Dear Readers,

Darshan greetings to all!

The Mother once said: "If the growth of consciousness were considered as the principal goal of life, many difficulties would find their solution. The best way of not becoming old is to make progress the goal of our life." (CWM, Vol.12, p.123) It has been our observation that most of the learners who are attracted to SACAR courses are primarily motivated by this aspiration to progress and grow in consciousness through a sincere and systematic study of Sri Aurobindo's works. This is amply reflected in many of their written assignments like responses to discussion questions, essays, and learning journals, which convey their attempts at ongoing synthesis of their growing intellectual understanding with personal introspection, deep reflection, and observations of life and existence within and around them.

The present issue of New Race presents a collection of such works submitted by some of our learners studying different aspects of Sri Aurobindo's thought. Readers will find in this issue some selected excerpts from a course on The Psychology of Yoga in which learners share their understanding and reflections on the many selves that constitute our being and how to harmonize and integrate these many parts of the being. The three essays by Gauri Bahuguna, and Deepali Gupta represent an interesting range of topics that interest our learners, from the diverse and inter-related areas of Sri Aurobindo's philosophy, yoga, psychology and cultural studies.

Readers will also find in this issue an article by Georges Van Vrekhem, which has been included in his memory and honour. Georges was truly a remarkable bhakta-scholar, one whose life and work will continue to inspire all the children of the Mother, young and old.

Till next time….
Beloo