the soul of the far east(远东的灵魂)-第32节
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with substance； of one thing we are sure； the same laws of heredity govern
both。 In each a like chain of continuity leads from the present to the dim
past； a connecting clue which we can follow backward in imagination。
Now what spontaneous variation is to the material organism； imagination；
apparently； is to the mental one。 Just as spontaneous variation is
constantly pushing the animal or the plant to push out； as a vine its tendrils；
in all directions； while natural conditions are as constantly exercising over
it a sort of unconscious pruning power； so imagination is ever at work
urging man's mind out and on； while the sentiment of the community；
commonly called common sense； which simply means the point already
reached by the average； is as steadily tending to keep it at its own level。
The environment helps； in the one case as in the other； to the shaping of
the development。 Purely physical in the first； it is both physical and
psychical in the second； the two reacting on each other。 But in either
case it is only a constraining condition； not the divine impulse itself。
Precisely； then； as in the organism； this subtle spirit checked in one
direction finds a way to advance in another； and produces in consequence
among an originally similar set of bodies a gradual separation into species
which grow wider with time； so in brain evolution a like force for like
reasons tends inevitably to an ever…increasing individualization。
Now what evidence have we that this analogy holds？ Let us look at
the facts； first as they present themselves subjectively。
The instinct of self…preservation； that guardian angel so persistent to
appear when needed； owes its summons to another instinct no less strong；
which we may call the instinct of individuality； for with the same innate
tenacity with which we severally cling to life do we hold to the idea of our
own identity。 It is not for the philosophic desire of preserving a very
small fraction of humanity at large that we take such pains to avoid
destruction； it is that we insensibly regard death as threatening to the
continuance of the ego； in spite of the theories of a future life which we
have so elaborately developed。 Indeed； the psychical shrinking is really
the quintessence of the physical fear。 We cleave to the abstract idea
closer even than to its concrete embodiment。 Sooner would we forego
this earthly existence than surrender that something we know as self。 For
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sufficient cause we can imagine courting death； we cannot conceive of so
much as exchanging our individuality for another's； still less of
abandoning it altogether； for gradually a man； as he grows older； comes to
regard his body as； after all； separable from himself。 It is the soul's
covering； rendered indispensable by the climatic conditions of our present
existence； one without which we could no longer continue to live here。
To forego it does not necessarily negative； so far as we yet know； the
possibility of living elsewhere。 Some more congenial tropic may be the
wandering spirit's fate。 But to part with the sense of self seems to be like
taking an eternal farewell of the soul。 The Western mind shrinks before
the bare idea of such a thought。
The clinging to one's own identity； then； is now an instinct； whatever it
may originally have been。 It is a something we inherited from our
ancestors and which we shall transmit more or less modified to our
descendants。 How far back this consciousness has been felt passes the
possibilities of history to determine； since the recording of it necessarily
followed the fact。 All we know is that its mention is coeval with
chronicle； and its origin lost in allegory。 The Bible； one of the oldest
written records in the world； begins with a bit of mythology of a very
significant kind。 When the Jews undertook to trace back their family tree
to an idyllic garden of Eden； they mentioned as growing there beside the
tree of life； another tree called the tree of knowledge。 Of what character
this knowledge was is inferable from the sudden self…consciousness that
followed the partaking of it。 So that if we please we may attribute
directly to Eve's indiscretion the many evils of our morbid self…
consciousness of the present day。 But without indulging in unchivalrous
reflections we may draw certain morals from it of both immediate and
ultimate applicability。
To begin with； it is a most salutary warning to the introspective； and in
the second place it is a striking instance of a myth which is not a sun myth；
for it is essentially of human regard； an attempt on man's part to explain
that most peculiar attribute of his constitution； the all…possessing sense of
self。 It looks certainly as if he was not over…proud of his person that he
should have deemed its recognition occasion for the primal curse； and
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among early races the person is for a good deal of the personality。 What
he lamented was not life but the unavoidable exertion necessary to getting
his daily bread； for the question whether life were worth while was as
futile then as now； and as inconceivable really as 4…dimensional space。
We are then conscious of individuality as a force within ourselves。 But
our knowledge by no means ends there； for we are aware of it in the case
of others as well。
About certain people there exists a subtle something which leaves its
impress indelibly upon the consciousness of all who come in contact with
them。 This something is a power； but a power of so indefinable a
description that we beg definition by calling it simply the personality of
the man。 It is not a matter of subsequent reasoning； but of direct
perception。 We feel it。 Sometimes it charms us； sometimes it repels。
But we can no more be oblivious to it than we can to the temperature of
the air。 Its possessor has but to enter the room； and insensibly we are
conscious of a presence。 It is as if we had suddenly been placed in the
field of a magnetic force。
On the other hand there are people who produce no effect upon us
whatever。 They come and go with a like indifference。 They are as
unimportant psychically as if they were any other portion of the furniture。
They never stir us。 We might live with them for fifty years and be hardly
able to tell； for any influence upon ourselves； whether they existed or not。
They remind us of that neutral drab which certain religious sects assume to
show their own irrelevancy to the world。 They are often most estimable
folk； but they are no more capable of inspiring a strong emotion than the
other kind are incapable of doing so。 And we say the difference is due to
the personality or want of personality of the man。 Now； in what does this
so…called personality consist？ Not in bodily presence simply； for men
quite destitute of it possess the force in question； not in character only； for
we often disapprove of a character whose attraction we are powerless to
resist； not in intellect alone； for men more rational fail of stirring us as
these unconsciously do。 In what； then？ In life itself； not that modicum of
it； indeed； which suffices simply to keep the machine moving； but in the
life principle； the power which causes psychical change； which makes the
