April 19, 2024
Our Physical, Vital and Mental Sheathes Are Impacted by Energetic Forces in a Constant State of Interchange
Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
Amazon Music 
RSS Feed 
Castro 
RadioPublic 
PocketCasts 
YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, The Hidden Forces of Life, Ch. 3 Hidden Forces Around, pp. 56-58 This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2024/04/17/37836/
YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871
More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at http://www.aurobindo.net
The US editions and links to e-book editions of Sri Aurobindo’s writings can be found at http://www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:05,000
We tend to live with an illusion
of separateness of our
2
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,480
individual being from all
others.
3
00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:13,080
We treat the physical body as a
distinct self standing unit that
4
00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:18,360
is free and independent, has its
own integrity and is essentially
5
00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:23,760
isolated in its separateness.
This, however, is not quite the
6
00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:28,960
actuality of our situation.
Instead of being a protected
7
00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:32,520
island in the world, our body is
actually more of a permeable
8
00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:37,840
membrane, taking in energy,
vibrational patterns as well as
9
00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:42,600
physical air, food and drink and
releasing back out again
10
00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:46,680
physical waste from our
breathing mechanism, sweat and
11
00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:49,520
excretions of food and drink,
waste, et cetera.
12
00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:54,760
In addition to the physical
interchange, we also send out
13
00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:59,080
vibrations and energies so that
the process is a two way
14
00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:03,160
interchange.
All the time, curly and
15
00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:06,680
photography has shown evidence
of an energy body surrounding
16
00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:10,320
our physical body, which many
call the aura.
17
00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:14,520
This energy body is the first
line of defence against
18
00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:18,280
suggestions of illness.
For instance, when it is strong
19
00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:22,920
and whole, it can help to
withstand physical, vital and
20
00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:27,640
even mental influences.
At the same time, if there is
21
00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:31,720
any receptivity to the
vibration, it takes up that
22
00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:36,400
energetic force and carries it
inward to be accepted by the
23
00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:41,720
individual and have its impact
awaken within, in many cases
24
00:01:41,960 --> 00:01:45,240
without the individual knowing
how it came about.
25
00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:51,000
If we focus for a moment on the
vibrational patterns, we can see
26
00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:54,440
that the interchange means that
we can be subject to the
27
00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:58,400
feelings, emotions, willings of
others.
28
00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,960
Many people report feeling
drained after meeting a certain
29
00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:06,080
individual or spending time in a
certain environment.
30
00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:10,919
Others feel enthused, energized.
In other places.
31
00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:14,880
We can see crowds of people
align their energies through
32
00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:20,320
identification with the speaker
or the team or the cheer squad.
33
00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:26,200
All of these evidences A
receptivity to the vibrations
34
00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:30,480
and an active intake of them,
whether unconsciously or
35
00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:37,280
consciously as the case may be,
Thought forms and exercises of
36
00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:41,480
silent willpower have a similar
impact on the mental stuff of
37
00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,400
our nature.
We can sometimes enter a
38
00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:49,080
research facility or a library
and feel the concentrated mental
39
00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,280
energy that is active in that
space.
40
00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:56,080
Those who attend lectures by
spiritual leaders frequently
41
00:02:56,080 --> 00:03:00,520
remark on the intensity of the
atmosphere as the concentration
42
00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:03,680
in the air impacts their own
mental awareness.
43
00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:09,600
A disciple asks what is the
nature of these influences from
44
00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:12,680
outside?
Could you give us an explanation
45
00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:15,640
of their working?
The mother writes.
46
00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:20,080
Quote Naturally, these
influences are of a very diverse
47
00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:23,240
kinds.
They may be studied from a
48
00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:27,880
psychological point of view or
from an almost mechanical
49
00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:31,520
standpoint, the one usually
translating the other.
50
00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:36,440
That is, the mechanical
phenomenon occurs as a sort of
51
00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:42,960
result of the psychological one.
In very few people, and even in
52
00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:47,280
the very best, at very rare
moments in life, does the will
53
00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:51,360
of the being express that deep
inner higher truth.
54
00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:55,480
After a silence, mother
continues.
55
00:03:57,120 --> 00:04:01,520
The individual consciousness
extends far beyond the body.
56
00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,360
We have seen that even the
subtle physical, which is yet
57
00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:09,600
material compared with the vital
being and in certain conditions
58
00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:14,440
almost visible, extends at times
considerably beyond the visible
59
00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:18,880
limits of the physical body.
This subtle physical is
60
00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:23,520
constituted of active vibrations
which enter into contact or
61
00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:27,360
mingle with the vibrations of
the subtle physical of others,
62
00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:32,320
and this reciprocal contact
gives rise to influences.
63
00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:36,360
Naturally, the most powerful
vibrations get the better of the
64
00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:40,160
others.
