Monday, October 18, 2021

Need to overcome soft corner for perpetuating tradition

Tweets in original by Tusar Nath Mohapatra (b. 1956 in Odisha), @NathTusar, the Founder of Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF - 2005), Savitri Era Religion (2006), and Savitri Era Party (2007).

The Mother & Sri Aurobindo used to say many things that would please the disciples. Indian devotees were happy when they adverted to mythology. Even today, people jump at those few references. But it's a test and one needs to overcome one's soft corner for perpetuating tradition.
Replying to and
Agree that Sri Aurobindo's verdict on rituals is not so explicit and to that extent I take the blame of putting it so bluntly or rigidly. But as you have rightly indicated, it's highly relevant today and so is urgent. Thanks for the RT due to which so many more people could read.
Symbolic interpretation of the Veda is the greatest intellectual contribution of Sri Aurobindo which rescued it from the snare of inane rituals by being sync with evolution and science. Universalisation of this ancient utterances is India's highest achievement in the modern world.
If you feel that Sri Aurobindo has written nothing new, I respect your scholarship. My study is mostly confined to Sri Aurobindo and his Western contemporaries. Btw, my tweets are often borrowed from different sources which I paraphrase here. They don't reflect my understanding.
What you say has nothing to do with my tweet which I crafted with utmost precision.
I didn't claim Sri Aurobindo is the first.
Certain Hindutva stalwarts are becoming "eminent." Good luck to them but they should read something substantial before speaking or writing. Domain expertise is fine but if one strays beyond, then reading Sri Aurobindo is essential. In order to be a good Indian, be Sri Aurobindian.
Savitri Era: Plunging into Sri Aurobindo's works without any plan is the key savitriera.blogspot.com/2021/10/plungi Tweets by Tusar Nath Mohapatra, 5-E, Krishna Heights, Authpur (near Shyamnagar), North 24 Parganas, West Bengal-743128. (b. 1956 at Sailo Jharpada, Dist. Cuttack, Odisha-754003).
Replying to
Auroville has international significance but govt has downgraded it to the local status by handing it over to the State. This is unfortunate. Rajaji once lamented about his own receding political position. Next time, district collector may become Chairman.
Savitri Era Party has been telling this for more than a decade. Govt. must vacate Auroville; its residents should elect their President, democratically.
One may or may not secure a foothold in his philosophy after long years but by going through his books on diverse themes, it dawns how one is drawn gradually and irrevocably toward the unimaginable vastness of Sri Aurobindo's canvas. There's nothing else comparable on this planet.
Savitri Era Religious Fraternity: Many devotees of Sri Aurobindo are pushing the Hindutva narrative serfrat.blogspot.com/2021/10/many-d
Each one must discover The Mother & Sri Aurobindo in his or her own way without being unduly influenced by laudatory descriptions by earlier disciples. Their divinity too must stand the test of critical scrutiny. Exaggerated promises or expectation of miracles can't be their USP.
Writings of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo on spirituality, yoga, meditation, experience, etc. belong to a very advanced domain and are likely to cause frustration in the reader not being easily accessible. Similarly, clutching on to temptation of miracles template brings depression.
Writings of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo are futuristic. So no one should encourage mind falling silent or prolonged meditation. These techniques are not strictly result-oriented and may lead to frustration or depression. Similarly, an overt and over-reliance on miracles is flawed.
Privileging Mythology and Monarchy, Rituals and Miracles corrodes the critical and creative faculty of impressionable minds.
Mythology and Astrology, Rituals and Miracles, & superstitions and hypocrisy are at the root of Indian backwardness. Sri Aurobindo shows way
May everyone follow Sri Aurobindo's Philosophy of Unity, Mutuality, and Harmony by abandoning Mythology, Astrology, and Miracle-mongering.
Read "The Life Divine" by Sri Aurobindo to come out from the spell of Mythology and miracle-mongering. Young Indians must sharpen intellect.
When we speak about Sri Aurobindo, it's not Mythology or miracles. His Philosophy stands the test of the highest intellectual interrogation.
Sri Aurobindo empowers you to withdraw from rituals and miracles, mythology and superstitions and rely upon Science, Market, and Modernity.
Why should the children of a software engineer suffer from superstitions and miracles because of his soft corner for mythology and rituals?
If the philosophy of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo can't be explained without copious references to mythology and legends, then it should be considered as a failure. Those pushing agenda are free to do that, but willful adulteration and misutilisation of adulation can lead to nadir.
