June 15, 2025
Causes and Prevention or Elimination of Illness
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YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 4, Ordeals and Difficulties, pg..106This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/06/13/causes-and-prevention-or-elimination-of-illness/
Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are allavailable on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871
More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net
The US editions and links to e-book editions of SriAurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:04,480
The physical body has an
ingrained response for most
2
00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:08,200
people to vibrations that
precipitate illnesses.
3
00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:13,280
The vector carrying that
vibration, whether one calls it
4
00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:19,040
germs, bacteria, virus, or
suggestion, strikes the
5
00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:23,080
protective vital envelope or
aura surrounding the body.
6
00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:29,320
If it finds an opening, or if it
can create an opening, it enters
7
00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:33,040
into the physical body and
begins the process of activation
8
00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:37,240
of its characteristic vibration,
leading to the appearance of
9
00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:40,560
symptoms.
In some cases, these forces
10
00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:45,040
utilize suggestions with a
strong component of fear so as
11
00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:49,120
to try to defeat the mental and
vital response before it can act
12
00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:53,360
to help protect the body.
The physical cells can also
13
00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:57,320
experience this fear if it
raises a powerful enough
14
00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:00,760
vibration to reach through the
vital envelope.
15
00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:05,840
As this happens, the body
marshals its defense mechanism
16
00:01:05,840 --> 00:01:09,280
to try to fight off the illness,
and in the course of that
17
00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:12,920
struggle, byproducts of the
struggle are produced, leading
18
00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:18,720
to what we characterize as
inflammation, mucus, fever, and
19
00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:23,000
various methods of expulsion of
the residues from the body.
20
00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:29,600
If we observe the progression
closely, and if one has a subtle
21
00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:33,760
enough awareness, one can
actually see or feel the impact
22
00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:39,080
before it manifests any illness.
It may be a sense of pressure on
23
00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:44,360
the aura, it may be a feeling of
weakness, it may be the rising
24
00:01:44,360 --> 00:01:50,720
up of some fear or anxiety about
an illness, or even the first
25
00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:54,120
sense of whatever the illness is
that is trying to manifest.
26
00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:59,320
At these early stages, if one
counters with a strong will to
27
00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:02,400
reject the illness, it is
possible to prevent it.
28
00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:05,600
This is not just a mental
formation.
29
00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:10,560
Rather, it must be able to
influence the physical mind and
30
00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:15,080
the physical body in order to
carry out this influence.
31
00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:18,160
If the control by the
consciousness is not
32
00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:22,160
sufficiently developed,
sometimes an external aid is
33
00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:26,480
utilized to convince the
physical mind and the body that
34
00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:30,240
it need not get sick.
This may be in the form of a
35
00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:34,760
call to the divine with total
faith, or it may take the form
36
00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:38,920
of a particularly powerful
mantra that has the ability to
37
00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:42,680
change the vibrational pattern
and strengthen the aura.
38
00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:47,800
Or it may take the form of an
external substance, such as an
39
00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:51,440
herbal preparation, that
essentially tells the body that
40
00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:55,160
the need is being taken care of
and all will be well.
41
00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:00,160
In some cases, an inert
substance is used for what is
42
00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:02,920
commonly called the placebo
effect.
43
00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:07,760
The point here is that it need
not be a powerful drug if the
44
00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:12,440
body is simply assured that
whatever is being done will help
45
00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:17,560
it stave off the illness.
Eventually, as the spiritual
46
00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:21,960
practice develops, the seeker
may find an enhanced capacity
47
00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:26,160
for avoiding or throwing off
illness vibrations, shortening
48
00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:30,480
their intensity or duration, or
simply not becoming I'll.
49
00:03:31,640 --> 00:03:36,320
Some cases show the power of the
spiritual influence of the guru,
50
00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:41,880
such as the experience recounted
by Paramount Yogananda in his
51
00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:46,000
Autobiography of a Yogi.
Reliance on the power of the
52
00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:51,920
guru and the power of prayer.
A serious illness was overcome.
53
00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:57,280
Other instances in the same text
provide a similar message.
54
00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:02,720
Illness can be defeated by
directed spiritual force, by
55
00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:06,000
whatever method.
The body must be convinced at
56
00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:10,480
the cellular level not to accept
the vibrations that constitute
57
00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:15,080
illness, but rather to throw
them off and eliminate them from
58
00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:21,640
their normal mode of action.
Sri Aurobindo notes quote the
59
00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:24,560
feeling of illness is at first
only a suggestion.
60
00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,400
It becomes a reality because
your physical consciousness
61
00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,920
accepts it.
It is like a wrong suggestion in
62
00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:35,080
the mind.
If the mind accepts it, it
63
00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:38,600
becomes clouded and confused and
has to struggle back into
64
00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:42,240
harmony and clearness.
It is so with the body
65
00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:46,880
consciousness and illness.
You must not accept but reject
66
00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:51,680
it with your physical mind and
so help the body consciousness
67
00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:56,280
to throw off the suggestion.
If necessary, make a counter
68
00:04:56,280 --> 00:04:59,640
suggestion.
No, I shall be well.
69
00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:06,160
I am and shall be all right.
By will to illness I meant this,
70
00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:09,520
that there is something in the
body that accepts the illness
71
00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:13,760
and has certain reactions that
make this acceptance effective.
72
00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:18,200
So there must always be a
contrary will in the conscious
73
00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:22,160
parts of the being to get rid of
this most physical acceptance.
74
00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:25,560
End Quote.
Reference.
75
00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,840
Shrioro Vindo and the mother
looking from within.
