4-Purify Passions - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

14/5/2015 Purify Passions - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

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PurifyPassions

Maturedemotion

1Thesamepowerwhich,whenmisgoverned,dragsmendownintomaterialism,alsoliftsthemintospiritualawarenesswhendirectedupward.

2Whereallaman'sactsaremerelythereflexbehaviourdictatedbyhissenseimpressions,hehashardlyanylifehigherthanananimalone.Itisthebusinessofthisquesttoinserttheinfluenceofconsciousnessofthecausesandresultsofhisactions,reason,andwillintosuchbehaviour.

3Therearecertainindestructibletruthswhichrevealthemselvesthroughtheagestoeverymanwho,foratimeatleast,sufficientlymastershisanimalselfandsufficientlyquietenshishumanself.Thosewhichwemostneedtolearntodayaresimpleandancient,yetcompletelyrelevanttothemodernsceneandcompletelyadequatetothemodernneed.

4Itiseverywherethestatetodaythatmostpeopleareautomatons,merelyreactingtotheoutwardworldofthefivesensesinamechanicalmanner.Theydonotreallycontrolwhatishappeningtothembutmerelydriftwiththeforcesplayingthroughthesensestimuli.Theconsequenceisthattheydonotactuallypossessorusethepoweroffreewill.TheyarepuppetsonNature'sstage.

5Whenanyemotiontakesfullpossessionandreachesanextremestage,itbecomesapassion.

6Onedoesnoteasilydiscardthevariouspassions.Thedecisiontodosodoesnotlead,orevencontributemuch,totheirconquest.Itmerelyannouncesthebeginningofalongwar.Theyreturn,inspiteofone'swishes,againandagainfortheybelongtotheanimalbodywhich,itself,cannotbediscarded.Butintheendamanmustclaimhisbirthrighttoahigherkindoflife,mustfulfilhisnoblerpossibilities,mustsetupreasonandintuitionashismostreliableguides.

7Ifyourthoughtsareenergizedbyanoblepassionandyourdeedsinspiredbyaloftyenthusiasm,theyarethebetterforit.Butifyourthoughtsaredistortedbyafoolishpassionandyourdeedswastedbyamisdirectedenthusiasm,theyaretheworseforit.

8Thesameambitionwhichstretchedhismindandcapacityformoneymakingorpowerhuntingcan,whentransformedintoaspiration,stretchthemfortruthseekingandcharacterbuilding.

9



Itisnoteventhathehastogiveupalldesiresbutthathehastopurifythemandputthemallunderthedominanceofhisonesupremedesireforattainmentwhichmayormaynotmeantheirextinction.

10Man'strueintelligenceisfeeblewhileitremainsimprisonedinegoismandnarcotizedbysensuality.Hemustliberateitbythephilosophicdisciplinebeforeitcanbecomestrong.

11Somanyofourfeelingsandsomanyofourthoughtshaveuntilnowbeendictatedbythebody.Isitnottimetothinkandfeelalsoasthetrueselfwouldhaveusdo?

12Theanimalheritagehasgivenhiminstincts,appetites,impulses,anddesiresthehumanholdsouthigherpossibilitiestobeworkedforandrealized.

13OnemessageoftheSphinxistobalancethehumanmindwiththebrutishanimalinus.Thisisnotthesameastheascetics'message,whichistoexterminatetheanimalaltogether.

14Hewhohasnotovercomehispassionsfindshimselfcompelledtoactagainsttheclearestwarningsofhisreason.

15Whatreallymovesamantoactishisfeelingthisiswhythepassions,whicharestrongfeelings,needmoredeliberateeffortofthewilltobringthemunderrestraint.

16Anactionwhichisspontaneousandnotacalculatedonethatcanbesafeonlyfortheenlightenedman.Forothersitmaybemereimpulseormerepassion.

17Thepointisnotthatnaturalimpulsesofthebodyarewronghowcouldthatbe?butthatmenhavemadethemwrong.Originallythesatisfactionofthepleasureinstinctwasinharmonywithhigherwillasalesserpartofagreaterfunction.Butnowhumanwillhasreverseditsroleandexaggeratedittofirstplace.Theresultisdisharmonyanddisease.

18Ononethingallmeninalllandsareagreed,thatitisimmeasurablymorepreferabletobereleasedfromanxietiesthantosufferthem.Yet,thesesamementhrowthemselvesintosituationsorbringabouteventswhichwillrivetthechainsofanxietyuponthem.Howisitthatsuchacontradictionexistseverywhere?Whatcausesthemtodothis?Itisthestrengthoftheirdesires,thepoweroftheirambitions,thetendenciesinheritedfrompastbirths.Thisbeingthecauseofthetrouble,theremedyforitbecomesplain.Themoreamanfreeshimselffromdesires,thatis,themorehemastershimself,themoreishefreedfromnumerousanxieties.Andevenifhetooissubjecttothepainfultestsandunpleasantordealswhichinescapablyaffecthumanexistences,hedoesnotconsiderthemtobemisfortunesbutasdevicestodrawouthislatentqualities.

19Thewayoutfromtyrannicaldesiresmayhavetobestaged.Firstbecomeawitnessindifferentanddispassionateeverytimethereisasurrender.Thiswayistakinganewdirection,startingtodisidentifyfromthedesire.



20Ontheonehandhemusttearhimselfawayfromhisearthlypassions.Ontheotherhandhemustgivehimselfuptohissacredaspirations.

21Theeagernessofdesirebetrayshimintoromanticselfdeceptionsandleadshimintowoundingfrustrations.Theegolureshishopesconstantlyonwardonlytolaceratethemintheend.

