Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Fragment ID: 15615

(this fragment is largest or earliest found passage)

Sri Aurobindo — Sahana Devi

November 21, 1932

In the first place the Mother was not pressing you to stop going to X’s altogether – only not to stay too long or chat too much. It is to help an inner change to come. The strength of the impulse to go there as well as the feeling of trouble or despair at not being able to carry out the will not to go – a feeling which you should cast away – may both come from a too great stiffness in the effort of the will itself. A quiet will progressively fulfilling, freeing the physical of the attachment to this kind of vital self-expenditure, is the best way.

As for the feeling of being driven, compelled, that is quite usual when it is the physical nature that is being dealt with; there is no need to be upset or think it can not be got over. The physical is the slave of certain forces which create a habit and drive it through the mechanical force of the habit. As long as the mind gives consent, you do not notice the slavery, but if the mind withdraws its consent, then you feel the servitude, you feel a force pushing you in spite of the mind’s will. It is very obstinate and repeats itself till the habit – the inner habit revealing itself in the outward act – is broken. It is like a machine which once set in motion repeats the same movement.’ You need not be alarmed or distressed; a quiet persistent aspiration will bring you to the point where the habit breaks and you are free – as with the sex drive and tea.