The Mother

The Mother

The Mother was born in Paris as Mirra Alfassa in 1878. She studied art, music and occult sciences in her early life, guided by spiritual experience at a very early age. In 1914 she met Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry, India and in 1920 she moved permanently to Pondicherry to join him as his spiritual collaborator. In 1926 she was formally given full charge over the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the spiritual and material welfare of the disciples who had formed around Sri Aurobindo by that time. She contined to expand the scope of the work of integration of the inner and outer life with the founding of the International Centre of Education, a model school which puts into practice the integral education methods developed by her. In 1968 the Mother founded the international city of Auroville as a place for material and spiritual research for the future evolution of humanity in harmony with itself and its earthly environment.

The Mother’s writings are powerful, direct and decisive in their spiritual force and clarity.

Writings of the Mother:

Flowers and Their Messages:

309 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 094152468X

By entering into contact with the nature of a flower, its inner truth…one knows what it represents…if you are in contact with it, if you feel it, you can get an impression which may be translated as a thought. There is a kind of identification with the vibration, a perception of the quality that it represents…little by little there occurs a close approach between these vibrations, that are of the vital-emotional order, and the vibration of mental thought.

Commentaries on the Dhammapada

One of the ancient texts of the Pali Canon of Buddhism, the Dhammapada has a revered place among the noted scriptures of the world. It is quite special in its focus on the practical implementation of the Buddha’s teachings in daily life, through the examination and self-control of one’s thoughts, words and deeds. “Dhamma” is sometimes translated as “virtue”, but in its deeper sense it is the innate law of life.

“Pada” means “footstep” or path. The Dhammapada is not so much a religious text as a text of practical psychology for those wishing to undertake an inner, spiritual discipline to change their lives.

The Buddha broke out of the conventions of his time in order to speak to the condition of mankind and provide a path toward liberation from the wheel of birth, death and Karma, the chain of consequences. The Dhammapada encapsulates his basic teachings and provides guidelines for gaining insight and an understanding that goes beyond any single teaching or religion. One of the “great books” of humanity, the Dhammapada can provide benefit to seekers from any philosophic or religious or spiritual path with its timeless non-sectarian wisdom.

The present edition is especially valuable as it contains an English translation that is at once clean and concise, while also filled with a spiritual sense and meaning. This translation compares favourably with those that have appeared in the past from an intellectual standpoint, and it is certain to awaken in the reader a sense of the reverence and
spiritual aspiration that truly resides in the text.

The commentaries are by the Mother, who was the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo and the spiritual guide of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram for many years. After each Dhammapada chapter, she has added her own observations and insights to turn our focus towards the realizations in consciousness that the text implies. Her practical acumen and spiritual wisdom create a force for understanding that is missing from a purely academic commentary.

Other Major Titles:

Collected Works of the Mother

17 volume set

7100 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0940985780

This 2nd edition of the Collected Works of the Mother in 17 volumes has been released to coincide with the 125th Birth Anniversary of the Mother. The Mother’s writings contain a powerful force of yogic action that can transform the seeker’s practice.

Prayers and Meditations:

380 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 9788170580522

This volume contains the prayers and meditations selected for publication by the Mother from her diaries of 1912 to 1919, and five prayers of a later period.

Health and Healing in Yoga:

351pp Paper Back
ISBN: 9788170580232

The extracts for this book have been selected from the writings and talks of the Mother. Most of the chapters begin with a series of short written statements arranged under the first title. The titles which follow are generally longer passages taken from talks; a few are from essays and messages

Audio:

Four Aspects of the Mother CD

58.58 min Audio CD

Sri Aurobindo’s powerful “Matri Upanishad” chapter 6 of The Mother, read by The Mother. The mantric force of the writing is accentuated by the power of The Mother’s reading.

Mother’s Agenda

Fascinating and powerful insights transcribed from talks between The Mother and Satprem

U.S. editions of The Mother’s writings now available:

Compilations from Sri Aurobindo and The Mother:

Back to Sri Aurobindo Information Page

Institute for Wholistic Education Home Page

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Compilations from the Writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother:

Living Words:

Soul-Kindlers for the New Millenium

198 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0910261423

Inspiring selections from the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother dealing with spiritual growth towards a new consciousness beyond mind which has now manifested itself upon the earth, heralding the birth of a New World.

The Yoga of Sleep and Dreams:
The Night-School of Sadhana

144 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0940985748

The Yoga of Sleep and Dreams: The Night-School of Sadhana The practice of yoga continues day and night. This book aids the seeker in becoming conscious and turning sleep and dreams into the opportunity for real and substantial progress on the path of yoga.

 

The Psychic Being
Soul: Its Nature, Mission and Evolution

223 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0941524566

The present compilation is an attempt to bring together in one volume the manifold teachings pertaining to the psychic being which are to be found in the numerous works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. The selections deal with the nature of the psychic being, shedding the light of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother on the inner constitution of the human being and on various related questions such as the process of inner growth, the afterlife, and rebirth.

 

Living Within
The Yoga Approach to Psychological Health and Growth

Western psychotherapy and the personal growth process has gained considerably from the experience acquired within Eastern traditions. Living Within makes it apparent that there is a great deal more to learn that is of both practical and theoretical value.

Indian imported editions of The Mother’s writings now available:

Sri Aurobindo’s Writings:

Sri Aurobindo was a prolific writer over a wide range of subjects including philosophy, yoga, poetry, human unity and much more. Most of his major works have been published in US editions by Lotus Press.

