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Chapter3:ItsRequirements

ItsRequirements
Basicqualifications
1

Tobecomeaseekerinintentionisadmirableasthefirststepbutitisonlythefirstone.
Toqualifyasaseekerinfactisthesecond.Whataretherequiredqualifications?
2

Philosophyexpectsnothingfromitsvotariesthatisbeyondtheirpowertogive.Henceit
makesdifferentdemandsondifferentpeople,graduatingitsethicandinstruction,its
injunctionsandduties,itspreceptsandcounsels,totheirstrengthscapacitiesand
circumstances.Butneverthelessitsacrificesnothingofenduringvalue,foratthesame
timeitremindsthemnottoforgetthefinalideal,theultimateendtowardwhichalltheir
lessereffortsaremoving.Thusitaccommodatesitselftothosewhowantaneasierand
longerroute,makingitselfaccessibletoordinarypeople,yetitdoesnotseparateitself
fromtherarersoulswhoaresocircumstancedandsoformedbynatureastogladlygive
themselvestotheshortestandhardestroute.
3

Justasaphysicallyimmaturebabycouldnottakeahalfmilewalk,howevermuchit
wishedorevenwilledtodoso,soaspirituallyimmaturemancouldnottakeinthehigher
philosophy,howevermuchhewishedorwilledit.Theintuitionandintelligence,the
characterandcapacityneededforthislatterpurposemustbepresentinhim,andused,
beforetheteachingscanreallyreachhim.
4

Ifphilosophyhidesitstruthfrommentalunreadinessanditsvotariesfromsocial
persecution,itis,nevertheless,alwaysreadywhenitisneededbyanysincereseekerwho
hasevolvedtotherequisitedegree.Ifhehasgotenoughreligiousprejudiceandmystical
superstitionoutofhismindtobefreetothinkforhimself,ifhehasliftedhischaracter
somewhatabovethecommonweaknesses,ifhissenseofvaluesissuchthattheTruth
appearsdesirableaboveallthings,thenphilosophyistheonlythingtowhichhecanturn
forguidanceandenlightenmentandphilosophywillsurelywelcomehim.
5

TolearnistoreceiveknowledgebuthewhoseekstolearnthisTruthwhichisboth
behindandbeyondallothertruthsmustcomewithhismind,hisheart,hisbody,andhis
will.Withhismindbecausehisthoughtmustbepushedtoitsdeepestmeasure.Withhis
heartbecausehisloveisdemandedmorethanhenowknows.Withhisbodybecauseitis
tobethetempleoftheholyspirit.Andwithhiswillbecausehemaynotstopthis
enterpriseuntilheisthrough.
6

Hehastolearndiscriminationifhewishestobecomeaphilosopher.Thisisnotmerely
thatmoralqualitywhichseparatesrightfromwrongforthereligiousman,butthat
psychologicalactwhichseparatestheperceiverfromtheobjectsofhisperception,the
experiencerfromtheobjectsofhisexperience,initselementaryoperation.Althoughit
willhavetoreunitethemagaininitslateroperationonahigherplane,asthe
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unenlightenedmanunitesthemonalowerone,thatplanecannotbereachedabidinglyby
jumping,onlybyclimbing.
7

Theacceptanceofsuchateachingasphilosophyimpliesanunusualdegreeof
intelligencewhichisnotthesameaseducationorevenintellect,althoughitmayinclude
thesethings.Fortherecognitionthatthereisaworldofbeingbeyondthatregisteredby
thefivesenses,aworldofconsciousnessnotlimitedtothatreportedbythethinkingego,
adivinesoulhiddenwithinthategoitself,asuperiorpowerinvolvingusallinitscosmic
ordersucharecognitioncancomeonlytothosewithunusualintelligence.Faithisgood
butnotenough,foronedayitmaychangethroughcircumstancesorbeconfusedthrough
lackofknowledge.Suchintelligenceisbestforitincludesandguidesfaithbutgoes
fartherthanit.
8

Philosophicalintelligencecombinestheintellectualfacultywiththeintuitive.
9

Withoutpurephilosophy,thereisnopossibilityofascendingthehigherpeaksoftruth.In
thehighestesotericschoolofAsianooneisadmittedbeforefirsthavingbeentaken
throughacourseoftheessentialsofthissubject.Inthisschoolthereisnoprogress
withoutthefulluseofintelligenceandsharpenedreason.Thelackofthisqualityhas
helpedtocontributetothedownfalloforganizedmysticalmovementsknowntousall.
10

Thestudyofphilosophyeducatesthemindindeepthinking.Itmustbeapproachedinthe
spiritofscientificdetachment.
11

Somethingoftheimpersonalityanddetachmentofthemathematicianarenecessarytothe
beginningphilosopher.
12

Heistobeconcernedsolelywiththereality,withthatwhichIs,andnotwiththe
presentationofitwhichothershaveinvented.
13

Atthisstageheisfinishedwithcompromises:hecanacceptnothinglessandwants
nothingelsethanthepureTruth.
14

Unlessmenpossesstherightintuitionalcalibre,theycannotgraspthisteaching,forit
standsatanaltitudebeyondthereachofthegrossandthematerialistic.
15

Thecouragetobecomeindependentofhisownpastbeliefsisneeded.Thestrengthtoset
asidethepatternsofthoughtimposedonhismindbylonghabitisrequired.These
qualitiesmaynotnecessarilyhavetocomeintoactionbuttheymustbethere.
16

Thehysteric,theneurotic,ortheparanoicisunreadyforphilosophy'sguidance,unfitfor
mysticism'smeditation.Itisuselessforsuchaonetoapplyasacandidateforinitiation.
Lethimgetridofhisselfcenteredmaniafirst.
17

Philosophydemandsthepurityandexperienceofasage,notthepurityandignoranceofa
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child.
18

Philosophydoesnotcompetewithanyreligion,anymysticalormetaphysicalsystem,for
itdoesnotconsideritselfasexistingonthesamelevelasanyofthem.Itcanonlybe
graspedbythosewhobringthenecessaryintuitive,mystical,intellectual,moral,and
devotionalqualificationstoit,anditcanonlybeappreciatedbythosewhocangraspit.
19

Philosophyisforthosewhodemandtheultimate,whoaresatisfiedwithnothinglessand
whohaveenoughdiscernmenttodiscriminatebetweenitanditsmanysubstitutes.
20

Thoseonlywillappreciatethispointofviewwhohaveawakenedtotheneedof
penetratingthroughillusiontorealityandwhounderstandhowimportantthisisto
humanity'sfuture.
21

Philosophycallsforsomeleisuretostudyitandforsomecapacitytounderstandwhatis
beingstudied.Itisnotenoughtobeanamateurinphilosophy:onemustbecomean
expert.
22

Thefirstlessonsofthehigherphilosophycannotbeusefullytaughttothosewhohavenot
learnedthelastlessonsofreligion.Butforthosewhohavegonealittlewayinto
mysticismormetaphysics,suchinstructionneednotbedeferred.
23

Peopleofallreligiousfaithscancometothestudyofphilosophy.Theywillnotbeableto
keeptheirfaithaftersuchstudy,however,withoutprofoundlydeepeningit.Norwillthey
beabletokeepwithittheenthusiasticarroganceorintolerantignorancewhich
accompaniessomuchsectarianism.
24

Orientalwisdomenjoinsingeneralwithholdingtruthfromtheunready,andinparticular
fromthosewhodonotwantorseekit,frominebriatedoragitatedpersons,fromthosein
whomlustorgreed,wrathorimpatiencepredominates,and,understandably,from
lunatics.
25

Philosophygainsrecruitsonlyfromthosewhosevaluesaresoloftythattheyregardthe
findingoftruthasatisfyingendinitself,andwhosemindsaresotolerantthattheymake
theirsearchforitinthewidespreadfieldofcomparativeanduniversalcultures.
26

Theindependentmind,whichseeksallthefactsandnotmerelysomeofthem,which
doesitsownthinkingaboutthosefacts,isnaturallybettersuitedtophilosophythanthe
dependentmind,whichacceptswithoutdemurinheritedcreedsandestablishedsects.
27

Hisintellectualintegritymustbesuchthatevenifhissearchfortruthendsinideaswhich
upsetmuchofwhathehashithertoaccepted,hewillnotflinchfrommakingthechange.
28

Swedenborg:"WithouttheutmostdevotiontotheSupremeBeing,theOriginofall
things,noonecanbeacompleteandtrulyeruditephilosopher.VenerationfortheInfinite
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Beingcanneverbeseparatedfromphilosophy."
29

Philosophyisforthosewhocanthinkcloselyandwhoarewillingtoabidebytheresults
oftheirthinking.Itisnotforthosewhosettleeverythingbytheevidenceoftheirsenses.
Thatiswhyithasneverbeenanecessitytothosewhomustseerealitywiththeireyesand
touchitwiththeirhands,asithasbeentothosewhowerecontenttoknowwiththeir
minds.
30

Inthestudyofmodernscience,inalllaboratoryanalysisorexaminationofnatural
phenomena,greatstressislaiduponthenecessityforstrictimpersonalityandfreedom
fromeverytraceofwishfulthinking,personalemotion,andprejudice.Thisisofequal
necessitytothestudentofphilosophy.
31

Heisreadytolearnphilosophywhenheisreadytostriphimselfofallprejudice,orat
leasttoallowphilosophyitselftodothistohim.
32

Uninformedseekershavetolearnvariouslessonsbeforetheyfindtheirwaytothispath,
tophilosophy.Theyareattractedtoancientideasandoutworkedmethodsofwhichonlya
portionreallysuittoday'shumanity.Whathashappenedtotheracesandtotheglobeon
whichtheydwellhasaffectedtheircharacterandmind,theirtendencies,capacities,and
faculties.Thosewholookbacknostalgicallytoteachingsandtexts,landsandnamesso
honouredandquiteworthilytoodonotknoworunderstandthis.Thefactthatthereare
certainbasiceternaltruthsiscertainlyirrefragable.ThatMindalwayswas,is,andwillbe,
isoneofthem.Thatthehumansoulislinkedwithit(throughtheWorldMind)is
another.Butthemethodsbywhichthislinkmaybevivifiedandthemenwhoaretouse
themandthecircumstancesunderwhichtheylivehaveallbeenmodified.
33

Afterhehashadthecourage,freedom,intelligence,aspiration,anddiscriminationto
workthroughallthecultsespeciallythepersonalityworshipcultsandcreeds,
persistently,calmly,andsurvivedthetemptationofidolatry,hemaybefittertoreverethe
nobleimpersonalGodhead.
34

IfyouwishtoknowtheTruth,youmustacceptitsdisconcertingrevelationsalongwith
thepleasantones.Youmustbewillingtopractiseinnerdetachmentfromeverythingand
everyoneaswellastoenjoythebeautifulmomentsofrapture.
35

Ifpeoplecometomysticismwithunbalancedordiseasedminds,asanumbercertainly
do,andiftheypermeatetheirmysticalacquisitionswiththeirowndefects,theycannotdo
thesametophilosophy.Fortheendresultwouldbeeitherthattheyfleefromitondeeper
acquaintanceorthatitsdemandsanddisciplineswouldbegintopermeatethem.Thisin
turnwouldequilibrateorhealtheirminds.
36

Thosewhobelongbynaturalaffinitytothisteachingstaywithit.Allotherseventually
findtheirproperlevelelsewhere.
37

ItookthetroubleoflookingupthemeaninggiventotheSanskritwordshraddha,which
isoneofthesixsubsidiaryqualificationsrequiredoftheaspiranttotheknowledgeof
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higherVedanticphilosophy.Herearetheresults:(1)MonierWilliams'massiveSanskrit
dictionarylaconicallydefinesitastohave"trust"(2)Govindananda,inhisworkthe
RatnaPrabha,definesitasmeaning"arespectfultrustinallhigherthings"(3)
Venkatramiah,inhisversionoftheAitareyopanishad,saysitmeans"faithinthe
Vedanticveritiesasinculcatedbythepreceptor"(4)Vasudeva,theascetic,givesits
significanceas"thestrongfaithinthewordsofone'steacher,"inhisMeditations(5)
ProfessorGirindraN.Mallik,M.A.,definesitas"faithinthecontentsofthescriptures."
Butwhatistheesotericandthereforethetruestmeaningofshraddha?Myown
interpretationis:"thatfaithintheexistenceoftruth,thatdeterminationtogetattruth,
comewhatmay,whichwouldmakeoneaheroeveninthefaceofGod'swrath."
38

Hewhowouldbecomeaphilosophermustkeepawayfrompartisanship,mustcultivate
anindependentstateofmindsoastobefreetoreceiveideasfromanysource.Inthisway
hecanreallylearnwhatothershavethoughtorfoundlongagoorinhisownepoch,
whethertheylivedintheEastorWest.Suchdetachmentisnoteasytoacquireorto
maintainwithoutselfdiscipline.
39

Hisattitudeshouldbe:"Takethetruth,whetherornotitbeusefultopracticallife.Takeit
foritsownsake,disinterestedlyandenthusiastically,whetheritbeclosetopersonal
needsorfarfromthem."
40

Itneedsforitsstudyanenlargedoutlookandgivesinreturnastilllargerone.Thisistrue
philosophy,universal,widehorizoned,inclusive,andreconciliatory.
41

Itneedssomecouragetofacefactsastheyareandtheworldasitreallyis,butthisis
betterthanharbouringillusionswhicharegoingtoberelentlesslyandpainfullydispelled.
42

Thereisanothersidetothisdemandthatanaspirantbeatthestagewherehehasbeen
preparedfor,andisreadytoimbibe,thehighertruth.Thedemandmustnotbepushedto
theextentthatthosewhohavenothadanyopportunityforsuchpriorpreparationwillbe
shutoutaltogether.Somethingcanandoughttobegiventhemtotheutmostpossible
degree.
43

Fewpersonsareattherequiredleveloffullintellectual,intuitive,moral,and
metaphysicaldevelopmentforphilosophybutmanypersonsarecapableofbenefittingby
itspracticalapplications.
44

Ifsomeofitstenetsareadmittedlyunfamiliarandprovocative,thisisnottosaythatthey
areoutsidethereachofanyonewithmoderatecapacitywhowillapproachthemwitha
willtounderstand.
45

Themindwhichhasnotyetbeenproperlypreparedbythephilosophicaldisciplineto
receivetruthdirectlythroughintuition,mustmeanwhilereceiveitindirectlythroughfaith
andreason.
46

Philosophyisnotforhimwhosemindissoriddledwithraceprejudiceastothinknothing
goodcancomeoutofAsia,orwhoseownattitudeissosteepedinviolentbiasastojudge
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peoplesolelybytheirappearance,orwhoseideasarelitonlybyhisownlittleguttering
candleoflimitedexperience.
47

Itdoesnotadmitthepopulardelusionthateverymemberofthehumanraceisfittopass
properjudgementonanyissuemerelybyconsultinghisopinionorfeelingaboutitmuch
lessaboutreligionandmysticism.
48

Thehiddenteachingisonlyforthosewhoprefertotravelfreelyonaroadratherthan
crawlslavishlyinarut.Onlythestrongcansubmittothismentalisolation.
49

Itiscomfortingonlytothefewwhoarepreparedtopartwiththeiregoism,theirpride,
theirsensuality,andtheirinertiaforthesakeoftruth.
50

Errorwillcreepintohisfiniteapprehensionoftheinfinitetruthifhehasnotpreviously
madehimselfready,pure,balanced,andmature.
51

Ifonlybecausephilosophywasnotthereforanyonetopickupcasuallyifhewished,but
onlythereforanyonewhocouldthinkandintuit,itspossibleadherentswerewelllimited
innumber.Suchamanwouldinevitablythinkandintuithimselfmoreandmoreintoits
greatteachingstothedegreethathewishedtoseektruthandwasabletoabandonego.
52

Philosophyisprimarilyforthefairlyadvancedmentalityforthepersonwhoisfamiliar
withthechiefspiritualconceptionsandpracticesfortheaspirantwhoisexperiencedand
mature.
53

Onlyonewhohasspenthislifeinreligious,mystical,andphilosophicinvestigationscan
appreciatetheuniversal,thetimeless,andtheplacelesscharacterofthisteaching.
54

Nomanwhohastotallyfailedtousehisintuitionalfacultywillhavethecapacityto
receivephilosophy.
55

Everychildmustpassthroughapropertraininginelementaryandintermediate
mathematicsbeforetheprinciplesofhighercalculuscanbeexplainedtoit.Sothosewho
wishtograsptheadvancedportionofphilosophymustlikewisepreparethemindand
heart,thewillandcharacter.
56

