{"id":4226,"date":"2013-07-13T01:54:18","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=4226"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:54:18","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:54:18","slug":"75-the-asscent-vol-12-on-education-volume-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/02-works-of-the-mother\/01-cwmce\/12-on-education-volume-12\/75-the-asscent-vol-12-on-education-volume-12","title":{"rendered":"-75_The-Asscent.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n


\n
\nTHE
\nASCENT TO TRUTH<\/font><\/span><\/b> \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A Drama of Life<\/span><\/p>\n

in a Prologue, Seven Stages<\/span><\/p>\n

and an Epilogue<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>                           <\/span><\/span>P<\/span>ERSONS<\/span> <\/span>OF THE<\/span> D<\/span>RAMA <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>
\n                <\/span>The Philanthropist<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>
\n                <\/span>The Pessimist<\/span><\/p>\n

\n                <\/span>The Scientist <\/span><\/p>\n

\n                <\/span>The Artist<\/span><\/p>\n

\n                <\/span>Three Students<\/span><\/p>\n

\n                <\/span>Two Lovers<\/span><\/p>\n

\n                <\/span>The Ascetic<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>
\n                <\/span>Two
\nAspirants<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n                         <\/span>Prologue: In the Artist’s studio, preliminary meeting. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n                        <\/span>Seven stages of the ascent, of which the seventh is at the summit.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n                        <\/span>Epilogue: The new world. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 503<\/span><\/p>\n

<span<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n


\nPrologue <\/span><\/font><\/i><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

In the Artist’s studio<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Evening, at
\nnight-fall; the end of a meeting held by a small group of people united in a
\ncommon aspiration to find the Truth.  <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Present:\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The man of goodwill, the philanthropist. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The disillusioned man who no longer believes
\nin the possibility of happiness on earth. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The scientist who seeks to solve the problems
\nof Nature. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The artist who dreams of a more beautiful
\nideal. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A group of three students (two boys and a
\ngirl) who have faith in a better life and in themselves. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Two lovers who are seeking for perfection in
\nhuman love. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The ascetic who is prepared for any austerity
\nin order to discover the Truth. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Two beings brought together by a common
\naspiration, and who have chosen the Infinite because they have been chosen by
\nthe Infinite. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The curtain rises<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font><\/span>RTIST
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>My dear friends, our
\nmeeting is drawing to an end and before we close and take the final resolution
\nwhich will unite us in action, I must ask you once again if you have anything
\nto add to the declarations you have already made. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nP<\/font><\/span>HILANTHROPIST
\n<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Yes, I would like to state
\nonce again that I have devoted my<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span> Page \u2013 505<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\nwhole life to helping
\nhumanity; for many years I have tried all known and possible methods, but none
\nhas given me satisfactory results and I am now convinced that I must find the
\nTruth if I want to succeed in my endeavour. Yes, unless one has found the true
\nmeaning of life, how can one help men effectively? All the remedies we use are
\nmere palliatives, not cures. Only the consciousness of Truth can save humanity.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nP<\/font><\/span>ESSIMIST
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>I have suffered too much in
\nlife. I have experienced too many disillusionments, borne too much injustice,
\nseen too much misery. I no longer believe in anything, I no longer expect
\nanything from the world or from men. My last remaining hope is to find the
\nTruth \u2013 always supposing that it is possible to find it.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span> A<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT<\/font><\/span> <\/span><\/font> <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You see us together here
\nbecause a common aspiration has linked our lives; but we are not bound by any
\ncarnal or even emotional ties. One single preoccupation dominates our
\nexistence: to find the Truth. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nO<\/font><\/span>NE OF\u00a0 <\/span>THE<\/font>\u00a0
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/font><\/span>L<\/font><\/span>OVERS<\/font> <\/span>(indicating the Aspirants)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Unlike our two friends
\nhere, we two (he puts his arm around his beloved) live only by each other and
\nfor each other. Our sole ambition is to realise a perfect union, to become a
\nsingle being in two bodies, one thought, one will, one breath in two breasts,
\none beat in two hearts that live only by their love, in their love, for their
\nlove. It is the perfect truth of love that we want to discover and live: to
\nthat we have dedicated our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font><\/span>SCETIC
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>It does not seem to me that
\nthe Truth can be reached so easily. The path that leads to it must be
\ndifficult, steep, precipitous, full of dangers and risks, of threats and
\ndeceptive illusions. An unshakable will and nerves of steel are needed to
\novercome<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page \u2013 506<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

