Laws of nature, contradiction, conflict, the ways of nature, the ways of life, how life works, contradictions, harmony, resolution, resolve

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Nature's Way

Overview; Nature and Soul

Nature's Difficult Ways

Nature Evolves through Contradictions, and Resolutions to Higher Harmonies

Seeing Beyond the Positive & Negative, Good & Evil

Nature's Efficiency

Nature Enables Greater Complexity

Nature's Slowness

Nature and the March of Civilization

Nature Purges Our Lower Nature, Our "Physicality"

Overcoming Nature's Way through Our Higher Consciousness Key!

Nature and the (Supramental) Force

Nature, and Being in the Becoming

Other

Overview; Nature and Soul
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Introduction

Nature and Soul
Life divides into Nature and Soul (Spirit).

Nature, Consciousness and Force
When the being became aware of its existence, Consciousness was born. By being conscious that Being emanated a Force. the Consciousness and Force were one. In the process of creation, the Consciousness and Force were divided, and eventually the former disappeared in the forms of creation. Nature, the way of normal life, expresses that force of consciousness without the consciousness itself. Involved in it is that consciousness. When we move from Nature to Soul, we overcome division and duality, and bring out the consciousness in the force.

Nature and Soul's Methods of Progress
Nature's (Prakriti) method of progress is slow and difficult (through resolution of contradictory opposites), while Soul (Purusha) progresses through truth and consciousness, leaving no dark side behind.

Nature and Evolving Soul
Nature has an involved soul immanent in it which evolves as Nature works. (Paraphrase of MSS) [For us we each have a corresponding personal evolving soul which uses the essence of our progress for its evolution.]

The Soul of Nature in the Psychic Being
Nature too has a soul. It slowly evolves. Psychic is that evolving soul. It is in the fourth dimension. It is the Being of the Becoming. (MSS)

Nature's Soul and the Psychic Being
Nature has a Soul. It is the evolving soul emerging in the Psychic Being of Man.

Nature and Spirit
When Nature moves, the Spirit in it evolves.

Nature, Soul, and Human Progress
When the Manifest emerged from the Unmanifest through the willful action of the latter, Life divided into two aspects -- Nature and Soul. (In Indian parlance Prakriti and Purusha). Nature is Life's slow and difficult way, and is the normal way humans experience the world. Soul (or spirit) is Life's method of progress through higher consciousness -- producing only positive effects without any negative. (I.e. it is Self-existent.)

Man is dominated by Nature. He evolves along with it slowly and painfully through division and duality; and pleasure and pain. He can however evolve through Soul/Spirit instead, rapidly, with no negative outcomes.

Nature's difficult method was sanctioned by the Divine to allow for the greatest multiplicity of possibility of forms, of forces, of aspects in creation that would allow for the greatest variety of Delight.

When we humans move from Nature to Soul by discovering our highest nature, we experience the Delight for which this life was created. I.e. the Divine willed to extend its static Delight into the dynamic Delight through self-discovery of forms of creation -- i.e. we -- fulfilling the intent of the Infinite.

Nature and Soul
In the theory of creation of Sri Aurobindo, out of the Omnipresent Reality came the triune of Existence, Consciousness-force, Delight (Sat-Chit-Ananda) on the road to creation. The universe would emerge from the energy that came out of the division of Consciousness-force. Thus here Nature is the force of creation without its consciousness. It is the difficult method of progress. Soul is the better approach, though the universe has not yet emerged fully in that form; only very partially, including only very partially in man. When Man raises his own consciousness, the force and the consciousness that emerged from the Omnipresent Reality (the unknowable Infinite) are reunited (which the individual and the universe experiences again as Consciousness-Force. "Prakriti" is the Indian term for Nature. 'Purusha' is the term for Soul/Spirit.]

Progress through Resolution of Contradiction

Life evolves through the contradiction of dual pairs, and their resolution. There are infinite forms in which these dualities take shape. For example, we see contradictions between family members; between spouse; between yourself and the boss; between your desires and the realities of your life; between two nations; between two races; between two parties, political, social, or otherwise; between creeds, ideals, and values; and so forth ad infinitum in all aspects, fields, and domains of life. Life/Nature thus establishes and urges the further progress of each side of the contradiction. Without the conflict between the parties and the ensuing attempt at resolution, life would remain static, or even fall back.

When we are immersed in one of these contradictions, our goal should be to find the higher harmony that resolves it, which will enable our further progress. That normally requires us (or our party or collective) to rise in consciousness; i.e. to discover a higher center of being. That can come about by shedding a corresponding negative attitude, by withdrawing a wanting emotion, by giving up a stale habit, by developing a new understanding, by shifting out of ego, by reaching beyond the chasm that divides, by moving out of selfishness, by taking a new approaches to life, by changing a value or belief, and so forth.

In each situation and circumstance, we need to understand the contradiction (e.g. we are irritated with the behavior of our spouse), as well as what is required to resolve it (e.g. we need to shift our attitude from complaining to accepting). Both sides of the contradiction need to take that approach for optimal result and collective progress. As a result of making that inner and outer effort toward resolution, life quickly cooperates from unexpected quarters. (E.g. as a result of the spouse taking to non-complaining, he attracts a wonderful new development for his wife.) In essence, through our inner and outer efforts to engage a higher center of being, we resolve the conflict, bringing about a higher harmony, which enables a new level of progress.

There is another approach to progress other than Nature's slow and difficult way of contradiction and its resolution. It is the method Soul and Spirit. With this approach, one does not wait on Life, but one self-consciously aspires to improve and take one's self to a higher level; to raise one's consciousness at a particular level. E.g. perceiving though introspection that I can make my attitudes more positive, I make a conscious effort to raise them. Or subscribing to the deep value of respect for others, I turn my company in that direction.

At its highest, this self-conscious, self-directed, self-improving approach of Soul involves the adoption of spiritual qualities such as silence, peace, calm, equality of being, oneness, wisdom, creativity, love, and self-givingness, to name a few. It can also include opening to the spiritual Force to enable the very best conditions to take shape in our lives.

The method of Soul precludes the intervention of Nature and her difficult dualistic, conflicting, strife-worn, hot and cold ways. This is the path of Conscious Evolution (known as "yoga" in the East), and has so far been the domain of a very few. However, with the increasing emergence of individuality, including true spiritual individuality in the 21st century, this will become far more common. This initiative to progress through inner development of our consciousness will increasingly be the hallmark of the emerging New Age.

Nature is God in Physical Form
Nature is God in Physical Form. We are all a part of Nature. Being part of Nature means we ourselves are part of God. (MSS)

Nature as Power of Being
Prakriti (Nature) is the power of Being (Spirit). (MSS)

On Nature
Nature is an attempt at a progressive revelation of the concealed Truth, a more and more successful reproduction of the Divine image. (Paraphrase of Sri Aurobindo)

Prakriti (Nature) and Soul (Purusha)
-Prakriti is Nature, Purusha is Soul.

-Nature is called Prakriti, Maya or Shakti. The scientist may call her Matter and expressions of Matter. For our present purposes, it is all Nature. Soul has other names. Spirit is the most common name. Being is another. (MSS)

Nature vs. Divine Nature
Human life belongs to Nature. Higher life belongs to higher Divine Nature. (MSS)

Nature and Divine Acts
The human act perpetuates Prakriti (Nature). The divine act allows Prakriti (Nature) to blossom into the Divine. (MSS)

Nature, Evolution, and Brahman
Nature is the surface unfolding of life; the method of conflicted evolution of the manifest Brahman.

Meaning of Nature
By "Nature" we don't mean "Mother Nature," i.e. the physical outer environment, but the movement, unfolding, intention and purposefulness of life in the past, present, and future through Her means.

Nature and Lacking Consciousness

Life and Nature
Life is of Nature that expresses the force of consciousness. (MSS)

Various Aspects of Nature
Nature (Prakriti) is energy apart from consciousness; matter in its primal basis of action; inert mechanical consciousness. It is inconscient energy in the material world. (MSS)

Nature is Force, not Being
The world is Prakriti, i.e. Force. It is Not of Being [i.e. Spirit/Soul]. (MSS)

Soul is Force + Consciousness
Soul is energy, force united with consciousness, a reflection of the Divine reality. Nature is Force absent in degrees of consciousness.

Nature's Way is Sanctioned by the Divine

Nature has the Consent of the Being
Nature (Prakriti) has the consent of the (Spiritual) Being. (MSS)

The Divine Sanctions Progress through Darkness or Light
Perhaps the main philosophical conundrum facing man is the question of why the Divine allows evil in the world. If He is the ultimate Good, how can He sanction such darkness? It is Man's anguished cry in the dark.

At the end of WWII, the world was left in shambles. The war seemed so futile, without much purpose. Yet there was a purpose, other than defeating an evil enemy. From the highest perspective, the reason for WWII was to enable the further evolution of life on earth. It was the quickest means by which we could take a further step towards human unity. The United Nations, the EU, the Euro, the global economy, the WTO, the World Wide Web (WWW), and the untold other economic, political, and social agreements amongst nations and continents are all the bi-product of WWII. Without the horror of the war and the need to compensate for all that was wrong or missing in the world, it might have taken centuries, if ever to have brought about these harmonic institutions and developments.

From a metaphysical standpoint, we can say that the Divine sanctions those methods that bring the greatest progress in the shortest period of time. Whether that progress comes through Ignorance, Falsehood, or Evil, the Divine endorses that method. It is same in our own individual lives. What brings the greatest change for us, the Higher Power supports -- whether it comes about through suffering, illness, or tragedy. The Divine knows that in their wake will come the greatest progress, and hence the quickest and most formidable movement towards the Good.

Does this mean that all progress has to be through suffering? Not at all. The Divine also sanctions evolution through higher consciousness. Europe and the world did not have the higher consciousness to evolve collectively before WWII. So she did so through conflict and suffering. As individuals, we progress through torment because we do not have the consciousness to evolve through more positive, harmonic means. Yet if we developed our higher nature, we can progress without the dark, conflicting element. If we continually improve our character, overcome our limitations, find a deeper center, and open to the spirit we will foster constant progress without the need for the negative side.

This then is the challenge before us: to progress and evolve through higher consciousness, or through the suffering and conflict. For the Divine, both are acceptable means of moving forward. The choice is ours.

Nature's Way Sanctioned by Divine
Nature's slow and difficult way sanctioned by the Divine Will. It perceives that through this dualistic unfolding, the greatest possibility of outcomes is possible in life, enabling the greatest diversity of Delight in discovery.

Nature's Difficult Ways
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Nature Difficult Mode of Progress
Nature's progress takes place through division, duality, contradiction, suffering, and pain. It is Nature's difficult mode of progress.

Natures Slow Methods & the Obstacles She Puts Before US
Nature is enjoying the leisure of infinity before it and therefore is not in a hurry. She intentionally puts obstacles in the way of speedy partial progress because all - Unity, Truth, Goodness, Knowledge, Power and Love - must mature simultaneously. (MSS)

Why There is Ignorance Falsehood, and Evil in Creation
Why is their ignorance, falsehood, evil, etc. in the world is a subject that has bee discussed through the ages. No one has come up with an adequate answer, except modern sages like Sri Aurobindo who have the advantage of understanding evolution in combination with the spirit. He explains that out of a Divine Source emerged forms of an original force/energy that make up the universe, including us. We are divided, ignorant, false, beings, even as there are many negative aspects of the cosmos to go along with the positive. So why was there positive and negative in creation?

The Divine Reality extended itself into a universe of forms so that it could extend its status of immutable, unchanging, infinite Joy and Delight into the forms of creation. E.g. an individual rises in consciousness or otherwise become more aware, he has the joy of discovery, which is the very reason we are here, the reason forms emerged from a Divine Source -- i.e. to experience the Delight of the creator.

Then why the negative in creation? In order for the Delight of the Spiritual Source to extend into the greatest quantity/multiplicity of the forms, it had to enable a universe of unlimited possibilities, including the possibilities of the negative. The Divine though its deputy of Nature (as opposed to Soul) sanctioned difficulty, pain, division, duality, ignorance, falsehoods, and evil so that the greatest Delight of the immutable Divine can enter the greatest multiplicity of forms in the most varied way, i.e. through the greatest possibilities in the universe. This is the secret of ignorance, falsehoods, and evil in life.

As we evolve to our highest nature, we will then overcome our ignorance, falsehood, and evil, which will create an even greater richness to life in the future, as all possibilities (including the movement from the current good to the greater good), are now included, create an even more joyful, blissful, yes Divine life on earth.

The Supreme Sanction of the Ignorance
-The reason for creation was so the forms -- including us -- could experience the same bliss, the Delight that the Supreme already had. It may even be a greater Delight.
-In order to create the greatest possibility of that bliss, the greatest variety and multiplicity of those forms and qualities needed to be created.

-Greater variety and multiplicity includes everything and its opposite. Night and day, time and timelessness, ignorance and knowledge, good and evil, etc. etc.

-Now infinite variations can experience the bliss in infinite variety.

-Though the Supreme intended a Divine life on earth without contradictions, including the experience of spiritual qualities like Delight, Love, Beauty, Truth, et al , which are generally qualities without their opposite, It sanctioned all the aspects that we consider the negative side, as necessary steps on the way to the Divine Perfection.

-In several chapters in The Life Divine Sri Aurobindo describes the necessity of the Ignorance as a way to the Knowledge. Thus, Ignorance is sanctioned by the Supreme as something to be passed through along the way. He also speaks of the Supreme's sanction of Nature (Prakriti; of contradiction and conflict in life's evolution) in the course of Man's existence, even though it is a lesser power than the method of Purusha, i.e. progress by Soul.

-Interestingly Sri Aurobindo says that when we reach the highest consciousness, we see that there is no division, no pain, no contradictions -- even perhaps, I might assume, at this point in the creation! This is the vision of Brahman that sees the Oneness of the Creator and the Creation. And yet at the lower plane of ego sees life not in its inherent perfection that someone who has risen to Supermind can see.

-This seems to be a conundrum in of itself for how can everything be perfect and not be so at the same time (as perceived by two different planes - Supermind and ego). My answer is that the more we move to the Supreme consciousness, to the Supramental, Truth Awareness, the more such conundrums are resolved through a higher understanding and cosmic perception.

