A SERIES OF
LESSONS
IN RAJA
YOGA
By YOGI
RAMACHARAKA
Author
of "Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism"
"Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy, etc."; "Hatha
Yoga"; "Psychic Healing"; "Science of Breath."
etc.
1906
"'
When the soul sees itself as a Center surrounded by its circumference
- when the Sun knows that it is a Sun, surrounded by its whirling
planets-then is it ready for the Wisdom and Power of the Masters'
."
PUBLISHERS'
NOTICE
The lessons which compose
this volume, originally appeared in the shape of monthly lessons, the
first of which was issued in October, 1905, and the twelfth in
September, 1906. These lessons met with a hearty and generous
response from the public, and the present volume is issued in
response to the demand for the lessons in a permanent and durable
form.
There have been no changes made
in the text.
The publishers take
the liberty to call the attention of the reader to the great amount
of information condensed within the space given to each
lesson. Students have told us that they have found it necessary to
read and study each lesson carefully, in order to absorb the
varied information contained within
its pages. They have also stated that they have found it advisable to
re-read the lessons several times, allowing an interval between
each reading and that at each re-reading they would discover
information that had escaped them during the course of the previous
study. This has been repeated to us so often that we feel justified
in mentioning it, that other readers might avail themselves of the
same course and plan of study.
Following
his usual custom, the writer of the lessons has declined to write a
preface for this book, claiming that the lessons speak
for themselves, and that those for
whom they are intended will receive the message contained within
them, without any prefatory talk.
THE
YOGI PUBLICATION SOCIETY.
THE
FIRST LESSON.
THE "I."
THE
SECOND LESSON.
THE EGO'S MENTAL TOOLS.
THE
THIRD LESSON.
THE EXPANSION OF THE SELF.
THE
FOURTH LESSON.
MENTAL CONTROL.
THE
FIFTH LESSON. ................
THE CULTIVATION OF ATTENTION.
THE
SIXTH LESSON. ................
CULTIVATION OF
PERCEPTION.
THE
SEVENTH LESSON. ................. THE
UNFOLDMENT OF
CONSCIOUSNESS.
THE
EIGHTH LESSON. ................. THE
HIGHLANDS AND
LOWLANDS OF MIND.
THE
NINTH LESSON.
THE MENTAL PLANES.
THE
TENTH LESSON.
SUB-CONSCIOUSING.
THE
ELEVENTH LESSON.
SUBCONSCIOUS CHARACTER BUILDING.
THE
TWELFTH LESSON.
SUB-CONSCIOUS INFLUENCES.
THE
FIRST LESSON. THE
"I."
In
India, the Candidates for Initiation into the science of "Raja
Yoga," when they apply to the Yogi Masters for instruction, are
given a series of lessons designed to enlighten them regarding the
nature of the Real Self, and to instruct them in the secret knowledge
whereby they may develop the consciousness and realization of the
real "I" within them.
They
are shown how they may cast aside the erroneous or imperfect
knowledge regarding their real identity.
Until
the Candidate masters this instruction, or at least until the truth
becomes fixed in his consciousness, further instruction is denied
him, for
it is held that until he has awakened to a conscious realization of
his Actual Identity, he is not able to understand the source of his power, and,
moreover, is
not able to 'feel' within him the power of the Will, which power
underlies the entire teachings of "Raja Yoga."
The
Yogi Masters are not satisfied if the Candidate forms merely a
clear intellectual conception of this Actual Identity, but they
insist that he must 'feel' the truth of the same - must
become
'aware' of
the Real Self -
must enter into a consciousness in which the realization becomes
a part of his everyday self -
in which the realizing consciousness becomes the prevailing idea in
his mind, around which his entire thoughts and actions revolve.
To
some Candidates, this realization comes like a lightning flash the
moment the attention is directed toward it, while in other cases
the Candidates
find it necessary to follow a rigorous course of training before they
acquire the realization in consciousness.
