Modalities of social action need to be examined against present constraints

[Hi Tusar Nath, We've received your review of, "Philosophy of Life: through the lens of Contemporary Indian Philosophers," by Mousumi Das. Thanks for taking the time to review. Best, Academia Letters team]

A nice overview of various facets of philosophy of life from the perspective of various schools of thought. It's also an accessible introduction for those who are not much aware of the thought currents of modern India. Thus, the paper has its own utility of offering much in brevity.

Sri Aurobindo's insights, however, are conspicuous by their absence although no cogent reason for his exclusion is apparent. Secondly, how the dreams of the philosophers mentioned will be fulfilled hasn't received any treatment. Modalities of social action need to be examined against present constraints and told candidly. For the task is how to implement what's in theory. But then this is clearly outside the scope of the paper. The author however may remember this aspect for the benefit of the reader. 

Worth reading and ruminating over. 

Tusar Nath Mohapatra, August 31, 2021

Thirty years of inspiration, inquiry, and adventure

The library called Knowledge was shifted to a specious hall in the first floor at Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Delhi branch (now in Tapasya). I borrowed the following books during 1992-93 and kept copious diary notes. Many new books were not available there; so I used to browse through them at Sabda as most were hard on my pocket.

1. Sri Aurobindo in Baroda

2. Social philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and the new age

3. The flame of truth

4. Sri Aurobindo - a garland of tributes

5. Sri Aurobindo - addresses on his life and teachings

6. Sri Aurobindo and Bergson

7. Sri Aurobindo and Whitehead on the nature of god

8. The yogi and the mystic

9. Eternity is born

10. The meeting of the east and the west in Sri Aurobindo's philosophy

11. The radical thinkers - Sri Aurobindo and Heidegger

12. Value and value theories

13. Integral psychology

14. Vedic epiphany

15. The search for beauty

16. Psychology for future education

17. The philosophy of Sri Aurobindo

18. The revolt of the earth

19. Evolution - II

20. Sri Aurobindo's political approach to integral thought

21. Sri Aurobindo's concept of superman

22. The philosophy of integralism

23. The evolution of integral consciousness

24. Teilhard de Chardin and Sri Aurobindo

25. The dialogue with death

26. The vision and work of Sri Aurobindo

27. Talks on poetry

28. The Mother - past present future

29. Aesthetic vision of Sri Aurobindo

30. Dante and Sri Aurobindo

31. Sri Aurobindo - seer and poet

32. The splendour of Sri Aurobindo's muse

33. A new education for a new consciousness

34. The hierarchy of minds

35. Talks with Sri Aurobindo

36. Evening talks

37. Prophet of Indian nationalism

38. Siddhanjana

These secondary literature opened new vistas and enriched my understanding of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo. The list doesn't include the books I was able to buy and read at leisure without worrying about refund. Thus, my intellectual debt to Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Delhi branch is enormous. Listening to lectures on special occasions and seminars too was educative.

A few important books were not there which could have enhanced my knowledge with ready-made data for which I struggled in subsequent years.

Political Philosophy of Aurobindo – 1960 by Vishwanath Prasad Varma

Sri Aurobindo's Philosophy of Social Development – 1980 by Ramnath Sharma

Integral Advaitism of Sri Aurobindo – 1957 by Ram Shankar Misra

The Social and Political Vision of Sri Aurobindo by K. D. Verma

Sri Aurobindo and the Theories of Evolution: A Critical and ... by Rama Shanker Srivastava

https://feelphilosophy.blogspot.com/2015/07/misra-varma-sharma-and-verma-on-sri.html

Evolution towards Human Unity (Sri Aurobindo's Philosophy of History and of Political Evolution, A Comparative Study), 2002 by K.N. Verma

https://savitriera.blogspot.com/2013/08/higher-planes-of-mind-do-exist.html

Lastly, the book from which I have benefited most is D.P. Chattopadhyaya's Sri Aurobindo and Karl Marx.

https://savitriera.blogspot.com/2007/04/hegel-and-marx-also-had-attached-much.html

https://savitriera.blogspot.com/2005/10/sri-aurobindo-and-karl-marx.html

Tusar Nath Mohapatra, August 31, 2021

Understanding The Mother & Sri Aurobindo

The Mother & Sri Aurobindo are prominent persons of the 20th century but are not very well known. The vast amount of work that they have left behind should be a fertile field for scholars and researchers. They took up strands of knowledge from various sources and synthesised them into an Integral whole. Besides, they enunciated the path of Integral Yoga from which ensues Integral Education. Sri Aurobindo's Ontology has also been described as Integral Advaita apart from the overall spirit of Integralism that suffuses his socio-political thought.

The basis of Sri Aurobindo's philosophy is evolution. He is confident that man is capable of taking a leap into the next level of consciousness. Rather, he describes it as an evolutionary inevitability. His assertions on the next human species and divinisation of the body are drawn from the Vedic notion of immortality. These claims may sound improbable but there's a lot of merit in believing in them in view of the present conditions of the world.