 \u00a0<\/span>all these obstacles. I am
\nready for every sacrifice, every austerity, every renunciation in order to make
\nmyself worthy of the sublime goal I have set before me. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font><\/span>RTIST<\/font><\/span> <\/span><\/font> (turning to the others)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You have nothing more to
\nadd? No. So we are all agreed: together, by uniting our efforts, we shall climb
\nthis sacred mountain that leads to the Truth. It is a difficult and arduous
\nenterprise, but well worth the attempt, for when one reaches the summit, one
\ncan look upon the Truth and all problems must necessarily be solved. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>So tomorrow we shall all
\nmeet at the foot of the mountain and together we shall begin the ascent.
\nGood-bye.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All withdraw
\nafter saying good-bye.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page \u2013 507<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

 <\/span>Seven Stages of the Ascent <\/font> <\/span><\/i><\/b> <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

FIRST\u00a0 <\/span>STAGE <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

A kind of
\ngreen plateau from which one has a view of the whole valley. From this plateau,
\nthe path which has been easy and wide so far suddenly narrows and winds round
\nthe spurs of the massive and rocky mountain rising to the left. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

All
\narrive together, full of energy and enthusiasm. They look down on the valley
\nbelow. Then the Philanthropist calls them together with a gesture. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nP<\/font><\/span>HILANTHROIST
\n<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Friends, I must speak to
\nyou. I have something serious to tell you. (Silence
\n… All listen attentively<\/i>.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Cheerfully, easily, we have
\nclimbed the mountain all together as far as this plateau from which we can look
\nat life and better understand its problems and the cause of human suffering.
\nOur knowledge is becoming vaster and deeper and we are nearer to finding the
\nsolution I am seeking\u2026 (Silence<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But here we come to a
\ndecisive turning-point. Now the ascent will become steeper and harder and above
\nall, we are going to cross over to the other side of the mountain where we
\nshall no longer be able to see the valley and men. This means that I shall have
\nto give up my work and betray my pledge to help humanity. Do not ask me to stay
\nwith you; I must leave you and return to my duty. He starts back on the downward path. The others look at one another
\nin surprise and disappointment.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font><\/span>SCETIC
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Poor friend! He has gone
\nback, vanquished by his attachment to his work, by the illusion of the outer
\nworld and its <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page \u2013 508<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

appearances. But nothing should slow us down; let us continue on
\nour way, without regret, without hesitation. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

They set out
\nonce more. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

SECOND STAGE <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

A part of
\nthe path where the slope becomes steeper and turns at right angles, so that it
\nis impossible to see where it goes. Below, a long, white, very dense cloud
\ncompletely isolates it from the world. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

They all pass by more or less cheerfully
\nexcept the Pessimist who comes last, dragging his feet, and sinks down on the
\nbank by the roadside. He holds his head in his hands and sits there without
\nmoving. The others notice that he is not following them and look back. One of
\nthe Students retraces his steps and touches him on the shoulder. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font>\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span><\/span>
\n
\nS<\/font><\/span>TUDENT<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Well, well, what’s the
\nmatter with you? Are you tired? <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nP<\/font><\/span>ESSIMIST<\/font><\/span> <\/span><\/font> (waving him away)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>No, leave me, leave me
\nalone. I have had enough! It’s impossible! <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span>\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nS<\/font><\/span>TUDENT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But why? Come on, take
\nheart! <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nP<\/font><\/span>ESSIMIST
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>No, no, I tell you I am
\nworn out. It’s a stupid and impossible venture. (Pointing to the cloud beneath their <\/i>feet<\/i>.) Just look at that! We are completely cut off from the world and
\nlife. Nothing, nothing is left on which we can base our understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page \u2013 509<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>(He looks back towards the point where the path turns at right angles<\/i>.)
\nAnd there! We can’t even see where we are going! It is an absurdity or a
\ndelusion \u2013 perhaps both! After all, there might not even be any Truth to
\ndiscover. The world and life are only a dead end \u2013 a hell in which we are
\nimprisoned. You can go on if you like, but I won’t move, I refuse to be taken
\nin! <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He buries
\nhis head in his hands once more. The Student, losing all hope of convincing him
\nand not wanting to linger, leaves him to his despair and joins the others. They
\ncontinue their climb. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

