Avoiding Self-Deception While Developing the Power of Intuition

0:01 When a seeker begins to explore the inner realms and undertakes what Triorobindo describes in his epic poem Savitri, a legend and a symbol, as an adventure of consciousness and joy, he is confronted with numerous unfamiliar circumstances, powers, forces, and pressures that are not all benign and not all supportive of his spiritual aspiration and development. As he begins to develop the power of intuition, the seeker must exercise real caution to ensure that he is not simply opening the door to impulses, ideas, and forces that take the shape of intuition to his inexperienced view.

0:48 The rush of energy, the feeling that this is something new and powerful, can overpower the sense of balance, and if the mind has been brought to a state of quiescence, its natural sceptical tendency may also be reduced or eliminated, thus accentuating the danger of self deception. As with other aspects of spiritual development, the assistance of an experienced and trustworthy guide is certainly helpful. Additionally, a certain sense of inner review to ensure that it feels right and does not simply violate or abrogate general guidelines place to protect the seeker from dangers of the vital forces is clearly necessary.

1:35 There was a case of an individual who felt an intuition that he could walk into the middle of a road and not be harmed. Chaos ensued as drivers had to slam on brakes to avoid hitting him. He was pulled back by friends who recognized the imbalance in his perceptions. A somewhat similar story out of India was of a young seeker who was told by his guru that he was Brahman. He walked out into the road and an elephant with a guide was coming directly in his path. The driver of the elephant shouted for him to get out of the way, which he failed to do because after all, he was Brahman. He got driven out of the way by the elephant. When he went back to his Guru, the Guru asked him why he did not get out of the way when the elephant Brahman was coming and the elephant driver Brahman shouted for him to get out of the way.

2:32 His intuition was obviously a form of self deception. The mother notes quote naturally first. These two faculties must be developed. Then as soon as there is any result, one must observe the result, as I said, and see the connection with what is happening, the consequences. See, observe very attentively what has come in, what may have caused a distortion, what one has added by way of more or less conscious reasoning, or the intervention of a lower will, also more or less conscious. And it is by a very deep study, indeed almost of every moment, in any case daily and very frequent, that one succeeds in developing 1's intuition. It takes a long time, it takes a long time and there are ambushes.

3:29 One can deceive oneself. Take 4 intuitions, subconscious wills which try to manifest indications given by impulses one has refused to receive openly. Indeed all sorts of difficulties. One must be prepared for that, but if one persists, 1 is sure to succeed. End Quote. Reference Srioro Bindu and the Mother Powers within, Chapter 21, Intuition, pages 160 to 161.