January 2019 Newsletter - Web Update

January 2019 SRI AUROBINDO SOCIETY VOL 33.01 Singapore Permit No. MCI (P) 102/02/2018 NEWSLETTER The Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education (SAICE) The Supramental Descent Supramental Influence Innumerable and rapid in its action. Macfadyena unguis-cati [Doxantha unguis-cati]Cat's claw. Cat's claw trumpet, Funnel creeper.Medium-sized deep golden yellow delicately scented campanulate-funnelform flower with a flattened corollatube and a broad oblique limb divided into five rounded lobes; usually borne in axillary pairs. A vigorous vine with tendrils that grasp like a cat's claw. The mind shall be God-vision's tabernacle The body intuition's instrument, And life a channel for God's visible power. All earth shall be the Spirit's manifest home, Hidden no more by the body and the life, Hidden no more by the mind's ignorance; An unerring Hand shall shape event and act. - Savitri, Sri Aurobindo

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. Guiding Light of the Month O Lord, how ardently do I call and implore Thy love! Grant that myaspiration may be intense enough to awaken the same aspiration everywhere: oh, may good- ness, justice and peace reign as supreme masters, mayignorant egoism be overcome, darkness be suddenly illu- minated by Thy pure Light; may the blind see, the deaf hear, may Thy law be proclaimed in every place and, in a constantly progressive union, in an ever more perfect harmony, may all, like one single being, stretch out their arms towards Thee to identify themselves with Thee and manifest Thee upon earth. The Mother, ‘Prayers and Meditations’ April 8, 1914 From the Editor’s DeskWe wish all our members and readers a very Happy New work. This array of activities serve to expose children to a wide variety of skills as well as the opportunity to excelYear. In this special double-themed issue of our in any skill that he or she is inclined towards, during hisNewsletter, we contemplate awhile on the beginnings and course of study in the centre. Since the ethos of the centreexistence of an institution conceptualised to actualise an points to self-discovery and perfection in as many partsimportant aspect intimate to the Integral Yoga of Sri and planes of the being as possible in order to facilitateAurobindo and The Mother - Education. The institution is the growth of a versatile personality, there are no externalnone other than the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of pressures in the guise of examinations, nor are theEducation (SAICE), the first if its kind, closely run and courses children choose meant for career opportunities.directed by The Mother in the early days in order to Children also do not face the stress of specializationpractice and experiment with that kind of education that since there is no need for specialization in the school.was meant for the man of the future; a man who is tuned Notably, there are no degrees or diplomas or certificates.to live the integral life on earth and create here centres of Above all, children of SAICE are led to understand thatexistence of a higher order; man aspirimg for the the true pursuit for them would be to discover their truetransformation of his nature and making it ready for the purpose here and increase their perfectability through thedescent of the Divine in order to allow the Divine to training of all the faculties that make up the integralmanifest here in earthly life. being. SAICE was never conceptualized as a regional or national body but an international one, where students ofSAICE is a part of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and all cultures around the world find here their expression.therefore integrally linked with the practices of the There is much inspiration to be drawn from this centre ofintegral yoga of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. The education with its multi-pronged experiments with life.Mother opened it first on the 2nd of December 1943. In1951, The Mother called for a convention which resolved This newsletter edition also highlights The Mother’sto establish the Sri Aurobindo International University words on the descent of the Superman and itsCentre, which was renamed as the Sri Aurobindo significance, on the 1st of January 1969, exactly half aInternational Centre for Education, in 1959. The school century ago. This is a must read for all of us who want toholds an average enrolment of 400. The children are know even a little of the characteristics of Superman andexposed to the humanities, the sciences, Languages, the significance of that presence here. Through theseEngineering Technology, and Physical Education. The words, let us be inspired to aspire for a progressive lifecentre offers facilities for drawing, painting, handiwork, as we march forward into the year of 2019.music, dancing, dramatics, arts