2. Tone and Rhythm
2. 音調與節奏

Disorder of the tone and irregularity in the rhythm are the principal causes of every illness.

音調失序與節奏不規律，是一切疾病最主要的原因。

1. Tone (Physical)
身體的音調

The explanation of this disorder of the tone is that there is a certain tone which the breath vibrates throughout the body, through every channel of the body; and this tone is a particular tone, continually vibrating, in every person. And when the mystics have said that every person has his note, it is not necessarily the note of the piano, it is the note which is going on as a tone, as a breath. Now, if a person does not take care of himself and allows himself to be influenced by every wind that blows, he, like the water in the sea, goes up and down disturbed by the air. The normal condition is to be able to stand firm through fear, joy, and anxiety; not to let every wind blow one hither and thither like a scrap of paper, but to endure it all and to stand firm and steady through all such influences.

所謂音調失序，是因為氣息在全身各個通道中振動時，會形成某種特定的音調。每個人都有屬於自己的音調，持續不斷地振動著。祕士們說，每個人都有自己的音，這不一定是鋼琴上的某個音符，而是隨著氣息持續振動的音調。如果我們不懂得照顧自己，任憑外界的風吹草動影響自己，就會像海水受到風吹而上下起伏，難以平靜。正常的狀態，是即使面對恐懼、喜悅與焦慮，仍能安穩不動搖；不讓每一陣風吹得我們像紙片般飄來飄去，而是能夠承受這一切，在種種影響之中保持堅定與安穩。

One might say that even water is subject to influences if not the rock. Man is made to be neither rock nor water; he has all in him; he is the fruit of the whole creation, he ought to be able to show his evolution in his balance. A person who is likely to rejoice in a moment and to become depressed in a moment, and who changes his moods, cannot keep that tone which gives him equilibrium and which is the secret of health. How few know that it is not pleasure and merrymaking that give one good health! On the contrary, social life, as it is known today, is merrymaking for one day and afterwards one may be ill for ten days, for that kind of life does not take care of equilibrium. When a person becomes sensitive to every little thing that he comes across, it changes the note of the tone; it becomes a different note to which his body is not accustomed; and that causes an illness.

有人也許會說，水固然容易受到外界影響，但岩石不會。然而，我們既不是岩石，也不是水；我們的內在包含了這一切。我們是整個造物的成果，理應能透過自身的平衡，展現生命演進所達到的程度。如果一個人前一刻還欣喜萬分，下一刻便陷入低落，情緒不斷變換，就無法維持那使他保持平衡的音調，而這正是健康的祕訣。有多少人知道，享樂與歡聚並不能帶來真正的健康！相反地，今日所謂的社交生活，往往是一天盡情歡樂，接下來卻可能病上十天，因為這樣的生活並不顧及平衡。當我們對所遇見的每一件小事都過於敏感，原有的音調便會改變，成為身體所不熟悉的另一個音，而疾病也因此產生。

Too much despair or too much joy, everything that is too much should be avoided, although there are natures who always seek extremes; they must have so much joy and amusement that they get tired of it, and then they have a collapse with sorrow and despair. It is among these people that you will find continual illness.

過度的絕望或過度的喜悅，凡事只要過了頭，都應當避免。然而，有些人天性總是追求極端，非得盡情歡樂、遊玩到精疲力竭不可，接著又因悲傷與絕望而整個人垮了下來。這樣的人往往疾病不斷。

If an instrument is not kept in proper tune, if it is knocked about by everyone who comes and handled by everyone, then it gets out of order. The body is an instrument, the most sacred instrument, an instrument which God Himself has made for His divine purpose. If it is kept in tune and the strings are not allowed to become loose, then this instrument becomes the means of that harmony for which God created man.

如果一件樂器沒有維持適當的音準，任由每個接觸它的人敲打、擺弄，終究會失去原有的狀態。身體就是一件樂器，而且是最神聖的樂器，是神親自為祂的神聖目的所創造的。如果我們能使它保持調和，不讓琴弦鬆弛，這件樂器便能成為實現和諧的媒介，而這正是神創造人類的目的。

How must this instrument be kept in tune? In the first place strings of gut and wires of steel both require cleaning. The lungs and veins in the body also require cleaning; it is that which keeps them ready for their work. And how should we clean them?

那麼，我們該如何使這件樂器保持調和呢？首先，無論是腸線製成的琴弦，還是鋼製的琴弦，都需要清潔。身體的肺部與血管同樣需要清理，才能維持良好的運作狀態。我們又該如何清理它們呢？

• By carefulness in diet,
  
  謹慎留意飲食，

• by sobriety, and
  
  保持節制，

• by breathing properly and correctly.
  
