Page 16 - NAMAH-Jul-2020

Namah Vol. 28, Issue 2, 15th July 2020

Looking back at those years I recollect all able to take a single step on the true path
the time She spent every evening, setting an of integral yoga, unless they first get rid of
example Herself, playing tennis every day their contempt. Control of the body in all
from 4 to 5 in the Pondicherry heat, while its forms is an indispensable basis. A body
we stood in the shade of the umpire’s chair! which dominates you is an enemy, it is a
She would then spend an additional hour or disorder you cannot accept (3).”
more, watching us very intently. There can
be no greater motivation than to perform in Systematic and purposeful exercise rather
front of Her. I feel incredibly blessed to have than widespread aasana was preferred by the
been able to do so, for over two decades. Mother:

One may ask, as many older sadhaks did, why “From our experience we have found that
She spent so much time each day, participating a particular system of exercises cannot be
and overseeing physical education. All of us stamped as the only yogic type of exercises
who grew up in the Ashram know that we and we cannot definitely say that participation
needed a chit from Nripen-da at the Ashram in those exercises only will gain health because
Dispensary, if we were going to miss any they are yogic exercises.
physical exercises. That was not required for
the School! I believe that is still true today. “Any rational system of exercises suited
She had found the most able individual in to one’s need and capacity will help the
Pranab-da to help maintain a strict discipline. participant to improve in health. Moreover,
We did all the assigned activities each day it is the attitude that is more important. Any
of the week, thinking nothing of it because well-planned and scientifically arranged
She was there. programme of exercises practised with a
yogic attitude will become yogic exercises
Integral Yoga and the body and the person practising them will draw
full benefit from the point of view of physical
The most crucial and distinguishing feature health and moral and spiritual uplift (4).”
of Their Integral Yoga is the emphasis on the In order to break the mindset, that is still
body, something that was ignored for the past prevalent, despite her best efforts, we did
2000 years, viewing this world as an illusion not have asanas as part of our daily physical
and this body to be rid of. She says: exercises. In fact, only Ambu bhai performed
asanas in front of Her every darshan day.
1. “Very few people understand this and
generally those who are against the outer This is what The Mother said after She witnessed
discipline of sports, this concentration on the Russian Olympic gymnasts perform in
the material realisation, are people who front of Her in 1958:
completely lack control over their physical
being. And to realise the integral yoga of “Well, that mastery is already a great step
Sri Aurobindo the control of one’s body is a forward towards the transformation of the
first indispensable step. Those who despise body. And these people who, I could say, are
physical activities are people who won’t be materialists by profession, used no spiritual

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