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Chapter4:PurifyPassions

PurifyPassions
Maturedemotion
1

Thesamepowerwhich,whenmisgoverned,dragsmendownintomaterialism,alsolifts
themintospiritualawarenesswhendirectedupward.
2

Whereallaman'sactsaremerelythereflexbehaviourdictatedbyhissenseimpressions,
hehashardlyanylifehigherthanananimalone.Itisthebusinessofthisquesttoinsert
theinfluenceofconsciousnessofthecausesandresultsofhisactions,reason,andwill
intosuchbehaviour.
3

Therearecertainindestructibletruthswhichrevealthemselvesthroughtheagestoevery
manwho,foratimeatleast,sufficientlymastershisanimalselfandsufficientlyquietens
hishumanself.Thosewhichwemostneedtolearntodayaresimpleandancient,yet
completelyrelevanttothemodernsceneandcompletelyadequatetothemodernneed.
4

Itiseverywherethestatetodaythatmostpeopleareautomatons,merelyreactingtothe
outwardworldofthefivesensesinamechanicalmanner.Theydonotreallycontrolwhat
ishappeningtothembutmerelydriftwiththeforcesplayingthroughthesensestimuli.
Theconsequenceisthattheydonotactuallypossessorusethepoweroffreewill.They
arepuppetsonNature'sstage.
5

Whenanyemotiontakesfullpossessionandreachesanextremestage,itbecomesa
passion.
6

Onedoesnoteasilydiscardthevariouspassions.Thedecisiontodosodoesnotlead,or
evencontributemuch,totheirconquest.Itmerelyannouncesthebeginningofalongwar.
Theyreturn,inspiteofone'swishes,againandagainfortheybelongtotheanimalbody
which,itself,cannotbediscarded.Butintheendamanmustclaimhisbirthrighttoa
higherkindoflife,mustfulfilhisnoblerpossibilities,mustsetupreasonandintuitionas
hismostreliableguides.
7

Ifyourthoughtsareenergizedbyanoblepassionandyourdeedsinspiredbyalofty
enthusiasm,theyarethebetterforit.Butifyourthoughtsaredistortedbyafoolish
passionandyourdeedswastedbyamisdirectedenthusiasm,theyaretheworseforit.
8

Thesameambitionwhichstretchedhismindandcapacityformoneymakingorpower
huntingcan,whentransformedintoaspiration,stretchthemfortruthseekingand
characterbuilding.
9
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Itisnoteventhathehastogiveupalldesiresbutthathehastopurifythemandputthem
allunderthedominanceofhisonesupremedesireforattainmentwhichmayormaynot
meantheirextinction.
10

Man'strueintelligenceisfeeblewhileitremainsimprisonedinegoismandnarcotizedby
sensuality.Hemustliberateitbythephilosophicdisciplinebeforeitcanbecomestrong.
11

Somanyofourfeelingsandsomanyofourthoughtshaveuntilnowbeendictatedbythe
body.Isitnottimetothinkandfeelalsoasthetrueselfwouldhaveusdo?
12

Theanimalheritagehasgivenhiminstincts,appetites,impulses,anddesiresthehuman
holdsouthigherpossibilitiestobeworkedforandrealized.
13

OnemessageoftheSphinxistobalancethehumanmindwiththebrutishanimalinus.
Thisisnotthesameastheascetics'message,whichistoexterminatetheanimal
altogether.
14

Hewhohasnotovercomehispassionsfindshimselfcompelledtoactagainsttheclearest
warningsofhisreason.
15

Whatreallymovesamantoactishisfeelingthisiswhythepassions,whicharestrong
feelings,needmoredeliberateeffortofthewilltobringthemunderrestraint.
16

Anactionwhichisspontaneousandnotacalculatedonethatcanbesafeonlyforthe
enlightenedman.Forothersitmaybemereimpulseormerepassion.
17

Thepointisnotthatnaturalimpulsesofthebodyarewronghowcouldthatbe?butthat
menhavemadethemwrong.Originallythesatisfactionofthepleasureinstinctwasin
harmonywithhigherwillasalesserpartofagreaterfunction.Butnowhumanwillhas
reverseditsroleandexaggeratedittofirstplace.Theresultisdisharmonyanddisease.
18

Ononethingallmeninalllandsareagreed,thatitisimmeasurablymorepreferabletobe
releasedfromanxietiesthantosufferthem.Yet,thesesamementhrowthemselvesinto
situationsorbringabouteventswhichwillrivetthechainsofanxietyuponthem.Howis
itthatsuchacontradictionexistseverywhere?Whatcausesthemtodothis?Itisthe
strengthoftheirdesires,thepoweroftheirambitions,thetendenciesinheritedfrompast
births.Thisbeingthecauseofthetrouble,theremedyforitbecomesplain.Themorea
manfreeshimselffromdesires,thatis,themorehemastershimself,themoreishefreed
fromnumerousanxieties.Andevenifhetooissubjecttothepainfultestsandunpleasant
ordealswhichinescapablyaffecthumanexistences,hedoesnotconsiderthemtobe
misfortunesbutasdevicestodrawouthislatentqualities.
19

Thewayoutfromtyrannicaldesiresmayhavetobestaged.Firstbecomeawitness
indifferentanddispassionateeverytimethereisasurrender.Thiswayistakinganew
direction,startingtodisidentifyfromthedesire.
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20

Ontheonehandhemusttearhimselfawayfromhisearthlypassions.Ontheotherhand
hemustgivehimselfuptohissacredaspirations.
21

Theeagernessofdesirebetrayshimintoromanticselfdeceptionsandleadshiminto
woundingfrustrations.Theegolureshishopesconstantlyonwardonlytolaceratethemin
theend.
22

