There comes a time . . . when one can feel in everything, in every object, every movement, every vibration, in everything around - not only people and conscious beings, but things, objects: not only trees and plants and living things, but simply any object one uses, the things around one — this delight, this delight of being, of being just as one is, simply being. And one sees that all this vibrates like that. One touches a thing and feels this delight. . . .
For this delight is everywhere. This delight is something very subtle. You move in the midst of things and it is as though they were all singing to you their delight. There comes a time when this becomes very familiar in the life around you. . . . In plants, in flowers, it is so wonderful! They speak all their joy, they express it. And as I said, in familiar objects, the things around you that you use, there is a state of consciousness in which each one is happy to be, just as it is. So at that moment one knows that one has touched the true delight. And it is not conditioned. I mean it does not depend on ... it depends on nothing. It does not depend on outer circumstances, it does not depend on a more or less favourable state, it does not depend on anything: it is a communion with the raison d'etre of the universe.
And when this comes it fills all the cells of the body. It is not even a thing that is thought out — one does not reason, one does not analyse, it is not that: it is a state in which one lives. And when the body shares in it, it is so fresh — so fresh, so spontaneous, so ... it no longer looks back upon itself, there is no longer any sense of self-observation, of self-analysis or of analysing things. All this is like a canticle of joyous vibrations, but very, very quiet, without violence, without passion, nothing of all that. It is very subtle and very intense at the same time, and when it comes, it seems that the whole universe is a marvellous harmony.
THE MOTHER
When I speak of the physical consciousness, I mean the physical mind and the physical vital as well as the body consciousness proper.Have you never watched a forest with all its countless trees and plants simply struggling to catch the light - twisting and trying in a hundred possible ways just to be in the sun? That is precisely the feeling of aspiration in the physical - the urge, the movement, the push towards the light. Plants have more of it in their physical being than men. Their whole life is a worship of light. Light is of course the material symbol of the Divine, and the sun represents, under material conditions, the Supreme Consciousness. The plants have felt it quite distinctly in their own simple, blind way. Their aspiration is intense, if you know how to become aware of it.
SRI AUROBINDO
In my view the body as well as the mind and life has to be spiritualised or, one may say, divinised so as to be a fit instrument and receptacle for the realisation of the Divine. It has its part in the Divine Lila, even, according to the Vaishnava Sadhana, in the joy and beauty of Divine Love. That does not mean that the body has to be valued for its own separate sake or that the creation of a divine body in a future evolution of the whole being has to be contemplated as an end and not a means - that would be a serious error which would not be admissible. In any case, my speculations about an extreme form of divinisation are something in a far distance and are no part of the preoccupations of the spiritual life in the near future.
SRI AUROBINDOTHE MOTHER
Physical Consciousness Entirely Turned Towards the Divine
It thirsts for the Divine and wants nothing but Him.
Tithonia rotundifolia
Mexican sunflower
Medium-sized compositae flower with bright reddish orange ray florets and a tufted yellow centre; borne singly on a long stem. A robust erect bushy annual herb.
Ananda in the Physical
May it be welcome, even if it manifests itself rarely.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Chinese hibiscus, Hawaiian hibiscus, Rose- of-China
Small delicate single flower with soft slightly crinkled cream petals, a deep red centre and a pure white aura.
Photo Courtesy: Forest & Kim Starr
Supramental Beauty in the Physical
Its promise is charming.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Chinese hibiscus, Hawaiian hibiscus, Rose- of-China
- Medium-sized single light golden orange flower with orange veins and a deep red centre.
- Another form is a large single deep salmon pink flower changing to cream yellow at the edges of the petals, with a deep red centre.
Photo Courtesy: Dinesh Valke
Aspiration in the Physical
Manifold, simple and joyful.
Ixora coccinea
Jungle geranium, Flame of the woods, Jungle flame, Burning love
Small deep red salverform flower with a long thin corolla tube and the limb divided into four narrow diamond-shaped lobes; borne in large corymbs. A small to medium-sized shrub with leathery leaves.
Photo Courtesy: AkynouAspiration in Physical for the Supramental Light
Clustered, persistent, obstinate, organised, methodical.
Ixora javanica [Ixora singaporensis]
Common red ixora, Javanese ixora
Small golden orange to red orange salverform flower with a long thin corolla tube and a limb divided into four somewhat diamond-shaped lobes; borne in large compact corymbs. A large shrub in bloom most of the year.
Photo Courtesy: Dinesh ValkeAspiration in the Physical for the Divine Love
Manifold, ecstatic, difficult to satisfy.
