VCIL Travel School 2019

Auroville

How was your experience of the Prerna programme in Auroville?

The time in Auroville was my most favorite of the whole trip. We are so grateful to all that we have received from the Prerna programme. We really appreciate your organizing and planning with lots of love and care. It was such an amazing and inspiring learning experience with diverse activities, interactions, reflections. 

What touched you the most?

It was the Silence Day with visiting Matrimandir, cycling in the forest and mindful dinner at Goyos. The whole day was so impressive to me, especially the precious and sacred time in Matrimandir. I felt connected to the Mother, the Universe, the Source, the deepest wellspring of inner peace. I felt embraced by Divine Love and that my prayer would be answered. I was so touched and my tears dropped when I hugged the big banyan tree there.

How helpful was the programme in your learning journey?

The programme is greatly helpful for me since I'm interested in and would like to do something on education for sustainability and moreover, spiritual development and psychic education in the future. I love the ideals of Integral Education and New Economy that Mother and Sri. Aurobindo developed. Reflecting on all the themes, I can "connect the dots", recognizing the interrelation among Education, Economics, Sustainability, Spirituality, seeing bigger picture and realizing the profound philosophy behind.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the Aurovillian people that we met and to the super cool organizing team. 

With Love,

Daisy

Gandhi Ashram (updated on 10.02.2021)

Only one day in Gandhi Ashram, and we’ve learned the big lesson of Love. 

After a long day travelling, we arrived in Ahmedabad late at night and were warmly welcomed for dinner at Sevas Cafe. It was amazing to learn about “gift culture” and to experience it firsthand here. The Cafe was one of Karma Kitchen - “Pay it forward” models, run totally by volunteers. There was no price for any food and drinks. Someone before had already paid for you, and it is up to you to pay how much as you wish for some other after. The volunteers treated us like brothers and sisters and made us feel at home. The energy there was full of love and goodwill. 

We’ve learned to open our hearts more and be able to trust others. 

We’ve learned that when our heart is full of love, service comes naturally and life becomes a service to others. 

As like attracts like, 

love attracts love, 

trust attracts trust, 

goodwill attracts goodwill. 

We’ve learned that love creates family and love expands. 

And from Gandhi, the beautiful and great soul of India, we’ve learned that activism should be rooted in love, not creating difference and separation. “My life is my message”, his famous saying inspires us to “live our messages.” 

How love can be the guidance?

How can we build the society on the base of love?

Ha Tien, Tet 2012

28.01.2012 (Mùng 6 Tết)

We went to Hà Tiên by motorbike, following the shortcut along the South-West border of the Vĩnh Tế channel. It was such a peaceful and enjoyable road!

Tịnh Biên - the town at the Cambodian border

On the way along Vĩnh Tế channel

White cranes

Our motorbike

The tree in Ha Tien

On the way to Ba Hòn, Hà Tiên

Hải Sơn pagoda ("Cave pagoda" or Chùa Hang)

Inside the cave

Forbidden Mountain, Chau Doc

27.01.2012 (Mùng 5 Tết)

We went by motorbike to the Forbidden mountain (núi Cấm), one of the 7 mountains in Thất Sơn region. 

Vạn Linh pagoda with big Laughing Buddha statue

Sam hill in Chau Doc, Tet 2012

I went to visit my sister Châu's hometown in Chau Doc for the rest of Tet holidays.

26.01.2012 (Mùng 4 Tết) 

Sam hill - Sunrise view from Long Sơn pagoda

We waked up early in the morning to climb up to the Sam hill for enjoying sunrise at Long Sơn pagoda.

After few minutes...

 

 Sunrise, view from Long Son pagoda

Drinking hot soyamilk in Vườn Tao Ngộ

 

The small pathway

Flowers on the edge

Tây An pagoda at the foot of Sam hill

Palmyra palm's fruits (Trái Thốt Nốt)

Phú Vinh hotel, where we have stayed for the time in Chau Doc. The owner of this hotel is Chau's friend, em Hòa.

Châu and Hòa

Crowed street in front of Bà Chúa Xứ Temple

Apricot blossom tree at the temple

Flowers and grapevine at Huỳnh Đạo pagoda

Thoại Ngọc Hầu shrine - Thoại Ngọc Hầu (1761-1829) was a general in Nguyễn dynasty. He demanded the construction of Vĩnh Tế channel, which is more than 87 km along the South-West border, connecting Chau Doc and Ha Tien. The channel was named after his wife, Madame Châu Thị Tế.

The gate to Vĩnh Tế shrine (Thoại Ngọc Hầu's wife temple)

Sam hill - Sunset view from Phước Sơn pagoda (Chùa Hang)

New moon and a bright star