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The Service of Intellect - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category7:TheIntellect>Chapter2:
TheServiceofIntellect

TheServiceofIntellect
1

Thecultivationofintelligenceisoneofthesupremedutiesofman.Factfedthinking
hard,deep,rational,andthoroughiswhatconvertsvaguesurmiseintounbreakable
certainty,blindbeliefortormentingdoubtintoirrefutableknowledge,andnativeerror
intonewtruth.
2

ByformingclearerideasoftheOverself'sactivity,hecanbettercooperatewithit,and
moreeffectuallyremovetheobstacleswhichobstructthatactivitywithinhim.
3

Unlessheexerciseshisreasonandthatatitssubtlestpitchhowishegoingtowakeup
fromthisdreamofspinningplanetsinwhichhesleepsbythemesmericpowerofsome
unseenandunknownSage?
4

Allknowledgeisbeneficialtomaninvaryingdegrees.Theknowledgeofhisownsoul,
beingthehighestdegreeofhumanknowledge,offersthegreatestdegreeofbenefitto
man.
5

Itistothosewhofollowtraditionalreligionthatthisanalyticalapproach(whichcould
disturbfaith)haslittletosay.Yetforothersoutsidethetraditionsatheists,materialists,
andagnosticsitwillcertainlybeofhelp.
6

Mandidnotfirstknowthroughhiseyesorhandsthatelectricityexistsbutonlythrough
hispowersofreasoning.Weknowinourbestmomentsthatwearemerelyrecipientsof
power,goodness,andunderstanding.
7

Whatthehigherselfistryingtodoinusmaybeobstructedthroughignoranceorassisted
byknowledge.
8

Whenmanrefusestousehisintelligenceinsettlinghisaffairsitisonlybecausehehas
notsufficientlydevelopedhisintelligencetobeabletouseitinthisway.However,
philosophicallyspeaking,heisblindedbytheegoandsoseekssatisfactionratherthan
truth.Suchaonedoesnotknowthattruthbringssatisfactioninitstrain.
9

Intellectismostusefulasaservantbutmosttyrannicalasamaster.Itmayhinder
progressoraccelerateit.Hence,althoughthephilosopherthinksaskeenlyasanyother
man,hedoesnotallowhiswholeselftobesubmergedinthethinkingprocess.
10

Themagnificentspectacleoftheuniversedoeshaveameaningbutitisonlydiscoverable
whenweputsuchprejudicesasideandacceptthedeliverancesofanalyticreason
concentratedinitsimpeccableandsearchingquest.
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Cultivationofintelligence
11

Ashisconceptionofthetruthbecomesclearer,hisaspirationtorealizeitinhislife
becomesstronger.Thisissoandmustbeso.
12

ItiswisetobeintellectuallyfamiliarwiththevariouswaysofapproachtotheOverself,
forthisexpandsone'soutlookandenlargesone'stolerancebutoneshouldalsoknow
whatisthecorrectwayforoneself.
13

Theintelligencewhichmanpossesseswillnotmerelyenablehimtodistinguishbetween
truthandfalsityintheconsiderationofexternalthings,butwillfinallyfulfilitselfin
enablinghimtodistinguishbetweenthetruthandfalsityabouthisowninternalbeing.
Thatistosay,itwillleadhimtotheknowledgeofhisowntrueself,hisOverself.
14

Manyoftheopinionswhichhavefoundlodgementinhisheadarenottherethrough
impartialinvestigationorintelligentenquirybutthroughtheaccidentsofprejudice,bias,
orheredity.
15

Inallintellectualandscholasticstudies,thereisasecondaryresultwhich,whether
recognizedornot,istheirmostvaluableonewhenjudgedfromanevolutionary
standpoint.Itisthepowerofconcentratedattention.Evenifthestudentfailstomasterhis
subjectortosolvehisproblem,neverthelesstotheextentthathesincerelyanddiligently
tries,thispowerisnecessarilydrawnupon,used,anddeveloped.Boththementaleffort
neededtoattendtothesubjectorproblemandthedesiretowrestthemeaningofit,
benefitthestudentevenwhenhisstudiesfailintheirspecificobject.Fromtheonehe
progressesastepforwardtowardgreaterabilitytoconcentrate.Fromtheotherhegetsa
stimulustohisaspirationfortruth.Onedaybothwillbeappliedtothespiritualquest.
16

