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YOGA.
375
doubt has not been annihilated that the pupil asks for leave to 'bury the dead.' When the heart becomes saturated with belief in Truth, one would understand that no man'having put his hand to the plough, and looking back' (Luke, IX. 62) is worthy of the kingdom of God, and would leave the dead to bury its dead,' without more ado. Who is there to be buried, the “T," or the body? The man is, indeed, the “I," and the body is merely a carcass of dead matter ; but the “I” never dies, nor does it ever need a burial. Hence, he who wishes to enter into Life must leave such things as the burial of corpses to those who are spiritually dead, though they might be alive physically.
Yoga aims at imparting the knowledge of Truth, and, at the same time, at building up an unchanging, undying faith in the heart. It means union, or the linking together of man to God, or, more correctly, disunion, or separation from sense objects, that is, from the phenomenal world (Max Müller). It is the science which leads the initiate by easy steps or gradations to the loftiest heights of Self-realization, till be stand face to face with the object of his search. This is the best proof he can have of the truth of the doctrine. But, unfortunately, it can be had only when the disciple has crossed the thorny path and landed in safety at the goal, so that he has ultimately to depend on his intellect till such time as Omniscience shall arise in his soul. If he has succeeded in grasping the truth, he will find his progress in Self-realization comparatively easy, and signs and omens and other occurrences of a mysterious' nature will constantly keep up his spirits and cheer up
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