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Be conscious first of thyself within, then think and act. All living thought is a world in preparation; all real act is a thought manifested. The material world exists because an idea began to play in divine self–consciousness.
Sri Aurobindo
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Self-awareness precedes action, as thoughts and ideas shape our reality.

Sri Aurobindo emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and introspection before taking any action. He suggests that our thoughts are the precursors to our actions, and that the material world stems from the divine ideas within our consciousness, highlighting the profound connection between thought and reality.

Themes

Self-AwarenessThoughtActionConsciousnessReality

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational workshop to encourage personal growth.

More from Sri Aurobindo

Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage.
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To listen to some devout people, one would imagine that God never laughs.
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Indian religion has always felt that since the minds, the temperaments and the intellectual affinities of men are unlimited in their variety, a perfect liberty of thought and of worship must be allowed to the individual in his approach to the Infinite.
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Evolution is not finished; reason is not the last word nor the reasoning animal the supreme figure of Nature. As man emerged out of the animal, so out of man the superman emerges.
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Impossibility is only a sum of greater unrealised possibles. It veils an advanced stage and a yet unaccomplished journey.
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If it be true that spirit is involved in Matter and apparent Nature is secret God, then the manifestation in the divine in himself and the realization of God within and without are the highest and most legitimate aim possible to man on earth.
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