June 30, 2024
Applying Knowledge Criteria Appropriate to Each Domain According to Its Own Law of Nature
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YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, The Hidden Forces of Life, Ch.6 Hidden Worlds and Evolutionary Forces, pg.135 This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2024/06/26/applying-knowledge-criteria-appropriate-to-each-domain-according-to-its-own-law-of-nature/
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
00:00:01,880 --> 00:00:05,680
We frequently try to know things
based on a particular capacity
2
00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:09,360
of our being.
However, this may not always be
3
00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:13,280
the correct way to appreciate
and understand what is actually
4
00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:16,720
taking place.
Trying to understand music, for
5
00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:20,760
instance, by applying the
logical intellect and trying to
6
00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:26,040
parse the sounds, notes, and
combinations is going to be an
7
00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:30,400
exercise in futility.
Music must be appreciated
8
00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:34,240
through a different type of
evaluation than that of the
9
00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:38,680
logical intellect.
Similarly, as long as we are
10
00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:42,560
dealing with the strict logic of
the material world, it may be
11
00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:47,880
appropriate to apply that logic
to events, and thus we can know
12
00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:51,840
how our technology operates.
We can plan according to the
13
00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:55,280
movements of time.
We can expect a series of
14
00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:59,080
sequence of events to occur
based on known factors within
15
00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:03,200
our knowledge.
What does not work is the
16
00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:08,120
attempt to study other domains,
worlds or cult forces with the
17
00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:13,200
same methodology, techniques and
ways of knowing that we use for
18
00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:17,520
these external phenomena.
There is much debate about
19
00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:21,520
whether, for instance, life or
intelligence can exist in other
20
00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:25,880
worlds on a basis other than the
carbon base that we are familiar
21
00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:29,400
with in our world.
Science fiction writers thus
22
00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:34,480
speculate about the existence of
silicon based units, which would
23
00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,800
have totally different
capabilities and limitations
24
00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:42,240
that we have as carbon based
units ourselves.
25
00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:47,520
When we try to extrapolate the
existence of other domains,
26
00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:53,960
worlds, forces, powers or ways
of knowing based on our physical
27
00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:58,720
existence and our reliance on
external senses and the
28
00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:02,320
interaction with the operations
of a nervous system and brain,
29
00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,680
all limited by a specific range
in the spectrum that we can
30
00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:11,640
perceive, we quickly find out
that different rules or laws of
31
00:02:11,640 --> 00:02:14,520
nature operate on these
different planes.
32
00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:19,440
We also find that they may
occupy the same space to the
33
00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:23,560
extent they are not physically
manifested, such that thought
34
00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:28,640
forms or vital forces coexist
with us in the physical world.
35
00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:34,600
And thus mental beings and vital
beings occupying their own
36
00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:39,520
domains may be constantly within
the space-time that we occupy,
37
00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:44,840
just vibrating at a different
frequency and occupying thereby
38
00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:49,880
a different space that is
nevertheless coexistent with
39
00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:54,720
what we know of as our world.
We may look at the concept of
40
00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:59,120
frequency bandwidths used to
transmit wireless communication.
41
00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:03,360
Each bandwidth occupies a
different level based on the
42
00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,520
wavelength it manifests, and all
of these different wavelengths
43
00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:12,560
are all moving at the same time
through our atmosphere without
44
00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:17,320
interfering with each other and
nevertheless carrying data to
45
00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:21,720
those receivers we have built
that can receive and decode
46
00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:25,720
those transmissions.
In some cases where the
47
00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:31,320
bandwidths approach one another,
there may be some overlap or
48
00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:35,680
static occurring to the extent
that our use of the bandwidth is
49
00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:41,680
at all imprecise, but for the
most part the signal carried at
50
00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:44,800
each bandwidth comes through
correctly without interfering
51
00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:47,240
with a signal sent along a
different bandwidth.
52
00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,360
The strict separation of
bandwidth analogy breaks down to
53
00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:56,640
some extent when one recognizes
that there are conscious beings
54
00:03:56,640 --> 00:04:02,080
on the various planes who may be
aware of and actively working to
55
00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:07,200
communicate with and exert an
influence on our physical lives,
56
00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:11,600
and that the material world we
live in is already permeated
57
00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,400
with the interactive forces of a
vital and mental nature.
58
00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:20,600
Our world is not purely
material, but incorporates
59
00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:25,640
elements of vital mental and
spiritual domains in a complex,
60
00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:31,040
interrelated and interactive mix
that automatically draws upon
61
00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:35,320
and provides a field of
expression to these other
62
00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:41,000
vibratory planes.
Thus, there is no reason to deny
63
00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:44,880
out of hand the existence of any
number of other worlds or
64
00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:49,520
domains consisting of vital
forces and beings or mental
65
00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:54,640
forces and beings or spiritual
forces and beings, without
66
00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:59,080
having to find a physical planet
or locate elsewhere than right
67
00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:03,240
here where we are.
