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Philosophy,Mysticism,andTheOccult

Acriticismofthemystic

1Humanityneedsyoga,yes,butitmustbeayogathatisworkableundertwentiethcenturyconditions.Itneedsmysticalideals,certainly,buttheymustberealizableinLondonandNewYork,notonlyinShangrila.Itneedsprofoundlytokindlethesparkofmysticalexperiencewithindullmechanizedlives,butitdoesnotneedtokindlethehistoricalerrorsandtraditionalexcessesofsuchexperience.Thereisneedformysticalpracticestospreadbutthereisnoneedformysticalabsurditiestospreadwiththem.Wepersonallydonotwantthisrestorationoftheartofmentalquiettobeaccompaniedbyarestorationoftheartofoutofdateviews,blindsuperstitions,impracticableorunnecessarilyharshrules,andunethicalexploitations.Hencenobodyshouldbesofoolishastomisunderstandthisefforttopurifyyogaasbeinganefforttodenounceyogaaltogether.Thatwouldbeaprofounderror.

MuchofwhatIhavewrittenwillsoundlikeheresytotheunreflectiveamongthemysticallyminded.ButtheyhavetheirguidesandIdonotwriteforthem.Moreintelligentmysticsoughtnottotakeexceptiontowhathasherebeenwrittenbutoughttoprobefearlesslyintothetruesignificanceoftheirownexperiences.Letitnotbesaidthattheycannotbearthetruth.Inencouragingthemtoindependentorevenhereticalthinking,andinpointingouttheperilsoftravellingdownamentalblindalley,Iseektoserveandnottoharmthemysticallyminded.ThediscerningreaderwillseethatIhaveallalongtriedtoexplainmysticism.TheprejudicedreadermayhoweverseeerroneouslythatIhavetriedtoexposeit.IfIhavechallengedandcriticizedthevalidityofcertainassumptionscommoninhalfbakedyogiccircles,ifIhaveimpartiallyshowedupsomeoftheinsufficienciesofyogaandmysticismaswellascorrectedtheircommonererrors,ifIhavecriticizedwrongmysticalattitudes,allthishasbeendoneonlytosaverightmysticalideasfrombeingpervertedorlost.IknowfrompersonalexperiencejustasmuchasmostWesternmysticsandEasternyogisthevaluableandattractivebenefitsresultingfromthispractice.Itisthisappreciationwhichhashelpedtosupportmeinundertakingtheunpleasanttaskofpurifyingthetheoriesaboutit.Theweedingoutoferrorsfromsuchtheoriesisabetterservicetoyogathantheirsuperstitioussupport.Afterall,itisnotthemanwhoflattersuswhenwearemakingmistakesbutthemanwhoiscourageouslyoutspokenandtellsusthebitterbutwholesometruthwhoisarealfriend.If,therefore,thesecriticalstudieshavehelpedafewmysticstothinkclearlyabouttheirmysticism,andtothinkofitintermsofthelargerbackgroundoflifeitself,thentheyhaverenderedthemaservice.Iftheyhaveinfluencedsomereaderstothinkandrethinktheirmysticalbeliefs,Ihaverenderedthemaservice,whethertheyareawareofitornot.Iftheyhavepersuadedotherreaderseventoconsiderthatthephilosophicalapproachtotheirownexperienceswillfulfilandnotdenytheirdeepestaspiration,thenIhaverenderedthemaservice.

2Idonotcriticizesuchmenandsuchpracticesforanyotherreasonthantheprotectionofearnestseekers,andImaynotdesistfromdoingsobecausetheirpathisbesetwithpsychologicaldangers,fantasticexperiences,worldlyharm,andgrotesquebeliefs.An

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unhealthyinnerlifeisoftentheconsequence,onefilledwithstrangephantasmagoria.Fromallthistheymaybesavedbywiseguidance,justastheymaybeplungedintoitbythepseudoguidancewhichtheyusuallyfind.SofarasIamawareandIhavetravelledthewideworldalltheavailableguidancewhichsuchseekersarelikelytoobtainwillleadthemtoeverythingelseexcepttheonethingthatreallymatters,namely,fulfillingtherealpurposeofourhumanexistencehereonearth,andnotanillusoryone.Wheresuchguidanceishonest,sincere,andunselfishwhichisrareindeeditislikelytobeimperfect,inadequate,andincomplete.Inthewrittenstatementsoftheseblindleadersoftheblind,asintheirutteredravings,thesagecanquicklydiscernbysuchsignsastheterminologyandsyntaxusedhowunregulatedandhowunbalancedistheircourseofthoughtandexperience.Isetmyselfseriouslytoponderthequestion:"Howcantheseearnestseekersavoidtheabundantdangersandsatanicdeceptionstowhichtheyareexposed?"Hencemypublishedandprivatewarnings.

3ItismostimportantthatImakeitclearthatIdonotteachtheerrorthatallmysticexperienceismerelyprivateopinion,judgement,orprejudice,solelypersonalimagination,belief,orwishfulfilment,butratherthatIholdittobeaprivateinterpretationofageneralexperience,apersonalresponsetoauniversalevent.Onthefirstanderroneousview,mysticismwouldmerelytellussomethingaboutthefeelingsandideasofthepersonhavingtheexperience.Onthesecondview,ittellsusallthis,undoubtedly,butitalsotellsusmuchaboutsomethingwhichisitselfquiteindependentoftheindividual'sfeelingsaboutmysticalrealityandthedivinesoulinhumanity.Whereasthefirstviewdeniesanytruthtomysticalexperience,thesecondonevindicates,evenifitqualifies,it.Thedifferencebetweenthetwoviewsismostimportant.Mysticalexperienceemphaticallyreferstosomethingoverandabovetheprojectionofman'swishesorthedrapingofman'sopinions.Whateverinterpretationheplacesuponhisexperienceorwhateverimaginationheprojectsuponit,thepossibilityofsuchexperienceisundeniable.

