the Annual Sri Aurobindo Study circle was observed in the house of Gagan Bihari Das, Bhuliatikta.Prafulla Kumar Panda and Satyanarayan Babu took part in the discussion Surendranath Behera conduted the meeting.
SANGATI ZONE
BOUDH24.4.2008, in a special programme held at Chauinriapada, Braja Bhai discussed about “The purpose of Sri Aurobindo Study Circle and Integral Education”. Suramani bhai, Gauri bhai, Rajesh bhai, Ramprasad Bhai and Pratyush bhai participated in the meeting.
SATYA ZONE
CUTTACK 13.4.2008 A camp was organised in the campus of Siddheswarpur Pathamandir. 1.5.2008 Annual Sri Aurobindo Study circle was organised in Bhabani Jena’s house.
KENDRAPADA
Niranjan Nayak of Garadpur block organised in his house the annual Sri Aurobindo Study Circle.
13.4.2008 the 7th annual Sri Aurobindo study circle was organised by Prahllad Kumar Swain of Garadpur. Sukadeb Samal organised this study circle. 27.4.2008 the 8th annual study circle was celebrated by Narilo SriAurobindo Study Circle and Kendrapara Unit. Sarbaswar Mohapatra, Sukadeba Samal, Mamata Mohanty etc participated in this study circle.
SANTI ZONE
NUAPADA On 9.4.2008 Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre celebrated its Annual Function. Speakers were Ramchandra Mishra and Supriya Chatterjee had participated in this function and gave their views on “The Importance of Integral Education in Present Circumstances”.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education, Salt Lake, Kolkata
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education, Salt Lake, Kolkata
Devotee members of Sri Aurobindo and the Divine Mother started this school in the year 1983 at BK Block, Sector II of Salt Lake City, Kolkata. Later the school was expanded at CL Block on two bighas of land. The new building is called Miranka (in the name of Mother's lap).
Admission FORMS for Academic Year 2006-2007 will be sold from School Office from 16th Nov 05 till 23rd Nov 05 at 11:30 AM till 2:30 PM on Weekdays, 11:00 AM till 1:00 PM on Saturdays. Each FORM will cost Rs 200. Home Mother Sri Aurobindo Aim Feature Study Centre Notice Board Contact Us Notice Board
SRI AUROBINDO INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
SRI AUROBINDO STUDY CENTRE
CL - 9-12, SALT LAKE, CALCUTTA - 700091
Special Programmes in February, 2008 in observance of the Mother's 130th Birth Anniversary and the 13th Anniversary of the Supramental Manifestation"Infinity was her movement's natural space; Eternity looked out from her on Time."-Sri Aurobindo
"Everyone should repeatedly be told: abolish your ego and peace will reign in you"- The Mother
February 2, Saturday Invocation
Reading : From the Mother’s ‘Prayers and Meditations’
Shri Tapan Mohan Chakraborty &
Smt Nitu Karmakar
Reading : From Sri Aurobindo’s ‘The Mother’(in Bengali) Shri Mrinal Kanti Pal Reading : From the collected works of Nolinida(Madhumayee Ma) Smt. Arpita Sengupta
Collective meditation
February 9, Saturday Invocation Reading : Sri Aurobindo’s Poem ‘Rose of God’. Smt. Aparna Banerjee & Smt. Ishita Majumdar Reading: From Sri Aurobindo’s ‘On The Mother’ (Bengali rendering) Shri Sambhunath Ghosh
A talk on the Mother Speaker: Shri Dipendra Nath Chakraborty Collective Meditation
February 16, Saturday Invocation A talk on the Mother Speaker: Shri Biswanth Ray Collective Meditation
February 21,Thursday Invocation
Introduction- Shri Sankar Banerjee
Release of the journal ‘Aspiration’, published by the Study Centre.
Laying the same at the feet of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother
A talk on the Mother
Speaker : Shri Dilip Kumar Roy
Collective Meditation
Distribution of ‘Aspiration’
February 23, Saturday Invocation
A garland of devtional songs.
