Steiner GITA

8/20/2019 Steiner GITA

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THE OCCULT SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BHAGAVAD GITA

Nine Lectures

By

RUDOLF STEINER

Helsingfors, May !"#$ne %, &'&(

ANTHRO)OSO)HIC )RESS, INC*NE+ OR-

Transla.e/ fro0 s1or.1an/ re2or.s $nre3ise/ 4y .1e le5.$rer, fro0 .1e Ger0an

e/i.ion 2$4lis1e/ 6i.1 .1e .i.le, Die okkidten Grundlagen der Bhagavad

Gita 7Vol* &89 in .1e Bibliographical Survey, &'9&:* Transla.e/ 4y George an/

Mary A/a0s 6i.1 f$r.1er e0en/a.ions 4y Doris M* B$g4y*

Co2yrig1. ; &'9!

4y An.1ro2oso21i5 )ress, In5*

Li4rary of Congress Ca.alog No* 9!(

T1is .ransla.ion 1as 4een a$.1ori?e/ for .1e 6es.ern 1e0is21ere 4y

agree0en. 6i.1 .1e R$/olf S.einer Na51lass3er6al.$ng, Dorna51,

S6i.?erlan/*

)rin.e/ in .1e Uni.e/ S.a.es of A0eri5a

< See 0ore [email protected]@6n*rsar51i3e*orgLe5.$resGA&89Englis1A)&'9!O5Gi.a5o3er*1.0

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The Occult Significance of the Bhagavad Gita

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less .o 61a. li3es in .1e 1ere an/ no6, 4$. ra.1er .o 61a. li3es $s. as 0$51 in all

.i0es an/ in all .1e 2la5es of .1e ear.1 4e5a$se i. 6ill 4ring $s near .o .1e se5re.s of

.1e e.ernal in all eis.en5e* I. 6ill lea/ $s .o .1e 5easeless sear51 of 0an for .1e

6ells of e.erni.y 61ere 1e 0ay /rin for .1e 1ealing an/ refres10en. of so0e.1ing

in 1i0 61i51, e3er sin5e .1ey gaine/ $n/ers.an/ing of i., 0en 1a3e 5onsi/ere/ all<

2o6erf$l in life, na0ely, love* For 61ere3er 6e are ga.1ere/ .oge.1er 6e arega.1ere/ in .1e na0e of .1e sear51 for 6is/o0 an/ .1e sear51 for lo3e* +1a. 6e

see is e.en/e/ o$. in.o s2a5e an/ 5an 4e o4ser3e/ in .1e far 1ori?on of .1e Cos0i5

All, 4$. i. 5an also 4e o4ser3e/ in .1e 6res.ling so$l of 0an 61ere3er 1e 0ay 4e* I.

0ee.s $s es2e5ially 61en 6e .$rn o$r ga?e .o one of .1ose 0ig1.y 0anifes.a.ions of

.1e 6res.ling s2iri. of 0an s$51 as are gi3en $s in so0e grea. 6or lie .1e one .1a.

is .o for0 .1e 4asis of o$r 2resen. s.$/ies*

+e are going .o s2ea of one of .1e grea.es. an/ 0os. 2ene.ra.ing

0anifes.a.ions of .1e 1$0an s2iri. .1e Bhagavad Gita, 61i51, an5ien. as i. is,

ye. in i.s fo$n/a.ions 5o0es 4efore $s 6i.1 rene6e/ signifi5an5e a. .1e 2resen..i0e* A s1or. .i0e ago .1e 2eo2les of Euroe an/ .1ose of .1e !est generally,

ne6 li..le of .1e Bhagavad Gita* Only /$ring .1e las. 5en.$ry 1as .1e fa0e of

.1is 6on/erf$l 2oe0 e.en/e/ .o .1e !est* Only la.ely 1a3e +es.ern 2eo2les

4e5o0e fa0iliar 6i.1 .1is 0ar3elo$s song* B$. .1ese le5.$res of o$rs 6ill s1o6 .1a.

a real an/ /ee2 no6le/ge of .1is 2oe0, as agains. 0ere fa0iliari.y 6i.1 i., 5an only

5o0e 61en i.s o55$l. fo$n/a.ions are 0ore an/ 0ore re3eale/* For 61a. 0ee.s $s

in .1e Bhagavad Gita s2rang fro0 an age of 61i51 6e 1a3e of.en s2oen in

5onne5.ion 6i.1 o$r an.1ro2oso21i5al s.$/ies* T1e 0ig1.y sen.i0en.s, feelings an/

i/eas i. 5on.ains 1a/ .1eir origin in an age .1a. 6as s.ill ill$0ine/ 4y 61a. 6as

5o00$ni5a.e/ .1ro$g1 .1e ol/ 1$0an 5lair3oyan5e* One 61o .ries .o feel 61a. .1is2oe0 4rea.1es for.1 2age 4y 2age as i. s2eas .o $s, 6ill e2eren5e, 2age 4y 2age,

so0e.1ing lie a 4rea.1 of .1e an5ien. 5lair3oyan5e 1$0ani.y 2ossesse/*

T1e +es.ern 6orl/Js firs. a5$ain.an5e 6i.1 .1is 2oe0 5a0e in an age in 61i51

.1ere 6as li..le $n/ers.an/ing for .1e original 5lair3oyan. so$r5es fro0 61i51 i.

s2rang* Ne3er.1eless, .1is lof.y song of .1e Di3ine s.r$5 lie a 6on/erf$l flas1 of

lig1.ning in.o .1e +es.ern 6orl/, so .1a. a 0an of Cen.ral E$ro2e, 61en 1e firs.

4e5a0e a5$ain.e/ 6i.1 .1is Eas.ern song, sai/ .1a. 1e 0$s. franly 5onsi/er

1i0self 1a22y .o 1a3e li3e/ in a .i0e 61en 1e 5o$l/ 4e5o0e a5$ain.e/ 6i.1 .1e

6on/ro$s .1ings e2resse/ in i.* T1is 0an 6as no. one 61o 6as $na5$ain.e/ 6i.1

.1e s2iri.$al life of 1$0ani.y .1ro$g1 .1e 5en.$ries, in/ee/ .1ro$g1 .1o$san/s of

years* He 6as one 61o looe/ /ee2ly in.o s2iri.$al life +il1el0 3on H$04ol/.,

.1e 4ro.1er of .1e 5ele4ra.e/ as.rono0er* O.1er 0e04ers of +es.ern 5i3ili?a.ion,

0en of 6i/ely /ifferen. .ong$es, 1a3e fel. .1e sa0e* +1a. a 6on/erf$l feeling i.

2ro/$5es in $s 61en 6e le. .1is Bhagavad Gita 6or $2on $s, e3en in i.s o2ening

3ersesK

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I. see0s .1a. in o$r 5ir5le, 0y /ear frien/s, 2er1a2s 2ar.i5$larly in o$r 5ir5le, 6e

of.en 1a3e .o 4egin 4y 6oring o$r 6ay .1ro$g1 .o a f$lly $n2re$/i5e/ 2osi.ion*

For in s2i.e of .1e fa5. .1a. .1e Bhagavad Gita 1as 4een no6n for so s1or. a

.i0e in .1e +es., ye. i.s 1oliness 1as so .aen o$r 1ear.s 4y s.or0, so .o say, .1a. 6e

are in5line/ .o a22roa51 i. fro0 .1e s.ar. 6i.1 .1is feeling of 1oliness 6i.1o$.

0aing i. 5lear .o o$rsel3es 61a. .1e s.ar.ing


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4e a4le .o see 1o6 i. 5an 4e of in5reasing an/ s2e5ial signifi5an5e in o$r o6n .i0e*

I 1a3e alrea/y sai/ .1a. .1is 0aes.i5 song 5a0e in.o .1e +es.ern 6orl/ as

so0e.1ing 5o02le.ely ne6, an/ al0os. e$ally ne6 6ere .1e feelings, 2er5e2.ions

an/ .1o$g1.s .1a. lie 4e1in/ i.* For 61a. /i/ +es.ern 5i3ili?a.ion really no6 of

Eas.ern 5$l.$re 4efore i. 4e5a0e a5$ain.e/ 6i.1 .1e Bhagavad Gita A2ar.fro0 3ario$s .1ings .1a. 1a3e only 4e5o0e no6n in .1is las. 5en.$ry, 3ery li..le

in/ee/K If 6e a55e2. 5er.ain 0o3e0en.s .1a. re0aine/ se5re., +es.ern 5i3ili?a.ion

1as 1a/ no /ire5. no6le/ge of 61a. is a5.$ally .1e 5en.ral ner3e i02$lse of .1e

61ole of .1is grea. 2oe0* +1en 6e a22roa51 s$51 a .1ing 6e feel 1o6 li..le 1$0an

lang$age, 21iloso21y, i/eas, ser3ing for e3ery/ay life, are s$ffi5ien. for i. 1o6 li..le

.1ey s$ffi5e for /es5ri4ing s$51 1eig1.s of .1e s2iri.$al life of 0an $2on ear.1* +e

nee/ so0e.1ing $i.e /ifferen. fro0 or/inary /es5ri2.ions .o gi3e e2ression .o

61a. s1ines o$. .o $s fro0 s$51 a re3ela.ion of .1e s2iri. of 0an*

I s1o$l/ lie firs. .o 2la5e .6o 2i5.$res 4efore yo$ so yo$ 0ay 1a3e a fo$n/a.ionfor f$r.1er /es5ri2.ions* T1e one is .aen fro0 .1e 4oo i.self, .1e o.1er fro0 .1e

s2iri.$al life of .1e +es.* T1is 5an 4e 5o02ara.i3ely easily $n/ers.oo/, 61ereas .1e

one fro0 .1e 4oo a22ears for .1e 0o0en. $i.e re0o.e* Beginning .1en 6i.1 .1e

la..er, 6e are .ol/ 1o6, in .1e 0i/s. of .1e 4a..le, -ris1na a22ears an/ $n3eils

4efore Ar$na 5os0i5 se5re.s, grea. i00ense .ea51ings* T1en 1is 2$2il is o3er5o0e

4y .1e s.rong /esire .o see .1e for0, .1e s2iri.$al for0 of .1is so$l, .o 1a3e

no6le/ge of 1i0 61o is s2eaing s$51 s$4li0e .1ings* He 4egs -ris1na .o s1o6

1i0self .o 1i0 in s$51 0anner as 1e 5an in 1is .r$e s2iri. for0* T1en -ris1na

a22ears .o 1i0 7la.er 6e s1all re.$rn .o .1is /es5ri2.ion: in 1is for0 a for0 .1a.

e04ra5es all .1ings, a grea., s$4li0e, glorio$s 4ea$.y, a no4ili.y .1a. re3eals 5os0i50ys.eries* +e s1all see .1ere is li..le in .1e 6orl/ .o a22roa51 .1e glory of .1is

/es5ri2.ion of 1o6 .1e s$4li0e s2iri. for0 of .1e .ea51er is re3eale/ .o .1e

5lair3oyan. eye of 1is 2$2il*

Before Ar$naJs ga?e lies .1e 6il/ 4a..lefiel/ 61ere 0$51 4loo/ 6ill 1a3e .o flo6

an/ 61ere .1e fra.ri5i/al s.r$ggle is .o /e3elo2* T1e so$l of -ris1naJs /is5i2le is .o

4e 6af.e/ a6ay fro0 .1is 4a..lefiel/ of /e3as.a.ion* I. is .o 2er5ei3e an/ 2l$nge in.o

a 6orl/ 61ere -ris1na li3es in 1is .r$e for0* T1a. is a 6orl/ of 1olies. 4lesse/ness,

6i.1/ra6n fro0 all s.rife an/ 5onfli5., a 6orl/ 61ere .1e se5re.s of eis.en5e are

$n3eile/, far re0o3e/ fro0 e3ery/ay affairs* e. .o .1a. 6orl/ 0anJs so$l 4elongs in

i.s 0os. in6ar/, 0os. essen.ial 4eing* T1e so$l is no6 .o 1a3e no6le/ge of i.* T1en

i. 6ill 1a3e .1e 2ossi4ili.y of /es5en/ing again an/ re


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for5e .1a. 5an 5o0e only fro0 .1e i02$lse of so s$4li0e a 4eing as -ris1na, .1is

so$l 0$s. 4e for5e/ /o6n6ar/ in.o .1e 51ao.i5 5onf$sion of .1e 4a..le* Ar$na

6o$l/ gla/ly .$rn a6ay fro0 all .1is 51aos, for .1e life of ear.1 aro$n/ 1i0 a22ears

as so0e.1ing s.range an/ far a6ay, al.oge.1er $nrela.e/ .o 1is so$l* +e 5an

/is.in5.ly feel .1is so$l is s.ill one of .1ose 61o long for .1e 1ig1er 6orl/s, 61o

6o$l/ li3e 6i.1 .1e Go/s, an/ 61o feel 1$0an life as so0e.1ing foreign an/in5o02re1ensi4le .o .1e0* In .r$.1 a 6on/ro$s 2i5.$re, 5on.aining .1ings of

s$4li0e i02or.K

A 1ero, Ar$na, s$rro$n/e/ 4y o.1er 1eroes an/ 4y .1e 6arrior 1os.s a 1ero

61o feels all .1a. is s2rea/ 4efore 1i0 as $nfa0iliar an/ re0o.e an/ a Go/,

-ris1na, 61o is nee/e/ .o /ire5. 1i0 .o .1is 6orl/* He /oes no. $n/ers.an/ .1is

6orl/ $n.il -ris1na 0aes i. 5o02re1ensi4le .o 1i0* I. 0ay so$n/ 2ara/oi5al, 4$.

I no6 .1a. .1ose 61o 5an en.er in.o .1e 0a..er 0ore /ee2ly 6ill $n/ers.an/ 0e

61en I say .1a. Ar$na s.an/s .1ere lie a 1$0an so$l .o 61o0 .1e ear.1ly si/e of

.1e 6orl/ 1as firs. .o 4e 0a/e 5o02re1ensi4le*

No6 .1is Bhagavad Gita 5o0es .o 0en of .1e +es. 61o $n/o$4.e/ly have an

$n/ers.an/ing for ear.1ly .1ingsK I. 5o0es .o 0en 61o 1a3e a..aine/ s$51 a 1ig1

/egree of 0a.erialis.i5 5i3ili?a.ion .1a. .1ey 1a3e a 3ery goo/ $n/ers.an/ing for all

.1a. is ear.1ly* I. 1as .o 4e $n/ers.oo/ 4y so$ls 61o are se2ara.e/ 4y a /ee2 g$lf

fro0 all .1a. a gen$ine o4ser3a.ion s1o6s Ar$naJs so$l .o 4e* All .1a. .o 61i51

Ar$na s1o6s no in5lina.ion, nee/ing -ris1na .o .a0e 1i0 /o6n .o ear.1ly .1ings,

see0s .o .1e +es.erner $i.e in.elligi4le an/ o43io$s* T1e /iffi5$l.y for 1i0 lies

ra.1er in 4eing a4le .o lif. 1i0self $2 .o Ar$na, .o 61o0 1as .o 4e i02ar.e/ an

$n/ers.an/ing of 61a. is 6ell $n/ers.oo/ in .1e +es., .1e sense 0a..ers of ear.1ly life* A Go/, -ris1na, 0$s. 0ae o$r 5i3ili?a.ion an/ 5$l.$re in.elligi4le .o Ar$na*

Ho6 easy i. is in o$r .i0e for a 2erson .o $n/ers.an/ 61a. s$rro$n/s 1i0K He

nee/s no -ris1na* I. is 6ell for on5e .o see 5learly .1e 0ig1.y g$lfs .1a. 5an lie

4e.6een /ifferen. 1$0an na.$res, an/ no. .o .1in i. .oo easy for a +es.ern so$l .o

$n/ers.an/ a na.$re lie .1a. of -ris1na or Ar$na* Ar$na is a 0an, 4$. $..erly

/ifferen. fro0 .1ose 61o 1a3e slo6ly an/ gra/$ally e3ol3e/ in +es.ern 5i3ili?a.ion*

T1a. is one 2i5.$re I 6an.e/ .o 4ring yo$, for 6or/s 5anno. lea/ $s 0ore .1an a

3ery li..le 6ay in.o .1ese .1ings* )i5.$res .1a. 6e 5an gras2 6i.1 o$r so$ls 5an /o

