Chapter 26Government and Politics

Does the economic condition of a man become stable with the betterment of his consciousness?

If “betterment of consciousness” means an increased, enlarged consciousness, a better organisation of it, then as a result there should naturally be a greater control of outward things (includ-ing the “economic condition”). But also, naturally when one has a “better consciousness” one is less preoccupied with such things as one’s economic condition.

* Solution of the economic problem: Arriving at the synthesis of two problems: (1) adjusting the production to the needs; (2) adjusting the needs to the production.

* One must be able to control oneself before one can hope to govern others.

* 1) To have complete control over oneself is the indispensable condition for controlling others. 2) To have no preferences, not to like one and to dislike the other — to be equal with everybody. 3) To be patient and enduring. Also to speak only what is quite indispensable and nothing more.

March 1954

* One takes seriously what is said by those whose lives are gov-erned by reason; but how can one attach any importance to the so-called decisions made by those who are actually the playthings of their whimsical impulses?

* Idea: essential for all organisers; on its quality depends the quality of the organisation.

* It is easier to suppress than to organise, but the true order is far superior to suppression.

30 June 1954

* Organisation and discipline are the necessary basis for all reali-sation. To know how to command well, one must first know how to obey well.

* Only he who knows how to obey is capable of governing.

* In their ordinary consciousness, human beings cannot tolerate any authority, however legitimate, if it is exercised over them by somebody whom they believe to be on the same level as themselves. On the other hand, for human authority to be legitimately exercised over others, it must be enlightened, impartial and un-egoistic to the extent that nobody can reasonably challenge its value.

*

[facsimile]

To those whose work is to govern or to lead.

When you want to please the people, you let things go as they are, waiting for Nature to impose her progress upon man. But this is not the truth of the creation. The true mission of man is to impose his progress on Nature.

2 December 1954

* He only who has a perfect sense of true justice can claim the right to be obeyed.

* When I say that the “wise” should govern the world, I am not taking a political point of view but a spiritual one. The various forms of government can stay as they are; that is only of secondary importance. But whatever the social status of the men in power, they should receive their inspiration from those who have realised the Truth and have no other will than that of the Supreme.

17 September 1959

* Remain in politics and try to bring Truth into politics. It is a very sure way towards effective spirituality.

* Completely give up this ordinary vulgar political practice of publicly abusing people either in speech or writing. One should wage a war of ideas so that the truth may triumph, not a war of personalities.

* Sweet Mother,

In connection with the Youth Camps2 You have said that we should not discuss politics.

In this connection I pray for some more specific guidance from You, Douce M`ere, not only for us at the Youth Camps, but generally for us who go around the country giving talks on Sri Aurobindo’s Action....

So far, we have considered “Politics” as consisting of any movement, including intrigue and malpractice, to arrive at dominance either of oneself or of one’s party over others. In this, one has to hold that one’s own view or ideology is true and that of others is wrong.

This politics we must completely avoid. Is it not so?

Yes.

But Sri Aurobindo has dealt with such matters from a very high viewpoint in which He has seen what is true in each approach or each ideology and has shown the way towards a true integration of all these partial truths into a real synthesis. If we can learn from Him and follow 2 Seminars, lasting several days, for the study of the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.

His way then we can truly deal with such topics and need not avoid them. Are we correct in our understanding and approach?

Yes.

When we have to answer specific questions on such mat-ters as Bank Nationalisation, Privy Purses, Press Bill etc., then, unless we have had already direct and specific replies from Sri Aurobindo or You, our answer has been that all these actions are only arrangements on the surface and, therefore, by themselves cannot solve the basic problems they try to solve. It is only by a change of consciousness or, at least, by the aspiration for the truth and the resultant opening to a change of consciousness that such specific problems can be really solved. Because whatever is the form of any arrangement or scheme, it has to be implemented by people. If the people continue to remain in darkness and falsehood, then no arrangement or scheme, however fine it may appear to be, can succeed.

So, there is only one solution to all problems; that given by You — to obey the Eternal Truth alone and live according to Truth.

Is this answer correct and sufficient?

Yes. True.

On certain issues where You or Sri Aurobindo have given direct answers, we also are specific, as for instance on the point of the Unity of India and Pakistan being a Truth without which problems like Bangla Desh cannot be resolved or on the language issue where You have said for the country that (1) The regional language should be