A Pilgrims Quest for the Highest and the Best - Mutation of the Human Species

Total Transformation: The Keyword of the Integral Yoga

The one word that brings out centrally the novelty of the objective and method of the new synthesis of yoga is "transformation". The yoga of the new evolution that would lead humanity into superhumanity or the mutation of human species into a new supramental species has at its core what Sri Aurobindo has called the process of triple transformation, — the psychic transformation, the spiritual transformation and the supramental transformation. Sri Aurobindo has given precise significance to all these terms. By transformation, Sri Aurobindo means, "a change of consciousness radical and complete and of a certain specific kind which is so conceived as to bring about a strong and assured step forward in the spiritual evolution of the being of a greater and higher kind and of a larger sweep and completeness than what took place when a mentalised being first appeared in a vital and material animal world."⁷² According to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, this transformation can be effected only if the lowest bottom rock of the Inconcience can permanently be reversed, so that the supramental consciousness which is concealed in the heart of the inconcience is manifested. None of the powers of the mind or even of the Overmind can, according to the yogic experience of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, accomplish this task. Only a process of an ascent and descent that involves three steps can effectuate and accomplish this task. The first step is to arrive at the loftiest peaks of supramental consciousness; next is the gradual descent of the supermind right up to the level of the physical consciousness and physical substance and into sub-conscience and the inconscience. The third step would be that of transformation of the inconscience and fixing of the supramental consci-

ousness into the material substance. This entire process implies that the gulf that exists between Mind and Supermind has to be bridged; the passages between the mind and supennind which are closed at present have to be opened; there are voids and silences between the mind and supennind and these have to be crossed and connected and new roads of ascent and descent have to be created. This can be done only by the triple transformation. In the words of Sri Aurobindo, "There must first be the psychic change, the conversion of our whole present nature into a soul-instrumentation; on that or along with that there must be the spiritual change, the descent of a higher Light, Knowledge, Power, Force, Bliss, Purity into the whole being, even into the lowest recesses of the life and body, even into the darkness of our subconscience; last, ... there must take place as a crowning movement the ascent into the Supennind and the trans- forming descent of the supramental Consciousness into our entire being and nature."⁷³

Integral Yoga: Supermind and Humanity

The most significant thing about the "Synthesis of Yoga" is that it is indispensably connected with the solutions that are being sought after by humanity to resolve the acute crisis from which it is undergoing at present, and thus to the attainment of the goal of what is contained in the ideal of "lokasangraha", — the progressive and painless development of human solidarity and unity. This is a subject on which Sri Aurobindo has written extensively in "The Life Divine", "The Human Cycle", "The Ideal of Human Unity", "The Supramental Manifestation Upon Earth". It is because humanity's highest welfare is dependent on the development of theme of synthesis of yoga and the research work that is

involved in the tasks connected with the supramental manifestation in Matter that it invites our imperative attention.

Speaking of the consequences for humanity of the supramental manifestation into our earthly existence, Sri Aurobindo has stated:

"... it would not only establish the Supermind and a supramental race of beings upon the earth, it could bring about an uplifting and transforming change in mind itself and as an inevitable consequence in the consciousness of man, the mental being and would equally bring about a radical and transforming change in the principles and forms of his living, his ways of action and the whole build and tenor of his life.

...One result of the intervention of Supermind in the earth- nature, the descent of the supreme creative Truth-Power, might well be a change in the law of evolution, its method and its arrangement: a larger element of the principle of evolution through knowledge might enter into the forces of the material universe. ...

It will even be possible for the mind no longer united by the intellect to become capable of a sort of mental gnosis, a luminous reproduction of the Truth in a diminished working extending the power of the Light not only to its own but to lower levels of consciousness in their climb towards self- transcendence. ...

... Supermind alone has the truth-consciousness in full and, if this comes down and intervenes, mind, life and body too can attain to the full power of the truth in them and their full possibility of perfection. This, no doubt, would not take place at once, but an evolutionary progress towards it could begin and grow with increasing rapidity towards its fullness.

All men might not reach that fullness till a later time, but still the human mind could come to stand perfected in the Light and a new humanity take its place as part of the new order."⁷⁴