22Whilstwearestilllimitedbythebodyanditsinescapableneeds,itisanimpossibletasktoextirpatedesireandnegativeselfinterest.Philosophyaddsthatitisalsoanundesirableone.Only,putdesireandselfinterestdownintheirproperplace,itsays,donotpermitthemtoobstructhigherandspiritualneeds.

23Itisnotthattheyhavetoabandonjoybuttopurifyit.Ifthejoywhichcomesfromdebasedpleasuresistherebylost,thejoywhichcomesfromennobledthoughtsandrefinedfeelingsisgained.

24Whenearthlydesiresareextinguished,calmbefallsaman.

25Hemustneedsdeclareopenwaronhisownpassions,forhenowseesthathecannothavethemandpeacetoo.Likeallwarthisonewillwitnessbothvictoriesanddefeats,hardshipsandsufferings.Butoutofthesebattleswithhimselfhemayprogress,learningdiscriminationandgainingwillpower.

26Herealizesthathehastobreakhispassionsor,ifuncontrolled,theywillbreakhim.

27Inthisworkofpurificationtheneedofmoralintellectualandemotionalhonestywillhavetobestressed.Itissatisfiedbydiscriminatingexaminationofthoughts,feelings,andmotives,withconstantselfdistrustasaguideinthework.

28Themorehetrainshimselftorecognizeandrejecttheimpulsesthatcomefromhislowernature,themorewillclarityofcomprehensionbecomehis.

29Theanimalthatheismustbekeptatbayhisfreedomasamanmustbegainedbydegrees.

30Itistruethatthoughtprecedesaction,thatactionsexpressthoughts,andthattorulemindistoruletheentirelife.Butitisalsotruethatman'sbattleswithhimselfproceedbyprogressivestages,thatheexertswillmoreeasilythanhechangesfeeling.Therefore,thedisciplineofinwardthinkingshouldfollowafterandnotbeforeit.Tocounselhimtotakecareofhisinnerlifeandthatthentheouterlifewilltakecareofitself,assomanymysticsdo,istobeplausiblebutalsotoshowalackofpracticality.Man'sheartwillfeelnopeaceashismindwillknownopoiseuntilheabandonsthelowerinstinctsandgiveshimselfuptothisunearthlycall.First,hemustabandonthemoutwardlyindeedslaterhemustdoitinwardlyeveninthoughts.Thiswillinevitablybringhimintoinnerstruggle,intooscillationbetweenvictoriesanddefeats,elationsanddespairs.Thewayupislong,



hard,rugged,andslowtotread.Itisalwaysastageforcomplaintsandoutcries,battlesandfalls.Onlytimethemasterpowercanbringhimtoitsloftyend.Onlywhenthelessonsofbirthafterbirthetchthemselvesdeeplyandunmistakablyintohisconsciousmindthroughdreadfulrepetitioncanheacceptthemcooperatively,resignedly,andthusputastoptotheneedlesssufferingsofdesire,passion,andattachment.

31Whenaman'sdesiresandyearnings,thirstsandlongingsaresostrongastoupsethisreasoningpowerandblockhisintuitivecapacity,heisstoppedfromfindingtruth.Inthisconditionheshutshiseyestothosefactswhicharedispleasingorwhicharecontrarytohisdesiresandopensthemonlytothosewhicharepleasingoragreeabletohiswishes.Thinkingbendseasilytodesires,sothatthesatisfactionofpersonalinterestratherthanthequestofuniversaltruthbecomesitsrealobject.

32Reformsthatbeginwiththelowestinmanleadthewaytothehighestinhim.Themasteryofanimalpassionopensthedoortothebirthofspiritualintuition.

33Whetherthecagebemadeofgoldorthenetfabricatedfromsilk,therealityoftheirinnercaptivitystillremains.

34Adisciplinewhichisnotsternbutgentleandeasyisbestsuitedtomodernman.

35Thefacultyofwillisimmeasurablymoreimportanttotheprogressoftheinnerlifethanthatofintellect.Forthepassionsandappetitesofthebodyarecontrolledbywillthestrengthofthelowernatureisattheserviceoftheego'swillratherthanofitsintellect.

36Heiscalledon,inhishigherlife,totransmutetheanimalcallsofhisnaturetowhathoweverdimlyheseesitisreallythegodwithinhim.

37Itisunpleasanttobreakawayfromlonglivedhabits,andthisistruebothinourmentalandourphysicallife.Yetintimesofcrisissuchassevereillnessandbreakdown,peopledodothatbecausetheyhaveto.Howmuchbettertodoitnotviolentlyandabruptlyunderoutwardcompulsionsbuttodoitlittlebylittle,gentlyandeasily,takingourtimebydoingitthroughapplicationofwisdom.

38Whencontrolissoperfectthathecanneveragainraisehisvoiceinanger,heneedturnattentiontoonlyoneotherpassionthesexual.

39Suchachastealoofnessfromthelowerdesiresmaybereachedonlyinpartbytheirfirmrepression.Ifitistobereachedinfull,theremustbeevenmoreanardentpursuitofthehighestdesirefortheSoul.

40TheTaoistmastersdidnotmake,astheBuddhistandHindumastersmade,completefreedomfromdesireanessentialprerequisite.Theyweresatisfiedtoaskfor"fewnessofdesires"only.

41



Themanwhocanwinhiswaytofreedomfromangerandfinallyliberatethemindfrompassionmayneedmuchofhislifetime,ifnotallofit,fortheworkbutwhathegainsisofinestimablevalue.ForthisbringshimclosertoawarenessoftheOverself.

