Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

therefore none can enchain his free spirit (I. 428). The only Heaven and Hell which exists is the Heaven and Hell in this world. There is none other. After death there is neither pleasure nor suffering. The Spirit, being free, it is the intention which renders an act bad. It is sufficient (I. 460) to elevate the spirit to God and then no action, whatever it he, is sin (Essendo il nostro spirito libro, | inten zione e quello que rende cattiva lazione. Basta dunque colla mente elevarsi a Dio perche qualsivogla azione non sia peccato). There is no sin. Certain (impure) acts are not sin provided that the spirit is always elevated to God. Love of God and one’s neighbour is the whole of the commandments. Man (I. 458) who unites with God by means of woman satisfies both commandments. So also does he who, lifting his spirit to God, has enjoyment with a person of the same sex or alone (Usciamo con alcuno d ‘equal sesso o da se soli). To be united with God is to be united as man and woman. The eternal life (I. 418) of the soul and Paradise in this world is the transubstantiation (or it may be tranfusion) which takes place when man is united with woman (Depone credere questa vita eterna dell’anima essere la transustanziazione (forse transfusione) nell unirse che fa l’uomo con la donna). Marie Clodesinde Spigh having stated that Paradise consisting in the fruition in this world of the Enjoyment of God (la fruizione di Dio) was asked “‘ How is this attained ?” Her reply was by that act by which one unites oneself with God. ‘“ How again” she was questioned “is this union effected” To which the answer was by operation of man and woman in which I recognise God Himself.” I. 428. (Mediante l’uomo nel quale ci 7tCONOSCO Iddio.) Everything was permissible because man was free, though sots might obey the law enjoyed for the general governance of the world. Man, she said, (I. 420) can be saved in all religions (Jn tutti le religione ci pessiamo salvare). In doing that which we erroneously call impure is real purity ordained by God, without which man cannot arrive at a 368