KNOWLEDGE OF THE

HIGHER WORLDS
AND ITS ATTAINMENT

By RUDOLF STEINER

(Translation of Wie erlangt man Erkenntnisse der hoheren Welten?)

ANTHROPOSOPHIC PRESS Ne! "ork

#$%&'(
Pre)ared at sa*red+te,ts-*om No.em/er 011'- This te,t is in the )2/li* domain in the 3nited
States /e*a2se the original te,t !as )2/lished )rior to $%04 and the translation !hi*h !as
)2/lished in the 3S in $%&' sho!s no *o)5right rene!al as re62ired /5 la! at the time-
These files ma5 /e 2sed for an5 )2r)ose-
A2thori7ed English Translation /5 8eorge 9eta,a- Re.ised /5 Henr5 :- and ;isa <- 9onges-
This translation has /een a2thori7ed for the Western
Hemis)here /5 agreement !ith the R2dolf Steiner
Na*hlass.er!alt2ng <orna*h S!it7erland-

CONTENTS

Prefa*e to the Edition of 9a5 $%$=
Prefa*e to the Si,th Edition
Prefa*e to the Third Edition
I- Ho! is >no!ledge Of The Higher Worlds Attained?
II- The Stages of Initiation
III- Some Pra*ti*al As)e*ts
I?- The Conditions of Esoteri* Training
?- Some Res2lts of Initiation
?I- The Transformation of <ream ;ife
?II- The Contin2it5 of Cons*io2sness
?III- The S)litting of the H2man Personalit5 d2ring S)irit2al
Training
I@- The 82ardian of the Threshold
@- ;ife and <eath- The 8reater 82ardian of the Threshold
A))endi,


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Preface to the Edto! of May "#"$
In !orking o.er this ne! edition I fo2nd onl5 minor *hanges in its s2/stan*e ne*essar5A /2t I
ha.e added an a))endi, in !hi*h I ha.e endea.ored to e,)lain more *learl5 the
)s5*hologi*al fo2ndations to !hi*h the dis*los2res *ontained in the /ook m2st /e tra*ed if
the5 are to /e a**e)ted !itho2t risk of mis2nderstanding- I /elie.e that the *ontents of the
a))endi, !ill also ser.e to sho! man5 an o))onent of anthro)oso)hi*al s)irit2al s*ien*e
that his B2dgment is /ased 2)on a mis*on*e)tion of the nat2re of this s)irit2al s*ien*eA that he
does not see !hat it reall5 is-
R2dol)h Steiner

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Preface to the S%th Edto!
In )re)aring this ne! edition of >no!ledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment I ha.e
gone o.er e.er5 detail of the s2/Be*t as I had )resented it o.er ten 5ears ago- The 2rge to
make s2*h a re.ie! is nat2ral in the *ase of dis*los2res *on*erning so2l e,)erien*es and
)aths s2*h as are indi*ated in this /ook- There *an /e no )ortion of !hat is im)arted !hi*h
does not remain intimatel5 a )art of the one !ho *omm2ni*ates it or !hi*h does not *ontain
something that )er)et2all5 !orks 2)on his so2l- And it is ine.ita/le that this !ork of the so2l
sho2ld /e Boined /5 an endea.or to enhan*e the *larit5 and l2*idit5 of the )resentation as
gi.en 5ears /efore- This engendered !hat I ha.e endea.ored to a**om)lish in this ne!
edition- All the essential elements of
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the e,)ositions all the )rin*i)al )oints ha.e remained as the5 !ereA 5et im)ortant *hanges
ha.e /een made- In man5 )assages I ha.e /een a/le to in*rease the a**2ra*5 of
*hara*teri7ation in detail and this seemed to me im)ortant- If an5one !ishes to a))l5 !hat is
im)arted in this /ook to his o!n s)irit2al life it is im)ortant that he sho2ld /e a/le to
*ontem)late the )aths in 62estion /5 means of a *hara*teri7ation as e,a*t as )ossi/le-
9is*on*e)tions *an arise in far greater meas2re in *onne*tion !ith the des*ri)tion of inner
s)irit2al )ro*esses than !ith that of fa*ts in the )h5si*al !orld- The mo/ilit5 of the so2l life
the danger of losing sight of ho! different it is from all life in the )h5si*al !orld++this and
m2*h else renders s2*h mis2nderstandings )ossi/le- In )re)aring this ne! edition I ha.e
dire*ted m5 attention to finding )assages in !hi*h mis*on*e)tions might arise and I ha.e
endea.ored to forestall them-
At the time I !rote the essa5s that *onstit2te this /ook m2*h had to /e dis*2ssed in a
different !a5 from toda5 /e*a2se at that time I had to all2de in a different manner to the
s2/stan*e of !hat had /een )2/lished sin*e then *on*erning fa*ts of *ognition of the s)irit2al
!orlds- In m5 O**2lt
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( S*ien*e in The S)irit2al 82idan*e of 9ankind in A Road to Self+
>no!ledge and the Threshold of the S)irit2al World as !ell as in other !ritings s)irit2al
)ro*esses are des*ri/ed !hose e,isten*e to /e s2re !as alread5 ine.ita/l5 indi*ated in this
/ook ten 5ears ago /2t in !ords differing from those that seem right toda5- In *onne*tion
!ith a great deal not des*ri/ed in this /ook I had to e,)lain at that time that it *o2ld /e
learned /5 oral *omm2ni*ation- 92*h of !hat this referred to has sin*e /een )2/lished- :2t
these all2sions )erha)s did not !holl5 e,*l2de the )ossi/ilit5 of erroneo2s ideas in the
readerCs mind- It might /e )ossi/le for instan*e to imagine that something m2*h more .ital
in the )ersonal relations /et!een the seeker for s)irit2al s*hooling and this or that tea*her
than is intended- I tr2st I ha.e here s2**eeded /5 )resenting details in a *ertain !a5 in
em)hasi7ing more strongl5 that for one seeking s)irit2al s*hooling in a**ord !ith )resent
s)irit2al *onditions an a/sol2tel5 dire*t relation to the o/Be*ti.e s)irit2al !orld is of far
greater im)ortan*e than a relation to the )ersonalit5 of a tea*her- The latter !ill grad2all5
/e*ome merel5 the hel)erA he !ill ass2me the same )osition in s)irit2al
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s*hooling as a tea*her o**2)ies in *onformit5 !ith modern .ie!s in an5 other field of
kno!ledge- I /elie.e I ha.e s2ffi*ientl5 stressed the fa*t that the tea*herCs a2thorit5 and the
)2)ilCs faith in him sho2ld )la5 no greater )art in s)irit2al s*hooling than in an5 other /ran*h
of kno!ledge or life- A great deal de)ends its seems to me 2)on an in*reasingl5 tr2e
estimate of this relation /et!een the one !ho *arries on s)irit2al resear*h and those !ho
de.elo) an interest in the res2lts of his resear*h- Th2s I /elie.e I ha.e im)ro.ed the /ook
!here.er I !as in a )osition after ten 5ears to find !hat needs im)ro.ing-
A se*ond )art is to /e added to this first )art /ringing f2rther e,)lanations of the frame of
mind that *an lead a man to the e,)erien*e of the higher !orlds-
The ne! edition of the /ook the )rinting *om)leted la5 /efore me !hen the great !ar no!