and crafts, libraries,laboratories and practical and manualwww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 2 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. Masters of Living Only the Immortals on their deathless heights Dwelling beyond the walls of Time and Space, Masters of living, free from the bonds of Thought, Who are overseers of Fate and Chance and Will And experts of the theorem of world-need, Can see the Idea, the Might that change Time’s course, Come maned with light from undiscovered worlds, Hear, while the world toils on with its deep blind heart, The galloping hooves of the unforeseen event, Bearing the superhuman Rider, near And, impassive to earth’s din and startled cry, Return to the silence of the hills of God; As lightning leaps, as thunder sweeps, they pass And leave their mark on the trampled breast of Life. Above the world the world-creators stand, In the phenomenon see its mystic source. These heed not the deceiving outward play, They turn not to the moment’s busy tramp, But listen with the still patience of the Unborn For the slow footsteps of far Destiny Approaching through huge distances of Time, Unmarked by the eye that sees effect and cause, Unheard mid the clamour of the human plane. Attentive to an unseen Truth they seize A sound as of invisible augur wings, Voices of an unplumbed significance, Mutterings that brood in the core of Matter’s sleep. Savitri, Sri Aurobindowww.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 3 SAICE



SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019.The secondary classes were restructured as the consequence of some interaction with the Mother bysome teachersThe Higher Course organisation was radically restructured.Source: Kittu Reddy, published in Overman Foundation e-Newsletter in 2014. The History of the Ashram School by Prof. Kittu Reddy Part 1The history of the Ashram school – now known as the International Centre of Education – can be probablydivided into four periods. The first period is from 1943 to 1950, the second one is from 1951 to 1958, thethird is from 1959 to 1967 and the fourth one is the period after that.This article will deal mainly with the third period – that is to say from 1959 to 1967. However, the firsttwo periods will be briefly touched upon.Before the 1940s children were, as a rule, not permitted to live in the Ashram. But when, during the war,a number of families were admitted, it was found necessary to initiate a course of instruction for thechildren. Consequently, on 2 December 1943 the Mother opened a school for about thirty children. Sheherself was one of the teachers. The number of children increased gradually over the years to around 150by the year 1950.The first striking feature of the school in those early days was that almost all the students were childrenof devotees or disciples, most of whom resided in the Ashram as sadhaks.Another feature was that the Mother was in constant touch with the teachers and students, guiding theteachers and following the students’ progress. All students and teachers would meet Her at least once aday and the teachers would submit reports about their classes regularly. Sri Aurobindo too was keptinformed of all the developments in the school, although he did not interact directly with the school.On 2 December 1946, the Mother came for the first time to the playground to see the demonstration ofPhysical Education. From then onwards, the Mother started coming regularly to the Playground in theevenings.In 1950, Sri Aurobindo left his body and from 1951 the Mother started taking classes in the playgroundfor the children (known as the Wednesday and Friday classes).On 24 April 1951 the Mother presided over a convention where it was resolved to establish an“international university centre”, and on 6 January 1952 she inaugurated the Sri Aurobindo InternationalUniversity Centre. In 1959 this was changed to the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education.In December 1958 the Mother stopped coming to the playground on a regular basis and the classes toowere stopped.The first two periods from 1943 to 1958 may be called the luminous seed-time and a period of enthusiasticeffort guided by the direct presence of the Mother. That was the time when most of the basic ideas andconcepts on education were expounded by the Mother and Sri Aurobindo. This was done through theclasses, their interaction with the students and teachers and Their writings in the Bulletin. As a matter offact, the Mother was constantly in touch with both students and teachers and intervened whenever Shefelt the need to do so.www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 5 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019.However, the outward organisation was not too different from other schools. No doubt, the teachers andthe administration were distinctly aware of what the