January 2017 Newsletter

January 2017 SRI AUROBINDO SOCIETY VOL 31.01 Singapore Permit No. MCI (P) 069/01/2016 NEWSLETTER Vital well-being Mastering Vital Energy Radha's Consciousness in the Vital - Perfect attachment to the Divine replaces all vital attractions and passions.Botanical Name: Clitoria ternateaCommon Name: Blue PeaSpiritual Significance: Radha's Consciousness in the Vital An inner law of beauty shapes our lives; Our words become the natural speech of Truth, Each thought is a ripple on a sea of Light. - Savitri, Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2017. Guiding Light of the Month“….. the purified vital being no longer has any attractions and repulsions, and more and more does it taste of the joy of Thy Presence in all things and always.” The Mother, ‘Prayers and Meditations’ December 13, 1916 From the Editor’s DeskNew Year Greetings to all from the Newsletter consecrated to the Divine, then, “…all human problems would move harmoniously to their rightteam and the Society! A beginning is always solution.”welcome, and even more so, a new beginning.Inevitably, anyone who has put oneself on the Where do we stand in light of this? What can we dopath of inner progress is greeted by new to help ourselves, to will that the vital, as far asbeginnings every now and then. Let us mark this possible, be in a state of well-being, and bring usspecial New Year of 2017 collectively as a year smoothly on the path of inner discovery and theof new beginnings for everyone. The first month ultimate meaning and purpose of our lives? Theof this year continues to contemplate on our well- Mother offers two ways in preparing it and makingbeing and particularly, on the Vital Well-Being, it ready to collaborate with the divine will: “Thewhich is a direct result of the mastering of the first concerns the development and use of the sensevital energies of the being. In the previous few organs. The second the progressing awareness andissues, we looked at the nature of the vital being control of the character, culminating in itsand some of the challenges it poses us. transformation.”How can the vital energy be put at the service of The sense organs of sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch stand at the doorsteps of the vital, opening tothe aspiring being surging towards a life divine? it vast vistas of experiences. Instead of considering these only as needed for our normal day-to-dayIt is important to know that the vital being has existence, one can take upon one the task of“that dynamic energy which makes no difficulty developing them further. Here is an interesting prospect that The Mother puts before us: “… thetoo difficult for it; but it must be on the right ability to widen the physical consciousness, projectside.” Now, what is this ‘right side’? We can it out of oneself so as to concentrate it on a given point and thus obtain sight, hearing, smell, taste andsurmise that being on the wrong side amounts to even touch at a distance.” Having perfected the sense organs to these magnitudes, there is then theit using its energy to gain a satisfaction over its call to offer to these only the highest, the subtlest and the most “beautiful and harmonious, simple,desires, to gain some fruits out of its works and healthy and pure” stimulus. This asks for the ability of discrimination, ‘viveka’ and the necessity ofwhen denied, withdrawing into a depression and exercising a conscious choice. Next, we are invitedsullen inaction or wrong action. Sri Aurobindo to be vigilant about our nature, catching hold, atsays that “interfered with by the attractions and each instance, what needs to be weeded out andrepulsions, the acceptances and refusals, the what needs to be planted afresh and what needs tosatisfactions and dissatisfactions, the capacities be nurtured, leading to a transformation of theand incapacities of the life-energy in the body it nature. In all these, a constant aspiration and ais, … limited in its scope and, secondly, forced in calling of the Grace for help and sustenance mustthese limits to associate itself with all these take a permanent place in the consciousness of thediscords of the life in Matter. It becomes an aspiring soul. Then will the vital well-being be.instrument for pleasure and pain instead of fordelight of existence.” However, the collaboratingvital of the seeker, the aspirant is quite of anothernature. Sri Aurobindo writes, “The properfunction of the life-energy is to do what it isbidden by the divine principle in us, to reach toand enjoy what is given to it by that indwellingDivine and not to desire at all.” When the vital iswww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 2