We must never forget how valiantly Sri Aurobindo put on record his opposition to Shankara and Sayana to build the foundations of a new path. If we don't recognise that newness and make it a handmaiden of mythology and rituals, then all talk of descent of Supramental is fruitless.
Indians continue to be neck deep in ideological confusion. Material gains is a major reason for clinging to warped outlook of political parties. Inflating self-esteem is also a factor. But the way out is fairly simple as Sri Aurobindo has hewed a new path more than 100 years ago.
The name of Sri Aurobindo being misspelt is not uncommon but the govt takes the cake. The new site, however, is welcome [A greater psychology edited by A. S. Dalāl By: Ghoṣ, Arabinda, 1872 - 1950 Publisher: Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram 2004] #SriAurobindo indianculture.gov.in/union-catalogu
Invasion and colonialism are part of Indian history but understanding their deeper significance is important. Subjugation and suffering may not be palatable to democratic sentiment but Evolution has other plans and intention. Sri Aurobindo was awake to such unseen play of forces.
The name of Sri Aurobindo being misspelt is not uncommon but the govt takes the cake. The new site, however, is welcome [A greater psychology edited by A. S. Dalāl By: Ghoṣ, Arabinda, 1872 - 1950 Publisher: Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram 2004] #SriAurobindo indianculture.gov.in/union-catalogu
Countless persons have built careers and reputation by blandishing Hindutva and hatred during the last two decades but Savitri Era Party has refrained from compromising with its core beliefs to preach sanity. Only Sri Aurobindo can be potent pill to heal current woes of humanity.
The way the intellectual contribution of Sri Aurobindo is being overlooked today is a good example of incompetence and hypocrisy. It provides an accurate picture of the ruling party leaders and their mentors. No move to counter Marxists who are ruling discourse through intellect.
Collective meditation is not collective yoga. Crowd management and group dynamics necessitate deploying religious conventions but safeguards needed to save them from turning ritualistic. Individual's supremacy must not be surrendered for the sake of a get together or free launch.
One may or may not secure a foothold in his philosophy after long years but by going through his books on diverse themes, it dawns how one is drawn gradually and irrevocably toward the unimaginable vastness of Sri Aurobindo's canvas. There's nothing else comparable on this planet.
Initially, one doesn't understand Sri Aurobindo. Then, one begins to understand him and a sense of certainty sets in. Later, when one covers more texts, it comes to the fore that Sri Aurobindo is not certain on anything. He is always tentative and leaves things to possibilities.
We must never forget how valiantly Sri Aurobindo put on record his opposition to Shankara and Sayana to build the foundations of a new path. If we don't recognise that newness and make it a handmaiden of mythology and rituals, then all talk of descent of Supramental is fruitless.
If the philosophy of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo can't be explained without copious references to mythology and legends, then it should be considered as a failure. Those pushing agenda are free to do that, but willful adulteration and misutilisation of adulation can lead to nadir.
I wrote about Hindutva which has many pernicious dimensions. I oppose that ideology and not anyone personally.
Replying to
Alok Pandey is pushing Hindutva narrative and it's embarrassing.
I avoid his work due to this angle. This political position has myriad ramifications; needn't be expressed explicitly.
Replying to
Many accuse Sri Aurobindo of giving his stamp of approval to Hegel's theory of history. Yet, emergence and evolution have a far more critical role and hence time has a significant part to play. It's futile, therefore, to set any term. All life is Yoga is good to avoid frustration.
Nothing happens before its time and I have often cautioned against offering false assurances on the basis of the words of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo or their direct disciples. Writings are writings but believing in Sri Aurobindo is much more important for the future of humanity.
Replying to
Comparison with past systems of practice and philosophical formulations poses hindrance for understanding Sri Aurobindo's new breakthrough. Evolutionary intervention of Supramental consciousness is something which has never been conceived in the past. So accepting in toto needed.
Integral Yoga is not achievable through individual effort or tapasya only. With no fixed method of sadhana or rituals, spirituality is stillborn since Grace is unpredictable. What The Mother & Sri Aurobindo ask for is "faith, sincerity, and surrender" and it amounts to religion.
Understanding what Sri Aurobindo was doing during his last years is important. Most of his major writings are things of the past and the evening talks are superficial. It's unlikely that he was busy with the Record of Yoga kind of pursuit. He divulged little but it was concrete.
