Aspiration, Desire and the Action of the Divine Force

Aspiration is frequently confused with a form of vital desire that ‘wants’ some kind of spiritual development, experience or result. Aspiration, however, originates in the psychic being, while desire stems from the vital being. The characteristics of the two are therefore dramatically different from one another.

It is human nature that we start by concentrating on the external personality and its wants, needs, desires and predilections. It is thus virtually inevitable that even when a true aspiration arises, initially, it is mixed with the vital desire to attain, to accomplish, to succeed.

Aspiration, however, does not demand, does not push, but opens itself, becomes receptive to the higher force and invites it to transform the nature. It is in the nature of a pure flame in the heart, and it does not expect or want anything, but makes itself ready for the divine Force to work in the being, taking whatever time is needed as well as accepting whatever circumstances take place along the way.

There is an apocryphal tale of the divine singer, Narada who was traveling the world. He came across a yogi deeply concentrrated in severe austerities, able to go into deep meditation and overcome the pull of the body, life and mind as he concentrated one-pointedly on liberation. He asked Narada to tell him how long it would take for him to achieve liberation. Narada repilied that it would be just four more lifetimes. The yogi became disconsolate and bemoaned his fate, that he worked so hard but failed to achieve his liberation promptly as a result of his efforts. We see here the admixture of desire in his efforts.

As Narada continued on his way, he came across a devotee singing and dancing ecstatically in his feeling for the Divine. He too asked Narada when he would achieve liberation. Narada pointed to a large tree and indicated that as many leaves as were on that tree would be the number of lifetimes for his liberation. Hearing this the devotee burst out into song, ecstatic dance and weeping for joy, exclaiming, ‘after such a short time I will see my divine Lover!”. A celestical voice proclaimed, ‘You are liberated NOW.” This devotee had a true aspiration not tainted by desire for immediate results.

Sri Aurobindo reminds us that it is the Divine which carries out the sadhana. When we are able to shift to the divine standpoint, we leave the ego, its ambitions, desires and wishes behind and we allow the pure flame of aspiratoin to rise up and invite the Divine to carry out its intention in the being.

Sri Aurobindo notes: “Aspiration should be not a form of desire, but the feeling of an inner soul’s need, and a quiet settled will to turn towards the Divine and seek the Divine. It is certainly not easy to get rid of this mixture of desire entirely — not easy for anyone; but when one has the will to do it, this also can be effected by the help of the sustaining Force.”

Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 5, Attitudes on the Path, pg. 114