Sri Aurobindo's neat classification of different stages of human civilisation may or may not be correct in terms of actual happenings, but his vision of the future is a message of hope. He has foreseen that current forms of political or economic framework are insufficient to tackle the problems of humanity. So, a lot many things have to change including a World Union at the apex level. He is also sensitive to the needs of individual freedom and booting out all sorts of discrimination. Thus, the utopian nature of his predictions for the future has many  practical aspects which the present society can adopt as normatives.

Sri Aurobindo wrote poetry profusely. He even announced that one can reach higher levels of consciousness through poetry. Thankfully, he has written in English which is accessible to the modern generation. He has also written a lot of literary criticism and a vast number of letters on poetry and art. His prescription for revamping education, of course, has found more generous reception from diverse quarters. Although colonialism was a factor when he wrote, the universalist element in his thought makes it relevant even today. Understanding them can endow one with the global citizen identity.

Aspiration for a better world also involves adventure of consciousness. The Mother & Sri Aurobindo are emphatic that each person become aware of the real aim of life and listen to the inner voice. Day to day life has hardly any space for this but being aware and being conscious turns all life to yoga. The target is to be released from narrowness and ghettoism and become one with the universal human spirit, instead. The Mother & Sri Aurobindo have shown in their own lives that it's possible.

Their writings are so vast that it's not easy for anyone to go through them. Many quote them out of context leading to widespread misunderstanding. Some highlight only one or two of their many facets thus stereotyping in a misleading manner. Thus, understanding the teachings of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo in its integrality as well as essence is essential. It takes years to be acquainted, oriented, or attuned to their ever present invitation for a sublime destiny of humanity.

Tusar Nath Mohapatra, August 31, 2021

Savitri Era Religion is a legal requisite

Sri Aurobindo was born in Kolkata on August 15, 1872 and was educated in England. Was an official in Vadodara and later became a college teacher there. Wrote poems and read a lot to be acquainted with the Indian tradition. Took interest in fighting the British and went to Kolkata https://t.co/MtOdZwtUgr

First a college principal and then a writer on political matters in a newspaper, he became well known. Moving around to give public speeches didn't take long. British were rattled. He spent a year in jail as an undertrial. Wrote on religion and philosophy. Went to Chandannagar.

https://twitter.com/SavitriEra/status/1400535247100399620?s=19

It's important to remember that when Sri Aurobindo started publishing his flagship philosophical venture The Life Divine in 1914, abundant intellectual fermentation had taken place in the West including Vivekananda's speech at the World's Parliament of Religions, Chicago in 1893.

Tracing the intellectual genealogy of Sri Aurobindo may not be a very credible exercise given his yogic expertise but a host of thinkers in the West were around at the same time theorising almost on the same lines, when he was publishing the successive chapters of The Life Divine. 

This month in 2008, the Heehs imbroglio broke out leading to immense mental suffering and tension by a lot of people. The ban on the book is still a blot on the good name of Sri Aurobindo. There must be some serious effort to undo the impetuous action by a handful of enthusiasts.

Tagore's songs are not accessible to most Indians, yet he is considered as a great poet. Sri Aurobindo wrote in English but educated Indians are hardly aware of his poetry or plays. Prejudice against Sri Aurobindo is widespread: Purushottama Lal, Nissim Ezekiel, Ashis Nandy et al

One may belong to any religion but the academic or critical honesty is critical. Nandy falters on many counts vis-à-vis Sri Aurobindo.

You are avoiding mentioning Sri Aurobindo's original formulation on evolution, it seems. @NathTusar

Being fed on festivities and rituals, most Indians are indifferent to philosophy. Cosmological or Ontological questions never bother or taken for granted as told in mythologies. Sri Aurobindo seeks to change this scenario and asks everyone to be aware of own inner consciousness.

Yoga is a much misunderstood word now but fortunately The Mother & Sri Aurobindo have preserved its authentic connotation. Still its identification with meditation and spirituality is common. But utilitarian aspects like managing moods and other self-management tips are also there. 

In the Uttarpara speech he spoke of encountering god everywhere in the jail and thereafter his associates treated him as god. He is said to have become one with god in 1926 when the Ashram took a formal shape. More and more disciples gathered and thought that he is Supreme Divine.

Savitri Era Religion is against Hindu mythology and rituals. Its only condition is faith in The Mother & Sri Aurobindo. Modern generation needs such a religion free from irrationality and superstitions. It's a global fraternity with Centres in almost every country. All may join.

Looks odd but as the Founder of Savitri Era Religion laying down certain basic codes is necessary. Those who worship Ram, Krishna, Durga, or other gods or gurus don't belong here. Keeping photographs of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo alongwith other gods in puja room is a discrepancy

Integral Yoga is not a free-for-all affair. Allegiance to The Mother & Sri Aurobindo is the first and foremost principle. Not worshiping other gods or gurus is the second. Realisation and siddhi belong to traditional yoga; so renouncing old formulas is the last but not the least.

Our job is to disseminate the message of Sri Aurobindo despite criticisms. Most people haven't read his works and misconceptions about him are stupendous. Even among the devotees also so much of difference of opinion persists. I therefore created the Savitri Era banner for unity.