Whilstwearestilllimitedbythebodyanditsinescapableneeds,itisanimpossibletask
toextirpatedesireandnegativeselfinterest.Philosophyaddsthatitisalsoanundesirable
one.Only,putdesireandselfinterestdownintheirproperplace,itsays,donotpermit
themtoobstructhigherandspiritualneeds.
23

Itisnotthattheyhavetoabandonjoybuttopurifyit.Ifthejoywhichcomesfrom
debasedpleasuresistherebylost,thejoywhichcomesfromennobledthoughtsand
refinedfeelingsisgained.
24

Whenearthlydesiresareextinguished,calmbefallsaman.
25

Hemustneedsdeclareopenwaronhisownpassions,forhenowseesthathecannothave
themandpeacetoo.Likeallwarthisonewillwitnessbothvictoriesanddefeats,
hardshipsandsufferings.Butoutofthesebattleswithhimselfhemayprogress,learning
discriminationandgainingwillpower.
26

Herealizesthathehastobreakhispassionsor,ifuncontrolled,theywillbreakhim.
27

Inthisworkofpurificationtheneedofmoralintellectualandemotionalhonestywillhave
tobestressed.Itissatisfiedbydiscriminatingexaminationofthoughts,feelings,and
motives,withconstantselfdistrustasaguideinthework.
28

Themorehetrainshimselftorecognizeandrejecttheimpulsesthatcomefromhislower
nature,themorewillclarityofcomprehensionbecomehis.
29

Theanimalthatheismustbekeptatbayhisfreedomasamanmustbegainedby
degrees.
30

Itistruethatthoughtprecedesaction,thatactionsexpressthoughts,andthattorulemind
istoruletheentirelife.Butitisalsotruethatman'sbattleswithhimselfproceedby
progressivestages,thatheexertswillmoreeasilythanhechangesfeeling.Therefore,the
disciplineofinwardthinkingshouldfollowafterandnotbeforeit.Tocounselhimto
takecareofhisinnerlifeandthatthentheouterlifewilltakecareofitself,assomany
mysticsdo,istobeplausiblebutalsotoshowalackofpracticality.Man'sheartwillfeel
nopeaceashismindwillknownopoiseuntilheabandonsthelowerinstinctsandgives
himselfuptothisunearthlycall.First,hemustabandonthemoutwardlyindeedslaterhe
mustdoitinwardlyeveninthoughts.Thiswillinevitablybringhimintoinnerstruggle,
intooscillationbetweenvictoriesanddefeats,elationsanddespairs.Thewayupislong,
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hard,rugged,andslowtotread.Itisalwaysastageforcomplaintsandoutcries,battles
andfalls.Onlytimethemasterpowercanbringhimtoitsloftyend.Onlywhenthe
lessonsofbirthafterbirthetchthemselvesdeeplyandunmistakablyintohisconscious
mindthroughdreadfulrepetitioncanheacceptthemcooperatively,resignedly,andthus
putastoptotheneedlesssufferingsofdesire,passion,andattachment.
31

Whenaman'sdesiresandyearnings,thirstsandlongingsaresostrongastoupsethis
reasoningpowerandblockhisintuitivecapacity,heisstoppedfromfindingtruth.Inthis
conditionheshutshiseyestothosefactswhicharedispleasingorwhicharecontraryto
hisdesiresandopensthemonlytothosewhicharepleasingoragreeabletohiswishes.
Thinkingbendseasilytodesires,sothatthesatisfactionofpersonalinterestratherthan
thequestofuniversaltruthbecomesitsrealobject.
32

Reformsthatbeginwiththelowestinmanleadthewaytothehighestinhim.The
masteryofanimalpassionopensthedoortothebirthofspiritualintuition.
33

Whetherthecagebemadeofgoldorthenetfabricatedfromsilk,therealityoftheirinner
captivitystillremains.
34

Adisciplinewhichisnotsternbutgentleandeasyisbestsuitedtomodernman.
35

Thefacultyofwillisimmeasurablymoreimportanttotheprogressoftheinnerlifethan
thatofintellect.Forthepassionsandappetitesofthebodyarecontrolledbywillthe
strengthofthelowernatureisattheserviceoftheego'swillratherthanofitsintellect.
36

Heiscalledon,inhishigherlife,totransmutetheanimalcallsofhisnaturetowhat
howeverdimlyheseesitisreallythegodwithinhim.
37

Itisunpleasanttobreakawayfromlonglivedhabits,andthisistruebothinourmental
andourphysicallife.Yetintimesofcrisissuchassevereillnessandbreakdown,people
dodothatbecausetheyhaveto.Howmuchbettertodoitnotviolentlyandabruptly
underoutwardcompulsionsbuttodoitlittlebylittle,gentlyandeasily,takingourtime
bydoingitthroughapplicationofwisdom.
38

Whencontrolissoperfectthathecanneveragainraisehisvoiceinanger,heneedturn
attentiontoonlyoneotherpassionthesexual.
39

Suchachastealoofnessfromthelowerdesiresmaybereachedonlyinpartbytheirfirm
repression.Ifitistobereachedinfull,theremustbeevenmoreanardentpursuitofthe
highestdesirefortheSoul.
40

TheTaoistmastersdidnotmake,astheBuddhistandHindumastersmade,complete
freedomfromdesireanessentialprerequisite.Theyweresatisfiedtoaskfor"fewnessof
desires"only.
41
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Themanwhocanwinhiswaytofreedomfromangerandfinallyliberatethemindfrom
passionmayneedmuchofhislifetime,ifnotallofit,fortheworkbutwhathegainsis
ofinestimablevalue.ForthisbringshimclosertoawarenessoftheOverself.
42