The
Yogi Masters teach that there are two degrees of this awakening
consciousness of the Real Self. The first, which they call
"the Consciousness
of the 'I'," is the full consciousness of ' real'
existence that comes to the Candidate, and which causes him to '
know' that he is a real entity having a life not depending
upon the body -
life that will go on in spite of the destruction of the body - '
real' life,
in fact.
The second degree, which they call "the Consciousness of the 'I
AM'," is the consciousness of one's identity with the Universal
Life, and his relationship to, and "in-touchness" with all
life, expressed and unexpressed. These two degrees of consciousness
come in time to all who seek "The Path." To some it comes
suddenly; to others it dawns gradually; to many it comes assisted by
the exercises and practical work of "Raja Yoga."
The
first lesson of the Yogi Masters to the Candidates, leading up to the
first degree, above mentioned, is as follows: That the
Supreme Intelligence
of the Universe -
the Absolute -
has manifested the being that we call Man - the
highest
manifestation
on this planet. The Absolute has manifested an infinitude of forms of
life in the Universe, including distant worlds, suns, planets, etc.,
many of these forms being unknown to us on this planet, and being
impossible of conception by the mind of the ordinary man. But
these lessons have nothing to do with that part of the
philosophy which deals with these myriad forms of life, for our time
will be taken up with the unfoldment in the mind of man of his true
nature and power. Before man attempts to solve the secrets of the
Universe without, he should master the Universe within - the
Kingdom
of the Self.
When he has accomplished this, then he may, and should, go forth to
gain the outer knowledge as a Master demanding its secrets, rather
than as a slave begging for the crumbs from the table of knowledge.
The first knowledge for
the Candidate is the knowledge of the Self.
Man,
the highest manifestation of the Absolute, as far as this planet is
concerned, is a wonderfully organized being -
although the
average man
understands but little of his real nature. He comprises within his
physical, mental and spiritual make-up both the highest and the
lowest, as we have shown in our previous lessons (the "Fourteen
Lessons" and the "Advanced Course"). In his bones he
manifests almost in the form of mineral life, in fact, in his bones,
body and blood mineral substances actually exist. The physical life
of the body resembles the life of the plant. Many of the physical
desires and emotions are akin to those of the lower animals,
and in the undeveloped man these desires and emotions predominate and
overpower the higher nature, which latter is scarcely in evidence.
Then Man has a set of mental characteristics that are his own, and
which are not possessed by the lower animals (See "Fourteen
Lessons"). And in addition to the mental faculties common to all
men, or rather, that are in evidence in a greater or lesser degree
among all men, there are still higher faculties latent within Man,
which when manifested and expressed render Man more than ordinary
Man. The unfoldment of these latent
faculties is possible to all who have reached the proper stage of
development, and the desire and hunger of the student for
this instruction
is caused by the pressure of these unfolding latent faculties, crying
to be born into consciousness. Then there is that wonderful
thing, the Will, which is but faintly understood by those ignorant of
the Yogi Philosophy -
the Power of the Ego -
its birthright from
the Absolute.
But
while these mental and physical things ' belong' to Man, they are '
not' the Man himself. Before the Man is able to master, control, and
direct the things belonging to him - his tools and
instruments - he must
awaken to a
realization of Himself. He must be able to distinguish between the
"I" and the "Not I." And this is the first task
before the Candidate.
That
which is the Real Self of Man is the Divine Spark sent forth from the
Sacred Flame. It is the Child of the Divine Parent. It is Immortal - Eternal -
Indestructible - Invincible.
It possesses
within itself Power, Wisdom, and Reality. But like the infant that
contains within
itself the sometime Man, the mind of Man is unaware of its latent and
potential qualities, and does not know itself. As it awakens and
unfolds into the knowledge of its real nature, it manifests its
qualities, and realizes what the Absolute has given it. When the
Real Self
begins to awaken, it sets aside from itself those things which are
but appendages to it, but which it, in its half-waking state,
had regarded
as its Self. Setting aside first this, and then that, it finally
discards all of the "Not I," leaving the Real Self free and
delivered from
its bondage to its appendages. Then it returns to the discarded
appendages, and makes use of them.