The Current Financial Crisis and World Unity
The financial crisis the world is going through is also an indication that greater human coordination, cooperation, and unity amongst the nations is under way. Each major crisis humanity goes through, such as WWII, is followed by a level of greater harmony that wasn't there before. E.g., NATO, UN, WTC, IMF, ASEAN, etc. are all harmony-creating social institutions that came about as a result of the calamity of World War II. Without such crises, it may have taken hundreds of years for such organizations of human cooperation to have emerged -- if ever.

As we now see in 2009, the Europeans are once more going through this dynamic via the current world financial debacle. Sixty years ago after WWII, the European Union began to emerge as an economic and quasi-political unifying organization. However, current circumstance is forcing that institution of greater harmony to forge even closer ties and bonds. As the pundits have pointed out, currently there is no real coordinating system within the EU framework to cope with and resolve the financial crisis, as each county pulls in its own direction (an echo of what those nations did previous to WWII, enabling the rise of the fascist juggernaut). But current events are forcing the EU to forge closer ties to resolve the issues, which will further solidify EU economic, political, social, and cultural bonds longer term.

Thus, we see how life, i.e. Nature, works. She creates difficult situations, such as a great war or a great financial crisis, to enable greater cooperation, coordination, and integration among the members. It is through this process that ever-greater harmony and unity is established in the world -- whether amongst the nations of the EU, the states of the USA, the countries of Asia, or the total collective of the world. It is this slow and difficult method of Nature -- 'Prakriti' in Indian parlance -- that we arrive at ever-greater levels of human collaboration and harmony. It is through this process that we arrive at our ultimate collective destiny -- human unity.

Thus, we see that the negatives we perceive -- such as the current financial crisis -- can actually be seen as a positive in disguise: a difficulty that is in reality a vast opportunity for human progress, evolution, and transformation.

Nature Evolves through Contradictions, and Resolutions to Higher Harmonies
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Nature Evolves through Contradictions

Nature evolves through the contradictions of life that are resolved into higher harmonies. This is Nature's slow and difficult way.

Progress through Resolution of Contradiction

Contradictions Between Dual Pairs Enables Further Progress

Life evolves or can evolve through the contradictions of two parties, whether spouse or family members, associates, organizations, nations, etc.

E.g. a man has the quality of feeling that he is not being listened to by others. His wife tends not to listen when she is absorbed in some small pursuit. When the man asks his wife to do something, she does not listen, as she is absorbed elsewhere, causing irritation in the man. He must evolve out of his insecurity; she out of her unresponsiveness. This can only occur through their interaction. Life has put them together to serve this evolutionary purpose.

All life thus evolves or has the potential to evolve through the contradictions of two parties, through these conflicting pairs. Our goal should be to perceive it and then go beyond that contradiction, which we do by overcoming a corresponding limitation in our nature. When we do, we progress and grow. We also evoke sudden good fortune.

From a higher perspective then, the contradiction is really not so, but a complement in that it is an opportunity to develop our higher consciousness. I.e., the thing with which we are in conflict is the vehicle by which will overcome a personal limitation, and thereby progress.

Methods of Overcoming Our Contradiction with Others

In this column I have often focused on sage and seer Sri Aurobindo�s principle that Life progresses and evolves through our contradictions with others that moves toward a higher harmony. Without such conflict and divisiveness, life would stand still, or even regress. The exception is when we are conscious enough to prevent the contradiction in the first place. The latter is the Way of Soul, and is rare indeed; the former, the slow and difficult method of Nature, which is Life�s standard process.

There are a number of approaches to begin to deal with such conflicting problems we have with others:

The first is to perceive that we are actually in contradiction with another, or with life circumstance, or with ourselves.
Second, we can perceive how such circumstance has come for our own personal growth, as well as that of the other side.
Third, we can recognize that the contradictory party is really a complement in disguise; that the other party is potentially or actually aiding in our progress.

Together these approaches aid in our ability to see more clearly the contradictions and conflicts we have in the first.

The question then becomes what can we actually do to resolve the contradiction? Or to put it another way, how can we create the higher harmony that overcomes the conflict, and moves life forward in a positive way?

One approach is to note the principle that anytime you are complaining about another person, you can be sure that they have something equally harsh to criticize about you. If you therefore focus on your own weaknesses instead of theirs, you will progress and good fortune will follow.

For example, you tell the party you are in contradiction with that they are lazy, but they then perceive that you are narrow-minded and disorganized. If instead of complaining about their limitation, you focus and change your own, life will quickly respond in your favor, while loosening the contradiction you had with the other party.

A second approach has a somewhat similar dynamic. It to know that every negative you perceive in another, you actually manifest in some form in yourself. Therefore, if you discover what that is and make an effort to overcome it, good fortune will follow, and the conflict and contradiction with that other party will evaporate.

For example, let's say you think that another person is shiftless, lazy, and doesn�t make a serious effort to work. Though you yourself may not be indolent in the same way, it is likely you are in a different way; such as a reluctance to make the effort to keep your things in order, or to keep yourself hygienic and clean. Therefore, if instead of complaining about the other person's deficiency, you focus on your own, not only will you quickly attract positive conditions, but the other apparent lazy individual will suddenly change that behavior on their own! As a result, the contradictions you have with them will break down, establishing a more harmonious relationship. It is a powerful, conscious approach to higher awareness, greater success, and personal progress in life.

Developing Complementarity in Intensifying Relationships

[An associate points out that we may have very positive relations with others, but when the relationship is closer and more intense, it can begin to turn into ill-will. Here was my response:]

Sri Aurobindo posits that all life progresses through Contradictions; or rather their resolution into Higher Harmony. When we come in closer contact with others, our contradictory nature with them is accentuated. The general contradictions turn into very specific ones. My negative rubs with your negative, and does so in many more ways when in closer relation. Anyone who has spousal relationships will have noticed this.

And yet such intensities of contradiction afford perfect opportunities for their resolution. From our side we can find the wanting correspondence, and make the change. (Whether the other person in that particular challenging situation wishes to raise his consciousness on the matter is for them to decide.)

It is said that every outer condition is a reflection of one�s inner state. It is also true that every outer situation is an occasion for our progress. In fact, it is just the right conditions to enable that best and fastest progress if we are aware of and move on them.

On another line, as we come closer with others, we can learn to consecrate that much more, which will mean that not only will we avoid the negative contradiction, but the intensity will be maintained for utterly joyful, even blissful interaction with others.

One problem is that we don�t make the time, create the �mindspace� to examine the relations as they intensify through closer quarters and relation. We just get sucked into it without ongoing meditation and self-evaluation of conditions. A quieter, deeper ongoing space will certainly help in these intensifying personal relationship situations.

It is of course a perfect opportunity to practice Non-reaction, and Taking the Other Person�s perspective. In fact, with such intensities, we can become their Masters!

The goal is Harmony. A Higher Harmony that can come out of the contradiction. And a higher Harmony that can be generated by Her Force.

When we reach the consciousness of the Absolute, of supramental perception, we see the conflicts as not contradictions, but complements, as it affords the best opportunity for our fastest, richest, and most perfect growth. This is for those who have seriously taken to a life of Conscious Evolution (Yoga).

Contradictions are Complements
One of the central principles in THE LIFE DIVINE is CONTRADICITONS ARE COMPLEMENTS. Our life is filled with contradictions, things opposing us, people disagreeing with us, our emotions coming into conflict with those around us. We want to go to a fine university but our marks are too low. We want to marry our daughter well, but our social status prevents it. Constantly we are faced with contradictions.

Sri Aurobindo says all of those contradictions in life can be seen from a higher point of view as complements to what we are, as opportunities to make us more than what we are today, as the exact conditions needed to help us discover and bring forth hidden potentials within ourselves. What we call opposition is the method, the process by which the Divine creates the world. In human life, we are capable of converting that opposition into a complimentarity in which conflict is no longer necessary. When we understand the purpose for which any force comes and impacts on us, then we know what progress we have to make. In this manner, Mother says, we can convert difficulties into opportunities. We convert the force that presses against us into a force for progress. (MSS slight modification)

Contradictions and Creation
When the Brahman wanted to manifest himself in the world, the first opposition he created was a world of unconscious, unthinking, inanimate, unsensing matter. So the great opposition that the Divine started with was creating a world of inanimate matter in which it wanted to manifest animate life. The creation of apparently contradictory opposing forces that interact with each other to evolve into complements is one of the fundamental principles of creation.

Apparent Contradiction of Dual Pairs are Really Complements
Life evolves through both sides of dual pairs; the positive as well as the negative; pleasure and pain; good and evil. Thus what we perceive as contradictions of the dual pair -- i.e. we prefer the positive over the negative, and so the negative is in contradiction with the positive, is not so. They are actually complements. Thus, contradictions seen at the surface view are really complements when looked at from the view of truth and life.

Contradiction are Complements, the Whole, and True Romance
It is Nature's intention for people, things, life to progress through contradictory pairs. In fact, it is the intention of the Infinite. Contradiction is the outcome of the hiding, involutionary process, and overcoming it (and seen as complement) is the method of the evolutionary process.

We can also see that the dual, contradictory pair evolve together and move from being parts to becoming one whole. This is also what has occurred for Eliza and Darcy. They are parts alone, but a whole after the overcome their limited nature, and find true romance in one another.

We can say that the highest form of harmony in relationships is that of admiring, even adoring opposite qualities in the other. The contradiction is seen as true complement. Thus, True Romance is that of the whole, beyond the disparate part. It also is the method that enables one to become better, to progress, evolve, become creative, etc.

Contradictions are Complementaries
-Contradiction and conflict with another indicates a potential in one's self that can emerge through that relationship to enable greater consciousness in one's self.

-Recognizing the truth potential behind the contradiction is a great step towards its resolution. Otherwise, it resolves slowly and painfully through Nature's method.

The Infinite and Contradictions in the World
-The Infinite consciousness created infinite diversity and as a result allowed for infinite conflict to enable greater richness of consciousness in the created universe than even exists above.

-The way that the Infinite consciousness -- which has hidden itself in matter, life, and mind in creation -- emerges in the evolution below is through dual terms/sides; i.e. through both the positive and the negative.

-What we perceive as positive and negative is false, as both serve the force of progress and evolution. Thus they are not contradictory to one another, but complementary. Both enables progress and evolution.

The Negative is Critical to Progress, Evolution
Life evolves through the utilization of both the positive and the negative, the good and the bad, pleasure and pain, and all such dualities. To see how life requires the negative side for its progress and evolution is to see the Marvel of existence.

E.g. Thenardier who is evil reveals the great truth of Valjean saving Marius at the end of Les Miserables, resolving the story to a happy ending. Or without Lydia's foolish elopement with the evil Wickham in Pride and Prejudice, Darcy and Eliza would not have been married, bringing great prosperity to the Bennet family.

Life for us is the same. Ordinarily greatest spurs for our improvement have been negative circumstance. Thus, the darker side serves a great purpose in our progress and evolution. It is actually Nature's way of progress -- using both sides of duality and contradiction.

Life/Nature Evolves through Contradictory Complements

Life/Nature moves forward through the relation of contradictory pairs -- positive and negative, good and evil, pleasure and pain.
Both sides of the dual pair serve in the progress and evolution of forms. E.g. the negative is often a greater spur to progress than the positive side.
Our lower consciousness does not see the utility of both sides of the pair. It wants only one side -- e.g. pleasure, avoiding the other (i.e. pain). At a deeper level we see that both sides are necessary for progress. Thus the contradiction we see at the surface is really a complement seen in the depths.

The Power Behind Our Adversarial Relations

When you have a difficult relationship with another, you can be sure of one thing: you are working out some psychological limitation of your own through that person. That individual is also doing the same, through you. In this dynamic, each side knows something that the other does not and needs to know, and through the difficult interaction are given the opportunity to learn about and then overcome that limiting propensity.

It is an indication of the principle of "contradictions are complementaries.� Or to put it another way, what appears to be a contradiction and adversary from a surface, superficial view is really a complement and teacher from a deeper perspective. It is Nature's unique method progress.

Thus, all life�s adversarial situations afford one the opportunity to discover a particular element of our being that is wanting. If you clearly identify it, and then make an effort to overcome it, life will reward you with sudden good fortune.

Nature's Way through Contradictions in Individuals
Nature's way is to create opposite pair, such as opposing and conflicting individuals, so that they can emerge into higher harmonies. This is accomplished because each side knows what the other needs to know, and it is in their interlocking relation can these truths of higher nature emerge. We see this between the pairs of lovers, who have perhaps married. They come together in one sense to overcome their own limitations through the knowledge that the other secretly or not so secretly has. The tragedy is that this long-lived and quite obvious golden opportunity for progress is generally ignored by both sides.

Seeing the Marvel of Existence
In the first of 56 chapters of his metaphysical opus The Life Divine, Sri Aurobindo suggests something profound. He indicates that everything we encounter in life -- positive and negative, pleasurable and painful, good and evil -- serves the greater Good that is unfolding. He indicates that such dual pairs, which on the surface seem to be in contradiction, are really complements to one another -- necessary for the upward, progressive movement of each. In that way, every difficulty and problem that comes our way serves us just as well as positives circumstance -- perhaps more so. Moreover, that vision of things, that ability to perceive meaning and utility in everything we encounter, from the macro to the micro, from the positive to the negative is to see the Marvel of Existence.

Let me illustrate this principle with several examples from literature. In Victor Hugo's masterpiece Les Miserable, a fundamentally good man Jean Valjean has escaped prison and is being pursued by an extremely dedicated, almost fanatical police officer named Javert. Along the way, Valjean raises a beautiful adopted daughter Cossette who falls in love with a young man named Marius, who eventually joins a people's fighting force barricading themselves against the reactionary government. At one point, the older, magnanimous Valjean gets involved in the battle himself, and in a startling, ironic moment saves Marius' life. Interestingly, Valjean never tells him what he had done. In addition, Valjean and Marius over time are at odds with one another because the elder does not want to relinquish his beloved daughter to the young man. In fact, now that Valjean senses that he is losing Cosette to Marius, life begins to all lose meaning, and so he begins to wither away.

But then one day near the end of Valjean's life, the evil Innkeeper Thenardier -- who once raised Cosette in squalor and did many appalling things along the way -- reveals to Marius that Valjean was in fact the one who saved his life. Stunned by Thenardier revelations, Marius and Cosette rush to Valjean's deathbed and console him, thanking him for a lifetime of self-givingness. In essence, a very bad person has come forward and unwittingly helped resolve a knot between two good people, -- enabling reconciliation between Marius and Valjean, and the return of Cosette's deep love and affection for Valjean, something he so desperately longed for. And so after a lifetime of kindness and generosity, Jean Valjean dies a very happy man.

