Dec. 31, 2024
Educating and Uplifting the Vital Nature: Part 1 Understanding the Issues
Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
Amazon Music 
RSS Feed 
Castro 
RadioPublic 
PocketCasts 
YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Powers Within, Chapter XVII The Vital, pp. 134-135 This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2024/12/29/educating-and-uplifting-the-vital-nature-part-1-understanding-the-issues/
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
00:00:01,640 --> 00:00:04,720
When we recognize the
difficulties of managing the
2
00:00:04,760 --> 00:00:09,440
energy of the vital nature and
its long habits of how it finds
3
00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:14,120
fulfillment and satisfaction, we
can appreciate that there are no
4
00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:18,480
simple solutions available.
The vital, when it is
5
00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:22,080
cooperative with the mind and
the psychic being, is an
6
00:00:22,080 --> 00:00:24,280
incredible power of
effectuation.
7
00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:29,360
When it sets up obstacles,
however, it can pose immense
8
00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:33,960
difficulties for the seeker.
We can gain an understanding of
9
00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:37,040
the vital in its mode of
operations as a basis for
10
00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:41,280
bringing it to a place where it
wants to and does Co operate
11
00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:45,040
with the seeker.
First, it is important to
12
00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:49,960
formulate the intention or goal
one has for the vital nature.
13
00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:54,560
If the goal is the abandonment
of the active external life,
14
00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:59,160
then the vital can be suppressed
and prevented from finding any
15
00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:02,840
outlet.
If, however, the goal is the
16
00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:07,240
transformation of life both for
the individual and for the
17
00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:12,360
external life, then the vital
needs to be understood and the
18
00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:14,960
relationship with it managed
carefully.
19
00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:20,160
So, the first step is to define
one's intention in relation to
20
00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:24,720
the vital.
Next, we can look at the concept
21
00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:28,200
of vital management.
There are numerous theories and
22
00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:32,240
practices that have been tried
in the past, some more
23
00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:35,840
successful than others.
We look therefore at the
24
00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,400
principles involved in managing
the vital.
25
00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:43,840
Thereafter, it comes down to a
matter of the techniques which
26
00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:47,240
need to be adaptable and
flexible to start, from where
27
00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:51,800
the individual's vital nature is
in its development, and what is
28
00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:56,160
possible from that starting
point and with the circumstances
29
00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,720
that are extant for the secret
to address and manage.
30
00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:04,920
Educating the vital nature is
actually an important element of
31
00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:09,000
the process of educating
children, who naturally have the
32
00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:14,120
vital nature active and in most
cases predominant over the
33
00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:17,280
mental being in the earlier
stages of their lives.
34
00:02:18,920 --> 00:02:22,520
First principles of education
require an understanding of the
35
00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:26,880
habits of the vital, how they
are formed and how they are
36
00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:31,160
redirected.
Thus, the first concern is to
37
00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:35,200
develop the power of
observation, both of one's own
38
00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:39,120
reactions and the way
significant individuals in one's
39
00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:44,240
life, such as parents, siblings,
friends, teachers, and others
40
00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:49,400
with whom one relates, react to
situations, as these all
41
00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:54,040
represent influences that help
shape one's own vital responses
42
00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,880
to circumstances.
It is through such detailed
43
00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:02,280
observation, and particularly
inner observation of one's own
44
00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:07,200
vital impulses, urges and
reactions that one can truly
45
00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:12,040
begin to understand the forces
at work and thus begin to
46
00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:18,200
develop a plan to manage, train
and guide the vital nature.
47
00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:24,640
We find that through poor vital
education in parents, they often
48
00:03:24,640 --> 00:03:28,280
resort to violence and bullying
of children in order to
49
00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:30,920
accomplish some immediate act of
submission.
50
00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:36,840
This process tends either to
deaden the vital or create
51
00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:41,720
resistance and rebellion at some
point or carries on the MIS
52
00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:44,880
education of the vital into
future generations.
