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SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM<br />
This Ashram has been created with another object than that ordinarily<br />
common to such institutions, not for the renunciation of the world but as a centre<br />
and a field of practice for the evolution of another kind and form of life which would<br />
in the final end be moved by a higher spiritual consciousness and embody a<br />
greater life of the spirit.<br />
Sri Aurobindo<br />
Both in its outward manifestation and inner seeking, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram<br />
is entirely different from the popular conception of an ashram. Outwardly the Ashram<br />
is engaged in a wide variety of activities, and it is difficult to perceive the inner spirit<br />
hidden behind those works which apparently are no different from similar works<br />
undertaken elsewhere. In order to comprehend the true significance of this Ashram,<br />
it is necessary to develop an understanding of Sri Aurobindo's vision.<br />
Sri Aurobindo's teaching starts from that of the ancient sages of India that<br />
behind the appearances of this universe there is the "Reality of a Being and<br />
Consciousness, a Self of all things, one and eternal". This "One Being and<br />
Consciousness", according to Sri Aurobindo, "is involved here in Matter. Evolution<br />
is the method by which it liberates itself."<br />
Evolution is possible, Sri Aurobindo argued, only because the Divine has<br />
"involved" or "hidden himself" in the material universe at the beginning of creation.<br />
The "Superconscient Spirit" has involved himself in the "inconscient Matter" which<br />
gave birth to this material world. The seemingly inconscient Matter, therefore,<br />
is nothing but the Spirit in disguise. Evolution is the gradual unfoldment of this<br />
hidden spirit. Matter, Life, Mind, are nothing but different expressions of this Spirit<br />
at the different stages of evolution: the involved Divine through his creative energy<br />
gradually emerging in ever more conscious forms. The process of evolution will<br />
complete the circle with the manifestation of this hidden spirit, the involved Divine<br />
Reality in the material world.<br />
Without this inner significance, Sri Aurobindo pointed out, the word evolution<br />
"merely states the phenomenon without explaining it". For, something cannot<br />
emerge out of nothing. How else could life evolve out of material elements or Mind<br />
out of living form if the possibility of such an emergence was not already<br />
concealed there in Matter in the form of an Omnipotent Divine Consciousness?<br />
The process of evolution, therefore, is not merely a mechanical development<br />
without any reason or aim as outwardly it may appear to be, but a gradual<br />
unfoldment or release of the hidden Divine Consciousness from Matter. Life in<br />
plant and animal is the first step of this release. Mind in man is the second. But<br />
Mind is not the highest possible power of the Divine consciousness for "mind<br />
is not in possession of Truth, but only its ignorant seeker. "The next step of<br />
evolution therefore must be towards the development of a being with a greater<br />
consciousness than mind, a consciousness supramental and spiritual.<br />
For, "only then will the involved Divinity in things release itself entirely and it<br />
become possible for life to manifest perfection."<br />
Man, in Sri Aurobindo's view, is a key to this ultimate perfection; the highest<br />
form of life upon earth he has a vital role to play in his future evolution. A conscious<br />
being, man can choose to take part in his own evolution and also accelerate the<br />
process through a methodised effort towards self-perfection, exceed his inherent<br />
limitations as a mental being and become a supramental being.<br />
Through an integral process of self-purification, it is this acceleration of the<br />
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