subject: Aurobindo Society, A Unique Way Of Living In An Ashram Like No Other [print this page] Aurobindo Society, A Unique Way Of Living In An Ashram Like No Other
The Sri Aurobindo Ashram, or Society, was established by the Indian guru Sri Aurobindo in 1926. At this time there were only 24 devotees at the ashram. At the end of the same year Sri Aurobindo made a decision to depart from public life and assigned his colleague Mirra Alfassa, from that time onwards known as The Mother, to take control of the retreat.
In the initial years of the ashram, a regular schedule was implemented. Early at dawn The Mother commenced the day by bestowing her blessings from her position on the balcony of the ashram. The disciples, known as sadhaks, arose at 3 o' clock, completed a considerable amount of the daily work as well as their meditations and then gathered beneath the balcony to obtain The Mother's blessings.
The ashram developed steadily, in the process creating many new sections: the library, office, press, dining room, art gallery, playground, workshops, farms, legal and audit departments and so on. The individuals in charge of the various sections met The Mother at the start of the day, took orders and obtained her blessings. At about 10 o' clock The Mother would meet the devotees individually, and in the evening would lead the meditations and meet the sadhaks once more. Additionally four times each year she would give Darshans (public spiritual gatherings) and bestow her blessings.
Today a large number of devotees from around the world reside in the ashram. A large establishment in Pondicherry, it offers many altruistic services for the residents of the region, including a publishing house and medical services. The ashram operates the School for Perfect Eyesight, an institution which practices the contentious Bates Method which rejects eyeglasses.
The aim of Sri Aurobindo's teaching is to transcend human nature to achieve divine life. The most exalted objective is the being of one, without rejecting life in the material world. Anyone may join the ashram at any time.
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