  以及以適當而正確的方式呼吸。

Because it is not only water and earth that are used for cleansing, the best means of cleansing is the air and the property that is in the air, the property that we breathe in; and if we knew how by the help of breathing to keep these channels clean, then we should know how to secure health.

因為清潔並不只能依靠水與土，最好的清理方式，是運用空氣，以及我們隨呼吸吸入的空氣所具有的特性。如果我們懂得如何藉由呼吸，使這些通道保持潔淨，就會知道如何維護健康。

It is this which maintains the tone, the proper note of each person, without being disturbed. When a person is vibrating his own note which is according to his particular evolution, then he is himself, then he is tuned to the pitch for which he is made, the pitch in which he ought to be and in which he naturally feels comfortable.

這樣便能使每個人維持自己原有的音調，不受外界擾亂。當一個人依照自身生命演進的程度，振動著屬於自己的音時，他便真正處於自己的本然狀態。他已調至與自身相應的音高，那是他原本應有的音高，也是在其中自然感到舒適自在的狀態。

2. Rhythm (Physical)
身體的節奏

And now we come to the rhythm: there is a rhythm of pulsation, the beating of the pulse in the head and in the heart; and whenever the rhythm of this beating is disturbed it causes illness because it disturbs the whole mechanism which is going on, the order of which depends upon the regularity of rhythm.

現在我們來談節奏。身體有脈動的節奏，包括頭部與心臟的搏動。每當這種搏動的節奏受到擾亂，就會引起疾病，因為整個身體運作的秩序，都有賴於節奏的規律。

If a person suddenly hears of something causing fear, the rhythm is broken, the pulsation changes. Every shock given to a person breaks his rhythm. We very often notice that, however successful an operation, it leaves a mark, even for the rest of one’s life. Once the rhythm is broken, it is most difficult to get it right.

如果一個人突然聽到令人恐懼的消息，節奏便會被打亂，脈動也隨之改變。任何衝擊都會破壞一個人的節奏。我們經常發現，無論一場手術多麼成功，仍可能留下痕跡，甚至伴隨終生。節奏一旦受到破壞，要重新恢復正常便十分困難。

If the rhythm has been lost, it must be brought back with great wisdom, because a sudden effort to regain the rhythm may make one lose it still more. If the rhythm has gone too slow or too fast, by trying to bring it to its regular speed one may break the rhythm, and by breaking the rhythm one may break oneself. This should be a gradual process; it must be wisely done. If the rhythm has gone too fast, it must be brought gradually to its proper condition; if it is too slow, it must be gradually made quicker. It requires patience and strength to do it.

如果失去了原有的節奏，就必須以極大的智慧使它恢復，因為急於找回節奏，反而可能使它更加紊亂。當節奏變得太慢或太快時，如果勉強將它拉回正常速度，可能進一步破壞節奏，甚至傷害自己。因此，恢復節奏必須循序漸進，以明智的方式進行。節奏太快，就要逐漸放慢，直到恢復適當的狀態；節奏太慢，則要逐漸加快。這需要耐心，也需要力量。

For instance, someone who tunes the violin wisely does not at once move the peg and bring it to the proper tone, became in the first place it is impossible, and then he always risks breaking the string. However minute may be the difference in the tone, one can bring it to its proper place by gradual timing; in this way effort is spared and the thing is accomplished.

例如，懂得調整小提琴音準的人，不會一下子轉動弦軸，試圖立刻調到正確的音高。首先，這本來就不可能做到，而且還有弄斷琴弦的危險。無論音高的差距多麼細微，都可以透過逐步調音，使它回到正確的位置。如此既能省下力氣，也能達成目的。

Gentleness which is taught morally is a different thing, but even gentleness in action and movement is also necessary. In every movement one makes, in every step one takes there must be rhythm. For instance you will find many examples if you look for them of the awkward movements people make; they can never keep well because their rhythm is not right; and that is why illness continues. It may be that no illness can be traced in these people, and yet the very fact of their movements not being in rhythm will keep them out of order. Regularity in habits, in action, in repose, in eating, in drinking, in sitting, in walking, in everything, gives one that rhythm which is necessary and which completes the music of life.

道德教導所說的溫和是一回事，但在行動與舉止中保持輕柔，也同樣必要。我們的每個動作、邁出的每一步，都應當有節奏。只要留心觀察，就會發現許多人動作笨拙而不協調。由於他們的節奏不正確，便難以維持健康，疾病也因此持續。這些人也許查不出任何疾病，然而，光是動作缺乏節奏這件事，就足以使身體失去正常的運作秩序。生活習慣、行動、休息、飲食、坐姿、步行，乃至一切日常活動的規律，都能賦予我們所需要的節奏，使生命的樂章得以完整。

When a child’s rhythm and tone are disordered, the healing that a mother can give, often unconsciously, the physicians cannot give in a thousand years. The song she sings, however insignificant, comes from the profound depths of her being and brings with it the healing power. It cures the child in a moment. The caressing, the patting of the mother does more good to the child than any medicine when its rhythm is disturbed and its tone is not good. The mother, even without knowing it distinctly, feels like patting the child when it is out of rhythm, singing to the child when it is out of tune.

