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Conditions for Admission
Do not judge on appearances and do not listen to what people say, because these two things are misleading. But if you find it necessary to go, of course you can go and from an external point of view it may be indeed wiser. Moreover it is not easy to remain here. There is in the Ashram no exterior discipline and no visible test. But the inner test is severe and constant, one must be very sincere in the aspiration to surmount all egoism and to conquer all vanity in order to be able to stay. A complete surrender is not outwardly exacted but it is indispensable for those who wish to stick on, and many things come to test the sincerity of the surrender. However the Grace and the help are always there for those who aspire for them and their power is limitless when received with faith and confidence.
20 November 1948 It is not from disgust for life and people that one must come to yoga. It is not to run away from difficulties that one must come here. It is not even to find the sweetness of love and protection, for the Divine's love and protection can be enjoyed everywhere if one takes the right attitude. When one wants to give oneself totally in service to the Divine, to consecrate oneself totally to the Divine's work, simply for the joy of giving oneself and of serving, without asking for anything in exchange, except the possibility of consecration and service, then one is ready to come here and will find the doors wide open. I give you the blessings given to all my children wherever Page – 115 they are in the world and tell you, “Prepare yourself, my help will always be with you.” 30 March 1960
You say that you wish to lead the spiritual life, but for that you should understand that the first point is to overcome all the lower movements, all the attractions, all the attachments, for all these are absolutely contrary to the spiritual life. The spiritual life demands that one is exclusively turned towards the Divine and the Divine alone. All that one does should be done for the Divine; all occupations, all aspirations, all, without exception, should be directed towards the Divine with a complete surrender of the whole being. I know that this cannot be done in a day. But the decision that it may be so should be taken in an unshakable manner. It is only on this condition that I can accept you for the spiritual life.
Much more than any physical condition it is faithfulness to the ideal and consecration to the work that make the true disciple. 25 August 1962 First indispensable condition to be admitted in the Ashram
The candidate must have taken the resolution to dedicate his life unconditionally to the service of the Divine. 12 June 1965 Page – 116 By definition the Ashramite has resolved to consecrate his life to the realisation and service of the Divine. For this four virtues are indispensable, without which progress is uncertain and subject to interruptions and troublesome falls at the first opportunity: Sincerity, faithfulness, modesty and gratitude.
What qualities are necessary for one to be called “a true child of the Ashram”?
Sincerity, courage, discipline, endurance, absolute faith in the Divine work and unassailable trust in the Divine Grace. All this must be accompanied by a sustained, ardent and persevering aspiration, and by a limitless patience. 28 December 1966 The Ashram is meant for those who want to consecrate their lives to the Divine. June 1971 The two indispensable conditions to live as a disciple in the Ashram
1. To be resolved to make the needs of the soul come before all others, and to satisfy the other needs, those of the body, vital and mind, only so far as they do not interfere with the fulfilment of the needs of the soul. 2. To be convinced that I am in a position to know the Page – 117 needs of the soul of each and every one and that therefore I have the right and the competence to judge in this respect.
One loses most of the advantage of being here if one is not convinced that I can foresee better the consequences and the results of things and actions. Page – 118 |