Green Acres

AgniJata (Katia) came to Auroville from Russia with her two children and has been an Aurovilian for the past 20 years. She writes: ‘Auroville for me is the place of intense growth and transformation in the loving hands of the Divine Mother. The challenging and interesting process of inner growth here is reflected in the fast changes in matter. I came here in 2004 to participate in this divine-human-material experiment and I have never been disappointed. It was hard, even painful sometimes, but each time the light found behind the darkness confirmed that this is the right choice for me – to be an Aurovilian.’

Connecting the Dots – by Toby

The Mother’s New Year messages provide a sense of what is at stake with each new annual cycle. Here is a compilation of all of The Mother’s messages that she gave over the 40 years from 1933 till 1973. They are messages of guidance and direction in general, but they are also revealing in the context of the historical happenings at every new date. In 1933, the beginnings of the upcoming new World War were taking shape. Her messages in the 1940’s, ‘50s and ’60’s are in the context of the deep changes in world power relations and the menace of new wars. Her words remind us of the rôle that we humans hold and the need for our consecration and sincerity.

We are very pleased to start our Art for Land series of articles ‘Conversation with an Artist’ with this sharing by Auroville artist Pierre Legrand. In it, Pierre presents his unique path of creation, intersecting art with the spiritual. Starting with his creative tinkerings as a child, through his studies in Paris, his exhibitions in Europe and India, Pierre provides insights into his artistic research including the invention of his ‘alphabet’ and his discovery of ‘the little things’. The past year has been one of an unexpected harvest in his evolving creative sea. Speaking about his voyage – he says: ‘The first image which comes to my mind is that of Colombus in the middle of the Atlantic being asked about his journey. What could he say ?…’

Every year, we derive much joy in creating a meaningful New Year’s greeting card with striking photos and quotes. This year’s beautiful card is available free of charge in Auroville’s Town Hall lobby and at the Visitors Centre Information Service. If you would like to receive the printed version of this card by post, please write to us at  lfau@auroville.org.in  We would be happy if you could share it widely with friends and supporters. We thank all the photographers – present and past – whose images adorn our card. May 2026 prove to be a year of further progress on the sunlit path, for us all, for Auroville and for its completed and unified material land base!

On this auspicious occasion of 24th November, which represents a special place in the evolutionary yoga of Sri Aurobindo & the Mother, we are happy to present to you yet another issue of our quarterly newsletter. It represents our hope for and commitment to the building and protecting of an integral, unified physical base for Auroville. In the 12 years of the ‘Acres for Auroville’ campaign, together with you, we have made significant progress towards this goal, and your goodwill and collaboration are at the root of this ongoing growth. Our newsletter is one of the means through which we respond to your encouraging support!

Anandi Zhang was born in China. A traveler at heart, she first discovered Auroville in 2014 and chose to belong to it even before setting foot here. Her love of Nature, encounters with human nature, and her aspiration to align with the Divine find expression through her poetry, stories, design, healing work, education, theatre, and more. Reconciling the dichotomies that shape human life, her process of integral growth is moulding an inner home within her. Auroville, she feels, is a home for wandering souls. This article shares the depth and creative expressions of Anandi’s path.

In Lalit’s over 25 years in Auroville, the township became both his teacher and mirror – a lifelong living curriculum through experience, churning, silence, service, and collective aspiration. Through his work in planning, youth engagement, bioregional collaboration, and institutional evolution, he now sees work as yoga, planning as consciousness, and community life as ongoing inner education. In this second and concluding article, Lalit shares his vision for personal and collective growth, and inner and outer sustainability for the next phase of Auroville’s manifestation,

The photo of John on the in-construction Matrimandir, ‘captures’ part of John’s life – using a word he privileged, for he viewed photography as ‘capturing life’. Recently, a part of his immense work was honored at the exhibition ‘Capturing Life’ organised by Auroville’s Prisma Unit and held at Citadines’s Centre d’Art this past August. We are happy to share some glimpses of this photo commemoration for those who could not attend, along with the videos made of his work by Arnab Chowdhury of ‘Know Your Rhythm’. John Mandeen left for his onward journey on 7th July 2024.