Bodhi Zendo I had ordered a book to take with me to Bodhi Zendo: „Zen in the Art of Ink Painting“ by Katharina Shepherd-Kobel. It's a beautiful book, it speaks to me and nurtures my desire to learn ink painting and deepen my meditation. When I started Zen meditation 3.5 years ago, the urge to go to Auroville awoke. The meditation in Bremen was strict, we followed the rules, eyes half-open focused on a point, recited sutras, had walking meditations, tea ceremonies...
When I began reading the Upanishads, I realized that the inner path I had embarked upon was leading me into an extraordinarily beautiful inner landscape. Discovering that this inner landscape is connected to cosmic consciousness made me aware of the important work I must undertake—what people often call “inner work.” As I committed myself to this inner work, I focused on how I was feeling, who I am, and what I must face. What are my shadows? My insecurities? My…
Enlightenment – Illumination: The Paradox of Enlightenment: Here's the thing about enlightenment. Someone recently asked me if I was seeking enlightenment. I was a bit taken aback. But because I really respected this person, I tried to be honest – yes, no, um, I don't quite know, actually yes, if I'm being completely honest… Why all this hedging? Why not just say directly, yes, I am, like you did, when you answered that you thought most people were seeking…
Many have the idea that we live in a world made of matter, following the laws of physics and various theories such as the theory of evolution. This is strange, because matter as such doesn't really exist, E=mc² stands for this. I don't really understand this formula, but it symbolically represents that in the end everything is energy, possibly even just vibration as the string theory claims. Then there is the physics of the macrocosm and the microcosm. They contradict each other...
I am fascinated by the synchronicities here in Auroville. The mental, intellectual, spiritual, physical, and emotional spaces that intertwine here often do so over several days, seemingly effortlessly, intuitively, easily. I was exhausted. A friend had left his body, as they say here. The community had provided support for over a month, many had grown closer. In a small circle, the death ceremony Karumadhi was held, a specific type of puja on the 16th day when the soul leaves this world. For a few weeks...
Sacred spaces such as Catholic churches offer contemplation and silence. Temples in Italy, France, Greece and Egypt are impressive ruins that provide a connection to nature and history. The spirit of polytheism characterizes these places. OM expresses this.
Recently, a friend told me how she grew up in the Ashram school. Mirra Alfassa founded this school with a radical pedagogy. Children could freely choose what they wanted to learn and when. It was quite radical: there was a schedule for languages, history, math, philosophy, gossip, sports, etc., but the kids could go wherever they wanted. And so, each child received exactly what they needed for their own development. If a child needed gossip, then that was...
For many years I've known I wanted to practice ‚yoga‘ but never got around to it. Similar to meditation, I didn't feel ready for it, or I was put off by Western esoteric forms that ultimately view both meditation and yoga as self-optimization. Meditation and yoga are philosophical, spiritual, and ultimately transcendent practices; overcoming one's self, opening oneself to a greater consciousness. All of this seems so clear now. My ‚study‘ of Indian philosophy is slowly taking shape...
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