Jesus said: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. In truth, in very truth I tell you, a grain of wheat remains a solitary grain unless it falls into the ground and dies; but if it dies, it bears a rich harvest. The man who loves himself is lost, but he who hates himself in this world will be kept safe for eternal life" (John 12:23 25). This is the paradox of life and death; the reconciling factor is suffering, which changes the ego-self from something that is ephemeral and insubstantial to the rock-like permanence of the true self whose home is in God. Not only are we to change from mere outer dross to refined gold, but we are to lift up every creature as the serpent in the wilderness was raised up on high as a bronze standard, so that it might become an object of healing.
In the words of the Bhagavadgita (11:55): "He who does work for Me, he who looks upon Me as his goal, he who worships Me, free from attachment, he who is free from enmity to all creatures, he goes to Me." These stern requirements form the spiritual life to which all aspirants dedicate themselves. But they are fulfilled in life itself by living more perfectly day by day. The way of perfection is by suffering. By slow attrition everything inessential to salvation is worn down. By love all is restored, renewed and sanctified. The solitary grain that has apparently died is resurrected as a universe of life, that sings of the eternal glory of the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.
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