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2017. Savitri The harmony of a rich culture’s tones Refined the sense and magnified its reach To hear the unheard and glimpse the invisible And taught the soul to soar beyond things known, Inspiring life to greaten and break its bounds, Aspiring to the Immortal’s unseen world. (Book four, Canto two) A joy in the world her master movement here, The passion of the game lighted her eyes: A smile on her lips welcomed earth’s bliss and grief, A laugh was her return to pleasure and pain. (Book seven, Canto five) Energy InexhaustibleOne of the most powerful aids that yogic discipline can provide to the sportsman is to teach himhow to renew his energies by drawing them from the inexhaustible source of universal energy.Modern science has made great progress in the art of nourishment, which is the best knownmeans of replenishing one’s energies. But this process is at best precarious and subject to allkinds of limitations. We shall not speak about it here, for the subject has already been discussedat great length. But it is quite obvious that so long as the world and men are what they are, foodis an indispensable factor. Yogic science knows of other ways of acquiring energy, and we shallmention two of the most important.The first is to put oneself in relation with the energies accumulated in the terrestrial materialworld and to draw freely from this inexhaustible source. These material energies are obscure andhalf unconscious; they encourage animality in man, but, at the same time, they establish a kind ofharmonious relationship between the human being and material Nature.Those who know how to receive and use these energies are usually successful in life and succeedin everything they undertake. But they are still largely dependent on their living conditions andtheir state of bodily health. The harmony created in them is not immune from all attack; itusually vanishes when circumstances become adverse. The child spontaneously receives thisenergy from material Nature as he expends all his energies without calculating, joyfully andfreely. But in most human beings, as they grow up, this faculty is blunted by the worries of life,as a result of the predominant place which mental activities come to occupy in the consciousness.However, there is a source of energy which, once discovered, is never exhausted, whatever theouter circumstances and physical conditions of life may be. It is the energy that can be describedas spiritual, and is received no longer from below, from the inconscient depths, but from above,from the supreme origin of the universe and man, from the all-powerful and eternal splendours ofthe superconscient. It is there, all around us, permeating everything; and to enter into contactwith it and to receive it, it is enough to aspire sincerely for it, to open oneself to it in faith andtrust, to widen one’s consciousness and identify it with the universal Consciousness.At the outset, this may seem very difficult, if not impossible. Yet by examining this phenomenonmore closely, one can see that it is not so alien, not so remote from the normally developedwww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 3

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2017.human consciousness. Indeed, there are very few people who have not felt, at least once in theirlives, as if lifted up beyond themselves, filled with an unexpected and uncommon force which,for a time, has made them capable of doing anything whatever; at such moments nothing seemstoo difficult and the word “impossible” loses its meaning.This experience, however fleeting it may be, gives a glimpse of the kind of contact with thehigher energy that yogic discipline can secure and maintain.The method of achieving this contact can hardly be given here. Besides, it is somethingindividual and unique for each one, which starts from where he stands, adapting itself to hispersonal needs and helping him to take one more step forward. The path is sometimes long andslow, but the result is worth the trouble one takes. We can easily imagine the consequences ofthis power to draw at will and in all circumstances on the boundless source of an energy that isall-powerful in its luminous purity. Weariness, exhaustion, illness, old age and even deathbecome mere obstacles on the way, which a persistent will is sure to overcome.(CWM, Volume 12, On Education, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Puducherry) How to use the Vital Energy?\"The vital being in us is the seat of impulses and desires, of enthusiasm and violence, of dynamicenergy and desperate depression, of passion and revolt. It can set in motion everything, build upand realise, it can also destroy and mar everything.”Education of the vital proceeds in various stages. Firstly, a good amount of life energy must begenerated by the vital. When the body functions in its optimum health and fitness, and there isharmony between the body, the vital and the mind, plenty of vital energy is generated in thesystem. This balanced state of the various parts of the being also creates a very congenialcondition for contact with the universal energy from which, if one is trained sufficiently, one candraw almost inexhaustibly.The second step is to learn how to preserve this energy within oneself and not to throw it out andwaste. If the vital is left to itself it brings in strong desires, impulses and their variable reactionsdraining the energies. The process of coercion and suppression will not do. That can only bringviolent disturbances in the being. Or if one sits tightly upon it in order not to give it anexpression, the vital is likely to get weakened.But this energy is not meant to be bottled up. It is to be used. And the next part of vital educationis to learn how to use this energy rightly.To be able to use it properly one must take up the education of the senses, the eyes, ears, nose,palate and touch, which gather and feed the mind with their experience. These senses must betrained to perceive and receive correctly and report exactly to the mind. The mind too must betaught to interpret them justly without bias or preconceived notions or ideas.Sufficient use of the senses, exercise or full attention and power of observation, a strongmemory, along with the discipline of the emotions with the purification of moral habits, can helpin this regard. An aesthetic sense and feeling for harmony and beauty must be cultivated.www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 4

