THEYOGASUTRASOFPATANJALI

"THEBOOKOFTHESPIRITUALMAN"
ANINTERPRETATIONBY
CHARLESJOHNSTON
BENGALCIVILSERVICE,RETIREDINDIAN
CIVILSERVICE,SANSKRITPRIZEMANDUBLIN
UNIVERSITY,SANSKRITPRIZEMAN

CONTENTS:
BOOKI...................................................................................................................5
INTRODUCTIONTOBOOKII ...........................................................................16
BOOKII................................................................................................................17
INTRODUCTIONTOBOOKIII ..........................................................................32
BOOKIII ..............................................................................................................34
INTRODUCTIONTOBOOKIV ..........................................................................52
BOOKIV ..............................................................................................................53

INTRODUCTIONTOBOOKI
TheYogaSutrasofPatanjaliareinthemselvesexceedinglybrief,lessthantenpagesof
largetypeintheoriginal.Yettheycontaintheessenceofpracticalwisdom,setforthin
admirableorderanddetail.Thetheme,ifthepresentinterpreterberight,isthegreat
regeneration,thebirthofthespiritualfromthepsychicalman:thesamethemewhich
PaulsowiselyandeloquentlysetforthinwritingtohisdisciplesinCorinth,thethemeof
allmysticsinalllands.
Wethinkofourselvesaslivingapurelyphysicallife,inthesematerialbodiesofours.In
reality,wehavegonefarindeedfrompurephysicallifeforages,ourlifehasbeen
psychical,wehavebeencentredandimmersedinthepsychicnature.Someoftheschools
ofIndiasaythatthepsychicnatureis,asitwere,alookingglass,whereinaremirrored
thethingsseenbythephysicaleyes,andheardbythephysicalears.Butthisisamagic
mirrortheimagesremain,andtakeacertainlifeoftheirown.Thuswithinthepsychic
realmofourlifetheregrowsupanimagedworldwhereinwedwellaworldofthe
imagesofthingsseenandheard,andthereforeaworldofmemoriesaworldalsoof
hopesanddesires,offearsandregrets.Mentallifegrowsupamongtheseimages,built
onameasuringandcomparing,onthemassingofimagestogetherintogeneralideason
theabstractionofnewnotionsandimagesfromthesetillanewworldisbuiltupwithin,
full ofdesiresandhates,ambition,envy,longing,speculation,curiosity,selfwill,self
interest.
TheteachingoftheEastis,thatallthesearetruepowersoverlaidbyfalsedesiresthat
thoughinmanifestationpsychical,theyareinessencespiritual thatthepsychicalmanis
theveilandprophecyofthespiritualman.
Thepurposeoflife,therefore,istherealizingofthatprophecytheunveilingofthe
immortalmanthebirthofthespiritualfromthepsychical,wherebyweenterourdivine
inheritanceandcometoinhabitEternity.Thisis,indeed,salvation,thepurposeofalltrue
religion,inalltimes.
Patanjalihasinmindthespiritualman,tobebornfromthepsychical.Hispurposeis,to
setinorderthepracticalmeansfortheunveilingandregeneration,andtoindicatethe
fruit,thegloryandthepower,ofthatnewbirth.
ThroughtheSutrasofthefirstbook,Patanjaliisconcernedwiththefirstgreatproblem,
theemergenceofthespiritualmanfromtheveilsandmeshesofthepsychicnature,the
moodsandvesturesofthementalandemotionalman.Laterwillcometheconsideration
ofthenatureandpowersofthespiritualman,oncehestandsclearofthepsychicveils
andtrammels,andaviewoftherealmsinwhichthesenewspiritual powersaretobe
revealed.
Atthispointmaycomeawordofexplanation.IhavebeenaskedwhyIusetheword
Sutras,fortheserulesofPatanjali'ssystem,whenthewordAphorismhasbeenconnected
withtheminourmindsforageneration.Thereasonisthis:thenameAphorismsuggests,

tomeatleast,apithysentenceofverygeneralapplicationapieceofproverbialwisdom
thatmaybequotedinagoodmanysetsofcircumstance,andwhichwillalmostbearon
itsfacetheevidenceofitstruth.Butwith aSutrathecaseisdifferent.Itcomesfromthe
samerootastheword"sew,"andmeans,indeed,athread,suggesting,therefore,aclose
knit,consecutivechainofargument.NotonlyhaseachSutraadefiniteplaceinthe
system,butfurther,takenoutof thisplace,itwillbealmostmeaningless,andwillbyno
meansbeselfevident.SoIhavethoughtbesttoadheretotheoriginalword.TheSutras
ofPatanjaliareascloselyknittogether,asdependentoneachother,asthepropositionsof
Euclid,andcannomorebetakenoutoftheirpropersetting.
Inthesecondpartofthefirstbook,theproblemoftheemergenceofthespiritualmanis
furtherdealtwith.Weareledtotheconsiderationofthebarrierstohisemergence,ofthe
overcomingofthebarriers,andofcertainstepsandstagesintheascentfromtheordinary
consciousnessofpracticallife,tothefiner,deeper,radiantconsciousnessofthespiritual
man.

BOOKI
1.OM:HerefollowsInstructioninUnion.
Union,hereasalwaysintheScripturesofIndia,meansunionoftheindividualsoulwith
theOversoulofthepersonalconsciousnesswiththeDivineConsciousness,wherebythe
mortalbecomesimmortal,andenterstheEternal.Therefore,salvationis,first,freedom
fromsinandthesorrowwhichcomesfromsin,andthenadivineandeternalwellbeing,
whereinthesoulpartakesofthebeing,thewisdomandgloryofGod.
2.Union,spiritualconsciousness,isgainedthroughcontroloftheversatilepsychic
nature.
Thegoalisthefullconsciousnessofthespiritualman,illuminedbytheDivineLight.
Nothingexcepttheobdurateresistanceofthepsychicnaturekeepsusbackfromthegoal.
Thepsychicalpowersarespiritualpowersrunwild,perverted,drawnfromtheirproper
channel.Thereforeourfirsttaskis,toregaincontrolofthispervertednature,tochasten,
purifyandrestorethemisplacedpowers.
3.ThentheSeercomestoconsciousnessinhispropernature.
Egotismisbuttheperversionofspiritualbeing.Ambitionistheinversionofspiritual
power.Passionisthedistortionoflove.Themortalisthelimitationoftheimmortal.
Whenthesefalseimagesgiveplacetotrue,thenthespiritualmanstandsforthluminous,
asthesun,whenthecloudsdisperse.
4.HeretoforetheSeerhasbeenenmeshedintheactivitiesofthepsychicnature.
Thepowerandlifewhicharetheheritageofthespiritualmanhavebeencaughtand
enmeshedinpsychicalactivities.InsteadofpurebeingintheDivine,therehasbeen
fretful,combative.egotism,itshandagainsteveryman.Insteadofthelightofpure
vision,therehavebeenrestlesssensesnavebeenreandimaginings.Insteadofspiritual
joy,theundividedjoyofpurebeing,therehasbeenselfindulgenceofbodyandmind.
Theseareallrealforces,butdistortedfromtheirtruenatureandgoal.Theymustbe
extricated,likegemsfromthematrix,likethepithfromthereed,steadily,without
destructiveviolence.Spiritualpowersaretobedrawnforthfromthe}'sychicmeshes.
5.Thepsychicactivitiesarefivetheyareeithersubjectornotsubjecttothefive
hindrances(BookII,3).
Thepsychicnatureisbuiltupthroughtheimagemakingpower,thepowerwhichlies
behindanddwellsinmindpictures.Thesepicturesdonotremainquiescentinthemind
theyarekinetic,restless,stimulatingtonewacts.Thusthemindimageofanindulgence
suggestsandinvitestoanewindulgencethepictureofpastjoyisframedinregretsor
hopes.Andthereistheceaselessplayofthedesiretoknow,topenetratetotheessenceof

things,toclassify.This,too,busiesitselfceaselesslywiththemindimages.Sothatwe
mayclassifytheactivitiesofthepsychicnaturethus:
6.Theseactivitiesare:Soundintellection,unsoundintellection,predication,sleep,
memory.
Wehaveherealistofmentalandemotionalpowersofpowersthatpictureandobserve,
andofpowersthatpictureandfeel.Butthepowertoknowandfeelisspiritualand
immortal.Whatisneededis,nottodestroyit,buttoraiseitfromthepsychicaltothe
spiritualrealm.
7.Theelementsofsoundintellectionare:directobservation,inductivereason,and
trustworthytestimony.
Eachoftheseisaspiritualpower,thinlyveiled.Directobservationistheoutermostform
oftheSoul'spurevision.Inductivereasonrestsonthegreatprinciplesofcontinuityand
correspondenceandthese,onthesupremetruththatalllifeisoftheOne.Trustworthy
testimony,thesharingofonesoulinthewisdomofanother,restsontheultimateoneness
ofallsouls.
8.Unsoundintellectionisfalseunderstanding,notrestingonaperceptionofthetrue
natureofthings.
Whentheobjectisnottrulyperceived,whentheobservationisinaccurateandfaulty.
thoughtorreasoningbasedonthatmistakenperceptionisofnecessityfalseandunsound.
9.Predicationiscarriedonthroughwordsorthoughtsnotrestingonanobjectperceived.
ThepurposeofthisSutrais,todistinguishbetweenthementalprocessofpredication,and
observation,inductionortestimony.Predicationistheattributionofaqualityoractionto
asubject,byaddingtoitapredicate.Inthesentence,"themaniswise,""theman"isthe
subject"iswise"isthepredicate.Thismaybesimplyaninterplayofthoughts,without
thepresenceoftheobjectthoughtoforthethingsthoughtofmaybeimaginaryor
unrealwhileobservation,inductionandtestimonyalwaysgobacktoanobject.
10.Sleepisthepsychicconditionwhichrestsonmindstates,allmaterialthingsbeing
absent.
Inwakinglife,wehavetwocurrentsofperceptionanoutercurrentofphysicalthings
seenandheardandperceivedaninnercurrentofmindimagesandthoughts.Theouter
currentceasesinsleeptheinnercurrentcontinues,andwatchingthemindimagesfloat
beforethefieldofconsciousness,we"dreamEvenwhentherearenodreams,thereisstill
acertainconsciousnessinsleep,sothat,onwaking,onesays,"Ihavesleptwell,"or"I
havesleptbadly."
11.Memoryisholdingtomindimagesofthingsperceived,withoutmodifyingthem.

Here,asbefore,thementalpowerisexplainedintermsofmindimages,whicharethe
materialofwhichthepsychicworldisbuilt,Thereforethesagesteachthattheworldof
ourperception,whichisindeedaworldofmindimages,isbutthewraithorshadowof
therealandeverlastingworld.Inthissense,memoryisbutthepsychicalinversionofthe
spiritual,everpresentvision.ThatwhichiseverbeforethespiritualeyeoftheSeerneeds
nottoberemembered.
12.Thecontrolofthesepsychicactivitiescomesthroughtherightuseofthewill,and
throughceasingfromselfindulgence.
Ifthesepsychicalpowersandenergies,evensuchevilthingsaspassionandhateand
fear,arebutspiritualpowersfallenandperverted,howarewetobringabouttheirrelease
andrestoration?Twomeansarepresentedtous:theawakeningofthespiritualwill,and
thepurificationofmindandthought.
13.Therightuseofthewillisthesteady,efforttostandinspiritualbeing.
Wehavethoughtofourselves,perhaps,ascreaturesmovinguponthisearth,rather
helpless,atthemercyofstormandhungerandourenemies.Wearetothinkofourselves
asimmortals,dwellingintheLight,encompassedandsustainedbyspiritualpowers.The
steadyefforttoholdthisthoughtwillawakendormantandunrealizedpowers,whichwill
unveiltousthenearnessoftheEternal.
14.Thisbecomesafirmrestingplace,whenfollowedlong,persistently,with
earnestness.
Wemustseekspirituallifeinconformitywiththelawsofspirituallife,withearnestness,
humility,gentlecharity,whichisanacknowledgmentoftheOneSoulwithinusall.Only
throughobediencetothatsharedLife,throughperpetualremembranceofouroneness
with allDivineBeing,ournothingnessapartfromDivineBeing,canweenterour
inheritance.
15.Ceasingfromselfindulgenceisconsciousmasteryoverthethirstforsensuous
pleasurehereorhereafter.
Rightlyunderstood,thedesireforsensationisthedesireofbeing,thedistortionofthe
soul'seternallife.Thelustofsensualstimulusandexcitationrestsonthelongingtofeel
one'slifekeenly,togainthesenseofbeingreallyalive.Thissenseoftruelifecomesonly
withthecomingofthesoul,andthesoulcomesonlyinsilence,afterselfindulgencehas
beencourageouslyandloyallystilled,throughreverencebeforethecomingsoul.
16.Theconsummationofthisisfreedomfromthirstforanymodeofpsychicalactivity,
throughtheestablishmentofthespiritualman.

Inordertogainatrueunderstandingofthisteaching,studymustbesupplementedby
devotedpractice,faithbyworks.Thereadingofthewordswillnotavail.Theremustbea
realefforttostandastheSoul,arealceasingfrom selfindulgence.Withthisawakening
ofthespiritualwill,andpurification,willcomeatoncethegrowthofthespiritualman
andourawakeningconsciousnessasthespiritualmanandthis,attainedinevenasmall
degree,willhelpusnotablyinourcontest.Tohimthathath,shallbegiven.
17.Meditationwithanobjectfollowsthesestages:first,exteriorexamining,theninterior
judicialaction,thenjoy,thenrealizationofindividualbeing.
Inthepracticeofmeditation,abeginningmaybemadebyfixingtheattentionuponsome
externalobject,suchasasacredimageorpicture,orapartofabookofdevotion.Inthe
secondstage,onepassesfromtheouterobjecttoaninnerponderinguponitslessons.The
thirdstageistheinspiration,theheighteningofthespiritualwill,whichresultsfromthis
pondering.Thefourthstageistherealizationofone'sspiritualbeing,asenkindledbythis
meditation.
18.Aftertheexerciseofthewillhasstilledthepsychicactivities,meditationrestsonly
onthefruitofformermeditations.
Invirtueofcontinuedpracticeandeffort,theneedofanexternalobjectonwhichtorest
themeditationisoutgrown.Aninteriorstateofspiritualconsciousnessisreached,which
iscalled"thecloudofthingsknowable"(BookIV,29).
19.Subjectiveconsciousnessarisingfromanaturalcauseispossessedbythosewhohave
laidasidetheirbodiesandbeenabsorbedintosubjectivenature.
Thosewhohavedied,enteredtheparadisebetweenbirths,areinaconditionresembling
meditationwithoutanexternalobject.Butinthefullnessoftime,theseedsofdesirein
themwillspringup,andtheywillbebornagainintothisworld.
20.Fortheothers,thereisspiritualconsciousness,leduptobyfaith,valourright
mindfulness,onepointedness,perception.
Itiswelltokeepinmindthesestepsonthepathtoillumination:faith,velour,right
mindfulness,onepointedness,perception.Notonecanbedispensedwithallmustbe
won.Firstfaithandthenfromfaith,velourfromvalour,rightmindfulnessfromright
mindfulness,aonepointedaspirationtowardthesoulfromthis,perceptionandfinally,
fullvisionasthesoul.
21.Spiritualconsciousnessisnearesttothoseofkeen,intensewill.
Theimageusedistheswiftimpetusofthetorrentthekingdommustbetakenbyforce.
Firmwillcomesonlythroughefforteffortisinspiredbyfaith.Thegreatsecretisthis:it
isnotenoughtohaveintuitionswemustactonthemwemustlivethem.

22.Thewillmaybeweak,orofmiddlestrength,orintense.
Thereforethereisaspiritualconsciousnesshigherthanthis.Forthoseofweakwill,there
isthiscounsel:tobefaithfulinobedience,tolivethelife,andthustostrengthenthewill
tomoreperfectobedience.Thewillisnotours,butGod's,andwecomeintoitonly
throughobedience.AsweenterintothespiritofGod,wearepermittedtosharethe
powerofGod.
Higherthanthethreestagesofthewayisthegoal,theendoftheway.
23.Orspiritual consciousnessmaybegainedbyardentserviceoftheMaster.
IfwethinkofourlivesastaskslaidonusbytheMasterofLife,ifwelookonallduties
aspartsofthatMaster'swork,entrustedtous,andformingourlifeworkthen,ifwe
obey,promptly,loyally,sincerely,weshallenterbydegreesintotheMaster'slifeand
sharetheMaster'spower.Thusweshallbeinitiatedintothespiritualwill.
24.TheMasteristhespiritualman,whosfreefromhindrances,bondagetoworks,and
thefruitionandseedofworks.
TheSouloftheMaster,theLord,isofthesamenatureasthesoulinusbutwestillbear
theburdenofmanyevils,weareinbondagethroughourformerworks,weareunderthe
dominanceofsorrow.TheSouloftheMasterisfreefrom sinandservitudeandsorrow.
25.IntheMasteristheperfectseedofOmniscience.
TheSouloftheMasterisinessenceonewiththeOversoul,andthereforepartakerofthe
Oversoul'sallwisdomandallpower.Allspiritualattainmentrestsonthis,andispossible
becausethesoulandtheOversoulareOne.
26.HeistheTeacherofallwhohavegonebefore,sinceheisnotlimitedbyTime.
Fromthebeginning,theOversoulhasbeentheTeacherofallsouls,which,bytheir
entranceintotheOversoul,by realizingtheironenesswiththeOversoul,haveinherited
thekingdomoftheLight.FortheOversoulisbeforeTime,andTime,fatherofallelse,is
oneofHischildren.
27.HiswordisOM.
OM:thesymboloftheThreeinOne,thethreeworldsintheSoulthethreetimes,past,
present,future,inEternitythethreeDivinePowers,Creation,Preservation,
Transformation,intheoneBeingthethreeessences,immortality,omniscience,joy,in
theoneSpirit.ThisistheWord,theSymbol,oftheMasterandLord,theperfected
SpiritualMan.
28.LettherebesoundlessrepetitionofOMandmeditationthereon.

Thishasmanymeanings,inascendingdegrees.Thereis,first,thepotencyoftheword
itself,asofallwords.Thenthereisthemanifoldsignificanceofthesymbol,assuggested
above.Lastly,thereisthespiritualrealizationofthehighessencesthussymbolized.Thus
werisestepbysteptotheEternal.
29.Thencecometheawakeningofinteriorconsciousness,andtheremovalofbarriers.
Hereagainfaithmustbesupplementedbyworks,thelifemustbeledaswellasstudied,
beforethefullmeaningcanbeunderstood.Theawakeningofspiritualconsciousnesscan
onlybeunderstoodinmeasureasitisentered.Itcanonlybeenteredwherethe
conditionsarepresent:purityofheart,andstrongaspiration,andtheresoluteconquestof
eachsin.
This,however,mayeasilybeunderstood:thattherecognitionofthethreeworldsas
restingintheSoulleadsustorealizeourselvesandalllifeasoftheSoulthat,aswe
dwell,notinpast,presentorfuture,butintheEternal,webecomemoreatonewiththe
Eternalthat,asweviewallorganization,preservation,mutationastheworkofthe
DivineOne,weshallcomemoreintoharmonywiththeOne,andthusremovethebarrier'
inourpathtowardtheLight.
Inthesecondpartofthefirstbook,theproblemoftheemergenceofthespiritualmanis
furtherdealtwith.Weareledtotheconsiderationofthebarrierstohisemergence,ofthe
overcomingofthebarriers,andofcertainstepsandstagesintheascentfromtheordinary
consciousnessofpracticallife,tothefiner,deeper,radiantconsciousnessofthespiritual
man.
30.Thebarrierstointeriorconsciousness,whichdrivethepsychicnaturethiswayand
that,arethese:sickness,inertia,doubt,lightmindedness,laziness,intemperance,false
notions,inabilitytoreachastageofmeditation,ortoholditwhenreached.
Wemustrememberthatweareconsideringthespiritualmanasenwrappedand
enmeshedbythepsychicnature,theemotionalandmentalpowersandasunabletocome
toclearconsciousness,unabletostandandseeclearly,becauseofthepsychicveilsofthe
personality.Nineoftheseareenumerated,andtheygoprettythoroughlyintothebrute
toughnessofthepsychicnature.
Sicknessisincludedratherforitseffectontheemotionsandmind,sincebodilyinfirmity,
suchasblindnessordeafness,isnoinsuperablebarriertospirituallife,andmay
sometimesbeahelp,ascuttingoffdistractions.Itwillbewellforustoponderovereach
ofthesenineactivities,thinkingofeachasapsychicstate,abarriertotheinterior
consciousnessofthespiritualman.
31.Grieving,despondency,bodilyrestlessness,thedrawinginandsendingforthofthe
lifebreathalsocontributetodrivethepsychicnaturetoandfro.

