Jan. 20, 2025
The Quest to Establish the Connection to the Higher, Subtler, Causal Planes of Existence
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YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Powers Within, Chapter XIX Occult Powers of the Subliminal, pp. 151-152 This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/the-quest-to-establish-the-connection-to-the-higher-subtler-causal-planes-of-existence/
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 Sri Aurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:05,320
At a certain point in life, an
individual begins to appreciate
2
00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:10,960
that the surface events, surface
facts, the reality of the
3
00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:15,840
external world are all
derivative results, with the
4
00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:20,480
causal forces and energies
active on more subtle planes or
5
00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:25,760
domains and creating from that
place the physical forms that we
6
00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:27,800
respond to on the physical
plane.
7
00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:32,800
The Mayavada holds that our
fixation on the external world
8
00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:38,200
is an illusion, Maya, and it is
our job, if you will, to
9
00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:42,040
transcend the illusion through
focus on the ultimate reality
10
00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:47,080
that underpins that illusion.
There was a famous motion
11
00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:50,200
picture in the West some years
ago called The Matrix.
12
00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:55,520
In that film, human beings were
wired into an illusory world
13
00:00:55,520 --> 00:01:00,320
where they acted, but in reality
it was a computer generated
14
00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:02,480
simulation within which they
were living.
15
00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:07,160
This is more or less a parable
for the illusion that our daily
16
00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:12,000
life is based on.
Another motion picture, Avatar,
17
00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:16,280
depicted an individual who was
physically disabled due to war
18
00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:20,640
injuries and who was restricted
to a wheelchair for mobility.
19
00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:24,880
He entered a program where his
waking consciousness was put to
20
00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:29,800
sleep, and he entered into the
body of another being in another
21
00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:38,680
world where he was free, strong,
mobile, and able to enjoy life
22
00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:42,520
without the physical limitations
of his physical body.
23
00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:46,760
When he returned to the physical
body, he was back in the
24
00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:50,760
wheelchair.
He eventually chose to live
25
00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:56,200
entirely in that other domain.
In that case, the limits of the
26
00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:59,880
physical world were overcome by
shifting the consciousness into
27
00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:04,760
another plane or domain or
world, however anyone wants to
28
00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:08,360
define it.
For the individual, the
29
00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:12,960
alternative domain was far more
satisfying than the real world
30
00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:15,720
of the physical external
consciousness.
31
00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:20,480
He also got in touch with the
wider universal spiritual
32
00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:24,280
creative force of existence.
In this other domain.
33
00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,080
Plato illustrated the
distinction between the
34
00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:34,280
externally perceived reality and
a deeper truth of existence in
35
00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:39,120
the metaphor of The Cave.
People in The Cave thought they
36
00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:44,080
were experiencing reality while
the actual world was outside and
37
00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:49,440
not directly perceived by them.
Once we recognize that the
38
00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:54,000
causal plane is our ultimate
source of truth and significance
39
00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:58,280
in our lives, we naturally
aspire to come into contact with
40
00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:01,640
that truth.
This is the beginning of our
41
00:03:01,640 --> 00:03:07,280
yogic pursuit and our attempt to
explore the inner reality that
42
00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:11,320
puts us in touch with this
causal plane of existence.
43
00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:16,520
We turn our sight inward and
upward, away from the external
44
00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:20,400
world and its impressions, and
focus on breaking through the
45
00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:23,720
barrier that separates us from
that higher truth.
46
00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:28,960
The Isha Upanishad notes that
the face of truth is covered by
47
00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:33,240
a brilliant golden lid and we
must find a way to the other
48
00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:36,400
side of that barrier to
experience the reality.
49
00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:42,160
Whether we call it a yogic
practice, a vision quest or a
50
00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:47,680
Mystic journey, the path taken
is into these realms, starting
51
00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:51,560
with the inner vision to
discover the ultimate truth of
52
00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:56,080
our existence.
When one first enters the inner
53
00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:00,520
realms, 1 can be overwhelmed by
the force of the vision or the
54
00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:06,560
experience, and thereby we can
be misled by the intensity into
55
00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:11,600
validating everything we
experience as truth in reality.
56
00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:15,120
We need to be able to
distinguish the different forces
57
00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:18,560
there, just as we need to do in
the outer world.
58
00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:23,400
There are forces that are
beneficial as well as those that
59
00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:27,920
have their own motivations and
intentions, not necessarily
60
00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:32,600
aligned with our best interest.
It is therefore recommended to
61
00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:36,960
work with an experienced
practitioner or guide who can
62
00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:41,480
help one sort out what one is
experiencing and thereby help to
63
00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:46,920
avoid the worst outcomes,
Sriorobindo writes.
64
00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:50,560
Quote.
People value visions for one
65
00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:55,520
thing because they are one key.
There are others to contact with
66
00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:59,520
the other worlds or with the
inner worlds and all that is
67
00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:04,880
there, and these are regions of
immense riches which far surpass
68
00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:07,240
the physical plane as it is at
present.
69
00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:12,600
One enters into a larger, freer
self and a larger, more plastic
70
00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:16,240
world.