53
00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,280
This insight can aid the seeker
in dealing with his own vital
54
00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:53,480
nature which may have been
subjected to such experiences
55
00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:58,520
earlier in life.
Similarly, the society may set
56
00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:02,640
forth objectives that get
internalized by the child to
57
00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:06,240
obtain vital satisfaction
through acquisition of material
58
00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:11,960
objects, through obtaining
wealth, power, fame and acclaim
59
00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:18,079
or some other external reward,
thus perverting the vital nature
60
00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:23,200
in its expectations and focus.
This too results in deeply
61
00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:27,720
rooted obstacles and limitations
for the secret to understand and
62
00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:31,840
work out.
An excellent mode of observation
63
00:04:31,840 --> 00:04:36,960
is to attempt to implement a
discipline and then observe how
64
00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:42,640
the vital response to it.
For instance, as a preliminary
65
00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:47,760
practice in Raja Yoga, Patanjali
describes the restraints known
66
00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:52,280
as yamas and niyamas.
These are practices that
67
00:04:52,280 --> 00:04:57,160
restrain the vital being from
some of the ordinary reactions.
68
00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:02,240
The yamas are not harming
others, abiding in truth and
69
00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:06,960
thought, word and deed, non
stealing including not coveting
70
00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:11,320
possessions of others,
continents to restrain the
71
00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:16,160
sexual energy, and non receiving
in the form of acceptance of
72
00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:19,120
energies or gifts from others
which can influence one's
73
00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:24,120
energetic state.
The niyamas include purification
74
00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:29,120
both externally and inwardly to
cleanse the body, mind and soul,
75
00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:35,800
contentment so as to limit the
force of desire, concentration
76
00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:38,360
of conscious force known as
tapas.
77
00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:44,160
Observation for learning and
study and bringing forward the
78
00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:47,880
aspiration, love and gratitude
for the Divine.
79
00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:52,640
Each of these will bring up
reactions in the vital nature,
80
00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:57,080
and thus one can learn about the
deformations that need to be
81
00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:02,040
dealt with and the positive
energies that provide a basis
82
00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:07,200
for further progress.
The Mother observes quote.
83
00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:13,680
It is difficult to regulate it,
yet naturally when you have
84
00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:18,000
succeeded in taming it, you have
something powerful in hand for
85
00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:22,000
realization.
It is that which can carry by
86
00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:26,960
storm the biggest obstacles.
It is that which is capable of
87
00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:29,920
turning an idiot into an
intelligent person.
88
00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:35,160
It alone can do so.
For if one yearns passionately
89
00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:39,720
for progress, if the vital takes
it into its head that one must
90
00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:43,920
progress, even the greatest
idiot can become intelligent.
91
00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:47,920
I have seen this.
I am not speaking from hearsay.
92
00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:51,400
I have seen it.
I have seen people who were
93
00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:56,720
dull, stupid, incapable of
understanding, who understood
94
00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:59,880
nothing.
You could go on explaining
95
00:06:59,880 --> 00:07:04,080
something to them for months.
It would not enter as though one
96
00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:06,080
were speaking to a block of
wood.
97
00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:11,880
And then all of a sudden, their
vital was caught in a passion.
98
00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:16,080
They wanted simply to please
someone or get something.
99
00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:19,080
And for that, one had to
understand.
100
00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:21,560
One had to know it was
necessary.
101
00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:24,920
Well, they set everything
moving.
102
00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:29,880
They shook up the sleeping mind.
They poured energy into all the
103
00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:33,440
corners where there was none.
And they understood.
104
00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:37,960
They became intelligent.
I knew someone who knew nothing,
105
00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:42,880
practically understood nothing,
and who, when the mind started
106
00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,280
moving and the passion for
progress took possession of him,
107
00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:51,280
began to write wonderful things.
I have them with me.
108
00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:56,680
And when the movement withdrew,
when the vital went on strike,
109
00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:02,320
for sometimes it went on strike
and withdrew, the person became
110
00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:09,480
once again absolutely dull.