42Whendesiresdiewithoutregrets,hebeginstotasterealpeace.Whencravingssloughoffnaturally,likeaserpent'sskin,hefindstranquilhappiness.

43AsaspirationfortheOverselfgrowsstronger,otherdesiresgrowweaker.

44Youmustpossessaninsatiablelongingforlightifyouareevertoemergefromthedarkness.

45Hearrivesatpuritybyacultivateddisciplineofthemindratherthanbyaforcibleatrophyofthesenses.

46Thethreadlikeintuitionwhichwillleadhimoutofanimalityintoserenity,willbehisbestguideifhecanfinditandheedit.

47Itisnotpossibleforthesefinerelementstobecome,littlebylittle,paramountinhisoutlook,consciousness,andconductwithoutacorrespondingdeclineinthecoarserones.Hewillgraduallybecometherulerofhisphysicalappetitesandthenmasterofhisbodilydesires.Indeed,asallhislongingsfortheOverselfslowlygatherthemselvestogetherintoagreatdedicatedlife,thereisanequallygreatshiftoverfromtheanimalpartofhisbeingtothetrulyhuman,alliedwithanopeningupoftheangelicordivinepart.

48Thefruitsofsexualextravagances,theharvestofsexualpromiscuity,thegleaningsofsexualirresponsibility,andthegratificationsofsexuallicensemustbesubjectedtotheharddisciplineofreason.Thosewhowillnotdosomustsoonerorlaterpaythepriceinfears,anxieties,irritations,regrets,disillusionments,shames,anddespairs.

49Solongasamanidentifieshimselfwiththephysicalbody,solongwillheperforcehavetoidentifyhimselfwithitsdesiresandpassions.Onlywhenhetransfersthisselfidentificationtotheinfinitementalbeingcanhecompletelydetachhimselffromthem.

50Ofwhatuseisitformentotalkoffreeingthemselvesfromsubjectiontoegoismwhentheyarestillinsubjectiontopassion?

51Thestudentofphilosophywilltrytocomprehendthesensationsgotfromsensualpleasuresimpartiallyandimpersonally.Manknowsinstinctivelywhatwillgivehimmomentaryemotionalsatisfactionhemustwrestlewithreasontoknowwhatwillgivehimdeependuringhappiness.Reasonmustarbitratewhendifferentpleasurescompeteforsuffrageorwhendutycompeteswithdesire.Desirecarriedtoanundueextentbecomesapassiondisturbingtotheequilibriumoflifeandcharacter.Whenamanfindsthatdespiteallhiseffortstoimprovehimselfandreformhischaracter,hestillremainsthesame,itisanindicationthatnewmethodsmustbetried.



52Thescourgingofthefleshmaybeneededby,andmayhelp,thosewhofindtheiroverheatedpassionsandlustsgetoutofhand.Butitwillnotendthesetroublesofman,eventhoughitmaytamethemforatime.Somethingmoremustbeadded,ormustreplacethemfirst,knowledgesecond,workontheprocessofattention.

53Theinstinctualanimalurgeplustheambitiousdriveforpowerandthepersonaldesireforpropertykeepmenfromspiritualaspiration.

54Ifheisfilledwithselfishinterestsalone,seekingthefulfilmentofpersonalambitionsirrespectiveofanyhigherconsiderationsifanimalpassionsdrivehimandgreeddominateshim,heblockshisownway.Purificationfromsuchattachmentsmustbethefirstendeavour.

55Pleasureswhichcorruptcharacterareundesirablebutthosewhichupliftcharacter(likethefinestworksofBeethovenandHandel)aredesirable.

56ThereputedOrientalteachersadvisenayinsistthatseekersmusteliminatealldesires.Butisnotthesearchitselfnotonlyanaspirationbutalsoadesire?Cantherebepeaceofmindwhilethisoneremains?Soitisneedfultoputalltheothersinaworldlycategory.Thisiswhatthemoresemanticmindedteachersdo.ButsincethelastactinthisspiritualdramaisplayedbytheHigherPower,whynotletitdecidewhattodoconcerningthematter?

57Theheartmustbecomeemptyofalldesires.Thisbringsabouttheemotionalvoid,whichcorresponds,initsownplace,tothementalvoidexperiencedinthedepthofmysticalmeditation.Tothisemptinesshemustgivehimself,withithemustsatisfyhimself.InthiswayheobeysJesusandbecomes"poorinSpirit."

58Iftheonlyenjoymentamanknowsisthatofphysicalsensations,heisonlyadressedup,walking,andthinkinganimal.

59ItisanessentialpartoftheQuest'sworktoseparatethemanfromhispassions,tosubjugatetheanimalinhimsoasbettertocultivatethegodlikeinhim.

60Bothdesiresandfearsbindamantohisegoandthusbarthewaytospiritualfulfilment.Theycouldnotexistexceptinrelationtoasecondthing.Butwhenheturnshismindawayfromallthingsanddirectsittowarditsownstillcentre,itisthebeginningoftheendforalldesiresandallfears.

61Theendofallthislongselftrainingtocastoutpersonalgriefandanimalpassionisblessedness.

62Thereistheblindlyinstinctiveandpassionedanimalwillinman,whichviolentlydriveshimtoseekandbesatisfiedwithbodilysatisfactions.Thereisalsoahigherwillwhichgentlydrawshimtotranscendthebodyaltogether.



