Dec. 11, 2025
Hostile Forces, the Law of Attraction and Progress in Spiritual Development
reference: Sri Aurobindo, Bases of Yoga, Chapter 3, In Difficulty, pp. 55-56This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/12/09/hostile-forces-the-law-of-attraction-and-progress-in-spiritual-development/
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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
#Sri Aurobindo #yoga #integral yoga #spirituality #hostile forces #vital forces #vital beings
1
00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:03,960
There are powers at work in the
world that have a vested
2
00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:07,080
interest in maintaining the
status quo.
3
00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:10,600
They have control.
They have power.
4
00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:13,320
They can exult in their
predominance.
5
00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:17,880
They do not want to see their
power or influence wane or
6
00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:21,800
disappear.
On the contrary, they may seek
7
00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:27,200
further control and domination.
Thus, they treat any progressive
8
00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:31,600
development as a threat to their
situation and even in some
9
00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:36,720
cases, their very existence.
These powers act to hold back
10
00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:41,160
change and progress.
There are other vital powers
11
00:00:41,160 --> 00:00:44,800
that feed off of strong
emotional reactions and they
12
00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:48,880
consciously act to provoke
extreme reactions, whether for
13
00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:54,160
individuals in the form of
provoking anger, lust, greed,
14
00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:59,840
fear, etcetera, or on a larger
scale through promoting pain,
15
00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:04,720
suffering, fear through the
advent of wars, pandemics,
16
00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:08,760
etcetera.
These powers also have a vested
17
00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:11,840
interest in gaining and
maintaining control over human
18
00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:16,000
beings in order to harvest the
energies they are able to
19
00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:20,200
provoke.
These forces can be collectively
20
00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:25,240
termed as hostile forces.
The human vital nature likes to
21
00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:29,200
attribute delays, obstacles,
obstructions, et cetera, to
22
00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:33,880
these hostile forces, but in
most cases they are actually
23
00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:38,720
simply dealing with the embedded
habits and evolutionary stages
24
00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:43,840
that are common to all human
life, and in many cases to life
25
00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,720
in general as it has developed
through time.
26
00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:52,520
Once we set aside the basic
actions, drives, reactions that
27
00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:56,120
are part of the process of
transformation for which the
28
00:01:56,120 --> 00:02:01,280
spiritual aspirant is dedicated,
the actual intervention of truly
29
00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:05,360
hostile powers takes on a
smaller, although not
30
00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:09,360
insignificant role.
Particularly when there is a
31
00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:12,400
potential for enormous progress
in the evolution of
32
00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:16,920
consciousness, the action of
truly hostile forces can be seen
33
00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:21,840
as they feel threatened and see
their own interests put at risk.
34
00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:26,840
Srioro Bindo and the Mother face
just such an uprising of hostile
35
00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:32,640
forces with the rise of Nazism
and the worldwide conflagration
36
00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:37,120
known as World War 2, which
threatened to set back
37
00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:41,200
evolutionary progress for
decades, if not centuries.
38
00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:46,440
The question then arises as to
what the seeker can or should do
39
00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:51,400
about the hostile forces.
There's an occult truth that one
40
00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:53,880
attracts that upon which one
focuses.
41
00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:58,480
This is known in certain circles
as the Law of Attraction.
42
00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:04,240
A corollary to this law of
attraction is that fear attracts
43
00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:09,040
that which one fears.
Thus, fixation of 1's attention
44
00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:13,240
on the hostile forces and an
attempt to engage and fight
45
00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:17,520
directly with them is likely to
increase their action and the
46
00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:19,320
difficulties they bring with
them.
47
00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:24,000
That does not imply simply
leaving them to overwhelm the
48
00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:26,040
forces of progress and
development.
49
00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:31,440
Of course, a balance must be
found that starts with the core
50
00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:35,160
focus on the positive
developments that are in view.
51
00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:40,440
Aspiration, focus on the forces
that aid the development,
52
00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:46,400
Consecration to the larger
purpose are steps toward focus
53
00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:51,320
on and attracting the powers of
light and harmony that are then
54
00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:56,600
able to guide, protect, and
eventually defeat the powers of
55
00:03:56,600 --> 00:04:00,440
darkness.
