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Published: February 15th 2020
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It’s difficult to believe that we have been here already over two weeks and will be flying home at 2 a.m. on Wednesday. We have two more days to enjoy the delights of India - the people, the food, the colours, the smells of spices permeating the air.
Up early as we leave for Auroville at 8 a.m. for our appointment at Matrimandir, the place for silent meditation. Auroville is a city dedicated to the ideal of human unity with a population of approximately 2,800 people. It’s meaning is City of Dawn. At its heart is the Matrimandir, a huge gold sphere surrounded by 12 petals. It took 37 years to build starting in 1971 on The Mother’s 93rd birthday. In the centre of the Inner Chamber is a sphere of optically perfect glass upon which a beam of sunlight shines through a hole in the roof.
Our experience began with a short video about Auroville, then on to a lecture about Matrimandir and what is expected when inside the gardens and the dome of Matrimandir. Complete silence and respect is demanded. First we were led to the lotus pond which is under the sphere. It is a series
of concentric circles made of pure white marble to resemble a lotus flower with water gently flowing over and down to the centre. Then we remove our shoes and enter the sphere itself where we put on white socks and enter the inner part. There are white carpeted ramps circling around the sphere where we ascend up to the Inner Chamber. It was really eerie watching everyone walking silently as if in a trance up, up and around toward the top. It made me think about how it might seem if you were ascending into heaven. In the Inner Chamber there are mats to sit on in a circle and I chose to sit against the wall with cushions behind my back for support. We have a designated time to sit in mediation with the crystal globe in the centre reflecting the beam of sunlight shining down on it. All too soon the lights flash indicating that our time is finished and we file out silently. Once outside again, we have a chance to look at the wondrous gardens surrounding the Matrimandir. Large open spaces of grass with circular flower gardens dotting the areas. Just out of the Matrimandir is
a 100 year old banyan tree. I have never seen anything like it before. Banyan trees grow roots from their branches that hang down until they reach the ground and take root to eventually make a trunk. The extra trunks support the massive branches that the banyan grows as it ages. I counted approximately 25 trunks descending from the thick branches of the main tree.
I approached the tree and laid my hands on it to communicate with the tree. I looked up and noticed a huge hole in the middle of the tree. It seemed so symbolic to me that the tree had a hole in its heart, a broken heart, and yet it survived and thrived and flourished despite this impairment. So I guess if this tree can live 100 years with a broken heart, perhaps I can also survive my loss and sorrows.
On the return trip, we make a short stop at Serenity Beach to dip our toes in the Indian Ocean. This is like a check off list of how many oceans we can dip our feet into: I have on my list the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Indian, Arabian Sea, Red Sea,
Dead Sea. Maybe more that I can’t think of right now.
Once back to our hotel, we have a short refreshment and rest before walking to the Baker Street Cafe (on Bussey St) for lunch and a pastry. Then a quick swim and there’s time for me to write my blog. While I was cooling off in the pool looking out over the city, I noticed some lime green birds with long tails swooping past. They are parakeets, I believe. First time I’ve seen hem. Tonight is our farewell dinner as we leave tomorrow night. That means a serious review of the suitcases and getting everything back in for the flights home. Frankfurt is 10 1/2 hours with a 2 hour layover then 8 hours back to Toronto then 2 hours home. Seems like an eternity.
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