1. The Preparation for the Journey
1. 內在旅程的準備
The Longest Journey
最長的旅程
The inner life is a journey, and before starting to take it there is a certain preparation necessary. If one is not prepared, there is always the risk of having to return before one has arrived at one’s destination. When a person goes on a journey, and when he has to accomplish something, he must know what is necessary on the path and what he must take with him, in order that his journey may become easy and that he may accomplish what he has started to accomplish. The journey one takes in the inner life is as long as the distance between the beginning of life and death, it being the longest journey one ever takes throughout life; and one must have everything prepared, so that after reaching a certain distance one may not have to turn back.
內在的生命是一段旅程，而在啟程之前必須先作某些準備。若沒有準備好，總有可能在抵達目的地之前便被迫折返。當一個人踏上旅程，並且想要完成些什麼時，必須知道旅途上所需之物，也必須了解自己應帶著什麼，使旅程更加順遂，並能完成他所要完成之事。人在內在生命中的旅程，其長度如同從生命的開端到死亡之間的距離──那是人生中最長的旅程；因此，一切都必須預備妥當，免得走到某個階段後不得不回頭。
Pay what is due
清償所欠之事
The first thing that is necessary is to see that there is no debt to be paid. Every soul has a certain debt to pay in life; it may be to his mother or father, his brother or sister, to his husband or wife or friend, or to his children, his race, or to humanity; and if he has not paid what is due, then there are cords with which he is inwardly tied, and they pull him back. Life in the world is fair trade, if one could only understand it, if one knew how many souls there are in this world with whom one is connected or related in some way, or whom we meet freshly every day. To everyone there is something due; and if one has not paid one’s obligations, the result is that afterwards one has to pay with interest.
首先必須確保的是：沒有尚未清償的債務。每個靈魂在生命中都有某些必須償還的債；可能是對父母、兄弟姊妹、配偶、朋友、子女、種族，或整個人類。如果他尚未支付該付的，就會有某些繩索在內在束縛著他，把他拉回去。若能理解，人生其實是一場公平的交換；若能知道世上有多少靈魂與我們以某種方式相關，或是我們每天所遇見的人，那麼便能明白：每個人都對他人有所虧欠；若未償還義務，日後便要連本帶利地支付。
There is the inner justice which is working beyond the worldly justice, and when man does not observe that inner law of justice, it is because at that time he is intoxicated, his eyes are closed, and he does not really know the law of life. But that intoxication will not last; there will come a day when the eyes of every soul will be opened; and it is a pity if the eyes open when it is too late. It is better that the eyes are opened while the purse is full, for it will be very difficult if the eyes open at the time when the purse is empty.
有一種內在的正義運作於世間正義之外；當人沒有遵循這內在的正義法則時，是因為他當時如同醉著，雙眼閉上，並不了解生命的律法。但這醉意不會永遠持續；終有一天，每個靈魂的眼睛都會被打開。然而若是在太遲的時刻才張開，那將令人遺憾。最好在錢袋仍然充滿時便能覺醒；若在一無所有時才醒來，那將是極為困難的事。
To some consideration is due, to some respect, to some service, to some tolerance, to some forgiveness, to some help.
對某些人，我們欠體貼； 對某些人，我們欠尊重； 對某些人，我們欠服務； 對某些人，我們欠寬容； 對某些人，我們欠原諒； 對某些人，我們欠幫助。
In some way or other, in every relationship, in every connection there is something to pay; and one must know before starting the journey that one has paid it, and be sure that one has paid it in full, so there is nothing more to be paid. Besides this it is necessary that man, before starting his journey, realizes that he has fulfilled his duties, his duty to those around him and his duty to God. But the one who considers his duty to those around him sacredly does his duty to God.
