A letter from 2023 acknowledges that much needs to be done to achieve the founding ideals, and at the same time noting that force, coercion, and threats are not in the spirit of Auroville.
Written November 2022
Since the beginning of the present crisis in Auroville I have not been one to speak out much. I have, however, listened, deeply and attentively, to the myriad of voices, inner and outer, that have expressed thoughts, ideas, and much pain resulting from the turmoil we have faced within our community of late.
Yes, as a community we still have a long way to go to realise Mother’s dream and the ideals for Auroville. Yes, there are certain elements within the community which are not in line with these ideals, yet as a community attempting to realise a divine anarchy, I believe there are forces and divine protections which are dealing with these elements and guiding them towards a reconciliation with the true ideals of Auroville. This requires trust in the process. And these processes need time and patience. They cannot be forced or coerced. This is not in the spirit of Auroville.
There are many elements of our functioning that can be improved. Many of us acknowledge that the current crisis has been a wake-up call to re-organise, reinvest ourselves and work harder. But in order to continue to do so, we need to be united. We need a Governing Board that can support us in our work and acknowledge this good-will, not scorn us for not being spiritual enough and having to make money to feed our children.
If our community is to continue to develop a system of divine anarchy, of self and participatory governance, there needs to be collaboration and mutual support between the three bodies making up this unique system – the Residents’ Assembly, the Governing Board, and the International Advisory Council. With this division between the three, how can creative ideas be shared and how can harmony be reinstalled in Auroville?
We are here to create something new. Something that has never been attempted before. Something inspiring and beautiful. None of this can manifest out of disharmony, division, and lack of trust. The fear-based, scolding and threatening approach that many experienced through can yield none of the values that Auroville is here to manifest.
By anonymous
A letter to the Chairman of the Governing Board, Auroville Foundation
November 2022