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The term '''involution''' refers to different things depending on the writer. In some instances it refers to a [[process]] that occurs prior to evolution and gives rise to the [[cosmos]], in others an aspect of [[evolution]], and still others a process that follows the completion of evolution in the human form.

The term '''involution''' refers to different things depending on the writer. In some instances it refers to a [[process]] that occurs prior to evolution and gives rise to the [[cosmos]], in others an aspect of [[evolution]], and still others a process that follows the completion of evolution in the human form.

==Involution according to Esoteric cosmology==

==Involution according to Esoteric cosmology==

In [[Theosophy]], [[Anthroposophy]] and [[Rosicrucianism]], involution and evolution are part of a complex sequence of [[cosmic cycles, called ''Round''.  When the [[universe]] attains a stage of sufficient density, the [[individual]] [[spirit]] is able to descend and participate in the evolution.  Involution thus refers to the incarnation of [[spirit]] in an already established [[matter]], the necessary prerequiste of evolution:

In [[Theosophy]], [[Anthroposophy]] and [[Rosicrucianism]], involution and evolution are part of a complex sequence of [[cosmic cycles, called ''Round''.  When the [[universe]] attains a stage of sufficient density, the [[individual]] [[spirit]] is able to descend and participate in the evolution.  Involution thus refers to the incarnation of [[spirit]] in an already established [[matter]], the necessary prerequiste of evolution:

:''As an example, the so-called descent of the Monad into matter means an involution or involving or infolding of spiritual potencies into material vehicles which coincidentally and contemporaneously, through the compelling urge of the infolding energies, unfold their own latent capacities, unwrap them, roll them forth; and this is the evolution of matter.'' – [[Gottfried de Purucker]][http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/dp5/cyclicevo.htm]

:''As an example, the so-called descent of the Monad into matter means an involution or involving or infolding of spiritual potencies into material vehicles which coincidentally and contemporaneously, through the compelling urge of the infolding energies, unfold their own latent capacities, unwrap them, roll them forth; and this is the evolution of matter.'' – [[Gottfried de Purucker]][https://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/dp5/cyclicevo.htm]

That period of time devoted to the attainment of self-[[consciousness]] and the building of the vehicles through which the spirit in man manifests, is called "Involution." Its purpose is to slowly carry life lower and deeper into denser and denser matter for the building of forms, till the nadir of materiality is reached. From that point, life begins to ascend into [[Dimensions|higher worlds]]. This succeeding period of existence, during which the individual human being develops ''self-consciousness'' into ''[[divine]] [[omniscience]]'', is called "[[spiritual evolution]]."

That period of time devoted to the attainment of self-[[consciousness]] and the building of the vehicles through which the spirit in man manifests, is called "Involution." Its purpose is to slowly carry life lower and deeper into denser and denser matter for the building of forms, till the nadir of materiality is reached. From that point, life begins to ascend into [[Dimensions|higher worlds]]. This succeeding period of existence, during which the individual human being develops ''self-consciousness'' into ''[[divine]] [[omniscience]]'', is called "[[spiritual evolution]]."

The evolution is the development of all entities in the [[cosmos]], including [[humans]], in order to attain their fulfillment, including the [[discovery]] of [[spiritual]] Delight, which was, and always is, the experience of the [[Universal Father|Source Creator]]. The evolution is the progressive development from the original inconscience of matter into life (movement, sensation, desire, etc. and living physical beings), and from thence to [[mind]] (in conscious animals and most especially humans - the self-conscious thinking animal), and from thence to spiritualized mind, culminating in the [[Superconsciousness|The Supermind]]  or Truth Consciousness (as supramental individuals, and finally the  supramental, i.e. a divine life on earth.)  

The evolution is the development of all entities in the [[cosmos]], including [[humans]], in order to attain their fulfillment, including the [[discovery]] of [[spiritual]] Delight, which was, and always is, the experience of the [[Universal Father|Source Creator]]. The evolution is the progressive development from the original inconscience of matter into life (movement, sensation, desire, etc. and living physical beings), and from thence to [[mind]] (in conscious animals and most especially humans - the self-conscious thinking animal), and from thence to spiritualized mind, culminating in the [[Superconsciousness|The Supermind]]  or Truth Consciousness (as supramental individuals, and finally the  supramental, i.e. a divine life on earth.)  

