The Status of the Purusha in the Individual and in the Universal Manifestation

We see pattens repeating from the macro-level to the micro-level. The study of fractals shows us that there are indeed certain patterns and relationships that repeat themselves in every smaller configurations as we drill down toward the micro-level. The macrocosm and the microcosm reflect the same overarching framework of existence.

Whatever powers of consciousness occur in the human individual have developed through evolution of these powers which were previously involved in gross Matter. They were involved there from a separately existent plane or world of consciousness that has its native principle based in those successive relations of consciousness. These higher planes are also not isolated or separated from the action in the human world. There is a constant pressure and interchange that occurs, whether we recognise it consciously or not.

The individual can identify with the poise of the witness of Nature, the Purusha, who is an observer of Nature Prakriti. This takes place at the individual level, but is not isolated from the larger universal manifestation, and we can then recognise the need for a similar witness consciousness at the universal level, and able to observe, and eventually direct, the action on these higher planes or worlds. As above, so below. As below, so above.

It then becomes possible for the Purusha at the individual level to shift the standpoint to that of the universal Purusha and thereby participate consciously in the larger divine manifestation and the powers of each plane or world. This becomes a conduit for these higher powers to be consciously channeled into the action of the individual nexus.

Sri Aurobindo writes: “The universal Purusha dwells in all these planes in a certain simultaneity and builds upon each of these principles a world or series of worlds with its beings who live in the nature of that principle. Man, the microcosm, has all these planes in his own being, ranged from his subconscient to his superconscient existence. By a developing power of Yoga he can become aware of these concealed worlds hidden from his physical, materialised mind and senses which know only the material world, and then he becomes aware that his material existence is not a thing apart and self-existent, as the material universe in which he lives is also not a thing apart and self-existent, but is in constant relation to the higher planes and acted on by their powers and beings. He can open up and increase the action of these higher planes in himself and enjoy some sort of participation in the life of the other worlds, — which, for the rest, are or can be his dwelling place, that is to say, the station of his awareness.”

Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Our Many Selves: Practical Yogic Psychology, Chapter 2, Planes and Parts of the Being, pp. 11-12