The break must be a definite one and made in a determined manner.

"Without earnestness of renunciation the new life sinks back to the old ...

and loses its power to stimulate to new endeavour.

As human beings are, this negation must always be a sharp one." The negative movement, then, is the first substantial step in the progress of the spiritual life.

The man's self breaks out into discontent with nature, and this is the first step to the union of self to the higher reality in life.