Thoughts and Aphorisms 11B

11. Immortality is not the survival of the mental personality after death, though that also is true, but the waking possession of the unborn and deathless Self of which body is only an instrument and a shadow.
(Thoughts and Aphorisms: Sri Aurobindo)

[Continued from the previous discussion]

The Person behind each appearance that is named a human being is the unborn and the deathless Self. We have seen in the previous discussions that The Supreme Being Himself has manifested as the Universe, as the Cosmic Reality, revealing His Universal aspect, and has also manifested as the Individual Beings in His Universal aspect. And He is the Transcendental Being, above and beyond all Manifestation — besides the Universal and Individual Aspects.

The deathless Self or the Soul is the individual aspect of Manifestation and is termed the atman in Sanskrit. It is a part and portion of the Supreme Consciousness, the Divine — a part who is one with the Whole, who can be the Whole also, who can unite with the Whole. The Soul is originally and can become, through Realization, One with the Supreme Consciousness. It is, in reality, One with the Supreme and with Universe. But ordinarily, the human does not know this, has not realized this. It is thus, in truth, immortal and eternal, beyond Death.

The body is subject to death, but it is an evolutionary condition of the Being that is born and is subject to Transformation and change. In the urge of Manifestation as the Many, the Supreme, That is the Existence-Consciousness-Bliss, the sat-chit-ananda, has taken up the body, the physical being, besides the vital and the mental being. As discussed earlier, the physical, vital and mental beings are the masks taken up by the Soul from the planes of Matter, Life and Mind.
Generally, according to the old philosophical thought, the word Soul was regarded as eternal and ever-conscious, but was regarded as inactive and passive. It was regarded to be a witness that never interfered. However, in Man, there is an active part or aspect of the Soul, which is termed by Sri Aurobindo as the Psychic Being, which participates in the Evolution of Man, in the onward journey of the human being on the Path of Evolution into the higher beings, the supramental beings, towards the Manifestation of the Supramental Consciousness, the next phase of the Evolution. The Psychic is not present in any other living beings. The psychic being is not present even in an Asura or in a Devata, as both of them are non-evolutionary beings. To evolve beyond their present status, both an Asura and a Devata will have to take birth as a human being, as held by Sri Aurobindo.

OOOOO

Sri Aurobindo adopted the term “psychic being” for the word soul is vaguely used:
The word soul is very vaguely used in English- as it often refers to the whole non-physical consciousness including even the vital with all its desires and passions. That is why the word psychic being has to be used so as to distinguish this divine portion from the instrumental parts of the nature.

Thus, in the human who is an evolutionary being, the Soul is to be understood as the psychic being.

We should have a clear understanding of the difference between the soul or, rather, the psychic being and the pure Atman, which is the self or the spirit. The pure self is unborn and does not pass through death or birth. It is not limited or affected or bound by body, mind or life, or even by Nature, and it is independent of them, though it supports them. However, it should also be remembered that the Spirit has become the Manifestation in Nature, from which have emerged and evolved the body and the life and the mind.

The soul or the psychic being participates in the process and procedure of birth and death, though it is neither born nor ever dead, as it is immortal and eternal. In the process, it moves from the earth plane to other planes and comes back again to earth-existence, as said by Sri Aurobindo. The soul moves with the evolutionary progression through several lives, from the existence of a cell to the stage of a human being, supporting the Evolution and development of the physical being, the vital being and the mental being in the human existence and consciousness. It continues its support of the further evolution beyond Mind. And all this is done behind the veil.

When the true spiritual life begins, it is no more behind the veil. Indeed, to begin the true spiritual life, the psychic being has to be unveiled. This is the first step in the process of Transformation — in the Way of the Triple Transformation. The psychic being, when unveiled, takes up the further evolution of the Individual, towards the higher Evolution of planes beyond Mind and of the Supramental Consciousness. It gradually brings a change unto the mental personality also, which is then immortalized. The mental personality then survives after death, for it accompanies the unveiled psychic being.

As Sri Aurobindo has said, in the due course of the Supramental Transformation, the physical body will be changed and it will no more have the necessity of a death, for it can then cure and create the necessary cells, and obviously it will then be different from what the present human body is.

The deathless Self will then transmute the mortal body as a perfect and deathless instrument, which will no more remain a shadow.