Examining some issue in any reasonably adequate manner requires around 800 words. Thus a blog post is ideal for this purpose. Those who are willing to write can avail the hospitality of my string of blogs that are running since 2005. Twitter is a hit-and-run medium; full of false bravado.

Savitri Era: Opening the doors of Universities to Sri Aurobindo https://t.co/rqBw92qfuQ

Tweets by Tusar Nath Mohapatra @NathTusar, Director, Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF) and Founder-President of Savitri Era Party

Savitri Era of those who adore,

Om Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.

Savitri Era September 27, 2006

Manibhai's razor

Religious festivals and the Deities are being given undue importance and instead of appreciating the writings of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo about them in abstraction they are presented literally @NathTusar 

https://t.co/2YRGXTGn9y

HareRama-HareKrishna Bhajan-Mandali is flexing its muscles and must be thwarted from polluting Savitri Era Religion. Unadulterated allegiance to The Mother & Sri Aurobindo is non-negotiable. 

Savitri Era Religious Fraternity: Our impurities are being unglued

https://t.co/u3wtmTHVRd

Plain & Simple: It's for others to evaluate my work and its ramifications https://t.co/By2LPE2YeO

Collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra, Director, Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF) & Founder-President of Savitri Era Party 

Savitri Era of those who adore,

Om Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.

I had deleted many posts a decade back, but they stay still relevant. Legal shelter of Savitri Era Religion is much more a requisite now to escape obscurantism.

https://t.co/SRuH99zq9s

https://t.co/qaDPtnQkKz

https://t.co/aRQd12mzJ9

https://t.co/2YRGXTGn9y

https://t.co/hqVJp9xerz

I became a father on this day forty years back and The Mother's writings on education and parenting had stood me in good stead. I had studied a bit of educational psychology in the college but the kind of things The Mother says in Science of Living is simply marvelous. Gratitude.

Future evolution is the issue and the first priority. Events of the past and various experiments for implementing the ideologies give a fair idea that something is missing. Redesigning the human society is our responsibility. So old frameworks and yardsticks need to be abdicated.

Geography and language constitute a nation's territory. Hence the States are eminent candidates for being conferred Sovereignty. When the Parliament of India will do this by dissolving itself is a matter of time. Simple solution to myriad problems Central govt. is entangled with.

Different religions have flourished due to patronage of successive kings. Many deities have been discarded in favour of something new. So Sanatana Dharma is a misleading phrase. Past history is rarely recorded; it's all hagiography. So Sri Aurobindo is the most potent alternative. 

Instead of researching on Ashoka or Akbar, it's a thousand times profitable to focus on Sri Aurobindo. Most people are ignorant of him and his redemptive philosophy. Following him can offer immense intellectual and aesthetic satisfaction. People from all professions are welcome.

Sri Aurobindo has successfully woven his Vedic theory of evolution into that of Darwin's and predicts a new human species. 

https://t.co/urWOU6Kmtz

There was nothing upon this planet (Anna - matter) after which came the plants and animals (Prana - life). Then appeared man (Mana - mind). Supramental is the next stage (Vigyana). Ananda is the last Kosha as enumerated in the Taittiriya Upanishad. Sri Aurobindo modifies Darwin.

Indians are so habituated in worshiping multiple idols that exclusive faith and surrender to The Mother & Sri Aurobindo sounds as fascist. But for Savitri Era Religion, that's the reality. Those flouting are themselves to blame. Coming under the umbrella of a common faith crucial

Belonging to a particular religion is a legal necessity and since I don't believe in mythological gods and goddesses and detest rituals I founded Savitri Era Religion. Hope you are aware of Auroville case and Justice O. Chinnappa Reddy's dissenting verdict

https://t.co/9j2BisMTH1

Finally, please read something on Sri Aurobindo (at least the Wikipedia article) so that you can debate better on the subject. This conversation is just ranting and not educative. Thanks for entertainment.

Birds of same feather flock together!

https://twitter.com/DattatreyaDash/status/1431705173378756608?s=19

See, I'm doing my job as a long time follower of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo. I'm also campaigning for Sovereignty to the States on linguistic lines. It's for others to evaluate my work and its ramifications. My views from 2005 onwards are at https://t.co/IDb9wNpOpt

What's wrong with that? Time and evolution have their own trajectory. You are surely doing whatever best you can but the future is under no compulsion to conform to your cherished scenario. So realistic expectations are good.

Your apprehension is not unfounded but no one can predict the future so accurately. Savitri Era Religion is working for bringing people of different religions into its fold in the Auroville model.

When you probe a little bit more what Sri Aurobindo, the greatest son of modern India, has accomplished will come to the fore. You needn't agree with him but as an Indian, it's essential to be acquainted with his poetry and philosophy. Link to his writings

https://t.co/N2vOxDWHZn

I have just stated the facts. Beyond that I have no means to redress your grievance. Perhaps it was shocking for the first time; later you will forget. @DattatreyaDash

When you probe a little bit more what Sri Aurobindo, the greatest son of modern India, has accomplished will come to the fore. You needn't agree with him but as an Indian, it's essential to be acquainted with his poetry and philosophy. Link to his writings

https://t.co/N2vOxDWHZn

It has existed for more than a hundred years but you seem to be not much aware about it. It's a new synthetic formulation encompassing the whole humanity.

