It is always the psychic that recognises the Divine in whatever cloak he comes. Quite naturally, Sri Aurobindo being the latest Divine descent, towards whom the earth has yet to fully awaken, it is only someone with a developed psychic being, an advanced soul that can recognize, leaving the Grace factor aside. Whether one was physically with Sri Aurobindo and the Mother in previous lives is difficult to say unless it declares itself through some dream or other experience, but generally it would be true. The souls follow a certain line of advance and it is quite likely that one who recognises the divinity of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother has been with them in some way in one of their previous lives.
The psychic being does not roam about without the body. It generally retires to the psychic world in a month or so and prepares to return back to resume the great adventure of Time and Space in a new body. It is the vital being that has a habit of roaming around with or without a body and if the soul is too attached to it, then it suffers a similar fate.
Generally, rebirth for developing souls is relatively fast, a maximum of three years. But for the developed soul, the fully developed psychic being no rule can be laid down. It is not compelled to take rebirth unless it wants to come down to be part of the Divine Work. In that case, it may be fast, depending upon the circumstances or the inner impulsion or a call from the Divine.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
