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.

內在生命是一段旅程，而在啟程之前，必須先作一定的準備。若沒有準備好，便始終有可能在尚未抵達目的地之前不得不折返。當一個人踏上旅程，要完成某件事時，他必須知道途中需要什麼，也必須知道自己該攜帶什麼，使旅程得以順遂，並完成他已著手要完成的事。人在內在生命中所踏上的旅程，長如生命之始至死亡之間的距離；這是人一生所走最長的旅程。因此，一切都必須預備妥當，免得走到一定的距離之後，又不得不回頭。

Pay what is due
償清所欠

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.

首先必須確認，沒有任何尚待清償的債。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、自己的族群，或整個人類。若尚未償付所欠之事，內在便有繩索將他縛住，把他拉回去。若人能真正明白，世間人生其實是一場公平的交易；若人知道，在這世界上有多少靈魂以某種方式與自己有所連結或關係，又有多少人是每天新遇見的，便會明白：我們對每一個人，都有某些應盡之事。若沒有履行自己的義務，結果便是日後必須連本帶利地償付。

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，運作於世間的正義之外。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，雙眼閉起，並不真正了解生命的律法。然而這醉意不會永遠持續；終有一天，每個靈魂的眼睛都會睜開。若直到太遲時才睜開雙眼，那將令人遺憾。最好在錢袋仍然充盈時便睜開眼睛；若等到錢袋已空時才睜開眼睛，那將非常困難。

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，我們欠寬恕；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.

無論以何種方式，在每一段關係、每一種連結之中，都有某些應當償付的事；人在踏上旅程之前，必須知道自己已經償付，也必須確定已全數償清，不再有任何尚待償付之事。此外，在啟程之前，人也必須明白自己已履行了責任——對周遭之人的責任，以及對神的責任。但一個人若將自己對周遭之人的責任視為神聖，他也就履行了對神的責任。

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會所有曾渴望學習的事物。若還有尚未學完的事，就必須在啟程之前完成。因為如果他心想：「雖然在啟程之前，我還有某件想學的事，但我還是先踏上旅程吧。」那麼他便無法抵達目標；那份想要學習的渴望會將他拉回去。人在生命中的每一個欲望、每一份抱負、每一種嚮往，都必須得到滿足。

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，也不能在啟程之後產生悔意。若有任何悔意或悔恨，都必須在啟程之前了結。人不能對任何人懷有怨恨，也不能因任何人曾傷害自己而抱怨；因為這些屬於世界的一切，若隨身帶上靈性道路，都會成為負擔。

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.

這趟旅程本已十分艱難，若還要背負重擔，便更加難行。若一個人背負著不悅、不滿或不適的重擔，要在這條道路上承受它將極為困難。這是一條通向自由的道路；而要踏上這條自由之路，人必須先使自己自由。任何牽掛都不應將他拉回，任何享樂都不應誘惑他回頭。

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.

除了這些準備之外，人還需要一輛旅途中所乘的車。這輛車有兩個輪子，而這兩個輪子就是萬事的平衡。一個人若偏於一方，無論他的靈視或靈聽能力有多強，無論擁有多少知識，仍然是受限的；他無法走得很遠，因為車子必須有兩個輪子才能行走。人必須有平衡：頭腦與心的平衡、力量與智慧的平衡、行動與靜息的平衡。正是這份平衡，使人能承受旅程的壓力，使他得以前行，也使道路更為順遂。絕不要以為，那些顯露出不平衡的人，無論外表看起來具有多麼強烈的靈性傾向，都能在靈性旅程上走得更遠。唯有達到平衡的人，才能像完整經驗內在生命一樣，完整地經驗外在生命；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.