Vocal - Artists of the Study Centre
Sitar – Shri Sujoy Bose (Disciple of Shri Manilal Nag
Tabla – Sukanta Debnat
February 29, Friday Invocation
Reading : Sri Aurobindo’s Poem, ‘The Golden Light’
A talk on the Supramental Manifestation
Speaker: Shri Jiten Banerjee
Concluding address
Collective Meditation
N.B. The programme commences at 5.00PM on all the days. The programme will be interspersed with
Ashram music and devotional songs. Weekly programmes are held at 5 PM every Saturday as
usual. The Study Centre Library remains open every Sunday from 5PM-6PM
All are welcome
All rights reserved Copyrights are restricted to Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Sri Aurobindo Integral Yoga Retreat at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina
60 Pointe Circle Greenville, SC 29615
Phone Information
R.P. Rama: 864.248.1555 Heather Bruce: 864.248.1571
Fax Information
R.P. Rama: 864.248.1655 Heather Bruce: 864.248.1671 E-Mail
info@SriAurobindoCenterUSA.com
July 9, 2008 WEDNESDAY
12:00 PM - 5:30 PM Registration
5:30 PM–7:15 PM Dinner
7:15 PM–8:15 PM Impact of Yoga on Management
8:15 PM–9:30 PM Learning How to Meditate
July 10, 2008 THURSDAY
6:30 AM–7:30 AM Yoga
7:30 AM–9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM–9:20 AM Meditation
9:20 AM–10:30 AM Inner Traveler...Soul and its Journey by Dr. Alok Pandey
10:30 AM–10:45 AM Break
10:45 AM–12:15 PM Awakening and Transformation of Life by Shradhalu Ranade
12:15 PM–2:30 PM Lunch and Rest
2:30 PM–4:00 PM Healing through Peace...Experiential Practice by Dr. Alok Pandey
4:00 PM–4:30 PM Break
4:30 PM–6:00 PM Interiorization of Consciousness...Experiential Practice of Integral Yoga by Shradhalu Ranade
6:00 PM–6:15 PM Break
6:15 PM–6:45 PM Pranayam
6:45 PM Dinner/Lakeside Concert
9:15–10:00 PM Health and Yoga Healing Q&A by Dr. Alok Pandey (optional)
July 11, 2008 FRIDAY
6:30 AM–7:30 AM Yoga
7:30 AM–9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM–9:20 AM Meditation
9:20 AM–10:30 AM Inner Traveler...Life upon Earth by Dr. Alok Pandey
10:30 AM–10:45 AM Break
10:45 AM–12:15 PM Exploring Inner World...the Hidden Forces of Life by Shradhalu Ranade
12:15 PM–2:30 PM Lunch and Rest
2:30 PM–3:45 PM Ayurveda for You by Dr. Priyanka
3:45 PM–4:30 PM Break
4:30 PM–6:00 PM Experiential Practice of Integral Yoga...Concentration by Shradhalu Ranade
6:00 PM–6:30 PM Pranayam
6:30 PM Dinner
8:30 PM–9:30 PM Auroville...a City of Tomorrow (film)
9:30 PM–10:15 PM Healing in Integral Yoga Q&A by Dr. Alok Pandey (optional)
July 12, 2008 SATURDAY
6:30 AM–7:30 AM Yoga
7:30 AM–9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM–9:20 AM Meditation
9:20 AM–10:30 AM Inner Traveler...After Death by Dr. Alok Pandey
10:30 AM–10:45 AM Break
10:45 AM–12:15 PM The Work Ahead...Fulfilling Purpose of Life by Shradhalu Ranade
12:15 PM–2:30 PM Lunch and Rest
2:30 PM–4:00 PM Ayurveda for Life by Dr. Priyanka
4:00 PM–4:30 PM Break
4:30 PM–6:00 PM Experiential Practice of Integral Yoga...Ascent and Descent of Consciousness by Shradhalu Ranade
6:00 PM–6:30 PM Pranayam
6:30 PM–8:30 PM Dinner
8:30 PM–9:30 PM Death, Dying, and Beyond Q&A by Dr. Alok Pandey (optional)
July 13, 2008 SUNDAY
6:30 AM–7:30 AM Yoga
7:30 AM–9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM–9:20 AM Meditation
9:20 AM–10:30 AM Inner Traveler...Soul's Journey
10:30 AM–10:45 AM Break
10:45 AM–12:00 PM Open Q&A with Dr. Alok Pandey and Shradhalu Ranade
12:00 PM Lunch & Depart
Sacred Indian Music: Dr. Haridas and Bina Chaudhuri Memorial Annual Celebration, June 22
Cultural Integration Fellowship
PROGRAM LISTING Note: Sunday Service starts at 11:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Service is free will offering. Your donation helps us continue these offerings. April May June
April 2008 Program
Date April 06 TOPIC AND SPEAKER INFORMATION Making Life a Little Bit Better with Taiji and Qigong!
