Reflections on Yoga (English)

In this English reflection we take the following letter of Sri Aurobindo in which he explains a certain attitude of people in Ashram with regards to comforts and food and it’s reasons.

In this English reflection we take a look at three transformations that are part of the Integral Yoga.

In this reflection we take up the subject of sleep and dreams and see how we are unaware of it and how to understand and grow through it.

In this English reflection we read the following passage of The Mother on resurrection and find its significance in the past events as well as its inner truth.

The four steps and goals of the Integral Yoga.

Life is riddled with problems, and our understanding of it does not help us in finding the solution. The true solution lies in light of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo.

When the soul leaves the gross physical body, it lingers for some time in the vital sheath. In most people this sheath is full of things that are not pleasant such as greed, fear, lust, anger etc. These elements begin to disintegrate when the central will holding them together in the bodily house is withdrawn. It is to destroy these elements that the body is given to fire and elaborate prayers and rituals are performed such as shraddha and asthi visarjan. It is however quite possible that as these elemental energies disintegrate, they may be unwittingly absorbed by someone who is weak in the vital or sensitive. In such cases some dislocation can take place leading to physical or psychological symptoms. In most instances these are temporary but at times they may continue if something in the recipient who has witnessed a funeral is open and receptive to such energies. Rarely some portion of the vital being of the departed may seek temporary shelter in the atmosphere of people who love or, especially when the death was premature or violent, even try to take hold of the body to maintain its continuity. It is for these reasons that children and women (both are generally more open and sensitive) were best advised to avoid the funeral. The rule of taking a bath soon after returning from a funeral was also for this reason. However these are general rules for the masses. Much depends upon the individual who has departed. There are some whose atmosphere is quite good because they have lived largely a clean life detached from worldly things and turned towards a higher and nobler ideal. Also, if the funeral ground is kept neat and clean these elemental energies cannot linger long. As to empathy, it should be there. For those who are left behind it was not the protoplasmic sheath but the personality that has gone ahead further in its journey. That is the origin of grief and not merely the absence of the body. What is needed is an understanding of the human condition that in its ignorance wants to hold on to people and things forever in the same way as they are accustomed to. This is not permissible nor desirable as it is counter-progress. All this needs to be slowly brought home to those left behind that death is not an end but the soul’s opportunity. However those with whom we share bonds that are deeper and rooted in the soul are lost only for a while. They meet us across lives and something within feels the old links even though the senses and the outer mind has forgotten.

How to deal with situations when when abuses, threats and nastiness is hurled upon one and what should be our response.

How opinions and advices of others can harm or help.

In this short reflection we take up the following question: Why do we repeat mistakes?

A reflection on what it really means to forgive.

In this English reflection we look at the significance of Sri Aurobindo’s symbol.

A part of a webinar initiated by ‘Samata’, a program in Auroville towards better understanding and working through mental health.

In this brief reflection we see how our actions, victories, difficulties etc. affect the entire life.

We see how the will sometimes finds it hard to overcome difficulties, and how to overcome these.

In this reflection we see the role of Mrinalini Devi in Sri Aurobindo’s life. A talk by Dr Alok Pandey at Sri Aurobindo Ashram (Van Niwas), Nainital.

A talk by Dr Alok Pandey at Sri Aurobindo Ashram (Van Niwas), Nainital.

Is the concept of soul in human, animal and vegetal kingdom same?A brief reflection by Dr Alok Pandey at Sri Aurobindo Ashram (Van Niwas), Nainital.

This reflection is on a writing of Sri Aurobindo where he pays tribute to Hirobumi Ito, the prime minister of Japan who was assassinated in 1909.

In this reflection we look at the difference between suggestions of different kind and intuition.

In this reflection we see the two conquests one can make in life. We take five stories: ‘Alexander and Diogenes’, ‘Sheikh Sadi’, ‘King Asoka and Buddha’ and ‘Master Archer of a Zen story’, and the example of Krishna and Shiva.

We look at what the plasticity is and its importance on the path.

The problem of sensitivity and suffering.

We look at different stages of the psychic transformation.

We reflect whether joining the Ashram implies having a developed psychic being.

In this brief reflection we see how the psychic being can develop through different paths.

We look at the process and signs of emergence of the psychic being.

We look at the difference between the soul and psychic being, and growth of the psychic being through lives.

The Truth of Motherhood.

We reflect on the reasons why people quarrel and some remedies.

We read the lines from Savitri p407 I looked upon the world and missed the Self And when I found the Self, I lost the world,

We reflect upon several messages of the Mother on the significance of April 24, 1920.

We look at some stories from the life of Christ and their true significance.

We take a look at Life and Greatness of Lord Rama in whom Sri Aurobindo saw the Avatar of the Illumined Mind.

What the Mother has said about the present conditions of the Earth and the course man must take in a passage from CWM-9, p. 169-170.

In this brief reflection we look at what turning inwards really means, why is it necessary and how can it be done.

A brief reflection in English by Dr Alok Pandey

A short reflection in English by Dr Alok Pandey in response to a question.

A brief reflection in English by Dr Alok Pandey

In this reflection we read the Darshan message of 24th November 2021 and we take the full letter written by Sri Aurobindo, from which the message was selected (below).

A reflection on the Darshan message of November 17, 2021.

An attempt to understand the meaning of Sri Aurobindo’s phrase ‘Yoga is nothing but practical psychology.

This reflection is on some aspects of the New Consciousness and its action.

What really are Grace, Love and Blessings in their shades of difference.

This is a brief reflection on the spiritual approach in caring for terminally ill patients and have even this crisis can be turned into a great opportunity for a spiritual leap.

In this brief reflection we see the role of the rational mind in the common good of man and what common good really means.

This brief English reflection is about our attitude in present times of crisis.

Special descents on Darshan days and the main work of Sri Aurobindo, opening a way towards the future.

A reflection on the Darshan Day Message for August 15, 2021: … if we learn to live within, we infallibly awaken to this presence within us which is our more real self, a presence profound, calm, joyous and puissant of which the world is not the master – a presence which, if it is not the Lord Himself, is the radiation of the Lord within…. The truth of ourselves lies within and not on the surface. Sri Aurobindo