Thefirsttwomoodsareeasilyunderstood.Wecanwellseebowasoddenpsychic
condition,flagrantlyopposedtothepureandpositivejoyofspirituallife,wouldbea
barrier.Thenext,bodilyrestlessness,isinaspecialwaythefaultofourdayand
generation.Whenitisconquered,mentalrestlessnesswillbehalfconquered,too.
Thenexttwoterms,concerningthelifebreath,offersomedifficulty.Thesurface
meaningisharshandirregularbreathingthedeepermeaningisalifeofharshand
irregularimpulses.
32.Steadyapplicationtoaprincipleisthewaytoputastoptothese.
Thewill,which,initspristinestate,wasfullofvigour,hasbeensteadilycorruptedby
selfindulgence,theseekingofmoodsandsensationsforsensation'ssake.Hencecomeall
themorbidandsicklymoodsofthemind.Theremedyisareturntothepristinestateof
thewill,byvigorous,positiveeffortor,asweareheretold,by steadyapplicationtoa
principle.Theprincipletowhichweshouldthussteadilyapplyourselvesshouldbeone
arisingfromtherealityofspirituallifevalorousworkforthesoul,inothersasin
ourselves.
33.Bysympathywiththehappy,compassionforthesorrowful,delightintheholy,
disregardoftheunholy,thepsychicnaturemovestograciouspeace.
Whenwearewrappedupinourselves,shroudedwiththecloakofouregotism,absorbed
inourpainsandbitterthoughts,wearenotwillingtodisturborstrainourownsickly
moodbygivingkindlysympathytothehappy,thusdoublingtheirjoy,orbyshowing
compassionforthesad,thushalvingtheirsorrow.Werefusetofinddelightinholy
things,andletthemindbroodinsadpessimismonunholy things.Alltheseevilpsychic
moodsmustbeconqueredbystrongeffortofwill.Thisrendingoftheveilswillrevealto
ussomethingofthegraceandpeacewhichareoftheinteriorconsciousnessofthe
spiritualman.
34.Orpeacemaybereachedbytheevensendingforthandcontrolofthelifebreath.
Hereagainwemaylookforadoublemeaning:first,thatevenandquietbreathingwhich
isapartofthevictoryoverbodilyrestlessnessthentheevenandquiettenoroflife,
withoutharshordissonantimpulses,whichbringsstillnesstotheheart.
35.Faithful,persistentapplicationtoanyobject,ifcompletelyattained,willbindthe
mindtosteadiness.
Wearestillconsideringhowtoovercomethewaveringandperturbationofthepsychic
nature,whichmakeitquiteunfittotransmittheinwardconsciousnessandstillness.We
areoncemoretoldtousethewill,andtotrainitbysteadyandpersistentwork:by
"sittingclose"toourwork,inthephraseoftheoriginal.
36.Asalsowillajoyful,radiantspirit.

Thereisnosuchillusionasgloomypessimism,andithasbeentrulysaidthataman's
cheerfulnessisthemeasureofhisfaith.Gloom,despondency,thepalecastofthought,
areveryamenabletothewill.Sturdyandcourageouseffortwillbringaclearand
valorousmind.Butitmustalwaysberememberedthatthisisnotforsolacetothe
personalman,butisratheranofferingtotheidealofspirituallife,acontributiontothe
universalanduniversallysharedtreasureinheaven.
37.Orthepurgingofselfindulgencefromthepsychicnature.
Wemustrecognizethatthefallofmanisareality,exemplifiedinourownpersons.We
havequiteothersinsthantheanimals,andfarmoredeleteriousandtheyhaveallcome
throughselfindulgence,withwhichourpsychicnaturesaresoakedthroughandthrough.
Asweclimbeddownhillforourpleasure,somustweclimbupagainforourpurification
andrestorationtoourformerhighestate.Theprocessispainful,perhaps,yet
indispensable.
38.Or aponderingontheperceptionsgainedindreamsanddreamlesssleep.
FortheEasternsages,dreamsare,itistrue,madeupofimagesofwakinglife,reflections
ofwhattheeyeshaveseenandtheearsheard.Butdreamsaresomethingmore,forthe
imagesareinasensereal,objectiveontheirownplaneandtheknowledgethatthereis
anotherworld,evenadreamworld,lightensthetyrannyofmateriallife.Muchofpoetry
andartissuchasolacefromdreamland.Butthereismoreindream,foritmayimage
whatisabove,aswellaswhatisbelownotonlythechildrenofmen,butalsothe
childrenbytheshoreoftheimmortalseathatbroughtushither,maythrowtheirimages
onthismagicmirror:so,too,ofthesecretsofdreamlesssleepwithitspurevision,in
evengreaterdegree.
39.Ormeditativebroodingonwhatisdearesttotheheart.
Hereisathoughtwhichourowndayisbeginningtograsp:thatloveisaformof
knowledgethatwetrulyknowanythingoranyperson,bybecomingonetherewith,in
love.Thuslovehasawisdomthatthemindcannotclaim,andbythisheartylove,this
becomingonewithwhatisbeyondourpersonalborders,wemaytakealongsteptoward
freedom.Twodirectionsforthismaybesuggested:thepureloveoftheartistforhis
work,andtheearnest,compassionatesearchintotheheartsofothers.
40.Thushemastersall,fromtheatomtotheInfinite.
Newtonwasaskedhowhemadehisdiscoveries.Byintendingmymindonthem,he
replied.Thissteadypressure,thisbecomingonewithwhatweseektounderstand,
whetheritbeatomorsoul,istheonemeanstoknow.Whenwebecomeathing,wereally
knowit,nototherwise.Thereforelivethelife,toknowthedoctrinedothewillofthe
Father,ifyouwouldknowtheFather.

41.Whentheperturbationsofthepsychicnaturehaveallbeenstilled,thenthe
consciousness,likeapurecrystal,takesthecolourofwhatitrestson,whetherthatbethe
perceiver,perceiving,orthethingperceived.
Thisisafullerexpressionof thelastSutra,andissolucidthatcommentcanhardlyadd
toit.Everythingiseitherperceiver,perceiving,orthethingperceivedor,aswemight
say,consciousness,force,ormatter.Thesagetellsusthattheonekeywillunlockthe
secretsofall three,thesecretsofconsciousness,forceandmatteralike.Thethoughtis,
thatthecordialsympathyofagentleheart,intuitivelyunderstandingtheheartsofothers,
isreallyamanifestationofthesamepowerasthatpenetratingperceptionwherebyone
divinesthesecretsofplanetarymotionsoratomicstructure.
42.Whentheconsciousness,poisedinperceiving,blendstogetherthename,theobject
dweltonandtheidea,thisisperceptionwithexteriorconsideration.
Inthefirststageoftheconsiderationofanexternalobject,theperceivingmindcomesto
it,preoccupiedbythenameandideaconventionallyassociatedwiththatobject.For
example,incomingtothestudyofabook,wethinkoftheauthor,hisperiod,theschool
towhichhebelongs.Thesecondstage,setforthinthenextSutra,goesdirectlytothe
spiritualmeaningofthebook,settingitstraditionaltrappingsasideandfindingits
applicationtoourownexperienceandproblems.
Thecommentatortakesaverysimpleillustration:acow,whereoneconsiders,inthefirst
stage,thenameofthecow,theanimalitselfandtheideaofacowinthemind.Inthe
secondstage,onepushesthesetrappingsasideand,enteringintotheinmostbeingofthe
cow,sharesitsconsciousness,asdosomeoftheartistswhopaintcows.Theygetatthe
verylifeofwhattheystudyandpaint.
43.Whentheobjectdwellsinthemind,clearofmemorypictures,uncolouredbythe
mind,asapureluminousidea,thisisperceptionwithoutexteriororconsideration.
Wearestillconsideringexternal,visibleobjects.Suchperceptionasisheredescribedis
ofthenatureofthatpenetratingvisionwherebyNewton,intendinghismindonthings,
madehisdiscoveries,orthatwherebyareallygreatportraitpainterpiercestothesoulof
himwhomhepaints,andmakesthatsoulliveoncanvas.Thesestagesofperceptionare
describedinthisway,toleadtheminduptoanunderstandingofthepiercingsoulvision
ofthespiritualman,theimmortal.
44.Thesametwosteps,whenreferringtothingsoffinersubstance,aresaidtobewith,
orwithout,judicialactionofthemind.
Wenowcometomentalorpsychicalobjects:toimagesinthemind.Itispreciselyby
comparing,arrangingandsuperposingthesemindimagesthatwegetourgeneralnotions
orconcepts.Thisprocessofanalysisandsynthesis,wherebyweselectcertainqualitiesin
agroupofmindimages,andthenrangetogetherthoseoflikequality,isthejudicial
actionofthemindspokenof.Butwhenweexerciseswiftdivinationuponthemind

images,asdoesapoetoramanofgenius.,thenweuseapowerhigherthanthejudicial,
andonenearertothekeenvisionofthespiritualman.
45.Subtlesubstancerisesinascendingdegrees,tothatpurenaturewhichhasno
distinguishingmark.
Asweascendfromoutermaterialthingswhicharepermeatedbyseparateness,and
whosechiefcharacteristicistobeseparate,justassomanypebblesareseparatefrom
eachotherasweascend,first,tomindimages,whichoverlapandcoalesceinbothspace
andtime,andthentoideasandprinciples,wefinallycometopureressences,drawing
evernearerandnearertounity.
Orwemayillustratethisprinciplethus.Ourbodily,externalselvesarequitedistinctand
separate,inform,name,place,substanceourmentalselves,offinersubstance,meetand
part,meetandpartagain,inperpetualconcussionandinterchangeourspiritualselves
attaintrueconsciousnessthroughunity,wherethepartitionwallbetweenusandthe
Highest,betweenusandothers,isbrokendownandweareallmadeperfectintheOne.
Thehighestrichesarepossessedbyallpuresouls,onlywhenunited.Thuswerisefrom
separationtotrueindividualityinunity.
46.Theabovearethedegreesoflimitedandconditionedspiritualconsciousness,still
containingtheseedofseparateness.
Inthefourstagesofperceptionabovedescribed,thespiritualvisionisstillworking
throughthementalandpsychical,theinnergeniusisstillexpressedthroughtheouter,
personalman.Thespiritualmanhasyettocomecompletelytoconsciousnessashimself,
inhisownrealm,thepsychicalveilslaidaside.
47.Whenpureperceptionwithoutjudicialactionofthemindisreached,therefollowsthe
graciouspeaceof theinnerself.
Wehaveinstancedcertaintypesofthispureperception:thepoet'sdivination,wherebyhe
seesthespiritwithinthesymbol,likenessinthingsunlike,andbeautyinallthingsthe
pureinsightofthetruephilosopher,whosevisionrestsnotontheappearancesoflife,but
onitsrealitiesorthesaint'sfirmperceptionofspirituallifeandbeing.Allthesearefar
advancedonthewaytheyhavedrawnneartothesecretdwellingofpeace.
48.Inthatpeace,perceptionisunfailinglytrue.
Thepoet,thewisephilosopherandthesaintnotonlyreachawideandluminous
consciousness,buttheygaincertainknowledgeofsubstantialreality.Whenweknow,we
knowthatweknow.Forwehavecometothestagewhereweknowthingsbybeing
them,andnothingcanbemoretruethanbeing.Werestontherock,andknowittobe
rock,rootedintheveryheartoftheworld.

49.Theobjectofthisperceptionisotherthanwhatislearnedfromthesacredbooks,or
bysoundinference,sincethisperceptionisparticular.
Thedistinctionisaluminousandinspiringone.TheScripturesteachgeneraltruths,
concerninguniversalspirituallifeandbroadlaws,andinferencefromtheirteachingis
notlessgeneral.ButthespiritualperceptionoftheawakenedSeerbringsparticulartruth
concerninghisownparticularlifeandneeds,whetherthesebeforhimselforothers.He
receivesdefined,preciseknowledge,exactlyapplyingtowhathehasatheart.
50.Theimpressontheconsciousnessspringingfromthisperceptionsupersedesall
previousimpressions.
Eachstateorfieldofthemind,eachfieldofknowledge,sotospeak,whichisreachedby
mentalandemotionalenergies,isapsychicalstate,justasthemindpictureofastage
withtheactorsonit,isapsychicalstateorfield.Whenthepurevision,asofthepoet,the
philosopher,thesaint,fillsthewholefield,alllesserviewsandvisionsarecrowdedout.
Thishighconsciousnessdisplacesalllesserconsciousness.Yet,inacertainsense,that
whichisviewedaspart,evenbythevisionofasage,hasstillanelementofillusion,a
thinpsychicalveil,howeverpureandluminousthatveilmaybe.Itisthelastandhighest
psychicstate.
51.Whenthisimpressionceases,then,sinceallimpressionshaveceased,therearises
purespiritualconsciousness,withnoseedofseparatenessleft.
Thelastpsychicveilisdrawnaside,andthespiritualmanstandswithunveiledvision,
pureserene.

INTRODUCTIONTOBOOKII
ThefirstbookofPatanjali'sYogaSutrasiscalledtheBookofSpiritualConsciousness.
Thesecondbook,whichwenowbegin,istheBookoftheMeansofSoulGrowth.And
wemustrememberthatsoulgrowthheremeansthegrowthoftherealizationofthe
spiritualman,or,toputthemattermorebriefly,thegrowthofthespiritualman,andthe
disentanglingofthespiritualmanfromthewrappings,theveils,thedisguiseslaidupon
himbythemindandthepsychicalnature,whereinheisenmeshed,likeabirdcaughtina
net
Thequestionarises:Bywhatmeansmaythespiritualmanbefreedfromthesepsychical
meshesanddisguises,sothathemaystandforthabovedeath,inhisradianteternalness
anddivinepower?Andthesecondbooksetsitselftoanswerthisveryquestion,andto
detailthemeansinawayentirelypracticalandverylucid,sothathewhorunsmayread,
andhewhoreadsmayunderstandandpractise.
Thesecondpartofthesecondbookisconcernedwithpracticalspiritualtraining,thatis,
withtheearlierpracticaltrainingofthespiritualman.
ThemoststrikingthinginitistheemphasislaidontheCommandments,whichare
preciselythoseofthelatterpartoftheDecalogue,togetherwithobediencetotheMaster.
Ourdayandgenerationisfartoopronetofancythattherecanbemysticallifeand
growthonsomeotherfoundation,onthefoundation,forexample,ofintellectualcuriosity
orpsychicalselfishness.Inreality,onthislatterfoundationthelifeofthespiritualman
canneverbebuiltnor,indeed,anythingbutapsychiccounterfeit,adangerousdelusion.
ThereforePatanjali,likeeverygreatspiritualteacher,meetsthequestion:WhatmustIdo
tobesaved?withtheageoldanswer:KeeptheCommandments.Onlyafterthedisciple
cansay,ThesehaveIkept, cantherebethefurtherandfinerteachingofthespiritual
Rules.
Itis,therefore,vitalforustorealizethattheYogasystem,likeeverytruesystemof
spiritualteaching,restsonthisbroadandfirmfoundationofhonesty,truth,cleanness,
obedience.Withoutthese,thereisnosalvationandhewhopracticesthese,eventhough
ignorantofspiritualthings,islayinguptreasagainstthetimetocome.

BOOKII
1.ThepracticeswhichmakeforunionwiththeSoulare:ferventaspiration,spiritual
reading,andcompleteobediencetotheMaster.
ThewordwhichIhaverendered"ferventaspiration'meansprimarily"fire"and,inthe
Easternteaching,itmeansthefirewhichgiveslifeandlight,andatthesametimethefire
whichpurifies.Wehave,therefore,asourfirstpractice,asthefirstofthemeansof
spiritualgrowth,thatfieryqualityofthewillwhichenkindlesandillumines,and,atthe
sametime,thesteadypracticeofpurification,theburningawayofallknownimpurities.
Spiritualreadingissouniversallyacceptedandunderstood,thatitneedsnocomment.
TheverystudyofPatanjali'sSutrasisanexerciseinspiritualreading,andavery
effectiveone.AndsowithallotherbooksoftheSoul.ObediencetotheMastermeans,
thatweshallmakethewilloftheMasterourwill,andshallconfirminallwavetothe
willoftheDivine,settingasidethewillsofself,whicharebutpsychicdistortionsofthe
oneDivineWill.Theconstantefforttoobeyinallthewaysweknowandunderstand,
willrevealnewwaysandnewtasks,theevidenceofnewgrowthoftheSoul.Nothing
willdomoreforthespiritualmaninusthanthis,forthereisnosuchregeneratingpower
astheawakeningspiritualwill.
2.Theiraimis,tobringsoulvision,andtowearawayhindrances.
Theaimoffervour,spiritualreadingandobediencetotheMaster,is,tobringsoulvision,
andtowearawayhindrances.Or,tousethephrasewehavealreadyadopted,theaimof
thesepracticesis,tohelpthespiritualmantoopenhiseyestohelphimalsotothrow
asidetheveilsanddisguises,theenmeshingpsychicnetswhichsurroundhim,tyinghis
hands,asitwere,andbandaginghiseyes.Andthis,asallteacherstestify,isalongand
arduoustask,asteadyuphillfight, demandingfinecourageandpersistenttoil.Fervour,
thefireofthespiritualwill,is,aswesaid,twofold:itillumines,andsohelpsthespiritual
mantoseeanditalsoburnsupthenetsandmesheswhichensnarethespiritualman.So
withtheothermeans,spiritualreadingandobedience.Each,initsaction,istwofold,
wearingawaythepsychical,andupbuildingthespiritualman.
3.Thesearethehindrances:thedarknessofunwisdom,selfassertion,lusthate,
attachment.
Letustrytotranslate thisintotermsofthepsychicalandspiritualman.Thedarknessof
unwisdomis,primarily,theselfabsorptionofthepsychicalman,hiscomplete
preoccupationwithhisownhopesandfears,plansandpurposes,sensationsanddesires
sothathefailstosee,orrefusestosee,thatthereisaspiritualmanandsodoggedly
resistsalleffortsofthespiritualmantocastoffhispsychictyrantandsethimselffree.
Thisistherealdarknessandallthosewhodenytheimmortalityofthesoul,ordenythe
soul'sexistence,andsolayouttheirliveswhollyforthepsychical,mortalmanandhis
ambitions,areunderthispowerofdarkness.Bornofthisdarkness,thispsychicself
absorption,isthedoggedconvictionthatthepsychic,personalmanhasseparate,

exclusiveinterests,whichhecanfollowforhimselfaloneandthisconviction,whenput
intopracticeinourlife,leadstocontestwithotherpersonalities,andsotohate.Thishate,
again,makesagainstthespiritualman,sinceithinderstherevelationofthehighharmony
betweenthespiritualmanandhisotherselves,aharmonytoberevealedonlythroughthe
practiceoflove,thatperfectlovewhichcastsoutfear.
Inlikemanner,lustisthepsychicman'scravingforthestimulusofsensation,thedinof
whichsmothersthevoiceofthespiritualman,as,inShakespeare'sphrase,thecackling
geesewoulddrownthesongofthenightingale.Andthiscravingforstimulusisthefruit
ofweakness,comingfromthefailuretofindstrengthintheprimal lifeofthespiritual
man.
Attachmentisbutanothernameforpsychicselfabsorptionforweareabsorbed,notin
outwardthings,butratherintheirimageswithinourmindsourinnereyesarefixedon
themourinnerdesiresbroodoverthemandemweblindourselvestothepresenceof
theprisoner'theenmeshedandfetteredspiritualman.
4.Thedarknessofunwisdomisthefieldoftheothers.Thesehindrancesmaybedormant,
orwornthin,orsuspended,orexpanded.
HerewehavereallytwoSutrasin one.Thefirsthasbeenexplainedalready:inthe
darknessofunwisdomgrowtheparasites,hate,lust,attachment.Theyarealloutgrowths
oftheselfabsorptionofthepsychicalself.
Next,wearetoldthatthesebarriersmaybeeitherdormant,orsuspended,orexpanded,
orwornthin.Faultswhicharedormantwillbebroughtoutthroughthepressureoflife,or
throughthepressureofstrongaspiration.Thusexpanded,theymustbefoughtand
conquered,or,asPatanjaliquaintlysays,theymustbewornthin,asaveilmight,orthe
linksofmanacles.
5Thedarknessofignoranceis:holdingthatwhichisunenduring,impure,fullofpain,
nottheSoul,tobeeternal,pure,fullofjoy,theSoul.
Thiswehavereallyconsideredalready.Thepsychicmanisunenduring,impure,fullof
pain,nottheSoul,nottherealSelf.Thespiritualmanisenduring,pure,fullofjoy,the
realSelf.Thedarknessofunwisdomis,therefore,theselfabsorptionofthepsychical,
personalman,totheexclusionofthespiritual man.Itisthebelief,carriedintoaction,
thatthepersonalmanistherealman,themanforwhomweshouldtoil,forwhomwe
shouldbuild,forwhomweshouldlive.Thisisthatpsychicalmanofwhomitissaid:he
thatsowethtotheflesh,shallofthefleshreapcorruption.
6.Self assertioncomesfromthinkingoftheSeerandtheinstrumentofvisionas
formingoneself.
ThisisthefundamentalideaoftheSankhyaphilosophy,ofwhichtheYogaisavowedly
thepracticalside.Totranslatethisintoourterms,wemaysaythattheSeeristhespiritual

mantheinstrumentofvisionisthepsychicalman,throughwhichthespiritualmangains
experienceoftheouterworld.Butweturntheservantintothemaster.Weattributetothe
psychicalman,thepersonalself,arealitywhichreallybelongstothespiritualmanalone
andso,thinkingofthequalityofthespiritualmanasbelongingtothepsychical,we
mergethespiritualmaninthepsychicalor,asthetextsays,wethinkofthetwoas
formingoneself.
7.Lustistherestinginthesenseofenjoyment.
Thishasbeenexplainedagainandagain.Sensation,as,forexample,thesenseoftaste,is
meanttobetheguidetoactioninthiscase,thechoiceofwholesomefood,andthe
avoidanceofpoisonousandhurtfulthings.Butifwerestinthesenseoftaste,asa
pleasureinitselfrest,thatis,inthepsychicalsideoftaste,wefallintogluttony,andlive
toeat,insteadofeatingtolive.Sowiththeothergreatorganicpower,thepowerof
reproduction.Thislustcomesintobeing,throughrestinginthesensation,andlookingfor
pleasurefromthat.
8.Hateistherestinginthesenseofpain.
Paincomes,forthemostpart,fromthestrifeofpersonalities,thejarringdiscords
betweenpsychicselves,eachofwhichdeemsitselfsupreme.Adwellingonthispain
breedshate,whichtearsthewarringselvesyetfurtherasunder,andputsnewenmity
betweenthem,thushinderingtheharmonyoftheReal,thereconciliationthroughthe
Soul.
9.Attachmentisthedesiretowardlife,eveninthewise,carriedforwardbyitsown
energy.
Thelifeheredesiredisthepsychiclife,theintenselyvibratinglifeofthepsychicalself.
Thisprevailseveninthosewhohaveattainedmuchwisdom,solongasitfallsshortof
thewisdomofcompleterenunciation,completeobediencetoeachleastbehestofthe
spiritualman,andoftheMasterwhoguardsandaidsthespiritualman.
Thedesireofsensation,thedesireofpsychiclife,reproducesitself,carriedonby itsown
energyandmomentumandhencecomesthecircleofdeathandrebirth,deathand
rebirth,insteadoftheliberationofthespiritualman.
10.Thesehindrances,whentheyhavebecomesubtle,aretoberemovedbya
countercurrent
Thedarknessofunwisdomistoberemovedbythelightofwisdom,pursuedthrough
fervour,spiritualreadingofholyteachingsandoflifeitself,andbyobediencetothe
Master.

