Sri Aurobindo Society has several Branches and Affiliated Centres in India and abroad. In a message, the Mother explains the true significance of a 'Centre':
“To open a centre is not sufficient in itself. It must be the pure hearth of a perfect sincerity in a total consecration to the Divine.”
A Centre of Sri Aurobindo Society is therefore a meeting point of individual and collective sadhana, of dedication in service of the Divine. In order to start an Affiliated Centre, all that is required are twelve interested persons in an area. There is no fixed rigid programme laid out for Branches and Centres. They can develop and add new activities according to their inner needs. They include meditations, talks, seminars and conferences; running of educational institutions; sports; dance, drama, music classes; research programmes; teachers workshops and camps. The spirit in which the activity is undertaken is the key as all work can be a means of self-development and an offering to the Divine.
Read an article on 'An Ideal Centre' by Nolini-da
An Affiliated Centre can be very simple and informal in its structure and working. As its activities expand and grow it can become a 'Branch' of the Society, which is legally, financially and administratively a part of the Society, fulfilling several statutory obligations.