‘Coming Alive to Music,’ a video from the Music Library reveals the power of music. Auroville's Music Library shares its music; find the link on the main page of the Music Library Group of Auronet. ATB: Awareness through the Body commencing on May 20; weekly classes throughout the summer. To reserve a place/for more information contact Amir by mail (tamaramir@auroville.org.in) or call 975 125 7709. Read more

Kalki a transgender rights activist with the Sahodari Foundation, was in Auroville to present a talk about the transgender community in India. Kalki spoke about the various difficulties that they face with the government, the law and the society. Kalki who has lived in Auroville for two years questioned their acceptance by the Auroville community. Kalki presented a documentary Sowndarya about lives and acceptance of transgenders in India. Lot of concerns and questions were asked by Aurovillians which Kalki answered in depth. Read more

Many of us might not be aware that we got another school in Auroville for over a year already. In interesting interview with Anne, who hails from Mexico, and was educated since her early age trough Montessori schools until she became a teacher herself, and with Sangeetha we discover which are the benefits of Montessori education, and how it can be apply within the integral education. At the moment they run pre creche and kindergarden for over 60 children, mostly form the nearby villages, with eleven teachers and some volunteers. Read more

Chiildren of Dolphins and Rainbow Horses from Deepanam School had been practising singing with Joy and Jivatman for the whole school year... and they wanted to share with their friends, parents, members of community how joyful singing can be. Last night, despite that the Kabir Festival is going on in the city , audience was quite numerous, listening attentively to a range of songs from all over. Graceful children voices, accompanied by Jivatman on guitar cheered up our hearts. Read more

Body Consciousness in Movement, the two days Contact Improvisation Workshop by Irene Sposetti & Johan Nilsson will start on Saturday 31 of March in the morning 9.00-12.00 and it will continue at the same time on 1 of April at the Dance Studio in New Creation. They will awake openness, receptivity, softness and fluidity in the body movement. They will concentrate on presence and spontaneity, on the capacity to find new ways of moving as they explain in the interview. Open at all level, with live music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED8hNoulZv4 Read more

Last Saturday in SAWCHU in Bharat Nivas, the international children's theatre workshop on Tagore literature took place. Mainly given in Tamil, its purpose was to let the children from the villages around Auroville share knowledge, work together and feel as one. And not just the children, but the teachers and some experts in theatre and education as well. The day, facilitated by Dr. Velu Saravanan, consisted of reciting poems and songs, theatre classes and as finale, a small play performed by the children. Read more

In today's news we feature excerpt of yesterday's welcoming of new Auroville Foundation Secretary Mr. N. Balabaskar at La Terrace at Solar Kithcen, and the full recording is already uploaded on our web page. Couple announcement on future workshops in Auroville; one on biodynamic agriculture at Windarra Farm on 27th of March with Johan Nisson, who has been involved in organic movement for last 15 years at, and one with Irene on contact improvisation at New Creation Dance Studio on 31st of March and 1st of April. Read more

For over last four years we have heard and participated in the Russian Bells meditation at Unity Pavilion in International Zone. Vera shares with us her thoughts and aspirations on them. As she says "During these four years a few thousand people have enjoyed these deeply resonating sounds in Auroville, and several hundred people from all the continents experienced the wonder of playing the instrument together in – this magical way and communicating through harmonious sounds, without words, without knowing each other's’ languages, in a single aspiration." Read more

Bruna Gusberti at the Tandtidhatri festival presented at Sri Aurobindo Audittorium, Bharat Nivas in Pavilion of Indian Culture in International Zone act of a woman who reflects on whether to remain closed within her feelings, dreams and sorrows, or not, so as to feel alive. Again minimalistic approach as in props as in the act itself, which tends to tell much more in the silence of "in" than maybe on the "out" tries, finally crosses "in" with heart beat and flowery umbilical cord broken off the stage into the light of love.

