May 8, 2025
Consciousness Exists in Matter and Responds to Caring Good Will
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YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within , Chapter 3, Action and Work, pg. 68This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/05/06/consciousness-exists-in-matter-and-responds-to-caring-good-will/
Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are allavailable 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
00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:03,680
When we look at existence from
the point of view of our
2
00:00:03,680 --> 00:00:08,119
material consciousness, we tend
to treat material things as
3
00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,200
inanimate objects without
consciousness.
4
00:00:12,040 --> 00:00:16,560
We attribute to plants and then
to animals increasing levels of
5
00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:19,840
conscious awareness.
And with the advent of the
6
00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:23,360
mental consciousness, we
acknowledge that there is
7
00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:27,080
consciousness.
Rainy Descartes famously
8
00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:30,400
declared, I think therefore I
am.
9
00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:35,360
Yet this view of things is
considered to be the opposite of
10
00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:40,080
the actual state of affairs.
The more deeply scientists
11
00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:43,960
explore matter, the more
convinced they become that not
12
00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:48,240
only is matter actually a
condensed form of energy, but
13
00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:52,320
that energy itself is a
condensed form of consciousness.
14
00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:58,240
Consciousness is pre eminent,
the originator of this entire
15
00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:03,160
creation, and thus everything
that exists, whether we
16
00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:07,680
acknowledge spiritual planes of
existence, mental planes, vital
17
00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:12,160
planes, or purely physical
planes, consists of
18
00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:16,440
consciousness.
If we look into matter itself,
19
00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:20,840
we see a highly organized and
developed structure put together
20
00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:25,720
with mathematical precision that
is clearly an expression of
21
00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:28,800
consciousness.
The fact that we do not
22
00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:32,640
experience dense matter as alive
and conscious is due to its
23
00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:37,720
consciousness lying outside the
frame of our perceptions.
24
00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:42,040
This does not mean that it does
not have a responsive nature
25
00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:46,720
within its own sphere, rather
that we simply are normally
26
00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:51,520
unable to recognize it.
Experiments done with plants
27
00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:55,960
show not only reactions to their
being cut or harmed, but also
28
00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:59,200
show a responsiveness to various
vibrations.
29
00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:03,120
We send their way, intentions
and feelings that are either
30
00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:06,680
supportive or potentially
harmful to their nature.
31
00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:12,960
If we go further and look at
purely material forms, we may
32
00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:16,520
start with crystals, which
represent one of the more highly
33
00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:19,280
organized and responsive forms
of matter.
34
00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:24,800
The visionary inventor Nikola
Tesla, whose insights provide
35
00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:28,920
the underpinning for much of our
modern civilization with
36
00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:32,800
wireless communication and
capturing and transmission of
37
00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:37,640
energy, alternating current, and
many other Seminole inventions
38
00:02:37,640 --> 00:02:41,480
of modern life had this to say
about crystals.
39
00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:45,320
Quote.
In crystal we have a pure
40
00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:49,640
evidence of the existence of a
formative life principle and
41
00:02:49,640 --> 00:02:53,800
though we cannot understand the
life of a crystal, it is none
42
00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:57,520
the less a living being.
End Quote.
43
00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:03,360
Numerous experiments on metals
show a responsiveness, including
44
00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,920
various forms of fatigue and
rejuvenation of strength that
45
00:03:07,920 --> 00:03:11,680
result from pressures and
supports we provide to those
46
00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:15,600
metals.
Just because matter is dense and
47
00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:20,040
vibrates at frequencies we
cannot easily perceive does not
48
00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:23,600
mean that matter is not alive
and imbued with conscious
49
00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:28,560
existence, albeit vastly
different from our own
50
00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:31,440
experience and ability in that
realm.
51
00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:37,760
As to a practical application,
when we treat material objects
52
00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:41,720
as inanimate and without
consciousness, we tend to treat
53
00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:46,280
them carelessly and they either
fail to function properly or
54
00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:49,840
stop functioning entirely, or
simply breakdown.
55
00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:54,800
When someone who has an attitude
of care and positive goodwill
56
00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:59,000
towards material things steps
in, we can see that they
57
00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:03,760
function better, they last
longer, and they even take on a
58
00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:08,440
type of radiance noticeable to
those with sensitive perception.
