November 2016 Newsletter

November 2016 SRI AUROBINDO SOCIETY VOL 30.11 Singapore Permit No. MCI (P) 069/01/2016 NEWSLETTER Vital well-beingNature of the vital realm – Perpetuating the drama of life Stability in the Vital – One of the important results of conversion.Botanical Name: Bauhinia purpureaCommon Name: Butterfly TreeSpiritual Significance: Stability in the Vital This bright perfection of her inner state Poured overflowing into her outward scene, Made beautiful dull common natural things And action wonderful and time divine. - Savitri, Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016. Guiding Light of the Month“Gradually the vital being grew accustomed to find harmony in the intensest actionas it had in passive surrender. And once this harmony was sufficiently established, there was light again in all the parts of the being, and the consciousness of what had happened became complete.” The Mother, ‘Prayers and Meditations’ June 7, 1916In this November issue, we continue with our From the Editor’s Deskexploration of the vital realm with a little focus on In the realm of life, the forces of desire give thethe quality of the vital in perpetuating the drama of impetus for life to move or run on a certain track. Alllife. The word ‘Drama’ has two connotations. One unfolds in our ordinary life because of the push of theis that it is associated with a play for theatre or any forces of desire that seek to actualize one thing or themedia of communication and entertainment. By other that one desires for oneself. Such a pursuit, wethis definition, a drama is something that is not may find, brings us on journeys of highs and lows, asreal- life acting itself out in the present but one that a boat rides on turbulent waters. These highs andis imaginary or representative of what happens in lows are part of the drama of life and there is alife, revolving around specific characters and tendency to perpetuate this drama, as if this is the oneevents. It is usually of high entertainment value purpose of the vital and nothing else.because the audience as such is able to associatewith the story, as it is always an expression or a However, if one is able to step back and watch theshowcase of one’s own life experiences. The movements of life, one may be able to pose oneself asecond connotation of the word ‘Drama’ is that it question, at one point, in time or space, or both, aboutis an “exciting, emotional, or unexpected event or the need for these movements, the purpose behindcircumstance”. the recurring experiences in life, pleasant or unpleasant, lasting or not. One may then be moved toOne can build associations with the two ask about the purpose of one’s existence here, on thisconnotations in some ways. What happens in life earth at this point in time. These contemplations mayis often perceived as drama, as a play when one, in lead one to take a different view of the power that isa state of detachment, steps back and surveys the the vital and this immense power may be used forunfolding events of life, watches them but does not some sublime purpose than for the energies to beget involved in them. That life is a play is a point dissipated in dramatic episodes that we ourselvesof philosophical interest that can be put to the mind author and direct. It is said that once the vital isfor contemplation. On the other hand, the events of mastered, there is nothing that cannot be done. But itlife are often quite dramatic since the vital being in has to be submitted to the highest authority in orderus is one of, “desires, impulses, force-pushes, to achieve the highest. For this, it has to know itsemotions, sensations, seekings after life- power and how to submit itself to a higher power orfulfillment, possession and enjoyment … it is even authority. In its normal movements, it oftencapable of luxuriating in tears and suffering as part “complicates things and robs them of theirof the drama of life.” These aspects of the vital are “simplicity, their purity, often their beauty and theirgiven an airing in this newsletter and ways sought, effectiveness.” The Mother says, “It should come toof stabilizing the vital and giving it its true understand that this energy and power… cannotdirection, given all its power and energy, and become useful unless it enters into perfect harmonypurpose, in order to place life on the path of with the divine plan of realization on earth.” May weprogress and elevate existence into heights of Light begin at least the contemplation to offer the vital upand Sublime expression. for purification.www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 2