For example, as I have already
65
00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:44,560
told you several times, if you
have a thought, this thought
66
00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:48,800
clothes itself in subtle
vibrations and becomes an entity
67
00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:53,120
which travels and moves about in
the earth atmosphere in order to
68
00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:57,680
realize itself as best it can.
And because it is one among
69
00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:01,440
millions, naturally there is a
multiple and involved
70
00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:06,040
interaction as a result of which
things don't take place in such
71
00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:12,240
a simple and schematic fashion.
What you call yourself, the
72
00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:15,520
individual being enclosed within
the limits of your present
73
00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:20,680
consciousness, is constantly
penetrated by vibrations of this
74
00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:26,000
kind coming from outside, and
very often presenting themselves
75
00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:31,040
in the form of suggestions, in
the sense that apart from a few
76
00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:35,360
exceptions, the action takes
place first in the mental field,
77
00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:38,840
then becomes vital, then
physical.
78
00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:42,960
I want to make it clear that it
is not a question of the pure
79
00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:45,480
mind here, but of the physical
mind.
80
00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:49,440
For in the physical
consciousness itself there is a
81
00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:54,400
mental activity, a vital
activity, and a purely material
82
00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:58,120
activity, and all that takes
place in your physical
83
00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:02,160
consciousness, in your body.
Consciousness and bodily
84
00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:06,760
activity penetrates first in the
form of vibrations of a mental
85
00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:10,520
nature, and so in the form of
suggestions.
86
00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:14,400
Most of the time these
suggestions enter you without
87
00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:16,400
your being in the least
conscious of them.
88
00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:22,080
They go in, awaken some sort of
response in you, then spring up
89
00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:25,800
in your consciousness as though
they were your own thought, your
90
00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:30,760
own will, your own impulse.
But it is only because you are
91
00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:33,440
unconscious of the process of
their penetration.
92
00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:39,520
These suggestions are very
numerous, manifold, varied with
93
00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,480
natures, which are very, very
different from each other.
94
00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:48,760
But they may be classified into
three principal orders. 1st, and
95
00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:52,000
they are hardly perceptible to
the ordinary consciousness.
96
00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:56,000
They become perceptible only to
those who have already reflected
97
00:06:56,000 --> 00:07:00,400
much, observed, much, deeply
studied their own being.
98
00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:04,520
They are what could be called
collective suggestions.
99
00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:09,360
End Quote.
Reference Shriorobindo and the
100
00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:14,880
Mother, The Hidden Forces of
Life Chapter 3, Hidden Forces
101
00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:18,160
around pages 56 to 58.
00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:05,000
We tend to live with an illusion
of separateness of our
2
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,480
individual being from all
others.
3
00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:13,080
We treat the physical body as a
distinct self standing unit that
4
00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:18,360
is free and independent, has its
own integrity and is essentially
5
00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:23,760
isolated in its separateness.
This, however, is not quite the
6
00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:28,960
actuality of our situation.
Instead of being a protected
7
00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:32,520
island in the world, our body is
actually more of a permeable
8
00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:37,840
membrane, taking in energy,
vibrational patterns as well as
9
00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:42,600
physical air, food and drink and
releasing back out again
10
00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:46,680
physical waste from our
breathing mechanism, sweat and
11
00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:49,520
excretions of food and drink,
waste, et cetera.
12
00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:54,760
In addition to the physical
interchange, we also send out
13
00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:59,080
vibrations and energies so that
the process is a two way
14
00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:03,160
interchange.
All the time, curly and
15
00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:06,680
photography has shown evidence
of an energy body surrounding
16
00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:10,320
our physical body, which many
call the aura.
17
00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:14,520
This energy body is the first
line of defence against
18
00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:18,280
suggestions of illness.
For instance, when it is strong
19
00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:22,920
and whole, it can help to
withstand physical, vital and
20
00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:27,640
even mental influences.
At the same time, if there is
21
00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:31,720
any receptivity to the
vibration, it takes up that
22
00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:36,400
energetic force and carries it
inward to be accepted by the
23
00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:41,720
individual and have its impact
awaken within, in many cases
24
00:01:41,960 --> 00:01:45,240
without the individual knowing
how it came about.
25
00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:51,000
If we focus for a moment on the
vibrational patterns, we can see
26
00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:54,440
that the interchange means that
we can be subject to the
27
00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:58,400
feelings, emotions, willings of
others.
28
00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,960
Many people report feeling
drained after meeting a certain
29
00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:06,080
individual or spending time in a
certain environment.
30
00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:10,919
Others feel enthused, energized.
In other places.
31
00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:14,880
We can see crowds of people
align their energies through
32
00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:20,320
identification with the speaker
or the team or the cheer squad.