So why complain? Those who have talent have done it. It's a leadership model; case study for management courses.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram was established in 1926 and from then on thousands of Centres have come up across the country and abroad. People find some value in it.

If you check the contents page of this book, you can be aware of many new things. 

https://t.co/T6zPC0ZSG7

Misc. References

[The Soul of Nations – Healing and Evolution

Two of the most important, and opposing, trends in the modern world are internationalism and chauvinism, or narrow parochialism. Proponents of internationalism, of a world where countries are no longer divided.] https://t.co/KdsPtD2g21

[Rabindranath Tagore and James Henry Cousins: A Conversation in Letters, 1915–1940

Sirshendu Majumdar

Taylor & Francis, 2021

a set of original letters exchanged between Tagore and Irish poet and theosophist, James Henry Cousins. The book reveals a hitherto unexplored facet...]

[“Goethe broke off from the rhetorical and generic norms of aristocratic culture and sought to capture experience in its emergence and freshness” Goethe was born #OnThisDay in 1749. Professor David E. Wellbery picks 5 books. https://t.co/o4JxRKWENJ ]

[‘One of the things that I probably learned growing up in Auroville is that worlds have an internal coherence, which at times may not be apparent to the outside. I feel it’s good to respect and empathise with other points of view,’ says @akashkapur https://t.co/tpkaVvzXI4 https://t.co/3vgzgD4Dly ]

Manibhai's razor honed upon Alan's anvil

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Manibhai's razor

Something atrocious is being perpetrated by the Sri Aurobindo Society newsletter. Religious festivals and the Deities are being given undue importance and instead of appreciating the writings of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo about them in abstraction, they are presented literally. It is not unusual to see the picture of the Deities along with The Mother’s and Sri Aurobindo’s being worshipped in some Centres of the Society. Audio CDs & Cassettes are also being promoted.

This kind of revisionism is really astonishing. The two quotations from The Mother cited in the very first page of A Practical Guide to Integral Yoga are quite unequivocal. Then why such compromises are being made? Is it due to infiltration from the RSS?

When Advani extolled the virtues of secularism by praising Jinnah, he was reprimanded. Now, when Comrade Subhas Chakraborty said he was "first a Hindu and a Brahmin and then a Communist", he too is facing the music. Such kind of Puritanism is also needed to be enforced in the Savitri Era religion. Otherwise our dream of a Supramental Age will always remain as a chimera.

Opening the doors of Universities to Sri Aurobindo

It was nice to hear @ProfessorPuri ready to take up the cudgels for opening the doors of Universities to Sri Aurobindo. Till now no one had put up the case in such a forthright manner and she has more than the right credentials. The conviction with which she pleaded is exemplary.

Perhaps you are the first person to agree with me that Heehs' book shouldn't have been banned. The book was almost a joint project and many perceptive minds have contributed to its completion. Someone should take lead for campaigning for lifting of ban. @pkghosh50 @ProfessorPuri

Auroville conflict, Agenda dispute, Savitri controversy, and Heehs imbroglio have left The Mother & Sri Aurobindo's legacy much scarred. Simultaneously, many fresh facets and perspectives have come to light. So, redefining their work and worldview is necessary for new generation.

I think, you missed my point. In our path, both Krishna and Sri Aurobindo matter less. It's The Mother who reigns. This integration of Tantra and Vedanta is said to be the greatest contribution of Sri Aurobindo in the history of Indian wisdom. Suits prevailing gender sensitivity!

Each text has a different context and Sri Aurobindo kept them separate. The Life Divine e.g. has no concept of an Avatar. We are all students and our opinions may change in future. But nothing is so pivotal as you assume; it's a metaphor (again politeness)

https://t.co/b0uhqXT3Ix

Most often, we encounter debates on eminent persons of 20th century. If India has to progress, then it's necessary to forget them all and their ideologies except Sri Aurobindo and his future vision. New generation shouldn't be burdened with worn out ideas and lopsided priorities.

Record of Yoga was not intended to be published. Sri Aurobindo never recommended the modalities he went through. I think, it's better not to consult or quote from it. The same applies to Thoughts and Aphorisms where concepts are too complex or sarcastic. Many are futuristic also.

The Mother surely needs hero warriors (Students' prayer) but I suspect you haven't read many things. So, the orientation is inchoate; still clinging to the past. Resisting the absolutely New World that The Mother & Sri Aurobindo offer. It happens with a lot of people; takes time.

https://twitter.com/SavitriEra/status/1431324635904180224?s=19

Writing articles on Sri Aurobindo by citing a few paragraphs from his divergent works is not very difficult and would look pedantic but in the present context, it's mostly anachronistic. Measuring to what extent he is relevant right now is a big challenge.

https://t.co/aYbqUmae0M

Harbouring affinity, affection, and affiliation to extraneous sources is a personal choice. But Savitri Era Religion demands exclusive devotion and loyalty to The Mother and would brook no dissent. Those fermenting confusion by serving dual masters should desist from misleading.