4MysticismisaStepNotaGoal

Pointoutthatitistheseekingofexperiencesexclusively,makingthemcentral,thatIcriticizeandnotthevalueoftheexperienceitself.Experienceisnecessaryandimportant.Buttheyoung,devaluingtheothercomponentsofthequest,aregoingtoextremesinseekingexperiencesalone.Forthen,intheendanymeanswilldo,sodrugsandsex.Thesearemanifestationsoftheimpatientdesireforquickresults,resultsatanycost,resultsheremeaninggettingexperiences,whichhasbecomesuchamaniatoday.Thisimpatienceaffectsevenfoods,whereinstantprocessingrobsthemofnourishmentandruinstheirflavour.

Whirling,aspractisedsoartisticallybytheMevlevidervishesisanotherwayoflosingtheeverydayconsciousnessandgainingthemysticexperience.Itiscomparabletothemoreelementaryformsofyogalikemantrammuttering.Butitsvalueisaslimitedasthelatter's.Itgivesnowisdom.

Balancerequiresalltheotherquestcomponentsexperienceisthenputinitsproperplaceastheirassociate.Itthenbecomeshealthy,beingkeptinequilibriumbythem.Otherwisethereisnodiscriminationbetweengoodexperiencesandevilones,noprotectionagainstthemisleading,thedangerous,ortheinsane.Cultsappearinginthelastthirtysixyearshaveemphasizedexperienceandwerebemusedbytherapturesofdrugsandsex.GeraldHeardstartedTrabujoMonastery,whichcollapsed.D.GoddardtriedtostartthefirstBuddhistmonasteryinVermontandfailed.HisfriendandneardiscipleAldousHuxleywroteonmescalineallwereseekingexperience.

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Innonmysticcirclesamongtheyouthandyoungeradults,thesameoverconcentrationonexperienceoccurred.Inthiscaseexperienceofsexledtoanexplosionofhavingsexcontinuouslyandpromiscuously.Ifbarewallsandamonasticcellappealtohimhemayfindpeacethere.Ifcelibatesingleexistenceappealswithoutexperienceintheworld,theretoohemayfindit.

5"WhydoyoucontradictyourselfbyadvocatingmeditationinyourearlierbooksandthencriticizingitinTheHiddenTeachingBeyondYoga?"OneanswertothisquestionwhichIamsometimesaskedisthatthereissomemisunderstandinghere.Itisnotmeditationbuttheabuseandmisuseofitthatwascriticized.Itisanecessarypartofthephilosophicquest,butthisdoesnotmeanthatthelawswhichgovernitcanberecklesslyignoredbythosewhothinktheirenthusiasmforitasufficientequipmentforit.Thelawoflifeisrhythm.

6Hemayangrilydissentfromthetruthofmyconclusionsbuthecanhardlycontesttheirvalue.FortheyarenotformedfromanoutsideviewofboththeOrientandmysticismbutfromaninsideone.

7Thesecategoricalstatementsshouldputanendtoalldoubtsaboutmypresentposition.Nothingwouldpleasemebetterthantolivetowitnessaworldwiderevivalinthepracticeofmeditation.

8IstudythevarioussearchesforGodinthedifferentreligions,thevarioustechniquesofcontemplationintheOrientalandEuropeanmysticalsystems,andthevariousideasofmetaphysicsintheancientandmodernphilosophies.Itisinevitable,therefore,thatinthepupilageinComparativeSpiritualCultureIshouldinvestigatecontemporarygurusandtheirmethodswhichcanbeproperlydoneonlybyputtingmyselfontheirlevel.Butthisquitetemporaryandquitebriefactivitydoesnotinanywaymakemeafollower,disciple,orbeliever.Toputsuchalabelonmewouldbeabsolutelyincorrect.Yetinthepastthisiswhatunscrupulousgurus,ortheirassistants,haveactuallydone.Itisveryregretfultonotearepetitionofthepractice.

9Iamnotpreparedtocontinueasanagent,althoughhithertoanunwittingone,fortheirexploitationofaspiringgullibility.

10Insteadofabandoninganddecryingthebeatificexperienceofyoga,whichwasmylifelongstudyandwhichisstillmydailypractice,Ihaveactuallyputitonafirmerbecausemorephilosophicalpedestalthanbefore.Only,Ihaveenlargedthecommonconceptionofthisantiqueart,placingitinproperperspectiveasbeingastepforwardbeyondbothmaterialismandreligionbutnotbeing,asordinarilyknown,thefinalphaseofmankind'sjourney.Asidefromthisrevisionofgradeandtheconsequentrevaluationsarisingtherefrom,extremelyimportantthoughtheybeinthemselves,Ihavenothingimportanttoretractfrompreviousstatementsonthesubjectbutonlytosupplementtheminthelightofaforwardadvance.

11Nobodywhohashadsufficientexperienceoftheworldcandenythatthisisastudywhichisinfestedfromfringetocorewithcranks,quacks,andcharlatans.Thankstothemthewholestudyhasbeenbroughtintodisreputeamongwelleducatedpeople.Myefforttopresentitinathoroughlyscientificandphilosophicmanner,tofreeitfromall

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superstitiousnonsenseandperniciouspractices,tobaseitonreasonratherthanonbeliefisinitsownbestinterestsandIclaimtoservemysticismmorefaithfullybysucheffortthandothosewhoblindly,stubbornly,andfoolishlyallowittorotandperish.

12ItisbecauseIhavetoolargeaconceptionofyogaandnotassomethink,toosmallaone,thatIhavewritteninthiscriticalstrain.

13Ithasbeenhardtospeakmywholemindonsuchunpleasantmatters.IfIhavemadelargereservationsandsaynomoredespitetheirimportanceitisonlyfromconsiderationoftheirunpleasantness.Buttolookawayandrefusealtogethertoseetheseunpleasantfeaturesofmysticism,topretendthatithasnosuchdefectsatall,isasillymuddleheadedprocedure.Itiswisertolearnallaboutthemandfromthem.

Theextremesofmysticism

14Whenmysticismbecomesabreedinggroundforridiculousillusions,thetimehasarrivedtoprotectitagainstthemwhenitletsthemysticbecomeanindifferentspectatorofmankind'ssufferings,thetimehasarrivedtomodifyit.