Of course, individual visions
71
00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:19,360
only give a contact, not an
actual entrance.
72
00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:23,040
But the power of vision
accompanied with the power of
73
00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:28,840
other subtle senses, hearing,
touch, et cetera, as it expands,
74
00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:33,680
does give this entrance.
These things have not the effect
75
00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:38,200
of a mere imagination as a
poet's or artists, though that
76
00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:42,480
can be strong enough, but if
fully followed out, bring a
77
00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:46,680
constant growth of the being and
the consciousness and its
78
00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,800
richness of experience and its
scope.
79
00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:54,760
People also value the power of
vision for a greater reason than
80
00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:57,560
that.
It can give a first contact with
81
00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,400
the divine in his forms and
powers.
82
00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:05,080
It can be the opening of a
communion with the Divine, of
83
00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:09,680
the hearing of the voice that
guides of the Presence, as well
84
00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:13,400
as the image in the heart of
many other things that bring
85
00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:15,880
what man seeks through religion
or yoga.
86
00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:21,960
Further, vision is of value
because it is often a first key
87
00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:25,360
to inner planes of one's own
being and one's own
88
00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:29,240
consciousness, as distinguished
from worlds or planes of the
89
00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:34,000
cosmic consciousness.
Yoga experience often begins
90
00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:38,160
with some opening of the third
eye and the forehead, the centre
91
00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:42,840
of vision in the brows, or with
some kind of beginning and
92
00:06:42,840 --> 00:06:47,200
extension of subtle seeing which
may seem unimportant at first,
93
00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:51,120
but is the vestibule to deeper
experience.
94
00:06:52,280 --> 00:06:58,640
Even when it is not that for one
can go to experience direct, it
95
00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:02,240
can come in afterwards as a
powerful aid to experience.
96
00:07:02,840 --> 00:07:06,880
It can be full of indications
which help to self knowledge or
97
00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:09,640
knowledge of things or knowledge
of people.
98
00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:16,520
It can be veridical and lead to
pre vision, premonition and
99
00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:20,320
other openings of less
importance but very useful to a
100
00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:23,880
Yogi.
In short, vision is a great
101
00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,440
instrument, though not
absolutely indispensable.
102
00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:33,720
But as I have suggested, there
are visions and visions just as
103
00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:37,520
there are dreams and dreams, and
one has to develop
104
00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:42,160
discrimination and a sense of
values and things and know how
105
00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:45,840
to understand and make use of
these powers.
106
00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:50,800
End Quote.
Reference Srioro Bindu and the
107
00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:54,320
Mother powers within.
Chapter 19.
108
00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:59,960
Occult powers of the Subliminal
Pages, 1:51 to 1:52.
00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:05,320
At a certain point in life, an
individual begins to appreciate
2
00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:10,960
that the surface events, surface
facts, the reality of the
3
00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:15,840
external world are all
derivative results, with the
4
00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:20,480
causal forces and energies
active on more subtle planes or
5
00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:25,760
domains and creating from that
place the physical forms that we
6
00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:27,800
respond to on the physical
plane.
7
00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:32,800
The Mayavada holds that our
fixation on the external world
8
00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:38,200
is an illusion, Maya, and it is
our job, if you will, to
9
00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:42,040
transcend the illusion through
focus on the ultimate reality
10
00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:47,080
that underpins that illusion.
There was a famous motion
11
00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:50,200
picture in the West some years
ago called The Matrix.
12
00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:55,520
In that film, human beings were
wired into an illusory world
13
00:00:55,520 --> 00:01:00,320
where they acted, but in reality
it was a computer generated
14
00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:02,480
simulation within which they
were living.
15
00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:07,160
This is more or less a parable
for the illusion that our daily
16
00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:12,000
life is based on.
Another motion picture, Avatar,
17
00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:16,280
depicted an individual who was
physically disabled due to war
18
00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:20,640
injuries and who was restricted
to a wheelchair for mobility.
19
00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:24,880
He entered a program where his
waking consciousness was put to
20
00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:29,800
sleep, and he entered into the
body of another being in another
21
00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:38,680
world where he was free, strong,
mobile, and able to enjoy life
22
00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:42,520
without the physical limitations
of his physical body.
23
00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:46,760
When he returned to the physical
body, he was back in the
24
00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:50,760
wheelchair.
He eventually chose to live
25
00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:56,200
entirely in that other domain.
In that case, the limits of the
26
00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:59,880
physical world were overcome by
shifting the consciousness into
27
00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:04,760
another plane or domain or
world, however anyone wants to
28
00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:08,360
define it.
For the individual, the
29
00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:12,960
alternative domain was far more
satisfying than the real world
30
00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:15,720
of the physical external
consciousness.
31
00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:20,480
He also got in touch with the
wider universal spiritual
32
00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:24,280
creative force of existence.
In this other domain.
33
00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,080
Plato illustrated the
distinction between the
34
00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:34,280
externally perceived reality and
a deeper truth of existence in
35
00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:39,120
the metaphor of The Cave.