Whendesiresdiewithoutregrets,hebeginstotasterealpeace.Whencravingssloughoff
naturally,likeaserpent'sskin,hefindstranquilhappiness.
43

AsaspirationfortheOverselfgrowsstronger,otherdesiresgrowweaker.
44

Youmustpossessaninsatiablelongingforlightifyouareevertoemergefromthe
darkness.
45

Hearrivesatpuritybyacultivateddisciplineofthemindratherthanbyaforcibleatrophy
ofthesenses.
46

Thethreadlikeintuitionwhichwillleadhimoutofanimalityintoserenity,willbehis
bestguideifhecanfinditandheedit.
47

Itisnotpossibleforthesefinerelementstobecome,littlebylittle,paramountinhis
outlook,consciousness,andconductwithoutacorrespondingdeclineinthecoarserones.
Hewillgraduallybecometherulerofhisphysicalappetitesandthenmasterofhisbodily
desires.Indeed,asallhislongingsfortheOverselfslowlygatherthemselvestogetherinto
agreatdedicatedlife,thereisanequallygreatshiftoverfromtheanimalpartofhisbeing
tothetrulyhuman,alliedwithanopeningupoftheangelicordivinepart.
48

Thefruitsofsexualextravagances,theharvestofsexualpromiscuity,thegleaningsof
sexualirresponsibility,andthegratificationsofsexuallicensemustbesubjectedtothe
harddisciplineofreason.Thosewhowillnotdosomustsoonerorlaterpaythepricein
fears,anxieties,irritations,regrets,disillusionments,shames,anddespairs.
49

Solongasamanidentifieshimselfwiththephysicalbody,solongwillheperforcehave
toidentifyhimselfwithitsdesiresandpassions.Onlywhenhetransfersthisself
identificationtotheinfinitementalbeingcanhecompletelydetachhimselffromthem.
50

Ofwhatuseisitformentotalkoffreeingthemselvesfromsubjectiontoegoismwhen
theyarestillinsubjectiontopassion?
51

Thestudentofphilosophywilltrytocomprehendthesensationsgotfromsensual
pleasuresimpartiallyandimpersonally.Manknowsinstinctivelywhatwillgivehim
momentaryemotionalsatisfactionhemustwrestlewithreasontoknowwhatwillgive
himdeependuringhappiness.Reasonmustarbitratewhendifferentpleasurescompetefor
suffrageorwhendutycompeteswithdesire.Desirecarriedtoanundueextentbecomesa
passiondisturbingtotheequilibriumoflifeandcharacter.Whenamanfindsthatdespite
allhiseffortstoimprovehimselfandreformhischaracter,hestillremainsthesame,itis
anindicationthatnewmethodsmustbetried.
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52

Thescourgingofthefleshmaybeneededby,andmayhelp,thosewhofindtheir
overheatedpassionsandlustsgetoutofhand.Butitwillnotendthesetroublesofman,
eventhoughitmaytamethemforatime.Somethingmoremustbeadded,ormust
replacethemfirst,knowledgesecond,workontheprocessofattention.
53

Theinstinctualanimalurgeplustheambitiousdriveforpowerandthepersonaldesirefor
propertykeepmenfromspiritualaspiration.
54

Ifheisfilledwithselfishinterestsalone,seekingthefulfilmentofpersonalambitions
irrespectiveofanyhigherconsiderationsifanimalpassionsdrivehimandgreed
dominateshim,heblockshisownway.Purificationfromsuchattachmentsmustbethe
firstendeavour.
55

Pleasureswhichcorruptcharacterareundesirablebutthosewhichupliftcharacter(like
thefinestworksofBeethovenandHandel)aredesirable.
56

ThereputedOrientalteachersadvisenayinsistthatseekersmusteliminatealldesires.
Butisnotthesearchitselfnotonlyanaspirationbutalsoadesire?Cantherebepeaceof
mindwhilethisoneremains?Soitisneedfultoputalltheothersinaworldlycategory.
Thisiswhatthemoresemanticmindedteachersdo.Butsincethelastactinthisspiritual
dramaisplayedbytheHigherPower,whynotletitdecidewhattodoconcerningthe
matter?
57

Theheartmustbecomeemptyofalldesires.Thisbringsabouttheemotionalvoid,which
corresponds,initsownplace,tothementalvoidexperiencedinthedepthofmystical
meditation.Tothisemptinesshemustgivehimself,withithemustsatisfyhimself.Inthis
wayheobeysJesusandbecomes"poorinSpirit."
58

Iftheonlyenjoymentamanknowsisthatofphysicalsensations,heisonlyadressedup,
walking,andthinkinganimal.
59

ItisanessentialpartoftheQuest'sworktoseparatethemanfromhispassions,to
subjugatetheanimalinhimsoasbettertocultivatethegodlikeinhim.
60

Bothdesiresandfearsbindamantohisegoandthusbarthewaytospiritualfulfilment.
Theycouldnotexistexceptinrelationtoasecondthing.Butwhenheturnshismind
awayfromallthingsanddirectsittowarditsownstillcentre,itisthebeginningofthe
endforalldesiresandallfears.
61

Theendofallthislongselftrainingtocastoutpersonalgriefandanimalpassionis
blessedness.
62

Thereistheblindlyinstinctiveandpassionedanimalwillinman,whichviolentlydrives
himtoseekandbesatisfiedwithbodilysatisfactions.Thereisalsoahigherwillwhich
gentlydrawshimtotranscendthebodyaltogether.
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63