15Thelackofaccuratefirsthandknowledgehasbroughtaboutasorrypictureofthesubject.Charlatans,sceptics,pseudomystics,andimaginativedreamershavetogetherunconsciouslyconspiredtopresentmysticismalternatelyasprimitivesuperstition,occulthumbug,glorifiedconjuring,andsuperreligion.Suchisthefruitofthehazyunderstandingaboutitwhichistobefoundinmostcirclestoday.Realmysticismisnoneofthesethings.

16Thegreatestdangerstotheaspirantcomefromthevotariesofamaterialismwhichdeceivesitselfintobelievingthatitismysticismwhenitismerelymaterialismvarnishedwithmysticalpaint.

17Themysticofthepastwastoooftenaphilistine,anticulturalandantiintellectual.Notcontentwithhisbiasforasceticismonthephysicallevel,hecarriedittothementallevelalso.

18Suchamanmayseemtooutsiderstobenothingmorethanadreamingloafer.Andindeedhemightbe,formanytakethenameofmysticwhodonotknowwhattruemysticismis.

19Itisagreatpitythatsuchanexcellentdisciplineshouldhavefallen,duringthecourseofages,intodisreputethroughhavingfallenintothehandsofthosewhodespisedcivilized,selfrespectingsocietyandpreferredprimitive,halfanimalexistence,whorejectedtheearningofanhonestlivelihoodinfavourofundignifiedbegging,whoexiledthefacultyofintellectinfavourofunthinkingadherencetoabsurdsuperstitions,whodidviolencetonaturalfunctionsofthebodybyatrociousascetismandtradedonthegullibilityofthemassesbypretendingtomarvellouspowers.

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20Thepuritanicalviewoflifehasbeenmixeduptoooftenwiththereligiousview.Thephilosopherisnotconcernedwiththat.Butithasequallybeenmixedupwiththemysticalview.Hereheisconcerned,enoughtodeclarethattheydonotnecessarilygotogether.

21Thelackofasenseofhumourincertainmysticshasexposedthemtothechargeofbeingsuperstitiousandcredulous.Ithascausedthewritingsofothermysticstobelaughedat,theirideastoberidiculed.Thelackofaesthetictasteinstillothermysticshascausedthemtoofferfanaticaloppositiontothedecorationofroomswithpictures,ortotheplayingofmusicalinstruments.

22Hissuperiordevelopmentasamysticdoesnottherebyendowhimwithsuperiordevelopmentasamanorbestowonhimalargercapacitytomakerightdecisionsthanthatofothermen.

23ThehistoryofmodernmysticismhasindeedbecomeahistoryofgradualdeclensionfromthefinedisinterestednessofteacherslikeEmersonandfromthefirmtruthsofmysticslikeEckhart.IspeakhereonlyoftheWest,oftheEuropeandAmericawhoseevidencesaremostreadilyavailabletoreadersbutIknowfromstudyandexperiencehowtruethisisalsooftheOrient.

24Theconventionalethicalcodeswhichregulatehumanrelationsaretranscendedonlyinthesensethatanevenhigher,moreausterecodeisnowimposeduponhimfromwithin.ThosewouldbemysticalsectswhichhistoryhasrecordednotinfrequentlyonesthatclaimawidermoralfreedomthanothersbecausetheyclaimtobenearerGod,andthenproceedtoactionswhichbespeakthegratificationofunloosedbaserdesiresdeceivethemselves,betraymysticism,andleadothersastray.

25Pseudomysticismtemptstheegointhemindorthebeastinthefleshwithitsdoctrineofman'sdivinityrequiringnocontrol,nodiscipline,andnoobediencetoasceticrules.

26Thepathsofmysticismarewaylaidwithdestructionforweakminds.Thelightistoostrongfortheireyesandtheyemergewithegoismstrengthenedunderthecloudofspirituality.

27InanexhibitionofoldhistoricalpaintingsonceseeninAmsterdam,therehungononewallaportraitofSabattaiZevi,thewilddreamer,selfappointedMessiah,andfantasticleaderofacultwhosecareeralongwithhisownwasabruptlyendedbydisillusionmentanddisaster.OntheoppositewalltherehungaportraitofBaruchSpinoza,philosopherandethicist,whosecareerbroughtthefruitsofwisdomtohumanity.Theretheywere,thesetwoportraitsfacingeachothertheoneatypeillustratingthedefectsofanunbalancedandunphilosophickindofmysticismtheotheratypeofspiritualintuitionandrationalintellectactiveinman,yetbalancingeachotherandbenefitingeachother.

28Sincemenareliabletoerr,andsinceeventhebestofmysticsarestillmen,wemustnotbetooawedbytheirattainmentstobelievethattheycouldnotmakesuchseriousmistakes.

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29Inordinaryreligionandunphilosophicmysticismeveryoneisatlibertytobuilduphisownheavenandhell,tocreatehisownpictureofGod,andtoinventhisownmethodofreachingGod,ashewishes.Whocandisprovehisstatements?Suchdisproofisutterlyimpossible.Wemaydisbelievethembutwecannotdisprovethem,fortheydealwithfactorsbeyondourexperienceandhencebeyonduniversalverification.

30Whyaresomanymysticsmediocritiesintheircareersandmisfitsinlifegenerally?Whyissomuchmysticalliteratureandhistoryanimaginativeprojectionofwishfulthinkingandrarelyrecognizableinitsalltoohumanmaterializationintheflesh?Hereisanindicationthatsomethingiswrong.

31Themonkwhogetstoowrappedupinhimselfandhismoods,toolockedupinsideotherworldlyexperiences,toocutofffromthefactsandrealitiesofeverydayliving,andunabletotestbythemtheillusionsandhallucinationswhichhisimaginationproducesandhismeditationconfirmsmaytreadtheedgeofaprecipiceoverwhichhemaytoppleintoinsanity.

32ItwasnotlevityalonewhichmadeOscarWildesaythat"mostmodernmysticismseemstometobesimplyamethodofimpartinguselessknowledgeinaformnoonecanunderstand."Itwasnotironyalonewhichmadehimremarkofabookdevotedtosaintlyandasceticmystics,"Itisthoroughlywellintentionedandeminentlysuitableforinvalids."

33IwasstruckbythetruthofacriticisminJawaharlalNehru'sautobiography.Nehruwrote:"Themystictriestoridhimselfofselfandintheprocessusuallybecomesobsessedwithit."Nehruoughttoknow.ForhehasbeensurroundedbythesocietyofIndianmysticsforhalfalifetime.