76
00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,400
Chapter 4 were deals and
difficulties.
77
00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:34,160
Page one O 6.
00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:04,480
The physical body has an
ingrained response for most
2
00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:08,200
people to vibrations that
precipitate illnesses.
3
00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:13,280
The vector carrying that
vibration, whether one calls it
4
00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:19,040
germs, bacteria, virus, or
suggestion, strikes the
5
00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:23,080
protective vital envelope or
aura surrounding the body.
6
00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:29,320
If it finds an opening, or if it
can create an opening, it enters
7
00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:33,040
into the physical body and
begins the process of activation
8
00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:37,240
of its characteristic vibration,
leading to the appearance of
9
00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:40,560
symptoms.
In some cases, these forces
10
00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:45,040
utilize suggestions with a
strong component of fear so as
11
00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:49,120
to try to defeat the mental and
vital response before it can act
12
00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:53,360
to help protect the body.
The physical cells can also
13
00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:57,320
experience this fear if it
raises a powerful enough
14
00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:00,760
vibration to reach through the
vital envelope.
15
00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:05,840
As this happens, the body
marshals its defense mechanism
16
00:01:05,840 --> 00:01:09,280
to try to fight off the illness,
and in the course of that
17
00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:12,920
struggle, byproducts of the
struggle are produced, leading
18
00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:18,720
to what we characterize as
inflammation, mucus, fever, and
19
00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:23,000
various methods of expulsion of
the residues from the body.
20
00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:29,600
If we observe the progression
closely, and if one has a subtle
21
00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:33,760
enough awareness, one can
actually see or feel the impact
22
00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:39,080
before it manifests any illness.
It may be a sense of pressure on
23
00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:44,360
the aura, it may be a feeling of
weakness, it may be the rising
24
00:01:44,360 --> 00:01:50,720
up of some fear or anxiety about
an illness, or even the first
25
00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:54,120
sense of whatever the illness is
that is trying to manifest.
26
00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:59,320
At these early stages, if one
counters with a strong will to
27
00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:02,400
reject the illness, it is
possible to prevent it.
28
00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:05,600
This is not just a mental
formation.
29
00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:10,560
Rather, it must be able to
influence the physical mind and
30
00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:15,080
the physical body in order to
carry out this influence.
31
00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:18,160
If the control by the
consciousness is not
32
00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:22,160
sufficiently developed,
sometimes an external aid is
33
00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:26,480
utilized to convince the
physical mind and the body that
34
00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:30,240
it need not get sick.
This may be in the form of a
35
00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:34,760
call to the divine with total
faith, or it may take the form
36
00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:38,920
of a particularly powerful
mantra that has the ability to
37
00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:42,680
change the vibrational pattern
and strengthen the aura.
38
00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:47,800
Or it may take the form of an
external substance, such as an
39
00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:51,440
herbal preparation, that
essentially tells the body that
40
00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:55,160
the need is being taken care of
and all will be well.
41
00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:00,160
In some cases, an inert
substance is used for what is
42
00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:02,920
commonly called the placebo
effect.
43
00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:07,760
The point here is that it need
not be a powerful drug if the
44
00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:12,440
body is simply assured that
whatever is being done will help
45
00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:17,560
it stave off the illness.
Eventually, as the spiritual
46
00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:21,960
practice develops, the seeker
may find an enhanced capacity
47
00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:26,160
for avoiding or throwing off
illness vibrations, shortening
48
00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:30,480
their intensity or duration, or
simply not becoming I'll.
49
00:03:31,640 --> 00:03:36,320
Some cases show the power of the
spiritual influence of the guru,
50
00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:41,880
such as the experience recounted
by Paramount Yogananda in his
51
00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:46,000
Autobiography of a Yogi.
Reliance on the power of the
52
00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:51,920
guru and the power of prayer.
A serious illness was overcome.
53
00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:57,280
Other instances in the same text
provide a similar message.
54
00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:02,720
Illness can be defeated by
directed spiritual force, by
55
00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:06,000
whatever method.
The body must be convinced at
56
00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:10,480
the cellular level not to accept
the vibrations that constitute
57
00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:15,080
illness, but rather to throw
them off and eliminate them from
58
00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:21,640
their normal mode of action.
Sri Aurobindo notes quote the
59
00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:24,560
feeling of illness is at first
only a suggestion.
60
00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,400
It becomes a reality because
your physical consciousness
61
00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,920
accepts it.
It is like a wrong suggestion in
62
00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:35,080
the mind.
If the mind accepts it, it
63
00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:38,600
becomes clouded and confused and
has to struggle back into
64
00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:42,240
harmony and clearness.
It is so with the body
65
00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:46,880
consciousness and illness.
You must not accept but reject
66
00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:51,680
it with your physical mind and
so help the body consciousness
67
00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:56,280
to throw off the suggestion.
If necessary, make a counter
68
00:04:56,280 --> 00:04:59,640
suggestion.
No, I shall be well.
69
00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:06,160
I am and shall be all right.
By will to illness I meant this,
70
00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:09,520
that there is something in the
body that accepts the illness
71
00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:13,760
and has certain reactions that
make this acceptance effective.
72
00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:18,200
So there must always be a
contrary will in the conscious
73
00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:22,160
parts of the being to get rid of
this most physical acceptance.
74
00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:25,560
End Quote.
Reference.
75
00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,840
Shrioro Vindo and the mother
looking from within.
76
00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,400
Chapter 4 were deals and
difficulties.
77
00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:34,160
Page one O 6.