At the feet of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo

30 May 1932

MYSELF: What is the meaning of “to get rid of all other mental influences”? Is it that I had better not read any other books than Sri Aurobindo’s writings, or that I should not try to learn anything from hearing or by reading others?

SRI AUROBINDO: It is not a question of books or learning facts. When a woman loves or admires, her mind is instinctively moulded by the one she loves or admires and this influence remains after the feeling itself has gone or appears to be gone. This does not refer to X’s influence merely. It is the general rule given to keep yourself free from any other admiration or influence.

(30.5.32)