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PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category17:TheReligiousUrge>
Chapter6:PhilosophyandReligion

PhilosophyandReligion
Differences,similaritiesamongreligions
1

Thegenialtolerancewhichaffirmsthatallreligionsexpresssomethingofthetruthis
justified.Butwhereassomeexpressonlyalittle,othersexpressmuchofit.
2

Theesoterictraditionshavecomedownfromremoteantiquityintoalargepartofthe
OrientalandOccidentalhemispheres.Inmostcasestheywerewellguarded.Athorough
studyofthemshowsthattheyholdmanydissimilarities.Ifsomeoftheseareduetothe
changeswhichareinevitablefromonecenturytoanother,orintranspositionfromone
climatetoanother,othersareclearlyduetoirreconcilablestandpointsandcontradictory
revelations.
3

Thedifferencesexist,andingreatnumber,buttheyaremostlyonthesurface.The
agreementsexistandconcernthemoreimportantmatterstheyaremostlyatadeeplevel.
4

Ifsomeformsofreligionaresensuous,ifothersareaustere,allformsareexpressionsof
someaspectonlyandhenceincomplete.
5

Inmostofthecreeds,cults,andsystemsthereissometruth,alittleinone,morein
another,butalsosomeerrororsomelimitationofoutlook.Thisiswhytheyareallin
disagreementwithoneanother.
6

Thiscacophonyofdifferentandconflictingreligiousteachingsmayturnonemanaway
fromreligionaltogetherbutanothertodeeperandmoredetailedstudyofthem.
7

Wemaytrytomakereligionsmoretolerantbypointingtotheirpointsofagreement:this
islaudable.Butwhatisgainedbyignoringorbelittlingthepointsofdifference?
8

Differentreligionsareorshouldbedifferentattemptstoliftmankindoutofmaterialism.
9

Becausetheyaredifferentapproaches,thisneednotmeantheyareantagonisticones.

Comparativestudy,practice
10

NolittlecoterieorlargesectmayrightlyclaimthesoleknowledgeofGod,orthesole
communionwithHim.Theveryclaimcancelsitselfoutquiteautomatically,themere
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statementofitiscontradictedandrefutedbythelargevolumeofevidencegathered
togetherinthestudiesofComparativeReligion,Mysticism,andPhilosophy.
11

Thewellinformedobserver,scholar,travellerknowsthateachcult,religion,sect,
movementisbutoneofmany.Itcontributeswhatitcantotruthbutithasnorightto
claimthatitalonehasallthegloryoftruth,orthatnootherhasanytruth.Therehave
beeninsightsinwidelyscatteredgroupsinwidelydifferentcenturies.
12

Tosearchwidelyaswellasvariouslyintherecordsleftbythosewhoseemtohavesome
insightisawiseprocedure.Howmuchbetterthanremainingimprisonedinthe
limitationsofasinglegeographicalculture,asingleperiodofthought!Howmuchmore
likelytoleadtobroader,truerunderstandingoflife!
13

Hisreligiousfeelingshouldbebroadenedbycomparativestudyofotherfaiths.Itshould
bewideenoughtotaketheminamicablyeventhoughhedemursatsomeoftheirtenets
ordeploressomeoftheirhistory.
14

Thesubjectofcomparativereligion,borninthepreviouscenturyanddevelopedinour
own,attractsattentionfromthecuriousbutseriousstudyfromtheearnest.Itisafitand
worthyfieldforquesters,whoshouldwidenittoincludecomparativemysticismand
metaphysics.Buttheyshouldstudyonlythebestineachsystemand,annually,thebestof
thebest.Theworstisthere,butletothers,nonquesters,wallowinit.
15

Hewillbecometrulyreligiousifheceasestoremainsectarianandbeginstotakethe
wholeworldwidestudyofreligiousmanifestationsforhisprovince.
16

Whoeverlimitshimselfinhissearch,faith,andacquaintancetoasinglebooktheBible
limitsthetruthhefinds.Suchisthepositionofthosesectswithnarrowoutlookslikethe
LutheranChurch,theCalvinists,theJehovahWitnesses,andseveralotherchurches.They
silentlyproclaimtheirownlackofculturewhenthebibles,texts,hagiographs,and
recordedwisdomofalllands,allhistoriccenturies,andalllanguagesaretodayavailable
ortranslatedorexcerpted.
17

Ifanythingwillevershowit,thecomparativestudyoftheworld'sreligiousmysticism
willshowthattruth,grace,spiritdonotcomethroughthehistoricJesusorthehistoric
Krishnaalone,northroughthehistoricChristianityorthehistoricHinduismalone.They
canbeconfinedtoasinglereligiousdispensationonlybythosewhorefusetomakethis
studyor,studying,refusetodiscardbiasanddivestthemselvesofprejudicewhiledoing
so.TodayallwhostudywidelyandhonestlyknowasclearlyascanbethatGod's
messagehasbeenhereallthetime,howeverimpairedorimperfectitsformsmaybeand
howeverdifferenthismessengersmaybe.
18

Fewtakethetroubletodiscoverwhatisauthenticinreligionandwhatisnot.Itwouldbe
alongtiringprocessrequiringseveralyearsofextensivestudyinvolvinghistory,
theology,psychology,pluspersonalpracticeinseveralformsofworship,plusexperience
invaryingmoralvaluesandallthisoverwideareasoftheworldandthroughthe
centuries,forwithoutknowledgeofcomparativereligiontheinvestigationwouldbean
incompleteone.Ignoranceismucheasier.Thisiswhyscientificallymindedpersons
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becomescepticsandpiouslymindedonesbecomesuperstitious.
19

Thereoughttobereligiouseducationintheschoolsthemistakeinthepasthasbeento
narrowitdowntoasinglecreedorsect.Itoughttobewidened,toincludethehistoryand
teachingsoftheworld'schiefreligions,aswellasthoseofpersonswithoutorganized
establishedchurches.
20

Educationinevenelementaryandcertainlyinsecondaryschoolsshouldgivethepupilsat
leastalittlenotionofcomparativereligion.Thiscouldatleastbeconfinedtobiographies
offoundersoftheworldfaithstogetherwiththoseofcelebratedsaintsandmysticsfrom
differentlandsandcultures.Atcollegeanduniversitylevels,carefullychosentenetsfrom
theirteachingscouldbeadded,andsomediscussionofthetheologiesorphilosophies
involved.Inallthisinstructionthereligionsdealtwitharetobedescribedfairlyand
explainedwithoutprejudice,notcriticizedorjudged.
21

Ifsomepiouspersonsraisetheheadinprayer,otherslowerit.IfmanyChristianslettheir
kneesgodowntothefloor,someMuhammedandervishesbringtheirsuptothechest.If
CatholicsandProtestantssitonbenchesorchairsduringchurchservice,GreekOrthodox
congregationsstandduringtheirservice.HindusandBuddhistssquatcrossleggedin
meditation,butIndianJainsstand.Alltheseoutwardformshavebeenshapedbytradition
andsohistorically:fanaticalinsistenceonthemmissesthepointwhatisgoingonin
theirmindsandhearts.Notonlythefactsrevealedbythestudiesofcomparativereligion
andcomparativemysticismshowupthesillinessoffanaticism,butevenmorethecorrect
understandingofthosefacts.
22

IfanyonereligionistobetaughttochildrenandyouthatStateexpense,thenall
representativereligionsshouldbetaughtlikewise.Letitbeapartofsucheducationto
knownotonlythelifeandteachingsofJesus,butalsothelivesandteachingsofBuddha
andBaha'u'lla,KrishnaandMuhammed.Onlysowillreligioninitspurityratherthanin
itscorruptionbeinstilled.Onlysowilltheyoungbeliberatedfromthequarrelsand
prejudicescreatedandkeptalivebytheselfishmonopoliesandvestedinterestswhich
exploitreligionfortheirownbenefit.
23

TheeconomyofNatureisspaciousenoughtohaveroomforallthesedifferentwaysand
meanstothecommonend.Theyarenotcompetingrivals.Atrueperceptionacceptsthem
andistherebymadetoleranttowardthem.
24

Historyhaspresenteduswithtoomanyspiritualguides,prophets,sages,andsaintsintoo
manylandsandthroughtoomanycenturiesforanysingleculttoclaimamonopolyof
revelationwisdomtruth.Nohumanformulationcangiveusallthefullness,soweprofit
bythemwherevertheyappear.Butpartisans,withnarrowviews,ignorehistoryand
neglectthestudyofcomparativereligion.
25

