Page 33 - NAMAH January 2016
P. 33
Namah The work of alignment
ways of mechanical habit. that throw us out of alignment. I only need
look at the body: the ‘effect’ always manifests
“The push towards externalisation must be on the physical. I then need to interpret those
rejected always – it is a way the physical trigger points that appear on the surface but
consciousness has of slipping out of the which are caused by imbalance from inside.
condition of concentrated sadhana. To keep in Wherever there is strain or excessive effort
the inner consciousness and work from it on my nature has already started sliding into a
the external being till that also is ready is very very harmful trap. I may find myself in a
necessary when the work of change is being very positive mood, for instance, and that
specially directed towards the physical strength overspills into the vital nature
consciousness (8).” giving it a strong shot of energy. I may
even feel elated and that feeling might
One has to find a way of countering the transfer into a sense of vital impatience
gravitational pull of our nature. It’s as if which undermines the whole equilibrium
nature and soul are playing a perpetual of the being. The vital, with the complicity
game of hide and seek. In truth, the soul is of the mind, will start bullying and forcing
not hiding at all; it is doing everything it can the body in order to obtain its satisfactions
to be found. However, the nature blindfolds as quickly as possible. The result is
itself repeatedly and loses track of its truest disequilibrium. In such circumstances, any
companion. weakness in the body is disregarded,
allowing no strength to come from above.
The ‘push to externalisation’ is probably the The body might find it impossible to keep
chief obstacle we all face in establishing up with the vital’s demands and the whole
alignment throughout our being. Alignment being becomes horribly mis-aligned.
has to become effortless and spontaneous:
our natural state. The scale has to irrevocably However, I find that nothing re-aligns the
shift in favour of our true nature, which is, being more than the force of love. The effect
of course, the soul. Considerable effort will can be instantaneous. Even love (as my
inevitably be expended in achieving this humanity interprets it) galvanises the
state. One has to aspire for a non-stop, 24x7 nature around this potent and mysterious
awareness, particularly in times of activity. force. It is such a source of strength! True
I find this not easy as activity has a way of Love is impersonal; it might dally with the
scattering the consciousness. But ultimately, multiplicity but remains always separate
I feel, this is work that has to be done. It is and distinct from any variation. Surely, we
all, quite simply, a divine undertaking and must all aspire for Love without dilution in
we have to connect with the Divine in us. order to truly evolve. Not surprisingly, it is
Because of that, with a sincere attitude, one the Truth alone which has the capacity to
is assured of the truest help along the way. impose Love’s dominion over the full range
of terrestrial existence. Perhaps that is one
Warning signs reason why Sri Aurobindo often used to
state that the consciousness of Truth had to
It is important to recognise those movements settle here first.
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