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ARTArticleThree Primary Paths of Inner Growth and Spiritual DevelopmentEach individual has a unique way of relating to and developing his spiritual aspiration. Those who are more intellectually inclined may find that they naturally incline towards what is known as the yoga of knowledge. Those who have a nature more inclined to devotion and emotional expression may take up the yoga of love and devotion. Those who have an active vital nature will probably find that the yoga of works is the best path.ARTArticleThree Rules for the Spiritual Practitioner with Respect to ExperiencesWhat to do about spiritual experiences when they come? When we have a revelation of some sort, when we hear a communication that provides us insight or guidance, how are we to know whether it is truthful or misleading? Can we determine the source of the clairvoyant or clairaudient communication to be able to know, with certainty, that it is guidance we can trust and rely on?ARTArticleTo Read, or Not to Read, That is the Question for the Spiritual SeekerIntellectual development is not the same as spiritual realisation. The essence of spiritual development lies in the living experience of the truths of the spirit, not in the mental understanding of concepts. Thus, preeminence is placed on experience, not reading. The sages of the Vedic and Upanishadic times provided spiritual guidance through creation of an environment, through example, and through guidance for the thoughts, emotions, vital energies and physical development of the body, with the focus on realisation of the spiritual truths in their lives.ARTArticleTransformative Spiritual ExperiencesAs consciousness develops in the seeker, it clearly brings with it changes in the way the seeker perceives and understands and reactions to events, situations, people, opportunities, etc. What is often forgotten is that it is not the extraordinary and massive experiences that effectuate long-term change, but more realistically, it is the day to day adjustments that come about through the steady process of consciousness growth.ARTArticleTrapped by the Social and Moral Code, or Beyond Good and Evil?Friedrich Nietzsche wrote that certain individuals, by virtue of their innate status as superior beings, could not be bound by social rules or morality or ethics. While the implication may be understood to apply to those who have evolved beyond the ‘need’ for such contextual social rules, the actual understanding and application of his philosophy has made it clear that social norms were able to be trampled underfoot by those who declared themselves to be superior.ARTArticleTwo Methods for Practicing the Yoga of WorksThere is no clear line of demarcation between the 3 major paths of yoga that are based in the primary aspects of development, the yoga of knowledge, the yoga of devotion and the yoga of works. As they proceed down their somewhat different paths, they must necessarily gain aspects of and bring the results of the other two. As one gains in knowledge, one recognises the inherent necessity of love and devotion, and works take on a new meaning.ARTArticleUnderstanding Difficulties and Obstacles That Arise During the Yogic ProcessSri Aurobindo is able to illustrate the different ways that seekers wind up facing and dealing with difficulties or obstacles that arise during the yogic process. This is not a “one size fits all” process due to the differing backgrounds, starting points, capacities and social environment governing each separate individual. No matter how advanced a particular sadhak or practitioner may be, the difficulties are there, whether overt on the surface of the being, or hidden within and constituting an inner struggle.ARTArticleUnderstanding the Cycles and Phases of Spiritual DevelopmentSeveral days ago a seeker raised a question, rephrased here: “I read Sri Aurobindo’s writings regularly and for a time they stay active within me, but then, it falls away and I feel blank inside. Am I losing the benefit of Sri Aurobindo’s teaching, and if so, how can I ensure that it stays active within me?”ARTArticleUnderstanding the Path of Devotion, Bhakti YogaDevotion is not something measured exte ally by how an individual sings, dances, prays or manifests various signs such as ‘speaking in tongues’, although any one of these activities may indeed be expressions of a deep inner devotion. The measure of devotion is one that reflects the internal state of the seeker. It may be expressive and effusive, or it may be totally indrawn and bring the seeker into a state of ecstatic contemplation. Devotion is an outflowering of the soul, not an expression of vital enthusiasm.ARTArticleVedic Seers Describe the Sevenfold Ignorance and the Sevenfold KnowledgeAs we take up the next chapter in the Life Divine, Sri Aurobindo cites, in the headnotes, some revealing passages from the Rig Veda and the Upanishads to indicate the 7 types of Ignorance that needs to be overcome, and to point out the 7 forms of Knowledge required to achieve realisation. Before we begin the actual review of the chapter, therefore, it is useful to look at what the seers and sages of the Vedic scriptures had to say on this subject.ARTArticleWhat Are Spiritual Experiences?In our normal human lives, we live in an exte ally focused standpoint and we create a distinction between ‘objective reality’ and ‘subjective reality’. Because we are so dependent on the body-life-mind complex and its relation to the outer world, we tend to assign a greater truth and reality to the exte al world. Western science has made the ability to measure, and reproduce results in the exte al world as the touchstone of ‘what is real’. Subjective experiences, subjective views are treated as something less real and thereby denigrated in our understanding.ARTArticleWhat Does It Mean to ‘Be Calm’ in the MindAttaining a deep inner peace in the being is a process that can begin wherever an individual current is in their inner life. For someone just starting out, there is no expectation of some sudden miraculous silencing of the mind (although of course, it is possible). Rather, the initial attempts can be modest, providing a basis and foundation for further steps to follow. Quieting the chu ing of the mind is an early stage that the seeker can utilize to gain control over other aspects of the being.ARTArticleWhat Is the Purpose? Why Am I Alive? Is There a Meaning to Life?Modern day civilisation suffers from an epidemic of ’emptiness’, a feeling that life has no meaning or purpose. This leads to various coping mechanisms such as dissipation through use of drugs or alcohol, or through consumption of mindless entertainment. For those who do not choose these mechanisms, there are suicidal impulses in some cases, as well as a general feeling of malaise, listlessness, apathy and a lack of care about their lives and their actions. Some seek thrills through high risk activities to try to discover something that awakens them from this torpor.ARTArticleWhat Technique or Practice Is Prescribed in the Integral Yoga?it is a frequent inquiry: ‘Tell us what technique we should use to reach the spiritual goal?” Many ask what specific technique Sri Aurobindo or the Mother recommends for everyone to follow. They point out that other paths of spirituality offer specific actions one must undertake to succeed. There are fixed routines of asanas, pranayama, mantras, devotional exercises that are prescribed in those paths. The route is assured and the seeker can follow the guidance and move successfully to the goal.ARTArticleWhat’s the Use of Seeking to Have Spiritual Experiences?Putting aside the ‘allurement factor’ of having some kind of special, unusual, extraordinary type of experience, which is clearly a way to feed the ego-personality, we come to the actual benefits of such experiences. There are cases where an individual is leading a perfectly ordinary life in the world, and something extraordinary happens to him, which changes the entire future direction and focus of his life. We can look at the experience of Saul on the road to Damascus, recounted in the Bible.ARTArticleWhy Speaking About One’s Spiritual Experiences Can Be Counter-Productive to the SadhanaIt is a quite natural impulse. An individual has an extraordinary, unusual and in some cases, inexplicable experience, outside of his normal realm of experiences. Either through vital enthusiasm, a feeling of ego-aggrandisement due to the extraordinary nature of the experience, or through sense of fear or conce about what the experience is and what significance it has, he wants to communicate it to others. There is a very strong ego-driver that can motivate this need to describe, explain and otherwise take credit for having had the experience.ARTArticleWisdom of Arthur SchopenhauerArthur Schopenhauer (February 22, 1788 – September 21 1860) was a German philosopher and is best known for his book The World as Will and Representation. He was one of the first in Western philosophy to share and affirm significant tenets of Indian philosophy. His work didn’t attract much attention while he was alive, but gained in popularity after his death in science, philosophy, and literature. His writings on morality, aesthetics, and psychology have influenced many. Below we list some words of wisdom from Arthur Schopenhauer.ARTArticleWisdom of Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817¬–May 6, 1862) was an American philosopher and writer. He is best known as an advocate of transcendentalism. He also believed in reinca ation. His book Walden is about life in the woods, an experiment on self-sufficiency. His essay, Civil Disobedience, influenced Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. In it, he wrote, "I heartily accept the motto—'That government is best which governs least’…” Below we list some words of wisdom from Henry David Thoreau. “Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.”ARTArticleWisdom of PythagorasPythagoras was a Greek philosopher, mathematician, and founder of the Pythagorean Brotherhood, a religious and philosophical community that explored mathematics, science, and the nature of the universe. He was born on the island of Samos in Greece, in 570 BC, and is best known for his theorem about the relationship between the sides of a right triangle.ARTArticleWisdom of Sai Baba of ShirdiSai Baba of Shirdi (1838–October 15, 1918) was an Indian spiritual teacher who is considered to be a saint by Hindus and Muslims. He emphasized the importance of self-actualization, forgiveness, compassion, inner peace, and devotion to God. Below we list some words of wisdom from Sai Baba of Shirdi. “All action results from thought, so it is thoughts that