What is, is not; what is not, is.

"There is the most extreme form of expression of the Mahayana theory that corresponds to the Christian doctrine (mystical, and strictly speaking heretical) that God is above all qualities, all predications, even of existence. The 'is-ness' of things is a fantasy of life's fitful fever, - but so is their 'is not-ness.'

"Life is a dream, but so is this statement.

"This last fact is hard to catch. When we say that unreality is also unreal, in our normal moments, and especially when the mind is tired, this means nothing, or less than nothing. It irritates by its illogicality, and is repugnant because of the demand it makes that we are unable to supply.

"It is therefore necessary that we say such things, to ourselves or others, only when we are in a condition of mind to know what we are saying, otherwise by frequent vain repetitions we shall become as the heathen, unable to recognize moments of vision when they visit us."