Whatisitworthtoamantobefreefromthepassions,andfreefromtheinnerdivisive
conflictswhichtheiractivitymustnecessarilyproduceinhim?Aretheynotthechief
obstacleswhichpreventhimfromattainingthatinnercalmwhereinalonetheegocanbe
faced,caught,andconquered?Andthisdone,whatistheretokeeptheOverselffrom
takingpossessionofhim?
64

Fewmenaremovedbyasinglemotive.Formostmenthecontraryisthefact.Thisis
becausefirst,theegoitselfisacomplexandsecond,thehigherandlowernaturesarein
conflict.
65

Discriminationisneededtopenetratethethinsurfaceofsomanypleasures,whilethe
strengthisneededtosay"No"whenthisiswiserthanacceptingthem.
66

Itisnotonlyneedfultounderstandthecharacteristicsofone'sdesiresbutalsotheir
source.Thisknowledgewillhelphimtoimprovecharacterandattaintrueselfreliance.
67

Itisastrangeparadoxthatonwhateverdesireamanwieldstheaxeofnonattachment,he
willthereafterbecomepossessedofthepowertoattainit.
68

ThereisthisgreatparadoxontheQuest:thatthemorethediscipleobtainsthepowerto
bringaboutthefruitionofhisdesires,themorehelosesthosedesires!
69

Ifwelackthewillpowertoovercomebadhabitsthathavebecomepopularand
conventional,atleastletustrynottojustifyourindulgencebyspeciousreasons.
70

Theblindimpulsesmustbecheckedbywillpower,thelowernaturemustbedisciplined
andthelowerenergiesdirectedintohigherchannels.Itisperfectlypossible,wherefate
ordains,tolivecontinentlyandchastely,howeverstronglysexedamanmaybe.Butto
achievethishemustutilizetheanalyticreason,thecreativeimagination,andtheactive
willinunderstandinganddisciplininghisenergiesandthenhemustredirectthem
towardsaspirational,intellectual,ormoralideasortransmutethemintopracticalwork.
71

Hewhobeginsbyrefusingtobeaslavetothepalate'spervertedappetitewillfindit
easiertogoontorefusingtobeaslavetolust.Atriumphovertheonepreparestheway
for,andhelpsintheachievementof,atriumphovertheother.
72

Itistruethatweallshareananimalbodywiththelowercreatures.Butthatdoesnotforce
ustostayontheirlevelemotionally.
73

Everydesireconqueredfeedshisstrengthandfortifieshiswill.
74

Themanwhohasmadehiswaytothetopofhisprofessionbutfailedtomakethe
conquestofhispassions,isstillanunbalancedcreature,anunsatisfiedhumanbeing.
75
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Theextremesofabstentionwhichfollowrepugnance,indifference,orselfstruggleand
thesatietywhichfollowshelplessyieldingarebothundesirable.
76

ThenecessitiesofNatureholdusintheirthrallbutthereisfirst,adifferencebetween
themandthedesiresoftheegoandsecond,adifferencebetweenthetruenecessities
whichareinescapablefromphysicalexistenceandthefalseoneswhichhavebeen
imposedonusbyageoldhabits,traditions,environments,andoutersuggestions.
77

Thatdesireisatrueonewhosesourceliesinagenuineneed,notinmeregreed.
78

Tantraredeemsman,liftshimabovethelustfuldogtothelovinghumanbeing,
distinguisheshimfromthemereanimal.
79

Thedangeroftantrikyogaexistswhenitmistakesitsownlustforspiritualdirectionor
specialprivilegewhichhappensalltooeasilyandalltoooften.
80

Wearecastoutofheavenbyourownpassionsandkeptoutbyourownattachments.If
todaywearemiserableexiles,thewaytoremedysuchasituationisclear.Wemustfree
ourselvesfromtheoneanddisentangleourselvesfromtheother.
81

Heshoulddesirethatwhichwillitselfcutoffalldesires.
82

Whoeverputsamoralpurposeintolifeautomaticallyliftshimselfabovethephysical
levelofmereanimality.Forhimbeginsastrugglebetweentheslaveryofsenseandthe
freedomofenlightenment,betweenblindemotionanddeliberatewill,betweeninward
weaknessandinwardstrength.Henceforth,heseekshappinessratherthanpleasure,the
calmofasatisfiedmindratherthantheexcitementofsatisfiedsenses.Ifthisisastoic
ideal,itisanecessaryone,forhemustconquerhimself.Hehateshimself,andnoman
canliveinpeacewithwhathehates.
83

Makesurewhatyoureallywantbeforeyougoafterit.Thebitterexperienceinlifeisto
findafteryearsofeffortthatthethingyouhavegainedisnotthethingyouwant.
84

Itisadmittedlypainfultotearone'swillawayfromone'sdesiresbutitisstillmore
painfultohaveittornawaybylife'sexperiences.Hence,thephilosophicalmethodto
conquerdesireisatwofoldone.Wemustletitwearitselfoutbysubmittingtoitthrough
experienceandlettingitcomeupagainstinevitabledisappointment,disillusionment,or
sufferingwhilstalongsidethiswemustbecomereflectivelyandanalyticallyawareofits
causes,selfdeceptions,andconsequences.Itisamatterofgraduallylettingthedesires
losetheirintensityuntilwebecomefreeofthemnotthroughtheirforciblerenunciation
northroughthelongdrawnprocessofwaitingforoldagetocomebutthroughthe
processoflearningtolivemoreandmorewithinthesatisfactorybeatitudeofthe
Overself.Wegiveupourdesiresnotbynegatingthembutpartlybycomprehendingtheir
mechanisticcauseandmentalisticnatureandpartlybysupersedingthemwiththeexalted
peaceoftheOverself.
85
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Theundevelopedmindlivesonlyfortheday.Itcanseetheimmediateeventsinaseries
butcannotconjureuptheultimateones.Thediscipledarenotrisksuchablindcondition.
Hemustdeliberatelysetouttobringthetwotogether,bytheuseofcreativeimagination
orbyanalyticreflectionorbyboth.Ifpassionrisesinhim,atleastitscounterbalance,the
mentalpictureoftheevilconsequencesofpassion,risesasecondlaterwithit.
86

