Photo Album of the Camp on FB
A video of the previous event at Nainital
ADITI—The Divine Mother
She is the golden bridge, the wonderful fire. …
The Light that leans from the unrealised Vasts,
The joy that beckons from the impossible,
The Might of all that never yet came down.
[from 'Savitri' by Sri Aurobindo]
A series of programmes, titled ‘Sourcing Our Oneness’, have been conceived for various organizations working for the realization and fulfilment of the aims and ideals of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
The fourth programme in this series was held on February 19, 2017, at Unity Pavilion, Auroville. The programme duration was 8 am to 3.30 pm. Ms. Jaya, from Unity Pavilion, Auroville, started the camp with an introduction explaining how this ‘Sourcing Our Oneness’ series of programmes were conceived and initiated. The introduction was followed by a timeline of the subsequent programmes and activities that happened and this chronological presentation was made by Shivakumar, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry. Ms Muna, from Auroville International, Germany, summarized the previous event that happened at Nainital. This was followed by a video presentation of the event held at Nainital from October 2–8, 2016. Here is the link to the 22 minutes video documentary: https://youtu.be/n0tzIHrLZXU
Session—I: Creating Friendly Atmosphere with One Another
Every participant was asked to walk slowly inside the Unity Pavilion hall, concentrating on the slow movement, looking at the other participants, having an eye contact with each other and smiling and greeting each other. This session was coordinated by Ms. Muna and it lasted for 10 minutes.
Session—II: Being in Oneness with Our Body
In this session, an African music piece for peace was played. Along with the music, Sri Aurobindo’s poem Invitation was recited. Everyone was asked to stand at attention, resting their feet on the floor firmly and then concentrating the navel part (around the Nabhi Chakra) by bringing the feel of holding it tight. The purpose of this session was to unite the three Chakras, namely the Swadhishttana (Nabhi or navel) Chakra, Anahata (Heart) Chakra and the Sahasrara (Crown) Chakra. While standing everyone was asked to feel a connection to the sky from the Crown Chakra. Ms. Aryamani taught the slow movements of hands and legs in rhythm with the melody of the music in this position. The object was to bring a concentrated rhythmic movement in our own body and in a second phase to move as one body.
Session—III: Audio-Visual Presentation of the Nainital Camp
The previous session of ‘Sourcing Our Oneness’ group had been organized as a camp at Vannivas, Nainital (a unit of Delhi Ashram) from October 2 to 8, 2016. A video coverage of the various activities that took place in this camp, such discussion on the five dreams of Sri Aurobindo, trekking, rappelling, bonfire with music, etc., were shown in this session.
Session—IV: Discussion on the ‘Third Dream’ of Sri Aurobindo
The third dream of Sri Aurobindo was “A world-union forming the outer basis of a fairer, brighter and nobler life for all mankind”. Twelve groups were formed, each consisting of six participants. Each person was asked to pick a flower card. Using the flower card each group worked on the relation of the flower card and one of the twelve qualities of the Mother given to them in connection with Sri Aurobindo’s third dream. The session ended with each group presenting the essence of their discussion.
Session—V: Feeling the Vibrations
The musical notes ‘Tha Ka Dhi Mi’ were chanted in the rhythm of ‘Adi Thalam’, both in low speed as well high. By doing this exercise simultaneously the participants could feel the rhythm both within and around them. The participants were formed into three groups. Each group was asked to chant the sound ‘Aa’ ‘Oo’ and ‘Mm’ respectively. The sound ‘Aa’ vibrates in the belly, ‘Oo’ pulsates in the heart and the reverberation of the sound ‘Mm’ is felt in and around the head. When these three sounds were chanted simultaneously the entire hall was filled with vibrations of ‘Aum’.
After session V there was a lunch break, which was aptly used by all to familiarize themselves with the other participants.
Session—VI: The Triangle Session
Again each person was asked to pick a number and form a group with the persons having the same number. There were three persons in each group and they were given a paper with a triangle drawn on it. Each person was asked to pick a flower card again and concentrate and discuss among their teammates. The similar views among the three were written in the centre of the triangle.
Session—VII: The Sound Bath—Bringing Peace into the Mind
In the final session each person was asked to lie down on floor with their eyes closed. Different musical instruments were played one after the other and the participants were asked to concentrate on the sound. The sound produced by different instruments brought peace in the minds of all and there by relaxing for half an hour with the instrumental sounds.
The one-day event came to an end after serving tea to the participants.
