Sri Aurobindo's legacy is a mixed and complex picture

[In some respects, Sri Aurobindo's legacy, particularly the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville, successfully embodies his teachings of spiritual evolution and human unity, but in other ways, it has faced significant challenges. A central point of contention involves the interpretation and application of his principles of Integral Yoga after his passing. 

Conforming aspects of the legacy

Centers for Integral Yoga: The Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville were established as a direct result of his vision for a new, divine life on Earth. They serve as physical legacies for the practice of Integral Yoga, which integrates all aspects of life—physical, mental, and spiritual—into a comprehensive path toward transformation.

Embodiment of spiritual evolution: Auroville, the international township founded by the Mother based on Aurobindo's vision, functions as a living experiment for human unity and the evolution of consciousness. In its ideal form, it directly reflects his teaching that humanity is a "transitional being" moving toward a higher, "supramental" consciousness.

Educational philosophy: The schools and educational centers associated with the legacy, such as the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, follow his philosophy of "Integral Education". This approach focuses on nurturing the whole personality of the child—physically, vitally, mentally, psychically, and spiritually—in line with his teachings.

Preservation of writings: The publication and preservation of Aurobindo's extensive literary and philosophical works, including The Life Divine and Savitri, ensure that his core teachings remain accessible for study and practice. This intellectual legacy is a foundational part of his overall influence. 

Contrasting and challenging aspects of the legacy

Post-Aurobindo conflicts: Following the Mother's death in 1973, power struggles emerged, particularly concerning the management of Auroville. This led to internal disputes and legal battles with the Sri Aurobindo Society, which was never intended by the Mother to control the community. This division into competing factions stood in stark contrast to Aurobindo's dream of collective harmony.

The "New Religion" dispute: In the 1980s, the Sri Aurobindo Society controversially argued in court that Aurobindo's teaching constituted a new religion to gain legal protections. This move directly betrayed his central purpose, which was not to found a new religion but to facilitate an inner, spiritual transformation that transcends religious dogma.

Controversy in Auroville's development: More recently, conflicts have arisen within Auroville over its direction. Debates over urban development projects, such as clearing trees for a ring road, have pitted residents against the Foundation, with some arguing that these actions disregard the community's founding environmental principles. Critics believe this kind of rapid development deviates from the vision of a slow, conscious, and sustainable evolution.

Ideal vs. reality: While the aim of Auroville is human unity, conflicts over power, money, and ideology have exposed human frailties within the community itself. The reality of these interpersonal and financial issues shows the immense difficulty of manifesting Aurobindo's utopian vision and collective transformation. 

In conclusion, Sri Aurobindo's legacy is a mixed and complex picture. While institutions like the Ashram and Auroville strive to actualize his teachings, internal conflicts and challenges reveal the gap between a profound spiritual ideal and its imperfect human execution. The legacy conforms to his teaching in its fundamental vision and philosophical underpinnings, but it struggles to fully embody the higher consciousness and unity he foresaw for humanity.] - GoogleAI