End Quote Reference Shrioro
111
00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:14,360
Bindu and the Mother Powers
within, Chapter 17, The Vital,
112
00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:17,600
pages 134 to 135.
00:00:01,640 --> 00:00:04,720
When we recognize the
difficulties of managing the
2
00:00:04,760 --> 00:00:09,440
energy of the vital nature and
its long habits of how it finds
3
00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:14,120
fulfillment and satisfaction, we
can appreciate that there are no
4
00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:18,480
simple solutions available.
The vital, when it is
5
00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:22,080
cooperative with the mind and
the psychic being, is an
6
00:00:22,080 --> 00:00:24,280
incredible power of
effectuation.
7
00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:29,360
When it sets up obstacles,
however, it can pose immense
8
00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:33,960
difficulties for the seeker.
We can gain an understanding of
9
00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:37,040
the vital in its mode of
operations as a basis for
10
00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:41,280
bringing it to a place where it
wants to and does Co operate
11
00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:45,040
with the seeker.
First, it is important to
12
00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:49,960
formulate the intention or goal
one has for the vital nature.
13
00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:54,560
If the goal is the abandonment
of the active external life,
14
00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:59,160
then the vital can be suppressed
and prevented from finding any
15
00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:02,840
outlet.
If, however, the goal is the
16
00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:07,240
transformation of life both for
the individual and for the
17
00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:12,360
external life, then the vital
needs to be understood and the
18
00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:14,960
relationship with it managed
carefully.
19
00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:20,160
So, the first step is to define
one's intention in relation to
20
00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:24,720
the vital.
Next, we can look at the concept
21
00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:28,200
of vital management.
There are numerous theories and
22
00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:32,240
practices that have been tried
in the past, some more
23
00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:35,840
successful than others.
We look therefore at the
24
00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,400
principles involved in managing
the vital.
25
00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:43,840
Thereafter, it comes down to a
matter of the techniques which
26
00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:47,240
need to be adaptable and
flexible to start, from where
27
00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:51,800
the individual's vital nature is
in its development, and what is
28
00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:56,160
possible from that starting
point and with the circumstances
29
00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,720
that are extant for the secret
to address and manage.
30
00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:04,920
Educating the vital nature is
actually an important element of
31
00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:09,000
the process of educating
children, who naturally have the
32
00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:14,120
vital nature active and in most
cases predominant over the
33
00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:17,280
mental being in the earlier
stages of their lives.
34
00:02:18,920 --> 00:02:22,520
First principles of education
require an understanding of the
35
00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:26,880
habits of the vital, how they
are formed and how they are
36
00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:31,160
redirected.
Thus, the first concern is to
37
00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:35,200
develop the power of
observation, both of one's own
38
00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:39,120
reactions and the way
significant individuals in one's
39
00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:44,240
life, such as parents, siblings,
friends, teachers, and others
40
00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:49,400
with whom one relates, react to
situations, as these all
41
00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:54,040
represent influences that help
shape one's own vital responses
42
00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,880
to circumstances.
It is through such detailed
43
00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:02,280
observation, and particularly
inner observation of one's own
44
00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:07,200
vital impulses, urges and
reactions that one can truly
45
00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:12,040
begin to understand the forces
at work and thus begin to
46
00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:18,200
develop a plan to manage, train
and guide the vital nature.
47
00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:24,640
We find that through poor vital
education in parents, they often
48
00:03:24,640 --> 00:03:28,280
resort to violence and bullying
of children in order to
49
00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:30,920
accomplish some immediate act of
submission.
50
00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:36,840
This process tends either to
deaden the vital or create
51
00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:41,720
resistance and rebellion at some
point or carries on the MIS
52
00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:44,880
education of the vital into
future generations.
53
00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,280
This insight can aid the seeker
in dealing with his own vital
54
00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:53,480
nature which may have been
subjected to such experiences
55
00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:58,520
earlier in life.