在每一段關係、每一次連結之中，人都欠著某些東西；踏上旅程前必須確知自己已償還，並確定已經付清，沒有任何尚需支付之事。此外，人也必須在啟程之前確認自己已履行了責任──對身邊之人的責任，以及對神的責任。但若一個人以神聖之心履行對周遭之人的責任，他便已履行對神的責任。
Desires must be gratified
欲望須得滿足
Man must also consider, before starting on his journey, whether he has learned all he desired to learn from this world. If there is anything he has not learned, he must finish it before starting the journey. For if he thinks, “I will start the journey, although I had the desire to learn something before starting”, in that case he will not be able to reach his goal; that desire to learn something will draw him back. Every desire, every ambition, every aspiration that he has in life must be gratified.
人在啟程之前，還必須思考自己是否已從這個世界學到了所有他渴望學習的東西。如果還有未學成之事，他必須先完成，才能啟程。因為若心想：「雖然我還想學某件事，但我還是先開始旅程吧」，那麼他便無法抵達目的地；那個想學習的渴望會將他拉回。人生中的每一個願望、企圖與嚮往，都必須得以滿足。
Not only this, man must have no remorse of any kind when starting on his journey, and no repentance afterwards. If there is any repentance or remorse, it must be finished before starting. There must be no grudge against anybody, and no complaining of anyone having done him harm, for all these things which belong to this world, if man took them along, would become a burden on the spiritual path.
不僅如此，人啟程時不能帶著任何悔恨，也不能在啟程後產生悔意。若有任何悔恨或懊悔，都必須在啟程前了結。不能對任何人懷有怨懟，也不能埋怨任何人曾傷害自己；因為屬於這世界的一切事物，若帶到靈性之路上，都會成為沈重的負擔。
The journey is difficult enough, and it becomes more difficult if there is a burden to be carried. If a person is lifting a burden of displeasure, dissatisfaction, discomfort, it is difficult to bear it on that path. It is a path to freedom, and to start on this path to freedom man must free himself, no attachment should pull him back, no pleasure should lure him back.
旅程本已艱難，若再背負重物便更難行。如果一個人揹著不悅、不滿或痛苦的重擔，要在這條道路上前行將極為困難。這是一條通向自由的道路；而要踏上這條自由之路，人必須使自己解脫──任何牽掛都不能把他拉回，任何享樂都不能誘惑他回頭。
Balance in all things
萬事的平衡
Besides this preparation one needs a vehicle, a vehicle in which one journeys. That vehicle has two wheels, and they are balance in all things. A man who is one-sided, however great his power of clairvoyance or clairaudience, whatever be his knowledge, yet is limited; he cannot go very far, for it requires two wheels for the vehicle to run. There must be a balance, the balance of the head and the heart, the balance of power and wisdom, the balance of activity and repose. It is the balance which enables man to stand the strain of this journey and permits him to go forward, making his path easy. Never imagine for one moment that those who show lack of balance can ever proceed further on the spiritual journey, however greatly in appearance they may seem to be spiritually inclined. It is only the balanced ones who are capable of experiencing the external life as fully as the inner life; to enjoy thought as much as feeling; to rest as well as to act. The center of life is rhythm, and rhythm causes balance.
除了準備之外，還需要一輛旅途所乘的車。而這輛車有兩個輪子──即萬事的平衡。一個人若偏於一方，即使他有多大的洞視或洞聽能力，無論他擁有多少知識，他依然受限；他不能走得太遠，因為車子必須有兩個輪子才能行走。必須有平衡：頭腦與心之間的平衡、力量與智慧的平衡、行動與休息的平衡。正是這份平衡使人能承受旅途的壓力，使他能繼續前行，並使道路變得容易。不要以為那些失去平衡的人，無論外表看起來多麼有靈性，都能在靈性旅程中走得更遠。唯有平衡的人才能同時完整地經驗外在生活與內在生活，既能享受思想，也能享受感受，既能休息，也能行動。生命的中心是韻律，而韻律帶來平衡。
Preparations
行前的準備
On this journey certain coins are necessary also, to spend on the way. And what are these coins? They are thoughtful expressions in word and in action. On this journey man must take provision to eat and drink, and that provision is life and light. And on this journey man has to take something in which to clothe himself against wind, and storm, and heat, and cold; and that garment is the vow of secrecy, the tendency to silence. On this journey man has to bid farewell to others when starting, and that farewell is loving detachment; before starting on this journey he has to leave something behind with his friends, and that is happy memories of the past.
