Modernity abhors mysticism

 Since I studied Science in college, my orientation in Humanities was picked up from newspapers, magazines, fiction, and films. Reading the books on Sri Aurobindo and other philosophical works also provided many insights. But a systematic understanding of the basics remains a distant target. Besides, deciphering possible influence of Marxist lens or examining its desirability proves to be a conundrum.

Having spent my school years in a village in Odisha, in the 1960s, I'm well aware of the ill-effects of pre-modern practices. Therefore, I defend Modernity, and caution against glorification of an imaginary past. Even, many of Sri Aurobindo's writings need to be read suitably, in this context. The mystical elements of yoga and sadhana shouldn't, therefore, be recommended to the young generation.

Psychic choice of a unique and playful trajectory of life is a fundamental template of Sri Aurobindian Ontology. His first principle of education that Nothing can be taught, therefore, fits absolutely fine. Savitri Era Religion and Savitri Era Party are right avenues for a socially acceptable appreciation of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo's teachings. This is a big challenge in the current confusing scenario. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Satisfaction at 70

 It is better to remember always that the mystery of this universe is still unknown. Further, history has no valid explanation. Similarly, finding any pattern in the lives of people is futile. Therefore, believing strongly in any theory or ideology needs to be avoided. Adopting an attitude of humility and healthy scepticism is rather safer.

This is not postmodernism. Just, pure logic and common sense. Protecting ourselves from myriad narrative wars is important. Not to be a cause of misleading others is a sacred duty. Believing in The Mother & Sri Aurobindo as the one Supreme Divine is a personal choice. But that doesn't mean that whatever they have written or said are self-evident truth.

I have been avoiding recommending any form of practice or psychological manipulation as a part of yoga. The Mother & Sri Aurobindo provide excellent resource for intellectual development. But supplementing it with some amount of orientation on postmodernism is also important. Then, one can easily notice additional dimensions in their writings.

Politics exerts a powerful pull on people. When combined with religion, its effect is heady. Lack of adequate intellectual capability makes things worse. Thus, access to right sites of knowledge is crucial. Many followers of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo, unfortunately, are peddling a tainted worldview. Excessive enthusiasm for India warps vision.

Savitri Era blog has the good fortune of running, uninterruptedly, since 2005. It is witness to my own intellectual development and ideological steadfastness. Savitri Era Religion (2006) and Savitri Era Party (2007) have also helped me to stress on practical aspects and individual freedom. This gives me a lot of satisfaction at 70. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Lilting leaves

 I listen to different versions of La Dalu Bopath at times. A very tranquility inducing song but philosophical and melancholic. Learnt about the Leaves in the Wind from Aeneid a couple of days back which reminded me of it. From another reference, a nice Bengali song, Premer Mora Jole Dobe Na surfaced. Serendipity!

Pertinent, in this context, to mention Time Matters by Debashish Banerji and Satya: Poems to My Father by Pariksith Singh. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

1.

Chanced upon a melodious Sinhala song La dalu bopath... Yashodhara Devi. We have a similar story in Mrinalini Devi (1887-1918) but when we are worshipping The Mother & Sri Aurobindo as the one Supreme Divine she is just a footnote. Human emotions are irrelevant in this circumstance. 28 Mar 25 https://x.com/i/status/1905435249464762586

https://savitriera.blogspot.com/2025/04/integration-of-science-philosophy-and.html

La Dalu Bopath https://youtu.be/oDe38UykHxs?si=6wBCJYxC3p7wDoQz

Laa Dalu Bopath https://youtu.be/QbGyX6mZljM?si=ADPHIdMgTbAzpDah

2.

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION (pp. xi-xiv)

DB HART

This is a book about everything and anything, which to some might mean a book
about nothing as such but which to my mind is the ideal of a book written for readers.
Or rather, as that should describe every book, I should say that it is a volume in … Leaves in the Wind, a name distilled from some lines of book VI of the Aeneid:...

3.