Outline of Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching

For details on many more titles open the PDF documents:

Sri Aurobindo’s Main Works PDF

Practical Spirituality PDF

Spiritual Wisdom of India PDF

PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader

Lotus Press Sri Aurobindo and The Mother and related literature menu page providing a complete list of available US and Indian editions, including Sri Aurobindo, The Mother, compilations, Sri M P Pandit and books by other authors

Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo

“The most vital issue of the age is whether the future progress of humanity is to be governed by the modern economic and materialistic mind of the West or by a nobler pragmatism guided, uplifted and enlightened by spiritual culture and knowledge….” Sri Aurobindo

We are facing in today’s world an existential crisis. We are experiencing a major die-off of species, connected with human industrial development, consequent climate change, pollution of land, sea and air, chemicals that negatively impact genetics and basic health, and increasing inequality of resource allocation for an ever-growing world population. This leads to violence, conflict and mass migration events as well. The industrial revolution and its consequences are developments of human mental development. While we are now recognizing the vast unintended consequences of human industry, we find that we cannot reach any consensus due to conflicting views, ideas and opinions, combined with the admixture of desire, greed and short-sightedness. Traditional viewpoints and relationships are challenged and we see the rise of cultures across the world now interacting with one another on an unprecedented scale. People everywhere are questioning the ideas that have brought us to this crisis point.

Albert Einstein clearly understood the need of humanity to find another way: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” It is thus time for a new way, a new evolution of consciousness. Sri Aurobindo reviewed the evolutionary development of consciousness as the secret meaning behind the outer development of forms from matter, to life and then to mind, eventually bringing us to the reflective, analytical and rational logical intellect that humanity signifies today. He pointed out that this evolution is not completed and a new level of consciousness, based not in fragmented thought and division into independent parts, but founded in unity and oneness as the basis and container of all the myriad forms and forces, must develop. It is this new level of consciousness, which he called “supramental” (above the mind) that has the capability of providing us the solutions we so desperately need to solve the existential crisis in today’s world.

This is not a matter of developing a new religion or a new philosophical direction. It is a matter of spiritual development and the practical application of the new consciousness to our life in the world.

Sri Aurobindo’s unique contribution to human potential and growth developed through his integration of Western and Eastern cultures. He brought the energy and vision of the West, with its focus on the perfection of the physical, material and mental areas of human life together with the spiritual development and philosophical directions developed over thousands of years in the East.

Sri Aurobindo honors the contribution of each of these divergent streams of human activity. His writings help us reconcile the apparent conflicts of two diverse societies and at the same time develop a new, wider, embracing viewpoint which vibrates with spiritual force, mental clarity and a heart of love and compassion for the efforts of humanity.

Sri Aurobindo has been considered one of the foremost philosophers of the 20th Century, but he was far more than just a philosopher. He was a political activist, a mystic, a spiritual leader, and a poet, a yogi and a teacher. Sri Aurobindo experienced the range of human activity and used that experience to communicate his insight in a way that we can appreciate and understand.

Outline of Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching

What others have to say about Sri Aurobindo:

“Sri Aurobindo’s yoga points the way toward the kind of transformative practice we need to realize our greatest potentials. No philosopher or contemplative of modern times has done more to reveal our possibilities for extraordinary life.” Michael Murphy, founder, Esalen Institute and author, The Future of the Body

“Sri Aurobindo (is) the foremost of Indian thinkers, who has realized the most complete synthesis between the genius of the West and of the East.” Romain Rolland, Nobel Laureate

“Aurobindo treatises are among the most important works of our time in philosophy, ethics and humanities. Sri Aurobindo himself (is) one of the greatest living sages of our time, and a most eminent moral leader.” Pitirim Sorokin, Harvard University

“A new type of thinker, one who combines in his vision the alacrity of the West with the illuminations of the East. To study his writings is to enlarge the boundaries of one’s knowledge.” London Times Literary Supplement.

“Sri Aurobindo is not only the most original philosopher of modern India–he was also an accomplished yogi who based his metaphysical vision on his own inner discoveries.” Stephen Phillips, Professor of Philosophy, University of Texas, Austin

“one of the great masters of spiritual synthesis.” Ram Dass

“Sri Aurobindo is one of the most important and influential spiritual figures of our time, whose work deserves to be better known.” Robert Johnson, author, He and She

“Sri Aurobindo serves humanity as a spiritual master who directs and sustains all seekers whose inner aspiration leads them to a yoga as wide and deep as life itself.” Robert McDermott, Former President, California Institute of Integral Studies

Sri Aurobindo’s Writings:

Sri Aurobindo was a prolific writer over a wide range of subjects including philosophy, yoga, poetry, human unity and much more. Most of his major works have been published in US editions by Lotus Press.

Annotations on Sri Aurobindo’s Books

Introductions to Sri Aurobindo:

Sri Aurobindo or The Adventure of Consciousness by Satprem

Satprem takes us along with him in a thorough and methodical exploration of Sri Aurobindo’s yoga. With him, we understand the virtues of mental silence, learn about the invisible gradations of consciousness above the mind, decipher the many beings and forces that inhabit us. All our unknown potentialities come alive before our eyes. Most importantly, we appeciate how these untapped possibilities within us relate to our daily life, how they can transform it from the inside, as it were, and how, ultimately, Sri Aurobindo’s experience leads to a divine rehabilitation of Matter. Sri Aurobindo, or the Adventure of Consciousness is one of the all-time bestselling introductions to the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo, and is a work that has inspired many thousands of people with it’s lucid and engaging style and substance.

ISBN: 978-0-9387-1004-2 paperback 336 pp. $17.95

The Integral Yoga: Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching and Method of Practice

ISBN: 978-0-9415-2476-6 paperback 416 pp. $14.95

Institute for Wholistic Education Home Page

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Gems from Sri Aurobindo:

“The earliest formula of Wisdom promises to be its last, — God, Light, Freedom, Immortality.”

“To hope for a true change of human life without a change of human nature is an irrational and unspiritual proposition.”

“As man moves towards spiritual freedom, he moves also towards spiritual oneness.”

“The Divine Truth is greater than any religion or creed or scripture or idea or philosophy.”

Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Psychology

The Psychic Being:

Soul: Its Nature, Mission and Evolution

by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother

compiled by Dr. A.S. Dalal

223 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0941524566
The present compilation is an attempt to bring together in one volume the manifold teachings pertaining to the psychic being which are to be found in the numerous works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. The selections deal with the nature of the psychic being, shedding the light of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother on the inner constitution of the human being and on various related questions such as the process of inner growth, the afterlife, and rebirth.

Contents:

Preface
Meaning and Nature of the Psychic Being
What is Meant by the Psychic Being
Atman, Jivatman and the Psychic
Psychic-Mental, Psychic-Vital
Psychic-Physical
The Double Soul
Nature of the Psychic Being
The Psychic and the Spiritual
Emotion and Love – Vital and Psychic
Knowledge – Mental and Psychic

Role, Function and Action of the Psychic
Function of the Psychic
Influence and Action of the Psychic
Guidance through Organisation of Life
The Psychic Being – Centre for Self-Unification

Growth and Development of the Psychic
Evolution and the Psychic
Process of Psychic Growth and Development

The Psychic Being and Sadhana
Three Steps of Self-Realisation and the Triple Transformation
Becoming Conscious of the Psychic Being – Need for Sadhana
The Psychic Being and Conversion
Psychic Change – First Necessity
Emergence of the Psychic – Bringing Forward the Psychic
The Sunlit Way of the Psychic

The Afterlife and Rebirth
The Process of Rebirth
What Survives after Death and Reincarnates
The Psychic’s Choice and Conditions of Rebirth
Memory of Past Lives

More Lights on the Psychic Being

Glossary / References / Selected Bibliography / Index

Living Within: Yoga Approach to Psychological Health and Growth

by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother

compiled by Dr. A.S. Dalal

179 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0941524221
Western psychotherapy and the personal growth process has gained considerably from the experience acquired within Eastern traditions. Living Within makes it apparent that there is a great deal more to learn that is of both practical and theoretical value.

Contents:

INTRODUCTION
1. GENERAL METHODS AND PRINCIPLES
The One Way – Quiet, Calm, Peace
Becoming More Conscious
Observation versus Analysis
Using the Will
Rest and Relaxation
Sleep
Recuperating One’s Energies
Detachment and Rejection
Equality
2. DISTURBANCES OF MIND
Mental Noise
Obsessive and Compulsive Thoughts
Unruly and Perturbing Thoughts
Anxiety
3. DISTURBANCES OF THE VITAL
Fear
Boredom and Lack of Energy
Depression
Anger
Haste and Agitation
Feelings of Inferiority
Sensitiveness
Jealousy
Transforming the Vital
4. DISTURBANCES OF THE BODY AND PHYSICAL CONSCIOUSNESS
Rest, Quiet, Goodwill
Will, Discipline, Endurance
Preoccupation with Illness
Faith and Suggestion
Medicines
Healing the Nerves
5. DISTURBANCES OF THE SUBCONSCIENT
How to Deal with the Subconscient
Subconscient Habits
Collective Subconscious Influences
6. THE PSYCHIC BEING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
The Psychic – Source of Inner Well-Being
7. EXERCISES FOR GROWTH AND MASTERY
Stepping Back
Becoming Aware of “Oneself’
Self-Observation and Self-Organization
Visualization for Discovering One’s Being
Awakening the Inner Consciousness
Exercising Static Power
Becoming Aware of the Shadow
Mastery Through Attitude
Identification
Widening the Consciousness
Dynamic Meditation
Drawing upon Helpful Forces
Self-Recollection – Remembering
Using Life as a Mirror
Establishing Peace in the Mind
Glossary / References / Index

Looking From Within: A Seeker’s Guide to Attitudes for Mastery and Inner Growth

by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother

compiled by Dr. A.S. Dalal

185 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0941524817
Three chief categories of seekers have been kept in view in selecting passages for this compilation: those who wish to obtain a greater life-mastery; those who, while pursuing the common goals of life, also aim at something beyond the ordinary life and seek to grow towards a higher or spiritual state of being; and those for whom spiritual growth is the primary purpose and occupation of life……

Contents:

Introduction
Looking at Life and Circumstances
1. Power of Attitude
2. The Determining Power is Within
3. The Right Spirit
4. Seeking to Know
5. Listening to the Inner Law
6. The Ordinary View of Spiritual Life
7. The Spiritual View of theOrdinary Life
8. Inner State and Outer Circumstances
9. The Meaning of Circumstances
10. Living Within
11.Meditations on Circumstances

Looking at Oneself and Others
1. Discovering a Hidden Treasure
2. Turning to the Coming Light
3. Defects of Others
4. Equality, Goodwill
5. Dealing with Others
6. Sin – A Thing Not in its Right Place
7. Helping Others

Action and Work
1. Acting from Within
2. Choice of Work
3. The Work that Purifies
4. Fatigue and Rest
5. Handling Physical Things

Ordeals and Difficulties
1. Difficulties Across the Path
2. Difficulties – A Help for Realisation
3. Difficulties of the Character
4. Universal Adverse Forces
5. Discouragement and Depression
6. Worry and Perplexity
7. Dryness and Arrest of Progress
8. Illness and Suffering

Attitudes on the Path
I. Quiet, Aspiration and Peace
2. Sincerity
3. Personal Effort and Surrender
4. Confidence, Faith and Trust
5. Patience, Perseverance, Endurance, Cheerfulness
6. Awareness and Vigilance
7. The Witness Attitude – Detachment
8. Rejection
9. Possessing Nothing
10 Physical Body – Food
11. Progress for the Sake of Progress
Glossary
References
Index

The Hidden Forces of Life

by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother
compiled by Dr. A.S. Dalal

203 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0941524604
Dealt with herein are the diverse forces which act on us, determining the course of events, influencing our thoughts, feelings and actions, affecting our moods, health and level of energy, pulling the human being to nether depths or beckoning him towards lofty heights. Also shown are the hidden forces behind evolution and the universal action.

