Sri Aurobindo's writings on himself (excluding the letters in volume 35) and other material of historical importance.
Sri Aurobindo's writings on himself (excluding the letters in volume 35, Letters on Himself and the Ashram) and other material of historical importance. The volume is divided into four parts: (1) brief life sketches, autobiographical notes, and corrections of statements made by others in biographies and other publications; (2) letters of historical interest to family, friends, political and professional associates, public figures, etc; also letters on yoga and spiritual life to disciples and others; (3) public statements and other communications on Indian and world events; (4) public statements and notices concerning Sri Aurobindo's ashram and yoga. Much of the material is being published here for the first time in a book.
THEME/S
[1]
NOTICE
All who wish to be present at the drawing of the lottery, must come to the verandah downstairs in Sri Aurobindo's house after soup on Saturday, the 7th. Tickets will be distributed to them there.
September 5, 1929
[2]
It is not advisable that all should give up milk immediately. If it is to be done, it can only be when arrangements have been made for a substitute.
The only objection to the milk was that two cows were sick and their unhealthy milk was being mixed with the rest. But these two have now been sent away and there is no farther danger.
September 17, 1929
[3]
Notice
There have been several instances recently in which members of the Asram have been rude and overbearing in their behaviour to the French police when they come to the Asram in connection with the registration of new arrivals. There can be no possible excuse for this kind of conduct, especially as the police authorities have agreed to our own proposals in the matter and we have undertaken to help them with all necessary information. Sri Aurobindo has already given a warning against
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making trouble for the Asram with the authorities; it ought not to be necessary to repeat it.
Especial care must be taken during these days when many are arriving from outside. If the police come for information, they must not be sent rudely away; they should be asked to wait and information must immediately be given to Purani who will deal with the matter.
1 August 1929
[4]
This Asram, maintaining almost a hundred people, has to be run at a heavy expense; it is therefore the understanding that while those who have nothing (the majority) are admitted free and nothing is asked from them, the few who have something are expected to give what they have. If they wish to have the charge of their whole spiritual and material future taken over by us, it is at least fair that they should make the offering of all their possessions.
December 1, 1929
Sri Aurobindo
[5]
An unique opportunity presents itself for the acquisition of a land of great value, specially prepared and large enough to supply all that the Asram needs of rice, of vegetables and more and also to maintain cows and a dairy so that the Asram can consume its own milk. The land is offered at an extraordinarily favourable rate. Originally offered at 66,000, it is now to be had at Rs 25,000.
The Mother wants to know if there is anyone in the Asram or connected with it or sympathetic with it who can get or procure the sum needed so that we may not lose the opportunity for this purchase.
3.3.33
Page 535
[6]
In view of the approaching intended visit of Mahatma Gandhi the sadhaks are reminded that it is contrary to the rule of the Asram to join in any public demonstration such as meetings, lectures, receptions or departures. It is expected that they will observe strictly this rule.
3-2-34
[7]
As the Mother needs complete rest, there will be no pronam or evening darshan. All interviews are countermanded until farther notice and no books or letters are to be sent to her.
For today also it will be better if the sadhaks send no work to me.
14.6.34
[8]
Notice.
There will be no pronam or interviews today. No books or correspondence are to be sent.
The answers to yesterday's correspondence to which Sri Aurobindo had no time to attend last night, will be sent today or tomorrow as soon as he has time.
Tuesday. 17 July. [1934]
Page 536
[9]
1) All letters in the evening should henceforth be sent in by 8.30 and all books by 9.30. After these times only communications on urgent matters such as illness etc can be received. Those who send in books and letters after the fixed hours cannot be sure of their communications being dealt with and must not expect an answer.
2) From now to the 15ᵗʰ August and afterwards sadhaks are asked to limit their letters as much as possible to what is necessary and important.
3) Those who send books daily to the Mother (apart from departmental reports) are asked to send them only twice a week or at most thrice on fixed days.
These recommendations have to be made because at present there is an excess of work for the Mother which prevents both sufficient rest and the concentration necessary for more important things that have to be done. The correspondence has come to engross all the time not given to Pranam and interviews and interferes with or entirely prevents more important sides of the work. It is necessary to impose a more reasonable proportion and set right the balance. It is to be hoped that the sadhaks will themselves cooperate willingly in getting this done.
July 17, 1934.
[10]
Notice about the Rosary terrace1
Those who are not inmates of this compound cannot come on the Rosary terrace without special permission from the Mother.
4 August 1934
Page 537
[11]
1) Those who are waiting for the Pranam before the Mother comes down, should remain quiet and silent so that all who wish to prepare themselves by concentration may be able to do so and the right atmosphere may be created for the Meditation.
