Chapter 2December 7, 1964

answers that weren't at all those I might have expected – which proves it was genuine), but for example, before his election, I met him once (there is a part of his mental being, a higher intelligence, that's very well formed, conscious, individualized), and I had a spontaneous conversation that I hadn't sought and which was very interesting. But at one point, I replied to something he said, and I told him with the force I have there [on that higher plane], "The Lord is everywhere – even in hell the Lord is there." And then it caused such a violent reaction in him that, pfft! he vanished. I found it very striking.... I don't know the dogma, but it seems that in hell, according to the Catholics, what's worse than suffering, the fire and all that, is the absence of the Lord. It seems it's a dogma that the Lord is absent from hell; and me, I was speaking of universal Oneness and I told him that.

There is another thing I remember very clearly, which struck me. It was after his election (but long before his trip to India was decided upon): he had come to India and he came to Pondicherry to meet me (not to meet me: he had come to Pondicherry, then he came and met me). Once in Pondicherry, he came and I saw him there, in the room where I receive people. We had a long conversation, a very long and interesting conversation, and suddenly (it was towards the end, it was time for him to go), when he rose, he was preoccupied by something. He told me, "When you speak to your children about me, what will you tell them?"... You understand, the ego showing itself. So I looked at him (Mother smiles) and said, "I will only tell them that we have been in communion in our love for the Supreme." Then he relaxed and left. It struck me. These things are very objective.

But these are the little turns of the nature. Otherwise, his dream is to be the potentate of human spiritual unity.

(This conversation took place in the music room. Mother had asked Sunil, the musician disciple, and

Sujata to come.)

Can anybody play the harmonica? (laughter) I've just been given a harmonica! It comes from Germany. (To Sunil:) Don't you know how to play it?... No?

(Sujata:) Satprem would very much like to learn to play some instrument, Mother, you know.

(Satprem:) But not the harmonica!

(To Sunil:) Did they tell you why I called you? No? Don't you know French anymore, tell me? – He doesn't dare speak.

Here is the thing: I like your music, and as for me, I no longer play! – I don't have the time. I never it to you and then we'll try to do something with it.

Do you know this instrument (the organ)? Can you play it?... There are pedals, mon petit, enough to make your head swim! I can't play that! (laughter) So Sujata will play the pedals, and I'll play the keys!

If something comes, you can use it and do me some music for the 1st. And then, instead of recording here, we'll record your affair for everybody!

(Sunil:) What you are going to play now I'll keep.

No! I'm not playing – I'll just pretend to! With that you will do something. You understand?

Maybe nothing at all will come! I can't say. This morning... This morning, I don't know, did you think of your visit here? Yes?... I heard magnificent music – magnificent! But it was music... it took at least four hands to play it, or several instruments. If that came...

Wait.... The message (it isn't a "message"!)... There is a photo of me in which I have my hands folded and I look happy (!), so I wrote underneath, Salut à Toi, Vérité. Then I was asked to put it into English – I said, Salute to the advent of the Truth.

So this is the theme. We'll see now if we find something. This morning, it was magnificent.... But even if that were there, I wouldn't be able to play it: it would take almost an entire orchestra! And moreover, it's no longer there. It lasted ten or fifteen minutes... I don't even remember what it was – it's gone.

We'll try, we'll see.

(music)

There, enough!

But what I heard wasn't that – it wasn't that at all! But it's absolutely gone....

(Mother starts playing

the organ again)

It's really a pity I don't remember at all. That was really fine. It was "the hymn to the Truth." It resembled a certain symphony of Beethoven's (oh, I am going to say something dreadful)... without the padding!

All human music always has padding. They have an inspiration, and in between there's a gap, so they fill it up with their "musical knowledge." But this morning, it came straight from above and there was no padding. It was very fine.

Only, I didn't even make an effort to remember; I thought, "It will come," but it didn't!

(To Sunil:) Didn't you hear some music this morning?

(Sunil:) What you have just played was very lovely.

It's nothing! Anyway, you'll do something with it.

I still see it, but I can no longer hear it. But that's how it will be: first the salute, "Salute to You, O Light." You understand, the Light is there, like this: it announces itself. And we salute it. Then the whole aspiration rises in conquest of this Light through successive ascents; that is, one sound rises, climbs, and establishes itself; then another climbs and establishes itself. And then, when we have come before the Light, it makes a sort of explosion, like a bomb exploding, an explosion of light. And afterwards, it falls back onto the world – with sparkles.

And then, I would like at the end the great calm of the Truth. That will need something very vast and very calm – very vast. Very simple. A few very simple great notes.

Voilà. Organ notes would be fine.

The organ is fine for aspiration. The explosion of light?... I don't know which instrument.

And for aspiration, a few human voices, too. But don't try to imitate what I've just played: it's worthless! You will do something as I said: first the salute – we're happy to see You, you understand: Salute to You, O Light! Salute to You, O Truth!...

You play the ascent in stages, accompanied by and finishing off with a gust of aspiration: a soaring, a great soaring. Then, we touch the Light, it makes an explosion. We touch the Truth, we touch the Light.... That will have to be very beautiful. Then that Light falls back onto the world in a rain, and it's joyous, light, very graceful (gesture like a waterfall). And then the world becomes blissful under the Truth – very calm and blissful.

What time is it?

Seven to eleven.

I've played as long as that!

I've been chattering away.

You came late.

Ah, Nolini should be scolded for that – not me! (laughter)

(To Satprem:) I'll see you Saturday – Saturday is Mademoiselle's birthday. How old will you be?

(Sujata:) Thirty-nine.

And he?

(Satprem:) Forty-one.