Champaklal Speaks

“Swadharma”

1948-09-20

Noted in Sri Aurobindo's room at 9.45 a.m.:

The dhira purusha, the calm and wise man, acts always according to his swadharma, his inmost nature.

Often we believe we are following our own nature, but we are actually only imitating others. As we progress in sadhana, we liberate ourselves more and more from this defect. Surrender, constant remembrance, and opening to the Divine influence help us in this process. In the beginning this demands great efforts, but later it becomes spontaneous.

Not to be deceived by others is difficult but not to be deceived by oneself is even more difficult. Do not be deceived—either by others or by yourself. How much more shameful it is to be deceived by oneself than by others! It does not appear shameful in the beginning, but as we progress we find it increasingly so. Though from our childhood we learn by imitating others, a time comes when one becomes aware of the difference between imitating others and following one's own nature.