A Podcast Featuring Sri Aurobindo Studies
Oct. 27, 2025

Reliance on the Divine Power Rather Than on the Individual Mind and Will

Reliance on the Divine Power Rather Than on the Individual Mind and Will

reference: Sri Aurobindo, Bases of Yoga, Chapter 2, Faith — Aspiration — Surrender, pg. 26This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/reliance-on-the-divine-power-rather-than-on-the-individual-mind-and-will/

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A strong mental consciousness
and will may aid the individual

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in determining a way forward,
but they are not the powers that

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can eventually succeed in the
yogic process.

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If we view the yoga of nature,
we find that as a new power

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emerges, it brings with it
unique new ways of dealing with

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the need of the time and the
evolutionary process as it takes

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shape at that moment.
In his thoughts and glimpses,

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Sri Aurobindo states the case
succinctly.

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Quote When we have passed beyond
knowings, then we shall have

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knowledge.
Reason was the helper.

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Reason is the bar.
When we have passed beyond

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willings, then we shall have
power.

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Effort was the helper.
Effort is the bar.

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When we have passed beyond
enjoyings, then we shall have

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bliss.
Desire was the helper.

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Desire is the bar.
When we have passed beyond

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individualizing, then we shall
be real persons.

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Ego was the helper.
Ego is the bar.

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When we have passed beyond
humanity, then we shall be the

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man.
The animal was the helper.

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The animal is the bar.
End Quote.

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Spiritual development is not a
mental process and eventually

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the mental understanding and
will must agree to give way to a

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different form and way of
knowing and being a way more

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aligned with the nature of the
spiritual consciousness.

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This is most easily accomplished
if the seeker can develop the

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power of aspiration and
receptivity to the higher force

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and find a way to remain focused
there rather than on the

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individual effort.
In his Uttarpara speech, Sri

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Robindo relates an anecdote
about the sedition trial he was

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undergoing before a judge
representing the British Empire.

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He began to write out detailed
points for his attorney, but

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then he received an inner
command to remain calm and

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observe and that everything
would be worked out by a

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different force that was at
work.

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He saw each player in the drama
of his trial as an expression of

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Vasudev and understood that
everything was being done for

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him as a means to a greater end.
Sri Aurobindo notes quote There

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has always been too much
reliance on the action of your

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own mind and will.
That is why you cannot progress.

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If you could once get the habit
of silent reliance on the power

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of the Mother, not merely
calling it in to support your

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own effort, the obstacle would
diminish and eventually

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disappear.
End Quote Reference Srioro Bindo

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Basis of Yoga Chapter 2 Faith,
Aspiration, Surrender page 26.