A compilation of references to Auroville in Mother's Agenda
Auroville
THEME/S
MA XII-37
... Well, do you have the next chapter? Yes, Mother. I've called it "The Sociology of the Superman". It's Auroville without naming it. Ah!.. But a very ideal Auroville! Yes! (laughing) Far from what it is. (The disciple reads a few pages of the chapter) Oh, it's splendid, my child! On the way to conquering the world....
... Well, do you have the next chapter?
Yes, Mother. I've called it "The Sociology of the Superman". It's Auroville without naming it.
Ah!..
But a very ideal Auroville!
Yes! (laughing) Far from what it is.
(The disciple reads a few pages of the chapter)
Oh, it's splendid, my child!
On the way to conquering the world....
You see, it really has come. I called and called and called, and it has come (gesture of descent). It has come. I am very happy.
It's splendid.... I personally have the feeling there is a close and invisible connection between America's aspiration, as it is now, and the book. I have the feeling that's where the center of transformation will be. The European countries are old.
MA XII-39
[While reading to Mother a chapter from his book On the Way to Superman hood, the disciple quoted the following passage from one of Sri Aurobindo's letters:] "...I don't believe in advertisement except for books, etc., and in propaganda except for politics and patent medicines. But for serious work it is a poison. It means either a stunt or a boom — and stunts and booms exhaust the thing they carry on their crest and leave it lifeless and broken high and dry on the shores of
[While reading to Mother a chapter from his book On the Way to Superman hood, the disciple quoted the following passage from one of Sri Aurobindo's letters:]
"...I don't believe in advertisement except for books, etc., and in propaganda except for politics and patent medicines. But for serious work it is a poison. It means either a stunt or a boom — and stunts and booms exhaust the thing they carry on their crest and leave it lifeless and broken high and dry on the shores of
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nowhere - or it means a movement. A movement in the case of a work like mine means the founding of a school or a sect or some other damned nonsense. It means that hundreds or thousands of useless people join in and corrupt the work or reduce it to a pompous farce from which the Truth that was coming down recedes into secrecy and silence. It is what has happened to the 'religions' and is the reason of their failure." 2.10.1934 On Himself, XXVI. 375 [Mother commented:]
nowhere - or it means a movement. A movement in the case of a work like mine means the founding of a school or a sect or some other damned nonsense. It means that hundreds or thousands of useless people join in and corrupt the work or reduce it to a pompous farce from which the Truth that was coming down recedes into secrecy and silence. It is what has happened to the 'religions' and is the reason of their failure."
2.10.1934
On Himself, XXVI. 375
[Mother commented:]
That passage should be typed and put up in Auroville. It is INDISPENSABLE. They all have a false idea about propaganda and publicity. It should be typed in big letters; at the top, "Sri Aurobindo said," then put the quotation and send it to Auroville.
Say I am the one who's sending it.
MA XII-58-59
... I really think that those who can begin the new race are among children. Men are... crusted over.
You know, I am forever struggling with people who've come here to be comfortable and "free to do what they like", so... I tell them, "The world is big, you can go." No soul, no aspiration, nothing.... I am counting on your book very much;
Has [the English translator] finished her translation? Not yet, but it's progressing. What does she say? Is she responding? Well... I don't know. (Mother nods her head)
Has [the English translator] finished her translation?
Not yet, but it's progressing.
What does she say? Is she responding?
Well... I don't know.
(Mother nods her head)
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In places.
You know my impression? They're all old and I am the only one who is young!
That's it, you know, that flame, that will... what is called "push" - they are satisfied with stupid little personal satisfactions... which lead nowhere, preoccupied with what they're going to eat and... oh!
I have the impression that there is a sort of display now, a "display" of everything that should not be.
Yes.
But the flame, the flame of aspiration (Mother shakes her head), not many bring it to me.
Provided they are what they call "comfortable", that's all they want — and free to do some nonsense they wouldn't do in the world! While you feel you could hasten the coming - you COULD hasten it if you were... if you were a conqueror!
MA XII-63-64
(Mother calls the disciple in an hour and a half late.) It's an invasion! An invasion.... It's dreadful.... I don't know what to do. And your news? My news!... I don't know. Has the book come out yet? No. I hope towards the end of next week.