4e..er 4e5a$se .1ey s2ea no. only .o $n/ers.an/ing 4$. .o .1a. in $s 61i51 on

ear.1 6ill al6ays 4e /ee2er .1an o$r $n/ers.an/ing .o o$r 2o6er of 2er5e2.ion

an/ .o o$r feeling* No6 I 6o$l/ lie .o 2la5e ano.1er 2i5.$re 4efore yo$, one no.

less s$4li0e .1an .1a. fro0 .1e Bhagavad Gita 4$. .1a. s.an/s infini.ely nearer .o

+es.ern 5$l.$re* Here in .1e +es. 6e 1a3e a 4ea$.if$l, 2oe.i5 2i5.$re .1a. +es.ern

0an no6s an/ .1a. 0eans 0$51 for 1i0* B$. firs. le. $s as, .o 61a. e.en. /oes

+es.ern 0anin/ really 4elie3e .1a. .1is 4eing of -ris1na on5e a22eare/ 4efore

Ar$na an/ s2oe .1ose 6or/s +e are no6 a. .1e s.ar.ing


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6orl/ .1a. 6ill lea/ $s on $n.il .1is is no 0ere 0a..er of 4elief, 4$. of no6le/ge*

+e are 1o6e3er only a. .1e 4eginning of .1is an.1ro2oso21i5al 5on5e2. of .1e 6orl/

.1a. 6ill lea/ $s .o no6le/ge* T1e se5on/ 2i5.$re is 0$51 nearer .o $s* I. 5on.ains

so0e.1ing .o 61i51 +es.ern 5i3ili?a.ion 5an res2on/*

+e loo 4a5 so0e fi3e 5en.$ries 4efore .1e fo$n/ing of C1ris.iani.y .o a so$l 61o0 one of .1e grea.es. s2iri.s of +es.ern lan/s 0a/e .1e 5en.ral fig$re of all 1is

.1o$g1. an/ 6ri.ing* +e loo 4a5 .o So5ra.es* +e loo .o 1i0 in .1e s2iri. in .1e

1o$r of 1is /ea.1, e3en as )la.o /es5ri4es 1i0 in .1e 5ir5le of 1is /is5i2les in .1e

fa0o$s /is5o$rse on .1e i00or.ali.y of .1e so$l* In .1is 2i5.$re .1ere are 4$. slig1.

in/i5a.ions of .1e 4eyon/, re2resen.e/ in .1e /ai0on 61o s2eas .o So5ra.es*

No6 le. 1i0 s.an/ 4efore $s in .1e 1o$rs .1a. 2re5e/e/ 1is en.ran5e in.o .1e

s2iri.$al 6orl/s* T1ere 1e is, s$rro$n/e/ 4y 1is /is5i2les, an/ in .1e fa5e of /ea.1

1e s2eas .o .1e0 of .1e i00or.ali.y of .1e so$l* Many 2eo2le rea/ .1is 6on/erf$l

/is5o$rse .1a. )la.o 1as gi3en $s in or/er .o /es5ri4e .1e s5ene of 1is /ying .ea51er*B$. 2eo2le in .1ese /ays rea/ only 6or/s, only 5on5e2.s an/ i/eas* T1ere are e3en

.1ose I /o no. 0ean .o 5ens$re .1e0 in 61o0 .1is 6on/erf$l s5ene of )la.o

aro$ses $es.ions as .o .1e logi5al $s.ifi5a.ion of 61a. .1e /ying So5ra.es se.s for.1

.o 1is /is5i2les* T1ey 5anno. feel .1ere is so0e.1ing 0ore for .1e 1$0an so$l, .1a.

so0e.1ing 0ore i02or.an. li3es .1ere, of far grea.er signifi5an5e .1an logi5al 2roofs

an/ s5ien.ifi5 arg$0en.s* Le. $s i0agine all .1a. So5ra.es says on i00or.ali.y .o 4e

s2oen 4y a 0an of grea. 5$l.$re, /e2.1 an/ refine0en., in .1e 5ir5le of 1is 2$2ils,

4$. in a /ifferen. si.$a.ion fro0 .1a. of So5ra.es, $n/er /ifferen. 5ir5$0s.an5es*

E3en if .1e 6or/s of .1is 0an 6ere a 1$n/re/ .i0es 0ore logi5ally so$n/ .1an

.1ose of So5ra.es, in s2i.e of all .1ey 6ill 2er1a2s 1a3e a 1$n/re/ .i0es less 3al$e*T1is 6ill only 4e f$lly gras2e/ 61en 2eo2le 4egin .o $n/ers.an/ .1a. .1ere is

so0e.1ing for .1e 1$0an so$l of 0ore 3al$e, e3en if less 2la$si4le, .1an .1e 0os.

s.ri5.ly 5orre5. logi5al /e0ons.ra.ions* If any 1ig1ly e/$5a.e/ an/ 5$l.$re/ 0an

s2eas .o 1is 2$2ils on .1e i00or.ali.y of .1e so$l, i. 5an in/ee/ 1a3e signifi5an5e*

B$. i.s signifi5an5e is no. re3eale/ in 61a. 1e says I no6 I a0 no6 saying

so0e.1ing 2ara/oi5al 4$. i. is .r$e i.s signifi5an5e /e2en/s also on .1e fa5. .1a.

.1e .ea51er, 1a3ing s2oen .1ese 6or/s .o 1is 2$2ils, 2asses on .o loo af.er .1e

or/inary affairs of life, an/ 1is 2$2ils /o .1e sa0e* B$. So5ra.es s2eas in .1e 1o$r

.1a. i00e/ia.ely 2re5e/es 1is 2assage .1ro$g1 .1e ga.es of /ea.1* He gi3es o$. 1is

.ea51ing in a 0o0en. 61en in .1e ne. ins.an. 1is so$l is .o 4e se3ere/ fro0 1is

4o/ily for0*

I. is one .1ing .o s2ea a4o$. i00or.ali.y .o .1e 2$2ils 1e is lea3ing 4e1in/ in

.1e 1o$r of 1is o6n /ea.1 61i51 /oes no. 0ee. 1i0 $ne2e5.e/ly 4$. as an e3en.

2re/e.er0ine/ 4y /es.iny an/ ano.1er .1ing .o re.$rn af.er s$51 a /is5o$rse .o

.1e or/inary 4$siness of li3ing* I. is no. .1e 6or/s of So5ra.es .1a. s1o$l/ 6or on

$s as 0$51 as .1e si.$a.ion $n/er 61i51 1e s2eas .1e0* Le. $s .ae all .1e 2o6er


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9/87

1is /is5i2le Ar$na* So .1ere is 0$51 in .1e o55$l. 6is/o0 on 61i51

.1e Bhagavad Gita is fo$n/e/ .1a. reso$n/s .o $s as so0e.1ing res2on/ing .o

o$r /ee2es. longings* In an5ien. .i0es .1e so$l 6as 6ell a6are of .1e 4on/ .1a.

$ni.es i. 6i.1 .1e s2iri.$al* I. 6as a. 1o0e in .1e s$2er


10/87

+1a. /oes .1e fol


11/87

s$4li0e Gita .1is refrain reso$n/s .o o$r s2iri.$al 1earing, Only 61en yo$

re5ogni?e, yo$ 0en, 0y all%!2>&*1.0l

s.1as1*HAC2lr*/2$f

T1e O55$l. Signifi5an5e of .1e B1aga3a/ Gi.a

S510i/. N$04er@ S>9

II

HE MORE /ee2ly 6e 2ene.ra.e in.o .1e o55$l. re5or/s of .1e 3ario$s ages an/ 2eo2les,.1a. is .o say, in.o .1e .r$ly o55$l. re5or/s, .1e 0ore 6e are s.r$5 4y one fea.$re of

.1e0 61i51 0ee.s $s again an/ again* I 1a3e alrea/y in/i5a.e/ i. in /is5$ssing .1e

Gos2el of S.* #o1n, an/ again on a la.er o55asion in s2eaing of .1e Gos2el of S.*

Mar* I refer .o .1e fa5. .1a. on looing /ee2ly in.o any s$51 o55$l. re5or/ i.

4e5o0es e3er 5learer .1a. i. is really 0os. 6on/erf$lly 5o02ose/, .1a. i. for0s an

ar.is.i5 61ole* I 5o$l/ s1o6, for ins.an5e, 1o6 S.* #o1nJs Gos2el, 61en 6e 2ene.ra.e

T

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12/87

in.o i.s /e2.1s, re3eals a 6on/erf$l, ar.is.i5 5o02osi.ion* +i.1 re0ara4le

/ra0a.i5 2o6er .1e s.ory is 5arrie/ $2 s.age 4y s.age .o a grea. 5li0a, an/ .1en

5on.in$es fro0 .1is 2oin. on6ar/ 6i.1 a in/ of rene6al of /ra0a.i5 2o6er .o .1e

en/* o$ 5an s.$/y .1is in .1e le5.$res I ga3e a. Cassel on S.* #o1nJs Gos2el in

rela.ion .o .1e .1ree o.1er Gos2els, es2e5ially .o .1a. a55or/ing .o S.* L$e*

Mos. i02ressi3e is .1e gra/$al en1an5e0en. of .1e 61ole 5o02osi.ion 61ile .1e

s$2er


13/87

e2erien5e a in/ of inner s1a..ering, 61i51 5an in/ee/ 4e 5o02are/ .o fear, .error

an/ anie.y, as .1o$g1 6e 6ere s1rining 4a5 fro0 so0e.1ing al0os. 6i.1 1orror*

S$51 e2erien5es 4elong .o .1e ini.ial s.ages of o55$l. /e3elo20en., .o en.ering .1e

s2iri.$al 6orl/s* I. is $s. for .1is reason .1a. s$51 grea. 5are 0$s. 4e .aen .o gi3e

.1e rig1. a/3i5e .o .1ose 61o 6o$l/ en.er .1e s2iri.$al 6orl/s .1ro$g1 o55$l.

.raining* S$51 a 2erson 0$s. 4e 2re2are/ so .1a. 1e 0ay e2erien5e .1is $21ea3alas a ne5essary e3en. in 1is so$l life 6i.1o$. i.s en5roa51ing on 1is 4o/ily life an/

1eal.1, 4e5a$se 1is 4o/y 0$s. no. s$ffer a lie $21ea3al* T1a. is .1e essen.ial .1ing*

+e 0$s. learn .o s$ffer .1e 5on3$lsions of o$r so$l 6i.1 o$.6ar/ e$ani0i.y an/

5al0*

T1is is .r$e no. only for o$r 4o/ily 2ro5esses* T1e so$l for5es 6e nee/ for

e3ery/ay li3ing, o$r or/inary in.elle5.$al 2o6ers, e3en .1ose of i0agina.ion, of

feeling an/ 6ill .1ese .oo 0$s. no. 4e allo6e/ .o 4e5o0e $n4alan5e/* T1e

$21ea3al .1a. 0ay 4e .1e s.ar.ing


14/87

2re2are/ for an o55$l. 2a.1*

In o$r .i0e .1ere are 0any 61o 1a3e s$51 in.eres.s for .1e 61ole of 0anin/*

More of.en .1ey are no. .o 4e fo$n/ a0ong .1e in.elle5.$als 4$. are 2eo2le 61o

a22ear .o lea/ $i.e si02le li3es* es, .1ere are 0any .o/ay 61o 1a3e a 1$04le

2la5e in life an/ as if 4y na.$ral ins.in5. feel .1is in.eres. in .1e 61ole of 0anin/*T1a. is 61y an.1ro2oso21y is in s$51 1ar0ony 6i.1 .1e s2iri. of o$r age*

Firs., .1en, 6e 0$s. learn of .1e 0ig1.y $21ea3al of .1e so$l .1a. 1as .o 5o0e a.

.1e 4eginning of o55$l. e2erien5e* +i.1 6on/erf$l .r$.1 .1e Bhagavad Gita se.s

s$51 a 0o0en. of $21ea3al a. .1e s.ar.ing


15/87


16/87

no. a grea. 0an in 1a3ing /is5o3ere/ 1is .1eore0 $s. 4e5a$se e3ery s51ool4oy

$n/ers.an/s i.K +e see 1o6 s.$2i/ .1is is, 4$. 6e /o no. no.i5e 61en 6e fail .o

reali?e .1a. 61a. any +es.ern 21iloso21er 0ay re2ea. 4y ro.e as .1e 6is/o0 of

-ris1na .1a. .1e s2iri. is e.ernal, i00or.al 6as a s$4li0e 6is/o0 a. .1e .i0e

-ris1na re3eale/ i.* So$ls lie Ar$na /i/ in/ee/ feel .1a. 4loo/


17/87

.1a. .1o$g1. 6ill 4e 3al$e/ for 61a. i. really is*

Here I rea51 a 2oin. .1a. is 0os. i02or.an. for .1ose 61o 6o$l/ $n/ergo an

o55$l. /e3elo20en. in .1eir o6n so$ls* I 6an. .o 0ae e3ery effor. .o ge. .1is 2oin.

5lear* T1e 0e/ie3al al51e0is.s $se/ .o say I 5anno. no6 /is5$ss 61a. .1ey really

0ean. 4y i. .1a. gol/ 5o$l/ 4e 0a/e fro0 all 0e.als, gol/ in any /esire/ a0o$n., 4$. .1a. one 0$s. firs. 1a3e a 0in$.e $an.i.y of i.* +i.1o$. .1a. one 5o$l/ no.

0ae gol/* +1e.1er or no. .1is is .r$e of gol/, i. is 5er.ainly .r$e of clairvoyance*

No 0an 5o$l/ a5.$ally a..ain 5lair3oyan5e if 1e /i/ no. 1a3e a .iny a0o$n. of i.

alrea/y in 1is so$l* I. is generally s$22ose/ .1a. 0en as .1ey are, are no.

5lair3oyan.* If .1a. 6ere .r$e .1ey 5o$l/ ne3er 4e5o0e 5lair3oyan. a. all, 4e5a$se

$s. as .1e al51e0is. .1o$g1. .1a. one 0$s. 1a3e a li..le gol/ .o 5on$re for.1 large

$an.i.ies, so 0$s. one alrea/y 4e a li..le 5lair3oyan. in or/er .o 4e a4le .o /e3elo2

an/ e.en/ i. 0ore an/ 0ore* No6 yo$ 0ay see .6o al.erna.i3es 1ere an/ as, Do

yo$ .1in .1en .1a. 6e all are 5lair3oyan., if only slig1.ly,or, /o yo$ .1in .1a.

