The end of Europe?
The current world situation and a mysterious aphorism by Sri Aurobindo
On 3 March 1962, Satprem, the Mother’s chronicler and confidant, read to the Mother the following text by Sri Aurobindo. It is one of 552 aphorisms which Sri Aurobindo wrote in a notebook in or around 1913.
Europe prides herself on her practical and scientific organisation and efficiency. I am waiting till her organisation is perfect; then a child shall destroy her. [Essays Divine and Human: Thoughts and Aphorisms, p. 431]
The following dialogue ensued.
Mother: That’s embarrassing....
It’s terribly embarrassing.
Let’s pass it over in silence.
Satprem: I would be curious to know what Sri Aurobindo meant by it.
I did know, but I hastened to forget it.
I knew it when he was still in his body.
Once or twice, it came back and each time I sort of (gesture) locked it away in a cupboard.
We’ll see.
It’s better left unsaid.
I once knew what he meant — right now, I don’t remember.
On 28 August 1963, the following dialogue took place:
The Mother: You remember that aphorism of Sri Aurobindo’s? ... I understand VERY WELL what he means.
That will be the day of the great overturn.
A little child ...
I didn’t want to comment on it.... But it’s true.
Satprem: Because they’re impregnable. Those people [the Europeans] are impregnable.
Mentally.
It’s not mentally that you can make them yield.
Then how?... It’s either by force — violent force — or else by a miracle (what they call a “miracle”) that will leave them ... dumbfounded.
Those people are entirely vulnerable (by vulnerable, I mean defenseless) to spiritual force. The day when it manifests physically, there will be a debacle.
Even here, with these people [Indians] who through their tradition are so accustomed to the Power, the true spiritual Power, when it just manifests a little, they ... they tremble all over. But there [in Europe] they deny it ... which means they are completely defenseless.
I don’t know when it will come — I don’t know, it may not be soon — but one thing I know: when it comes, there will be panic — you know, THE Panic.
And in a panic, you can do something.
On 11 December 1971, on the occasion of the publication of Sri Aurobindo’s aphorisms, this rather mysterious aphorism came up once again:
Satprem: But what did he mean?
The Mother: I don’t know.
Of course, only the power can be destroyed, because the earth isn’t destroyed.
Yes, you don’t destroy the earth, but a civilization can be destroyed.
Yes.
Well, he says “Europe will be destroyed.”
Yes.... But what child? What child?
(Mother sits absorbed)
Right now, I don’t know.
I have the feeling that it came as something absolutely true, an absolutely true prediction — but I don’t know.
Earlier you had said it was better to omit it.
But now, on the contrary, my impression is that it SHOULD be said.
But I don’t think the time has come yet — I mean “come” for the realization; the time has come to say it but not for its realization.
“A child ...” maybe it’s the child of the New World?... with a smile, he’ll bring it all down.
Yes, quite possible — quite possible.
(silence)
It contains a frightening power.... Something staggering.
You can’t imagine the power contained there, it’s really like the Divine Himself saying: “I am waiting” ....
Only read up to the aphorism and stopped, you might want to read the note I added to my post, 8h ago.