(Mother calls the disciple in an hour and a half late.)
It's an invasion! An invasion.... It's dreadful.... I don't know what to do.
And your news?
My news!... I don't know.
Has the book come out yet?
No. I hope towards the end of next week.
The end!... People really need it. I get ten-page letters telling me "spiritual experiences" — which are completely in the vital. They don't understand a thing. Even in Auroville they're like that, they don't understand.
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So I wrote... (Mother tries to recall) what did I write?... I don't remember. TRUE SPIRITUALITY... I know I put SIMPLICITY. "True spirituality" in big letters.
I should have put TRUE SPIRITUALITY IS VERY SIMPLE! (Mother laughs) That's even better.
And then quarrels over nothing, people wanting more money - oh, a sub humanity! And they think they're.... You see, they are grossly ignorant; they come here without experience, without knowledge, without preparation, and they think they are going to realize the Supermind right away.... It's really pathetic.
Some things are... they display reactions and attitudes one would be ashamed of in ordinary life.
They need something to straighten them out.
MA XII-108-114
(On the occasion of the laying of the first stone of the Matri-mandir on 21 February, the disciple had written a letter to the architect of Auroville.) I saw your letter (I saw it in English), the letter you wrote to [the architect] for the "Matrimandir".... It's interesting, it's good.... They have a bulletin, a "Gazette", it will be published there. I get a lot of requests from all sorts of people, either to say something or do something or comment on something or.... I feel it's not so good. What do they ask you? One thing or another, a commentary, an explanation, "what do I think of..." But does it come from Auroville? Most of it, yes.
(On the occasion of the laying of the first stone of the Matri-mandir on 21 February, the disciple had written a letter to the architect of Auroville.)
I saw your letter (I saw it in English), the letter you wrote to [the architect] for the "Matrimandir".... It's interesting, it's good.... They have a bulletin, a "Gazette", it will be published there.
I get a lot of requests from all sorts of people, either to say something or do something or comment on something or.... I feel it's not so good.
What do they ask you?
One thing or another, a commentary, an explanation, "what do I think of..."
But does it come from Auroville?
Most of it, yes.
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Listen, there's quite a lazy group in Auroville! Oh, that, yes! People who don't want to work. Now they say that according to your book, to get the true consciousness, one doesn't have to work! Yes, that's it. I heard that also. They say, "Work belongs to the old world"...! Yes, that's how they understand it. So, what can you do?... What did you reply to them? I spoke to [the architect]. I told him what I thought. I said that work is the foundation. Yes. It's by being and working in matter that one can bring a little consciousness into oneself. Yes, that's it. And if there isn't any work, there is not any transformation. Yes, that's exactly what I wrote to them. He told me, "They couldn't care less." Oh, yes, that's true! Maybe they would listen to you if you told them that. If you like, I can write. Yes, you can write. Maybe they would listen to you, because they're saying that in the name of your book, you see! Oh, you know, in the name of my book they also say that Sri Aurobindo and Mother are now obsolete, and that in a way my book supersedes all that!
Listen, there's quite a lazy group in Auroville!
Oh, that, yes!
People who don't want to work. Now they say that according to your book, to get the true consciousness, one doesn't have to work!
Yes, that's it. I heard that also. They say, "Work belongs to the old world"...!
Yes, that's how they understand it. So, what can you do?... What did you reply to them?
I spoke to [the architect]. I told him what I thought. I said that work is the foundation.
It's by being and working in matter that one can bring a little consciousness into oneself.
Yes, that's it.
And if there isn't any work, there is not any transformation.
Yes, that's exactly what I wrote to them. He told me, "They couldn't care less."
Oh, yes, that's true!
Maybe they would listen to you if you told them that.
If you like, I can write.
Yes, you can write. Maybe they would listen to you, because they're saying that in the name of your book, you see!
Oh, you know, in the name of my book they also say that Sri Aurobindo and Mother are now obsolete, and that in a way my book supersedes all that!
