Yes, reading books is helpful but evidently it is not enough. Even in ordinary fields of knowledge such as physics, biology, arts, literature etc we have the distinction between theory and practice. Books can give us the theory but we have to confirm the knowledge in us through its application and practice. Reading requires one set of skills such as language, concentration, understanding, perseverance etc whereas practice requires faith, sincerity, aspiration etc.
With regard to Sri Aurobindo we have certain works that give us a good background of the principles of the Yoga, for example The Life Divine, The Human Cycle, The Synthesis of Yoga. There are others such as Letters on Yoga, The Mother, Conversations with the Mother that guide us regarding the practice of Yoga.
Here are two passages from Sri Aurobindo as an example about the practice.
‘As a rule the only mantra used in this sadhana is that of the Mother or of my name and the Mother. The concentration in the heart and the concentration in the head can both be used—each has its own result. The first opens up the psychic being and brings bhakti, love and union with the Mother, her presence within the heart and the action of her Force in the nature. The other opens the mind to self-realisation, to the consciousness of what is above mind, to the ascent of the consciousness out of the body and the descent of the higher consciousness into the body.’
‘Please in itiate me in to a tangible form of Yoga . I make th is assurance that I shall follow your in structions to the very letter and refer to you my doubts and difficulties on the way.
There is no method in th is Yoga except to concentrate, preferably in the heart, and call the presence and power of the Mother to take up the be in g and by the work in gs of her force transform the consciousness; one can concentrate also in the head or between the eyebrows, but for many th is is a too difficult open in g. When the m in d falls quiet and the concentration becomes strong and the aspiration in tense, then there is a beg in n in g of experience. The more the faith, the more rapid the result is likely to be. For the rest one must no t depend on one’s own efforts only, but succeed in establ is h in g a contact with the Div in e and a receptivity to the Mother’s Power and Presence.’
30 November 1934
Affectionately,
Alok Da
