Having conquered illusion and become indifferent to the pairs of opposites, with our gaze fixed on the Truth we perceive, it would seem as if all was well, and all we needed was energy to go on and on! But this is not so, we are told. The greatest obstacle on our path arises within ourselves—the pride of achievement. How wonderful we are! On what pinnacle we stand! With such thoughts, we are on the way to failure. We need to protect our mind from these thoughts. On the path of Virya, we shall fail if we have not realized completely the difference between the lower man and the Higher Man, the Thinking Self, for we shall then mirror back the things of the earth. Before we can enter the gate of Dhyana, we must be incapable of mirroring back anything of the earth. Earthly thoughts must find no place in our consciousness.
We can well visualize what energy we shall need, what strength of mind and heart, to reach the goal ahead. The phrase given to us, "Diamond-Soul," is mantramic. "Make hard thy Soul against the snares of Self; deserve for it the name of Diamond-Soul," we are told. We can deserve it only when we have realized the fact of immortality. Illusion has been conquered; reality dimly perceived; the passing illusions have been seen to be such. All thoughts have been stilled; the consciousness has been centred on the ONE. Time has ceased to be. That which has been acquired is "ceaseless contemplation" on Sat. Hence the picture is given of an alabaster vase, white and transparent. Only the golden flame of Prajna, the energy of Spirit, is seen within. We are that vase. Nothing now separates us from the ALL. The mind has reached a condition of fixity; thought-impressions may batter against the outside of the vase, but complete non-attention to them kills them before they have affected us.
But, in spite of all dangers and failures, the courage that began to work in us when we developed Kshanti, and led us on through the other doorways, has remained undaunted and undiminished.
What will help us to keep up our courage? Only the memory of why we are undergoing these trials—the Dana virtue—love for our fellow men. Treading this arduous path is just not worth the trouble if self-benefit is our sole aim. Nothing but appreciation of the need to succeed, because of the help we can render others, can possibly urge us on through the final stages.
Hence it is that when the goal is reached all Nature is affected, for we have made our links throughout, and therefore all benefit by our success. Just as we have received help, so now we must give help, and all we have gained passes through us back into the world of forms. Our mind grasps the vision of boundless space. We are free.
Yet, having freed our minds from all thoughts, it is necessary at this stage to make our inner ear receptive if we would not lose all we have gained. Having become deaf to roarings as to whispers, we have to hear the great cry which arises from infinity, the cry for help. We must feel for the suffering of others lest we lose ourselves in Bliss. To attain the impenetrable armour against illusion, while at the same time making it possible for the within to express itself without, is our task.
Our sense of responsibility brings us to the stage when we help to build the "Guardian Wall." This is the final struggle. Let us not think this easy, for we are warned that we must "look forward always with awe and trembling to this moment," and be prepared.
If we find any step easy, we must beware, for we are under the power of illusion. We must possess, we are told, adamantine will. What will maintain this strength of will? Only the persistent practice of Dana throughout the Paramita Path. It is the foundation and fruition, the key to true renunciation. One may be perfect in all the other Paramitas, but without the constant practice of Dana, until our love becomes all-embracing, the final step cannot be taken. Our aim is not liberation from the world and its affairs; it is renunciation of the bliss of Nirvana, in order to remain with our suffering fellow men.
Is it possible for us to come to this stage? Yes, it is, for others have done it. All we need to do is to learn the steps, have a pure motive, and call on the "warrior" within, knowing that there is no failure if we persevere. It is worth the effort!s
