April 25, 1964 (From Mother to Satprem) Satprem, my dear little child, Here is your second letter. I didn't answer the first one because of my eye, which needed complete rest. Now it's better. But I immediately asked Sujata to write you that I'd rather not have my photo published in the book, and that regarding Sri Aurobindo's, the first one seemed to me the best. [[Sri Aurobindo standing, looking towards the future (from the portrait by the Dutch painter). ]] Now, if the contract is signed, there is nothing to add. Yesterday, the 24th, there was a meditation. [[Anniversary of Mother's second coming to Pondicherry, after her stay in Japan. ]] It was intense and formulated itself

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

September 12, 1964 (Satprem reads Mother an old "Talk" of February 24, 1951, in which she refers to the memory of past lives and the unbridled imagination of certain people.) I didn't name her, but it was Annie Besant. She recounted all her lives with all the details - right from the ape! I didn't read her books, incidentally. Oh, I tried several times, but it's really all stories, it gets on your nerves. Yes, that's what I call "spiritual storybooks." Worse than that: spiritual pulp novels! It's shallow. And it has done a great deal to devalue true knowledge. (Mother nods her head) * * * Page 187 (Then Satprem reads a passage in which Mother talks about yo

December 10, 1964 (From Sujata to Mother, following a visit to Pondicherry's hospital) Little Mother, Satprem says he loves you dearly and he asked me how you are. Your child, Signed: Sujata (Mother's answer) Sujata, tell Satprem that I love him very much and that I am Page 311 with him all the time. If he follows Sri Aurobindo's advice, Live inside, he is sure to feel this. Tenderness Signed: Mother Page 312

November 21, 1964 Mother looks weary. She is holding her palms on her eyes. ... They stupefy me with material, mechanical things to be done, and as they're all in a hurry and disorganized, they come at the last minute and the thing has to be done "immediately." All this to explain to you that I am completely stupefied. Page 284 If you like, we can do some translation, because then it's you who's working, not me! But do you have anything to say? ... If you do, tell me. Oh, there are always things to be said, but... Ah! Tell me, then. They're personal things. Yes, fine, tell me. I don't quite understand my position now. I have the feeling that my existence