Art as Archive and Antidote: A Story

S Bhowmik - Narratives of Crisis and Futurity: Shifting Borders …, 2026

Archive usually implies “documentary products of human activity, preserved for their
long-term value"(Winand, 2023, p. 70). So when we think of archives, we think of"
authenticity, reliability, integrity, and usability”(Winand, 2023, p. 70), but archives are … A Bengali folk song by Abdul Alim that goes like "Premer Mora Jole Dobe Na" 190

Premer Mora https://youtu.be/-L6Rwo9NtGw?si=mg2SgODDRPBWi85K

4.

Time Matters is a luminous journey through the fluidity of time, memory and existence... An exercise in bi-cultural understanding and a meditation on translocality, this book invites readers to step back, enter and experience the magic space of its multidimensional poetic landscapes.

https://www.amazon.com/Time-Matters-Debashish-Banerji/dp/819847191X

https://debashishbanerji.com/creativewriting/time-matters/

5.

What remains when identity dissolves? Discover the profound reflections of “An Embryo of Space” from the collection Satya: Poems to My Father with @PariksithSingh and @MakrandParanspe. youtu.be/McN8JjMrbUI?si… @AmazingVedas

https://x.com/i/status/2084021421882396864

6.

Explore grief, rebirth, the tiger's symbolism, and the creative process behind @PariksithSingh's poem The Tiger of the Flame—a powerful meditation on life, loss, and transcendence. youtu.be/8rPjav8QtAA?si… @MakrandParanspe @AmazingVedas

https://x.com/i/status/2084747956658594203

7.

"कह देना उनसे" केवल एक कविता नहीं, बल्कि मानव मन की दृढ़ता और अडिग चेतना का स्वर है। @PariksithSingh  and @MakrandParanspe  के साथ कविता, भाषा और जीवन के गहरे संबंधों की खोज। youtu.be/SpZ-hIqLm4U?si… @AmazingVedas

https://x.com/i/status/2084388336744231195 

Senility and liminality

 Frank Visser has wisely noted that the philosophy of The Life Divine is mystical and theological. There should be no dispute on this point since the title itself speaks of the Divine. Besides, if Sri Aurobindo's other writings and activities are taken into consideration, then a lot of religious aspects come to the fore. This is one methodological lapse. A more fundamental one is the absurdity of comparing an avowedly religious philosophy with the contents and methods of sundry materialist philosophies. 

In The Secret of the Veda, which was being published simultaneously with The Life Divine, Sri Aurobindo interpreted the Deities as different layers of higher consciousness. Thus, the ontological framework of The Life Divine was not something he imagined anew. Other traditions like Theosophy too had comparable systems. So, seeking evidence from Sri Aurobindo on this count can't be accepted as reasonable. Many would promptly take shelter under the argument that he was very much privy to yogic vision as documented in myriad manners. 

I don't claim any supernatural experience and expect that all our learning and thinking are amenable to Modernity. Subjective experiences have little value since they can neither be replicated or evaluated nor transmitted to others. From this perspective, what The Mother & Sri Aurobindo have written is their property and responsibility. I shouldn't be overly enthusiastic to justify them or recommend them as self-evident truth. Even, any attempt to suggest the superiority of the Ashram or Auroville can be misleading. 

Each person's trajectory of life is absolutely unique, as far as my understanding goes. Hence, imagining that by following some practices of yoga or any kind of psychological manipulation, they can be straightened or smoothened looks a bit far fetched. Moreover, in addition to the usual struggle for life and facing its complexities, The Mother & Sri Aurobindo have put enormous intellectual and psychological burden on their followers without any verifiable commensurate results. 

No wonder, most people keep themselves satisfied with Sri Aurobindo's India-centric writings or Sanatana Dharma. Others find peace in poetry. Savitri is proving to be a symptom for Obsession or Regression. Some vote for the Veda. Some others highlight the revolutionary period of Sri Aurobindo. These are really very practical applications with immense educative dimensions as scope for research widens. I, too, copy and paste whatever good I read, and then post on my Blogs. 