The Mother & Sri Aurobindo might not have approved it but belonging to some religion is a legal necessity. Devotees are facing embarrassment for being identified as Hindu and hence this new Savitri Era Religion. We also demand early govt recognition for it

https://t.co/5mxW2hhR3f

Terms like Hindu, Hindutva, or Sanatana Dharma have become controversial and hence I had introduced the phrase Savitri Era in 2005 for distinguishing the devotees of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo from the rest of the crowd. In 2006, I formally declared it to be Savitri Era Religion.

Indians are so habituated in worshiping multiple idols that exclusive faith and surrender to The Mother & Sri Aurobindo sounds as fascist. But for Savitri Era Religion, that's the reality. Those flouting are themselves to blame. Coming under the umbrella of a common faith crucial. 

No greater self-delusion than assuming that The Mother & Sri Aurobindo established the Ashram for furtherance of the Hindu cause. Even to say that they attempted a Vedic revival would be wrong. Descent of the Supermental is an unprecedented task and it was their lifelong pursuit.

There's a misconception in our country that if the police picks up someone for interrogation or even arrests him, he is the culprit. it's only the first step of investigation prior to a prolonged judicial scrutiny. A similar prejudice exists too if someone consults a psychiatrist. 

V.P. Singh implemented the Mandal Commission Report and lost his job. SC ratified it later. Govindacharya imported this social engineering into BJP and it captured power in major States. RJB movement gained strength upon that wide reach. Vajpayee govt was fragile; Modi no better.

It should be mandatory to opt for a particular religion at the time of enrolling in voters list. Religion should be an adult's choice when he/she can judge things in a rational manner. Savitri Era Religion aims at keeping astrology, mythology, rituals, and superstitions at bay.

Savitri Era: Sri Aurobindo has envisaged a religion for humanity https://t.co/24STSvvdJ4

Tweets by Tusar Nath Mohapatra @NathTusar, Director, Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF) & Founder-President of Savitri Era Party.

Savitri Era of those who adore,

Om Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.

Feel Philosophy: Sangha being infiltrated by Carvaka https://t.co/Tf30LZpTl5

Assorted tweets collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra @NathTusar, Director, Savitri Era Learning Forum & Founder-President of Savitri Era Party.

Savitri Era of those who adore,

Om Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.

Misc. References

[A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy

MK Singh - 2021 The main schools of Indian philosophy were formalised chiefly between 1000BC to the early centuries AD. Subsequent centuries produced commentaries and reformulations

continuing up to by Aurobindo and Prabhupada among others]

[SABDA lead article on Prof. Manoj Das - Reminiscences by Prof. Sachidananda Mohanty #SriAurobindo]

https://t.co/mmYnI688n9

[Rajneesh had no guru himself. Indeed he would not even acknowledge his debt to Gurdjieff and Ouspensky. His was a new religionless religion. A deeper consideration of Rajneesh leads us to label him a clone of Gurdjieff who also came up with a new religion called the Fourth Path]

Yes, an excerpt from THE DESACRALIZATION OF HINDUISM FOR WESTERN CONSUMPTION by Rama Coomaraswamy, M.D. https://t.co/INLaiSnwqe

[William James and his popular book Variety of Religious Experiences, wielded great influence on R.D. Ranade. The book A Constructive Survey of Upanishadic Philosophy stands like an evidence of last 6000 years which Prof. Ranade gives to support his philosophy of God-realization]

[The Austrian esotericist and Goethean scholar Rudolf Steiner conformed to the integral pattern in 1906

Bergson's theory of creative evolution exerted a strong influence on Teilhard de Chardin and Alfred North Whitehead

M Alan Kazlev

, Spring 2011, Collaboration] #SriAurobindo

[Both Sri Aurobindo, known as the great synthesizer of eastern and western thought, and Martin Heidegger, one of the most influential postmodern thinkers, heard those streams that flow from the great rivers of ancient myth, philosophy, mysticism & poetry.]

https://t.co/rF4xVcDZdU

[ThePrint: rethink on Partition Horrors

my motherland may live up to immortal words of Sri Aurobindo: “We do not belong to the past dawns

https://t.co/DM5yX2I7vN

आध्यात्मिक राष्ट्रवादाचे उद्‌गाते

प्रा वेदांत कुलकर्णी योगी अरविंदांचे १५० वे जयंतीवर्ष १५ ऑगस्ट २०२१ रोजी सुरू झाले]

[Debut novel: The Illuminated. Anindita Ghose. @HarperCollins, 2021. "I made attempts to read Hegel and Sri Aurobindo. The Hegel by HyperText project by @Andy_Blunden was a useful resource." @SavitriEra https://t.co/UP0yru2ZTy https://t.co/PjXr52gbuV]

[Sri Aurobindo disclaimed founding a religion. No religious teacher claimed founding a new religion. The question is not whether Sri Aurobindo refused to claim or denied he was founding a new religion but whether his disciples and the community thought so]

https://t.co/V3ZwvQ4LiK

Sri Aurobindo has envisaged a religion for humanity

Challenges before Savitri Era:

1. Erasing mythological narratives from the collective consciousness, 

2. Busting the myth of Indiaś glorious past that whitewashes deprivation, exploitation, and suffering, and

3. Replacing the Marxist/Nehruvian history of Modern India with focus on Sri Aurobindo.

Itś evident that people are drawn towards certain ideologies more for the sake of material gains than any real rational choice. Savitri Era seeks to break that unholy nexus. To make one convinced that he is following a wrong path and Sri Aurobindo is only true choice is the task.

