What is the Vital?
In his philosophy, Sri Chinmoy often uses the term vital. It is a term more common in Indian spirituality and not so well known in the West.
The vital is a part of our being which gives life force to the body. A very rough approximation would be a 'subtle body'
The vital gives us dynamism, energy and enthusiasm. The vital also embodies negative emotional qualities such as anger and frustration. In this respect, Sri Chinmoy often refers to the
- 'higher vital' - dynamism, enthusiasm.
- 'lower vital' - aggression and unlit emotions.
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Question: What is the vital?
Sri Chinmoy: There are two vitals in us: one is the dynamic vital and the other is the aggressive vital. The aggressive vital is the animal in us; it wants to devour the world. The dynamic vital does not want to devour; it only wants to energise the world that is fast asleep. Millions of people are still fast asleep. They are not aware of God; they are not aware of truth-light. But with the dynamic vital we can arouse slumbering humanity.
Question: What is the distinction between the vital and the physical?
Sri Chinmoy: The physical as such is blind and very limited. By nature, the physical is lethargic; it doesn't want to budge an inch. The vital is sometimes dynamic and sometimes aggressive. The vital very rarely will take rest. And the vital rarely cares for inner light. It is like a mad elephant. When the spiritual light enters into the vital, if the vital is not ready to receive, the vital will be crushed, broken to pieces.
But when the vital receives some of the soul's light, or when it has surrendered to some extent to the soul's dictates, it will undoubtedly have some purification. And that vital, instead of standing in the way of God-realisation, will help considerably. It will serve the soul in accelerating its onward journey.
There is the vital proper and there is the physical vital. The physical vital is inside the body and, at the same time, around the body. This is the vital that is deeply connected with the gross physical. But the vital proper is not part and parcel of the body. It is in the body, but it has its own independent existence. It is like the difference between the mind proper and the physical mind. The physical mind is in the physical acting the way the physical wants, whereas the mind proper has its own existence. Similarly, the vital proper will never be identified with the physical vital, The vital proper we use only when we try to fulfil a great aim or great mission on earth. Mighty kings and potentates are usually born with that kind of vital. Great leaders-not the so-called political leaders, but leaders of mankind-are born with that kind of vital proper, dynamic vital.
The physical can easily be distinguished from the vital, because the physical, by nature, will not open. It is like a blind child. It does not want to aspire. Constantly we have to feed the physical as we feed a child. But this physical eventually begins to aspire and it becomes proud of its inner reality. The physical is the cage and inside is the soul, the bird. When the cage, the outer body, becomes conscious of the fact that it has an invaluable treasure inside it, then it tries to exert its own power to help the soul, the heart, the mind and the vital in their combined aspiration and in their combined efforts to fulfil God's Will.
Question: What Is the vital?
Sri Chinmoy: The navel area is the vital region and below the navel is the lower vital region which houses the sex forces.
Do not reject the aggressive
And destructive vital.
Ask your vital to become
Constructive and dynamic.
Your vital will do
Many good things for you.
Kailash Singing Group
Kailash's singing group is dedicated to learning and performing the prolific musical compositions of Sri Chinmoy. Since it was formed a few years ago, it has performed over 7,000 songs of Sri Chinmoy.
The group perform the songs of Sri Chinmoy without arrangement or instrumental backing.
More on Kailash's singing group at Radio Sri Chinmoy
On Radio Sri Chinmoy, we have published interviews with three members of this unique group.
- Interview with Kailash part 1
- Interview with Adarsha Kelly Part 2
- Interview with Prachar Stegemann Part 3
Photo Top: Mount Kailash - by, Ondřej Žváček, GNU license.
Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees
Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees is a collection of short poems that Sri Chinmoy composed between 1998 and 2007. New books have been added to Sri Chinmoy Library, and the full set will be available soon.
I have a false boss
And a real boss.
My false boss is my ego-pride
And my real boss is my heart-delight.
Sri Chinmoy [1. Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, # 49019, Part 50, Agni Press, 2009]
Little by little,
My soul’s light
Is coming to the fore.
- Sri Chinmoy [2. Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, # 49023 Part 50]
God is every day looking
For more and more
Self-giving seekers.
- Sri Chinmoy [3.
Sri Chinmoy, # 49043, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, Part 50 ]
Photo, Tejvan, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries.
Related I always try to speak with my heartInspiration from Africa
Earlier this year, the World Harmony Run passed through some of the most beautiful landmarks in South Africa, and helped to unite many people in working towards a more harmonious and positive future.