.1ose of $s 61o are no. 5lair3oyan. 5an ne3er 4e5o0e so T1is is $s. .1e 2oin.* I.is 0os. i02or.an. .o $n/ers.an/ .1a. .1ere is really no one a0ong yo$ 61o /oes

no. 1a3e .1is s.ar.ing


18/87

s1o6e/ .1a. 1$0an i/eas 5o0e fro0 s$2er


19/87


20/87

age .1e 5on.en.s of .1e Ve/as* He says, Hol/ no. .o .1e Ve/as, nor .o .1e 6or/ of

.1e Ve/as* Hol/ fas. .o ogaK T1a. is .o say, Hol/ fas. .o 61a. is 6i.1in .1ine o6n

so$lK

Le. $s gras2 61a. -ris1na 0eans 4y .1is e1or.a.ion* He /oes no. 0ean .1a. .1e

5on.en.s of .1e Ve/as are $n.r$e* He /oes no. 6an. Ar$na .o a55e2. 61a. is gi3enin .1e Ve/as dogmatically as .1e /is5i2les of .1e Ve/a .ea51ing /o* He 6an.s .o

ins2ire 1i0 .o .ae 1is s.ar. fro0 .1e 3ery firs. original 2oin. 61en5e .1e 1$0an

so$l e3ol3es* For .1is 2$r2ose all /og0a.i5 6is/o0 0$s. 4e lai/ asi/e* +e 5an

i0agine -ris1na saying .o 1i0self .1a. e3en .1o$g1 Ar$na 6ill in .1e en/ rea51 .1e

3ery sa0e 6is/o0 .1a. is 5on.aine/ in .1e Ve/as, s.ill 1e 0$s. 4e /ra6n a6ay fro0

.1e0, for 1e 0$s. go 1is o6n 6ay, 4eginning 6i.1 .1e so$r5es in 1is o6n so$l*

-ris1na ree5.s .1e Ve/as, 61e.1er .1eir 5on.en. is .r$e or $n.r$e* Ar$naJs 2a.1

0$s. s.ar. fro0 1i0self, .1ro$g1 1is o6n in6ar/ness 1e 0$s. 5o0e .o re5ogni?e

-ris1na* Ar$na 0$s. 4e ass$0e/ .o 1a3e in 1i0self 61a. a 0an 5an an/ 0$s. 1a3e

if 1e is really .o en.er in.o .1e 5on5re.e .r$.1s of .1e s$2er


21/87

an/ no6s in himself , 4$. li3es an/ feels an/ no6s together ith the hole earth,

.1en 1e gro6s in.o a 1ig1er le3el of 5ons5io$sness 61ere .1e .1ings of .1e sense

6orl/ 3anis1 for 1i0 as .1ey /o in slee2*

Ho6e3er, 4efore 0an 5an a..ain .1is le3el 1e 0$s. 4e a4le .o i/en.ify 1i0self

6i.1 .1e so$l of 1is 2lane., ear.1* +e s1all see .1a. .1is is 2ossi4le* +e no6 .1a.0an no. only e2erien5es .1e r1y.10 of slee2ing an/ 6aing 4$. o.1er r1y.10s of

.1e ear.1 as 6ell of s$00er an/ 6in.er* +1en one follo6s .1e 2a.1 of oga or

goes .1ro$g1 a 0o/ern o55$l. .raining, 1e 5an lif. 1i0self a4o3e .1e or/inary

5ons5io$sness .1a. e2erien5es .1e 5y5les of slee2ing an/ 6aing, s$00er an/

6in.er* He 5an learn .o loo a. 1i0self fro0 o$.si/e* He 4e5o0es a6are of 4eing

a4le .o loo 4a5 a. 1i0self $s. as 1e or/inarily loos a. .1ings o$.si/e 1i0self*

No6 1e o4ser3es .1e .1ings, .1e 5y5les in e.ernal life* He sees al.erna.ing

5on/i.ions* He reali?es 1o6 1is 4o/y, so long as 1e is o$.si/e 1i0self, .aes on a

for0 si0ilar .o .1a. of .1e ear.1 in s$00er 6i.1 all i.s 3ege.a.ion* +1a. 0a.erial

s5ien5e /is5o3ers an/ 5alls nerves 1e 4egins .o 2er5ei3e as a s2ro$.ing for.1 of so0e.1ing 2lan.


22/87

goes on .o an in/i5a.ion of .1e 2a.1 of oga* T1en a. .1e .1ir/ s.age .o a /es5ri2.ion

of .1e 0ar3elo$s e2ansion of 0anJs 1ori?on o3er .1e 61ole ear.1, 61ere -ris1na

a6aens in Ar$na .1e i/ea, All .1a. li3es in yo$r so$l 1as li3e/ of.en 4efore, only

yo$ no6 no.1ing of i.* B$. I 1a3e .1is 5ons5io$sness in 0yself 61en I loo 4a5 on

all .1e .ransfor0a.ions .1ro$g1 61i51 I 1a3e li3e/, an/ I 6ill lea/ yo$ $2 so .1a.

yo$ 0ay learn .o feel yo$rself as I feel 0yself* A ne6 0o0en. of /ra0a.i5 for5e as 4ea$.if$l as i. is /ee2ly an/ o55$l.ly .r$eK

T1$s 6e 5o0e .o see .1e e3ol$.ion of 0anin/ fro0 o$. of i.s e3ery/ay

5ons5io$sness, fro0 .1e 2earl in .1e roa/6ay .1a. only nee/s .o 4e re5ogni?e/, fro0

.1e 2ar.i5$lar 6orl/ of .1o$g1.s an/ 5on5e2.s .1a. are a 0a..er of e3ery/ay life in

any one age, $2 .o .1e 2oin. fro0 61ere 6e 5an loo o$. o3er all .1a. 6e really 1a3e

in $s, 61i51 li3es on fro0 in5arna.ion .o in5arna.ion on .1e ear.1*

< See 0ore a.@

1..2@6n*rsar51i3e*orgLe5.$resGA&89Englis1A)&'9!&'&(>%'2>&*1.0ls.1as1*09oN2LCN*/2$f


S510i/. N$04er@ S>9

III

N THE las. le5.$re I 6as .rying .o s1o6 yo$ 1o6 .1e .1ining of .1e 2resen. /ay,

61i51 .en/s .o .1e for0a.ion of a4s.ra5. 5on5e2.s, is no. really a gif. of .1e o$.er

21ysi5al 6orl/ 4$. a gif. of .1e s2iri.$al 6orl/* I .rie/ .o s1o6 yo$ 1o6 a. 4o..o0.1is a4s.ra5. .1ining en.ers 0anJs so$l in ea5.ly .1e sa0e 6ay as .1e re3ela.ions

of .1e Beings of .1e Hig1er Hierar51ies* T1e 2oin. .1en is .1is, .1a. in o$r 0os.

or/inary life 6e really 1a3e so0e.1ing in $s .1a. is alrea/y of lie na.$re .o

5lair3oyan. 2er5e2.ion* No6 6e 1a3e so0e.1ing else in $s as 6ell, 61i51 is e3en

0ore ain .o 5lair3oyan. 2er5e2.ion e3en .1o$g1 in a 0ore 1i//en 6ay* I 0ean .1a.

5ons5io$sness .1a. a22ears 4e.6een o$r or/inary 6aing s.a.e an/ o$r slee2ing

o$r /rea0 5ons5io$sness* +e 5anno. 4e5o0e fa0iliar in a 2ra5.i5al 6ay 6i.1 .1e

I

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23/87


24/87

/ifferen. 51ara5.er* One of .1e firs. e2erien5es 1e 5an 1a3e 0ay 4e .1e follo6ing*

)er1a2s 1e 1as 4een .1ining for a long .i0e a4o$. so0e 2er2leing 2ro4le0

an/ 1as a. las. 5on5l$/e/ .1a. 1is $n/ers.an/ing is no. ye. e$al .o sol3ing i., nor is

all .1a. 1e 1as 4een a4le .o learn fro0 e.ernal so$r5es a/e$a.e for sol3ing i.* No6

i. 6ill no. generally 1a22en .1a. 1e is i00e/ia.ely 5ons5io$s of 1a3ing a /rea0 in 61i51 .1is 2ro4le0 is sol3e/ for 1i0* E3en so 1e 6ill 4e a4le .o 1a3e a 5er.ain

1ig1er 5ons5io$sness a. a 5o02ara.i3ely early s.age* As if a6aing fro0 a /rea0 1e

6ill see0 .o remember so0e.1ing* He 5an say .o 1i0self, I 1a3e no. 4een

/rea0ing a4o$. .1is 2ro4le0, nor 6as I 5ons5io$s of a /rea0 I 1a3e 1a/ 4efore* e.

a in/ of 0e0ory is arising in 0e* I. is as .1o$g1 so0e 4eing 1a/ 5o0e near .o 0e

61o sol3e/ .1is 2ro4le0 for 0e 4y gi3ing or s$gges.ing a sol$.ion*

One 61o gra/$ally 6i/ens 1is 5ons5io$sness 4y follo6ing .1e in/i5a.ions I 1a3e

gi3en 6ill 1a3e .1is e2erien5e fairly easily* He 6ill re5all so0e.1ing 1e 1as li3e/

.1ro$g1 as .1o$g1 in a /rea0, an/ 6ill no6 .1a. a. .1e .i0e 1e 6as no. a6are of e2erien5ing i.* S$51 an e2erien5e 6ill see0 .o s1ine $26ar/ fro0 .1e /e2.1s of

1is so$l an/ 1e 6ill say .o 1i0self, +1en I 6as no. .1ere 6i.1 0y in.elligen5e, 0y

5le3erness, 61en I 6as 2ro.e5.ing 0y so$l fro0 .1e s$gges.ions of 0y in.elle5.,

.1en 0y so$l 1a/ grea.er 2o6er* My so$l 5o$l/ 5o0e freely in .o$51 6i.1 .1e

sol$.ion of .1e 2ro4le0, 4efore 61i51 I 6as 2o6erless 6i.1 0y in.elle5. an/

$n/ers.an/ing*

No /o$4. s5ien.is.s 6ill of.en fin/ i. easy 1ere .oo .o gi3e a 0a.erialis.i5

e2lana.ion for s$51 an e2erien5e* B$. one 61o 1as 1a/ i. no6s f$ll 6ell .1a.

61a. 1as a22eare/ .o 1i0, e0erging lie .1e re5olle5.ion of a /rea0 e2erien5e,re3eals so0e.1ing $i.e /ifferen. fro0 a 0ere re0inis5en5e of or/inary life* T1e

61ole 0oo/ of 1is so$l af.er6ar/ .ells 1i0 1e 1as ne3er 1a/ s$51 an e2erien5e

4efore* I. 4rings 1i0 in.o a 6on/erf$l feeling of 4liss an/ ela.ion .o reali?e .1a. in

.1e /e2.1s of 1is so$l so0e.1ing 0ore is a5.i3e .1an is 2resen. in 1is or/inary

5ons5io$sness* T1is re5ogni.ion 5an 4e5o0e s.ill 0ore /is.in5., an/ i. 1a22ens in

.1e follo6ing 6ay*

If 6e 5arry o$. energe.i5ally .1e eer5ises gi3en in 0y 4oo Knowledge of the

Higher Worlds and Its ttainment , an/ if 6e 5on.in$e .o /o so for a long .i0e

e3en 2er1a2s for se3eral /e5a/es .1en an e2erien5e 0ay arise in o$r so$l

$i.e si0ilar .o 61a. I 1a3e $s. 4een /es5ri4ing* For ea02le, one 61i51 is 0ie/

$2 6i.1 .1e re5olle5.ion of an e2erien5e in e3ery/ay life 6e 1a/ years ago, 2er1a2s

a 0os. /isagreea4le e2erien5e .1a. 6e fel. as a 1ar/ 4lo6 of fa.e an/ 5o$l/ ne3er

re5all 6i.1o$. 2ain an/ 4i..erness* No6 so0e.1ing lie .1e 0e0ory of a /rea0

arises in o$r 5ons5io$sness 4$. i. is a s.range /rea0* I. .ells $s .1a. feelings li3e

6i.1in $s .1a. /re6 .1is 4i..er e2erien5e .o $s 6i.1 irresis.i4le for5e an/ 6el5o0e/

i. gla/ly* So0e.1ing li3es in $s .1a. fel. a in/ of delight in 4ringing a4o$. all .1e

http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/


25/87

5ir5$0s.an5es .1a. le/ $2 .o .1is s.roe of fa.e* +1en 6e 1a3e 1a/ s$51 a /rea0

re0e04ran5e, 6e no6 f$ll 6ell .1a. 61ile in o$r $s$al 5ons5io$sness, 61i51

reg$la.es o$r e.ernal affairs, .1ere 1as no. 4een a single 0o0en. no. one in .1e

61ole 5o$rse of o$r 2resen. life 61en 6e /i/ no. feel .1is s.roe of fa.e 6i.1

4i..er 2ain* e., /ee2 /o6n 6i.1in $s .1ere is so0e.1ing .1a. s.an/s in $i.e a

/ifferen. rela.ion .o .1is 4lo6 of fa.e* I. $se/ all i.s 2o6er an/ 0agne.i5 for5e .o/ra6 .oge.1er .1e 5ir5$0s.an5es nee/e/ .o 4ring a4o$. .1is 0isfor.$ne* +e /i/ no.

no6 i. a. .1e .i0e* No6 6e no.i5e .1a. 4e1in/ o$r e3ery/ay 5ons5io$sness

ano.1er, /ee2er layer of o$r so$l life 6as 6isely a. 6or*

If 6e 1a3e s$51 an e2erien5e an/ 6e s1all 1a3e .1e0 if 6e earnes.ly 5arry

.1ro$g1 .1e eer5ises I 1a3e in/i5a.e/ fro0 .1en on6ar/ 6e 1a3e an e.en/e/

area of no6le/ge an/ 5on3i5.ion* In or/inary life 6e feel o$rsel3es in a 5er.ain

rela.ion .o .1e o$.er 6orl/ an/ .1e e3en.s .1a. 5o0e .o $s in .1e 5o$rse of o$r

/es.iny* +e 0ee. .1ese e3en.s 6i.1 sy02a.1y an/ an.i2a.1y* In .1e 5ase 0en.ione/

.1is 2ar.i5$lar 4lo6 of fa.e 6as fel. as a 4i..er an/ 1a.ef$l e2erien5e* +e /i/ no.no6 .1a. all .1e .i0e o$r so$l 1a/ ano.1er 6i/er life .1a. 1a/ longe/ .o li3e

.1ro$g1 61a. 6e fel. .o 4e so $n6el5o0e* T1is feeling is $i.e /ifferen. in i.s $ali.y

fro0 any re5olle5.ion o$. of or/inary life, for in o$r inner0os. 4eing 6e are 3ery

/ifferen. fro0 61a. 6e i0agine* I. is $s. .1is /ifferen5e .1a. no6 4e5o0es e3i/en.

in o$r so$l* I. en.ers in s$51 a 6ay .1a. 6e no6 i. 1as 4ro$g1. $s re3ela.ions fro0

real0s in.o 61i51 o$r e3ery/ay 5ons5io$sness 5anno. 2ene.ra.e* I. 6i/ens o$r

61ole 5on5e2. of o$r life of so$l* +e no6 .1en, 4y e2erien5e, .1a. o$r so$l


26/87

+1y is i. .1a. .1e i0ages fro0 o$r e3ery/ay life .1r$s. so insis.en.ly in.o .1is

1ig1er real0 Be5a$se, 61e.1er 6e 5onfess i. or no., 6e 1a3e .1e li3elies. in.eres. in

all .1a. 5on5erns o$r 2ar.i5$lar sel3es in .1e e.ernal 6orl/* If so0e 2eo2le i0agine

.1a. .1ey no longer .ae any s2e5ial in.eres. in .1eir life, .1a. 0aes no /ifferen5e a.

all* No one 61o reali?es 1o6 in .1is 5onne5.ion 2eo2le 5an gi3e .1e0sel3es $2 .o

.1e grosses. ill$sions, 6ill 4e 0isle/ 4y s$51 i0aginings* Af.er all, 0an is 5losely a..a51e/ .o .1e sy02a.1ies an/ an.i2a.1ies of 1is e3ery/ay life* If yo$ really .ry .o

5arry o$. .1e eer5ises I 1a3e gi3en for so$l /e3elo20en. yo$ 6ill soon reali?e .1a.

i. all 5o0es .o .1is, .1a. yo$ 0$s. /e.a51 yo$r in.eres. fro0 yo$r e3ery/ay life*

)eo2le 5arry o$. .1e /ire5.ions gi3en in Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and

Its ttainment in all sor.s of 6ays* T1e 4oo is rea/ 4y 0any /ifferen. 2eo2le,

an/ for 0any /ifferen. reasons, an/ oneJs reason for looing in.o i. 6ill /e.er0ine

oneJs a..i.$/e .o i.* T1$s, so0eone 4egins rea/ing 2er1a2s 6i.1 .1e 0os. 4ea$.if$l

feelings of 1o6 1e 0ay gain insig1. in.o .1e 1ig1er 6orl/s* T1en 1is 5$riosi.y is

aro$se/ an/ 61y in/ee/ s1o$l/ 6e no. 4e 5$rio$s a4o$. .1is real0K C$riosi.y

of.en 4egins .o s.ir e3en if one 4egins 6i.1 .1e 0os. 1oly feelings* T1a. 6ill only 5arry .1ro$g1 for a li..le 61ile, 1o6e3er, for all sor.s of inner feelings 4egin 5o0ing

in an/ 0ae $s s.o2, so 6e gi3e i. $2*

B$. .1ese feelings .1a. 6e /o no. 6is1 .o re5ogni?e 5learly, an/ generally

in.er2re. 6rongly, are $s. .1ose 5onne5.e/ 6i.1 sy02a.1ies an/ an.i2a.1ies* +e

1a3e .o free o$rsel3es fro0 .1e0 in $i.e ano.1er 6ay if 6e really 0ean .o 5arry o$.

