{"id":4089,"date":"2013-07-13T01:53:21","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=4089"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:53:21","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:53:21","slug":"09-aspects-of-sadhana-vol-14-words-of-the-mother-volume-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/02-works-of-the-mother\/01-cwmce\/14-words-of-the-mother-volume-14\/09-aspects-of-sadhana-vol-14-words-of-the-mother-volume-14","title":{"rendered":"-09_Aspects-of-Sadhana.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n


\nAspects of
\nSadhana<\/span> <\/span><\/font> <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Divine Mother, <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

I wish to get light on the following points. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

1. Have I the capacity and are there potentialities in me to
\nfollow this path? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

This is not the question, the question is
\nwhether you have the necessary aspiration, determination and perseverance and
\nwhether you can by the intensity and persistence of your aspiration make all
\nthe parts of your being answer to the call and become one in the consecration. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

2. How should I continue my practice (sadhana<\/span>)
\nafter returning home? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Quiet yourself and in the quiet see and
\nfeel the Mother.\u00b9<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

3. How can I meditate? What is meant by opening? Where should I
\nopen? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

An inner purity and receptivity that
\nfreely lets in the Mother’s influence. Begin with the heart. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

4. I aspire for the higher life from above the head; but I always
\nfeel strained in the middle part of the forehead. What should I do? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Do not strain yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

5. How does the psychic being open? How to understand the psychic
\nand vital beings in the Adhara<\/span>?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n


\n\u00b9 Mother
\nprobably dictated the answers to these questions <\/font> <\/span>―<\/span><\/font> thus
\nthe reference to her by name.<\/font><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage
\n<\/span>
\n―<\/span> 38<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

By the force of aspiration and the grace
\nof the Mother. <\/span><\/p>\n

Psychic: your true
\nbeing, the being that is in the heart and that is the spark of the Mother’s own
\nconsciousness. <\/span><\/p>\n

Vital: the part from
\nwhich proceed desires and hunger and dynamic activities, having its physical
\nbasis round about the navel. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

6. My family consists of myself, wife, two sons and one girl. I
\ndesire to come here and stay permanently, but my wife does not approve of it.
\nWhat should I do? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Detachment. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

7. I desire heartily to come here again for a stay of at least
\nthree months. Kindly give me permission. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Inform when you are ready to come. It is
\nonly then that the permission can be given. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

8. In my daily life, I become dejected and fall a prey in the
\nhands of the lower forces (anger, lust, etc.) I humbly request the Mother for
\nhelp and protection. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Detachment. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

9. My wife is devoted to Goddess Ambaji<\/span>.
\nHer heart opens to Her, but she cannot get rid of the worldly attachments.
\nPlease help her. May I send her photo? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

If you like. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

10. I request for permission to write letters to the Mother. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

You can write. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage
\n<\/span>
\n―<\/span> 39<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

11. What attitude should I keep while doing my works of daily
\nroutine? How should I act with family members, relatives and friends? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Detachment. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

12. What should I read at present? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Sri Aurobindo’s<\/span>
\nbooks.  <\/span><\/p>\n

November 1928 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span>How to open to the Mother? The following are the means: <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

(1) To remember You constantly or from time to time<\/span>―<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Good. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

(2) By taking Your name through Japa<\/span><\/span>―<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Helpful. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

3) With the help of meditation<\/span><\/i>―<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

More difficult if one has not the habit of
\nmeditation. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

4) By conversation about You with those who love and respect You<\/span>―<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Risky because, when talking, often some
\nnonsense or at least some useless things can be said. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

5) By reading Your books<\/span><\/i>―<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Good. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage
\n<\/span>
\n―<\/span> 40<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

(6) By spending time in thoughts of You\u2014<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Very good. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

(7) By sincere prayers<\/span><\/i>―<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Good. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Three things
\nindispensable to begin with: <\/span><\/p>\n

Absolute sincerity in
\nthe whole being and all its activities. <\/span><\/p>\n

Complete self-surrender
\nwithout any reservation. <\/span><\/p>\n

Patient work on oneself
\nand at the same time a steady conquering of perfect unshakable peace and
\nequanimity. <\/span><\/p>\n


\n\u00a0<\/span><\/i>4 February 1932<\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Our human consciousness
\nhas windows that open on the Infinite but generally men keep these windows
\ncarefully shut. They have to be opened wide and allow the Infinite freely to
\nenter into us and transform us. <\/span><\/p>\n

Two conditions are
\nnecessary for opening the windows: <\/span><\/p>\n

1) ardent aspiration; <\/span><\/p>\n

2) progressive
\ndissolution of the ego. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Divine help is
\nassured to those who set to work sincerely. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

What is the best method to find the Divine who is in each of us
\nand in all things? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Aspiration. <\/span><\/p>\n

Silence. <\/span><\/p>\n

Concentration in the
\nsolar plexus region.\u00b9<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n