Thephilosophersuccessfullyreinterpretsinthesecrecyofhisownmindthedogmas,
rituals,andbeliefsofeveryreligionthathistory,scriptures,circumstance,orstudybrings
intohislife.Thus,too,heisabletosavethetruthofreligionwhenothersimpatiently
rejectthatalongwiththefalsityofreligion.Itistruethatthecomparativestudyof
religions,inaspiritofsympatheticdetachmentfromallandprejudiceagainstnone,is
rare.Butitisausefulpartofphilosophicstudy.Therationalinvestigatorcantakeno
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scriptureasfinallyauthoritativebutmusttakeallscripturesontheirmerits.He
understandsthatareligiousmessageispartlyshapedbythecharacterandtraditionofthe
countryinwhichithasbeendelivered.Takingintoconsiderationthevariousbeliefsof
humandevelopment,hefindsitdesirablethatthereberoomforvarietyinreligionsand
forfreedominthought.TheInnerVoicehasspokendifferentlytodifferentpeople.The
varietyofreligionsprovesnotthattheycanceleachotheroutbutthattheyarosein
responsetoavarietyofneeds.Nobodywillbekeptoutofthekingdomofheavenbecause
hedoesnotbelongtotheorthodoxreligionwhichprevailsintheplacewhere,bythe
accidentofhisbirth,hehappenstolive.Nobodywillgetintothekingdomofheaven
becausehedoesbelongtotheorthodoxreligion.Therightofentrywilldependonquite
otherandquitenoblerqualifications.
26

Thestudyofcomparativereligionoughttobepartofalleducationalsystemstofoster
knowledge,replacenarrowfanaticismbyareasonabletolerance,andcombatsuperstition
orpersecution.
27

Suchacomparativestudycanbringtheevidenceneededtodissolveignorantintolerance
andtocombatreligioushatred.Itwillshowupthefoolishnessofdenouncingheresies
whenmostfounderswere,likeBuddhaandJesus,themselvesgreathereticsfromthe
standpointoftheprevalentreligions.Itwillshowthecaseforareasonablefreedomof
thoughtsothatdifferenttypesofpeoplemayfindthepath,thegoal,andtheformwhich
suitsthem.Solongastheyaregoodmorally,beneficentandhelpful,thereisroomfor
mostcreeds.
28

SofarastheyaregenuineexpressionsoftheimpulsetoworshiptheHigherPower,all
religionshavearightfulplace.Butwherehumanambitionandgreed,ignoranceand
superstition,fanaticismandunbalancehaveenteredintothem,theyrenderdisserviceor
doactualharm.Thestudyofcomparativereligioushistoryisvaluable.
29

Thereishardlyapeoplewhichdidnothavealargeorsmallfragmentofthehigher
teachinginitspossession.Egyptians,Chinese,andGreeksinearlytimes,Persians,
Spaniards,andGermansinlatertimes,wereamongthisnumber.Anaximander,teaching
inEuropemorethantwothousandyearsago,ascribedtheoriginoftheuniversetoaFirst
Principlewhichwas"theboundless,theinfinite,andtheunlimited."
30

Whenamanbeginstoexerciseindependentthoughtandindependentjudgement,when
hebecomessufficientlyinformedthroughthestudyofcomparativereligiontonotehow
devastatingarethedisagreementsandinconsistencieswitheachother,hewillhaveonly
onepossibleconclusionopentohim.ThevariousbeliefsaboutGodandthedifferent
statementsaboutreligionareaslikelytobewrongasright,butthepersonalexperiences
ofGodareallessentiallythesame.Butthisconclusionreached,hepassesthroughitout
ofthereligiouslevelandrisesuptothemysticalone.
31

Thosewhoarereallyintentonfindingtruthwillsearchforitaswidelyastheir
circumstancesallowandthinkaboutitasoftenastheirtimeallows.
32

Truthcanspeakforitself.Ithasdonesosincetheearliestrecordedtimesthus
incidentallydefeatingthetheoryofreligiousevolutionismandhasdonesoeveninour
owntime.
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33

Thestudyofcomparativereligionisonething,thestudyofcomparativehistoryof
religionisanotherbutbothdemandfromthestudentenoughwillingnesstotrytobe
unprejudiced.
34

Thestudyofcomparativereligionmustbeanindependent,notapartisanone.
35

Thestudyofcomparativereligionalongwiththehistoryofreligions,andtheinclusion
undertheseheadsoflittleknown,unorganizedsectsorinspiredindividuals,isthefirst
steptoopentheeyesofblindedhumanity.Whenmostpeopleareinsufficientlyeducated
abouttheirownreligion,itisnotasurprisethattheyareillinformedaboutthatofothers.
Norcanthisstudystopthere.Itoughttobebroadenedtoincludethemysticismand
metaphysicsbehindandbeyondreligions.
36

Comparativereligionwillbecomemorescientificasitisfreedfromtheprejudices
broughttoitfromtheimagespreviouslystampeduponotherreligionsbyhalfignorant
missionariestryingtomakethemlookchildishorfoolish.Thespiritualinsensitivityof
agnosticoratheisticinvestigatorsreflectsbackfromtheirencounterswithotherpeople's
spiritualexperiences.
37

Theliberatingpowerofthestudyofcomparativereligioncomesintoeffectmostly
outsidetheacademiccentres,outsidethecollegeswhereitistaughtwithabiastowards
theparticularreligionprevailinginthecountry,alongwithaprejudiceagainsttheother
religionsoutsideit.
38

Welcomeknowledgefromthefourpointsofthecompassbutbecarefullyselectivein
whatisabsorbed.Avoidsectarianismbutdoitwisely.
39

Itisnotevenenoughtomakeacomparativestudyofreligionsandmysticisms,of
metaphysicsandsystemsandpracticesthroughthecenturiesandaroundtheworld.
Discriminationinwhatisfoundbecomesnecessary,evaluationandcriticaljudgement
becomeessential.Itisthenthatunexamineddogmasandrigidsectarianismwiththe
stiflingattitudestheygeneratearemorelikelytobedropped.Intheendahigherkindof
knowledge,theintuitional,comingfromahigherlevelofthemind,mustpenetrateitall.
Thisisthebeginningofthemostmeaningfulevents.
40

Thislargeroutlookwhichthestudyofcomparativereligiongivestoamanmaysethim
freefrombeingconfinedtodogmasofasinglecreedorthepracticesofasinglereligion.
Ifhefeelshappierwiththisliberationwhyshouldhenotabidebyit?Whyshouldhe
buildwallsaroundhisfaithandcustoms?Whymusthegoonlyintoachurchandnotinto
amosque,onlyintoasynagogueandnotintoatemple?Whyshouldhenotfeelfreetogo
intoallofthoseifhewishesinotherwords,tobeabletoworshipanywhereinanyplace
atanytime?
41

Heissafeinselectingthosetenets,thosemysticalrevelations,thosemoraldisciplinesand
personalregimenswhichformacommonbasistoallreligiouscultsandsystemstheyare
atleastthebestbeginning.
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42

Religionasprofoundconvictionandreligionasasocialinheritancearevitallydifferent.
Philosophyexaminesreligionasprofoundconvictionbecauseitisnotthemonopolyof
anyparticularraceorlandbutisthepossessionofall.Thereisnosinglereligionwith
whichphilosophyidentifiesitself.Itcannotacceptwhatisnotprovedtrueitmaynot
regardabeliefasfalsebutitcannotuseitastrue.Itdoesnotdealinapriorireasoningit
assumesnothingandisthoroughlyagnosticatthestart.Faithandphilosophyarelikethe
lionandthelambtheycannoteasilybedtogether!Consequently,philosophy'sapproach
toreligiousquestionsiscomparativeinmethodandeclecticinspirit.
43

Anthropologyisanotherofthesubjectswhichcanyieldsomeofitssubstancetothe
studentofphilosophy.SofarasittracestheevolutionoftheGodideaandofmoralsfrom
primitivetocivilized,itmayusefullybestudied.
44

Alltheseintellectualandimaginativeactivitiesinreligionlikehistoricalresearch,
theologicalspeculation,andSanskrit,Greek,orHebrewinterpretationareproperintheir
ownplacebuttheirvalueoughttoberecognizedasbeingquitelimited,ifcontrasted
withthevalueofdirectinsight.