Mother wanted but this was not translated in theorganisational structure. The Mother’s direct presence and involvement obviated the need of any suchorganisational structure. She was there to look after everything in its smallest detail.Even though, the Mother stopped coming to the playground on a regular basis from December 1958,contact with Her continued through letters or through interviews. Indeed, the Mother kept a constant watchover the school and playground activities from Her room.During this period, 1959-1967, certain experiments were made which were to have a great bearing on thefuture development of the Centre of Education.Firstly, some tentative experiments were made in organising the Free System of education with a smallsection of students and certain organisational structures were put in place; all these attempts weregradually evolving and were to prove very useful in arriving at the more developed and organised systemthat was built later on.Published in Overman Foundation e-Newsletter on April 4, 2014 at 10:39 … to be continued. We present below the first 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. Bonne Année 50th Anniversary of the coming of la conscience du surhomme 1 January 1969, Part 150 years ago, on the morning of 1 January 1969, a powerful New Consciousness descended into the earthatmosphere. The Mother described it in Notes on the Way, pp.148-160. The following are some extracts.1 January 1969In the night it came slowly and on waking up this morning, there was as though a golden dawn, and theatmosphere was so light. The body felt: “Well, it is truly, truly new.” A golden light, transparent and...benevolent. “Benevolent” in the sense of a certainty — a harmonious certainty. It was new.There you are.And when I say “Bonne année” to people, it is this which I pass on to them. And this morning, I havepassed my time like this, spontaneously, saying: “Bonne année, Bonne année.” So...4 January 1969www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 6 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019.On the first, something truly strange happened.... And I was not the only one to feel it, some others alsohave felt it. It was just after midnight, but I felt it at two o’clock and the others at four o’clock in themorning…It was something very material, I mean it was very external — very external—and it wasluminous, with a golden light. It was very strong, very powerful; but even so, its character was a smilingbenevolence, a peaceful delight and a kind of opening out into delight and light. And it was like a “Bonneannée”, like a greeting. It took me by surprise…But I told you a word or two about it and I spoke of italso to two or three persons: they all had felt it. That is to say, it was very material. They all had felt it,like this, a kind of joy, but a joy friendly, powerful and... oh! very, very gentle, very smiling, verybenevolent.... I do not know what it is. I do not know what it is, but it is a kind of benevolence, thereforeit was something very close to the human. And it was so concrete, so concrete!My own impression was that of an immense personality — immense, that is to say, for it the earth wassmall, small like this (gesture, as though holding a small ball in her palm), like a ball — an immensepersonality, very, very benevolent, which came for... (Mother seems to lift this ball gently from the hollowof her hands). It gave the impression of a personal divinity (and yet it was... I do not know) who comesto help, and so strong, so strong and at the same time so gentle, so all- embracing.And it was very external: the body felt it everywhere, everywhere (Mother touches her face, her hands),everywhere.It was luminous, smiling, and so benevolent through powerfulness; that is to say, generally in the humanbeing benevolence is something a little weak, in this sense that it does not like battle, it does not like fight;but this is nothing of the kind! A benevolence that imposes itself (Mother brings her fists down upon thearms of her chair).It has interested me because it is altogether new. And so concrete! Concrete like this (Mother touches thearms of her chair), like what the physical consciousness usually considers as “others”, concrete like that.That is to say, it did not pass through an inner being, through the psychic being, it came directly upon thebody.What is it?... Yes, perhaps it is this... Since it came, the feeling of the body is a kind of certitude, a certitudeas though now it was no longer in anxiety or uncertainty to know: “What will it be? What will theSupramental be like? Physically, what will it be physically?” The body used to ask itself. Now it does notthink of it any more, it is contented.Is it something that will suffuse the bodies that are ready?Yes, I believe so, yes. I have the feeling that it is the formation which is going to enter, going to expressitself — to enter and express itself — in the bodies... that will be the bodies of the supramental.Or perhaps... perhaps the superman (surhomme), I do not know. The intermediary between the two.Perhaps the superman: it was very human, but a human in divine proportions, I must say.A human without weaknesses and without shadows: it was all light — all light and smiling and...sweetness at the same time.Yes, perhaps the superman.8 January 1969It is the descent of the superman consciousness (la conscience du surhomme) ….www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 7 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019.It was the first of January after midnight. I woke up at two in the morning, surrounded by a consciousness,so concrete, and new in the sense that I had never felt it before. And it lasted, absolutely concrete, present,for two or three hours, and afterwards it spread out and went about to find people who could receive it.And I knew that it was the consciousness of the superman (la surhomme), that is to say, the intermediarybetween man and the supramental being.18 January 1969It came as a “mentor”, it was practical, quite practical: “This thing must be rejected, that must be accepted;this must be made general, that...”; all the inner movements. And it even becomes very material in thesense that it says with regard to some vibrations: “This you must encourage”, to others: “That must becanalised”, to others again: “This must be removed.” Little indications like that.…Well, I have first had the experience for this body: it came like a rampart, and it was mighty! It was amighty power! Altogether out of proportion to the apparent action.…There is a very marked change in those who have been touched on the first of January: it is particularly...indeed a precision and a certitude that has entered into their way of thinking.It was there (Mother looks at the region of the heart). It is curious, as though I was given the charge ofputting it into contact with all those who come near me.15 February 1969Never, never had the body been so happy; there was the complete Presence, absolute freedom, and acertitude…During these few hours (three or four), I understood absolutely what it was to have the divineconsciousness in the body…But that state, which lasted for several hours, nothing similar to that happiness has this body ever feltduring the ninety-one years it has been here upon earth: freedom, absolute power and no limits (gesturehere and there, everywhere), no limits, no impossibilities, nothing. It was... all other bodies were itself.There was no difference, it was only a play of consciousness (gesture as of a great Rhythm) going about.That is all.(Long silence)…All the human excuses appear as childishness.It is something very strange, all the qualities and all the defects of man appear as childishness —foolishness. It is curious. And it is not a thought, it is a concrete sensation. It is like a substance withoutlife; all ordinary things are like a substance lacking life — the true life. Artificial and false. It is strange.(Silence)The special character of this new consciousness is: no half measures, no approximations. That is itscharacter. The idea “Oh yes, we shall do it, and little by little we...” — no, no, not like that; it is Yes orNo, either you can or you cannot.(Silence)Truly it is a Grace, you see, as if: not to lose time — not to lose time. It must be done or...www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 8 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019.But this tremendous Power, it is that above all; and it is with a compassion! a gentleness!... No, there areno words, we have no words to describe that, something... Nothing but just to be attentive and... it isblissfulness. Nothing but just to turn one’s attention towards that side, immediately there is the bliss. AndI understand (that has made me understand certain things), we have heard of people who in the midst oftorture enjoyed bliss — it is like that. A beatitude.There you are, it is that (Mother hands out a white hibiscus, which she has named “Grace”). - Compilation and Reflections by Jared, …to be continued December Sunday Activities at the Centre - A glimpse December 2nd - Passages from All India Magazine-July 2018 issue - All Life is Yoga, by Sri Aurobindo, Selections from The Synthesis of Yoga Part IIFollowing Meditation and Readings from the Prayers and Meditation, we gathered in a circle and readrandom passages from the issue in turns. The titles of the selections were: Renunciation and Enjoyment,Detachment, Knowing and seeing God in the world and Complete surrender is the chief mainstay. TheSynthesis of Yoga offers a step-by-step methodical guide to Integral Yoga complete with in-depthexplanations from all angles, including and especially the psychological.Sri Aurobindo summarises Integral Yoga into these