On Some Difficulties ofthe Inner Life. 41
forsuch finding gives him the most important
condition forturning emotion from aretardmg
force into a lifting one, and for gaining the
neededpowerto "want" thatwhichheknows
tobethebest. Wecannotlovewithoutseeking
to please, and we cannot reverence without
takingjoyintheapprovaloftheonewerevere.
Hence comes a constant stimulus to improve
ourselves, to build up character, to purify the
nature,toconquerallinusthatisbase,tostriveafterallthatisworthy. Wefindourselvesquite
spontaneously"wanting"toreacha highideal,
and thegreat motive poweris sent along the
channelshewnout foritbythe mind. There
is no way of utilising the desire-nature more
certain and more effective than the making of
suchatie,the reflection in the lower worldof
thatperfectbondwhichlinksthediscipletothe
Master.Anotherusefulwayofstimulatingthedesire-
natureasalifting forceistoseek thecompany
of anywhoaremore advanced inthe spiritual
lifethanweareourselves. It is notnecessary
thattheyshouldteachusorally,orindeedtalk
tousatall. Theirverypresenceisabenediction,