THIRD STAGE\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The
\nScientist and the Artist arrive together after the others, as if they had
\ndropped behind while talking. They are nearing the end of their conversation<\/span><\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>CIENTIST<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Yes, as I was telling you,
\nI believe we set out on this adventure a little rashly. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font><\/span>RITIST<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>It is true that so far our
\nascent seems to have been rather fruitless. Of course, we have made some very
\ninteresting observations, but these observations have not had much result. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>CIENTIST
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, I prefer my own methods \u2013 they are much more rational. They
\nare based on constant experimentation and I do not take a step forward until I
\nam sure of the validity of the previous one. Let us call our friends \u2013 I think
\nI have something<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page \u2013 510<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

 \u00a0<\/span>to communicate to them. (He beckons and calls to the others. They
\ndraw near and the Scientist addresses them.)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>My dear friends and
\nfellow-travellers, as we move further and further away from the world and its
\nconcrete reality, I have the growing feeling that we are behaving like
\nchildren. It was revealed to us that if we climbed this precipitous mountain
\nwhose summit no one has yet been able to scale, we would reach the Truth \u2013 and
\nwe set out without even bothering to study the way up. How do we know that we
\nhave not taken the wrong path? Where is our assurance that the result will
\nconform to our hopes? It seems to me that we have acted with unpardonable
\nimprudence and that our endeavour is not at all scientific. I have therefore
\ndecided, although to my great regret, since my friendly feelings towards you
\nall remain intact, that I must stop here in order to study the problem and if
\npossible to form some certainty about the path to follow, the right path, the
\none which leads to the goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>(After a pause<\/i>) Besides, I am convinced that if I can find the
\nsecret of the composition of the smallest thing in Nature, for example this
\nhumble stone on the path, I shall have found the Truth we are seeking. So I
\nshall stay here and bid you\u00a0 <\/span>au revoir<\/i> \u2013 yes,\u00a0 <\/span>au revoir<\/i>, I hope; for
\nperhaps you will come back to me and to scientific methods. Or else, if I find
\nwhat I am looking for, I shall come to you to bring you the good news.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font><\/span>RTIST
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>I too am thinking of
\nleaving you. My reasons are not the same as those of our friend the scientist,
\nbut they are just as compelling. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>During this interesting
\nclimb of ours, I have had some experiences: new beauties have been revealed to
\nme; or rather, a new sense of beauty has taken birth in me. At the same time, I
\nhave been seized with an ardent and imperious need to express my experience in
\nconcrete forms, to cast them in Matter, so that they may serve for the
\neducation of all and especially so that<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page \u2013 511<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>the physical world may be illumined by them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>I am going to leave you,
\nthen, regretfully, and stay here until I can give form to my new impressions.
\nWhen I have said all that I have to say, I shall take up the ascent again and
\nrejoin you, wherever you are, in quest of new discoveries. Good-bye, and good
\nluck! <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

All the
\nothers look at one another in some dismay. The second Student (the girl) cries
\nout: <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span> STUDENT<\/font><\/span>
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>What do we care about these
\ndefections! Each one follows his destiny and acts according to his own nature.
\nNothing can turn us away from our endeavour. Let us continue on our way,
\ncourageously, boldly, without weakening. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

They all go
\non except the Scientist and the Artist<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

