4-Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

14/5/2015
Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton
PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category20:WhatIsPhilosophy?>
Chapter4:ItsRealizationBeyondEcstasy
ItsRealizationBeyondEcstasy
Mysticismandmysticalphilosophycompared
1
Philosophyclearsawayalltheunnecessarymysteryfrommysticism,whilepreservinga
properattitudeofaweandreverencetowhateverisworthyofit.
2
Whereasnotafewmysticsinthepasthavebeengulliblevotariesofsuperstitionalso,
philosophicalmysticsseektobeentirelyfreeofit.Theywanttheirmysticismtobe
worthyofarationalman.
3
Thedifferencebetweenthetwoisthatoneispartiallyinspiredwhereastheotherisfully
inspired.
4
Itisnotenoughtomeasurethegradeofamysticbyhisemotionalfeelings.Wemustalso
concernourselveswithhisegolessness,hisintellectualexpression,hisaesthetic
sensitivity,andhiseffectivepracticality.Thesethingsmakeupthedifferencebetweenan
infantilemysticismandaphilosophicalmysticism.
5
Thereisthisimportantdifferenceofapproachbetweenthewouldbemysticandthe
wouldbephilosopher.Thefirstisoftenactuatedbyemotionalconflictsorfrustrationsfor
whichheseekssomekindofcompensation.Thesecondismotivatedbyadeeploveof
truthforitsownsake.
6
Thereismuchmoreunderjudgementherethanamerelyverbaldistinction.Thematteris
notsosimplebutfarmorecomplexthanitseems.Forphilosophicalmysticismintroduces
somenewprinciplesintomysticismwhichmakeaprofounddifferenceinresultsand
values.
7
WhereasmysticismaloneacquaintsamanwithhistrueSelf,philosophicalmysticism
doesthisandalsoacquaintshimwithhisconnectionwithuniversallife.Itnotonlytells
himofthegreatlawsofevolutionandcompensation,butalsoaffiliateshimwiththegreat
souloftheworld.
8
Allyogaandmysticmethods,aswellascertainreligiouspractices,althoughofthe
highestvalueaspreliminarydisciplines,arenottheultimateendsinthemselves.Ifone
hassufficientsharpnessofmindthatis,sustainedconcentrationonabstractthemesand
sufficientfreedomfromanykindofegoisticpreconceptionwhatever,onecaninstantly
graspthetruthandrealizeit.Butwhohasthat?Hence,thesevariousmethodsof
developingourselves,theseyogas,havebeenprescribedtoassistus.Theirpracticetakes
alongtime,itistrue,buttheactualrealizationisamatterofamoment.Norcaniteverbe
lostagain,ascanthefeelingecstasiesofthemystics.Allthesedoctrineshavetheirplace
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forpeopleofdifferentdegreesofunderstanding,anditisourdutynottodestroythefaith
ofthosewhoclingtothem.ButforthosewhowantthehighestTruth,andwhoare
preparedtopartwiththeirillusionsforitssake,thereisonly"thestraightandnarrow
way,andfewtherebethatfindit."Itisnarrowonlybecausetheegomustbeleftoutside
thegateitisstraightbecauseitgoesdirecttothefinaltruth.
9
Themysticmaygethisunionwiththehigherselfastherewardforhisreverentdevotion
toit.Butitslightwillshinedownonlyintothosepartsofhisbeingwhichwere
themselvesactiveinthesearchforunion.Althoughtheunionmaybeapermanentone,
itsconsummationmaystillbeonlyapartialone.Ifhisintellect,forexample,wasinactive
beforetheevent,itwillbeunilluminedaftertheevent.Thisiswhymanymysticshave
attainedtheirgoalwithoutasearchfortruthbeforeitorafullknowledgeoftruthafterit.
Thesimpleloveforspiritualbeingbroughtthemtoitthroughtheirsheerintensityof
ardourearningthedivineGrace.Heonlygetsthecompletelight,however,whois
completelyfittedforitwiththewholeofhisbeing.Ifheisonlypartiallyfit,becauseonly
apartofhispsychehasworkedforthegoal,thentheutmostresultwillbeapartialbut
permanentunionwiththesoul,orelseitwillbemarredbytheinabilitytokeeptheunion
forlongerthantemporaryperiods.
10
Thephilosophicmysticseekstorisefromwhatissensetiedtowhatissensefree,from
theappearanceofrealitytothepurerealityitself.Theperceptualsymbolsandoptical
phenomenawhicharesooftenlabelled"mystical"are,therefore,adegreelesssensuous
tohimthantheirphysicalcounterparts.Theyarehelpsatfirstontheupwardway,but
theybecomehindrancesintheend.Tolivepermanentlyinthemidstofapsychicmirage,
howeverpleasantordazzlingitseemsatthetime,isnotgoingtohelphistrue
advancementinthispath.Heshouldbewarnedbytheirappearancenottodallytoolong
withthem,buttopassthembyunheededandseekthetrueinsightahead.Thisruleis
pushedtosuchanextentinthehighestmysticalcirclesofTibetthatthelamastudentwho
hasemergedfromhisnovitiateisevenwarnedagainstacceptingasthegoalthevisionsof
anenvelopinguniversallightwhichisthesupremeclairvoyantvisionpossibleforman
andtoldthatthisismerelyatestofhisfixedpurposeandatrapforhismetaphysical
knowledge.Heiswarnedthattheywillpassastheycome.Theyareusefulasstepstothe
Truth,buttheyarenotthepermanentrealizationoftruthitself.Thosewhoarebabesjust
emergingfromthewoodofignorancemayseethemysticlightinatemporaryclairvoyant
vision,butthosewhoaregrownadultswillknowitalwaysastheprincipleofpure
consciousnesswhichmakesallvision,whetherclairvoyantorphysiological,possible.
Thedivinerealitybeingtheultimateandundisclosedbasisofallexistences,ifwe
externalizeitinspectacularvisionsandphenomenalexperiences,wemissitspurebeing
andmixitupwithmereappearance.Thustheveryexperienceswhichareconsidered
signsoffavourableprogressinmeditationonthemystic'spathbecomesignsofhindrance
onthephilosopher'spath.
11
AnotherdifferencebetweenaPhilosopherandaMysticisthefollowing:theMysticmay
beilliterate,uneducated,simpleminded,butyetmayattaintheOverself.Thushefinds
hisInnerPeace.Itiseasierforhimbecauseheislessintellectual,hencehasfewer
thoughtstogiveupandtostill.ButNaturedoesnotabsolvehimfromfinishinghis
furtherdevelopment.Hehasstilltocompletehishorizontalgrowthaswellasbalanceit.
Hehasobtaineddepthofilluminationbutnotbreadthofexperiencewherethe
undevelopedstateoffacultieswhichpreventshislightfrombeingperfectmaybefully
developed.Thiscanhappeneitherbyreturningtoearthagainorcontinuinginother
spheresofexistencehedoesallthisinsidehispeaceinsteadof,aswithordinaryman,
outsideit.Whenhisgrowthiscomplete,hebecomesaphilosopher.
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12
Hewhohasattainedillumination,butnotphilosophicillumination,mustcomebackto
earthforfurtherimprovementofthosefacultieswhoseundevelopedstatepreventsthe
lightfrombeingperfect.
13
Theneedofpredeterminingatthebeginningofthepathwhethertobeaphilosopherora
mysticarisesonlyfortheparticularreincarnationwhereattainmentismade.Thereafter,
whetheronthisearthoranother,theneedoffulfillingthephilosophicevolutionwillbe
impressedonhimbyNature.
14
ItwillbenoticedthatsomeofthemeditationexercisesgiveninTheWisdomofthe
Overselfconcernthereeducationofcharacterandinvolvetheuseofmentalimagesand
logicalthoughts.Theaimofordinaryyogabeingtosuppresssuchimagesandthoughts,it
isclearthatthephilosophicyogadoesnotlimititselftosuchaims.Itcertainlyincludes
andusesthemwhenandwherenecessary,asinsomeoftheotherexercises,butitdoes
notmakethemitsultimateones.Ontheotherhand,theimagesandthoughtswhichit
usesarenotquitetheordinarykind.Broughtintobeingwithintheatmosphereof
detachedcontemplationorintenseconcentrationastheyare,inspiredatcertainmoments
bythelightandpoweroftheOverselfanddirectedtowardsthepurestimpersonalgoalas
theyshouldbe,theydonotinterferewiththephilosophicstudent'squest,but,onthe
contrary,actuallyadvanceitfurther.
15
Whatevercreativeabilitieshepossesseswill,intheend,bevivifiedandnotnullifiedby
theeffectsofphilosophicexperience.Thisisnotalwaysthecasewithmystical
experience.Hereisanotherimportantdifferencebetweenthetwo.
16
"Mysticalphilosophy"isabettertermthan"philosophicalmysticism."
17
Philosophyconstructivelytrainsthemysticinsecuringacorrecttransmissionofhis
supernormalexperiencethroughhisnormalmentality.
18
Therelativityofallman'searthlyexperienceisalimitationwhichiscarriedintothe
realmofhismysticalexperiencetoo.Butherehehastheadvantagethathemayescape
fromitundercertainconditions.Thedemandforanabsoluteauthoritativeandunvarying
spiritualtruthcanthenbesatisfied.
19
Thefantasieswhichareoftenproducedbybeginnersasthevaluedfruitsoftheir
meditationwillberegardedwithrepugnancewhentheyhaveshiftedtheirstandpointtoa
higherplane.Whentheyfollowthephilosophicdiscipline,visionsandmessageswhich
aretheresultofanintoxicatedimaginationorluxuriantfancywillthennolongerbeable
toimposeuponthemandpretendtobeotherthanwhattheyreallyare.Thetemptationto
implantouregoisticmotivesandtoprojectourhumanfeelingsintotheinterpretationsof
thesephenomenaissostrongthatonlythecurbofsuchadisciplinecansaveus.Allthe
psychicexperiencesaretheephemeralandaccidentalbyproductsofthemysticalpath,
notabidingandessentialresults.Theyaresignsofapassagethroughtheimaginativepart
oftheinnerbeing.Whenstudentsaresofortunateastoenterthetruestdeepestpartof
being,suchexperienceswillvanishforeverorforatime.Hencetheyarenottobe
regardedasworthwhileinthemselves.Thephilosopherlikethemysticmayandoften
doesseevisions,butunlikehimhealsoseesthroughthem.Hepossessestruevisionand
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doesnotmerelyexperienceavision.Butittakestimeandexperiencetoseparatewhat
elementsareessentialandwhataremerelyincidental,whatisenduringfromwhatis
transient,andtheinterpretationbuiltupoutoftheoriginalexperiencesfromthe
experienceitself.
20
Nomysticexperienceiscontinuousandpermanent.Allmysticexperiencescometoman
inbrokenfragments.Itisthereforethetaskofphilosophytoturnthemintoacoherent
andsystematiccorrelationwiththerestofman'sexperience.Anditcandothis
successfullyonlybyexaminingmysticismwithasmuchcriticismassympathyitshould
neithertaketrancereportsattheirfacevaluenordismissthemasbeingofless
importancethanordinarysensereports.
21
Whathascomesoaccidentallymaylikewisedepartaccidentally.Whathehasstumbled
intohemayalsostumbleoutof.Thereforethephilosophicmystictriestoremoveas
muchoftheunconsciousnessofthewholeprocessashecanbymakinguseofthe
intelligencetocompleteitevenas,paradoxically,hebegsforGraceatthesametimeand
forthesamepurpose.
22
WerethegloriousrealizationoftheOverselfdevoidofanyfeeling,thentherealization
itselfwouldbeapalpableabsurdity.Itwouldnotbeworthhaving.Thegrandinsightinto
realityiscertainlynotstrippedofferventdelightandissurelynotanaridintellectual
concept.Itisrightlysaturatedwithexaltedemotionbutitisnotthisemotionalone.The
beatificfeelingofwhatisrealisquitecompatiblewithpreciseknowledgeofwhatisreal
thereisnocontradictionbetweenthem.Indeedtheymustcoexist.Nay,thereisapointon
thephilosophicpathwheretheyevenrunintoeachother.Suchapointmarksthe
beginningofastablewisdomwhichwillnotbethevictimofmercilessalternation
betweentheebbandtheflowofarapturousemotionalismbutwillknowthatitdwellsin
timelessnesshereandnowthereforeitwillnotbesubjecttosuchfluctuationsofmood.
Betterthantheexuberantupsurgesandemotionaldepressionsofthemystical
temperamentisthementalevennesswhichiswithoutriseorfallandwhichshouldbethe
aimofthefarseeingstudents.Thefitfulflashesofenlightenmentpertainingtothemystic
stagearereplacedbyasteadylightonlywhenthephilosophicstageisreachedandpassed
through.Thephilosophicaimistoovercomethedifferencebetweensporadicintuitions
andsteadyknowledge,betweenspasmodicecstasiesandcontrolledperception,andthus
achieveapermanentstateofenlightenment,abidingunshakeablyandatalltimesinthe
Overself.
23
Toviewtheinferiormysticalexperiencesortheratiocinativemetaphysicalfindings
otherwisethanaspassingphases,tosetthemupasfinallyrepresentativeofrealityinthe
onecaseoroftruthintheother,istoplacethemonaleveltowhichtheydonotproperly
belong.Thosewhofallintotheseconderrordosobecausetheyascribeexcessive
importancetothethinkingfaculty.Themysticistooattachedtoonefaculty,asthe
metaphysicianistotheother,andneithercanconductahumanbeingbeyondthebounds
ofhisenchainedegotothatregionwhereBeingalonereigns.Itisnotthatthemysticdoes
notenterintocontactwiththeOverself.Hedoes.ButhisexperienceoftheOverselfis
limitedtoglimpseswhicharepartial,becausehefindstheOverselfonlywithinhimself,
notintheworldoutside.Itistemporarybecausehehastotakeitwhenitcomesatitsown
sweetwillorwhenhecanfinditinmeditation.Itisaglimpsebecauseittellshimabout
hisown"I"butnotaboutthe"NotI."Ontheotherhand,thesagefindsrealityinthe
worldwithoutashisownself,atalltimesandnotatspecialoccasions,andwhollyrather
thaninglimpses.Themystic'slightcomesinglimpses,butthesage'sisperennial.
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Whereasthefirstislikeaflickeringunsteadyandunevenflame,thesecondislikealamp
thatnevergoesout.WhereasthemysticcomesintoawarenessoftheOverselfthrough
feelingalone,thesagecomesintoitthroughknowledgeplusfeeling.Hence,the
superiorityofhisrealization.
Theaveragemysticisdevoidofsufficientcriticalsense.Hedelightsinpreventinghis
intellectfrombeingactiveinsuchadefinitedirection.Hehasyettolearnthat
philosophicaldisciplinehasasteadyinginfluenceonthevagariesofmysticalemotion,
opinion,fancy,andexperience.Herefusestojudgethegoalhehassetupastowhetherit
beindeedman'sultimategoal.Consequentlyheisunabletoapplycorrectstandards
wherebyhisownachievementsorhisownaspirationsmaybemeasured.Havingshut
himselfupinalittleheavenofhisown,hedoesnotattempttodistinguishitfromother
heavensortodiscoverifitbeheavenindeed.Heclingsasstubbornlytohisself
righteousnessasdoesthereligionistwhomhecriticizesforclingingtohisdogma.He
doesnotcomprehendthathehastransferredtohimselfthatnarrownessofoutlookwhich
hecondemnsinthematerialistic.Hispositionwouldbepreposterouswereitnotso
perilous.
Mysticismmustnotrestsosmuglysatisfiedwithitsownobscuritythatitrefusesevento
maketheefforttocomeoutintothelightofcriticalselfexamination,clearself
determination,andrationalselfunderstanding.Tocomplainhelplesslythatitcannot
explainitself,tositadmiringlybeforeitsownselfproclaimedimpalpability,ortostand
aristocraticallyintherarefiedairofitsownindefinabilityasitusuallydoesistofall
intoakindofsubtlequackery.Magnificenteulogyisnosubstituteforneeded
explanation.
24
Thecrucialpointofourcriticismmustnotbemissed.Ourwordsaredirectedagainstthe
beliefwhichequatesthecriterionoftruthwiththeuncheckedandunpurifiedfeelingofit
howevermysticalitbe.Wedonotdemandthatfeelingitselfshallbeignored,orthatits
contributionwhichismostimportanttowardtruthshallbedespised.Ourcriticismis
notdirectedagainstemotion,butagainstthatunbalancedattitudewhichsetsupemotion
almostasareligioninitself.Weaskonlythatthereactionofpersonalfeelingshallnotbe
setupasthesoleandsufficientstandardofwhatisorisnotrealityandtruth.Whenwe
speakoftheunsatisfactoryvalidityoffeelingasprovidingsufficientproofbyitselfof
havingexperiencedtheOverself,wemeanprimarily,ofcourse,thekindofpassionate
feelingwhichthrowsthemysticintotransportsofjoy,andsecondarily,anystrong
emotionwhichsweepshimoffhisfeetintorefusaltoanalysehisexperiencecoldlyand
scientifically.Threepointsmaybeherenoted.First,merefeelingalonemayeasilybe
egoisticanddistortthetruthorbeinflamedandexaggerateitorputforwardawanted
fancyinplaceofanunwantedfact.Second,thereisherenomeansofattainingcertainty.
Itsvalidity,beingonlypersonal,isonlyasacceptableasaretheofferingsofpoetsand
artistswhocanalsotalkintermsofpsychological,butnotmetaphysical,reality.For
instance,themysticmaygazeatandseewhathethinkstobereality,butsomeoneelse
maynotthinkittobeso.Third,thepathofthephilosophicalobjectiontoappraising
feelingaloneasacriterionoftruthandofourinsistenceoncheckingitsintimationswith
criticalreasoningmaybeputinthebriefestwaybyananalogy.Wefeelthattheearthis
stableandmotionless,butweknowthatittracesacurveofmovementinspace.Wefeel
thatitisfixedinthefirmament,butweknowthatthewholeheliocentricsystemhasits
ownmotioninspace.Thereadershouldponderupontheimplicationsofthesefacts.Are
nottheannalsofmysticismstainedbymanyinstancesofmegalomaniacswhofalselyset
themselvesupasmessiahsmerelybecausetheyfeltthatGodhadcommissionedthemto
doso?Thisiswhythephilosopherisconcernednotonlywiththeemotionaleffectsof
innerexperience,asisthemystic,butalsowiththetruthabouttheseeffects.
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25
Ihavenotswungovernightintothecriticismofyogabutratherhavegraduallymatured
intocriticismofwrongweighingsonthescaleofyoga.Yogaisasprofoundlynecessary
tomyownlifeasbefore.OnlyIwantitatitsverybestanddonotwanttomistakeits
intermediatestageforitsfinalone.
26
IrealizethatthisexplanationaltersthestatementinTheQuestoftheOverselfmaterially
andImustexplainthatthatbookwaswritten,likemostofmyearlierbooks,forthose
whohavenotyetreachedthelevelofphilosophybutareseekingpeacethrough
mysticism.Thequestoftruthisanotherandhighermatterforwhichmysticismandyoga
arepreparatorystages.
27
"BywhateverformamanworshipsMe,inthatformIrevealMyselftohim,"isthegistof
astatementmadebyKrishnaintheBhagavadGita.Thisishiswayofsayingwhat
philosophyteaches,thattheideaofGodwhichaManholdsisnotnecessarilyaltered
whenhehasaGlimpseorfeelsaninspiration,sincetheseoccuronthemysticallevel.
Onlyphilosophicenlightenmentgivesthedoubleexperienceofraisingmantothehigher
consciousnessandcorrectinghisintellectualideaofGodatthesametime.
28
Themysticallyinclinedwhogloryintheirantirationalityandimpracticalitymayplaythe
partofintellectualbabesandworldlyboobsiftheywishtodoso.Butthephilosophically
inclined,realizingthattheyliveinanerawheretheevilforcesagainstwhichtheymust
strugglehavereachedunparalleledintensityandrevealedthemostdiaboliccunning,
realizethattheycannotaffordsuchaluxury.Theywillconsequentlyfosterallthe
practicalshrewdness,thecriticalintelligence,observance,andalertnesstheycansummon
up.
