Nirodbaran

Correspondence with Sri Aurobindo

Second Series

2. Art and Literature

Poetic Inspiration and Yoga

Lawrence says one can only write creative stuff when it comes, otherwise it is not much good.... But does even writing such stuff change one's being in the spiritual sense?... Yoga seems a difficult affair – especially if great experiences don't come for long.

All statements are subject to qualification. What Lawrence states is true in principle but in practice most poets have to sustain the inspiration by industry. Milton in his later days used to write everyday fifty lines; Virgil nine which he corrected and re-corrected till it was within halfway of what he wanted. In other words he used to write under any other conditions and pull at his inspiration till it came.

Good heavens! where did you get this idea that literature can transform people! Literary people are often the most impossible on the face of the earth.

According to the affirmation of people acquainted with the subject, the preliminary preparation before getting any yogic experiences worth the name may extend to 12 years. After that one may legitimately expect something. You are far from the limit yet, so no reason to despair.

10.11.1936