RAJA YOGA/PART 12
THE TWELFTH LESSON.
SUB-CONSCIOUS INFLUENCES.
In
this lesson we wish to touch upon a certain feature of sub-conscious mentation
that has been much dwelt upon by certain schools of western writers and
students during the past twenty years, but which has also been misunderstood,
and, alas, too often misused, by some of those who have been attracted to the
subject. We allude to what has been called the "Power of Thought."
While this power is very real, and like any other of the forces of nature may
be properly used and applied in our every day life, still many students of the
power of the Mind have misused it and have stooped to practices worthy only of
the followers of the schools of "Black Magic." We hear on all sides
of the use of "treatments" for selfish and often base ends, those
following these practices seeming to be in utter ignorance of the occult laws
brought into operation, and the terrible reaction inevitably falling to the lot
of those practicing this negative form of mental influence. We have been amazed
at the prevailing ignorance concerning the nature and effects of this improper
use of mental force, and at the same time, at the common custom of such
selfish, improper uses. This, more particularly, when the true occultist knows
that these things are not necessary, even to those who seek "Success"
by mental forces. There is a true method of the use of mental forces, as well
as an improper use, and we trust that in this lesson we may be able to bring
the matter sharply and clearly before the minds of our students.
In
our first course (The Fourteen Lessons) in the several lessons entitled,
respectively, "Thought Dynamics," "Telepathy, etc.," and
"Psychic Influence," we have given a general idea of the effect of
one mind upon other minds, and many other writers have called the attention of
the Western world to the same facts. There has been a general awakening of
interest in this phase of the subject among the Western people of late years,
and many and wonderful are the theories that have been advanced among the
conflicting schools regarding the matter. But, notwithstanding the conflicting
theories, there is a general agreement upon the fundamental facts. They all
agree that the mental forces may be used to affect oneself and others, and many
have started in to use these mental forces for their own selfish ends and
purposes, believing that they were fully justified in so doing, and being unaware
of the web of psychic causes and effects which they were weaving around them by
their practices.
Now,
at the beginning, let us impress upon the minds of our students the fact that
while it is undoubtedly true that people who are unaware of the true sources of
strength within them, may be, and often are affected by mental force exerted by
others, it is equally true that no one can be adversely affected in this way
providing he realizes the "I" within himself, which is the only Real
part of him, and which is an impregnable tower of strength against the assaults
of others. There is no cause for all of this fear that is being manifested by
many Western students of thought-power, who are in constant dread of being
"treated" adversely by other people. The man or woman who realizes
the "I" within, may by the slightest exercise of the Will surround
himself with a mental aura which will repel adverse thought-waves emanating
from the minds of others. Nay, more than this—the habitual recognition of the
"I," and a few moments' meditation upon it each day, will of itself
erect such an aura, and will charge this aura with a vitality that will turn
back adverse thought, and cause it to return to the source from which it came,
where it will serve the good purpose of bringing to the mistaken mind
originating it, the conviction that such practices are hurtful and to be
avoided.
This
realization of the "I," which we brought out in the first few lessons
of the present series, is the best and only real method of self-protection.
This may be easily understood, when we remind you that the whole phenomena of
mental influencing belongs to the "illusion" side of existence—the
negative side—and that the Real and Positive side must of necessity be
stronger. Nothing can affect the Real in you—and the nearer you get to the
Real, in realization and understanding, the stronger do you become. This
is the whole secret. Think it over.
But,
there are comparatively few people who are able to rest firmly in the
"I" consciousness all the time and the others demand help while they
are growing. To such, we would say "Creep as close the Realization of the
I, as possible, and rest your spiritual feet firmly upon the rock of the Real
Self." If you feel that people, circumstances, or things are influencing
you unduly, stand up boldly, and deny the influence. Say something like this,
"I DENY the power or influence of persons, circumstances, or things to
adversely affect me. I ASSERT my Reality, Power and Dominion over these
things." These words may seem very simple, but when uttered with the
consciousness of the Truth underlying them, they become as a mighty force. You
will understand, of course, that there is no magic or virtue in the words
themselves—that is, in the grouping of the letters forming the words, or the
sounds of the words—the virtue resting in the idea of which
the words are the expression. You will be surprised at the effect of this
STATEMENT upon depressing, or adverse influences surrounding you. If you—you who
are reading these words now—feel yourself subject to any adverse or depressing
influences, will then stand up erect, throwing your shoulders back, raising
your head, and looking boldly and fearlessly ahead, and repeat these words
firmly, and with faith, you will feel the adverse influences disappearing. You
will almost see the clouds falling back from you. Try it now, before reading
further, and you will become conscious of a new strength and power.
