Harmony in Music

Words come from heaven and music, beautiful music, makes those words flow like a smooth river on earth. The lyricist, music composer and the musicians form the group to evolve the music here. They reach levels to catch the words and notes for the music. The singer adopts the expression and makes an effort to render the music in the right way. The background music creates the right atmosphere for the entire performance.

Good Music, or ‘soulful’ music as the musicians call it, has the power to connect us with ourselves and with people around us. It lightens the place and creates an ambiance of harmony when played. In a song, we see the interaction between the various instruments played or the notes that each instrumentalist is playing. And the light the words bring to such an interaction. It is all there together and strung in the right way. And there is a beauty.

It is a wonder to see how music connects deeply with nature. There is music in the breeze that blows and the trees that dance to it. In the rainfall that showers on the ground and in the waves washing the shore. Birds chirp and play a sweet music every morning to wake us up. I have read in a book that each note in Carnatic music originates from the sound of animals and birds. Like the note ‘pa’ is the note in which the koyil sings.

There is music in silence. There is music in our very living. I feel, each thought in us is a note and lovely thoughts link together to create harmony within us as a musical piece made of right notes would. Wonder what is the background music here…. And in this harmony that music creates, many have experienced the connection with Gods and Goddesses.

I attended a musical show called ‘Strings Attached’ at Jagrithi Theatre, Bangalore. It was a show with a confluence of music from the Veena, the Violin, the Mrindagam and the electronic pad. And what I saw was a beautiful, harmonious interaction between the various instruments, notes being played and the musicians.

- Sandhya

December to January Sunday Activities at the Centre – A glimpse

5th Sunday Programme : Sunday Walks Over the Years, Presentation by Mr Shashi Lal Kashyap, 29 December 2013

Our Chairperson, Mr Shashi Lal Kashyap presented the slides he had compiled of our walks and some Society activities over the years for the occasion of our 40^th Anniversary last year. They were first screened in Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, last December when some 25 of us made a landmark trip to Ashram and Auroville to mark the 40th Anniversary. The photos were shot from 1984, when Mr. Kashyap joined the Society and started developing an enthusiasm for taking photographs. 

The photographs brought back fond memories for many of us who have been with the Society for some time, ranging from 40 to two years ago. For the newcomers, whichever year we entered into the scene, the photographs spoke much about the past events and most importantly, caught the camaraderie amongst members. 

The slide presentation exceeded our usual hours for Sunday programme. Nevertheless, most remained till the end, lured by these photos of yesteryears. 

At the end of the programme, Mr. Prabhudeva expressed his gratitude spontaneously for the peek into the past and looked forward to newer faces joining us.

The conclusion was a sweet one, with meditation on New Year music.

First Sunday Programme at Centre: Readings from 'Steps to Freedom and Mastery - Selections from the works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother', 5 January 2014

We started with a circle of eight initially, which became eleven towards the end of the programme. We read one passage today, titled, "Self-Reviewing". The Mother, in her compassion, shows us the most profoundest of secrets, the most essential guide, the most complex psychological approach towards self-growth in the most simple, direct and succinct manner that touches everyone who receives these in a conducive state. Today's reading was one such example. It was about looking at oneself, knowing oneself. It was as if she handed us an instrument or a tool we ourselves could use for self-growth, within our disposal irrespective of time and place. One only needed a little will that agreed to look within. The driving force would probably be a need that seeks the truth of oneself deep within. A steady faith and sincerity would probably regulate this exercise that Mother hands over to us, as our help and aid in this path. Here is what Mother tells us about how to know about ourselves and the different motivations that move us and to place ourselves on the path of progress:

"If this reviewing is to make you progress, you must find something within you in whose light you yourself can be your own judge, something which represents for you the best part of yourself, which has some light, some goodwill and which precisely is in love with progress. Place that before you and, first of all pass across it as at a cinema all that you have done, all that you have felt, your impulses, your thoughts, etc.; then try to co-ordinate them, that is, find out why this has followed that. And look at the luminous screen that is before you: certain things pass across it well, without throwing a shadow; others, on the contrary, throw a little shadow; others yet cast a shadow altogether black and disagreeable. You must do this very sincerely......Then you take a good look at these things in the light of your ideal: "Is cherishing this movement in conformity with my seeking and the realisation of my ideal or not? I put this little dark corner in front of the light until the light enters into it and it disappears."

