On the 5th of May N&N announced an open talk by Sraddhalu at SAWCHU, but the Working Committee canceled the talk about the controversy surrounding  Peter Heehs book on Sri Aurobindo. Columbia University Press released it in 2008. Controversy followed. We talked with Loretta about the ban, about the book, about Peter Heehs, about Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. The Mother said that "in peace and harmony the eternal manifests. The first thing that you have to base everything upon is harmony. When there is disharmony things don't work." Read more

Genreal Meeting called by Resident Assembly Service on 26th of April at Unity Pavilion in International Zone brought to the community results and proposal of Selection Process Study Group, consisted of nine members. In first part Jaya presented their results of examination of better ways of choosing working groups for the community based on values and four qualities which apply especially to our relations to each other. Second part presented by Pashi talks on detailed proposal how this could be applied to choosing the next L'AVenir / TDC.

This year Loretta was invited by Auromira Ashram in Columbia to give lectures on Sri Aurobindo's Yoga. The ashram was created in 2003 only for furthering the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. The founder of Auromira was Maria, assisted by Swami Brahmdev, who, inspired by Sri Aurobindo, had founded Aurovalley Ashram in UP state.. Loretta will open her talks with the thought - what is so important about Sri Aurobindo and The Mother that you should want to know what they say Read more

Darshan Day, Mother's Final Arrival: concentration under the Matrimandir Banyan Tree 6 pm. The Mother, at the beginning of Auroville: THERE IS ENOUGH WATER, IT WILL BE ON THE AUROVILIANS TO USE THEIR INGENUITY IN ORDER TO LEARN HOW TO COLLECT IT AND TO USE IT.” If our aquifers are not yet saline, the process may be imminent. Suggested: wider communication on all aspects of water, to recover more conscious behaviour with natural resources. May tomorrow’s world be no longer the fruit of our reactions, but rather the fruit of our actions. Read more

Amphitheatre Group reminds us for the Collective Concentration under the Banyan Tree, tomorrow on the darshan day and the The Mother's Final Arrival Day. In today's news we feature interview with Kalki who will presents 'The Lives of Others' on Saturday in Town Hall. TLC invites us to their open house on Thursday 4.30pm at new last school builiding. Tomorrow at 7.30 pm at the Red Door of Arka Girogio and friends will share with the community a selection on a projection of Chronotypes. Thursday at 5.30pm at Unity Pavilion General Meeting. Read more

Featured today is Danny, member of Auroville Council giving an update on some of the current issues. Dedicated volunteers are organizing an Earth Day celebration for Sunday 22 April; the theme is 'Present Day' meaningful either way. They need a free-of-charge venue. To support in any manner, call 978 695 5474. Workshops, lessons on sitar and tabla as well as Varanasi sitars to buy can be arranged... email vikram@auroville.org.in Read more

Hear an interview with Susmita for accessibility on Auroville’s cycle paths. Eco-Film Fest begins 16 April - 22nd offering ecological and environmental films. Auroville: a multi-cultural knowledge society full of human capital and opportunities. Farm Group International Advisory Counicil creates a 5-year plan to potential funders abroad. The IAC will network and support links with UNESCO and International Foundations to support Arts in Auroville. Overheard in Auroville: Engage your heart and your brain before engaging your mouth Read more

Monography on Poppo Pingle work in architecture was literally "launched" by Poppo himself with the device he has constructed for that occasion, and with it brought smiles on the gathered faces. The book, authorized by Mona Doctor Pingel was released by Ms.Malika Sarabhai, one of the publishers and Dr.Karan Singh, and is first of the series of monographies on Auroville architects. Mona herself briefly explained reasons that inspired her and on what she has focused in it. The architects are following the Mother's words - Less talk, more work. Read more

Sonja of Auroville Council talks on current issues the Council continues to face; the topic is land. The urgency of awareness regarding water in Auroville and bio-region is of vital importance today: Gilles Boulicot gives a talk giving facts, awareness. The Mother had said there is enough water; the Aurovilians must use their ingenuity to collect it and make use of it, in a conversation with early Aurovilian Dr.Tim Rees, hydro-geologist. Auroville seeks measures to overcome this challenge and develop a water resource management plan. Read more

Starting Fri. 6th, Auroville hosts a 3-day festival celebrating Kabir... along with the live performances, Cinema Paradiso will show 4 films about Kabir, exploring his philosopy, poetry and songs, all with English sub-titles. Auroville Architects Monograph Series first release on architect Poppo Pingel, by Mona Doctor-Pingel 7 April, 9:15 at Town Hall Conference Room. Dehashakti (physical education, sports of various kinds for Auroville students) is minus funds for award t-shirts; support them by contributing to Dehashakti Sports acc. 102264. Read more

