August 30, 1968
I thought it would be better to add a short introductory note
before your last "Apropos," because not all those who read the
Bulletin know what has happened. I propose to add this: "This
Apropos was written by Mother following an ordeal that
threatened her physical body."
It’s a bit dramatic!
But after all, that’s what happened.
(After a silence) Yes, you’re right, it’s better to say it’s a purely physical question – “over there,” there are no more ordeals! Only the body needs them.
(Then Satprem reads Mother the "Notes on the Way" put
together from the last conversation. Mother is unsure whether
publishing those experiences is appropriate.)
The Bulletin goes everywhere, you understand…. It’s not a
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personal question, it’s from the point of view of the work and the effect it will have. Anyhow, I let the two of you [Satprem and Nolini] decide whether or not it’s appropriate for the work.
I feel it explains so clearly this transition from the mental and
vital instrument to another instrument which is nonmentalized,
nonvitalized. It’s so important!
Obviously. It’s obvious. Now I feel it’s truly new.
Yes!
It’s truly a new experience.
(silence)
At times, one gets the impression that the Mind, in reality, is
the most formidable illusion in the world …
(Mother nods her head)
… and that’s what veils the true world.
According to what I see now, it seems to me that the Mind has been the instrument needed to make the transition from unconsciousness to consciousness, that is, to make this Matter capable of receiving consciousness. But it will slowly be either transformed or eliminated.
The same thing with the Vital. The Vital took a very bad turn, of course; it’s the Vital that has contained all the adverse forces and all difficulties. Well, it’s the same thing: it was the first means to pull Matter out of the Inconscient. But once it has done its work … we might say (smiling), we’ll do without these two scoundrels! There’s an experience (an experience Sri Aurobindo had constantly): there is an Intelligence highly superior to the Mind, which has nothing to do with the Mind. An “intelligence of things” … And that’s why he called his new creation “supramental.” He always used to describe it as a perfect understanding of things.
But one has a feeling that the Mind is not only a veil on know
ledge, but a veil ON THE WORLD ITSELF! That we don’t see the
world as it is because we see it mentally.
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Yes, possibly.
(silence
Mother looks around her)
I still don’t see….
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September