The Supreme Doctrine - neo-alchemist

THE COMPENSATIONS
word spirituality. In 'spiritual' compensation man loves and serves a very high
cause; an infinitely just and good 'God' of whom he tries to obtain a unitive
knowledge: 'superior' 'elevated' states of consciousness, which he wishes to
attain; a total realisation conceived as something that ought to be conquered;
or an 'ideal' aimed at the reign of love and justice among men, etc.... What in
fact are these 'spiritual' values? One often hears three kinds of values
distinguished: material, intellectual, and spiritual. These spiritual values
evidently form part of Manifestation, since one can indicate them, love them,
and serve them; but if Manifestation presents a gross or material aspect and a
subtle, psychic or intellectual aspect, it is hard to see what could constitute a
third aspect called 'spiritual'. The adorers of the 'spiritual' say that it is the
Absolute (every idolater says that of his idol); it is assumed to be the 'Spirit'
dominating and conciliating 'soul' and 'body'. But the Absolute cannot be
conceived as opposed to any other values existing in Manifestation, for this
opposition assimilates it with Manifestation. And the Absolute could not be
indicated, nor loved, nor served, like an object placed in front of our Selfsubject.
'Spiritual' values cannot be the Absolute. Under the different forms
assumed by these values there is always the conception of something
perfectly positive which represents in short the positive principle of 'temporal'
dualism. One can call it God or the Constructive Principle of the World, or
the Principle of Good opposed to the 'Devil', the Destructive Principle of the
World, or Principle of Evil; it is the Principle of Light opposed to the Prince
of Darkness. It is normal that man should love construction and detest
destruction, that he should love 'God' and detest the 'Devil'. The idolatry of
'spirituality' only begins when 'God' is illusorily identified by the intellect
with the Absolute or Reality or the Intemporal. When this error is committed
'God' is identified with the Absolute Principle and the 'Devil' with
Manifestation; 'Satan' becomes the Prince of this World; 'spiritual' goods are
opposed to 'temporal' goods. This forgetfulness of Metaphysical Unity results
in an inner dualism, in the impossibility of the synthesis of the being; as one
sees, besides, in all idolatrous compensation.
We have insisted on drawing attention to these compensations called
'spiritual' because they are the most subtle of all. The mental image of 'God',
of the positive principle of temporal dualism, is the most powerful
compensatory image, the most resistant to devalorisation; consequently the
most difficult to pass beyond. It is not in our power to choose our
compensations; if our psychic structure is such that we have the 'sentiment of
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