Darshan

Introduction

Shraddhavan

The series of programmes entitled "Remembering the Mother" was started in January 2001 at the request of some people who were relative newcomers to Auroville, and who felt that they missed the joy and privilege of a personal physical contact with the Mother and therefore very much enjoyed hearing, from those who did have that good fortune, what it was like. But I think we should remember that even for those who come newly into the atmosphere of Mother and Sri Aurobindo — whether they come to the Ashram or to Auroville or get a contact through a book or in some other way — it is very possible for all to have an inner contact with the Mother. The purpose of these sessions was to respond to that kind of receptivity, to evoke it. But nobody needs to feel, "Oh, those who have seen the Mother were so lucky and I don't have that same opportunity." For all of us, it is possible to have an intimate contact with the Mother, through the heart.

It was our friend Dr. Beena Nayak who conceived the idea that it would be very very helpful for all of us to be reminded what it was like to meet the Mother, in the early days of Auroville when the dream was just being seeded. When she, with Varadharajan and Syamala, took up the work of contacting people here in Auroville who might be willing to share their sweet memories, they found that there were more than they had expected. It was not just a handful, there are more than 50 people among us who had personal contact with the Mother.

The team at Savitri Bhavan was very happy to host some of the "Remembering" sessions, and to welcome the privileged people who agreed to share their intimate, precious and sacred memories. And now we welcome the publication of this collection of transcripts from the recordings made at those gatherings, to spread the sweetness even wider.

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