Ifamanisnotfreefromlust,fear,andanger,besureheisnotunitedwiththeOverself,
whateverotherqualities,powers,orvirtuesheshows.
87

Longcontinuedreflectionturnedsharplyandanalyticallyupondesiresandcravingshelps
tocounterthem,butdoesnotbasicallyweakenthem.Forthat,contraryemotionsmustbe
aroused.Thisismosteffectuallydonebyhappeningsandexperiences.Butbecausethese
aremostlybeyondourchoice,thethirdwaylefttousistoseekGrace.Onewaytoinvite
thisGraceisbysittinginmeditationuponthenonself.
88

Hemaycomplainofhisweaknessandimmediatelysubmittoatemptation.Orhemay
recognizethattheHigherSelfisalsohimhemaytrytousewillandgrowinstrengthby
thisresistance.
89

Hefindsthatheisperceptiblypulledawayfromfleshlylusttoadeeperlevelwherethe
calmnessandthejudgementenablehimtorealizethatthelustbelongstohisanimal
physicalinheritanceandnottohisinmostcharacterandthat,therefore,itmaybebrought
undercontrolanddiscipline.Ifheacquiresthepowertoachievethis,itwillcome
imperceptiblyforitwillcomemostlybygrace.
90

Thesatisfactionofpassionhasaclaimontheanimalbody,butitmustalwaysbesubject
tothehigherclaimsofreasonandintuitionandtheneedforthesenseofhuman
responsibility.
91

Theamoralisalwaysthefirststeptotheimmoral.
92

Theideathathehastoattainmasteryoverthedesiresofthefleshisacorrectone.But
thatthismasterywillleadtoreunionwitha"soulmate"isnottheteachingofthebest
mysticsorphilosophers.Whatreallyhappensisareunionwiththetrue"Beloved,"whois
noneotherthantheSouloftheindividual,hishigherSelf.Thisisareallivingentity,
whosepresenceisfelt,whosewordsareheard,andwhosebeautyarousesallone'slove.
93

Wheremanisopenonlytoworldlyforcesandnottoinneroneswherehesubmitstothe
world'sdemandsandignoresthesoul'sandwherehesubmitstohisownanimalforces
withoutthoughtofregulating,controlling,anddiscipliningthem,wemayexpecttofind
thatheisquiteinsensitivetoanyteachingofthiskind.Heislikeapersonwhohasbeen
caughtinamireandwitheverymovementgetsdeeperintoit.
94

Hewilllearnthepleasuresofselfcontrol.Itisnotalwayseasybutalleffortforthe
rewardsbearsfruit.Themanwhocandevelopemotionalplacidityandriseabove
passionsbeginstoknowwhatpeaceofmindmeans.Thatisonlyabeginningforinits
fullnessitcancomeonlywiththeknowledgeandtheenlightenmentofTruth.Untilthen
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thisplaciditywillfreehimfromtheconstantalternation,theriseandfalloffeeling,the
elationanddepressiontowhichtheaveragepersonissubject.
95

Whetheritbetoacquirefameoraccumulatewealthoranyoftheothermajordesires,
whathewantsfromlifewillintheendrestonhisstageofspiritualevolution.
96

Theanimalinmanisthere,butitmustbebroughtundercontroloritwillclaimtoomuch
anddiminishhisaspirations.Thentheybecomefitful,cominglessandless,departing
moreandmore.Ataninterviewhegaveaman,theBuddhawarnedagainstthepassions
theirfutility,danger,anddefilements.
97

Selfconquestmustbehissecretwishdeliverancemustbecomehisimpassioned
yearning.
98

Whenwholetimemeditationsandhissparetimethoughtsareunremittinglygivento
uprootingpassionsthathinderspiritualprogressandcultivatingideasthatpromoteit,the
neophytewillnotbeleftwithoutreward.
99

Restrictedbynomonastery'svowsandobeyingnoorder'srules,hemayyetbepurerin
thoughtandconductthanmostofthemonks.
100

Ablindobediencetotheurgesofphysicalsensesatisfaction,indifferenttotherestraints
ofideals,reason,knowledge,orintuitivefeeling,weakensconcentrationandmeditation,
butstrengthensthelowernature.
101

Passionconquerstheyoungmanintheendandforceshimintoanaffair,arelationship,
oramarriage.Buthewhowithstandsitsdrive,andconquerspassionitself,isahero.
102

Theanimalityofourinheritancewillthenbekeptinitsproperplace,subjugated,its
strengthabsorbedintohishigherwill.
103

Theunruledpassionsareresponsibleforasubstantialpartofthedifficultyinsummoning
upenoughaspirationtomakemendowhattheyought,andenoughpenetrationtoclear
themindofitsillusions.
104

Thosewithsomementaldevelopmentwiselyaddtomorrowtotoday,consequencesto
causes,andthusfinishthepicture.Othersareruledbythemoment'simpulseortheday's
trendorbypassionratherthanreason.
105

Itissupposedtogosofarthatevensuchaloftydesireasonefordesirelessnessitselfcan
nolongerremainacceptable.
106

Hemayfeelthetemptationbutheneednotsubmittoit.
107
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Itistheemotion,stillmorethepassion,whichanyonepoursintoanattachmentwhich
maymakeitanobstacleonhisquest.
108

