Danger and difficulties have always been part of earthly life. There are times when they increase in degree and intensity. These are moments of severe crisis when consciousness is preparing to take a leap. The Gita calls these periods of confusion as dharmasyaglani. Sri Aurobindo and the Mother call it as the Hour of God. Those with a purely materialistic vision, the comfort seekers, the crooked minded busy with selfish interests and bodily needs, given to a life centered around the satisfaction of desires feel naturally afraid and terrified. But those endowed with faith and higher aspiration take a leap towards a greater consciousness during these very moments of transition. The Mother predicted this long back in one of Her several messages given in a similar vein.
‘Men, countries, continents!
The choice is imperative:
Truth or the abyss.
About the New Year Message of 1967, you say that the choice is between truth or the abyss. The abyss seems to be gaping just in front, yet there is a confidence that it will be removed from the way.
The confidence is quite legitimate.
The message is only for those who are still asleep and quite satisfied with their sleep.
What is the meaning of “abyss” in your New Year’s Message or, put another way, what should a sadhak fear?
Right now there is a great tension. They have all taken positions as if to start war. It is the blind passion that men put into their international relations.
At the base of all there is fear, general distrust, and what they believe to be their “interests” (money, business)—a combination of these three things. When these three lowest passions of humanity are brought into play, that is what I call “the abyss”.
When someone has decided to consecrate his life to the seeking for the Divine, if he is sincere, that is to say, if the resolution is sincere and carried out sincerely, there is absolutely nothing to fear, because all that happens or will happen to him will lead him by the shortest way to this realisation.
That is the response of the Grace. People believe that the Grace means making everything smooth for all your life. It is not true.
The Grace works for the realisation of your aspiration and everything is arranged to gain the most prompt, the quickest realisation—so there is nothing to fear.
Fear comes with insincerity. If you want a comfortable life, agreeable circumstances, etc., you are putting conditions and restrictions, and then you can fear.
But it has no business in the sadhana!’
I think this says it all. All these upheavals are compelling humanity to change our ways. If we heed the warning the better for us. Fear of course is abused. Instead we should grow in sincerity and faith and aspiration for the Divine.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