"Umbral" or Threshold was offered to the audience by Cristina Castrillo at the stage of Sri Aurobindo Auditorium, Bharat Nivas, at Pavilion of Indian Culture in International Zone. Minimalistic approach of mono play simply tells the story of actress's life, or better glimpses of it, the way she perceived it, sensed it rather than that really was. Without doubt her trace in theater is huge as she dedicated all her efforts to the research of elements which are basic for an actor, who is always at the heart of the inventive process. Read more

'Tango is not just two people dancing, it is meditation in movement' The Holi Tango Festival started on the 8th of March 2012 in Auroville and will end on the 11th. Almost 100 people, coming from Auroville and outside, registered for the festival and its different workshops. Three of the very experienced teachers are giving us an interview about the dance itself and the schedule of the festival. Listen to Aurevan (Auroville), Caterina (Italy, Interview in French) and Jorge (Ecuador) as well as to the participants from different countries. Read more

Building and maintaining a healthy voice, creating consciousness for the spoken word, strengthen the body and voice, enhancing communication skills - this is what Vocal Yoga is all about. In Acceptance, one of the Auroville Communities, international Vocal Yoga experts exchange their knowledge, do vocal research and share their knowledge by giving classes. Listen to the experts Clare (US), Caroline (F), Simone (IT) and Helene (RU) and to the different exercises recorded in French, Russian, Italian and English. Read more

Healing Touch is a therapy focused on the energy field of the body that assists in balancing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the self. By tapping into the array of energy centers in the body, Healing Touch encourages the being's natural ability to heal. I spoke with a group of Healing Touch certified practitioners who have come to offer Healing Touch classes as a gift to Auroville. Read more

The program 'Matter Precipitates... It is in a hurry to transform itself' by Sri Aurobindo Centre for Studies... India and the World, concluded with the 'Auroville Round'. It was a session open to all to come together and share their perceptions of how to take the next steps towards creating a new collective space. Aurovillians, scientists, philosophers, researchers, followers of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, and curious tourists, who had attended all or some parts of the program got together to share their learnings and experiences.

February 11th 2012: Ted MacDonald, the athlete experimenting with running on bare feet gave an inspiring speech for the marathon runners. There was that much interest in his talk that the speech had to be given in the open air, on the Visitors Centre's square. Ted spoke of his view on running with or without shoes and his journey to find the ultimate running experience, and encouraged people to keep running and keep searching for their own perfect way of doing so. Undoubtedly, Barefoot Ted gave every runner the power they need for the marathon! Read more

Dr. Chris Macann, a philosopher, first explains that it's crucial to know 'whose' vision we subscribe to in our understanding of the world. He goes on to draw comparisons between the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and that of the French philosopher Henri-Louis Bergson on the 'visionary element in human thinking', and the 'Ladder of Being' (i.e. matter / life / consciousness / self consciousness). He then proposes an alteration in the ladder, that of replacing 'matter' with 'nature', and explains what can be made possible with this change.

Dr. Rekha Tandon, an Indian Classical dancer, presented an often forgotten similarity between yoga and dance, especially classical Indian, where both are exploratory forms in which we work through matter to find the spirit. As in yoga, the Indian classical dance poses are much about balancing the body, the spinal chord, and so the chakras. And as in the yogic chakra system, by practicing the Indian classical dance forms, a person can truly begin to experience the transition from matter to spirit.

Dr. Prema Nandkumar talked about the growing need for humanity to break the seal of the last chapter of the play she calls the 'evolutionary destiny of man'. With stories and poems ranging from Norwegian folklore to western legends, from Indian mythology to Greek mythology, Dr Prema spoke about the meaning of the cycle of life and death, and if a total transition of the matter is possible. Finally she draws our attention to relying on the power of the soul, not science, to explore matter.

Devdip Ganguli reflects on dilemma around 'right action' - how to evaluate an action as right or wrong? In the context of solutions provided over the ages, such as codes, testaments and religious principles, Devdip uses some very interesting anecdotes and letters written by the Mother to present her view on this issue and her strong belief in a person's inner sense to take decisions. Devdip concludes that 'right action' is what is inspired from the highest light available to us at that time. Read more

Uma Haimavati, founder of a design unit at Auroville, shares her experiences of being in Auroville and of the inspirations that the Mother provides her. After experiencing 'extreme vulnerability' during the recent cyclone Thane, Uma's past experience was reinforced that 'creativity' must apply itself to human unity in order to counter the feeling of nullness that arises after a disaster. She strongly believes 'knowledge would be delivered at the doorstep of action,' and looks forward to humanity arriving at its best composite for the future.

