Collaboration (magazine)

The term "collaboration" originates from the Latin "con-" (together) and "laborare" (to work). In the context of the magazine, it signifies a joint effort, both in the creation of the content and in the collective aspiration towards spiritual evolution inspired by the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.

Collaboration is an American magazine dedicated to the spiritual and evolutionary vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. The magazine was founded in 1974. Content includes articles, essays, poetry, and art. Topics range across the theory and practice of Integral Yoga, the place of humankind in the universe, consciousness, and transformation. It is published three times per year.

In the labyrinthine quest for meaning, where the self often feels like a solitary explorer charting unknown territories of consciousness, the very name "Collaboration" offers a potent counter-narrative. It suggests that the arduous work of spiritual evolution, the very "labor" of becoming, is not a solitary struggle against the shadows but a shared undertaking, a conscious partnership with the divine and with fellow seekers. This is not merely an intellectual agreement, but a profound alignment of will and aspiration, echoing Mircea Eliade's observations on the sacred as that which is wholly other, yet intimately present.

The magazine, dedicated to the vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, presents a philosophy that transcends mere personal enlightenment. Integral Yoga, as expounded within its pages, posits a transformation that encompasses the entirety of human existence—mind, body, and spirit—and indeed, the very substance of the material world. This is a cosmic collaboration, a divine descent into the terrestrial, as described by the mystics of every age. It is akin to the alchemical opus, where base matter is transmuted into gold through a careful, intentional process, a working together of hidden forces.

The periodical becomes a locus for this shared endeavor, a space where ideas are exchanged, experiences are articulated, and the collective consciousness is uplifted. It reflects the Sufi ideal of the tariqa, a spiritual path walked in community, where the master guides the murid, and the murid supports the fellow traveler, all united in their devotion to the Divine. Such a publication serves as a tangible manifestation of the idea that the spiritual journey, while deeply personal, is also profoundly communal, a symphony of individual notes contributing to a grander, harmonious whole. The aspiration is not simply to escape the world but to transform it, a monumental task that demands more than individual effort; it requires a conscious, collaborative engagement with the very forces of creation. The magazine, therefore, is not just a collection of essays; it is an invitation to participate in the ongoing, divine work of shaping a new future.

RELATED_TERMS: Integral Yoga, Consciousness, Transformation, Divine Union, Spiritual Evolution, Collective Consciousness, Sri Aurobindo, The Mother