.1ese eer5ises* In fa5., 6e /o no. free o$rsel3es fro0 .1e0* T1a. is 61y 6e s.o2

/oing .1e eer5ises* T1o$g1 6e say 6e 6an. .o 4rea free of .1e0 6e /o no. /o i.,

4$. 61en a 2erson is really in earnes. a4o$. /oing .1e eer5ises .1e effe5. .1ey 5an

1a3e is seen 3ery soon* His sy02a.1ies an/ an.i2a.1ies .o6ar/ life 51ange a li..le* I0$s. say .1is /oes no. 1a22en 3ery of.en* +1en i. /oes 1a22en .1e 51ange is

of very grea. signifi5an5e 4e5a$se i. 0eans 6e are s.r$ggling agains. .1e 3ery for5es

.1a. allo6 .1e i0ages fro0 o$r e3ery/ay life .o arise in o$r /rea0s* T1ey 5an no

longer fin/ .1eir 6ay in if 6e 1a3e 5o0e so far as .o al.er o$r sy02a.1ies an/

an.i2a.1ies in any s21ere of life, no 0a..er 61i51*

T1is al.era.ion in .1e for5es of sy02a.1y nee/ no. o55$r in a 1ig1 real0 of life,

4$. in some /o0ain i. must 4e 5arrie/ o$., 2er1a2s in .1e 0os. e3ery/ay affairs*

T1ere are 2eo2le 61o say .1ey /o .1eir eer5ises e3ery /ay, 0orning an/ e3ening,

an/ for 1o$rs a. a .i0e, an/ 5anno. go e3en one s.e2 in.o .1e s2iri.$al 6orl/s*

So0e.i0es i. is /iffi5$l. .o e2lain .o .1e0 1o6 easily one 5an $n/ers.an/ .1a.* In

0any 5ases .1ey only nee/ .o reali?e .1is fa5., .1a. .1ey are s.ill gr$04ling a4o$.

.1e sa0e .1ings .1ey 6ere gr$04ling a4o$. .6en.y, e3en .1ir.y years ago, al.1o$g1

.1ey 1a3e 4een /oing eer5ises all .1e .i0e* T1e 3ery lang$age of .1eir gr$04ling is

s.ill .1e sa0e*

T1en .1ere are .1ose 61o .ry .o a22ly e.ernal 0eans .1a. 5an 1a3e 5er.ain

http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/


27/87

effe5.s in o55$l.is0* For ea02le, .1ey 4e5o0e 3ege.arians* In s2i.e of all .1eir

en/ea3ors .o 4rea a6ay fro0 a liing for 0ea., 1o6e3er, .1ey a..ain no res$l.s

fro0 5on.in$e/ eer5ises* T1ey 0ay as5ri4e i. .o $i.e o.1er reasons, .1ining for

ins.an5e .1a. .1ey nee/ 0ea. for .1eir 4o/y, .1eir 4rain, an/ .1erefore re.$rn

o55asionally .o .1e fles1


28/87

says, I en.ere/ in.o .1is life* I 6as a6are of an i02erfe5.ion .1a. 1as 4een in 0y

so$l sin5e 4ir.1* If I 6o$l/ /e3elo2 0y so$l .1is i02erfe5.ion 0$s. 4e re0e/ie/, 4$.

.o /o .1is I 0$s. go on .o 0ee. .1is 0isfor.$ne* I 0$s. see i. o$.*

T1ere 6e 1a3e .1e s.ronger ele0en. in .1e so$l, 5o02are/ .o 61i51 .1e 6e4 of

or/inary life 6i.1 all i.s sy02a.1ies an/ an.i2a.1ies is lie a /rea0* T1ere 4eyon/ 6e en.er in.o .1a. life an/ feeling of 61i51 6e 5an say, I. no6s $s 4e..er, is

s.ronger in $s .1an o$r or/inary 5ons5io$sness*

No6 6e no.i5e ano.1er .1ing* If 6e really 1a3e .1e e2erien5e $s. /es5ri4e/, if

6e /o no. 0erely no6 i. in .1eory 4$. .r$ly e2erien5e i., .1en of ne5essi.y a. .1e

sa0e .i0e 6e 1a3e ano.1er e2erien5e* +1ile 6e feel 6e 5an alrea/y en.er in.o

.1ose regions 61ere e3ery.1ing is /ifferen. fro0 61a. i. is in or/inary

5ons5io$sness, a feeling arises in $s, I /o no. 6an. .o en.er* T1is feeling is 3ery

/ee2* As a r$le .1e 5$riosi.y .1a. i02els 2eo2le .o en.er .1e s2iri.$al 6orl/s is no.

nearly s.rong eno$g1 .o o3er5o0e .1e feeling of re3$lsion .1a. says, I 6ill no.en.er* T1e a3ersion 6e feel a. .1is 2ar.i5$lar s.age arises 6i.1 .re0en/o$s for5e,

an/ all sor.s of 0is$n/ers.an/ings a4o$. i. are 2ossi4le*

S$22ose .1a. so0eone 1as e3en re5ei3e/ 2ersonal ins.r$5.ions* He 5o0es .o 1is

ins.r$5.or an/ says, I 5anno. ge. on a. all, yo$r ins.r$5.ions are of no $se* In/ee/

1e 0ay 1ones.ly .1in so* If .1e ins.r$5.or gi3es 1i0 .1e ans6er /$e 1i0, 1o6e3er,

1e 6o$l/ no. 4e a4le .o $n/ers.an/ i. a. all* T1is ans6er is, o$ 5an en.er 2erfe5.ly

6ell 4$. yo$ /o no. 6an. .o* T1e 2$2il 1ones.ly 4elie3es 1e 1as .1e 6ill .o en.er

4e5a$se 1is rel$5.an5e re0ains 1i//en in 1is s$45ons5io$sness* In/ee/, .1e

0o0en. 1e 4egins .o reali?e 1is rel$5.an5e 1e lessens i.* T1e i/ea .1a. 1e /oes no. 6an. .o en.er 1orrifies 1i0 so, 1e i00e/ia.ely 4egins .o /a02 /o6n 1is

$n6illingness*

T1is rel$5.an5e is a s$4.le an/ insi/io$s .1ing* +e feel .1a. 6e 5anno. en.er 6i.1

.1e ego, .1e self, .1a. 6e 1a3e a5$ire/ in .1is 6orl/* If a 2erson 6an.s .o e3ol3e .o

1ig1er .1ings 1e feels 3ery s.rongly .1a. 1e 0$s. leave this self behind * T1a.,

1o6e3er, is a /iffi5$l. .1ing .o /o 4e5a$se 0an 6o$l/ ne3er 1a3e /e3elo2e/ .1is self

if 1e /i/ no. feel in 1is /aily 5ons5io$sness .1a. 1e 1as i. in or/er .o /e3elo2 i. 1ere*

His or/inary ego 1as 5o0e in.o .1is 6orl/ in or/er .o e3ol3e* T1$s, 61en 0an

6an.s .o en.er .1e real 6orl/ 1e feels 1e 0$s. lea3e 4e1in/ 61a. 1e 1as 4een a4le .o

e3ol3e in .1e or/inary 6orl/* T1en .1ere is only one 6ay* He 0$s. 1a3e /e3elo2e/

.1is self 0ore s.rongly .1an 1e nee/s for 1is or/inary 5ons5io$sness* As a r$le 1e

only /e3elo2s i. as far as 1e nee/s i. in 1is or/inary life*

No6 if yo$ o4ser3e .1e se5on/ 2oin. in Knowledge of the Higher Worlds

and Its ttainment , yo$ 6ill fin/ i. a0o$n.s .o .1is, .1a. .1e self 0$s. 4e 0a/e

s.ronger .1an is ne5essary for .1e 2$r2oses of /aily life* Only .1en are 6e a4le .o go

http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/


29/87

o$. of o$r 4o/y a. nig1. an/ s.ill re.ain so0e.1ing .1a. 6e 1a3e no. $se/ $2* I. is

only 61en 6e 1a3e for.ifie/ o$r or/inary self 4y o$r eer5ises, an/ 1a3e an e5ess

of self


30/87


31/87

61a. 1is e2o51 offers 1i0* B$. .1e 0en of .1a. an5ien. .i0e s.ill 1a/ .1e re0nan.s

of 2ri0e3al 5lair3oyan5e*

So, 6e 5an loo far 4a5 an/ 2$. o$rsel3es in .1e 2la5e of a 2erson li3ing a. .1e

.i0e 61en .1e Bhagavad Gita origina.e/* If s$51 a 0an 6ere .o e2ress 1is

e2erien5e 1e 6o$l/ say, +1en I loo o$. in.o .1e 6orl/ aro$n/ 0e I re5ei3ei02ressions .1ro$g1 0y senses* T1ese i02ressions 5an 4e 5o04ine/ 4y .1e

in.elle5., 61ose organ .1e 4rain is* A2ar. fro0 .1a. I s.ill 1a3e ano.1er fa5$l.y, a

5lair3oyan. 2o6er .1a. ena4les 0e .o a5$ire no6le/ge of o.1er 6orl/s* T1is

2o6er .ells 0e .1a. 0an 4elongs .o o.1er real0s, .1a. 0y 1$0an na.$re e.en/s far

4eyon/ .1e or/inary 21ysi5al 6orl/* T1is 3ery 2o6er, 4y 0eans of 61i51 .1ere

arises in .1e so$l .1e ins.in5.i3e no6le/ge .1a. i. 4elongs no. only .o .1e 21ysi5al

6orl/ .1is 2o6er is a5.$ally a s.ronger in/ of self


32/87

21iloso21er )y.1agoras 61o 6as ase/, +1a. /o yo$ .1in of .1e 21iloso21ers

61o s2en/ .1eir .i0e s2e5$la.ing on .1e 0eaning an/ 2$r2ose of life Ho6 /oes

.1eir o55$2a.ion 5o02are 6i.1 .1e a5.i3i.ies of or/inary 0en 61o 2$rs$e so0e

$sef$l 5alling an/ 2lay a $sef$l 2ar. in 5o00$ni.y life T1e 21iloso21er re2lie/,

Loo a. a fair or 0are. 0en 5o0e .o 4$y an/ sell an/ e3eryone is 4$sy, 4$. .1ere

are a fe6 a0ong .1e0 61o /o no. 6an. .o 4$y or sell 4$. si02ly 6an. .o s.rolla4o$. an/ 6a.51 61a. is going on* T1e 21iloso21er i02lie/ .1a. .1e 0are.

re2resen.e/ life, 2eo2le 4$sy in all sor.s of 6ays 4$. .1e 21iloso21ers are no. 4$sy

6i.1 s$51 affairs, ins.ea/ .1ey loo a. 61a. is 1a22ening an/ .ry .o learn all a4o$.

i.*

So0e1o6 a grea. res2e5. for .1e 21iloso21ers 61o /o no. see0 .o .ae 2ar. in

any 2ro/$5.i3e a5.i3i.y 1as 2ene.ra.e/ /ee2ly in.o .1e 0in/s of .1e so


33/87

e3i/en.ly 6i.1o$. fo$n/a.ion in .1e e.ernal 6orl/* He is i02elle/ .o .ae $2 o55$l.

eer5ises* +e 6o$l/ no. say 0an 1as an in6ar/ longing for i00or.ali.y an/

.1erefore in3en.s .1e i/ea of i., 4$. ra.1er .1a. .1e e.ernal 6orl/ 1as i02lan.e/

so0e.1ing in 1is so$l .1a. 6o$l/ 4e 0eaningless, $nreal, if .1e 61ole of eis.en5e

6ere in5l$/e/ 4e.6een 4ir.1 an/ /ea.1* Man is i02elle/ .o as .1e 3ery na.$re, no.

of so0e.1ing 1e /oes no. 1a3e, 4$. of so0e.1ing 1e 1as*

In fa5., 2resen.


34/87

5ons5io$sly 2ass in.o .1e region of /rea0


35/87

o$r 4rea.1 for la5 of air on .1e 21ysi5al 2lane* T1ere 6e also fin/ .1e o22osi.e

5on/i.ion, a f$llness of 2$re, 1oly lig1.


36/87

21ysi5al 2lane goo/ an/ e3il eis. .oge.1er, in .1a. 1ig1er real0 .1ere are se2ara.e,

s2e5ifi5 for5es of goo/ an/ e3il* Here in .1e 21ysi5al 6orl/ goo/ an/ e3il are

5o04ine/ an/ in.er6o3en in ea51 1$0an so$l* One 1as 0ore of a .en/en5y .o goo/,

ano.1er less* In .1a. real0 .1ere are e3il 4eings 61o eis. .o 4a..le agains. .1e 6or

of goo/ 4eings* On en.ering .1a. real0, .1erefore, 6e alrea/y 1a3e o55asion .o 0ae

$se of .1e s.reng.1ene/ self


37/87

5on/i.ion of slee2, 4$. are no., 4e5a$se .1ey are 2er0ea.e/ 4y 5ons5io$sness* +1en

6e 1a3e rea51e/ .1is 1eig1. 6e /o no. see .1e 21ysi5al 6orl/, e3en .1o$g1 6e s.ill

see .1e 6orl/ of lig1.


38/87


39/87

T1e 4es. 6ay of fin/ing o$. no.1ing a. all a4o$. 1i0 6o$l/ 4e .o sear51 a4o$. for

1is.ori5al 2ersonali.ies yo$ .1in 0ig1. 2ossi4ly 1a3e 4een 1is 2re3io$s

in5arna.ions* In .1a. 6ay yo$ ne3er 5an /is5o3er .1e .r$.1* o$ 0$s. ge. o$. of .1e

1a4i. of 0aing 5one5.$res an/ .1eories an/ for0ing o2inions*

He 6o$l/ 4e5o0e a .r$e o55$l.is. 61o 6o$l/ se. 1i0self .o 0aing as fe6 $/g0en.s as 2ossi4le a4o$. .1e 6orl/ 4e5a$se .1en 1e 6ill 0os. $i5ly a..ain .1e

5on/i.ion in 61i51 .1e fa5.s 5an 0ee. 1i0* T1e 0ore a 0an 5$l.i3a.es silen5e in 1is

5one5.$res an/ o2inions, .1e 0ore 6ill 1is so$l 4e fille/ 6i.1 .1e a5.$al .r$.1s of

.1e s2iri.$al 6orl/* So0eone, for ea02le, 61o 1a/ gro6n $2 6i.1 a 2ar.i5$lar

religio$s 4ias, 6i.1 /efini.e feelings an/ i/eas or 2er1a2s 3ie6s a4o$. .1e C1ris.

s$51 a 2erson in general 6o$l/ no. 4e .1e 0os. a/a2.e/ .o /is5o3er a .r$.1 lie .1e

1is.ory of .1e .6o #es$s 51il/ren* #$s. 61en one feels a li..le ne$.ral a4o$. .1e

C1ris. e3en. one is 6ell 2re2are/ for s$51 a /is5o3ery, 2ro3i/e/ of 5o$rse 1e 1as

0a/e all .1e o.1er ne5essary 2re2ara.ions* )eo2le 6i.1 a B$//1is.i5 4ias 6ill leas.

easily 4e a4le .o .al sense a4o$. B$//1a, $s. as .1ose 6i.1 a C1ris.ian 4ias 6illleas. easily 4e a4le .o .al sense a4o$. C1ris.* T1is is al6ays .r$e*

If 6e 6o$l/ en.er in.o .1e .1ir/ real0 $s. /es5ri4e/, i. is ne5essary .1a. 6e go

.1ro$g1 all .1e 4i..erness for in or/inary life 6e 5anno. 1el2 feeling i. in .1is 6ay

of 4e5o0ing, so .o say, a .6ofol/ 2erson* +e are, in fa5., .6ofol/ 4eings in

or/inary life, e3en if 6e 0ae no 5ons5io$s $se of .1e one


40/87

6ay .o/ay 4y s2eaing of 0anJs as5en. in.o .1e .1ir/ real0* Only so 6ill yo$ 4e a4le

.o $n/ers.an/ .1e origin of .1e s.range an/ 6on/ro$s .r$.1s .1a. -ris1na s2eas .o

Ar$na .r$.1s .1a. so$n/ so al.oge.1er /ifferen. fro0 any.1ing .1a. is s2oen in

or/inary life*

T1ese le5.$res are .o 1el2 $s gain no6le/ge of -ris1na .1a. is .o say, of .1e 3ery essen5e of .1e Bhagavad Gita* Also, .1e o55$l. 2rin5i2les of .1is 6on/erf$l

