Dec. 12, 2024
An Expanding Consciousness Recognises the Inherent Oneness and Mutuality of All Existence
Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
Amazon Music 
RSS Feed 
Castro 
RadioPublic 
PocketCasts 
YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Powers Within, Chapter XIII Power of Identification, pp. 110-112 This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2024/12/09/an-expanding-consciousness-recognises-the-inherent-oneness-and-mutuality-of-all-existence/
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 Sri Aurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:02,160 --> 00:00:06,520
When we identify with the ego
personality, we view the world
2
00:00:06,520 --> 00:00:10,920
as being separate and apart from
ourselves, and we look at other
3
00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:15,760
beings as either competition for
resources or threats to our
4
00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:19,560
existence.
In most cases, we acquire
5
00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:23,680
substance through effort and we
try to hold on to it and add to
6
00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:28,320
it to ensure our own survival
and enjoyment of our lives.
7
00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:32,840
From this standpoint, we
therefore treat anything we give
8
00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:38,360
away as a loss of substance and
thereby an implicit threat to
9
00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:41,360
our long term ability to survive
and thrive.
10
00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:46,920
When we see our existence from
another viewpoint, however, we
11
00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:50,360
can see that what we consider to
be a normal viewpoint from our
12
00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:53,680
ego consciousness is actually an
illusion.
13
00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:59,560
In fact, we are parts or
elements within a larger unified
14
00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:04,160
field of existence, and we
coexist with all other beings
15
00:01:04,599 --> 00:01:07,720
and do not actually survive
independently.
16
00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:12,560
We are not islands, but part of
a vast continent.
17
00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,400
The simple example illustrates
this.
18
00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:21,320
When we breathe, we obtain the
oxygen we need to sustain
19
00:01:21,320 --> 00:01:24,560
ourselves.
This oxygen is generated by
20
00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:29,160
plant life on the planet.
The plant life gives voluntarily
21
00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:34,960
its oxygen excretion to us.
In return, we give back carbon
22
00:01:34,960 --> 00:01:38,800
dioxide, which happens to be
what the plant life needs to
23
00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:43,040
survive.
Thus we are symbiotic, not
24
00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:46,400
separated.
In this instance, there is a
25
00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:49,080
mutual give and take that is
occurring.
26
00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:53,440
But when we look deeper, we can
see that in fact, everything we
27
00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:59,040
do in the world, everything we
give, everything we receive, is
28
00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:03,960
part of this virtuous cycle of
mutual support, even if we do
29
00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:08,320
not recognize it immediately.
In the process of a specific
30
00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:13,600
exchange of energy or substance,
as we widen our consciousness,
31
00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:18,360
we begin to recognize this
natural process, like breathing,
32
00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:23,840
that moves energy, substance,
and support around freely.
33
00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:28,360
At that point we find that
giving what needs to be given at
34
00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:33,360
a certain point in time is not a
loss, but an affirmation of the
35
00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:37,160
principle of oneness.
And instead of suffering a
36
00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:41,880
diminution, we help bring into
view a greater harmony and
37
00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:45,760
support structure that is based
in that greater harmony.
38
00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:51,560
A disciple asks, Why do human
beings always want to have
39
00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:53,720
something in exchange for what
they give?
40
00:02:54,920 --> 00:02:58,720
The mother notes quote.
Because they are shut up in
41
00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:02,440
themselves.
They sense their limitation and
42
00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:07,040
think that in order to grow,
increase, and even survive, they
43
00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:10,560
need to take things from
outside, for they live in the
44
00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:13,160
consciousness of their personal
limitation.
45
00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:20,160
So for them what they give makes
a hole, and this hole must be
46
00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:22,040
filled up by receiving
something.
47
00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:27,360
Naturally, this is a mistake.
And the truth is that if instead
48
00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:30,600
of being shut up in the narrow
limits of their little person,
49
00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:34,560
they could so widen their
consciousness as to be able not
50
00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:38,480
only to identify themselves with
others in their narrow limits,
51
00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:43,520
but to come out of these limits,
pass beyond, spread out
52
00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:48,640
everywhere, unite with the one
consciousness, and become all
53
00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:52,760
things, then at that moment the
narrow limits will vanish.
54
00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:57,440
But not before.
