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Sri Aurobindo Ashram Sri Aurobindo Ashram was founded in
1926. Situated in a busy city of about 700,000 people, the Ashram is not a quiet place of retreat but a lively centre of life in a modern city. The dynamic character of the community reflects the positive attitude to life of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga. Work as an offering to the Divine is an essential aspect of the Yoga, and all Ashramites do a certain amount of labour in one of the departments of the Ashram. In the Ashram there are no fixed practices, no rituals, no compulsory meditations or systematic instructions in Yoga. Sadhaks are left free to determine the course and pace of their sadhana in accordance with their own natures. But the general principle of the sadhana is the same for all: there must be a surrender to the Divine and an opening to the Divine Force so that it may work to transform one's being. The Ashram is located in the eastern part of Pondicherry, in the south-Indian Federal State Tamil Nadu. Ashramites live and work in a large number of buildings spread throughout the area. The focus of community life is the Ashram main building, usually called simply "the Ashram", which consists of an interconnected block of houses, including those in which Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lived for most of their lives. At its centre, in a tree-shaded courtyard, lies the Samadhi, a white-marble shrine where their bodies are laid to rest. The Ashram provides its members with all
they need for a healthy life. Various departments have been organised
to look after the
basic requirements of food, clothing and shelter, as well as medical
care. There are also libraries for study and facilities for a variety
of cultural pursuits. The Ashram is managed by the Sri Aurobindo
Ashram Trust. |
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