/eing e,)erien*ed /5 mankind /roke o2t- I m2st !rite these )refator5 remarks !hile m5 so2l
is dee)l5 mo.ed /5 the destin5+laden e.ent-
R2dol)h Steiner
:erlin Se)tem/er ' $%$&-

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Preface to the Thrd Edto!
Here!ith a))ear in /ook form m5 e,)ositions originall5 )2/lished as single essa5s 2nder the
title >no!ledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment- Dor the )resent this .ol2me offers
the first )artA one that is to follo! !ill *onstit2te the *ontin2ation- This !ork on a
de.elo)ment of man that !ill ena/le him to gras) the s2)ersensi/le !orlds *annot /e
)resented to the )2/li* in a ne! form !itho2t *ertain *omments !hi*h I shall no! make- The
*omm2ni*ations it *ontains *on*erning the de.elo)ment of the h2man so2l are intended to
fill .ario2s needs-
Dirst of all something is to /e offered those )eo)le !ho feel dra!n to the res2lts of s)irit2al
resear*h and !ho m2st raise the 62estionE FWell !hen*e do these )ersons deri.e their
kno!ledge
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!ho *laim the a/ilit5 to tell 2s something of the )rofo2nd riddles of life?F++S)irit2al s*ien*e
does this- Whoe.er !ishes to o/ser.e the fa*ts leading to s2*h *laims m2st rise to
s2)ersensi/le *ognition- He m2st follo! the )ath I ha.e endea.ored to des*ri/e in this /ook-
On the other hand it !o2ld /e an error to imagine these dis*los2res of s)irit2al s*ien*e to /e
.al2eless for one !ho la*ks the in*lination or the )ossi/ilit5 to )2rs2e this )ath himself- In
order to esta/lish the fa*ts thro2gh resear*h the a/ilit5 to enter the s2)ersensi/le !orlds is
indis)ensa/leA /2t on*e the5 ha.e /een dis*o.ered and *omm2ni*ated e.en one !ho does
not )er*ei.e them himself *an /e ade62atel5 *on.in*ed of their tr2th- A large )ro)ortion of
them *an /e tested offhand sim)l5 /5 a))l5ing ordinar5 *ommon sense in a gen2inel5
2n)reB2di*ed !a5- Onl5 one m2st not let this o)en+mindedness /e*ome *onf2sed /5 an5 of
the )re+*on*ei.ed ideas so *ommon in h2man life- Someone *an easil5 /elie.e for e,am)le
that some statement or other *ontradi*ts *ertain fa*ts esta/lished /5 modern s*ien*e- In
realit5 there is no s2*h thing as a s*ientifi* fa*t that *ontradi*ts s)irit2al s*ien*eA /2t there *an
easil5 seem to /e *ontradi*tions 2nless
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s*ientifi* *on*l2sions are *ons2lted a/2ndantl5 and !itho2t )reB2di*e- The st2dent !ill find
that the more o)en+mindedl5 he *om)ares s)irit2al s*ien*e !ith )ositi.e s*ientifi*
a*hie.ements the more *learl5 is *om)lete a**ord to /e seen-
Another *ategor5 of s)irit2al+s*ientifi* dis*los2res it is tr2e !ill /e fo2nd to el2de )2rel5
mental B2dgment more or lessA /2t the right relation to these also !ill /e a*hie.ed !itho2t
great diffi*2lt5 /5 one !ho 2nderstands that not the mind alone /2t health5 feeling as !ell is
62alified to determine !hat is tr2e- And !hen this feeling does not )ermit itself to /e !ar)ed
/5 a liking or anti)ath5 for some o)inion or other /2t reall5 allo!s higher kno!ledge to a*t
!itho2t )reB2di*e a *orres)onding sentient B2dgment res2lts-
And there are man5 more !a5s of *onfirming this kno!ledge for those !ho *annot or do not
!ish to tread the )ath into the s2)ersensi/le !orld- S2*h )eo)le *an feel .er5 *learl5 !hat
.al2e this kno!ledge has in life e.en !hen it *omes to them onl5 thro2gh the
*omm2ni*ations of those engaged in s)irit2al resear*h- Not e.er5one *an immediatel5
a*hie.e s)irit2al .isionA /2t the dis*o.eries of those !ho ha.e it *an /e health+gi.ing life+
no2rishment
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for all- Dor e.er5one *an a))l5 themA and !hoe.er does so !ill soon dis*o.er !hat life in
e.er5 /ran*h *an /e !ith their aid and !hat it la*ks !itho2t them- The res2lts of
s2)ersensi/le kno!ledge !hen )ro)erl5 em)lo5ed in life )ro.e to /e++not 2n)ra*ti*al /2t
rather )ra*ti*al in the highest sense-
One !ho does not himself intend to follo! the )ath to higher kno!ledge /2t is interested in
the fa*ts it re.eals *an askE Ho! does the seer arri.e at these fa*ts? To s2*h a one this /ook is
intended to )i*t2re the )ath in s2*h a !a5 that e.en one not follo!ing it *an ne.ertheless
ha.e *onfiden*e in the *omm2ni*ations of the )erson !ho has done so- Reali7ing ho! the
s)irit2al s*ientist !orks he *an a))ro.e and sa5 to himselfE The im)ression made 2)on me
/5 the des*ri)tion of this )ath to higher !orlds makes *lear !h5 the fa*ts re)orted seem
reasona/le- Th2s this /ook is intended to hel) those !ho !ant their sense of tr2th and feeling
for tr2th *on*erning the s2)ersensi/le !orld strengthened and ass2red-
No less ho!e.er does it aim to offer aid to those !ho themsel.es seek the !a5 to
s2)ersensi/le kno!ledge- The tr2th of !hat is here set
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forth !ill /est /e .erified /5 those !ho a*hie.e its realit5 !ithin themsel.es- An5one !ith
this intention !ill do !ell to kee) reminding himself that in an e,)osition on the
de.elo)ment of the so2l more is *alled for than /e*oming a*62ainted !ith the s2/stan*e
!hi*h is fre62entl5 the aim in other e,)ositions- It is ne*essar5 to familiari7e oneself
intimatel5 !ith the )resentation- One m2st )ost2late the follo!ingE no single matter is to /e
*om)rehended onl5 /5 means of !hat is said a/o2t the matter itself /2t /5 means of m2*h
else that is dis*losed *on*erning totall5 different matters- This !ill de.elo) the *on*e)tion
that !hat is .ital is to /e fo2nd not in an5 single tr2th /2t in the harmon5 of all tr2ths- This
m2st /e serio2sl5 *onsidered /5 an5one intending to *arr5 o2t the e,er*ises- An e,er*ise *an
/e rightl5 2nderstood and e.en rightl5 e,e*2ted and 5et )rod2*e a !rong effe*t 2nless
another /e added to it++one that !ill resol.e the one+sidedness of the first into a harmon5 of
the so2l- Whoe.er reads this /ook in an intimate !a5 so that the reading resem/les an inner
e,)erien*e !ill not merel5 familiari7e himself !ith its *ontentE one )assage !ill e.oke a
*ertain feeling another )assage another feelingA
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and in that !a5 he !ill learn ho! m2*h im)ortan*e sho2ld /e seen in the one or the other in
the de.elo)ment of his so2l- He !ill also find o2t in !hat form he sho2ld tr5 this or that
e,er*ise !hat form /est s2its his )arti*2lar indi.id2alit5- When one has to do as is the *ase
here !ith des*ri)tions of )ro*esses that are to /e e,)erien*ed it is ne*essar5 to refer again
and again to the *ontentA for it !ill /e*ome manifest that m2*h *an /e satisfa*toril5
assimilated onl5 after trial !hi*h in t2rn re.eals *ertain finer )oints that at first are /o2nd to
/e o.erlooked-
E.en those readers !ho do not intend to take the !a5 )res*ri/ed !ill find m2*h in the /ook
that *an /e of ser.i*e to the inner life s2*h as ma,ims s2ggestions that thro! light on
.ario2s )277ling )ro/lems and so on-
And those !ho ha.e had e,)erien*es in their li.es that ser.e to some e,tent as an initiation
thro2gh life ma5 deri.e a *ertain satisfa*tion from finding *larified thro2gh *o+ordination
!hat had ha2nted them as se)arate )ro/lems++things the5 alread5 kne! /2t )erha)s
!itho2t ha.ing /een a/le to *onsolidate them in ade62ate *on*e)tions-
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I

HOW IS KNOWLEDGE OF THE HIGHER WORLDS ATTAINED&

Conditions
THERE sl2m/er in e.er5 h2man /eing fa*2lties /5 means of !hi*h he *an a*62ire for himself
a kno!ledge of higher !orlds- 95sti*s 8nosti*s Theoso)hists++all s)eak of a !orld of so2l
and s)irit !hi*h for them is B2st as real as the !orld !e see !ith o2r )h5si*al e5es and to2*h
!ith o2r )h5si*al hands- At e.er5 moment the listener ma5 sa5 to himselfE that of !hi*h the5
s)eak I too *an learn if I de.elo) !ithin m5self *ertain )o!ers !hi*h toda5 still sl2m/er
!ithin me- There remains onl5 one 62estion++ho! to set to !ork to de.elo) s2*h fa*2lties-
Dor this )2r)ose the5 onl5 *an gi.e ad.i*e !ho alread5 )ossess s2*h )o!ers- As long as the
h2man ra*e has e,isted there has al!a5s /een a method of training in the *o2rse of !hi*h
indi.id2als
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)ossessing these higher fa*2lties ga.e instr2*tion to others !ho !ere in sear*h of them- S2*h
a training is *alled o**2lt (esoteri*) training and the instr2*tion re*ei.ed therefrom is *alled
o**2lt (esoteri*) tea*hing or s)irit2al s*ien*e- This designation nat2rall5 a!akens
mis2nderstanding- The one !ho hears it ma5 .er5 easil5 /e misled into the /elief that this
training is the *on*ern of a s)e*ial )ri.ileged *lass !ithholding its kno!ledge ar/itraril5
from its fello!+*reat2res- He ma5 e.en think that nothing of real im)ortan*e lies /ehind s2*h
kno!ledge for if it !ere a tr2e kno!ledge++he is tem)ted to think++there !o2ld /e no need of
making a se*ret of itA it might /e )2/li*l5 im)arted and its ad.antages made a**essi/le to all-
Those !ho ha.e /een initiated into the nat2re of this higher kno!ledge are not in the least
s2r)rised that the 2ninitiated sho2ld so think for the se*ret of initiation *an onl5 /e
2nderstood /5 those !ho ha.e to a *ertain degree e,)erien*ed this initiation into the higher
kno!ledge of e,isten*e- The 62estion ma5 /e raisedE ho! then 2nder these *ir*2mstan*es
are the 2ninitiated to de.elo) an5 h2man interest in this so+*alled esoteri* kno!ledge?
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( Ho! and !h5 are the5 to seek for something of !hose nat2re the5 *an
form no idea? S2*h a 62estion is /ased 2)on an entirel5 erroneo2s *on*e)tion of the real
nat2re of esoteri* kno!ledge- There is in tr2th no differen*e /et!een esoteri* kno!ledge
and all the rest of manCs kno!ledge and )rofi*ien*5- This esoteri* kno!ledge is no more of a
se*ret for the a.erage h2man /eing than !riting is a se*ret for those !ho ha.e ne.er learned
it- And B2st as all *an learn to !rite !ho *hoose the *orre*t method so too *an all !ho seek
the right !a5 /e*ome esoteri* st2dents and e.en tea*hers- In one res)e*t onl5 do the
*onditions here differ from those that a))l5 to e,ternal kno!ledge and )rofi*ien*5- The
)ossi/ilit5 of a*62iring the art of !riting ma5 /e !ithheld from someone thro2gh )o.ert5 or
thro2gh the *onditions of *i.ili7ation into !hi*h he is /ornA /2t for the attainment of
kno!ledge and )rofi*ien*5 in the higher !orlds there is no o/sta*le for those !ho earnestl5
seek them-
9an5 /elie.e that the5 m2st seek at one )la*e or another the masters of higher kno!ledge
in order to re*ei.e enlightenment- No! in the first )la*e !hoe.er stri.es earnestl5 after
higher
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kno!ledge !ill sh2n no e,ertion and fear no o/sta*le in his sear*h for an initiate !ho *an
lead him to the higher kno!ledge of the !orld- On the other hand e.er5one ma5 /e *ertain
that initiation !ill find him 2nder all *ir*2mstan*es if he gi.es )roof of an earnest and !orth5
endea.or to attain this kno!ledge- It is a nat2ral la! among all initiates to !ithhold from no
man the kno!ledge that is d2e him /2t there is an e62all5 nat2ral la! !hi*h la5s do!n that
no !ord of esoteri* kno!ledge shall /e im)arted to an5one not 62alified to re*ei.e it- And
the more stri*tl5 he o/ser.es these la!s the more )erfe*t is an initiate- The /ond of 2nion
em/ra*ing all initiates is s)irit2al and not e,ternal /2t the t!o la!s here mentioned form as
it !ere strong *las)s /5 !hi*h the *om)onent )arts of this /ond are held together- "o2 ma5
li.e in intimate friendshi) !ith an initiate and 5et a ga) se.ers 5o2 from his essential self so
long as 5o2 ha.e not /e*ome an initiate 5o2rself- "o2 ma5 enBo5 in the f2llest sense the heart
the lo.e of an initiate 5et he !ill onl5 *onfide his kno!ledge to 5o2 !hen 5o2 are ri)e for it-
"o2 ma5 flatter himA 5o2 ma5 tort2re himA nothing *an ind2*e him to /etra5 an5thing
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to 5o2 as long as 5o2 at the )resent stage of 5o2r e.ol2tion are not *om)etent to re*ei.e it
into 5o2r so2l in the right !a5-
The methods /5 !hi*h a st2dent is )re)ared for the re*e)tion of higher kno!ledge are
min2tel5 )res*ri/ed- The dire*tion he is to take is tra*ed !ith 2nfading e.erlasting letters in
the !orlds of the s)irit !here the initiates g2ard the higher se*rets- In an*ient times anterior
to o2r histor5 the tem)les of the s)irit !ere also o2t!ardl5 .isi/leA toda5 /e*a2se o2r life
has /e*ome so 2ns)irit2al the5 are not to /e fo2nd in the !orld .isi/le to e,ternal sightA 5et
the5 are )resent s)irit2all5 e.er5!here and all !ho seek ma5 find them-
Onl5 !ithin his o!n so2l *an a man find the means to 2nseal the li)s of an initiate- He m2st
de.elo) !ithin himself *ertain fa*2lties to a definite degree and then the highest treas2res of
the s)irit *an /e*ome his o!n-
He m2st /egin !ith a *ertain f2ndamental attit2de of so2l- In s)irit2al s*ien*e this
f2ndamental attit2de is *alled the )ath of .eneration of de.otion to tr2th and kno!ledge-
Witho2t this attit2de no one *an /e*ome a st2dent- The dis)osition
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sho!n in their *hildhood /5 s2/se62ent st2dents of higher kno!ledge is !ell kno!n to the
e,)erien*ed in these matters- There are *hildren !ho look 2) !ith religio2s a!e to those
!hom the5 .enerate- Dor s2*h )eo)le the5 ha.e a res)e*t !hi*h for/ids them e.en in the
dee)est re*ess of their heart to har/or an5 tho2ght of *riti*ism or o))osition- S2*h *hildren
gro! 2) into 5o2ng men and !omen !ho feel ha))5 !hen the5 are a/le to look 2) to
an5thing that fills them !ith .eneration- Drom the ranks of s2*h *hildren are re*r2ited man5
st2dents of higher kno!ledge- Ha.e 5o2 e.er )a2sed o2tside the door of some .enerated
)erson and ha.e 5o2 on this 5o2r first .isit felt a religio2s a!e as 5o2 )ressed on the handle
to enter the room !hi*h for 5o2 is a hol5 )la*e? If so a feeling has /een manifested !ithin
5o2 !hi*h ma5 /e the germ of 5o2r f2t2re adheren*e to the )ath of kno!ledge- It is a
/lessing for e.er5 h2man /eing in )ro*ess of de.elo)ment to ha.e s2*h feelings 2)on !hi*h
to /2ild- Onl5 it m2st not /e tho2ght that this dis)osition leads to s2/missi.eness and
sla.er5- What !as on*e a *hildlike .eneration for )ersons /e*omes later a .eneration for
tr2th and kno!ledge-
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( E,)erien*e tea*hes that the5 *an /est hold their heads ere*t !ho ha.e
learnt to .enerate !here .eneration is d2eA and .eneration is al!a5s fitting !hen it flo!s
from the de)ths of the heart-
If !e do not de.elo) !ithin o2rsel.es this dee)l5 rooted feeling that there is something
higher than o2rsel.es !e shall ne.er find the strength to e.ol.e to something higher- The
initiate has onl5 a*62ired the strength to lift his head to the heights of kno!ledge /5 g2iding
his heart to the de)ths of .eneration and de.otion- The heights of the s)irit *an onl5 /e
*lim/ed /5 )assing thro2gh the )ortals of h2milit5- "o2 *an onl5 a*62ire right kno!ledge
!hen 5o2 ha.e learnt to esteem it- 9an has *ertainl5 the right to t2rn his e5es to the light /2t
he m2st first a*62ire this right- There are la!s in the s)irit2al life as in the )h5si*al life- R2/
a glass rod !ith an a))ro)riate material and it !ill /e*ome ele*tri* that is it !ill re*ei.e the
)o!er of attra*ting small /odies- This is in kee)ing !ith a la! of nat2re- It is kno!n to all
!ho ha.e learnt a little )h5si*s- Similarl5 a*62aintan*e !ith the first )rin*i)les of s)irit2al
s*ien*e sho!s that e.er5
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feeling of tr2e de.otion har/ored in the so2l de.elo)s a )o!er !hi*h ma5 sooner or later
lead f2rther on the )ath of kno!ledge-
The st2dent !ho is gifted !ith this feeling or !ho is fort2nate eno2gh to ha.e had it
in*2l*ated in a s2ita/le ed2*ation /rings a great deal along !ith him !hen later in life he
seeks admittan*e to higher kno!ledge- Dailing s2*h )re)aration he !ill en*o2nter diffi*2lties
at the .er5 first ste) 2nless he 2ndertakes /5 rigoro2s self+ed2*ation to *reate !ithin
himself this inner life of de.otion- In o2r time it is es)e*iall5 im)ortant that f2ll attention /e
)aid to this )oint- O2r *i.ili7ation tends more to!ard *riti*al B2dgment and *ondemnation
than to!ard de.otion and selfless .eneration- O2r *hildren alread5 *riti*i7e far more than
the5 !orshi)- :2t e.er5 *riti*ism e.er5 ad.erse B2dgment )assed dis)erses the )o!ers of
the so2l for the attainment of higher kno!ledge in the same meas2re that all .eneration and
re.eren*e de.elo)s them- In this !e do not !ish to sa5 an5thing against o2r *i.ili7ation-
There is no 62estion here of le.eling *riti*ism against it- To this *riti*al fa*2lt5 this self+
*ons*io2s h2man B2dgment this Ftest all things and
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hold fast !hat is /estF !e o!e the greatness of o2r *i.ili7ation- 9an *o2ld ne.er ha.e
attained to the s*ien*e the ind2str5 the *ommer*e the rights relationshi)s of o2r time had
he not a))lied to all things the standard of his *riti*al B2dgment- :2t !hat !e ha.e there/5
gained in e,ternal *2lt2re !e ha.e had to )a5 for !ith a *orres)onding loss of higher
kno!ledge of s)irit2al life- It m2st /e em)hasi7ed that higher kno!ledge is not *on*erned
!ith the .eneration of )ersons /2t the .eneration of tr2th and kno!ledge-
No! the one thing that e.er5one m2st a*kno!ledge is the diffi*2lt5 for those in.ol.ed in the
e,ternal *i.ili7ation of o2r time to ad.an*e to the kno!ledge of the higher !orlds- The5 *an
onl5 do so if the5 !ork energeti*all5 at themsel.es- At a time !hen the *onditions of material
life !ere sim)ler the attainment of s)irit2al kno!ledge !as also easier- O/Be*ts of .eneration
and !orshi) stood o2t in *learer relief from the ordinar5 things of the !orld- In an e)o*h of
*riti*ism ideals are lo!eredA other feelings take the )la*e of .eneration res)e*t adoration
and !onder- O2r o!n age thr2sts these feelings f2rther
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and f2rther into the /a*kgro2nd so that the5 *an onl5 /e *on.e5ed to man thro2gh his e.er5+
da5 life in a .er5 small degree- Whoe.er seeks higher kno!ledge m2st *reate it for himself-
He m2st instill it into his so2l- It *annot /e done /5 st2d5A it *an onl5 /e done thro2gh life-
Whoe.er therefore !ishes to /e*ome a st2dent of higher kno!ledge m2st assid2o2sl5
*2lti.ate this inner life of de.otion- E.er5!here in his en.ironment and his e,)erien*es he
m2st seek moti.es of admiration and homage- If I meet a man and /lame him for his
short*omings I ro/ m5self of )o!er to attain higher kno!ledgeA /2t if I tr5 to enter lo.ingl5
into his merits I gather s2*h )o!er- The st2dent m2st *ontin2all5 /e intent 2)on follo!ing
this ad.i*e- The s)irit2all5 e,)erien*ed kno! ho! m2*h the5 o!e to the *ir*2mstan*e that in
fa*e of all things the5 e.er again t2rn to the good and !ithhold ad.erse B2dgment- :2t this
m2st not remain an e,ternal r2le of lifeA rather it m2st take )ossession of o2r innermost so2l-
9an has it in his )o!er to )erfe*t himself and in time *om)letel5 to transform himself- :2t
this transformation m2st take )la*e in his innermost self in his tho2ght+life-
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( It is not eno2gh that I sho! res)e*t onl5 in m5 o2t!ard /earingA I
m2st ha.e this res)e*t in m5 tho2ghts- The st2dent m2st /egin /5 a/sor/ing this de.otion
into this tho2ght+life- He m2st /e !ar5 of tho2ghts of disres)e*t of ad.erse *riti*ism e,isting
in his *ons*io2sness and he m2st endea.or straighta!a5 to *2lti.ate tho2ghts of de.otion-
E.er5 moment that !e set o2rsel.es to dis*o.er in o2r *ons*io2sness !hate.er there remains
in it of ad.erse dis)araging and *riti*al B2dgement of the !orld and of lifeA e.er5 s2*h
moment /rings 2s nearer to higher kno!ledge- And !e rise ra)idl5 !hen !e fill o2r
*ons*io2sness in s2*h moments !ith tho2ghts e.oking in 2s admiration res)e*t and
.eneration for the !orld and for life- It is !ell kno!n to those e,)erien*ed in these matters
that in e.er5 s2*h moment )o!ers are a!akened !hi*h other!ise remain dormant- In this
!a5 the s)irit2al e5es of man are o)ened- He /egins to see things aro2nd him !hi*h he *o2ld
not ha.e seen /efore- He /egins to 2nderstand that hitherto he had onl5 seen a )art of the
!orld aro2nd him- A h2man /eing standing /efore him no! )resents a ne! and
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different as)e*t- Of *o2rse this r2le of life alone !ill not 5et ena/le him to see for instan*e
!hat is des*ri/ed as the h2man a2ra /e*a2se for this still higher training is ne*essar5- :2t he
*an rise to this higher training if he has )re.io2sl5 2ndergone a rigoro2s training in de.otion-
(In the last *ha)ter of his /ook Theoso)h5 the a2thor des*ri/es f2ll5 the Path of >no!ledgeA
here it is intended to gi.e some )ra*ti*al details-)
Noiseless and 2nnoti*ed /5 the o2ter !orld is the treading of the Path of >no!ledge- No
*hange need /e noti*ed in the st2dent- He )erforms his d2ties as hithertoA he attends to his
/2siness as /efore- The transformation goes on onl5 in the inner )art of the so2l hidden from
o2t!ard sight- At first his entire inner life is flooded /5 this /asi* feeling of de.otion for
e.er5thing !hi*h is tr2l5 .enera/le- His entire so2l+life finds in this f2ndamental feeling its
)i.ot- I2st as the s2nCs ra5s .i.if5 e.er5thing li.ing so does re.eren*e in the st2dent .i.if5
all feelings of the so2l-
It is not eas5 at first to /elie.e that feelings like re.eren*e and res)e*t ha.e an5thing to do
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!ith *ognition- This is d2e to the fa*t that !e are in*lined to set *ognition aside as a fa*2lt5 /5
itself++one that stands in no relation to !hat other!ise o**2rs in the so2l- In so thinking !e do
not /ear in mind that it is the so2l !hi*h e,er*ises the fa*2lt5 of *ognitionA and feelings are
for the so2l !hat food is for the /od5- If !e gi.e the /od5 stones in )la*e of /read its a*ti.it5
!ill *ease- It is the same !ith the so2l- ?eneration homage de.otion are like n2triment
making it health5 and strong es)e*iall5 strong for the a*ti.it5 of *ognition- <isres)e*t
anti)ath5 2nderestimation of !hat deser.es re*ognition all e,ert a )aral57ing and !ithering
effe*t on this fa*2lt5 of *ognition- Dor the s)irit2all5 e,)erien*ed this fa*t is .isi/le in the
a2ra- A so2l !hi*h har/ors feelings of re.eren*e and de.otion )rod2*es a *hange in its a2ra-
Certain s)irit2al *olorings as the5 ma5 /e *alled 5ello!+red and /ro!n+red in tone .anish
and are re)la*ed /5 /l2e+red tints- There/5 the *ognitional fa*2lt5 is ri)enedA it re*ei.es
intelligen*e of fa*ts in its en.ironment of !hi*h it had hitherto no idea- Re.eren*e a!akens in
the so2l a s5m)atheti*
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)o!er thro2gh !hi*h !e attra*t 62alities in the /eings aro2nd 2s !hi*h !o2ld other!ise
remain *on*ealed-
The )o!er o/tained thro2gh de.otion *an /e rendered still more effe*ti.e !hen the life of
feeling is enri*hed /5 5et another 62alit5- This *onsists in gi.ing oneself 2) less and less to
im)ressions of the o2ter !orld and to de.elo) instead a .i.id inner life- A )erson !ho darts
from one im)ression of the o2ter !orld to another !ho *onstantl5 seeks distra*tion *annot
find the !a5 to higher kno!ledge- The st2dent m2st not /l2nt himself to the o2ter !orld /2t
!hile lending himself to its im)ressions he sho2ld /e dire*ted /5 his ri*h inner life- When
)assing thro2gh a /ea2tif2l mo2ntain distri*t the tra.eler !ith de)th of so2l and !ealth of
feeling has different e,)erien*es from one !ho is )oor in feeling- Onl5 !hat !e e,)erien*e
!ithin o2rsel.es 2nlo*ks for 2s the /ea2ties of the o2ter !orld- One )erson sails a*ross the
o*ean and onl5 a fe! in!ard e,)erien*es )ass thro2gh his so2lA another !ill hear the eternal
lang2age of the *osmi* s)iritA for him are 2n.eiled the m5sterio2s riddles of e,isten*e- We
m2st learn to remain in
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to2*h !ith o2r o!n feelings and ideas if !e !ish to de.elo) an5 intimate relationshi) !ith
the o2ter !orld- The o2ter !orld !ith all its )henomena is filled !ith s)lendor /2t !e m2st
ha.e e,)erien*ed the di.ine !ithin o2rsel.es /efore !e *an ho)e to dis*o.er it in o2r
en.ironment-
The st2dent is told to set a)art moments in his dail5 life in !hi*h to !ithdra! into himself
62ietl5 and alone- He is not to o**2)5 himself at s2*h moments !ith the affairs of his o!n
ego- This !o2ld res2lt in the *ontrar5 of !hat is intended- He sho2ld rather let his
e,)erien*es and the messages from the o2ter !orld re+e*ho !ithin his o!n *om)letel5 silent
self- At s2*h silent moments e.er5 flo!er e.er5 animal e.er5 a*tion !ill 2n.eil to him
se*rets 2ndreamt of- And th2s he !ill )re)are himself to re*ei.e 62ite ne! im)ressions of the
o2ter !orld thro2gh 62ite different e5es- The desire to enBo5 im)ression after im)ression
merel5 /l2nts the fa*2lt5 of *ognitionA the latter ho!e.er is n2rt2red and *2lti.ated if the
enBo5ment on*e e,)erien*ed is allo!ed to re.eal its message- Th2s the st2dent m2st
a**2stom himself not merel5 to let the enBo5ment
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re.er/erate as it !ere /2t rather to reno2n*e an5 f2rther enBo5ment and !ork 2)on the )ast
e,)erien*e- The )eril here is .er5 great- Instead of !orking in!ardl5 it is .er5 eas5 to fall
into the o))osite ha/it of tr5ing to e,)loit the enBo5ment- ;et no one 2nderestimate the fa*t
that immense so2r*es of error here *onfront the st2dent- He m2st )ass thro2gh a host of
tem)ters of his so2l- The5 !o2ld all harden his ego and im)rison it !ithin itself- He sho2ld
rather o)en it !ide to all the !orld- It is ne*essar5 that he sho2ld seek enBo5ment for onl5
thro2gh enBo5ment *an the o2ter !orld rea*h him- If he /l2nts himself to enBo5ment he is like
a )lant !hi*h *annot an5 longer dra! no2rishment from its en.ironment- "et if he sto)s
short at the enBo5ment he sh2ts himself 2) !ithin himself- He !ill onl5 /e something to
himself and nothing to the !orld- Ho!e.er m2*h he ma5 li.e !ithin himself ho!e.er
intensel5 he ma5 *2lti.ate his ego++the !orld !ill reBe*t him- To the !orld he is dead- The
st2dent of higher kno!ledge *onsiders enBo5ment onl5 as a means of enno/ling himself for
the !orld- EnBo5ment is to him like a s*o2t informing him a/o2t the !orldA /2t on*e
instr2*ted
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/5 enBo5ment he )asses on to !ork- He does not learn in order to a**2m2late learning as his
o!n treas2re /2t in order that he ma5 de.ote his learning to the ser.i*e of the !orld-
In all s)irit2al s*ien*e there is a f2ndamental )rin*i)le !hi*h *annot /e transgressed !itho2t
sa*rifi*ing s2**ess and it sho2ld /e im)ressed on the st2dent in e.er5 form of esoteri*
training- It r2ns as follo!sE All kno!ledge )2rs2ed merel5 for the enri*hment of )ersonal
learning and the a**2m2lation of )ersonal treas2re leads 5o2 a!a5 from the )athA /2t all
kno!ledge )2rs2ed for gro!th to ri)eness !ithin the )ro*ess of h2man enno/lement and
*osmi* de.elo)ment /rings 5o2 a ste) for!ard- This la! m2st /e stri*tl5 o/ser.ed and no
st2dent is gen2ine 2ntil he has ado)ted it as a g2ide for his !hole life- This tr2th *an /e
e,)ressed in the follo!ing short senten*eE E.er5 idea !hi*h does not /e*ome 5o2r ideal sla5s
a for*e in 5o2r so2lA e.er5 idea !hi*h /e*omes 5o2r ideal *reates !ithin 5o2 life+for*es-

Inner Tran62ilit5
At the .er5 /eginning of his *o2rse the st2dent is dire*ted to the )ath of .eneration and the
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de.elo)ment of the inner life- S)irit2al s*ien*e no! also gi.es him )ra*ti*al r2les /5
o/ser.ing !hi*h he ma5 tread that )ath and de.elo) that inner life- These )ra*ti*al r2les
ha.e no ar/itrar5 origin- The5 rest 2)on an*ient e,)erien*e and an*ient !isdom and are
gi.en o2t in the same manner !heresoe.er the !a5s to higher kno!ledge are indi*ated- All
tr2e tea*hers of the s)irit2al life are in agreement as to the s2/stan*e of these r2les e.en
tho2gh the5 do not al!a5s *lothe them in the same !ords- This differen*e !hi*h is of a
minor *hara*ter and is more a))arent than real is d2e to *ir*2mstan*es !hi*h need not /e
d!elt 2)on here-
No tea*her of the s)irit2al life !ishes to esta/lish a master5 o.er other )ersons /5 means of
s2*h r2les- He !o2ld not tam)er !ith an5oneCs inde)enden*e- Indeed none res)e*t and
*herish h2man inde)enden*e more than the s)irit2all5 e,)erien*ed- It !as stated in the
)re*eding )ages that the /ond of 2nion em/ra*ing all initiates is s)irit2al and that t!o la!s
form as it !ere *las)s /5 !hi*h the *om)onent )arts of this /ond are held together-
Whene.er the initiate lea.es
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his en*losed s)irit2al s)here and ste)s forth /efore the !orld he m2st immediatel5 take a
third la! into a**o2nt- It is thisE Ada)t ea*h one of 5o2r a*tions and frame ea*h one of 5o2r
!ords in s2*h a !a5 that 5o2 infringe 2)on no oneCs free+!ill-
The re*ognition that all tr2e tea*hers of the s)irit2al life are )ermeated thro2gh and thro2gh
!ith this )rin*i)le !ill *on.in*e all !ho follo! the )ra*ti*al r2les )roffered to them that the5
need sa*rifi*e none of their inde)enden*e-
One of the first of these r2les *an /e e,)ressed some!hat in the follo!ing !ords of o2r
lang2ageE Pro.ide for 5o2rself moments of inner tran62ilit5 and in these moments learn to
disting2ish /et!een the essential and the non+essential- It is said ad.isedl5E Fe,)ressed in the
!ords of o2r lang2age-F Originall5 all r2les and tea*hings of s)irit2al s*ien*e !ere e,)ressed
in a s5m/oli*al sign+lang2age some 2nderstanding of !hi*h m2st /e a*62ired /efore its
!hole meaning and s*o)e *an /e reali7ed- This 2nderstanding is de)endent on the first ste)s
to!ard higher kno!ledge and these ste)s res2lt from the e,a*t
#)- 01(
o/ser.ation of s2*h r2les as are here gi.en- Dor all !ho earnestl5 !ill the )ath stands o)en to
tread-
Sim)le in tr2th is the a/o.e r2le *on*erning moments of inner tran62ilit5A e62all5 sim)le is
its o/ser.ation- :2t it onl5 a*hie.es its )2r)ose !hen it is o/ser.ed in as earnest and stri*t a
manner as it is in itself sim)le- Ho! this r2le is to /e o/ser.ed !ill therefore /e e,)lained
!itho2t digression-
The st2dent m2st set aside a small )art of his dail5 life in !hi*h to *on*ern himself !ith
something 62ite different from the o/Be*ts of his dail5 o**2)ation- The !a5 also in !hi*h he
o**2)ies himself at s2*h a time m2st differ entirel5 from the !a5 in !hi*h he )erforms the
rest of his dail5 d2ties- :2t this does not mean that !hat he does in the time th2s set a)art has
no *onne*tion !ith his dail5 !ork- On the *ontrar5 he !ill soon find that B2st these se*l2ded
moments !hen so2ght in the right !a5 gi.e him f2ll )o!er to )erform his dail5 task- Nor
m2st it /e s2))osed that the o/ser.an*e of this r2le !ill reall5 en*roa*h 2)on the time
needed for the )erforman*e of his d2ties- Sho2ld an5one reall5 ha.e
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no more time at his dis)osal fi.e min2tes a da5 !ill s2ffi*e- It all de)ends on the manner in
!hi*h these fi.e min2tes are s)ent-
<2ring these )eriods the st2dent sho2ld !rest himself entirel5 free from his !ork+a+da5 life-
His tho2ghts and feelings sho2ld take on a different *oloring- His Bo5s and sorro!s his *ares
e,)erien*es and a*tions m2st )ass in re.ie! /efore his so2lA and he m2st ado)t s2*h a
)osition that he ma5 regard all his s2ndr5 e,)erien*es from a higher )oint of .ie!-
We need onl5 /ear in mind ho! in ordinar5 life !e regard the e,)erien*es and a*tions of
others 62ite differentl5 from o2r o!n- This *annot /e other!ise for !e are inter!o.en !ith
o2r o!n a*tions and e,)erien*es !hereas those of others !e onl5 *ontem)late- O2r aim in
these moments of se*l2sion m2st /e so to *ontem)late and B2dge o2r o!n a*tions and
e,)erien*es as tho2gh the5 a))lied not to o2rsel.es /2t to some other )erson- S2))ose for
e,am)le a hea.5 misfort2ne /efalls 2s- Ho! different !o2ld /e o2r attit2de to!ard a similar
misfort2ne had it /efallen o2r neigh/or- This attit2de *annot /e /lamed as 2nB2stifia/leA it is
)art of h2man nat2re
#)- 00(
and a))lies e62all5 to e,*e)tional *ir*2mstan*es and to the dail5 affairs of life- The st2dent
m2st seek the )o!er of *onfronting himself at *ertain times as a stranger- He m2st stand
/efore himself !ith the inner tran62ilit5 of a B2dge- When this is attained o2r o!n
e,)erien*es )resent themsel.es in a ne! light- As long as !e are inter!o.en !ith them and
stand as it !ere !ithin them !e *ling to the non+essential B2st as m2*h as to the essential- If
!e attain the *alm inner s2r.e5 the essential is se.ered from the non+essential- Sorro! and
Bo5 e.er5 tho2ght e.er5 resol.e a))ear different !hen !e *onfront o2rsel.es in this !a5- It
is as tho2gh !e had s)ent the !hole da5 in a )la*e !here !e /eheld the smallest o/Be*ts at
the same *lose range as the largest and in the e.ening *lim/ed a neigh/oring hill and
s2r.e5ed the !hole s*ene at a glan*e- Then the .ario2s )arts a))ear related to ea*h other in
different )ro)ortions from those the5 /ore !hen seen from !ithin- This e,er*ise !ill not and
need not s2**eed !ith )resent o**2rren*es of destin5 /2t it sho2ld /e attem)ted /5 the
st2dent in *onne*tion !ith the e.ents of destin5 alread5 e,)erien*ed in the )ast- The .al2e of
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s2*h inner tran62il self+*ontem)lation de)ends far less on !hat is a*t2all5 *ontem)lated than
on o2r finding !ithin o2rsel.es the )o!er !hi*h s2*h inner tran62ilit5 de.elo)s-
Dor e.er5 h2man /eing /ears a higher man !ithin himself /esides !hat !e ma5 *all the
!ork+a+da5 man- This higher man remains hidden 2ntil he is a!akened- And ea*h h2man
/eing *an himself alone a!aken this higher /eing !ithin himself- As long as this higher /eing
is not a!akened the higher fa*2lties sl2m/ering in e.er5 h2man /eing and leading to
s2)ersensi/le kno!ledge !ill remain *on*ealed- The st2dent m2st resol.e to )erse.ere in the
stri*t and earnest o/ser.ation of the r2le here gi.en so long as he does not feel !ithin himself
the fr2its of this inner tran62ilit5- To all !ho th2s )erse.ere the da5 !ill *ome !hen s)irit2al
light !ill en.elo) them and a ne! !orld !ill /e re.ealed to an organ of sight of !hose
)resen*e !ithin them the5 !ere ne.er a!are-
And no *hange need take )la*e in the o2t!ard life of the st2dent in *onse62en*e of this ne!
