In Sri Aurobindo's philosophy, Supermind (or "Truth-Consciousness") is the dynamic manifestation of the Absolute, often described as the "Real-Idea" or the movement of Knowledge-Will that creates the universe.^[1] It functions as the "intermediate link" between the indivisible unity of Spirit (Sachchidananda) above and the divided consciousness of Mind and the manifest world below.^[2] Furthermore, it is considered the unique power capable of effecting the "integral transformation" of human nature into Divine nature, thereby establishing a divine life on earth.^[3]

In Sri Aurobindo's philosophy, Supermind (also referred to as Mahas or the Truth-Consciousness) constitutes the fourth aspect of the "upper hemisphere" of existence, following Sat (Pure Existence), Chit (Consciousness-Force), and Ananda (Bliss).^[4] Its primary function is to facilitate manifestation by differentiating the "One" into the "Many" while maintaining a consciousness of their underlying Unity; unlike the human Mind, which functions through division and separation, the Supermind operates through integral knowledge based on identity with the object of knowledge.^[5] Sri Aurobindo emphasized that opening to this plane involves a long, difficult process of transformation, explicitly rejecting the expectation of an "instantaneous miracle" or the satisfaction of personal desires for sudden good fortune.^[6]

According to Sri Aurobindo, full yogic development consists of two parts: the standard yogic goal of ascent into a formless and timeless self, and the descent and establishment of the supramental consciousness into Earthly life.^[17] Through integral yoga, one actualises the Supermind, for the supramental consciousness transforms the entire being and leads to the divinisation of the material world.^[18]

This supramental transformation gives rise to a new individual, the Gnostic being, which is fully formed by the supramental power.^[19] Division and ignorance are overcome, and replaced with a unity of consciousness.^[20] The physical body will be transformed and divinised.^[21] The gnostic being sees the spirit everywhere in the world, and in every other person.^[22] This awareness eliminates the usual separation between man and life, and between people.^[23] One sees that all existences are various forms of the divine reality.^[24] Every individual existence in life plays a role in the unfolding of existence.^[25] The Gnostic beings can work together to create a new common life; this new life is superior to the present way of being.^[26] A nucleus or sufficient number of such individuals can create the foundation of a new social life and order.^[27] This will lead to a greater unity, mutuality, and harmony.^[28]

On 29 February 1956, Mirra Alfassa (The Mother) announced that the manifestation of the Supramental upon earth was no longer a promise but a living fact.^[29] This event served as the culmination of the work described by Sri Aurobindo, who stated that the "supramental change is a thing decreed and inevitable" and that the Mother’s specific role in their joint yoga was "to bring down the supramental".^[30] Sri Aurobindo had previously clarified that this descent was not meant to be an arbitrary miracle, but a rapid evolutionary process pouring the Truth-Consciousness into the inferior planes to transform the earth-nature.^[31]

Subsequently, on 1 January 1969, The Mother (at age 90) experienced the "arrival" of a new consciousness, which she identified on 8 January 1969 as the "superman consciousness" – "the intermediary between man and the supramental being".^[32] This correlates with Sri Aurobindo's earlier vision that the whole earth-consciousness would not be supramentalised immediately; rather, there would first appear "a new race representing the supermind, as man represents the mind".^[33] This transitional stage is necessary because the gulf between the human mind and the Supermind is too great to be crossed in a single bound; therefore, intermediate powers must descend to bridge the gap and prepare the physical nature for the supreme Light.^[34]

• Evolution (metaphysics)
• Posthumanism and Posthuman
• Übermensch

• The Nature of Supermind, by Sri Aurobindo - an essay originally published in July 1920 and in the public domain.