Growing up with the Mother

Thoughts and Aphorisms

The Mother began Her commentaries on Sri Aurobindo’s Thoughts and Aphorisms in September 1958 in our Friday classes at the Playground, but when the classes ended in December the commentaries also stopped. Sometime later She took up the work once more, first in correspondence with me in 1960—61, then in conversations with Satprem during 1962—66, but then the work was again discontinued. Hoping to complete it, I wrote to the Mother on 30 July 1969, “Sweet Mother, if You have time now, may I continue with the Thoughts and Aphorisms that I was doing with You before?” To my great joy She replied, “Yes, you may.” In this way She finished the commentaries in less than a year. They are now published in a book entitled On Thoughts and Aphorisms.

For the final phase of our work, I used four notebooks. On the first page of each notebook the Mother wrote a small message for me. These four messages are given below since they are not included in the book On Thoughts & Aphorisms.

Jnana (Knowledge)

It serves no purpose to read books of guidance unless and until one is determined to live what they teach.

4 September 1969

Karma (Works)

Inner development and spiritual aspiration enable one to master one’s Karma.

25 November 1969

Bhakti (Devotion)

Devotion is the key which opens the door to liberation.

19 March 1970