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2017.A good amount of the vital energy is needed for the normal life-process. But still a good partremains unutilised. That must be tapped for individual and collective progress, and there is somuch to build and create in this beautiful world of ours. To conclude in Sri Aurobindo's ownwords:\"Our life, still full of obscurity and confusion and occupied with so many dull and lower aims,must feel all its urges and instincts exalted and irradiated and become a glorious counterpart ofthe Supramental super-life above. The physical consciousness and physical being, the body itselfmust reach a perfection in all that it is and does which now we can hardly conceive. It may evenin the end be suffused with a light and beauty and bliss from the Beyond and the life divineassume a body divine.”(By the Way Part – III, Pranab Bhattacharya, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Puducherry) Flowers speak… On Vital well-being Conscious Vital Immortality: The immortality of an organised and conscious vital being. The vital is the seat of our power, energy, enthusiasm, effective dynamism. It needs a systematic education. ***Vital ContentmentTo harmonise the vital is a psychologicalmasterpiece.Happy is he who accomplishes it. ***www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 5

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2017. Trust of the Emotional Vital in the Divine: Smiling and sweet, it is sheltered from grief. Our heart is purified from the trouble and anguish; it is firm and calm, and sees the Divine in everything. ***Vital Attachment to the Divine: Manifold andabundant in its multiplicity.The Divine is always seated in your heart,consciously living in you.(Flowers and their Messages, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Puducherry) Jasmine flowers Oye Jasmines! Did you take birth from flower-sweet hearts? Or heaven’s crystal pure stars? You are white pearls of Nature… Stringing you together brings forth a garland of rapture! Pure devotion radiates as your essence, Your offering illumines us with a spiritual sense. You are flowers of milky whiteness Filling the world with glorious richness. - Sandhyawww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 6

