Book 4 (Part II)

58 The Tendencies are, however, much harder to combat than the three lower Skandhasput together —for the simple reason that they are for the most part below conscious- ness, and must be, as it were, awakened in order to be destroyed, so that the will of the Magician is in a sense trying to do two opposite things at the same time. Consciousness itself is only destroyed by Samadhi. One can now see the logical process which begins in refusing to think of a foot, and ends by destroying the sense of individuality. Of the methods of destroying various deep-rooted ideas there are many. The best is perhaps the method of equilibrium. Get the mind into the habit of calling up the opposite to every thought that may arise. In conversation always disagree. See the other man's arguments; but, however much your judgment approves them, find the answer. Let this be done dispassionately; the more convinced you are that a certain point of view is right, the more determined you should be to find proofs that it is wrong. If you have done this thoroughly, these points of view will cease to trouble you ; you can then assert your own point of view with the calm of a master, which is more convincing than the enthusiasm of a learner.