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016. Savitri A lump of Matter, a house of closed sight, A mind compelled to think out ignorance, A life-force pressed into a camp of works And the material world her limiting field. (Book seven, Canto three) All is a hundred-toned murmur and babble and stir, There is a tireless running to and fro, A haste of movement and a ceaseless cry, The hurried servant senses answer apace To every knock upon the outer doors, Bring in life’s visitors, report each call, Admit the thousand queries and the calls And the messages of communicating minds And the heavy business of unnumbered lives And all the thousand fold commerce of the world. (Book seven, Canto two) Questions and AnswersQ: Sweet Mother, how can we empty the consciousness of its mixed contents?The Mother: By aspiration, the rejection of the lower movements, a call to a higher force. If youdo not accept certain movements, then naturally, when they find that they can’t manifest, graduallythey diminish in force and stop occurring. If you refuse to express everything that is of a lowerkind, little by little the very thing disappears, and the consciousness is emptied of lower things. Itis by refusing to give expression—I mean not only in action but also in thought, in feeling. Whenimpulses, thoughts, emotion come, if you refuse to express them, if you push them aside andremain in a state of inner aspiration and calm, then gradually they lose their force and stop coming.So the consciousness is emptied of its lower movements.But for instance, when undesirable thoughts come, if you look at them, observe them, if you takepleasure in following them in their movements, they will never stop coming. It is the same thingwhen you have undesirable feelings or sensation: if you pay attention to them, concentrate on themor even look at them with a certain indulgence, they will never stop. But if you absolutely refuseto receive and express them, after some time they stop. You must be patient and very persistent.In a great aspiration, if you can put yourself into contact with something higher, some influenceof your psychic being or some light from above, and if you can manage to put this in touch withthese lower movements, naturally they stop more quickly. But before even being able to draw thesethings by aspiration, you can already stop those movements from finding expression in you by avery persistent and patient refusal. When thoughts which you do not like come, if you just brushthem away and do not pay them any attention at all, after some time they won’t come any longer.But you must do this very persistently and regularly.(CWM, Volume 6, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Puducherry)www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 3

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016. Seeking the Light in the Lower Vital Does more work, makes less fuss.The lower vital aspires by offering all its small movements in the fire of purification, by callingfor the light and power to descend into it and rid it of its little greed, jealousies, resistances andrevolts over small matters, angers, vanities, sexualities etc. to be replaced by the right movementsgoverned by selflessness, purity, obedience to the urge of the Divine Force in all things. ***It is evident that the lower vital has received the Divine Consciousness when even in the smallmovements of life there is an aspiration to the Divine, a reference as it were to the Divine Lightfor guidance or some feeling of offering to the Divine or guidance by the Divine. The lower vitalcommands the little details of emotion, impulse, sensation, action—it is these that, whenconverted, it offers to the Divine control for transformation. ***Happiness in the ordinary sense is a sunlit state of the vital with or without cause. Contentment isless than happiness—joy of peace or being free from difficulty is rather a state of joyful śānti.Happiness ought not to be a state of self-satisfaction or inertia, and need not be, for one cancombine happiness and aspiration. Of course there can be a state of happy inertia, but most peopledon’t remain satisfied with that long, they begin to want something else. There are Yogins whoare satisfied with a happy calm immobility, but that is because the happiness is a form of Anandaand in the immobility they feel the Self and its eternal calm and want nothing more. - Sri Aurobindo(CWSA, Volume 31, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Puducherry)www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 4

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016. Flowers speak… On Vital well-being Light in the Vital Movements: This certainly means the beginning of wisdom. First learn to know yourself perfectly and then to control yourself perfectly. You will be able to do it by aspiring at every moment. It is never too early to begin, never too late to continue. ***Consent of the Vital: Friendly, smiling, always ready foraction, with a great goodwill.Keep a cheerful mind and a peaceful heart. Let nothingdisturb your equanimity and make every day the necessaryprogress to advance with me steadily towards the goal. *** Correct Movements in the Vital: At once the cause and the result of conversion. Control over the lower impulsions is the first step towards realisation. Renunciation of desires: the essential condition for realisation. ***Vital Endurance: Whatever the obstacles, we shall alwaysgo forward!To know and be able to bear and endure, undoubtedlyproduces a firm and fixed joy.(Flowers and their Messages, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Puducherry)www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 5

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016. The Little EgoThis puppet ego the World-Mother made, - Sri AurobindoThis little profiteer of Nature’s works,Her trust in his life-tenancy betrayed,Makes claim on claim, all debt to her he shirks.Each movement of our life our ego fills;Inwoven in each thread of being’s weft,When most we vaunt our selflessness, it stealsA sordid part; no corner void is left.One way lies free our heart and soul to give,Our body and mind to Thee and every cell,And steeped in Thy world-infinity to live.Then lost in light, shall fade the ignoble spell.Nature, of her rebellion quit, shall beA breath of the Spirit’s vast serenity.(SABCL, Volume 5, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Puducherry) Seashore on a full moon nightwww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg (An Oil Painting by Sandhya) 6

