Dr. Koepf took me over to his microscope and cut a thin slice of an apple. He then put it on a special paper used to capture the aura. This may be related to Kirlian photography, I am not certain, but the result was extraordinary. Under his microscope I saw variously coloured concentric circles that appeared lifeless. Dr. Koepf said, "This is chemically grown apple. Taking a slice from another apple he conducted the same test and under the microscope I saw a breathtaking image of brilliant circles with rays of light radiating upwards in a rainbow of colours that seemed to be vibrating with life force. He said, "This is an organically grown apple."

Thus I was introduced to some of Steiner's organic principles. This early introduction to the importance of growing food organically for human consumption made an indelible impression on me in a time when chemicals were becoming readily available to any gardener or landscaper. I remember my father spraying between rows of yews to eliminate weeds and the result was that the plants stopped all growth for three years! Even today we have a list of the 'Dirty Dozen' fruits and vegetables that receive the most toxic chemical treatments to eliminate insects and disease.

When Mother asked me to come to Auroville to design and build the Gardens of the Matrimandir I found the only place near the center of the township-to-be where there was a grove of mango trees. I immediately wrote to Mother that I had found a place where I could began the Matrimandir Gardens Nursery. She blessed the place and we started the work that was to continue for decades. Visiting the farm named Auro-Orchard one day I met Mercier, an elderly man from New Caledonia and an expert in organic gardening. He was composting and growing plants organically and as we spoke I felt an immediate inner contact with him as he explained his principles of organic gardening.

In the next blog we will read of Mother's answer to a question Mercier sent to Her.

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