33
00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:26,200
All of these evidences A
receptivity to the vibrations
34
00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:30,480
and an active intake of them,
whether unconsciously or
35
00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:37,280
consciously as the case may be,
Thought forms and exercises of
36
00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:41,480
silent willpower have a similar
impact on the mental stuff of
37
00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,400
our nature.
We can sometimes enter a
38
00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:49,080
research facility or a library
and feel the concentrated mental
39
00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,280
energy that is active in that
space.
40
00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:56,080
Those who attend lectures by
spiritual leaders frequently
41
00:02:56,080 --> 00:03:00,520
remark on the intensity of the
atmosphere as the concentration
42
00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:03,680
in the air impacts their own
mental awareness.
43
00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:09,600
A disciple asks what is the
nature of these influences from
44
00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:12,680
outside?
Could you give us an explanation
45
00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:15,640
of their working?
The mother writes.
46
00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:20,080
Quote Naturally, these
influences are of a very diverse
47
00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:23,240
kinds.
They may be studied from a
48
00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:27,880
psychological point of view or
from an almost mechanical
49
00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:31,520
standpoint, the one usually
translating the other.
50
00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:36,440
That is, the mechanical
phenomenon occurs as a sort of
51
00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:42,960
result of the psychological one.
In very few people, and even in
52
00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:47,280
the very best, at very rare
moments in life, does the will
53
00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:51,360
of the being express that deep
inner higher truth.
54
00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:55,480
After a silence, mother
continues.
55
00:03:57,120 --> 00:04:01,520
The individual consciousness
extends far beyond the body.
56
00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,360
We have seen that even the
subtle physical, which is yet
57
00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:09,600
material compared with the vital
being and in certain conditions
58
00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:14,440
almost visible, extends at times
considerably beyond the visible
59
00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:18,880
limits of the physical body.
This subtle physical is
60
00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:23,520
constituted of active vibrations
which enter into contact or
61
00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:27,360
mingle with the vibrations of
the subtle physical of others,
62
00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:32,320
and this reciprocal contact
gives rise to influences.
63
00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:36,360
Naturally, the most powerful
vibrations get the better of the
64
00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:40,160
others.
For example, as I have already
65
00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:44,560
told you several times, if you
have a thought, this thought
66
00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:48,800
clothes itself in subtle
vibrations and becomes an entity
67
00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:53,120
which travels and moves about in
the earth atmosphere in order to
68
00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:57,680
realize itself as best it can.
And because it is one among
69
00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:01,440
millions, naturally there is a
multiple and involved
70
00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:06,040
interaction as a result of which
things don't take place in such
71
00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:12,240
a simple and schematic fashion.
What you call yourself, the
72
00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:15,520
individual being enclosed within
the limits of your present
73
00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:20,680
consciousness, is constantly
penetrated by vibrations of this
74
00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:26,000
kind coming from outside, and
very often presenting themselves
75
00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:31,040
in the form of suggestions, in
the sense that apart from a few
76
00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:35,360
exceptions, the action takes
place first in the mental field,
77
00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:38,840
then becomes vital, then
physical.
78
00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:42,960
I want to make it clear that it
is not a question of the pure
79
00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:45,480
mind here, but of the physical
mind.
80
00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:49,440
For in the physical
consciousness itself there is a
81
00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:54,400
mental activity, a vital
activity, and a purely material
82
00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:58,120
activity, and all that takes
place in your physical
83
00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:02,160
consciousness, in your body.
Consciousness and bodily
84
00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:06,760
activity penetrates first in the
form of vibrations of a mental
85
00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:10,520
nature, and so in the form of
suggestions.
86
00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:14,400
Most of the time these
suggestions enter you without
87
00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:16,400
your being in the least
conscious of them.
88
00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:22,080
They go in, awaken some sort of
response in you, then spring up
89
00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:25,800
in your consciousness as though
they were your own thought, your
90
00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:30,760
own will, your own impulse.
But it is only because you are
91
00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:33,440
unconscious of the process of
their penetration.
92
00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:39,520
These suggestions are very
numerous, manifold, varied with
93
00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,480
natures, which are very, very
different from each other.
94
00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:48,760
But they may be classified into
three principal orders. 1st, and
95
00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:52,000
they are hardly perceptible to
the ordinary consciousness.
96
00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:56,000
They become perceptible only to
those who have already reflected
97
00:06:56,000 --> 00:07:00,400
much, observed, much, deeply
studied their own being.
98
00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:04,520
They are what could be called
collective suggestions.
99
00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:09,360
End Quote.
Reference Shriorobindo and the
100
00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:14,880
Mother, The Hidden Forces of
Life Chapter 3, Hidden Forces
101
00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:18,160
around pages 56 to 58.