Russelia equisetiformis
Coral plant, Fountain plant, Firecracker plant
Small bright coral narrow tubular flowers with five tiny rounded lobes; borne in light cascading clusters. A small subshrub with rushlike angled, arching or pendulous stems.
Photo Courtesy: Eurico Zimbres; ZimbresAwakening of the Physical Mind
It wants to know and opens wide in order to understand.
Turnera subulata
West Indian holly, Sage rose, Yellow alder
Medium-sized cream white saucer-shaped flower with five rounded petals crimped at outer edge, a tiny maroon streaked centre with a yellow aura; borne singly from the leaf axlis. A perennial herb with serrate pubescent leaves.
Spiritual Aspiration in the Physical
Comes in bursts to counteract and overcome resistances which cannot succeed in making it give up.
Russelia sarmentosa
Tiny crimson tubular flower borne in many- flowered clusters. A floriferous subshrub with four to six angled stems and ovate-ferrate leaves.
Photo Courtesy: ToptropicalPhysical Centre
Occupied mainly with material things, it likes to have an ordered life.
Canna Xgeneralis
Canna lily
Large showy orange red flower with three soft round irregular petals borne in terminal clusters on sturdy stems; erect perennial rhizomatous herb with lush foliage.
Photo Courtesy: LestatConnection between the Light and Physical
Physical centre touched by the Light. Awakens to the necessity of growth and blossoming.
Canna Xgeneralis
Canna lily
Large showy flowers with three soft round irregular petals, all bicoloured yellow and red flowers; borne in terminal clusters on sturdy stems erect perennial rhizomatous herb with lush foliage.
Connection between the Supermind and the Physical
Physical centre open and full of the Supramental Light. On the way to transformation, generous and powerful.
Canna Xgeneralis
Canna lily
Large showy flowers with three soft round irregular petals, all bicoloured orange and red flowers; borne in terminal clusters on sturdy stems erect perennial rhizomatous herb with lush foliage.
Photo Courtesy: CannanewsAnanda in the Physical Body
Purified of all desire and all repulsion, with perfect equality and surrender, the physical body is ready to enjoy the Divine Ananda.
Canna Xgeneralis
Canna lily
Large showy cream white flower having a red centre with three soft round irregular petals borne in terminal clusters on sturdy stems; erect perennial rhizomatous herb with lush foliage.
Canna lily
Large showy cream white flower having a red centre with three soft round irregular petals borne in terminal clusters on sturdy stems; erect perennial rhizomatous herb with lush foliage.
Conversion of the Physical
Compact and stable, without any fluctuations.
Hippeastrum
Amaryllis, Knight's star lily, Barbados lily
Large trumpet-shaped bright red flowers with or without a white centre; flowers with six flared petals and long curving stamens; borne on tall sturdy scapes. A large bulb with thick, usually strap like leaves that appear after the blooming season.
Photo Courtesy: Editor BConversion of the Physical Mind
Ready to understand everything and to grow continually.
Hippeastrum
Amaryllis, Knight's star lily, Barbados lily
Large trumpet-shaped salmon orange flowers with six flared petals and long curving stamens; borne on tall sturdy scapes. A large bulb with thick, usually strap like leaves that appear after the blooming season.
Photo Courtesy: Forest & Kim StarrDignity in the Physical
Above bargaining.
Dahlia
Medium to large (10-15 cm) fully double intense red flowers with symmetrically arranged ray florets in a variety of forms (broad, rounded or cupped).
Photo Courtesy: ClaudecfGenerosity in the Physical
Loves abundance and loves to give it.
Impatiens balsamina
Garden balsam, Rose balsam
Small to medium-sized single or double red flowers with irregular wavy petals and a long thin spur; borne singly in the leaf axils on very thin stalks. A bushy garden annual with succulent stems and serrate leaves.
Photo Courtesy: Dinesh ValkeHonesty in the Physical Mind
Preliminary condition indispensable for transformation.
Galphimia glauca
Small mildly fragrant yellow star-shaped flower with five widely separated spatulate petals; borne in terminal racemes. A small to medium-sized shrub almost continually in bloom.
Photo Courtesy: Dinesh ValkePsycho-Physical Generosity
Generosity of thought and act.
Impatiens balsamina
Garden balsam, Rose balsam
Small to medium-sized bicoloured pink and red single or double flowers with irregular wavy petals and a long thin spur; borne singly in the leaf axils on very thin stalks. A bushy garden annual with succulent stems and serrate leaves.
Photo Courtesy: Dinesh ValkeHumility before the Divine in Physical Nature
First attitude needed for transformation.
Tarenna asiatica
Tiny intensely fragrant cream coloured flowers with five twisted recurved petals and a prominent style; borne in terminal panicles. A hardy medium to large evergreen shrub with glossy leaves.