Song are .o gi3e yo$ so0e.1ing 61i51, if yo$ really 0ae $se of i., 5an ena4le yo$ .o

fin/ .1e 6ay in.o .1e 1ig1er 6orl/s 4e5a$se .1e 6ay is o2en .o e3ery 0an* +e 1a3e

only .o reali?e .1a. .1e grain of gol/ 6i.1 61i51 6e 0$s. 4egin is o$rs on5e 6e are

a6are of 1o6 0any .1ings .1ere are in 61i51 .1e 1ig1es. s2iri.$al 4eings li3e an/

6or an/ are in.er6o3en in o$r e3ery/ay life*

< See 0ore a.@

1..2@6n*rsar51i3e*orgLe5.$resGA&89Englis1A)&'9!&'&(>%(&2>&*1.0l

s.1as1*%?'r%*/2$f


S510i/. N$04er@ S


41/87

re2resen. .1e na.$re of 0an in 5er.ain res2e5.s* T1e ne. /ay one of .1e 0e04ers of

.1is s51ool 4ro$g1. in a 2l$5e/ 1en an/ sai/ .o .1e 5o02any, A55or/ing .o yo$r

/efini.ion .1is is a 0an* A silly 6ay .o s1o6 .1e $nreali.y of a..e02.s .o /efine

.1ings* Being 5on5erne/ 6i.1 reali.ies 6e 6ill 2ro5ee/ .1en .o /es5ri4e .1ings in

.1eir essen.ial 51ara5.eris.i5s*

To 4egin, 6e 6ill 5onsi/er a 5y5le fa0iliar in e3ery/ay life, .1a. of o$r 6aing

an/ slee2ing* +1a. /oes i. really signify +e 5an only $n/ers.an/ .1e na.$re of

slee2 if 6e reali?e .1a. in .1e 2resen. e2o51 .1e so$l a5.i3i.y of 0anJs 6aing life

4rings a4o$. a 5on.in$al /es.r$5.ion of /eli5a.e s.r$5.$res in .1e ner3o$s sys.e0*

+i.1 o$r e3ery .1o$g1. an/ 6i.1 e3ery i02$lse of 6ill .1a. arises in $s $n/er .1e

s.i0$l$s of .1e o$.si/e 6orl/, 6e are /es.roying /eli5a.e for0s in o$r 4rain* In .1e

near f$.$re i. 6ill 0ore an/ 0ore 4e reali?e/ 1o6 slee2 1as .o s$22le0en. o$r

6aing /ay life* +e are a22roa51ing .1e 2oin. 61ere na.$ral s5ien5e 6ill oin 6i.1

s2iri.$al s5ien5e in .1ese 0a..ers* Na.$ral s5ien5e 1as alrea/y 2ro/$5e/ 0ore .1anone .1eory .o .1e effe5. .1a. o$r 6aing life 4rings a in/ of /es.r$5.i3e 2ro5ess .o

ner3es an/ 4rain* O6ing .o .1is fa5. 6e 1a3e .o allo6 .1e 5orres2on/ing re3erse

2ro5ess, .1e 5o02ensa.ion, .o .ae 2la5e /$ring slee2*

+1ile 6e are aslee2 for5es are a. 6or in $s .1a. /o no. o.1er6ise 0anifes.

.1e0sel3es, of 61i51 6e re0ain $n5ons5io$s* T1ey are 4$sy re5ons.r$5.ing .1e

finer ner3e s.r$5.$res of o$r 4rain* No6 i. is .1is 3ery /es.r$5.ion .1a. ena4les $s .o

1a3e 2ro5esses of .1o$g1., an/ .o a5$ire no6le/ge* Or/inary no6le/ge 6o$l/

no. 4e 2ossi4le if 2ro5esses of /isin.egra.ion /i/ no. .ae 2la5e in $s /$ring o$r

6aing 1o$rs* T1$s, .6o o22osi.e 2ro5esses are a. 6or in o$r ner3o$s sys.e0 61ile 6e are a6ae a 2ro5ess of /es.r$5.ion, /$ring slee2 a re2airing 2ro5ess* Sin5e

i. is .o .1e /es.r$5.i3e 2ro5ess .1a. 6e o6e o$r 5ons5io$sness, i. is .1a. 2ro5ess 6e

2er5ei3e* O$r 6aing life 5onsis.s in 2er5ei3ing /isin.egra.ing 2ro5esses* D$ring

slee2 6e are no. 5ons5io$s 4e5a$se no /es.r$5.i3e 2ro5ess is a. 6or in $s* T1e

for5e, 61i51 a. o.1er .i0es 5rea.es o$r 5ons5io$sness, is in slee2 $se/ $2 in

5ons.r$5.i3e 6or* T1ere yo$ 1a3e a 5y5le*

Le. $s no6 5onsi/er 61a. 1a22ens /$ring slee2* Be5a$se of .1is al.erna.ing

5y5le of 4$il/


42/87

5ons.i.$.es .1e grea.er 2ar. of o$r in.elligen5e en.ers .1e 4rain .1ro$g1 eyes an/

ears* T1e reason for Miss -ellerJs in.elle5.$al /e3elo20en. is .1a., .1o$g1 .1e

2or.als of 1er senses are 5lose/, s1e 1as in1eri.e/ a 4rain .1a. 1as .1e 2o.en.iali.y

for /e3elo20en.* If 0an 6ere no. an 1ere/i.ary 4eing s$51 a 5ase as 1ers 6o$l/ no.

4e 2ossi4le* +1i51 is .o say, if 0an /i/ no. 1a3e a 0$51 1eal.1ier 4rain .1ro$g1

1ere/i.y .1an 6e generally gi3e 1i0 5re/i. for, slee2lessness 6o$l/ in a 3ery s1or..i0e 5o02le.ely $n/er0ine 1is 1eal.1* B$. 2eo2le 0os.ly 1a3e so 0$51 in1eri.e/

s.reng.1 .1a. inso0nia 5an 2ersis. for a long .i0e 6i.1o$. serio$sly in$ring .1e0*

I. re0ains .r$e, 1o6e3er, .1a. .1e 5y5le of 5ons.r$5.ion 6i.1 i.s res$l.ing

$n5ons5io$sness in slee2, an/ /es.r$5.ion 6i.1 i.s 5ons5io$sness in 6aing life,

f$n/a0en.ally .aes 2la5e*

In .1e .o.ali.y of 1$0an life 6e 2er5ei3e no. only .1ese s0aller 5y5les 4$. larger

ones as 6ell* Here I 6ill 5all yo$r a..en.ion .o a 5y5le I 1a3e of.en 0en.ione/ 4efore*

Anyone 61o follo6s .1e 5o$rse of life in .1e +es.ern 6orl/ 6ill o4ser3e a $i.e

/efini.e 5onfig$ra.ion of .1e s2iri.$al life of 0anin/ in .1e 2erio/ fro0 .1efo$r.een.1, fif.een.1 an/ si.een.1 5en.$ries .o .1e las. .1ir/ of .1e nine.een.1* In

or/inary life .1ese /e3elo20en.s are o4ser3e/ 0$51 .oo 3ag$ely an/ ina55$ra.ely,

4$. if 6e loo in.o .1e0 /ee2ly eno$g1 6e s1all see 1o6, in all /ire5.ions sin5e .1e

las. .1ir/ of .1e nine.een.1 5en.$ry, .1ere 1a3e 4een signs of an al.oge.1er /ifferen.

for0 of +es.ern s2iri.$al life* Of 5o$rse, 6e are a. .1e 4eginning of .1is ne6 .ren/

so 2eo2le /o no. no.i5e i. in i.s f$ll signifi5an5e* #$s. i0agine so0eone .rying .o

s2ea 4efore s$51 an a$/ien5e as .1is, say for ins.an5e in .1e 8>Js or %>Js of .1e

nine.een.1 5en.$ry, a4o$. .1e sa0e .1ings I a0 2$..ing 4efore yo$ 1ere* I. is $i.e

$n.1ina4le* I. 6o$l/ 4e a4s$r/* I. 6o$l/ 1a3e 4een o$. of .1e $es.ion .o s2ea of

.1ese .1ings as 6e /o no6, a. any .i0e fro0 .1e fo$r.een.1, fif.een.1 an/ si.een.15en.$ries .o .1e las. .1ir/ of .1e nine.een.1* T1is 6as .1e 2erio/ 61en .1e na.$ral

s5ien.ifi5 0o/e of .1o$g1., .1e 6ay of .1ining .1a. 2ro/$5e/ .1e grea. 0a.erialis.i5

a51ie3e0en.s, rea51e/ i.s 1eig1.* T1e s.ragglers of s5ien.ifi5 in.elle5.$alis0 6ill go

on a/1ering .o i. for so0e .i0e .o 5o0e, 4$. .1e a5.$al e2o51 of 0a.erialis0 is 2as.*

#$s. as .1e era of s5ien.ifi5 .1o$g1. 4egan a4o$. .1e fif.een.1 5en.$ry, so .1e era

of s2iri.$al .1o$g1. is no6 4eginning* T1ese .6o s1ar2ly /ifferen.ia.e/ e2o51s 0ee.

in .1e 3ery .i0e in 61i51 6e are li3ing* I. 6ill 0ore an/ 0ore 4e5o0e e3i/en. 1o6

.1e ne6 0o/e of .1o$g1. 1as .o 5o0e in .o$51 6i.1 .1e reali.y of .1ings* T1o$g1.

6ill 4e5o0e 3ery /ifferen. fro0 .1e .1o$g1. of .1e las. fo$r 5en.$ries, .1o$g1 .1e

la..er 1a/ .o 4e so in i.s .i0e* D$ring .1is 2erio/ 0anJs ga?e 1a/ .o 4e /ire5.e/

o$.6ar/ in.o .1e far s2a5es of .1e $ni3erse* I 1a3e of.en s2oen of .1e grea.

signifi5an5e for +es.ern s2iri.$al e3ol$.ion of .1a. 0o0en. 61en Co2erni5$s,

Galileo, -e2ler an/ Gior/ano Br$no .oge.1er 4$rs. o2en .1e 4l$e 3a$l. of 1ea3en*

Un.il .1eir .i0e i. 6as 4elie3e/ .1a. .1e 4l$e 5$2 of .1e 1ea3ens 6as s$s2en/e/ o3er

o$r ear.1* T1ese grea. .1iners /e5lare/ .1a. .1is 1ollo6 5$2 /i/ no. really eis.*


43/87

T1ey .a$g1. 0anin/ .o loo o$. in.o .1e infini.e /is.an5es of 5os0i5 s2a5e*

No6 61a. 6as i. .1a. 6as so signifi5an. a4o$. Br$noJs /ee/ in e2laining .o 0en

1o6 .1e 4l$e s21ere .1ey 1a/ se. as .1e 4o$n/ary of .1eir 2o6er of sig1. 6as no.

really .1ere 61en 1e sai/, o$ 1a3e only .o reali?e .1a. i. is yo$ yo$rsel3es 61o

2roe5. i. o$. in.o s2a5e T1e i02or.an. 2oin. 6as .1a. i. 0are/ .1e 4eginning of an e2o51, 61i51 5a0e .o an en/ 6i.1 .1e /is5o3ery .1a. 4y 0eans of .1e

s2e5.ros5o2e one 5o$l/ in3es.iga.e .1e 0a.erial 5o02osi.ion of .1e far.1es.

1ea3enly 4o/ies* A 0ar3elo$s e2o51, .1is e2o51 of 0a.erialis0K No6 6e are a. .1e

s.ar.ing 2oin. of ano.1er e2o51, one .1a. 1as i.s origin in .1e sa0e la6s of gro6.1

as .1e 2re5e/ing one 4$. .1a. ne3er.1eless is .o 4e .1e e2o51 of s2iri.$ali.y* #$s. as

.1e e2o51 of na.$ral s5ien5e 6as 2re2are/ 4y Br$noJs 6or in 4reaing .1ro$g1 .1e

li0i.s of s2a5e, so 6ill .1e fir0a0en. of time 4e 4roen .1ro$g1 in .1e age no6

4eginning* Manin/, i0agining life .o 4e en5lose/ 4e.6een 4ir.1 an/ /ea.1, or

5on5e2.ion an/ /ea.1, 6ill learn .1a. .1ese are only 4o$n/aries se. 4y .1e 1$0an

so$l i.self* #$s. as in earlier .i0es 0en 1a/ .1e0sel3es se. as .1e 4o$n/ary of .1eirsenses a 4l$e s21ere a4o3e .1e0, an/ .1en of a s$//en .1eir 3ision e2an/e/ in.o

.1e infini.e s21eres of s2a5e, so 6ill .1e 4o$n/aries of .i0e 4e 4roen .1ro$g1,

.1ose of 4ir.1 an/ /ea.1* Se. free of .1ese .1ere 6ill lie 4efore 0anJs ga?e in .1e

infini.e sea of .i0e all .1e 51anges in .1e ernel of 0anJs 4eing as 1e follo6s i.

.1ro$g1 i.s re2ea.e/ in5arna.ions* T1$s a ne6 age is 4eginning, .1e age of s2iri.$al

.1o$g1.*

No6 if 6e 5an re5ogni?e .1e o55$l. 4asis of .1ese .ransi.ions fro0 one age .o

ano.1er, 61ere s1all 6e see .1e 5a$se of .1is 51ange in 1$0an .1o$g1. I. is no.

any.1ing .1a. 21iloso21y or e.ernal 21ysiology or ana.o0y 5an fin/ of .1eir o6na55or/* e. i. is .r$e .1a. for5es .1a. 1a3e en.ere/ .1e a5.i3e so$ls of 0en an/ are

4eing $se/ .o/ay .o ga.1er s2iri.$al no6le/ge .1ese sa0e for5es, /$ring .1e las.

fo$r 5en.$ries, 1a3e 4een 6oring a. 0anJs organis0 as 5ons.r$5.i3e for5es*

T1ro$g1o$. .1e 2erio/ fro0 Co2erni5$s .o .1e las. .1ir/ of .1e nine.een.1 5en.$ry

0ys.erio$s for5es 6ere a. 6or in 0anJs 4o/ily organis0 $s. as 5ons.r$5.i3e for5es

6or in 1is ner3o$s sys.e0 /$ring slee2* T1ese for5es 6ere 4$il/ing $2 a /efini.e

s.r$5.$re in 5er.ain 2ar.s of .1e 4rain* T1e 4rains of +es.ern 2eo2le are /ifferen.

fro0 61a. .1ey 6ere fi3e 5en.$ries ago* +1a. is $n/er 0anJs s$ll .o/ay /oes no.

1a3e .1e sa0e a22earan5e as i. 1a/ .1en, for a /eli5a.e organ 1as 4een for0e/

61i51 6as no. .1ere 4efore* E3en .1o$g1 .1is 5anno. 4e 2ro3e/ e.ernally, i. is .r$e*

Un/er .1e 1$0an fore1ea/ a /eli5a.e organ 1as /e3elo2e/, an/ .1e for5es 4$il/ing

i. 1a3e no6 f$lfille/ .1eir .as* In .1e 5o0ing 5y5le of 1is.ory 6e are no6

a22roa51ing i. 6ill 4e5o0e e3i/en. in 0ore an/ 0ore 2eo2le* No6 .1a. i. is .1ere,

.1e for5es .1a. 4$il. i. are li4era.e/* +i.1 .1ese 3ery for5es +es.ern 1$0ani.y 6ill

4e gaining s2iri.$al no6le/ge* Here 6e 1a3e .1e o55$l. 21ysiologi5al fo$n/a.ion of

.1e 0a..er* Alrea/y 6e are 4eginning .o 6or 6i.1 .1ese for5es .1a. 0en 5o$l/ no.

