We normally think of zero as a number without any value. But that is not how Sri Aurobindo sees zero at all. In his ” Thoughts and Aphorisms” he clearly says that the zero is an incalculable infinite.

By reading Sri Karmayogi’s writings, we very well know that Silence is the best way for evolution and progress, and we know about our ignorance of our useless thoughts running through our minds. We value Silence as something positive and desirable in itself. But an ordinary person thinks that we are mad and not using our thinking power. Technically Silence is an emptiness parallel to our concept of zero.

I always think about the process behind everything that happens to me I have interpreted some of the happening as follows. The silence so far came to me in a situation where I can’t do anything further and solely depend on Mother. Immediately I get a solution or answer and the problem gets solved. I interpret this as:

As long as my mind worked everything went according to my knowledge based my past “acquired” experiences. But the spirit knows everything. It needs a medium –say any of Mothers aspect to convey it to mind- which I was deliberately obstructing by my own thoughts. So, when my thought subsides, and peace filled the gap the sprit had a medium to do the work. The sprit being infinite it gives umpteen solutions to solve the problems. Some time it even solves the problem itself directly without minds intervention. Many a times I have seen that problem gets solved when I come out of a prayer or meditation.  This can be said as zero has a value of infinite. So what I have to learn is to do everything based on the aspects of spirit from the beginning the result will be incalculable. That is why we always hear that, “I was sitting in meditation, and I got the answer”.

I understand the zero is the concept in an individual, not only for being a non-entity sociologically, it is even in levelling off in a given plane, or in present level of consciousness – if realized can be shifted to inner to form an individuality or trying to develop inner individuality to enter into all above very regions in full consciousness, with the delight of communion with the highest regions.

The unconsciousness that formed the level zero in us is no more unconsciousness but the sign of progress. This can be said, based on Sri. Ramanuja principle as zero is the divine and infinity is manifestation-in that sense zero and infinity is a practical concept of unconscious mistakes that made us zero manifesting a conscious individual. Zero is Infinite with the appearance of the Finite. By surrender one loses everything to reduce himself to zero. Zeroness is to discover his own infinity.

So those who feel they are a zero, useless or limited in any sense, socially a non-entities, in the society around need not feel that way anymore. They may have truly arrived at the fountain of fortune which they can tap to their endless joy with the help of Mother’s grace.