In
considering the question: "What is the Real Self?" let us
first stop to examine what man usually means when he says "I."
The
lower animals do not possess this "I" sense. They are
conscious of the outer world; of their own desires and animal
cravings and feelings. But their consciousness has not reached the
Self-conscious stage. They are not able to think of themselves as
separate entities, and to reflect upon their thoughts. They are not
possessed of a consciousness of the Divine Spark - the Ego - the
Real
Self. The Divine
Spark is hidden in the lower forms of life - even
in the
lower forms
of human life -
by many sheaths that shut out its light. But, nevertheless, it is
there, always. It sleeps within the mind of the savage - then,
as he
unfolds, it
begins to throw out its light. In you, the Candidate, it is fighting
hard to have its beams pierce through the material coverings. When
the Real Self begins to arouse itself from its sleep, its dreams
vanish from it, and it begins to see the world as it is, and to
recognize itself in Reality and not as the distorted thing of its
dreams.
The
savage and barbarian are scarcely conscious of the "I."
They are but a little above the animal in point of consciousness, and
their "I" is almost entirely a matter of the consciousness
of the wants of the body; the satisfaction of the appetites; the
gratification of the passions; the
securing of personal comfort; the expression of lust, savage power,
etc.
In
the savage the lower part of the Instinctive Mind is the seat of the
"I." (See "Fourteen Lessons" for explanation of
the several mental planes
of man.) If the savage could analyze his thoughts he would say that
the "I" was the physical body, the said body having certain
"feelings," "wants" and "desires." The
"I" of such a man is a physical "I," the
body representing its form and substance. Not only is this true of
the savage, but even among so-called "civilized" men of
to-day we find many in this stage. They have developed powers of
thinking and reasoning, but they do not "live in their minds"
as do some of their brothers. They use their thinking powers for the
gratification of their bodily desires and cravings, and really live
on the plane of the Instinctive Mind. Such a person may speak of "my
mind," or "my soul," not from a high position where he
looks upon these things from the standpoint of a Master who realizes
his Real Self, but from below, from the point-of-view of the man who
lives on the plane of the Instinctive Mind and who sees above '
himself' the higher attributes. To such people the body is the "I."
Their "I" is bound up with the senses, and that which comes
to them through the senses. Of course, as Man advances in "culture"
and "civilization," his senses become educated, and are
satisfied only with more refined things, while the less cultivated
man is perfectly satisfied with the more material and gross sense
gratifications. Much that we call "cultivation"
and "culture" is naught but a cultivation of a more refined
form of sense gratification, instead of a real advance in
consciousness and unfoldment. It is true that the advanced student
and Master is possessed of highly developed senses, often far
surpassing those of the ordinary man, but in such cases the senses
have been cultivated under the mastery of the Will, and are
made servants of the Ego instead of things hindering the progress of
the soul -
they are made servants instead of masters.
As
Man advances in the scale, he begins to have a somewhat higher
conception of the "I." He begins to use his mind and
reason, and he passes
on to the Mental Plane -
his mind begins to manifest upon the plane of Intellect. He
finds that there is something within him that is higher
than the body. He finds that his mind seems more ' real' to him than
does the physical part of him, and in times of deep thought and study
he is able almost to forget the existence of the body.
In
this second stage, Man soon becomes perplexed. He finds problems that
demand an answer, but as soon as he thinks he has answered them the
problems present themselves in a new phase, and he is called upon to
"explain his explanation." The mind, even although not
controlled and directed by the Will, has a wonderful range, but,
nevertheless, Man finds himself traveling around and around in a
circle, and realizes that he is confronted continually by the
Unknown. This disturbs him, and the higher the stage of "book
learning" he attains, the more disturbed does he become. The man
of but little knowledge does not see the existence of many problems
that force themselves before the attention of the man of more
knowledge, and demand an explanation from him. The tortures of the
man who has attained the mental growth that enables him to see the
new problems and the impossibility of their answer, cannot be
imagined by one who has not advanced to that stage.
