Sourcing Our Oneness aspires to nurture a living spirit of unity and harmony among the organisations inspired by the vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. It seeks to create spaces where hearts and minds meet in collective aspiration, collaboration, and inner growth.
In this spirit, the Annual Sourcing Our Oneness (SOO) Camp was held at the serene and eco-conscious setting of Sharanam Community Centre, from 27th September to 2nd October 2024. The camp brought together individuals and representatives from the Sri Aurobindo Society, Auroville, and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Delhi Branch, in a shared journey of discovery, learning, and inner work.
The theme for this year’s camp was:
“Embracing Harmony as the Means – Embracing Harmony as the End.”
In alignment with this theme, the camp invited participants to explore harmony not only as a goal of our collective evolution but also as a living, conscious practice in each moment. It focused on deepening our engagement with the integral vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother — through reflection, embodied practices, creative expression, and collaborative learning. The program was thoughtfully curated to foster a sense of inner & outer harmony, and collective growth.
Participants were immersed in a rhythm of meditative silence, physical awareness, thematic explorations, nature connect, and artistic offerings. Each day unfolded as a journey into deeper consciousness, rooted in the values and dreams offered by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Through sharing spaces and insights, the camp served as a reminder of the potential for oneness that lies within each of us and in the communities we nurture.
The daily schedule included early morning sessions with activities like Awareness Through the Body (ATB) by Jayanthy of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi branch, Yoga Asanas taken up by Shweta Rajurkar and walks with gratitude, conducted by Anju Khanna of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi branch and Jaya of Auroville.
Every day, post breakfast, Shramdaan was embraced as an expression of Karma Yoga, taken up wholeheartedly by the participants in a spirit of harmony and as a joyful offering to the Mother. Each session began with Mantra chanting, setting a positive and uplifting tone for the rest of the day.
Day 1
Welcome and Introduction
The camp began with a warm welcome and a brief introduction by the core organising team. Participants were familiarised with the daily schedule and activities. This was followed by an engaging narration by Shiva Kumar of Sri Aurobindo Society, about the story behind the Sharanam Community Centre—the serene and inspiring space that would serve as home for the participants throughout the camp.
Introduction to the Deeper Me
The session began with participants gathering in a quiet, reflective space to begin the inner journey towards discovering the ‘Deeper Me’. As a gentle opening, lights of aspiration were shared, allowing each individual to express a personal longing or intention from the heart. Priti of Sri Aurobindo Society then guided the group through a deep, insightful session that invited self-exploration and sharing. The day ended with Meditation with the Mother’s Music and journal writing.
Day 2
Five Dreams of Sri Aurobindo
With both zeal and clarity, Dr..Arati of Sri Aurobindo Society engaged the participants in Sri Aurobindo's Five Dreams, offering a comprehensive and easily understandable explanation of their significance in today’s world.
Implementing the 5th Dream of Sri Aurobindo
Following a short juice break, the learning continued with Anju Khanna leading a session on Implementing the 5th Dream—the dream of human unity. Jayanthy’s flute music enhanced a meditation on oneness. Participants in groups silently crafted a mandala from baskets of flowers, each group contributing a floral pattern. Lighted candles illuminated the mandala, fostering a meditative silence, symbolising human unity and collective aspiration.
Sunlit Ways
Participants engaged in introspective exercises, reflecting on fulfilled aspirations and sharing their experiences led by Uttama of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry. Sri Aurobindo's poem "A God's Labour" sparked a creative activity where they drew rainbows, symbolizing their hopes and dreams.
Centering Within
Jayanthy facilitated an activity which helped the participants to centre oneself and to observe the different parts of one’s being to lead a life founded on unshakable faith.
Sunset walk to the Ashram Mainland
Following tea, the group set out on a sunset walk to the Ashram Mainland, lovingly guided by Shivakumar of Sri Aurobindo Society. The walk was a contemplative activity allowing participants to connect with nature, the land, and their inner silence.
Introduction to the 12 Qualities of the Mother's Symbol
The evening resumed with a session led by Jaya, providing a beautiful entry into Introduction to the 12 qualities of the Mother’s symbol.
This group activity deepened participant’s understanding of 12 qualities of mother’s symbol - Sincerity, Humility, Gratitude, Perseverance, Aspiration, Receptivity, Progress, Courage, Goodness, Generosity, Equality and Peace.
Singing Bhajans
After dinner, the group gathered once again, this time to learn bhajan with Arjita. The music brought joy, devotion, and togetherness to the close of the day.
As the clock approached 10:00 PM, participants wound down and retired for the night, holding within the rich experiences of the day—a step deeper into harmony, within and without.
Day 3
Exploring Symbols of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother
A profound session was conducted on Exploring Symbols of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother – guided by Priti and Shivakumar. Participants began to understand the deeper meanings and significance of the symbols.
Mother’s Four Powers
After a refreshing juice break, the exploration continued with Priti, who gently guided the group further into the realm of the Mother’s Four Powers, deepening the understanding of Maheshwari, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati, and how these aspects manifest within and around us.
