800+ flowers arranged alphabetically by botanical name along with the spiritual significance given by 'The Mother' as a key to the 'subtle language of flowers'.
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Flowers are the moment's representations of things that are in themselves eternal. - Sri Aurobindo. A conscious and intimate relationship with flowers can give an experience of communion with the Divine.
THEME/S
THE MOTHER
Flowers and Their Messages
SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM
PONDICHERRY
First Published: 1973
Second Edition: 1979
Third Revised Edition: 1984
Fourth Newly Revised Edition: 1992
Reprinted: 1995, 1999, 2003, 2004
All Rights Reserved
No matter appearing in this book or part thereof
may be reproduced in any form, except small
extracts for purposes of review, without the written
permission of the publishers.
Price Rs. 175.00
ISBN 81-7058-297-0
© Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust 1973, 1992
Published by Sri Aurobindo Ashram Publication Department,
Pondicherry - 605 002
Website: http://sabda.sriaurobindoashram.org
Printed at Sri Aurobindo Ashram Press, Pondicherry
PRINTED IN INDIA
This edition of Flowers and Their Messages, containing more than eight hundred flowers arranged alphabetically by botanical name, has the same format as the first two editions. Revised and enlarged, it gives a more detailed and accurate description of the flowers, as well as additional flower illustrations and passages from the writings of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo.
Flowers and Their Messages is primarily a book of the Mother, where Sri Aurobindo's touch is undoubtedly felt since the spiritual significances of the flowers correspond to His incisive psychological analysis of the different planes of consciousness and parts of our being. It may also be called a book of the Integral Yoga since the Mother used flowers as a help in our sadhana, teaching us how to master and transform our lower nature and realise the highest possibilities that await us.
It is precisely for this reason that we have made an attempt to select passages from the writings of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo in the hope that the reader may more fully appreciate the spiritual significances and the tremendous work done by the Mother to awaken the true consciousness in us through flowers. A conscious and intimate relationship with flowers can give an experience of communion with the Divine.
Sri Aurobindo once remarked: "The plants are very psychic but they can express it only by silence and beauty." Here, the Mother has made an eloquent and potent expression of this beauty and silence.
There are differences of opinion even among the experts concerning botanical names. Here botanical names have been simplified to lighten the burden of technical detail for the readers whose main interest, we feel, is in the spiritual significances of the flowers. We request the readers' understanding forbearance and invite any suggestions that may make the next edition more perfect.
A word of explanation regarding the order of botanical names is perhaps needed, since a fairly flexible scheme has been followed. For example, the flowers in a given genus are not always listed strictly in the alphabetical order of their specific botanical names. Often, the first flower listed is the one the Mother gave as the general spiritual significance for the genus. This is then followed by flowers arranged according to the parts and planes of the being as indicated by their spiritual names.
For the Hibiscus group, which embraces a wide variety of forms and colours, we have added an appendix listing all of them according to their colour, size and form. This will help the reader to find the spiritual significance.
Alphabetical indexes of common names, as well as spiritual names grouped alphabetically according to subject, are listed at the back of the book for easy reference.
It is our joy to share this gracious benediction of the Mother with all who cherish and treasure it.
Flowers are the moment's representations
of things that are in themselves eternal.
Sri Aurobindo
Lo! here are flowers and benedictions!
Here is the smile of divine Love!
It is without preferences and without repulsions.
It streams out towards all in a generous flow and
never takes back its marvellous gifts!
Love and Aspiration in Plants
The movement of love is not limited to human beings and it is perhaps less distorted in other worlds than in the human. Look at the flowers and trees. When the sun sets and all becomes silent, sit down for a moment and put yourself into communion with Nature: you will feel rising from the earth, from below the roots of the trees and mounting upward and coursing through their fibres up to the highest outstretching branches, the aspiration of an intense love and longing,—a longing for something that brings light and gives happiness, for the light that is gone and they wish to have back again. There is a yearning so pure and intense that if you can feel the movement in the trees, your own being too will go up in an ardent prayer for the peace and light and love that are unmanifested here.
Have you never watched a forest with all its countless trees and plants simply struggling to catch the light—twisting and trying in a hundred possible ways just to be in the sun? That is precisely the feeling of aspiration in the physical—the urge, the movement, the push towards the light. Plants have more of it in their physical being than men. Their whole life is a worship of light. Light is of course the material symbol of the Divine, and the sun represents, under material conditions, the Supreme Consciousness. The plants have felt it quite distinctly in their own simple, blind way. Their aspiration is intense, if you know how to become aware of it.
Those who have studied the vegetable kingdom in detail are well aware that there is a consciousness there. For instance, plants need sunlight to live—the sun represents the active energy which makes them grow—so, if you put a plant in a place where there is no sunlight, you see it always growing up and up and up, trying, making an effort to
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reach the sunlight. In a virgin forest, for instance, where man does not interfere, there is this kind of struggle among all the plants which are always growing straight upwards in one way or another in their effort to catch the sunlight. It is very interesting. But even if you put a flower-pot in a fairly small courtyard surrounded by walls, where the sun doesn't come, a plant which normally is as high as this (gesture), becomes as tall as that: it stretches up and makes an effort to find the light. Therefore there is a consciousness, a will to live which is already manifesting.
The trees rise towards the sky, beautiful symbol of Nature's aspiration towards the light.
It is not certain whether the plant makes an effort or not. And in any case, it has an aspiration; plants grow because they aspire for the light, for the sun, for the open air.
And it's a kind of competition. If one goes into a wood, for instance, into a park where there are many different plants, one can observe very clearly that there is a sort of competition among plants to pass each other and reach the light and open air above. It is indeed quite wonderful to see.
We must suppose in the plant and the metal also a force to which we can give the name of consciousness although it is not the human or animal mentality for which we have hitherto preserved the monopoly of that description.
Not only is this probable but, if we will consider things dispassionately, it is certain. In ourselves there is such a vital consciousness which acts in the cells of the body and the automatic vital functions so that we go through purposeful movements and obey attractions and repulsions to which our mind is a stranger. In animals this vital consciousness is an even more important factor. In plants it is intuitively evident. The seekings and shrinkings of the plant, its pleasure and pain, its sleep and its wakefulness and all that strange life whose truth an Indian scientist [Jagadish Chandra Bose] has brought to light by rigidly scientific methods, are all movements of consciousness, but, as far as we can see, not of mentality. There is then a sub-mental, a vital consciousness which has precisely the same initial reactions as the mental, but is different in the constitution of its self-experience, even as that which is superconscient is in the constitution of its self-experience different from the mental being.
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The Care of Plants and Flowers
How to develop our consciousness in order to work in a better way with plants and flowers?
First you must learn to be silent, then note carefully what happens in the consciousness.
Why do plants fall ill and what can we do to help them?
When man does not meddle, the illness of plants seems to be accidental. But man's action has upset the life of plants, even as that of animals, of course.
There are many plants we are trying to grow here which suffer because of our climate. How can we help them to grow and blossom here?
Naturally, plants which like cold climates would grow in greenhouses. Also by planting forests one could have a regulating action on the climate.
Growth of consciousness in the atmosphere will surely have an effect which it is difficult to describe beforehand.
As a rule plants suffer if they are kept shut up in a room.
I do not like clipped and trimmed plants, it looks too artificial.
Just imagine, there are plants which are vain! I am speaking of plants one grows for oneself. If one pays them compliments by words or by feelings, if one admires them, well, they hold up their head—with vanity!
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Look, it's Enthusiasm, see how beautiful it is! It must be put in water right away, otherwise....
It needs vital force and water is vital force. It is lovely! What fantasy!
Sweet Mother, what should we do with the flowers which you give us every day?
Flowers? You ought to keep them as long as they are fresh, and when they are no longer so, you must collect them and give them to the gardener (any gardener you know), so that he can put them in the earth to produce other flowers. Yes, one must give back to the earth what it has given us, for otherwise it will become poor.
Can I remove the branches of shrubs which are overhanging and causing inconvenience to the inmates?
I cannot say yes or no, as all depends on the way it is done. It is not only the welfare of the inmates that must be taken in consideration but also the welfare of the shrubs.
The only thing I insist upon is care, gentleness, consideration as you would have for a living being—for plants are living and they feel and suffer.
When a plant is tired or sick give it rest for a few days, in a proper place, and it will recover. Repotting is always a blow and to give a blow to a sick plant is just the way of finishing it.
Flowers are very receptive and they are happy when they are loved.
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Dreams, Beings and Forces
What do flowers and gardens in our dreams signify? Sometimes in dreams one sees flowers which don't exist.
This happens undoubtedly in the subtle physical. But it may also be possible that these flowers exist physically on the earth in a place you don't know.
What do these flowers symbolise?
These symbols are most often individual and different people have different significances. It may happen that certain people have written books and those who read them adopt their symbology. But then it is a purely mental question. You give a certain meaning to a flower, for instance, to a rose—we have a certain meaning for the rose.
As we have given this meaning, in your dreams you see the same symbolism. If you tell me one of your dreams I could explain it to you. You see, a flower must spontaneously tell you something, then that would be symbolic for you. But that may be what we have already decided.
Are there subtle beings who are in an intimate relation with flowers?
That is possible, even probable. There are children who have experienced this and related it.
Is it possible to become conscious of these beings and work in harmony with them?
Yes. It is a question of nature and capacity.
Is it possible to develop this capacity and how to do it?
Certainly one can develop the capacity if one takes sufficient interest in this to put in the time and necessary effort. Naturally, it will be more or less difficult according to each one's nature.
To become conscious of one's dreams helps to do this. A silent and still concentration helps also.
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Are there forces directly hostile to vegetal nature? Are insects a manifestation of these forces?
There do not seem to exist forces consciously and voluntarily hostile to the vegetal kingdom. Insects do harm because they feed on plants, but in this way they serve them also; both things are there, good and bad, without any conscious will. They do good, they do harm, without knowing it.
Mother, does a plant have its own individuality and does it also reincarnate after death?
This may happen, but it is accidental.
There are trees—trees especially—which have lived long and can be the home of a conscious being, a vital being. Generally it is vital entities which take shelter in trees, or else certain beings of the vital plane which live in forests—as certain beings of the vital live in water. There were old legends like that, but they were based on facts.
The plants serve as home and shelter, but the being is not created by the plant itself!
Innumerable like ideas, flowers are joyous companions.
Contact with the Psychic
The soul of a plant or an animal is not dormant — only its means of expression are less developed than those of a human being. There is much that is psychic in the plant, much that is psychic in the animal. The plant has only the vital-physical elements evolved in its form; the consciousness behind the form of the plant has no developed or organised mentality capable of expressing itself, — the animal takes a step farther; it has a vital mind and some extent of self-expression, but its consciousness is limited, its mentality limited, its experiences are limited; the psychic essence too puts forward to represent it a less developed consciousness and experience than is possible in man. All the same, animals have a soul and can respond very readily to the psychic in man.
The plants are very psychic, but they can express it only by silence and beauty.
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Directly there is organic life, the vital element comes in, and it is this vital element which gives to flowers the sense of beauty. It is not perhaps individualised in the sense we understand it, but it is a sense of the species and the species always tries to realise it. I have noticed a first rudiment of the psychic presence and vibration in vegetable life, and truly this blossoming one calls a flower is the first manifestation of the psychic presence. The psychic is individualised only in man, but it was there before him; but it is not the same kind of individualisation as in man, it is more fluid: it manifests as force, as consciousness rather than as individuality. Take the rose, for example; its great perfection of form, colour, scent expresses an aspiration and a psychic giving. Look at a rose opening in the morning at the first touch of the sun, it is a magnificent self-giving in aspiration.
Love of flowers is a valuable help for finding and uniting with the psychic.
You have written: "Love of flowers is a valuable help for finding and uniting with the psychic." Could you explain this more in detail?
Since flowers are the manifestation of the psychic in the vegetal kingdom, love of flowers would mean that one is drawn by the psychic vibration and consequently by the psychic in one's own self.
When you are receptive to the psychic vibration, that puts you in a more intimate contact with the psychic in your own self. Perhaps the beauty of flowers too is a means used by Nature to awaken in human beings the attraction for the psychic.
What is the best way of opening ourselves to the deep influence of flowers?
To love them. If you can enter into psychic contact with them, then that would be perfect.
How can one enter into a psychic contact with flowers?
When one is in conscious contact with one's own psychic, one becomes aware of an impersonal psychic behind the whole creation and then, through this, one can enter into contact with flowers and know the psychic prayer they represent.
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What is this impersonal psychic you spoke of?
By impersonal psychic I mean the psychic region which does not belong to any individual in particular—the psychic region which is in the creation, as air is in the earth's atmosphere.
What is this psychic prayer that flowers represent?
The psychic, when it manifests in a plant, in the form of a flower, is in the form of a wordless prayer; it is the elan of the plant towards the Divine.
We have flowers with such significances as 'Greed for Money', 'Passion', 'Vanity', 'Chatter', etc. How do these flowers represent a psychic prayer?
These flowers offer their bad vibrations for transformation.
Do the strong-scented flowers represent a more ardent psychic prayer than the unscented ones?
Their nature gives itself more generously and more integrally.
And is there the same difference among plants and trees?
No, that is like the difference among animals; some are big, some are small. But everywhere it is like that... in minerals, in animals, in men. Each manifests its own nature and these natures are innumerable.
Flowers are Mediums of Transmission
When I give flowers, it is as an answer to the aspiration coming from the very depths of your being. It is a need or an aspiration, it depends upon the person. It may fill a
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void or else give you the impetus to progress, or it may help you find the inner harmony in order to establish peace. Do you understand?
Be like a flower. One must try to become like a flower: open, frank, equal, generous and kind....
A flower is open to all that surrounds it: Nature, light, the rays of the sun, the wind, etc. It exerts a spontaneous influence on all that is around it. It radiates a joy and a beauty.
It is frank: it hides nothing of its beauty, and lets it flow frankly out of itself. What is within, what is in its depths, it lets it come out so that everyone can see it.
It is equal: it has no preference. Everyone can enjoy its beauty and its perfume, without rivalry. It is equal and the same for everybody. There is no difference, or anything whatsoever.
Then generous: without reserve or restriction, how it gives the mysterious beauty and the very own perfume of Nature. It sacrifices itself entirely for our pleasure, even its life it sacrifices to express this beauty and the secret of the things gathered within itself.
And then, kind: it has such a tenderness, it is so sweet, so close to us, so loving. Its presence fills us with joy. It is always cheerful and happy.
Happy is he who can exchange his qualities with the real qualities of the flowers. Try to cultivate in yourself their refined qualities.
I give you flowers so that you may develop the Divine qualities they symbolise. And they can directly transmit into the psychic all that they contain, pure, unalloyed. They possess a very subtle and very deep power and influence. Do you understand? Now, it seems to me that you wish to become like a flower or cultivate these qualities. And, you know, each flower symbolises an aspect, an emanation, an aspiration and a progress in the evolution of the earth.*
On the plane of Matter they [plants] are the most open to my influence—I can transmit a state of consciousness more easily to a flower than to a man: it is very receptive, though it does not know how to formulate its experience to itself because it lacks a mind. But the pure psychic consciousness is instinctive to it. When, therefore, you offer flowers to me their condition is almost always an index to yours. There are persons who never succeed in bringing a fresh flower to me—even if the flower is fresh it becomes limp in their hands. Others, however, always bring fresh flowers and even revitalise drooping ones. If your aspiration is strong your flower-offerings will be fresh. And if you are receptive you will be also very easily able to absorb the message I put in the flowers I give you. When I give them, I give you states of consciousness; the flowers are the mediums and it all depends on your receptivity whether they are effective or not.
* As recollected.
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Flowers are extremely receptive. All the flowers to which I have given a significance receive exactly the force I put into them and transmit it. People don't always receive it because most of the time they are less receptive than the flower, and they waste the force that has been put in it through their unconsciousness and lack of receptivity. But the force is there, and the flower receives it wonderfully.
I knew this a very long time ago. Fifty years ago.... There was that occultist who later gave me lessons in occultism for two years. His wife was a wonderful clairvoyant and had an absolutely remarkable capacity—precisely—of transmitting forces. They lived in Tlemcen. I was in Paris. I used to correspond with them. I had not yet met them at all. And then, one day, she sent me in a letter petals of the pomegranate flower, "Divine's Love". At that time I had not given the meaning to the flower. She sent me petals of pomegranate flowers telling me that these petals were bringing me her protection and force.
Now, at that time I used to wear my watch on a chain. Wrist-watches were not known then or there were very few. And there was also a small eighteenth century magnifying-glass... it was quite small, as large as this (gesture).... And it had two lenses, you see, like all reading-glasses; there were two lenses mounted on a small golden frame, and it was hanging from my chain. Now, between the two glasses I put these petals and I used to carry this about with me always because I wanted to keep it with me; you see, I trusted this lady and knew she had power. I wanted to keep this with me, and I always felt a kind of energy, warmth, confidence, force which came from that thing.... I did not think about it, you see, but I felt it like that.
And then, one day, suddenly I felt quite depleted, as though a support that was there had gone. Something very unpleasant. I said, "It is strange; what has happened? Nothing really unpleasant has happened to me. Why do I feel like this, so empty, emptied of energy?" And in the evening, when I took off my watch and chain, I noticed that one of the small glasses had come off and all the petals were gone. There was not one petal left. Then I really knew that they carried a considerable charge of power, for I had felt the difference without even knowing the reason. I didn't know the reason and yet it had made a considerable difference. So it was after this that I saw how one could use flowers by charging them with forces. They are extremely receptive.
Do flowers retain the force always, even when they decay?
Decay? No, my child; when they dry up, yes. Decayed flowers are just nothing. A decomposition takes place, so the thing disappears. Perhaps it brings energy to the soil, that's quite possible; but still, when it decays it is good only to make manure to grow other flowers. But if it dries up, it is preserved, it can remain for quite a long time.
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The Significances of Flowers
Sweet Mother, how do you give a significance to a flower?
By entering into contact with it and giving a more or less precise meaning to what I feel... by entering into contact with the nature of the flower, its inner truth; then one knows what it represents.
Each flower has its special significance, hasn't it?
Not as we understand it mentally. There is a mental projection when one gives a precise meaning to a flower. It may answer, vibrate to the touch of this projection, accept the meaning, but a flower has no equivalent of the mental consciousness. In the vegetable kingdom there is a beginning of the psychic, but there is no beginning of the mental consciousness. In animals it is different; mental life begins to form and for them things have a meaning. But in flowers it is rather like the movement of a little baby—it is neither a sensation nor a feeling, but something of both; it is a spontaneous movement, a very special vibration. So, if one is in contact with it, if one feels it, one gets an impression which may be translated by a thought. That is how I have given a meaning to flowers and plants—there is a kind of identification with the vibration, a perception of the quality it represents and, little by little, through a kind of approximation (sometimes this comes suddenly, occasionally it takes time), there is a coming together of these vibrations (which are of a vital-emotional order) and the vibration of the mental thought, and if there is a sufficient harmony, one has a direct perception of what the plant may signify.
In some countries (particularly here) certain plants are used as the media for worship, offering, devotion. Certain plants are given on special occasions. And I have often seen that this identification was quite in keeping with the nature of the plant, because spontaneously, without knowing anything, I happened to give the same meaning as that given in religious ceremonies. The vibration was really there in the flower itself.... Did it come from the use that had been made of it or did it come from very far, from somewhere deep down, from a beginning of the psychic life? It would be difficult to say.
Have flowers a power in the occult world?
Yes, they have an occult power; they can even transmit a message if one knows how to charge them with it.
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Can the flower transmit other messages apart from the significance you have given it?
It is not impossible, but the person who sends the message must have a great power of formation.
Is the power of formation purely occult or can a mental or vital power of formation also transmit messages?
The mental power of formation can certainly transmit messages. But for these messages to be received and understood, the person to whom they are sent must himself be very receptive mentally and particularly attentive.
When we offer flowers, with what attitude should we offer them? Does it matter if we do not know the significance?
This depends completely on the person who gives the flowers and on his state of consciousness. The same answer may be given to both the questions. According to the degree of consciousness of people, what they do has or hasn't a deep significance.
If our flower-offering depends on our state of consciousness, does it help us to learn the significances of flowers even if it is purely mental to begin with?
Yes, surely.
The Fragrance of Flowers
The fragrance of flowers is physical Nature's offering to the Divine, her most subtle offering.
It's largely the fragrances that have made me give flowers their significance.... I find these studies quite interesting; it corresponds to something really true in Nature.
Once, without telling me anything, someone brought me a sprig of tulsi [Ocimum sanctum]. I smelled it and said, "Oh, Devotion!" It was absolutely a ... a vibration of
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devotion. Afterwards, I was told it is the plant of devotion to Krishna, consecrated to Krishna.
Another time, I was brought one of those big flowers (which are not really flowers) somewhat resembling corn, with long, very strongly scented stalks [Spiritual Perfume]. I smelled it and said, Ascetic Purity! ... just like that, from the odour alone. I was later told it was Shiva's flower when he was doing his tapasya.
These people have an age-old knowledge which they have preserved. In other words, it is something concretely true: it doesn't depend at all on the mind, on thought or even on feelings—it is a vibration. . . .
Yes, this flower is Shiva, doing his tapasya.
And interestingly enough, its smell is fantastically attractive to snakes; it makes them come from far away to nest in the shrubs. And as you know, the serpent is the power of evolution, it is Shiva's own creature; he always puts them on his head and around his neck because they symbolise the power of evolution and transformation. And snakes like this flower; it often grows near rivers, and wherever there is a cluster of the plants you are sure to discover snake nests.
I find this very interesting, for we didn't decide it should be like this: these are conscious vibrations in Nature. The fragrance, the colour, the shape, are simply the spontaneous expression of a true movement.
Is there a relation between the perfume of a flower and its significance?
Certainly there should be one but so far I have not studied it.
How can one begin to study this relation? What is the first step?
Study and experience. You take a flower with a strong and definite perfume. You breathe in this perfume, trying to find what thought or image it evokes. If you find something, you compare it with the significance given to the flower.
It is a long and detailed work. After some hundreds of experiences one may arrive at a conclusion.
In the study of perfumes of which you spoke, one observes that some perfumes seem to be made up of several perfumes. Must one then study each sub-perfume separately?
Yes, certainly. If one wants to study this it is terribly complicated, for not only are there differences between flowers but even similar flowers must differ among themselves,
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which means that the study can never come to an end and one cannot reach anything final and complete.
There is, you know, the influence of climate, the influence of the hour—day and night—the influence of the time of the year, the influence of seasons. . . .
Scientists explain that flowers have perfume in order to attract insects. What do you think about that?
It is men who see and find a reason for everything—but I doubt if the Supreme has any such preoccupation.
The Offering of Roses
This is the Tenderness of the Divine for ... for himself! The tenderness He has for his creation. 'Creation'... I don't like that word, as if it all were created for nothing! It is He himself, creating with all his tenderness. Some of these roses get quite big, they are so lovely!
Why do you generally give red roses to men, light-coloured roses to women and different colours to the little boys and girls?
It is because red roses give an impression of force and light-coloured roses an impression of charm and sweetness.
May I ask with what intention you give me one red rose and one light-coloured one?
The human being transforms all its passions into love for the Divine and the Divine replies with His ineffable love.
When I say Divine Love I am speaking of the vibration of love that is at the origin of all love and that fills the universe.
When I speak of the Love of the Divine I am speaking of the love that the Supreme directs specially on a point—a person or a thing.
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Blessings Packets
Those small packets which I give on Kali Puja day are made to be preserved for one year. For a year they keep their force intact and I renew them every year to make sure that... I know that there isn't one in ten among you who makes a proper use of it... but still, I give it on the off-chance for those who know how to use it. It is prepared to keep the force for one year. And when I give the new one, you can dispose of the other. Usually it has fallen to dust. Not always... but these little packets keep their charge of force exactly for one year.
Flowers on the Samadhi
Concerning the flowers on the Samadhi, does Sri Aurobindo transmit a special message through them, apart from their significance?
I do not think so—that would depend on different cases. It could be rather that he would receive messages if people put them into the flowers. That is quite possible. It may happen that if people put flowers with an intention or a precise prayer, Sri Aurobindo receives the message and answers it and that one receives his answer if one is sufficiently sensitive.
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An Experience
A deep concentration seized on me, and I perceived that I was identifying myself with a single cherry-blossom, then through it with all cherry-blossoms, and, as I descended deeper in the consciousness, following a stream of bluish force, I became suddenly the cherry-tree itself, stretching towards the sky like so many arms its innumerable branches laden with their sacrifice of flowers. Then I heard distinctly this sentence:
"Thus hast thou made thyself one with the soul of the cherry-trees and so thou canst take note that it is the Divine who makes the offering of this flower-prayer to heaven."
When I had written it, all was effaced; but now the blood of the cherry-tree flows in my veins and with it flows an incomparable peace and force. What difference is there between the human body and the body of a tree? In truth, there is none: the consciousness which animates them is identically the same.
Then the cherry-tree whispered in my ear:
"It is in the cherry-blossom that lies the remedy for the disorders of the spring."
There are certain illnesses that people get particularly in Spring—boils, impurities of the blood, etc.—which the Japanese cure with teas made from cherry-blossoms. I did not know this when I had the experience.
Abelmoschus esculentus
Okra, Gumbo, Lady's-finger light yellow rotate flower with dark maroon centre; seasonal vegetable
Mentalised Power
Power becomes utilisable.
Abutilon hybridum
Chinese lantern, Flowering Maple
several colours of pendulous bell-shaped flowers; shrub
Promise
The future is full of promise.
bright yellow flowers
Mental Promise
The assurance that the Supramental goal will be realised.
deep red-purple flowers with darker veins
Vital Promise
The vital is full of possibilities ready to develop.
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Acacia auriculiformis
Wattle
fragrant golden-yellow catkins; tree
Work
Let us offer our work to the Divine, this is the sure way of progressing.
Let us work as we pray, for indeed work is the body's best prayer to the Divine.
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The essential character of Supermind is a Truth-Consciousness which knows by its own inherent right of nature, by its own light: it has not to arrive at knowledge but possesses it.
Acacia farnesiana
Sweet acacia, Popinac, West Indian blackthorn
small fragrant golden-yellow fluffy balls; shrub or thorny hedge
Supramental Knowledge
An infallible vision of all problems.
Acacia leucophloea
terminal panicles of very small cream-white fluffy balls; tree
Detailed Knowledge
Manifold and minute, it forgets nothing.
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Acalypha
Copperleaf
prominent multi-coloured leaves, often twisted and variously folded, with prominent or inconspicuous catkins; shrub
Continuity
Knowing how to persist in one's effort.
Acalypha wilkesiana 'Godseffiana'
green leaves with white border and short light green catkins
Attempt towards Continuity
Vigorous and repeated but not lasting.
Acalypha hispida
Chenille plant, Red-hot cattail
very long velvety red catkins and green
leaves
Physical Continuity
Prolongs itself indefinitely and never comes to an end.
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Acalypha wilkesiana 'Macafeeana'
Jacob's coat, Fire dragon large red leaves with russet patches and long sombre red catkins
Material Continuity
Powerful, enduring, solid.
Acalypha wilkesiana
Jacob's-coat
partly curled brown-green leaves veined red and short sombre red catkins
Vital Continuity
Rich, abundant, persistent.
Acanthus ilicifolius
Sea holly
tall spikes of deep blue bilabiate flowers set in spiny bracts; countryside shrub
The Guardian
Vigilant and thorny, it knows how to protect what it has.
In the Yoga of Bhakti it is the emotional nature that is made the instrument. Its main principle is to adopt some human relation between man and the Divine Being by which through the ever intenser flowing of the heart's emotions towards him the human soul may at last be wedded to and grow one with him in a passion of divine Love.
Acanthus montanus
Bear's-breech
tall spikes of small lavender-rose bilabiate flowers tinged white, set in spiny bracts; low countryside shrub
Emotions Awake to the First Contact with the Divine
The Light begins to work in the emotive consciousness.
Acer
Maple
brilliant red autumn leaves; tree
Flame of Aspiration
A flame that illumines but never burns.
Page 5
Achimenes grandiflora
Japanese pansy
light violet salverform flower with short corolla tube; tuberous herbaceous plant
Silence in the Vital
A powerful help for inner peace.
Acidanthera bicolor
Abyssinian sword lily, Peacock flower mildly fragrant white flower with long corolla tube and six pointed petals, dark brown-maroon centre; bulbous plant
The Vital's Possibility of Perfection
The day the vital will be converted it will have much to give.
In truth, a cultivated and illumined vital can be as noble and heroic and disinterested as it is now spontaneously vulgar, egoistic and perverted when it is left to itself without education. It is enough for each one to know how to transform in himself the search for pleasure into an aspiration for the supramental plenitude. If the education of the vital is carried far enough, with perseverance and sincerity, there comes a time when, convinced of the greatness and beauty of the goal, the vital gives up petty and illusory sensorial satisfactions in order to win the divine delight.
Aegle marmelos
Bael tree, Bengal quince small fragrant fleshy white star-shaped flower, trifoliate leaves and edible fruit; fruit tree
Devotional Attitude
Modest and self-effacing, it gives remarkable fruit.
Aerva tomentosa
tiny white woolly flowers in short branching spikes; large seasonal herbaceous plant
Aspiration for Integral Immortality
An organised, tenacious and methodical development of the consciousness.
Page 6
Aganosma roxburghii
airy clusters of fragrant white star-like salverform flowers; creeper
Rising Star
We must hope that it is the right one!
Ageratum houstonianum
Flossflower, Pussy-foot clusters of minute lavender compositae flowers in soft brushlike heads; seasonal plant
Vital Patience
Indispensable for all progress.
Aglaia odorata
short spikes of fragrant yellow pinhead flowers; large shrub
Mental Suggestions of Organisation
Abundant and clustered but a little dull.
Albizia lebbeck
Frywood tree, Lebbeck tree
fragrant white powderpuff flower with
green centre; tree
Integral Wisdom
Obtained by union with the Divine.
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Page 8
When the resolution has been taken, when you have decided that the whole of your life shall be given to the Divine, you have still at every moment to remember it and carry it out in all the details of your existence. You must feel at every step that you belong to the Divine; you must have the constant experience that, in whatever you think or do, it is always the Divine Consciousness that is acting through you. You have no longer anything that you can call your own; you feel everything as coming from the Divine, and you have to offer it back to its source.
Alcea rosea
Hollyhock
various colours of tall erect spikes bearing single or double rotate flowers; seasonal plant
Offering
The only offering that truly enriches is the one that is made to the Divine.
Alcea
all bicoloured flowers
Combined Offering of Two Parts of the Being
This indicates the efficacy and progress of the being.
white
Integral Offering
The surest road to realisation.
mauve-pink
Offering of the Emotions
Emotions put at the service of progress.
red
Offering of the Physical
Let the physical offer itself sincerely to the Divine and it will be transformed. This is proof of the resolution to liberate oneself from the ego.
light pink
Psychic Offering
It is the spontaneous attitude of the psychic in relation to the Divine.
Page 9
dark red
Offering of the Vital
The immediate result of conversion.
white with mauve centre
Integral Offering of the Vital
An important stage towards transformation.
Offer yourself more and more—all the consciousness, all that happens in it,
all your work and action.
red-violet
Offering of the Material Vital
Indispensable for conversion.
very dark sombre red
Offering of the Most Material Vital
The first step towards transformation.
dark purple, almost black
Offering of All Obscurities
Offer your obscurities sincerely to the Divine and you will be able to receive the Light.
Page 10
Allamanda cathartica
medium to large golden-yellow funnel-shaped flower; heavy creeper
Victory
Will triumph over all obstacles!
Allamanda violacea
Purple allamanda mauve-pink; spreading shrub
Victory in the Vital
In the vital even a little victory has
great consequences.
Page 11
More than one third of our existence is spent in sleeping, consequently, the time devoted to physical sleep well deserves our attention. . . .
All the desires that have been repressed without being dissolved—and this dissociation can only be obtained after much sound and wide-ranging analysis—seek satisfaction while the will is dormant.
And since desires are true dynamic centres of formation, they tend to organise, within and around us, the combination of circumstances that is most favourable to their satisfaction.
In this way the fruit of many efforts made by our conscious thought during the day can be destroyed in a few hours at night. . . .
We must therefore learn to know our dreams, and first of all to distinguish between them, for they are very varied in nature and quality.
* * *
When at night we put a problem to ourselves, the problem goes to the higher regions of our being and in the morning we get the answer, the solution, because there, in the depths of our consciousness, we know things which we do not know in our external consciousness.
Aloe barbadensis
Barbados aloe, True aloe long stem bearing clusters of pendulous light orange tubular flowers tinged yellow and green; medicinal succulent
Dreams
One can learn much by controlling one's dreams.
Alpinia galanga
short spikes of white flowers with prominent light yellow lip striped maroon-red; rhizomatous plant
To Know what has to be Said
Neither too many, nor too few words—just what is needed.
