May 24, 2025
Resisting and Overcoming the Negative Universal Forces That Try to Control Our Reactions
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YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within , Chapter 4, Ordeals and Difficulties, pp.86-87
This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/05/22/resisting-and-overcoming-the-negative-universal-forces-that-try-to-control-our-reactions/
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
00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:07,280
All consciousness, all energy,
all material substance is
2
00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:11,040
essentially one, although it
takes different forms in the
3
00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:15,960
external surface consciousness.
Vibrational patterns move across
4
00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:19,920
the universal creation, and
forms respond to them if they
5
00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,920
are able to vibrate within the
range of the vibrations.
6
00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:27,200
Human beings can respond to
vibrations within a particular
7
00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:32,080
limited range, which means the
colours we see, the sounds we
8
00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:36,240
hear, are not the entire
spectrum of colour or sound.
9
00:00:37,160 --> 00:00:40,160
Some beings can see and hear
colour and sounds in different
10
00:00:40,160 --> 00:00:44,160
ranges than the human, in some
cases partially overlapping the
11
00:00:44,160 --> 00:00:48,240
human frequency range and in
others totally independent of
12
00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:52,080
that range.
If we apply this knowledge to
13
00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:55,560
the movement of energy within
human beings, we see that
14
00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:59,920
virtually every human being has
the capacity to vibrate to any
15
00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:03,920
force that works within the
human range, including those
16
00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:07,760
that may be subliminal to our
conscious awareness.
17
00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:13,920
Thus, a force of anger or fear
or attraction or love, for
18
00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:18,160
instance, can be experienced by
anyone when those forces are
19
00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:22,360
active and vibrating powerfully
enough to be picked up by our
20
00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:26,400
receiving apparatus of the
senses, including the mind, on a
21
00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:31,040
direct basis.
For this reason, when the forces
22
00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:38,080
that can provoke anger, hatred,
lust, greed, hunger, envy, or
23
00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:41,440
any other movements that we may
want to remove from our being
24
00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:45,600
are active in our environment,
we sometimes feel like we are
25
00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:50,920
compelled to respond.
If we analyze this, however, we
26
00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,760
find that the universal nature
of these forces and their
27
00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:57,800
vibratory force implies that
they are not an embedded,
28
00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:01,520
unchangeable part of our own
personality or character.
29
00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:06,640
Rather, they are external forces
throwing their patterns onto US.
30
00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:11,320
Once we recognize this and
understand that we do not
31
00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:16,080
manufacture these forces, but
are simply allowing them access
32
00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:20,280
and permitting them to vibrate
us in harmony with their energy,
33
00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:24,760
it becomes easier to separate
ourselves from them and take
34
00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:28,040
steps to either reduce the
impact of the vibration when it
35
00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:33,400
is active or refuse its ability
within us to take over the being
36
00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,000
and manifest actively like a
transmitted infection.
37
00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:41,160
We see in the history of
humanity that people have
38
00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:43,400
approached this issue in various
ways.
39
00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:48,200
Some individuals have developed
the power to withstand extreme
40
00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:50,520
energetic forces acting
generally.
41
00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:55,160
They may do this through the
practice of stoicism and the
42
00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:57,560
systematic practice of non
response.
43
00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:02,080
When these forces arise, they
may do it by training themselves
44
00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:06,240
to handle ever more pressure
without it breaking their will.
45
00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:10,840
Over time they can develop a
quite considerable force of
46
00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:14,240
resistance.
We even see this with certain
47
00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:18,200
medical doctors who have such a
strong aura around them that
48
00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:22,000
they can visit and treat people
with highly infectious diseases
49
00:03:22,640 --> 00:03:24,640
without themselves becoming
I'll.
50
00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:29,320
It is the same principle now
transferred from the physical
51
00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:32,280
body to the vital or mental
being.
52
00:03:33,640 --> 00:03:36,960
In other cases, individuals
train themselves to experience
53
00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:41,280
the vibratory pattern, thereby
knowing what is active in their
54
00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:44,000
surroundings or in their circle
of acquaintances.
55
00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:48,480
But through experience,
training, and separation of
56
00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:51,880
their awareness from the
vibrations that arise, they do
57
00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:56,240
not promulgate, but rather to
some degree even can neutralize
58
00:03:56,240 --> 00:04:00,160
these vibrations.
For those who have a habit of
59
00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:04,800
response to any of these forces,
it is like leaving the door open
60
00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:07,480
and letting them enter and have
free reign.
61
00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,520
The habit of response needs to
be addressed so that one does
62
00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:15,000
not simply become whatever is
vibrating.
63
00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:20,000
There is an interesting story of
a man who attended a Nazi rally
64
00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:25,120
in Germany in the 1930s.
He was an intellectual, a quiet
65
00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,640
soul who did not agree with the
Nazi philosophy.
66
00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:33,480
The energy in the crowd was so
intense, however, that when they
67
00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:36,720
started screaming and expressing
their hatred and violent
68
00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:41,240
energies, he found that he
himself was screaming with them.
