man: animal and divine: Page 22

In the one Fear, Greed, Lust, Superstition have made their home. The horrors of the slaughter-house do not shock him at all. His fleshy coating reflects the inner man out and out. His senses are gross and coarse-fibred. In the other, God is manifesting Himself. He is proof against the extreme heat and cold, lust and passion. If a thunder-bolt were to fall upon him, he would not lose his calmness even for the fraction of a moment. Is not that real happiness? To realise that you are not the body; that you can never die; that nothing can touch you; that fire cannot burn you; the sword cannot pierce you, the water cannot drown you; to realise your independence of and mastery over the flesh. This is the true mission of religion. Religion is being and becoming. It is not talk. It is not intel-lectualism. It is not worldism. It is Life and Love. "God is Love." Love is unselfish. It burns for everyone. It does not come easily. Only when we have suffered much, thought much,-then and then alone gleams of this Universal Love shine upon us. It is the dawn of divinity - Spiritual Awakening. A time comes when we feel this truth, and sympathy for the sufferings of others is the first sign. To serve others is a high privilege. God grants us this opportunity for cleansing ourselves; no higher step can be taken unless we have learnt to be selfless in service.