Lustistoberemovedbypureaspirationofspirituallife,which,bringingtruestrength
andstability,takesawaythevoidofweaknesswhichwetrytofillbythestimulusof
sensations.
Hateistobeovercomebylove.Thefearthatarisesthroughthesenseofseparate,
warringselvesistobestilledbytherealizationoftheOneSelf,theonesoulinall.This
realizationistheperfectlovethatcastsoutfear.
Thehindrancesaresaidtohavebecomesubtlewhen,byinitialefforts,theyhavebeen
locatedandrecognizedinthepsychicnature.
11.Theiractiveturningsaretoberemovedbymeditation.
Hereis,intruth,thewholesecretofYoga,thescienceofthesoul.Theactiveturnings,
thestridentvibrations,ofselfishness,lustandhatearetobestilledbymeditation,by
lettingheartandminddwellinspirituallife,byliftingupthehearttothestrong,silent
lifeabove,whichrestsinthestillnessofeternallove,andneedsnoharshvibrationto
convinceitoftruebeing.
12.Theburdenofbondagetosorrowhasitsrootinthesehindrances.Itwillbefeltinthis
life,orinalifenotyetmanifested.
Theburdenofbondagetosorrowhasitsrootinthedarknessofunwisdom,inselfishness,
inlust,inhate,inattachmenttosensation.Alltheseare,inthelastanalysis,absorptionin
thepsychicalselfandthismeanssorrow,becauseitmeansthesenseofseparateness,and
thismeansjarringdiscordandinevitabledeath.Butthepsychicalselfwillbreedanew
psychicalself,inanewbirth,andsonewsorrowsinalifenotyetmanifest.
13.Fromthisroottheregrowandripen thefruitsofbirth,ofthelifespan,ofallthatis
tastedinlife.
Fullytocommentonthis,wouldbetowriteatreatiseonKarmaanditspracticalworking
indetail,wherebytheplaceandtimeofthenextbirth,itscontentandduration.are
determinedandtodothisthepresentcommentatorisinnowisefitted.Butthismuchis
clearlyunderstood:that,throughakindofspiritualgravitation,theincarnatingselfis
drawntoahomeandlifecirclewhichwillgiveitscopeanddisciplineanditsneedof
disciplineisclearlyconditionedbyitscharacter,itsstanding,itsaccomplishment.
14.Thesebearfruitsofrejoicing,orofaffliction,astheyaresprungfromholyorunholy
works.
Sinceholinessisobediencetodivinelaw,tothelawofdivineharmony,andobedienceto
harmonystrengthensthatharmonyinthesoul,whichistheonetruejoy,thereforejoy
comesofholiness:comes,indeed,innootherway.Andasunholinessisdisobedience,
andthereforediscord,thereforeunholinessmakesforpainandthistwofoldlawistrue,
whetherthecausetakeeffectinthis,orinayetunmanifestedbirth.

15.Tohimwhopossessesdiscernment,allpersonallifeismisery,becauseiteverwaxes
andwanes,iseverafflictedwithrestlessness,makesevernewdynamicimpressesinthe
mindandbecauseallitsactivitieswarwitheachother.
Thewholelifeofthepsychicselfismisery,becauseiteverwaxesandwanesbecause
birthbringsinevitabledeathbecausethereisnoexpectationwithoutitsshadow,fear.
Thelifeofthepsychicselfismisery,becauseitisafflictedwithrestlessnesssothathe
whohasmuch,findsnotsatisfaction,butratherthewhettedhungerformore.Thefireis
notquenchedbypouringoilonitsodesireisnotquenchedby thesatisfactionofdesire.
Again,thelifeofthepsychicselfismisery,becauseitmakesevernewdynamic
impressesinthemindbecauseadesiresatisfiedisbuttheseedfromwhichspringsthe
desiretofindlikesatisfactionagain.Theappetitecomesineating,astheproverbsays,
andgrowsbywhatitfeedson.Andthepsychicself,tornwithconflictingdesires,isever
thehousedividedagainstitself,whichmustsurelyfall.
16.Thispainistobewardedoff,beforeithascome.
Inotherwords,wecannotcurethepainsoflifebylayingonthemanybalm.Wemustcut
theroot,absorptioninthepsychicalself.Soitissaid,thereisnocureforthemiseryof
longing,buttofixtheheartupontheeternal.
17.Thecauseofwhatistobewardedoff,istheabsorptionoftheSeerinthingsseen.
HereagainwehavethefundamentalideaoftheSankhya,whichistheintellectual
counterpartoftheYogasystem.Thecauseofwhatistobewardedoff,therootofmisery,
istheabsorptionofconsciousnessinthepsychicalmanandthethingswhichbeguilethe
psychicalman.Thecureisliberation.
18.Thingsseenhaveastheirpropertymanifestation,action,inertia.Theyformthebasis
oftheelementsandthesensepowers.Theymakeforexperienceandforliberation.
Hereisawholephilosophyoflife.Thingsseen,thetotalofthephenomena],possessas
theirproperty,manifestation,action,inertia:thequalitiesofforceandmatterin
combination.These,intheirgrosserform,makethematerialworldintheirfiner,more
subjectiveform,theymakethepsychicalworld,theworldofsenseimpressionsand
mindimages.Andthroughthistotalityofthephenomenal,thesoulgainsexperience,and
ispreparedforliberation.Inotherwords,thewholeouterworldexistsforthepurposesof
thesoul,andfindsinthisitstruereasonforbeing.
19.ThegradesorlayersoftheThreePotenciesarethedefined,theundefined,thatwith
distinctivemark,thatwithoutdistinctivemark.
Or,aswemightsay,therearetwostrataofthephysical,andtwostrataofthepsychical
realms.Ineach,thereisthesideofform,andthesideofforce.Theformsideofthe
physicalisherecalledthedefined.Theforcesideofthephysicalistheundefined,that

whichhasnoboundaries.Sointhepsychicalthereistheformsidethatwithdistinctive
marks,suchasthecharacteristicfeaturesofmindimagesandthereistheforceside,
withoutdistinctivemarks,suchastheforcesofdesireorfear,whichmayflownowto
thismindimage,nowtothat.
20.TheSeerispurevision.Thoughpure,helooksoutthroughthevestureofthemind.
TheSeer,asalways,isthespiritualmanwhosedeepestconsciousnessispurevision,the
purelifeoftheeternal.Butthespiritualman,asyetunseeinginhisproperperson,looks
outontheworldthroughtheeyesofthepsychicalman,bywhomheisenfoldedand
enmeshed.Thetaskis,tosetthisprisonerfree,toclearthedustofagesfromthisburied
temple.
21.Theveryessenceofthingsseenis,thattheyexistfortheSeer.
Thethingsofouterlife,notonlymaterialthings,butthepsychicmanalso,existinvery
deedforthepurposesoftheSeer,theSoul,thespiritualmanDisastercomes,whenthe
psychicalmansetsup,sotospeak,onhisownaccount,tryingtoliveforhimselfalone,
andtakingmaterialthingstosolacehisloneliness.
22.Thoughfallenawayfromhimwhohasreachedthegoal,thingsseenhavenotalto
fallenaway,sincetheystillexistforothers.
Whenoneof usconquershate,hatedoesnottherebyceaseoutoftheworld,sinceothers
stillhateandsufferhatred.Sowithotherdelusions,whichholdusinbondagetomaterial
things,andthroughwhichwelookatallmaterialthings.Whenthecolouredveilof
illusionisgone,theworldwhichwesawthroughitisalsogone,fornowweseelifeasit
is,inthewhiteradianceofeternity.Butforothersthecolouredveilremains,and
thereforetheworldthuscolouredbyitremainsforthem,andwillremaintillthey,too,
conquerdelusion.
23.TheassociationoftheSeerwiththingsseenisthecauseoftherealizingofthenature
ofthingsseen,andalsooftherealizingofthenatureoftheSeer.
Lifeiseducative.Alllife'sinfinitevarietyisfordiscipline,forthedevelopmentofthe
soul.Sopassingthroughmanylives,theSoullearnsthesecretsoftheworld,theaugust
lawsthatarewrittenintheformofthesnowcrystalorthemajesticorderofthestars.Yet
alltheselawsarebutreflections,butprojectionsoutward,ofthelawsofthesoul
thereforeinlearningthese,thesoullearnstoknowitself.Alllifeisbutthemirror
whereintheSoullearnstoknowitsownface.
24.Thecauseofthisassociationisthedarknessofunwisdom.
Thedarknessof unwisdomistheabsorptionofconsciousnessinthepersonallife,andin
thethingsseenbythepersonallife.Thisisthefall,throughwhichcomesexperience,the
learningofthelessonsoflife.Whentheyarelearned,thedayofredemptionisathand.

25.Thebringingofthisassociationtoanend,bybringingthedarknessofunwisdomto
anend,isthegreatliberationthisistheSeer'sattainmentofhisownpurebeing.
Whenthespiritualmanhas,throughthepsychical,learnedalllife'slessons,thetimehas
comeforhimtoputofftheveilanddisguiseofthepsychicalandtostandrevealeda
King,inthehouseoftheFather.Soshallheenterintohiskingdom,andgonomoreout.
26.Adiscerningwhichiscarriedonwithoutwaveringisthemeansofliberation.
HerewecomeclosetothepureVedanta,withitsdiscernmentbetweentheeternalandthe
temporal.St.Paul,followingafterPhiloandPlato,laysdownthesamefundamental
principle:thethingsseenaretemporal,thethingsunseenareeternal.
Patanjalimeanssomethingmorethananintellectualassent,thoughthistooisvital.He
hasinviewaconstantdiscriminatinginactaswellasthoughtofthetwowayswhich
presentthemselvesforeverydeedorchoice,alwaystochoosethehigherway,thatwhich
makesforthethingseternal:honestyratherthanroguery,courageandnotcowardice,the
thingsofanotherratherthanone'sown,sacrificeandnotindulgence.Thistrue
discernment,carriedoutconstantly,makesforliberation.
27.Hisilluminationsissevenfold,risingInsuccessivestages.
Patanjali'stextdoesnottelluswhatthesevenstagesofthisilluminationare.The
commentatorthusdescribesthem
First,thedangertobeescapedisrecognizeditneednotberecognizedasecondtime.
Second,thecausesofthedangertobeescapedarewornawaytheyneednotbeworn
awayasecondtime.Third,thewayofescapeisclearlyperceived,bythecontemplation
whichcheckspsychicperturbation.Fourth,themeansofescape,cleardiscernment,has
beendeveloped.Thisisthefourfoldreleasebelongingtoinsight.Thefinalreleasefrom
thepsychicisthreefold:Asfifthofthesevendegrees,thedominanceofitsthinkingis
endedassixth,itspotencies,likerocksfromaprecipice,fallofthemselvesonce
dissolved,theydonotgrowagain.Then,asseventh,freedfromthesepotencies,the
spiritualmanstandsforthinhisownnatureaspurityandlight.Happyisthespiritualman
whobeholdsthissevenfoldilluminationinitsascendingstages.
28.FromsteadfastlyfollowingafterthemeansofYoga,untilimpurityiswornaway,
therecomestheilluminationofthoughtuptofulldiscernment.
Here,weenteronthemoredetailedpracticalteachingofPatanjali,withitssoundand
luminousgoodsense.AndwhenwecometodetailthemeansofYoga,wemaywellbe
astonishedattheirsimplicity.Thereislittleinthemthatismysterious.Theyarevery
familiar.Theessenceofthematterliesincarryingthemout.

29.TheeightmeansofYogaare:theCommandments,theRules,rightPoise,right
Controlofthelifeforce,Withdrawal,Attention,Meditation,Contemplation.
Theseeightmeansaretobefollowedintheirorder,inthesensewhichwillimmediately
bemadeclear.Wecangetareadyunderstandingofthefirsttwobycomparingthemwith
theCommandmentswhichmustbeobeyedbyallgoodcitizens,andtheRuleswhichare
laidonthemembersofreligiousorders.Untilonehasfulfilledthefirst,itisfutileto
concernoneselfwiththesecond.AndsowithallthemeansofYoga.Theymustbetaken
intheirorder.
30.TheCommandmentsarethese:nominjury,truthfulness,abstainingfromstealing,
fromimpurity,fromcovetousness.
ThesefivepreceptsarealmostexactlythesameastheBuddhistCommandments:notto
kill,nottosteal,nottobeguiltyofincontinence,nottodrinkintoxicants,tospeakthe
truth.AlmostidenticalisSt.Paul'slist:Thoushaltnotcommitadultery,thoushaltnot
kill,thoushaltnotsteal,thoushaltnotcovet.Andinthesamespiritistheanswermadeto
theyoungmaphavinggreatpossessions,whoasked,WhatshallIdotobesaved?and
receivedthereply:KeeptheCommandments.
Thisbroad,generaltraining,whichformsanddevelopshumancharacter,mustbe
accomplishedtoaveryconsiderabledegree,beforetherecanbemuchhopeofsuccessin
thefurtherstagesofspirituallife.Firstthepsychical,andthenthespiritual.Firsttheman,
thentheangel.Onthisbroad,humaneandwisefoundationdoesthesystemofPatanjali
rest.
31.TheCommandments,notlimitedtoanyrace,place,timeoroccasion,universal,are
thegreatobligation.
TheCommandmentsformthebroadgeneraltrainingofhumanity.Eachoneofthemrests
onauniversal,spirituallaw.EachoneofthemexpressesanattributeoraspectoftheSelf,
theEternalwhenweviolateoneoftheCommandments,wesetourselvesagainstthelaw
andbeingoftheEternal,therebybringingourselvestoinevitableconfusion.Sothefirst
stepsinspirituallifemustbetakenbybringingourselvesintovoluntaryobedienceto
thesespirituallawsandthusmakingourselvespartakersofthespiritualpowers,thebeing
oftheEternalLikethelawofgravity,theneedofairtobreathe,thesegreatlawsknowno
exceptionsTheyareinforceinalllands,throughoutaltimes,forallmankind.
32.TheRulesarethese:purity,serenityferventaspiration,spiritualreading,andperfeet
obediencetotheMaster.
Herewehaveafinerlaw,onewhichhumanityasawholeislessreadyfor,lessfitto
obey.YetwecanseethattheseRulesarethesameinessenceastheCommandments,but
onahigher,morespiritualplane.TheCommandmentsmaybeobeyedinouteractsand
abstinencestheRulesdemandobedienceoftheheartandspirit,afarmoreawakenedand

morepositiveconsciousness.TheRulesarethespiritualcounterpartofthe
Commandments,andtheyhavefinerdegrees,formoreadvancedspiritualgrowth.
33.Whentransgressionshinder,theweightoftheimaginationshouldbethrown'onthe
oppositeside.
Letustakeasimplecase,thatofathief,ahabitualcriminal,whohasdriftedintostealing
inchildhood,beforethemoralconsciousnesshasawakened.Wemayimprisonsucha
thief,anddeprivehimofallpossibility offurthertheft,orofusingthedivinegiftofwill.
Orwemayrecognizehisdisadvantages,andhelphimgraduallytobuilduppossessions
whichexpresshiswill,anddrawforthhisselfrespect.Ifweimaginethat,afterhehas
builtwell,andhispossessionshavebecomedeartohim,hehimselfisrobbed,thenwe
canseehowhewouldcomevividlytorealizetheessenceoftheftandofhonesty,and
wouldcleavetohonestdealingswithfirmconviction.Insomesuchwaydoesthegreat
Lawteachus.Oursorrowsandlossesteachusthepainofthesorrowandlossweinflict
onothers,andsoweceasetoinflictthem.
Nowastothemoredirectapplication.Toconquerasin.letheartandmindrest,noton
thesin,butonthecontraryvirtue.Letthesinbeforcedoutbypositivegrowthinthetrue
direction,notbydirectopposition.Turnawayfromthesinandgoforwardcourageously,
constructively,creatively,inwelldoing.Inthiswaythewholenaturewillgraduallybe
drawnuptothehigherlevel,onwhich thesindoesnotevenexist.Theconquestofasin
isamatterofgrowthandevolution,ratherthanofopposition.
34.Transgressionsareinjury,falsehood,theft,incontinence,envywhethercommitted,or
caused,orassentedto,throughgreed,wrath,orinfatuationwhetherfaint,ormiddling,or
excessivebearingendless,fruitofignoranceandpain.Thereforemusttheweightbecast
ontheotherside.
Herearethecausesofsin:greed,wrath,infatuation,withtheireffects,ignoranceand
pain.Thecausesaretobecuredbybetterwisdom,byatruerunderstandingoftheSelf,of
Life.Forgreedcannotendurebeforetherealizationthatthewholeworldbelongstothe
Self,whichSelfwearenorcanweholdwrathagainstonewhoisonewiththeSelf,and
thereforewithourselvesnorcaninfatuation,whichistheseekingforthehappinessof
theAllinsomelimitedpartofit,survivetheknowledgethatweareheirsoftheAll.
Thereforeletthoughtandimagination,mindandheart,throwtheirweighton theother
sidetheside,notoftheworld,.butoftheSelf.
35.Wherenoninjuryisperfected,allenmityceasesinthepresenceofhimwho
possessesit.
WecomenowtothespiritualpowerswhichresultfromkeepingtheCommandments
fromtheobediencetospirituallawwhichisthekeepingoftheCommandments.Where
theheartisfullofkindnesswhichseeksnoinjurytoanother,eitherinactorthoughtor
wish,thisfulllovecreatesanatmosphereofharmony,whosebenignpowertoucheswith

healingall whocomewithinitsinfluence.Peaceintheheartradiatespeacetoother
hearts,evenmoresurelythancontentionbreedscontention.
36.Whenheisperfectedintruth,allactsandtheirfruitsdependonhim.
Thecommentatorthusexplains:Ifhewhohasattainedshouldsaytoaman,Become
righteous!themanbecomesrighteous.Ifheshouldsay,Gainheaven!themangains
heaven.Hiswordisnotinvain.
ExactlythesamedoctrinewastaughtbytheMasterwhosaidtohisdisciples:Receiveye
theHolyGhost:whosesoeversinsyeremittheyareremitteduntothemandwhose
soeversinsyeretain,theyareretained.
37.Wherecessationfromtheftisperfected,alltreasurespresentthemselvestohimwho
possessesit.
Hereisasentencewhichmaywarnusthat,besidetheouterandapparentmeaning,there
isinmanyofthesesentencesasecondandfinersignificance.Theobviousmeaningis,
thathewhohaswhollyceasedfromtheft,inact,thoughtandwish,findsburiedtreasures
inhispath,treasuresof jewelsandgoldandpearls.Thedeepertruthis,thathewhoin
everyleastthingiswhollyhonestwiththespiritofLife,findsLifesupportinghiminall
things,andgainsadmittancetothetreasurehouseofLife,thespiritualuniverse.
38.Forhimwhoisperfectincontinence,therewardisvalourandvirility.
Thecreativepower,strongandfullofvigour,isnolongerdissipated,butturnedto
spiritualuses.Itupholdsandendowsthespiritualman,conferringonhimthecreative
will,thepowertoengenderspiritualchildreninsteadofbodilyprogeny.Anepochoflife,
thatofmantheanimal,hascometoanendanewepoch,thatofthespiritualman,is
opened.Theoldcreativepowerissupersededandtranscendedanewcreativepower,
thatofthespiritualman,takesitsplace,carryingwithitthepowertoworkcreativelyin
othersforrighteousnessandeternallife.
Oneofthecommentariessaysthathewhohasattainedisabletotransfertothemindsof
hisdiscipleswhatheknowsconcerningdivineunion,andthemeansofgainingit.Thisis
oneofthepowersofpurity.
39.Wherethereisfirmconquestofcovetousness,hewhohasconquereditawakestothe
howandwhyoflife.
Soitissaidthat,beforewecanunderstandthelawsofKarma,wemustfreeourselves
fromKarma.Theconquestofcovetousnessbringsthisrichfruit,becausetherootof
covetousnessisthedesireoftheindividualsoul,thewilltowardmanifestedlife.And
wherethedesireoftheindividualsoulisovercomebythesuperb,stilllifeofthe
universalSoulwellingupintheheartwithin,thegreatsecretisdiscerned,thesecretthat
theindividualsoulisnotanisolatedreality,buttheray,themanifestinstrumentofthe

Life,whichturnsitthiswayandthatuntilthegreatworkisaccomplished,theagelong
lessonlearned.Thusisthehowandwhyoflifedisclosedbyceasingfromcovetousness.
TheCommentatorsaysthatthisincludesaknowledgeofone'sformerbirths.
40.Throughpurityawithdrawalfromone'sownbodilylife,aceasingfrominfatuation
withthebodilylifeofothers.
Asthespirituallightgrowsintheheartwithin,asthetasteforpureLifegrowsstronger,
theconsciousnessopenstowardthegreat,secretplaceswithin,wherealllifeisone,
wherealllivesareone.Thereafter,thisouter,manifested,fugitivelife,whetherof
ourselvesorofothers,losessomethingofitscharmandglamour,andweseekratherthe
deepinfinitudes.Insteadoftheouterformandsurroundingsofourlives,welongfor
theirinnerandeverlastingessence.Wedesirenotsomuchouterconverseandcloseness
toourfriends,butratherthatquietcommunionwiththemintheinnerchamberofthe
soul,wherespiritspeakstospirit,andspiritanswerswherealienationandseparation
neverenterwheresicknessandsorrowanddeathcannotcome.

