Continuing from last month’s discussion, Sri Aurobindo, in Letters on Yoga, points out Falsehood as anti-divine, as a creation of the “Asuric power” and a power which is in revolt against the Truth, a divine force. Falsehood itself is stated to be an extreme result of Ignorance. The nature of this falsehood is directly antithetical to divinity, its consciousness is perverse but puts itself forward as true knowledge and deceives.1
A vast difference there is therefore, between the force of divinity and the force of darkness. Sri Aurobindo states that Falsehood begins with the “beginnings of mind still involved in Life or appearing out of it.” Sri Aurobindo has pointed out, “Falsehood is a great barrier in the path of this Yoga. Falsehood of any kind must not be given a place in thought, speech or action.” The following have been pointed out as not belonging to the true nature of the Divine and as obstacles to sadhana – desires, jeolousy or envy, hatred or violence, greed, depression and despondency, ambition and vanity and attachment. Then, it follows that, in the case of the physical, material self of the being, traits to watch out for are laziness, an obstinacy to open to the discipline of physical culture, overly seeking bodily comfort and pleasure, indulgence in desires, and related to this, lust, greed and succumbing to addictions such as smoking and alcohol consumption and a refusal to give up on these or any other indulgences for that matter or in the least, practice stringent moderation, even against one’s own good judgment.
The Mother writes, “The body is a being of habits. But these habits should be controlled and disciplined, while remaining flexible enough to adapt themselves to circumstances and the needs of the growth and development of the being.”2
Physical culture then demands two things. One is to change the old and non-progressive physical habits of the past and traits and to develop those habits and traits that would contribute to the firm and robust building of the physical that would serve as a solid and reliable base with which an integral approach to Yoga can be.
How does one change an old habit or create a new habit? The Mother has an answer ready: “To change one’s body one must be ready to do millions of times the same thing, because the body is a creature of habits and functions by routine, and because to destroy a routine one must persevere for years.”3
When we take a serious stand to take up Integral Yoga, then it would serve well to map out all in us that we would consider habits, and in this case, physical, and take a good look at each habit and ask ourselves how these habits have contributed to our well-being and how they may not have. Then begins the arduous task of undoing the less progressive habits built over the years. Naturally, undoing an age-old habit implies that one takes upon oneself a new habit. Be absolutely sure that this new habit is a progressive habit. How does one ensure success in this endeavour of changing old habits and acquiring new, progressive ones? Aspiration.
Excerpts from:
1. Sri Aurobindo Ashram (1970). Letter on Yoga, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry
2. Sri Aurobindo Ashram (1955). A Practical Guide to Integral Yoga, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry
3. Sri Aurobindo Ashram (2006). Towards Perfect Health, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry
A vast difference there is therefore, between the force of divinity and the force of darkness. Sri Aurobindo states that Falsehood begins with the “beginnings of mind still involved in Life or appearing out of it.” Sri Aurobindo has pointed out, “Falsehood is a great barrier in the path of this Yoga. Falsehood of any kind must not be given a place in thought, speech or action.” The following have been pointed out as not belonging to the true nature of the Divine and as obstacles to sadhana – desires, jeolousy or envy, hatred or violence, greed, depression and despondency, ambition and vanity and attachment. Then, it follows that, in the case of the physical, material self of the being, traits to watch out for are laziness, an obstinacy to open to the discipline of physical culture, overly seeking bodily comfort and pleasure, indulgence in desires, and related to this, lust, greed and succumbing to addictions such as smoking and alcohol consumption and a refusal to give up on these or any other indulgences for that matter or in the least, practice stringent moderation, even against one’s own good judgment.
The Mother writes, “The body is a being of habits. But these habits should be controlled and disciplined, while remaining flexible enough to adapt themselves to circumstances and the needs of the growth and development of the being.”2
Physical culture then demands two things. One is to change the old and non-progressive physical habits of the past and traits and to develop those habits and traits that would contribute to the firm and robust building of the physical that would serve as a solid and reliable base with which an integral approach to Yoga can be.
How does one change an old habit or create a new habit? The Mother has an answer ready: “To change one’s body one must be ready to do millions of times the same thing, because the body is a creature of habits and functions by routine, and because to destroy a routine one must persevere for years.”3
When we take a serious stand to take up Integral Yoga, then it would serve well to map out all in us that we would consider habits, and in this case, physical, and take a good look at each habit and ask ourselves how these habits have contributed to our well-being and how they may not have. Then begins the arduous task of undoing the less progressive habits built over the years. Naturally, undoing an age-old habit implies that one takes upon oneself a new habit. Be absolutely sure that this new habit is a progressive habit. How does one ensure success in this endeavour of changing old habits and acquiring new, progressive ones? Aspiration.
Excerpts from:
1. Sri Aurobindo Ashram (1970). Letter on Yoga, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry
2. Sri Aurobindo Ashram (1955). A Practical Guide to Integral Yoga, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry
3. Sri Aurobindo Ashram (2006). Towards Perfect Health, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry
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