29
Whattheydonotperceiveisthatinwardcontemplationisonlyatechnique,notanendin
itself.Theproperendofcontemplationistheattainmentofahigherconsciousness.That
consciousnessisnot,astheyerroneouslysuppose,incommensurablewithoutward
activity.Butcontemplation,asapracticalexercise,certainlyis.Here,then,iswherethey
confuseamethodwiththegoalofthatmethod.Itisperfectlypossibletosustainboththe
higherconsciousnessandphysicalandintellectualactivityatthesametime.Thelatter
neednotnecessarilyimperiltheformer.Mysticswhocomplainthatitdoesdosoare
reallycomplainingthatitimperilstheformalpracticeofcontemplationwhichisa
differentmatter.
30
Therearemanywhosaythatthisattempttounitecontemplationwithactivityisaself
contradictoryoneandforedoomedtofailure.Answer:withthenarrowpreparationof
ordinaryreligiousmysticism,itcertainlyseemsanimpossiblefeatbutwiththefuller
preparationofphilosophicmysticism,itisabalancethatcanbelearnedinthesameway
thataskilfultightropewalkerlearnshisart,eventhoughitseemsjustasimpossibleat
first.
31
Becausetheovereagerquestofmysticalexperienceshasbeencriticizedinthesebooks,
itwouldbeamistaketobelievethatthephilosopherneverhasthembecausehehas
outgrownthem.Hemayhavethem.Theirappearanceisnotimproperanditisunlikely
thatanyonewhoconsistentlymeditateswillnothaveafewormany.Butwhetherhehas
themornot,heisinwardlydetachedfromthemfreeofthem.
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32
Itisagreatadvanceforhimwhenhebeginsreallytoseektruthinsteadofpersonalbliss
alone,howevermysticalthatmaybe.Indeed,wherethereistrueknowledgethereisbliss,
butTruthisnotlimitedtoit.Itisfarwiderthanthat.
33
IntheBuddhist'sdeepermeditationaltrainingminutelydescribedintheAbhidhamma
collectedandrecordedbytheBuddha'sdisciplesitisnoteworthythatecstasiesfirst,and
blissnext,ceaseabouthalfwayalongthepath,tobesucceededbyintenseinnerquietfor
theadvancedandterminalstages.Yetthetextsonyogawhichgobeyondthishalfway
stagearefew,andarestudiedbyfew.Foritisatthispointthatmysticismends,andreal
philosophybegins.
34
Textsmightprovemisleadingifstudiedalonetheymustbepersonallyexpoundedbya
competentteacher.Moreover,ifbuttwobooks,forinstance,outofthirty,weretaken
alonetheywouldgiveaonesidedandinaccuratepicture.ButthebookbySriKrishna
Prem,YogaoftheBhagavadGita,canbequitehelpful.TheaimofTheHiddenTeaching
BeyondYogaistoprepareabasis,tocreateanatmosphere,butitdoesnotgofartherthan
that.Thereisalowermysticismandahighermysticismandthetwoareseparatedintime
bythephilosophicdiscipline.NothingofthehighermysticismhasbeenrevealedinThe
HiddenTeachingBeyondYoga.ThatisgiveninTheWisdomoftheOverselftogether
withseveralpracticesorexerciseswhichdevelopthesupramysticinsighthintedatas
beingthefinalsourceofknowledge.Neithermysticismasordinarilyknownthatis,the
lowermysticismandyoganorphilosophyofapurelyintellectualrationalkindcanever
leadtothisgoal.Neverthelesstheyareessentialstagesonthewaythereto.Onemustnot
makethemistakeeitherofdiscardingmeditation(asrecommendedbyAshtavakra)and
resortingonlytoratiocination,orofdespisingratiocination(asordinarymysticsand
yogisdo)andtrustingsolelytomeditation.Bothareneeded.Butbothareonly
preliminarydisciplines.Onlythesupramysticexercisescanleadtothefinalrevelation
andtheseweregiventotheWestforthefirsttimeinTheWisdomoftheOverself.They
wereformerlykeptesotericineverysenseoftheword,buttimeshavechanged.
35
Suchmisunderstandingsasthatreasoningaloneleadstorealization,thatitcanreplace
meditation,andthatmetaphysicsissuperiortomysticismcouldnotpossiblyarise,ascan
beseenfromthesecondvolume[TheWisdomoftheOverself].Forinthisfinalvolume
theoldgodsarerestoredbutplacedinnewshrinesitshowsthattheearlierpreparatory
chapterswerereallyleadinguptoit.Thesemisconceptionsarelikelytooccurbecausein
thefirstvolume[TheHiddenTeachingBeyondYoga]Ideliberatelycriticizedcertain
thingsinordertostresswhat,itseemedtome,thetimehadcometostress.ForIwanted
toclearthegroundofallthisdebris,thuspreparingthewayforthehighermysticism
unfoldedinTheWisdomoftheOverself.Theessentialprinciplesofmysticismandyoga
haveremainedintactbutareexplainedfromanewangleofapproach,thescientific
philosophic,soastoclarifytherealissues.Astheangleofapproachdiffers,sodoeswhat
isseenappeardifferentlytoo.Iamfullypreparedtoaccepttheblameforwhatever
mistakesIhavemadeinthepast,butIconsideritismoreimportanttolearnhowthey
haveconstitutedsteppingstonestomypresentdayhigherknowledge.Ihavebeen
engagedinawidespreadmysticalresearchformostofmylifetime,sothatthe
conclusionswhichIhaveformulatedareatleastworthyofconsideration,ifnotmore.I
consideritasacreddutytofreethatwhichissoprecioustomefromthelarge
falsifications,extravagantclaims,ancientdistortions,anddegradeddoctrinesfromwhich
itissuffering.Icannotremainsilentandindifferentwhileitstreasuresarecaricaturedby
theunscientificandunphilosophicalorwhileitstruthsaredeformedandshamelessly
cheapenedbytheegoistic,thehyperemotional,andthefoolish.Wemustviewthis
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subjectasawhole,notmerelyinitsbrightordarkpatches.Thismeansthatwemustbe
bentonrealisticallyseeingboth.Ourmoralsmustbetoughenoughtodosoandexalted
enoughtoaccepttheconsequencesoffacingunpleasantfactswithoutlosingafarsighted
confidenceintheessentialworthofmysticism.ForsofarasIamawarenobodywithin
theranksofthemysticallymindedcapableofspeakingwithsufficientauthorityhas
heretoforeventuredtoexplaintheexistenceamongstthemoflargescalegullibility,
notoriouscharlatanry,andfailuretobeneficiallyaffectpubliclifebyfranklyexposingthe
limitations,defects,errors,andmisunderstandingsprevalentinmysticismitselfina
scientificandphilosophicmanner.
36
Thephilosopherenjoysacontinuousinnerpeace.Hehasnoparticularwishatanytimeto
exchangeitforthemystic'sblissalthoughthroughhiscapacityformeditationhemaybe
abletodoso.
37
ThemystictouchestheserenityandlightoftheOverselfbutfallsawayfromthemsoon.
Thephilosopherdoesnotmerelytouchthembutattainstheirfullnessforever.Thefirstis
partialandprovisionalwhereasthesecondisfinalandcomplete.
38
Philosophystandsalignedwithmysticismsofarasthisaimofachievingtheprofoundest
inwardselfabsorptionthroughmeditationisinquestion,butitstandsalooffrom
mysticismsofarasrational,moral,practical,andsocialissuesareinquestion.Acorrect
appraisalofmysticismcanonlybeformedbyexaminingitsideologyagainstthewider
backgroundofphilosophicdoctrine.
39
Theyogicviewpointstillembracesthephenomenaofcausation,howeverrefined.
40
Philosophyprescribesjustenoughmeditationtomakeitsvotariesmysticallyconscious
butnotenoughtomakethemforgetthephilosophicgoalamidstitspleasures.
41
Thephilosophicgoalwhenenteringintomysticalexperienceofthehigherkindorwhen
viewingone'srelationtoanyoneelseortoanysituation,istoseethetruthcorrectlyand
understanditrightly,toaddnothingtoitoutofpersonalassociationsorhabitual
tendencies.
42
Thenextpointofdifferenceistheactivenatureofphilosophicrealizationascomparedto
thepassivenatureofmysticalrealization.Thisistheresultoftheholdingupof
compassionaspartofthephilosophicaspirant'sidealfromthebeginningtotheendofhis
course.
43
Thephilosophicexperienceisabecalmedmysticalrapture.
44
Thelineofdemarcationbetweenthelowerandthehighermysticismisclearlyshown.
Forthelowermystichassublimeexperiencesandmakesinspiredutterancesbutdoesnot
understandprofoundly,clearly,andfullywhattheseexperiencesarenorwhatthese
utterancesmean.Neitherhisattainmentsnorhisknowledgehasarrivedatadequateself
consciousness.HeisinthepositionofpoetslikeTennyson,whoconfessedthathisIn
Memoriam,whichwaswrittentoproclaimhumanimmortality,waswiserthanhehimself
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knew.(SeePlato'sTheApologyofSocrates7,regardingthis.)
45
Theendofphilosophicseekingisnotafleetingmysticecstasybutadurablemystic
consciousnessinlayingeverythought,word,feeling,anddeed.
46
Thatwhichthemysticfeelsiswhatthemetaphysicianthinks.Thephilosopherknowsand
actsit,aswellasfeelsandthinksit.
47
Solongashisattainmentdependsonacontemplativestagewhichinitsturndependson
inactivityandsolitude,solongwillitbeonlyahalfattainment.
48
Amysticismwhichdoesnottakeintoaccountallthechieffunctionswhichmakeabeing
humanwill,feeling,reason,andintuitionleavessomeofhisevolutionarypossibilities
undevelopedandcannotgiveafinishedresultbutonlyapartlyfinishedone.Itfailstodo
justicetothegloriousidealsetbeforehimbytheWorldIdea.
49
Hemustcontinuetoprobeforhimselfintotherecessesofhisownmind.Thisrequires
muchpatience.Heisquitecorrectinwantingtobeawareofeverystepofthepathandin
refusingtomoveblindly.Onthispathheneedstobalancetheclaimsofreasonand
feelingandtounderstandaccuratelywhatitisthatheistryingtodo.Hecannotgoback
totheunconsciousbeliefsofspiritualchildhood.Thisisthedifferencebetweenordinary
mysticismandphilosophicalmysticism.
50
Themysticisusuallysatisfiedinenjoyingthisinnerstillnesswhereasthephilosopher
needsalsotoknowwhereitemanatesfrom.
Discriminatinganalysis,mysticaldepth
51
Whatthemysticseeksthroughloveandselfpurificationalone,thephilosopherseeks
throughloveandselfpurificationandknowledgeaswell.
52
Philosophyoffersthesamemeditationalexperienceasmysticism,butitcarriesthis
experiencetoawideranddeeperlevelandatthesametimeintegratesitwithmoralsocial
andrationalelements.
53
Philosophicalmysticismkeepsandcontainsallthatisbestinordinarymysticismbut
reinforcesandbalancesitwithreason,culture,shrewdness,andpracticality,expressesit
throughserviceorart.
54
Whenthemindwithdrawsfromitscreationsafterunderstandingtheirmentalnessand
looksintoitself,itdiscoversthefinaltruth.Butwhenitdoesthisprematurelythatis,
beforesuchenquiryintotheworld'snatureitdiscoversahalftruth:thenatureofthe"I."
55
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Thevirtueofphilosophicyogaisthatitmakesreasonanaccompliceandnot,aswiththe
otheryogas,anenemyofthequestofspiritualrealization.
56
Thephilosophicalmystichasnouseforsuchvaguenessandprecariousness.Hemust
knowwhatheisabout,mustbeselfconsciousandselfpossessed.Butallthisonthe
intellectuallevelonly.Hewillbethepersonificationofhumility,theincarnationofself
surrender,ontheemotionallevel.
57
Mysticismrequirestheunreservedsurrenderoftheegotothesoul.Fromthisquite
correctrequirement,unphilosophicmysticsdrawthequiteincorrectconclusionsthatthe
ego'sfacultyofreasoninganduseofwillaretobebanishedfromthedomainofpractical
affairs.Itshouldnot,forinstance,provideforitsworldlyfuture,becauseGodisto
provideforit.Beliefinmysticismisnoexcuseforsuchillogicalandinaccuratethinking,
muchlessfortheparalysisofwilling.Themysticmaygivehimselfuntothesoulandyet
renderuntothoughtandactionthatwhichisrightlytheirs.
58
Boththetechniqueofmeditationandthestudyofmetaphysicsmustbebroughtinto
satisfactoryadjustment.
59
Philosophicalunderstandingcanbloomwithinhimonlyafterhehascultivatedhis
metaphysicalintelligenceaswellashismysticalintuition.
60
Howcanscienceandmysticismmeetwheneachusesadifferentfaculty,theoneintellect
andtheotherintuition?Theycanmeetbyfollowingtwosteps:first,byeachone
understandingitsownandtheother'splace,function,andlimitation,andsecond,by
amalgamatingtheirviewpoints,thusrisingintothedomainofphilosophy.
61
Truthwillnotinsultintelligence,althoughitsoarsbeyondintellect.Letthereligionists
talknonsense,astheydoattimesbutholinessisnotincompatiblewiththeuseofbrains,
theacquisitionofknowledge,andtherationalfaculties.
62
Itisnotenoughtonegatethinkingthismayyieldamentalblankwithoutcontent.We
havealsototranscendit.Thefirstisthewayofordinaryyogathesecondisthewayof
philosophicyoga.Inthesecondway,therefore,weseekstrenuouslytocarrythoughtto
itsmostabstractandrarefiedpoint,toacriticalculminatingwherebyitswholecharacter
changesanditmergesofitsownaccordinthehighersourcewhenceitarises.If
successful,thisproducesapleasant,sometimesecstaticstatebuttheecstasyisnotour
aim,aswithordinarymysticism.Withusthereflectionmustkeeployallytoaloftieraim,
thatofdissolvingtheegoinitsdivinesource.Themetaphysicalthinkingmustworkits
way,firstupwardstoamoreandmoreabstractconceptandsecondinwardstoamoreand
morecompleteabsorptionfromtheexternalworld.Theconsequenceisthatwhen
illuminationresults,whetheritcomesintheformofamysticaltrance,ecstasy,or
intuition,itscharacterwillbeunquestionablydifferentandimmeasurablysuperiortothat
whichcomesfromthemeresterilizationofthethinkingprocesswhichisthemethodof
ordinaryyoga.
63
Thereisalittleconfusioninsomemindsastotheprecisedifferencesbetween
philosophicmeditationsandordinarymeditation.Thefollowingnoteisintendedtohelp
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clearupthismatter.Therearefivestagesinthephilosophicmethod.Thefirstfourof
thesestagescoverthesamegroundasthoseintraditionalmysticism.Itisinthelaststage
thatavitaldifferenceappears.Instageone,thestudentlearnstoconcentratehisfaculties,
thoughts,andpowerofattention.Hemustfixbeforehandanyobjectforhisgaze,orany
subjectforhisthoughts,oranythemeforhisfeelings.Thisprovidesapost,asitwere,to
whichthehorseofhismindcanbetetheredandtowhichitcanbemadetoreturnagain
andagaineachtimeitstraysaway.Instagetwo,hemustdefinitelydroptheuseofhis
bodilysensesandexternalobjects,withdrawhisattentionentirelywithinhimselfand
devoteitexclusivelytoconsideredthinkingaboutanddevotionalaspirationtohis
spiritualquest,makinguseonlyofanelevatingideaoridealasatetheringpost.Instage
three,heistoreversethismethod,forheisnottofixbeforehandanythemeforthought,
noteventopredeterminethewayinwhichhiscontemplationshalldevelopitself.His
consciousmindistobethoroughlyfreefromanyandeverysuggestionfromthethinking
self,evenifitbeofthepurestkind.Foreverythingmustherebeleftentirelytothehigher
power.Instagefour,thestudentunitescompletelywithhishigherselfanditsinfinite
universality,dropsallpersonalthinking,evenallpersonalbeing.Instagefive,itmightbe
saidthathereturnstothefirsttwoandrecapitulatesthem,forhereintroducesthinking
andthereforeego.Butthereisanotabledifference.Thethinkingwillbe,first,illumined
bythehigherself'slight,andsecond,directedtowardstheunderstandingofReality.
64
Theuseofmetaphysicalthinkingaspartofthephilosophicsystemisafeaturewhichfew
yogisoftheordinarytypearelikelytoappreciate.Thisisbothunderstandableand
pardonable.Theyarethoroughlyimbuedwiththefutilityofamerelyrationaland
intellectualapproachtoreality,afutilitywhichhasalsobeenfeltandexpressedinthese
pages.Sofarthereisagreementwiththem.Butwhentheyproceedtodeducethatthe
onlywayleftistocrushreasonandstoptheworkingofintellectaltogether,ourpaths
diverge.Forwhatmetaphysicsadmittedlycannotaccomplishbyitselfmaybe
accomplishedbyacombinationofmetaphysicsandmysticismfarbetterthanby
mysticismalone.Themetaphysicsoftruth,whichisheremeant,however,mustneverbe
confusedwiththemanyhistoricalspeculativesystemswhichexist.
65
Theactivityofanalyticthinkinghasbeenbannedinmostmysticalschools.Theyregardit
asanobstacletotheattainmentofspiritualconsciousness.Andordinarilyitisindeedso.
Foruntiltheintellectcanlieperfectlystill,suchconsciousnesscannotmakeitself
apparent.Thedifficultyofmakingintellectquitepassiveishoweveranenormousone.
Consequentlydifferentconcentrationtechniqueshavebeendevisedtoovercomeit.
Nearlyalloftheminvolvethebanishmentofthinkingandthecessationofreasoning.The
philosophicalschoolusesanyorallofthemwhereadvisablebutitalsousesatechnique
peculiarlyitsown.Itmakesuseofabstractconceptswhichareconcernedwiththenature
oftheminditselfandwhicharefurnishedbyseerswhohavedevelopedadeepinsight
intosuchnature.Itpermitsthestudenttoworkouttheseconceptsinarationalwaybut
leadingtosubtlerandsubtlermoodsuntiltheyautomaticallyvanishandthinkingceases
asthetranscendentalstateisinducedtocomeofitself.Thismethodisparticularlysuited
eithertothosewhohavealreadygotovertheelementarydifficultiesofconcentrationor
tothosewhoregardreasoningpowerasanassettobeconservedratherthanrejected.The
conventionalmystic,beingthevictimofexternalsuggestion,willclingtothetraditional
viewofhisownschool,whichusuallyseesnogoodatallinreasonedthinking,andaver
thatspiritualattainmentthroughsuchapathispsychologicallyimpossible.Neverhaving
beeninstructedinitandneverhavingtriedit,heisnotreallyinapositiontojudge.
66
Continuedandconstantponderingovertheideaspresentedhereinisitselfapartofthe
yogaofphilosophicaldiscernment.Suchreflectionwillasnaturallyleadthestudent
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towardsrealizationofhisgoalaswillthecompanionandequallynecessaryactivityof
suppressingallideasaltogetherinmentalquiet.Thisisbecausetheseideasarenotmere
speculationsbutarethemselvestheoutcomeofatranslationfrominnerexperience.
Whilesuchideasasareherepresentedgrowunderthewateroftheirreflectionandthe
sunshineoftheirloveintofruitfulbranchesofthought,theygraduallybegintofoster
intuition.
67
Thelogicalmovementofintellectmustcometoadeadstopbeforethethresholdof
reality.Butwearenottobringaboutthispausedeliberatelyorinresponsetothebidding
ofsomemanorsomedoctrine.Itmustcomeofitsownaccordasthefinalmaturationof
longandprecisereasoningandastheculminationoftheintellectualandpersonal
discoverythattheapprehensionofmindasessencewillcomeonlywhenweletgoofthe
ideaformsittakesanddirectourattentiontoit.
