One can read without knowing much about Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. But it remains incomplete in a way. It is always helpful to read something about the life of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother from authentic sources of their direct disciples, such as AB Purani, Srinivas Iyengar and Rishabh Chand. One can also get glimpses into their personality through their personal letters that touch upon the personal aspects of their life from the related volumes such as Sri Aurobindo on Himself, Sri Aurobindo on The Mother, The Mother on herself, Words of The Mother, Part 1 (CWM 13).
Meanwhile, read a little everyday, in a state of receptive quietude, try to reflect upon what you have read, and most importantly, put into practice wherever you find the practical advices that are spread across the volumes. It helps to combine reading The Mother’s Works with Sri Aurobindo’s Letters on Yoga.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