Aurora Mirabilis: Hatred for any community is a direct insult to Sri Aurobindo auroramirabilis.blogspot.com/2021/10/hatred
It's easy to quote to extol spirituality but, ultimately, it's nothing but a cult in the garb of yoga. People in general regard Sri Aurobindo as a rishi or a guru but Savitri Era Religion will keep on growing around his versatile personality and The Mother's enigma and charisma.
ତୁଷାରନାଥ ମହାପାତ୍ର
@NathTusar
·
The Mother herself was the brain behind Auroville, otherwise it would have been seen as blaspheme. No wonder, it continues to be under the mire of conflicts and controversies. Strangely, the govt doesn't take any corrective action to mend myriad imperfections of one of its wings. twitter.com/SavitriEra/sta…
Auroville founded in 1968 was evidently a dilution of the Ashram established in 1926. Sri Aurobindo wrote philosophy for public before it but switched to spirituality for disciples. His writings are unmatched as being logical but no assurances should be offered on actual results.
Initially, one doesn't understand Sri Aurobindo. Then, one begins to understand him and a sense of certainty sets in. Later, when one covers more texts, it comes to the fore that Sri Aurobindo is not certain on anything. He is always tentative and leaves things to possibilities.
One may or may not secure a foothold in his philosophy after long years but by going through his books on diverse themes, it dawns how one is drawn gradually and irrevocably toward the unimaginable vastness of Sri Aurobindo's canvas. There's nothing else comparable on this planet
the Orchid and the rOse: Savitri Era narrative is the only alternative orchidrose.blogspot.com/2021/10/savitr
Symbolic interpretation of the Veda is the greatest intellectual contribution of Sri Aurobindo which rescued it from the snare of inane rituals by being sync with evolution and science. Universalisation of this ancient utterances is India's highest achievement in the modern world
Texts have been promoted over centuries but nothing contains self-evident truth. No means to verify and no need to repose faith on such propositions. This critical approach can save from superstitions but may lead to Marxist restrictions. Sri Aurobindo helps to overcome barrier.
Othering, invoking Sri Aurobindo for taking up arms, and assuming that you will surely win are dangerous concoctions. God save from such intellectuals. Why all modalities of Democracy are forgotten and deploying summary methods to secure instant justice is recommended is a riddle
Replying to
Those in power might have given it a push but ideologically it had no pull. Marxists took advantage of that vacuum and made attractive to the young. Sri Aurobindo was kept out of the picture. Besides, Vishishtadvaita never conceded defeat and is more widespread and influential.
There were hundreds of kingdoms and different faiths grew through royal patronage. To imagine that some ideology had a dominant influence across villages and languages is not credible. These are academic speculations and attempt at neat divisions. Details are varied and complex.
Replying to and
What Sri Aurobindo wrote at one point can't be taken as his final outlook. Going beyond the text is the challenge. Supramental consciousness & Mind of light were his concerns toward the end of his life. Grappling with the future therefore is more important than past formulations.
Integral Yoga is not achievable through individual effort or tapasya only. With no fixed method of sadhana or rituals, spirituality is stillborn since Grace is unpredictable. What The Mother & Sri Aurobindo ask for is "faith, sincerity, and surrender" and it amounts to religion.
Replying to
Comparison with past systems of practice and philosophical formulations poses hindrance for understanding Sri Aurobindo's new breakthrough. Evolutionary intervention of Supramental consciousness is something which has never been conceived in the past. So accepting in toto needed.
Nothing happens before its time and I have often cautioned against offering false assurances on the basis of the words of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo or their direct disciples. Writings are writings but believing in Sri Aurobindo is much more important for the future of humanity.
Replying to
Many accuse Sri Aurobindo of giving his stamp of approval to Hegel's theory of history. Yet, emergence and evolution have a far more critical role and hence time has a significant part to play. It's futile, therefore, to set any term. All life is Yoga is good to avoid frustration
Replying to
There's no academic compulsion to be guided or bound by what Sri Aurobindo said since what he communicated at one point may not be valid for ever. Scholars should be free to interrogate him ruthlessly and examine his life speculatively. As a top author, he can't escape scrutiny.
Sri Aurobindo's debt to Kashmiri Shaivisim or Plotinus is rather more conspicuous. Despite some of his comments on himself, it's necessary to know how our generation understands him through rigorous scrutiny. I also stress on going beyond texts and focusing on his life and action
Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF): Spirituality is stillborn since Grace is unpredictable selforum.blogspot.com/2021/10/spirit