Philosophycompletesreligion
45

TheQuesttakeshimthroughthreelevelsofexperience.First,hetravelsthroughreligious
beliefsandobservances.Thenhediscoversmysticalideasandpractices.Next,hesees
thatthepersonalconsolationsofreligionandtheintuitivesatisfactionsofmysticismare
notenough.Soheaddstothemtheimpersonalquestoftruthforitsownsakeandthus
entersthedomainofphilosophy.
46

Philosophydoesnotcancelordenythesublimeteachingsofreligionbutendorsesand
supportswhatisincontrovertibleinthem.Therestitcorrectsorrejects.
47

IneveryactofreligiousworshiphoweverblinditbethereisadimrealizationofGod's
existence.Itisthebusinessofmysticismtogetridofmuchofthisdimnessandof
philosophytogetridofitaltogether.
48

Thestatementsofreligionaskforourbelief:theymayormaynotbetrue.Thestatements
ofmysticismaskustoseekexperienceoftheirfactuality.Butthestatementsof
philosophyconfirmbeliefbyreason,checkreasonbyintuition,leadexperienceto
insight.
49

Ifwelookatman'sinnerlifefromthepointofviewofthewholecycleofreincarnation,
popularreligionwillbeseentobeapreparationforphilosophy.Theideaofapersonal
Godisadmittedandbeliefinitisencouraged,becauseitisthefirststeptowardstheidea
ofandbeliefinanimpersonalGod.Beliefthatthegoodorillfortunesoflifearesentto
usbysomeoutsidebeingathiswhimisusefulasleadingthewayeventuallytothe
understandingthattheycometousundertheoperationofeternaluniversallaw.Thisis
oneofthereasonswhyphilosophydoesnotcriticizeoropposepopularreligiononits
owngroundandwhyitleavesitcompletelyaloneandneverinterfereswithit.
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50

Amanmaybeholywithoutbeingwise,buthecannotbewisewithoutbeingholy.Thatis
whyphilosophyisnecessary,whyreligionandmysticismarenotenough,although
excellentasfarastheygo.
51

Betweenthosewhofeeltooweaktogofartherthanthesimplereverenceofchurch
religionandthosewhofeelstrongenoughtoenterthephilosophicalquestinfull
consciousness,thereiseverypossibledegree.
52

Onlythosewhoareabletodrinkthestrongwineofphilosophycanforsakereligion
withoutlosingby,orsufferingfor,theirdesertion.
53

Thesefineteachingsmayquicklybedistortedbypopularizationorgreatlycheapened
whenbroughtwithinreachofthecommonunderstanding.Iftheirintegrityistogoin
ordertomakeconcessionstothesensatementality,iftheirtruthistobeadulteratedin
ordertoaccommodatethemassmentality,thenwhateverisgainedwillbelessthanwhat
islost.Thehighertruthcanandshouldbetranslatedintothevulgateforamassaudience
andtheattemptisbeingmadebutnounworthycompromisesshouldbemade.Afterall,
ifmenwanttolearnthepartlytrue,partlyfalse,theycandosofromahundredsources.
Butiftheywantthewhollytrue,howfewarethesourcestowhichtheycanturn!Letus
keepatleastthesefewinviolate.
54

Toinsistoncarryingreligiousdogmasintophilosophictruth,forexample,istoinsiston
carryingthechildmindintoadultlife.Eachhasvaluableworktodoinitsownplacebut
maybecomeuselessorevenharmfulwhensetupinjudgementofwhatisbeyondits
frontier.Religionisimportant,mysticismisimportant,metaphysicsisimportantbutif
wefailtodistinguishbetweentherelativedegreesofsuchimportance,ifwedonot
estimatethemseparatelyagainstthelargerbackgroundofphilosophy,weareliabletofall
intothecommonerrorofconfusingtheircategoriesandvalues,andthusdeceive
ourselves.
55

Thereligiouscodesarejudgementsoropinions,andareabsolutelynecessaryatthe
popularstagebutonthephilosophiclevel,wheretruthcontainsthehighestpossible
goodnessasanaccompaniment,inspirationfromtheHigherSelfproducesanobler
conduct.
56

Fromthestandpointofsocialneed,wemustbetheadvocateandfriendofreligionwhen
itperformsitsproperdutyofkeepingmenwithinethicalbounds.But,fromthesame
standpoint,weshouldbetheopponentofreligionwhenitbecomesafarcical,hypnotical,
hollowshow,orwhenitslaysandtorturesmenforholdingotherbeliefs.Butmountingto
ahigherlevelandadoptingthestandpointofwhatistheultimatetruth,wecanbethe
impartialobserverofreligion,forthenweshallseeitisbutanelementarystageofman's
journeyontheupwardmountainroadleadingtothishighgoal.Whoeverseeksthelast
wordaboutlifemustnottarryatthestartingpoint.
57

Religiousinstitutionshavealwaysbeenunfriendlytophilosophers.Thisisbecausethey
havefearedphilosophy.
58
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Whenamanofsuperiorintellectualattainments,moralstature,orintuitionalfeelingends
aperiodofdoubtorsearch,ofdarknessoragnosticism,byattachinghimselftoa
sectarianreligion,andespeciallytoasectarianreligionwhichattemptstoimpressthe
sensesbysacerdotalpompandritual,aswellasthemindbyclaimsanddogmas,itisa
confessionoftheman'smentalfailure,anindicationofhisintellectualretrogression,and
anadvertisementofhismoralcowardice.Suchamanshouldhavegoneonwardsinto
eitherthemysticismoftruthorthemetaphysicsoftruth.Theremusthavebeensome
weaknesseitherinhischaracterorinhisintellectwhichcausedhimtofallbacksofar.
59

Philosophydoesnoteffectaconversionfromonereligiouspointofviewtoanother,buta
confirmationofwhatintuitivefeelingsandideasaretryingtotelltheman.
60

MentallydisturbedoremotionallyhystericalpersonscanneitherfindTruthnorproduce
beauty,exceptduringtemporarylucidperiods.Religiouscultsfoundedbythemcanonly
attracttheirownkind.Artcreatedbythemcanonlyfindacceptancebecauseofsupposed
daringoriginality.Bothareunhealthyandincreasetheexistingconfusion.Truthis
eminentlysane.Realityisbreathtakinglybeautiful.Popularexternalizedreligionmust
riseintointernalizedmysticism,butthefirstmustavoidthedangerofsuperstitionandthe
secondavoidaberration.Thisiswhybothattainfulfilmentinthesafetyofphilosophy.
61

Theycometoreligionseekingconsolationhecomestophilosophyseekingtruththetwo
aimsarequitedifferent.Butintheendthephilosopherexperiencesconsolationandthe
religioniststakeasteptowardstruth.
62

Alltheouterformsofreligion,alltheouterritesaffecttheirsinceredevoteesemotionally,
butwithinthehigherpartoftheegoonly.Butallthesamadhisofyoga,andcertainlythe
insightsofphilosophy,escapethislimitationbycuttingcompletelythroughemotioninto
itsdeepcalmcoretherealbeing.
63

Becausereligionisaneasierapproach,becauseitrequiresonlyadevotionalattitude
whereasphilosophyrequiresbothadevotionalandanintellectualone,theonefeedsthe
multitude,theotheranelect.
64

Hereisreligionwithoutritual,inspiredministrationthatwearsnovestment,andchurch
attendancewithoutleavinghome.
65

Popularreligionisabletodosobutphilosophycannotspeakdirectlytoallpersons.Itcan
openitslipsonlyinthepresenceofthosewhohavebeenmadereadybylifetoreceiveit.
66

Bothreligionandmysticismareselfenclosingactivities.Thedefenseagainstfearswhich
religionoffersandthetranscendentalexperienceswhichmysticismoffersprovide
personalsatisfactions.Butphilosophycanonlyoffertruth.Itisnotdirectlyconcerned
withsubstitutingoneemotionforanother,evenifthenewoneisonahigherlevel,nor
doesitcarewhetherthemanhaspleasingordispleasingexperiencesthroughfollowingit.
67

Philosophyshowshowateachingwhichispurelyreligiouscanbereexpressedinanon
religiousway.
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68

Iftheylooklesstoecclesiasticalinstitutionsforspiritualsatisfactions,itisnotbecause
theyfeellessspiritualneed.Itisbecausetheirneedshavedeepened,becausetheywantto
cometotheprincipalpointsofthematterratherthanthetedious,obsolete,arguable,and
questionableones.
69

Themassofmenneedsomethingvisibleandtouchableandperhapsaudibleiftheyareto
believeitreallyexistshenceidolsforprimitivepeople,ritualsandceremonialsformore
developedpeople.Butfortheadvancedones,anideaneedsnosuchsymbol,astheycan
graspitbymindalone.
70

Atheosophy,amixtureofwhatisexcellentinallthereligions,isabreederoftolerance
andfellowshipamongthem,astageontheway,butstillnottheultimatelevel.Forthat
theseekerneedstopenetrateindepth,beneathreligiontomysticism,beneathmysticism
tophilosophy.
71

Foronepersonwhowillrespondtothecallofphilosophy,thereareperhapsathousand
whocanhearonlythecallofreligion.
72

Thatmostpeopleareonlyinthefirstdegreeofreligionisnottheirfaulttheycannothelp
itandarenottobeblamed.Theyaresimplywhattheirpasthasmadethem.Ifothershave
risentothehigherdegreesofmysticismorphilosophyitisbecausetheyhavealonger
fullerpastbehindthem.Youngplantsarenottobereproachedbecausetheyarenotold
trees.
73