Menwhoaredrivenbystrongambitionswillhavelittleenergyleftforstrongaspirations.
109

IntheSphinxsitsthesymbolofthatenterprisewhichoffersthecandidateforinitiation
hisgreatestrewardbutwhichparadoxicallybringshisgreatestsuffering.Thisisthe
conquestofpassionbyreasonandwillandtheovercomingofpersonalemotionby
impersonalintuition.
110

TheSphinxisaperfectimageoftheadeptinwhomthemancontrolstheanimal.The
attainmentisarareonetoomanyaresatisfiedtoremainhardlymorethananimal,witha
fewhumantraits.
111

Ifhecannotputtheobjectsofhisdesirescompletelyoutsidehisheart,thenhemustdo
thenextbestthingandputthemonitsborders.
112

TheBhagavadGitateachesthatthoughtcreatesattachment,andthisinturnleadsto
desire.
113

Whenaman,withhisimpulsesandpassions,meetslifewithitsparadoxesandillusions,
hesoonfallsvictimtothedeceitofappearances.
114

Ifthepassionsdryup,isthereanyrealloss?Areanger,hate,andlustworthyexpressions
ofabeingwhosespiritualpossibilitiesaresowonderfulasman's?
115

Themanwhohaslearntinsomewaywhetherbypersonalexperienceorbyawiseold
man'sinstructionorthroughaninspiredbookthatexcessiveambitionmaybefolly,
excessiveluxuryhasnoendtothelabourofcollectingit,knowsthatthemonkswhoare
contenttolivebarelyandsimplymaynotbefoolsafterall.Butitisalsopossiblefor
anothermanwhohascultivatedaninnerdetachmenttohavethesamefeelingsand
neverthelessseektoenjoylife.
116

Tofeelfreeatlastofnaggingdesiresandfrustratingattachmentsbringsalargemeasure
ofcontentment.
117

Whatistheuseofstudyingphilosophyunlesswearetobecomewiserinthefutureand
unlessweuseitslessonstodisciplinetheimpulsesanddominatethesenses?
118

Thewhitelotuslivesintheblackmud.Itisbothanexampleandaninspirationtoman.
119

Thereisdangerinaviewoflifewhichmakesmenunabletobesatisfiedwithasimpler
lifeandwhichstimulatestheirdesiresendlessly.
120
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EvenifitisbeyondhispowertokillthesepassionswithoutGrace,itiswithinhispower
tocurbthem.
121

Wegetmuddledandworriedbyproblemswhichhavebeenmanufacturedforusbyour
owndesires,instincts,andpassions.Theneedofdiscipliningthemisevident.
122

Iftheenergyusedinthepursuitofambitionsorpleasurescouldbedivertedtothe
followingofaspirations,ifhehadthestrengthtoremoveeverythingelsefromhislife
exceptthequest,howcouldhefail?
123

Whentheintellectisenslavedbydesires,bygreeds,byignorance,itreadilyfindsseveral
defensesagainstthecalloftheQuest.Whenithasbecomealittlefreerandlistenedtothe
call,itjustasreadilyfindsdefensesagainstmakinganypracticalapplicationofwhatit
haslearnt.
124

Hemaydiscoverthatthebattleisnotreallyover,thatatavismsoftheoldanimalisticlife,
rootedeitherinthepresentorinformerbirthsmaycomepouringoverthethresholdof
theconsciousego.
125

Ifyourpassionistransferredfromapassingobjectorhumanbodytothemoredurable
andbeautifulsoul,youwillbeprogressingfromalowertoahigherplane.
126

Manycomplainaboutbeingtroubledbysensualdesires.Theyaskaprescriptiontocure
thistrouble.OnewasgivenbytheBuddhainDhammapada.Hereitis:"Aswhenahouse
roofisnotproperlysecured,thentherainfindsawaythroughitanddropswithin,so
whenthethoughtsarenotcarefullycontrolledthedesires[sex]willsoonborethroughall
ourgoodresolutions.Butaswhenaroofiswellstoppedwhenthewatercannotleak
through,sobycontrollingone'sthoughtsandactingwithreflection,nosuchdesirescan
ariseordisturbus."
127

Howfewoftheimageswhichfillhismindcomefromhishigherself,howmanyfromhis
animalself!
128

Itisnotenoughtorefrainfromsensualacts.Itisnolessneedfultorefrainfromsensual
thoughts.
129

Asthisdivinerselfdisplacestheearthlyoneinhiswill,heart,andmind,itisnaturalthat
whathehithertofeltastemptationwillbefeltassuchlessandless.Onthephilosophic
pathhewillattaintothiswithoutimmuringhimselfinanycloister,butratherinthevery
midstofworldlyactivity.
130

Theseactsofselfdenial,theseausterities,aretobevaluednotfortheirownsakesbutfor
thesakeofthepurificationofthesoul.
131

Theycantaketoasimplerlife.Itdoesnotdemandabareandspartanexistence.Itmeans
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onlythattheycaneliminateuselessluxuriesandexcessivepleasures,stopbuyingwhat
theyneednotbuyandkeepmoneytheycannotaffordtospend.Bylivingasimplerlife,
bybecomingmorefrugalandlessspendthrift,theycancutdowntheirwants,diminish
theirdesires,lessendiscontent,andperhapsevenbecomehappier.Itwillbeeasiertocall
theirsoultheirown.
132

Weliveondifferentlayersofdesirefromthebeastlytotheangelic.
133

Whenlustismerelysubmergedandnotsupplanted,itwillsoonerorlaterreassertitself.
134

Lustisanextremeintoxicationofthebodilysenses,afireofcarnalpassionwhich
submergesreason,andanenslavementofdesirewhichtyrannizesovercountlessvictims.
135

