Integral Yoga - An Outline of Major Aims Processes, Methods and Results - Preface

Preface

Yoga is the methodized effort towards self-perfection by the expression of the potentialities latent in the being and a union of the human individual with the universal and transcendent Existence we see partially expressed in man and in the cosmos. An important question regarding Integral Yoga is as to what are its specific methods that distinguish it from the other systems of yoga.

In history of yoga, you find the first synthesis of yoga in the Veda, which was followed by the synthesis in the Upanishads; the third synthesis is to be found in the Gita and the fourth synthesis is to be found in the Tantric Yoga. The Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother is a new synthesis, and a question is often asked as to what is new in this synthesis. This book aims at answering these questions, and it can be regarded as an introduction to the original works of Sri Aurobindo on yoga and to the Mother's books on the same subject.

It is being increasingly acknowledged that Sri Aurobindo's concept of Supermind and of the descent of Supermind in matter is momentously relevant to the problems that humanity is facing today. All of us who are keen to contribute our best to the advancement of humanity towards its next step of progress need to study the theme of Integral Yoga, — its aims, processes, methods and results, so that we may be able to link ourselves with this yoga and prepare ourselves for the journey ahead. It is hoped that this book will provide some

useful material to seekers of the highest modes of action and who wish to clarify to themselves and reflect at deeper and deeper levels on Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.

Kireet Joshi