Sri Aurobindo

Letters on Himself and the Ashram

The Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo. Volume 35

Admission, Staying, Departure

Not a School or Teaching Institution [7]

I wish to get all the information about the sadhak-Asrama in regard to the following matters:

1. The method of instruction.

No “instruction” given. It is an Asram for spiritual life and the only method is to open to the divine influence and live and work for the Divine.

2. The students living there.

There are no students, only disciples who give their lives and all they have to the Asram and its spiritual aim and in return are maintained by the Asram.

3. The terms of joining the Asrama.

Only those who are already disciples can join and among them only those who are chosen by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.

4. Is the person free to communicate with friends and relatives?

If he wants, but the less he does so, the better for his Yoga.

5. Is the Asrama free from politics?

Entirely.

6. What language is spoken prominently in the Asrama?

English, French, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi — the sadhaks being of these nationalities.

7. Is the whole teaching based perfectly upon Hinduism?

No sectarian religion is the basis; orthodox Hinduism and its caste rules are not followed; but the spiritual Truth recognised here is in consonance with the Vedas, Upanishads and Gita while not limited by any Scripture.

5 September 1930