Ahighlevelofgeneraleducationisadistinctadvantageforthosewhowouldtakeup
suchastudy,butitisnotanabsoluteessential.
57

Itisforallclasses,alltypesofmind,andallkindsofcharacter.Itisforthesimpleaswell
astheastute,thesinfulaswellasthegood.Butalas!personalhistoriesshowthatitisthe
astuteandthegoodwhomostlyacceptphilosophy.Theotherswhoneeditbecausethey
tooarehumanbeingsacceptitlessfrequently.
58

Thosewhopreferthepleasanttothetruewillnaturallyfeartoenterthekingdomof
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philosophy.
59

Onlythosewhocanfollowphilosophywhereveritleadsthemandpracticeitstenetswith
unflinchingcouragewilleverbecomephilosophers.Itisnotenoughtoaffirmprinciples
theymustalsobeappliedandgiventangibleform.
60

Thosewhoarecultivated,educated,andintelligentenoughtoappreciatewhatphilosophy
offersthemmayyetbeblindedbyprejudiceorselfishnessorbetoostupefiedfrom
gorgingthepassionstodoso.
61

Sensitiveandintrospectivemindswillmorequicklyfindtheirwaytothesetruthsthan
dullandextrovertedones.
62

Ifheistoreachthispurewelloftruth,itswateruntaintedbybiasorprejudice,hewilldo
bestbykeepingindependent.
63

Bothaproperlydisciplinedbodyandaphilosophicallystrengthenedmindshouldbeour
reliance.
64

OneshouldseekforknowledgeoftheHigherLawsgoverninglife,fortruepurityof
character,andforhumilityifhewishestoreachtheHighestTruth.
65

Seekerswhoarenotsatisfiedwithconventionaldoctrinesormysticalexperiencesmust
bewillingtodosomedifficultbutprofitablereasoning.
66

Thetruthcannotbefoundbythosewhocannotprotectthemselvesagainstdeception,and
especiallyselfdeception.
67

Philosophycarriesgoodtidingstothehumanrace,buttheywillberegardedas"good"
onlybythosemembersoftheracewhoareableandwillingtotakeanimpersonaland
impartialviewofthings.
68

Noteveryoneisreadyforthetruthwhenitcomestohim.
69

Thekindofmindwhichlikestokeepeverythingneatlylabelled(goodorbad)and
everyoneneatlyclassified(atheist,believer,Christian,Hindu)willbesomewhatpuzzled,
slightlyuneasy,andpartlyderisorywhenconfrontedbyphilosophyorphilosophers.
70

Onewhoisripetoreceivetruthwillrespondtoitspresentationatonce,convincedthatit
mustbeso.
71

Onewhoisreadywillfeelthepowerinthesewrittentruthsandwillfollowtheir
injunctionsobediently.
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72

Thateveryoneandanyoneshouldbetaughtphilosophyisanunreasonabledemand.Only
thosewhoconsciouslyseektruthanddeliberatelypractiseselfdisciplineareentitledto
suchteaching.

Philosophicdiscipline
73

Truthisamanysidedunity.Itcannotbefoundbyanarrowsingletrackmind.Totakea
fragmentoftruthandcallitallofthetruth,tostandononepointofviewandignoreall
otherpointsentirely,iseasierforlazyminds.Butthisisnotphilosophical.Thisiswhy
somekindofpreparatoryselftrainingtobroadenanddeepenoneselfmentallyisrequired
byphilosophyandwhyitcannotbehandedoveronaplate.
74

Thatsomerestraintanddisciplineareneededisimpliedbytheverynotionofaquestfor
highergoals.Thatsomeportionmustbesetbytheteachingitselfbutanothermustbe
selfimposedarisesoutofthebalanced,sensiblenatureofphilosophy.Ithasnoplacefor
fanaticismortyranny.
75

Withoutrequiringtheambitionforsainthood,itdoesrequirethecapacitytorecognizethe
needofadisciplineandthewillingnesstoundergoit.
76

Truthalreadyexistswithinman.Hehastobringitfromthecentretothecircumference
ofhisconsciousness.Ifitishiddenfromhisview,thatisonlybecausehehasnotlooked
deepenoughorhasnotclearedawaytheobstructionstohisview.Thoseobstructionsare
entirelywithinhislowerself,andmayberemovedbypracticeofthephilosophic
discipline.
77

Hehasfirsttofindoutwhatitisthatkeepshimfromthehigherself.And,thisknown,he
willseetheneedandvalueofthephilosophicdisciplineasameansofeliminatingthese
obstacles.
78

Philosophyrequireseveryacolytetosubmittoaselfimposeddiscipline.Thatheshallnot
knowinglycherishanuntruthinhisfeelingisthefirstandeasierrequirementthathe
shallnotunknowinglycherishanuntruthinhisthinkingisthesecondandharder.
79

Thispathisamasterstroke.Thismethodofdestroyingtheillusionoftheselfbymeans
oftheintellectualfunctionwhichisitsprimaryactivitystandssupremeandalmostalone.
Thatveryfunctionautomaticallyceaseswhendirecteduponitselfinthewaythatis
hereintaught.Andwithitscessation,theselfisdissolved,appropriatedbytheUniversal.
80

Themoststrikingpointinthissimpletechniqueisthatheusestheveryegoitselfforso
longindicatedbyallmysticsasthegreatestenemyonthePathasthemeansofdivine
attainment.Thesewordsmaysoundlikepureparadox,buttheyhappentobetrue.The
strengthofhisenemyisdrawnuponforhishelp,whilethatwhichwasthesupreme
hindrancetransformsintoapathwaytothegoal.
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81

Theabilitytodiscriminatebetweenappearanceandreality,betweenthefalse"I"andthe
true"I,"isdevelopedbysubjectingthereportsofthesensestothecriticismofthe
intellect,bycheckingemotionwithreason,bystandingasidefromallofthesefaculties
withtheintuition,andbydivingdeeperanddeeperintoone'sessenceinmeditation.
82

Theenigmaticquestionswhichhavelonghauntedthehumanmindandwilllongcontinue
tohauntitandwhichwillriseinsistentinthemindoftheaspirantare:Whatisheto
seek?Howishetogaintheobjectsofhissearch?Whataretheprospectsofthefulfilment
ofsuchanaspirationandthehindranceslikelytoattendit?Theanswerstothemarea
gradualrevealingwhichfollowsontheheelsofthecultivationofcertainattitudestotruth
andtopersonsandthings.
"Whatishetoseek?"Heshouldseekrealityandtheknowledgeofitwhichistruth.This
istheidealwhichissetbeforehim.Thisistorealizehisspiritualnatureandthusachieve
hishigherdestiny.Becausetruthissosubtleandsohardtofind,hissearchafteritshould
bewellguided,hisknowledgeofitproperlytested,andhisadventuresinmeditation
morallyandintellectuallysafeguarded.Truerideasareneedednoblerstandardsare
calledfor.Suchideals,truthfullyformed,deeplyheld,andwholeheartedlyapplied,can
onlybenefitmanandnothurthim.HewhohasbeengivenaglimpseoftheIdealwillnot
beabletoliealwaysasleepinthesensual.Thefinerpartofhisnaturewillrevoltagainst
itagainandagain.
TheIdealservesmorethanoneusefulpurpose.Itisnotonlyapeaktowhosesummithe
triestoraisehimselfbyslowdegrees.Itisalsoafocusformeditationexercises,aguide
forpracticalconductincertainsituations,andacompasstogivegeneraldirectiontohis
trendofthought,feeling,anddoing.Itcausestheaspiranttofeelthathehasbeenled
throughvaryingeventstothenewpathwhichnowopensupbeforehim,thataspiritual
meaningmustbegiventotheperiodofhislifejustclosed.Thesequenceofeventsand
theaccumulationofexperiencewillforcehimtofacehisproblemsintheend.Ifhecan
dothishonestly,analysethemintelligently,andintuitthemadequately,hemayacquirea
valuablenewpointofview.
"Howishetogaintheobjectsofhissearch?"Thetruthseekerwillbegintoturninward
inquestofunitywithhisownsoulandoutwardinquestofunitywithmankind.Lifeis
theguidethatisbringinghimhometohimselfandtokindlierrelationtohisfellows.Life
itselfteachesanddisciplinestowardsthesegreatends.Thefollowingoftheintegral
philosophicquest,withlifeastheguideandteacher,willinvolvethereeducationof
moralcharacterwhichisdoneinpartbyconstantreflectionandspecialmeditationson
theonehandanddisciplineofthesensesontheother,andinpartbyprayer,aspiration,
andworship.Inaddition,ifamancultivatesthehabitofbarringentrancetonegative
thoughtsandofinstantlythrowingweakeningonesoutofhismind,hischaracterwill
strengthenitselfmorequickly.Theoutcomewillbecertainrelationshipstooneself,to
others,andtosituationsandthings.
Theascenttowardtruthproceedsbysteps.Ifatfirstthemeritsofaparticularteachingor
teacherimpresstheemotionsunduly,itisalsolikelythatamorecriticalstudyoftheone
andamorethoroughexperienceoftheotherwillshowupunsuspecteddefects.The
philosophicstudenttriestoavoidundergoingtheseunpleasantchangesbygettinga
balancedviewoftheprosandconsfromthestart.Heoughtnottobesosweptoffhisfeet
bythegreatadmirationfeltforageniusoradoctrinethathehasnoclearperceptionof
theformer'sdefectsorthelatter'sfaults.Hemustmaintainbalancenotonlyinthefaceof
loweremotionsbutalsoofnoblerones.
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83

Allhumanknowledgeisconditionedbythefactofhumanrelativity.Humannature,
humanintellect,andhumanegoismimposetheirlimitationsnotonlyinmaterial
experiencebutalsoinmysticalexperience.Statementsofdivinetruthmadebymortal
menshouldbereadinthelightofthefactthattheyaresubjecttosuchrelativity.Noneis
infallible,noneeternallyauthoritative.Suchseemstobetheunhopefulsituation.Isthere
thennowayofdisengagingthehumanagencyfromthedivinemessagewhichmanifests
throughit?Theansweristhatthiswaydoesexistandthatitsmethodisanintellectualas
wellasemotionalpurification,amoralandpracticaldiscipline,anintuitionaland
mysticalpreparation,andaboveallaneliminationofthepersonalreferencecarriedon
incessantlythroughalongperiod.
84

Philosophycanbeunderstoodonlybytheactualprocessofphilosophizing,bypassing
throughthewholecourseofemotionalandmentaldisciplinewhichphilosophyinvolves.
85

Thestudentshouldseekclearideasandwarmfeelingsinhisspiritualstudiesand
devotionalaspirations.
86

Thepurerevelationcomesonlytothosewhocanbringthemselvesatthebiddingoftruth
tosacrificeruthlesslytheirpreviousbeliefs,ifnecessary.Allothersgetapartialormixed
revelation.
87

Thegoalistoobtainahigherconsciousnesswhichflashesacrossthemindwithblinding
light.Allhiseffort,allhistrainingisreallyforthis.
88

Thephilosophictrainingwillshowitsresultinhiscapacitytoseparatetheactual
operationoftheOverselfinhimfromanyadmixturebyhisownpersonalthoughts,
feelings,andexpectations.
89

Thethingthatpassesforilluminationwithmostmysticsisgenerallyamixtureofgenuine
mysticalexperiencewithaninterpretationofitfurnishedbytheintellect,theemotions,
tradition,education,teachers,suggestion,andsoon.Themediumthroughwhichthe
experienceisbroughtdownintoconsciouscommunicationorunderstandingoften
interfereswithitandreshapesit.Thephilosophicdiscipline,withitsselfcriticizing,keen
rationalityanditsegosubordination,purification,andillumination,isintendedtoprevent
thisinterferencefromhappening.
90

Theadvancedsectionofthephilosophicdisciplinerepresentsanendeavourtoreducethe
numberandthicknessofthesecolouredwindowsthroughwhichthemysticreceives
revelationsanddeliversmessages.Butthisisonlyitsfirstendeavour.Intheend,itstrives
toforcehimfromthemaltogether,torescuehisilluminationfromeverythingthatmight
limititspuretransparentuniversality.
91

Isitnotpossibletofreemysticalreceptionfromtheseegoisticinterferences,
misrepresentations,exaggerations,distortions,andfalsifications?Yes,itispossible.With
thephilosophicdisciplinethemysticmaydisciplinehisego,trainhisfeelings,guidehis
intellect,andcheckhisintuitionsothatthetruthbreaksintospaceandtimethroughhis
humanpersonalityinfaultlesspurity.
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92

Man'simperfectnaturemustberenderedutterlypassive,itsdistortinginterferenceutterly
eliminated,beforethedivinetruthcanmanifestitselfinallitsauthoritativepurity.
93

Hewilltrainhimselftodistinguishbetweenthefanciesoftheegoandthecertaintiesof
theSoul.Anditisonepurposeofthephilosophicdisciplinetoassisthimtodoso.Forthe
resthemustdependonselfcriticalobservationandcarefulcheckingofresults.
94

Theknowledgeofselfwhichphilosophycangiveisunique.Butitcanbegotonlyby
turningthewholeofthepsyche'sforceinwardsinsteadypenetrationandsustained
meditation.Thehiddendoorsofourmentalbeingmustbeopened,thedelicatesourcesof
ouremotionalbeingmustbetraced,thegossamerthreadofourdeepestconsciousness
mustbefollowed.Allthiscallsfortheexerciseofwill,theeffortofconcentration,the
refinementofattention,andsurrendertopatience.
95

Itisimpossibleforanyaspiranttoattainthefullandequilibratedilluminationifhedoes
nothavethispreliminarypreparationofthephilosophicdiscipline.Hecangetresults,he
cangetstrikingexperiences,butthesupremeresultisbeyondhisownpowersof
receptivity.
96

Philosophyimposesaseverementaldisciplineuponthosewhowouldpursueitstruths.
97

Hewhoknowsandfeelsthedivinepowerinhisinmostbeingwillbesetfreeinthemost
literalsenseofthewordfromanxietiesandcares.Hewhohasnotyetarrivedatthisstage
butisonthewaytoitcanapproachthesamedesirableresultbytheintensityofhisfaith
inthatbeing.Butsuchaonemustreallyhavethefaithandnotmerelysayso.Theproof
thathepossessesitwouldlieinthemeasurewithwhichherefusestoacceptnegative
thoughts,fearfulthoughts,despondentthoughts.Inthemeasurethathedoesnotfailinhis
faithandhenceinhisthinking,inthatmeasure,thehigherpowerwillnotfailtosupport
himinhishourofneed.ThisiswhyJesustoldhisdisciples,"Takenoanxiousthoughtfor
themorrow."Inthecaseoftheadept,havinggivenuptheego,thereisnoonelefttotake
careofhim,sothehigherSelfdoessoforhim.Inthecaseofthebeliever,althoughhe
hasnotyetgivenuptheego,nevertheless,heistryingtodoso,andhisunfalteringtrust
inthehigherSelfisrewardedproportionatelyinthesameway.Inbothcasesthebiblical
phrase,"TheLordwillprovide,"isnotmerelyapioushopebutapracticalfact.
98

Thephilosophicdisciplineshowsushowwearetotreatourselves.Thephilosophic
moralityteachesushowwearetotreatothers.Itprovidesbothabstractprinciplefor
theoryandconcreterulesforconduct.
99

Hemaymakeuseofadverseperiodstotesttheworthofphilosophyandthemeritofits
teaching,insteadoflettingthembecomeasourceofdepression.
100

Theinexperiencedandtheunbalancedmaymeasurespiritualprogressintermsof
emotionalecstasyormeditationalvision,butthematureandwisewillmeasureitinterms
ofcharacteritsnobility,itsroundeddevelopment,anditspurity.
101
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Thephilosophictrainingwillhelphimtostopinsertingtheegointohisexperienceandto
ceaseimposingitsbiasonhisreadingofit.
102

Philosophybeginsitsinstructiontotheneophytebythestartlingassertionthatneitherhe
noranyothercandidateisreadyorqualifiedtoreceivetruth.Itdeclaresthatthis
qualification,thisreadiness,mustfirstbedevelopedinthecandidatehimself.Thiswork
ofdevelopmentiscalledthephilosophicdiscipline.Heshouldstudyhimselfandexamine
hisexperiencesinthemostcriticallight.Alibis,pretenses,andexcusesshouldbe
mercilesslyrejected.Thediceofdoubtfulcasesshouldbeloadedagainstit,andheshould
beginwiththepremisethatheiseitherfaultyinjudgementorguiltyinconduct.
103

