embroidery for the present; if she does it at all, it should be very little at a time and in a very slow and leisurely way, not hurrying to finish it by an early time.Sri Aurobindo
Letters of Sri Aurobindo
Fragment ID: 15586
(this fragment is largest or earliest found passage)
Sri Aurobindo — Sahana Devi
January 30, 1932
A’s symptoms are all very well-known symptoms of cerebral anaemia. It must be due to worry and troubles, about the son’s illness and other domestic difficulties. The one indispensable condition of cure is that she should take complete rest and get freedom from all mental worry and trouble. This she ought to have for the time that she is here. There are special treatments and curative diet for this illness (such as Sanatogen, cereals specially prepared. Kola and cocoa etc.). Phoscao ought to be useful and the brown whole bread of the Ashram; she should take more bread than rice. But rest is the most important thing of all. Since she has this illness, it would be better not to do embroidery for the present; if she does it at all, it should be very little at a time and in a very slow and leisurely way, not hurrying to finish it by an early time.
Dilip’s music is very beautiful and it would not be desirable to change it. The picking of the flowers even in the swift steps could be done within the frame of the music , but as you are not accustomed that would probably too difficult for you now. But the Mother did not intend that you should reproduce her steps, she showed them only in order to make you feel the spirit in which that part should be done. If you put the spirit into it, you can make your own form for it, only keeping the inspiration. There should not be any monotony or unvaried repetition ― Dilip’s music is full of light and variety and significance, your dance throughout should be the same. This refers to the last part of the dance; for the style of the first part was good1.
1 The idea of this «Radha dance» was given by the Mother.