May 11, 2025
Understanding and Persevering Through the Darkness and the Delays in the Process of Spiritual Realisation
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YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within , Chapter 4, Ordeals and Difficulties, pp. 73-74This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/05/09/understanding-and-persevering-through-the-darkness-and-the-delays-in-the-process-of-spiritual-realisation/
Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are allavailable 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 SriAurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:05,080
When we are confronted with
difficulties, we employ several
2
00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:08,880
different types of responses,
mainly depending on instinct,
3
00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:14,080
habit, training and the play of
the three gunas, the qualities
4
00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,400
of nature, satwa, rajas and
tamas.
5
00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:23,240
Sometimes we respond with more
effort, sometimes we lapse into
6
00:00:23,240 --> 00:00:27,920
depression, and sometimes we
take a longer range view and
7
00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:31,080
accept the process and the
necessary time.
8
00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,680
It is a very frequent occurrence
for spiritual seekers.
9
00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:40,760
They have an opening and get
what are called experiences of a
10
00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:44,680
new consciousness.
It could be a lifting up of the
11
00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:48,080
awareness above the head.
It could be the descent of a
12
00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:52,240
force into the being.
It could be an opening of the
13
00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:56,840
psychic being with an accession
of aspiration, devotion,
14
00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:01,600
consecration, or it could be any
number of what are called
15
00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:06,640
psychic experiences that shift
the mind out of its narrow range
16
00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:09,200
and limited ways of seeing and
thinking.
17
00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:13,480
There are countless types of
these experiences beyond the few
18
00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:17,760
examples provided here.
The seeker comes to embrace the
19
00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:21,760
process, feels the enthusiasm
and encouragement that these
20
00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:25,800
experiences provide, and
redoubles his dedication to the
21
00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:29,800
path.
Then there comes a time when all
22
00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:34,120
of the experiences recede into
the past, and the seeker has
23
00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:38,760
what is known as a sense of
dryness, a sense of absence, a
24
00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:42,680
sense of darkness.
As the work of the sadhna takes
25
00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:48,480
place in the being, old
thoughts, habits, responses,
26
00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:53,840
reactions, feelings and
impressions may come flooding
27
00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:57,800
into the being as the force
systematically touches all the
28
00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:01,520
hidden, locked up cellular
memories and patterns, brings
29
00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:06,440
them forward in order to expose
them and eventually change them.
30
00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,600
Many seekers feel like they have
somehow lost touch with the
31
00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:14,480
spiritual force that they
experienced and they lapse in
32
00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:20,840
many instances into a depth of
despair or depression, a sense
33
00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,320
of failure and uselessness of
the effort.
34
00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:28,840
The dark night of the soul is a
well known and described
35
00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:32,320
phenomenon.
This becomes something of a
36
00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:36,240
tipping point for seekers.
They sometimes get discouraged
37
00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,000
and abandoned.
The course in some instances
38
00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:44,040
take up the external life fully
and try to forget the experience
39
00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:46,720
and the aspiration that they
were responding to.
40
00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,800
Eventually, if they are truly
ready and called to the quest,
41
00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:56,600
they will suffer setbacks,
disillusionment, and a feeling
42
00:02:56,600 --> 00:03:02,120
of uselessness in the pursuit of
power, wealth, sex, enjoyment of
43
00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:06,560
various sorts in the outer
world, will feel the emptiness
44
00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:11,600
of wasted time, dissipation, or
the stupefying effects of
45
00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:15,240
alcohol, drugs, tobacco, et
cetera.
46
00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:20,000
At that point, they may return
to the quest.
47
00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:24,880
If this does not occur in this
lifetime, then in the next.
48
00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:30,960
Sri Krishna in the Bhagwad Gita
assures Arjuna that no effort
49
00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:35,880
toward realization and spiritual
growth is ever truly wasted or
50
00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:40,120
lost.
Many, however, continue on.
51
00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:44,480
They recognize, in some cases
the need for patience,
52
00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:49,920
persistence, and perseverance.
They observe the changes and
53
00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:54,200
fluctuations and treat them as
part of the process and use them
54
00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:57,760
to work on the needed
transformation of the body,
55
00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:02,200
life, energy and mind that can
bring the spiritual change
56
00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:05,400
through them and into their
external actions.
57
00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:11,560
Some live purely on faith,
having had the experiences.