41.Tothepureofheartcomealsoaquietspirit,onepointedthought,thevictoryover
sensuality,andfitnesstobeholdtheSoul.
Blessedarethepureinheart,fortheyshallseeGod,whoisthesupremeSoulthe
ultimateSelfofallbeings.Inthedeepestsense,puritymeansfitnessforthisvision,and
alsoaheartcleansedfromalldisquiet,fromallwanderingandunbridledthought,from
thetormentofsensuousimaginingsandwhenthespiritisthuscleansedandpure,it
becomesatoneinessencewithitssource,thegreatSpirit,theprimalLife.One
consciousnessnowthrillsthroughboth,forthepsychicpartitionwallisbrokendown.
ThenshallthepureinheartseeGod, becausetheybecomeGod.
42.Fromacceptance,thedisciplegainshappinesssupreme.
Oneofthewisehassaid:acceptconditions,acceptothers,acceptyourself.Thisisthe
trueacceptance,forallthesethingsarewhattheyarethroughthewillofthehigherSelf,
excepttheirdeficiencies,whichcomethroughthwartingthewillofthehigherSelf,and
canbeconqueredonlythroughcompliancewiththatwill.Bythetrueacceptance,the
disciplecomesintoonenessofspiritwiththeoverrulingSouland,sincetheownnature
oftheSoulisbeing,happiness,bliss,hecomestherebyintohappinesssupreme.
43.Theperfectionofthepowersofthebodilyvesturecomesthroughthewearingaway
ofimpurities,andthroughferventaspiration.
Thisistrueofthephysicalpowers,andofthosewhichdwellinthehighervestures.There
mustbe,first,purityasthebloodmustbepure,beforeonecanattaintophysicalhealth.
Butabsenceofimpurityisnotinitselfenough,elsewouldmanynervelessasceticsofthe
cloistersrankashighsaints.Thereisneeded,further,apositivefireofthewillakeen
vitalvigourforthephysicalpowers,andsomethingfiner,purer,stronger,butofkindred

essence,forthehigherpowers.Thefireofgeniusissomethingmorethanaphrase,for
therecanbenogeniuswithoutthecelestialfireoftheawakenedspiritualwill.
44.Throughspiritualreading,thedisciplegainscommunionwiththedivinePoweron
whichhisheartisset.
Spiritualreadingmeant,forancientIndia,somethingmorethanitdoeswithus.Itmeant,
first,therecitalofsacredtexts,which,intheirverysounds,hadmysticalpotenciesandit
meantarecitaloftextswhichweredivinelyemanated,andheldinthemselvestheliving,
potentessenceofthedivine.
Forus,spiritualreadingmeansacommuningwiththerecordedteachingsoftheMasters
ofwisdom,wherebywereadourselvesintotheMaster'smind,justasthroughhismusic
onecanenterintothemindandsoulofthemastermusician.Ithasbeenwell saidthatall
trueartiscontagionoffeelingsothatthroughthetruereadingoftruebookswedo
indeedreadourselvesintothespiritoftheMasters,shareintheatmosphereoftheir
wisdomandpower,andcomeatlastintotheirverypresence.
45.SoulvisionisperfectedthroughperfectobediencetotheMaster.
Thesorrowanddarknessoflifecomeoftheerringpersonalwillwhichsetsitselfagainst
thewilloftheSoul,theonegreatLife.Theerrorofthepersonalwillisinevitable,since
each willmustbefreetochoose,totryandfail,andsotofindthepath.Andsorrowand
darknessareinevitable,untilthepathbefound,andthepersonalwillmadeoncemore
onewiththegreaterWill,whereinitfindsrestandpower,withoutlosingfreedom.InHis
willisourpeace.Andwiththatpeacecomeslight.Soulvisionisperfectedthrough
obedience.
46.Rightpoisemustbefirmandwithoutstrain.Hereweapproachasectionofthe
teachingwhichhasmanifestlyatwofoldmeaning.Thefirstisphysical,andconcernsthe
bodilypositionofthestudent,andtheregulationofbreathing.Thesethingshavetheir
directinfluenceuponsoullife,thelifeofthespiritualman,sinceitisalwaysand
everywheretruethatourstudydemandsasoundmindinasoundbody.Thepresent
sentencedeclaresthat,forworkandformeditation,thepositionofthebodymustbe
steadyandwithoutstrain,inorderthatthefinercurrentsoflifemayruntheircourse.
Itappliesfurthertothepoiseofthesoul,thatfinebalanceandstabilitywhichnothingcan
shake,wheretheconsciousnessrestsonthefirmfoundationofspiritualbeing.Thisis
indeedthehousesetuponarock,whichthewindsandwavesbeatuponinvain.
47.Rightpoiseistobegainedbysteadyandtemperateeffort,andbysettingtheheart
upontheeverlasting.
Hereagain,thereisthetwofoldmeaning,forphysicalpoiseistobegainedbysteady
effortofthemuscles,bygradualandwisetraining,linkedwitharightunderstandingof,

andrelationwith,theuniversalforceofgravity.Uprightnessofbodydemandsthatboth
theseconditionsshallbefulfilled.
Inlikemannerthefirmanduprightpoiseofthespiritualmanistobegainedbysteady
andcontinuedeffort,alwaysguidedbywisdom,andby settingtheheartontheEternal,
fillingthesoulwiththeatmosphereofthespiritualworld.Neitheriseffectivewithoutthe
other.Aspirationwithouteffortbringsweaknesseffortwithoutaspirationbringsafalse
strength,notrestingonenduringthings.Thetwotogethermakefortherightpoisewhich
setsthespiritualmanfirmlyandsteadfastlyonhisfeet.
48Thefruitofrightpoiseisthestrengthtoresisttheshocksofinfatuationorsorrow.
Inthesimplerphysicalsense,whichisalsocovetedbythewordingoftheoriginal,this
sentencemeansthatwiseeffortestablishessuchbodilypoisethattheaccidentsoflife
cannotdisturbit,asthecaptainremainssteady,thoughdisasterovertakehisship.
Butthedeepersenseisfarmoreimportant.Thespiritualman,too,mustlearnto
withstandallshocks,toremainsteadfastthroughtheperturbationsofexternalthingsand
thestormsandwhirlwindsofthepsychicalworld.Thisisthepowerwhichisgainedby
wise,continuouseffort,andbyfillingthespiritwiththeatmosphereoftheEternal.
49.Whenthisisgained,therefollowstherightguidanceofthelifecurrents,thecontrol
oftheincomingandoutgoingbreath.
Itiswellunderstoodtodaythatmostofourmaladiescomefromimpureconditionsof
theblood.Itiscomingtobeunderstoodthatrightbreathing,rightoxygenation,willdo
verymuchtokeepthebloodcleanandpure.Thereforearightknowledgeofbreathingis
apartofthescienceoflife.
Butthedeepermeaningis,thatthespiritualman,whenhehasgainedpoisethroughright
effortandaspiration,canstandfirm,andguidethecurrentsofhislife,boththeincoming
currentofevents,andtheoutgoingcurrentofhisacts.
Exactlythesamesymbolismisusedinthesaying:Notthatwhichgoethintothemouth
defilethamanbutthatwhichcomethoutofthemouth,thisdefilethaman....Those
thingswhichproceedoutofthemouthcomeforthfromtheheart..outoftheheart
proceedevilthoughts,murders,uncleanness,thefts,falsewitness,blasphemies.Therefore
thefirststepinpurificationistokeeptheCommandments.
50.Thelifecurrentiseitheroutward,orinward,orbalanceditisregulatedaccordingto
place,time,numberitisprolongedandsubtle.Thetechnical,physicalsideofthishasits
value.Inthebreath,thereshouldberightinbreathing,followedbytheperiodofpause,
whentheaircomesintocontactwiththeblood,andthisagainfollowedbyright
outbreathing,even,steady,silent.Further,thelungsshouldbeevenlyfilledmany
maladiesmayarisefromtheneglectandconsequentweakeningofsomeregionofthe

lungs.Andthenumberofbreathsissoimportant,socloselyrelatedtohealth,thatevery
nurse'schartrecordsit.
Butthedeepermeaningisconcernedwiththecurrentsoflifewiththatwhichgoethinto
andcomethoutoftheheart.
51.Thefourthdegreetranscendsexternalandinternalobjects.
Theinnermeaningseemstobethat,inadditiontothethreedegreesofcontrolalready
described,control,thatis,overtheincomingcurrentoflife,overtheoutgoingcurrent,
andovertheconditionofpauseorquiesence,thereisafourthdegreeofcontrol,which
holdsincompletemasteryboththeouterpassageofeventsandtheinnercurrentsof
thoughtsandemotionsaconditionofperfectpoiseandstabilityinthemidstoftheflux
ofthingsoutwardandinward.
52.Therebyiswornawaytheveilwhichcoversupthelight.
Theveilisthepsychicnature,thewebofemotions,desires,argumentativetrainsof
thought,whichcoverupandobscurethetruthbyabsorbingtheentireattentionand
keepingtheconsciousnessinthepsychicrealm.Whenhopesandfearsarereckonedat
theirtrueworth,incomparisonwithlastingpossessionsoftheSoulwhentheouter
reflectionsofthingshaveceasedtodistractusfrominnerrealitieswhenargumentative
thoughtnolongerentanglesus,butyieldsitsplacetoflashingintuition,thecertainty
whichspringsfromwithinthenistheveilwornaway,theconsciousnessisdrawnfrom
thepsychicaltothespiritual,fromthetemporaltotheEternal.Thenisthelightunveiled.
53.Thencecomesthemind'spowertoholditselfinthelight.
Ithasbeenwellsaid,thatwhatwemostneedisthefacultyofspiritualattentionandin
thesamedirectionofthoughtithasbeeneloquentlydeclaredthatprayerdoesnotconsist
inourcatchingGod'sattention,butratherinourallowingGodtoholdourattention.
Thevitalmatteris,thatweneedtodisentangleour consciousnessfromthenoisyand
perturbedthraldomofthepsychical,andtocometoconsciousnessasthespiritualman.
Thiswemustdo,first,bypurification,throughtheCommandmentsandtheRulesand,
second,throughthefacultyofspiritualattention,bysteadilyheedingendlessfine
intimationsofthespiritualpowerwithinus,andbyintendingourconsciousnessthereto
thusbydegreestransferringthecentreofconsciousnessfromthepsychicaltothe
spiritual.Itisaquestion,first,oflove,andthenofattention.
54.TherightWithdrawalisthedisengagingofthepowersfromentanglementinouter
things,asthepsychicnaturehasbeenwithdrawnandstilled.
Tounderstandthis,letusreversetheprocess,andthinkoftheoneconsciousness,centred
intheSoul,graduallyexpandingandtakingontheformofthedifferentperceptive

powerstheonewill,atthesametime,differentiatingitselfintothevariedpowersof
action.
Nowletusimaginethistobereversed,sothatthespiritualforce,whichhasgoneintothe
differentiatedpowers,isoncemoregatheredtogetherintotheinnerpowerofintuition
andspiritualwill,takingonthatunitywhichisthehallmarkofspiritualthings,as
diversityisthesealofmaterialthings.
Itisall amatterofloveforthequalityofspiritualconsciousness,asagainstpsychical
consciousness,ofloveandattention.Forwheretheheartis,therewillthetreasurebe
alsowheretheconsciousnessis,therewillthevesturewithitspowersbedeveloped.
55.Thereuponfollowsperfectmasteryoverthepowers.
Whenthespiritualconditionwhichwehavedescribedisreached,withitspurity,poise,
andilluminatedvision,thespiritualmaniscomingintohisinheritance,andgaining
completemasteryofhispowers.
Indeed,muchofthestruggletokeeptheCommandmentsandtheRuleshasbeenpaving
thewayforthismasterythroughthisverystruggleandsacrificethemasteryhasbecome
possiblejustas,touseSt.Paul'ssimile,theathletegainsthemasteryinthecontestand
theracethroughthesacrificeofhislongandarduoustraining.Thushegainsthecrown.

INTRODUCTIONTOBOOKIII
ThethirdbookoftheSutrasistheBookofSpiritualPowers.Inconsideringthese
spiritualpowers,twothingsmustbeunderstoodandkeptinmemory.Thefirstoftheseis
this:Thesespiritualpowerscanonlybegainedwhenthedevelopmentdescribedinthe
firstandsecondbookshasbeenmeasurablyattainedwhentheCommandmentshave
beenkept,theRulesfaithfully followed,andtheexperienceswhicharedescribedhave
beenpassedthrough.Foronlyafterthisisthespiritualmansofargrown,sofar
disentangledfromthepsychicalbandagesandveilswhichhaveconfinedandblinded
him,thathecanusehisproperpowersandfaculties.Forthisisthesecretofallspiritual
powers:theyareinnosenseanabnormalorsupernaturalovergrowthuponthematerial
man,butareratherthepowersandfacultiesinherentinthespiritualman,entirelynatural
tohim,andcomingnaturallyintoactivity,asthespiritualmanisdisentangledand
liberatedfrompsychicalbondage,throughkeepingtheCommandmentsandRules
alreadysetforth.
Asthepersonalmanisthelimitationandinversionofthespiritualman,allhisfaculties
andpowersareinversionsofthepowersofthespiritualman.Inasinglephrase,hisself
seekingistheinversionoftheSelfseekingwhichistheverybeingofthespiritualman:
theceaselesssearchafterthedivineandaugustSelfofallbeings.Thisinversionis
correctedbykeepingtheCommandmentsandRules,andgradually,astheinversionis
overcome,thespiritualmanisextricated,andcomesintopossessionandfreeexerciseof
hispowers.Thespiritualpowers,therefore,arethepowersofthegrownandliberated
spiritualman.Theycanonlybedevelopedandusedasthespiritualmangrowsand
attainsliberationthroughobedience.Thisisthefirstthingtobekeptinmind,inallthatis
saidofspiritualpowersinthethirdandfourthbooksoftheSutras.Thesecondthingtobe
understoodandkeptinmindisthis:
Justasourmodernsageshavediscernedandtaughtthatallmatterisultimatelyoneand
eternal,definitelyrelatedthroughoutthewholewideuniversejustastheyhavediscerned
andtaughtthatallforceisoneandeternal,socoordinatedthroughoutthewholeuniverse
thatwhateveraffectsanyatommeasurablyaffectsthewholeboundlessrealmofmatter
andforce,tothemostdistantstarornebulaonthedimconfinesofspacesotheancient
sageshaddiscernedandtaughtthatallconsciousnessisone,immortal,indivisible,
infinitesofinelycorrelatedandcontinuousthatwhateverisperceivedbyany
consciousnessis,whetheractuallyorpotentially,withinthereachofallconsciousness,
andthereforewithinthereachofanyconsciousness.Thishasbeenwellexpressedby
sayingthatallsoulsarefundamentallyonewiththeOversoulthattheSonofGod,and
allSonsofGod,arefundamentallyonewiththeFather.Whentheconsciousnessis
clearedofpsychicbondsandveils,whenthespiritualmanisabletostand,tosee,then
thissuperblawcomesintoeffect:whateveriswithintheknowledgeofany
consciousness,andthisincludesthewholeinfiniteuniverse,iswithinhisreach,andmay,
ifhewills,bemadeapartofhisconsciousness.Thishemayattainthroughhis
fundamentalunitywiththeOversoul,byraisinghimselftowardtheconsciousnessabove
him,anddrawingonitsresources.TheSon,ifhewouldworkmiracles,whetherof

perceptionorofaction,mustcomeoftenintothepresenceoftheFather.Thisisthe
birthrightofthespiritualmanthroughithecomesintopossessionofhissplendidand
immortalpowers.Letitbeclearlykeptinmindthatwhatisheretoberelatedofthe
spiritualman,andhisexaltedpowers,mustinnowisebedetachedfromwhathasgone
before.Thebeing,theveryinception,ofthespiritualmandependsonthepurificationand
moralattainmentalreadydetailed,andcaninnowisedispensewiththeseorcurtailthem.
Letnooneimaginethatthetruelife,thetruepowersofthespiritualman,canbeattained
byanywayexceptthehardwayofsacrifice,oftrial,ofrenunciation,ofselflessself
conquestandgenuinedevotiontothewealofallothers.Onlythuscanthegoldengates
bereachedandentered.Onlythuscanweattaintothatpureworldwhereinthespiritual
manlives,andmoves,andhashisbeing.Nothingimpure,nothingunholycanevercross
thatthreshold,leastofallimpuremotivesorselfseekingdesires.Thesemustbeburnt
awaybeforeanentrancetothatworldcanbegained.
Butwherethereislight,thereisshadowandtheloftylightofthesoulcastsuponthe
cloudsofthemidworldtheshadowofthespiritualmanandofhispowersthebastard
vestureandthebastardpowersofpsychismareeasilyattainedyet,evenwhenattained,
theyareadelusion,theveryessenceofunreality.
Thereforeponderwelltheearlierrules,andlayafirmfoundationofcourage,sacrifice,
selflessness,holiness.

BOOKIII
1.Thebindingoftheperceivingconsciousnesstoacertainregionisattention(dharana).
EmersonquotesSirIsaacNewtonassayingthathemadehisgreatdiscoveriesby
intendinghismindonthem.Thatiswhatismeanthere.Ireadthepageofabookwhile
inkingofsomethingelse.Attheendofhepage,Ihavenoideaofwhatitisabout,and
readitagain,stillthinkingofsomethingelse,withthesameresult.ThenIwakeup,soto
speak,makeaneffortofattention,fixmythoughtonwhatIamreading,andeasilytake
initsmeaning.Theactofwill,theeffortofattention,theintendingofthemindoneach
wordandlineofthepage,justastheeyesarefocussedoneachwordandline,isthe
powerherecontemplated.Itisthepowertofocustheconsciousnessonagivenspot,and
holditthereAttentionisthefirstandindispensablestepinallknowledge.Atten.tionto
spiritualthingsisthefirststeptospiritualknowledge.
2.Aprolongedholdingoftheperceivingconsciousnessinthatregionismeditation
(dhyana).
Thiswillapplyequallytoouterandinnerthings.Imayforamomentfixmyattentionon
somevisibleobject,inasinglepenetratingglance,orImayholdtheattentionfixedlyon
ituntilitrevealsfarmoreofitsnaturethanasingleglancecouldperceive.Thefirstisthe
focussingofthesearchlightofconsciousnessupontheobject.Theotheristheholdingof
thewhitebeamoflightsteadilyandpersistentlyontheobject,untilityieldsupthesecret
ofitsdetails.Soforthingswithinonemayfixtheinnerglanceforamomentonspiritual
things,oronemayholdtheconsciousnesssteadilyuponthem,untilwhatwasinthedark
slowlycomesforthintothelight,andyieldsupitsimmortalsecret.Butthisispossible
onlyforthespiritualman,aftertheCommandmentsandtheRuleshavebeenkeptfor
untilthisisdone,thethrongingstormsofpsychicalthoughtsdissipateanddistractthe
attention,sothatitwillnotremainfixedonspiritual things.Thecaresofthisworld,the
deceitfulnessofriches,chokethewordofthespiritualmessage.
3.Whentheperceivingconsciousnessinthismeditativeiswhollygiventoilluminating
theessentialmeaningoftheobjectcontemplated,andisfreedfromthesenseof
separatenessandpersonality,thisiscontemplation(samadhi).
Letusreviewthestepssofartaken.First,thebeamofperceivingconsciousnessis
focussedonacertainregionorsubject,throughtheeffortofattention.Thenthisattending
consciousnessisheldonitsobject.Third,thereistheardentwilltoknowitsmeaning,to
illumineitwithcomprehendingthought.Fourth,allpersonalbiasalldesiremerelyto
indorseapreviousopinionandsoproveoneselfright,andalldesireforpersonalprofitor
gratificationmustbequiteputaway.Theremustbeapurelydisinterestedloveoftruth
foritsownsake.Thusistheperceivingconsciousnessmadevoid,asitwere,ofall
personalityorsenseofseparateness.ThepersonallimitationstandsasideandletstheAll
consciousnesscometobearupontheproblem.TheOversoulbendsitsrayuponthe
object,andilluminesitwithpurelight.

