March 6, 2025
The Journey from Ignorance to Knowledge Through an Attitude of Continuous Learning and Receptivity
reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 1, Looking at Life and Circumstances, pp. 12-13This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/03/04/the-journey-from-ignorance-to-knowledge-through-an-attitude-of-continuous-learning-and-receptivity/
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
00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:03,480
We live in the world without
fully appreciating or
2
00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:07,680
understanding it.
This is not something new that
3
00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:11,720
we are experiencing, but a
statement of what we may call
4
00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:16,800
the human condition.
The Rishis of the Rigveda face
5
00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:20,840
these same issues in the Hymn of
Creation.
6
00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:27,160
Mandala 10, Sukta 129, verses 6
and seven, as translated by
7
00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:31,200
Nolini Kantagupta.
They express their yearning for
8
00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:36,320
knowledge and their frustration
with the seemingly impenetrable
9
00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:39,800
nature of the manifestation of
which we are part.
10
00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:44,480
When they say quote.
Who knows?
11
00:00:44,480 --> 00:00:48,080
In truth?
Who would tell us here below?
12
00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:54,480
From where was it born?
Whence this surging creation?
13
00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:59,280
The gods stand below this
surging out abroad.
14
00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:03,040
Who knows then from where this
took birth?
15
00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:06,600
That from where this creation
has sprung?
16
00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:11,200
Does that even contain it, or
does it not?
17
00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:17,280
He who is the Overlord in the
supreme Infinity, Does he even
18
00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:20,720
know?
Or he too knows not?
19
00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:26,280
End Quote.
We can look upon the Earth as
20
00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,920
contained within a huge Faraday
cage.
21
00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,760
For those who are not familiar
with this concept, a Faraday
22
00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:36,040
cage creates a field that
protects what is taking place
23
00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:40,120
inside from being affected by
electromagnetic fields of
24
00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:44,200
various sorts that are otherwise
bombarding the contents of the
25
00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:48,520
cage.
The ionosphere is such a field
26
00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:53,640
that captures, deflects and
diffuses large amounts of
27
00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:57,280
electromagnetic energy from
reaching life on the Earth.
28
00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:03,040
Certain forces are able to
penetrate and they support the
29
00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:07,520
existence of life on the planet,
but many others are kept away
30
00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:11,640
from us, from our aspect.
Inside this protected
31
00:02:11,640 --> 00:02:14,600
environment.
We not only are shielded from
32
00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:19,680
influence by many cosmic forces,
but the vibrational fields we
33
00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:24,120
create on the planet are
contained, bounced back and
34
00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:28,120
thereby circulated within
humanity, building the type of
35
00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:33,240
oneness of mental activity the
tear de chardan termed the
36
00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:36,360
Nuosphere.
The environing thought field
37
00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:40,240
within which all thoughts move
and are picked up by those who
38
00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:45,080
are open and receptive to them,
modified and in some cases
39
00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:49,720
concentrated and retransmitted
to create the mental world as we
40
00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:54,480
experience it.
To truly understand the wider
41
00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:58,680
purpose of the manifestation, as
we look beyond at the solar
42
00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:04,080
system, the galaxies, the
universes, and their vast powers
43
00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:08,240
and distances and time
sequences, we need to be able to
44
00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:12,640
quiet the vibrational patterns
that keep us tied down within
45
00:03:12,640 --> 00:03:16,640
this cage of consciousness and
shift our awareness to a
46
00:03:16,640 --> 00:03:21,600
vibrational pattern that can
transcend the limiting factor of
47
00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:25,880
the Faraday cage within which we
currently reside.
48
00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:31,000
If we understand that there is
such a deeper purpose and that
49
00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:34,280
the evolution of life on Earth
is an expression of that deeper
50
00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:39,480
purpose, then we also have the
opportunity to learn, to grow,
51
00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:45,760
to be receptive, to reflect, and
thereby to prepare ourselves for
52
00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:50,520
the deeper realizations and
revelations that await us as we
53
00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:55,160
develop and mature into the next
phase of consciousness that is
54
00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,960
in process of being manifested
on the planet.
