This month’s issue of the newsletter examines the quality of equality. In the English dictionary, it is defined as the state or quality of being equal. Equal means being evenly proportioned or balanced
(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/equal?s=t). In the Yoga of Sri Aurobindo, equality is elaborated as a quality that is when the mind and the vital are quiet and unmoved in the face of all kinds of disturbances that trouble one, all that is said or done to one. It means to look at all of these without “distortions created by personal feelings” and “understand what is behind them, why they happen, what is to be learnt from them and what is it in oneself which they are cast against and what inner profit or progress one can make out of them;” In these few lines, Sri Aurobindo makes the meaning of equality in its relationship with spiritual progress, which is actually all about the exceeding of one’s small limited self and growing into a largeness and a height such that there is a progressive shift in one’s state of consciouness. By this, he means a self-mastery over vital movements, such as, “anger and sensitiveness and pride as well as desire”. For once these enter into our system, they disturb inner peace, and throw the being into the vortex of a turbulent sea upon which even to maneavour a raft to its destination becomes a herculean task. The goal in this instance, is for us to reach a “calm inner poise of the spirit” and to work from this centre. Sri Aurobindo also cautions us that to have equality in our possession wholly and perfectly is not easy but that one should try and develop this quality to stand as a firm basis for spiritual progress.
Once again, self-observation becomes a great help in starting our journey towards aspiring for the quality of equality and establishing it firmly within. For, a first glance and then a dive inwards, treading on the periphery of the being with well fitted goggles of clear glass would show up fuzzy images in murky water. A mind ticking incessantly on its unending cyclic path and a heart crying out in defiance and pain while suffering from a deficit syndrome are common comrades we meet in our journey inwards. It is prudent to understand these movements in one, the causes and cure and follow a rigorous discipline in nurturing the quality of equality and see for oneself the fruits of one’s effort offered. Read the pages that follow for precise insights and guidance on cultivating or nurturing that quality of equality.
The cycle of the annual calendar wheels into our midst the month of February – a month breathing maturity, calm, peace, silence, joy of life, joy of action and joy of being. In its simplicity, it defeats opulence and yet stands supreme amongst the many other months of the lunar calendar. The Mother’s 138th Birth Anniversary falls on the 21st of February, followed by Auroville’s 48th Birthday on the 28th and lastly, but most gloriously appears The Golden Day, on the 29th of February. This was the day marking the Descent of the Supermind in 1956, sixty years ago and six years after Sri Aurobindo left his body to continue his divine work from an occult plane. The Mother had given a special significance to special days such as these. Let us loose no time in finding out about the special significances placed on these dates occurring in the month of February. These are definitely days on which, by being part of the collective movement of aspiration towards the divine, we can hope to elevate our state of consciousness and better still, try to hold something of the brilliance, something of the Grace they bring. Let this Golden Year carry us on its golden back, its golden wings spread wide all the way through.
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