Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the philosophical foundation of Sri Aurobindo’s concept of evolution.
- Gain insights into the principles and practices of Integral Yoga.
- Explore the unique integration of spirituality and consciousness in Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy.
- Compare Sri Aurobindo’s views with other Indian philosophical systems.
Sri Aurobindo was a remarkable spiritual leader, philosopher, and thinker whose ideas on evolution and Integral Yoga have contributed profoundly to contemporary Indian philosophy. His philosophy is a synthesis of Vedic, Vedantic, and modern Western thoughts, focusing on the evolution of consciousness and the integration of spirituality into everyday life. This section will explore these ideas in detail, presenting them systematically and organically to highlight their interconnectedness.
Evolution in Sri Aurobindo’s Philosophy
Sri Aurobindo‘s concept of evolution goes beyond Darwinian biological evolution. It proposes a spiritual progression that aims for the realization of the Divine in life. The evolutionary journey, according to him, involves ascending levels of consciousness, where each step brings the individual closer to an integral self-awareness.
- The Concept of Involution: Before evolution, there is involution, the descent of the Divine into matter.
- Sri Aurobindo suggests that the Divine first involves itself into inconscient matter, then gradually awakens and manifests through different forms of life and mind.
- The Divine consciousness descends into the material plane, creating the possibility for life and mind to emerge.
- Stages of Evolution: His evolutionary framework identifies successive stages of consciousness:
- Material: The first stage of evolution is the inconscient matter where life is dormant. Here, consciousness is concealed within the material forms.
- Vital: With the emergence of life, the vital consciousness expresses itself through the processes of growth, movement, and sensation.
- Mental: The mental consciousness emerges with the evolution of the human mind, characterized by thought, reason, and self-reflective awareness.
- Spiritual: The ultimate stage, where the supramental consciousness emerges, transcending the limitations of the mental and vital planes. This supramental stage is the realm of truth-consciousness.
- The Goal of Evolution: The evolutionary process is not merely for physical or intellectual development:
- The aim is the divinization of matter and the transformation of the physical, mental, and vital aspects of existence.
- The supramental consciousness acts as a bridge between the Divine and the material, facilitating the integral realization.
- Evolution as Consciousness: For Sri Aurobindo, evolution is fundamentally the evolution of consciousness.
- It is a progressive unfolding where the latent Divine within matter gradually reveals itself.
- This process is both individual and universal, reflecting the spiritual ascent of each being and the collective evolution of humanity.
Important Note: The supramental consciousness is central to Sri Aurobindo’s thought. It represents a new divine consciousness that is free from the dualities and limitations of the ordinary mind.
Integral Yoga: The Path to Supramental Realization
Integral Yoga is the practical philosophy of Sri Aurobindo that focuses on the transformation of the human consciousness into the Divine consciousness. It does not renounce the world but seeks to integrate all aspects of life into the path of spiritual realization.
- Aim of Integral Yoga: Unlike traditional yogas that emphasize specific aspects of spiritual development:
- Integral Yoga aims at the comprehensive and integrated transformation of the entire being — physical, mental, vital, and spiritual.
- It seeks to bring down the supramental consciousness into the human nature, achieving an integral perfection.
- Triple Transformation: Sri Aurobindo identifies three crucial transformations in Integral Yoga:
- Psychic Transformation: The first transformation, where one connects with the inner Divine, also called the Psychic Being. This alignment brings inner guidance and purification of the outer nature.
- Spiritual Transformation: The ascension of consciousness beyond the mental to the spiritual realms. This stage allows the experience of the divine peace, light, and bliss.
- Supramental Transformation: The final transformation involves the descent of the supramental consciousness, which redefines the entire being, making the mind, life, and body instruments of the Divine Truth.
- Methods of Practice: While traditional yogas like Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga emphasize specific disciplines, Integral Yoga integrates these into a single path:
- Self-Surrender: The foundation of Integral Yoga involves surrendering the individual ego to the Divine and allowing the higher consciousness to work through.
- Aspiration and Rejection: A continuous aspiration for the divine consciousness is combined with the rejection of the lower tendencies, desires, and attachments.
- Silence of the Mind: Cultivating an inner silence allows the intuition and higher consciousness to manifest more fully.
- Life and World as Fields of Yoga: Sri Aurobindo rejected the idea of renunciation of the world for spiritual development:
- The world, according to him, is the field of spiritual practice, where the transformation of the inner consciousness must reflect in the outer life.
- The aim is to spiritualize all aspects of existence, including work, relationships, and social engagements.
- Individual and Collective Evolution: Integral Yoga is not limited to personal transformation:
- It envisions a collective spiritual evolution where the realization of the supramental consciousness will lead to a new society based on truth, harmony, and unity.
Important Note: Integral Yoga does not propose a fixed set of practices; it is adaptable to the unique nature of each individual, allowing them to develop in their own way.
Comparative Framework of Sri Aurobindo’s Philosophy
Sri Aurobindo’s ideas present a synthesis of Indian and Western philosophical traditions, offering a unique perspective on spiritual evolution. The comparison with other Indian philosophies showcases the distinctiveness of his approach.
| Aspect | Sri Aurobindo | Traditional Indian Yoga | Western Evolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| View of Evolution | Spiritual and Supramental evolution | Limited to spiritual liberation | Biological evolution |
| Consciousness | Central to evolution | Important, but often secondary | Mind and brain-based |
| Yoga Practices | Integral approach | Specific paths (e.g., Karma, Jnana) | Psychological practices |
| World Engagement | Sees world as field of transformation | Renunciation often emphasized | Typically secular |
The Role of Consciousness in Integral Yoga
In Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy, consciousness plays a pivotal role. It is not merely an attribute of the mind but the very essence of existence.
- Hierarchy of Consciousness: He proposes a hierarchical structure of consciousness:
- Inconscient: The foundation of material existence where consciousness is dormant.
- Subconscient: Contains unconscious habits, impressions, and forces.
- Surface Consciousness: The waking state that includes the mental, vital, and physical awareness.
- Higher Consciousness: The realms of spiritual and supramental consciousness that provide access to the Divine.
- Evolution as Ascent and Integration: The process of Integral Yoga involves an ascent from the lower to the higher consciousness and an integration of this higher consciousness into everyday life.