You
are perfectly justified in thus denying adverse influence. You have a perfect
right to drive back threatening or depressing thought-clouds. You have a
perfect right to take your stand upon the Rock of Truth—your Real Self—and
demand your Freedom. These negative thoughts of the world in general, and of
some people in particular, belong to the dark side of life, and you have a
right to demand freedom from them. You do not belong to the same idea of life,
and it is your privilege—yes, your duty—to repel them and bid them disappear
from your horizon. You are a Child of Light, and it is your right and duty to
assert your freedom from the things of darkness. You are merely asserting the
Truth when you affirm your superiority and dominion over these dark forces. And
in the measure of your Recognition and Faith, will be the power at your disposal.
Faith and Recognition renders man a god. If we could but fully recognize and
realize just what we are, we could rise above this entire plane of negative,
dark world of thought. But we have become so blinded and stupefied with the
race-thought of fear and weakness, and so hypnotized with the suggestions of
weakness that we hear on all sides of us, that even the best of us find it hard
to avoid occasionally sinking back into the lower depths of despair and
discouragement. But, let us remember this, brothers and sisters, that these
periods of "back-sliding" become less frequent, and last a shorter
time, as we proceed. Bye-and-bye we shall escape them altogether.
Some
may think that we are laying too much stress upon the negative side of the
question, but we feel that what we have said is timely, and much needed by many
who read these lessons. There has been so much said regarding this negative,
adverse power of thought, that it is well that all should be taught that it is
in their power to rise above this thing— that the weapon for its defeat is
already in their hand.
The
most advanced student may occasionally forget that he is superior to the
adverse influence of the race-thought, and other clouds of thought influence
that happen to be in his neighborhood. When we think of how few there are who
are sending forth the positive, hopeful, thought-waves, and how many are
sending forth continually the thoughts of discouragement, fear, and despair, it
is no wonder that at times there comes to us a feeling of discouragement,
helplessness, and "what's the use." But we must be ever alert, to
stand up and deny these things out of existence so far as our
personal thought world is concerned. There is a wonderful occult truth in the
last sentence. We are the makers, preservers, and destroyers of our personal
thought-world. We may bring into it that which we desire to appear; we may keep
there what we wish, cultivating, developing and unfolding the thought-forms
that we desire; we may destroy that which we wish to keep out. The
"I" is the master of its thought-world. Think over this great truth,
O student! By Desire we call into existence—by affirmation we preserve and
encourage—by Denial we destroy. The Hindus in their popular religious
conceptions picture the One Being as a Trinity, composed of Brahma, the
Creator; Vishnu, the Preserver, and Siva, the Destroyer—not three gods, as is
commonly supposed, but a Trinity composed of three aspects of Deity or Being.
This idea of the threefold Being is also applicable to the Individual—"as
above so below." The "I" is the Being of the Individual, and the
thought-world is its manifestation. It creates, preserves, and destroys—as it
Will. Carry this idea with you, and realize that your individual thought-world
is your own field of manifestation. In it you are constantly
creating—constantly preserving—constantly destroying. And if you can destroy
anything in your own thought-world you remove it from its field of activity, so
far as you are concerned. And if you create anything in your own thought-world,
you bring it into active being, so far as you are concerned. And if you
preserve anything, you keep it by you in effect and full operation and
influence in your life. This truth belongs to the higher phases of the subject,
for its explanation is inextricably bound up in the explanation of the
"Thing-in-Itself"—the Absolute and Its Manifestations. But even what
we have said above, should give to the alert student sufficient notice to cause
him to grasp the facts of the case, and to apply the principles in his own
life.
