Dec. 15, 2024
Two Conditions for Preventing Illness
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YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Powers Within, Chapter XIV Power Over Illness and Pain, pp. 117-118 This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2024/12/12/two-conditions-for-preventing-illness/
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
00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:04,000
The mother describes 2
conditions for preventing
2
00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,160
illness from invading the
physical being.
3
00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,720
The first condition is basically
not to want it.
4
00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:15,720
When we reflect on this, the
first reaction is that we don't
5
00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,840
want it.
This is however not the complete
6
00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,720
picture.
We have to recognize that the
7
00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:25,760
human being is an amalgam of
multiple different parts of the
8
00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:29,400
being, each with its own
characteristic mode of action
9
00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:33,440
and response, and that these
different parts are not always
10
00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:37,520
in agreement with each other.
At the mental level, we may
11
00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:40,880
reject the vibration that is
pressuring the body and which,
12
00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:43,960
if allowed, would create
physical illness.
13
00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:48,280
This does not, however,
encompass the response of the
14
00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,840
vital or the physical aspects of
our existence.
15
00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:55,640
Some people actually have a
vital nature that accepts
16
00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:59,760
illness as a way of achieving
recognition and support from
17
00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:03,000
others.
Such individuals dwell on their
18
00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:07,200
various illnesses, their
suffering and the martyrdom they
19
00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:11,120
are undergoing, and they elicit
sympathy from others.
20
00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:16,160
This makes them feel special.
Even assuming, however, that the
21
00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:20,360
vital nature is not encouraging
the illness, this still leaves
22
00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:24,360
the physical body, which has a
habit of responding to certain
23
00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:28,840
vibratory patterns, as
precursors and harbingers of
24
00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:33,080
illness, so that the physical
body simply accepts the
25
00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:36,840
vibration and lets it carry
itself out in the physical
26
00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:40,800
being.
Thus, not to want it is a
27
00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:44,320
condition that must be
recognized as applying not just
28
00:01:44,320 --> 00:01:48,760
to the mental formation, but to
the vital and physical levels as
29
00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:52,960
well.
The second condition is not to
30
00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:56,360
be afraid.
Once again, we have to take into
31
00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,320
account the different parts of
the being.
32
00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:02,360
One may have a strong mental
formation that one is not afraid
33
00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:07,120
of illness, but this does not
control either the vital
34
00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,039
reaction or the physical
response.
35
00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:14,400
The vital nature may be
terrified about the risk to its
36
00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:19,520
life and life energy, or the
physical cells of the body may
37
00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:23,520
be vibrating in fear.
In whatever part of the being
38
00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:28,200
the fear arises, it creates a
sympathetic vibration that draws
39
00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:33,440
to it exactly what one fears.
This provides the needed opening
40
00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,840
for the illness to enter through
the vital protective envelope
41
00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:42,080
and thereby embedded self into
the physical being and manifest
42
00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:46,440
as an illness.
Those who recognize the role of
43
00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:49,680
the different parts of the being
in the acceptance of an illness
44
00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:54,520
may utilize various strategy to
convince other parts not to
45
00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:57,560
fear.
Sometimes this is a matter of
46
00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:02,320
exercising a conscious will.
Sometimes it is a matter of
47
00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:06,040
relying on the Divine grace in a
deep and abiding manner.
48
00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:11,400
Sometimes it is bringing in
peace and harmony into the being
49
00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:16,320
through conscious meditation or
infusing light or force from
50
00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:19,760
above to fill the being at all
levels.
51
00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:24,280
For those who are unable to
fully carry out any of these to
52
00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:28,120
impact the vital or physical
levels of the being, there are
53
00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,200
additional ways to bring that
trust and support to them.
54
00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:35,400
The physical tends to respond to
physical support.
55
00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:40,920
Thus, when the mind recognizes
the situation, it may carry the
56
00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:45,000
confidence and faith to the
physical body through means of
57
00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:48,960
taking a particular herbal
remedy or through some simple
58
00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:53,400
action such as taking fruit with
a known high level of vitamin C,
59
00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:57,200
for instance.
The body gets the message that
60
00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:00,840
protection from another level is
being provided to it in a very
61
00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:06,320
physical form and thus gains
confidence to ward off the
62
00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:11,280
illness.
A disciple asks Sweet mother,
63
00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:14,720
when one sees an illness coming,
how can one stop it?
64
00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:21,640
The mother responds quote, Ah,
first of all, you must not want
65
00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:24,560
it, and nothing in the body must
want it.
66
00:04:25,280 --> 00:04:28,480
You must have a very strong will
not to be ill.
67
00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:33,360
This is the first condition.
The second condition is to call
68
00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:37,640
the light a light of
equilibrium, a light of peace,
69
00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:42,240
quietude, and balance, and to
push it into all the cells of
70
00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:48,560
the body, enjoining them not to
be afraid, because that again is
71
00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:53,960
another condition.
First not to want to be ill, and
72
00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:56,640
then not to be afraid of
illness.
73
00:04:57,120 --> 00:04:59,760
You must neither attract it nor
tremble.
