________________
childhood and youth and age and death are merely stages, changing forms of that which is itself formless and permanent.
Why is it that today in India, where this philosophy should be most deeply ingrained, death holds such terror? It is because in the name of religion we have erected impenetrable walls, walls which segregate us from one another, walls which prevent us from catching a glimpse of the eternity which lies beyond. One can accept physical blindness and can overcome the handicaps which it levies, but spiritual blindness is disastrous. Physical blindness disables us from seeing physical objects, but usually it is compensated by a sharpening of the sensibilities which enable the afflicted one to apprehend more subtle experiences. But one who is afflicted with mental blindness becomes impervious to all subtleties. If we lose our spiritual insight and allow ourselves to be lost in this labyrinth erected in the name of religion, we can never hope to catch even a glimmer of the eternal truth. Only when we pull down these walls, can we come close to one another and can experience a vision of the soul that is within us. Sectarianism is a barrier which must instantly be demolished in the search for the eternal truth.
11
