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and made of flint； so that by the rude flint our subtlest ideas are gained。
Could we employ the ocean as a lens； and force truth from the sky； even then
I think there would be much more beyond。
Natural things are known to us only under two conditionsmatter
and force； or matter and motion。 A third； a fourth； a fifthno
one can say how many conditionsmay exist in the ultra…stellar
space； and such other conditions may equally exist about us now
unsuspected。 Something which is neither matter nor force is difficult to
conceive； yet； I think； it is certain that there are other conditions。 When
the mind succeeds in entering on a wider series； or circle of ideas； other
conditions would appear
natural enough。 In this effort upwards I claim the assistance
of the soulthe mind of the mind。 The eye sees； the mind
deliberates on what it sees； the soul understands the operation
of the mind。 Before a bridge is built； or a structure erected；
or an interoceanic canal made； there must be a plan； and before
a plan the thought in the mind。 So that it is correct to say
the mind bores tunnels through the mountains； bridges the
rivers； and constructs the engines which are the pride of the
world。
This is a wonderful tool； but it is capable of work yet more
wonderful in the exploration of the heavens。 Now the soul is
the mind of the mind。 It can build and construct and look beyond
and penetrate space； and create。 It is the keenest； the
sharpest tool possessed by man。 But what would be said if a
carpenter about to commence a piece of work examined his tools
and deliberately cast away that with the finest edge？ Such is
the conduct of those who reject the inner mind or psyche
altogether。 So great is the value of the soul that it seems to
me； if the soul lived and received its aspirations it would not
matter if the material universe melted away as snow。 Many turn
aside the instant the soul is mentioned； and I sympathise with
them in one sense； they fear lest； if they acknowledge it； they
will be fettered by mediaeval conditions。 My contention is that
the restrictions of the mediaeval era should entirely be cast
into oblivion； but the soul recognised and employed。 Instead of
slurring over the soul； I desire to see it at its highest
perfection。
CHAPTER XII
SUBTLE as the mind is； it can effect little without knowledge。
It cannot construct a bridge； or a building； or make a canal； or
work a problem in algebra； unless it is provided with
information。 This is obvious； and yet some say； What can you
effect by the soul？ I reply because it has had no employment。 Mediaeval
conditions kept it in slumber： science refuses to accept it。 We are taught
to employ our minds； and furnished with materials。 The mind has its logic
and exercise of geometry； and thus assisted brings a great force to the
solution of problems。 The soul remains untaught； and can effect little。
I consider that the highest purpose of study is the education of the soul or
psyche。 It is said that there is no proof of the existence of the soul； but；
arguing on the same grounds； there is no proof of the existence of the mind；
which is not a tangible thing。 For myself； I feel convinced that there is a
soul； a mind of the mindand that it really exists。 Now； glancing at the
state of wild and uneducated men； it is evident that they work with their
hands and make various things almost instinctively。 But when they arrive at
the idea of mind； and say to themselves； I possess a mind； then they think
and proceed
farther； forming designs and constructions both tangible and
mental。
Next then； when we say； I have a soul； we can proceed to shape
things yet further； and to see deeper； and penetrate the
mystery。 By denying the existence and the power of the soul
refusing to employ itwe should go back more than twelve
thousand written years of human history。 But instead of this；
I contend； we should endeavour to go forward； and to discover a fourth Idea；
and after that a fifth； and onwards continually。
I will not permit myself to be taken captive by observing
physical phenomena； as many evidently are。 Some gases are
mingled and produce a liquid； certainly it is worth careful
investigation； but it is no more than the revolution of a
wheel； which is so often seen that it excites no surprise；
though； in truth； as wonderful。 So is all motion； and so is a
grain of sand； there is nothing that is not wonderful； as； for
instance； the fact of the existence of things at all。 But the
intense concentration of the mind on mechanical effects appears
often to render it incapable of perceiving anything that is not
mechanical。 Some compounds are observed to precipitate crystals； all of
which contain known angles。 Thence it is argued that all is mechanical； and
that action occurs in set ways only。 There
is a tendency to lay it down as an infallible law that because
we see these things therefore everything else that exists in
space must be or move exactly in the same manner。 But I do not
think that because crystals are precipitated with fixed angles
therefore the whole universe is necessarily mechanical。 I think
there are things exempt from mechanical rules。 The restriction
of thought to purely mechanical grooves blocks progress in the
same way as the restrictions of mediaeval superstition。 Let the
mind think； dream； imagine： let it have perfect freedom。 To
shut out the soul is to put us back more than twelve thousand
years。
Just as outside light； and the knowledge gained from light；
there are； I think； other mediums from which； in times to come；
intelligence will be obtained； so outside the mental and the spiritual ideas
we now possess I believe there exists a whole circle of ideas。 In the
conception of the idea that there are others； I lay claim to another idea。
The mind is infinite and able to understand everything that is
brought before it； there is no limit to its understanding。 The
limit is in the littleness of the things and the narrowness of
the ideas which have been put for it to consider。 For the
philosophies of old time past and the discoveries of modern
research are as nothing to it。 They do not fill it。 When they
have been read； the mind passes on； and asks for more。 The
utmost of them； the whole together； make a mere nothing。 These
things have been gathered together by immense labour； labour
so great that it is a weariness to think of it； but yet； when
all is summed up and written； the mind receives it all as
easily as the hand picks flowers。 It is like one sentence
read and gone。
The mind requires more； and more； and more。 It is so strong
that all that can be put before it is devoured in a moment。
Left to itself it will not be satisfied with an invisible
idol any more than with a wooden one。 An idol whose attributes are
omnipresence； omnipotence； and so on； is no greater than light or
electricity； which are present everywhere and all…powerful； and from which
perhaps the thought arose。 Prayer which receives no reply must be pronounced
in vain。 The mind goes on and requires more than these； something higher
than prayer； something higher than a god。
I have been obliged to write these things by an