Liberation and Self-Perfection: Adherence to the Divine Intention in the Universal Manifestation

0:01 Much of the historical context of spirituality has been centered around the idea of individual realization and liberation. The disciplines, practices and methods have been geared towards the individual achieving some form of release from what is recognized to be the illusion of the external world around us and the chasing after transitory rewards to be acquired in that external world in the form of wealth, prestige, fame, power, physical, vital or mental satisfactions or gratifications, et cetera. The focus on individual salvation has, however, seen modifications in some traditions.

0:46 The Bodhisattva vow in the Buddhist tradition is an example. The Bodhisattva reaches to the very border of liberation into Nirvana, but vows not to crossover until every sentient being has also been liberated. While the focus remains on liberation as a goal, the Bodhisattva forsakes individual achievement of the goal in favor of a collective result encompassing all beings. The idea of the Kingdom of God being realized on earth represents another attempt to bridge the gap between the individual and the external reality and the collective realization in the life divine. Sri Aurobindo moves beyond the traditional focus on a purely individual salvation.

1:38 He acknowledges the reality of both the process of liberation and the process of perfection as part of the external manifestation which are normally considered to be at odds with one another. As he maps out the omnipresent reality that incorporates both aspects in the synthesis of yoga, Sri Aurobindo introduces the Yoga of Self Perfection to model a yogic sadhana that incorporates this integral perspective. Sri Aurobindo's recognition of a universal Divine intention and consciousness, which is manifesting the evolution of consciousness as the defining motive of the Divine's force in the world, moves beyond the focus on the individual and places the individual in a situation of consciously accepting and collaborating with this larger movement for which individual liberation is a part but not the entire meaning of existence.

2:43 The Mother notes quote, a supreme disinterestedness and a supreme liberation is to follow the discipline of self perfection, the March of progress, not with a precise end in view, the liberation of Nirvana, but because this March of progress is the profound law and the purpose of earthly life, the truth of universal existence, and because you put yourself in harmony with it spontaneously. Whatever the result may be, there is a deep trust in the Divine grace, a total surrender to the Divine will, an integral adhesion to the Divine plan which makes one do the thing to be done without concern for the result.

3:33 That is the perfect liberation. End Quote. Reference Sri Aurobindo and the Mother Looking from Within, Chapter 5, Attitudes on the Path, page 168.