Thursday, October 19, 2006
Carry the words forward
- [Karsh argues that whilst Christianity had its own (obvious) imperialist ambitions it has finally surrendered them. Islam has not. (Although I think Karsh neglects to mention that Christian imperialism has been revived amongst American evangelicals). Islamic imperialist ambitions are a fundamental aspect of the Islamic narrative. Al Qaeda is simply the latest manifestation of the eternal jihad. Posted in Terrorism, Ray's Integral Blog, Integral politics]
- [Sixth Root Race File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML Eltreya: When will the sixth root race begin? Reac: The sixth root race will be founded approximately six hundred years from now, in southern California.selfempowermentacademy]
Sri Aurobindo wrote in English and The Mother’s works are in French. Thus, primarily they are addressed to the Westerners and Christians. The Savitri Erans have to build an elaborate infrastucture to carry the words forward, bothways: precision-shooting as well as carpet-bombing.
Friday, October 20, 2006
We won’t be silent
[Their alarm has been stoked by a highly suspect claim that if current trends continue, only 4 percent of teenagers will be “Bible-believing Christians” as adults...For the next two days, the teenagers in the arena pogoed to Christian bands, pledged to lead their friends to Christ and sang an anthem with the chorus, “We won’t be silent.” Hundreds streamed down the aisles for the altar call and knelt in front of the stage, some weeping openly as they prayed to give their lives to God. By LAURIE GOODSTEIN The New York Times: October 6, 2006]
If young people are unwilling to go with the religion they are born into,Savitri Era is the most rational alternative. So it is for the Savitri Erans not to be silent and spring into action in order to fill the void. The Mother's poser ever echoes, Are you ready?
Friday, October 20, 2006
From Kant to The Cantos
In the very first paragraph of The Life Divine, Sri Aurobindo brings in the great Kantian issues of "God, freedom, and immortality" as his point of departure. All his works are replete with similar allusions. Years ago V.K. Gokak spared a full chapter in his book, Sri Aurobindo: Seer and Poetlisting such allusions scattered throughout Savitri. Recently, Mother India, in a rare gesture, invited from its readers their take on such pickings. When finally compiled, it would open up new vistas of delight for the discerning readers.
Mother India, of late, is issuing special numbers as thematic compilations. Ideally, a journal should stick to its definition and not aspire to encroach upon the function of a book. When would Mother India go online? Savitri Erans are athirst.
Mother India, of late, is issuing special numbers as thematic compilations. Ideally, a journal should stick to its definition and not aspire to encroach upon the function of a book. When would Mother India go online? Savitri Erans are athirst.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
The intention of Nature
One of the philosophical innovations of Sri Aurobindo that has not received the attention it deserves is the Problem of Rebirth. Although the book did not receive his time and attention for revision, the subject has been thoroughly dealt with in The Life Divine and in the Letters. EvenSavitri contains some pregnant and intriguing utterances on the matter. Considering the complex and ambiguous nature of the issue and multiple theological theses on it, Sri Aurobindo’s attempt to remove the cobwebs and clear the confusion is epochal. But the elite of the day argue endlessly over the old formulations without reading Sri Aurobindo’s solutions.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Politics need not remain alien
The Bush regime is often derided for identifying itself too openly with the Christian enthusiasts. This is rather hypocrisy, for transparency and consistency should be seen as virtues in the arena of public life. Be that as it may, the larger question of conflating religion and politics need not be that undesirable in our day and age. In order to remain relevant the dominant religions are striving hard to keep abreast of science, logic, and ethics. If such updated religious leaders become part of the political process, then there should not be any room for objection.
Separation of the Church from the State was insisted upon because the Church was not willing to change. That is no more the case now, although Hegel’s system is yet to be accommodated in toto. Savitri Era, on the other hand, is offering a compact religion as an alternative that is compatible with the modern day logic and science. Politics, therefore, need not remain alien to a religion of such futuristic vision.
Separation of the Church from the State was insisted upon because the Church was not willing to change. That is no more the case now, although Hegel’s system is yet to be accommodated in toto. Savitri Era, on the other hand, is offering a compact religion as an alternative that is compatible with the modern day logic and science. Politics, therefore, need not remain alien to a religion of such futuristic vision.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Caste and Equality
[Concept of Equality: The Nineteenth Century Indian Debate by Ganguli, B. N.
