Many readers of Sri Aurobindo consider him a theist and many of his writings seem to support this view, but it does not do justice to the complexity of his position. He was a theist who wrote on the value of atheism, a gnostic who understood the utility of agnosticism. As a young man in England, he rejected religion and adopted the agnostic position. He also became interested in the idea of the “Unknowable,” a term popularized by Herbert Spencer and much discussed in philosophical circles at that time. Some linked the idea of the Unknowable to philosophical agnosticism, the view that certain knowledge of things beyond the reach of the senses is impossible. Sri Aurobindo wrote about the Unknowable and agnosticism in some of his exegetic and philosophical works. He discussed the idea of the unknowability of the Brahman in commentaries on the Upanishads. In The Life Divine, he wrote about the Unknowable and about philosophical agnosticism, saying that “a certain kind of Agnosticism is the final truth of all knowledge.” The only way to get beyond this was to rise to gnosis or supermind. For those who have not yet reached those levels of consciousness, agnosticism may be the only honest intellectual standpoint.
- 1.
I discuss Aurobindo’s approach to Hinduism at more length in Heehs, 2008.
- 2.
Sri Aurobindo referred to Haeckel 12 times in works of various periods. The earliest reference to The Riddle of the Universe is in The Philosophy of the Upanishads (Aurobindo 2001a: 380). He still had a copy of the Riddle with him on 8 February 1912, when he wrote in his diary that he had consulted it that day (Aurobindo 2001b: 73).
- 3.
- 4.
It is interesting that Aurobindo mentioned this word in his final commentary on the Kena Upaniṣad (Aurobindo, 2001a: 74) even though it does not occur in the Kena or any other Upanishad. Aurobindo speaks of “the Unknowable” five times in his final Kena commentary, twice in The Philosophy of the Upanishads, 17 times in his various commentaries on the Īṣā, and often in other books.
Sri Aurobindo, Agnosticism, and the Unknowable
P Heehs - Reading Sri Aurobindo, 2022
… In the last section, I discuss the place of knowledge and devotion in Aurobindo’s
integral yoga … Aurobindo mentioned this word in his final commentary on the Kena
Upaniṣad (Aurobindo, 2001a: 74) even though it does not occur in the Kena or any …
integral yoga … Aurobindo mentioned this word in his final commentary on the Kena
Upaniṣad (Aurobindo, 2001a: 74) even though it does not occur in the Kena or any …
Spiritualistic Ecologism in the Evolutionary Ideologies of Sri Aurobindo
S Varghese - Reading Sri Aurobindo, 2022
… Aurobindo, the most critical thinker in colonial India offers an alternative view of
evolution in which humans would reject the present mode of development and adopt
a most practical method of integration of the material and the spiritual content of …
evolution in which humans would reject the present mode of development and adopt
a most practical method of integration of the material and the spiritual content of …
Environmental Consciousness and Sri Aurobindo: Learnings for the Present
SR Abhijat - Reading Sri Aurobindo, 2022
… In this essay, Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy will be analysed to reinstate the idea of
sacred or spiritual in terms of nature. This essay will examine his views of Absolute
Reality Sachhitᾶnanda-Sat (existence), cit (consciousness), and Ᾱnanda (bliss) …
sacred or spiritual in terms of nature. This essay will examine his views of Absolute
Reality Sachhitᾶnanda-Sat (existence), cit (consciousness), and Ᾱnanda (bliss) …
Sri Aurobindo on the Transformation of Emotions: Reflections on Divine Love and Absolute Devotion
D Bhatia - Reading Sri Aurobindo, 2022
… the significance of emotions as construed in Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy and the
practice of … the Divine Consciousness duly represented in Sri Aurobindo’s
philosophical discourse. This … (bhakti) in the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo; thereby …
practice of … the Divine Consciousness duly represented in Sri Aurobindo’s
philosophical discourse. This … (bhakti) in the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo; thereby …
Boons of Nachiketas and Savitri
VA Reddy
… by Sri Aurobindo in his “long growth to the Supreme” (Sri Aurobindo, 1997c, 22).
