I am not sure why, but I seem to manage life better when I am super busy rather than having no obligations. One online course and simply attempting to mingle socially wasn't enough, and somehow I've arrived at a full schedule: volunteering at the kindergarten 20 hours a week, teaching English at Last School (the more progressive, original Auroville school) 3 days a week, and continuing with my course on research methods. But I think that all of these experiences are important ot my most recent question of interest, which focuses on the relationship between the "old timer Aurovilians" and the current youth. I intend to bring light to the relationship between Sri Aurobindo's socio-political philsophy, which includes a principle of conscious evolution for humans as well as a "divine anarchy" as the ideal, and the view of Auroville, what it is and what it ought to be, according to the older generation and the youth. Generational difference constitutes evolution, and seeing as Auroville is only 41 years old, the dialogue between these two groups could have a lot to say about the possiblity of a community that attempts to make possible the free, creative and conscious evolution of humanity into its spiritual ideal.
I recently finished reading Turning Points: An Inner Story of the Beginnings of Auroville. It was published in September 2008, and it tells the story of about 15 different pioneers of AV. It was lent to me by one of the earliest Aurovilians, and it is actually her testimony that I find most moving. During her conversation with the editor of the text, she says, “It was survival, but the fact is, it was a wonderful time. We were so full of faith. There we were all building the new world; what could be more fun? Of course we were immensely ignorant and naïve, but that was wonderful, we were engaging in what we felt was meaningful work...We were all so naive, we didn’t understand what the yoga involved: what a fundamental change had to take place...One of the strange things for me is: Here the Divine gives us a piece of land and says, ‘Build the divine city!’ Total freedom. Total freedom! We are the ones who very shortly said, ‘Hey, Christine! You shouldn’t do it like that!’ We can’t even hold that freedom” (77-78). From the conversations I have had with this woman, I know she is especially frustrated with the architects or planners of AV, which I have mentioned as those being behind the Master Plan in a previous entry. She sees them as being at odds with the residents of AV. For her, the city has to grow organically since there are already people here; there is no other way.
And growing organically seems to be behind a lot of AV's philosophy, most notably its philosophy of education. Much of the eduation here, and especially Last School, is labeled as "free progessive" education. As I have mentioned before, there are no exams (although they are optional in Future School, the more science based high school) and the students are encouraged to develop what is already there within them, whatever that may be. So for the past two days, I have attended the workshop for the opening of the term at Last School. There are only about 20-30 students at Last School (I hear Future School has 90-100). The workshop began with sitting in a circle, having time for concentration, and then introducing our names and saying a line about our self. Then we each recited a poem of our choice by memorization. Since I realized just one day before that I also was to be prepared with a poem, I found a lovely short poem by Langston Hughes to share, called "The Dream Keeper." I don' think I had to recite a poem by memorization since the 4th grade, and even then, it wasn't by free choice, but simply one poem that the entire class had to memorize.
After the poems were shared, we began with the art workshop, which involved lines and points. On Monday, we were allowed to use one paint brush, water, black ink and later one colored ink and paint only lines. We were supposed to be conscious of the most comfortable way for us to make lines (horizontally, vertically, right to left, left to right, top to bottom, etc) and control the width and spaces made by the lines. Today, we worked with points, influenced mostly by Aborigine art from Australia. We were given one primary color, another shade of that color, and white paint. The activity with the points was actually much more free.
The schedule for the term was also worked out during these two days. I will be teaching 12-14 year old kids English. Although they all speak simple English quite well, I am supposed to help them improve as much as I can. It's quite a challenge for me, seeing as I have never taught, but I am looking forward to it. We had our first class today, and I shared my lack of experience with the kids. I made sure that they understood that the class is there for them to get what they want, so we need to say in dialogue about where the class should go. I've got a few books to work with, but other than that I am basically winging it. Should be fun ;-) As for the other classes, most of the kids take French, Tamil, perhaps Literature or Indian Culture, History, Mathematics, Sankrit, and/or Art. They choose their class based on their interest, and there is no rule against a 13 year-old taking the same class as a 19-year-old, so long as the same level of commitment is there. And, kids are welcome to stay at Last School as long as they want. In fact, one of my friends is 20 and still attending.
So, as I said above, I have managed to make myself quite busy. But, I think it's really good for me. This project was not intended to be philosophical research; it was not meant to be purely based on theory and books. I wanted to be involved with the community, live in the community, and experience the community; and that is what I am doing. Although I may retire from these obligations after this term, which runs until January, so that I may concentrate a bit more on formal interviews and writing (more than my regular thoughts and reflections).
By the way, I bought my own motor bike for 22,000 Rs (450-500$). It's cheaper than renting all the time since I can sell it when I leave. It's a Yamaha 135cc. I love riding bikes ;-)
