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Articles from santosh krinsky | Selfgrowth.com
- Addressing the Experience of the Dark Night of the Soul - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2021 from santosh krinskyThere are periods in the life of virtually every spiritual seeker or religious practitioner when the active experience seems to withdraw and the individual is thrown back into a world and a life that seems empty, meaningless, dark and obscure, and the presence of the Divine is not felt any ...
Views: 640 - Understanding and Addressing Resistance in the Lower Being to the Descent of the Divine Force - by Submitted on Sep 28, 2021 from santosh krinskyThere is a physical sensation that often accompanies the descent of the higher Force into the being. Some people relate this as a type of pressure in the head. Some experience headaches initially. Some find their being shaking to some degree as the nervous system absorbs and distributes the ...
Views: 574 - The Experience of the Descent of the Higher Consciousness Into the Mind, Life and Body - by Submitted on Sep 27, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe traditional paths of yoga have as a defining experience the rising of the energy from the lower chakras to the higher centres. Western psychology proposes that the creative force, that leads to art, as well as intellectual achievement comes through a process that is called ‘sublimation’ of ...
Views: 473 - Effects of the Descent of the Higher Consciousness Into the Body - by Submitted on Sep 27, 2021 from santosh krinskyWe observe the effects of training and conditioning the body to reach its peak of efficiency and perfection in action. The mind, the vital ambition, both play into the ability to bring the body to a state where it can undertake to achieve things that most people cannot even imagine. Recently in ...
Views: 690 - The Kundalini, the Tantra and the Integral Yoga - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe opening and activation of the subtle energy centres described in the Tantras and known generally as Kundalini Yoga, differs from the practices of integral Yoga as to process, but not necessarily as to the end result. In both cases, the subtle centres, or chakras, are opened and energy is ...
Views: 593 - The Need for the Descent of Peace Into the Being - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2021 from santosh krinskyWe see in tales of various spiritual paths of the past, and present, that even a slight opening to the divine Power, Knowledge or Ananda can lead to severe disruptions in the individual being. There are stories of people dancing with ecstasy when they cannot hold the force coming down, as well ...
Views: 586 - The Yoga-Shakti Active in the Integral Yoga - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2021 from santosh krinskyFor the majority of individuals who live on the surface of their being, the energy they experience, the thoughts, emotions, feelings, perceptions are simply the working of the machinery, with no understanding about the process or source of this energetic action in their lives. For those who have ...
Views: 501 - Ascent of Consciousness and the Descent of the Higher Consciousness Into Mind-Life-Body - by Submitted on Sep 22, 2021 from santosh krinskySpiritual practices that focus on liberation from the nature attempt to achieve that liberation through abandonment of the external life and a one-pointed concentration on the spiritual consciousness. The integral Yoga has an additional goal of bringing the higher spiritual forces and knowledge, ...
Views: 565 - The Experience of the New Higher and Wider Consciousness - by Submitted on Sep 22, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe experience and descent of a higher consciousness is not a matter of philosophical argument but one of psycho-physical effects seen and noted by the individual, as well as palpable impacts in the basis of knowledge, action and implementation in the outer world. The seeker actually can feel ...
Views: 509 - The Need for the Guidance of the Guru - by Submitted on Sep 20, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe snares of the desire-soul of the vital nature are often subtle and can easily overpower the mind. Thus, motivations that represent the gratification of the ego are frequently justified by the mental processes and thus, can continue even when the seeker believes that he is carrying out the ...
Views: 531 - Two Processes of Traditional Yogic Paths That Can Aid the Sadhana of the Integral Yoga - by Submitted on Sep 19, 2021 from santosh krinskyWhile the integral Yoga does not depend on the techniques or methods of the traditional yogic paths, Sri Aurobindo has identified several processes that can be of great help in some cases. They help the seeker achieve a state of separation from the outer ego-personality and vital desire-soul, to ...
Views: 498 - The Two Most Important Actions for Practice of the Integral Yoga - by Submitted on Sep 18, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe integral Yoga does not depend, as many yogic paths do, on physical asanas or breathing techniques, nor on chanting of mantras, nor singing and dancing in ecstatic states of trance, nor deep philosophical inquiry or strict mental techniques. Nor does it depend on austerity or any kind of ...