Awisercoursethantotalsuppressionistolimitdesiresandgovernpassions.
136

"Weareconsciousofananimalinus,"exclaimedThoreau,andthencriedout,"IfIknew
sowiseamanascouldteachmepurity,Iwouldgotoseekhimforthwith."
137

Whenthepursuitofpleasure,andespeciallyphysicalpleasure,becomesexcessive,it
becomesavice.
138

Whereishismind'speacewhenheisrackedbydesires,irritatedbyfrustrations,and
deniedeventhecompensationofknowingwhyheissuffering?
139

Instinctfightswithintellectbutpurified,elevated,andinstructed,itcanharmonizewith
theother,bothworkingtogetherforthebenefitofman.
140

Theironyofthispictureofmenrejectingtheirfreedomandpreferringtheirchainswould
beunbelievable,didwenotknowhowgildedthosechainsare.
141

Theanimalinmanmayberecognizedbytheferocity,thegluttony,thehate,andthe
violenceinman.
142

Itiscertainthattheheartwhichisagitatedagainandagainbytheyearningforsensual
joyswillnotknowthecalmhappinessofspiritualjoys.
143

Towhatbetterusecanamanputhiswillthantheeradicationofhatredsandthesubduing
ofpassions?Foroutofthesetwosourcesalonecomesomanywrongdeedsandsomuch
consequentsuffering.
144

Amanmaybesoinfatuatedwithhislowernaturethathepreferstobeagitatedand
disturbedbyitspassionsratherthantoattaintheunruffledcalmnessofhishighernature.
145
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Desireissatisfiedbypossessionbutnotendedbypossession.
146

Onlywhenthegatheringofearthlygainsseemsfutile,andthegainsthemselvesmere
dross,willhestopbarteringhispreciousyearsforthem.
147

Whenadesirelurkshiddenintheheart,itmayswayactionsorinfluencethoughts
withoutresistance.Butwhenitrisestothesurfaceandisseenforwhatitis,thenitcanbe
foughtandconquered.
148

Ashisdesiresquieten,hefindstohissurprisethatmanythingshithertothought
indispensabletoexistence,hecandowellwithout.
149

Hewhosubmitshisemotionsandpassionstoreason,andhisreasontointuition,willsave
himselfmanyregrets.
150

Solongasheisbuffetedbetweenhispassionatedesiresandhisselfhatingguilt,solong
willadistressingtensionbesustained.
151

Sofarastheydistractthemindanddisturbitspeace,thestruggleagainstthepassions
mustgoon.
152

Whenpassion,uncontrollableandblind,irrationalandviolent,isbehindaction,the
consequencesmaybeharmfultoitsownerbuttheymayalsobeinstructiveifheis
willingtobeinstructed.Forlifeisaneducationalprocess,whicheveryonehastoundergo
whetherthepupilslikeitornot.
153

Wearenotalwaysthesameperson.Atoneperiodoflifeadesiremayalmostenslaveus
whichhasnopoweroverusatalaterperiod.
154

Theworldcanbeovercomeonlytotheextentthatweovercomeourselves,ourendless
desiresandsnaringambitions,ourpassionsandhabits.
155

Hehasnotonlytodealwithhistendenciesbutalsowithhiscompulsions.
156

Butpassionisaninsurgent,arebelagainstreasonwhosecounterbalanceitfearsand
avoids.
157

Evensuchnormalfactorsascuriosityandambitionbecomedisturbingwhentheybecome
excessive,unbalanced,anddrivetheenslavedmind.
158

Astheheartopenstothiscalloftheinnerself,thedemandcomestothewillforamore
austerehabitofliving.
159
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Itisthedifferencebetweengentleausterityandharshasceticism.
160

Thepassionsofmenaresoresistanttocontrolthatinnosinglemethodistheresurehope
ofovercomingthem.Onlyinacombinationofmethodsdoesthislie.
161

Thehighmomentsofheavenlyinspirationarelaidlowinthedustofobscenityorlust.
162

Theeffectofpassionalindulgencesspreadsoutonphysicalandmentallevels.
163

Ifwelearnbybitterexperiencetodroptheburdenofoneparticulardesire,wedosoonly
topickupanothersoonafter.Wearenotcontenttobeatpeace.
164

Thedesiresofhumanbeingsareneversatiated,norcantheyeverbesincehumanbeings
mustgoonsearchingforfinalsatisfaction.Itisintheirnaturetodoso.Butwhatcannot
besatiatedbyouterthingscanturninonitselfandfindrestatlastwithin.
165

Howmorallyhelplessmanypersonsallowthemselvestobecomeisshownbythe
compulsivenatureoftheirdeedsandtheobsessivenatureoftheirthoughts.
166

Itisthestrengthorfeeblenessofhisattachmentsanddesireswhichlargelygovernhis
firstandearlierpacesintherelinquishmentofego.
167

Wheninsightarises,thepassionsbecomesubduedandtheproblemswhichbesetman
becomesolvedoftheirownaccord.Wemayquarrelandkillwhilstweremainin
ignorance,butwemustneedsfeelforandwitheachotherwhenwecomprehendatlong
lastthatintheOverselfweareone.
168

Alltooeasilydoluxurioushabitsbecomeinsatiablehabits,everdemandingmoreand
moreandmeanwhilecreatingtensionordiscontent.
169

Whereastheconventionalgoodmanseekstoleavebehindonlythegrossandflagrant
formsofsin,thephilosophicdiscipleismuchmorescrupulous.Whereastheoneis
contenttomoderatethestrengthofhislowernature,theothertriestosubjugateit
altogether.
170

