Transformation of Consciousness
What is Transformation?
Transformation in Integral yoga is a change of Consciousness, a radical and complete shift of Consciousness from lower to higher Consciousness, adopting the characteristics of that Consciousness so conceived which will help in bringing the spiritual evolution of the being,
There is divine Consciousness surrounding us and by transformation we become part of it. Our own mind, life, body become to us only its habitation, field of its working and an instrument of its self-expression.
We have number of inner Consciousness which are subtle and normally unknown and the outer Consciousness – body, vital mind. Transformation makes all as only soul and body of this Supreme Consciousness.
When we turn our Consciousness inward and seek divine with intense spiritual desire for delight in all, the Divine reveals himself in the world around us.
As the intensity of prayer grows, there is often a sudden opening and we see the veil of forms converting into a revelation and a universal spiritual Presence and a universal Peace, a universal infinite Delight is manifested which is immanent, embracing, all-penetrating.
For Transformation, it requires the right inner attitude, the will to transform oneself and the vigilance to perceive and reject all that belongs to the ego and the tamasic persistence of the lower nature.
Transformation of Mind
Above mind, there are higher ranges of Consciousness – Higher mind, Illumined mind, Intuitive mind and Overmind.
The transformation of the mind to these levels needs to take place by descent and infusion of these ranges into mind. So as one goes upwards, one passes beyond the human mind and there is conversion into higher Consciousness at each Ascent and there is infusion of new Consciousness into mind and whole nature.
As one rises beyond Mind, he goes through Higher mind, illuminated mind to the intuitive mind and looks at everything with that Consciousness through an intuitivised will, feeling, emotion, sensation and physical contact.
With Overmental conversion, one experiences everything from the Overmind Consciousness. The mind, heart, vital and body gets surcharged with the overmind Consciousness thought, sight, will, feeling, sensation, play of force and contact.
Last conversion is to the Supramental Consciousness as one reaches to that, there is experience of Truth and Knowledge of Supermind, and one goes beyond the Ignorance.
Transformation of Higher Vital
The Higher vital is characterized by various emotions like anger, desire, sex etc. which one feels cannot be changed. The conversion of these lower nature vibrations is essential for transformation.
These vital movements originate from outside in the ignorant universal Nature and enter mind and heart and one gets involved in them considering own thoughts. One forms certain responses to these waves in the mental, vital and physical part of being
Anger and Strife are in the human nature, deep rooted in vital. These do not go easily, and one has to have strong will to change and the clear perception for their removal
Fear is another response by which presence of mind goes and intelligent is clouded by imaginary terrors. This prevents one seeing the right thing, analyzing and taking right action.
Vital being (Pranamaya Purusha) is a desire-soul and desire-nature that largely controls Consciousness.
When Psychic being is in front, the inner peace, calmness and faith can clear out everything and one is no longer afraid.
When Psychic being grows, there is a growth of the inner peace and outer nature cannot trouble or disturb it. As peace is established, there is a calm wideness, and one gets awareness of onenessin All. So, these troubled reactions to outward things do not come anymore.
Transformation of Lower Vital
Lower vital nature is of all the desires, impulses, passions, greed, violence, cunning and ignorance. One get influenced by lower vital due to his lusts, desires, passions and ambitions.
One is influenced by experiences of lower vital and can enter in the wrong movement if he takes these experiences as truth. The mind gets turbulent, and one finds it difficult to get rid of it as lower vital forces are in control.
To change the lower vital, one needs to bring the sadhana into the physical Consciousness and live for the sadhana and the Divine only. One must give up all the bad habits and never resume them again.
Transformation of Physical
The unregenerated physical nature has the inertia, tamas, stupidity, narrowness and limitation.
Physical has doubt, dullness, dryness, a constant forgetfulness of the spiritual experiences received and hence an inability to progress.
All these need to be pushed by the vital and one should reject it by the higher mental will and intelligence. One needs to be humble and determined for physical transformation.
Physical transformation is the most difficult part and needs complete faith, patience, quietude and firm determination.
Process of Transformation
Ascent and Descent are the processes of transformation. One goes above the Mind and gets into higher consciousness levels, step by step.
As one goes above at each stage of the Ascent, consciousness is converted into a new consciousness which then gets infused into the whole of nature.
Triple Transformation
Triple Transformation is the path of mind-life-body transformation, in Integral Yoga. Sri Aurobindo describes that there are three transformations during the process of evolution.
- Psychic Transformation
- Spiritual Transformation
- Supramental Transformation
The divine Consciousness descends into the being and manifests as a transcending Light, Knowledge, Power, Purity, Peace, Ananda. As it grows, ordinary Consciousness is progressively replaced by its movements and then all is merged in the Divine in the cosmic Consciousness.
Psychic Transformation
The first step in integral yoga is realization of the psychic being, which is a portion of the Divine seated within the heart. Then establish a contact with the Self, the Divine above the head and realize the higher Consciousness and its experiences.
Spiritual transformation
As a result of psychic change, one experiences a downpour of knowledge through light and intuition and there is revelation of knowledge resulting in the expansion of mind. Light enters from the above and begins to transmute various parts of his being and there is culmination in Supramental perception.
Supramental Transformation
After the psychic and spiritual transformation, one is ready for supramental change which is the most radical and a complete transformation of the mind, vital and physical.
With this transformation all get supramentalised and one experiences the pouring down of the powers of the higher Self that brings the possibility of a descent of the Supramental Self and Nature.
Realization of Self
Psychic being is behind heart supporting body, life, and mind whereas Self is above the mind, which is Divine Consciousness.
Once Psychic being opens, next step is to connect with Self and experience the Divine Consciousness, above and everywhere. The Triple Transformation can be achieved when both Psychic being and Self are connected.