Views: 500 - The Action of the Divine Force As It Descends Into the Being - by Submitted on Sep 17, 2021 from santosh krinskyIn the classic methods known as Kundalini Yoga, and more generally in traditional yogic practices that seek to open and energize the subtle energy centers, or chakras, the experience is described as one of the energy starting at the lower chakra center, the Muladhara, and then rising up until it ...
Views: 533 - The Static and Dynamic Aspects of the Higher Spiritual Self - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2021 from santosh krinskyWhen the seeker initially passes the limits imposed by the body-life-mind complex and the ego personality, the experience can be one that is totally disorienting, raising fear and a shrinking back within the limits of the outer being. This is the experience of the boundary where the ego must ...
Views: 575 - The Divine Consciousness - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe Divine Consciousness encompasses both a vast peace which can fill the being and bring the seeker to a realisation that all the external life details, about which so much worry and fretting take place, are relatively inconsequential in the larger scheme of things. When the peace descends, the ...
Views: 564 - The Emergence of the True Soul and Its Influence on Our Lives - by Submitted on Sep 14, 2021 from santosh krinskyWhen they were asked how they develop their most inspired concepts or inventions, noted personalities such as Albert Einstein and Nikola Tesla made it clear that it is not through some laborious process of thought, but through an inspiration, a vision, a process of understanding that is outside ...
Views: 540 - The Surface Personality Is Not the Real Self of Our Existence - by Submitted on Sep 13, 2021 from santosh krinskyDevelopment in our world of existence takes place in a sequential manner, systematically developing the physical framework, the body, and then manifesting the vital, life-force and developing its powers, adding in thereafter the mental layer and subsequently, we see the signs that further stages ...
Views: 531 - The Process of Attaining Peace, Silence, Knowledge and Other Powers of the Realisation - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2021 from santosh krinskyWe like to think that we succeed through strenuous effort. Our ego-personality and vital nature thrive on the idea that we are the masters of our own fate, through dint of the efforts we make. We tend to picture ourselves as originating the ideas and drives that move us into action. We believe ...
Views: 545 - What Does Sri Aurobindo Mean by Transformation of the Nature? - by Submitted on Sep 11, 2021 from santosh krinskyIn setting forth a goal of transformation of the nature through the advent of the spiritual consciousness and the supramental level, Sri Aurobindo goes beyond the goals of other traditional spiritual paths which have ‘liberation’ as the goal. He describes the impact of each new manifestation of ...
Views: 548 - Distinguishing the Psychic Transformation from the Spiritual Transformation - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2021 from santosh krinskySpiritual experience and progress can be confusing. In many cases the seeker is misled or misunderstands what is actually taking place, and the significance of it. Spiritual paths generally recommend the seeker find an experienced guide, or Guru, among other reasons, to help mitigate confusion ...
Views: 596 - The Transition to the Soul’s Guidance of Mind, Life and Body - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2021 from santosh krinskyWith the development of the mental being in evolution, we can observe the central leadership role that the mind plays in dealing with the vital and physical levels of our existence. The mental being, however, is limited by its strict framework and sequential process, and thus, is something like ...
Views: 502 - The Emergence of the Psychic Being, the True Soul - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2021 from santosh krinskyEach new evolutionary stage of consciousness takes place within the framework of the previously evolved stages and over a course of time as adaptation of that framework must occur to ‘prepare the ground’ for the new action of consciousness. For example, physical matter, rock, ocean, volcanic ...
Views: 585 - Conditions for Emergence of the Psychic Being - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2021 from santosh krinskyMost people associate yoga with a series of physical exercises and breathing routines. Yoga, however, is more than such physical activities, although they can help to regulate energy flow and enhance stability and provide benefits to the body, life energy and mind. Sri Aurobindo has more broadly ...
Views: 574 - Understanding and Overcoming Obstacles That Obstruct the Psychic Opening - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2021 from santosh krinskyIf human nature can be changed, it has to be at the place where motives and impulsions affect the understanding and the action. The sadhana thus entails a review of the wellsprings of thought and action, and a refusal of the drives and motives of the desire soul of the vital nature. Many times ...
