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Finding the Meaning of Our Lives and Expressing It in Our Thoughts, Words and Deeds

Eventually, as we grow and mature, as our powers of reflection and self-examination increase, we begin to seriously consider why it is we are alive, what it is we are here to do and how we can accomplish whatever our lives are intended to be. There are several aspects to this process of growth and development. When we are born into our human lives, we are immature physically, vitally, emotionally and mentally. In Book I, Canto 1, in his epic poem,  Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol,  Sri Aurobindo hints at our situation: “But the oblivion that succeeds the fall,   Had blotted the crowded tablets of the past,     And all that was destroyed must be rebuilt   And old experience laboured out once more.”   We need to develop our physical, vital and mental framework and capacities, increase their power and perfect their action. This is an ongoing process in our lives. Much of our early focus is dedicated to this aspect of development, and we do not, therefore, ...
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Blissful April, Sacred February, Pious August and Eternal November

The month of April at Puducherry Is not merely a month, but a grace; On the fourth of 1910, a flame touched the quiet shore — Sri Aurobindo, the pilgrim of the Infinite. Ten years later, April bloomed again— On the twenty-fourth of 1920, The Mother came to stay, Carrying the dawn in her gaze, Planting eternity in mortal soil. Together they shaped a silent revolution, Beyond the clamour of kingdoms, creeds, and fame; A consciousness awakening to its forgotten source, Like dawn unfolding within the human soul. April bloomed as February shines, luminous and rare, Bearing memories cherished by every seeking heart, On the twenty-first of 1878 was born Mirra Alfassa, The Mother, A flame of love and transformation for the earth. And when leap-year February offers its hidden day, The twenty-ninth recalls the Supramental Manifestation of 1956 — A golden consciousness touching earthly life, Opening new horizons for humanity's destiny. The twenty-eighth of 1968 saw Auroville arise, A dream of...
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Beyond Arbitrary Personal Choice: The Elimination of Egoistic Will in the Integral Movement

I. The Nature and Necessity of the Egoistic Will The ego is defined as the central subjective principle governing human action in the Ignorance, fundamentally rooted in division and limitation. A. Definition and Origin of the Ego The ego, or ahaṅkāra 1 , is the subjective principle inducing the puruṣa (conscious being) to identify itself with prakṛti (Nature) and its activities 1 . It is the limited ‘I’ in us 1 , representing a form of  willed ignorance  and exclusive absorption in one form 2 . The ego served an indispensable evolutionary purpose: 1.  Individualisation : The ego was created for the work of  individualisation 3 , enabling the development of individuality out of the indiscriminate force and substance of Nature 4 . The ego is an absolutely necessary factor until one is an individualised being 5 . 2.  Motivation for Action : In primitive, tamasic animal man, the ego motivated action. Without ego-driven incentives like ambition or vanity, humans migh...
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