The spiritual life

(Martin Jones) #1

Its Meaningand Method.^151


all-pervading Spirit that animates the whole.


And when that mighty sacrificeis realised as


thelifeof the universe,whatjoymorefulland


passionatethantothrowoneself into thesacri-


fice and havea share in it, however small,to


bepartofthesacrificiallifebywhichtheworlds


evolve. Well might it be said by thosewho


see life, and realisewhat it means: *'Where,


then, is sorrow, where, then, delusion, when


once the Onc-ness hasbeen seen?" Thatis


the secret of the joy of the spiritual man.


Losing everything outside, he wins everything


within.

I have often said,andit remains true ever,


thatwhilethelifeof theformconsistsintaking,


thelifeof the spirit consistsin giving,anditis


that which made the Christ, as the type of


the Spiritual Giver, declare: "It is more


blessed to give than to receive." For, truly,

those who know the joy of giving have no


hankeringsafterthejoyofreceiving; theyknow


theupwelling springof joyunfailing thatarises

withintheheartas the Life poursout. Forif


the DivineLifecouldflowintousandwekeep


itwithinourselves,itwouldbecomeevenasthe


mountain-streambecomesifitbecaughtinsome


place whence it may not issue, and gradually


grows stagnant, sluggish, dead; but the life

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