Alpinia speciosa
Shellflower, Porcelain ginger, long racemes of light pink or white buds tipped light red opening to show prominent yellow lip streaked and spotted red; large rhizomatous plant
Eloquence
We know how to express ourselves in a convincing way.
Page 12
Alternanthera
Joseph's-coat
small rounded heads of white papery flowers, dark maroon red leaves; erect groundcover
Integral Immortality
It is a promise! When will it be a material fact?
All truth and practice too strictly formulated becomes old and loses much, if not all, of its virtue; it must be constantly renovated by fresh streams of the spirit revivifying the dead or dying vehicle and changing it, if it is to acquire a new life. To be perpetually reborn is the condition of a material immortality.
Amaranthus caudatus
Love-lies-bleeding, Tassel flower terminal dense and branching sombre red spikes covered with tiny flowers, red stems and long reddish-green leaves; tall seasonal plant
Fearlessness in Action
Manifold, unfettered and fearless.
Amaranthus 'Molten Fire'
Amaranth
maroon-red foliage with brilliant crimson upper leaves and clusters of tiny deep mauve flowers surrounding the stem; seasonal plant
Bravery
Fears nothing and knows how to hold tight against adversaries.
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Amaryllidaceae
yellow trumpet-shaped flowers borne on short or long scapes; bulbous plant
Conversion of the Mind
The mind has freed itself from its
arrogance and knows it is only an
instrument.
Anemone coronaria
Windflower, Lily-of-the-field
several colours of delicate rotate flowers;
low rhizomatous plant
Fragile Elegance
Easily troubled, it needs to be treated with care.
Plants have feelings, they are alive; they should not be treated brutally.
Anemopaegma carrerense
small cream-white trumpet-shaped flowers with light yellow corolla tube; creeper
Voice of the Higher Mind
In quest of Truth.
Anemopaegma chamberlaynii
Yellow trumpet vine
large bright yellow trumpet-shaped flower; heavy creeper
Joy of Victory
It resembles victory without having victory's strength.
Anethum graveolens
Dill
umbels of numerous tiny yellow flowers; soft feathery leaves have pungent fragrance; seasonal herb
Light in the Blood
When the blood becomes receptive to the higher consciousness.
If we are awake in the physical, we shall feel the light, power or Ananda flowing through the body, the limbs, nerves, blood, breath and, through the subtle body, affecting the most material cells making them conscious and blissful and we shall sense directly the Divine Power and Presence.
Page 14
There is a sovereign royalty in taking no thought for oneself. To have needs is to assert a weakness; to claim something proves that we lack what we claim. To desire is to be impotent; it is to recognise our limitations and confess our incapacity to overcome them. If only from the point of view of a legitimate pride, man should be noble enough to renounce desire.
Angelonia
very small purple two-lipped cup-shaped flowers studding the erect stems, aromatic leaves; semi-herbaceous perennial
Renunciation of Vital Desires
It has understood the emptiness of
desire.
white with pale purple lines and dots
Renunciation of Emotional Desires
Indispensable for transformation.
Integral Renunciation of Vital Desires
An indispensable condition for true progress.
Page 15
Anthocephalus cadamba
Kadam tree
striking mildly fragrant orange-yellow ball-shaped flowers with white stigmas; tree
Supramental Sun
We aspire that its rays may enlighten and transform us.
There is a force of purity, not the purity of the moralist, but an essential purity of spirit, in the very substance of the being. When that comes, then sex-waves either cannot approach or they pass without imparting any impulse, without touching anywhere.
Anthurium andreanum
Flamingo lily
firm waxy deep red spathe and prominent bright red spadix; rhizomatous foliage plant.
Mastery of Sex
Instead of being dominated by the sexual impulses, they must be put under the domination of the highest will.
Purified Sex Centre
Is transformed into a force for progress.
pink
Sex Centre Aspiring to Be Purified
The awakening of the consciousness to a higher life.
Page 16
Antigonon
Coral vine, Corallita
long trailing sprays with small delicate
lantern-shaped flowers in several colours;
creeper
Harmony
Let us strive that the day may come when this will be the means and the goal.
bright pink
Harmony in the Vital
To harmonise the vital is a psychological masterpiece; happy is the one who accomplishes it.
deep pink
Harmony in the Material Vital
No disputes, no quarrels—the sweetness of a life without clashes.
Antigonon 'Album'
Integral Harmony
Harmony between things, harmony between persons, harmony of circumstances and above all, harmony of all aspirations directed towards the Supreme Truth.
Page 17
Antirrhinum
Snapdragon
several colours of long erect spikes of velvety two-lipped tubular flowers; seasonal plant
Power of Expression
It is the power to manifest that
which is latent.
white with yellow throat
Power of Integral Expression
Nothing is too difficult for it to say.
all multi-coloured flowers
Power of Manifold Expression
The result of suppleness and plasticity.
yellow
Power of Mental Expression
Has no value unless it is at the service of the Divine.
Power of Physical Expression
One of the benefits of conversion.
Power of Psychic Expression
The psychic obtains its power of expression when it governs the whole being.
purple to violet
Power of Vital Expression
Is useful only when the vital is
converted.
Antirrhinum 'Butterfly hybrid'
several colours of open-throated flowers
Progressive Expression
What you cannot say today, you
will know how to say tomorrow!
Page 18
Aphelandra tetragona
short spikes of tubular pointed orange-red flowers; shrub
Sharp Tongue
Unhappily too frequent!
Arctotis
Blue-eyed African daisy
several colours of delicate compositae
flowers; seasonal plant
Cheerful Endeavour
The joy that one finds in the effort towards the Divine.
Areca catechu
Betel-nut palm
branching spikes of tiny fragrant white flowers; palm tree
Steadfast Vitality
The vitality that depends on integral consecration.
Aristolochia elegans
Calico flower
cream-white cup-shaped flower heavily blotched maroon with dark maroon centre, recurved and inflated corolla tube; creeper
Inspiration
Brings its manifold gifts to one who knows how to receive them.
Aristolochia ringens
Pelican flower
greenish-yellow flower with dark purple veins, one petal hood-shaped and one long and trailing
Lasting Inspiration
Waits patiently to be received.
Oft inspiration with her lightning feet,
A sudden messenger from the all-seeing tops,
Traversed the soundless corridors of his mind
Bringing her rhythmic sense of hidden things.
Page 19
Artabotrys
Ylang-Ylang
very fragrant greenish-yellow solitary flowers with thick leaf-like petals; creeper
Clear Mind
The first step on the road to conversion.
clusters of small rounded fragrant yellow fruits
Reason
An excellent instrument when at the service of the Divine.
Page 20
Asclepias curassavica
Butterfly weed
terminal umbels of small yellow flowers, each with prominent central yellow crown; low shrub
Response of the Mind to the Supramental Light
Represents an important step towards realisation.
scarlet-red flowers
Response of the Physical Mind to the Supramental Light
The physical mind eager to understand and be transformed.
When a thought is expressed in speech, the vibration of the sound has a considerable power to bring the most material substance into contact with the thought, thus giving it a concrete and effective reality. That is why one must never speak ill of people or things or say things which go against the progress of the divine realisation in the world. This is an absolute general rule. And yet it has one exception. You should not criticise anything unless at the same time you have the conscious power and active will to dissolve or transform the movements or things you criticise. For this conscious power and active will have the capacity of infusing Matter with the possibility to react and refuse the bad vibration and ultimately to correct it so that it becomes impossible for it to go on expressing itself on the physical plane.
Asparagus densiflorus
Sprenger asparagus
tiny white starlike flowers in short spikes; rhizomatous plant with pendulous sprays of delicate foliage
Spiritual Speech
All-powerful in its simplicity.
Asparagus racemosus
delicate snowy clusters of tiny fragrant starlike flowers; creeper with small or larger leaf-like cladodes
Beauty Arising from Consecration
Be sincere and absolute in your consecration to the Divine and your life will become harmonious and beautiful.
Page 21
Sincerity means to lift all the movements of the being to the level of the highest consciousness and realisation already attained.
Sincerity in the vital is the most difficult to have and the most needful.
Aster amellus
Perennial aster
clusters of single compositae flowers, mauve-pink with yellow centre; perennial suckering plant
Emotional Sincerity
Does not try to travesty the
emotions.
white with yellow centre
Simple Sincerity
The beginning of all progress.
lavender-blue with yellow centre
Sincerity in the Vital
The sure road to realisation.
Page 22
It is not possible to enter utterly into the spiritual truth of the Eternal and Infinite if we have not the faith and courage to trust ourselves into the hands of the Lord of all things and the Friend of all creatures and leave utterly behind us our mental limits and measures.
Asystasia dalzelliana
short racemes of small pale violet salverform flowers with white lines; low herbaceous plant
Aspiration for Trust in the Divine
An intense need for that immutable peace given by the certitude of the Divine Grace.
Asystasia
several colours of larger flowers; countryside herbaceous rambler
Trust in the Divine
Most indispensable for the impulsive vital.
Integral Trust in the Divine
The trust that gives the true support
to life.
cream-yellow
Mental Trust in the Divine
Firm and definite, it does not argue.
Page 23
white, marked mauve on throat
Trust of the Emotive Vital in the Divine
Smiling and sweet, it is sheltered from grief.
pale yellow, marked light mauve on throat
Trust in the Vital Mind for the Divine
Opens itself to the Divine Consciousness without trying to hide anything.
predominantly lavender shades
Vital Trust in the Divine
Full of courage and energy, it fears nothing.
Atalantia monophylla
clusters of small fragrant white star-shaped flowers; tree
Absence of Desire
Fragrant and luminous, it expresses
at the same time peace and joy.
Averrhoa carambola
Carambola
compact clusters of small fragrant rose-pink bell-shaped flowers with red calyces; fruit tree
Organised Team-Work
Each in his place and all together.
We want an organisation which is the expression of a higher consciousness working to manifest the truth of the future.
Page 24
Azadirachta indica
Neem, Margosa
airy clusters of tiny fragrant white star-shaped flowers; tree with medicinal value
Spiritual Atmosphere
Light, fluid, clear, transparent — and so clean!
A spiritual atmosphere is more important than outer conditions; if one can get that and also create one's own spiritual air to breathe in and live in it, that is the true condition of progress.
Page 25
Barleria
several colours of small trumpet-shaped flowers with prominent bracts; shrub
Opening
The help is constant on all levels; it is for us to know how to benefit from it.
Integral Opening of the Being towards the Divine
The first step of the ascent.
Page 26
The opening is the same for all. It begins with an opening of mind and heart, then of the vital proper — when it reaches the lower vital and the physical the opening is complete. But with the opening there must be the full self-giving to what comes down, which is the condition of the complete change.
white with lavender stripes
Emotional Opening
The progress of the emotions towards the Divine.
Opening of the Emotive Vital
One of the first steps on the way to transformation.
Mental Opening
The first step of the mind towards transformation.
Baleria
lavender-blue
Elegance in the Emotions
Delicate and refined, does not permit itself any vulgarity.
Page 27
The perfect supramental action will not follow any single principle or limited rule.... It will proceed by a spontaneous outflowing from the summits in the totality of an illumined and uplifted being, will and knowledge and not by the selected, calculated and standardised action which is all that the intellectual reason or ethical will can achieve.
Barringtonia asiatica Mudilla
large fragrant white flower with innumerable white stamens tinged pink; tree
Supramental Action
An action that is not exclusive but total.
Bauhinia tomentosa
St. Thomas tree
pendulous light yellow elongated cup-shaped flower; shrub
Gold
Should only be used in the service of the Divine.
Bauhinia acuminata
Dwarf white bauhinia white open cup-shaped flower with conspicuous golden pollen; shrub
Purified Gold
Placed at the service of the Divine it is purified.
Bauhinia purpurea
Butterfly tree, Orchid tree
light pink to red-violet rotate flowers with
long recurved stamens; tree
Stability in the Vital
One of the important results of conversion.
Beaumontia jerdoniana
Herald's trumpet large mildly fragrant white open bell-shaped flower; heavy creeper
Unselfishness
Deeply open so as not to refuse anything.
Page 28
Begonia
several colours of small waxy flowers in delicately balanced cymes; succulent with variously coloured leaves
Balance
Each seeks one's own balance in order to stabilise oneself.
Integral Balance
It multiplies so as not to be static.
Mental Balance
Mind governed by reason.
Psychic Balance
Under the psychic influence all activities become balanced.
Page 29
The maximum a human being can attain just now is an equilibrium which is not progressive. He may attain perhaps a static equilibrium but all that is static can be broken for lack of progress. . . .
Perfection will be attained in the individual, the collectivity, on the earth and in the universe, when, at every moment, the receptivity will be equal in quality and quantity to the Force which wants to manifest.
That is the supreme equilibrium.
large double flowers in several colours
Perfect Balance
One of the most important
conditions of a growing peace.
white, large double
Perfect Integral Balance
One is ready for transformation.
yellow, large double
Perfect Mental Balance
Indispensable for facing the difficulties of life.
pink, large double
Perfect Psychic Balance
On the way to transformation.
Belamcanda chinensis
Leopard flower
scapes bearing orange rotate flowers with scarlet spots and erect stamens; bulbous plant
Attachment to the Divine
Wraps itself around the Divine and finds all its support in Him so as to be sure of never leaving Him.
Live constantly in the presence of the Divine; live in the feeling that it is this presence which moves you and is doing everything you do.
Page 30
We thirst for perfection. Not this human perfection which is a perfection of the ego and bars the way to the divine perfection. But that one perfection which has the power to manifest upon earth the Eternal Truth.
Beleperone guttata
Mexican shrimp plant small white tubular labiate flowers borne beneath russet or greenish-yellow showy bracts; low rambling shrub
Thirst for Perfection
Constant and manifold aspiration.
Page 31
Berrya cordifolia
tiny white flowers and large clusters of green to brown papery winged fruits; tree
Liberation in the Vital
Another result of conversion.
Bignonia purpurea
clusters of rose-purple trumpet-shaped flowers; creeper
Vital Opening
The vital is ready to receive the Divine Influence.
Billbergia
bright red inflorescence resembling a large candle formed of coloured bracts and narrow dark red to violet tubular flowers; perennial succulent
Control
Control over the lower impulses is the first step towards realisation.
When we begin to live the spiritual life, a reversal of consciousness takes place which is for us the proof that we have entered the spiritual life; well, another reversal of consciousness occurs when one enters the supramental world.
Besides, perhaps each time that a new world opens up, there will again be a new reversal of this kind. Thus even our spiritual life — which is such a total reversal in relation to ordinary life — is and appears to be, in relation to the supramental consciousness, the supramental realisation, something so totally different that the values of the two are almost opposite.
Bixa orellana
Annatto, Lipstick tree pink, lavender-pink or white rotate flowers with a centre of short golden stamens; dry fruits with bright orange seeds; tree
The New World
The result of transformation.
Bombax ceiba
Red silk-cotton tree
fairly large deep pink to red cup-shaped flower with thick petals and innumerable stamens; tree
Solid Steadfastness in the Material Consciousness
The material consciousness has a firm and solid steadfastness.
Page 32
Bougainvillea
clusters of colourful showy bracts arranged in groups of three, each bract enclosing a very small cream-white flower; heavy thorny creeper
Protection
Let us give ourselves entirely and sincerely to the Divine and we shall enjoy His protection.
When we are in close contact with the Divine, a protection can come which helps or directly guides or moves us; it does not throw aside all difficulties, sufferings or dangers, but it carries us through them and out of them—except where for a special purpose there is need of the opposite.
Bougainvillea 'Trinidad'
very pale lavender
Discreet Protection
Does its work discreetly without drawing attention.
light lavender-pink
Emotional Protection
Surrender to the Divine is the best emotional protection.
Integral Protection
That which can be given only by the Divine.
Bougainvillea 'Mary Palmer'
two or more different coloured bracts, usually white and deep pink
Manifold Protection
A protection working not only on life as a whole but on each of its details.
Page 33
Page 34
magenta red
Physical Protection
Is possible only with a total surrender to the Divine and the absence of all desire.
violet
Vital Protection
Surrender to the Divine is the best vital protection.
Psychic Protection
The protection resulting from
surrender to the Divine.
Bougainvillea 'Blondie'
subtle shadings of orange, gold and pink
Triple Protection
Protection in the mind, the vital and the physical.
shades of yellow and gold
Protection of the Gods
Luminous and clear-visioned.
Bougainvillea 'Mahara'
fully double with small magenta bracts
Attempt towards Protection
Irregular efforts are not always effective.
Brassaia actinophylla
Queensland umbrella tree long spikes bearing groups of very small solid red ball-shaped flowers; shrub-like tree
Organised Material Energy
Well-arranged, compact and methodical, it is powerful by its organisation.
One's entire physical activity should be organised to help the body to grow in balance and strength and beauty.
Page 35
The consent of all the being is necessary for the divine change, and it is the completeness and fullness of the consent that constitutes the integral surrender. But the consent of the lower vital must not be only a mental profession or a passing emotional adhesion; it must translate itself into an abiding attitude and a persistent and consistent action.
Browallia
Amethyst flower
clusters of delicate light blue salverform flowers; seasonal plant
Consent of the Vital
Amiable, smiling, ever ready for action—with a great goodwill.
pale lilac, lined white
Enthusiastic Vital Consent
Here all the resources of its enthusiasm are put at the service of its adhesion.
Page 36
Brownea coccinea
Scarlet flame bean large striking ball-like inflorescence formed of numerous pendulous orange-red flowers; tree
Divine Love Governing the World
A beautiful and happy world for which we all aspire.
Brugmansia suaveolens
pendulous large double white funnelform flowers; tree-like shrub
Perfect Tapasya
That which will reach its goal.
Brunfelsia americana
Lady-of-the-night
small clusters of fragrant cream-white to pale yellow salverform flowers with long corolla tube; shrub
Resolution
Nothing can stop its development.
Brunfelsia australis
Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow short fragrant salverform flower, each flower changing from purple to pale lavender to white
Refinement of Emotions
With progress even the emotions become refined.
Buddleja
Butterfly bush
several colours of dense terminal spikes bearing tiny fragrant salverform flowers; shrub
Refinement
Grossness is gradually eliminated from the being.
Page 37
Butea monosperma
Flame-of-the-forest
dense racemes of medium-sized bright red-orange papilionaceous flowers; tree
Beginning of the Supramental Realisation
With its charming beauty it is the herald of victory.
Cactus
all colours and forms of cactus flowers
Riches
It is the Divine to whom all riches belong, it is the Divine who lends them to living beings, and it is to Him that they must naturally return.
Caesalpinia coriaria
Divi divi
clusters of very small fragrant light yellow star-shaped flowers; tree
Intuitive Knowledge
Innumerable and vast for exploration, it is pure and fragrant.
Page 38
Caladium
Angel wings
mildly fragrant white spadix partly ensheathed by a greenish-white spathe; bulbous plant with large decorative arrowhead leaves
Transformed Sex Centre
Has no more desires and offers itself to the Divine.
Calandrinia grandiflora
Rock purslane
small cymes of delicate magenta flowers; edible seasonal or perennial herbaceous plant
Material Power to Heal
Demands a great sincerity in one's goodwill.
The most material form [of endurance] is perseverance. Unless you are resolved to begin the same thing over again a thousand times if need be.... You know, people come to me in despair, "But I thought it was done and now I must begin again!" And if they are told, "But that's nothing, you will probably have to begin again a hundred times, two hundred times, a thousand times; you take one step forward and think you are secure, but there will always be something to bring back the same difficulty a little farther on. You think you have solved the problem, you must solve it yet once again; it will turn up again looking just a little different, but it will be the same problem."
Calendula officinalis
Pot marigold
orange or yellow compositae flowers; low seasonal plant
Perseverance
The decision to go to the very end.
Calliandra
Powderpuff bush
various colours and sizes of powderpuff flowers; shrub
Striving towards Wisdom
A bit of wisdom is welcome.
large white flower
Striving towards Integral Wisdom
Like everything that belongs to creation, wisdom is progressive.
large red flower
Wisdom in the Physical Mind
A first step towards the Supramental Manifestation upon earth.
Page 39
Joy of Vegetal Nature in Answer to the New Light
The Force is here. Rejoice, O you who are waiting and hoping: the new manifestation is sure, the new manifestation is at hand. The Force is here.
All nature exults and sings in gladness, all nature is at a festival: The Force is here.
Callistemon
Bottlebrush
red bottlebrush flowers; tree
It dances with joy and laughs happily.
Page 40
Someone is in front of me and I am looking at him; I look into his eyes. And if this person is sincere or "transparent", through his eyes I go down and I see his soul — clearly. But — this is precisely the experience — when I look at somebody and see a little cloud, then I continue, I see a screen, and then sometimes it is a wall, and afterwards it is something quite black; and all this must be crossed, and holes bored in order to go through ... of such a person I can immediately say that he is not sincere. But I can also say, figuratively, that he is not transparent.
Callistephus chinensis
China Aster, Annual Aster erect clusters of semi-double to double compositae flowers in many colours; seasonal plant
Transparency
Can come only as a result of perfect sincerity.
Callistephus
semi-double, white with yellow centre
Illumined Transparency
An effect of the Divine Grace.
double, white with yellow centre
Integral Transparency
The result of perfect goodwill and sincerity.
semi-double, pink
Psychic Transparency
Manifests fully only when the psychic is perfectly developed.
Page 41
fully double, pink
Supramentalised Psychic Activity
Luminous, manifold, balanced it meets all needs.
fully double, violet
Supramentalised Vital Transparency
One of the results of conversion.
semi-double, red
Transparency in the Physical
The physical prepares itself for transformation.
semi-double, very light mauve
Transparency of the Emotive Vital
At once the condition and the result of the abolition of the ego.
semi-double, deep mauve to violet
Vital Transparency
Indispensable to conversion.
. . . like something which is not opaque or does not distort; something clear, transparent, sincere, which does not obstruct.
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Calluna vulgaris
Heather, Scotch heather
dense branching clusters of tiny fragrant
rose-pink flowers; low countryside shrub
Blossoming of Nature
Abundant and solid, nothing can stop its growth.
Calonyction alba
Moonflower
large fragrant white salverform flower; creeper
Entire Self-Giving
Fully open, clear and pure.
Calophyllum inophyllum
Alexandrian Laurel, Indian Laurel branching racemes of fragrant white rotate flowers with numerous yellow stamens; tree
Peace in the Physical
To want what God wills is its best condition.
Calotropis
Mudar, Crown plant, Bowstring hemp pale lavender star-shaped flower with a sturdy crown at the centre; shrub
Courage
Bold, it faces all dangers.
white flower
Integral Courage
Whatever the domain, whatever the danger, the attitude remains the same—calm and assured.
Camellia japonica
medium to large formal sessile flowers in several colours; shrub
Static Beauty
Transfixed in an immutable beauty.
Campanula medium
Canterbury bells
open racemes of blue bell-shaped flowers; herbaceous perennial
Joy's Call
It is modest and rarely makes itself heard.
Cananga odorata
Ylang Ylang
very fragrant pale yellow flower with long twisting petals; tree
Accurate Perception
A perception that does not deform the Truth.
Page 44
Canna indica
Indian shot
racemes of small glowing red flowers with slender petals; rhizomatous plant
Friendship with the Divine
Delicate, attentive and faithful, always ready to respond to the smallest appeal.
Supramental Friendship with the Divine
Luminous and light, always smiling.
several colours of slightly larger flowers
Progressive Friendship with the Divine
As we progress and purify ourselves of our egoism, our friendship with the Divine becomes clearer and more conscious.
Canna
racemes of large showy multi-coloured flowers with soft petals
Complexity of the Centres
Responds to several influences at a time.
cream-white with pink specks
Ananda in the Centres
This will be one of the benefits resulting from physical conversion.
cream-white with red centre
Ananda in the Physical Body
Purified of all desire and all repulsion, with perfect equality and surrender, the physical body is ready to enjoy the Divine Ananda.
yellow, spotted or blotched red
Connection between the Light and the Physical
Awakens to the necessity of growth and blossoming.
bicoloured, orange and red
Connection between the Supermind and the Physical
On the way to transformation, it is generous and powerful.
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Our hidden centres of celestial force
Open like flowers to a heavenly atmosphere;
Mind pauses thrilled with the supernal Ray,
And even the transient body then can feel
Ideal love and flawless happiness
And laughter of the heart's sweetness and delight
Freed from the rude and tragic hold of Time,
And beauty and the rhythmic feet of the hours.
deep rose-pink
Emotive Centre
Vibrant and sensitive, it needs to be controlled.
predominantly orange shades
Future Supramental Centre
What is involved in Nature will evolve and become manifest.
luminous yellow shades
Illumined Mind Centre
In the peace that comes from the perfect light.
light yellow shades
Intuitive Mind Centre
The activity of correct perception.
Physical Centre
Occupied mainly with material
things, it likes to have an ordered
life.
Psychic Centre
Luminous and calm, it is created to govern the human being.
Vital Centre
Passionate and strong, it demands control.
Page 47
Capparis brevispina
Thorn straggler
medium-sized white flowers with numerous stamens and a yellow patch on two petals; thorny rambler or shrub
Triple Aspiration
Recognising their Master love, life, and light respond to Sachchidananda.
O Thou, sole Reality, Light of our light and Life of our life, Love supreme, Saviour of the world, grant that more and more I may be perfectly awakened to the awareness of Thy constant presence.
Page 48
Intolerant of imperfection, she [Mahakali] deals roughly with all in man that is unwilling and she is severe to all that is obstinately ignorant and obscure; her wrath is immediate and dire against treachery and falsehood and malignity, ill-will is smitten at once by her scourge.... If her anger is dreadful to the hostile and the vehemence of her pressure painful to the weak and timid, she is loved and worshipped by the great, the strong and the noble; for they feel that her blows beat what is rebellious in their material into strength and perfect truth.
Capsicum annuum
Chilly pepper
tiny white or purple star-shaped flower and spicy fruits; seasonal condiment
A Whipping
A little brutal, but useful sometimes.
Carlina acaulis
Carline thistle
white or red compositae flower and everlasting silky seed pod; countryside thorny perennial
Incorruptible Faithfulness
Nothing can turn you away from the duty you have chosen.
Grant that we may be faithful to Thee utterly and for ever.
We would be completely under Thy influence to the exclusion of every other.
Grant that we may never forget to own towards Thee a deep, an intense gratitude.
Page 49
Cassia alata
Candlestick senna, Ringworm cassia candelabra spikes of ochre bracts and half-hidden yellow flowers; shrub
Idea
Essential for all organisers, on its quality depends the quality of the organisation.
Cassia fistula
Golden shower tree, Indian laburnum long pendulous clusters of fragrant canary-yellow rotate flowers; tree
Imagination
Abundant and varied, may be charming, but must not be substituted for Truth.
Page 50
Cassia javanica
Apple-blossom cassia, Java cassia pendulous clusters of fragrant rose-pink flowers turning white
Psychic Work
A work governed by harmony.
Cassia roxburghii
Red cassia
clusters of terracotta to pink flowers
Refinement of Sensations
Manifold, complex, perceiving the variety of details.
Cassia
other yellow-flowered Cassias; tree or shrub
Attentive Mind
The mind attains its full utility when it knows how to listen to the higher inspiration.
A new humanity means for us the appearance, the development of a type or race of mental beings.... It would be possessed already of what could be called a mind of Light, a mind capable of living in the truth, capable of being truth-conscious and manifesting in its life a direct in place of an indirect knowledge.
Castanospermum
australe Moreton bay chestnut large pendulous clusters of reddish-orange flowers; tree
Mind of Light Acting in Matter
A powerful aid to progress.
Catesbaea spinosa
Lily thorn
pendulous lemon-yellow funnel-shaped flower; shrub
Certitude of Victory
It is not noisy, but it is sure.
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Catharanthus roseus
Madagascar periwinkle, Rose periwinkle several colours of starlike flowers with rounded petals and narrow corolla tube; countryside perennial
Progress
The reason why we are on earth.
Catharanthus
light pink with red centre
Constant Progress in Matter
The result of an ardent aspiration.
light pink-violet, streaked white
Uninterrupted but Spasmodic Progress
Now here, now there, it seems very impulsive!
light pink-violet
Vital Progress
Organisation around the Divine Will and progressive surrender to this Will.
Integral Progress
Cannot be satisfied except by integrality, it is the best way of progressing quickly.
Page 52
white with red centre
Integral Progress in Matter
Matter awakens to consciousness.
white with violet centre
Integral Progress in the Vital
The vital consents to be purified.
Cattleya Orchid
several colours of large showy exquisite orchids with delicately frilled lips; epiphyte
Cattleya
lavender-pink with lime-green throat marked magenta
Beauty of the Attachment to the Divine
When the physical world will manifest the divine splendour, all will become marvellous.
The Aim of Existence Is Realised
Exists only by and for the Divine.
Ceiba pentandra
Kapok tree, White silk-cotton tree clusters of cream-white rotate flowers with velvety petals; tree
Material Enterprises
Many projects, many attempts, many constructions!
Page 53
"O Immortal, thou art born in mortals in the law of the Truth, of Immortality, of Beauty."
Celosia argentea
long slender spikes of minute greenish-white papery flowers; seasonal countryside plant
Attempt towards Immortality
Persistent and co-ordinated.
Celosia plumosa
Chinese woolflower several colours of long feathery spikes; seasonal plant
Aspiration for Immortality
Pure, soaring, trusting.
Physical Aspiration for Immortality
Intense aspiration, but ignorant of the means.
dark magenta
Vital Aspiration for Immortality
Clustered, intense, but short-lived.
Page 54
Celosia cristata
Cockscomb
several colours of dense rounded or flared velvety heads with intricate convolutions
Boldness
Do fearlessly what must be done, not dreading any difficulty.
green
Spontaneous Boldness
One of the results of perfect trust in
the Divine.
Mental Boldness
Let your mind be capable of foreseeing the perfections of tomorrow.
Physical Boldness
Does not know the impossible in its consecration to the Divine.
Vital Boldness
Must surrender to reason.
Feathered amaranth dense branching golden-yellow plumes
Abundant Expression
Has much to say and says it fully.
golden-orange plumes
Joyful Expression
It amuses itself and entertains others.
It is through flowers that Nature expresses herself most harmoniously.
Page 55
Centaurea cyanus
Bachelor's button, Cornflower
several colours of soft rounded heads of
compositae flowers; seasonal plant
Idealism
Delicate and harmonious, it gives elegance to life.
Always the Ideal beckoned from afar. Awakened by the touch of the Unseen, Deserting the boundary of things achieved, Aspired the strong discoverer, tireless Though Revealing at each step a luminous world.
Cereus peruviana
Cactus night flower, Hedge cactus large many-petalled white cup-shaped flowers filled with innumerable stamens
Fortune
Very attractive, but beware, it pricks!
The true fortune is to spend in the right way.
You become truly rich when you dispose of your wealth in the best possible way.
Money is meant to increase the wealth, the prosperity and the productiveness of a group, a country or, better, of the whole earth. Money is a means, a force, a power, and not an end in itself. And like all forces and all powers, it is by movement and circulation that it grows and increases its power, not by accumulation and stagnation.
Page 56
Cestrum diurnum
Queen-of-the-day
branching clusters of small fragrant white tubular flowers; shrub
Light
Light and airy, it radiates.
Even if there is much darkness—and this world is full of it and the physical nature of man also—yet a ray of the true Light can prevail eventually against a tenfold darkness. Believe that and cleave to it always.
Cestrum elegans
white to pale purple star-shaped flowers with elongated corolla tube; shrub
Light in the Vital
One of the first steps on the long road.
Cestrum nocturnum
Queen-of-the-night
intensely fragrant greenish-white to cream flowers; rambling shrub
Air
Light, subtle, almost invisible.
Page 57
Cheiranthus cheiri
Wallflower
clusters of small very fragrant four-petalled autumn-coloured flowers; seasonal plant
Optimism
More helpful than its opposite!
Chloris barbata
Finger grass
branching spikes of tiny reddish-brown graminae flowers; low perennial grass
Repentance
The first step towards correcting mistakes.
True psychology is the knowledge of the soul, that is, the knowledge of the psychic being. And if one has the knowledge of the psychic being, one has at the same time the knowledge of all the true movements of the being, the inner laws of the being. This is true psychology.
Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum'
Spider ivy, Ribbon plant small white star-shaped flowers on long branching scapes, decorative foliage; low spreading perennial
Care
To be careful in what one does.
Chonemorpha fragrans
soft fragrant cream-white salverform flower with a golden-yellow centre; heavy creeper
Perfect Radiating Psychology
Can be obtained only by acquiring divine vision.
Page 58
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
Ox-eye daisy
medium-sized single white flower with yellow centre; countryside seasonal plant
Spontaneous Aspiration of Nature towards the Divine
Wide open, spontaneous, irrevocable in its spontaneous power.
Chrysanthemum morifolium
Florist's chrysanthemum several colours of medium to large double flowers; perennial suckering plant
Life Energy
Powerful and manifold, it meets all needs.
light mauve flowers
Life Energy in the Vital
Supple and resistant, it is tireless.
