Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume 1. 1935

Letter ID: 1304

Sri Aurobindo — Nirodbaran Talukdar

April 7, 1935

Can you explain by a few master strokes what is “pulling down” which is so often used by you in connection with our sadhana? I understand by it that one goes on making mental effort without having any eagerness about it.

That is not what is meant by pulling. When one is open and too eager and tries to pull down the force, experience etc. instead of letting it descend quietly, that is called pulling. Many people pull at the Mother’s forces trying to take more than they can easily assimilate and disturbing the working.

The other night while I was doing a little “easy-chair sadhana”, I saw a sea most tumultuous – no gale, no clouds, but most terrific and a most magnificent view!

A sea in tumult usually indicates a vital upheaval or a period of strain and stress and struggle.