If
one lives on the plane of the race-thought, he is subject to its laws, for the
law of cause and effect is in full operation on each plane of life. But when
one raises himself above the race-thought, and on to the plane of the Recognition
of the Real Self—The "I"—then does he extricate himself from the
lower laws of cause and effect, and places himself on a higher plane of
causation, in which he plays a much higher part. And so we are constantly
reminding you that your tower of strength and refuge lies on the higher plane.
But, nevertheless, we must deal with the things and laws of the lower plane,
because very few who read these lessons are able to rest entirely upon the
higher plane. The great majority of them have done no more than to lift
themselves partially on to the higher plane, and they are consequently living
on both planes, partly in each, the consequence being that there is a struggle
between the conflicting laws of the two planes. The present stage is one of the
hardest on the Path of Attainment, and resembles the birth-pains of the
physical body. But you are being born into a higher plane, and the pain after
becoming the most acute will begin to ease, and in the end will disappear, and
then will come peace and calm. When the pain becomes the most acute, then be
cheered with the certainty that you have reached the crisis of your new
spiritual birth, and that you will soon gain peace. And then you will see that
the peace and bliss will be worth all the pain and struggle. Be brave, fellow
followers of The Path—Deliverance is nigh. Soon will come the Silence that
follows the Storm. The pain that you are experiencing—ah, well do we know that
you are experiencing the pain—is not punishment, but is a necessary part of
your growth. All Life follows this plan—the pains of labor and birth ever
precede the Deliverance. Such is Life—and Life is based upon Truth—and all is
well with the world. We did not intend to speak of these things in this lesson,
but as we write there comes to us a great cry for help and a word of
encouragement and hope, from the Class which is taking this course of lessons,
and we feel bound to respond as we have done. Peace be with you—one and all.
And,
now we will begin our consideration of the laws governing what we have called
"Sub-conscious Influence."
All
students of the Occult are aware of the fact that men may be, and are, largely
influenced by the thoughts of others. Not only is this the case in instances
where thoughts are directed from the mind of one person to the mind of another,
but also when there is no special direction or intention in the thought sent
forth. The vibrations of thoughts linger in the astral atmosphere long after
the effort that sent forth the thought has passed. The astral atmosphere is
charged with the vibrations of thinkers of many years past, and still possesses
sufficient vitality to affect those whose minds are ready to receive them at
this time. And we all attract to us thought vibrations corresponding in nature
with those which we are in the habit of entertaining. The Law of Attraction is
in full operation, and one who makes a study of the subject may see instances
of it on all sides.
We
invite to ourselves these thought vibrations by maintaining and entertaining
thoughts along certain lines. If we cultivate a habit of thinking along the
lines of Cheerfulness, Brightness and Optimism, we attract to ourselves similar
thought vibrations of others and we will find that before long we will find all
sorts of cheerful thoughts pouring into our minds from all directions. And,
likewise, if we harbor thoughts of Gloom, Despair, Pessimism, we lay ourselves
open to the influx of similar thoughts which have emanated from the minds of
others. Thoughts of Anger, Hate, or Jealousy attract similar thoughts which
serve to feed the flame and keep alive the fire of these low emotions. Thoughts
of Love tend to draw to ourselves the loving thoughts of others which tend to
fill us with a glow of loving emotion.
And
not only are we affected in this way by the thoughts of others, but what is
known as "Suggestion" also plays an important part in this matter of
sub-conscious influence. We find that the mind has a tendency to reproduce the
emotions, moods, shades of thought, and feelings of other persons, as evidenced
by their attitude, appearance, facial expression, or words. If we associate
with persons of a gloomy temperament, we run the risk of "catching"
their mental trouble by the law of suggestion, unless we understand this law and
counteract it. In the same way we find that cheerfulness is contagious, and if
we keep in the company of cheerful people we are very apt to take on their
mental quality. The same rule applies to frequenting the company of
unsuccessful or successful people, as the case may be. If we allow ourselves to
take up the suggestions constantly emanating from them, we will find that our
minds will begin to reproduce the tones, attitudes, characteristics,
dispositions and traits of the other persons, and before long we will be living
on the same mental plane. As we have repeatedly said, these things are true
only when we allow ourselves to "take on" the impressions, but unless
one has mastered the law of suggestion, and understands its principles and
operations he is more or less apt to be affected by it. All of you readily
recall the effect of certain persons upon others with whom they come in
contact. One has a faculty of inspiring with vigor and energy those in whose
company he happens to be. Another depresses those around him, and is avoided as
a "human wet-blanket." Another will cause a feeling of uneasiness in
those around him, by reason of his prevailing attitude of distrust, suspicion,
and low cunning. Some carry an atmosphere of health around them, while others
seem to be surrounded with a sickly aura of disease, even when their physical
condition does not seem to indicate the lack of health. Mental states have a
subtle way of impressing themselves upon us, and the student who will take the
trouble to closely observe those with whom he comes in contact will receive a
liberal education along these lines.