$se /$ring .1e las. fo$r 1$n/re/ years 4e5a$se .1ey 6ere s2en. in 4$il/ing $2 .1e


44/87

organ nee/e/ .o allo6 s2iri.$al no6le/ge .o .ae i.s 2la5e in .1e 6orl/*

Le. $s i0agine a 0an of .1e se3en.een.1 or eig1.een.1 5en.$ry* As 1e s.an/s

.1ere 4efore $s 6e no6 .1a. 5er.ain o55$l. for5es are a. 6or 4e1in/ 1is fore1ea/,

.ransfor0ing 1is 4rain* T1ese for5es 6ere 2er2e.$ally a. 6or in all .1e 2eo2le of

.1e +es.* No6 le. $s ass$0e .1a. .1is 0an 1a/ 0anage/ .o s$s2en/ .1ese for5es fora 0o0en., 0a/e .1e0 5ease .1eir 6or* T1e sa0e .1ing 6o$l/ 1a3e 1a22ene/ .o

1i0 an/ i. /i/ 1a22en in 5er.ain 5ases as .aes 2la5e 61en in .1e 0i//le of 1is

slee2 a 0an s$s2en/s .1e for5es .1a. or/inarily 6or a. 4$il/ing $2 .1e ner3e

s.r$5.$res of .1e 4rain 1e le.s .1e0 r$n loose* I. is 2ossi4le .o e2erien5e 0o0en.s

61en 6e see0 .o 6aen in slee2, an/ ye. /o no. 6aen, for 6e re0ain 0o.ionless,

6e 5anno. 0o3e o$r li04s, 6e 1a3e no e.ernal 2er5e2.ion* B$. 6e are a6ae* In

.1e 0o0en.s of free 2lay of .1ose regenera.ing for5es 6e 5an $se .1e0 for

5lair3oyan. 3ision 6e 5an see in.o .1e s2iri.$al 6orl/s* A si0ilar .1ing 1a22ene/ if

a 0an .6o 1$n/re/ years ago s$s2en/e/ .1e 5ons.r$5.i3e a5.i3i.y on 1is 4rain*

Fro0 .1e fif.een.1 .o .1e nine.een.1 5en.$ry 1e sa6 61a. 6as 6oring in.o 1is 4rain fro0 .1e s2iri.$al 6orl/s, so .1a. fro0 .1e .6en.ie.1 5en.$ry on6ar/ 0en

0ig1. raise .1e0sel3es .o s2iri.$al 3ision*

T1ere 6ere al6ays isola.e/ 2ersons 61o 1a/ s$51 e2erien5es e2erien5es of

.r$ly 5a.as.ro21i5 for5e, in/es5ri4a4ly i02ressi3e* T1ere 6ere al6ays 2eo2le 61o

for 0o0en.s li3e/ in 61a. 6as 6oring in fro0 .1e s$2er


45/87

1a3e a 5y5le of so0e61a. grea.er signifi5an5e .1an .1a. of 6aing an/ slee2ing*

T1ere are, 1o6e3er, e3en 0ig1.ier 5y5les in 1$0an e3ol$.ion* +e 0ay no.e 1o6

self


46/87

2$rely 0e51ani5al la6s in an age 61en Ne6.onis0 /re6 all .1o$g1. $n/er i.s yoe*

+e 0$s. .1in along /ifferen. lines, says +ilson, an/ .1en 2ro5ee/s .o 5ons.r$5.

1is o6n 5on5e2. of .1e s.a.e* No6 1e /oes i. in s$51 a 6ay .1a., af.er all 1e 1as sai/

a4o$. Ne6.onis0, 1e 1i0self allo6s Dar6inis0 .o s2ea .1ro$g1 e3ery 2age of 1is

6ri.ing* In fa5., 1e is nai3e eno$g1 .o a/0i. i.* He says .1e Ne6.onian 5on5e2.s

6ere no. s$ffi5ien., 6e 0$s. a22ly .1e Dar6inian la6s of .1e organis0* Here 6e1a3e a li3ing ins.an5e of .1e 6ay 2eo2le 0ar51 .1ro$g1 .1e 6orl/ .o/ay 6i.1 1alf

.1o$g1.


47/87

0an 4orn in a lo6er 5as.e fel. i. as 1is 1ig1es. en/ea3or so .o or/er 1is life 6i.1in

.1a. 5as.e .1a. 1e 0ig1. raise 1i0self in la.er in5arna.ions in.o 1ig1er ones* I. 6as a

0ig1.y /ri3ing for5e in .1e e3ol$.ion of .1e 1$0an so$l* Men ne6 .1a. 4y

/e3elo2ing .1eir so$l for5es .1ey 6ere 0aing .1e0sel3es fi. .o rise in.o a 1ig1er

5as.e in .1eir ne. life* So .oo .1ey looe/ $2 .o .1eir an5es.ors an/ sa6 in .1e0

61a. is no. 4o$n/ .o .1e 21ysi5al 4o/y* T1ey re3ere/ .1eir an5es.ors, feeling .1a.al.1o$g1 .1ey 1a/ /ie/ .1eir s2iri.$al 2ar. re0aine/, 6oring on s2iri.$ally af.er

/ea.1* T1is an5es.or 6ors1i2 6as a goo/ 2re2ara.ion for .1e 0ig1.y goal of 1$0an

na.$re 4e5a$se in i. .1ey 5o$l/ see 61a. is no6 li3ing alrea/y in $s .1e self<

5ons5io$s so$l, 61i51 is no. 4o$n/ .o .1e 21ysi5al 4o/y an/ 2asses .1ro$g1 .1e

ga.es of /ea.1 in.o .1e s2iri.$al 6orl/s*

#$s. as /$ring fo$r 5en.$ries .1e in/ of e/$5a.ion .1a. for5e/ 0en .o .1in o$.

na.$ral s5ien5e 6as .1e 4es. e/$5a.ion .o6ar/ s2iri.$ali.y, so in .1a. an5ien. .i0e

0anin/ 6as 4es. e/$5a.e/ 4y .1e ins2ira.ion of grea. re3eren5e for .1eir 5as.es

an/ .1eir an5es.ors* Men /e3elo2e/ a s.rong liing for .1e sys.e0 of 5as.es* In .1a.2io$s re3eren5e .1ey 1a/ so0e.1ing .1a. 6ore/ in.o .1eir li3es 6i.1 grea. 2o6er

an/ /ee2ly affe5.e/ .1e0* S2iri.$al 4eings 6ere 6oring in.o i., 2re2aring for .1e

f$.$re 2ossi4ili.y for a 0an .o say 6i.1 e3ery .1o$g1., I .1in, 6i.1 e3ery feeling,

I feel, 6i.1 e3ery i02$lse of 6ill, (I 6ill*

No6 le. $s i0agine .1a. .o6ar/ .1e en/ of .1a. an5ien. e2o51 so0e 0ig1.y

s1o5 or $21ea3al in a 0anJs life 5a$se/ all .1e for5es a5.i3e .1en .o s$//enly 5ease

4in/ing 1i0, s$s2en/ing .1eir a5.ion for a 0o0en.* T1en 1e 6o$l/ e2erien5e

61a. 6e 5an e2erien5e in slee2 61en for a 0o0en. 6e 6i.1/ra6 .1e 5ons.r$5.i3e

for5es an/ 4e5o0e 5lair3oyan.* Or 61a. 0en of .1e eig1.een.1 5en.$ry 5o$l/e2erien5e 4y s$s2en/ing .1e for5es .1en a. 6or on .1eir 4rain s.r$5.$re* If in .1a.

an5ien. .i0e a 0an 6i.1/re6 1is $n/ers.an/ing an/ feeling for .1e fires of sa5rifi5e

an/ re3eren5e for 1is an5es.ors, if 1e e2erien5e/ s$51 a s1o5, 1e 5o$l/ for a

0o0en. $se .1ose for5es .o ga?e in.o .1e s$2er


48/87

T1$s fro0 ano.1er si/e 6e $n/ers.an/ -ris1na as .1e /i3ine ar51i.e5. of 61a.

2re2are/ an/ 4ro$g1. a4o$. self9>&2>&*1.0l

s.1as1*FB-yD&N&*/2$f


S510i/. N$04er@ S


49/87

$n4iase/ 6ay*

S$22ose, for ins.an5e, so0eone says .1a. 1e sees in .1e Bhagavad Gita one of

.1e grea.es. 5rea.ions of .1e 1$0an s2iri., a 5rea.ion .1a. 1as ne3er 4een s$r2asse/

in la.er .i0es* S$22ose f$r.1er, 1a3ing sai/ .1is, 1e a//s, Ne3er.1eless, 61a.en.ere/ .1e 6orl/ 6i.1 .1e re3ela.ion in1eren. in .1e C1ris. I02$lse, is so0e.1ing

al.oge.1er /ifferen., so0e.1ing .o 61i51 .1e Bhagavad Gita 5o$l/ no. a..ain

e3en if i.s 4ea$.y an/ grea.ness 6ere in5rease/ a 1$n/re/ .i0es* T1ese .6o

s.a.e0en.s /o no. 5on.ra/i5. ea51 o.1er* A55or/ing .o .1e 1a4i.s of 0o/ern a4s.ra5.

.1ining, 1o6e3er, 6e 0ay 1a3e a 5on.ra/i5.ion 1ere* e., in no sense is i. in .r$.1 a

5on.ra/i5.ion* In/ee/ one 0ig1. go f$r.1er, an/ as, +1en 6as .1a. 0ig1.ies.

6or/ s2oen .1a. 0ay 4e regar/e/ as gi3ing .1e i02$lse .o .1e 1$0an ego, so .1a.

i. 0ay .ae i.s 2la5e in .1e e3ol$.ion of 0an T1a. signifi5an. 6or/ 6as $..ere/ a.

.1e 0o0en. -ris1na s2oe .o Ar


50/87

-ris1na* +e 0$s. reali?e 1o6 Ar$na 0ee.s .1a. S2iri. 61o 2re2are/ .1e age of

self


51/87

1i0self 4$. a in/ of se.51, a s$2er


52/87

a22roa51 .1is Being* All .1is .i0e 6e are li3ing in /efini.e, fa0iliar feelings* T1en

5o0es a s.ill grea.er 5li0a* +e are .ol/ 1o6 .1e so$l 5an 4e5o0e e3er 0ore free of

.1e o$.er 4o/ily life* +e are le/ on .o .1e i/ea, so fa0iliar .o .1e 0an of In/ia, of

1o6 .1e so$l 5an re.ire in.o i.self, reali?ing ina5.ion in .1e a5.ions .1e 4o/y

e2erien5es* T1e so$l 5an 4e5o0e a 5o02le.e 61ole, in/e2en/en. of o$.er .1ings as

i. gra/$ally a..ains oga an/ 4e5o0es one 6i.1 Bra10a* In .1e s$55ee/ing/is5o$rses 6e see 1o6 o$r 5er.ain.y of feeling .1e feeling .1a. 5an s.ill gain

no$ris10en. fro0 /aily life gra/$ally 3anis1es* T1en as 6e a22roa51 .1e nin.1

/is5o$rse o$r so$l see0s .o rise in.o gi//y 1eig1.s of $nno6n e2erien5e* If no6

in .1ese nin.1 an/ .en.1 /is5o$rses 6e .ry .o 0ae .1e i/eas 4orro6e/ fro0

or/inary life s$ffi5e, 6e fail, As 6e rea51 .1is 2ar. of .1e song 6e feel as if 6e 6ere

s.an/ing on a s$00i. of 0anin/s a..ain0en., 4orn /ire5.ly o$. of .1e o55$l.

/e2.1s of life* If 6e are .o $n/ers.an/ i., 6e 0$s. 4ring .o i. so0e.1ing o$r so$l in

i.s /e3elo20en. 1as firs. .o a..ain 4y i.s o6n effor.*

I. is re0ara4le 1o6 fine an/ $nerring .1e 5o02osi.ion of .1e Bhagavad Gita is in .1is res2e5.* +e 5an ge. as far as .1e fif.1, si.1, or se3en.1 /is5o$rse 4y

/e3elo2ing .1e 5on5e2.s gi3en $s a. .1e 3ery 4eginning, in .1e firs. /is5o$rse* In .1e

se5on/ o$r so$l is a6aene/ .o reali?e .1e 2resen5e of .1e e.ernal in .1e e3er<

51anging flo6 of a22earan5e* T1en follo6s all .1a. 2asses in.o .1e /e2.1s of oga,

fro0 .1e .1ir/ song on6ar/* Af.er .1a. an al.oge.1er ne6 0oo/ 4egins .o a22ear*

+1ereas .1e firs. /is5o$rses s.ill 1a3e an in.elle5.$al $ali.y, re0in/ing $s a. .i0es

of .1e +es.ern 21iloso21i5 0o/e of .1ining, so0e.1ing en.ers no6 .1a. re$ires

oga, .1e /e3o.ional 0oo/, for i.s $n/ers.an/ing* As 6e 5on.in$e 2$rifying 0ore

an/ 0ore .1is 0oo/ of /e3o.ion, o$r so$l rises 1ig1er in re3eren5e* T1e oga of .1e

firs. /is5o$rses no longer 5arries $s* I. 5eases, an/ an al.oge.1er ne6 0oo/ of so$l 4ears $s $2 in.o .1e nin.1 an/ .en.1 /is5o$rses 4e5a$se .1e 6or/s 1ere s2oen are

no 0ore .1an a /ry, e02.y so$n/ e51oing in o$r ear if 6e a22roa51 .1e0

in.elle5.$ally* B$. .1ey ra/ia.e 6ar0.1 .o $s if 6e a22roa51 .1e0 /e3o.ionally* One

61o 6o$l/ $n/ers.an/ .1is s$4li0e 2oe0 0ay s.ar. 6i.1 in.elle5.$al

$n/ers.an/ing an/ so follo6 .1e o2ening /is5o$rses, 4$. as .1e song 2ro5ee/s

.o6ar/ .1e nin.1 a /ee2 /e3o.ional 0oo/ 0$s. 4e a6aene/ in 1i0* T1en .1e

6or/s of .1e 0ig1.y -ris1na 6ill 4e lie 6on/erf$l 0$si5 e51oing an/ re


53/87

i0agina.i3e 2er5e2.ion, 5an 5as. in.o li3ing 2i5.$res 61a. in i.s essen.ial 4eing is

6i.1o$. for0 or lieness* T1is is 61a. 1a22ens a. .1e 4eginning of .1e se5on/ 1alf

of .1e s$4li0e song .1a. is .o say, a4o$. .1e ele3en.1 /is5o$rse* Here, af.er /$e

2re2ara.ion, .1e -ris1na Being .o 61o0 Ar$na 1as 4een le/ s.e2 4y s.e2, is

5on$re/ $2 4efore 1is so$l in I0agina.ions* T1is is 61ere .1e 0aes.y of

/es5ri2.ion in .1is Eas.ern 2oe0 a22ears in i.s f$llness, 61ere -ris1na finally a22ears in a 2i5.$re, in an I0agina.ion*

+e 0ay .r$ly say .1a. e2erien5es s$51 as .1is, 61i51 only .1e inner0os. 2o6er

of .1e 1$0an so$l 5an $n/ergo, 1a3e al0os. no61ere else 4een /es5ri4e/ in s$51 a

6on/erf$l 6ay, so fille/ 6i.1 0eaning* For .1ose 61o are a4le .o reali?e i. .1e

I0agina.ion of -ris1na as Ar$na no6 /es5ri4es i. 6ill al6ays 4e of 0os. 2rofo$n/

signifi5an5e* U2 .o .1e .en.1 /is5o$rse 6e are le/ on 4y -ris1na as 4y an ins2iring

Being* No6 .1e ra/ian. 4liss of Ar$nas o2ene/ 3ision 5o0es 4efore $s* Ar$na

4e5o0es .1e narra.or, an/ /es5ri4es 1is I0agina.ion in 6or/s so 6on/erf$l .1a.

one fears .o re2ro/$5e .1e0*

T1e Go/s /o I 4e1ol/ in all .1y Fra0e, O Go/* Also .1e 1os.s of 5rea.$res

Bra10a .1e Lor/ $2on His lo.$s .1rone .1e Ris1is all .1e Ser2en. of Hea3en* +i.1

0any ar0s an/ 6i.1 0any 4o/ies, 6i.1 0any 0o$.1s an/ 0any eyes I see T1ee, on

e3ery si/e en/less in T1y For0* No en/, no 5en.er, no 4eginning see I in T1ee, O

Lor/ of AllK T1o$, +1o0 I 4e1ol/ in e3ery for0, I see T1ee 6i.1 /ia/e0, 6i.1 5l$4

an/ s6or/, a 0o$n.ain fla0ing fire, s.rea0ing for.1 on e3ery si/e .1$s /o I

4e1ol/ T1ee* Da??le/ is 0y 3ision* As fire s.rea0ing fro0 .1e ra/ian5e of .1e S$n,

i00eas$ra4ly grea. ar. T1o$K Los. 4eyon/ all .1o$g1., $n2eris1ing, grea.es. of all

Goo/, .1$s /os. T1o$ a22ear .o 0e in .1e Hea3ens e2anse* E.ernal D1ar0as51angeless g$ar/ian, T1o$K S2iri. 2ri0e3al an/ E.ernal, T1o$ s.an/es. 4efore 0y

so$l* Nei.1er so$r5e, nor 0i/s., nor en/ in


54/87


55/87

21iloso21ies* If 6e 5an only /i0ly feel .1e /a??ling 1eig1.s .1a. 5an 4e rea51e/

.1ro$g1 oga, 6e s1all 4egin .o lay 1ol/ on .1e 0eaning an/ s2iri. of s$51 a 0ig1.y

I0agina.ion as .1a. of Ar$na 2resen.e/ .o $s 1ere* E3en as an i0age i. is so

s$4li0e an/ for5ef$l .1a. 6e are a4le .o for0 so0e lof.y 5on5e2.ion of .1e 5rea.i3e

s2iri., 61i51 in -ris1na is graf.e/ on.o .1e 6orl/* T1e 1ig1es. i02$lse .1a. 5an

s2ea .o .1e in/i3i/$al 0an s2eas .1ro$g1 -ris1na .o Ar$na* T1e 1ig1es. .o 61i51 .1e in/i3i/$al 0an 5an lif. 1i0self 4y raising .o .1eir f$ll 2i.51 all .1e 2o6ers

.1a. resi/e 6i.1in 1is 4eing .1a. is -ris1na* T1e 1ig1es. .o 61i51 1e 5an soar 4y

.raining 1i0self an/ 6oring on 1i0self 6i.1 6is/o0 .1a. is -ris1na*

+1en 6e .1in of .1e e3ol$.ion of 1$0ani.y all o3er .1e ear.1, an/ .ra5e i.