74
00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:04,840
You must not want illness at
all, but you must not, because
75
00:05:04,840 --> 00:05:08,360
of fear, not want it.
You must not be afraid.
76
00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:13,240
You must have a calm certitude
and a complete trust in the
77
00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:16,080
power of the grace to shelter
you from everything.
78
00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:18,840
And then think of something
else.
79
00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:23,720
Not be concerned about this any
longer when you have done these
80
00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:28,840
two things, refusing the illness
with all your will and infusing
81
00:05:28,840 --> 00:05:32,520
a confidence which completely
eliminates the fear in the cells
82
00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:35,600
of the body.
And then busying yourself with
83
00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:39,560
something else, not thinking any
longer about the illness,
84
00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:45,200
forgetting that it exists there.
If you know how to do that, you
85
00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:48,280
may even be in contact with
people who have contagious
86
00:05:48,280 --> 00:05:51,880
diseases, and yet you do not
catch them.
87
00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,200
But you must know how to do
this.
88
00:05:56,640 --> 00:06:00,440
Many people say, Oh yes, here I
am not afraid.
89
00:06:01,280 --> 00:06:03,080
They don't have any fear in the
mind.
90
00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:06,840
Their mind is not afraid, it is
strong, it is not afraid.
91
00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:11,480
But the body trembles and one
doesn't know it, because it is
92
00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:14,360
in the cells of the body that
the trembling goes on.
93
00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:18,880
It trembles with a terrible
anxiety, and this is what
94
00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:22,680
attracts the illness.
It is there that you must put
95
00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:28,240
the force and the quietude of a
perfect peace and an absolute
96
00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:32,440
trust in the grace.
And then sometimes you are
97
00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,840
obliged to drive away with a
similar force in your thought
98
00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:40,440
all suggestions that after all,
the physical world is full of
99
00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:44,480
illnesses, and these are
contagious, and because one was
100
00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:48,320
in contact with somebody who is
ill, one is sure to catch it.
101
00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:52,720
And then that the inner methods
are not powerful enough to act
102
00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:56,280
on the physical.
And all kinds of stupidities of
103
00:06:56,280 --> 00:07:00,280
which the air is full.
These are collective suggestions
104
00:07:00,280 --> 00:07:04,160
which are passed on from one
person to another by everybody.
105
00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:09,400
And if by chance there are two
or three doctors, then it
106
00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:14,080
becomes terrible laughter.
End Quote.
107
00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:18,240
Reference Srioro Bindo and the
Mother.
108
00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:23,120
Powers within, Chapter 14.
Power over Illness and Pain,
109
00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,480
pages 117 to 118.
00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:04,000
The mother describes 2
conditions for preventing
2
00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,160
illness from invading the
physical being.
3
00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,720
The first condition is basically
not to want it.
4
00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:15,720
When we reflect on this, the
first reaction is that we don't
5
00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,840
want it.
This is however not the complete
6
00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,720
picture.
We have to recognize that the
7
00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:25,760
human being is an amalgam of
multiple different parts of the
8
00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:29,400
being, each with its own
characteristic mode of action
9
00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:33,440
and response, and that these
different parts are not always
10
00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:37,520
in agreement with each other.
At the mental level, we may
11
00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:40,880
reject the vibration that is
pressuring the body and which,
12
00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:43,960
if allowed, would create
physical illness.
13
00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:48,280
This does not, however,
encompass the response of the
14
00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,840
vital or the physical aspects of
our existence.
15
00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:55,640
Some people actually have a
vital nature that accepts
16
00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:59,760
illness as a way of achieving
recognition and support from
17
00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:03,000
others.
Such individuals dwell on their
18
00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:07,200
various illnesses, their
suffering and the martyrdom they
19
00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:11,120
are undergoing, and they elicit
sympathy from others.
20
00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:16,160
This makes them feel special.
Even assuming, however, that the
21
00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:20,360
vital nature is not encouraging
the illness, this still leaves
22
00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:24,360
the physical body, which has a
habit of responding to certain
23
00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:28,840
vibratory patterns, as
precursors and harbingers of
24
00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:33,080
illness, so that the physical
body simply accepts the
25
00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:36,840
vibration and lets it carry
itself out in the physical
26
00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:40,800
being.
Thus, not to want it is a
27
00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:44,320
condition that must be
recognized as applying not just
28
00:01:44,320 --> 00:01:48,760
to the mental formation, but to
the vital and physical levels as
29
00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:52,960
well.
The second condition is not to
30
00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:56,360
be afraid.
Once again, we have to take into
31
00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,320
account the different parts of
the being.
32
00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:02,360
One may have a strong mental
formation that one is not afraid
33
00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:07,120
of illness, but this does not
control either the vital
34
00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,039
reaction or the physical
response.
35
00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:14,400
The vital nature may be
terrified about the risk to its
36
00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:19,520
life and life energy, or the
physical cells of the body may
37
00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:23,520
be vibrating in fear.
In whatever part of the being
38
00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:28,200
the fear arises, it creates a
sympathetic vibration that draws
39
00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:33,440
to it exactly what one fears.
