However, I have now realized that my life’s mission is to make Nature “divine.” To achieve this, I have decided to become a philosopher—practicing Karma Yoga in that role. While an engineer practicing Karma Yoga might only slightly accelerate the process of divinizing Nature, a philosopher could take Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy to every corner of India
By eliminating the specific factors that prevented Sri Aurobindo’s profound philosophy from gaining widespread renown, I could ensure that millions gain knowledge of his teachings and lakhs follow his path; even if only a few thousand succeed, the time required for the transformation of Nature would be drastically reduced. Yet, when I told my uneducated family that I would stop JEE preparations and instead earn a living as a philosophy professor (I mentioned the money to appeal to their practical side, though financial gain is not my true motive), they wouldn’t listen. They insisted that since I had already studied for a year, I should complete another year and become an engineer. But I am determined not to listen to them; I will become a philosopher. I have devised two strategies to achieve this:(1) If I do not study seriously for the JEE and instead focus entirely on philosophy—devoting about eight hours to it while giving only four hours to JEE studies—I will not clear the exam. I know that, in that case, they won’t ask me to take a ‘drop year’ (to try again); instead, they will tell me to pursue a B.A. degree at an ordinary college—and that is exactly what I want. (2) If I focus entirely on JEE preparation—dedicating about 11 hours to it while setting aside just one hour for philosophy—I would likely clear the exam. However, no matter how much I tried to dissuade them, my parents would insist I not miss such a huge opportunity, arguing that I lack the foresight to realize the value of a B.Tech degree. But if I clear JEE, the teachers who coached me would visit my home. If I told them that my true interest lies in philosophy and that I intend to earn a living as a philosophy professor—(this is a white lie; I don’t intend to pursue it for the money, but if I told the truth, those teachers—lacking spiritual insight—would likely advise against becoming a philosopher)—then those knowledgeable engineer-teachers would advise my parents not to pressure me and to let me pursue my chosen path. My parents, considering these teachers smarter than themselves, would likely value their advice over their own judgment and agree.[After 12th grade, instead of a B.Tech, I would complete my philosophy studies through an open university like IGNOU rather than a regular university. This is because the philosophy curriculum I could master in a single year takes five years to complete in a regular university setting (BA + MA), followed by another three years for a PhD. I chose IGNOU because it requires attendance only for exams, giving me ample time at home for the in-depth study of philosophy. Another reason is that I know if I told my family I didn’t intend to study for a degree or a job after 12th grade, they would never approve of the plan; hence, the IGNOU strategy.] – Both of these are part of my strategy.
Which of these two strategies is better, or are they both useless? If they are both useless, please tell me what I should do; suggest a strategy for me, and I will never forget this great favor.
As you might be aware, Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching is not a philosophy but Yoga. This Yoga includes the entire field of life. Every field of activity can be turned into a means of Yoga. In fact, the Divine does not need philosophers as much as He needs teachers, engineers, doctors, in fact real yogins engaged in different fields of activities. In days of India’s glory, spirituality was applied in every field. Philosophy was only one of them.
My advice will be to study with sincerity whatever field of activity you are naturally drawn by your temperament. That is the Dharma right now. Later, once you have started earning and settled in a work in which you are naturally inclined, then the rest can come. One doesn’t need to be a philosopher to spread the teachings. In fact, one doesn’t need to study philosophy to be a philosopher. What is important is to think rightly, to live sincerely, to do all work as a worship to the Divine and then, leave the rest in His hands. Spreading the teaching, if at all, should happen naturally and it is best done by living it in whatever measure possible.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
