The source of all dynamic power lies in the secondary nervous system which operates on the nerve forces of the human organs similar to a spark coil in an automobile. All true power comes from the relationship which exists between the central nervous system and the secondary system which results in stepping up this universal dynamic power.
The Yogi derives his power by manipulating real solar energy, so as to raise the potential of his secondary output. But the “black” magician separates himself from the real source of his being, hence the activating solar energy is denied and in order to demonstrate he has to draw upon the lunar energy through the lower spinal centers, and this can only manifest on those planes represented by his lower nature. That is why he always seeks to drain the vital powers from his associates and victims. With him it is merely a case of survival, for he must draw force and vitality from the lower world either through the living or the dead; hence he wages constant war upon others, and when he fails, he dies. This mystery becomes more simple when the student realizes that man has a primary, secondary and tertiary nervous system. The tertiary system represents man’s grossest nature or physical being. The Yogi consciously enters the mind world of his secondary system, with the aspiration that he may be able to unify himself with his true primary nature, his spiritual being, the Lord God of Truth within. In this is the difference between the white and the black magician. Thus where the black magician must fight in order to exist, the Yogi must love in order to become the instrument of divine service.
When we meet a “black” magician, either in or out of the body, we observe always a pathetic look of fear. He realizes that we have discovered his true character, and he is apt to draw from us love and compassion, for he is similar to a wounded animal seeking assistance. Meeting such people may stir one deeply, but the student must be careful that he is not seduced by their personality and magnetism. They are merciless men who can do things, they have the power to kill, and like the hunter they exist upon their prey.
It is only when we undertake our Yoga practice of entering and studying the real nature of our being that we realize our previous ignorance of ourselves and the world in which we live. Life, real life, is something to be enjoyed, and real enjoyment comes from love and sacrifice for the well being of others. It is only when we enter into the mind world of our secondary system that we begin to perceive and analyze the forces working deep within our nature. We cannot perceive what is going on within our own self-constituted world until we gain a vantage point from which to observe it. In order to gain this position, we must use the solar energy to step up the potential in our secondary nervous system, and it is only when we come in contact with a great soul that we begin to realize the greater vistas and perception which they have obtained, and this realization stimulates us towards the greater purpose of our being.
There are forces and energies within and without which must be tapped and controlled, if we would gain our vantage point. Before very long man will contact the higher counterpart of electricity which lies within nature’s keeping, and will learn to control it as the Atlanteans did of old, and the “white” magicians of later days.
Man has made this world uncomfortable, and the scourge and flail of circumstances must fall upon his shoulders until he regenerates himself in service for his race. Merlin, a professed Christian and so-called magician, has said, “War shall become so terrible that the nations shall call for peace.” But the individual must find peace within before he can bring peace to others. It is only when we seek to serve our real higher nature that we can find peace within.
The occult significance of suffering is generally demonstrated to the student by his teacher, for pain can be so intense that it turns to pleasure. That is why many Zen priests are crippled in some way, with their bodies badly scarred. This experience of pain draws out impurities from the physical vehicle, and many students have passed through it by a very simple process.
In Yoga, it is generally impressed on you that you should not discuss subjects which you are not able to demonstrate. This is a difficulty found in Yoga practice, for you must learn to demonstrate in others the things which you have discovered in yourself and the outer world. Yoga means union with the Lord God of Truth within, and it takes patience, hard work and discipline to gain any extension of consciousness.
After meeting your teacher, you must develop and discipline your body. Then you must learn the science of going inwardly to develop your finer forces. When you think you have attained to an extension of consciousness, you must demonstrate this in your teacher’s presence, and there must be a sincere aspiration to know truth and gain knowledge. Eventually there will come a time in your training when you must learn to travel out of your body into finer (and also denser) spheres than your objective senses now register.
The writer spent nine months of hard work, living practically a hermit’s life out of contact with humanity in general, and regarded it as a failure. After a year’s interval he again attempted this union with nature, and after persevering for twelve months he came to the conclusion that it was beyond his power of achievement, so he renounced all desire to attain that union. Having renounced his desire, he suddenly felt himself being slowly born into the consciousness of nature without effort. Then he was given instruction and permitted to observe movements in nature known only to the adept.
Years before, while living among the red Indians, the writer had realized that some of them were in constant rapport with something in nature which he could not observe. The student will understand that there are realms of consciousness and activity not generally known, but which may be explored through effort in Yoga, but that this finer and higher knowledge can only be taken by forceful preparation and patient waiting.
Yoga practice teaches the pupil to discern what other people have seemingly overlooked. There are in Yoga “information periods” which are instruction courses from sources hidden from the ordinary mind. It is a process by which to unlock the door of our own house of experience where is recorded all the experience of our past as well as of our present life and activity.
As we progress inwardly, we enter into many different states of activity which exist within us, and from the standpoint of each of these states we view the activities of the objective world about us and take note of things which hitherto had escaped our observation.
If we aspire and are persistent in our practice, we discover a latent energy within us which, when evoked, brings us into a new world of consciousness and activity.
