CWM >  More Answers from the Mother >  Series Three (1938–1971)

199

Series ThreefnThis series is entirely in English, with the exception of one reply in French

You can do this translation work occasionally but not to the extent of getting absorbed in it. The consciousness must remain free for the sadhana.

Love and blessings.

29 December 1938

200

In answer to your letter I can tell you that if the value of the property is given to me I will certainly accept it. But I cannot ask for it, I can only take it as a free gift.

My love and blessings are with you.

20 January 1939

You can send it provided there is nothing objectionable in it—that is to say, no political or social controversy, etc.

Love and blessings to my dear child.

25 March 1939

I do not want any life sketch of mine to be published. I have always refused the permission to all those who have asked it.

My love and blessings.

3 April 1939

You must have worked too hard at the translation and that is why you are now dissatisfied and depressed. But I am sure the translation is all right and I see no reason to postpone its publication.

With my love and blessings.

24 May 1939

I have received Abhaya’s letter. You can write to him: “It is absolutely out of the question for anyone connected with the Ashram to intervene in politics of any kind. He must not go to Sir Akbar Hydari (it would be quite useless in any case). If he went and Sir Akbar spoke to us of it we will be obliged to disavow his action as not sanctioned by us.” You can send him our blessings.

3 June 1939

My dear child,

I am always present, close to you—in you—and my blessings are with you.

19 June 1939

This is quite wrong, both Sri Aurobindo and myself want him to go because we are convinced that the atmosphere of Pondicherry is not favourable to the balance of his mind and the climate is not good for his health.

21 June 1939

Abhaya writes to me that he wishes to take you away with him to Gurukula.

I have not yet answered to him.

I wanted first to ask from you how do you feel about it.

Of course if you ask me, I shall tell you that I do not see why you should go. But you must tell me frankly your own feeling.

Love and blessings to my dear child.

25 September 1939

[The disciple informed the Mother that he did not wish to leave the Ashram, but would go if she wanted to send him away.] fnThis note is based upon the disciple’s recollection of his original letter, which has been lost. Such notes have been provided subsequently in a number of cases where all or part of the letter is missing.

I am quite pleased with your answer although it is not a surprise to me. I knew what was in your heart, but I wanted to have it in writing from you to be able to say categorically no to Abhaya.

You can be quite sure that I will not send you away from here.

Love and blessings to my dear child.

25 September 1939

Yes, it is quite good.

27 November 1939

I have absolutely no objection to it and wonder who could have told you that I had any!

You can have the medicine prepared there if you like but we cannot take money as payment. All money that comes here must be an offering.

My love and blessings.

15 December 1939

204

[In 1940 the disciple took charge of the “cart service”—delivering Dining Room food to Ashramites who ate at home. When he heard that someone had complained to the Mother about his work, he wrote to her, asking if it was true.]

Nobody has complained to me of your cart service and you can be sure that if I had something to tell you regarding your work I would write it to you directly.

But you must not get worried about the mistakes and weaknesses of others; the only thing necessary is not to believe what people say to you, especially if they speak in my name.

My love and blessings.

20 July 1940

These are vital perturbations which show themselves in the course of the sadhana and have to be eliminated. They must not be regarded as natural movements justified by the wrong action of others and bound to continue so long as there is the external causes. The real cause is internal and it can only be got rid of by yogic discipline, vigilance, self-detachment from the vital movement and a quiet but strict rejection.

My love and blessings.

26 July 1940

205

Even if you are not apparently successful in your meditation, it is better to persist and to be more obstinate than the opposition of your lower nature.

I am quite satisfied with your way of doing the work and it is sure to help you to come nearer to me.

My love and blessings.

13 September 1940

[The disciple mentioned that the sadhaks in a certain department talked a lot during their work.]

For the sake of sadhana and for the sake of work, it is always better to work silently.

Early 1940sfnThis approximate date has been provided by the disciple from memory; the original letter is undated. Such tentative dates have been given subsequently in a number of cases

[The disciple informed the Mother that he had measles and asked her blessings to cure him. He also noted that he had come to the Ashram in order to work, not to do sadhana.]

My blessings are with you.

You must take this illness as a sign that, in spite of all your convictions—perhaps even resolutions—you have to do sadhana and to add to your outer consecration in work, the inner consecration of deep understanding and psychological transformation, and make use of your seclusion for that purpose.

My help and love are with you.

6 April 1952

206

There is no question and no possibility of “letting you down”. My attitude towards you has not changed. But your illness and your present condition have the same cause. I am trying to move quickly towards the future Realisation; the progress is rapid and to remain close to me one must move quickly also. Something in you was refusing to change, the same something that was boasting that it was not interested in yoga, that it believed only in work, etc. etc. As a result of it you got out of my protection and fell ill. My word written at the beginning of the illness meant that. But it did not act as I hoped.

Now there is only one thing to do: face squarely the necessity of the change in some part of your nature and—with my help—change.

With my love and blessings.

10 June 1952

[The disciple sent to the Mother the letter of a worker who complained that he lacked the strength to do his work and could not feel her Grace. The Mother replied:]

207

Here, for each work given, the full strength and Grace are always given at the same time to do the work as it has to be done. If you do not feel the strength and the Grace it proves that there is some mistake in your attitude. The faith is lacking or you have fallen back on old tracks and old creeds and thus you lose all receptivity.

1 October 1952

And if I need you? The best would be to make a rule of not speaking or listening during all the distribution and to listen and answer as soon as it is over.

9 September 1954

208

[Not wishing to take up the Mother’s time, the disciple deliberately avoided seeing her. About this she wrote:]

One more word to tell you that you must not avoid seeing me, because it gives a kind of support to the parts of your being which are somewhat unwilling to open to my influence.

With my love and blessings.

Try to be spontaneous and simple like a child in your relations with me—it will save you from many difficulties.

25 October 1954

This is not the true meaning; each force or power has an influence on other forces and powers, and this action is reciprocal. To escape this constant and general confusion of influences, there is only one way—to concentrate exclusively on the Divine Consciousness and to open oneself only to the Divine Consciousness.

1954

No, the Divine knows and cannot share in any nonsense.

This is only a pessimistic view of things. The opposite also is true and through this apparent chaos a new and better order is being formed. But to see it one must have faith in the Divine Grace.

Cheer up! Things are not so bad as you think.

With love and blessings.

7 October 1956

[The Mother called the disciple to the Playground to see her on his birthday, but he did not go. That evening she explained to him that she had wanted to give him something inwardly. The next day he wrote:]

210

My dear child,

I have spoken a little “severely” last night so that the mistake is not reproduced—but to say the truth, the consequences of it are already effaced and what I wanted to give you is given—it is left to you to make the proper use of it.

I consider you already as a true servant, but I want you also to become a true child, so that you may have the full joy of it.

With my love and blessings.

27 January 1957

[The disciple wrote that he felt the Mother’s Presence only while working, and therefore work was his only sadhana. The Mother replied:]

In the integral Yoga there is no distinction between the sadhana and the outward life; it is in each and every movement of the daily life that the Truth must be found and practised.

16 March 1958

[The disciple informed the Mother about a difficulty in work, then added:]

Surely to be quiet is not tamas. In fact it is only in quietness that the proper thing can be done. What I call quietness is to do the work without being disturbed by anything and to observe everything without being disturbed by anything.

However if something seems to you quite wrong, you can 211always report to me—without being disturbed—and I will see what is to be done.

My presence and my blessings are always with you.

19 September 1959

[The disciple wrote that he wished to give up teaching Hindi because his students were so apathetic. His letter ends:]

Continue without hesitation.

I have the deepest respect for Indian languages and continue to study Sanskrit when I have time.

Amrita says that the situation of his Tamil class is much worse than that of the Hindi one. He says that he will continue even if the students come no more… he will teach to himself!

With love and blessings.

