After breakfast, luggage packed, and ready to go, we drive to Auroville — The City of Dawn — an international experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousness. Auroville was conceived by "The Mother" — Mirra Alfassa — as early as the 1930s as an experiment in human unity. She was a Parisian mystic, painter and musician, who first came to Puducherry with her husband during World War I. |
So inspired by Sri Aurobindo, a Bengali poet-philosopher, who studied, wrote about and popularized the principles of yoga, she stayed on and was later instrumental in the establishment of the Aurobindo Ashram.
During our 90+ minute drive, we pass lentil fields and rice paddies.
During our 90+ minute drive, we pass lentil fields and rice paddies.
In the mid 1960s the Auroville concept was further developed and brought to the government of India, who gave their backing and took it to the General Assembly of UNESCO. In 1966, UNESCO passed a resolution unanimously commending Auroville as a "project of importance to the future of humanity." That same year, French architect Roger Anger designed the land-use plan for Auroville.
The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity, in diversity. Today it is recognized as the first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousness. It also practices sustainable living, cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind. There are about 2,500 people from some 49 nations, approximately one-third are Indian, who live together in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and nationalities.
Arriving at Aurobindo, we are given 20 minutes to have tea and use the facilities before meeting up and walking to The Matrimandir, a meditation center. An Indian friend had mentioned before I left on this trip that there were wonderful boutiques here with clothing, handmade paper and assorted other things all made by those living at Auroville. With that in mind, Babe and I head off in pursuit of clothing of a weight more appropriate for the heat and humidity of southern India; not what I brought from southern California. Success . . . lots of success! Shopping bags filled with pants and tops, we rendezvous with the others.
The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity, in diversity. Today it is recognized as the first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousness. It also practices sustainable living, cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind. There are about 2,500 people from some 49 nations, approximately one-third are Indian, who live together in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and nationalities.
Arriving at Aurobindo, we are given 20 minutes to have tea and use the facilities before meeting up and walking to The Matrimandir, a meditation center. An Indian friend had mentioned before I left on this trip that there were wonderful boutiques here with clothing, handmade paper and assorted other things all made by those living at Auroville. With that in mind, Babe and I head off in pursuit of clothing of a weight more appropriate for the heat and humidity of southern India; not what I brought from southern California. Success . . . lots of success! Shopping bags filled with pants and tops, we rendezvous with the others.
From a display at the Welcome Center, I learn that Auroville is composed of four zones — industrial, international, cultural and residential — and the Peace Area that contains the Matrimandir, all of which is all surrounded by a green belt.
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- The Residential Zone is the largest and is designed to house up to 50,000 people in individual and collective living situations. Currently there are about 2,500 people that live here. Fifty-five percent of this zone will always remain green so there is a balance between urban density and nature.
- The International Zone is intended to host national and cultural pavilions, grouped by continents. Its primary focus is to create a living demonstration of human unity in diversity through various expressions of the genius and contributions of each nation to humanity.
- The Cultural Zone will be a site for applied research in education and artistic expression. Facilities for cultural, educational, art and sport activities are visioned for this zone.
- The Green Belt, which is still in process, is intended to be a living example of successful transformation of wasteland into a vibrant eco-system. It will include projects related to: soil and water conservation, ground water recharge and environmental restoration. It is visioned as the “lungs” for the entire township.
The walk to The Matrimandir along a wide dirt and gravel path. We pass by stone markers with painted images of specific flowers and a description of its attributes and an art installation that reminds me of waves of prismatic color flowing into a river made from cds. Gorgeous!
After a while, the path opens up into a grove of trees that was created from a single ginormous banyon tree. We wrap our arms around the trees feeling its energy — strong, graceful, resilient and adaptable. I am especially taken by the visual manifestation of "the many becoming one."
Soon, the Matrimandir in view, a strikingly futuristic 30-metre high golden globe made of metal in the center of a 62-acre manicured meadow. It was conceived as “a symbol of the Divine’s answer to man’s aspiration for perfection” — it certainly inspires me! Unfortunately, we are not able to tour inside. Apparently, it has a spherical marble chamber with a crystal that reflects the sun’s rays. The concentrated light acts as a focal point to aid meditation.
After a group photo is taken with the Matrimandir as our backdrop, we head back to the center of Auroville for lunch. Not hungry, Babe and I use the time to further explore (and keep the Auroville economy vibrant) in the boutique shops we’ve not yet visited.
After a group photo is taken with the Matrimandir as our backdrop, we head back to the center of Auroville for lunch. Not hungry, Babe and I use the time to further explore (and keep the Auroville economy vibrant) in the boutique shops we’ve not yet visited.
It is a short drive to the Kailash Beach Resort on the south side of Puducherry. However, ample time to photograph from the bus.
The resort seems deserted as we pull up. A long, wide and deserted roadway leads down to the beach. We are greeted with a traditional Indian welcome — a garland of beautiful flowers, a blessing with a red bindi, and a cool drink.
After settling into our room, we head to the white sand beach which is lively with fishing boats readying to go out for the evening catch. Walking in the opposite direction, we pass several boys burying their friends in the sand and two others involved in a photoshoot of some sort . . . perhaps they are Indian film or television stars!
Tonight, before dinner Andrew gives a talk during which he introduces us to a new mantra: “Om nama Shiva.” Saying the name of God, in whatever tradition, he tells us is known to be the most powerful act of devotion. Together, we begin chanting “Om nama Shiva” over and over again. Andrew chants, as he speaks, with great animation and passion. I sense he is disappointed that our chanting does not rise to his expectation. Or, perhaps that is my faulty perception. Personally, I find it hard to generate passion when chanting to Shiva, as I’ve yet to establish a genuine relationship with this Hindu god. The room is hot and stuffy from being closed up all day and the chairs are so close together, I move to the back of the room. Able to breathe more deeply, I call in the animistic forces of nature to whom I subscribe along with the apus (mountain spirits) that are part of my personal cosmology. As we continue chanting the distinction between cosmologies blur and I "see" a relationship to Shiva. Later Andrew speaks about the need to let go of who we think we are and being absolutely available to the experience of India. In this way, we can unfold into our essential selves. No matter the spiritual tradition or words used to articulate the path, the road to the divine Self is the same.
It’s late and though I’d prefer to be in silence, I'm also hungry. There is only the resort’s restaurant nearby so we head there for dinner. Many tables are moved into one so we can all sit and continue to get to know one another. The process of ordering is slow, but nothing compared to the time it takes for dinner to arrive.
On the way back to our room and up until we turn out the lights, Babe and I share our thoughts and insights from throughout the day. What a blessing to share this pilgrimage and experience with her!
It’s late and though I’d prefer to be in silence, I'm also hungry. There is only the resort’s restaurant nearby so we head there for dinner. Many tables are moved into one so we can all sit and continue to get to know one another. The process of ordering is slow, but nothing compared to the time it takes for dinner to arrive.
On the way back to our room and up until we turn out the lights, Babe and I share our thoughts and insights from throughout the day. What a blessing to share this pilgrimage and experience with her!