Volume VI, Issue 11-12
Author: Beloo Mehra
Sri Aurobindo has brought a new dynamism and has revealed new dimensions to the timeless spiritual vision and thought given by our ancient sages and seers. His emphasis that the ideals of the past is an indication of the greater ideals of the future is an important reminder for all children of Mother India who aspire to work toward a new resurgent Bharat, a more self-aware nation, proud of its ancient heritage, grounded in its cultural roots, and reaching high toward a greater future.
But Sri Aurobindo’s futuristic vision is not confined to India. His concern is for the entire humanity, in fact for the future of the earth-consciousness itself. And that is why in his writings, just as in his Yoga, we find his rishi-drishti perceiving clearly the new directions that are yet to unfold. But this vision is not a mere utopian dream; it is the record of a seer who has not merely realised the Divine but who has brought down a new consciousness which is ushering a new age for humanity and the earth.
To make this new age a living reality, Sri Aurobindo has also given the humanity a new ideal to pursue — to harmonise matter and spirit, life and spirit. It is an ideal which reveals the spirit hiding in matter and seamlessly integrates the seeking of spirit with all the nitty-gritty details of outer life — individual and collective.
In the past few issues we have been exploring various facets of this New Ideal. We continue this in the current issue through an eclectic mix of offerings.
Ongoing Series
In the month of October 2025, we started serialising a long essay by Jugal Kishore Mukherji, titled Science and Spirituality: An Unnecessary Antimony and a Harmonious Reconciliation. In part 1, the author pointed out that it is not so much spirituality and Yoga as the accredited credal religions that historically clashed with the spirit and findings of Science. He also briefly discusses the difference between spirituality and religion.
In Part 2 featured in the current issue, the author describes an integral, all-embracing dynamic spiritual vision which does not make a formidable division between Spirit and Matter.
Master Idea of India – Video Presentation
We bring a specially curated video by Dr. Suhas Mehra, which brings to life two key passages from Sri Aurobindo’s writings on Indian culture and civilisational history. Here Sri Aurobindo speaks of the master idea that has governed the life, culture and social ideals of Indian people over the millennia. This is the ideal of man’s seeking for his true spiritual self and the whole life as a frame and means for that discovery.
Sri Aurobindo reminds us that to whatever extent possible ancient India tried to integrate the highest aim of life, namely, spiritual fulfilment of man, with various aspects of life such as art, literature, religion, intellectual pursuit, etc. But the difficulty of making the outer social life an expression of man’s true self and some highest realisation of the spirit within him is immensely greater — a work, Sri Aurobindo says, to be taken up by a future India. This is the work for New India, the new Bharat that is rising!
Two Reflections by New Authors
Man is a transitional being, says Sri Aurobindo. Read a thoughtful reflection titled Human Software 2.0 by Shraddhanjali Nayak on the next inevitable step in the evolution, the coming of a new species.
If all life is indeed Yoga, how do we engage with seemingly ordinary situations and circumstances in which we find ourselves?They appear ordinary on the surface but when seen with the right inner attitude, they can be great lessons along the path of our inner journeys. In The Stillness Between Two Hearts, Venkat Manthripragada touches upon something very pertinent to our daily lives — challenges in human relationships. Read how a chance meeting with a stranger becomes an opportunity to reflect on life, becoming conscious of one’s inner movements, stilling the mind, being present for others, the power of compassionate listening and more.
Book Review
Sri Aurobindo once said that one of the most important reasons for the decline of Indian civilisation and culture was the loss of free intellectual activity. Today we surely see many signs of a cultural resurgence and an intellectual awakening. We hear several voices that are culturally rooted, indigenous and present a forward-looking view of understanding India’s past, present and future.
Such voices are resonating with open-minded and curious learners and citizens, thus broadening the circle of influence. But much more work is needed for an all-encompassing and wide-ranging renewal and renaissance of Indian society if we are to rise up to Sri Aurobindo’s vision of a new India. All children of Mother India must play their part in this awakening.
In April 2022, Sri Aurobindo Society released a book titled Understanding Contemporary India in the Light of Sri Aurobindo authored by Dr. Beloo Mehra. The book emphasises the need to think independently and deeply on various social-cultural phenomena and topics in the light of Sri Aurobindo’s vision and thought. In the current issue, we present a review of that book by Dr. Charan Singh Kedarkhandi.
Divine Humour
There is a common mis-perception among many that Sri Aurobindo was an extremely grave and serious person. But going through the voluminous correspondence of the Master with Nirodbaran, Dilip Kumar Roy and several other disciples, we find a deeply endearing human and humourous side of the great Mahayogi.
Even when it came to a serious topic such as the conflict between science and religion, Sri Aurobindo could use his charming wit and satire to make a profound point in response to a sceptic’s observation. Narendra Murty brings us a taste of the Divine Humour in his contribution titled Sri Aurobindo’s Response to a Sceptic.
New Video in Children’s Corner
Watch a short video featuring a tale on Cheerfulness from the Mother’s book Tales of All Times. Biswajita Mohapatra has curated the video, and Shruti Ramteke has done the story narration.
We hope our readers will enjoy going through the various offerings in this issue. As always, we offer this work at the lotus feet of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
In gratitude,
Beloo Mehra (for Renaissance Editorial Team)
~ Web Design: Beloo Mehra
