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A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga636
luminously over their heads. He was informed by the oracle that the part
of the spirit which was immersed in the body was called the “soul,” but that
the outer and unimmersed portion was called the “daemon.” The oracle
also informed him that every man had his daemon, whom he is, bound to
obey; those who implicitly follow that guidance are the prophetic souls, the
favorites of the gods. Goethe also spoke of the daemon as a power higher
than the will, and which inspired certain natures with miraculous energy.
We may smile at these conceptions, but they are really very close to the
truth. The higher regions of the mind, while belonging to the individual,
and a part of himself, are so far above his ordinary consciousness that to all
intents and purposes messages from them are as orders from another and
higher soul. But still the voice is that of the “I,” speaking through its sheaths
as best it is able.
This power belongs to everyone of us, although it manifests only in the
degree that we are able to respond to it. It grows by faith and confidence,
and closes itself up, and withdraws into its recesses when we doubt it and
would question its veracity and reality. What we call “originality” comes
from this region. The Intuitive faculties pass on to the conscious mind some
perception of truth higher than the Intellect has been able to work out for
itself, and lo! it is called the work of genius.
The advanced occultist knows that in the higher regions of the mind are
locked up intuitive perceptions of all truth, and that he who can gain access
to these regions will know everything intuitively, and as a matter of clear
sight, without reasoning or explanation. The race has not as yet reached
the heights of Intuition—it is just beginning to climb the foothills. But it is
moving in the right direction. It will be well for us if we will open ourselves
to the higher inner guidance, and be willing to be “led by the Spirit.” This is a
far different thing from being led by outside intelligence, which may, or may
not, be qualified to lead. But the Spirit within each of us has our interests
at heart and is desirous of our best good, and is not only ready but willing
to take us by the hand and lead us on. The Higher Self is doing the best it