Integral Yoga and its Practice

Integral Yoga and its Practice[1]

Sri Aurobindo's "Integral Yoga" is a spiritual practice that aims to achieve a holistic transformation of the individual. In simple terms, it seeks to integrate all aspects of life—physical, emotional, mental and spiritual—into a unified experience of higher consciousness akin to divinity. Sri Aurobindo envisioned a 'Triple Transformation': the Psychic, the Spiritual and the Supramental.

Key elements include:

  • Unity of Existence: Recognizing that everything is interconnected and part of a greater whole.
  • Transformation: Not just seeking personal enlightenment but transforming the entire being to embody divine consciousness.
  • Practice: Involves meditation, self-discipline, and surrender to a higher power to cultivate inner strength and awareness.
  • Life and Spirit: Emphasizes that spiritual life should not be separate from daily life; instead, everyday activities can be a means of spiritual growth.
Sri Aurobindo’s thoughts on Integral Yoga are collected in 'Autobiographical Notes and Other Writings of Historical Interest'.[2] He began his practice of Integral Yoga in search of a more comprehensive experience, uniting and harmonising the two ends of existence, viz., Spirit and Matter.

Most schools of Yoga are paths towards the Beyond, leading towards the Spirit, effectively away from worldly Life. Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga rises towards the Spirit to then re-descend, armed with the Light, Power, Knowledge and Bliss of the Divine Spirit into terrestrial Life to organically transform it.

Man’s present existence in the material world, in Sri Aurobindo’s vision, even amidst Man’s baser instincts, ignorance, darkness, delusion and nescience there is the palpable presence, undeniable potential and distinct possibility of attaining and embodying the Divine Spirit.

According to Sri Aurobindo the terrestrial World is not a mistake nor a vanity or illusion to be cast aside summarily. It is in fact the grand platform for spiritual evolution. Out of this physical, material Inconscience is to be manifested, surely and progressively, the Divine Consciousness.

The human mind is the highest form reached at present but it is not the highest of which it is capable. There is above it a Supermind or eternal Truth-Consciousness. By its very nature, the human mind possesses the vast potential for the Light and Power of Divine Knowledge.[3] It is only by the descent of this Supermind that the perfection dreamed of by all that is highest in humanity can happen. By seeking, realizing a greater divine consciousness, the rise to this divine power of light and bliss is assured.

The discovery of one’s true Self in constant union with the Divine shall magnetically attract the Supramental Force for the transformation of Mind, Life and Body. The realization of the true potential of Man has been the dynamic aim of Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga.

Practice of Integral Yoga[4]:

  • Unlike other Yoga practices Integral Yoga does not recommend physical asanas, breathing techniques or external movements. It is more psychic, psychological in nature. Internal reflection, introspection, self-analysis, course-correction are its tools.
  • The Sâdhanâ [practice] of Integral Yoga does not proceed through any rigid mental teaching or prescribed forms of meditation, mantras, etc. It is by aspiration, by a self-concentration inwards or upwards.
  • By the self-opening to an Influence, to the Divine Power above us and its workings, to the Divine Presence in the heart and by the rejection of all that is foreign to these things. It is only by faith, aspiration and surrender that this self-opening occurs.
Integral method[5]: The whole conscious being comes into contact with the Divine and calls upon Him to transmute our entire being into His. In a sense God Himself, the real Person in us, becomes the sâdhaka of the sâdhana. The Master of the Yoga employs the lower personality as the centre of a divine Transfiguration and the instrument of its own perfection. In effect, the pressure of the Tapas, the force of consciousness in us, produces its own Realization to progressively illumine and energise the lower nature.

Aim of Integral Yoga[6]: It is not merely to rise out of the ordinary ignorant world-consciousness into the Divine Consciousness. It is to bring the Supramental power of that Divine Consciousness into the mind, life and body of Man. Purpose is to manifest the Divine in the material physical World and create Divine Life in terrestrial Matter.

My practice of Integral Yoga centres around total joyful surrender, through meditation and self-discipline, to a higher power. Such surrender frees me from anxiety, unnecessary worries, doubts, irrational fears, etc. Integral Yoga helps me organically develop a positive attitude, resilience to overcome obstacles, cultivate inner strength and self-awareness.

- Mira Ramchand Daryanani (India)

[1] Auroville https://auroville.org › page Integral Yoga

[2] The Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo : Volume 36 Autobiographical Notes and Other Writings of Historical Interest.

[3] Auroville https://auroville.org › page Integral Yoga

[4] Auroville https://auroville.org › page Integral Yoga 

[5] Auroville https://auroville.org › page Integral Yoga

[6] Auroville https://auroville.org › page Integral Yoga

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