Heliftshimselfabovetheherd,andbecomesastudentofphilosophy,whoseeshowmost
peoplecometorestorevengotosleepinmereopinion.Theyhavenotenquiredfurther
whetheritbetruthperhapsbecausetheylackeithertheintellectualcompetencetodoso
orthepreliminaryknowledgeofcomparativeopinionwhichshowsupits
contradictoriness,perhapsbecausetheybegintofindtruthdispleasingtotheirbiased
temperamentanddisagreeabletotheirprejudicedmind,perhapsbecausetheyare
overawedbythemassiveimpressivenessoftradition,authority,andestablished
institutionalteaching,orfinallyperhapsbecausethetruthmightprovedisturbingtotheir
personalposition.
17

Whencleverableexperiencedandidealisticmentellyou,forexample,thataparticular
doctrinenegatesallthatChriststoodfor,andwhenothermen,equallycleverable
experiencedandidealistic,tellyouthatitfulfilsChrist'sideals,thenyouhaveaclear
illustrationofthetruththatsomepeopleareabletoholdontotheirpresentviewsonlyby
shuttingtheireyesandstoppingtheirearstootherones.
18

Theintellectualstudyofthesetruthsisnotwithoutgreatvalue.Itprepareshimfortheir
eventualrealization,nourisheshissoul,strengthenshishigherwill,andencourageshis
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finerhopes.Moreover,holyreverenceisbornofitselfashemeditatesonthepictureof
universalintelligencewhichthusunfoldsbeforehisgaze.
19

Whenitissaidthatallisopinion,itmustfurtherbesaidthatallviewsofGodexistinthe
mindsofmenastheiropinions,too.Thevalueofsuchopinionsisonlywhatthesemen
givetoit.Foraviewwhichisbeyondthementalcapacityofanunevolvedpersonisof
littlevaluetohim,whereasitmaybelifesavingtoanevolvedtruthseeker.
20

Ifthecriticalsensewerelacking,howcouldamanperceivetheinsufficiencyofearthly
aims,thetransitorinessofearthlylife,andtheunsatisfactorinessofearthlyhappiness?
Andwithoutsuchperceptionwhyshouldheturnawaytoseekspiritualsatisfactions?
21

Everymanwhohasenoughcapacitytoreflectuponhislifeexperience,hasalsoto
acknowledgethatsomepowersuperiortohimselflethimcallitchanceorGod,fateor
spiritexists.
22

ThesameintellectwhoseactivitydetersmostmenfromdiscoveringGod'spresence
withinthemselvescanbeusedtodiscoverthispresence.Somethinglikethiswasnoticed
byFrancisBaconinEngland,andheputhisideaintooneofhisessays.
23

Somuchthatweesteemassolidfactisquiteoftennothingmorethanmerely
imagination.Enquiryisnecessary.
24

Itisthephilosopher'sbusinesstorejectfalsehoodandthereforeherefusestoswallow
misleadingstatementsmerelybecausetheyhavebeenwellbaitedonthesurfacewiththe
sugaroftrueones.
25

Itisqueerandcomicalhowthosewhohavestudiedasubjectonlycasuallyandhurriedly,
willoftenbequitedogmaticandmostpositiveintheirconclusionsaboutit.
26

Timeandthought,experienceandexperiment,studyandpractice,initiationand
instructionareallneededtoteachamanhowtodistinguishbetweenthefinaltruthandits
countlesscounterfeits.Withgrowingenlightenmentandincreasingconfidence,he
becomesmoreexpert.
27

Theintensitywithwhichaviewisheldtellsussomethingaboutitsholder,nothingabout
thetruthofthatview.
28

Whentheymustformanopinion,cometoadecision,makeajudgement,orchoose
betweenalternatives,menconsultpastexperience,listentoauthority,obeytradition,or
yieldtothestrongestelementsintheirownpersonalcharacter.
29

TheimaginationcreatesitsownidolswhichitworshipsasthetrueGod.Thereforereason
mustbecalledintocastthemdown.
30
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Disillusionmentaboutpseudoorhalftruthsoftenprecedesdiscoveryoftherealorfull
truth.
31

Toomanysimplepersons,whetherOrientalsorOccidentals,donotseemableto
distinguishbetweenmeremythologyandauthentichistory.Thedevelopmentofa
discriminatingfacultyisasnecessaryinreligionasinthemarketplace.
32