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2017. November - December Sunday Activities at the Centre - A glimpseNovember 17th – The Mother’s Mahasamdhi Day:We observed Mother’s Samadhi Day. We read from The Mother’s Prayers and Meditation aswell as from The Savitri, Sri Aurobindo’s epic poem.November 20th – Readings from Secrets of Veda:Mr Krishnamurthy led the session on the “Secrets of the Veda”. The topic for the week was areview of verses 6, 7 and 8 of Sukta 1 Mandala 3 of the Rig Veda. He also gave a recap of theprevious sessions, highlighting the following principle ideas of the Rishis:  The conception of Truth – Consciousness  God as powers of the Truth to raise the humans out of falsehoods of the mortal mind.  Attainment in and by this Truth for an immortal state.  Inner sacrifice and offering as a means of divine consummation.After reading slokas 6, 7 and 8, Mr Krishnamurthy shared Sri Aurobindo’s translation of theshlokas.November 24th – Siddhi Day:We observed Siddhi Day. We read from The Mother’s Prayers and Meditation as well as fromthe Savitri, Sri Aurobindo’s epic poem.November 27th – Meditations on Savitri:Book 1 - Canto 5 – The Yoga of the King: The Yoga of the Spirit’s Greatness and Freedom(pictures 11 to 20)Mr Ramadas coordinated the video session on the Meditations on Savitri, where Mother readspassages from the Savitri with Huta’s paintings as the backdrop. After watching the video, themembers read the lines once again and discussed the interpretation of the lines.December 4th – Reading from AIM Magazine:We read a few pages from the Nov 2016 issue of the AIM magazine (Krishna the Eternal God)and followed it up with a discussion.December 11th - Reading from Questions and Answers, The Mother:We read the following question and its answer from page 203 of the book. How is theSupermind going to act? What should be done to receive it? In what form will it manifest?Mother replied that Sri Aurobindo has answered this question as follows: “The supramentalworld has to be formed or created in us by the Divine Will as the result of a constant expansionand self-perfecting.” That is to say, to hope to receive, use and form in oneself a supramentalbeing, and consequently a supramental world, there must first of all be an expansion ofconsciousness and a constant personal progress: not to have sudden flights, a little aspiration, alittle effort, and then fall back into somnolence.This must be the constant ideal of the being, the constant will of the being, the constant effort ofthe being, the constant preoccupation of the being. - Ramawww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 7

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2017. PROGRAMME FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2017 DATE TIME DETAILS1st January 2017 10:30 AM New Year Day - Darshan Day Sunday Special Morning Meditation1st January 2017 6:00 PM Reading from AIM Magazine Sunday8th January 2017 8:00 AM Monthly Morning Walk * Sunday8th January 2017 6:00 PM Q & A from Mothers Complete Works Vol 8 6:00 PM Followed by Om Choir Sunday 6:00 PM15th January 2017 Savitri – An unending Journey Sunday Study Circle –“The Secret of the Veda”22nd January 2017 Sunday29th January 2017 6:00 PM Screening of Talk by Late Prof. Nadkarni Sunday* Please see below for details.** Since New Year Day falls on Sunday, Jan Walk is moved to Second Sunday of the month JANUARY 2017 MORNING WALK – NO. 377Date: Sunday, 8th January 2017Time: 8:00 A.M. sharp for warm up exercisesWalk Venue: Bukit Timah Nature ReserveMeeting Car park in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (marked P in the map below)Point:Contact No: Mr S.Ramanathan (9138 5130)Directions to Drivingthe Walk Upper Bukit Timah Road -> Hindehede Drive -> Car parkVenue: MRT & Bus: Nearest MRT Beauty World MRT station 67, 75, 170, 171, 184, 852, 961 - Alight at Jalan Anak Bukit Road, opposite Beauty World Centre (Bus stop ID: 42109), or Alight at Upper Bukit Timah Road, opposite Bukit Timah Shopping Centre (Bus stop ID: 42091)Hosts: Mrs Kiruthika and Mr Adrian Curic, # 11-512, Block 621, Bukit Batok Central, Singapore 650621 (HP: 96490670 Kiruthika and 81125720 Adrian) The host residence is approximately 100 metres from Bukit Batok MRT station.www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 8

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2017.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 to the residence and join in the brunch by10:15 AM. Prayers and meditation will commence sharp at 10.30 A.M. All are requested to bepunctual. PREVIEW OF FORTHCOMING SUNDAY MORNING WALKSWALK DATE PLACE HOST NO 378 05/02/2017 TBA Mrs Anju and Mr Sheel Aditya 05/03/2017 Bedok Reservoir Mr Anand K Venkat & Family 379 02/04/2017 Mr C.Krishnamurthy & Family 07/05/2017 TBA 380 East Coast Park Mr Ashok Patel and Family 381 Along the Way… December 2016 Walk ReviewConey Island formerly known as Pulau Serangoon and inherently famous for the lone bull foundon the island generates a sense of curiosity and mystery. The walk on the 4th of December 2016enabled my first visit to this tranquil island and it literally helped me get a breath of fresh airowing to its tall trees of varying types all around the island.We assembled in front the Punggol Ranch at 8 am and had a good strength of people in a longtime along with Uncle Kalu Sarkar. We started walking the short stretch to the West Entrance ofthe Coney Island and were invited with a huge gate with “Coney Island” inscribed on it. Thiswas a gate separating the urban Punggol settlement from the dense natural world of ConeyIsland.www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 9