This return to the “luminous secrets”(Sri Aurobindo, 1997b, 10) of the past is but a
cyclic resurgence of the spiritual realizations buried in the memory of collective …
This return to the “luminous secrets”(Sri Aurobindo, 1997b, 10) of the past is but a
cyclic resurgence of the spiritual realizations buried in the memory of collective …
Violent Fraternity: Indian Political Thought in the Global Age. By Shruti Kapila. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2021. 328p. $35.00 cloth.
U Chandra - Perspectives on Politics, 2022
… The next two chapters dwell on the antagonistic duo of VD Savarkar and MK
Gandhi, the former committed to a futuristic idea of fraternity among the colonized,
namely, Hindutva or Hindu nationalism; and the latter famously committed to …
Gandhi, the former committed to a futuristic idea of fraternity among the colonized,
namely, Hindutva or Hindu nationalism; and the latter famously committed to …
India's 75th anniversary of independence: Reclaiming the history of struggle
Communist Party of India Marxist-Leninist - Green Left Weekly, 2022
… this is a clever ploy to cover up the sordid reality of the actual role played by the
Rss and other Hindutva protagonists during the freedom movement. the Hindutva
lobby stood away from the freedom movement. Its biggest icon, …
Rss and other Hindutva protagonists during the freedom movement. the Hindutva
lobby stood away from the freedom movement. Its biggest icon, …
“I Curse You on Her Behalf” Narratives of Sexual Assault from Sanskrit Literature
A Saxena - South Asian Studies, 2022
… that the rapes do not exist in rural India or villages and occur in urban India or
cities, and legal procedures and “ethos and attitude towards women” should be
motivated by “values of ancient India” is part of a larger argument where it is claimed …
cities, and legal procedures and “ethos and attitude towards women” should be
motivated by “values of ancient India” is part of a larger argument where it is claimed …
[PDF] Charting a narrative for the apocalypse: Adapting the Indian mythological epic, The Mahabharata, for a global audience, while exploring the continuing influence of …
E Parikh - 2022
… As Dwyer goes on to point out that while many might argue against the idea that it
was the weekly screening of the Ramayana which caused an increase in religious
fervour, the rise of Hindutva, finally leading to the siege and destruction of the Babri …
was the weekly screening of the Ramayana which caused an increase in religious
fervour, the rise of Hindutva, finally leading to the siege and destruction of the Babri …
[PDF] Vedic legends related to Rudra in the Brāhmaṇa-s and the Āraṇyaka-s: A Brief Study
MR Narsalay - Nature
The Vedic people observed the destructive phenomena of storms uprooting tree and
demolishing houses, the striking of thunderbolt which causes men and beasts to
drop dead instantly, the outbreak of epidemics which harms the very existence of …
demolishing houses, the striking of thunderbolt which causes men and beasts to
drop dead instantly, the outbreak of epidemics which harms the very existence of …
Spirituality, Religiousness, and Personal Beliefs in the WHO's Quality of Life Measurement Instrument
F Winiger - The Spirit of Global Health
… Bisht, who had once served as a Director-General at India’s ministry of health and
was a passionate follower of Sri Aurobindo, presented a lengthy discourse on
human evolution towards a ‘spiritual man’. ⁵⁰ Masaya Yamaguti, the representative …
was a passionate follower of Sri Aurobindo, presented a lengthy discourse on
human evolution towards a ‘spiritual man’. ⁵⁰ Masaya Yamaguti, the representative …
Holistic Ideals and the 'Spirit'of International Health
S Peng-Keller, F Winiger - The Spirit of Global Health
… Heavily inspired by Sri Aurobindo’s syncretic brand of Hinduism, Bisht
understood this dimension in terms of human evolution. In a background document
presented to the Executive Board in 1978, he argued that what differentiates …
understood this dimension in terms of human evolution. In a background document
presented to the Executive Board in 1978, he argued that what differentiates …
[PDF] Significance of Sri Aurobindo's Gnostic Being and Divine Life for Mankind
P Bhattacharjee - 2022
… Yoga is the dual journey of transition and descent. Sri Aurobindo's Yoga is called
Integral Yoga, because Yoga is the union with the Divine … In his scheme of Integral