Ifthemindhasbeentrainedtorejectfalsehood,beitbornfromwithinselforreceived
fromothers,itwillbebetterabletolettheTruthshineunhinderedinitself.
33

Thefirstvalueofcorrectteachingisthatitpurgestheseekerofmanyerrorsin
understanding.Thispurgationinitsturnsaveshimfromcommittingmanyerrorsin
conduct.Hereisitspracticalvalue.Thesecondvalueisthatitslightinstantlyexposes
imposture,charlatanry,exploitation,orevilinotherteachingsandintheirexponents.
34

Therearetrueaswellasfalseopinions,adequateaswellasgroundlessbeliefs.Wemay
freelyholdopinionsandbeliefs,providedtheyaresupportedbysufficientevidence.
35

Beforeenlightenmentcanbereceivedintoconsciousness,ameasureofsharpnessto
discerntherealfromitsappearance,aswellasofdetachment,mustbeacquired.
36

Welearntodiscriminateinpracticalaffairsandamongmaterialthingsastowhatthey
seemtobeandwhattheyreallyare.Butthefacultycanbeappliedonamuchhigherlevel
ofexistenceandamoreabstractone,dependingontheculturalorpersonalqualityofa
man.ItshighestapplicationistoseparatetheTruthaboutGod,theUniverse,andoneself
fromitsappearancesandtheirRealities.
37

Withcontradictionseliminatedorreconciled,witherrorscorrectedandnewfertile
conceptsintroduced,andwithhisideasrangedinanorderlypattern,hecanattainsome
intellectualclarity.
38

NotonlywastheresomefactaswellassomeexaggerationinAnatoleFrance'sassertion
scepticandcynicthoughheusuallywasthat"allisOpinion!"butitcouldberestatedas
"Allissecondhandopinion!"
39

Theywittinglyorunwittinglyimposetheirownopinions,theories,beliefs,andconcepts
upontheobjectperceivedorthehappeningexperienced.Theresultmaycomenearto,or
befarfrom,thetruth,dependingontheiradvancement,butitisunlikelytobethewhole
truth.
40

Thevalueofmetaphysicalknowledgeliesinthefactthatitisasafeguardagainsterror
foritshowshowtodiscriminatebetweenrealityandtheappearanceofit.Neitherthe
deceptionsofindividualsnortheerrorsofmysticalexperiencecanthensucceed.
41

Evenifamansucceededingettingotherstoaccepthisviews,evenifeveryoneaccepted
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them,itisunlikelythattheywillacceptthemalways.
42

Everyopinionhasbeenwrittendowninthebooks,includingtheopinionthattruth
requiresustoholdnoopinion.
43

Suggestionfromoutsideenterslargelyintotheopinionsandbeliefs,theviewsand
outlook,ofmassesofpeople.Itisjustastrue,possiblytruer,ofthemysticallyminded,be
theyseekersorgurus,betheyOrientalsorWesterners.Whatisreallyknownratherthan
echoedbackdwindlesdowntoaresidue.
44

Hemaybepoisedinthetranquillityofthesegrandconceptsorpoisonedbythenegative
fogsoffalseones.
45

Convertamantoyouropinionandyouhavehimforlongcompelhimtoadoptitand
youhaveneverreallygothim.
46

Wemustworkhardtoelicitthetruthfromthemedleyofbeliefsandopinionswhichrule
us,andtoextracttherealityfromthemedleyofillusionsandglamourswhichholdus.
47

Anyfoolcansay"Iknow,"thatis,canhaveanopinion.
48

Massstupidityisnot,andnevercanbe,asatisfactorysubstituteforindividual
intelligence.
49

FartoooftenprivateopinionsarepassedoffasGod'soracles,manmadeinstitutionsas
God'sinstruments,andgrouppropagandaasfactualhistory.Themasses,lackingboth
discriminationandinformationareledlikesheepbythemassmedia.
50

Howcanacredulousfoolattainsupernormalwisdom?Howcanthemanwhoisunableto
discriminateintelligentlyinsmallmatterssuddenlybecomeabletodiscriminatein
transcendentones?Thejumpisnotpossible.
51

Mostpeopledonotknowthedifferencebetweenanopinionandatruth,anddonotmake
theefforttodistinguishbetweenthem.
52

Isitnotbettertoforceillusionsintoaccordwiththerealitiesthantogoonbeing
pleasantlydeceivedbythem?
53