It is said that great literature revels the deepest truth of life. The principle that not just the good, but the negative and evil too serve the greater Good is also evident in Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice. For example, at one critical point in the story, one of the five Bennet sisters, the wild, rambunctious Lydia, has eloped with the scoundrel Wickham, threatening the Bennet family with scandal and social ostracism. The elopement also threatens to ruin the relationship between the very wealthy Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.

Now soon after the elopement ends with the marriage of Lydia and Wickham, Lydia foolishly blurts out that Darcy was the one who settled the accounts of her husband, resolving the situation. Lydia was instructed not to reveal this information. When Eliza hears this, she is thunderstruck because she now realizes how wrong she has been about Darcy. She saw him and arrogant and prideful, but instead, she now sees his very noble character. As a result, she falls in love with him, he proposes (again), and they marry. Without the verbal blunder from the negative Lydia, the marvelous outcome would never have occurred. I.e. Darcy and Eliza may not have fallen in love, married, found deep happiness, and thereby bring great wealth and social prestige to the Bennet family. That is the power the negative and false serve in manifesting the greater Good.

There is one other example of this principle in the novel. Late in the story, the aristocratic, wealthy, yet reactionary Lady Catherine tries to meddle in the relationship between Darcy and Eliza. When she does, it backfires on her, paving the way for the marriage of Darcy and Eliza. What happened was that when Lady Catherine got wind of the budding relationship, she stormed in the Bennet home, met with Eliza, and insisted that the relationship cease. Eliza of course refused. Most importantly however, when Lady Catherine returned home, Darcy learned of the meeting between his aunt and Eliza and realized from the discussion that Eliza had not ruled out a romance and marriage between him. Startled that this was the case, Darcy then went ahead and met Eliza, who then accepted his second proposal of marriage. In other words, without Lady Catherine's negative intervention, the entire resolution of the story would not have come about! Her harmful attempt to block their relationship had the opposite effect of spurring them to come together.

Once again, we see how falsehood and evil play critical roles in movements of progress and greater accomplishment. It is to perceive that every thing -- good or bad, positive or negative, pleasurable or painful, -- serves a purpose in the great unfolding. It is an ultimate perspective and vision of life. It is to see the Marvel of Existence.

Contradictions are Complements

Sri Aurobindo indicates that in the lower consciousness, we see division and conflict everywhere. It is life seen as contradictions. Pleasure and pain, good and bad; positive and negative; my right vs. yours; spirit and matter; and so on forever. In the higher consciousness, theses dual pairs are seen not as contradictions, but complements. For example, a man's conflict with his neighbor is a means of evolving both sides. The "conflict" is not only Nature's way of lifting the consciousness of both sides, but enables a more general progress for the world. In that light, evil can be seen as just a great, if not greater a spur as the normal "good" to enable the true Good to increase. Good and evil thus work together to spur progress and evolution. They are thus complements to one another; not contradictions as seen through our lower, surface consciousness.

A good example of this can be seen in the Middle East in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The radical Palestinian groups resort to terrorism and launching rockets at civilian targets, which strike us as abhorrent. And the Israelis live in self-indulgent psychological fear and are mostly insincere in their desire for a Palestinian state. So on they go in never ending rounds of strife, pain, and conflict -- not unlike the Hatfields and McCoys of the Old West.

From a deeper consciousness, we are watching the painful evolution of both sides through the conflict. It is Nature's way to spur progress by the interaction of two opposing sides. On the surface, all we see is contradiction, but from a deeper poise, we see progress; that the two parties are complementary aspects that are each evolving through their interactions. Thus, contradictions are truly complements.

Every time we are in conflict with others, we can see that it is life compelling us to grow and evolve. From our surface view, we tend to express our ego in the situation and guard our own side. Nature however is telling you that your enemy or conflicting partner is your complement. That he represents something negative inside you. That he has come because of something wanting within that has attracted him. If, however, you rise in consciousness, which is also Nature's intent, then you will understand, change, and move to the next highest state. So will your contradictory, yet truly complementary partner. It is Nature's way of progress.

Who then are you in contradiction with? And how can you see them as a complement aiding in your progress. What do they represent in you, and how can you change that wanting element inside for the better? Nature awaits you progress, evolution, and transformation. But you have to take the first decisive step. It is to recognize the contradiction for what it really is -- a beneficial complement that is key to your personal growth.

The True Nature of and Resolution of Love and Hate and All Contradictions
Love and Hate are at bottom the same thing. At the centre there is the same substance in both, it is the obverse and reverse of the same stuff. It is a vibration; it is a unique vibration, a vibration of extreme intensity, of extreme intimacy. At the centre, there is this one single movement although at the periphery it becomes different, even contradictory. As the movement starts from the centre, and proceeds outward it differentiates itself, becomes more and more different, contrary, even contradictory to what it was at its origin.

Human love and human hatred are both perversions, falsified expressions of another truth behind. It is human ignorance and prejudice that appreciates one and deprecates the other. Yet both have the same root, the flowering of the same seed or it is somewhat like the two opposite kinds of electricity -- positive and negative. The two charges have opposite signs but they attract each other and although in the expression and action they are contradictory, they are both charges of electrical energy and therefore substantially they are one and the same.

We may extend this viewpoint and find the resolution of all contrariness and contradictoriness. Paradoxically one may say then all contradictions are an apparent illusion, all contradictions naturally and inevitably mean an inmost unity and identity. Even so the Brahman and the world or the Purusha and the Prakriti are apparent negations to each other, the duality is in the ordinary ignorant consciousness, but the two are one in the supreme indivisible consciousness. (The Mother)

Turning Contradiction into Complement
We can simply say that we have to turn the contradiction we are immersed in into its complement. From a higher view, it is already a complement. From our view, however, we have to see the opposition as an opportunity for something greater to emerge. When we do, then the perceived contradiction turns into a complement.

We do this by being more self-giving, more open to possibilities, more interested in another's point of view, by shedding wanting attitudes, by remaining calm and equal, etc. etc. It depends on the situation; though as a general movement, we can also certainly always raise these qualities in our lives to avoid the contradiction in the first place.

Evolution through Contradictory Complements
Life evolves through the conflicts between two parties, who are trying to work out a higher harmony. This is the secret method and way of Nature. E.g. the Mexican-US immigrant problem on their border is indicative of Mexico's inability to overcome its poverty, which then necessitates a crossing over of illegal immigrants the border to the US to its riches, as well as the US intolerance, including its traditional distain and insensitivity of nations near its borders to the south. Nature pits these two forces at odds, so that each can grow into a higher order and consciousness. Furthermore, it is only through this conflicting pairing that each side can grow. It is the method of Nature to higher levels of harmony through contradictory opposites, which are from the deeper view of life really positive complementaries. All around the world we see these contradictory complement pairs trying to move from its current state of falsehood and limitation to a higher status. It is Nature's Way of progress. (There is also a higher way through the power of Spirit and Soul.)

Nature's Way through Resolution of Disharmonies
Nature's profound method of progress is via the duality of that which is now and that which can be better in the future. In particular Nature progresses toward a higher order through the resolution of disharmonies between opposites. The greater the disharmonies of opposites, the greater the spur toward a higher order. This is the method of Nature.

There is also an upward movement toward higher opposites; meaning the contradictions are of a less base quality, but of a higher quality; yet still there is contradiction.

The evolved human can find the Divine, and thus aid Nature in finding Her true God nature. Thus the evolved human can impact positively and greatly the movement of Nature to ever higher opposites [or perhaps no opposites at all; i.e. from truths to higher truths.]

Moving Beyond Our Contradictions with Others
At each point that you are upset with or vehemently disagree with or otherwise are in conflict with someone, you create a contradiction with that other individual that blocks positive energy, and thus prevents positive circumstance from taking shape. That contradiction and gap may even be accompanied my fatigue, headache, poor sleep, and serious illness. Conversely, at each point that you try to bridge the gap and contradiction -- e.g. by giving up hostility or dislike, overcome assertion and righteousness, and embrace the other person's position -- you move to a higher plane, which opens the doors to sudden good fortune.

For example, one man was having trouble with his computer printer, and therefore contacted technical support. He had been passed around on the call and now was in the hands of someone who he thought was too slow and deliberate, and ill informed. Though he was initially disturbed by the situation, he gave in and put his faith in the woman. As a result, she not only quickly resolved his problem, but several hours later the man was shocked to discover that a $400 referral fee he had earned had suddenly ballooned to an unexpected $4000! Because he bridged the gap by rising to a higher consciousness, the contradiction between he and the support person was resolved, and sudden good fortune quickly followed.

Then there was the case of a woman who had harsh feelings towards several of her co-workers. It turns out that she had been working at the company as a temp and was desperately looking for a full time job. At the very peak of the effort to improve her relationship with her co-workers, she received a most unexpected call from her manager informing her that due to her exemplary work, she had now been promoted from a temporary to a full-time employee, her first such position in ten years!

In life we often come in conflict with others -- whether a fellow worker, a boss, a spouse, or a friend. Nature has placed us in that position so that we can grow thorough the experience; so we can progress as individuals by overcoming the contradiction. We resolve it by raising our consciousness relative to that relationship and condition. At each point we move from assertion and irritation to openness, compliance, and calm, we generate positive energies that align with positive conditions that we experience as sudden good fortune. In essence, we move from the ego plane, which is a realm of limited possibilities, to the universal plane, where all our aspirations in life are fulfilled.

Example of How Contradiction Enables Further Refinement & Progress
In reference to the notion of the method of contradiction; and how slavery brought out the further refinements of progress in society:

In the US they are debating the issue of patents. One side favors legislation that will support large corporations and give them great patent power; the other supports the entrepreneur more. The first side argues that powerhouse companies like a Microsoft and Intel have greatly helped the society. The other side points to how entrepreneurs like a Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, and the young founders of Google have changed society. There is contradiction between 2 approaches to legislation. Can we say that the legislative process, or rather the debate over these two approaches in a democratic system, in which there is rational discussion, enables the further details and issues not seen in the first round to come out -- allowing further progress?

The choice is between the slow resolution through Nature (Prakriti) vs. the quicker, more integral and further revealing resolution through higher consciousness (i.e. Soul, Spirit, Purusha).

Perhaps the democratic process here is somewhat in between. I.e. an indicator of a powerful, but limited breaking out of Nature to Soul.

The Positive Value of the Negative Person
As long as you avoid a bad person, your inner knowledge keeps the inner ignorance at arm's length. Avoidance is austerity; acceptance is prosperity. Ignorance does not transform into knowledge as long as we avoid it or avoid the person in our life who represents that ignorance. He is there for us to make a progress. When we make that progress, mysteriously he vanishes. He tells us by his jealousy that there is jealousy in us. We are not aware of it, or we are unwilling to concede it. That is the positive value of a negative person. The moment we recognise it and exhibit a willingness to give up the bad trait, that man disappears. (MSS)

An example: Yes, a friend of mine had that precise experience.

She had an abusive boss, who for several years made life intolerable for her (and several others). She made the brave effort to look at it from the point of view of her own attitudes. She decided not be mad at him. In that sense, she was giving up her own limited sensitivities. Sometime later, he not only was nice to her, but after Christmas that year had left the company.

Nature's Way through Contradictions in Individuals
Nature's way is to create opposite pairs, such as opposing and conflicting individuals, so that they can emerge into higher harmonies. This is accomplished because each side knows what the other needs to know, and it is in their interlocking relation can these truths of higher nature emerge. We see this between the pairs of lovers, who have perhaps married. They come together in one sense to overcome their own limitations through the knowledge that the other secretly or not so secretly has. The tragedy is that this long-lived and quite obvious golden opportunity for progress is generally ignored by both sides.

Consciousness, Contradiction, and Progress
When we evolve our consciousness, we enable conflict to turn into progress.

Article: Seeing Beyond the Contradictions

Contradictions are Complements
That is, that all things that seem to be in conflict, opposition, depend on one another for the other's progress and evolution. In fact, the progress of each side is buried in the makeup, aspect, needs, destiny, and evolution of the other side. The things that seem to conflict or contradict are really complements to each other's progress. Thus contradictions are complements. This principle applies between individuals, to an individual in a social context, between social entities like businesses, between nations, and so forth upwards to the earth and the cosmos itself.

Each party then is only able to change as a result of their conflicting or contradicting interaction with the other. The knowledge of what needed to be changed in each person could only be found in the interaction with the other person, in the knowledge of the other person, or in the truth of life that the other person has. So what on the surface we perceive as a negative contradiction and conflict between the two parties, is actually a complement unfolding and necessity to bring out their each of their own growth and development.

Overcoming the Knots of Contradiction - Example 1
We see the contradictions in the world that are secretly complements to their growth. It is like two snakes tightly coiled around one another. If one moves in the wrong direction, i.e. expresses its lower consciousness, the other reacts by further tightening. They must learn to change their ways, which will loosen the knot between them, even as they foolishly believe that an aggressive action for their falsehood will free them; but which really further tightens the noose. It is the knot of their complementary contradiction.

We see this clearly between the Palestinians and the Israelis, when they each reinforce their falsehood, which tightens the knot between them. Each snake is strangle as the other one tightens, which strangles the original. When they move away from hate, the knot loosens.

This phenomenon can be seen in any aspect of life where there is contradiction and conflict between the two parties, which are secretly Nature's Way of complementary pairs so constituted to enable one another's growth that the other side (ironically) has insight into that the first side does not. One must awaken to the higher consciousness, which relives the tension between the opposing party, thereby enabling the knot to slip, which we can call the emergence of the higher harmonies out of their earlier contradiction.

Contradictions into Complements
We must make every situation that looks contradictory, and make it complimentary.

Overcoming the Unique Contradiction of Who We Are
Every person is a contradiction waiting to become whole. And each person is a unique contradiction, whose greater success, progress, and happiness on life depends on overcoming a unique set of wanting characteristics. In can even be said that is the very reason we are individually here on earth: to overcome the unique differential between who we are and what we can become; to bridge the gap between our inner light and the darkness, in order to create a higher Light. If we seek to overcome the dark elements inside, we grow and evolve. If we don't, we fall back and regress. To the degree we take to that inner adventure, we are alive and live dynamic lives. To the degree we don't, we wither and die.

