The Place ofPeace. 63
naturearemovedbycontactwithexternalthings
and feel the whirl of the materiallifearound
them,wealsoinconsciousnessareaffected,and
"the uncontrolled heart, following the dictates
of the movmg passions, snatcheth away our
"spiritualknowledge,asthestormthebarkupon
theraging ocean." Thence excitement, lossof
balance,irritability,injuredfeelings,resentments,follies, pain-all that is most separated from
peaceandcalmand strength.
The way to begin to tread the Path that
leadstothe Place of Peaceisto endeavourto
identify our consciousnesswith the True Self,
to see as it sees, to judge as it judges. We
cannot do it-that goes without saying-but
we can begin to try. And the means are:
disengagement from the objects of the senses,
carelessness as to results,and meditation, ever
renewed, on the True Self. Let us consider
eachof thesemeans.
The first of these can be gained onlybya
constant and wise self-disciphne. We can
cultivate indifference to small discomforts, to
pleasures of the table,to physical enjoyments,
bearingwithgood-humoured toleranceoutward
thingsastheycome,neithershunningnorcourt-
ingsmall pleasuresorpains. Gradually,with-