在這旅程中，人也需要某些「錢幣」可供使用。這些錢幣是什麼？是深思熟慮的言語與行動。在這旅途中，人必須帶著供給──也就是生命與光。而在這旅途中，人還需帶上一件能防風、防暴雨、防炎熱及防寒冷的衣袍；那衣袍便是「保密之願」與「沉默的傾向」。在人啟程時，他必須與他人道別，而這告別即是帶著愛的放下；他也必須留下一些東西給朋友，而那便是昔日快樂的回憶。
The easier way
較容易的道路
We are all on the journey; life itself is a journey. No one is settled here; we are all passing onward, and therefore it is not true to say, that if we are taking a spiritual journey we have to break our settled life; there is no one living a settled life here; all are unsettled, all are on their way. Only, by taking the spiritual journey you are taking another way, one which is easier, better and more pleasant. Those who do not take this way, they also will come in the end: the difference is in the way. One way is easier, smoother, better; the other way is full of difficulties; and as life has no end of difficulties from the time one has opened one’s eyes on this earth, so one may just as well choose the smoother way to arrive at the destination at which all souls will sometime arrive.
我們都在旅程之中；生命本身就是旅程。沒有任何人真正安定於此；我們全都在前行。因此，說「走上靈性之旅就必須打破既有的安定生活」是不正確的──因為沒有人在過真正安定的生活；人人皆在路上。只不過，踏上靈性旅程的人選擇了另一條路──更容易、更好、更愉悅的路。而那些沒有走這條路的人，最終也會抵達同一目的地；差別只在於道路不同。一條路更容易、更平順、更美好；另一條則充滿困難。既然生命從人睜眼於世的那一刻起便不缺困難，我們大可選擇那條較平順的道路，以抵達所有靈魂最終都將抵達的目的地。
The Inner Life is the fullness of life
內在生命是生命的圓滿
By “inner life” is meant a life directed towards perfection, which may be called the perfection of love, harmony, and beauty; in the words of the orthodox, towards God.
所謂「內在生命」，指的是朝向圓滿之生活──可稱為愛、和諧與美的圓滿；用傳統的語言來說，便是朝向神。
The inner life is not necessarily in an opposite direction to the worldly life, but the inner life is a fuller life. The worldly life means the limitation of life; the inner life means a complete life. The ascetics who have taken a direction quite opposite to the worldly life, have done so in order to have the facility to search into the depths of life; but going in one direction alone does not make a complete life. Therefore the inner life means the fullness of life.
內在生命並不必然與世間生活走向相反，而是更為豐滿的生命。世間生活意味著生命的局限；內在生活則意味著生命的完整。那些走上禁欲道路、選擇遠離世俗的人，是為了獲得探尋生命深度的空間；然而只走向單一方向並不能成就一個完整的人生。因此，內在生命意味著生命的圓滿。
Balance action and repose
平衡行動與靜息
In brief, one may say that the inner life consists of two things: action with knowledge, and repose with passivity of mind. By accomplishing these two contrary motions, and by keeping balanced in these two directions one comes to the fullness of life.
簡言之，內在生命由兩件事構成：帶著知識的行動，以及心靈被動的靜息。藉由在這兩種看似相反的運動中保持平衡，人便走向生命的圓滿。
A person who lives the inner life is as innocent as a child, even more innocent than a child; but at the same time wiser than many clever people put together. This shows as a development in two contrary directions.
過著內在生命的人天真如孩童，甚至比孩童更為天真；但同時，他也比許多聰明的人加在一起還要智慧。這顯示他在兩個相反的方向上同時發展。
The innocence of Jesus has been known through the ages. In his every movement, in his every action, he appeared to be as a child. All the great saints and sages, the great ones who have liberated humanity, have been as innocent as children and at the same time wiser, much more so, than the worldly-wise. And what makes it so? What gives them this balance? It is repose with passiveness.
