journal d'une transition

1311

*An appeal to the Residents of Auroville, by the Matrimandir Workers Team, 28-9-2002:

“31-10-72 Harmony Good will Discipline Truth I can work with you only if you do not say a lie and are at the service of Truth Mother” We, the Matrimandir Workers Team, reject completely the proposed process of electing the management for Matrimandir. As a precedent for resolving disputes or for creating management groups in Auroville, this process of voting leads to manipulation, politicisation and chaos. A dangerous trend is being started in Auroville of removing and excluding people due to intolerance of differing perceptions and personal dislikes, rather than sincerely attempting to address issues at hand and to resolve them through harmonious dialogue and interaction. The bid to change the present management in Matrimandir seeks precisely to impose the wishes of a certain faction, rather than sincerely addressing the issue at hand. The true issue at hand is not the management but the need for a clear consensus within all the residents regarding design directions for the completion of the Matrimandir Peace Area – Park/Outer Gardens, Lake, and Inner Gardens – according to the Mother’s vision. A thoroughly researched proposal regarding the entire Peace Area has been presented to the Governing Board and all the residents by Paolo and the Matrimandir Workers Team. We believe it reflects faithfully the Mother’s vision of the park and gardens with all their various significances, instead of reducing the gardens to a series of symbolic plots with practically no park. We maintain that the Peace Area should not be designed just as a mere city centre like many others all over the world, but given a special attention so that it reflects the soul of Auroville. We sincerely hope that the collectivity of Auroville would perceive the truth of these serious issues raised by the Matrimandir Workers Team.” Not many of us were left who had been present from the beginning of the construction of Matrimandir, and for the majority of people, the various claims now held forth were rather confusing. There were many too who could not help doubting our motivations, thinking that perhaps, as our detractors were wont to say, we were merely clinging to our seats and using the debate over the physical environment of Matrimandir as a justification to ward off contenders to our cherished positions. This text was prepared as much for the purpose of situating the debate in its historical perspective for those of us who had joined Auroville only later, as for that of attempting to share in the community at large the significance of the issue for the future of Auroville. “AN APPEAL To the residents of Auroville: Note: I drafted, soon after, a fairly complete historical of the issue. This text was circulated on behalf of our team.