Restlessness, impatience and disturbance of the vital nature are signs of weakness in the vital, an inability to hold the energy that is available to the vital. A strong vital nature will have the ability to remain calm and hold the energy without spilling it.
For the spiritual seeker, there are various states of aspiration that can mirror the status of the vital nature. Aspiration can be a struggle, an effort, be filled with restless impatience. While it arises out of the psychic being, it manifests through the vital nature in the exte
al being, and thus, even if the psychic being’s aspiration is pure and strong, it may be impacted by a vital nature that is weak or immature and thus, unable to keep a pure, strong flame active on a constant and unwavering basis.
As the seeker becomes aware of these variations in the nature and intensity of the aspiration, he can work to shift his standpoint more to the psychic center and from there work to bring calm, and strength to the exte
al being.
The process of spiritual growth is one that requires patience, clarity of purpose, and persistence, with the focus maintained even during periods of dryness or difficulty. This implies that trying to hurry the process, or becoming upset at every obstacle is counter-productive and a sign of the admixture of the rajasic energy of the vital being. Elsewhere the attitude has been described as one of having the focus and energy to accomplish the transformation in this very moment, combined with the patience for it to take many lifetimes for its completion. Sri Aurobindo and the Mother both counsel a cheerful serenity and receptivity as making the process easier to sustain and carry forward even during the darkest times.
Sri Aurobindo observes: “The impatience and restless disquietude come from the vital which brings that even into the aspiration. The aspiration must be intense, calm and strong (that is the nature of the true vital also) and not restless and impatient, — then alone it can be stable.”
Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 5, Attitudes on the Path, pp. 114-115
About the Author
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 21 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
Further Reading
Article
Distinguishing Vital Vibrations from Soul Vibrations
we tend to attribute passion, motivation, charisma, energy to the soul, but most of the time, these are expressions of the energy of the vital nature, perhaps tinged by the soul's influence to some degree.
October 7, 2026
Article
Is It Possible for the Mind to Recognise the Presence of the Soul in Another Person?
perceiving the action of the soul by the mind is only possible under specific conditions.
October 7, 2026
Article
Changing the Driving Force of Action from the Mind and Vital Nature to the Psychic Being and its Guidance
the spiritual seeker works to overcome the pressure and habits of the external nature driven by the desires of the vital and ambitions of the mind, by contacting and following the quiet guidance of the soul
October 6, 2026
Article
Listening to the Voice of the Soul Rather Than the Voice of the External Mental and Vital Nature
The mental and vital elements of the being work together to fulfill the desires. The knowledge base used is by reference and is limited. The solution is to shift to the standpoint of the soul which is capable of 'knowledge by identity'
October 4, 2026