The Mother
In each world, in each being, in each thing, in each atom is the Divine Presence, and it is man’s mission to manifest it. – The Mother
Mirra Alfassa: The Mother and Her Spiritual Legacy
Mirra Alfassa, known as The Mother or La Mère, was a French-Indian spiritual teacher, occultist, and yoga instructor. She was a close collaborator of Sri Aurobindo, who esteemed her as his equal in yogic attainment and called her “The Mother.” She played a significant role in founding the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and establishing the town of Auroville, both dedicated to the practice and dissemination of Integral Yoga.
Early Life and Spiritual Quest
Born on February 21, 1878, in Paris to a Sephardi Jewish family originally from Turkey, Mirra demonstrated an early inclination toward spirituality and the arts. Her spiritual journey took her to Algeria, where she studied occultism with Max Théon. Upon returning to Paris, she guided a group of spiritual seekers before traveling to Pondicherry, India, in 1914. There, she met Sri Aurobindo, whom she recognized from her visions and called Krishna. Together, they worked on the periodical Arya, which featured Sri Aurobindo’s writings.
Auroville: A Vision of Human Unity
Auroville, founded by The Mother in 1968, is an experimental township in South India dedicated to the ideals of human unity and sustainable living. Conceived as a universal city where people from all over the world could live in harmony, Auroville aims to transcend political, religious, and national boundaries. The township is designed to be a place of unending education and constant progress, fostering a spirit of international understanding and peaceful coexistence. At its heart lies the Matrimandir, a symbol of the Divine’s answer to humanity’s aspiration for perfection. Auroville’s community, consisting of individuals from over 50 countries, collaborates on various innovative projects in renewable energy, organic farming, education, and social entrepreneurship, striving to create a model of sustainable and conscious living.
The Mother’s Lasting Impact
The mother passed away on November 17, 1973, in Pondicherry. Her life and teachings continue to inspire many, documented extensively in the 13-volume series “Mother’s Agenda” by her follower, Satprem.
Childhood and Early Experiences
The Mother was born in Paris to Moïse Maurice Alfassa, a Turkish Jewish father, and Mathilde Ismalun, an Egyptian Jewish mother. Her family had migrated to France a year before her birth. She displayed early intellectual and artistic talents, learning to read at seven and joining school at nine. By fourteen, she had read extensively and had various occult experiences, which she kept private.
Artistic Pursuits and Spiritual Growth
In 1893, The Mother joined Académie Julian to study art. She married Henri Morisset in 1897 and had a son, André, in 1898. Her paintings were exhibited at the Salon d’Automne in the early 1900s. Despite being an atheist, she had profound spiritual experiences, leading her to study works like Swami Vivekananda’s “Raja Yoga” and the “Bhagavad Gita.”
Spiritual Exploration and Meeting Sri Aurobindo
Mother’s spiritual journey included significant time in Algeria with Max Théon and Mary Ware, where she deepened her occult knowledge. In 1914, she traveled to Pondicherry and met Sri Aurobindo, whom she recognized from her visions. This meeting marked a pivotal moment in her spiritual life.
Developing the Ashram and Integral Yoga
Returning to Pondicherry in 1920, The Mother played a central role in organizing and expanding the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Sri Aurobindo recognized her spiritual stature and named her “The Mother.” The ashram grew under her guidance, emphasizing Integral Yoga, which integrates spiritual practice with daily life.