63Whatisitworthtoamantobefreefromthepassions,andfreefromtheinnerdivisiveconflictswhichtheiractivitymustnecessarilyproduceinhim?Aretheynotthechiefobstacleswhichpreventhimfromattainingthatinnercalmwhereinalonetheegocanbefaced,caught,andconquered?Andthisdone,whatistheretokeeptheOverselffromtakingpossessionofhim?

64Fewmenaremovedbyasinglemotive.Formostmenthecontraryisthefact.Thisisbecausefirst,theegoitselfisacomplexandsecond,thehigherandlowernaturesareinconflict.

65Discriminationisneededtopenetratethethinsurfaceofsomanypleasures,whilethestrengthisneededtosay"No"whenthisiswiserthanacceptingthem.

66Itisnotonlyneedfultounderstandthecharacteristicsofone'sdesiresbutalsotheirsource.Thisknowledgewillhelphimtoimprovecharacterandattaintrueselfreliance.

67Itisastrangeparadoxthatonwhateverdesireamanwieldstheaxeofnonattachment,hewillthereafterbecomepossessedofthepowertoattainit.

68ThereisthisgreatparadoxontheQuest:thatthemorethediscipleobtainsthepowertobringaboutthefruitionofhisdesires,themorehelosesthosedesires!

69Ifwelackthewillpowertoovercomebadhabitsthathavebecomepopularandconventional,atleastletustrynottojustifyourindulgencebyspeciousreasons.

70Theblindimpulsesmustbecheckedbywillpower,thelowernaturemustbedisciplinedandthelowerenergiesdirectedintohigherchannels.Itisperfectlypossible,wherefateordains,tolivecontinentlyandchastely,howeverstronglysexedamanmaybe.Buttoachievethishemustutilizetheanalyticreason,thecreativeimagination,andtheactivewillinunderstandinganddisciplininghisenergiesandthenhemustredirectthemtowardsaspirational,intellectual,ormoralideasortransmutethemintopracticalwork.

71Hewhobeginsbyrefusingtobeaslavetothepalate'spervertedappetitewillfinditeasiertogoontorefusingtobeaslavetolust.Atriumphovertheonepreparesthewayfor,andhelpsintheachievementof,atriumphovertheother.

72Itistruethatweallshareananimalbodywiththelowercreatures.Butthatdoesnotforceustostayontheirlevelemotionally.

73Everydesireconqueredfeedshisstrengthandfortifieshiswill.

74Themanwhohasmadehiswaytothetopofhisprofessionbutfailedtomaketheconquestofhispassions,isstillanunbalancedcreature,anunsatisfiedhumanbeing.

75



Theextremesofabstentionwhichfollowrepugnance,indifference,orselfstruggleandthesatietywhichfollowshelplessyieldingarebothundesirable.

76ThenecessitiesofNatureholdusintheirthrallbutthereisfirst,adifferencebetweenthemandthedesiresoftheegoandsecond,adifferencebetweenthetruenecessitieswhichareinescapablefromphysicalexistenceandthefalseoneswhichhavebeenimposedonusbyageoldhabits,traditions,environments,andoutersuggestions.

77Thatdesireisatrueonewhosesourceliesinagenuineneed,notinmeregreed.

78Tantraredeemsman,liftshimabovethelustfuldogtothelovinghumanbeing,distinguisheshimfromthemereanimal.

79Thedangeroftantrikyogaexistswhenitmistakesitsownlustforspiritualdirectionorspecialprivilegewhichhappensalltooeasilyandalltoooften.

80Wearecastoutofheavenbyourownpassionsandkeptoutbyourownattachments.Iftodaywearemiserableexiles,thewaytoremedysuchasituationisclear.Wemustfreeourselvesfromtheoneanddisentangleourselvesfromtheother.

81Heshoulddesirethatwhichwillitselfcutoffalldesires.

82Whoeverputsamoralpurposeintolifeautomaticallyliftshimselfabovethephysicallevelofmereanimality.Forhimbeginsastrugglebetweentheslaveryofsenseandthefreedomofenlightenment,betweenblindemotionanddeliberatewill,betweeninwardweaknessandinwardstrength.Henceforth,heseekshappinessratherthanpleasure,thecalmofasatisfiedmindratherthantheexcitementofsatisfiedsenses.Ifthisisastoicideal,itisanecessaryone,forhemustconquerhimself.Hehateshimself,andnomancanliveinpeacewithwhathehates.

83Makesurewhatyoureallywantbeforeyougoafterit.Thebitterexperienceinlifeistofindafteryearsofeffortthatthethingyouhavegainedisnotthethingyouwant.

84Itisadmittedlypainfultotearone'swillawayfromone'sdesiresbutitisstillmorepainfultohaveittornawaybylife'sexperiences.Hence,thephilosophicalmethodtoconquerdesireisatwofoldone.Wemustletitwearitselfoutbysubmittingtoitthroughexperienceandlettingitcomeupagainstinevitabledisappointment,disillusionment,orsufferingwhilstalongsidethiswemustbecomereflectivelyandanalyticallyawareofitscauses,selfdeceptions,andconsequences.ItisamatterofgraduallylettingthedesireslosetheirintensityuntilwebecomefreeofthemnotthroughtheirforciblerenunciationnorthroughthelongdrawnprocessofwaitingforoldagetocomebutthroughtheprocessoflearningtolivemoreandmorewithinthesatisfactorybeatitudeoftheOverself.WegiveupourdesiresnotbynegatingthembutpartlybycomprehendingtheirmechanisticcauseandmentalisticnatureandpartlybysupersedingthemwiththeexaltedpeaceoftheOverself.