68
Thisistheparadox:thatboththecapacitytothinkdeeplyandthecapacitytowithdraw
fromthinkingareneededtoattainthisgoal.
69
Themistakeofthemysticsistonegatereasoningprematurely.Onlyafterreasoninghas
completeditsowntasktotheuttermostwillitbepsychologicallyrightand
philosophicallyfruitfultostillitinthemysticsilence.
70
Hemustseekinmetaphysicsforthesecretoftheuniverseandinmysticismforthesecret
ofhisownself.Thisisabalancedapproach.
71
Philosophyisnothostiletoyogathelatterleadstosteadinessofmindwiththisonecan
thenexercisediscrimination.Thecombinationofconcentrationandenquiryleadstofitful
glimpsesoftruth.Theseglimpsesmustthenbestabilizedbyconstanteffortand
remembrancethroughoutthedayuntiltheybecomesecondnature.
72
Themysticwhorefusestousehisbrainsisdisplayingnotavirtue,ashebelieves,buta
failing.Yetsuchamanhasbecomestereotypedinthethoughtofmostpeopleasatypeof
manpossessedofaflabbyintellect.Whattheyhavenotknownisthatthereisanother
kind,thephilosophicmystic,whoseekstodevelophisbrainpoweralongsideofhis
mysticalintuitions.Philosophysilencesthoughtwhenitwantstofeelinnerpeaceorenter
spiritualecstasy,butitstimulatesthoughtwhenitwantstounderstandthispeaceandthat
ecstasy.
73
Thetypicallymedievalmysticalschoolofthoughttaughttheutternecessityofrestricting
thepowersofwillandintellect,dissolvingtheminsinglemindeddevotiontoprayer,
meditation,andasceticlife.Philosophyteachesthecontraryandurgesthefull
developmentofthesepowersbutsafeguardsthisdevelopmentby,first,dedicatingitto
mysticalpurposesandimpersonalaimsand,second,controllingitbymysticalintuition.
74
Philosophydoesnotaskus,asmysticismdoes,tostifletheintellect,buttoillumineit.It
demandseffectivethinkingandnotmeredaydreaming,intellectualselfdisciplineandnot
mistyvagueness.Itsjourneyliesthroughmeditationreinforcedbyreason.
75
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Themysticiscontenttobecarriedawaybyhisfeelings.Thephilosopherwantsto
understandboththenatureoftheirmovementandthecharacterofthedestination.
76
Thelowermysticuseshismysticalexperiencesasanalibitojustifyhismental
slothfulness.Heknowsnothingofthatorganizedsystematicefforttoanswerevery
questionandcleareverydoubtwhichthehighermystichadtopassthroughbeforehe
attainedthesuperiorgrade.
77
Metaphysicsisadisciplineinrationalizationwhileyogaisadisciplineindetachmentand
concentration.
78
Ouraimmustbeallrounddevelopmentasane,healthy,balancedlife.Meditationisnot
enough,albeitessentialinitsplace.Thecultivationofasharpkeenintelligencefor
philosophicalreflectionisjustasessential.Thetwomustworkhandinhand,witha
perfectdevelopmentofeachidealasthegoal.Thekingdomofheavenisintheheadas
wellastheheart.
79
Wecanunderstandtheattemptofmetaphysicstoknowthesupremerealityandknowthe
attemptofmysticismtofeelinGod'spresence.Butthefirstdependsonfillingthemind
withthesubtlestthoughtswhereasthelastdependspartlyonemptyingthemindof
thoughts.
80
Ifhethinksforhimselfandfeelsforothers,hewillappreciatethesuperiorityofthe
philosophicformofmysticism.
81
Thatkeenrationalitycouldandindeedshouldaccompanysensitivespiritualityisboth
practicalwisdomandevolutionarynecessity.Atendencytoactthefoolinworldlyand
intellectualmattersisnotasignofmysticalstrength,assomeaver,butasignofmystical
weakness.
82
Myfinalancientauthoritythatthiscombinationofyogaandvicharaisessentialis
Buddha.Hesaid:"Themandiscreet,onvirtuefirmlyset,inintellectandintuitiontrained.
Themanwithkeendiscriminationblessedmayfromthistangleliberatehimself."
Keystotheultimatepath
83
Thestudenttravelsthroughthedifferentstagesonthejourneytosupremetruth.But
withoutcompetentguidancehemayfallintotheerrorofmistakingoneofthestagesfor
thetruthitself.Hedoesnotusuallyunderstandthatthereisagradedseriesof
developments,eachoneofwhichlookslikethetruthitself,andthatonlyafterallthese
havebeenpassedthroughcanhereachthegloriousculminatinggoal.
84
Thereisonlyonetruth,henceonlyonetrueillumination.Buttherearevariousdegreesof
itsreception.
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85
Thejourneyfrompreoccupationwiththeintellectualformsoftruthtolivinginthetruth
itself,isalongandarduousone.Eventhestartisharderthanitseems,forthosevery
formswhichhavebeensohelpfulinthepastmustbeincreasinglyregardedastrapsand
lessandlessasguides.
86
Suchanattainmentasphilosophyproposescannotbereachedallatonce.Itmustbe
approachedthroughaseriesofpreparatorysteps.Theywillbeslowinpaceatfirst,but
quickerlaterandsuddentowardstheend.
87
Itisquitetruethattheattainmentofthishigherconsciousnessisanattainmentof
wholeness,assomemodernmysticsclaim.Forthenonlyistheconsciousegoforcedto
relinquishtotheOverselfitsholdupontherestofthepsyche.Nevertheless,whenthisis
feltandsaid,itmustbestatedthatthepatternofwholenessisstillnotfinishedbyitsfirst
attainment,forthatisonlythefirststagealbeitanimmenselydynamicandmemorable
oneofaprocess.
88
Itisalongjourneyfromtheconditionofseekertothatofsage.Butthisistrueonlysofar
asweascriberealitytotime.Tothosewhoknowthatourhumanexistenceisamovement
throughevents,butthatthehumanbeinginitsessencetranscendsalleventsanddwellsin
timelessness,thisjourneymaybeconsiderablyshortenedorswiftlybroughttoits
destination.Forthat,thethoroughunderstandingofphilosophyanditsincessant
applicationtooneselfisrequired.
89
Thetruthmaynotalwaysburstonitsvotaryinasuddenbriefandtotalflash.Itmayalso
comesoslowlythathewillhardlyknowitsmovement.Butinbothcasesthisprogress
willbemeasuredbyhisabandonmentofapurelypersonalandselfcenteredattitude
towardslife.
90
Fortheordinarymysticitisveryveryhardtoliveintheworld,inthewaythatordinary
mendo,afterhehasexperiencedtheworldaroundhimasmereillusionanditsactivities
asvain.Onlythephilosophicallytrainedmysticcanfindsufficientmotiveinhis
knowledgeandsufficienturgeinhisfeelingtotakepartintheseactivitiesifneededor
desirable.
91
Thesamemysticalexperiencewhichdetachesothersfromactioninspireshimtoit.This
differenceofresultspringsfromadifferenceofapproach.
92
Ifamansinksinthiscontemplationwithoutbringingitintoreciprocalbalancewith
reasonandcompassion,hewillsoonfallintoastateinwhich,quiteclearly,itwillbe
difficultforhimtodemandactiveusefulnessfromhimself.Hewillsetupimmobilityof
thoughtandbodyashischiefgoal,indifferenceoffeelinganddesireashisultimate
beatitude.Theconsequenceofthisdisequilibriummaybegratifyingtothemanhimself,
butcannotbegratifyingtosocietyalso.Nevertheless,howeverhighsuchamysticmay
soarliketheskylark,hemustthenbefacedbytheproblemofreconcilingthetwo
existences.Thereareyogiswhoassertthattheoneblotsouttheother.Howthen,wemust
askthem,ifthemanisnolongerawareofanyothermindthantheDivineMindorany
otherlifethanGod'slife,canhebeawareofthepersonalbusinesstowhichheiscalled
andtowhichhedoesattendfromhourtohour?
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93
Tothefearful,uninstructedseekereverythingconnectedwithaworldlylifeisastopon
hisupwardway.Tothephilosophicallyenlightenedstudent,itisactuallyasteponhis
upwardway.Heredeemstheearthlyenvironmentbythinkingrightlyaboutit,turnsevery
earthlydeedintoasacramentbecauseheviewsitunderadivinelight,andseesafellow
pilgrimintheworstsinner.
94
Themysticmustliveadoubleexistence,oneduringmeditationandtheotherduring
work.Thephilosopherisreleasedfromsuchanawkwardduality.Heknowsonlyone
existencethephilosophiclife.Thedivinequalitypermeateshiswholeactivityasmuch
asitpermeateshismeditativecessationfromactivity.Worktooisworshipforhim.
95
Therearethreethingsmanneedstoknowtomakehimaspirituallyeducatedman:the
truthabouthimself,hisworld,andhisGod.Themysticwhothinksitisenoughtoknow
thefirstaloneandtoleaveoutthelasttwo,issatisfiedtobehalfeducated.
96
Itisnotenoughtoknowtheinternalselfasthemysticsknowit.Wemustalsoknowthe
realnatureoftheexternalworldbeforewecanrealizeTruth.Thismeansthatonewill
seeoneselfintheAllandpossessaperfectcomprehensionwiththeAll.
97
Suffusedwithpiousfeelingasamanmightbe,upliftedinheartandbetteredincharacter
asthismayleavehim,itisstillnotenoughtofulfilthehigherpurposeofhisexistence.
HeneedsalsotounderstandwhatistheIdeabehindhisparticularlife,andallotherlives.
98
Theecstaticfeelingswhichcometothemysticsareemotionalandpersonalalbeitthey
pertaintothehigheremotionandtheyareamostexaltedpartofthepersonality.Onthe
otherhand,thefeelingwhichcomestothesageisnotecstaticbutserene.Itisnot
emotionalandnotlimitedtothepersonalityalone.Thecentreofthepsychological
gravitydiffersinthetwocases.Whereasthemysticrevelsintheecstaticcomprehension
ofhisinterior"I,"butisdoomedtorevelbrokenlyandintermittently,thesageis
concernedwithwhatliesbehindthat"I"thatis,theUniversalSelf,therealizationof
whichdoesnotdependuponmeditationortrancealoneandthereforeneednotbebroken
whenmeditationortranceissuspended.
99
Realityistobefoundneitherbythinkingalonenorbynotthinkingatall.Thishighpath
whichopenstothephilosophicstudentisoneofunwaveringdeeplyabstract
concentrationofthemindinthereal,whetherthemindbethinkingornotthinking,and
whethertheindividualbeactingornotacting.
100
Ifmysticismrevealsthenatureofman,philosophyrevealsthenatureoftheuniverse.
101
Ifhehasstartedthinkinginaphilosophicmannerabouthisownlife,hewillhavedone
enough.Butifheseeksalsotowresttheuniverse'sownsecretfromit,hewillhavedone
more.
102
ThemysticseeksGodbyforsakingtheworldphysicallyorelsebyrenouncingit
emotionally.Hishappiestmomentiswhenhecanwithdrawfromitintellectuallyso
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completelythatitislostfromhisconsciousnessinanabnormaltrancestate,arapturous
ecstaticunionwithGodalone.Thephilosopherpassesthroughallthesestages,too,but
doesnotstopthere.Hefollowsanoppositemovementtoo.HefindsGodintheworldas
wellasinhimself.
103
Thefirstgreateventfullofwonderwillbethisdiscoveryofwhatiswithinhimselfthe
secondwillbehisdiscoveryofwhatiswithintheworld.Forwithinhimselfhewillfind
thesoulandwithintheworldhewillfindtheworkingofGod.Hewilldiscoverthatitis
literalfactthateverythinghappensunderthelawsandforcesoftheHigherPower,and
thatthisisastrueofhumanlifeasitisofplantlifeandanimallife.Hewillfindthatthe
infinitewisdomis,everywhereandeverywhen,takingcareofeveryhumanbeingthat
thisincludeshimselfandthosewhoarenearanddeartohimandthatthereforehehasno
needtoworryweaklyordespairinglyoverthem,fortheexperienceswhichtheygetare
thosewhichtheyneedorearn.Whenheisnolongeranxiousabouthimself,howcanhe
beanxiousaboutotherpeople?WhenhehascommittedhisownlifetoGod,whatelse
canhedoaboutotherpeople'slivesthancommittheirstoGodalso?Hefindsthat
everyoneisherenotforthebody'ssakebutforthesoul'ssake,andthatthisisthereal
criterionwherewithtomeasureallhappeningsandallexperiences.Hewillnolongerlet
himselfbedeceivedbyappearances,nolongerleteventsrobhimofhisinwardpeace.He
willremainpassivetotheHigherPower,obedienttoitsleading,andreceptivetoits
prompting.Itwillcarryhimserenelyandsustainhimadequately.
104
Isitpossibletounitebothways,theactivelifeintheworldoutsideandthequietlifein
thestillnesswithin,andfindnobreak,noessentialdifference,nofalsificationoftheoft
statedidea,"Godiseverywhere"?TheanswerisYes!andhasbeentestedinancientand
modernexperience."WhatistheWorld?"givesthesamereplyas"WhoamI?"
Withdrawingfromthephysicalsenseworldasthemysticdoesorgoingintophysical
actionwiththesensesengagedneednotbreaktheunion,theawarenessofdivine
presence.
105
Ofcourseitisquitetruetosaythatthetruthisinsideman,thathemustsearchthere.But
itisalsotruethatthetruthisoutsidemanandinthecosmositselfbecauseheisapartof
it.Whybeonesidedandrejecttheseconddirectioninfavourofthefirstorrejectthefirst
infavourofthesecond?Botharenecessarytothefullperceptionoftruth.
106
TherearemysticswhoexperiencetheOverselfinitsglowofloveandjoyoffreedom,but
withoutreceivingknowledgeofthecosmiclaws,principles,andsecrets.Thereareother
mysticswhoarenotsatisfiedwiththeonealonebutseektouniteandcompleteitwiththe
other.Theyarethephilosophicalmysticsforwhomthemeaningoftheselfandthe
meaningoftheworldhavebecometwosidesofthesamecoin.
107
Toarriveatasimultaneousconsciousnessofbothstatesthepersonalegoandthe
impersonalOverselfispossible,andhasbeendoneintermittentlybysomepeoplesuch
asmysticsandartistsorpermanentlybyphilosophers.
108
Thephilosophercannotsetthespiritapartfromthebody,northespirituallifefromthe
worldlylifeforhim,theypenetrateoneanother.
109
Thematerialistseespluralityaloneandseessuperficially.Themysticinhisdeepest
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contemplationseesSpirit(orMindalone)withoutseeingPlurality,andsees
incompletely.ThephilosopherseesbothMindanditsmanifoldworldimagesas
essentiallythesameandseesrightlyandfully.
110
Whatheknowsandwhatheperceiveswillharmonizewith,illustrate,orcompleteone
another.
111
Thethinkingofthoughtsnolongerveilsspiritualbeingfromhim.Insteaditisnowan
activitywhichactsasatransparentmediumforthatbeing.
112
Othersmayturnawayindespairordisgustfromtheharshnessoftheworldlysceneshe
mustgazeintoandbeyondthem.Othersmayignoreorescapefromitsuglinesseshe
musttakethemupintohisschemeofthings,and,taking,transcendthembyphilosophic
knowledge.
113
Philosophytakesitsvotariesonaholypilgrimagefromordinarylifeinthephysical
sensesthroughmysticallifeinthesensefreedspirittoadivinizedlifebackinthesame
senses.
114
Justasthesplendoursofthesettingsunbathedinfiery,glowingcolorsmaybe
profoundlyappreciateddespiteone'sawarenessofthefactthatthesciencesoflifeand
opticsexplainthesesplendoursinabald,prosaic,disenchantingwayjustasanexcellent
dinnermaybeeatenwithkeenenjoymentundisturbedbyone'sknowledgethatthe
constituentsofthesetemptingdisheswerereallycarbon,nitrogen,hydrogen,andsoon,
sothevariedfactorswhichgotomakeupthepictureofouruniversalexistencemaybe
seenandexperiencedforwhattheyarebytheintegrallydevelopedmanintheirmaterial
tangibilitydespitehisdeeperawarenessoftheoverwhelmingdifferencebetweentheir
singleBasisandtheirmanifoldappearances.
115
Thehighestcontributionwhichmysticismcanmakeistoafforditsvotariesglimpsesof
thatgrandsubstratumoftheuniversewhichwemaycalltheOverself.Theseglimpses
revealItinthepureunmanifestnonphysicalessencethatItultimatelyis.TheydetachIt
fromthethings,creatures,andthoughtswhichmakeupthisworldofours,andshowItas
Itisinthebeginning,beforetheworlddreammadeitsappearance.Thusmysticismatits
fartheststretch,whichisNirvikalpasamadhi,enablesmantobringaboutthetemporary
disappearanceoftheworlddreamandcomeintocomprehensionoftheMindwithin
which,andfromwhich,thedreamemerges.Themysticinverytruthconductsthefuneral
serviceofthephysicalworldashehashithertoknownit,whichincludeshisownego.
Butthisisasfarasmysticismcantakehim.Itisanilluminativeandrareexperience,but
itisnottheend.Forthenexttaskwhichhemustundertakeifheistoadvanceistorelate
hisexperienceofthisworldasrealwithhisexperienceoftheOverselfasreal.Andthis
hecandoonlybystudyingtheworld'sownnature,layingbareitsmentalisticcharacter
andthusbringingitwithinthesamecircleasitssource,theMind.Ifhesucceedsindoing
thisandinestablishingthisrelationcorrectly,hewillhavefinishedhisapprenticeship,
ascendedtotheultimatetruth,andbecomeaphilosopher.Thenceforwardhewillnot
denytheworldbutacceptit.
Themetaphysicianmayalsoperformthistaskandobtainanintellectualunderstandingof
himself,theworld,andtheOverself.Andhehasthisadvantageoverthemystic,thathis
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understandingbecomespermanentwhereasthemystic'sraptabsorptionmustpass.Butif
hehasnotpassedthroughthemysticalexercises,itwillremainasincompleteasanut
withoutakernel.Fortheseexercises,whenledtotheirlogicalandsuccessfulissuein
Nirvikalpasamadhi,providethevivifyingprincipleofexperiencewhichalonecanmake
metaphysicaltenetsreal.
Fromallthiswemayperceivewhyitisquitecorrectforthemystictolookundistractedly
withinforhisgoal,whyhemustshutoutthedistractionsandattractionsofearthlylifein
ordertopenetratethesacredprecinct,andwhysolitude,asceticism,meditation,trance,
andemotionplaythemostimportantrolesinhisparticularexperience.Whatheisdoing
isrightandproperathisstagebutisnotrightandproperasthelaststage.Forintheend
hemustturnmetaphysician,justasthemetaphysicianmustturnmysticandjustasboth
mustturnphilosopherwhoisalonecapableofinfusingthethoughtsofmetaphysicsand
thefeelingsofmysticismintotheactionsofeverydaypracticallife.
116
ThismysteriousexperienceseemsalsotohavebeenknowntoDionysiustheAreopagite.
Itisdefinitelyanexperienceterminatingtheprocessofmeditation,forthemysticcan
thengonohigherandnodeeper.Itisvariouslycalled"theNought"intheWestand
nirvikalpasamadhiintheEast.Everythingintheworldvanishesandalongwiththe
worldgoesthepersonalegonothingindeedisleftexceptConsciousnessinItself.If
anythingcanburrowunderthefoundationsoftheegoandunsettleitspresentandfuture
stability,itisthisawesomeevent.But,becauseitisstillanexperience,ithasacoming
andagoing.Althoughitisforeverafterremembered,amemoryisnotthefinalsettled
conditionopentomanforthat,philosophymustbebroughtin.Mysticismmayremove
theegotemporarilyafterfirstlullingit,butphilosophyunderstandstheego,putsitinits
place,itssubservientplace,sothatthemanremainsalwaysundesertedbythepure
consciousness.
