Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo's philosophy of integralism is unique in Indian philosophy. It is integral for two reasons: it not only comprehends the whole of reality, but also integrates the lower levels of experience into the higher. If reality is integral, the knowledge required for realizing it must also be integral. Since the means must be appropriate to the end, the discipline that is formulated by Sri Aurobindo for achieving the goal is integral yoga which brings about the ascent of consciousness leading to the realization of the cosmic Self as well as the descent of consciousness leading to the divinization of nature. The work of perfected beings whom Sri Aurobindo calls Gnostic beings in bringing about this transformation of society is decisive. This volume highlights the contribution of Sri Aurobindo to Indian philosophy elucidating the salient features of his epistemology and metaphysics, social philosophy and integral yoga.

M.P. Pandit served as the personal secretary to the Mother at the Aurobindo Ashram, and the Mother became the entire focus of his life. His writing career spanned six decades, publishing over one hundred fifty books and many articles on subjects as diverse as philosophy, polity, psychology, science, religion, and mysticism.

A poet, philosopher, and mystic, Sri Aurobindo has, through his theory and practice, contributed a lot towards understanding the message of the Vedic heritage and the meaning of the modern renaissance. He is one of the outstanding “builders” of Indian philosophy in recent times. He formulated his philosophy of integralism on the basis of his own authentic experience. Experience is manifold; it may relate to any field of life—art, poetry, religion, philosophy, occultism, and so on. When it is organized as a verifiable field of knowledge, it is philosophy. Sri Aurobindo's philosophy is described as integral for two reasons. It takes into account the whole of reality as it reveals itself to the uplooking/inlooking human mind. It is also integrative as it leaves no grade of experience behind once another experience comes by. The lower is taken up and integrated into the higher, the smaller into the larger. Sri Aurobindo did not arrive at his philosophy by a sudden revelation. His was a steady growth of consciousness with dimension adding itself to dimension. Though he started as an agnostic, he turned out to be a passionate minstrel of God, a prophet of the message of life divine for humans, a revolutionary who initiated radical departures from the established traditions not only in the sphere of politics and social structure, but also in laying down new lines of spiritual life and philosophical thought.

Sri Aurobindo is amongst the Saviours of humanity, who belong to all ages and all nations, the Sanātanas who leaven our existence with their eternal presence, whether we are aware of it or not. Sri Aurobindo's philosophy continues to shape the lives and minds of human beings in various ways, at different levels.

This monograph deals with the theory and practice of Sri Aurobindo's integral philosophy well known as Pūrņādvaita.

When I explained to Sri M.P. Pandit the proposal to bring out the “Builders of Indian Philosophy” Series and requested him to write a monograph on Sri Aurobindo, he readily agreed. In spite of his failing health, he started the monograph, himself prepared the typescript by working on his manual typewriter, and completed it before the passed way. I am deeply indebted to him for his kindness, help, and cooperation.

**Contents and Sample Pages**