Response by Learner MD
Although arduous in itself and requiring a rigorous psychological process and discipline, Equality is the first prerequisite for any yoga, especially the Karmayoga of the Gita. This has been stated by all great yogis. What Sri Aurobindo indicates though, in addition to the traditional understanding of the term and in keeping with the unique requirement of his Integral Yoga, is that Equality is not only a withdrawal from the surface consciousness into the inner where one can become untouched and unmoved by the world and its contacts, but also, if taken to the end of its supreme possibility and fruition, becomes the means for an Integral realization of the Divine, not only above and beyond but here and now.
Beginning with the preliminary equality of the yoga of works, it passes naturally into a wider equality of the yoga of knowledge and finally culminates into the supreme and complete equality of the yoga of love and union making possible the integral or the supramental equality that alone can effectuate the perfect divinized life upon earth.
When we speak of Equality we presuppose a certain detachment or disassociation from the surface being or the Ego. Equality can never come about in the mind, vital and the body as we know them. However developed or educated, left to themselves, the mind and emotions are only erring ignorant playthings in the hands of the ego and Nature. A certain ability to withdraw and live within is required. Even if it is not a constant living within at least in certain moments and even if not well established in all the being at least in some higher part of the being. We also presume a more or less established attitude of self surrender to the One in us and the One in all. A certain spiritual quest has already been shaped and formulated well enough to have created a suitable readiness in the nature for the equality to begin.
Very importantly, equality necessarily means the readiness to give up desire and ego. As long as the two are predominant and have a strong hold on the nature it is not possible to be equal. To be able to put a stop to the outward propensity of the being, to arrest the mechanical age-old habit of sensorial and vital outflow of energy, to turn the gaze inward, to be able to redirect the consciousness inward are all necessary preconditions. First, the need for equality is only a mental will, an aspiration of some inner part; Next, it graduates to a constant background and attitude spreading itself to every part of the being. Finally, it becomes the need of every fiber, the natural habit and state of the whole being. Equality is a process that grows and perfects itself as per the need and nature of the seeker. But that it is the essential prerequisite for any real yoga is certain.
The first stage of Equality is the demand of the yoga of works. To do all work with an attitude of worship and offering to the Lord or Master. To renounce all desire for the result of the action is the great demand of the yoga of works. To act in the world as a self-less worker, to do all for the Divine and never once think of the fruit or result is the sadhana of this yoga. This is the period of a rigorous self discipline and the period of endurance. It is the first breaking away from the modes of Ignorance, and therefore requires maximum conviction, courage and velocity. It implies the dynamic realization that we are not this stumbling mind-heart-body existence, we are a portion of the Supreme and it is He who governs all and therefore we shall not want life to move the way we think it ought to but admit with stark equality what He wants our life to be and await with total trust the perfection He is shaping out of our action.
To teach the being to bear all results pleasant or unpleasant with an equal soul is the yoga of works. To live this truth in every moment and in every contact with the world and in every part of ourselves is the trying period until we are totally equal to success and failure, good and bad, fortune and misfortune. And until all success and failure prepares the ground for the final Divine victory, taking the yoga of works to its grand consummation. A total self abandonment in the hands of the Master, an inner calm unmoved by anything external is the gain of this period.
