Discourses on The Synthesis of Yoga - Volume X
Discourses on The Synthesis of Yoga - Volume X
Part - IV : The Yoga of Self-Perfection (Chapters I-VII)
— V. Ananda Reddy
| Price: Rs 525 Pages: 354 Dimensions (in cms): 14x22 ISBN: 978-93-85391-42-2 | Soft Cover | |
| Publisher: Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research Trust, Pondicherry | ||
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Items in cart: 3 Value: Rs 415 |
About Discourses on The Synthesis of Yoga - Volume X
Volume Ten of this series commences with Part Four of The Synthesis of Yoga: “The Yoga of Self-Perfection” and covers the first seven chapters. In his talks that form the basis of these volumes, the author, employing simple language and contemporary contexts, strives to explain the philosophical arguments Sri Aurobindo articulates regarding his synthesis of the traditional paths of yoga with his own unique contribution to achieve the Integral Yoga. Initial chapters address the definition of integral perfection and its double movement of personal effort followed by the complete surrender to a higher power. The psychology of self-perfection deals with the instrumentation of the inner being, its purification through the emergence of the psychic being as the unifying principle. The last two chapters chart the purification of the mind, the intelligence, and the will to develop intuition, inspiration, and revelation as higher powers of “thought-sight and truth-seeing”.
REVIEW
The tenth volume of Dr Ananda Reddy’s Discourses on The Synthesis of Yoga deals with Chapters 1–7 of Part IV: The Yoga of Self-Perfection. Among the four parts of The Synthesis of Yoga, The Yoga of Self-Perfection is unique. While the earlier parts explore Karma Yoga—the Yoga of Divine Works, Jnana Yoga—the Yoga of Integral Knowledge, and Bhakti Yoga—the Yoga of Divine Love, this section presents a completely new spiritual approach that has no immediate historical or traditional antecedent. The Yoga of Self-Perfection is, indeed, the fulfilment of the expectations of modern seekers who yearn for self-transformation. It is a guide for achieving one’s ultimate capacity through the integration of all the parts of one’s being in the process of self-perfection.
This volume gathers Dr Reddy’s talks delivered between August 2010 and January 2011, systematically unfolding the principles and practices of the yoga of self-perfection. Each chapter develops key aspects of the transformative journey. The book begins with an overview of the principles of Integral Yoga, then progressively addresses the purification, perfection, and harmonisation of the physical, vital, and mental dimensions of the being. Dr Reddy’s explanations of these chapters, full of insights drawn from life and the human experience, read especially well for those already acquainted with Sri Aurobindo’s deep spiritual vision and seek to make this journey feel more approachable.
The Yoga of Self-Perfection stands apart because it addresses the modern seeker’s mind, not confined by the traditional yogic systems’ frameworks. Sri Aurobindo’s vision focuses on the inner journey – balancing and refining the physical, vital, and mental aspects – to produce an integral transformation rather than focusing on any one aspect and developing it exclusively to break through to the ultimate, as do the conventional methods.
Dr Reddy effectively articulates this vision with precision and clarity, periodically supplemented with personal experiences and scholarly opinions. However, there are instances where certain generalisations arise in his commentary. For example, he states that apart from the principle of the psychic being, The Synthesis of Yoga cannot be distinguished from the Bhagavad Gita. The accuracy of this may be questioned, as the Gita does indeed give significant inspiration for The Synthesis, but diverges in a number of subtle ways. This risks oversimplifying the complexity of Sri Aurobindo’s synthesis of philosophical and yogic traditions by suggesting that the psychic being is the only difference. Still, these instances do not overwhelm the value of the book because they challenge the reader to engage with the material more critically.
