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"Conscious Force"

(Book 1 Chapter X)

 

Introduction
Whereas in the last chapter Sri Aurobindo spoke of the Stability behind the Infinite, boundless Energy that is pouring itself into Space and Time, in this chapter he focuses on the essential Force that is the source of that energy and hence of all forms in creation.

Or to put it another way, if Being/Existence (i.e. Sat of Satchitananda) provides the timeless, spaceless, ineffable, immutable Stability and basis for a universe to emerge from it, then there must be a second aspect required for that universe to actually emerge; some Force and power out of which the Energy of creation can emerge. There is, and it is "Conscious Force."

Finally, Sri Aurobindo says that though the Force expresses in all planes, the consciousness behind the Force is fully hidden, involved in matter, and only begins to emerge on the surface in ever-increasing intensity in the planes above material existence -- i.e. animated life, mind, spiritual mind, and above.

 

Here are the main points in greater detail:

All Existence in the Universe is Forms of Force  Key
He begins by saying all existence in the universe is a product of this Force and its corresponding energy. That the very seed of existence in the universe is this Force and energy expressing through all planes from inconscient matter to life through mind to supermind. (In each plane that Force has a different expression.)

Forms Take Shape as Gathering of Forces
He also explains that all of the forms that take shape in the cosmos is a meeting of and mutual adoption between unshaped forces that become forms of that Force.

Reason for Sensation and Action in the Universe
He also explains why there is sensation and action in the universe. He says that sensation and action is a response of something in a form of Force to the contact of other forms of Force.

Consciousness Enables the Force to Move  Key
He says that Force can remain at rest self-concentrated or state of self-diffusion/movement. Then why does this Force move, issuing forth the energy that is the basis of all forms of that Force in creation? He says that this is not just a Force, but a Conscious Force. He says that Existence (as described in the previous chapter) is Conscious, and as a result it produces a Conscious-Force, one with a will or intention; which expresses as Energy. Since it is also conscious, it is not merely compelled to move, but do so in a conscious, creative way enabling unique formations and planes of forms of that Force to emerge.

Conscious Force as Second Stage of Satchitananda and Thus Creation  Key
In the final analysis, if Existence/Being provides the Essence and Stability for creation, then Conscious Force is the basis for the instrumentality of Creation through forms of that Force. Or to put it another way, to create the world of forms, Brahman throws out the force of consciousness to create the world of forms.

Thus, the process of creation of a universe from an Infinite source is first Existence/being (Sat, followed by Conscious-Force (Chit) of Satchitananda. (See diagram below)

The Force is Conscious
One of the point that Sri Aurobindo will gradually bring out is that the force is a conscious Force because it is an extension of a being that is conscious. I.e. because there is a Conscious Being, a Conscious Force emanated from it. (In its inception, the Force is fully conscious, but in the involution it becomes ever less so, culminating in matter, where it is inconscient, and then begins to emerge again in the planes above it. See next point.)

Consciousness Involved in Planes
Finally, Sri Aurobindo says that the consciousness expresses differently amongst the planes. In inconscient matter, there is virtually no consciousness on the surface, but it is involved in it in its essence. As we move up to the next planes of animated life and then mind, the consciousness reveals itself more on the surface. E.g. in mind, consciousness is already well developed. Yet it to has involved consciousness of spiritualized mind, supermind, even Sat, Chit, and Ananda, and Brahman. Every plane has every higher plane involved in it in its essence (as potentiality).

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Bringing Out the Consciousness of Any Plane
In Matter the Conscious aspect of the Force is least on the surface, it is involved, and expresses only in its subconscient nature. As we ascend the chord of planes from matter to Supermind, it is more on the surface. In Supermind it is fully present, active. Our human evolution is thus to bring it fully to the surface; for it to show itself in all aspects of that plane. It is really to bring out the Consciousness, which in the involutionary processes was divided and cut off from the Force, whereas (just) the Force is already present.

In the involutionary process -- the descent from Sat-Chit-Ananda to Mind to Energy to Matter -- that Conscious-Force will ever increasingly shed its Consciousness in degrees, but not its Force. In the evolutionary process of the universe from Matter to Animated Life to Mind and beyond, the consciousness that was involved moves tot he surface, i.e. is evolved.

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Table: Role of Conscious-Force (Chit) in Creation:
To create the universe the Absolute, formulated first as Pure Existence (Sat) that is conscious, and out of it, a Conscious Force (Chit); i.e. Sat extended to Chit. I.e. to create the world of forms Brahman throws out the force of consciousness to create the world of forms. That Force became the essential Energy from which emerged the forms in creation.

THE REALITY (Brahman, The Absolute)
SAT-CHIT-ANANDA
Existence/Being (SAT) (pure absolute Existence, Being; timeless, spaceless, immutable, ineffable; the Stability behind movement; Spirit, Truth)	Conscious-Force (CHIT) (The Being is Conscious of itself. which throws out a Force that will become the basis of the forms of that Force and Energy)	Delight (ANANDA) (Because of the Infinite nature of Existence/Being and the emergence of a conscious Force from it, Delight emerges.)
V Energy V The Universe

 

[DETAILS]

FORCE AS SOURCE OF ENERGY; SEED OF UNIVERSE

-All phenomenal existence resolves into Force, into movement of energy.

-This infinite existence of Force is the seed of the universe.

-The principle of things is a formation movement of energies.

 

FORMS FROM FORCE

-All forms are born of meeting and mutual adoption between the unshaped forces.

-All sensation and action is a response of something in a form of Force to the contact of other forms of Force.

-Movement of Force is the whole nature of the Cosmos.

-Force is inherent in Existence.

-It can be at rest or in motion; of self-concentration and self-diffusion.

 

THE FORCE EXPRESSES IN ALL PLANES

-There is a universal conscious Force.

-Mind and matter are different forms; of the same energy; different organizations of one conscious Force of Existence.

-Consciousness expresses in all planes; in each one differently.

-It expresses in every plane and being from matter to plant to the animal to the human.

-Man's consciousness is a form of Nature's consciousness.

 

CONSCIOUSNESS ENABLES THE FORCE TO MOVE

-The Existence which manifests in the word is a conscious Being.

-The Force that builds the worlds is a conscious Force.

-Why does the Force move, and not remain self-concentrated?

-To answer the above question, we must understand the relationship of Force and Consciousness.

-Existence is a conscious being.

-Consciousness is a self-aware force of existence.