A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga | Page 7

the mind to
centre upon the "I," and many cases of dawning Initiation have resulted
from this practice. Many original thinkers have stumbled upon this
method, without having been taught it. A noted example is that of Lord
Tennyson, who has written that he attained a degree of Initiation in this
way. He would repeat his own name, over and over, and the same time
meditating upon his identity, and he reports that he would become
conscious and "aware" of his reality and immortality--in short would
recognize himself as a real center of consciousness.
We think we have given you the key to the first stage of meditation and
concentration. Before passing on, let us quote from one of the old
Hindu Masters. He says, regarding this matter: "When the soul sees

itself as a Centre surrounded by its circumference--when the Sun
knows that it is a Sun, and is surrounded by its whirling planets--then is
it ready for the Wisdom and Power of the Masters."
THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE "I" FROM
THE BODY. Many of the Candidates find themselves prevented from a
full realization of the "I" (even after they have begun to grasp it) by the
confusing of the reality of the "I" with the sense of the physical body.
This is a stumbling block that is easily overcome by meditation and
concentration, the independence of the "I" often becoming manifest to
the Candidate in a flash, upon the proper thought being used as the
subject of meditation.
The exercise is given as follows: Place yourself in the State of
Meditation, and think of YOURSELF--the Real "I"--as being
independent of the body, but using the body as a covering and an
instrument. Think of the body as you might of a suit of clothes. Realize
that you are able to leave the body, and still be the same "I." Picture
yourself as doing this, and looking down upon your body. Think of the
body as a shell from which you may emerge without affecting your
identity. Think of yourself as mastering and controlling the body that
you occupy, and using it to the best advantage, making it healthy,
strong and vigorous, but still being merely a shell or covering for the
real "You." Think of the body as composed of atoms and cells which
are constantly changing, but which are held together by the force of
your Ego, and which you can improve at Will. Realize that you are
merely inhabiting the body, and using it for your convenience, just as
you might use a house.
In meditating further, ignore the body entirely, and place your thought
upon the Real "I" that you are beginning to feel to be "you," and you
will find that your identity--your "I"--is something entirely apart from
the body. You may now say "my body" with a new meaning. Divorce
the idea of your being a physical being, and realize that you are above
body. But do not let this conception and realization cause you to ignore
the body. You must regard the body as the Temple of the Spirit, and
care for it, and make it a fit habitation for the "I." Do not be frightened

if, during this meditation, you happen to experience the sensation of
being out of the body for a few moments, and of returning to it when
you are through with the exercise. The Ego is able (in the case of the
advanced Initiate) of soaring above the confines of the body, but it
never severs its connection at such times. It is merely as if one were to
look out of the window of a room, seeing what was going on outside,
and drawing in his head when he wishes. He does not leave the room,
although he may place his head outside in order to observe what is
doing in the street. We do not advise the Candidate to try to cultivate
this sensation--but if it comes naturally during meditation, do not fear.
REALIZING THE IMMORTALITY AND INVINCIBILITY OF THE
EGO. While the majority accept on faith the belief in the Immortality
of the Soul, yet but few are aware that it may be demonstrated by the
soul itself. The Yogi Masters teach the Candidates this lesson, as
follows: The Candidate places himself in the State of Meditation, or at
least in a thoughtful frame of mind, and then endeavors to "imagine"
himself as "dead"--that is, he tries to form a mental conception of
himself as dead. This, at first thought, appears a very easy thing to
imagine, but as a matter of fact it is impossible to do so, for the Ego
refuses to entertain the proposition, and finds it impossible to imagine it.
Try it for yourself. You will find that you