You have often heard persons, claiming to be acquainted with the teachings of Theosophy and other expositions of the Oriental Wisdom Religion (including our own presentation), asserting that the Oriental mind was ever bent upon attaining a final stage of Nothingness or Extinction in Nirvana.  In addition to what we have said, and to what we shall say on this subject, let us quote from the inspired writer of the “Secret Doctrine” (a standard Theosophical work) when she says, in that work on page 286, Vol.  I:  “Is this annihilation, as some think? ...  To see in Nirvana annihilation, amounts to saying of a man plunged in a sound, dreamless sleep—­one that leaves no impression on the physical memory and brain, because the sleeper’s Higher Self is in its original state of absolute consciousness during these hours—­that he too is annihilated.  The latter simile answers only to one side of the question—­the most material; since reabsorption is by no means such a dreamless sleep, but, on the contrary, absolute existence, an unconditional unity, or a state, to describe which human language is absolutely and hopelessly inadequate...  Nor is the individuality—­nor even the essence of the personality, if any be left behind—­lost because re-absorbed.”  As J. Wm. Lloyd says, in connection with the above quotation, “This seems conclusive proof that Theosophy does not regard Nirvana as annihilation, but as an infinite enlargement of consciousness.”  And we would add that this is true not only as regards the Nirvana of the Theosophist, but also of the consciousness of the Unity of Life—­the Universal Life.  This too is not annihilation of individual consciousness, but an “infinite enlargement of consciousness” as this Western writer Lloyd has so well expressed it.

The very consciousness of Life that every man feels within him, comes not from something belonging exclusively to himself as a separate or personal thing.  On the contrary, it belongs to his Individuality, not to his Personality, and is a phase of his consciousness or “awareness” of his relation to the One Universal Life which underlies his existence, and in which he is a center of consciousness.  Do you grasp this idea?  If not, meditate and concentrate upon it, for it is important.  You must learn to feel the Life within you, and to know that it is the Life of the great Ocean of Universal Life upon the bosom of which you are borne as a centre of consciousness and energy.  In this thought there is Power, Strength, Calm, Peace, and Wisdom.  Acquire it, if you are wise.  It is indeed a Gift from the Gods.