Georges Van Vrekhem, as a physicist, curiously observes that 'matter is weird stuff'. With interesting examples and clarity, he compares the general religious view of matter or the human body (i.e. burdensome) with that of Sri Aurobindo's (i.e. miracle of matter). He also explains the 8 ways of interpreting matter and goes on to ponder on texts by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and explains the relationship between matter, mind and spirit. His conclusion: In matter lies the truth, the reality. Human existence is then a matter of matter! Read more

A presentation by Dr. Anand Kumar, Professor & Chairman, Department of Reproductive Biology, AIIMS, New Delhi. Also a student of Life Divine, Dr Kumar discussed how Science has used several connection, metaphors and simile to explain the wonder of human life. Often 'life' has been reduced laws of chemistry and physics, sometimes DNA, genes and proteins. But do they explain our being? 'No', comes the clear answer from Dr Kumar. Perhaps there is no definite 'program' that explains the 'higher beings' that we are. Read more

Dr. Ashok Mukhopadhyay from the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, has been studying stem cells extensively, and alongside finding correlations between the human body's natural survival behavior and experiences of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. He explained certain biological process and demonstrated how the natural tendency of the cells to multiply, evolve, fight against threats and heal is what Sri Aurobindo and the Mother may have called 'physical transformation of biological matter and the yoga of the cells'! Read more

Manoj Pavitran, an Aurovillian, once used to run away from technology. Today he sits in front of his 'square foot of light', his computer, connects with the whole world, and even develops web programs for Auroville. We have a love-hate relationship with technology, he says, and directs our attention to the technology-led knowledge economy and what it represents. For example, Wikipedia and open-source are examples of a radical shift in human consciousness, where people come together to create wealth for humanity and earn joy by 'giving'. Read more

Dr. C.V. Rao from America gave an informative session on 'How Globalization and IT Revolution is Erasing the Boundaries of Science, Technology and Medicine.' Dr Rao expounded on the origins of globalisation and IT revolution, and the tendency of civilizations to look for 'other' sources to fulfill their needs. Despite erasure of geographical boundaries, however, globalisation and IT have their downside. And yet, the two phenomena are here to stay and it is unto us how to utilize them best... for human unity perhaps?

Jean-Yves Lung opened 'Matter Precipitates' with his ideas on the present status of humanity. Today, he says, the world is coming together through technology, economy, education, ecology... as well as the problems. But we are drifting away from the solution with our reliance on technology, finance... At one time, humanity was considered at the peak of evolution, today we see much irrelevance in what we have become. What is the true development we seek? And of what? Is there an answer in Sri Aurobindo and the Mother's ideals of human unity? Read more

Just before his departure Marc Vella honored us with his last concert in Auroville, and first concert at CRIPA Hall in Kalabhumi. How strongly Aurovilians grown to fond of him was very much obvious not only by the numbers but also by respectful and loving attitude of the audience. Marc who shares his music and love with gentleness and utmost respect invited for that afternoon some of the performing and other artist to join him on the stage. Before leaving he assured us that his Love Caravan will start next year in Auroville. Read more

As every year in the second week of February also this year Sri Aurobindo Centre for Studies... India and the World Bharat Nivas, prepared series of talks and cultural events with the read thread "Matter Precipitates... It is in a a hurry to transform itself". Starting with Thursday 9th of February for three days many scientists and researchers, as well as artist will share with us their particular view on fluidity in our beings, transitions which so adventurous lead into unknown world of changed matter, so much palpable with its new qualities. Read more

Sports ground at Certitude, the field next to and Udavi sports ground were very lively past weekend with Hat Tournament , which is ultimate frisbee tournament a different way with mixed team, as Mark explained it to us. Twelve teams consisted of seven players played for four games (long 1h15m) in the morning and two games in the afternoon on all three fields. Ultimate frisbee is more self sponsored sport with clear spirit of sportmanship; ultimate is different, one has to keep it cool, know the rules, has to call it fair and work in a team. Read more

With the bustling background of Lively Up Your Earth festival at Solitude Farm Marc Vella shared with us some thoughts, and reasons that he spend so much time on the road with his piano. As he says, "problems are everywhere, and it is much easier to start the war than to say to somebody that you love them.." His experiences proved to him that everybody needs LOVE, simple, tender and understanding, and he does share love without expectations but with his utmost respect. Marc Vella's next Love Caravan is planned for India. Read more