Consider the fact that the Soul has taken birth within us with its Own aspiration to acquire something more on its own journey through space and time. It aspires to learn that Something New through that the individual it inhabits movement out of its particular contradiction towards one's Higher Nature. When that person discovers what those lacking elements are, the evolving Soul gains some unfathomable sustenance it did not have before in its cosmic journey through space, time, birth, death, and rebirth.

It is actually a two-way collaboration between the individual, who can move out of his or her contradiction, and the evolving Soul, which seeks subtle sustenance in its voyage in and out of creation. When we move away from the surface of life to a deeper poise, we become more conscious, mindful, and aware. When we go to the deepest place, to the evolving Soul behind the heart, our consciousness develops the most. We perceive our purpose; we discover becomes our Inner Guide, and we feel connected to others, to the universe, and the transcendent Divine. The Soul is then the ultimate touchstone of our growth, progress, and evolution. And yet as we grow, we give the soul what it yearns for in choosing this life, our life. It us a two-way collaboration and fulfillment.

To put it simply, we can discover the half dozen aspects of our nature that are wanting, and make the effort to change them. They are usually found from amongst the following: (limited amounts of-) energy, will, focus, direction, psychological strength, skills, wisdom, positive attitudes, givingness, love, calm, organization, and personal values. It is mostly there in our wanting attitudes and beliefs. When we overcome what is limiting in our character, we move from our unique contradictory nature to a Higher nature, fulfilling our potential to be whole. The evolving Soul within us waits on us to make that change. If we do, both we and our Soul gain inner nourishment, and in that process experience the ultimate purpose of Life -- to experience intense Joy and Delight in being alive.

Holding Opposites in Our Mind to Know the Whole Truth
It has been said recently that blacks in America have substantial opportunities to rise, but have become complacent and self-satisfied. If one is honest, one must see that this is true in the current environment (2005). It is said by others that blacks in America are being ignored by the society, indicating a virulent contempt and callousness of the government and the people. If one is honest, one must accept that this too is true. Then which is it: one or the other? They appear to be contradictory beliefs.

Is it not possible that both are true, but that the human mind cannot hold these contradictory opposites together at once. The human mind, supported by a irrepressible negative vital/emotional being takes a side -- holding its one truth in opposition to all others, despite the wider understanding of the whole that includes all truths. This is unfortunately the way the mind of man functions. It is exclusive to all other possibilities other than its own. It takes one side out of a myriad of truths, and takes delight in REINFORCING its opinion whenever possible.

On the other hand, the person of higher consciousness moves out of the exclusivity of mind and embraces the full truth, whatever that might be; even, as in the example above, where the truths appear virtually opposite one another. The higher spiritualized mind embraces all truths because it seeks them; even what appears as contradictory opposites. In the lower consciousness, however, one is adamant about one's own position. In this world, all is divided existence, opposites opposing one another; me vs. you. In the higher consciousness, opposites, contradictions are complementaries, i.e. they work together to make a fuller, more whole, more integral truth. As man evolves, he will move to the spirit in mind that that can hold all truths, including contradictory ones. Then he will take a big leap on the road to his further evolution and transformation.

We can begin that process by moving to our deeper consciousness within, away from the surface bubblings, to silence; and then deeper still to the evolving soul. There one sees beyond the contradictions, embracing all sides, seeing to the True Truth that lie beyond the surface view. From there, all decisions made will be great ones, that inevitably benefits all.

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The greater the disharmonies of opposites in nature, the greater the spur toward a higher more evolved order.

Movement Towards Higher Opposites
There is an upward movement from lower opposites toward "higher" opposites.

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The course of events, which we can call Nature, when they want to precipitate a result, elude all other initiatives, e.g. by individuals, and follow its own course.

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Bad men confront other bad men so Nature can turn them into good men. It is the same for each of us, when that part of us which is limited and negative confronts another individual with his own dark spots. Limitation serves here the role of badness there.

Conflict Magnifies Issue
It is quite striking how conflict between two sides or entities in life magnifies, clarifies, solidifies issues that would ordinarily remain hidden from view. It moves the issue, problems, new emergences from our unconsciousness to our conscious awareness; from our sleep state to an awake state. One only needs to observer the emerging national or international news to perceive this phenomenon.

Truth Clarified Through Arrogant Stupidity
Life will periodically need a person of arrogant stupidity to say the wrong things in order to be rebutted by individuals expressing a fuller, shining truth that is clarified and amplified for a greater listening audience to comprehend. It is Nature's peculiar and ironic way.

Contradiction Energizes, Brings an Issue into Focus
You are an observer of two sides debating an issue. You accurately perceive that one side is obviously far closer to the truth than the other. And yet you remain calm and detached from your emotion to take a side, as you realize that the very fact of this debate raises the issue to a greater level of intensity and focus for public scrutiny. Without the conflict and contradiction, the issue might remain buried in society's subconscious.

Contradictions Become Complements; Through a Conscious Individual Can Resolve in Higher Harmonies
When there are contradictions between two forces, entities, situation, people, etc. the opposing entity knows the truth that the other side lacks. It is thus only in their interaction in conflict and contradiction that the other side discovers its missing truth. Also, it is through this process that Nature evolves into higher harmonies. Ultimately as we become more fully conscious beings, we perceive the higher harmonies breaking out of the contradictions; we perceive the resolutions of the contradictions in higher harmonies that are at the next round of progress.

Beyond Division and Contradiction to Higher Resolutions in Life
On the surface of life there is endless conflict, strife, and suffering. This is the way our normal consciousness sees the world. It sees through division and contradiction. However, when we move to a deeper consciousness, it reverses. Division becomes Oneness; i.e. those forces that are divided from one another actually share a deeper purpose that binds them in oneness. From that deeper consciousness, we also see that contradictions become complements. I.e. forces that appear in opposition are at a deeper level complementary to one another; even necessary to one another's progress.

This might sound like mere philosophy, but from a deeper perspective, it is the most profound and practical of truths. For example, we see two nations at war, or two families quarrelling, or two individuals at loggerheads. At their soul level, where their true selves lie, they are bound in unity. Only their egos, operating at the surface, bind them in division and strife. If they were to instead go deeper within, they would find a common interest -- a means of resolving the surface problem through an overriding higher possibility and solution. If we choose to go into the depths, away from ego that separates us, we will find that higher harmony and resolution overcomes our division and conflicts.

Likewise, when we move to a deeper consciousness, we see that the conflict we thought we were having with another is really indicating that we share a hidden complementary relationship with them. That it is only through that relationship with them that we can each can grow and progress to the next emerging level. Since it is only through the interaction with my adversary that my own faults show themselves, that other party is then a complement and agent for my own personal growth! Or, to put it another way; it is only in our mutual conflict that we can bring a wider possibility that will benefit both parties.

Why then do we perceive the division and contradiction, not the oneness and complementary nature of our relationships? It is because of the limitations of our minds --which cannot see the whole truth of any subject, inquiry, or matter, but only the part. And the part Mind sees is often only the part that the ego reinforces. When I am in conflict with another, my Mind only perceives the conflict, which is only a part of a much wider truth, and wholeness of possibilities. Also, the part Mind sees is that part that satisfies the ego. The ego looks out for its own interest, at the expense of the interests of others, the environment -- i.e. of the whole truth of things.

This might still sound like philosophy. However, as one moves out of the part-view into the whole truth of any situation -- conflicting or not -- then one begins to perceive the full integral knowledge of the conditions of life in any moment. It will strike us as a Marvel. Also when we come out of our ego, move from selfishness to selflessness and self-givingness, we will break the impasses we have with another party. Division and contradiction will begin to turn into harmony of purpose, even as we perceive our complementary association. Then new solutions will reveal themselves from all quarters. The limited, finite world steeped in conflict will burst forth with infinite possibilities coming from this new harmonic perspective. We will then together with our once-adversarial partner stand before entirely new possibilities for progress and accomplishment. That discovery will in turn itself release a deep abiding joy within.

America: Embracing the Other Side of the Coin
Life appears as opposites; hot and cold, night and day; truth and falsehood good and evil, to name a few. Mind normally prefers one side over the other -- e.g. beauty over ugliness. But life is not so simple, as these opposites are in truth complementary pairs; i.e. they need one another. We however prefer the side that meets our preference, opinions, and beliefs.

One of the great dualities, which are really complementary pairs is freedom and cooperation. In America, we enjoy our freedom; cooperation is secondary. And yet we cannot have true freedom unless we learn to live together. In Asia, cooperation is paramount; and yet how can one collaborate if one is not free to express one's true individual position in life.

To be successful in life, we must understand and embrace all sides of an issue, including the pairs of opposites, as well as the shadings between the two. The South Korean flag's Yin-Yang symbol indicates the unity and integration between the two. It is a deep value worth embracing.

After great economic expansion during the Gilded Age of the 19^th century, America experienced the great depression. After decades of unbridled material-based individuality, the reality of lack of cooperation reared its ugly head. Unfettered speculation and greed ushered in an era of unprecedented poverty in America. Material-oriented Individuality had gone too far, as all efforts too create rules and regulations -- a direct implementation of the value of cooperation and harmony -- was ignored. The US pulled itself out of its misery through WWII, itself caused by a lack of cohesiveness amongst the nations of Europe before that conflagration.

Sixty years later America forgot all of those events and lessons to be learned and embarked on unfettered material-oriented individuality again. After the Cold War, it saw no need to cooperate with other nations, hence the disastrous Iraq war, and saw no need to put in place regulation for economic control and development. Hence the current financial crisis that threatens the very makeup of the free-market system. In America, a reactionary conservative philosophy that sees government as evil, rather than the complementary force she is has led the country once again down the road of excess individuality at the expense of the harmony and well-being of its people. In the absence of self-control and limited values, life has moved forward and pressed upon the nation the importance of cooperation. If Man won't move in the direction of truth, Nature will. And that means suffering and pain.

America was founded on the premise of individuality and freedom. Instead of true individuality, it has embarked on unfettered economic liberty. That translates that in the field of economics we do not want any chains on us; no watchdog organizations to observe us; no government regulation. We want to do as we please. But life cannot succeed unless the other side of the coin -- cooperation -- is adopted. Though at first perceived as opposites, Freedom and Cooperation are in the end complements of one another; that depend on one another for overall success in life.

Outgrowing Group Negativity
When friends and associates gather and mock those who are weak, infirm, or vulnerable, it is an indicator of their own common insensibility. It is part of why Nature has brought them together; to outgrow it.

Negative Compels Positive
It is interesting to observe how a negative force will coerce and compel a more positive force to further evolve.

Positive in Negative, Negative in Positive in History, Events
What if the native people for all their awareness DID have a level of savagery which was overcome by conquerors from more cultured lands, who themselves were intolerant of their wisdom and unique aspiring culture as they oppressed, and were thus more evil than their victims and subjects. From our normal perspective we tend to choose one side or the other in judging history or current events. Instead we can see that such conflicts and contradictions are the meeting of two forces brought together by Nature to overcome their own unique negative propensities over time. In this way we can be aware of the positive in the negative, and the negative in the positive, which enables us to see the deeper truths emerging.

Seeing Negative as Cause of Positive
People are slowly beginning to see how the negatives society encounters enable it to progress. This is Nature's Way, the somewhat drunken-like instrument of the Force. E.g. food prices go down for consumers as a result of accounting scandals involving the food packagers, who were forced to change their ways that benefit the consumer. This is not the optimal method for development, which would be through decision makers' positive conscious choice, but it is Nature's slow, circumlocutious way, which still achieves in the end. What is now refreshing is the awareness of individuals, such as pundits and columnists, of this relationship of the negative to the positive. Interestingly, the recognition of Nature's difficult route can be the steppingstone that compels us to adopt the more positive, conscious methods towards very rapid, abundant development in society.

ARTICLE: Organization Of Life
The deepest insights into how Nature, Life is truly organized.

How is Life Organized?
What are the subtle ways that life functions. A vast insight into the hidden forces and powers of life is revealed here.

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The British unified the US and then India by their exploitation. Looking for resources and markets, she unconsciously instigated freedom. Likewise Nature shapes our own individual lives, evolves our being slowly or quickly over time in ways we are unconscious of.

Also See Seeing Beyond the Positive and Negative

Nature's Efficiency (She Works on Many Fronts at Once)
(main)

Nature Works on Many Fronts Simultaneously
Nature works on many fronts simultaneously. E.g. through one incident there can be changes and progress for a number of individuals, each in their own way. The same in events and participants in events in the world.

Nature's Conscious Efficiency
Nature is conscious. She has no waste. She attempts simultaneously many things and completes all of them at the same time. Therefore the efficiency of Nature is maximal. (MSS)

Nature's Good and Fortune Comes in Bunches
Whatever happens - good or bad - does not happen singly. It comes in bunches, in quick succession as if Fortune in determined to make one lucky. Sri Aurobindo explains this phenomenon as absence of waste in Nature. Nature, He says works on several things at once, which appear as waste to us. But the work of Nature is occult to our naked eyes. When the time comes, we see one item is completed. That is followed by all the other items of work Nature was working on. He who invokes the Spirit can witness that phenomenon in his life. A lady celebrated two weddings for two of her daughters, raised her income fivefold, and sent both the daughters to USA, all in about a year. (MSS)

Nature Works on Many Fronts Simultaneously
Nature works on many fronts simultaneously. I.e. it seeks to accomplish several things -- even matters that seem to contradict one another -- through one central circumstance. Take the Tibet situation. Most of us are aware of China's tyranny that began in 1958 when she drove out the Dalai Lama and killed perhaps millions. Yet for all of China's heavy-handedness, Tibetan culture and its Buddhism in particular there had become crusted over and outdated. By being pushed into India the young Dalai Lama initiated revolutionary change in its teachings, embracing the modern way, which has very much changed the nature of that culture. Had China not oppressed the Tibetans, it might have taken centuries if ever for this progressive change to take place. And, of course, China too is being taken to task for its continued oppression of the Tibetans at a time it is economically and culturally emerging in the world. It too is being forced to change in the bright light of public opinion.

Thus we see that Nature works on many fronts at the same, defying mind's normal view of things, which tends to see only one part or aspect of any thing. However, when we develop a higher consciousness and rise out of linear, static mentality -- enjoining the higher intuitive and spiritual dimensions of life -- we can begin to see the variety of unfoldings and influences that emerge from any central circumstance. These startling, confounding, and often contradictory outcomes indicate Nature's Ultra-Efficiency that seeks and establishes progress along multiple lines simultaneously. It is a true wonder of life.

