If his experiences are sufficiently numerous and sufficiently varied, this rosy-coloured optimism about human nature will be drained out of him. He will slowly lose the naïve belief in the possibility of creating a social kingdom of heaven on earth, in the utility of organizing an association of spiritually-minded people, in the dream of achieving unity and harmony amongst them, let alone amongst humanity in general. He will see that innate psychic attractions and repulsions are implanted in us by Nature, that uncrossable differences of mentality and outlook are fashioned in us by development and that although misunderstanding, friction, and hostility may be kept out in the beginning, they cannot be kept out in the end. He will decide that heaven can only be internal and that the quest can only be individual.
-- Notebooks Category 3: Relax and Retreat > Chapter 4 : Retreat Centres > # 202
