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The Physical Consciousness and the Method of Effectuating Change in It · Sri Aurobindo Studies

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  The integral Yoga operates on the principle of the Force
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  descending from above and working through the mind, the
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  emotions, the vital, and finally into the physical nature.
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  While some action may take place in the sadhna out of a specific
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  order, this is the general case, as the issue of addressing and
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  definitively changing the embedded habits and
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  predilections of the physical nature naturally is easier if
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  the mind, the heart and the vital nature are all Co
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  operating in the process. It thus frequently occurs that
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  the seeker is encouraged and uplifted by experiences of
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  peace, clarity, wideness, spiritual insights and
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  experiences, devotion, consecration, et cetera, as the
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  Force opens the higher levels. It is thus something of a shock
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  when these things seemingly disappear and the physical
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  nature comes to the forefront. One suddenly appears to lose the
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  direct connection to the higher aspiration and the working of
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  the force and faces a period which can be somewhat lengthy.
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  When everything becomes a chore, when 1 feels like nothing is
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  moving, when the seeker experiences waking, eating,
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  working, sleeping with nothing to inspire or uplift him, the
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  connection withdraws, and many have described such experiences
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  as a dark night of the soul, or they cry out with soulful lament
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  about the withdrawal of the Divine Beloved from immediate
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  presence. It is important for the seeker
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  to remember that this is a phase or stage that actually implies
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  substantial progress has occurred.
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  The physical nature is only taken up as a focus once
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  preparation has occurred in the mind and the vital.
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  The withdrawal is only apparent, not real.
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  The Divine force continues to work even though the seeker only
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  can see the full presence of the physical nature for the time
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  being. Eventually, when enough has been
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  prepared, the seeker will see a return of the palpable
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  connection to the spiritual force and a progress at the
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  level of the physical consciousness will have been
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  made. This implies the seeker must
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  continue to have confidence in the divine, patience for the
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  time it takes, and peace as the process works itself out.
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  To the extent possible, he should continue to focus on the
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  aspiration and receptivity, even if it seems like it is not
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  having any effect. No effort is without effect,
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  Srioro Bindo writes quote. It is the most physical
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  consciousness of which you have become aware.
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  It is like that in almost everyone.
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  When one gets fully or exclusively into it, one feels
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  it to be like that of an animal, either obscure and restless or
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  inert and stupid, and in either condition not open to the
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  divine. It is only by bringing the Force
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  and higher consciousness into it that it can fundamentally alter.
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  When these things show themselves, do not be upset by
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  their emergence, but understand that they are there to be
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  changed. Here as elsewhere, quiet is the
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  first thing needed to keep the consciousness quiet, not allow
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  it to get agitated and in turmoil, then in the quiet to
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  call for the Force to clear up all this obscurity and change
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  it. End Quote Reference Srioro Bindo
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  Bases of yoga, Chapter 5. Physical consciousness,
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  subconscious sleep and dream illness.
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  Page 84.