March 2019 Newsletter

March 2019 SRI AUROBINDO SOCIETY VOL 33.03 Singapore NEWSLETTER The Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education (SAICE) The Supramental Descent Divine Knowledge It is succulent, nourishing, strengthening.. Mangifera indica Mango Medium to large succulent edible fruit of the mango tree, generally oval in shape; borne in clusters on pendulous stalks. The Light now distant shall grow native here, The Strength that visits us our comrade power; The Ineffable shall find a secret voice, The Imperishable burn through Matter’s screen Making this mortal body godhead’s robe. The Spirit’s greatness is our timeless source And it shall be our crown in endless Time.. - Savitri, Sri Aurobindo

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. Guiding Light of the Month Let Thy Light be in me like a Fire that makes all alive; let Thy divine Love penetrate me. I aspire with all my being for Thy reign as sovereign and master of my mind and heart and body; let them be Thy docile instruments and Thy faithful servitors. The Mother, ‘Prayers and Meditations’ November 3, 1912 From the Editor’s Desk This edition of the Newsletter concludes the theme, Sri However, its been long since this method of education Aurobidno International Centre of Education (SAICE) was implemented, and the experiment continues in small pockets such as in SAICE, Pondicherry, and schools like and the descent of the Overman. We include here the Mirambika in Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Delhi Branch, concluding parts of the articles by two devotees on SAICE and another on the reflecions on the Descent of New Delhi, surely with their own train of trials and Overman consciousness on the 1st of Januray 1969, fifty tribulations, as any living human experiment poses, but surely towards a future high and illumines and destined, years ago. surely an effort worth its while. The Integral method of education as propounded by This new future towards which the onward march The Mother and Sri Aurobindo left the onus of learning continues is nothing less than the Supramental downpour on the learner. It was clearly meant for children who into human vessels made ready for the transformation had in their possession a consciousness that was ready and then the receiving and holding of the Supramental to take upon the responsibility of learning unto rays and the expressing of its influence in a Divine themselves. In the experiment in Pondicherry, The manifestation here upon Earth. So says Sri Aurobindo, Mother herself selected the children, looking deep into “Beyond mind is a supramental or gnostic power of them for a psychic being that was awake enough and consciousness that is in eternal possession of Truth; all which would thrive in an environment of free progress its motion and feeling and sense and outcone are instinct in the integral education programme. However, the and luminous with the inmost reality of things and experiment was frought with challenges as recounted express nothing else.” The appearance of the Overman by Sri Kittu Reddy in his article which concludes in this consciousness in 1969 is a continuum of the forces Sri newsletter. The teachers saw that it was hard for Aurobindo was bringing down with his supreme sadhana children to practice discipline and take on self- since 1926, with the descent of the overmind or Krishna learning.. Consciousness. We are usually comfortable in a system that prescribes With Sri Aurobindo’s help from the subtler planes and our way of being within the system. However, the The Mother’s powers, the Supramental manifested in the challenges are manifold when we are faced with the earth plane in 1956, on the 29th of February, 6 years after freedom to do what we want. Very often our desires Sri Aurobindo left this mortal sphere. With this descent, pull us in different directions and we are not able to hear everything here on earth had changed. Here is what The a soft inner voice of contriol impleading us to take upon Mother has to say about this Supramental descent: that action that is in alignment with the sychic aspiration within. However the call of distracting “Everything, however, has changed, radically changed. elements is louder than that little voice within which Previously the working was under the pressure of the does not impose and there we falter and take on Mind of Light. Sri Aurobindo had secured that victory. ourselves actions and deeds which take us away from Now it is the Supermind that directly guides and the Truth of our being, and we engage in actions whch governs. Here, too, Sri Aurobindo has been are far away from our psychic calling, re-routed awhile, instrumental. And his presence is in me always.” thwated the true seeking. www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 2 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. Masters of Living Thus will the masked Transcendent mount his throne. When darkness deepens strangling the earth’s breast And man’s corporeal mind is the only lamp, As a thief’s in the night shall be the covert tread Of one who steps unseen into his house. A Voice ill-heard shall speak, the soul obey, A Power into mind’s inner chamber steal, A charm and sweetness open life’s closed doors And beauty conquer the resisting world, The Truth-Light capture Nature by surprise, A stealth of God compel the heart to bliss And earth grow unexpectedly divine. In Matter shall be lit the spirit’s glow, In body and body kindled the sacred birth; Night shall awake to the anthem of the stars, The days become a happy pilgrim march, Our will a force of the Eternal’s power, And