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THE SECRET SENSE
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and slowly destroys the forces of evil, and leads to the development of the spirit of renunciation and courage and confidence.
Many miraculous powers are acquired by the advanced ascetics. The miracles described in allegorical scriptures are, however, symbolical only; they do not take place outside in the world, but in the soulsubstance. Nevertheless, there is unchallengeable testimony of the ancients to show that many miracles were actually performed by holy men.
Crucifixion is the doctrine of the Cross, that is to say, of treating the body as if it were a wooden cross on which the soul were impaled, and from which it had to be removed. The form of the body itself is that of the cross, if the hands be stretched out on the sides. The ascetic carries his body with him through life like a cross, regarding it as his bitterest enemy, and will not attend to its comforts and wants. He knows what be is working for, that is, divinity and immortality; and he knows what he is escaping from, that is, suffering and pain and misery, implied in transmigration. When the culmination in renunciation is reached four "miracles' attend the event. These are, the 'rending of the rocks,' ' the darkening of the sun,' the tearing of the veil of the temple,' and 'the giving up of the dead by the graves.' Their significance is as follows: the rocks that are rent are the knots of the karmic forces which hold the soul in captivity and bondage; the sun that is darkened is the light of the lower mind, that is, reason, since that is destroyed when omniscience rises in the soul. It will be noticed that omniscience is incompatible with reason, and cannot be attained 80