Right now it's in the embryonic stage. Let it grow and then we can examine it under the microscope. 

https://t.co/Vf4NOxwivN

I don't disagree with your apprehensions but the fact is that it's already there for over a hundred years and growing organically. I'm merely a foot soldier who derives life's satisfaction by just following and tweeting.

https://twitter.com/SavitriEra/status/1430836147329064964?s=19

Itś heartening to note that young people are reading but books relating to Sri Aurobindo is a low priority. A slow and steady journey however is a good strategy but even longtime scholars fail to imbibe the spirit of Integrality. A few curiously attain experience but spew hatred.

So many webinars are taking place on Sri Aurobindo but no one shares anything on the discussions held. Intellectual content is relegated to the background and a large photograph adorns the tweet. Disseminating abstracts of speeches can encourage and inspire the young generation.

150th anniversary year began on August 15, 2021 and ten days have already passed. Two dozen handles are active but no one has any plans how to take advantage of this occasion. No one feels the urgency of mobilising manpower for spreading the message of Sri Aurobindo far and wide.

Twitter is a good mode of time-pass. Or, for sampling some news and views. A few likes or a comment once in a blue moon. But when it comes to pushing a new ideology like Sri Aurobindoś, a certain dedication, coordination, and systematic work is required in 150th year celebration.

We needn't wait till 2047 to evaluate what happened in 1947. States must enjoy Sovereignty on linguistic lines and thereafter it's upon local population to decide which way to align or design overseas contacts. Political parties are battling for survival and relevance. Who cares?

How itś that no one is perturbed as to why the greatest son of India has been denied his deserved status and honour in his own country, by his own people? What the govt has done for Sri Aurobindo? What the universities are doing for his thought and poetry? Why this callousness?

Agree but my tweet's target is the whole nation and not only the Ashram. No journalist, no public intellectual or politician is excited about Sri Aurobindo. Those who understand are mostly silent and lack courage for activism lest they will be branded and lose other opportunities.

Many people resent my tweets and advise me to read Sri Aurobindo again. Obviously, they have been brought up in the flower decorated meditation halls listening to melodious music. It will be done when The Mother wants, is their logic. But The Mother also needs right instruments.

I have not read any of their original works but some awareness on Hegel, Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, Levinas, Lacan, Bataille, Foucault, Derrida, Deleuze, et al has served me well. Hundreds of books are written on them but still scholars are busy searching for fresh insights. 

Old religions have survived for too long. Material prosperity has bolstered their clout and reach. Internal contradictions are glossed over but the seeds of destruction are very much there. Sri Aurobindo has focused on those deficiencies and envisaged a religion for the humanity.

Savitri Erans don´t believe in gradualism; they are confident of grace and emergence. The present is no firm indicator of the rollercoaster journey that the Evolution undertakes; thereś no one to guide. Yet faith and loyalty to The Mother & Sri Aurobindo is the most potent weapon

The Mother has announced that the Supramental Counsciousness touched the planet earth in principle on February 29, 1956 (42 years after her first meeting with Sri Aurobindo on March 29, 1914). Momentous events from the historical point of view pregnant with inconceivable outcomes

Sri Aurobindoś consistency and firmness is remarkable. Never before, we meet anyone else daring to shoulder the burden of the world in such a forthright manner. Both in theory and practice, his verifiable contributions are incomparable and unparalleled.

https://t.co/4L0vgdKQyD

Savitri Era: Twelve facets of Sri Aurobindo

https://t.co/QaTPSpKwfh

Tweets in original by Tusar Nath Mohapatra @NathTusar

Director, Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF), Ghaziabad & Founder-President of Savitri Era Party

Savitri Era of those who adore,

Om Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.

Misc. References

[Many people think of Sri Aurobindo as a Hindu, but he looked upon himself as a member of the Hindu religion for only around twelve of his seventy-eight years. His attitude towards religion in general and Hinduism in particular changed dramatically over the course of] Peter Heehs

[The Mother has often been the biggest ‘stumbling block’ in understanding Aurobindo’s final vision. Troy Organ’s review of McDermott’s work takes exception to the confusion that Mirra’s ‘gnosticism, occultism, and bhaktism’ for ‘creating an Aurobindoism’ that obfuscates] WOLFERS

[Sri Aurobindo's The Ideal of Human Unity was first issued in 1919. In The Human Cycle Sri Aurobindo foresees the present 'subjective' age culminating in a spiritual age. Human consciousness merges in oneness. R SUBRAMONY - International Journal on Multicultural Literature, 2021]

[ThePrint: rethink on Partition Horrors

my motherland may live up to immortal words of Sri Aurobindo: “We do not belong to the past dawns

https://t.co/DM5yX2I7vN

आध्यात्मिक राष्ट्रवादाचे उद्‌गाते

प्रा वेदांत कुलकर्णी योगी अरविंदांचे १५० वे जयंतीवर्ष १५ ऑगस्ट २०२१ रोजी सुरू झाले]

[SABDA lead article on Prof. Manoj Das - Reminiscences by Prof. Sachidananda Mohanty #SriAurobindo]

https://t.co/mmYnI688n9

Twelve facets of Sri Aurobindo

I didn't mention Sri Aurobindo. Savitri Era Party and Savitri Era Religion are my creation. Thus, current stands needn't match exactly with SA's views.