34Weappreciatethedangersandobstaclesthatbesetthemedievalsbutitmustbesaidwithregretthatmanyofthembelongedtothe"MysticismMadeDifficult"school.

35Thislackofbalanceshowsitselfintheidolizationofinertiawhich,regardedasaregrettabledefectbymostnormalpeople,isregardedasamysticalvirtuebythesesupposedlysupernormalpeople!

36Themysticsandyogiswouldhaveotherstoilandlabourtomakebreadanddrawwaterwhiletheyprayandmeditate.Thisdistinctionwouldbeallrightiftheydidnotmakethemistakeofassertingthatthekingdomofheavenlayonlyattheendoftheirpath.

37Iftheworldhasnoplaceformysticismthisisbecausemysticismhasnoplacefortheworld.

38Thosewholiketheatmosphereoflazinesswhichhangsoversomuchmysticalthoughtandwritingarewelcometoit.

39

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Therightkindofmysticalexperienceenricheslifethewrongkindimpoverishesit.

40Theycanseethetruth,butonlywithoneeyeatatime.

41Becauseithasbeenadoptedbyfanatics,poseurs,andfools,thecontraryfactthatithasalsobeenadoptedbyexecutives,geniuses,andhighlyesteemedpersonstendstobeignoredandoverlooked.

42SirRichardBurtonwholivedlongintheOrientmetandstudiedtheSufis.Hecametotheconclusionthattheextrememysticwasanearmadman.Thereissometruthinthisview.

43Thepassagefromseeingvisionsfrequentlytobeingsubjecttodelusionsisnotalongone,ifthepersonconcernedhasnotbeendisciplinedinthephilosophicmanner.

44Thereisafoolishmysticismwhichignorantlyfollowswaysthatleadtomadness.Thosewaysusuallystartwithfeelingastheessenceofthematterandseekthedeathofreasonbecauseittoooftenrefusestogoalongwithfeeling."IamGodinabody,"poorNijinskyproclaimedbuthegothimselfconfinedinamadhouseaswellasabody.

45Themoreintelligentandbetterbalancedaspirantsshouldtrytoleadthemysticalthoughtoftheircontactsintohigherpersonalchannelsorwiderusefulnessandawayfromthecharlatans,thereclusesandescapists,theneuroticsandhysterics.

46Mysticismmustbesavedfromthehotembracesofemotionallydiseasedneurotics,intellectuallyunbalancedfanatics,andcredulouslynavesimpletons.Itwillfinditsbestsupportinthosewhoappreciateitwithoutlosingtheirmentalequilibriuminthosewhoshowintheirownpersonsthatithasnothingtodowithhysteria,neuroticism,credulity,sensationseeking,andpathologicalstates.Onlybyavoidingextravagantclaimsanduncriticalappraisalscanitgettheattentionanddeservetherespectoftheintellectualclasses.

47Atatimelikethepresentwhentheworldispassingthoughacriticalphaseofwholesalereconstruction,everyopponentofreasonandproponentofsuperstitionisrenderingaseriousdisservicetomankind.

48IsitnotdelicatelyironicalthatShangrilashouldbemoreandmoregivingtheWestamysticismforwhichsheisfindinglessandlessuseherself?thatsheisfoistinguponusasolutionwhichisincreasinglyfailingtosolveherownproblems?

49ItisnotthatIcomplainoftheunintellectualatmosphereofmysticismortheunintellectualattitudeofitsEasternandWesterndevotees.Thefactmaybedeploredbutitoughtnotbelaidasafaultagainstthosewhocannothelpit.Icomplainoftheirantiintellectualatmosphereandattitude.

50Thosemysticswhohastilyscornscienceasbeingantispiritualandcondemnmodern

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civilizationasbeingpromaterialistshouldstoptothinkhowmuchwiderservicetomankindmenlikeJesusandBuddhacouldhaverenderedhadtheradio,thenewspaper,theinexpensivebook,thecinema,andtherailwaytrainbeenattheircommand.Letthemconsiderhow,withtheairplanetotravelin,JesuscouldhavebroughtthousandsofdisciplesineachEuropeanandNorthAfricancountryunderhisimmediatepersonalinfluenceandBuddhacouldhavebroughthundredsofthousandsmorethroughoutAsiaunderhisown.Theinventionsofman'singenuitycanbedirectedtogiveanupwardtrendtohisspiritualevolutionjustastheyhavebeendirectedtogiveadownwardtrendtoit.Alllifebearsthistwofoldpossibility.Wedonotrefuselightbecauseitalsobringsshadows.Wealsoshouldnotrefuseinventionsmerelybecausetheyincreasethetempoofourexistencetooquickly.

51Thosewhorightlyfearfanaticismorcharlatanrywillnotfindoneortheotherinphilosophy.Yettheywillnothavetogofartodosonofartherthanthereligiomysticalfringewhichhangsononesideofit.

52Itisveryquestionableastowhetheraspiritualrenaissancewhichledusintothewakeoffakemysticsandpseudoscientificoccultistswouldbeanybetterthanthefollowingofhideboundreligionistsdrainedofthevitalityoftruthandreality.

53Itiseasytoparadeincompetenceandinefficiencyasmysticalsuperiorityabovemereearthlylife,andthusdeceivebothoneselfandothers.Itishardtotakeoneselfuncompromisinglyinhandandtriumphoverthesedefectsofone'sveryvirtues.

54Thiskindofmysticism,whichstewstruthinthesamepotwithabsurdfantasy,mayattractthosewhoseekthedramaticbutoftenrepelsthosewhoappreciatethescientific.

55Manysocalledspiritualpersonsofthismoderneraarerightlyregardedbysocietyasneurotics,cranks,eccentrics,useless,orunpractical.Theyhave,however,feltgenuinepromptingsfromtheOverselfbutbecauseofthelackofproperinstruction,orbecauseofthedefectofimproperinstruction,theyhavenotalsofelttheneedtointegratethispromptingwiththerestoftheirlifeor,eveniftheyhavefeltit,theyhavenotbeenshownhowtodoitsimplybecausetheirownteachershadnotsucceededindoingitthemselves.