Yoga, which encompasses all aspects of life, the goal is to divinize life in this very …
Integral Yoga, because Yoga is the union with the Divine … In his scheme of Integral
Yoga, which encompasses all aspects of life, the goal is to divinize life in this very …
[PDF] On the future of science and technology and science ethics
W Wenqing - 2022
In the 21st century, human humanistic spiritual culture shows a trend of lagging
behind the development of science and technology. The spiritual culture of humanity
and faith, from which the ability of technological self-control could have drawn rich …
behind the development of science and technology. The spiritual culture of humanity
and faith, from which the ability of technological self-control could have drawn rich …
[PDF] Why we should take a second look at the politics of creativity: the dangers of a celebratory mode
S Banaji - 2022
At the heart of this chapter is an ethical contention: By avoiding scrutiny of creativity
sustaining processes, strategies and products serving authoritarian, violent or
discriminatory practices, we fail to face the tricky question of what happens when we …
sustaining processes, strategies and products serving authoritarian, violent or
discriminatory practices, we fail to face the tricky question of what happens when we …
By avoiding scrutiny of creativity sustaining
processes, strategies and products serving authoritarian, violent or discriminatory practices, we
fail to face the tricky question of what happens when we fetishize ‘creativity’
I am my own egg: Reflections on the development of a woman humanistic psychologist.
IA Serlin - The Humanistic Psychologist, 2022 - psycnet.apa.org
… My story starts with my birth as the fraternal member of a set of triplets. I was my own egg. …
sister transference that continues to influence my relationships with colleagues and clients (…
sister transference that continues to influence my relationships with colleagues and clients (…
Like Gods among Men. The Use of Religion and Mythical Issues during Alexander's Campaign
B Antela-Bernárdez - The Religious Aspects of War in the Ancient Near …, 2016 - brill.com
… arms yet remaining from the Trojan war, which, it is said, the hypaspist henceforth used to
carry before him into battle. Then he sacrificed also to Priam at the altar of Zeus of Enclosures (…
carry before him into battle. Then he sacrificed also to Priam at the altar of Zeus of Enclosures (…
The Nurturant-Warrior Archetype: a Meeting Ground Between the Metaphors of Sita and Kali in Vedic Hinduism
S Singh - Human Arenas, 2022 - Springer
… The present paper attempts to trace the images of the ideal Indian woman through the two
prominent female forms, ie, Sita and Kali, mentioned in Vedic Hindu mythology. The author …
prominent female forms, ie, Sita and Kali, mentioned in Vedic Hindu mythology. The author …
The Ethics of Oneness: Emerson, Whitman, and the Bhagavad Gita by Jeremy Engels
A Parikh - Philosophy East and West, 2022 - muse.jhu.edu
In his deeply personal yet academically rigorous book, The Ethics of Oneness: Emerson,
Whitman, and the Bhagavad Gita, Jeremy Engels takes up the task of describing and critiquing …
Whitman, and the Bhagavad Gita, Jeremy Engels takes up the task of describing and critiquing …
The Bhagavad-Gītā: A Critical Introduction ed. by Ithamar Theodor
K Maitra - Philosophy East and West, 2022
… While Aurobindo came to emphasize a more "integral" (p. 111) reading of the Gītā,
both Tilak and Gandhi emphasized the karma yoga as the central aspect of the Gītā
in its ability to inspire social and national transformation, thus serving as the "guidebook …
both Tilak and Gandhi emphasized the karma yoga as the central aspect of the Gītā
in its ability to inspire social and national transformation, thus serving as the "guidebook …
Evolution with Harmony: Integral Yoga and Its Transformational Potential in the Philosophy of Sri Aurobindo
N Kumar - Reading Sri Aurobindo, 2022 - Springer
… It was, as he asserts, an ‘integral experience of the divine reality, what the Gita describes
in the words samagram mam, “the whole Me” of the Divine Being. Its method is an integral …
in the words samagram mam, “the whole Me” of the Divine Being. Its method is an integral …
Emotional Intelligence as the Core of Intelligence: A Perspective Based on the Bhagavad Gita
SV Lamba, M Jagadeesh, A Deshpande - Pastoral Psychology, 2022
… Aurobindo was an Indian patriot, philosopher, yoga guru, maharishi, and poet.
