286 PARACELSUS 



the delusion of "self," because that "self" is a limited 

 thing, which cannot grasp the infinite indivisible reality. 

 For this reason " love " — that is to say, the abandonment 

 of " self " — is the beginning of wisdom. This doctrine, 

 however, is generally misunderstood. It does not teach 

 that / should merely desire nothing for myself; but it 

 teaches that there should be no conception of "/" in my 

 mind that loves or desires anything. Only when that 

 illusion of " self " has disappeared from my heart and 

 mind, and my consciousness arisen to that state in which 

 there will be no "I," then will not / be the doer of works, 

 but the spirit of wisdom will perform its wonders through 

 my instrumentality {PMlosophia Occulta). 



In this also exists the difference between divine love 

 and " altruism." Altruistically inclined persons are 

 usually not selfish, but possessed by the idea of " self." 

 Not from God, but from their own illusion of selfhood, 

 are their works emanating. They are themselves the 

 doers of their works, and are proud of their own goodness 

 and wisdom ; but their good works, being the product of 

 an illusion, are illusive, and therefore impermanent. The 

 altruistic humanitarian sees in other human beings his 

 brothers and sisters; but God, dwelling in the soul of 

 the wise, sees in every vehicle of life and in every 

 creature His own divine self. 