The
man in this stage of consciousness thinks of his "I" as a
mental thing, having a lower companion, the body. He feels that he
has advanced,
but yet his "I" does not give him the answer to the riddles
and questions that perplex him. And he becomes most unhappy. Such men
often develop into Pessimists, and consider the whole of life as
utterly evil and disappointing -
a curse rather than a blessing. Pessimism belongs to this plane, for
neither the Physical Plane man or the Spiritual Plane man have this
curse of Pessimism. The former man has no such disquieting thoughts,
for he is almost entirely absorbed in gratifying his animal nature,
while the latter man recognizes his mind as an instrument of himself,
rather than as ' himself' , and knows it to be imperfect in its
present stage of growth. He knows that he has in himself the key to
all knowledge -
locked up in the Ego -
and which the trained mind, cultivated, developed and guided by the
awakened Will, may grasp as it unfolds. Knowing this the advanced man
no longer despairs, and, recognizing his real nature, and his
possibilities, as he awakens into a consciousness of his powers and
capabilities, he laughs at the old despondent, pessimistic ideas,
and discards
them like a worn-out garment. Man on the Mental Plane of
consciousness is like a huge elephant who knows not his own strength.
He
could break down barriers and assert himself over nearly any
condition or environment, but in his ignorance of his real condition
and power he may be mastered by a puny driver, or frightened by the
rustling of a piece of paper.
When
the Candidate becomes an Initiate - when he
passes from the
purely Mental Plane on to the Spiritual Plane - he
realizes
that the "I,"
the Real Self -
is something higher than either body or mind, and that both of the
latter may be used as tools and instruments by the Ego or "I."
This knowledge is not reached by purely intellectual reasoning,
although such efforts of the mind are often necessary to help in the
unfoldment, and the Masters so use it. The real knowledge, however,
comes as a special form of consciousness. The Candidate becomes
"aware" of the real "I," and this consciousness
being attained, he passes to the rank of the Initiates. When the
Initiate passes the second degree of consciousness, and begins to
grow into a realization of his relationship to the Whole - when
he
begins to
manifest the Expansion of Self -
then is he on the road to Mastership.
In
the present lesson we shall endeavor to point out to the Candidate
the methods of developing or increasing the realization of this
"I" consciousness - this first
degree work.
We give the following exercises or development drills for the
Candidate to practice. He will find that a careful and conscientious
following of these directions will tend to unfold in him a sufficient
degree of the "I" consciousness, to enable him to
enter into higher stages of development and power. All that is
necessary is for the Candidate to feel within himself the dawn of
the awakening
consciousness, or awareness of the Real Self. The higher stages of
the "I" consciousness come gradually, for once on the Path
there is no retrogression or going backward. There may be pauses on
the journey, but there is no such thing as actually losing that which
is once gained on The Path.
This
"I" consciousness, even in its highest stages, is but a
preliminary step toward what is called "Illumination," and
which signifies the awakening
of the Initiate to a realization of his actual connection with and
relation to the Whole. The full sight of the glory of the "I,"
is but
a faint reflected glow of "Illumination." The Candidate,
once that he enters fully into the "I" consciousness,
becomes an "Initiate." And the Initiate who enters into the
dawn of Illumination takes his first step upon the road to Mastery.
The Initiation is the awakening of the soul to a knowledge of its
real existence -
the Illumination is the revelation of the real nature of the soul,
and of its relationship with the Whole.
After
the first dawn of the "I" consciousness has been attained,
the Candidate is more able to grasp the means of developing the consciousness
to a still higher degree -
is more able to use the powers latent within him; to control his own
mental states; to manifest a Centre of Consciousness and Influence
that will radiate into the outer world which is always striving and
hunting for such centres around which it may revolve.
Man
must master himself before he can hope to exert an influence beyond
himself. There is no royal road to unfoldment and power - each
step
must be taken
in turn, and each Candidate must take the step himself, and by his
own effort. But he may, and will, be aided by the helping hand of
the teachers who have traveled The Path before him, and who know just
when that helping hand is needed to lift the Candidate over the rough
places.
