The Yoga of Sri Aurobindo - Part 8

A Sign and a Symbol

It is said that if you see a shooting star and make a vow at that time, the vow is sure to be fulfilled. Is it true ?

It means that you must be able to formulate your aspiration during the time the star is visible, that is to say, a very short time. Now, if an aspiration can be formed and formulated in such a short time, it shows that the aspiration is there all the while quite at the front of your consciousness. Of course, the thing is true of the spiritual aspiration only: it is not applicable to matters of ordinary life. So I say that if you are capable of articulating your aspiration in a split second, it means that the object of your aspiration lies in front and dominates your consciousness. And necessarily whatever dominates your consciousness is likely to be quickly realised.

I had the occasion to make the experiment and have the experience. It happened exactly as you say. I saw a shooting star and as it passed, at the precise moment, leaped out of my consciousness the words: To realise for my body union with the Divine. it was done.

Obviously, the star was not the cause. It was because the thing dominated my consciousness, I thought of nothing but that, I willed nothing but that, I acted not

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but for that. Usually, it seems, it takes a whole life time to have the realisation—the minimum is thirty-five years, it is said. But it was done in my case within twelve months.

It was because I was wholly concentrated upon the aspiration that I could formulate it in the twinkling of an eye that the passage of the star represents—not as a mere vague impression—but in clear precise words: To realise for the body union with the Divine. What is important is not the star, but the aspiration. There is no need of a shooting star to be there in order to have the experience quickly, what is needed is that the whole being must concentrate its will upon one point.

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