The Way to Self-The Way to Self-KnowledgeKnowledge

Cleansing the doors to the Cleansing the doors to the InfiniteInfinite

It cannot please the Lord at allIt cannot please the Lord at allIf we the sad distinction makeIf we the sad distinction make

That all within our compound wallThat all within our compound wall Is genuine, that without it fake.Is genuine, that without it fake.

For He is here and For He is here and everywhere,everywhere,As near to us as others too.As near to us as others too.

It only will express our It only will express our fearfearIf we declare what is not If we declare what is not true.true.

If our religion is the If our religion is the bestbest Why do we of it loudly Why do we of it loudly shout,shout,

As if we want the world to As if we want the world to attest,attest, A view we still regard with A view we still regard with doubt.doubt.

Religion is, in truth, a Religion is, in truth, a routerouteTo be pursued unto the To be pursued unto the last,last,

Not for discussion or disputeNot for discussion or disputeNor ostentatious rite or fast,Nor ostentatious rite or fast,

But to act on the rules enjoined,But to act on the rules enjoined,For Man to be a Super-man.For Man to be a Super-man.

These rules no mortal brain has coined,These rules no mortal brain has coined,But form a part of Heaven’s Plan.But form a part of Heaven’s Plan.

To raise humanity aboveTo raise humanity aboveThe passions that bind her to The passions that bind her to earthearth

To fill her more with Truth and To fill her more with Truth and LoveLove

And make her of far greater And make her of far greater worth.worth.

Neither to seek miraculous gift,Neither to seek miraculous gift,Nor ghostly visits by the deadNor ghostly visits by the dead

Nor e’en a change of fortune Nor e’en a change of fortune swift,swift,But to be more evolved But to be more evolved instead,instead,

More sober, patient, humble, More sober, patient, humble, pure,pure,Thrifty, considerate and wise,Thrifty, considerate and wise,

For longer spans of time to For longer spans of time to endureendureWith joy to greater heights to With joy to greater heights to rise,rise,

Endued with yet another sense,Endued with yet another sense,Besides the five already there,Besides the five already there,

Which looks beyond all that is Which looks beyond all that is dense,dense, Blocking our vision everywhere,Blocking our vision everywhere,

And ne’er allows us to perceiveAnd ne’er allows us to perceiveThe world to which our souls The world to which our souls belong.belong. The way we can this darkness The way we can this darkness cleavecleave Religion has shown all along.Religion has shown all along.

Two billion hours of selfless workTwo billion hours of selfless work By healthy grown-ups of the earth By healthy grown-ups of the earth

Can wake up mankind, with a Can wake up mankind, with a jerk,jerk, To a New Order to give birth.To a New Order to give birth.

This honest labor should sufficeThis honest labor should sufficeTo o’ercome want, distress and pain,To o’ercome want, distress and pain,

To rid the world of crime and vice,To rid the world of crime and vice,Which day by day momentum gain.Which day by day momentum gain.

No heart should grieve for lack of means,No heart should grieve for lack of means,No eye shed tears for broken health,No eye shed tears for broken health,

To end for good distressful scenesTo end for good distressful scenesShould be the noblest use of wealth.Should be the noblest use of wealth.

It will free myriads from the It will free myriads from the gripgripOf famine, myriads from Of famine, myriads from disease,disease,Myriads with arts and crafts Myriads with arts and crafts equipequipTo earn their livelihood with To earn their livelihood with ease.ease.

Millions of children who would Millions of children who would growgrowDeformed, retarded, crippled, Deformed, retarded, crippled, blind,blind,

For lack of food again would For lack of food again would glowglowWith health of body and the With health of body and the mind.mind.

The Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews,Buddhists or other noble creeds,

The black, white, brown and yellow huesOr other pure or mixed breeds,

Like many-colored flowers inA park, the charm of earth enhance, And vessels of one God within,

Must live as brothers, laugh and dance.

This happy dream does not come true

Our pride and prejudice, the two

As in its progress intervene

Declared foes of this heavenly scene.

Nor bold adventures, daring featsNor brave exploits in outer space

Nor fighting wars with spaceship fleetsCan help to raise a nobler race.

Those who blame Nature for our woes,Our sorrows and destructive wars,

Forget that they are their own foes,

For ‘tis their pride which Mercy bars.

20 Verses from Chapter IX of20 Verses from Chapter IX ofThe Way to Self-KnowledgeThe Way to Self-KnowledgeBy Pandit Gopi KrishnaBy Pandit Gopi Krishna© 1984© 1984

The first in a series.

Email photos to 2billionhours@gmail.comFor the next verses.

Together we make a higher vision our home.