Savitri
A Legend and a Symbol
← Sri Aurobindo

Letters on Yoga – II

CWSA· Vol. 29· Letters

Book 1. Part One: The Path of the Integral Yoga · Section One: The Path and the Goal

  1. C. 1Seeking the Divine · The True Object of Spiritual Seeking
  2. C. 2Seeking the Divine · Motives for Seeking the Divine
  3. C. 3Seeking the Divine · Dedication to the Spiritual Life
  4. C. 4The Aim of the Integral Yoga · A Yoga of Divine Life
  5. C. 5The Aim of the Integral Yoga · A Yoga Not for Ourselves
  6. C. 6The Aim of the Integral Yoga · Not Liberation But Transformation
  7. C. 7The Aim of the Integral Yoga · Divinisation and Transformation

Book 2. Part One: The Path of the Integral Yoga · Section Two: Basic Requisites of the Path

  1. C. 1The Call and the Capacity · The Call
  2. C. 2The Call and the Capacity · Turning towards the Divine
  3. C. 3The Call and the Capacity · Spiritual Destiny
  4. C. 4The Call and the Capacity · Capacity for Yoga
  5. C. 5The Call and the Capacity · Fitness for Yoga
  6. C. 6The Call and the Capacity · Capacity of Westerners for Yoga
  7. C. 7Qualities Needed for Sadhana · Indispensable Qualities
  8. C. 8Qualities Needed for Sadhana · Conditions of the Yoga
  9. C. 9Purity · Purification of the Nature
  10. C. 10Purity · The Meaning of Purity
  11. C. 11Sincerity · The Meaning of Sincerity
  12. C. 12Sincerity · Sincerity in Sadhana
  13. C. 13Sincerity · Earnestness and Straightforwardness
  14. C. 14Aspiration · The Value of Aspiration
  15. C. 15Aspiration · The Meaning of Aspiration
  16. C. 16Aspiration · The Object of Aspiration
  17. C. 17Aspiration · No Need of Words in Aspiration
  18. C. 18Aspiration · The Necessity of Aspiration
  19. C. 19Aspiration · Intensity of Aspiration and Vital Impatience
  20. C. 20Aspiration · Aspiration and Desire
  21. C. 21Aspiration · Aspiration and Pulling
  22. C. 22Aspiration · Lack of Aspiration
  23. C. 23Aspiration · Aspiration and Conversion
  24. C. 24Rejection · Rejection of the Lower Impulses
  25. C. 25Surrender · The Meaning of Surrender
  26. C. 26Surrender · A Free Surrender
  27. C. 27Surrender · The Will to Surrender
  28. C. 28Surrender · The Inner Surrender
  29. C. 29Surrender · The Central Surrender
  30. C. 30Surrender · Complete or Absolute Surrender
  31. C. 31Surrender · The Surrender of the Vital
  32. C. 32Surrender · Surrender and the Psychic
  33. C. 33Surrender · Surrender and Bhakti
  34. C. 34Surrender · Surrender and the Brahmic Condition
  35. C. 35Surrender · Surrender and Transformation
  36. C. 36Surrender · Passive or Tamasic Surrender
  37. C. 37Surrender · Surrender and Tapasya
  38. C. 38Surrender · Surrender and Personal Effort
  39. C. 39Faith · Faith, Belief, Confidence, Trust
  40. C. 40Faith · A Problem of Faith
  41. C. 41Faith · Faith and Knowledge
  42. C. 42Faith · Faith and Experience
  43. C. 43Faith · The Gospel of Faith
  44. C. 44Faith · Faith and Doubt
  45. C. 45Faith · Types of Faith
  46. C. 46Faith · Faithfulness
  47. C. 47Faith · Keep Firm Faith
  48. C. 48Consecration and Offering · Consecration
  49. C. 49Consecration and Offering · Offering
  50. C. 50Opening · The Meaning of Opening
  51. C. 51Opening · Opening to the Divine
  52. C. 52Patience and Perseverance · Patience
  53. C. 53Patience and Perseverance · Persistence
  54. C. 54Patience and Perseverance · Perseverance
  55. C. 55Patience and Perseverance · Endurance
  56. C. 56Patience and Perseverance · Resolution
  57. C. 57Patience and Perseverance · Firmness
  58. C. 58Vigilance · Vigilance, Discrimination, Control

