It took us 2 days to get here. We will be here for 4 days and then it will take us 2 days to return to Delhi.
Meanwhile we are someplace So special.
Right on the ocean! With a lovely breeze blowing and palm trees overhead. And Hammocks.
It is a magical resort which offers all kinds of massage and healing water therapy- watsu-
where someone supports you in their arms and floats you around in a warm pool of water. It is called the Quiet Healing Center. The grounds are lovely, our room looks like something out of a castle
and the food is the best we have had!
This afternoon we had a 15 minute ride to Auroville, a magical community. It was designed by “The Mother”, a spirituL partner of Aurobindo- a mystical yogi with evolved concepts of art and the divine. He thought yoga was a waste of time but he was a prolific artist and he has two ashrams, both large, and they are active as schools for children. Tomorrow we will visit his ashram in Pondicherry- a town that is half French and half Indian.
The Mother created Auroville as an experiment. She wanted to create a place where people from all parts of the globe could live in peace with no religion, no money, (cards are used) and people are encouraged to live consciously – doing what suits their nature. After seeing the film which shows the construction and history of the place, we walked about a mile to see the giant golden dome-looks like a huge golf ball- it is called the Matrimander.
It is surrounded by stone lotus petals, each representing a different flower, all inspired by the Mother. This was created in the 70’s and there is a hole at the top where sun light pours in and lights a giant crystal below. There is an inner chamber for concentration- their word- instead of meditation. And we made an appointment to go inside, on Monday. They don’t like people just showing up and seeing it all in one day. They don’t want it to be a tourist attraction. So after you view the movie and see the dome from the viewing center, you can go to a special office and wait in line to make an appointment on a future day to go inside. So we did all that and went to the tea shop where I made a sketch.
The Internet is mostly absent here. Today is Saturday and like the yoga in Mysore- I took the day off from my practice. I am feeling such a let down after leaving Mysore. I don’t think it will be possible for me to work that hard at yoga without all that group energy and Saraswathi watching over me.
Later. Love Annie
I remember you mentioning Auroville (such a beautiful name!) before the trip. It’s fasinating idea, but do you think they are succeeding in living up to their ideals?
Look what I found, I thought it was powerful:
“…For in this ideal place money would be no more the sovereign lord. Individual merit will have a greater importance than the value due to material wealth and social position. Work would not be there as the means of gaining one’s livelihood, it would be the means whereby to express oneself, develop one’s capacities and possibilities, while doing at the same time service to the whole group, which on its side would provide for each one’s subsistence and for the field of his work…”
Love you! And Happy Birthday to Allynn!
Anna, Utopias and idealistic communal living situations have been tried before…. some work for a period of time. Things change over time… people’s needs, values, ideas… I like to think even Camelot didn’t last forever (even if it never existed)… it is important to help make your own surroundings as close to a utopia as possible and if you’re lucky, you’ll be with like-minded friends who will add to it. It’s encouraging to see this experiment in Auroville. “succeeding in living up to their ideals?” They’re about 30-40 years into this experiment and hopefully they will come up with some elements that will inspire good in the world. (just so you’re not confused, this is Allynn responding to you, Anna)
Thank you for your reply, Allynn! And yes, I know that the ideas is not new and throughout the world there are communities that are trying to push the boundaries of the existence as we know it, and reach utopia. And I think you are right, as long as you strive to build a better community around you, no matter where you live – it does make a difference. Even though not a lot of people agree with me on that.
I read a bit more about Auroville yesterday and it seems like they rely more and more on tourists which, in my opinion, contradicts with their original idea of self-sufficient community.
I was curious about Auroville since it seems like they were the pioneers of sustainable community, beginning in 60s and one can accomplish quite a lot in 40 years. I’ve heard about such a community – much younger though – in Iceland and they are thriving! You can read about it if you wish, the town called Solheimar.
Anna, Auroville is based on it’s two founders. Quiet meditation (I think they call it “concentration”) is the core. Flowers and colors add to the concentration to clear the mind to reach the “ultimate truth… divinity” – but they stay clear of calling anything there religion.
A good friend was telling us about Sri Aurobindo (the founder along with the Mother”). During World War II he was personally “battling” Hitler’s psychic warriors in the metaphysical realms. This whole “reality” sounds more like a comic book to me. The peacefulness and co-operation of the community sounds lovely, but it’s supposed to have a community of about 50,000 people. The center for “concentration” may fit 100… and the 12 individual concentration rooms might fit 10-12 people each. It seems like only the “elite” inner circle can get the total benefits of the community. Maybe if we stayed for a few months I’d have a different take on it? But the thing that really puts a damper on them is that their 12 main points don’t include “sense of humor”. I’m a clown, I need that!.
As far as attracting tourists, they are strict not to let everyone in on a whim. The first day you arrive you get a film introduction and a look at the main structure from a distance. You then make an appointment for a tour inside (but not on the same day). This keeps out the people who are just passing thru and need to do everything in one day on their tour of India. After you have this first second visit, you can arrange longer visits to concentrate in the 12 colored rooms. I imagine the longer you’re there, the longer you get to “reserve” your spot in these rooms of concentration.
They are serious about their scientific sustainable experiments and their desire for silent concentration.
It’s nothing like “India” there…. the style is influenced by Europe… it seems mostly France and Germany.
We’re looking forward to our next two weeks in Rajasthan… where it should be much more “Indian” (that’s why we came to India).
I’ll look up “Solheimar”.
Allynn