April 19, 2025
The Greatest Help a Spiritual Seeker Can Give to Others
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YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 2, Looking at Oneself and Others, pg. 54This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/04/17/the-greatest-help-a-spiritual-seeker-can-give-to-others/
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 SriAurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:01,240 --> 00:00:04,840
Modern day civilization
emphasizes some kind of external
2
00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:09,040
result that can be measured.
Most frequently, this is tied to
3
00:00:09,040 --> 00:00:12,640
a monetary value.
But the world also appreciates
4
00:00:12,640 --> 00:00:18,040
and honors in some cases, those
who do humanitarian work, those
5
00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:22,120
who lead countries or fight
wars, those who create new
6
00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:24,560
products, services, or
methodologies.
7
00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:28,760
Scientists are frequently
honored for their groundbreaking
8
00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,000
discoveries.
Religious leaders are frequently
9
00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:34,720
appreciated for their moral
leadership.
10
00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:40,280
One element of the true genius
of the culture of India is that
11
00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:45,200
the renunciate, the sadhu, the
ascetic seeker after liberation
12
00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:49,360
or some spiritual objective, has
traditionally been honored and
13
00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:53,200
supported despite the fact that
they do not provide a visible,
14
00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:57,600
tangible result that can be
obviously put to use in the
15
00:00:57,600 --> 00:01:01,480
society.
Their work is inward and it
16
00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,280
addresses the core issues of
human life.
17
00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:09,080
We can fly to the moon.
We can climb the highest
18
00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:12,080
mountain peaks.
We can explore the oceans.
19
00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:16,840
We can delve into the biological
and biochemical basis of life
20
00:01:17,320 --> 00:01:21,040
and find ways to modify and
adapt this basis to our own
21
00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:24,720
desired ends.
We can explore the far reaches
22
00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:30,480
of the Galaxy and beyond with
our technology, and yet we
23
00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:34,400
continue to act in the world in
ways that create endless amounts
24
00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:38,520
of suffering and which are
highly destructive both in the
25
00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:42,800
short term and the long term.
In our quest for immediate
26
00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:49,080
satisfaction of our desires,
ambitions and ideas, we are
27
00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:54,520
experiencing the 6th planetary
die off, in this case very much
28
00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:59,840
the result of human activity.
We fail to act to cut back on
29
00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:03,520
the pollution, the climate,
changing use of hydrocarbon
30
00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:07,000
fuels or the development of
economic models that
31
00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:11,440
systematically Dr. vast numbers
of people into desperate straits
32
00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:16,280
while a very few enjoy
privileges and wealth that is
33
00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:23,080
unimaginable in any real terms.
We RIP up the earth, we cut down
34
00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:28,080
the trees, we deplete the fish
in the sea, all in the name of
35
00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:32,560
our external prophets.
And with all of our experience,
36
00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:38,080
our religions, our economic
systems, our political systems,
37
00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:43,440
our technology, we have failed
to find any solution to the root
38
00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:50,600
cause of all this imbalance, the
drives, desires and ambitions of
39
00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:55,360
the vital and mental being of
man, untutored and unrestrained
40
00:02:55,680 --> 00:03:00,920
by any deeper understanding of
human life, its significance and
41
00:03:00,920 --> 00:03:06,800
the meaning of our existence.
It is this seeking the solution
42
00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:11,000
to suffering, the understanding
of the deeper motivations that
43
00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,720
drive this incredibly
destructive imbalance in our
44
00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:19,240
collective lives, which is the
core effort tasked to the
45
00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:23,320
spiritual seeker.
Whether the seeker is attempting
46
00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,840
to achieve liberation from the
bondage of the outer existence,
47
00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:32,240
or attempting to go beyond the
causes of suffering, or trying
48
00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:35,760
to bring forward a new level of
consciousness that can harmonize
49
00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:40,760
the disharmony, balance the
imbalances, and set in some kind
50
00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:44,840
of meaningful perspective the
solution to human suffering, The
51
00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:50,000
spiritual aspirant has the
lonely, inward focused task of
52
00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:53,880
uncovering the roots of these
issues and developing within
53
00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:58,160
himself the means and methods of
transformation.
54
00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:03,520
Once the seeker reaches such a
status, he has then the power to
55
00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:08,800
communicate it to others by
relaying understanding by his
56
00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:13,240
presence or by the radiating
force of the consciousness that
57
00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:16,240
has emerged as a result of his
seeking.
58
00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:22,079
Given that all our external
solutions have failed and
59
00:04:22,079 --> 00:04:26,080
humanity is on the brink of
potentially utter destruction
60
00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:31,080
and possibly even extinction,
the role of the spiritual
61
00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:35,960
aspirant, the exploration of
inner space is the most
62
00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:41,000
important way to help humanity
and ensure its ability to both
63
00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:46,040
survive and thrive, Sri Orabindo
writes.
64
00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:51,160
Quote To concentrate most on
one's own spiritual growth and
65
00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:54,120
experience is the first
necessity of the sodic.
66
00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:58,440
To be eager to help others draws
away from the inner work.
67
00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,440
To grow in the spirit is the
greatest help one can give to
68
00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:07,560
others, for then something flows
out naturally to those around
69
00:05:07,840 --> 00:05:13,280
that helps them.
End Quote Reference Srioro Bindu
70
00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:17,400
and the Mother, Looking from
Within, Chapter 2.