Page 59
There are all kinds of old traditions, old Hindu traditions, old Chaldean traditions in which the Divine, in His aspect as Creator, pronounces a word which has the power to create. So it is this... And it is the origin of the mantra. The mantra is the spoken word which has a creative power. An invocation is made and there is an answer to the invocation; or one makes a prayer and the prayer is granted. This is the Word, the Word which, in its sound... it is not only the idea, it is in the sound that there is a power of creation. It is the origin, you see, of the mantra.
In Indian mythology the creator God is Brahma, and I think that it was precisely his power which has been symbolised by this flower, "The Creative Word". And when one is in contact with it, the words spoken have a power of evocation or creation or formation or transformation; the words... sound always has a power; it has much more power than men think. It may be a good power and it may be a bad power. It creates vibrations which have an undeniable effect. It is not so much the idea as the sound; the idea too has its own power, but in its own domain—whereas the sound has a power in the material world.
Chrysanthemum x superbum
Shasta daisy
large single white flower; seasonal plant
The Creative Word
Belongs only to the Divine.
white flowers
Purified Dynamic Life Energy
Superb, indomitable, all powerful in its purity.
orange-yellow flowers
Supramentalised Life Energy
Manifold and supple, it has an immortal resistance.
Chrysanthemum 'Cascade' or 'Charm'
several colours of tiny to small single or double compositae flowers; perennial plant
Specialised Detailed Energy
Nothing is too small to merit its attention.
Page 60
This yoga demands a full ascension of the whole lower or ordinary consciousness to join the spiritual above it and a full descent of the spiritual (eventually of the supramental) into the mind, life and body to transform it. The total ascent is impossible so long as sex-desire blocks the way; the descent is dangerous so long as sex-desire is powerful in the vital. For at any moment an unexcised or latent sex-desire may be the cause of a mixture which throws back the true descent and uses the energy acquired for other purposes or turns all the action of the consciousness towards wrong experience, turbid and delusive. One must, therefore, clear this obstacle out of the way; otherwise there is either no safety or no free movement towards finality in the sadhana.
Citharexylum
Fiddlewood
slender pendulous racemes of very small fragrant white salverform flowers; tree
Spiritual Ascension
Fearless, regular, uninterrupted.
Citrus
Lemon tree
white flowers with fleshy petals; fruit tree
Chastity
A little proud and austere, it is very reserved.
Citrus maxima
Pummelo tree fragrant white flowers
Continence
Control over oneself.
Page 61
Clarkia
Farewell-to-Spring, Godetia
several colours of erect spikes bearing
flowers with soft delicate petals; seasonal
plant
Glad Remembrance
In activity and in silence, in taking and in giving, always the glad remembrance of Thee!
My thought is filled with Thee, my heart is full, all my being is filled with Thy Presence, and peace grows ever deeper, giving rise to that happiness, so special, so unmixed, of a calm serenity, which seems vast as the universe, deep as the unfathomable depths which lead to Thee.
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One cannot do the yoga if one does not take it seriously. For one must be very serious to have a constant aspiration and do tapasya. If one is not serious, for five minutes one has an aspiration and for ten hours one hasn't; for one day there is a great urge and for a month nothing, and so on. Well, one can't do yoga in these conditions. It must be a continuous, constant thing which does not flag. If one forgets or slackens, one cannot do yoga.
Should not one be born with a great aspiration?
No, aspiration is a thing to be developed, educated, like all activities of the being. One may be born with a very slight aspiration and develop it so much that it becomes very great. One may be born with a very small will and develop it and make it strong. It is a ridiculous idea to believe that things come to you like that, through a sort of grace, that if you are not given aspiration, you don't have it—this is not true.
Clematis triloba
Virgin's bower
full panicles of fragrant white star-shaped flowers; creeper
Sentinel
Always awake!
Cleome
Spider flower
erect racemes bearing pink to white flowers with long protruding stamens; seasonal plant
Soaring of Aspiration
Nothing is too high, nothing too far for its insatiable ardour!
Page 63
Clerodendrum fragrans
Glory bower, Kashmir bouquet compact clusters of fragrant white rose-like flowers with red calyces; spreading shrub
Integral Even Basis in the Physical
What you have, I have; what you can do, I can do; what you express, I express—we are all alike!
To be equal-souled to all things, unmoved by joy and sorrow, the pleasant and the unpleasant, success or failure, to look with an equal eye on high and low, friend and enemy, the virtuous and the sinner, to see in all beings the manifold manifestation of the One.
Page 64
Clerodendrum indicum
Tube flower, Turk's turban dense clusters of delicate white flowers with long corolla tubes; shrub
The Divine Will Acting in the Subconscient
The rare moments when the Divine asserts Himself visibly.
Clerodendrum minahassae
erect clusters of small fragrant cream-white salverform flowers; shrub
The Divine Will Acting in the Inconscient
Is all powerful even when we are not aware of it.
Clerodendrum inerme
small white salverform flowers with violet or white elongated stamens; shrub or hedge
Faultless Planning of Work
Can only be obtained by the Divine Consciousness.
Clerodendrum wallichii
small clusters of sturdy white flowers with long slender corolla tubes, short recurved petals and erect reddish-violet stamens; shrub
Prevision
The power of projecting one's consciousness into the future.
Clerodendrum paniculatum
Pagoda flower
large erect terminal inflorescence with innumerable small orange flowers; shrub
Grouping
Indispensable for collective action.
Clerodendrum serratum
erect terminal panicles of white flowers with long tubes and prominent calyces turning red when mature; countryside shrub
Belief
Simple and candid, it does not argue.
Page 65
Clerodendrum speciosissimum
few-flowered panicles of soft light orange salverform flowers with recurved petals; shrub
Right Attitude
Simple and open, it is without complications.
Clerodendrum speciosum
Java glory bean, Pagoda flower large flattened cymes of red or crimson flowers with greenish-pink or white calyces; creeper
Aspiration for the Right Attitude
Energetic, willing, determined.
Clerodendrum splendens
erect clusters of dark orange-red salverform flowers with recurved petals; creeper
Right Attitude Established
There is a moment when the right attitude comes spontaneously and without effort.
Page 66
Clerodendrum ugandense
small groups of blue flowers with recurved stamens; low shrub
Rest
The true repose is that of a perfect surrender to the Divine.
The minute one stops going forward, one falls back. The moment one is satisfied and no longer aspires, one begins to die. Life is movement, it is effort, it is a march forward, the scaling of a mountain, the climb towards new revelations, towards future realisations. Nothing is more dangerous than wanting to rest. It is in action, in effort, in the march forward that repose must be found, the true repose of complete trust in the divine Grace, of the absence of desires, of victory over egoism.
Page 67
Radha's Prayer
O Thou whom at first sight I knew for the Lord of my being and my God, receive my offering.
Thine are all my thoughts, all my emotions, all the sentiments of my heart, all my sensations, all the movements of my life, each cell of my body, each drop of my blood. I am absolutely and altogether Thine, Thine without reserve. What Thou wilt of me, that I shall be. Whether Thou choosest for me life or death, happiness or sorrow, pleasure or suffering, all that comes to me from Thee will be welcome. Each one of Thy gifts will be always for me a gift divine bringing with it the supreme Felicity.
Clitoria ternatea
Mussel-shell creeper
papilionaceous flower with one cup-shaped petal, pale blue with white centre; countryside creeper
Krishna's Light in the Senses
A first step towards transformation.
white single flowers
Purified Senses
Can only be obtained by total surrender to the Truth.
ultramarine, single or double flowers
Radha's Consciousness
Symbolises perfect attachment to the Divine.
light mauve single flowers
Radha's Consciousness in the Vital
Perfect attachment to the Divine replaces all vital attractions and passions.
Page 68
Clivia miniata
Kaffir lily
umbels of apricot to bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers borne on a short scape; bulbous plant
Conversion of the Aim of Life from the Ego to the Divine
Instead of seeking one's own satisfaction, to have the service of the Divine as the aim of life.
To give everything one is or has to the Divine and regard nothing as one's own, to obey only the Divine will and no other, to live for the Divine and not for the ego.
Page 69
What the supramental will do the mind cannot foresee or lay down. The mind is ignorance seeking for the Truth, the supramental by its very definition is the Truth-Consciousness, Truth in possession of itself and fulfilling itself by its own power. In a supramental world imperfection and disharmony are bound to disappear. But what we propose just now is not to make the earth a supramental world but to bring down the supramental as a power and established consciousness in the midst of the rest—to let it work there and fulfil itself as Mind descended into Life and Matter and has worked as a Power there to fulfil itself in the midst of the rest. This will be enough to change the world and to change Nature by breaking down her present limits.
Cochlospermum religiosa
Yellow silk-cotton tree golden-yellow open cup-shaped flowers with numerous stamens; small tree
Success in Supramental Work
The result of a patient labour and a perfect consecration.
Cocos nucifera
Coconut palm
long branching spikes of small cream flowers with stiff petals; palm tree
Multitude
Gives itself freely and satisfies innumerable needs.
Page 70
Codiaeum Croton
variously coloured foliage and spikes of very small mildly fragrant ball-like flowers; shrub
Power to Reject Adverse Suggestions
The power that comes from conscious union with the Divine.
If the attack takes the form of adverse suggestions try quietly to push them away, as you would some material object. The quieter you are, the stronger you become....
The only way to fail in your battle with the hostile forces is not to have a true confidence in the divine help.
Page 71
Coffea
Coffee plant
small clusters of very fragrant white star-shaped flowers; tree
Perfect Path
For each one it is the path that leads fastest to the Divine.
One may say that the perfection of the integral Yoga will come when each man is able to follow his own path of Yoga, pursuing the development of his own nature in its upsurging towards that which transcends the nature. For freedom is the final law and the last consummation.
Coleus
variously coloured leaves; herbaceous seasonal plant
Strength in the Vital
Likes to show its beauty and its
power.
slender spikes of tiny lavender-blue flowers
Spiritual Awakening of the Vital
It soars towards the heights in the hope of reaching them.
Combretum coccineum
branching spikes with small brick-red star-shaped flowers and prominent stamens; shrub
True Action in the Material Vital
Graceful and simple in its spontaneity.
Combretum gloriosum
branching spikes of yellow to light red bottlebrush flowers; shrub
Organisation of Action in Life
Clustered, compact, its action is irresistible.
Page 72
Commelina
Dayflower
prominent light blue flower emerging from a folded bract; perennial herbaceous plant
Charity
Simple and sweet, attentive to the needs of all.
smaller light or deep blue flowers; countryside groundcover
First Conscious Reception of the Light in Nature
The origin of the will to progress: Nature has an instinctive thirst for light.
Page 73
Coniferae
Conifers
trees bearing evergreen needles
Perpetual Vitality
A vitality that is not affected by
external influences.
Convallaria majalis
Lily of the valley
short scapes bearing small fragrant nodding white bell-shaped flowers; bulbous plant
Power of Purity
Purity is the best of powers.
Cordia sebestena
Geiger tree
terminal clusters of orange or apricot-yellow salverform flowers; tree
Adoration
Manifold, smiling, regular, it offers itself untiringly.
Flowers are the spontaneous expression of Nature's adoration.
Cordyline terminalis
Good-luck plant, Ti colourful pink to dark red foliage and occasional branching terminal racemes of small pink tubular flowers; shrub
Return
The salvation of those who have wandered away.
Coreopsis
Calliopsis, Tickweed erect airy clusters of small single, semi-double and double compositae flowers in several autumn colours; seasonal plant
Cheerfulness in Work for the Divine
Work for the Divine and you will feel an ineffable joy filling your being.
Coriandrum sativum
Coriander, Chinese parsley compound umbels of tiny white flowers, aromatic leaves; low seasonal condiment
Delicacy
Charming to refined tastes.
Page 74
The transformation of the sex-centre and its energy is needed for the physical siddhi; for this is the support in the body of all the mental, vital and physical forces of the nature. It has to be changed into a mass and a movement of intimate Light, creative Power, pure divine Ananda. It is only the bringing down of the supramental Light, Power and Bliss into the centre that can change it.
Cosmos
several colours of single or semi-double compositae flowers with delicately scalloped petals; seasonal plant
Supramental Influence in the Sex Centre
It is the assurance of the coming conquest of desires.
Tranquillity of the Sex Centre When under the Influence of the Supramental Light
The Supramental influence liberates man from all that binds him to the animal.
Costus speciosus
Spiral ginger
rounded spike of compact bracts bearing a mildly fragrant funnel-shaped flower in various colour combinations; rhizomatous plant
Revelation
True revelation is the revelation of the Divine.
Costus
Integral Revelation
Half-way to transformation.
Couroupita guianensis
Cannonball tree
pendulous racemes of large very fragrant light to deep red rotate flowers with a central recurved hood; tree
Prosperity
Stays consistently only with those who offer it to the Divine.
lighter coloured flowers with rosy-white hood
Unselfish Prosperity
Those who receive it abundantly give all they have as they receive it.
Page 75
We can say that youth is constant growth and perpetual progress—and the growth of capacities, possibilities, of the field of action and range of consciousness, and progress in the working out of details.
Crataegus
Hawthorn
dense clusters of small rosy-white starlike flowers; shrub or hedge
Spring Purity
The charm and freshness of youth!
Crataeva nurvala
Caper tree
clusters of fragrant cream-white to yellow flowers with numerous long stamens; tree
Working of the Enlightened Mind
It is very powerful in leading the being to the Divine and can be very useful for progress.
Crinum
Spider lily
umbels of medium to large fragrant white flowers with narrow or broad petals; bulbous plant
Disinterested Work Done for the Divine
The surest means of progressing.
very large fragrant white and violet-pink flowers
Disinterested Work Done for the Divine in the Vital
Calm and powerful, it reaches its goal.
pendulous fragrant white funnel-shaped flowers banded light pink
Joy of Integral Peace
Calm and tranquil, a smile which does not disappoint.
Page 76
Supramental Influence in the Subconscient
So long as there is not the supramental change down to the subconscient, complete and full, the lower nature has always a hold on some part of the being.
Crossandra
bracted spikes of orange to reddish-orange half-salverform flowers; shrub
Under its modest appearance it is a great force for transformation.
light to deep yellow flowers
Supramental Light in the Subconscient
The essential condition for transformation.
Page 77
The action of the subconscient is irrational, mechanical, repetitive. It does not listen to reason or the mental will. It is only by bringing the higher Light and Force into it that it can change.
The subconscient is a dark and ignorant region, so that it is natural that the obscurer movements of the Nature should have more power there. It is so indeed with all the lower parts of the nature from the lower vital downwards. But it does send up good things also though more rarely. It has in the course of the sadhana to be illumined and made a support of the higher consciousness in the physical nature instead of a basis of the instinctive lower movements.
The subconscient is to be penetrated by the light and made a sort of bed-rock of truth, a store of right impressions, right physical responses to the Truth.
pink flowers
Psychic Light in the Subconscient
The preliminary condition for progress.
dull greenish-blue flowers; low countryside shrub
Krishna's Influence in the Subconscient
The best way to be above all contingencies.
Page 78
Crossostephium
Chinese lavender
short racemes of very small yellow compositae heads, aromatic leaves; perennial groundcover
Thirst to Understand
Very useful for transformation.
By the understanding we mean that which at once perceives, judges and discriminates, the true reason of the human being not subservient to the senses, to desire or to the blind force of habit, but working in its own right for mastery, for knowledge.
Page 79
It is the thinking mind that works out ideas—the externalising mental or physical mind gives them form in words. . . . The gift of verbal expression is comparatively rare.
The power of expression comes by getting into touch with the inner source from which these things come. A calm and silent mind is a great help for the free flow of the power.
Crotalaria juncea
Sun hemp
long erect racemes of bright yellow papilionaceous flowers; seasonal plant or perennial shrub
Formative Faculty in the Mind
It is a natural and very spontaneous
gift.
Crotalaria
light purple or blue flowers; low countryside shrub
Formative Faculty in the Vital
Spontaneous but not always happy, it needs to be disciplined.
Cucurbita
Gourd, Marrow, Squash, Pumpkin large yellow funnel-shaped flower; climbing vegetable plant
Abundance
Nature gives us much at a time generously and we have the joy of abundance.
Good and well-wishing, flowers answer abundantly all the creative fantasies of Nature.
Page 80
Cuphea micropetala
long spikes of narrow erect tubular flowers, light yellow with scarlet base; small shrub
Vegetal Goodwill towards the Supramental Forces
Each one does what he can.
O Nature, material Mother, Thou hast said that thou wilt collaborate and there is no limit to the splendour of this collaboration.
Page 81
Like a flame that burns in silence, like a perfume that rises straight upward without wavering, my love goes to Thee; and like the child who does not reason and has no care, I trust myself to Thee that Thy Will may be done, that Thy Light may manifest, Thy Peace radiate, Thy Love cover the world. When Thou wiliest I shall be in Thee, Thyself, and there shall be no more any distinction; I await that blessed hour without impatience of any kind, letting myself flow irresistibly toward it as a peaceful stream flows toward the boundless ocean.
Thy Peace is in me, and in that Peace I see Thee alone present in everything, with the calm of Eternity.
Curculigo orchioides
small yellow star-shaped flowers appearing from the ground; countryside rhizomatous plant
Attraction for the Light
In its attraction it tries to imitate the stars!
Curcuma pallida
Turmeric, Zedoary sturdy spikes of small yellow tubular flowers set in large bracts; rhizomatous condiment
Peace
To will what Thou wiliest, always and in all circumstances, is the only way of enjoying an unshakable peace.
Cyclamen
Alpine violet
fragrant white, pink to deep mauve flowers resembling shooting stars; low tuberous plant
Scented Marvel
One of the innumerable generosities of Nature.
A fragrance wandered in a coloured haze As if the scent and hue of all sweet flowers Had mingled to copy heaven's atmosphere.
Page 82
To grow in the spirit is the greatest help one can give to others, for then something flows out naturally to those around that helps them.
Cymbopogon citratus
Lemongrass
long slender lemon-scented leaves and long spikes bearing tiny graminae flowers; tall perennial economic grass
Help
You bring help to those who know how to use it!
Cynoglossum amabile
Chinese forget-me-not loose racemes of small deep sky-blue flowers; seasonal plant
Subconscient Remembrance
Must be purified of all that is useless.
Cytisus scoparius
Scotch broom
short spikes of yellow papilionaceous flowers on long branches; countryside shrub
Inventions
Have no use except when they are controlled by the Divine.
Page 83
Dahlia
several colours of medium to fairly large double flowers with flat petals and hard centre; tuberous plant
Dignity
Affirms its worth, but asks for nothing.
Dignity of the Emotions
Not to permit one's emotions to contradict the inner Divinity.
blood-red
Dignity in the Physical
Above all bargaining.
Psychic Dignity
Refuses to accept anything that lowers or debases.
orange-yellow
Supramentalised Mental Dignity
Tolerates no pettiness in its thought turned towards the Truth.
several colours of small semi-double or double flowers
Pride
A great obstacle to progress.
several colours of small single flowers with flat petals and hard centre
Vanity
One of the most frequent forms of falsehood.
Page 84
several colours of very large, often variegated flowers
Aristocracy
Incapable of baseness and pettiness, it asserts itself with dignity and authority.
very large dark red flowers
Nobility
The incapacity for any pettiness either of sentiments or action.
very large pure white flowers
Superhumanity
The aim of our aspirations
Page 85
Datura
Angel's trumpet
large mildly fragrant white trumpet-shaped flowers; countryside shrub
Tapasya
A discipline aiming at the realisation of the Divine.
double white flower
Integral Tapasya
The entire being lives only to know and serve the Divine.
single or double yellow flower
Mental Tapasya
The process leading to the goal.
single, double or triple violet flower
Vital Tapasya
The vital undergoes a vigorous discipline in order to transform itself.
When the will and energy are concentrated and used to control the mind, vital and physical and change them or to bring down the higher consciousness or for any other yogic purpose or high purpose, that is called Tapasya.
All life is only a lavish and manifold opportunity given us to discover, realise, express the Divine.
Delonix elata
cream-white rotate flowers fading to ochre yellow with very long stamens; tree
Mental Fantasy
Wild, dishevelled, it usually lacks co-ordination.
Delonix regia
Flamboyant, Gul Mohur clusters of striking orange-red to deep red flowers, one petal white to cream or yellow and marked orange-red; tree
Realisation
The goal of our efforts.
Page 86
Without care for time, without fear for space, surging out purified from the flames of the ordeal, we shall fly without stop towards the realisation of our goal, the supramental victory.
Delphinium
Larkspur
dense erect racemes of small graceful single or double flowers with long spur, sky-blue and other colours; seasonal plant
Soaring
Take your flight towards the heights!
Page 87
Dendrobium moschatum
Orchid
pendulous clusters of fragrant buff-yellow orchids; epiphyte
Mental Attachment to the Divine
Beautiful in form and in expression.
Supreme Lord, Eternal Truth, Let us obey Thee alone and live according to Truth.
Dianthus caryophyllus
Carnation, Clove pink several colours of scented double flowers; erect seasonal plant
Collaboration
Ever ready to help and knowing how to do it.
Dianthus chinensis
Chinese pink
several colours of single rotate flowers; seasonal plant
Obedience
To learn to obey is good; to obey only the Divine is better.
Page 88
Chinese pink double flowers
Perfect Obedience
Without reserve or hesitation, joyous obedience in every sphere to the command of the Divine.
Dianthus barbatus
Sweet William
clusters of small fragrant single rotate flowers in several colours; low seasonal plant
Detailed Obedience
The obedience to the Divine Will must be total.
The Spirit's tops and Nature's base shall draw Near to the secret of their separate truth And know each other as one deity. The Spirit shall look out through Matter's gaze And Matter shall reveal the Spirit's face. Then man and superman shall be at one And all the earth become a single life.
Dicentra spectabilis
Bleeding-heart
long hanging racemes of rose-pink heart-shaped flowers; perennial herbaceous plant
Sentimental Remembrance
Only those circumstances which helped us in our seeking for the Divine must be the object of this remembrance.
Dodonaea viscosa
Hopseed bush
clusters of greenish-brown to pink papery-winged fruits; countryside shrub
Psychic Awakening in Matter
Matter opens itself to the spiritual life.
Page 89
Dombeya
umbels of small mildly fragrant white or pink cup-shaped flowers; shrub
Conquest over the Greed for Food
A promise of good health.
Greed for food has to be overcome, but it has not to be given too much thought. The proper attitude to food is a certain equality. Food is for the maintenance of the body and one should take enough for that—what the body needs; if one gives less the body feels the need and hankers; if you give more, then that is indulging the vital.
Page 90
"Long and narrow is the ancient Path,—I have touched it, I have found it,—the Path by which the wise, knowers of the Eternal, attaining to salvation, depart hence to the high world of Paradise."
"A perfect path of the Truth has come into being for our journey to the other shore beyond the darkness."
Doxantha unguis-cati
Cat's claw
luminous golden-yellow salverform flowers, delicately scented; clinging creeper
Supramental Influence
Innumerable and rapid in its action.
Drimiopsis kirkii
clusters of very small white rounded flowers on a long smooth scape; bulbous plant with decorative foliage
Road to the Divine
Always long, at times apparently dry, but always abundant in its results!
Page 91
The purification of the vital takes a long time because until all the parts are free, none is quite free and because they use a multitude of movements which have to be changed or enlightened,—and moreover there is a great habit of persistence and resistance in the habitual movements of the nature. One therefore easily thinks that one has made no progress,—but all sincere and sustained effort of purification has its result and after a time the progress made will become evident.
Duranta repens
Skyflower, Golden-dewdrop delicate pendulous racemes of small sweetly scented light violet-blue flowers; shrub
Aspiration for Vital Purity
Delicate, modest, insistent.
Duranta repens 'Alba'
Vital Purity
It begins with the abolition of desire.
Page 92
Echinopsis multiplex
Easter-lily cactus large fragrant white to light pink funnel-shaped flower with innumerable petals; small rounded cactus
Richness of Feelings
Sincere and concentrated, without
deception.
Eichhornia crassipes
Water hyacinth
dense spikes of lilac-blue flowers, each flower having one petal resembling a peacock feather; floating water plant, often growing wild
Krishna's Play in the Vital
All is charming in His midst.
Emilia javanica
Tassel flower, Flora's paintbrush loose corymbs of soft scarlet tassel-like heads; seasonal plant
Prudence
Very useful for weakness since weakness needs prudence; strength does not need it.
Emilia javanica 'Lutea'
golden-yellow
Enlightened Prudence
Carefully examines its path before advancing.
Enterolobium saman
Monkey-pod, Rain-tree delicate pink soft powder-puff flower with white centre; large tree
Wisdom
Can only be acquired through union with the Divine Consciousness.
What men call knowledge is the reasoned acceptance of false appearances. Wisdom looks behind the veil and sees. Reason fixes details and contrasts them. Reason divides, Wisdom marries contrasts in a single har-mony.
Page 93
Epidendrum obrienanum
Butterfly orchid, Scarlet orchid clusters of small red orchids; epiphyte
Attachment of the Cells to the Divine
They know how to expect everything from Him and to count only on Him.
Episcea cupreata
Flame violet
variously coloured foliage and small salverform flowers, coral-pink or other colours; herbaceous groundcover or hanging-basket plant
Will Manifesting in Life
Precise and concentrated.
Episcea reptans
bright red flowers
Vital Will Manifesting in Life
It is often the cause of the greatest disorders!
Page 94
Eranthemum hypocrateriforme
pairs of small light purple-red salverform flowers; low shrub
Attachment of the Material Vital to the Divine
An attachment that wants to feel the power of contact.
Eranthemum pulchellum
short bracteated spikes bearing sky-blue salverform flowers with elongated carolla tube; spreading shrub
Aspiration for Silence in the Mind
Too noisy to be effective.
violet-blue flowers
Aspiration for Silence in the Physical Mind
Does what it can, but cannot do much.
Eranthemum wattii
small dark blue flowers and variegated bracts; countryside shrub
Krishna's Light in the Subconscient
Soon there will be no subconscient.
Page 95
There is the possibility of the material being transfiguring itself through the acceptation of a higher law than its own which is yet its own because it is always there latent and potential in its own secrecies.
Evolution comes by the unceasing pressure of the supra-material planes on the material compelling it to deliver out of itself their principles and powers which might conceivably otherwise have slept imprisoned in the rigidity of the material formula.
Erythrina variegata
Indian coral tree
one-sided dense racemes of dark red sabre-shaped flowers; tree
Beginning of Realisation in Matter
Matter responds to the Divine's influence.
Erythrina variegata 'Alba'
white veined light pink
Psychic Governing Matter
The psychic influence compels the physical to turn towards the Divine.
bright orange
Matter Prepares Itself to Receive the Supramental
Matter tries to liberate itself from old habits in order to prepare for the New Creation.
Page 96
The ego is what makes one conscious of being separate from others. If there were no ego, you would not perceive that you are a person separate from others. You would have the impression that you are a small part of a whole, a very small part of a very great whole. . . .
When you begin to be aware that everything is yourself, and that this is only a very small point in the midst of thousands and thousands of other points of the same person that you are everywhere, when you feel that you are yourself in everything and that there is no separation, then you know that you are on the way towards having no more ego.
Eucalyptus
Gum tree
clusters of white or pink rounded brushlike flowers; tree
Abolition of the Ego
One exists only by the Divine and for the Divine.
Human nature is shot through in all its stuff with the thread of the ego; even when one tries to get away from it, it is in front or could be behind all the thoughts and actions like a shadow. To see that is the first step, to discern the falsity and absurdity of the ego movements is the second, to discourage and refuse it at each step is the third,—but it goes entirely only when one sees, experiences and lives the One in everything and equally everywhere.
Page 97
Eucharis grandiflora
Amazon lily, Cup-and-saucer lily umbels of fragrant pure white flowers with a central cup emerging from spreading petals; bulbous plant
Light without Obscurity
Eulophia
long erect racemes of small light green orchids veined maroon or dark red; ground orchid
Exclusive Turning of All Movements towards the Divine
The sure means of security.
Page 98
Euphorbia milii
Crown-of-thorns
small clusters or pairs of red buttonlike flowers; low shrub
Concentration
Does not aim at effect, but is simple and persistent.
By concentration on anything whatsoever we are able to know that thing, to make it deliver up its concealed secrets. . . .
By concentration again the whole will can be gathered up for the acquisition of that which is still ungrasped. . . .
By concentration of our whole being on one status of itself, we can become whatever we choose.
Euphorbia cyathophora
Painted leaf, Mexican fire plant small red floral bracts surrounding clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers; herbaceous countryside seasonal plant
Opening of the Vital to the Divine Love
Little by little it is no longer the ego that governs but the Divine.
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Poinsettia, Christmas flower
large white, cream, pink or red floral
bracts; shrub
Page 99
Eurycles sylvestris
Brisbane lily
umbels of small milk-white funnel-shaped flowers; bulbous plant
Silver
White and manifold, it aspires for spirituality.
Evolvulus alsinoides
sky-blue buttonlike flowers; countryside groundcover
First Sign of Krishna's Light in Matter
It announces the coming transformation.
To know is good,
to live is better,
to be, that is perfect
Fittonia vershaffeltii
Mosaic plant, Silver-net plant decorative foliage with upright bracteate spikes bearing very small pale yellow, orange or red flowers; succulent groundcover
Application
Modest, but harmonious.
Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel
wide umbels of innumerable tiny yellow flowers and soft feathery leaves with pungent fragrance; seasonal herb
Page 100
Fuchsia
Lady's-eardrops
beautiful pendulous small lanternlike flowers in many shades; shrub
Art
Living only to express beauty.
All art should be ... a thing of harmony and joy and illumination, a solution and release of the soul from its vital unrest and questioning and struggle.... In the greatest art and poetry there should be something of the calm of the impersonal basing and elevating the effort and struggle of the personality, something of the largeness of the universal releasing and harmonising the troubled concentrations of the individual existence, something of the sense of the transcendent raising the inferior, ignorant and uncertain powers of life towards a greater strength and light and Ananda.
Page 101
Do you know what the flower which we have called "Successful Future" signifies when given to you? It signifies the hope—nay, even the promise—that you will participate in the descent of the supramental world. For that descent will be the successful consummation of our work, a descent of which the full glory has not yet been or else the whole face of life would have been different. By slow degrees the Supramental is exerting its influence; now one part of the being and now another feels the embrace or the touch of its divinity; but when it comes down in all its self-existent power, a supreme radical change will seize the whole nature.
Gaillardia pulchella
Blanket-flower
autumn colours of single or double compositae flowers with trumpet-shaped florets; seasonal plant
Successful Future
Full of promise and joyous
surprises.
Gaillardia pulchella 'picta'
flat florets in several autumn colours
Cheerfulness
A joyous smile of Nature.
yellow florets
Mental Cheerfulness
It knows how to take delight in everything.
Page 102
Galanthus nivalis
Snowdrop
dainty nodding white bell-shaped flowers edged green; low bulbous plant
Promise of Renewal
May ugliness disappear from the
world!
Galphimia glauca
light erect racemes of small yellow star-shaped flowers; low shrub
Honesty in the Physical Mind
The preliminary indispensable condition for transformation.
Gardenia jasminoides
Cape jasmine
highly fragrant single white salverform flower; shrub
Radiating Purity
It charms and fascinates making all Nature fragrant.
double flowers
Perfect Radiating Purity
Nothing escapes its action.
Gazania
erect compositae flowers in autumn colours with a dark band towards the centre; low seasonal plant
Seeking for Clarity
Likes to say clearly what has to be
said.
Genista
Broom
erect racemes of yellow papilionaceous flowers; countryside shrub
Gerbera jamesonii
Transvaal daisy
single or double erect compositae funnel-shaped flowers with long slender petals, in a variety of pastel colours; rhizomatous plant
Frankness
Says candidly what it has to say without caring for the result.
Page 103
To be receptive is to feel the urge to give and the joy of giving to the Divine's work all one has, all one is, all one does.
If one is inwardly open, if one is receptive, one receives right down into the subtle physical all that is necessary for one's integral progress. And in the order of things, the outer contact should come only as a crowning and an aid so that the body—the material physical consciousness and the body—may be able to follow the movement of the inner being.
Gladiolus hortulanus
Gladiolus
all colours of long graceful scapes of elegant flared or ruffled tubular flowers; bulbous plant
Receptivity
Conscious of the Divine Will and surrendered to it.
carmine pink or light mauve
Emotional Receptivity
Emotions wanting to be divinised.
Page 104
Integral Receptivity
The whole being is aware of the Divine Will and obeys it.
multi-coloured
Manifold Receptivity
Nothing resists the Light.
Mental Receptivity
Always ready to learn.
predominantly bright red
Physical Receptivity
That which one should have only towards the Divine.
dark red or deep violet
Vital Receptivity
Happens only when the vital understands that it must be transformed; it blossoms in aspiration for the Divine.
pink and rose-pink
Psychic Receptivity
The psychic responds joyously to the ascending force.
bicoloured, pink and orange
Receptivity of the Supramentalised Psychic
This happens to the psychic that continues to progress.
orange
Supramentalised Receptivity
The receptivity of tomorrow.
