The Traditional Role of the Guru, and the Action of the Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram

0:00 Traditionally, a realized guru has always been recognized as capable of sorting out and resolving issues of disciples who came under their direct guidance. It has even been said that such a guru could take responsibility for and eliminate the effects of past karma for the disciple. Communication of deep spiritual experiences and insights also is known to occur in the guru disciple relationship. In some cases, these things occur through what are called gift waves in some of the Tibetan tradition or through what is called shaktipat in some of the yoga traditions.

0:42 In other cases, the guru provides a mirror to the disciple or simply provides insight and guidance when the disciple faces some serious concerns or issues. In his book Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramount Yogananda described how he was cured of a potentially fatal disease as a young person by his parents devotion to their guru lineage and concentration on a photo of their guru. While in many cases the guru relationship is less intense than those instances recounted here, the value and importance of the guru's guidance and inward concentration are not to be underestimated. For disciples who joined the Sri Orovindo Ashram during the lifetimes of Sri Orovindo and the Mother, a unique opportunity was made available to them.

1:39 The Mother organized the functioning of the ashram and direct guidance of the disciples. Many people reported the inner openings and experiences that they had as a result of her influence. One simple incident is described by an individual who is living at the ashram during August 1973 at the time of the final balcony darshan of the mother. At the time, the word was that she was not going to appear for the darshan due to age and physical incapacity. This individual, who resided some mile or more from the ashram building, went to bed on the evening of the 14th of August with the firm understanding that there would not be a darshan event taking place the next day. Around 3:00 AM, he was suddenly jolted awake with an electric sensation running through his entire body, and he knew that the darshan was going to take place. He prepared himself for the day with a feeling that he was floating several inches above the ground. When he arrived at the ashram facility, the signboard indicated that indeed the darshan would occur that evening.

2:56 This incident is one of many that have been recounted by disciples and devotees over the years after interacting with the Mother and being impacted by the spiritual force that radiated from her with an intensity that was unmatched in anyone else they had known in their lives, other than for those who also had the benefit of direct interaction with Sri Rovindo. The Mother's ability to respond to the inner energetic movement of individuals and aid them in working through any resistance or obstacles to achieve the next stage in their spiritual progress was exceptional. Today, many still experience the subtle and transformative influence of the Mother wherever they happen to be in the world, whatever they happen to be doing, and whatever circumstances they find themselves in when they open themselves inwardly with aspiration, receptivity and a consecrated surrender to the Divine Force, Sri Aurobindo observes quote.

4:04 You have only to aspire to keep yourself open to the Mother, to reject all that is contrary to her will, and to let her work in you, doing all your work for her and in the faith that it is through her force that you can do it. If you remain open in this way, the knowledge and realization will come to you in due course. End Quote reference. Trioro Bindo. Faces of Yoga, chapter 2. Faith, Aspiration, Surrender, page 24.