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Yes, oh, exactly! (general laughter) I've heard just about everything. Yes, that's it! (laughter) So, what can I say in the face of such things!? (Mother laughs) One even wrote me, "So, Sri Aurobindo didn't have the key to the superman." Oh, really? Yes, I'm the one who's given it, you see. Good heavens! It's bewildering! (Mother laughs) I think there are no limits to human stupidity. Oh, yes! (silence) One doesn't know what to do or say because it's... No, they have to be told: you're talking nonsense. Oh, I told them that, you know, but still.... I told them they had a lot of nerve. And I asked them, "But where do you think I learned what I've written!?" Exactly! (Mother laughs) They're terribly angry with me because I told them discipline is indispensable. But of course! That's old hat, you see.
Yes, oh, exactly! (general laughter)
I've heard just about everything.
Yes, that's it! (laughter)
So, what can I say in the face of such things!?
(Mother laughs)
One even wrote me, "So, Sri Aurobindo didn't have the key to the superman."
Oh, really?
Yes, I'm the one who's given it, you see.
Good heavens!
It's bewildering!
(Mother laughs) I think there are no limits to human stupidity.
Oh, yes!
(silence)
One doesn't know what to do or say because it's...
No, they have to be told: you're talking nonsense.
Oh, I told them that, you know, but still.... I told them they had a lot of nerve. And I asked them, "But where do you think I learned what I've written!?"
Exactly! (Mother laughs)
They're terribly angry with me because I told them discipline is indispensable.
But of course!
That's old hat, you see.
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But, Mother, I told [the architect] that the basic mistake is that when those people came here, everything was handed to them: he gave them ready-made houses, they were given all they needed to eat - they got everything on a silver platter. While these people should have been made to build their own houses and to plant their own potatoes if they wanted to eat; they should have done everything by themselves. Yes, exactly. And I told them, "How can you possibly build a New World with coolies? One does not make a new world with hired labor!" I think a whole group of those people should go. Yes, that's my feeling. (silence) To one of them I said, "If I went over there, I'd go with a whip!" (Mother laughs) There's really a subhuman group over there. Yes, certainly.... But how can you eliminate that? (silence) Another example: they even have a hired cook to do their cooking, those people! Oh!... There's a fundamental flaw in all that, you know. But how can that be? That's the way it is, you see. They have a hired cook. Heavens!
But, Mother, I told [the architect] that the basic mistake is that when those people came here, everything was handed to them: he gave them ready-made houses, they were given all they needed to eat - they got everything on a silver platter. While these people should have been made to build their own houses and to plant their own potatoes if they wanted to eat; they should have done everything by themselves.
Yes, exactly.
And I told them, "How can you possibly build a New World with coolies? One does not make a new world with hired labor!"
I think a whole group of those people should go.
Yes, that's my feeling.
To one of them I said, "If I went over there, I'd go with a whip!"
(Mother laughs) There's really a subhuman group over there.
Yes, certainly.... But how can you eliminate that?
Another example: they even have a hired cook to do their cooking, those people!
Oh!...
There's a fundamental flaw in all that, you know.
But how can that be?
That's the way it is, you see. They have a hired cook.
Heavens!
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(long silence) What do you propose then? Nothing, I don't know, Mother. (silence) I feel [the architect] should organize things in such a way that people are compelled to work. Yes.... Yes, we'll have to do something. That way, the sorting out would be done right away. Yes.... But I need to know the number of people in the group, both those who work and those who do nothing. And then.... (silence) Of course, we could take very "drastic" steps. Yes. For instance, so many hours of work per day are required in order to be fed, or else you eat only if you pay for it. Yes, Mother, it should be done. Because, you see, they are so crafty that they all say they work: they putter around here and there, they go to work on the Matrimandir for half an hour or so.... So, to them, they've "worked". You see, they just putter around. (after a silence) I suddenly felt I had lost my influence over those people. I tell them things — they couldn't care less. You could speak to [the architect] and see. Yes, Mother.... But [the architect] says, "Mother doesn't want to interfere. Mother doesn't want to make any decisions. " But
(long silence)
What do you propose then?
Nothing, I don't know, Mother.
I feel [the architect] should organize things in such a way that people are compelled to work.
Yes.... Yes, we'll have to do something.
That way, the sorting out would be done right away.