Theteachingwhichissuitedtothosewhoarewellonthewaytothefinalstageof
spiritualdevelopmentisnotmuchhelptothosewhoareonlyatthefirststage.
74

Toriseupfromthereligiouslevelcallsforsomemetaphysicalfaculty,asensitivityto
subtleideas.Themind'smoreabstractlevelmustbeused.Thoseunaccustomedtoit
shouldnotletthemselvesbediscouraged.Eachattemptmadeatintervalshelpstoopen
theway.
75

Thephilosopherdoesnothavetosinghymns,muttermantrams,attendchurches,ortake
partinritualsandceremoniesorganizedbypriestsandclergymen.Allthatisuseful,
necessary,andessentialtothemassesforitisthelimitoftheirspiritualexploration.He,
however,hasventuredmuchfartherandhecannotstopwithinthesenarrowborders.
76

Oncetheindividualhasrisenabovethelevelsofreligionitwouldbesheerfollytofall
backintothem.
77

Thereisnoliturgyandnoritual,nohierarchyandnoinstitutioninphilosophicworship,
noraretheyneeded.
78

Thephilosopherjoinswiththeatheistinresistingsuperstition.Buttheypartagainwhen
thisresistanceisdirectedagainstatheismitselfthegreatestsuperstitionofall.
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79

Nodoubtindividualstudentshavetheirownbeliefsbutforthesetheymustaccept
responsibilitythemselves.SincephilosophyseekstoknowtheReal,itisnotconcerned
withbeliefs.
80

PhilosophyneitherelevatesanymanintoGodnordragsGoddowntoanyman'slevel.
81

Religionissatisfiedwiththespiritualfactdilutedbymythandlegend,philosophywants
thefactonly.
82

Ungrownandimmaturemindswouldbeboredbytheilluminationsofphilosophy.Fora
philosophertoarguewiththemcombativelywouldbeawasteoftimetheirsandhis.
Therearesomanycreeds,systems,andsectswhicharereallypreparatorytophilosophy
andwhicharemoreusefultothemattheirstage.Whentheyarereadyforsomething
morefundamental,theywillfindtheirwaytoit.
83

Mankindisledbyeasypreparatorystagestowardsthehighestphilosophy.Onlywhen
theyarewellgroundedintruereligionormysticismandsoundmetaphysicsisthefull
andfinalrevelationmadetothem.
84

Therearesomepersonswhocouldnotbestoppedbyworldlyattractionsfromseeking
somethingentirelyunworldly,wholongedforanunderstandingthatwastrueanda
consciousnessthatwasreal,stable,transcendental,andpeacebestowing.Theytried
orthodoxyandunorthodoxy,faithandunfaith,cultsandleaders,organizationsand
solitariness.Intheendtheyfoundtheirpeace,orratherthefirststeptoit,whenthey
foundphilosophy.
85

Thusthevaguelyfelt,dimlyapprehended,andalwayssymbolictruthofreligionis
developedintoclearfulldirectknowledgebyphilosophy.
86

Itisnotinterestedinformingjustanothersect,inbuildinguponemoredenomination.
87

Thatworshipwhichthefollowersofpopularreligiongiveblindly,instinctively,andoften
mechanicallyisgivenintelligently,scientifically,andconsciouslybytheadherentsof
philosophy.
88

Thosewhoareattachedtothereligiouscreedintowhichtheyhavebeenbornhaveno
needtodiscarditmerelybecausetheywishtoavailthemselvesoftheknowledgeand
benefitsprovidedbyphilosophy,forbyapplyingitslighttothecreed,totheformsand
thesymbols,theywillfindmuchmoremeaninganddepthinthem.Properlyinterpreted
theywillnotbefoundcontradictory.Butwhathasbeenaddedbyignorance,
miscomprehension,wilfulness,orsuperstitionwillbeshownupforwhatitis.The
Founder'sgreatmessagewillremainuntouched,hisaccesstotheeternalveritieswillbe
vindicated.Inthecaseofthosewhohadpreviouslyturnedawayfromtheirtraditional
religionintoablankagnosticism,orevenastrongeratheism,theirdoubtswillbe
removed.Sophilosophyaloneservesbothgroups!Ifitrefusestosupportfalsebeliefs,it
equallyrefusestosupportfalsenegationsofreligiousbelief.Itseesquiteclearlythrough
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religionandatheismandcannourishthefollowerofboth.
89

Thereisnothinginreligionthatphilosophyreallydisplaces.Itsimplysupplementsand
completes,correctsandinspiresmatureunderstanding,andleadstheindividualto
experiencetheblessedinnerpeacewhichreligion,perse,canonlyalludeto.
90

ReligionsignifiesanintellectualdescentwhencomparedwithPhilosophyonlywhenitis
separatedfromPhilosophy,whichearnestlysetsitselfthetaskofevokingthepresenceof
anewFaithintheheartsofmen.Prayer,worship,communion,reverence,andfaithin
Godareindispensablepartstothephilosophiclife.Philosophyis,forthosewhoare
willingtoliveitaswellastostudyit,areligion.Theyacquirethereligiousspiritfromit
eveniftheyneverpossesseditbefore.Theyincreasetheirreligiousfervouriftheydid
possessitbefore.Theyfinishupwithasenseoftheirhelplessness,theirsmallness,and
theirdependence.Theyfinishupwithprayer.Thusreligiousworship,sooftendenounced
asthefirstsuperstitionofprimitiveman,becomesthefinalwisdomofmaturedman.
91

Whywalkintotheprisonofanothersect?Whynotwalkoutfromallsectsintofreedom?
92

Becausephilosophyincludesandextendsreligion,itnecessarilysupportsit.Butitdoes
notsupporttheerroneousdogmasandmisguidedpracticeswhicharecloakedunder
religion'smantle,northehumanexploitationswhicharefoundinitshistory.
93

TheattitudeofphilosophytowardsproselytizingEuroAmericanconvertstoyogaand
propagandizingRamakrishnaMissionswamisisnaturallysympathetic,yetwisely
discriminating.Itrefusestoassociateitselfsolelywithanyparticularreligion,whether
EasternorWestern.Hence,itisuninterestedinconversionsfromonereligiontoanother,
unconcernedwiththedefenseorattack,thespreadordecayofanyorganizedreligion.
ThosewhoespeciallylinkitwithHinduismaloneorBuddhismalonearewrong.But
althoughphilosophyhasnoecclesiasticalsystemofitsown,aphilosopherisfreeto
supportoneifhechoosestodoso.Thismayhappenforsocialreasons,orfamilyreasons,
orspecialpersonalreasons.
94

Becausemostreligionstheoreticallyturnpeopletowardsapowerholierthanthemselves,
howeverhighorlowtheirconceptofthatpowermaybe,thereisnogroundfor
intolerance,fanaticism,orpersecution.Butbecausethesethingsdoexist,wemustascribe
theirorigintothehumanfaultsofupholdersofreligionandtothesectarianambitionor
selfishaimsofitsorganizations.Suchanatmosphereissuffocatingtowouldbe
philosophers,withtheirpursuitofcalm,theirattitudeofgoodwill,andtheirdoctrineof
evolutionarylevels.Theyareperfectlywillingtoletothersfollowtheirownwayof
worship,solongasitisnotmorallydestructiveorutterlyevil.
95

Ifreligionisfortheconsolationofman,philosophyisfortheimprovementofman.
96

Howfaristhedistancebetweenthepaleapatheticfaithofanominalreligionistandthis
whollyintensivedevotionofaphilosophiclife!
97

Ifphilosophyconfirmsbasicreligiousfeeling,itdoesnotdosotoserveanyparticular
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sect,institution,orcreed.Onthecontrary,itfreesonefromthenarrownesstoooften
associatedwiththem.
98

Buddhasaid,"ProclaimtheTruth"hedidnotsay,"ConvertotherstotheTruth."Itisfor
thephilosophertomakeitavailable,toopenupawayforothers,butnottocountthe
gainsorweightheharvest.
99

Judgedfromthephilosophiclevel,theoldreligiousformswhicharedisintegratingand
thenewformswhicharestrivingtoreplacethemarebothgravelyimperfect.
100

Philosophydoesallthatreligiondoesforaman,butitdoesmore.Itnotonlyrestoresor
reinforcesfaithinahigherPower,giveseachlifeahighermeaning,bringsconsolation
andsupportduringtrouble,andennoblesone'streatmentofotherpeople,butalso
explainsthedeepermysteriesofthenatureofGod,theuniverse,andman.
101

ThedisciplinaryrevelationsoftheOverselfdisplacetheethicalregulationsofestablished
orthodoxyandrenderthemunnecessary.
102

Religionsandcultsseektogetpeopleintotheirparticularfolds.Philosophyseekstoget
themoutofallfolds.
103