thought the rays of a spiritual sun. A few shall see what none yet understands; God shall grow up while the wise men talk and sleep; For man shall not know the coming till its hour And belief shall be not till the work is done. Savitri, Sri Aurobindo www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 3 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. The History of the Ashram School by Prof. Kittu Reddy Part 3 We shall now go back in time to see how the Free Progress System was introduced in the school. From the year 1959, many tentative experiments were being made in the Free Progress System. These attempts were first made on a small scale with a small number of students and teachers who were willing to try out the experiment. The source of inspiration for these experiments were in the writings and talks of Mother and Sri Aurobindo. We are quoting one of the passages from The Human Cycle that served as an important source of inspiration: “The discovery that education must be a bringing out of the child’s own intellectual and moral capacities to their highest possible value and must be based on the psychology of the child-nature was a step forward towards a more healthy because a more subjective system; but it still fell short because it still regarded him as an object to be handled and moulded by the teacher, to be educated. But at least there was a glimmering of the realisation that each human being is a self-developing soul and that the business of both parent and teacher is to enable and to help the child to educate himself, to develop his own intellectual, moral, aesthetic and practical capacities and to grow freely as an organic being, not to be kneaded and pressured into form like an inert plastic material. It is not yet realised what this soul is or that the true secret, whether with child or man, is to help him to find his deeper self, the real psychic entity within. That, if we ever give it a chance to come forward, and still more if we call it into the foreground as “the leader of the march set in our front”, will itself take up most of the business of education out of our hands and develop the capacity of the psychological being towards a realisation of its potentialities of which our present mechanical view of life and man and external routine methods of dealing with them prevent us from having any experience or forming any conception. These new educational methods are on the straight way to this truer dealing. The closer touch attempted with the psychical entity behind the vital and physical mentality and an increasing reliance on its possibilities must lead to the ultimate discovery that man is inwardly a soul and a conscious power of the Divine and that the evocation of this real man within is the right object of education and indeed of all human life if it would find and live according to the hidden Truth and deepest law of its own being.” Here is another passage from the Mother’s conversations which was often quoted and which became the basis for the Free Progress System. “Essentially, the only thing you should do assiduously is to teach them to know themselves and choose their own destiny, the path they will follow; to teach them to look at themselves, understand themselves and to will what they want to be. That is infinitely more important than teaching them what happened on earth in former times, or even how the earth is built, or even… indeed, all sorts of things which are quite a necessary grounding if you want to live the ordinary life in the world, for if you don’t know them, anyone will immediately put you down intellectually: “Oh, he is an idiot, he knows nothing. But still, at any age, if you are studious and have the will to do it, you can also take up books and work; you don’t need to go to school for that. There are enough books in the world to teach you things. There are even many more books than necessary. But what is very important is to know what you want. And for this a minimum of freedom is necessary. You must not be under a compulsion or an obligation. You must be able to do things whole-heartedly. If you are lazy, well, you will know what it means to be lazy…. You know, in life idlers are obliged to work www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 4 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. ten times more than others, for what they do they do badly, so they are obliged to do it again. But these are things one must learn by experience. They can’t be instilled into you.” The problem was: how to create a system of education which would help them to know themselves and choose their own destiny, with the ultimate result of bringing the psychic being of the child forward as “the leader of the march.” Gradually, these attempts began to increase in number and by the year 1962, there was one whole section of the school that was following this system. It was named Vers la Perfection. In this process some interesting experiments were tried out, some seemingly a bit impractical. However, the Mother allowed things to develop and encouraged the teachers to find out by themselves how to implement the free progress system. As all these attempts were going, quite naturally, a lot of discussion was generated among the teachers. The Director and the Registrar – Pavitrada and Kireet Joshi – were deeply involved in all these discussions and often the matter was referred to the Mother. As a result of all these discussions and efforts some basic principles were laid down. The basic principles on which the Free Progress system was founded were as follows: • The first assumption was that every child was essentially