Announcements: Kabir Sacred Music Festival in Auroville 6th, 7th, 8th April at 3 different venues to be announced early next; to volunteer email aurovilleperformingarts@gmail.com. Opening Saturday March 31st the Cycle Kiosk at Solar Kitchen (opposite PTDC.) Kalarippayattu, the oldest form of oriental martial art 7:30pm, Sat. 31st March, Sri Aurobindo Auditorium Bharat Nivas. Residents' Assembly Service Thursday, April 5th, 5pm-7.30p at Kalabhumi Amphitheatre. Every Tuesday 4pm at La Terrace a planning meeting for Earth Day festivities. Read more

Issues facing the Auroville Council are mentioned briefly in an interview with Cauvery. A questioning statement from an Aurovilian about Solar Kitchen lunches; Residents' Assembly gathering on Economy, Housing, Education, Land issues, Planning and participation. Coming soon: the Cycle Kiosk offering a helping hand (Opposite Pour Tous Distribution Centre.) Practitioners of Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) or those interested in learning this ancient Chinese cultivation practice of body and mind may contact Tatiana 994 402 5970. 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

On Saturday the 10th in Amphitheater of Matrimandir was played the performance Adoration for the Mother. It was the inauguration of the starting program of Tantidhatri International Women's Performing Art Festival. The performance with movement, dance, Russian bells, voice and projected images, has realized by Grace, Jyoti, Joy, Kanchana, Liudmila, Manjula, Srimoyi, Terra & Vera. Flowers were the subject of the projections which enfolded all the scene with a magic colored screen. Read more

Deepanam School presents an evening of entertainment. Tamil Heritage Centre presents a seminar at Bharat Nivas. Keynote by Shri C.V.Parthasarathi of Chennai. The topic will be The incarnate dual Power shall open God’s door,Eternal supermind touch earthly Time.” (from Savitri). Events at Savitri Bhavan. 'Cyclone Inversions', large camera obscura photographic artifacts. A film celebrating the 98th anniversary of the Mother’s arrival in Pondicherry. Terrace Darshan 1965-1973. Photographs of the Mother with organ music and Her readings Savitri Read more

Auroville Bakery Erumalai, member of Auroville Council shares what’s on the Council table. Auroville welcomes the return of Mr N. Balabaskar, as Auroville Secretary once again, and at the same time bids farewell to Mr S. Loganathan, who has been Acting-Secretary. ALL IS ONE - breakdance and rap music for peace - Indo-German fusion; ‘EachOneTeachOne’ with Mohanam Youth Project offers workshops. FIRST AID Workshop: Learn Basic Life Support: how to react to everyday accidents, what NOT TO DO! Call Pitanga for further information. Read more

Excerpt of an interview with Frederik. He gives an update on changes and improvements in the working committee. Full interview available on the website. JV Avadhanulu offers Pranayama Workshop. Yoga for flexibility and toning, eight powerful Pranayama practices, Yoga Nidra to release stress, and dietary principles for Well Being. Niar explores sound and silence through conscious, free and guided Movements and listening. It is a blend of dance, martial arts and healing bringing body, mind, emotions and spirit to optimum health. Read more

In today's news Danny updates us on the Auroville Council. Tonight at Bharat Nivas Auditorium a Tabla and Sitar Recital: Muthu Kumar on tabla, Sanjeev Korti on sitar 7:30 pm. Georges Van Vrekhem's next talk Saturday 17 March 5 pm Savitri Bhavan. FAMC approved formation of Varuna-Auroville, a new unit: a wind generator to be donated to the Auroville Foundation to supply electricity to Auroville. Sharma (working with EcoPro) demonstrates making charcoal with small wood, using household level technology. At Grace, Wednesday, 14 March 3-5 pm Read more

On January 1, 2012, the Aura was introduced to Auroville. The Aura, not quite a currency, but more of a symbol of exchange, was created to expand Aurovillian's ideas of ways to deal with money. I took some time to speak with B about the emergence of a symbol of exchange that is a wholly Aurovillian concept, and the question of how money is handled in Auroville. The Aura is made out of waste paper, printed at the Auroville press, and embellished with the well-known symbols of Auroville.

