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.
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