The word self with the small s is used in the general sense, as in English. It could refer to the true self, the divine self, or even the ego-self based on the qualifying word before it. The Self with a capital S however, refers to the Universal Self, the Atma, the universal Self. It is one and unchanging, the Akshar Brahma of the Gita, the One Self that stands behind creation as its secret base and support.
The self with the small s generally refers to the individual self, that which gives the impression of the unique I to each individual. This may refer to the Jivatma, the individual soul. Though here, Sri Aurobindo makes a subtle distinction between the Jivatma, in its unfallen status as the central being that is always one with the Divine, the Supreme Self, that transcends creation and cosmos, and the Jivatma as it projects something of itself in the creation for the unique adventure in Time and Space growing from birth to birth into an aspect of the Divine. This is referred to as the psychic being, sometimes simply as the true self hidden within the heart of man behind nature. Its light projecting in nature creates the impression of the ego, which is simply a construct of Nature rather than the self, useful for one life, like a shade or shadow defining the margins.
To summarise, there is the One Transcendent Divine Self, Paramatama, or the Parameshwara, the Purushottama of the Gita.
Then there is the universal Self, or simply the Self with a capital S, the Atma, that is one and the same in all creatures.
Finally, there is the individual self, the Jivatma or the true individual self with a small s. Its light falling upon nature, gives the impression of the separate ego-self. The true individual self or the psychic being is like the wire connected to the generator. It is the true individual self. The lamp receiving the light and transmitting it is the ego-self, the aham.
Here are few letters of Sri Aurobindo in this regard.
‘The Atman is one in all, is not born, does not evolve or change.
The soul is something that comes from the Divine into the evolution and as the psychic being it evolves and assumes different personalities from life to life….
The Self or Atman is inactive, Nature (Prakriti) or Shakti acts. When the Self is realised it is first an infinite existence, wideness, silence, freedom, peace that is felt—that is called Atman or Self.’
(Ref. https://incarnateword.in/cwsa/28/the-self-or-atman#p13,p16)
Affectionately,
Alok Da
