We train the physical body with intense repetition to create what is called ‘muscle memory’. This allows the body to respond, instantly, without thought, when certain circumstances occur. Not all circumstances require the instantaneous response of the body, or even if they do, the body may not have the needed training and experience to deal with that circumstance.

There is another power that has the power of instantaneous response, as it is directly connected to pure consciousness, which moves at or faster than the speed of light. That is the power of the psychic being, or soul, within one. When it has come forward and is a constant presence guiding the life, it maintains the direct and instant connection with the universal consciousness, and thus, has and can utilize this power of instant response when unforeseen circumstances or events arise.

The Mother reminds us that there is no time to call forth this aid. Everything must be ready, responsive and in place at the time the event, accident or circumstance occurs. Thus, the greatest protection one has in going through life is the active presence of the psychic being that is connected directly to the divine consciousness.

The Mother observes: “There is a moment for choice, even in an accident. For instance, one slips and falls. Just between the moment one has slipped and the moment one falls there is a fraction of a second. At that moment one has the choice: it may be nothing much, it may be very serious. Only, the consciousness must naturally be wide awake and one must be in contact with one’s psychic being constantly — there is no time to make the contact, one must be in contact. Between the moment one slips and the moment one is on the ground, if the mental and psychic formation is sufficiently strong, then there is nothing, nothing will happen — nothing happens. But if at that moment, the mind according to its habit becomes a pessimist and tells itself: ‘Oh! I have slipped….’ That lasts the fraction of a second; that doesn’t take even a minute, it is a fraction of a second; during a fraction of a second one has the choice. But one must be so awake, every minute of one’s life! For a fraction of a second one has the choice, there is a fraction of a second in which one can prevent the accident from being serious, can prevent the illness from entering in. One always has the choice. But it is for a fraction of a second and one must not miss it. If one misses it, it is finished.”

Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Powers Within, Chapter VII Attitude, pp. 72-73

Author's Bio: 

Santosh has been studying Sri Aurobindo's writings since 1971 and has a daily blog at http://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com and podcast located at https://anchor.fm/santosh-krinsky
He is author of 20 books and is editor-in-chief at Lotus Press. He is president of Institute for Wholistic Education, a non-profit focused on integrating spirituality into daily life.
Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are all available on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871
More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net
The US editions and links to e-book editions of Sri Aurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com