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ESSAYS AND ADDRESSES
Character is modified by experience generally and especially by individual convictions; and modified character is the seed of rebirth, as shown in the "Key of Knowledge" and the "Practical Path" and other works on Religion. Thus does the soul pass from life to death, and death to life again in the course of its transmigration till the instincts are destroyed by the final dissolution of the body, which signifies complete separation between Spirit and Matter. This devoutly-wished for end is to be achieved by the strengthening of the moral volition which is really character in action in the direction of morality.
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The eradication of instinctive impulsion is not possible in the animal or in the case of a member of the lower kingdoms. Man alone may aspire to it, because he can curb down and modify his desires by an effort of will, which is almost counter-indicated in the case of animals.
As regards the progeny of desire, it directly gives rise to greed, deceit, pride and anger which are the four most powerful emotions. For greed is practically but another name for excessive desire; deceit is the cunning resorted to to obtain a desired object; pride arises from the possession of what is desirable; and anger blazes up when one is thwarted in the middle of the process of obtaining or enjoying an object of desire. From another point of view, love is the strongest tie of attachment for a living being, or thing, and hatred, the reverse of this, and love and hatred themselves lend their tinge to almost all other states of feeling. Thus,
Admiration wonder + submission of attraction.
Awe admiration + fear.
Reverence awe + love.
Gratitude love+submission.
Scorn disgust+anger. Contempt disgust+self-assertion.
Loathing fear + disgust.
Horror the most intense form of loathing. Fascination wonder+ loathing. Envy anger+submission. Reproach love+anger.
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