Organisation
Q: Does the construction of Auroville require a working-method, organisation and co-ordination?
Discipline is necessary for life. To live, the body itself is subject in all its functions to a rigorous discipline. Any relaxation of this discipline causes illness.
Q: What should be the nature of this organisation, in the present and in the future?
Organisation is a discipline of action, but for Auroville, we aspire to go beyond arbitrary and artificial organisations.
We want an organisation which is the expression of a higher consciousness working to manifest the truth of the future.
Q: Until this group consciousness appears, and until we can work collectively in the true and right way, what should we do?
A hierarchical organisation grouped around the most enlightened centre and obeying a collective discipline.
Q: Must we use organisational methods which have proved effective but which are based on human logic and the use of machines?
This is a makeshift which we should tolerate only very temporarily.
Q: Must one allow individual initiative to manifest freely and inspiration and intuition to be the moving force behind personal action, and should one reject all ideas not felt as good by the interested party?
In order to be workable, this requires all workers of Auroville to be yogis conscious of the Divine Truth.
Q: Has the time come to wish for, to set up, to try for a general organisation, or should one wait for the right attitude and men?
An organisation is needed for the work to be done—but the organisation itself must be flexible and progressive.
Q: If to wait is the solution, nevertheless it is necessary to define organisational principles and to avoid uncontrollable disorder?
All those who wish to live and work at Auroville must have an integral goodwill; a constant aspiration to know the Truth and to submit to it; enough plasticity to confront the exigencies of work and an endless will to progress so as to move forward towards the ultimate Truth.
And, finally, a word of advice: be more concerned with your own faults than with those of others. If each one worked seriously at his own self-perfection, the perfection of the whole would follow automatically.
+6.2.1969
* At Auroville nothing belongs to anyone in particular. All is collective property. To be utilised with my blessings for the welfare of all.
14.5.1970*
*
Q: In Auroville “all is collective property”. Does this mean that everything can be used by everyone? Or should things be given only to those who treat them well?
I have also noticed that delicate pieces of equipment become attached to one person and do not work well if they are lent to others.
All this implies a consciousness which is not very widespread on earth.
This does not mean that things should be given to people who do not know how to use them.
What is needed to administer Auroville is a consciousness free from all conventions and conscious of the supramental Truth. I am still waiting for someone like that. Each one must do his best to achieve that.
15.7.1970
*
To the inhabitants of Auroville
Only those who have resolved to stay in Auroville for good have the right to intervene in its organisation.
22.1.1971
*
All that I have to say for Auroville henceforth shall be put in writing and signed by me.
15.2.1971*
*
Q: Three years ago, you said:
“I have been asked what the rules are for life in Auroville.
Thank God, as yet there are none.
As long as there are none, there is hope.”
In July, again you were telling the young people of Aspiration, “I do not want to make rules for Auroville as I did for the Ashram.” But recently you wrote “Drugs are prohibited in Auroville.” Has there been a change in your vision of Auroville?
Perhaps Aurovilians have not attained the level of consciousness that is expected of them.
4.3.1971
*
Matters concerning Auroville and Aurovilians must always be handled in consultation with Shyam Sunder to whom I have entrusted the responsibility for Auroville.
8.2.1973
*
Auroville is not a place for politics; no politics must be done in Auroville and in the offices of Auroville.
15.2.1973*
*
Auroville is still in the state of elaboration, and those who want to remain here have to collaborate in its erection according to the plans made and to be made, approved by me and signed by Shyam Sunder.
4.3.1973*
Matrimandir Construction
Q: For the construction of the Matrimandir, will only Aurovilians do the work or will there also be hired workers and other people of good will?
It is preferable that the work be organised without paid labour so that it is sure to continue in all circumstances.
16.2.1971
*
As we are in a period of construction, it is imperative that the Aurovilians who live at the Centre work on the construction of the Matrimandir.
Those who do not want to work on the Matrimandir should not live at the Centre.
10.4.1971 * The safety and strength of the construction should come before personal questions.
20.10.1971 *
Q: Can you give some general ideas on the manner in which you want the Matrimandir to be built, so that, our doubts resolved, we may build with light and confident hearts?
Strength, safety, durability, harmonious balance.
The foundations are especially important and should be done by experts.
There is room for everyone of good will, and for those who want in all sincerity and simplicity to offer their work, there is enough to keep them usefully occupied.
3.11.1971
Each one has good reasons to support his own opinion, and I am no expert to judge between them.
But from the spiritual point of view I know that with true good will all opinions can be harmonised in a more comprehensive and truer solution. This is what I expect from the workers of Auroville. Not that some give way to others, but that on the contrary all should combine their efforts to achieve a more comprehensive and perfect result.
The ideal of Auroville demands this progress — don't you want to make it?
14.11.1971
*
Harmony
Good will
Discipline
Truth
I can work with you only if you do not say a lie and are at the service of Truth.
31.10.1972*