Program highlights
One coherent experience
The AUM Program for 2013 is conceived as one cohesive experience in which all the parts are connected, leading to:
A collective experience of the soul of America
- Each individual finding a unique soul relationship to this nation soul
- A collective sense of the true and beautiful soul of America moving forward into a more cohesive manifestation for the United States and the world
Therefore all participants, facilitators, and presenters are requested to be at the AUM for its entirety—starting with afternoon check-in on Thursday, June 20, followed by a 5:30 p.m. group dinner. The essential presentation of the AUM welcome, overview, and “getting to know each other” group participation will begin at 7 p.m
The following gives the overall flow of the program.
Thursday, June 20
On Thursday evening after the opening and a special blessing, the initiators of this AUM will share their inner vision for this meeting. Afterwards you will get a playful chance to see who else is there with you.
Friday, June 21
On Friday, the whole AUM group will stay together for a very full day
and optional evening program.
Morning
- Layers of the Heart: A group meditation and exploration of the Layers of the Heart, facilitated by Soleil Lithman. This session will offer personal experience and inner vision from which to discern the layers of a nation's outer expressions versus its true soul.
- The evolution of the nation soul: A slide presentation by Wolfgang Schmidt-Reinecke on the meaning of nation according to Sri Aurobindo and others; what nation healing looks like; and how this relates to the USA and Native American consciousness.
- Personal spiritual practice and the nation soul: A dynamic presentation on the relationship of the individual and the nation soul, by Ashesh Joshi.
- Gathering soul qualities and shadow aspects of the USA: An exploration through group processes of the various aspects of the USA—mental, vital, physical, and spiritual—in positive and shadow aspects. Results will be used as a basis for Sunday's program.
Afternoon
- Spiritual ecology—All our relations and world peace: A presentation by Native American professor and elder David West.
Solstic ceremony: A Native ceremony celebrating our connection to earth and sky by Woman Stands Shining (Pat McCabe) at a sacred spring at the conference site.
- Breakout sessions will include a deep guided meditation with drum by Woman Stands Shining, energy flow yoga with Sue Valentine, and relaxation in the pool or spa.
Evening
- World Cafe: Dinner tables will be marked with specific topics connected with the various topics of the day to give participants a chance to further discuss what they have learned or experienced.
- Russian bells: Vera Lipen, a Russian from Auroville, will lead us with the music of Russian bells for a fun and lively evening program.
Evening program on Auroville: This session will include a half-hour film introducing Auroville, a brief overview of Auroville and the International Zone by B Sullivan, a film on the Matrimandir, and a question-and-answer panel with representatives from Auroville. Breakouts will include small-group discussions on Aurovile and a film on the spiritual significance of flowers according to the Mother, narrated and produced by an Aurovilian.
Saturday, June 22
Morning
Plenary session
- Roots of American democracy in the Iroquois tradition: An introduction to local Native history and the contribution of Native people to the U.S. Constitution.
- Science of right relations—Place: A Native American's sense of our pact with Mother Earth, by Woman Stands Shining.
Breakout sessions
Aspects of the Divine Mother: An exploration of aspects of the Divine Mother both from a Native American and an Integral Yoga perspective, including introduction, meditation, art, and group sharing.
- Introduction to Integral Yoga: A session led by Ashesh.
Afternoon
Plenary session
- Popular culture and the American soul: A lively portrayal of the American soul through popular culture by Michael Miovic.
Breakout sessions
- Continuation session with Michael Miovic
Sacred animal communication: A presentation and meditation on the connection between animals' divine essence, wisdom, and connection with the soul of America, by Barbara Shor.
- Centers meeting: An opportunity for Auroville International centers and Integral Yoga centers in the USA to give a brief account of their regular activities and latest projects and to provide interested participants a chance to find out if they want to become involved.
Additional breakout sessions and free time later in the afternoon:
Walking tour: A guided walking tour of the Ashland Plaza, Shakespeare Theater, and Lithia Park. (Participants will have a chance to drink the Lithium water, which tastes terrible but supposedly can cure anything!).
- Energy flow yoga: Awareness of the energy within through asanas, breath, and focus with Sue Valentine.
- WellSprings spa and pool: A chance to enjoy the naturally warm, spring-fed mineral soaking pool and Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Evening
- World Cafe: Dinner again will have “World Cafe” tables.
- Russian bells: Vera will center us again with the musical enchantment of Russian bells before the evening program.
- An evening of music: Offerings will include Native American flute music from Nancy Bloom and a concert by acclaimed Auroville musicians Nadaka and Gopika.
- Later evening breakout choices will include the chance to move and dance to music or to watch a film of sacred stories in cooperation with Native American and Canadian tribes.
Sunday, June 23
Morning
Our whole group will be together.
Exercises and sharing: Movement and dyad exercises led by Wolfgang and Soleil to help participants feel the positive qualities of America, bring these qualities into the inner heart center, and discover one's soul relationship with the USA. An opportunity to share these discoveries in small groups.
- Plenary session: A group summary and closing ceremony focused on true steps for a fulfillment of nationality and destiny within a peaceful progressive human unity of all nations. The ceremony will include reading of a prepared statement of what we would like to go out from AUM to our local, state, and national government.
- Final lunch and good-byes
Afternoon
- AVI-USA meeting: Annual meeting of Auroville International USA.
- Post-conference mantra and bhajan workshop by Nadaka and Gopika in the Casbah tent
Monday, June 24
Post-conference workshop with Woman Stands Shining at the Unitarian Fellowship Center in Ashland, OR.