Like The Motherś twelve powers,

letś enumerate twelve facets of Sri Aurobindo.

1. Poet

2. Teacher

3. Journalist

4. Philosopher

5. Playwright

6. Critic

7. Commentator on scriptures

8. Yogi

9. Guru

10. Political commentator

11. Freedom fighter, and

12. Visionary.

#SriAurobindo

Protagoras had said, "Man is the measure of all things." Feuerbach claimed that it was man who created God. Western thought has been prisoner of such speculative ideas though written in superlative prose styles. In Sri Aurobindo otoh we find intuitive presentation of the reality.

Sri Aurobindo played a stellar role in the Freedom struggle and inspired many revolutionaries. He also wrote about the greatness of India and even wove into it it becoming a beacon of light for the entire world. But his #ThirdDream of #WorldUnion weaved to a different destination

Religions don't exist in books but rather in people's hearts. The Mother & Sri Aurobindo have created a new proposition which can attract hearts.

The Mother book has attained a cult status but it's a collection of letters written by SA at different points of time. The four powers of The Mother available in The Synthesis of Yoga hasn't achieved that popularity. Bases of Yoga is rather a much systematic guide for newcomers.

Learning Sanskrit is difficult and so better avoided. Sri Aurobindo's commentaries on ancient texts is sufficient for any modern person. SAVITRI can be considered as an alternative to the Veda and regular recitation can be rewarding. Mother's Agenda should also be treated as same

Offering oneself in the hands of The Mother is what is needed. Until that happens decisively, one can't derive the full benefit of Sri Aurobindo's Supermind or the march of Evolution. No other initiation is needed; reading their books will give necessary guidance and inspiration.

There's no prohibition against plumbing successive milestones or evaluation. But there's also the Sunlit Path. So it depends upon one's preponderance. Absolutely democratic and liberal. @NathTusar

Problem is you don't consider Sri Aurobindo of any consequence while looking at history. This is a big black hole in Indian scholarship.

Sri Aurobindo wrote hundreds of letters on accessing inner domains but not many were successful. So a newcomer needn't be intimidated by those prescriptions. Expecting fast results should be avoided too. Aspiration for transformation of human nature must be a slow and steady act.

With every passing day you lose the chance of reading some portions of Sri Aurobindo's writings. Start now and observe your transformation.

Certain polemical portions in his writings notwithstanding, Sri Aurobindo extolling Swami Dayananda as true seer of the Veda needs attention

Savitri Era: Pretending as a devotee is reprehensible https://t.co/XLuvmXnaLX

Tweets in original by Tusar Nath Mohapatra, Director, Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF) & Founder-President of Savitri Era Party @NathTusar

Savitri Era of those who adore,

Om Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.

Thanks for the forward and thanks to all who have RTed my recent tweets: @iamchamanjmu @Sanjays81301051 @auroviryavaan @djvtwit @Dharmapla1 @mirra21_mala @pattrea @samarth_samrat @Vegadarsi1 @johnnyhitchens1 @pkghosh50 @umedmehta45 @hari1779 @sriAuroMaa @Nimai_Swain @freemarkets5

[mind with its ideas and will-power can not only transmit "ideas and commands" to the body, the transmission can be so overwhelming that the body with a sort of "physical instinct" can go on automatically executing habitual movements.] - Dr. Soumitra Basu

https://t.co/SLwzYNrPcU

[My family is related to Sri Aurobindo and I had been meaning to read his texts for a while. I read what I thought my characters would read. Shashi is a student of philosophy at Jadavpur University; so, I made attempts to read Hegel and Sri Aurobindo.] -AG

https://t.co/nCJytd2sP6

Sri Aurobindo's Message in His Handwriting | The Mother https://t.co/RsOQumk98w via @YouTube 

Let each date in your life ...

Pretending as a devotee is reprehensible

kkk

Savitri Era

@SavitriEra

·

21h

Savitri Era: Breaking the concerted resistance to Sri Aurobindo https://savitriera.blogspot.com/2021/08/breaking-concerted-resistance-to-sri.html?spref=tw… Tweets by Tusar Nath Mohapatra, Director, Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF) and Founder-President of Savitri Era Party

@NathTusar

Savitri Era of those who adore, Om Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.

Replying to

@leashless

What about Sri Aurobindo who spoke about Consciousness in The Life Divine way back in 1914?