Wearetodiscipline,andwhennecessaryabstainfromsatisfying,thelowerimpulsesof
ournaturebecausewearetocultivateitshigherintuitions.Theclamantvoiceoftheone
drownsthesoftwhisperoftheother.
171

Wemusttrytoturntheflowofourpassionsintoasublimerchannelthanthesenses
alone.
172

Menandwomenwhohavereachedorpassedtheageofthelatefortiesaremoreready
for,andbettersuitedto,discipliningtheanimalnatureandhumanpassionsthanyounger
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folk.
173

Itismoredifficulttoconquerlustthantowalkontheedgeofasword.Butitcanbe
conquered.Andthewayisessentiallywise:slowlysupplantlustofthefleshbyalust
(love)ofthedivine."Nomatterhowmuchyoufeedyourdesires,"saystheVishnu
Purana,"theywillneverbesatisfied."Thereforedirectthemgraduallytowardsthe
Infinite,inwhichtheymayultimatelymerge,andfromwhichthereisnoreturn.
174

Aresoluteefforttobanishfromhisheartthedesirethatcausedhisfailure,aneffort
promptedbythemiseriesofthatfailure,willthusbethenextstep,afteritsrecognition,in
convertingaweaknessintoapower.
175

Wherepassionrules,truthtrembles!
176

Continuedfeelingoffreedomfromobsessingdesires,inordinateurges,andundue
cravingsisgenerallyasuitableindicationthatthecharacterissufficientlypurifiedto
enterafurtherstage.
177

Itismenwhocondemnthemselvestothisabject,undisciplinedservitudeofthepassions
andsensessoitismenthemselveswhomustseekandwinfreedomfromit.Itishardto
doso,butitisalsohardtosuffertheconsequencesofnotdoingso.
178

Ifyourecognizethatthefeeling,thedesireorbodysensationispullingyouawayfrom
theidealssetupfortheQuest,hoistyourselfoutofitatonce.
179

Therisinggenerationshavelegitimatecomplaintsagainsttheirancestors.Butinthe
matterofwinningfullfreedomtofollowtheirdesiresandupsettheoldChristianmoral
codes,theMosaicdecalogues,Confucianprecepts,andtheIndiantaboos,theyneedto
pause.Puritanicidealsaredenouncedbutarenotentirelyinhuman:theyhavetobesifted
andthegoodinthemtakenout.Stoic,simplelivingandselfdisciplinecanbesoftened,
itsharshnessalsotakenout,andtheresiduewillbewhatthemodernsneediftheyareto
traveluphigherandnotsinklower.
180

Thesenseswillstupefyamanintofoolishdesiresifheallowsthem,ifheletsthemgo
beyondhiscontrol.Wisdomandsecurityalonedictatethatheshallbecomeself
mastered.Forthisitisnecessarytocallupthewillandtopractiseusingituntilitis
developedintosomethingstrong.
181

Ifbeforeperforminganimpulsive,undisciplined,andirresponsibledeedhewould
rememberwhattheconsequencesareandthathewillhavetobearthem,thenhewill
havetakenthefirststeptowardsselfmastery.
182

Letotherslookforthesecondrateandthirdrate:lethimbemorediscriminating,more
fastidious,andseekthebestalone.
183
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Inwhatmanneraremenfreewho,insomeway,tosomeextent,areenslavedbysex,
society,ambition,swellingdesires,possessions,neighbours,associates,andfamily?
184

Onlybyreleasingourselvesfromourdesirescanwehopetofindlastingpeace.Ifthis
seemslikeaheavypricetopay,wehaveonlyourselvestoblame.
185

Whenanimaldesiresrageinaman,eachsatisfactionofthemseemstobeanasset,
somethinggainedbutwhenheismoreawakenedandfreerfromthemhebeginstosee
howmuchofaliabilitythesedesiresare,howwiseandprudentitistocheckthemand
finallytransmutethem.
186

Ifheisnolongeravictimofpassionsoratthemercyofemotions,itwillnotbebecause
hisbloodtemperatureistoolow,butbecausehiscontrolofhimselfishigh.
187

Theanimalgiveswaytoitsdesiresandfeelingsmorequicklythanthehumanbecauseit
actsbyinstinct.Thehuman,sofarasheisananimal,alsoactsbyinstinct.Buttothe
extentthathehasdevelopedreasonandwillhehasdevelopedacountertothatinstinct
whichmoderatesorcontrolshisdesiresandhisfeelings.Thosehumanswhoarenearer
onthescaleofevolutiontotheanimalkingdomgivewaytopassionandangermore
readilybecausetheyhavelessselfcontrol.
188

Asilentbutselfdeclaringpresencecomesintoknowledgewheneverheputsabrakeon
thatdownwardandearthwardmovementofdailylifewhichisthecommonlotnotto
stopitaltogetherbuttohaltitforshortperiodsortoslowitdownsothatheisnotwholly
carriedaway.
189

Thecontrolofthelowernaturewhichsocietymaydemandandreligionmayencourage,
whichmakesagoodmanbyconventionalstandards,isnotenoughforphilosophy.Itis
onlyastageofthemountain'sascent:thesummithasyettobeconquered.The
transformationofthisnature,makingitutterlyresponsivetotheOverself,isthe
philosophicgoal.SelfeffortcanleadtoitscontrolbutonlyGracecanleadtothis
transformation.
190

Allthisdoesnotimplythatheistobecomeperfectandfaultlessbeforehecanseethe
Overself,butthathehastobecomemuchmoredevelopedbeforehecanstayinthe
awarenessofit.
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