THE WARLOCK OF LOVE - Preface

"We hide behind the masks of the Orient,
because the sullen lumbering shapes of the western world
strike fear and terror into our limbs,
and all is ungrown.
Legends we long for
and legends there are in the east of our heads.
So perchance Gods dwell unseen in the east of the world."

We can see how pertinent this opening poem is: 'because the sullen lumbering shapes of the Western world strike fear and terror into our limbs'. Even though the material world isn't exactly as we would have liked it to be, as it is obviously rough, tough and often times cruel. Although everything seems to be out of our control, we know that fear and terror are first of all coming from within ourselves. And before we could try to be able to cope with the everyday battle of surviving in this world, we should consider to first win the battle over our own inner fears and doubts. If this material world is so real, why is it so ephemeral as everything in it is doomed for destruction, inevitably. So it becomes a paradox: how can it be 'real' if eventually it does cease to exist?

It is thus worth exploring, having nothing to lose as matter is already here and following its doomed course of existence, anyway. But the 'fear and terror' although immaterial are still 'tangible' and it isn't material, as implied by the concept of matter itself. So there must exist a kind of 'subtle' matter. It is indeed explained in Bhagavad-Gita, that before reaching our pure state of anti-matter, we have to learn about our subtle bodies: mind, spirit, false-ego... Everything that keep us attached to this material universe forcing us to be stuck in a cycle of birth and death. And the Eastern philosophies are clear about this view regarding matter and anti-matter. Matter is limited and ephemeral and anti-matter unlimited and eternal.

Krishna says to his friend Arjuna: "For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy."

Arjuna replies: "The mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind."

Lord Krishna answers: "It is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment. For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is assured of success. That is my opinion". (B-G, chap. 6)

Recently, I was walking in the Botanical Garden, through the Chinese and Japanese gardens, and it was so peaceful and quiet. And I thought about my father and mother's stone on which it is carved « Rest In Peace » and I realised, as Arhuna said, how rare real peace of mind is.  If we could only just relax enough to be able to 'rest in peace', once in a while during the day, few minutes of real peace, or before going to bed... It would be easy to create paradise on earth in a very short time. I'm afraid this is our curse here. We can't stop from worrying, trying to hold the past, striving to know and plan the future... while present silently slips away. Bless he/she who can just shut the mind for few moments and rest in peace, without worries nor expectations. Just the pure sound of clouds passing by...

This is the clue: we must first strive for peace of mind.

And, again, as Marc Bolan writes, 'Legends we long for and legends there are in the east of our heads. So perchance Gods dwell unseen in the east of the world'. We must realize we are blessed as it is possible today to easily come in contact with the Vedic Scriptures and study their timeless teachings. It would have been very difficult, in this Western hemisphere, to buy a copy of Bhagavad-Gita or to meet a Buddhist monk in one's city, only some 50 years ago. Still this knowledge exists from time immemorial, but we must first develop a true desire to learn, to find answers. Jesus clearly said « Ask, and God will answer ! » and the clues are everywhere for one who has decided to search for truth; even in pop music. Don't ever think these are just songs with no meaning, or decide that rock stars can't be philosophers nor spiritual teachers. George Harrison has done more for bhakti yoga and meditation than many so-called Eastern gurus.

In another song, Painless Persuasion, Marc Bolan sings: "You better look to your soul or else it's gonna go..."  And indeed, time flies and death is nearer and nearer everyday. Even John Lennon sings to his son in Beautiful Boy: « Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans ».

The message is clear and simple: «  Be here now! »