71
00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:21,680
Looking at Oneself and Others,
page 54.
00:00:01,240 --> 00:00:04,840
Modern day civilization
emphasizes some kind of external
2
00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:09,040
result that can be measured.
Most frequently, this is tied to
3
00:00:09,040 --> 00:00:12,640
a monetary value.
But the world also appreciates
4
00:00:12,640 --> 00:00:18,040
and honors in some cases, those
who do humanitarian work, those
5
00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:22,120
who lead countries or fight
wars, those who create new
6
00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:24,560
products, services, or
methodologies.
7
00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:28,760
Scientists are frequently
honored for their groundbreaking
8
00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,000
discoveries.
Religious leaders are frequently
9
00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:34,720
appreciated for their moral
leadership.
10
00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:40,280
One element of the true genius
of the culture of India is that
11
00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:45,200
the renunciate, the sadhu, the
ascetic seeker after liberation
12
00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:49,360
or some spiritual objective, has
traditionally been honored and
13
00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:53,200
supported despite the fact that
they do not provide a visible,
14
00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:57,600
tangible result that can be
obviously put to use in the
15
00:00:57,600 --> 00:01:01,480
society.
Their work is inward and it
16
00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,280
addresses the core issues of
human life.
17
00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:09,080
We can fly to the moon.
We can climb the highest
18
00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:12,080
mountain peaks.
We can explore the oceans.
19
00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:16,840
We can delve into the biological
and biochemical basis of life
20
00:01:17,320 --> 00:01:21,040
and find ways to modify and
adapt this basis to our own
21
00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:24,720
desired ends.
We can explore the far reaches
22
00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:30,480
of the Galaxy and beyond with
our technology, and yet we
23
00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:34,400
continue to act in the world in
ways that create endless amounts
24
00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:38,520
of suffering and which are
highly destructive both in the
25
00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:42,800
short term and the long term.
In our quest for immediate
26
00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:49,080
satisfaction of our desires,
ambitions and ideas, we are
27
00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:54,520
experiencing the 6th planetary
die off, in this case very much
28
00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:59,840
the result of human activity.
We fail to act to cut back on
29
00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:03,520
the pollution, the climate,
changing use of hydrocarbon
30
00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:07,000
fuels or the development of
economic models that
31
00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:11,440
systematically Dr. vast numbers
of people into desperate straits
32
00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:16,280
while a very few enjoy
privileges and wealth that is
33
00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:23,080
unimaginable in any real terms.
We RIP up the earth, we cut down
34
00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:28,080
the trees, we deplete the fish
in the sea, all in the name of
35
00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:32,560
our external prophets.
And with all of our experience,
36
00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:38,080
our religions, our economic
systems, our political systems,
37
00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:43,440
our technology, we have failed
to find any solution to the root
38
00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:50,600
cause of all this imbalance, the
drives, desires and ambitions of
39
00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:55,360
the vital and mental being of
man, untutored and unrestrained
40
00:02:55,680 --> 00:03:00,920
by any deeper understanding of
human life, its significance and
41
00:03:00,920 --> 00:03:06,800
the meaning of our existence.
It is this seeking the solution
42
00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:11,000
to suffering, the understanding
of the deeper motivations that
43
00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,720
drive this incredibly
destructive imbalance in our
44
00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:19,240
collective lives, which is the
core effort tasked to the
45
00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:23,320
spiritual seeker.
Whether the seeker is attempting
46
00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,840
to achieve liberation from the
bondage of the outer existence,
47
00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:32,240
or attempting to go beyond the
causes of suffering, or trying
48
00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:35,760
to bring forward a new level of
consciousness that can harmonize
49
00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:40,760
the disharmony, balance the
imbalances, and set in some kind
50
00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:44,840
of meaningful perspective the
solution to human suffering, The
51
00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:50,000
spiritual aspirant has the
lonely, inward focused task of
52
00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:53,880
uncovering the roots of these
issues and developing within
53
00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:58,160
himself the means and methods of
transformation.
54
00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:03,520
Once the seeker reaches such a
status, he has then the power to
55
00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:08,800
communicate it to others by
relaying understanding by his
56
00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:13,240
presence or by the radiating
force of the consciousness that
57
00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:16,240
has emerged as a result of his
seeking.
58
00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:22,079
Given that all our external
solutions have failed and
59
00:04:22,079 --> 00:04:26,080
humanity is on the brink of
potentially utter destruction
60
00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:31,080
and possibly even extinction,
the role of the spiritual
61
00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:35,960
aspirant, the exploration of
inner space is the most
62
00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:41,000
important way to help humanity
and ensure its ability to both
63
00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:46,040
survive and thrive, Sri Orabindo
writes.
64
00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:51,160
Quote To concentrate most on
one's own spiritual growth and
65
00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:54,120
experience is the first
necessity of the sodic.
66
00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:58,440
To be eager to help others draws
away from the inner work.
67
00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,440
To grow in the spirit is the
greatest help one can give to
68
00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:07,560
others, for then something flows
out naturally to those around
69
00:05:07,840 --> 00:05:13,280
that helps them.
End Quote Reference Srioro Bindu
70
00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:17,400
and the Mother, Looking from
Within, Chapter 2.
71
00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:21,680
Looking at Oneself and Others,
page 54.