Thereishopefortheseteachingssolongastheydonotbecomeembeddedinan
organizedchurch,solongasthemovementofpublicappreciationremainsindividualistic,
solongasnoorthodoxygetsestablishedwithitsaccompanyingpronouncementsof
anathemauponheresy.
104

Thereligiousfeelingsofaphilosopherarenotlessexistentthanthoseoftheoutwardly
pioustheyaredeepanddelicate:yettheyareuntouchedbysentimentality.
105

Compulsorybeliefinparticularreligiousdogmashasdoneharmaswellasgood,hasled
tomuchbloodshedandhatred.Philosophyinstillsanairoftolerancewhichoperates
againstsuchreligiosity.
106

Theprinciplesofphilosophyareitsclergy.Theyserveitslittleflock,ministertoits
higherneeds,andsupportitintimesofstress.
107

Inthepresenceofsectarianism,withitsrivalryandrecrimination,philosophyremains
aloofandsilent.Unlikethesects,itisconcernedwithuniversaltruthsthatwillalwaysbe
valid.
108

Therearenolabelsinthekingdomofheaven,noorganizationsandnoashramseither.He
whoaffixesalabeltohisname,beitthatofChristianorHindu,Advaitinormystic,
affixesalimitationalso,andthusbarsthegatewayleadingtotheattainmentofTruth.The
studyofphilosophymercilesslydemolisheseverypossibledivisionwhichthehistoryof
manhasestablished.
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109

Itdoesnotseektheconvincedsectariansbuttriestogettheearoftheintelligentlaymen
whoaredissatisfiedwithorthodoxdoctrine.
110

Thecurrentofreligiousconversion,excitingthoughitbeatthetime,islikelytoexhaust
itselfasemotionsubsides.Theinwardgrowthwhichcomeswithphilosophyisslower
movinganddeeperrootedbutmorelasting.Thechangeitmakescannotbeundone,the
peaceitleavescannotbetakenaway.
111

Itisnotreligionitselfthathehasoutgrownbutorganizedreligion,nottruththathehas
deniedbutarrogantclaimstomonopolizetruth.Hedoesnotwantaheavenwhichis
reallyaprison.
112

Thosewhohavepassedthroughthedisciplinesofbody,intellect,andemotionareno
longeronthesamelevelasthosewhohavenot.Theyneedateachingappropriatein
everywaytotheirhigherdevelopment.
113

Allthatisfinestandallthatisreallyessentialinreligionisnotnegatedbutcarriedtoits
fulfilmentinphilosophy.

Philosophyand``thefaithful''
114

Itisunphilosophicandimprudenttodisturbanyone'sreligiousfaith.Itisonlywhenthe
courseofeventsortheirownmentaldevelopmentcreatesdoubtsanddisquietandeven
thentheymustcomeseekingmoresatisfactoryanswerstotheirquestionsthathigher
teachingcanbegiven.Buteventhenthemannerinwhichthelatterispresentedis
importantthatis,trynottobringitintocollisionwiththosepartsoftheirfaithwhich
theystillhold,beconstructiveandnotdestructive.Inthatwaythenewteachingcanbe
presentedasahigheroctaveoftheoldoneorusedforreformoftheoldone.
115

Intolerantreligiousorganizationswhichwouldallownoothervoice,howeverharmless,
tospeakthanonewhichechoestheirownmustintheendfallvictimtotheirown
intoleranceforasmenthroughtheireducationandcontactwithmoredevelopedpersons
cometoperceivetheTruth,theirhostilityandenmitytothosereligionsareinevitably
aroused.Theywilltheneitherfallintoagnosticismorintosheeratheism,ortheywillfind
theirwaytootherandtruerexpressionsofwhatreligionshouldbeifitistofulfilits
highestmission.Therefore,itisnottheworkofaphilosophertoreverse,correct,or
otherwisedisturbotherpeople'sreligiousbeliefs.Ifthelatterarefaultyandifthe
organizationpropagatingthemisintolerant,hemaybesurethatgivenenoughtimeothers
willarisetodothisnegativeanddestructiveworkandthissaveshimthetroubleofthese
unpleasanttasks.Hisownworkisapositiveone.
116

Hewillnotdisturbthefaithofthosewhoaresatisfiedwiththeirownreligionorofthose
whofeelsuretheyhavethetruth.Hisministrationsareonlytothosewhohumblycall
themselvesseekers,whodonotarrogantlyfeeltheyhavearrivedatthegoaloftruth,who
arebewilderedorwhoapproachhimearnestly.
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117

Becauseoftheabsenceofintolerancefromhischaracter,thephilosopherneitherdesires
norattemptstoimposehisideasuponothers.Hegivesthemtheintellectualfreedomhe
wantsforhimself.
118

Hewillacceptthefactthatavarietyofattitudesandadiversityofviewsmustexist
amongmankind,sincethelifewavesbehindmankindarethemselvessovariedinage.
Theresultofthiswillbealargewillingnessonhisownparttoletothersbelievewhat
theywishsolongastheydonottrytoforcethesebeliefscompulsorilywherenotwanted.
119

TheyattendthechurchsynagoguemosquemostpiouslybuttheexperienceoftheDeity
asitreallyhappens(nottheegoinflatingjoyoussemimysticexperienceofpopular
religionandconventionalmysticism)wouldfrightenthemawayifdescribedinadvance.
ForitinvolvesthedisappearanceoftheegointotheVoid.
120

Thedestructionofreligionwouldconstituteaseriouslossofmoralstrengthandmental
hopetomankind.Itsdogmaoftheexistenceofahigherpower,itsinsistencethata
virtuouslifeisrewardedandaviciousonepunished,itsperiodicalcalltodropworldly
thoughtsandactivitiesarevaluesofwhichthemultitudescannotaffordtobeprematurely
deprivedwithoutgraveperiltotheirhigherevolution.Thephilosophicalstudentshould
besympathetictothegenuineworthofreligionasheshouldbehostiletothetraditional
abuses.Hemustnotpermithimselftobesweptawayontheemotionaltideofextreme
fanaticism,eitherbythematerialisticatheistswhowouldutterlydestroyreligionand
persecuteitspriesthoodinthenameofscienceorbytheblindpiousdogmatistswho
woulddestroyscientificfreethoughtinthenameofGod.
121

Popularreligion,suitedtoruralpeasantsandcitycrowds,asksforsimplefaith,not
reflectivethoughtquestionlessobedienceandnotcriticalinquiry.Itiseasiertofollow.
Andbesides,conformityinthismattermeansfewertroublesandfreedomfrom
harassmentforthosewhohavetoliveamongothers.Aphilosopherwhopaysoutward
deferencetothereligionofthosearoundhimbecausehewantsatranquillifeisnot
necessarilyahypocrite.Heknowswhatistrueandwhatissuperstitiousinthatreligion.
Thetruthheaccepts,theotherheignores.HewantstoworshipGodjustasmuchas,
morelikelymore,thantheotherpeople.
122

Religionmustberegardedasanecessityforthemasses,forwhomitrepresentsthebest
possiblesourceofhelpitisnotrighttodisturbtheirfaith.Nevertheless,forthosewho
havebeguntodivergefromtheherdandwhohavedevelopedaninterestinmysticism,
suchfactsastheforegoingshouldbepointedoutandneedtobediscussed.
123

Manyintheprewarperiodhadsoalteredtheiroutlooksastobesomewhatscepticalof
thevalidityofreligion.Butscepticismisanegativeattitudewhichhidesarealhunger,
thehungerforsomenewtruthtoreplacetheoldbeliefwhichhasbeenfoundlacking.Itis
forustoshowsuchmindsthatarationalmysticism,prunedofsuperstition,hasmuchto
offerthem.Itisalsoforustoshowthefewamongthemwhocanascendsofarthatthe
hiddenphilosophywillsatisfactorilyfilltheirhungerandprovideanalternativetoreplace
whattheyhaverenounced.
124

Thisclingingadhesiontotheinstitutionsandorganizationsofreligionsandcultswhether
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establishedorunorthodox,thislackofexploratoryspirittosearchoutlittleknownbut
superiorteaching,mustberecognizedbytheeducatorinphilosophy.Hemustaccept
ruefullythatwhathehastocommunicatewillbewelcomedonlybyasmallminority.
125

Butifwedonottellothersthatthetruthexists,howwillanyoneeverknowaboutit?The
answeristhattellingisnotajobfortheincautiousbeginnerbutfortheseasoned
proficient.
126

Inmeetingwithreligiousadvocates,thestudentshouldlistencourteouslybutnotwaste
timearguingwiththem:heshouldkeephismentalreservationstohimself.
127

Hewillcarefullyavoiddisturbingthefaithofothersbut,exceptinspecialcircumstances
orforspecialmotivespersecution,position,children,ormissionhewillnotgooutof
hiswaytoencouragethem.Itisnothisbusinesstoencouragesuperstition.
128

