Chapter 47Mental Knowledge and the Working of the Mother’s · Receiving the Mother’s Force at a Distance

Of course it can, but on condition of faith or openness or both. Even a mental suggestion can cure cancer — with luck, of course, as is shown by the case of the woman operated on unsuccessfully for cancer, but the doctors lied and told her it had succeeded. Result, cancer symptoms all ceased and she died many years afterwards of another illness altogether.

11 October 1935

* I had a heated but pleasant discussion with X about the action of the healing force. He argued: “Now that the healing force has arrived here, it is likely to operate in other parts of the world and any Tom, Dick and Harry can wield it even if not spiritually developed.”

It may operate but not through every T, D and H, at first at least.

I contended that the healing force will act only if a man is open to the Mother in some way, through devotion, faith or some kind of rapport. I also said that most probably the healing with her. Certain conditions are necessary for cure. What do you say?

At first it will be no doubt like that if it is to be the true Force, but when once it is settled in the earth-consciousness a more general use of supraphysical force for healing may become possible. It is not always necessary either that the rapport you speak of should be conscious. Cou´e for instance was in rapport with something of the force and of the beginning of his work long before he was known to anyone (of course she did not know his name but she described him and his work in such a way that the identification was evident).

3 February 1936

* X writes that her hip-joint pain is gone and wants me to thank to me mentioning the pain must have reached me on Thursday and her hip pain almost vanished miraculously at eight in the evening that day. But I did not write to the Mother about X’s complaint until Friday. Could it be that when X’s letter entered the Ashram atmosphere a response came?

Y spoke to the Mother about X’s pain on the same day — so it is not necessary to suppose an automatic effect of the letter itself. But such an automatic effect does often take place either immediately after writing or when the letter enters the Mother’s atmosphere.

17 April 1936

* I generally rely in my practice on medicines impregnated with the Mother’s force. X is now convinced that there is nothing of any medicine left after potentisation except Homeopathic philosophy (the Mother’s force). What is your opinion?

I never have opinions — except for the purpose of writing or conversation. To the eye of the Yogin all opinions are true and all a phenomenal link between the two.

2 June 1936

* It was precisely out of solicitude for you because the suffering of insomnia and the spasms had been excessive that I proposed to you to take the help of treatment. It is a fact of my experience that when the resistance in the body is too strong and persistent, it can help to take some aid of physical means as an instrumentation for the Force to work more directly on the body itself; for the body then feels itself supported against the resistance from both sides, by means both physical as well as supraphysical. The Mother’s force can work through both together.

1 September 1936

* In the last two weeks there has been no improvement in my nervous trouble. I had the belief that the Mother’s look and grace at the Sunday Pranam would ease my situation, but it has not. Shall I undergo medical treatment or rely solely on Sunday Pranam?

Sunday Pranams are not the only way of receiving Force, one can do it at any time by opening to receive in a quiet concentration. If you can do that, any illness can be cured either at once or, if it is chronic, in time. That should be done in any case. But where there is not the full openness, medical treatment can help as an auxiliary. If you like to consult X, he may be able to understand better your case than by second hand and you can see whether you would care to try any remedies he suggests.

28 March 1937 I write from Comilla to present to you the sad story of a sad person’s life. For over twenty-five years I have suffered from leucorrhoea. I have taken all kinds of treatments, but never succeeded in removing it. My body is becoming weaker day by day. I feel that no doctor can remedy this disease. You and I pray that you will rid this poor thing of her sufferings for ever.

It is possible for her to be cured,6 but only if she has sufficient and complete faith and can receive the force of the Mother. If she can put herself into the true contact, she will cure.

* As to what your other friend asks, it is quite possible for him to receive where he is without coming here if he has the adoration of the Mother in his heart and an intense call.

25 August 1935

* You spoke of my friend X as receiving the Mother’s Force.

6 Written by Sri Aurobindo to his secretary, who replied to the enquirer. — Ed.