The Essential Aurobindo: Writings of Sri Aurobindo

by Sri Aurobindo, Robert A. McDermott (Editor)

"The coming of a spiritual age must be preceded by the appearance of an increasing number of individuals who are no longer satisfied with the normal intellectual, vital, and physical existence of man, but perceive that a greater evolution is the real goal of humanity and attempt to effect it in themselves, to lead others to it, and to make it the recognized goal of the race. In proportion as they succeed, and to the degree to which they carry this evolution, the yet unrealized potentiality which they represent will become the actual possibility of the future."
― Sri Aurobindo, The Human Cycle Sri Aurobindo stands out as one of the deepest and most profoundly relevant of contemporary Asian spiritual masters speaking to the West. His vision transcends the distinctive strengths and weaknesses of India and the West, and his discipline brings the yogas of the Gita to the task of world transformation. His collaborator, The Mother, offers a blueprint for the utopian community Auroville, giving sage advice on the ideal of a spiritually based approach to education. Robert McDermott's afterword in this revised edition recounts the increased significance of Aurobindo's message in the West―especially for America―since the book was first published in 1973. Here is an invaluable resource for understanding the underlying connections and common ground between Eastern and Western teachings and traditions for modern thinkers and spiritual seekers.

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1988

About the author

Sri Aurobindo (Bengali: শ্রী অরবিন্দ Sri Ôrobindo) was an Indian nationalist and freedom fighter, major Indian English poet, philosopher, and yogi. He joined the movement for India's freedom from British rule and for a duration (1905–10), became one of its most important leaders, before turning to developing his own vision and philosophy of human progress and spiritual evolution.

The central theme of Sri Aurobindo's vision is the evolution of life into a "life divine". In his own words: "Man is a transitional being. He is not final. The step from man to superman is the next approaching achievement in the earth evolution. It is inevitable because it is at once the intention of the inner spirit and the logic of Nature's process."

The principal writings of Sri Aurobindo include, in prose, The Life Divine, considered his single great work of metaphysics,The Synthesis of Yoga, Secrets of the Vedas, Essays on the Gita, The Human Cycle, The Ideal of Human Unity, Renaissance in India and other essays, Supramental Manifestation upon Earth, The Future Poetry, Thoughts and Aphorisms and several volumes of letters. In poetry, his principal work is Savitri: a Legend and a Symbol in blank verse.

Reviews

[Linda Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading this book. Sri Aurobindo was a very intelligent man and I think ahead of his times.

[Nick Mather]

Since the school I attend (California Institute of Integral Studies) was deeply influenced by the thought of Sri Aurobindo I thought I should actually take the time to actually read some of Aurobindo's writings. I began with this collection, edited by Robert McDermott who is the chair of the Philosophy, Cosmology and Consciousness program at CIIS.



I'm actually more impressed with Aurobindo than I thought I would be. His ideas come across like a synthesis of Nietzsche and Teillhard de Chardin. McDermott presents Aurobindo's writings in three sections; Man in Evolution, Integral Yoga and Toward a Spiritual Age. While Aurobindo's writing can be a bit tedious at times, the ideas presented demand reflection. I'll definitely be checking out more of his writings in the coming months.