The Equinox (Volume I, Number IV)

THE EQUINOX When once Dharana or Concentration has progressed so far as to train the mind to remain fixed on one object then Dhyana or meditation may be practised: And when this power of Dhydna becomes so intensified as to be able to pass beyond the external perception and brood as it were upon the very centre or soul of the object held by the will, it becomes known as Samadhi or Superconsciousness. The three last stages Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi, which are so intimately associated, are classed under the one name of Samydma.* Thus meditation should rise from the object to the object- less. Firstly the external cause of sensations should be per- ceived, then their internal motions, and lastly the reaction of the mind. By thus doing will the Yogi control the waves of the mind, and the waters of the great Ocean will cease to be disturbed by their rise and fall, and they will become still and full of rest, so that like a mirror will they reflect the unima- ginable glory of the Atman. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.t And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.{ we obtain the right distance. In the above the Will takes the place of the hand. * See also “ The Yogasara-Sangraha,” p. 74. t It is to be noted that the symbolism made use of here is almost identical with that so often made use of in the Yoga Shastras and in the Vedanta. The union of Kundalini (Shakti) and Shiva. t Revelation, xxi, 1-4. 106