on the subject—­owing to danger of confusion and misconception.  But in these Lessons we shall speak the Truth plainly, and without fear—­for such is the Message which has been given us to deliver to our students—­and we will perform the Right action, leaving the Result, or Fruits of the Action, where it belongs, according to the higher teachings found in the “Bhagavad Gita,” and in the Higher Teachings of the Yogi Philosophy.

The fundamental Truth embedded in the Wisdom-Philosophies of the East—­the Higher Yogi Teachings—­is the impregnable doctrine of the One Self in the many selves—­the many selves in the One Self.  This fundamental Truth underlies all the Oriental Philosophies which are esoteric in their nature.

Notwithstanding the crude and often repulsive conceptions and practices of the masses of the people who represent the exoteric, or popular, phase of the teachings (and these two phases are to be found in all regions) still there is always this Inner Doctrine of the One Self, to be found to those who look for it.

Not only is this true among the Hindus; but even among the Mahommedans, of all countries, there is an Inner Circle of Mystics, known as the Sufis, holding to this Truth.  And the inner teachings of the philosophies of all ages and races, have held likewise.  And the highest thought of the philosophers of the Western races, has found refuge in this idea of the Over-soul, or Universal Self.  But, it is only among the Yogis that we find an attempt made to explain the real nature of the manifestation of the One in Many—­the holding of the Many forms in the One Self.

Before proceeding to the consideration of how the One becomes as Many, as expounded by the Higher Yogi Teachings, it becomes necessary to speak of a matter upon which there has been much confusion and misunderstanding, not only on the part of the students of various Oriental Philosophies, but also upon the part of some of the teachers themselves.  We allude to the connection between THE ONE—­THE ABSOLUTE—­in Its ESSENCE—­and that which has been called the One Life; the Universal Life, etc.

Many writers have spoken of the Universal Life, and The One, as being identical—­but such is a grievous error, finding no warrant in the Highest Yogi Teachings.  It is true that all living forms dwell in, and are infilled with the Universal Life—­that All Life is One.  We have taught this truth, and it is indeed Truth, without qualification.  But there is still a Higher Truth—­the Highest Truth, in fact—­and that is, that even this Universal Life is not the One, but, instead, is in itself a manifestation of, and emanation from, THE ONE.  There is a great difference here—–­see that you perceive and understand it, before proceeding further.

THE ONE—­THE ABSOLUTE—­according to the Highest Teachings, is Pure Spirit, and not Life, Mind, or Being as we understand them in our finite and mortal expressions.  But, still all Life, Mind, and Being, as we understand them, spring from, flow from, and emanate from, the One—­and more than this, may be spoken of as reflections of the Life, Mind, and Being of The One, if we may be permitted to apply the names of finite manifestations to the Infinite Reality.