The Equinox (Volume III, Number I)

THE SEVEN PORTALS is symbolised as a swift and powerful stream, and the great mystery is revealed that the Path itself is the Goal. “Were the world understood Ye would see it was good, A dance to a delicate measure.” This is also the doctrine indicated in all the works of Fra Perdurabo. You can see it in Liber 418, where, as soon as a certain stage is reached, the great curse turns into an inef- fable blessing. In the Book of Lies, too, the same idea is stated again and again, with repetition only unwearying because of the beauty and variety of the form. “Everything is sorrow,” says the Buddha. Quite so, to begin with. We analyse the things we deem least sorrow, and find that by taking a long enough period, or a short enough period, we can prove them to be the most exquisite agony. Such is the attempt of all Buddhist writers, and their even feebler Western imitators. But once the secret of the universe is found, then everything is joy. The prop- osition is quite as universal. 80. If thou would’st have that stream of hard-earn’d knowledge, of Wisdom heaven-born, remain sweet running waters, thou should’st not leave it to become a stagnant pond. Here we have the same thesis developed with unexpected force. So far from the Path being repose, the slightest slackening turns it stagnant. 81. Know, if of Amitabha, the “Boundless Age,” thou would’st become co-worker, then must thou shed the light 123