Replying to

@leashless

But his assurances on Evolutionary forces and descent of supermind is the only plausible means. He wants our faith and voluntary collaboration.

Replying to

@leashless

Agree; we can't import reading material from outer space. So, if we make a comparative analysis of whatever is available on this planet, Sri Aurobindo scores very high, rather on the top. So, let's have faith in his words following Pascal's wager.

¨The Sanatana story is non-linear mingling of 1000s of ancient wisdom woven into each other.¨ A very nice and feel-good description, but what finally is followed is a set of superstitions. Sri Aurobindo discovered the rot long ago but his advice and warnings are yet to percolate.

The Mother & Sri Aurobindo were acutely aware of the difficulties against the kind of ambitious goal that they had set for themselves. That some disciples stayed in the Ashram can´t be said to be of any significant help to them. But the historical importance is there like Togo´s.

Different religions are deploying enormous funds and manpower for propagation and image building. Savitri Era Religion too requires basic organisational framework for securing its place in the sun. Itś a collective yoga and devotees must come out of personal welfare sentiments.

You can restrict your activities but Savitri Era Party is all about politics. So, I don´t think I enjoy the luxury of reading fiction and relax. [Sri Aurobindo wrote this, his only complete story, during the early part of his stay in Pondicherry, 1910-12.] https://incarnateword.in/cwsa/4/the-phantom-hour

Your background is totally different from mine. So you needn't impose your ideas upon me. Please don't advise me on matters of reading. Continue to do your Sadhana undisturbed without disturbing me unnecessarily. Thanks.

Replying to

@pkghosh50

Human civilisation has seen countless turbulences and Evolution has its own purpose behind such ups and downs. Itś trajectory is spiral, as Sri Aurobindo reminds. So examining history and events separated by centuries through preconceived lenses might not be an objective exercise

Sure but are you so sure of the choice? I don't think the present scenario is so clear.

@NathTusar

Trojan horses galore among The Mother's devotees who worship other gods and goddesses. This is hypocrisy. Choose one and don't pollute the atmosphere by your presence. Sri Aurobindo has done enough of synthesis. So don't be eager to show your own synthesis between gods and gurus.

The Mother & Sri Aurobindo demand exclusive loyalty & unalloyed devotion. Those who harbour bhakti elsewhere better not waste time. Literary or academic engagement is welcome but pretending as a devotee is reprehensible. Never masquerade under the pretext that they didn't say so.

Integral Yoga has no specified system of practice but there's one unwritten law that it begins and ends with Surrender to The Mother. All other definitions are tangential. Opening of the Psychic Being or Descent of the Supramental Consciousness are subsequent stages of Sadhana.

Surrender is not easy to practice the way The Mother has recommended. Remember and Offer all the time is a tall order in day to day life. Yet whatever success is achieved is a great treasure. But the more important aspect is the central surrender without vacillation or comparison

Evolution of the next human race or advent of Supramental consciousness might seem highfalutin to others but to us itś the very reason for which we have offered our lives in the hands of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo. We have nothing to substantiate yet, but they say itś inevitable.

Not to use portions of Sri Aurobindoś writings to justify your own pet doctrine but to strive to understand his message and his mission in its integrality should be the prime aim. The Mother too features here prominently encompassing the whole humanity. Many avoid to stress this.

Agree but mapping is so vital in undertaking any survey or even mountaineering. Otherwise, one may remain mired in pleasant seeming rest houses. The word Integral is the essence. Can be defined in multiple ways.

Let me reiterate that thereś no specific modality and any action can be considered as yoga. Each individual has his own trajectory and no certificate is necessary.

Many of the direct disciples were scholars. They wrote books and journal articles and argued with Sri Aurobindo too. Some of them are also poets. So thatś model of Integral yoga which Amal Kiran once labelled as Aesthetic yoga. Others worked in different departments of the Ashram

Replying to

@kalisbrood

and

@mirra21_mala

Thatś one way but not the only one. Some well known disciples are said to have surrendered their previously acquired siddhi at the feet of The Mother. The goal here is entirely different; to be as transparent and plastic as possible. Fifth chapter of The Mother book explains well

Replying to @kalisbrood and @mirra21_mala

Attained what? is my query. Integral Yoga is about constant evolution. All those who have accepted The Mother are practitioners; thereś no dichotomy. Your own attainment is yours; doesn´t apply to others, academic or unschooled.

https://twitter.com/SavitriEra/status/1429805753435529224?s=20

[Twelve powers of The Mother: Progress, Receptivity, Aspiration, Perseverance, Gratitude, Humility, Sincerity, Peace, Equality, Generosity, Goodness and Courage. The first eight concern the attitude towards the Divine, and the last four towards humanity.] http://sassingapore.blogspot.com/2014/12/on-mothers-symbol.html

ତୁଷାରନାଥ ମହାପାତ୍ର @NathTusar Director, Savitri Era Learning Forum 

Ph-96500-65636 tusarnmohapatra@gmail.com 

Savitri Era of those who adore, 

Om Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.

Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (U.P.) savitriera.blogspot.com 

Born January 22, 1956 Joined April 2012 

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