(For the full text, please refer to CWM4:38-39 or Pg. 45-47 of the book referred to at the beginning of this entry.)

The first Sunday of the year concluded on the rising notes of OM, as the following quotation was read loudly and clearly: "In concentration and silence we must gather strength for the right action."


Second Sunday Programme at Centre: Reading Circle, Bases of Yoga, Sri Aurobindo, 12 January 2014

It was a beautiful evening to gather at the Centre. We meditated on New Years' music awhile and then, after readings from ‘Prayers and Meditation’, formed a circle of thirteen.

We read pages 29 to 31 this evening, on Faith-Aspiration-Surrender. Understanding to differentiate between personal effort, the opening and the Divine grace and help, was put to us. As usual, the answers elude, though sharing thoughts and concerns invite responses that may throw a few rays of stray light of assurance or hope. However, contemplating in silence on these words help a lot. The evening came to a quiet and subtle end as the discussion slid into how people met The Mother or experienced her presence, resulting in some spontaneous change that took place in them. Even recalling the events that touched one deeply, when one knew that She was there, larger than life, was enough to bring tears to the eyes, even in the eyes of those who heard these experiences being recounted. Today's session found beauty in this. We came together in silence as the meditation music signalled the conclusion of the day's gathering.

Here are some lines that were highlights for today:

"The practice of rejection prevails in the end; but with personal effort only, it may take a long time. If you can feel the Divine Power working in you, then it should become easier."


Third Sunday Programme at Centre: Reading Circle, Bases of Yoga, Sri Aurbindo, 19 January 2014

On this day, nine of us formed the study circle. We continued reading from page 31 and stopped at page 35. A common theme for today, represented by the writings of Sri Aurobindo was aspiration:

"The fire is the divine fire of aspiration and inner tapasya."

The following passage summarised the day's readings and answered some queries:

"To practise Yoga implies the will to overcome all attachments and turn to the Divine alone. The principal thing in the Yoga is to trust in the Divine Grace at every step, to direct the thought continually to the Divine and to offer oneself till the being opens and the Mother's force can be felt working in the Adhar."

As we were concluding, surrender was a topic that came into the circle and we remembered the way The Mother surrendered to Sri Aurobindo from the time She met Him, in what is referred to as 'perfect surrender'.

- Jayanthy

Along the Way……Reflections on the January 2014 Morning Walk

The first Walk of the New Year saw us return to a familiar place, East Coast Park (ECP).

We gathered at the Big Splash Car park at 8 AM for the morning exercise. The sun was yet to be fully radiant making the weather cool and pleasant. Morning exercise in such weather is indeed a joy. After seeking Sri Aurobindo’s blessings we began the walk in earnest.

This time, we walked towards the eastern end of the park, something which we hadn’t done in a while. This was towards Changi Airport and every minute or so, we saw a plane making its landing approach. It was also the section where a lot of ships move towards, dotting the horizon with rows of giant ships. The planes above and the ships below indicated how much we had progressed technologically, but the vast sky and unending sea further reminded us that whatever we achieve is because of the benevolence of Nature.

ECP was a buzz of activity during that morning, with a lot of campers getting breakfast ready, a lot of cyclists and skaters using the beautiful paths and those like us, enjoying a nice walk. Some of our youngest members tried their hand at climbing trees and cycling. Others decided to take a few breaks during the walk to soak in the lovely morning views from one of the benches facing the sea.

After about an hour and a half, we all headed back for the brunch.The brunch was hosted by Ms. Nisha Maheswary and her son, Ashish.  After the prayers and the meditation we treated ourselves to some spectacular home cooked food. We thank our hosts for the wonderful brunch and wish Ashish the very best as he embarks on his new assignment.

It was indeed a wonderful walk to begin the New Year with!

- Saurab Nair

Remembering Mr Lok Kek Seng…

I first met Lok in 1965 through another friend Purshotmen Naidu when we were in Teachers' Training College. In 1973, Daya, whom I had known since 1964 informed me about the talk on Sri Aurobindo by late Navajata at the NTUC Conference Hall. This is how I came in touch with Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Subsequently I introduced Sri Aurobindo and The Mother to Purshotmen and he, to Lok. 