Contents:

Life through the Eye of the Yogin
Play of Forces
Forces of Action and Reaction and Destiny
Forces in Human Interchange … 16
Human Will, Nature-Force and Divine Will

Hidden Forces Within
The Subconscient, the Subliminal and the Superconscient
The Psychic

Hidden Forces Around
Outside Suggestions and Vibrations
Forces of Our Formations
Forces of Illness and Accident

Cosmic and Universal Forces
Nature and Action of Universal Forces
Universal Vital Force

Occult Forces
Occultism – Science of Hidden Forces
Occult Worlds and Entities
Magic., Miracles and the Planchette

Hidden Worlds and Evolutionary Forces
Existence and Influence of Hidden World
Action of Higher Worlds and Evolution
Supermind – Force of the New World

Spiritual Forces of Help and Succour
Existence of Spiritual Force
The Divine Grace
Life – A Mass of Vibrations

Glossary / References / Index

 

Flowers and Their Messages

ByThe Mother


List Price: $29.95
309 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 094152468X
By entering into contact with the nature of a flower, its inner truth…one knows what it represents…if you are in contact with it, if you feel it, you can get an impression which may be translated as a thought. There is a kind of identification with the vibration, a perception of the quality that it represents…little by little there occurs a close approach between these vibrations, that are of the vital-emotional order, and the vibration of mental thought.

The Mother puts us in contact with the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical vibrations of flowers and provides insight into how we can contact these energies and permit them to open us up to new forces, thoughts, emotions and directions. Practical psychology at its best.

Sri Aurobindo’s Writings:

Sri Aurobindo was a prolific writer over a wide range of subjects including philosophy, yoga, poetry, human unity and much more. Most of his major works have been published in US editions by Lotus Press.

Outline of Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching

For details on many more titles open the PDF documents:

Sri Aurobindo’s Main Works PDF

Practical Spirituality PDF

Spiritual Wisdom of India PDF

PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader

Back to Sri Aurobindo Information Page

Institute for Wholistic Education Home Page

rev 1/2/21

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Other Relevant Titles:

Our Many Selves: Practical Yogic Psychology

by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother

compiled by Dr. A.S. Dalal

285 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0940985349
Many of us face the difficulty of trying to change something in our nature, only to find that it is either difficult or virtually impossible. We struggle, try to suppress various actions, only to have these actions rebound on us and cause feelings of failure, shame, guilt or frustration. The key to solving this problem actually lies in a deeper understanding of the true nature of our psychological being. We are actually composed of various different “parts” or “planes” of action that combine together, interact with one another and impinge upon one another. This understanding allows us to differentiate between a mental idea, a force of will, an emotional movement, a vital energy, or a physical structure, and thereby more clearly understand the results of our psychological efforts and growth activities.


Powers Within

by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother

compiled by Dr. A.S. Dalal

196 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0941524965
The book throws light on the nature of various inner powers which we already possess and use more or less unconsciously, as well as with latent powers within, which are as yet undeveloped. The book is of interest to the general reader as well as to the spiritual seeker.


Psychology, Mental Health and Yoga

by Dr. A.S. Dalal

166 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0941524647
Essays on Sri Aurobindo’s psychological thought. The implications of yoga for mental health.

Contents:

PART ONE
PSYCHOLOGY AND YOGA
Sri Aurobindo and Modern Psychology
Sri Aurobindo and the Concept of the Unconscious in Psychology
Self- Awareness: In Psychology andSri Aurobindo’s Yoga
The Nature of Identification

PART TWO
MENTAL HEALTH AND YOGA
Psychological Disturbances: A Model Based on Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga
Attitudes, Mental Health and Yoga
Mastery, Mental Health and Yoga
The Healing Power of Peace
Index

Integral Yoga Psychology Metaphysics and Transformation as taught by Sri Aurobindo

Edited by Debashish Banerji

440 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 9781608692392
Integral Yoga Psychology is a new attempt to position the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother within the frame of yoga psychology, as an inquiry related to transpersonal and whole-person psychologies. This book contains 11 essays by leading scholar-practitioners of integral yoga, sketching its possibility-space as a psychology. It attemps this through a hermeneutics of the texts of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, as well as their own and their disciples’ practices and experiences. It also makes a beginning at locating the field in its larger contexts, through comparative, qualitative and empirical studies, as well as probing the clinical possibilities of its models.

Growing Within: Psychology of Inner Development

by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother

compiled by Dr. A.S. Dalal

192 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 094152471X
In essence, evolution is the progressive emergence of higher levels of consciousness. With the appearance of man, evolution has become an increasingly more conscious and accelerated process, in contrast to the pre-human stages. Inner growth is the rapid process of conscious evolution

Contents:

Introduction
Section I
Emergence from Unconsciousness
SectionII
Awakening of Consciousness
Section III
Growth of Consciousness: Basic Requisites
Aspiration
Sincerity
Faith
The Teaching – Mental Preparation
The Teacher
Patience and Right Attitude
Section IV
Growth of Consciousness: First Steps
and Foundation
Purification
Concentration
Equanimity and Peace
Section V
Growth of Consciousness: Means and Methods
Many Methods
Meditation
Work
Bhakti – Devotion
Following One’s Own Path
Section VI
Growth of Consciousness: Difficulties and Pitfalls
Section VII
Growth of Consciousness: Inner Experiences
Section VIII
The Psychic Being and Inner Growth
Section IX
Reversal of Consciousness – The New Birth

Glossary / References / Index

 

The Yoga of Sleep and Dreams:

The Night-School of Sadhana

by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother

Compiled by Dr. A. S. Dalal

List Price: $7.95
144 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0940985748
The Yoga of Sleep and Dreams: The Night-School of Sadhana The practice of yoga continues day and night. This book aids the seeker in becoming conscious and turning sleep and dreams into the opportunity for real and substantial progress on the path of yoga. Introduced and compiled by Dr. A.S. Dalal.