4.Whenthesethree,Attention,MeditationContemplation,areexercisedatonce,thisis
perfectly concentratedMeditation(sanyama).
Whenthepersonallimitationoftheperceivingconsciousnessstandsaside,andallowsthe
Allconscioustocometobearupontheproblem,thenarisesthatrealknowledgewhichis
calledaflashofgeniusthatrealknowledgewhichmakesdiscoveries,andwithoutwhich
nodiscoverycanbemade,howeverpainstakingtheeffort.Forgeniusisthevisionofthe
spiritualman,andthatvisionisaquestionofgrowthratherthanpresenteffortthough
righteffort,rightlycontinued,willintimeinfalliblyleadtogrowthandvision.Through
thepowerthustosetasidepersonallimitation,topushasidepettyconcernsandcares,
andsteadythewholenatureandwillinanardentloveoftruthanddesiretoknowit
throughthepowerthustomakewayfortheAllconsciousness,allgreatmenmaketheir
discoveries.Newton,watchingtheapplefalltotheearth,wasabletolookbeyond,tosee
thesubtlewavesofforcepulsatingthroughapplesandworldsandsunsandgalaxies.and
thustoperceiveuniversalgravitation.TheOversoul,lookingthroughhiseyes,
recognizedtheuniversalforce,oneofitsownchildren.Darwin,watchingtheformsand
motionsofplantsandanimals,letthesameaugustconsciousnesscometobearonthem,
andsawinfinitegrowthperfectedthroughceaselessstruggle.Heperceivedthesuperb
processofevolution,theOversouloncemorerecognizingitsown.Fraunhofer,notingthe
darklinesinthebandofsunlightinhisspectroscope,divinedtheiridentitywiththe
brightlinesinthespectraofincandescentiron,sodiumandtherest,andsosawthe
onenessofsubstanceintheworldsandsuns,theunityofthematerialsoftheuniverse.
OnceagaintheOversoul,lookingwithhiseyes,recognizeditsown.Soitiswithalltrue
knowledge.Butthemindmusttranscenditslimitations,itsidiosyncrasiestheremustbe
purity,fortothepureinheartisthepromise,thattheyshallseeGod.
5.BymasteringthisperfectlyconcenbatedMeditation,therecomestheillumination
ofperception.Themeaningofthisisillustratedbywhathasbeensaidbefore.Whenthe
spiritualmanisabletothrowasidethetrammelsofemotionalandmentallimitation,and
toopenhiseyes,heseesclearly,heattainstoilluminatedperception.Apoetoncesaid
thatOccultismistheconsciouscultivationofgeniusanditiscertainthattheawakened
spiritualmanattainstotheperceptionsofgenius.Geniusisthevision,thepower,ofthe
spiritualman,whetheritspossessorrecognizesthisornot.Alltrueknowledgeisofthe
spiritualman.Thegreatestinallageshaverecognizedthisandputtheirtestimonyon
record.Thegreatinwisdomwhohavenotconsciouslyrecognizedit,haveeverbeenfull
ofthespiritofreverence,ofselflessdevotiontotruth,ofhumility,aswasDarwinand
reverenceandhumilityaretheunconsciousrecognitionofthenearnessoftheSpirit,that
Divinitywhichbroodsoverus,aMastero'eraslave.
6.Thispowerisdistributedinascendingdegrees.
Itistobeattainedstepbystep.Itisaquestion,notofmiracle,butofevolution,of
growth.Newtonhadtomasterthemultiplicationtable,thenthefourrulesofarithmetic,
thentherudimentsofalgebra,beforehecametothebinomialtheorem.Ateachpoint,
therewasattention,concentration,insightuntilthesewereattained,noprogresstothe

nextpointwaspossible.SowithDarwin.Hehadtolearntheformanduseofleafand
flower,ofboneandmusclethecharacteristicsofgeneraandspeciesthedistributionof
plantsandanimals,beforehehadinmindthatnexusofknowledgeonwhichthelightof
hisgreatideawasatlastabletoshine.Soisitwithallknowledge.Soisitwithspiritual
knowledge.Takethematterthisway:Thefirstsubjectfor theexerciseofmyspiritual
insightismyday,withitscircumstances,itshindrances,itsopportunities,itsduties.Ido
whatIcantosolveit,tofulfilitsduties,tolearnitslessons.Itrytolivemydaywith
aspirationandfaith.Thatisthefirststep.Bydoingthis,Igatheraharvestforthe
evening,Igainadeeperinsightintolife,invirtueofwhichIbeginthenextdaywitha
certainadvantage,acertainspiritualadvanceandattainment.Sowithallsuccessivedays.
Infaithandaspiration,wepassfromdaytoday,ingrowingknowledgeandpower,with
nevermorethanonedaytosolveatatime,untilalllifebecomesradiantandtransparent.
7.Thisthreefoldpower,ofAttention,Meditation,Contemplation,ismoreinteriorthan
themeansofgrowthpreviouslydescribed.
Verynaturallysobecausethemeansofgrowthpreviouslydescribedwereconcerned
withtheextricationofthespiritualmanfrompsychicbondagesandveilswhilethis
threefoldpoweristobeexercisedbythespiritualmanthusextricatedandstandingonhis
feet,viewinglifewithopeneyes.
8.Butthistriadisstillexteriortothesoulvisionwhichisunconditioned,freefromthe
seedofmentalanalyses.
Thereasonisthis:Thethreefoldpowerwehavebeenconsidering,thetriadofAttention,
Contemplation,Meditationis,sofaraswehaveyetconsideredit,thefocussingofthe
beamofperceivingconsciousnessuponsomeformofmanifestingbeing,withaviewof
understandingitcompletely.Thereisahigherstage,wherethebeamofconsciousnessis
turnedbackuponitself,andtheindividualconsciousnessentersinto,andknows,theAll
consciousness.Thisisabeing,abeinginimmortality,ratherthanaknowingitisfree
frommentalanalysisormentalforms.Itisnotanactivityofthehighermind,eventhe
mindofthespiritualman.Itisanactivityofthesoul.HadNewtonrisentothishigher
stage,hewouldhaveknown,notthelawsofmotion,butthathighBeing,fromwhose
Lifecomeseternalmotion.HadDarwinrisentothis,hewouldhaveseentheSoul,whose
graduatedthoughtandbeingallevolutionexpresses.Thereare,therefore,thesetwo
perceptions:thatoflivingthings,andthatoftheLifethatoftheSoul'sworks,andthatof
theSoulitself.
9.OneoftheascendingdegreesisthedevelopmentofControl.Firstthereisthe
overcomingofthemindimpressofexcitation.Thencomesthemanifestationofthe
mindimpressofControl.Thentheperceivingconsciousnessfollowsafterthemomentof
Control.
ThisisthedevelopmentofControl.Themeaningseemstobethis:Someobjectentersthe
fieldofobservation,andatfirstviolentlyexcitesthemind,stirringupcuriosity,fear,
wonderthentheconsciousnessreturnsuponitself,asitwere,andtakestheperception

firmlyinhand,steadyingitself,andviewingthemattercalmlyfromabove.This
steadyingeffortofthewillupontheperceivingconsciousnessisControl,and
immediatelyuponitfollowsperception,understanding,insight.
Takeatriteexample.SupposingoneiswalkinginanIndianforest.Achargingelephant
suddenlyappears.Themanisexcitedbyastonishment,and,perhaps,terror.Buthe
exercisesaneffortofwill,perceivesthesituationinitstruebearings,andrecognizesthat
acertainthingmustbedoneinthiscase,probably,thathemustgetoutofthewayas
quicklyaspossible.
Oracomet,unheralded,appearsintheskylikeaflamingsword.Thebeholderisatfirst
astonished,perhapsterrorstrickenbuthetakeshimselfinhand,controlshisthoughts,
viewstheapparitioncalmly,andfinallycalculatesitsorbitanditsrelationtometeor
showers.
Theseareextremeillustrationsbutwithallknowledgetheorderofperceptionisthe
same:first,theexcitationofthemindby thenewobjectimpressedonitthenthecontrol
ofthemindfromwithinuponwhichfollowstheperceptionofthenatureoftheobject.
Wheretheeyesofthespiritualmanareopen,thiswillbeatrueandpenetratingspiritual
perception.Insomesuchwaydoourlivingexperiencescometousfirst,withashockof
painthentheSoulsteadiesitselfandcontrolsthepainthenthespiritperceivesthe
lessonoftheevent,anditsbearingupontheprogressiverevelationoflife.
10.Throughfrequentrepetitionofthisprocess,themindbecomeshabituatedtoit,and
therearisesanequableflowofperceivingconsciousness.
ControlofthemindbytheSoul,likecontrolofthemusclesbythemind,comesby
practice,andconstantvoluntaryrepetition.
Asanexampleofcontrolofthemusclesbythemind,taketheceaselesspracticeby
whichamusiciangainsmasteryoverhisinstrument,orafencergainsskillwitharapier.
Innumerablesmalleffortsofattentionwillmakearesultwhichseemswellnigh
miraculouswhich,forthenovice,isreallymiraculous.Thenconsiderthatfarmore
wonderfulinstrument,theperceivingmind,playedonbythatfinemusician,theSoul.
Hereagain,innumerablesmalleffortsofattentionwillaccumulateintomastery,anda
masteryworthwinning.Foraconcreteexample,takethegradualconquestofeachday,
theefforttolivethatdayfortheSoul.Tohimthatisfaithfuluntodeath,theMastergives
thecrownoflife.
11.Thegradualconquestofthemind'stendencytoflitfromoneobjecttoanother,and
thepowerofonepointedness,makethedevelopmentofContemplation.
Asanillustrationofthemind'stendencytoflitfromoneobjecttoanother,takeasmall
boy,learningarithmetic.Hebegins:twoonesaretwothreeonesarethreeandthenhe
thinksofthreecoinsinhispocket,whichwillpurchasesomuchcandy,inthestoredown
thestreet,nexttothetoyshop,wherearebaseballs,marblesandsoon, andthenhe

comesbackwithajerk,tofouronesarefour.Sowith usalso.Weareseekingthe
meaningofourtask,butthemindtakesadvantageofamomentofslackenedattention,
andflitsofffromonefrivolousdetailtoanother,tillwesuddenlycomebackto
consciousnessaftertraversingleaguesofspace.Wemustlearntoconquerthis,andtogo
backwithinourselvesintothebeamofperceivingconsciousnessitself,whichisabeam
oftheOversoul.Thisisthetrueonepointedness,thebringingofourconsciousnesstoa
focusintheSoul.
12.When,followingthis,thecontrolledmanifoldtendencyandthearousedone
pointednessareequallybalancedpartsoftheperceivingconsciousness,histhe
developmentofonepointedness.
Thiswouldseemtomeanthattheinsightwhichiscalledonepointednesshastwosides,
equallybalanced.Thereis,first,themanifoldaspectofanyobject,thesumofallits
characteristicsandproperties.Thisistobeheldfirmlyinthemind.Thenthereisthe
perceptionoftheobjectasaunity,asawhole,theperceptionofitsessence.First,the
detailsmustbeclearlyperceivedthentheessencemustbecomprehended.Whenthetwo
processesareequallybalanced,thetrueonepointednessisattained.Everythinghasthese
twosides,thesideofdifferenceandthesideofunitythereistheindividualandthereis
thegenusthepoleofmatteranddiversity,andthepoleofonenessandspirit.Toseethe
objecttruly,wemustseeboth.
13.Throughthis,theinherentcharacter,distinctivemarksandconditionsofbeingand
powers,accordingto theirdevelopment,aremadeclear.
Bythepowerdefinedintheprecedingsutra,theinherentcharacter,distinctivemarksand
conditionsofbeingsandpowersaremadeclear.Forthroughthispower,asdefined,we
getatwofoldviewofeachobject,seeingatonceallitsindividualcharacteristicsandits
essentialcharacter,speciesandgenusweseeitinrelationtoitself,andinrelationtothe
Eternal.Thusweseearoseasthatparticularflower,withitscolourandscent,itspeculiar
foldofeach petalbutwealsoseeinitthespecies,thefamilytowhichitbelongs,withits
relationtoallplants,toalllife,toLifeitself.Soinanyday,weseeeventsand
circumstanceswealsoseeinitthelessonsetforthesoulbytheEternal.
14.Every objecthasitscharacteristicswhicharealreadyquiescent,thosewhichare
active,andthosewhicharenotyetdefinable.
Everyobjecthascharacteristicsbelongingtoitspast,itspresentanditsfuture.Inafir
tree,forexample,therearethestumpsorscarsofdeadbranches,whichoncerepresented
itsforemostgrowththerearethebrancheswiththeirneedlesspreadouttotheairthere
arethebudsattheendofeachbranchandtwig,whichcarrythestillcloselypacked
needleswhicharethepromiseofthefuture.Inlikemanner,thechrysalishas,asitspast,
thecaterpillarasitsfuture,thebutterfly.Themanhas,inhispast,theanimalinhis
future,theangel.Botharevisibleevennowinhisface.Sowithallthings,forallthings
changeandgrow.

15.Differenceinstageisthecauseofdifferenceindevelopment.
Thisbutamplifieswhathasjustbeensaid.Thefirststageisthesapling,thecaterpillar,
theanimal.Thesecondstageisthegrowingtree,thechrysalis,theman.Thethirdisthe
splendidpine,thebutterfly,theangel.Differenceofstageisthecauseofdifferenceof
development.Soitisamongmen,andamongtheracesofmen.
16.ThroughperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthethreestagesofdevelopmentcomes
aknowledgeofpastandfuture.
Wehavetakenourillustrationsfromnaturalscience,because,sinceeverytruediscovery
innaturalscienceisadivinationofalawinnature,attainedthroughaflashofgenius,
suchdiscoveriesreallyrepresentactsofspiritualperception,actsofperceptionbythe
spiritualman,eventhoughtheyaregenerallynotsorecognized.Sowemayoncemore
usethesameillustration.PerfectlyconcentratedMeditation,perfectinsightintothe
chrysalis,revealsthecaterpillarthatithasbeen,thebutterflythatitisdestinedtobe.He
whoknowstheseed,knowstheseedpodorearithascomefrom,andtheplantthatisto
comefromit.Soinlikemannerhewhoreallyknowstoday,andtheheartoftoday,
knowsitsparentyesterdayanditschildtomorrow.Past,presentandfutureareallinthe
Eternal.HewhodwellsintheEternalknowsallthree.
17.Thesoundandtheobjectandthethoughtcalledupbyawordareconfounded
becausetheyareallblurredtogetherinthemind.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditation
onthedistinctionbetweenthem,therecomesanunderstandingofthesoundsutteredby
allbeings.
Itmustberememberedthatwearespeakingofperceptionbythespiritualman.
Sound,likeeveryforce,istheexpressionofapoweroftheEternal.Infiniteshadesofthis
powerareexpressedintheinfinitelyvariedtonesofsound.Hewho,havingentrytothe
consciousnessoftheEternalknowstheessenceofthispower,candivinethemeaningsof
allsounds,fromthevoiceoftheinsecttothemusicofthespheres.
Inlikemanner,hewhohasattainedtospiritualvisioncanperceivethemindimagesin
thethoughtsofothers,withtheshadeoffeelingwhichgoeswiththem,thusreadingtheir
thoughtsaseasilyashehearstheirwords.Everyonehasthegermofthispower,since
differenceoftonewillgivewidelydifferingmeaningstothesamewords,meanings
whichareintuitivelyperceivedbyeveryone.
18.Whenthemindimpressionsbecomevisible,therecomesanunderstandingof
previousbirths.
Thisissimpleenoughifwegraspthetruthofrebirth.Thefineharvestofpastexperi
encesisdrawnintothespiritualnature,forming,indeed,thebasisofitsdevelopment.
Whentheconsciousnesshasbeenraisedtoapointabovethesefinesubjective

impressions,andcanlookdownuponthemfromabove,thiswillinitselfbea
rememberingofpastbirths.
19.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonmindimagesisgainedtheunderstandingof
thethoughtsofothers.
Here,forthosewhocanprofitbyit,isthesecretofthoughtreading.Takethesimplest
caseofintentionalthoughttransference.Itisthetestimonyofthosewhohavedonethis,
thattheperceivingmindmustbestilled,beforethemindimageprojectedbytheother
mindcanbeseen.Withitcomesasenseofthefeelingandtemperoftheothermindand
soon,inhigherdegrees.
20.Butsincethatonwhichthethoughtinthemindofanotherrestsisnotobjectivetothe
thoughtreader'sconsciousness,heperceivesthethoughtonly,andnotalsothatonwhich
thethoughtrests.
Themeaningappearstobesimple:Onemaybeabletoperceivethethoughtsofsomeone
atadistanceonecannot,bythatmeansalone,alsoperceivetheexternalsurroundingsof
thatperson,which arousethesethoughts.
21.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationontheformofthebody,byarrestingthebody's
perceptibility,andbyinhibitingtheeye'spowerofsight,therecomesthepowertomake
thebodyinvisible.
Therearemanyinstancesoftheexerciseofthispower,bymesmerists,hypnotistsandthe
likeandwemaysimplycallitaninstanceofthepowerofsuggestion.Shankaratellsus
thatbythispowerthepopularmagiciansoftheEastperformtheirwonders,workingon
themindimagesofothers,whileremaininginvisiblethemselves.Itisallaquestionof
beingabletoseeandcontrolthemindimages.
22.Theworkswhichfilloutthelifespanmaybeeitherimmediatelyorgradually
operative.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthesecomesaknowledgeofthetime
oftheend,asalsothroughsigns.
Agarmentwhichiswet,saysthecommentator,maybehunguptodry,andsodry
rapidly,oritmayberolledinaballanddryslowlysoafiremayblazeorsmoulder.
ThusitiswithKarma,theworksthatfilloutthelifespan.Byaninsightintothemental
formsandforceswhichmakeupKarma,therecomesaknowledgeoftherapidityor
slownessoftheirdevelopment,andofthetimewhenthedebtwillbepaid.
23.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonsympathy,compassionandkindness,is
gainedthepowerofinteriorunionwithothers.
Unityistherealityseparatenesstheillusion.Thenearerwecometoreality,thenearer
wecometounityofheart.Sympathy,compassion,kindnessaremodesofthisunityof

heart,wherebywerejoicewiththosewhorejoice,andweepwiththosewhoweep.These
thingsarelearnedbydesiringtolearnthem.
24.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonpower,evensuchpowerasthatofthe
elephantmaybegained.
Thisisaprettyimage.Elephantspossessnotonlyforce,butpoiseandfinenessofcontrol.
Theycanliftastraw,achild,atreewithperfectlyjudgedcontrolandeffort.Sothesimile
isagoodone.Bydetachment,bywithdrawingintothesoul'sreservoirofpower,wecan
gainallthese,forceandfinenessandpoisetheabilitytohandlewithequalmastery
thingssmallandgreat,concreteandabstractalike.
25.Bybendinguponthemtheawakenedinnerlight,therecomesaknowledgeofthings
subtle,orconcealed,orobscure.
Aswassaidattheoutset,eachconsciousnessisrelatedtoallconsciousnessand,through
it,hasapotentialconsciousnessofallthingswhethersubtleorconcealedorobscure.An
understandingofthisgreattruthwillcomewithpractice.Asoneofthewisehassaid,we
havenoconceptionofthepowerofMeditation.
26.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthesuncomesaknowledgeoftheworlds.
Thishasseveralmeanings:First,byaknowledgeoftheconstitutionof thesun,
astronomerscanunderstandthekindrednatureofthestars.Anditissaidthatthereisa
finerastronomy,wherethespiritualmanistheastronomer.Butthesunalsomeansthe
Soul,andthroughknowledgeoftheSoulcomesaknowledgeoftherealmsoflife.
27.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthemooncomesaknowledgeofthelunar
mansions.
Hereagainaredifferentmeanings.Themoonis,first,thecompanionplanet,which,each
day,passesbackwardthroughonemansionofthestars.By watchingthemoon,the
boundariesofthemansionarelearned,withtheirsuccessioninthegreattimedialofthe
sky.Butthemoonalsosymbolizestheanalyticmind,withitsdividedrealmsandthese,
too,maybeunderstoodthroughperfectlyconcentratedMeditation.
28.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthefixedpolestarcomesaknowledgeofthe
motionsofthestars.
AddressingDuty,sterndaughteroftheVoiceofGod,Wordsworthfinelysaid:
Thoucostpreservethestarsfromwrong,Andthemostancientheavensthroughtheeare
freshandstrong
thussuggestingaprofoundrelationbetweenthemoralpowersandthepowersthatrule
theworlds.SointhisSutrathefixedpolestaristheeternalspiritaboutwhichallthings

move,aswellasthestartowardwhichpointstheaxisoftheearth.Deepmysteriesattend
both,andtheveilofmysteryisonlytoberaisedbyMeditation,byopeneyedvisionof
theawakenedspiritualman.
29.PerfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthecentreofforceinthelowertrunkbringsan
understandingoftheorderofthebodilypowers.Wearecomingtoavitallyimportant
partoftheteachingofYoga:namely,thespiritualman'sattainmentoffullself
consciousness,theawakeningofthespiritualmanasaselfconsciousindividual,behind
andabovethenaturalman.Inthisawakening,andintheprocessofgestationwhich
precedesit,thereisacloserelationwiththepowersofthenaturalman,whichare,ina
certainsense,theprojection,outwardanddownward,ofthepowersofthespiritualman.
Thisisnotablytrueofthatcreativepowerofthespiritualmanwhich,whenembodiedin
thenaturalman,becomesthepowerofgeneration.Notonlyisthispowerthecauseofthe
continuanceofthebodilyraceofmankind,butfurther,intheindividual,itisthekeyto
thedominanceofthepersonallife.Rising,asitwere,throughthelifechannelsofthe
body,itflushesthepersonalitywithphysicalforce,andmaintainsandcolourstheillusion
thatthephysicallifeisthedominantandallimportantexpressionoflife.Induetime,
whenthespiritualmanhasbeguntotakeform,thecreativeforcewillbedrawnoff,and
becomeoperativeinbuildingthebodyofthespiritualman,justasithasbeenoperative
inthebuildingofphysicalbodies,throughgenerationinthenaturalworld.
PerfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthenatureofthisforcemeans,first,thatrisingof
theconsciousnessintothespiritualworld,alreadydescribed,whichgivestheonesure
footholdforMeditationandthen,fromthatspiritualpointofvantage,notonlyaninsight
intothecreativeforce,initsspiritualandphysicalaspects,butalsoagraduallyattained
controlofthiswonderfulforce,whichwillmeanitsdirectiontothebodyofthespiritual
man,anditsgradualwithdrawalfromthebodyofthenaturalman,untiltheover
pressure,sogeneralandsuchafruitfulsourceofmiseryinourday,isabated,andpurity
takestheplaceofpassion.Thisoverpressure,whichisthecauseofsomanyevilsandso
muchofhumanshame,isanabnormal,notanatural,condition.Itisprimarilydueto
spiritualblindness,toblindnessregardingthespiritualman,andignoranceevenofhis
existenceforbythisblindignoranceareclosedthechannelsthroughwhich,werethey
open,thecreativeforcecouldflowintothebodyofthespiritualman,therebuildingup
animmortalvesture.Thereisnocureforblindness,withitsconsequentoverpressure
andattendantmiseryandshame,butspiritualvision,spiritualaspiration,sacrifice,the
newbirthfromabove.Thereisnootherwaytolightentheburden,toliftthemiseryand
shamefromhumanlife.Therefore,letusfollowaftersacrificeandaspiration,letusseek
thelight.Inthiswayonlyshallwegainthatinsightintotheorderofthebodilypowers,
andthatmasteryofthem,whichthisSutraimplies.
30.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthecentreofforceinthewellofthethroat,
therecomesthecessationofhungerandthirst.
Wearecontinuingthestudyofthebodilypowersandcentresofforceintheirrelationto
thepowersandforcesofthespiritualman.Wehavealreadyconsideredthedominant
powerofphysicallife,thecreativepowerwhichsecuresthecontinuanceofphysicallife

