AT THE FEET OF THE MOTHER
Ask Alok da

How can one practically apply the Mother’s discipline of speaking and writing “only what is absolutely indispensable” without becoming confused about whether expressions of affection, humor, or singing while working count as unnecessary, and how does one avoid the frustration that comes from this strict self-restraint? ๐Ÿคซ๐Ÿง˜โ€โ™‚๏ธโœจ๐Ÿ“œ

I recently read this little passage of the Mother: For writing, even more than for speaking, if you aspire to remain in the best attitude for advancing swiftly towards the Divine, you should make it a strict rule to speak (and even more to write) only what is absolutely indispensable. It is a marvellous discipline if you follow it sincerely. I’m finding it pretty difficult.

I’m trying to follow it, but unfortunately, I’m not exactly sure what is indispensable and what is not. For example, will saying a joke or saying words of affection be considered unnecessary? Also, I have a habit of breaking into a song while doing chores. Is that considered bad? I’m too confused and honestly, it’s frustrating. Could you please throw some light on this, Alok da?

The principle behind this advice given by the Mother is that, firstly, speech externalises the consciousness and throws out a lot of energy. Hence, the advice is to use words that are indispensable. The second reason is that a lot of harm is done due to incontinence of speech. Hence, we should speak only what is necessary, especially in our conversation with people.ย 

The main principle is to conserve energy, as speaking is one of the main pastimes through which human beings waste a lot of energy.

The advice is mainly with regard to conversation that we hold with others, leading to a lot of unnecessary interchange of an unnecessary and even of an unhealthy nature.

It is not an embargo on singing to yourself or writing profusely, especially under the stress of inspiration.ย 

Affectionately,

Alok Da

Share thisโ€ฆ

Related Posts

Dear Alok Ji, can you please tell me how I can get rid of my anger at Sri Aurobindo and also how to regain trust in him? ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐Ÿ’—

Trust is a very precious, priceless gift. Even among human beings it is special. But when it is towards the Divine then it should be doubly carefully guarded.ย ย 

Again anger is an extremely harmful emotion towards anyone. It hurts and harms both, the one who harbours it and the one towards whom it is directed. But since one cannot harm or hurt the Divine Beings, it falls back upon oneself creating a terrible karma. By all means desist it. It is the straight road to fall…

Read More >

At one end, aspiration for the Divine and to unite with Him and to have a change of consciousness; to do The Mother’s work; at the other end, need for a proper awareness in the very ordinary and externalised human nature about the deep meaning and implication of what is happening in life and also what the Divine Destiny is. ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป[…]

It is much better to catch the knot of life at the other end from where it all begins. The riddle of life cannot be understood on the surface. Focus on the one thing needful, the Divine, and all the rest will begin to fall in its place. This has been the experience of all who have gone on the path.ย 

Read More >

I am reading the Synthesis of Yoga and Sri Aurobindo is speaking about the union having a threefold character (pg. 131). I wanted to understand whether this is a skilful parallel to draw: a union by identity = Atman = Brahman ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป […]

Here is the passage from the Synthesis of Yoga to which you are referring.

‘That which is thus made manifest to our vision and experience, andย theย unionย has a threefold character. There is aย unionย in spiritual essence,ย byย identity; there is aย unionย byย the indwelling of our soul in this highest Being and Consciousness; there is a

Read More >