ABSTRACT

The philosophical theory and spiritual methodology of Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950, born Aurobindo Ghose) are based on Vedānta, Yoga, and other Indian systems but incorporate some elements from Western sources. Aurobindo had no detailed knowledge of historical Gnosticism (that is, historically and textually attested currents of Gnostic belief and practice of Late Antiquity) but he sometimes used terms employed by historical Gnostic thinkers, and some aspects of his thought are similar to aspects of historical Gnostic thought. Nevertheless his philosophy cannot be considered “gnostic” in the sense of being influenced by Late Antique “Gnosticism.” However, if the word Gnostic is understood in the broader sense of having to do with gnōsis or knowledge superior to that of the discursive mind, the term could apply to Aurobindo’s system together with other ancient and modern Indian systems.