85



Theundevelopedmindlivesonlyfortheday.Itcanseetheimmediateeventsinaseriesbutcannotconjureuptheultimateones.Thediscipledarenotrisksuchablindcondition.Hemustdeliberatelysetouttobringthetwotogether,bytheuseofcreativeimaginationorbyanalyticreflectionorbyboth.Ifpassionrisesinhim,atleastitscounterbalance,thementalpictureoftheevilconsequencesofpassion,risesasecondlaterwithit.

86Ifamanisnotfreefromlust,fear,andanger,besureheisnotunitedwiththeOverself,whateverotherqualities,powers,orvirtuesheshows.

87Longcontinuedreflectionturnedsharplyandanalyticallyupondesiresandcravingshelpstocounterthem,butdoesnotbasicallyweakenthem.Forthat,contraryemotionsmustbearoused.Thisismosteffectuallydonebyhappeningsandexperiences.Butbecausethesearemostlybeyondourchoice,thethirdwaylefttousistoseekGrace.OnewaytoinvitethisGraceisbysittinginmeditationuponthenonself.

88Hemaycomplainofhisweaknessandimmediatelysubmittoatemptation.OrhemayrecognizethattheHigherSelfisalsohimhemaytrytousewillandgrowinstrengthbythisresistance.

89Hefindsthatheisperceptiblypulledawayfromfleshlylusttoadeeperlevelwherethecalmnessandthejudgementenablehimtorealizethatthelustbelongstohisanimalphysicalinheritanceandnottohisinmostcharacterandthat,therefore,itmaybebroughtundercontrolanddiscipline.Ifheacquiresthepowertoachievethis,itwillcomeimperceptiblyforitwillcomemostlybygrace.

90Thesatisfactionofpassionhasaclaimontheanimalbody,butitmustalwaysbesubjecttothehigherclaimsofreasonandintuitionandtheneedforthesenseofhumanresponsibility.

91Theamoralisalwaysthefirststeptotheimmoral.

92Theideathathehastoattainmasteryoverthedesiresofthefleshisacorrectone.Butthatthismasterywillleadtoreunionwitha"soulmate"isnottheteachingofthebestmysticsorphilosophers.Whatreallyhappensisareunionwiththetrue"Beloved,"whoisnoneotherthantheSouloftheindividual,hishigherSelf.Thisisareallivingentity,whosepresenceisfelt,whosewordsareheard,andwhosebeautyarousesallone'slove.

93Wheremanisopenonlytoworldlyforcesandnottoinneroneswherehesubmitstotheworld'sdemandsandignoresthesoul'sandwherehesubmitstohisownanimalforceswithoutthoughtofregulating,controlling,anddiscipliningthem,wemayexpecttofindthatheisquiteinsensitivetoanyteachingofthiskind.Heislikeapersonwhohasbeencaughtinamireandwitheverymovementgetsdeeperintoit.

94Hewilllearnthepleasuresofselfcontrol.Itisnotalwayseasybutalleffortfortherewardsbearsfruit.Themanwhocandevelopemotionalplacidityandriseabovepassionsbeginstoknowwhatpeaceofmindmeans.ThatisonlyabeginningforinitsfullnessitcancomeonlywiththeknowledgeandtheenlightenmentofTruth.Untilthen



thisplaciditywillfreehimfromtheconstantalternation,theriseandfalloffeeling,theelationanddepressiontowhichtheaveragepersonissubject.

95Whetheritbetoacquirefameoraccumulatewealthoranyoftheothermajordesires,whathewantsfromlifewillintheendrestonhisstageofspiritualevolution.

96Theanimalinmanisthere,butitmustbebroughtundercontroloritwillclaimtoomuchanddiminishhisaspirations.Thentheybecomefitful,cominglessandless,departingmoreandmore.Ataninterviewhegaveaman,theBuddhawarnedagainstthepassionstheirfutility,danger,anddefilements.

97Selfconquestmustbehissecretwishdeliverancemustbecomehisimpassionedyearning.

98Whenwholetimemeditationsandhissparetimethoughtsareunremittinglygiventouprootingpassionsthathinderspiritualprogressandcultivatingideasthatpromoteit,theneophytewillnotbeleftwithoutreward.

99Restrictedbynomonastery'svowsandobeyingnoorder'srules,hemayyetbepurerinthoughtandconductthanmostofthemonks.

100Ablindobediencetotheurgesofphysicalsensesatisfaction,indifferenttotherestraintsofideals,reason,knowledge,orintuitivefeeling,weakensconcentrationandmeditation,butstrengthensthelowernature.

101Passionconquerstheyoungmanintheendandforceshimintoanaffair,arelationship,oramarriage.Buthewhowithstandsitsdrive,andconquerspassionitself,isahero.

102Theanimalityofourinheritancewillthenbekeptinitsproperplace,subjugated,itsstrengthabsorbedintohishigherwill.

103Theunruledpassionsareresponsibleforasubstantialpartofthedifficultyinsummoningupenoughaspirationtomakemendowhattheyought,andenoughpenetrationtoclearthemindofitsillusions.

104Thosewithsomementaldevelopmentwiselyaddtomorrowtotoday,consequencestocauses,andthusfinishthepicture.Othersareruledbythemoment'simpulseortheday'strendorbypassionratherthanreason.

105Itissupposedtogosofarthatevensuchaloftydesireasonefordesirelessnessitselfcannolongerremainacceptable.

106Hemayfeelthetemptationbutheneednotsubmittoit.

