Module 4 : Sri Aurobindo (1872 – 1950)

Section 4 : Integral Yoga

 

          Understanding yoga in this traditional sense we shall now discuss Sri Aurobindo’s concept of integral yoga which appears to be somewhat a departure from its conventional meaning.  The purpose of integral yoga is the actualization of Divine life on earth. Its aim is to bring divine transformation of the humanity and establish a race of supramental beings on earth. Sri Aurobindo believes that man has a self, an atma, in him that guides and presides over his physical, vital and mental being. Sri Aurobindo calls the self psychic being, the integrating principle of the physical, vital and mental aspect of a person. He has discussed the different steps of integral yoga. Its first step is called by him psychicisation. The psychic being becomes an active integrator by bringing transformation in the lower beings – the physical, vital and mental. Through psychicisation the physical body develops right habit, the vital being acquires right impulse and the mind gets right vision. All the work, feeling and thought are turned towards the Divine. So through psychicisation a harmonious integration is brought in all the aspects of a person’s being that drive towards the Divine. It makes the mind quiet in all turbulence and feeling and act get spiritually transformed. The pattern of thinking and living is controlled by the soul and the person turns into a psychic personality. The second step of integral is spiritualization that follows psychicisation. In spiritualization there is an upward opening by which the Divine spark within is heightened to the supreme consciousness. The occasional spiritual flasher or realizations in exalted moments might be there in the past. But the normal human nature would undergo self perfection and reach a state of permanent ascension of the One Divine and convey his living presence and message in all that we see, touch and listen. The third step in integral yoga is supermentalisation. It can raise the mind to the supermind and can establish a complete harmony. The effect of supermind will be realized in all parts of the being. The supermind will be apermanent constituent of the earth-consciousness. Humanity will be transformed to a Divine race. In this way the integral yoga can facilitate the manifestation of the Divine in all beings and in the physical universe.