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Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism374
Edward Carpenter, in one of his poems, voices this sense of joy that
comes to him who feels the great love of God surging through him, and who
recognizes the nature of this God, and who feels his relationship to Him. He
says:
“I arise out of the dewy night and shake my wings. Tears and lamentations are no
more. Life and death lie stretched before me. I breathe the sweet aether blowing of
the breath of God.
“Deep as the universe is my life—and I know it; nothing can dislodge the knowledge
of it; nothing can destroy, nothing can harm me.
“Joy, joy arises—I arise. The sun darts overpowering piercing rays of joy through me,
the night radiates it from me. I take wings through the night and pass through all the
wildernesses of the worlds, and the old dark holds of tears and death—and return
with laughter, laughter, laughter. Sailing through the starlit spaces on outspread wings,
we two—O laughter! laughter! laughter!”
The true lover of God is an optimist. He looks for—and finds—the bright
side of things. He is able to extract sunshine from the darkest corner. He
walks through life with a smile, a cheerful song, an abiding faith in the
Absolute. He loves all of Life, and carries a message of hope, and courage,
and a helpful suggestion to all. He is broad and tolerant—merciful and
forgiving—devoid of hate, envy, and malice—free from fear and worry. He
minds his own business, and grants all the same privilege. He is full of Love,
and radiates it to all the world. He goes through life in his own sunny way,
joyfully meeting things that drive others to despair and misery—he passes
over the stony road unharmed. His peace comes from within—and all who
meet him feel his presence. He does not seek after friends or love—these
things come to him as his right, for he attracts them. He is as much at home
in the tenement of the laborer as in the palace of the wealthy—both places
seem as home to him, and their occupants on a level. Brother to both saint
and sinner is he, and he loves them both—for he feels that each is doing