So far so good. Self-protection from competing ideologies and narratives too becomes urgent, at this juncture. Savitri Era Religion provides the most suitable shelter in accordance with the Pascal's Wager. That is what I have learnt through my seventy years. Writing is important for providing independent views which is a rarity, these days. My unique course of life has given me varied experiences and instructions. I have been kept out of institutional influences and personal affinities, too. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Misc. References:

The Life Divine Reconsidered: A Skeptical Review of Sri Aurobindo's Magnum Opus, Frank Visser / ChatGPT

7 hours ago — Few works of modern spiritual philosophy rival Sri Aurobindo's The Life Divine in ambition. Published in revised form in 1939-40 after first appearing ...

Here's a graphic of my current project: Egregore Ascendant - A six-part analysis of collective possession and recovery - M. Alan Kazlev 

https://x.com/i/status/2087326864495006129

EMOTIONS
A Cultural and Etymological History of Our Feelings
by Michel Briand Table of Contents: 
Toward a Linguistic and Cultural History of the Emotions I. Joy
II. Sadness
III. Anger
IV. Love
V. Fear
VI. Trust
VII. Contempt
VIII. Pride
IX. Disgust
X. Beauty - Aakash Singh Rathore 

https://x.com/i/status/2087201204849803669

[HTML] A Complete Master List of Virtues from the Ancient Traditions

SJ April

… In the light of this article, thought it might be useful to also include that “virtues”
appear integral to the spiritual development of an individual too. Present in some
form or the other in all the religions, streams of spirituality, and philosophies, that …

Primary Virtues

Benevolence / Compassion / Kindness / Charity / Love / Magnanimity / Friendliness / Courtesy 

Temperance / Moderation / Patience / Frugality / Modesty / Humility

Truthfulness / Honesty / Integrity / Sincerity

Prudence / Wisdom / Knowledge / Intelligence

Courage / Fortitude

Justice / Righteousness / Honor

Equanimity / Tranquility / Contentment

Secondary Virtues

Faith / Hope, Diligence, Wit, Cleanliness / Order, Proper Ambition, Magnificence, Chastity, and Loyalty

https://becausethouart.blogspot.com/2026/07/beauty-and-nobility-expressed-through.html

https://seof.blogspot.com/2026/07/auroveda-and-sri-aurobindo-chair.html

https://savitriera.blogspot.com/2026/07/7-8-virtues.html

Esoteric aspects should be restricted to personal consumption

 As Founder of Savitri Era Religion (2006), I take a different line in many respects which need to be understood clearly. Most people have not read The Mother & Sri Aurobindo's writings adequately, and, hence, many misconceptions circulate, unhindered.

His reference to the Sanatana Dharma in his Uttarpara speech is the most misunderstood and misrepresented. Hindutva drawing justification from it is entirely misconceived. Similarly, their stress on Sanskrit shouldn't be emphasised, literally. Further, his suggestions against Aryan Invasion Theory shouldn't be treated as full proof. 

Due to lack of valid evaluation, I avoid recommending practice of yoga. Instead, Savitri Era Religion encourages worshipping The Mother & Sri Aurobindo as the one Supreme Divine and surrender to them. Besides, mystical and esoteric aspects of their teachings should be restricted to personal consumption otherwise others might get carried away. 

Hindu or India-centric worldview and harbouring hubris around it is a major flaw. Many love to quote The Mother & Sri Aurobindo for buttressing such a mentality. Savitri Era Party, on the other hand, highlights the universalist dimensions of the Five Dreams Manifesto, broadcast on August 14, 1947. 

While their writings are open to academic scrutiny, their life and action constitutes a much larger religious phenomenon. This is something which goes beyond their own pronouncements. Since it's a matter of personal beief without any institutional interference, only the future can tell where it would lead to. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social

Soft Power of America

 Makarand R. Paranjape has produced a series of podcasts on America and related themes which merit contemplation. I don't know how far his perception is in alignment with Sri Aurobindo's Third Dream of a World Union. But as Dr. Pariksith Singh noted, the Soft Power of America has become all pervasive. 