Preface

Introduction

I. Sleep: Doorway to Worlds Within

II. Dreams and Dream Experiences

III. Remembering and Understanding Dreams

IV. Sleep, Dreams and Sadhana

Appendix 1: On Dreams

Appendix 2: Three Dreams

Appendix 3: The Mother of Dreams

Glossary

References

Index

U.S. editions of Integral Psychology Compilations

Sri Aurobindo’s Books

Sri Aurobindo’s Main Works:

The Life Divine

1113 pp Paper Back

ISBN: 0941524612

The Life Divine explores for the Modern mind the great streams of Indian metaphysical thought, reconciling the truths behind each and from this synthesis extends in terms of conciousness the concept of evolution. The unfolding of Earth’s and man’s spiritual destiny is illuminated, pointing the way to a Divine Life on Earth. Extensive Index

This one volume contains the entire book including:

The Life Divine
Book 1: Omnipresent Reality and the Universe
1 – The Human Aspiration
2 – The Two Negations: The Materialist Denial
3 – The Two Negations: The Refusal of the Ascetic
4 – Reality Omnipresent
5 – The Destiny of the Individual
6 – Man in the Universe
7 – The Ego and the Dualities
8 – The Methods of Vedantic Knowledge
9 – The Pure Existent
10 – Conscious Force
11 – Delight of Existence: The Problem
12 – Delight of Existence: The Solution
13 – The Divine Maya
14 – The Supermind as Creator
15 – The Supreme Truth-Consciousness
16 – The Triple Status of the Supermind
17 – The Divine Soul
18 – Mind and Supermind
19 – Life
20 – Death, Desire and Incapacity
21 – The Ascent of Life
22 – The Problem of Life
23 – The Double Soul in Man
24 – Matter
25 – The Knot of Matter
26 – The Ascending Series of Substance
27 – The Sevenfold Chord of Being
28 – Supermind, Mind and the Overmind Maya

Book 2: The Knowledge and the Ignorance – The Spiritual Evolution

Part 1: The Infinite Consciousness and the Ignorance
1 – Indeterminates, Cosmic Determinations and the Indeterminable
2 – Brahman, Purusha, Ishwara – Maya, Prakritit, Shakti
3 – The Eternal and the Individual
4 – The Divine and the Undivine
5 – The Cosmic Illusion; Mind, Dream and Hallucination
6 – Reality and the Cosmic Illusion
7 – The Knowledge and the Ignorance
8 – Memory, Self-Consciousness and the Ignorance
9 – Memory, Ego and Self-Experience
10 – Knowledge by Identity and Separative Knowledge
11 – The Boundaries of the Ignorance
12 – The Origin of the Ignorance
13 – Exclusive Concentration of Consciousness-Force and Ignorance
14 – The Origin and Remedy of Falsehood, Error, Wrong and Evil

Book 2: The Knowledge and the Ignorance – The Spiritual Evolution

Part 2: The Knowledge and the Spiritual Evolution
15 – Reality and the Integral Knoweldge
16 – The Integral Knowledge and the Aim of Life; Four Theories of Existence
17 – The Progress to Knowledge – God, Man and Nature
18 – The Evolutionary Process – Ascent and Integration
19 – Out of the Sevenfold Ignorance Towards the Sevenfold Knowledge
20 – The Philosophy of Rebirth
21 – The Order of the Worlds
22 – Rebirth and Other Worlds; Karma, the Soul and Immortality

23 – Man and the Evolution
24 – The Evolution of the Spiritual Man
25 – The Triple Transformation
26 – The Ascent Towards Supermind
27 – The Gnostic Being
28 – The Divine Life

The Synthesis of Yoga

889 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0941524655
“Truth of philosophy is of a merely theoretical value unless it can be lived, and we have therefore tried in The Synthesis of Yoga to arrive at a synthetical view of the principles and methods of the various lines of spiritual self-discipline and the way in which they can lead to an integral divine life in the human existence”. Index.

This one volume contains the entire book including:

The Synthesis of Yoga
Parts One and Two Introduction: The Conditions of the Synthesis; Part I: The Yoga of Divine Works; Part II: The Yoga of Integral Knowledge. Part III: The Yoga of Divine Love; Part IV: The Yoga of Self-Perfection.

Introductions to Sri Aurobindo’s Philosophy:

The Mind of Light

112 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0940985705

This is an excellent short introduction to the teaching and spiritual philosophy of Sri Aurobindo. Sri Aurobindo’s teaching is founded on an evolution of consciousness as the hidden inner meaning and secret purpose of life on earth. In The Mind of Light, Sri Aurobindo gives us both the conditions for these changes, and the likely direction these changes will take. The book is a guide to the future evolution of consciousness and gives all those who aspire for something more luminous and harmonious a clear indication of the value and goal of their efforts. The book includes an enhanced annotated bibliography to guide the reader further into the the writings by and about Sri Aurobindo and the Integral Yoga.

From the Back Cover:

An evolution of consciousness is the hidden inner meaning and purpose of life on earth–this is the foundation for the teaching of Sri Aurobindo. Sri Aurobindo has been described as one of the greatest sages of our time. His viewpoint spans time and space and brings our somewhat confused seeking and aspiration into focus.

The secret thread running through all existence is the evolution of consciousness. Consciousness is involved within matter, and it successively manifests at higher levels in the course of time. Thus plants, animals, and human beings have come forward through time on this planet. Sri Aurobindo points out clearly that this evolutionary process has not been completed. Within the seeking and aspiration that move through humanity, there is an underlying pressure for the manifestation of a new level of consciousness. He called it the “supramental” consciousness, which is basically a descriptive term for the next level of awareness beyond the human mental capabilities. This new consciousness will refashion both our physical bodies and our mental capabilities into a new integrated, harmonious structure.

