Guidance from Sri Aurobindo - Volume 1

RECEPTIVITY AND ASSIMILATION

The year 1934

      Aspiration is intense in the morning, then diminishes, and in the evening the consciousness becomes calm and quiet. Is this the rule in such matters?

      It is quite usual to have such periods in the day. The consciousness needs time for rest and assimilation, it cannot be at the same pitch of intensity at all times. During the assimilation a calm quietude is the proper condition.

      Should not one tend the consciousness towards offering at all times?

      Unless it is a period of quiet peace in which there is no disturbance. Such periods are very useful for assimilation.

      With peaceful passivity is one inclined to be inactive?

      Passivity must not lead to inactivity — otherwise it will encourage inertia in the being. It is only an inner passivity to what comes from above that is needed — inert passivity is the wrong kind of passivity. The true passivity does not lead to inactivity— but the physical may wrongly take the pressure of passivity for an

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invitation to inactivity.

      Does it help to assimilate the Mother's Force if one keeps awake at night as much as possible?

      One can assimilate in sleep also. Remaining awake like that is not good, as in the end it strains the nerves and the system receives wrongly in an excited way or else gets too tired to receive.

      The pressure of the Force is sometimes so great at night that one cannot sleep till very late and the lack of sleep makes one's consciousness heavy the next day.

      In that case you should not invite the pressure any longer but be satisfied with what you have until the body can assimilate it. If the body does not get rest, sadhana is not possible.

      There is no necessity of feeling pressure. One feels force when something is being done or the force is flowing on or if it is there manifest in the body — but not when what is manifesting is peace and silence.

      When one is silent, is not one naturally receptive?

      There may be empty silence and peace satisfied with themselves. Reception is a separate power. Of course, all quietude of the mind makes good conditions for the receptivity to act.

      One can be receptive without being conscious — without knowing exactly what is given.

      Are periods of no definite movement necessary for the working of the Force?

      Yes, there are sometimes periods of assimilation.

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sometimes of preparation of some part of the being or nature.

      During assimilation, why should the consciousness lose silence and receptivity?

      Because it is parts of the ordinary consciousness that are assimilating.

      How does one assimilate when one does not feel one is receiving.

      When one is assimilating, one is not receiving.

      Even in your good days you have usually periods less good — it is then that the assimilation takes place.

      After the period of assimilation, the mechanical mind and even the subconscient seem more under control.

      There is always a gain or progress at some point after these periods of assimilation if one takes them rightly — however dull or troublesome they may be.

      When, after action during the day, the being feels empty in the evening, is it for rest?

      Yes — the system has to take rest so as to assimilate and renew its receptive power.

      It is very rare (in sadhana) to go on uninterrupted. The movement is usually backwards and forwards... there are fertile periods and unfertile periods.

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