De-Stress.pdf Mar-Apr 2014 | Page 28

Go on quietly Inability to control our mind when it persists in negativity, inability to keep our poise when faced with ill-will from others, self-recrimination—these create, or add to, stress in day-to-day life. The following extracts from Sri Aurobindo’s and The Mother’s responses to sadhaks (conversations, letters) offer simple insights to deal with these, and to build up a poise of silence in the being; to understand that we can choose to withdraw our consciousness from stress and place it deeper within, if we so wish. In the face of Ill-will Sweet Mother, In spite of my sustained effort to have good feeling for others and be a force for harmony in Mother’s creation, certain things happen that hit me with a devastating blow. For example, X recently said about me: “You do not know him; only Mother and I know what he is. What things go on underneath in his departments, how he tortures people, you do not know”, etc. Now, my question is simple. Under these circumstances, what should be my attitude? I have been taking a series of steps to lessen the tension and create harmony between X and me all these days. Should I suspend it and cut off relations completely? Or should I persist and go on, in spite of the knowledge of what he is saying about me? My dear child, I am truly sorry for the state of confusion of the place. It appears to me like a chaos. I know very well your efforts and attempts to create a harmony. I am behind them to help—you know that. I am quite aware also of where things get twisted and crooked. But there is only one way to conquer—it is to persist in the right attitude obstinately, in spite of everything, ignoring all the contradictions and oppositions. In full consciousness of the Truth, we do what has to be done, always the right thing in the right way, without caring for the effect on others, the answers of others and the consequences. The eyes fixed on the Truth, we will advance and conquer. With love and blessings.1 In the face of Self-recrimination The difficulty you find results very much from your always worrying with your mind about things, thinking “This is wrong, that is wrong in me or my work” and, as a result, “I am incompetent, I am bad, nothing can be done with me.” Your embroidery work, your lampshades etc. have always been very good, and yet you are always thinking “This is bad work, that is wrong” and by doing so, confuse yourself and get into a muddle. Naturally, you make a mistake now and then, but more when you worry like that than when you do things simply and confidently. 28