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Difficulties
THE CAUSE AND UTILITY OF DIFFICULTIES
The difficulties are always due to a resistance, some part or several parts of the being refusing to receive the force, the consciousness and the light put upon them and revolting against the divine influence. It is rare that somebody can surrender entirely to the Divine’s Will without having to face one or another of these difficulties. But to keep steady one’s aspiration and to look at oneself with an absolute sincerity are the sure means to overcome all obstacles.
Surely all these troubles come from a resistance somewhere, something that opposes the work of transformation.
Always circumstances come to reveal the hidden weaknesses that have to be overcome.
Difficulties are sent to us exclusively to make the realisation more perfect. Each time we try to realise something and meet with a resistance or an obstacle or even a failure ― what seems to be a failure ― we should know, we should never forget that it is exclusively, absolutely, so that the realisation may be more perfect. So this habit of cringing, of getting discouraged or even of Page ― 234 feeling uncomfortable, or of abusing yourself and telling yourself: “There! Again I have made a mistake” ― all that is absolute foolishness. Simply tell yourself: “We don’t know how to do things as they ought to be done; well, they are being done for us, come what may!” And if we could see to what extent all that seems to be, yes, a difficulty, a mistake, a failure, an obstacle ― all that is just to help us, so that the realisation may be more perfect. Once you know that, everything becomes easy. 6 October 1958 Shocks and trials always come as a divine grace to show us the points in our being where we fall short and the movements in which we turn our back on our soul by listening to the clamour of our mental being and vital being. If we know how to accept these spiritual blows with due humility, we are sure to cover a great distance at a single bound. 22 February 1965 Be absolutely convinced that everything that happens, happens in order to give us precisely the lesson we needed, and if we are sincere in the “sadhana”, the lesson should be accepted with joy and gratitude. For one who aspires to the divine life, what can the actions of a blind and ignorant humanity matter to him? 18 January 1967
If truly you love the Divine, prove it by remaining quiet and peaceful. All that comes to each one in life, comes from the Divine to teach us a lesson, and if we take it in the right spirit, we make rapid progress. Try to do so. 13 December 1967 Page ― 235 Difficulties come because there are possibilities in you. If in life everything was easy, then it would be a life of nothing. Because difficulties come on your way it shows you have possibilities. Do not be afraid. 22 February 1968 You can say to X, on my behalf, that he must look at this apparently unhappy circumstance as the proof that the Lord considers that he is ready for spiritual life and that he must amore be attached to any exterior or material thing. If he takes things that way, he will soon feel that all sorrow is gone away from him. What I meant was, not to worry about it. Let him take what comes to him without getting upset or sorry, excited or nervous.
For the aspirant and the “sadhak”, all that comes in his life comes to help him to know the Truth and to live it. Be confident, you will conquer; and it will mean a big step forward. With love and blessings. 12 September 1969 The difficulties come always to make us progress. The greater the difficulty, the greater can be the progress. Be confident and endure. With love and blessings. November 1969 The hours preceding Victory are most often the most difficult. For the individual’s surrender, it is the last resistances, sometimes Page ― 236 quite insignificant, that are the most obstinate and difficult to conquer. But with a greater obstinacy a victorious conclusion of the fight is certain.
NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT DIFFICULTIES
He who wants to advance on the path of perfection must never complain about the difficulties on the way, for each is an opportunity for a new progress. To complain is a sign of weakness and insincerity.
Where the two extremes meet, to complain of anything at all, of oneself, of others or of circumstances, is a weakness and an insincerity towards one’s supreme Self. The two extremes meet in their effect on the attitude towards the circumstances of life: the total surrender to the Divine Will manifested in all things; and the consciousness of the supreme power that organises all things according to its all-powerful conception. In either case there is no place for complaint: if one is completely surrendered to the Divine, how can one complain about His Will, whatever form it takes? And on the other hand, if one feels the power of organising the world according to the supreme truth of life, how can one complain about the state this life is in, since it depends only on oneself to change it?
Never grumble. All sorts of forces enter you when you grumble and they pull you down. Keep smiling. I seem always to be joking but it is not mere joking. It is a confidence born Page ― 237 from the psychic. A smile expresses the faith that nothing can stand against the Divine and that everything will come out all right in the end. 28 May 1954 The more you grumble, the more your pains will increase.
If you are not satisfied with what you are, take advantage of the Divine’s help and change yourself. If you haven’t the courage to change, submit to your destiny and keep quiet. But to constantly complain about the condition you are in, without doing anything to change it, is a waste of your time and energy. The difficulties can disappear only when the egoistic concentration upon desires and conveniences disappears. 12 March 1958
NEVER WORRY ABOUT DIFFICULTIES
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