Book 4 (Part II)

46 Renunciation and sacrifice are necessary, but they are comparatively easy. There are a hundred ways of missing, and only one of hitting. To avoid eating beef is easy; to eat nothing but pork is very diffi- cult. Levi recommends that at times the Magical Will itself should be cut off, on the same principle as one can always work better after a " com- plete change." Levi is doubtless right, but he must be understood as saying this " for the hardness of men's hearts." The turbine is more efficient than a reciprocating engine ; and his counsel is only good for the beginner. Ultimately the Magical Will so identifies itself with the man's whole being that it becomes unconscious, and is as constant a force as gravitation. One may even be surprised at one's own acts, and have to reason out their connection. But let it be understood that when the Will has thus really raised itself to the height of Destiny, the man is no more hkely to do wrong than he is to float off into the air. One may be asked whether there is not a conflict between this development of the Will and Ethics. The answer is Yes. In the Grand Grimoire we are told " to buy an egg without haggling "; and attainment, and the next step in the path of attainment, is that pearl