58
00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:16,040
They know there is a reality to
the spiritual life and they
59
00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:20,440
simply abandoned their egoistic
desire for individual attainment
60
00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:26,640
to accept the time, place and
circumstances that the Divine
61
00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:31,640
places before them.
Srioro Bindu observes quote.
62
00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:36,360
There is always something that
either carries us on or forces
63
00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,040
us on.
This may take the shape of
64
00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:42,600
something conscious in front,
the shape of a mastering
65
00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:47,640
spiritual idea, indestructible
aspiration, or fixed faith,
66
00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:51,280
which may seem sometimes
entirely veiled or even
67
00:04:51,280 --> 00:04:55,400
destroyed in periods of darkness
or violent upheaval.
68
00:04:56,240 --> 00:05:00,680
But always they reappear when
the storm has passed or the
69
00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:05,000
blackness of night has thinned
and reassert their influence.
70
00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:09,560
But also it may be something in
the very essence of the being,
71
00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:13,640
deeper than any idea or will in
the mind, deeper and more
72
00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:18,160
permanent than the heart's
aspiration, but hidden from
73
00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:22,680
one's own observation.
One who is moved to yoga by some
74
00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:27,800
curiosity of the mind, or even
by its desire for knowledge, can
75
00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:31,240
turn aside from the path from
disappointment or any other
76
00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:34,560
cause.
Still more can those who take it
77
00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:39,040
up from some inner ambition or
vital desire turn away through
78
00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:43,560
revolt or frustration or the
despondency of frequent check
79
00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:47,600
and failure.
But if this deeper thing is
80
00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:51,360
there, then one cannot
permanently leave the path of
81
00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:55,240
spiritual endeavour.
One may decide to leave the path
82
00:05:55,800 --> 00:06:00,800
but is not allowed from within
to do it, or one may leave but
83
00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:05,400
is obliged to return to it by
the secret spiritual need within
84
00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:08,720
Him.
All these things are common to
85
00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:12,200
every path of yoga.
They are the normal
86
00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:17,200
difficulties, fluctuations and
struggles which come across the
87
00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:20,720
path of spiritual effort.
End Quote.
88
00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:25,080
Reference.
Srioro Bindu and the Mother
89
00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:30,920
Looking from Within, Chapter 4,
Ordeals and Difficulties, pages
90
00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:32,880
73 to 74.
00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:05,080
When we are confronted with
difficulties, we employ several
2
00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:08,880
different types of responses,
mainly depending on instinct,
3
00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:14,080
habit, training and the play of
the three gunas, the qualities
4
00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,400
of nature, satwa, rajas and
tamas.
5
00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:23,240
Sometimes we respond with more
effort, sometimes we lapse into
6
00:00:23,240 --> 00:00:27,920
depression, and sometimes we
take a longer range view and
7
00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:31,080
accept the process and the
necessary time.
8
00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,680
It is a very frequent occurrence
for spiritual seekers.
9
00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:40,760
They have an opening and get
what are called experiences of a
10
00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:44,680
new consciousness.
It could be a lifting up of the
11
00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:48,080
awareness above the head.
It could be the descent of a
12
00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:52,240
force into the being.
It could be an opening of the
13
00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:56,840
psychic being with an accession
of aspiration, devotion,
14
00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:01,600
consecration, or it could be any
number of what are called
15
00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:06,640
psychic experiences that shift
the mind out of its narrow range
16
00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:09,200
and limited ways of seeing and
thinking.
17
00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:13,480
There are countless types of
these experiences beyond the few
18
00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:17,760
examples provided here.
The seeker comes to embrace the
19
00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:21,760
process, feels the enthusiasm
and encouragement that these
20
00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:25,800
experiences provide, and
redoubles his dedication to the
21
00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:29,800
path.
Then there comes a time when all
22
00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:34,120
of the experiences recede into
the past, and the seeker has
23
00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:38,760
what is known as a sense of
dryness, a sense of absence, a
24
00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:42,680
sense of darkness.
As the work of the sadhna takes
25
00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:48,480
place in the being, old
thoughts, habits, responses,
26
00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:53,840
reactions, feelings and
impressions may come flooding
27
00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:57,800
into the being as the force
systematically touches all the
28
00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:01,520
hidden, locked up cellular
memories and patterns, brings
29
00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:06,440
them forward in order to expose
them and eventually change them.