Paranjape waxes eloquent on Freedom but his own record on this score is disappointing during the last decade. However, his, seemingly, course correction is welcome. Despite lacking adequate Degree or pedigree, I have been showing the right direction under the banner of Savitri Era Party since 2007. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social 

Misc. References:

1. https://youtu.be/WbR1IVspoRc?si=J86oHNCY5Q9_zQh1

2. https://youtu.be/u-J2jYs8Xng?si=zg1_WnV__VAU53JT

3. https://youtu.be/SstDo24kHaU?si=aH0y2LAYDiozEH8S

4. https://youtu.be/GJQsINsV2cA?si=orxDMpfrHBVoODhR

5. https://youtu.be/qJi7YrOHjks?si=WmoGx3_Wx5Qf-fRf

6. https://youtu.be/hr7qPTgIKNw?si=8AAPDdtP9iWVy3mV

7. https://youtu.be/rnluRgBtBg8?si=4EG_xGbRyDSf835d

8. https://youtu.be/0ny1EZQ6MTI?si=z7p7MP4Z27LA_3if

9. https://youtu.be/-JgTRHMeudw?si=mUV17b2XNmLdtyhe

10. https://youtu.be/SIbI58p1oW0?si=Yu6SnOIKPXnYCrCE

11. https://youtu.be/w2oBRFxtOmk?si=Qpag83cqSj2mdgeh

12. https://youtu.be/-HI9L1BplvE?si=0OZ_TQI5MC4Q0vif

13. https://youtu.be/lwjVMrmX5e4?si=63LeD6NkX_bHLH5C

14. https://youtu.be/aXHX4GWepAQ?si=lSqrZozVsAf7OD9h

15. https://youtu.be/jSGJ9BxLrVs?si=xcF6WepQzJB8OfUd 

16. https://youtu.be/5wqJxJbmgzA?si=qJpWsO8mrQt3w0b3 

17. https://youtu.be/_NsCSXbFiC4?si=iuHjWdgfCJqLT8x-

18. https://youtu.be/WpLAcVseru4?si=3Yy16n2lkPRHvN4Y

Savitri and The Life Divine: the twin towers

 It's a matter of great significance that coinciding with the month of the birth of Sri Aurobindo, Frank Visser has put up an AI-aided appraisal of The Life Divine for the wide readership of the Integral World. While not being miserly in showering praise on the book, he doesn't mince words in pointing out its shortcomings. 

It is interesting to remember at this point the kind of enthusiasm the Integral movement had generateed two decades ago. Alan Kazlev was a leading voice in explaining the intricacies of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo's philosophy and yoga from a comparative perspective. I had also launched the Savitri Era Religion in 2006, what I had called, On Alan's anvil. 

Visser has aptly observed, "From the standpoint of philosophy and science, the book raises profound problems that remain largely unresolved." This can be said to be the biggest accolade for something written more than a century back. Savitri, similarly, has been described by many as something the full significance of which cannot be grasped with all intellectual application. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social 

Misc. References:

The Life Divine Reconsidered: A Skeptical Review of Sri Aurobindo's Magnum Opus, Frank Visser / ChatGPT

7 hours ago — Few works of modern spiritual philosophy rival Sri Aurobindo's The Life Divine in ambition. Published in revised form in 1939-40 after first appearing ...

Chapter I - The Methods of Knowledge

15 hours ago — Sri Aurobindo is one of the brightest luminaries in the philosophico-religious firmament of India. He gives us his 'Weltanschauung' on the basis of the ...

Preface

6 hours ago — The teachings of Sri Aurobindo focus on a strong and marked tendency towards the integration of the once very separate world-views of East and West. Integral ...