We
bid the Candidate to pay strict attention to the following
instruction, as it is all important. Do not slight any part of it,
for we are giving you only what is necessary, and are stating it as
briefly as possible. Pay attention, and follow the instruction
closely. This lesson must be mastered before you progress. And it
must be practiced not only now, but at many stages of the journey,
until full Initiation and Illumination
is yours.
RULES
AND EXERCISES DESIGNED TO AID THE CANDIDATE IN HIS INITIATION.
The
first instruction along the line of Initiation is designed to awaken
the mind to a full realization and consciousness of the individuality of
the "I." The Candidate is taught to relax his body, and to
calm his mind and to meditate upon the "I" until it is
presented clearly and sharply before the consciousness. We herewith
give directions for producing the desired physical and mental
condition, in which meditation and concentration are more readily
practiced. This state of Meditation will be referred to in subsequent
exercises, so the Candidate is advised to acquaint himself thoroughly
with it.
STATE
OF MEDITATION. If possible, retire to a quiet place or room, where
you do not fear interruption, so that your mind may feel secure and
at rest. Of course, the ideal condition cannot always be obtained, in
which case you must do the best you can. The idea is that you should
be able to abstract yourself, so far as is possible, from distracting
impressions, and you should be alone with yourself - in
communion
with your
Real Self.
It
is well to place yourself in an easy chair, or on a couch, so that
you may relax the muscles and free the tension of your nerves. You
should be able to "let go" all over, allowing every muscle
to become limp, until a feeling of perfect peace and restful
calm permeates every particle of your being. Rest the body and calm
the mind. This condition is best in the earlier stages of the
practice, although after the Candidate has acquired a degree of
mastery he will be able to obtain the physical relaxation and mental
calm whenever and wherever he desires.
But
he must guard against acquiring a "dreamy" way of going
around, wrapped in meditation when he should be attending to the
affairs of life.
'
Remember this' , the State of Meditation should be entirely under the
control of the Will, and should be entered into only deliberately and
at the proper times. The Will must be master of this, as well as of
every other mental state. The Initiates are not "day dreamers,"
but men and women having full control of themselves and their moods.
The "I" consciousness while developed by meditation and
consciousness, soon becomes a fixed item of consciousness, and does
not have to be produced by meditation. In time of trial, doubt, or
trouble, the consciousness may be brightened by an effort of the Will
(as we shall explain in subsequent lessons) without going into the
State of Meditation.
THE
REALIZATION OF THE "I." The Candidate must first acquaint
himself with the reality of the "I," before he will be able
to learn its real nature. This is the first step. Let the Candidate
place himself in the State of Meditation, as heretofore described.
Then let him concentrate his entire attention upon his Individual
Self, shutting out all thought of the outside world, and other
persons. Let him form in his mind the idea of himself as a ' real' thing -
an actual being -
an individual entity -
a Sun around which revolves the world. He must see himself as the
Centre around which the whole world revolves. Let not a false
modesty, or sense of depreciation interfere with this idea, for you
are not denying the right of others to also consider themselves
centres. You are, in fact, a centre of consciousness - made
so by
the Absolute - and you are
awakening to
the fact. Until the Ego recognizes itself as a Centre of Thought,
Influence and Power, it will not be able to ' manifest' these
qualities. And in proportion as it recognizes its position as a
centre, so will it be able to manifest its qualities. It is not
necessary that you should compare yourself with others, or imagine
yourself greater or higher than them. In fact, such comparisons are
to be regretted, and are unworthy of the advanced Ego, being a mark
and indication of a lack of development, rather than the reverse. In
the Meditation simply ignore all consideration of the respective
qualities of others, and endeavor to realize the fact that YOU are a
great Centre of Consciousness -
a Centre of Power -
a Centre of Influence -
a Centre of Thought. And that like the planets circling around the
sun, so does your world revolve around YOU who are its centre. It
will not be necessary for you to argue out this matter, or to
convince yourself of its truth by intellectual reasoning.