According to Aurobindo, the Bhagavad Gita addresses practically all spiritual
concerns, and he attempted to address this comprehensively in his essays. The …
According to Aurobindo, the Bhagavad Gita addresses practically all spiritual
concerns, and he attempted to address this comprehensively in his essays. The …
[HTML] English in India
M Dattani, A Chakraborty
… While Sri Aurobindo’s closet dramas have attracted attention owing to his venerable
stature and poetic accomplishments, Harindranath Chattopadhyaya’s have not. …
Aurobindo, Sri. Collected Poems and Plays. Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Ashram, 1942.
stature and poetic accomplishments, Harindranath Chattopadhyaya’s have not. …
Aurobindo, Sri. Collected Poems and Plays. Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Ashram, 1942.
Hindu Nationalism Versus Secularism and the Social Realities of Discrimination
M Lall, K Anand - Bridging Neoliberalism and Hindu Nationalism, 2022
… In this section we explore some examples of the narrative that Hindutva-inspired
textbooks presented to children, and how by omission or by exaggeration, or simply
by the peddling of fictional accounts, an extremist Hindu view of history was given …
textbooks presented to children, and how by omission or by exaggeration, or simply
by the peddling of fictional accounts, an extremist Hindu view of history was given …
[PDF] The Untold Story of the Grinding Stones of the Vedic Civilization
R Rao
Grinding stones were part of human civilization right from the Neolithic period. All
ancient civilizations used grinding stones for crushing grains or making flour. The
special feature of the grinding stones of the Indus valley civilizations was that they …
ancient civilizations used grinding stones for crushing grains or making flour. The
special feature of the grinding stones of the Indus valley civilizations was that they …
[PDF] STUDY OF THE EDUCATIONAL CONTRIBUTION OF SELECTED INDIAN THINKERS AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO MODERN EDUCATION
MA Kumar, MP Joshi
… Shri Aurobindo emphasized that education should be in accordance with the
needs of our real modern life. In other words, education should create dynamic
citizen so that they are able to meet the needs of modern complex life. According to …
needs of our real modern life. In other words, education should create dynamic
citizen so that they are able to meet the needs of modern complex life. According to …
Inner Voices And Outer Influences In Building Inner Strength: A Brief Examination Of The Novels Of Anita Nair
P Esther, S Sobana, R Balasingh - Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 2022
The aim of this paper is to examine the age-old human quest to achieve one’s true
freedom and the satisfaction of being at peace with oneself. Learning from others’
life experiences and the ability to make the right choice through self-introspection …
freedom and the satisfaction of being at peace with oneself. Learning from others’
life experiences and the ability to make the right choice through self-introspection …
[PDF] An Eastern Philosophical Dimension of an English Language Teacher's Professionalism: A Narrative Analysis
S Dhungana - International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and …, 2022
| ABSTRACT This paper primarily investigates dimensions of English language
teacher professionalism for a teacher to reflect and make a strategic professional
commitment to implementing effective educational programs for the present and …
teacher professionalism for a teacher to reflect and make a strategic professional
commitment to implementing effective educational programs for the present and …
[PDF] Shabda and Mantra
U Banerji, M Bhattacharya
… Thus, the above statements from Hindu scriptures indicate that shabda is an
integral part of … Yoga has developed the theory of static sound; in developing this
theory it says that there is no … Mantra-yoga is an attempt to organize and …
integral part of … Yoga has developed the theory of static sound; in developing this
theory it says that there is no … Mantra-yoga is an attempt to organize and …
[HTML] Asakti-Anasakti: A Model of Mental Health
Y Magazine
… Yoga does not believe in a dichotomy of mental and physical health. On the
contrary, it … which body, mind and spirit are integral components. Western
psychology accepts the importance … Yoga provides techniques for establishing …
