It’s the same me in different places. But the outer condition is not the same. If I am in solitude, I am always equanimous. My meditation mentor told me to balance/assimilate my energies before I go out. He said, it’s like going out with a wet paint. All people’s impressions, thoughts get pasted on it when you go out in a high-energy state.
He left for heavenly abode on 18 Apr 2026. In the worst situations in life, I never felt what I felt on that day. Is my question about the adverse energy attacks? Is there any text of Ma on it that I can read?
The experiences of life, practically all of them are, in their last analysis, subject-dependent. The same place, environment, situation can trigger different kinds, often even opposite, experiences at different times. So while outer environment does have a role, it may prime us or make it more conducive to have certain experiences, yet the key is always within us; the magic is always within us. There are people; there have been mystics whose highest experience occurred in extremely dangerous circumstances. Sri Aurobindo was an undertrial prisoner with the sword of the British Empire hanging above him when he had the rarest of realisations, Sarvakhaluvidam Sarvam, all as the Divine.
The same is true of adverse forces. One should look for inner doors, especially vanity, ambition (including spiritual ambition), that open the doors. On the other hand, sincerity and humility are great shields on the Path. The Mother and Sri Aurobindo have written a lot about these things in the course of their conversations. I am quoting one of the texts below.
‘The Examiners
The integral yoga consists of an uninterrupted series of examinations that one has to undergo without any previous warning, thus obliging you to be constantly on the alert and attentive.
Three groups of examiners set us these tests. They appear to have nothing to do with one another, and their methods are so different, sometimes even so apparently contradictory, that it seems as if they could not possibly be leading towards the same goal. Nevertheless, they complement one another, work towards the same end, and are all indispensable to the completeness of the result.
The three types of examination are: those set by the forces of Nature, those set by spiritual and divine forces, and those set by hostile forces. These last are the most deceptive in their appearance and to avoid being caught unawares and unprepared requires a state of constant watchfulness, sincerity and humility.
The most commonplace circumstances, the events of everyday life, the most apparently insignificant people and things all belong to one or other of these three kinds of examiners. In this vast and complex organisation of tests, those events that are generally considered the most important in life are the easiest examinations to undergo, because they find you ready and on your guard. It is easier to stumble over the little stones in your path, because they attract no attention.
Endurance and plasticity, cheerfulness and fearlessness are the qualities specially needed for the examinations of physical nature.
Aspiration, trust, idealism, enthusiasm and generous self-giving, for spiritual examinations.
Vigilance, sincerity and humility for the examinations from hostile forces.
And do not imagine that there are on the one hand people who undergo the examinations and on the other people who set them. Depending on the circumstances and the moment we are all both examiners and examinees, and it may even happen that one is at the same time both examiner and examinee. And the benefit one derives from this depends, both in quality and in quantity, on the intensity of one’s aspiration and the awakening of one’s consciousness.
To conclude, a final piece of advice: never set yourself up as an examiner. For while it is good to remember constantly that one may be undergoing a very important examination, it is extremely dangerous to imagine that one is responsible for setting examinations for others. That is the open door to the most ridiculous and harmful kinds of vanity. It is the Supreme Wisdom which decides these things, and not the ignorant human will.’
12 November 1957
(Ref. https://incarnateword.in/cwm/14/aspects-of-sadhana#p65)
The biggest shield, of course, is faith in the Grace and the Divine Name.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
