________________
YOGA.
411
about the same time, and of which the end in view may be a natural culmination. In either case, the scheme is an association of more or less complex processes. In carrying out the hypnotic suggestions of the operator, will adopts a similar procedure, though unaided by reason. It links the idea of the end in view to some particular group of processes which tend that way, and leaves it to the habitual discharge of its own involuntary energy to do the rest. That will is capable of doing all this seems wonderful, but then hypnotism itself is no less wonderful! Will is not a blind or unconscious force, as it used to be supposed till very recently by certain materialists. Its inherent, wonderful nature is revealed only when it is freed from the tutelage of reason which holds it in leading strings. Traces of its knowledge are ordinarily to be seen even in its automatic activity where each movement is not only precise and proper, but also prefigures the end to be attained,--and all this without the accompaniment of deliberating reason. Will is an aspect of the subjective mind and, therefore, all-knowing potentially. It can take cognizance of its environment by means independent of physical senses. As Hudson points out, -
“it performs its highest functions when the objective senses are in abeyance. In a word, it is that intelligence which makes itself manifest in a hypnotic subject when he is in a state of somnambulism, In this state many of the most wonderful feats of the subjective mind are performed. It sees without the natural organs of vision ; and in this, as in many other grades, or degrees, of the hypnotic state, it can be made, apparently, to leave the body, and to travel to distant lands and bring back intelligence, oft-times of the most exact and truthful character. It has also the power to read the thoughts of others, even to the minutest details ; to read the contents
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org