Six lectures tracing the growth and influence of the concept of equality in Indian society. Chapter one introduces the impact of Western ideas. Chapter two looks at inequality as a structural problem. Chapter three looks at social reform efforts towards equality. Economic progress and equality are considered in chapter four. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's essay on equality (Samya) is studied in the fifth chapter while the concluding chapter looks at religion and equality.
Published in 1975 by Indian Institute of Advanced Study]
Obviously, Sri Aurobindo is not included in the analysis as his work belongs to the next century. But being a Bengali and aware of him, Ganguli could have mentioned Sri Aurobindo’s opinions on the matter so as to present a more rounded debate.
Bankim Chandra’s philosophical essays on equality published in 1879 were dropped by him in 1892 as he found it “all wrong”. Perhaps his admiration for Mazzinni’s insistence on the primacy of Fraternity was too politically volatile to express at the time.
But Sri Aurobindo has dared to defy his contemporary political correctness by maintaining a bias for truth. His notion of equality is the equality of the soul and not abolition of hierarchy at the practical level. This must be firmly kept in mind, as the whole nation, currently, is debating caste-based reservations and creamy-layers.
Bankim Chandra’s philosophical essays on equality published in 1879 were dropped by him in 1892 as he found it “all wrong”. Perhaps his admiration for Mazzinni’s insistence on the primacy of Fraternity was too politically volatile to express at the time.
But Sri Aurobindo has dared to defy his contemporary political correctness by maintaining a bias for truth. His notion of equality is the equality of the soul and not abolition of hierarchy at the practical level. This must be firmly kept in mind, as the whole nation, currently, is debating caste-based reservations and creamy-layers.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Pilate's poser and Tennyson's flower
It is not difficult to discern derivations from the Theosophical literature in the system-building of Sri Aurobindo. But in the “Papers on Theosophy” [CWSA Vol. 12] he has been unsparing in his criticism of the movement and its methods. The series could well have taken off to become another The Life Divine, as the chapter captioned ‘Sat’ takes up the Pilate's poser to arrive at the Vedantic affirmations. It also dwells in between on the ‘intellectual history of the European continent.’
While privileging the epistemological preference for the fundamental over the particular, he takes a dig at the inductive approach by citing a Tennysonian line. He also values an intense and enthusiastic religious approach than the high philosophic or a dry scientific. In volume after volume one senses the theme that Buddhism is anathema. In The essays on the Gita, the nihilistic Buddhist philosophy is deprecated in the manner Kant rebutted Hume. Of course, Buddhism, as it is practiced today, is altogether a different concoction.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Federation of corporate empires
After Arcelor-Mittal, Tata-Corus is making waves. At this stage it is difficult to speculate how long these so-called Indian multinationals would remain Indian. But a more important question is how far these corporate empires will replace the functions of the State.
That looks imminent and in that case, philosophical perspectives adverting to a State set-up should also, mutatis-mutandis, apply to these corporate structures. One such important vision is Kant’s ‘federation of free states,’ which has been endorsed by Proudhon as well as Sri Aurobindo. Corporations must start behaving like city-states and form a federation too.
That looks imminent and in that case, philosophical perspectives adverting to a State set-up should also, mutatis-mutandis, apply to these corporate structures. One such important vision is Kant’s ‘federation of free states,’ which has been endorsed by Proudhon as well as Sri Aurobindo. Corporations must start behaving like city-states and form a federation too.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Pranab Mukherjee is the senior most statesman of the world
Pranab Mukherjee is the senior most statesman of the world. Eminently qualified to become the Prime Minister, at the moment he has been assigned to handle the international affairs. Let us hope that Sri Aurobindo’s vision of the World Union gets a quantum impetus with Mukherjee at the helm. Should we greet him with the title The Brain Of India!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Integral Adwaita, Yoga Vashishtha, Kashmir Shaivism
[The viewpoint embraced by Vasishtha's Yoga is very similar to Kashmir Shaivism, which teaches that Consciousness alone exists and that the universe is nothing but the self-expression of this Consciousness. Hindu Gems - Siddha Forum]
Not included in any major scriptural combination and its authorship and age debatable, the Yoga Vashistha Ramayana is a curious text. A potpourri of cosmology, mythology and ethics, its low-brow status is ironic for its high exegesis.
Although Sri Aurobindo is on record as not having much acquaintance with it, among the ancient treatises, the Yoga Vashistha comes closest to his theory of Integral Adwaita. Though not identical, it contains the description of various kinds of Ignorance as in The Life Divine.
