W[SHING HAPPY 15Aug2013 :-------------- ACCORDING to A. S. Dalal, the editor of the new compilation Steps to Freedom and Mastery, its title is apt to raise some interesting questions. What do the terms ‘freedom’ and ‘mastery’ mean in the context of inner growth? How does one progress from the use of will power and self-control to a complete mastery of the lower nature? Does freedom have to come before mastery or must one have a self-mastery before experiencing spiritual freedom? The selections from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother provide answers to these questions and suggest the first steps towards achieving a freedom from and a mastery over our human imperfections. Sri Aurobindo: Saga of a Great Indian Sage is a new biography by Wilfried Huchzermeyer, who has previously written a short biography of the Mother. Drawing on Sri Aurobindo’s own words and the work of previous biographers for his narrative, the author has also evaluated the most recent sources available, including the volumes of The Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo that contain previously unpublished material. The initial chapters follow Sri Aurobindo’s childhood in India, his education in England, and his life in Baroda, where, in addition to his teaching and administrative duties and his intensive linguistic and literary studies, he began taking part in the political debate in India. In ensuing chapters we see his political activity intensify and read the compelling details behind his editorship of the Bande Mataram, the Congress session in Surat, and the Alipore Bomb Trial. The drama of his departure from British India and eventual arrival in Pondicherry heralds a different focus of work. While the next chapters detail many of the outward happenings and circumstances of his life in Pondicherry they also touch on the nature of his own sadhana, the enormity of his comprehensive vision as expressed in the writings of the Arya, the impact of his collaboration with the Mother, and the significance of the battle against Hitler during World War II. The book concludes with a photograph section comprised of historical pictures and current images of the Ashram and its environs. Other new publications introduced below include Paths to Self-Discovery: Reflective Practices with Children, brought out by the Mirambika School located on the campus of Sri Aurobindo Ashram–Delhi Branch and Seed of Grandeur by S. K. Sarma. The first is an amalgamation of text, photographs, and illustrations that exemplifies the school’s principles of teaching, which are based on the ideas of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother regarding education. The book uses reflections and observations from the children, the teachers, and a few of the parents to demonstrate the day-to-day activities and learning practices of the school. Seed of Grandeur is a scholarly work that begins by examining two short poems of Sri Aurobindo, “Thought the Paraclete” and “Rose of God”, as being of special interest for students of his epic poem Savitri. The major part of the book is given over to a detailed commentary on the five cantos of Book One of Savitri.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 07:44:15 +0000
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