Thosewhowantphilosophywithoutacceptingitsdisciplinegetonlyafragmentofit.
104

Thephilosopher'sresearchisadisinterestedone.Thereisnoparticularbodyofdoctrines
whichhesetsouttosupport,noreligiousinstitutionwhosepowerorprestigeheseeksto
increase.Hedeliberatelycontrolshispredilections,trainshisthoughts,anddisciplineshis
feelingssoastomakehimselfcapableofthatintellectualdetachmentwhichisa
necessaryprerequisitetogettingatthetruth.
105

Thephilosophicdisciplineaimstoshocktheaspirantoutofthecomplacencywithwhich
heviewshimselfintoamorecriticalview.Hemayfeelchagrinandmortificationatwhat
hesees.
106

Philosophiclifeinoursenseisnotamatterofreadingpracticalmaxims.Itisgiving
assentinactionandofferingwholeheartedbeliefinfeelingtothebestvalues,goals,and
purposes.
107

Thephilosopherdevelopstheprincipalsidesofhishumannature,thatis,hisintelligence
byreasoning,hisknowledgebystudy,hispietybydevotions,hismysticalintuitiveness
bymeditation,andhiswisdombyassociationwiththosemoreevolvedthanhimself.
108

ThefirstaimthereforeistoknowTruthasitisandnotmerelyasitistous.
109

Itsaimistoproduceamanwhoshallbehumanlymatureandspirituallysecure,who
shallbefleshandmindputtotheserviceofspirit.
110

Thestudyofphilosophymustbenodesultorypursuititmustfollowaconsecutiveand
sequentialcourseifitsprinciplesaretobemasteredanditsproblemssolved.
111

Thought,feeling,andwillarethethreesidesofahumanbeingwhichmustfindtheir
respectivefunctionsinthisquest.Thoughtmustbedirectedtothediscriminationoftruth
fromerror,realityfromappearance.Feelingmustbeelevatedinlovingdevotiontowards
theOverself.Willmustbeturnedtowardswiseactionandaltruisticservice.Andallthree
mustmoveineffectiveunisonandmutualbalance.
112
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Heshouldalwaysrememberthatthemerereadingaboutphilosophywillnotmakehima
philosopher.Norwilleventhethinkingaboutphilosophyitselftransformhimintoone.
Boththeseactivitiesarecertainlynecessarybuttheyneedonemoretocompletethem.
Andthatisthepracticeofphilosophyinconduct,theexpressionofitindailyliving.
113

Meditation,rightlydone,isindispensabletothephilosophicquest,butitmustbe
accompaniedbyotherpracticesorendeavourswhicharenotlessindispensabletothe
successofthisquest.
114

Meditationmustpredominateinthebeginner'sstage.Itisthemostimportanteffortthen
requiredofhim.Buttheotherrequirementsneednotthereforebeneglected.Itwillnot
onlybegreatlytohisadvantagetodevelopmetaphysicalreasoningandwiseaction,but
thecombinationofallthreewillyieldresultsfarinadvanceofthosewhichtheirseparate
andsubsequentdevelopmentcouldpossiblyyield.
115

Onlyhewholivesfrommomenttomomentbytheclearlightofitsteaching,bythe
deepestfaithinitstenets,andbytheardentfeelingofitsworthisatruediscipleof
philosophy.
116

Threetasksarerequiredofhimforthisintegralculture.Thefourelementsofthepsyche
aretobepurified,developed,andbalanced.
117

Everyoneinsomeway,blindlyorconsciously,slavishlyorindependently,wronglyor
correctly,necessarilyandalwaysbelievesinaparticulardeciphermentoftheenigmaof
life.Butonlyhewhohasbroughtthebestmentalequipmenttobearuponitislikelyto
makethebestdecipherment.Andonlythephilosophicaldisciplinegivesthis.
118

Thecravingsofthesensesaretobebroughtundercontrol.Thesoulistobetheirmaster
themindisnolongertobetheirslave.
119

Anexternalasceticismofasensiblekindisalsocalledfor.If,onthespeciousadviceof
thosewhosayrepressionisworse,heyieldstosexualpassioneverytimeitsolicitshim,
hemakeshardertheinternalbattleagainstit.Fortemptationisnotremovedbyyielding
toitiftheremovalismerelytemporary,andtherecurrenceiscertainandswift.
120

Hehastorejecttheappealofsensuousthingsforatimeandretreatfromtheirpursuit.
Thisisintendedtofreehimfromtheirtyrannyoverhim.
121

Thedisinclinationtostartpractisingmeditationandtheinabilitytosustainitforlong
whenstartedaredueinparttothemind'sstronghabitofbeingpreoccupiedwithworldly
mattersorbeingattachedtopersonaldesires.Thisiswhythestudyofwhollyabstract
metaphysicalandimpersonaltopicsispartofthePhilosophicPath.
122

Asenseofsacrednessshouldenterhisphilosophicalstudiesiftheyaretobearmorefruit.
123
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Someessentialsare:purificationofcharacter,disciplineofemotion,ennoblementof
motive,practiceofmeditation,studyofthemetaphysicsoftruth,elevationofconduct,
andaconstantheartfeltaspirationtowardstheDivine.Prayer,too,oftherightkind,is
helpfulbecauseegohumbling.Andtherightkindisthephilosophickind.
124

Thevariousbranchesofphilosophicalstudyandpracticeincludethepreparatorystages
oftheasceticlifeandthenthefurtherfullerstagesofbeing,thinking,feeling,meditating,
intuiting,anddiscriminating.Therearetwolevelsofreference:theAbsoluteandthe
Relative,equivalenttotheMetaphysicalandthePhysicalPractical,theRealityandthe
Appearance.
125

Inone'ssearchfortheHigherSelf,itisnecessarytocultivateimpersonalityand
objectivityalongwithreason,emotion,andbalance.Theseshouldalwaysbepresentin
one'sanalysesofexperiences,sinceinaccurateconclusionswouldbereachedwithout
them.
126

Thestrivingforimpersonalityisuncommonhoweverapprovedintheory,actualpractice
isunpleasantandunwilling.
127

Theearnestseekerwhohasalreadyachievedacertaindegreeofawarenessand
understandinghasthebeginningsofwhatmaybeasplendidopportunitytomake
phenomenalprogressinhispresentincarnation.Buteverythinginthisworldmustbepaid
forthegreatesttreasuresareattainedonlyatthegreatestcost.Theaspirantmustnow
embarkonadoordieendeavourtolifthischaracterontoahigherplanealtogetherto
purifyhismotivesandtobepreparedtosacrificeallworldlyobjectsfirstinwardlyand,
finally,outwardlyifcalledupontodoso.Thespiritualreturnsarecorrespondingly
great,however.Theyare:serenity,understanding,liberation,satisfaction,andthedelight
ofperpetualcommunionwiththedivineOverselfwhilebeingalwaysinItsblissful
Presence.
Theremustalsobethededicationtoservice.Here,moreoftenthannot,thespiritual
returnsareaterriblesadnesswhichmustbebornealoneandunshared.
Suchisthephilosophiclifetheonlyconceivablewayoflifeformany,now,andfor
manymore,lateronforevermotivatedandsustainedbytheunchanginglivingReality,
Mind.
128

Thementaltendencieswhichhehasbroughtoverfrompreviousbirths,theeffectsof
physicalheredityandenvironment,theinfluenceofsociety,andthesuggestionsof
educationallofthesehavetobedisciplinedandpurified,ifheistoacquiretruthwithout
unconsciouslydeformingit.
129

Thisdisciplinefreeshismentalityfromthetendencytoplacemerelytemporaryandlocal
influencesabovethetrulyuniversalandeternalelements.Thus,itclearsapathwayfor
therealrevelations.
130

Anotherofthepracticalapplicationsofphilosophyistheinjunctiontowastenothing.The
usefulnessofanythingisentirelyamatterofrelativity.Thatwhichisuselesstoyouina
certainconnectionmaybecomeusefulinadifferentconnectionoratalatertime.Again,
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itmaystillbeuselessevenwhenconsideredunderthesetwoaspectsbutyetitmaybe
mostusefultoanotherperson.Thereforeifthereissomethingyoudon'twanttokeep,
giveitawaytosomeonewhoneedsit.Don'tthrowitawayanddestroyit.Youareonlya
steward.Ifyoutakeapurelypersonalstandpointorifyoulivemerelyforthepresent
moment,suchcounselmaymakenoappealtoyou.If,however,youhaverisentothe
philosophicanduniversalstandpointandconsidereverythingnotmerelyrelativetoyour
ownegobutalsototheAll,thenyouwillseeyourresponsibilityinthismatter.Thisdoes
notmeanyouaretobecomemiserly.Onthecontraryyouaretobecomegenerous.Forin
thelastcountingeverythingbelongstoMotherNature.Weareonlyherstewardsandour
taskistouseherpossessionswiselyandcooperatively.
131

Philosophytellsusthatitisthebusinessofeverybody,nationsaswellasindividuals,to
lookbehindtheirsufferingsandthusascertainthecausesofwhichthesesufferingsare
merelyeffects.Ifmenwishtostartabetterandhappierlife,itisneedfulthattheyshould
understandthelessonsoftheirownpast.Ifthishappierexistenceistobeareality,it
cannotcomeaboutunlesstheybreakinwardlyandoutwardlywiththispast.
132

Afullyripenedmindcomesmoreeasilyandmorenaturallyintothetruth.Thelaboursof
reflectivethoughtjoinedtothestillnessofsuspendedthought,theemotionofreverential
worshipbalancedbytheindependenceofselfreliance,areonlydifferentaspectsofthe
processofripening:thereareothers.Thelargeoutlookwhichfollowsminimizestheego
andpushesoutblocks.SlowlyorsuddenlytheSpiritisletin,fills,andtakesover.
Consciousnessliterallycomesintoitsownitself.
133

Abraveinsistenceonfacinghisinarguableprejudgementswillberequiredofhim.
134

Thephilosophicethicsmustbeappliednotonlyinhiswellstudiedunderstandingbut
alsointhedepthsofhispersonalrelations.
135

Theoldideawasthataspirituallymindedpersonshouldsportalongbeard,indulgein
asceticselfdenials,andbeportentouslysolemn.Thenewideaisthatheshouldkeephis
spiritualmindednessbutbemorehuman,morelikeoneofourselves.
136

Philosophictrainingtriestoproduceinitsvotariesaloftypersonalcharacterandawide
socialoutlook.Itshamesnarrowattitudesandreleasesbeneficentfeelings.
137

Wemustseethingsintheirproperproportions.Thisiswhythephilosophicstudentmust
considerallavailableaspectsofasituation,allsidesofaquestion,andboththepast
causesandfutureoutcomeofanevent.
138

Thereisadangertohispilgrimagetowardstruthifheletsafixedandfinalizedstatement
ofitbecomedominant.Itisthedangerofarrestedgrowth,orspiritualconstriction.
139

Theconflictwithhimself,withillwillandevilwill,withfalsethoughtandmistaken
thought,canendonlywhenthequestitselfends.
140
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Sincemostpeoplecometothesamesubjectwithpersonalpreconceptions,theyleave
withdifferentconclusions!Onlythosewhohaveundergonethepurifyingdisciplineof
philosophyarelikelytohavethesameconclusions.
141

Thisfurtherimpliestheeliminatingofallprejudicesandthepurgingofall
preconceptionsfromone'soutlook.Themindmustbeopen,notattachedundulyto
anything,notthevictimofcontemporaryexternalinfluences,buteverreadytoenquire.
142

Hemustnotbeafraidtodisparagehisownpastthoughtandwork,valuesandtechniques,
ifneedbe.
143

"TheBuddhistdisciplineorexercise(yoga)asistoldbytheBuddhaconsistsoftwoparts,
philosophicalandpractical.Thephilosophicaldisciplineistotrainthemindtoabsolute
idealismandseethattheworldisMind,andthatthereisinrealitynobecomingsuchas
birthanddeath,andthatnoexternalthingsreallyexistwhilethepracticalsideistoattain
aninnerperceptionbymeansofsupremewisdom.Tobegreatintheexercisethatmakes
upBodhisattvahood(mahayagayogin)onehastobeanexpertinfourthings(threeof
whichareintellectualandthelastonepractical):1)toperceiveclearlythatthisvisible
worldisnomorethanMinditself2)toabandonthenotionthatbirth,abiding,and
passingawayreallytookplace3)tolookintothenatureofthingsexternalandrealize
thattheyhavenoreality(abhava)4)totrainoneselftowardstherealizationofthetruth
intheinmostconsciousnessbymeansofsupremewisdom."Suzuki'sLankavataraSutra
Studies
144

Therearetruthsinthephilosophicdoctrinewhichman'sheartcannoteasily,oratfirst,
accept.Thisisbecausetheyaredistasteful.Onlyaftersufficienteducationbyteacher,
study,life,orreflectioncanhebringhimselftobelievewhathedoesnotlike.
145

Thehistoryofreligiousandmysticalideasshouldbeinvestigatedandstudiedfroman
impartialindependentstandpoint,withoutbiasfor,orprejudiceagainst,withenough
criticalabilitytosiftfactsfromopinionyetwithenoughsympatheticinterestinthe
subjecttocollectmaterialswidelyfromtimeandplace.Thisisnotworkforadriedup
pedanticscholarwithoutinnerexperienceofhisown,norforagullibleexcitable
enthusiast,norforaselflimitedcommittedscientist,norforatraditionbound,
excessivelypastworshipping,antimodern,religioscholarmystic.Withthisworkshould
beconjoinedacomparativestudyofthoseideas,whichrequiresnotonlyhistoricaltalent
andlearningbutdeeperinnerknowledge,advancedandpersonalexperience,andskillin
communicatingthehigheryieldsofintellect,feeling,mysticalintuitioninshort,some
philosophicalequipment.Therewouldbenoplaceinsuchteachingforrigiddogma,no
divisioninto"official"monopolizedtruthandunenlightenedunblessedinvention,
certainlynodenunciationofheresy.
146

Ignoramusesandblockheadsfinditeasyandpleasanttocriticizethebackwardnessand
darknessoftheMiddleAgesandtheperiodsofantiquity.Suchcriticismgivesthemthe
feelingofbeingonasuperiorplanealtogether,ofhavingtruthwheretheseearlier,and
consequentlyunluckier,forebearshaderror.
Ipersonallydonottakesuchasillyattitude.Icriticizethepastwithoutdenyingits
possessionofspiritualtreasures.Themodernstudentshouldreveretheteachersandstudy
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theteachingsofantiquity.HewillhonourthelivesandtreasurethewordsofJesusand
Buddha,KrishnaandConfucius,Muhammed,Plato,andPlotinusalike.Butheshouldnot
confinehimselftoanysingleoneofthemalonenorlimithimselfwithinanysingle
traditionalfold.Hemustalsolifthimselfoutofthepastintothepresent.Hemustreserve
hisprincipalthought,time,andstrengthforlivingteachersandcontemporaryteaching.
147

Tobeunattachedisalsotobeunattachedintellectually,totakeupnointellectualposition
asagainstalltheothersandtorefusepartisanship,sectarianism,groupjoining,one
sidedness,andexclusionofallotherideasandteachings.Byrefusingtojoinasectthe
candidateforphilosophyrefusestoputhimselfinthepositionwhichregardsallthose
outsidethesectasbeingtheunchosenrace.
148

Dr.Johnsonunderstoodthephilosophicalattituderightlywhenhesaidthatwehaveboth
toenjoylifeandtoendurelife.
149

Thegreatsacrificewhicheveryaspirantiscalledontomakeisthesacrificeofthat
ignorancewhichseparateshimfromhisDivineSource.Thisignorancecannotbe
removedbytheintellectalone,however,orbyYogaalone.
150

Thepleasantandpainfulvicissitudesofhumanlifearecommontoall,butacorrect
viewpointregardingthemisnot.Sothephilosophicaldisciplineaimstoprovideit.
151

Hemustcomeonthisquestnotforafewyearsbutforallhislife.
152

Itisnecessaryforthestudenttomakeacombinedeffortofwill,analyticreflection,
prayer,andstudytounderstandanddissolvetheobstaclescreatedbytheego.
153

Itisvitaltoseeclearlythedifferencebetweenteachingsthatspringfromandserveonly
theego,andthosethatspringfromandleadtotheOverself.
154

Therearenoinitiatoryrites,nodisciplinaryrulesandvows.
155

Ifyouaskwhatrealityis,inphilosophy'sview,theanswermustbeconsciousness.Ifyou
furtheraskwhatman'sworkinthislifeis,theanswermustbetobecomeconsciousof
consciousnessassuch.Butbecause,ordinarily,consciousnessneverdisclosesitselfto
himbutonlyitsvaryingstates,hecanaccomplishthisworkonlybyadopting
extraordinarymeans.Hewillhavetosteelhisfeelingsandstillhismind.Inshort,hewill
havetodenyhimself.
156

