Sri Aurobindo & Divine Mother

by Jayaram V

Sri Aurobindo was born in Calcutta on August 15,1872. In His life time, he wrote extensively on a number of spiritual subjects and his integral yoga, explaining the process of the descent of higher levels of consciousness and the way they would transform life and consciousness upon earth eventually. He believed in the evolution of consciousness and the possibility of humans evolving into super humans through self-effort and divine centered living. He believed in the importance of silence, austerity, purity and surrender to allow the Divine Mother to work through one's mind and body and prepare them for the descent of supramental consciousness.

In his efforts, he was assisted greatly by the Mother, who remained with him in the Ashram. After he decided to practice silence, she took over the responsibility of managing the Ashram and providing guidance to the followers who sought her help. Sri Aurobindo left this world on December 5th, 1950. The Mother continued his work in the earthly plane until she passed away in the seventies. In this section we are presenting a few essays and writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother for our reader's benefit.

Religion

The religion which embraces Science and faith, Theism, Christianity, Mohamedanism and Buddhism and yet is none of these, is that to which the World-Spirit moves.

All religions have saved a number of souls, but none yet has been able to spiritualize mankind. For that there is needed not cult and creed, but a sustained and all comprehending effort at spiritual self-evolution.

Vedanta says rather, "Man, thou art of one nature and substance with God, one soul with thy fellow-men. Awake and progress then to thy utter divinity, live for God in thyself and in others." This gospel which was given only to the few, must now be offered to all mankind for its deliverance.

There are two works that are perfectly pleasing to God in His servant; to sweep in silent adoration His temple floors and to fight in the world's battle-field of His divine consummation in humanity.

God's servant is something; God"s slave is greater.

Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit.

Sri Aurobindo