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the mirror is the reflection of the body which stands before it and of no other body. Scientists have explained the reflection, whereas the karma sastras have explained the origin of the reflection. Physiologists speak of the secretions of the glands, karma śāstras speak of the same thing as the saturation of juices (rasa). The subtle body produces secretions through the glands. This secretion drives and influences all the tendencies of the living body. Having understood these tendencies and how they work we can pass on to the subtle body. The purpose of sadhanā is to enable the practitioner to enter into the subtle body through the gross body and to come face to face with the enzymes processed by the karma body. It is the modification in the manifestations of the soul which activates the karma body. The practitioner has to know and understand these subtle transformations of the soul.
THE MYSTERIES OF MIND
The gross and the subtle bodies are only instruments of bringing about the transformations of the soul. The practitioner has to understand the substances which transform themselves and the instrumental causes which help in the fruition of the transformations. He has also to understand the forms which the changes take. The mind and the soul go on transforming themselves ceaselessly. If these tranformations take place in the context of the centres of pure consciousness and flow towards them, they become auspicious. On the other hand, if they tend towards the centres connected with suppressed desires, they become inauspicious. Centres of consciousness which excite the tendencies of anger, pride, deceit, greed, hunger, fear, sex and acquisitiveness, produce evil consequences.
It is necessary to conduct research in these areas so that we may know where to engage the mental processes for good or bad. The knowledge gained from such research will enable us to control our instincts and tendencies and to bring about auspicious lesyās and to avoid the inauspicious ones. Nothing can be finally said in this respect until enough research has been done.
We need such scientists who are not only experts in the areas of their own scientific interest but who have also faith in spiritual matters. A scientific scrutiny of all the constituents of the body as well as of the transformations of the soul and
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