We were so fascinated by the ideas and vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Ashram that in 1975, Daya, Kim, Veronica, Lok, my wife, Sartha and I decided to visit the Ashram. All of us physically felt the Force as we entered the gate to the Samadhi. After a week in the Ashram we decided to go on a two-week tour of South India. Inspite of our persuasion, Lok decided to stay back and immerse himself in the spiritual atmosphere of the Ashram. On our return Daya, Lok and I got actively involved in our Society. Although some of us became less active gradually, Lok continued to be active till his passing away. 

Lok was a sincere and committed devotee. But he was not found of rituals. To mark our society's 25th anniversary we published a souvenir magazine titled "All Life is Yoga". Lok was in charge of the publication. He did not even want any photographs of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother in the magazine. When I asked he said that we had to go beyond photographs. He was truly a practitioner of yoga of Sri Aurobindo. He believed that practice was more meaningful than praying. Lok will be missed but certainly remembered in our hearts. 

- Jagir Singh Riar

Aspiration in the Physical

Manifold, simple and joyful.
- The Mother

Common Name: Jungle geranium, Flame of the woods, Jungle flame, Burning love
Botanical Name: Ixoracoccinea
Spiritual Name: Aspiration in the Physical

Physical Education is meant to bring into the body, Consciousness and control, discipline and mastery, all things necessary for a higher and better life. Keep all that in mind, practice sincerely and you will become a good athlete: this is the first step on the way to be a true man.
- The Mother

From the Editor’s Desk

The first issue for this year, 2014, continues with the theme of Physical Education. An important focus is a particular trip that Soviet Gymnasts made to the Ashram in the month of April, in 1956. The poise, dexterity, precision with which the gymnasts demonstrated the gymnastic movements is something well known in Ashram quarters. The gymnasts themselves served as inspiring exemplars to Ashramites and Ashram school children. What brought the gymnasts to the Ashram? To India even? How did they come into the consciousness of Ashram and, for that matter, into the consciousness of all of us connected with the Ashram? This side issue will be discussed a little in this editorial to give a general background to the article, ‘Soviet Gymnasts’ from the book, ‘On The Mother’, Chapter 46 – “A glorified, not a crucified body” by K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry, on page 4 and Nolini Kanta Gupta and K. Amrita’s reminiscences on the occasion on pages 4 and 5.

The idea to have the Soviet gymnasts was one of Independent India’s earliest aspirations to raise the level of sports and physical culture in India by exposing Indians to top athletes from around the world. This was effected by teams of outstanding athletes visiting major Indian cities and demonstrating their skills. The first Health Minister of India, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur following independence in 1947, mooted this idea. Though it started with a noble aim of exposing Indians to various sports forms, to raise their awareness and to motivate them to pick up these for a healthy lifestyle, what was in store for the gymnasts, the Ashram community and our total consciousness about physical culture was probably beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. One of the cities that the Soviet team was scheduled to visit was Madras. Anil Kumar Jauhar of Delhi corresponded with The Mother and following her approval, arranged for the team to visit the Ashram after their programme in Madras, through the Gymnastic Federation of India. Thus the gymnasts found themselves in the Ashram in Pondicherry on the 2nd of April 1956. Read on to know of the impact of their visit there, how The Mother welcomed them through an address which she wrote and which Pranab Bhattacharya read and what The Mother had to say about physical culture and its importance for the Supramental manifestation and how this has been ingrained in the consciousness of all who were and are open to it.

Source of information

The Mother makes a clear distinction between Sports and Physical Culture.

This is a good premise to start on some self-reflection. How do we perceive physical culture? Do we engage in it even to some extent? What are all the reasons we give ourselves for engaging in it? Or not engage in it, for that matter? Why? How about our children? Do we allow them free play time? Children by nature have a great affinity to sports and games or any kind of play, whether on their own or better still in teams? Are we with them in their enthusiasm? Do we expose them to higher ideals of engaging in physical culture? What about schools? With what idea do they approach physical culture? Do children look forward to games time in school? The search begins…

Savitri

Often a lustrous inner dawn shall come
Lighting the chambers of the slumbering mind;
A sudden bliss shall run through every limb
And Nature with a mightier Presence fill.
Thus shall the earth open to divinity
And common natures feel the wide uplift,
Illumine common acts with the Spirit’s ray
And meet the deity in common things.
Nature shall live to manifest secret God,
The Spirit shall take up the human play,
This earthly life become the life divine.
(Savitri, Book 11 Canto 1)