Cosmic Consciousness | Page 7

"saved" from
further incarnations--from further experience.
The term cosmic consciousness as well describes this condition of the
disciple, as any words can, perhaps, although the term liberation is
more literal, since the influx of this state of being, is actually the
liberation of the atman, the eternal Self, from the illusion of the
external, or maya.
Contrary to the general belief, instances of cosmic consciousness are
not extremely rare, although they are not at all general. Particularly is
this true in the Orient, where the chief concern as it were, of the people
has for centuries been the realization of this state of liberation.
The Oriental initiate in the study of religious practices, realizes that
these devotions are for the sole purpose of attaining mukti, whereas in
the Occident, the very general idea held by the religious devotee, is one
of penance; of propitiation of Deity. This truth applies essentially to the
initiate, the aspirant for priesthood, or guru-ship. No qualified priest or
guru of the Orient harbors any doubt regarding the object, or purpose of
religious practices. The attainment of the spiritual experience described
in occidental language as "cosmic consciousness" is the goal.
The goal is not a peaceful death; nor yet an humble entrance into
heaven as a place of abode; nor is it the ultimate satisfying of a God of
extreme justice; the "eye for an eye" God of the fear-stricken
theologian.
One purpose only, actuates the earnest disciple, like a glorious star
lighting the path of the mariner on life's troublous sea. That goal is the
attainment of that beatific state in which is revealed to the soul and the
mind, the real and the unreal; the eternal substance of truth, and the

shifting kaleidoscope of maya.
Nor can there be any purpose in the pursuit of either religion or
philosophy other than this attainment; nor does the unceasing practice
of rites and ceremonies; of contemplation; renunciation; prayers;
fasting; penance; devotion; service; adoration; absteminousness; or
isolation, insure the attainment of this state of bliss. There is no
bartering; no assurance of reward for good conduct. It is not as though
one would say, "Ah, my child, if thou wouldst purchase liberation thou
shalt follow this recipe."
No golden promises of speedy entrance into Paradise may be given the
disciple. Nor any exact rules, or laws of equation by virtue of which the
goal shall be reached. Nor yet may any specific time be correctly
estimated in which to serve a novitiate, before final initiation.
Many indeed, attain a high degree of spirituality, and yet not have
found the key of perfect liberation, although the goal may be not far
off.
Many, very many, on earth to-day, are living so close to the borderland
of the new birth that they catch fleeting glimpses of the longed-for
freedom, but the full import of its meaning does not dawn. There is yet
another veil, however thin, between them and the Light.
The Buddha spent seven years in an intense longing and desire to attain
that liberation which brought him consciousness of
godhood--deliverance from the sense of sin and sorrow that had
oppressed him; immunity from the necessity for reincarnation.
Jesus became a Christ only after passing through the agonies of
Gethsemane. A Christ is one who has found liberation; who has been
born again in his individual consciousness into the inner areas of
consciousness which are of the atman, and this attainment establishes
his identity with The Absolute.
All oriental religions and philosophies teach that this state of
consciousness, is possible to all men; therefore all men are gods in

embryo.
But no philosophy or religion may promise the devotee the realization
of this grace, nor yet can they deny its possible attainment to any.
Strangely enough, if we estimate men by externalities, we discover that
there is no measure by which the supra-conscious man may be
measured. The obscure and unlearned have been known to possess this
wonderful power which dissolves the seeming, and leaves only the
contemplation of the Real.
So also, men of great learning have experienced this rebirth; but it
would seem that much cultivation of the intellectual qualities, unless
accompanied by an humble and reverent spirit, frequently acts as a
barrier to the realization of supra-consciousness.
In "Texts of Taoism," Kwang-Tse, one of the Illuminati, writes:
"He whose mind is thus grandly fixed, emits a heavenly light. In him
who emits this heavenly light, men see the true man (i.e., the _atman_;
the Self). When a man has cultivated himself to this point, thenceforth
he remains constant in himself. When he is thus constant in himself,
what is merely the human element will leave him, but Heaven will help
him. Those whom Heaven helps, we call the sons of Heaven. Those
who would, by learning, attain