The Life Divine (Book I) is Sri Aurobindo's monumental exploration of human existence and its potential for spiritual transformation. Written in rich, philosophical prose, it seeks to reconcile the deepest insights of Eastern mysticism with the rational clarity of Western thought. Aurobindo begins by examining the human aspiration for a higher life, the tension between material existence and spiritual yearning, and the apparent contradiction between the finite and the infinite.
He proposes that evolution is not merely biological but also consciousness-driven: life has emerged from matter, mind has emerged from life, and the next step is the awakening of a supramental consciousness-a divine consciousness capable of transforming human nature. In Book I, he analyzes fundamental questions: the problem of evil, the dualities of spirit and matter, and the role of reason, intuition, and faith in understanding reality. He draws on the Vedic and Vedantic tradition while also engaging with science and philosophy to show that spirit is not opposed to life but seeks to manifest fully within it.
Profound yet practical, The Life Divine offers a vision of human destiny that transcends suffering and limitation. It invites readers to see evolution as a journey toward divine life on earth-a union of consciousness and matter.