OOOOO

Whenever the psychic being takes a new birth, it aims at having a further progress on the Way, developing and perfecting the mental, vital and physical beings, its total personality, the basis of which should be a progressively perfecting body. Until and unless the physical principle in our personality is perfect and prepared to receive the new light, the new consciousness, the new life, the rebirth will be there, and the death will continue. Only an attainment of the physical immortality can this process of rebirth will come to an end for an individual or for a collectivity of individuals.

In this connection The Mother has said:
But usually, when one speaks of immortality, people think of physical immortality — it goes without saying that this has not yet been realised.
Sri Aurobindo says that it is possible and even that it will happen, but he lays down one condition: the body must be supramentalised, it must have some of the qualities of the supra mental being, which are qualities of plasticity and constant transformation. And when Sri Aurobindo writes that the body is “only an instrument and a shadow”, he is speaking of the body as it is now and will probably continue to be for a long time to come. It is only the instrument of the Self, a very inadequate expression of this Self, and a shadow — a shadow, some thing vague and obscure in comparison with the light and precision of the eternal Self. [Vol.10, Collective Works of The Mother]

Regarding the descent of the soul, or the psychic being, The Mother has said:
Its descent into the physical body is necessarily a descent into darkness, ignorance, unconsciousness; and for a very long time it must labour simply to bring a little consciousness into the material substance of the body, before it can make use of it for the experience it has come for. So, if we cultivate the body by a clear-sighted and rational method, at the same time we are helping the growth of the soul, its progress and enlightenment. [Vol.10, Collective Works of The Mother]

The Mother has further said that by physical culture, we can infuse consciousness into the cells of the body. And this is of a great importance, as by this the body can control and perfect itself, and it adds to the action of the psychic being that has entered the body.
Thus, that is the Way, stepping into which the humanity, or at least a willing portion of it, can progress towards the attainment of the deathless body, which shall no more be a shadow, but an expression of the Divine.

Barindranath Chaki
19-07-2008
[Simultaneously published today by me in Sulekha .]

Aju M speaks

From: aju mukhopadhyay <aju.mukhopadhyay@gmail.com>
To: "Tusar N. Mohapatra" <tusarnmohapatra@gmail.com>
Aju Mukhopadhyay speaks on the Comment by Anonymous on the demands for the independence of Auroville. [Date: 2008/7/17]: 444

Dear Tusar M,

ÕÕÕ RE the message by anonymous — what Barindranath has said stands good — it was not altogether good to say ignorant — it is certainly violation and it does not prove the knowledge of the other. Truth is that there are hundreds of differences raging in these organizations- all humans doing and raising — it is all right as Tusar proceeds — this is an intellectual forum and it will so deal with things — go inward and produce — a yogic way — let that be done but everyone has right to proceed in his ways.

Truly,
Aju M

›››››

From: aju mukhopadhyay <aju.mukhopadhyay@gmail.com>
To: "Tusar N. Mohapatra" <tusarnmohapatra@gmail.com>
Aju Mukhopadhyay speaks on the Comment by Anonymous on the demands for the independence of Auroville. [Date: 2008/7/15]: 444

Dear Tusar M and Friends,
Why not publish the id of the anonymous?
But a nice piece — it certainly carries weight. Though there are certain gaps — true that we should not deal with out and out politicians — if living within is the only goal why and who out of all will go out? commenting on the goings on of the organizations that the anonymous has made is also going out and could be contested! But it goes on— yes — less talk and more work — but who's working, How do you know?
The forum is to discuss — be it purified — come closer with straightforwardness.
Warmly to all
Aju Mukhopadhyay
›››››
Posted by me.
Barindranath Chaki
17-07-2008

A Comment on a Comment

I have repeatedly gone through the comment given by Anonymous on the post "Savitri Era Party demands independence of Auroville..." published by Tusar Mohapatra in Savitri Era. It created mixed reactions in me.

First of all, I wonder what made Anonymous to remain anonymous. It seems it is due to lack of courage. It would have been better and farer, if the writer would have given his name.

Secondly to say that Tusar is ignorant is too much of an attack on him. And as far as I know Tusar is not an ignorant person. Anonymous could have expressed what he wanted to convey, without calling Tusar ignorant. Whatever epithet Anonymous added to Mr. Nandivarman I am not going to question, as I don’t know anything about him.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville are two great symbols for all who love and follow The Mother and Sri Aurobindo throughout the World. The names are sacred, the places are sacred. They are creations of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. Legally, they may be private institutions, but whenever there are reports of untoward events, followers and devotees are really hurt and aggrieved. Therefore, those who are in charge of the administration and management of these great institutions should be very careful, so that there is no scar or spot in the whiteness of the sacredness. It is natural that some of the followers and the devotees may react when they get some information of some event or incident touching the sacredness of these two symbols.

