How Does an Individual Acquire the Higher Form of Spontaneity?
Spiritual GrowthWritten by Santosh Krinsky314 views
Once we distinguish the lower forms of spontaneity that stem from the vital nature and its instincts and desires, from the higher form of spontaneity that is linked to unification of the being with the higher spiritual purpose, the question arises as to how the individual can develop this higher spiritual form of spontaneity rather than simply falling back to the vital form which the development of the mind was intended to control and counteract. The answer comes by shifting the standpoint of the being away from the ego-personality that inhabits and controls the body-life-mind complex. This is done through unification with the higher divine intention, which in turn is accomplished by bringing the being into contact with and under the control of the psychic being, which provides the permanent link to the Divine.
A disciple inquires: ”Does spontaneity come spontaneously or does one have to follow a discipline to obtain it?”
The Mother writes: ”Spontaneity in feelings and action comes from a permanent contact with the psychic, which brings order into the thoughts and automatically controls the vital impulses.”
Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Our Many Selves: Practical Yogic Psychology, Chapter 6, Some Answers and Explanations, pg. 196
About the Author
Santosh has been studying Sri Aurobindo's writings since 1971 and has a daily blog at http://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com and podcast at https://anchor.fm/santosh-krinsky He is author of 19 books and is editor-in-chief at Lotus Press. He is president of Institute for Wholistic Education, a non-profit focused on integrating spirituality into daily life.
Further Reading
Article
Distinguishing Vital Vibrations from Soul Vibrations
we tend to attribute passion, motivation, charisma, energy to the soul, but most of the time, these are expressions of the energy of the vital nature, perhaps tinged by the soul's influence to some degree.
October 7, 2026
Article
Is It Possible for the Mind to Recognise the Presence of the Soul in Another Person?
perceiving the action of the soul by the mind is only possible under specific conditions.
October 7, 2026
Article
Changing the Driving Force of Action from the Mind and Vital Nature to the Psychic Being and its Guidance
the spiritual seeker works to overcome the pressure and habits of the external nature driven by the desires of the vital and ambitions of the mind, by contacting and following the quiet guidance of the soul
October 6, 2026
Article
Listening to the Voice of the Soul Rather Than the Voice of the External Mental and Vital Nature
The mental and vital elements of the being work together to fulfill the desires. The knowledge base used is by reference and is limited. The solution is to shift to the standpoint of the soul which is capable of 'knowledge by identity'
October 4, 2026