Members of World Harmony Run Team by Victoria Falls
see more at Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls
The World Harmony Run, was founded by Sri Chinmoy, as an initiative to encourage world peace and friendship amongst the different peoples of the world.
The initiative has been supported by African leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
Nelson Mandela and Garcia Mandela with Sri Chinmoy, 1998
"My Brother in peace, we acknowledge the tremendous contribution which you and your peace movement are making to promote global peace."
- Nelson Mandela [1. World Harmony Run - Torch Relay for Peace and Harmony p.118. New York: Agni Press, 2010]
“I am happy to support your Peace Run for justice, peace and reconciliation. The world must know that God wants us to live amicably as brothers and sisters, members of one family, the human family, God’s family.”
- Desmond Tutu [2. World Harmony Run - Torch Relay for Peace and Harmony p.118. New York: Agni Press, 2010 and World Harmony Run, S.A.]
Children hold the Torch on a recent visit of Run, through South Africa.
"The absence of war is not and cannot be the real peace. Real peace is the unmistakable establishment of celestial harmony and universal love."
- Sri Chinmoy (Founder of World Harmony Run) [3. Sri Chinmoy. Perez de Cuellar: Immortality's Rainbow-Peace, New York, Agni Press, 1989]
RelatedWhen The Power of Love Replaces The Love Of Power
Sri Chinmoy taught a simple message that the power of love needs to replace the love of power.
Sri Chinmoy expressed this philosophy in a number of aphorisms:
When the power of love
Replaces the love of power,
Man will have a new name:
God.
- Sri Chinmoy [1. Sri Chinmoy, 1970, Meditations: Food For The Soul, Agni Press]
World-peace
Can be achieved
When the power of love
Replaces
The love of power.
- Sri Chinmoy [2. Sri Chinmoy, 1997, Peace-Lovers, AUM publications]
Explaining the meaning of this aphorism, Sri Chinmoy writes
"Question: I have read your aphorism that says. “When the power of love replaces the love of power, man will have a new name: God.” Could you please elaborate on this?
Sri Chinmoy: The love of vital power is destroying the entire world, but the divine love, which is power itself, can only transform us—transform the human in us into the divine. The love of power is the love of supremacy. If I can have a little more power than you, then I will try to lord it over you. An individual or a nation feels that by exercising power it is possible to conquer the heart of humanity. But this is impossible! We are crying to see the Face of God, not because He is all Power, but because He is all Love. It is only the power of love that can really conquer the heart and change the face of humanity.
This is not only my discovery; it is the discovery of all sincere seekers. If we feel that the world is full of hate, we will constantly have a bitter feeling toward life. Then immediately we will try to conquer the world with our vital power, the power that wants to dominate. But when we pray and meditate early in the morning, if we cherish good thoughts, divine thoughts, loving thoughts that come from the depths of our heart, immediately we feel that the world is our friend. We feel that there is no enemy for us or that there are very few enemies. At that time we are experiencing the positive power, the power of oneness, which comes from love...."
Continue Reading at Sri Chinmoy Library
World's Heaviest Shoes
Ashrita Furman recently set a new Guinness World Record for walking in the heaviest shoes, another unique feat of self-transcendence from the person who holds the most current Guinness World Records. The record was part of Guinness' annual - Guinness World Records day. Previous records include challenging events such as the most consecutive forward rolls - a rather nauseous 12 miles, and the longest continuous distance whilst balancing milk bottle - 80 miles .
In a recent article at the Wall Street Journal, Ashrita explains his inspiration for feats of self-transcendence come from his meditation and spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy. Though unathletic at school, Ashrita found a new source of energy and athleticism after practising yoga and meditation under the tutelage of Sri Chinmoy.
Ashrita featured in the British Sun"I want to inspire people," says Mr. Furman, who is almost always training for three or four events. "If you have a dream, you can achieve your dream. I'm living my dream." - Ashrita at Wall Street Journal
The world's heaviest shoes and Campo at Run and Become, London.
Sangit Surabhi
Sangit Surabhi is an all-female vocal and instrumental ensemble founded in 2007. The group is based in Ottawa, Canada and comprises members from the Sri Chinmoy Centre.
Sangit Surabhi performing at The Garden of Light in Ottawa.
Sangit Surabhi perform the devotional songs of Sri Chinmoy, who composed many thousands of meditative songs. Sri Chinmoy writes of music:
Music knows no frontiers.
It is free all-where.
Its contribution to emotional integration,
Human and divine,
Can never be fathomed.
- Sangit Surabhi.ca - 'The Soul Stirring melodies of Sri Chinmoy'
- Music at Sri Chinmoy Centre
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