Mystic masonry, or, The symbols of freemasonry and the greater ...

The Secret Doctrine. 191
this subordination, the clamorous lower animal nature
drowns out all higher vibrations ; as if in an
orchestra the bass-viols and the drums only could
be heard; and noise, rather than harmony, would
result. Hence the old saying — "He that conquers
himself is greater than he who taketh a city."
From such mastery of the lower nature by intelligent
effort and Will power, there results not only
peace, the silencing of the clamorous lower nature,
but clearness of vision and power of discernment.
There results also a sense of freedom and of power,
and a certainty of Knowledge. In the Bhagavad
Gita this training is called Yoga, and is defined as
equal-mindedness and skill in the performance of
actions. It is distinguished from Hatha Yoga, which
is mere straining after special powers (mediumship),
and is called Raja Yoga; that of the Kingly
or Divine sort ; and is everywhere portrayed as a
permanent subjugation of the whole lower nature.
It is, in fact, in science and in a philosophical sense,
the higher evolution of man. Whatever is gained
in one life in this direction is carried over to the
next incarnation ; while all apparent gain of
"powers" in Hatha Yoga (mediumship) is lost in
future births, or else is a detriment to evolution.
The potency of the planes in man increases from