March 18, 1964 (Mother reads a note she wrote in connection with a quarrel at the Ashram's handmade paper factory:) The Employer to the Employee "Nothing lasting can be established without a basis of trust. And this trust must be mutual. "You must be convinced that it is not only my good that I am aiming at, but also yours. And on my side I must know and feel that you are here not merely to profit but also to serve. "The welfare of the whole is dependent on the welfare of each part, and the harmonious growth of the whole is dependent on the progress of every part. "If you feel you are exploited, then I too will feel you are seeking to exploit me. If you fear that you may b

September 18, 1964 I am on the border of a new perception of life. People's ordinary reaction to the activity of others, to everything around them, their general and ordinary way of seeing things, all of that represents a certain attitude of consciousness: it is seen from a certain level. And when I commented on those aphorisms the other day, I suddenly noticed that the level was different and the angle so different that the other attitude, the ordinary way of seeing things, appeared incomprehensible - you wonder how you can have it, so different is it. And while I was speaking, I had a sort of sensation or perception that this new "attitude" was being established as a natural, sp

May 21, 1964 (From Satprem to Sujata) St-Pierre This morning I have received your letter of the 16th and am surprised that I paid you a visit because, on my part, I didn't see you - still nothing, complete blackout. This too disgusts me - I really Page 118 don't know what I am doing ... probably useless and silly trivialities, as usual. But when there are horrors, I am sure to see them. Maybe at night I am an American gangster, or a Zulu, unless it is a good, jet-black Negro.... It's absurd and discouraging. Besides, I seem to be becoming completely null and stupid - which is a pity for you. S. Page 119

March 21, 1964 (About a letter from the "doctor," who had gone to the U.S.A. for a brain operation: "The operation was torture for four hours; it is done under local anaesthesia but not effective. They cut and scraped my skull and drilled it without any anaesthesia.... Nursing is not so good, my [nurses] are far better. They have no feeling and do not do things honestly.... Surgeons are also slack...." It may be noted that the doctor was himself a surgeon of repute in Calcutta.) ... And they want to come here to teach everything to the poor Indians who know nothing! It's disgusting. If they cure him, it's all right, but I have my doubts.. Page 88 ... Those Americans are n

January 15, 1964 (after a long silence) There is a curious transitional state in the most material consciousness, the body consciousness. A transition from the state of subjugation, of helplessness, in which one is constantly at the mercy of forces, vibrations, unexpected movements, all sorts of impulses - to the Power. The Power that asserts and realizes itself. It's the transition between the two; and there is almost a swarm of experiences of all types, from the most mental part of that consciousness down to the darkest, most material part. Page 24 And when I want to say something, there immediately comes from all corners a swarm of things that want to be said and rush in

February 15, 1964 (After various remarks or observations which, unfortunately, Satprem did not keep:) Ah, to work now! (Mother laughs) One plays all the time ... one has the feeling that life is nothing but play! ... *** (Then the question comes up of Mother's photograph with a veil and the date when it was taken. That photograph is to be included in Satprem's book on Sri Aurobindo, and Mother had said to date it 1914.) The photo was taken in 19 ... (Mother tries to remember). 1903, according to J. No. That was the first time I went to Tlemcen ... it must have been in 1905 - at least 1905, if not 1906.[[Mother went to Tlemcen twice, in 1906 and 1907. ]] I never re

17. Januar 1971 (Satprem liest Mutter einige Auszüge aus dem gestrigen Gespräch vor, welche im "Bulletin" veröffentlicht werden sollen. Mutters Stimme ist wie ein langes Stöhnen, aber ihr Lachen bricht immer wieder durch, als sei das Lachen die einzig wahre physische Sache geblieben.) Es ist gut, du hast genau das Nötige getan. Genau so ist es, du hast es richtig gesagt. Es war wirklich nicht umsonst. [[Diese lange Leidenszeit. ]] (Schweigen) Ich habe so sehr den Eindruck - so stark und klar -, daß der Kontakt ständig BEWUSST war (mit Satprem). Ein bewußter Kontakt. Als machten wir eine gemeinsame Anstrengung, um zu einem Verständ

June 16, 1971 (Satprem suggest several extracts from the Agenda for "Notes on the Way," the first being that of May 22 on the intervention Page 165 of the Supreme Wisdom: "The possibility of a breathtaking success -- not in the sky: here.") That's quite good. It brings back the atmosphere.... Is it too soon to say it? I don't know. Yes, perhaps, I had a little the same feeling also. Yes, it's too soon. We should wait. It's for the August Bulletin. Yes, but August is very soon.... I don't know. We'll see next month whether we send it out or not, or keep it. At any rate, we will use it one day. It seems ... I seem to be going too fast. Yes, it does seem far-o

February 21, 1971 (Laying of the foundation stone of the Matrimandir. Mother is ninety-three years old. She gives the following message:) "Let the Matrimandir be the living symbol of Auroville's aspiration for the Divine." Page 49

July 31, 1968 Any news from Rome? Nothing important, but P.L. has sent me Msgr. R.'s photo. Oh, I'd like to see it. But I don't think it's a recent photo. (Mother looks) ... He's had to struggle with powerful instincts. Sensuality and ... Very intelligent indeed! Interesting. A strange man: he is amoral. That is to say, he may do extreme good or extreme evil just as easily. And a brilliant intelligence indeed. A politician of the first order.... You understand, he is good because that's good policy; but if the policy were to be bad, he would be bad. I wonder if they have many like that among the cardinals?... Sensation and thought. Sentiments: none - what one