WRITINGS BY THE MOTHER
© Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust

Opinion and Truth

In the Ignorance mental opinions always oppose one another.

In the Truth they are complementary aspects of a higher knowledge.

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All opinions are an aspect of the Truth that can be reached only when you can make a comprehensive whole with all these aspects.

11 January 1967

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Naturally, all these discussions (or exchanges of opinion) are purely mental and have no value from the viewpoint of the Truth. Each mind has its way of seeing and understanding things, and even if you could unite and bring together all these ways of seeing, you would still be very far from attaining the Truth. It is only when, in the silence of the mind, you can lift yourself above thought, that you are ready to know by identity.

From the viewpoint of outer discipline it is indispensable, when you have an opinion and express it, to remember that it is only an opinion, a way of seeing and feeling, and that other people's opinions, and ways of seeing and feeling are as legitimate as your own, and that instead of opposing them you should total them up and try to find a more comprehensive synthesis.

On the whole the discussions are always pretty futile and seem to me to be a waste of time.

5 June 1967

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In all opinions there is something true and something false. It is indeed a great and useful thing to be able to listen to the opinions of others without losing one's temper.

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To know how to listen: to be attentive and silent.

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It is always better to tell the truth rather than give a pleasant and sweet smile. But what you are saying is not the truth. It is only an expression of your opinion.

To tell the truth is not to utter whatever crosses your mind.

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