Photo Courtesy: SriaurobindoashramIntegrally Equal Basis in the Physical
What you have, I have; what you can do, I can do; what you express, I express-we are all alike.
Clerodendrum philippinum [Clerodendrum fragrans]
Glory bower, Glory tree
Compact terminal clusters of small fragrant white roselike flowers with red calyces. A small to medium-sized shrub with large pungent leaves.
Photo Courtesy: Scott ZonaIntimacy with the Divine in the Physical
Is possible only for him who lives exclusively by the Divine and for the Divine.
Lagerstroemia indica
Crape myrtle, Crepe flower
Medium-sized mildly fragrant pinkish red flower, with delicate deeply crinkled petals and a conspicuous central tuft of yellow anthers; borne in dense terminal panicles. A floriferous shrub or small tree.
Photo Courtesy: Martin LaBarPhysical Enthusiasm
The body takes a lively interest in life and action.
Petunia Xhybrida
Petunia
Medium to large scented single red salverform flowers with a narrow hairy tube and a broad soft often velvety limb, usually with a slightly scalloped edge; borne singly from the leaf axils. A floriferous annual herb with viscid flowers, stems and leaves.
Cheerful Physical Enthusiasm
The whole being lives only to serve the Divine.
Petunia Xhybrida
Petunia
Medium to large scented double red salverform flowers with a narrow hairy tube and a broad soft often velvety limb, usually with a slightly scalloped edge; borne singly from the leaf axils. A floriferous annual herb with viscid flowers, stems and leaves.
Krishna’s Light in the Physical Mind
The physical mind looses all rigidity and becomes supple and charming.
Ruellia lorentziana [Ruellia ciliatiflora]
Medium-sized pale lavender salverform flower with a flattened corolla tube, a violet throat and a limb divided into five somewhat crinkled lobes; borne in few-flowered axillary cymes or terminal panicles. A perennial herb with long pendant flexuous branches.
Aspiration for Silence in the physical Mind
Does what it can, but cannot do much.
Eranthemum pulchellum
Blue sage
Small blue violet salverform flower with five rounded lobes; borne on a dense variegated bracted spike. A colourful winter-flowering subshrub.
Photo Courtesy: ToptropicalsOffering of the Physical
The proof of the resolution to liberate oneself from the ego. Let the physical offer itself sincerely to the Divine and it will be transformed.
Alcea rosea
Hollyhock
Medium to large single or double funnel-shaped red flowers with satiny overlapping lobes and a short staminal column covered with loose yellow pollen; borne on tall spirelike stems. A tall biennial herb with rough hairy leaves.
Opening of the Physical to the Divine Love
The surest way to find happiness.
Ipomoea hederifolia
Small orange red salverform flower borne in few- to many-flowered cymes. A light annual vine with lobed leaves.
Love in the Physical for the Divine
Modest in appearance, but tenacious and charming; it does not make a fuss, but is very faithful.
Ipomoea quamoclit
Cypress vine, Star-glory, Indian pink, Cardinal climber
Small intense red starlike salverform flower with a long narrow tube and conspicuous white anthers; borne singly or in few-flowered clusters from the leaf axils. A soft light climber with threadlike leaves.
Peace in the Physical
To want what God wants is the best condition for it.
Calophyllum inophyllum
Alexandrian laurel, Indian laurel, Laurelwood
Small fragrant waxy white flower with round cupped petals and a prominent central tuft of yellow stamens; borne in terminal panicles. A medium-sized evergreen tree with glossy leathery leaves.
Physical Aspiration for Immortality
Intense aspiration, but ignorant of the means.
Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group)
Feathered amaranth
Long erect branching spikes of tiny red loosely arranged everlasting flowers that form soft feathery plumes. A showy floriferous garden annual.
Physical Boldness
Nothing seems impossible in its consecration to the Divine.
Celosia argentea (Cristata)
Common cockscomb
Red compact velvety rounded or flared floral heads with intricate convolutions; the tiny inconspicuous flowers are sparsely arranged on the stem below. A bold striking annual.
Photo Courtesy: Cliff1066Physical Continuity
Prolongs and prolongs itself and never comes to an end.
Acalypha hispida
Chenille plant, Red-hot cattail, Red cattail, Foxtail
Very long soft dense pendant red or purple catkins borne singly from the leaf axils. A shrub with medium to large broad green leaves.
Physical Curiosity
Its value depends on its purpose.
Holmskioldia sanguinea
Cup and saucer plant, Mandarins-hat, Chinese- hat plant, Parasol flower
Small narrow tubular red flowers arising from open parasol-like calyces; borne in clusters in short axillary racemes. A straggling evergreen shrub.
