Ek Nayi Usha (7–10 April 2024) was a four-day exposure programme organised by SAFIER, the Integral Education Initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society, for 40 people, aged 18–50 years, from Paigamberpur, Rudrapur and Haridwar. The primary goal of the camp was to deepen participants’ experience of Sri Aurobindo’s and The Mother’s vision and strengthen local centre work through experiential learning and Integral Yoga practices. The main facilitators were Shivakumar and Priti from SAFIER and the workshop was coordinated by Kirti Adhikari of Sri Aurobindo Society, Paigamberpur centre.
Main Activities
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Welcome and Knowing Each Other More Deeply: kit distribution, Welcome address by Chairman - Pradeep Narang, group chanting, name-with-quality enactment and icebreaker activities to set the tone of inner and outer yatra.
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Visit to Ashram and Ashram departments: visits to Bureau Central, Sri Smriti and Samadhi with guided reflection and evening meditations.
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Knowing Sri Aurobindo and the Mother: screening of the film ‘Sri Aravind: Ek Nayi Usha’, an animation film on the life of Sri Aurobindo with interaction; a reflective session on the poem “Invitation” by Sri Aurobindo; introduction to the story of The Mother via a presentation.
Auroville Immersion: orientation at Unity Pavilion; presentation and guided visit to Matrimandir and its gardens and a session focused on the twelve qualities, a visit to Savitri bhavan.
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Connecting to one’s Psychic being: session on flowers and their spiritual significance, a session on the 4 powers of the Mother and its connection to our every-day life, a guided meditation to travel inwards to become aware of one’s inner-weather and express it through art and a session to light the Flame of Aspiration.
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Creating a Dream Centre: facilitated a discussion and reflection on the role and functioning of a “Dream Centre”. This was a group activity to produce practical ideas and commitments.
Outcomes
- Stronger Cohesion: enhanced trust and bonding across participants and coordinators.
- Spiritual Deepening: clearer experiential understanding of Sri Aurobindo’s teachings and practice tools for meditation and reflection.
- Actionable Ideas: concrete proposals and renewed commitment for local centre activities from the “Dream Centre” exercise.
- Motivation to Continue: participants left motivated to implement learnings in their home centres.
Conclusion
Ek Nayi Usha successfully combined spiritual exposure to the Vision of Integral Yoga as propounded by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and experiential learning through various activities. The participants left Puducherry more united, inspired and equipped to carry forward centre-level transformation work.
