tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492774704026276830.post4551195126568040697..comments2023-10-25T12:50:37.376+05:30Comments on A critique of "The Lives of Sri Aurobindo" by Peter Heehs and its consequences in the Ashram life: Objective Research, or Research with an Objective? -- by Saurabh SomaniGeneral Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08357387091233027707noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492774704026276830.post-86330291691092013632011-08-19T11:30:23.797+05:302011-08-19T11:30:23.797+05:30Dear Diane,
There is an important difference betw...Dear Diane,<br /><br />There is an important difference between Hitler's Mein Kampf and Heeh's TLOSA. Hitler merely expressed his personal thoughts and opinions, however perverse they may have been. But Heehs has deliberately distorted historical facts, concocted quotations and decontextualised incidents so as to lead to perverse conclusions in the name of Sri Aurobindo and his Ashram! Therefore the objections to his book. Heehs has a right to express his opinions freely. But he does not have a right to pervert historical facts.<br /><br />As far as the Ashram is concerned, we must distinguish between the inmates/residents of the Ashram and the present Trustees who control the Ashram's finances. The inmates petitioned the Trustees to remove Heehs and formally dissociate from the book and its conclusions. But the Trustees refused, and instead began to victimise the inmates who spoke out against the book.<br /><br />The Ashram Trust has been hijacked, and the inmates currently live in fear of the present Trustees. That is why the inmates have now filed a class action suit seeking dismissal of the present Trustees.<br /><br />Karthik SrinivasanGeneral Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08357387091233027707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492774704026276830.post-79786863855902928212011-07-29T07:44:47.374+05:302011-07-29T07:44:47.374+05:30a most sensible commentary.
I live outside the aur...a most sensible commentary.<br />I live outside the aurobindian community and am used to being a minority of one with regard to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. This does not worry me, I am confident in my path, and feel no need to prosletyse. I have not read Peter Heehs book, and have never felt the inclination to do so.<br />I do not however object to the book, as there has to be some wisdom here, the will to choose so to speak, for example,I can understand Hitler without reading Mein Kamfp, I do not feel the need to understand Sri Aurobindo from Peter Heehs perspective, whilst respecting his right to put forward his views.<br /><br />I do have one idiosyncricity though, as I will never be able to come to the Ashram, I am reliant on the Ashram to reflect the truth of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother as closely as possible. I was personally dismayed when I found that someone "who was only a disciple of sorts" still resided at the Ashram. Frankly I still don't get it.<br /><br />Thus it is Peter Heehs residency in the Ashram that concerns me also. I have no quarrel with those who do not accept Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, I simply feel that it is beholden on those who live in the Ashram to do so. Or have I got it wrong, has the Ashram devolved into a hodge podge of beliefs and views with revisionism and reformism the order of the day?<br />DianeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com