About the Speaker: Larry Wong is an Awareness Educator and Director of Wong's Taiji & Chi Gung for Health, Taiji and Qigong mentor, and certified accupressurist. He has also taught at the Bay Area Kaiser hospitals.
April 13 A New Perspective on Sri Aurobindo's Yoga
About the Speaker: Debashish Bannerjee, Ph.D., is a former director of the East-West Center in Los Angeles and a scholar in Integral Philosophy, Indian Art and History. Based on the recently published personal diaries from 1912-1920, he will share his research on Sri Auorobindo's Record of Yoga.
April 20 A Drop in the Ocean, I am the Ocean - Reflections on Individuality and Interdependence
About the Presenter: Anne Teich, Ph.D., is a Buddhist practitioner of the Theravada Forest tradition and the Academic Affairs Manager at CIIS.
April 27 Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras
About the Speaker: James Ryan, Ph.D., is a Vice President of CIF Board and a Professor of Asian and Comparative Studies at CIIS. He is also the co-author of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism.
May 2008 Program
Date May 04 TOPIC AND SPEAKER INFORMATION Fostering Group Coherence in Integral Consciousness
About the Speaker: JoAnna Zweig, Ph.D., PMP, has worked with groups in theatrical production and software application development in large companies for more than 35 years. She holds a Ph.D. from CIIS in Integral Studies. JoAnna is also the CEO of the Integral Systems Response, a technology project management firm as well as a belly dance and Iyengar Hatha Yoga teacher.
May 11 Tagore Jayanti - Celebration of Sri Rabindranath Tagore's Birthday
About the Speaker: Shaymoshree Diamond Gupta, Jaya Basu, Sudip Nag, Sky Basu, Mandipa Bhattacharya, Aditya, Oli Das, and Prodipta Gupta. Shaymoshree was born in Calcutta Brahmo family of many renowned Rabingrasangeet singers. She has also performed for West Bengal State Radio, Akashbaani Calcutta.
May 18 There will be no Sunday Service due to the Bay to Breakers.
May 25 There will be no Sunday Service due to the Memorial Day Week-end.
June 2008 Program
Date June 08 TOPIC AND SPEAKER INFORMATION A Creative and Harmonious Life: The Journey Begins. A Course in Integral Philosophy for Teens.
About the Speaker: Taun Relihan, Ph.D., is a poet, conceptual artist and a nurse. She works in hospice doing end of life education. Taun has an MS in Community Mental Health in Nursing, an MA in Arts and Consciousness, and a Ph.D. in Integral Studies from CIIS. Taun has also created a curriculum in Integral Philosophy for Teenagers.
June 8 Native American Sacred Land
About the Speaker: Luan Fauteck Makes Marks, MFA, Ph.D., is a scholar of Native North American Religions, an artist, and an activist for Native sacred places. Her important work, Great Mysteries: Native North American Religions and Participatory Visions appeared in Winter 2007 of ReVision: A Journal of Consciousness and Transformation.
June 15 The Lives of Sri Aurobindo
About the Speaker: Peter Heehs, Ph.D., was born and educated in the US but has lived in India since 1971. One of the founders of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Archives, Peter has published many books and articles. He will present and discuss his new book The Lives of Sri Aurobindo (Columbia University Press, May 2008). This book will be available for book signing and purchase at this event.
