Asceticism for its own sake is not the ideal of this Yoga, but self-control in the vital and right order in the material is a very important part of it – and even an ascetic discipline is better for our purpose than a loose absence of true control. Mastery of materials refers to the correct and careful use of things and self-control in their use. Coercive oppression (fasting also falls under this head) is on the same level as free enjoyment; In both cases, the desire persists: in the one it is nourished by enjoyment, in the other it remains latent and is excited by repression. – Sri Aurobindo
– meditation of the day
