Dec. 5, 2025
Success in Yoga Despite Negative Suggestions of Unfitness or Impossibility
reference: Sri Aurobindo, Bases of Yoga, Chapter 3, In Difficulty, pp. 51-52This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/success-in-yoga-despite-negative-suggestions-of-unfitness-or-impossibility/
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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 #psychic being #Gunas #Rajas #Tamas #depression #Sattwa #spirituality
1
00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:04,160
As the three Gunas continue to
rotate their action in the
2
00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:09,480
external personality, there are
times when Rajas presides and
3
00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:14,120
there is potentially a sense of
ambition and with it a sustained
4
00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:17,440
effort.
When Thomas presides, however,
5
00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:21,720
there is a tendency to fall into
despondency or depression,
6
00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:26,360
seeing things from a viewpoint
of general incapacity and
7
00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:28,640
without the energy to break out
of the slump.
8
00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,400
The good thing is that neither
of these two states are
9
00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:35,760
permanent, as the gunas are
always in motion.
10
00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:40,760
At times when Sutwa
predominates, the individual can
11
00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:44,920
understand the issues, the
fluctuations, and the rising of
12
00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:49,240
various obstacles in the path,
and take them with a calm
13
00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:52,040
assurance that things will
eventually get worked out.
14
00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,920
These moods come about when the
seeker is still mostly attached
15
00:00:56,920 --> 00:01:01,440
to the external being and has
not yet moved his standpoint to
16
00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:06,040
the central being, the psychic
being, which maintains the fire
17
00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:10,760
of aspiration and consecration
and has a direct connection to
18
00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:14,240
the Divine.
The vital nature is prone to
19
00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:17,880
periods of light and dark,
progress and retrogression.
20
00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:22,560
If the Secret treats these as
the reality, they act as
21
00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:24,840
distractions from the needed
focus.
22
00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:30,120
Desire followed by either a
sense of shame or guilt if it is
23
00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:34,560
satisfied, or a sense of
frustration if it is not
24
00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:39,560
satisfied, creates an endless
loop of drama that leads the
25
00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:45,280
seeker astray quite easily.
Over time, with patience,
26
00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:49,800
perseverance and a faith that
understands the complexity and
27
00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:53,360
difficulties of the
transformations needed, the
28
00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:59,080
results will begin to show.
As Shrioro Bindo points out, he
29
00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:02,920
who chooses the Infinite has
been chosen by the Infinite.
30
00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:08,479
If the seeker holds on to this
truth, he knows that the
31
00:02:08,479 --> 00:02:13,640
difficulty he is facing are in
fact part of the path, part of
32
00:02:13,640 --> 00:02:19,320
the process, part of the sadhna.
The main thing is to keep going
33
00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:26,560
and not give up hope or wallow
in despair, Triorobindo observes
34
00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:30,000
quote.
There is no reason why you
35
00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,480
should abandoned hope of success
in the yoga.
36
00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:37,040
The state of depression which
you now feel is temporary, and
37
00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:41,240
it comes even upon the strongest
sadaks at one time or another,
38
00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:46,880
or even often recurs.
The only thing needed is to hold
39
00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:51,080
firm with the awakened part of
the being, to reject all
40
00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:56,040
contrary suggestions, and to
wait, opening yourself as much
41
00:02:56,040 --> 00:03:00,280
as you can to the true power,
till the crisis or change of
42
00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:03,280
which this depression is a stage
is completed.
43
00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:07,640
The suggestions which come to
your mind, telling you that you
44
00:03:07,640 --> 00:03:12,520
are not fit and that you must go
back to the ordinary life, are
45
00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,040
promptings from a hostile
source.
46
00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,880
Ideas of this kind must always
be rejected as inventions of the
47
00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:24,040
lower nature, even if they are
founded on appearances which
48
00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:26,400
seem convincing to the ignorant
mind.
49
00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:31,080
They are false because they
exaggerate a passing movement
50
00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:35,640
and represent it as the decisive
and definite truth.
51
00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:39,680
There is only one truth in you
on which you have to lay
52
00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:42,480
constant.
Hold the truth of your divine
53
00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:46,800
possibilities and the call of
the higher light to your nature.
54
00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:52,280
If you hold to that always, or
even if you are momentarily
55
00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:55,640
shaken from your hold, return
constantly to it.
56
00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,800
It will justify itself in the
end, in spite of all
57
00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:03,480
difficulties and obstacles and
stumblings.
58
00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:08,520
All that resists will disappear
in time with the progressive
59
00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:10,720
unfolding of your spiritual
nature.
60
00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,800
What is needed is the conversion
and surrender of the vital part.
61
00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:21,720
It must learn to demand only the
highest truth, and to forego all
62
00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:25,600
insistence on the satisfaction
of its inferior impulses and
63
00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:28,960
desires.
It is this adhesion of the vital
64
00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:32,240
being that brings the full
satisfaction and joy of the
65
00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:35,080
whole nature in the spiritual
life.
66
00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:39,840
When that is there, it will be
impossible even to think of
67
00:04:39,840 --> 00:04:42,200
returning to the ordinary
existence.
68
00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:47,920
Meanwhile, the mental will and
the psychic aspiration must be
69
00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:51,840
your support.
If you insist, the vital will
70
00:04:51,840 --> 00:04:55,640
finally yield and be converted
and surrendered.
71
00:04:56,880 --> 00:05:00,400
Fix upon your mind and heart the
resolution to live for the
72
00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:05,920
divine truth and for that alone.
Reject all that is contrary and
73
00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:10,600
incompatible with it, and turn
away from the lower desires.
74
00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:15,280
Aspire to open yourself to the
divine power and to no other.