Book 3. Part One: The Path of the Integral Yoga · Section Three: The Foundation of the Sadhana

  1. C. 1Peace — The Basis of the Sadhana · Peace Is the First Condition
  2. C. 2Peace — The Basis of the Sadhana · Peace, Calm, Wideness
  3. C. 3Peace — The Basis of the Sadhana · Difficulties, Disturbances and Peace
  4. C. 4Equality — The Chief Support · Equality or Samata
  5. C. 5Equality — The Chief Support · Samata and Loyalty to Truth
  6. C. 6Equality — The Chief Support · Samata and Ego
  7. C. 7Equality — The Chief Support · Equality and Detachment
  8. C. 8Equality — The Chief Support · Equality in Times of Trouble and Difficulty
  9. C. 9Quiet and Calm · Quiet, Calm, Peace, Silence
  10. C. 10Quiet and Calm · Quietude
  11. C. 11Quiet and Calm · Quiet Mind
  12. C. 12Quiet and Calm · Vacant Mind
  13. C. 13Quiet and Calm · Calm
  14. C. 14Peace · Peace Is Something Positive
  15. C. 15Peace · Peace Comes Little by Little
  16. C. 16Peace · A Settled or Established Peace
  17. C. 17Peace · Peace in the Mind, Vital and Physical
  18. C. 18Peace · Peace in the Inner Being
  19. C. 19Peace · Passive Peace
  20. C. 20Peace · Peace and Inertia
  21. C. 21Peace · Peace and Force
  22. C. 22Peace · Peace, Love and Joy
  23. C. 23Peace · Peace, Happiness, Joy, Delight, Ananda
  24. C. 24Silence · Freedom from Thoughts
  25. C. 25Silence · Silence and True Knowledge
  26. C. 26Silence · Silence and Quietness of Mind
  27. C. 27Silence · Silence, Peace and Calm
  28. C. 28Silence · Silence and True Activity

Book 4. Part One: The Path of the Integral Yoga · Section Four: The Divine Response

  1. C. 1The Divine Grace and Guidance · The Divine Grace
  2. C. 2The Divine Grace and Guidance · The Grace and Personal Effort
  3. C. 3The Divine Grace and Guidance · Strength and Grace
  4. C. 4The Divine Grace and Guidance · Grace and Tapasya
  5. C. 5The Divine Grace and Guidance · No Insistence on the Grace
  6. C. 6The Divine Grace and Guidance · Trust in the Divine Grace
  7. C. 7The Divine Grace and Guidance · Withdrawal of Grace
  8. C. 8The Divine Grace and Guidance · The First Responses of the Divine
  9. C. 9The Divine Grace and Guidance · The Divine Guidance
  10. C. 10The Divine Force · The Nature of Spiritual Force
  11. C. 11The Divine Force · The Divine Force Works under Conditions
  12. C. 12The Divine Force · Writing about Spiritual Force
  13. C. 13The Divine Force · Use and Misuse of the Divine Force
  14. C. 14The Divine Force · The Action of the Divine Force
  15. C. 15The Divine Force · Allow the Divine Force to Act
  16. C. 16The Guru · Acceptance of the Guru
  17. C. 17The Guru · The Guru in the Supramental Yoga
  18. C. 18The Guru · Surrender to the Guru
  19. C. 19The Guru · Other Gurus
  20. C. 20The Guru · The Guru’s Help in Difficulty
  21. C. 21The Guru · The Knowledge Given by the Guru
  22. C. 22The Guru · The Capacity of the Guru
  23. C. 23The Guru · The Bhakta and the Disciple

Book 5. Part Two: The Synthetic Method of the Integral Yoga · Section One: A Yoga of Knowledge, Works, Bhakti and Self-Perfection