Thesageseekstodescendandmeetamanathisownlevel,andthentrytolifthimjusta
littlehigher.Thushewilltrytogivetheremorselesslycruelfanaticalreligionistanoble
viewofhisownfaith.
129

Itisnotthatphilosophyholdsadifferentconceptionaboutmanfromthereligiousone,
butthatitholdsadeeperone.
130

Theenlightenedphilosopherhasnoconflictwithreligionsolongasitretainsitsethical
force.Whenareligioniscrumbling,whenmenrejectitsmoralrestrainingpower,when
theyrefusetoacceptitshistoricalincidentsandirrationaldogmasasbeingvitaltoliving,
wheninconsequencetheyarebecomingbrutalizedanduncontrolled,asourownepoch
haspainfullyseen,thenthisreligionislosingitsraisond'treandthepeopleamong
whomitheldswayareinneedofhelp.ThemassofthecommonpeoplenowintheWest
mentallydwelloutsideanychurch,andareconsequentlyoutsideitsdisciplinarymoral
influence.Theycannotbelefttoperishunguidedwhenreligionbecomesjustameansof
dupingsimplemindsintheinterestsofrulingorwealthyclasses,andisnolongeran
ethicalforce.Thisputsthewholeofsocietyindanger,andsuchareligionwillinevitably
fall,bringingdownsocietywithitselfinthecrashasitdidinFranceandlaterinRussia.
Whentheoldfaithfailsthenthenewisneeded.Thinkingmenrefusetobindtheirreason
totheincrediblearticlesofadogmaticcreed.Theyrefusetoswearbeliefinqueer
conceptswhichtheyfindimpossibletoreconcilewiththerestofhumanlifeandcertainly
withmodernknowledge.Thephilosopherfindsthatreligionloomsagainstamuchlarger
backgrounditisthemereshadowcastbyphilosophy,butforthemassestheshadow
suffices.
131

Thepiousmanmaykeephisreligiousdenominationwhenheaddsphilosophy,solongas
hedoesnottrytokeepitsconformismanddogmatismandsmugmonopolism.Theone
attitudeisincompatiblewiththeother.Buttheoriginallivingspiritbehinditsbeginnings,
theessentialreverenceofthehigherpower,thebeautifulcommunion,thefervent
devotiontheseareperfectlyphilosophical.
132

Philosophycannevercollidewithreligion.Indeeditincludesacult,aworshipofthe
higherPower.Butitmayanddoescollidewithsuperstitionmasqueradingasreligion,and
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withexploitationpretendingtobereligion.
133

Justastheconfusionofplanesofethicalreferencebetweenthemonasticand
householder'sdutieshasintroducederrorintothewholesubjectofyoga,sotheconfusion
ofplanesofintellectualunderstandingbetweenthereligiousandthephilosophicconcepts
hasintroducederrorintothewholesubjectoftruth.Philosophyhasnoquarrelwith
religionsolongasitdoesnotgobeyonditslegitimatefrontiers.
134

Ifsomemenfindhelpintheregularformalobservanceofestablishedreligions,
philosophydoesnotobject.Butiftheyassertthattheseobservancesshouldbehonoured
andfollowedbyallothermen,asbeingindispensabletotheirspiritualwelfare,then
philosophyisforcedtoobject.Wemustallowtoleranceinspiritualandsocialmattersto
allexceptthosewhosedoctrineswouldsubverttoleranceitselforwhoseactionwould
destroyit.Ifweregarditaswrongtoimposeourreligiousviewsonothers,wealso
regarditaswrongtoallowotherstoimposethemonus.
135

TheyarenotaskedtogiveuptheirfaithinGodbuttobroadentheirideaofGod.
136

Thegapbetweenthereligiousapproachandthephilosophicapproachcannotbeclosed
exceptbytimeanddevelopment.Foolsignoreitonlytosufferdisillusionmentfortheir
trouble.
137

Philosophyisforcedtosupportexistingreligiousbodiesnotbecauseitconceivesthemto
bethebest,butbecauseitcanfindnobetterones.Itisgrievedbytheirfaultsand
imperfections,theirpasthistoryandpresentselfishness,butitbelievesthataworld
withoutthemwouldbeaworseone.
138

Totheignorantsceptic,thevenerableinstitutionofreligionrestsonthetwinpillarsof
superstitionandprejudice,buttothephilosopherthesearebuttheincrustationsoftime
ontherealpillars,whichareunderstandingandreverence.
139

Philosophyisalwayssympathetictowardsreligionbecausetheparentisalways
sympathetictowardsitsoffspring.
140

JustastheworshipofananthropomorphicDeityisaproperprescriptionforthemasses,
sotheworshipofapersonalsaviourisaproperprescriptionforthemtoo.Philosophy
warmlyendorsesbothkindsofworship.Letitnotbethoughtthatitwouldobliterate
them.Onthecontrary,itrationallyexplainstheirnecessityanddefendstheirutility.They
arevaluableaidstomillionsofpeople.Moreover,theyyieldgenuineandnotillusory
results.However,whenignorantorintolerantpersonswouldsetuptheseelementary
goalsasthehighestpossibleonesforallmen,orasthesolepathsleadingtodivinity,then
philosophyfeelsitnecessarytorefutetheignoranceoftheoneandtodenouncethe
intoleranceoftheother.
141

IfpersonalityisdeniedtoUniversalBeing,thisisonlybecauseofthelittlenessitimposes
onthatBeing,becauseitlessensandminifies.Butifchildren,adolescents,andmanyor
mostadultsneedthesupportofsuchabelieftomaintainreligiousaspirationandprovide
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personalcomfort,whynotletthemhaveit?Theothers,whohavebeeneducatedso
highlyastoregarditasanillusion,areentitledtotheirviewtoo.Philosophyisableto
pointoutwhatiscorrectandwhatisnotinbothviews.
142

Whenonetalksorwritesinpublicaboutpopularreligion,onemustbecautiousand
careful,foritisveryeasytotreadonthefeetofthosewhotakepopularreligionquite
literallyandmostseriously.JustastheeducatedGreeksandRomanscouldnot,because
theydarednot,tellthemassesthatthevariouscultstheyworshippedwerereallythelaws
ofnature,sothephilosophermustbeverycarefulifhehintsthatpopularreligionis
merelythefirststeponthewaytoGodasteptoooftenmixedwithconfusionsand
superstitions.
143

Thosewhohavereacheditshigherlevelsandstandattheportalsofphilosophycangeta
pointofviewwhichwillharmonizealloldandnewreligionswhichnowcompeteoreven
conflictwitheachother.

Intolerancetowardphilosophy
144

Thesageofformercenturieswasprudentinthepresenceofestablishedreligious
authority.Hetookcaretoavoidbeingpersecutedforheresy,althoughhedidnotalways
succeedinprotectinghimselfagainstitssuspicions.Evenonalesserplane,amysticlike
MigueldeMolinoscouldnotbesavedbythePope,hisfriend,fromthedungeonsofthe
"Holy"Office,theInquisition.RememberthattheJesuitswerehostiletotheworkof
MolinosandalsoMadameGuyonbecauseofitssuccess.Theywerealsojealousofhis
intimacywiththePope,wholodgedhimintheVatican.Plotswerelaid,theInquisition
wasbroughtintotheiropposition,hewasdenouncedasahereticand,further,falsely
libelled.TheJesuitssucceededinwinningtheFrenchkingtotheircause:heusedallhis
influencewiththePapacytohaveMolinosarrested.Thepoorvictimneverregainedhis
freedombutdiedinthedungeonsoftheInquisitionsometwelveyearslater.Hisbooks
weretermed"dangerous"anddestroyed.
145

Thesocallednormalconditionofthehumanmentalityisreallyanabnormalone.Sanity
hasnotyetbeenstampeduponthehumanrace.Thatisstillaperfectionistidealwhichis
beingapproachedslowly,haltingly,andwithmanysidewanderings.Thenarrow,
unbalanced,andconfusedmentalitiesofmostpeoplenaturallyreactindifferently,
impatiently,orintolerantlytothebroadstraighttruthsofphilosophy.Nothingcanbe
donebyanyonetoassistthemsolongastheynotonlydonotunderstandthisteaching
butdonotevencaretounderstandit.Onlywhentheywillhavesufficientlyawakenedto
regarditasbeingnottooabsurdortooidealistictobeconsideredwilltheyhaveattained
civilizedmaturity.
146

Thenarrowmindedandlittleheartedamongorthodoxinstitutionswillresenthis
independenceandprotestthattoallowhimfreedomandequalityistoallowanarchyand
chaostoreign.
147

Thisword"religion"isveryoftenandverygliblyused.Yetthemeaninggivenitbythe
seersistoofrequentlynotthesamemeaninggivenitbythehearers.Consequentlyhistory
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haswitnessedthecuriousspectacleofSpinoza,whoseentirelifewasacontemplationof
Godandapracticeofvirtue,denouncedasanatheistbytheJewishecclesiasts,andasa
scoundrelbytheChristianones,ofhistimes.

