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Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism204
lines, in order to round us out—and we are apt to get just the experiences
calculated to round out that particular part of us. We may be tending too
much in one direction, and we are given a check and an urge in another
direction. These little things—and great things all mean something. And
then our interests are bound up more or less with those of others, owing to
the laws of attraction, and our acts may be intended to reflect upon them,
and theirs upon us, for our mutual development and ultimate good. We will
have more to say on this subject a little later on.
If we will stand still, and calmly consider our past life (the present life, we
mean) we will see that certain things have led to certain other things, and that
small things have led to great things—that little turning points have resulted
in an entire change in our life. We may trace back the most important thing
in our life to some trifling incident or occurrence. We are able to look back
and see how the painful experiences of the past have strengthened us, and
have brought us to a larger and fuller life. We are able to see how that
particular thing in the past, which seemed needlessly cruel and uncalled
for, was the very thing which has brought us to some great thing in the
present. All that is needed is the perspective of years. And if we get so that
we are able to see this, we will be able to bear with a far greater degree of
philosophy the pains and disagreeable occurrences of the present, knowing
that they mean ultimate good. When we cease to think of these things as
punishment, or a wanton interference of some outside power, or the cruelty
of Nature, and begin to see them as either the consequences of our own
past lives, or the result of the Spirit’s directing hand, we will cease to protest
and struggle as we have been doing in the past, and will endeavor to fall in
with the working of the great Law, and will thereby avoid friction and pain.
And no matter what pain, sorrow or trouble we may be undergoing, if we
will open ourselves to the guidance of the Spirit, a way will be opened out
for us—one step at a time—and if we follow it we will obtain peace and
strength. The Law does not heap upon a back more than it can bear, and