the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

54
THE EQUINOX
the “thing in itself” is very certain, for it is only what “WE
see.” Yet nevertheless we renounce this as being absurd, or
not renouncing it, at least do not live up to our assertion; for,
we name that which is a reality to a child, and a deceit or
illusion to a man, an apparition or a shadow. Thus, little by
little, we beget a new reality upon the old reality, a new
falsehood upon the old falsehood, namely, that the thing we
see is “an illusion” and is not “a reality,” seldom considering
that the true difference between the one and the other is but
the difference of name. Then after a little do we begin to
believe in “the illusion” as firmly and concretely as we once
believed in “the reality,” seldom considering that all belief is
illusionary, and that knowledge is only true as long as it
remains unknown.*
Now Knowledge is identification, not with the inner or
outer of a thing, but with that which cannot be explained by
either, and which is the essence of the thing in itself,† and
which the Upanishads name the Âtman. Identification with
this Âtman (Emerson's “Oversoul”) is therefore the end of
Religion and Philosophy alike.
“Verily he who has seen, heard, comprehended and known
the Âtman, by him is this entire universe known.”‡ Because
there is but one Âtman and not many Âtmans.
* Once the Unknown becomes known it becomes untrue, it loses its Virginity,
that mysterious power of attraction the Unknown always possesses; it no longer
represents our ideal, though it may form an excellent foundation for the next
ideal; and so on until Knowledge and Nescience are out-stepped. General and
popluar Knowledge is like a common prostitute, the toy of any man. To maintain
this purity, this virginity, are the mysteries kept secret from the multitude.
† And yet again this is a sheer deceit, as every conceit must be.
‡ Brihadâranyka Upanishad, 2. 4. 5b.