59
00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:14,440
Metals take on a shine.
Entire material creations exude
60
00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:17,880
a sense of harmony and
functionality.
61
00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:22,960
We all know people who have no
relation with material objects.
62
00:04:23,280 --> 00:04:27,120
They leave metal objects out in
the rain and wind up with rusty
63
00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:30,080
tools.
Computers do not work well for
64
00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:32,760
many.
They watch their automobiles
65
00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:35,120
breakdown through lack of proper
care.
66
00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,920
They experience rotting and
decomposition in material
67
00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,280
objects through lack of care and
attention.
68
00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:45,880
On the other hand, we can
observe material objects that
69
00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,240
are cared for and treated with
respect.
70
00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:53,720
They tend to express a sense of
well-being that many people, not
71
00:04:53,720 --> 00:05:00,280
just sensitive individuals, can
see and experience, Srioro Bindu
72
00:05:00,280 --> 00:05:03,880
observes quote.
There is a consciousness in each
73
00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:06,520
physical thing with which one
can communicate.
74
00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:11,960
Everything has an individuality
of a certain kind, houses, cars,
75
00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:16,120
furniture, et cetera.
The ancient peoples knew that
76
00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:21,200
and so they saw a spirit or
genius in every physical thing.
77
00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,200
What you feel about physical
things is true.
78
00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:29,320
There is a consciousness in
them, a life which is not the
79
00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:33,280
life and consciousness of man
and animal which we know, but
80
00:05:33,280 --> 00:05:37,080
still secret and real.
That is why we must have a
81
00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:41,760
respect for physical things and
use them rightly, not misuse and
82
00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:44,080
waste.
I'll treat or handle with a
83
00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:47,760
careless roughness.
This feeling of all being,
84
00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:51,960
consciousness or alive, comes
when our own physical
85
00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:57,400
consciousness, and not the mind,
only awakes out of its obscurity
86
00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:02,720
and becomes aware of the One in
all things, the Divine
87
00:06:02,840 --> 00:06:08,280
everywhere.
End Quote Reference Srioro Bindo
88
00:06:08,280 --> 00:06:13,360
and the Mother Looking from
Within, Chapter 3, Action and
89
00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:15,480
Work, page 68.
00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:03,680
When we look at existence from
the point of view of our
2
00:00:03,680 --> 00:00:08,119
material consciousness, we tend
to treat material things as
3
00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,200
inanimate objects without
consciousness.
4
00:00:12,040 --> 00:00:16,560
We attribute to plants and then
to animals increasing levels of
5
00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:19,840
conscious awareness.
And with the advent of the
6
00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:23,360
mental consciousness, we
acknowledge that there is
7
00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:27,080
consciousness.
Rainy Descartes famously
8
00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:30,400
declared, I think therefore I
am.
9
00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:35,360
Yet this view of things is
considered to be the opposite of
10
00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:40,080
the actual state of affairs.
The more deeply scientists
11
00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:43,960
explore matter, the more
convinced they become that not
12
00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:48,240
only is matter actually a
condensed form of energy, but
13
00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:52,320
that energy itself is a
condensed form of consciousness.
14
00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:58,240
Consciousness is pre eminent,
the originator of this entire
15
00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:03,160
creation, and thus everything
that exists, whether we
16
00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:07,680
acknowledge spiritual planes of
existence, mental planes, vital
17
00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:12,160
planes, or purely physical
planes, consists of
18
00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:16,440
consciousness.
If we look into matter itself,
19
00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:20,840
we see a highly organized and
developed structure put together
20
00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:25,720
with mathematical precision that
is clearly an expression of
21
00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:28,800
consciousness.
The fact that we do not
22
00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:32,640
experience dense matter as alive
and conscious is due to its
23
00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:37,720
consciousness lying outside the
frame of our perceptions.
24
00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:42,040
This does not mean that it does
not have a responsive nature
25
00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:46,720
within its own sphere, rather
that we simply are normally
26
00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:51,520
unable to recognize it.
Experiments done with plants
27
00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:55,960
show not only reactions to their
being cut or harmed, but also
28
00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:59,200
show a responsiveness to various
vibrations.
