THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE
It is by feeding vice that it expands and waxes strong, like
to the worm that fattens on the blossom’s heart.
This verse must not be taken in its literal sense. Hunger
is not conquered by starvation. One’s attitude to all the
necessities which the traditions of earthly life involve should
be to rule them, neither by mortification nor by indulgence.
In order to do the work you must keep in proper physical and
mental condition. Be sane. Asceticism always excites the
mind, and the object of the Disciple is to calm it. However,
ascetic originally meant athletic, and it has only acquired its
modern meaning on account of the corruptions that crept
into the practices used by those in ‘training.’ The prohibi-
tions, relatively valuable, were exalted into general rules.
To ‘break training’ is not a sin for any one who is not in
training. Incidentally, it takes all sorts to make a world.
Imagine the stupidity of a universe full of Arhans! All work
and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
68. The rose must re-become the bud, born of its parent
stem, before the parasite has eaten through its heart and
drunk its life sap.
The English is here ambiguous and obscure, but the
meaning is that it is important to achieve the Great Work
while you have youth and energy.
69. The golden tree puts forth its jewel-buds before its
trunk is withered by the storm.
Repeats this in clearer language.
70. The Pupil must regain THE CHILD-STATE HE
HAS LOST ere the first sound can fall upon his ear.
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