the soul of the far east(远东的灵魂)-第4节
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The Soul of the Far East
of soul…awakening； but sometimes； upon more sensitive and subtler
natures； the light breaks with all the suddenness of a sunrise at the equator；
revealing to the mind's eye an unsuspected world of self within。 But in
whatever way we may awake to it； the sense of personality； when first
realized； appears already； like the fabled Goddess of Wisdom； full grown
in the brain。 From the moment when we first remember ourselves we
seem to be as old as we ever seem to others afterwards to become。 We
grow； indeed； in knowledge； in wisdom； in experience； as our years
increase； but deep down in our heart of hearts we are still essentially the
same。 To be sure； people pay us more deference than they did； which
suggests a doubt at times whether we may not have changed； small boys
of a succeeding generation treat us with a respect that causes us inwardly
to smile； as we think how little we differ from them； if they but knew it。
For at bottom we are not conscious of change from that morning； long ago；
when first we realized ourselves。 We feel just as young now as we felt
old then。 We are but amused at the world's discrimination where we can
detect no difference。
Every human being has been thus 〃twice born〃： once as matter； once
as mind。 Nor is this second birth the birthright only of mankind。 All the
higher animals probably； possibly even the lower too； have experienced
some such realization of individual identity。 However that may be；
certainly to all races of men has come this revelation； only the degree in
which they have felt its force has differed immensely。 It is one thing to
the apathetic； fatalistic Turk； and quite another matter to an energetic；
nervous American。 Facts； fancies； faiths； all show how wide is the
variance in feelings。 With them no introspective ＇greek＇cnzhi seauton
overexcites the consciousness of self。 But with us； as with those of old
possessed of devils； it comes to startle and stays to distress。 Too apt is it
to prove an ever…present； undesirable double。 Too often does it play the
part of uninvited spectre at the feast； whose presence no one save its
unfortunate victim suspects。 The haunting horror of his own identity is
to natures far less eccentric than Kenelm Chillingly's only too common a
curse。 To this companionship； paradoxical though it sound； is principally
due the peculiar loneliness of childhood。 For nothing is so isolating as a
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The Soul of the Far East
persistent idea which one dares not confide。
And yet；stranger paradox still；was there ever any one willing to
exchange his personality for another's？ Who can imagine foregoing his
own self？ Nay； do we not cling even to its outward appearance？ Is
there a man so poor in all that man holds dear that he does not keenly
resent being accidentally mistaken for his neighbor？ Surely there must
be something more than mirage in this deep…implanted； widespread
instinct of human race。
But however strong the conviction now of one's individuality； is there
aught to assure him of its continuance beyond the confines of its present
life？ Will it awake on death's morrow and know itself； or will it； like the
body that gave it lodgment； disintegrate again into indistinguishable spirit
dust？ Close upon the heels of the existing consciousness of self treads
the shadow…like doubt of its hereafter。 Will analogy help to answer the
grewsome riddle of the Sphinx？ Are the laws we have learned to be true
for matter true also for mind？ Matter we now know is indestructible； yet
the form of it with which we once were so fondly familiar vanishes never
to return。 Is a like fate to be the lot of the soul？ That mind should be
capable of annihilation is as inconceivable as that matter should cease to
be。 Surely the spirit we feel existing round about us on every side now
has been from ever； and will be for ever to come。 But that portion of it
which we each know as self； is it not like to a drop of rain seen in its
falling through the air？ Indistinguishable the particle was in the cloud
whence it came； indistinguishable it will become again in the ocean
whither it is bound。 Its personality is but its passing phase from a vast
impersonal on the one hand to an equally vast impersonal on the other。
Thus seers preached in the past； so modem science is hinting to…day。
With us the idea seems the bitter fruit of material philosophy； by them it
was looked upon as the fairest flower of their faith。 What is dreaded now
as the impious suggestion of the godless four thousand years ago was
reverenced as a sacred tenet of religion。
Shorter even than his short threescore years and ten is that soul's life of
which man is directly cognizant。 Bounded by two seemingly impersonal
states is the personal consciousness of which he is made aware： the one
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The Soul of the Far East
the infantile existence that precedes his boyish discovery； the other the
gloom that grows with years；two twilights that fringe the two borders of
his day。 But with the Far Oriental； life is all twilight。 For in Japan and
China both states are found together。 There； side by side with the present
unconsciousness of the babe exists the belief in a coming unconsciousness
for the man。 So inseparably blended are the two that the known truth of
the one seems； for that very bond； to carry with it the credentials of the
other。 Can it be that the personal； progressive West is wrong； and the
impersonal； impassive East right？ Surely not。 Is the other side of the
world in advance of us in mind…development； even as it precedes us in the
time of day； or just as our noon is its night； may it not be far in our rear？
Is not its seeming wisdom rather the precociousness of what is destined
never to go far？
Brought suddenly upon such a civilization； after the blankness of a
long ocean voyage； one is reminded instinctively of the feelings of that
bewildered individual who； after a dinner at which he had eventually
ceased to be himself； was by way of pleasantry left out overnight in a
graveyard； on their way home； by his humorously inclined companions；
and who； on awaking alone； in a still dubious condition； looked around
him in surprise； rubbed his eyes two or three times to no purpose； and
finally muttered in a tone of awe…struck conviction； 〃Well； either I'm the
first to rise； or I'm a long way behind time！〃
Whether their failure to follow the natural course of evolution results
in bringing them in at the death just the same or not； these people are now；
at any rate； stationary not very far from the point at which we all set out。
They are still in that childish state of development before self…
consciousness has spoiled the sweet simplicity of nature。 An impersonal
race seems never to have fully grown up。
Partly for its own sake； partly for ours； this most distinctive feature of
the Far East； its marked impersonality； is well worthy particular attention；
for while it collaterally suggests pregnant thoughts about ourselves； it
directly underlies the deeper oddities of a civilization which is the modern
eighth wonder of the world。 We shall see this as we look at what these
people are； at what they were； and at what they hope to become； not
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The Soul of the Far East
historically； bu
