Integral Yoga
“A divine life in a divine body is the formula of the ideal we envisage.”
- Sri Aurobindo & The mother
Understanding Integral Yoga
The Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother aims at the perfection of the human being with the manifestation of a divine life upon earth as the ultimate goal. Not to end with the realisation of the divine but to serve the divine will and work to manifest the divine harmonies in life is the aim of Integral yoga.
The Vision
The vision of Sri Aurobindo sees the creation as a playground for the divine play.
The Transcendental has involved here, is secretly the creation, and as Nature it re-discovers itself. Nature evolves various grades of energy — Matter, Life and Mind — and with the emergence of Mind, through us humans, Nature becomes self-aware, individual and conscious of its own higher aim in life and now can accelerate the pace of evolution.
Yoga forms the methodology to dynamically further the evolution, perfect the human nature and realise higher developments in the creation.
For Sri Aurobindo, Self-realisation is not the end of journey as is held high in the traditions, instead, he sees it as the primary goal and a founding step of the integral yoga. The practice of Integral yoga strives to gradually transform one’s nature by the influence of the higher nature so that the transformed human nature can manifest divinity.
“The psychic [evolving soul of the individual] will be the vehicle of true and pure love, the mind that of infallible knowledge, the vital will manifest an invincible power and strength and the body will be the expression of a perfect beauty and a perfect harmony.”
- The Mother
The Divine Mother - Shekhina - Shakti
“The Mother is the Consciousness and Force of the Divine – or, it may be said, she is the Divine in its consciousness-force.”
- Sri Aurobindo
CWSA Vol.32, The Mother – with Letters, Page: 55
The Origin, the Supreme Consciousness, the Creatrix is forever the Mother of all. And the truth of our individuality, the evolving divinity within us all, our inner souls that are an integral part of her consciousness live inwardly in the presence of the Divine Mother.
To concentrate on our relation with the Divine Mother energises and brings forward our inner soul which in turn integrates our nature and turns it fully towards the Divine.
The Approach
1. Holistic Transformation:
Integral Yoga seeks the complete transformation of the individual, including the physical, vital, mental, and spiritual aspects. The aim is to achieve a divine life on earth.
2. Integral Approach:
The methods of traditional major lines of Yoga, the triple path of knowledge (Jnana), devotion (Bhakti) and works (karma) as well as Hatha Yoga (with Asana and Pranayam) and Tantrayoga are a harmonious part of the integral Yoga. The practitioner may use all of these or none. As such, any scientifically designed discipline that help bring consciousness to one’s mind, vital and body can be integrated with one’s practice for self-perfection
3. Aspiration, Rejection and Surrender:
The practitioner must have an intense aspiration for divine growth complemented by a steadfast rejection of all lower temptations and nature’s extrovert movements which contradict one’s inner aspiration, and a surrender to the divine will, trusting the higher power to guide and transform.
4. Psychic Being:
A central concept in Integral Yoga is the psychic being, or the soul. The practice involves connecting with and bringing forth the psychic being to guide one’s life and actions.
The Process
Psychicization (Individualization)
Decondition your body, life, and mind from fixed patterns to reveal the Psychic Being within.
Spiritualization (Universalization)
Understand and integrate your universal self
Higher Consciousness
Evolve to higher levels of awareness and spiritual consciousness
The Practice
The practice consists of an all-round concentration that gradually grows towards an integral self-surrender to the Divine Mother. The practitioner aspires to serve the Divine through all the activities of life, offers one’s thoughts, feelings and life-movements as well as all works and relations to the Divine and seeks divinisation of them.
Depending on which element of one’s nature is most inspired – mind, heart or will – one can initiate the practice by any type of yoga – the path of knowledge, love or action. Or it can be any combination of these that one thinks or feels correct for oneself. Eventually, and as the practice advances, all methods have to combined for the spontaneous practice of self-perfection.
Integral Yoga is not confined to a specific set of physical exercises or meditations. Instead, it is a continuous, conscious effort to live a life aligned with the divine will. Here are some key practices:
1. Meditation and Concentration:
Daily meditation helps in quieting the mind and opening to higher consciousness. Concentration on the heart center aids in connecting with the psychic being.
2. Self-Observation:
Practitioners engage in constant self-observation to become aware of their thoughts, emotions, and actions, aiming to align them with their spiritual goals.
3. Work as Service:
Every action, no matter how mundane, is performed as an offering to the divine. This transforms work into a spiritual practice.
4. Readings:
Studying the works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother provides guidance and inspiration for the practice. Key texts include “The Life Divine” and “The Synthesis of Yoga”.
5. Community and Support:
Engaging with a community of like-minded individuals can provide support and encouragement on the spiritual path.
Let’s Connect
January 14th 2018 is the date on which I left the US and my job to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
I landed at Chennai airport and 2 and half hours later reached my beloved Auroville where this chapter of my journey started. It was the first time, little did I know that I would spend the next few years there.
Introduced to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother’s Integral Yoga by my teacher, Michael, I immersed myself in this profound well of knowledge. Since then, I have followed this path, whether consciously or unconsciously, guided by the Divine Mother through my explorations into the realms of being.