Philosophicindependence,universalism
148

ThephilosopherwhowouldbecompletelyloyaltoTruthwillalsobenondenominational
inreligion.Amongthosewhoboastoftheirformalmembershipinasolidlyorganizedor
sociallyrespectedchurchhewillbeachurchlessoutsider.Theverymembershiptheyare
soproudofwouldbeanoppressivelimitationtohim.Intellectuallyheisfullyjustifiedin
refusingtoaffixtohimselfanylabelbearingthenameofanysect.Hisdetachedimpartial
judgementallowshimtoseetheerrorsandweaknessesofallsectsnolessthantheir
truthsandservices.Hecangladlysharewhatistrueinallbeliefsbutnotwhatisfalsein
themorlimitingintheirfollowersandorganizers.Yetthistruepositionwillnotbewhat
itseemsfromtheoutside.Itwillparadoxicallybebothinandoutofallreligionsinby
reasonofhisdeeperunderstandingofthemthantheirownbelieverspossess,andoutby
reasonofhisknowledgethattheinspiredWordhasbeenspokeninmanylands,among
differentraces,tothemostvariedindividuals.Heisinbyreasonofhissympathywithall
gropingforlightandallgivingLight,whichareligionrepresents,butoutbyreasonofhis
inabilitytonarrowdownhisreceptivitytothatLightthroughadoptingadogmaticcreed
orthroughidentifyinghimselfcompletelywithanyparticularfaith.Hecannotforthe
sakeofpartialtruthenduretheimitatingerror.Heisouttoobecauseheseeseach
denominationlockedinonitself,restrictedinoutlookandinadequateintolerance.He
feelstheneedofalargerlibertythananyofthemcangivehim,soastoexpress
somewhattheinfinitefreedomoftheSpirititself.Norwillhe,forthepersonalorsocial
benefitofassociatingwithaclosedcongenialgroup,yieldtothetemptationoflosing
interestinallothergroups.Hisintellectualattitudeistheonlytrulycatholicone,andthe
neutralityofhisfeelingsistheonlyreallyuniversalone.Hestandsatthefrontierbetween
everypairofreligions,aforeignerbutyetafriend,sereneandimmobile.Inallthiswhat
elseishedoingexceptexpressingnotonlyastricteradherencetotruthbutalsotolove?
Fornoman,whetherbelieveroratheist,isshutoutfromhiscircle.Allmenareincluded
init.
149

Nouniversalrulecanbelaiddownfortheilluminedmantofollowinthematterof
relationshiptothereligionintowhichhewasborn.Hemayadheretoit,observeallits
rites,andfulfilallitsrequirementsquitefaithfullyorhemayanarchicallyrejectall
allegiancetoit.Ifhefollowsthefirstalternativeitwillmostprobablybebecauseofthe
needtosetanexampletothosewhostillneedthesupportofsuchoutwardandvisible
institutionalismandsuchfixedformsanddogmas.Ifhefollowsthesecondalternative,it
ismostcertainlybecausefirst,hisinnervoicetellshimtodoso,second,becausethehour
isathandtorecallreligionitselftothegreatveritieswhichhavelargelyvanishedfromit,
andthird,simplybecausehisowntemperamentanddispositionpreferit.Thisiswhyin
historywefindthestrangelyparadoxicalactualityofsomemysticsfollowingorthodoxy
withpiousconformitybutothersstandingasidewithhereticalstubbornness.
150

Intheendmanwillfindthatnochurchcangivehimwhathecangivehimselfordofor
himwhathemustdoforhimself.Andthatis,togobacktothesourceofhisbeingand
seekcommuniontherewithinhisownmindandhisownheartwhereGodishidden.
151
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Realreligionisasuniversalasthewind.Cutanddriedreligionsaremerelocal
limitationstheywereoriginallyputupastemporarytrellisworkfortheyoungsoulsof
mantoclimbandgrowupward,buttheyhavebecomeimprisoninghatchesand
sometimesinstrumentsoftorture.Letuslookonlyforthatwhichissalientinareligion,
andweshallfindourselvessetfreefromitslassoinglimitations.Weshallnotarriveatits
meaningbymuddledtalkinitsfavouranymorethanbymuddledtalkinitsdespite,for
thepowersofcalmjudgementandreasonedreflectionarethenstupefied.The
philosophicalstudent'sattitudeissimplythis,thathecanbeginnodiscussionwith
acceptanceoftheexistenceofanydogmasuchacceptanceisonlyproperasthe
culminationofadiscussion.Hemustquestionandcrossquestioneveryinheritedbelief,
everyacquireddoctrineuntilhecanelicitwhatwereallyknowoutofthemassofpseudo
knowledge,untilhebecomesconsciousoftheignorancewhichissooftenveiledbythe
maskofsupposedknowledge.Throughsuchagitatedunsettlementandsuchsharpdoubt
alonecanwewinourwaytorocklikecertitudeultimately.
152

Theouterformsandobservances,theliturgiesandritualsofreligionmaybedispensed
withbythepersonwhohassuccessfullyopenedupaninnerwayofcommunicationwith
thehigherself,sofarashisownpersonalneedsareconcerned.But,forthesakeofothers
towhomthesearestillnecessary,hemay,bywayofexample,continuewiththem,ashe
deemsbest.
153

Youcannomoredecipherthenameofhisdenominationthanyoucanputtheskyintoa
container.Forhedoesnotbelongtooneinwardlyalthoughhemay,occasionally,for
socialreasons,belongtooneoutwardly.
154

HedoesnothavetoenterachurchortempletostandinGod'spresence:heiscontinually
there.
155

Religionisforthemassesofmen,mysticismforthefew,butphilosophyisforthe
individual.
156

Theorthodoxofferingofmythwillneversatisfythemanwhohashadaglimpseofthe
staroftruth.
157

Whoiswillingtosacrificehisworldlyinterestsforthesakeofcomingclosertothe
intangibleOverself?Whoiswillingtodeviatefromtheconventionalpathofmere
sensualityandnarrowselfishnessforthesakeofamysteriousintuitionwhichbidshim
obeyandtrustitimplicitly?Theanswertothesequestionsisthatonlyascattered
minorityiswillingtodoso,andonesmallenoughtoshowuphumanity'sactualstateas
beinginwardlyfarfromknowingwhyitishereonearth.
158

Theshelterwhichreligionoffersthemasseshasitscorrespondenceinthestrengthwhich
philosophyoffersthefew.
159

Althoughthephilosopherisnotreallytiedtoanydogmasortetheredtoanycultbutis
friendlytoallthosewhicharenotdirectlyevil,thisdoesnotmeanheisreadytoagree
deferentiallywithallthedoctrinesofferedtotheworld.Hemayhavetopointoutwhere
acceptancemuststop,buthequalifiesthisbyshowingupitsrelativity,itsdependenceon
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aparticularlevel.
160

Ifothersfeeltheneedofacreedal,dogmaticteachingtosupportthem,ofaleadertotake
themalong,ofagrouptogivethemgregariouscomfort,itisrightforthemtoaccept
thesethings.Butthephilosopherfeelsthathemustremainuncommitted,mustnotputup
fencesandbarriersbehindwhichheistoshuthimselfinwithaleaderandagroup.He
rememberstheexperienceofthespiritualglimpse,whenhefeltthatGod'slovewasfor
all,andnotforanyspecialsectorsociety,thatGod'struthwasgreaterthananycreedor
dogma,andthathewassetfreefromallmanmademental,social,andspiritualcages.
161

Toointelligenttoacceptthenonsensewhichistraditionallyservedinthenameof
religion,toointuitivenottofeeltheworshipfulreverenceforahigherPowerdemanded
byreligion,heisforcedtofollowanindependentpath.
162