在這趟旅程中，人也需要一些可在途中使用的錢幣。這些錢幣是什麼？就是深思熟慮的言語與行動。在這趟旅程中，人必須帶著飲食所需的糧食，而這份糧食就是生命與光。在這趟旅程中，人也必須帶上一件能抵禦風、暴雨、炎熱與寒冷的衣裳；而這件衣裳，就是守密的誓願與沉默的傾向。在這趟旅程啟程之時，人必須向他人道別，而這份告別就是愛中的超脫；在踏上旅程之前，他還必須留一些東西給朋友，而那就是過往美好的回憶。

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；生命本身就是一段旅程。沒有人在這裡真正安頓下來；我們全都不斷向前。因此，若說踏上靈性旅程就必須打破原本安定的生活，這並不正確；因為在這裡，沒有人真正過著安定的生活。人人皆未安頓，人人都仍在途中。只是，踏上靈性旅程，就是選擇另一條道路——一條更容易、更好，也更愉悅的道路。那些沒有選擇這條道路的人，最終也會抵達；差別只在於所走的道路不同。一條道路更容易、更平順、更好；另一條則充滿困難。而自人睜眼來到這世界的那一刻起，生命中的困難便無窮無盡，因此不妨選擇那條較為平順的道路，抵達所有靈魂終有一天都將抵達的目的地。

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」，指的是一種朝向圓滿的生命；這份圓滿可以稱為愛、和諧與美的圓滿；以正統宗教的語言來說，就是朝向神。

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；內在生命其實是一種更完整的生命。世間生活意味著生命的局限；內在生命則意味著完整的生命。那些選擇與世間生活截然相反方向的禁欲者，是為了更便於探入生命的深處；然而只朝單一方向前行，並不能構成完整的生命。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，可以說內在生命由兩件事構成：帶著知識的行動，以及頭腦處於被動狀態時的靜息。藉由實踐這兩種相反的運動，並在這兩個方向上保持平衡，人便能達到生命的圓滿。

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.

活出內在生命的人純真如孩童，甚至比孩童更加純真；但同時，他又比許多聰明人加在一起更有智慧。這顯示出一種朝兩個相反方向同時發展的狀態。

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.

耶穌的純真歷來為人所知。在祂的一舉一動之中，祂都顯得如孩童一般。所有偉大的聖者與聖哲，那些使人類獲得解脫的偉大者，都如孩童般純真；而同時，他們又遠比那些世故而聰明的人更有智慧。是什麼使他們如此？是什麼賦予他們這份平衡？就是伴隨被動狀態的靜息。

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，他們以一顆如空杯般的心而立；當他們站在神面前學習時，他們放下世界所教給他們的一切；當他們站在神面前時，他們的自我、他們自身、他們的生命，都不再橫亙於眼前。在那一刻，他們不再想到自己，不帶著任何有待滿足的欲望、任何有待達成的動機，也沒有任何屬於自己的表達；他們只是如同空杯，讓神充滿他們的存在，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，正是這一點，使他們在日常生活中也流露出與神共處時那片刻靜息的寧靜。他們在日常生活中展現純真，卻並非無知；他們知道，也不知道。他們知道某人是否正在說謊；但他們會指責那個人嗎？會說：「你在說謊」嗎？他們已超越了這一切。

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，卻以被動的狀態觀看這一切；他們超越了世間之事，而這些事物不會在他們身上留下任何印象。他們以單純的心看待他人。有些人或許因此以為，他們在世間生活中很無知，對那些無關緊要的事毫不留意。

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，使他們更加有智慧，因為世上並非每個人都以智慧引導自己的每一個行動。許多人行動時從不以智慧衡量；另一些人則在行動之後才尋求智慧的庇護，而那往往已經太遲。然而，活出內在生命的人，一切行動都由智慧引導；每一刻、每一個行動、每一個思想、每一句話，在表現出來之前，都先經過思考、斟酌、衡量與分析。

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.

人往往因為不是偏向這一邊，就是偏向另一邊而犯錯，因此失去平衡，無法觸及圓滿。例如，當他在通往神的道路上採取行動之道時，他也想在那裡運用自己的智慧；在神的道路上，他仍想有所行動，即使那裡並不需要行動。這就像逆流而游；在本應保持純真之處，若仍運用自己的智慧，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.

也有另一些人，習慣以被動作為原則，以此在神面前保持純真；然而，他們又想將同一原則運用在生活的各個方面，這同樣是不正確的。

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