The compilation of these discourses feels less like a traditional scholarly work and more like a dialogue between seekers. The format, though less polished than a formal treatise, has its advantages. Readers may find the book a complementary companion to The Synthesis of Yoga, offering insights that clarify, simplify, and make the text’s philosophical ideas more relatable. By sharing his reflections and life experiences, he effectively brings metaphysical concepts closer to home, thus making them almost tangible and applicable to the world of everyday life. For example, when he elaborates on the role of the Purusha in the chapter “The Perfection of the Mental Being”, he uses the analogy of a car that needs fuel to work. The car representing Prakriti and the fuel, Purusha, explain plainly the dynamic between these two energies. Or in the chapter “The Instruments of the Spirit”, when he elucidates the concept of the effective mentality, he brings up examples from his own life experiences such as the time he attended a funeral where he saw that the traditions and customs often arise from this effective mentality. These snippets of his lived experiences add colour to the otherwise strict continuum of thought.
The book presents its content in a clear, simple fashion. Each chapter begins with a review of previously presented material, and this continuity makes it easy for readers to track the unfolding of thought as common questions are addressed in the field of contemplative studies. At the same time, the book’s informal style may leave some students seeking the detailed analysis and depth typically found in conventional academic works. Although the talks remain true to the actual text in The Synthesis of Yoga, what is lacking is an overview of the entire chapter that lets the reader connect and relate the concepts to an integral understanding.
These discourses use select passages from The Synthesis of Yoga that align the text to Sri Aurobindo’s words. Although the author does take the freedom to use analogies and anecdotes of his own to illustrate a point, they remain within the discursive framework and only enhance the writing. He draws parallels with modern philosophical ideas as well as ancient texts and refers to passages from Sri Aurobindo’s other works such as The Life Divine. This academic engagement in the text continues by making connections between Sri Aurobindo’s philosophical enunciations and insights from luminaries such as Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. As such associations embroider the story, the reader must tactfully evaluate each interpretation because some may not conform to conventionally accepted scholarship.
This volume excels as a companion to Sri Aurobindo’s The Synthesis of Yoga, offering practical guidance to navigate its complexities. Dr Reddy’s insights, rooted in his spiritual practice, clarify the text’s philosophical ideas, making them more approachable for modern readers. Thus the book is for those who appreciate formalistic analysis; the strength of this work is that it brings concrete experience and abstract principles together, making metaphysical and philosophical ideas easier to understand and apply.
Moreover, Dr Reddy’s writing style is riveting for a contemporary reader because of the systematic referencing of Sri Aurobindo’s words that seamlessly inculcate precision and accuracy. The philosophical basis underlying his thought is evident and brings richness without loss of accessibility.
This book is a befitting tribute to Dr Ananda Reddy’s deep engagement with Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy and commitment to making it accessible to contemporary seekers. Combining personal experiences, scholarly insights, and practical reflections, the book is both an accolade to Sri Aurobindo’s genius and a guide for those aspiring for self-transformation. While it may not meet the demands of readers who require a purely scholarly interpretation, the conversational and personal nature of the writing makes it useful as a complementary read. As an accompanying volume to The Synthesis of Yoga, it encourages readers to reflect deeply on the thoughts of Sri Aurobindo and tap into their potential for self-perfection. It holds within it that spirit of integrality in the Yoga and will thus be relevant and transformative for today’s world.
—Kaninika Majumdar
Kaninika is a recent graduate of SAICE keen on pursuing further studies in art and philosophy. She is currently collaborating on a project for the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Archives and Research Library.
Reviewed in February, 2025
This volume gathers Dr Reddy’s talks delivered between August 2010 and January 2011, systematically unfolding the principles and practices of the yoga of self-perfection. Each chapter develops key aspects of the transformative journey. The book begins with an overview of the principles of Integral Yoga, then progressively addresses the purification, perfection, and harmonisation of the physical, vital, and mental dimensions of the being. Dr Reddy’s explanations of these chapters, full of insights drawn from life and the human experience, read especially well for those already acquainted with Sri Aurobindo’s deep spiritual vision and seek to make this journey feel more approachable.
The Yoga of Self-Perfection stands apart because it addresses the modern seeker’s mind, not confined by the traditional yogic systems’ frameworks. Sri Aurobindo’s vision focuses on the inner journey – balancing and refining the physical, vital, and mental aspects – to produce an integral transformation rather than focusing on any one aspect and developing it exclusively to break through to the ultimate, as do the conventional methods.
