Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book I · 21 of 51 · tr. Charles Johnston
Sutra 21
Spiritual consciousness is nearest to those of keen, intense will. The image used is the swift impetus of the torrent; the kingdom must be taken by force. Firm will comes only through effort; effort is inspired by faith. The great secret is this: it is not enough to have intuitions; we must act on them; we must live them.
§ Ask Guru about this passage →Contrasts · where traditions diverge
christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 3 (part 4)
“The will cannot attain this light, and the more it desires for freedom the greater will be the attraction caused by the desire." ( Six Theosophical Points , i, 38.) "There must be au opposition, for the will desires not to be dark, and this…”
Both passages discuss the role of will and desire in spiritual progress, emphasizing the need for intense effort and the challenges posed by desire. The Yoga Sutras highlight the importance of acting on intuitions with firm will, while the Theosophical passage describes the struggle between desire and the will for freedom, both stressing the internal conflict and the necessity of overcoming desire for spiritual advancement.