The Ascent of Sight in Sri Aurobindo's Savitri

2. Hemispheres of Existence:

Our total being has a higher and a lower hemisphere of functioning, the aparārdha and the aparārdha of the ancient mystic Wisdom. There is a separation between these two hemispheres, very much acute in practice although unreal in essence.

In reality, the origin, the continent, the initial and the ultimate truth of all that exists anywhere in the universe is the triune principle of Sachchidananda: it is a transcendent

Page 68

and infinite and absolute Existence-Consciousness-Bliss which is the very nature of the divine Being.

Thus Sachchidananda is the One with a triple aspect functioning differently in three statuses.

In the Supreme the three are not three but one. Existence, Consciousness and Bliss are there not only inseparable but so much each other that they are not distinct at all.

In the superior planes of manifestation in the higher hemisphere they become triune; that is to say, although they remain inseparable, one aspect can make itself more prominent and base or lead the others.

In the lower planes below in the lower hemisphere, they become separable and even separate in appearance, though not in their secret reality.

The Sachchidananda can be experienced in either of its two aspects, static and dynamic. But "the full dynamic truth of Sachchidananda and the universe and its consequence cannot be grasped by any other consciousness than the supermind..." {Letters on Yoga, p. 241)

Sachchidananda contains all in a passive transcendent consciousness but becomes, sustains and governs everything by an active constituting consciousness.

The higher hemisphere is the realm of the Spirit's perfect and eternal reign. There it manifests its infinities, the unconcealed glories of its illimitable existence (Sat), its illimitable consciousness and knowledge (Chit), its illimitable force and power (Shakti) and its illimitable beatitude (Ananda).

The creative action of Sachchidananda, of the Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute, has its centre in a fourth medial principle called Supermind (Mahas or Vijnana).

Page 69

Thus supermind is between the Sachchidananda and the lower creation. It alone contains the self-determining Truth of the Divine Consciousness and is necessary for a truth-creation.

Supermind is Sachchidananda "... power of self-awareness and world-awareness, the world being known as within itself and not outside. [It is] the Truth-Consciousness whether above or in the universe by which the Divine knows not only his own essence and being but his manifestation also. Its fundamental character is knowledge by identity, by that the Self is known, the Divine Sachchidananda is known, but also the truth of manifestation is known, because this too is That..." (Letters on Yoga, pp. 242-43)

Thus the supermind is the divine Gnosis which creates, governs and upholds the worlds. And it is the supramental power that can transform mind, life and body - not the Sachchidananda consciousness which supports impartially everything.

Mind, Life and Matter which constitute the lower hemisphere of existence are a triple aspect of the higher principles of the upper hemisphere but working here in subjection to the principle of Ignorance, and in apparent self-forgetfulness of the Divine One in his play of division and multiplicity.

The lower being begins where a veil falls between spirit in supermind and spirit in mind, life and body. (Note: this whole section "Hemispheres of Existence" is a free adaptation of various passages from Sri Aurobindo's The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga and Letters on Yoga.)

Here are just a few verses from Savitri referring to this

divine Gnosis, the Supermind:

(1)"Now Mind is all and its uncertain ray,

Mind is the leader of the body and life,

Mind the thought-driven chariot of the soul...

Mind is not all his tireless climb can reach,

There is a fire on the apex of the worlds,

There is a house of the Eternal's Light,

There is an infinite truth, an absolute power....

Ihere is a consciousness mind cannot touch,

Its speech cannot utter nor its thought reveal.

It has no home on earth, no centre in man,

Yet is the source of all things thought and done,

The fount of the creation and its works.

It is the originer of all truth here..." (704-05)

(2)"There is a world of everlasting Light,

In the realms of the immortal Supermind

Truth who hides here her head in mystery,

Her riddle deemed by reason impossible

In the stark structure of material form,

Unenigmaed lives, unmasked her face and there

Is Nature and the common law of things." (661-62)

Page 70