F<\/span>OURTH<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>S<\/span>TAGE\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The two
\nAspirants and the Ascetic pass by together without stopping and continue their
\nascent at a firm and steady pace. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Behind
\nthem, the two lovers, absorbed in each other, walk hand in hand, taking no
\nnotice of the others. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Just
\nbehind them the three students arrive, visibly tired. They stop. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span>\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nS<\/font><\/span>TUDENT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Well, my friends! This is
\nwhat I call a climb! What a path! It goes up and up without a break \u2013 there’s
\nno time to ca h your breath. I am beginning to feel tired.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span> Page \u2013 512<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\n <\/font>S<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span>\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nS<\/font><\/span>TUDENT<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>What! You too want to give
\nup? That’s not very sporting of you!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span> S<\/font><\/span>TUDENT<\/font><\/span> <\/span><\/font> <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>No, no, there’s no question
\nof giving up. But why don’t we rest a while and sit down for a moment to get
\nour breath back? My legs are hurting me. We shall climb much better after
\nrelaxing a little. Have a heart, let’s sit down for a moment, only for a
\nmoment. Afterwards we shall set out with more enthusiasm. You’ll see!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nT<\/font><\/span>HIRD
\n<\/font> <\/span>
\nS<\/font><\/span>TUDENT<\/font><\/span>\u00a0
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>All right! We don’t want to
\nleave you here moping all alone. Besides, I feel rather tired too. Let’s sit
\ndown together and tell each other what we have seen and learnt. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span> S<\/font><\/span>TUDENT<\/font><\/span> <\/span><\/font> (after a moment’s
\nhesitation, she too sits down<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Well, it’s only because I
\ndon’t want to part company with you. But we must not stay here long. It is
\ndangerous to linger on the way. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The Lovers
\nlook back and seeing them sitting there, continue on their way. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

F<\/span>IFTH<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>S<\/span>TAGE\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Much higher
\nup. The path is narrower and overlooks a wide horizon. The valley is still
\nhidden from sight by dense white clouds. To the left, just off the path, stands
\na small house facing the sky. The first three pass on without stopping. Then
\nthe Lovers arrive arm in arm, absorbed in their mutual dream.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i>Page \u2013 513<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n


\n
\n\u00a0<\/font><\/span><\/i>G<\/font><\/span>IRL<\/font><\/span> <\/span><\/font> (noticing that they are
\nalone)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Look, no one is left\u2026 We
\nare alone. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>What do the others matter!
\nWe don’t need them \u2013 aren’t we perfectly happy together? <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nB<\/font><\/span>OY<\/font><\/span> (seeing the house on the
\nroadside<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Look, darling, look at that
\nlittle house on the hillside, isolated and yet so welcoming, so intimate and
\nyet opening onto infinite space. What more do we need? An ideal place to
\nshelter our union. For we have realised, we two, a perfect, total union,
\nwithout shadow or cloud. Let us leave the others to their climb towards a
\nproblematic Truth \u2013 we have found our own, our own truth. That is enough for
\nus.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nG<\/font><\/span>IRL
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Yes, my love. Let us settle
\nin this house and enjoy our love without a care for anything else. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Still arm in
\narm, they leave the path and go towards the house. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

S<\/span>IXTH<\/span> S<\/span>TAGE <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The end of
\nthe path has become extremely narrow and stops abruptly at the foot of a huge
\nrock whose sheer wall rises towards the sky so that the summit is out of sight.
\nTo the left, there is a kind of small plateau at the far end of which a small
\nlow hut is visible. The whole scene looks bare and deserted. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The last
\nthree climbers arrive together. But the Ascetic stops and halts the others with
\na gesture. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font><\/span>SCETIC<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>I
\nhave something important to communicate to you. Will<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page \u2013 514<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