.1ro$g1 as 6e are a4le .o /o 4y 0eans of 61a. is gi3en, for ea02le, in o$r o55$l.

s5ien5e 61en in .1is sense 6e see .1e ear.1 as .1e 2la5e 61ere 0an 1as firs. 4een

4ro$g1. .o .1e ego .1ro$g1 0any /ifferen. s.ages follo6ing one ano.1er an/

/e3elo2ing fro0 age .o age 61en 6e .1$s follo6 .1e 5o$rse of e3ol$.ion .1ro$g1

.1e e2o51s of .i0e .1en 6e 0ay say .o o$rsel3es .1a. 1ere .1en on ear.1 .1ese so$ls1a3e 4een 2lan.e/ .1e 1ig1es. .1ey 5an a..ain is .o 4e5o0e free souls* Free .1a.

is 61a. 0en 6ill 4e5o0e if .1ey 4ring .o f$ll /e3elo20en. all .1e for5es la.en.

6i.1in .1e0 as in/i3i/$al so$ls* In or/er .o 0ae .1is 2ossi4le -ris1na 6as a5.i3e,

in/ire5.ly an/ al0os. i02er5e2.i4ly a. firs., .1en e3er 0ore /efini.ely, an/ a. las.

$i.e /ire5.ly in .1e 2erio/ 6e 1a3e 4een /es5ri4ing* In all of ear.1ly e3ol$.ion .1ere

is no Being 61o 5o$l/ gi3e the individual human soul so 0$51 as -ris1na*

I say e2ressly .1e in/i3i/$al so$l 4e5a$se an/ I say .1is /eli4era.ely on

ear.1 .1ere eis.s no. only .1e in/i3i/$al 1$0an so$l 4$. also mankind * Consi/er

.1is in 5onne5.ion 6i.1 all I 1a3e .rie/ .o gi3e a4o$. -ris1na, 4e5a$se on ear.1 .1ereare all .1ose 5on5erns .1a. /o no. 4elong .o .1e in/i3i/$al alone* I0agine a 2erson

feeling .1e inner i02$lse .o 2erfe5. 1i0self as far as e3er a 1$0an so$l 5an* S$51

0ig1. 4e* T1en, ea51 2erson se2ara.ely an/ 4y 1i0self 0ig1. go on /e3elo2ing

in/efini.ely* B$. .1ere is 0anin/* For .1is ear.1ly 2lane. .1ere are 0a..ers .1a.

4ring i. in.o 5onne5.ion 6i.1 .1e 61ole $ni3erse* +i.1 .1e -ris1na I02$lse 5o0ing

in.o ea51 in/i3i/$al so$l, le. $s ass$0e e3ery so$l 6o$l/ 1a3e /e3elo2e/ in i.self a

1ig1er i02$lse no. i00e/ia.ely, nor e3en $2 .o .1e 2resen. .i0e, 4$. so0e.i0e in

.1e f$.$re* So .1a. fro0 .1e age of self


56/87

5en.$ries 4efore .1e fo$n/a.ion of C1ris.iani.y*

T1en fro0 .1e o22osi.e si/e so0e.1ing else 5a0e in* T1e -ris1na I02$lse

5o0es in.o 0ans so$l 61en fro0 .1e /e2.1s of 1is o6n inner 4eing 1e 6ors,

5rea.es, an/ /ra6s for.1 1is 2o6ers 0ore an/ 0ore $n.il 1e 0ay rise in.o .1ose

real0s 61ere 1e 0ay rea51 -ris1na* B$. so0e.1ing 5a0e .o6ar/ 1$0ani.y fromoutside, 61i51 0en 5o$l/ ne3er 1a3e rea51e/ .1ro$g1 .1e for5es .1a. li3e/ 6i.1in

.1e0sel3es so0e.1ing 4en/ing /o6n .o ea51 in/i3i/$al one* T1$s .1e so$ls .1a.

6ere se2ara.ing an/ isola.ing .1e0sel3es en5o$n.ere/ .1e sa0e Being 61o 5a0e

/o6n o$. of .1e Cos0i5 Uni3erse in.o .1e age of self2>&*1.0ls.1as1*1V..n8*/2$f


S510i/. N$04er@ S


57/87

On.1 #$ne, >>9

VII

T IS NATURAL, .1o$g1 i. is $s$ally ignore/ 4y s5ien5e, .1a. 0an as 1e is si02ly 5anno.

no6 one 2ar. of 1is 4eing* As 1e loos o$. $2on .1e 6orl/ i. s1o6s i.self, ro$g1ly

e2resse/, as an as5en/ing s5ale fro0 .1e 0ineral ing/o0 .1ro$g1 .1e 2lan. an/

ani0al ing/o0s $2 .o 0an* I. goes 6i.1o$. saying .1a. 0an 0$s. ass$0e

so0e creative force 4e1in/ all .1e for0s 1e 2er5ei3es aro$n/ 1i0 in .1e ing/o0s

of na.$re* T1e 2oin. is, 1o6e3er, .1a. 0an gains no6le/ge of .1e 6orl/ 1e li3es in

$s. 4e5a$se .1e 0ineral, 2lan., an/ ani0al ing/o0s are o$.si/e 1i0 an/ 1e 5an

o4ser3e .1e0* As .o all 0an 1as 6i.1in 1i0self, 1o6e3er, 1e 5an only gain

no6le/ge of .1a. insofar as .1e sa0e for5es are a. 6or in 1i0 as are a5.i3e in .1e

.1ree ing/o0s of na.$re o$.si/e 1i0* T1e for5es a5.i3e 6i.1in 1i0

61i51 transcend .1ose .1ree ing/o0s 1e 5anno. no6 4y .1e $s$al 0e.1o/s of

no6ing na.$re no. in .1e leas.* I. is $s. 61a. 0an 1as 6i.1in 1i0self o3er an/

a4o3e .1e ing/o0s of na.$re .1a. ena4les 1i0 .o 4$il/ $2 sys.e0a.i5ally a

no6le/ge of .1ose ing/o0s o$.si/e 1i0* #$s. as li..le as .1e eye, 61ose 2$r2ose i.

is .o see o$.6ar/ly, 5an see i.self, $s. so li..le 5an 0an gain no6le/ge of 61a. in

1i0self is .1ere in or/er .1a. 1e 0ay a5$ire no6le/ge* T1is is a 3ery si02le i/ea, 4$. so$n/*

I. is i02ossi4le for .1e eye .o see i.self 4e5a$se i. is .1ere .o see o$., an/ i. is

i02ossi4le for .1ose for5es in 0an .1a. are .1ere .o a5$ire o$.er no6le/ge, .o

a5$ire no6le/ge of .1e0sel3es* F$r.1er, i. is .1ese 3ery for5es .1a. re2resen.

61a. i. is in 0an .1a. 0aes 1i0 so0e.1ing 0ore .1an an ani0al* Ma.erialis.i5

Dar6inis0 /is2oses of .1is fa5. easily 4y si02ly lea3ing o$. of a55o$n. .1e fa5. .1a.

.1is s2e5ial 1$0an 2o6er of a5$iring no6le/ge i.self 5anno. 4e no6n 4y 0anJs

$s$al ins.r$0en. for no6le/ge* Re5ogni?ing .1a. .1is 2o6er is $nno6a4le,

s5ien5e /enies i.s eis.en5e an/ a55or/ingly 5onsi/ers 0an only insofar as 1e is s.illani0al* o$ see on 61a. .1e 2e5$liar falla5y, .1e ill$sion of 0a.erialis.i5 Dar6inis0

res.s* Man 5anno. no6 in 1i0self .1ose for5es .1a. are .1e a5.$al 0eans of

no6le/ge* B$. .1e eye can see ano.1er eye, an/ for .1is reason, o.1er .1ings 4eing

e$al, i. 5an 4elie3e in i.self* +i.1 .1e fa5$l.y of no6le/ge .1is is no. .1e 5ase* I.

6o$l/ 4e logically 2ossi4le for a 0an .o 5onfron. ano.1er 0an an/ 2er5ei3e in 1i0

.1e no6ing fa5$l.y .1a. raises 1i0 a4o3e ani0als* Logi5ally, .1a. is* B$. e3en .1a.

I


58/87

is a5.$ally i02ossi4le, for .1e 3ery reasons i02lie/ in 61a. 6e 1a3e /es5ri4e/

2re3io$sly a4o$. .1e effe5.s of .1ining*

+1a. /oes or/inary no6le/ge in3ol3e in .1e e.ernal 6orl/ +e sa6 .1a. i.

in3ol3es a 2er2e.$al /es.r$5.ion of .1e ner3e s.r$5.$res in .1e 4rain* T1is is an

a5.$al e.ernal 2ro5ess* T1e 5rea.i3e for5es on .1e o.1er 1an/ .1ose .1a. really /is.ing$is1 0an fro0 .1e ani0al 5anno. /e3elo2 a. all in o$r 6aing life 61en

6e nor0ally a5$ire no6le/ge* In .1is life .1ey 0$s. 4e1a3e so as no. .o in.erfere

6i.1 .1e 6earing a6ay of .1e ner3e s.r$5.$res* T1erefore in 6aing life .1ese for5es

are a. res.* T1ey slee2*

+e 1a3e re5ogni?e/ a grea. .r$.1 if 6e 5an .1oro$g1ly en.er in.o .1e .1o$g1.

.1a. all .1a. 6o$l/ 1a3e .o 4e no6n .o reali?e .1e f$ll falla5y of 0a.erialis.i5

Dar6inis0, e3en on .1e 21ysi5al 2lane, is a5.$ally aslee2 in o$r 6aing life .1a.

61a. raises 0an a4o3e .1e ani0al is a. res. an/ a /es.r$5.i3e 2ro5ess is .aing

2la5e* T1e 5rea.i3e for5es .1a. 4ring for.1 .1e ani0al organis0 are no. so far2erfe5.e/ as .1ose a. 6or in .1e organis0 of 0an* In o$r 6aing life .1e la..er are

ina5.i3e, an/ .1e 2ro5ess .1a. .aes .1eir 2la5e is 2er2e.$ally /es.roying $s. 61a. in

0an .rans5en/s .1e ani0al* T1ese 3ery 5rea.i3e for5es are /es.roye/ /$ring 6aing

life* T1ey are no. 2resen. a. all, 4$. /$ring slee2 .1ey a22ear an/ 4egin 4$il/ing $2

again 61a. 1as 4een /es.roye/* T1ese 5rea.i3e for5es .1a. raise 0an a4o3e .1e

ani0al 5an really 4e 2er5ei3e/ in a slee2ing 0an* So 6e s1o$l/ 1a3e .o say .1a.

61a.e3er i. is .1a. re2airs in slee2ing 0an .1e for5es 1e s2en/s in 1is 6aing life,

0$s. 4e .1e for5es .1a. raise 1i0 a4o3e .1e ani0als*

T1ese for5es are s.ill $nno6n .o e.ernal na.$ral s5ien5e, 61i51 is only 4eginning .o s$r0ise .1e0* S5ien5e, 1o6e3er, is on .1e 6ay an/ one /ay 6ill re3eal

.1ese for5es 4y 2$rely e.ernal 0e.1o/s* In/ee/, .1ere are alrea/y e5e2.ions .o .1e

s.a.e0en. .1a. .1e for5es lea/ing 0an o$. 4eyon/ .1e ani0al na.$re are or/inarily

$no4ser3a4le in 1i0* +1en s5ien5e on5e learns .o /is.ing$is1 .1ese for5es in 0an i.

6ill /is5o3er in .1e slee2ing 1$0an 4o/y .1e 21ysi5al e3i/en5e of 0anJs

.rans5en/ing .1e ani0al ing/o0* +1en i. /is.ing$is1es .1e regenera.i3e for5es in

0an fro0 61a. is 2resen. in .1e ani0al ing/o0 also, i. 6ill re5ogni?e 1o6 .1e

5rea.i3e for5es a5.i3e in .1e ear.1Js life .o raise 0an 4eyon/ .1e ani0al are a6ae

only 61en 0an slee2s* Fro0 all .1is 6e 5an ga.1er .1a. in self


59/87

re3eale/ e.ernally .o .1e senses in .1eir .r$e for0* I. 6ill 4e 2ossi4le .o in/i5a.e

.1eir eis.en5e 4y /e/$5.ions fro0 s5ien.ifi5 fa5.s* A2ar. fro0 .1eir no. 4eing

2er5e2.i4le in .1eir essen5e .1ere is $i.e ano.1er reason 61y i. 6ill 4e5o0e

2ossi4le .o /is5o3er .1e0 if no. .o 2er5ei3e .1e0* T1ese 1$0an 5rea.i3e for5es 1a3e

a 3ery s2e5ial rela.ion .o all .1e o.1er for5es of na.$re* +e are 1ere a22roa51ing a

/iffi5$l. s$4e5., 4$. i. 0ay 4e 2ossi4le .o 0ae i. 5lear in .1e follo6ing 6ay*

Le. $s i0agine 6e 1a3e 1ere .1e re5ei3er of an air


60/87

a. 6or in .1e0*

I 0en.ion all .1is .o s1o6 61a. /iffi5$l.ies e.ernal s5ien5e 1as an/ 0$s. 1a3e in

ge..ing .o no6 .1e .r$.1* I. 6ill /ra6 5er.ain 5on5l$sions an/ .1$s 5o0e near .1e

.r$.1* For so0e 2ersons .1is 6ill no. 4e ne5essary, 4e5a$se s5ien5e 6ill gra/$ally 4e

s$22le0en.e/ 4y 5lair3oyan. 2er5e2.ion .1a. /oes e2erien5e .1e /ifferen5e 4e.6een .1ese for5es an/ .1ose a5.i3e o$. in .1e .1ree ing/o0s of na.$re* A.

