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BOSICRUCIAN PHILOSOPHY
QUESTION No. 138.
Is it absolutely necessary to live a life of asceticism in
order to become spiritual and endowed with psychic powers?
Answer: That depends upon what the inquirer means
by asceticism. Some people in the East creep into a barrel
of spikes and roll themselves about in order to mortify
the flesh, or lash and maim themselves in various ways
to attain a realization of spiritual powers. That, as-
suredly, is not right. They may
and do at times become
clairvoyant, but that course is as reprehensible
and its
results as transitory as the effects obtained by crystal
gazing, the drug habit and similar methods.
We should realize that this physical body is our most
valuable instrument, and that it is our duty to give it all
reasonable care under conditions which are conducive to
its health and well-being. No power obtained by maltreat-
ing our body is of the highest kind, and therefore is
neither lasting nor fully efficient.
But some people mean b}^ asceticism, "living a clean
and pure life." They want spiritual power without
sacrifice of animal propensities ; they desire to soar in the
clouds at will, while at other times they claim liberty to
wallow in the mire. They want to continue feeding on
coarse food, to gorge themselves on meat, alcohol and to-
bacco, to indulge their passions and sensual desires in
every direction, and at the same time they want to have
spiritual powers.
That cannot be done. Our bodies are our tools. A good
workman appreciates the value of good tools and keeps
them in the very best condition sharp and clean. When