The Equinox (Volume III, Number I)

THE TWO PATHS This repeats the same lesson. The Adept may plunge into the work of the world, and undertake his daily duties and pleasures exactly as another man would do, but he is not moved by them as the other man is. 28. Wouldst thou become a Yogi of “Time’s Circle”? Then, O Lanoo: 29. Believe thou not that sitting in dark forests, in proud seclusion and apart from men; believe thou not that life on roots and plants, that thirst assuaged with snow from the great Range—believe thou not, O Devotee, that this will lead thee to the goal of final liberation. 30. Think not that breaking bone, that rending flesh and muscle, unites thee to thy “Silent Self’ Think not that when the sins of thy gross form are conquered, O Victim of thy Shadows, thy duty is accomplished by nature and by man. Once again the ascetic life is forbidden. It is moreover shown to be a delusion that the ascetic life assists liberation. The ascetic thinks that by reducing himself to the condition of a vegetable he is advanced upon the path of Evolution. It is not so. Minerals have no inherent power of motion save intramolecularly. Plants grow and move, though but little. Animals are free to move in every direction, and space itself is no hindrance to the higher principles of man. Advance is in the direction of more continuous and more untiring energy. 31. The blessed ones have scorned to do so. The Lion of the Law, the Lord of Mercy, perceiving the true cause of hu- man woe, immediately forsook the sweet but selfish rest of 51