Once we recognize the ongoing evolutionary urge of life, and the nature of the present evolutionary process, it becomes clear that a new being must evolve beyond the human. This being will have capacities as far beyond the human as the human has capacities beyond the animal.

In The Mind of Light, Sri Aurobindo gives us both the conditions for these changes, and the likely direction these changes will take. The book is a guide to the future evolution of consciousness and gives all those who aspire for something more luminous and harmonious a clear indication of the value and goal of their efforts.

The Future Evolution of Man: The Divine Life Upon Earth

168 pp Paper Back

ISBN: 0940985551

Sri Aurobindo introduces his theme of the evolution of consciousness as the centerpiece of his vision of man’s meaning and purpose on earth. This is the best introduction available to the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo. The annotated table of contents provides an excellent overview of the material.

From the back cover:

We feel swept into a movement of accelerated evolution. Our lives are propelled at an ever-increasing speed of change. Our advances in technology lead to dislocations in society as we fail to comprehend either the impact of these changes on human social institutions or the unintended consequences that develop as a reaction to the changes we initiate. The complexity of the systems we are changing goes beyond the capability of the human mind, and at the end of the day, we are confronted with the nightmare of technology threatening our extinction without the ability to put the proverbial genie back into the bottle.

As we struggle to achieve some kind of balance between our technological capabilities and the functioning of the natural world, we eventually reach the point where we can understand that technology cannot, in and of itself, ensure either the survival of humanity or the satisfaction of the deeper urges that underlie our lives.

While some give up hope and lapse into despair and nihilism, others turn toward the deeper spiritual impulses that reside deep within us, and recognize that this tension and pressure is in fact the sign of a deeper change that must take place, the replacement of mental, vital and physical goals with a spiritual one: the outflowering of the deeper inner purpose that drives our evolutionary development on the planet.

We can see in the dreams and aspirations of humanity this true inner evolutionary direction. We dream of peace, harmony, beauty, love, oneness. We aspire toward a spiritual purpose for living beyond the fulfillment of our bodily needs and desires.

Sri Aurobindo offers us an insight into the true meaning of our lives on earth and the present evolutionary crisis we are facing. He reminds us that each being has contained within itself the eventual shape and life force it is meant to express, and that within the human soul is the answer to the current seemingly impossible struggle. Our human destiny on the planet lies in the future evolution of our consciousness to a level that can resolve all the contradictions in a new luminous and harmonious oneness of life and action.

The Integral Yoga: Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching and Method of Practice

416 pp Paper Back

ISBN: 0941524760

One of the foremost Indian philosophers of the twentieth century, Sri Aurobindo was also a political activist, a mystic and a spiritual leader. Between 1927 and 1950, Sri Aurobindo remained in seclusion while perfecting a new kind of spiritual practice he called the Integral Yoga. During this period he gave detailed guidance to disciples and seekers, responding to thousands of inquiries. This correspondence constitutes a major body of work on the practice of yoga-sadhana. The present volume brings together a comprehensive selection of Sri Aurobindo’s letters, organized by area of interest. An ideal introduction to his work and vision, it will also serve as an invaluable daily handbook for seekers of all paths – beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Glossary.

Sri Aurobindo, or the Adventure of Consciousness

ISBN: 9780938710042
by Satprem  – translated by Venet, Luc
Paperback:  336 pp

Satprem takes us along with him in a thorough and methodical exploration of Sri Aurobindo’s yoga. With him, we understand the virtues of mental silence, learn about the invisible gradations of consciousness above the mind, decipher the many beings and forces that inhabit us. All our unknown potentialities come alive before our eyes. Most importantly, we appeciate how these untapped possibilities within us relate to our daily life, how they can transform it from the inside, as it were, and how, ultimately, Sri Aurobindo’s experience leads to a divine rehabilitation of Matter. Sri Aurobindo, or the Adventure of Consciousness is one of the all-time bestselling introductions to the integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo, and is a work that has inspired many thousands of people with it’s lucid and engaging style and substance.

Sri Aurobindo’s Writings:

Sri Aurobindo was a prolific writer over a wide range of subjects including philosophy, yoga, poetry, human unity and much more. Most of his major works have been published in US editions by Lotus Press.

Outline of Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching

For details on many more titles open the PDF documents:

Sri Aurobindo’s Main Works PDF

Practical Spirituality PDF

Spiritual Wisdom of India PDF

PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader

U.S. editions of Sri Aurobindo’s writings now available:

Lotus Press Sri Aurobindo and related literature menu page providing a complete list of available US and Indian editions, including Sri Aurobindo, The Mother, compilations, Sri M P Pandit and books by other authors

SRI AUROBINDO’S WRITINGS NOW ON AMAZON KINDLE AS E-BOOKS: Sri Aurobindo’s Writings Available as E-Books for Amazon Kindle Readers or App The Amazon Kindle is perhaps the most popular e-book reader in the world, and the APP works on desktop computers, laptops, android phones, tablets etc. The APP can be downloaded free from Amazon.com We are systematically making Sri Aurobindo’s writings available for the Kindle App and Readers. Here are a few of them, with more links to be provided soon:

