Sept. 24, 2024
The General Action of Thoughts and Our Need to Observe and Manage Them
reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Powers Within, Chapter III Imagination, pp. 27-29 This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2024/09/20/the-general-action-of-thoughts-and-our-need-to-observe-and-manage-them/
Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are all available 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 Sri Aurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:07,040
Every thought, every idea, every
imagination, every focus
2
00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:11,720
represents electrical impulses
that are formed and projected
3
00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:16,280
into the general mental
atmosphere, whether expressed
4
00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:21,200
verbally or in writing, or
simply formulated in one's mind.
5
00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:26,920
Each such formation is either
weaker or stronger, depending on
6
00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:31,880
its development in the mind and
whether and to what extent it is
7
00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:35,800
linked to the will or the
emotions to provide it
8
00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:40,160
additional impetus.
Once it is formulated, it goes
9
00:00:40,160 --> 00:00:43,960
out into the world and either
begins to dissipate and disperse
10
00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:49,640
if it is not strongly projected,
or else it begins to make itself
11
00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:52,840
felt in the mental atmosphere,
where it can gain further
12
00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:57,560
strength through joining with
similar thought forms or be
13
00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:01,160
weakened through interaction
with conflicting thought forms.
14
00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:05,400
This process can be generally
compared to the formation of
15
00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:08,040
major storms in the weather
pattern of the world.
16
00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:13,160
Major cyclones, also known
variously as hurricanes or
17
00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:17,840
typhoons, form in generally warm
waters in one of the oceans of
18
00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:20,880
the world.
Depending on the atmospheric
19
00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:25,160
flow and pattern of warm and
cold air and humidity present,
20
00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:29,280
the storm will strengthen.
It moves across the ocean
21
00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:33,640
similar to a thought form, going
out into the mental atmosphere
22
00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:37,720
where it meets with changing
conditions of ocean temperature.
23
00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:43,080
Air temperature inversion of.
Cool air over warm air, the cool
24
00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:47,760
air attempting to descend, the
warm air attempting to rise, and
25
00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:51,480
the flow of the atmospheric
winds which either support the
26
00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:56,400
storm building up strength or
with wind shear, will begin to
27
00:01:56,400 --> 00:02:00,440
tear apart the formation,
dissipating the storm's energy.
28
00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:05,600
Much of this interplay runs
through our minds and we are
29
00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:08,639
constantly bombarded with
thoughts of all sorts that
30
00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:13,480
distract us and continually
shift our focus so that it is
31
00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,600
difficult to achieve anything of
note or value.
32
00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:21,080
Because this tends to occur
automatically and even
33
00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,560
unconsciously.
We just let this play of forces
34
00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:28,960
take place in our minds unless
we develop a form of discipline
35
00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:33,920
to observe the thoughts, to
quiet the mind, and to train our
36
00:02:33,920 --> 00:02:38,000
ability to keep a specific focus
without distraction.
37
00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:44,360
The mother notes quote.
And now to come down to a more
38
00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:48,160
ordinary level.
Everyone has in him, in a
39
00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:52,440
greater or lesser measure, the
power to give form to his mental
40
00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:56,960
activity and use this form
either in his ordinary activity
41
00:02:57,360 --> 00:02:59,520
or to create and realize
something.
42
00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:05,720
We are all the time always
creating images, creating forms.
43
00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:09,480
We send them into the atmosphere
without even knowing that we are
44
00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,920
doing so.
They go roaming about, pass from
45
00:03:12,920 --> 00:03:17,040
one person to another, meet
companions, sometimes join
46
00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:18,680
together and get.
On Happily.
47
00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:21,880
Sometimes.
Create conflicts and there.
48
00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:27,000
Are battles for often very often
in these?
49
00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:30,360
Mental imaginations.
There is a small element of will
50
00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,280
which tries to.
Realize itself and then everyone
51
00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:38,880
tries to send out his formation.
So that it can act so that.
52
00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,680
Things can happen as he.
Wants and.
53
00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:47,360
As everyone does this, it
creates a general confusion if
54
00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,040
our eyes were open to the
vision.
55
00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:51,240
Of all these forms.
In the atmosphere.
56
00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:54,280
We would.
