{"id":4378,"date":"2013-07-13T01:55:35","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=4378"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:55:35","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:55:35","slug":"48-23-april-1951-vol-04-questions-and-answers-volume-04","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/02-works-of-the-mother\/01-cwmce\/04-questions-and-answers-volume-04\/48-23-april-1951-vol-04-questions-and-answers-volume-04","title":{"rendered":"-48_23 April 1951.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n


\n23 April 1951<\/font><\/span><\/b>
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mother reads Sri Aurobindo’s<\/span>
\n\u201cThe Divine Superman\u201d (Cent. Vol. 17, p. 74). <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThou must reach thy own summit,\u201d says Sri
\nAurobindo. Is the summit the same for everybody or does each one have his
\nparticular summit ? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

In the last analysis,
\nit is always the same summit- the divine oneness which is behind all things-
\nbut everyone will reach his own summit, that is, through his own nature and own
\nway of manifesting the divine unity. This is what we were saying the other day:
\neach one represents a special way of having a relation with the Divine and
\nmanifesting the Divine. You don’t need to follow another’s path ! You must
\nfollow your own path and it is by this path that you will reach the summit,
\nwhich is one, but found by your own route. The goal is beyond the summits \u2013 the
\ngoal is one and beyond the summits \u2013 but one may attain this summit each by his
\nown road, climbing his own mountain, not the mountain of another. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImagine not the way is easy; the way is
\nlong, arduous, dangerous, difficult. At every step is an ambush, at every turn
\na pitfall. A thousand seen or unseen enemies will start up against thee,
\nterrible in subtlety against thy ignorance, formidable in power against thy
\nweakness. And when with pain thou hast destroyed them, other thousands will
\nsurge up to take their place.\u201d <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n


\nSri Aurobindo, \u201cThe Way\u201d, Cent. Vol. 17, p.
\n39<\/font><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

This is to give you courage, courage to act.
\nYou must be vigilant and must keep your will, whatever happens. If you put the
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

Page – 351<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

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

two things end to end,
\nyou have the complete thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

How can one remain conscious in the midst of
\nunconsciousness ? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One must be
\nvigilant. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

And when asleep ? <\/span>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One can remain
\nconscious in sleep, we have already explained that ! One must work. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Then one doesn’t sleep ! <\/span>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Not at all, one
\nsleeps much better, one has a quiet sleep instead of a restless one. Most
\npeople do so many things in their sleep that they wake up more tired than
\nbefore. We have already spoken about this once. Naturally, if you keep yourself
\nfrom sleeping, you won’t sleep. I always tell those who complain of not being
\nable to sleep, \u201cMeditate then and you will end up by sleeping.\u201d It is better to
\nfall asleep while concentrating than \u201clike that\u201d, scattered and strewn without
\nknowing even where one is. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To sleep well one must learn how to sleep. <\/span><\/p>\n

If one is physically very tired, it is better
\nnot to go to sleep immediately, otherwise one falls into the inconscient<\/span>. If one is very tired, one must stretch out on
\nthe bed, relax, loosen all the nerves one after another until one becomes like
\na rumpled cloth in one’s bed, as though one had neither bones nor muscles. When
\none has done that, the same thing must be done in the mind. Relax, do not
\nconcentrate on any idea or try to solve a problem or ruminate on impressions,
\nsensations or emotions you had during the day. All that must be allowed to drop
\noff quietly: one gives oneself up, one is indeed like a rag. When you have
\nsucceeded in doing this, there is always a little flame, there \u2013
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

Page – 352<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

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

that flame never goes
\nout and you become conscious of it when you have managed this relaxation. And
\nall of a sudden this little flame rises slowly into an aspiration for the
\ndivine life, the truth, the consciousness of the Divine, the union with the
\ninner being, it goes higher and higher, it rises, rises, like that, very
\ngently. Then everything gathers there, and if at that moment you fall asleep, you
\nhave the best sleep you could possibly have. I guarantee that if you do this
\ncarefully, you are sure to sleep, and also sure that instead of falling into a
\ndark hole you will sleep in light, and when you get up in the morning you will
\nbe fresh, fit, content, happy and full of energy for the day. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

When one is conscious in sleep, does the
\nbrain sleep or not ? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When does the
\nbrain ever sleep ? When does it sleep ? This is of all things the most
\ndifficult. If you succeed in making your brain sleep, it would be wonderful.
\nHow it runs on ! That is vagabondage. It is this I meant when I spoke of
\nrelaxation in the brain. If you do it really well, your brain enters a silent
\nrestfulness and that is wonderful; when you attain that, five minutes of that
\nand you are quite fresh afterwards, you can solve a heap of problems. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

If the brain is always working, why don’t we
\nremember what has happened during the night ? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Because you have
\nnot caught the consciousness at its work. And perhaps because if you remembered
\nwhat was going on in your brain, you would be horrified ! It is really like a
\nmadhouse, all these ideas which clash, all dancing a saraband<\/span>
\nin the head ! It is as if one were throwing balls in all directions at once.
\nSo, if you saw that, you would be a bit troubled. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Sri Aurobindo writes here: \u201c… Few and
\nbrief in their <\/i>
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

