During one of those times when he was ill towards the end of his life, when he was offered fruits by someone from outside, he seems to have reported, ‘Do not bring to me anything from outside since those things do not possess Mother’s consciousness’. I just bowed down to his sense of dedication. But if that is true, what about people like us who live and breathe outside consciousness?
This story of the fruit is with reference to Pavitra Da. His local friend, a non-devotee, used to bring fruits for him quite often. Once he told him that he would ask the Mother. The Mother seemed to have remarked that one last time he can bring. So it stopped. I don’t think it was meant to be a general principle or a blind mechanical rule.
Besides Champaklal ji, another closest disciple travelled outside. He received freely and gave freely. The principle behind it is to refer everything to The Mother and accept what She sanctions. Otherwise, this profound truth of a growing relation between God and the human can get easily distorted into placing a ‘living’ human representative in place of The Mother. Imagine the disastrous consequence of this. The Mother herself cautioned a lady disciple who wanted to give away everything that she shouldn’t do so. She advised her to keep the money for her daughter, as she may require it. The Mother asked reminded her that if she gives everything, then later, if need arises, will she be able to ask the Trust for the same? And will they have the vision and understanding? Already there are people who have begun to replace some persons as if they represent the Mother. One should be very careful floating these stories. The safe rule is to trust whatever is written and documented rather than things said in Their Name.
Basically, as The Mother and Sri Aurobindo repeatedly remind us not to turn Their words into rigid dogmas. Outer rules are broad frameworks; it is the inner contact, the inner sincerity that alone matters.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