three stages:“There must be, first the effort towards at least an initial and enabling self-transcendence and contactwith the Divine; next, the reception of that which transcends, that with which we have gained communion,into ourselves for the transformation of our whole conscious being; last, the utilisation of our transformedhumanity as a divine centre in the world.” December 5th – Sri Aurobindo’s Mahasamadhi DayWe gathered in our centre premises to observe the occasion of Sri Aurobindo’s Mahasamdhi Day. Themain part of the programme was the reading of senior sadhak’s accounts of the last few days of SriAurobindo’s passing and the significance of the Mahasamdhi. We read first an excerpt from Amal Kiran’s,‘The Passing of Sri Aurobindo – Its inner Significance and Consequence’. We read of the astrologer whopredicted the year when Sri Aurobindo would see to his “self-undoing”, and Sri Aurobindo’s nonchalantresponse, though he did indicate that the astrologer was partialy correct in his predictions; his ‘strange’display of affection to the attendants around him; and his sudden interest in hurrying up with Savitri, andin his own words, “I must finish Savitri soon.” Amal Kiran accords significance to the passing of SriAurobindo. Here is an excerpt from the excerpt, “Everything foes to prove that what happened in the smallhours of that December day was no purely physical casualty…”Following this, we read an excerpt from Nirodbaran’s account of the passing of Sri Aurobindo titled, SriAurobindo “I am here, I am here!”. The events that specifically took place on the 4th of Decemebr to the5th and then to the 9th were graphically brought before our minds’ eye. Here are some poignant linesfrom this reading, “The news spread around in the early hours of the morning. The reaction of thedisciples can be better imagined than described. Through the hush of night one by one they came andmounted up the stairs of Heaven to see what nobody had seen before. It was not eath they saw, not aresurrection, nor a withdrawal into Nirvana but a grand repose, a death pulsating with power, light,beauty in every limb as if death had become immortal in the body of the King of kings.”www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 9 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019.We then read words of The Mother written on the significance of the Mhasamadhi of Sri Aurobindo.One such satatement from The Mother was:“We stand in the Presence of Him who has sacrificed his physical life in order to help more fully hiswork of transformation. He is always with us, aware of what we are doing, of all our thoughts, of all our feelings and allour actions.”We concluded the session with readings from Savitri, from Book 1, Canto IV: The Secret Knowledge,Pgs. 70-73, which ended thus:To evoke a Person in the impersonal Void,With the Truth-Light strike earth’s massive roots of trance,Wake a dumb self in the inconscient depthsAnd raise a lost Power from its python sleepThat the eyes of the Timeless might look out from TimeAnd the world manifest the unveiled Divine.For this he left his white infinityAnd laid on the spirit the burden of the flesh,That Godhead’s seed might flower in mindless Space.We then spent some time in concentration in the silence that the solemn contemplation on SriAurobindo’s Mahasamadhi evoked. December 9th – A Special session on Huta’s relationship with The Mother and Huta as The Mother’s instrument in the manifestation of Beauty through Art, Part 1 December 16 - A Special session on Huta’s relationship with The Mother and Huta as The Mother’s instrument in the manifestation of Beauty through Art, Part 2In these two sessions, Jared brought us through the life of Huta with The Mother, especially in being Herinstrument in bringing out the essence and spirit of Savitri, the epic poem by Sri Aurobindo in the Artform. Huta started her journey with The Mother into Savitri on her birthday, on 1st September 1961. TheMother herself initiated her into this journey of representing Savitri in lines and colours, making it clearto Huta that The Mother alone would do all the work and she will only be a docile instrument in the handsof The Mother. Each day, she met The Mother twice, once before noon and then in the evening to showHer the work done and receiving feedback and instructions for corrections. The Mother worked with Hutafrom another plane and Huta responded. She relates in the book her trials and tribulations, attacks andstruggles and how The Mother kept watch over Her and brought her along the journey to complete thework She had given her on her birthday in 1961. December 23rd – Meditations of Savitri by HutaThis evening Pictures 12 and 13 of Book 12, ‘Epilogue, The Return to Earth’ was the focus of ourmeditation. Mr. Ramadoss led us through the pictures and the accompanying Savitri lines as membersrecited the lines in