Transformation and Illumination

Question: Could you please speak about the transformation of the physical into light, as this concept is mentioned in Sri Aurobindo’s writings? I have not heard you talk about this.

Sri Chinmoy: This concept is mentioned in Sri Aurobindo’s and the Divine Mother’s books, especially the Mother’s books. The Mother spoke about physical transformation, the illumination of the body, all the time. That was the Mother’s prophecy. The Mother’s theory was that the whole body will eventually be completely illumined.

Sri Aurobindo used to speak of fully illumined supramental beings who would come from the higher plane, and then they would take human form. They would not need to eat and a bullet could pass through them and nothing would happen. At will, they could go from here to another place. When we use the term ‘supramental beings’, they are all illumined.

Then Sri Aurobindo brought that light when he left the body. For three days it lasted. The disciples and the Mother begged and begged him, but he did not want to stay because the earth-consciousness was not receptive enough. For three days you cannot imagine how powerful the glow was on Sri Aurobindo’s own face, on his chest, on his body. For three days the supramental light we spoke about was on Sri Aurobindo’s face, on his chest, on his whole body – not earthly light but divine Light. Then alas, the earth was not ready to receive it.

But I do not usually speak of the transformation of the body. It will take thousands and thousands of years, not hundreds, for the physical transformation. This concept is something absolutely true, but it is not going to take place in the near future or in the distant future. It will take a very, very long time. God knows by that time how many times you will have taken human incarnation!

In my case, the Supreme has promised me that I do not have to come back anymore. This will be my last incarnation. Repeatedly He has told me that I do not have to come back anymore. Outwardly and inwardly how much I suffer – every day problems are coming, people are sick, people are dying.

I always say that nobody is indispensable. If I die at this moment, the whole world will go on. But when you are on earth, some people, like me, have tremendous responsibility. That responsibility, God has not given to somebody else. It falls on spiritual Masters and others. Outer responsibility and Heavenly responsibility, as well, you have to fulfil. Some people have to bear the responsibility of thousands of people, while others have to take care of only them-selves. Even then they cannot manage it. Some individuals cannot take responsibility even for themselves.

For the physical transformation and illumination, God alone knows how many years it will take. I never talk about the physical illumination. I talk about the transformation of our nature. The transformation of our nature means, for example, if someone tells lies every day, then let him decrease in lying. If someone smokes every day, then he should decrease the number of times he smokes. Or if I do something wrong, I will try not to do it anymore. That is trans-formation of our nature.

The transformation and illumination of the physical body is much more difficult to attain and retain. On our path, we try to concentrate on our spiritual progress, the spiritual transformation of our nature. Even in that, we pray for God’s Grace to transform our nature.

8 February 2006 Malaysia