[[Image:Aurobindoinvolution.jpg|center]]

We cannot speak of Sat without Chit Ananda or Being, Consciousness and Bliss.  They represent a totality.  Sat is the vital state of that which is was and always will be.  In a sense it is a beginnining but because it is pregnant with possibility it is inexorably tied to Ananda or the recognition of Being and then the subsequent realization of bliss which is divine inner knowing.  Each flows out of the other and then back again.  It could be said that Sat only exists through Ananda or Consciousness however, these levels of differentiation cannot grasp the true nature of either of these three qualities since they are interdependent.

===''Chit-tapas''===

== Integral thought ==

In chapter 10 of ''[[The Life Divine]]'', Sri Aurobindo writes at length on the nature of Consciousness-Force as a principle of the Divine.  As he understands it (following the [[Tantra|Tantric]] dichotomy of Shiva and Shakti), ''Chit'' or Consciousness is not an inert and passive principle; but contains the potential spiritual Energy, ''[[Tapas]]'', which in Creation becomes the dynamic and creative principle or Force, called ''[[Shakti]]''. ''Chit-Tapas'' or ''Chit-Shakti'' is therefore the universal Consciousness-Force, the divine Energy; the [[Divine Mother|Mother]].  

In [[integral thought]], involution is the process by which the Divine manifests the [[cosmos]].  The process by which the creation rises to higher states and states of [[consciousness]] is the [[Spiritual evolution|evolution]].  Involution prepares the [[universe]] for the [[Big Bang]]; evolution continues from that point forward. The term ''involution'' comes from the idea that the divine ''involves'' itself in creation. After the creation, the Divine (i.e. [[the Absolute]], [[Brahman]], [[God]]) is both the [[singular god|One]] (the Creator) and the [[Many]] (that which was created).

The integral philosopher [[Ken Wilber]] refers to involution in his online chapter of ''Kosmic Karma'', employing concepts from [[Plotinus]], [[Advaita Vedanta]], [[Tibetan Buddhism]], and Sri Aurobindo. According to Wilber, the cosmic evolution described in his previous works is preceded by an involution of Spirit into Matter.  This involution follows the reverse stages to the sequence of evolution - e.g. Spirit to soul to mind to life to matter.  Once the stage of insentient, lifeless  matter is attained, then "something like the Big Bang occurs", whereupon matter and manifest world come into concrete existence, from which stage evolution follows. <ref>Wilber, Ken, ''Introduction: From the Great Chain of Being to Postmodernism in Three Easy Steps'', [[Shambhala Publications]], 2005.</ref>

Delight is [[Sri Aurobindo]]'s term for [[ananda]], and plays a large part in his [[Esoteric cosmology|cosmology]] and [[Spirituality|spiritual]] teaching. Delight is the reason for creation, by which [[The Absolute]] extends its Delight of Being into multiplicity, losing itself in the [[Inconscient|inconscience]] and then through Delight rediscovering Itself through individuals realising their Divine nature and proceeding to spiritual realisation.

A term for the relationship in some [[Society|societies]] between socioeconomic stagnation and increasingly elaborate [[Culture|cultural]] production.[https://0-www.oxfordreference.com.library.acaweb.org/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t104.e864]

In other words, the universe was created so that the Delight of the Infinite Spirit can manifest in all the forms of creation. When we discover our higher nature, the [[Psychic Being|soul]] and [[spirit]], we experience the delight for which we were came into being and of which we are a part.

André Lalande, the French philosopher, was born in Dijon and entered the École Normale Supérieure in 1885. He took his doctorate in 1899 and taught in lycées until he was appointed first to a lectureship and then, in 1904, to a chair of philosophy at the University of Paris.

