Nirodbaran: We gather that sadhana was going on very well in the Ashram at the beginning and things became sluggish only afterwards.
Sri Aurobindo: Yes, it is when the sadhana came down into the physical and subconscient that things became very difficult. I myself had to struggle for two years. For the subconscient is absolutely inert, like stone. Though my mind was quite awake above, it could not exert any influence down below. It is a Herculean labour. If I had been made to see it before, probably I would have been less enthusiastic about it. There is the virtue of blind faith! When one enters into the subconscient, it is like stepping on an unexplored continent. Previous Yogis came down to the vital level, they did not descend farther, and they were quite sensible in not doing so! But if I too had left it there, the real work would have remained undone. Once the subsconscient is conquered, things will become easy for those who come after. That is what is meant by the “realisation of one in all”.
Nirodbaran: Then why should we take so much trouble? We can wait for that victory.
Sri Aurobindo: You want an easy path?
Dr Manilal: More than an easy path; we want to be carried about like a baby. Not possible, Sir?
Sri Aurobindo: Why not? But you have to be a genuine baby!
BEATING THE POISONED DRUM 