LESSON PAGE

   I. The One 1

  II.  Omnipresent Life 27

 III.  The Creative Will 51

  IV.  The Unity of Life 75

   V. The One and the Many 101

  VI.  Within the Mind of the One 127

VII.   Cosmic Evolution                   153
VIII.   The Ascent of Man                  177

  IX.  Metempsychosis 203

   X. Spiritual Evolution 229

  XI.  The Law of Karma 253

 XII.  Occult Miscellany 277

THE FIRST LESSON

THE ONE.

The Yogi Philosophy may be divided into several great branches, or fields.  What is known as “Hatha Yoga” deals with the physical body and its control; its welfare; its health; its preservation; its laws, etc.  What is known as “Raja Yoga” deals with the Mind; its control; its development; its unfoldment, etc.  What is known as “Bhakti Yoga” deals with the Love of the Absolute—­God.  What is known as “Gnani Yoga” deals with the scientific and intellectual knowing of the great questions regarding Life and what lies back of Life—­the Riddle of the Universe.

Each branch of Yoga is but a path leading toward the one end—­unfoldment, development, and growth.  He who wishes first to develop, control and strengthen his physical body so as to render it a fit instrument of the Higher Self, follows the path of “Hatha Yoga.”  He who would develop his will-power and mental faculties, unfolding the inner senses, and latent powers, follows the path of “Raja Yoga.”  He who wishes to develop by “knowing”—­by studying the fundamental principles, and the wonderful truths underlying Life, follows the path of “Gnani Yoga.”  And he who wishes to grow into a union with the One Life by the influence of Love, he follows the path of “Bhakti Yoga.”

But it must not be supposed that the student must ally himself to only a single one of these paths to power.  In fact, very few do.  The majority prefer to gain a rounded knowledge, and acquaint themselves with the principles of the several branches, learning something of each, giving preference of course to those branches that appeal to them more strongly, this attraction being the indication of need, or requirement, and, therefore, being the hand pointing out the path.

It is well for every one to know something of “Hatha Yoga,” in order that the body may be purified, strengthened, and kept in health in order to become a more fitting instrument of the Higher Self.  It is well that each one should know something of “Raja Yoga,” that he may understand the training and control of the mind, and the use of the Will.  It is well that every one should learn the wisdom of “Gnani Yoga,” that he may realize the wonderful truths underlying life—­the science of Being.  And, most assuredly every one should know something of Bhakti Yogi, that he may understand the great teachings regarding the Love underlying all life.