the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING
The six Chakkras are points often used by the Yogi when
in contemplation. Thus seated in the Padmâsana he will fix
his attention in the Ajna lotus, and by contemplating upon
this light the “Shiva Sanhita”* informs us “all sins
(unbalanced forces) are destroyed, and even the most wicked
(unbalanced) person obtains the highest end.”
Those who would practise Dhâranâ successfully should
live alone, and should take care to distract the mind as little
as possible. They should not speak much or work much, and
they should avoid all places, persons and food which repel
them.† The first signs of success will be better health and
temperament, and a clearer voice. Those who practise
zealously will towards the final stages of Dhâranâ hear sounds
as of the pealing of distant bells,‡ and will see specks of light
floating before them which will grow larger and larger as the
concentration proceeds. “Practice hard!” urges Swami Vivekânanda,
“whether you live or die, it does not matter. You
have to plunge in and work, without thinking of the result. If
you are brave enough, in six months you will be a perfect
Yogi.Ӥ
DHYÂNA.
After Dhâranâ we arrive at Dhyâna, or meditation upon
the outpouring of the mind on the object held by the will.ƒƒ
* See Chapter V, 43-51.
† Compare the Abramelin instructions with these. ‡ The Nada.
§ Compare Eliphas Levi, “Doctrine and Ritual of Magic,” p. 195.
ƒƒ Imagine the objective world to be represented by a sheet of paper covered
with letters and the names of things, and our power of concentration to be a
magnifying glass: that power is of no use, should we wish to burn that paper,
until the rays of light are focussed. By moving the glass or paper with our hand
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