Wemustnotbedoctrinaireswemustnotsitatthesanctifiedfeetofthegodofopinion.
54

Theintellectualpurificatoryworkbeginsbyclearinghismindoferrors,illusions,and
superstitions.Thesethingsleadhimastray,bothduringmeditationandoutofit,fromhis
searchfortruth.
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Balanceofintellectandfeeling
55

Sincerityisnotenough.Everyaspirantneedsthis,ofcourse,buthealsoneedsother
things.Anaspirantmaybetotallysincere,yetmaytakeawrongdirection.Hismindmay
befilledwitherroneousbeliefsdespitehissincerity.Sotohissincerityheshouldadd
rightknowledge,forthiswillguidehim,thiswillupholdhim,andthiswillsafeguard
him.
56

Theresultofasolelyintellectualoutlookdevoidofreligiousfaithormysticalintuition,is
failuretooffermentalpeaceorcherishmoralgoodness.
57

Wearenotcastingstonesatintellectualknowledgeithasitsplace.Butletitbekeptin
itsplace.Letitnotbecomeausurper.Thehighermysticismfirstsatisfiestheintellect's
demands,thentranscendsthem.Itdoesnot,likethelowermysticism,rejectorignore
them.
58

Gotama,theauthorofNyayaSutrasonLogic,defendsthevalueofintellectasfollows:
Althoughtheintellectadmittedlycannotgraspreality(Brahman),itisnevertheless
necessaryinordertosetastandard,toshowwhatrealityis,assuch,sothatitshallbe
recognized.Apairofscalescannotweighthemselvesbuttheyarenecessaryinorderto
weighotherthings.Similarly,theintellectcannotyieldrealitybutcanmeasureitsoto
speakorindicatewhatisandwhatisnotreality.Henceitismostvaluableasacorrective
tomysticismandyoga.
59

Themoralcodewhichamanobeysisitselftheresultofhisviewoflife,whetherthe
latterbeimposedonhimfromwithoutordevelopedfromwithin.
60

Thefutilityandunwisdomofutterrelianceuponfeelings,uncheckedbyreason,was
tragicallyevidencedbythesadcaseofNijinsky,thefamousRussiandancer,whoafter
delightingaudiencesintheworld'schiefcapitalsbecameinsaneandformorethantwenty
yearshadtowithdrawfromhisartisticcareerandpassmostofhisdaysinasanatorium.
Nijinskykeptadiaryintheearlydaysofhisillness,inwhichwefindsentenceslikethe
following:"IamGod.IamGod.IamGod."ThroughoutthosepagesNijinskyinsistson
feelingratherthanthinkingasasourceofwisdom,andfeelinghedefinesas"intuitions,
proceedingfromtheunconscious."ThemanwhoclaimedtobeGodwas,however,
unabletofulfilhimselfasahumanbeing.Why?Becausehewasreallyunbalancedforhe
rejectedutterlytheclaimsofReason,andhedenounced"mental"peopleasbeing"dead."
61

(1)Yes,mysticalexperiencemustcollaboratewithrationalthought.Butthereisahigher
kindofmysticism,whichprunesawaytheaccidentalandpenetratestotheessential.(2)
Intellectualknowledgeiscertainlyrelative.Butwhatliesbeyonditisforusultimate
truth.Thattheremaybeatruthbeyondthisinturnneednotconcernusatpresent,for
nobodycouldeitherdisputeitordemonstrateit.(3)Theurgeforhigherknowledgeisnot
anactoftheegobutapromptingfromtheOverself.Thatitgetsmixed,initsearlier
phases,withegoisticdesiresistruebuttheseslowlyfallaway.
62
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Theintellectisafacultythatmanisendowedwith,notbySatantotraphim,butin
accordancewiththedivineWorldIdea.Manislearninghowtouseit.Ifheisusingit
wronglytoday,theconsequenceswilltutorhimintimeandhewilluseitrightly
tomorrow.
63

Whenthemysticalbentofmindisnotsteadiedbyrationalreflection,thereisgrave
dangerofmistakingsatisfactionfortruth,utilityforknowledge.
64

Socratestaughtthatcharacterwassomehowdependentonintelligence:thebetterquality
oftheonewasaconsequenceofthebetterqualityoftheother.Thereforecultivateclear
intelligence,hesaid.Longafter,Spinozarepeatedthisadvice.
65