  1. C. 1The Central Processes of the Sadhana · Four Necessary Processes
  2. C. 2The Central Processes of the Sadhana · The Need for Plasticity
  3. C. 3The Central Processes of the Sadhana · Work, Meditation and Bhakti
  4. C. 4The Central Processes of the Sadhana · Surrender and Self-Giving
  5. C. 5The Central Processes of the Sadhana · Aspiration and Will of Consecration
  6. C. 6The Central Processes of the Sadhana · Sadhana, Tapasya, Aradhana, Dhyana
  7. C. 7Combining Work, Meditation and Bhakti · The Place of Work in Sadhana
  8. C. 8Combining Work, Meditation and Bhakti · A Defence of Works
  9. C. 9Combining Work, Meditation and Bhakti · Work and Meditation
  10. C. 10Combining Work, Meditation and Bhakti · No Competition between Work and Meditation
  11. C. 11Combining Work, Meditation and Bhakti · The Time Given to Work and Meditation
  12. C. 12Combining Work, Meditation and Bhakti · Concentration, Meditation and Prayer
  13. C. 13Combining Work, Meditation and Bhakti · Bhakti and Knowledge

Book 6. Part Two: The Synthetic Method of the Integral Yoga · Section Two: Sadhana through Work

  1. C. 1Work and Yoga · Work as Part of Sadhana
  2. C. 2Work and Yoga · Work without Personal Motives
  3. C. 3Work and Yoga · The Karmayoga of the Gita
  4. C. 4Work and Yoga · No Vital Demand in Work
  5. C. 5Work and Yoga · The Utility of Work
  6. C. 6Work and Yoga · Right Attitude in Work
  7. C. 7Work and Yoga · Equanimity in Work
  8. C. 8Work and Yoga · The Impersonal Worker
  9. C. 9Work and Yoga · Service of the Divine
  10. C. 10Work and Yoga · All Work Equal in the Eyes of the Spirit
  11. C. 11Work and Yoga · Interest in Work
  12. C. 12Work and Yoga · Joy in Work
  13. C. 13Work and Yoga · Loss of Inspiration in Work
  14. C. 14Work and Yoga · Thoughts of Sadhana during Work
  15. C. 15Becoming Conscious in Work · Working from Within
  16. C. 16Becoming Conscious in Work · Working with a Double Consciousness
  17. C. 17Becoming Conscious in Work · Absorption in Work
  18. C. 18Becoming Conscious in Work · Remembering the Presence in Work
  19. C. 19Becoming Conscious in Work · Inner Guidance about Work
  20. C. 20Becoming Conscious in Work · Knowing the Divine Will
  21. C. 21Becoming Conscious in Work · Freedom in Work
  22. C. 22The Divine Force in Work · Receiving the Divine Power or Force
  23. C. 23The Divine Force in Work · The Working of the Force
  24. C. 24The Divine Force in Work · The Force and the Peace in Action
  25. C. 25The Divine Force in Work · Drawing upon the Force for Energy
  26. C. 26The Divine Force in Work · Avoiding Overstrain
  27. C. 27Practical Concerns in Work · Order and Rhythm
  28. C. 28Practical Concerns in Work · Rules, Discipline, Regularity, Thoroughness
  29. C. 29Practical Concerns in Work · Harmony
  30. C. 30Practical Concerns in Work · Avoiding Harshness, Severity, Anger
  31. C. 31Practical Concerns in Work · Working with Subordinates and Superiors
  32. C. 32Practical Concerns in Work · Overcoming the Instinct of Domination
  33. C. 33Practical Concerns in Work · Avoiding Disturbance
  34. C. 34Practical Concerns in Work · Avoiding Restlessness, Worry and Anxiety
  35. C. 35Practical Concerns in Work · Compliments and Criticism
  36. C. 36Practical Concerns in Work · Thinking about Work
  37. C. 37Practical Concerns in Work · Dealing with Physical Things
  38. C. 38Creative Activity · The Arts and the Spiritual Life
  39. C. 39Creative Activity · Literature
  40. C. 40Creative Activity · Painting
  41. C. 41Creative Activity · Singing

Book 7. Part Two: The Synthetic Method of the Integral Yoga · Section Three: Sadhana through Concentration, Meditation and Japa