There
is of course a great difference in the degree of suggestibility among different
persons. There are those who are almost immune, while at the other end of the
line are to be found others who are so constantly and strongly impressed by the
suggestions of others, conscious or unconscious, that they may be said to
scarcely have any independent thought or will of their own. But nearly all
persons are suggestible to a greater or lesser degree.
It
must not be supposed from what we have said that all suggestions are
"bad," harmful, or undesirable. Many suggestions are very good for
us, and coming at the right time have aided us much. But, nevertheless, it is
well to always let your own mind pass upon these suggestions,
before allowing them to manifest in your sub-conscious mind. Let the final
decision be your own—and not the will of another—although you may have
considered outside suggestions in connection with the matter.
Remember
always that YOU are an Individual, having a mind and Will of your own. Rest
firmly upon the base of your "I" consciousness, and you will find
yourself able to manifest a wonderful strength against the adverse suggestions
of others. Be your own Suggestor—train and influence your sub-conscious mind
Yourself, and do not allow it to be tampered with by the suggestions of others.
Grow the sense of Individuality.
There
has been much written of recent years in the Western world regarding the effect
of the Mental Attitude upon Success and attainment upon the material plane.
While much of this is nothing but the wildest imagining, still there remains a
very firm and solid substratum of truth underlying it all.
It
is undoubtedly true that one's prevailing mental attitude is constantly
manifesting and objectifying itself in his life. Things, circumstances, people,
plans, all seem to fit into the general ideal of the strong mental attitude of
a man. And this from the operation of mental law along a number of lines of action.
In
the first place, the mind when directed toward a certain set of objects becomes
very alert to discover things concerning those objects—to seize upon things,
opportunities, persons, ideas, and facts tending to promote the objects thought
of. The man who is looking for facts to prove certain theories, invariably
finds them, and is also quite likely to overlook facts tending to disprove his
theory. The Optimist and the Pessimist passing along the same streets, each
sees thousands of examples tending to fit in with his idea. As Kay says:
"When one is engaged in seeking for a thing, if he keep the image of it
clearly before the mind, he will be very likely to find it, and that too,
probably, where it would otherwise have escaped his notice. So when one is
engaged in thinking on a subject, thoughts of things resembling it, or bearing
upon it, and tending to illustrate it, come up on every side. Truly, we may
well say of the mind, as has been said of the eye, that 'it perceives only what
it brings within the power of perceiving.'" John Burroughs has well said
regarding this that "No one ever found the walking fern who did not have
the walking fern in his mind. A person whose eye is full of Indian relics picks
them up in every field he walks through. They are quickly recognized because
the eye has been commissioned to find them."
When
the mind is kept firmly fixed upon some ideal or aim, its whole and varied
powers are bent toward the realization and manifestation of that ideal. In
thousands of ways the mind will operate to objectify the subjective mental
attitude, a great proportion of the mental effort being accomplished along
sub-conscious lines. It is of the greatest importance to one who wishes to
succeed in any undertaking, to keep before his mind's eye a clear mental image
of that which he desires. He should picture the thing desired, and himself as
securing it, until it becomes almost real. In this way he calls to his aid his
entire mental force and power, along the sub-conscious lines, and, as it were,
makes a clear path over which he may walk to accomplishment. Bain says
regarding this: "By aiming at a new construction, we must clearly conceive
what is aimed at. Where we have a very distinct and intelligible model before
us, we are in a fair way to succeed; in proportion as the ideal is dim and
wavering, we stagger or miscarry." Maudsley says: "We cannot do an
act voluntarily unless we know what we are going to do, and we cannot know
exactly what we are going to do until we have taught ourselves to do it."
