The Mother on Matrimandir and Religions

For thousands of years we have been developing outer means, outer instruments, outer techniques for living – and in the end those means and techniques are crushing us. The sign of the new humanity is a reversal of outlook and the understanding that inner means, inner knowledge and inner techniques can change the world and master it without crushing it.

Auroville is the place where this new way of living is being worked out, it is a centre of accelerated evolution where man must begin to change his world by means of the power of the inner spirit.

(Message, 03.08.68)

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‘But to live in Auroville, one must be the willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness.’

It is the explanation of the Matrimandir at the centre. The Matrimandir represents the Divine Consciousness. All that is not said, but that is the way it is.

(Commenting verbally on Auroville’s Charter, 07.02.68)

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It is like the Force, the central Force of Auroville, the cohesive Force of Auroville.

(Verbal, 02.07.70)

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The Matrimandir will be the soul of Auroville. The sooner it is there, the better it will be for everybody and especially for the Aurovilians.

(15.11.70)

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About Matrimandir. In India the creation, that means basically the work of the Mother-Creator, has for centuries been considered as anti-divine. Sri Aurobindo has shown/taught that it is in Matter that the Divine must be manifested; he has insisted on the understanding of this concept of the Mother as Creator.

Matrimandir is here to teach people that it is not by escaping from the world while ignoring it, that they will realise the Divine in life. Matrimandir must be the symbol of this Truth. I don't want it to be made into a religion; with all my force I refuse. We don't want dogmas, principles, ritual, absolutely not, absolutely not.

Q.: Why do we build Matrimandir?

For the great majority of Indians there is no need for an explanation; they know from their background; it is for the Westerners and the Americans of whom one in a million is able to feel that it is necessary.

Q.: Will the Force be more specially concentrated in Matrimandir?

The new Force works everywhere, especially in this room. You feel it, don't you? There is here a density capable of performing miracles, but few are able to feel it, to perceive it. Sri Aurobindo and I have concentrated this Force on the whole town; it is palpable, perceptible as a very concrete perfume which penetrates, but one must be able to feel it, to receive it. But no miracles as people would like to see; for them to believe, they need material proofs without which they deny. Build Matrimandir; put in place my symbol and Sri Aurobindo’s and the suspended globe. I take it upon myself to make it into a very powerful centre. Only those who are capable will perceive it.

(Noted down by Roger Anger after a conversation, 07.71)

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And let it not become a religion, for heaven’s sake!

(Verbal, 31.12.69)