56Hemayfeelthetruthforhimselfbutbeunabletoexplainitadequatelytoothers.

57Manymysticalcultspresentteachingswhichcontainsomesublimetruthsbutwhich,becauseoftheirincompletenessortheirignoranceofothertruthsortheirwrongattitudetowardsthebody,donottendtowardsbalancedliving.Asaresult,whentheyoveremphasizetheparticularfeaturewhichmostintereststhem,theybecomeunbalanced.Theneedtodayisforthebalancedmystic.

58Theexcessiveselfcenterednessofasceticmysticism,itspassiveenmitytoanintegralhumanlife,itsunworthypraiseofpiousindolence,itsoysterlikeindifferencetohumaninterests,anditsnarrowdisparagementofthemarriedstatemakeitunfittobecomeaperfectidealsuitedtoourowntimes.Whatmodernintelligencecanacceptandwhatmodernheartcanapprovesuchanattitude?Asceticismisanimportantphasebutitisnot

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everything.

Philosophyattractsthefew

59Thesmallestunderstandingofphilosophywillshowthat,althoughitholdsamysticalcore,itisquitedifferentinapproachandatmospherefromthosemysticalcultswhichbreedsuperstitionandencouragecharlatanism.Theunderstandingenthusiastsanduncriticalpanegyristswhoaretheprofessedfollowersofsuchcultswouldfeeluneasyinthepurerandfinerairbreathedbythetruestudentofphilosophy.

60Thecramped,ascetical,andintolerantvirtueoftheashramsisnotenough.Philosophyprefersamorespacious,moregenerousandkindliervirtue.

61Ifwetrytocomputethenumberofthosewhoarenotoverawedbytheprestige,thesuccess,andtheorganizationofareligion,sect,cult,orgroup,andwhoseektruthwithabettermeasurethanthesethings,weshallfindonlyasmallremnantisleftoutofallthosewhoprofessaninterestinthethingsofspirit.

62Thosewhoaremakingadeterminedsearchfortruthfallintoaverytinysegmentofhumanity.Mostselfstyledseekersaremotivatedbyhalfhiddendesiresfordifferentkindsofegosatisfactionratherthantheegolesstruth.

63Theloftinessofthisteaching,isnottobemeasuredbythetrumperystandardsofrecentsocalledspiritualmovements.

64Tostudyandunderstandthesesects,toexplaintheinnerdynamicwhichdrawspeopletothem,isnotnecessarilytoagreewiththeirteachingsorcondonetheirpractices.

65Letoutsidersnotblamephilosophyforshortcomingswhichexistonlyinuntrainedanduninstructedfollowers.

66Thosewhohavedeformedtheirmindsbyvehementfanaticismorbefuddledthembydangerousdrugswillfindthesanctityofphilosophyunattractive.

67Mostorganizationstendtogivetheimpressionofcults,whicharetheveryantithesesofourobjectivesaswellasirreconcilablewiththeHiddenTeaching.

68Itisregrettablethatasubjectsointerestingandformerlysuchalittlevisitedbywayshouldbecomeinfestedwithmaniacalideasandshouldattractillbalancedpersonswhofalleasilyintosuperstition.Thehigherlevels,wherereligionmovesintomysticismandmetaphysics,needawellinformed,wellpoisedmindfortheirproperappreciation.

69Thosewhoflocktothesecultsoftendislikephilosophy.Theyrightlyfearitsthreatto

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theirsuperstitiousdreamsandcorrectlycomprehendthatitwoulddestroytheiregoisticfantasies.

70Howmanywhohaveseenthefoolishnessofthesecultspardonablyreactagainstitbyrejectingthem,butunpardonablyrejectthewisdomwhichisovershadowedbyit.

71Philosophymaynotappealtotheweakmindedfollowersofsuchcults,sinceitwouldforcethemtoacknowledgetheirdeficienciesandtosetaboutremedyingthem.

72Whereisthespiritualmovementwhichhasnotdeterioratedintoareligioussect,withpassivefollowersandunquestioningmembers?

73Nosectisimportantbuteverysectissignificant.Noneisparticularlyinfluentialbutallareunquestionablyevidential.Fortheindicationhereofatrendtowardheterodoxyisquiteplainanditscausequitemeaningful.

Distinguishingthespiritualandpsychic

74Philosophyacceptspartofthetenetsofoccultismthepartwhichitsownseersandsageshavehandeddownanddoesnotdenythem.Butitplacesemphasisonthatwhichrestsonahigherlevelandwhichismuchmoresignificant.Itrefusestoallowitsstudentstobeinvolvedinthepractices,thebypaths,andthedangersofoccultism.

75Thepsychicalisconcernedwithimaginations,visions,voices,thoughts,andfeelingswhichoriginatebeneaththesurfaceoftheego'smind,whereasthespiritualisconcernedwiththehigherself.Thetwoarenotthesamebututterlydifferentinqualityandcharacter.Aspirantsoftenconfusethemalthoughthefirstisstillwithintherealmofpersonalthingswhereasthesecondiswithintheimpersonal.Astillgreaterconfusionconcernsthemediumistic.Thisisthesameasthepsychicalbutinfluencedorpossessedbywhatpurportstobesomeoneelse'sego,oftensomeoneunknownandusuallyunseen,orevenbywhatpurportstobefromtherealmofthespiritualitself.

76Intuitionneednotbetheonlymanifestationofthisdeeperlayerofmind.Thereareindeedotherandstrangersignsofitsexistence,whichbelongtoaclassificationvariouslycalledoccult,magical,orpsychic.Theyincludethoughttransferenceandclairvoyance.Thehistoryofyogahasalwaysbeenassociatedwithstoriesofsuchthaumaturgicmarvels,andfewadvancedyogisfailtomanifestthesepowersatsomeperiodorotheroftheircareers.

Sucharesomeoftheextraordinarymentalpowerswhichmaybeunfoldedbyman,buttheyareofsecondaryconsequencetothesage.Heholdstoandvaluesmosttheremainingconstantlyfixedwithinthatuniversalbeingwhichtranscendsallformsandchanges.

