Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume 1. 1933

Letter ID: 1100

Sri Aurobindo — Nirodbaran Talukdar

April 14, 1933

When I get up in the morning I find that the previous day’s sadhana is forgotten. What should be done to keep up the continuity?

The gap made by the night and waking with the ordinary consciousness is the case with everybody almost (of course, the “ordinary” consciousness differs according to the progress); but it is no use wanting to be conscious in sleep; you have to get the habit of getting back the thread of the progress as soon as may be and for that there must be some concentration after rising.

At night, you have to pass into sleep in the concentration – you must be able to concentrate with the eyes closed, lying down and the concentration must deepen into sleep – that is to say, sleep must become a concentrated going inside away from the outer waking state. If you find it necessary to sit for a time you may do so, but afterwards lie down, keeping the concentration till this happens.