Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume III - Part 3

Fragment ID: 12817

Yes, they [all the stages of higher realisation] can be attained even in full activity. Trance is not essential – it can be used, but by itself it cannot lead to the change of consciousness which is our object, for it gives only an inner subjective experience which need not make any difference in the outer consciousness. There are plenty of instances of sadhaks who have fine experiences in trance but the outer being remains as it was. It is necessary to bring out what is experienced and make it a power for transformation both of the inner and the outer being. But it can be done without going into Samadhi in the waking consciousness itself. Concentration of course is indispensable.