Equinox I (04).pdf
Equinox I (04).pdf Equinox I (04).pdf
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known it becomes untrue, it loses its Virginity, that mysterious power of attraction the Unknown always possesses; it no longer represents our ideal, though it may form an excellent foundation for the next ideal; and so on until Knowledge and Nescience are out-stepped.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.
THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING The first veil against which we must warn the aspirant is the entanglement of language, of words and of names. The merest tyro will answer, “of course you need not explain to me that, if I call a thing ‘A’ or ‘B,’ it makes no difference to that thing in itself.” And yet not only the tyro, but many of the astutest philosophers have fallen into this snare, and not only once but an hundred times; the reason being that they have not remained silent* about that which can only be “known” and not “believed in,” and that which can never be names without begetting a duality (an untruth), and consequently a whole world of illusions. It is the crucifixion of every world-be Saviour, this teaching of a truth under the symbol of a lie, this would-be explanation to the multitude of the unexplainable, this passing off on the canaille the strumpet of language (the Consciously Known) in the place of the Virgin of the World (the Consciously Unknown).† No philosophy has ever grasped this terrible limitation so firmly as the Vedânta. “All experimental knowledge, the four Vedas and the whole series of empirical science, as they are enumerated in Chândogya, 7. 1. 2-3, are ‘nâma eva,’ ‘mere name.’ ”‡ As the Rig Veda says, “they call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged Garutmân. To what is one, sages give many a title: they call it Agni, Tama, Mâtirisvan.”§ * The highest men are calm, silent and unknown. They are the men who really know the power of thought; they are sure that, even if they go into a cave and close the door and simply think five true thoughts and then pass away, these five thoughts of theres will live through eternity. (Vivekânanda, “Karma Yoga,” Udbodhan edition, pp. 164, 165.) † Or the Unconsciously Known. ‡ Deussen, op. cit., p. 76. § “Rigveda” (Griffiths), i. 164. 46. “You may call the Creator of all things 55
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THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING<br />
The first veil against which we must warn the aspirant is<br />
the entanglement of language, of words and of names. The<br />
merest tyro will answer, “of course you need not explain to me<br />
that, if I call a thing ‘A’ or ‘B,’ it makes no difference to that<br />
thing in itself.” And yet not only the tyro, but many of the<br />
astutest philosophers have fallen into this snare, and not only<br />
once but an hundred times; the reason being that they have<br />
not remained silent* about that which can only be<br />
“known” and not “believed in,” and that which can never be<br />
names without begetting a duality (an untruth), and<br />
consequently a whole world of illusions. It is the crucifixion<br />
of every world-be Saviour, this teaching of a truth under the<br />
symbol of a lie, this would-be explanation to the multitude of<br />
the unexplainable, this passing off on the canaille the strumpet<br />
of language (the Consciously Known) in the place of the<br />
Virgin of the World (the Consciously Unknown).†<br />
No philosophy has ever grasped this terrible limitation so<br />
firmly as the Vedânta. “All experimental knowledge, the four<br />
Vedas and the whole series of empirical science, as they are<br />
enumerated in Chândogya, 7. 1. 2-3, are ‘nâma eva,’ ‘mere<br />
name.’ ”‡ As the Rig Veda says, “they call him Indra, Mitra,<br />
Varuna, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged Garutmân.<br />
To what is one, sages give many a title: they call it Agni,<br />
Tama, Mâtirisvan.”§<br />
* The highest men are calm, silent and unknown. They are the men who<br />
really know the power of thought; they are sure that, even if they go into a<br />
cave and close the door and simply think five true thoughts and then pass away,<br />
these five thoughts of theres will live through eternity. (Vivekânanda,<br />
“Karma Yoga,” Udbodhan edition, pp. 164, 165.)<br />
† Or the Unconsciously Known. ‡ Deussen, op. cit., p. 76.<br />
§ “Rigveda” (Griffiths), i. 164. 46. “You may call the Creator of all things<br />
55