Sept. 12, 2025
The Joy of Action -- Independent of Concern for the Fruits of the Action
reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 5, Attitudes on the Path, pp. 169-170This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/09/10/the-joy-of-action-independent-of-concern-for-the-fruits-of-the-action/
Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are allavailable 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
00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:04,680
The goal of the Integral Yoga is
nothing less than the
2
00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:08,920
transformation of human nature,
the uplifting of consciousness
3
00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:13,280
to the next evolutionary stage
in the manifestation, and the
4
00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:18,240
consequent changes that brings
about to create a new harmony
5
00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:22,320
and a New Balance in the life of
the individual and in the world.
6
00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,680
Those who take up this yoga find
that human nature is not so
7
00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:32,159
malleable, and thus old modes
and habits of action tend to
8
00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:36,240
stay embedded even when we
recognize that things need to
9
00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:39,800
change.
Some of the past developments of
10
00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:43,280
consciousness have taken not
just millennia to manifest and
11
00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:45,240
embed themselves in human
nature.
12
00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:50,240
Rather, some of these traits go
back literally hundreds of
13
00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:53,320
millions or even billions of
years.
14
00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:58,880
If we take up the yogic practice
with the expectation that we
15
00:00:58,880 --> 00:01:03,480
will get easy or fast results,
we are thus bound to be
16
00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:06,920
disappointed.
We thus have to take a different
17
00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:11,000
approach, one of offering and
self giving to the longer term
18
00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:16,320
process of which we are a part.
We may never ourselves see or
19
00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:20,560
experience the changes we are
aspiring toward, but we are
20
00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:26,400
helping by the very attempt to
prepare the ground, the texture
21
00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:30,080
of consciousness, for these
changes to come about.
22
00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,800
In a very simplified way, we can
look at this process as
23
00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:39,000
something of a relay race.
Forerunners sequentially take
24
00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,440
the baton as they are running
around the track.
25
00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:46,760
Only the last one actually
crosses the finish line, but all
26
00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:49,600
of the others were essential to
make it happen.
27
00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:54,120
Possibly some of the changes in
human nature may take place very
28
00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:59,200
quickly in just a few 100 years.
We ourselves are tasked with
29
00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:04,080
carrying our baton through our
brief lifetimes and handing it
30
00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:08,400
off figuratively to the next
generation who will continue the
31
00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,080
work.
And eventually the new
32
00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:15,120
consciousness will be fully
manifested, will set right the
33
00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:19,400
imbalances and disharmonies in
the mental, vital, physical,
34
00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:23,840
precarious balance that clearly
has its limitations as a
35
00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:28,040
transitional stage, and will
reorganize the life of the
36
00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:32,200
humanity and its relationship
with the other beings and the
37
00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,320
environment of the planet
itself.
38
00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:39,320
If we take the approach of a
self offering to this larger
39
00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:44,080
divine manifestation, and if we
at the same time do not carry
40
00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:48,360
within us the expectation of
personal benefit, we can
41
00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:52,880
experience, as the Mother
mentions, the joy of living our
42
00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:58,840
lives and the joy of offering
the Mother observes.
43
00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:02,600
Quote.
As with everything in yoga, the
44
00:03:02,640 --> 00:03:06,280
effort for progress must be made
for the love of the effort for
45
00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:09,480
progress.
The joy of effort, the
46
00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:14,360
aspiration for progress, must be
enough in themselves, quite
47
00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:18,720
independent of the result.
Everything one does in yoga must
48
00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:23,120
be done for the joy of doing it,
and not in view of the result
49
00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:28,840
one wants to obtain.
Indeed, in life always in all
50
00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:33,480
things, the result does not
belong to us, and if we want to
51
00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:38,800
keep the right attitude, we must
act, feel, think, strive
52
00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:45,400
spontaneously, for that is what
we must do and not in view of
53
00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:49,440
the result to be obtained.
As soon as we think of the
54
00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:53,960
result, we begin to bargain, and
that takes away all sincerity
55
00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:57,400
from the effort.
You make an effort to progress
56
00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:01,600
because you feel within you the
need, the imperative need to
57
00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:06,200
make an effort and progress.
And this effort is the gift you
58
00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:09,920
offer to the divine
consciousness in you, the divine
59
00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:14,400
consciousness in the universe.
It is your way of expressing
60
00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:18,800
your gratitude, offering
yourself, and whether this
61
00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:22,320
results in progress or not is of
no importance.
62
00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:27,080
You will progress when you it is
decided that the time has come
63
00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:30,680
to progress, and not because you
desire it.
64
00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:35,320
If you wish to progress, if you
make an effort to control
65
00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,920
yourself, for instance, to
overcome certain defects,
66
00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:44,080
weaknesses, imperfections, and
if you expect to get a more or
67
00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:48,160
less immediate result from your
effort, your effort loses all
68
00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:50,280
sincerity.
It becomes a bargaining.
69
00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:56,080
You say, see, I am going to make
an effort, but that's because I
70
00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:58,000
want this in exchange for my
effort.
71
00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:03,240
You are no longer spontaneous,
no longer natural.
72
00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:08,120
End Quote.
