Once we distinguish the lower forms of spontaneity that stem from the vital nature and its instincts and desires, from the higher form of spontaneity that is linked to unification of the being with the higher spiritual purpose, the question arises as to how the individual can develop this higher spiritual form of spontaneity rather than simply falling back to the vital form which the development of the mind was intended to control and counteract. The answer comes by shifting the standpoint of the being away from the ego-personality that inhabits and controls the body-life-mind complex. This is done through unification with the higher divine intention, which in turn is accomplished by bringing the being into contact with and under the control of the psychic being, which provides the permanent link to the Divine.
A disciple inquires: ”Does spontaneity come spontaneously or does one have to follow a discipline to obtain it?”
The Mother writes: ”Spontaneity in feelings and action comes from a permanent contact with the psychic, which brings order into the thoughts and automatically controls the vital impulses.”
Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Our Many Selves: Practical Yogic Psychology, Chapter 6, Some Answers and Explanations, pg. 196
Santosh has been studying Sri Aurobindo's writings since 1971 and has a daily blog at http://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com and podcast at https://anchor.fm/santosh-krinsky He is author of 19 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.