Page 105
Gliricidia sepium
Madre, Nicaraguan cocoa-shade
dense pendulous clusters of pink and white
papilionaceous flowers; tree
Refinement of Habits
Ordered, neat and regular in their organisation.
Gloriosa superba
Climbing lily, Flame lily, Glory lily lilylike flowers with long stamens and slender red and yellow twisted recurved petals; tuberous plant
No Quarrels
A very important condition to fulfil in order to facilitate the advent of the Supermind.
Quarrels and clashes are a proof of the absence of the yogic poise and those who seriously wish to do yoga must learn to grow out of these things. It is easy enough not to clash when there is no cause for strife or dispute or quarrel; it is when there is cause and the other side is impossible and unreasonable that one gets the opportunity of rising above one's vital nature.
Page 106
Gloxinia perennis
short racemes of small velvety light mauve bell-shaped flowers; decorative foliage plant
Blossoming of the Emotional Being
It broadens and opens so as to receive better.
Gmelina
pendulous racemes of yellow open-mouthed flowers, with or without large russet bracts; large shrub or countryside shrub
Mental Voice
The mind must learn to express only what is dictated by the Divine.
Page 107
Gomphrena globosa
Globe amaranth
various colours of small rounded heads of everlasting flowers; low seasonal plant
Immortality
Forms are in perpetual transformation; identify yourself with the Immortal Consciousness and you will become It.
Immortality is not the survival of the mental personality after death, though that also is true, but the waking possession of the unborn and deathless Self of which body is only an instrument and a shadow.
Gomphrena
Vital Immortality
Exists in its own field, but is conditioned by surrender to the Divine.
light purple
Conscious Vital Immortality
The immortality of an organised and conscious vital being.
It is a promise. When will it be a material fact?
Supramental Immortality
It is an established fact, but few human beings have experienced it.
Page 108
He who acquires for himself alone, acquires ill though he may call it heaven and virtue.
Gossypium
Cotton plant
yellow or cream-white funnelshaped flower set in green bracts; seasonal plant
Material Abundance
Nature always shows us what true abundance is—it is overwhelming!
Gossypium arboreum
Tree cotton dark red; tree
Success in the Most Material Vital
Has value only when it is offered to the Divine.
Graptophyllum
Caricature plant
variegated leaves and short racemes of dark red tubular labiate flowers; shrub
Vital Impulses
They look like nothing at all but they assert themselves and are stubborn!
Guettarda speciosa
small cymes of fragrant white salverform flowers; tree
Peace in the Nerves
Indispensable for good health.
Gypsophila elegans
Baby's breath
graceful airy sprays of delicate tiny white flowers; seasonal plant
Modesty of Beauty
It blossoms without attracting
attention.
Page 109
The manifestation of the Supramental upon earth is no more a promise but a living fact, a reality.
It is at work here, and one day will come when the most blind, the most unconscious, even the most unwilling shall be obliged to recognise it.
Haemanthus multiflorus
Blood lily
short scape bearing a large striking ball of small glowing pinkish-red flowers with gold-tipped stamens; low bulbous plant
Supramental Manifestation
It will be welcome.
Haematoxylum campechianum
Bloodwood tree, Logwood clusters of small mildly fragrant light yellow star-shaped flowers; shrub or small tree
Fairy Freshness
Charming, it refreshes the eyes.
Hamelia patens
Firebush, Scarlet bush cymes of small bright orange tubular flowers; shrub or hedge
Matter under the Supramental Guidance
The condition required for its transformation.
Hedera
Ivy
dark glossy evergreen leaves with prominent lobes; clinging creeper
Lasting Attachment
Modest, without glamour, but persistent.
Page 110
Hedychium
Butterfly lily, Garland lily, Ginger lily several sizes and colours of fragrant delicate butterfly-like flowers set in bracteated spikes; rhizomatous plant
Sachchidananda
Strong and pure, it stands erect in its creative power.
That which has thrown itself out into forms is a triune Existence-Consciousness-Bliss, Sachchidananda.... All things that exist are what they are as terms of that existence, terms of that conscious force, terms of that delight of being.
Page 111
Helianthus
Sunflower
single yellow sunflowers of several sizes and shades; seasonal plant
Consciousness Turned towards the Light
It thirsts for Light and cannot live without it.
Consciousness Turned towards the Supramental Light
It thirsts for Truth and will find its satisfaction only in the Truth.
large flowers, sienna ray florets streaked gold and yellow with a golden aura radiating from the centre
Body-Consciousness Undergoing the Supramental Transformation
Solid and resolute, it faces all difficulties.
large double yellow chrysanthemum-type sunflower
Intensity of the Consciousness in the Full Supramental Light
It is radiant and radiates in order to illumine the world.
large red-brown sunflower with golden-yellow glow at base and back of ray florets
Supramental Artistic Genius
It blossoms in the Light and makes it manifest.
Helichrysum bracteatum
Everlasting, Strawflower several colours of compositae flowers with strawlike petals and golden-yellow centre; seasonal plant
Supramental Immortality Upon Earth
This remains to be realised.
Page 112
Heliconia
Lobster-claw
branching spikes of striking red boat-shaped bracts and inconspicuous flowers; rhizomatous plant
Bird of Paradise
A bird that never flies away!
Heliotropium
Cherry-pie, Heliotrope compact one-sided spikes of tiny or very small fragrant purple flowers; seasonal or perennial plant
Vital Consecration
Delightfully modest and fragrant, it smiles at life without wanting to draw attention.
Page 113
The highest aim of the aesthetic being is to find the Divine through beauty; the highest Art is that which by an inspired use of significant and interpretative form unseals the doors of the Spirit.
Hibiscus
large or small single red or reddish-pink flower with dark red centre and smooth petals, each petal splashed white on one lower edge; shrub
Aesthetic Power
Beauty is a great power.
Page 114
medium-sized double light or dark salmon-pink flower with fine red veins and red centre
Agni
The flame of purification which must precede all contact with the invisible worlds.
O splendid Agni, Thou who art so living within me, I call Thee, I invoke Thee that Thou mayst be more living still, that Thy brazier may become more immense, Thy flames higher and more powerful, that the entire being may now be only an ardent burning, a purifying pyre.
small single pale cream-yellow flower with pure white centre
Ananda
Calm, tranquil, equal, smiling and very gentle in its truly simple austerity.
pale cream-yellow with red centre
Ananda in the Physical
It is welcome, even if it manifests rarely.
Hibiscus Hawaiian
large single crimson-pink flower with heavily crinkled petals shading to pale pink on the edges, dark red centre
Beauty of the New Creation
The New Creation strives to better manifest the Divine.
large single salmon-pink flower with pink centre and pale pink aura or medium single light apricot-orange flower with light red centre
Beauty of Supramental Love
It invites us to live at its height.
medium-sized single orange-yellow flower, often changing to apricot-yellow
Beauty of Supramental Youth
Exquisitely fresh and powerful, with uncontested beauty.
medium to large single orange flowers with smooth or ruffled petals, centres of various colours other than white
Beauty of Tomorrow
The beauty that will express Divine
Power.
Page 115
large single orange flower with white centre and pale pink aura
Beauty of Tomorrow Manifesting the Divine
A beauty that exists only for the Divine and by the Divine.
large semi-double flower with rounded outer petals and tufted centre; shades of yellow, blended with fire-red and orange towards the centre
Blossoming of the New Creation
The more we concentrate on the goal the more it grows and becomes precise.
large single pink flowers with crinkled petals, centres varying from white through dark pink
Charm of the New Creation
The New Creation is attractive for all those who want to progress.
medium-sized yellow cup-shaped flower splashed orange with crinkled petals and light yellow centre
Concentration of the New Creation
Concentration on a precise goal helps development.
large double flower, light pink shading to deeper pink with dark red centre, with or without pale cream border on outer edge of petals
Consciousness One with the Divine Consciousness
Smiling and happy, it no longer knows any shadows.
Hibiscus 'Dream'
medium to large double flower, mauve shading to grey-lavender
Controlled Power
True power is always quiet.*
Extract from a message.
Page 116
No matter how great your faith and trust in the Divine Grace, no matter how great your capacity to see it at work in all circumstances, at every moment, at every point in life, you will never succeed in understanding the marvellous immensity of Its Action, and the precision, the exactitude with which this Action is accomplished; you will never be able to grasp to what extent the Grace does everything, is behind everything, organises everything, conducts everything, so that the march forward to the divine realisation may be as swift, as complete, as total and harmonious as possible, considering the circumstances of the world.
As soon as you are in contact with It, there is not a second in time, not a point in space, which does not show you dazzlingly this perpetual work of the Grace, this constant intervention of the Grace.
And once you have seen this, you feel you are never equal to it, for you should never forget it, never have any fears, any anguish, any regrets, any recoils... or even suffering. If one were in union with this Grace, if one saw It everywhere, one would begin living a life of exultation, of all-power, of infinite happiness.
And that would be the best possible collaboration in the divine Work.
Hibiscus mutabilis
Changeable rose, Confederate rose large double flower with soft delicate petals, opening pure white, gradually turning pink
The Divine Grace
Thy goodness is infinite; we bow before Thee in gratitude!
Page 117
What is lacking is a spiritual knowledge and spiritual power, a power over self, a power born of inner unification with others, a power over the surrounding or invading world-forces, a full-visioned and fully equipped power of effectuation of knowledge; it is these capacities missing or defective in us that belong to the very substance of gnostic being, for they are inherent in the light and dynamis of the gnostic nature.
Hibiscus 'Rosa-sinensis'
medium-sized single light to dark red erect or pendulous flowers, separated recurved petals and often with crenate border
Dynamic Power
Indispensable for progress.
medium to large single reddish-pink shaded orange cup-shaped flower with light orange border and large deep pink centre
Effective Power of the Supermind
All-powerful, it imposes itself on all in the certitude of its knowledge.
Hibiscus 'Viceroy'
small single magenta flower
Individual Power
Limited in capacity and action.
small to medium single coral-pink flower with cream border, luminous pink veins and intense red centre
Enlightened Individual Power
Limited in its action but of a very high capacity.
Page 118
Hibiscus miniatus
small delicate single white flower; small shrub
Eternal Smile
A boon only the Divine can give.
small salmon-orange flower
Eternal Youth
A gift that the Divine gives us when we unite ourselves with Him.
The eternal smile means the self-existent joy and gladness Of the Spirit.
To know how to be reborn into a new life at every moment is the secret of eternal youth.
There is one kind of faith demanded as indispensable by the integral Yoga and that may be described as faith in God and the Shakti, faith in the presence and power of the Divine in us and the world.
Hibiscus albo-variegata
medium-sized double flower, variegated red and white
Faith
You flame up and triumph!
large single flower with long smooth yellow petals flecked and veined orange-red, deep red or bright pink centre and lighter pink aura
Firmness of the New Creation
The New Creation wants to be firm in its manifestation.
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O seeing Flame,
thou earnest man of the crooked ways
into the abiding truth and the knowledge.
Hibiscus schizopetalus
Japanese-lantern
medium-sized single light red pendulous flower with separated, deeply indented and fully recurved petals edged white
Flame
Triumphant and elegant in its ardour!
Page 120
Hibiscus 'Cromwell'
large single cream or very pale golden-yellow flower with flat or crinkled petals and a light pink centre
Godhead
Pure and perfect, it puts out its force in the world.
medium-sized single light mauve cup-shaped flower with heavily crinkled petals and intense violet centre; edge of petals pink, nearly white
Ideal of the New Creation
The ideal must be progressive in
order to be realised in the future.
medium to large single white flower with slender or rounded milk-white petals
Light of the Purified Power
Of irresistible simplicity in its power solely consecrated to the Divine.
Hibiscus 'Splash'
medium to large single bi-coloured or variegated flower with crinkled petals, usually orange-red splashed with gold and white
Manifold Power of the New Creation
The New Creation will be rich in possibilities.
medium to large single lemon-yellow flowers with centres varying from light red to scarlet
Power rendered utilisable.
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medium-sized single bright cardinal-red flower with firm petals, with or without reddish-purple centre
Power of Action
The power resulting from true
medium to large double flowers ranging from raspberry-pink through red to crimson
Power of Consciousness
All the powers of controlling and dominating the lower movements of inconscient nature.
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The liberated individual being, united with the Divine in self and spirit, becomes in his natural being a self-perfecting instrument for the perfect outflowering of the Divine in humanity.
large single bright ochre-yellow flower with crinkled petals
Power in the Converted Mind
When the mind turns towards the Divine it becomes a powerful instrument.
Hibiscus 'Sebactini'
large single light grey to deep lavender flower with thin flat petals and magenta-purple centre
Power of Effort
Efforts well-directed break down all obstacles.
Hibiscus 'Comet'
large sturdy single deep magenta flower with rounded petals
Power of the Future
To be capable of working for the future.
medium to large single light or bright yellow flowers with smooth petals; pink, red or light orange centre
Power of Harmony
Simple, noble, dignified, powerful and charming.
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Hibiscus syriacus
Rose-of-Sharon, Shrub althaea medium-sized single deep lavender cup-shaped flower changing to blue, magenta centre and white anthers
Power in the Higher Vital
Power that wants to be at the service of the Divine.
small or large single white flower with long or rounded separate petals and bright red or vermilion centre
Power of Integral Purity
The power to accept only the divine influence.
large single bright orange-red flower with smooth or crinkled petals, orange border and deep red centre
Power of Perseverance
The perseverance that overcomes all obstacles.
The power needed in yoga is the power to go through effort, difficulty or trouble without getting fatigued, depressed, discouraged or impatient and without breaking off the effort or giving up one's aim or resolution.
large single pink to light red flower with smooth petals; centre white often shading to lavender-pink
Power of Progress
Progress is the sign of the divine influence in creation.
Hibiscus 'Sweetheart'
small to medium single cream-white flower with mauve-pink veins and deeper coloured centre, orange stigmas
Power to Progress
Precious because of its rarity, it
must be cultivated with care.
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medium to large double flowers with delicate petals, light to dark pink
Power of the Psychic Consciousness
The psychic power organises the activities of the nature to make it progress.
large single deep magenta flower with sturdy separated petals
Power in Service of the Future
Without haste, but sure of its success.
In a gnostic life, a life of superreason and supernature, a self-aware spiritual unity of being and a spiritual conscious community and interchange of nature would be the deep and ample root of understanding: this greater life would have evolved new and superior means and powers of uniting consciousness inwardly with consciousness; intimacy of consciousness communicating inwardly and directly with consciousness, thought with thought, vision with vision, sense with sense, life with life, body-awareness with body-awareness, would be its natural basic instrumentation. All these new powers taking up the old outward instruments and using them as a subordinate means with a far greater power and to more purpose would be put to the service of the self-expression of the Spirit in a profound oneness of being and life.
medium-sized or large single salmon-orange to golden-yellow flower with soft crinkled petals, deep magenta centre and silver-white aura
Power of Spiritual Beauty
Spiritual beauty has a contagious power.
Page 125
large single cream-white flower with crinkled petals and magenta pinwheel centre
Power of Success
The power of those who know how to continue their effort.
medium to large double golden-yellow or light orange-yellow flower and red to deep orange centre
Power of the Supramental Consciousness
Organising and active, irresistible in its influence.
medium-sized single cup-shaped yellow flower with heavily crinkled petals and large reddish-orange firelike centre
Progress of the New Creation
Each must find the activity favourable to one's own progress.
small, medium or large single pink flowers
Psychic Power in Existence
Manifold, imperious, irresistible in its comprehensive sweetness.
large single bright orange-red flower with firm crinkled petals
Puissance of Realisation
With realisation all obstacles will be overcome.
large single lemon-yellow or luminous yellow flower with crinkled or smooth petals and white or light pink centre
Realisation of the New Creation
It is for this that we must prepare ourselves.
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medium to large single golden-orange or deep salmon flowers often fading to yellow; red or deep crimson centre
Supramental Beauty in the Physical
Its promise is charming!
Hibiscus 'Daffodil'
medium to large double bright yellow or golden-yellow flower
Supramental Consciousness
Gloriously awake and powerful—luminous, sure of itself and infallible in its movements!
The one rule of the gnostic life would be the self-expression of the Spirit, the will of the Divine Being; that will, that self- expression could manifest through extreme simplicity or through extreme complexity and opulence or in their natural balance,—for beauty and plenitude, a hidden sweetness and laughter in things, a sunshine and gladness of life are also powers and expressions of the Spirit.
large single light golden-yellow or apricot-yellow flower with crinkled petals and white or light pink pinwheel centre
Sweetness of the Power Surrendered to the Divine
Sweetness itself becomes powerful when it is at the service of the Divine.
medium to large single uniformly pink flower with rounded petals and reddish-pink centre
Usefulness of the New Creation
A creation which aims at teaching men to surpass themselves.
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large single golden-ochre to mustard flower with crinkled petals, vermilion centre with silver-white aura
Victorious Beauty
When it has resolved the ugliness of life!
One may feel within oneself the touch, the approach of something positively beautiful and true, and willingly drop all the rest so that nothing may burden the journey to this new beauty and truth.
Hibiscus mutabilis 'rosa'
Changeable rose, Confederate rose large double light to medium pink flower with delicate petals; large shrub
Victorious Love
Sure of itself, fearless, generous and smiling.
O victorious power of divine Love, Thou art the sovereign Master of this universe, Thou art its creator and its saviour, Thou hast permitted it to emerge from chaos, and now Thou leadest it to its eternal goal.
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The will to enjoy is proper to the vital being but not the choice or the reaching after the enjoyment which must be determined and acquired by higher functions; therefore the vital being must be trained to accept whatever gain or enjoyment comes to it in the right functioning of the life in obedience to the working of the divine Will and to rid itself of craving and attachment.
medium-sized double cream-white or light yellow flower
Will in Course of Uniting with the Divine Will
On the way to perfection.
Rose-of-Sharon, Shrub althaea
small to medium-sized double white flower
Will One with the Divine Will
The condition for surmounting all obstacles.
How can we know what the divine Will is?
One does not know it, one feels it. And in order to feel it one must will with such an intensity, such sincerity, that every obstacle disappears. As long as you have a preference, a desire, an attraction, a liking, all these veil the Truth from you. Hence, the first thing to do is to try to master, govern, correct all the movements of your consciousness and eliminate those which cannot be changed until all becomes a perfect and permanent expression of the Truth.
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A complete and radical change can only be brought about by bringing in persistently the spiritual light and intimate experience of the spiritual truth, power, bliss into the recalcitrant elements until they too recognise that their own way of fulfilment lies there, that they are themselves a diminished power of the Spirit and can recover by this new way of being their own truth and integral nature.
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Hippeastrum Amaryllis
long sturdy scapes bearing umbels of large trumpet-shaped flowers in several colours; bulbous plant
Conversion
The starting point of realisation.
Hippeastrum
light pink with carmine-pink lines and a white streak through the middle of each petal
Conversion of the Emotional Being
It blossoms in harmonious receptivity.
medium-sized bright red flower
Conversion of the Physical
Compact and stable, without fluctuations.
medium-sized salmon-orange flower
Conversion of the Physical Mind
Ready to understand everything and to grow continuously.
medium-sized dark red or violet flower
Conversion of the Vital
Enthusiastic and spontaneous, it gives itself unstintingly.
large fragrant white flower
Integral Conversion
A harmonious blossoming above all
conflicts and struggles.
white specked pink, curly-edged petals
Integral Conversion with the Help of the Psychic
Sweetness mingles with resolution.
Hippeastrum 'Dutch hybrid'
large flower with thick fleshy petals, red or other colours
Total Conversion
The whole being has given itself in all its movements.
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Hiptage benghalensis
clusters of small fragrant white flowers, recurved and frilled petals, one splotched yellow; heavy creeper
Spiritual Success
Spiritual success is conscious union with the Divine.
Hollarrhena antidysenterica
Conessi bark, Easter tree loose cymes of small fragrant cream-white salverform flowers with recurved petals; tree
Psychic Peace
It is spontaneous and does not make a fuss.
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Holmskioldia
Chinese-hat plant, Parasol flower few-flowered clusters of small striking parasol-like flowers in various colours; shrub
Curiosity
If we want to be exceptional, may it be our capacities that make us so!
Every child has an insatiable intellectual curiosity and turn for metaphysical enquiry. Use it to draw him on slowly to an understanding of the world and himself.
lemon-yellow
Mental Curiosity
Must be earnestly controlled so as not to be dangerous.
orange-red
Physical Curiosity
Its value depends on its purpose.
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For all problems of existence are essentially problems of harmony. They arise from the perception of an unsolved discord and the instinct of an undiscovered agreement or unity. . . . For essentially, all Nature seeks a harmony, life and matter in their own sphere as much as mind in the arrangement of its perceptions.
Hoya carnosa Wax flower
full umbels of small pale pink waxy star-shaped flowers; creeper
Power of Collective Aspiration
A harmonious collective aspiration can change the course of circumstances.
Hyacinthus orientalis
Hyacinth
short scapes bearing densely clustered fragrant bell-shaped flowers with flared petals, several colours; bulbous plant
Pride of Beauty
Likes to show itself and be admired.
Hydrangea
large rounded heads of small four-petalled flowers ranging in colour from white through pink to blue; shrub
Collective Harmony
Collective harmony is the work undertaken by the Divine Consciousness; it alone has the power to realise it.
Hymenocallis
Crown-beauty, Spider lily umbels of fragrant white flowers; each flower with slender recurved petals and elongated stamens emerging from a central cup; bulbous plant
Alchemy
Plastic and supple, ready to take any form.
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The more a person is quiet in front of all occurrences, equal in all circumstances, and keeps a perfect mastery of himself and remains peaceful in the presence of whatever happens, the more he has progressed towards the goal.
Iberis Candytuft
heads of small white, pink to blue irregular rotate flowers; low seasonal plant
Equanimity
Immutable peace and calm.
Ilex
Holly
red berries set in shiny glossy evergreen spiny leaves; shrub
Courageous Goodwill
Is solid and resistant, fearing neither
inclemency nor the cold.
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Impatiens balsamina
Balsam, Snapweed
several colours of single or double flowers with delicately recurved petals and a long spur; low seasonal plant
Generosity
Giving and self-giving without bargain.
Generosity in the Physical
Likes abundance and gives abundantly.
rose-purple
Generosity in the Vital
Gives itself unstintingly.
all multi-coloured shades except pink-red
Manifold Generosity
All in Nature is spontaneously generous.
Psychic Generosity
Gives for the joy of giving.
pink-red
Psycho-physical Generosity
Generosity of thought and act.
Impatiens walleriana
Busy Lizzie, Perennial balsam several colours of small single rotate flowers with flat petals and a long spur; low herbaceous plant
Works of Love
The best condition for work.
Iochroma cyaneum
pendulous clusters of deep violet tubular flowers; low shrub
Seeking the Light in the Lower Vital
Does more work, makes less noise!
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The plants offer their beauty to the Supreme.
Ipomoea
delicate funnel-shaped flowers in many colours; cultivated or countryside creeper
Nature Makes an Offering of Her Beauty
It is a spontaneous and effortless offering.
Ipomoea beveriensis 'Candy king'
large striking scarlet flower with large yellow centre streaked scarlet; perennial creeper
Nature Aspires to Be Supramentalised
The first vegetal response to the action of the Supramental forces.
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In the world of forms a violation of Beauty is as great a fault as a violation of Truth in the world of ideas. For Beauty is the worship Nature offers to the supreme Master of the universe; Beauty is the divine language in forms. And a consciousness of the Divine which is not translated externally by an understanding and expression of Beauty would be an incomplete consciousness.
But true Beauty is as difficult to discover, to understand and above all to live as any other expression of the Divine; this discovery and expression exacts as much impersonality and renunciation of egoism as that of Truth or Bliss. Pure Beauty is universal and one must be universal to see and recognise it.
Ipomoea acuminata
Morning glory, Blue dawn flower
large violet-blue flower fading to mauve;
perennial creeper
Artistic Taste
Pleased with beautiful things, it is itself beautiful.
Ipomoea tricolor
Blue dawn flower
large light blue flower; seasonal creeper
Artistic Sensibility
A powerful aid to fight ugliness.
Ipomoea tricolor 'Scarlet O'Hara'
large bright magenta flower
Joy of Beauty
Beauty is the joyous offering of Nature.
Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly blue'
medium to large translucent sky-blue flower
Pure Sense of Beauty
Can be acquired only through a great purification.
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Ipomoea tricolor 'Cornell'
medium to large rose-pink flower with white centre and border
Spontaneous Beauty
Delicate and magnificent, it has an incomparable charm.
Ipomoea cairica
Railway creeper
small light mauve to purple flower; perennial creeper
Detachment from All That Is Not the Divine
A single occupation, a single aim, a single joy—the Divine!
Ipomoea carnea
large pale lavender-pink to light mauve flower with deeper mauve throat; shrub or heavy creeper
Gratitude
It is you who open all the closed doors and allow the saving Grace to enter.
Ipomoea horsfalliae
small magenta star-shaped flower with waxy petals; heavy perennial creeper
Heroic Thought
To the conquest of the unknown without fear of difficulty and incomprehension!
Ipomoea tricolor 'Pearly Gates'
large radiant translucent white flower with cream-yellow throat
Integral Unconditional Offering
The joy of offering oneself without asking for anything in return.
Page 139
Iris
Fleur-de-lis
tall scapes bearing large flowers in various colours with three crested and three recurved petals; bulbous plant
Aristocracy of Beauty
So perfect a form as to compel
admiration!
Page 140
Purity means freedom from soil or mixture. The divine Purity is that in which there is no mixture of the turbid ignorant movements of the lower nature.
Isotoma longiflora
pure white star-shaped flower with long corolla tube
Divine Purity
Happy just to be, in all simplicity!
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When I speak of aspiration in the physical I mean that the very consciousness in you which hankers after material comfort and well-being should of itself, without being compelled by the higher parts of your nature, ask exclusively for the Divine's Love. Usually you have to show it the Light by means of your higher parts; surely this has to be done persistently, otherwise the physical would never learn and it would take Nature's common round of ages before it learns by itself. Indeed the round of Nature is intended to show it all possible sorts of satisfactions and by exhausting them convince it that none of them can really satisfy it and that what it is at bottom seeking is a divine satisfaction. In Yoga we hasten this slow process of Nature and insist on the physical consciousness seeing the truth and learning to recognise and want it.
Ixora
small or full corymbs of dark red flowers with narrow corolla tube and pointed petals; shrub
Aspiration in the Physical
Manifold, simple and joyous.
Ixora singaporensis
smaller orange to brick-red flowers with less pointed petals
Aspiration in the Physical for the Supramental Light
Clustered, persistent, it is obstinately organised and methodical.
yellow flowers
Mental Aspiration
Its expression is clear, precise and very reasonable!
Ixora chinensis
tiny to small mildly fragrant pink flowers
Psychic Aspiration
Constant, regular, organised, at the same time gentle and patient—it resists all opposition, overcomes all difficulties.
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Ixora thwaitesii
very fragrant white flowers; small tree
Peace in the Cells
The indispensable condition for the
body's progress.
Ixora arborea
Torch tree
branching clusters of very fragrant tiny white flowers; countryside shrub or tree
Straightforwardness
Shows itself as it is, without compromise.
Jacaranda Green ebony
large panicles of lavender-blue tubular flowers with flared petals; tree
Attempt at Vital Goodwill
An attempt is a small thing, but it
can be a promise for the future.
Jacquemontia pentantha
small light blue rotate flower; creeper
Hope
Paves life's path.
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Page 144
Purity is perfect sincerity and one cannot have it unless the being is entirely consecrated to the Divine.
On earth, true purity is to think as the Divine thinks, to will as the Divine wills, to feel as the Divine feels.
Jasminum
Jasmine
fragrant single white star-like salverform flowers; shrub or creeper
Purity
True purity is fragrant!
fully double white flowers
Integral Purity
The whole being is purified of the ego.
small semi-double white flowers
Psychic Purity
The natural condition of the psychic.
Italian Jasmine, Yellow Jasmine sparse clusters of mildly fragrant yellow flowers
Correct Self-Evaluation
Simple and modest, it does not try to assert itself.
Page 145
Flowers lift towards the sky their fragrant prayer and aspiration.
By communing with flowers we can see that the vegetal kingdom has her own way of aspiring towards the Divine.
Jatropha integerrima
Peregrina, Spicy jatropha terminal cymes of small pink or red rotate flowers; shrub
Awakening and First Response of Nature to the Supramental Manifestation
Interested, she opens herself and tries to understand.
Jatropha multifida
Coral plant, Physic nut sparse cymes of very small deep pink flowers and palmate leaves with deeply cut lobes; shrub
First Emergence of the Psychic in Matter
A messenger of beauty!
Jatropha podagarica
Guatemala Rhubarb
flat cymes of very small bright orange-red flowers and round or violin-shaped leaves; low shrub with swollen base
First Response of the Subconscient to the Supramental Action
The open door to realisation!
Page 146
Justicia aurea
dense terminal bracteated spikes of yellow tubular labiate flowers; shrub
Aspiration of the Mind for the Supramental Guidance
The mind feels that its complexity is powerless and asks for a greater light to illumine it.
Justicia oblongata
short one-sided racemes of pink tubular labiate flowers; low shrub
Psychic Influence in the Emotions
Indispensable for beginning the sadhana.
Fundamentally, without this kind of inner will of the psychic being, I believe human beings would be quite dismal, dull, they would have an altogether animal life. Every gleam of aspiration is always the expression of a psychic influence. Without the presence of the psychic, without the psychic influence, there would never be any sense of progress or any will for progress.
Would there be a sense of beauty?
Yes. Perhaps not the highest sense of beauty, but in the vital one finds a complete sense of beauty and harmony. The beauty which is fundamental, profound, universal, constant belongs only to the psychic, but the sense of the beauty of form, of appearance, of colour, the educated, refined vital fully possesses.
Kaempferia pulchra
small delicate lavender flower with white throat appearing between beautifully marked leaves; tuberous ornamental
Refined Taste
Lovable and delicate, always avoids the mistakes of bad taste.
Kaempferia rotunda
Tropical crocus, Resurrection lily fragrant delicate pale lavender flowers with deeper coloured inner petals veined purple, coming directly from the ground before the leaves appear; tuberous ornamental
Vital Honesty
Not to allow our sensations and desires to falsify our judgment or determine our actions.
Page 147
Kalanchoe pinnata
Air plant, Floppers, Life plant clusters of pendulous bell-shaped calyces and deep pink to maroon corollas; low succulent or countryside herbaceous plant
Light in Fairyland
Fairies are ready to allow themselves to be guided by the Divine.
Kigelia pinnata
Sausage tree
pendulous racemes of mildly fragrant dark red open funnel-shaped flowers with thick crinkled petals; tree
First Response of the Inconscient to the Divine Force
Kleinhovia hospita
terminal airy panicles of very small delicate light pink flowers and papery green-brown fruits; tree
Joy in Fairyland
Light, smiling and effortless, it invites us to share its joy!
Page 148
Kopsia fruiticosa
light pink salverform flower with dark pink centre and narrow corolla tube; shrub
Determination
Knows what it wants and does it!
Page 149
An inner fullness has come in like the coming in of light in dark caves. It fills, it illumines, it vibrates the multiple strings of life; it has found the contact with the forgotten achievements of the past to enable me to start the new ones of the future on the basis of the changing formations of the present. The currents of life well up to meet the descending rays of light from the upper heavens for transmutation of the base and the dark into the luminous and the true, for transmutation of the ugly and the wrong into the beautiful and the right.
Laburnum anagyroides
Golden-chain tree
cascading racemes of silky golden-yellow papilionaceous flowers; tree
Descent of the Light
It flows towards the earth in a
harmonious movement!
Lagenaria siceraria
Bottle gourd, White-flowered gourd large white funnel-shaped flower; seasonal climbing cucurbit
Emotional Abundance
Good feelings expressing themselves unstintingly.
A divine force shall flow through tissue and cell
And take the charge of breath and speech and act
And all the thoughts shall be a glow of suns
And every feeling a celestial thrill.
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Lagerstroemia
Crape myrtle
rounded panicles of rotate flowers with delicate deeply crinkled and lacy petals, several colours; shrub or small tree
Intimacy with the Divine
Complete surrender to the Divine and total receptivity to His influence are the conditions of this intimacy.
Integral Intimacy with the Divine
The entire being no longer vibrates except with the Divine's touch.
deep cerise
Intimacy with the Divine in the Physical
Possible only for one who lives exclusively for the Divine and by the Divine.
Intimacy with the Divine in the Psychic
The natural state of the fully developed psychic.
light to deep mauve
Intimacy with the Divine in the Vital
Only a pure, calm and desireless vital can hope to have access to this marvellous state.