Plutarchpointedoutthatifanybodycouldeasilyfulfiltheinjunction"Knowthyself,"it
wouldnothavebeenconsideredadivineprecept.
157

Itssearchingandsearingtruthwilldrawoutallhisvanityandleavehimfeelingquite
hollowinside.
158
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Thesecriticsofphilosophyshouldcloselyquestionthemselveswhethertherealreason
fortheirdislikeofitisthatithumiliatesthemintosecretlyacknowledgingtheirlackof
thecouragetofollowthephilosophicQuest.
159

Nosinglepathwillsuffice.Allmustintertwinewitheachother,helpeachother,balance
andregulateeachother.Itisthetotalizedandequalizedeffortwhichcountsmost.
160

Lifeasksfromhimsomethingmorethanspiritualaspiration,morethanprayer,morethan
meditation.Heneedstoofferallthese,buthemustalsobeintelligentandpractical,kind,
andcontrolled.
161

Wisdomliesincombiningthethreechiefyogas,notinseparatingthem.Forinstance,low
vitalitydoesnotpromotehighintelligencebutratherhindersit,hencesomephysical
disciplinesareasneedfulasmentalones.Thethreeyogagroupsarenotonlynot
antagonistictoeachotherbutactuallycomplementary.Whoeverignoresanysingleone
canmakeonlyonesidedprogress.
162

Apathwhichrequiressomuchfromthetravellerwillinevitablybeaslowerpaththanthe
religiousandmysticalways.Butitwillalsobeasurerone.
163

Ifhemakesworshipapreparationformeditation,andifheaccompaniesinvestigationof
theinspiredtextsbyapplicationoftheknowledgegleanedifhejoinspurificationofhis
bodytopurificationofhismindhemayexpecttogainabalancedstateofilluminationin
returnforthisbalancedapproach.
164

Hisspecialneedistouniteintellectualbreadthandemotionalbalancewiththisinner
attainment.
165

WehavedeeplyfelttheforceofEpictetus'outcry:"Showmeamanmodelledafterthe
doctrinesthatareeveruponhislips.Sohelpme,HeavenIlongtoseeoneStoic!"Itis
notlesseasytopreachthantopractiseinourowntime.Buthereistheacidtestwhich
willrevealwhatisandwhatisnotpuregold.Onthebasisofsuchatest,mankindseems
tocryinvainforasingleIlluminate.
166

Itispossiblebydepthofthoughtorbyperseveringovertheyearstosoimpregnatethe
mindwiththeseimplacabletruthsthatitautomaticallyreactsphilosophicallytoitsvaried
experiencesandsituations.
167

Thesetruthsmustbecomesovividinhismindthathecannothelpactinguponthem.
168

Thepromisesofreligionaremildeffortstoconsoleweakerpeople,buttherewardsof
philosophyaretruthsthathavetobeheroicallyborne.
169

Thebasisofthisphilosophicdisciplineisawelldevelopedreason,asoundcharacter,and
acultivatedmysticalintuition.
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170

Notbyharshoutragesonthebodybutbythesimplegrowthofhighervaluethrough
deeperpenetrationofthetruth,isthephilosophicway."Thepuritywhichcomethfrom
knowledgeisthebest."saystheMahabharata.
171

Intheendheshouldseektogainconfirmationoftheteachingandpracticalknowledgeof
itsworkingbyfirsthandpersonalexperience.Thisachievementispossible,butatthecost
oflivingoutinactionwhathelearnsinthought.
172

Thepracticeofphilosophyisnoteasy,butitistheonlywaytogainitsadvantages.When
ittakesfirmrootindaytodaylife,experience,behaviour,andactivity,itstruthistested
andsurvives,solidlyconfirmed.
173

Wemustexaminecurrentconceptsoftheworldwiththegreatestcare,andthenhavethe
couragetoacceptalltheconsequencesofsuchexamination.Wemustquestionlifeinthe
profoundestpossiblemanner,neverhesitatingtoprobedeeperanddeeper,andtruthwill
comewhentheanswercomes.
174

Thequadrangleofreligiousdevotion,metaphysicalstudy,mysticalmeditation,and
inspiredactionmakesthetoolforphilosophicwork.
175

Hisisnonarrowonesidedquest.Allthroughlifehewillbeseekingwisdomforhis
mind,goodwillforhisheart,andhealthforhisbody.
176

AlthoughitisnecessarytodifferentiatetheselinesofapproachtotheOverselfinthe
studystageofgrowth,itwouldbewrongatanytimetoregardthemasbeingmutually
exclusive.Actuallymetaphysicsandmysticismmust,atthelast,meetandintermingle.
Fromthefirstthesensiblestudentwillperceivethisanduseeach,inturnaswellas
together,tobroadenhisoutlookandbalanceandunderstanding.
177

Philosophyattendstoeachsideofthisfivesidedcreaturemanandthusgiveshima
trainingthatisbroadenoughtomeetlife'sdemand.
178

Hehastotakethesubtlethoughtsofphilosophy,thedeepemotionsofreligion,the
sensiblepracticalityofmodernism,andthewhisperingsofhisownintuitiontoforma
compositesystematiccredo.
179

Ifheistotakeonthelabelofphilosopher,hewilltrytobearhistroubleswithfortitude
andendeavourtokeepholdofthegreateternaltruthsinsupportofit.
180

Thewayislongandhard.Itinvolvesdevelopingallthedifferentsidesofthepersonality.
Prayerandmeditationleadtothecultivationofintuitionandaspirationandthese,atthe
sametime,mustbeaccompaniedbythestrengtheningofwill,plusstudyandreflection.
Alleffortsshouldbemadesidebyside,sotospeak,toleadtoabalancedpsychethe
philosophicideal.
181
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Thephilosophicapproachtoaproblemisfirsttolookatitandthentolookawayfromit.
182

Intheturmoilofdailyeventsitiseasytolosephilosophicperspective.Heshouldnotlet
thishappenbutinsteadstriveconstantlytogainsuchaperspective.
183

Withoutthisdisciplinetheywillbeunabletodistinguishtheauthenticcommunionwith
aninspiringsourcefromtheirownpersonalthoughtsandfeelings.
184

Theegoissoboundupwiththethoughtshismindproducesandhisintuitionyields,with
theexperiencehismeditationpracticeandprayerfulworshipinvoke,thatitismost
essentialforhimtoundergoacourseofpurificatorydisciplinetoobtainegofreeresults.
185

Howsuccessfullyheperceivesthetruthwilldependpartlyonhowsuccessfullyhe
overcomesthelimitationsandescapestheassociationsofhisownpersonality.
186

Itis,inasense,onelongexperienceofbecomingimpervioustodesires,ambitions,and,
lastofall,eventoaspirationsforgrowth.Itisadyingtothelesser,personalselfasone
awakensandsurrenderstothegreaterOverSelf.
187

Hedividesintotwopersons,theonlookerandtheplayer,afeatbeyondordinarycapacity
andpossibleonlywhenthephilosophicquesthastrainedmindandreeducatedfeeling.
188

If,assomethink,thephilosophicwayoflifeisahardone,itstillremainstherightone.
Allotherwaysaremerecompromises,justconcessionstohumanweakness.
189

Thephilosophicallymindedstudentthinksclearlyinadvanceoftheprobable
consequencesbothgoodandbadofacontemplatedlineofaction.Forhedoesnotwant
towalkblindlyornegligentlyorrashly.
190

Theslowgradualenlightenmentofviewswillfinishhisdevelopment.
191

Firsthebelievesinitvaguely,thenheunderstandsitprecisely,nexthepractisesitdaily,
andintheendhebecomesonewithitutterly.
192

Atimecomeswhentheseekerissothoroughlypenetratedwithphilosophicidealsthat
thehigherlifewillbecometheeverydaylife.
193

Theinitiationintowisdomifitistobelastingisnotsuddenlygivenbyanymasteritis
slowlygrownbytheexperiencesandreflectionoflife.Thoughtisgraduallyconverted
intohabit,andhabitisgraduallymergedintohighcharacter.Thephilosophicattitude,if
itistobegenuine,willpassintothestudent'snervesandmovehismuscles.
194

Ifhecannotbyhisnaturalpowerachievethis,hecanatleastpreparehimselfforitand
awaitthegrantofgrace.
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Wholeness,completeness,integrality
195

Whentheprincipleoftruedevelopmentisunderstood,itwillbeseenthatnosideof
humannatureisreallyhostiletoanyoftheothersandthatallsidesarecomplementary
partners.
196

Thephilosophicgoalistobespirituallyawareinallpartsofthepsyche,withthe
completelifeasthefinalresult.Togiveone'slifeaphilosophicalbasisistogiveitthe
qualityofimpregnablestability.Togiveone'sknowledgeaphilosophicalfoundationisto
giveitthequalityofintellectualsoundness.Toconfineattentionexclusivelytosome
particularaspectoftruth,ignoringtheotheraspectswhichbalanceorcompleteit,can
onlyleadtoamisleadingresult.Thattheapproachisdifferentbutthegoalisthesame
maybequitetrueofallordinarysystemsofreligionandmysticism.Itisnotquitetrueof
philosophy.Heretheapproachismanysidedwhilethegoalisintegral.
197

Itisnotenoughtocleartheegoistic,passional,andemotionalcolouringsfromthe
psyche.Ifheseesthetruthfromaverylimitedpointofview,hewillstillfailtoreceive
ortransmititrightly.Thereforethepsyche'sdifferentsidesmustbefullydeveloped:his
thinkingcapacity,intuitionalreceptivity,emotionalsensitivity,andactivewillmust
themselvesbebroughttoanadequatedegreebeforehisviewoftruthwillbeadequate
enough.
198

Eachpartofthehumanpsychefulfilsaseparateandnecessaryfunction.Noneisa
substitutefororarivaltoanyoftheothersitdoesnotdisplacebutonlycomplements
them.Eachhasitsownspecialworkwhichcouldnotbedonebythem.Afullviewof
truthcallsforafulltechnique.Onlyphilosophyprovidesforit.
199

Forhehastoregeneratethewholeofhisnature,andnotmerelyonesideofit,ifheisnot
onlytoperceivethewholetruthbutalsotoperceiveitunspoiledandundisturbed.
200

Thepathisfourfoldandnotthreefold.Foritconsistsof(1)thedevelopmentof
intelligencethroughbothconcreteandabstractreasoning,(2)thedevelopmentof
mysticalconsciousnessthroughcultivationofintuitionandpracticeofmeditation,(3)the
reeducationofmoralcharacter,(4)practicalservice.
201

Thefourfoldpathcallsforaction,intuition,devotion,andknowledge.
202

Heshouldseektodeveloponallfoursidesofhisnaturetheintellectual,theemotional,
thepractical,andtheintuitional.Theentireendeavourshouldbedirectedtowards
discoveringhisweaknessesofcharacterandremedyingthem,strengtheninghiscapacity
tothinkabstractlyandmetaphysically,refiningandennoblinghisfeelings,disciplining
andunderstandinghispassions,cultivatingandrespondingtohisintuitions.Thusthe
philosophicquestisanintegralone.Itaimsatatotalilluminationofthemindand
transformationofthecharacter.
203
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Philosophydemandssocompleteatrainingonlybecauseitofferssoperfectagoal.
204

Thesmoothlyroundedsymmetryofthisfourfolddevelopmentmakesnotonlyforthe
fullestacceptanceoftruthbutalsoforthematurestkindofliving.Becausephilosophy
considersandimprovesthehumanpersonalityasawhole,itisnothinglessthaninspired
practicality.Thereisindeednonewsituationwhichitcannotmeetandnegotiateforthe
best,nooldoneforwhichithasfailedtoofferguidanceandinwhichithasfailedtogive
support.
205

Inleadingmentowardahigherlifeandatruerworldview,itisasjustifiabletocajole
theirfeelingsasitistoconvincetheirreasonitisasrighttostimulateinthemthewarm
aspirationofamysticaldevoteeasitistohardenthecoldprecisionofametaphysical
scholaritisasneedfultoinspirethemtocompassionateserviceasitistoexalttheir
moraloutlook.Alltheseareneededforanadequateresult.Allthesequalitiesarea
necessityforafullerandbetterpoisedlife.Eachsupplementstheothersandsupplies
whatthey,byreasonoftheirownnatureandlimitations,cannotsupply.Allthese
separatethingscantakeanaspirantsomewayalongthequest,butnonewilltakehimall
theway.Mosteffortsareaimedonlyatoneortheother,fortheyoftencontradicteach
other,whereasphilosophynotonlyaimsatalltogetherbutalsoseekstoachieve
somethingmore.Forontheonehanditseekstounfoldthetranscendentfacultyofinsight
andontheotheritseekstotestallitsteachingsagainsttheoppositionofactual
experienceintheactiveworld.
206

Ifthechangeincharacterandoutlook,understandingandconductistobeadeepand
lastingone,thenitwillhavetoproceedoutofallsidesofaman'snature,outofhis
thinkingandfeeling,experienceandintuition,studyandbeliefwhichmeansthatitmust
proceedoutoftheknowledgeandpracticeofphilosophy.Hischangemustbebasedon
rationalideasaswellasemotionalmovements,onpracticalresultsaswellastheoretical
formulations,ontheexperiencesofothermenaswellashisown.
207

Wehavetobringthecosmicexperiencetothelivinghumanorganismasawhole,not
merelytojustapartofit.Formanisaunityandcanfulfilhishigherpurposeonlyashe
doessowithallhisbeinganddoesnottrytoseparateitintoparts.
208

Itmaysurprisepeopletolearnthatwholenessisaspiritualquality,thatallpartsofthe
manmustreceiveandshareinthelight.
209

Henotonlyhastoreceivethisilluminationinallthepartsofhisbeingratherthanany
onepart,butalsotoreceiveitequally.Itistheobstructionarisingintheundevelopedor
unpurifiedpartswhichisthefurthercauseofhisinabilitytosustaintheillumination.
210

Wemustbringourwholepersonalitytothisquestandnotmerelyapartofit.Allsides
arevaluabletoeachother,henceallareneededbyourselvesandallmustbeembraced.
Therichfullnessofphilosophiclifeappreciatesbeauty,aspirestoknowledge,activates
thewill,issuffusedbyfeeling,andcultivatesintuition.Alltheseactivitiesemotional,
mental,physical,mystical,metaphysical,andethicalaretobeinseparablyconsolidated
inoneandthesamecharacter.Theremustbeatotalresponseofourtotalnaturetothis
callfromtheOverself.Foritisnotsomethingwhichcanpenetrateourreasoningalone,
forexample,andleavetherestofourbeingcold.Thequestcannotbelimitedtoany
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singlewayalone.Itmustbewideenoughandcomprehensiveenoughtoenableusto
throwalltheforcesofourbeingintosuchasupremeenterprise.Howfaristhisgenerous
idealfromthenarrowidealofasceticism!
211

Thatmanistrulycivilizedwhohasunfoldedthepossibilitiesofhisphysicalnatureand
hisspiritualnatureboth,whohasrefinedhisfeelingsandtastesanddevelopedhis
thoughtandintelligence,whorejectsthesterilityofasceticlivingstandardsbasedon
povertybutwelcomesthoseofaestheticandfunctionalvaluebasedonbeautyand
comfort.
212

Thatthegoalisnothingshortofcompletenessiswhatsofewunderstandorwant,forit
demandsmorefromthemthanthegoalofmerelyexperiencingpleasantfeelings.It
demandsthewholeman.
213

Makewholenessathemeforyourthoughtsandmeditations,afocusforyourstudiesand
aspirations.
214

Whenallpartsofhispsycheconcurinanattitude,wheneachfunctionorfacultyis
coordinatedwiththeothersinthereceptionanddeliveranceoftruth,thentherewillbe
harmonyandunitywithinhisinnerbeingandouterlife.
215

Yes,weneedtoknowthetruth,todiscoverwhatisintheworldaroundusandinlife
withinus,butwealsoneedtofeelandintuititbyexperience.Thiscomingtogether
makesforitsrealization.
216

