Balancing the Spiritual Practice Between Positive Focus and Addressing Faults and Weaknesses

There is a tendency among human beings to react with extremes. Something is either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. ‘black’ or ‘white’, ‘positive’ or ‘negative’. This occurs due to the linear nature of the mental consciousness aided by a vital nature that wants to assert itself by being ‘right’.

For the spiritual seeker, however, a much more nuanced approach is generally required. First, it should be recognised that the focus and attention needs to shift to the spiritual realisation that the seeker sees before him. It is through this shift of attention and the receptivity that is developed, that the change of consciousness actually takes place. At the same time, the receptivity can be blocked or mitigated by the limited focus and activities of the physical, vital and mental parts of the being. This is where the need to be observant and to address and change weaknesses, faults, defects comes in. A balanced approach that recognises the need for both a new object of focus and an increasing ability to receive and incorporate the new consciousness turns out to be the best way for most to make actual progress in their spiritual pursuits.

In his book, The Mother, Sri Aurobindo describes the role of the practitioner of yoga as ‘aspiration, rejection, surrender.” Aspiration is the turning of the focus to the Divine. Rejection is the observation and removal of those habits or activities of the lower nature that interfere with the higher force as it responds to the aspiration. Surrender implies acceptance of the response from the spiritual focus and implementation of that force in the mental, vital and physical aspects of the exte
al being.

Sri Aurobindo notes: “It is necessary to observe and know the wrong movements in you; for they are the source of your trouble and have to be persistently rejected if you are to be free.”

“But do not be always thinking of your defects and wrong movements. Concentrate more upon what you are to be, on the ideal, with the faith that, since it is the goal before you, it must and will come.”

“To be always observing faults and wrong movements brings depression and discourages the faith. Turn your eyes more to the coming light and less to any immediate darkness. Faith, cheerfulness, confidence in the ultimate victory are the things that help, — they make the progress easier and swifter.”

Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 2, Looking at Oneself and Others, pg. 39