What is the Philosophical Approach Behind ‘Three Madness’?
Sri Aurobindo referred to the term “three madness” to describe the three types of intense aspiration or spiritual enthusiasm often misunderstood by the world. These are not literal madness but deep forms of spiritual longing and devotion that challenge societal norms.
- Madness of the Lover: This refers to the intense devotion of the soul seeking union with the Divine, often expressed in mystical poetry and deep emotional surrender. Saints like Mirabai are examples.
- Madness of the Seeker: The philosophical quest for ultimate truth, where a person may appear irrational in worldly matters but is focused on discovering spiritual reality. Thinkers and yogis fit this category.
- Madness of the Revolutionary: This is the passion of those who want to change the world for the better, guided by high ideals or divine visions. It includes both political and spiritual reformers.
Through these “madnesses,” Aurobindo highlights that spiritual evolution often demands intensity, courage, and non-conformity—qualities mistaken as madness by the ordinary world.