Theneedofcopingwithlifeforcesustodevelopintelligenceorelsetogoonsuffering
theconsequencesofbeingstupid.
66

Eventheworldpictureofahigherconditionavailabletothosewhowillworkand
sacrificeforitisnotwithoutvalue.Itshowsamodeltouseandemulate,astandardto
seekandformoneselfby.
67

Itisnotenoughtomeanwell,itisnotenoughtobelieveoneisdoingright,itisnot
enoughtobeearnest,sincere,innocentofevilmotives.Itisjustasessentialtopossessa
balancedmentality,soundreasoningcapacity,andunbiasedattitude.TheSpanish
Inquisitorsweresometimessaints,Hitlerwasanascetic.Manywhohavebroughtmisery
uponmankindweremenofexcellentprivatecharacter:thedefectsofthesepeoplewere
mentalratherthanmoral,andledthemtobadthinkingandworsejudgement.Themoral
ofthisisplain:intelligencemustbecultivatedasfullyifnotmoresothanemotions.
68

Theroleofreasoninthehumanpsycheistokeepitsbalance.
69

Theeducationofamanisworthnomorethanwhatheisworthinsidehimself.Ifheis
evilwithin,hewillbeaidedbyadevelopedintellecttodomoreharmtoothersthanhe
wouldhavebeenabletodowithoutit.Ifheisgoodwithin,hewillhavemorecapacity
througheducationtodogoodtoothers.
70

AthoroughmasteryandunderstandingoftheHiddenTeachingevenifitbeintellectual
onlywillhelptorefine,educate,andtosomeextent,evendissolvetheego,ifthe
knowledgethusobtainedisapplied.Truthisadynamic,notanarcotic.
71

Themysticmaysneeratreason,butwhenhewantstojustifyhismysticism,eitherto
himselfortoothers,hehastofallbackonreasontodoso.
72

IthasalwaysseemedtomethattheonegreatthemearoundwhichShakespearehungall
hiswritingwas,inhisownwords:"Thereisnothinggoodorbadbutthinkingmakesit
so."Certainlyrightthinkingisevenmoreimportantthanrightaction.Foriftwomenboth
performthesamedeedrightlybutonedoessoonfalsereasonsandtheotherontrueones,
thefirstisalwaysliabletosliplaterintowrongactionbutnotthesecond.
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73

Ourproblemscanneverbesolvedbydealingwiththemaswedo,inpassionand
prejudice,unlessindeedwefindanewpassionforRightnessandanewprejudicefor
Truth.
74

Theintegrityofhisintellectualconsciencewillonedaydemandfromeverymanasearch
forspiritualknowledgetoconfirm,sustain,orevenreplacehispresentspiritualfaith.
75

Thestudiesshouldstimulatehimtostart,continueorintensifytheexercises,regimes,and
practices,buttheycannotactasasubstituteforthem.
76

Withoutdesertingtheuseofsharpreasoning,yetwithoutabandoningthepietyof
worshipfulfeeling,hefollowsobedientlythelightwhichhasbeenshownhim.Usingthe
symbolsofmysticism,itisaharmoniouscooperationofheadandheart.
77

Itiseasiertosubstitutefeelingforthinkingwhenitishardtobalancetheclaimsof
opposingdoctrines.
78

Wemustfearlesslysubpoenaourfaithtoappearbeforethecourtofcommonsenseifitis
afraidtodothatitisnotworthyofbeingheld.
79

Hewantsthevigorousfacts,notthevaguesentimentalities.Hewantsmysticismbutonly
afterriddingitofitsdeficienciesandthrustingasideitslimitations.
80

Themysticalattackuponintellecthassufficientbasistojustifyituptoacertainpoint.
Butwhenitgoesbeyondthatpointandunreservedlypraisestheholyimbecileandlistens
withbatedbreathtohisutterances,itrendersadisservicetomysticism.Ifallthis
enormoushumanevolutionistoendinmenfeelinglikechildrenandactinglikefools,is
therenotadangerthattheymaygofartherandturnintoidiots?Lifetodayistoo
challengingtobemetsuccessfullybythebrainlessorfoolish.Itisalsononsenseforany
mysticofthereligiousdevotionalschooltosaythatintellectisuselessandunnecessary
onthespiritualpath.Itmaybesoonhisparticularpathalthougheventherehisassertion
isarguablebutitiscertainlynotsoontheotherpaths.Howcanitharmaseekerto
acquireallpossibleknowledgeaboutthequest,toknowallthathecangatherfromthe
historyofmysticism,thebiographyofmystics,thepsychologyofmysticalstates,andthe
philosophyofmysticalthinkers?Thusequipped,heissurelybetterequippedtofindhis
wayinwhatis,afterall,adimandobscureterritory.Andhowcanhelearnthesethings
withoutstudyingbooks,listeningtolectures,discussingideas,andexchanging
experienceswithothers?
81

