|
Observing that relatively few Aurovilians
actually participate in this cyber-based survey, Pulse's latest
posting asked for suggestions on how to increase the community's
collaboration regarding this possibly very potent tool for community
building.
This evoked the following feedback by longtime
Aurovilian Roy (USA)
of Aurodam..
The idea of surveying the opinions of Aurovilians on various topics
is very helpful of course. However, the problem of how to generate
a response has proven to be a quandary that is not unique to Auroville
alone. When one reads a published opinion that one more or less
agrees with, one may not feel inclined nor obliged to reiterate
a similar response. Sometimes the responses published are, to put
it mildly, rather boorish and one shrinks from being sucked into
some idiotic argument.
Originally, when the actuality of voting and
petitions proved to many Aurovilians somehow revolting, there was
an idea to form a kind of survey team, which would, among other
things, go door to door, with some kind of questionnaire. It was
a good idea. Of course no one actually wants to spend their time
running around Auroville having doors closed in their faces all
day, or, perhaps even worse, come to the sagging realisation that
Aurovilians actually don't have opinions which - one might presume
- is a sign of yogic poise.
On the other hand, the task we have set before
ourselves as Aurovilians, is not merely something mechanical, but
rather, spiritual in its essence, and as such, it is a kind of seeking
for a dharma that is uniquely Auroville. From this point of view
the flurry of published opinions might seem recalcitrant and oblique,
and not at all relevant.
However, there is yet another possibly here
as well, and this that by publishing what Aurovilians feel and experience,
however inarticulate it might appear, however over-fraught with
rage or indignation, it is an expression of our humanity and our
aspiration that feels trapped in the web and membrane of Auroville's
young life. No doubt, as Aurovilians, we are forced to work through
our obscurities, even if our victories are intermittent and often
inoperative.
This is the Auroville way of things, the endless urge to move
on, undo things, re-arrange them and this manner, recreate ourselves.
If one is truly dedicated to feeling the Pulse of Auroville then
one must be prepared for its unconventional wisdoms and ever remind
ourselves that the very goals we seek, as remarked by the ancients,
are composed of Spirit and are as illusive as they are inevitable.
One unmoving that is swifter than Mind,
That the Gods reach not, for It progresses ever in front. That,
standing, passes beyond others as they run.
Sri Aurobindo
- Isha Upanishad
|
