The Equinox (Volume III, Number I)

A MASTER OF THE TEMPLE cloth. Landing, I was surrounded with men in an Eastern costume, Arabs or Turks I thought. One old man took me by the hand, I made the sign of the Pentagram over him, but he smiled and said “Come along, it’s all right,” and led me along a street paved with cobbles, the houses of which overhung, till we reached a sort of a mosque. Entering this he led me to the altar, which was supported by brackets from the wall, and above which was a beautiful stained window. At the sides were thin columns and sort of boxes, similar to theatre boxes. We knelt at the altar; and he took my hand and said: “Raise your con- sciousness.” I perceived a star and crescent above me, and a cross dimly formu- lated in the background. After this, the astral seemed to coincide with the body; but consciousness of the astral surroundings was still clear. Continued to raise consciousness, and to send out thoughts of Love. Perceived around me innumerable streams of thought, interlacing and like a net-work, and when the Love-thought was sent out, the whole net sparkled, as with little specks of gold. Continued in this thought for some minutes, and gradually returned to normal. Gave thanks and entered diary. (Very nearly in serious trouble, my young and rash friend! It seems that you must go up well outside earth-attraction if you wish to get good astrals. It sounds Sunday-school-talk, and I can-give no reason. But I’ve tried repeatedly going horizontally and downwards, always with the same result. Gross and hostile things are below, pure beings above. The vision is good enough for what it is; it is clear and coherent. But I see no trace of scientific method in directing the vision. I explain further in the general comment. O.M.) About this time Frater V.I.O. appears to have been study- ing Jnana Yoga. There is a simple entry on November 30th, “THOU ART THAT,” without any attempt at comment, and on the following day “Ditto, but in a less degree.” On December 4 we find this entry: The reading of ‘Jnana Yoga’ revives very clearly the state of Unity produced by the practice of Raja Yoga. There is a clearer conception, and the feeling of be- ing very near the Truth. N.B. During meditation the Light above head was beginning to envelope the mind, but was disturbed by R. calling me to come to bed.’ (R. must be told not to call you to come to bed. The feeling that she may pos- sibly do so is enough to prevent concentration. Also, as a general rule, it’s very bad to sleep with another person in the room. O.M.) 165