Dr Reddy effectively articulates this vision with precision and clarity, periodically supplemented with personal experiences and scholarly opinions. However, there are instances where certain generalisations arise in his commentary. For example, he states that apart from the principle of the psychic being, The Synthesis of Yoga cannot be distinguished from the Bhagavad Gita. The accuracy of this may be questioned, as the Gita does indeed give significant inspiration for The Synthesis, but diverges in a number of subtle ways. This risks oversimplifying the complexity of Sri Aurobindo’s synthesis of philosophical and yogic traditions by suggesting that the psychic being is the only difference. Still, these instances do not overwhelm the value of the book because they challenge the reader to engage with the material more critically.
The compilation of these discourses feels less like a traditional scholarly work and more like a dialogue between seekers. The format, though less polished than a formal treatise, has its advantages. Readers may find the book a complementary companion to The Synthesis of Yoga, offering insights that clarify, simplify, and make the text’s philosophical ideas more relatable. By sharing his reflections and life experiences, he effectively brings metaphysical concepts closer to home, thus making them almost tangible and applicable to the world of everyday life. For example, when he elaborates on the role of the Purusha in the chapter “The Perfection of the Mental Being”, he uses the analogy of a car that needs fuel to work. The car representing Prakriti and the fuel, Purusha, explain plainly the dynamic between these two energies. Or in the chapter “The Instruments of the Spirit”, when he elucidates the concept of the effective mentality, he brings up examples from his own life experiences such as the time he attended a funeral where he saw that the traditions and customs often arise from this effective mentality. These snippets of his lived experiences add colour to the otherwise strict continuum of thought.
The book presents its content in a clear, simple fashion. Each chapter begins with a review of previously presented material, and this continuity makes it easy for readers to track the unfolding of thought as common questions are addressed in the field of contemplative studies. At the same time, the book’s informal style may leave some students seeking the detailed analysis and depth typically found in conventional academic works. Although the talks remain true to the actual text in The Synthesis of Yoga, what is lacking is an overview of the entire chapter that lets the reader connect and relate the concepts to an integral understanding.
These discourses use select passages from The Synthesis of Yoga that align the text to Sri Aurobindo’s words. Although the author does take the freedom to use analogies and anecdotes of his own to illustrate a point, they remain within the discursive framework and only enhance the writing. He draws parallels with modern philosophical ideas as well as ancient texts and refers to passages from Sri Aurobindo’s other works such as The Life Divine. This academic engagement in the text continues by making connections between Sri Aurobindo’s philosophical enunciations and insights from luminaries such as Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. As such associations embroider the story, the reader must tactfully evaluate each interpretation because some may not conform to conventionally accepted scholarship.
This volume excels as a companion to Sri Aurobindo’s The Synthesis of Yoga, offering practical guidance to navigate its complexities. Dr Reddy’s insights, rooted in his spiritual practice, clarify the text’s philosophical ideas, making them more approachable for modern readers. Thus the book is for those who appreciate formalistic analysis; the strength of this work is that it brings concrete experience and abstract principles together, making metaphysical and philosophical ideas easier to understand and apply.
Moreover, Dr Reddy’s writing style is riveting for a contemporary reader because of the systematic referencing of Sri Aurobindo’s words that seamlessly inculcate precision and accuracy. The philosophical basis underlying his thought is evident and brings richness without loss of accessibility.
This book is a befitting tribute to Dr Ananda Reddy’s deep engagement with Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy and commitment to making it accessible to contemporary seekers. Combining personal experiences, scholarly insights, and practical reflections, the book is both an accolade to Sri Aurobindo’s genius and a guide for those aspiring for self-transformation. While it may not meet the demands of readers who require a purely scholarly interpretation, the conversational and personal nature of the writing makes it useful as a complementary read. As an accompanying volume to The Synthesis of Yoga, it encourages readers to reflect deeply on the thoughts of Sri Aurobindo and tap into their potential for self-perfection. It holds within it that spirit of integrality in the Yoga and will thus be relevant and transformative for today’s world.
—Kaninika Majumdar
Kaninika is a recent graduate of SAICE keen on pursuing further studies in art and philosophy. She is currently collaborating on a project for the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Archives and Research Library.
Reviewed in February, 2025