See very amazing things,
57
00:03:54,960 --> 00:04:01,080
battlefields, waves, onsets,
retreats of a crowd of small
58
00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,560
mental entities which are
constantly thrown out.
59
00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:07,080
Into the air.
And always try to realize
60
00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:10,400
themselves all these formations.
Have a.
61
00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:13,720
Common tendency.
To want to materialize.
62
00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,120
And realize themselves
physically.
63
00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:18,720
And as.
They are countless.
64
00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:23,400
They are far too many for there
to be room enough on earth to
65
00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,800
manifest them.
They jostle and elbow one
66
00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,480
another.
They try to push back those
67
00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:34,200
which do not agree with them or
even form armies in good order,
68
00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:37,680
always to take up the available
room.
69
00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:39,800
Both in.
Time and space.
70
00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:45,200
It is only a very small space
compared with the countless
71
00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:50,240
number of creations.
So individually, this is what
72
00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:53,560
happens.
Some people do all that without
73
00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:58,560
knowing it, perhaps everybody,
and they are constantly tossed
74
00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:03,400
from one thing to another and
hope, wish, desire, are
75
00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:08,720
disappointed, sometimes happy,
sometimes in despair, for they
76
00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:12,080
don't have any control or
mastery over these things.
77
00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:17,160
But the beginning of wisdom is
to look at ourselves, thinking,
78
00:05:17,840 --> 00:05:22,160
and to see this phenomenon,
become aware of this constant
79
00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:27,880
projection into the atmosphere
of small living entities which
80
00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:31,920
are trying to manifest.
All this comes out of the mental
81
00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:34,520
atmosphere which we carry within
ourselves.
82
00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:40,800
Once we see and observe, we can
begin to sort them out, that is
83
00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:45,320
to push back what is not in
conformity with our highest will
84
00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:50,800
or aspiration and allowed to
move towards manifestation, only
85
00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:55,720
the formations which can help us
to progress and develop.
86
00:05:55,720 --> 00:06:01,760
Normally this is the control of
active thought, and that was
87
00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:07,760
what I meant the other day.
End Quote reference Srioro Bindo
88
00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:12,680
and the Mother powers within
Chapter 3 imagination.
89
00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,520
Pages 27.
To 29.
00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:07,040
Every thought, every idea, every
imagination, every focus
2
00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:11,720
represents electrical impulses
that are formed and projected
3
00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:16,280
into the general mental
atmosphere, whether expressed
4
00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:21,200
verbally or in writing, or
simply formulated in one's mind.
5
00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:26,920
Each such formation is either
weaker or stronger, depending on
6
00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:31,880
its development in the mind and
whether and to what extent it is
7
00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:35,800
linked to the will or the
emotions to provide it
8
00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:40,160
additional impetus.
Once it is formulated, it goes
9
00:00:40,160 --> 00:00:43,960
out into the world and either
begins to dissipate and disperse
10
00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:49,640
if it is not strongly projected,
or else it begins to make itself
11
00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:52,840
felt in the mental atmosphere,
where it can gain further
12
00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:57,560
strength through joining with
similar thought forms or be
13
00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:01,160
weakened through interaction
with conflicting thought forms.
14
00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:05,400
This process can be generally
compared to the formation of
15
00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:08,040
major storms in the weather
pattern of the world.
16
00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:13,160
Major cyclones, also known
variously as hurricanes or
17
00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:17,840
typhoons, form in generally warm
waters in one of the oceans of
18
00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:20,880
the world.
Depending on the atmospheric
19
00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:25,160
flow and pattern of warm and
cold air and humidity present,
20
00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:29,280
the storm will strengthen.
It moves across the ocean
21
00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:33,640
similar to a thought form, going
out into the mental atmosphere
22
00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:37,720
where it meets with changing
conditions of ocean temperature.
23
00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:43,080
Air temperature inversion of.
Cool air over warm air, the cool
24
00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:47,760
air attempting to descend, the
warm air attempting to rise, and
25
00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:51,480
the flow of the atmospheric
winds which either support the
26
00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:56,400
storm building up strength or
with wind shear, will begin to
27
00:01:56,400 --> 00:02:00,440
tear apart the formation,
dissipating the storm's energy.