Neverthelesstheaveragescientistwhousedtosneerattheirexistencehassincebecomemuchmorecautious,althougharemnantofmaterialisticscientistsstillcontinuetosneer.Suchpeoplerepresentatypeofmindwhichdreadssuperstitiontothepointofmakingitsdreadasuperstition!Thesesupernormalpowersofthemindlosemuchoftheirmystery

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whentheirrationaleisunderstood.

Whentheentireworlditselfismentallyconstructedthatis,akindofmagicalshowwhyshouldwebeincredulousofthepossibilityofmagicalpowers?Allofushavethesepowersinvestigialform.Evolutionwillmakethemgrowanyway,andeffortwillmakethemgrowmorequickly.Howeversurprisingtobeginners,theyarerealizablefactstoanadept.

Telepathyisperhapsthefirst,simplest,andmosteasilyexplicableofthesepowers.

77Whattheyseldomseeisthatspiritualilluminationandpsychicalerrorcananddoexistinthesamemindatthesametime.

78Alloccultandpsychicpowersareextensionseitherofman'shumancapacityorofhisanimalsenses.Theyarestillsemimaterialistic,becauseconnectedwithhisegoorhisbody.Alltrulyspiritualpowersareonafarhigherandquitedifferentplane.Theybelongtohisdivineself.

79Awitch'sbrewofmystery,compoundedofancientsorceriesandmodernpseudosciences,philosophicsmatteringsandmonstrousclaims,liesanddeceptionthat,strippedofallitshighsoundingverbiage,isafairdescriptionofoccultism.

80Itisanerror,andonecommonlymade,toconfoundoccultphenomenawithspiritualexperience.Itistruethat,atcertaintimesorincertainphasesoftheinnerlife,thetwomayaccompanyoneanother.Buttheydonotdosoonequallevels.Spiritualexperiencecertifiesitselfbutpsychicexperienceproveslittlebecauseitisalwaysopentodoubt.Aphilosophermaybeandoftenisapsychic,butfewpsychicsareeverphilosophers.Wedonotneedtobepurifiedtowitnessoccultphenomena,andthereinliestheirdanger.

81Muchincorrectknowledgeistodayofferedtheseekerintentonanunderstandingofthepsychicandspirituallawsoftheuniverse.

82Confrontedbythediscoveriesofscience,theinventionsoftechnology,themarvelsofNature,andthemysteryofmind,onewouldbefoolishtoassertwhatispossibleandwhatisnotpossible.

83Amanwhoworksinascientificlaboratorycanprovideproofsforhisdiscoverieswhichanyotherscientistinanypartoftheworldcantestandconfirm.Butamystic,aseer,oraprophetwhocommunicatesarevelationofwhathehaslearnedbyintuition,vision,ormeditationcanprovidenosuchproofs.Hisaudienceiscompelledtotakehiswordswithlittledirectorimmediatemeansoftestingtheirworth.

84Thefinishedproductofacarpenter'sworkcanbetriedinuseandtestedbyexamination.Hischairscanbesatupon,histablelegsmeasured,andfaultsorinaccuracieswillsoonrevealthemselves.Buthowarethemystic'sintuitions,inspirations,visions,andteachingstobeappraised,measured,testedwithcompletecertainty?Howmuchinthemcanbefullytrusted,howmuchsuspectedasbeingtheundivinepart?Themetaphysician'sconceptsandthereligionist'sbeliefscomeintothesamecategorytheycannotatoncebe

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checkedforfaults,triedbyresults,ormeasuredforaccuracy,whereasthecraftsman'sproductionscan.Religion,mysticism,andmetaphysicscannotimmediatelyoffertheirproofs,ifatall.

85Therearecertainunusualoccurrenceswhichareoftenasourceofastonishmenttothoseinvolvedinthem,aswellastootherslearningaboutthem.Thepowerstobringtheseintobeingaremuchsoughtafterinsomecirclesandaregenerallytermed"occultpowers."

86Occultismisconcernedwiththeunseenworkingofnature,andwithphenomena,forms,messagesofthenonphysicalsideoftheego'sbeing,includingvisionsandvoicesexperiencedinwardly.ItisonalowerlevelthanpureSpirit,notdealingwiththebodyandnotdealingwithspirit,butsomewhereinbetween.It'seasytobeledastraybyit,sinceitisclosetofantasyandimagination.Trytoavoidseekingit,butifitcomesbyitselftrytojudgeitcriticallyandunderstandit.Onthehighestleveltherearenooccultphenomenawhichkeepyouinyourego.

87TodayMechanicsruleswhereonceMagichelditssway.Wedonotdreamthatthereisroominlifeforboth.

88Asmuchnonsensehasbeenwrittenaboutthemysticandtheoccultasaboutpolitics,oranyothersubjectwhereappearancesdonotcoincidewithrealities.

Thelureofoccultism

89Wewerenotborntoperformmagicalstunts,norwereweborntobeabletorememberpastlivesortoforetellthefuture.Wewerebornforonethingonlyandthatistodiscoverwhatwereallyareinourdeepest,innermostbeing,notjustthecrestofit.

90Philosophyrejectssuchpsychic,occult,mediumistic,ortranceexperienceswhenimaginationrunsunbrakedintothem,oremotionheaveshystericallyinthem.Itisthentimetostopthedangeroustendencybyapplyingafirmwillandcoldreason.PhilosophywelcomesonlyasinglemysticexperiencethatoftheVoid(NirvikalpaSamadhi),whereeveryseparateformandindividualconsciousnessvanishes,whereasallothermysticexperiencesretainthem.Thisisthedifference.

91Thespiritualists,theoccultists,andthepsychicgroupsarefarfromthepurestthought,fortheyarestillpreoccupiedwiththeegoandwithasubtlematerialismwhichsubstitutesasubtlerbodyforthematerialonebutisjustasillusory.However,theyarestepsonthewayforspiritualchildrenstagestobepassedthroughandoutgrown.

92Philosophyhasnouseforemptyfancies,notimeformereselfdeceptions.Thereforeitrefusestodallyinthisillusoryregionwhichtheinwardmovingmindmustcrossthroughuntilitreachessolidground.Itwillnotgiveitselftopsychism,occultism,orspiritism.