Yes.... But I need to know the number of people in the group, both those who work and those who do nothing. And then....
Of course, we could take very "drastic" steps.
For instance, so many hours of work per day are required in order to be fed, or else you eat only if you pay for it.
Yes, Mother, it should be done. Because, you see, they are so crafty that they all say they work: they putter around here and there, they go to work on the Matrimandir for half an hour or so.... So, to them, they've "worked". You see, they just putter around.
(after a silence)
I suddenly felt I had lost my influence over those people. I tell them things — they couldn't care less. You could speak to [the architect] and see.
Yes, Mother.... But [the architect] says, "Mother doesn't want to interfere. Mother doesn't want to make any decisions. " But
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I think perhaps it's up to him to make a decision.
But no one will listen to him. You see, I can't make decisions any more because they don't listen to me. As long as they listened to me, it was easy - it was easy, there was an influence. Now, something has happened, I don't have any authority at all any more, so what can we do?
Well, if you tell [the architect], he 'will see that it's done. (Mother goes within for a long time) We'll have to find some way.... Mother, it seems to me you could call together those who are responsible and take some decisions. Yes, good idea. (silence) The trouble is that when several of them are here together, they talk among themselves, I don't hear. So.... If it would help, I can be there. I think it would. (long silence Mother goes within) I really feel it is necessary to start again on a new basis and the entire place must be swept clean of all those people. We have to start afresh in a new locution and make them work. Yes, but how about the accommodations? In the meantime they could live in huts, which they would build themselves. But they're in huts.
Well, if you tell [the architect], he 'will see that it's done.
(Mother goes within for a long time)
We'll have to find some way....
Mother, it seems to me you could call together those who are responsible and take some decisions.
Yes, good idea.
The trouble is that when several of them are here together, they talk among themselves, I don't hear. So....
If it would help, I can be there.
I think it would.
(long silence Mother goes within)
I really feel it is necessary to start again on a new basis and the entire place must be swept clean of all those people. We have to start afresh in a new locution and make them work.
Yes, but how about the accommodations?
In the meantime they could live in huts, which they would build themselves.
But they're in huts.
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I mean with thatched roofs. (silence) I'll see. I'll try to arrange something. I'll tell you Saturday.
I mean with thatched roofs.
I'll see.
I'll try to arrange something. I'll tell you Saturday.
MA XII-142
... There is the possibility of a breathtaking success - not in the sky: here. The only thing is to know whether the time for success has come.
It seems that things are much better in Auroville. [An Ashramite] is particularly interested and goes there, and she sent me word that there is a great progress in the atmosphere.
Well, good.
I tell you, everywhere there's a possibility for an... extraordinary success. Has the moment come? I don't know.... Personally, I make myself like this (tiny gesture), physically very small, and I let... (gesture open to the Lord).
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MA XH-206-207
(Concerning a letter by Sri Aurobindo strictly forbidding sexual relations among disciples. Mother had several thousand copies of the letter printed with the following title: "Conditions for living in the Ashram and becoming a disciple. ")
"... To master the sex-impulse, - to become so much master of the sex-centre that the sexual energy would be drawn upwards, not thrown outwards and wasted -it is so indeed that the force in the seed can be turned into a primal physical energy supporting all the others, retas into Ojas. But no error can be more perilous than to accept the immixture of the sexual desire and some kind of subtle satisfaction of it and look on this as a part of the sadhana. It would be the most effective way to head straight towards spiritual downfall and throw into the atmosphere forces that would block the supramental descent, bringing instead the descent of adverse vital powers to disseminate disturbance and disaster. This deviation must be absolutely thrown away, should it try to occur and expunged from the consciousness, if the Truth is to be brought down and the work is to be done." Letters on Yoga, XXIV. p.1507
"... To master the sex-impulse, - to become so much master of the sex-centre that the sexual energy would be drawn upwards, not thrown outwards and wasted -it is so indeed that the force in the seed can be turned into a primal physical energy supporting all the others, retas into Ojas. But no error can be more perilous than to accept the immixture of the sexual desire and some kind of subtle satisfaction of it and look on this as a part of the sadhana. It would be the most effective way to head straight towards spiritual downfall and throw into the atmosphere forces that would block the supramental descent, bringing instead the descent of adverse vital powers to disseminate disturbance and disaster. This deviation must be absolutely thrown away, should it try to occur and expunged from the consciousness, if the Truth is to be brought down and the work is to be done."
