Editorial (Aug 2014)

The theme for the August edition of the Newsletter, as for the July edition, is Sri Aurobindo and his vision for humanity. This theme marks Sri Aurobindo’s 142nd birth anniversary on the 15th of August 2014. The July edition explored Sri Aurobindo’s idea primarily of the significance of Indian leadership, especially in the realm of spirituality, through true unity and harmony and not through aggressive strife.

We continue in this issue with our feature article, “War and Peace” by K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar and include another article of significance on the Indian freedom movement by Sri Aurobindo on the renowned personality, Bankim Chandra, an Indian patriot of Bengali origin, to say the least. The former article takes up, in this part, Sri Aurobindo’s five ideals –“…a revolution which would bring about India's freedom and unity; the resurgence and liberation of Asia; the emergence of 'one world' in place of the many warring nationalisms; the assumption by India of the spiritual leadership of the human race; and, “finally, a new step in the evolution which, by uplifting the consciousness to a higher level, would begin the solution of the many problems of existence which have perplexed and vexed humanity, since men began to think and to dream of individual perfection and a perfect society.”

Sri Aurobindo’s birth was a significant one in world history and his vision and mission, catholic, universal. The depth and vastness of Sri Aurobindo’s integral philosophy has something in it that appeals to each individual who turns to it and the more one’s consciousness widens, deepens and heightens, the more of the integrality of the philosophy one is able to at least appreciate, and progressively, live.

For those of us turned towards Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, the significance of this month fills one deeply with a sense of anticipation, perhaps of self-renewal. For some of us, an intellectual understanding of Sri Aurobindo does good and for some, a deep sense of His compassion, personal or impersonal, but so deeply penetrating, rejuvenates the entire being. For some of us, a physical nearness to Him through the Samadhi, the shrine or something material left behind by Him evokes a sense of well-being. All of these serve to elevate one in one’s consciousness. However, it appears that a follower of the integral yoga is not spared of all dimensions of experiences in order to realize existence in its truth and totality. 

How would one receive and live this day? One wonders if at all one needs any preparedness to observe this glorious day of the 15th of August, so pervasive the consciousness that emanates through everything – the idea, the thought, the feeling and senses – that one is carried in the consciousness unawares. There is, perhaps, a conscious way of participating in the day that marks the occasion of Sri Aurobindo’s birth. Perhaps it lies in an opening from within to first offer all that constitutes the small being, not yet deep, not yet vast, not yet wide and high.  Then could be a movement of opening to receive what the highest has to offer. For both these, an unshakeable aspiration and sincerity seem to be the only way and of course, Divine Grace.