-SandhiyaBala, Sivaguru, Ajay, Sribhavani, Ajai.D, Nithya Santhosh, Ilakiya , Meganathan and Preethi
In February, during Auroville Week, Muthukumari and her team organized a 6-day Integral Yoga session from 8 to 9 AM. Our team participated and learned the importance of concentration and meditation.
Day 1:
Referencing CWSA – Letters on Yoga – II-Book II – The Synthetic Method of the Integral Yoga Sadhana through Concentration, Meditation and Japa.
The power of the Gayatri is the Light of the Divine Truth. It is a mantra of Knowledge.
The Gayatri mantra is the mantra for bringing the light of Truth into all the planes of the being.
Held at Unity Pavillion, Auroville, as the space vibrated with the power and energy of the Chant, the ambience was soulful, peaceful, and a collective concentration that was unifying.
Day 2:
“The voice that chants to the creator Fire,
The symbolled OM, the great assenting Word,
The bridge between the rapture and the calm…
Savitri, p.310
“The Adoration of the Divine Mother”
Narad (Richard Eggenberger), a longtime member of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville is a musician, poet, landscaper, horticulturist, and gardener.
When he was 23, he came to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and had his first darshan of the Mother, who made him an ashramite and gave him permission to teach music in the ashram school. Mother also gave him the task of bringing down “the new music.”
After more than four decades of listening to thousands of works of music, seeking the new music everywhere, and singing, Narad had the insight that the new music was to descend in a collective body one body with many tones, opening in surrender and aspiration.
OM choirs, have brought a new kind of conscious music to the Ashram, Auroville, and many places around the world. Gathering as a group soul, a sacred body, to open ourselves to be instruments for the descent of the New Music, a music that has the power of effectuation through OM, which the Mother has called, “The signature of the Lord.”
When we sing OM its vibrations penetrate not only all countries with its healing, assisting in the transformation of the world, but enter into our bodies as well and many write of healing that has occurred and others of their visions and experiences.
A recent experience was the OM Choir at the Mother’s Flowers Garden Auroville as part of the ongoing Auroville Festival celebrations.
Reference, _In India’s languages, they have this OM… which is a marvel. You know what they say? That OM is the totality of the sounds of the creation perceived by the Supreme; He hears OM as a call to Him-as an idea, it’s magnificent! As a symbol, as a… Only….
And as a power! Not only as a symbol, but as a power.
For the full article please refer to the link: https://incarnateword.in/agenda/10/december-24-1969
Day 3
CWSA – Vol. 34 – Savitri – II – Note on the text
SAVITRI began as a narrative poem of moderate length based on a legend told in the Mahabharata. Sri Aurobindo considered the story to be originally “one of the many symbolic myths of the Vedic cycle”. Bringing out its symbolism and charging it progressively with his own spiritual vision, he turned Savitri into the epic it is today.
By the time it was published, some passages had gone through dozens of drafts. Sri Aurobindo explained how he wrote the poem: “I used Savitri as a means of ascension. I began with it on a certain mental level, each time I could reach a higher level I rewrote from that level…. In fact Savitri has not been regarded by me as a poem to be written and finished, but as a field of experimentation to see how far poetry could be written from one’s own yogic consciousness and how that could be made creative.”
For the full text, please refer to the link below: https://incarnateword.in/cwsa/34/note-on-the-text
Auroville Festival celebrations held at Savitri Bhavan reading of Savitri led by Bhuvanasundari. Divine wisdom revealing itself to the seeker when one is open, reflects allowing for absorption of knowledge as a living wisdom.
Day-4
CWSA – Vol. 24 – The Synthesis of Yoga – II – Book II – The Yoga of Self-Perfection
The Integral Perfection
All life is a secret Yoga, an obscure growth of Nature towards the discovery and fulfilment of the divine principle hidden in her which becomes progressively less obscure, more self-conscient and luminous, more self- possessed in the human being by the opening of all his instruments of knowledge, will, action, life to the Spirit within him and in the world.
…A greater perfection can only be arrived at by a higher power entering in and taking up the whole action of the being.
At Unity Pavilion, Auroville as part of the ongoing Auroville Festival celebrations Muthukumari shared with the audience the practise of Integral Energy Healing, where one is balancing the body’s energies for holistic well-being. This was followed by Revathi facilitating a deep today nidra inviting relaxation and an inner stillness. Encouraging letting go, trust the process and allow for perfection to unfold naturally.
Day-5
aurovilleofficial Everything comes from this “need” of relaxation; and what does that mean for most men? It means, always, coming down to a lower level. They do not know that for a true relaxation one must rise one degree higher, one must rise above oneself.
If one goes down, it adds to one’s fatigue and brings a stupefaction.It is not by sinking below oneself that one removes fatigue. One must climb the ladder and there one has true rest, because one has the inner peace, the light, the universal energy. And little by little one puts oneself in touch with the truth which is the very reason of one’s existence.
