The Mother
The Mother was born Mirra Alfassa in Paris on 21 February 1878. She was an accomplished painter, pianist and writer. In the beginning of the last century she studied occultism under Theon in Algeria. Her primary interest, however, was spiritual development. In Paris she founded a group of spiritual seekers and gave talks to various groups.
In 1914 she voyaged to Pondicherry to meet Sri Aurobindo, and at once recognized Him as the one who for many years had inwardly guided Her spiritual development. She helped Him start a monthly review Arya, in which most of His major writings, The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga, The Human Cycle etc., appeared between 1914 and 1921.
After a stay of eleven months She returned to France due to the outbreak of the First World War. A year later She went to Japan for a period of four years and then She returned to Pondicherry in April 1920 and resumed Her collaboration with Sri Aurobindo .
When Sri Aurobindo Ashram was formed in November 1926, Sri Aurobindo entrusted its full material and spiritual charge to the Mother. Under Her guidance, which continued for nearly fifty years, the Ashram grew into a large, many-faceted spiritual community. In 1952 She established Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, and in 1968 an international township, Auroville. The Mother left Her body on l7 November 1973.
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo was born in Calcutta on 15 August 1872, He studied in England at St. Paul’s School, London and King’s College, Cambridge. On His return to India, He spent 13 years in the Princely State of Baroda as an administrator and professor, where He made a deep study of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage and started literary and political activity. During this period He took a leading role in secret preparations for an uprising against the British Government in India.
In 1906, He quit his post in Baroda and went to Calcutta, where He soon became one of the leaders of the Nationalist movement. His journal Bande Mataram became the most powerful voice in the freedom movement. In 1910 He withdrew from politics and went to Pondicherry in order to devote himself entirely to His inner spiritual life and work.
During His forty years in Pondicherry He evolved a new method of spiritual practice, which He called the Integral Yoga. In 1926, with the help of His spiritual collaborator, the Mother, He founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Among His many writings are The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga and Savitri. His writings give clear insights into all aspects of life and their problems. Romain Rolland saw in Him “the completest synthesis that has been realised to this day of the genius of Asia and genius of Europe.”
He left His body on 5 December 1950.