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016. September - October Sunday Activities at the Centre- A glimpseSeptember 11th – Study of Secret of Veda:The group completed the study of Sukta 2 of Mandala 1 of the Rig Veda based on SriAurobindo’s Secret of the Veda and Kapali Sastry’s Siddanjana.September 18th – Musical Offering:A musical performance by Shantanu Bhatacharya was offered.September 25th – Study of Savitri:We meditated on Mother’s extracts from Savitri Book I Canto IV in Meditations on Savitri.October 2nd - Study of Secret of Veda:The group began the study of Sukta 3 of Mandala 1 of the Rig Veda based on SriAurobindo’s Secret of the Veda and Kapali Sastry’s Siddanjana. SUKTA 31. O Riders of the steed, swift-footed, much enjoying, lords of enjoyment, take delights in theenergies of the sacrifice.2. O Riders of the steed, male leaders effecting a manifold action, take joy of the words, Oholders in the intellect, by a luminous energetic thought.3. I have piled the seat of sacrifice, I have pressed out the vigorous Soma-juices; fulfillers ofaction, powers of the movement, come to them with your fierce speed on the path.4. Come, O Indra of varied lusters, these pure delights extended by subtle powers yearn forthee.5. Come, O Indra, impelled by the Thought, driven forward by the illumined thinker, to mySoul-thoughts, I who have pressed out the Soma-juice and seek to express them in speech.6. Come, O Indra, lord of the horses, with a forceful speed to my soul-thoughts; hold firm forus the delight in the Soma-juice.7. Come, O All-Gods, fosterers, upholders of active men, you who apportion the Soma pressedout by the giver.8. Come fast, O All-Gods, speeding up the waters unto our Soma that is pressed, like cowstheir place of rest and repose.9. O All-Gods, you who are not assailed nor cause injury, free-moving in your forms ofknowledge, cleave to my sacrifice as its upbearers.10. May purifying Sarasvati with all the plentitudes of her forms of plenty, rich in substance bythe thought, desire our sacrifice.www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 7

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016.11. She, the impeller to happy truths, the awakener in consciousness to right mentalisings,Sarasvati, upholds the sacrifice.12. Sarasvati by the perception awakens in consciousness the great flood (the vast movement ofRitam) and illumines entirely all the thoughts.Translated by Sri Kapali Sastry and Sri M.P. PanditOctober 9th – Study of The Mother’s Questions and Answers:Discussed, Questions and Answers from page no. 197 to 199Q: What should be done to remember the Mother constantly? Should one repeat Her name,remember Her physical form or think or feel that She is the Divine? Is gratitude for the Divinea form of remembrance?The Mother: Each one has their own way of remembering. Generalising how or what to do doesn’tmake sense.To remember, one must not forget!Q: Can there be a collective form of discipline which is self imposed?The Mother: There are 3 types of disciplines.  Group discipline: This discipline is formed when people form group and set rules. If one cannot follow, he/she can get out of the group. So not self-imposed!  Discipline of Family Atavism: you are born into a family which inherits certain rules from the very past ancestors, not parents! So not self-imposed!  Religious Discipline: Again you are born into a certain religion and have to follow the precepts the religion states. Most of the time people don’t dare to ask why and follow blindly the precepts like Words of Veda! So again not self-imposed!But one can get out of the above disciplines with strength and independence of character, to breakthrough the group/family/ societal pressure of commotion and repercussion.Mother’s answers made me understand that I too have no self-imposed discipline, all borrowed orborn with! - Jared and Jayalakshmiwww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 8

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016. PROGRAMME FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2016 DATE TIME DETAILS6th November 2016 8:00 AM Monthly Morning Walk * 6:00 PM Sunday 6:00 PM Reading from AIM Magazine6th November 2016 6:00 PM Q&A from The Mother’s Complete works Volume 8 6:00 PM Sunday 6:00 PM Darshan Day – Mother’s Mahasamadhi Day13th November 2016 6:00 PM Special Prayers and Meditation Sunday Study Circle – Part 3 “The Secret of the Veda”17th November 2016 Mandala1 Sunday Darshan Day – Siddhi Day20th November 2016 Special Prayers and Meditation Savitri – An unending Journey Sunday24th November 2016 Sunday27th November 2016 Sunday* Please see below for details. NOVEMBER 2016 MORNING WALK – NO. 375Date: Sunday, 6th November 2016Time: 8:00 A.M. sharp for warm up exerciseMeeting Car Park near Registry of Marriages Building in Fort Canning Park.Point:Contact No: Mr S.Ramanathan (9138 5130)Directions to Driving:the Meeting Hill Street -> Turn LEFT (or Right) depending on which direction you are comingPoint: from -> to Coleman Street -> Canning Rise -> Enter Car Park near Registry of Marriages Building. MRT/Bus: There are numerous buses plying through Hill Street - 12, 32, 33, 51, 61, 63, 80, 147, 190 and 197 to name a few. By MRT, alight at Clarke Quay or Dhoby Ghaut, and walk about 10 minutes to get to the park. The nearest access is through Hill Street turning to Coleman Street adjacent to the Central Fire Station.Hosts: Mr. Ganesh Swaminathan & Family. ( HP: 98370735, email: [email protected]) They will be hosting the meditation and brunch at Sri Aurobindo Society (SIFAS) premises @ Starlight Road, SerangoonNote: All are encouraged to attend the Walk. Those, however, who are not able to join the Walk,the hosts would be very happy that they directly come and join in the brunch by 10:15 AM. Prayersand meditation will commence sharp at 10.30 A.M. All are requested to be punctual.www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 9

