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PART TEN
Cycles of Creation
THE present cycle of creation has for its
goal the advent of the Supermind, the coming of a supramental race of beings. The world, it seems, moves in cycles. There
are periods of creation with a hiatus or a gap in between of dissolution.
Present-day science too speaks of the universe proceeding in pulsations, that
is to say, alternate expansion and contraction. Indian mythology speaks of
alternate 'Pralaya' and 'Srishti'. The Indian system speaks also of 'Mahapralaya',
utter dissolution or 'Yoganidra' of the Supreme. In other words, there
are periods when the universe retires altogether into its origin and when it
comes out it manifests itself in an entirely new way. In a given creation
between two major dissolutions, 'Mahapralaya', that is to say, in a major
cycle, there are minor cycles (epicycles) marked by minor dissolutions, 'Khandapralaya'. The present major cycle aims, as I have said,
at the manifestation of the Supermind and the installation of the supramental
race. The cycle started, one does not know when, billions of years ago perhaps,
but the principle of the creation seems to be clear enough. It has matter for
its base, earth as its centre and man as its dynamic agent. For all we know
there may be, there are other principles and modalities of creation. One may
well conceive of air, for example, as the basis of creation and some other
heavenly body, an airy globe in a far-off galaxy, for example, being the basis
of creation and an airy creature as the vehicle for the play based upon that
principle. Even fire may be the basic principle of another creation and
salamander-like beings its natural inhabitants. There may be quite other
principles or modes of creation conceivable or inconceivable by the human mind.
However,
Page – 177 we speak now of the present terrestrial creation of which we human beings
are representative participants. The present cycle, the great cycle that is to say, has, as I have said, for its ultimate motive
and purpose the advent and reign of the Supermind. But this proceeds
through stages, each stage forming a minor or lesser cycle. The stages of these
cycles are the different degrees of what is called evolution. The evolution
starts upon the basis of an apparently simple substance and goes on unfolding
gradually an inherent complexity. As we know, the different cycles of evolution
in the past were at the outset a purely material universe of inorganic
elements, then came the cycle of organic combinations, then the manifestation
of life and next the mind and at present the mind at its peak capacity, which
means the advent of the strange creature that has a miraculous destiny to
accomplish. And that is to bring forth out of him the achievement and fulfilment of the next cycle. For the mind is there to bring
forth, to usher in the Supermind and man is there as the laboratory and the
vanguard as well of the Supermind. At the present time the human consciousness in general has been so prepared and its dwelling and playfield the earth consciousness made ready to such a degree that it has been possible for the still secreted higher perfection to enter into the arena. The evolution, the growth has been a gradual expression and revelation of the light, the consciousness in a higher and higher degree of purity and potency through an encasement hard and resistant at first but gradually yielding to the impact of the higher status and even transforming itself so as to become its instrument and embodiment. We speak of the present situation, we are concerned with man and what he is to grow into or bring out of himself. Here also there seem to be stages or cycles of creation leading to the final achievement. The whole burden of the present endeavour is how to transcend, transform or modify the animalhood which is the basis of humanity even now and in and through which man is growing and seeking to manifest and incarnate his superior potencies. Man's supramental destiny means that he totally outgrows the animal, outgrows even his manhood in so far as it is merely human; for he has to incorporate the principle of the supramental which wholly transcends the mental.
Page – 178 The first step in this momentous movement has
been taken, the first act achieved, for the supramental is now here established
in the earth's atmosphere and is already percolating into general human
consciousness. It is no longer a far-off object residing away in its own home,
its higher transcendent status, but a concrete reality as something like
earth's own. It is at work in this material envelope, this animal encasing of
humanity and is vigorously transforming, demolishing and building, preparing
the new structure. The embodiment of the supramental, the
supramental consciousness in its supramental body is indeed even now rather a
far-off event. But the beginning of a supramentalised humanity, a section of it
as the spearhead is quite a possibility in a comparatively near future. A race
of elite in whom the grosser elements of humanhood, its physical animality and
mentality have been purified of their dross, refined into something of the
pure luminous reflection of the higher consciousness – that is the immediate
end for which the new force seems to be labouring. And the consequence too of
this achievement is expected to be also very considerable. The whole human race
or even a majority of it is not likely to be transfigured into the elite, the
race of the pioneers just referred to. The advent or the preparation of such a
body will in its turn naturally influence the rest of mankind and act so
effectively and largely that the human race in general will put on a different
aspect, the aspect of a humanity not of the Kaliyuga
but of the Satyayuga. That is what the general human mind has been aspiring
for and calling "Ramarajya". A humanity with a radiant mind, a
purified, generous, unegoistic, yet creative vital and a physical consciousness
enjoying, revealing, building forms of true beauty seems to be a nearer and
intermediary probability – and animal-born humanity retaining its normal
animal structure, still outgrowing its grosser movements and instincts,
controlling and guiding, modifying and utilising them to higher purposes
(Pashupati) may well be a happy stage towards the final appearance of the
supramental race wholly transcending the frame of animality, born and existing
in the purely supramental way. A supramentalised material universe or rather
physical earth may itself put on a different, a radiant appearance
Page – 179
and also the beings and creatures of the other levels of life and
physical existence may also undergo a sea change, but of that nothing need be
or can be previewed at present.
Page – 180
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