A practical guide to integral yoga

A practical guide to integral yoga

November 2017

Developed by the spiritual masters Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, Integral Yoga aspires to transform all  the aspects of human existence, so that a new being can evolve. This evolution will eventually lead to a complete unfolding and the manifestation of the Divine on earth. The purpose of human life is to become aware of this Divine plan and actively participate in it.

Many scholars have come up with detailed and interesting commentaries, reflections and critiques on the work of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother over the last 80 years. However, Arul Dev’s book Into Great Depth Of Your Being is unique in making the practice of Integral Yoga accessible to the reader. The author has accomplished this by sharing several simple and practical exercises and techniques that can help one in understanding and working through the different layers of the self.

Into Great Depth Of Your Being is divided into nine chapters which focus on the four layers of the self in detail ^_ physical body, life energy (sensory enjoyment, dynamic energy and emotional care), mind (objective mind, idea force and pure mind), and the deeper self. Each chapter enables us to get in touch with a particular part of our self, understand its strengths and limitations and work on it in a manner so that it evolves and realises its true and perfect potential.

Further, the author also helps us understand the way in which different parts of our being influence each other, and how  we can  utilise this connection to grow holistically and integrally. As we undertake this journey, we realise that all aspects of our self including the cells in the body, the baser instincts, stubborn habits, the chaotic thought patterns and the fragile sense of self can be perfected and transmuted so that it radiates divinity.

The author of the book, Arul Dev is an engineer who went on to become a spiritual aspirant and practitioner. The book has been published by Auro Publications, a division of Sri Aurobindo Society. This is a wonderful aid to anyone who wishes to understand his self deeply and work on it with the aim of achieving transformation in all aspects.

- Pulkit Sharma