And as long as one senses the
55
00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:03,240
narrow limits, one wants to
take, for one fears to lose 1
56
00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:07,960
spends and wants to replenish.
It is due to that, my child.
57
00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:12,280
For if one were spread out in
all things, if all the
58
00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:16,200
vibrations which come and go
express the need to merge into
59
00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:21,959
everything, to widen oneself,
grow not by remaining within
60
00:04:21,959 --> 00:04:26,560
one's limits, but coming out of
them, and finally to be
61
00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:31,200
identified with everything, one
would no longer have anything to
62
00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:33,840
lose.
For one would have everything.
63
00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:39,440
Only one doesn't know this, and
so as one doesn't know, one
64
00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:43,880
can't do it.
One tries to take, accumulate,
65
00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:48,320
accumulate, accumulate, but that
is impossible.
66
00:04:48,840 --> 00:04:52,840
One can't accumulate.
One must identify oneself.
67
00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:58,160
And then the little bit one
gives, one wants to get back,
68
00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:03,080
one gives a good thought, one
expects some recognition, one
69
00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:06,200
gives a little affection. 1
expects it from others.
70
00:05:06,840 --> 00:05:10,400
For one doesn't have the ability
to become the good thought in
71
00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:15,280
everything. 1 doesn't have the
ability to be the affection, the
72
00:05:15,280 --> 00:05:20,400
tender love in all things.
One feels just like that, all
73
00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:25,680
cut up and limited and fears to
lose everything, fears to lose
74
00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,800
what one has because one would
be impoverished.
75
00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:34,720
On the other hand, if one were
able to identify oneself, one
76
00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:40,200
would no longer need to pull.
The more 1 spreads out, the more
77
00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:43,840
one has.
The more one gets identified,
78
00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:50,320
the more one becomes.
And then instead of taking, one
79
00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:54,200
gives.
And the more one gives, the more
80
00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:59,080
one grows.
But for this, one must be able
81
00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,560
to come out of the limits of
one's little ego.
82
00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:06,600
One must be identified with the
force, identified with the
83
00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,880
vibration, instead of being
identified with one's ego.
84
00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:15,920
It is very difficult, but one
can succeed.
85
00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:22,880
End Quote Reference Srioro Bindo
and the Mother Powers within,
86
00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:28,040
Chapter 13, Power of
Identification, pages 110 to
87
00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:28,880
112.
00:00:02,160 --> 00:00:06,520
When we identify with the ego
personality, we view the world
2
00:00:06,520 --> 00:00:10,920
as being separate and apart from
ourselves, and we look at other
3
00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:15,760
beings as either competition for
resources or threats to our
4
00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:19,560
existence.
In most cases, we acquire
5
00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:23,680
substance through effort and we
try to hold on to it and add to
6
00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:28,320
it to ensure our own survival
and enjoyment of our lives.
7
00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:32,840
From this standpoint, we
therefore treat anything we give
8
00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:38,360
away as a loss of substance and
thereby an implicit threat to
9
00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:41,360
our long term ability to survive
and thrive.
10
00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:46,920
When we see our existence from
another viewpoint, however, we
11
00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:50,360
can see that what we consider to
be a normal viewpoint from our
12
00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:53,680
ego consciousness is actually an
illusion.
13
00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:59,560
In fact, we are parts or
elements within a larger unified
14
00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:04,160
field of existence, and we
coexist with all other beings
15
00:01:04,599 --> 00:01:07,720
and do not actually survive
independently.
16
00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:12,560
We are not islands, but part of
a vast continent.
17
00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,400
The simple example illustrates
this.
18
00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:21,320
When we breathe, we obtain the
oxygen we need to sustain
19
00:01:21,320 --> 00:01:24,560
ourselves.
This oxygen is generated by
20
00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:29,160
plant life on the planet.
The plant life gives voluntarily
21
00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:34,960
its oxygen excretion to us.
In return, we give back carbon
22
00:01:34,960 --> 00:01:38,800
dioxide, which happens to be
what the plant life needs to
23
00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:43,040
survive.
Thus we are symbiotic, not
24
00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:46,400
separated.
In this instance, there is a
25
00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:49,080
mutual give and take that is
occurring.
