nature at large, is to work synthetically, and by combining the parts,
reach an idea of the unity. The two lead to the same thing, beginning as
it were from opposite extremes; for the analysis of any one thing,
completely made, must terminate in the parts, while the parts, upon a
synthetical construction, must reproduce the unity. One of the two ways
indicated by Irenaeus is spoken of as a herculean labor, which I suppose
to be the second, the reconstruction of a unity by a recombination of the
parts, which in respect to nature is undoubtedly a herculean undertaking.
The more hopeful method is by meditation, etc."

Some of the writers tell us to put "one of the bodies into the alembic,"
that is to say, take the soul into the thought or study and apply the fire
(of intellect) to it, until it "goes over" into spirit. Then, "putting
this by for use," put in "the other body," which is to be subjected to a
similar trial until it "goes over" also; after which the two may be
united, being found essentially or substantially the same.

The two methods of which Irenaeus speaks are also called in alchemy (with
reference to chemical procedures) the wet and the dry ways. The wet way is
that which leads to unity through mental elaboration. The philosophy of
the Indian didactic poetry Bhagavad-Gita also knows the two ways and calls
them Samkhya and Yoga.

"Thinking (Samkhya) and devotion (Yoga) separate only fools, but
not the wise.
Whoever consecrates himself only to the One, gets both fruits.
Through thinking and through devotion the same point is reached,
Thinking and devotion are only One, who knows that, knows
rightly."

Bh-G. V. 4ff.

"Samkhya" and "Yoga" have later been elaborated into whole philosophical
systems. Originally, however, they are merely "different methods of
arriving at the same end, namely the attainment of the Atman [all spirit]
which on the one hand is spread out as the whole infinite universe and on
the other is to be completely and wholly found in the inner life. In the
first sense Atman can be gained by meditation on the multiplex phenomena
of the universe and their essential unity, and this meditation is called
Samkhya [from sam + khya, reflection, meditation]; on the other hand,
Atman is attainable by retirement from the outer world and concentration
upon one's own inner world and this concentration is called Yoga."
(Deussen, Allg. Gesch. d. Ph