contrary, it … which body, mind and spirit are integral components. Western
psychology accepts the importance … Yoga provides techniques for establishing …
Contemplative Pedagogy: An Experiment with School Students for Demystifying the Philosophy of Contemplative Education
A Alam - Resilience and Transformation in Global Restructuring, 2022
… Mindfulness, an integral part of contemplative practice, emerged as the bedrock
in this transactional design which optimizes teaching and … Thus, throughout
human history, contemplative practices have proliferated in cultures, and they are an …
in this transactional design which optimizes teaching and … Thus, throughout
human history, contemplative practices have proliferated in cultures, and they are an …
Hindu right-wing claims on monuments, historic mosques raise fears in India
Y Şafak - 2022
… "The current onslaught on mosques in many parts of the country is part of an old
Hindutva agenda. Now that they have secured Babri and a grand temple is being
built there, they have turned their attention to some other mosques to grab them …
Hindutva agenda. Now that they have secured Babri and a grand temple is being
built there, they have turned their attention to some other mosques to grab them …
[PDF] Hinduism, Belief and the Colonial Invention of Religion: A before and after Comparison
S Ranganathan - Religions, 2022
As known from the academic literature on Hinduism, the foreign, Persian word,“Hindu”(meaning
“Indian”), was used by the British to name everything indigenously South Asian,
which was not Islam, as a religion. If we adopt explication as our research …
“Indian”), was used by the British to name everything indigenously South Asian,
which was not Islam, as a religion. If we adopt explication as our research …
[PDF] Interpretations of the individual in the Indian Cultural Heritage and in Plato's thought
KBG Segalerba
In our paper, we aim first of all to analyse the presence of analogies and similarities
between the Indian Cultural Heritage and Ancient Greek philosophy. Our aim
consists in finding ideas for the interpretation of texts belonging to the two cultural …
between the Indian Cultural Heritage and Ancient Greek philosophy. Our aim
consists in finding ideas for the interpretation of texts belonging to the two cultural …
The Inner Light: How India Influenced the Beatles
S Shumsky - 2022
The hidden meanings of the Beatles’ most esoteric lyrics and sounds are revealed
by a rare insider who spent two decades with the man who made “meditation,”“mantra,”
and “yoga” household words: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The spiritual journey of the …
by a rare insider who spent two decades with the man who made “meditation,”“mantra,”
and “yoga” household words: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The spiritual journey of the …
Written in Stone: Political Geologies of Small-Town India
T Crowley - Urban Development and Environmental History in …
This chapter analyzes the way that geological formations and topological contours
have helped shape—while also being shaped by—processes of memory-making
and practices of commemoration in urban India. The chapter’s entry point into this …
have helped shape—while also being shaped by—processes of memory-making
and practices of commemoration in urban India. The chapter’s entry point into this …
India and me: Education for critical consciousness in India
L Kadiwal, L Singha, S Kamble, K Dandare - Education in Troubled Times: A global …, 2022
… The issue is described euphemistically as the ‘saffronization of education’after the
saffron colour championed by the Hindutva supporters, and refers to the
promulgation of the BJP-Hindutva religious-nationalist-ideology through education …
saffron colour championed by the Hindutva supporters, and refers to the
promulgation of the BJP-Hindutva religious-nationalist-ideology through education …
Bagh, Barsati, Bad Character: women and mobility narratives of neoliberal Delhi
S Ray - Gender, Place & Culture, 2022
… Hindutva and liberalization. I conclude by locating a hopeful feminist
counternarrative in Shaheen Bagh against the prevalent discourse of marketized
Hindutva … The rise of Hindutva overlaps with patriarchal anxiety in controlling and …
counternarrative in Shaheen Bagh against the prevalent discourse of marketized
Hindutva … The rise of Hindutva overlaps with patriarchal anxiety in controlling and …
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