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OCCULT POWERS
them on the spiritual plane. Their life is spent only for altruistic purposes, and they do not spend a single moment on their own body, because when the mind itself is on the higher plane and the soul is thinking only for the good of others, then the necessity for taking care of the body does not exist. That is where the Christian science would agree with this doctrine. The fundamental idea in both is that the body should be used only for spiritual advancement, but if it is used simply for physical advancernent then the nature of the soul is not fulfilled. What I have said with regard to the monks may not be fully observed by the lay people, because they bave to support their families, etc., and have in many ways to live a different lire, 02 account of all these reasons the lay people could not be on the highest plane. In ancient times when in all countries there was a system of nonkhood, there were many spirituai persons; because the institutions of the coun. try were such that people could live that kind of life, but when civilization has advanced and numerous wants are created, the spirituality is lost, because it requires all the time of the people to supply their material needs. There is greater difficulty in the way not only of ordinary people but also of spiritually inclined people. There are so many difficulties in their way that they cannot get rid of them without causing trouble to some one. It is a result of the past Karma of some people. It should be borne in mind that no occult power of the soul can be brought forth
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