In almost 30 years, today was the first formal visit of the representatives of the Sri Aurobindo Society to Auroville. Luigi of CIRHU made a presentation to the guests on the future outlook of Auroville, development plans, land-protection issues, green infrastructure and also the need to create better possibilities for the youth to work here in Auroville. Today, says Luigi, was a turning point in the relationship of Auroville with the Sri Aurobindo Society and a new start for the two sides towards promoting development of Auroville. Read more

On February 28th, 2011, the work began for a new Matrimandir exhibit at the Visitor's Center. One year later, on the 44th birthday of Auroville's beginning, the exhibit opened at 9:30 a.m. following a concentration and consecration of the space. The exhibit, which was partially created with earth from the Matrimandir Gardens, was envisioned to be more a more spatial, visceral, and visual venue than the old exhibit. The creation was a smooth and quiet process, and was realized just in time for the one year deadline. Read more

Listen now to a taste of Bulgarian cross-cultural music played by Nicolai and Marina on a variety of instruments and vocalism...along with an invitation for tonight’s Bharat Nivas concert at 7:30. STRAW (Auroville Stray Relief and Animal Welfare) continues sterilization camps for stray dogs in the surrounding villages. Christina Anding, a certified stop-smoking coach offers a stop-smoking workshop of 4-hour duration incorporating a variety of techniques transforming smokers into lifelong non-smokers. Read more

What is human unity, and human unity in diversity? Festive opening of main hall of Unity Pavilion in International Zone might awaken some thoughts, feelings, and further showed all its beauty at informal part of the gathering were each nation, each pavilion group shared some treasures. The hall itself was work of driven force of Jaya and Shivaya for the last decade, design by Piero and Gloria Cicionesi, and many helped it on the way... By reading chosen lines of Savtiri in many languages we contributed to the World Poetry Day at the beginning. Read more

Happy Parking, as Liugi named it , wish to be the first step toward pollution free area in the peace area in the center of the city. Architect's plan carries a dream of peaceful area connected to Matrimadir with its lake, where service parking area(the one which is now most in use) will serve as a repository for vehicles, and lead as trough the beauty walk with the view on the lake toward front entrance of municipality. New extension will be also in use of residents of the communities around Town Hall; structure follows the existing one. Read more

Hear an excerpt of an interview with Aurevan on the coming Tango Festival in Auroville; hear it in its entirety in the coming week. Bulgaria, Land as a Single Human Palm; a multimedia event 5 pm March 6 Unity Pavilion. Interactive Theatre by New Yorker Evan Hastings Tuesday March 6 at 7:30pm, Sri Aurobindo Auditorium. International Women’s Day Celebration: Empowering Women around the World: March 8th, 5 pm Pavillion of Tibetan Culture. Georges Van Vrekhem talk: 'True philosophy: the Philosopher and the Yogi' 3 March at 5pm Savitri Bhavan. Read more

Featured today are two Mumbai students sharing their impressions on teamwork and sustainability. Living Routes offers full scholarships for the 14-week semester programs offered twice a year to Aurovilians, Newcomers, and Tamil youth associated with Auroville between 18 and 25. Contact abbey@auroville.org.in. Tonight's Classical Indian Concert with Nikhil Pathwarden on sitar at 7.30 pm. ‘Qi-Yo Yoga’ Sunday, March 4, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Kalabhumi, Center in Resarch in Performing Arts. Read more

For Sri Aurobindo, says Rod Hemsell, spirituality has a purpose, that of furthering the evolution. And it was this idea that Rod showed us through his readings and commentary of selected passages of Savitri in his presentation at the Unity Pavillion. His reading persuades listener to fall into a state of meditation as he digs deeper into how the idea of the Divine Mother is connected to the earth and its evolution. This session was organized by the University of Human Unity, Auroville. Read more

At the occasion of the opening of the main hall of Unity Pavilion in the International Zone on 29th February, the visiting Bulgarian artists will start the Invocation for the Bulgarian Pavilion. Also in the morning and early afternoon, Antonia Duende will conduct a workshop on martenitsa. Activities of the Bulgarian artist will continue at different locations for different events, and will conclude with Urban Tao Ecocentric, a pantomime by Stojan Radev and the Overground Arts Alliance on March 10th at 8:00 pm, Bharat Nivas Auditorium. Read more

This recording was created on February 21st, shortly after the morning concentration at the Amphiteater. My walk started at the Matrimandir's gate toward the Banyan and back through the peace area, where I recorded conversations, guests entering the Matrimandir, workers busy in their tasks, and the songs of many birds. All the while, the rhythm of my feet on the earth accompanies the diverse sounds of the recording. Soundscapes, to me, share the beauty of a space in a way that doesn't have to be communicated in words; nothing but pure sound.

At Savitri Bhavan is open the exhibition THE TEACHINGS OF FLOWERS - THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE MOTHER OF THE SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM. In today's news we feature interview with Shraddhavan at the occasion of the Mother's Birthday. Tonight On the eve of the Tibetan Dragon year 2139 at Pavilion of Tibetan Culture in International Zone at 6.45 they prepared a meditation for peace starting with the gathering of Tibetan Chanting by the visiting Students from Tibetan Children’s Village School from Dharamsala followed by a meditation. Read more