What Anonymous said could have been said in a better way, in a more polite way, without uttering the word ‘ignorant’. Anonymous, or for that matter anybody else, has every right to express himself, express his ideas and views, but without hurting the sentiments of others. We may differ from Tusar — but it can be expressed without any harshness. That much we may expect from one who advises and speaks about self-realization.

Personally, I feel that one may differ from Tusar about the issue whether Auroville should be free from the hands of the Government of India. It may be held that the involvement of the Government is better than the lack of involvement, which would eventually create anarchy and chaos in Auroville, as the Society in general is not yet free from the anti-social elements.

Regarding the Ashram, too, I feel that one should be impartial and let the Ashram and the Ashramites settle the matters of inner dispute, if any — until the things become uncontrollable and cross the limits! However, I hope and feel certainly that such a situation will never arise, as The Mother is there, along with the Presence of The Master. Very often, the human mind is too petty to understand and interfere and it creates quarrels and feuds!

I fully agree with Anonymous, when he says to live within and know one’s self. Indeed, that is the most important and the first task before each of us. Anonymous has rightly pointed this out. Indeed, our first task and goal should be to transform ourselves and to endeavour to realize the Truth that Sri Aurobindo and The Mother brought for us. It matters little whether one lives in the Ashram or in Auroville or in the world at large.

"One man's perfection still can save the world" — it is surely true. And each of us to aspire and strive for this Perfection!

However, to conclude, I may say that we cannot infringe upon the rights of anybody else in floating a party or in endeavoring to bring together the Aurobindonians [I prefer the word Aurobindonian to Aurobindian, the former term being used by K D Sethna and M P Pandit and some others]. If one has the urge, if one feels the Call, let him do it.

And it is of utmost importance that we should seek the Truth or the Self within, I fully agree, but that should not restrict us from attending the external world and solving its problems!

And let us collectively seek the Truth that The Mother and The Master have brought for us!

Barindranath Chaki
16-7-2008
OOOOO

[The concerned Comment :
From: Anonymous <http://in.mc88.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=noreply-comment@blogger.com>To: http://in.mc88.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=tusarnmohapatra@gmail.com
Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "Savitri Era Party demands independence of Auroville...":

It is sad, Mr. Tushar, that though you claim to be some sort of Sri Aurobindo devotee - notwithstanding your coming up with such pathetically shallow and immature notions such as 'Savitri Era Party' - you are now associated and being felicitated by Mr. Nandhivarman, who is part of the pseudo-rationalist tribe, and a known mud-slinger at the Ashram, and at the Mother and Sri Aurobindo themselves, and who does it purely for base political gains.

The Internet is a powerful tool, but in the hands of the ignorant, such as yourselves, and the perverse, such as Mr. Nandivarman, it is easily misused. The 2 of you provide excellent examples of this. Hopefully, your readers will have the discernment to separate the chaff from the wheat - though the wheat is so rare to come by!

A piece of advice to you, to other Aurobindonians, and to myself: Discover the Divine within; the changes outside will follow. The less we encourage this mental and vital fret, the better for our collective growth and progress. For till we don't find Her within, our shrill cries from either bank of the river of phenomenal reality are equally foolish.

As to your occasional unsolicited comments and advice such as how Auroville should be autonomous, and how the Ashram should be better managed, refer once again to the above para. If you still feel the overwhelming urge to 'act' however, get down from your fibre-optic tower and see the deeper ground Reality of things.

It is my conviction - and I am hardly alone - that the Ashram and Auroville are shaping up beautifully, in the hands of individuals who are committed and dedicated even if imperfect, and who work more than they talk, and talk even less than they type. Of course there are wayward individuals everywhere, and all organisations have their share of them too, but the Hand that has guided so far, continues to guide, and slowly, ever so slowly but surely, those who have the eyes to see recognize that these centres of the Divine's concrete Presence and Work, grow onward towards the Light.

It is pointless to reply to your friend Mr. Nandhivarman; his motives are in question. The greater tragedy is when professed devotees like yourself are pulled into their devious game, and do not have the wisdom to realise that our only work is within ourselves, and our only genuine concern the kingdom within ourselves. May we grow wide, as the Vedas say.