 \u00a0<\/span>you kindly listen to me,
\nboth of you? In the course of our ascent I have discovered my true being, my
\ntrue Self. I have become one with the Eternal and nothing else exists for me,
\nnothing else is necessary. All that is not That is illusory, worthless. So I
\nconsider that I have reached the end of the path. (He gestures towards the plateau on the left.)<\/i> And here is a
\nsublime and solitary spot, a place that is truly favourable to the life I shall
\nlead from now on. I shall live here in perfect contemplation, far from earth
\nand men, free at last from the need to live.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Without
\nanother word, without a gesture of farewell, without looking back, he goes
\nstraight towards the realisation of his personal goal. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Left
\nto themselves, the two Aspirants look at each other, moved by the greatness of
\nhis gesture. But they recover themselves immediately and the girl cries out:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span>\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>No! That cannot be the
\nTruth, the whole Truth. The universal creation cannot be merely an illusion
\nfrom which one has to escape. Besides, we have not yet reached the summit of
\nthe mountain, we have not yet completed our ascent. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span>\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT<\/font><\/span> (indicating the end of the path stopping short at the wall of rock that
\nrises almost vertically)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But here the pathway stops.
\nIt seems that no human being has ever gone any further. To climb this sheer
\nrock that rises before us and seems to be inaccessible, we must discover for
\nourselves the way to go on step by step, by our own efforts, with no other
\nguide or help than our will and our faith. No doubt we shall have to hew our
\nown path. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND
\n<\/font> <\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/font><\/span>A<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT<\/font><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/font>\u00a0 <\/span> <\/span>(eagerly)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Never mind! Let us go on,
\never onwards. We still have<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page \u2013 515<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

 \u00a0<\/span>something left to find: the
\ncreation has a meaning that we have yet to discover. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

They set out
\nonce more. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

S<\/span>EVENTH<\/span> S<\/span>TAGE <\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span><\/i>Summit<\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The two
\nAspirants who have valiantly withstood every test, haul themselves up with a
\nsupreme effort to the summit, bathed in brilliant light. Everything is light
\nexcept the little patch of rock on which they stand and which is hardly big
\nenough for their feet.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span> A<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The summit at last! The
\nshining, dazzling Truth, nothing but the Truth! <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span> A<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Everything else has
\ndisappeared. The steps by which we so laboriously climbed to the summit have
\nvanished. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Emptiness behind, in front,
\neverywhere; there is only room for our feet, nothing more. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Where do we go now? What
\nshall we do? <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The Truth is here, Truth
\nalone, all around, everywhere. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span>\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>And yet to realise it we
\nmust go further. And for that another secret must be found.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page \u2013 516<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\n\u00a0<\/font><\/span>F<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/font><\/span><\/span>A<\/font><\/span>PIRANT
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Obviously, all possibility
\nof personal effort ends here. Another power must intervene. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Grace, Grace alone can act.
\nGrace alone can open the way for us, Grace alone can perform the miracle. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT<\/font> <\/span>(stretching his arm towards the horizon<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Look, look over there, far
\naway, on the other side of the bottomless abyss, that peak resplendent with
\nbrilliant light, those perfect forms, that marvellous harmony, the promised
\nland, the new earth! <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Yes, that is where we must
\ngo. But how? <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Since that is where we must
\ngo, the means will be given to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Yes, we must have faith, an
\nabsolute trust in the Grace, a total surrender to the Divine. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Yes, an absolute
\nself-giving to the Divine Will. And since all visible paths have disappeared,
\nwe must leap forward without fear or hesitation, in complete trust. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT <\/font> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>And we shall be carried to
\nthe place where we must go. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

They leap
\nforward.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n


\n\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Page \u2013 517<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

 <\/span><\/i>Epilogue <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The
\nRealisation<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A
\nland of fairy light. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font><\/span>IRST<\/font><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/font> <\/span>
\nA<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Here we are, borne upon
\ninvisible wings, by a miraculous power! <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nS<\/font><\/span>ECOND<\/font><\/span> A<\/font><\/span>SPIRANT<\/font><\/span> (looking all around)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>What marvellous splendour!
\nNow we have only to learn to live the new life.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Curtain. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\n <\/font>Page \u2013 518<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE ASCENT TO TRUTH \u00a0 A Drama of Life in a Prologue, Seven Stages and an Epilogue   \u00a0                           PERSONS OF THE DRAMA   \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[118],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-12-on-education-volume-12","wpcat-118-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4226"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4226\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}