Lagerstroemia speciosa
Pride of India, Queen's flower larger pink or purple flowers with flat petals; tree
Intimacy with Universal Nature
This intimacy is only possible for those who. are vast and who are without preference or repulsion.
In sadhana vital intimacy would ordinarily signify inner intimacy with the
Divine on the vital plane.
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The Prayer of the Cells of the Body
Now that, by the effect of the Grace, we are slowly emerging out of inconscience and waking to a conscious life, an ardent prayer rises in us for more light, more consciousness,
"O Supreme Lord of the universe, we implore Thee, give us the strength and beauty, the harmonious perfection needed to be Thy divine instruments upon earth."
Lantana
Shrub verbena
compact heads of very small salverform flowers in many hues and colour combinations; rambling countryside shrub with aromatic leaves
Supramental Influence in the Cells
Unexpected variety in colours and qualities.
Light in the Cells
The first step towards purity in cells.
Purity in the Cells
Can only be obtained through the conquest of desires; it is the true condition for good health.
mauve to violet
Emotional Beauty in the Cells
Seeking and emanating all the emotions of beauty.
Page 152
Lathyrus odoratus
Sweet Pea
racemes of fragrant papilionaceous flowers in a range of pastel colours; seasonal creeper
Gentleness
Always gracious and loves to please.
Lawsonia inermis
Henna, Mignonette tree intensely fragrant compact clusters of very small cream-yellow or red flowers; large shrub or hedge
Energy Turned towards the Divine
The power of realisation offers itself in the service of the Divine.
Leonotis nepetifolia
Lion's tail
ascending column of separate spiny round heads studded with small velvety orange labiate flowers; seasonal countryside plant
Ascension
Step by step one climbs towards consciousness.
Spiritual beauty illumining human sight Lines with its passion and mystery Matter's mask And squanders eternity on a beat of Time.
To find highest beauty is to find God; to reveal, to embody, to create, as we say, highest beauty is to bring out of our souls the living image and power of God.
Leontopodium alpinum
Edelweiss
many-pointed white starlike flowers with a woolly texture and tufted yellow centre; low mountain plant
Spiritual Beauty
Immaculate whiteness, sweetness and purity, you. seem to come from another world!
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Leucaena
White popinac
small mildly fragrant cream-white fluffy balls; shrub or small tree
Knowledge
It is conversant with all sides of a question whatever it may be.
Leucas aspera
rounded heads of green calyces with small white labiate flowers; low seasonal countryside plant
True Worship
Total and constant, without demand or claim.
Liliaceae
yellow trumpet-shaped flowers borne on a long or short scape; bulbous plant.
The mind has freed itself from its arrogance and knows it is only an instrument
Lilium candidum
Annunciation lily, Easter lily, Madonna lily pearl-white trumpet-shaped flowers on a long scape; bulbous plant
Purity Arising from Perfect Consecration
Perfect purity can be realised by living only for the Divine and by the Divine.
Linaria maroccana
Baby snapdragon, Fairy flax erect spikes of small labiate flowers with long spurs in several pastel colours; seasonal plant
Expressive Silence
Certain silences are revealing and
more expressive than words.
Page 154
Sri Aurobindo came upon earth to announce the manifestation of the supramental world. And not only did he announce this manifestation but he also embodied in part the supramental force and gave us the example of what we must do to prepare ourselves for this manifestation. The best thing we can do is to study all he has told us, strive to follow his example and prepare ourselves for the new manifestation.
Lobelia erinus
Lobelia
small blue half-salverform flowers; low seasonal or perennial plant
Remembrance of Sri Aurobindo
Let us strive to realise the ideal of life that Sri Aurobindo has shown us.
Lobularia maritima
Sweet alyssum
compact rounded clusters of tiny fragrant white or mauve flowers; low seasonal or perennial plant
Goodwill
Modest in appearance it does not make a noise and is always ready to be useful.
Page 155
Lonicera japonica
Japanese honeysuckle small clusters of fragrant cream-white tubular flowers with recurved petals; creeper
Constant Remembrance of the Divine
Spontaneous and joyful, it is the ideal condition.
This, in short, is the demand made on us, that we should turn our whole life into a conscious sacrifice. Every moment and every movement of our being is to be resolved into a continuous and a devoted self-giving to the Eternal. All our actions, not less the smallest and most ordinary and trifling than the greatest and most uncommon and noble, must be performed as consecrated acts.
Page 156
Loranthus
short racemes of long yellow or orange tubular flowers with small green petals; parasitic plant
Mental Spirit of Imitation
What you cannot find out for yourself, you copy!
Luffa acutangula
Ridge gourd, Sing-kwa, Sponge-gourd mildly fragrant yellow rotate flower; seasonal climbing cucurbit
Kind Mind
The mind prepares itself for conversion.
Lupinus
Lupin
showy erect spikes of small papilionaceous flowers in ascending tiers, several pastel colours; seasonal or perennial plant
Steps to the Supreme
We will take as many steps as are needed, but we will arrive!
Lycoris africana
Golden spider lily
long scapes bearing umbels of bright golden-yellow trumpet-shaped flowers with slightly twisted and recurved petals; bulbous plant
Conversion of the Higher Mind
Receives its inspirations from the Divine Consciousness.
Magnolia grandiflora
large fragrant ivory-white cup-shaped flower with firm rounded petals; tree
Perfect Vigilance
Its observation neglects nothing.
Malpighia coccigera
Miniature holly, Singapore holly small delicate light pink to white rotate flowers studding the branches; small shrub
Sensitivity
One result of the refinement of the being.
Malpighia glabra
Acerola, Barbados cherry
dark to light pink rotate flower; small fruit
tree
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Malvaviscus arboreus Turk's-cap
medium-sized red tubular flower with twisted petals; shrub
Divine Solicitude
Always active, even when we do not perceive it.
O Lord, Thou art my refuge and my blessing, my strength, my health, my hope and my courage. Thou art supreme Peace, unalloyed Joy, perfect Serenity.
Malvaviscus arboreus
Divine Solicitude Rightly Understood
Let us understand and receive with gratitude this Divine Solicitude, so often misunderstood.
Malvaviscus drummondii
small red candlelike flower
Divine Help
Modest in appearance, powerful in action!
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All knowledge is ultimately the knowledge of God, through himself, through Nature, through her works. Mankind has first to seek this knowledge through the external life; for until its mentality is sufficiently developed, spiritual knowledge is not really possible, and in proportion as it is developed, the possibilities of spiritual knowledge become richer and fuller.
Mangifera indica
Mango tree
large panicles of compact racemes bearing tiny fragrant cream flowers changing to light red; tree
Nature's Hope for Realisation
Nature knows that one day she will realise.
Mangifera
fruit
Divine Knowledge
Succulent, nourishing, strength-giving!
Martynia annua
Tiger-claw plant
delicate velvety white and pink tubular flower with red-purple on petals and yellow on throat; seasonal countryside plant
Regularity
Indispensable for all serious accomplishment.
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Melampodium paludosum
small yellow compositae flowers densely covering the plant; seasonal
Birth of True Mental Sincerity
With its birth the mind will understand that it is only a means and not an end in itself
To be perfectly sincere it is indispensable not to have any preference, any desire, any attraction, any dislike, any sympathy or antipathy, any attachment, any repulsion. One must have a total, integral vision of things, in which everything is in its place and one has the same attitude towards all things: the attitude of true vision.
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Melia azedarach
Chinaberry, Indian lilac, Persian lilac panicles of small fragrant light mauve star-shaped flowers with recurved petals and purple centres; tree
Distinction of the Vital
Light and graceful, with refined
elegance.
It is by educating the vital, by making it more refined, more sensitive, more subtle and, one should almost say, more elegant, in the best sense of the word, that one can overcome its violence and brutality, which are in fact a form of crudity and ignorance, of lack of taste. te.
In truth, a cultivated and illumined vital can be as noble and heroic and disinterested as it is now spontaneously vulgar, egoistic and perverted when it is left to itself without education.
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Memecylon tinctorium
Ironwood
tiny mildly fragrant brilliant deep blue flowers in clusters studding the branches; countryside shrub
Miracle
Marvellous, strange, unexpected!
Merremia quinquefolia
clusters of small white funnelform flowers; seasonal creeper
Detailed Gratitude
The gratitude that awakens in us all the details of the Divine Grace.
There is nothing which gives you a joy equal to that of gratitude. One hears a bird sing, sees a lovely flower, looks at a little child, observes an act of generosity, reads a beautiful sentence, looks at the setting sun, no matter what, suddenly this comes upon you, this kind of emotion—indeed so deep, so intense—that the world manifests the Divine, that there is something behind the world which is the Divine.
Merremia tuberosa
Yellow morning-glory medium-sized bright yellow flower; heavy creeper
Mental Gratitude
The gratefulness of the mind for what makes it progress.
Hawaiian wood rose dark brown rattlebox fruit with light brown persistent calyx
Call of the Divine Grace
Not noisy but persistent and very perceptible to those who know how to listen.
Michelia champaca
Champak
highly fragrant cream-yellow or light orange flower with separate slender pointed petals; tree
Supramentalised Psychological Perfection
A psychological perfection aspiring to be divinised.
Michelia champaca 'alba'
spicy fragrant cream-white flower
Divine Smile
We can contemplate the smiles of the Divine when we have conquered our ego.
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Have you noticed this flower? It has twelve petals in three rows of four. We have called it "Supramental psychological perfection".
I had never noticed that it had three rows: a small row like this, another one a little larger, and a third one larger still. They are in gradations of four: four petals, four petals, four petals.
Well, if one indeed wants to see in the forms of Nature a symbolic expression, one can see a centre which is the supreme Truth, and a triple manifestation—because four indicates manifestation—in three superimposed worlds: the outermost—these are the largest petals, the lightest in colour— that is a physical world, then a vital world and a mental world, and then at the centre, the supramental Truth.
And you can discover all kinds of other analogies.
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Do you know the flower I have called "Transformation"? Yes. You know it has four petals; well, these four petals are arranged like a cross: one at the top which represents the transcendent, two on each side: the universal, and one on the bottom: the individual....
The transcendent is one and two (or dual) at the same time. This flower is almost perfect in its form. This was the original meaning of the cross also, but that was not as perfect as the flower, for it was one, two, and three. It was not so good—the flower is perfect.
Millingtonia hortensis
Indian cork tree
loose panicles of fragrant white flowers with long corolla tubes; tree
Transformation
The goal of creation.
Mimosa pudica
Sensitive plant, Touch-me-not small lavender-pink fluffy ball-like flower with sensitive leaves which fold when touched; low rambler
Vital Sensitivity
Is excessive if not controlled.
Mimusops elengi
Medlar
very fragrant small cream-white star-shaped flowers; tree
Patience
Indispensable for all realisation.
Spanish cherry small oblong orange fruits
Accomplishment
Accomplishment is undoubtedly the fruit of patience.
God has all time before him and does not need to be always in a hurry. He is sure of his aim and success and cares not if he break his work a hundred times to bring it nearer perfection. Patience is our first great necessary lesson, but not the dull slowness to move of the timid, the sceptical, the weary, the slothful, the unambitious or the weakling; a patience full of a calm and gathering strength which watches and prepares itself for the hour of swift great strokes, few but enough to change destiny.
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Mina lobata
Spanish flag
erect racemes of prominent orange-red buds blossoming into small cream-yellow candlelike flowers; seasonal creeper
Thirst to Learn
One of the qualities that facilitates integral progress.
The true wisdom is to be ready to learn from whatever source the knowledge can come.
We can learn things from a flower, an animal, a child, if we are eager to know always more, because there is only One Teacher in the world—the Supreme Lord, and He manifests through everything.
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Mirabilis jalapa
Beauty-of-the-night, Four-o'clock, Marvel of Peru
several colours of plain or variegated fragrant salverform flowers; low perennial herbaceous plant with tuberous root
Solace
The blessings the Divine grants us.
Integral Solace
One can receive it only from the Divine.
Solace in the Mind
A silent peace.
Peace . . . carries with it a sense of settled and harmonious rest and deliverance.
carmine red
Solace in the Vital
Modest but effective.
Momordica charantia
Balsam-pear, Bitter gourd, Karela, La-kwa small fragrant yellow rotate flower; seasonal climbing cucurbit
Sweetness
Adds its smiling touch to life without making a fuss.
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In the physical world, of all things it is beauty which best expresses the Divine. The physical world is the world of form, and the perfection of form is beauty.... Its true role is to put the whole of manifested nature into contact with the Eternal through the perfection of form, harmony, and through a sense of the ideal which raises you towards something higher.
Morea
African iris, Fortnight lily short erect scape bearing waxy white iris-like flowers with petals marked golden-orange; rhizomatous plant
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Morinda citrifolia
Awl tree
small fragrant white star-shaped flowers with thick petals and short corolla tube, appearing singly from a hard rounded base; tree
Peace in the Sex Centre
Indispensable for beginning the Yoga.
Moringa
Drumstick tree
airy clusters of small fragrant white flowers with recurved petals and yellow throat; household tree
Hygienic Organisation
Cleanliness, order, utility.
Muntingia calabura
Calabur, Singapore cherry small white rotate flowers and round red fruits; tree
Primitive Succulence
Pleasing to a simple taste.
Murraya paniculata
Cosmetic-bark tree, Orange jessamine, Satinwood
clusters of small very fragrant white star-shaped flowers with recurved petals; shrub
Peace in the Vital
The result of the abolition of desires.
Mussaenda
small yellow star-shaped flower surrounded by one or five conspicious sepals, white, yellow, pink or red; shrub
Mental Goodwill
Likes to show off a little, but is very useful.
Myosotis sylvatica
Forget-me-not
clusters of tiny exquisite sky-blue flowers; low seasonal plant
Lasting Remembrance
The remembrance of that which has helped the being to progress.
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Myrtus communis
Myrtle
small white flower with innumerable delicate stamens; shrub
To Live Only for the Divine
This means to have overcome all the difficulties of the individual life.
Some give their soul to the Divine, some their life, some offer their work, some their money. A few consecrate all of themselves and all they have—soul, life, work, wealth; these are the true children of God.
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The preoccupation with universal beauty even in its aesthetic forms has an intense power for refining and subtilising the nature, and at its highest it is a great force for purification.
A complete and universal appreciation of beauty and the making entirely beautiful our whole life and being must surely be a necessary character of the perfect individual and the perfect society.
Narcissus
Daffodil, Trumpet narcissus scape bearing an umbel of fragrant yellow-shaded flowers, each with a trumpet emerging from spreading petals; bulbous plant
Power of Beauty
Beauty has its full power only when it is surrendered to the Divine.
Narcissus poeticus
Poet's narcissus, Polyanthus narcissus cream-white petals with white trumpet edged orange
Beauty Aspiring for the Supramental Realisation
Beauty is not sufficient in itself, it wants to become divine.
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The One whom we adore as the Mother is the divine Conscious Force that dominates all existence.
She is the golden bridge, the wonderful fire. The luminous heart of the Unknown is she, A power of silence in the depths of God; She is the Force, the inevitable Word, The magnet of our difficult ascent, The Sun from which we kindle all our suns, The Light that leans from the unrealised Vasts, The joy that beckons from the impossible, The Might of all that never yet came down.
The Avatar is always a dual phenomenon of divinity and humanity; the Divine takes upon himself the human nature with all its outward limitations and makes them the circumstances, means, instruments of the divine consciousness and the divine power, a vessel of the divine birth and the divine works.
Nelumbo nucifera 'Alba'
Sacred lotus
pointed bud on long stem opening into large fragrant many-petalled white flower with narrow stamens and unique golden centre; aquatic rhizomatous plant
Aditi—the Divine Consciousness
Pure, immaculate, gloriously powerful.
Nelumbo
pink, single or double flowers
Avatar—the Supreme Manifested in a Body upon Earth
The pink lotus is the flower of Sri Aurobindo.
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Nerine sarniensis
Guernsey Lily
umbels of white, pink or red trumpet-shaped flowers with narrow twisting recurved petals and long stamens; bulbous plant
Exclusivism
The incapacity to do several things at the same time.
Nerium oleander
Oleander, Rosebay
terminal clusters of mildly fragrant single pink salverform flowers with delicate corona and light yellow throat; tall shrub
Sweetness of Thought Turned Exclusively towards the Divine
Pretty, joyful, sweet and calm, sheltered from all conflict!
double pink
Surrender of All Falsehood
Let us offer our falsehoods to the Divine so that He may change them into joyous Truth.
single magenta or deep red
Changing of Wrong Movements into Right
An extreme goodwill always ready to be transformed.
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single, pale pink
Contemplation of the Divine
Exclusively occupied with its joyful contemplation.
single, white
Quiet Mind
The best way of learning.
double, white
Perfect Quietness in the Mind
An essential condition for true progress.
single white flower with elongated petals
Quietness Established in the Mind
Nicotiana alata
Flowering tobacco, Jasmine tobacco several colours of salverform flowers; seasonal herbaceous plant
Common Sense
It is very practical and avoids making mistakes, but lacks flight.
Nicotiana plumbaginifolia
smaller white flowers; countryside seasonal plant
Certitude
Assured and calm, it never argues.
Nierembergia Cupflower
small blue-violet cup-shaped flower with a very slender corolla tube; low perennial
Vital Joy in Matter
The reward for abolishing egoism.
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
fragrant white star-shaped salverform flower with orange corolla tube; large shrub
Aspiration
Innumerable, obstinate, repeating itself untiringly.
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All wealth belongs to the Divine and those who hold it are trustees, not possessors. It is with them today, tomorrow it may be elsewhere. All depends on the way they discharge their trust while it is with them, in what spirit, with what consciousness in their use of it, to what purpose.
Nymphaea
Water lily
many colours of large or small star-shaped flowers with numerous petals and yellow centre; aquatic rhizomatous plant
Wealth
True wealth is that which one offers to the Divine.
fragrant lavender to mauve flowers
Emotional Wealth
The only true emotional wealth is love from the Divine.
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Generous Wealth
Likes to be given and spread far and wide.
large white flower with golden centre
Integral Wealth of Mahalakshmi
Wealth of feeling and action in all fields of activity—intellectual, psychological and material.
white flowers shaded pink
Wealth under the Psychic Influence
Wealth ready to return to its true possessor—the Divine.
fragrant blue flowers with golden centre
Wealth in the Mind of Light
Open to all higher ideas.
large vivid pink flowers
Wealth in the Vital
Comes willingly to generous natures.
magenta or dark red flowers
Wealth in the Most Material Vital
Can be stable only after conversion.
variously coloured flowers with prominent yellow centres
Supramentalised Wealth
Wealth put at the service of the Divine.
Ochna kirkii
Bird's-eye bush, Mickey Mouse plant small glossy black fruits set on a little red dome and surrounded by persistant sepals; shrub
Greed for Money
The surest way to decrease one's consciousness and narrow one's nature.
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By knowledge we seek unity with the Divine in his conscious being: by works we seek also unity with the Divine in his conscious being, not statically, but dynamically, through conscious union with the divine Will; but by love we seek unity with him in all the delight of his being.
To be constantly and integrally at one with Thee is to have the assurance that we shall overcome every obstacle and triumph over all difficulties, both within and without.
Ocimum basilicum
Sweet basil
spikes of very small white flowers set in green calyces; aromatic herb
Joy of Union with the Divine
Lavishly scented, it fills the heart with joy.
Basil
heads or spikes of very small white to light mauve labiate flowers with green or purple calyces; aromatic plant
Discipline
Sets the example and hopes to be followed.
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Ocimum canum
spikes of small white flowers set in furry calyces, leaves have lemon fragrance; medicinal plant
Conquering Fervour
An ardour which fears no obstacles.
Ocimum sanctum
Rama tulsi, Krishna tulsi tiny pale mauve or cream-white flowers set in green or dark maroon calyces; sacred plant with medicinal properties
Devotion
Modest and fragrant, it gives itself without seeking for anything in return.
Odontonema strictum
racemes of small red salverform flowers; small shrub
Matter Aspiring for the Supramental Guidance
Dissatisfied and troubled, Matter asks for a powerful guide to put it in order.
Oncoba spinosa
fragrant white saucer-shaped flower with prominent centre of innumerable yellow stamens; small tree
Mental Chastity
Precious and magnificent in its purity.
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Compassion and gratitude are essentially psychic virtues. They appear in the consciousness only when the psychic being takes part in active life.
The vital and the physical experience them as weaknesses, for they curb the free expression of their impulses, which are based on the power of strength.
As always, the mind, when insufficiently educated, is the accomplice of the vital being and the slave of the physical nature, whose laws, so overpowering in their half-conscious mechanism, it does not fully understand. When the mind awakens to the awareness of the first psychic movements, it distorts them in its ignorance and changes compassion into pity or at best into charity, and gratitude into the wish to repay, followed, little by little, by the capacity to recognise and admire.
It is only when the psychic consciousness is all-powerful in the being that compassion for all that needs help, in whatever domain, and gratitude for all that manifests the divine presence and grace, in whatever form, are expressed in all their original and luminous purity, without mixing compassion with any trace of condescension or gratitude with any sense of inferiority.
Operculina turpethum
pure white funnel-shaped flower with prominent light green calyx; heavy creeper
Integral Gratitude
The whole being offers itself to the Lord in absolute trust.
Wood rose
light green rattlebox fruit and buff-coloured persistent calyx
Not loud but persistent and very perceptible to those who know how to listen.
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Orchidaceae
several colours and shapes of exquisite flowers with five petals, a central lip and column; epiphytic or terrestrial plant
Wraps itself around the Divine and finds all its support in Him, so as to be sure of never leaving Him.
What is called "new birth" is the birth into the spiritual life, the spiritual consciousness; it is to carry in oneself something of the spirit which, individually, through the soul, can begin to rule the life and be the master of existence. But in the supramental world, the spirit will be the master of this entire world and all its manifestations, all its expressions, consciously, spontaneously, naturally.
We can, simply by a sincere aspiration, open a sealed door in us and find... that Something which will change the whole significance of life, reply to all our questions, solve all our problems and lead us to the perfection we aspire for without knowing it, to that Reality which alone can satisfy us and give us lasting joy, equilibrium, strength, life.
Origanum majorana
Knotted majoram, Sweet majoram sprigs bearing small aromatic leaves, tiny white to light mauve flowers clustered on mature stems; perennial aromatic herb
The New Birth
Birth of the true consciousness—that of the Divine Presence in us.
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Ornithogalum umbellatum
Star-of-Bethlehem, Summer snowflake short scape bearing a raceme of small white star-shaped flowers; bulbous plant
Beauty in Collective Simplicity
Each element plays its role in the whole.
The first determining element of the Siddhi is, therefore, the intensity of the turning, the force which directs the soul inward. The power of aspiration of the heart, the force of the will, the concentration of the mind, the perseverance and determination of the applied energy are the measure of that intensity.
Orthosiphon
erect spikes bearing very small rose-purple flowers with elongated stamens; low countryside perennial
Aspiration for Spiritual Intensity
Bold, elegant, persistent.
small white flowers and elongated pale lavender stamens; low shrub
Spiritual Intensity
It is an intensity without violence—the ardour it gives you manifests without big gestures and loud words.
Oxalis
Wood sorrel
groups of small lavender-pink to rose-purple rotate flowers on a short scape; countryside rhizomatous groundcover
Candid Simplicity in the Vital
One of the most difficult qualities for the vital to acquire.
Pachira rosea
large cream-white flower with innumerable red-tipped stamens; tree
Liberation
The disappearance of the ego.
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Pachystachys coccinea
Cardinal's-guard
terminal heads of bright red labiate flowers with elongated corolla tubes set in prominent green bracts; shrub
Aspiration for Supramental Guidance in the Subconscient
Intense need of order, light and knowledge in the subconscient penumbra.
The subconscient is to be penetrated by the light and made a sort of bed-rock of truth, a store of right impressions, right physical responses to the Truth. Strictly speaking, it will not be subconscient at all, but a sort of bank of true values held ready for use.
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Paeonia Peony
several colours of showy fragrant rotate flowers with numerous petals and a yellow centre; shrub
Beauty in Art
A beauty that displays itself and allows one to contemplate on it.
Pancratium
fragrant white funnel-shaped flower with pointed petals borne singly on a short scape; bulbous plant
Occultism
Does not truly blossom except when it is surrendered to the Divine.
Pandanus tectorius
Screw pine
highly fragrant tiny powdery cream-yellow flowers in dense branching spikes; large countryside semi-aquatic plant with long leaves
Spiritual Perfume
It has an extraordinary power of attraction.
Pandorea jasminoides
Bower plant
clusters of mildly fragrant pale pink to white salverform flowers with slightly curved corolla tube and deep pink throat; creeper
Opening of the Emotive Centre to the Light
An important event in human development.
Papaver
Poppy
several colours of cup-shaped flowers with numerous stamens and delicately crinkled petals, borne on a thin stalk; seasonal plant
Spontaneous Joy of Nature
It is man who has brought pain to
Nature.
Parkia pedunculata
Mungo tree, Nittu tree large rounded heads of minute cream-white flowers, borne on pendulous stalks; tree
Boastfulness
Boasting, boasting—one of the greatest obstacles to progress! It is a foolishness to be carefully avoided if one aspires for true progress.
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Parkinsonia aculeata
Jerusalem thorn, Mexican palo verde delicate foliage formed of long narrow stalks bearing tiny leaflets, loose axillary racemes of small fragrant light yellow flowers; small thorny tree
Lightness
Charming, but thorny at times!
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Passiflora
rotate flower with bright red elongated petals with small red and white coronas; creeper
Power Aspiring to Become an Instrument for the Divine Work
Opening to a higher consciousness, power awakens to the need of being at the service of the Divine.
Passiflora incarnata
intensely fragrant flower with prominent violet corona banded white; heavy creeper
Silence
The ideal condition for progress.
Passiflora foetida
flowers with white petals and corona; countryside creeper
Integral Silence
The source of true force.
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There comes a time when one begins to be almost ready, when one can feel in everything, every object, in every movement, in every vibration, in all the things around—not only people and conscious beings, but things, objects; not only trees and plants and living things, but simply any object one uses, the things around one—this delight, this delight of being, of being just as one is, simply being. And one sees that all this vibrates like that. One touches a thing and feels this delight....
One moves in the midst of things and it is as though they were all singing to you their delight. There comes a time when it becomes very familiar in the life around you. Of course, I must admit that it is a little more difficult to feel it in human beings, because there are all their mental and vital formations which come into the field of perception and disturb it. There is too much of this kind of egoistic asperity which gets mixed with things, so it is more difficult to contact the Delight there.
Pavetta indica
large rounded heads of small fragrant salverform flowers with long styles; countryside shrub
Radiating Peace in the Cells
A happy contagion.
Pelargonium hortorum
Geranium
rounded clusters of single or double flowers in various colours; low perennial or light climber
Spiritual Happiness
Calm and smiling, nothing can
disturb it.
Peltophorum pterocarpum
Copper-pod, Rusty shield-bearer terminal panicles of fragrant golden-yellow rotate flowers with delicately crinkled petals and bright yellow stamens; tree
Service
To be at the service of the Divine is the surest means of attaining realisation.
Pentapetes phoeniceae
small bright red saucer-shaped flower with erect ribbonlike stamens; countryside seasonal plant
Vigilance
Indispensable for all true progress.
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Pentas
Egyptian star-cluster
terminal clusters of small white salverform flowers; low shrub
Movements in the Light
This is possible only with a great sincerity.
mauve to pale purple flowers
Light in the Vital Movements
This certainly means the beginning of wisdom.
vivid pink flowers
Psychic Light in the Physical Movements
The first step towards the transformation of the physical.
Psychic Light in the Material Movements
Pereskia
Leaf cactus
small clusters of pink rotate flowers with numerous yellow stamens and a fleshy base; rambling thorny climber
Never Tell a Lie
The absolute condition for safety on the path.
Pergularia odoratissima
West Coast creeper discreet pendulous clusters of small intensely fragrant greenish-yellow salverform flowers with thick petals; creeper
Vital Plenitude
Cannot be obtained except by conversion.
Petrea
Queen's-wreath
pendulous racemes bearing small purple salverform flowers set in pale lilac star-shaped calyces; creeper or shrub
Spiritual Power of Healing
Opening and receptivity to the Divine Influence.
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Petunia
Garden petunia
many colours of delicate mildly fragrant salverform flowers; low seasonal plant
Enthusiasm
True enthusiasm is full of a peaceful endurance.
bi-coloured single flowers in several combinations
Enthusiasm in Action
All actions are done with warmth and energy.
Joyous Enthusiasm
The best way of facing life.
bi-coloured double flowers
Joyous Enthusiasm in Action
Action will become joyously enthusiastic when governed by the Supermind.
Integral Enthusiasm
The whole being does everything with ardour.
double white flowers
Joyous Integral Enthusiasm
To ardour is united the joy of doing
things well.
red flowers
Physical Enthusiasm
The body takes a lively interest in life and action.
double red flowers
Joyous Physical Enthusiasm
The whole being lives only to serve the Divine.
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deep pink to mauve flowers
Vital Enthusiasm
Care must be taken that it is in the right direction.
double deep pink to mauve flowers
Joyous Vital Enthusiasm
Very valuable if it persists in spite of difficulties.
lavender flowers with deeper veins of the same colour
Enthusiasm in the Higher Vital
The vital being takes a living interest in what it does.
double lavender flowers with deeper coloured veins
Joyous Enthusiasm in the Higher Vital
The result of perfect surrender to the Divine.
deep rich velvety purple flowers
Enthusiasm in the Most Material Vital
Needed to face the difficulties of life successfully.
double deep rich velvety purple flowers
Joyous Enthusiasm in the Most Material Vital
When governed by the Supermind the most material vital will find its joy in an enthusiastic action.
light pink flowers
Psychic Enthusiasm
A state which only the Divine can bring about.
double light pink flowers
Joyous Psychic Enthusiasm
An assurance of success in spite of obstacles.
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Whatever work you do, do it as perfectly as you can. That is the best service to the Divine in man.
Phlox drummondii
Annual phlox
terminal clusters of small salverform flowers, several colours; low seasonal plant
Skill in Works
Must be used knowingly.
Phlox
very light pink flowers with indented petals
Artistic Work
Work at the service of beauty.
starred flowers in several colours with fringed petals
Radiating Skill in Work
When the instruments of work—the hands, the eyes, etc. become conscious and the attention is controlled, the capacity for work seems to be limitless.
Skill in Integral Work
All that is done is done well, whatever the work undertaken.
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No matter what you want to do, the first thing is to put consciousness in the cells of your hand. If you want to play, if you want to work, if you want to do anything at all with your hand, unless you push consciousness into the cells of your hand you will never do anything good. . . . And this is felt. You feel it. You can acquire it. All sorts of exercises may be done to make the hand conscious and there comes a time when it becomes so conscious that you can leave it to do things; it does them by itself without your little mind having to intervene.
Skill in Mental Work
To know how to observe in silence is the source of its skilfulness.
Skill in Physical Work
Skilful hands, a clear vision, a concentrated attention, an untiring patience and what one does is done well.
bright red
Skill in Material Work
Skilful hands, precise care, a sustained attention and one compels Matter to obey the Spirit.
purple to mauve
Skill in Vital Work
This is the seat of all capacities and all skills which need only discipline to be realised.
light mauve
Skill in Emotive Work
When work becomes attractive and is done with joy, how much better it is.
Skill in Psychic Work
Listen silently to the command that comes from the Supreme Lord and you will have the capacity to carry it out.
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Physalis alkekengi
Chinese-lantern plant, Winter cherry fruit enclosed in an orange-red persistent calyx; shrub
Sun-Drop
Luminous and pretty it brings joy.
Pimpinella major
Lady's lace
lacey umbels of tiny white flowers; seasonal plant
Purity in the Blood
Can only be obtained by the absence of desires.
Krishna is the Eternal's Personality of Ananda; because of him all creation is possible, because of his play, because of his delight, because of his sweetness.
Platycodon grandiflorus
Balloon flower, Chinese bellflower
blue semi-double bell-shaped flowers with
short white stamens; herbaceous perennial
Unostentatious Certitude
It does not flaunt nor try to convince anyone.
Plumbago auriculata
Cape plumbago
terminal clusters of delicate light blue salverform flowers; rambler or shrub
Krishna's Ananda
Manifold, abundant and so full of
charm!
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Plumbago auriculata 'Alba'
Presence
Consciousness seeking for the Presence.
Plumbago indica
light red flowers in terminal spikes; spreading countryside shrub
Organisation of the Being around the Psychic
The first stage of transformation.
Plumbago zeylanica
small white flowers; spreading countryside shrub
First Appearance of Purity in the Inconscient
The sign that the inconscient is on the way to becoming conscious.
To become a conscious instrument, capable of identification and conscious, willed movements, you must have this inner organisation; otherwise you will always be running into a chaos somewhere, a confusion somewhere or an obscurity, an unconsciousness somewhere. And naturally your action, even though guided exclusively by the Divine, will not have the perfection of expression it has when one has acquired a conscious organisation around this divine Centre. . . .
