March 24, 1914 (PM 037)

This prayer is about the true attitude in the face of errors.

March 24, 1914

THE result of all my reflections of yesterday is the confirmation that the only trouble I experience comes from the fear I have that I have not been or I am not perfectly identified with Thy law. And this trouble comes, indeed, from the fact that the identification is not complete; for if it were complete, I could not ask myself whether it was so or not, and on the other hand, I know by experience, all trouble would become impossible to me.

But in the presence of an error or false step taken, the true thought we should have is not to say to ourselves: “I should have done better, I should have done this instead of that.” But rather, “I was not sufficiently identified with the eternal Consciousness, I must strive to realise better this definitive and integral union.”

Yesterday afternoon, during the long hours of silent contemplation, I understood at last what true identification is with the thing we are thinking of. I have touched, so to say, this realisation, no longer by attaining a moral state, but simply by fixity and mastery of the thought. I understood that I needed long, very long hours of contemplation in order to be able to perfect this realisation. This is one of the things I expect from my journey to India, if, indeed Thou regardest it as useful for Thy service, O Lord.

My progress is slow, very slow, but I hope that in compensation it is lasting and secure against all fluctuation.

Grant that I may accomplish my mission, that I may help in Thy integral manifestation..

The text above is quoted from the Third Edition, 1954 (translation by Rishabhchand Samsukha)
This book is freely available at https://www.auro-ebooks.com/prayers-and-meditations-1954-edition/