\n\u00b9The Mother
\nis probably referring to the heart region.<\/font><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage
\n<\/span>
\n―<\/span> 41<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

If need be, a prayer
\naddressed to the Divine: <\/span><\/p>\n

I belong to You and I want
\nto know You so that all that I do is nothing but what you want me to do. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Encourage only what
\nleads quickly to the Lord and serves His divine purpose. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The Examiners<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The integral yoga
\nconsists of an uninterrupted series of examinations that one has to undergo
\nwithout any previous warning, thus obliging you to be constantly on the alert
\nand attentive. <\/span><\/p>\n

Three groups of
\nexaminers set us these tests. They appear to have nothing to do with one
\nanother, and their methods are so different, sometimes even so apparently
\ncontradictory, that it seems as if they could not possibly be leading towards
\nthe same goal. Nevertheless, they complement one another, work towards the same
\nend, and are all indispensable to the completeness of the result. <\/span><\/p>\n

The three types of
\nexamination are: those set by the forces of Nature, those set by spiritual and
\ndivine forces, and those set by hostile forces. These last are the most
\ndeceptive in their appearance and to avoid being caught unawares and unprepared
\nrequires a state of constant watchfulness, sincerity and humility. <\/span><\/p>\n

The most commonplace
\ncircumstances, the events of everyday life, the most apparently insignificant
\npeople and things all belong to one or other of these three kinds of examiners.
\nIn this vast and complex organisation<\/span> of tests, those
\nevents that are generally considered the most important in life are the easiest
\nexaminations to undergo, because they find you ready and on <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage
\n<\/span>
\n―<\/span> 42<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

your guard. It is easier to stumble over
\nthe little stones in your path, because they attract no attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

Endurance and
\nplasticity, cheerfulness and fearlessness are the qualities specially needed
\nfor the examinations of physical nature. <\/span><\/p>\n

Aspiration, trust,
\nidealism, enthusiasm and generous self-giving, for spiritual examinations. <\/span><\/p>\n

Vigilance, sincerity and
\nhumility for the examinations from hostile forces. <\/span><\/p>\n

And do not imagine that
\nthere are on the one hand people who undergo the examinations and on the other
\npeople who set them. Depending on the circumstances and the moment we are all
\nboth examiners and examinees, and it may even happen that one is at the same
\ntime both examiner and examinee. And the benefit one derives from this depends,
\nboth in quality and in quantity, on the intensity of one’s aspiration and the
\nawakening of one’s consciousness. <\/span><\/p>\n

To conclude, a final
\npiece of advice: never set yourself up as an examiner. For while it is good to
\nremember constantly that one may be undergoing a very important examination, it
\nis extremely dangerous to imagine that one is responsible for setting
\nexaminations for others. That is the open door to the most ridiculous and
\nharmful kinds of vanity. It is the Supreme Wisdom which decides these things,
\nand not the ignorant human will. <\/span><\/p>\n

12 November
\n 1957<\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p>\n

Each time you have to
\nmake progress, you have to undergo an examination. <\/span><\/p>\n

12 November
\n 1957<\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p>\n

In ancient times the
\ndisciple had to undergo severe tests to prove his ability for initiation. Here
\nwe do not follow that <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage
\n<\/span>
\n―<\/span> 43<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

method. Apparently there is no test and no
\ntrial. But if you see the truth, you will find that here it is much more
\ndifficult. There the disciple knew that he was undergoing a period of trial and
\nafter he had passed through some outward tests, he was taken in. But here you
\nhave to face life and you are watched at every moment. It is not only your
\nouter actions that count. Each and every thought and inner movement is seen,
\nevery reaction is noticed. It is not what you do in the solitude of the forest,
\nbut what you do in the thick of the battle of life that is important. <\/span><\/p>\n

Are you ready to submit
\nyourself for such tests? Are you ready to change yourself completely? You will
\nhave to throw off your ideas, ideals, values, interests and opinions.
\nEverything will have to be learnt anew. If you are ready for all this, then
\ntake a plunge; otherwise don’t try to step in. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The whole life is a sadhana<\/span>. It is a mistake to cut it into bits and say this
\nis sadhana<\/span> and that is not. Even your eating and
\nsleeping should be a part of sadhana<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

(To
\nsomeone returning to the West<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Everything can be part of \u201csadhana<\/span>\u201d; it depends on the inner attitude. <\/span><\/p>\n

Naturally, if one lets
\nhimself be invaded by the Western atmosphere, farewell to the sadhana<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

But even in the most materialistic
\nmilieu, if one retains one’s aspiration and one’s faith in the Divine Life, the
\nsadhana<\/span> can and should continue. <\/span><\/p>\n

1970 <\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page <\/span>
\n―<\/span> 44<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Aspects of Sadhana   Divine Mother, I wish to get light on the following points. 1. Have I the capacity and are there potentialities in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-14-words-of-the-mother-volume-14","wpcat-116-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4089","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4089"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4089\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4089"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4089"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4089"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}