Carpenter says: "The continued concentration of attention upon a certain
idea gives it a dominant power, not only over the mind, but over the
body." Muller says: "The idea of our own strength gives strength to
our movements. A person who is confident of effecting anything by muscular
efforts will do it more easily than one not so confident of his own
power." Tanner says: "To believe firmly is almost tantamount in the
end to accomplishment. Extraordinary instances are related showing the influence
of the will over even the involuntary muscles."
Along
the same lines, many Western writers have added their testimony to the Yogi
principle of the manifestation of thought into action. Kay has written: "A
clear and accurate idea of what we wish to do, and how it is to be effected, is
of the utmost value and importance in all the affairs of life. A man's conduct
naturally shapes itself according to the ideas in his mind, and nothing
contributes more to success in life than having a high ideal and keeping it constantly
in view. Where such is the case one can hardly fail in attaining it. Numerous
unexpected circumstances will be found to conspire to bring it about, and even
what seemed at first to be hostile may be converted into means for its
furtherance; while by having it constantly before the mind he will be ever
ready to take advantage of any favoring circumstances that may present
themselves." Along the same lines, Foster has written these remarkable
words: "It is wonderful how even the casualties of life seem to bow to a
spirit that will not bow to them, and yield to subserve a design which they
may, in their first apparent tendency, threaten to frustrate. When a firm,
decisive spirit is recognized, it is curious to see how the space clears around
a man and leaves him room and freedom." Simpson has said: "A
passionate desire and an unwearied will can perform impossibilities, or what
seem to be such to the cold and feeble." And Maudsley gives to aspiring
youth a great truth, when he says: "Thus it is that aspirations are often
prophecies, the harbingers of what a man shall be in a condition to
perform." And we may conclude the paragraph by quoting Lytton:
"Dream, O youth, dream manfully and nobly, and thy dreams shall be
prophets."
This
principle of the power of the Mental Image is strongly impressed upon the mind
of the chela, or student, by the Yogi teachers. The student is
taught that just as the house is erected in accordance with the plan of the
architect, so is one's life built in accordance with the prevailing Mental
Image. The mind sub-consciously moulds itself around the prevailing mental
image or attitude, and then proceeds to draw upon the outer world for material
with which to build in accordance with the plan. Not only is one's character
built in this way, but the circumstances and incidents of his life follow the
same rule. The Yogi student is instructed into the mysteries of the power of
the mind in this direction, not that he may make use of it to build up material
success, or to realize his personal desires—for he is taught to avoid these
things—but he is fully instructed, nevertheless, that he may understand the
workings of the law around him. And it is a fact well known to close students
of the occult, that the few who have attained extraordinarily high degrees of
development, make use of this power in order to help the race. Many a world
movement has been directed by the mind, or minds, of some of these advanced
souls who were able to see the ideal of evolution ahead of the race, and by
visualizing the same, and concentrating upon it in meditation, actually
hastened the progress of the evolutionary wave, and caused to actually manifest
that which they saw, and upon which they had meditated.
It
is true that some occultists have used similar plans to further their own
selfish personal ends—often without fully realizing just what power they were
employing—but this merely illustrates the old fact that the forces of Nature
may be used rightly and wrongly. And it is all the more reason why those who
are desirous of advancing the race—of assisting in the evolution of the
world—should make use of this mighty power in their work. Success is not
reprehensible, notwithstanding the fact that many have interpreted and applied
the word in such a matter as to make it appear as if it had no other meaning or
application other than the crude, material selfish one generally attributed to
it, by reason of its misuse. The Western world is playing its part in the
evolution of the race, and its keynote is "Accomplishment." Those who
have advanced so high that they are able to view the world of men, as one sees
a valley from a mountain peak, recognize what this strenuous Western life
means. They see mighty forces in operation—mighty principles being worked out
by those who little dream of the ultimate significance of that which they are
doing. Mighty things are before the Western world to-day—wonderful changes are
going on—great things are in the womb of time, and the hour of birth draws
near. The men and women in the Western world feel within them the mighty urge
to "accomplish" something—to take an active part in the great drama
of life. And they are right in giving full expression to this urge, and are
doing well in using every legitimate means in the line of expression. And this
idea of the Mental Attitude, or the Mental Image, is one of the greatest
factors in this striving for Success.
