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The Sometimes Fortunate Nature of Misfortune · Sri Aurobindo Studies

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  One of the core principles of spiritual growth is the
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  development of equality in the sense of accepting whatever
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  comes into one's life with equanimity.
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  This does not mean that the proper standpoint excludes
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  action against injustice or oppression, rather that one
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  recognizes that sometimes the forces that come in the form of
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  obstruction, harmful intentions or interference are there to
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  galvanized 1 into action and progress.
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  Action actually is much more effective when it is not
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  coloured by personal, limited preconceived notions, desires or
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  emotions that cloud the response and impede the purity of the
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  effort. It is said that when, for
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  instance, an individual has been provoked to anger, he will tend
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  to make mistakes and thereby undermine the result.
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  But it goes further than this. Many times the resistance, the
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  obstacle, the actual unfortunate event is able to shift 1 to a
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  new view, a new standpoint, a new direction that turns out to
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  be, in the long run, the fulfilment of the individual's
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  destiny. This is particularly the case
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  for those who are moved to take up spiritual development.
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  Consciously, they have put themselves onto a path that
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  creates what can be seen as a positive feedback loop that
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  responds to their aspiration by helping the seeker achieve it.
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  The achievement of spiritual development necessarily involves
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  breaking old habits and attachments, and thus there are
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  times when circumstances arise that challenge the individual to
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  grow rather than simply respond with an embedded habit or an
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  instinctive behaviour. Sri Orobindo writes in his
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  thoughts and aphorisms. Quote, O misfortune, blessed be
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  thou, for through thee I have seen the face of my lover.
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  End Quote. A disciple asks, If through
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  misfortune one sees the face of God, then it is no longer a
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  misfortune, is it? The mother responds, quote.
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  Obviously, far from being a misfortune, it is a blessing.
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  And this is precisely which Riorrobindo means.
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  When things happen which are not what we expect, what we hope
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  for, what we want, which are contrary to our desires, in our
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  ignorance we call them misfortunes and lament.
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  But if we were to become a little wiser and observe the
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  deeper consequences of these very same events, we would find
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  that they are leading us rapidly towards the Divine, the Beloved.
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  Whereas easy and pleasant circumstances encourage us to
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  dally on the path, to stop along the way, to pluck the flowers of
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  pleasure which present themselves to us, and which we
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  are too weak or not sincere enough to reject resolutely, so
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  that our March forward is not delayed.
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  One must already be very strong, very far along the way, to be
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  able to face success and the little enjoyments it brings
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  without giving way. Those who can do this, those who
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  are strong, do not run after success.
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  They do not seek it and accept it with indifference, for they
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  know and appreciate the value of the lashes given by unhappiness
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  and misfortune. But ultimately, the true
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  attitude, the sign and proof that we are near the goal, is a
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  perfect equality which enables us to accept success and
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  failure, fortune and misfortune, happiness and sorrow, with the
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  same tranquil joy. For all these things become
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  marvelous gifts that the Lord, in His infinite solicitude,
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  showers upon us. End Quote.
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  Reference Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within,
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  Chapter 1, Looking at Life and Circumstances, pages 27 to 28.