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Aspiration makes us Sapiens

“ There are two powers that alone can effect in their conjunction the great and difficult thing which is the aim of our endeavour, a fixed and unfailing aspiration that calls from below and a supreme Grace from above that answers.” 1 There is nothing wrong in aspiring for something. We seldom aspire to become great like a good parent, good student, doctor, engineer or a musician. The choice of our aspirations indicates our tastes and capabilities. In order to accomplish our aspirations, we need to break them into micro goals. Goals are much more tangible leading us to achievable targets. For instance, if I want to become a great engineer, I have to do well in science and then clear the required examinations to secure a rank in a premier engineer college in the country. This is the first step. Then I have to clear the Engineering exams and secure a decent grade. Finally, I will have to undertake a great deal of field work to showcase my engineering skills. My approach to work will slowl...
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Lord’s Prayer as Integral Yoga

Christianity in the light of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother’s Integral Yoga, as well as Veda in Christianity, are two engrossing topics for me. I am a lifelong Christian, first acquainted with Sri Aurobindo during college over fifty years ago. I became serious about Integral Yoga on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo in 2022. Below is my interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer as Integral Yoga. Our Father  Creator God, The Supreme, The Divine   Who art in heaven  Whose consciousness is far above our own   Hallowed be Thy name  Your name is sacred, hence japa is our practice Thy kingdom come  We aspire to see your consciousness here on earth   Thy will be done  We surrender   On earth as it is in heaven  The Supramental Manifestation here on earth   Give us this day our daily bread  Feed us spiritually with your Grace   And forgive us our trespasses  Help us to remember and offer ...
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The Constant Effort Needed in the Yogic Practice

When people think about yoga, they generally think about practicing certain poses, or asanas, or doing certain breathing techniques, or chanting various mantras, reading certain books, meditation, or singing devotional songs, etc. Those who take up the practice of Raja Yoga follow an eight-fold path starting with various vital controls called ‘yamas’ and ‘niyamas’ followed by attaining a good seat, or asana, implementing specific breath controls, and then developing various mental concentration techniques to enter into a state of yogic trance. When people take up the integral yoga they frequently ask what the specific practices and techniques are, expecting something along the lines followed by traditional yogic paths. They soon find that the integral yoga follows a completely different line of approach, focused on becoming conscious, organising the standpoint around the spiritual centre of the being, and systematically taking up all the movements of the mind, the vital energy and the ...
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In Those Eyes

They watched silently as I journeyed along, Dust to dust, song to different song, They watched me climb, they watched me fall, They watched as I frolicked, oblivious to their call. Star struck and enamored by the glittering play, I halted at many trivial haunts along the way. I preened and put on my best, Hungry for laughter, prizes and jest. Even when dissatisfied and dejected I slept forlorn, Those eyes silently gazed on. Now at last when I finally see, Those faithful eyes that never stopped watching over me, I care not whether I am called foolish or wise, I rest enveloped in the supreme prize, The peace of knowing that I am beautiful in those eyes. - Anahita Sanjana (India)
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Difficulties in Sadhana

“Difficulties” and “Sadhana” are seemingly opposing virtues. While the Sadhak is doing his or her work, difficulties are inevitable. When one progresses into Sadhana it gives rise to myriads of experiences. The initial experiences are fast and often direct. These are motivating for the Sadhak pushing one to do more intense Sadhana in quest of more spiritual experiences. But then comes a phase when one enters a plateau. This long phase often deters the Sadhak and mediates boredom. Boredom triggers depression and depression attracts a cascade of difficulties and negativity hindering our progress. As the Gita says, one has to stay away from difficulties and depression. Sri Aurobindo has stated that during moments of despair, one needs to focus more on the psychic rather than the physical and the mental. The psychic is closer to the Divine and somewhat resistant to difficulties. Difficulties and depression shrink our consciousness. Rather than living in fear and anticipation, one should fa...
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Significance of Flowers in the Spiritual Journey

It has been noticed that Flowers have been commonly used as offering across the world amongst all group of seekers / religious groups. Mother’s symbol gives spiritual significance to 12 flowers to explain each of the 12 attributes: Perseverance, Peace, Goodness, Gratitude, to name a few. It helps to relate essential attributes of a seeker with Nature’s gift in form of Flowers. Sri Aurobindo’s symbol also has Lotus flower in the central block to denote the spiritual meaning of supramental consciousness. In the samadhi area close to the relics and also on the photos of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo, flowers have been used to decorate the area – for their fragrance and also for the associated spiritual connect as explained by the Mother. This is also a practice in places of worship in our homes. Mother has described flowers as  Laughter of Nature  in one of her messages and this looks apt considering the positive vibes we get when we smell, touch and feel their fragrance by o...
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The Need to Organize and Arrange the Actions of the External Being Around the Aspiration of the Psychic Being

To transform the life into one of spiritual focus and purpose, the various parts of the being need to be organized and ordered systematically to match the aspiration with the outward action. The thoughts, emotions, feelings, responses should be both coherent and arranged to present a harmonious relationship between the aspiration and the action. It does not help one if the aspiration is for one thing, but the mind, life or body chooses a different objective! To hold an aspiration, but not to undertake the process of bringing the body-life-mind complex into harmony with that aspiration leads to a very partial result, and it undermines the aspiration’s impact. The Mother notes: “Organise your life, your work, your consciousness. Organisation consists in putting each thing in its true place. … The centre of the human being is the psychic which is the dwelling-place of the immanent Divine. Unification means organisation and harmonisation of all the parts of the being (mental, vital and phy...
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