Individual Perfection through the lens of the 12 Qualities of the Mother.
Post-lunch, Jaya led a contemplative session on Individual Perfection through the lens of the 12 Qualities of the Mother. Participants reflected on their own inner journey and aspirations, and how the cultivation of these qualities could guide their path towards harmony and transformation.
Walk to Matri-Udyanam
With hearts open and bodies rested, the group enjoyed some tea before embarking on a beautiful and fragrant journey in the late afternoon. Guided by Krishna of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry, and Rathi of Sri Aurobindo Society, participants explored the Significance of Flowers given by Mother and took a deeply enriching walk to Matri-Udyanam, a sacred garden space where flowers spoke silently of spiritual truths and divine qualities.
The evening eased into melody and devotion with bhajan learning by Arjita, echoing the joy of shared music and collective voice.
The Divine Worker Poem by Sri Aurobindo
Dinner was followed by an evocative session where Gayatri of Sri Aurobindo Society introduced Sri Aurobindo’s poem ‘The Divine Worker’, allowing everyone to reflect on the spirit of karma yoga and the ideal of selfless action offered to the Divine.
As night settled, participants embraced rest and silence, carrying with them the fragrance of flowers, the resonance of chants, and the aspiration for a deeper inner harmony.
Day 4
Day 4 began a little differently—without the usual early morning session—allowing participants to rest and prepare for a special visit to Auroville, the universal township envisioned by the Mother. At 7:45 am, the group set off with quiet anticipation, and soon reached the Unity Pavilion, where a wholesome breakfast was shared in the peaceful surroundings of Auroville.
Introduction to Auroville
The day formally began with an insightful introduction to Auroville by Lakshay, an Aurovillian, setting the context of Auroville as a living experiment in human unity, built on the spiritual foundation of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother’s vision. His sharing helped participants understand the essence and aspiration behind the township.
Matrimandir Gardens Walk
After a short juice break, the group made their way to the Matrimandir Gardens. Led by Ramanan, an Aurovillian participant, the walk through the sacred gardens was a quiet, reflective experience, inviting each one to tune in to the symbolic significance of each space and deepen their inner connection to the soul of Auroville.
A nourishing lunch awaited at the Solar Kitchen, offering both physical replenishment and a taste of Auroville’s collective spirit.
Yoga Nidra
Post-lunch, a calming Yoga Nidra session led by Jaya gently helped participants rest, renew and reconnect with their inner stillness.
Perfect Society through the Lens of the 12 Qualities
After a refreshing tea break, Jaya offered another session, this time on “Perfect Society through the Lens of the 12 Qualities”. Through rich discussions and inner reflections, participants were invited to imagine a society where the Mother's twelve soul-qualities guided collective life, relationships, and actions.
As the sun began to set, the group traveled to the Beach Office of Sri Aurobindo Society, and then onward for a serene and soul-touching experience of Collective Meditation at the Ashram Samadhi. In the profound silence of the space sanctified by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, participants offered themselves inwardly in stillness and gratitude.
The day concluded with a few moments of chanting, sealing the experiences of the day in a spirit of peace and collective aspiration leading to harmony. As the participants traveled back to Sharanam, hearts were full—of beauty, quiet joy, and the subtle presence of the Divine.
Day 5
Resolving Polarity
After the physical activity, breakfast, shramadan and mantra chanting, day opened with a deeply insightful session on "Resolving Polarity" by Jaya, where participants explored the inner conflicts that divide us and how one can harmonize opposites to arrive at a space of balance and wholeness.
Connecting with the Mother’s Symbol through the Psychic Being
After a juice break, the journey turned inward once again with Shivakumar and Priti’s session on “Connecting with the Mother’s Symbol through the Psychic Being.” Through
meditative reflections and guided exploration, participants were gently led to connect with the soul’s presence within, and the deeper significance of the Mother’s symbol.
Towards the end of the day, participants were preparing themselves for Musical Offering-Poetry Recitation & Musical Offering with the help of Arjita and Jayanthy. Music and poetry groups practiced, and later offered a beautiful Musical and Poetry Recitation led by Arjita and Jayanthy—a confluence of voices, rhythm, and spirit.
As the participants prepared for sleep, there was a quiet glow in the air… the sense of something deeply touched, awakened, and remembered.
Day 6
The morning of October 2nd brought a bittersweet moment as participants were about to say their goodbyes. But before that, it was a time to reflect upon the experience of camp.
After breakfast everyone reassembled for feedback sharing, facilitated by Priti. Participants spoke from their hearts, expressing how the camp had moved them, awakened new insights, and planted seeds of aspiration.
The morning was filled with creativity and soulful celebration. It culminated in a quiet, luminous offering — “Flame of Aspiration” by Jayanthy & Anju. It was a collective gesture, symbolizing the Inner Fire lit during the days spent together—a Fire to carry forward.
Participants parted ways, the sense of unity remained, knowing that their shared experiences had created a lasting connection. There were no formal promises, but the unspoken wish to meet again felt genuine, knowing their hearts had already connected on a deeper level.
