To a disciple who is identified in the text simply by his initial, R.

Mother,

One worker of the Bakery has gone and X is going on the 6th. We need two persons there and one for the Dining Room.

I have no contact with people now and no exterior means to find workers. The only hope is in the capacity of the invisible Power!

Love and blessings.

About 1966

Mother,

Y, who works with me, has given a sealed letter for you. Perhaps he wants to import his children. Last year you had said that you will allow them when the situation
improves.

The situation has not improved, but if he is a good worker, it is better to let him bring his family.
I know the difficulty and am trying, but very few, now-adays, are those who sincerely want to work. Whenever I hear of somebody I immediately send him or her to you. But it does not seem to be very effective!
Blessings.

Mother,

A student of mine has written an essay where she says that we are expected to have nothing to do with sex and yet each time we speak we must remember sex so that we may not make a mistake in gender!

This is just a joke... or, a twist of the mind and a clever way of refusing to understand what is truly meant by the advice.
Blessings.

About 1966

Mother,

We received an oral assurance from the Government of India that they would subscribe to 500 copies of Hindi“Purodha”. The official order got delayed by 7 months.We have printed more copies for them and now they want only 150!

I never thought of money all these years. Now I have to ask you for more and more!!

What to do? On all sides it is like that. It seems a new problem that has to be solved miraculously: to receive much less, and yet to spend much more!
Love and blessings.

About 1966

Mother,

Will any doctor believe that yesterday when I was writing my letter to you the swelling of my groin was so big that I had difficulty in walking. This morning when you received my letter, I began to feel that it was shrinking. By the time I got your reply it was reduced to half. Now I can run! The swelling of the foot also goes down in the same way, but neither goes away completely.
They reach a point where they are harmless and then the progress stops.

This gives the exact measure of your body’s receptivity. Concentrate the force on the diseased parts and they will improve.

About 1966

Ambitious plans generally fall flat. It is better to go slow and steady.
Blessings.

About 1966

(In the following letter, the words “choice” and “abyss” refer to the Mother’s New Year message of 1967: “Men, countries, continents! The choice is imperative: Truth or the abyss.”)

Mother,

The choice was made long ago. There is no progress towards it. The abyss seems to be gaping just in front, yet there is a confidence that it will be removed from the way.

The confidence is quite legitimate. The message is only for those who are still asleep and quite satisfied with their sleep.
Blessings.

2 January 1967

Mother,

Z is asking me to write some Hindi articles on subjects like meditation, work, surrender, etc. He says that I am the only one who can write properly. I feel that it would be like a blind man leading the blind. Looking at myself I wonder what I know that I can tell others.

Go on writing. How do you know if the inspiration is not ready, waiting to come to you?
Love.

10 February 1967

Mother,

For “Purodha” you asked me to write on subjects connected with Sadhana, and the first article I have written is on meditation!! And yet once you said that if I were to be punished I could be asked to meditate for half an hour!

I never said that you were not capable of writing on the subject!
Blessings.

8 March 1967

Mother,

I am having difficulty in writing for “Purodha”. I can very well see the hollowness of what I write. The life is missing. And yet I have to write because I have the responsibility of the monthly.

Call Sri Aurobindo to your help, and it will be all right.

24 March 1967

Beware of what is repeated to you in my name — the spirit in which it has been said is lost!

29 March 1967

Mother,

(After relating several problems:) What stories on a day like the 29th! Let me not get the contagion of bitterness.

When we get bitter we lose our Divine contact and become very “bitterly” human...
Love and blessings.

29 March 1967

Mother,

I am not bitter for the simple reason that I am losing my sense of responsibility (the words do not convey the proper sense). It is X who is getting more and more bitter — even against you. He feels that soon all of us whom he calls people of the old lot will be thrown out in a helpless condition. I was praying that I may not get the infection.

All that happens is to teach us one and the same lesson. Unless we get rid of our ego there is no peace either for ourselves or for the others. And without ego the life becomes such a wonderful marvel!...

Love.

30 March 1967

Mother,

Perhaps you know that our quota of sugar has been reduced. I would like to have guidance from you about the new policy. If you like, I shall give you the details of consumption.