Ifmenofhighintelligencearetrainedintheology,atsomepointtheintelligenceis
forsakenorledtosubservefaith.
82

Thecleavageofthementalfunctionsintheformofanirrationalattitudetowardsreligion
combinedwitharationalattitudetowardseverythingelse,isquitecommon.Itisnot
distantfromthementaldiseasecalledschizophrenia.
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83

Eachmistakeinactionistheresultofaprecedingmistakeinthought.
84

Whatislostbybringingahigherintelligencetothestudyofspiritualtopics?Nothingif
thepersonissufficientlybalancedtouseitproperly.
85

Toomanymysticsoftheemotionaldevotionaltypehave,whilerightlyscorning
intellect'slimitation,wronglydecriedreason'sservices.
86

Dynamiteservestheminingengineerandtheroadbuilderverywell.Fireservesthe
kitchencookverywell.Butifshebringsdynamiteintocontactwithfireinherkitchen,
bothmaydestroyher.Knowledgeisnotonlyherpowerbutalsoherprotection.
87

WhentheaspiranthasgreatdevotiontotheOverselfbutlittleunderstandingofit,Nature
willhalthimatacertainstageofhisspiritualcareerandcompelhimtoredressthe
balance.
88

Theeducatedmindisrepelledbysuperstition,thereasonablemindbyfanaticism.Yet
bothneedthefortifyingsupportofaspiritualteaching.
89

Everyerrorrejectedandeverytruthacceptedstrengthensamanincharacterandmind.
90

Justasthereligiousdevoteewillbemovedsoonerorlatertoseekpersonalexperienceif
helacksit,sothemysticalvotarywillbemovedtoseekintellectualenlightenmentifhe
toolacksit.Butsuchaninnermovementwillonlydevelopwhereaspirationisstrongand
continuous,sincereandselfcritical.
91

Aman'sconsciousnessofhimselfincludesnotonlyhisthoughtsandactsbutalsothe
understandingofthem.
92

Theintellectual,thescientistorpolitician,businessmanorprofessional,whohasbecome
cold,dry,materialistic,andinsensitive,isunbalanced.Yethethinksheissolevelheaded.
93

Amancangetintoxicatedbyhisintellectuallogicalthinkingashecanwithwine,oras
themysticwithdevotionalrapture.Thefinebalanceneededfortheclearreceptionof
truthisthenabsent.
94

Allcorrectthinkingmustbe,andis,accompaniedbyintensereverencewhilstallardent
devotionoftheDivinemustberightlydirectedtowardsThatwhichisgenuinelydivine
andnottowardsthatwhichisoftenerroneouslythoughttobeso.Ifthisdevelopmentis
onesided,thereisthenthedangerthatcanbeseenillustratedanywhereonegoesthatis,
ofknowledgedegeneratingintodriedupintellectualism,nolongerabletoinfluence
moralsnorcontrolconduct,andofdevotiondegeneratingintosuperstitioushysteria.
95

Toperceivethetruthintellectuallyforthefirsttimethroughsomeoneelse'seyesorbook
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isveryimportant.Andtoglimpsethetruthintuitionallythroughone'sownexperienceis
stillmoreimportant.
96

Manypeoplelackthebroadknowledgewhichisnecessarytoformproperjudgementsor
humanitarianappealsmanylackthepatiencewhichisnecessarytoscrutinizethese
appealsatalladequatelywhilemostpeoplelacktheimpartialitytoanalyseasituation
withinsight.Thisiswherethephilosopher'scounselmaybeuseful.
97

Evenfromarigorouslypracticalstandpointthemanwhoisincapableofreasonedthought
islesslikelytogetonintheworld.
98

Hewillnotforget,inbeingreasonable,tobereverentalso.
99

Careistobetakenthatthedeceptionsintowhichbothhislogicandhissentimentalityare
liabletofall,areavoidedbytheuseofsharpdiscrimination.
100

