A heartfelt reflection by Shiva Kumar which makes the reader feel grateful for witnessing through his words an experience of the Divine Friend whispering of Love and life as a means to seek that Love.
“I Had a Dream. . .” – See That Smile Behind the Whisper Read More »
In India, since millennia, modesty or humility has been considered the one of the most noble virtues, one that is the ornament of all virtues. In present times when self-promotion is not only an acceptable practice but has actually become a highly sophisticated skill that one must master if one wants to be ‘successful’, humility often takes a backseat. But if we step back for a moment and reflect carefully we will find that it is exactly in times like these that we must sincerely begin to examine for ourselves what is true humility. And more importantly, how it is related to our inner journeys, our growth as conscious individuals with an aspiration to grow inwardly and walk the path that takes us closer to our highest Self within. This issue is dedicated to exploring Humility as one of the Twelve Powers which the Mother spoke of as necessary for the full manifestation of Her Work.
The Absolutely Perfect, the Absolutely Humble Divine Read More »
Selections from various writings and talks of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo are presented to help us understand the meaning of true humility, which is about constantly referring oneself to the Divine, placing all before the Lord, and having a living sense that one is nothing, can do nothing, understand nothing without the Divine. We also learn that excessive self-esteem and self-depreciation are both wrong attitudes when cultivating the quality of true humility.
“True Humility is Humility Towards the Divine” Read More »
In this interesting conversation of Sri Aurobindo with a small set of disciples, dated January 6, 1939, about methods of effacing the ego, Sri Aurobindo makes an important distinction between outward modesty and the true attitude of psychic humility which can help the sadhak get rid of the vital ego. As an added bonus, we also get a glimpse here of a facet of Sri Aurobindo’s outer personality during his political revolutionary days.
Sri Aurobindo on Outward Humility Read More »
A most divine nobility and a perfectly sincere humility are the key highlights of the adorable personality of Sri Aurobindo which we see presented in this wonderful narration by Nirodbaran. This talk was given on June 12, 1970 at Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education and was first published in Mother India.
Sri Aurobindo – The Perfect Gentleman (PART 1) Read More »
Reading Nirodbaran’s narration of the divine qualities of Sri Aurobindo’s personality, one is reminded of the description Sri Aurobindo once gave of an Aryan gentleman. India’s rebirth and regeneration requires such character, such nobility in our youth; our national education must work toward this goal.
Sri Aurobindo – The Perfect Gentleman (PART 2) Read More »
While the world argues over feminism and post-feminism, social equality vs. essential difference etc., here we have in these words of the Mother such clear insight into the truth that must be at the basis of a true and authentic man-woman relationship.
Of Woman, Man and Humility: Guidance from the Mother Read More »
In this essay written originally in Bengali, Sri Aurobindo highlights the subtle but important difference between the tamasic, rajasic and sattvic ego. He reminds us that just as pride has ego, in the same way humility also has ego; just as strength has ego, in the same way weakness also has ego.
Ahankāra – Sri Aurobindo on Tamasic, Rajasic, Sattvic Ego and More Read More »
In this delightful little essay, Nolini Kanta Gupta reminds us – “Humility, in order to be true and sincere, need not be sour and dour in appearance or go about in sack-cloth and ashes. On the contrary, it can be smiling and buoyant: and it is so, because it is at ease, knowing that things will be done—some things naturally will be undone too—quietly, quickly, if necessary, and inevitably, provided the right consciousness, the right will within is maintained.”
True Humility – “A Living and Secret Contact with the Divine Consciousness” Read More »
The Mother reminds us that vigilance is indispensable for all true progress. As we try to grow in sincerity and practice true humility, it is important to stay vigilant and not get bloated with our own egos that we are some great sādhakas. The Mother is the path and the Mother is the goal, says Sri Aurobindo. It is always the Mother who does the sādhanā in us. Our effort is to ensure that we keep our inner temple clean and purified and for that sincerity, humility and vigilance are all very important. This little story told by Swami Sivananda emphasises how essential vigilance is for any aspirant; it also highlights what is fake humility and the necessity to be wary of that.
Parable of the Snake and the Rat Read More »
The Mother has given the tiny flowers of the dropseed prairie grass the spiritual significance: Humility. In this beautiful meditation on dropseed flower, the author highlights the truer meaning of humility with the help of a story and some guidance from Patanjali’s Yogasutra.
Humility in a Dropseed Read More »
These few lines on Humility and Grace came in a moment of gratitude when the author was reading the Sunlit Path, a compilation of some of the Mother’s writings and talks on Integral Yoga.
A Humble Offering (Poem) Read More »
When a few moments of sincere introspection lead the heart to express humbly what it is feeling, a poem like this is born.
To Be Humble (A Reflection and a Poem) Read More »
During her stay in Japan from 1916 to 1920 the Mother translated and adapted some stories written by F. J. Gould. Her versions, written in French and first published as Belles Histoires, later appeared in English translation as Tales of All Times. The Mother explained that these stories were written for children “to discover themselves and follow a path of right and beauty.” The timeless nature of these stories make them equally appealing to grown-ups, or shall we say, to all who aspire to be truly a child of the Mother. In this issue, we are retelling a story titled ‘Modesty’ in multiple languages.
Japanese Flower-artist: A timeless story retold in multiple languages Read More »
This special issue opens a year-long celebration of Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birthday and 75th anniversary of India’s political independence. Starting with this issue, the next 12 issues will explore the 12 attributes that the Mother has identified as soul-powers necessary for full manifestation of Her Work. The present issue explores Sincerity in a multi-dimensional approach. Special features on Sri Aurobindo’s work as a revolutionary nationalist are also included.
“All That is True and Sincere Will Always be Kept” Read More »
Compiled here are a few words of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother which highlight the significance of Sincerity on the path of yoga. Sincerity in yoga means to have all the being consciously turned towards the one Truth, the one Divine. But that is one of the most difficult tasks for human nature, much more difficult than a rigid asceticism or a fervent piety. This is why constant guidance and inspiration from Their Words are our support on the way.
“Let Your Sincerity and Surrender be Genuine and Entire” Read More »
In these delightful timeless tales retold by the Mother we get some important lessons on the value of straightforwardness, speaking the truth without any fear, and the importance of growing in sincerity for destroying falsehood and hypocrisy.
Of Animals, Kings, Pundits and Rishis: Sincerity Stories as Told by the Mother Read More »
Sincerity is a quality not only for our inner progress. All outer work and all our social interactions must also be our field of progress toward cultivating this quality of sincerity and straightforwardness. This is true integral living and growing.
Sincerity in Social-Political Life: Some Words of the Mother Read More »
The author here reminds us that generally there is a great chasm between what the soul suggests and the intellect understands and the senses execute. The only way to bridge the rift between spirit and its instruments and to create harmony and order in place of clash and cacophony among the different parts of our being is to be absolutely sincere.
Sincerity: The Bedrock of Sadhana Read More »