We just need the ability to see
68
00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:07,400
them by being able to tune into
the wavelength at which they are
69
00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:10,720
vibrating.
This is not dissimilar to the
70
00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:15,000
fact that even on the physical
plane where we live, there are
71
00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:19,520
beings that exist outside our
ability to see them until we
72
00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:24,800
develop the tools such as
electron microscopes to observe
73
00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:31,840
plankton or bacteria or viruses,
for instance, Sri Aurobindo
74
00:05:31,840 --> 00:05:36,520
observes quote.
It is a fact that mankind,
75
00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:40,800
almost from the beginning of its
existence, or so far back as
76
00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,960
history or tradition can go, has
believed in the existence of
77
00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:49,320
other worlds and in the
possibility of communication
78
00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:53,480
between their powers and beings
and the human race.
79
00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:58,400
It is evident that the beliefs
of the past are not a sufficient
80
00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:02,000
basis for knowledge, even though
they cannot be entirely
81
00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:07,520
neglected, for a belief is a
mental construction and may be a
82
00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:11,000
wrong building.
It may often answer to some
83
00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:16,320
inner intimation, and then it
has a value, but as often as not
84
00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:20,800
it disfigures the intimation,
usually by a translation into
85
00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:25,720
terms familiar to our physical
and objective experience, such
86
00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:29,920
as that which converted the
hierarchy of the planes into a
87
00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:34,160
physical hierarchy or
geographical space extension,
88
00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:38,320
turned the rarer heights of
subtle substance into material
89
00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:42,720
heights, and placed the abodes
of the gods on the summits of
90
00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:46,960
physical mountains.
All truth, supra, physical or
91
00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:51,240
physical, must be founded not on
mental belief alone, but on
92
00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:55,640
experience.
But in each case experience must
93
00:06:55,640 --> 00:07:01,560
be of the kind, physical,
subliminal, or spiritual, which
94
00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,800
is appropriate to the order of
the truths into which we are
95
00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:08,680
empowered to enter.
Their validity and significance
96
00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:13,360
must be scrutinized, but
according to their own law, and
97
00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:16,880
by a consciousness which can
enter into them, and not
98
00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:21,160
according to the law of another
domain, or by a consciousness
99
00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:24,360
which is capable only of truths
of another order.
100
00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:31,080
So alone can we be sure of our
steps and enlarge firmly our
101
00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:36,920
sphere of knowledge.
End Quote Reference Shriorobindo
102
00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:41,600
and the Mother, The Hidden
Forces of Life Chapter 6 Hidden
103
00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:46,080
Worlds and Evolutionary Forces,
page 135.
00:00:01,880 --> 00:00:05,680
We frequently try to know things
based on a particular capacity
2
00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:09,360
of our being.
However, this may not always be
3
00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:13,280
the correct way to appreciate
and understand what is actually
4
00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:16,720
taking place.
Trying to understand music, for
5
00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:20,760
instance, by applying the
logical intellect and trying to
6
00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:26,040
parse the sounds, notes, and
combinations is going to be an
7
00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:30,400
exercise in futility.
Music must be appreciated
8
00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:34,240
through a different type of
evaluation than that of the
9
00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:38,680
logical intellect.
Similarly, as long as we are
10
00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:42,560
dealing with the strict logic of
the material world, it may be
11
00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:47,880
appropriate to apply that logic
to events, and thus we can know
12
00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:51,840
how our technology operates.
We can plan according to the
13
00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:55,280
movements of time.
We can expect a series of
14
00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:59,080
sequence of events to occur
based on known factors within
15
00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:03,200
our knowledge.
What does not work is the
16
00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:08,120
attempt to study other domains,
worlds or cult forces with the
17
00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:13,200
same methodology, techniques and
ways of knowing that we use for
18
00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:17,520
these external phenomena.
There is much debate about
19
00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:21,520
whether, for instance, life or
intelligence can exist in other
20
00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:25,880
worlds on a basis other than the
carbon base that we are familiar
21
00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:29,400
with in our world.
Science fiction writers thus
22
00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:34,480
speculate about the existence of
silicon based units, which would
23
00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,800
have totally different
capabilities and limitations
24
00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:42,240
that we have as carbon based
units ourselves.
25
00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:47,520
When we try to extrapolate the
existence of other domains,
26
00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:53,960
worlds, forces, powers or ways
of knowing based on our physical
27
00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:58,720
existence and our reliance on
external senses and the
28
00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:02,320
interaction with the operations
of a nervous system and brain,
29
00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,680
all limited by a specific range
in the spectrum that we can
30
00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:11,640
perceive, we quickly find out
that different rules or laws of
31
00:02:11,640 --> 00:02:14,520
nature operate on these
different planes.
32
00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:19,440
We also find that they may
occupy the same space to the
33
00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:23,560
extent they are not physically
manifested, such that thought
34
00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:28,640
forms or vital forces coexist
with us in the physical world.
