Starts the terrible years.The change is DONE: a new mode of being of the cellular consciousness has appeared on earth. The future awaits - will the 'old' yield?
The beginning of the terrible years.... There was the feeling that Mother had found the secret of the change, conquered all she could from her own body, and that she was now sitting there, surrounded by the pack, just putting up with each and every resistance of the old species. "The change is DONE. Everything is tooth and nail, ferociously after me, but it's over." A new mode of being of the cellular consciousness had appeared on earth, as one day, in inert matter, there appeared a new mode of being called life - but this time it is "overlife": "The impression there is a way of being of the cells that would be the beginning of a new body; only, when that comes, the body itself feels it is dying." What would be the feeling of the first corpuscle to experience life? "The body feels it has reached the point of.... unknown. A very, very strange sensation. A sort of new vibration. It's so new that.... I can't speak of anguish, but it's.... the unknown. A mystery of the unknown." And there, what we call death is like the other side of the bowl for the former fish, and yet it is not "another world": "They are surprisingly one within the other! There is something there.... Is it possible? For overlife is both life and death together." And then, this cry of the breakthrough: "What appears to us as 'the laws of nature' is nonsense!...." Another world ON EARTH in which the old mortal laws of our bowl break down.... into something else? "I have just had a fantastic vision of the cradle of a future.... which is not very far. It's like a formidable mass suspended above the earth." But will the old pack let her go through to the end?
(Mother gives Satprem, as every time, soup packets. Then she comments:)
There has been something like a small catastrophe! It is that in Africa all Indians are sent back, or their properties are confiscated, and it's from Africa that we used to receive the cheese! (laughter) So we won't have cheese anymore... but I still have this coming from Germany (Mother gives a tube).
There has been a bigger catastrophe in Pakistan.
What happened?
Well, there are maybe three hundred thousand dead.
What!
There was a cyclone followed by a tidal wave: a huge wave, more than fifteen feet high, which swept a whole area, and there are maybe three hundred thousand dead.
Bah! When did that happen?
Two or three days ago.
No one told me anything.... Was P. L. there?
No, no, Mother, in Pakistan, Eastern Bengal.
Oh, that I know. I heard "Vatican."
No, no! That wouldn't be so bad! [laughter]
In Pakistan, I know.
Are they near the sea?
Yes, on the Bay of Bengal.
Page 372
(Mother remains absorbed for a very long time)
We are in full uncertainty. Established things are crumbling down—everywhere.
It's clearly a moment of transition.
(silence)
So, is it chapter 11?
Yes, Mother, you have a good memory!
(Satprem reads the chapter entitled, "The Greater Self.")
What has happened to you!... Mon petit, it's... (Mother looks much moved). This is really tomorrow's book. Is it over?
Yes, I have finished the book.
I'd like to see the last page!
(for a long time Mother remains with her two hands pressed on her face)
It's something like a miracle.
It's as if tomorrow had been called in advance!
(Mother shakes her head and takes Satprem's hands)
Mon petit, it's magnificent, magnificent! (Mother has tears in her eyes).
Oh, Mother, I have nothing to do with it, you know, nothing at all.
To know not to put obstacles on the way is something already.
Page 373
(Satprem prepares to leave)
I feel like thanking you! (Mother has tears in her eyes)
Oh, Mother!
(Satprem lays his head on Mother's knees)
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