75
00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:20,840
Do this in all sincerity and the
present and living help you need
76
00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:26,800
will not value.
End Quote Reference Srioro
77
00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:33,760
Bindo, Basis of Yoga, Chapter 3
in difficulty, pages 51 to 52.
00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:04,160
As the three Gunas continue to
rotate their action in the
2
00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:09,480
external personality, there are
times when Rajas presides and
3
00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:14,120
there is potentially a sense of
ambition and with it a sustained
4
00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:17,440
effort.
When Thomas presides, however,
5
00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:21,720
there is a tendency to fall into
despondency or depression,
6
00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:26,360
seeing things from a viewpoint
of general incapacity and
7
00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:28,640
without the energy to break out
of the slump.
8
00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,400
The good thing is that neither
of these two states are
9
00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:35,760
permanent, as the gunas are
always in motion.
10
00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:40,760
At times when Sutwa
predominates, the individual can
11
00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:44,920
understand the issues, the
fluctuations, and the rising of
12
00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:49,240
various obstacles in the path,
and take them with a calm
13
00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:52,040
assurance that things will
eventually get worked out.
14
00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,920
These moods come about when the
seeker is still mostly attached
15
00:00:56,920 --> 00:01:01,440
to the external being and has
not yet moved his standpoint to
16
00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:06,040
the central being, the psychic
being, which maintains the fire
17
00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:10,760
of aspiration and consecration
and has a direct connection to
18
00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:14,240
the Divine.
The vital nature is prone to
19
00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:17,880
periods of light and dark,
progress and retrogression.
20
00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:22,560
If the Secret treats these as
the reality, they act as
21
00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:24,840
distractions from the needed
focus.
22
00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:30,120
Desire followed by either a
sense of shame or guilt if it is
23
00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:34,560
satisfied, or a sense of
frustration if it is not
24
00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:39,560
satisfied, creates an endless
loop of drama that leads the
25
00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:45,280
seeker astray quite easily.
Over time, with patience,
26
00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:49,800
perseverance and a faith that
understands the complexity and
27
00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:53,360
difficulties of the
transformations needed, the
28
00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:59,080
results will begin to show.
As Shrioro Bindo points out, he
29
00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:02,920
who chooses the Infinite has
been chosen by the Infinite.
30
00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:08,479
If the seeker holds on to this
truth, he knows that the
31
00:02:08,479 --> 00:02:13,640
difficulty he is facing are in
fact part of the path, part of
32
00:02:13,640 --> 00:02:19,320
the process, part of the sadhna.
The main thing is to keep going
33
00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:26,560
and not give up hope or wallow
in despair, Triorobindo observes
34
00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:30,000
quote.
There is no reason why you
35
00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,480
should abandoned hope of success
in the yoga.
36
00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:37,040
The state of depression which
you now feel is temporary, and
37
00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:41,240
it comes even upon the strongest
sadaks at one time or another,
38
00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:46,880
or even often recurs.
The only thing needed is to hold
39
00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:51,080
firm with the awakened part of
the being, to reject all
40
00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:56,040
contrary suggestions, and to
wait, opening yourself as much
41
00:02:56,040 --> 00:03:00,280
as you can to the true power,
till the crisis or change of
42
00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:03,280
which this depression is a stage
is completed.
43
00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:07,640
The suggestions which come to
your mind, telling you that you
44
00:03:07,640 --> 00:03:12,520
are not fit and that you must go
back to the ordinary life, are
45
00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,040
promptings from a hostile
source.
46
00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,880
Ideas of this kind must always
be rejected as inventions of the
47
00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:24,040
lower nature, even if they are
founded on appearances which
48
00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:26,400
seem convincing to the ignorant
mind.
49
00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:31,080
They are false because they
exaggerate a passing movement
50
00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:35,640
and represent it as the decisive
and definite truth.
51
00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:39,680
There is only one truth in you
on which you have to lay
52
00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:42,480
constant.
Hold the truth of your divine
53
00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:46,800
possibilities and the call of
the higher light to your nature.
54
00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:52,280
If you hold to that always, or
even if you are momentarily
55
00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:55,640
shaken from your hold, return
constantly to it.
56
00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,800
It will justify itself in the
end, in spite of all
57
00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:03,480
difficulties and obstacles and
stumblings.
58
00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:08,520
All that resists will disappear
in time with the progressive
59
00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:10,720
unfolding of your spiritual
nature.
60
00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,800
What is needed is the conversion
and surrender of the vital part.
61
00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:21,720
It must learn to demand only the
highest truth, and to forego all
62
00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:25,600
insistence on the satisfaction
of its inferior impulses and
63
00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:28,960
desires.
It is this adhesion of the vital
64
00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:32,240
being that brings the full
satisfaction and joy of the
65
00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:35,080
whole nature in the spiritual
life.
66
00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:39,840
When that is there, it will be
impossible even to think of
67
00:04:39,840 --> 00:04:42,200
returning to the ordinary
existence.
68
00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:47,920
Meanwhile, the mental will and
the psychic aspiration must be
69
00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:51,840
your support.
If you insist, the vital will
70
00:04:51,840 --> 00:04:55,640
finally yield and be converted
and surrendered.
71
00:04:56,880 --> 00:05:00,400
Fix upon your mind and heart the
resolution to live for the
72
00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:05,920
divine truth and for that alone.
Reject all that is contrary and
73
00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:10,600
incompatible with it, and turn
away from the lower desires.
74
00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:15,280
Aspire to open yourself to the
divine power and to no other.
75
00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:20,840
Do this in all sincerity and the
present and living help you need
76
00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:26,800
will not value.
End Quote Reference Srioro
77
00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:33,760
Bindo, Basis of Yoga, Chapter 3
in difficulty, pages 51 to 52.