117
Hecomesbygrowthofknowledgeandwidthofviews,bymetaphysicalevolutionand
emotionaldiscipline,toagreatcalm.Fromthenonheneitherseekseagerlyfor
incarnationalexperiencenoraspiresloftilyforliberationfromit.Argumentand
discussion,meditationandexercisesandspiritualstates,labelsandcategories,teachers
andteachingsandquestsareonlyforobservation,notparticipation.Othersmaythinkhe
haslapsedandshaketheirheadsinsorroworpity.Thisisnottobeusedascounselfor
beginners:iffolloweditcouldonlyhinderthem.Buttopreventlimitedviews,
sectarianism,andfanaticismarisingamongthem,assooftenitdoes,theycanwellbetold
occasionallythatsuchastageexists,anditmaybetheirswhenapatientdevelopment
bringsthemtoit.
118
Thestudentwhohasreachedthisstageisforcedtoadoptanuncompromisingattitudeif
heisnottostagnate.Heshutsuphisholiestbooksandputsthemaside,turnsawayfrom
thetraditionalinstructionofhisteacherandfleesfromtheshelteringsocietyof
hermitagesorfellowstudentsintotheroughhardmaterialisticsocietywhichhehas
hithertodisdained.Henceforthhemustlooktonothingandnobodyoutsidehisownself
forfinalguidanceorstrength.Thatwhichheseeksmustnowbefoundwithinornotat
all.Heperceivesnowthatalltechniquesandteachersarelikeasundial,whichindicates
thepresenceofthesunandmeasuresitsrelativeposition,butifonedoesnotatlastturn
awayfromthedialandlookupward,thenonewillneverseeorknowthesuninitself.To
usethedialforatimeisahelptobecomepreoccupiedwithitforalltimeisahindrance.
Heisnowreadytoentertheultimatepath.Fortherearetwopathswithinthequest.
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Theneedofgoingbeyondtheordinaryyogasifheistoarriveatadeeperandpurertruth,
isaperceptionwhichwillforcehimtoengageinfurtherresearchaswellasindependent
research.
120
Alltheprocessesofcreationanddissolutionaretrueonlyfromthescientificorpractical
standpointbuttheydisappearwhenthestudentinquiresdeeplyintothem.Itisamatterof
gettingrightunderstandingandthenheseestheyaremerethoughtsorimaginations.A
longtraininginrightthatis,philosophicthinkingisrequiredbeforethemindbecomes
habituatedtosuchviews.Thisisgnanayoga.Afterthathehastopractiseastillhigher
kindofyogawhichgoesoninthemidstofactivityandhasnothingtodowithmeditation
asordinarilyknown.Thatultimatepathgivesrealization.Hegetsglimpsesfirst,
lightningflashes,whichthroughcontinuedeffortgraduallybecomestabilizedandfinally
mergeintocontinuousknowledgeoftruth.
121
Themysticwillnotcareandmaynotbeabletodosobutthephilosopherhastolearnthe
artofcombininghisinwardrecognitionoftheVoidwithhisoutwardactivityamongst
thingswithoutfeelingtheslightestconflictbetweenboth.Suchanartisadmittedly
difficultbutitcanbelearntwithtimeandpatienceandcomprehension.Thushewillfeel
inwardunityeverywhereinthisworldofwonderfulvariety,justashewillexperienceall
thecountlessmutationsofexperienceasbeingpresentintheverymidstofthisunity.
122
Whatsciencecallsthe"criticaltemperature,"thatis,thetemperaturewhenasubstance
sharesboththeliquidandgaseousstates,issymbolicofwhatphilosophicalmysticism
callsthe"philosophicexperience,"thatis,whenaman'sconsciousnesssharesboththe
externalworldofthefivesensesandtheinternalworldoftheemptysoul.Theordinary
mysticoryogiisunabletoholdthetwostatessimultaneouslyand,quiteoften,even
unwillingtodoso,becauseofthefalseoppositionhehasbeentaughttosetupbetween
them.
123
Thelifeofsenseandthoughtveilsthelifeofthesoulfromthenonmysticalextroverted
person.Theraptureofecstatictranceveilstheexternalworldfromthemysticalperson.
Neitherman'sconditionisfull,perfect,andcomplete.Themystic'sishigher,butheneeds
toadvancestillfarthertoacontinuousbalancedstatewheretheactivityofsenseand
thoughtdoesnotveiltheexternalworldfromhim,butwherebotharefeltasdifferent
phasesofonedivinerealityandseenasthesameexperiencefromtwodifferentpointsof
view.Suchisthephilosophicachievement.Althoughitcontainstheordinarystateitis
notlimitedtoit,andalthoughitexperiencesmysticalunionitdoesnotneedtoenterinto
anabnormalconditionliketrancetodoso.Thuswhetherthephysicalworldandthe
thinkingintellectrevealorconcealthisrealitydependsuponwhetherornotthe
philosophicinsightisbroughttobearuponthem.
124
TheInfinitecannotbesetagainstthefiniteasthoughtheywereapairofopposites.Only
thingswhichareonthesamelevelcanbeopposedtooneanother.Thesearenot.The
Infiniteincludesandcontainswithinitselfallpossiblefinites.Thepracticalimportofthis
truthisthatMindcannotonlybeexperiencedintheVoidbutalsointheworld.The
Realityisnotonlytobediscoveredasitisbutalsobeneathitsphenomenaldisguises.
125
Thephilosopherissatisfiedwithanoblepeaceanddoesnotrunaftermysticalecstasies.
Whereasotherpathsoftendependuponanemotionalismthatperisheswiththe
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disappearanceoftheprimalmomentumthatinspiredit,orwhichdissolveswiththe
dissolutionofthefirstenthusiasticecstasiesthemselves,herethereisadeeperandmore
dependableprocess.Whatmustbeemphasizedisthatmostmysticalaspirantshavean
initialoroccasionalecstasy,andtheyaresostirredbytheeventthattheynaturallywant
toenjoyitpermanently.Thisisbecausetheyliveunderthecommonerrorthata
successfulandperfectmysticisonewhohassucceededinstabilizingecstasy.Thatthe
mysticiscontenttorestontheleveloffeelingalone,withoutmakinghisfeelingself
reflectiveaswell,partlyaccountsforsuchanerror.Italsoarisesbecauseofincompetent
teachersorshallowteaching,leadingthemtostrivetoperformwhatisimpracticableand
toyearntoattainwhatisimpossible.Ourwarningisthatthisisnotpossible,andthat
howeverlongamysticmayenjoythese"spiritualsweets,"theywillassuredlycometoan
endoneday.Thesternlogicoffactscallsforstressonthispoint.Toooftenhebelieves
thatthisisthegoal,andthathehasnothingmoreaboutwhichtotroublehimself.Indeed,
hewouldregardanyfurtherexertionsasasacrilegiousdenialofthepeace,asadegrading
descentfromtheexaltationofthisdivineunion.Helongsfornothingmorethanthegood
fortuneofbeingundisturbedbytheworldandofbeingabletospendtherestofhislifein
solitarydevotiontohisinwardecstasy.Forthephilosophicmystic,however,thisisnot
theterminusbutonlythestartingpointofafurtherpath.Whatphilosophysaysisthatthis
isonlyapreliminarymysticalstate,howeverremarkableandblissfulitbe.Thereisa
morematuredstatethatofgnosisbeyondit.Ifthestudentexperiencesparoxysmsof
ecstasyatacertainstageofhisinnercourse,hemayenjoythemforatime,butlethim
notlookforwardtoenjoyingthemforalltime.Thetruegoalliesbeyondthem,andhe
shouldnotforgetthatallimportantfact.Hewillnotfindfinalsalvationinthemystical
experienceofecstasy,buthewillfindanexcellentandessentialsteptowardssalvation
therein.Hewhowouldregardrapturousmysticalemotionasbeingthesameasabsolute
transcendentalinsightismistaken.Suchamistakeispardonable.Soabruptandstrikingis
thecontrastwithhisordinarystatethatheconcludesthatthisconditionofhyper
emotionalblissistheconditioninwhichheisabletoexperiencereality.Hesurrenders
himselftothebliss,theemotionaljoywhichheexperiences,wellsatisfiedthathehas
foundGodorhissoul.Buthisexcitedfeelingsaboutrealityarenotthesameastheserene
experienceofrealityitself.Thisiswhatamysticfindsdifficulttocomprehend.Yet,until
hedoescomprehendit,hewillnotmakeanygenuineprogressbeyondthisstage.
126
Wemaywelcomeandappreciatetheradiantecstasyofthemystic'striumph,butwe
oughtnottoappraiseitatotherthanitsproperworth.Ifwebecomesocompletely
satisfiedwithitthatweseeknohighergoal,thenourverysatisfactionclosesthedoorto
thepossibilityofrealizingtheOverself.Onlythesagethatis,themasterofphilosophy,
towhichmetaphysicsisbutanecessarystagecanappreciatethecalmwhichcomeswith
mysticalbliss.Thepeacewhichmysticismyieldsisgenuine,butfitful,foritcanonly
thriveinanatmosphereofconstantexaltation.Andwheneachexaltationintermittently
passesasitmustourmysticisleftveryflat.Itisphilosophyalonethatexistsinthevery
antithesisofsuchanatmosphereofcomingsandgoingstherefore,italoneyields
permanentpeace.Theyogimayshuthiseyesandpasshistimeinpleasantmeditations,
butforlargechunksofhisdayhewillbeforcedtoopenthemagainandattendto
physicalmatters.Thentheworldwillconfronthim,pressingforaplaceinhisschemeof
things,anddemandrationalinterpretation.Hehasgottoexplainthisantithesisbetween
selfandnotself,between"I"andtheworld.
127
Theyogiwhoachievesthecapacitytobewithoutthoughtsforacertainperiodoftimeis
stillthevictimoftime,unlesshehassoughttounderstanditsmeaning,itsnature,and
aboveallwhatliesbehindit.Thislatterisaphilosophicwork.Ifitisusedtosupport
yogaorifyogaisusedtopreparethewayforit,aproperrelationshipisestablished
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otherwisewemayhavethespectacleofSwamiswhocometotheWestafterlengthy
meditationsandbegintobetraysignsoferraticconductsignswhichIdonotneedto
describe.
128
Philosophybringstheknowledgeofthe"I"asitreallyis(inthedeepestsense)intothe
consciousnessofaman.Mysticismdoesthesame.Howcouldanythinghigherbe
realizedbyanyhuman,concerningthingshuman,thanwhatistaughtinboththesefields?
Thenwhatmoredoesphilosophyoffer?Itoffersafullerresultandcompletestheworkby
includingtheworld.
129
ItisherethatthevitaldifferencebetweentheUltimateandyogicpathsbecomes
apparent.RamanaMaharshitookthestandwhichnearlyallyogistake:thatis,weneed
havenothingtodowiththeaffairsoftheworldwhichwehaverenounced.Letussit
quietlyandenjoyourinnerpeace.Butontheultimatepaththegoalisquitedifferent.We
beginafterhavingpassedthroughyoga,andhavingfoundpeace.Thenweseektruth.The
latterwhenfoundrevealsthattheOverselfispresentinallmennay,allcreaturesas
theirultimatebeing.WenotonlyknowthisbutFEELit.Sowecannotremainindifferent
tothelivesofothers.Thereforeandnowisrevealedagreatsecretwhenweattain
liberationfromtheendlessturningwheelofreincarnation,wevoluntarilyreturnagain
andagaintoearthsolelytohelpothers,mitigatesuffering,andreduceignorance.Solong
asonecreaturelivesinignoranceandpain,solongatrueadeptMUSTreturntoearth.
ButthisappliesonlytotheadeptsinWISDOM.Theadeptinyogadoesnotwantto
returntoearthagain,doesnotfeelforothers,andishappyinenjoyinghisexaltedpeace.
Heisquiteentitledtothisbecausehehasworkedforit.ButhehasnotattainedTruth,
whichisahigherstage.Thereisatremendousdifferenceinthegoalweseek.Theyogi's
aimisasublimeselfishnessthetrueadept'sisaburningdesiretoservehumanity.The
successfulyogidwellsingreatpeaceandthatsufficesforhim.Neverthelessyogaisan
essentialstagethroughwhichallmustpass,formindmustbecontrolled,sharpened,and
purifiedandpeacemustbeattainedbeforeheisfittoundertakethegreatinquiryinto
whatisTruth.
130
Throughyogaormeditation,onearrivesatmindcontrol.Thenhetakeshissharpened,
concentratedmindandappliesittotheunderstandingoftheworld.Thushediscoversthat
theworldofmatterisultimatelyspaceandthatallmaterialformsaremerelyideasinhis
mind.Hediscovers,also,thathisinmostselfisonewiththisspace,becauseitis
formless.Thendoesheperceivetheunityofalllife,andonlythenhashefoundTruth
thewholetruth.Allthismustbediscoveredbyexperience,notbyintellectualtheory,and
herehispowertocontrolthoughtsbecomesimportant...firsttomakethemind
absolutelystill,thentousethisexceedinglysharpenedmindtosurveyandpenetratethe
truthofthings.ThatiswhyneithermysticismnoryogacanleaddirectlytoTruth.They
areonlypreparationsforthehigherpaththatdoesleadtoTruth.
131
Itisthedutyofanadvancedmysticwhowishestoattaingreaterheightsforhimselfand
beofgreaterservicetootherstotryearnestlytograduatetotheultimatepath.Thisdoes
notdemandthathegiveupanyofhismysticalpracticesorbeliefs,butmerelythathe
amplifyandsupplementthem.Hemustfirstdevelopthetrinityofhead,heart,andhand,
orreason,intuition,andaction,andthenbringthemallintoproperbalance.Ifinaddition
heisinspiredbytheidealofservice,hewillattracttohimselftheunseenhelpofthose
whoarealsodedicatedtosuchservice.
132
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Thehiddenteachingstartsandfinisheswithexperience.Everymanmustbeginhis
mentallifeasaseekerbynotingthefactthatheisconsciousofanexternalenvironment.
Hewillproceedintimetodiscoverthatitisanorderedone,thatNatureisthe
manifestationofanorderlyMind.HediscoversintheendthatconsciousnessofthisMind
becomestheprofoundestfactofhisinternalexperience.
133
ThefirststepistodiscoverthatthereisaPresence,aPower,aLife,aMind,Being,
unique,notmadeorbegot,withoutshape,unseenandunheard,everywhereandalways
thesame.Thesecondstepistodiscoveritsrelationshiptotheuniverseandtooneself.
134
Twothingshavetobelearnedinthisquest.Thefirstistheartofmindstilling,of
emptyingconsciousnessofeverythoughtandformwhatsoever.Thisismysticismor
Yoga.Thedisciple'sascentshouldnotstopatthecontemplationofanythingthathas
shapeorhistory,nameorhabitation,howeverpowerfullyhelpfulthismayhaveformerly
beentotheascentitself.OnlyinthemysteriousvoidofPureSpirit,inthe
undifferentiatedMind,lieshislastgoalasamystic.Thesecondistograsptheessential
natureoftheegoandoftheuniverseandtoobtaindirectperceptionthatbotharenothing
butaseriesofideaswhichunfoldthemselveswithinourminds.Thisisthemetaphysics
ofTruth.Thecombinationofthesetwoactivitiesbringsabouttherealizationofhistrue
BeingastheeverbeautifulandeternallybeneficentOverself.Thisisphilosophy.
135
Intheordinarystate,manisconsciousofhimselfasapersonalthinkingandphysical
entity.Inthemysticaltrancelikestate,helosesthisconsciousnessandisawareofthe
Divinealone.Inthephilosophicstate,hereturnstotheordinaryconsciousnessbut
withoutlettinggoofthedivinerone.
136
WheneverIhaveusedtheterm"thecentreofhisbeing,"Ihavereferredtoastateof
meditation,toanexperiencewhichisfeltatacertainstage.Theveryartofmeditationis
adrawinginwardsandthefiner,themoredelicate,thesubtlerthisindrawingbecomes,
thecloseritistothiscentralpointofconsciousness.Butfromthepointofviewof
philosophy,meditationanditsexperiencesarenottheultimategoalalthoughtheymay
helpinpreparingoneforthatgoal.Inthatgoalthereisnokindofcentretobefeltnorany
circumferenceeitheroneiswithoutbeinglocalizedanywherewithreferencetothebody,
oneisbothinthebodyandintheOverself.Thereisthennocontradictionbetweenthe
two.
137
Thebodybelongstoourfieldofconsciousness,butweneednotlimitourselvessolelyto
it.Wecanforexamplebringintoexperiencehighermentalstateswherethebodyandthe
memoryofitplayonlyalittlepart.Thisindeedisoneofthepurposesofyoga,butitis
notnecessarilyapurposeofphilosophy.Thephilosopheriscontenttoletthebodybe
there,providedhecanbringitalongsideandwithinhisotherconsciousnessofthe
Overself.
138
Manycomplainthattheyareunableinmeditationsuccessfullytobringtheiractive
thoughtstoanend.IntheancientIndianartofyoga,thiscessationcallednirvikalpa
samadhiinSanskritisplacedasthehigheststagetobereachedbythepractitioner.This
situationmustbeviewedfromtwoseparateanddistinctstandpoints:fromthatofyoga
andfromthatofphilosophy.Wouldbephilosophersseektobecomeestablishedinthat
insightintoRealitywhichiscalledTruth.Intuitivefeelingisahighermanifestationof
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man'sfaculties.Solongasthefeelingitselfremainsunobstructedbyillusions,andafter
incessantreflection,inquiry,study,remembrance,reverence,aspiration,trainingof
thought,andpurificationamanfindstheinsightdawninginhismind,hemaynotneed
topractisemeditation.Hemaydosoandhewillfeelthesatisfactionandtranquillity
whichcomesfromit.Thosewhobecomesufficientlyproficientinyoga,evenifthey
achievethecompletecessationofthoughts,shouldstilltakeupthepursuitof
understandingandinsight.Iftheyarecontentwiththeirattainment,theycanremainfor
yearsenjoyingthebliss,thetranquillity,thepeaceofameditationalstatebutthisdoes
notmeanknowledgeinitsfullestmeaning.
139
Thenotion,uncriticallylearnedandsedulouslytaughtbyseveralHindusects,includinga
modernonewhichisactivelyproselytizingtheWest,thatacriterionforwhetheraman
hasattainedthehigheststateishisabilitytoremainconstantlyimmersedinthetrance,is
notendorsedbyphilosophy.Thesesects,beingofareligiomysticorder,haveyetto
reachahigherstandpoint.
140
Thephilosopherrejectsthedemandeithertoaccepttheworldortorenounceit.Forhim
thisisunrealistic.Hedoesneitherofthesethings.Onlythosewhoaremuchtooignorant
oftherealnatureoftheworldcanconcernthemselveswithsuchademand.
141
Theyogiseeksreleasefromthechainsofrebirthashisobjective.Thephilosopherknows
thatthisresultwillfollowautomaticallyasabyproductofhisownobjectivetheReal.
142
Carryinginhimselfwhateverhehasfoundinstudyandmeditationandprayer,hereturns
totheworldtogainexperienceoflifeandtoapplyinpracticewhathehaslearned.
143
Theknowledgegotfrommetaphysics,theintuitivepeacegainedfrommeditation,must
nowbeaccompaniedbypracticalworkdonewiselyandaltruisticallyintheworldto
expressboth.Thestudentmustevokethestrengthtodescendintothissharplycontrasting
activity.Thequestisnotasingletrackbutratheratripletrackaffair.Hemusttravel
alongitwithhisintelligence,hisintuition,andhisdeeds."AllspeakoftheOpenPath,
onlyrareonesenterthecomplexpath,"wroteShahLatif,theeighteenthcenturySufi
poet.Whenrationalthoughtandmysticalfeelingandselfalienatedactionarethus
integratedintoone,whenlifebecomesasincereandsuccessfulwhole,itbecomes
philosophic.Itmaybethatsuchacombinationofqualitieshasbeenrareinthepast,butit
iscertainthatitwillbenecessaryinthefuture.Theworldwillneedmenandwomenas
leaderswhohavetheirrootsdeepdowninthelifeofthedivineselfbutwhohavetheir
intellectsverymuchalert,theirhandsverymuchalive,andtheirheartsverymuch
expanded.