Hehasnotonlytoguardagainstwishfulthinkingandcomfortablebelievingwhenever
thesecollidewithtruth.Hehasalsotoguardagainstpassiondistortedthinkingand
emotionwarpedbelieving.
101

Itisnotenoughtobeemotionalabouthisfaith.Heoughtalsotobeabletogivea
coherentstatementofthereasonsforit.
102

Whenacademiclearningrunstoexcesstothepointofbecomingdrypedantrybereftof
commonsenseitbecomesanuisancetothosewhoseektruth.
103

IfinstructionandeducationleaveapersoninignoranceoftheWorldIdeaandinillusion
concerningtheworldandself,thentheyareincomplete,andinadequatetopreparehim
forlife.
104

Thosewhoareunabletothinkorafraidtothinkmayleapeagerlyatthegospelof
avoidingthoughtaltogether.Forthemablandblanknessmaybringpeace.Buthowlong
canitlastinthefaceoflife'ssterninsistentproblems,tragedies,orresponsibilities?
105

Thespirituallyparalysedmodernmindoftenskimsthesurfaceofthingswithgreat
brilliancebutthepoorthingiscompletelyunabletopenetratethem.
106

Inaregionwhereyogicaberrationsandmysticalexcessesaboundsofreely,thevalueofa
scientificattitudeisimmense.
107

Hisreverentialfeelingswillnotbereducedorweakenedifsupportedbyintelligence
rathertheywillbericher,deeper,andbalanced.
108

Itisnotenoughtopurifythemoralnatureofevilandsin.Itisalsoneedfultopurifythe
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intellectualnatureoferroranddelusion.Hencemoraldisciplinemustbecomplemented
byanintellectualone.

Doubtandthemodernmind
109

Ifthereisoneprimefeatureofthemodernmentalityitisthatreasonhasreplacedfaith.
Webeginbycallingintoquestionwhatourforefathersbelieved.Inthegoodolddayswe
assumedeverythingandprovednothingnowweassumenothingandproveeverything.
Thechangeisfundamental.
110

Theweakpointofboththeancientsophistsandourmodern"rationalists"isthatthey
havemadeadogmaofourdoubt.Theyhavesetitupasthoughitwereanendinitself
insteadofameanstoanendtruth.
111

Scepticismmustintheend,afterithascriticizedanddestroyedeverythingelse,turnits
criticismonitselfanddoubtitself.
112

Wedonotovercomeourdoubtsbysuppressingthem,wedonotmeetourmisgivingsby
denyingthem,andwedonotrefutefalsehoodbyshirkingquestionswhichhappentobe
inconvenient.
113

Iamtoomuchawareofthediversityofintellectualtruthstoregardthemasotherthan
merelyrelative.ThereforeIpreferalightscepticism.
114

IsitnotironicthattheonlycreatureintheuniversewhichdoubtsGod'sexistenceisalso
theonlyoneuptothatgradewhichcontainstheproofofthatexistence?Thecountless
germs,worms,insects,reptiles,andmammalsbelowmanlacktherationalcapacityto
question,whilethehighertypesofindividuatedbeingsabovehimknowtoomuchtoutter
suchadoubt.
115

Reasonbeginsbybeingscepticalofeverythingelse.Itendsbybecomingscepticalabout
itself.
116

Itisunwisescepticallytoletthesetruthsvanishfromoursight,asthoughwehadnot
evenheardofthem,forthenthegrooveofoldsufferingswillhavetobecutanew.
117

Thesesecretdoubts,theseinwardvacillations,mustbefacedandovercome.
118

Todoubtisnottodeny.Wemustbeginwithdoubtinordertoclearthegroundbutwe
wouldbeinasorrystateifweweretoendinit.Theassertionthatallbeliefsarerelative
anduntenable,isitselfabeliefandthereforeequallyuntenable.
119

Nodoctrineissosacredthatitisnottobequestioned.Mancannotescapefromhisduty
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todoubt.Eachgenerationmustreflectinitsownwayontheconundrumsofexistenceand
bevigorouslyalivetoitsownproblems,whicharenotwhollytheproblemsofother
epochs,andmustfacetheminafreshlivingmanner.
120