30 September 1959

[The disciple’s Hindi students asked him to say something on the subject of holidays. He referred their request to the Mother, who replied:]

Holidays

Shall we say holy days? There are two kinds of them: traditionally, the Lord for six days (or aeons) worked to create his world and the seventh He stopped for rest, concentration and contemplation. This can be called the day of God.

The second one is: the men, the creatures, during six days work for their personal interests and egoistic motives, and the seventh they stop working to take rest and have time to look 212inwardly or upwardly, in contemplation of the source and origin of their existence and consciousness, in order to take a dip in It and renew their energies.

It is scarcely necessary to mention the modern manner of understanding the word or the thing, that is to say, all the possible ways of wasting time in a futile attempt at amusing oneself.

October 1959

[The disciple wrote about a sadhak who did very little work and, in addition, was advising new workers not to “slave like coolies”.]

When you are not doing your work with a full sense of your responsibility, it is not a reason to incite new workers to act like you.

About 1960

[The disciple, responsible for assigning work to new persons entering the Ashram, was upset to find that work had recently been given to someone without even informing him. He asked the Mother how this could happen.]

All I can tell you is: Whenever a person or persons send word to me asking for work and expressing their intention to stay on for some time or to be admitted permanently, I always answer without exception: go to RfnThe disciple (if I speak to the person himself) or send him or them to R. How this is changed into something else and you are not informed—that I cannot say—it is one of the mysteries of human nature, and I am quite sure that many things happen without my being informed of them at all.

But it is not a reason for being upset about it. There is only to remain quite cool and to do our best within the limits that human nature ascribes to us.

213

After all the whole, entire responsibility is the Lord’s and nobody else’s. So there is nothing to worry about.

With my love and blessings.

26 February 1961

Yes, because what I have written was for Huta and not for others—to each one what is said is said in a different way—and to mix all that makes a confusion.

1961

Are the circumstances of the story historical? or can they be altered? If they can be altered, it would be more interesting if the hostile’s instrument gets converted by the Prince’s love just at the moment of giving the poison, confesses and gets pardoned.

This old idea of the necessity of the catastrophe to make the power effective is a limitation that has to be overcome.

Of course, if it is historical and has to be kept, it is in the speech that the higher truth must be told.

25 February 1962

214

My dear child,

Must I take it for bad temper and that the ego has been brushed the wrong way?… You seem very bitter. And yet nothing is decided finally on my side without referring matters and telling that you must be consulted for the most useful thing to be done. But never mind—if you think things are not going the right way and I am responsible, let it be—I accept the responsibility.

In the present case, I am glad to know that Z can be more useful in Honesty Society, so we shall send him there and hope everything will be all right. But it remains absolutely true that I am mostly busy with something I consider more important than exterior organisation—for the moment—and that is why I expect each one to do his duty with the best of his capacity, and with his eyes fixed upon the magnitude of the Divine’s work which will surely help him in his personal difficulties.

Times are hard for everybody and in everything—but it is surely to teach us to overcome our limitations.

I have full confidence in you, count upon you, need your 215work, and feel sure you will get over the present difficulties.

With love and blessings.

6 August 1962

Here is the writing. The pen seems good—blessings to China!

27 August 1962

Yes, indeed, I came to you—it is not the only time—with some insistence, for general affairs, Ashram affairs and sadhana (yours)—that is to say, stating the point of your advance.

Is there no way of preventing people from knocking?

A notice at your door, “Please do not knock now.”?

With love and blessings.

25 October 1962

I am sending you a notice to put up in the dining room.

We shall have it on the notice board also.

Silence! Silence!

This is a time for gathering energies, and not for wasting them away in useless and meaningless words.

Anyone who proclaims loudly his opinions on the present situation of the country, must understand that his opinions are of no value and cannot, in the least, help Mother India to come out of her difficulties. If you want to be useful, first control yourself and keep silent.

Silence! Silence! Silence!

It is only in silence that anything great can be done.

28 October 1962

A good advice to all the ashramites
in their dealings with visitors and foreigners
(and even among themselves)

“When you have nothing pleasant to say about something or somebody in the Ashram, keep silent.

217 218

You must know that this silence is faithfulness to the Divine’s work.”

October 1962

Continue to try—one day you will succeed, as still I come.

Blessings.

9 November 1962

[When the disciple became editor of Purodha, he began writing stories and articles for the journal. But, as he explained to the Mother, he was afraid that his head would get swollen if his old ambition of becoming a great writer rose up again.]

Behind all ambitions there is a Truth waiting the opportune time to manifest. Now that the ambition is gone, it is time for the truth (the capacities and abilities) to manifest.

Take great care not to become “swollen”, but I am with you, helping you, in order to do something that may be interesting.

With love and blessings.

1962

219

You are quite right.

About 1962

I hear that you have flu—that won’t do.

You must rest—but a rest of concentrated force, not of diluted non-resistance to the adverse forces. A rest that is a power, not the rest of weakness.

Cheer up, my child, shake off the bad influence.

With my love and blessings.

7 January 1963

I suppose you mean my new appearance or my transformed body. Because for a new body, I do not know of anybody who could make a complete living body within which I could step without losing, at least partly, my present consciousness. This of course could be a relatively quicker process, but not quite fair for the cells of this body so full of enthusiasm, and lending themselves so willingly to the somewhat exacting process of transformation.

In any case, as I told you already, you must be prepared to wait a long time for it, and to see many birthdays pass on. Which, of course, is very good and of which I fully approve.

With love.

25 January 1963

How can the work start after Darshan? They do not have the needed money, only a very small part of it. And it is impossible to start work before having at least three-fourths of what is needed.

Besides the plan is not ready, the calculations are not made, nothing is ready according to my knowledge. It would be pure folly to start anything in that condition. I remember the letter of X but did not take it seriously for the reasons above mentioned, and paid no special attention to your presence in this affair which seems to me a little superfluous. So, unless all the money is collected and all the plans and calculations are made and shown to me—nothing doing.

Blessings.

8 February 1963

It depends on the physical receptivity of each one, and that receptivity depends itself on the more or less dominating mind.

3 March 1963

221

[While translating the Mother’s Words of Long Ago into Hindi, the disciple found that the story of Kaikeyi told there differed from the version in the Hindi Ramayana. He wrote:]

What I had written was not at all direct knowledge but the translation of a book written in English more than 60 years ago. So you can make all changes that are necessary.

Blessings.

6 March 1963

I am very sorry for this. Nothing was told to me about it. Stop it at that;fn“That” refers to the information that the Mother “came with Richard who had come for electioneering”. From that phrase the Mother drew a line down to her reply, thus connecting them by all means, let it be the last time something is publicly 222mentioned about (my?) past life!—this body does not want to be spoken of—it wants to be quiet and, as far as possible, ignored.

With love and blessings.

9 April 1963

There is no secret. The second is true. Things are in such a mess that I am compelled to keep an eye on them.

19 April 1963

Always, from the beginning, I considered her as a case of charity and expected very little work from her—she is not of the type that likes to be useful. Let her remain at the Lake and be given some occupation that will keep her quiet.

Blessings.

20 April 1963

223

[Banarasi Ma, a woman from North India with thousands of followers, went about Uttar Pradesh preaching that she represented the work of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. She made various predictions, among them that Sri Aurobindo would reappear in human form on 15 August 1964. To enhance her prestige, she produced forged letters supposed to have been written to her by the Mother. Writing about her, the disciple ends his letter:]

All this must stop at once and for all. It is sheer forgery and the people who do forgery ought to go to prisonfnBeside “ought to go to prison”, the Mother wrote “joke”, indicating that she did not want the matter to go to court—or, at least, not allowed to go about spreading their falsehoods and duping credulous people. Her first predictions all failed. These will fail in the same way, and those who believe are simply fooled.

27 April 1963

[The Mother asked the disciple to dismiss from the Ashram a woman who had become mentally unbalanced. When she refused to go, he wrote:]

224

It is quite impossible to remove her forcibly. An interview is quite out of the question. Let her be here so long as she wants to remain. Try to lodge her somewhere where she will be as little harmful as possible, give her just what is necessary and otherwise ignore her presence (if she allows us to ignore it).

