The Star in the West

THE NEW WINE 285 This may be further amplified by the following quotation from Eckartshausen : In time and space knowledge is but relative. Is it not true that all which we call reality is but relative , for abso lute truth is not to be found in the phenomenal world . Thus your natural reason does not possess its true essence , but only the appearance of truth and light ; and the more the essence of light inwardly fades , and the man confuses him self with this appearance , and gropes vainly after the dazzling phantasmal images he conjures . This appearance of Truth is practically what the Hindu would call “. maya ,” in which all created beings live . There is a way which leads beyond it, and any man can discover it, if he be fit and willing , and this way leads to God . The Absolute Truth lying in the centre of mystery is like the sun , it blinds ordinary sight , and man sees only the shadow . The eagle alone can gaze at the dazzling light , likewise only the prepared soul can bear its lustre . Never theless the great Something which is the inmost of the Holy mysteries has never been hidden from the piercing gaze of him who can bear the light.2 The whole progress of the Adept is to speed out of this changing shadow - land into the full blaze of the sunlight ; in the words of the Qabalist , “ to attain to the Crown ," and those of the Christ , “ To be one with the Father .” Now a curious vista opens out before our gaze , and it is this : A man or woman to become an adept need neither possess great intellect , great genius , nor great knowledge , in fact , in many cases the more ignorant and crass have been the aspirants , the more speedy has been their illumination ( Christ the carpenter ); for the less have they had to conquer , and the lower , and therefore less rational , have been 1 The Cloud upon the Sanctuary , p . 3. 2 Ibid . p. 30 .