The Vital Nature and Its Ability to Withhold Cooperation and Obstruct Progress in Spiritual Pursuits

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In order to carry out the
spiritual practices and work for

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the transformation of human
nature, the vital being needs to

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agree to change its habitual
sources of satisfaction and

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fulfillment to an entirely
different basis.

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The pursuit of pleasure and the
accompanying experience of pain

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is considered normal and, for
most people, an inevitable

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result of the vital nature as it
exists.

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Whenever anyone attempts to
address or change this dynamic,

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he is confronted by the power
that the vital can exercise,

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both in its own right and in its
ability to manipulate and

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influence the mind and the
physical body.

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The first power of the Vital is
simply to assert its will and

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carry out its normal activities,
even against the disagreement of

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the mind or the higher elements
of the being.

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This can lead to a struggle or a
battle and a lot of internal

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suffering as long as the vital
insists on its own way of doing

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things.
The second Power is one of

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manipulation of the mind.
To invent excuses and reasons

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why the mind should support and
agree to the propensity that the

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vital wants to express.
This resolves the potential

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conflict in favor of the Vital's
normal objectives.

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If, however, the mind, the
psychic sense, the spiritual

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focus of the being, objects to
this and wants to change the

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Vital's action, the third Power
is often employed, which is

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essentially the Vital refusing
its support and going on strike.

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This leads to lack of energy,
lack of motivation, depression,

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feelings of listlessness.
It is only when the vital begins

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to appreciate and understand the
higher purpose and begins to

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agree with it that the seeker
can actually overcome the

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opposition of the vital nature
to the spiritual purpose.

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A disciple asks, does depression
come from the Vital?

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The mother writes.
Quote, Oh yes, all your

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troubles, depression,
discouragement, disgust, fury,

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all, all come from the vital.
It is that which turns love into

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hate.
It is that which induces the

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spirit of vengeance, rancor, bad
will, the urge to destroy and to

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harm.
It is that which discourages you

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when things are difficult and
not to its liking, and it has an

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extraordinary capacity for going
on strike.

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When it is not satisfied, it
hides in a corner and does not

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budge.
And then you have no more

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energy, no more strength, You
have no courage left.

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Your will is like like a
withering plant.

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All resentment, disgust, fury,
all despair, grief, anger, all

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that comes from this gentleman.
For it is energy and action.

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Therefore it depends on which
side it turns.

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And I tell you, it has a very
strong habit of going on strike.

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That is its most powerful
weapon.

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Ah, you are not doing what I
want.

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Well, I'm not going to move.
I shall sham dead.

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And it does that for the least
reason.

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It has a very bad character.
It is very touchy and it is very

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spiteful.
Yes, it is very illnatured, for

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I believe it is very conscious
of its power and it feels

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clearly that it gives itself
holy.

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There is nothing that will
resist the momentum of its

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force.
And like all people who have a

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weight in the balance, the vital
also bargains.

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I shall give you my energy.
But you must do what I want.

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If you do not give me what I
asked for, well, I will withdraw

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my energy and you will be flat
as a pancake.

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It is true.
It happens like that.

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End Quote Reference Shriya,
Robindo and the Mother Our Many

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Selves.
Practical Yogic Psychology,

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Chapter 2, Planes and Parts of
the Being, pages 32 to 33.