Although Sri Aurobindo is on record as not having much acquaintance with it, among the ancient treatises, the Yoga Vashistha comes closest to his theory of Integral Adwaita. Though not identical, it contains the description of various kinds of Ignorance as in The Life Divine.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Savitri Erans must be politically savvy
It’s good that the political cleavage in India is becoming clearer. While BJP has already established its credentials in favour of militant Hinduism, BSPhas started batting for Buddhism now. The Marxists’ abhorrence for any religion is well known but of late their voice in India is being identified with Islam. The Congress, though maintains a facile stand of respect for all religions, in effect, pushes forward a strange combination of Neheruvian secularism and Gandhian ambiguity. The Janta-Socialist section is as confused and opportunistic as ever.
One recalls that at the time of its formation, NCP was enthusiastic about Sri Aurobindo, thanks, of course to Shri Sangma. But everything is forgotten now. Savitri Erans must be extremely cautious while associating themselves with certain politician or some party. Politically, they are all our adversaries and at the time of exercising vote also, it is better to go by the principle of lesser evil.
One recalls that at the time of its formation, NCP was enthusiastic about Sri Aurobindo, thanks, of course to Shri Sangma. But everything is forgotten now. Savitri Erans must be extremely cautious while associating themselves with certain politician or some party. Politically, they are all our adversaries and at the time of exercising vote also, it is better to go by the principle of lesser evil.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Savitri Era will conquer
The action of the Supramental consciousness, light and force permeates the earth atmosphere for the last 50 years. While a yeaning for peace jars with the wars and conflicts dotting the globe, a sure progress towards a more secure future is not unconceivable. Culture, commerce and technology are the major peace-precipitating factors today.
But thought, which should have acted like a catalyst, is sadly found moribund. In India, the Marxist professors of our Universities and the secular sub-editors of our national newspapers have been successful in preaching a sanitized version of life and society that has no place for any higher aspiration or intervention.
But thought, which should have acted like a catalyst, is sadly found moribund. In India, the Marxist professors of our Universities and the secular sub-editors of our national newspapers have been successful in preaching a sanitized version of life and society that has no place for any higher aspiration or intervention.
This lie has to be fought with all might. The Mother and Sri Aurobindo have equipped us with all the intellectual ammunitions for this purpose. Their words would conquer the world. But only if our Gautiers andDaninos choose to keep the straight and narrow path and not stray into adulterated arsenals.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Dear Chaki Babu
My good wishes for your forthcoming book on The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. More power to your pen! Whenever I think of you, the names of Barindra Kumar Ghosh and Prafulla Chaki come to the mind. By bearing their names, I am sure; you too retain strains of their legendary heroism.
Just think of the crucial battle their band was fighting 100 years ago. From journals and organizations to bullets and bombs, how intense and passionate was their mode of action. But today, it is indifference and complacence all around. Mukul Kesavan wrote in The Telegraph a year ago that Sri Aurobindo is the worst poet of Bengal, and nobody in Kolkataprotested. The one person who has been always a one-man-army against any attack on Sri Aurobindo but unfortunately no longer active, is our dearAmal Kiran. One hopes that there would be thousands like him ready to take on the task.
Sri Aurobindo takes the formal charge as the Editor of Bande Mataram tomorrow, i.e. on October 24, 1906. A day for remembering and making resolutions, for us. The solitary task then was to fight the British. Now, of course, our adversaries are multifold. It is the hour to be heroic. Yours fraternally, Tusar
Just think of the crucial battle their band was fighting 100 years ago. From journals and organizations to bullets and bombs, how intense and passionate was their mode of action. But today, it is indifference and complacence all around. Mukul Kesavan wrote in The Telegraph a year ago that Sri Aurobindo is the worst poet of Bengal, and nobody in Kolkataprotested. The one person who has been always a one-man-army against any attack on Sri Aurobindo but unfortunately no longer active, is our dearAmal Kiran. One hopes that there would be thousands like him ready to take on the task.
Sri Aurobindo takes the formal charge as the Editor of Bande Mataram tomorrow, i.e. on October 24, 1906. A day for remembering and making resolutions, for us. The solitary task then was to fight the British. Now, of course, our adversaries are multifold. It is the hour to be heroic. Yours fraternally, Tusar
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