It is not within the purview of
56
00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:04,240
the individual seeker to fight
with these vital forces and
57
00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:07,720
overcome them on the basis of
his own effort.
58
00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:13,520
The focus on the forces of light
and their intervention provides
59
00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:17,839
a solution.
Along the way the seeker gains a
60
00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:21,480
deeper understanding of how
various forces try to impede the
61
00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:26,080
progress and through the support
of the higher spiritual powers
62
00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:30,400
he is able to gain the power to
withstand the pressures and the
63
00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:34,880
manipulation that are employed
by forces hostile to the
64
00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:39,880
evolutionary progression.
Srioro Bindu observes quote.
65
00:04:40,840 --> 00:04:44,120
The hostile forces have a
certain self chosen function.
66
00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:49,160
It is to test the condition of
the individual, of the work of
67
00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,720
the earth itself, and their
readiness for the spiritual
68
00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:57,720
descent and fulfilment.
At every step of the journey
69
00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,760
they are there, attacking
furiously, criticizing,
70
00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:08,440
suggesting, imposing despondency
or inciting to revolt, raising
71
00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:14,120
unbelief, amassing difficulties.
No doubt they put a very
72
00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:17,680
exaggerated interpretation on
the rights given them by their
73
00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:22,440
function, making mountains even
out of what seems to us a
74
00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:27,320
molehill, a little trifling
false step or mistake, and they
75
00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:31,120
appear on the road and clap a
whole Himalaya as a barrier
76
00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:35,560
across it.
But this opposition has been
77
00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:40,160
permitted from of old, not
merely as a test or ordeal, but
78
00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:45,320
as a compulsion on us to seek a
greater strength, a more perfect
79
00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:49,840
self knowledge, an intenser
purity and force of aspiration,
80
00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:55,960
of faith that nothing can crush,
a more powerful descent of the
81
00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:59,120
Divine grace.
End Quote.
82
00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:05,560
Reference Sri Aurobindo, Basis
of Yoga, Chapter 3 in
83
00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:09,360
difficulty, pages 55 to 56.
00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:03,960
There are powers at work in the
world that have a vested
2
00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:07,080
interest in maintaining the
status quo.
3
00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:10,600
They have control.
They have power.
4
00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:13,320
They can exult in their
predominance.
5
00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:17,880
They do not want to see their
power or influence wane or
6
00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:21,800
disappear.
On the contrary, they may seek
7
00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:27,200
further control and domination.
Thus, they treat any progressive
8
00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:31,600
development as a threat to their
situation and even in some
9
00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:36,720
cases, their very existence.
These powers act to hold back
10
00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:41,160
change and progress.
There are other vital powers
11
00:00:41,160 --> 00:00:44,800
that feed off of strong
emotional reactions and they
12
00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:48,880
consciously act to provoke
extreme reactions, whether for
13
00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:54,160
individuals in the form of
provoking anger, lust, greed,
14
00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:59,840
fear, etcetera, or on a larger
scale through promoting pain,
15
00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:04,720
suffering, fear through the
advent of wars, pandemics,
16
00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:08,760
etcetera.
These powers also have a vested
17
00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:11,840
interest in gaining and
maintaining control over human
18
00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:16,000
beings in order to harvest the
energies they are able to
19
00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:20,200
provoke.
These forces can be collectively
20
00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:25,240
termed as hostile forces.
The human vital nature likes to
21
00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:29,200
attribute delays, obstacles,
obstructions, et cetera, to
22
00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:33,880
these hostile forces, but in
most cases they are actually
23
00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:38,720
simply dealing with the embedded
habits and evolutionary stages
24
00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:43,840
that are common to all human
life, and in many cases to life
25
00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,720
in general as it has developed
through time.
