There is a city in the south of India, inside the state of Tamil Nadu, known as Auroville. It considers itself a universal city, unattached to politics or religion. It is a city based on humanist ideals, encompassing twenty-five square kilometers. In 1966, UNESCO gave it attention by passing a resolution of commendation. One of the unique features of this city, at its core, is a fundamental belief in a divine consciousness. This core is not just figurative. It is also literal.

I mention this city because I came across a mysterious image in back of a travel magazine not too long ago.  The image was of the Matrimandir (literally translated as “temple of the mother”), a temple that sits at the very center of Auroville.

With so many things that I come across that intrigue me, I was led on a search to find out a little more about this city. Granted, I didn’t fly to India (though I wish I could have); instead, I did some digging over the internet and found the city’s website.

For me, there really isn’t intrigue in a city based on humanist ideals; after all, many cities have started out on such principles. What intrigued me most about Auroville was that photo of the Matrimandir and what could be inside of this city’s temple.

After reading some of the city’s website, I discovered that the temple is a place of personal meditation. It’s not a place where a priest (or priestess) gives a sermon. It’s not a place where one goes to chant, or ring bells, or smell incense, or listen to someone give a lesson on God. It is none of these things.

The inner chamber is a place with no decoration. It is a place where one goes to meditate and to discover his/her divine consciousness. It is a simple, unadorned room with a beam of sunlight focused on a crystal ball. The sunlight is directed onto the crystal throughout the day via computer. The idea behind this room is to meditate on the divine existing in each and every one of us.

Make no mistake, I’m not here to promote a religion or way of belief. Again, I came across an interesting picture in a travel magazine and decided to do some research of my own; what I found not only intrigued but inspired.

Copyright © Tyler Gant 2009
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