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2017.A dense forest awaited us not only making the environment around us healthy by providing usfresh air but also shielding us from the intensive heat of the sun. The trees were tall and close notallowing the sun to reach the bottom just like a tropical forest. The sun managed to peak out insome areas rewarding us we beautiful pictures of a morning in the natural world. We had theopportunity to walk on different terrains throughout the Island from the smooth manmade trailsin short patches, the uneven forest trail to the sand beaches of white sand.We visited 2 of the several beaches throughout the Island and were greeted by beautiful calmwaves gliding across the clean white sand. The beaches were picturesque and we took short stopsnear them to appreciate their beauty and take some snaps. From one of the beaches we could geta glimpse of the resorts of vast Pulau Ubin Island. We also came across mangroves surroundingthe island in some parts. We came across many people out for their morning walk around theConey Island and also some cycling enthusiasts enjoying their ride along the natural trails.The island not only boasts of a rich history but also a high valued biodiversity. It is home to 157species of fauna and 86 species of trees. Around 80 bird species can be sighted but owing to thedense forest I was able to sight just one which I believe was an Oriental Magpie Robin. Theisland is buzzing with the sounds of insects and varying birds chirping occasionally from thedepth of the forest. There is a bird watching hide for wild life observation. And to make the walkmore adventurous we were about to encounter a Wild Boar but had to with a warning instructionfor the same.To avoid introducing manmade substances and polluting the forest with unnatural substances thewood from the uprooted trees in the forest were used to make park signage, seats, benches, aboardwalk and exhibits. Another fascinating thing we came across was the fungi growing on thewooden walkways forming beautiful and colorful patterns. We also came across demonstrationplots for Coastal Forests, Black Mangroves and Mangroves which showcased potential species tobe introduced on the island and which would add to the diversity and attract more fauna.After an enriching walk in a rustic natural environment we headed to our host’s house.Ritesh and Upali hosted us in their new home. We began with meditation and Om chanting. Themuch awaited brunch was delicious and with loads of options. We would like to thank Riteshand Upali for making us a part of their happiness and congratulate them for their new home. - Dhanashree Vaidya ***Coney Island is beautiful place with a superb sea view. It is full of nature and life, the feeling ofenjoyment is very overwhelming to one. The history behind the island is just as puzzling. If theisland is called Coney Island, why aren't there any cones on the island? Pinecones for example. Istill have to find the answer to this puzzling question. Now where was I? Ah yes. Coney Islands’waters are teaming with life as well. There are crabs, jellyfish, snails and lots of other seacreatures as well. There is also a beautiful river leading to the sea so if you like the subject ofpotamology you had better go look at it. Overall, Coney Island is a great place for everyone! - Anjali Curicwww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 10

Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2017. ANNOUNCEMENTS Membership Renewal for 2017 & Subscription to AIMFor 2017, Annual Members need to pay SGD 60 as their membership subscription to the Society. Thosesubscribing to the All India Magazine will need to pay an additional SGD 30 for the magazine.Please send a cheque payable to \"Sri Aurobindo Society\" and post it to the Treasurer, Sanjay Mehta at thefollowing address: Sanjay Mehta Treasurer – Sri Aurobindo Society Blk 720 Tampines Street 72 #03-31 Singapore 520720.You may also physically pay it to him in cash or by passing a cheque to a committee member and letting Sanjayknow, during our activities. 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 11