Bhagavad Gita and Its Message Bhagavad Gita and Its Message
Dictionary of Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga (compiled by M P Pandit) Dictionary of Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga
Essays on the Gita Essays on the Gita
The Future Evolution of Man The Future Evolution of Man
Hidden Forces of Life (compiled by AS Dalal from writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother Hidden Forces of Life
The Human Cycle: The Psychology of Social Development The Human Cycle: The Psychology of Social Development
The Ideal of Human Unity The Ideal of Human Unity
Integral Yoga: Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching and Method of Practice Integral Yoga
The Life Divine The Life Divine
Looking from Within (compiled by AS Dalal from writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother Looking from Within
The Mind of Light The Mind of Light (The Supramental Manifestation on Earth)
The Mother The Mother
Our Many Selves (compiled by AS Dalal from writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother Our Many Selves
Powers Within (compiled by AS Dalal from writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother Powers Within
The Psychic Being (compiled by AS Dalal from writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother Psychic Being
Rebirth and Karma Rebirth and Karma
Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol
Secret of the Veda Secret of the Veda
Sri Aurobindo on the Tantra (compiled by M P Pandit) Sri Aurobindo on the Tantra
The Synthesis of Yoga The Synthesis of Yoga
The Upanishads The Upanishads
Vedic Symbolism (compiled by M P Pandit) Vedic Symbolism
Yoga of Sleep and Dreams (compiled by AS Dalal from writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother Yoga of Sleep and Dreams

By Sri M P Pandit:
Sri Aurobindo and His Yoga Sri Aurobindo and His Yoga
Teaching of Sri Aurobindo Teaching of Sri Aurobindo

SRI AUROBINDO’S BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE ON GOOGLE PLAY AS E-BOOKS:

Google Play provides e-book versions for Android devices, including smartphones, tablets, or android e-book readers.

The Mother   THE MOTHER
Bases of Yoga  BASES OF YOGA
Essays on the Gita  ESSAYS ON THE GITA
The Human Cycle: Psychology of Social Development  The Human Cycle: The Psychology of Social Development
Ideal of Human Unity  IDEAL OF HUMAN UNITY
The Life Divine  THE LIFE DIVINE
The Mind of Light  THE MIND OF LIGHT
Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol  SAVITRI: A LEGEND AND A SYMBOL
Sri Aurobindo on the Tantra  SRI AUROBINDO ON THE TANTRA
The Synthesis of Yoga  THE SYNTHESIS OF YOGA

Back to Sri Aurobindo Information Page

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Other Recommended Titles:

Bhagavad Gita and Its Message

325 pp Paper Back

ISBN: 0941524787

The Bhagavad Gita, literally “The Song of God,” is one of the most important spiritual and religious texts of the world, and is to Hindus what the Torah is to Jews, the Bible to Christians, and the Quran to Moslems. With text, translation, and Sri Aurobindo’s commentary, this is probably the finest translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita that we have seen.


Savitri: A Legend and A Symbol

816 pp Paper Back

ISBN: 0941524809

In this epic spiritual poem, Sri Aurobindo reveals his vision of mankind’s destiny within the universal evolution. He sets forth the optimistic view that life on earth has a purpose, and he places our travail within the context of this purpose: to participate in the evolution of consciousness that represents the secret thread behind life on Earth.

The one volume contains the entire book including:

Part One:

The Book of Beginnings; The Book of the Traveller of the Worlds; The Book of the Divine Mother.

Part Two:

The Book of Birth and Quest; The Book of Love; The Book of Fate; The Book of Yoga; The Book of Death.

Part Three:

The Book of Eternal Night; The Book of the Double Twilight; The Book of Everlasting Day; Epilogue: The Return to Earth; Sri Aurobindo’s Letters on Savitri.


The Upanishads

466 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0914955233
The Upanishads is a collection of Sri Aurobindo’s final translations of and commemtaries on every Upanishad or other Vedantic text he worked on. Upanishads are the ancient treatises on spiritual truths as envisioned by the seers, sages and rishis of the civilization of India. Index.

The volume contains: Texts, Translations and Commentaries: Philosophy of the Upanishads; On translating the Upanishads; The Upanishads; Early translations of some Vedantic Texts; Supplement.


Sri Aurobindo and His Yoga

200 pp Paper Back
ISBN: 0941524256
Sri Pandit gives us an overview of Sri Aurobindo’s life, his writings and his Integral Yoga. In doing so, he takes time to introduce the major principles of yoga and relates in a simple yet dynamic form the path open to the seekers of spiritual perfection.

Indian imported editions of Sri Aurobindo’s writings now available:

Series of Detailed Study Guides covering Sri Aurobindo’s Major Writings

page by page study with commentary by Santosh Krinsky and page referenced passages from Sri Aurobindo’s Writings. Also available on Amazon as Kindle E-Book Editions:

Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching and Method of Sadhana

Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching and Method of Sadhana

The following is from SABCL, Vol. 26, “Sri Aurobindo on Himself”, pp. 95-97. It also appears in the recent book The Mind of Light published by Lotus Press in December 2003.

The teaching of Sri Aurobindo starts from that of the ancient sages of India that behind the appearances of the universe there is the Reality of a Being and Consciousness, a Self of all things, one and eternal. All beings are united in that One Self and Spirit but divided by a certain separativity of consciousness, an ignorance of their true Self and Reality in the mind, life and body. It is possible by a certain psychological discipline to remove this veil of separative consciousness and become aware of the true Self, the Divinity within us and all.

Sri Aurobindo’s teaching states that this One Being and Consciousness is involved here in Matter. Evolution is the method by which it liberates itself; consciousness appears in what seems to be inconscient, and once having appeared is self-impelled to grow higher and higher and at the same time to enlarge and develop towards a greater and greater perfection. Life is the first step of this release of consciousness; mind is the second; but the evolution does not finish with mind, it awaits a release into something greater, a consciousness which is spiritual and supramental. The next step of the evolution must be towards the development of Supermind and Spirit as the dominant power in the conscious being. For only then will the involved Divinity in things release itself entirely and it become possible for life to manifest perfection.