Thefoursidesofthepyramidofbeingthinking,feeling,doing,andintuitingmustbe
drawntogether,properlydeveloped,andheldtogetherinproperbalance.Theinclination
tofragmenttheselfistheinclinationtofollowtheeasiestpath,nottheneededpath.The
wholepersonneedsbothdevelopingandbalancingpartofitcannotbeleftsafelyin
neglectwhiletheotherpartisintensivelycultivated.
Thephilosophicgoalistobespirituallyawareinallpartsofthepsyche,withthe
completelifeasthefinalresult.Theaspirantmustengagethewholeofhispersoninthe
workofselfillumination,andnotmerelyapartofit.Ifonlyapieceofitisactiveinthis
work,onlyapiececangetilluminedorinspired.Evenmeditationitselfsoimportantfor
theawakeningofintuitionisonlyapart,andalimitedpart,oftheQuest.Wholeness
mustbetheideal,ifthewholeoftheOverself'slightistobebroughtforthandshone
downintoeveryday'sliving,thinking,feeling,andbeing.Anythinglessyieldsalesser
result.Andifthewholeisnotheldproperly,isunbalanced,ityieldsadistortedresult.
217

TheteachingthattheQuestcannotandshouldnotbeseparatedfromlifeintheworldisa
soundone.Therefore,itispartofphilosophyandisnotsomeeccentricenterprisetobe
undertakenbythosewhowishtoescapefromtheworld,orwho,beingunabletoescape,
considerthemselvesasbelongingtoaclassapartfromothersintheirenvironment
superiortothem,differentfromthem,andholierthanthem.Theyalsocometoconsider
theQuestasanartificialsystemofliving,devoidofspontaneityandnaturalness
somethingtobelabouredatbymakingthemselvesabnormalandinhuman.Oneofthe
consequencesofthisattitudeisthattheytendtooverlooktheireverydayresponsibilities
andthusgetintodifficulties.Philosophyhasconsistentlyopposedthistendency.
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Unfortunately,inthereactionfromit,therehasarisenafreshconfusioninthemindsof
anothergroupofstudentswhodonotunderstandthebeautifulandadequatebalance
whichtruephilosophyadvocates.Thesestudents,swayedbysuchteachersas
Krishnamurti,becomesoenthusedbythenotionofmakingspiritualprogressthrough
learningfromexperiencesandactionalonethattheyfollowKrishnamurti'sadviceand
throwawayprayer,meditation,andmoralstriving,aswellasstudyunderpersonal
teachers.Thislimitsthemtoaonesidedprogressandthereforeanunbalancedone.Total
truthcanonlybegotbyatotalapproachasLightonthePathpointsout,eachofthese
formsofapproachisbutoneofthestepsandallstepsareneededtoreachthegoal.
Thewholeofhisbeingmustbeinvolvedintheeffortifthewholeoftruthistobefound.
Otherwisetheresultwillbeemotionalalone,orintellectualalone,oradulteratedwith
egoisticideasandfeelings.
218

Itisnotenoughtobeaphilosopherbecausethemindseestheteachingistruetheheart
alsomustbeengagedinthematterandloveit.Norarethesetwoenough.Thewhole
personmustbeliftedupalsointoitandhimselfexperiencethetruth.
219

Itentersintothefullnessofphilosophyonlywhenitisfeltintheheart,understoodinthe
mind,intuitedinthesoul,absorbedbythestillness,andactualizedintheworld.
220

Bodyandminddependupononeanother,actupononeanother.Thedualismwhich
wouldseparatethementirely,whichwouldevenputthemagainsteachotheras
antagonists,iserroneous.Thebiologicalviewofman,thepsychologicalview,andthe
spiritualviewofmanarecomplementary.
221

Itisnotenoughtobeagoodperson.Onemustalsobeawiseperson.Itisinsufficientto
beselfdisciplined.Oneshouldalsobeselfillumined.
222

Wemustbeabletoreasonremorselesslywithoutbecomingimprisonedinreason,
becausewemustdojusticetoeverypartofourbeingbutonlyasapartofthewhole
mustwedojusticetotheintellect.
223

Thosewhoassertthatinnerspiritualchangecancomeonlyfromouterphysicalchange
andthosewhoasserttheoppositearebothalikeextremistsandfanatics.Thetwo
proceduresareneededtogetherandshouldaccompanyeachother.
224

HewillbeabletomanifestmoreoftheDivinewhenheisdevelopedtothepointofbeing
completeinhimselfthanwhenheisnot.
225

Thereisnootherwayformantogrowinhisfullnessthanthewaywhichcoversthe
wholeofhumanlifeandusesthewholeofhumanfaculty.Thereisnootherwaytomake
himselffitforthenextstageofevolution,whichwillmakehimmorethanman.
226

Thefoolishmanactsatrandomtheintellectualmanplaysoffhisreasonsagainsteach
otherandsomayfindhispowertodecideparalysedtheemotionalmanrejectsevery
guideexceptpersonalfeelingthephilosophicmanusesreason,feeling,andintuition
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alike.
227

Allsidesofthepsychearesointertwinedthatonlyanintegraldevelopmentwillbe
enough.Abalancedmindcannotbegotunlesstheethicofrenunciationhasbeen
accepted,forinstance,forthevicissitudesoffortunebringdisturbingemotionsintheir
wake.
228

Notaonesided,notevenamanysided,butonlyanallsidedprogresswillsuit
philosophy.
229

Whenthelightoftruthentersitwillthenshineintoallpartsofhisbeing,notintothe
intellectalone.Itthusbecomesalivingpower,notmerelysomethingtobetalkedor
writtenabout.
230

Theextraordinarycompletenessofphilosophy,thefusionandequilibriumofbeingand
doing,thinkingandfeeling,introvertedstillnessandextrovertedliving,egolessnessand
egoity,makeitrareandprecious.
231

Thus,strivingandstudying,prayingandwilling,meditatingandaspiring,heusesallthe
selftoreachtotheAllSelf.
232

Thelogicalmindcantakehimonlypartoftheway.Theimaginativemindcantakehim
wheretheothercannot.Ifheleavesouteitherthefirstorthesecond,hewillsufferloss.
233

Ifwearetocometotruthatall,wemustcometoitwithallourbeing,notwithahalfora
quarterofourbeing.
234

Ifheistobemadewhole,hiseverydaypersonalitymustputitselfintoperfectharmony
with,andundertheruleof,hissuperpersonalOverself.
235

Itmaynotbepossibleformanypersonstoachievesuchwholenessaltogether,butasfar
asitispossibleitshouldcertainlybesought.
236

Specializationinthesearchafterknowledgeleadsinevitablytoanunbalancedpictureof
thewhole.Theexpertusuallyknowsmoreaboutonesinglethingbutlessabout
everythingelse.Helosestheartofputtingallthesebitsofknowledgetogetherinajust
andundistortedway.
237

ReligionadoresGodfromadistance,mysticismfeelsGod'sraywithinitself,metaphysics
knowsthecertitudeofGod'sexistenceonlyintheintellect.Philosophyalonemakesa
manysidedapproachtoGod.
238

Anidealismwhichissincerebutnaveandadetachmentwhichisearnestbutfrigidare
notenough.
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239

Hismindcannoteasilytakeholdofthemanysidednessoftruthinitsentirety.Yetonly
bysodoingcanhebringitsseemingcontradictionstogetherandreconcilethem.
240

Thewholeselfmustseektruthifthewholetruthistobefound.
241

Noonefacultyofhumannatureisthewholeofit.Thebody'swills,theheart'sfeeling,
theintellect'sreasoning,andthesoul'sintuitingmustallbeconsideredandbroughtinto
play.
242

Iftheinnerlifeiscultivatedinpartofone'sbeingonly,theilluminationwhenitcomes
willlightthatpartonly.Butiftheintellectworshipsaswellasthinksandiftheemotions
movewithit,bothdeveloptogetherinwholeness.
243

Atotalefforttopurifyallareasisneededifthereistobeatotalremovaloftheblockages,
thecompulsions,thedistortionsandthesuperstitionsratherthanatemporarysuppression
ofthem.
244

Thesatisfactionofonepartofhisnaturemaybesufficientforhimbutitisnotsufficient
forLife.Soonerorlaterinthisorinanotherbirth,hewillhavetonurturewhathasbeen
neglected.
245

Philosophyisnotlimitedtoworkinmeditation,althoughthatisperhapsitsmostnotable
dramaticform.Itisalsoappliedintheareaofeverydaylivingroutinesandrelationships.
Itisalsoactiveinworkoncharacter,emotions,andattitudes.Ittakesinthebodyandits
diet.
246

Torecognizethatthepathsdownwhichtheegohasledhimareillusoryisadmirableand
necessary,butitisonlyafirststep.Itwillnotstophimfromcontinuingtogodownthem
unlesshehasacquiredsomethingmorethanhismerelyintellectualknowledge.Other
thingsareequallyindispensabletocompletehisapproach.
247

WhattheChinesevividlycall"walkingonbothlegs"thatis,joiningandusingtwoor
moreofourfacultiesinsteadofasingleoneavoidsnarrowmindednessandleadsto
betterresults.
248

Ifthetruthissoughtforwitheveryfacultyofaman'sbeing,itsilluminationwhenfound
willentereveryfacultytoo.
249

IfhebringsonlyapartofhisegointotheQuest,thenonlyapartofitwillbecome
enlightenedandonlyapartofhisactivitieswillshowtheeffectsofenlightenment.
250

Ifactiveintelligencewillstophimfrommakingonekindofblunder,activeintuitionwill
savehimfromadifferentkind.Hecannotaffordtoneglectanypartofhispsyche.There
mustbeanintegralandtotaldevelopmentofit.
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251

Wemustfindtruthwithourintellectandfeelitwithouremotion,surrendertoitwithour
intuitionandapplyitwithourwill.
252

Iftheilluminationistocompleteitself,itmustbepassedthroughtheintellectaswellas
theemotions,thewillaswellastheimagination,untilitlivesineverypartofhisbeing.
253

Somanyseekersfindalittlecalmfromtheirmeditation,butquitesoonwhentheyare
backintheworld'sturmoiltheyloseitagain.Thisisinevitableiftheydependonthe
shortmeditationsalone,whichisasmuchasmostWesternerscanperform.If,however,
theywouldsupporttheseattemptswiththecultivationofthehigherknowledgewhich
philosophyofferstheywouldbelesslikelytolosethosecalmmoods.
254

OnemustnotbeprematureindemandingfinalunionwiththeOverself.Thatcomesonly
afteryearsofallrounddevelopment.Onemustfirstpreparehimselfinwardlytoreceive
itonlythenmayheexpecttheultimateunion.Thispreparationaffectsthewhole
personalityintellect,emotion,will,andintuition.
255

Becausehiswholenatureisinvolvedinthesearchfortruth,itishiswholenaturethatin
theendfindsandreceivesit.Consequentlyhegainsacertitude,asuretythatiscomplete,
unshakeable,andstable.
256

Plato'steachingthatthethreegreatidealsoftruthvirtueandbeautyarereflecteddownto
andthroughalllevelsofexistencehoweverobscuredanddiminishedandfeeblerthey
becomewitheachdescentisoneofthegrandestofferingsoftheWesternworld.
257

Whendevotionstandsonknowledge,itstandsonarockwhichnothingandnobodycan
move,norhardshipsweaken.
258

Wemayyieldintellectualassentandyetremainemotionallyunconvinced,justaswemay
yieldemotionalassentandyetremainintellectuallyunconvinced.Philosophyharmonizes
boththesesidesofournatureandthusdissolvesthedisharmony.
259

Theardourofhisdevotionandthefervourofhisaspirationwillnotbelessenedbecause
hehasbeguntogetridofhismetaphysicalpovertyandsocialsterility.Onthecontrary,
theywillbesupportedbytheoneeffortandconfirmedbytheother.
260

Faithmaycarryamanthroughcrisesbutfaithplusknowledgewillcarryhimallthe
better.
261

Hisloyaltytotheteachingmustpenetratethroughallthelevelsofthoughtandfeeling
andfaith.
262

Theworkofselfintegrationisthetakingupofthewholephysicalandemotionaland
intellectualnatureintotheintuitivehigherone.
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263

Theproperwaytosolvehisproblemsistobringtobearuponthemnotonlyallthathis
ownexperienceandreasonandotherpersons'counselandknowledgecancommand,but
alsoalltheintuitiveleadinghecanobtainfromanegofreedheartandathoughtquieted
mind.Thisisthetotalapproachtothem.
264

Abalanceddevelopmentwillnotstimulatetheintellectandstarvethefeelings,nordothe
opposite.Itwillgivetheintuitionthehighestplace,makingittherulerofreason,the
checkonemotion.
265

Thethinking,feelingandwillingfacultiesofhumannaturehavetobedevelopedand
refinedbeforetheycangivesomemeasureofthehighersatisfactionandhappinessbut
bythemselvesandlefttotheircompetingselvestheycannotgivethefullmeasureand
perfectqualityofthesetwinrewards.Theyneedtobeintegratedtobebrought
harmoniouslytogether,putintheirproperplaceandruledbyanotherfacultyoperatingon
alevelabovethem.Suchaoneistheintuition.
266

Itisneedfulonthephilosophicpaththatheunderstandaswellasfeel.Butifnowhe
beginstotrytounderstandthiswonderfulconsciousnesswithhisthinkingintellectalone,
hewillnecessarilylimitit.Theefforttocomprehendwhichheiscalledupontomake
mustthereforebemuchmoreanintuitiveone.
267

Thus,andthusalone,canamanbecomeentireandintegrated,usingallhisnatureandall
hisbeingforthemostdesiredanddesirableend.
268

Toisolatesomedetailandmakeitawholeuntoitselfisalwaysimprudentbutitwouldbe
muchlesssointhiscaseifitweretheintuition.

Balance
269

Theprincipleofbalanceisoneofthemostimportantofphilosophicprinciples.
270

Balancehasauniqueplace,foritisnotonlyneededasaqualificationtobecultivatedbut
alsoasaregulatorofalltheotherqualifications.Thisisbecauseitisaneffectofwhich
theactivityofintuitionisacause.Thoughts,feelings,andactionswhichareinalignment
withintuitivedirectionarebalancedinnature,whereasthosewhicharenotare
unbalancedones.Intheuniversewefindbalancepresentwiththesameuniqueness
attachedtoit.FornotonlydoesitappearthereastheLawofRecompensetobalanceall
actionswithreactionsbutalsoastheMoralLawinthehumanentitytobalancehisright
deedswithsatisfyingresultsandhiswrongoneswithpainfulresults.
271

Thephilosophiclifeisessentiallyabalancedone.Thereforeitiscondemnedbyextreme
Westernmaterialists,whowouldextroverthumanenergiesforsensuousends,andby
extremeEasternmystics,whowouldintrovertthemforsupersensuousends.Itdoesnot
arriveatitsbalancebycompromisingthesetwoviewsbutbycombiningthem.
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272

Allthatisneedfultoaman'shappinessmustcomefromboththesesourcesthespiritual
andthephysicalfromtheabilitytorestinthestillcentre,inthedevelopedintellectual
andaestheticnatures,inthegoodhealthandvigourofthebody.
273

Intheworldoftodaytherearesignsofmentaldisorderandemotionalupseteverywhere.
Intheworldofmysticandoccultstudiestherearesimilarsigns,althoughofadifferent
kind.Inthepostbagofawriterwhosesubjectbordersthefringeofthesesubjectsthereis
alsoampleevidencefortheexistenceofsuchmaladies.Peopleshouldfirstfree
themselvestoasufficientextentandrecovertheirsanitybeforetheygetimmersedin
ideaswhichwillonlyaggravatethismalady.Whenwecometotheworldofstudentsof
philosophy,insanitydisappearsbecauseitisasubjectwhichregardsthesage,thefully
developedphilosopher,asthesanestofmenbecauseheisthebestbalancedofmen.We
mayperhapsfindapercentageofdreamersamongthem,asthemetaphysicalflightsand
subtleanalyseswhichitcallsformayliftthemalittletoohighabovepracticalconcerns
butphilosophyisautomaticallyselfadjustingandsoonbringsthemdownagaintothese
concerns,whereastheothersubjects,themysticandtheoccult,leavethemuptherein
hazycloudswhere,iftheyarenotcareful,theymaylosetheirbearings.
274

Thequestdoesnotstopwithyoga.Wehavealsotoachieveawisebalancebetween
feelingforinnerpeaceandthinkingforultimatetruth.Reasonmustbecultivatedbecause
wehavenotonlytofeelthepresenceofGodbutalsotodiscerntruefromfalsegodsthat
is,truefromfalseideasofGod.
275

Clearthinkinghasnothingtofearfromawarmheart,solongasthetwocooperatebut
donotmeltintooneanother,solongastheywalkhandinhandanddonottumbleover
eachother,forsolongcanwecallupontheirhelpwithequalfreedom.Ourpersonal
problemscannotbesolvedbyslushysentimentsalonebutneithercantheybe
satisfactorilyadjustedbysteelylogicaloneweneedabalancedwisdomindealingwith
them.Onlysuchawisdomcanbestexplaintheseproblemsandexplodeourdelusions
aboutthem.
276

