Thursday, October 19, 2006
Auroville, locus for a larger discourse
The Economic Times, today, carries a nice leader article, From sin-cities to cities of joy by Pothik Ghosh, which examines several issues relating to urbanization in India. At a time when SEZs are a hot topic and democracy is at war with economics, Ghosh’s vision of reviving our traditional University towns as model habitats comes as a breath of fresh air. Even, reading the names of The Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Bhatkhande Institute of Music & Musicology and Bharatendu Natak Academy in The Economic Times itself is an eye opener.
In the context of city-building, education and environment, the name of Auroville immediately comes to the mind. The socio-political concerns that the Aurovillians are engaged with should form a part of the larger discourse that the new India is encountering. The cultural hiatus that the affluent portion of India is struggling with, is also akin to the Aurovillians’ aspiration for material perfection along with spiritual realization. It is for the Savitri Erans to judge all these issues critically so as to develop a harmonized theory for socio-cultural living.
In the context of city-building, education and environment, the name of Auroville immediately comes to the mind. The socio-political concerns that the Aurovillians are engaged with should form a part of the larger discourse that the new India is encountering. The cultural hiatus that the affluent portion of India is struggling with, is also akin to the Aurovillians’ aspiration for material perfection along with spiritual realization. It is for the Savitri Erans to judge all these issues critically so as to develop a harmonized theory for socio-cultural living.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Discarded history
The Life Divine (CWSA Vol. 21 & 22) is in hand. It is nice to see the Mottoes printed in a larger font. But the lack of an index is a great handicap. Incomplete drafts of The Life Divine are now available in the Isha Upanishad volume. But what about the discarded eight Arya chapters? Will they be accommodated somewhere in the Series?
For, unused versions of a certain chapter of The Synthesis of Yoga are appearing in the Reference volume. And here, it is a question of whole chapters, already published. The historical and hermeneutical importance of the Arya writings is immense. One wonders how The Complete Works would be complete without them.
For, unused versions of a certain chapter of The Synthesis of Yoga are appearing in the Reference volume. And here, it is a question of whole chapters, already published. The historical and hermeneutical importance of the Arya writings is immense. One wonders how The Complete Works would be complete without them.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Amchi Mother
Some years ago, the residents of Mumbai (then, Bombay), under the banner of “Our Mumbai,” used to demand that there should not be any new influx into the city. A similar mindset prevails among the believers in The Mother and Sri Aurobindo also. That we are the chosen few engaged in a grand spiritual adventure and lesser mortals remain consigned to their petty religious activities. Steer clear of mass conversions, they warn.
Such an attitude is elitist, chauvinistic, and snobbish to say the least. The Unschooled has the same claim on The Mother as the scholarly and no one has any right or authority to preclude others. A simple faith can be a great passport to the Master’s vicinity while all learning fails. The notion of the Life Divine or Collective Yoga cannot be confined to a centre, a coterie or a caucus. The Supramental is free to propel any large mass out of the six billion of us.
Mass media and mass culture is swaying the people like never before. In such circumstances, Saviri Era as a youthful religion can make a dent by its fresh appeal. To carry the information forward down to the last mile is the initial challenge. Faith is, of course, the recipient’s choice.
Such an attitude is elitist, chauvinistic, and snobbish to say the least. The Unschooled has the same claim on The Mother as the scholarly and no one has any right or authority to preclude others. A simple faith can be a great passport to the Master’s vicinity while all learning fails. The notion of the Life Divine or Collective Yoga cannot be confined to a centre, a coterie or a caucus. The Supramental is free to propel any large mass out of the six billion of us.
Mass media and mass culture is swaying the people like never before. In such circumstances, Saviri Era as a youthful religion can make a dent by its fresh appeal. To carry the information forward down to the last mile is the initial challenge. Faith is, of course, the recipient’s choice.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Salvation via Hegel
It is a welcome sign that theoretical debates are cropping up stirring religious beliefs. The evolution vs. intelligent design discourse has hardly died down and we have this he-she imbroglio. While Wilber’s painstakingly built AQAL edifice, like the Al Quida, is corroding from the inside in the manner of a cancer, the papal glasnost is also proceeding towards an inevitable Gorvachevsque denouement.
All this is a matter of glee for the Savitri Erans and reason enough to laugh up their sleeves. Let there be more of navel gazing so that Hegel once again become a rage and from there Sri Aurobindo is just a stone’s throw away.
All this is a matter of glee for the Savitri Erans and reason enough to laugh up their sleeves. Let there be more of navel gazing so that Hegel once again become a rage and from there Sri Aurobindo is just a stone’s throw away.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Savitri Era is the sunlit path
“Is religion the new fashion?” was the debate CNN-IBN aired an hour ago. But religion has always been in fashion, from the pre-historic times. It is one of the basic emotions and inspirations of man.
Perhaps a more appropriate observation would be that the fashion of religious practices keep changing. Opting for the newest offerings entails a lot of emotional trauma. And, enormous energy is wasted in trial and error.
Savitri Era is the sunlit path as assembled by The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. Their unremitting grace coupled with an infallible philosophy makes Savitri Era the most acceptable religion on the planet. Not to miss out on this sumptuous feast is one's free choice.
Perhaps a more appropriate observation would be that the fashion of religious practices keep changing. Opting for the newest offerings entails a lot of emotional trauma. And, enormous energy is wasted in trial and error.
Savitri Era is the sunlit path as assembled by The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. Their unremitting grace coupled with an infallible philosophy makes Savitri Era the most acceptable religion on the planet. Not to miss out on this sumptuous feast is one's free choice.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
This is the hour to be united for the Savitri Erans
[Do not compromise doctrine in dialogue, Pope says Keep true to Christian identity, pope tells pilgrims at audience By Cindy Wooden10/11/2006 Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Christians are called to form a united community of faith where social status and politics do not divide them and where dialogue with the world does not mean hiding the truths of the Christian faith, Pope Benedict XVI said. "Certainly the path of understanding and dialogue, which the Second Vatican Council happily undertook, must continue with firm constancy," he said Oct. 11 at his weekly general audience. "But this path of dialogue, which is so necessary, must not lead us to forget our obligation to recall and demonstrate with the same energy the principal elements of our Christian identity, which cannot be renounced," he said.]
Savitri Erans the world over must follow the cited words of the Pope in letter and spirit with regard to their faith in The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. This is the hour to be united to help the manifestation of the Supramental at the physical level.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Aspirealty
Religion is basically mind-space, but also concerns real-estate. Savitri Erais in the process of expanding in both the spheres. Perhaps an exponential expansion is in the offing. More and more roads, buildings, schools, libraries, centres, retreats, industries, businesses, down to books-selves in residences are coming under The Mother’s lien. The material too should consent to be carried along with the aspirational.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should resign
It is a criminal offence on the part of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In his acceptance address on being conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Law, he spoke about the links between India and Cambridge. So many names he recalled, but forgot the name of Sri Aurobindo, the foremost poet and philosopher of India.
If this is inadvertent, then he must resign from his post for his poor memory. But if deliberate, then also he should resign for insulting the great Teacher of the Nation as well as the Savitri Erans. ¶ 2:08 AM
If this is inadvertent, then he must resign from his post for his poor memory. But if deliberate, then also he should resign for insulting the great Teacher of the Nation as well as the Savitri Erans. ¶ 2:08 AM
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Anonymous10:59 AM, April 19, 2008I feel sorry for the type of "reason" you have displayed to protect and impose your idology over all Indians.