Beginning this work of organising your being and all its movements and all its elements around the central Consciousness and Presence, this is the surest and most complete cure, and the most comforting, for all possible boredom. It gives life a tremendous interest and an extraordinary diversity. You no longer have the time to get bored.
Only, one must persevere.
And what adds to the interest of the thing is that this kind of work, this harmonisation and organisation of the being around the divine Centre can only be done in a physical body and on earth. That is truly the essential and original reason for physical life. For, as soon as you are no longer in a physical body, you can no longer do it at all.
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Plumeria rubra
Champa, Frangipani, Pagoda tree, Temple tree
clusters of fragrant rotate funnelform flowers with soft velvety petals in a large variety of colour combinations; shrub or tree
Psychological Perfection
There is not one psychological perfection but five. They are sincerity, faith, devotion, aspiration and surrender.*
Such qualities as faith, sincerity, aspiration, devotion, etc. make up the perfection indicated in our language of the flowers. In ordinary language it would mean something else such as purity, love, benevolence, fidelity and a host of other virtues.
red with orange centre, petals streaked orange
Psychological Perfection in the Course of Fulfilment
The state of those who undertake the Yoga seriously.
flowers with fruit-like fragrance, predominantly white with light pink border and red or reddish-pink streak on one lower edge of petals
Psychological Perfection in Matter
Plumeria obtusa
white with yellow centre and slender recurved petals; tree
Integral Psychological Perfection
One of the indispensable conditions for transformation.
white with yellow centre and broad petals; shrub
Perfect Psychological Perfection
Psychological perfection in all parts of the being.
Extract from a talk by the Mother
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Podranea ricasoliana
Pink trumpet vine
clusters of fragrant pink trumpet-shaped flowers with cream-white throat lined red, white calyces; creeper
To Know How to Listen
To be attentive and silent.
Flowers speak to us when we know how to listen to them—it is a subtle and fragrant language.
Poinciana pulcherrima
Barbados pride
erect panicles of showy orange-red flowers with long stamens; shrub
Fire
Does not fear any obstacle.
Fire in the Mind
An ardour that sets ideas ablaze!
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What is there new that we have yet to accomplish? Love, for as yet we have only accomplished hatred and self-pleasing; Knowledge, for as yet we have only accomplished error and perception and conceiving; Bliss, for as yet we have only accomplished pleasure and pain and indifference; Power, for as yet we have only accomplished weakness and effort and a defeated victory; Life, for as yet we have only accomplished birth and growth and dying; Unity, for as yet we have only accomplished war and association.
In a word, godhead; to remake ourselves in the divine image.
Polianthes tuberosa
Tuberose
long scapes bearing single white highly fragrant tubular flowers with waxy petals; bulbous plant
The New Creation
Strong, lasting and fragrant, it rises
straight towards the sky.
The Perfect New Creation
Clustered, manifold and complete, it asserts its right to be.
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Polygonum
Fleece flower, Knotweed clusters of tiny pink flowers on slender erect or branching spikes; countryside perennial semi-aquatic plant
Aspiration of the Vital for Union with the Divine
It rises straight up in an intense and concentrated movement.
It is to offer all the vital nature and its movements to the Divine so that it may be purified and only the true movements in consonance with the Divine Will may be there and all egoistic desires and impulses disappear.
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Porana paniculata
Bridal-bouquet, Snow creeper
delicate branching racemes of very small
white salverform flowers; creeper
Ether
Charming and ethereal, it is bound to please.
Porana volubilis
dense cascading racemes of small white bell-shaped flowers
Water
Fluid, abundant and pure.
There is a point where all the virtues are united: it is a point that goes beyond the ego. If we take this faithfulness, if we take devotion, take love, the meaning of service, all these things, when they are above the egoistic level, they meet, in the sense that they give themselves and do not expect anything in exchange. And if you climb one step higher, instead of its being done with the idea of duty and abnegation, it is done with an intense joy which carries within itself its own reward, which needs nothing in exchange, for it carries its joy in itself. But then, for that you must have climbed quite high and must no longer have that turning back upon yourself which, of all things, pulls you down lowest. . . .
One must have gone far beyond all that, left it very far behind oneself, in order to truly have the joy of faithfulness, the joy of self-giving, which does not care at all, no, indeed, not at all, in any way, whether it is properly received or gets the adequate response. Not to expect anything in exchange for what one does, not to expect anything, not through asceticism or a sense of sacrifice but because one has the joy of the consciousness one is in and that is enough; this is much better than all one can receive, from whomsoever it be.
Portlandia grandiflora
large white fragrant trumpet-shaped flower with waxy petals edged pink; shrub
Joy of Integral Faithfulness
That link of love which makes all faithfulness so easy.
fully white flower
Peace of Integral Faithfulness
Be faithful to the Divine and you will enjoy a constant peace.
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Portulaca grandiflora
Rose moss, Sun plant many colours of small single or double rose-like flowers with delicate petals; seasonal succulent
Sri Aurobindo's Compassion
Innumerable, always present and efficacious in every instance.
Why is the flower symbolising your compassion so delicate and why does it wither away so soon?
No, the compassion does not wither with its symbol—flowers are the moment's representations of things that are in themselves eternal.
Primula Primrose
clusters of showy salverform flowers in a wide range of colours; low perennial
Growth
It will multiply and assert its right to be.
Prosopis glandulosa
Mesquite
catkins of tiny mildly fragrant lemon-yellow flowers; thorny countryside shrub or high hedge
Logic in Thoughts
Likes coherent discourses.
Prunus dulcis
Almond tree
clusters of single white or rosy pink rotate flowers covering the tree in Spring; tree
Smile of Nature
Nature rejoices at her beauty!
Prunus subhirtella
Japanese flowering cherry, Oriental cherry clusters of small single or double light pink flowers covering the tree in Spring; tree
Smile of Beauty
Nature is happy to be beautiful.
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Pseuderanthemum
erect clusters of small salverform flowers with rounded petals; shrub with plain or variously coloured and variegated foliage
Organisation
Indispensable for all good work.
Aspiration for Organisation
Clear and methodical, order at the cost of multiplicity.
Integral Organisation
The first requisite for transformation.
white covered with magenta dots and centre
Material Organisation
Manifold and well-organised to face difficulties.
magenta with small white dots, dark red foliage
Organisation in the Vital
white with small red dots towards the centre
Organisation of Details
Indispensable for all lasting accomplishment.
white dotted maroon with long corolla tube and one petal marked maroon at centre, appearing singly or in pairs
Result of Harmonious Organisation
More effective than showy!
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Pseudocalymna alliaceum
Garlic-vine
showy clusters of lavender-violet changing to light mauve trumpet-shaped flowers; creeper
Collective Emotions Open to the Divine
Crowds answering the impulsion coming from the Divine; an event marking the great stages of terrestrial life.
If mankind only caught a glimpse of what infinite enjoyments, what perfect forces, what luminous reaches of spontaneous knowledge, what wide calms of our being lie waiting for us in the tracts which our animal evolution has not yet conquered, they would leave all and never rest till they had gained these treasures. But the way is narrow, the doors are hard to force, and fear, distrust and scepticism are there, sentinels of Nature to forbid the turning away of our feet from less ordinary pastures.
Psidium guajava
Guava tree
fragrant white rotate flower with numerous stamens; fruit tree
Steadfastness
What it has chosen it keeps and does not like to change.
Pterospermum acerifolium
large fragrant cream-white trumpet-shaped flower with separate petals and thick downy calyx; tree
Realisation of the Supramental Riches
It can manifest only after human consciousness is transformed.
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An Old Chaldean Legend
Long ago, very long ago, in the desert land that is now Arabia, a divine being incarnated on earth to awaken it to the Supreme Love. As one would expect, he was persecuted by men, misunderstood, suspected, hunted after. Mortally wounded by his assailants, he wished to die alone, quietly, so that his work might be accomplished; and, pursued by them, he fled. Suddenly in the broad barren plain, a tiny bush of pomegranate appeared. The Saviour stole under its low branches in order to give up his body in peace; and at once the bush expanded miraculously, increased itself, widened, became deep and luxuriant in such a way that when the pursuers passed by they did not even suspect that the One whom they were chasing was hidden there, and they continued on their way.
While, drop by drop, the sacred blood fell, fertilising the soil, the bush covered itself with marvellous flowers, scarlet, enormous—clusters of petals, innumerable drops of blood....
These are the flowers that, for us, express and hold the Divine Love.
Punica
Pomegranate tree
single flower with round vermilion petals, innumerable stamens and a fleshy apricot to light reddish-orange calyx; shrub
Divine Sacrifice
For the Divine is it not a supreme sacrifice to renounce the beatitude of His unity in order to create the painful multiplicity of the world?
hard round light pink or blood-red fruit with innumerable seeds
Divine Love Spreading over the World
Innumerable, succulent, it gives strength and life untiringly.
fully double vermilion flower
Divine Love
A flower reputed to bloom even in the desert.
fully double white flower
Unmanifest Divine Love
The splendour of that marvellous love which the Divine keeps for the pure in heart.
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Pyrostegia venusta
Flame vine
massive cascading clusters of orange tubular flowers with recurved velvety petals; heavy creeper
Supramental Rain
Happy are those who receive it!
Let me be consumed with this love divine, love powerful, infinite, unfathomable, in every activity, in all the worlds of being!
Quamoclit coccinea
Star Ipomoea
orange-red star-shaped salverform flowers; creeper
Opening of the Physical to the Divine Love
The surest way to find happiness.
Quamoclit pennata
Cypress vine, Cardinal climber scarlet flowers
Love in the Physical for the Divine
Modest in appearance but tenacious and charming, it does not make a fuss and is very faithful.
Quassia amara
Bitterwood, Surinam quassia
long racemes of small glowing crimson-pink
candlelike flowers; shrub
Splendour and Opulence in the Material Life
It can become widespread only by transformation.
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This is faithfulness, to admit and to manifest no other movements but only the movements prompted and guided by the Divine.
Quisqualis indica
Rangoon creeper
dense pendulous clusters of fragrant white rotate flowers changing through pink to red, long tubular calyces; heavy climber
Faithfulness
We can count on you; you never fail us when we need you!
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Randia
rounded clusters of fragrant cream-white salverform flowers with long erect styles; shrub
Order
To put a thing in its place gives it its true value.
A thing apparently meaningful acquires its full value when it is put in its true place.
Mahasaraswati is the Mother's Power of Work and her spirit of perfection and order. . . . Moulding and remoulding she labours each part till it has attained its true form, is put in its exact place in the whole and fulfils its precise purpose. In her constant and diligent arrangement and rearrangement of things her eye is on all needs at once and the way to meet them and her intuition knows what is to be chosen and what rejected and successfully determines the right instrument, the right time, the right conditions and the right process.
Ravenia spectabilis
deep rose-pink solitary salverform flower with one larger petal and very short corolla tube; shrub
Happy Heart
Smiling, peaceful, wide open, without a shadow!
Reseda odorata
Mignonette
very small intensely fragrant light yellow or green-yellow flowers in loose erect racemes; seasonal plant
Benevolence
Makes life fragrant without attracting attention.
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Rhododendron Azalea
dense clusters of delicate open bell-shaped or funnelform flowers in a variety of colours; shrub or small tree
Abundance of Beauty
A beauty that blossoms abundantly
and without reserve.
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Rhoeo spathacea
Moses-in-a-boat, Purple-leaved spiderwort small white flowers set in reddish-violet boat-shaped bracts; low succulent with erect violet-green leaves
Divine Presence
It hides from the ignorant eye its ever-present magnificence!
The more we advance on the way, the more the need of the Divine Presence becomes imperative and indispensable.
Carelessness and negligence and indolence she [Mahasaraswati] abhors; all scamped and hasty and shuffling work, all clumsiness and a peu pres and misfire, all false adaptation and misuse of instruments and faculties and leaving of things undone or half done is offensive and foreign to her temper. When her work is finished, nothing has been forgotten, no part has been misplaced or omitted or left in a faulty condition; all is solid, accurate, complete, admirable.
Rondeletia
light terminal corymbs of small orange-red or deep pink salverform flowers; shrub
Mahasaraswati's Perfection in Works
It is not satisfied with makeshift.
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The psychic love is pure and full of self-giving without egoistic demands, but it is human and can err and suffer.
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Rosa
Rose
single or double fragrant flowers in a great variety of colours; soft velvety petals arranged in spirals of one or more whorls; shrub or climber
Love for the Divine
The vegetal kingdom gathers together its most beautiful possibilities to offer them to the Divine.
The Mother described this rose as a beautiful, large and multi-coloured one
Love from the Divine
There is one rose that is Love from the Divine
Rosa chinensis 'Viridiflora'
small roses with green sepals instead of petals
Timidity in Attachment to the Divine
Full of life, but not knowing how to change this life into an offering to the Divine.
Rosa canina
Brier rose, Eglantine
clusters of single fragrant light pink roses
Psychic Soaring of Nature
Nature has a soul which blossoms very prettily!
small reddish-pink roses
Psychic Love for the Divine
Strong and faithful, it has a beauty that does not belie.
small white roses tinged pink
Affection for the Divine
A sweet and confident tenderness giving itself unfailingly to the Divine.
Rosa chinensis
China rose
small roses in clusters of two or three, very light pink fading to white
Tenderness for the Divine
Sweet, charming, of delicate form—a blossoming smile!
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pink roses, except 'Surrender' and 'Perfect Surrender'
Loving Surrender
A state that can be obtained by surrendering to the Divine.
Surrender is giving oneself to the Divine—to give everything one is or has to the Divine and regard nothing as one's own, to obey only the Divine will and no other, to live for the Divine and not for the ego.
Detailed surrender means the surrender of all the details of life, even the smallest and the most insignificant in appearance. And this means to remember the Divine in all circumstances; whatever we think, feel or do, we must do it for Him as a way of coming close to Him, to be more and more what He wants us to be, capable of manifesting His will in perfect sincerity and purity, to be the instruments of His Love.
Rosa 'Edward'
Country rose
highly fragrant semi-double pink roses
Surrender
To will what the Divine wills is supreme wisdom.
Rosa chinensis 'Minima'
Fairy rose, Old China rose tiny pink roses
Detailed Surrender
A surrender which does not leave anything aside.
Rosa 'Prosperity'
white roses in small pendulous clusters; climber with very few thorns
Pure Spiritual Surrender
Candid, simple, spontaneous and complete in its multiplicity.
Rosa 'Paul Neyron'
highly fragrant large pink roses
Perfect Surrender
The indispensable condition for arriving at identification.
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Rosa x rehderana
Polyantha rose
various colours of single or double roses in erect clusters
Communion with the Divine
For one who truly has it, all circumstances become an occasion for it.
bicoloured roses
Balance of the Nature in Love for the Divine
Passive and active, calm and ardent, sweet and strong, silent and expressed.
Rosa 'Confidence'
salmon-coloured roses
Beauty Offers itself in Service to the Divine
Incomparable splendour, it becomes a modest servitor.
orange roses
Flaming Love for the Divine
Ready for all heroism and all sacrifices.
red roses
Human Passions Changed into Love for the Divine
May they become a real fact, and their abundance will save the world.
lavender or mauve roses
Humility in the Love for the Divine
Delicate, effective and surrendered, but very persistent in its feelings.
solitary pure white roses
Integral Love for the Divine
Pure, complete and irrevocable, it is a love that gives itself for ever.
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Since we have decided to reserve love in all its splendour for our personal relationship with the Divine, we shall replace it in our relations with others by a total, unvarying, constant and egoless kindness and goodwill that will not expect any reward or gratitude or even any recognition. However others may treat you, you will never allow yourself to be carried away by any resentment; and in your unmixed love for the Divine, you will leave him sole judge as to how he is to protect you and defend you against the misunderstanding and bad will of others.
yellow roses
Mental Love for the Divine
The nature offers its love in a fragrant blossoming.
Rosa 'Peace'
cream or yellow roses tinged pink
Mental Love under the Psychic Influence
Under the psychic influence the mind knows how to express its love for the Divine in magnificent terms.
yellow roses tinged orange
Mental Surrender
This happens when the mind has understood that it is only an instrument.
Rosa 'Father's Day'
small light orange roses in dainty clusters
Supramental Attachment for the Divine
Manifold and smiling, repeating itself endlessly.
All our earth starts from mud and ends in sky, And Love that was once an animal's desire, Then a sweet madness in the rapturous heart, An ardent comradeship in the happy mind, Becomes a wide spiritual yearning's space. A lonely soul passions for the Alone, The heart that loved man thrills to the love of God, A body is his chamber and his shrine.
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Rudbeckia hirta
Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa daisy
medium-sized yellow to brown compositae flower
with dark cone-shaped centre; seasonal plant
First Turning of the Vital towards the Divine Light
The vital prepares itself to be transformed.
Ruellia ciliosa
small pale blue-mauve salverform flowers appearing singly or in pairs; low countryside perennial
Krishna's Light in the Physical Mind
The physical mind loses all rigidity and becomes supple and charming.
Ruellia tuberosa
mauve flowers with violet centre; erect perennial
Krishna's Light in the Vital
The light that directs the vital towards the Truth.
The descent of Krishna would mean the descent of the overmind Godhead preparing, though not itself actually, the descent of supermind and Ananda. Krishna is the Anandamaya; he supports the evolution through the overmind leading it towards the Ananda.
[Krishna's light] is a special light—in the mind it brings clarity, freedom from obscurity, mental error and perversion; in the vital it clears out all perilous stuff and where it is, there is a pure and divine happiness and gladness.
Ruellia makoyana
carmine flowers
Heroic Action
Fights for the true and the beautiful without fear of obstacles and oppositions!
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Here is the flower we have called "Aspiration in the Physical for the Divine's Love." By the "Physical" 1 mean the physical consciousness, the most ordinary outward-going consciousness, the normal consciousness of most human beings, which sets such great store by comfort, good food, good clothes, happy relationships, etc., instead of aspiring for the higher things. Aspiration in the physical for the Divine's Love implies that the physical asks for nothing else save that it should feel how the Divine loves it. It realises that all its usual satisfactions are utterly insufficient. But there cannot be a compromise: if the physical wants the Divine's Love it must want that alone and not say, "I shall have the Divine's Love and at the same time keep my other attachments, needs and enjoyments...."
Russelia equisetiformis
Coral plant, Fountain plant small red candle-shaped flowers in light cascading racemes; spreading herbaceous perennial
Aspiration in the Physical for the Divine Love
Manifold and intense, it is difficult to satisfy.
Russelia sarmentosa
very small fire-red flowers in tiers of ascending whorls
Spiritual Aspiration in the Physical
Comes in fits and starts to oppose and overcome the resistances which do not succeed in making it give in.
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Saintpaulia ionantha
African violet
several colours of small single or double rotate flowers appearing between soft decorative foliage; compact perennial succulent
Correct Movements
All movements coming from the
correct inspiration.
Saintpaulia
purple flowers
Correct Movements in the Vital
At once the cause and the result of conversion.
Salix discolor
Pussy-willow
soft silky pearl-grey catkins turning bright yellow; tree
The Future
A promise yet unrealised!
To know, possess and be the divine being in an animal and egoistic consciousness, to convert our twilit or obscure physical mentality into the plenary supramental illumination, to build peace and a self-existent bliss where there is only a stress of transitory satisfactions besieged by physical pain and emotional suffering, to establish an infinite freedom in a world which presents itself as a group of mechanical necessities, to discover and realise the immortal life in a body subjected to death and constant mutation,—this is offered to us as the manifestation of God in Matter and the goal of Nature in her terrestrial evolution.
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The first movement of aspiration is this: you have a kind of vague sensation that behind the universe there is something which is worth knowing, which is probably (for you do not yet know it) the only thing worth living for, which can connect you with the Truth; something on which the universe depends but which does not depend upon the universe, something which still escapes your comprehension but which seems to you to be behind all things.
Salvia
several colours of small tubular labiate flowers on erect spikes or curving racemes; seasonal herbaceous plant
Aspiration for Spirituality
Conscious of the advantages of spiritualisation.
Salvia farinacea
Blue sage
very small violet-blue flowers with light blue-grey calyces
Krishna's Light in the Overmind
The Overmind ready to be divinised.
Salvia leucantha
Mexican bush salvia
small white to pale mauve velvety flowers with purple calyces
The Vital Consenting to Be Spiritualised
A great victory over the lower nature.
Salvia splendens
Scarlet sage
scarlet red flowers and calyces
Matter Consenting to Be Spiritualised
The beginning of wisdom.
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Sambucus
Elder, Elderberry
tiny fragrant cream-white flowers in large rounded clusters
Charm
Envelops and conquers by its inexhaustible sweetness.
Sanchezia speciosa
long spikes of yellow tubular flowers set in reddish bracts; low shrub with leaves veined white
Foresight
A perception which is under the Divine Influence.
Spirituality is in its essence an awakening to the inner reality of our being, to a spirit, self, soul which is other than our mind, life and body, an inner aspiration to know, to feel, to be that, to enter into contact with the greater Reality beyond and pervading the universe which inhabits also our own being, to be in communion with It and union with It, and a turning, a conversion, a transformation of our whole being as a result of the aspiration, the contact, the union, a growth or waking into a new becoming or new being, a new self, a new nature.
Sansevieria Bowstring hemp
long spikes bearing intensely fragrant cream-white flowers with narrow corolla tube and recurved silky petals; rhizomatous decorative plant with thick sturdy variegated leaves
Joy of Spirituality
The reward of sincere efforts.
Sansevieria
larger flowers
Power of Spirituality
True spirituality transforms life.
Saponaria officinalis
Bouncing Bet, Silene saponaria
light airy clusters of very small white or
pink starlike flowers; seasonal or tuberous
perennial
Right Use of the Granted Grace
No deformation, no diminution, no exaggeration—a clear sincerity.
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"How shall he be deluded, whence shall he have sorrow who sees everywhere the Oneness?"
Saraca indica
Ashoka, Sorrowless tree of India fragrant clusters of apricot to orange-red salverform flowers with long stamens; tree
Absence of Grief
The contemplation that takes you
above suffering.
Scabiosa atropurpurea
Pincushions, Sweet scabious small rounded heads of mildly fragrant light mauve flowers with striking white anthers; countryside or cultivated seasonal plant
Blessings
Pure and innumerable, manifesting itself boundlessly.
Scabiosa
deep purple flowers
Blessings on the Material World
Puissant and innumerable, they answer all needs.
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Selenicereus
Moon cereus, Night-blooming cactus large striking white funnel-shaped cactus flower with many petals and innumerable stamens; climbing cactus
The Supramental Riches
The riches that are at the command of the Supramental Being and as yet unknown to man.
If mankind only caught a glimpse of what infinite enjoyments, what perfect forces, what luminous reaches of spontaneous knowledge, what wide calms of our being lie waiting for us in the tracts which our animal evolution has not yet conquered, they would leave all and never rest till they had gained these treasures.
Senecio
Groundsel
mildly fragrant cream-white tassel-like head on an erect stalk; spreading succulent
Observation
Likes to prolong its attention in order to see better.
Sesamum indicum
Gingelly, Sesame
erect racemes of small white pendulous tubular flowers with spreading petals and pale pink throat; economic seasonal plant
Conciliation
Likes smooth contacts.
Sesbania grandiflora
Agati, Vegetable humming-bird large white, pink or red papilionacous flowers opening singly or in pairs; small tree
Beginning of Realisation
Full of promise and hope, it emanates confidence and joy!
Setcreasea purpurea
Purple heart
small mauve-pink flowers set in two
half-folded dark purple bracts, dark purple
leaves; spreading succulent
The Vital Governed by the Presence
The vital force is made peaceful and is disciplined by the Divine Presence.
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Sinningia
Gloxinia
several colours of elegant velvety bell-shaped flowers set above velvety foliage; compact tuberous perennial
Broadening of the Being
All the parts of the being broaden in order to progress.
Balanced Use of the Integral Power
It is true that power can only become integral when it is used in equilibrium.
Broadening of the Most Material Vital
The limitations of the ego begin to be shaken.
white flowers covered with innumerable purple dots
Organised Emotive Broadening
The broadening should not result from an instinctive impulsion but from a conscious organisation.
Solandra maxima
Chalice vine, Cup-of-gold vine
large mildly fragrant cream to light yellow
chalice-shaped flower; heavy climber
Absolute Truthfulness
Must govern one's life if one wants to be close to the Divine.
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Solanum seaforthianum
delicate pendulous clusters of light blue star-shaped flowers with erect stamens; creeper
Seeking for All Support in the Divine
The Divine alone is the support that never fails.
Never seek a support elsewhere than in the Divine. Never seek satisfaction elsewhere than in the Divine. Never seek the satisfaction of your needs in anyone else except the Divine—never, for anything at all. All your needs can be satisfied only by the Divine. All your weaknesses can be borne and healed only by the Divine. He alone is capable of giving you what you need in everything, always, and if you try to find any satisfaction or support or help or joy or . . . Heaven knows what, in anyone else, you will always fall on your nose one day, and that always hurts, sometimes even hurts very much.
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This courage, this heroism which the Divine wants of us, why not use it to fight against one's own difficulties, one's own imperfections, one's own obscurities? Why not heroically face the furnace of inner purification?. . .
Solanum torvum
light clusters of white star-shaped flowers; countryside vegetable shrub
Fearlessness
Without fear and without hesitation it will obey the command of the Divine.
Solanum melongena
Aubergine, Brinjal, Eggplant
small lavender-blue cup-shaped flower;
seasonal vegetable plant
Fearlessness in the Vital
Goes straight to its goal and does
not fear inclemency.
Solanum trilobatum
purple star-shaped flower; low thorny countryside seasonal plant
Vital Courage
Must be controlled in order to do good.
Solanum rantonnetii
violet rotate flower; shrub
Remembrance
The constant remembrance of the Divine is indispensable for transformation.
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Solidago
Goldenrod
tiny yellow flowers in tall feathery spikes; rhizomatous perennial
Mental Sincerity
The essential condition for integral honesty.
Sincerity is progressive, and as the being progresses and develops, as the universe unfolds in the becoming, sincerity too must go on perfecting itself endlessly....
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Do not imagine that truth and falsehood, light and darkness, surrender and selfishness can be allowed to dwell together in the house consecrated to the Divine. The transformation must be integral, and integral therefore the rejection of all that withstands it.
Spathiphyllum
Spathe flower
cream-white to pale green spathe with white spadix borne on a long scape; rhizomatous perennial with decorative foliage
Aspiration for Purity
Spathodea campanulata
African tulip tree, Scarlet-bell tree clusters of large apricot to reddish-orange bell-shaped flowers with fiery border; tree
Passion
It is a force, but is dangerous and cannot be used unless it is perfectly surrendered to the Divine.
Spathoglottis plicata
Ground orchid
small white orchids on a long erect scape; terrestrial rhizomatous plant
Integral Attachment for the Divine
On the right way towards realisation.
Spathoglottis
light mauve to deep violet flowers
Vital Attachment for the Divine
Manifold and abundant in its multiplicity.
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Sporobolus capillaris
Dropseed
delicate airy panicles of branching spikelets bearing minute flowers, light green-brown to maroon; countryside grass
Humility
Adorable in its simplicity.
To be humble means for the mind, the vital and the body never to forget that without the Divine they know nothing, are nothing and can do nothing; without the Divine they are nothing but ignorance, chaos and impotence.
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Stachytarpheta
very small flowers sparsely arranged on long ascending spikes, light blue, pink or purple; low perennial shrub
Spiritual Ascension of the Vital
It is more fanciful and less regular [than Spiritual Ascension].
Stapelia
Carrion flower, Starfish flower large dark purple or maroon star-shaped flower with innumerable yellow rings, malodorous; low succulent with fleshy stem and minute leaves
Conquest of the Armies
Brutal and material, it does not bring joy.
Stemmadenia galeottiana.
fragrant white salverform flower with rounded petals; small tree
Purity in Action
When action is initiated by the Divine Will it is pure.
To act, to enjoy is the normal law and right of the nervous being; but to choose by personal desire its action and enjoyment is only its ignorant will, not its right. Alone the supreme and universal Will must choose; action must change into a dynamic movement of that Will; enjoyment must be replaced by the play of a pure spiritual Ananda.
Strelitzia reginae
Bird-of-paradise
scapes bearing spectacular orange, yellow and blue flowers resembling the head of a crested bird; rhizomatous perennial
Supramental Bird
It remains just where it has descended!
Strobilanthes kunthianus
small blue-violet funnel-shaped flowers set in short bracteate spikes blossoming profusely once in twelve years; low shrub
The Power of a Perfect Endurance
Shows itself rarely but is very precious.
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Strophanthus
small white salverform flower with purple ribbonlike petals; robust climber
Spreading of the Manifestation
The Divine Manifestation radiates.
Strophanthus gratus
Cream fruit
clusters of fragrant white to light pink trumpet-shaped flowers with prominent light maroon corona; heavy climber or spreading shrub
Radiating Vital Purity
It is possible only by perfect consecration of the vital.
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Cease inwardly from thought and word, be motionless within you, look upward into the light and outward into the vast cosmic consciousness that is around you. Be more and more one with the brightness and the vastness. Then will Truth dawn on you from above and flow in you from all around you.
But only if the mind is no less intense in its purity than its silence. For in an impure mind the silence will soon fill with misleading lights and false voices, the echo or sublimation of its own vain conceits and opinions or the response to its secret pride, vanity, ambition, lust, greed or desire.
Syringa
Lilac
showy clusters of small very fragrant lilac or white waxy flowers; shrub
Distinction
Of a refined beauty, it is sufficient to itself.
Syzygium jambos
Rose apple, Star apple small clusters of delicate white rotate flowers with innumerable stamens; fruit tree
Mastery
Know what the Divine wills and you will have mastery.
Tabernaemontana
Crape gardenia, Eye flower, Pin-wheel flower
clusters of single white salverform flowers with yellow centre and narrow corolla tube; shrub or small tree
Mental Purity
A mirror that does not distort.
Tabernaemontana 'Flore-pleno'
semi-double white salverform flower with curling petals
Integral Mental Purity
Silent, attentive, receptive, concentrated on the Divine—such is the path of purity.
fully double fragrant white flower with soft crapelike petals
Perfect Mental Purity
A spotless mirror constantly turned
towards the Divine.
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That which can easily change its form is "plastic". Figuratively, it is suppleness, a capacity of adaptation to Circumstances and necessities. When I ask you to be plastic in relation to the Divine, I mean not to resist the Divine with the rigidity of preconceived ideas and fixed principles.
The physical being and physical consciousness must be very plastic to be able to lend themselves to all the necessary changes, so as to be of one kind one day and another the next, and so on.
Tagetes Marigold
light yellow to gold or red-maroon double compositae flowers; seasonal plant
Plasticity
Always ready for the necessary progress.
Tagetes erecta
large lemon yellow flowers
Mental Plasticity
Indispensable for true knowledge.
Tagetes erecta 'Spun Yellow'
Chrysanthemum marigold small to large yellow flowers with finely frilled florets
Energy of a Plastic Mind
Does not draw back from any effort to progress.
large orange or golden flowers
Supramentalised Plasticity
One of the steps on the way to transformation.
Tagetes patula
French marigold
medium-sized yellow or orange flowers streaked maroon
Physical Plasticity
One of the important conditions for
transformation.
small or miniature light yellow, gold or red-maroon flowers
Detailed Plasticity
The plasticity needed to always progress.
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Talinum
Fame-flower, Jewels-of-Opar, Puchero tiny pink rotate flowers in light airy clusters, followed by tiny yellow round fruits; low succulent
Vital Fantasy
Ephemeral and of no importance.
Tarenna asiatica
clusters of small highly fragrant
cream-white starlike flowers; countryside
shrub
Humility before the Divine in the Physical Nature
The first attitude needed for transformation.
It [the physical mind] is the instrument of understanding and ordered action on physical things. Only instead of being obscure and ignorant and fumbling as now or else guided only by an external knowledge it has to become conscious of the Divine and to act in accordance with an inner light, will and knowledge putting itself into contact and an understanding unity with the physical world.
Tecoma stans
Yellow-bells, Yellow elder showy clusters of small mildly fragrant bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers with red-maroon throat; large shrub or tree
Physical Mind
Becomes a good instrument of action when it is content to be that alone.
Tecoma alata
Trumpet bush
smaller yellow flowers with orange to light maroon corolla tube; shrub
Higher Mind
Its superiority consists in its capacity to open to the Divine Light.
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Tecomaria capensis
Cape honeysuckle
erect clusters of bright orange tubular flowers with recurved petals; shrub
Power of Truth in the Subconscient
It can act only when sincerity is perfect.
If you call for the Truth and yet something in you chooses what is false, ignorant and undivine or even simply is unwilling to reject it altogether, then always you will be open to attack and the Grace will recede from you. Detect first what is false or obscure in you and persistently reject it, then alone can you rightly call for the divine Power to transform you.
