The aim of integral yoga
Integral development
Most yogas, except such paths as Natya Yoga, only develop a single aspect of the being, and have as their aim a state of liberation
or transcendence. But the aim of integral yoga is the transformation of
the entire being. Because of this, the various elements of one's
make-up - Physical, Vital, Mental, Psychic, and Spiritual, and the means of their transformation, are described in great detail by Sri Aurobindo, who in this way formulates an entire integral psychology. The goal is then the transformation of the entire nature of one's being. Nothing is left behind.
The process...accepts our nature...and compels all to undergo a
divine change...In that ever progressive experience, we begin to
perceive how this lower manifestation is constituted and that everything
in it, however seemingly deformed or petty or vile, is the imperfect
figure of some element in the divine nature.
— Sri Aurobindo
Also distinguishing Sri Aurobindo's teaching from most other mystical
paths is the need for transformation of the personal and relative
nature. So the integral yoga is twofold; both a spiritual realisation of
God or Transcendence or Enlightenment, and, through this, a complete change and transformation of both the inner and the outer
nature. Through this double action, one is thus made able and fit to
manifest a divine consciousness, and in this way becomes part of a
divine work.
The Realisation of Supermind
Sri Aurobindo considered man's present mental consciousness to be a
transitional stage in terrestrial evolution, and that our civilization
is at the brink of an evolutionary leap or shift towards a greater or ‘supramental' experience and capacity.
With regard to supermind and mind Sri Aurobindo wrote,
‘There is an eternal dynamic Truth-consciousness beyond mind; this is
what we call supermind or gnosis. For mind is or can be a truth seeker,
but not truth-conscious in its inherent nature; its original stuff is
made not of knowledge, but of ignorance.'
Sri Aurobindo considered the supermind to be an all-organizing and
all-coordinating principle of truth-consciousness secretly involved in
the material creation and he saw its emergence as the next logical and
inevitable step in terrestrial evolution.
Dangers on the Path
Sri Aurobindo also details various dangers that the sadhak (the spiritual practitioner) may encounter on the spiritual path.
The Intermediate zone
The Intermediate zone refers to a dangerous and misleading transitional spiritual and pseudospiritual region between the ordinary consciousness of the outer being and true spiritual realisation.
Other dangers
Components of the integral yoga
In Sri Aurobindo's integral psychology,
and for that matter his metaphysic as a whole, the cosmos is described
in terms of two major types of distinctions or dimensions. On the one
hand there is an ascending dimension of physical, vital, mental, and
higher, transpersonal realms. At the same time, there is the series of Outer being, the Inner being, and the inmost Psychic being.
Outer, Inner, and Innermost Being form a "concentric" sequence or
hierarchy, which is a counterpart to the "vertical" hierarchy of
Physical, Vital, and Mental. All these faculties and levels have to be
transformed through integral yoga.
Faculties ("vertical" divisions)
Physical
Like all the faculties of the being, and in contrast to the ascetic
yogas, the Physical in all its aspects is not rejected, but has to be
transformed and spiritualised through the practice of integral yoga.
This means it is necessary not only to change Physical habits and
consciousness, but also to descend into the Subconscient or Lower Unconscious, where the root of many problems lie.
Vital
The Vital refers not only to the life force
but even more so to the various desires, emotions, compulsions, and
likes and dislikes that strongly determine human motivation and action.
In Integral yoga it is necessary to change the vital's striving away
from self-centered desires and revolts, to make it an instrument for the
yoga.
Mental
The Mental faculty or part of the being, is the conceptual and cognitive mind. Through right attitude, understanding, and aspiration, the mind can be turned to the Divine
Types of being ("concentric" divisions)
The Outer Being
The Outer Being refers to the superficial and limited physical, vital
and mental surface existence which characterises our everyday
consciousness and experience. Integral Yoga involves going beyond this
surface consciousness to the larger life of the Inner Being, which is more open to spiritual realisation.
The Inner Being
The Inner Being includes the inner realms or aspects of the physical,
vital and mental being, which here have a larger, subtler, freer
consciousness than that of the everyday consciousness, and its
realisation is essential for any higher spiritual realisation.
Psychic Being
In Integral Yoga the goal is to move inward and discover the Psychic
Being, which then can bring about a transformation of the outer nature.
This transformation of the outer being or ego by the Psychic is called
Psychicisation; it is one of the three necessary stages, called the
Triple transformation, in the realisation of the Supramental
consciousness. This Psychic transformation is the decisive movement that
enables a never-ending progress in life through the power of connecting
to one's inner spirit or Divine Essence.
