---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But what after all, behind appearance, is…"
description: "\"But what after all, behind appearance, is the seeming mystery? We can see that it is the Consciousness which had lost itself, returning to itself, emer..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/sri-aurobindo-1257_appearance_but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is_1014394.png"
---

#  But what after all, behind appearance, is the seeming…

![“But what after all, behind appearance, is the seeming mystery? We can see that it is the Consciousness which had lost itself, returning to itself, emerging out of its giant self-forgetfulness, slowly, painfully, as a life that is would-be sentient, to be more than sentient, to be again divinely…” quote by Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/sri-aurobindo-1257_appearance_but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is_1014394.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/sri-aurobindo-1257_appearance_but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is_1014394.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/sri-aurobindo-1257_appearance_but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is_1014394.png)

> “But what after all, behind appearance, is the seeming mystery? We can see that it is the Consciousness which had lost itself, returning to itself, emerging out of its giant self-forgetfulness, slowly, painfully, as a life that is would-be sentient, to be more than sentient, to be again divinely self-conscious, free, infinite, immortal.”

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Consciousness, having forgotten itself, gradually regains divine self‑awareness, moving beyond mere sentience toward infinite, immortal freedom.

**In simple terms:** Awakening of divine self‑consciousness.

Key Takeaway

Seek deeper self‑realization.

Themes

spirituality awakening transformation

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

- meditation retreats
- philosophical study
- creative artistic expression

Key Concepts

philosophy metaphysics self‑knowledge

Questions to Reflect On

- What steps can you take toward self‑awakening?
- How does forgetting shape consciousness?

A Different Perspective

May be abstract for practical application.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Forgetfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgetfulness/) [Mindfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindfulness/) [Mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystery/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-conscious/) [Self forgetfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-forgetfulness/)

## Related quotes

> [But what after all, behind appearances, is this seeming mystery? We can see that it is the Consciousness which had lost itself returning again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/but-what-after-all-behind-appearances-is-this-seeming-mystery-we-can/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [Charm is a cunning self-forgetfulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-stead/charm-is-a-cunning-self-forgetfulness/)

[Christina Stead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-stead/)

> [If happiness comes at all: which is by no means prearranged; it comes by the way, while you are seeking for something else. Something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-thomas/if-happiness-comes-at-all-which-is-by-no-means-prearranged-it-comes/)

[Caitlin Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-thomas/)

> [Happiness lies outside yourself, is achieved through interacting with others. Self-forgetfulness should be one's goal, not self-absorption. The male, capable of only the latter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-solanas/happiness-lies-outside-yourself-is-achieved-through-interacting-with/)

[Valerie Solanas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-solanas/)

> [Self-forgetfulness in creativity can lead to self-transcendence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-ashton-warner/self-forgetfulness-in-creativity-can-lead-to-self-transcendence/)

[Sylvia Ashton-Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-ashton-warner/)

> [By the experience of active love. Strive to love your neighbour actively and indefatigably. In as far as you advance in love you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/by-the-experience-of-active-love-strive-to-love-your-neighbour/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [the self expands through acts of self forgetfulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/the-self-expands-through-acts-of-self-forgetfulness/)

[Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/)

> [Humility is not an exaggeratedly low opinion of yourself. Humility is self-forgetfulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/humility-is-not-an-exaggeratedly-low-opinion-of-yourself-humility-is/)

[Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/)

> [Happiness lies in a large measure of self-forgetfulness, either in work . . . or in the love of others. ♥](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/everett-ruess/happiness-lies-in-a-large-measure-of-self-forgetfulness-either-in/)

[Everett Ruess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/everett-ruess/)

> [For with eyes made clear by many tears, and a heart softened by the tenderest sorrow, she recognized the beauty of her sister's life—uneventful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/for-with-eyes-made-clear-by-many-tears-and-a-heart-softened-by-the/)

[Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/)

> [Humility is self-forgetfulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/humility-is-self-forgetfulness/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [By means of Invocation, the being awakens, and awakening becomes fullness. By means of balancing, fullness becomes internal wholeness. By virtue of exteriorized attention,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-truman/by-means-of-invocation-the-being-awakens-and-awakening-becomes/)

[David Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-truman/)

> [“Ignorance might be bliss. But self-forgetfulness is pure ecstasy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/ignorance-might-be-bliss-but-self-forgetfulness-is-pure-ecstasy/)

[Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/)

> [The really wonderful moments of joy in this world are not the moments of self-satisfaction, but self-forgetfulness. Standing on the edge of the Grand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-really-wonderful-moments-of-joy-in-this-world-are-not-the-moments/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“I center down - I retreat, not inside myself, but outside myself. ... Self-forgetfulness is tremendously invigorating. I wonder if we don't waste most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/i-center-down-i-retreat-not-inside-myself-but-outside-myself-self/)

[Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/)

