The spiritual life

(Martin Jones) #1

On Some Difficulties ofthe Inner Life.^35


whole life. For a few advanced beings this


life of sensation is transcended. The vast


majorityoccupythevariousstageswhichstretch


between this life of sensation and thatwhich


hastranscendedsuchsensation: thoseofmixed


sensation and emotion and thought in diverse


proportions, and of emotion and thought in


diverse proportions. Inthe life thatiswholly


of sensation there is no multiplicityof "^1 s,'


and thereforeno conflict; in the lifethat has


transcended sensationthere is an Inner Ruler,

Immortal, and there is no conflict; but in all


the ranges between there are manifold "I's


"


andamongthemconflict.


Let us consider this life of sensation as

found in the savage of low development.


There is an "I," passionate, craving, fierce,


grasping, when aroused toactivity. But there


is no conflict, savewith the world outsidehis


physical body. With that he may war, but


inner war he knows not. He does what he


wants, without questionings beforehand or re-

morse afterwards; the actions of the body


followthe promptingsof desire,and the mind


does not challenge, norcriticise, nor condemn.


It merelypictures and records, storingup ma-


terials for future elaboration. Its evolution is

forwardedbythedemandsmade uponit bythe

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