This year we observe with gratitude and joy forty years of the existence of Sri Aurobindo Society here in Singapore, having been inaugurated in 1972 with The Mother’s blessings. A variety of activities have dotted the scene over the years, such as regular talks by eminent members like the late Prof Nadkarni and Mr Krishnamurthy and invited guests from ashram, such as Manoj-da, Alok Pandey and Shradhalu and other Aurobindonians such as Prashant Khanna, Prof. Rath and Dr Prema Nandakumar giving inspiring and illuminating talks at our centre. The centre has also been blessed with the presence of Champaklal. The few 10-day courses on Sanskrit by Dr. Anuradha Choudary and the health talk cum demonstration by Kalu-da were other activities. Currently, during the 6-7pm slots on Sundays, we have readings from the works of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo, including ‘Savitri’, Talks on Vedic Yoga, Meditations on Savitri, with paintings by Huta and the OM choir. These activities bring members together in collective aspiration. We also have a fortnightly Integral Enrichment Programme (IEP) with young children.
One of the most unique features of our society is the uninterrupted monthly walk conducted on the first Sunday of each month to mark the importance of physical culture in supporting a truly integral life. This month marks the 328th walk and what better way of observing this than to have our walk in Auroville! This is exactly what is happening for our December walk (Refer to the page on walk details).
This edition of our Newsletter is also intended to be a special one. Co-incidentally (or not!) the theme for this month fell in place naturally without much thought or manipulation. We started a theme of the Physical some 4 months ago and went on to incorporate other aspects of the being in the subsequent months, with the theme “Psychic Being” sitting naturally and squarely on the December issue.
The editorial will make no attempts at describing the Psychic Being, neither would it describe experiences of this. Sri Aurobindo and The Mother have elaborated on this most important aspect of our being in their numerous works. Picking up these and knowing from them, at least mentally to start with, what the Psychic Being is would be the best way forward. The Master and The Mother have cautioned us that attaining even knowledge, let alone an experience of The Psychic Being is no mean feat. It has taken ages for some to realise this and for others, life times.
If something within is convinced of the importance of finding this hidden being within as the only solution to a better life, then we will have to embark on that journey and stay on the search, stay on course, picking up the many hints strewn along the way. We probably will also be convinced to an extent, even if we have been on the path for a short while, that this mind that hinges on the rigidity of its formation, this heart that lets out longing gasps of desire, this body that dances to the rhythm of the blind heart and boxes in to the rigidity of the surface mind cannot be fit instruments to find that special being within. It has to be something else.
The Psychic Being appears to be like a treasure hid deep within a cave of rocks. Perhaps an attempt at true silence that facilitates an inward gaze may help. The path has to be something other than that fathomed by the measuring mind and the heaving heart; a path yet trodden in each of us, perhaps.
One of the most unique features of our society is the uninterrupted monthly walk conducted on the first Sunday of each month to mark the importance of physical culture in supporting a truly integral life. This month marks the 328th walk and what better way of observing this than to have our walk in Auroville! This is exactly what is happening for our December walk (Refer to the page on walk details).
This edition of our Newsletter is also intended to be a special one. Co-incidentally (or not!) the theme for this month fell in place naturally without much thought or manipulation. We started a theme of the Physical some 4 months ago and went on to incorporate other aspects of the being in the subsequent months, with the theme “Psychic Being” sitting naturally and squarely on the December issue.
The editorial will make no attempts at describing the Psychic Being, neither would it describe experiences of this. Sri Aurobindo and The Mother have elaborated on this most important aspect of our being in their numerous works. Picking up these and knowing from them, at least mentally to start with, what the Psychic Being is would be the best way forward. The Master and The Mother have cautioned us that attaining even knowledge, let alone an experience of The Psychic Being is no mean feat. It has taken ages for some to realise this and for others, life times.
If something within is convinced of the importance of finding this hidden being within as the only solution to a better life, then we will have to embark on that journey and stay on the search, stay on course, picking up the many hints strewn along the way. We probably will also be convinced to an extent, even if we have been on the path for a short while, that this mind that hinges on the rigidity of its formation, this heart that lets out longing gasps of desire, this body that dances to the rhythm of the blind heart and boxes in to the rigidity of the surface mind cannot be fit instruments to find that special being within. It has to be something else.
The Psychic Being appears to be like a treasure hid deep within a cave of rocks. Perhaps an attempt at true silence that facilitates an inward gaze may help. The path has to be something other than that fathomed by the measuring mind and the heaving heart; a path yet trodden in each of us, perhaps.
No comments:
Post a Comment