Inanswertothequestionwhichsometimesarises,whethertheaspirantcouldcontinueto
remain,withouthypocrisy,incommunionwithanorthodoxysuchastheChurchof
England,whileholdingthephilosophicviewofJesus,thereplyisthathecouldcertainly
doso.ThereisabsolutelynoneedtobreakawayfromtheChurchnortogiveupthe
servicesofinstitutionalreligion.Philosophymakesnopronouncementsagainstthese
itemsbutleavesitentirelytoeachindividualtomakehisowndecisioninsuchmatters.
Thedecisionmustdependuponhiscircumstances,temperament,andsoforth.Philosophy
merelysaysthatsuchservicesarenotenoughinthemselvestoensureilluminationinthe
caseofthebeliever,whileinthecaseofthesceptictheyareuseless.Theymayhavetheir
valuetoquiteanumberofpeople,andifonefeelstheneedofthemorofreligious
fellowship,itwouldbequitepermissibleforhimtocontinuethem.Thisneednotatallbe
construedashypocrisyorcowardice.However,nooneshouldacthastilyinsovitala
matter.Hehasnotonlytoconsidertheeffectofsuchanactuponhimself,butalsoupon
thecommunityaroundhim.Itmightevenbethat,althoughtheservicenolongersatisfied
himpersonally,hemighthavetocontinueitforthesakeofsettinganexampletoother,
lessmaturepersonswhostillfullybelieveinitsincetheythinktheyarereceivinghelp
fromitandwhoareinfluencedbyhisdecisions.
163

Philosophyseesthattheproblemofman'sattitudetoGodisanindividualproblem,that
organizationscanatbestonlycontributetowardsitssolutionandatworstretardand
delayitssolution.Noorganizationcaneversolveitforhim.Onlyhehimselfcandoso.
164

Thesceptic,whohasnouseforreligiousinstitutionsandnobeliefinreligious
experience,isfarremovedfromthephilosopher,whocriticizesthesethingsbutdoesnot
rejectthem.
165

TheexperiencewhichcarrieshimintothepureairoftheOverselfcarrieshimalsohigh
abovethelimitationsofcreedsanddogmas,sects,rituals,andgroupswhichsoarbitrarily
dividemen.
166

Emersonoverestimatedthevalueofindividualismbecausehetendedtooverlookthefact
thatallthefinethingshesaidaboutitweretrueonlyofthoserareindividualswhohad
attainedthezenithofnoblecharacterandinspirationalwisdom.
167
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Hehasfreedhimselffromthebiasedcreedaltrap,fromthefanaticsectarian
exclusiveness,fromthetightlimitscausedbynonexistentorinsufficientcomparative
knowledge.Hehasyettofreehimselffromhimself,tobecomedetachedfromthe
egoisticwayofviewingideas,tobecomedetachedandimpartialandequilibrated.
168

Itisnotconversionfromonereligionintoanotherthataphilosopherseekstoeffect,such
asfromChristianitytoHinduism,butconversiontotheinnerunderstandingofall
religions.
169

Thephilosopherisinwardlyanontraditionalist.Whyshouldhe,whoseeksordwellsin
thefullestmentalfreedom,conditionhismindbytheopinionsofothersorconformhis
lifeaccordingtothebeliefsofothers?Whyshouldhe,whoknowsthattheSpiritbearsno
labels,attachhimselftoanyparticularsystemofthought,values,orrites?Donot
thereforeexpecthimtobelongtoanycreed,religion,sectthatyoucannameortoadore
itssymbolsandsubmittoitsclichs.
170

TheSpiritwhichhehastouchedwillnotlethimbeconfinedtoasinglereligioussystem
butenableshimtoperceivewhatistrue(andwhatisnot)inallsystems.
171

Heisindependentandneutraltowardsorganizedreligionsyetatthesametimefriendly
andunderstandingofthem.Heisunabletocommithimselftoalltheircredosorjointheir
institutions,yethewillinglystudiesthosecredosandrecognizestheneedofthose
institutions.Heneedsnoformalauthoritytoendorsehisattainmentforheneedsno
following,nopublicity,nopatronage.
172

Suchamanwillbehighlyadvancedwhateverreligionorsecthefollowsoutwardly,and
notastheeffectofthatparticulargrouptowhichhebelongs.Thecreditishisown,not
thegroup's.
173

Hewhoacquiresathoroughandcorrectunderstandingofphilosophyacquiresaproperty
thatwillremaininhispossessionthroughoutlife.Hewillneverchangeitalthoughhe
maybroadenit.
174

Ifhechoosestoremainwithinaparticulardenomination,itwillnotbeatthepriceof
regardingitasGod'schosenone.
175

Thesageisinhimselfanonsectarian,yethispeople'sneedorhispersonaldestiny,or
both,maymakehimactiveonbehalfofreligioussects.Heismentallynonpolitical,yet
thesamepressuremaymakehimworkforsomepoliticalcause.
176

Thephilosopherhasnogeneralneedtoidentifyhimselfwithanyparticularreligion,with
itsbiasandlimitation,buthemayhaveaspecialneedtodosobecauseofpersonal
circumstancesorofservicetohumanity.
177

Hemayattendhisancestralchurch,temple,mosque,orsynagogueifhewishesbutitwill
notbeatallnecessaryforspiritualcomforttodoso.Hisobediencetotheobligationis
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merelyagesture,anoutwardsymbolofacknowledgmentthatthereisaHigherPower
worthyofhomageandworship.Andhemakesthisacknowledgmenttoconfirmthefaith
oftheignorantwhoarenotabletodomorethantaketheirreligiononexternalauthority.
178

Traditionalformsandorganizationshavelittleappealtoonewhodrawshisinspirations
fromtoday'slife,andnotyesterday's:stilllesstoonewhoholdstothesuperiorityofthe
individualintuitionaboveallorganizationsandprefersittotheirtyrannyanddogmatism.
179

Withthefullerestablishmentofenlightenmenthecomestounderstandthatifheisto
transcenddualityhemustgiveuptheidolshehasworshippedgodsandgurus.
180

Heneedsnoreligiousauthoritytointerferewithorinterruptthisgloriousglimpse,no
theologiantobringitdowntotheintellectuallevelandthusloseitforhim.
181

Donotaskthenameofhisreligionorthewhereaboutsofhischurch,forhedoesnot
knowanythingmorethanthatitisafaithandworshipwhichsaturatehismind,penetrate
hisheart,andsatisfyboth,andthatitgoeswithhimregularlyeverywherehehimself
goes.
182

Thephilosophermayrecitenocreedandobservenosacrament,orhemaydoboth.Heis
free.
183

Butifsuchaneventastheformationofanewcultbeinthedestinyofthings,thenheis
contenttoletitcomeinitsownwaybytheactivityofothers,neverbyhisown,andonly
afterhisdeath,forhewilldoallhecantopreventitduringhislifetime.
184

Alltheseminorstarsofreligioustheologyandintellectualtheorypalebeforethebright
constellationoffinalTruth.
185

Philosophyisprofoundlyreligious,butitisnotareligion.Menbelongingtodifferent
foldsmaystudyandpractiseit.
186

Ifyouregarditasareligion,thenitisonewhichembracesallotherreligions.
187

Wheneverthemassesbegintoquestion,theyask,"Whatarewetobelieve?"whereas
whenevertheintelligentfewbegintoquestiontheyask,"Whatcanweknow?"
188

Ifheistobeatallunderstood,hemustusethenamesanddogmasoftheestablished
religion,theascendantfaith,inhisowndeclarations.
189

Toacceptaninstitution'susefulnesstosocietygenerallywithoutacceptingtheinstitution
personallyishisattitude.
190

Amanwhodevelopshisownprivateapproachtothespirithasasmuchrighttohold
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independentviewsofitasothershavetoholdconventionalones.Societiesrightlydepend
uponorganizedreligionsbuttheyshouldlearntorespectindividualswhoareunabletodo
sobutwhoarenotlessappreciativeofreligiousvaluesintheirloftiestsense.
191

Thosewholookforovernightmiraculousupliftingandexaltingchangesinthemindsof
themassesarelookingforrarehappeningsthisisforindividualsonlyalltheotherswill
bechangedeitherbyalongprocessofexperienceorbyashorterprocessofeducation,or,
moreusually,byacombinationofboth.
192

Ifideas,truths,knowledgeofenormousimportancetothehumanrace,aswellasaway
oflifefoundeduponthem,arenottovanishfromtheworldaltogether,afewmenand
womenhereandtheremustcarefullypreservethemandlovinglynurturethem.
193

Itisnotalongstepbutratheraneasyonefromtheuniversalizingofcommunicationsand
transportwhichissuchafeatureofourtimes,totheuniversalizingofspiritualculture.
ThesearchforGod,thequestoftheSoulcannowbecarriedonwiththehelpofallthe
knowledgegleanedbyallhumanbeingseverywhere.Itcannowbediscussedintermsof
basichumanexperiencesandnotmeresectarianones.
194

Thisuniversalmessageisdestinedtoflowallovertheworld.Itsbearerswillbenone
otherthanthewritingsofancientandmodernseers.Itwillbringpeopletheopportunity
togrow,togoforward.Thosewhowillbementallyflexibleenoughtounderstandand
emotionallycourageousenoughtoacceptthetruthwillbreakawayfromtheeffete
traditionwhichholdsthem.Theotherswillstubbornlyprefertoremainastheyare.Itis
noteasytodesertonebeliefforanother.
TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.

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