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		<b><font face="Times New Roman"><i>The Nature of Perfection</i></font></b></p>
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<font face="Times New Roman">PERFECTION is often understood to mean the highest or the
utmost possible development, even if it be in one particular
line or direction. That, however, can better be called success
or achievement. True perfection is not an extreme growth,
however great or commendable it may be: it is the harmony
of an all-round growth, the expression of the unified total
being. And yet this does not involve a stultification of any
limb or a forced diminution of any capacity. Perfection does
not consist either in the harmonisation of the utmost possible
development of each and every capacity, attribute or power
of being. First of all, it is not a possible ideal, given the conditions of existence and manifestation. Secondly, it is not necessary: perfection can be realised even otherwise.</font>

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<font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How is the harmony to be brought about in the human
system composed of so many different and discordant factors,
forms and forces of consciousness? It is not possible if one
tries to make them accommodate each other, tone down the
individual acuities and angularities, blunt or cut out the
extreme expressions and effect some sort of a compromise or
a pact of goodwill. It is not the Greek ideal of the golden
mean nor is it akin to the modern democratic ideal which
lays down that each element is free—to grow and possess—
to the extent that it allows the same freedom to every other
element. No, for true harmony one has to go behind and
beyond the apparent divergences to a secret being or status of consciousness, 
the bed-rock of existence where all divergences are resolved and find their inherent and inalienable
unity, their single origin and basis. If one gets there and takes
one's stand upon that absolute oneness, then and then only
the perfect harmony of all the diversities that naturally rise</font>
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Page 182<hr>

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<font face="Times New Roman">out of it as its self-expression becomes possible, not only
possible but inevitable.</font>

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<font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That bed-rock is one's inmost spiritual being, the divine
Consciousness which is at once an individual centre, a cosmic
or universal field of existence and a transcendent truth and
reality. With that as the nucleus and around it the whole
system has to be arranged and organised: according to the
demand of the will and vision composing that consciousness,
life has to manifest itself and play out its appointed role. Its
configuration or disposition will be wholly determined by the
Divine Purpose working in and through it; its fullness will
be the fullness of the Divine Presence and intention. The
mind will be wholly illumined, the vital with it will become
the pure energy of Consciousness and the physical body will
be made out of the substance of the divine being: our humanity
will be the home and sanctuary of the Divine.</font>
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