Illness and Health             You ask me whether your illness comes from yoga. By no means − far from damaging health, yoga helps to build up a health that is robust and unfailing. 29 June 1942 *             Do not forget that to succeed in our yoga one must have a strong and healthy body.             For this, the body must do exercise, have an active and regular life, work physically, eat well, and sleep well.             It is in good health that the way towards transformation is found. 18 April 1971 *             It is good to do exercises and to lead a simple and hygienic life, but for the body to be truly perfect, it must open to the di

Sleep and Dreams SLEEP AND REST I was sleeping but woke up exactly when it was time to attend classes. Was it the Divine who woke me up? Not necessarily. There is always a part of the subconscient which is awake, and it is sufficient to have the will to wake up at a certain hour to make this part awaken you. 3 March 1933  * I would like to know why I had such a disturbed night. Obviously you did not quiet your thoughts before going to sleep. At the time of lying down one should always begin by quieting one’s thoughts. 28 January 1935 * I can never sleep on the night before Darshan. People say it is a lack of balance. But on the contr

Personal Advice SHORT REPLIES My mind is so entirely clouded by doubts and other lower influences that I feel if my body passed away just now, it would be so much for the better! In spite of all that, as a Purusha I am indifferent to any such absurd movements. Yes, they are absurd − shake it off.       With my blessings. 1933 * I don’t know why for some time I have not been feel- ing well. My mind is troubled, my vital is sad and my body is sick. Do not worry, remain quiet, keep your faith intact. It will pass. 1 February 1933 * I don’t know how thoughts that are harmful to my consecration slip into my m

Sadhana and Life YOUR LIFE…       I am asking only for the sacrifice of ignorance, unconsciousness and the limits of the ego − but for what a marvellous and incomparable gain ! 7 May 1937   *       Let your life be useful.       Let your life be a constant search for the Truth and it will be worth living.       Let all your life be entirely and exclusively governed by the Supreme.       Let your highest aspiration organise your life.       Keep your aspiration ardent and sincere and never forget that you are the child of the Divine; it will prevent you from doing anything unworthy of the Divine children. Page - 238       All

The Gods, Superior Beings and Adverse Forces THE GODS Those who still believe in gods can certainly continue to worship them if they feel like it − but they must know that this creed and this worship has nothing to do with the teaching of Sri Aurobindo and no connection whatever with the Supramental Realisation. 1964  * Even the gods have to make their surrender to the Supreme if the Divine creation is to be realised upon earth. What is the origin, significance and purpose of festi- vals such as Deepavali, Dasera, Rakhipurnima, etc. − and also some of the western festivals? On these days do the gods respond more to

PART TWO CONVERSATIONS 30 December 1950 This talk is based upon the Mother’s essay en- titled “Foresight” (On Education, Cent. Vol. 12, pp. 77-79). To foresee destiny ! How many have attempted it, how many systems have been elaborated, how many sciences of divination have been created and de- veloped only to perish under the charge of charlatan- ism or superstition. And why is destiny always so unforeseeable? Since it has been proved that every- thing is ineluctably determined, how is it that one cannot succeed in knowing this determinism with any certainty ?” Foresight means seeing beforehand; but can you tell

WORRY AND BOTHER ABOUT ILLNESS The doctor has seen my blood. He has given me this little paper to show you how weak the blood is and to communicate it to you. The tiredness seems to increase rather than grow less. You must not worry; you will soon be back on your feet, especially as your vitality has remained very strong. Have no fear and keep your full trust in the Divine Grace. 18 February 1938 * X told me, “It was a mistake on your part not to inform the Mother about your body which is so thin and weak.” Kindly tell me what to do to improve it. Do not bother about it and increase your faith in the Divine’s Grace.             Blessings. 4 Jul

Past, Present and Future THE PAST             Use the past as a spring-board to leap towards the future. 25 December 1953 *             Often we cling to that which was, afraid of losing the result of a previous experience, of giving up a vast and high consciousness and falling again into an inferior state. But we must always look forward and advance. 13 October 1954 *             The very memory of the past experience has sometimes to be swept away from the thoughts that it may not impede the work of perpetual reconstruction which alone, in this world of relativities, permits the perfect manifestation of the

Practical Affairs GENERAL       Under no pretext should the cycles be left outside in the sun. 27 February 1933 *       Do not worry about the French; you will learn it little by little.   Hydrogen Peroxide is costly. I should like to know if I can prescribe it. You might prescribe for the moment and later, when X is better, replace the Peroxide by Potassium Chlorate. 31 March 1935 *       The trees planted in the Subbu house do not belong to us but to the house owner and they cannot be cut without the house owner’s permission.       Any other action than the above one could lead us to great trouble. 1937 *       As yo

Death and Rebirth OLD AGE AND DEATH       Only those years that are passed uselessly make you grow old.       A year spent uselessly is a year during which no progress has been accomplished, no growth in consciousness has been achieved, no further step has been taken towards perfection.       Consecrate your life to the realisation of something higher and broader than yourself and you will never feel the weight of the passing years. 21 February 1958  *       From birth to death, life is a dangerous thing.       The brave pass through it without care for the risks.       The prudent take precautions.       The cowardly are afraid of everythi