Sri Aurobindo makes the connection between the physical reality of matter and the fact that matter is effective energy. This reality was described by Albert Einstein and has become a basic tenet of modern physics. Sri Aurobindo goes further however to ascribe the energy and the subsequent forms of matter as statuses of consciousness. In recent years science has begun to follow this line of understanding and recognize that in fact, consciousness is the reality that creates both energy and matter.
One of the more intriguing modern theories in physics is called string theory, which essentially holds that there are multiple different dimensions of reality (may we say “consciousness”) that each have their own laws of action, which may interact with one another but also maintain their own separate reality.
Sri Aurobindo has anticipated this line of understanding when he says “…there is a different Time and Space for each status of our consciousness and even different movements of Time and Space within each status; but all would be renderings of a fundamental spiritual reality of Time-Space. In fact, when we go behind physical space, we become aware of an extension on which all this movement is based and this extension is spiritual and not material; it is Self or Spirit containing all action of its own Energy.”
The implications of this are enormous because it gives us the insight to see that what we believe to be the inviolable laws of matter are in fact a specific formulation of energy and organisation that can vary depending on different statuses of consciousness and different dimensions of Existence.
The next implication is that consciousness being the primary and ultimate creative force, it exceeds any specific formulation of Time and Space and thus, can modify, change, enhance and develop the manifestation through an evolving awareness.
More next time as this subject is not yet fully explicated.
reference: Sri Aurobindo, The Life Divine, Book 2, Part I, Chapter 2, Brahman, Purusha, Ishwara–Maya, Prakriti, Shakti, pg. 361
Sri Aurobindo Studies 