I shall see.

Blessings.

27 April 1963

I intended to answer, and in a hurry forgot to do it. The reply is: teach both—the true language and what it has become. That will be very interesting indeed—and more than anything else can cure them from the habit of speaking bad Hindi.

I have just glanced at the file. All that is the kind of rubbish that, since long, I have stopped trying to check—it is like children’s 225toys. The only thing I wanted to see was the “Japanese boat” and my prophecy—because this sounds utterly false and needs rectifying.

This kind of thing has happened hundreds of times and is happening more and more—but to me it seems “quite natural” although I am unwilling to explain.

9 May 1963

The way out?—is to take it coolly, not to mind and to go on with the work quietly… expecting that better days will come.

Blessings.

22 May 1963

Yes.

226

The room is small. A fan would be good. You can take it and see if it helps.

What is bad is slavery—slavery to abstinence as well as slavery to needs. What comes, we take but always ready to let it go, if it goes…

Blessings.

24 June 1963

227

[The disciple wrote about two Dining Room workers who quarrelled and fought. His letter ends:]

I received a letter from X and I told him what I thought of the event.

I am not answering to Y—but all that seems very much like going back to the time of primitive man in the caves…

We do not wish to live the artificial life of civilised society, but it would be better to climb up the ladder towards a greater civilisation, rather than fall backward to the rule of the blows…

With blessings.

6 July 1963

Because you needed no scolding this year.

It is some wrong formation in the subconscient. But it would not have recurred if he had not feared. It is the fear—more or less conscious—which does almost all the mischief.

Without fear nothing can happen.

You can tell him like that.

July 1963

228

Yes, the disorder is general. The only help is faith.

Blessings.

6 August 1963

It gives confidence to the body and that way it helps. But I leave it to your decision.

Blessings.

26 August 1963

[The disciple informed the Mother of recent difficulties in receiving visitors at the Ashram gate.]

To avoid all “stories” and complications, it is better to have a second man or boy at the gate between 12 and 2, to bring groups of visitors, especially when there are children, to Quadros House where there is a big verandah which will be provided with seats for them.

I have received complaints that Y is very rude. I do not know how far it is true, but you might ask him to behave properly.

The reception room will be closed between 12 and 2.

And the verandah cannot be crowded with families, children 229and luggage. I am trying to arrange things decently and need your help.

Blessings.

24 October 1963

I enjoyed your letter and the “story”.

Here is my answer. Is it an answer?… at any rate it is a fact and might explain some things:

“I give orders to those who are perfectly and totally surrendered, as these orders cannot be discussed or disobeyed.”

With my love and blessings.

25 October 1963

Very good.

Say to Z that as I am expected to do miracles, each one of you must also do some—a few—miracles!

With love and blessings.

14 November 1963

[A group of investors wished to economise on the construction of a new building. The disciple asked the Mother for her opinion.]

In the matter of construction, you get what you pay for. They believe themselves to be very clever, but if they spend less, the house built will last less and even may not be strong enough to resist the violences of Nature. The appearance is the same for 230an untrained eye but the solidity and the resistance are quite different. After saying all that, my conclusion is “Let them do as they like.”

After all everybody must learn his lesson.

Still I add a word of warning. A badly built house cannot be repaired—because most often it is the foundations that are defective.

Blessings.

18 November 1963

The question means

Are you ready for the Hour of God?

You can answer: Yes.

Blessings.

10 December 1963

Where you are mistaken is to believe that I am cheated. This is impossible because their “intention” is for me much clearer than their words.

No approval. But if I were to be strict with all those who try to deceive me, very few would escape this strictness.

Love and blessings.

About 1963

[The disciple wrote about a man who was performing miracles and claiming that they were done through the Mother’s Force. The letter ends:]

I do not like these showy miracles—they most often end pitifully.

Under the pressure of the Force, the first effect is a dangerous swelling of the egos.

In front of all that, there is only one attitude to take—

Do your best and leave the result to the Lord.

Blessings.

About 1963

232

Try for 2 years more, perhaps after 7 years their “honour” will give way!…

Blessings.

About 1963

I have seen Z. He is more raw than anything else; and as in all primitive natures the ego is very prominent and selfish. Yes, something can be made out of his ambition if proper care is taken of him and if he is kept strictly on the right path with a few blows on the nose of his vanity.

Blessings.

About 1963

This is just what I had said of the man. I refused to let him go to W. If he is a too big man to work, he can go. We have no need of “big people”.

However if he is truly useful in the Press, he can work there for full time (eight hours a day).

With my blessings.

14 January 1964

Unhappily(?) the present difficulty is neither a flood nor a famine, nor a war, nor an earthquake, nor a conflagration, nor any of these things which move the human sentiments and make them dominate for a while the material desires named “needs”.

Money difficulties make generally people dry and even bitter, if not revolted. And I know of some people who are on the verge of losing their faith because I do not have all the money I need!

6 February 1964

I am sure to succeed one day.

In front of a beautiful realisation.

Love and blessings.

16 March 1964

Quite right.

Love and blessings.

23 March 1964

Cut connection, suddenly if possible, to let fall down the aggressive vibrations.

The best way is to call for the Divine Presence of Truth and Harmony, to replace the vibrations of disorder and confusion.

Blessings.

25 March 1964

He cannot use Sri Aurobindo’s name.

5 May 1964

It seems to me that you need not worry! I do not know of such a court and there is no risk of being fined.

Blessings.

23 May 1964

It is the heat! My advice is cold shower.

Blessings.

27 May 1964

It is all right. No suggestion except that the future of India is luminous in spite of its present gloom.

This dream is a result of your old sanskaras that are still alive in your subconscient. No intention of killing pigs, unless they are the symbol of greed and gluttony.

Blessings.

10 June 1964

Yes, try—it is very much needed. Money seems to have become the Supreme Lord these days. Truth is receding in the background; as for Love it is quite out of sight!

I mean Divine Love, because what human beings call love is a very good friend of money.

Blessings.

13 June 1964

238

R, for God’s sake, do not be as silly as the others.

I find fault with nobody! and never take sides. But, my way of seeing is somewhat different. For my consciousness the whole life upon earth, including the human life and all its mentality, is a mass of vibrations, mostly vibrations of falsehood, ignorance and disorder, in which are more and more at work vibrations of Truth and Harmony coming from the higher regions and pushing their way through the resistance.

In this vision, the ego-sense and the individual assertion and separateness become quite unreal and illusory.

When some extra confusion is created in the already existing confusion, I direct upon it some special vibrations to restore as much as possible a better harmony. It is not the individuals as such that feel the “blow”, it is their clinging to or siding with the disharmony.

To say the truth, I was confident that you would instinctively side with the Truth and understand that in such cases there is never one side right and one side wrong, but all are to blame in the measure of their adhesion to falsehood and confusion.

15 July 1964

239

The vital of some people calls always for disharmony, petty quarrels and confusion; they generally have also a kind of mania of persecution and believe that everybody is against them. To cure that is most difficult and requires a radical transformation of the nature.

The best, when dealing with them, is not to mind the reactions and to go on doing what one has to do with simplicity and sincerity. In this case, X has had from me the biggest scolding I ever gave him; perhaps it will have an effect.

Blessings.

15 July 1964

When one lives in contact with the universal harmony, time passes without leaving any trace.

I always considered it as an incapacity of finding the true words and the correct language.

17 July 1964

240

[In mid-1964 there was a severe shortage of milk in the Ashram because many cows had contracted hoof-and-mouth disease. To supplement the diminished milk supply, powdered milk was given, with the Mother’s permission, but the result was vehement objection from many persons. In general it was a time of material difficulty, with much rumour and gloomy foreboding about the Ashram’s future. The disciple referred to these things in his letter to the Mother.]