29
00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:03,120
We send their way, intentions
and feelings that are either
30
00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:06,680
supportive or potentially
harmful to their nature.
31
00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:12,960
If we go further and look at
purely material forms, we may
32
00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:16,520
start with crystals, which
represent one of the more highly
33
00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:19,280
organized and responsive forms
of matter.
34
00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:24,800
The visionary inventor Nikola
Tesla, whose insights provide
35
00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:28,920
the underpinning for much of our
modern civilization with
36
00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:32,800
wireless communication and
capturing and transmission of
37
00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:37,640
energy, alternating current, and
many other Seminole inventions
38
00:02:37,640 --> 00:02:41,480
of modern life had this to say
about crystals.
39
00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:45,320
Quote.
In crystal we have a pure
40
00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:49,640
evidence of the existence of a
formative life principle and
41
00:02:49,640 --> 00:02:53,800
though we cannot understand the
life of a crystal, it is none
42
00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:57,520
the less a living being.
End Quote.
43
00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:03,360
Numerous experiments on metals
show a responsiveness, including
44
00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,920
various forms of fatigue and
rejuvenation of strength that
45
00:03:07,920 --> 00:03:11,680
result from pressures and
supports we provide to those
46
00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:15,600
metals.
Just because matter is dense and
47
00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:20,040
vibrates at frequencies we
cannot easily perceive does not
48
00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:23,600
mean that matter is not alive
and imbued with conscious
49
00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:28,560
existence, albeit vastly
different from our own
50
00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:31,440
experience and ability in that
realm.
51
00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:37,760
As to a practical application,
when we treat material objects
52
00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:41,720
as inanimate and without
consciousness, we tend to treat
53
00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:46,280
them carelessly and they either
fail to function properly or
54
00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:49,840
stop functioning entirely, or
simply breakdown.
55
00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:54,800
When someone who has an attitude
of care and positive goodwill
56
00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:59,000
towards material things steps
in, we can see that they
57
00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:03,760
function better, they last
longer, and they even take on a
58
00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:08,440
type of radiance noticeable to
those with sensitive perception.
59
00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:14,440
Metals take on a shine.
Entire material creations exude
60
00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:17,880
a sense of harmony and
functionality.
61
00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:22,960
We all know people who have no
relation with material objects.
62
00:04:23,280 --> 00:04:27,120
They leave metal objects out in
the rain and wind up with rusty
63
00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:30,080
tools.
Computers do not work well for
64
00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:32,760
many.
They watch their automobiles
65
00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:35,120
breakdown through lack of proper
care.
66
00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,920
They experience rotting and
decomposition in material
67
00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,280
objects through lack of care and
attention.
68
00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:45,880
On the other hand, we can
observe material objects that
69
00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,240
are cared for and treated with
respect.
70
00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:53,720
They tend to express a sense of
well-being that many people, not
71
00:04:53,720 --> 00:05:00,280
just sensitive individuals, can
see and experience, Srioro Bindu
72
00:05:00,280 --> 00:05:03,880
observes quote.
There is a consciousness in each
73
00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:06,520
physical thing with which one
can communicate.
74
00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:11,960
Everything has an individuality
of a certain kind, houses, cars,
75
00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:16,120
furniture, et cetera.
The ancient peoples knew that
76
00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:21,200
and so they saw a spirit or
genius in every physical thing.
77
00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,200
What you feel about physical
things is true.
78
00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:29,320
There is a consciousness in
them, a life which is not the
79
00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:33,280
life and consciousness of man
and animal which we know, but
80
00:05:33,280 --> 00:05:37,080
still secret and real.
That is why we must have a
81
00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:41,760
respect for physical things and
use them rightly, not misuse and
82
00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:44,080
waste.
I'll treat or handle with a
83
00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:47,760
careless roughness.
This feeling of all being,
84
00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:51,960
consciousness or alive, comes
when our own physical
85
00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:57,400
consciousness, and not the mind,
only awakes out of its obscurity
86
00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:02,720
and becomes aware of the One in
all things, the Divine
87
00:06:02,840 --> 00:06:08,280
everywhere.
End Quote Reference Srioro Bindo
88
00:06:08,280 --> 00:06:13,360
and the Mother Looking from
Within, Chapter 3, Action and
89
00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:15,480
Work, page 68.