Page 46 - NAMAH-Oct-2023

Namah Vol. 31, Issue 3, 15th October 2023

a long time like that. the higher Force to happen, and hence begin
the transformation of all the lower parts of
But more often, we very rigidly stick to our the being. It is like an aspiration or thirst of
own worldviews and perceptions and clash a barren dry land towards the sky, which
with others, which may seem opposing in leads ultimately to the descent from above in
appearance. We are so stuck in our thoughts, the form of drops of rain, which go and seep
opinions, and ways of thinking, until there down into each part and particle of the dry
comes a point when we see how limited parched land, hence completely transforming
and distorted those ways are and then we it and making it fertile, and making all the
feel an aspiration to go beyond the limited seeds in there sprout, and blossom forth into
perceptions, which now don’t appear useful, splendour and abundance.
but suffocating. And if this flame of aspiration
lingers and burns long enough, the being is “The power of concentration above the head
ready to make an ascent further, so as to give is to bring peace, silence, liberation from the
space to a greater Knowing and a mightier body sense, the identification with mind and
Force from above to descend. life and open the way for the lower (mental-
vital-physical) consciousness to rise up to
Preparation of an empty, steady container meet the higher Consciousness above and for
the powers of the higher (spiritual or divine)
We find a detailed account with the Mother Consciousness to descend into mind, life and
and Sri Aurobindo, of this uplifting of the body. This is what is called in this Yoga the
station of consciousness and the rising-up spiritual transformation (1).”
of aspiration and waiting in perseverance,
still and steady, like an open solid receptacle, For the new to take place, the old has to give
empty of itself, for the higher Force to dawn way; emptying the mind and being of its
upon. older ways of thinking, feeling and acting,
is imperative. One believes no more in one’s
older patterns of thinking-feeling-acting,
and is relatively empty of the old stuff; one
doesn’t fuel the non-beneficial older ways.
And this emptiness is a part of the process,
paving the way for the newer to take space.
Only when I am empty and ready to receive
can I allow the new to unfold.

“Emptiness usually comes as a clearance
of the consciousness or some part of it.
For this purpose, Sri Aurobindo talks about The consciousness or part becomes like
concentrating above the head. And if a true an empty cup into which something new can
transformation has to happen, this phase of be poured. The highest emptiness is the pure
rising above the ordinary dualistic brain- existence of the Self in which all manifestation
lodged mind is necessary for the descent of can take place (2).”

46