People in The Cave thought they
36
00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:44,080
were experiencing reality while
the actual world was outside and
37
00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:49,440
not directly perceived by them.
Once we recognize that the
38
00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:54,000
causal plane is our ultimate
source of truth and significance
39
00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:58,280
in our lives, we naturally
aspire to come into contact with
40
00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:01,640
that truth.
This is the beginning of our
41
00:03:01,640 --> 00:03:07,280
yogic pursuit and our attempt to
explore the inner reality that
42
00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:11,320
puts us in touch with this
causal plane of existence.
43
00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:16,520
We turn our sight inward and
upward, away from the external
44
00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:20,400
world and its impressions, and
focus on breaking through the
45
00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:23,720
barrier that separates us from
that higher truth.
46
00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:28,960
The Isha Upanishad notes that
the face of truth is covered by
47
00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:33,240
a brilliant golden lid and we
must find a way to the other
48
00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:36,400
side of that barrier to
experience the reality.
49
00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:42,160
Whether we call it a yogic
practice, a vision quest or a
50
00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:47,680
Mystic journey, the path taken
is into these realms, starting
51
00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:51,560
with the inner vision to
discover the ultimate truth of
52
00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:56,080
our existence.
When one first enters the inner
53
00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:00,520
realms, 1 can be overwhelmed by
the force of the vision or the
54
00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:06,560
experience, and thereby we can
be misled by the intensity into
55
00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:11,600
validating everything we
experience as truth in reality.
56
00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:15,120
We need to be able to
distinguish the different forces
57
00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:18,560
there, just as we need to do in
the outer world.
58
00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:23,400
There are forces that are
beneficial as well as those that
59
00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:27,920
have their own motivations and
intentions, not necessarily
60
00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:32,600
aligned with our best interest.
It is therefore recommended to
61
00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:36,960
work with an experienced
practitioner or guide who can
62
00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:41,480
help one sort out what one is
experiencing and thereby help to
63
00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:46,920
avoid the worst outcomes,
Sriorobindo writes.
64
00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:50,560
Quote.
People value visions for one
65
00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:55,520
thing because they are one key.
There are others to contact with
66
00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:59,520
the other worlds or with the
inner worlds and all that is
67
00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:04,880
there, and these are regions of
immense riches which far surpass
68
00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:07,240
the physical plane as it is at
present.
69
00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:12,600
One enters into a larger, freer
self and a larger, more plastic
70
00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:16,240
world.
Of course, individual visions
71
00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:19,360
only give a contact, not an
actual entrance.
72
00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:23,040
But the power of vision
accompanied with the power of
73
00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:28,840
other subtle senses, hearing,
touch, et cetera, as it expands,
74
00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:33,680
does give this entrance.
These things have not the effect
75
00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:38,200
of a mere imagination as a
poet's or artists, though that
76
00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:42,480
can be strong enough, but if
fully followed out, bring a
77
00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:46,680
constant growth of the being and
the consciousness and its
78
00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,800
richness of experience and its
scope.
79
00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:54,760
People also value the power of
vision for a greater reason than
80
00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:57,560
that.
It can give a first contact with
81
00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,400
the divine in his forms and
powers.
82
00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:05,080
It can be the opening of a
communion with the Divine, of
83
00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:09,680
the hearing of the voice that
guides of the Presence, as well
84
00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:13,400
as the image in the heart of
many other things that bring
85
00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:15,880
what man seeks through religion
or yoga.
86
00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:21,960
Further, vision is of value
because it is often a first key
87
00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:25,360
to inner planes of one's own
being and one's own
88
00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:29,240
consciousness, as distinguished
from worlds or planes of the
89
00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:34,000
cosmic consciousness.
Yoga experience often begins
90
00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:38,160
with some opening of the third
eye and the forehead, the centre
91
00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:42,840
of vision in the brows, or with
some kind of beginning and
92
00:06:42,840 --> 00:06:47,200
extension of subtle seeing which
may seem unimportant at first,
93
00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:51,120
but is the vestibule to deeper
experience.
94
00:06:52,280 --> 00:06:58,640
Even when it is not that for one
can go to experience direct, it
95
00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:02,240
can come in afterwards as a
powerful aid to experience.
96
00:07:02,840 --> 00:07:06,880
It can be full of indications
which help to self knowledge or
97
00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:09,640
knowledge of things or knowledge
of people.
98
00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:16,520
It can be veridical and lead to
pre vision, premonition and
99
00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:20,320
other openings of less
importance but very useful to a
100
00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:23,880
Yogi.
In short, vision is a great
101
00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,440
instrument, though not
absolutely indispensable.
102
00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:33,720
But as I have suggested, there
are visions and visions just as
103
00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:37,520
there are dreams and dreams, and
one has to develop
104
00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:42,160
discrimination and a sense of
values and things and know how
105
00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:45,840
to understand and make use of
these powers.
106
00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:50,800
End Quote.
Reference Srioro Bindu and the
107
00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:54,320
Mother powers within.
Chapter 19.
108
00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:59,960
Occult powers of the Subliminal
Pages, 1:51 to 1:52.