I learnt that yesterday and can only tell you: do for the best. If you use sugar for me, stop it completely. It can be replaced by glucose if need be.I suppose all these are to teach us to be plastic.
Love and blessings.

13 April 1967

Mother,

You seem to think that you are a very big eater! If you stop sugar it will save a lot! From 1951 or so I have not used sugar for you because you had asked me not to do so. In the morning almond drink I use honey and in the evening sugar-cane juice. If the pomegranate juice needs sweetening I use sugar-cane juice.

I am very glad to hear that you are not putting sugar in my drinks. I find them quite sweet enough as they are and congratulate you for your remembrance of what I said — it is indeed an uncommon fact!...

With love and blessings.

14 April 1967

Mother,

In the context of your recent messages to the school emphasising the future: As a language teacher I have been laying great stress on the Ramayana and the songs of Kabir, Mira, etc. and the stories of the Upanishads and the Mahabharata. Please tell me what to do. If I stop them as belonging to the past, how to replace them? If I continue them, shall I not be going against your current?

Not at all. It is the attitude that is important.

Even in the lower classes I lay stress upon the stories of Indian literature. We have no vision of the future and if we discard all these as things of the past, then what will remain in the literature?

The past must be a spring-board towards the future, not a chain preventing us from advancing. As I said — all depends on the attitude towards the past.

As I can see it, for myself the best thing would be to give up teaching and writing and go back to purely physical work and wait for the advent. But that would mean

finding fault with you, because it is you who gave me these works against my apparent wishes.

And I continue to give you the work. If you feel that a change is needed it can be in the attitude giving more importance to what is to be said and realised and using the past as a preparation for the future.

This is not a very difficult thing to do — and I am quite sure that you will easily do it.
With love and blessings.

17 April 1967

(The disciple wrote that in the Dining Room kitchen many workers were upset with the decisions of one of their supervisors. His letter ends:)

In such conditions please see that the work does not deteriorate. The Kitchen has no good workers. It is one of the most neglected departments. I hope something better will come out of all this conflict. I believe in miracles.

When human passions guide the work, I can only stand apart as a witness. I am politely informed of what is decided — never asked for what is to be done.

I cannot give orders because if orders were disobeyed it would automatically lead to a catastrophe. So there is nothing else to do than to wait patiently for the passions to cool down and... hope for the best. Perhaps some people may wake up to the necessity of working hard...
With love and blessings.

19 April 1967

Mother,
On the last few occasions I have felt very tired after Darshan work. During this period I do not do much finding fault with you, because it is you who gave me these works against my apparent wishes.

This is not a very difficult thing to do — and I am quite sure that you will easily do it.
With love and blessings.

17 April 1967

(The disciple wrote that in the Dining Room kitchen many workers were upset with the decisions of one of their supervisors. His letter ends:)

In such conditions please see that the work does not deteriorate. The Kitchen has no good workers. It is one of the most neglected departments. I hope something better will come out of all this conflict. I believe in miracles.

When human passions guide the work, I can only stand apart as a witness. I am politely informed of what is decided — never asked for what is to be done.

I cannot give orders because if orders were disobeyed it would automatically lead to a catastrophe. So there is nothing else to do than to wait patiently for the
passions to cool down and... hope for the best. Perhaps some people may wake up to the necessity of working hard...
With love and blessings.

19 April 1967

Mother,
On the last few occasions I have felt very tired after Darshan work. During this period I do not do much physical work, I do not get nervous or excited, and this time I did not feel the sense of personal responsibility either. But I remain present all the time and at the end I feel dead tired. If I have to work I feel all right, but the fatigue comes after that. Why? What to do?

It is because you are receptive to the Force when you work and that sustains you. But when you are not under the strain of the work you are less receptive. You must learn to be receptive in all circumstances and always — especially when you take rest — it must not be the “rest” of inertia but a true rest of receptivity.

Blessings.

9 May 1967

Mother,

The Dining Room mats are very much torn. Before asking for new ones, I would like to know whether we shall continue to have mats or go for tables and stools on a large scale. At present we have two rooms with tables and stools, therest withmats.

There will always be people who like better to sit on the floor. Ask for the mats.

