Perspective of Time and Stages in the Process of Transformation of Human Life

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When we consider the objective
of the transformation of human

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nature, we begin to understand
that it is not a simple or quick

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process.
We carry within us the physical,

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vital and mental habits of life
on earth, including instincts,

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set modes of action and
response, and the result of the

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training and socialization we
have received in the current

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lifetime, which represents the
combined force of the past

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development of human society
acting in the present.

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We can appreciate that the
solidity of matter adapts more

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slowly than vital energy or
mental energy.

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This sets up the process of the
transformation, starting with

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adjustments to the mental
substance, moving subsequently

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to changing aspects of the vital
nature, and only afterwards

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tackling the physical body along
the way.

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The physical body provides the
foundation for the work on the

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more malleable elements of the
being.

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If the physical body
deteriorates or is weakened, it

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reduces the amount of the divine
force that can be effectively

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held and utilized.
Thus, a dual process needs to be

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adopted.
On the one side, the secret

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tunes the focus through
aspiration and widens the

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receptivity for the descent of
the higher force.

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On the other side, the
foundation of the physical,

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vital and mental nature has to
be strengthened to hold this

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increase of force, while also
widened to be able to

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accommodate the needed changes.
As the process proceeds, the

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force can eventually begin to
effectuate changes in the

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physical material substance of
the body itself, infusing the

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very cells with the higher
energy.

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In the meantime, the body must
be properly maintained and

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sustenance provided to ensure it
is a fit vessel for the energies

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it is receiving, Sriorbindo
notes quote.

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The transformation to which we
aspire is too vast and complex

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to come at one stroke.
It must be allowed to come by

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stages.
The physical change is the last

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of these stages and is itself a
progressive process.

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The inner transformation cannot
be brought about by physical

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means, either of a positive or a
negative nature.

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On the contrary, the physical
change itself can only be

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brought about by a descent of
the greater super mental

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consciousness into the cells of
the body.

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Till then at least, the body and
its supporting energies have to

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be maintained in part by the
ordinary means, food, sleep, et

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cetera.
Food has to be taken in the

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right spirit, with the right
consciousness.

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Sleep has to be gradually
transformed into the yogic

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repose.
A premature and excessive

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physical austerity to Pasia may
endanger the process of the

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Sadhna by establishing a
disturbance and abnormality of

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the forces in the different
parts of the system.

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A great energy may pour into the
mental and vital parts, but the

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nerves and the body may be
overstrained and lose the

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strength to support the play of
these higher energies.

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This is the reason why an
extreme physical austerity is

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not included here as a
substantive part of the sadhna.

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There is no harm in fasting from
time to time for a day or two,

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or in reducing the food taken to
a small but sufficient modicum,

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but entire abstinence for a long
period is not advisable.

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End Quote reference.
Shvuro Bindo, Bases of Yoga,

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Chapter 4 Desire Food Sex, pages
68 to 69.