June 22 Sacred Indian Music: Dr. Haridas and Bina Chaudhuri Memorial Annual Celebration
About the Speaker: Sri Karunamayee, M.A. is renowned for her soul-empoweing music. She has refined her rendering of North Indian Classical Music under the tutelage of master musician Pandit Pran Nathji and holds Masters degrees in both philosophy and music, having served as an innovative educator in academic settings. She has founded Mother's Temple of Fine Arts at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi. As a member of the Ashram, she has guided daily meditations through the help of music for 38 years. She has also edited its spiritual journal, Sri Aurobindo Karmadhara, and represents the path of integral yoga as conveyed by Sri Aurobindo and the Holy Mother.
June 29 Satsang- Chanting, Mantra, Meditation
About the Speaker: Community Event. All are invited to participate!
CIF Home About CIF 57th Anniversary Program Listing Special Events Bookstore Membership Copyright © 1999 to 2008. Cultural Integration Fellowship. All Rights Reserved. Designed and Constructed by Kartikeya Patel, Three Worlds Communications.
Friday, June 06, 2008
News of Savitri Bhavan (November 2007 – March 2008)
News of Savitri Bhavan (November 2007 – March 2008)
Regular Activities
During this period our Regular Activities continued as usual, as follows:
Sunday Morning 10:30 –12:00 pm Savitri Study Circle
Evening 5:00 – 6:00 pm Foundations of Indian Culture, led by Kittu Reddy
Monday & Tuesday 3:00 – 4:00 pm Cultivating Concentration, led by Jai Singh
Tuesday 6:00 – 7:30 pm OM Choir
Thursday 4:00 – 5:00 pm The English of Savitri, led by Shraddhavan
Friday 5:00 – 6:30 pm The Synthesis of Yoga, led by Sraddhalu
In addition a new Savitri-study programme in Tamil has been taking place on Tuesdays, 5–6pm, since August 2007, led by Mr. Sudarshan and Mrs Bhuvanasundari, formerly of the Sri urobindo Society Centre in Madurai and now residing in Auroville. This programme is much appreciated by a faithful group of regular attenders.
In January 2008 the programme of the Mother’s recorded talks was resumed, also on Tuesday afternoons, with recordings of the Mother’s Commentaries on the Dhammapada. She took up study of this important Buddhist text with the young people of the Ashram in the early 1950s, and we are fortunate that recordings are available of her luminous comments. The talks were of course given in French.
Leaflets providing the transcriptions in French and their translations into English are made available for each talk.
Other new regular courses are being given by Vladimir, on the Upanishads in the light of Sri Aurobindo’s writings, and by Nishtha on Sanskrit grammar.
All readers of Invocation are welcome to participate in all Savitri Bhavan activities, if they happen to be in the area.
New publications
Recently we were able to publish Tamil and French translations of a talk by Sraddhalu Ranade entitled "Auroville, Human Unity and the Future of Mankind". A limited number of copies are available free on request.
Special Events
Special Events that occurred during this period are shown in the calendar below:
November – December 2007 : Exhibition of Meditations on Savitri paintings by Huta, Book Nine ‘The Book of Eternal Night’ and Book Ten ‘The Book of the Double Twilight’.
November 11th : ‘Remembering our Sweet Mother’ – Francois Gautier, Chris Grey and others shared their memories.
November 18th : ‘About Savitri’ – a 35-minute film prepared by Peter S. on a selection of passages from Savitri read and commented on by the Mother, accompanied by paintings of Huta
inspired by the Mother’s comments
November 22nd : ‘The Challenge of Death and Conquest of Immortality’– talk by Dr. Alok Pandey; an edited transcript appears in this issue.
Exhibition ‘Mother and Auroville’ in celebration of Auroville’s 40th birthday
‘Srinvantu vishve amritasya putra’
January 5th – 14th 2008 : Exhibition ‘The Art of Kirikane’ showing the work of the late Sayoko Eri, one of Japan’s national ‘living treasures’ and mother of Aurovilian Jyoti Eri: exquisite traditional craftsmanship applied in a modern way.
January 7th : ‘Sri Aurobindo’s first major spiritual experience’ – talk by Shraddhavan; text appears in this issue.
February 9th – March 4th : Exhibition ‘Mother and Auroville’, organised by Loretta in celebration of Auroville’s 40th birthday.
February 18th : A musical event in the moonlight – ‘Eight songs from Savitri’ composed and recorded by Hans Vas of the Netherlands.