Yes, all these false and idiotic rumours have come to me after turning round the Ashram. I attached no importance to them.

I hope that those who are faithful and have common sense will not lose their time listening to all that.

All what you say about the food business was known to me—but you will admit that there is always a way of improving one’s action and make it more luminous and comprehensive.

For the powdered milk, for once I see things like Y. The taste is detestable and the effect on the body still worse; I have witnessed many cases of poisoning through powdered milk and am not ready to risk that.

When money is missing it must be replaced by an immense effort of goodwill and organisation. It is that effort that I am asking for, a triumph over tamas and lazy indifference.

I do not want anybody to give up but I want everyone to surpass himself.

With love and blessings.

18 July 1964

[The disciple explained several problems concerning his work, and ended:]

241

A watchful faith will save the situation.

With love and blessings.

6 August 1964

The bad service comes always when the proper consciousness is lacking at the head.

A clear and precise vision of what is to be done and a steady, calm and firm will to have it done are the essential conditions for an organisation to be run properly. And as a general rule never ask from others the virtues you do not possess yourself.

I have a strong feeling that in that department the supervision is not what it ought to be.

25 August 1964

Your impression comes probably from the fact that she has used all sorts of ways (some not quite straight) to remain or come back, or stay here after having been told clearly that I wanted her to go. Because of that one cannot say what she will be and do if once she were admitted permanently here.

Blessings.

26 August 1964

242

[The disciple wrote about a woman who continued to live in the Ashram even though the Mother had asked her to leave. No one in authority would insist that she go. The letter ends:]

Well, the best is to take it with a smile! as it seems unavoidable—at least for the moment.

It is when things are going wrong that it is the best opportunity to show one’s goodwill and spirit of true collaboration.

Love and blessings.

31 August 1964

It is just that that is leading the Ashram to financial ruin.

14 September 1964

Yes, but they do not think about it as we do.

Blessings.

22 September 1964

243

The teachers must be found first and the school opened afterwards.

Blessings.

23 October 1964

It must have been a fear (perhaps subconscient) of the consequences of having rejected the sannyasi robe and this fear translates by the attacks of snakes, etc. You can tell him not to fear, that I am informed and nobody will hurt him.

Let him try again to meditate with the confidence that he is protected. But he must not try in public first. If his meditations become quiet, then he can once more meditate with the others.

Blessings.

7 December 1964

244

[The disciple recounted his discussion with somebody on the subject of work. The letter ends:]

R, you are becoming very wise and approaching the realisation that we are nothing, we know nothing and we can do nothing. Only the Supreme Divine knows, does and is.

Love.

1964

Not very good for the stomach!

All right.

Blessings.

1964

I have heard so many contradictory reports on the effects of food, spices, etc., that logically I have come to the conclusion that it must be—like all the rest—a personal affair and consequently no general rule can be made and, still less, enforced.

This is the cause of my leniency.

Blessings.

1964

Vital force is very poor and mental suggestions rather strong. Do what he asks for a time. He may find out that it is all imagination, for it is his imagination that makes him sick or rather gives him the impression of sickness.

1964

[The disciple wrote about difficulties in the Ashram, then concluded:]

246

Most probably the end is approaching. All depends on his nature and will. If he prefers to go away quietly and without struggle, let him be quiet and pull on as long as he can. If he likes the fight, let him be operated and see what happens. My blessings, in any case, are with him.

As for the condition in the Ashram, it is as you say and probably worse. I shall say like Sri Aurobindo: unless the consciousness changes nothing can really be done.

You will interfere—and it is good as an example and a demonstration—but the next day it will become worse.

We cannot even call down the Truth to manifest. The falsehood is so widely and deeply spread that the result would be a wholesale destruction.

Yet, the Grace is infinite—it may find out a way!

Blessings.

1964

People are here to change their consciousness. Unless they become, all of them, true to their aim, nothing true can be done.

1964

Honest business is getting more and more risky.

247

People who feel miserable here and find that they have not the comfort they require ought not to stay. We are not in a position to do more than we do, and, after all, our aim is not to give to people a comfortable life but to prepare them for a Divine Life which is quite a different affair.

1964

248 248

What is truly needed, will surely come.

Blessings.

1964

It is not so much a question of finance but of rationing, it seems (scarcity of grains, etc.).

But I propose that we should simply do what is right and fair, without thinking too much of the future, leaving it (the future) to the care of the Divine’s Grace.

With love and blessings.

1964

Useless to say that my force and help are intensely with all those who, along with me, are fighting this state of affairs and all I ask them is to be confident and to endure.

The Truth shall triumph.

Bon courage.

With love and blessings.

11 February 1965

250

[In February 1965 a number of Ashram premises were stoned, looted or burned, ostensibly as part of an anti-Hindi protest. When the Ashram’s main compound was stoned, many of those inside went out to repel the attackers. The disciple, however, remained inside the compound, for he did not feel any impulse to physically resist the threat. A strong force like an electric current was flowing through his body, and inwardly he was calm. Describing this experience to the Mother, he concluded:]

Never doubt such an experience.

It is exactly the condition in which everybody ought to have been, the condition I was bringing down on the Ashram, and if it had been shared by all nothing could have happened, all the most violent attacks would have been in vain.

Blessings.

18 February 1965

Yes, it seems rather necessary!

Love and blessings.

25 February 1965

251

You know that I am not enthusiastic about servants handling the food—but many people seem to like it, through laziness, I suppose!

26 February 1965

I am sending a copy of the statement such as it will appear in the Bulletin and must appear henceforth in all the publications who want to speak of it; as you will see, I want to keep only the constructive part. The rest has done its work and is no more necessary.

9 March 1965

[The Mother’s statement on the attack on the Ashram]

A Declaration

Some people looking at things superficially, might ask how is it that the Ashram exists in this town for so many years and is not liked by the population?

The first and immediate answer is that all those in this population who are of a higher standard in culture, intelligence, good will and education not only have welcomed the Ashram 252but have expressed their sympathy, admiration and good-feeling. Sri Aurobindo Ashram has in Pondicherry many sincere and faithful followers and friends.

This said, our position is clear.

We do not fight against any creed, any religion.

We do not fight against any form of government.

We do not fight against any social class.

We do not fight against any nation or civilisation.

We are fighting division, unconsciousness, ignorance, inertia and falsehood.

We are endeavouring to establish upon earth union, knowledge, consciousness, Truth, and we fight whatever opposes the advent of this new creation of Light, Peace, Truth and Love.

16 February 1965

People always deform what I say. It is better not to listen to them. But I have written something on the subject and will send a copy to you soon.

There is no question of welcoming destruction, but of learning the lesson it gives.

9 March 1965

[The Mother’s statement on the working of Kali]

Behind all destructions, whether the immense destructions of Nature, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, floods, etc., 253or the violent human destructions, wars, revolutions, revolts, I find the power of Kali, who is working in the earth-atmosphere to hasten the progress of transformation.

All that is not only divine in essence but also divine in realisation is by its very nature above these destructions and cannot be touched by them. Thus the extent of the disaster gives the measure of the imperfection.

The true way of preventing the repetition of these destructions is to learn their lesson and make the necessary progress.

10 March 1965

The message will appear in the Bulletin. Better leave it for that. It would be too easily understood in a partial mental way—and the results are rather disastrous. She is not the only power at work in the world. There is also Love and Grace.

Blessings.

16 March 1965

I do not know if I am powerful or not (because it is not sure where is the I), but the Lord is all-powerful—that is beyond all doubts, and He is looking into the matter.

Love.

20 April 1965

[The Mother favoured the use of coconut oil in preparing the Dining Room food, but most of the diners preferred groundnut oil. The disciple explained this to the Mother and then asked whether some Ashram-grown coconuts could be sold in the market to finance the purchase of groundnut oil.]

