Breath of Grace

6.12.1931

In answer to a letter Sri Aurobindo wrote:

The ananda you describe is evidently that of the inner vital when it is full of the psychic influence and floods with it the external vital also. It is the true ananda and there is nothing in it of the old vital nature. When the psychic thus uses the vital to express itself, this kind of intense ecstasy is the natural form it takes. This intensity and the old vital excitement are two quite different things and must not be confused together. Where there is the intensity with a pure and full satisfaction, content and gratitude leaving no room for claim, demand or depressing reaction, that is the true vital movement.

*

10.2.1932

SELF: How can the right relation between all of ourselves be established and what should it be like?

SRI AUROBINDO: What you must have with other sadhaks is a harmonious relation, free from any mere vital attachment (indifference is not asked from you) and free from any indulgence in wrong movement of the opposite kind (such as dislike, jealousy or ill-will). It is through the psychic consciousness that you have found it possible to be in a true constant relation with the Mother and your aim is to make that the basis of all of your life, action and feeling, all in you, all you feel, say and do should be consistent with that basis. If all proceeds from that psychic union of your consciousness with the Mother, dedicating everything to her, then you will develop the right relation with others.

*

Here ends the memory-image of my life in the Ashram of the old days. But before that I would like to reproduce a rendering by Sri Aurobindo of one of my songs.

Since thou hast called me, see that I

Go not from thee, – surrounding me stand.

In thy own love's diviner way

Make me too love thee without end.

My fathomless blackness hast thou cleft

With thy infinity of light,

Then waken in my mortal voice

Thy music of illumined sight.

Make me thy eternal journey's mate

Tying my life around thy feet.

Let thy own hand my boat unmoor,

Sailing the world thyself to meet.

Fill full of thee my day and night,

Let all my being mingle with thine

And every tremor of my soul

Echo thy flute of flutes divine.

Come in thy chariot, Charioteer,

And drive me whither thou wouldst go.

All within me and all my acts

Make luminous with surrender's glow.

Translated by Sri Aurobindo (13.2.41)