26
00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:53,440
But when we look deeper, we can
see that in fact, everything we
27
00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:59,040
do in the world, everything we
give, everything we receive, is
28
00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:03,960
part of this virtuous cycle of
mutual support, even if we do
29
00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:08,320
not recognize it immediately.
In the process of a specific
30
00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:13,600
exchange of energy or substance,
as we widen our consciousness,
31
00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:18,360
we begin to recognize this
natural process, like breathing,
32
00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:23,840
that moves energy, substance,
and support around freely.
33
00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:28,360
At that point we find that
giving what needs to be given at
34
00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:33,360
a certain point in time is not a
loss, but an affirmation of the
35
00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:37,160
principle of oneness.
And instead of suffering a
36
00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:41,880
diminution, we help bring into
view a greater harmony and
37
00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:45,760
support structure that is based
in that greater harmony.
38
00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:51,560
A disciple asks, Why do human
beings always want to have
39
00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:53,720
something in exchange for what
they give?
40
00:02:54,920 --> 00:02:58,720
The mother notes quote.
Because they are shut up in
41
00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:02,440
themselves.
They sense their limitation and
42
00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:07,040
think that in order to grow,
increase, and even survive, they
43
00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:10,560
need to take things from
outside, for they live in the
44
00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:13,160
consciousness of their personal
limitation.
45
00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:20,160
So for them what they give makes
a hole, and this hole must be
46
00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:22,040
filled up by receiving
something.
47
00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:27,360
Naturally, this is a mistake.
And the truth is that if instead
48
00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:30,600
of being shut up in the narrow
limits of their little person,
49
00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:34,560
they could so widen their
consciousness as to be able not
50
00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:38,480
only to identify themselves with
others in their narrow limits,
51
00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:43,520
but to come out of these limits,
pass beyond, spread out
52
00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:48,640
everywhere, unite with the one
consciousness, and become all
53
00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:52,760
things, then at that moment the
narrow limits will vanish.
54
00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:57,440
But not before.
And as long as one senses the
55
00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:03,240
narrow limits, one wants to
take, for one fears to lose 1
56
00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:07,960
spends and wants to replenish.
It is due to that, my child.
57
00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:12,280
For if one were spread out in
all things, if all the
58
00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:16,200
vibrations which come and go
express the need to merge into
59
00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:21,959
everything, to widen oneself,
grow not by remaining within
60
00:04:21,959 --> 00:04:26,560
one's limits, but coming out of
them, and finally to be
61
00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:31,200
identified with everything, one
would no longer have anything to
62
00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:33,840
lose.
For one would have everything.
63
00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:39,440
Only one doesn't know this, and
so as one doesn't know, one
64
00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:43,880
can't do it.
One tries to take, accumulate,
65
00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:48,320
accumulate, accumulate, but that
is impossible.
66
00:04:48,840 --> 00:04:52,840
One can't accumulate.
One must identify oneself.
67
00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:58,160
And then the little bit one
gives, one wants to get back,
68
00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:03,080
one gives a good thought, one
expects some recognition, one
69
00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:06,200
gives a little affection. 1
expects it from others.
70
00:05:06,840 --> 00:05:10,400
For one doesn't have the ability
to become the good thought in
71
00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:15,280
everything. 1 doesn't have the
ability to be the affection, the
72
00:05:15,280 --> 00:05:20,400
tender love in all things.
One feels just like that, all
73
00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:25,680
cut up and limited and fears to
lose everything, fears to lose
74
00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,800
what one has because one would
be impoverished.
75
00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:34,720
On the other hand, if one were
able to identify oneself, one
76
00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:40,200
would no longer need to pull.
The more 1 spreads out, the more
77
00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:43,840
one has.
The more one gets identified,
78
00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:50,320
the more one becomes.
And then instead of taking, one
79
00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:54,200
gives.
And the more one gives, the more
80
00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:59,080
one grows.
But for this, one must be able
81
00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,560
to come out of the limits of
one's little ego.
82
00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:06,600
One must be identified with the
force, identified with the
83
00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,880
vibration, instead of being
identified with one's ego.
84
00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:15,920
It is very difficult, but one
can succeed.
85
00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:22,880
End Quote Reference Srioro Bindo
and the Mother Powers within,
86
00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:28,040
Chapter 13, Power of
Identification, pages 110 to
87
00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:28,880
112.