If such practices are compatible, what attitude should one maintain so that they support rather than distract from the central aim of Integral Yoga?
Our evolution proceeds along several lines through which we have moved. It is natural that some of the practices of certain spiritual paths may extend into our present. For some, these other lines drop altogether and everything gets centered around The Mother. For others, the different lines continue and are either taken up into the mainstream of the integral yoga as long as they do not contradict its central goal. Thus, for example, certain otherworldly lines of spiritual pursuit that regard the world as an illusion to escape from may turn the consciousness away from engagement with the world completely. Similarly, certain lines of spiritual evolution regard it as necessary to discard the mind or to dry the senses completely. Some, on the other hand, keep the bhakti purely on the surfaces while leaving our inner being largely untouched. Similarly, certain outer practices such as Vrat and Upavas, fasting, etc., have little to do with true spiritual life, let alone the integral yoga. Devi bhakti and Chakra meditations, however, are easier to integrate with the integral Yoga. The opening of the Centres does take place in the Integral Yoga as well, though through the descent of The Mother’s Force rather than a willed opening from below upwards, which sometimes carries its own risk. Similarly, goddess Lalita Tripurasundari is a very high form and power of the Divine Mother.
Of course, it is best if one can completely surrender to the one and only Master in whose form and name the Supreme has come to us. But there are certain lines along which we have walked in the past and these don’t close abruptly but get integrated slowly with our central spiritual aspiration, or else drop off naturally at some point in time when our consciousness is ready. Keep to the core spiritual aspiration and let your faith and surrender grow entirely in the Divine Mother. The rest will find its true place or drop off effortlessly when its need is over.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
