April 8, 2025
A Change of Consciousness Is Required for a Change in Human Society
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YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 2, Looking at Oneself and Others, pg. 45
This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/04/06/a-change-of-consciousness-is-required-for-a-change-in-human-society/
Video presentations,interviews and podcast episodes are all available on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871
More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net
The US editions and links to e-book editions of SriAurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:05,200
When we look back at the history
of human civilization, we can
2
00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:08,480
see that many ideas have been
attempted to try to develop a
3
00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:11,760
fair, balanced, and prosperous
society.
4
00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:15,960
Thinkers, philosophers,
political scientists, and
5
00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:19,240
economists have all weighed in
with their dreams and
6
00:00:19,240 --> 00:00:23,520
considerations about how to
perfect human life on Earth.
7
00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:28,480
We can also see, however, that
none of these ideas has actually
8
00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:32,119
worked out in practice.
We have changed forms of
9
00:00:32,119 --> 00:00:34,720
government.
We have changed political
10
00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:37,440
systems.
We have changed economic
11
00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:40,440
systems.
We have changed the elements of
12
00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:44,600
our communal life.
We have tried capitalism,
13
00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:50,080
socialism, communism as well as
tribal community, democracy,
14
00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:54,560
republics, dictatorships and
imperial controls.
15
00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:59,280
We have seen secular societies
and religious societies.
16
00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:04,400
In each case we developed our
ideas with the power of our
17
00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:08,560
mental consciousness, if not
purely through habits and
18
00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,480
instinctive behaviour based in
the vital nature.
19
00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:16,960
And we have thus far failed to
find the solution that brings
20
00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:21,040
harmony, well-being and progress
to humanity.
21
00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:26,560
When any one system gets too
extreme, a countervailing force
22
00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:31,240
arises and we go through cycles
of development which have been
23
00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:35,440
codified by those who make a
special study of history and the
24
00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,160
patterns of governance that
succeed one another.
25
00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:43,240
As one attempt dies off and
gives rise to the next
26
00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:48,040
iteration, we see that the
failing of each one is due to
27
00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:51,520
the limitations and weaknesses
of our basic human nature.
28
00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:56,240
And this has given rise to the
idea that we are doomed to
29
00:01:56,240 --> 00:02:00,840
failure as we have not succeeded
through any of these external
30
00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:05,560
means to make a meaningful
change in human nature itself.
31
00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:11,440
And yet the human aspiration for
development of a more perfect
32
00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:16,480
society and life of our communal
existence continues to persist
33
00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:19,680
and press for yet another
attempt.
34
00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:24,160
People have tried various means
to effectuate a change of human
35
00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:27,320
behaviour and the consciousness
that creates it.
36
00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:32,240
Great religious figures have
asked us to love one another, to
37
00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:36,440
respect others, to treat others
as we wish to be treated.
38
00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:42,000
Some have posited that we need
benign, educated rulers to set
39
00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:44,960
down laws and principles and
enforce them.
40
00:02:45,920 --> 00:02:50,120
These attempts have, however,
not succeeded in the magnitude
41
00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:55,280
or breadth of change required to
bring about a better existence.
42
00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:59,720
We can appreciate the goodwill
that underlies these attempts
43
00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:03,320
and not hold it against those
who have been willing to try.
44
00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:09,440
What is missing in all of this
is the understanding of the way
45
00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:11,640
consciousness develops and
evolves.
46
00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:16,560
The physical, vital and mental
consciousness prevalent in the
47
00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:21,240
world today is simply not
capable of the changes needed.
48
00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:26,800
While we see progress and
development over time, and we
49
00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:30,400
see various advancement and
expansion of understanding has
50
00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:34,960
taken place, these are all
limited by the boundaries of our
51
00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:39,160
current status of consciousness,
representing a melding of the
52
00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:42,880
physical, vital and mental
powers into an imperfect
53
00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:47,680
configuration.
Srioro Bindo looks at this
54
00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:51,400
historical perspective in the
light of the evolution of
55
00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:55,360
consciousness and determines
that the development of
56
00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:59,600
consciousness is not finished,
that in fact the mental
57
00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:03,000
consciousness is a transitional
stage.
58
00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:06,720
It is through the change of
consciousness that comes with
59
00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:11,560
the next stage that a new form
of harmony based in oneness and
60
00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:18,000
understanding is destined to
manifest, Sri Aurobindo observes
61
00:04:18,079 --> 00:04:21,560
quote.
A contempt for others is out of
62
00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:25,200
place, especially since the
Divine is in all.
63
00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:29,640
Evidently, the activities and
aspirations of men are not
64
00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:34,040
trivial and worthless for all.
Life is a growth of the soul out
65
00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:36,040
of the darkness towards the
light.
66
00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:40,200
But our attitude is that
humanity cannot grow out of its
67
00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:44,200
limitations by the ordinary
means adopted by the human mind.
68
00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:48,800
Politics, social reform,
philanthropy, etcetera.
69
00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:53,280
These can only be temporary or
local palliatives.
70
00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:59,480
The only true escape is a change
of consciousness, a change into
71
00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:04,920
a greater, wider and pure way of
being, and a life and action
72
00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:09,800
based upon that change.
It is therefore to that that the
73
00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:14,040
energies must be turned once the
spiritual orientation is
74
00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:18,080
complete.
This implies no contempt, but
75
00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:22,120
the preference of the only
effective means over those which
76
00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:28,880
have been found ineffective.
