Building Bridges at La Grace in 2026
by Binah Thillairajah
When I was invited to represent AVI USA at the La Grace Sri Aurobindo Integral Yoga Retreat, I welcomed the opportunity to share our work and connect with people interested in learning more about AVI USA and the work of our project partners.
Hosted by La Grace July 8-12 in Greenville, South Carolina, the annual retreat brings together people inspired by the vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother for several days of reflection, learning, and community. Over the course of the retreat, those conversations led to renewed friendships, new relationships, and a number of meaningful new connections.
During the retreat, I presented an introduction to AVI USA, sharing how AVI USA works alongside project partners and introducing our growing network of over 70 project partners in Auroville, across India, and globally. To help bring our work to life, I shared a short video about AVI USA, followed by several short films about the Matrimandir.
Together, they helped illustrate both the breadth of AVI USA’s work and the ideals that inspire many of our project partners.
For some participants, this was their first introduction to AVI USA’s work and our growing network of project partners. After the presentation, people came forward to share how deeply they had been moved and to ask questions about AVI USA and our project partners. Those conversations became an opportunity to introduce more people to AVI USA’s work, the impact of our project partners, and to learn more about the work and experiences of others.
The retreat also offered time to strengthen relationships across the wider Sri Aurobindo community. It was a pleasure to reconnect with friends from the Sri Aurobindo Center in Lodi and to meet members of the Los Angeles Center. We had wonderful conversations about AVI USA and our respective work, and I appreciated the opportunity to continue building new relationships.
I am deeply grateful to the organizers, speakers, volunteers, and everyone whose thoughtful planning and warm hospitality made the retreat such a meaningful experience.
I left the retreat deeply encouraged by renewed friendships, new relationships, and the genuine interest so many people expressed in AVI USA and our project partners. Those conversations reminded me that some of the strongest bridges are built simply by sharing our work and listening to others.