The
knowledge does not come in that way. It comes in the shape of a
realization of the truth gradually dawning upon your
consciousness through
meditation and concentration. Carry this thought of yourself as a
"Centre of Consciousness -
Influence -
Power" with you, ' for it is an occult truth,' and in the
proportion that you are able, to realize it so will be your ability
to manifest the qualities named.
No
matter how humble may be your position - no
matter how
hard may be
your lot -
no matter how deficient in educational advantages you may be - still
you
would not
change your "I" with the most fortunate, wisest and highest
man or woman in the world. You may doubt this, but think for a moment
and you will see that we are right. When you say that you "would
like to be" this person or that, you really mean that ' you' would like
to have their degree of intelligence, power, wealth,
position, or what not. What you want is something that is theirs, or
something akin to it. But you would not for a moment wish to merge
your ' identity' with theirs, or to exchange ' selves' . Think of
this for a moment To ' be' the other person you would have to let '
yourself' die, and instead of ' yourself' you would be the other
person. The real ' you' would be wiped out of existence, and you
would not be ' you' at all, but would be ' he' .
If
you can but grasp this idea you will see that not for a moment would
you be willing for such an exchange. Of course such an exchange is
impossible. The "I" of you cannot be wiped out. It is
eternal, and will go on, and on, and on, to higher and higher states - but it
always
will be the
same "I." Just as you, although a far different sort of
person from your childhood self, still you recognize that the same
"I" is there, and always has been there. And although you
will attain knowledge, experience, power and wisdom in the coming
years, the same "I" will be there. The "I" is the
Divine Spark and cannot be extinguished.
The
majority of people in the present stage of the race development have
but a faint conception of the reality of the "I." They
accept the statement
of its existence, and are conscious of themselves as an eating,
sleeping, living creature -
something like a higher form of animal. But they have not awakened to
an "awareness" or realization of the "I,"
which must come to all who become real centres of Influence and
Power. Some men have stumbled into this consciousness, or a degree of
it, without understanding the matter. They have "felt" the
truth of it, and they have stepped out from the ranks of the
commonplace people of the world, and have become powers for good or
bad. This is unfortunate to some extent, as this "awareness"
without the knowledge that should accompany it may bring pain to the
individual and others.
The
Candidate must meditate upon the "I," and recognize it -
'feel'
it - to be a
Centre. This is
his first task. Impress upon your mind the word "I," in
this sense and understanding, and let it sink deep down into your
consciousness, so that it will become a part of you. And when you say
"I," you must accompany the word with the picture of your
Ego as a Centre of Consciousness, and Thought, and Power, and
Influence. See yourself thus, surrounded by your world. Wherever you
go, there goes the Centre of your world. YOU are the Centre, and all
outside of you revolves around that Centre. This is the first great
lesson on the road to Initiation.
Learn
it!
The
Yogi Masters teach the Candidates that their realization of the "I"
as a Centre may be hastened by going into the Silence, or State
of Meditation,
and repeating their first name over slowly, deliberately and solemnly
a number of times. This exercise tends to cause the mind to centre
upon the "I," and many cases of dawning Initiation have
resulted from this practice. Many original thinkers have stumbled
upon this method, without having been taught it. A noted example is
that of Lord Tennyson, who has written that he attained a degree of
Initiation in this way. He would repeat his own name, over and over,
and the same time meditating upon his identity, and he reports that
he would become conscious and "aware" of his reality and
immortality
- in short
would recognize himself as a ' real' center of consciousness.
We
think we have given you the key to the first stage of meditation and
concentration. Before passing on, let us quote from one of the old
Hindu Masters. He says, regarding this matter: "When the soul
sees itself as a Centre surrounded by its circumference
- when the
Sun knows that it is a Sun, and is surrounded by its whirling planets
- then is it
ready for the Wisdom and Power of the Masters."
THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE "I" FROM THE BODY.
