The Essential Aurobindo: Writings of Sri Aurobindo
“The coming of a spiritual age must be preceded by the appearance of an increasing number of individuals who are no longer satisfied with the normal intellectual, vital, and physical existence of man, but perceive that a greater evolution is the real goal of humanity and attempt to effect it in themselves, to lead others to it, and to make it the recognized goal of the race. In proportion as they succeed, and to the degree to which they carry this evolution, the yet unrealized potentiality which they represent will become the actual possibility of the future.”
—Sri Aurobindo, The Human Cycle
Sri Aurobindo stands out as one of the deepest and most profoundly relevant of contemporary Asian spiritual masters speaking to the West. His vision transcends the distinctive strengths and weaknesses of India and the West, and his discipline brings the yogas of the Gita to the task of world transformation.
His collaborator, The Mother, offers a blueprint for the utopian community Auroville, giving sage advice on the ideal of a spiritually based approach to education.
Robert McDermott’s afterword in this revised edition recounts the increased significance of Aurobindo’s message in the West—especially for America—since the book was first published in 1973.
Here is an invaluable resource for understanding the underlying connections and common ground between Eastern and Western teachings and traditions for modern thinkers and spiritual seekers.
C O N T E N T S:
Preface
Introduction by Robert A. McDermott
Aurobindo on Sri Aurobindo
Chronology of Sri Aurobindo
PART ONE: MAN IN EVOLUTION
Introduction
The Destiny of Man
Stages of Evolution
Evolution and Rebirth
PART TWO: INTEGRAL YOGA
Introduction
On the Gita
Integral Yoga
PART THREE: TOWARD A SPIRITUAL AGE
introduction
Ideals and Progress
The Spiritual Age and Supermind
Savitri
PART FOUR: EPILOGUE
Epilogue
The Mother on Education
Auroville
Afterword by Robert A. McDermott
Bibliographies and Glossary
About the Author
Sri Aurobindo (born Aurobindo Ghose, 1872 – 1950) was an Indian philosopher, yoga guru, maharishi, poet, and Indian nationalist. He was also a newspaper journalist and editor of newspapers. He became an influential leader of the Indian movement for independence from British colonial rule before becoming a spiritual reformer and introducing his views of human progress and spiritual evolution. At Pondicherry, Sri Aurobindo developed a spiritual practice he called Integral Yoga. His major literary works are The Life Divine, on philosophical aspect of Integral Yoga; Synthesis of Yoga, on principles and methods of Integral Yoga; and Savitri, an epic poem.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet