VI
INITIATION
The
highest point in an occult school, of which it is possible to speak
in a book for general readers, is Initiation. One cannot give public
information concerning all that lies beyond, though the way to it can
always be found by one who has previously pressed forward and
penetrated the lower secrets and mysteries.
The
knowledge and power which are conferred upon a man through Initiation
could not be obtained in any other manner excepting in some far
distant future, after many incarnations, on quite another road and in
quite another form. He who is initiated today experiences something
which he would otherwise have to experience at a much later period
and under quite different circumstances.
It is
right that a person should learn of the secrets of nature only so
much as corresponds to his own degree of development, and for this
reason alone do obstacles bar his way to complete knowledge and
power. People should not be trusted with the use of fire-arms until
they have had enough experience to make it certain that they will not
use them mischievously or without care. If a person, without the
necessary preparation, were initiated today, he would lack those
experiences which, in the normal course of his development, would
come to him in the future during other incarnations and would then
bring with them the corresponding secrets. At the door of Initiation
these experiences must, therefore, be supplied in some other way, and
in their place the candidate has to undergo the preliminary teaching.
These are so-called “trials” which have to be passed.
These trials are now being discussed in various magazines and books,
but, owing to their very nature, it is not surprising that quite
false impressions about them are received. For those who have not
already gone through the periods of Probation and Enlightenment have
seen nothing of these trials, and consequently cannot appropriately
describe them.
Certain
matters or subjects connected with the higher worlds are produced
before the candidate, but he is only able to see and hear these when
he can perceive clearly the figures, tones, and colours, for which he
has been prepared by the teachings on Probation and
Enlightenment.
The first
trial consists in obtaining a clearer comprehension of the corporeal
attributes of lifeless things, then of plants, of animals, of human
beings (in the way that the average person possesses them). This does
not mean what is commonly called “scientific knowledge;”
with that it has no connection, but it has to do with intuition. What
occurs is usually that the Initiate discloses to the candidate how
the objects of nature and the essence of living things reveal
themselves to the spiritual and mental hearing and sight. In a
certain way these things then lie revealed — naked —
before the beholder. Attributes and qualities which are concealed
from, physical eyes and ears can then be seen and heard. Heretofore
they have been enwrapped as in a veil, and the falling away of this
veil for the candidate, occurs at what is called the Process of
Purification by Fire. The first trial is therefore known as the
“Fire-Trial.”
For some
people the ordinary life of every day is a more or less unconscious
process of initiation by means of the Fire-Trial. These persons are
those who have passed through a wealth of developing experiences, and
who find that their self-confidence, courage, and fortitude have been
greatly augmented in a normal way — who have learned to bear
sorrow and disappointment, from the failure of their undertakings,
with greatness of mind, and especially with quiet and unbroken
strength. Those who have gone through such experiences are often
initiates, without knowing it, and it needs but little to open for
them the spiritual hearing and sight — to make them
clairvoyant. For it must be noted that a genuine Fire-Trial is not
merely intended to satisfy the curiosity of the candidate. He would
learn, undoubtedly, many unusual things, of which others, devoid of
such experiences, can have no idea; but yet this knowledge is not the
end or aim, but merely the path to the end. The real aim and object
is this — that the candidate shall acquire for himself, through
this knowledge of the higher worlds, a greater and truer
self-confidence, a higher and nobler courage, and a perseverance, an
attitude of mind, altogether different from what he could have
obtained in the lower world.
After the
Fire-Trial a candidate may always turn back; but because he has been
through it, he will resume his life, strengthened in all his
spiritual and physical relations, and in his next incarnation he will
continue to seek for initiation. In his present life, at all events,
he will prove himself a more useful member of society, will be of
greater service to humanity than he was before, and in whatever
position he may find himself, his firmness, prudence, and favourable
influence over his fellows will have greatly increased.
But if,
after coming out of the Fire-Trial, he should wish, to continue in
the occult school, he has then to be instructed in a certain writing
system which is used by those in the school. Occult teachings are
written in this occult writing-system, because what is really occult
can neither be perfectly spoken of in words or our ordinary speech,
nor set forth in the ordinary ways of writing. Those who have learned
from the Initiates endeavour to translate the teachings of Occultism
as best they may into terms of ordinary speech.
The
symbols or signs of the secret script are not arbitrarily invented or
imagined, but correspond to powers which are active and efficacious
in the world. It is through these symbols or signs, that one learns
the language of such matters. The candidate immediately sees for
himself that these symbols correspond to the figures, tones, and
colours which he has learned to perceive during the periods of
Probation and Enlightenment. He now understands that all which went
before was only like learning how to spell; and that only now does he
begin to read in the higher worlds. All that appeared to him before
as separate figures, tones, and colours, is now revealed to him as a
Perfect unity, a coherent harmony, and now, or the first time, he
attains a real certainty in observing and following the higher
worlds. Hitherto it was not possible for him to be sure that what he
saw had been clearly or correctly perceived. Now, too, it is
possible, at last, that a correct understanding, in the spheres of
the higher knowledge, can begin to arise between the candidate and
the Initiate. For no matter how close the connection between the two
may be, no matter what form their intercourse may take in ordinary
life, the Initiate can only communicate to the candidate, on these
planes, in the direct form or figures of the secret alphabet.
Through
this occult speech the student also learns certain rules of conduct
for life, certain duties and obligations, of which, before he knew
nothing whatever. When he learns to know these, he is able to perform
actions which have a significance and meaning such as the actions of
one who is not initiated can never possess. The only point of view
from which he is now able to look upon things, the only plane from
which he can now make manifest his deeds, is that of the higher
worlds. Instructions concerning such deeds can only be read, or
understood, in the secret script.
Yet it
must be emphasized and clearly apprehended that there are persons
who, unconsciously, have the ability or faculty of performing these
actions, notwithstanding that they have never been in an occult
school. Such “helpers of humanity and the world” proceed
blessedly and beneficently through life. There are certain
fundamental reasons, which cannot be here discussed, why they are in
possession of seemingly supernatural gifts. The difference between
these persons and the pupils of an occult school is only that the
former act unconsciously, but the latter with a full knowledge,
insight, judgment, and understanding of the entire matter in hand.
The candidate wins by training, what has been bestowed, upon his
fellow by a Higher Power, for the good of humanity. One should:
freely and openly honour these favoured ones of God; but one should
not, on their account, consider the work of the occult schools
unnecessary or superfluous.
Now that
the student has learned the “Mystery language,” there yet
awaits him another trial. By this he must prove whether he can move
with freedom and certainty in the higher worlds. In ordinary life a
man will be impelled to actions by outward motives and conditions. He
works at this or that because certain duties are imposed upon him by
outward circumstances. It need hardly be mentioned that the occult
student must in no way neglect any of the duties connected with his
ordinary life because he is working in the higher worlds. None of his
duties there can constrain him to treat with inattention or
carelessness any one of his duties in the lower world. The father
will remain just as good a father to his family, the mother just as
good a mother, and neither the officer nor the soldier, nor anyone
else, will be detained from their necessary duties because they
happen to be students in an occult school. On the contrary, all the
qualities which make men capable are increased to a degree of which
the uninitiated can form no idea. That this may not always appear to
be the case in the eyes of the uninitiated is merely due to the fact
that he has not always the ability to correctly judge or criticise
the Initiate. The deeds of the latter are not always entirely
intelligible to the former. But, as we have said before, this only
happens in certain cases.
For him
who has arrived at the so-called “Steps of Initiation,”
there are now duties to be performed to which no outer stimulus is
given. He will be moved to do these things by no external pressure,
but by those rules of conduct which have been communicated to him in
the mystery-language. In this second, trial he must prove that, led
by such rules of conduct, he can act from inner promptings just as
firmly as an officer performs his obligatory duties. For this purpose
the teacher will set before the pupil certain definite tasks. The
latter has now to execute some deed in consequence of observations
made from the basis of what he learned during Probation and
Enlightenment. He has to find the way to what he is now to perform,
by means of the mystery-language, which by this time is familiar to
him. If he discerns his duty and executes it correctly, he has
endured the trial, and he recognises the success which attends the
fulfilment of the task by the changed manner with which the spiritual
eyes and ears now apprehend the figures, tones, and colours. The
occult teacher tells him distinctly how these must appear after the
consummation of the trial, and the candidate must know how he can
effect this change. This trial is known as the
“Water-Trial,” because in consequence of its performance
taking place on the higher planes, that support which would otherwise
have been received from outward conditions is now taken away. One's
movements are like those which are made in water by someone who is
learning to swim. He feels no support under his feet. This practice
must be often repeated until the candidate attains absolute poise and
assurance.
These
trials are also dependent upon a quality which is produced by the
experiences in the higher worlds. The candidate cultivates this
quality to an extent which, in so short a time, he could not possibly
reach while developing in the ordinary way, but could only attain
after many incarnations. In order to bring about the change here
mentioned, the following is the principal necessity: The candidate
must altogether be guided by what has been proven to him by the
cultivation, of his higher faculties, by the results of his reading
in the secret ciphers.
Should
he, during these experiences, attempt to introduce any of his own
opinions or desires, or, should he diverge for one moment from the
laws and rules which he has proved to be right, something quite other
than that which is meant will occur. In such cases the candidate
loses sight of the coal for which these matters are undertaken, and
the result is only confusion. He has, therefore, manifold
opportunities, during these trials, for the development of
self-control, and this, indeed, is the principal quality needed.
Those trials are, therefore, much more easily endured by those who,
before initiation, have gone through a life which has enabled them to
acquire command of themselves. Those who have developed the
characteristic of following their higher principles and ideals
without thought of personal honour or desire, who discern always the
duty to be fulfilled, even though the inclinations and sympathies are
too often ready to lead them an. other way, are already, in this
midst of everyday life, unconscious initiates. They need but little
to enable them to succeed in the prescribed trials. Indeed, one may
say that a certain measure of initiation, thus unconsciously acquired
in life, will be absolutely necessary before entering upon the second
trial. For even as many who during youth have not learnt to write or
spell, find much difficulty in learning to do so during later years,
so it is also difficult to develop, merely from a knowledge of the
higher worlds, the necessary degree of self-control, if one has not
already acquired a certain measure of it in the course of ordinary
life.
The
things of the physical world do not alter, however we may desire them
to do so, but in the higher worlds our wishes, inclinations, and
desires are causes that produce effects. If we desire to bring about
particular changes in these worlds, we must hold ourselves in
absolute control, we must follow the right principle, must entirely
subdue the personal will.
There is
an attribute which at this stage, of initiation has to be especially
considered, — quite a healthy and sure faculty of judgment.
Attention must be directed to the education of this faculty during
all the previous stages, and in the course of them it must be proved
whether the candidate has developed this quality sufficiently to make
him fit to tread the path of true knowledge. Further progress is now
only possible for him if he is able to distinguish illusion,
superstition, unsubstantial fancies, and all manner of such things,
from the true realities. At first, this is much more difficult to
accomplish upon the higher stages of existence than upon the lower.
Every prejudice, every cherished opinion regarding these matters, in
whatever connection, must vanish away. Truth alone must guide. There
must be perfect readiness to surrender at once any existing opinion,
idea, or inclination, when the logical idea demands it. Absolute
certainty in the higher worlds is only to be obtained when one never
obtrudes one's own opinions.
People
whose mode of thought inclines them to phantasy, prejudice, and so
forth, can make no progress on the occult way. In truth, it is a
glorious treasure that the occult student shall attain. All doubt as
to the higher worlds will be taken away from him. In all their law
they will reveal themselves to his gaze. But so long as he is
blindfolded he cannot win these heights and compensations. It were,
indeed, unhappy for him if his phantasies and superstitions ran away
with his intellect and reason. Dreamers and people inclined to
phantasies are as unfit for the occult path as are superstitious
people; for in dreams, phantasies, and superstitions lurk the most
dangerous enemies on the road to knowledge. But because upon the
gateway which leads to the second trial are written the words,
“All prejudices must fall away;” because the candidate
has already seen upon the portals that opened to him in the first
trial, the words, “Without a normal common sense all your
efforts are in vain,” — yet it is not necessary to think
that the capacity for inspiration and enthusiasm, and all the poetry
of life, is lost to the student of Occultism.
If he be
now sufficiently advanced, a third trial awaits the candidate. No
aim, no boundary lines, are here set for him. All is left entirely in
his own hands. He finds himself in a condition where nothing causes
or induces him to act. He must find the way of his own accord and
from within himself. Conditions or people who might have stimulated
him to action are no longer there. Nothing and nobody can give the
strength which he now needs, but he himself alone. If he should not
find this strength within himself, he will very soon find himself
standing where he was before; but it must be remarked that very few
of those who have endured the previous trials will fail at this point
in finding the necessary strength. Either they will have turned back
already or they can endure at this point also. The only thing
necessary is the ability to make a resolution quickly. For here, in
the truest meaning of the phrase, one must find oneself. In all
matters one must quickly resolve to hear the suggestions, the
inspirations of the spirit. One has no time for doubt or delay. Every
moment of hesitation would add to the proof that one was not yet
ready. All that hinders one from hearing the voice of the spirit must
be boldly conquered. It is entirely a matter of proving one's
presence of mind, and it is this attribute to which attention must be
paid during all the foregoing stages of development. All temptations
to act, or even to think, which hitherto assailed a man, must now
cease; but in order that he may not slip into inaction, he must not
lose his hold upon himself. For only in himself can he find that one
sure centre-point on which he can depend. No one, without further
familiarity with the subject, should feel an antipathy to this
principle of self-rejection. For him who has endured the trials
already described, it indicates the most perfect felicity.