93Howsimpleisthepathitself,howcomplexisthepseudopathofferedbyoccultismand

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exaggeratedasceticism."AllthatGodasksofthem,"writesThomasMerton,"istobequietandkeepthemselvesatpeace,attentivetothesecretworkthatHeisbeginningintheirsouls."

94Youmustlearntodiscriminatebetweenwhatispsychicandwhatisspiritual.Youwilltendtolosepowerifyouyieldtothatpopularhankeringafterpsychicandoccultexperiences.Itisfascinatingtohavepsychicclaims,sensationalexperiences.Keepthemintheirplace,however,whichissecondandsubordinate.TheyhavenothingtodowiththeQuest,whichistoleadyouabovetherealmofmindintospirit.MindgoesdowndeepintothesubconsciousandtheOvermindtherepsychicandoccultexperiencestakeplacenotinthenormalmind,certainly,butintheregionoftheplanetarymind,theOvermind.Occultexperienceswillnotgiveyouanymorepeace,orreality.Doyouwantthese?Thendonotoveremphasizeyouroccultexperiences.Justobservethem,butattachlittleimportancetothem.Theimportantthingistoarriveatthatstateofbeingwhichneverchanges,whichiseternal,whichisGod.

95Themysticisonaloftierplanethantheoccultistandpsychic.Thevarioussystemsofoccultism,theosophy,andpsychismareallobjectivetothetrueSelfofman,andhencedistracthimfromthestraightandnarrowpath.YettheyareusefulandnecessaryforthoseegoisticandoverintellectualizednatureswhocannotaspiretotherarefiedreachesoftherealTruth.Everythingincludingthefascinatingsystemsofknowledgeandpracticethatcompriseancientandmodernoccultteachingswhichdistractsmanfrombecomingthetrulyspiritual,distractshimfromtherealpath.Onlywhenallobjectivethingsandthoughtshavedisappearedintothesubject,theselfortheseer,canmanachievehishighestpurpose.Allotheractivitiessimplycausehimtostrayfromthehighesttruth.SoIhaveabandonedthestudyandpracticeofoccultism.Ihavegivenitupunwillingly,forthepoweritpromisesisnottobedespised.YetIrecognizethatmypastisstrewnwitherrorsandmistakes.IimaginedthatagreatpersonalexperienceofthepsychicandmysterioussideofNaturewouldbringmenearerTruth.Asafact,ithastakenmefartherfromit.OnceIenjoyedfrequentglimpsesofagreatblissandintensestateofsamadhithenIwasunfortunateenoughtocomeintocontactwiththeosophistsandothersofthatilkwhosubtlysupplantedmyrealinwardhappinesswithintellectualsystemsandtheoriesuponwhichIwasthenceforwardtoponder.Alas!Iwastooyoungandtoogreentoknowwhatwashappening.Theblisswentbeforelongthesamadhisstopped,andIwascastupontheshoreoftheFinite,anunhappyandproblempuzzledbitofhumanwreckage!NopromiseofwonderfulinitiationsatsomefuturetimewillluremetotrustmylifeintothecareofasocalledguruwhoiseitherunabletoorunwillingtogivemeaglimpseoftheGodconsciousnessheclaimstopossess.Iamnotinclinedtofollowatrailwhichmaylandmesomewhereoutinthemiddleofthedesert,bereftofreason,hope,andfortune.

96Atitsbest,psychismleadsusintohumanfanciesabouttheholyatitsworst,totheverylairofthedevilish.Thespiritualalone,initstruesense,canleadusintotheveritablyholy.

97Theessenceofthematteristhatthehigherultramysticexperiencesarenotconcernedwithpersonalclairvoyantvisionsorclairaudientvoicesbutwiththeraisingofconsciousnesstoanimpersonaltranscendentstatewhereinnoneoftherelativephenomenaofaspacetimeworldcanenter.

98

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Thequestisnotjugglery.Themostbreathtakingfeatoftheconjurerwillnotprovetheleastinsignificantofspiritualtruths.

99Peoplespendhalftheirlivesindarkenedroomstryingtoestablishcommunicationwiththe"spirits,"withdubiousanddebatableresults,whenonetenthofthetimedevotedtotryingtoestablishcommunicationwiththeirOWNdivinespiritwouldbringindubitableanddelightfulresults.

100Therearecountlessthousandswho,weakinfaithandlackinginintuition,mustperforceseekamidexternalthingsforproofofthesoul.Spiritualismclaimstogivethisproof.Thereare,ofcourse,thosewhobelievethatthespiritualistshavemisinterpretedtheirexperiences.

101TheseventhchapterofTheWisdomoftheOverselfcontainssomematerialwhichgenerallyanswersthequestionsoflifeafterdeath.Itisquitetruethatspiritualismhasservedtheusefulpurposeofprovingtheexistenceofanafterlife.Neverthelessitisadangerousmattertoexperimentwithpractically.Itisfarsafertolimitinvestigationtoastudyofitsliterature.Morespecifically:(1)Thequestofpsychicexperiencesisdefinitelyastumblingblockonthetruepathduringtheearlierstages.Theyarealmostsuretoleadthenoviceastray,maycausehimtowastevaluableyears,andwillsometimesharmhiminvariousways.Mostattemptstoestablishcontactwiththeastralworldwilleitherendinfailureanddeceptionorpsychicinjury.(2)Astralprojectionisneitherwrongnorrightbutitshouldnotbesoughtforitsownsake.Itdevelopsnaturallyofitselftoonewhoishighlyadvancedonthetrulyspiritualquest.Butifnovicesprematurelyseekittheyarelikelytoharmthemselves.Intheenditwillbefoundthatspiritualismisonlyasteppingstonetothehighermysticalphilosophy.ItisofuseasahalfwayhouseformanyWesterners,butoneshouldnottarryheretoolong.Thehigherandlowerteachingsarelikeoilandwater.Theycannotbemixedtogetherandonedayyouwillhavetomakeyourchoicebetweenthemifyouwishtoprogressandnottoremainstagnating.

