This paper was presented at the
National Seminar on
Indian Psychology: Theories and Models
SVYASA, Bangalore,
December 26 - 28, 2007
 

Human relationships in Yoga: Sri Aurobindo’s perspective

K.Victor Babu — Andhra University, Visakhaptnam

The ideal of any type of yoga is that all should be centred in and around the Divine and the life of the sadhakas must be founded on that firm foundation; their personal relations also should have the Divine for their centre. Sri Aurobindo aimed that all relations should pass from the vital to the spiritual basis with the vital only as a form and instrument of the spiritual — this means that, from whatever relations people have with each other, all jealousy, strife, hatred, aversion and other evil vital feelings should be abandoned, for they cannot be part of the spiritual life.

The Integral Yoga also suggests that by performing yoga the vital evil emotions will be quieted down and the vital will receive from the self above its quiet good-will and equality to all things and from the psychic its general kindness or love. This will come, but it may take time to come. If we practice yoga persistently, slowly we will not dwell much on the defects of others but learn to keep always quiet and peace in out attitude.

This paper presents the views of Sri Aurobindo on human relations such as friendship, love, affection, family ties, relations between men and women and harmony with others.

Email the author, Mr. K.Victor Babu, at vicky_philosophy@yahoo.co.in