turns.Meditations on Pic. 12Wondering at her and her too luminous wordsWestward they turned in the fast-gathering night.www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 10 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. Drawn by white manes upon a high-roofed car In flare of the unsteady torches went With linked hands Satyavan and Savitri, Hearing a marriage march and nuptial hymn, Where waited them the many-voiced human world.Meditations on Pic. 13Numberless the stars swam on their shadowy fieldDescribing in the gloom the ways of light.Then while they skirted yet the southward verge,Lost in the halo of her musing browsNight, splendid with the moon dreaming in heavenIn silver peace, possessed her luminous reign.She brooded through her stillness on a thoughtDeep-guarded by her mystic folds of light,And in her bosom nursed a greater dawn. - JayanthyPROGRAMME FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2019 DATE TIME DETAILS 8 AM Monthly Morning Walk *6 Jan 2019 Sunday 6 PM AIM Magazine Reading and Discussion13 Jan 2019 6 PM Thematic Study Circle Part I : Sunday The Human Cycle20 Jan 2019 6 PM Thematic Study Circle Part II : Sunday The Human Cycle27 Jan 2019 4 PM Youth Programme : Sunday 6 PM Savitri LEGO movie Savitri Circle* Please see below for details.www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 11 SAICE



SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. PREVIEW OF FORTHCOMING SUNDAY MORNING WALKS WALK NO DATE PLACE HOST 402 03/02/19 Bishan Park Mr C Krishnamurthy & Family 403 03/03/19 404 07/04/19 Pasir Ris Park Mr Anand K Venkat & Family TBA Mr Kailash Agarwal & Family Along the Way… December Walk Reviews (walk no 400)It was a beautiful cool and windy morning when we all assembled at Punggol Point for our penultimatewalk of 2018 at Coney Island. It was also a very special walk as it marked our 400th walk uninterruptedover the many years we have been organizing it.With all the fast development happening in Singapore, it affected our arrival at the meeting point slightly,as the original Punggol Road was closed to traffic and those driving had to take a new road to get theredelaying them by 10 -15 mins. No problems with those taking the bus and taxi there as the bus routes werechanged and the taxi drivers probably knew about it. How quickly change is happening here in Singaporebut Punggol Point and Coney Island still look the same as before, preserving some of the memories wehave of the place.We started off with a decent sized group of walkers of around 17 and more joined later on making it closeto 25. It was indeed gratifying for our walk commander, Uncle Ramanathan to see this given the greateffort he puts into making sure these walks happen. We did some warmups led by Uncle Sheel and tookthe mandatory pictures and wefies.As we headed out onto Coney Island, we were ably led by our walk leaders of the day, Ananya andDeepika who showed us the way to walk along the various paths. I remember Coney Island also knownas Pulau Serangoon as a youth when we had to canoe from Pulau Ubin to this deserted island for a quickrest stop and then canoe back. Nothing here then but white sands to lay on and trees to give us the muchneeded shade from the harsh sun. Over the years, it has been transformed into a park where people canwalk, run or cycle onto it through two bridges on either side of the island linking it to Singapore.During the walk, Venkat interviewed Uncle Krishnamurthy about his experience with the walks, as hehad been in Singapore since Walk No. 16 I believe and recorded it for all of us to hear. Something trulygreat to listen to his experiences and definitely one for our archives.It was a good and interesting walk in the nature and we returned back to Punggol Point to assemble againfor organizing the transportation to Ritesh and Upali's place for meditation and brunch.The atmosphere was befitting a 400th walk. We had our normal meditation and announcements but alsohad added special items like a poem recitation by Kiran Sule's sister, mantrams from Sudha who wasvisiting from Pondicherry, Jayshree, Uncle Krishnamurthy and Uncle Ramanathan, ending with the OmChoir lead by Preethi. Of course, not forgetting the sumptuous brunch arranged by the hosts, Ritesh andUpali for all of us.www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 13 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019.All in all a wonderful 400th walk and we have to thank the participants on this walk and especially thehosts Ritesh and Upali for making it such a memorable one for all of us. Looking forward to our walks in2019. Wishing one and all a happy and prosperous New Year ahead. - Sanjay MehtaThis year’s December walk, was the 400th walk ofthe Sri Aurobindo Society Singapore. Despite itbeing the beginning of the school holidays, manypeople turned up for the walk. The walk started atPunggol