The Inner Life: A Series of Addresses

THE PREPARATION FOR THE JOURNEY

4 (eee inner life is a journey, and before starting to take it there is a certain preparation necessary. If one is not prepared there is always the risk of having to return before one has arrived at one’s destination. When a person goes on a journey and when he has to accomplish something, he must know what is necessary on the path, and what he must take with him in order that his journey may become easy and that he may accomplish what he has started to accomplish. The journey one takes in the inner life is as long as the distance between life and death, it being the longest journey one ever takes throughout life; and one must have everything prepared, so that after reaching a certain distance one may not have to turn back.

The first thing that is necessary is to see that there is no debt to be paid. Every soul has a certain debt to pay in life; it may be to his mother or father, his brother or sister, to his husband or wife or friend, or to his children, his race or to humanity; and if he has not paid what is due, then there are cords with which he is inwardly tied, and they pull him back. Life in the world is fair trade,—if one could only understand it, if one knew how many souls there are in this world with whom one is connected or related in some way. Or those we meet freshly every day, to everyone there is something due, and if one has not paid one’s obligations, the result is that afterwards one has to pay with interest. There is the inner justice which is working beyond the worldly justice, and when man does not observe that inner law of justice, it is because at that time he is intoxicated, his eyes are closed, and he really does not know the law of life. But that intoxication will not last,—there will come a day when the eyes of every soul will be opened, and it is a pity if the eyes open when it is too late. It is better that the eyes are opened while the purse is full, for it will be very difficuit if the eyes open at the time when the purse is empty. To some consideration is due, to some respect, to some service, to some tolerance, to some forgiveness, to some help,—in some way or other, in every relation, in every connection there is something to pay, and one must know before starting the journey that one has paid it, and be sure that one has paid it in full, so there is nothing more to be paid. Besides this it is necessary that man realizes before starting his journey that he has fulfilled his duties,—his duty to those around him and his duty to God. But the one who considers his duty to those around him sacredly does his duty to God.