Beginning with the contemplation of corporeal things in their multiplicity and harmony, it then retires upon itself and withdraws into the depths of its own being, rising thence to the nous, the world of ideas. But even there it does not find the Highest, the One; it still hears a voice saying, 'Not we have made ourselves.' The last stage is reached in the highest tension and concentration, beholding in silence and utter forgetfulness of all things it is able as it were to lose itself. Then it may see God, the fountain of life, the source of being, the origin of all good, the root of the soul. In that moment it enjoys the highest indescribable bliss; it is as it were swallowed up of divinity, bathed in the light of eternity."

The following was written in June of 1944, and was evoked by discussion, initiated by Ruth St. Denis during a gathering of poets at my home, on what poetry really was, and how it came to be written, which led to a discussion during another gathering of an entirely different group of poets, also at my home, during which I read the above from the writings of Plotinus. The next morning, on awakening, the following suddenly came to mind again, and I realized that it belonged here, in this commentary.

The supreme objective of the creative process is the creation of a vehicle through which we may know ourselves as we really are. All other creation is incidental; it only contributes, directly or indirectly, to this end.

For those of us who seek Realization, there must be no entanglement -- either in the creative process itself, or in the instruments of creation, or in the objects of creativity - no attachment to any of them - no illusion that they have importance in and of themselves. Our vehicles must be trained to become perfect instruments for the expression and complete awareness of the true and invisible Self - the creative process is in its play - the objects of creativity are the by-products of its rhythmic procession through time and space. They are the signs by which we recognize the presence, just as we can tell that the wind is blowing by the rippling of the water or the rustling leaves of the trees.

"To lead one soul to union with God, through love," said Meher Baba once, "is greater than the creation of a score of universes."

Creation usually leads to entanglement in endless objectivity through the identification of the Self with (1.) the objects of creation (substance), or (2.) with the creative power (energy), or (3.) with the creative imagination, (consciousness).The Self is other than all of those - the source from which they spring.

In each of us this One Supreme Self must be released from its triple entanglement with substance, energy and consciousness, so that it may know itself as it really is. The liberating process calls for a complete reversal of our habits of thought and speech and action. As in meditation the flashlight of consciousness is progressively withdrawn from body to energy, from energy to consciousness, and from consciousness to Self, to dwell in Reality, so even in action the flashlight of consciousness must be gradually withdrawn from effects to causes, from causes to causation, from causation to The Causer, to be identified with Whom is to know all, to enjoy all, to command all.

This is what is meant by the injunction, in the Hebrew SEPHER YETZIRAH, or, BOOK OF FORMATION, to "restore the Creator to His throne again." Thus restored, the true Self is free either to create, without becoming entangled in creation, or to withdraw completely from all creativity at will. It is then free in manifestation, and it is then free from the compulsion of manifestation. It has achieved mastery. It can enjoy the peace of perfect rest and the bliss of perfection in the full consciousness of its own true nature and the free exercise of its infinite power.

The day has been speeded, and I have a feeling that it is up to me, to a certain extent to speed the process. Baba, who was here for the last two days, advanced the date for the beginning of my fast to June 17th, and changed it, for the first two months, to milk instead of water. Next week, when he comes, I am to have a long talk with him, and all the other details, I presume will be settled.