And in
this, as in the other stages before mentioned, for many people,
everyday life itself can be an occult school. People who have reached
the point of being able, when suddenly confronted with some task or
problem demanding immediate action, to come to a swift resolution, to
act without delay or personal consideration, have, indeed, undergone
their Occult schooling in everyday life. The situation which one
wishes to suggest is one in which a successful action is impossible
unless the person concerned grasps the whole matter and acts at once.
He is quick to act when misfortune is in sight, when a moment's
hesitation may produce a catastrophe; and he who possesses the
qualities which can be developed into a permanent attribute of such a
kind, has already evolved, unknown to himself the degree of ripeness
necessary for the third trial. For, as already remarked, at this
stage it all depends upon the development of presence of mind.
In the
occult schools this trial is known as the “Air-Trial,”
because while undergoing it the, candidate can support himself
neither upon the firm ground, nor any external cause, nor that which
he has learned in Probation and Enlightenment from the figures and
tones and colours, but solely upon himself.
If the
occult student has endured these trials, he is then permitted to
enter “the Temple of the Higher Wisdom.” All that can be
further said upon this subject can only be given out in the smallest
hints and suggestions. That which has now to be performed has been so
often put into words that many say that the pupil has here to take an
“oath,” promising to betray nothing that comes from the
teacher. Nevertheless these expressions “oath” and
“betrayal” are in no way appropriate, but are only
misleading... It is no matter of an oath in the ordinary sense of the
word, but is rather an experience that comes at this stage. Here the
candidate appreciates the true value of the occult teachers, and
their place in the service of humanity. At last he begins to
understand the world correctly. It is not so much a matter of
“withholding” the higher truths now learned, but much
more of upholding them in the right way and with the necessary tact.
That about which one learns to “keep silence” is
something quite different. One gains possession of this fine
attribute in regard to many things of which one had previously
spoken, and especially in regard to the manner in which one has
spoken of them. Yet it would be a bad Initiate who did not place all
his mystical experiences, as adequately and as far-reachingly as
possible, at the service of humanity. The sole obstacle to
communication in such matters is the misunderstanding of the person
who receives it. Above all, the higher secrets do not allow
themselves to be spoken about promiscuously, but to none who has
passed the steps of development above described, is it actually
forbidden to speak of these matters. No one is asked for a negative
oath, but everything is placed on one's own responsibility. What one
really learns is to find out within oneself what should be done under
all circumstances, and the “oath” means nothing more than
this, that one is found qualified to be entrusted with such a
responsibility.
If the
candidate is found fit, he is then given what is called,
symbolically, “the draught of forgetfulness.” This means
that he will be initiated into the secret knowledge enabling him to
act without being continually disturbed by the lower memory. This is
absolutely necessary for the Initiate, for he must possess full faith
in the immediate present. He must be able to destroy that veil of
memory which extends itself round humanity more and more thickly with
every moment of life.
If one
judges of something which happens to one today, according to the
experiences of yesterday, one is subjected by so doing to a multitude
of errors. Of course, it is not intended that the reader should think
that one ought to renounce all the experience acquired in life.
One ought
always to keep it in mind as firmly as possible. But as an Initiate,
one should retain the ability for judging every fresh experience from
outside of oneself, unclouded by all bygone experiences. One must be
prepared, at every moment, that a new thing or being shall bring to
one a new revelation. If one judges the new by the standard of the
old, one necessarily falls into error. For this very reason, the
memory of past experiences is useful, for they make one capable of
seeing the new. If one had not gone through a certain experience, one
would probably not have seen at all the attributes of this or that
being or thing; but such experiences ought only to enable one to
discern the new and not by any means to cause one to judge it by the
old. In this way the Initiate obtains certain definite qualities, and
by means of these many things are revealed to him while they remain
concealed from the uninitiated.
The
second draught which is given to the Initiate is the “draught
of remembrance.” By receiving this he becomes capable of
keeping the higher secrets ever-present in the soul. Ordinary memory
would not be sufficient to ensure this; one must be absolutely at one
with the higher truths. One must not merely know them, but be able,
as a matter of course, to manifest and administer them in living
actions, even as an ordinary man eats and drinks. They must become
one's practice, one's inclinations, one's habits. It must be
unnecessary to think of them consciously (in the usual sense of the
word); they must become a part of oneself and express themselves
through one's very being; they must flow through one, even as the
life-currents run through one's organism. So must we make ourselves
as perfect in a spiritual sense as nature has made us in a
physical.
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