Nature Works on Many Fronts Simultaneously
During and after the recent world famous "balloon boy" episode where a helium filled, flying saucer-shaped inflatable traversed 90 miles over the flats in front of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA, there were many and very diverse reactions. Some felt outraged that a father would allow his very young sons to participate in these sorts of experiments. Others felt bamboozled the child was not aboard after the media was stirred into a frenzy about the possibility. Others still were disturbed by the intense amount of coverage it was given during and after the incident. And so forth.

Like all events in life, it indicates that multiple change -- and progress -- is occurring at multiple levels at the very same time though common circumstance. The father was seen crying after as he realized that his child had been missing. He understood that his mentoring of his children needed improvements, and he had put them at risk here and in the past. The media realized that it had been made to look like fools as its members acted like a herd following the story when the child was never in the balloon to begin with. Viewers were bothered when they realized that they had been preoccupied by a bunch of nothing. Family viewers see the obsession a family's obsession with science and thrill seeking. Other families see an invigorated family that work together to do something unique, unlike their own family. And so forth, ad infinitum.

Thus, each party realizes a unique limitation and weakness in relationship to the event, showing that Nature works on many fronts simultaneously; that it allows for multiple forms of growth through common circumstance. It also shows that Nature is conscious, in that change and progress for multiple parties through shared circumstance is Her plan. That also shows that She enables change through an astonishing Efficiency, not tolerating Waste. All is compacted in a single event, as if this were somehow part of a divine Intention and Plan.

Nature Embraces All
Nature seeks the spiritual progress of man, but does so slowly; is willing to go to and embrace the low, the false, the negative; meandering here and there, to call all to join the crusade in her march toward higher harmony and truth in life. (MSS)

Nature's Efficiency: Strategy of Nature that Brings Multiple Good Events
-In life, there does exist a phenomenon when one good event triggers all good happenings. Sri Aurobindo calls this the strategy of Nature in whose process there is no waste at all.

-Nature has a wider view aiming at a wider fulfillment. Nature deals with forces not individually, but at the point where all the strands meet. It is like a government inaugurating a multi-pronged project through several departments. Apparently, the work of one department stands out and others are not seen. The other departments have to hold their projects in suspense in favour of one. But all the time, work goes on in all the projects unseen. On the appointed day one department announces its completion. It is followed by every other department's project, just like a fairy tale. (MSS)

[It is Nature's remarkable efficiency, which we can observe in literature and in life.]

Efficiency of Nature
The yoga of the earth is done by the work of Nature -- with no waste. (MSS) [No waste means that she can enable many things relate to one another all to progress at the same time. It is the ultimate efficiency of Nature. It is still a slow and painful way compared to progress through Soul/Spirit.]

Nature Works On Many Fronts Simultaneously
There are many principles that describe the subtle, profound workings of life, though we are aware of very few. Perhaps the law of karma or 'what you sow is what you reap' is the closest we come to perceiving a law of life in effect. Even there it is vague for the overwhelming majority of people.

However, over the years, several colleagues and I have tried to organize a set of life principles based on the teachings of Indian seer and sage Sri Aurobindo. Beginning with the highest level of Reality, he revealed a series of universal laws that explain the process by which the universe emerged from a Divine source, and how life in the cosmos, including the life of man, intersects with and is affected by those laws. Most of these cosmic principles are captured in his great work The Life Divine. It has been up to individuals like ourselves to take those First principles and interpret them in terms that are identifiable in the life of the collective (i.e. society, business, etc.) and the individual. It takes a subtle eye and the right contextual knowledge to perceive these profound principles at work. However, with the Master's original insights and the pioneering work of Mother's Service Society (MSS), that task has been considerable eased.

Perhaps the widest universal principle is the notion that life itself has a character -- just as you and I have one. There are then in turn dozens if not hundreds of sub principles -- both material and subtle -- that describe the many dimensions of life's character.

The argument could be made that we already have principles in place that describe the unfoldings of life in the universe. True enough, but those are mostly at the material level -- i.e. they are laws of life based on empirically quantifiable physical properties; which in essence leaves out all other planes of existence -- including the vital/emotional, social, psychological, mental, occult, metaphysical, spiritual, etc. It is like trying to understand the motives of an individual by watching his gait as he walks. It is merely a superficial view of things. While science has provided an understanding of the material process and principles, the non-material ones -- which is 90% or more of the processes in life -- remain unknown to the general public; even to the experts in their respective fields of sociology, psychology, history, social development, etc. It is a revelation of knowledge that awaits us in the 21^st century. From that perspective, existing 20^th century knowledge of what truly determines in life and brings about outcomes that unfold before us will seem stilted and shallow.

If life unfolds in these subtle ways that defy our normal perceptions, what is an example of a principle? The one I would like to suggest here relates to the functioning of 'Nature.' Nature is in essence the way life unfolds in the universe. The principle then is this: that 'Nature works on many fronts simultaneously.' This means that when a life event unfolds, many parties are affected in different ways, enabling progress for each through a singularity. Furthermore, Nature is somehow 'aware' that it can enable progress on multiple fronts through a common event -- such as a major great development, catharsis, or upheaval. The reason Nature can elicit progress on multiple fronts simultaneously is that it is 'conscious' at some level of its being. It is conscious of its workings because behind its own internal 'knowledge' there is the determination, influence, sanction, and support of an underlying Divine Intention. Nature is in that sense is an instrument of the Divine Will, which unfolds and progress on multiple fronts simultaneously through these shared singularities.

An example will illustrate. A teacher arrives at a 2-day class to teach several students features of a software application. In the course of the classes, he recognizes that all is going awry. He sees many causes that have led to the current situation. He even notes his own irritability and weakened nerves in the unfolding of this difficult singularity. Eventually the situation comes to a head, and the instructor cancels the class because he believes it has gotten completely out of hand. Many people are upset, including the trainer, the students, the people in the company who arranged the class at the company, the agent of the trainer, and so forth. Each, in fact, managed to foul up in ways that contributed to the disaster. Each misstep is in turn related to a limitation in character or capacity of that person or related system.

Now each major individual involved in the episode is forced or even shocked into confronting his own responsibility in bringing about the unfortunate event. Each is compelled to examine his or her own self to discover where they had failed in the process. It is usually indicative not only of a small problem in the procedures of that event, but of a significant limitation of character of that individual. The defect ranges from a limited skill, or missing knowledge, all the way to a profound psychological weakness and limitation, such as a negative attitude, a false belief, an inscrutable motive, etc. From there each person decides to make the necessary inner and outer change to the degree he is compelled to do so. Those who take to change, invariably bring about their own progress. Those who let it slide will normally have to go through a similar-type episode again in their lives. In other words, each person will progress to the degree he is open to do so. The collective effect is the awesome power that Nature brings to enable multi-faceted change around a shared singularity.

For example, the teacher realizes that he has been too stressed during recent classes, and takes actions thereafter to rectify the source of that problem. The person in charge of the group of students in attendance realizes that she was too disorganized to establish the right agenda beforehand. The members of the training department at the facility realize that their procedures for such a one-time training event, as was the case here, is faulty. And the agent of the instructor realizes that the procedures to handle such situations need improvement.

In each case, an individual learns something about himself or the procedures of his job through the singularity that Nature has issued forth as an event. That generates a pressure to make a certain level of change. That change is essence what we know as 'progress.' Thus, due to the difficult situation, each is forced by life -- i.e. Nature -- to make the necessary corresponding change. It is interesting to note that there was in essence only one event that caused many to change -- each in their own unique way. Thus, Nature, through a single event works on many fronts simultaneously to bring about creative, integral, many-faceted change for the parts as well as for a wider whole.

This principles of life can be seen everywhere. It is especially noticeable when such things as scandals or wars or other forms of upheaval take place. It brings out the need for simultaneous change to rectify problems raised by that singularity. Life progressing on many fronts simultaneously through a single, shared event or circumstance is Nature's stupendous, miraculous-like Efficiency. The vast Tsunami that rippled through the Asian pacific is an example, and the fallout in produced and the pressure it brought to bear across a thousand domains -- from economics to politics to social life across a myriad of nations -- is one example. So was World War II. As a result of the vast pressures of the war, not only was Europe organized into a union thereafter (EU), but a tottering British Empire also collapsed. Even the great depression in America finally came to an end as a result of the jobs generated and the production needed to meet the demands of war. In a similar fashion, we can examine recent circumstances after 9/11 to see similar multifaceted change brought about by a single event. It does not only occur at the national or international level, but at the local or group level as we saw in the training episode above. It also happens at the individual level when something very trying, extremely difficult, or even tragic forces that person to change at several levels of his being simultaneously. E.g., an illness can cause a person to strengthen his body, reevaluate his lifestyle, alter his beliefs, and even look at his life overall in an entirely different light. Life itself can thus be thought of as a vast unfolding at all of these levels --- collective and individual -- bringing about change through this startling Efficiency of Nature.

As I suggested earlier, Nature is ultimately an instrument of some Divine intent. If that is so, then one question naturally arises. Does the Divine wish to bring about progress -- even simultaneous efficient progress -- only through difficulty? The answer is that we can also progress though positive means.

The positive means is the way of the Good, i.e. through a self-existent positive unfolding that knows no negative side. Can something unfold that is void of negative elements? Let us take a step back and examine the issue. The sage and seer perceive that Life actually divides into both Nature and Soul -- i.e. they are two methods of the unfolding of life, of progress. In the lower consciousness, life unfolds through the slow and difficult methods of Nature. In the higher consciousness, it evolves through Soul, which is in essence the higher consciousness infused with the higher values and expressions of the Spirit. Developments from the poise of this higher consciousness and Good tend not to release negative consequences. This is another, even higher principle of life -- i.e. of existence in the universe that emerged from a Divine source.

The key then is to take to the methods of higher consciousness in our lives that brings about the Good that is devoid of the negative. Interestingly enough, life can progress simultaneously on multiple positive fronts as well. For example, if I call to the Spirit before engaging in an activity or become self-giving in a critical situation or reverse a negative attitude in a moment of crisis, I generate energies that not only attract better conditions for myself, but can also produce positive results for others as well. In this way life progresses on many fronts -- individual or collective -- through the movements of the Positive. It is an indicator that we have freed ourselves from Nature's difficult course; that we have taken up the way of the Good, of Soul, of an evolving consciousness. It is the way of progress of tomorrow; an indicator that we are on the threshold of a New Way of Living.

Nature Enables Greater Complexity
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Nature
Nature is a movement towards ever higher, more complex harmonies. (Paraphrase of Sri Aurobindo)

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Nature solves problems in life by creating greater complexities.

Nature's Slowness
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Nature Embraces All
Nature seeks the spiritual progress of man, but does so slowly; is willing to go to and embrace the low, the false, the negative; meandering here and there, to call all to join the crusade in her march toward higher harmony and truth in life. (MSS)

Nature and Time
Nature functions in Time and her movements wait for the right time. (MSS)

Nature and Truth of Things
It is interesting how Nature holds back the Truth of things until the right time to create the maximum effect.

Nature and the March of Civilization
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Civilization and the Overcoming of Nature
What we call civilisation now is entirely because of human effort to overcome Nature's movements. (MSS)

Nature Unfolding in Parts Throughout the World
Nature does not work for progress in all fronts at all places simultaneously. Nature herself is a partial force. Soul and Nature together make for the whole. Nature is a part. A partial force cannot work for total progress. Hence Nature has decided to develop emotion in Asia and mind in Europe. (MSS)

Nature's Purpose through Europe and the US
Nature works at different points at different times guided by her own Purpose. Towards that end Nature employs the attitudes exhibited by different faculties. Science was developed in Europe which was proud of its scientific culture. Pride stands in the way of further development. So, Nature moved away from the self-sufficient Europe to develop further. The next step is not so much Science as scientific technology. Nature chose a humble population of the USA for that purpose. (MSS)

Nature's Development in the Parts of the World
Nature has developed emotions in Asia, spirituality in Asia, Science in Europe and practical organisation in USA while she left Africa to develop to full physicality. (MSS)

Civilization and the Overcoming of Nature
What we call civilisation now is entirely because of human effort to overcome Nature's movements. (MSS) [Then civilization is then perhaps a manifestation of Soul (Purusha)?]

Nature's Mission Unfolds through the Humble
Luck comes to the humble; who believe they do not deserve it. Luck expressed in ancient times in India, then as science in Europe, but moved away because of its pride and then found technology and science in a more humble America. Now it can move to India to complete it spiritual mission if there is spiritual humility developed there away from superstition. (MSS)

Nature Purges Our Lower Nature, Our "Physicality" (i.e. the low physical consciousness)
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Nature Purges Man's Physicality
Man's lowest consciousness is expressed in his physical consciousness, aka his "physicality." That physicality expresses not only as brutality, but as unconsciousness, inertia, unwillingness to change, anachronistic tendencies, inflexibility, lack of tolerance and openness, a material only view of the world, expression of ego, ritualistic religion, etc. Nature breaks the physicality of nations when those peoples experience natural disaster, when the nation is attacked by another, and in other ways. Nature, as an instrument of a Higher Consciousness (the Spirit), enables that people to progress to a higher consciousness through such negative means. The same occurs for individuals, through the difficulties of life. A higher approach to progress is through conscious self-awareness, through rationality and spirit. the progress of man through Soul instead of the difficult path of Nature is the future that awaits man.

Nature Pounds the Physical Consciousness Out of Peoples
Often when nations suffer great difficulty and tragedy it is Nature willfully driving out their Physical consciousness. That consciousness shows itself in that people's tendency towards any of anachronism, inertia, brutality, violence, harmful religion, ritual, insularity, indifference, materiality, etc. Nature uses physical disaster, war, and disease until the people move out of their physical consciousness to a higher vital or mental consciousness. In this sense Nature serves a great purpose. It would be better however if people can evolve by self-consciously moving out of their physical consciousness.

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Allowing Nature to seek her way is physical. Conscious development of the way is mental, and beyond to the spirit.

Nature, Mother Nature, and Purging of Physical Consciousness via Natural Disaster
By Nature's difficult way (Prakriti), I am referring to the nature of Life, not Mother Nature as in the physical forms of creation including the movements of the earth as in earthquake. It is important to see the distinction.

Mother Nature is a subset of Nature. It is it at the material level, not at the level of Life (which is energy, interaction, emotions, associations between people, one's psychological state, the status of society, etc.)