Thereasonedthoughtsofmanmustbeconfrontedbythedelicatefeelingsofman,
balancedandmingledtoproduceabetterpersonthaneitheralonewouldproduce.
277

Evenourunderstandingofbalancehastobecorrected.Itisnot,forphilosophicpurposes,
themeanpointbetweentwoextremesbutthecompensatoryunionoftwoqualitiesor
elementsthatneedoneanother.
278

Therequiredconditionofbalanceasthepriceofilluminationrefersalsotocorrectingthe
lopsidednessoflettingtheconsciousegodirectthewholemanwhileresistingthesuper
consciousspiritualforces.Inotherwords,balanceisdemandedbetweentheintellect
whichseeksdeliberatecontrolofthepsycheandtheintuitionwhichmustbeinvitedby
passivityandallowedtomanifestinspontaneity.Whenamanhastrainedhimselftoturn
equallyfromthedesiretopossesstotheaspirationtobeingpossessed,whenhecanpass
fromthesolelypersonalattitudetotheonebeyondit,whenthewilltomanagehisbeing
andhislifeforhimselfandbyhimselfiscompensatedbythewillingnesstolethimself
andhislifebequiescent,thenhisbeingandhislifeareworkeduponbyhigherforces.
Thisisthekindofbalanceandcompletenesswhichthephilosophicdisciplinemustlead
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tosothatthephilosophicilluminationmaygivehimhissecondbirth.
279

Thebasisoftheuniverseisitsequilibrium.Onlysocantheplanetsrevolveinharmony
andwithoutcollision.ThemanwhowouldlikewiseputhimselfintunewithNature,God,
mustestablishequilibriumasthebasisofhisownnature.
280

Itismostimportanttogetridofanunbalancedcondition.Mostpeopleareinsucha
conditionalthoughfewknowit.Forexample,intellectualitywithoutspiritualityishuman
paralysis.Spiritualitywithoutintellectualityismentalparalysis.Nomanshouldsubmitto
suchsuicidalconditions.Allmenshouldseekandachieveintegrality.Tobewrappedup
inasinglesideoflifeortobeoveractiveinasingledirectionendsbymakingaman
mildlyinsaneinthetrueandnottechnicalsenseofthisword.Theremedyistotonedown
hereandbuildupthere,tocultivatetheneglectedsides,andespeciallytocultivatethe
oppositeside.Admittedly,itisextremelydifficultformostofus,circumstancedaswe
usuallyare,toachieveaperfectdevelopmentandequalbalanceofallthesides.Butthis
isnoexcuseforacceptingconditionscompletelyastheyareandmakingnoeffortatallto
remedythem.Thedifficultyformanyaspirantsinattainingsuchanadmirablybalanced
characterliesintheirtendencytobeobsessedbyaparticulartechniquewhichthey
followedinformerbirthsbutwhichcannotbyitselfmeettheverydifferentconditionsof
today.Wemustcounterbalancethehabitoflivingonlyinapartofourbeing.Whenwe
havebecomeharmoniouslybalancedinthephilosophicsense,heartandheadwillwork
togethertoanswerthesamequestion,theunhurryingsenseofeternityandthepressing
urgeofthehourwillcombinetomakedecisionsaswiseastheyarepractical,andthe
transcendentalintuitionswillsuggestorconfirmtheworkingsofreason.Inthis
completedintegrallife,thoughtandaction,devotionandknowledgedonotwrestle
againsteachotherbutbecomeone.Suchisthetriunequestofintelligence,aspiration,and
action.
281

Itisnotonlybalanceinsidetheegoitselfthatistobesought,notonlybetweenreason
andemotion,thoughtandaction,butalsoandmuchmoreimportant,outsidetheego:
betweenitandtheOverself.
282

Butitisnotenoughthatallthesevariedelementsofhisbeingshouldbeharmonizedand
balanced.Itisalsoneedfulthattheyshouldbebalanceduponaspiritualcentreofgravity.
283

Awellbalancedpersonisnotnecessarilyonewhotakesthemeasuredmidpointbetween
twoextremesbutonewholetshimselfbetakenoverbytheinnercalm.Theneeded
adjustmentisthenmadebyitself.Althoughthisavoidshisfallingintolopsidedactsor
exaggeratedviews,amerelymoderatecharacterisnotthebestresult.Moreimportantis
thesurrendertothehigherpowerwhichisimplicitinthewholeprocessofbecoming
trulybalanced.
284

Balanceistheperfectcontrolandmutualharmonyofthought,feeling,andaction.
285

Sanctityneedsthebalanceofsanity.
286

Greece'sgreatestcontributiontothequestwastheideaofBalance.Thosewholackit,
lackthepropercapacitytoreceivetruthasitis.Andamongthemthosewhoarenarrow
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andfanatical,whomakeaspecialclaimtosupremacyfortheirway,cult,ordoctrine,end
bybecomingthevictimsoftheirownexaggeration.Asingleglimpseisannouncedasa
permanentilluminationaperceptionofmetaphysicaltruthisannouncedastotal
illumination.
287

Whatmostmodernseekersneedistoattainequilibriuminthemselvesandtoachieve
harmonyintheirlives.Fromthefirst,theywillbeabletoenjoyinnerpeacefromthe
second,outerpeace.
288

Therearetwopolesinallactivity.Togetatruepictureoflifebothmustberecognized,
andneitherdenied.Butsincethesepolesareoppositeextremes,itisanunfortunate
humantendencypreciselytodenyoneortheother.
289

Toavoidthisimbalance,lookforbothpolesineachcaseandestablishthem.Donotbe
satisfiedwithaonesidedviewwhichexcludesallothers,norwithsectariansmugness
whichknowsonlyonewaytoliverightlyitsown.
290

Littlemindsaredismayedorbaffledbythistruth.Theywouldliketheuniversetobeara
singleface,andlifetohaveasingledirection.Butthenthegrowthforwhichtheyare
herewouldnotbepossible.Largermindsaregivenenoughvisiontoreconcilethe
contradictionsandtowritetheopposites.Theyseelifewhole,notinfragments.
291

Thefanatics,theextremists,theexclusivists,andtheintolerantneverfindtruth.Thisisin
partbecausetheypersistentlyrejectthepolewhichopposestheoneonwhichtheyhave
takentheirstand.Theyrefusetoseethatitisneededtodojustice,tocompletethepicture,
andtoexplainthetensionbetweenboth.Itisneededtogiveadeeperandclearerviewof
theirownexperience.Thisiswhyphilosophyteachestheneedandvalueofachieving
balancebetweenopposites.
292

Howshallapersonbalancehimself?Thewordmeansalotmorethanitsseeming
simplicitysuggests.Hecanstartbynotlettinganyonepartofhimselfcarrythewhole
personaway,offhisfeet.Butbalanceisnotonlyamatterofmakingnatureandcharacter,
activityandliving,betterproportioned.Itisalsoamatterofmentalcalm,bywhoselight
propervaluesmaybeseenandeachthingputwhereitoughttobe.Thephilosopher's
bodyconsciousness,forinstance,ispartofhiswholeconsciousnessandnownolonger
fillsallthespace.Itiswhereitbelongs,initsownplace.
293

Heshouldcultivatethoseaspectsofhispsychewhichneedfurtherstatureandheshould
deliberatelyneglectthosewhichhavealreadybeenovercultivated.Inthiswayhewill
bringaboutabetterequilibrium,asounderharmonywithinhisownbeing.
294

ThevirtueofthisbalancedapproachshowsitselfineverydepartmentoftheQuest.For
instance,intherelationshipbetweendiscipleandmaster,hewillavoidtheonesided
emphasisuponthelatter'spersonalitywhichcertaincirclesintheOrientandOccident
fosterthroughtheirownimmaturity.
295

Oneofthechiefsymbolsofthislawofbalanceisthecross.
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296

Amanisabletobalanceapairofscalesifheholdsthemattheircentre.Heisableto
balancethevarioushumanfunctionsifhefindshistruecentre.Fromthatpointhecansee
whereonehasbeenneglectedandwhereanotherhasbeenoverused.Fromthatsourcehe
cangetthestrengthandguidancetomakethenecessaryadjustments.
297

Heoughtnottobecomesosaturatedwithhismetaphysicalstudiesorsostrainedbyhis
mysticalcontemplationsthateverythingelse,andespeciallyeverythinghuman,haslost
interestforhim.Whenthishappens,whenheisnolongercapableofenjoyinghimself,or
relaxing,hismentalequilibriumisupset.
298

Wisdomrequiresbalanceandhencethewisemanrejectsextremesandreconciles
opposites.
299

Thephilosopherseekstoattainaproperequilibriumwhichwillenablehimtomove
withintheworldofturmoil,conflict,egocentricmen,andmaterialisticaimsandyetkeep
incontinuouscontactwiththeconsciousnessofhisOverself.
300

Inthesenseofproportion,balance,andmeasurewefindagiftfromphilosophy,asalsoa
pathtophilosophy.
301

Ifaseekerlackssufficientpracticalexperience,hemustlearnto"do"moreandto
"dream"lessifheishighlyintuitiveandidealistic,hemustlearnalsotobephysically
activeandconstructiveinadowntoearthfashion.
302

Ihaveofteninsistedontheneedofkeepingthepersonalitytoawellbalancedform.This
insistencearisesprincipallyoutofthenatureoftruephilosophyitself.Itmustbelived.
Butitalsoarisesoutoftheneedforselfprotectionagainsttheperilswhichopposethe
quest:internally,thewanderingsoffancyintohallucinationandtheselfengrossment
whichbreedsneuroticismexternally,thenegativepassionsandblindmaterialismofa
deterioratingsociety.
303

Ametaphysicaltruthoughtnotbetreatedinadryaridmannerasifitstoodquitealone,
apartfromitsconnectionswiththerestofphilosophy.Ifthedevotional,theactive,and
theaestheticsidesareleftoutfromthewholeness,theunionwiththeseotheraspects,
metaphysicscaneasilybecomelifelessandmonotonous.Philosophylivesintheheartno
lessthaninthehead,initsgloriousbeautynolessthaninitssturdysupportforthelifeof
action.
304

Buddhismisareligionfoundedondisillusionmentwithlife.Butphilosophy,beingmore
thanareligion,cannotrestsolidlybalancedonsuchaslenderfoundation.Ifwith
Buddhismitseestheugliness,thetransiency,andthesufferinginlife,italsoseesthe
beautyinNatureandart,theEternalbehindlifeandthesatisfactioninit.Whyshould
philosophypretendtoseenobrightplacesbecauseitcanseethedarkones?Whyshould
itdenythethrillofmusicinhumanexistencebecauseitcanhearthewailofmisery?This
iswhyitisasquietlyhappyasitisgravelyresigned.
305
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Itiscommonenoughtoseeaspirantsbecomeonesidedand,tothisextent,unbalanced.
Becausetheyareattractedorhelpedbysomeparticularwayaspecialmethod,attribute,
teaching,ordoctrinethisisnoreasontoignorealltheothersortomakeitthecentral
pivotonwhichthewholeofliferests.Lightoughttobroadenhisoutlook,notnarrowit.
306

Halfright,halfwrong,manytheoriesandjudgementsneedtobepairedinorderto
compensateandbalanceoneanother.
307

IntheMasonryofancienttimes,theinitiatewasgiventhesymboloftwopillarsinhis
courseofinstruction.Themeaningwasthatatruebalanceshouldsustainhisprogress.
308

Anotherreasonforthegreatimportanceofachievingabalancedpersonalityisthatthe
dangersofneuroticism,inertia,fantasy,andpsychismaretherebyavoided.
309

Itisraretofindamanwhosemindisevenlybalanced,rarerstilltofindonewhosemind
andlifeareso.
310

Inawiselybalancedlife,neithercontemplationnoractivitywillbeauxiliarytotheother.
Eachwillbeuseful,evennecessary,totheother.
311

Itislaudabletopractiseoptimismtoajustifiabledegree,butitisreprehensibletopractise
ittoanabsurddegree.Balanceisneeded.
312

Theunbalancedgeniusisnottobeadmiredforhisunbalancebutinspiteofit.
313

ItisnaturalthattheendeavourtofollowthisidealofBalancewillspilloverintohis
judgementsandopinions.Hewillwanttoseeallsidesofamatter,andespeciallyallthe
weaknessesinhisownviews,allthesoundpointsinopponent'sviews.
314

Balancerequiresthebusinessmantoliveforsomethingmorethathisoffice.Itrequires
theartisttoliveforsomethingmorethanhisstudio.Bothmaybegivingausefulservice
tomanypeople.Stillthisisnotenough.Theyneedalsotoservetheidealoftheirown
higherintegration.
315

Toachieveproperbalanceitmaybenecessarytooveremphasizesomeparticular
attribute,quality,orcapacity.
316

Abalancemaybeestablishedbetweenoppositesorbetweencomplements.
317

Mannotonlyneedsintelligencetofindhiswaytothetruth,heneedsbalanced
intelligence.
318

Toattainbalanceisgoodbutnotenoughtosustainitisalsocalledfor.
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319

ThisprincipleofBalanceoperatesthroughouttheuniverse.Thegrowthofplantand
animalformsisbalancedbytheirdecay,theirlifebytheirdeath.Ifthisprinciplefailedto
operateforonlyfiftyyears,theseaswouldbepackedwithfishtosuchanextentthattheir
waterswouldspilloverandfloodmostlands,submergingtheircities.
320

Fewhavesymmetricalfacesfewstandequallyuponbothfeet.
321

Togainbetterbalanceheneedsalsothevirtuesoppositetohisownvirtues.
322

Whentheimbalancedpersonbecomesanonconformist,hebecomesanextreme
nonconformist.Ifhedoestherightthing,heusuallydoesitinthewrongway.
323

Itisnoteasytocultivatesensitivitywithoutcultivatingsoftnessatthesametime.
324

Balanceisalwaysneeded.Agoodstretchedtoofarmaybecomeanevil,virtuegrown
unbalancedmaybecomeavice,atruthpushedtoextremesmaybecomeagrotesque
parodyofitself.
325

Awellbalanced,welldevelopedmanwillhabituallyfunctioninallpartsofhisbeing,
regularlydrawonallhisresources,andliveinharmonywithhiswholepsyche.
326

Inourtimeevenmorethaninothertimes,worldhistoryhasproducedpolitical,religious,
racial,economic,andotherkindsoffanatics,someofthemquitefrenziedones.Butno
philosophicfanatichasbeenproduced.Forhowcouldthebalance,thediscipline,the
intelligence,andtheimpartialitysooftenandsorightlyinculcatedbyphilosophyeverlet
thathappen?
327

Humourcanbeusedtorestorealostsenseofproportionortoshowupadeplorablelapse
fromsanity.
328

Somehavebeenpushedoffbalancebycertainhappeningsintheirlivesbutmostwere
bornwiththetendency,whichwaseitherlatent,andneededtimetoshowitself,orpatent,
andwasdisplayedfromchildhood.
329

Thebody'ssenses,ifunexamined,unanalysed,andleftuncontrolled,leadhimintoan
animalizedexistence.Butunderstoodandruledbyreasonwithaspiration,theyservehim.
330

Thepleasuresoflifemaybetakenheneednotbecomemoroseandgloomybutbalance
anddisciplineareneededtotakethemwisely.
331

Whenthereisnocollisionbetweenintellectandemotion,orbetweenintuitionand
egoism,orbetweenimaginationandwill,itmaybesaidthatone'sinnerharmonyhas
beenfullyattained.
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332

Hemaywellstudyindifferentschoolsofthoughtandexperimentwithdifferentviewsof
life.Butthisisadvisableonlyifhetakescaretodosowithabalancedapproach,
temperingenthusiasmswithanalysis,acceptanceswithdiscrimination,acclamationswith
criticisms.
333

Letuswelcometheofferingsofartandculture,ofappliedintellectandcivilizedliving,
withouthostilityorbelittlement,evenwhilerememberingthemockingfutilityofan
existencewhichdoesnotgobeyondthemtothedeepervaluesoftheOverself.
334

ThecasesofKrishnamurtiandD.H.Lawrenceareveryillustrativeoftheneedandvalue
ofbalance.Herearetwomenofunquestionedgeniusandindependentthoughtwhohave
influencedthecurrentsoftheirtime.Krishnamurtiarousedpeopletothefactthatthey
werereallycaptivesandinvitedthemtoleavetheircages.Lawrencedeniedthe
conventionaldenialofsex.Whatboththesemenhadtosaywasimportant,andneededto
besaid.ButKrishnamurtiwassorigidlyuncompromisingandLawrencesopassionately
rebelliousthattheirverynecessarycontributionshavethemselvesbecomefreshsources
ofmisunderstanding.Whatissoundintheirteachingisapartofphilosophy,andquite
acceptable:buttheexaggerationandoveremphasiswhichaccompanyitarenot.Theyare
theconsequencesoftheteachers'temperamentalimbalance.Againandagainseekers
aftertruthhavebeencounselledtopractisetheartofbringingtogetherandbalancingthe
differentelementsoftheirnature,thedifferentfactorsofthequest,thedifferentdemands
ofeverydayliving.Philosophyisabletogiveuspeacebecauseitincorporatesthisart.
335

