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flowers
Their Spiritual significance
Photo Collection
Courageous goodwill
Fears neither inclemency nor cold, is solid and resistant
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Ilex Spp. L. (Aquifoliaceae)
Holly
White
The purpose of sadhana is to enter into a spiritual consciousness and base everything on a new spiritual basis which can only be done when one has entered into complete unity with the Divine. Meanwhile one has to have a calm goodwill for all, but relations of a vital kind do not help - for they keep the consciousness down on a vital basis and prevent its rising to a higher level.
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo. Sri Aurobindo Birth Centenary Library in 30 Volumes. - Volume 23. - Letters on Yoga.-P.2-3
All attachment is a hindrance to sadhana. Goodwill you should have for all, psychic kindness for all, but no vital attachment.
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo. Sri Aurobindo Birth Centenary Library in 30 Volumes. - Volume 23. - Letters on Yoga.-P.2-3
There are two attitudes that a sadhak can have: either a quiet equality to all regardless of their friendliness or hostility or a general goodwill.
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo. Sri Aurobindo Birth Centenary Library in 30 Volumes. - Volume 23. - Letters on Yoga.-P.2-3
By the sadhana the vital must be quieted down; it must receive from the self above its quiet goodwill and equality to all things and from the psychic its general kindness or love.
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo. Sri Aurobindo Birth Centenary Library in 30 Volumes. - Volume 23. - Letters on Yoga.-P.2-3
When one feels the Divine and feels others in the Divine, then the real harmony comes. Meanwhile what there can be is the goodwill and unity founded on the feeling of a common divine goal and the sense of being all children of the Mother.... Real harmony can come only from a psychic or a spiritual basis.
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo. Sri Aurobindo Birth Centenary Library in 30 Volumes. - Volume 23. - Letters on Yoga.-P.2-3
Boldness
That fear is an impurity, one of the greatest impurities, one of those which come most directly from the anti-divine forces which want to destroy the divine action on earth; and the first duty of those who really want to do yoga is to eliminate from their consciousness, with all the might, all the sincerity, all the endurance of which they are capable, even the shadow of a fear.
The Mother
The Mother. Collected Works of the Mother.- Volume 8. - Questions And Answers (1956)
When a man sees God in all things and himself in all beings, it is impossible for him to fear.
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo. Isha Upanishad
Remember two things: never, never be afraid, and in all circumstances call for the right help to make your strength a hundredfold stronger.
The Mother
The Mother. Collected Works of the Mother.- Volume 3. - Questions and Answers (1929)
The Rajah of Almora, in order to repel some invaders who had raided his mountain country, enrolled a number of men in a new regiment and provided each one with a good sword.
"Forward, march!" commanded the Rajah.
Instantly the men unsheathed their swords with a great clang and flourished them with loud cries.
"What is this?" demanded the Rajah.
"Sire," they replied, "we want to be ready so that the enemy does not take us by surprise."
"You can be of no use to me, you nervous and excitable men," he told them. "Go home, all of you."
You will notice that the Rajah was not impressed by all this noise and waving of swords. He knew that true bravery needs no clamour and clash.
The Mother
The Mother. Collected Works of the Mother.- Volume 2. - The Path of Later On
True courage, in its deepest sense, is to be able to face everything, everything in life, from the smallest to the greatest things, from material things to those of the spirit, without a shudder, without physically... without the heart beginning to beat faster, without the nerves trembling or the slightest emotion in any part of the being. Face everything with a constant consciousness of the divine Presence, with a total self-giving to the Divine, and the whole being unified in this will; then one can go forward in life, can face anything whatever.
The Mother
The Mother. Collected Works of the Mother.- Volume 7. - Questions And Answers (1955)
Such, then, are some of the practical fruits of the realisation of God as the Self in all existences and the Brahman containing all existences. It raises us towards a perfect calm, resignation, peace and joy; a perfect love, charity and beneficence; a perfect courage, boldness and effectiveness of action; a divine equality to all men and things and equanimity towards all events and actions. And not only perfect, but free. We are not bound by these things we acquire. Our calm does not stay us from even the most colossal activity, for the calm is within us, of the soul and is not an activity in the jagat, in the movement. Our resignation is of the soul and does not mean acquiescence in defeat, but acceptance of it as a circumstance in the struggle towards a divine fulfilment; our peace and joy do not prevent us from understanding and sympathising with the trouble and grief of others; our love does not prevent an outward necessary sternness, our charity a just appreciation of men and motives nor does our beneficence hold back the sword when it is necessary that it should strike - for sometimes to strike is the highest beneficence, as those only can thoroughly realise who know that God is Rudra as well as Shiva, Chamunda Kali with the necklace of skulls no less than Durga, the protectress and Gauri, the wife and mother. Our courage does not bind itself by the ostentations of the fighter, but knows when flight and concealment are necessary, our boldness does not interfere with skill and prudence, nor our activity forbid us to rest and be passive. Finally our equality of soul leaves room to the other instruments to deal with each thing in the vyavahara according to its various dharma and utility, the law of its being and the law of its purpose.
These are the perfect results of the perfect realisation.
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo. Isha Upanishad