Reference Sri Aurobindo and the
73
00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:12,280
Mother, Looking from Within,
Chapter 5, Attitudes on the
74
00:05:12,280 --> 00:05:16,040
Path, pages 169 to 170.
00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:04,680
The goal of the Integral Yoga is
nothing less than the
2
00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:08,920
transformation of human nature,
the uplifting of consciousness
3
00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:13,280
to the next evolutionary stage
in the manifestation, and the
4
00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:18,240
consequent changes that brings
about to create a new harmony
5
00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:22,320
and a New Balance in the life of
the individual and in the world.
6
00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,680
Those who take up this yoga find
that human nature is not so
7
00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:32,159
malleable, and thus old modes
and habits of action tend to
8
00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:36,240
stay embedded even when we
recognize that things need to
9
00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:39,800
change.
Some of the past developments of
10
00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:43,280
consciousness have taken not
just millennia to manifest and
11
00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:45,240
embed themselves in human
nature.
12
00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:50,240
Rather, some of these traits go
back literally hundreds of
13
00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:53,320
millions or even billions of
years.
14
00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:58,880
If we take up the yogic practice
with the expectation that we
15
00:00:58,880 --> 00:01:03,480
will get easy or fast results,
we are thus bound to be
16
00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:06,920
disappointed.
We thus have to take a different
17
00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:11,000
approach, one of offering and
self giving to the longer term
18
00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:16,320
process of which we are a part.
We may never ourselves see or
19
00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:20,560
experience the changes we are
aspiring toward, but we are
20
00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:26,400
helping by the very attempt to
prepare the ground, the texture
21
00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:30,080
of consciousness, for these
changes to come about.
22
00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,800
In a very simplified way, we can
look at this process as
23
00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:39,000
something of a relay race.
Forerunners sequentially take
24
00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,440
the baton as they are running
around the track.
25
00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:46,760
Only the last one actually
crosses the finish line, but all
26
00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:49,600
of the others were essential to
make it happen.
27
00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:54,120
Possibly some of the changes in
human nature may take place very
28
00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:59,200
quickly in just a few 100 years.
We ourselves are tasked with
29
00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:04,080
carrying our baton through our
brief lifetimes and handing it
30
00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:08,400
off figuratively to the next
generation who will continue the
31
00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,080
work.
And eventually the new
32
00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:15,120
consciousness will be fully
manifested, will set right the
33
00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:19,400
imbalances and disharmonies in
the mental, vital, physical,
34
00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:23,840
precarious balance that clearly
has its limitations as a
35
00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:28,040
transitional stage, and will
reorganize the life of the
36
00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:32,200
humanity and its relationship
with the other beings and the
37
00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,320
environment of the planet
itself.
38
00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:39,320
If we take the approach of a
self offering to this larger
39
00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:44,080
divine manifestation, and if we
at the same time do not carry
40
00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:48,360
within us the expectation of
personal benefit, we can
41
00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:52,880
experience, as the Mother
mentions, the joy of living our
42
00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:58,840
lives and the joy of offering
the Mother observes.
43
00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:02,600
Quote.
As with everything in yoga, the
44
00:03:02,640 --> 00:03:06,280
effort for progress must be made
for the love of the effort for
45
00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:09,480
progress.
The joy of effort, the
46
00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:14,360
aspiration for progress, must be
enough in themselves, quite
47
00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:18,720
independent of the result.
Everything one does in yoga must
48
00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:23,120
be done for the joy of doing it,
and not in view of the result
49
00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:28,840
one wants to obtain.
Indeed, in life always in all
50
00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:33,480
things, the result does not
belong to us, and if we want to
51
00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:38,800
keep the right attitude, we must
act, feel, think, strive
52
00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:45,400
spontaneously, for that is what
we must do and not in view of
53
00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:49,440
the result to be obtained.
As soon as we think of the
54
00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:53,960
result, we begin to bargain, and
that takes away all sincerity
55
00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:57,400
from the effort.
You make an effort to progress
56
00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:01,600
because you feel within you the
need, the imperative need to
57
00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:06,200
make an effort and progress.
And this effort is the gift you
58
00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:09,920
offer to the divine
consciousness in you, the divine
59
00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:14,400
consciousness in the universe.
It is your way of expressing
60
00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:18,800
your gratitude, offering
yourself, and whether this
61
00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:22,320
results in progress or not is of
no importance.
62
00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:27,080
You will progress when you it is
decided that the time has come
63
00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:30,680
to progress, and not because you
desire it.
64
00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:35,320
If you wish to progress, if you
make an effort to control
65
00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,920
yourself, for instance, to
overcome certain defects,
66
00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:44,080
weaknesses, imperfections, and
if you expect to get a more or
67
00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:48,160
less immediate result from your
effort, your effort loses all
68
00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:50,280
sincerity.
It becomes a bargaining.
69
00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:56,080
You say, see, I am going to make
an effort, but that's because I
70
00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:58,000
want this in exchange for my
effort.
71
00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:03,240
You are no longer spontaneous,
no longer natural.
72
00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:08,120
End Quote.
Reference Sri Aurobindo and the
73
00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:12,280
Mother, Looking from Within,
Chapter 5, Attitudes on the
74
00:05:12,280 --> 00:05:16,040
Path, pages 169 to 170.
