the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

74
THE EQUINOX
The Gnana Yoga P., as the student, had already long
prctised in his study of the Holy Qabalah; so also had he
Karma Yoga by his acts of service whilst a Neophyte in the
Order of the Golden Dawn; but now at the suggestion of D. A.
he betook himself to practice of Hatha and Raja Yoga.
Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga are so intimately connected,
that instead of forming two separate methods, they rather
form the first half and second half of one and the same.
Before discussing either the Hatha or Raja Yogas, it will be
necessary to explain the conditions under which Yoga should
be performed. These conditions being the conventional ones,
each individual should by practice discover those more
particularly suited to himself.
i. The Guru.
Before commencing any Yoga practice, according to
every Hindu book upon this subject, it is first necessary to
find a Guru,* or teacher, to whom the disciple (Chela) must
entirely devote himself: as the "Shiva Sanhita" says:
11. Only the knowledge imparted by a Guru is powerful and useful; otherwise
it becomes fruitless, weak and very painful.
12. He who attains knowledge by pleasing his Guru with every attention,
readily obtains success therein.
13. There is not the least doubt that Guru is father, Guru is mother, and Guru
is God even: and as such, he should be served by all, with their thought, word
and deed.†
ii. Place. Solitude and Silence.
The place where Yoga is performed should be a beautiful
and pleasant place, according to the Shiva Sanhita.‡ In the
* A Guru is as necessary in Yoga as a Music Master is in Music.
† “Shiva Sanhita,” chap. iii.
‡ Ibid., chap. v, 184, 185. The aspirant should firstly, join the assembly of