Equality is one of the twelve qualities that the Mother says we must cultivate within ourselves and progressively deepen as we walk the Sunlit Path. Through our varied offerings we have delved into various dimensions of equality. We also attempt to highlight relevant passages which throw much-necessary light on how to grow in equality, a state of inner samatā.
In addition to exploring the attribute of ‘Goodness’ this issue is our offering for the special month of April. On April 4 in 1910, Sri Aurobindo arrived in Pondicherry, his “cave of tapasya”. In 1920 on April 24th, the Mother arrived in Pondicherry to be with Sri Aurobindo and collaborate in the Supramental Yoga to bring down a new consciousness on the earth.
What does it mean to be receptive? How to increase one’s receptivity to the Divine Force? Is Sri Aurobindo’s Force and the Mother’s Force which is essentially One Divine Force working only in the Ashram or for those who are turned to Them? How can we become receptive to the Divine’s healing force? And to creative inspiration? These and many other aspects are explored through various features, including our section on Divine Humour. An insightful conversation with an artist, excerpts from Barin Ghose’s book, a sweet story about a little girl’s love for Ganesha, and an essay from Sri Aurobindo Circle archives complete the issue.
Aspiration is like an arrow, or like a flame rising upward. But it has to be tended, constantly rekindled. Its direction also needs to be reset when it tends to go here and there. It has to be purified so that no desire or demand gets mixed up with it. Its goal has to be kept in front, always. And what happens when it goes into hiding somewhere? How to light the fire again? And what about the Grace? Will Divine Grace help me rekindle my aspiration? These and many other questions have been explored in the variety of selections featured in this issue.
In addition to exploring Gratitude in a variety of hues, the issue also features pieces on the inner significance of Navaratri, the festival of Devi, and the cultural significance of Ramayana. Other highlights include a reflection on patriotism and leadership in the light of recent events in Afghanistan, and ‘The Real Gandhi’, an insightful essay approved by Sri Aurobindo.
In India, since millennia, modesty or humility has been considered the one of the most noble virtues, one that is the ornament of all virtues. In present times when self-promotion is not only an acceptable practice but has actually become a highly sophisticated skill that one must master if one wants to be ‘successful’, humility often takes a backseat. But if we step back for a moment and reflect carefully we will find that it is exactly in times like these that we must sincerely begin to examine for ourselves what is true humility. And more importantly, how it is related to our inner journeys, our growth as conscious individuals with an aspiration to grow inwardly and walk the path that takes us closer to our highest Self within. This issue is dedicated to exploring Humility as one of the Twelve Powers which the Mother spoke of as necessary for the full manifestation of Her Work.
This special issue opens a year-long celebration of Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birthday and 75th anniversary of India’s political independence. Starting with this issue, the next 12 issues will explore the 12 attributes that the Mother has identified as soul-powers necessary for full manifestation of Her Work. The present issue explores Sincerity in a multi-dimensional approach. Special features on Sri Aurobindo’s work as a revolutionary nationalist are also included.
This issue explores two inter-related themes. One has to do with Choice and Wisdom, related to which is the faculty of viveka, the intuitive discriminating reason which is developed by a purification of the organs of thought and knowledge. All effort and progress toward true knowledge and wisdom is possible only by the grace of the Guru, which is our second theme for this issue, especially chosen to mark the occasion of Guru Purnima.
We are relaunching the Renaissance with this issue centered on the theme of Yoga. Sri Aurobindo once said that it is to make the yoga the ideal of human life that India is rising today. Guided by these words, this present issue is our humble offering toward the celebration of June 21 as the International Yoga Day.
With its focus on Indian Culture and Integral Yoga, RENAISSANCE features content in the light of Sri Aurobindo’s vision for India and her role in the future of humanity. It highlights that the eternal spirit and creative genius of India must express itself in new forms in all domains – spiritual, artistic, literary, philosophic, scientific, aesthetic, social-political and more.
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