Earthquake usually indicates a conflict in society, as between Tibet and China (now), Pakistan internally (between vying forces) several years back, and in Iran during the rise of sectarianism in late 1970s, etc. etc. The dualistic, dark energies become synchronous with the disturbances in the physical environment. One could see it also in the quake that triggered the Tsunami, even in the countries affected by the Tsunami. It is Nature's way of overcoming the low, limiting, physical consciousness of the vying parties through Mother Nature.

See thoughts on breaking the reigns of the physical consciousness of Man

Overcoming Nature's Way through Our Higher Consciousness (and Connecting to One's Soul)
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From Nature to Soul through Higher Consciousness
When we grow in consciousness, we move from Nature's (Prakriti) slow and difficult way of progress (through resolution of contradictory opposites) to that of Soul (Purusha).

Human Soul Progress and Movement to Universal Soul
When we come in touch with our very deepest consciousness that is there in our own evolving soul we help the universe move from its status of progress through Nature's slow and difficult way to that of Soul, which is progress through the positive side alone.

The Personal Evolving Soul that Takes us Beyond Nature
Soul exists in Life, though it is dominated by Nature. Man can come to know soul and spirit. It is also embedded in him, in the very essence of his being. It is the personal evolving soul, the psychic being. When man comes in touch with it, he moves to Soul, his own and that of creation, overcoming the slow, difficult, and painful way of Nature.

From Nature to Soul through Our Higher Consciousness
Q: Is there anything in this universe in which soul is not present?

A: Sri Aurobindo tells us that life in the universe divides into Nature and Soul (Prakriti and Purusha). Both enable forms of progress; the latter slowly and difficultly, through sanctioned by the Divine; the latter, the better way, through higher consciousness. (There is no dark side when we progress through Soul/Spirit; i.e. it is self-existent.)

When we are in touch with our own evolving Souls, then we move to action in life through (universal) Soul. When we live on the surface, in ego, lower mind, time, we progress through Nature's Slow and Difficult method. We give strength to universal Nature.

Perhaps we can say that Nature/Prakriti is the surface universal, but behind it is Soul/Purusha. Then we can conclude that through us Life in the universe itself is evolving from Nature to Soul, becoming the prime means of cosmic progress. When we touch our own Soul, we enable this universal progress; we strengthen the Soul behind Nature in the universe to come out.

We can conclude that behind everything in all planes -- physical, vital, and mental -- is Soul. Through our elevation of consciousness, we are able to bring it from its involved status to the surface so it can fully express in life. Connecting to our evolving souls within, we open to the higher spheres and in the process bring the Spirit or Soul of anything to the surface.

There is even soul in inanimate objects. We can call to it and bring out the essence of that thing, which will cause it to cooperate with us; moving from its finite to infinite potential. We can take the same approach with every thought we have, every circumstance we encounter, every physical movement by elevating them. I.e. through soul connection and reference to Spirit, we can bring out the highest qualities of those things. The easier approach to do that is to open to the divine Mother before these acts or circumstance, which will bring the Essence and Infinite out of it.

Eventually over time through such consecrated action, we forge an ever-deepening relationship with the evolving soul within. In that process, we move Life from Nature to Soul; Prakriti to Purusha.

Enabling Soul by Withdrawing from Nature
In life Purusha [Soul] becomes free when we draw back from Nature (Prakriti). (MSS)

Progress and Evolution through Nature and Soul/Spirit
-Life normally unfolds through the compulsion of Nature. Nature's method of unfolding is an expression of the will of the Divine Spirit.

-The Divine also can unfold through Spirit/Soul.

-Nature unfolds slowly, in its own time, therefore painfully through conflict, division, and duality

-Nature is very efficient in that it can accomplish multiple purposes simultaneously.

-The development and progress of civilization has overcome the slow movements of Nature, quickening evolution. It is a reflection of evolution through an ever-increasing consciousness, particularly of the development of mind in society. Thus, Evolution of consciousness through mind, and one day through Spirit, evolves life more quickly than Nature slow and painful methods.

-Progress of life through Nature occurs not only slowly, but painfully through contradictory opposites. E.g. two sides of a conflict, debate, or other contradiction can only progress through the other side in the contradiction. They need one another for their progress, as each side knows what the other is ignorant of. (This is the theory of "contradictions are complements.")

-As we bring in our higher consciousness, life evolves more through Soul/Spirit instead of the slow painful ways of Nature. Time is sped up, abundance increased, pain and suffering eased, as life moves to ever-higher forms of progress and harmony through our higher consciousness, culminating in spirit.

-Soul/spirit can one day replace Nature as the method of evolution on earth. It will be a painless, infinite, joyful, straight movement to ever higher harmonies and ultimate fulfillment.

-As we evolve our consciousness, as we connect to our own inner being, including our personal evolving soul, our True Self, we enable the progress and evolution of life on earth through Soul/Spirit. We overcome Nature's slow and painful method.

Nature's Soul and the Psychic Being
Nature has a Soul. It is the evolving soul emerging in the Psychic Being of Man. (MSS)

Nature Moving and the Evolving Spirit
Nature does not move by itself. Nature moves, says the tradition, by the sanction of the Silent Purusha behind. We hear from Sri Aurobindo a different strain. Sri Aurobindo reminds us of the Upanishadic formula 'Sarvam Brahman'. Nature too is Brahman, says He. Also nothing in this universe can exist without the Spirit, the Purusha or the Being. Therefore, Nature exists by the Spirit inherent in it. When Nature moves, the Spirit in it evolves. Sri Aurobindo calls it the evolving spirit [in us], the Psychic Being. (MSS)

Life Progresses Mainly through the Dualities of Nature
Life normally progresses through the movement of Nature. Nature is an unevolved form of the Spirit that accomplishes through division, duality, and pain. It is the way life normally evolves on earth. There have been are exceptions, reflecting progress through higher forms of consciousness. As man rises in consciousness, life will evolve more and more by the harmony, unity, and oneness of Soul than by the conflicts of Nature. And despite these limited qualities of Nature, She has the sanction of the transcendent Divine. The Divine ultimately "aspires" for evolution through Soul instead of Nature, meaning that the Spirit ultimately years for the conscious evolution of us as individuals.

Nature, Soul, and Evolution
-From a Spiritual Being, energy at rest emerges. That is the basis of life. (Forms in he universe take shape in life from this Energy.)

-Life divides into Nature and Soul. (Nature is known as Prakriti in the East. Soul is known as Purusha.)

-Nature expresses the force only if the Spirit/Being; whereas Soul expresses the essence of the Spirit/Being. Nature is Force. Soul is of the Being. Nature is energy, force apart from consciousness.

-Nature is not Being/Soul, though it is a power of Being/Soul.

-Soul is energy, force united with consciousness, a reflection of the Divine reality.

-Life can evolve through Nature or Soul.

-Most of the time life evolves through Nature.

-Life evolves primarily through the division, duality, contradiction, suffering, and pain of Nature slow method.

-Though Nature evolves through division, duality, and suffering, it still has the sanction of the spiritual Being. (The Being perceives that Nature must function and be because life is still unevolved.)

-As man evolves, life will evolve more and more through Soul, through the soul that is in man.

-Nature is conscious. She knows no waste, and thus accomplishes many things at once.

-Nature enables every higher, more complex forms of harmony. Nature solves problems in life by creating greater complexities. Nature resolves the contradictions of life in multiple instances simultaneously, by creating higher harmonies.

-The emergence of civilization for one (Such as the Renaissance), and other evolutionary movements are attempts to overcome the slow, difficult methods of Nature. They are movements of Soul, the fact of which is subconscious to the society.

-Life was created in division and duality, but through Nature to begin with, and eventually through Soul -- through the inner growth and soul connection of individuals -- will reach its ultimate potential and perfection.

Nature vs. Spirit's Way to Overcome Problems, Knots of the Past
Unless one consciously digs them up and holds them up to the descending Light, the problems and knots of the past have to undo themselves by the negative impact of life events. This is Nature's way. The spiritually conscious approach, is preferable, in terms of greater speed, joy, and great results, undoing the burdens of the past ways. (Paraphrase of MSS)

Suffering of Nature vs. Being in the Evolving Soul
Life is in Prakriti, Nature, where there is no soul. The Soul is behind as witness. Hence suffering, pain, and death are in life.

Yogic life is not in Prakriti. It is in the evolving soul, the Psychic Being. There is no suffering, pain or death. (MSS)

Consciousness, Contradiction, and Progress
When we evolve our consciousness, we enable conflict to turn into progress.

Moving from Our Lower to Our Higher Nature

We live for the most part in a lower consciousness, for the most part still tethered to a lower animal existence, far from our potential higher nature which could open to and embody these ultimate divine powers.

We are blinded and deceived by our lower nature. We are lost in the fog, inertia, inconscience of a lower consciousness. We live for personal power, for food, for pleasure, for desire, for attachment, for our ego, and predominantly for our own self-interest. We are self-centered and very selfish. Unfortunately, we know no other ways, save for the small moral or religious sense we are provided to keep us on the straight and narrow. There is no objectivity, no true thinking, no sense of an inner way; no or little understanding of the purpose of our existence, or the infinite potentials of life.

When we discover our higher nature, when we discover our greater self, there is great discovery. Great discovery produces great delight and joy of being. So, as we discover our higher nature, we experience ever increasing delight and joy of being.

The common way we evolve is by Nature forcing us to evolve. That's a productive way in that Nature does accomplish what it set out to do, which is to enable the forms that are in the universe, the individuals and the society to progress and evolve. And yet Nature's Way is a slow and painful way, with growth and progress coming through contradiction, conflict, division, and duality. Instead, we can progress, grow, and evolve by becoming more conscious. We can replace Nature's slow method of progress of contradiction and conflict to a rapid method of progress to even greater harmonies through our higher consciousness.

Nature's vs. Self-Directed Tapas

The Sanskrit word "Tapas" roughly translates as "spiritual discipline." For a yogi, it might involve lengthy meditation to connect with the Spirit. For an individual dedicated to personal growth, it might entail learning to be calm in the face of an abusive boss. The intention in both cases is an evolution of consciousness through inner discipline.

There is also the tapas that life forces us into. It is Nature compelling us to take to a certain inner or outer tact to overcome a limitation and bring about our individual progress. In Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet, the father of five daughters, is forced by life into the discipline of not reacting to his vulgar, loud-mouthed, churlish wife. That tapas was the means of his personal progress in life.

In that way, each of us are compelled by Nature to move forward in consciousness; whether it means standing up to an abusive partner; or being a more understanding manager, when one is not normally disposed that way; or being forced to do things we are reluctant to do. It is the Tapas of Nature forced on us, secretly working in our own best interest, so we can overcome personal limitations, enabling is to grow in consciousness.

While, it is certainly in our best interest to embrace the Tapas requirements of Nature, it is better to consciously direct the course of our lives through inner and outer self-discipline. Conscious Tapas can be taken up at two identifiable levels. the first are those methods that will enable us to accomplish more in life and find basic fulfillment in life. Examples of such disciplines are developing our level of knowledge and skills, raising our level of personal organization, taking to greater psychological strength, and ridding ourselves of wanting attitudes and beliefs.

There is also spiritual Tapas, which is mainly for those who have taken to a higher calling in life. Examples of spiritual discipline is moving our center of awareness more inward, practicing non-reaction and remaining absolutely still in the face of difficulty, opening to the spiritual Force, deep meditation and prayer, and many others.

When we practice conscious, self-directed Tapas, we not only evolve our consciousness, and lead more successful and happy lives, but we tend to attract good fortune from the environment. In that way, this form of self-discipline is eminently superior to practicing the Tapas demanded of Nature.

Resolving Contradictions and Progress through Inner, Soul Connection
When Man functions from the depths, and particularly when he connects with his evolving soul, he becomes more attuned to the unfoldings of life and is therefore able to resolve the contradictions of life. He thus enables progress more quickly and integrally instead of Nature's slow and painful method of contradiction and resolution.

Availing Nature's Opportunities for Higher Consciousness
Nature, i.e. life presents opportunities to implement higher consciousness. Centered within, the opportunity can proceed without friction, smoothly, outside the bounds of space and time, which in essence moves us beyond Nature's usually difficult way.

To put it simply, we can discover the half dozen aspects of our being that are wanting, and make the effort to change ourselves. The wanting half dozen qualities can be found amongst the following: limited amounts of energy, will, focus, direction, psychological strength, skills, wisdom, positive attitudes, an ability to give and love, a peaceful mind and demeanor, organization, attitudes, and personal values. When we overcome the necessary ones, we move from our unique contradictory nature to a Higher nature. In one sense, we were born for one purpose; to overcome our conflicting nature and become whole. All other purposes are secondary. The evolving Soul awaits on us to make that change. If we do both, we and our Soul together experience the ultimate purpose of Life -- to experience intense Joy and Delight in being alive.

Overcoming the Unique Contradiction of Who We Are
Every person is a contradiction waiting to become whole. And each person is a unique contradiction, whose greater success, progress, and happiness on life depends on overcoming a unique set of wanting characteristics. In can even be said that is the very reason we are individually here on earth: to overcome the unique differential between who we are and what we can become; to bridge the gap between our inner light and the darkness, in order to create a higher Light. If we seek to overcome the dark elements inside, we grow and evolve. If we don't, we fall back and regress. To the degree we take to that inner adventure, we are alive and live dynamic lives. To the degree we don't, we wither and die.

To put it simply, we can discover the half dozen aspects of our nature that are wanting, and make the effort to change the. They are usually found from amongst the following: (limited amounts of-) energy, will, focus, direction, psychological strength, skills, wisdom, positive attitudes, givingness, love, calm, organization, and personal values. It is mostly there in our wanting attitudes and beliefs. When we overcome what is limiting in our character, we move from our unique contradictory nature to a Higher nature, fulfilling our potential to be whole. The evolving Soul within us waits on us to make that change. If we do, both we and our Soul gain inner nourishment, and in that process experience the ultimate purpose of Life -- to experience intense Joy and Delight in being alive.

Beyond the Political Opposites in Society, Enabling Rapid, Vast, Smooth, Creative Progress
In the USA as elsewhere there is a two-party system. It is an indicator of democracy, as opposed to the oppression of monarchy and aristocracy. And yet it is flawed relative to what it can be. The Democrats are passionate about ending poverty, and many of their policies are very helpful, but many are flawed. Their hearts are in the right place, if not all of their ideas. The Republicans want to cut taxes, which is one of a series of fine ways to stimulate the economy, and yet behind is a virulent selfishness and greed in that approach that is cut off from the social aspirations of people. Each side has positives that are wrapped in negatives, or negatives wrapped in the positive. When you also add in the political instinct, it can turn poisonous, as useful policy is abandoned for doing what is expedient and in the interest of that party.

