Panel: ART IN PHILOSOPHY ÷ PHILOSOPHY IN THE ARTS ÷ LEARNING TO THINK SENSIBLE ÷ ARTISTIC RESEARCH AND PERFORMANCE PHILOSOPHY AS EMERGING CARDIO-PHILOSOPHIES.



542.4 - THE YOGA AND ART OF THE SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM AND BEYOND

AUTHORS:
Beldio P. (Visual Artist, Reunion Studios, LLC, Washington, DC (USA). Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA (USA) ~ Washington ~ United States of America)
Text:
This lecture will introduce the foundational teachings and practices of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, in Tamil Nadu, India, called "the Integral Yoga." The Integral Yoga seeks the aspirant's growth in "wisdom, strength, harmony, and perfection" through a holistic approach. Central to this practice is the association of these four principles with the divine feminine or universal Śakti, as well as the archetypal human body as described in the Ṛg Veda—symbolized by the mouth, arms, torso, and feet. These elements form a framework for spiritual development that integrates mind, life, body, and soul. The lives and teachings of Sri Aurobindo (Aurobindo Ghose, 1872-1950) and the Mother (Mirra Alfassa, 1878-1973), who led the Ashram, serve as the guiding principles of this non-sectarian spiritual community. Their insights are found across various mediums, including the 66 volumes of The Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo, The Collected Works of the Mother, and Mother's Agenda, as well as in the arts: Sri Aurobindo's poetry, the Mother's visual art, architecture, urban design, music, and more. These works collectively express the vision of a transformative spirituality that integrates all phases of life. A key feature of the Integral Yoga is its emphasis on liberation (mokṣa) not just for the individual soul or "psychic being" located in the spiritual heart (hṛd), but for the entire material world. This approach is described as a "descendant spiritual path," in contrast to more traditional "ascendant" paths that focus on transcending the body and the material realm. The practice of the Integral Yoga seeks to transform and "divinize" both the individual and the collective, including the body and all matter. Additionally, Beldio, a sculptor and member of a Sufi tradition, will share images of his visual artwork, inspired by the lives and teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, further exploring the intersection of spirituality and artistic expression in this context.