John St. John

THE EQUINOX 2.18. relative of whom nobody for years had ever seen any- 3.6. 52 thing but his head, which he would poke out of a waterproof sheet. He was supposed to be an invalid. I am glad to say that I woke properly and got quite automatically on to the mantra. My Prana, however, seems feverish and unbalanced. So I eat a biscuit or two and drink some water and will put it right with the Pentagram Ritual. Done, but oh! how hard. Sleep fights me as Apollyon fought Christian! but I will up and take him by the throat. (See; ’tis 2.30. Twelve minutes to do that little in!) And look at the handwriting! How excellent is Prana Yama, a comfort to the soul! I did thirty-two cycles, easy and pleasant; could have gone on indefinitely. The muscles went rigid, prac— tically of their own accord; so light did I feel that I almost thought myself to be “that wise one ” who “can balance himself on his thumb.” Sleep is con- quered right away from the word “jump.” Indeed, if Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees ; then surely : Satan flees, exclaiming “ Damn !" When any saint starts Pranayam ! So happy, indeed, was I in the practice that I devoted myself by the Waiting formula to Adonai ; and that I got to " neighbourhood—concentration” is shewn by the fact that I several times forgot altogether about Adonai, and found myself saying the silly old Mantram.