Views: 540 - The Necessity of the Psychic Transformation - by Submitted on Sep 05, 2021 from santosh krinskySri Aurobindo emphasizes the need for the psychic transformation, which is the coming forward of the soul or psychic being in man to provide the central focus, and overcome the promptings of the ego-consciousness as it normally acts in the mind, life and body. Spiritual experiences, on their ...
Views: 549 - The Elements of the Psychic Transformation - by Submitted on Sep 05, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe first of the three major transformations of consciousness that Sri Aurobindo describes as required to actually effect the needed change in human nature, is the psychic transformation. With this transformation, the soul comes forward, takes control of the mind, life and body and turns them ...
Views: 592 - The Importance of the Psychic Transformation - by Submitted on Sep 05, 2021 from santosh krinskyAs the seeker traverses the unknown realms of the inner being, the various worlds of the physical, vital and mental planes and the spiritual heights and widenesses, he is confronted with many circumstances, events, beings, and actions which he simply does not have any reference point to ...
Views: 585 - What Is Transformation of the Nature? - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2021 from santosh krinskySri Aurobindo describes a goal for humanity which involves a change of consciousness and the transformation of human nature. There is considerable debate about whether it is possible to change human nature, or whether we are doomed to be stuck in our animal nature for all times. Sri Aurobindo ...
Views: 702 - The Attempt to Change Human Nature at All Levels of the Being - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2021 from santosh krinskyIt is a well-known occurrence. We have a wonderful experience in meditation and come back filled with light, a feeling of joy or bliss, an open heart and a sense of realisation. Then we go out to act in the world and all the old impulses arise, the feelings of desire, the drive of control, ...
Views: 627 - Avoiding Dangers of Opening to the Vital Planes - by Submitted on Aug 31, 2021 from santosh krinskyWhen the protective walls of the surface being give way as the seeker enters the inner planes, access to the vital planes may occur, with all of the beings, powers and forces at work there having suddenly direct interchange with the seeker. Sometimes these forces are intimidating, sometimes, ...
Views: 682 - The Necessity of Transformation of Human Nature - by Submitted on Aug 31, 2021 from santosh krinskyFor most of human existence, there has been a deep divergence between those who seek spiritual development and those who are focused on the material life in the world. In The Life Divine, Sri Aurobindo describes the two paths as ‘the refusal of the ascetic’ and ‘the materialist denial’. It would ...
Views: 561 - Out of Body Experiences - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2021 from santosh krinskyMost people, embedded in the physical body and its consciousness, find it difficult, if not impossible, to accept or validate the reality of the out of body experience. At the same time, there are countless anecdotes of people who have an out of body experience, or the related ‘near death ...
Views: 590 - Understanding and Avoiding the Lures and Dangers of the Vital Worlds - by Submitted on Aug 28, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe importance of preparation of the nature for the spiritual quest, the development of a solid and unshakable aspiration and devotion, and growth of both an understanding and the ability to distinguish what one is seeing and experiencing, cannot be overstated. As the seeker moves into the inner ...
Views: 612 - The Need to Maintain Balance Between Waking, Dream and Sleep Consciousness - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe operation of the Gunas of nature, Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas is noticeable in the spiritual quest as in everything else. The result is that when something new or exciting occurs, it tends to provoke the rising of Rajas and an attempt to grasp and enhance the ego-gratification of the event. ...
Views: 539 - Exploring the Nature of the Dream State - by Submitted on Aug 26, 2021 from santosh krinskyDreams have kept researchers awake for the entire history of mankind. Where do dreams come from? Of what substance are they made? What significance do they have? The ancient Greek culture had oracles who interpreted dreams. The Old Testament of the Bible recounts the rise of Joseph in the land ...
Views: 567 - Waking and Sleep, Day and Night - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2021 from santosh krinskyDuring daytime, we see the sun, the atmosphere and the world around us, and our thoughts and activities, for the most part, are focused on the life of the world. At night, we see the vast ranges of space and the myriad of stars, and can thereby recognise that our world is a small part of a much ...
Views: 523 - Issues in Understanding the Mechanism of Sleep and Dreams - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2021 from santosh krinskyWe spend a large percentage of our lives in the realm of sleep, and the dreams that accompany the sleep state. We have very little actual knowledge of what takes place during our period of sleep, although scientists do extensive studies on the electrical activity in the brain during sleep and ...