a soul and the business of the educator was to help the child to bring it forward as the leader of his march. • Since each child was a soul and therefore unique, he had to be treated according to his nature and temperament. The natural consequence was that individual attention was given great importance and consequently group classes were not encouraged too much. • Another consequence was that each child was encouraged to work at his own pace, depending on his capacity. It followed also that a child could be at different levels for different subjects. • There was also an effort to replace text books by worksheets which were prepared in such a way as to make it more relevant to the child’s needs and interests. • Finally, the whole purpose was to encourage the child to take up the full responsibility of his own education and choose his own destiny. Evidently, this was not easy for it meant a total reversal of the existing system of education; in a sense, it was a big risk that was being taken. As already mentioned, the attempt was first made on a small scale with a limited number of students and teachers fully supported by The Mother. By the middle of the year 1962, it was felt that this system could be tried out on a bigger scale for all the secondary classes from December 1962. Here another problem cropped up. It was understood that this system would be successful only with those students whose psychic being was somewhat prominent for only then would they be able to use their freedom properly without being distracted by the vital and other pulls of the lower nature. The question was: who is to choose the students? Since most of the teachers did not feel confident in their own judgment the matter was referred to the Mother and She graciously agreed to make the selection herself. Accordingly, the students numbering about 150 were divided into 5 batches. Mother came down to the first floor and the students, over a period of five days passed in front of her. She indicated which students could be selected and even in some cases made some remarks on certain students. All these were noted down by a teacher standing beside the Mother. I remember that in some cases, the Mother made some remarks about a child; in one case, she remarked about a young girl: “Oh, she in an old friend.” www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 5 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. It will be interesting to note that almost all the students were selected by the Mother for the New Classes. The Functioning of the System Let us now see how the system functioned on the ground level Firstly, there was no fixed time table; when the students came to the school, they went and sat in the class rooms allotted to them. Three or four teachers would be sitting in the same room. After the bell rang the students would start working on their own on any subject of their choice. Whenever they needed any help from the teacher, they would consult him. During the course of the work, if either the teacher or student felt the need to fix an appointment with the teacher for further consulation, it would be done by mutual consultation. Similarly whenever the teachers or students felt the need of a group class, that too was fixed by mutual consultation. There was great freedom for the students and the teachers were there only to help and guide the students. In sum, the whole responsibility of education was on the students themselves. They had to decide for themselves the subjects they would study, determine the pace at which they would work and even the quantity of work done. Many teachers felt that the attempt was premature, but all agreed to give it a try. However within a few months, it appeared that the system was not working very well. The majority of students were misusing their time and were unable to use their freedom properly. Finally a group of teachers wrote a letter to the Mother.# - Kittu Reddy We present below the third and last part of a reflective article written by Jared Quek of the Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore on the 50th Anniversary of the descent of the New Consciousness or the Consciousness of the Superman. In this part appear selections of what The Mother had stated about the significance of the event of 1st January 1969, as compiled by the writer. […continued Reflections on 1 January 1969 By Jared Quek The need for this intermediary species stems primarily from the vast difference in nature and physiology between humanity and the supramental species. Discussing the constitution of the supramental being, the Mother said on 30 September 1966: “This would be a transformation infinitely greater than that from the animal to man; this would be a passage from man to a being who would not be built in the same manner, who would no longer function in the same manner, who would be like the condensation and concretisation of “something”.... Up to now, that corresponds to nothing we have yet seen physically, unless the scientists have found something I do not know about….It seems to me that between what exists at present, the way we are, and that other form of life, many intermediary stages will be needed.’ In their other works (e.g. The Supramental Manifestation on Earth, Notes on the Way), the Mother and Sri Aurobindo gave tantalizing hints on the nature of this Body and indeed, the Mother gave a description of her www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 6 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. prototypical supramental body in the subtle physical. Without going into details here, the constituting supramental material substance and the radically different functioning and structure of the body of the supramental species make it very likely that this body may need to be directly ‘materialized’, instead of being born through the normal animal way. Sri Aurobindo wrote about such a method in his last writings: It should be possible and it is believed to be possible for an object formed in this subtle physical substance to make a transit from its subtlety into the state of gross Matter directly by the intervention of an occult force and process, whether with or even without the assistance or intervention of some gross material procedure. A soul wishing to enter into a body or form for itself a body and take part in a divine life upon earth might be assisted to do so or even provided with such a form by this method of direct transmutation, without passing through birth by the sex process or undergoing any degradation or any of the heavy limitations in the growth and development of its mind and material body inevitable to our present way of existence. It might then assume at once the structure and greater powers and functionings of the truly divine material body which must one day emerge in a progressive evolution to a totally transformed existence both of life and form in a divinised earth- nature. Sri Aurobindo: Essays in Philosophy and Yoga, p. 549. It is this direct materialization of the Mother’s prototypical body and substance that is one of the cardinal challenges that the intermediary species must address. Doubtless, there are many other issues, both individual and social, that must be solved before the superman can ‘reign as king of life’. It will be the future collectives of overmen and over-women, the nations of the dawn, who will prepare the way for the final transition. ‘There are Some’ We can trust that the New Consciousness of 1969 has prepared this consummation and new creation for 50 years, and that the overman is not a far ideal of the future. Indeed, they are living among us right now. The Mother said in April 1972, “The change from the human into the supramental being is being achieved … through the overman. It may be that there will be some overmen – there are some – who will make the transition possible.” (Mother’s Agenda). After all, this intermediary new humanity is still fully human. It is in their consciousness that they differ—and that is as good as invisible to the majority of mankind. It takes the like to recognize the like. Also, in a talk in 1957-58, the Mother offered a broad and inspiring criterion for what she called des apprentis-surhommes (apprentice overmen): ‘All those who make an effort to overcome their ordinary nature, all those who try to realise materially the profound experience that has brought them into contact with the divine Truth, all those who, instead of turning to the Hereafter or the On-high, try to realise physically, externally, the change of consciousness they have realised within themselves – all those are apprentice-overmen [des apprentis-surhommes]. Among them, there are countless variations according to the success of their efforts. Each time we try not to be an ordinary man, not to live the ordinary life, to express in our movements, our actions and reactions the divine Truth, when we are governed by that Truth instead of being governed by the general ignorance, we are apprentice-overmen, and according to the success of our efforts we are, well, more or less good apprentices, more or less advanced on the way.’ The Mother: Questions and Answers 1957-58, p. 411, Van Vrekhem’s translation www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 7 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. Half a century since the descent of the Overman consciousness and Grace—we can trust that humanity is much further along the journey. Indeed, a superficial look at the earth may detect little signs of that. As a disciple asked: In 1919 Sri Aurobindo wrote that the chaos and the calamities were perhaps the pangs of the birth of a new creation. How long is this going to continue? In the Ashram, in India and eventually in the world? It will continue until the world is ready and willing to receive the new creation; the consciousness of this new creation is already at work upon earth since the beginning of this year. If instead of resisting, people were collaborating, it would be quicker. But stupidity and ignorance are very obstinate! The Mother, 29 November 1969 ‘Stupidity and ignorance’ seems to be so prevalent in our world: Our attitudes towards climate change, the dark waves of politics, the unstoppable and out of control growth of technology, and the hubristic rush of technologists towards ‘superhumanity’ and so on. Yet, at the same time, it is equally foolish to expect only the ordinary – for we live in far from ordinary times. The darkness and problems of the present are lacking in ‘true life’, and are part of a world that is passing away (and in a sense, already passed away). Sri Aurobindo came to show the beauty of the future—and we can trust in five firm pillars for that. The first is the continuing presence and guidance of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The second is the supramental consciousness descended in 1956. The third is the overman consciousness of 1969, which is the supramental made accessible. Indeed, the Mother said she put those who come near her into contact with this Consciousness. The fourth is the protypical body of the supramental the Mother described in 1972. The fifth, often forgotten, is the unexpected action of the ‘forerunners’, the ‘architects of immortality’: