If one is not reasonably conversant with Western Philosophy, then his study of The Life Divine is partial, superficial, and simplistic

from Tusar N. Mohapatra <tusarnmohapatra@gmail.com> 12 June 2008 18:11

I can't understand why you are so emphatic about a hiatus between poetry and philosophy. All our scholars - from NKG to RYD - handle them with equal ease, and the same should be the case with you. It is not a question of "our liking," but what we grow into because of "Their liking."

Let me tell you one thing categorically: If one is not reasonably conversant with Western Philosophy, then his study of The Life Divine is partial, superficial, and simplistic. Therefore, there is no escape and it is never too late to start studying philosophy. All the best...

If your thesis is right, then the very word "Integral Yoga" is a misnomer. For, Sri Aurobindo himself has been an embodiment of erudition as well as experience. Thus, creating an "either/or" situation is an error...

• "No one method was given for Integral Yoga" is too spacious, and there has to be some bare minimum identity.
• Of these, reading some books of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo could be one.
• Of these books, reading The Life Divine (in English) should be a target (for those who are capable).
• As The Life Divine compresses within itself the knowledge of the whole world, the reader is goaded into learning more about its numerous allusions and references.
• A Westerner will have to learn certain amount of Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy in the course of his reading The Life Divine.
• Similarly, an Indian will have to familiarise himself with Western philosophy in order to follow the arguments properly.
• During all this, one need not stop his Yoga or Sadhana or Love or Humility or whatever...

I am sure, you will agree with me that saying "Universal Love is greater than all philosophies" or "Only Universal Love can conquer this world" should not be a pretext for intellectual lethargy...

The beauty of philosophy is that it trains us to be exact and stick to the argument...My original statement was: "If one is not reasonably conversant with Western Philosophy, then his study of The Life Divine is partial, superficial, and simplistic. Therefore, there is no escape and it is never too late to start studying philosophy."

I stand by it, and refuse to be cowed down by "grapes are sour" mentality. [TNM]