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The Process for Gaining Equality in the Face of Outer Circumstances · Sri Aurobindo Studies

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  The question of how to achieve the status of inner equality to
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  all outward circumstances is one that occupies the attention of
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  spiritual seekers everywhere. In his book Bases of Yoga, Sri
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  Aurobindo devotes the 1st chapter to the questions of
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  achieving calm, peace and equality as these are
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  foundational for spiritual development.
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  Some individuals try to establish a philosophical
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  approach based in the mind. They become analytical about
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  situations and work to defuse vital reactions that arise
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  through applying a deeper insight to the situation.
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  Others try a devotional approach that is based on an acceptance
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  of the Divine as doing what is right and necessary in the life
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  of the seeker. Still others try an approach of
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  Stoicism that seeks to employ the active will to manage the
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  vital reactions. Shrioro Bindo recommends in
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  various places and approach of separation of the witness
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  consciousness from the external nature.
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  The witness calmly observes as if anything happening to and
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  with the outer nature is something separate and apart
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  from the standpoint of the witness.
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  Techniques of Raja Yoga as described by Swami Vivekananda
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  include an approach of observing thoughts and sensations as they
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  arise in the mind and not purposely attending to them.
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  This is akin to the approach of the witness consciousness.
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  If the seeker is able to shift the standpoint of the psychic
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  being, the aspiration, consecration and devotion that
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  it has as its normal form of expression help to mitigate
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  reactions based on the ego personality.
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  Whichever approach 1 takes, with regular practice the seeker
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  eventually is able to find a way to reduce the influence of these
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  external impacts. The Mother notes quote to live
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  within in constant aspiration towards the Divine that renders
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  us capable of regarding life with a smile and remaining in
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  peace whatever the external circumstances.
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  Live within, Do not be shaken by external circumstances.
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  He who lives to serve the truth is not affected by outward
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  circumstances. End Quote Reference Srioro Bindu
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  and the Mother Looking from within, Chapter 1.
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  Looking at Life and Circumstances, page 29.