Chapter 3March 3, 1971

(A note of Mother’s.)

There is a Supreme Divinity,

witness of all our actions,

and the day for consequences will soon come.

(Extract from Sujata’s notebook. For the last two days Mother’s cheek has been very swollen from an

abscessed tooth.)

Mother is better. Tendency to be indrawn.

While she was holding my hands, it seemed to me that something went from me into her.

Mother seemed to be resting well.

(After having approved the layout of the jacket for “Supermanhood” designed by Sujata.)

(Mother nods)

For about a year now, and increasingly so, it has resembled Sri Aurobindo’s look.

Well... (smiling) it’s possible!

Before, your look was a “diamond look,” a look... it was you, it was powerfully you. Now, it’s...

it’s becoming like infinity.

Oh, but my way of seeing isn’t the same.

Yes, as a matter of fact, Sujata wanted to ask you: when you look at people that way, what do you

see?

I think I see... the most exact thing to say is their condition, the state they’re in. And then, of course, there are those who are closed, so to say, who, for me, don’t see, who are totally in the outer consciousness; and there are those who are open – there are some... certain children are remarkable, it’s as if they were wide open (gesture like a flower to the sun) and ready to absorb. It’s especially people’s receptivity that I see, the condition they’re in: those who come with aspiration, those who come with curiosity, those who come out of... a kind of obligation, and then those who are thirsty for light – there aren’t too many, but there are several children. Today I saw one, he was so sweet!... His father lives at the lake, he bought some property at the lake; he lives there with his wife and children, and it was the birthday of one of the children – oh! (Mother opens her eyes wide) wonderful!

And I see only that. Not what they think or say (all that seems superficial and uninteresting): only the state of receptivity they are in. That’s what I see above all.

(silence)

I really think that those who can begin the new race are among children. Men are... crusted over.

You know, I am forever struggling with people who’ve come here to be comfortable and “free to do what they like,” so... I tell them, “The world is big, you can go.” No soul, no aspiration, nothing.... I am counting on your book very much.

Has T. [the English translator] finished her translation?

Not yet, but it’s progressing.

What does she say? Is she responding?

Well... I don’t know.

(Mother nods her head)

In places.

which lead nowhere, preoccupied with what they’re going to eat and... oh!

I have the impression that there is a sort of display now, a display of everything that should not be.

Yes.

But the flame, the flame of aspiration (Mother shakes her head), not many bring it to me.

Provided they are what they call “comfortable,” that’s all they want – and free to do some nonsense they wouldn’t do in the world! While you feel you could hasten the coming – you COULD hasten it if you were... if you were a conqueror!

Yes.

Anyway....

(silence)

Basically... basically they just don’t care.

Not all of them.

No, but those who are different are very few in number – at least among those I see, I don’t know. Naturally there are those who are close – those who are close, who live only for that; of course, I am not speaking of them. They’re all right, I think.... From time to time I receive a real call for help, really an aspiration – that, yes, when that’s there, it’s very good, it’s of very good quality. Otherwise....

I could scold myself, because I set a bad example: I shouldn’t have such a worn-out body, but it’s as if.... At night, for instance, I don’t sleep, but I go into a very deep repose; and then everything that isn’t well (Mother touches her swollen cheek) worsens. It’s only when I concentrate here that it starts to get better; when I leave the body to its own peace... it still isn’t on the right side – it shouldn’t be like that. I know that the greatest difficulty for people is my age – they all think: “Oh, she’s old, she’s old, she’s old....” And so I.... As a fact I am younger than they! (laughter)

Yes.

(silence)

But the difficulty comes from the fact that many do not understand the simplicity of the thing.

Yes.

Many of them are still seeking experiences up above, and visions, and mental silence, and all that,

while that’s not it at all.

No, that’s not it.

But I am counting on your book to shake all that up – it’s very well explained there, very well.

I remember the first time Pavitra read something of yours10 (it was a long time ago, several years), he told me, “Oh, it’s a revelation for me!” How many years had he been here!...11 He said, “Oh, at last I’ve understood that it’s in simplicity....”

It was a revelation for him.... I am really counting a lot on your book.

Whenever I try to explain it to them, they’re always surprised at the simplicity of the thing.

Yes, yes!

It surprises them as if....

It’s not complicated enough.

(silence)

Did S. find someone for the Russian translation?

She made an overture, but nothing came of it; she’s made a second one, and now she’s waiting.

I feel that it is the book that will give a new orientation there. That’s why I am insisting. And Russia.... Russia, changed to the right side, it would be wonderful!... I don’t know why.... Naturally I was Russian in a recent incarnation, when I was.... Is it Catherine?

Catherine, yes.

And that’s very much alive in me.

My impression is that if the whole Russian bloc were to turn to the right side, it would be a tremendous support.... And they are not satisfied; you know, they’re in the state in which you’re capable of doing something because you’re not satisfied – they are NOT satisfied. Their experience... basically they don’t want to admit it, but their experience has failed.

(silence)

All this, everything that concerns politics and countries cannot be published. It’s to be kept. Because officially I don’t do politics.

Yes, of course, Mother.

When is the next time?

10The Adventure of Consciousness.