GENESIS
SAIEN began from the need to come together to celebrate Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birth anniversary and create something of permanence which would be a tribute to him. It was felt by several centres which came together to actively work this out namely, representatives from Sri Aurobindo Ashram Pondicherry, Auroville, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi branch, Sri Aurobindo Society, The Gnostic Centre, Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture, Kolkata, Institute of Human Study, Hyderabad, Auro University etc. that one of the best ways of paying homage to Sri Aurobindo would be to collaborate with each other to create a global educational institution in His name which would embody his work and knowledge. To that end scores of meetings took place in 2021, which culminated in a draft bill called the Sri Aurobindo International Multiversity. This draft bill is presently with the Ministry of Education.
However when we all came together we realised that we should not be dependent on government sanction/accreditation etc, and we should start our work and build our core strengths, relationships and collaborations and this resulted in the formation of the Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Network which was inaugurated on 22nd Feb 2022 with the active participation of several International centres, out of whom La Grace, Institute for Holistic Education, Centro Sri Aurobindo e Mère, Auromira Centre UK, etc. joined the Core group of SAIEN.
What is noteworthy about SAIEN is the mantra we began with of putting aside our institutional and personal egos for a greater good, and to form a collaborative network of centres world-wide. This is by itself a remarkable effort, which will no doubt have its ripple effects in world affairs….
While we are building SAIEN – new website, new platform, directory, programs and collaborations, it is this attitude of self-giving which will create a subtle vibrational resonance for something extraordinary to manifest… a force multiplier.
As the Mother has commented in her conversations that no effort to rise above personal ego and preferences go wasted… and more so when this effort is toward creating a world-wide collaborative network of Sri Aurobindo ashrams, institutions, centres, scholars, individuals on this important and auspicious 150th anniversary year. If we can consciously put aside some time to offer our efforts and work toward manifesting SAIEN it will be a great Victory over our ordinary human nature and thus something that would be truly worth doing as a homage and tribute to Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.