Photo Courtesy: Tony RoddPhysical Endurance
Knows neither fatigue nor exhaustion.
Zinnia elegans
Common zinnia, Youth-and-old-age
Large, usually double compositae dark red flowers with firm spatulate ray florets; borne singly on sturdy stems. A long- blooming garden annual.
Photo Courtesy: Bitter GirlPhysical Mind
Becomes a good instrument of action when it is content to be that alone.
Tecoma X smithii [Tecoma alata]
Trumpet bush
Small yellow trumpet-shaped flower with flattened corolla tube tinged with sienna on the upper side and a spreading limb divided into five rounded lobes; borne in terminal clusters. An erect shrub with small serrate leaves.
Photo Courtesy: Dinesh ValkePhysical Plasticity
One of the important conditions for transformation.
Tagetes patula
French marigold
Medium-sized compositae yellow or orange flower streaked with maroon; borne singly or in few-flowered clusters. A low bushy annual with strongly aromatic leaves.
Photo Courtesy: GuppiecatPhysical Protection
Is possible only with a total surrender to the divine and absence of all desire.
Bougainvillea
Clusters of showy ovate red bracts in groups of three or more that enfold tiny white to greenish white salverform flowers. A shrub, vine or small tree, usually armed with spines.
Photo Courtesy: EricBflomPhysical Thoroughness
Takes great care of details in the execution of work.
Verbena X Hybrida
Common garden verbena, Florists' verbena
Small dark red salverform flowers with irregular rounded lobes; borne in flat- topped terminal spikes. A creeping matlike perennial often grown as an annual; the sagittate pubescent leaves have crenate margins.
Photo Courtesy: Calico_13Power of Physical Expression
One of the benefits of conversion.
Antirrhinum majus
Snap dragon
Small bilabiate red flowers with a short flattened corolla tube; the upper lip has two broad recurved lobes, the raised centre of the lower lip closes the "mouth" of the flower, the lower edge is lobed and somewhat ruffled; borne in erect racemes. A colourful annual or perennial.
Picture courtesy:RatbastrdPsychic Light in the Physical Movements
The first step towards the transformation of the physical.
Pentas lanceolata
Star-cluster, Egyptian star-cluster
Small vivid pink salverform five-pointed star-shaped limb; airy thin corolla tube; borne in terminal clusters. An almost ever blooming subshrub pubescent ovate to lanceolate leaves.
Photo Courtesy: JuniPromise of Realisation in the Physical Mind
A good encouragement for the necessary effort.
Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtium, Indian cress
Medium-sized mildly fragrant light yellow flower with a red centre with two upper and three lower contrasting petals and a prominent spur; borne singly on long stems. A somewhat succulent annual herb with orbicular peltate edible leaves.
Photo Courtesy: Marj.JollyPromise of Realisation in the Physical
Courage to face the long labour.
Nasturtium, Indian cress
Medium-sized mildly fragrant bicoloured yellow and maroon flowers with two upper and three lower contrasting petals and a prominent spur; borne singly on long stems. A somewhat succulent annual herb with orbicular peltate edible leaves.
Photo Courtesy: OceandesetoilesResponse of the Physical Mind to the Supramental Light
The physical mind eager to understand and be transformed.
Asclepias curassavica
Blood flower, Swallow wort, Matal, Indian root
Tiny flowers with five orange red petals that curve back towards the stalk and a prominent central orange crown; borne in terminal cymes. A perennial herb with milky sap.
Photo Courtesy: Sergey
Physical Skill in Work
Skillful hands, a clear vision, a concentrated attention, an untiring patience and what one does is done well.
Phlox drummondii
Annual phlox, Drummond phlox
Small carmine red salverform flowers with a narrow tube and a flattened limb divided into five broad slightly overlapping lobes; borne in dense terminal clusters. A long-flowering garden annual.
Photo Courtesy: Fairy WhispersTransparency in the Physical
The physical is preparing itself to be transformed.
Callistephus chinensis
China aster
Medium-sized slightly scented semi double compositae red flowers with a yellow central disc and numerous narrow ray florets creating a soft pom-pom effect; borne singly. A compact bushy annual.
Photo Courtesy: DalgialWisdom in the Physical Mind
A first step towards the Supramental manifestation upon earth.
Calliandra haematocephala
Red powderpuff
Medium-sized powderpuff head composed of red stamens; borne from the leaf axils. A tall spreading shrub.
Physical Receptivity
One should have it only towards the Divine.
Gladiolus Xhortulanus
Garden gladiolus
Tall elegant compact one-sided spike of small to medium-sized bright red flowers with six flared petals that are often ruffled and frilled; a bulbous plant with sword-shaped leaves.