Many of the Candidates find themselves prevented from a full
realization of the "I" (even after they have begun to grasp
it) by the confusing of the reality of the "I" with the
sense of the physical body. This is a stumbling block that is easily
overcome by meditation and concentration, the independence of the "I"
often becoming manifest to the Candidate in a flash, upon the proper
thought being used as the subject of meditation.
The
exercise is given as follows: Place yourself in the State of
Meditation, and think of YOURSELF
- the Real
"I"
- as being
independent of
the body, but using the body as a covering and an instrument. Think
of the body as you might of a suit of clothes. Realize that you are
able to leave the body, and still be the same "I." Picture
yourself as doing this, and looking down upon your body. Think of the
body as a shell from which you may emerge without affecting your
identity. Think of yourself as mastering and controlling the body
that you occupy, and using it to the best advantage, making it
healthy, strong and vigorous, but still being merely a shell or
covering for the real "You." Think of the body as composed
of atoms and cells which are constantly changing, but which are held
together by the force of your Ego, and which you can improve at Will.
Realize that you are merely inhabiting the body, and using it for
your convenience, just as you might use a house.
In
meditating further, ignore the body entirely, and place your thought
upon the Real "I" that you are beginning to feel to be
"you," and you will find that your identity
- your "I"
- is
something entirely apart from the body. You may now say "my
body" with a new meaning. Divorce the idea of your being a
physical being, and realize that you are above body.
But
do not let this conception and realization cause you to ignore the
body. You must regard the body as the Temple of the Spirit, and care
for it, and make it a fit habitation for the "I." Do not be
frightened if, during this meditation, you happen to experience
the sensation of being out of the body for a few moments, and of
returning to it when you are through with the exercise. The Ego is
able (in the case of the advanced Initiate) of soaring above the
confines of the body, but it never severs its connection at such
times. It is merely as if one were to look out of the window of a
room, seeing what was going on outside, and drawing in his head when
he wishes. He does not leave the room, although he may place his head
outside in order to observe what is doing in the street. We do not
advise the Candidate to try to cultivate this sensation
- but if it
comes naturally during meditation, do not fear.
REALIZING
THE IMMORTALITY AND INVINCIBILITY OF THE EGO.
While the majority
accept on faith the belief in the Immortality of the Soul, yet but
few are aware that it may be demonstrated by the soul itself. The
Yogi Masters teach the Candidates this lesson, as follows: The
Candidate places himself in the State of Meditation, or at least in a
thoughtful frame of mind, and then endeavors to "imagine"
himself as "dead"
- that is, he
tries to form a mental conception of himself as dead. This, at first
thought, appears a very easy thing to imagine, but as a matter of
fact it is ' impossible' to do so, for the Ego refuses to entertain
the proposition, and finds it impossible to imagine it. Try it for
yourself.
You
will find that you may be able to imagine your ' body' as lying
still and lifeless, but the same thought finds that in so doing '
You' are standing and looking at the body. So you see that ' You' are
not dead at all, even in imagination, although the body may be.
Or, if you refuse to disentangle yourself from your body, in
imagination, you may think of your body as dead but ' You' who
refuse to leave it are still ' alive' and recognize the dead
body as a thing apart from your Real Self. No matter how you may
twist it you ' cannot' imagine yourself as dead. The Ego insists
upon being ' alive' in any of these thoughts, and thus finds that it
has within itself the sense and assurance of Immortality. In case of
sleep or stupor resulting from a blow, or from narcotics or
anaesthetics, the mind is apparently blank, but the "I" is
conscious of a continuity of existence. And so one may imagine
himself as being in an unconscious state, or asleep, quite easily,
and sees the possibility of such a state, but when it comes to
imagining the "I" as dead, the mind utterly refuses to do
the work. This wonderful fact that the soul carries within itself the
evidence of its own immortality is a glorious thing, but one must
have reached a degree of unfoldment before he is able to grasp its
full significance.