144
Hehasnexttosubmithimselfsocompletelytothisexperiencethatitsinnerlight
becomeshisouterlife.
145
Itmustnotbethoughtthatthisisamodeoflivingwhichishalfintheworldandhalfout
ofit.RatherisitamodewhichknowsnodifferencebetweentheworldandtheSpiritall
isofonepiece.
146
Itisanaturalselfcontrolwhichcomesintoplaywithoutanywilledeffort,spontaneously
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andeasily.Itisoneconsequenceofachievingthethirdstageofphilosophicquesting,
completingandapplyingtoactiveeverydaylivingthefruitsofthesecondstage,
contemplation.Egoandanimalfallfarbackinthehumantowheretheybelong.
147
Natureisguidingustowardaprogressiveselfenlargement,not,assomethink,toward
selfattenuation.
148
Lifeisnotamatterofmeditationmethodsexclusively.Theirstudyandpracticeis
necessary,butletthembeputintheirproperplace.Bothmysticalunionandmetaphysical
understandingarenecessarystepsonthisquest,becauseitisonlyfromthemthatthe
studentcanmounttothestillhighergradeofuniversalbeingrepresentedbythesage.For
wenotonlyneedpsychologicalexercisestotraintheinnerbeing,butalsopsychological
exercisestotrainthepointofview.Butthestudentmustnotstayinmysticismashemust
notstayinmetaphysics.Inbothcasesheshouldtakeallthattheyhavetogivehimbut
strugglethroughandcomeoutontheotherside.Forthemysticismofemotionisnotthe
shrinewhereIsisdwellsbutonlythevestibuletotheshrine,andthemetaphysicianwho
canonlyseeinreasonthesupremefacultyofmanhasnotreflectedenough.Lethimgo
fartherandheshallfindthatitsownsupremeachievementistopointbeyonditselftothat
principleorMindwhenceittakesitsrise.Mysticismneedsthecheckofphilosophic
discipline.Metaphysicsneedsthevivificationofmysticalmeditation.Bothmustbear
fruitininspiredactionortheyarebuthalfborn.Innootherwaythanthroughactscan
theyrisetotheloftystatusoffacts.
Therealizationofwhatmanishereforistherealizationofafusedandunifiedlife
whereinalltheelementsofaction,feeling,andthoughtarevigorouslypresent.Itisnot,
contrarytothebeliefofmystics,aconditionofprofoundentrancementalone,nor,
contrarytothereasoningsofmetaphysicians,aconditionofintellectualclarityalone,and
stillless,contrarytotheopinionsoftheologians,aconditionofcompletefaithinGod
alone.Weareheretolive,whichmeanstothink,feel,andactalso.Wehavenotonlyto
curbthoughtinmeditation,butalsotowhipitinreflection.Wehavenotonlytocontrol
emotioninselfdiscipline,butalsotoreleaseitinlaughter,relaxation,affection,and
pleasure.Wehavenotonlytoperceivethetransiencyandillusionofmaterialexistence,
butalsotowork,serve,strive,andmovestrenuously,andthusjustifyphysicalexistence.
Wehavetolearnthatwhenwelookatwhatwereallyarewestandaloneintheawed
solitudeoftheOverself,butwhenwelookatwherewenowareweseenotisolated
individualsbutmembersofathronginghumancommunity.Thehallmarkofalivingman,
therefore,oughttobeanintegralandinseparableactivityofheart,head,andhand,itself
occurringwithinthemysteriousstillnessandsilenceofitsinspirer,theOverself.
Themistakeofthelowermysticiswhenhewouldsetupafinalgoalinmeditationitself,
whenhewouldstopatthe"lettinggo"oftheexternalworldwhichisquiteproperlyan
essentialprocessofmysticism,andwhenhewouldlethisreasoningfacultyfallintoa
permanentstupormerelybecauseitisrighttodosoduringthemomentsofmentalquiet.
When,however,helearnstounderstandthattheantinomyofmeditationandaction
belongsonlytoanintermediatestageofthisquest,whenhecomeslatertothe
comprehensionthatdetachmentfromtheworldisonlytobesoughttoenablehimto
movewithperfectfreedomamidthethingsoftheworldandnottofleethem,andwhen
heperceivesatlonglastthatthereasonitselfisGodgiventosafeguardhisjourneyand
latertobringhisrealizationintoselfconsciousnessthenheshallhavetravelledfromthe
secondtothethirddegreeinthisfreemasonryofultimatewisdom.Forthatwhichhad
earlierhinderedhisadvancenowhelpsitsuchistheparadoxwhichhemustunravelifhe
wouldelevatehimselffromthesatisfactionsofmysticismtotheperceptionsof
philosophy.Ifhismeditationsonceestrangedhimfromtheworld,nowtheybringhim
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closertoit!IfformerlyhecouldfindGodonlywithinhimself,nowhecanfindnothing
elsethatisnotGod!HehasadvancedfromthechrysalisstateofXtothebutterflystate
ofY.
Iftherebeanyworthinthisteaching,suchliesinitsequalappealtoexperienceandto
reason.Forthatinwardbeatitudewhichitfinallybringsissuperiortoanyotherthat
mundanemanhasfeltand,bereftofallviolentemotionitselfthoughitbe,paradoxically
castsallviolentemotionsofjoyintheshade.Whenwecomprehendthatthisteaching
establishesasfactwhatthesubtlestreasoningpointstointheory,revealsinman'sown
lifethepresenceofthatOverselfwhichreflectiondiscoversasfromaremotedistance,
weknowthathereatlonglastissomethingfitforamodernman.Theagitationsofthe
heartandthetroublingsoftheheadtaketheirdyingbreaths.
Insight
149
Theterm"insight"hasaspecialapplicationinphilosophy.Itsresultsarestampedwitha
certitudebeyondmerebelief,betterthanlogicaldemonstration,superiortolimitedsense
observation.
150
Philosophyseeksnotonlytoknowwhatisbestinlifebutalsotoloveit.Itwantstofeel
aswellasthink.Thetruth,beingabovethecommonformsofthesefunctions,canbe
graspedonlybyahigherfunctionthatincludes,fuses,andtranscendsthematoneandthe
sametimeinsight.Inhumanlifeatitspresentstageofdevelopment,thenearestactivity
tothisoneistheactivityofintuition.Fromitsuncommonandinfrequentvisitations,we
maygathersomefaintechoofwhatthiswonderfulinsightis.
151
Intuitionknowsearthlytruthwithouttheinterventionofreasoning,whileinsightknows
divinetruthinthesamedirectway.
152
"Intuition"hadcometoloseitspristinevalueforme.Icastaboutforabetteroneand
founditin"insight."ThistermIassignedtothehighestknowingfacultyofsagesand
wasthusabletotreattheterm"intuition"assomethinginferiorwhichwassometimes
amazinglycorrectbutnotinfrequentlyhopelesslywronginitsguidance,reports,or
premonition.IfurtherendeavouredtostatewhattheoldAsiaticsageshadlongago
stated,thatitwaspossibletounfoldafacultyofdirectinsightintothenatureofthe
Overself,intothesupremerealityoftheuniverse,thatthiswasthehighestkindof
intuitionpossibletoman,andthatitdidnotconcernitselfwithlesserrevelations,suchas
givingthenameofahorselikelytowintomorrow'srace,arevelationwhichthekindof
intuitionwehearsomuchaboutissometimesabletodo.
153
ThereisanirreduciblePrincipleofBeingbehindallotherbeings,anUnconditioned
Powerbehindalllesserandlimitedpowers,afinalRealitywhichwasneverbornorput
together.Callitwhatyouwill,youcanneitherdefinenordescribeitadequately:mendo
notperceiveitbecausetheydonothavethenecessaryfacultyforperceivingit,forthatis
afacultywhichhasnothingtodowiththeaffairsoftheirlittleegoanditslittleworld.
Buttheycanawakenthisinsight,nurtureit,developit.
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ButiftheUltimateisforeverbeyondhumangrasp,somesuggestionaboutitsnatureis
notbeyondthegraspofhumanintuition.Hewhohasdevelopedhimselfsufficientlyto
receiveunhinderedsuchasuggestionisamanofinsight.
155
Allmetaphysicalstudyandallmysticalexercisesarebutpreparationsforthisflashof
realityacrosstheskyofconsciousnesswhichisheretermedinsight.Thelatteris
thereforethemostimportantexperiencewhichawaitsahumanbeingonthisearth.If
metaphysicsormysticismisregardedasanendinitselfandnotasapreliminary,thenits
followermisseswhatliesatthecoreofone'slife.
156
Insightmayapparentlybebornsuddenly,butitisreallytheculminatingstageofalong
previousdevelopment.
157
Itflashesforthoutofthedarknessandmustbeseen.Whereasabookcontainingnewand
tremendousrevelationsoftruthmaybereadbutitsmeaningsnotseenbecausenot
understood,here,onthecontrary,toseeistounderstand.Why?Becauseitisalsotobe.
158
Suchistheoverwhelmingcertitudeofphilosophicinsightthatitdoesnotneedanyother
supporttojustifyitstruthforitself.Itspossessormay,ifhewishes,forthesakeofothers,
putinsuchasupportwhenattemptingtocommunicatewiththeminwords:butfor
himselfitisnotatallnecessary.Itisinaclassentirelybyitselfandleavesthepossessor
withsuchawe,suchafeelingofhomagetoitsrealityandtruth,thathewillbeloathto
mentionitinanyordinarygatheringofmen.
159
ReasonmovescontinuouslyaroundtheideaoftheOverselfwhereasinsightentersit
directly.
160
InTheHiddenTeachingBeyondYogaImostunfortunatelygavetheimpressionthatthe
highertruthwasonlytobegotasanunderstandingincontrastwiththemystic's
realization,whichwasonlyanexperience.WithinafewweeksofitspublicationIwrote
andissuedan"Appendix"toclearupthismatterandhaditincorporatedintheprinted
textinallfurthereditions.Moreover,inthesequel,TheWisdomoftheOverselfIreturned
againtothesamepoint,explainingagainthatthephilosophicinsightisafusionofboth
knowledgeandrealization,understandingandexperience.
161
Insightistheflowerofreasonandnotitsnegation.(p.277)
162
Insightcanonlysupervenewhenthinkingconsiderationhasfinisheditsworkand
relinquisheditseffortinfavourofanultramysticalprocess.
163
Whentheformmakingactivityofthemindisbroughttoastandstillbythecombined
twofoldprocessofyogaandenquiry,insightintotheminditselfcanthenbeobtained,but
notbefore.
164
Whattheintellectformulatesasopinion,belief,orobservationarisesoutofitsown
movementinthinking.Whattheinsightexperiencesasbeingarisesoutoftheintellect's
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utterstillnesssothatitpermitsitselftobereplacedbythehigherfacultywhichalonecan
knowreality.
165
Theintellectisnotabletogetthiskindofknowledge,notabletogainaccesstothis
higherdimension.Butwhatisdeniedtoitisgrantedtoanotherofman'sfaculties
insight.True,thisisstillonlyalatentoneinnearlyallmen.Butitisthereand,withthe
Overself'sgrace,canbeunfolded.
166
Insightisnotaworkofthelogicalreason.Yetthekeenestreasoningispresentinit.Itis
notmerelyamovementoftheemotions.Yettheheartelementisequallypresentinit.
167
Thephilosopher'sinsightisnotonlysublime,likeeveryothermystic's:itisalsoprecise.
168
Itisnotenoughtoattainknowledgeofthesoulanymysticmaydothat.Itisnecessaryto
attainclearknowledge.Onlythephilosophicmysticmaydothat.Thisemphasison
clarityisimportant.Itimpliesaremovalofalltheobstructionsinfeeling,thecomplexes
inmind,andobfuscationsinegowhichpreventit.Whenthisisdone,theaspirantbeholds
truthasitreallyis.
169
Insightintotruthcomesfromaregionwhichmetaphysicscannotenter.Neverthelesshis
insightshouldbeabletosquarewiththereasonandappealtotheheart.
170
Hewhopossessesinsightdoesnothavetouseargumentsandreachconclusions.The
truthisthere,selfevident,insidehimselfashimself,forhisinnerbeinghasbecomeone
withit.
171
Insightpossessesforthesagethehighestdegreeofthatinstantaneouscertaintyoftheir
ownexistencepossessedbyothermen.
172
Theordinarymetaphysiciancanformnopreciseandimpeccableideaoftruthwithoutthe
guidanceofthephilosopher'sinsight,orifhedoesitispurelyaspeculativeone.Such
insightremainsthehighestnorm,thefinalcriterion,opentomankind.
173
Becausethephilosophicexperienceisthesupremehumanexperience,itexplainsand
makesunderstandablealltheothers.
174
Weneednotbeafraidofdesertingreasonwhenithasfinallyfulfilleditsloftyoffice.For
theinsightforwhichweexchangeitisnotreallyopposedtoitbutimplementsit.That
whichreasondescribesastheindefinableandinfinitepurenondualmindisactualizedby
insight.
175
Itisoutoftheinterplayofmeditation,metaphysics,andaltruisticactionthatinsightis
unfolded.Nosingleelementwillalonesuffice:theconjunctionofallthreeisneededand
thenonlycaninsightemerge.Wecannotintheendescapefromthiscomplexityoflife.
Themetaphysicianwhohasnotbalancedhisovermuchthinkingwithricherfeeling,the
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yogiwhohasnotbroughthiscontemplativetendencyintobetterequilibriumwith
altruisticaction,sufferseventuallyfrompsychicillhealthandexternalfailures.Forheis
onlyonethirdoronehalfalive.
176
Whenthisknowledgebecomesafusionofthoughtandfeeling,intuitionandmeditation,
itburstsoutasinsight.Thisisextremelyclear,finallyestablished,andcertainlybalanced.
Whenadjustedtoeverydaylivingitisnaturalized.Thereisthennohighersatisfactionfor
theself,nonoblerethicwhichstaysinsidewisdom,andnomorereligiouswayto
worshipGod.Inprofitinghimselfheprofitshumanityalso.Forwhathashappenedinhis
mindwillandmustaffectothermindstoo.
177
Ifamanistorisetothephilosophicinsight,hewillfinditthroughintellectandfeeling,
intelligenceandintuition,mysticalexperienceanddeeppenetrationintoconsciousness
hisownandtheworld's.
178
Sucharevolutionaryacquisitionasinsightmustnecessarilyprovetobeinaman'slife
canonlybedevelopedbyovercomingallthetremendousforceofhabitualwrong
thinking,byneutralizingallthetremendousweightofhabitualwrongfeeling,andby
counteractingallthetremendousstrengthofhabitualwrongdoing.Inshort,thefamiliar
personal"I"musthavethegroundcutfromunderitsfeet.Thisisdonebythethreefold
discipline.Thecombinedthreefoldtechniqueconsistsofmetaphysicalreflection,
mysticalmeditation,andconstantremembranceinthemidstofdisinterestedactive
service.Thefulluseandbalancedexerciseofeveryfunctionisneedful.Althoughthese
threeelementshaveherebeenisolatedonebyoneforthepurposeofclearerintellectual
study,itmustberememberedthatinactuallifethestudentshouldnotattempttoisolate
them.Suchadivisionisanartificialone.Hewhotakesforhisprovincethiswhole
businessoftruthseekingandgainsthisroundedallcomprehensiveviewwillnolonger
besoonesidedastosetupaparticularpathasbeingtheonlywaytosalvation.Onthe
contrary,hewillseethatsalvationisanintegralmatter.Itcannomorebeattainedby
meremeditationalone,forexample,thanbymereimpersonalactivityaloneitcanno
morebereachedbyevadingthelessonsofeverydayexternallivingthanbyevadingthe
suppressionofsuchexternalitywhichmeditationrequires.Whereasmetaphysicsseeksto
liftusuptothesuperphysicalideabythinking,whereasmeditationseekstoliftusupby
intuition,whereasethicsseekstoraiseustoitbypracticalgoodness,artseekstodothe
samebyfeelingandappreciatingbeauty.Philosophyinitswonderfulbreadthandbalance
embracesandsynthesizesallfourandfinallyaddstheircopingstone,insight.
179
Rightconduct,rightmeditation,rightmetaphysicsareallessentialtothebirthofthe
truestinsightandareallinvolvedinrealization.Theymustallpervadeandperfectly
balanceeachother.
180
Thesethreeeffortstodevelop,tobalance,andtofusethequalitiesonceachievedand
perfected,yieldinsight.
181
Whenacertainbalanceofforcesisachieved,somethinghappensthatcanonlybe
properlycalled"thebirthofinsight."
182
Intheilluminationthatspontaneouslyfollowsthebalancethatisreachedwhen
completenessofdevelopmentitselfisreached,manfindshisreallove,hismostintense
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gratification.
183
Philosophymustcriticallyabsorbthecategoriesofmetaphysics,mysticism,and
practicality.Foritunderstandsthatinthequestoftruththecooperationofallthreewill
notonlybehelpfulandprofitabletoeachotherbutisalsonecessarytoitself.Foronly
aftersuchabsorption,onlyafterithastravelledthroughthemallcanitattainwhatis
beyondthemall.Thedecisivepointofthisquestisreachedafterthecooperation
betweenallthreeactivitiesattainssuchapitchthattheybecomefusedintoasingleall
comprehensiveonewhichitselfdiffersfromthemincharacterandqualities.Forthe
wholetruthwhichisthenrevealedisnotmerelyacompositeone.Itnotonlyabsorbs
themallbuttranscendsthemall.Whenwaterisbornoutoftheunionofoxygenand
hydrogen,wemaysayneitherthatitisthesameasthesimplesumtotalofbothnorthatit
isentirelydifferentfromboth.Itpossessespropertieswhichtheyinthemselvesdonotat
allpossess.Wemayonlysaythatitincludesandyettranscendsthem.Whenphilosophic
insightisbornoutoftheunionofintellectualreasoning,mysticalfeeling,andaltruistic
doing,wemaysayneitherthatitisonlythetotalizationofthesethreethingsnorthatitis
utterlyremotefromthem.Itcomprehendsthemallandyetitselfextendsfarbeyondthem
intoahigherorderofbeing.Itisnotonlythatthephilosophersynthesizesthesetriple
functions,thatinoneandthesameinstanthisintellectunderstandstheworld,hisheart
feelsatendersympathytowardsit,andhiswillismovedtoactionforthetriumphof
good,butalsothatheiscontinuouslyconsciousofthatinfiniterealitywhich,initspurity,
nothinking,noemotion,andnoactioncanevertouch.
184
Insightisafunctionoftheentirepsycheandnotofanysinglepartofit.
185
Insightisnotmerelytheresultofweddingintuitionwithreason,althoughthisisan
essentialprerequisitetoitsbirth,butactuallysomethingthatarisesofitsownaccord
throughtheoperationofahigherpower.SuchanoperationiscalledGraceandreligious
devoteesorpractisingmysticsdogetanexperienceofitslowerphases.
186
Theordinarymysticalinsightisalsoatranscendentalonebutthereisthisdifference,that
itisnotpure,itisalwaysmixedupwithanemotionorathought.Philosophicalinsightis
utterlypure.
187
The"natural"philosophicattainmentgivesinsightasacontinuitywhereasmeditation
givesitasaninterruption.More,itsattitudesaresorelaxed,itsoperationssoeffortless,
itsoutlooksocarefree,thatthosewhohavetoworkhardtogetthetemporary
enlightenmentknowthatnothingelseinlifehasthesameimportance,thesamevalue.
188
Wherewespeakeithermetaphysicallyormeditationallyoftheexperienceofpure
consciousness,wemeanconsciousnessuncolouredbytheego.
189
Insightrevealsthegoodness,beauty,power,andstillnessoftheInnerRealitywhencethis
worldofturmoilandstrifehasemerged,andwhichcannotbedraggeddowntothat
world.However,theordinaryfacultiesofthought,feeling,andactingcanbeso
profoundlyaffectedbytheexperienceofattaininginsightthattheywillthenseeall
problemsinadifferentlight.Thus,practicalhelpfollowsindirectlyinthis,aswellasin
otherways.