This coconut affair is one of the great absurdities of the Ashram. At one time I was feeling like protesting against this stupidity. Now I smile and feel like letting them do as they like. On one point still I insist, it is the availability of green coconuts for drinking, because it is very beneficial for health. Apart from that, the ripe ones can be sold and groundnut oil bought for consumption in the kitchen.

With love and blessings.

5 June 1965

It is a way of saying something, some action, on a much wider scale, and difficult to put into words.

13 June 1965

[The following letter, addressed to the disciple, was forwarded to the Mother for decision.]

My vision says no.

My pity says: Let us give him a trial.

My reason says in that way we will be caught.

Blessings.

19 June 1965

256

[The following letter from a Dining Room worker was sent to the Mother through the disciple.]

This is very nice—I would like to “shelter” the whole world, or at least all those who aspire for a better life. But we lack place and means.

You can tell him that just now I have refused to allow X (working in the BlanchisseriefnThe Laundry) to bring his wife and daughter…

It is more a postponement than a refusal.

Let the town grow and the means increase and our hospitality also will be enlarged.

Blessings.

20 June 1965

They have been given coconut oil, that is why they want groundnut oil—but coconut oil is everywhere (even in Europe) considered as of a higher quality and much easier to digest.

257

However these are very minor things that can be adjusted according to their wish.

24 June 1965

Although you do not ask for an answer, I must tell you that I have agreed for the vessels asked from Y; but nothing was told to me about the aluminium vessels of which I do not approve, because aluminium is not good for cooking. I am speaking of my own experience.

Blessings.

26 June 1965

My objection to aluminium is that it makes the food blackish and gives an unpleasant taste. If, however, it has not that effect upon rice, it is quite all right.

For curds it is certainly not advisable. Earthen vessels would be much better—the best if they are properly glazed.

Blessings.

27 June 1965

[The disciple was told that the Mother wanted him to do a certain unpleasant task. Though willing to do it, he was surprised by the request and therefore wrote to her. His letter ends:]

No, when I want something from you, I tell you straight off, not through anybody, nor if it pleases you—because when I ask you something, I am sure that it must please you.

With love.

27 July 1965

259

Once more, the lack of faith of the human mind brings complications and pain where with a quiet faith in the Divine Guidance all could be very simple and easy.

It is for the growth of this faith and confidence that I am working since so many years. Obviously the resistance is obstinate.

Blessings.

11 August 1965

It is more mental than physical.

This is indeed the true way and ought to be used in all cases.

260

Because there is as yet too much of the ego mixed up with the kitchen affair.

Aspiration is always good, and if some demand is mixed up with it, you can be sure that it will not be granted.

The Supreme Wisdom is seeing to it.

Of one thing we must be convinced—all that happens is exactly what must happen in order to lead us and the world as quick as possible to the goal—the union with the Divine and ultimately the manifestation of the Divine.

And this faith—sincere and constant—is at once our help and protection.

Love.

2 September 1965

261 262

There is truly war up there. It is only if he is fearless that he can go.

Blessings.

7 September 1965

[The Mother’s message to the Prime Minister of India]

It is for the sake and the triumph of Truth that India is fighting and must fight until India and Pakistan have once more become One because that is the truth of their being.

16 September 1965 The Mother

Here is my message on the occasion (correctedfnIn her message, as written out for the disciple, the Mother crossed out “shall” and replaced it with “must”; the official message reads “must fight” because of the world’s condition of mind and feeling)—and some relevant quotations.

Your letter is welcome.

With love and blessings.

16 September 1965

This is a very comforting note which I do not hear often. It is much appreciated. Just now the Blanchisserie money will remain with the cashier.

Later on we shall see what becomes of the financial situation.

With love and blessings.

17 September 1965

Let us wait and see. The result is sure—but the way and the time are uncertain.

Blessings.

23 September 1965

It must be Kali’s force which you evoke.

Quite right.

This is quite ridiculous. If the man is paying nothing, you can tell him that if he reduces so much his work, we will be obliged to reduce his food proportionally—and then the health will become worse!

Blessings.

25 September 1965

But the vitamins are destroyed by the heat and an important part of the nourishment is lost.

3 October 1965

265

R, Are you scolding your students in the Hindi class?

Answer to the question quite frankly and then I shall tell you why I put this strange question.

Blessings.

21 October 1965

[The disciple explained how he treated the students of his Hindi class, ending:]

It is exactly what I expected. It is a young girl who wrote to me complaining that you made her weep. Immediately I thought that she must be one of those who refuse to progress. But before telling her that she can leave the class, I wanted to be sure…

Perhaps you know who it is.

Love and blessings.

22 October 1965

This is exactly the kind of treatment the Divine receives from the world. Even Sri Aurobindo was not spared. You see that you are in good company and there is no reason to despair.

23 October 1965

The contradiction comes from the fact that you want to “mentalise” and this is impossible. It is an attitude, an inside attitude mostly, but which governs the outside as much as possible.

It is something to be lived much more than to be taught.

Blessings.

28 October 1965

Notice

The whole of India is in acute food difficulty.

All food grains are rationed.

I appeal to the goodwill of each one not to ask more than what is strictly indispensable.

November 1965

267

It would be a hundred times more effective to never waste food than to cut down one meal as a show and to eat more before and after. A strong, ardent, sincere campaign against the waste of food is essential and full-heartedly I approve of it.

Let the inmates of the Ashram show their goodwill and collaboration in never eating more than they can digest and never asking for more than they can eat.

3 November 1965

Once the mind has started working, it hampers the action of the Grace—so it is better to keep the money.

10 November 1965

Try for seven years more; we shall see afterwards! I can add that teaching (with all its moral consequences) is part of your Sadhana.

With love and blessings.

11 November 1965

Do not take it as a personal affair. Disharmony and confusion are spread all over the world because of the resistance of the falsehood to the action of the Truth. Here as the action of the Truth is more conscious and concentrated, the resistance is exasperated. And in this great turmoil, most of the individuals are moved about like puppets by the forces in their conflict.

25 November 1965

269 270

It is not purposely that I have “avoided”, but probably I did not give you the mental answer you wished for.

To make you really understand it would need a very long explanation and I have very little time at my disposal.

In short I might say that “Réalisation Suprême” for the individual means identification with the Divine and for the collectivity upon earth, the advent of the Supramental, the New Creation.

Do not treat this as a dogma, but only as an explanation.

And “Réalisateur” is the Supreme Power of realisation, the doer and the act.

Blessings.

20 December 1965

[While translating Quelques Réponses de la Mère into Hindi, the disciple asked the Mother to explain certain words and phrases.]

Mother,

(Ironical) It is quite necessary that those who have courage should have some (courage) also for those who have none.

271

There is a great joy in seeking; but it is true that my heart will always be thirsty (for knowledge).

1965

Do not worry or do not bother yourself about it (it depends on the context).

There is no action that cannot escape selfishness or all actions without exception can become unselfish.

Good health is the exterior expression of an inner harmony. We must be proud if we are in good health (or appreciate being in good health) and not despise it (or treat good health with contempt).

1965

It (Love) may quite well not manifest itself (love) in any exterior acts (or signs—or forms), sentimental or affectionate.

In French, “effusions” is used ironically and means a display of affection.

1965

Take “conquer” in the sense of “acquisition” or “possession”.

You might say—the conquest of the Divine’s Consciousness is a difficult task.

Commentary: for human beings to become conscious of the Divine and to possess His nature is difficult.

1965

It depends on how much each one cares more for harmony than for the triumph of his own will!

Love is with all, working for the progress of each one equally—but it triumphs in those who care for it.

Love.

1965

273

[During a period of milk shortage in the Ashram, the Mother asked the disciple for information.]

I would like to have two figures, if you can give them or get them:

274

1) What is in litres the quantity of milk required daily if we give the full ration?

2) How many litres of milk we are getting per day (maximum) all told?

With method, order, and care there is no difficulty that cannot be solved.

With love and blessings.

About 1965

[The disciple related the complaints of the laundry workers.]