Page – 353<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

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

visits are the Bright Ones who are willing
\nor permitted to succour.\u201d\u00b9Why ?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

One must go and
\nask them ! But there is a conclusion, the last sentences give a very clear
\nexplanation. It is said: \u201cNay, then, is immortality a plaything to be given
\nlightly to a child, or the divine life a prize without effort or the crown for
\na weakling ?\u201d This comes back to the question why the adverse forces have the
\nright to interfere, to harass you. But this is precisely the test necessary for
\nyour sincerity. If the way were very easy, everybody would start on the way,
\nand if one could reach the goal without any obstacle and without any effort,
\neverybody would reach the goal, and when one has come to the end, the situation
\nwould be the same as when one started, there would be no change. That is, the
\nnew world would be exactly what the old has been. It is truly not worth the
\ntrouble! Evidently a process of elimination is necessary so that only what is
\ncapable of manifesting the new life remains. This is the reason and there is no
\nother, this is the best of reasons. And, you see, it is a tempering, it is the
\nordeal of fire, only that which can stand it remains absolutely pure; when
\neverything has burnt down, there remains only the little ingot of pure gold.
\nAnd it is like that. What puts things out very much in all this is the
\nreligious idea of fault, sin, redemption. But there is no arbitrary decision!
\nOn the contrary, for each one it is the best and most favourable conditions
\nwhich are given. We were saying the other day that it is only his friends whom
\nGod treats with severity; you thought it was a joke, but it is true. It is only
\nto those who are full of hope, who will pass through this purifying flame, that
\nthe conditions for attaining the maximum result are given. And the human mind
\nis made in such a way that you may test this; when something extremely
\nunpleasant happens to you, you may tell yourself, \u201cWell, this proves I am worth
\nthe trouble of being given this difficulty, this proves there is something in
\nme which can resist the difficulty\u201d,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00b9\u201cThe Way\u201d, Cent. Vol. 17, p. 40.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00b2 \u201cThe Way\u201d, Cent. Vol.17,40.<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

Page -354<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

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

and you will
\nnotice that instead of tormenting yourself, you rejoice \u2013 you will be so happy
\nand so strong that even the most unpleasant things will seem to you quite
\ncharming! This is a very easy experiment to make. Whatever the circumstance, if
\nyour mind is accustomed to look at it as something favourable, it will no
\nlonger be unpleasant for you. This is quite well known; as long as the mind
\nrefuses to accept a thing, struggles against it, tries to obstruct it, there
\nare torments, difficulties, storms, inner struggles and all suffering. But the
\nminute the mind says, \u201cGood, this is what has to come, it is thus that it must
\nhappen\u201d, whatever happens, you are content. There are people who have acquired
\nsuch control of their mind over their body that they feel nothing; I told you
\nthis the other day about certain mystics: if they think the suffering inflicted
\nupon them is going to help them cross the stages in a moment and give them a
\nsort of stepping-stone to attain the Realisation<\/span>, the
\ngoal they have put before them, union with the Divine, they no longer feel the
\nsuffering at all. Their body is as it were galvanised<\/span>
\nby the mental conception. This has happened very often, it is a very common
\nexperience among those who truly have enthusiasm. And after all, if one must
\nfor some reason or other leave one’s body and take a new one, is it not better
\nto make of one’s death something magnificent, joyful, enthusiastic, than to
\nmake it a disgusting defeat ? Those who cling on, who try by every possible
\nmeans to delay the end even by a minute or two, who give you an example of frightful
\nanguish, show that they are not conscious of their soul… After all, it is
\nperhaps a means, isn’t it ? One can change this accident into a means; if one
\nis conscious one can make a beautiful thing of it, a very beautiful thing, as
\nof everything. And note, those who do not fear it, who are not anxious, who can
\ndie without any sordidness are those who never think about it, who are not
\nhaunted all the time by this \u201chorror\u201d facing them which they must escape and
\nwhich they try to push as far away from them as they can. These, when the
\noccasion comes, can lift their head, smile and say, \u201cHere I am.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Page – 355<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

It is they who have the will to make the best
\npossible use of their life, it is they who say, \u201cI shall remain here as long as
\nit is necessary, to the last second, and I shall not lose one moment to realise<\/span> my goal\u201d; these, when the necessity comes, put up
\nthe best show. Why?- it is very simple, because they live in their ideal, the
\ntruth of their ideal; because that is the real thing for them, the very reason
\nof their being, and in all things they can see this ideal, this reason of
\nexistence, and never do they come down into the sordidness of material life. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, the conclusion:<\/span><\/p>\n

One must never wish for death. <\/span><\/p>\n

One must never will to die. <\/span><\/p>\n

One must never be afraid to die. <\/span><\/p>\n

And in all circumstances one must will to
\nexceed oneself. <\/span><\/p>\n

Page – 356<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

23 April 1951 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mother reads Sri Aurobindo’s \u201cThe Divine Superman\u201d (Cent. Vol. 17, p. 74).   \u201cThou must reach thy own summit,\u201d says Sri…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[124],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4378","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-04-questions-and-answers-volume-04","wpcat-124-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4378","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=4378"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4378\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4378"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4378"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4378"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}