and,further,themannerinwhich,throughaspirationandsacrifice,itisgraduallyraised
andsettotheworkofupbuildingthebodyofthespiritualman.Wecomenowtothe
dominantpsychicforce,thepowerwhichmanifestsitselfinspeech,andinvirtueof
whichthevoicemaycarrysomuchofthepersonalmagnetism,endowingtheoratorwith
atongueoffire,magicalinitspowertoarouseandruletheemotionsofhishearers.This
emotionalpower,thisdistinctivelypsychicalforce,isthecauseof"hungerandthirst,"the
psychicalhungerandthirstforsensations,whichisthesourceofourtwosidedlifeof
emotionalism,withitshopesandfears,itsexpectationsandmemories,itsdesiresand
hates.Thesourceofthispsychicalpower,or,perhapsweshouldsay,itscentreofactivity
inthephysicalbodyissaidtobeinthecavityofthethroat.Thus,intheTaittiriya
Upanishaditiswritten:"Thereisthisshiningetherintheinnerbeing.Thereinisthe
spiritualman,formedthroughthought,immortal,golden.Inward,inthepalate,theorgan
thathangsdownlikeanipple,thisisthewombofIndra.Andthere,wherethedividingof
thehairturns,extendingupwardtothecrownofthehead."
Indraisthenamegiventothecreativepowerofwhichwehavespoken,andwhich,we
aretold,residesin"theorganwhichhangsdownlikeanipple,inward,inthepalate."
31.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthecentreofforceinthechannelcalledthe
"tortoiseformed,"comessteadfastness.
Weareconcernednowwiththecentreofnervousorpsychicalforcebelowthecavityof
thethroat,inthechest,inwhichisfeltthesensationoffearthecentre,thedisturbanceof
whichsetstheheartbeatingmiserablywithdread,orwhichproducesthatsenseofterror
throughwhichtheheartissaidtostandstill.
Whenthetruthconcerningfearisthoroughlymastered,throughspiritualinsightintothe
immortal,fearlesslife,thenthisforceisperfectlycontrolledthereisnomorefear,just
as,throughthecontrolofthepsychicpowerwhichworksthroughthenervecentreinthe
throat,therecomesacessationof"hungerandthirst."Thereafter,theseforces,ortheir
spiritualprototypes,areturnedtothebuildingofthespiritualman.
Always,itmustberemembered,thevictoryisfirstaspiritualoneonlylaterdoesitbring
controlofthebodilypowers.
32.ThroughperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthelightintheheadcomesthevision
oftheMasterswhohaveattained.
Thetraditionis,thatthereisacertaincentreofforceinthehead,perhapsthe"pineal
gland,"whichsomeofourWesternphilosophershavesupposedtobethedwellingofthe
soul,acentrewhichis,asitwere,thedoorwaybetweenthenaturalandthespiritual
man.Itistheseatofthatbetterandwiserconsciousnessbehindtheoutwardlooking
consciousnessintheforwardpartoftheheadthatbetterandwiserconsciousnessof"the
backofthemind,"whichviewsspiritualthings,andseekstoimpressthespiritualview
ontheoutwardlookingconsciousnessintheforwardpartofthehead.Itisthespiritual
manseekingtoguidethenaturalman,seekingtobringthenaturalmantoconcern

himselfwiththethingsofhisimmortality.Thisissuggestedinthewordsofthe
Upanishadalreadyquoted:"There,wherethedividingofthehairturns,extending
upwardtothecrownofthehead"allofwhichmaysoundveryfantastical,untilone
comestounderstandit.
Itissaidthatwhenthispowerisfullyawakened,itbringsavisionofthegreat
Companionsofthespiritualman,thosewhohavealreadyattained,crossingovertothe
furthershoreoftheseaofdeathandrebirth.Perhapsitistothisdivinesightthatthe
Masteralluded,whoisreportedtohavesaid:"Icounselyoutobuyofmeeyesalve,that
youmaysee."ItisofthissamevisionofthegreatCompanions,thechildrenoflight,that
aseerwrote:
"Thoughinlandfarwebe,OursoulshavesightofthatimmortalseaWhichbroughtus
hither,Caninamomenttravelthither,AndseetheChildrensportupontheshoreAnd
hearthemightywatersrollingevermore."
33.Orthroughthediviningpoweroftuitionheknowsallthings.
Thisisreallythesupplement,thespiritualside,oftheSutrajusttranslated.Stepbystep,
asthebetterconsciousness,thespiritualview,gainsforceinthebackofthemind,so,in
thesamemeasure,thespiritualmanisgainingthepowertosee:learningtoopenthe
spiritualeyes.Whentheeyesarefullyopened,thespiritualmanbeholdsthegreat
Companionsstandingabouthimhehasbegunto"knowallthings."
Thisdiviningpowerofintuitionisthepowerwhichliesaboveandbehindthesocalled
rationalmindtherationalmindformulatesaquestionandlaysitbeforetheintuition,
whichgivesarealanswer,oftenimmediatelydistortedbytherationalmind,yetalways
embodyingakerneloftruth.Itisbythisprocess,throughwhichtherationalmindbrings
questionstotheintuitionforsolution,thatthetruthsofsciencearereached,theflashesof
discoveryandgenius.Butthishigherpowerneednotworkinsubordinationtotheso
calledrationalmind,itmayactdirectly,asfullillumination,"thevisionandthefaculty
divine."
34ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationontheheart,theinteriorbeing,comesthe
knowledgeofconsciousness.
Thehearthereseemstomean,asitsooften.doesintheUpanishads,theinterior,spiritual
nature,theconsciousnessofthespiritualman,whichisrelatedtotheheart,andtothe
wisdomoftheheart.Bysteadilyseekingafter,andfinding,theconsciousnessofthe
spiritualman,bycomingtoconsciousnessasthespiritualman,aperfectknowledgeof
consciousnesswillbeattained.Fortheconsciousnessofthespiritualmanhasthisdivine
quality:whilebeingandremainingatrulyindividualconsciousness,itatthesametime
flowsover,asitwere,andblendswiththeDivineConsciousnessaboveandaboutit,the
consciousnessofthegreatCompanionsandbyshowingitselftobeonewiththeDivine
Consciousness,itrevealsthenatureofallconsciousness,thesecretthatallconsciousness
isOneandDivine.

35.Thepersonalselfseekstofeastonlife,throughafailuretoperceivethedistinction
betweenthepersonalselfandthespiritualman.Allpersonalexperiencereallyexistsfor
thesakeofanother:namely,thespiritualman.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationon
experienceforthesakeoftheSelf,comesaknowledgeofthespiritualman.
ThedivinerayoftheHigherSelf,whichiseternal,impersonalandabstract,descends
intolife,andformsapersonality,which,throughthestressandstormoflife,is
hammeredintoadefiniteandconcreteselfconsciousindividuality.Theproblemis,to
blendthesetwopowers,takingtheeternalandspiritualbeingofthefirst,andblending
withit,transferringintoit,theselfconsciousindividualityofthesecondandthus
bringingtolifeathirdbeing,thespiritualman,whoisheirtotheimmortalityofhis
father,theHigherSelf,andyethastheselfconscious,concreteindividualityofhisother
parent,thepersonalself.Thisisthetrueimmaculateconception,thenewbirthfrom
above,"conceivedoftheHolySpirit."Ofthisnewbirthitissaid:"thatwhichisbornof
theSpiritisspirit.:yemustbebornagain."
Rightlyunderstood,therefore,thewholelifeofthepersonalmanisforanother,notfor
himself.Heexistsonlytorenderhisverylifeandallhisexperienceforthebuildingupof
thespiritualman.Onlythroughfailuretoseethis,doesheseekenjoymentforhimself,
seektosecurethefeastsoflifeforhimselfnotunderstandingthathemustliveforthe
other,livesacrificially,offeringbothfeastsandhisverybeingonthealtargivinghimself
asacontributionforthebuildingofthespiritualman.Whenhedoesunderstandthis,and
livesfortheHigherSelf,settinghisheartandthoughtontheHigherSelf,thenhis
sacrificebearsdivinefruit,thespiritualmanisbuiltup,consciousnessawakesinhim,
andhecomesfullyintobeingasadivineandimmortalindividuality.
36.Thereuponarebornthedivinepowerofintuition,andthehearing,thetouch,the
vision,thetasteandthepowerofsmellofthespiritualman.
When,invirtueoftheperpetualsacrificeofthepersonalman,dailyandhourlygivinghis
lifeforhisdivinebrotherthespiritualman,andthroughtheradianceeverpouringdown
fromtheHigherSelf,eternalintheHeavens,thespiritualmancomestobirth,there
awakeinhimthosepowerswhosephysicalcounterpartsweknowinthepersonalman.
Thespiritualmanbeginstosee,tohear,totouch,totaste.And,besidesthesensesofthe
spiritualman,thereawakeshismind,thatdivinecounterpartofthemindofthephysical
man,thepowerofdirectandimmediateknowledge,thepowerofspiritualintuition,of
divination.Thispower,aswehaveseen,owesitsvirtuetotheunity,thecontinuity,of
consciousness,wherebywhateverisknowntoanyconsciousness,isknowablebyany
otherconsciousness.Thustheconsciousnessofthespiritualman,wholivesaboveour
narrowbarriersofseparateness,isinintimatetouchwiththeconsciousnessofthegreat
Companions,andcandrawonthatvastreservoirforallrealneeds.Thusariseswithinthe
spiritualmanthatcertainknowledgewhichiscalledintuition,divination,illumination.
37.Thesepowersstandincontradistinctiontothehighestspiritualvision.Inmani
festationtheyarecalledmagicalpowers.

Thedivinemanisdestinedtosupersedethespiritualman,asthespiritualmansupersedes
thenaturalman.ThenthedisciplebecomesaMaster.Theopenedpowersoftilespiritual
man,spiritualvision,hearing,andtouch,stand,therefore,incontradistinctiontothe
higherdivinepowerabovethem,andmustinnowiseberegardedastheendoftheway,
forthepathhasnoend,butrisesevertohigherandhighergloriesthesoul'sgrowthand
splendourhavenolimit.Sothat,ifthespiritualpowerswehavebeenconsideringare
regardedasinanysensefinal,theyareahindrance,abarriertothefarhigherpowersof
thedivineman.Butviewedfrombelow,fromthestandpointofnormalphysical
experience,theyarepowerstrulymagicalasthepowersnaturaltoafourdimensional
beingwillappearmagicaltoathreedimensionalbeing.
38.Throughtheweakeningofthecausesofbondage,andbylearningthemethodof
sassing,theconsciousnessistransferredtotheotherbody.
Induetime,afterthespiritualmanhasbeenformedandgrownstablethrough theforces
andvirtuesalreadyenumerated,andafterthesensesofthespiritualmanhaveawaked,
therecomesthetransferofthedominantconsciousness,thesenseofindividuality,from
thephysicaltothespiritualman.Thereafterthephysicalmanisfelttobeasecondary,a
subordinate,aninstrumentthroughwhomthespiritualmanworksandthespiritualman
isfelttobetherealindividuality.Thisis,inasense,theattainmenttofullsalvationand
immortallifeyetitisnotthefinalgoalorrestingplace,butonlythebeginningofthe
greaterway.
Themeansforthistransferaredescribedastheweakeningofthecausesofbondage,and
anunderstandingofthemethodofpassingfromtheoneconsciousnesstotheother.The
firstmayalsobedescribedasdetachmeet,andcomesfromtheconquestofthedelusion
thatthepersonalselfistherealman.Whenthatdelusionabatesandisheldincheck,the
finerconsciousnessofthespiritualmanbeginstoshineinthebackgroundofthemind.
Thetransferofthesenseofindividualitytothisfinerconsciousness,andthustothe
spiritualman,thenbecomesamatterofrecollection,ofattentionprimarily,amatterof
takingadeeperinterestinthelifeanddoingsofthespiritualman,thaninthepleaseures
oroccupationsofthepersonality.Thereforeitissaid:"Laynotupforyourselves
treasuresuponearth,wheremothandrustclothcorrupt,andwherethievesbreakthrough
andsteal:butlayupforyourselvestreasuresinheaven,whereneithermoth norrustcloth
corrupt,andwherethievesdonotbreakthroughnorsteal:forwhereyourtreasureis,
therewillyourheartbealso."
39.Throughmasteryoftheupwardlifecomesfreedomfromthedangersofwater,
morass,andthornyplaces,andthepower ofascensionisgained.
Hereisoneofthesentences,socharacteristicofthisauthor,and,indeed,oftheEastern
spirit,inwhichthereisanobviousexteriormeaning,and,withinthis,aclearinterior
meaning,notquitesoobvious,butfarmorevital.

Thesurfacemeaningis,thatbymasteryofacertainpower,calledheretheupwardlife,
andakintolevitation,therecomestheabilitytowalkonwater,ortopassoverthorny
placeswithoutwoundingthefeet.
Butthereisadeepermeaning.Whenwespeakofthedisciple'spathasapathofthorns,
weuseasymbolandthesamesymbolisusedhere.Theupwardlifemeanssomething
morethanthepower,oftenmanifestedinabnormalpsychicalexperiences,oflevitating
thephysicalbody,ornearbyphysicalobjects.Itmeansthestrongpowerofaspiration,of
upwardwill,whichfirstbuilds,andthenawakesthespiritualman,andfinallytransfers
theconsciousindividualitytohimforitishewhopassessafelyoverthewatersofdeath
andrebirth,andisnotpiercedbythethornsinthepath.Thereforeitissaidthathewho
wouldtreadthepathofpowermustlookforahomeintheair,andafterwardsinthe
ether.
Oftheupwardlife,thisiswrittenintheKathaUpanishad:"Ahundredandonearethe
heart'schannelsoftheseonepassestothecrown.Goingupthis,hecomestothe
immortal."ThisisthepowerofascensionspokenofintheSutra.
40.Bymasteryofthebindinglifecomesradiance.
IntheUpanishads,itissaidthatthisbindinglifeunitestheupwardlifetothedownward
life,andtheseliveshavetheiranalogiesinthe"vitalbreaths"inthebody.Thethoughtin
thetextseemstobe,that,whenthepersonalityisbroughtthoroughlyundercontrolofthe
spiritualman,throughthelifecurrentswhichbindthemtogether,thepersonalityis
endowedwithanewforce,astrongpersonalmagnetism,onemightcallit,suchasis
oftenanappanageofgenius.
Butthetextseemstomeanmorethanthisandtohaveinviewthe"vestureofthecolour
ofthesun"attributedbytheUpanishadstothespiritualmanthatvesturewhichadisciple
hasthusdescribed:"TheLordshallchangeourvilebody,thatitmaybefashtonedlike
untohisgloriousbody"perhaps"bodyofradiance"wouldbettertranslatetheGreek.
Inboththesepassages,theteachingseem.tobe,thatthebodyofthefullgrownspiritual
manisradiantorluminous,forthoseatleast,whohaveanointedtheireyeswit!eye
salve,sothattheysee.
41.FromperfectlyconcentratedMeditationonthecorrelationofhearingandtheether,
comesthepowerofspiritualhearing.
Physicalsound,wearetold,iscarriedbytheair,orbywater,iron,orsomemediunon
thesameplaneofsubstance.Butthenisafinerhearing,whosemediumoftransmission
wouldseemtobetheetherperhapsnothatetherwhichcarrieslight,heatandmagnetic
waves,but,itmaybe,thefarfineretherthroughwhichthepowerofgravityworks.For,
whilelightorheatormagneticwaves,travellingfromthesuntotheearth,takeeight
minutesforthejourney,itismathematicallycertainthatthepullofgravitationdoesnot
takeasmuchaseightseconds,oreventheeighthofasecond.Thepullofgravitation

travels,itwouldseem"asquickasthought"soitmay wellbethat,inthought
transferenceortelepathy,thethoughtstravelbythesameway,carriedbythesame
"thoughtswift"medium.
Thetransferofawordbytelepathyisthesimplestandearliestformofthe"divine
hearing"ofthespiritualmanasthatpowergrows,andas,throughperfectlyconcentrated
Meditation,thespiritualmancomesintomorecompletemasteryofit,hegrowsableto
hearandclearlydistinguishthespeechofthegreatCompanions,whocounseland
comforthimonhisway.Theymayspeaktohimeitherinwordlessthoughts,orin
perfectlydefinitewordsandsentences.
42.ByperfectlyconcentratedMeditationemthecorrelationofthebodywiththeether,
andbythinkingofitaslightasthistledown,willcomethepowertotraversetheether.
Ithasbeensaidthathewhowouldtreadthepathofpowermustlookforahomeinthe
air,andafterwardsintheether.Thiswouldseemtomean,besidestheconstantinjunction
todetachment,thathemustbepreparedtoinhabitfirstapsychic,andthenanetheric
bodytheformerbeingthebodyofdreamsthelatter,thebodyofthespiritualman,when
hewakesupontheothersideofdreamland.Thegradualaccustomingofthe
consciousnesstoitsnewethericvesture,itsgradualacclimatization,sotospeak,inthe
ethericbodyofthespiritualman,iswhatourtextseemstocontemplate.
43.Whenthatconditionofconsciousnesssreached,whichisfarreachingandnotcon
finedtothebody,whichisoutsidethebodyandnotconditionedbyit,thentheveilwhich
concealsthelightiswornaway.
PerhapsthebestcommentonthisisaffordedbythewordsofPaul:"Iknewamanin
Christabovefourteenyearsago,(whetherinthebody,Icannottellorwhetheroutofthe
body,Icannottell:Godknoweth)suchaonecaughtuptothethirdheaven.AndIknew
suchaman,(whetherinthebody,oroutofthebody,Icannottell:Godknoweth)how
thathewascaughtupintoparadise,andheardunspeakable[or,unspoken]words,which
itisnotlawfulforamantoutter."
Theconditionis,briefly,thatoftheawakenedspiritualman,whoseesandhearsbeyond
theveil.
44.MasteryoftheelementscomesfromperfectlyconcentratedMeditationontheirfive
forms:thegross,theelemental,thesubtle,theinherent,thepurposive.Thesefiveforms
areanalogoustothoserecognizedbymodernphysics:solid,liquid,gaseous,radiantand
ionic.Whenthepiercingvisionoftheawakenedspiritualmanisdirectedtotheformsof
matter,fromwithin,asitwere,frombehindthescenes,thenperfectmasteryoverthe
"beggarlyelements"isattained.Thisis,perhaps,equivalenttotheinjunction:"Inquireof
theearth,theair,andthewater,ofthesecretstheyholdforyou.Thedevelopmentofyour
innersenseswillenableyoutodothis."

45.Thereuponwillcomethemanifestationoftheatomicandotherpowers,whicharethe
endowmentofthebody,togetherwithitsunassailableforce.
Thebodyinquestionis,ofcourse,theethericbodyofthespiritualman.Heissaidto
possesseightpowers:theatomic,thepowerofassimilatinghimselfwiththenatureofthe
atom,whichwill,perhaps,involvethepowertodisintegratematerialformsthepowerof
levitationthepoweroflimitlessextensionthepowerofboundlessreach,sothat,asthe
commentatorsays,"hecantouchthemoonwiththetipofhisfinger"thepowerto
accomplishhiswillthepowerofgravitation,thecorrelativeoflevitationthepowerof
commandthepowerofcreativewill.Thesearetheendowmentsofthespiritualman.
Further,thespiritualbodyisunassailable.Fireburnsitnot,waterwetsitnot,thesword
cleavesitnot,drywindsparchitnot.And,itissaid,thespiritualmancanimpart
somethingofthisqualityandtempertohisbodilyvesture.
46.Shapeliness,beauty,force,thetemperofthediamond:thesearetheendowmentsof
thatbody.
Thespiritualmanisshapely,beautifulstrong,firmasthediamond.Thereforeitis
written:"ThesethingssaiththeSonofGod,whohathhiseyeslikeuntoaflameoffire,
andhisfeetarelikefinebrass:Hethatovercomethandkeepethmyworksuntotheend,
tohimwillIgivepoweroverthenations:andheshallrulethemwitharodofironandI
willgivehimthemorningstar."
47.Masteryoverthepowersofperceptionandactioncomesthroughperfectly
concentratedMeditationontheirfivefoldformsnamely,theirpowertograsptheir
distinctivenature,theelementofselfconsciousnessinthem,theirinherence,andtheir
purposiveness.
Take,forexample,sight.Thispossesses,first,thepowertograsp,apprehend,perceive
second,ithasitsdistinctiveformofperceptionthatis,visualperceptionthird,italways
carrieswithitsoperationsselfconsciousness,thethought:"Iperceive"fourthsighthas
thepowerofextensionthroughthewholefieldofvision,eventotheutmoststarfifth,it
isusedforthepurposesoftheSeer.Sowiththeothersenses.Perfectlyconcentrated
Meditationoneachsense,aviewingitfrombehindandwithin,asispossibleforthe
spiritualman,bringsamasteryofthescopeandtruecharacterofeachsense,andofthe
worldonwhichtheyreportcollectively.
48.Thencecomesthepowerswiftasthought,independentofinstruments,andthe
masteryovermatter.
Wearefurtherenumeratingtheendowmentsofthespiritualman.Amongtheseisthe
powertotraversespacewiththeswiftnessofthought,sothatwhateverplacethespiritual
manthinksof,tothathegoes,inthatplacehealreadyis.Thoughthasnowbecomehis
meansoflocomotion.Heis,therefore,independentofinstruments,andcanbringhis
forcetobeardirectly,whereverhewills.