End Quote reference Srioro Bindu
77
00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:32,320
and the Mother, Looking from
Within, Chapter 2.
78
00:05:32,840 --> 00:05:36,080
Looking at Oneself and Others,
page 45.
00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:05,200
When we look back at the history
of human civilization, we can
2
00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:08,480
see that many ideas have been
attempted to try to develop a
3
00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:11,760
fair, balanced, and prosperous
society.
4
00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:15,960
Thinkers, philosophers,
political scientists, and
5
00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:19,240
economists have all weighed in
with their dreams and
6
00:00:19,240 --> 00:00:23,520
considerations about how to
perfect human life on Earth.
7
00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:28,480
We can also see, however, that
none of these ideas has actually
8
00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:32,119
worked out in practice.
We have changed forms of
9
00:00:32,119 --> 00:00:34,720
government.
We have changed political
10
00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:37,440
systems.
We have changed economic
11
00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:40,440
systems.
We have changed the elements of
12
00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:44,600
our communal life.
We have tried capitalism,
13
00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:50,080
socialism, communism as well as
tribal community, democracy,
14
00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:54,560
republics, dictatorships and
imperial controls.
15
00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:59,280
We have seen secular societies
and religious societies.
16
00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:04,400
In each case we developed our
ideas with the power of our
17
00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:08,560
mental consciousness, if not
purely through habits and
18
00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,480
instinctive behaviour based in
the vital nature.
19
00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:16,960
And we have thus far failed to
find the solution that brings
20
00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:21,040
harmony, well-being and progress
to humanity.
21
00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:26,560
When any one system gets too
extreme, a countervailing force
22
00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:31,240
arises and we go through cycles
of development which have been
23
00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:35,440
codified by those who make a
special study of history and the
24
00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,160
patterns of governance that
succeed one another.
25
00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:43,240
As one attempt dies off and
gives rise to the next
26
00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:48,040
iteration, we see that the
failing of each one is due to
27
00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:51,520
the limitations and weaknesses
of our basic human nature.
28
00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:56,240
And this has given rise to the
idea that we are doomed to
29
00:01:56,240 --> 00:02:00,840
failure as we have not succeeded
through any of these external
30
00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:05,560
means to make a meaningful
change in human nature itself.
31
00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:11,440
And yet the human aspiration for
development of a more perfect
32
00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:16,480
society and life of our communal
existence continues to persist
33
00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:19,680
and press for yet another
attempt.
34
00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:24,160
People have tried various means
to effectuate a change of human
35
00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:27,320
behaviour and the consciousness
that creates it.
36
00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:32,240
Great religious figures have
asked us to love one another, to
37
00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:36,440
respect others, to treat others
as we wish to be treated.
38
00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:42,000
Some have posited that we need
benign, educated rulers to set
39
00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:44,960
down laws and principles and
enforce them.
40
00:02:45,920 --> 00:02:50,120
These attempts have, however,
not succeeded in the magnitude
41
00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:55,280
or breadth of change required to
bring about a better existence.
42
00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:59,720
We can appreciate the goodwill
that underlies these attempts
43
00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:03,320
and not hold it against those
who have been willing to try.
44
00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:09,440
What is missing in all of this
is the understanding of the way
45
00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:11,640
consciousness develops and
evolves.
46
00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:16,560
The physical, vital and mental
consciousness prevalent in the
47
00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:21,240
world today is simply not
capable of the changes needed.
48
00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:26,800
While we see progress and
development over time, and we
49
00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:30,400
see various advancement and
expansion of understanding has
50
00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:34,960
taken place, these are all
limited by the boundaries of our
51
00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:39,160
current status of consciousness,
representing a melding of the
52
00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:42,880
physical, vital and mental
powers into an imperfect
53
00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:47,680
configuration.
Srioro Bindo looks at this
54
00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:51,400
historical perspective in the
light of the evolution of
55
00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:55,360
consciousness and determines
that the development of
56
00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:59,600
consciousness is not finished,
that in fact the mental
57
00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:03,000
consciousness is a transitional
stage.
58
00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:06,720
It is through the change of
consciousness that comes with
59
00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:11,560
the next stage that a new form
of harmony based in oneness and
60
00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:18,000
understanding is destined to
manifest, Sri Aurobindo observes
61
00:04:18,079 --> 00:04:21,560
quote.
A contempt for others is out of
62
00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:25,200
place, especially since the
Divine is in all.
63
00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:29,640
Evidently, the activities and
aspirations of men are not
64
00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:34,040
trivial and worthless for all.
Life is a growth of the soul out
65
00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:36,040
of the darkness towards the
light.
66
00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:40,200
But our attitude is that
humanity cannot grow out of its
67
00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:44,200
limitations by the ordinary
means adopted by the human mind.
68
00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:48,800
Politics, social reform,
philanthropy, etcetera.
69
00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:53,280
These can only be temporary or
local palliatives.
70
00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:59,480
The only true escape is a change
of consciousness, a change into
71
00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:04,920
a greater, wider and pure way of
being, and a life and action
72
00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:09,800
based upon that change.
It is therefore to that that the
73
00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:14,040
energies must be turned once the
spiritual orientation is
74
00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:18,080
complete.
This implies no contempt, but
75
00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:22,120
the preference of the only
effective means over those which
76
00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:28,880
have been found ineffective.
End Quote reference Srioro Bindu
77
00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:32,320
and the Mother, Looking from
Within, Chapter 2.
78
00:05:32,840 --> 00:05:36,080
Looking at Oneself and Others,
page 45.