All Life Is Yoga: Significance of Birthdays

Omsriaurobindomira

All

Life

Is

Yoga

“All life is Yoga.” – Sri Aurobindo

Significance of Birthdays

Sri Aurobindo | The Mother

SRI AUROBINDO

DIGITAL EDITION

Copyright 2020

AURO MEDIA

Verlag und Fachbuchhandel

Wilfried Schuh

Germany

www.sriaurobindo.center

www.auro.media

eBook Design

SRI AUROBINDO DIGITAL EDITION

Germany, Berchtesgaden

ALL LIFE IS YOGA

Significance of Birthdays Selections from the Works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother Second edition 2021 ISBN 978-3-96387-013-2

© Photos and selections of the works of

Sri Aurobindo and the Mother:

Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust

Puducherry, India

Flower on the cover:

Gladiolus Xhortulanus. Multicoloured. Spiritual significance and explanation given by the Mother: Manifold receptivity Nothing resists the Light.

Publisher’s Note

This is one in a series of some e-books created by SRI AUROBINDO DIGITAL EDITION and published by AURO MEDIA under the title All Life Is Yoga. Our effort is to bring together, from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, simple passages with a practical orientation on specific subjects, so that everyone may feel free to choose a book according to his inner need. The topics cover the whole field of human activity, because true spirituality is not the rejection of life but the art of perfecting life.

While the passages from Sri Aurobindo are in the original English, most of the passages from the Mother (selections from her talks and writings) are translations from the original French. We must also bear in mind that the excerpts have been taken out of their original context and that a compilation, in its very nature, is likely to have a personal and subjective approach. A sincere attempt, however, has been made to be faithful to the vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. These excerpts are by no means exhaustive.

Bringing out a compilation from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, which have a profound depth and wideness unique, is a difficult task. The compiler’s subjective tilt and preferences generally result in highlighting some aspects of the issues concerned while the rest is by no means less significant. Also without contexts of the excerpts the passages reproduced may not fully convey the idea – or may be misunderstood or may reduce a comprehensive truth into what could appear like a fixed principle.

The reader may keep in mind this inherent limitation of compilations; compilations are however helpful in providing an introduction to the subject in a handy format. They also give the readers a direct and practical feel of some of the profound issues and sometimes a mantric appeal, musing on which can change one’s entire attitude to them.

The excerpts from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother carry titles and captions chosen by the editor, highlighting the theme of the excerpts and, whenever possible, borrowing a phrase from the text itself. The sources of the excerpts are given at the end of each issue.

We hope these compilations will inspire the readers to go to the complete works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and will help them to mould their lives and their environments towards an ever greater perfection.

“True spirituality is not to renounce life, but to make life perfect with a Divine Perfection.” – The Mother

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ContentsTitle PageCopyrightPublisher’s NoteSIGNIFICANCE OF BIRTHDAYSQuotationBonne Fete1. Significance of Birthdays2. Receptivity on Birthdays3. Rhythms of Time4. An Occasion for a New Birth Within5. To R. – On Her BirthdayThe Power that Moves itTrusting the Pilot’s VoiceFear Not the Waves that SwellLet Him LeadLook to the Radiant Days that WaitThat Fulfil for Which Thou Wert Born6. The Hour of GodAPPENDIXReferencesGuideCoverTable of ContentsStart Reading

The Mother

“A grain of practice is worth a mountain of theories.”

“Lord, on this anniversary day of my birth, grant that the power to know changes in me into a power to transform myself integrally.” — A Birthday Message and Prayer given by the Mother to a Sadhak..

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Chapter 1

Significance of Birthdays

Words of the Mother

You know, my child, what “Bonne Fete” signifies, that is, the birthday we wish here?

Like that, I know what it means, Mother, but not the special significance You want to tell me.

Yes, it is truly a special day in one’s life. It is one of those days in the year when the Supreme descends into us – or when we are face to face with the Eternal – one of those days when our soul comes in contact with the Eternal and, if we remain a little conscious, we can feel His Presence within us. If we make a little effort on this day, we accomplish the work of many lives as in a lightning flash. That is why I give so much importance to the birthday – because what one gains in one day is truly something incomparable. And it is for this that I also work to open the consciousness a little towards what is above so that one may come before the Eternal. My child, it is a very very special day, for it is the day of decision, the day one can unite with the Supreme Consciousness. For the Lord lifts us on this day to the highest region possible so that our soul which is a portion of that Eternal Flame, may be united and identified with its Origin.

This day is truly an opportunity in life. One is so open and so receptive that one can assimilate all that is given. 1 can do many things, that is why it is important.

It is one of those days when the Lord Himself opens the doors wide for us. lt is as though He were inviting us to rekindle more powerfully the flame of aspiration. lt is one of those days which He gives us. We too, by our personal effort, could attain to this, but it would be long, hard and not so easy. And this – this is a real chance in life – the day of the Grace.

*

Words of the Mother

It is an occult phenomenon that occurs invariably, without our knowledge, on this particular day of the year. The soul leaves behind the body and journeys up and up till it merges into the Source in order to replenish itself and absorb from the Supreme Its Power, Light and Ananda and comes down charged for a whole year to pass. Then again and again ... it continues like this year after year.

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Chapter 2

Receptivity on Birthdays

Words of the Mother

Sweet Mother, I would like to know the true meaning of birthdays, for it is an important day here.

From the viewpoint of the inner nature, the individual is more receptive on his birthday from year to year, and thus it is an opportune moment to help him to make some new progress each year.

*

Words of the Mother

Sweet Mother, how should one spend ... one’s birthday?

In finding out the purpose of life.

*

Words of the Mother

Today is my birthday. I want this day to be the beginning of a more spiritual life and therefore something has to be done. Please tell me what I must do.

It is not with the mind that one should decide what has to be done. It should be a spontaneous movement taking place in a sincere and constant aspiration.

*

Words of the Mother

Sweet Mother, What is the meaning of one’s birthday, apart from its commemorative character? How can one take advantage of this occasion?

Because of the rhythm of the universal forces, a person is supposed to have a special receptivity on his birthday each year. He can therefore take advantage of this receptivity by making good resolutions and fresh progress on the path of his integral development.

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