耶穌的純真長久以來為人所知。在祂的一舉一動、一言一行中，祂都呈現出孩童般的純真。所有偉大的聖者與智者、所有解放人類的大師，都如孩童般天真，同時又遠比世俗聰明的人智慧。是什麼讓他們如此？是什麼賦予他們這份平衡？是那帶著心靈被動性的靜息。
When they stand before God, they stand with their heart as an empty cup; when they stand before God to learn, they unlearn all things that the world has taught them; when they stand before God, their ego, their self, their life, is no more before them. They do not think of themselves in that moment with any desire to be fulfilled, with any motive to be accomplished, with any expression of their own; but as empty cups, that God may fill their being, that they may lose the false self.
當他們站在神面前時，他們以空杯之心而立；當他們站在神面前學習時，他們放下世界教給他們的一切；當他們站在神面前時，他們的自我、人格、生命皆已不存在眼前。在那一刻，他們沒有任何想被滿足的欲望、沒有任何要完成的動機、沒有任何自我要表達的東西；他們如同空杯，好讓神將祂的存在灌入其中，使他們失去那虛假的自我。
Therefore the same thing helps them in their everyday life to show a glimpse of the quiet moment of repose they had with God. They show in their everyday life innocence and yet not ignorance; they know things and they do not know. They know if somebody is telling a lie; but do they accuse that person? Do they say, “You are telling a lie’? They are above it.
因此，在日常生活中，這同樣使他們流露出與神靜默相處時的片刻寧靜。他們在日常中展現純真，卻並非無知；他們既知道，也彷彿不知道。他們知道某人是否在說謊；但他們會指責嗎？會說：「你在說謊」嗎？他們早已超越了這些。
They know all the plays of the world, and they look at them all passively; they rise above things of this world which make no impression on them. They take people quite simply. Some may think that they are ignorant in their world-lives, that they take no notice of things that are of no importance.
他們知道世間所有的戲碼，卻以一種被動、平靜的眼光觀看；他們超越世間的一切，使那些事物不再對他們留下印象。他們以極為簡單的方式看待他人。有些人因此以為他們對世事無知、不注意那些不重要的事情。
Activity with wisdom makes them more wise, because it is not everybody in this world who directs his every action with wisdom. There are many who never consult wisdom in their action; there are others who seek refuge under wisdom after their action; and very often it is then too late. But the ones who live the inner life all direct their activity with wisdom; every moment, every action, every thought, every word is first thought out, is first weighed, and measured, and analyzed before it is expressed.
帶著智慧行動使他們更加智慧，因為世上並非每個人都以智慧引導自己的行為。許多人行動時從不諮詢智慧；而另一些人在行動之後才尋求智慧的庇護──而那往往已經太遲。但過著內在生命的人，所有行動都以智慧為導引；每一刻、每一個行動、每一個思想、每一句話，都先經過思量、衡量、測試與分析，才讓它生出形體。
Therefore in the world everything they do is with wisdom, but before God they stand with innocence; there they do not take worldly wisdom.
因此，在世間他們所做的一切都帶著智慧；但在神面前，他們以純真而立──在那裡，他們不帶入世間的智慧。
Man often makes mistakes, either by taking one way or the other, and therefore he lacks balance and does not come to touch perfection. For instance, when he takes the way of activity in the path of God, he also wishes to use his wisdom there; in the path of God also he wishes to be active, where he does not need action. It is just like swimming against the tide; where you must be innocent, if you use your wisdom there it is the greatest error.
人往往因落入其中一邊，因此失去平衡，無法觸及圓滿。例如，他在走向神的道路上選擇行動，卻也想把自己的智慧帶進去；他想在神的道路上也保持「活動」，但那裡並不需要他行動。這就像逆流而游──在必須天真的地方，他若使用智慧，那便是最大的錯誤。
Then there are others who are accustomed to take passivity as a principle with which they stand before God in their innocence; and they wish to use the same principle in all directions of life, which would not be right.
也有些人習慣以被動為原則，以純真之姿站在神面前；然而他們希望在生活的所有方向都使用同一原則──這同樣不正確。