FLAVORS OF ADVAITA IN VIVEKANANDA, RABINDRANATH, AND SRI AUROBINDO

D Banerji - Praise for Swami Vivekananda: His Life, Legacy, and …

… , Aurobindo Ghosh, aka Sri Aurobindo, … Aurobindo was also intimately
connected to the Brahmo Samaj, though he did not think of himself as a Brahmo—his
mother was a daughter of Rajnarain Bose, one of the important stalwarts of the …

The Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Co-Creator of the Integral Yoga by Patrick Beldio

G Adams - Nova Religio, 2026

… In light of Beldio’s acknowledged commitment to the Integral Yoga tradition, some
readers … and Mirra as they developed the Integral Yoga tradition and Aurobindo
Ashram. This is not a … constant references to how Integral Yoga fits into the larger …

The Bijlani magic

 Dr. Ramesh Bijlani has been active in spreading awareness about the yoga of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo since the early Nineties. His talks are lucid and have the advantage of his medical profession. His recent podcasts are quite inspiring and his enthusiasm is contagious. 

Misc. References:

1. https://youtu.be/eXWFljBDscA?si=k0qOMjFgRTg0TeM3

2. https://youtu.be/WcjIBmq8yT8?si=4sk8MStb4lDFoOT6

3. https://youtu.be/ZUK8GEduKOo?si=pOYY7kqI2Fs3iN4l

4. https://youtu.be/2rhjpDMpwLo?si=YLl1uR2o1WUsFh3m

Savitri Era solidarity

 Gitanjali J.B. had initiated the Court case in Odisha for banning The Lives of Sri Aurobindo by Peter Heehs in 2008. She has acquired a national profile now as Gitanjali J.A. But when Anirban Ganguly refers to her as a Self-styled Sri Aurobindo expert, it sounds a bit odd. Since there is no institutional mechanism for awarding valid certificates, we are all self-appointed workers in the service of The Mother. 

Quite understandable that we shall be working under diverse circumstances and pursuing different ideologies. Thus, conflict is inevitable, but mutual respect and recognition as their students and devotees also needs to be exhibited. Let's not forget that we constitute a miniscule of the population who have been granted this immense privilege of knowing about this higher truth. That needs to be told to the public. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social 

Misc. References:

1. The directions came in response to a petition filed by Gitanjali Devi, wife of one Jayant Bhattacharjee of Balasore, alleging that the book was blasphemous in nature. Under the guise of a biography, the writer had cast aspersions on the life and character of the philosopher, sage, poet and freedom fighter.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/states/odisha/2008/Nov/05/hc-conditions-for-release-of-book-4550.html

2. Wangchuk’s close associate, Gitanjali Wangchuk, is, we are told, a devotee of Sri Aurobindo. In her parting shot, she is said to have observed that it is Gen Z that has shown what it means for India to be a Viswaguru and that they have lived the Sanatana Dharma.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/opinion/abuse-is-not-awakening-670656

https://x.com/i/status/2084113707987345443 

3. Self-styled Sri Aurobindo experts who pat the self-styled Gen Z Modi abusers on the back and repose faith in their ability to make India Viswaguru must instead ask them to read, absorb and internalise, if at all possible, Sri Aurobindo’s advice to the students of the National College. His appeal to them to “Work that she [India] may prosper. Suffer that she [India] may rejoice…” remains relevant and striking across generations and decades.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/opinion/the-viswaguru-imperative-670797

https://x.com/i/status/2084504563709886854

Average is Kosher

 I was in NCC in the college, but haven't followed any regular physical exercise except walking, at times. Intellectual engagement also gives a good pretext for avoiding physical work. After VRS from PNB in 2000, my sleep timings have turned erratic and episodic. So, instead of blaming my own will-power, I, conveniently, put the onus on biology and hormones.

Many are predicting that there will be no work in future due to AI and Robotics. But whether the requirement for physical exercise will go down is not known. In any case, yoga or gym don't seem to me as a normal human activity. Many types of sports too are bizarre affairs. Many things seem to be weird impositions in the name of civilisation.

Even in the case of music and dance also, reaching extreme levels is considered as excellence. Applying the Olympics spirit of competition everywhere is certainly an aberration. Performing at the average standard should be the norm instead of any self-torture method. The same is also true for many other aspects of life. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social