Sri Aurobindo : conversations
Talks with Sri Aurobindo is a thousand-page record of Sri Aurobindo's conversations with the disciples who attended to him during the last twelve years of his life. The talks are informal and open-ended, for the attendants were free to ask whatever questions came to mind. Sri Aurobindo speaks of his own life and work, of the Mother and the Ashram, of his path of Yoga and other paths, of India's social, cultural and spiritual life, of the country's struggle for political independence, of Hitler and the Second World War, of modern science, art and poetry, and of many other things that arose in the course of conversation. Serious discussion is balanced with light-hearted banter and humour. By recording these human touches, Nirodbaran has brought out the warm and intimate atmosphere of the talks.
THEME/S
PURANI: Vinoba has made five speeches.
NIRODBARAN: Has there been any effect?
SATYENDRA: There is some effect among the masses. On the news of his arrest there was a partial hartal in Bombay. It seems the speeches are censored. The papers mention: "Two or three sentences are censored here." The Indian Express wanted to bring out a special number on this rumoured arrest but couldn't because of the censorship.
SRI AUROBINDO: It could have published the fact that nothing had happened! (Laughter)
PURANI: But what effect can non-violence produce? India has been traditionally non-violent from ancient times. So not much preaching is required.
SRI AUROBINDO: How? India was fighting all the time before the English rule. Everybody was fighting and there was no distinction between martial and non-martial races. It is only after the English came that people lost their fighting habits and ability.
NIRODBARAN: The Yugoslavian pact with Hitler seems a fact.
SRI AUROBINDO: Yes. However, it is good news that Turkey says she will resist. She is not depending on Russia.
NIRODBARAN: Nothing is known about Greece.
PURANI: There is no more blitzkrieg. So England can anticipate Hitler's moves now and prepare accordingly.
NIRODBARAN: But what can England do in the East unless Greece and Turkey resist?
SRI AUROBINDO: If they resist it will be an effective check. England can come with her air force and navy.
PURANI: Italy can be easily pounded.
SRI AUROBINDO: Not only Italy; from her bases, England can attack East Germany and Poland, where Hitler has factories, and then Rumania itself. The British can close its embassy in Rumania on the plea that she is now an enemy-occupied country. Then it will be an even game.
SATYENDRA: Ribbentrop is going to Moscow, it seems.
PURANI: Yes, to bring Moscow into Germany's three-Power pact.
SATYENDRA: They say Germany's relations with Russia are sound, solid—
SRI AUROBINDO: And durable—the three words meaning the same thing.
SATYENDRA: The Indian Express has published news of the birth of Churchill's grandson.
SRI AUROBINDO: The Hindu too!
SATYENDRA: Oh, I thought it was too small a news for the Hindu. Soon they will give the photo of the baby.
SRI AUROBINDO: War baby! (Laughter)
PURANI: Anilbaran wants to know what the relation is between cosmic consciousness and Overmind.
SRI AUROBINDO: Relation? What relation?
PURANI: I told him that Overmind is an instrument like Supermind.
SRI AUROBINDO: Cosmic consciousness has many levels: it can be of mind, vital and matter; of Overmind too. So what does he mean by relation between them? Cosmic consciousness is a term used in contrast to individual consciousness. Through it you get to know about the universe. Overmind is a power of cosmic consciousness just as mind, vital and body are. Only, you can have body, vital and mind without any knowledge of cosmic consciousness, while to go to or know Overmind you must have cosmic consciousness. The cosmic working can be known by entering into Overmind, but for the source you have to go to Supermind. You can know the working from Overmind knowledge but to get control or command or the final secret you must have Supermind,. which is an instrument of self-determination of the Divine and has organised the cosmos.
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