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MYSTICISM IN INDIA
11
ous physical intellectual and moral elevation leading to spiritual peace. The next two or three are practices preparing the mind for seatdy concentratian on and continued applicotion to any thought or object. The last three are continuations, varying in degree of the same process and ending with Samadhi which is the highest bliss.
Prof. Monier-Williams of Egland thinks that this system of Yoga is nothing but a mere contrivarce for getting rid of all thought; that it is a strange compound of mental and bodily exercises, consisting in unnatural restraint, forced and paintul postures, twisting and contortions of the limbs, suppressions of the breath and utter absence of mind. In the opinion of such scholars it is not possible that a man should actually know anything transcending his sensual perception unless it is told to him by some supposed authority. In their opinion the power of intuition cannot be developed to such an extent as to become actual knowledge without any possibility of error and that we shlal always be doomed to depend apon hearsay and opinions. To them extraordinary powers of soul are mere dreams. The author of the modern science and modern thought says:-Almost the entire world of the supernatural fades away of itself with an extension of our knowledge of the laws of nature, as sure as the mists melt from the valley before the rays of the morning sun. We have seen how throughout the wide domains of space, time and
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