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190
Misunderstandingabouttheusefulnessofinsightregardingmundaneaffairsiseasily
cleared.Itislikebringingaprintedpagebeforealamp:thelamp'slightisnotconcerned
withtheindividualwords,butratherclarifiesthewholeofwhatappearsonthepage.
Similarly,althoughinsightisnotconcernedwiththelesserfaculties,theilluminationit
providesenablesthelattertodealfarmoreeffectivelywitheverydayaffairs.
191
Whencontactbetweenthelightandtheeyeisestablished,theresultantactofseeingisan
instantaneousaffair.WhencontactbetweentheRealandtheinsightisestablished,the
resultantenlargementofconsciousnessisequallyimmediate.
192
Thinkingwillcometoanend,butnotconsciousness.
193
Hisunderstandingbecomesextraordinarilylucid,asifapowerfullighthadbeenthrown
uponthefieldofConsciousness.
194
Itisalllikeagiganticdream,witheveryhumaninsertinghisownprivatedreaminside
thepublicone.Adoublespellhastobebrokenbeforerealitycanbeglimpsedthespell
whichtheworldlaysuponusandthatwhichselflaysuponus.Themanwhohas
completelyawakenedfromthisspellisthemanwhohasgainedcompleteinsight.This
facultyisnothingotherthansuchfullwakefulness.Itisimmenselydifficulttoattain,
whichiswhysofewofthedreamerseverwakeupatallandwhysomanywillnoteven
listentotherevelationsoftheawakenedones.However,Natureteachesushereas
elsewherenottoletpatiencebreakdown.Thereisplentyoftimeinherbag.Lifeisan
evolutionaryprocess.Menwillbegintostirintheirsleeperraticallybutincreasingly.
195
Onthehighestplaneallinsightsareone.
196
SeeChapter55ofLaoTzuwherehedefines"insight"alsoChapter16:"Toknowthe
EternaliscalledInsight."
197
EventheSouthernBuddhistPalitextsadmitthattruth(Dharma)isattakkavcarathat
is,notattainablebyreasonalonebutisfinallyreachedbySamadhithatis,rightinsight.
198
Amysticexperienceissimplysomethingwhichcomesandgoes,whereasphilosophic
insight,onceestablishedinaman,cannotpossiblyleavehim.HeunderstandstheTruth
andcannotlosethisunderstandinganymorethananadultcanlosehisadulthoodand
becomeaninfant.
199
Becausehehasworkedforhisprize,becausehehasundergoneapatientandarduous
training,andbecausehehastakeneverysteponthewaywithfullcomprehensionand
clearsight,hisinspirationisnotheretodayandgonetomorrowbut,whenheacquiresit,
remainsconstantandispermanentlykept.
200
Therearecertainsignswherebythenatureofinsightcharacterizesitselfinitspossessor's
relationswithhisfellows.Foremostamongtheseareunderstandingandsympathy,a
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reverentregardforthesanctityandneedsofanother'spersonallife.Amanofinsightwill
neverutterrecriminatorywordshewillbeslowinjudgementandswifttobless.
201
Thesignsofgenuinenessintrueinsightinclude(a)conformitytofactsofNatureandnot
merelylogicofargumentationorspeculation,(b)cleardirectunderstandingofwhatit
sees,(c)freedomfromadmixtureofanykindofpersonalpredilection,aversion,auto
suggestionormotive,(d)indicationsthattheseerhasfullyovercomehislowerself.
202
Noracialpeculiarity,nogeographicallimitation,noculturalbiascanenterintosuch
universalityofinsight.
203
Theeverchangingworldmovementissuspendedandtranscendedinthemysticaltrance
sothatthemysticmayperceiveitshiddenchangelessgroundintheOneMind,whereas
intheultramysticinsightitsactivityisrestored.Forsuchinsighteasilypenetratesit,and
alwaysseesthisgroundwithoutneedtoabolishtheappearance.Consequentlythe
philosopherisawarethateverydayactivityisasmuchandasneedfulafieldforhimas
mysticalpassivity.Suchexpression,however,cannotbelessthanwhatheiswithin
himselfthroughthepossessionofinsight.Justasanymancannotexpresshimselfasan
ant,dowhathemay,simplybecausehishumanconsciousnessistoolargetobenarrowed
downtosuchalittlefield,sothephilosophercannotseparatehisultramysticinsightfrom
hismomenttomomentactivity.Inthissensehehasnooptionbuttofollowandpractise
thegospelofinspiredaction.
204
When,asrecordedinthePotthapalaSutra,theBuddharefusedtoanswerthequestions
"Istheworldeternal?Istheworldnoteternal?Istheworldfinite?Istheworldinfinite?"
heexpressedsomethingmorethanmerecontemptforthefutilityofthelogicalself
tortureoftheintellect.Forinhisexplanationofthisrefusal,heaffirmedbyimplication
thatphilosophystoodonahigherrungthanmysticism.Hesaid:"Thesequestionsarenot
calculatedtoprofit,theyarenotconcernedwiththeDharma,theydonotredoundtoright
conductnortodetachment,nortopurificationfromlusts,nortoquietude,norto
tranquillizationoftheheart,nortorealknowledge,nortotheinsightofthehigherstages
ofthePath,nortoNirvana."Observethatthesereasonsarequiteobviouslyplacedinan
ascendingorderaccordingtotheirimportance,becausetheybeginwithexternalconduct
andendwithNirvana.Andobservefurtherthatinsightisnotonlyplacedhigherthan
peacebutactuallysaidtobelongtothehigherstagesofthePath.Andobservefinallythat
insightisplacedonlyonestagebelowNirvana,towhichinfactitleads.
205
Thisisthetrueinsight,thepermanentilluminationthatneithercomesnorgoesbut
alwaysis.Whilebeingserious,wheretheeventorsituationrequiresit,hewillnotbe
solemn.Forbehindthisseriousnessthereisdetachment.Hecannottaketheworldof
AppearancesasbeingReality'sfinalform.Ifheisasharerinthisworld'sexperiences,he
isalsoawitnessandespeciallyawitnessofhisownegoitsactsanddesires,itsthoughts
andspeech.Andbecauseheseesitslittleness,hekeepshissenseofhumouraboutall
thingsconcerningit,atouchoflightness,abasichumility.Othersmaybelievethathe
standsintheGreatLight,buthehimselfhasnoparticularorponderousselfimportance.
206
Ifinsightissuperiortoinformationthenthephilosopherhassomethingtogivemankind
whichthescientistcannotgive.
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Service
207
Themysticwhogiveshimselfuptosolitarystruggletogainasolitarydelightisbeyond
ourcriticismbutalsobeyondourpraise.
208
Ouridealisnottheyogiwhohassecuredhisownnirvanicsatisfactionitisnottheman
whoissowrappedupinhisownpeaceastobeindifferenttothewoesofothers.Itisthe
sagewhoisreadytosacrificehisownleisureinordertoassistothers,enlightenothers,
assuagethesorrowsofothers.
209
Aspiritualexaltationwhichdoesnotmanifestitselfintheserviceofhumanityexistsfor
itspossessoralone.Himalonedowelovewhoforsakestheseclusionofthesolitary
placeswhereinheattainedNirvanaandgoesbackamongmentohelphisfrailerbrothers.
Healoneisworthyofourregardwhodescendstoexhortustowardsthestepsofthe
higherlifeandtoencourageusinoureffortstoclimb,whonervesuswithhisstrength,
illuminesuswithhiswisdom,andblessesuswithhisselflessLove.
210
Hecomestotheserviceofmankindbyanindirectroute.Forhisprimaryserviceistothe
Overself.Butafterhemakesthisinwardactofentirededicationtoit,theOverselfthen
bidshimgoforthandworkforthewelfareofallbeings.
211
TobeabletocontemplatetheOverselfasan"other"isalreadyanachievementofhigh
order.Butbecauseitis,first,anintermittentone,second,anincompleteone,andthird,an
imperfectone,itisnotyetthehighest.Inthelatterthereisfinal,permanent,andperfect
immersionintheOverself.
212
Hislasttaskistoreenterthebusyworldanddwellinitasfocusforunworldlyforces,to
healthesufferingandguidetheblinded.
213
Thephilosopherwillfallneitherintothecoldunfeelingindifferenceofthereclusenor
intothefrothyeffervescingfussinessofthesentimentalist.Heknowsthatthefirstattitude
isgeneratedbyexcessiveintroversion,thesecondbyexcessiveextroversion.Hisideal
beingthebalancebetweenthem,hewillattendproperlytohisownselfdevelopmentbut,
sidebysidewithit,workhelpfullyformankind.
214
Henotesthatotherpeople'soutersufferingsaregreaterthanhisown,whiletheirinner
understandingofthosesufferingsisless.Heisbothwillingandreadytodisturbhisown
blisswiththeirmiseryandhewilldothisnotincondescensionbutincompassion.Saint
Paul,followingthemasterwhomheneversawinthefleshbutknewsowellinthespirit,
putallothervirtuesbeneathcompassion.ArethefewwhotrytobetrueChristians,inthis
pointatleast,utterlywastingtheirtime?Forsosaytheyogiswhowouldabolishalleffort
inserviceandconcentrateonselfrealizationalone.YetneitherJesusnorPaulwasamere
sentimentalist.Theyknewthepowerofcompassionindissolvingtheego.Itwasthusa
partoftheirmoralcode.Theyknew,too,anotherreasonwhythediscipleshouldpractise
altruisticconductandtakeupnobleattitudes.Withtheirhelphemaybringonevisitation
ofbadkarmatoanearlierendorevenhelptopreventthemanifestationofanother
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visitationwhichwouldotherwisebeinevitable.
215
Ancientspiritualitythoughtthatwhatwasmostimportantwastocultivateindividual
soul.Modernmaterialismthinksitshouldbesocialbetterment.Thesetwogoalshave
usuallybeenplacedinopposition.Butmodernspiritualityrefusestoacceptsuchafalse
dilemma.Letusseekboththecultivationofthesoul,itdeclares,andthebettermentof
socialconditions.Why,whenweopenoureyestotheoneneed,shouldweshutthemto
theother?Humanity'souterneeddoesnotjustifytheneglectofourowninnerneed,nor
thistheneglectoftheother.Noamountofhumanitarianismcancounterbalancetheduty
ofdevotingtimeandenergytospiritualizingourownselfalso,butthisoughtnotbecome
soselfcenteredastobecomeatotalandexclusivedevotion.
216
Philosophyoffersamiddlewaybetweentheselfcenteredobsessionwithspiritual
developmentandtheselfexhaustingobsessionwithhumanity'sservice.
217
Thelastmarksoftheego'sgripwilllingeronhiminvarioussubtleforms.Perhapsthe
willingnesstobesavedhimselfwhileleavingbehindsomanyothersentangledinillusion
isthefinalmarktobeerased.Butitisamarkwhichonlyphilosophicalmystics,not
ordinarymystics,arelikelytobetroubledwith.Onlyacompassionofunparalleleddepth
andimmenseimpartialitywillputanyoneonsuchacourseasvoluntarilytoremainon
liberation'sthresholdsoastohelptheunliberated.
218
Whenamanhasbeenpreoccupiedwithhimselfthroughouthislifetime,whenheisintent
solelyonhispersonalsalvation,whenhenolongerthinksofotherseekers'welfare
becauseheistooengagedwithhisown,thedangeristhathisspiritualattainment,when
andifitcomes,willbekeptforhimselftoo.ThisiswhyPhilosophyrejectstheegocentric
idealofthelowermysticismandwhyittrainsitsvotariesfromtheverystarttowork
altruisticallyforhumanity'senlightenment.Nomanissolowintheevolutionaryscale
thathecannothelpsomeothermenwitharightlyplacedword,cannotstrikeaflickering
matchintheirdarkness,cannotshowtheexampleofabetterlife.
219
Thedifferencebetweenthemysticandthephilosopheristhatalthoughbothareillumined
bythesameOverself,theformer'slimitationsandnarrownesslimitandnarrowthe
expressionandcommunicationofhisstateandhishelp.Thephilosopher,however,
havingallarounddevelopmentforinstance,havingwelldevelopedhisintellectand
activitycanexplaintointellectualpersonswhattheycanunderstand,canworkamong
activepersonsasoneofthem,thusshowingthatattainmentisnobartoanintellectual
dispositionorapracticallife.Themysticisoftenunabletodothis,buttalksasasimple
foolorlivesasahermitormonk.Althoughthismakesnodifferencetohisenjoymentof
thehigherstate,itmakesadifferencetootherpersonswhentheycomeintocontactwith
him.Butthesedifferencesmerelybelongtothesurface,nottotheinnercore,whereboth
mysticandphilosopherenjoythesamerealization.Henceitisamatterofchoice,not
necessity,whichpathistaken.
220
Philosophymayofferthemysticabetterunderstandingandafullertransmissionofhis
ownoccasionalmysticalexperiencebutitalsofaceshimwithagrimmerprospectwhen
thatbecomespermanentlystabilized.Foritenjoinshimtoabstainfromfinalentryinto
thelaststate,theuttermergenceofallindividualityinthegreatnothingnessoftheAll.
HeistobecometheSaviourofthosehehasoutstepped,towaitandserveuntiltheytoo
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arefreefromillusionandsin.Onlyanimmensecompassioncouldprovideenoughforce
tokeephimfromcrossingthethreshold.
221
Itwouldbeagreatmisconceptiontobelievethatthispeacewhichhehasfoundinhis
innerlifeisboughtatthecostofaselfishindifferencetowardseveryoneandeverything
inhisouterlife.Thecontraryistheverytruth.Heattainsthewisdomandobtainsthe
powertodomorerealgoodforhumanitythanthosewhoarestillwalkingindarknessand
weakness.Ifheisaphilosopher,hewillassuredlypointoutthewayforotherstolight
andstrength,andmayevensacrificehisrebirthonahigherplanettothispurpose.He
becomesalinkbetweensufferinghumanityandserenedivinity.
222
Thereisafundamentaldifferencebetweenmysticalescapismandmysticalaltruism.In
thefirstcase,themanisinterestedonlyingaininghisownselfrealizationandwillbe
contenttolethisendeavoursstopthere.Inthesecondcase,hehasthesameaimbutalso
thekeenaspirationtomakehisachievement,whenitmaterializes,availableforthe
serviceofmankind.Andbecausesuchaprofoundaspirationcannotbebanishedinto
coldstoragetoawaitthismaterialization,hewillevensacrificepartofhistime,money,
andenergytodoingwhatlittlehecantoenlightenothersintellectuallyduringthe
interval.Evenifthismeantdoingnothingmorethanmakingphilosophicalknowledge
moreeasilyaccessibletoordinarymenthanithasbeeninthepast,thiswouldbeenough.
Buthecandomuchmorethanthat.Bothtypesrecognizetheindispensableneedof
deliberatelywithdrawingfromsocietyandisolatingthemselvesfromitsactivitiesto
obtainthesolitudenecessarytoachieveintensityofconcentration,topractisemeditative
reflectionuponlife,andtostudymysticalandphilosophicalbooks.Butwhereasthefirst
wouldmakethewithdrawalapermanent,lifelongone,thesecondwouldmakeitonlya
temporaryandoccasionalone.Andby"temporary"wemeananyperiodfromasingle
daytoseveralyears.Thefirstisaresidentoftheivorytowerofescapism,thesecond
merelyitsvisitor.Thefirstcanfindhappinessonlyinhissolitarinessandmustdraw
himselfoutofhumanity'sdisturbinglifetoattainit.Thesecondseeksahappinessthat
willholdfirminallplacesandmakesretirementfromthatlifeonlyameanstothisend.
Eachisentitledtotravelhisownpath.Butatsuchatimeasthepresent,whenthewhole
worldisbeingconvulsedandthehumansoulagitatedasneverbefore,wepersonally
believethatitisbettertofollowthelessselfishandmorecompassionateone.
223
Itisgoodforanasceticormonktositidleandinactivewhilsthecontemplatesthefutility
ofalifedevotedsolelytoearthlystrivings,butitisbadforhimtospendthewholeofa
valuableincarnationinsuchidlenessandinsuchcontemplation.Forthenheisfastening
hisattentiononasingleaspectofexistenceandlosingsightofallothers.Itisgoodfora
metaphysiciantooccupyhimselfwithnotingthelogicalcontradictionsinvolvedinthe
world'sexistenceandinthereason'sowndiscoveries,butbadforhimtowasteawhole
incarnationinfasteninghisattentiononasingleaspect.Itisgoodfortheworldlingto
accumulatemoneyandenjoythegoodthingsitcanbuy,marryawife,andadornhis
homewithcomforts,butitisbadforhimtowastehisvaluableincarnationwithouta
higherpurposeandaloftiergoal.Noristhisall.Mysticism,metaphysics,andworldliness
areuselessunlesstheysucceedinaffordingamanabasisofaltruisticethicsforeveryday
living.Theaveragemysticdoesnotseethathislapseintolossofinterestintheworld
aroundhim,hisindifferencetopositiveandpracticalserviceofmankind,inshorthis
wholeotherworldliness,isnotavirtue,ashebelieves,butadefect.Hermitswho
withdrawfromthetroubledworldtopractisethesimplicity,monkswhoretreatfromthe
activeworldtomuseovertheevanescenceofthings,defeatistswhofleefromtheirfailure
inlife,marriage,orbusinesstothelethargywhichtheybelievetobepeace,thereby
evidencethattheyhavenotunderstoodthehigherpurposeofincarnation.Itistoafford
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themtheopportunitytorealizeinwakingconsciousnesstheirinnermostnature.This
cannotbedonebyturningtheirfacefromtheexperiencesofhumanexistence,butby
boldlyconfrontingthemandmasteringthem.Norcanitbedonebyretreatingintothe
joysofmeditation.Thepassionateecstasiesoflowermysticism,liketheintellectual
discoveriesoflowermetaphysics,yieldonlytheillusionofpenetratingintoreality.For
theworld,aswellasthe"I,"mustbebroughtintothecirclesofmeditationifthewhole
truthistobegained.Theonesided,monkishdoctrinewhichindictstheworld'sforms
withtransiencyandillusivenessmustbemetandbalancedbythephilosophicdoctrine
whichrevealstheworld'sessenceaseternalandreal.Therewillthenbenoexcusefor
lethargy,defeatism,orescapism.Ametaphysicaloutlookoftenlacksthesparkofvitality
amysticaloutlookoftenlacksthesolidityofreasonedthoughtandbothoftenlackthe
urgetodefiniteaction.Thepracticalfailuresofmetaphysicsaretraceabletothefactthat
itdoesnotinvolvetheexerciseofthewillasmuchasitinvolvestheexerciseofthe
intellect.Theintellectualfailuresofmetaphysicsareduetothefactthatthemenwho
taughtitinthepastknewnothingofscienceandthosewhoteachitinthepresentknow
nothingofhighermysticalmeditation,whilstbothhaveusuallyhadlittleexperienceof
thehardfactsoflifeoutsidetheirshelteredcircles.Thefailuresofmysticismaredueto
thesamecauses,aswellasotherswehaveoftenpointedout.Finally,thefailureof
metaphysicianstoproducepracticalfruitispartlyduetothefactthattheyperceiveideas
oftruthandnottruthitself,asthefailureofmysticsispartlyduetothefactthatthey
experiencefeelingsofrealityandnotrealityitself.Thesuccessesandservicesofthesage,
onthecontrary,areduetothefactthatheperceivestruthandexperiencesrealityandnot
merelythoughtsorfeelingsaboutthem.
