An Integral View of Health (4) Psychic Culture

These three then are the main approaches to develop the outer instruments so as to make them grow constantly toward higher and higher form – vigorous activity is the first, stillness is next, rhythmic activity the last. To combine the three judiciously would perhaps be ideal. But none of these pursued for their own sake would be useful. These must be linked to the indwelling guide constantly so that they receive the newer fresher, invigorating streams of the nectar of immortality to change their substance into the substance of truth and delight. With practice one can them link up all one’s energies to this soul within us. And this can be done simply by offering all one’s activities material and psychological, food and sleep, thought and feelings, all, without exception to the Source. The more we thus link ourselves, the more will our bodies and mind partake in the nature of this psyche in us which is immortal. Thus, our body shall develop faith where it first had fear, our mind develop a luminous view of the self and world where originally there was pessimism, our life develop a true sense of well-being. It is then alone that health would be a natural attitude of the being.

A word of caution is needed here. For we are very likely to be led into a belief that under such a condition one would be free from all illnesses. This would be a grand presumption which is not true, because:

1. Such an ideal state of a total psychic influence upon the physical and psychological parts is itself not easy. It needs persistence and sincere effort for which few are ready.

2. Even when possible, this itself would not grant a total immunity from illnesses but would create an ideal attitude in the body and mind to spontaneously repel illness, and regain an equilibrium. This is because the fundamental nature of matter and mind does not change. It is only brought under a more direct influence of the healthiest part in us – the soul.

3. Even when higher and higher level of energy act, they too being subject to error and falsehood, the chances of ill-health remain though their nature and means of cure may drastically change.

Finally, as a result of this evolutionary process, a time may come, according to Sri Aurobindo when the very nature of the body would change and become the truth substance not subject to falsehood and hence to pain, disease and death. That would be the perfect state of health. Doctors and drugs would cease as would diseases.