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Desire nothing but the purity, force, light, wideness, calm, Ananda of the divine consciousness and its insistence to transform and perfect your mind, life and body. Ask for nothing but the divine, spiritual and supramental Truth, its realisation on earth and in you and in all who are called and chosen and the conditions needed for its creation and its victory over all opposing forces.
Tectona grandis
Teak tree
mildly fragrant tiny cream-white rotate flowers in large airy cloudlike panicles; large tree
Renunciation of Desires
The essential condition for realisation.
Terminalia catappa
Indian almond, Tropical almond
short spikes of tiny white starlike flowers;
large tree
Spiritual Aspiration
Rises like an arrow caring neither for obstacles nor laggards!
Thespesia populnea
Portia tree
bright yellow deep cup-shaped flower with crapelike petals, changing to carmine; tree
Health
Not to be preoccupied with it but to leave it to the Divine!
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Thevetia peruviana
Yellow oleander
fragrant yellow funnel-shaped flower; large shrub
Mind
Its true value lies in its surrender to the Divine.
The nature of Mind as we know it is an Ignorance seeking for knowledge; it is a knower of fractions and worker of divisions striving to arrive at a sum, to piece together a whole,—it is not possessed of the essence of things or their totality.
The transformation of the Ignorance into the integral Knowledge the growth in us of a spiritual intelligence ready to receive a higher light and canalise it for all the parts of our nature is an intermediate necessity of great importance.
Purified Mind
Mind ready to surrender to the Divine.
Thevetia
light orange flowers
Supramentalised Mind
Mind has become an instrument for
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Thunbergia alata
Black-eyed Susan
yellow-orange to orange salverform flowers with nearly black centre; creeper
Obscurity Offering Itself to Be Transformed
Obscurity tired of being obscure.
Thunbergia alata'Julietta'
pure golden-yellow flowers
Transformation Makes the Obscurity Disappear
Obscurity will disappear more and more as the transformation progresses.
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Thunbergia erecta
Bush clock vine, King's mantle deep violet salverform flowers with rounded petals and yellow throat; shrub
Opening of the Material Vital to the Light
One of the essential conditions for peace.
variegated white and lavender
Opening of the Higher Vital to the Light
Existing only for the Divine, the vital knows no other master.
pure white
Integral Opening to the Light
The assurance of the peace and the joy to come.
Thunbergia grandiflora
Clock vine
pendulous clusters of white salverform flowers with recurved corolla tubes; creeper
Opening to the Light
Co-operates with all that leads towards the Light.
Blue trumpet vine
medium to large lavender-blue flowers
Krishna's Light in the Mind
A charming way of becoming intelligent!
Thunbergia fragrans
small delicate white salverform flowers; rambling creeper
Purity in the Emotive Centre
Thunbergia kirkii
very small lavender-blue salverform flowers; low shrub
Opening to Sri Aurobindo's Force
The help of Sri Aurobindo is constant; it is for us to know how to receive it.
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Thymopylla tenuiloba
Dahlberg daisy, Golden-fleece very small yellow compositae flowers set among finely frilled aromatic leaves; seasonal groundcover
Mental Simplicity
Does not like complications.
I have always found that this one [Mental Simplicity] has a cleansing fragrance; when you breathe it, ah, everything becomes clean — it's wonderful! Once I cured myself of the onset of a cold with it — this can be done when you catch it at the very beginning. It fills you completely, the nose, the throat.
Tithonia diversifolia
Perennial sunflower
large yellow sunflower with long separate petals;shrub
First Movement of the Riches towards the Divine
The sure sign of conversion.
Tithonia rotundifolia
Mexican sunflower
striking orange-red sunflower with velvety petals; seasonal plant
Physical Consciousness Turned Entirely towards the Divine
It thirsts for the Divine and wants Him alone.
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Torenia fournieri
Bluewings
erect racemes of white, mauve or lavender two-lipped flowers with yellow spot on throat giving the impression of a peacock feather; low seasonal
Krishna's Play
A power of progress veiling itself behind appearances.
purple flowers with pale lavender-blue corolla tube
Krishna's Play in Matter
Beauty, love and joy are comrades! It is a play that widens and makes for progress.
Torenia fournieri 'Alba'
ivory-white flowers
Krishna's Integral Play
All the parts of the being respond to His influence.
Trachymene coerulea
Blue lace flower
rounded heads of very small light lavender-blue rotate flowers; seasonal plant
Perfect Working of the Mind
Can happen when the mind is resolved to exclusively fulfil its role.
Tribulus terrestris
Puncture vine, Burr-nut very small yellow rotate flower; countryside groundcover
First Mental Awakening in Matter
It has preceded and prepared the future of man upon earth.
Trifolium
Clover
small white, pink or violet rounded heads of tiny papilionaceous flowers; countryside groundcover
Kindness of Nature
She is kind when she is loving.
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Mental honesty: It is a mind that does not attempt to deceive itself. And in fact it is not an "attempt", for it succeeds very well in doing it!
It would seem that in the ordinary psychological constitution of man, the almost constant function of the mind is to give an acceptable explanation of what goes on in the "desire-being", the vital, the most material parts of the mind and the subtlest parts of the body.
Tristellateia australis
showy racemes of small bright yellow rotate flowers; creeper
Mental Honesty
One does not try to deceive others nor to deceive oneself.
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Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtium
cream-yellow, red or maroon rotate flowers with corona, spreading petals and prominent spur; low seasonal plant with aromatic leaves
Promise of Realisation
The best encouragement.
Tropaeolum
Promise of Realisation in the Mind
The mind must be silent to allow the Supramental Consciousness to take its place.
dark red to maroon flowers
Promise of Realisation in Matter
The best encouragement for doing what is necessary.
red to light maroon flowers with yellow border
Promise of Realisation in the Physical
Courage to face the long labour.
yellow flowers with red centre
Promise of Realisation in the Physical Mind
A good encouragement for the necessary effort.
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Tulipa
Tulip
many colours and forms of cup-shaped flowers each on a short scape; bulbous plant
Blossoming
The result of trust and success.
Turnera ulmifolia
Yellow alder, Sage rose, West Indian holly yellow rotate flowers with delicate petals; low countryside shrub
Wakefulness in the Mind
Let it turn to the Light and to the
Light alone.
Turnera ulmifolia elegans
cream-white flowers with maroon centre; perennial groundcover
Awakening of the Physical Mind
It wants to know and opens wide in order to understand.
Typhonium divaricatum
large maladorous red-maroon spathe and bright red spadix coming out from the ground; countryside rhizomatous plant
Gossip
Dark and pointed, this flower hurts more than it charms.
The physical mind is that which is fixed on physical objects and happenings, sees and understands these only, and deals with them according to their own nature, but can with difficulty respond to the higher forces. . .To enlighten the physical mind by the consciousness of the higher spiritual and supramental planes is one object of this yoga, just as to enlighten it by the power of the higher vital and higher mental elements of the being is the greatest part of human self-development, civilisation and culture.
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Vallaris solanacea
clusters of small white fragrant bell-shaped flowers; heavy creeper
Psychic Tranquillity
By its very nature the psychic is calm and tranquil.
We shall endure tranquilly the action and impact on us of men and things and forces, the pressure of the Gods and the assaults of Titans; we shall face and engulf in the unstirred seas of our spirit all that can possibly come to us down the ways of the soul's infinite experience.
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Vanda caerulea
Blue orchid
racemes of large light blue fragrant orchids with violet lip; epiphytic orchid
Attachment in the Emotive Vital for the Divine
An artistic and graceful attachment that can be a little fanciful.
Vanda teres
medium-sized pale lavender-pink fragrant orchid with golden-yellow lip
Emotional Attachment for the Divine
Cups of flowering feelings offered to the Divine!
Vanda tessellata
long racemes of fragrant olive-lavender orchids with curly petals speckled ochre-brown and prominent lavender lip
Detailed Attachment for the Divine
Manifold, scrupulous, neglecting nothing, meticulous—always ready to make another effort.
The only way of being truly free is to make your surrender to the Divine entire, without reservation, because then all that binds you, ties you down, chains you, falls away naturally from you and has no longer any importance. . . .
And it is this freedom that I want of you—free from all attachment, all ignorance, all reaction; free from everything except a total surrender to the Divine.
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Verbena hybrida
Perennial verbena
erect clusters of small salverform flowers in several colours; low spreading seasonal or perennial plant
Thoroughness
Verbena
carmine with cream centre
Artistic Thoroughness
Neglects nothing in its search for perfection.
Physical Thoroughness
Takes great care of details in the execution of work.
Vital Thoroughness
The vital must become calm and
docile.
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Integral Thoroughness
Nothing is neglected in order to reach the Divine Goal.
Psychic Thoroughness
With untiring patience it works for
the perfection of the being.
Verbena tenuisecta
Moss verbena
elongated clusters of smaller light pink salverform flowers; low spreading seasonal plant
Aspiration for Conquest of the Enemies in the Vital
A will concentrated and not noisy, acting quietly but effectively.
purple
Will to Conquer the Vital Enemies
Indispensable for the mastery over desires.
Conquest over the Vital Enemies
Of modest appearance, it has an enduring power.
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Every morning may our thought rise fervently towards Thee, asking Thee how we can manifest and serve Thee best.
Vernonia eleagnaefolia
Curtain creeper
airy clusters of tiny pale lavender to white compositae flowers changing to soft fluffy heads; heavy creeper
Aspiration for the Divine Consciousness
O precious flower, blossom forth never to close again!
Viburnum plicatum
Japanese snowball
large round clusters of small white rotate flowers; shrub
Collective Purity
A very precious achievement, but difficult to obtain.
Viola odorata
Violet
very fragrant small purple flower with recurved petals and short spur hidden behind small rounded leaves; low rhizomatous plant
Modesty
Is satisfied with its own charm and does not draw attention.
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Viola
Pansy
several colours of flat soft velvety flowers with five rounded petals; low rhizomatous plant
Thoughts Turned towards the Divine
A certitude of beauty.
cream-yellow flowers
Integrally Pure Thoughts
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Viscum album
Mistletoe
tiny white flowers, small pearl-white berries and oval leaves; perennial parasitic shrub
Sign of the Spirit
"I am here", says the Spirit.
Vitis vinifera
Cultivated grape
clusters of grapes, green, red or black
Divine Ananda
Abundant, succulent, nourishing, full of vigour.
Vittadinia australis
Creeping daisy
very small white compositae flowers; creeping groundcover
Integral Simplicity
The simplicity that is the consequence of perfect sincerity.
As soon as all effort disappears from a manifestation, it becomes very simple, with the simplicity of a flower opening, manifesting its beauty and spreading its fragrance without clamour or vehement gesture. And in this simplicity lies the greatest power, the power which is least mixed and least gives rise to harmful reactions.
Wedelia
small double yellow compositae flowers; low perennial shrub or groundcover
Detailed Perseverance
To continue the work begun for as long as is necessary.
Wisteria sinensis
Chinese wisteria
small lavender papilionaceous flowers in long pendulous clusters; heavy deciduous creeper
Poet's Ecstasy
Rare and charming is your presence!
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Truth is a difficult and strenuous conquest. One must be a real warrior to make this conquest, a warrior who fears nothing, neither enemies nor death, for with or against everybody, with or without a body, the struggle continues and will end by Victory.
Wormia bourbridgii
medium-sized lemon-yellow open cup-shaped flower with white crown; tree
Effort towards the Truth
Should exist in all men of goodwill.
Wrightia tinctoria
light clusters of small fragrant white star-shaped flowers with white coronas; tree
Religious Thought
Can only be used when liberated from the influence of religions.
Yucca
large erect branching spikes with fragrant white bell-shaped flowers; perennial shrub blooming once in its lifetime
Initiation
It is unique in the whole of its existence.
Zebrina pendula
Inch plant, Wandering Jew very small violet flower emerging singly from a folded bract, small purple leaves striped green; succulent groundcover or hanging-basket plant
Quiet Strength in the Vital
Does not like to attract attention.
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Flowers are the prayers of the vegetal kingdom
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A prayer, a master act, a king idea
Can link man's strength to a transcendent Force.
Then miracle is made the common rule.
Zephyranthes
Fairy lily, Rain lily several colours of small funnel-shaped flowers each borne on a short scape, sometimes mildly fragrant; bulbous plant
Prayer
Self-giving is true prayer.
Integral Prayer
The whole being is concentrated in a single prayer to the Divine.
Mental Prayer
Spontaneous in a mind aspiring for transformation.
deep pink flowers
Vital Prayer
The vital implores for its purification.
large pink flowers
Psychic Prayer
Spontaneous and fervent.
large yellow or orange-yellow flowers
Supramental Invocation
The spontaneous attitude of the Supermind before the Divine.
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Zinnia
many colours of small, medium or large double compositae flowers; erect seasonal plant
Endurance
Going to the very end of the effort without fatigue or relaxing.
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The most important is a steady, quiet endurance that does not allow any upsetting or depression to interfere with your progress. The sincerity of the aspiration is the assurance of the victory.
To maintain one's endurance in spite of all oppositions, the support must be unshakable, and one support alone is unshakable, that of the reality, the Supreme Truth.
cream with red centre
Ananda of Endurance
To have the knowledge and the power to bear and endure is certainly the source of a firm joy.
royal purple
Courageous Endurance
Strong and energetic, it never complains.
Integral Endurance
Unfailingly it will go on till the very end of its task.
bright coral
Joyous Endurance
It keeps smiling whatever happens.
variegated or multi-coloured
Manifold Endurance
Whatever the endurance needed, it is always there to fulfil its role.
Mental Endurance
It is never discouraged by the difficulty of problems to be resolved.
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violet-red
Vital Endurance
What do obstacles matter, we shall always go forward!
Endurance of the Higher Vital
Whatever the circumstances, it does not fail.
Physical Endurance
Knows neither fatigue nor exhaustion.
Psychic Endurance
It will smile at life whatever its
difficulties may be.
light green
Spontaneous Endurance
Smiling, effortless and natural.
Victorious Endurance
It will last to the end of the combat.
Supramentalised Endurance
With such an attitude difficulties lose their power to harrass you.
Zinnia angustifolia
very small single white, yellow or orange semi-double compositae flowers; seasonal groundcover
Detailed Endurance
Nothing is so small as to be neglected; the same attention is given to all circumstances.
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What is it in a flower which makes it take and reflect a certain colour?
The scientists say that it is the composition of its atoms but I say that it is the nature of its aspiration.
The Mother
*
When we study the messages given by the Mother to flowers we find that certain colours correspond to certain planes of consciousness, certain levels of the being. This becomes still clearer when we read the explanation Sri Aurobindo gives to colours seen in visions. Colour alone does not always determine the message of a flower. The shape and size of the flower, its intensity of fragrance can often be as important. Even the time and manner of blossoming is important. In certain plants it may be the inflorescence that is more striking and significant than the individual flower. Often enough, though not always, it is the use of the plant or its nature that is expressed in the flower's message. For instance, the meaning may coincide with its use in religious ceremonies; it may be determined by the quality of the leaves or fruits or any important characteristic feature and trait of the plant. The following Plates have been designed to indicate the colours of some of the planes of our being and help the reader, as far as possible, to begin to feel these subtle vibrations. Plate I shows the colours of the Supermind, the mind and the psychic region. For comparison, the colours of Krishna and that of the emotive centre have been included. Plate II continues with the other parts of the vital and the physical centre which represents the physical body. In Plate I comes first "Krishna's Ananda" (Cape plumbago - Plumbago capensis, I.1). Light blue is Krishna's colour and also that of Sri Aurobindo. Orange and golden-yellow are the colours of the Supermind and of the
When we study the messages given by the Mother to flowers we find that certain colours correspond to certain planes of consciousness, certain levels of the being. This becomes still clearer when we read the explanation Sri Aurobindo gives to colours seen in visions. Colour alone does not always determine the message of a flower. The shape and size of the flower, its intensity of fragrance can often be as important. Even the time and manner of blossoming is important. In certain plants it may be the inflorescence that is more striking and significant than the individual flower. Often enough, though not always, it is the use of the plant or its nature that is expressed in the flower's message. For instance, the meaning may coincide with its use in religious ceremonies; it may be determined by the quality of the leaves or fruits or any important characteristic feature and trait of the plant.
The following Plates have been designed to indicate the colours of some of the planes of our being and help the reader, as far as possible, to begin to feel these subtle vibrations.
Plate I shows the colours of the Supermind, the mind and the psychic region. For comparison, the colours of Krishna and that of the emotive centre have been included.
Plate II continues with the other parts of the vital and the physical centre which represents the physical body.
In Plate I comes first "Krishna's Ananda" (Cape plumbago - Plumbago capensis, I.1). Light blue is Krishna's colour and also that of Sri Aurobindo.
Orange and golden-yellow are the colours of the Supermind and of the
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Supramental qualities. For example, "Supramentalised Psychological Perfection" (Champaka, Michelia champaca, I, 2). Yellow is the colour of mental aspiration—like the flower "Mind" (Yellow Oleander, Thevetia peruviana I, 3). It is usually greenish yellow, since yellow, shading orange, can also indicate light. The significance of higher mind or intuitive mind may be given to cream-yellow flowers such as "Voice of the Higher Mind" (Anemopaegma paraense, I, 4). Shades of blue may also indicate the mind, especially with Krishna's influence; see "Krishna's Light in the Mind" (Clock-vine, Thunbergia grandiflora) I, 5. However, there are exceptions—"Charity" (Commelina) for example, is a large delicate blue flower. Light pink is the colour of the psychic region. The Plate shows "Psychic Prayer" (Zephyranthes, I, 6). It is sometimes difficult to distinguish the colour of the psychic from that of the emotive centre. The emotive centre is often expressed by light mauve or lilac-pink. For example, "Offering of the Emotions" (Hollyhock, Alcea, I, 7). In Plate II the darker colours denoting the vital, the physical or matter are shown. The vital being is usually divided into three layers. First, the higher vital coloured lavender, deep mauve or deep carmine, as "Power in the Higher Vital" (Shrub Althaea, Hibiscus syriacus, II, 1). Second, the vital proper which is blue as in "Spiritual Awakening of the Vital" (Coleus, II, 2), or dark red as in "Vital Centre" (Canna, II, 3). Third, the lower material vital which is denoted by dark blue, violet blue or dark purple as in "Opening of the Material Vital to the Light" (Thunbergia erecta, II, 4). Red is the colour of the physical, usually a clear bright red—for example, "Aspiration in the Physical for the Divine Love" (Fountain plant, Russelia equisetiformis), II, 5). Lastly, the colour of matter or the subconscient may be a very dark red, as in "First Response of the Subconscient to the Supramental Action" (Sausage tree, Kigelia pinnata).
Supramental qualities. For example, "Supramentalised Psychological Perfection" (Champaka, Michelia champaca, I, 2).
Yellow is the colour of mental aspiration—like the flower "Mind" (Yellow Oleander, Thevetia peruviana I, 3). It is usually greenish yellow, since yellow, shading orange, can also indicate light. The significance of higher mind or intuitive mind may be given to cream-yellow flowers such as "Voice of the Higher Mind" (Anemopaegma paraense, I, 4). Shades of blue may also indicate the mind, especially with Krishna's influence; see "Krishna's Light in the Mind" (Clock-vine, Thunbergia grandiflora) I, 5. However, there are exceptions—"Charity" (Commelina) for example, is a large delicate blue flower.
Light pink is the colour of the psychic region. The Plate shows "Psychic Prayer" (Zephyranthes, I, 6). It is sometimes difficult to distinguish the colour of the psychic from that of the emotive centre. The emotive centre is often expressed by light mauve or lilac-pink. For example, "Offering of the Emotions" (Hollyhock, Alcea, I, 7).
In Plate II the darker colours denoting the vital, the physical or matter are shown.
The vital being is usually divided into three layers.
First, the higher vital coloured lavender, deep mauve or deep carmine, as "Power in the Higher Vital" (Shrub Althaea, Hibiscus syriacus, II, 1).
Second, the vital proper which is blue as in "Spiritual Awakening of the Vital" (Coleus, II, 2), or dark red as in "Vital Centre" (Canna, II, 3).
Third, the lower material vital which is denoted by dark blue, violet blue or dark purple as in "Opening of the Material Vital to the Light" (Thunbergia erecta, II, 4).
Red is the colour of the physical, usually a clear bright red—for example, "Aspiration in the Physical for the Divine Love" (Fountain plant, Russelia equisetiformis), II, 5).
Lastly, the colour of matter or the subconscient may be a very dark red, as in "First Response of the Subconscient to the Supramental Action" (Sausage tree, Kigelia pinnata).
The Editor
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You can easily make a speech using flowers and I have noticed that this can effectively replace the old Vedic images, for instance, which no longer hold meaning for us, or the ambiguous phraseology of the ancient initiations. Flower language is much better because it contains the Force and is extremely plastic—since it is not formulated in words, each one is free to arrange and receive it according to his own capacity. You can make long speeches using flowers.
From the end of 1929 to the middle of 1930 the Mother played a flower game with a small group of disciples. Arranging a few flowers in her hand, she made up a sentence in English based on the significances she has given and asked the disciples to guess it. Some of these flower-game sentences are given below. However the last two sentences are messages and were given much later.
The divine solicitude is with you (meaning, you are getting all the help you need). But keep up your aspiration, remain faithful and the wrong movement will be changed into the right, so that the victorious love may manifest.
By loving consecration [Radha's consciousness] and faithful service allow the divine protection to be with you in your aspiring concentration for integral transformation [four flowers of transformation ].
Victorious love will manifest when there will be established, through the five-fold psychological perfection, the love of the physical for the Divine and when, through loving consecration, there will be a complete faithfulness to the Divine.
Page 260
Peace in the vital is at once the basis of aspiration and the condition for the beginning of realisation.
To keep Agni burning always in the psychic centre is an indispensable condition for transformation .
To an aspiration for the Divine love, supported by faithfulness and sincerity in the vital, the Divine love will surely answer.
The devotion that accompanies Radha's absolute consecration, this alone has the power of bringing down Krishna's light in the mind.
Aspire for gratitude—without gratitude the mind cannot get purified.
Aspiration and faithful devotion firmly established in a peaceful vital being and crowned by a simple sincerity are some of the most essential conditions for a beginning of realisation.
Only to those who have a true humility will power be given.
Approach the Divine with loving gratitude and you will meet the Divine's love.
Let your aspiration for progress be cheerful and you will get the ananda of progress.
The generosity of your absolute self-giving will bring to you the revelation of the generosity of the Divine's love.
Peace in the physical cells leads first to health and then to transformation .
Page 261
Surrender to the Divine and integral transformation are the two great steps leading to the perfect new creation.
With simple sincerity, faithfulness and purity, open your vital being to the Divine's love.
Devoted loving consecration, faithfulness, purity and peace in the vital, these four are the conditions most important for conquest of the power over the most material vital.
A mind quiet and filled with the sweetness of thoughts exclusively turned towards the Divine is the gate through which there will be the constant connection between the supramental light and the material being.
Be simply sincere in your obedience to the Divine. This will take you far on the way to transformation .
Only if you have faith and vital confidence in the Divine can the Divine help come to you.
In the sincerity of your effort towards silence lies the assurance of a purified mind.
Let patience and endurance be your companions on the way to physical transformation .
With aesthetic taste and vital purity build up vital harmony. This will make possible the manifestation of the supramental beauty in the physical.
Let the flame of devotion help you to have the patience needed for transformation .
The complete opening of the vital to the Divine leading to the entire conversion and to the transformation of the power in the higher vital and the conquest of lower vital
Page 262
movements like greed for food and sexual desire are the necessary conditions for bringing into the physical [centre] the principle of eternal youth.
A consciousness luminous without obscurity, turned towards the supramental light and full of a supramentalised plasticity are the conditions for the manifestation of the supramental light upon earth.
Let an integral offering of your being be the form of your purified worship.
By vital stability, by purified life-energy and by the supramental influence in the cells it will be possible for the body consciousness to undergo the supramental transformation which will fix the ananda in the physical body.
Silence all outside noise, aspire for the Divine's help; open integrally to it when it comes and surrender to its action, and it will effectively bring about your transformation .
Let gold be turned to the service of the Divine; so it will get purified and take its true place in Krishna's play in the material.
Surrender all falsehood; your physical mind will be converted and a mental victory won.
Plasticity brings that sweetness of thought which helps you to surrender; through that the consciousness turns to the Divine, then purity comes. In purity you realise the Divine. He grants you power and perfect health.
Let us be humble so that we may open ourselves to the Divine love in its marvellous action.
Page 263
NOTE: The following index is based on the online version for ease of use, better navigation & faster search. For the original index as available in the book, please use the PDF version.
[898]
Page 282
Abyssinian sword lily
6
19
49
Acerola
157
239
China aster
41
African tulip tree
226
218
Chinaberry
161
217
211
Agati
221
40
Chinese bellflower
194
Air plant
148
Bottle gourd
150
Chinese forget-me-not
83
Alexandrian laurel
44
Bouncing Bet
219
Chinese-hat plant
133
201
185
Chinese lantern
1
82
Bowstring hemp
44,219
Chinese-lantern plant
13
Bridal-bouquet
200
79
Amaryllis
131
Brier rose
Chinese parsley
74
Amazon lily
98
Brinjal
224
88
36
100
250
86
103
Christmas flower
99
38
Broom, Scotch
Climbing lily
106
Annatto
32
Burr-nut
237
Annual aster
Bush clock vine
Clove pink
192
Busy Lizzie
136
Annunciation lily
154
37
55
Apple-blossom cassia
51
Butterfly lily
111
Cocoa-shade, Nicaraguan
Ashoka
220
Butterfly orchid
94
70
Aster, China or annual
Butterfly tree
28
72
Aubergine
21
Conessi bark
132
169
Cactus, easter-lily
93
Confederate rose
117,128
Azalea
208
Cactus, hedge
56
109
Cactus night-blooming
4
Baby snapdragon
Cactus night flower
Copper-pod
188
Bachelor's button
Calabur
Coral plant
146,216
Bael tree
Coral tree, Indian
96
Balloon flower
Calliopsis
Coral vine
17
Balsam
Candlestick senna
50
Corallita
Balsam, perennial
Candytuft
135
Coriander
Balsam-pear
167
75
Cornflower
Barbados aloe
12
Cosmetic-bark tree
Barbados cherry
233
197
Cotton, tree
178
212
Basil, sweet
76
Crape gardenia
230
5
24
151
Beauty-of-the-night
Cardinal climber
205
229
Bengal quince
184
Croton
71
Crown plant
228
Crown-beauty
134
Bird's-eye bush
177
Carnation
Bitter gourd
Carrion flower
Cup-and-saucer lily
Bitterwood
91
Cup-of-goldvine
222
215,236
Chalice vine
Cupflower
175
102
Champa
196
248
89
162
Cypress vine
110
Changeable rose
Daffodil
171
Bloodwood tree
Chenille plant
Daisy, creeping
138
Cherry-pie
113
Daisy, Dahl berg
238
Page 283
73
14
Gingelly
39
Ginger lily
145
227
108
Jasmine tobacco
Gloriosa daisy
215
Java cassia
Dwarf white bauhinia
Glory bower
64
Java glory bean
66
Easter lily
Glory lily
Jerusalem thorn
186
Easter-lily cactus
Jewels-of-Opar
232
Easter tree
Godetia
62
153
16
Eggplant
Golden-dewdrop
92
69
Eglantine
Golden-fleece
Kapok tree
53
189
225
Karela
Elder
Golden shower tree
Kashmir bouquet
Elderberry
King's mantle
Everlasting
112
Good-luck plant
Knotweed
199
Eye flower
Gourd
80
Krishna tulsi
Fairy flax
Gourd, ridge
Fairy lily
253
Gourd, white-flowered
101
Fairy rose
Grape, cultivated
Lady's-finger
Fame-flower
Green ebony
143
Farewell-to-spring
La-kwa
Feathered amaranth
Guatemala rhubarb
146
87
203
61
Guernsey lily
173
Lebbeck tree
7
58
Gul Mohur
Fire dragon
97
Firebush
Gumbo
30
Flamboyant
Hawaiian wood rose
Life plant
Flame lily
Heather
Lily-of-the-field
Heliotrope
Henna
Herald's trumpet
Fleece flower
Lipstick tree
140
9
155
Floppers
Honeysuckle, Japanese
156
Flora's paintbrush
Logwood
Florist's chrysanthemum
59
Lotus, sacred
172
Flossflower
Inch plant
251
Love-lies-bleeding
Flowering cherry, Japanese
Indian almond
234
Flowering maple
Madagascar periwinkle
52
Flowering tobacco
165
Madonna lily
Indian laburnum
Madre
Forget-me-not, Chinese
Indian laurel
Majoram, knotted
182
Fortnight lily
168
Indian lilac
159
Fountain plant
216
45
Four-o'clock
Ipomoea, star
Margosa
25
Frangipani
Iris, African
Marigold
231
Marigold, chrysanthemum
Frywood tree
Italian jasmine
Marrow
190
Marvel of Peru
Garland lily
Jacob's coat
Japanese flowering cherry
120
Page 284
Mexican fire plant
Poet's narcissus
Scotch heather
Mexican palo verde
Poinsettia
Mexican shrimp plant
31
213
Polyanthus narcissus
Senna, candlestick
Mickey Mouse plant
Popinac
3
Sensitive plant
207
Sesame
Mignonette tree
Porcelain ginger
60
Miniature holly
Shellflower
Shrub althaea
124,129
Monkey-pod
152
Moon cereus
Pride of India
Silene saponaria
Primrose
Silk-cotton tree, red
Moreton bay chestnut
Puchero
Silk-cotton tree, white
Morning glory
Pummelo tree
Silk-cotton tree, yellow
Mosaic plant
Pumpkin
Silver-net plant
Moses-in-a-boat
209
Puncture vine
Singapore cherry
247
Purple allamanda
11
Singapore holly
Mudar
Sing-kwa
Mudilla
Purslane, rock
Skyflower
Mungo tree
Pussy-foot
18
68
Snapweed
170
57
Snow creeper
241
Neem
Queen's flower
Sorrowless tree of India
Nicaraguan cocoa-shade
Spanish cherry
Nittu tree
Queensland umbrella tree
35
166
Okra
139
Old China rose
Rain lily
Spicy jatropha
Oleander
Rain-tree
63
Orange jessamine
Rama tulsi
Spider ivy
53,88,99,182
206
76,134
Orchid, blue
245
Spiderwort, purple-leaved
Orchid, butterfly or red
Red-hot cattail
Orchid, ground
Resurrection lily
147
Sponge-gourd
Orchid tree
Ribbon plant
Oriental cherry
Ridge gourd
Squash
Ringworm cassia
Star apple
65,66
Starfish flower
Pagoda tree
210
Star ipomoea
Painted leaf
Rose apple
Star-of-Bethlehem
183
Palm, betel-nut
Rose moss
Strawflower
Palm, coconut
Rose-of-Sharon
249
Rose periwinkle
Summer snowflake
Parasol flower
Rosebay
Peacock flower
Rusty shield-bearer
Sunflower, perennial
Sage, blue and scarlet
Peony
Sage rose
242
Sun plant
Peregrina
Satinwood
Surinam quassia
22
Sweet acacia
246
Scarlet-bell tree
Persian lilac
Scarlet bush
Sweet majoram
Physic nut
Scarlet flame bean
Sweet pea
Pincushions
Scarlet orchid
Sweet scabious
Pink, clove or Chinese
Pin-wheel flower
Tassel flower
13,93
Page 285
Temple tree
Tulsi, Rama or Krishna
Windflower
Thistle, carline
Turk's-cap
158
Winter cherry
48
Turk's turban
65
180
Ti
Turmeric
Wood rose, Hawaiian
Tickweed
Umbrella tree, Queensland
Vegetable humming-bird
Woolflower, Chinese
54
Tobacco,jasmine
Verbena, shrub
Yellow alder
Yellow-bells
Touch-me-not
Yellow elder
Yellow jasmine
Tropical almond
Wandering jew
Yellow morning-glory
Tropical crocus
235
True aloe
176
2
Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow
Trumpet narcissus
Wax flower
Ylang-ylang
20,44
Trumpet vine, blue
West Coast creeper
Zedoary
Trumpet vine, pink
West Indian blackthorn
Tube flower
West Indian holly
198
White-flowered gourd
Page 286
Colour and Details of Petals
Colour of Centre
Size
Single/ Double
Variety
Significance
White,
slender or rounded separated petals
S-L
S
White
V.S
miniatus
slender or rounded separated petals, erect or pendulous
bright red, vermilion or magenta
S-M
D
syriacus
White, gradually turning pink
M-L
mutabilis
Cream-white
Cream-white,
crinkled or smooth petals
magenta, pinwheel
Hawaiian
Cream-white veined deep pink,
separated petals
prominent deep pink centre, orange stigmas
'Sweetheart'
Cream or pale yellow, crinkled or smooth petals
light pink or white
Hawaiian, 'Cromwell'
Cream, deep or pale yellow
M
Yellow, light or bright, smooth or crinkled petals
pink, red or light orange
Hawaiian and other
Yellow, lemon
light red to deep magenta
Yellow, lemon or luminous, crinkled or smooth petals
white or light pink with white aura
* very small= V.S, small=S, medium=M, large=L
Page 287
Yellow,
cup-shaped with crinkled or smooth petals
large reddish orange firelike centre
Yellow, splashed orange, crinkled or smooth petals
light yellow.