  1. C. 1Concentration and Meditation · The Meaning of Concentration and Meditation
  2. C. 2The Role of Concentration and Meditation · (Dhyana) in Sadhana
  3. C. 3The Role of Concentration and Meditation · The Object of Meditation
  4. C. 4The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Meditation Not Necessary for All
  5. C. 5The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Methods of Meditation and Concentration
  6. C. 6The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Concentration on the Idea
  7. C. 7The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Centres for Concentration
  8. C. 8The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Postures for Concentration or Meditation
  9. C. 9The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Regularity, Length and Other Conditions
  10. C. 10The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Coming out of Concentration or Meditation
  11. C. 11The Role of Concentration and Meditation · The Difficulty of the Mechanical Mind
  12. C. 12The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Surface Thoughts and Imaginations
  13. C. 13The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Straining and Concentration
  14. C. 14The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Relaxation and Concentration
  15. C. 15The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Passive Meditation and Concentration
  16. C. 16The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Inertia, Laziness, Tiredness in Meditation
  17. C. 17The Role of Concentration and Meditation · Meditation, Sleep and Samadhi
  18. C. 18Mantra and Japa · The Word
  19. C. 19Mantra and Japa · Mantras
  20. C. 20Mantra and Japa · The Mantra OM
  21. C. 21Mantra and Japa · The Mantra So’ham
  22. C. 22Mantra and Japa · The Gayatri Mantra
  23. C. 23Mantra and Japa · Mantras in the Integral Yoga
  24. C. 24Mantra and Japa · Namajapa or Repetition of the Name
  25. C. 25Mantra and Japa · Verses of the Gita Used as Japa
  26. C. 26Mantra and Japa · Success in Japa

Book 8. Part Two: The Synthetic Method of the Integral Yoga · Section Four: Sadhana through Love and Devotion

  1. C. 1Divine Love, Psychic Love and Human Love · Divine Love and Its Manifestation
  2. C. 2Divine Love, Psychic Love and Human Love · Divine Love and Psychic Love
  3. C. 3Divine Love, Psychic Love and Human Love · Psychic Love
  4. C. 4Divine Love, Psychic Love and Human Love · Universal Love and Psychic Love
  5. C. 5Divine Love, Psychic Love and Human Love · Love for the Divine
  6. C. 6Divine Love, Psychic Love and Human Love · Human Love in the Sadhana
  7. C. 7Divine Love, Psychic Love and Human Love · Human Love and Divine Love
  8. C. 8Divine Love, Psychic Love and Human Love · The Vital and Love for the Divine
  9. C. 9Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Turning the Emotions towards the Divine
  10. C. 10Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Bhakti or Devotion
  11. C. 11Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Bhakti and Love
  12. C. 12Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Emotional Bhakti
  13. C. 13Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Vital Bhakti
  14. C. 14Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Viraha or Pangs of Separation
  15. C. 15Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Enmity to the Divine
  16. C. 16Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Contact with the Divine
  17. C. 17Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Contact and Union with the Divine
  18. C. 18Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Outer Worship
  19. C. 19Bhakti, Devotion, Worship · Prayer

Book 9. Part Three: The Integral Yoga and Other Spiritual Paths · Section One: A Yoga of Transformation

  1. C. 1Distinctive Features of the Integral Yoga · The Meaning of Purna Yoga
  2. C. 2Distinctive Features of the Integral Yoga · This-Worldliness and Other-Worldliness
  3. C. 3Distinctive Features of the Integral Yoga · The Importance of Descent in the Yoga
  4. C. 4Distinctive Features of the Integral Yoga · The Inclusiveness of the Yoga
  5. C. 5Asceticism and the Integral Yoga · Not an Ascetic Path
  6. C. 6Asceticism and the Integral Yoga · Asceticism and Detachment
  7. C. 7Asceticism and the Integral Yoga · Two Methods of Living in the Supreme
  8. C. 8Asceticism and the Integral Yoga · The Human Approach to the Divine
  9. C. 9Asceticism and the Integral Yoga · Vairagya
  10. C. 10A Realistic Adwaita · The World Not an Illusion
  11. C. 11A Realistic Adwaita · Shankara, Buddhism, Evolution
  12. C. 12Transformation in the Integral Yoga · The Meaning of Transformation
  13. C. 13Transformation in the Integral Yoga · Towards a Transformation of Earth Life
  14. C. 14Transformation in the Integral Yoga · Spiritualisation and Transformation
  15. C. 15Transformation in the Integral Yoga · The Attempt at Physical Transformation