One of the ways America and similar countries progress is through the opposition of parties that are each flawed. And yet we now progress through the interaction of these two conflicting and flawed opposites. This is Nature's way of progress through complementary contradictions, here expressed in governance. She also expresses elsewhere; in fact everywhere. E.g. in business through a traditional opposition of executives and the remainder of the staff. Through conflicts between nations; through conflicts between lovers; even of ideas. Everywhere we look, we will see such complementary opposites that appear to be in opposition, in duality.

As we rise in consciousness, the dualistic nature of progress dissipates, and there is growth and development in society through unity that is also exceedingly diverse. We release ourselves from a particular side to embrace the Whole. (Where is the Whole? It is the sum of all the truths of an object, and then some.) Life progresses in this more conscious way through positive energies only, not through an incessant mixture of positive and negative. Even the appearance of the negative in this new consciousness is seen as positive in disguise. As a result, progress is exceedingly fast, is exceedingly smooth, is vast, and infinitely creative -- replacing the slow and difficult way of Nature that is our current way.

What is this consciousness that sees the world in this new way? It occurs when we take to rationality certainly, moving away from our superstition and falsehood. More than that it has the spiritual touch, which expresses several ways: (1) a movement out of ego and separateness; (2) a giving up of exclusive points of view and the tendency to take sides; (3) a connection within that sees harmonies instead of dualities outside one's self; that even sees the unity emerging from conflicting opposites; (4) that acts in such a way that opposition is never created. It is for the future life, but we can each begin now by connecting with the calm and serenity and joy and love of our inner being and True Self. We discover this spiritual Being by moving away from the surface of life and connecting with the silence within.

Soul in Nature Evolved through Individual Connecting to Personal Evolving Soul
-When the individual progress and evolves, Nature does so too.
-When man finds his highest nature, in his true self, his personal evolving soul within, he evolves, and so does Nature.
-Man, or more specifically man coming in touch with his soul is Nature's method of soul evolution (as opposed to its slow evolution.)
-We can think of Nature and the Soul in Nature. Nature evolves slowly through the contradictions of life. Soul in Nature evolves through the evolution of the individual which rises to his highest nature by coming in contact with his soul space within.

Nature's Experiences Collects in the Evolving Soul

When Nature moves, She gains experience.
The essence of her experience is spiritual.
It collects as the evolving soul, the psychic being [of the individual]. (MSS)

Centered in the Soul of Nature, in the Evolving Soul
To centre oneself in the soul of Nature - Becoming - and aspire for its evolution is YOGA for Him. TO LIVE CENTERED IN THE PSYCHIC AND BE EVOLVING ALL THE TIME and to make the human choice every minute so as to fulfil that purpose is YOGA for Sri Aurobindo. (MSS)

Nature and the (Supramental) Force
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Nature, the Force, and The "Hour of God"
Nature functions in Time and her movements wait for the right time. The Force I speak of is not functioning in Nature or through Nature. It functions through the soul of Nature. The Soul of Nature does not wait for Time.

It chooses its own Time. And such a period is called the HOUR of GOD. It is an hour when what requires a thousand years gets done quickly.

During such moments, events occur one after the other on their own. What is started as a flat, usual, local affair, grows to national stature and initiates a national debate. Men who initiated a glorious movement fall on the wayside, events that were harbingers of a great dawn are forgotten, but the central vibration forges ahead.

It does not matter that corruption is prevalent, it does not also matter that there is stark poverty as long as the central MOVE is truthful. The Indian public life has a touch of that flame. The French writer said that TIME makes the Idea powerful. Sri Aurobindo says the inner truth of MAN who aspires makes that Time come.

And that Time is NOW. Individuals moving into the evolutionary movement make the nation enter that HOUR. They would never fail, as it is an unfailing Force. Should their service to the nation fail, it will succeed in their individual lives.

Nature vs. the [Supramental] Force (i.e. the Soul of Nature)
Nature functions in Time and her movements wait for the right time. The [Supramental] Force I speak of is not functioning in Nature or through Nature. It functions through the soul of Nature. The Soul of Nature does not wait for Time. It chooses its own Time. (MSS)

Untitled
In Supermind and beyond, Nature gives way fully to the movement of the Force in life.

Nature, and Being in the Becoming
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Being in the Becoming
There are three aspects of the Divine, Brahman, God. There is Being, Becoming, and Being in the Becoming. Being is the essential spiritual nature of the Divine. Becoming is universal existence; i.e. life and Nature in the cosmos. Being in the Becoming is the spirit in Life, Nature. (MSS)

Being in the Becoming
Being is Purusha [Soul], Becoming is Prakriti [Nature] so far. The concept of Being of the Becoming is the spiritual evolutionary goal.

Other (to be parsed)
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Thoughts on Free Will and Determinism

Raising our Consciousness Resolves the Contradictions
The great contradictions we see in life between spirit and matter we resolve by raising our consciousness to the point where we see their opposites in their inherent unity and oneness.

Unity in Diversity
All things are one in their being and origin, one in their general law of existence, one in their interdependence and universal pattern of their relations; but each realises this unity of purpose and being on its own lines and has its own law of variation by which it enriches the universal existence. (Sri Aurobindo)

Right and Wrong, and the Cosmic Play
We can witness the conflicts and contradictions of life in two ways. First, where we see the powers of right grappling with the powers of wrong; or second where we perceive that these two sides are really bound to one another to enable the full and higher emergence of the Cosmic Play. When we rise to an integral consciousness, we can even know both simultaneously.

Overcoming the Knots of Contradiction - Example 2
We can see the contradiction between two parties, that is secretly a complementary relationship of growth, even between individuals and the social institutions they partake of.

Take the customers of the electrical utility company and the utility itself. The individuals complain of too higher prices; the energy company complains that it is not charging enough to survive or grow. Let's look at both sides. From the perspective of the individual who complains, we see that he has a corresponding negative tendency in himself. He does not conserve energy in his own life, he keeps lights on, doesn't' recycle, and is unorganized in many facets of life that wastes resource (e.g. lack of orderliness, cleanliness, punctuality, proper attention to objects, lack of focus, etc.). He is like many others in the community; and then he/they complain when life responds negatively in kind in the form of the utility's higher prices. It is really a negative life response to their shared low social consciousness. From the side of the utility, it complains about its inability to raise prices to survive even as it rejects new forms of energy development in the name of preserving its current stake, which causes life to respond in the form of energy shortages, outages, and complaining customers.

These two entities are locked in their contradiction. They are like coiled snakes around one another, who depend on one another in their conflict for their further growth. When they express their unconsciousness, the other side tightens, which in turn reacts which further strangles the original side. When they become more conscious, it enables higher harmonies to emerge that benefit both sides, relieving Nature's method of contradictory pairs in coiled conflict. However, each side can rise in consciousness to enable such resolutions to occur much faster, invoking Consciousness Time instead of slow Nature Time. Years of frustration can resolve in days of illumination. And the opening to that light is seeing the truth that the other side represents in one's self.

Untitled
In Supermind and beyond, Nature gives way fully to the movement of the Force in life.

Untitled
The seed of all conflict in the world can be observed in one's mental angst and anguish in our opposition to one side or the other on an issue. If we conquer these distressed moments -- that is the key -- and call to the Force for the best emergence of circumstances, life will move for the better in the world relative to that concern.

Nature's Compulsion on our Lives vs. the Spiritual Way
Life is always pressing us, is always bringing out something very unique to our nature that is deficient; that we are being compelled to address, improve on, make better. These are the experiences that in retrospect are the very obvious difficult or exhilarating milestones of our lives.

Nature is compelling each of us to deal with certain limiting aspects of ourselves, through specific difficult situations or positive opportunities. The more we are conscious, the higher the consciousness we bring to bear to meet these circumstances, the more easily we overcome the challenges presented, and the rapidly we progress and evolve. At a further point in our evolution as individuals and as a species, Nature will fail to have any direct influence on us at all; as we are then able to meet life, to move life through our higher consciousness. At that point we connect directly with the Spirit, the true Force behind Nature. With that power in hand, at that level of highest consciousness, we can overcome, dissolve all problems and knots of life, all of the dualities and divisions that are manifest here; and we can do so rapidly, powerfully and delightfully. In that way we become true masters of life.

Nature is really an instrument of, an agent of, an appointed deputy of the Divine spirit.

There is a spiritual, a Divine purpose in life that is unfolding in the universe; and Nature is the force and agent enabling it to occur; compelling life to move toward the direction of spirit's intent, of God's intent, if you will. On the other hand, Nature's way is a slow and painful way. Though she is an obedient agent of the Divine Will, secretly the Spirit seeks higher consciousness, not Nature's slow workings, to evolve the universe; for the forms in the universe, including us, to evolve. Secretly the Divine hopes for us to also become Divine in being, to develop a higher consciousness and spiritual nature, so that Its purpose is more readily, more easily, dynamically, forcefully, harmoniously, and rapidly carried out!

Great Results of Spirit Resolving Contradictions
The contradictions and conflicts of life are resolved through Nature, enabling relatively finite benefits and results. When resolved directly through spirit, unforeseen, never-before-existing infinite benefits and results are derived.

It is a truth of life that when you are armed against an eventuality, it never comes to pass. Life hits unconscious people. When you are armed, you become conscious.

On Cause of, Avoiding Catastrophes
-Catastrophes strike more often people who are unconscious. It stops harassing them the moment they become conscious.

-It is a truth of life that when you are armed against an eventuality, it never comes to pass. Life hits unconscious people. When you are armed, you become conscious.

-Mother Earth will not quake when her sons are awake. What is true of a nation is true of an individual. He who is conscious, alert, who avails of opportunities, will have no problems. Nature or Fate will not strike him awake. (MSS)

Bringing All the Aspects Together that Nature Has Developed
Nature has developed different aspects -- physical, vital, mental, Spiritual -- of human existence to the next stage at different periods and in different places. Now that Nature has completed one round, all the different aspects must be brought together as a whole on earth. (MSS)

Yoga of Nature
There is a subconscious Yoga [i.e. spiritual progress] in Nature, attempting to realize her perfection, expressing her potential, connecting with her Divine Reality. (Paraphrase of Sri Aurobindo)

Man's Mastery Over Nature
Man has attempted mastery over Nature. To a great extent he has acquired it. (MSS)

The Positive in the Negative in Nature's Ways
We see a tragedy and feel shocked, saddened, perplexed by the outcome. However, at a higher level of consciousness, we see a marvel of the workings of Nature that bring about higher harmonies through contradiction. Some examples will clarify: A man in a car is hit by a train because there are no overpasses over the train tracks for him to cross. As a result a new overpass is created, saving the lives of many. But what about his lost life you say? Perhaps he was ready to move on, i.e. his personal evolving soul was seeking a way out of its current host, in search of another to gain the evolutionary substance for its further progress. In that sense there is no positive and negative in the workings of Nature. Everything is as it should be. We see the same situation when a cargo ship destroys thousands acres of sensitive coral reefs because it has strayed into a restricted area. We do not realize that a massive restricted area was created in the first place because of a similar incident long ago. The previous "tragedy" enabled the great movement towards a vast preservation. But is here a way for us to evolve more consciously, instead of through this merciless method of Nature? Of course. That is the next stage of human evolution built on higher human consciousness above our mentality to the spirit around us.

Dividing Nature, Not Being
Force of Nature can be divided; not the Being. (MSS)

The Role of Nature and Soul in Progress in the World
Nature does not work for progress in all fronts at all places simultaneously. Nature herself is a partial force. Soul and Nature together make for the whole. Nature is a part. A partial force cannot work for total progress. Hence Nature has decided to develop emotion in Asia and Mind in Europe. India was chosen by Nature to develop the Spirit. (MSS)

Nature Evolves
When Nature moves, She gains experience. The essence of her experience is spiritual. It collects as the evolving soul, the psychic being. This is to contradict the traditional position that the soul is immutable. In truth, it is an improvement. When all Nature is constantly gaining experience, all her components too are progressing simultaneously. Energy, force, power, organisation, skill, knowledge, and a host of other things are her parts. (MSS)

Out of the Darkness of Life
Life is a journey in the darkness of the night. Wake up to the inner light. (The Mother)

[older] NATURE'S WAY VS. OUR CONSCIOUS HIGHER WAY

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Nature's Way: Contradictions, Slow Resolution, and Higher Harmonies

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The Conscious Higher Way; i.e. Rapidly Resolving the Contradictions

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THE PROCESS OF CREATION
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TO BE CATEGORIZED

Nature vs. Soul for Progress

A Wider View of the Definition of "Nature"

There is a big difference between nature (small n) and Nature (large N). The former are the physical aspects and laws of life. The latter is Life itself, in all its dimensions. I.e. Life = Nature.

What is this more comprehensive form of Nature then? It can be understood as all of the principle that makeup life in the universe, including cause and effect, progress through conflict and contradiction, karmic laws, human intention, principles of consciousness, laws of progress and evolution, e.g. social development theory; and so forth and so on ad infinitum.

Nature is thus not just mechanistic existence as defined by science and its material views of life, but all other movements of life - including those at the vital, mental, and even spiritual planes. It includes all fields of life, and everything we experience in the course of the day, within and without.

A comprehensive theory of Nature (also called "Prakriti" in Sanskrit) is yet unknown in the modern world. The Indian sage and seer Sri Aurobindo comes closest to developing a comprehensive theory along these lines; and even there he says that Nature, i.e. Life in all its multiplicity and planes, is but one part of a larger existence that includes spiritual domains, that in tandem comprise an Infinite, omnipresent Reality that permeates all.

On Growing through Nature or Soul

The more we learn from the negative (instead of merely experiencing it), the more conscious we become. Then from this higher consciousness, we want to grow more through positive means, which is preferable since it is a proactive approach to life that avoids pain.

We thus can grow progressively in a scale from negative and difficulty (Nature/Prakriti) to true Positive (Soul/Purusha); with the acceleration between the poles depending on the Person.

Sri Aurobindo says we could not get to Integral Knowledge without making our way through and negotiating Ignorance, nor to Delight without first experiencing lower forms of happiness, or even pain. This is the way of Life. Yoga accelerates us in the true positive direction, avoiding Nature.