107



Itistheemotion,stillmorethepassion,whichanyonepoursintoanattachmentwhichmaymakeitanobstacleonhisquest.

108Menwhoaredrivenbystrongambitionswillhavelittleenergyleftforstrongaspirations.

109IntheSphinxsitsthesymbolofthatenterprisewhichoffersthecandidateforinitiationhisgreatestrewardbutwhichparadoxicallybringshisgreatestsuffering.Thisistheconquestofpassionbyreasonandwillandtheovercomingofpersonalemotionbyimpersonalintuition.

110TheSphinxisaperfectimageoftheadeptinwhomthemancontrolstheanimal.Theattainmentisarareonetoomanyaresatisfiedtoremainhardlymorethananimal,withafewhumantraits.

111Ifhecannotputtheobjectsofhisdesirescompletelyoutsidehisheart,thenhemustdothenextbestthingandputthemonitsborders.

112TheBhagavadGitateachesthatthoughtcreatesattachment,andthisinturnleadstodesire.

113Whenaman,withhisimpulsesandpassions,meetslifewithitsparadoxesandillusions,hesoonfallsvictimtothedeceitofappearances.

114Ifthepassionsdryup,isthereanyrealloss?Areanger,hate,andlustworthyexpressionsofabeingwhosespiritualpossibilitiesaresowonderfulasman's?

115Themanwhohaslearntinsomewaywhetherbypersonalexperienceorbyawiseoldman'sinstructionorthroughaninspiredbookthatexcessiveambitionmaybefolly,excessiveluxuryhasnoendtothelabourofcollectingit,knowsthatthemonkswhoarecontenttolivebarelyandsimplymaynotbefoolsafterall.Butitisalsopossibleforanothermanwhohascultivatedaninnerdetachmenttohavethesamefeelingsandneverthelessseektoenjoylife.

116Tofeelfreeatlastofnaggingdesiresandfrustratingattachmentsbringsalargemeasureofcontentment.

117Whatistheuseofstudyingphilosophyunlesswearetobecomewiserinthefutureandunlessweuseitslessonstodisciplinetheimpulsesanddominatethesenses?

118Thewhitelotuslivesintheblackmud.Itisbothanexampleandaninspirationtoman.

119Thereisdangerinaviewoflifewhichmakesmenunabletobesatisfiedwithasimplerlifeandwhichstimulatestheirdesiresendlessly.

120



EvenifitisbeyondhispowertokillthesepassionswithoutGrace,itiswithinhispowertocurbthem.

121Wegetmuddledandworriedbyproblemswhichhavebeenmanufacturedforusbyourowndesires,instincts,andpassions.Theneedofdiscipliningthemisevident.

122Iftheenergyusedinthepursuitofambitionsorpleasurescouldbedivertedtothefollowingofaspirations,ifhehadthestrengthtoremoveeverythingelsefromhislifeexceptthequest,howcouldhefail?

123Whentheintellectisenslavedbydesires,bygreeds,byignorance,itreadilyfindsseveraldefensesagainstthecalloftheQuest.Whenithasbecomealittlefreerandlistenedtothecall,itjustasreadilyfindsdefensesagainstmakinganypracticalapplicationofwhatithaslearnt.

124Hemaydiscoverthatthebattleisnotreallyover,thatatavismsoftheoldanimalisticlife,rootedeitherinthepresentorinformerbirthsmaycomepouringoverthethresholdoftheconsciousego.

125Ifyourpassionistransferredfromapassingobjectorhumanbodytothemoredurableandbeautifulsoul,youwillbeprogressingfromalowertoahigherplane.

126Manycomplainaboutbeingtroubledbysensualdesires.Theyaskaprescriptiontocurethistrouble.OnewasgivenbytheBuddhainDhammapada.Hereitis:"Aswhenahouseroofisnotproperlysecured,thentherainfindsawaythroughitanddropswithin,sowhenthethoughtsarenotcarefullycontrolledthedesires[sex]willsoonborethroughallourgoodresolutions.Butaswhenaroofiswellstoppedwhenthewatercannotleakthrough,sobycontrollingone'sthoughtsandactingwithreflection,nosuchdesirescanariseordisturbus."

127Howfewoftheimageswhichfillhismindcomefromhishigherself,howmanyfromhisanimalself!

128Itisnotenoughtorefrainfromsensualacts.Itisnolessneedfultorefrainfromsensualthoughts.

129Asthisdivinerselfdisplacestheearthlyoneinhiswill,heart,andmind,itisnaturalthatwhathehithertofeltastemptationwillbefeltassuchlessandless.Onthephilosophicpathhewillattaintothiswithoutimmuringhimselfinanycloister,butratherintheverymidstofworldlyactivity.

130Theseactsofselfdenial,theseausterities,aretobevaluednotfortheirownsakesbutforthesakeofthepurificationofthesoul.

131Theycantaketoasimplerlife.Itdoesnotdemandabareandspartanexistence.Itmeans



onlythattheycaneliminateuselessluxuriesandexcessivepleasures,stopbuyingwhattheyneednotbuyandkeepmoneytheycannotaffordtospend.Bylivingasimplerlife,bybecomingmorefrugalandlessspendthrift,theycancutdowntheirwants,diminishtheirdesires,lessendiscontent,andperhapsevenbecomehappier.Itwillbeeasiertocalltheirsoultheirown.

132Weliveondifferentlayersofdesirefromthebeastlytotheangelic.

133Whenlustismerelysubmergedandnotsupplanted,itwillsoonerorlaterreassertitself.