35
00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:34,600
And thus mental beings and vital
beings occupying their own
36
00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:39,520
domains may be constantly within
the space-time that we occupy,
37
00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:44,840
just vibrating at a different
frequency and occupying thereby
38
00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:49,880
a different space that is
nevertheless coexistent with
39
00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:54,720
what we know of as our world.
We may look at the concept of
40
00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:59,120
frequency bandwidths used to
transmit wireless communication.
41
00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:03,360
Each bandwidth occupies a
different level based on the
42
00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,520
wavelength it manifests, and all
of these different wavelengths
43
00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:12,560
are all moving at the same time
through our atmosphere without
44
00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:17,320
interfering with each other and
nevertheless carrying data to
45
00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:21,720
those receivers we have built
that can receive and decode
46
00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:25,720
those transmissions.
In some cases where the
47
00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:31,320
bandwidths approach one another,
there may be some overlap or
48
00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:35,680
static occurring to the extent
that our use of the bandwidth is
49
00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:41,680
at all imprecise, but for the
most part the signal carried at
50
00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:44,800
each bandwidth comes through
correctly without interfering
51
00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:47,240
with a signal sent along a
different bandwidth.
52
00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,360
The strict separation of
bandwidth analogy breaks down to
53
00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:56,640
some extent when one recognizes
that there are conscious beings
54
00:03:56,640 --> 00:04:02,080
on the various planes who may be
aware of and actively working to
55
00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:07,200
communicate with and exert an
influence on our physical lives,
56
00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:11,600
and that the material world we
live in is already permeated
57
00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,400
with the interactive forces of a
vital and mental nature.
58
00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:20,600
Our world is not purely
material, but incorporates
59
00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:25,640
elements of vital mental and
spiritual domains in a complex,
60
00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:31,040
interrelated and interactive mix
that automatically draws upon
61
00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:35,320
and provides a field of
expression to these other
62
00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:41,000
vibratory planes.
Thus, there is no reason to deny
63
00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:44,880
out of hand the existence of any
number of other worlds or
64
00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:49,520
domains consisting of vital
forces and beings or mental
65
00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:54,640
forces and beings or spiritual
forces and beings, without
66
00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:59,080
having to find a physical planet
or locate elsewhere than right
67
00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:03,240
here where we are.
We just need the ability to see
68
00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:07,400
them by being able to tune into
the wavelength at which they are
69
00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:10,720
vibrating.
This is not dissimilar to the
70
00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:15,000
fact that even on the physical
plane where we live, there are
71
00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:19,520
beings that exist outside our
ability to see them until we
72
00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:24,800
develop the tools such as
electron microscopes to observe
73
00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:31,840
plankton or bacteria or viruses,
for instance, Sri Aurobindo
74
00:05:31,840 --> 00:05:36,520
observes quote.
It is a fact that mankind,
75
00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:40,800
almost from the beginning of its
existence, or so far back as
76
00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,960
history or tradition can go, has
believed in the existence of
77
00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:49,320
other worlds and in the
possibility of communication
78
00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:53,480
between their powers and beings
and the human race.
79
00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:58,400
It is evident that the beliefs
of the past are not a sufficient
80
00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:02,000
basis for knowledge, even though
they cannot be entirely
81
00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:07,520
neglected, for a belief is a
mental construction and may be a
82
00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:11,000
wrong building.
It may often answer to some
83
00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:16,320
inner intimation, and then it
has a value, but as often as not
84
00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:20,800
it disfigures the intimation,
usually by a translation into
85
00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:25,720
terms familiar to our physical
and objective experience, such
86
00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:29,920
as that which converted the
hierarchy of the planes into a
87
00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:34,160
physical hierarchy or
geographical space extension,
88
00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:38,320
turned the rarer heights of
subtle substance into material
89
00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:42,720
heights, and placed the abodes
of the gods on the summits of
90
00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:46,960
physical mountains.
All truth, supra, physical or
91
00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:51,240
physical, must be founded not on
mental belief alone, but on
92
00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:55,640
experience.
But in each case experience must
93
00:06:55,640 --> 00:07:01,560
be of the kind, physical,
subliminal, or spiritual, which
94
00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,800
is appropriate to the order of
the truths into which we are
95
00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:08,680
empowered to enter.
Their validity and significance
96
00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:13,360
must be scrutinized, but
according to their own law, and
97
00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:16,880
by a consciousness which can
enter into them, and not
98
00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:21,160
according to the law of another
domain, or by a consciousness
99
00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:24,360
which is capable only of truths
of another order.
100
00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:31,080
So alone can we be sure of our
steps and enlarge firmly our
101
00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:36,920
sphere of knowledge.
End Quote Reference Shriorobindo
102
00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:41,600
and the Mother, The Hidden
Forces of Life Chapter 6 Hidden
103
00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:46,080
Worlds and Evolutionary Forces,
page 135.