If you contact that definitively, it removes completely all fatigue.
In response to a question asked to her, part of the response in the context of relaxation is shared above and for more details please visit below,: CWM – Vol. 04 – Questions and Answers (1950 – 1951) – Mon 26 February 1951
Hans, an Aurovilian at Unity Pavilion as part of the Auroville Festival celebrations facilitated a session on that Art of Chi and Relaxation.
His effort was to have one experience that true strength is fluid and adaptable and comes from within. The practise of Chi & Relaxation teaches energy flow balance, resilience through movement and breath. The awareness that strength is not force, rather a harmonious dance with life’s energies that instills humility.
Day-6
Gratitude: it is you who opens all the closed doors and lets the Grace which saves penetrate deeply. The best way to express one’s gratitude to the Divine is to feel simply happy.
For kinds of Gratitude as Detailed, Integral, and Mental refer to:
CWM – Vol. 14 – Words of the mother – II – Elements of Yoga – Gratitude and Faithfulness
Compassion and gratitude are essentially psychic virtues. They appear in the consciousness only when the psychic being takes part in active life.
It is only when the psychic consciousness is all powerful in the being that compassion for all that needs help, in whatever domain, and gratitude for all that manifests the divine presence and grace, in whatever form, are expressed in all their original and luminous purity, without mixing compassion with any trace of condescension or gratitude with any sense of inferiority.
Ref: CWM – Words of the mother – III – Letters, Messages and Other Short Written Statements – Experiences of the Mother
Dev and Jagrata, Aurovilians facilitated along with movements and breathing, took the participating audience through a gratitude meditation guiding them to open their hearts to the blessings and abundance already present.
Approaching and living life with humility we recognise the abundance that flows through every moment bringing us to live in the present moment and Auroville is one such place. One cultivates a deep sense of appreciation, the focus shifting from lack to wholesomeness.
Reflection:
My name is Ajai D, and I stand for equality for myself and others: I learnt how to increase and decrease my energy by yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises as well.
My name is SIvaguruprasath, and I stand for Courage, full potential, and equanimity for myself and others. Joining Integral Yoga at Unity Pavilion was a deeply enriching experience, bringing harmony to my mind, body, and spirit. Chanting the Sri Aurobindo Gayatri Mantra and practicing Empowering Stillness Meditation set a profound tone of inner peace. The OM Choir and Savitri Reading connected me to higher vibrations, while Wellness Integral Energy Healing and The Art of Chi & Relaxation rejuvenated my being. Ending with Gratitude Meditation, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment and connection. This journey reminded me that true well-being arises from stillness, awareness, and gratitude.
I also feel grateful to the team for organizing a week of yoga and meditation, which was truly helpful in finding peace.
My name is Ajay, and I stand for self-awareness, for myself and others. The morning yoga at Unity Pavilion was a great experience, offering new techniques for relaxing the mind and body. The OM Choir and Savitri reading provided insights into the teachings of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo regarding the consciousness of the human body. It was different from what I usually do in yoga; typically, we do the asanas, but this time, we focused more on mind-related practices.
My name is Sandhiya Bala, and I stand for courage, care, and happiness for myself and others. The morning yoga sessions bring me stillness, help me control my anger, and relax my body. I also observe my health condition and how it changes each time. Additionally, I noticed how my energy levels increased and decreased during the session, and I notice this every day, too.
My name is Nithyasandhosh. I deeply care about kindness and equality for myself and others. I recently participated in a yoga, which was a transformative experience for me. I was truly inspired by the organizing team and their ability to manage a week-long event that included meditation, book reading, and other engaging activities.
During this journey, I learned different meditation techniques and workouts that helped me strengthen my body, improve flexibility, and maintain balance. Through meditation, I discovered how to relax my mind, stay focused on the present moment, and cultivate a deep sense of inner peace. This experience has not only benefited me but has also inspired some of my colleagues to consider joining us next time, encouraging them to prioritize their health and well-being.
My name is Ilakya Arasi, and I stand for Kindness and Courage for myself and others. From this integral yoga, I learned that there are different kinds of meditation, and each can make our mornings beautiful.
My name is Sri Bhavani. I stand for Love and Equality for myself and others. This session created an opportunity for me to experience different activities. This week, I learned to strengthen my diaphragm during choir, learned how Sri Aurobindo explained about the Divine mother in the book “Savitri,” and also attended many sessions on relaxation. This session helped me to restore my ability and efficiency.
My name is Meganathan and I stand for love and courage for myself and others.The Integral Yoga sessions offered a transformative journey, fostering inner peace, awareness, and balance. Each participant experienced unique insights, from energy control to deep meditation, strengthening both mind and body.
My name is preethi and I stand for Courage for myself and others.The Integral Yoga sessions helped us connect deeply with ourselves, enhancing mindfulness, relaxation, and well-being. Through meditation, chanting, and self-awareness practices, we discovered the power of stillness and gratitude.