Forerunners of a divine multitude, Out of the paths of the morning star they came Into the little room of mortal life. I saw them cross the twilight of an age, The sun-eyed children of a marvellous dawn The great creators with wide brows of calm, The massive barrier-breakers of the world And wrestlers with destiny in her lists of will, The labourers in the quarries of the gods, The messengers of the Incommunicable, The architects of immortality. Savitri, 3:4 The supramental change is the climax of the long spiritual effort of humanity. There have surely been many in the forgotten past, forerunners, who have attained a high spiritual consciousness far exceeding the norms of their time—and who stand ready to help in mankind’s great transition. Even more portentously, the extraordinary spiritual conditions made possible by the supramental descent imply that these forerunners can put forth their full power and being in this birth—and rise even higher. Indeed, the Mother spoke of the original integral tradition that predated and is the source of both the Vedic and the Chaldean. It is quite possible that the greatest adepts of this, and other traditions, could well have been unable to put forth their complete potential in human birth for thousands or even tens of thousands of years, because of unsuitable world conditions. The chains are now broken; the limits, surpassed. With their full power, what these barrier breakers and architects of immortality will collectively achieve shall be witnessed in the centuries ahead— and we should look forward to divine upheavals that will overturn the foundations of this world. www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 8 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. And we shall remember that in 1969, the Consciousness came that will shape, nurture and protect these communities of overmen and overwomen who will utterly change our world: “Their tread one day shall change the suffering earth/And justify the light on Nature’s face.” (Savitri, 3:4)—and ultimately their work will make possible the advent of the ‘high divine successor’. In these extraordinary times, we should expect only the miraculous. It is certainly the time for those with faith to collaborate and do sincerely whatever is within our capacity. For all can be des apprentis-surhommes with sincerity and faith: ‘No half measures, no approximations’! The extraordinary Consciousness and Grace awaits. - Jared Quek Reflections on SAICE 75th Anniversary by An Alumni “The aim of education is not to prepare a man to succeed in life and society, but to increase his perfectibility to the utmost. ---- It is not brilliant students that we want, it is the living souls. --- To learn for the sake of knowledge, to study in order to know the secrets of Nature and life, to educate oneself in order to grow in consciousness, to discipline oneself in order to become master of oneself, to overcome one's weaknesses, incapacities and ignorance, to prepare oneself to advance in life towards a goal that is nobler and vaster, more generous and more true...” THE MOTHER Abode of Integral Education for 75 years Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education has completed 75 years on 2nd Dec 2018 ; Golden chain of Grace with its magnetic pull and shield of protection has no boundaries of time and space. We, the students of SAICE experience a strong aspiration and abundance of Her protection and guiding hands whether we had devoted to stay back to serve in Ashram or gone out to lead the life outside constantly receiving Her Protection. Conducting Alumni meets and functions for all educational institutions and professional organizations across the world is a very common practice. What is it that stands unique and special for SAICE? We are bound by Spiritual Golden Chain of Divine Love and hence outer life situations and achievements are least important. All over the world, mostly when Alumni meet the primary topics of discussions are who has made highest materialistic achievements and how high they climbed the professional ladder and consequently categorize the educational institutions based on their job placement and salaries. Our SAICE may be compared only with the Gurukulas of Vedic India where both Apara Vidya and Para Vidya were simultaneously given the Illumined Rishis. We interact from heart to heart as a part of our psychic being is tied together with Her Divine Grace. We just carry ourselves back in time when we were students and it would not be an exaggeration to state that all the 300 plus former students ranging from the age group of 20s to 80s have acknowledged that the golden period of their life was spent as students of SAICE. There are two types of knowledge namely Apara Vidhya ( all external domains of knowledge) and Para Vidhya (knowledge of the inner Realms and consciousness) as stated by the Rishis of Mundaka Upanishad and explained elaborately in Chandogya Upanishad. In Ashram all subjects ranging from the perfecting of the physical, vital, mental are given due importance. The opening of the psychic (the Para Vidya) and its leading the tangible parts of one’s being is given highest importance. This meeting of all SAICE students is hence for reconnecting with our inner being through interaction and reliving our childhood in Divine Mother’s presence. www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 9 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. We may group the ex-students into four categories from the practical perspective of our residence and external work though in spirit of Oneness we were, we are and will eternally remain part of SAICE. 