Wheneverreligionbecomesandremainsanobsessionalactivity,itistimetocallahalt.
Theneedofkeepingmentalequilibriumissupremewiththephilosophyoftruthasitwas
withthephilosophyofGreece.
336

Awellbalancedmancannotbethrowndown.Hemaybepushedaboutbycircumstances
buthewillalwayskeep,orreturnto,hiscentre.
337

ThebestGreekmindsrejectedsuperstitionandrefusedtogivemetaphysicsandreligion
andscienceanyplacebeyondthatwhichwastheirdue.Theyavoidedtheexcessive
religiosityoftheIndianminds,whichBuddhatriedtocorrect.
338

TheDelphiTempleinscriptioncarvedonthewallwasnotonly,"KnowThyself,"but
continued,"Nothinginexcess."
339

Ourschoolsteachmanysubjectstotheyoungtopreparethemforlife,totrainthemfora
career,toshowthemhowtodisciplinethemind,ormerelytoinstillinformation.But
noneteachesthemthemuchneededsubjectofbalance.Wherethereistoomuchofone
thing,ortoolittleofit,thereisunbalance.Wherecertainattributespreponderateand
othersaredeficient,thereisthesameresult.Itisnotonlyextremistsandfanaticswho
sufferfromthistrouble,butmillionswhopassasordinarycitizens,forittakeswidely
differentforms.
340

Withthisbeautifulidealofbalanceeverbeforehim,hewillbeabletoavoidfallinginto
anarchy'sabyss,ononeside,orbecomingamerecopyofhisteacher,ontheother.
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341

TheIdealBalancemaybeimpossibletoattainbutwecangetnearertoitandestablisha
usefulworkingbalance.
342

Ifitbeaskedwhyallthisbothertoequilibratetheego,whyallthistalkaboutthe
necessityofbalance,theansweristhatwhattheBhagavadGitacalls"evennessofmind"
isaninescapablepreconditiontotheaccuratereceptionofthephilosophicenlightenment.
343

AllofRudyardKipling'sfamouspoemIfisapreachmentuponthevirtuesofbalance.
344

Whenthoughtandfeelinggrowpurertogether,whenknowledgeandaspirationwax
strongersidebyside,whenideaandactionprogressmutually,hewillcometoknowthis
truthaboutthevirtuesandvaluesofbalancebyhisownselfexperience.
345

Impulsivenesscanbeahelptowardmovingmorequicklytothegoal,butbyitself,
withoutthecheckandbalanceofintuitiveandrationaldevelopment,itbecomes
fanaticismandisharmful.
346

Enthusiasmisahelpfulemotionwhennewideashavetobeputforwardagainstinertiaor
opposition.Butwhenitlosesitsinnerbalanceandpropermeasure,becomesincautious
andexaggerated,thenitrendersadisservicetoitsowncause.
347

Heshouldrealizethewisdomofsettingupforhimselftheidealofabalanced,integral
development.Ifheneedstodevelopalongotherlinesinordertobalanceup,the
abstentionfrommeditationforperiodswilldohimnoharm.
348

Theheartmustfeelthetruththeheadmustknowitbothactivitiesmustunitein
equilibrium.Withoutsucharesultthereisonlybubblingenthusiasmordrystudiousness
butnotphilosophy.
349

Itisalsoamatterofbringingtheselfintoequilibrium,firstwithinitsownlittlerangeand
secondwiththelargerexistenceoftheuniversalbeing.
350

Itisimportanttobringaboutameasureofbalancewithinhisownperson:otherwisehe
findsonlyanincompleteorfanaticordistortedtruth.Toavoidthefirsthemustsupply
whatislacking.Toremedythesecondhemustwithdrawintoequipoise.Tocorrectthe
thirdhemustgetknowledgefromareliablesource,beitmanorbook.
351

Periclesclaimed,intheFuneralOration,thatAthenshadfoundagoldenmean,asober
balance,initsinstitutions.AndingoldenletterswasinscribedonthetempleatDelphi:
"Nothingtoomuch.ThemodestMeanisbest."AlthoughthedictionarydefinestheMean
as"midwaybetweenextremes"andalthoughagoodprinciplemaydefeatitsownpurpose
ifcarriedtoofar,thephilosophicMeanisonlysometimesthemidpointatothertimesit
isnot.Forwherethereisadeficiencyononeside,oranoveremphasisontheother,it
maybenecessarytomovethepointnearerorfarther,accordingtothesituation.
352
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Itisanerrortobelievethatfindingabalancebetweentwoextremes,Confucius'Golden
Mean,isanotherformofcompromisingwithtruth.Ratherisitgivingbothunitsinthe
inescapablepairsofoppositeswhichconstitutelife,universe,andbeing,theirproperdue
asdeterminedbytheparticularcircumstancesandtime.Theresultisaninterweavingof
thetworatherthanaforcedunnaturaldivisionofthem.Buttheirproportionswill
naturallyvaryineachcase,ineverysituation,andnotatallnecessarilybeequal.
353

Theproportionofdevelopmentneededbyeachpartofhisbeingwilldifferwithevery
individual.Onlyacorrectratiowillleadtoacorrectbalanceofalltheparts.
354

Thephilosopherseekstomakeabalancebetweentheinnerandouterlife.Butitwouldbe
amistaketobelievethismeansfiftyfiftymeasure.Eachindividualmustfindhisown
measure.
355

Philosophicbalanceisnottobedefinedasthemiddlepointbetweentwoextremes,noras
thecompromiseofthem.Itisdeterminedonahigherlevelaltogether,sinceitis
determinedandregulatedbytheintuition.
356

Aristotleusedtheword"proportionate"whenadvocatingcorrectbalance(hisdoctrineof
themean),bywhichhemadeclearthatbalanceis"relativetous":itisavariable
dependingoneachindividual.
357

Suchbalancingdoesnotmeananequalmeasureofeachelementitmeansthenecessary
andsufficientmeasure.
358

Whatisoftenoverlookedisthatthemiddleway,thepointbetweenextremes,variesin
positionwitheachperson.Itisnotthesameforall.
359

Balancedoesnotmeanachievingequalitybetweenpullsfromdifferentforcesorbetween
theactivitiesofdifferentfaculties.
360

Thisisnottobemistakenforthestaticbalanceofalowerlevel,ofaneutral,middle
groundposition.Itisadynamicbalance.
361

Balanceisnotreachedbychoosingapointhalfwaybetweentwooppositeconditions,
butbychoosingonethatisjustright,thataccordstoeachconditionjustwhatthe
individualparticularlyneedsforhiswellbeinganddevelopment.
362

Tothequestion"Whatistherelativeimportanceoftheconstituentsofthethreefold
path?"therecanbenostereotypedanswer.Eachmanwillfindthatonetobemost
importanttohimwhichhemostlacks.Whoever,forexample,haspractisedlittle
meditationinthepastwillprobablyfeelwithinhimselfandfeelrightlythatmeditation
isthemostimportantmemberofthetribe.Butthiswillbetrueonlyforhimselfandnot
necessarilyforothers.Theimprovementofconcentrationandthetranquillizationofa
troubledmindareessential.Hemusthaveexperienceinyogabeforehecanhave
expertnessinphilosophy,butifhewantstooverdoit,ifhebecomesexcessively
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preoccupiedwiththissinglefacetoflife,thenheistothatextentunbalanced.Theaim
mustalwaysbetobringeachelementnotonlytomaturity,butalsointobalancewiththe
otherelements.Whateverisneedfultoachievetheseaimsbecomesimportanttoan
individual.Hemustnotletonememberoftheselfwalktoofaraheadoftheothers
withoutsteppingbacktobringthemuptoo.Hemusttreadamiddlepathandkeepaway
fromextremes.
Thephilosophercannotaffordtotakeonlyaselfishorsectionalviewhemusttakea
balancedallembracingone,ifonlybecauseheknowsthathisdutytowardstruthcallsfor
it.Thisiswhythemanwhohasnophilosophicaiminlifecannotachievebalanceinlife.
363

Balancecannotbereachedifcompletenesshasnotpreviouslybeenreached.
364

Thebalancedlifemustbeabalanceoffullness,notemptiness.Theaspirant'sdayshould
containearnestselfhumblingprayerandwarmheartfeltdevotionaswellascalm
contemplationandstudiousreflection.Theoneshouldexpressthetearfulanguishof
unsatisfiedaspirationsastheothershouldexpressthedeterminedexerciseofamind
intentupontruthandreality.
365

Allthedifferentsidesofhisnaturehavetofindtheirequilibriuminthisultimate
condition.Everypartofhimhastofinishitsgrowthbeforethatcanfullyhappen.
366

Notonlyishetointegrateallhishumanfunctionsbutheisalsotodothisonthehighest
leveloftheirdevelopment.Norishetostopthere.Hemustequilibrateaswellas
integrate.
367

Theinnerequilibriumwhich,theGitasays,isyoga'sgoalisnotonlyastateofeven
mindednessbutalsoastateofequalizeddevelopment.Itisadelicatestateandcannotbe
retainediftheyogiisdeficientincertainsidesofhisbeing.
368

Aswetraversedifferentrangesofexperiencesoweacquiredifferentqualities,capacities,
perceptions,andideas,whichallcontributetowardtheultimateendofbalance,of
perfectingourcharacteranddevelopingourmentality.
369

Itisaparadoxicaldemand:thatweenrichourindividualityatthesametimethatwe
purifyit.
370

Thestudent'staskdoesnotendandcannotendwithmetaphysicalstudyalone,norwith
ultramysticalcontemplationalone.Actionisalsoneeded.Indeed,theilluminationthus
gainedwillofitselfeventuallycompelhimtoaddthisfactorspontaneouslybyaninward
compulsion,ifhehasnotalreadybeguntodosobyanexternalinstruction.Thisistrueof
allthequalificationswhichphilosophydemandsoftheaspirant:mysticalfeeling,
metaphysicalthinking,andaltruisticaction.Eachofthetrio,whenacertainripedegree
ofitsowndevelopmenthasbeenreached,willspontaneouslyimpelhimtoseekafter
whicheveroftheothershehasneglected.Forhimselfthismeansthathecanclaimto
understandatruthwhenhefeelsandknowsitsoprofoundlyandactsuptoitsofaithfully
thatithasbecomeapartofhimselfnotbefore.Thereisthennotmerelyunderstanding
alone,notmerelymysticexperiencealone,butalsoatransformationofcontemplation
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intoaction.Lifethereafterisnotmerelythoughtoutinthetruestwaybutalsolivedoutin
theloftiestway.
371

Nobalanceotherthananillusoryonecanbeestablishedintheindividualifdevelopment
hasnotbeencompletedintheindividual.
372

Itisbetter,lesshazardous,andmoregratifyingtounfoldthespiritualsideofthepsyche's
differentpartssimultaneouslyratherthansuccessively.
373

Withknowledge,wisdom,andunderstandingdevelopinginhimalongwithdevotion,
aspiration,andreverence,andwiththetwotrendsculminatinginappropriateaction,his
questwillbeproperlybalanced,sane,andproductive.
374

Thebalancewillestablishitselfautomaticallywhentheseelementsarefullydeveloped
andthesequalitiesarebroughttogetherinourownconsciousness.
375

Theidealisnottoachievethisinnerbalancewithscantymaterialsbuttoachieveitwith
theamplestones.
376

Aproperbalancebetweentwoneedsmustbefoundbysatisfyingboth,notbyonly
partiallysatisfyingeachofthem.
377

Onlyagreatnaturecantakeagreatilluminationandnotbecomeunbalancedbyit.Thatis
whythefullcultivation,allarounddevelopment,andhealthyequilibriumofthemanis
requiredinPhilosophy.
378

Itseekstogivehimapersonalitywhichisrichlydevelopedandnotasceticallystarved,
whichissensiblybalancedandnotfantasticallylopsided.
379

Toholdthebalancebetweenthesevariousfaculties,andnottoexaggerateoneatthecost
oftheothers,isasdifficultasitisdesirable.
380

TheadmirablebalanceofChinesetemperamentenabledit,untilunsettledbytherecent
madness,toadmireindividuality,originality,andatthesametimetorespectpastgenius
andtheachievementoftradition.
381

Thelinesofevolutionwillnotbefullyworkedoutbyapartialentryintotruth.Manmust
bringthefullmeasureofhiswholenessintoit.Inthiswayhewillnotonlycompletely
realizehimselfasaspiritualentity,butwillalsoachieveharmonyandbalancewithinthe
realizationitself.Nothinglesswillsatisfyhisprofoundestneeds.
382

Philosophyseeksharmony.Itbringsthinkingandfeelingnotonlyintoaworking
relationshipwitheachother,butalsointoonethathelps,corrects,andcompletestheduty
oftheother.
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383

Itisofgreatimportancetodevelopbalance,reason,andemotionalawareness
simultaneously.Exercisesshouldincludeintellectualanalysisofoneselfandone's
experiences,increasedeffortsinselfcontrolandoutwardexpression,andanintensified
attitudeofloveandloyalty.
384

Hemaykeepouttheego'sinterferenceandyetnotreachthepuretruthbecausehecannot
keepouthisevolutionaryinsufficiency.
385

Thosewhotalkorwritetruth,butdonotliveitbecausetheycannot,haveglimpsedits
meaningbutnotrealizeditspower.Theyhavenotthedynamicbalancewhichfollows
whenthewillisraisedtotheleveloftheintellectandthefeelings.Itisthisbalancewhich
spontaneouslyignitesmysticforceswithinus,andproducesthestatecalled"bornagain."
Thisisthesecondbirth,whichtakesplaceinourconsciousnessasourfirsttookplacein
ourflesh.
386

Thedangerofalopsidedcharacterisseenwhenhumilityreverenceandpietyarelargely
absentwhilstcriticismlogicalityandrealismarelargelypresent.Theintellectthen
becomesimperiouslyproud,arrogantlyselfassured,andharshlyintolerant.The
consequenceisthatitspowertogleansubtlertruthsratherthanmerelyexternaldatais
largelylost.
387

Thestudentmustholdthepictureofhispersonallifeasawhole.Hemustnotseeitonly
asitisatsomeparticularmomentorperiod.Ifhecansucceedindoingthis,hewillalso
succeedinbanishingtheconstantoscillationbetweenoverdepressionononesideand
overelationontheother,betweenbeingsubjugatedbythepainoftodayandbythe
pleasureoftomorrow.Hewillhaveattainedpeace.
388

Solongasheislivingexclusivelyinonesideofhisbeing,solongasthereisnobalance
inhim,whatelsecanhisviewoflifebebutanunbalancedone?Norwillthecomingof
illuminationcompletelysetrightandrestorehisbalance.Itwillcertainlyinitiatea
movementwhichwillultimatelydothis,buttheintervalbetweenitsinitiationandits
consummationmaybeawholelifetime.
389

Thepreliminaryrequisitestoalastingilluminationaredevelopmentandbalance.Ifpart
ofhisnatureisstillundevelopedinrelationtothefinishedgoalandifallpartsareoff
balanceinrelationtooneanother,theilluminationwillgosoonafteritcomes.This
balanceofmindandlifeareessential.
390

Ifhedoesnotunderstandthatbalancebetweeninnerbeingandouternaturemustbe
soughtandfound,hemayfindthatmeditationorevenabstractreflectionmayleavehim
inaptfortheordinaryaffairsofmenwhohavetoliveinactivitiesofearningtheir
livelihoodorwhohavetodischargetheirresponsibilitiestoself,family,andcommunity.
391

Withoutbalanceintherecipienttherecanbenopropertransmissionorperfectreception
oftruth.Thedifferentpartsofhisbeingwillabsorband,inconsequence,expressit
unequally.But,grantedthatthedevelopmentofthesepartsissufficient,where
equilibriumisaccomplished,therewillbethebestconditionsfortheexperienceof
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enlightenmenttobereallywhatitshouldbe.
392

