Even some senior persons who have known The Mother and Sri Aurobindo for such a long time are also hoisting the flag. When I asked about this, they told me that by hoisting the flag, we are under the Mother’s Consciousness, so in this situation, what should be our stand and point of view on the programs or situation?
Another very important matter is that, nowadays, I am seeing that so many Relics of Sri Aurobindo are being installed without the permission of the Ashram Trust, Pondicherry. They are collecting the Relics from persons who have received the same for the Ashram, but now they are distributing these Relics to other persons. In some cases, I had heard that some persons are illegally collecting the Relics and installing, I have also heard that there is a special protocol for transit and installation of Sri Aurobindo’s Relics, but neither the protocol is being followed, nor is a proper process maintained. Very casually and very carelessly, it is maintained…
So my question is, isn’t it a work of falsehood that is driving such people to do such false activity?
And whether the presence and vibration is same as any Relics is installed with permission of the Ashram, and the Relics installed without permission?
Hope I can express my feelings in question, that any activity which is done illegally, how it could be a divine work, presently as people are making temples of different gods and goddesses and thinking that we are doing spiritual work our brothers and sisters are also doing in that same way.
I understand your concern very well and they come from an inner sincerity to follow the Mother’s teachings correctly as advised by them. The difficulty is that the Mother and Sri Aurobindo never gave a strict, rigid framework for anything. There are certain general guidelines, but even there, they allow a great degree of freedom and flexibility so that the Yoga does not turn into a strict institution or an organised religion. Each, therefore, understands in his own way and follows the teaching. What matters, however, most is the inner motive which the All-seeing eye of Grace sees and responds to. The motive is more important than the act itself.
As to the Mother’s flag, it is true that the Mother said that the flag will be hoisted each time the different parts of India join. But it is equally true that She did not mention that the flag should not be hoisted otherwise. In fact, it is always kept hoisted on Golconde. Besides, all the flags hoisted in different centres are invariably made in the embroidery department of the Ashram itself. If there were a strict rule against its hoisting, it would not be available for sale from the Ashram. What is more important than hoisting or not hoisting is that the flag should be given the respect that is due to it.
As to the Relics, yes, it is not a happy situation that they are being freely given by anyone and everyone. But then this giving of the sacred divine Relics to individuals and Centres was started by two of the Mother’s most trusted and respected disciples whose understanding and intent is beyond doubt. So here too we can take it as part of Their Lila that is not bound to any institutional framework or human notions. What is more important, however, is how we treat the place where the sacred divine Relics are kept.
Best, therefore, is to focus on one’s own journey primarily and let each one take their own decision based on their understanding and go through whatever way the Divine carries us, each one according to their faith and stage of evolution.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
