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CONFLUENCE OF OPPOSITES. 367 performed the pilgrimage" (The Mystics of Islam, pp. 91 and 92).
The best place of pilgrimage, no doubt, is where the associations are the most ennobling and elevating, that is to say, which is associated with the Great Ones, the Tirthamkaras. Thither should the pious flock, for excellence in faith, renunciation and merit. There is little or no good in visiting such places as are associated with man-made goils and goddesses.
I shall now briefly touch upon the subject of meditation which consists in the withdrawal of the mind from the world and in its becoming engaged in self-contemplation. The object is not merely to remain engaged in metaphysical speculation, but to realise the inner meaning of Life by directly feeling its pulsation in one's own self. Every movement, every iremour, every breath of this mysterious subsiance, must, therefore, be brought under personal observation and minutely analysed, But this can only be done by keeping the attention fixed steadily on the soul, exclusive of every thing else. The mind is, however, so constituted that it will attend to anything but the soul, if left to itself; and even when deliberate effort is made to bring it under some sort of control, it is inclined to break loose on the very first shadow of an excuse-bodily discomfort, sensual excitement and the like-that might present itself. For this reason, the curbing of passions and desires and the mortifying and subjugation of the flesh are absolutely essential as necessary preliminary
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