30
00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,600
Many seekers feel like they have
somehow lost touch with the
31
00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:14,480
spiritual force that they
experienced and they lapse in
32
00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:20,840
many instances into a depth of
despair or depression, a sense
33
00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,320
of failure and uselessness of
the effort.
34
00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:28,840
The dark night of the soul is a
well known and described
35
00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:32,320
phenomenon.
This becomes something of a
36
00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:36,240
tipping point for seekers.
They sometimes get discouraged
37
00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,000
and abandoned.
The course in some instances
38
00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:44,040
take up the external life fully
and try to forget the experience
39
00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:46,720
and the aspiration that they
were responding to.
40
00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,800
Eventually, if they are truly
ready and called to the quest,
41
00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:56,600
they will suffer setbacks,
disillusionment, and a feeling
42
00:02:56,600 --> 00:03:02,120
of uselessness in the pursuit of
power, wealth, sex, enjoyment of
43
00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:06,560
various sorts in the outer
world, will feel the emptiness
44
00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:11,600
of wasted time, dissipation, or
the stupefying effects of
45
00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:15,240
alcohol, drugs, tobacco, et
cetera.
46
00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:20,000
At that point, they may return
to the quest.
47
00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:24,880
If this does not occur in this
lifetime, then in the next.
48
00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:30,960
Sri Krishna in the Bhagwad Gita
assures Arjuna that no effort
49
00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:35,880
toward realization and spiritual
growth is ever truly wasted or
50
00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:40,120
lost.
Many, however, continue on.
51
00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:44,480
They recognize, in some cases
the need for patience,
52
00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:49,920
persistence, and perseverance.
They observe the changes and
53
00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:54,200
fluctuations and treat them as
part of the process and use them
54
00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:57,760
to work on the needed
transformation of the body,
55
00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:02,200
life, energy and mind that can
bring the spiritual change
56
00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:05,400
through them and into their
external actions.
57
00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:11,560
Some live purely on faith,
having had the experiences.
58
00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:16,040
They know there is a reality to
the spiritual life and they
59
00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:20,440
simply abandoned their egoistic
desire for individual attainment
60
00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:26,640
to accept the time, place and
circumstances that the Divine
61
00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:31,640
places before them.
Srioro Bindu observes quote.
62
00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:36,360
There is always something that
either carries us on or forces
63
00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,040
us on.
This may take the shape of
64
00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:42,600
something conscious in front,
the shape of a mastering
65
00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:47,640
spiritual idea, indestructible
aspiration, or fixed faith,
66
00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:51,280
which may seem sometimes
entirely veiled or even
67
00:04:51,280 --> 00:04:55,400
destroyed in periods of darkness
or violent upheaval.
68
00:04:56,240 --> 00:05:00,680
But always they reappear when
the storm has passed or the
69
00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:05,000
blackness of night has thinned
and reassert their influence.
70
00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:09,560
But also it may be something in
the very essence of the being,
71
00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:13,640
deeper than any idea or will in
the mind, deeper and more
72
00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:18,160
permanent than the heart's
aspiration, but hidden from
73
00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:22,680
one's own observation.
One who is moved to yoga by some
74
00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:27,800
curiosity of the mind, or even
by its desire for knowledge, can
75
00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:31,240
turn aside from the path from
disappointment or any other
76
00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:34,560
cause.
Still more can those who take it
77
00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:39,040
up from some inner ambition or
vital desire turn away through
78
00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:43,560
revolt or frustration or the
despondency of frequent check
79
00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:47,600
and failure.
But if this deeper thing is
80
00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:51,360
there, then one cannot
permanently leave the path of
81
00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:55,240
spiritual endeavour.
One may decide to leave the path
82
00:05:55,800 --> 00:06:00,800
but is not allowed from within
to do it, or one may leave but
83
00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:05,400
is obliged to return to it by
the secret spiritual need within
84
00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:08,720
Him.
All these things are common to
85
00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:12,200
every path of yoga.
They are the normal
86
00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:17,200
difficulties, fluctuations and
struggles which come across the
87
00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:20,720
path of spiritual effort.
End Quote.
88
00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:25,080
Reference.
Srioro Bindu and the Mother
89
00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:30,920
Looking from Within, Chapter 4,
Ordeals and Difficulties, pages
90
00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:32,880
73 to 74.