Letters on Yoga, XXIV. p.1507
That's the message I am distributing today.
There are many cases of people who ought to go away from here, but.... But you see, they're here, and when the baby is due to come, they go to Auroville! While me, "I think they're in Auroville." Several cases. So I decided to publish that. I should add to it the message where I say, "Needless to say that those who aspire to Truth must abstain from telling lies." (Mother makes a gesture of giving a staggering blow)
There are lots, lots of cases in fact.
You see, they say, "Mother is old, she doesn't go out any more, she can't see any more, she doesn't know what's going
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on." But I know what's going on - I have other ways of seeing! (laughter)
MA XII-291-294
Well, do you have anything? I have something, but what about you? Me... for the moment.... (Mother seems tired) I don't know if something will come later. The consciousness [of the body] is changing very fast. I'll see later if something comes Tell me first what you have. An Auroville story. Auroville? What happened? A few days ago I received a letter from a young man who is an architect [the engineer of Matrimandir] there, (I don't know him). He wrote me saying that he would like to see me. Ah, why? Because he would like to explain to me Auroville' problems. So I replied: 'Auroville's problems will be solved and cleared up only when Aurovilians turn directly to Mother, and hence I wish they would go directly to the Source instead of going to an intermediary." Then I added amicably that I could nevertheless... etc. You did well. He has an idea of how to make the Matrimandir, and others have another idea, but then [the architect] is going to arrive soon - I would like to wait for [the architect] to be here, and he will decide.
Well, do you have anything?
I have something, but what about you?
Me... for the moment.... (Mother seems tired) I don't know if something will come later.
The consciousness [of the body] is changing very fast.
I'll see later if something comes
Tell me first what you have.
An Auroville story.
Auroville? What happened?
A few days ago I received a letter from a young man who is an architect [the engineer of Matrimandir] there, (I don't know him). He wrote me saying that he would like to see me.
Ah, why?
Because he would like to explain to me Auroville' problems. So I replied: 'Auroville's problems will be solved and cleared up only when Aurovilians turn directly to Mother, and hence I wish they would go directly to the Source instead of going to an intermediary." Then I added amicably that I could nevertheless... etc.
You did well.
He has an idea of how to make the Matrimandir, and others have another idea, but then [the architect] is going to arrive soon - I would like to wait for [the architect] to be here, and he will decide.
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Because he wrote me a second letter, saying, "I agree that one must turn to the Source, which is the 'stable and welcoming' reference, but unfortunately one doesn't have direct access to the Source, one has to go through intermediaries.... " (Mother nods her head) So there are some problems, and he has explained one of them in his letter to me. Tell me what it is. For example, he says he wrote you a month ago, in October, and you answered him in writing. He wrote you this: "I have made a detailed study of the work to be done, and I have reached the conclusion that we [Aurovilians] can take upon ourselves the responsibility for the excavation and construction work of the four pillars; then a commercial firm such as EEC [I don't know what it is, it's in Madras, I think] would agree to take over the construction of the Matrimandir itself.:, etc. It therefore appears that the work of the Aurovilians is not an obstacle to the rest of the work being handled by a specialized firm.... " Then you answered, "That's very good, I am fully in agreement. The safety and solidity of the work should come BEFORE PERSONAL QUESTIONS. I am counting on you to see that everything goes harmoniously. " And then I realized... Afterwards, the others told me that he had written that without consulting them. And he tells me he did it "after consultation with about 50 Aurovilians". No.... Listen, those things are enough to drive anyone crazy! In a nutshell he wants the work to be handled by the Aurovilians, without barring the participation of experts. But that s how it is. It will be that way. That's what I said; but when it comes to the actual execution.... I advise you not to get involved in this!
Because he wrote me a second letter, saying, "I agree that one must turn to the Source, which is the 'stable and welcoming' reference, but unfortunately one doesn't have direct access to the Source, one has to go through intermediaries.... "
So there are some problems, and he has explained one of them in his letter to me.
