After many centuries of material strife, with the object of satisfying the demands of human life, the conviction is forcing itself upon people in all walks of life, that wealth, ambition, power and possessions, do not give us the answer to the eternal unescapable and insistent question of the way to happiness.

This means that there is awakening in the human race more generally than at any other time in recorded history, a realization that the human organism is not merely a physical aggregate of cells, nor yet that it is mind individualized and in operation for the purpose of exercising new powers.  The fact is becoming apparent that all discovery is but an uncovering of those vast areas of consciousness which are limitless; and which include not only all life on this planet, but all life in the Cosmos.  In short, cosmic consciousness is becoming perceived, by a vast majority, and is being realized by not a few.

But in the immediate future of the race, we find the next step, for the majority to be that of soul-consciousness.

Back of thought, like a guardian angel stands the desire of the soul, stimulating and directing; back of action stands thought, as the master directs the servant, or as the captain decides the course of the ship.

Spiritual evolution may be understood, or at least perceived, from a study of physical and mental evolution.  From the crude to the perfect is the law; if this perfection of species, or of phases, could be attained without pain, it were well.  Pain comes from lack of wisdom to realize that out of the lower the higher inevitably springs, as the butterfly springs from the cocoon; as the flower springs from the seed; “as above so below” is a translation of an old Sinto saying, which also bids us “trust in Kami and keep clean.”

Again it is said “to him who overcometh, will I give the inheritance.” Overcoming may be variously interpreted.  In the past, it has been presented to the initiate, as sacrifice.  If so it be, then is it because of lack of that wisdom which knows that there is no sacrifice in exchanging the physical for the spiritual—­the ephemeral for the abiding.

Says the ancient manuscripts: 

“The body is purified by water, the mind by truth, the soul by knowledge and austerity, the reason by wisdom.”

But as the groping, undeveloped soul struggles for consciousness, it reaches out for the gratification of mental desires.  The soul is moved by desire for perfect happiness.  The mind seeks to satisfy this craving for happiness in increased activities; in accumulation; in so-called pleasure, i.e. always looking outside—­thinking outside, living in the outside—­the maya.  But the soul has but one answer to this quest for happiness.  It is love, because only love and wisdom give immortality—­which is self-preservation in the true sense.

It is written in the Shruti:  “Brahman is wisdom and bliss.”