The Greek Temperament and the Roman Temperament in the Practice of Yoga

We observe some individuals who have an obvious connection to the life-energy and who have a sensitivity and responsiveness to life that allows them to experience the fullness of life. We also observe individuals who appear more restrained, self-contained, and less subject to the life around them, who tend to reflect and analyze in order to understand and act. Each of these temperamental types has its own special and unique advantages, and disadvantages, for the yogic practitioner. Neither one represents the only temperament capable of achieving the result of the yogic practice. It is thus easy to appreciate and understand that methods, disciplines and directions that are suited to the one may not be the best approach for the other. The difference may be understood as the dichotomy between the empath and the stoic. The empath needs to experience and deal with all that life offers in a very deep and personal, and sometimes very painful way. The stoic blocks off much of the interaction with the life-force and acts more under a formulated set of rules of ethics, behavior, morality and interaction with others.

Sri Aurobindo notes: “It is a matter of temperament. Some are psychically and vitally sensitive and responsive to all that comes from anywhere; others are solid of nerve and walled against invasion. It is not at all a question of strength or weakness. The first have a greater sense of life and answer to life; they suffer more from life and get more from it. It is the difference between the Greek and the Roman. Even without egoism the difference remains because it is of the temperament. In yoga the first type are more able to feel everything directly and know everything in detail by close experience; it is their great advantage. The others have to use the mind to know and their grasp is less intimate.”

Sri Aurobindo, Integral Yoga: Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching and Method of Practice, Chapter 11, Human Relationships in Yoga, Mixing with Others, pp 332-335