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A short method of prayer, and Spiritual torrents, tr. by A.W. Marston

198

 
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198 SPIRITUAL TORRENTS.

loss, but out of the divine plan, which makes all things one and all things God. So the soul is in-different as to whether it be in one state or another, in one place or another : all is the same to it, and it lets itself be carried along naturally. It ceases to think, to wish, or to choose for itself; but re-mains content, without care or anxiety, no longer distinguishing its inner life to speak of it Indeed it may be said not to possess one : it is no longer in itself; it is all in God. It is not necessary for it to shut itself up within itself; it does not hope to find anything there, and does not seek for it. If a person were altogether penetrated with the sea, having sea within and without, above and below, on every side, he would not prefer one place to another, all being the same to him. So the soul does not trouble itself to seek anything or to do anything; that is, of itself, by itself, or for itself. It remains as it is. But what does it do? No-thing always nothing. It does what it is made to do, it suffers what it is made to suffer. Its peace is unchangeable, but always natural. It has, as it were, passed into a state of nature ; and