the stress and strain of ordinary life. It can be undertaken only on understanding fully
the nature of human life and the misery and suffering which are inherent in it and the
further realization that the only way to end this misery and suffering permanently is to
find the Truth which is enshrined within ourselves, by the only method which is avail-
able, namely, Yogic discipline. It is also true that the attainment of this objective is a
long-term affair and the aspirant should be prepared to spend a number of lives—as
many lives as may be required—in its wholehearted and single-minded pursuit. No one
can know in the beginning his potentialities and how much time will be needed. He
can hope for the best but must be prepared for the worst.
Those who do not feel themselves equal to this task are not under any compul-
sion to attempt it immediately. They can continue the theoretical study of Yoga, think
constantly over life's deeper problems, try to purify their mind and strengthen their
character, until their power of discrimination becomes sufficiently strong to enable
them to pierce through ordinary illusions and see life in its naked reality. In fact, this
is the purpose of Kriya Yoga to which Patanjali has referred in the beginning of Sec-
tion II. When the inner eyes of true discrimination begin to open as a result of the
practice of Kriya Yoga they will cease to wonder whether they are strong enough to
undertake this long and difficult journey to their true homes. Then nothing will be able
to stop them, and they will naturally and whole-heartedly devote themselves to this
difficult but sacred task.
The important point is to make a definite beginning somewhere and as soon as
possible—Now. The moment such a serious beginning is made forces begin to gather
round the centre of endeavour and take the aspirant forward towards his goal, slowly at
first, but with increasing speed until he becomes so absorbed in the pursuit of his ideal
that time and distance cease to matter for him. And one day he finds that he has
reached his goal and looks back with a kind of wonder at the long and tedious journey
which he has completed in the realm of Time while all the time he was living in the
Eternal.
I. K. TAIMNI