Yellow, light, bright or golden
Hawaiian, 'Daffodil'
Yellow, golden or ochre, crinkled or smooth petals
Yellow, light or apricot-yellow, crinkled or smooth petals
white or light pink pinwheel with light pink aura
Yellow, ochre or mustard, crinkled or smooth petals
magenta with or without silver aura
rounded outer petals and tufted centre
large fire-red or bright orange centre
Semi-D
Yellow, bright, veined orange-red, smooth or crinkled petals
deep red or bright pink with lighter pink aura
Yellow, golden or orange
red or deeper orange
Yellow, golden or orange, crinkled or smooth petals (see Orange-salmon)
deep magenta with silver-white aura
Orange-pink, or apricot-yellow, separated petals (see Salmon-pink)
deeper shade
Orange or apricot-yellow, separated petals
red or magenta
Orange, all shades,
various colours other than white
Orange,
with pale pink aura
L
Page 288
Orange-red, bright,
firm crinkled or smooth petals with light gold on back (see Red-orange)
reddish pink
Orange-red, bright, (see Red-orange)
deep red
Orange-red, bicoloured or variegated
Hawaiian, 'Splash'
Orange-salmon or golden-yellow, crinkled or smooth petals (see Yellow, golden)
Orange-pink, apricot border, crinkled or smooth petals
Effective Power of the Supramental
Salmon-pink or light orange
pink with pale pink aura
Salmon-pink or apricot-yellow, separated petals (see Orange-pink)
Salmon orange
white stigmas
Salmon, light or dark with fine red veins
salmon or red
Pink, all shades,
elongated, separated petals
pink, deep pink or red
Pink, very light,
lavender-pink towards centre, white border, crinkled or smooth petals (see Lavender-pink)
deep red or magenta
Pink, light to medium
mutabilis rosa
Pink, light with cream border, or darker pink flower
light red or pink
Page 289
Pink, light or deep
Pink, deep,
light or deep pink
pale pink on border, crinkled or smooth petals
magenta or deep pink
Pink, light, or coral
Pink, coral, deep pink veins, separated petals
magenta or coral-pink
Red, light or dark, separated recurved petals, crenate or cut border
red or dark red
rose-sinensis
Red, all shades
Red, edged white, separated deeply indented and fully recurved serrated petals, pendulous
schizopetalus
Red or reddish pink, smooth rounded petals splashed white on one lower edge
Red and white, variegated
albo-variegata
Red, cardinal, firm petals
Red-orange,
(see Orange-red)
Red-orange, bright,
firm crinkled or smooth petals with light gold on back (see Orange-red)
Page 290
Magenta,
'Lipstick'
Magenta, deep,
firm crinkled or smooth petals
Power in the Service of the Future
Hawaiian 'Comet'
Lavender-pink, blushing pink, with white border, crinkled or smooth petals
(see Pink-lavender)
Lavender-grey, light or deep
pink or magenta
'Sebectini'
Lavender-grey or light mauve
'Dream'
Lavender, changing to blue, cup-shaped
magenta,
white anthers and stigmas
Page 291
Unless otherwise stated, the references are taken from the Sri Aurobindo Birth Centenary Library (SABCL) and The Mother's Collected Works (MCW).References are not given for texts or sentences given specially for this book.
MCW, 1:362 (Frontispiece)
15
MCW, 1:354 (Renunciation of Vital Desires)
I
MCW, 3:72
SABCL, 24:1538 (Mastery of Sex)
MCW, 3:132
SABCL, 28:38 (Inspiration)
MCW, 9:210-11
MCW, 12:60 (Spiritual Speech)
II
The Mother, Talk of 18.1.56
MCW, 14:67 (Simple Sincerity)
SABCL, 18:86-87
SABCL, 23:560 (Sincerity in the Vital)
III
MCW, Bulletin, Aug.'90, p.66
23
SABCL, 20:197 (Trust in the Divine)
MCW, 4:29
MCW, 13:205 (Organised Team-work)
IV
The Mother, Talk of 4.3.61
SABCL, 23:651 (Spiritual Atmosphere)
The Mother, Bulletin, Aug.'90, p.62-64
27
SABCL, 23:606 (Opening)
The Mother, Bulletin, Aug.'90, p.68
SABCL, 20:194-95 (Supramental Action)
The Mother, Bulletin, Aug,'90, p.68
MCW,4:16(Balance)
VI
MCW, 8:25-26
MCW, 3:23 (Attachment to the Divine)
SABCL, 22:292-93
MCW, 15:186 (Thirst for Perfection)
SABCL, 22:499
MCW, 15:388(The New World)
VII
MCW, 4:166-67
33
SABCL, 24:1628 (Protection)
VIII
The Mother, Harmonies of Light, 2:57-58
MCW, 12:54 (Organised Material Energy)
IX
SABCL, 24:1309 (Consent of the Vital)
X
MCW, 6:229-31
MCW, 8:41 (Perseverance)
XI
MCW, 4:167
MCW, 1:191 (Joy of Vegetal Nature in Answer to
XII
The Mother, Bulletin, Nov.'85, p.19
the New Light)
The Mother, Talk of 4.2.61
MCW, 8:38 (Transparency)
XIV
The Mother, Talk of 7.1.61
42
MCW, 8:82 (Transparency)
XV
MCW, 6:231
47
SABCL, 28:278-79 (Ananda in the Centres)
XVI
MCW, 1:359
MCW, 1:75 (Triple Aspiration)
MCW, 17:186
SABCL, 25:28-29 (A Whipping)
MCW, 14:321 (Work)
MCW, 1:377 (Incorruptible Faithfulness)
SABCL, 16:70 (Supramental Knowledge)
SABCL, 16:67 (Mind of Light Acting in Matter)
SABCL, 21:537 (Emotions Awake to the First
MCW, 3:23 (The Aim of Existence is Realised)
Contact with the Divine)
SABCL, 19:964 (Aspiration for Immortality)
MCW, 12:56-57 (The Vital's Possibility of
SABCL, 28:277 (Idealism)
Perfection)
MCW, 15:54 (Fortune)
MCW, 3:23 (Offering)
MCW, 13:154 (Fortune)
10
SABCL, 23:607(Integral Offering)
SABCL, 23:585 (Light)
MCW, 2:30-31 (Dreams)
MCW, 7:112 (Perfect Radiating Psychology)
MCW, 4:60-61 (Dreams)
MCW, 7:347-48 (The Creative Word)
SABCL, 20:1 (Integral Immortality)
SABCL, 24:1511 (Spiritual Ascension/Continence)
SABCL, 22:351 (Light in the Blood)
MCW, 1:100 (Glad Remembrance)
Page 293
MCW, 4:343 (Soaring of Aspiration)
SABCL, 24:1370 (Abolition of the Ego)
SABCL, 20:167 (Integral Even Basis in the Physical)
SABCL, 20:304 (Concentration)
67
MCW, 9:65 (Rest)
MCW, 15:186 (Application)
MCW, 15:224 (Radha's Consciousness)
SABCL, 9:252 (Art)
SABCL, 23:585 (Conversion of the Aim of Life
MCW, 3:180 (Successful Future)
from the Ego to the Divine)
104
MCW, 14:155 (Receptivity)
SABCL, 22:13 (Success in Supramental Work)
MCW, 8:307-08 (Receptivity)
MCW, 3:34 (Power to Reject Adverse
SABCL, 23:825 (No Quarrels)
Suggestions)
SABCL, 17:80 (Immortality)
SABCL, 20:51 (Perfect Path)
SABCL, 17:105 (Success in the Most Material
SABCL, 24:1508-09 (Supramental Influence in the
Vital)
Sex Centre)
MCW, 15:104 (Supramental Manifestation)
MCW, 8:20 (Spring Purity)
SABCL, 18:92 (Sachchidananda)
77
SABCL, 24:1593 (Supramental Influence in the
114
SABCL, 15:215 (Aesthetic Power)
Subconscient)
115
MCW, 1:251-52(Agni)
78
SABCL, 22:357 (Supramental Light in the
117
MCW, 8:251 (Divine Grace)
118
SABCL, 19:1044 (Effective Power of the
SABCL, 24:1593-94 (Psychic Light in the
Supramental)
119
SABCL, 23:971 (Eternal Smile)
SABCL, 24:1594 (Supramental Light in the
MCW, 12:124 (Eternal Youth)
SABCL, 21:743 (Faith)
SABCL, 20:296 (Thirst to Understand)
SABCL, 19:1015 (Flame)
SABCL, 24:1285 (Formative Faculty in the Mind)
123
SABCL, 21:587 (Power in the Converted Mind)
124
SABCL, 23:623 (Power of Perseverance)
81
MCW, 9:245 (Vegetal Goodwill Towards the
125
SABCL, 19:1041 (Power in Service of the Future)
Supramental Forces)
127
SABCL, 19:1067 (Sweetness of the Power
MCW, 1:11 (Peace)
Surrendered to the Divine)
SABCL, 28:293 (Scented Marvel)
128
MCW, 9:158 (Victorious Beauty)
SABCL, 22:151 (Help)
MCW, 1:161 (Victorious Love)
84
MCW, 4:29 (Vanity)
129
SABCL, 20:299 (Will One with the Divine Will)
SABCL, 23:596 (Tapasya)
MCW, 4:2 (Will One with the Divine Will)
SABCL, 15:138 (Realisation)
130
SABCL, 19:935-36 (Integral Conversion)
MCW, 15:198 (Soaring)
SABCL, 17:215 (Curiosity)
MCW, 13:379 (Obedience)
SABCL, 18:2 (Collective Harmony)
SABCL, 29:709 (Psychic Awakening in Matter)
MCW, 14:142 (Equanimity)
90
SABCL, 24:1467 (Conquest over the Greed for
MCW, 1:349 (Artistic Taste)
Food)
141
SABCL, 23:645 (Divine Purity)
SABCL, 19:657 (Road to the Divine)
142
MCW, 3:130 (Aspiration in the Physical)
SABCL, 19:964 (Road to the Divine)
MCW, 14:156 (Purity)
SABCL, 24:1341 (Aspiration for Vital Purity)
SABCL, 17:79 (Wisdom)
MCW, 4:165-66 (Psychic Influence in the
SABCL, 18:251 (Beginning of Realisation in
Emotions/Refined Taste)
Matter)
SABCL, 17:3 (Descent of the Light)
SABCL, 18:258 (Beginning of Realisation in
SABCL, 29:710 (Descent of the Light)
SABCL, 23:971 (Intimacy with the Divine in the
MCW, 3:241 (Abolition of the Ego)
Page 294
MCW, 12:284 (Supramental Influence in
SABCL, 23:1324 (Aspiration of the Vital for
the Cells)
Union with the Divine)
SABCL, 28:5 (Spiritual Beauty)
MCW, 6:183-84 (Joy of Integral Faithfulness)
SABCL, 15:135 (Spiritual Beauty)
SABCL, 26:185 (Sri Aurobindo's Compassion)
SABCL, 22:499 (Expressive Silence)
SABCL, 17:79 (Collective Emotions Open to the
MCW, 16:430 (Remembrance of Sri Aurobindo)
Divine)
SABCL, 20:102-03 (Constant Remembrance of the
204
MCW, 14:123 (Divine Love)
MCW, 1:230 (Opening of the Physical to the
MCW, 1:15 (Divine Solicitude)
Divine Love)
SABCL, 20:492 (Divine Knowledge)
MCW, 14:164 (Faithfulness)
160
MCW, 8:398 (Birth of True Mental Sincerity)
SABCL, 25:33-34 (Order)
MCW, 12:56 (Distinction of the Vital)
MCW, 5:201 (Divine Presence)
MCW, 8:40 (Detailed Gratitude)
SABCL, 25:34 (Mahasaraswati's Perfection
163
MCW, 8:159 (Supramentalised Psychological
in Works)
SABCL, 23:764 (Psychic Love for the Divine)
MCW, 4:393 (Transformation)
SABCL, 23:585 (Surrender)
SABCL, 16:392-93 (Patience)
MCW, 14:114 (Detailed Surrender)
MCW, 12:129 (Thirst to Learn)
214
MCW, 12:70 (Love for the Divine)
SABCL, 23:642 (Solace)
SABCL, 29:632 (Mental Love under the Psychic
MCW, 8:216 (Aristocracy of Beauty)
Influence)
MCW, 1:Preface (To Live only for the Divine)
SABCL, 22:405 (Krishna's Light in the Physical
SABCL, 20:495 (Power of Beauty)
Mind)
SABCL, 15:128 (Beauty Aspiring for the
SABCL, 23:798 (Krishna's Light in the Physical
Supramental Realisation)
SABCL, 25:19 (Aditi)
MCW, 3:130 (Aspiration in the Physical for
SABCL, 28:314 (Aditi)
the Divine Love)
SABCL, 13:155-56 (The Avatar)
SABCL, 18:1-2 (The Future)
SABCL, 25:12 (Wealth)
MCW, 4:67 (Aspiration for Spirituality)
SABCL, 21:563 (Joy of Union with the Divine)
SABCL, 19:857 (Power of Spirituality)
MCW, 1:19 (Joy of Union with the Divine)
SABCL, 20:407 (Absence of Grief)
MCW, 15:297 (Integral Gratitude)
SABCL, 17:79 (The Supramental Riches)
MCW, 9:431 (New Birth)
223
MCW, 4:391 (Seeking for all Support in
MCW, 9:374-75 (New Birth)
the Divine)
SABCL, 20:52 (Spiritual Intensity)
MCW, 9:74 (Fearlessness)
SABCL, 24:1594 (Aspiration for the Supramental
MCW, 8:397-98 (Mental Sincerity)
Guidance in the Subconscient)
SABCL, 25:3-4 (Aspiration for Purity)
MCW, 9:22 (Spiritual Happiness)
MCW,14:160(Humility)
MCW, 14:328 (Skill in Works)
SABCL, 20:199 (Purity in Action)
193
MCW, 4:404 (Skill in Physical Work)
SABCL, 17:12(Mental Purity)
SABCL, 17:47 (Krishna's Ananda)
MCW, 4:207 (Plasticity)
195
MCW, 8:175-76 (Organisation of the Being around
MCW, 4:367-68 (Physical Plasticity)
the Psychic)
SABCL, 24:1266-67 (Physical Mind)
SABCL, 23:554 (Psychological Perfection)
SABCL, 25:3 (Power of Truth in the Subconscient)
MCW, 8:42 (Psychological Perfection)
SABCL, 25:9-10 (Renunciation of Desires)
SABCL, 16:378-79 (The New Creation)
SABCL, 19:645 (Mind)
SABCL, 19:880 (Supramentalised Mind)
MCW, 1:17 (Integral Simplicity)
The Mother, Talk of 4.1.1961 (Mental Simplicity)
MCW, 15:200 (Effort towards the Truth)
240
MCW, 9:327 (Mental Honesty)
SABCL, 28:20 (Prayer)
SABCL, 22:347-48 (Awakening of the Physical
255
MCW, 14:174 (Endurance)
MCW, 9:255 (Endurance)
243
SABCL, 20:214 (Psychic Tranquillity)
257
MCW, 4:91 (Attachment for the Divine)
The Mother, Champaklal Speaks, pp.161-68
MCW, 1:62 (Thoughts Turned towards the Divine)
Parts of a Flower
Bilabiate flower:
Two-lipped flower
Bract (bracteate):
Modified or coloured leaf associated with the flower
Catkin
Cladode:
Flattened leaf-like stem
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Campanulate flower
Compositae flower
Corolla
Corona
Corymb
Cyme
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Funnelform flower
Head
Papilionaceous flower
Raceme
Rotate flower:
A wheel-shaped flower
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Salverform flower
Spathe and Spadix
Scape: a leafless flower-stalk
Spike
Trumpet-shaped flower
Umbel
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The definitions given below are based upon the writings of Sri Aurobindo.
Aditi — the Divine Mother; the Divine Consciousness; the indivisible consciousness, force and Ananda of the Supreme.
Agni — fire; the God of Fire; the flame of aspiration, will, tapasya, purification, transformation.
Ananda — delight, beatitude, bliss.
Anandamaya — full of Ananda.
Avatar — divine incarnation; the Divine manifest in a human appearance.
aspiration — the call of the being for higher things, for the Divine, for all that be-longs to the higher or divine consciousness.
Bhakti—love and devotion for the Divine.
calm — a still, unmoved condition which no disturbance can affect.
centres — centres of consciousness (Chakras) which connect the inner being with the outer personality. By their opening through yoga, the yogic or inner consciousness develops and one escapes from the limitations of the surface consciousness.
concentration—a gathering together of the consciousness and either centralising at one point or turning on a single object, such as the Divine.
consecration — the devoting of all that comes to one, all one's experience and progress the Divine.
conversion — a turning of the being away from lower things towards the Divine.
cosmic consciousness — the consciousness of the universe, of the cosmic spirit and
cosmic Nature, with all the beings and forces within it.
Cosmic Spirit — the universal aspect of the Divine, the one Self inhabiting the universe and containing everything in it.
consciousness — the self-aware force of existence. The essence of consciousness is the power to be aware of itself and its objects; but it is not only power of awareness of self and things, it is or has also a dynamic and creative energy.
Divine, the — the Supreme Being from which all comes and in which all lives. In its supreme Truth the Divine is absolute and infinite peace, consciousness, existence, power and delight.
Divine Consciousness — the spiritual consciousness to which the Divine alone exists, because all is the Divine. Force, Light, Knowledge and Ananda together make up the Divine Consciousness.
Ego — the separative sense of individuality which makes each being conceive of itself as an independent personality. Ego implies the identification of one's existence with the outer mental, vital and physical self.
emotional being — the emotional vital.
emotional centre — the heart-centre of consciousness governing the emotional being.
emotional vital — that part of the higher vital being which is the seat of various feelings, such as love, joy, sorrow, hatred, and the rest.
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emotive vital — emotional vital.
equanimity — equality of soul and mind to all things and happenings.
evolution — the progressive unfolding of Spirit out of the density of material consciousness.
faith — the soul's witness to something not yet manifested, achieved or realised, but which yet the Knower within us feels to be true or supremely worth following or achieving.
Force, the — the Divine Force, the one Energy that alone exists and alone makes universal or individual action possible, for this Force is the Divine itself in the body of its power. In the individual it is a Force for illumination, transformation, purification, for all that has to be done in the yoga.
Gnosis — a supreme totally self-aware and all-aware Intelligence; Supermind.
Godhead — the one supreme divine Being.
Gods, — in origin and essence the Gods are permament Emanations of the Divine put forth from the Supreme by the Transcendent Mother; in their cosmic action they are Powers and Personalities of the Divine each with his independent cosmic standing, function and work in the universe.
Grace — the Divine Grace, the help of a higher Divine Force other than the force of Karma, which can lift the sadhak beyond the present possibilities of his nature.
gratitude — a loving recognition of the Grace received from the Divine, a humble recognition of all that the Divine has done and is doing for you.
Higher Mind — see spiritualised mind
higher vital — see vital, the
hostile forces — anti-divine, not merely undivine forces that are in revolt against the Divine, against the Truth and Light, and opposed to the yoga.
Illumined Mind — see spiritualised mind
Inconscient, the — the Supreme's state of self-involved, self-oblivious consciousness and force which is at the basis of the material world; this state is the apparent opposite of the Supreme and in it there can be darkness, inertia, insensibility, disharmony and disintegration.
inner being — the inner mind, inner vital, inner physical, with the psychic behind as the inmost.
integral — of or relating to all the parts of the being, mental, vital, physical, psychic, spiritual.
Integral Yoga — a union (yoga) in all the parts of our being with the Divine and a consequent transmutation of all their now jarring elements into the harmony of a higher divine consciousness and existence; this yoga implies not only the realisation of God but the entire consecration and change of the inner and outer life.
Intuition — see spiritualised mind
Intuitive Mind — see spiritualised mind
Kali — the Divine Mother in her aspect of might and strength and the destruction of ignorance and evil.
Kali Puja — a religious festival in which the goddess Kali is worshipped.
Krishna— the Lord of Ananda, Love and bhakti; as an incarnation he manifests the union of wisdom and works and leads
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the world evolution through this towards union with the Divine by Ananda, Love and bhakti.
Krishna's Light — a spiritual light of purification and illumination. Its colour depends on the plane in which it manifests.
life-force (Prana) — the life-energy itself, not material energy, but rather a different principle supporting Matter and involved in it.
Light — primarily a spiritual manifestation of the Divine Reality illuminative and creative; spiritual Light is not knowledge, but the illumination that comes from above and liberates the being from obscurity and darkness.
Lila — the cosmic play, the divine play.
lower vital — see vital, the
Mahakali — the Divine Mother's Power of Force and Strength.
Mahalakshmi — the Divine Mother's Power of Harmony.
Mahasaraswati — the Divine Mother's Power of Work and her spirit of perfection and order.
material vital — that part of the lower vital turned entirely to physical things, full of desires and greeds and seekings for pleasure on the physical plane.
mind — the words "mind" and "mental" are used to connote specially the part of the nature which has to do with cognition and intelligence, with ideas, with mental or thought perceptions, the reactions of thought to things, with the truly mental movements and formations, mental vision and will etc. that are part of man's intelligence. The ordinary mind has three main parts: mind proper, vital mind, and physical mind.
The mind proper is divided into three parts: the thinking mind or intellect, concerned with ideas and knowledge in their own right; the dynamic mind, concerned with the putting out of mental forces for the realisation of the ideas; and the externalising mind, concerned with the expression of ideas in life.
The vital mind or desire mind is a mind of dynamic will, action, desire; it is occupied with force and achievement and satisfaction and possession, with enjoyment and suffering, giving and taking, growth and expansion, etc.
The physical mind is that part of the mind which is concerned with physical things only; limited by the physical view and experience of things, it mentalises the experience brought by the contact of outward life and things, but does not go beyond that. The mechanical mind, closely connected with the physical mind, goes on repeating without use whatever has happened.
Overtopping the ordinary mind, hidden in our own superconscient parts, there are higher ranges of Mind, gradations of spiritualised mind leading to the Supermind.
Mind of Light — a mind capable of living in the truth, capable of being truth-conscious and manifesting in its life a direct in place of an indirect knowledge.
Mother, the — the consciousness and force of the Divine; the Divine in its consciousness-force. The Mother is the divine Conscious Force that dominates all existence, upholding us and the universe.
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Nature—the outer or executive side of the Conscious Force which forms and moves the worlds; a mechanism of active Force put forth for the working of the evolutionary Ignorance. The lower nature of an individual is his mind, life and body.
New Creation — the manifestation of a divine life upon earth as the result of the working of the supramental consciousness and force and love.
occultism — the knowledge and right use of the hidden forces of nature; true occultism means a search into supraphysical realities and an unveiling of the hidden laws of being and Nature, of all that is not obvious on the surface.
opening—the release of the consciousness by which it begins to admit into itself the working of the Divine Life and Power; the ability of the consciousness on the various levels to receive the descent of the Higher Consciousness above.
outer being — the surface being, our ordinary exterior mind, life, body consciousness.
Overmind — see spiritualised mind
physical, the — that part of the individual nature which includes the physical body and the physical consciousness.
physical mind — see mind
plane — a level of world-existence; a world or level in the scale of being with its own system and ordering of principles.
Presence, the — the Divine Presence, the sense and perception of the Divine as a Being felt as present in one's existence and consciousness or in relation with it.
psychic — of or relating to the soul. Used in the sense of the Greek word "psyche",
the term refers to all the movements and experiences of the soul; it does not refer to all the more inward and all the abnormal experiences in which the mind and vital predominate.
psychic being — the evolving soul of the individual, the divine portion in him which evolves from life to life, growing by its experiences until it becomes a fully conscious being. From its place behind the heart-centre, the psychic being supports the mind, life and body, aiding their growth and development.
psychicisation — the psychic change in which the psychic being comes forward to dominate the mind, vital and physical and change the lower nature.
purity — freedom from soil or mixture. The divine Purity is that in which there is no mixture of the turbid ignorant movements of the lower nature.
quiet — the absence of restlessness or disturbance.
Radha — the maiden of Brindavan in the Bhagavat Purana entirely self-given in her love for Krishna; she is the personification of absolute love for the Divine, complete self-giving and total consecration.
realisation — the reception in the consciousness and the establishment there of the fundamental truths of the Divine; the making real to ourselves and in ourselves of the Self, the transcendent and universal Divine.
receptivity — the power to receive the Divine Force and to feel its presence and allow it to work, guiding one's sight and will and action; the capacity of admitting
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and retaining the divine workings.
Sachchidananda (Sat-Chit-Ananda) — the One Divine Being with a triple aspect of Existence (Sat), Consciousness (Chit) and Delight (Ananda).
sadhak — one who practises a spiritual discipline.
sadhana — spiritual practice or discipline; the practice of yoga.
Samadhi — sanctuary or tomb of a saint. The samadhi in the courtyard of the Ashram contains the bodies of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
Self—the Atman, the universal Spirit, the self-existent Being, the conscious essential Existence, one in all.
Self-knowledge — the knowledge of the Self.
Shakti — the Divine Power; the Power of the Mother.
silence — freedom from thoughts and vital movements — when the whole consciousness is quite still.
sincerity — to mean what one says, feel what one professes, be earnest in one's will; sincerity in the sadhak means that he is really in earnest in his aspiration for the Divine and refuses all other will or impulse except the Divine's.
soul — the psychic essence, the divine essence in the individual. The term "soul" is often used as a synonym for "psychic being".
Spirit — the Atman or universal Self which is always in oneness with the Divine.
spiritual — of the spirit. All contacts with the Self, the Higher Consciousness, the Divine above are spiritual.
spiritualisation — the spiritual change in
which there is the established descent of the divine peace, light, knowledge, power, bliss from above, the awareness of the Self and the Divine and of a higher cosmic consciousness and the change of the whole nature to that.
spiritualised mind, gradations of — higher ranges of Mind overtopping our normal Mind and leading to Supermind. In ascending order the gradations of spiritualised mind are:
Higher Mind — a luminous thought mind whose instrumentation is through an elevated thought-power and comprehensive mental sight.
Illumined Mind — a mind no longer of higher thought, but of spiritual light; here the clarity of the intelligence, its tranquil daylight, gives place or subordinates itself to an intense lustre, a splendour and illumination of the Spirit.
Intuitive Mind — a mind of intuitive reason characterised by its intuitions, its inspirations, its swift revelatory vision, its luminous insight and discrimination.
Intuition — a power of consciousness nearer and more intimate than the lower ranges of spiritual mind to the original knowledge by identity; it gets the Truth in flashes and turns these flashes of Truth-perception into intuitions — intuitive ideas. What is thought-knowledge in the Higher Mind becomes illumination in the Illumined Mind and direct intimate vision in the Intuition.
Overmind — full of lights and powers, the Overmind sees calmly, steadily, in great masses and large extensions of space and time and relation, globally; it
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creates and acts in the same way. The Overmind is a delegate of the Supramental Consciousness, its delegate to the cosmic Ignorance.
subconscient, the — a nether diminished consciousness which lies between the Inconscient and the conscious mind, life and body. The individual subconscient is that submerged part of one's being in which there is no waking conscious and coherent thought, will, feeling or organised reaction, but which yet obscurely receives the impressions of all things and stores them up in itself, and from it too all sorts of stimuli, of persistent habitual movements can surge up into dream or into the waking nature.
subtle physical — the plane of existence closest to the physical; it may also be considered as a sub-plane of the physical with a vital and mental character.
subtle body — a subtler material existence behind our outer body which provides the substance not only of our physical but of our vital and mental sheaths.
Superconscient, the — something above our present consciousness from which the higher consciousness comes down into the body.
superman — he who will consciously evolve out of man, rise above ego and mind and possess himself universalised and divinised in a divine force, a divine love and joy and a divine knowledge.
Supermind— the Supramental, the Truth-Consciousness, the Divine Gnosis, the highest divine consciousness and force operative in the universe. Its fundamental character is knowledge by identity, by
which the Self is known, the Divine Sachchidananda is known, but also the truth of manifestation is known because this too is that.
Supramental — see Supermind
surrender — to consecrate everything in oneself to the Divine, to offer all one is and has, not to insist on one's ideas, desires, habits, etc. but to allow the divine Truth to replace them by its knowledge, will and action everywhere.
tapasya — effort, energy, austerity of the personal will; concentration of the will and energy to control the mind, vital and physical and to change them or to bring down the higher consciousness or for any other yogic or high purpose.
transformation — not just a change of consciousness, but the bringing down of the higher, divine consciousness and nature into the lower nature of mind, life and body, and the replacement of the lower by the higher.
Truth-Consciousness — the Supramental Consciousness; the Supermind.
vital, the — the life-nature made up of desires, sensations, feelings, passions, energies of action, will of desire, reactions of the desire-soul of man and of all that play of possessive and other related instincts, anger, greed, Just, etc., that belong to this field of the nature. The vital has three main parts:
higher vital — the mental vital and emotive vital taken together. The mental vital gives a mental expression by thought, speech or otherwise to the emotions, desires, passions, sensations or other movements of the vital being; the
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emotional or emotive vital is the seat of various feelings, such as love, joy, sorrow, hatred and the rest.
central vital or vital proper — dynamic, sensational and passionate, it is the seat of the stronger vital longings and reactions, such as ambition, pride, fear, love of fame, attractions and repulsions, desires and passions of various kinds and the field of many vital energies.
lower vital — made up of the smaller movements of human life-desire and life-reactions it is occupied with small desires and feelings, such as food desire, sexual desire, small likings, dislikings, vanity, quarrels, love of praise, anger at blame, little wishes of all kinds, etc. The material vital is that part of the lower vital turned entirely upon physical things, full of desires and greeds and seekings for pleasure on the physical plane.
wideness—the expansion of consciousness that comes when one exceeds or begins to exceed the individual consciousness and spread out toward the universal; it is felt as a great substantial vastness giving the sense of oneness free and infinite.
will — a force put upon a thing to be changed.
Will, Divine — something that has descended here into an evolutionary world of Ignorance, standing at the back of things, pressing on the Darkness with its Light, leading things presently towards the best possible in the conditions of a world of Ignorance and leading it eventually towards a descent of a greater power of the Divine, which will not be an omnipotence held back and conditioned by the law of the world as it is, but in full action and therefore bringing the reign of light, peace, harmony, joy, love, beauty and Ananda.
Yoga — union with the Divine and the conscious seeking for this union. Yoga is a generic name for any discipline by which one attempts to pass out of the limits of his ordinary mental consciousness into a greater spiritual consciousness.
Yogi (Yogin) — one who practises yoga; but especially one who has attained the goal of yoga and is already established in spiritual realisation.
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The Mother was born in Paris on 21 February 1878. Mirra, as the child was named, was the daughter of Maurice Alfassa, a banker, and his wife Mathilde. Her early education was given at home and at a private school. Later she attended an art studio in Paris belonging to the Academie Julian. She became an accomplished artist and some of her works were exhibited at the Paris Salon. She was also a talented pianist and writer.
Concerning her early spiritual life the Mother has written: "Between eleven and thirteen a series of psychic and spiritual experiences revealed to me not only the existence of God but man's possibility of uniting with him, of realising Him integrally in a life divine." In 1906 and 1907, while in her mid-twenties, the Mother voyaged to Tlemcen, Algeria, to study occultism with a Polish adept, Max Theon, and his wife Alma. Returning to Paris, she founded a group of spiritual seekers. Between 1911 and 1913 she gave many talks to various groups.
In 1914 the Mother sailed to Pondicherry, India, to meet Sri Aurobindo, Indian patriot, poet, philosopher and mystic. After a stay of eleven months, she returned to France for a year and then went to Japan for a period of nearly four years. Returning to Pondicherry in April 1920, the Mother became Sri Aurobindo's collaborator in his spiritual work. During the next few years the number of disciples around them gradually increased. This informal grouping eventually took shape as the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. From its inception in November 1926 Sri Aurobindo fully entrusted the full material and spiritual charge of the Ashram to the Mother. Under her guidance, which covered a span of nearly fifty years, the Ashram grew into a large, many-faceted community. A number of other groups have sprung all over the world inspired by the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
Among the Mother's visible achievements were the creation of the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education in 1952 and the founding of Auroville, the "City of Dawn", in 1968. This growing township, located six kilometres from Pondicherry, is a bold experiment in international living with a high spiritual ideal.
The Mother personally supervised the daily activities of the Ashram until the age of eighty-four. In March 1962 she retired to her room, but continued during the next decade to guide the Ashram and receive people regularly. On 17 November 1973, at the age of ninety-five, the Mother left her body.
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