49.Whenthespiritualmanisperfectlydisentangledfromthepsychicbody,heattainsto
masteryoverallthingsandtoaknowledgeofall.
Thespiritualmanisenmeshedintheweboftheemotionsdesire,fear,ambition,passion
andimpededbythementalformsofseparatenessandmaterialism.Whenthesemeshes
aresundered,theseobstaclescompletelyovercome,thenthespiritualmanstandsforthin
hisownwideworld,strong,mighty,wise.Heusesdivinepowers,withadivinescope
andenergy,workingtogetherwithdivineCompanions.Tosuchaoneitissaid:"Thouart
nowadisciple,abletostand,abletohear,abletosee,abletospeak,thouhastconquered
desireandattainedtoselfknowledge,thouhastseenthysoulinitsbloomand
recognizedit,andheardthevoiceofthesilence."
50.Byabsenceofallselfindulgenceatthispoint,whentheseedsofbondagetosorrow
aredestroyed,purespiritualbeingisattained.
Theseekingofindulgenceforthepersonalself,whetherthroughpassionorambition,
sowstheseedoffuturesorrow.Forthisselfindulgenceofthepersonalityisadoublesin
againsttherealasinagainstthecleannessoflife,andasinagainsttheuniversalbeing,
whichpermitsnoexclusiveparticulargood,since,inthereal,allspiritualpossessionsare
heldincommon.Thistwofoldsinbringsitsreactingpunishment,itsconfiningbondage
tosorrow.Butceasingfromselfindulgencebringspurity,liberation,spirituallife.
51.Thereshouldbecompleteovercomingofallurementorprideintheinvitationsofthe
differentrealmsoflife,lestattachmenttothingsevilariseoncemore.
Thecommentatortellsusthatdisciples,seekersforunion,areoffourdegrees:first,those
whoareenteringthepathsecond,thosewhoareintherealmofallurementsthird,those
whohavewonthevictoryovermatterandthesensesfourth,thosewhostandfirmin
purespirituallife.Tothesecond,especially,thecautioninthetextisaddressed.More
modernteacherswouldexpressthesametruthbyawarningagainstthedelusionsand
fascinationsofthepsychicrealm,whichopenaroundthedisciple,ashebreaksthrough
intotheunseenworlds.Thesearethedangersoftheanteroom.Safetyliesinpassingon
swiftlyintotheinnerchamber.'`HimthatovercomethwillImakeapillarinthetempleof
myGod,andheshallgonomoreout."
52.From perfectlyconcentratedMeditatetiononthedivisionsoftimeandtheir
successioncomesthatwisdomwhichisbornofdiscernment.
TheUpanishadssayoftheliberatedthat"hehaspassedbeyondthetriadoftime"heno
longerseeslifeasprojectedintopast,presentandfuture,sincetheseareformsofthe
mindbutbeholdsallthingsspreadoutinthequietlightoftheEternal.Thiswouldseem
tobethesamethought,andtopointtothatcleareyedspiritualperceptionwhichisabove
timethatwisdom bornoftheunveilingofTime'sdelusion.Thenshallthedisciplelive
neitherinthepresentnorthefuture,butintheEternal.

53.Hencecomesdiscernmentbetweenthingswhichareoflikenature,notdistinguished
bydifferenceofkind,characterorposition.Here,asalsointheprecedingSutra,weare
closetothedoctrinethatdistinctionsoforder,timeandspacearecreationsofthemind
thethreefoldprismthroughwhichtherealobjectappearstousdistortedandrefracted.
Whentheprismiswithdrawn,theobjectreturnstoitsprimalunity,nolonger
distinguishablebythemind,yetclearlyknowablebythathighpowerofspiritual
discernment,ofillumination,whichisabovethemind.
54.Thewisdomwhichisbornofdiscernsmentisstarlikeitdiscernsallthings,andall
conditionsofthings,itdiscernswithoutsuccession:simultaneously.
Thatwisdom,thatintuitive,diviningpowerisstarlike,saysthecommentator,becauseit
shineswithitsownlight,becauseitrisesonhigh,andilluminesallthings.Noughtishid
fromit,whetherthingspast,thingspresent,orthingstocomeforitisbeyondthe
threefoldformoftime,sothatallthingsarespreadbeforeittogether,inthesinglelight
ofthedivine.ThispowerhasbeenbeautifullydescribedbyColumba:"Somethereare,
thoughveryfew,towhomDivinegracehasgrantedthis:thattheycanclearlyandmost
distinctlysee,atoneandthesamemoment,asthoughunderonerayofthesun,eventhe
entirecircuitofthewholeworldwithitssurroundingsofoceanandsky,theinmostpart
oftheirmindbeingmarvellouslyenlarged."
55.Whenthevesstureandthespiritualmanarealikepure,thenperfectspirituallifeis
attained.
Thevesture,saysthecommentator,mustfirstbewashedpureofallstainsofpassionand
darkness,andtheseedsoffuturesorrowmustbeburneduputterly.Then,boththe
vestureandthewearerofthevesturebeingalikepure,thespiritualmanentersinto
perfectspirituallife.

INTRODUCTIONTOBOOKIV
ThethirdbookoftheSutrashasfairlycompletedthehistoryofthebirthandgrowthof
thespiritualman,andtheenumerationofhispowersatleastsofarasconcernsthatfirst
epochinhisimmortallife,whichimmediatelysucceeds,andsupersedes,thelifeofthe
naturalman.
Inthefourthbook,wearetoconsiderwhatonemightcallthemechanismofsalvation,
theideallysimpleworkingofcosmiclawwhichbringsthespiritualmantobirth,growth,
andfulnessofpower,andprepareshimforthesplendid,toilsomefurtherstagesofhis
greatjourneyhome.
TheSutrasareherebrieftoobscurityonlyafewwords,forexample,aregiventothe
greattriunemysteryandillusionofTimeaphraseortwoindicatesthesweepofsome
universallaw.Yetitishoped that,bykeepingoureyesfixedonthespiritualman,
rememberingthatheistheheroofthestory,andthatallthatiswrittenconcernshimand
hisadventures,wemaybeabletofindourwaythroughthisthicketoftangledwords,and
keepinourhandsthecluetothemystery.
Thelastpartofthelastbookneedslittleintroduction.Inasense,itisthemostimportant
partofthewholetreatise,sinceitunmasksthenatureofthepersonality,thatpsychical
"mind,"whichisthewakefulenemyofallwhoseektotreadthepath.Evennow,wecan
hearitwhisperingthedoubtwhetherthatcanbeagoodpath,whichthussets"mind"at
defiance.
Ifthis,then,bethemostvitalandfundamentalpartoftheteaching,shoulditnotstandat
theverybeginning?Itmayseemsoatfirstbuthaditstoodthere,weshouldnothave
comprehendedit.Forhewhowouldknowthedoctrinemustleadthelife,doingthewill
ofhis[etherwhichisinHeaven.

BOOKIV
1.Psychicandspiritualpowersmaybeinborn,ortheymaybegainedbytheuseofdrugs,
orbyincantations,orbyfervour,orbyMeditation.
Spiritualpowershavebeenenumeratedanddescribedintheprecedingsections.Theyare
thenormalpowersofthespiritualman,theantetype,thedivineedition,ofthepowersof
thenaturalman.Throughthesepowers,thespiritualmanstands,sees,hears,speaks,in
thespiritualworld,asthephysicalmanstands,sees,hears,speaksinthenaturalworld.
Thereisacounterfeitpresentmentofthespiritualman,intheworldofdreams,ashadow
lordofshadows,whohashisowndreamypowersofvision,ofhearing,ofmovementhe
hasleftthenaturalwithoutreachingthespiritual.Hehassetforthfromtheshore,buthas
notgainedthefurthervergeoftheriver.Heisbornealongbythestream,withno
footholdoneithershore.Leavingtheactual,hehasfallenshortofthereal,caughtinthe
limboofvanitiesanddelusions.Thecauseofthisaberrantphantasmisalwaysthe
worshipofafalse,vainself,thelordofdreams,withinone'sownbreast.Thisisthe
psychicman,lordofdelusiveandbewilderingpsychicpowers.
Spiritualpowers,likeintellectualorartisticgifts,maybeinborn:thefruit,thatis,of
seedsplantedandrearedwithtoilinaformerbirth.Soalsothepowersofthepsychic
manmaybeinborn,adelusiveharvestfromseedsofdelusion.
Psychicalpowersmaybegainedbydrugs,aspoverty,shame,debasementmaybegained
bytheselfsamedrugs.Intheiraction,theyarebaneful,cuttingthemanoff from
consciousnessoftherestrainingpowerofhisdivinenature,sothathisforcesbreakforth
exuberant,likethelaughterofdrunkards,andheseesandhearsthingsdelusive.While
sinking,hebelievesthathehasrisengrowingweaker,hethinkshimselffullofstrength
beholdingillusions,hetakesthemtobetrue.Sucharethepowersgainedbydrugsthey
arewhollypsychic,sincetherealpowers,thespiritual,canneverbesogained.
Incantationsareaffirmationsofhalftruthsconcerningspiritandmatter,whatisandwhat
isnot,whichworkuponthemindandslowlybuildupawraithofpowersandadelusive
wellbeing.These,too,areofthepsychicrealmofdreams.
Lastly,therearethetruepowersofthespiritualman,builtupandrealizedinMeditation,
throughreverentobediencetospirituallaw,tothepureconditionsofbeing,inthedivine
realm.
2.Thetransferofpowersfromoneventuretoanothercomesthroughtheflowofthe
naturalcreativeforces.
Here,ifwecanperceiveit,isthewholesecretofspiritualbirth,growthandlifeSpiritual
being,likeallbeing,isbutanexpressionoftheSelf,oftheinherentpowerandbeingof
Atma.InherentintheSelfareconsciousnessandwill,whichhave,astheirlordly

heritage,thewidesweepoftheuniversethroughouteternity,fortheSelfisonewiththe
Eternal.AndtheconsciousnessoftheSelfmaymakeitselfmanifestasseeing,hearing,
tasting,feeling,orwhatsoeverperceptivepowerstheremaybe,justasthewhitesunlight
may divideintomanycolouredrays.SomaythewilloftheSelfmanifestitselfinthe
utteringofwords,orinhandling,orinmoving,andwhateverpowersofactionthereare
throughoutthesevenworlds.WheretheSelfis,therewillitspowersbe.Itisbuta
questionofthevesturethroughwhichthesepowersshallshineforth.Andwhereverthe
consciousnessanddesireoftheevercreativeSelfarefixed,therewillavesturebebuilt
upwheretheheartis,therewillthetreasurebealso.
SincethroughagesthedesireoftheSelfhasbeentowardthenaturalworld,whereinthe
Selfsoughttomirrorhimselfthathemightknowhimself,thereforeavestureofnatural
elementscameintobeing,throughwhichblossomedforththeSelf'spowersofperceiving
andof will:thepowertosee,tohear,tospeak,towalk,tohandleandwhentheSelf,thus
cometoselfconsciousness,and,withit,toaknowledgeofhisimprisonment,shallsethis
desireonthedivineandrealworld,andraisehisconsciousnessthereto,thespiritual
vestureshallbebuiltupforhimthere,withitsexpressionofhisinherentpowers.Nor
willmigrationthitherbedifficultfortheSelf,sincethedivineisnostrangeorforeign
landforhim,butthehouseofhishome,wherehedwellsfromeverlasting.
3.Theapparent,immediatecauseisnotthetruecauseofthecreativenaturepowersbut,
likethehusbandmaninhisfield,ittakesobstaclesaway.
Thehusbandmantillshisfield,breakinguptheclodsofearthintofinemould,penetrable
toairandrainhesowshisseed,carefullycoveringit,forfearofbirdsandthewindhe
waterstheseedladenearth,turningthelittlerillsfromtheirrigationtanknowthisway
andthat,removingobstaclesfromthechannels,untiltheevenHowofwatervitalizesthe
wholefield.Andsotheplantsgerminateandgrow,firsttheblade,thentheear,thenthe
fullcornintheear.Butitisnotthehusbandmanwhomakesthemgrow.Itis,first,the
miraculousplasmicpowerinthegrainofseed,whichbringsforthafteritskindthenthe
alchemyofsunlightwhich,inpresenceofthegreencolouringmatteroftheleaves,
gathershydrogenfromthewaterandcarbonfromthegasesintheair,andminglesthem
inthehydrocarbonsofplantgrowthand,finally,thewhollyoccultvitalpowersofthe
plantitself,storedupthroughages,andflowingdownfromtheprimalsourcesoflife.
Thehusbandmanbutremovestheobstacles.Heplantsandwaters,butGodgivesthe
increase.
Sowiththefinerhusbandmanofdivinerfields.Hetillsandsows,butthegrowthofthe
spiritualmancomesthroughthesurgeandflowofdivine,creativeforcesandpowers.
Here,again,Godgivestheincrease.ThedivineSelfputsforth,forthemanifestationof
itspowers,anewandfinervesture,thebodyofthespiritualman.
4.VesturesofconsciousnessarebuiltupinconformitywiththeBostonofthefeelingof
selfhood.

TheSelf,saysagreatTeacher,inturnat itselftothreevestures:first,tothephysical
body,thentothefinerbody,andthirdlytothecausalbody.Finallyitstandsforthradiant,
luminous,joyous,astheSelf.
WhentheSelfattributesitselftothephysicalbody,therearisethestatesofbodily
consciousness,builtupaboutthephysicalself.
WhentheSelf,breakingthroughthisfirstillusion,beginstoseeandfeelitselfinthefiner
body,tofindselfhoodthere,thenthestatesofconsciousnessofthefinerbodycomeinto
beingor,tospeakexactly,thefinerbodyanditsstatesofconsciousnessariseandgrow
together.
ButtheSelfmustnotdwellpermanentlythere.Itmustlearntofinditselfinthecausal
body,tobuildupthewideandluminousfieldsofconsciousnessthatbelongtothat.
Normustitdwellforeverthere,forthereremainsthefourthstate,thedivine,withitsown
splendourandeverlastingness.
Itisallaquestionofthestatesofconsciousnessallaquestionofraisingthesenseof
selfhood,untilitdwellsforeverintheEternal.
5.Inthedifferentfieldsofmanifestation,theConsciousness,thoughone,istheelective
causeofmanystatesofconsciousness.
HereisthesplendidteachingofonenessthatliesattheheartoftheEasternwisdom.
ConsciousnessisultimatelyOne,everywhereandforever.TheEternal,theFather,isthe
OneSelfofAllBeings.Andso,ineachindividualwhoisbutafacetofthatSelf,
ConsciousnessisOne.Whetheritbreaksthroughasthedullfireofphysicallife,orthe
murkyflameofthepsychicandpassional,ortheradianceofthespiritual man,orthefull
gloryoftheDivine,itisevertheLight,naughtbuttheLight.TheoneConsciousnessis
theeffectivecauseofallstatesofconsciousness,oneveryplane.
6.Amongstatesofconsciousness,thatwhichisbornofContemplationisfreefromthe
seedoffuturesorrow.
Wheretheconsciousnessbreaksforthinthephysicalbody,andthefullplayofbodilylife
begins,itsprogressioncarrieswithitinevitablelimitations.Birthinvolvesdeath.
Meetingshavetheirpartings.Hungeralternateswithsatiety.Agefollowsontheheelsof
youth.Sodothestatesofconsciousnessrunalongthecircleofbirthanddeath.
Withthepsychic,thealternationbetweenprizeandpenaltyisswifter.Hopehasits
shadowoffear,oritisnohope.Exclusiveloveistorturedbyjealousy.Pleasurepasses
throughdeadnessintopain.Pain'ssurceasebringspleasurebackagain.Sohere,too,the
statesofconsciousnessruntheircircle.Inallpsychicstatesthereisegotism,which,
indeed,istheveryessenceof thepsychicandwherethereisegotismthereiseverthe
seedoffuturesorrow.Desirecarriesbondageinitswomb.

Butwherethepurespiritualconsciousnessbegins,freefromselfandstain,theancient
lawofretaliationceasesthepenaltyofsorrowlapsesandisnomoreimposed.Thesoul
nowpasses,nolongerfromsorrowtosorrow,butfromglorytoglory.Itsgrowthand
splendourhavenolimit.Thegoodpassestobetter,best.
7.TheworksoffollowersafterUnionmakeneitherforbrightpleasurenorfordarkpain
Theworksofothersmakeforpleasureorpain,oraminglingofthese.
Themanofdesirewinsfromhisworkstherewardofpleasure,orincursthepenaltyof
painor,assooftenhappensinlife,hisguerdon,likethepassionatemoodof thelover,is
partpleasureandpartpain.Worksdonewithselfseekingbearwithinthemtheseedsof
futuresorrowconversely,accordingtotheproverb,presentpainisfuturegain.
But,forhimwhohasgonebeyonddesire,whosedesireissetontheEternal,neitherpain
tobeavoidednorpleasuretobegainedinspireshiswork.Hefearsnohellanddesiresno
heaven.Hisonedesireis,toknowthewilloftheFatherandfinishHiswork.Hecomes
directlyinlinewiththedivineWill,andworkscleanly andimmediately,withoutlonging
orfear.HisheartdwellsintheEternalallhisdesiresaresetontheEternal.
8.Fromtheforceinherentinworkscomesthemanifestationofthosedynamicmind
imageswhichareconformabletotheripeningoutofeachoftheseworks.
WearenowtoconsiderthegeneralmechanismofKarma,inorderthatwemaypasson
totheconsiderationofhimwhoisfreefromKarma.Karma,indeed,istheconcernofthe
personalman,ofhisbondageorfreedom.Itisthesuccessionoftheforceswhichbuiltup
thepersonalman,reproducingthemselvesinonepersonalityafteranother.
Nowletustakeanimaginarycase,toseehowtheseforcesmayworkout.Letusthinkof
aman,withmurderousintentinhisheart,strikingwithadaggerathisenemy.Hemakes
aredwoundinhisvictim'sbreastatthesameinstanthepaints,inhisownmind,a
pictureofthatwound:apicturedynamicwithallthefiercewillpowerhehasputintohis
murderousblow.Inotherwordshehasmadeadeepwoundinhisownpsychicbody
and,whenhecomestobebornagain,thatbodywillbecomehisoutermostvesture,upon
which,withitswoundstillthere,bodilytissuewillbebuiltup.Sothemanwillbeborn
maimed,orwiththepredispositiontosomemortalinjuryheisunguardedatthatpoint,
andanytriflingaccidentalblowwillpiercethebrokenJointsofhispsychicarmour.Thus
dothedynamicmindimagesmanifestthemselves,comingtothesurface,sothatworks
doneinthepastmayripenandcometofruition.
9.Worksseparatedbydifferentnature,orplace,ortime,arebroughttogetherbythe
correspondencebetweenmemoryanddynamicimpression.
Justas,intheripeningoutofmindimagesintobodilyconditions,theeffectisbrought
aboutbytherayofcreativeforcesentdownbytheSelf,somewhatasthelightofthe
magiclanternprojectsthedetailsofapictureonthescreen,revealingthehidden,and

makingsecretthingspalpableandvisible,sodoesthisdivinerayexerciseaselective
poweronthedynamicmindimages,bringingtogetherintoonedayoflifetheseeds
gatheredfrommanydays.Thememoryconstantlyexemplifiesthispowerapassageof
poetrywillcallupinthemindlikepassagesofmanypoets,readatdifferenttimes.Soa
prayermaycallupmanyprayers.
Inlikemanner,thesameoverrulingselectivepower,whichisarayoftheHigherSelf,
gatherstogetherfromdifferentbirthsandtimesandplacesthosemindimageswhichare
conformable,andmaybegroupedintheframeofasinglelifeorasingleevent.Through
thisgrouping,visiblebodilyconditionsoroutwardcircumstancesarebroughtabout,and
bythesethesoulistaughtandtrained.
Justasthedynamicmindimagesofdesireripenoutinbodilyconditionsand
circumstances,sothefarmoredynamicpowersofaspiration,whereinthesoulreaches
towardtheEternal,havetheirfruitioninafinerworld,buildingthevestureofthe
spiritualman.
10.Theseriesofdynamicmindimagesisbeginningless,becauseDesireiseverlasting.
Thewholeseriesofdynamicmindimages,whichmakeuptheentirehistoryofthe
personalman,isapartofthemechanismwhichtheSelfemploys,tomirroritselfina
reflection,toembodyitspowersinanoutwardform,totheendofselfexpression,
selfrealization,selfknowledge.Thereforetheinitialimpulsebehindthesedynamicmind
imagescomesfromtheSelfandisthedescendingrayoftheSelfsothatitcannotbesaid
thatthereisanyfirstmemberoftheseriesofimages,fromwhichtherestarose.The
impulseisbeginningless,sinceitcomesfromtheSelf,whichisfromeverlasting.Desire
isnottoceaseitistoturntotheEternal,andsobecomeaspiration.
11.Sincethedynamicmindimagesareheldtogetherbyimpulsesofdesire,bythewish
forpersonalreward,bythesubstratumofmentalhabit,bythesupportofouterthings
desiredtherefore,whenthesecease,theselfreproductionofdynamicmindimages
ceases.
Wearestillconcernedwiththepersonallifeinitsbodilyvesture,andwiththeprocess
wherebytheforceswhichhaveuphelditaregraduallytransferredtothelifeofthe
spiritualman,andbuildupforhimhisfinervestureinafinerworld.
Howisthecurrenttobechanged?Howistheflowofselfreproductivemindimages,
whichhavebuilttheconditionsoflifeafterlifeinthisworldofbondage,tobechecked,
thatthetimeofimprisonmentmaycometoanend,thedayofliberationdawn?
TheanswerisgivenintheSutrajusttranslated.Thedrivingforceiswithdrawnand
directedtotheupbuildingofthespiritualbody.
Whenthebuildingimpulsesandforcesarewithdrawn,thetendencytomanifestanew
psychicalbody,anewbodyofbondage,ceaseswiththem.

12.Thedifferencebetweenthatwhichispastandthatwhichisnotyetcome,according
totheirnatures,dependsonthedifferenceofphaseoftheirproperties.
Herewecometoahighanddifficultmatter,whichhasalwaysbeenheldtobeofgreat
momentintheEasternwisdom:thethoughtthatthedivisionoftimeintopast,present
andfutureis,ingreatmeasure,anillusionthatpast,present,futurealldwelltogetherin
theeternalNow.
Thediscernmentofthistruthhasbeenheldtobesonecessarilyapartofwisdom,that
oneofthenamesoftheEnlightenedis:"hewhohaspassedbeyondthethreetimes:past,
present,future."
SotheWesternMastersaid:"BeforeAbrahamwas,Iam"andagain,"Iamwithyou
always,untotheendoftheworld"usingtheeternalpresentforpastandfuturealike.
Withthesamepurpose,theMasterspeaksofhimselfas"thealphaandtheomega,the
beginningandtheend,thefirstandthelast."
AndaMasterofourowndayswrites:"Ifeelevenirritatedathavingtousethesethree
clumsywordspast,present,andfuture.Miserableconceptsoftheobjectivephasesof
thesubjectivewhole,theyareaboutasilladaptedforthepurpose,asanaxeforfine
carving."
IntheeternalNow,bothpastandfutureareconsummated.
Bjorklund,theSwedishphilosopher,haswellstatedthesametruth:
"NeitherpastnorfuturecanexisttoGodHelivesundividedly,withoutlimitations,and
needsnot,asman,toplotouthisexistenceinaseriesofmoments.Eternitythenisnot
identicalwithunendingtimeitisadifferentform ofexistence,relatedtotimeasthe
perfecttotheimperfect...Manasanentityforhimselfmusthavethenaturallimitations
forthepart.ConceivedbyGod,maniseternalinthedivinesense,butconceived.,by
himself,man'seternallifeisclothedinthelimitationswecalltime.Theeternalisa
constantpresentwithoutbeginningorend,withoutpastorfuture."
13.Theseproperties,whethermanifestorlatent,areofthenatureoftheThreePotencies.
TheThreePotenciesarethethreemanifestedmodificationsoftheoneprimalmaterial,
whichstandsoppositetoperceivingconsciousness.TheseThreePotenciesarecalled
Substance,Force,Darknessorviewedratherfortheirmoralcolouring,Goodness,
Passion,Inertness.Everymaterialmanifestationisaprojectionofsubstanceintothe
emptyspaceofdarkness.Everymentalstateiseithergood,orpassional,orinert.So,
whethersubjectiveorobjective,latentormanifest,allthingsthatpresentthemselvesto
theperceivingconsciousnessarecompoundedofthesethree.Thisisafundamental
doctrineoftheSankhyasystem.