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016. PREVIEW OF FORTHCOMING SUNDAY MORNING WALKSWALK DATE PLACE HOST NO 376 04/12/2016 Punggol walk way Mr Ritesh Thacker & Family 01/01/2017 TBA M/s. Kiruthika and Adrian 377 05/2/2017 Mrs. Nisha Maheswary East Coast Park 378 Along the Way… September 2016 Walk ReviewThe morning walk in September was at East Coast Park. This is the event of every month whichwe always look forward to.East Coast Park which has a total land size of 185 hectares and which is built entirely on areclaimed land, is one of Singapore's most treasured urban getaways. Its scenic coastline stretchesover 15 km.For a pleasant walk with our close friends, we normally look for flora and fauna. However whywe should not expect the Sun and Sand in our sunny island? Exactly that is what we enjoyed onthat beautiful Sunday. Beautiful Sunday, because it is made beautiful by the presence of our closefriends whom we are eager to meet and share our thoughts despite our busy schedule on rest of thedays. We however deeply missed the regular ever young and energetic walker. You know whomI am referring to. Of Course, we missed Mr. Ramanathan.After the warm up exercise, we started off for the morning walk on the pathways by the side of thesandy beach.As mentioned, it was sunny and deep within the sand on the beach, we dived into the nostalgicpast when we had a good chat with Mr. Krishnamurthy and Anand. There were a few tents thatseemed to sprout on weekends. We could see the happy families just coming out of the tents, somewith sleepy eyes after a beautiful night on the sandy beach.Looking at the way the families were enjoying, we started talking about the past that we spentyears back in our native towns. It reminded us of those good old days and how we lived the lifedespite so many difficulties of the time. Turn back the clock and we could see the families enjoyingevery festival together. There was no TV before 1972 in Mumbai and in the early days, even theradio had just come up. Look, those neighbors were happy to peep into the house to hear what wasgoing on the radio. Those were the days that we enjoyed staying in a close community, sharingand caring. We still can see all these values in many families. However the technology has takenus too far, so far that people can communicate just by tapping on the smart phones and not byexpression.The morning walk is not just a walk but it reminds us of the good things that we have lived. It letsus see the life in a different perspective, different than we see on all the days, immersing ourselvesin busy life and looking forward to the next morning walk and the meditation.As we walked and talked, we did not realise that we had covered 6.2 km in about 75 minutes. Thatis how the time can pass and we do not even feel the tiredness when we are in close company ofwww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 10