V

P.S.: If you tell us that you are indeed conscious of that deeper reality within yourself, and that you are truly inwardly realised and convinced that it is necessary to set up 'systems', create a 'Savitri Era Party', 'save' the Aurobindonian community from impending doom and destruction wrecked by the wretched administrators you seem to conjure - well, sound the bugle, and perhaps we shall be inspired to join you. But at present you hardly come across as one who has the Knowledge or the Call. I can imagine there is much which can be changed for the better, in Auroville, in the Ashram, in India, in the world; but where does that change begin? Nay, Their workings are far more complex, intricate, and mysterious, and "One man's perfection still can save the world…" Posted by Anonymous to Savitri Era at 5:05 PM, July 07, 2008 ]

OOOOO
Posted in All Choice by Barindranath Chaki

******

From Devabrata ~

I fully agree with the spirit of Barindranath Chaki in relation of Sri Aurobindo and Auroville. There may be thousand and one lapses in these two esteemed institutions -but what ever it may be -it must be mended or corrected by the inmates of these institutions. Otherwise-the very purpose of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother will be defeated. Who are we to judge the situations there when we believe that The Mother is working still -and as per the Mother -Sri Aurobindo would not leave this world till the work is done?

With all reverence to Satprem I must say that it all started with him after he made public his personal opinions on the Ashramite open to the people. In spite of the Mother's repeated advice not to make public her political uttering -Satprem did not comply. His harsh comments on the Ashramites and his comparison of the Ashram with that of Vatican opened the gate of all this. Even after reading Agenda-some people -I know them-asked me the eligibility and the attainment of Nolini Kanta Gupta. It happened all for Satprem. He was much loved by the Mother (as The Mother loved all people of this world)-but this fact should not give him licence to vilify the Ashram. I knew many highly elevated Ashramites (they were hidden yogis) much after Satprem had left the Ashram-and I personally got sheltered by their spiritual power. I know still some persons -who are extremely dedicated sadhakas. Some Tamil groups and politicians are always keen to denigrate the Ashram. Thank you with all sincerity for writing this.

Regards.

Devabrata
9:27 PM
16-07-2008

My view:

Satprem was a great person, a great Follower of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo, a great Worker of The Mother. He has a great lot of lofty contributions to the Cause of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. And he was an Ashramite, a close devotee of The Mother. He has a lot of contributions for others, and his leaving the Ashram or his criticisms of the Ashram, if any, are not any part of his great and lofty contributions! One can now forget it. And it has nothing to do with the present acitivities of Nandiverman or other critics.

Barindranath Chaki
24-07-2008

From Mamata Dash

On 'The Day of Victory'

Dear Mr. Chaki
We are back in Bangalore now. After staying here for a few days we will go back to Pondicherry.
I went through your article "The Victory Day'
About Satya Sai baba being the godhead who descended on 24th November 1926.. it has never been stated by the Mother or Sr. Aurobindo. So it can never be true. Do you remember one thing? In Agenda in which volume I do not remember now, Satprem has asked about Satya Sai Baba to the Mother. It is offered as 'S:
Satprem asked: Is he from the vital? She replied "yes'
I asked Michel or Patrice about this whether S menas Satya Sai baba. They said Yes it is about him.
So in case Satya Sai baba being the overmental godhead, She must have told it to Satprem at that time.
I have met Satya Sai baba, I sensed that he is never a fraud he has some power, I felt some vibration of godhead also. But Mother said he is from the vital. So I can not tell anything about it.
Good wishes, Mamata

Mamata Dash

A Comment

A Comment from Gopal:

Gopal has said in connection with the article Sri Aurobindo and Avatar-hood in All choice...

Dearest Dada,
when Iwas in my college days, one of my classmates Sai Narayan, from Hyderabad, used to debate with me a lot of times that The Overmental Consciousness realized by Sri Aurobindo is materialized in the form of Satya Saibaba of Puttaparti. He used to claim that the date of Siddhi Day and Sai Baba's birthday are same, the 24th November. I never argued with because because at that time I was not at all in the circle of Master's life or literature. But I never accepted it. This post from you clears out all such claims by many people. Even Kalki bhagavan claims that he is the Supramental Consciousness materialized!

May be it is like a parasitic worm, clinging with a fedder animal. Getting some personal benefit being in Their Light..... 2:27 AM

Posted by Gopal [http://gopal-athani.blogspot.com/]