Sri Aurobindo - An Introduction
In May 1908, Sri
Aurobindo was imprisoned for one year on charges of sedition,
whereupon he began an intensive study of the  Bhagavad
Gita and underwent a spiritual transformation. After his release
from prison, Sri Aurobindo went to the French colony of Pondicherry, in
South India, where he devoted himself completely to the study and practice
of Yoga. While in Pondicherry, his writings on "Integral Yoga"
and philosophy became increasingly popular, and followers from all over
the world flocked to his ashram.
On November 24, 1926, Sri Aurobindo experienced "The Day of Siddhi," where the overmental consciousness (Krishna) descended into the physical, and he retired to concentrate on his sadhana (spiritual practice). Mira Alfassa, a French woman and his most devoted follower, who was known as "the Mother," assumed the running of the ashram and the spiritual studies. In 1950 Sri Aurobindo died, and The Mother acted as the temporal head of the ashram and the international spiritual community "Auroville" until her death in 1973.
Today Sri Aurobindo's teachings are considered classic to spiritual seekers, and study centers are active throughout the United States and abroad. Moreover, Auroville, near Pondicherry in south India, is the sight of numerous reforestation and other community projects, and is one of the most popular stops for spiritual seekers traveling in India.
Sri Aurobindo's spiritual premise is that life is a field for the evolution
of spirit involved in mind, life, and matter.
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