69
00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:45,280
He later expressed surprise that
he would be taken away by the
70
00:04:45,280 --> 00:04:50,080
force that he opposed, yet it
became clear that the intensity
71
00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:54,120
and focus in that circumstance
were simply more than he was
72
00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:58,200
able to resist.
He needed to do more inner work
73
00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:00,760
to clear that reaction from his
being.
74
00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:05,680
Of course, the same
understanding can be used to
75
00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:10,600
accentuate forces that support
the spiritual aspiration through
76
00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:15,960
a process of tuning, receptivity
and acceptance of those energies
77
00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:22,080
that bring peace, harmony,
goodwill, light and knowledge
78
00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,840
into the being.
Once one recognizes how these
79
00:05:25,840 --> 00:05:29,680
forces work and achieves the
separation of the witness from
80
00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:34,440
the active nature, we gain the
capacity to tune to the energies
81
00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:39,600
we desire to accentuate and tune
out those we want to rid from
82
00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,880
our being.
The Mother observes.
83
00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:47,080
Quote seekers are always told if
you want to get rid of
84
00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:49,800
something, say that it is
outside.
85
00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:54,000
This is only an impression, but
it is easier to get rid of a
86
00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:57,560
difficulty if you have the
impression that it is outside
87
00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,840
you.
What is inside is also outside,
88
00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:03,760
and what is outside is also
inside.
89
00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,800
The secret lies in knowing how
to place it just where it is
90
00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,760
most convenient for the
immediate action.
91
00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:15,760
If you have a serious difficulty
in your character, for example,
92
00:06:16,280 --> 00:06:20,480
the habit of losing your temper,
and you decide I must not get
93
00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:23,400
angry again, it is very
difficult.
94
00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:28,360
But if, on the other hand, you
tell yourself anger is something
95
00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:31,600
which circulates through the
whole world, it is not in me.
96
00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:35,800
It belongs to everybody.
It wanders about here and there,
97
00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,680
and if I close my door it will
not enter.
98
00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:44,480
It is much more easy if you
think it is my character.
99
00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:48,480
I am born like that.
It becomes almost impossible.
100
00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,160
It is true.
There is something in your
101
00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:55,000
character which answers to this
force of anger.
102
00:06:55,840 --> 00:06:59,080
All movements, all vibrations,
are general.
103
00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:04,240
They enter, they go out, they
move about, but they rush upon
104
00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:07,720
you and enter into you only to
the extent you leave the door in
105
00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:11,120
you open.
And if you have besides some
106
00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,960
affinity with these forces, you
may get angry without even
107
00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:17,400
knowing why.
End Quote.
108
00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,160
Reference.
Sri Orobindo and the Mother
109
00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,720
looking from within.
Chapter 4.
110
00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:28,080
Ordeals and Difficulties, pages
86 to 87.
00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:07,280
All consciousness, all energy,
all material substance is
2
00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:11,040
essentially one, although it
takes different forms in the
3
00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:15,960
external surface consciousness.
Vibrational patterns move across
4
00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:19,920
the universal creation, and
forms respond to them if they
5
00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,920
are able to vibrate within the
range of the vibrations.
6
00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:27,200
Human beings can respond to
vibrations within a particular
7
00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:32,080
limited range, which means the
colours we see, the sounds we
8
00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:36,240
hear, are not the entire
spectrum of colour or sound.
9
00:00:37,160 --> 00:00:40,160
Some beings can see and hear
colour and sounds in different
10
00:00:40,160 --> 00:00:44,160
ranges than the human, in some
cases partially overlapping the
11
00:00:44,160 --> 00:00:48,240
human frequency range and in
others totally independent of
12
00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:52,080
that range.
If we apply this knowledge to
13
00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:55,560
the movement of energy within
human beings, we see that
14
00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:59,920
virtually every human being has
the capacity to vibrate to any
15
00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:03,920
force that works within the
human range, including those
16
00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:07,760
that may be subliminal to our
conscious awareness.
17
00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:13,920
Thus, a force of anger or fear
or attraction or love, for
18
00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:18,160
instance, can be experienced by
anyone when those forces are
19
00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:22,360
active and vibrating powerfully
enough to be picked up by our
20
00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:26,400
receiving apparatus of the
senses, including the mind, on a
21
00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:31,040
direct basis.
For this reason, when the forces
22
00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:38,080
that can provoke anger, hatred,
lust, greed, hunger, envy, or
23
00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:41,440
any other movements that we may
want to remove from our being
24
00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:45,600
are active in our environment,
we sometimes feel like we are
25
00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:50,920
compelled to respond.
If we analyze this, however, we
26
00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,760
find that the universal nature
of these forces and their
27
00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:57,800
vibratory force implies that
they are not an embedded,
28
00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:01,520
unchangeable part of our own
personality or character.
29
00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:06,640
Rather, they are external forces
throwing their patterns onto US.
30
00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:11,320
Once we recognize this and
understand that we do not
31
00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:16,080
manufacture these forces, but
are simply allowing them access
32
00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:20,280
and permitting them to vibrate
us in harmony with their energy,
33
00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:24,760
it becomes easier to separate
ourselves from them and take
34
00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:28,040
steps to either reduce the
impact of the vibration when it
35
00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:33,400
is active or refuse its ability
within us to take over the being
36
00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,000
and manifest actively like a
transmitted infection.
