First June Reunion in Lodi, California
Even though the official deadline to RSVP has passed, we
are not at full capacity, and you can still join us by emailing
us at reunion_west@aviusa.org.
At the Sri Aurobindo Sadhana Peetham, the rules of the
Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry apply. So while we are
at the site, no smoking, no drinking, no sex, and no politics!
Remember and Offer.
Invitation Postcard:
5/7/2004
Dear Friend of Auroville,
You and your Auro-friends west of the Rockies are
invited to an AuroFamily Reunion on June 5th and 6th!
Let’s come together and generate some positive
energy in the face of recent headlines in AV and around
the world. We'll work and play and reconnect with
Auroville and each other again. We are calling this
event the June First Reunion in honor of our treasured
friend June
Maher.
The Sri
Aurobindo Sadhana Peetham (SASP) ashram in Lodi,
CA, has graciously offered to host the gathering.
Bring your tent and/ or a sleeping bag and a bathing
suit. If you need to sleep indoors there is some space
at the Ashram and at some peoples’ homes. In
addition, there are a number of inexpensive motels
nearby. A $20 contribution towards food for the two
days will be appreciated.
We need an RSVP by May 20th, 2004 so that we can
organize this event. Please email us at reunion_west@aviusa.org,
or call at (831) 425-5620 to let us know if you'll
attend. You'll be sent more info after you express
interest.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
AVI-USA & SASP |
Reunion Program:
Getting
together, Working together…
An Auroville focused Auro-folks gathering!
at Sri Aurobindo Sadhana Peetham in Lodi, CA
Hopefully the first of an unending
series of “Auro-Family Reunions” all over
the States.
Saturday and Sunday, June 5th and
6th, 2004
People are welcome to come Friday
evening, and camp out, in order to be able to start
at 9.00 am sharp.
Proposed Schedule
Open to suggestions, contact Ed
(415) 518 6320 cell, or (707) 762 0709 |
| SATURDAY |
| 9.00 |
Opening: Meditation around the Symbol Garden, with
Joy’s Music
Introduction: welcome
orientation to karma yoga, jobs available
honoring June: this is, among other things, a first
“June Festival” (although she won’t
be able to make it, we will honor her in absentia) |
| 9.30 |
Work begins: Possible Jobs, facilitated by Ashram
residents:
- Raising the barn roof
- Digging holes for June’s Tree and Sacred
Grove
- Cleaning up and organizing materials in the barn
- Putting up the back fence
- Dismantling the old shed
- Dismantling the ancient solar system
- Gathering and stacking metal, wood, stuff lying
around for recycling or dumping
- Kitchen – making and serving tea, preparing
lunches, supper and breakfast
- Arranging the picnic area for meals, Cleanup
after meals.
- Child watching
|
| 11.00 |
Tea and snacks, delivered to work sites |
| 1.30 |
Clean up work sites, put tools away, jump in the pool!
|
| 2.00 |
Lunch, served under the trees near the pool |
| 3.00 |
Gather under the trees for a sharing circle (facilitated
sharing about our deeper connections with Mother’s
Dream of Auroville and its meaning in our lives), |
| 5.00 |
Play : swimming pool, badminton (or tennis, horseshoes
or basketball), games. Pitch tents, etc. |
| 6.30 |
Re-Gather under the trees: reflect on our day, possible
futures. Plant a Tree in honor of June |
| 7.30 |
Supper |
| 8.30 |
Clean up (washing dishes, putting back picnic tables
etc.) |
| 9.00 |
Quiet time in the Meditation Room, or out around a
fire (?) Read the Dream, meditate to music |
SUNDAY
to be decided Yoga, meditation or
whatever |
| 7.30 |
Breakfast by the pool. |
| 9.00 |
Reconvene under the trees, Possibilities: plant June’s
“Sacred Grove”, excursion, continue with
work, more sharing circles, etc. etc. |
| 1.00 |
Lunch |
| 2.00 |
Final meet, Evaluation, Plans for the Future, |
| 4.00 |
Depart |
| |
Swimming Pool open all day, showers available, bring
towel and swimsuit. |
| At the Sri Aurobindo
Sadhana Peetham, the rules of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram
in Pondicherry apply. So while we are at the site,
no smoking, no drinking, no sex, and no politics!
Remember and Offer. |
About Sri Aurobindo Sadhana Peetham
Welcome to Sri Aurobindo Sadhana Peetham:
This small ashram, established in Lodi in l995, aims
to provide a place for those who, in the Mother's words,
"wish to serve the Divine" and offer themselves
in all their parts and activities in a collective sadhana,
in a place where food, shelter, simple basic necessities,
and a field of work are provided for this purpose. Six
people are currently living here on three acres in the
midst of agricultural fields. There is a small garden
and the office for the Ayurvedic import business that
supports the ashram.
You can take a look at the SASP
website,
How to get here:
Do not use online mapping software - for this
address, they are guaranteed to get you lost.
The Ashram is located on 2621 West Highway 12, set way
back on the north side of the road.
Coming on Rt. 5, get off at the Lodi exit and turn east
toward Lodi on Highway 12 for about 2 miles. You’ll
see the “Mt. Moriah Produce Stand” on the
left, and immediately beside a small sign with the number
“2621” pointing the way up the long driveway,
at the end of which is the Ashram. (Mapquest and Yahoo
maps are WRONG, they will tell you to turn away from Lodi
– then you’ll be going away from the Ashram.)
Same for coming on Rt.99, get off at Lodi exit and go
west on Highway 12 (Kettleman Lane) through Lodi and out
the other side, til you see the Mt. Moriah Stand on the
right. The driveway is just before the stand.
Accommodation:
There are some places to sleep in the main house; we’ll
be sharing rooms with mattresses on the floor in most
cases. There are plenty of places to pitch tents under
trees. Be sure to bring a tent with you if you have one
(even if it’s only for others to use), or even a
camping RV if possible. The weather is chilly in the evening
and hot during the day. We have four toilets with showers,
but essentially we’ll be roughing it, and also because
there are strict rules here that men and women sleep separately,
some people may find it more convenient to stay at one
of the nearby (15 minutes away) motels. If you want us
to help book for you, we can. Or you can check out the
Lodi City website and book yourself according to your
taste, and availability of rooms. Also, both Jack &
Mary and Puja have offered their houses in Sacramento
for over-nighting.
What to Bring:
- Good cheer, big smiles, high energy, open attitude.
- Tents, camping gear (mattresses, pillows, sleeping
bags, flashlights, etc.)
- Work clothes, work shoes/boots
- Swimsuits and sweaters
- Towel and requisite toiletries
- Some ideas for how we can enjoy the Auro-Family more
- Some remembrances of Auroville
- $20 contribution for food.
|
