Mina Loy - Stories and Essays of Mina Loy

lo

Then it is the confinement to form that incites the intellect to exceed itself.

mi

Form is the expressive encroachment on the increate from which— Appearance with its several significances derives.

From the untraceable precedent all form emanates; as sentry to the presence of creation.

lo

But may not intellect be the mold of phenomena?

mi

The mind and phenomena fit each into the other with exactitude; that is so.

If it were not, phenomena, to which the mind does not fit, become unbounded, would flow out of cognizance.

The encompassment of phenomena by the mind is the resistance of the mold for the conservation of the form.

lo

But a mold is an inverted form for the containment of a (so far) unassembled form, whereas phenomena already have form.

mi

The mold has been taken originally from the form. And after all the concavity of the mold is but the continuity of the convex form.

Any regular or irregular scission of any element will constitute a form in its mold: the confrontation of inner and outer—

II.

mi

Life we may say to be animation — and the source of animation can be disclosed.

The source of all animation is the unique force of the universe — every human body is animated by the whole unimaginable tonnage of the force of the universe.

An incalculable ocean of impact — an impact that should crush the body to infinitesimal fractions of smithereens.

lo

How then is such crushing tonnage of force available to the human body—

mi

When it arrives at contact with the body — it runs down the nerve centre of the brain and the spinal column and provides energy for the whole organism; the surplus runs into the ground, the spinal column acts as a lightning conductor to the universal force which continuously coursing through, continuously animates.

lo

But how does this force gain entrance—

mi

Through the pineal gland considered of such great importance by certain ancient sages.

Its outlet into the ground as a continuity of its course through man provides the much discussed attraction to the earth — or gravity—

It is for this reason that the body in recline can harbour a greater vitality — by placing the soles of the feet together, and thus establishing an extra self-enclosed circuit of energy — the same is true of the circuit enclosed by placing the palms of the hands together and it is not for nothing that out of the dark mystery left by an enlightened past — that the attitude of prayer has come down to us — a circuit of the arms and hands for the greater retention of the divine animation.

This is understandable inasmuch as the animated force disperses at the end of the spinal nerves — to, in the perpendicular event, bifurcate through the feral motor extensions—

In the supine event, force, which in the fourth dimension has impetus four ways at once, traverses the body horizontally which (but this is too intricate to explain in third dimensional formulas) produces — slumber. Not being pushed forward in sleep you give up your cooperation with active time.

lo

But I can lie awake or be most animated horizontally?

mi

In both conditions then are animated degrees of progress. Yet you will agree with me that in the erect position there is a possibility of, tendency, to stay awake indefinitely — while in the horizontal position there is no possibility or likelihood of staying awake for ever— Generally speaking the erect position tends towards awakeness and the horizontal position tends towards sleep.

lo

How can we divine whether a fourth dimensional cognizance would be for the benefit of man — do you who so much insist on its superlative importance — envisage it as a prototype of heaven — might it not precipitate us into an unbearable because inadaptable hell—

a hell produced by our inadaptability to its functions—

an unease infinitely unsupportable—

mi

No — for all the great mediates such as Christ have insisted on just the opposite—

And all would-be expounders of the fourth dimensional condition have laboured to convey their knowledge to us, uniquely through their great desire to render service to men.

They were overwhelmed by the reality to them so easy of access — and so totally inaccessible to the rest of mankind—

Perfect Being — is so easy if, “you know the trick”—

It is so true that only the muddy patches in our minds hold us to the third dimension.

Morality is not a behaviour but a discovery.

A christ can arrive at morality because when he has given all; he has still got all for himself.

lo

But again what is morality?

mi

Morality is the impulse to supply the necessities of the soul.

lo

And again what is morality?

mi

Morality is to give all you have and still possess all.

lo

But is not this giving, a pouring of water through a sieve?

mi

Truly — from him that hath not shall be taken away.

III.

mi

The creative man is one whose consciousness is deepest within himself—

lo

But the creative man is one whose consciousness travels farthest—

mi

As the deepest roots put forth the highest branches.

But the consciousness of the uncreative man — hovers at a slight distance from himself and from the outer universe.

He is never quite in contact with his own mind — or the minds of others—

lo

Can man put forward an irrefutable conclusion of the existence of God?

mi

Yes for it is irrefutable that there be a sum total of the multiplication of all things.

God is the correct solution of the mathematical problem of the universe.

lo

Is there an irrefutable conclusion as to the existence of the soul?

mi

I think therefore I am— But further — I can think about what I think.

That is the testimony of the soul.

If man had no soul he could not be the observer of his own existence—

It is impossible for existence to be severed from the cause of existence.

If man were only the human phenomenon — he would be merged with the phenomena coincident to his state of existence.

There would be nothing to hold him off them as the spectator.

If man was merely a physical phenomenon — all conditions in which men may find themselves — would be at all times and for all people the ideal condition — that is the inevitably suitable condition.

If I am born a hungry and ill-treated child — I could find no discomfort in these conditions.

For I physically should be that thing in myself — a hungry and ill-treated child — the hunger and the suffering would be as much an integral part of my physical existence as my arm and my leg — it would be part of my make-up — there would be no element in me to reject it—

But the soul with its ideal prerogatives knows very well that that is not the way to live — and sets up an effort at rejection.

There would be no third dimensional suffering if we were not connected with a fourth dimensional soul.