Settlement. The weather was perfect with abreezy atmosphere during our warm up exercises. Itwas a great start to the 400th walk.My sister, Deepika and I were very energetic as wewere assigned leaders for the walk. Deepika led theway along the boardwalk towards ConeyIsland. While taking pictures of the surroundings, I was enjoying the view of the South China Sea. Behind us, our grandfather, Mr. C. Krishnamurthy, was giving an account on his experiences on his first walk after he arrived in Singapore in 1980. This was recorded by Mr. S. Venkat and was circulated in our SAS WhatsApp group. We entered Coney Island through the West Entrance . We took a group photo before entering the Island. Deepika decided to take the path towards Beach Area A. The path was sandy, rocky and lined with Casuarina trees. It was a breathtaking sight to see the sunlight filter through the trees. We arrived at Beach Area A, and took a few minutes to take a breakand enjoy the view of Pulau Ubin.After we admired the scenery, we thought of going to thePromenade to see the other end of Coney Island and wewere greeted by the sight of huge ships. As I saw thebeauty of nature and the calm sea, love for it engulfedover me. Coney island was so huge that we could havegot lost. Luckily none of us got marooned on the Island.We then headed back to our hosts’ house for meditation.There was a special offering to commemorate the 400thwalk which was followed by a scrumptious brunch.The 400th walk was a very special walk that I will always remember. ~www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 14 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. - Ananya Kiran A Trek off the Track On the morning of 22 December 2018, an enthusiastic group of 14, with 4 bubbly children and one baby and 9 adultsattempted the Big Walk, starting at MacRitchie Reservoir Park and culminating on our Bukit Timah Hill, after perhaps more than a decade. The four children, Anjali, Ananya, Sophia and Deepika have written a review on the walk. The big walk review Rekindling the spirit of being fit was a big thing thisDecember in the Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. On top of the monthly short walk, a few society members got together and did a 14 km walk through the parks and hiking trails of Singapore. The route went from Macritchie Reservoir, through the forest hiking trails and ended at the top of Bukit Timah hill where we had a picnic lunch. Previously, the society had been doing long walks annually, but, due to a few changes, the tradition had been lost. This was the first walk after 10 years and was enjoyed by everyone who came. In those who walked, I observed two different kinds of people. There were the children, who ranahead, laughing and chatting with each other and the adults who walked slowly behind, but almost nevergot tired. Joining us this time, for half the walk, was even a 18 month old baby!www.sriaurobindosociety.org.sg 15 SAICE

SAICE Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. January 2019. As we went through fun and muddy paths and easy flat roads, we saw a variety of flora and fauna such as monkeys and squirrels. The monkeys were playing on the streets. The climb up Bukit Timah hill was challenging as we had to walk up a steep slope and we were tired from the long walk. However, we persevered and made it to the top, while taking a few breaks along the way. We were elated that we had reached the summit. We had our delicious picnic lunch and took a photo as a remembrance to achieving our goal of walking all the way from Macritchie Reservoir to Bukit Timah Hill. After being well rested and re energised, we decided to head backdown. We took different paths to see if they would lead back to the same destination. While the adultstook the road, the children were determined to challenge themselves and took the rocky, muddy path. In the end, when we took the rocky path, we realised that we had met a dead end. So, we had to headback and take another path leading us back to the road. We then ran down the steep slope and finally metthe others at the end. In summary, we all enjoyed the trip and would like to keep up to this tradition with even moreparticipants to enjoy the company of our family & friends throughout our walks in the future. ~ Anjali, Sophia, Ananya & Deepika ANNOUNCEMENTS Membership Renewal for 2019 & Subscription to AIM For 2019, Annual Members need to pay SGD 60 as their membership subscription to the Society. Those subscribing 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, Anand Patel at the following address: Anand Patel Treasurer – Sri Aurobindo Society Block 3, Tanah Merah Kechil Road, # 02-05, The Tanah Merah, Singapore 466664 You may also physically pay it to him in cash or by passing a cheque to a committee member and letting Anand Patel know, 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 16 SAICE