Page 4 - More Light from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother on Receptivity

Opening to the Light of the Guru

What the Guru can do for the sadhak depends upon

the latter’s receptivity—not upon any method or rule

of sadhana.

Certain psychological conditions or attitudes of the

consciousness tend to increase the receptivity—e.g.,

humility towards the Guru, devotion, obedience, trust, a

certain receptive passivity to his influence. The

opposite things— independence, a critical attitude,

questionings—go the other way and make it necessary

for the Guru to help only indirectly or behind the veil.

But the main thing is a kind of psychological openness in

the consciousness which comes or increases of itself

with the help of the will to receive and the right

attitude. If there is that then it is not necessary to pull

anything from the Guru, only to receive quietly. Pulling

from him often draws untruly or things for which the

consciousness is not ready to assimilate.

~ Sri Aurobindo, CWSA 29: 191