Page 7 - NAMAH-Apr-2016

Editorial

The metaphysical basis for Integral Health — the nature of reality

In Chapter V of The Life Divine, Sri Aurobindo manifestation is called the Being, all that has
introduces a concept which has not only manifested within the field of space and time
a bearing metaphysical thought but has constitutes the Becoming.
enormous consequences in the fields of science
and health: How do we come to the conclusion that
despite the multiplicity of the Becoming, the
“... the Reality is one and not a sum or concourse Reality (or Brahman) is One? This oneness is
(1).” not a statistical concept. It is not derived from
the summation of all manifested phenomena.
To have a clear idea of the metaphysical basis Nor is it derived from the gestalt concept that
of this statement, we need to appreciate three the whole is more than the sum of the parts.
terms:
Now, the Reality or Being (or Brahman) is also
a. Being experienced as a triune of Existence (Sat),
b. Non-Being Consciousness (Chit) and Bliss (Enanda) —
c. Becoming (Sachidananda). Even here, the One Reality is
not a summation of three experiential terms.
Sri Aurobindo has already elaborated in Instead, each term of this triune represents a
Chapter IV of The Life Divine the nature of particular poise of Reality. “There is effective
the Omnipresent Reality behind all manifested determination, definition and demarcation,
phenomena. That ‘Reality’ has been conceived diverse formation in the universe but no
as Being when invested with positive attributes essential separation or division. A tree is
and termed as Non-Being when conceived to separate as an object or phenomenon, but it
have surpassed all cognitive criteria needed is not a separate existence divided from all
for description. around it; there is a one-existence and a one-
energy that has taken form of tree, constitutes
The nature of this Omnipresent Reality every atom, molecule, fibre of it, pervades
(whether called ‘Being’ or ‘Non-Being’) is that and is its whole structure of being and this
it is the sole or ONE Reality – infinite, eternal, existence, this energy not only abides in all
absolute – Ekam Evadvitiyam (Sanskrit for of it and flows through all of it but extends
‘One without a second’) (2). The Omnipresent everywhere around and is, constitutes,
Reality supports all phenomena that have energises all other objects in the cosmos (3).”
manifested within the matrix of space and
time. If the Omnipresent Reality behind all “The One is at the same time the All, for it

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