224
Fromallthesestudies,meditations,andactionsthestudentwilllittlebylittleemergean
inwardlychangedman.Hecomestothehabitualcontemplationofhiscopartnership
withtheuniverseasawhole,totherecognitionthatpersonalisolationisillusory,and
thustakesthefirmstepsontheultimatepathtowardsbecomingatruephilosopher.The
realizationofthehiddenunityofhisownlifewiththelifeofthewholeworldmanifests
finallyininfinitecompassionforalllivingthings.Thushelearnstosubduethepersonal
willtothecosmicone,narrowselfishaffectiontothewidespreadingdesireforthe
commonwelfare.Compassioncomestofullblossominhisheartlikealotusflowerinthe
sunshine.Fromthisloftystandpoint,henolongerregardsmankindasbeingthosewhom
heunselfishlyservesbutratherasbeingthosewhogivehimtheopportunitytoserve.He
willsuddenlyorslowlyexperienceanemotionalexaltationculminatinginanutterchange
ofheart.Itscoursewillbemarkedbyaprofoundreorientationoffeelingtowardhis
fellowcreatures.Thefundamentalegoismwhichinopenormaskedformshashitherto
motivatedhimwillbeabandoned:thenoblealtruismwhichhashithertoseemedan
impracticableandimpossibleideal,willbecomepracticableandpossible.Foraprofound
sympathytoallotherbeingswilldwellinhisheart.Neveragainwillitbepossiblefor
himwilfullytoinjureanotherbutonthecontrarythewelfareoftheAllwillbecomehis
concern.InJesus'wordsheis"bornagain."Hewillfindhishighesthappiness,after
seekingrealityandtruth,inseekingthewelfareofallotherbeingsalongsideofhisown.
Thepracticalconsequenceofthisisthathewillbeinevitablyledtoincessanteffortfor
theirserviceandenlightenment.Hewillnotmerelyechothedivinewillbutwillallowit
activelytoworkwithinhim.Andwiththethoughtcomesthepowertodoso,thegraceof
theOverselftohelphimtoachievequicklywhattheUnderselfcannotachieve.Inthe
serviceofothershecanpartiallyforgethislossoftrancejoyandknowthattheliberated
selfwhichhehadexperiencedininteriormeditationmustbeequatedbytheexpanded
selfinaltruisticaction.
225
Thepeacetowhichhehasbecomeheirisnotselfabsorbedrestfromoldactivitiesthathe
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deserts,butadivineawarenessthatsubsistsbeneathnewonesthatheaccepts.
226
Whenhefirstattainstothisclearvision,heseesnotonlythatwhichbringshimgreatjoy
butalsothatwhichbringshimgreatsorrow.Heseesmenbewilderedbylife,painedby
life,blindedbylife.Heseesthemwanderingintowrongpathsbecausethereisnooneto
leadthemintorightones.Heseesthemprayingforlightbutsurroundedbydarkness.In
thathourhemakesadecisionwhichwillfundamentallyaffectthewholeofhislife.
Henceforthhewillintercedefortheseothers,devotehimselftotheirspiritualservice.
227
AfterthedesireforthefullestovershadowingbytheOverself,whichmustalwaysbe
primal,hisseconddesireistospreadoutthepeace,understanding,andcompassionwhich
nowburnlikeaflamewithinhim,topropagateaninwardstateratherthananintellectual
dogma,toblessandenlightenthosewhoseektheirdivineparent.
228
Unfortunateisthetraditionalindifferencetowardsthepracticalworldandselfabsorption
inpersonalpeace.SuchanattitudeisnottheonetaughtbyTheVoiceofSilence,which
fitlyrepresentstheschooloftruesagesandwhichinculcatescompassionateserviceof
mankindinsteadofselfcenteredisolation.TheTibetandoctrineisinthisrespectsuperior
totheIndiandoctrine.
229
Thefourthpartofthisfourfoldquest,whichconcernsmoralandsocialtasks,oughtnotto
bedisregarded.Itisonlyanunintelligentmysticismthatpromotessmugselfcentered
idlenesswhereasaphilosophicalmysticisminspiresbothusefulandaltruisticactivity.
Theconditionofstolidindifferencetohumanityisnotcompatiblewiththeconditionof
lovingharmonywiththedivinesoulofhumanity.InBurke'seloquentphrase,itis"the
offspringofcoldheartsandmuddyunderstandings."Itindicatestheattainmentofan
inferiorstageofspirituality.Howmuchnobleristheattainmentofatruesage!Hedoes
notlookhaughtilydownuponothersfromthecoldpinnacleofhisunworldlyinterestsor
disdainfullyattheirmoralweaknesses.Hedoesnotstopwiththeselfengrossedtypeof
mystictowallowinsmugpeace.Jesus,forinstance,didnotdisdaintodescendfromthe
MountofTransfigurationtohelptheepilepticboythatis,hedidnotdisdaintointerrupt
contemplationforaction.Thephilosophicaltypeofmysticdoesnotcontenthimselfwith
thenoncooperativeidealofpersonalsalvationpursuedbythoseinterestedinthemselves
aloneandindifferenttomankind'sdarknessandmisery.Onthecontrary,hetakesonthe
supremesacrificeofacontinualreincarnationwhichshallbededicatedtohuman
enlightenment.Onlywhenhehasdoneallhecouldfortheserviceofsufferingmankind,
onlywhenhehasreachedthisstage,canheknowtrueabidingpeace.Thenhetrulycan
say,withChuangTzu:"Withinmybreastnosorrowscanabide,IfeeltheGreatWorld
Mindthroughmebreathe."Thereiseveryreasonwhyamanwhoacceptsthegospelof
inspiredactionshouldbecomeabeneficentforceintheworld.Whateverrolefallstohim
inthegameoflife,hewillplayitinavitalandsignificantway.Morethaneverbeforein
itshistory,theworld'sneedisforsuchactivephilosophers.Ithaslittleuseforvolitionally
impotentvisionaries.Theirmuddledethosmustsharepartoftheresponsibilityfor
mysticism'sfailuretomakemoreeffectivecontributionstowardshelpingmankindduring
theirgreatestcrisisandmosttragicaltimes.Whentheworldisinsuchatremendousneed
ofguidancehopecomfortstrengthandtruthduringitshourofgravedangerandterrible
crisis,surelyitisthecourseofagenerouswisdomforthecontemporarymysticnotto
seekhispersonalpeacealonebuttorealizetheimportanceofhelpingotherstofindtheirs
too?Heshouldnotseektobedetachedmonasticallyfromthetroublesofhiscountry.On
thecontrary,heshouldseektomitigatethem,sofarasitiswithinhispower,by
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renderingwisehelpfulservice.
WhatWinstonChurchilloncetoldtheAmericannation,"Thepriceofgreatnessis
responsibility,"iswhatmaybesaidtothemystic.TheAmericanstriedbutcouldnot
escapegettingembroiledagaininEuropeanaffairs,andthemysticmaytrybutcannot
escapehisowndutiestotherestofmankind.Theesotericexplanationofthisisthe
factualityofadeepinterrelationandprimalonenessofthehumanrace.
230
Thephilosophicman'scareforhisownwelfaredoesnotmakehiminsensitivetothe
welfareofothers.Hisconcernisnotconcentratedon,anddoesnotendwith,himself.
Ratherheputsbothclaimsintosoundbalanceandletsneitheremotionnorselfinterest
runawaywithhim.
231
Philosophyhasneverhadapopularappealandphilosophershavealwaysbeensmallin
number,butthisisnottosaythattheyhavenotaffectedthelifeofsocietyandthetrend
ofevents.Onthecontrary,theintellectualcapacityandmoralcharacterofphilosophers
havenaturallymadethemmembersoftheinfluentialclassesintheircommunity,while
theidealofservice,constantlythoughtaboutandactedupon,hasbythelawandpowerof
recompenseinevitablybroughtthemintopositionswheretherewasopportunityto
expressit.
232
Themystic'sownattainmentcertainlyhelpshumanitybutithelpsonlyindirectly.The
philosopher's,becauseitdirectlysetsitselftobenefithumanity,doessomorewidelyand
moremarkedly.
233
Thisidealofaspiritualizedworldlylifeonthepartofanilluminateisheldevenwhereit
mightbethoughtthelastplacetobefoundinBuddhism.ForofthethreeGoalsitsets
beforemen,thelastisthatoftheBodhisattva.Linguistically,thetermmeansonewhois
bentuponwisdombuttechnicallythetermmeansonewhoisdestinedtobecomea
Buddha.Practically,itmeansonewhostandsontheverythreshold,asitwere,of
Nirvana,butrefusestoenterbecausehewishestoremainbehindandrelievesuffering
humanity.Thistremendousselfsacrificeindicatesthetremendousspiritofcompassion
whichactuateshim."IcannothavepleasurewhileanothergrievesandIhavethepower
tohelp,"saidGautamawhileyetaBodhisattva.Hehasallthecapacitiesandqualities,all
thementalandethicaladvancementtorenderhimquitecapableofswiftlyattainingthe
Goalbutpreferstousethemonlyasfarasitsthresholdandnofarther.Hence,wefind
thatBodhisattvasarehistoricallypersonswhopractisepity,kindness,andcharitytoan
incredibleextent,butdonotforgettousediscriminationatthesametime.Heissoft
heartedbutnotasoftheartedfool.Thus,herenouncestheegobuthedoesnotrenounce
theworld.Hemaymarry,asGautamawhenaBodhisattvasoughttomarrytheprincess
Pabhavati(Jataka531)hemayliveinluxury,ease,andcomfortandsay,asthesame
GautamaBodhisattvasaid:"Infatuated,boundanddeeplystainedamIwithpleasures,
fearfulthoughtheybe,butIlovelifeandcannotthemdeny.GoodworksIundertake
continually."(Jataka378)Withallthis,however,hedoesnotdrophiswisdombutholds
perpetuallytothemeditationontheworld'stransience,suffering,andillusionbuthedoes
notholdtoittosuchanextentthathewouldfullyrealizeNirvanahereagain,hepauses
atitsthreshold.Forherefusestobreakhistieswithcommonhumanity.Thus,heis
reborninthemostdiversebodies,environments,andranksandundergoesthemost
variedvicissitudes,thusgivingthebenefitofhisaltruisticpresenceonthemostuniversal
andlargeheartedscale.
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Consequently,ifwemeethimintheflesh,wemeetacitizenoftheworld,amanutterly
freefromallracial,colour,orclassprejudice.Heisreadytoliveintheworld,therefore,
evenasaworldlyperson.Helovesknowledgeandwillnotdisdainitwhenitdealswith
thethingsofearthalonenothingthatishumanisunfitforhimtolearn.Hewillfoster
brains,practicality,selfreliance,strength,resolution,perseverance.Heconsidershis
wordsacredandunfailinglykeepsapromiseandthroughouttheentirecourseofhis
worldlylifehenevercherishesillwilltoanyone,noteventoenemieswhohaveinsulted,
injured,betrayed,orburnthimwiththeirhate.ForheremembersthatheisaBodhisattva
onewhointendslovingkindnesstoall.
234
Ifitbeaskedhowitispossibleforthewouldbephilosophertodictateinadvancewhat
attitudeheisgoingtotakeafterhisfinalattainment,ifitbeobjectedthatdecisionsmade
beforethisattainmentmaybediscardedasunwiseorunnecessaryafteritandthat
thereforethephilosophicprocedureofresolvingtodevotethefruitsofattainmenttothe
serviceofhumanityisfoolish,theansweristhattheseobjectionswouldbequitecorrect
ifthephilosopheracceptedattainmenttoitsfullestextentbuthedoesnot.Hestopson
theverythresholdofit,andalthoughbathedinitslightandglory,doesnotacceptit.
235
Thatwhichsustainseachindividualmindisauniversalone.Therefore,thatwhichisbest
forhiminsocialandethicalactionmustalsofulfiltherequirementofbeingwhatisbest
forall.Otherwiseitisincomplete.
236
Ifhisearlierlifehasbeenselfcentered,theattainmentofthisstagewillprovidehimwith
theopportunitytoescapefromourmiserableplanetandtopassintoaworldofharmony,
peace,andlight,althoughthisescapecannotinthenatureofthingsmatureuntilhis
physicalbodydies.Butifhisearlierlifehasbeencompassionateandaltruisticinideal
howeverunsuccessfulinpracticetheattainmentwillprovidehimwiththepowerto
implementthisideal,thestrengthtorealizeitinactuality.Thethoughtwillthenpresent
itselftohim,"HowbestcanIservemankind?"Thiswillleadhimtoseekforwaysof
helpfulnessappropriatetohistimes,environment,andcircumstances.Naturallythe
knowledgethathelpingotherstowardasimilarenlightenmentisthebestservicehecan
renderthemwillpredominate,buthewillunderstandthattheirphysicalexistencecannot
beseparatedfromtheirmentaloneandthatitmaysometimesbeneedfulasasteptoward
thatultimatepurposetotakeupadutywhichseemstobelongsolelytotheexternal
sphereofthings.
237
Isitconceivablethatjustatthepointinhishistorywhenamanhasachievedthehighest
possibledegreeofpower,ofselfcontrol,ofwisdom,andofcompassionthatis,whenhe
hasthegreatestvalueforservinghumanityheistobewithdrawnfromcirculationand
stoppedfrombeinghelpfultothosewhomostneedhim?
238
Thosewhoengageinunselfishservicearetemporarilyloosenedsomewhatfromtheego.
Thisofcourseistrueonlytotheextentthattheserviceisdonewithpure,andnotwith
ulteriorormixedorquiteselfish,motives.
239
Hasitanymoralrealizationofitsresponsibilitiesinthepresentworldcrisis?Canitsay
anythingthatisworthwhileandthatwillhelphumanity?Whatvitalcontributiondoesit
offertoourgeneration?Theanswertothesequestionsisthatphilosophyisdefinitely
alivetocontemporaryneedsandextremelydesirousofservingcreatively.Althoughits
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votariesareprimarilyengageduponspiritualstudies,thisdoesnotmeanthattheymust
haveablankmindaboutotherproblems.Theyrealizethattheirstudieshaveanindirect
bearinguponthemtoo.However,thepointsofviewbeingdifferent,theconclusionsare
inevitablydifferenttoo.Forexample,democracysaysthatpublicopinionshould
determineagovernment'scourse.Philosophysaysthatwisdomandvirtueshould
determineit.Attimes,ofcourse,thetwocoincideandthendemocracyisgloriously
vindicated.
240
Thosewhohavereceiveditsbenefitswillonedayhavetorepayitsobligations.Thisthey
candoonlyinthewaysuitedtotheirindividualcircumstances.Itisadutylaiduponthem
fromwithinbynoonebutthemselves,butitisnotlessimperativethanifithadbeenlaid
fromwithout,andbyhigherauthorities.
241
Hehasnoothercoursethanparadoxicallytoseparatehimselffrommankindifheisto
servemankindinthemosteffectualwaybylivingforitinsteadofbeingmartyredbyit.
242
Thebalancedviewsaysthateachindividualhasadutytowardssocietyinreturnforwhat
societyhasdoneforhim.Hisrighttodrawsomethingfromsocietymustbebalancedby
hisdutytocontributesomethingtoit.Everyoneshouldcontributesomethingtothe
world'sactivityandnotliveparasiticallyonthelabourofothers.Agenuineprestige
shouldbeattachedtolabour.Itshouldbeasdishonourabletobeidleandmysticalasit
shouldbetobeidleandrich.Ifanyonedrawssustenancefromsociety,heshouldhelp
carryonsociety'swork.
243
Ifthoseofhigheridealsandunselfishcharacterwithdrawfromsociety,leavingtheworld
toberunbymorematerialisticandselfishpersons,thensocietywillcertainlydegenerate
andthusbringkarmicsufferinguponitself.Wisdom,however,dictatesthereverse
policy.
244
Thereisacommongoalforallofus.Intheendnobodycanattainredemptionwhilehis
fellowsremainstillunredeemed.
245
Thesagemayinvitecooperationinthisworknotfortheirpersonalaggrandizementbut
forthephilanthropicenlightenmentoftheeager,questioningfew.
246
Thegivingoutofspiritualknowledgeisbestkeptonsuchholygroundthatitisdonefor
itsownsakeentirely,anditshouldconstituteitsownreward.
247
Ifhegiveshisservicestohumanity,hedoessowithoutpricingthemwithoutthoughtof
orrequestforanyexternalreward.
248
Heisnotapsychoanalystwhochargesahundreddollarsanhourforconsultations.He
giveshisservicesfornothing.Becausehewantstoconducthislifeofserviceonthe
highestpossibleplane,heacceptsnomoneyfortheseconsultations.
249
Themystic'serroristobelievethathisdutytowardGodcancelshisdutytowardsman.
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Philosophycorrectstheerrorandunitesthetwo.
250
Itisproperforthemysticalnovicetofeelapatheticandlethargicabouthisdutiestoward
andintercoursewithsociety.Heistryingtoturninwardsandtheywouldonlydisturb
him.Itisequallyproper,however,forthemysticaladept,ifhehasdevelopedon
philosophiclines,tofeelledtowardsabundantactivityandsocialservice.
251
HisultimateaimistoenjoytheblessedpresenceoftheOverselfinhisheart.Butitisnot,
aswithinferiormystics,toenjoyitalone.Heardentlydesirestoshareitwithothers.
252
Heapproachesmennotasabeggarseekinghelpbutasabenefactorofferingit.
253
Whenthebettersoulsnoncooperativelystayoutofworldlybusinessbecausetheydislike
it,orregarditassoiled,oraretooweakforit,theyleavethefieldopentotheworseones.
254
Ifheservesarace,anation,aclass,oragroup,hisservicewillnotbeforthemassuch
hisoutlookistoowideforthatbutashumanbeings.
255
Thelargerunderstandingandthegreatercompassionofphilosophybidhimact
differently.Theybidhimseekhisownsalvation,notoutsideofhumanity's,butalongside
ofit.
256
Themysticfeelshehasaccomplishedhistaskwhenhehasaccomplishedthisblessed
reunionwiththeOverself.Thephilosopherfeelsthatitisnotenoughandthatwithout
ceasingtomaintainthisunion,hemustspirituallyguidethefewwhoseektruthand
materiallyservethemanywhodonot.
257
Philosophicaltruismisnottobeconfusedwithitsordinarycounterpart.Divinelyinspired
serviceisnotthesameashumanitarianservice.Themoralmotivationandsupporting
consciousnessaredifferent.Thesagepractisesthefirst,notthesecond.
258
Ifanyonecanmakeaspiritual,aesthetic,reasonable,andethicalcontributiontomankind,
heservesGodtoo,evenifhebelongstonoreligion.Forheisharmonizinghimselfwith
theWorldIdea.
259
Itmustnotbethoughtthatanonselfishactivelyaltruisticattitudeinhisdealingwith
othermenisthechiefcharacteristicofthephilosopher'spracticallife.Ifthisweresothen
itwouldonlybeagoodhumanlifebutnotadivinelyhumanlife.Humanitarianismserves
menwhereasphilosophyserveswhatissacredinmen.
260
Whoeverwishestoattractpeopletophilosophymuststartbysupportingitspreachings
withtheattractivenessofhisownpersonalexampleindaytodayliving.Hemust
continuebypractisinglovetoallanddependingonthepoweroftruth.Hemustendby
prayingforothersinsecretandofferinghimselftotheDivineasapureinstrumentof
service.
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261
WhentheHigherPowerleadsamantoapositionproducedbyhisconstantaspirationto
servecoupledwithhispersonalqualificationsforit,thestrengthandwisdomhemay
needtofulfilitwillalsobegranted.
262
TounderstandthemysteriouslanguageoftheSilence,andtobringthisunderstanding
backintotheworldofformsthroughworkthatshallexpressthecreativevitalityofthe
Spirit,isonewayinwhichyoumayservemankind.
263
Themanwholivesinthephysicalsensesalonereachesandaffectsthoseothermenonly
whomhecancomeintocontactwithphysically.Heisentirelylimitedbytimeandspace.
Themanwholivesinthedevelopedintellectorfeelingsalsoreachesandaffectsthose
othermenwhocanrespondtohiswrittenorprintedideasorhisartisticinspirations.Heis
limitedonlypartiallybytimeandspace.ButthemanwholivesinthegodlikeOverself
withinhimisfreedfromtimeandspaceandupliftsallthosewhocanrespondintuitively,
eventhoughtheymayneverknowhimphysically.Forinthespiritualworldhecannot
hidehislight.
264
Itmaybesaidthattheworld'ssupremeneedisexactlywhattheilluminedmanhasfound,
thereforehisdutyistogiveittotheworld.Thisistrue,butitisequallytruethatthe
worldisnotreadyforitanymorethanhehimselfwasreadyforitbeforeheunderwenta
longcourseofpurification,discipline,andtraining.Acceptingtheserealitiesofthe
situation,hefeelsnourgetospreadhisideas,noimpulsetoorganizeafollowing.