In
this lesson we do not purpose giving "Success Talks" for our
students. These lessons are intended to fill another field, and there are many
other channels of information along the lines named. What we wish to do is to
point out to our students the meaning of all this strenuous striving of the
age, in the Western world, and the leading principle employed therein. The
great achievements of the material world are being accomplished by means of the
Power of the Mind. Men are beginning to understand that "Thought manifests
itself in Action," and that Thought attracts to itself the things, persons
and circumstances in harmony with itself. The Power of Mind is becoming
manifest in hundreds of ways. The power of Desire, backed by Faith and Will, is
beginning to be recognized as one of the greatest of known dynamic forces. The
life of the race is entering into a new and strange stage of development and
evolution, and in the years to come MIND will be seen, more clearly and still
more clearly, to be the great principle underlying the world of material things
and happenings. That "All is Mind" is more than a dreamy,
metaphysical utterance, is being recognized by the leaders in the world's
thought.
As
we have said, great changes are before the world and the race, and every year
brings us nearer to the beginning of them. In fact, the beginning is already
upon us. Let any thinker stop and reflect over the wonderful changes of the
past six years—since the dawning of the Twentieth Century, and he will be dull
indeed if he sees not the trend of affairs. We are entering into a new Great
Cycle of the race, and the old is being prepared for being dropped off like an
old worn out husk. Old conventions, ideals, customs, laws, ethics, and things
sociological, economical, theological, philosophical, and metaphysical have
been outgrown, and are about to be "shed" by the race. The great
cauldron of human thought is bubbling away fiercely, and many things are rising
to its surface. Like all great changes, the good will come only with much
pain—all birth is with pain. The race feels the pain and perpetual unrest, but
knows not what is the disease nor the remedy. Many false cases of diagnosis and
prescription are even now noticeable, and will become still more in evidence as
the years roll by. Many self-styled saviours of the race—prescribers for the
pain of the soul and mind—will arise and fall. But out of it all will come that
for which the race now waits.
The
changes that are before us are as great as the changes in thought and life
described in the late novel by H. G. Wells, entitled "In the Days of
the Comet." In fact, Mr. Wells has indicated in that story some of the
very changes that the advanced souls of the race have informed their students
are before the race—the prophetic insight of the writer named seems marvelous,
until one realizes that even that writer is being used as a part of the mental
machinery of The Change itself. But the change will not come about by reason of
the new gas caused by the brushing of the earth's surface by a passing comet.
It will come from the unfolding of the race mind, the process being now under
way. Are not the signs of mental unrest and discomfort becoming more and more
apparent as the days go by? The pain is growing greater, and the race is
beginning to fret and chafe, and moan. It knows not what it wants, but it knows
that it feels pain and wants something to relieve that pain. The old things are
beginning to totter and fall, and ideas rendered sacred by years of observance
are being brushed aside with a startling display of irreverence. Under the
surface of our civilization we may hear the straining and groaning of the ideas
and principles that are striving to force their way out on to the plane of
manifestation.
Men
are running hither and thither crying for a leader and a savior. They are
trying this thing, and that thing, but they find not that which they seek. They
cry for Satisfaction, but it eludes them. And yet all this search and
disappointment is part of the Great Change, and is preparing the race for
That-which-must-Come. And yet the relief will not come from any Thing or
Things. It will come from Within. Just as when, in Well's story, things righted
themselves when the vapor of the comet had cleared men's minds, so will Things
take their new places when the mind of the race becomes cleared by the new
unfoldment that is even now under way. Men are beginning to feel each other's pains—they
find themselves unsatisfied by the old rule of "every man for himself, and
the devil take the hindmost"—it used to content the successful, but now it
doesn't seem to be so satisfying. The man on top is becoming lonesome, and
dissatisfied, and discontented—his success seems to appall him, in some
mysterious manner. And the man underneath feels stirring within himself strange
longings and desires, and dissatisfaction. And new frictions are arising, and
new and startling ideas are being suddenly advanced, supported and opposed.
And
the relations between people seem to be unsatisfactory. The old rules, laws,
and bonds are proving irksome. New, strange, and wild thoughts are coming into
the minds of people, which they dare not utter to their friends—and yet these
same friends are finding similar ideas within themselves. And somehow,
underneath it all is to be found a certain Honesty—yes, there is where the
trouble seems to come, the world is tiring of hypocrisy and dishonesty
in all human relations, and is crying aloud to be led back, someway, to
Truth and Honesty in Thought and Action. But it does not see the way out! And
it will not see the way out, until the race-mind unfolds still further. And the
pain of the new unfoldment is stirring the race to its depths. From the deep
recesses of the race-mind are rising to the surface old passions, relics from
the cave-dweller days, and all sorts of ugly mental relics of the past. And
they will continue to rise and show themselves until at last the bubbling pot will
begin to quiet down, and then will come a new peace, and the best will come to
the surface—the essence of all the experiences of the race.
To
our students, we would say: During the struggle ahead of the race, play well
your part, doing the best you can, living each day by itself, meeting each new
phase of life with confidence and courage. Be not deluded by appearances, nor
follow after strange prophets. Let the evolutionary processes work themselves
out, and do you fall in with the wave without struggling, and without overmuch
striving. The Law is working itself out well—of that be assured. Those who have
entered into even a partial understanding and recognition of the One Life
underlying, will find that they will be as the chosen people during the changes
that are coming to the race. They have attained that which the race is reaching
toward in pain and travail. And the force behind the Law will carry them along,
for they will be the leaven that is to lighten the great mass of the race in
the new dispensation. Not by deed, or by action, but by Thought, will these
people leaven the mass. The Thought is even now at work, and all who read these
words are playing a part in the work, although they may know it not. If the
race could realize this truth of the One Life underlying, to-day, the Change
would occur in a moment, but it will not come in that way. When this
understanding gradually dawns upon the race—this new consciousness—then will
Things take their proper places, and the Lion and the Lamb lie down together in
peace.
We
have thought it well to say these things in this the last lesson of this
course. They are needed words—they will serve to point out the way to those who
are able to read. "Watch and wait for the Silence that will follow the
Storm."
In
this series of lessons we have endeavored to give you a plain, practical
presentation of some of the more important features of "Raja Yoga."
But this phase of the subject, as important and interesting as it is, is not
the highest phase of the great Yoga teachings. It is merely the preparation of
the soil of the mind for what comes afterward. The phase called "Gnani
Yoga"—the Yoga of Wisdom—is the highest of all the various phases of Yoga,
although each of the lower steps is important in itself. We find ourselves approaching
the phase of our work for which we have long wished. Those who have advised and
directed this work have counseled us to deal with the less advanced and simpler
phases, in order to prepare the minds of those who might be interested, so that
they would be ready for the higher teachings. At times we have felt an
impatience for the coming of the day when we would be able to teach the highest
that has come to us. And now the time seems to have come. Following this
course, we will begin a series of lessons in "GNANI YOGA"—the Yoga of
Wisdom—in which we will pass on to our students the highest teachings regarding
the Reality and its Manifestations—the One and the Many. The teachings that
"All is Mind" will be explained in such a manner as to be understood
by all who have followed us so far. We will be able to impart to you the higher
truths about Spiritual Evolution, sometimes called "Reincarnation,"
as well as Spiritual Cause and Effect, often called "Karma." The
highest truths about these important subjects are often obscured by popular
misconceptions occasioned by partial teaching. We trust that you—our
students—will wish to follow us still higher—higher than we have ventured so
far, and we assure you that there is a Truth to be seen and known that is as
much higher than the other phases upon which we have touched, as those phases
have been higher than the current beliefs of the masses of the race. We trust
that the Powers of Knowledge may guide and direct us that we may be able to
convey our message so that it may be accepted and understood. We thank our
students who have traveled thus far with us, and we assure them that their
loving sympathy has ever been a help and an inspiration to us.
Peace
be with you.
END OF THIS BOOK,.
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