Be careful about the various reports of the workers—they are always biased. Each one speaks always with his preferences (likes and dislikes) and twists things.

Blessings.

About 1965

This concerns the country, not you personally.

Concentrate more constantly on the Divine Presence and the protection will be more spontaneous.

Love and blessings.

About 1965

275

As for the progress, it is because you are trying mentally and the mental is always a limitation to the consciousness. It is only the aspiration from the heart and the psychic that can be effective. (And when you stop trying, you let me work in you and I know the proper way!)

About 1965

The humour of the Supreme.

About 1965

I do not know how they will call what I am bringing, and according to Sri Aurobindo it will be followed by the New Creation and the advent of the Supramental. That is all I know.

Blessings.

About 1965

276

Mere tradition based on old symbols.

Blessings.

About 1965

Control or, if he is incapable of it(?), operation on himself. It has become very fashionable!

About 1965

I do not like such a weakness going to the point of hypocrisy. Is there nobody else who could look after the Blanchisserie?

As for replacing Z in the Blanchisserie, unless X is frank and says to Y that he wants to go there and do that work, I do not want him, because my words are not diplomatic and I shall say the truth to Y whatever is the result.

In fact, it would be better to find somebody a little more courageous to work in the laundry.

Blessings.

15 January 1966

277

It seems to me better if it is simply translated. What is your reason for retelling and not translating?

4 February 1966

Considering the matter from this point of view—let it be.

With love and blessings.

4 February 1966

It is quite all right. You can go ahead happily about it! I like the idea as you put it.

All depends on the spirit in which things are done.

Your attitude is good so everything is all right.

Surely she has lived and is still living.

Love and blessings.

8 February 1966

The Divine’s Grace is wonderful and almighty.

And the ways of working of the Lord are full of a delightful sense of humour…

Love and blessings.

6 March 1966

Certainly you cannot give a wrong figure—but, is it not possible to really reduce the number of servants to 19?

21 March 1966

[The disciple could not decide upon a course of action because different parts of his being put forth contradictory arguments, each of which seemed correct. He asked the Mother what to do in this case.]

I am quite willing to answer—but once more the answer will probably be bewildering…

In fact all your different parts are correct in their argument, and the wisdom is to go deep enough in the consciousness to find the place where they meet and agree, completing one another rather than contradicting.

As for the actual action, a smooth, harmonious working is generally better than the difficulties created by too rigid principles… but that also is not absolute—and the ideal condition is, at each occasion, to receive in the inner silence the guidance from above.

With constant practice and goodwill, it becomes possible.

With love and blessings.

24 March 1966

R, what is the matter with you? I always considered you as one of the rare ones who could understand my jokes!… and now! You take one evident joke so seriously!… I have nothing against your workers, on the contrary; my plan was to wake up in them a new interest in the work and, on the solid basis of an experience, to give what is necessary for an … eatable cooking. I am sorry to have to explain everything in advance, in order to be understood.

You can say to the one who spoke to you that he will be given what is needed for cooking, but that the whole thing needs to be reorganised and nothing lasting can be done in a hurry.

Now, if anything I said or did gave you the impression that I am not satisfied with your work, I am very sorry for it because nothing of the kind is in my consciousness. I know the circumstances are difficult and you do the best that can be done—but everybody and everything can always progress and I am always working in view of a possible improvement, knowing that the greatest difficulty brings always the greatest victory.

And I trust that you are with me for that.

With love and blessings.

26 March 1966

[The disciple wrote about a disagreement with a Dining Room worker. His letter ends:]

281

There was no distrust and I am sorry you took it that way. But now I tell you seriously (as you do not seem to appreciate my jokes) that the best thing to do is to have an open, frank and cordial talk with Z and tell him clearly the way you see for the problem to be solved.

If you both together come to a harmonious and effective solution I shall consider it as a great victory… for me.

With love and blessings.

2 April 1966

This is one more proof that in your case, the physical contact (this time in writing) is more effective than the purely mental one.

Love and blessings.

7 April 1966

282

Naturally!

Your attitude is excellent and very helpful for the work and also for you.

So let us continue as it is.

With love and blessings.

8 April 1966

I consider as children all those below 15. Up to 10 years old I would like them to have at least 2 full cups of milk per day (of course, those who do not like milk are not at all asked to take it).

The sick people, where recommended by a doctor, may have also if they wish. Apart from that I leave it to your “wisdom”.

14 April 1966

283

May be.

The forces behind the cyclone were not hostile but full of a transforming power. You did the right thing, and I can assure you that to go inward and to receive the force is more helpful than to throw oneself into an agitated action. Certainly “tamas” is not good, but it is only through surrender to the Divine Consciousness that tamas can be changed.

With love and blessings.

6 May 1966

Before signing any demand, I am always asking if the person has been here for more than a year, and each time I am told yes. I have no way of control because I do not know who is coming and who is admitted. I receive information only in very few cases. So the only thing to do in this case is to refuse all signature except on a note coming from you.

Blessings.

17 May 1966

They can have the food as long as they work.

You are right.

2 July 1966

This is very interesting but not unexpected. Since I have “retired” each one seems to do according to his own ideas without correlation with the others and—under the pretext of not disturbing me—without consulting or even informing me!

285

Although by my own means, I know more or less what is going on, I simply smile and do not interfere. Each one must learn by experience.

I am waiting for the day when order will conquer disorder and harmony be the master of confusion. I am behind all effort in this direction.

Blessings.

6 July 1966

A psychological truth because anybody can become for you the Lord if so you decide. The subjective point of view is much more widely prevailing than it is generally admitted.

23 July 1966

The vital world is mostly like that and those who live exclusively in the physical and the vital go there after death… But there is the Grace!…

2 August 1966

286

Except for very rare cases, the animals are not individualised and when they die they return to the spirit of the species.

Sri Aurobindo told me nothing about that.

6 August 1966

Continue to be patient. It is some kind of mental tamas: one day they will wake up.

6 August 1966

287

Nature is collaborating in her own way. All is meant for the growth of a spontaneous sincerity.

Blessings.

7 November 1966

The same story, with small differences in the setting, could be told so many, many times!…

And what about the stories of the efficiency of the Divine Grace? They are less in number perhaps, but so much more comforting!…

Love and blessings.

8 November 1966

I see it as the advent of Wisdom leading to true equality.

Blessings.

17 November 1966

Well, one thing is sure—with you I am rich and receive some money. With most of the others I am poor and have debts.…

Blessings.

8 December 1966

I wanted you to look after the money, because it was the only way to be sure that the money would come to me.

289

But the organisation of the working of that section can be given to others provided they agree to collaborate.

I ask you a little more time and patience and expect things to take a more definite form.

As for the displeasure of people they always grumble and complain. We have not to give it any importance.

1966

[The disciple wrote that he would look after the organisation of the Bakery, Laundry and Dining Room, but could not keep their accounts since he did not know book-keeping.]

I am very fond of proper organisation. If those who organise want sincerely to do it, I require only clear and precise information. When this is given and there is sufficient trust in the Organising Power it is sufficient. The rest will be done.

Blessings.

About 1966

It is not a question of usefulness. For the Grace to have a perfect and total result of Its action, the faith must be total and perfect. Where???

Love.

About 1966

290

I have no contact with people now and no exterior means to find workers. The only hope is in the capacity of the invisible Power!

Love and blessings.

About 1966

The situation has not improved, but if he is a good worker, it is better to let him bring his family.

I know the difficulty and am trying, but very few, now-a-days, are those who sincerely want to work.

Whenever I hear of somebody I immediately send him or her to you. But it does not seem to be very effective!

Blessings.

1966

This is just a joke… or, a twist of the mind and a clever way of 291refusing to understand what is truly meant by the advice.

Blessings.

About 1966

What to do? On all sides it is like that. It seems a new problem that has to be solved miraculously: to receive much less, and yet to spend much more!

Love and blessings.

