Theory, as a concept, instills confidence. One feels that a solution to the numerous human problems will be possible, one day. But there are formidable hurdles on the way. One of the major concerns is writing itself which has been examined extensively in the last century. But the paradigm syndrome is a more pernicious affair.
No one has panoptic power of diagnosing things. So, the question of finitude, both spatial and temporal, can't be decoupled from the human condition. The promise of the quantum world or nano universe frittered away. Sri Aurobindo's Spiritual view of reality too remains a postulate. In such a perplexing circumstance, the situation in India presents a gargantuan paradox.
Muslim population in India is quite substantial even after the Partition which leads to social friction, narrative manipulation, and vote-bank politics. Thus, Hindutva capturing power was inevitable, but stuffing Universities is a difficult affair in the absence of intellectual muscle. Some of their intellectuals are hard put to talk sense. Empty rhetoric, therefore, is more often the rule than exception. Hubris and hope based on Hindutva looks so pathetic!
Western discourse is unwilling to examine the theoretical contributions of Sri Aurobindo. In that sense, Theory is yet to utilise all its resources. This is a human failure of which a major reason is the cancel culture. But those of us are aware of Sri Aurobindo are also unable to provide any viable way out. I, for instance, can't see anything concrete beyond Savitri Era Religion. It doesn't involve any compulsion or domination.
Steering clear of false promises and lofty assurances is a sacred task. Reading the "luminous and voluminous" writings of The Mother & Sri Aurobindo is an eminently admirable human enterprise. However, any "dramatic and traumatic" consequences of practicing yoga needs to be avoided. Even, the so-called Sustainable lifestyle options are suspect. Savitri Era Party, instead, advocates Freedom. https://x.com/SavitriEra - https://bsky.app/profile/savitriera.bsky.social
Misc. References:
1. Knowledge/Nation - The Humanities and the Social Sciences in Postcolonial India - Edited by Baidik Bhattacharya, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, India, Prathama Banerjee, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, India - Cambridge University Press - Open Access
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/knowledgenation/AA7322CA2AC111717D27478270DB0B62
2. Patterns of the Present: From the Perspective of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother - Georges Van Vrekhem
3. Minding the Modern - Human Agency, Intellectual Traditions, and Responsible Knowledge - by Thomas Pfau
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