102Theseoccultauthorscataloguesuchaformidablelistofnecessaryqualificationsthatitislikelytodetermostpeopleratherthanattractthem.Onewonderswhetherthewritershavesucceededinfulfillingtheirownstandards.Itisgoodhowevertorememberthattherearewaysnotsosteepastheirs,thatthereareeasierpathsinexistenceinotherlandsthanthatofoccultism.Genuinemysticism,truereligion,orrightphilosophy:anyofthesecanconductonetothegoalwithlesstroubleandlessdangerthanoccultism.

103Thereisaproblemofmentalunbalanceandpartialinsanityinthemodernworld.Philosophyoffershelp,asitaimsatsecuringcompletesanitywhereasmostotherguidescatertounbalance.

104Thereissomethingwhichmightbecalledthehigherspiritualismwhichisonahigherlevelaltogetherthanordinaryspiritualism.Thishasbeenfoundbyanexhaustivestudy,bothpracticalandtheoretical.Thehigherspiritualismstandsmidwaybetweenthelowerkindandmysticismproper.Bymysticismismeanttheendeavourtobecomepossessed,notbyanydisembodiedhumanentity,butbythedivineSpirit,beitnamedGod,Soul,Christ,Allah,Atman,orsomeothernamewhichhasbeengiventothatwhichmanknowstobetheDivine.InthegroupofthosewhobelongtothishigherspiritualismcanbeincludedsuchmenasStaintonMoses,whoeditedLight,theleadingspiritualistjournalin

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London,andAndrewJacksonDavis,thefamousAmericanclairvoyant.TheirwritingswereadmirableandmuchinLifeandItsManifestationsisreminiscentofthemintone,idea,andatmosphere.

105Occultorspiritisticpracticeswhichhaveservedtheirpurposeinconvincingtheirstudentthatmaterialismisfalse,shouldbeabandonedifhewishestomakethebestuseofhislimitedperiodonearth.Whensuchapointhasbeenreached,heshouldturnhisthoughtsinthedirectionofseekingtheOverselfalone,orhislifeperiodwillbewasted.

106Ifphilosophydeniestheauthenticityofmanyoccult,psychical,andreligiomysticalexperiences,itdoesnothavetodenythattheydidoccur.Thatneednotbeindispute.Butthedangeroftakingfancyforrealityandawaystationfortheterminusisveryeasytofallintoandmustbepointedout."Bewarethemwhoperceivethedeepreality,"warnedtheBuddhainastatementwhichrecallsforusthewarningofJesusaboutthestraightnessofthewaytotruthandthat"Fewtherebethatfindit."Theprudentseekerwillbeonhisguardnottosuccumbtothetemptationofdallyinginegoflatteringthrills.

107Whyshouldwesurrenderthesimpleclarityoftrueselfknowledgefortheinvolvedobscurityofoccultism?

108Philosophicspiritualismdoesnotgofarenough.Inspirationderivedfromanyindividual,disembodiedandangelicthoughhemightbe,isnotasfineasinspirationderivedfromtheunindividuatedSoul,whichthebestmysticsseek.Itisastepintherightdirection,though.

109Itisasnecessarytoavoidpitfallsofsuperstitionononesideasthoseofpsychismontheother.

110Everythingthatstimulatesustofollowthequestisworthencouragingifitsdemeritsbenottoolargebuteverythingwhichparalysesthisaspirationisrenderingadisservicetohumanity.

111Theoccult,andindeedallextraordinaryhappenings,attractsafarlargeramountofinterestthanthemystical.Forherethephysicalsensescomeintoplayandfindsatisfactionwhereasinthemysticalonlytheintuitiveandtheemotionalfacultiesareengaged.

112Themajorityareseekersafteroccultism.Theythirstforpowersthatwillgivethemanadvantageoverothers.Theyseektoinflatetheiregoswhereasthetruedisciplesseektoflattenit.

113Excessiveaddictiontosupernormalmysticexperiencesorbizarreocculttitillationsleadstowrongviewsanddrawstheseekertoawronggoal.Thedignityofquietphilosophicalstudyoftenappearstoprovetoofrigidforthosewhorevelinsuperstitionandwhoseekthegaudycaricaturesoftruthratherthantheausteretruthitself.

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Manypeopleyearntoescapefromtheworldofthefleshmanyseekforpsychicworldsfullofmagicalhalfshadowsmanymindsareturningintothenarrowlanesofthoughtandwideroadsofstudyindicatedbythesignpostsofoccultismanditskindred.

115Manyarecalledonthespiritualtelephoneexchangeoflife,butfewgetaclearconnection!

116Psychicalderangementsarecommonenoughtokeepthespecialistsbusy.Mentallyupsetpersonscropupeverywhere,evenonairplanes.Wehaveseeninsanityappearinhighplacesandcollectmanyfollowers.Ifanythingcangivesanity,itisthecalmandbalanceofphilosophy.Butunlessitishiddenbehindmagicandoccultism,thosewhoneeditmostareleastattractedtoitandleastfitforit.

117Itisnotapathsuitedtoneurotic,weak,mentallyodd,andemotionallysickpersons.Suchpeopleareoftenattractedtomysticalmovementsandideasbuttheyshrinkfromphilosophictruthanddiscipline.

118Historyshowsthatwherepeoplehavehadtheopportunitytoimbibethehighesttruth,theystillpreferredoccultsensationalismtoit.

119Allthisinterestinandpursuitofoccultismismerelyanenlargementoftheego'sordinarysphere.Whyshouldateacherofphilosophycatertothat?

120HowmanypersonshaveimprisonedthemselvesintheirownmentalcreationsorautohypnoticfabricationsattheverymomentwhentheyhadthechancetoexperiencetheSpiritinallitspurity!Thiscouldnothavehappenedhadtheybeenpreparedincharacterandpurifiedinintellectbyphilosophy.Withoutthissafeguard,theegointervenesandcorruptsthetruthandkeepsasmuchofitsillusionsasitcanholdontounderthatdazzlinglight.

121Philosophyisnotforthethrillseekerstherearecultsandgroups,"isms"andpracticeswhichwillbetterexciteandsatisfythem.Evenonahigherlevel,themystic's,thereisstillasearch,alonging,for"experiences."Inmostcasessuchexperiencesaredesiredasescapesfromtheego'stensionsandburdens,itsinsignificanceorenvironment.

TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.