11 May 1967

Mother,
Can you tell me how long it took you to plan this creation and who was there to execute it?

Nothing in advance. Everything immediate — directly, spontaneously without any intermediary. The intervention of intermediaries has mostly complicated matters rather than simplified them. A rather long story to say.

Blessings.

13 May 1967

Mother,

Before 1947 you had said that India was suffering from something like cancer: each limb was trying to grow at the cost of the others. We could not see it at that time. Today all can see the cancer and even leprosy. But for your presence the whole thing is dark as dark can be. Is a full destruction needed before India fulfills her mission? Will it take a very long time?

When there is some work to do, the least one speaks of it the better it is.

17 May 1967

Mother,

Y has long been friendly with me and now she is coming to me for advice. Sometimes she feels very lonely and thinks of getting married. Sometimes she feels that her place is in the Ashram and the other things are useless. I never give her direct advice, but I would like to know whether she is meant for this life and what line I should take when she comes with her difficulty.

The fact of being here proves that there is an aspiration somewhere in her being and with help the aspiration can spread in

the whole being.
With love.

5 June 1967

(The disciple informed the Mother about a shortage of fruits and sugar in the Ashram.)

Sugar is useful mostly for children, for the others it can be replaced by something else. Surely, all this comes to teach us to have a quiet faith that what is truly needed we shall have and that, for the rest, we must not bother!

With love and blessings.

15 June 1967

Mother,

Z is so keen to control the Dining Room. If you don’t mind, let him take charge of it from December when you reorganise.

I do not see how it is possible for many reasons that I cannot write here. I am not reorganising, I am simply adding a kitchen*** because the number of people has increased so much that to cook for such a big quantity at a time becomes difficult.

Moreover the food for the school children and the food for the Ashramites needs to be somewhat different, as children need special food for growing.

26 June 1967

Mother,

Can you tell me why in Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram, in your presence, everyone seems to think of food, physical culture and the doctor for keeping good health? The Divine help may take a fourth place if it likes. It is difficult, at present, for one to speak of your help. People seem to think that by speaking of your help either one is trying to show off or is a fanatic.

Sri Aurobindo said that the physical was to be taken into the yoga and not rejected or neglected. And almost all here thought
they were doing yoga in the physical and fell the prey of the physical “needs” and desires...

To speak frankly, I like better that mistake than that of the so-called ascetics who are full of contempt, bad will and scornful feelings for the others.

No time to say all that could be said on the subject. But... the criticising spirit is more destructive than many bad habits.
Blessings.

12 July 1967

*** The Corner House kitchen (and dining hall), for the students of the Ashram school.

Mother,

I never scorned my body nor did I adore it, although I have a leaning towards asceticism. I was not criticising anyone yesterday.

My remark was not meant for you but a very general statement.

But I feel sorry, angry or disgusted when people come to me moaning about their health and tell me that they have done this and that, yet there is no improvement.
Then I can see from their face that they won’t trust me if I ask them to have faith in you. They will think that I do not want to give more milk or fruit, so I tell these stories. It is this that I find disappointing.

Why disappointing! If there is one in a hundred who has a true faith, it is already a miracle!

I have been reading the autobiography of the present Dalai Lama. Is there any truth in the legend of the Dalai Lama’s rebirth and discovery?

At one time I knew their legend, but now I have forgotten it. So I can say nothing about it, except this general statement — that man can imagine nothing that has not happened at least once; so there is always a truth behind the statement. The mistake is to generalise and make a rule of it.

Love and blessings.

13 July 1967

Mother,

I have seen your messages about tests. I fully agree that examinations are useless. Personally I have some questions. I teach a language. I have to see whether
my students have a grasp over the language. In one of my classes I have replaced tests by essays. The result is satisfactory. But what to do in such cases:

1.
X — She has a good grasp of Hindi, but she is very careless, does not work and is often absent.
2.
Y — Very intelligent and capable, but she has always shirked from work and tried to cheat me by her sweet and intelligent talk. I had to give up.
3.
Z — Very much interested, she can appreciate literature, but she cannot write one sentence correctly.

There are others in the same category in various degrees in the lower classes.

