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

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

Chapter I The Four Aids                    YOGA-SIDDHI, the perfection that comes from the practice of Yoga, can be best attained by the combined working of four great instruments. There is, first, the knowledge of the truths, principles, powers and processes that govern the realisation – śāstra. Next comes a patient and persistent action on the lines laid down by this knowledge, the force of our personal effort –  utsāha. There intervenes, third, uplifting our knowledge and effort into the domain of spiritual experience, the direct suggestion, example and influence of the Teacher – guru. Last comes the instrumentality of Time – kāla; for in all things there is a cycle

Facsimile of a page revised by Sri Aurobindo from a disciple's handwritten copy of the first few chapters of The Synthesis of Yoga from the Arya.

Chapter IX The Release from the Ego                              THE formation of a mental and vital ego tied to the body-sense was the first great labour of the cosmic Life in its progressive evolution; for this was the means it found for creating out of matter a conscious individual. The dissolution of this limiting ego is the one condition, the necessary means for this very same Life to arrive at its divine fruition: for only so can the conscious individual find either his transcendent self or his true Person. This double movement is usually represented as a fall and a redemption or a creation and a destruction, – the kindling of a light and its e