“Yes, perhaps centuries, perhaps ages hence, when the irresistible law of rhythm shall draw them out of their sleep into incarnation. For the law of rebirth is one with the law of rhythm.” “Would it not be possible to awaken one of them, this man, for instance?” “You have attempted it, have you not?” the Teacher inquired, with a keen look into my face. “Yes,” I admitted. “And you failed?” “Yes.” We looked at each other for a moment, then I said: “Perhaps you, with your greater power and knowledge, could succeed where I have failed.” He made no answer. His silence fired my interest still farther, and I said eagerly: “Will you not try? Will you not awaken this man?” “You know not what you ask,” he replied. “But tell me this,” I demanded: “could you awaken him?” “Perhaps. But in order to counteract the law which holds him in sleep, the law of the spell he laid upon his own soul when he went out of life demanding unconsciousness and annihilation--in order to counteract that law, I should have to put in operation a law still stronger.” “And that is?” I asked. “Will,” he answered, “the potency of will.” “Could you?” “As I said before--perhaps.” “And will you?” “Again I say that you know not what you ask.” “Will you please explain?” I persisted, “for indeed this seems to me to be one of the most marvellous things which I have seen.” The face of the Teacher was very grave, as he answered: “What good has this man done in the past that I should place myself between him and the law of cause and effect which he has wilfully set in operation?” “I do not know his past,” I said. “Then,” the Teacher demanded, “will you tell me your reason for asking me to do this thing?” “My reason?” “Yes. Is it pity for this man’s unfortunate condition, or is it scientific curiosity on your part?” I should gladly have been able to say that it was pity for the man’s sad state which moved me so; but one does not juggle with truth or with motives when speaking to such a Teacher, so I admitted that it was scientific curiosity. “In that case,” he said, “I am justified in using him as a demonstration of the power of the trained will.” “It will not harm him, will it?” “On the contrary. And though he may suffer shock, it will probably be the means of so impressing his mind that never again, even in future lives on earth, can he believe himself, or teach others to believe, that death ends everything. As far as he is concerned, he does not deserve that I should waste upon him so great an amount of energy as will be necessary to arouse him from this sleep, this spell which he laid upon himself ages ago. But if I awaken him, it will be for your sake, ‘that you may believe.’”