Those who are insincere do not truly want to learn but to get good marks or compliments from the teacher — they are not interesting.

Is it possible for a teacher to know by his inner contact whether the student knows the language well and can be promoted? W was wonderful in my class for ten days
in a year; on the rest of the days she was just a listener. I always promoted her on the basis of the possibility expressed on those ten days.

It is all right.

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The Mother

Homage to Sri Aurobindo SavitriAuroMusicUttarpara Speech

I am Thine for eternity. - The Mother

Integral Yoga 5 Dec - 9 Dec 1950 Bhawani Mandir Because he is there...

To a disciple who is identified in the text simply by his initial, R.

Mother,

One worker of the Bakery has gone and X is going on the 6th. We need two persons there and one for the Dining Room.

Mother,

Y, who works with me, has given a sealed letter for you. Perhaps he wants to import his children. Last year you had said that you will allow them when the situation improves.

Mother,

A student of mine has written an essay where she says that we are expected to have nothing to do with sex and yet each time we speak we must remember sex so that we may not make a mistake in gender!

Mother,

We received an oral assurance from the Government of India that they would subscribe to 500 copies of Hindi“Purodha”. The official order got delayed by 7 months.We have printed more copies for them and now they want only 150!

Mother,

Mother,

The choice was made long ago. There is no progress towards it. The abyss seems to be gaping just in front, yet there is a confidence that it will be removed from the way.

Mother,

Z is asking me to write some Hindi articles on subjects like meditation, work, surrender, etc. He says that I am the only one who can write properly. I feel that it would be like a blind man leading the blind. Looking at myself I wonder what I know that I can tell others.

Mother,

For “Purodha” you asked me to write on subjects connected with Sadhana, and the first article I have written is on meditation!! And yet once you said that if I were to be punished I could be asked to meditate for half an hour!

Mother,

I am having difficulty in writing for “Purodha”. I can very well see the hollowness of what I write. The life is missing. And yet I have to write because I have the responsibility of the monthly.

Mother,

(After relating several problems:) What stories on a day like the 29th! Let me not get the contagion of bitterness.

Mother,

All that happens is to teach us one and the same lesson. Unless we get rid of our ego there is no peace either for ourselves or for the others. And without ego the life becomes such a wonderful marvel!...

Mother,

Perhaps you know that our quota of sugar has been reduced. I would like to have guidance from you about the new policy. If you like, I shall give you the details of consumption.

Mother,

Mother,

In such conditions please see that the work does not deteriorate. The Kitchen has no good workers. It is one of the most neglected departments. I hope something better will come out of all this conflict. I believe in miracles.

Mother, On the last few occasions I have felt very tired after Darshan work. During this period I do not do much finding fault with you, because it is you who gave me these works against my apparent wishes.

Mother,

The Dining Room mats are very much torn. Before asking for new ones, I would like to know whether we shall continue to have mats or go for tables and stools on a large scale. At present we have two rooms with tables and stools, therest withmats.

Mother, Can you tell me how long it took you to plan this creation and who was there to execute it?

Mother,

Mother,

Mother,

Z is so keen to control the Dining Room. If you don’t mind, let him take charge of it from December when you reorganise.

Mother,

Mother,

I never scorned my body nor did I adore it, although I have a leaning towards asceticism. I was not criticising anyone yesterday.

I have been reading the autobiography of the present Dalai Lama. Is there any truth in the legend of the Dalai Lama’s rebirth and discovery?

Mother,

There are others in the same category in various degrees in the lower classes.

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An offering by www.searchforlight.org at The Lotus Feet of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo

Homage to Sri Aurobindo

Savitri
AuroMusic
Uttarpara Speech

Integral Yoga

5 Dec - 9 Dec 1950

Bhawani Mandir

Because he is there...

Y, who works with me, has given a sealed letter for you. Perhaps he wants to import his children. Last year you had said that you will allow them when the situation
improves.

Mother,
On the last few occasions I have felt very tired after Darshan work. During this period I do not do much finding fault with you, because it is you who gave me these works against my apparent wishes.

Mother,
Can you tell me how long it took you to plan this creation and who was there to execute it?