Aurobindo's Theodicy
I am reading a little Aurobindo today. Specifically, I am reading from the
"Life Divine" where he espouses some of his ideas about the problem of
evil. The way in which he poses the problem and a possible solution is
quite beautiful to say the least.
I see him regard 'evil,' ignorance, suffering, pain, and disaster as
evidence of the omnipotence and omniscience of the Divine Consciousness.
Most philosophers and theologians I have read who treat this problem see it
is a limitation of the Divine Being- not an example of infinite power,
goodness, and light.
I especially liked how he ended the chapter and discussed our eventual
return to union with the Divine and the overwhelming joy it brings:
"At the end of separation is the intense joy of union, the joy of meeting
with a self from which we were divided. There is an attraction in
ignorance itself because it provides us with the joy of discovery, the
surprise of new and unforeseen creation, a great adventure of the soul;
there is a joy of the journey and the search and the finding, a joy of the
battle and the crown, the labour and the reward of labour" (LD,
410-411).
In the last analysis, yoga is the way of union with the Divine. This
central goal and intention of yoga has seemed to be lost in much of what
presently passes as 'yoga.' Our supreme potentiality lies in the joy of
intimate union with the author of All.
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