當孩子的音調與節奏失去調和時，母親往往在無意識中便能給予一種療癒，即使醫師花上一千年也無法給予。她所唱的歌，無論多麼簡單，都來自她生命深處，並帶著療癒的力量，能在頃刻間使孩子恢復過來。當孩子的節奏紊亂、音調失和時，母親的愛撫與輕拍，比任何藥物都更能幫助孩子。母親即使並不清楚其中的道理，也會自然地想在孩子節奏紊亂時輕拍他，在孩子音調失和時唱歌給他聽。

3. Tone (Mental)
心智的音調

And when we come to the mental part of our being, that mechanism is still more delicate than our body. There is a tone also, and every being has a different tone according to his particular evolution, and everyone feels in good health when his own tone is vibrating; but if that tone does not come to its proper pitch, then a person feels lack of comfort, and any illness can arise from it. Every expression of passion, joy, anger, fear, which breaks the continuity of this tone interferes with one’s health.

當我們轉向自身的心智層面時，便會發現它的運作機制比身體更加精細。心智同樣有自己的音調，而每個人依照自身生命演進的程度，都有不同的音調。當一個人振動著屬於自己的音調時，便會感到健康良好；但如果這個音調沒有達到適當的音高，他就會感到不舒適，甚至可能因此產生各種疾病。任何強烈情感、喜悅、憤怒或恐懼，只要打斷了這個音調的連續性，就會影響健康。

Behind the thought there is feeling; and it is the feeling which sustains that tone; the thought is on the surface. In order to keep the continuity of that tone the mystics have special practices.

思想的背後是感受，而真正維持這個音調的，是感受；思想只是表層的活動。為了使音調得以持續不斷，祕士們有特別的修習方法。

There used to be a custom in ancient times, that instead of using an organ in churches four or five persons with the lips closed used to keep one tone, humming that one tone together. I was most impressed by this, hearing it again in a church in Russia after coming from India. The secret of the continual ringing of the bell practiced by the churches at all times and even up till now, is that it was not only a bell to call people; it was to tune them up to their tone, it was to suggest, “There is a tone going on in you, get yourself tuned to it! “

古時候曾有一種習俗，在教堂中不使用管風琴，而是由四、五個人閉著嘴唇，一起持續哼唱同一個音。我從印度來到俄羅斯後，在一座教堂裡再次聽見這樣的哼唱，心中深受感動。教堂長久以來持續敲鐘，直到今天仍然如此，其中的奧祕在於，鐘聲不只是為了召集人們，也是為了幫助人們調整到自己原有的音調。鐘聲彷彿在提醒我們：「你的內在有一個音調正在持續振動，讓自己與它調和吧！」

But if that tuning is not done, even if a person has recovered from his illness, weakness still remains.

然而，如果沒有完成這樣的調和，即使一個人已經從疾病中康復，虛弱的狀態仍會殘留。

4. Rhythm (Mental)
心智的節奏

An external cure is no cure if a person is not cured mentally. If his spirit is not cured the mark of illness remains there and the rhythm of mind is broken.

如果一個人的心智尚未得到治癒，僅僅治好外在的疾病，便不能算是真正的治癒。如果他的精神仍未恢復，疾病留下的痕跡便依然存在，心智的節奏也仍舊紊亂。

When a person’s mind is going at a speed which is faster or at a speed which is slower than it ought to be, or if a person jumps from one thought to another and so goes on thinking of a thousand things in five minutes, however intellectual he may be, he cannot be normal. Or if a person holds one thought and broods on it instead of making progress, he will also cling to his depression, his fears, his disappointments, and that makes him ill. It is irregularity of the rhythm of mind which causes mental disorder.

當一個人的頭腦運作得比應有的速度更快或更慢，或是不斷從一個念頭跳到另一個念頭，短短五分鐘內便想了上千件事，那麼無論他的理智能力多麼出色，也無法維持正常的狀態。反過來說，如果一個人緊抓著某個念頭，反覆思索而無法向前，他也會一直困在自己的低落、恐懼與失望之中，因而生病。心智節奏的不規律，正是造成心智失調的原因。

I do not mean that the rhythm of the mind of one person must be like that of another person. No, each person’s rhythm is peculiar to himself.