February 21st : ‘Mother’s Darshan’ – a 27-minute film made from Darshan photos taken between November 1967 and February 1973 by Sudha Sundaram was shown outside under the full moon.
Later in the evening the new statue of Sri Aurobindo, was brought to Savitri Bhavan from Pondicherry and installed outside the main entrance, in the presence of a joyful gathering of Aurovilians and Ashramites.
February 24th : ‘Srinvantu vishve amritasya putra’ – a musical offering for Auroville’s 40th birthday by an ensemble from the Ashram, led by Ratna Chakravarti and Suresh De.
Dr. Karan Singh garlanding the statue of Sri Aurobindo on March 30, 2008
February 28th : Savitri reading in front of Sri Aurobindo’s statue, led by Manoj Das Gupta, Managing Trustee of the Ashram, Jhumur Bhattacharya of the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education and other friends from the Ashram.
February 29th : Collective concentration in front of Sri Aurobindo’s statue, followed by a first tour of the new wing, led by architect Helmut.
March 30th : Dedication of Sri Aurobindo statue and inauguration of new wing by Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman, Auroville Foundation.
Statue of Sri Aurobindo
The last time that Dr. Karan Singh was in Auroville, at the end of September 2007, he chose the location for installation of a large bronze statue of Sri Aurobindo, at the Main Entrance of Savitri Bhavan. The statue, like similar ones now standing in the Parliament Building in New Delhi, and in Sri Aurobindo’s birthplace in Kolkata, was prepared by a team of artist-craftsmen under the direction of Lalit Verma of Pondicherry. The beautiful statue was moved to Auroville under the auspicious rays of Guru Purnima, on the Mother’s birthday February 21st, 2008. Sri Aurobindo’s presence amongst us in this new form is deeply moving, and was celebrated on Auroville’s birthday, February 28th by a visit of a small group from the Ashram, including Managing Trustee Manoj Das Gupta accompanied by Jhumur Bhattacharya and others. We gathered under the trees in front of the statue for reading passages from Savitri for half an hour. Later our guests enjoyed visiting the special exhibition prepared for Auroville’s 40th birthday, in the main building. This was a deeply moving and happy occasion for all. A photograph of the statue appears as the frontispiece of this issue of Invocation.
Construction
During this period too, the new wing of Savitri Bhavan has been nearing completion, financed by a Grant from the Government of India, Ministry of Human Resources, under the SAIIER Development Scheme. Chairman of the Auroville Foundation, Dr. Karan Singh, performed the official inauguration on the morning of Sunday March 30, 2008, as well as dedicating the statue.
Dr. Karan Singh viewing a display of Huta’s Savitri paintings on March 30th
The Dream of Savitri Bhavan
We dream of an environment in Auroville that will breathe the atmosphere of Savitri that will welcome Savitri lovers from every corner of the world that will be an inspiring centre of Savitri studies that will house all kinds of materials and activities to enrich our understanding and enjoyment of Sri Aurobindo’s revelatory epic that will be the abode of Savitri, the Truth that has come from the Sun
We welcome support from everyone who feels that the vibration of Savitri will help to manifest a better tomorrow.
HOW TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF SAVITRI BHAVAN
Savitri Bhavan is entirely dependent on donations and financial help from all well-wishers is most welcome. Please consider in what way you can help the Dream of Savitri Bhavan to become
a reality Please note that from October 1, 2006 onwards all cheques or drafts should be made payable to Auroville Unity Fund (SAIIER). They may be sent to Savitri Bhavan at the address below.
If you live abroad and would like to send your offering by SWIFT Transfer, please note the following new code: SWIFT Code : SBININBB474
State Bank of India, Branch Code 03160 Auroville International Township Branch
Kuilapalayam, Auroville - 605101 INDIA
Auroville Unity Fund Foreign Account No. 10237876508
Purpose "SAVITRI BHAVAN"
For all correspondence, please contact: Savitri Bhavan, Auroville 605 101
Tamil Nadu, INDIA
e-mail : savitribhavan@auroville.org.in
www.auroville.org/education/edu_centres/savitribhavan_main.htm
Savitri is a Mantra for the transformation of the world - The Mother