Illustrating Integral Psychology using the Gita

Integral Psychology, as defined here, is the psychology adapted from Sri Aurobindo’s division of human consciousness. (see here and  wikipedia page ).  This post provides an illustration of Integral Psychology terminology using the verses of the Bhagavad Gita.

The Gita in Chapter 2, verses 62 and 63 states

Transliteration

dhyayato visayan pumsah
sangas tesupajayate
sangat sanjayate kamah
kamat krodho ‘bhijayate

krodhad bhavati sammohah
sammohat smrti-vibhramah
smrti-bhramsad buddhi-naso
buddhi-nasat pranasyati

Translation: While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.  From anger, delusion arises, and from delusion, bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost, one falls down again into the material pool.

Now let us map this translation piece-by-piece to our consciousness using Integral Psychology (all terms are defined here)

• From contemplation on the senses, attachment develops : The Lower Vital or Physical Vital (i.e. the life-force attached to the physical body) begins to take comfort in the input received from the senses.
• From attachment, lust develops : This is one level higher at the Emotional Vital.  Something in the heart stirs and there is born the desire to prolong the sense experience.
• From lust, anger arises : The Central Vital now begins to involve itself.   When continuation of sensual pleasure is denied, there is distress, anger and frustration.
• From anger, delusion arises : The movement of consciousness ripples up another level to the level of the Mind.  The Dynamic mind springs into action and begins to imagine the feeling of pleasure and also searches for ways to renew the pleasurable contact.  Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras refers to this movement of the mind as vikalpa (fantasy or imagination).
• From delusion, bewilderment of memory : This is the action of the Thinking Mind.  The consciousness has dissipated in the lower regions of consciousness and this interference impairs the Thinking mind’s power of concentration.

Here is a succinct form of the correspondence.

Reaction of consciousness	Psychological location
From contemplation on the senses, attachment develops.	Physical vital
From attachment, lust develops.	Emotional vital
From lust, anger arises.	Central vital
From anger, delusion arises.	Dynamic mind
From delusion, bewilderment of memory.	Thinking mind

Voila!