1: After passing out from the higher course in our Education Centre, a few have selected to dedicate their entire life to Ashram and became Ashramites and are now handling various Ashram departments including teaching at SAICE as part of their Integral Yoga. 2: Some have chosen to become the pioneers of Auroville since its preparation phase in 1960s and are presently Aurovilians. 3: Many have decided to settle back in Pondicherry with families partly offering dedicated volunteering service in Ashram departments, Sri Aurobindo Society or Auroville. 4: Lastly, a major number of students are residing outside Pondicherry but are closely associated with SAS at different parts of the world with regular visits to Pondicherry and trying to practice SAICE Ideals in their personal and professional lives. Except for the first group of Ashramites, all other three groups are not part of the PED (physical education dept) and do not belong to any of the regular A-F groups. The ex-students drill and other cultural functions consisted of the groups 2,3,4 combinedly. A Major support and guidance were imparted by ex-students who are Ashramites now by welcoming us back Home. We had our 50th anniversary celebrations in Dec 1993 and it was a most memorable month of activities when the very idea of forming a Golden chain group was conceived. Year 2018 is also the 25th anniversary of our Golden Chain group and quarterly Its journal. Auroville has celebrated its 50th Anniversary in Feb 2018 with the symbolic merging of waters from all the nations of the world. Let me just state a few of the major activities taken place on this occasion beginning with the 2nd Dec PED function at the sports ground. 1: 2nd Dec participation by ex-students doing the Qiqong drill (qi The Life Energy qong enhance) consists of postures in meditative mode belonging to the ancient Chinese system with Taoist and Buddhist origins. It was one month of strict disciplinary practice of various postures of The breath, The Archer, The Tiger, The Horse and the Cloud, The deer, The bear, The Phoenix, The Snake, The Bird, The Lotus and all of them symbolic of different life energies and aimed at promoting all rounded health. The audience liked it to such an extent that they requested us to perform once more at the end of the program. I am personally astonished at the selfless dedication with which our captains, Jayathi, Shaswati, Rajesh, Tapan, and Surabhi have spent extra time to improve our postures and synchronize with the rhythmic music. Those who had to participate in the drill had to report on 1st Nov itself but ex-students taking part in the March Past with Bande Mataram and Aurevoir (formation of Mother’s symbol and collectively reading the Message) There were a total of 14 items by the present students and the Ashram members from PED and ours, Qiqong, was given 12 sequences. The golden Chain and Ashram department, Senteurs (Anjali Gupta) have put in extensive timely efforts to get the March past and Drill dresses stitched for 300 plus ex-students in the most cordial and harmonious manner. T-shirts with the logo of 75th SAICE anniversary were printed and made available to all of us as the best momentum for this golden occasion. Experiences with other celebratory activities like cultural functions, batch wise gatherings to share our experiences, talks by the earliest teachers still guiding SAICE, talks by ex-students, musical performances and Art Expos (still on-going) will be shared in the next editions of our Newsletter. www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 10 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. “To be repeated each day by all the students: It is not for our family, it is not to secure a good position, it is not to earn money, it is not to obtain a diploma, that we study.We study to learn, to know, to understand the world, and for the sake of the joy that it gives us.” THE MOTHER “Whoever gets my touch, whoever has a second of true aspiration, true love for me, he is finished for life, for all lives – he is bound to me. I have put a golden chain round his neck, his heart is bound eternally to me.” The Mother (As quoted by Sri Nolini Kanta Gupta in an address to final-year students on October 26, 1976) - Bala Sundari Kottamasu January - February Sunday Activities at the Centre - A glimpse January 20th – Meditations of Savitri by Huta Book Twelve- Epilogue- The Return to Earth, Pictures 11,12 and 13. Mr Ramadoss took up the above pictures and Savitri lines once more for meditation. Savitri, bringing back Satyavan from the folds of death to the calm breast of Mother Earth is answering the questions by a sage: Picture 11 - Then one who seems to be either a priest or a sage speaks: \"O woman soul, what is the light, what is the revealed power, that has worked the rapid marvels of this great day and by thee ushered in for us, a happier age henceforth?” She answers in low tones: \"I am awakened to the message of my heart which tells me that to feel love and oneness with all is to live truly; this is the magic of our golden change. This, O sage, is all the truth l know or seek.