2resen. I 5anno. /eal f$lly 6i.1 .1e s$2erfi5ial o4e5.ion .1a. ani0als also slee2*

S$51 o4e5.ions 1a3e li..le logi5al 3al$e 4$. 2eo2le /o no. no.i5e i., nor .1eir

s$2erfi5iali.y, for .1ey $/ge a55or/ing .o 5on5e2.s ins.ea/ of .1e real na.$re of

.1ings* By in.ro/$5ing ani0al slee2 in.o .1e arg$0en. one 6o$l/ s2ea .1e sa0e

falla5y as if so0eone 6ere .o say, I s1ar2en 0y 2en5il 6i.1 a nife an/ I also s1a3e

6i.1 a nife, an/ ano.1er 2erson re2lie/, T1a. is i02ossi4le, ni3es are .1ere .o

5$. 0ea.* )eo2le are al6ays 0aing .1a. in/ of $/g0en.* T1ey .1in .1a. a gi3en

.1ing 0$s. 1a3e .1e sa0e f$n5.ion in /ifferen. real0s of na.$re* Slee2 is an

al.oge.1er /ifferen. f$n5.ion in 0an fro0 61a. i. is in .1e ani0als*

I 6an.e/ .o 5all yo$r a..en.ion .o for5es a. 6or in 0anJs na.$re .1a. 6e fin/ a.

firs. in .1e regenera.ion of 1is organis0 as 1e slee2s* No6 .1ese for5es are 5losely

rela.e/ .o o.1er for5es, .1ose .1a. also /e3elo2 in 0an 6i.1 a 5er.ain

$n5ons5io$sness* I 0ean .1e for5es 1a3ing .o /o 6i.1 .1e 2ro2aga.ion of .1e ra5e*

+e no6 .1a. $2 .o a 5er.ain age 0anJs 5ons5io$sness is fille/ 6i.1 a 2$re an/

s.raig1.for6ar/ $n5ons5io$sness of .1ese for5es .1e inno5en5e of 51il/1oo/* T1en

a. a 5er.ain age .1is 5ons5io$sness a6aens* Fro0 .1a. .i0e on6ar/ .1e 1$0an

organis0 is 2er0ea.e/ 4y an a6areness of .1e for5es af.er6ar/ no6n as sens$al

se


61/87

na.$re, .1ey are so 6on/erf$l 4e5a$se .1ey really 4rea.1e .1e 2$re 4rea.1 of Go/ so

long as .1ey 6or in $n5ons5io$s inno5en5e* +e 0$s. feel .1ese .1ings an/ 4e

sensi.i3e .o .1e0, .1en 6e s1all 2er5ei3e 1o6 6on/erf$lly 1$0an na.$re is

5o02ose/* T1e genera.i3e for5es, slee2ing /$ring .1e 0os. .en/er age of 51il/1oo/,

6aen aro$n/ .1e .i0e of 2$4er.y, an/ fro0 .1en on are s.ill a5.i3e in inno5en5e

61en a. nig1. 0an sins 4a5 in.o slee2*

T1$s 0anJs na.$re falls in.o .6o 2ar.s* In e3ery 1$0an 4eing .6o 2ersons

5onfron. $s .1e one .1a. 6e are fro0 .1e .i0e 6e 6aen $n.il 6e go .o slee2, .1e

o.1er, fro0 going .o slee2 .o 6aing again* In o$r 6aing s.a.e 6e are 5on.in$ally a.

2ains .o 6ear an/ 6orry o$r na.$re /o6n .o .1e ani0al le3el 6i.1 all .1a. is no.

2$re no6le/ge, 2$re s2iri.$al a5.i3i.y* +1a. raises $s a4o3e 1$0ani.y 1ol/s s6ay

lie a 2$re, s$4li0e for5e 6i.1in .1e genera.i3e 2o6ers as .1ey 6ere /$ring

inno5en. 51il/1oo/, an/ .1en in slee2 i. is a6aene/ in .1e regenera.ion of 61a. is

6orn a6ay in 6aing life* So 6e 1a3e in o$rsel3es one 2erson 61o is rela.e/ .o .1e

5rea.i3e for5es in 0an, an/ ano.1er 61o /es.roys .1e0*

T1e /ee2ly signifi5an. .1ing in .1e /o$4le na.$re of 0an is, .1a. 4e1in/ all .1a.

.1e senses 2er5ei3e 6e 1a3e .o s$r0ise ano.1er 0an, one in 61o0 .1e 5rea.i3e

for5es /6ell* T1is se5on/ 0an is really ne3er .1ere in a 2$re, $n0ie/ for0 no.

/$ring 6aing life nor e3en in slee2 4e5a$se in slee2 .1e 21ysi5al an/ e.1eri5 4o/ies

s.ill re0ain 2er0ea.e/ 4y .1e af.er


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I. 6as as .1o$g1 .1is sis.er


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1$0an 4o/y 4$. is ne3er.1eless a 1$0an so$l, 1a3ing 4een one in .1e an5ien.

Le0$rian age* T1is is .1e sa0e .1a. re3eale/ i.self as -ris1na*

T1$s 6e 1a3e all .1a. .1e -ris1na i02$lse signifies in5arna.e/ in .1e 4o/y of .1e

L$e #es$s 51il/* +1a. 6as .1ere e04o/ie/ is rela.e/ .o .1e for5es .1a. are aslee2

in e3ery 51il/ in .1eir s$4li0e 2$ri.y an/ inno5en5e, $n.il .1ey a6aen as .1e se<for5es* In .1is 51il/ .1ey 5an 0anifes. .1e0sel3es an/ 4e a5.i3e $n.il .1e age of

2$4er.y 61en 0an or/inarily 4e5o0es se$ally 0a.$re* B$. .1e body of .1is 51il/

.1a. 1a/ 4een .aen fro0 5o00on 1$0ani.y 6o$l/ no longer 1a3e 4een a/a2.e/ .o

.1e for5es rela.e/ .o .1e inno5en. se


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a6ay fro0 .1e s$4li0e 0aes.y of .1e C1ris.


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.1e0 no. as in .1e 2as. 6i.1 reason an/ in.elle5. alone, 4$. 6i.1 all .1e fa5$l.ies of

o$r so$l* T1en 6e s1all o$rsel3es 4e5o0e 2ar.aers in .1e 61ole of 1$0an

e3ol$.ion* I. 6ill 4e for $s lie a fo$n.ain of s$4li0e, all9>(2>&*1.0l

s.1as1*I-(l0n8*/2$f


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5anno. 4e $n/ers.oo/ as /ire5.ly 4y .1e 2eo2le of .1e +es. as, say, .1e *alevala 4y

.1e Finnis1 2eo2le, or .1e Ho0eri5 2oe0s 4y .1e Grees* If 6e 6o$l/ en.er in.o .1e

0a..er f$r.1er 6e 0$s. on5e 0ore 4ring .oge.1er /ifferen. 0a.erials .1a. 5an s1o6

$s .1e 6ay .o en.er in.o .1e s2iri. of .1is 6on/erf$l 2oe0*

Here I 6o$l/ a4o3e all /ra6 a..en.ion .o one .1ing* T1e s$00i.s of s2iri.$al life1a3e a. all .i0es 4een 5on5eale/ fro0 .1e 6i/e 2lain of 1$0an in.elligen5e* So i.

1as re0aine/, in a 5er.ain sense, rig1. $2 .o o$r 2resen. age* I. is .r$e .1a. one of

.1e 51ara5.eris.i5s of o$r age, 61i51 is only no6 /a6ning an/ 61i51 6e 1a3e

so0e61a. /es5ri4e/, 6ill 4e .1a. 5er.ain .1ings 1i.1er.o e2. se5re. an/ really

no6n .o 4$. 3ery fe6 6ill 4e s2rea/ a4roa/ in.o large 5ir5les* T1a. is .1e reason

61y yo$ are 2resen. 1ere, 4e5a$se o$r 0o3e0en. is .1e 4eginning of .1is s2rea/ing

a4roa/ of fa5.s .1a. $n.il no6 1a3e re0aine/ se5re. fro0 .1e 0asses* )er1a2s so0e

s$45ons5io$s reason .1a. 4ro$g1. yo$ .o .1e an.1ro2oso21i5al 3ie6 of .1e 6orl/

an/ in.o .1is s2iri.$al 0o3e0en. 5a0e 2re5isely fro0 .1e feeling .1a. 5er.ain

se5re.s 0$s. .o/ay 4e 2o$re/ o$. in.o all 2eo2le* Un.il o$r .i0e, 1o6e3er, .1esefa5.s re0aine/ se5re. no. 4e5a$se .1ey 6ere /eli4era.ely e2. so, 4$. 4e5a$se i. lay

in .1e na.$ral 5o$rse of 0anJs /e3elo20en. .1a. .1ey 1a/ .o re0ain se5re.* I. is sai/

.1a. .1e se5re.s of .1e ol/ Mys.eries 6ere 2ro.e5.e/ fro0 .1e 2rofane 4y 5er.ain

/efini.e, s.ri5.ly o4ser3e/ r$les* Far 0ore .1an 4y r$le, .1ese se5re.s 6ere 2ro.e5.e/

4y a f$n/a0en.al 51ara5.eris.i5 of 0anin/ in ol/en .i0es, na0ely, .1a. .1ey

si02ly 5o$l/ no. 1a3e $n/ers.oo/ .1ese se5re.s* T1is fa5. 6as a 0$51 0ore

2o6erf$l 2ro.e5.ion .1an any e.ernal r$le 5o$l/ 4e*

T1is 1as 4een, for 5er.ain fa5.s, es2e5ially .1e 5ase /$ring .1e 0a.erialis.i5 age*

+1a. I a0 a4o$. .o say is e.re0e 1eresy fro0 .1e 2oin. of 3ie6 of o$r .i0e* Forea02le, .1ere is no.1ing 4e..er 2ro.e5.e/ in .1e regions of Cen.ral E$ro2e .1an

Fi51.eJs 21iloso21y* No. .1a. i. is e2. se5re., for 1is .ea51ings are 2rin.e/ an/ are

rea/* B$. .1ey are no. $n/ers.oo/* T1ey re0ain se5re.s* In .1is 6ay 0$51 .1a. 6ill

1a3e .o en.er .1e general /e3elo20en. of 0anin/ 6ill re0ain o55$l. no6le/ge

.1o$g1 i. is 2$4lis1e/ an/ re3eale/ in .1e lig1. of /ay*

No. only in .1is sense 4$. in a ra.1er /ifferen. one .oo, .1ere is a 2e5$liari.y of

1$0an e3ol$.ion .1a. is i02or.an. 5on5erning .1ose i/eas 6e 0$s. 1a3e in or/er .o

$n/ers.an/ .1e Bhagavad Gita* E3ery.1ing 6e 0ay 5all .1e 0oo/, .1e 0o/e of

feeling, .1e 0en.al 1a4i. of an5ien. In/ia fro0 61i51 .1e Gita s2rang, 6as also in

i.s f$ll s2iri.$ali.y a55essi4le .o .1e $n/ers.an/ing of only a fe6* +1a. one age 1as

2ro/$5e/ 4y .1e a5.i3i.y of a fe6, re0ains se5re. in regar/ .o i.s real /e2.1, e3en

af.er6ar/ 61en i. 2asses o3er an/ 4e5o0es .1e 2ro2er.y of a 61ole 2eo2le* Again,

.1is is a 2e5$liar .rai. in .1e e3ol$.ion of 0an, 61i51 is f$ll of 6is/o0 .1o$g1 i. 0ay

a. firs. see0 2ara/oi5al* E3en for .1e 5on.e02oraries of .1e Bhagavad Gita an/

for .1eir follo6ers, for .1e 61ole ra5e .o 61i51 .1is s$00i. of s2iri.$al a51ie3e0en.

4elongs, an/ for i.s 2os.eri.y, i.s .ea51ing re0aine/ a se5re.* T1e 2eo2le 61o 5a0e

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la.er /i/ no. no6 .1e real /e2.1 of .1is s2iri.$al 5$rren.* I. is .r$e .1a. in .1e

5en.$ries follo6ing .1ere gre6 $2 a 5er.ain religio$s 4elief in i.s .ea51ings,

5o04ine/ 6i.1 grea. fer3or of feeling, 4$. 6i.1 .1is .1ere 6as no /ee2ening of

2er5e2.ion* Nei.1er .1e 5on.e02oraries nor .1ose 61o follo6e/ /e3elo2e/ a really

2ene.ra.ing $n/ers.an/ing of .1is 2oe0* In .1e .i0e 4e.6een .1en an/ no6 .1ere

6ere only a fe6 61o really $n/ers.oo/ i.*

T1$s i. 5o0es a4o$. .1a. in .1e $/g0en. of 2os.eri.y 61a. 6as on5e 2resen. as

a s.rong an/ s2e5ial s2iri.$al 0o3e0en. is grea.ly /is.or.e/ an/ falsifie/* As a r$le

6e 5anno. fin/ .1e 6ay .o 5o0e near .o an $n/ers.an/ing of so0e reali.y 4y

s.$/ying .1e $/g0en.s of .1e /es5en/an.s of .1e ra5e .1a. 2ro/$5e/ i.* So, in .1e

/ee2 sen.i0en.s an/ feelings of .1e 2eo2le of In/ia .o/ay 6e 6ill no. fin/ real

$n/ers.an/ing for .1e s2iri.$al .en/en5y .1a. in .1e /ee2es. sense 2er0ea.es

.1e Bhagavad Gita* +e 6ill fin/ en.1$sias0, s.rong feeling an/ fer3en. 4elief in

a4$n/an5e, 4$. no. a /ee2 2er5e2.ion of i.s 0eaning* T1is is es2e5ially .r$e of .1e

age $s. 2asse/, fro0 .1e fo$r.een.1 an/ fif.een.1 .o .1e nine.een.1 5en.$ry* As a0a..er of fa5., i. is 0os. es2e5ially .r$e for .1e 2eo2le 61o 5onfess .1a. religion*

T1ere is one ane5/o.e .1a. lie 0any o.1ers re3eals a /ee2 .r$.1 1o6 a grea.

E$ro2ean .1iner sai/ on 1is /ea.14e/, Only one 2erson $n/ers.oo/ 0e, an/ 1e

0is$n/ers.oo/ 0e*

I. 5an also 4e sai/ of .1is age .1a. 1as $s. r$n i.s 5o$rse, .1a. i. 5on.aine/ so0e

s2iri.$al s$4s.an5e .1a. re2resen.s a grea. 1eig1. of a51ie3e0en. 4$. in .1e 6i/es.

5ir5les 1as re0aine/ $nno6n as .o i.s real na.$re, e3en .o i.s 5on.e02oraries*

Here is so0e.1ing .o 61i51 I 6o$l/ lie .o /ra6 yo$r a..en.ion* +i.1o$. /o$4.,

a0ong .1e 2resen. 2eo2le of .1e Eas., an/ of In/ia, so0e e5e2.ionally 5le3er2eo2le 5an 4e fo$n/* By .1e 61ole 5onfig$ra.ion of .1eir 0in/ an/ so$l, 1o6e3er,

.1ey are alrea/y far fro0 $n/ers.an/ing .1ose feelings 2o$re/ o$. in

.1e Bhagavad Gita* Consi/er 1o6 .1ese 2eo2le re5ei3e fro0 +es.ern 5i3ili?a.ion

a 6ay of .1o$g1. .1a. /oes no. rea51 .o .1e /e2.1s 4$. is 0erely s$2erfi5ial

$n/ers.an/ing* T1is 1as a .6ofol/ res$l.* For one, i. is easy for .1e Eas.ern 2eo2les,

2ar.i5$larly for .1e /es5en/an.s of .1e Bhagavad Gita 2eo2le, .o /e3elo2

so0e.1ing .1a. 0ay easily 0ae .1e0 feel 1o6 far 4e1in/ a s$2erfi5ial +es.ern

5$l.$re is in rela.ion .o 61a. 1as alrea/y 4een gi3en 4y .1eir grea. 2oe0* In effe5.

.1ey s.ill 1a3e more 6ays of a22roa51 .o .1e 0eaning of .1a. 2oe0 .1an .o .1e

/ee2er 5on.en.s of +es.ern s2iri.$al an/ in.elle5.$al life* T1en .1ere are o.1ers in

In/ia 61o 6o$l/ gla/ly 4e rea/y .o re5ei3e s$51 s2iri.$al s$4s.an5e as is 5on.aine/,

le. $s say, in .1e 6ors of Solo3ieff, Hegel an/ Fi51.e, .o 0en.ion a fe6 of 0any

s2iri.$ali?e/ .1iners* Many In/ian .1iners 6o$l/ lie .o 0ae .1ese i/eas .1eir

o6n*

I on5e e2erien5e/ so0e.1ing of .1is in/* A. .1e 4eginning of o$r fo$n/ing of

.1e Ger0an Se5.ion in o$r

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Steiner GITA