Growing up with the Mother

Introduction

I came to Pondicherry on the 1^st of August, 1944 at the age of eight. Ever since I can remember, I had made it a point to commemorate my arrival by asking the Mother for a special audience on that day. The early years have faded in my memory, but in later years, the Mother always gave me special time and attention every year, on the 1^st of August.

In 1970 I was working with the Mother every evening on a new book of flowers. When I went to Her at the usual time on 1^st August, I carried a new notebook with me, for Her to write something for me in it. In answer to my request, She said She would write something at the end of the short meditation that we had each day after our work on the book. On that day we had a long meditation together at the end of which She wrote:

“In the very depths of your being, deep within your breast, the Divine Presence is permanently there, luminous and peaceful, full of love and wisdom. It is there so that you may unite with it and it may transform you into a luminous and radiant consciousness.

“Together you and I are going to try to silence the outer noise on the surface of your being, so that in silence and peace you may unite with this inner glory.

“That day will then become the day of your new birth.”

From that day onwards the practice continued.

This was the period of my life in which I was passing through a difficult time. Through these meditations, the Mother patiently and affectionately guided me towards my inner goal. Many times She explained things to me verbally, but unfortunately I did not write them down. There were days when we would meditate together but She did not write anything.

Sometimes our work on the flower book took more time than usual, and we could not have a meditation session. Sometimes She would explain things orally, but would not write anything. Sometimes She was indisposed or too busy.

Tara with the Mother on her birthday on 5-7-1971

And sometimes we just meditated together, with the Mother holding my hands and looking deep into my eyes. The following year on 1.8.1971 She wrote:

27 years of growth of progress and useful work have given you a special place in the Ashram with special love from Sri Aurobindo; as well as my great tenderness and constant blessings.

The Mother

These meditation sessions continued till 8 April 1972, when the Mother fell very ill.

Throughout this period, She tried to teach me to build and keep a constant contact with my psychic being, guiding me patiently through my difficulties and failures, and helping me constantly never to lose sight of the aim of my life and assuring me that Her divine compassion and Grace were always with me!