The
brief factual Aide-Memoire on the ongoing debate on the book of Peter Heehs titled
“The Lives of Sri Aurobindo” could serve to focus on the fundamental issues
concerning not just the Sri Aurobindo Ashram commune at Pondicherry but also
the extended Ashram body of devotees, disciples and followers of The Mother and
Sri Aurobindo – living in India as well as overseas.
Though
a large majority of people are aware that there is trouble and mudslinging
between those critical of Peter Heehs and those who defend him, the surprising
thing is that both the groups have their epicentre at Pondicherry. The fact
that the problem has taken a larger dimension about the way matters are handled
by the management of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram leaves us in no doubt that all is
not well over there.
For
the purpose of clarity it is worth mentioning that all who have turned to Sri
Aurobindo and The Mother are sadhaks – though not necessarily living physically
in the precincts of the Pondicherry Ashram in buildings hired or otherwise. And
the Ashram consists of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo and all those who have
accepted them as embodiments of the Divine or as spiritual guides on the path
of Integral Yoga, and who reach their offerings in physical or monetary form to
the Masters through the Ashram Trust. Consistent with this fact, the Ashram
Trust exists basically for providing the administrative and managerial support to
look after the interests of The Mother, Sri Aurobindo, as well as to assure the
basic necessities of life to the Ashram inmates and meet with the requests of the
followers of the Masters for correspondence, reaching Blessings to them and logistics
for their stay etc. The Ashram Trust (with the exception of The Mother) is
neither a team of spiritual leaders nor its Trustees are spiritual successors
to The Mother.
...full text...