(D., a disciple, sent Mother an eighteenth-century account by a Japanese monk of the Zen Buddhist sect describing a method called "Introspection," which enables one to overcome cold and hunger and attain physical immortality. Mother reads a few pages, then gives up.)
[Herms magazine, Spring 1963.]
Its better to work out your OWN systemif you want to work one out at all.
Thats what people have always reproached Sri Aurobindo for, because he doesnt tell you, Do this in this way and that in that way. And thats precisely what made me feel that there was the Truth.
People cannot live without reducing things to a mental system.
They need a mechanism.
Yes, but as soon as theres a mechanism, its finished.
The mechanism may well be very good for the person who found it: its HIS mechanism. But its good only for him.
As for me, I prefer not to have any mechanism!
The temptation comes sometimes, but Its far more difficult without, but infinitely more living. All this [the Zen account] seems to me I immediately feel something thats becoming dead and drydry, lifeless.
They replace life with a mechanism. And then its finished.
(silence)
The mistake everyone makes is to considerto believe the goal to be immortality. Whereas immortality is just ONE of the consequences. In that Zen story, the goal is immortality, so THE WAY has to be foundhence all those methods. But immortality isnt a goal: its just a natural consequenceif you live the true life.
You see, I am sure that D. (she doesnt say so, but I am sure of it) imagines that my goal is immortality! At any rate, its the goal of many people here (!) Actually, its something secondary. Its ONE of the consequences, its the sign (it can be regarded as a sign) that you are living the Truth, thats all. Though thats not even certain!
Immortality in this bag of bones, thats no fun!
(Mother laughs) Oh, indeed! First it would have to be changed.
It wouldnt be worthwhile.
***
questions, comments, suggestions/feedback, take-down requests, contribute, etc
contact me @ integralyogin@gmail.com or join the integral discord server (chatrooms)
if the page you visited was empty, it may be noted and I will try to fill it out. cheers
change font "color":
change "background-color":
change "font-family":
change "padding":
change "table font size":
last updated: 2022-02-04 23:10:21
251228 site hits