The life of the progressive spirit

Begin within. 

A spirit has three enemies – itself; the external world around it and the spiritual adversaries that beset the upward path. These are described as the World, the Flesh and the Devil. Begin with self – the Flesh. Conquer it, so that self can be abnegated and the spirit can emerge from its hermit-cell and live and breathe and act in the free scope of universal brotherhood. This is the first step. Self must be crucified. The life that it leads is a life of the spirit; for flesh has been conquered and the world has ceased to charm.

But in proportion as the spiritual perceptions are quickened, so spiritual adversaries come into more prominent view. The adversaries, who are the sworn enemies of spiritual progress and enlightenment, will beset the aspirant's path throughout his career of probation.  The faithful soul presses on, for it is the means to develop the higher faculties and the steps by which entrance is won to the higher spheres of bliss.

This, briefly, is the life of the progressive spirit – self-sacrifice – self is crucified; self-denial – the world is vanquished – and spiritual conflict – adversaries are beaten back. In progressive life, there is no stagnation; no rest; no finality. It is a daily death and a constant fight for perpetual progress. It is the quenchless struggle of the light that is within to shine out more and more into the radiance of the perfect day.

Sony Centre at Night, Berlin – Andreas Tille (CC-by-SA-3.0)