DANGERS
It often happens too that some Power or Powers undivine in their nature present
themselves as the Supreme Lord or as the Divine Mother and claim the being’s service and surrender. If these things are accepted,
there will be an extremely disastrous consequence. If indeed there is the assent of the sadhak to the Divine working
alone and the submission or surrender to that guidance, then all can go smoothly. This assent and a rejection of
all egoistic forces or forces that appeal to the ego are the safeguard throughout the sadhana. But the ways of
nature are full of snares, the disguises of the ego are innumerable, the illusions of the Powers of Darkness, Rakshasi
Maya, are extraordinary skilful; the reason is an insufficient guide and often turns traitor; vital desire is always
with us tempting to follow any alluring call.
What they (Hostile Forces) do is press with all their force upon some weak point of our nature and if we are vigilant, we can see and throw away that weakness. Only the attack method of these Forces is too violent and upheaving and endangers the good things in one also, faith and peace etc. — so one has to be careful to keep these against all attacks.
...The first thing is for the mental being to stand back, refuse to accept, say “This is no longer mine.”
The Fiend was visible, but cloaked in light;
He seemed a helping angel from the skies:
He armed untruth with Scripture and the Law;
He deceived with wisdom, with virtue slew the soul
And led to perdition by the heavenward path.