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Stilling the Mind - Similarity of Assagioli and Sri Aurobindo's Prison Experiences

In an earlier post of April 1 on Freedom in Jail, we studied Roberto Assagioli's experience of "The Stilling of the Mind". (Roberto Assagioli intended that his “prison diary” might become an autobiographical account of the time he spent in Regina Coeli prison). 


Today from his prison tales of Alipore jail (which he wrote in an Indian Bengali language) we study how Sri Aurobindo stilled his mind and note how similar were their experiences -  


"I have already described my mental state on the first day of solitary confinement. The first few days in solitary confinement were spent without books or any external aids for passing time. 


This period provided adequate opportunity to appreciate the effects of solitary confinement. I gained an insight into the causes leading to the degeneration of even strong and firm intellects in such conditions and the rapid loss of sanity that occurs subsequently.


I realized Gods Infinite Compassion in such a state and the rare opening it creates for an union with Him. Before imprisonment, I would meditate for an hour each in the morning and evening. In my prison-cell, as there was nothing else to keep me occupied, I attempted to meditate for longer periods. But it was not easy, especially for one who is unaccustomed, to master the restless human mind, pulled so easily in a hundred different directions, and keep it in a meditative state, under reasonable control and focused for extended periods. 



I could manage to concentrate for an hour and half or sometimes two hours at a stretch; beyond that the mind would rebel and the body would become numb. Initially the mind was full of thoughts of all kinds. Later on, the objectlessness and insufferable futility of thoughts arising in a void of human interaction, caused the mind to gradually lose its capacity to think. Then I fell into a condition where it seemed that a hundred indistinct ideas were circling the mind but were barred from entering it; the few that did enter, sank without a trace in the utter silence of a thoughtless mind. I experienced intense mental agony in this uncertain, helpless state. I sought mental solace and respite for the distressed brain in the beauty of nature - but the solitary tree, the tiny blue slice of visible sky and the joyless prison-scenes did not alleviate the prevalent condition for long. I looked at the wall. The lifeless blank surface of the wall made the mind feel more hopeless than ever and agonizing over the present state of imprisonment, it throbbed restlessly in the cranium. I tried to meditate but could not; instead the intense but failed attempt worsened



However I was yet to find the means to fill the long vacant hours. I tried to argue with myself, even forced myself to reflect; but with every passing day the mind grew yet more rebellious, as if crying desperately for succour. Time seemed to weigh heavily upon the mind and it began to crumble beneath this burden, unable even to break free for a moment's respite - it was as if one were being strangled by an enemy in a nightmare but had no power to move one's limbs. I was amazed at this condition! It is true that I was not inclined to remain idle or without activity; still I have spent long hours in solitary musings. How could the mind then suddenly become so weak that the solitude of but a few days was causing such agitation? I thought to myself: perhaps there is a world of difference between voluntary solitude and solitary confinement. It is one thing to enjoy solitude at home, but to be compelled into solitary confinement in a prison was quite another matter.


According to a proverb, one who can bear solitude is either a god or a brute; it is beyond the capability of mere mortals. Although my belief in this proverb was previously limited, I could now see the truth inherent in it; I realized that it was difficult for even yogic aspirants to bear solitude. I recalled the dreadful fate of the Italian regicide, Bresci. The judges instead of passing the death-sentence, gave him seven years of solitary imprisonment. Bresci became insane even before a year had passed. But he did endure for that long! Was my mental strength going to last only this far? I could not understand then that God was but toying with my mind and actually teaching me some necessary lessons, in the guise of this play. 


First, He gave me an insight into the mental process that impels a prisoner towards insanity in solitary confinement, and exposing the inhuman cruelty inherent in this manner of punishment, turned me into a staunch opponent of the European prison-system. 


His second purpose was also revealed to me: by thus exposing the mind's weakness to itself, He wanted to remove the flaw for ever. An aspirant to the yogic state must be equal to the company of men or solitude. In reality, this weakness did disappear completely in a very short time; and I felt as if the mental poise would remain undisturbed even if I were to remain in solitary confinement for ten years at a stretch. The Mangalamaya (All-Good) ensured that apparent evil was but a passage to a greater good. 


His third purpose was to teach me that my yoga would not proceed on the strength of personal effort, but an absolute faith and complete self-surrender would be the means to attain perfection in yoga; the Supreme Grace would grant whatever power, realisation or joy it deems fit in its Supreme Vision and to assimilate and utilise these for His work should be the sole aim of my yogic endeavours.


The suffering caused in this manner by mental inactivity continued for a few days. One afternoon as I was reflecting, there was an endless flow of thought- streams; suddenly these thoughts grew so uncontrolled and incoherent that I felt the mind was about to lose its power to regulate them. Afterwards when I returned to the normal state, I realized that though the mental control had ceased, the intelligence itself did not cease or get corrupted; it was as if quietly observing this wondrous process. But overcome by the fear of losing my sanity at the time, I had failed to notice this. I called upon God with intensity, praying fervently for Him to preserve my sanity. That very moment, a great peace descended upon my mind and heart, a cooling sensation spread over my entire body and the restless mind became relaxed and happy - I had never experienced such a joyful state in this life. Just as a child lies on the lap of his mother, secure and fearless; so I lay on the lap of the World-Mother. From that very day, all my suffering in prison ceased. After this I experienced various conditions: restlessness in detention, mental unease caused by lack of activity and solitary confinement, physical suffering or illness and stages of despair in the process of yoga; but the power that God had poured into my inner being in that one moment was such that the arrival and departure of sorrow did not leave the slightest trace in the mind. The intelligence was able to draw strength and joy from the sorrow itself and annul the suffering of the mind. The hardships became as if drops of water on a lily."


Attached images are from his prison cells and court room trial. (From the book "Sri Aurobindo Prison Tales)






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