26
00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:52,520
Once we set aside the basic
actions, drives, reactions that
27
00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:56,120
are part of the process of
transformation for which the
28
00:01:56,120 --> 00:02:01,280
spiritual aspirant is dedicated,
the actual intervention of truly
29
00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:05,360
hostile powers takes on a
smaller, although not
30
00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:09,360
insignificant role.
Particularly when there is a
31
00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:12,400
potential for enormous progress
in the evolution of
32
00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:16,920
consciousness, the action of
truly hostile forces can be seen
33
00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:21,840
as they feel threatened and see
their own interests put at risk.
34
00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:26,840
Srioro Bindo and the Mother face
just such an uprising of hostile
35
00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:32,640
forces with the rise of Nazism
and the worldwide conflagration
36
00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:37,120
known as World War 2, which
threatened to set back
37
00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:41,200
evolutionary progress for
decades, if not centuries.
38
00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:46,440
The question then arises as to
what the seeker can or should do
39
00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:51,400
about the hostile forces.
There's an occult truth that one
40
00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:53,880
attracts that upon which one
focuses.
41
00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:58,480
This is known in certain circles
as the Law of Attraction.
42
00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:04,240
A corollary to this law of
attraction is that fear attracts
43
00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:09,040
that which one fears.
Thus, fixation of 1's attention
44
00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:13,240
on the hostile forces and an
attempt to engage and fight
45
00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:17,520
directly with them is likely to
increase their action and the
46
00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:19,320
difficulties they bring with
them.
47
00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:24,000
That does not imply simply
leaving them to overwhelm the
48
00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:26,040
forces of progress and
development.
49
00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:31,440
Of course, a balance must be
found that starts with the core
50
00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:35,160
focus on the positive
developments that are in view.
51
00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:40,440
Aspiration, focus on the forces
that aid the development,
52
00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:46,400
Consecration to the larger
purpose are steps toward focus
53
00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:51,320
on and attracting the powers of
light and harmony that are then
54
00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:56,600
able to guide, protect, and
eventually defeat the powers of
55
00:03:56,600 --> 00:04:00,440
darkness.
It is not within the purview of
56
00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:04,240
the individual seeker to fight
with these vital forces and
57
00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:07,720
overcome them on the basis of
his own effort.
58
00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:13,520
The focus on the forces of light
and their intervention provides
59
00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:17,839
a solution.
Along the way the seeker gains a
60
00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:21,480
deeper understanding of how
various forces try to impede the
61
00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:26,080
progress and through the support
of the higher spiritual powers
62
00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:30,400
he is able to gain the power to
withstand the pressures and the
63
00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:34,880
manipulation that are employed
by forces hostile to the
64
00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:39,880
evolutionary progression.
Srioro Bindu observes quote.
65
00:04:40,840 --> 00:04:44,120
The hostile forces have a
certain self chosen function.
66
00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:49,160
It is to test the condition of
the individual, of the work of
67
00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,720
the earth itself, and their
readiness for the spiritual
68
00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:57,720
descent and fulfilment.
At every step of the journey
69
00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,760
they are there, attacking
furiously, criticizing,
70
00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:08,440
suggesting, imposing despondency
or inciting to revolt, raising
71
00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:14,120
unbelief, amassing difficulties.
No doubt they put a very
72
00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:17,680
exaggerated interpretation on
the rights given them by their
73
00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:22,440
function, making mountains even
out of what seems to us a
74
00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:27,320
molehill, a little trifling
false step or mistake, and they
75
00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:31,120
appear on the road and clap a
whole Himalaya as a barrier
76
00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:35,560
across it.
But this opposition has been
77
00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:40,160
permitted from of old, not
merely as a test or ordeal, but
78
00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:45,320
as a compulsion on us to seek a
greater strength, a more perfect
79
00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:49,840
self knowledge, an intenser
purity and force of aspiration,
80
00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:55,960
of faith that nothing can crush,
a more powerful descent of the
81
00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:59,120
Divine grace.
End Quote.
82
00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:05,560
Reference Sri Aurobindo, Basis
of Yoga, Chapter 3 in
83
00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:09,360
difficulty, pages 55 to 56.