55
00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:03,440
At some point we begin to
experience the wonder and the
56
00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:08,000
complexity, and we take the
opportunity to widen ourselves,
57
00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:13,320
to recognize our ignorance and
to become receptive as a child
58
00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:18,480
to learn and grow, to ask
questions, to undertake what is
59
00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:23,600
known in certain fields as the
fool's journey, the journey that
60
00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:27,440
awakens us to the vast field
within which we are living
61
00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:32,080
without knowledge, without
control, without understanding,
62
00:04:32,840 --> 00:04:37,840
and to become simple, open and
ready to learn.
63
00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:45,040
The Mother observes quote when
one wants to understand the deep
64
00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:49,320
laws of life, wants to be ready
to receive whatever message is
65
00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:53,680
sent by the Divine, if one wants
to be able to penetrate the
66
00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:59,400
secrets of the manifestation.
Everything, no matter what the
67
00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:04,240
least little circumstance in
life, becomes a teacher who can
68
00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:08,040
teach you something, teach you
how to think and act.
69
00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:13,240
Even the reflections of an
ignorant child can help you to
70
00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:16,840
understand something you didn't
understand before.
71
00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:21,720
Your attitude is so different.
It is always an attitude which
72
00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:26,360
is awaiting a discovery, an
opportunity for progress, a
73
00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:30,240
rectification of a wrong
movement, a step ahead.
74
00:05:30,840 --> 00:05:34,720
And so it is like a magnet.
It attracts from all around you
75
00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:37,280
opportunities to make this
progress.
76
00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,720
The least things can teach you
how to progress.
77
00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,560
As you have the consciousness
and will to progress, everything
78
00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,960
becomes an opportunity, and you
project this consciousness and
79
00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:53,200
will to progress upon all
things.
80
00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:59,000
And not only is this useful for
you, but it is useful for all
81
00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:02,800
those around you with whom you
have a contact.
82
00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:08,040
End Quote.
Reference Sri Orabindo and the
83
00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:12,640
Mother, Looking from Within,
Chapter 1, Looking at Life and
84
00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:16,080
Circumstances, pages 12 to 13.
00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:03,480
We live in the world without
fully appreciating or
2
00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:07,680
understanding it.
This is not something new that
3
00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:11,720
we are experiencing, but a
statement of what we may call
4
00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:16,800
the human condition.
The Rishis of the Rigveda face
5
00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:20,840
these same issues in the Hymn of
Creation.
6
00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:27,160
Mandala 10, Sukta 129, verses 6
and seven, as translated by
7
00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:31,200
Nolini Kantagupta.
They express their yearning for
8
00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:36,320
knowledge and their frustration
with the seemingly impenetrable
9
00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:39,800
nature of the manifestation of
which we are part.
10
00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:44,480
When they say quote.
Who knows?
11
00:00:44,480 --> 00:00:48,080
In truth?
Who would tell us here below?
12
00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:54,480
From where was it born?
Whence this surging creation?
13
00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:59,280
The gods stand below this
surging out abroad.
14
00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:03,040
Who knows then from where this
took birth?
15
00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:06,600
That from where this creation
has sprung?
16
00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:11,200
Does that even contain it, or
does it not?
17
00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:17,280
He who is the Overlord in the
supreme Infinity, Does he even
18
00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:20,720
know?
Or he too knows not?
19
00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:26,280
End Quote.
We can look upon the Earth as
20
00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,920
contained within a huge Faraday
cage.
21
00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,760
For those who are not familiar
with this concept, a Faraday
22
00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:36,040
cage creates a field that
protects what is taking place
23
00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:40,120
inside from being affected by
electromagnetic fields of
24
00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:44,200
various sorts that are otherwise
bombarding the contents of the
25
00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:48,520
cage.
The ionosphere is such a field
26
00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:53,640
that captures, deflects and
diffuses large amounts of
27
00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:57,280
electromagnetic energy from
reaching life on the Earth.
