In the serene and spiritually enriched community of Auroville, the pursuit of integral health is more than a physical journey; it’s a harmonious alignment of mind, body, and spirit. Rooted in the profound teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, Auroville serves as a beacon of holistic well-being and spiritual evolution. In this article, we delve into the concept of integral health in Auroville, exploring how it seeks to achieve perfect balance and peace across all aspects of life.
Integral Health: A Vision
Integral health, as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, extends far beyond the conventional notions of well-being. It is a comprehensive state that encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. It embodies the aspiration for perfection, wholeness, and alignment with the divine.
The foundation of this vision is articulated in a series of profound passages penned by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. These passages outline the multifaceted aspects of integral health, which include perfect consciousness, omniscient knowledge, invincible power, unwavering health, eternal youth, beauty, wealth, healing, immunity, and more. These facets serve as guiding stars, leading individuals toward a state of completeness where they are the perfect instruments of the Divine.
The Integral Yoga Path
Integral health in Auroville is intrinsically connected to the path of Integral Yoga. Integral Yoga is not about retreat from the world but an active engagement with it while maintaining a consciousness of the divine presence in every aspect of life. It emphasizes the unity of all activities and the integration of the mind, heart, and will in the pursuit of spiritual realization.
Aurovilians choose their work in the community based on their nature, but the core principle is to perform their tasks in a spirit of service and unselfishness, always with the aim of integral transformation. This means that every activity, whether it’s gardening, art, education, or any other endeavor, is a means to grow spiritually and contribute to the collective well-being.
The Role of Physical Health
Physical health plays a pivotal role in the integral well-being of Aurovilians. The practice of yoga, including various postures (asanas), helps individuals achieve robust health, prolonged youthfulness, and extraordinary vitality. It goes beyond ordinary fitness routines and aims to release the body from the constraints of ordinary physical nature.
Moreover, Auroville places great emphasis on the importance of a balanced and disciplined lifestyle. This includes diet, exercise, and outdoor activities that promote vitality. Aurovilians learn to respect their bodies, treating them as instruments for spiritual growth and divine expression.
Detachment and Purity
Integral health is not solely about the physical body; it extends to the purification of the mind and emotions. Detachment from the ordinary desires and cravings of the body is essential for spiritual growth. This detachment is coupled with an attitude of indifference to the fluctuations of the body, whether it’s health or illness, comfort or discomfort.
Purity is another cornerstone of integral health. To achieve purity in the cells, one must conquer desires and cultivate a state of inner cleanliness. It is this purity that acts as a conduit for the divine to manifest within the individual.
Auroville’s Message for the World
Auroville serves as an inspiring model for the world, offering a path to integral health that encompasses the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of life. It demonstrates that by aligning with the divine purpose, individuals can experience perfect harmony and well-being in all aspects of their existence.
In the pursuit of integral health, Auroville reminds us that we are not separate from the world but are integral parts of it. By living in a conscious and harmonious way, we can not only transform ourselves but also contribute to the transformation of the world into a better place for all. This is the integral message of Auroville, where the quest for integral health is intrinsically connected to the evolution of human consciousness towards a greater divine realization and lasting peace.