\" Picture 12 - All wonder at Savitri and her words are too luminous for them; then they turn westwards, towards their home in the fast gathering night. Seated in a high-roofed car drawn by white steeds in the flare of moving torches in that dark night, Satyavan and Savitri, hands linked, hearing the marriage march and nuptial hymn, go to meet the many- voiced human world that awaits them. Picture 13- Stars without number move upon their darkening field, drawing lines of light in that gloom of darkness. Then while they turn round the southern edge, the night deepens. Lost in the glow of her thoughtful brows, splendid with the moon dreaming in heaven in silvery peace, night fully assumes her luminous reign. Through her stillness, Night broods on a thought which is deeply guarded by her mystic folds of light and she nurses in her bosom a greater dawn. January 27th- The Human cycle, The Ideal of Human Unity,War and Self- Determination Chapter- The Necessity of the Spiritual Transformation Mr Jared continued the reading of passages from above. www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 11 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. In the passages we read Sri Aurobindo says that Man has reached a stage where he is not satisfied with the transformation brought about by the yoke of intellectual, ethical, aesthetic rule on his vital and physical parts. His central will of life is still situated in his vital and physical being, though partially uplifted. The higher power is still like an intruder in our normal life constantly trying to uplift the human nature which is rooted very deeply like tap root in the banyan tree and also surrounded by aerial roots. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna to become “trigunatita” that is to be a man who is beyond life, mind and body that is, beyond the three gunas. Then every individual soul experiences “Sarvam khalvidam Brahma” Which leads to “Vasudhaiva kutumbakam”, the whole earth is one family. Then human unity leads to spiritualised society with a collective soul. For a spiritual transformation to happen only by awakening our real highest self and nature. Mankind is born to move towards the summit of spiritualised collective soul. February 3rd - All India Magazine - Read a few passages from Spiritual Experiences of Sri Aurobindo in the Alipore Jail. The passage we read talks about the Four Realisations of Sri Aurobindo. Sri Aurobindo’s yoga and spiritual philosophy is founded on four great realisations. Even before coming to Pondicherry in 1910, he had two realisations. In the first one he experienced silence, spaceless and timeless Brahman while meditating with Lele in 1908. The second realisation happened between 1908 and 1909 in Alipore jail, where the perception of the unreality of the world disappeared and realisation of cosmic consciousness and the vision of the divine as all beings. After Sri Aurobindo’s arrival in Pondicherry in 1910, two other realisations happened as Supreme Reality with the two aspects of static and dynamic Brahman and that of the higher planes of consciousness leading to Supermind. On 24th November 1926, his efforts brought down the “Godhead of the Overmind” which is the highest plane between Mind and Supermind into the physical. From 1926 Sri Aurobindo worked spiritually to bring supramental descent on the earth, which happened in 29 February 1956, after his leaving the physical body in 1950. February 10th - Shri Ramanathan’s account of Shri Uma Kant’s visit to our Center. Today for the Sunday evening session, we were blessed to have the presence of Shri Uma Kant Agarwal, Treasurer of Sri Aurobindo Society Ambala, India. When he joined Ambala Centre in the year 1981 the Centre had its activities in a small veranda in one of the members' home. He narrated how Sri Aurobindo Centre Ambala welcomed Sri Aurobindo's relics on its way to Patiala on the first occasion and how on the second occasion Ambala Centre was disappointed not to have the honour when the relics bypassed Ambala on its way to Chandigarh. When he was expressing this in his prayers he was astonished to see Sri Aurobindo came in his prayers stating that he would come to Ambala. From that moment onwards there was no turning back and in a record time Ambala Centre had its own premises built to accommodate the relics even though the Centre's Bank balance at the commencement of building construction was in low hundreds of Rupees only. Money www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 12 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. just poured in from all sides that the construction went ahead uninterrupted. To hear him narrate this experience was truly inspiring to the audience who all have their aspiration for Sri Aurobindo Centre Singapore to have its own premises so that Sri Aurobindo's relics come to reside in Singapore. Let us all have the aspiration in our prayers so that this becomes reality soonest. Then we read a few passages from Savitri, Canto 3-Book Three - The House of the spirit and the New Creation. February 17th - Human Cycle, The Ideal of Human Unity, War and Self – Determination Mr Jared took up a few more passages from the above and helped us journey towards the nature of Ideal of Kingdom of God. Now the human is not happy being human unlike plants and animals which are not at all bothered about what they are! They have the subconscient obedience in each to the vital truth of its own being. Whereas the inner will of man is trying to surface above his physical, vital and mental being and reach the higher perfection of spiritual life. The spiritual light brings a spontaneous transformation to a unified and integralised highest truth, largest beauty, good, power, joy, love and oneness. Being part of this reading group really opens our inner eye to where we are supposed to reach and start the excavation of the treacherous path of our mental, vital and physical being and bring out the central will in us to move upwards towards the spirit! - Jayalakshmi PROGRAMME FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2019 DATE TIME DETAILS 3 Mar 2019 