Howeverthatdoesnotmeanthathedoesnothingatallitonlymeansthathewillhelpin
thewayshedeemstobemosteffectiveeveniftheyaretheleastpublicizedandtheleast
apparent.Heisnotdeaftothecallofdutybuthegivesitawiderinterpretationthanthose
whoareignorantofthestateandpowerswhichheenjoys.
265
Towaituntilyouhaveattainedperfectionmeansthatthenyouwillbeabletoserve
humanityperfectly.Butcantheimperfectdonothinguntilthen?Notheycanhelp,only
itwillbeimperfecthelp,limitedhelp,andmixedwithsomeseeking.
266
Imaginationcouldnotgrasp,evenifsympathycouldsustain,allthisplanet'sinescapable
humanmiseryandanimalpainatonce.Nomanlivingcouldevermeasuretheoneor
alleviatetheother.Duringthe1940s,millionsofmenandwomenandbeastslivedin
tortureordiedinagony,starvedinfamineorwereliquidatedinexplosion.Hemust
perforceacceptthequantitativelimitswhichNature,insulatinghispersonality,setsfor
himhereorelsesetuphisown.Howeverdistressedamanmaybewhenconfrontedby
depressingnationalsituationsorbypainfulinternationaltragedies,knowingthathecan
donothingaboutthem,thattheyarebeyondhislimitedpowerasasingleindividualto
influence,alter,orreshape,hewillhavetolettheresponsibilityforthemrestonthe
propershouldersandacceptthelessoninkarma'sworking.HeisnotasecondAtlasto
beartheenormousburdenofthewholeworld'saccumulatedagonyonhislittleshoulders.
Nevertheless,givenamanwhoisatallsensitiveenoughtorespondemotionallytoallthe
piledupmiserythatliesaroundhim,imaginativeenoughtorecallitevenwhenheis
isolatedfromitbygoodfortune,cansuchaoneremainimmuredinhisownindividuality
andbecomeimpassiveenoughtoliveundistressedbythewoesofothers,untouchedby
theircries?Hencealthoughpersonallyhelplessinsuchpresentmatters,hecanatleast
workpatientlytoimprovefutureonesbyworkingtoimprovefuturehumanity.Hewill
seektofindasensiblebalancebetweenthegoodmannersofattendingtohisown
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spiritualbusinessandthecompassionatedutyofmakinghisknowledgeandexperience
availabletoothers.
267
Wemustdistinguishbetweenthosewhohaveattainedtothetrueselfthroughpurely
mysticalmethodsandthosewhohaveattaineditthroughthebroaderphilosophicones.
Thefirstkindenjoytheirinwardpeaceandfreedombuttheyareoftencontenttostop
there.Thesecondkindlikewiseenjoythesethingsbutarenotcontentwithamerelyself
centeredacquisition.Theyseekoutwaysofembodyingintheirsocialsurroundingsand
stimulatingintheirhumanenvironmentsomethingoftheperfectlifewhichisitshidden
heart.Hencetheyteachandpreachtoothersthewayofupwardadvancementwhichcan
leadthemtoshareultimatelyinthisdivinerlife.
268
Hewillbestmeetthosewhocometohimforhelpofwhateverkind,butespeciallyofthe
spiritualkindwhethertheyapproachhiminpersonorbyletterifheturnsthemover
repeatedlytotheOverself.Heneednotdosovocallyorpublicly.Itisenoughifhedoesit
mentallyandsilently.Fortheycomebecausetheysensethecurrent,howeverfeeble,of
Lifeflowingthroughhim.Hemustgethimselfoutofitsway,otherwisehewillbelikea
rockinitspath.Byinstantlyfollowingthismethodofinwardlyreferringthesupplicants
tothehigherpower,hewillsafeguardhimselfandserveothersmoreeffectively.
269
Itisnotbyovermuchfussyactivitythatwenecessarilyserveothersbest.Wemay,ifwe
haveopenedourselvestodivineinfluences,becomeradiationsofsuchinfluences.Merely
bybeingfaithfultothem,webecomethebestmissionariesforthem.
270
Theideathathehasafancyforwritingdownhisintuitionsandinwardexperiencesdoes
notmakehimawhitgreaterthananotherwhowrapstheveilofsilencearoundhisideas,
hisintuitionsorexperiences,which,thoughnowunuttered,mayyetdictatethemselves
throughotherchannelstogenerationsunborn.
271
Hispersonaldestinyorspiritualdedicationwilldecidehisfuturecoursewhether
deliberatelytoremainobscureandavoidthenoticewhichexcitesopposition,orpublicly
toacceptamissionandbringinspirationtoaparticularkindofactivity.
272
Tocometoaphilosopherwithexpectationsgleanedfromreligiomysticcircles,andto
findthatherefusestoplayuptothem,istoinvitedisappointment,perhapseven
disillusionment.Yet,inbeinghimself,inrigidlyholdingtothebestheknows,the
philosopherhasreallyrenderedtheotherabetterservicethanifhehadresponded
agreeablytoanticipations.Theego'sincapacitytorecognizethisdoesnotdestroythe
seedthathasbeensown.AthenswashandedtruthbySocratesbuthandedhimthecupof
poisoninreturn.Butwhoknowswhatmindspickedupthirtyyearslaterideashehadleft
behind?
273
Spiritualworkfortheenlightenmentofothersismoreimportantthanphysicalplane
charity.Theparticularformitshouldtakemustnaturallyvarywidelywithdifferentcases
anddifferentcircumstances.Itisunderstoodthatsuchserviceislimitedbytheextentof
one'sowndevelopment,thepurityofone'smotives,andthedestinyofone'spresent
incarnation.Whenexternallimitationspermitnothingmore,itmightbedoneinthe
secrecyofone'sownmeditationchamber.Itdoesnotmeanproselytizingothers.Itisnot
necessarilytalkingorwritingaboutspiritualtruths.Itisawayoflifeandthought
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resultingfrominwardselfdedicationandcompassionatewisdom.
274
Philosophyasasearchfortruthmustanddoeslookatlifeasawhole,mustanddoes
takeallhumanactivitiesintoitsperspective,insteadofleavingthemoutside.Itisonly
becausethephilosophicteacher'shumanlimitationspreventhimfromdealingwithall
thingsandcompelhimtospecializeinonethingthatheeconomizestimeandstrengthby
servinghumanityasaspiritualeducatorratherthanasapolitician.Bothservicesare
neededbyhumanitybutoneisinfinitelymoreneededthantheother.Saveinthe
exceptionalcaseswherehefeelschargedbyfateanddutytorendersomepublicservice
inconnectionwiththem,heholdsalooffrompracticalpolitics,theoreticaleconomics,
religiouscontroversy,andsocialquestions.Heknowsthattheinnerissueisreallyatstake
behindalltheseothersandthisinturndependsonthemetaphysicalworldview.To
formulatesuchacorrectworldviewandtoguidemenintherealizationoftheirhigher
selvesisthenhischiefandonlytask.
Hereserveshisbestthoughtandenergyforthefundamentaltaskof,ontheonehand,
unveilinghiddenlawsoflifeandimpartingaknowledgewhichimprovesmankind
morally,mentally,andmysticallyand,ontheotherhand,toimprovinghisownselfsoas
tobebetterabletohelpchangehumancharacter,reduceitsselfishness,anddissipateits
materialism.Thesocialusefulnessofteachingphilosophyisultimatelyonadeeperlevel
thanthesocialusefulnessofstimulatingworldlyreform.Forheremanisdealingwith
causes,buttherewitheffects.Thephilosophicalmystic'sworkislimitedinareatothis
singledomain,butitisverymuchdeeperandthereforeverymuchmoreimportantjust
becauseofthatlimitation.
275
Nootherworkcouldmeasureup,ineventualimportance,totheworktowhichhislifeis
dedicated,howeverinsignificanthispartmayseemtohimatanytime."Godregardeth
thedutyofproclaimingHismessageasthemostmeritoriousofalldeeds,"wrotethe
PersianprophetBaha'u'llah.Oncefullyengagedinthisendeavour,hewillfeelmoreand
morethatheispartofamovementwhichisonthecomingwave.Meanwhile,although
heistodowhateverhecanwherevercircumstancesallowit,inthewayofsuchservice,
heisnottobeoveranxiousaboutresults,ontheonehand,norutterlyindifferent,onthe
other.Acalmspirit,apatientmind,mustneverbedeserted,yetarejoicingheartover
anyonethatisguidedtotheQuestmustneverberepressed.Histaskisoneoftheoldest
inhumanhistorytoconvincemenandwomenthatitisworthwhileaskingthemselves:
Whataretheultimatevaluesofhumanlife?
276
Therightwaytohelpsomeoneistosympathizewiththepersonalsuffering,butto
understanditsinnernecessityatthesametime.
277
Whoeverbyspeechorbysilence,byartorbyexample,helpstoimprovemankindor
increaseknowledgeofthehighertruth,rendersthebestservice.Noothercharityor
philanthropyequalsthisupliftmentofcreaturesstrugglingunwittinglyordeliberatelyto
apurified,disciplined,andrefinedconsciousness.
278
Thenoblestcallinginlifeandthemostusefulvocationisphilosophicalteaching.
279
Thephilosopher'sworkwithothersshinesbestinaliteraryfunction.Therehegiveslight
andhealing,calmandhopetothemanyontheirwaywhocouldneverhope,owingtothe
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lapseoftimeafterhisdeathorthedistanceinspacebeforeit,toencounterhimina
consultativefunction.
280
Hewillnotcaretomeddleinpolitics,foranarenaofstrife,struggle,theclashofselfish
interests,lies,andlibelswillnaturallybedistastefultohim.Butifdestinybidsit,hewill
swallowhisreluctance.
281
Philosophytellsustoworkforthewelfareofallmen,butitdoesnottellustowork
sentimentally,foolishly,unwisely,emotionally,andimpulsively.Itdoesnotmeanthata
richmanshouldinstantlygiveallhismoneytothepooremotionmaytellhimtodoso,
butreasonwouldnot.Hemustusereasontocheckevenuniversalpity.
282
Itisnotthedutyofaphilosophertosolvepersonalproblemsforothersortomake
decisionsforthemortoplaytheroleofahealer.Leadersofreligiomysticalsectsoften
claimtodosobuthehasnosuchpretensions.Norwillheseektoattractdisciples,
makingthemmoreandmoredependentonhim,andformorganizations,asthoseleaders
oftendoseek.Acleardistinctioninthoughtandpracticebetweenthesetwodepartments
isnecessary.
283
Nophilosopherofwiderangingvisionandbalancedminddareclaimtoleadmenintoa
permanentparadise.Heknowsthatallbeingsandthingsaresubjecttochangeexcept
changelessBeingitself.Buthecanclaimtoleadthemintoasupernalpeace.
284
WeneedphilosopherslikeLordHaldane,whoseservicesinthedefense,education,and
politicsofhiscountrywereimmense.
285
Heistoexpoundtruthandexemplifygoodness.
286
Ifthereisacalltoanapostolatefromapureanddeepsourcehewillobeybutifit
originatesinegoservingshallowerlevelshewillmerelyignoreit.
287
Iftheindividualfindsthatheisbestsuitedtohelpothersthroughthemediumof
introducingthemtomeditation,thenallotherformsofservice,suchaswritingforthe
publicpress,notbeinghistruework,shouldbelefttothosewhoarespecialistsinthat
field.
288
Sofarasphilosophyistobesavedfrombecomingobliterated,itmustbecomeembodied
inaremnantofpersonswhounderstand,follow,andpractiseit,anditmustalsobe
recordedinwritingforposterity.
289
Ifhecannotshowashortcutoutofthejungleofcontemporaryspiritualbewilderment,he
cancontributesomevaluablecompassreadingswhichmayhelptoformabetternotion
wherethewayoutlies.
290
Donotbelievethateveryfirstmeetingwithaphilosopherwillnecessarilyenlightenyou
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orevenpleaseyou.Theapproachmaybemadewithbatedbreathsuchisthepicturean
aspirant,andespeciallyayoungone,oftencreatesforhimselfbuttheexitmaybe
darkenedwithdisappointment.
291
Hedoesnotclaimtobeawalkingencyclopaedianoraskforahaloofinfallibility.There
aremanyquestionstowhichhedoesnotknowthetrueanswers.Heisneitherpontifically
infalliblenordeificallyomniscient.Whatthephilosophicalteacherseekstoestablishare
thebasicprinciplesinwhichalltrueseekingmustend.
292
Whoeverattainsthis,thetopmostpeakofthephilosophiclife,willnaturallypossessthe
capacityratherthegeniustohelptheinternalevolutionaryadvanceofmankind.Indeed,
itwillbetheprincipalandsecretbusinessofhislife,whateverhisexternaland
conventionalbusinessmaybe.ThosewhostoodclosesttoJesuswereaskedtopreachthe
gospel.Clearlythereforeheconceivedthespreadingoftruthtobetheirprimarytask.
Thatothertasks,suchasfeedingandclothingthepoor,hadtheirownparticular
importancetoo,wasacknowledgedinhisinjunctiontootherpersons.Butthatsuchtasks
weresecondaryonesisclearinferencefromhisinstructionstotheapostles.Andinthis
criticalpassageofhumanityfromausedoutstandpointtoaneweronewhichconfrontsit
today,suchaserviceismorethanimportant.Inhisownhumblerwayandinaquiet
unobtrusivemanner,rememberingalwaysthatpeoplewillfindthebestaccountofhis
beliefsinhisdeeds,eventheneophytewhohasstilltoclimbthefoothillsofphilosophy
canandmustcommunicatesomuchofthisknowledgeashefindsmenmaybereadyfor,
butnotaniotamore.Histaskisnot,likethatoftheapostles,toconvertthembuttohelp
them.Hemaybeonlyafireflywithlittlelighttoshedbutheshoulddesertthe
esotericismofformercenturiesandtrytoenlightenothersbecausehemustunderstand
theuniquecharacterofthiscenturyandseethedangerousgapingabysswhichsurrounds
itscivilization.MoreoverhemaytakerefugeinthewordsofTripura,anarchaicSanskrit
text,which,ifitsarchaicidiombetranslatedintomodernaccents,says:"Anintense
studentmaybeendowedwiththeslenderestofgoodqualities,butifhecanreadily
understandthetruthhowevertheoreticallyandexpoundittoothers,thisactof
expositionwillhelphimtobecomehimselfimbuedwiththeseideasandhisownmind
willsoakintheirtruth.ThisintheendwillleadhimtoactualizetheDivinitywithin
himself."
293
Ifthestatementsofphilosophersaretopossessmeaningandvalue,theyhavetobe
relatedtothecomprehensionofmen.Thisiswhythephilosopherassumesthefunctionof
religiousprophetwiththemasses,donsthemantleofmysticalleaderormetaphysical
teacherwiththefew,fillstheroleofasagewiththerareindividual.
294
Hehasbecome,byvirtueofhisinnerattainment,aresponsibleguardianofancienttruths.
Theyareneithertobehoardedinamiserlywaynorpropagatedindiscriminately.
295
Becausehebelievesthatahigherpowerisinverytruthtakingthoughtformenandtaking
careoftheuniverse,hedoesnotseekexcitedlytoconvertthembutsimplytostatethe
factofitsexistence.
296
Itisnotenoughtogivepeopleonlywhattheyarereadyfor,onlytocatertounevolved
mentalities.Someeffortshouldalsobemadetodevelopthem.
297
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Itisnotbymakingapersonbehediscipleorlearnersubservientanddependentthatwe
servehimbest,butbyhelpinghimtohelphimself,todevelophimself.
298
Thetruthchargedwordsofaphilosopherarenotforthosewhoareneitherseekingtruth
norwillingtoacceptitnorreadytounderstandit.
299
Appreciationofthesetruthsisthebeginningofthephilosophiclife.Applicationofthem
istheend.
300
Unlessheputshisabstractprinciplesintoconcretedeeds,unlesshishighestthoughtsare
reflectedinhislowliestacts,thestudentisnophilosopher.Theseteachingshavenotbeen
easytocomprehendintheorytheywillcertainlybestilllesseasytofollowinpractice.
Neverthelesstheserarefiedprinciplesmustbetranslatedintotermsofeverydayliving.
Theskeletonmustnowbefleshedoutandthewarmlivingbloodofactionmustcourse
aroundit.Hencethethirdpathseekstoconnectthisknowledgewiththepractical
obligationsofmundaneexistenceandtoassociatethesepracticeswiththesocialand
personalresponsibilitiesofmenwholeadactivelives.
301
Thereaderhashadmostofthissystemnowpresentedtohim.Hisworkinfollowing
thesedifficultabstrusethoughtshasnotbeeneasy.Nowhemayface,ifhewishes,an
entirelyfreshtask,thatofbringingultimatetruthdownfromtheorytopractice.Ithasto
bemaderealtohimself.Ithastobefullyandfinallyrealized.Constantrecollectionand
constantpracticearetheonlywaytodothis.Whenhecomestothisfinalfrontierofall
existence,hemustbowhisheadinhumblehomagetothefactthathereneitheryoganor
religioncanventureacrossalone.Herethemanalonemaypasswhocanliveutterlyand
fullywhathehasthoughtinmetaphysics,whathehasfeltinreligion,andwhathehas
experiencedinthetensestillnessofyoga.
302
TheinstructionwhichMosesreceivedonMountSinai,"Seethatthoumakestallthings
accordingtothepatternshowedtheeinthemount,"ispreciselythesameasthatwhich
theinitiateintophilosophicmysticismreceivesfromhisOverselfafterhisloftiest
exaltation.Thatis,heistoldtoworkoutinthelowerworld,wheregoodincessantly
struggleswithevilandwheremenareplungedindarknessandenslavedbyanimality,a
patternofappliedtruth,ofdivinityinaction,ofaltruisticspiritualservice.
303
Thediscoverythatourexistenceaswellastheworld'sexistenceislikethatofadream
neednotalarmus,neednotcauseustobecomeimpractical,inefficient,uninterestedin
lifeandhalfheartedinaction.Forasweshouldpreferapleasantdreamduringsleeptoa
horriblenightmare,soshouldwetrytolivethiswakingworlddreamofoursas
pleasantly,asprofitably,andassuccessfullyaspossible.Ifthesedoctrinescannotbe
madesubservienttotheendsofliving,thentheyaremetaphysicalandnotphilosophical.
Forthebusinessofthemetaphysicianistolosehimselfinabstractions,butthebusiness
ofthephilosopheristofindhimselfincommonlife.
304
Thatwhichhefindsindeepeternitymustbeworkedoutindaytodaylife.
305
Whenwhathereceivesfromwithinattheintuitivelevelistransplantedwithoutatthe
activelevel,itbecomescomplete.
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306
Heisstillshortoftheidealifhelackstheanimatingimpulsewhichtransfiguresthe
thoughtintothedeed.
307
Thereisagratifyingsecretentwinedwiththisinjunctiontoservemankind.Whoever
giveshimselfinsuchservicewillinevitablyreceiveaboomeranglikereturnoneday
whenotherswilldisplayareadinesstoservehim.Forkarmaisadivinelawwhichbrings
backtohimwhateverhehasgivenforth.Theareaanddepthofhisownservicewillmark
theareaanddepthofthatwhichmankindwillextendtowardhim.Onlytheformofitwill
bedifferentbecausethiswilldependbothonprevailingcircumstancesandhisown
subconsciousorconsciousdesire.Itmaytakeonlyamentaloremotionalform.The
moralofthisisthatthewisealtruistlosesnothingintheendbyhisaltruism,althoughthe
foolishaltruistmaylosemuchasthekarmicconsequenceofhisfoolishness.
308
Atruepowerwillinformthehandsofthosewhowillactatthebehestofthegodwithin,
whosedailyadmonishmenttohimis:"GooutandliveforthewelfareofmantheLight
youfindinthedeeprecessesofyourownheart."
TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.
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14/5/2015

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

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