## More by Sri Aurobindo

> [“Across the threshold’s sleep she entered in And found herself amid great figures of gods Conscious in stone and living without breath, Watching with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/across-the-threshold-s-sleep-she-entered-in-and-found-herself-amid/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [Perfect health, sincerity, honesty, straightforwardness, courage, disinterestedness, unselfishness, patience, endurance, perseverance, peace, calm, self control are all things that are taught infinitely better by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/perfect-health-sincerity-honesty-straightforwardness-courage/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [Hinduism... gave itself no name, because it set itself no sectarian limits; it claimed no universal adhesion, asserted no sole infallible dogma, set up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/hinduism-gave-itself-no-name-because-it-set-itself-no-sectarian/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [Do not belong to the past dawns,but to the noons of future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/do-not-belong-to-the-past-dawns-but-to-the-noons-of-future/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [There is no greater pride and glory than to be a perfect instrument of the Master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/there-is-no-greater-pride-and-glory-than-to-be-a-perfect-instrument/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [Delight is the secret. Learn of pure delight and thou shalt learn of God. What then was the commencement of the whole matter? Existence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/delight-is-the-secret-learn-of-pure-delight-and-thou-shalt-learn-of/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [You carry in yourself all the obstacles necessary to make your realization perfect. If you discover a very black hole, a thick shadow, be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/you-carry-in-yourself-all-the-obstacles-necessary-to-make-your/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [Indian religion has always felt that since the minds, the temperaments and the intellectual affinities of men are unlimited in their variety, a perfect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/indian-religion-has-always-felt-that-since-the-minds-the-temperaments/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [“One who has shaped this world is ever its lord: Our errors are his steps upon the way; He works through the fierce vicissitudes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/one-who-has-shaped-this-world-is-ever-its-lord-our-errors-are-his/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [Not in the state of unconsciousness, but in full awareness when the higher Power will descend into and direct us, then only the yogic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/not-in-the-state-of-unconsciousness-but-in-full-awareness-when-the/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [A woman has the greatest opportunity to provide the best outcome for a baby and its potentialities. Not only by having a conscious and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/a-woman-has-the-greatest-opportunity-to-provide-the-best-outcome-for/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [They proved to me by convincing reasons that God does not exist; Afterwards I saw God, for he came and embraced me. And now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/they-proved-to-me-by-convincing-reasons-that-god-does-not-exist/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [The yogin becomes aware in part of the action of the supramental power organizing the lower vehicle (ādhāra). A part of it remains behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/the-yogin-becomes-aware-in-part-of-the-action-of-the-supramental/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [Spirituality is indeed the master key of the Indian mind; the sense of the infinitive is native to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/spirituality-is-indeed-the-master-key-of-the-indian-mind-the-sense-of/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

> [A hidden Bliss is at the root of things. A mute Delight regards Time's countless works: To house God's joy in things Space gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/a-hidden-bliss-is-at-the-root-of-things-a-mute-delight-regards-time-s/)

[Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

[Explore all 264 Sri Aurobindo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/)

## More Appearance quotes

> [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/)

[Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/)

> [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/)

[Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/)

> [The essence of worldliness is exclusion of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-jacobsen/the-essence-of-worldliness-is-exclusion-of-god/)

[Henry Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-jacobsen/)

> [We must, however, note that what are usually called the high religions made their appearance within about twenty-five hundred years - most of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-scott-latourette/we-must-however-note-that-what-are-usually-called-the-high-religions/)

[Kenneth Scott Latourette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-scott-latourette/)

> [First impressions are often the truest, as we find (not infrequently) to our cost, when we have been wheedled out of them by plausible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/first-impressions-are-often-the-truest-as-we-find-not-infrequently-to/)

[William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/)

> [The turning points of lives are not the great moments. The real crises are often concealed in occurrences so trivial in appearance that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-turning-points-of-lives-are-not-the-great-moments-the-real-crises/)

[George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/)

> [You can have a nice body, dress with the latest fashion. But if you don't have self-confidence sweetheart, forget about looking sexy, you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/you-can-have-a-nice-body-dress-with-the-latest-fashion-but-if-you-don/)

[Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/)

> [I cannot be convinced that great artists are moralists. Art is first appearances, then meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/i-cannot-be-convinced-that-great-artists-are-moralists-art-is-first/)

[Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/)

> [So may the outward shows be least themselves; The world is still deceived with ornament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-may-the-outward-shows-be-least-themselves-the-world-is-still/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [We are one of many appearances of the thing called Life; we are not its perfect image, for it has no perfect image except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-eiseley/we-are-one-of-many-appearances-of-the-thing-called-life-we-are-not/)

[Loren Eiseley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loren-eiseley/)

> [I'm OK with my appearance. I have made my peace with it after a long and frankly exhausting battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-perkins/i-m-ok-with-my-appearance-i-have-made-my-peace-with-it-after-a-long/)

[Sue Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-perkins/)

> [There is no society or conversation to be kept up in the world without good-nature, or something which must bear its appearance and supply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-is-no-society-or-conversation-to-be-kept-up-in-the-world/)

[Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/)

> [Appearance records are pretty special. Mine means a lot to me, not only because I love stats, but because it shows that I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-james/appearance-records-are-pretty-special-mine-means-a-lot-to-me-not-only/)

[David James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-james/)

> [Every man would fall in love with their voice, their lovely appearance, but no man would ever get past that. They'd never really know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-hocking/every-man-would-fall-in-love-with-their-voice-their-lovely-appearance/)

[Amanda Hocking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-hocking/)

> [I already know what things look like - I don't want description. People believe in appearances, and I don't believe in appearances at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duane-michals/i-already-know-what-things-look-like-i-don-t-want-description-people/)

[Duane Michals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duane-michals/)

Browse all 2,446 Appearance quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "But what after all, behind appearance, is the seeming mystery? We can see that it is the Consciousness which had lost itself, returning to itself, emerging out of its giant self-forgetfulness, slowly, painfully, as a life that is would-be sentient, to be more than sentient, to be again divinely self-conscious, free, infinite, immortal.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sri Aurobindo"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is-the-seeming-mystery-we-can/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Appearance"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is-the-seeming-mystery-we-can/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/sri-aurobindo-1257_appearance_but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is_1014394.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/sri-aurobindo-1257_appearance_but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is_1014394.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/sri-aurobindo-1257_appearance_but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is_1014394.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“But what after all, behind appearance, is the seeming mystery? We can see that it is the Consciousness which…” — Sri Aurobindo",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Sri Aurobindo",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "But what after all, behind appearance,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is-the-seeming-mystery-we-can/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/but-what-after-all-behind-appearance-is-the-seeming-mystery-we-can/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
