Evolutionary inquiry with Savitra
The AUM 2015 keynote speaker on Friday, August 20, will be Alan Sasha Lithman, a pioneer in Auroville known as Savitra. He will also give a workshop.
Savitra today |
Savitra in Auroville |
Keynote presentation: "Viva la evolution!"
“I invite you to the Great Adventure,” the Mother said in 1957. In that spirit of adventure, evolutionary inquiry, and living research, this presentation explores the evolution of Sri Aurobindo and Mother’s yoga since their passing. For so much has changed in the world since then—so many breakthroughs in human awareness, technology, and communication media; yet so many breakdowns and self-inflicted crises (global warming, terrorism, socio-economic polarization / inequality, environmental destruction, natural resource overconsumption …)
In light of this unprecedented evolutionary force of change shaking the foundations of human consciousness and civilization, over-stressing ecosystems and nervous systems, challenging the sustainability of our planet and our species, how has the Integral Yoga community evolved to meet it? And if the Mother and Sri Aurobindo were here now, what would they say to us? And what would we say to them?
Workshop: "Evolutionary intensive: An interactive dialogue and group practice"
This workshop is a follow-up to "Viva la evolution!". It invites participants to dive into the questions, issues, and subject matter raised in the presentation. The format is more dialogical, interactive, and experiential, exploring outside-the-box concepts from an evolutionary rather than a historical perspective. The intent is to spark new ideas and generate new ways of looking at old problems, especially as we face the challenging times ahead. This workshop is also designed to foster a deeper experience of real-time community by identifying qualities of leadership that empower individuals in a creative process where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
About Savitra
Savitra received his name from the Mother, who also accepted him into Auroville. During his AV residency (1969–1990), he helped establish the initial organization, internal communications, and outreach; taught in the first school; worked at Matrimandir from its foundation; received a written message from Mother in 1971 to serve as her liaison to the States; documented AV's emerging development; spearheaded AV's afforestation program, getting its initial grant from the Whole Earth Catalog Foundation; bridged collaborations with American universities, research institutes, and NGOs; received endorsements from international figures such as anthropologist Margaret Mead, Esalen founder Michael Murphy, environmental elder David Brower et al; and initiated "PeaceTrees,” a 1988 USSR-America-India youth exchange in AV (co-organized with EarthStewards Network).
Savitra has written numerous articles and books, including An Evolutionary Agenda for the Third Millennium (published by White Cloud Press, 2003) and A Trust for the Earth (published by Waterfront Digital Press, San Diego, 2014). Presently he is serving as co-editor and administrator of the Facebook page for Occupy Love, the 2012 award-winning documentary film (seen by millions with a current Facebook following of over 57,000 “friends”).
An Evolutionary Agenda for the Third Millennium
A Trust for the Earth |
