Organisation and Work “[For the Ashram] there has never been, at any time, a mental plan, a fixed programme or an organisation decided beforehand. The whole thing has taken birth, grown and developed as a living being by a move- ment of consciousness (Chit-tapas) constantly main- tained, increased and fortified.” Sri Aurobindo (22 August 1939) * That is to say, the movement of consciousness has never ceased at any moment. It is not that a “movement of creation” was started and then stopped and then again started ― constantly the consciousness is recreating, so to say, continues its creation; it is not a thing which has been done and which grows

Paid Workers You should be very polite with those who depend upon you for their living. If you ill-treat them, they feel very much but cannot reply to you as man to man for fear of losing their job. There may be some dignity in being rough with your superiors, but with those who depend on you, the true dignity is to be very courteous. 23 June 1932 * The shoe-maker would like a raise. He requests me to ask you for 10 rupees instead of 8, as he has to sup- port a family of three. Family considerations do not interest me at all. The salary should depend on the work of the worker, on his ability, his regularity, not on the number of people he has to

The Mother Since the beginning of the earth, wherever and whenever there was the possibility of manifesting a ray of the Consciousness, I was there. That which is speaking to you now, is a faithful servant of the Divine. From all time, since the beginning of the earth, as a faithful servant of the Divine, it has spoken in the name of its Master. And as long as earth and men exist, it will be there in a body to preach the divine word. So, wherever I am asked to speak, I do my best, as a servant of the Divine. But to speak in the name of a particular doctrine or of a man, however great he may be, that I cannot do! The Eternal Transcendent forbids me. 1912 *

Conditions for Admission Do not judge on appearances and do not listen to what people say, because these two things are misleading. But if you find it necessary to go, of course you can go and from an external point of view it may be indeed wiser. Moreover it is not easy to remain here. There is in the Ashram no exterior discipline and no visible test. But the inner test is severe and constant, one must be very sincere in the aspiration to surmount all egoism and to conquer all vanity in order to be able to stay. A complete surrender is not outwardly exacted but it is indispensable for those who wish to stick on, and many things come to test the sincerity of th

Relations with Persons Outside the Ashram I appreciate your feelings about what a sadhak ought to be and from that point of view, what you say is quite true. But it is well understood that the Ashram is not exclusively composed of sadhaks. The Ashram is a reduced image of life where those who practice yoga are a minority, and if I were to keep here only those who are quite sincere in their sadhana, very few indeed would remain. Sri Aurobindo always reminds us of the fact that the Divine is everywhere and in everything, and asks us to practise a true compassion, as is so beautifully expressed in this aphorism which I am just commenting upon, “Examine thyself wit

Sadhana of the Body This body has neither the uncontested authority of a god nor the imperturbable calm of the sage. It is yet only an apprentice in supermanhood. O my sweet Lord, supreme Truth, I aspire that the food I take may infuse into all the cells of my body Thy all-knowledge, Thy all-power, Thy all-goodness. 21 September 1951 * Only when it is no longer necessary for men's progress that my body should be like theirs will it be free to become supramentalised. 2 August 1952 * It is a fact that the Godhead has always taken a physical body with the intention of transforming that body and making of it a fit instrument for His manifestation upo

Coming to the Ashram You say that you feel you have returned to your old life and that you have fallen from that state of spiritual consciousness in which you remained for some time. And you ask whether it comes from the fact that Sri Aurobindo and myself have withdrawn our protection and our help because you had been unable to fulfil your promise. It is a mistake to think that anything at all has been withdrawn by us. Our help and our protection are with you as always, but it would be more correct to say that both your inability to feel our help and your inability to keep your promise are the simultaneous effects of the same cause. Remember what I wrote to you whe

Outer Life A DECLARATION I want to mark this day by the expression of a long cherished wish; that of becoming an Indian citizen. From the first time I came to India – in 1914 – I felt that India is my true country, the country of my soul and spirit. I had decided to realise this wish as soon as India would be free. But I had to wait still longer because of my heavy responsibilities for the Ashram here in Pondicherry. Now the time has come when I can declare myself. But, in accordance with Sri Aurobindo's ideal, my purpose is to show that truth lies in union rather than in division. To reject one nationality in order to obtain another is not an ideal solution. So I hope I

Aspiration Talks¹ 10 March 1970 A: We would like to speak to you about work in Aspiration. What we would like to know, what we are looking for, is the right attitude... What is the trouble? A: The trouble is... Each one pulls in his own direction. A: Each one pulls in his own direction. No one is really in contact with what is true. We have to bear in mind that we are starting from the present state of humanity. So you must face all the difficulties; you must find the solution. Pointing to the tape-recorder) What is that? B: I am recording for the people of Auromodèle, Sweet Mother.                       

Leaving the Ashram I do not advise you to go. As for X, under the circumstances you describe, it might be better for her, instead of her going, that someone comes here to help her. Can you arrange for that? Blessings. 25 February 1939 * I did not approve much of X's departure, but as for yours I disapprove of it completely, and cannot understand why you should abandon your work and interrupt and imperil your sadhana because she chooses to go back to her village. I do not find this decision either good or fair to yourself and your spiritual aspiration, so I hope you will look at it in this light and reconsider your decision. 3 May 1939 * Certai