About 1966

This gives the exact measure of your body’s receptivity. Concentrate the force on the diseased parts and they will improve.

About 1966

292

Ambitious plans generally fall flat. It is better to go slow and steady.

Blessings.

About 1966

The confidence is quite legitimate. The message is only for those who are still asleep and quite satisfied with their sleep.

Blessings.

2 January 1967

Go on writing. How do you know if the inspiration is not ready, waiting to come to you?

Love.

10 February 1967

293

I never said that you were not capable of writing on the subject!

Blessings.

8 March 1967

Call Sri Aurobindo to your help, and it will be all right.

24 March 1967

Beware of what is repeated to you in my name—the spirit in which it has been said is lost!

29 March 1967

When we get bitter we lose our Divine contact and become very “bitterly” human…

Love and blessings.

29 March 1967

294

All that happens is to teach us one and the same lesson. Unless we get rid of our ego there is no peace either for ourselves or for the others. And without ego the life becomes such a wonderful marvel!…

Love.

30 March 1967

I learnt that yesterday and can only tell you: do for the best.

If you use sugar for me, stop it completely. It can be replaced by glucose if need be.

I suppose all these are to teach us to be plastic.

Love and blessings.

13 April 1967

I am very glad to hear that you are not putting sugar in my drinks. I find them quite sweet enough as they are and congratulate you for your remembrance of what I said—it is indeed an uncommon fact!…

With love and blessings.

14 April 1967

Not at all. It is the attitude that is important.

The past must be a spring-board towards the future, not a chain preventing us from advancing.

As I said—all depends on the attitude towards the past.

And I continue to give you the work. If you feel that a change is needed it can be in the attitude giving more importance to what is to be said and realised and using the past as a preparation for the future.

This is not a very difficult thing to do—and I am quite sure that you will easily do it.

With love and blessings.

17 April 1967

[The disciple wrote that in the Dining Room kitchen many workers were upset with the decisions of one of their supervisors. His letter ends:]

When human passions guide the work, I can only stand apart as a witness. I am politely informed of what is decided—never asked for what is to be done.

I cannot give orders because if orders were disobeyed it would automatically lead to a catastrophe.

So there is nothing else to do than to wait patiently for the passions to cool down and… hope for the best.

Perhaps some people may wake up to the necessity of working hard…

With love and blessings.

19 April 1967

It is because you are receptive to the Force when you work and that sustains you. But when you are not under the strain of the work you are less receptive. You must learn to be receptive in all circumstances and always—especially when you take rest—it must not be the “rest” of inertia but a true rest of receptivity.

Blessings.

9 May 1967

There will always be people who like better to sit on the floor. Ask for the mats.

11 May 1967

Nothing in advance. Everything immediate—directly, spontaneously without any intermediary. The intervention of intermediaries has mostly complicated matters rather than simplified them. A rather long story to say.

Blessings.

13 May 1967

299

When there is some work to do, the least one speaks of it the better it is.

17 May 1967

The fact of being here proves that there is an aspiration somewhere in her being and with help the aspiration can spread in the whole being.

With love.

5 June 1967

[The disciple informed the Mother about a shortage of fruits and sugar in the Ashram.]

Sugar is useful mostly for children, for the others it can be replaced by something else.

300

Surely, all this comes to teach us to have a quiet faith that what is truly needed we shall have and that, for the rest, we must not bother!

With love and blessings.

15 June 1967

I do not see how it is possible for many reasons that I cannot write here. I am not reorganising, I am simply adding a kitchenfnThe Corner House kitchen (and dining hall), for the students of the Ashram school because the number of people has increased so much that to cook for such a big quantity at a time becomes difficult.

Moreover the food for the school children and the food for the Ashramites needs to be somewhat different, as children need special food for growing.

26 June 1967

Sri Aurobindo said that the physical was to be taken into the yoga and not rejected or neglected. And almost all here thought 301they were doing yoga in the physical and fell the prey of the physical “needs” and desires…

To speak frankly, I like better that mistake than that of the so-called ascetics who are full of contempt, bad will and scornful feelings for the others.

No time to say all that could be said on the subject.

But… the criticising spirit is more destructive than many bad habits.

Blessings.

12 July 1967

My remark was not meant for you but a very general statement.

Why disappointing! If there is one in a hundred who has a true faith, it is already a miracle!

At one time I knew their legend, but now I have forgotten it. So I can say nothing about it, except this general statement—that 302man can imagine nothing that has not happened at least once; so there is always a truth behind the statement. The mistake is to generalise and make a rule of it.

Love and blessings.

13 July 1967

Those who are insincere do not truly want to learn but to get good marks or compliments from the teacher—they are not interesting.

It is all right.

303

Naturally the teacher has to test the student to know if he or she has learnt something and has made a progress. But this test must be individual and adapted to each student, not the same mechanical test for all of them. It must be a spontaneous and unexpected test leaving no room for pretence and insincerity. Naturally also, this is much more difficult for the teacher, but so much more living and interesting also.

I enjoyed your remarks about your students. They prove that you have an individual relation with them—and that is essential for good teaching.

Blessings.

25 July 1967

If you want to breathe properly you can.

The time has come to rely only on the Divine Will and to let it work freely through you.

This is the same answer as the one I wanted to send to you yesterday but I had no time to write.

I repeat—the time has come at last, not to rely any more on one’s own petty will, to hand over the whole affair to the Divine’s Will and to let It do Its work through you, not only through your mind and feelings, but mainly through the body—and if you do it sincerely, all this body nonsense will disappear and you will be strong and fit for your work.

Blessings.

28 July 1967

304

Your difficulty comes from the fact that you have still the old belief that, in life, there are some high things and some low things. It is not exact. It is not the things or activities that are high or low, it is the consciousness of the doer which is true or false.

If you unite your consciousness with the Supreme Consciousness and manifest It, all you think, feel or do becomes luminous and true. It is not the subject of the teaching which is to be changed, it is the consciousness with which you teach that must be enlightened.

Love and blessings.

31 July 1967

I am blaming nothing, nor anybody and know that each one 305does the best he can. It is evident that the job is very difficult. But are we not here to conquer difficulties?

With love.

23 August 1967

I mean act according to our inner conviction regardless of all consequences and keep our faith unshaken in spite of the apparent so-called proofs to the contrary.

28 August 1967

Statistics and calculations are purely mental, and here all mental rules are constantly contradicted by the working of the higher Force.

306

Your inner reaction is mostly correct. But you cannot be convinced by it, because for a long time it was mixed up with an ego reaction.

Now the mixture is getting less and less. So it is to be hoped that next year it will be totally overcome—and then things will be clear and simple for you… if not for everybody.

With love and blessings.

3 September 1967

[The disciple wrote to the Mother about an Ashram school circular on the subject of homework.]

This has come up after receiving many letters from both parents and children complaining that because of homework the children go to bed late and are very tired as they do not sleep enough.

I know that all these complaints are exaggerated, but they are also the indication that some progress must be done in the routine.

This project has to be worked out in its details with plasticity and suppleness.

I am not for treating all the children in the same way, it makes a kind of uniform level, advantageous for those that are backward, but detrimental to those who can rise above the common height.

Those who want to work and learn must be encouraged but the energy of those who dislike studies must be turned to another outlet.

Things are to be arranged and organised. The details of execution will be fixed later on.

Blessings.

26 September 1967

307

The greater beings are always the most simple and modest.

Blessings.

2 October 1967

Intelligence and capacity of understanding are surely more important than regularity in work. Steadiness may be acquired later.

5 October 1967

You can tell them that if they do not believe they can learn here something that is not taught elsewhere, they can very well change school… we shall not miss them.

It is better to have a selected few than a commonplace mass.

Blessings.

5 October 1967

I suppose it is only as a gymnastic for the mind!

Love and blessings.