matter.”ARTArticleWisdom of Swami VivekanandaSwami Vivekananda (January 12, 1863–July 4, 1902) was an Indian Hindu philosopher and religious teacher who was instrumental in introducing yoga to the Western world. He was also partly responsible for the rise of Hinduism to a major world religion. Below we list some words of wisdom from Hermann Swami Vivekananda “The will is not free - it is a phenomenon bound by cause and effect - but there is something behind the will which is free.” “We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.”ARTArticleWise Reminders From Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809–October 7, 1849) was an American writer and poet who is considered to have pioneered the category of detective fiction, and was one of the first Americans to consistently write short stories. He is also the first well-know American writer to earn a living exclusively through writing. His writing focused on mystery, romanticism, and the grotesque. He also wrote science fiction, and believed in reinca ation. Below we list some words of wisdom from Edgar Allan Poe.ARTArticleWise Reminders From Helena Petrovna BlavatskyHelena Petrovna Blavatsky (August 12th, 1831 – May 8th, 1891) was a largely self-educated Russian occultist, spirit medium, and author who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. Below we list some words of wisdom by Helena Blavatsky. "Theosophy blesses the world; Theology is its curse." "Matter is spirit at its lowest level. Spirit is matter at its highest level." "Dogmas are the toys that amuse and can satisfy but unreasoning children. They are the offspring of human speculation and prejudiced fancy."ARTArticleWise Reminders From Hermann Karl HesseHermann Karl Hesse (July 2, 1877–August 9, 1962) was a German-Swiss novelist and poet who received the Nobel Prize in Literature. His writings focused on spirituality and the search for self-understanding. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity influenced him the most, but he believed, "for different people, there are different ways to God." Below we list some words of wisdom from Hermann Karl Hesse. “Every experience has its element of magic.” “People with courage and character always seem sinister to the rest.”ARTArticleWise Reminders From Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci (April 15, 1452—May 2, 1519) was an Italian artist, scientist, architect, and engineer. He’s considered one of the greatest painters of all time, along with being a technological genius. Incredibly, da Vinci had no formal training beyond being taught to write, read, and do basic math. He was also ambidextrous and believed in reinca ation. Below we list some words of wisdom by Leonardo da Vinci. “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” “You do ill if you praise, but worse if you censure, what you do not understand.”ARTArticleWise Reminders From Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803--April 27, 1882) was an American writer, poet, and philosopher who promoted free thought, individualism, and independence. He helped launch the transcendentalist movement in the 1800s, and believed in reinca ation. He was considered an extremist by many of his peers due to his unorthodox views on religion and social conventions. Below we list some words of wisdom from Ralph Waldo Emerson. "We may be partial, but Fate is not." “Fate is nothing but the deeds committed in a prior state of existence.ARTArticleWise words from ZhuangziZhuang Zhou, also known as Zhuangzi, was a 4th century BC influential Chinese philosopher. He wrote the Zhuangzi, which is one of the foundational texts of Taoism. Below we list some words of wisdom by Zhuangzi. "Do not struggle. Go with the flow of things, and you will find yourself at one with the mysterious unity of the Universe." "A path is made by walking on it." "If you have insight, you use your inner eye, your inner ear, to pierce to the heart of things, and have no need of intellectual knowledge."ARTArticleWise Words of Words of Wisdom—Giordano BrunoGiordano Bruno (early 1548–February 17, 1600) was an Italian Hermetic occultist influenced greatly by Renaissance Hermeticism and the wisdom of Hermes Trismegistus, according to Historian Francis Yates. Bruno was also a mathematician and is known largely for his cosmological theories, including the universe is infinite, the stars are distant suns surrounded by planets, and life exists throughout the universe.ARTArticleWise Words of Words of Wisdom—Giordano BrunoGiordano Bruno (early 1548–February 17, 1600) was an Italian Hermetic occultist influenced greatly by Renaissance Hermeticism and the wisdom of Hermes Trismegistus, according to Historian Francis Yates. Bruno was also a mathematician and is known largely for his cosmological theories, including the universe is infinite, the stars are distant suns surrounded by planets, and life exists throughout the universe.ARTArticleWords of Wisdom— Abigail AdamsAbigail Adams (November 22, 1744 – October 28, 1818) was the spouse and close advisor of John Adams. She was the first second lady of the United States, second first lady of the United States, and the mother of the sixth president of the United States, John Quincy Adams. She was a prominent advocate for women’s rights and a strong believe in the importance of education for women.

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