Theseparatistspiritwhichwoulderectthepedimentoftruthonthesinglepillarofyoga
aloneorofmetaphysicsaloneendsalwaysinfailureor,worse,indisaster.Wheneach
sphereofactivitywhoseintegralunionisneededforthesuccessfulcompletionofthe
structureassertsitsselfsufficiency,itbeginstosufferwhatintheindividualhumanbeing
iscalledanenlargedego.Thestudentofmetaphysicswhodespisesmysticismandthe
studentofmysticismwhodespisesmetaphysicswillpaythepenaltyofneurosisforthis
unhealthyandunbalancedstateofhismentallife.
393

Withoutthisbalanceofcharacterhemaylosehiswisdomwhileengagedinthevery
enterpriseofdesperatelyseekingtoimproveit!
394

Thosewho,likeKrishnamurti,willrecognizenonebutthehighestlevelandhavenouse
evenforthestepsleadinguptoitbecomeextremistsandfanatics.
395

Hewhohasheavilyoverbalancedhispsyche,whosecapacityforcriticalthinkinghas
beengorgedwithfoodwhilehiscapacityforreverentialworshiphasbeenstarvedto
death,istobepitied.Fortheunhealthierhisconditionbecomes,thehealthierheactually
believeshimselftobe!
396

Whenaparticularpartofaman'sbeingisthrownoutofbalance,itisnotonlythatpart
whichisaffectedbutthewholemanhimself.
397

Thevalueofachievingthisdelicatebalanceoffaithandreason,offactandimagination,
isshownbywhathappenstothosewho,lackingit,putalltheirtrustinpredictionsand
makehopesforthefuturedependwhollyonthem.Theyfindthemselvesbetrayed.
398

Ifhiswholeapproachtotruthislopsided,hisdiscoveryoftruthwillbedisfigured.
399

Whenasingleaspectoftruthisallowedtoobscureorcover,displaceorswallowallthe
otheraspectsofit,thenitsbalanceoneofthemostpreciousofitsfeaturesislost.
400

Anattitudeofstudiedindifferencetothelessermattersoflifesimplybecauseonetakes
thephilosophicgoalasbeingofhighimportancemayleadtoseriousneglectofpractical
affairsandeverydayliving.Theresultscouldwellbedeplorable.Suchanattitudeisnot
acceptablephilosophically.
401

Whoeverreachesthispointandfailstoestablishagoodequilibriumbetweenheavenand
earth,willhavetohangsuspendedbetweenthem,nolongeronearthbutnotatallnear
heaven.
402

Smallmindsornarrowonesgivenovalidityorlittleimportancetoanysideoflifeor
culturewhichdoesnotinterestthem.Thustheyunbalancethemselves.
403
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Eventhoughhemayseetheneedofcorrectinghisimbalance,hemaynotbeabletosee
howtoachieveit.Forthefullandcorrectrecognitionofhisdeficienciesmayneed
outsidehelp.
404

Toolittleintuitingandtoomuchintellectualizingcreateanunsymmetricalpersonality.
Toolittlethinkingandtoomuchfeelingprovideadisequilibratedequipmentfortruth
seeking.Inbothcases,themanfindshalftruths,onesidedtruths,butnotthegrand,great
truth.
405

Unbalanceleadstounsoundjudgementsandextremistdecisions.
406

Whoevergetstoomuchtakenupwithasingleaspectofasubjectisliabletoexaggerate
itsimportanceandupsethisbalanceofmindaboutit.
407

Withanimproperbalanceofthesesidesofhisbeing,theresultofhiseffortsto
communicatehisrevelationmaybeanotherofthoseinspiredinsanitieswhichmake
mysticalliteratureanobjectofseverecriticism.
408

Onlybyacceptingtheexistenceof"thepairsofopposites"inallphasesoflife,andhence
inhisspirituallifetoo,andbyestablishingthisconnectioninhisthoughts,canhedevelop
spirituallyinahealthysafeandsuccessfulway.
409

Whenweattainbalance,itforcesustonotethepresenceofinterconnectedoppositesin
everycase.Itisonlytheunbalancedwhoignore,deny,neglect,orseektoescapefrom
oneoranotheroftheseopposites.Properconsiderationwilltrytobringthemtogether,
acceptingthetensionbetweenthemasanecessarypartoftruthaboutthesubject,the
person,thesituation,ortheevent.
410

Thebalanceneededbyfaithisunderstandingbypeacefulness,energybyintuition,
reasonbyfeeling,intellectbyaspiration,humilityandbyzeal,discretion.
411

NeithertheBuddhisticemphasisonsufferingnorthehedonisticemphasisonjoyis
propertoatrulyphilosophicaloutlook.Bothhavetobeunderstoodandaccepted,since
lifecompelsustoexperienceboth.
412

Innerbalanceisnotestablishedbysettingtwopolaroppositesagainsteachother,as
miserlinessagainstextravagance,butbycombiningtwonecessaryqualitiestogethersuch
asbraverywithcaution.
413

Manmustseekandfindthefemininesideofhisdualnaturewomanmustseekandfind
themasculine.Inthiswayabalancedrelationwillbeestablished,althoughthephysical
bodywillnaturallyestablishthedominantside.
414

Bybringingintoafusionthemasculineandfemininetemperamentswithinhimself,he
alsofusesknowledgeandfeeling,wisdomandreverence.
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415

Oneofthefirstrequisitesistocultivateasenseofbalance,ahealthypoisebetween
thinkinganddoing,believinganddoubting,feelingandreasoning,betweentheidealand
theactual.
416

Whenthesetwothepositiveandnegativecurrentscometogether,theelectriclamp
lightsupofitsownaccord.Whenthesetwointellectandfeelingareproperly
coordinated,andthecharacterisbothproperlydevelopedandpurified,theOverselfina
personbeginstoshineofitsownaccord.
417

Lethimrememberthattherearedangersinbothoptimismandpessimism,thattheproper
courseistotrytoseethingsjustastheyare,andthatnothinginlifeisallblackshadowed
orallrosyhued.
418

Ifweseektobecomephilosophicalitisnotatallnecessarytolosepracticalityandignore
actuality.Weoughttobecomesufficientlyequilibratedtocreateconditions,makethings,
anddevisearrangementswhicharevisiblehereandserviceablenow.Thisshouldnotstop
usfrommentallytrainingourselvestofollowabstractideasormetaphysicalsystemsby
whichloftylevelsareattained.
419

Thepracticalwisdomofkeepinganchoredtoearthmustbalancethespiritualwisdomof
seekingflightsaboveit.
420

Theidealistshouldlistentothemoreresponsiblecautiousvoiceofpracticalexperience,
justasthepracticalmanshouldtakesomeoftherisksofidealism.
421

Anindependentresearchwillnecessarilybeacriticalone,butthecriticismmustbe
balancedbysympathyoritwillfailindoingjusticeandjudgingaccurately.
422

Itisnotenoughforanyonetobeasuccessinintegrityifheisafailureinjudgement.
423

Herefaithandknowledgecounterbalanceoneanother,hereasolidpracticalityindealing
withtheworldisredeemedbyanoblemorality,herethesecretsofmeditationaremade
lucidwhilethequestionsofintellectaresatisfied.
424

Whymustheopposethepleasurablefeelingsofthebodytothepleasurablefeelingsof
themind,asiftheymustalwaysbeenemies?Isitnotsanertoreconciletheminhappy
combination,tobalancetheminreasonableproportion,toestablishaChinese"golden
mean"betweenthem?
425

Suchabalancerequireswarmthintheheartaswellascoolnessinthehead.
426

Reasonmustwalksidebysidewithemotion,sciencewithmysticism,compassionwith
selfinterest,actionwiththought.Thisbalancedlifeandnootheristhetrulyphilosophic
one.
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427

Thinkingandfeelingmustfirstbalanceoneanotherandthenonlymaythey,andshould
they,blendwithoneanother.
428

Theyhaveamutualservicetorender.Devotionshouldguidereasonandreasonshould
guidedevotion.
429

Thusreasonandemotionnolongerwrestlewitheachotherandnolongeropposeone
anotherasantinomies,butfindabruptlyapointofcommonfulfilment.
430

Suchistheallrounddevelopmentofthehumanpsycheofferedbyphilosophy.It
balancesmysticalintuitingbylogicalthinking,religiousbeliefbycriticalreflection,
idealisticdevotionbypracticalservice.
431

TheBalancerequiredprecedingenlightenmentisnotonlybetweenintellectandemotion,
thoughtandwill,butalsoandmainlybetweenthelowerandthehigherwills,between
ego'sdesiresandOverself'sselfcontentment.
432

Whenthetwowills,higherandlower,arebroughtintobalanceandperpetuallyheld
there,hehassecuredthenecessaryconditionsforenlightenment.
433

Ourneedistoachieveabalancebetweenthesetwodemandsofhumannature,between
usefulactivityandmentalserenity.
434

Hewhowantssocietyallthetimeisasunbalancedashewhowantssolitudeallthetime.
435

Hehastobecomeexpertinkeepingbothfeetfirmlyonhardgroundwhilekeepinghis
headinthisloftypureatmosphere.Thisiswhatsoundbalancemeans.
436

Hewhohasgonedeeplyintohimselfwithoutabandoninghisholdonexternalrealityhas
keptthebalanceofhismind.
437

Theneedtodayisforharmoniousbalancebetweentheinnerandtheouterbeing,between
divinespiritandearthlybody,sothattheonefaithfullyreflectstheother.
438

Whenheestablishesanequilibriumbetweenthetwopolesoflife,hisinnerexperience
fitsintotheouter,operateswithit,anddoesnotcontradictit.
439

Thisisthestrengthofphilosophy,thatifitisanalyticalorcriticalononeside,itis
syntheticalorreconciliatoryontheotherifitisoccupiedwiththehighestpossible
metaphysicalflights,itisgroundedonthemostsolidscientificfactsandattentivetothe
mostpracticalofdetailsifintellectandfeelingareinit,soareintuitionandinspiration.
440

Aproperbalancehasnoroomeitherforstubbornconservatismorforuncurbed
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iconoclasmalthough,ifcircumstancesareextreme,itmayusetheonetooffsettheother.
441

Hewhocanuniteselfeffortwithdependenceongraceinaconstantbalanceisableto
gainpeace.Thekeytosuccessliesinmaintainingbalance.
442

Justasinpracticallifeweharmonizeandbalancetwoopposingfactstoarriveatadequate
decisions,as,forinstance,betweentheneedofprudenceandtheneedofenterprise,so
tooinspirituallifeitisessentialtoreconcileapparentincompatibles.
443

Imaginativevisionistobecheckedbyrespectforfacts,balancedbymeticulous
reasoning.
444

Whenthewisdomofexperienceismarriedtothedriveofyouth,temperingitbutnot
paralysingitwhendreamsarefulfilledinactionsandidealsarereflectedinemotions
whenintuitionreignsoverintellectandguideswill,manhasachievedaworthybalance.
445

Theactivesideofhispersonalitymustbeproperlybalancedbythepassiveside.
446

Whentheyareatthepointofjustripeningintomiddleage,thetwoopposingforcesin
manorintheuniverseachieveperfectbalanceoftheirpolarities.
447

Weneedthisstatebalancedbetweenmerefaithandprudentscrutiny.
448

Whatphilosophyseeksandwhatmost"systems"donotisanallaroundunderstanding
anddevelopment,andanequilibriumbetweenthebodyandthehigherindividuality.
449

Externalactivitymaybelikenedtolifeatthecircumferenceofawheelinternal
meditationmaybelikenedtolifeatthecentreofthewheel.
450

StillnessattheCentre,activityonthecircumferencethisisequilibriumthatissetby
Nature(God)asthehumanideal.
451

WefindthatevensosereneandenlightenedamindasEmerson'swasliabletofallinto
errorlikeanyothermystic's,exceptthatsincehismindwasunusuallyperspicuousand
intelligentborderingonthephilosophicthisliabilitywasmuchsmallerwithhim.He
sufferedfromanexcessofoptimism,whichtothatextentthrewhimoutofbalanceat
times.AsingleyetstrikinginstanceoccursinhisLectureonWar."Trade,asallmen
know,istheantagonistofwar,"hesaid.Yetitwasthegreedtosecurealargershareof
theworld'sgrowingtradewhichledinthelasthundredandfiftyyearstoseveralwars.
"Historyistherecordofthemitigationanddeclineofwar,"hecontinued.Howlittleits
horrorhasbeenmitigatedsinceEmersondeliveredthatsentenceintheyear1853,the
slaincivilianvictimsofmassairraids(30,000inRotterdamalone)silentlyinformus.
"Theartofwar,whatwithgunpowderandtactics,hasmadebattleslessmurderous,"he
concluded.Theenormousdestructivenessofmodernweapons,andespeciallythefiendish
murderousnessofatombombs,flatlyandfullycontradictthisstatement.Howcouldso
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honestathinker,solovableamanasEmersonfailsogrievouslyinjudgement?Itwas
becausehisbalancewasnotadequatelyandcorrectlyestablished.
452

Whatwehavetodoistotakeonlysomuchofeachimportantfactorinlifeasisreally
necessaryforabalancedlife.Wemustbewareoftakingtoolittleortoomuch.Thusa
manmayhavedinnereverydaybutshouldnotlivesolelyfortheeatingofdinners.Sohe
maypractisemysticismbutneednotmakeitthesoleelementofhisexistence.Heshould
livenotformysticismalonebutforthewholeoflifeitself.Hemaybeapractisingmystic
butshouldnotstopwiththat.
453

Ifallowedtoabsorbtoomuchofhisattention,thefascinationwhichmysticalteachings
andmeditationhaveforthestudentwillrenderitverydifficultforhimtocopewiththe
strugglesofcommonplaceexistence.Ifthishappens,heshoulddeliberatelydrophis
studyofabstractteachings,togetherwithmeditationexercises,andconcentrateallofhis
attentiononpersonalmattersatleastuntilheregainsbalance.
454

Hewhoshutshimselfupwithinthenarrowconfinesofreligionalone,ormysticism
alone,ormetaphysicsalone,shutshimselfofffromthegreatstreamofLife.Theway
mustembracemanyapparentlyantitheticalthingsyetitisreallyone.Hencethewiseman
willfirstevokewithintheselfthosediverseelementswhicharenexttobecoordinated
intotheroundedentiretyofasplendidharmony.Hencetooitisfoolishnessforthe
imprudentmystictoabandonhiscriticalfacultiesonthethresholdofhisquestandto
scorntheguidanceofreasonedknowledgehewandershaphazardalongapathnot
withoutitsdangersforitskirtsattimestheveryedgeoftheprecipicesofmadness,
delirium,deception,anderror.Forsuchscientificandmetaphysicalknowledgeactsas
bothpilotforthejourneyandcheckagainstitsdangers.Withoutitamangropesalone
andblindfoldedthroughtheworlddarkness.Hedoesnotknowthepropermeaning,
place,andpurposeofhismultiformexperiences.Hedoesnotunderstandthatthe
ecstasies,thevisions,andthedevotionswhichhaveconsumedhisheartmustlatergive
placetothecalm,formless,andabstractinsightofphilosophy.Anditwasbecause
Ramakrishnawasdivinelyled,inthedeepestsenseoftheterm,thatheeventually
acceptedthisfactandsubmittedtothephilosophicalinitiationatthehandsofTotaPuri
andthussetouttomaketheascentfrombeingavisionarytobecomingasage.Thelesson
ofthisisthatman,likeallelse,mustbeviewedinhisentirety.PerhapsHegel'sgreatest
contributionwashisdiscoveryoftheDialecticalPrinciple.Foritshowedtheimperative
needofsurveyingallaroundamatterandofunderstandingitinthefullnessofitsentire
beingratherthaninthenarrownessofasinglefacet.Ignoranceofthisimportantprinciple
isoneoftheseveralfactorsresponsibleforthebirthoffanaticalfads,crankishcults,and
futilerevolutions.Intheapplicationofthisprinciple,reasonrisestoitshighest.
455

Wisdomliesinlookingintoandrecognizingtheproperlimitsofbothmetaphysicsand
yogaandcoordinatingthemharmoniously.Eachisessentialandadmirablewithincertain
limitseachbecomesadangerousdrugbeyondthem,forthenitsstrengthbecomesa
weakness.Wemustwelcomeitsolongasitremainswhereitbelongswemustjudgeit
harshlyassoonasitusurpsanother'splace.
456

Toobtainabalancedresultitisnecessarytomakeabalancedapproachandnottorelyon
asinglekindofeffortonly.Themoralcharactermustbecomeinvolvedinthequestof
upliftmenttheintellectualfacultymustworkatthestudy,aswellasreflectuponthe
lessonsof,lifeitselftheintuitionmustbeunfoldedbypersistentdailypracticeof
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meditationandtheeverydaypracticallifemusttrytoexpresstheidealslearned.
TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.

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