be reborn where the need is greatest. I shall wish to be reborn in
the nethermost depths of hell, because that is the place that most needs
enlightenment; that is the place to point out the path to deliverance; that
is the place where the light will shine most brightly."

Thus it will be seen we may not readily determine what is "good" and what
is "bad" karma, by judging from external conditions.

As we are told that we may entertain "angels unawares," so we may pass the
world's avatars upon the street, and judging from the external, the
physical environment, we may not know them from the vampire souls that
contact them.

The point of our present consideration is that this "year of grace,"
meaning not the mere twelve months of the calendar year, but the century,
is the end of the present _kalpa_ (cycle), and demonstrates that period of
evolution has terminated, and the era is at hand when spiritual alchemy
shall transform the old into the new, and that the desire, which has so
long ministered to the wants of the physical body, shall be turned
(converted) into the channels that lead to spiritual consciousness.

The undefined, instinctive urge that has actuated so many intrepid souls,
is becoming recognized for what it is--the awakening of the inner Self; the
blind groping in the dark will cease and there shall arise a race of human
beings liberated; free; aware of their spiritual origin and their inherent
divinity.

All who have conformed their life activities to the divine law of action,
which may be tersely stated as "Not mine, but thine, dear brother," will
have achieved the goal of the soul's purpose--will have found Nirvana.

CHAPTER IV

SELF-NESS AND SELFLESSNESS

During what is historically known as the Dark Ages, the esoteric meaning of
religious practices became obscured. This is true no less, and no more, of
Oriental countries, than of European. The long night through which the
earth passed during that time and since, but foreshadowed a coming dawn. In
the still very imperfect light of the dawning day, truth is seen but dimly,
and its rays appear distorted, whereas, when seen with the "pure and
spotless eye" they are straight and clear and simple.

Indeed, the very simplicity of Truth causes her to pass unnoticed.

While to the superficial observer; the student who is mentally eager but
who lacks the wonderful penetrating power of spiritual insight, there seems
to be a great complexity in Orie