The Harmonisation of Opposites
The sources describe a profound “solution” to the inherent contradictions experienced in human thought and action, particularly addressing the limitations of exclusive beliefs and ineffective eclecticism . This solution is presented as a movement towards a higher consciousness that embraces and harmonises seemingly opposite truths. 1 The Problem: Exclusive Faiths vs. Eclectic Muddle The problem is framed as a constant contradiction between two errors. 2 Exclusivism of Influence: This is characterised as an error of “shrinking” and “limitation,” similar to all “exclusive faiths” when practised on the mental level. 3 Such faiths insist that their truth is the sole truth, rejecting others as inferior or false. 4 Sri Aurobindo notes that “intellectual dogma and cult-egoism stand in the way” of embracing all “God-visions”. 5 This narrowness can reduce philosophy to sterile disputes and infect religion with dogmatism and intolerance. ...