16 October 1967

Sorry to say that I did not know myself the existence of these very important people! Consequently I am convinced that one can be wise without knowing them…

We cannot give more importance to the south of India than to the rest of the world—and upon earth there are so many very valuable people of whom we do not know the existence!…

26 October 1967

Everything and anything can be an instrument for the Supreme Wisdom to prepare the earth in view of the new creation!…

Blessings.

28 November 1967

310

It is due to restlessness and agitation. What is the matter?

Bring down peace, the Divine Peace in your stomach and it will be all right.

Love and blessings.

2 December 1967

That is serious! Try to find out “why?”

2 December 1967

This is a proof that your whole being is not unified around the central psychic Presence.

This is a personal task that each individual must do for himself. The help is always there but the effectivity of its action is in measure of the receptivity and the conscious appeal.

312

After all, it is a question of patience in the endeavour.

With love and blessings.

3 December 1967

It is rather the other way round—be passively confident; let me do it… and it is done. Since your last letter there is a strong and almost constant concentration of Force upon you. Rightly received, you ought to be quite all right.

Love and blessings.

8 December 1967

Why should he listen to threats? He must act according to the inner command and not according to public opinion.

313

Yes.

Blessings.

29 December 1967

Is it very necessary? Generally these calls are not quite sincere.

About 1967

Can you make the blind see?

The whole of humanity—with very few exceptions—distrusts the Divine and yet His Grace is most active.

About 1967

1) For the Supreme there is no sin.

2) For the devotee there is no greater sin than to be far from the Lord.

3) At the time when the Ramayana was conceived and written, the knowledge revealed by Sri Aurobindo that the earth will be transformed into a divine world and an abode of the Supreme was not known or accepted.

If you consider these three points you will understand the legend (although it may be that the actual facts were not as they have been told).

About 1967

For common use I was thinking of a simplified Sanskrit from the grammatical point of view. But of course, I do not know if it is possible.

8 March 1968

315

If you stop preparing the drink I shall have to go without it. If you prepare when you are unwell I have to work out the difficulty. So the only remedy is to be all right when you prepare the drink—it will be good for both of us…

Love and blessings.

8 March 1968

For the sake of the work, it is better if you continue because you can call and feel me, rather than a youngster perhaps full of unused energy but who believes that he is doing the work. There may be some other good reasons for you to continue the work, like honesty and sincerity, etc. but that need not be mentioned.

With love and blessings.

15 March 1968

[The disciple asked whether he should accept a fan offered to him, noting at the end of the letter his ascetic tendency:]

Shrinking is as bad as desire—so have the fan and let the Divine’s will be done, for—after all—it is always His will that prevails!

Love and blessings.

15 April 1968

316

There must have been a serious fall in your faith; because the force is working in the same way (it has even often proved to be stronger), but the more the faith is genuine the more the force is effective.

Indeed for giving work two things are to be considered, need on one side and capacity on the side of the workers; the rest has the taste of diplomatic falsehood.

20 May 1968

To say the truth I do not care much about your having or not believing you have faith, what I want is that you should be all 317right and do your work happily. With you, concerning your body, I was accustomed to a very remarkable receptivity and a rapid cure—that is the cause of my remark.

It is true that “we” are passing by a difficult period (“we” means the world) but those who remain steady will get out of it much stronger than before.

With love and blessings.

21 May 1968

Bravo! This is right, the true thing and must continue.

With love and blessings.

22 May 1968

The prizes belong to a rather low standard of life—but if we are still there…

318

Do it, if you find it necessary.

29 May 1968

Yes—it is because she takes without giving anything. But a little concentration while calling me and it will be over…

Love and blessings.

27 June 1968

This is just the way of learning to discriminate!

With love and blessings.

5 March 1969

Most of the people are simply greedy and their case deserves no consideration. It is only if, because of health, their case deserves consideration that you can be lenient.

Blessings.

16 May 1969

[Regarding a Hindi translation of The Life Divine]

What comes out from here must be a good translation, otherwise it is impossible. It is not a question of persons or of feeling. The work must be properly done, that is all.

17 June 1969

So we must have faith and endure.

With love and blessings.

12 August 1969

But they will ask a book from somebody who knows nothing about Sri Aurobindo and who will say a lot of nonsense!…

What to do?…

5 September 1969

I am not for getting interest on money. So use it in another way as you think best.

Blessings.

5 September 1969

321

What I see is the world of tomorrow, but the world of yesterday is still alive and will still live for some time. Let the old arrangements go on so long as they are alive.

Upon earth, the changes are slow to come.

Do not worry—and keep hope for the future.

With love and blessings.

6 September 1969

Why should you not impose your will? It is evidently more 322enlightened than theirs and has the right to lead them.

Of course, it is out of the question for you to leave the class—but use your will and make it advance.

With love and blessings.

6 September 1969

It will continue until the world is ready and willing to receive the new creation; the consciousness of this new creation is already at work upon earth since the beginning of this year.

If, instead of resisting, the people were collaborating, it would go quicker.

But stupidity and ignorance are very obstinate.

Love and blessings.

29 September 1969

They do not seem to know that in Auroville after all expenses are paid, including their own maintenance, the profits go to the town.

Blessings.

17 October 1969

323

The future is necessarily better than the past. We have only to push forward.

Love and blessings.

17 January 1970

Not necessary to stop. You must have got the discrimination.

4 February 1970

Anything may happen. It is only our “logical” minds which put limitations. I must congratulate your body for its receptivity.

With love and blessings.

25 February 1970

If the opportunity came it means that it can be useful.

Love and blessings.

23 March 1970

It may be that the photo is an ancient one. He must take one of the latest photographs.

Otherwise he must pull up the sensation and offer it in the heart centre.

Blessings.

21 April 1970

325

You are safe. You have only to remember as I do, that it is always Sri Aurobindo that speaks whenever we try to say something sensible.

With my love and blessings.

2 June 1970

I am very happy with what you write and fully agree. So all is well.

With love and blessings.

23 June 1970

326

Quite right.

With love and blessings.

25 June 1970

No change—it is quite all right.

As for “Agni”—children must be taught that life can be beautiful.

With love and blessings.

17 July 1970

Hindi is good only for those who belong to a Hindi speaking province. Sanscrit is good for all Indians.

About 1970

327

[Wrongly informed that Sri Aurobindo favoured Hindi as the national language of India, the disciple asked the Mother on what basis she had written: “The Sanskrit ought to be the national language of India.”]

I said Sanscrit because Sri Aurobindo had told me so.

Blessings.

About 1971

Without you I will have bothers all the time. So for my sake, it is better if you continue your work.

With love and blessings.

4 May 1971

328

[The disciple wrote about two persons closely connected in work who were bitter towards each other.]

All bitterness in life always comes from the ego refusing to abdicate.

Blessings.

Undated

You can always speak to me and it may be more convenient, because if I have any question to put, I can put it at once and the problem can be solved at once.

[The disciple then explained his difference of opinion with a co-worker]

Useless to say that you and X are both right (or wrong); it is two aspects of the question and other points of view can be adopted too.

The only thing to keep in mind is that nobody is completely right or completely wrong and decisions cannot be taken favouring this or that point of view.

Let each one do his best according to what he thinks or feels to be the best and… the Divine Consciousness will manage the results.

Blessings.

Undated

My dear child,

It is much easier to clear your head than to let you quit. In fact the second alternative is perfectly impossible. I need you 329here and have no intention to let you go. To say the truth, I consider that to abandon the responsibility and the work I have given you would be much more unfaithful than to have some unpleasant (but fugitive) reactions because of inevitable fluctuations in certain details of the work.

Take the whole disturbance in you more as the result of an attack (the test) of some adverse force than of minor changes in the organisation of the work.

I feel that you are already out of the confusion, but I send you this so that no trace even of it should be left…

With love and blessings.

Undated

Do not mind the apparent contradictions. There is a Truth to be found behind.

Undated

Cheer up, all will be all right, if we know how to last and endure.

Love and blessings.

Undated

330

A happy cat sketched by the Mother
to cheer up her unhappy disciple