This provides the needed opening
40
00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,840
for the illness to enter through
the vital protective envelope
41
00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:42,080
and thereby embedded self into
the physical being and manifest
42
00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:46,440
as an illness.
Those who recognize the role of
43
00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:49,680
the different parts of the being
in the acceptance of an illness
44
00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:54,520
may utilize various strategy to
convince other parts not to
45
00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:57,560
fear.
Sometimes this is a matter of
46
00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:02,320
exercising a conscious will.
Sometimes it is a matter of
47
00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:06,040
relying on the Divine grace in a
deep and abiding manner.
48
00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:11,400
Sometimes it is bringing in
peace and harmony into the being
49
00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:16,320
through conscious meditation or
infusing light or force from
50
00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:19,760
above to fill the being at all
levels.
51
00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:24,280
For those who are unable to
fully carry out any of these to
52
00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:28,120
impact the vital or physical
levels of the being, there are
53
00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,200
additional ways to bring that
trust and support to them.
54
00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:35,400
The physical tends to respond to
physical support.
55
00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:40,920
Thus, when the mind recognizes
the situation, it may carry the
56
00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:45,000
confidence and faith to the
physical body through means of
57
00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:48,960
taking a particular herbal
remedy or through some simple
58
00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:53,400
action such as taking fruit with
a known high level of vitamin C,
59
00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:57,200
for instance.
The body gets the message that
60
00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:00,840
protection from another level is
being provided to it in a very
61
00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:06,320
physical form and thus gains
confidence to ward off the
62
00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:11,280
illness.
A disciple asks Sweet mother,
63
00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:14,720
when one sees an illness coming,
how can one stop it?
64
00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:21,640
The mother responds quote, Ah,
first of all, you must not want
65
00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:24,560
it, and nothing in the body must
want it.
66
00:04:25,280 --> 00:04:28,480
You must have a very strong will
not to be ill.
67
00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:33,360
This is the first condition.
The second condition is to call
68
00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:37,640
the light a light of
equilibrium, a light of peace,
69
00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:42,240
quietude, and balance, and to
push it into all the cells of
70
00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:48,560
the body, enjoining them not to
be afraid, because that again is
71
00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:53,960
another condition.
First not to want to be ill, and
72
00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:56,640
then not to be afraid of
illness.
73
00:04:57,120 --> 00:04:59,760
You must neither attract it nor
tremble.
74
00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:04,840
You must not want illness at
all, but you must not, because
75
00:05:04,840 --> 00:05:08,360
of fear, not want it.
You must not be afraid.
76
00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:13,240
You must have a calm certitude
and a complete trust in the
77
00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:16,080
power of the grace to shelter
you from everything.
78
00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:18,840
And then think of something
else.
79
00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:23,720
Not be concerned about this any
longer when you have done these
80
00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:28,840
two things, refusing the illness
with all your will and infusing
81
00:05:28,840 --> 00:05:32,520
a confidence which completely
eliminates the fear in the cells
82
00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:35,600
of the body.
And then busying yourself with
83
00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:39,560
something else, not thinking any
longer about the illness,
84
00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:45,200
forgetting that it exists there.
If you know how to do that, you
85
00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:48,280
may even be in contact with
people who have contagious
86
00:05:48,280 --> 00:05:51,880
diseases, and yet you do not
catch them.
87
00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,200
But you must know how to do
this.
88
00:05:56,640 --> 00:06:00,440
Many people say, Oh yes, here I
am not afraid.
89
00:06:01,280 --> 00:06:03,080
They don't have any fear in the
mind.
90
00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:06,840
Their mind is not afraid, it is
strong, it is not afraid.
91
00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:11,480
But the body trembles and one
doesn't know it, because it is
92
00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:14,360
in the cells of the body that
the trembling goes on.
93
00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:18,880
It trembles with a terrible
anxiety, and this is what
94
00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:22,680
attracts the illness.
It is there that you must put
95
00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:28,240
the force and the quietude of a
perfect peace and an absolute
96
00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:32,440
trust in the grace.
And then sometimes you are
97
00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,840
obliged to drive away with a
similar force in your thought
98
00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:40,440
all suggestions that after all,
the physical world is full of
99
00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:44,480
illnesses, and these are
contagious, and because one was
100
00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:48,320
in contact with somebody who is
ill, one is sure to catch it.
101
00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:52,720
And then that the inner methods
are not powerful enough to act
102
00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:56,280
on the physical.
And all kinds of stupidities of
103
00:06:56,280 --> 00:07:00,280
which the air is full.
These are collective suggestions
104
00:07:00,280 --> 00:07:04,160
which are passed on from one
person to another by everybody.
105
00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:09,400
And if by chance there are two
or three doctors, then it
106
00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:14,080
becomes terrible laughter.
End Quote.
107
00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:18,240
Reference Srioro Bindo and the
Mother.
108
00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:23,120
Powers within, Chapter 14.
Power over Illness and Pain,
109
00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,480
pages 117 to 118.