Glossary of Terms in Sri Aurobindo's Writings

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In his philosophy Sri Aurobindo introduced new concepts such as the vital, the psychic, the higher mind, and the Supermind. In this book an A-to-Z glossary the terms central to Sri Aurobindo's philosophy and Yoga are defined or explained or illustrated in his own words, using brief passages from his works.

There is also a glossary of Sanskrit and other Indian languages, with definitions as far as possible in Sri Aurobindo's own words, and a glossary of words and phrases in non- Indian languages.

This compact reference book, first published in 1978/has proven to be a useful accessory to Sri Aurobindo's writings.

A difficulty experienced by many when they begin to read Sri Aurobindo's works is the unfamiliarity of some of the terms he uses. Not only are there words from Sanskrit (not to mention Greek and Latin), but also a large number of English words whose meanings seem unclear. Two classes of the latter may be distinguished. First there are such coinages as "Supermind", "Overmind" and "Circumconscient", technical terms invented and used by Sri Aurobindo for concepts introduced by him into philosophy and psychology. But there are also many ordinary English words, "vital" and "psychic", for example, which seem to be used by him in senses quite out of the ordinary. Even such words as "consciousness" and "transformation", as well as everyday terms like "mind" or "life", are employed by Sri Aurobindo in ways peculiar to himself.

Sri Aurobindo was once asked about the need of a glossary to help those who were perplexed by such books as The Life Divine. "Glossary for what?" he replied, "Sanskrit terms?... If it is for Sanskrit terms I can understand. You can't write of Yoga without using Sanskrit terms." (Nirodbaran, Talks with Sri Aurobindo, 2001 ed., p. 546) For, as Sri Aurobindo has stated else- where, when we write of Yoga, "we have to deal with a class of supreme experiences, a class of unusual conceptions which it is difficult to represent accurately in any other language than the ancient Sanskrit tongue in which alone they have been to some extent systematised. The only approximate terms in the English language have other associations and their use may lead to other and even serious inaccuracies." (The Synthesis of Yoga, Centenary Edition, pages 11-12) Nevertheless Sri Aurobindo attempted, more and more as time went on, to find English terms to express his experiences. The effort was bound to give rise to difficulties. For "it is hardly possible to say what the Supermind [for ex- ample) is in the language of Mind, even spiritualised Mind, for it is a different consciousness altogether and acts in a different way. Whatever may be said is likely to be not understood or mis- understood." (Letters on Yoga, Centenary Edition, page 259.)