28
00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:05,600
Much of this interplay runs
through our minds and we are
29
00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:08,639
constantly bombarded with
thoughts of all sorts that
30
00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:13,480
distract us and continually
shift our focus so that it is
31
00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,600
difficult to achieve anything of
note or value.
32
00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:21,080
Because this tends to occur
automatically and even
33
00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,560
unconsciously.
We just let this play of forces
34
00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:28,960
take place in our minds unless
we develop a form of discipline
35
00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:33,920
to observe the thoughts, to
quiet the mind, and to train our
36
00:02:33,920 --> 00:02:38,000
ability to keep a specific focus
without distraction.
37
00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:44,360
The mother notes quote.
And now to come down to a more
38
00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:48,160
ordinary level.
Everyone has in him, in a
39
00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:52,440
greater or lesser measure, the
power to give form to his mental
40
00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:56,960
activity and use this form
either in his ordinary activity
41
00:02:57,360 --> 00:02:59,520
or to create and realize
something.
42
00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:05,720
We are all the time always
creating images, creating forms.
43
00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:09,480
We send them into the atmosphere
without even knowing that we are
44
00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,920
doing so.
They go roaming about, pass from
45
00:03:12,920 --> 00:03:17,040
one person to another, meet
companions, sometimes join
46
00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:18,680
together and get.
On Happily.
47
00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:21,880
Sometimes.
Create conflicts and there.
48
00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:27,000
Are battles for often very often
in these?
49
00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:30,360
Mental imaginations.
There is a small element of will
50
00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,280
which tries to.
Realize itself and then everyone
51
00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:38,880
tries to send out his formation.
So that it can act so that.
52
00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,680
Things can happen as he.
Wants and.
53
00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:47,360
As everyone does this, it
creates a general confusion if
54
00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,040
our eyes were open to the
vision.
55
00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:51,240
Of all these forms.
In the atmosphere.
56
00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:54,280
We would.
See very amazing things,
57
00:03:54,960 --> 00:04:01,080
battlefields, waves, onsets,
retreats of a crowd of small
58
00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,560
mental entities which are
constantly thrown out.
59
00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:07,080
Into the air.
And always try to realize
60
00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:10,400
themselves all these formations.
Have a.
61
00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:13,720
Common tendency.
To want to materialize.
62
00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,120
And realize themselves
physically.
63
00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:18,720
And as.
They are countless.
64
00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:23,400
They are far too many for there
to be room enough on earth to
65
00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,800
manifest them.
They jostle and elbow one
66
00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,480
another.
They try to push back those
67
00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:34,200
which do not agree with them or
even form armies in good order,
68
00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:37,680
always to take up the available
room.
69
00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:39,800
Both in.
Time and space.
70
00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:45,200
It is only a very small space
compared with the countless
71
00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:50,240
number of creations.
So individually, this is what
72
00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:53,560
happens.
Some people do all that without
73
00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:58,560
knowing it, perhaps everybody,
and they are constantly tossed
74
00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:03,400
from one thing to another and
hope, wish, desire, are
75
00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:08,720
disappointed, sometimes happy,
sometimes in despair, for they
76
00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:12,080
don't have any control or
mastery over these things.
77
00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:17,160
But the beginning of wisdom is
to look at ourselves, thinking,
78
00:05:17,840 --> 00:05:22,160
and to see this phenomenon,
become aware of this constant
79
00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:27,880
projection into the atmosphere
of small living entities which
80
00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:31,920
are trying to manifest.
All this comes out of the mental
81
00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:34,520
atmosphere which we carry within
ourselves.
82
00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:40,800
Once we see and observe, we can
begin to sort them out, that is
83
00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:45,320
to push back what is not in
conformity with our highest will
84
00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:50,800
or aspiration and allowed to
move towards manifestation, only
85
00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:55,720
the formations which can help us
to progress and develop.
86
00:05:55,720 --> 00:06:01,760
Normally this is the control of
active thought, and that was
87
00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:07,760
what I meant the other day.
End Quote reference Srioro Bindo
88
00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:12,680
and the Mother powers within
Chapter 3 imagination.
89
00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,520
Pages 27.
To 29.
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon Music
RSS Feed
Castro
RadioPublic
PocketCasts
YouTube