2) No one should come out or go in from the time the Meditation has begun up to its ending.
3) Laughing, whispering or talk should not be indulged in in the Pranam hall while the Pranam is going on.
4) No one should look upon the Pranam either as a formal routine or an obligatory ceremony or think himself under any compulsion to come there. The object of the Pranam is not that sadhaks should offer a formal or a ritual daily homage to the Mother, but that the sadhaks may receive along with the Mother's blessing whatever spiritual help or influence they are in a condition to receive and assimilate. It is important to maintain a quiet and collected atmosphere favourable for that purpose.
11 August, 1934
[12]
From today onward till a week after the 24th the sending of books and correspondence is suspended. Only urgent communications (e.g. medical reports), necessary information and things of importance that cannot wait should be sent during this time.
16 November 1934
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[13]
Correspondence can be resumed from Monday the 3d December. At the same time I am obliged to remind the sadhaks of what I had written in my notice before the 15th August last. Since then the situation is no better. On the contrary the volume of correspondence, books and reports had considerably increased and the Mother had often less than four hours rest out of the twenty-four. This is a strain that cannot be allowed to continue. I must therefore again ask the sadhaks to use more discretion in this matter so that it may not be necessary to multiply the non-correspondence days or make restrictive rules so as to limit the amount of correspondence.
1.12.1934
[14]
Until farther notice sadhaks are requested not to go to the Dispensary for medicines or treatment without special permission or order from the Mother.
late 1934
[15]
When the Ashram is shown to visitors, the Dispensary must be omitted from the parts shown hereafter.
[16]
As usual in view of the coming Darshan, books and regular correspondence have to be suspended until after the 21st. Notice will be given when they can be resumed.
Medical reports are not to be discontinued. Letters giving
Page 539
urgent or necessary information or communications of importance that cannot be delayed can be sent. But all such correspondence should as a rule be as brief as possible.2
7.2.35
[17]
The withdrawal of the previous notice about correspondence does not mean that books, letters etc. can be sent as before. Only what is necessary or important should be sent for the present.
20-3-35
[18]
In view of the approach of the darshan day books and correspondence are suspended from Saturday the 27th July until farther notice. This notice is necessary because correspondence for 2 or 3 months had become as heavy as before.
Are excepted medical reports and such departmental reports as the Mother may direct to continue; also communications on matters of urgent importance.
Those who are accustomed to write regularly about their sadhana may continue to write once a week during this period if they find it necessary.
July 26, 1935
Page 540
[19]
As at this time the number of those taking meals increases greatly, all are requested to keep regularly to the fixed hours. The arrangement for late comers can be allowed only for those who are detained by the Mother's work and for no one else.
7.8.1935
[20]
In view of the coming Darshan correspondence is suspended for the rest of the month except for urgent or indispensable communications. Medical reports to be sent as usual and any other departmental reports the continuance of which the Mother may think necessary.
November 10, 1935
[21]
In future letters and personal books should be sent in by 7 P.M. and not later.
It may be necessary, as there is no longer sufficient time in the afternoon, to discontinue the afternoon mail except for urgent answers.3
December 2, 1935
Page 541
[22]
The attention of the sadhaks is called to the terms of the Notice of the 2d December.
It is quite impossible for us at the present time to go on again dealing with masses of correspondence which keep the Mother after her day's work still occupied up to the small hours of the morning and myself answering letters all the night. Under such conditions the really important work we have to do cannot be done.
The sadhaks are asked to restrict their correspondence to what is necessary only, to a minimum.
The rule that no letters should be sent after 7 pm must also be observed. We cannot have personal books and letters pouring in till late at night.
It is also necessary to recall the fact that Sunday is a complete non-correspondence day. Latterly this rule seems to have been too much ignored, often forgotten altogether.
[23]
In view of the coming darshan correspondence is suspended till farther notice. Departmental and medical reports as usual.
July 31, 1936
[24]
It has become necessary to remind the sadhaks of two of the rules about correspondence which are now being disregarded—
(1) that Sunday is a non-correspondence day.
(2) that letters have to be given in by 7 pm or at the latest before 8 pm. Only departmental books and reports can be sent in later, but these also not too late.
Page 542
If letters continue to come in at all hours, it will become impossible to deal with the correspondence.
August 31, 1936
[25]
In view of the coming darshan correspondence is suspended; subject to the usual exceptions (medical reports etc), throughout the month of November.
November 1, 1936
[26]
It has been found necessary to extend the non-correspondence period; it will continue until further orders.
28.2.37
[27]
During the Darshan time from today correspondence should be suspended.
August 1, 1937
Page 543
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