134Lustisanextremeintoxicationofthebodilysenses,afireofcarnalpassionwhichsubmergesreason,andanenslavementofdesirewhichtyrannizesovercountlessvictims.

135Awisercoursethantotalsuppressionistolimitdesiresandgovernpassions.

136"Weareconsciousofananimalinus,"exclaimedThoreau,andthencriedout,"IfIknewsowiseamanascouldteachmepurity,Iwouldgotoseekhimforthwith."

137Whenthepursuitofpleasure,andespeciallyphysicalpleasure,becomesexcessive,itbecomesavice.

138Whereishismind'speacewhenheisrackedbydesires,irritatedbyfrustrations,anddeniedeventhecompensationofknowingwhyheissuffering?

139Instinctfightswithintellectbutpurified,elevated,andinstructed,itcanharmonizewiththeother,bothworkingtogetherforthebenefitofman.

140Theironyofthispictureofmenrejectingtheirfreedomandpreferringtheirchainswouldbeunbelievable,didwenotknowhowgildedthosechainsare.

141Theanimalinmanmayberecognizedbytheferocity,thegluttony,thehate,andtheviolenceinman.

142Itiscertainthattheheartwhichisagitatedagainandagainbytheyearningforsensualjoyswillnotknowthecalmhappinessofspiritualjoys.

143Towhatbetterusecanamanputhiswillthantheeradicationofhatredsandthesubduingofpassions?Foroutofthesetwosourcesalonecomesomanywrongdeedsandsomuchconsequentsuffering.

144Amanmaybesoinfatuatedwithhislowernaturethathepreferstobeagitatedanddisturbedbyitspassionsratherthantoattaintheunruffledcalmnessofhishighernature.

145



Desireissatisfiedbypossessionbutnotendedbypossession.

146Onlywhenthegatheringofearthlygainsseemsfutile,andthegainsthemselvesmeredross,willhestopbarteringhispreciousyearsforthem.

147Whenadesirelurkshiddenintheheart,itmayswayactionsorinfluencethoughtswithoutresistance.Butwhenitrisestothesurfaceandisseenforwhatitis,thenitcanbefoughtandconquered.

148Ashisdesiresquieten,hefindstohissurprisethatmanythingshithertothoughtindispensabletoexistence,hecandowellwithout.

149Hewhosubmitshisemotionsandpassionstoreason,andhisreasontointuition,willsavehimselfmanyregrets.

150Solongasheisbuffetedbetweenhispassionatedesiresandhisselfhatingguilt,solongwilladistressingtensionbesustained.

151Sofarastheydistractthemindanddisturbitspeace,thestruggleagainstthepassionsmustgoon.

152Whenpassion,uncontrollableandblind,irrationalandviolent,isbehindaction,theconsequencesmaybeharmfultoitsownerbuttheymayalsobeinstructiveifheiswillingtobeinstructed.Forlifeisaneducationalprocess,whicheveryonehastoundergowhetherthepupilslikeitornot.

153Wearenotalwaysthesameperson.Atoneperiodoflifeadesiremayalmostenslaveuswhichhasnopoweroverusatalaterperiod.

154Theworldcanbeovercomeonlytotheextentthatweovercomeourselves,ourendlessdesiresandsnaringambitions,ourpassionsandhabits.

155Hehasnotonlytodealwithhistendenciesbutalsowithhiscompulsions.

156Butpassionisaninsurgent,arebelagainstreasonwhosecounterbalanceitfearsandavoids.

157Evensuchnormalfactorsascuriosityandambitionbecomedisturbingwhentheybecomeexcessive,unbalanced,anddrivetheenslavedmind.

158Astheheartopenstothiscalloftheinnerself,thedemandcomestothewillforamoreausterehabitofliving.

159



Itisthedifferencebetweengentleausterityandharshasceticism.

160Thepassionsofmenaresoresistanttocontrolthatinnosinglemethodistheresurehopeofovercomingthem.Onlyinacombinationofmethodsdoesthislie.

161Thehighmomentsofheavenlyinspirationarelaidlowinthedustofobscenityorlust.

162Theeffectofpassionalindulgencesspreadsoutonphysicalandmentallevels.

163Ifwelearnbybitterexperiencetodroptheburdenofoneparticulardesire,wedosoonlytopickupanothersoonafter.Wearenotcontenttobeatpeace.

164Thedesiresofhumanbeingsareneversatiated,norcantheyeverbesincehumanbeingsmustgoonsearchingforfinalsatisfaction.Itisintheirnaturetodoso.Butwhatcannotbesatiatedbyouterthingscanturninonitselfandfindrestatlastwithin.

165Howmorallyhelplessmanypersonsallowthemselvestobecomeisshownbythecompulsivenatureoftheirdeedsandtheobsessivenatureoftheirthoughts.

166Itisthestrengthorfeeblenessofhisattachmentsanddesireswhichlargelygovernhisfirstandearlierpacesintherelinquishmentofego.

167Wheninsightarises,thepassionsbecomesubduedandtheproblemswhichbesetmanbecomesolvedoftheirownaccord.Wemayquarrelandkillwhilstweremaininignorance,butwemustneedsfeelforandwitheachotherwhenwecomprehendatlonglastthatintheOverselfweareone.

168Alltooeasilydoluxurioushabitsbecomeinsatiablehabits,everdemandingmoreandmoreandmeanwhilecreatingtensionordiscontent.

169Whereastheconventionalgoodmanseekstoleavebehindonlythegrossandflagrantformsofsin,thephilosophicdiscipleismuchmorescrupulous.Whereastheoneiscontenttomoderatethestrengthofhislowernature,theothertriestosubjugateitaltogether.

