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What is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and what is its purpose?

The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a spiritual community located in the city of Pondicherry, India. It was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and his spiritual partner, known as The Mother. The ashram is a place for individuals to come and live a spiritual life, dedicated to the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.

The purpose of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram is to provide a space for individuals to deepen their spiritual practice and connect with the divine. Sri Aurobindo's teachings emphasize the concept of integral yoga, which aims to harmonize all aspects of one's being - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual - in order to achieve a higher state of consciousness.

The ashram offers a variety of activities and services to support this spiritual journey. These include daily meditations, yoga classes, study groups, and workshops on various spiritual topics. The ashram also has a library, a publishing house, and a school for children, all dedicated to spreading Sri Aurobindo's teachings.

One of the unique aspects of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram is its emphasis on community living. The residents of the ashram, known as "ashramites," live and work together in a spirit of collaboration and service. This communal living allows individuals to learn from and support each other in their spiritual growth.

The ashram also serves as a center for social and humanitarian work. It runs various outreach programs in the surrounding communities, providing education, healthcare, and other services to those in need. This aligns with Sri Aurobindo's belief in the importance of using one's spiritual practice to bring about positive change in the world.

Overall, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram serves as a sanctuary for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Its purpose is to guide individuals on their spiritual journey and help them realize their full potential as conscious beings. As Sri Aurobindo himself said, "The ashram is a place where one can live a life of true dedication, of true aspiration, of true surrender to the Divine."