PDF version - Geae

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It is good to live in contact by thought with writers of genius, the veritably great authors of all times
and all countries; to read and meditate on their works, to impregnate the being with the substance of their
souls. The radiations of their thoughts will awaken in us similar efforts and lead to modifications of our
character through the impressions received. It is well to choose our reading with care, then to let our thoughts
ripen it until we can assimilate the quintessence. In general we read too much - too hastily - and meditate not
at all! It is better to read less and reflect more on what we read. It is a sure method of fortifying our
intelligence to gather the fruits of wisdom and beauty which we find in good books: in that as in all things, the
beautiful attracts and generates the beautiful, even as goodness attracts and generates the beautiful, even as
goodness attracts happiness, and evil suffering. In silent, reflective study lies development of the thoughts. The
greatest works are elaborated in the silence. In meditation the mind is concentrated: it turns toward the grave
and serious side of things: the light spiritual world inundates it.
About the thinker, invisible great spirits come, eager to inspire him. It is in the half-light of tranquil
hours, or in the discreet shade of his study lamp, that they can best enter into communication with him:
everywhere and always an occult life mingles with ours.
Avoid noisy discussions, vain words, frivolous reading: read daily papers sparingly. Passing lightly as
they do from one subject to another, they render the mind unstable. We live in a period of anemic
intellectuality which is caused by the rarity of serious study and the insufficient educative system: let us attach
ourselves to substantial works – to works which can enlighten us on the profound laws of life and facilitate our
evolution. Little by little we will find growing in us a greater intelligence and consciousness, and our etheric
body will shine with reflections of high and pure thoughts. Because of the thousand exterior objects which
occupy it without cessation, the mind rarely probes its own depths. Its surface, like that of the sea, is often
agitated, but beneath are regions that the storms do not reach.
There lie those hidden powers which await our call to appear. The appeal is made rarely, and man
remains ignorant of the treasures which repose in him. It requires the shock of trouble and sorrow to make him
understand the fragility of exterior things and to guide him toward the search of himself – toward the discovery
of his spiritual wealth. That is why great souls become more noble and beautiful as their sorrows become
keener: with each new blow, they have the consciousness of approaching a little nearer to truth and perfection,
and this thought is like a bitter tonic. A new star has arisen in the heaven of their destiny – a star whose
trembling rays penetrate to the inner sanctuary of their being, illuminating every hidden corner.
In minds of high intelligence and culture sorrow sows rich seeds, and every grief is a blade from
which springs a harvest of virtue and beauty. At certain hour of our lives – the death of a mother – the crushing
of an ardent hope – the loss of a loved one – each time that one of the ties which binds us to this world is
broken, a mysterious voice cries from the depths of our souls – a solemn voice which speaks to us of a
thousand laws more august and venerable than those of earth and an ideal world damns on us. But the voices
of earth stifle this voice, and the human mind falls again almost always into its doubts and its hesitations, on
the vulgar plane of earth existence.
There is no progress possible without attentive self-analysis. We must watch over our impulsive
actions in order to know in what manner to improve ourselves. First we must regulate the physical life and
reduce the material needs to the necessities, in order to secure health of the body, that indispensable instrument
of our earthly role. Then comes the discipline of the emotions and impulses, their domination and utilization as
agents for the perfection of character. We must learn the art of forgetfulness of self – of the sacrifice of the
lesser ME, and the elimination of all selfishness. He only is truly happy in this life who has learned selfforgetfulness.
It is not enough to believe and know - we must live our faith and knowledge; we must penetrate
our daily life with the high principles we have adopted. We must habituate ourselves to communicate by
thought, will, and heart with the eminent spirits who have revealed themselves to us- with the elite souls who
have served as guides for humanity. We must live with them in a daily intimacy, inspire ourselves by their
views, and feel their influence by that perception which develops our rapport with worlds invisible.
Among these great souls it is good to choose one who seems the most worthy of our admiration, and in
all difficult circumstances, where we oscillate between two decisions, to ask ourselves what this great soul
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