Opening to the Force of the Divine Mother is our central means; as is proactively overcoming limits in our nature, adopting higher values, striving for perfection, etc. Also, an inner orientation (culminating in the psychic being) that looks out on the world as Silent Witness makes any negative that comes seem just a necessary part of Brahman; of the unfolding of the All.

So if we are serious about Yoga (conscious evolution), then we can follow this approach, which is what Sri Aurobindo, the Mother, and Karmayogi wish for us all.

Contradictions Are Complements

Evolving Through Our Relations with Others

Life on earth evolves by form coming in contact with form. We humans progress through our positive, neutral, and negative associations with others.

When we have a conflict with another individual (or an institution we are part of), we are compelled to change our ways. Whether we consciously choose to make that change, or wait for life to force us to make it in a more brutal way, is our choice. That person we are in conflict with -- whether spouse, family member, boss, employee, colleague, friend, etc. -- is the means by which we are given an opportunity to grow out of our old nature into an increasingly more positive one.

The same is true for our positive relations with others. We learn from their positive qualities, which we can consciously adopt and therefore grow.

Either way, positive or negative, there is progress through our reaction with others.

How Opposing Parties Can Come to a Common Course of Action

When all the facts and principles of life are taken into account, people with opposite goals and aspirations will come to the same decision about the course that is in their best interests. When people truly understand what their own compelling interests actually are, they will find that they do correspond with the interests of those they oppose. That applies to our enemies as well as our friends. ... Enemies were compelled to draw the same conclusions when they examined the decisions in their entirety. (Garry Jacobs, MSS, from 'The Book')

Comment: When the Totality is understood - i.e. the Highest Truth reveals itself through an awareness of the deepest laws of life, which is Supramental perception - all parties will come to accept the higher knowledge pertaining to the matter at hand.

Perceiving Contradiction as Complement through which We Can Learn and Grow

In our lower consciousness, we perceive conflict with our spouse as real. In our higher consciousness, we see the difference as something else -- an opportunity to learn, for personal growth, and for more intimate relations. Thus, the difficult relationship is indicating complementarity, not contradiction.

From any difference we have with another, we can discover the truths about ourselves from which we can learn and grow in consciousness.

Ego's Contradiction vs. Non-Ego's Complementarity

In the separateness of Ego, we perceive the division, conflict, and contradiction we have with others and life as very real. When we move out of Ego to a higher consciousness, we see that relationship as complementary, enabling our further progress. E.g. in Ego, I am in conflict with another's point of view. But in a higher consciousness of connectedness, I perceive the difference of our opinion as something I can learn from on the way to a greater knowledge. Thus, our differing position is really one of complementarity in which we can grow through our relationship with one another.

Higher Harmony Solution to Conflict through Intuition

The problems that trouble a nation (or a collective, or several people) cannot be truly resolved by a Compromise between the conflicting parties, but through a creative, dynamic, Higher Harmony solution that transcends both sides. This can be brought about by transcending Ego and opening Intuitively to the Infinite possibilities.

Evolution through Form Interacting With Form

Evolving Through Our Relations with Others

Life on earth evolves by form coming in contact with form. We humans progress through our positive, neutral, and negative associations with others.

The same is true for our positive relations with others. We learn from their positive qualities, which we can consciously adopt and therefore grow.

Either way, positive or negative, there is progress through our reaction with others.

Live Progresses through Conflict

Life normally progresses through the confluence of conflict.

Nature vs. Soul

Normal Good vs. "Self-Existent" GOOD of the Divine that Has No Dark Shadow

"Wrong could not come where all was light and love" (Sri Aurobindo)

Sri Karmayogi says that the ordinary "good" attracts its opposite -- ignorance, falsehoods, evil, error, that which is harmful, etc. -- because it is incomplete. The true GOOD however is spiritual in nature -- as Light, Love, Truth, etc. -- which is "Self-Existent"; is integral and perfect, and therefore has no Dark Shadow.

Nature's Difficult Method of Progress through Contradiction

Nature's Way of Progress by Overcoming Contradiction

Nature's way of progress is by pairing parties that are in conflict or opposition, and then overcoming those dualities, enabling a higher harmony. We see this between individuals and collectives, including peoples and nations. (2009-2011 Q1)

Resolving Contradictions of Life Enables Evolution

Life/Nature's method of evolution is through contradiction and conflict -- material, psychological, and mental -- and its reconciliation. Through the contradiction -- with others, ourselves, and life -- our limitations come to the fore. If we then set out to overcome our corresponding limited nature, we discover the higher harmony and resolution that overcomes Nature's difficult method of contradiction. In that way, we progress and evolve, as does life around us. (2009-2011 Q1)

Contradictions Between Dual Pairs Enables Further Progress

Life evolves or can evolve through the contradictions of two parties, whether spouse or family members, associates, organizations, nations, etc.

E.g., a man has the quality of feeling that he is not being listened to by others. His wife tends not to listen when she is absorbed in some small pursuit. When the man asks his wife to do something, she does not listen, as she is absorbed elsewhere, causing irritation in the man. He must evolve out of his insecurity; she out of her unresponsiveness. This can only occur through their interaction. Life has put them together to serve this evolutionary purpose.

Parties in Contradiction are Really Complements to Each's Progress

We recoil when parties are in conflict, bothered by each side's limitations. But from a higher view, we see that both sides need one another for their further growth. What we therefore perceive as contradictory and conflicting parties are secretly complementary pairs moving toward their own individual progress. (2009-2011 Q1)

Perceiving the Nature of the Contradiction with Another

The first stage to overcoming the contradiction you have with another is to perceive the limitations of both sides: of the other person and yourself. From there, flexibility emerges that lends itself to solutions that enable a higher harmony. (2009-2011 Q1)

Unity of Truth Beyond the Contradiction

Life manifests contradictions between parties in endless ways. Life evolves through that process; by discovering the unity beyond the contradictions. Suppose I know the truth about your falsehood, and you know the falsehood about me, and during that time we interact and are in conflict, then life will evolve through that resolution. There is thus a deeper, greater truth beyond this, and all forms of conflict. It is this Unity of Truth that eludes us.

Yet we can rise in consciousness, and see that the contradictions between us are secretly complements through which a higher viewpoint of Truth is emerging. This is the view of Brahman, the Absolute, the Infinite Consciousness -- one of Pure Unity of all opposites. (2009-2011 Q1)

Lower Consciousness Sees Contradiction; Higher Perceives Complementarity

The lower we are in consciousness, the more we see things in opposition and contradiction. The higher our consciousness, the more we see the contradicting parties, aspects as secret complements to each other. E.g. at the lower level, we see a couple constantly quarreling as conflict. At a higher level, we see that they are in relation to one another to enable their further individual growth. The same is true between apparent conflicting parties, or things we believe are in opposition, like good and bad, positive and negative, and pleasure and pain.

Perceiving that both sides are necessary for the unfolding, for progress is to have a perception of the utility, as well as the complementarity, harmony, oneness, and unity of all things. It is to have a glimpse of the Marvel of existence. (2009-2011 Q1)

Finding the Higher Harmony Beyond the Contradiction

If we are in a contradiction with another party, the key will be to create a higher harmony that resolves it. It normally occurs by raising our consciousness by some requisite amount relative to the situation and the other party's knowledge of our limitations. (2009-2011 Q1)

Marriage has Greatest Scope for Personal Growth

Marriage and related deep relationships offers the greatest scope for personal growth, as things invariably move into contradictions between the parties, which each side can grow out of by overcoming their corresponding limitations of attitude, consciousness, and capacity. Then we see that the apparent contradiction was really a complementarity when viewed from a higher perspective. (2009-2011 Q1)

Intensity of Contradiction

The more intense the contradiction between parties, the greater the potential for progress. In Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, we see this clearly in the conflict between Darcy and Eliza that is overcome ending in deep love. One is also tempted to say that hate has the greatest scope for love. (2009-2011 Q1)

Nature vs. the Force's Method of Progress

Nature works slowly, difficultly, through contradiction to move life forward. The Spiritual Force works rapidly, if not instantly, through perfect knowledge and unity to evolve and transform life. (2009-2011 Q1)

Growth of Consciousness and Organization

Life evolves through growth of consciousness, even as consciousness evolves through greater organization. (from The Book by Garry Jacobs) (2009-2011 Q1)

Evolution through Ignorance in Nature

[a dialogue between a reader and myself:]

Q: I found your website last night and was very impressed with the 14 pages on Creation and how you tied it to Ignorance. A: This is Sri Aurobindo's basic tenet.

Q: Also how you explained that without Ignorance, oneness could not express itself as many souls. A: Yes, the multiplicity and diversity of forms is another of SA's precepts. Very, very profound.

Q: It appears so few in the world have knowledge of the creation aspect to the necessity of ignorance. A: This is a knowledge of life hundreds of years in advance.

Q: I found with some internet research that most Buddhist monks don't see this necessity of ignorance for oneness to become many aspects of itself. A: One does not have to have ignorance if one develops right consciousness. One can believe in and do the most positive without creating the negative side. Normally, life does not evolve this way. It evolved through the slow, difficult, and contradictory method of Nature (Prakriti), not of Soul (Purusha). As we rise in consciousness however, things can evolve through the Light of Soul, which creates no dark reflection. The scientist creates a new invention. It is very useful to society, but it also has its dark side (e.g. pollution, nuclear annihilation, etc.) This is the way of Nature. To create something that is perfectly pure and Good is the way of Soul. Sri Aurobindo and Karmayogi say that we need to open to the spiritual Force, i.e. the supramental power that is in the atmosphere, which when it moves quickly evokes only the positive, without the negative side. (2009-2011 Q1)

Things Happen to Us to Give Us the Experience for Our Progress

It is said that the unexamined life is not worth living. Then why have things happened to us the way they did in the course of our lives? There is a powerful answer: Nature gives us the experience we need in order to progress. I.e. everything that has happened to us -- including all of the events, all of the happiness and pain -- has occurred so that we can raise our own limits of consciousness to something higher. If you look back on your life this way, you can see the patterns, unfoldings, and key moments that corroborate this point of view. (2009-2011 Q1)

Finding the Higher Harmony and Life Response

As soon as we find the higher harmony beyond the contradiction and conflict, we have with others and the world, and then act on it (whether inwardly or outwardly), life immediately responds in both our favor. (2009-2011 Q1)

Non-Reaction, Contradiction, and Life Response

Practicing non-reaction to the allegedly disturbing words and deeds of another party will create the best conditions for the resolution of the conflict and contradiction we perceive with another. That tact will tend to quickly evoke a response from life that is beneficial to both. (2009-2011 Q1)

Higher Harmony through Detachment and Spiritual Force

Detaching from the contradiction and conflict we have with others, life, and ourselves, and then engaging the spiritual Force, will quickly reveal the way out -- i.e. the resolution into a higher harmony. This is the conscious method of personal progress. v

Enemies are Allies

Explicit enemies are implicit allies. (Deepak Chopra) (This is the law that contradictory, conflicting elements, individuals to us are actually complements in disguise.) (2009-2011 Q1)

Nature's Efficiency

Nature's Efficiency of Resolving Multiple Problems Simultaneously

One core principle of Life/Nature is that it progresses on many fronts simultaneously. If e.g. you overcome a conflict and contradiction and thereby solve a problem involving another person or in dealing with an issue, you will also see that related problems also get solved. This is Nature's great Efficiency. (2009-2011 Q1)

Nature Progresses on Many Fronts Simultaneously

We see that the nations of the Middle East and North Africa are moving towards a higher consciousness and state of being. What we don�t normally perceive is the fact that the advanced nations like the US and EU are also being challenged by life in order to help solve that very problem. The same dynamic is occurring for problem issues like poverty, unemployment, disease, and the environment. The progress is not just to resolve those problems, but for the developed nations of the world to collaborate and come together in harmony, which in effect will mean their OWN progress and evolution.

Sri Aurobindo says that Nature works on many fronts simultaneously. I.e. many related problems are solved in tandem and simultaneously when there is a progress made by the earth. We see this truth in the dynamic taking place today where the problem solvers are undergoing as much change as the issues they are trying to solve. Nature is thus progressing on many fronts simultaneously, which is Her Efficient way. (2009-2011 Q1)

Nature Works on Many Fronts Simultaneously

During and after the recent world famous "balloon boy" episode where a helium filled, flying saucer-shaped inflatable traversed 90 miles over the flats in front of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA, there were many and very diverse reactions. Some felt outraged that a father would allow his very young sons to participate in these sorts of experiments. Others felt bamboozled the child was not aboard after the media was stirred into a frenzy about the possibility. Others still were disturbed by the intense amount of coverage it was given during and after the incident. And so forth.

Nature Works on Many Fronts Simultaneously Indicating Her Efficiency

Situations of the sort involving the IPhone problems of Apple normally involve fault on all side simultaneously -- the firm, the media, and the herdal citizenry. That is Nature's way of progress. To show the weakness and limitation of all sides simultaneously through a single event. It is Her wonderful Efficient method. (2009-2011 Q1)

Nature is Conscious

Nature is Conscious, Responding to Human Folly

Nature -- i.e. Life in the universe -- is conscious. She perceives the realities of Man, and knows when to interject Herself to shine a light on his folly. Recently, we saw Nature's severe actions draw attention to certain regressive forces at large in the world. Some examples:

� A volcano in Iceland blew, covering northern Europe in ash, presaging the emerging conflict within the EU over economic issues involving its southern members. It was Her subtle reminder that ego was in ascendance among the dominating nations, and that instead they should embark on a path of greater coordination, collaboration, and harmony. The southern side should consider their deficiencies as well.

� The global financial system nearly collapsed due to speculation and greed, fostered by mindless laissez faire capitalism, indicating that lack of regulation and unbridled mass selfishness can no longer be tolerated in the world.

� An explosion and unprecedented oil leak occurred in the Gulf of Mexico poisoning the coastline to remind Man to become a better custodian of the environment, and that backwards economic, political, and social forces that support regressive energy forms like oil can no longer be tolerated.

Nature's method of progress is slow and difficult, normally occurring through the opposition, contradiction, and conflict of two sides. Nature's vehicle can be its material agent, Mother Nature, or any of the economic, political, and social forces at play in the world. Through Nature's difficult ways -- of destruction, strife, conflict, suffering, anguish, and pain -- a light is focused on ignorance, falsehood, and disharmony so they can be purified and transformed. If that effort of improvement is taken up with sincerity, significant progress will quickly follow. (2009-2011 Q1)

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