14.Theexternalmanifestationofanobjecttakesplacewhenthetransformationsorein
thesamephase.
Weshouldbeinclinedtoexpressthesamelawbysaying,forexample,thatasoundis
audible,whenitconsistsofvibrationswithinthecompassoftheauditorynervethatan
objectisvisible,wheneitherdirectlyorbyreflection,itsendsforthluminiferous
vibrationswithinthecompassoftheretinaandtheopticnerve.Vibrationsbelowor
abovethatcompassmakenoimpressionatall,andtheobjectremainsinvisibleas,for
example,akettleofboilingwaterinadarkroom,thoughthekettleissendingforthheat
vibrationscloselyakintolight.
So,whenthevibrationsoftheobjectandthoseoftheperceptivepowerareinthesame
phase,theexternalmanifestationoftheobjecttakesplace.
Thereseemstobeafurthersuggestionthattheappearanceofanobjectinthe"present,"
oritsremaininghidinthe"past,"or"future,"islikewiseaquestionofphase,and,justas
therangeofvibrationsperceivedmightbeincreasedbythedevelopmentoffinersenses,
sotheperceptionofthingspast,andthingstocome,maybeeasyfromahigherpointof
view.
15.Thepathsof materialthingsandofstatesofconsciousnessaredistinct,asismanifest
fromthefactthatthesameobjectmayproducedifferentimpressionsindifferentminds.
HavingshownthatourbodilyconditionandcircumstancesdependonKarma,while
Karmadependsonperceptionandwill,thesagerecognizesthefactthatfromthismaybe
drawnthefalsedeductionthatmaterialthingsareinnowisedifferentfromstatesof
mind.Thesamethoughthasoccurred,andstilloccurs,toallphilosophersand,by
variousreasonings,theyallcometothesamewiseconclusionthatthematerialworldis
notmadebythemoodofanyhumanmind,butisratherthemanifestationofthetotality
ofinvisibleBeing,whetherwecallthisMahat,withtheancients,orEther,withthe
moderns.
16.Nordomaterialobjectsdefenduponasinglemind,forhowcouldtheyremain
objectivetoothers,ifthatmindceasedtothinkofthem?
ThisisbutafurtherdevelopmentofthethoughtoftheprecedingSutra,carryingonthe
thoughtthat, whiletheuniverseisspiritual,yetitsmaterialexpressionisordered,
consistent,ruledbylaw,notsubjecttothewhimsoraffirmationsofasinglemind.
Unwelcomematerialthingsmaybeescapedbyspiritualgrowth,byrisingtoarealm
abovethem,andnotbydenyingtheirexistenceontheirownplane.Sothatoursystemis
neithermaterialistic,noridealisticintheextremesense,butratherintuitionaland
spiritual,holdingthatmatteristhemanifestationofspiritasawhole,areflectionor
externalizationofspirit,and,likespirit,everywhereobedienttolaw.Thepathof
liberationisnotthroughdenialofmatterbutthroughdenialofthewillsofself,through
obedience,andthataspirationwhichbuildsthevestureofthespiritualman.

17.Anobjectisperceived,ornotperceived,accordingasthemindis,orisnot,tinged
withthecolouroftheobject.
Thesimplestmanifestationofthisisthematterofattention.Ourmindsapprehendwhat
theywishtoapprehendallelsepassesunnoticed,or,ontheotherhand,weperceivewhat
weresent,as,forexample,thenoiseofapassingtrainwhileothers,usedtothesound,
donotnoticeitatall.
Butthedeepermeaningis,thatoutofthevasttotalityofobjectseverpresentinthe
universe,themindperceivesonlythosewhichconformtothehueofitsKarma.Therest
remainunseen,eventhoughcloseathand.
ThisspirituallawhasbeenwellexpressedbyEmerson:
"Throughsolidesteternalthingsthemanfindshisroadasiftheydidnotsubsist,anddoes
notoncesuspecttheirbeing.Assoonasheneedsanewobject,suddenlyhebeholdsit,
andnolongerattemptstopassthroughit,buttakesanotherway.Whenhehasexhausted
forthetimethenourishmenttobedrawnfromanyonepersonorthing,thatobjectis
withdrawnfromhisobservation,andthoughstillinhisimmediateneighbourhood,he
doesnotsuspectitspresence.Nothingisdead.Menfeignthemselvesdead,andendure
mockfuneralsandmournfulobituaries,andtheretheystandlookingoutofthewindow,
soundandwell,insomenewandstrangedisguise.Jesusisnotdead,heisverywellalive:
norJohn,norPaul,norMahomet,norAristotleattimeswebelievewehaveseenthem
all,andcouldeasilytellthenamesunderwhichtheygo."
18.Themovementsofthepsychicnatureareperpetuallyobjectsofperception,sincethe
SpiritualMan,whoisthelordofthem,remainsunchanging.
Hereisteachingoftheutmostimport,bothforunderstandingandforpractice.
Tothepsychicnaturebelongalltheebbandflowofemotion,allhopingandfearing,
desireandhate:thethingsthatmakethemultitudeofmenandwomendeemthemselves
happyormiserable.Toitalsobelongthemeasuringandcomparing,thedoubtand
questioning,which,forthesamemultitude,makeupmentallife.Sothatthereresultsthe
emotionsoakedpersonality,withitsdarkandnarrowviewoflife:theshivering,terror
drivenpersonalitythatislifeitselfforallbutallofmankind.
Yetthepersonalityisnotthetrueman,notthelivingsoulatall,butonlyaspectacle
whichthetruemanobserves.Letusunderstandthis,therefore,anddrawourselvesup
inwardlytotheheightoftheSpiritualMan,who,standinginthequietlightofthe
Eternal,looksdownsereneuponthisturmoiloftheouterlife.
Onefirstmastersthepersonality,the"mind,"bythuslookingdownonitfromabove,
fromwithinbysteadilywatchingitsebbandflow,asobjective,outward,andtherefore
nottherealSelf.Thisstandingbackisthefirststep,detachment.Thesecond,tomaintain
thevantagegroundthusgained,isrecollection.

19.TheMindisnotselfluminous,sinceitcanbeseenasanobject.
Thisisafurthersteptowardoverthrowingthetyrannyofthe"mind":thepsychicnature
ofemotionandmentalmeasuring.Thispsychicself,thepersonality,claimstobe
absolute,assertingthatlifeisforitandthroughititseekstoimposeonthewholebeing
ofmanitsnarrow,materialistic,faithlessviewoflifeandtheuniverseitwouldclipthe
wingsofthesoaringSoul.ButtheSouldethronesthetyrant,byperceivingandsteadily
affirmingthatthepsychicselfisnotrueselfatall,notselfluminous,butonlyanobject
ofobservation,watchedbythesereneeyesoftheSpiritualMan.
20.NorcouldtheMindatthesametimeknowitselfandthingsexternaltoit.
Thetruthisthatthe"mind"knowsneitherexternalthingsnoritself.Itsmeasuringand
analyzing,itshopingandfearing,hatinganddesiring,nevergiveitatrue measureoflife,
noranysenseofrealvalues.Ceaselesslyactive,itneverreallyattainstoknowledgeor,if
weadmititsknowledge,iteverfallsshortofwisdom,whichcomesonlythrough
intuition,thevisionoftheSpiritualMan.
Lifecannotbeknownbythe"mind,"itssecretscannotbelearnedthroughthe"mind."
Theproofis,theceaselessstrifeandcontradictionofopinionamongthosewhotrustin
themind.Muchlesscanthe"mind"knowitself,themoreso,becauseitispervadedby
theillusion thatittrulyknows,trulyis.
Trueknowledgeofthe"mind"comes,first,whentheSpiritualMan,arising,stands
detached,regardingthe"mind"fromabove,withquieteyes,andseeingitforthetangled
webofpsychicforcesthatittrulyis.Butthetruthisdivinedlongbeforeitisclearlyseen,
andthenbeginsthelongbattleofthe"mind,'againsttheReal,the"mind"fighting
doggedly,craftily,foritssupremacy.
21.IftheMindbethoughtofasseenbyanothermoreinwardMind,thentherewouldbe
anendlessseriesofperceivingMinds,andaconfusionofmemories.
Oneoftheexpedientsbywhichthe"mind"seekstodenyandthwarttheSoul,whenit
feelsthatitisbeginningtobecircumventedandseenthrough,istoassertthatthisseeing
istheworkofapartofitself,onepartobservingtheother,andthusleavingnoneednor
placefortheSpiritualMan.
Tothisstrategytheargumentisopposedbyourphilosopher,thatthiswouldbenotrue
solution,butonlyapostponementofthesolution.Forweshouldhavetofindyetanother
partofthemindtoviewthefirstobservingpart,andthenanothertoobservethis,andso
on,endlessly.
Thetruesolutionis,thattheSpiritualManlooksdownuponthepsychicnature,and
observesitwhenheviewsthepsychicpicturesgallery,thisis"memory,"whichwould

beahopeless,inextricableconfusion,ifwethoughtofonepartofthe"mind,"withits
memories,viewinganotherpart,withmemoriesofitsown.
Thesolutionofthemysteryliesnotinthe"mind"butbeyondit,intheluminouslifeof
therisenLord,theSpiritualMan.
22.Whenthepsychicalnaturetakesontheformofthespiritualintelligence,byreflecting
it,thentheSelfbecomesconsciousofitsownspiritualintelligence.
Weareconsideringastageofspirituallifeatwhichthepsychicalnaturehasbeen
cleansedandpurified.Formerly,itreflectedinitsplasticsubstancetheimagesofthe
earthypurifiednow,itreflectstheimageoftheheavenly,givingthespiritualintelligence
avisibleform.TheSelf,beholdingthatvisibleform,inwhichitsspiritualintelligence
has,asitwere,takenpalpableshape,therebyreachesselfrecognition,self
comprehension.TheSelfseesitselfinthismirror,andthusbecomesnotonlyconscious,
butselfconscious.Thisis,fromonepointofview,thepurposeofthewholeevolutionary
process.
23.Thepsychicnature,takingonthecolouroftheSeerandofthingsseen,leadstothe
perceptionofallobjects.
Intheunregenerateman,thepsychicnatureissaturatedwithimagesofmaterialthings,of
thingsseen,orheard,ortasted,orfeltandthiswebofdynamicimagesformsthe
ordinarymaterialanddrivingpoweroflife.Thesensationofsweetthingstastedclamours
toberenewed,anddrivesthemanintoefforttoobtainitsrenewalsoheaddsimageto
image,eachdynamicandimportunate,pilingupsin'sintolerableburden.
Thencomesregeneration,andthewashingawayofsin,throughthefiery,creativepower
oftheSoul,whichburnsout thestainsofthepsychicvesture,purifyingitasgoldis
refinedinthefurnace.Thesufferingofregenerationspringsfromthisindispensable
purifying.
ThenthepsychicvesturebeginstotakeonthecolouroftheSoul,nolongerstained,but
suffusedwithgoldenlightandthemanredgenerategleamswiththeradianceofeternity.
ThustheSpiritualManputsonfairraimentforofthiscleansingitissaid:Thoughyour
sinsbeasscarlet,theyshallbewhiteassnowthoughtheybeascrimson,theyshallbeas
wool.
24.Thepsychicnature,whichhasbeenprintedwithmindimagesofinnumerable
materialthings,existsnowfortheSpiritualMan,buildingforhim.
The"mind,"oncethetyrant,isnowtheslave,recognizedasoutward,separate,notSelf,a
welltrainedinstrumentoftheSpiritualMan.
ForitisnotordainedfortheSpiritualManthat,findinghishighrealm,heshallenter
altogetherthere,andpassoutofthevisionofmankind.Itistruethathedwellsinheaven,

buthealsodwellson earth.Hehasangelsandarchangels,thehostsofthejustmade
perfect,forhisfamiliarfriends,buthehasatthesametimefoundanewkinshipwiththe
pronechildrenofmen,whostumbleandsininthedark.Findingsinlessness,hefindsalso
thattheworld'ssinandshamearehis,nottoshare,buttoatonefindingkinshipwith
angels,helikewisefindshispartinthetoilofangels,thetoilfortheredemptionofthe
world.
Forthiswork,he,whonowstandsintheheavenlyrealm,needshisinstrumentonearth
andthisinstrumenthefinds,readytohishand,andfittedandperfectedbythevery
struggleshehaswagedagainstit,inthepersonality,the"mind,'ofthepersonalman.This
oncetyrantisnowhisservantandperfectambassador,bearingwitness,beforemen,of
heavenlythingsandeveninthispresentworlddoingthewillandworkingtheworksof
theFather.
25.ForhimwhodiscernsbetweentheMindandtheSpiritualMan,therecomesperfect
fruitionofthelongingaftertherealbeingof theSelf.
HowmanytimesinthelongstrugglehavetheSoul'saspirationsseemedbutahopeless,
impossibledream,amadman'scounselofperfection.Yeteveryfinest,mostimpossible
aspirationshallberealized,andtentimesmorethanrealized,oncethelong,arduousfight
againstthe"mind,"andthemind'sworldviewiswon.Andthenitwillbeseenthatunfaith
anddespairwerebutweaponsofthe"mind,"todaunttheSoul,andputoffthedaywhen
theneckofthe"mind"shallbeputunderthefootoftheSoul.
Haveyouaspired,wellnighhopeless,afterimmortality?Youshallbepaidbyentering
theimmortalityofGod.
Haveyouaspired,inmiseryandpain,afterconsoling,healinglove?Youshallbemadea
dispenserofthedivineloveofGodHimselftowearysouls.
Haveyousoughtardently,inyourdayoffeebleness,afterpower?Youshallwieldpower
immortal,infinite,withGodworkingtheworksofGod.
Haveyou,inlonelydarkness,longedforcompanionshipandconsolation?Youshall
haveangelsandarchangelsforyourfriends,andalltheimmortalhostsoftheDawn.
Thesearethefruitsofvictory.Thereforeovercome.Thesearetheprizesofregeneration.
Thereforedietoself,thatyoumayriseagaintoGod.
26.Thereafter,thewholepersonal beingbendstowardillumination,towardEternalLife.
ThisispartofthesecretoftheSoul,thatsalvationmeans,notmerelythatasoulshallbe
cleansedandraisedtoheaven,butthatthewholerealmofthenaturalpowersshallbe
redeemed,buildingup,eveninthispresentworld,thekinglyfigureoftheSpiritualMan.

Thetraditionsoftheagesarefullofhisfootstepsmajestic,uncomprehendedshadows,
myths,demigods,fillthememoriesofallthenoblerpeoples.Butthetimecometh,when
heshallbeknown,nolongerdemigod,normyth,norshadow,buttheeverpresent
Redeemer,workingamidmenforthelifeandcleansingofallsouls.
27.Intheinternalsofthebatik,otherthoughtswillarise,throughtheimpressionsofthe
dynamicmindimages.
Thebattleislongandarduous.Lettherebenomistakeastothat.Gonotforthtothis
battlewithoutcountingthecost.Ageshavegonetothestrengtheningofthefoe.Agesof
conflictmustbespent,erethefoe,whollyconquered,becomestheservant,theSoul's
ministertomankind.
Andfromtheselongpastages,inhourswhenthecontestflags,willcomenewfoes,
mindbornchildrenspringinguptofightformind,reinforcementscomingfromforgotten
years,forgottenlives.Foroncethisconflictisbegun,itcanbeendedonlybysweeping
victory,andunconditional,unreservedsurrenderofthevanquished.
28.Thesearetobeovercomeasitwastaughtthathindrancesshouldbeovercome.
Thesenewenemiesandfearsaretobeovercomebyceaselesslyrenewingthefight,bya
steadfast,doggedpersistence,whetherinvictoryordefeat,whichshallputthe
stubbornnessoftherockstoshame.FortheSoulisolderthanallthings,andinvincibleit
isoftheverynatureoftheSoultobeunconquerable.
Thereforefighton,undauntedknowingthatthespiritualwill,onceawakened,shall,
throughtheeffortofthecontest,cometoitsfullstrengththatgroundgainedcanbeheld
permanentlythatgreatasisthedeadweightoftheadversary,itisyetmeasurable,while
theWarriorwhofightsforyou,forwhomyoufight,is,inmight,immeasurable,
invincible,everlasting.
29.Hewho,afterhehasattained,iswhollyfreefromself,reachestheessenceofallthat
canbeknown,gatheredtogetherlikeacloud.Thisisthetruespiritualconsciousness.
Ithasbeensaidthat,atthebeginningoftheway,wemustkilloutambition,thegreat
curse,thegiantweedwhichgrowsasstronglyintheheartofthedevoteddiscipleasin
themanofdesire.Theremedyissacrificeofself,obedience,humilitythatpurityofheart
whichgivesthevisionofGod.Thereafter,hewhohasattainediswraptaboutwiththe
essenceofallthatcanbeknown,aswithacloudhehasthatperfectilluminationwhich
isthetruespiritualconsciousness.ThroughobediencetothewillofGod,hecomesinto
onenessofbeingwithGodheisinitiatedintoGod'sviewoftheuniverse,seeingalllife
asGodseesit.
30.Thereoncomessurceasefromsorrowandtheburdenoftoil.

Suchaone,itissaid,isfreefromthebondofKarma,fromtheburdenoftoil,fromthat
debttoworkswhichcomesfromworksdoneinselfloveanddesire.Freefromselfwill,
heisfreefromsorrow,too,forsorrowcomesfromthefightofselfwillagainstthedivine
will,throughthecorrectingstressofthedivinewill,whichseekstocounteracttheevil
wroughtbydisobedience.Whentheconflictwiththedivinewillceases,thensorrow
ceases,andhewhohasgrownintoobedience,therebyentersintojoy.
31.Whenallveilsarerent,allstainswashedaway,hisknowledgebecomesinfinitelittle
remainsforhimtoknow.
Thefirstveilisthedelusionthatthysoulisinsomepermanentwayseparatefromthe
greatSoul,thedivineEternal.Whenthatveilisrent, thoushaltdiscernthyonenesswith
everlastingLife.Thesecondveilisthedelusionofenduringseparatenessfromthyother
selves,whereasintruththesoulthatisinthemisonewiththesoulthatisinthee.The
world'ssinandshamearethysinandshame:itsjoyalso.
Theseveilsrent,thoushaltenterintoknowledgeofdivinethingsandhumanthings.Little
willremainunknowntothee.
32.Thereaftercomesthecompletionoftheseriesoftransformationsofthethreenature
potencies,sincetheirpurposeisattained.
ItisapartofthebeautyandwisdomofthegreatIndianteachings,theVedantaandthe
Yogaalike,toholdthatalllifeexistsforthepurposesofSoul,forthemakingofthe
spiritualman.Theyteachthatallnatureisanorderly processofevolution,leadingupto
this,designedforthisend,existingonlyforthis:tobringforthandperfecttheSpiritual
Man.Heisthecrownofevolution:athiscoming,thegoalofalldevelopmentisattained.
33.Theseriesoftransformationsisdividedintomoments.Whentheseriesiscompleted,
timegivesplacetoduration.
Therearetwokindsofeternity,saysthecommentary:theeternityofimmortallife,which
belongstotheSpirit,andtheeternityofchange,whichinheresinNature,in allthatisnot
Spirit.WhilewearecontenttoliveinandforNature,intheCircleofNecessity,Sansara,
wedoomourselvestoperpetualchange.Thatwhichisbornmustdie,andthatwhichdies
mustbereborn.Itischangeevermore,aceaselessseriesoftransformations.
ButtheSpiritualManentersaneworderforhim,thereisnolongereternalchange,but
eternalBeing.HehasenteredintothejoyofhisLord.Thisspiritualbirth,whichmakes
himheiroftheEverlasting,setsatermtochangeitistheculmination,thecrowning
transformation,ofthewholerealmofchange.
34.Purespirituallifeis,therefore,theinverseresolutionofthepotenciesofNature,
whichhaveemptiedthemselvesoftheirvaluefortheSpiritualmanoritisthereturnof
thepowerofpureConsciousnesstoitsessentialform.

Herewehaveasplendidgeneralization,inwhichourwisephilosopherfinallyreconciles
thenaturalistsandtheidealists,expressingthecrownandendofhisteaching,firstinthe
termsofthenaturalist,andtheninthetermsoftheidealist.
ThebirthandgrowthoftheSpiritualMan,andhisentryintohisimmortalheritage,may
beregarded,saysourphilosopher,eitherastheculminationofthewholeprocessof
naturalevolutionandinvolution,where"thatwhichflowedfromouttheboundlessdeep,
turnsagainhome"oritmaybelookedat,astheVedantinslookatit,astherestorationof
purespiritualConsciousnesstoitspristineandessentialform.Thereisnodiscrepancyor
conflictbetweenthesetwoviews,whicharebuttwoaccountsofthesamething.
Thereforethosewhostudythewisephilosopher,betheynaturalistoridealist,haveno
excusetolingeroverdialeticsubtletiesordisputes.Thesethingsareliftedfromtheir
path,lesttheyshouldbetemptedtodelayoverthem,andtheyareleftfacingthepath
itself,stretchingupwardandonwardfromtheirfeettotheeverlastinghills,radiantwith
infiniteLight.

THEEND