我並不是說，每個人的心智都必須有相同的節奏。不，每個人都有自己獨特的節奏。

Once a pupil who accompanied me on my walk, in spite of all his kindness and pleasure in accompanying me, felt a great discomfort at times because he could not walk as slowly as I did. Being simple and frank, he expressed this to me. And in answer I said, “It is a majestic walk.” The reason was that his rhythm was different. He could not feel comfortable in some other rhythm, he had to be galloping along in order to feel comfortable.

有一次，一位學生陪我散步。他非常樂意陪伴我，也十分親切，但有時卻感到相當不自在，因為他無法像我一樣走得那麼慢。他個性單純而坦率，便直接向我說出自己的感受。我回答他：「這是一種莊嚴的步伐。」原因在於，他的節奏與我不同。以另一種節奏行走，會讓他感到不舒適；他必須大步疾行，才能覺得自在。

And so one can feel what gives one comfort and what gives one discomfort in everything one does. If one does not feel it, that shows that one does not give attention to one’s being. The wisdom is to understand oneself. If one can sustain the proper rhythm of one’s mind, that is sufficient to keep one healthy.

因此，在我們所做的每一件事中，都能感受到什麼使自己舒適，什麼使自己不適。如果感受不到，就表示我們沒有留意自身的狀態。智慧就在於了解自己。如果能維持心智適當的節奏，就足以使我們保持健康。

5. Mind – Body Connection
身心之間的關聯

Mental illnesses are subtler than physical illnesses, though up to now mental illnesses have not been thoroughly explored, but when this has been done we shall find that all physical illnesses have some connection with them. The mind and the body stand face to face. The body reflects its order and disorder upon the mind, the mind reflecting at the same time its harmony and disharmony on the body; and it is for this reason you will find that many who are ill outwardly also have some illness of the mind, and very seldom will one find a case where a person is mentally ill and physically perfectly well.

精神疾病比身體疾病更加細微。雖然直到現在，人們對精神疾病仍未有徹底的研究，但當我們真正了解它們時，就會發現一切身體疾病都與精神疾病有某種關聯。心智與身體彼此相對，互相映照。身體的秩序與失序會反映在心智上，而心智的和諧與失和，也同時反映在身體上。正因如此，我們會發現許多身體患病的人，心智也有某些方面的失調；反過來說，一個人若在精神上患病，身體卻完全健康，這樣的情況極為少見。

Once I happened to go to the asylum for the insane in New York, and the physicians very kindly laid before me a number of skulls showing the different cavities in the brain and the spots of decay which had caused insanity in the life of the patients. There is always a sign of it in the physical body. It may be apparent suffering or it may be some decay at the back of it, yet it is not known. I asked them, “I would like to know whether the cavity brought about the insanity or the insanity brought about the cavity?” Their argument was that the cavity brought about the insanity. But it is not always so, the mental disorder is not always caused by a cavity in the brain; for the inner being has a greater influence on the physical being than the physical body has on the mental existence.

有一次，我參訪紐約的一所精神病院。醫師們非常親切地向我展示了幾具頭顱骨標本，指出腦部不同的空洞與受損部位，並認為這些病變導致了患者生前的精神失常。精神上的疾病總會在身體留下某種徵象，可能是明顯的病痛，也可能是尚未被察覺的內部病變。我問他們：「我想知道，究竟是腦部的空洞造成了精神失常，還是精神失常造成了腦部的空洞？」他們認為，是腦部的空洞造成精神失常。然而，情況並不總是如此。心智失調並非一定由腦部的空洞所引起，因為我們內在的生命對身體的影響，比身體對心智的影響更大。

Yet it is not always the mind that brings about the physical illness; very often it is so, but not always. Sometimes from the physical plane illness travels to the mental plane, and sometimes illness goes from the mental plane to the physical plane.

然而，身體疾病也並非總是由心智所引起。雖然很多時候確實如此，卻不盡然。有時疾病從身體層面蔓延到心智層面，有時則從心智層面影響到身體層面。

There are many causes, but in short, if there is a general cause, it is the lack of that music which we call order. Does it not show that man is music, that life is music? In order to play our part best the only thing we can do is to keep our tone and rhythm in proper condition: in this is the fulfillment of our life’s purpose.

疾病有許多不同的原因，但總的來說，如果要找出一個共同的原因，那便是缺少了我們稱為「秩序」的音樂。這難道不正說明了，我們本身就是音樂，生命也是音樂嗎？為了在生命中盡善盡美地演奏好自己的樂章，我們所能做的，就是使自己的音調與節奏保持在適當的狀態。人生目的的實現，就在其中。

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