Tribute to Mary Helen – Skye (Diane)   Yesterday morning early when the phone rang and the sobbing voice identified itself as Chali,  I knew what had happened even as I ran across the yard to comfort her.  It is only now, sitting down to write this, just having seen Chali off to her mother's funeral, that my own grief assails me.   Mary Helen was my first true friend in the Yoga.  We got to know each other travelling across the States to a symposium on Auroville held in New York when Chali was a baby.  Through all these years and numerous interruptions in our communication, she has remained one of my dearest loved sisters.  We often spoke of how, after not hearing from one another for a ti

Tribute to Mary Helen – Gauri Pinto   Dear Narad,                     My mother received your message from Lilou and she has kept a place for you in Golconde for December 2002.  We shall really miss seeing Mary Helen again but we know what a beautiful and pure life she led and the joy of that remains.   The work you both did to save the Service Tree is so visible today.  The first blooms started a few days ago and it is a beautiful sight.   Gauri Pinto                  

Li Mei to Chali on Mary Helen   Dear Chali,   Today was Goiya's cremation. I have been thinking of you and your mother Mary Helen. She was a beautiful woman. You are lucky to be her daughter and you will carry her beauty with you and make it more beautiful because that is why she had you as her daughter. Mary Helen and Narad are old timers and very sincere yogi's. Sri Aurobindo and the Mother are living deep inside their heart and their whole life is given to the yoga. I hope that you can feel good carrying that seed in you. It is the candle light inside your own heart Chali, forever. I embrace you warmly.   Love,   Le Mei

Tribute to Mary Helen – R Y Deshpande   Dear Narad   I was extremely sorry to know the passing away of Helen. These are things about which we cannot do anything.  She was suffering for quite some time and we are altogether helpless in the matter.  But we must respect the decision of the departed.  It must have been a conscious decision of hers in the Mother's consciousness.  Therefore her repose is in the Mother.  She will take care of her in every respect and there is no doubt regarding it.   Your note. I am thinking of putting it in Mother India as soon as possible.  I take that it is all right for you.  Please remain in the secure arms of the Mother to do her work, particularly

Tribute to Mary Helen – Arabinda Basu   Dear Richard,   I read of the sad event only five days ago in a recent issue of Auroville Today which paper I do not see regularly. I will not try to comfort you because first I do not have the words with which to do so, secondly I am sure that though this is a most grievous event, you are mature enough to know that the Mother will most certainly look after the welfare of the departed soul. I have myself prayed for her safe journey through the unseen worlds to the secure place of her psychic rest.  While she was with us physically I appreciated and still remember her gentle personality and her trust in the Mother.  She will be and is a fond m

Tribute to Mary Helen – Jack Alexander   Here I am on Saturday morning finding myself in a virtual living room at the Internet wake for Mary Helen.  Although I have lost all contact with her while she and Narad have been in the States, my memories I would share if I were with you all in such a gathering – so I will here too.   My connection to Mary Helen was through the East West Community Center in Los Angeles during the late 60's and I knew her first in this new focus of my life as an elder graduating from this "school of seekers" that had attracted me and a host of others in their inner and outer quests.  Her life and that of numerous others was a dynamic association drawing us all to c

Tribute to Mary Helen – Tim Wrey   Dear Chali,   In case my earlier e-mail didn't reach you, this is to convey to you and Narad on behalf of all my family – who met, and enjoyed the warmth, the kindness and the lovely personality of your mother in 1973 – our deep sorrow at the news of her passing.   You are very much in my thoughts.   With love – Tim (Wrey)

Tribute to Mary Helen – Paul Vincent   Dear Narad and Chali,   In this hour of sorrow, I wish to convey my deep sympathy and vivid memory of Mary Helen.  I still see her in the Nursery whenever I came there for a query about plants.  May Mother take Mary Helen in Her Garden where she will be a shining star.   Truth,   Paul Vincent

Tribute to Mary Helen from Heinz   Dear Narad,   I had spoken to you on the phone when I was spending some fantastic weeks with John Lucas, who also sent me the mail with the sad news...I am almost a stranger to you but I came to know you and Mary Helen through your wonderful work as writers and as dedicated gardeners while often visiting the Matrimandir Nursery and the Gardens that you started there years ago...   You are both very spiritual people, and together you gave so much love and hope to so many people, showing the beauty of the flowers in a spiritual and pragmatic horticultural way.  This is a rare and remarkable oeuvre.  Your work was always rooted in spiritual ground. 

Tribute to Mary Helen – Raman (R.P.) Rama   Sorry to hear about Mary Helen.  May her soul rest in peace under Their umbrella.  She will be missed.  May They give strength to al those who were in her company to bear her loss.  From all of us at Sri Aurobindo Center South East Inc., USA we pray to THEM to take her in their care.   Raman (R.P.) Rama