Book 10. Part Three: The Integral Yoga and Other Spiritual Paths · Section Two: Other Spiritual Paths and the Integral Yoga

  1. C. 1The Newness of the Integral Yoga · Old and New Truth
  2. C. 2Spiritual Realisation and the Supramental · Transformation
  3. C. 3Spiritual Realisation and the Supramental · Depreciation of the Old Yogas
  4. C. 4Spiritual Realisation and the Supramental · The Old Lines and This Line
  5. C. 5The Veda and the Upanishads · The Vedic Rishis
  6. C. 6The Veda and the Upanishads · The Veda and the Greeks
  7. C. 7The Veda and the Upanishads · No Incarnation of the Vedic Gods
  8. C. 8The Veda and the Upanishads · Terms and Verses of the Upanishads
  9. C. 9The Veda and the Upanishads · The Vedantin
  10. C. 10Jainism and Buddhism · Jainism
  11. C. 11Jainism and Buddhism · Buddhism
  12. C. 12Jainism and Buddhism · Buddhist Nirvana
  13. C. 13Jainism and Buddhism · Different Kinds of Buddhism
  14. C. 14Jainism and Buddhism · Buddhism and Vedanta
  15. C. 15Sankhya and Yoga · Sankhya
  16. C. 16Sankhya and Yoga · Patanjali’s Yoga
  17. C. 17Sankhya and Yoga · The Yoga-Vasishtha
  18. C. 18Sankhya and Yoga · Asanas and Pranayama
  19. C. 19The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita · The Teaching of the Gita
  20. C. 20The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita · Apparent Contradictions in the Gita
  21. C. 21The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita · The Gita, the Divine Mother and the Purushottama
  22. C. 22The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita · The Gita and the Integral Yoga
  23. C. 23The Adwaita of Shankaracharya · Shankara’s Mayavada
  24. C. 24The Adwaita of Shankaracharya · Mayavada and Nirvana
  25. C. 25The Adwaita of Shankaracharya · The Illusionist Metaphors
  26. C. 26The Adwaita of Shankaracharya · Laya
  27. C. 27Tantra · Tantra and the Integral Yoga
  28. C. 28Tantra · Kundalini, the Chakras and the Integral Yoga
  29. C. 29Tantra · Levels of Speech (Vak)
  30. C. 30Bhakti Yoga and Vaishnavism · The Vaishnava Theory and Sadhana
  31. C. 31Bhakti Yoga and Vaishnavism · Vaishnava Bhakti and the Integral Yoga
  32. C. 32Bhakti Yoga and Vaishnavism · The True Vaishnava Attitude
  33. C. 33Bhakti Yoga and Vaishnavism · The Sunlit Way of Yoga
  34. C. 34Bhakti Yoga and Vaishnavism · Ordinary Life, Vaishnava Traditions and the Supramental Yoga
  35. C. 35Bhakti Yoga and Vaishnavism · Different Approaches through Love and Bhakti
  36. C. 36Bhakti Yoga and Vaishnavism · Love and Bhakti for Krishna
  37. C. 37Bhakti Yoga and Vaishnavism · Love of Krishna and This Yoga
  38. C. 38The Teachings of Some Modern Indian Yogis · Ramana Maharshi
  39. C. 39The Teachings of Some Modern Indian Yogis · Swami Ramatirtha
  40. C. 40The Teachings of Some Modern Indian Yogis · Swami Ramdas
  41. C. 41Christianity and Theosophy · Christianity
  42. C. 42Christianity and Theosophy · Theosophy
  43. C. 43Christianity and Theosophy · NOTE ON THE TEXTS