“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and hailing men and women, committed them to prison.

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings, and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound, unto Jerusalem.

“And as he journeyed he came near unto Damascus, and suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven.

“And he fell to the earth and heard a voice saying unto him:  ’Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’

“And he said:  ‘Who art thou, Lord?’ And the Lord said:  ’I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.’

“And he trembling and astonished, said:  ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me do?’

“And the Lord said unto him:  ’Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.’

“And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no man.

“And Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened he saw no man; but they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

“And he was three days without sight and neither did eat nor drink.

“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, and to him said the Lord in a vision:  ‘Ananias;’ and he said:  ’Lord, behold, I am here.’  And the Lord said unto him:  ’Arise and go into the street called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus; for behold, he prayeth.  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him that he might receive his sight.’  Then Ananias answered:  ’Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done by thy saints at Jerusalem.  And here he hath authority from the high priests to bind all that call on thy name.’  But the Lord said unto him:  ’Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and children of Israel.  For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.’

“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said:  ’Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.’  And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose and was baptized.”

Like all those who have entered cosmic consciousness, Paul sought the blessing of solitude, that he might readjust himself to his changed viewpoint, since he now saw things in the light of the larger consciousness.

He says: 

“Immediately I conferred, not with flesh and blood; neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.”