Psychology

Maël Vidal was born and grew up in Auroville before going to France to pursue higher studies, where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social anthropology.

Heartweaving is quietly bringing together Aurovilians with different perspectives to manifest possible ways forward through sustained inner work.

Maatram is a mental-health support centre in Auroville staffed by professionally trained psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and counsellors who work collaboratively to offer compassionate, person-centred care.

Consciousness-Based Psychology: Sri Aurobindo’s Vision of Yoga, Health and Transpersonal Growth presents a pioneering framework for psychology and psychiatry rooted in the spiritual philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.

Michael Sandel, the Harvard professor, believes that many of us now live in a ‘market society’ where market values have supplanted other forms of human value like fairness and justice.

In 2016 a German forester, Peter Wohlleben, published a book which describes how trees exchange resources with each other through fungi on their roots.

At present, many people are trying to make sense of what is happening in Auroville. The writings of Sri Aurobindo and Mother are an obvious aid to understanding, but Spiral Dynamics may also provide a useful lens through which to view the current situation and possible next steps.

“The Transcendent Function is a psychic dynamic, if you want to transcend something you have to bring the opposites together. It can change everything, it is a transforming power and can be activated by sandplay, dreamwork, active imagination and other techniques which brings you to a different and wider levels of consciousness.

Heart Weaving was started in December last year in an effort to deepen our capacity for dialogue in Auroville and to be able to truly listen to each other across differing perspectives and opinions.

In amongst Auroville’s current governance schism, there are a few initiatives taking place to find a way through to an opening to something higher to unite us all.

“This book is offered as an explorer’s source book in the mapping of various psychological problems inherent in the practice of Sri Aurobindo’s integral sadhana,” is how Dr.

Frederick, who came to India in 1966 and has been living in Auroville ever since its inception in 1968, gives his view of the recent happenings.

In Eyes of Evolution Aurovilian psychologist Gerard Beusen (Jerry) presents a brief manual for self-discovery and transformation. It is based upon the ‘Seven Eyes’ approach which he has developed over many years through inner work and the contributions of people who participated in his workshops.

Valentina Beatriz is a 29 year old Chilean filmmaker who joined Auroville two years ago. She is progressively discovering the vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, after having studied and experiencing the teachings of other masters.

The Government of India recently appointed Dr K. Parameswaran, Associate Professor of Law and Dean of External & Alumni Relations of the Gujarat National Law University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, as Member of the Governing Board of the Auroville Foundation.

Recently, discrimination has been a hot topic in Auroville. It was brought to the forefront by two Tamil members of the Working Committee who felt they had been ‘discriminated’ against by not being allowed to meet the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on his recent visit.

It was 1985, and I had gone with my mother to seek admission in the Ashram school. Parudi, the Registrar, looked at me and said, “Mother had said that after the age of 14 we do not admit students because their mental formations are already made.”

At first glance, Neeltje Huppes’ new book looks like a training manual. But spending just a few minutes with it uncovers a wonderful pedagogical design.

For three days in January, 50 advanced therapists from all over India met in Auroville’s Unity Pavilion with teacher Yuvraj Kapadia to refine their practice of “transformational regression therapy”.

Every day, thousands of health seekers of different faiths, the mentally ill and the spirit-possessed, travel from villages and cities to faith healing shrines dotted throughout Tamil Nadu that are reputed for their curative powers.

Dr. Alok Pandey from the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, has been involved in treating people from Auroville who are experiencing mental problems.

Sigrid is a qualified classical homeopath and regression therapist who has been giving consultations in Auroville for the past 18 years. Here she gives her view of the present health and healing scene in the community.

Restorative Circles, a system of conflict resolution which is based on the principles of Nonviolent Communication, is proposed to become part of Auroville’s Conflict Resolution Policy.

On August 15th, the new Auroville website was launched. It was the result of almost two and a half years of work. Manoj, who leads the technical team, first became involved with the Auroville website in 1998.

Dubbed a ‘Laboratory for Theatre Arts and Research’, Adhishakti , an experimental theatre company located near Auroville, pushes boundaries and provokes through its work, whilst being relevant to contemporary audiences in India.