Sri Aurobindo on Spiritual Transformation

Here is a passage from The Integral Yoga, one of the easier to follow works of Sri Aurobindo.

"What I mean by the spiritual transformation is something dynamic (not merely liberation of the Self or realization of the One which can very well be attained without any descent). It is a putting on of the spiritual consciousness, dynamic as well as static, in every part of the being down to the subconscient. That cannot be done by the influence of the Self leaving the consciousness fundamentally as it is with only purification, enlightenment of the mind and heart and quiescence of the vital. It means a bringing down of the Divine Consciousness static and dynamic into all these parts and the entire replacement of the present consciousness by that. This we find unveiled and unmixed above mind, life and body. It is a matter of the undeniable experience of many that this can descend and it is my experience that nothing short of its full descent can thoroughly remove the veil and mixture and effect the full transformation... I may add that transformation is not the central object of other paths as it is of this yoga--only so much purification and change is demanded by them as will lead to liberation and beyond-life. The influence of the Atman can no doubt do that--a full descent of a new consciousness into the whole nature from top to bottom to transform life here is not needed at all for the spiritual escape from life." (page 211)