In chapters 11 and 12 of ''The Life Divine'', Sri Aurobindo writes at length on the nature of Delight as a principle of the Divine, and its role in creation.

Lalande was a rationalist whose whole life was devoted to the cause of international [[communication]] and the dissemination of [[knowledge]]. His constant preoccupation after 1902 was the launching, and subsequent reediting, of the Vocabulaire technique et critique de la philosophie, which aimed at the concise definition and standardization of philosophical terminology. His own philosophical work corresponds to this re[[cognition]] and promotion of an interdependent [[humanity]].

In [[integral thought]], involution is the process by which the Divine manifests the [[cosmos]]. The process by which the creation rises to higher states and states of [[consciousness]] is the [[Spiritual evolution|evolution]]. Involution prepares the [[universe]] for the [[Big Bang]]; evolution continues from that point forward. The term ''involution'' comes from the idea that the divine ''involves'' itself in creation. After the creation, the Divine (i.e. [[the Absolute]], [[Brahman]], [[God]]) is both the [[singular god|One]] (the Creator) and the [[Many]] (that which was created).

Lalande disapproved of an imposed uniformity, which represents merely the transference from the [[individual]] to the group of evolutionary, divisive drives. True reason ensures that although people feel differently, they shall think in the same way and thus understand each other even when they do not resemble each other. Lalande's concern was for the individual, whose uniqueness is sacrificed to function in a rigidly specialized and differentiated society. The application of reason to life in the technological field liberates the individual from his functional role, and the application of reason in the cultural field enables men to afford, and to benefit from, the diversity that is their birthright.

The integral philosopher [[Ken Wilber]] refers to involution in his online chapter of ''Kosmic Karma'', employing concepts from [[Plotinus]], [[Advaita Vedanta]], [[Tibetan Buddhism]], and Sri Aurobindo. According to Wilber, the cosmic evolution described in his previous works is preceded by an involution of Spirit into Matter.  This involution follows the reverse stages to the sequence of evolution - e.g. Spirit to soul to mind to life to matter.  Once the stage of insentient, lifeless  matter is attained, then "something like the Big Bang occurs", whereupon matter and manifest world come into concrete existence, from which stage evolution follows. <ref>Wilber, Ken, ''Introduction: From the Great Chain of Being to Postmodernism in Three Easy Steps'', [[Shambhala Publications]], 2005.</ref>

In La raison et les normes Lalande restated his involutionist case in the light of recent philosophies of "being-in-the-world." He took cognizance, for example, of the argument that [[Geometry|geometrical]], objective [[space]] is derived from the neuromotor "spaces" of man facing his tasks, but for Lalande the superiority of a common space amenable to [[concept]]ualization remained unimpaired. Similarly, he preferred chronological time to the "real" time of naive [[emotion]]al [[experience]]. Lalande reaffirmed his universalist conception of [[rationality]] against more recent phenomenological [[thinking]].[https://find.galegroup.com/gvrl/infomark.do?&contentSet=EBKS&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=GVRL&docId=CX3446801060&source=gale&userGroupName=tel_a_uots&version=1.0]

==References==

==References==

#Gottfried de Purucker, Occult Glossary, TUP, 2nd ed., 1996 [1]

#Gottfried de Purucker, Occult Glossary, TUP, 2nd ed., 1996 [1]

#The Life Divine bk II, ch.27-28.

#The Life Divine bk II, ch.27-28.

#Wilber, Ken, Introduction: From the Great Chain of Being to Postmodernism in Three Easy Steps, Shambhala Publications, 2005.

#Wilber, Ken, Introduction: From the Great Chain of Being to Postmodernism in Three Easy Steps, Shambhala Publications, 2005.

== External links ==

== External links ==

* [http://www.gurusoftware.com/GuruNet/Creation/Involution.htm Theory of Creation - the Involution] (2006)

* [https://www.gurusoftware.com/GuruNet/Creation/Involution.htm Theory of Creation - the Involution] (2006)

* [http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Involution/id/69068 Involution in Theology]

* [https://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Involution/id/69068 Involution in Theology]

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]