Butwhenuneasydoubtispushedtotheextremeofsettledcynicism,whenneedful
cautioniselongatedtoparalysingcowardice,whenscepticismisgrownsobigthatit
cannotletthedivinegetpastitintohisheart,thenthemanfallsintoabogofmaterialism
andbecomesitspitiablevictim.
121

Doubthasalegitimateuseintheworldofthought.Withoutit,weshouldbeatthemercy
ofeverycharlatan,everyfool,everyexploiter,andeveryfalsedoctrine.Weneednotbe
ashamedthereforetoavailourselvesofitattimes.Doubttearstheveiloffdeceitand
exposeshumbughiddenbeneathbenevolence.
122

Weneednotbeafraidtoquestioneverything,todoubteverything,eventhewordsweuse
andourownveryselves.Wehavenothingbutfalsehood,illusion,andselfdeceptionto
loseifwetakenothingforgranted.
123

Howshallwebeginthisstudy?Thebestwayistheonlywayforus.Wemustbeginby
doubtingeverythingthusalonemaywehopetoendbyknowingeverything.
124

Althoughwehavetobeginourmetaphysicallifebydoubtingacceptedvalues,wecannot
endtherewecannotliveforeverinanatmosphereofsuspendedjudgement.Theprocess
ofactivelivingdemandsthatsoonerorlaterwecommitourselvestoadefinite,if
tentative,standpoint,evenwithoutreachingabsolutecertainty.Doubt,therefore,isa
provisionalandnotapermanentattitude.
125

Becausetruthhasbeenboundupwithsuchabsurdities,oftenforselfinterestedmotives,
itbehoovesustoacceptnomessagewithoutdueinvestigationanddeepcaution.
126

Becausepeopledonotfeeltheirinwarddivinity,theyoftendenyit.Inancientandeven
medievaltimestheyweresatisfiedthatitdidexistbecausetheirsimplicity,their
uncultivatedintellects,creatednobarrierstothisfeelingortofaithinitontheauthority
oftraditionandtheirprophets.Wemustunderstandtheinevitabilityoftheirpresent
scepticismandprovethefactoftheSoulaslogically,asevidentiallyaspossible.Yetto
offerintellectualproofaloneisnotenough,althoughatrulyexcellentstepforward.We
mustalsoshowthemhowtogettheexperienceofverificationforthemselves.
127

Scepticismmakesconditionswhichrequirethattruthbepresentedinarationalformand
arguedout.Otherwisetheintellectualreactionstoitwillnotbefairandjusttoitsvalue.
128

Thevalueofmetaphysicalscepticismistoovercomementalinertia,toliberateusfrom
dogma,andtoteachustolerance.Itfreesustosearchforhighertruthsandnoblervalues.
129

Wemustbeginbysuspectingthedatafurnishedbyourfivesenses.Wemustlearnthat
appearancesaredubious,thattheyarenottobeacceptedwithoutsearchingenquiry.
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130

Therearetwowaysopentoasceptic.Oneistoseektheactualexperienceof
transcendingintellectandbecomingawareoftheOverselftheotheristoobtain
intellectualproofofit.Thefirstisahardandlongwaythesecondshortandeasy.
131

Justastheverypresenceofsufferingstartsasearchforitsrelief,sodoesthevery
existenceofdoubtcauseasearchfortruthtobegin.
132

Theymaytrytoescapefromtheirdoubts,perhapsbystiflingthem,perhapsbyignoring
theirveryexistence,perhapsbygoingtotheguruandgettinghisreassuranceagain.This
coursemaysucceedforatime,evenforalifetime.Butitisnotconducivetotheirtrue
welfare.
133

Notonlyishetoquestionthedogmaswhichorthodoxyhandshimbuteventhedoubts
whichscepticismoffersinsteadofthem.
134

Thosescepticswhorejectthepossibilityofattainingtrutharealreadystatingsomething
astruthandtherebyrefutingtheirowntheory.
135

Becausethereisnoroominphilosophicstudyfornavetorgullibility,thosewhosuffer
fromthesementaldisabilitiesshouldfirstgetcured.
136

Wherebeliefcomestooeasily,errormayfollowtooquickly.
137

Todoubteverythingandstopatthatpoint,toassenttonothingbutcriticizeevery
presentation,tomeetallaffirmativestatementswiththesceptic'squestionsthisisthe
productofsharpintellect,bluntspeech,andnegativefeeling.
138

Ifamanistoosuspiciousofbeingdeceived,hemayerr

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