37
00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:41,160
We see in the history of
humanity that people have
38
00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:43,400
approached this issue in various
ways.
39
00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:48,200
Some individuals have developed
the power to withstand extreme
40
00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:50,520
energetic forces acting
generally.
41
00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:55,160
They may do this through the
practice of stoicism and the
42
00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:57,560
systematic practice of non
response.
43
00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:02,080
When these forces arise, they
may do it by training themselves
44
00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:06,240
to handle ever more pressure
without it breaking their will.
45
00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:10,840
Over time they can develop a
quite considerable force of
46
00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:14,240
resistance.
We even see this with certain
47
00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:18,200
medical doctors who have such a
strong aura around them that
48
00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:22,000
they can visit and treat people
with highly infectious diseases
49
00:03:22,640 --> 00:03:24,640
without themselves becoming
I'll.
50
00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:29,320
It is the same principle now
transferred from the physical
51
00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:32,280
body to the vital or mental
being.
52
00:03:33,640 --> 00:03:36,960
In other cases, individuals
train themselves to experience
53
00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:41,280
the vibratory pattern, thereby
knowing what is active in their
54
00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:44,000
surroundings or in their circle
of acquaintances.
55
00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:48,480
But through experience,
training, and separation of
56
00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:51,880
their awareness from the
vibrations that arise, they do
57
00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:56,240
not promulgate, but rather to
some degree even can neutralize
58
00:03:56,240 --> 00:04:00,160
these vibrations.
For those who have a habit of
59
00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:04,800
response to any of these forces,
it is like leaving the door open
60
00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:07,480
and letting them enter and have
free reign.
61
00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,520
The habit of response needs to
be addressed so that one does
62
00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:15,000
not simply become whatever is
vibrating.
63
00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:20,000
There is an interesting story of
a man who attended a Nazi rally
64
00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:25,120
in Germany in the 1930s.
He was an intellectual, a quiet
65
00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,640
soul who did not agree with the
Nazi philosophy.
66
00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:33,480
The energy in the crowd was so
intense, however, that when they
67
00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:36,720
started screaming and expressing
their hatred and violent
68
00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:41,240
energies, he found that he
himself was screaming with them.
69
00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:45,280
He later expressed surprise that
he would be taken away by the
70
00:04:45,280 --> 00:04:50,080
force that he opposed, yet it
became clear that the intensity
71
00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:54,120
and focus in that circumstance
were simply more than he was
72
00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:58,200
able to resist.
He needed to do more inner work
73
00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:00,760
to clear that reaction from his
being.
74
00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:05,680
Of course, the same
understanding can be used to
75
00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:10,600
accentuate forces that support
the spiritual aspiration through
76
00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:15,960
a process of tuning, receptivity
and acceptance of those energies
77
00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:22,080
that bring peace, harmony,
goodwill, light and knowledge
78
00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,840
into the being.
Once one recognizes how these
79
00:05:25,840 --> 00:05:29,680
forces work and achieves the
separation of the witness from
80
00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:34,440
the active nature, we gain the
capacity to tune to the energies
81
00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:39,600
we desire to accentuate and tune
out those we want to rid from
82
00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,880
our being.
The Mother observes.
83
00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:47,080
Quote seekers are always told if
you want to get rid of
84
00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:49,800
something, say that it is
outside.
85
00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:54,000
This is only an impression, but
it is easier to get rid of a
86
00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:57,560
difficulty if you have the
impression that it is outside
87
00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,840
you.
What is inside is also outside,
88
00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:03,760
and what is outside is also
inside.
89
00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,800
The secret lies in knowing how
to place it just where it is
90
00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,760
most convenient for the
immediate action.
91
00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:15,760
If you have a serious difficulty
in your character, for example,
92
00:06:16,280 --> 00:06:20,480
the habit of losing your temper,
and you decide I must not get
93
00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:23,400
angry again, it is very
difficult.
94
00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:28,360
But if, on the other hand, you
tell yourself anger is something
95
00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:31,600
which circulates through the
whole world, it is not in me.
96
00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:35,800
It belongs to everybody.
It wanders about here and there,
97
00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,680
and if I close my door it will
not enter.
98
00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:44,480
It is much more easy if you
think it is my character.
99
00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:48,480
I am born like that.
It becomes almost impossible.
100
00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,160
It is true.
There is something in your
101
00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:55,000
character which answers to this
force of anger.
102
00:06:55,840 --> 00:06:59,080
All movements, all vibrations,
are general.
103
00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:04,240
They enter, they go out, they
move about, but they rush upon
104
00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:07,720
you and enter into you only to
the extent you leave the door in
105
00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:11,120
you open.
And if you have besides some
106
00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,960
affinity with these forces, you
may get angry without even
107
00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:17,400
knowing why.
End Quote.
108
00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,160
Reference.
Sri Orobindo and the Mother
109
00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,720
looking from within.
Chapter 4.
110
00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:28,080
Ordeals and Difficulties, pages
86 to 87.