THE EQUINOX
thing should be enjoyed to the full, but always with the
reservation that the absence of the thing enjoyed shall not
cause regret. This is too hard for the beginner, and in many
cases it is necessary for him to abandon pleasures in order
to prove to himself that he is indifferent to them, and it may
be occasionally advisable even for the Adept to do this now
and again. Of course during periods of actual concentra-
tion there is no time whatever for anything but the work
itself; but to make even the mildest asceticism a rule of life
is the gravest of errors, except perhaps that of regarding
Asceticism as a virtue. This latter always leads to spiritual
pride, and spiritual pride is the principal quality of the
brother of the Left-hand Path.
‘Ascetic’ comes from the Greek Askio, to work curiously,
to adorn, to exercise, to train. The Latin Ars is derived from
this same word. Artist, in its finest sense of creative crafts-
man, is therefore the best translation. The word has degen-
erated under Puritan foulness.
15. When to the World’s turmoil thy budding Soul lends
ear; when to the roaring voice of the Great Illusion thy Soul
responds; when frightened at the sight of the hot tears of
pain; when deafened by the cries of distress, thy Soul with-
draws like the shy turtle within the carapace of SELF-
HOOD, learn, O Disciple, of her Silent “God” thy Soul is an
unworthy shrine.
This verse deals with an obstacle at a more advanced
stage. It is again a warning not to shut one’s self up in one’s
own universe. It is not by the exclusion of the Non-Ego that
saintship is attained, but by its inclusion. Love is the law,
love under will.
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