THE TWO PATHS
The Authoress of these treatises is a little exacting in the
number of things that you have to do before you take your
first step, most of them being things which more nearly re-
semble the difficulties of the last step. But by learning to
distinguish the “real from the false” is only meant a sort of
elementary discernment between things that are worth hav-
ing and those that are not worth having, and, of course, the
perception will alter with advance in knowledge. By “Head-
learning” is meant the contents of the Ruach (mind) or
Manas. Chiah is sub-consciousness in its best sense, that
subliminal which is sublime. The “Eye” doctrine then
means the exoteric, the “Heart” doctrine the esoteric. Of
course, in a more secret doctrine still, there is an Eye Doc-
trine which transcends the Heart Doctrine as that tran-
scends this lesser Eye Doctrine.
9. Yea, ignorance is like unto a closed and airless vessel;
the soul a bird shut up within. It warbles not, nor can it stir
a feather; but the songster mute and torpid sits, and of
exhaustion dies.
The Soul, Atma, despite its possession of the attributes
omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, etc., is entirely
bound and blindfolded by ignorance. The metaphysical
puzzle to which this gives rise cannot be discussed here—it
is insoluble by reason, though one may call attention to the
inherent incommensurability of a postulated absolute with
an observed relative.
10. But even ignorance is better than Head-learning with
no Soul-wisdom to illumine and guide it.
The word “better” is used rather sentimentally, for, as “It
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