22nd June, 1940 About the report of military correspondent that the French thought in terms of French fortress and positional war. They did not believe the importance of tanks and aeroplanes even though they knew that the tanks decided their victory last time. Page – 276  Sri Aurobindo : And Gamlin had to go because he was so much accustomed to the idea of fortress that he did not know what to do when the Germans came in through Flanders. Gamlin and Daladier both are so evidently weak that one is surprised how they were regarded as strong men. Government after Government in France was appointing Daladier as Foreign Minister, while he did nothing in fact f

AUGUST 1940 3rd August, 1940 There was a letter from K. P. to Dilip in which he expressed his opinions and ideas about the present war, His points were : –    1. The war is already fought and decided on the inner planes. 2. Mankind is responsible for the rise of the Asuric forces. 3. Each much fight the lower forces and side with the Divine in himself. After reading the letter Sri Aurobindo said : It is quite alright that the struggle between the forces is worked out on other planes before it is projected here. Disciple : He means like the Gita where Sri Krishna says that Kauravas were already killed. Disciple : So the result is already de

7th January, 1939 Disciple : Can the ego be removed by the psychic attitude and by the realization of Self? Sri Aurobindo : Psychic humility takes away the egoism but not the ego; removing of the ego of the natural individuality is not the work of the psychic. The psychic depends upon and maintains the natural individuality. The psychic is there, so that the natural individuality would turn to and progress towards the Divine. Disciple : How is the ego removed? Sri Aurobindo : Ego is removed by the realization of the Spirit; that is, by attaining to the spiritual consciousness Above, which is independent of Nature, which is self-existent. That Spirit is One in all

MARCH, 1939 12th March, 1939. Disciple : Did you notice Jawaharlal's article in the Hindu? He can't forget Subhas not acknowledging his report from Europe and also his international politics. Sri Aurobindo : That again shows Nehru is an idealist. If he has the clarity of mind to see – as he has – that socialism can come in India only after independence, it should be equally clear to him that India can do something in international politics only after she is free. Disciple : The Congress wants to do something in international field. Sri Aurobindo : It is a hazy idea. All you have been able to do for China is to send an ambulance unit. It is not like Englan

OCTOBER 1943 From notes 4th October 1943 1. C. Rajagopalachari in the Puja issue of the 'Amrit Bazar' has pleaded for the reconstruction and revival of the Cripp's proposal !! Sri Aurobindo found it 'late' but C. R. had got back his clarity of mind. As to the actual revival when Wavell comes the difficulties are 1. I. C. S. and Congress on two sides and 2. Jhinna on the third. 2. Anil Baran's article about Bengal flood situation created a great stir in the Ashram. Sri Aurobindo's plea was for organization by the people. Mere Government regulation or work would not do. The ministry is people's and so their dishonesty, want of public spirit and want of tradition

5th February, 1939 Disciple : In the Life of Nivedita which Lizelle is writing, she has found many letters, in one of which she mentions that you gave her charge of editing, Vande Mataram, after you left Calcutta.  Sri Aurobindo : No. I was the Karma Yogin – not Vande Mataram, I saw her before I left Calcutta for Chandernagore. It was from her that I got the news of my contemplated arrest. Then I wrote an article "My Political Will" – that stopped the arrest. Disciple : It seems, she traveled to India once under assumed name to evade arrest in 1910 or 1911. Sri Aurobindo : She died at Darjeeling; she did not die under assumed name. Page – 208  (The

8th January, 1939. Disciple : Can one way that snoring is the protest of the subconscient against somebody's presence? (Laughter ) Sri Aurobindo : Against whom? against whose presence when one snores alone! (Laughter) Disciple : We read in the papers about the conversion of John Middleton Murry to theism. It was Hitler's statement after the purage that he "embodies justice and law", Page – 107 that, he dispenses with "trials"– which made Murry consider him as the Anti-Christ. It seems Gandhian non-violence has also appealed to Hitler. He wants to become a village pastor and stop the flow of villagers to the cities. Gandhi has written about Hitler's regime

13th December 1938 The Mother came at 5-55 and meditated till after 7-05. It is difficult to say whether the feast of silent meditation was more precious than the conversation which happened to take place after Mother left for evening meditation. Page – 13 Sri Aurobindo :  (with a smile to X.) Meditating? Disciple :  I am trying hard Sir, for the last three-fourths of an hour but I have not succeeded. Many unwanted thoughts come. Sri Aurobindo :  What are they? Disciple :  Some nonsense. Sri Aurobindo :  Some extraordinary non-sense like perpetual attendance on the Maharajah or successor to Mussolini

21st January, 1939 Dr. R's v’sit today Dr. R :  Do you feel the pain (in the knee-joint) still? Sri Aurobindo : Yes. Dr. R :  That is because you are moving the leg after a long time; it will disappear when you are accustomed to it. Page – 157 Sri Aurobindo : Accustomed to the pain! (Laughter) Talk then turned to the world-war and the Congress. Pattabhi was elected President. Patel wanted to settle at Rajkot or go to East Africa. Disciple : I am afraid if Patel goes to East or South Africa the Indians there would be shot. Sri Aurobindo : Instead of Patel going there to Africa it is better that Gandhi should go to Hitler. Hitler will say to

22nd May, 1940 Disciple : If the Asuric forces incarnated in Hitler and others in Germany, is there no one on this side of allies who incarnates a Divine force? Sri Aurobindo : No. Unfortunately there is none. They are all ordinary men; there is no one who can receive the Force. Perhaps Marshal Petain may be able to receive but he is too old I think. Disciple : Can Wegan receive? Page – 265 Sri Aurobindo : I don't know him; in such times if you have men who do not conform to the science or the rules it is an advantage. We require men with ideas and daring. Hore Belisha would have been a very good choice on English side. If they had put Lord Halifax fo