28
00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:03,040
Certain forces are able to
penetrate and they support the
29
00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:07,520
existence of life on the planet,
but many others are kept away
30
00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:11,640
from us, from our aspect.
Inside this protected
31
00:02:11,640 --> 00:02:14,600
environment.
We not only are shielded from
32
00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:19,680
influence by many cosmic forces,
but the vibrational fields we
33
00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:24,120
create on the planet are
contained, bounced back and
34
00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:28,120
thereby circulated within
humanity, building the type of
35
00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:33,240
oneness of mental activity the
tear de chardan termed the
36
00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:36,360
Nuosphere.
The environing thought field
37
00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:40,240
within which all thoughts move
and are picked up by those who
38
00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:45,080
are open and receptive to them,
modified and in some cases
39
00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:49,720
concentrated and retransmitted
to create the mental world as we
40
00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:54,480
experience it.
To truly understand the wider
41
00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:58,680
purpose of the manifestation, as
we look beyond at the solar
42
00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:04,080
system, the galaxies, the
universes, and their vast powers
43
00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:08,240
and distances and time
sequences, we need to be able to
44
00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:12,640
quiet the vibrational patterns
that keep us tied down within
45
00:03:12,640 --> 00:03:16,640
this cage of consciousness and
shift our awareness to a
46
00:03:16,640 --> 00:03:21,600
vibrational pattern that can
transcend the limiting factor of
47
00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:25,880
the Faraday cage within which we
currently reside.
48
00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:31,000
If we understand that there is
such a deeper purpose and that
49
00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:34,280
the evolution of life on Earth
is an expression of that deeper
50
00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:39,480
purpose, then we also have the
opportunity to learn, to grow,
51
00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:45,760
to be receptive, to reflect, and
thereby to prepare ourselves for
52
00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:50,520
the deeper realizations and
revelations that await us as we
53
00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:55,160
develop and mature into the next
phase of consciousness that is
54
00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,960
in process of being manifested
on the planet.
55
00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:03,440
At some point we begin to
experience the wonder and the
56
00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:08,000
complexity, and we take the
opportunity to widen ourselves,
57
00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:13,320
to recognize our ignorance and
to become receptive as a child
58
00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:18,480
to learn and grow, to ask
questions, to undertake what is
59
00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:23,600
known in certain fields as the
fool's journey, the journey that
60
00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:27,440
awakens us to the vast field
within which we are living
61
00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:32,080
without knowledge, without
control, without understanding,
62
00:04:32,840 --> 00:04:37,840
and to become simple, open and
ready to learn.
63
00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:45,040
The Mother observes quote when
one wants to understand the deep
64
00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:49,320
laws of life, wants to be ready
to receive whatever message is
65
00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:53,680
sent by the Divine, if one wants
to be able to penetrate the
66
00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:59,400
secrets of the manifestation.
Everything, no matter what the
67
00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:04,240
least little circumstance in
life, becomes a teacher who can
68
00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:08,040
teach you something, teach you
how to think and act.
69
00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:13,240
Even the reflections of an
ignorant child can help you to
70
00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:16,840
understand something you didn't
understand before.
71
00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:21,720
Your attitude is so different.
It is always an attitude which
72
00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:26,360
is awaiting a discovery, an
opportunity for progress, a
73
00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:30,240
rectification of a wrong
movement, a step ahead.
74
00:05:30,840 --> 00:05:34,720
And so it is like a magnet.
It attracts from all around you
75
00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:37,280
opportunities to make this
progress.
76
00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,720
The least things can teach you
how to progress.
77
00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,560
As you have the consciousness
and will to progress, everything
78
00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,960
becomes an opportunity, and you
project this consciousness and
79
00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:53,200
will to progress upon all
things.
80
00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:59,000
And not only is this useful for
you, but it is useful for all
81
00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:02,800
those around you with whom you
have a contact.
82
00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:08,040
End Quote.
Reference Sri Orabindo and the
83
00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:12,640
Mother, Looking from Within,
Chapter 1, Looking at Life and
84
00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:16,080
Circumstances, pages 12 to 13.
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