A comprehensive guide that takes the reader on a journey into self-observation, self-organisation, self-development and self-mastery. Annotated with self-reflective worksheets and explanations, the book presents the words of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, in an interactive style and facilitates experiential insights. The book has been beautifully and aesthetically created to take the reader into the knowledge, experience and practice of Self-discovery and Mastery. The book offers a unique perspective, based on Integral Yoga, on understanding oneself, the planes and parts of the being, inner and outer attitudes, the practice of Aspiration, Rejection and Surrender, and how to overcome difficulties in sadhana. It presents psychological exercises to Become Conscious, Overcome Anger, and more. It introduces the use of flowers as an aid in one's spiritual progress.

1. Selections from the Works of
Sri Aurobindo and The Mother
Edited by
Ameeta Mehra
SADHANA
A Guide to
Self-Mastery
The
Interactive
Self-Discovery
Series

2. SADHANA
A Guide to Self-Mastery
Selections from the Works of
Sri Aurobindo and The Mother
Edited by
Ameeta Mehra
The Gnostic Centre
New Delhi, 2020

3. ii
Copyright ©
Reserved
Ameeta Mehra
Compilation 2001
The copyright of the works
of Sri Aurobindo, The
Mother and the paintings
by Priti Ghosh belongs to
the Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Trust, Pondicherry, India.
The Interactive
Self-Discovery Series
Publisher’s Note
1. All the books in this
series have emerged from
workshops on these sub-
jects by the compiler,
and therefore have been
especially designed with
worksheets and checklists,
for theory and practice.
2. This compilation, mainly
consisting of extracts from
the published works of The
Mother and Sri Aurobindo,
is intended to give the
reader a basic idea on the
subject chosen, which may
inspire him to make an
in-depth study of their
complete works. Titles,
captions, introductions
and worksheets are given
by the compiler. Sources
from which the passages
have been extracted are
mentioned in the list of
references at the end of
the book.
Published by
SADHANA
A Guide to Self-Mastery

4. iii
Acknowledgment
I would like to mention a special word of thanks
to the following:
Dr. Nirodbaran who has guided my study and
practice on the path.
Ritika Goyal for her unfailing support and
legal and financial efforts for making these
compilations possible.
Anuradha for her painstaking and tireless work
in typing, formatting and production.
Payal Adhikari for referencing the passages.
Kirti for her back-up support.
My family for their encouragement.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust for the permission
to use and quote from all their publications,
including the works of The Mother and Sri
Aurobindo.

5. iv

6. v
Approach to the Book
Dear Reader,
This book on Self-Mastery has been presented
in an interactive self-exploration and discovery
format.*
It invites you to actively participate in
the unfolding and understanding of yourself and
introduces practical exercises for inner development
and self-mastery, which can be practised in everyday
life-situations.
The aim of this book is to aid in:
a) Coming in touch with your self.
b) Becoming conscious of the central aim and
purpose of your life.
c) Providing practical exercises and tools to
be able to deal with day-to-day life in a
balanced, integrated way.
d) Becoming a master of yourself (Swarat).
Editor
*
Almost as though your were taking a short course.

7. vi
Approach to the Book v
An Introspection 1
UNDERSTANDING ONESELF 3
THE OUTER BEING 6
The Physical 8
The Vital 10
The Mental 13
Attitudes of the Outer Being 16
THE INNER BEING 19
Attitudes of the Inner being 21
The Psychic and the Spiritual 23
Has the Psychic any Power? 26
BECOMING AWARE OF ‘ONESELF’ 28
Activity Sheet 32
SADHANA: THE THREE MOVEMENTS 34
What is Sadhana? 35
ASPIRATION 37
What is Aspiration? 38
What is the Difference between 39
Prayer and Aspiration?
How to Aspire 47
How Aspirations are Fulfilled 49
Aspiration: A Meditation for Progress 52
REJECTION 54
What is Rejection? 55
Rejection of the Movements of 56
the Lower Nature
The Importance and Practice of Rejection 57
Rejection of the Siege of the Lower Vital 58
SURRENDER 60
What is Surrender? 61
Contents

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Three Typical Modes of Total Self-giving 65
to the Divine
How to Surrender 66
FOUNDATION FOR SADHANA 67
Vigilance and Sadhana 71
DIFFICULTIES IN SADHANA 73
Signs of Self-Mastery 75
BECOMING CONSCIOUS 76
SELF-OBSERVATION AND 78
SELF-ORGANISATION
Self-Reflective Journal: a Sample 83
Activity Sheet 84
In Oneself, there are Contradictory Wills 86
HOW TO OVERCOME ANGER: 89
STEPPING BACK
Not Renewing a Mistake 91
Activity Sheet 93
EXERCISING STATIC POWER 94
Activity Sheet 96
LOOKING AT LIFE AS A MIRROR 97
Discovering a Hidden Treasure 101
FLOWERS: A MEANS FOR INNER GROWTH 103
Be Like a Flower 106
THE GREAT DISCOVERY 112
A Comprehensive Checklist 117
References 121
Picture Credits 123
Suggested Reading 123
Sri Aurobindo and The Mother 124
The Gnostic Centre 126
Ameeta Mehra 128

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10. 1
An Introspection
“An aimless life is always a miserable life.
Everyone of you should have an aim. But do
not forget that on the quality of your aim will
depend the quality of your life.” *
‘Let Your Highest Aspiration
Organise Your Life’*
Before beginning the reading of this section, take
a few minutes with yourself in a quiet settled
atmosphere, and find out and come in touch
with your highest aspiration.
What is your highest aspiration? For, it is on
the quality of your aim that the quality of life
depends.
*
The Mother

11. 2
This finding of one’s highest aspiration or
aim in life, must not only be what one wants
to achieve in work or life, but a delving deep
into yourself – that self that is not dependent on
anything or anyone, is always calm and quiet
within you, and finding out:
What is the purpose of your life, your deepest
and highest aspiration(s)?
What is the aim of your life?
Once you begin this exploration, even if
you do not get all your answers immediately,
do not worry. It is the quest that makes life
very interesting, and the truth of your being
will gradually unfold itself by and by. What
is important is that you do not let go of this
question.
SADHANA: A GUIDE TO SELF-MASTERY