The
Candidate is advised to investigate the above statement for himself,
by meditation and concentration, for in order that the "I"
may know its true nature and possibilities, it must realize that it
cannot be destroyed or killed. It must know what it is before it is
able to manifest
its nature. So do not leave this part of the teaching until you have
mastered it. And it is well occasionally to return to it, in
order that
you may impress upon the mind the fact of your immortal and eternal
nature. The mere glimmering of this conception of truth will give you
an increased sense of strength and power, and you will find that your
Self has expanded and grown, and that you are more of a power and
Centre than you have heretofore realized.
The
following exercises are useful in bringing about a realization of
the invincibility of the Ego
- its
superiority to the elements.
Place
yourself in the State of Meditation, and imagine the "I" as
withdrawn from the body. See it passing through the tests of air,
fire and
water unharmed. The body being out of the way, the soul is seen to be
able of passing through the air at will
- of floating
like a bird
- of soaring
- of
traveling in the ether. It may be seen as able to pass through fire
without harm and without sensation, for the elements affect only the
physical body, not the Real "I." Likewise it may be seen as
passing through water without discomfort or danger or hurt.
This
meditation will give you a sense of superiority and strength, and
will show you something of the nature of the real "I." It
is true that you
are confined in the body, and the body may be affected by the
elements, but the knowledge that the Real "I" is superior
to the body
- superior to
the elements that affect the body
- and cannot
be injured any more than it can be killed, is wonderful, and tends
to develop
the full "I" consciousness within you. For You
- the Real
"I"
- are not
body. You are Spirit. The Ego is Immortal and Invincible, and cannot
be killed and harmed. When you enter into this realization and
consciousness, you will feel an influx of strength and power
impossible to describe. Fear will fall from you like a worn-out
cloak, and you will feel that you are "born again." An
understanding of this thought, will show you that the things that we
have been fearing cannot affect the Real "I," but must rest
content with hurting the physical body. And they may be warded off
from the physical body by a proper understanding and application of
the Will.
In
our next lesson, you will be taught how to separate the "I"
from the mechanism of the mind
- how you may
realize your mastery of the mind, just as you now realize your
independence of the body. This knowledge must be imparted to you by
degrees, and you must place your feet firmly upon one round of the
ladder before you take the next step.
The
watchword of this First Lesson is "I." And the Candidate
must enter fully into its meaning before he is able to progress. He
must realize his real existence
- independent
of the body. He must see himself as invincible and impervious to
harm, hurt, or death. He must see himself as a great Centre of
Consciousness
- a Sun
around which his world revolves.
Then
will come to him a new strength. He will feel a calm dignity and
power, which will be apparent to those with whom he comes in contact.
He
will be able to look the world in the face without flinching, and
without fear, for he will realize the nature and power of the "I."
He will realize
that he is a Centre of Power
- of
Influence. He will realize that nothing can harm the "I,"
and that no matter how the storms of life may dash upon the
personality, the real "I"
- the
Individuality
- is
unharmed.
Like
a rock that stands steadfast throughout the storm, so does the "I"
stand through the tempests of the life of personality. And he will
know that as he grows in realization, he will be able to control
these storms and bid them be still.
In
the words of one of the Yogi Masters: "The 'I' is eternal. It
passes unharmed through the fire, the air, the water. Sword and spear
cannot kill or wound it. It cannot die. The trials of the physical
life are but as dreams to it. Resting secure in the knowledge of the
'I,' Man may smile at the worst the world has to offer, and raising
his hand he may bid them disappear into the mist from which they
emerged.
Blessed
is he who can say (understandingly) 'I'."
So
dear Candidate, we leave you to master the First Lesson. Be not
discouraged if your progress be slow. Be not cast down if you slip
back a step after having gained it. You will gain two at the next
step.
Success
and realization will be yours. Mastery is before. You will Attain.
You will Accomplish. Peace be with you.
MANTRAMS
(AFFIRMATIONS) FOR THE FIRST LESSON.
"I"
am a Centre. Around me revolves my world.
"I"
am a Centre of Influence and Power.
"I"
am a Centre of Thought and Consciousness.
"I"
am Independent of the Body.
"I"
am Immortal and cannot be Destroyed.
"I"
am Invincible and cannot be Injured.
[Illustration:
"I"]