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016.our friends. It teaches us a very valuable lesson that we just have to accept it, contemplate andmove on with the life.After the walk, we had a warm welcome at Arjun’s house and we were treated to a deliciousbrunch.The music was in tune with the atmosphere for the meditation. After immersing ourselves in themeditation, the beautiful prayers were read. The birthdays were read out and could see the smileon the faces of all with exchanging the compliments.We look forward to the next month’s walk and are eager to listen to the beautiful Bhajans fromour dear Kashyap family. - Kiran October 2016 Walk ReviewExperience the Divine Beauty amid Nature:“The mountains in their anchorite solitudeThe forests with their multitudinous chantDisclosed to her the masked divinity’s doors” (Savitri Book 4 canto 4)Divine Mother gave extreme importance to Nature's pristine beauty, untouched by human handsand artificial accessories. She used to go boating and walking, accompanied by a few devoteesalong the fields in Ashram Lake estate in early years. Fortunate were the flora and fauna there toexperience Her Divine touch. She symbolically renames more than 500 species of flowers.Auroville was the most arid and dusty land without the least possible greenery during 1960s andby arduous dedicated work, it is turned now into the most verdant location covered with the foliageof thousands of trees including the rarest species of them surviving despite the adverse climaticconditions and water shortage there. The ancient Rishis of India and people reaching Vanaprastaphase (post retirement) of life preferred to live in sylvan hermitages along mountain valleys or thebanks of rivers and lakes, because of their being most favourable spots from health perspectiveand conducive for the growth of inner faculties leading to spiritual realization. Therefore, Rigvedadescribes:\"Nature's beauty is an art of God. Let us feel the touch of God's invisible hands in everythingbeautiful. By the first touch of His hand rivers throb and ripple. When He smiles the sun shines,the moon glimmers, the stars twinkle, the flowers bloom. By the first rays of the rising sun, theuniverse is stirred; the shining gold is sprinkled on the smiling buds of rose; the fragrant air isfilled with sweet melodies of singing birds, the dawn is the dream of God's creative fancy.\" (English Translation is by Gita Press publication) (Rig Veda (1.6.3) describing Purushamanifesting in Prakriti)SAS Singapore conducts monthly Nature WalksSingapore reserves 50% of its very limited land resource for greenery and preserves the BukitTimah Nature Reserve, the only primitive forest in south East Asia yet retaining its position as themost developed commercial hub of Asia. Much greater credit goes for building the beautiful touristattraction, Gardens by the Bay on the costliest prime central district with high budget allocation.The world's rarest species of plants are protected here with the most modern state of art botanicaltechniques amid the most aesthetic masterpieces by the world's greatest artists and sculptors.In this beautiful city, SAS Singapore is conducting Nature walks uninterrupted since severaldecades, even in the most unfavourable weather conditions, is possible only by the ardentwww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 11

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. November 2016.aspiration and devotion of its members. This reminds me of the days spent in Ashram where noactivity would be stopped or postponed due to external environmental conditions and several timeswe used to have 24 Nov balcony Darshan of Divine Mother holding umbrellas and fully drenchedwhile standing in the street below.On 2nd Oct, Nature walk No 375 was conducted in the exotic 'Gardens by the Bay South’ withapproximately 12 participants assembling at 8:00 AM adjacent to the Visitor's centre. Aftercompleting the routine exercises, we began strolling slowly for 1.5 hour admiring the beautifulambience. The main topic of friendly discussion among us was about the incapacity of severalcountries not developing such parks, even though they are highly blessed with extensive Naturalresources.Musical offering at Shashilal Kashyapji's placeMany members arrived directly at the host's residence. The program as per our practice, beginswith meditation and wishing members celebrating their birth and marriage anniversaries in thatparticular month. With love for beauty and music permeating all over, the entire family welcomedeach guest smilingly resembling the traditional Indian custom of 'Adhitidevo Bhava'. A mostsumptuous Indian brunch with a wide variety of snacks tempting to the palate and the melodiousmusical recital, a total feast for the ears by three generations of the joint family, are most awaitedannual occasions for SAS. The strings of love for music tightly bind the family into one singleharmonious note and in spite of residing in Singapore, they have preserved with care the traditionalIndian customs and sense of artistic decorations all around the house.Initiating the musical offering, the grandparents, Shashilal Kashyapji and Urmilji, the made foreach other, who have completed 55 years of conjugal togetherness, sang a duet and a few popularRagas. Subsequently, their son Praveen and daughter in law Ramni continued with devotionalBhajans, accompanied by professional Tabla and Harmonium players and concluded with thefamous Raghupati Raghava wherein the entire audience joined in chorus to elevate the atmosphere.Finally their smart grandson Amit, an award winner with extraordinary talent in BeatBox, hadrendered the gathering to become youthful and entertained the audience with his rare musicalpresentation. This year, the cake cutting function was to specially celebrate the 80th birthanniversary of Shashilal Kashyapji.The popular Rigvedic Mantra \"sanagachhadwam samwadadwam :samni va akutih samanahridayanivah, samanamastu vo mano yatha vah susahati \" (May our intentions and aspirations bealike , so that a common objective unifies us all ) is most appropriately practiced by all their familymembers. May such Nature walks and musical recitals motivate and help us on the path of YogicSadhana in SAS Singapore. \"All Nature was at Beauty's festival \" ( Book 4 canto 1) - Mrs Balasundari Kottamasu Rao Printed and Published by The Sri Aurobindo Society of Singapore 2A Starlight Road 01-07, Singapore 217755.Saurab: 86559940 or [email protected]; Sanjay: 98750767 or [email protected]; Email: [email protected] Visit our website at: www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sgwww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 12