But while the former steps in evolution were taken by Nature without a conscious will in the plant and animal life, in man Nature becomes able to evolve by a conscious will in the instrument. It is not, however, by the mental will in man that this can be wholly done, for the mind goes only to a certain point and after that can only move in a circle. A conversion has to be made, a turning of the consciousness by which mind has to change into the higher principle. This method is to be found through the ancient psychological discipline and practice of Yoga. In the past, it has been attempted by a drawing away from the world and a disappearance into the height of the Self or Spirit. Sri Aurobindo teaches that a descent of the higher principle is possible which will not merely release the spiritual Self out of the world, but release it in the world, replace the mind’s ignorance or its very limited knowledge by a supramental Truth-Consciousness which will be a sufficient instrument of the inner Self and make it possible for the human being to find himself dynamically as well as inwardly and grow out of his still animal humanity into a diviner race. The psychological discipline of Yoga can be used to that end by opening all the parts of the being to a conversion or transformation through the descent and working of the higher still concealed supramental principle.

This, however, cannot be done at once or in a short time or by any rapid or miraculous transformation. Many steps have to be taken by the seeker before the supramental descent is possible. Man lives mostly in his surface mind, life and body, but there is an inner being within him with greater possibilities to which he has to awake – for it is only a very restricted influence from it that he receives now and that pushes him to a constant pursuit of a greater beauty, harmony, power and knowledge. The first process of Yoga is therefore to open the ranges of this inner being and to live from there outward, governing his outward life by an inner light and force. In doing so he discovers in himself his true soul which is not this outer mixture of mental, vital and physical elements but something of the Reality behind them, a spark from the one Divine Fire. He has to learn to live in his soul and purify and orientate by its drive towards the Truth the rest of the nature. There can follow afterwards an opening upward and descent of a higher principle of the Being. But even then it is not at once the full supramental Light and Force. For there are several ranges of consciousness between the ordinary human mind and the supramental Truth-Consciousness. These intervening ranges have to be opened up and their power brought down into the mind, life and body. Only afterwards can the full power of the Truth-Consciousness work in the nature. The process of this self-discipline or Sadhana is therefore long and difficult, but even a little of it is so much gained because it makes the ultimate release and perfection more possible.

There are many things belonging to older systems that are necessary on the way – an opening of the mind to a greater wideness and to the sense of the Self and the Infinite, an emergence into what has been called the cosmic consciousness, mastery over the desires and passions; an outward asceticism is not essential, but the conquest of desire and attachment and a control over the body and its needs, greeds and instincts are indispensable. There is a combination of the principles of the old systems, the way of knowledge through the mind’s discernment between Reality and the appearance, the heart’s way of devotion, love and surrender and the way of works turning the will away from motives of self-interest to the Truth and the service of a greater Reality than the ego. For the whole being has to be trained so that it can respond and be transformed when it is possible for that greater Light and Force to work in the nature.

In this discipline, the inspiration of the Master, and in the difficult stages his control and his presence are indispensable – for it would be impossible otherwise to go through it without much stumbling and error which would prevent all chance of success. The Master is one who has risen to a higher consciousness and being and he is often regarded as its manifestation or representative. He not only helps by his teaching and still more by his influence and example but by a power to communicate his own experience to others.

This is Sri Aurobindo’s teaching and method of practice. It is not his object to develop any one religion or to amalgamate the older religions or to found any new religion – for any of these things would lead away from his central purpose. The one aim of his Yoga is an inner self-development by which each one who follows it can in time discover the One Self in all and evolve a higher consciousness than the mental, a spiritual and supramental consciousness which will transform and divinise human nature.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the main lines of practice of Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga?

In Sri Aurobindo’s view, Man, at present, lives mostly in his surface mind, life and body. There is an inner being within which pushes him to a constant pursuit of a greater beauty, harmony, power and knowledge. He has to awake to the greater possibilities of this inner being and purify and orientate by its drive towards the Truth the rest of the nature.There can follow afterwards an opening upward to the several ranges of consciousness between the ordinary human mind and the Supramental Truth-Consciousness and their power brought down into the mind life and body. This will enable the full power of the Truth-Consciousness to work in the nature.

Is this not a very difficult spiritual discipline?

The opening of all parts of the being to a conversion through a descent and working of the higher Consciousness cannot be done at once or in a short time or by any rapid or miraculous transformation. Many steps have to be taken by the seeker before this is possible. The process of this discipline is therefore long and difficult but even a little of it is so much gained because it makes the ultimate release and perfection more possible.

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Gems from Sri Aurobindo:

“A civilisation is to be judged by the power of its ideas.”

“Evolution is the one eternal dynamic law and hidden process of the earth-nature.”

“All existence is a manifestation of God.”

“Spirituality is a single word expressive of three lines of human aspiration toward divine knowledge, divine love and joy, divine strength.”

“We imagine that the soul is in the body, almost a result and derivation from the body; but it is the body that is in the soul and a result and derivation from the soul.”

“There in the silence few have ever reached, Thou shalt see the Fire burning on the base stone and the deep cavern of thy secret soul.”

“A deeper brotherhood, a yet unfound law of love is the only sure foundation possible for a perfect social evolution, no other can replace it.”

“Only by the ascent to a highest Truth and the descent of that highest Truth can Love be delivered from the cross and placed on the throne.”

“To find, know and possess the Divine existence, consciousness and nature and to live in it for the Divine is our true aim and the one perfection to which we must aspire.”

“True happiness lies in the finding and maintenance of a natural harmony of spirit, mind and body.”

“The heart of man is nearer to the Truth than his intelligence.”

“Without realisation our mental belief cannot become a dynamic reality.”

“The example is more powerful than the instruction.”

“An inch of experience goes farther than a yard of logic.”

Sri Aurobindo’s Writings:

Sri Aurobindo was a prolific writer over a wide range of subjects including philosophy, yoga, poetry, human unity and much more. Most of his major works have been published in US editions by Lotus Press.

Annotations on Sri Aurobindo’s Books