One day, sitting beside a window with a cup of coffee, I tried to create a poem to express my happiness at the beautiful weather outside. As my thoughts fluttered like the leaves in the gentle breeze, I wondered how some people can craft such exquisite poetry so effortlessly.
Being a student of psychology, I pondered what unique aspects of their minds allowed them to excel in this art.
As I marveled at the interplay between the serene weather and my fleeting thoughts, I found myself reflecting on the nature of consciousness and creativity. What inner faculties enable poets to capture the essence of such moments with such precision?
Western psychology often attributes skills like poetry to biological factors and past experiences, but I wanted to delve deeper.
With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I placed my cup on the table and searched for the Indian understanding of the mind. I became so engrossed in the philosophical journey that I chose to continue exploring rather than writing a poem.
So, when I delved into Indian psychological thought, an image of a wise man with a white beard appeared before me. He was Sri Aurobindo, a profound thinker whose insights into the mind and consciousness I felt compelled to explore.
In his teachings, I discovered, described the mind as a multi-layered entity, each level offering a unique perspective and capability. I closed my eyes, and the world of these mental planes unfolded in my imagination.
His concept starts with Matter, the physical substance of the universe, which is the body, he explains, it is the tangible form through which we interact with the world. It is the vessel that holds our consciousness. All the information enters the body through the five senses and our consciousness gives it a meaning. Sri Aurobindo taught that evolution is incomplete without matter, as it is the initial stage where evolution begins. Since all things are made of matter and matter has its own consciousness, everything has some level of consciousness. A poet who appreciates this sees the divine in the mundane, finding beauty and meaning in the physical world.
Next, he sheds light on the Vital, the realm of emotions, desires, and life force. This is where passion and drive originate, he explained. When a poet channels the Vital, their work is charged with intensity and emotion, capturing the raw essence of human experience.
Then came the Mind, the seat of thoughts and intellect. Here lies the power of reasoning and understanding of a being. It is the strongest part as without it no output can be given by an individual. It is the faculty that allows us to analyze, imagine, and compose poetry.
But beyond the mind he says, lies the Super mind. This is a higher plane of consciousness, a bridge between the human and the divine. It is where true inspiration and wisdom come from, transcending ordinary thought.
Sri Aurobindo taught about three fundamental aspects of existence:
- Sat: This is pure being, the essence of everything that exists. It’s like the foundation or core of reality.
- Chit: This is consciousness, the awareness that allows us to perceive, understand, and experience the world around us.
- Ananda: This is bliss, the ultimate joy and fulfillment that comes from feeling connected to something greater than us, often described as union with the divine or a profound sense of harmony and contentment.
When these aspects harmonize, Sri Aurobindo says, we reach our highest potential. The Super mind guides us, infusing our thoughts and actions with divine intelligence, leading to creations that resonate with truth and beauty.
I looked outside the window again, the landscape now imbued with a deeper significance. The rustling leaves, the gentle breeze, the dancing sunlight – they all seemed to whisper secrets of the universe. In that moment, I understood that poetry and creativity are not just products of biological processes or past experiences. They are expressions of a deeper reality, a connection to the higher planes of consciousness that Sri Aurobindo so eloquently described.
The journey through Sri Aurobindo’s teachings had not only enriched my understanding but had also unlocked a wellspring of inspiration within me. And so, I continued to explore, ever eager to delve deeper into the mysteries of the mind and the boundless realms of consciousness.
As I conclude this exploration, I invite you to ponder: What are the sources of your own creativity? Could there be a deeper connection to the universe within you waiting to be discovered? I encourage you to delve into Sri Aurobindo’s works and reflect on your own creative processes. Perhaps, like me, you will uncover new dimensions of inspiration and understanding.
– Easwari
Intern, Centre for Human Sciences, Rishihood University
Learner, 3rd Semester, BA (Hons) Psychology
(Disclaimer: These articles are produced by undergraduate students interning at the Centre for Human Sciences, Rishihood University.)