Tell me what it is.
For example, he says he wrote you a month ago, in October, and you answered him in writing. He wrote you this: "I have made a detailed study of the work to be done, and I have reached the conclusion that we [Aurovilians] can take upon ourselves the responsibility for the excavation and construction work of the four pillars; then a commercial firm such as EEC [I don't know what it is, it's in Madras, I think] would agree to take over the construction of the Matrimandir itself.:, etc. It therefore appears that the work of the Aurovilians is not an obstacle to the rest of the work being handled by a specialized firm.... " Then you answered, "That's very good, I am fully in agreement. The safety and solidity of the work should come BEFORE PERSONAL QUESTIONS. I am counting on you to see that everything goes harmoniously. "
And then I realized... Afterwards, the others told me that he had written that without consulting them.
And he tells me he did it "after consultation with about 50 Aurovilians".
No.... Listen, those things are enough to drive anyone crazy!
In a nutshell he wants the work to be handled by the Aurovilians, without barring the participation of experts.
But that s how it is. It will be that way. That's what I said; but when it comes to the actual execution.... I advise you not to get involved in this!
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Oh, but I don't intend to at all! Yes, they're... It's pretty complicated! I ''Il simply tell him to wait for [the architect's] return and that the decision will be made then. Yes. But the decision has been made - I don't know, I thought they were already working. The "official" decision is that a firm in Madras will do the work. Not all the work. We have asked the Aurovilians to be there - exactly as he puts it. Well, because he says he is ready even to undertake the foundation work for the pillars. Oh, no! That's... Look, tell him that [the architect] will soon arrive and everything will be decided when he's here. But I really don't want to get involved in their problems! Well, no!... Did you see the sentence in my letter — there are also personal questions behind. He is not saying it, but that's what it is. He's hoping to find someone (the disciple) who will give him the authority, you understand? Yes, I think he is. So just tell him what I said. (silence) I don't know if I'm right or wrong, but for a very long time I've made it sort of my duty to see all those people, to receive them whenever they wanted. So I used to see lots of people.... Ooh!
Oh, but I don't intend to at all!
Yes, they're... It's pretty complicated!
I ''Il simply tell him to wait for [the architect's] return and that the decision will be made then.
Yes. But the decision has been made - I don't know, I thought they were already working.
The "official" decision is that a firm in Madras will do the work.
Not all the work. We have asked the Aurovilians to be there - exactly as he puts it.
Well, because he says he is ready even to undertake the foundation work for the pillars.
Oh, no! That's... Look, tell him that [the architect] will soon arrive and everything will be decided when he's here.
But I really don't want to get involved in their problems!
Well, no!... Did you see the sentence in my letter — there are also personal questions behind. He is not saying it, but that's what it is. He's hoping to find someone (the disciple) who will give him the authority, you understand?
Yes, I think he is.
So just tell him what I said.
I don't know if I'm right or wrong, but for a very long time I've made it sort of my duty to see all those people, to receive them whenever they wanted. So I used to see lots of people....
Ooh!
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Either from Auroville or the Ashram, or French or Germans.... I have seen lots of them — anyone who came to the tennis court could see me. I did that for several years. And then I don't know, all of a sudden I completely stopped. I said I wouldn't see anyone anymore.... I don't know if I was right. Because sometimes, I feel it would perhaps be good, it might help people, but on the other hand I have the feeling that... it's not the solution. From your personal point of view, you were quite right. Yes, but then I wonder if it isn't egoistic? No, my child! Sri Aurobindo used to tell me, "The Divine is the supreme egoist!" (Mother laughs and everyone laughs)
Either from Auroville or the Ashram, or French or Germans.... I have seen lots of them — anyone who came to the tennis court could see me. I did that for several years. And then I don't know, all of a sudden I completely stopped. I said I wouldn't see anyone anymore.... I don't know if I was right. Because sometimes, I feel it would perhaps be good, it might help people, but on the other hand I have the feeling that... it's not the solution.
From your personal point of view, you were quite right. Yes, but then I wonder if it isn't egoistic?
No, my child! Sri Aurobindo used to tell me, "The Divine is the supreme egoist!" (Mother laughs and everyone laughs)
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