Views: 530 - Understanding the Various Causes of Visions of Deities, Saints and Sages - by Submitted on Aug 23, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe transcription of inner events and experiences into our mental framework will generally utilize symbols, images and personalities which fit into our background, education, and experience, so as to build a link and acceptance through use of familiar images. We frequently find recounted the ...
Views: 659 - How to Gain an Understanding of the Meaning of Inner Perceptions - by Submitted on Aug 22, 2021 from santosh krinskyAs the seeker begins to enter and experience the inner and higher realms of consciousness, he comes into contact with beings, forces, planes and worlds that transcribe experiences into his awareness, yet do not generally function under the same methods and laws that are operative in the normal ...
Views: 670 - Lights and Sounds Can Indicate Opening to Inner or Subtler Planes of Existence - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2021 from santosh krinskyEverything that exists in the universe has an energy signature or frequency which is manifested by light, colour and sound, whether perceived by our limited sense capabilities or outside their range. As the seeker begins to shift awareness inwards, he is no longer totally reliant on the external ...
Views: 612 - Distinguishing Various Types of Symbolic Visions - by Submitted on Aug 20, 2021 from santosh krinskyAs the seeker interacts more with the inner levels of consciousness, there are often various types of visions and symbols which are perceived. These visions, however, are not all from the same source, and do not all carry the same weight or significance. It is another element of the research and ...
Views: 612 - Developing the Power of Supraphysical Sight - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2021 from santosh krinskyIf we accept the idea that supraphysical sight is a latent power of humanity, and not some kind of illusion or otherwise some miraculous special power, then we can seek to understand the conditions under which this power manifests, and show, first, that it is something that is reproducible and ...
Views: 677 - The Development and Use of Occult Powers and the Spiritual Quest - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe lure of occult powers represents one of the temptations to be faced by the spiritual seeker who begins to access the inner and higher realms of consciousness. These powers may be developed through systematic efforts, following the protocols and laws of action under which these powers exist. ...
Views: 653 - The Source and Significance of Visions - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2021 from santosh krinskySeeking visions has been a part of what has been called a “spiritual journey” by countless individuals around the world throughout history and in all religious and spiritual traditions. The “vision quest” is a well known and accepted activity among seekers. Christian mystics, for instance, chose ...
Views: 583 - Supraphysical Sensory Experience: Latent Powers, Not Miracles or Delusions - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2021 from santosh krinskyIt is human nature to want to be able to explain away events, circumstances or experiences that are not understood. For much of human existence, the rising and setting of the sun and moon, the existence of the stars, the power of the oceans, the wind or the storms were described as actions of ...
Views: 643 - Occult Powers and the Secret Knowledge - by Submitted on Aug 15, 2021 from santosh krinskyThere are many who seek after various powers, and study occultism and mysticism with the purpose of achieving unique ‘super powers’. Traditional practices of yoga, while acknowledging that certain powers may result from the practices, make it clear that they are not the object and, indeed, ...
Views: 595 - Spirituality and Occultism - by Submitted on Aug 15, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe lure of occult powers and experiences can be a considerable obstacle for the spiritual seeker who becomes enmeshed in the idea of developing these capacities. There is a reason why traditional paths of spiritual development eschew the use of the occult powers that arise naturally as one goes ...
Views: 651 - Objective and Subjective Knowledge - by Submitted on Aug 13, 2021 from santosh krinskyWe see something with our eyes or hear something with our ears and we believe that we know that it is an external reality, which we all perceive and can agree upon. We put in a separate category those things that we perceive through forms of knowing that do not depend on sense perception, and ...
Views: 614 - The Intermediate Zone in the Development of Consciousness - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2021 from santosh krinskySri Aurobindo distinguishes between what he terms the ‘intermediate zone’ and a number of intermediate stages in the development of consciousness. The distinction is important. The intermediate zone is a transitional phase as the normal human mind-life-body begins to experience the influx of ...
Views: 578 - Preparing the Being for the Spiritual Quest - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2021 from santosh krinskyThe vital nature of the human being craves the type of excitement that comes with extraordinary experiences. True spiritual progress, however, requires that a balance be maintained between what the human instrument can hold effectively, and how much Force is brought to bear from the higher ...
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