8 AM Monthly Morning Walk * Sunday 6 PM AIM Magazine Reading and Discussion 10 Mar 2019 6 PM Thematic Study Circle Part I : Sunday The Human Cycle 17 Mar 2019 6 PM Thematic Study Circle Part II : Sunday The Human Cycle 4 PM Youth Programme 24 Mar 2019 www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 13 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. Sunday 6 PM Savitri Circle 31 Mar 2019 6 PM Documentary on Integral Yoga Sunday • Please see below for details. Date: March 2019 MORNING WALK – NO. 403 Time: Sunday, 3rd March 2019 Walk Venue: Meeting Point: 8:00 A.M. sharp for warm up exercise. We shall proceed with the walk by 8.20 AM without waiting for anyone. Those who would like to join late for the walk may proceed directly to the walk venue Pasir Ris Park Car Park in Pasir Ris Park. This Car Park can be accessed from Pasir Ris Drive 3 -> Pasir Ris Green-> Car Park. This car park is walkable distance from Pasir Ris MRT. Contact No: Mr S.Ramanathan (9138 5130) Hosts: Mr. Anand K Venkat & Family, Block 71, Pasir Ris Grove, #07-19, LIVIA, Singapore 518025. Tel: 86126067 (Anand), 93397950 (Sheetal), 67199790 (Landline) RSVP Email ID: [email protected]; [email protected] Directions to Host Residence: BY CAR a) Elias Road Exit at TPE if coming from PIE/Airport direction towards Pasir Ris->Take 3 B Exit (Pasir Ris 8) which leads to Pasir Ris Drive 1- > Take the 1st Left on to Pasir Ris Grove for Car Entrance into LIVIA (last apartment on the road). b) From TPE towards Changi Direction or coming from IKEA (Tampines Avenue 10) into TPE. At TPE take Exit 3C which leads to Pasir Ris Drive 1. -> Take the 1st Left on to Pasir Ris Grove for Car Entrance into LIVIA (last apartment on the road). BY MRT/BUS: From Pasir Ris MRT 403 & 3. Alight opposite to Block 515. 89,53 are other buses which come to this bus stops. Note: 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. Prayers and meditation will commence sharp at 10.30 A.M. All are requested to be punctual. www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 14 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. PREVIEW OF FORTHCOMING SUNDAY MORNING WALKS WALK NO DATE PLACE HOST 404 7/4/19 Botanical Gardens Mr Kailash Agarwal & Family 405 5/5/19 East Coast Park Mr Ashok Patel & Family 406 2/6/19 East Coast Park Mr Anand Patel & Family 407 7/7/19 Bedok Reservoir Mr Sanjay Mehta & Family Along the Way… February Walk Review (Walk No. 402) It was a pleasant Sunday morning with all its freshness loaded; the breezy spring weather made it even more favourable for the 402nd morning walk. This time the walk was at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park, the large urban park in Central Singapore. It was indeed a pleasure to see everyone at the assembly point, with bright smiles on their faces and energetic. The turnaround was as expected given the Chinese New Year holidays with a number of members travelling. The walk was pleasant and we witnessed many interesting activities and sights along the way. This park is envisioned as a leisure destination for all category of people ranging from children to elderly, fitness enthusiasts to nature lovers. The park amenities include Dog run area, floating amphitheatre and ponds. One of the ponds was full of Lotus and the second one with Lilies (I think ������). The Mother always love flowers and the lilies has a significance of purity and devotion. White lily traditionally symbolises modesty and new beginnings while the pink represents passion. In the middle of the park lies the Kallang River which runs through it in the form of a flat riverbed. The dog run area is very eye catchy and we saw so many adorable pets running around. Although we did not play in it, the park has another attractive feature - the water playground which is designed to increase visitors’ enjoyment of the park. The water for this playground is supplied from the pond using the cleansing biotope. There is a careful selection of plants for effective water treatment by filtering pollutant and absorbing nutrients while maintaining a natural and beautiful environment. This helps to retain the water quality of the pond without the use of chemicals. So in a way we get to see new developments and the amazing ideas and technologies that are used to make Singapore a better and unique country. Along the way, we saw different group of people, a group of line dancing people, a larger group of people doing what seemed like advanced Yoga and young kids playing frisbee. Our walk becomes an enriching experience beside being a healthier way to stay fit and energetic. www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 15 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. After the 100 minute walk, we headed to the hosts, Uncle Krishnamurthy and family's residence. The beautiful ambience with the altar set up and fragrance filled our hearts and minds with calmness and positivity. We had our morning meditation and special prayers followed by the monthly birthdays and anniversary wishes and announcements. Last but not least, the walk ended with a grand and sumptuous brunch, prepared with so much love by Jayalakshmi aunty, Swati, and the children. February is indeed a special month, it's our beloved Mother's birth month. Apart from that, it's also a mark of a new beginning, the Chinese New Year. So wishing everyone \"Gong Xi Fa Cai\", and hope we all have a great year of the Pig full of health, happiness and peace. Looking forward for the next walk! -Ritesh Thacker 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.sg www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 16 SAICE