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The Higher Nature and the Lower Nature Seen From the Divine Standpoint and the Human Standpoint · Sri Aurobindo Studies

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  Evolution of forms is the machinery for the manifestation
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  of the universe. Evolution of consciousness
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  provides the significance and inner direction.
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  Similarly, we can look at the lower nature of Para Prakruti as
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  the mechanism and Para prakruti the higher nature as the cause
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  and conscious creator and upholder of the mechanism.
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  We find it difficult to hold multiple standpoints at the same
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  time. This is a limitation of the
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  mental consciousness, which is linear in nature and attempts to
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  reduce everything to either or rather than see the different
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  standpoints, aspects and parts and their interrelationship and
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  interaction. A simple example is the
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  phenomenon of light. We see light as a unified whole,
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  but if we pass it through a prism, different wavelengths get
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  refracted out and we then see a range of colors representing
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  those varying wavelengths. The light is 1, but it can be
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  also divided into segments and appear as many from one
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  standpoint. It is seen as one from another
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  as an amalgamation of many. Both observations can be
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  validated from their respective standpoints without conflict
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  between the views. From the divine standpoint, the
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  consciousness is 1 and the entire creation is 1.
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  For purposes of the manifestation, the Oneness is
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  refracted into multiple formations.
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  In the higher nature this is represented by multiple
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  individual formations of the one consciousness, the individual G
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  Vatman. In the lower nature this is
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  represented by multiple external forms and the consciousness that
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  informs them all, that is, all creatures that together make up
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  the manifested creation. For those who experience their
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  lives from the ego standpoint, it looks like everything is
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  fragmented, separate and distinct, when in reality it is
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  still one, both in consciousness and in forms simply
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  distinguished for purposes of the manifestation.
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  Sri Aurogindo observes quote the lower nature, a Para Prakriti,
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  is this external, objective and superficial, subjective,
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  apparent nature which manifests all these minds, lives and
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  bodies. The Supreme Nature, Para
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  Prakriti, concealed behind it is the very nature of the Divine, a
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  supreme consciousness force which manifests the multiple
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  Divine as the many. These many are in themselves
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  eternal selves of the Supreme in His Supreme Nature, Para
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  Prakriti. Here, in relation to this world,
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  they appear as the Jivatmas supporting the evolution of the
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  natural existences. Sarva Bhutani in the mutable
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  becoming which is the life of the Kshara, Mobile or mutable
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  Purusha, the Jiva or Jivatma and the creatures Sarva Bhutani are
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  not the same thing. The jivatmas really stand above
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  the creation even though concerned in it the natural
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  existences. Sarva Bhutani are the creatures
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  of nature. Man, bird, beast, reptile are
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  natural existences, but the individual self in them is not
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  even for a moment characteristically man, bird,
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  beast or reptile in its evolution it's the same through
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  all these changes, a spiritual being that consents to the play
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  of nature and quote reference Srio robindo and the mother, the
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  psychic being soul, its nature, mission and evolution Section 1
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  meaning and nature of the psychic being, pages 15 to 16.