170Wearetodiscipline,andwhennecessaryabstainfromsatisfying,thelowerimpulsesofournaturebecausewearetocultivateitshigherintuitions.Theclamantvoiceoftheonedrownsthesoftwhisperoftheother.

171Wemusttrytoturntheflowofourpassionsintoasublimerchannelthanthesensesalone.

172Menandwomenwhohavereachedorpassedtheageofthelatefortiesaremorereadyfor,andbettersuitedto,discipliningtheanimalnatureandhumanpassionsthanyounger



folk.

173Itismoredifficulttoconquerlustthantowalkontheedgeofasword.Butitcanbeconquered.Andthewayisessentiallywise:slowlysupplantlustofthefleshbyalust(love)ofthedivine."Nomatterhowmuchyoufeedyourdesires,"saystheVishnuPurana,"theywillneverbesatisfied."ThereforedirectthemgraduallytowardstheInfinite,inwhichtheymayultimatelymerge,andfromwhichthereisnoreturn.

174Aresoluteefforttobanishfromhisheartthedesirethatcausedhisfailure,aneffortpromptedbythemiseriesofthatfailure,willthusbethenextstep,afteritsrecognition,inconvertingaweaknessintoapower.

175Wherepassionrules,truthtrembles!

176Continuedfeelingoffreedomfromobsessingdesires,inordinateurges,andunduecravingsisgenerallyasuitableindicationthatthecharacterissufficientlypurifiedtoenterafurtherstage.

177Itismenwhocondemnthemselvestothisabject,undisciplinedservitudeofthepassionsandsensessoitismenthemselveswhomustseekandwinfreedomfromit.Itishardtodoso,butitisalsohardtosuffertheconsequencesofnotdoingso.

178Ifyourecognizethatthefeeling,thedesireorbodysensationispullingyouawayfromtheidealssetupfortheQuest,hoistyourselfoutofitatonce.

179Therisinggenerationshavelegitimatecomplaintsagainsttheirancestors.ButinthematterofwinningfullfreedomtofollowtheirdesiresandupsettheoldChristianmoralcodes,theMosaicdecalogues,Confucianprecepts,andtheIndiantaboos,theyneedtopause.Puritanicidealsaredenouncedbutarenotentirelyinhuman:theyhavetobesiftedandthegoodinthemtakenout.Stoic,simplelivingandselfdisciplinecanbesoftened,itsharshnessalsotakenout,andtheresiduewillbewhatthemodernsneediftheyaretotraveluphigherandnotsinklower.

180Thesenseswillstupefyamanintofoolishdesiresifheallowsthem,ifheletsthemgobeyondhiscontrol.Wisdomandsecurityalonedictatethatheshallbecomeselfmastered.Forthisitisnecessarytocallupthewillandtopractiseusingituntilitisdevelopedintosomethingstrong.

181Ifbeforeperforminganimpulsive,undisciplined,andirresponsibledeedhewouldrememberwhattheconsequencesareandthathewillhavetobearthem,thenhewillhavetakenthefirststeptowardsselfmastery.

182Letotherslookforthesecondrateandthirdrate:lethimbemorediscriminating,morefastidious,andseekthebestalone.

183



Inwhatmanneraremenfreewho,insomeway,tosomeextent,areenslavedbysex,society,ambition,swellingdesires,possessions,neighbours,associates,andfamily?

184Onlybyreleasingourselvesfromourdesirescanwehopetofindlastingpeace.Ifthisseemslikeaheavypricetopay,wehaveonlyourselvestoblame.

185Whenanimaldesiresrageinaman,eachsatisfactionofthemseemstobeanasset,somethinggainedbutwhenheismoreawakenedandfreerfromthemhebeginstoseehowmuchofaliabilitythesedesiresare,howwiseandprudentitistocheckthemandfinallytransmutethem.

186Ifheisnolongeravictimofpassionsoratthemercyofemotions,itwillnotbebecausehisbloodtemperatureistoolow,butbecausehiscontrolofhimselfishigh.

187Theanimalgiveswaytoitsdesiresandfeelingsmorequicklythanthehumanbecauseitactsbyinstinct.Thehuman,sofarasheisananimal,alsoactsbyinstinct.Buttotheextentthathehasdevelopedreasonandwillhehasdevelopedacountertothatinstinctwhichmoderatesorcontrolshisdesiresandhisfeelings.Thosehumanswhoareneareronthescaleofevolutiontotheanimalkingdomgivewaytopassionandangermorereadilybecausetheyhavelessselfcontrol.

188Asilentbutselfdeclaringpresencecomesintoknowledgewheneverheputsabrakeonthatdownwardandearthwardmovementofdailylifewhichisthecommonlotnottostopitaltogetherbuttohaltitforshortperiodsortoslowitdownsothatheisnotwhollycarriedaway.

189Thecontrolofthelowernaturewhichsocietymaydemandandreligionmayencourage,whichmakesagoodmanbyconventionalstandards,isnotenoughforphilosophy.Itisonlyastageofthemountain'sascent:thesummithasyettobeconquered.Thetransformationofthisnature,makingitutterlyresponsivetotheOverself,isthephilosophicgoal.SelfeffortcanleadtoitscontrolbutonlyGracecanleadtothistransformation.

190AllthisdoesnotimplythatheistobecomeperfectandfaultlessbeforehecanseetheOverself,butthathehastobecomemuchmoredevelopedbeforehecanstayintheawarenessofit.

TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.

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4-Purify Passions - Notebooks of Paul Brunton