Similarly, the society may set
56
00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:02,640
forth objectives that get
internalized by the child to
57
00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:06,240
obtain vital satisfaction
through acquisition of material
58
00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:11,960
objects, through obtaining
wealth, power, fame and acclaim
59
00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:18,079
or some other external reward,
thus perverting the vital nature
60
00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:23,200
in its expectations and focus.
This too results in deeply
61
00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:27,720
rooted obstacles and limitations
for the secret to understand and
62
00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:31,840
work out.
An excellent mode of observation
63
00:04:31,840 --> 00:04:36,960
is to attempt to implement a
discipline and then observe how
64
00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:42,640
the vital response to it.
For instance, as a preliminary
65
00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:47,760
practice in Raja Yoga, Patanjali
describes the restraints known
66
00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:52,280
as yamas and niyamas.
These are practices that
67
00:04:52,280 --> 00:04:57,160
restrain the vital being from
some of the ordinary reactions.
68
00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:02,240
The yamas are not harming
others, abiding in truth and
69
00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:06,960
thought, word and deed, non
stealing including not coveting
70
00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:11,320
possessions of others,
continents to restrain the
71
00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:16,160
sexual energy, and non receiving
in the form of acceptance of
72
00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:19,120
energies or gifts from others
which can influence one's
73
00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:24,120
energetic state.
The niyamas include purification
74
00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:29,120
both externally and inwardly to
cleanse the body, mind and soul,
75
00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:35,800
contentment so as to limit the
force of desire, concentration
76
00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:38,360
of conscious force known as
tapas.
77
00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:44,160
Observation for learning and
study and bringing forward the
78
00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:47,880
aspiration, love and gratitude
for the Divine.
79
00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:52,640
Each of these will bring up
reactions in the vital nature,
80
00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:57,080
and thus one can learn about the
deformations that need to be
81
00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:02,040
dealt with and the positive
energies that provide a basis
82
00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:07,200
for further progress.
The Mother observes quote.
83
00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:13,680
It is difficult to regulate it,
yet naturally when you have
84
00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:18,000
succeeded in taming it, you have
something powerful in hand for
85
00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:22,000
realization.
It is that which can carry by
86
00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:26,960
storm the biggest obstacles.
It is that which is capable of
87
00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:29,920
turning an idiot into an
intelligent person.
88
00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:35,160
It alone can do so.
For if one yearns passionately
89
00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:39,720
for progress, if the vital takes
it into its head that one must
90
00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:43,920
progress, even the greatest
idiot can become intelligent.
91
00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:47,920
I have seen this.
I am not speaking from hearsay.
92
00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:51,400
I have seen it.
I have seen people who were
93
00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:56,720
dull, stupid, incapable of
understanding, who understood
94
00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:59,880
nothing.
You could go on explaining
95
00:06:59,880 --> 00:07:04,080
something to them for months.
It would not enter as though one
96
00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:06,080
were speaking to a block of
wood.
97
00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:11,880
And then all of a sudden, their
vital was caught in a passion.
98
00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:16,080
They wanted simply to please
someone or get something.
99
00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:19,080
And for that, one had to
understand.
100
00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:21,560
One had to know it was
necessary.
101
00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:24,920
Well, they set everything
moving.
102
00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:29,880
They shook up the sleeping mind.
They poured energy into all the
103
00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:33,440
corners where there was none.
And they understood.
104
00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:37,960
They became intelligent.
I knew someone who knew nothing,
105
00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:42,880
practically understood nothing,
and who, when the mind started
106
00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,280
moving and the passion for
progress took possession of him,
107
00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:51,280
began to write wonderful things.
I have them with me.
108
00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:56,680
And when the movement withdrew,
when the vital went on strike,
109
00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:02,320
for sometimes it went on strike
and withdrew, the person became
110
00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:09,480
once again absolutely dull.
End Quote Reference Shrioro
111
00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:14,360
Bindu and the Mother Powers
within, Chapter 17, The Vital,
112
00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:17,600
pages 134 to 135.