r2le- He )erforms his d2ties and at first feels the same Bo5s sorro!s and e,)erien*es as
/efore-
#)- 0&(
#)aragra)h *ontin2es( In no !a5 *an it estrange him from lifeA he *an rather de.ote himself
the more thoro2ghl5 to this life for the remainder of the da5 ha.ing gained a higher life in
the moments set a)art- ;ittle /5 little this higher life !ill make its infl2en*e felt on his
ordinar5 life- The tran62ilit5 of the moments set a)art !ill also affe*t e.er5da5 e,isten*e- In
his !hole /eing he !ill gro! *almerA he !ill attain firm ass2ran*e in all his a*tions and *ease
to /e )2t o2t of *o2ntenan*e /5 all manner of in*idents- :5 th2s ad.an*ing he !ill grad2all5
/e*ome more and more his o!n g2ide and allo! himself less and less to /e led /5
*ir*2mstan*es and e,ternal infl2en*es- He !ill soon dis*o.er ho! great a so2r*e of strength is
a.aila/le to him in these moments th2s set a)art- He !ill /egin no longer to get angr5 at
things !hi*h formerl5 anno5ed himA *o2ntless things he formerl5 feared *ease to alarm him-
He a*62ires a ne! o2tlook on life- Dormerl5 he ma5 ha.e a))roa*hed some o**2)ation in a
fainthearted !a5- He !o2ld sa5E FOh I la*k the )o!er to do this as !ell as I *o2ld !ish-F
No! this tho2ght does not o**2r to him /2t rather a 62ite different tho2ght- Hen*eforth he
sa5s
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to himselfE FI !ill s2mmon all m5 strength to do m5 !ork as !ell as I )ossi/l5 *an-F And he
s2))resses the tho2ght !hi*h makes him faint+heartedA for he kno!s that this .er5 tho2ght
might /e the *a2se of a !orse )erforman*e on his )art and that in an5 *ase it *annot
*ontri/2te to the im)ro.ement of his !ork- And th2s tho2ght after tho2ght ea*h fra2ght
!ith ad.antage to his !hole life flo!s into the st2dentCs o2tlook- The5 take the )la*e of those
that had a ham)ering !eakening effe*t- He /egins to steer his o!n shi) on a se*2re *o2rse
thro2gh the !a.es of life !hereas it !as formerl5 /attered to and fro /5 these !a.es-
This *alm and serenit5 rea*t on the !hole /eing- The5 assist the gro!th of the inner man
and !ith the inner man those fa*2lties also gro! !hi*h lead to higher kno!ledge- Dor it is
/5 his )rogress in this dire*tion that the st2dent grad2all5 rea*hes the )oint !here he himself
determines the manner in !hi*h the im)ressions of the o2ter !orld shall affe*t him- Th2s he
ma5 hear a !ord s)oken !ith the o/Be*t of !o2nding or .e,ing him- Dormerl5 it !o2ld
indeed ha.e !o2nded or .e,ed him /2t no! that he treads
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the )ath to higher kno!ledge he is a/le++/efore the !ord has fo2nd its !a5 to his inner self++
to take from it the sting !hi*h gi.es it the )o!er to !o2nd or .e,- Take another e,am)le- We
easil5 /e*ome im)atient !hen !e are ke)t !aiting /2t++if !e tread the )ath to higher
kno!ledge++!e so stee) o2rsel.es in o2r moments of *alm !ith the feeling of the 2selessness
of im)atien*e that hen*eforth on e.er5 o**asion of im)atien*e this feeling is immediatel5
)resent !ithin 2s- The im)atien*e that !as a/o2t to make itself felt .anishes and an inter.al
!hi*h !o2ld other!ise ha.e /een !asted in e,)ressions of im)atien*e !ill /e filled /5 2sef2l
o/ser.ations !hi*h *an /e made !hile !aiting-
No! the s*o)e and signifi*an*e of these fa*ts m2st /e reali7ed- We m2st /ear in mind that
the higher man !ithin 2s is in *onstant de.elo)ment- :2t onl5 the state of *alm and serenit5
here des*ri/ed renders an orderl5 de.elo)ment )ossi/le- The !a.es of o2t!ard life *onstrain
the inner man from all sides if instead of mastering this o2t!ard life it masters him- S2*h a
man is like a )lant !hi*h tries to e,)and in a *left in the ro*k and is st2nted in gro!th 2ntil
ne!
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s)a*e is gi.en it- No o2t!ard for*es *an s2))l5 s)a*e to the inner man- It *an onl5 /e
s2))lied /5 the inner *alm !hi*h man himself gi.es to his so2l- O2t!ard *ir*2mstan*es *an
onl5 alter the *o2rse of his o2t!ard lifeA the5 *an ne.er a!aken the inner s)irit2al man- The
st2dent m2st himself gi.e /irth to a ne! and higher man !ithin himself-
This higher man no! /e*omes the inner r2ler !ho dire*ts the *ir*2mstan*es of the o2ter man
!ith s2re g2idan*e- As long as the o2ter man has the 2))er hand and *ontrol this inner man
is his sla.e and therefore *annot 2nfold his )o!ers- If it de)ends on something other than
m5self !hether I sho2ld get angr5 or not I am not master of m5self or to )2t it /etter I ha.e
not 5et fo2nd the r2ler !ithin m5self- I m2st de.elo) the fa*2lt5 of letting the im)ressions of
the o2ter !orld a))roa*h me onl5 in the !a5 in !hi*h I m5self determineA then onl5 do I
/e*ome in the real sense a st2dent- And onl5 in as far as the st2dent earnestl5 seeks this
)o!er *an he rea*h the goal- It is of no im)ortan*e ho! far an5one *an go in a gi.en timeA the
)oint is that he sho2ld earnestl5 seek- 9an5 ha.e stri.en for 5ears !itho2t noti*ing
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an5 a))re*ia/le )rogressA /2t man5 of those !ho did not des)air /2t remained 2nshaken
ha.e then 62ite s2ddenl5 a*hie.ed the inner .i*tor5-
No do2/t a great effort is re62ired in man5 stations of life to )ro.ide these moments of inner
*almA /2t the greater the effort needed the more im)ortant is the a*hie.ement- In s)irit2al
s*ien*e e.er5thing de)ends 2)on energ5 in!ard tr2thf2lness and 2n*om)romising
sin*erit5 !ith !hi*h !e *onfront o2r o!n sel.es !ith all o2r deeds and a*tions as a
*om)lete stranger-
:2t onl5 one side of the st2dentCs inner a*ti.it5 is *hara*teri7ed /5 this /irth of his o!n
higher /eing- Something else is needed in addition- E.en if he *onfronts himself as a stranger
it is onl5 himself that he *ontem)latesA he looks on those e,)erien*es and a*tions !ith !hi*h
he is *onne*ted thro2gh his )arti*2lar station of life- He m2st no! disengage himself from it
and rise /e5ond to a )2rel5 h2man le.el !hi*h no longer has an5thing to do !ith his o!n
s)e*ial sit2ation- He m2st )ass on to the *ontem)lation of those things !hi*h !o2ld *on*ern
him as a h2man /eing e.en if he li.ed 2nder 62ite different *ir*2mstan*es
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and in 62ite a different sit2ation- In this !a5 something /egins to li.e !ithin him !hi*h
ranges a/o.e the )2rel5 )ersonal- His ga7e is dire*ted to !orlds higher than those !ith
!hi*h e.er5+da5 life *onne*ts him- And th2s he /egins to feel and reali7e as an inner
e,)erien*e that he /elongs to those higher !orlds- These are !orlds *on*erning !hi*h his
senses and his dail5 o**2)ation *an tell him nothing- Th2s he no! shifts the *entral )oint of
his /eing to the inner )art of his nat2re- He listens to the .oi*es !ithin him !hi*h s)eak to
him in his moments of tran62ilit5A he *2lti.ates an inter*o2rse !ith the s)irit2al !orld- He is
remo.ed from the e.er5+da5 !orld- Its noise is silen*ed- All aro2nd him there is silen*e- He
)2ts a!a5 e.er5thing that reminds him of s2*h im)ressions from !itho2t- Calm in!ard
*ontem)lation and *on.erse !ith the )2rel5 s)irit2al !orld fill his so2l-++S2*h tran62il
*ontem)lation m2st /e*ome a nat2ral ne*essit5 in the life of the st2dent- He is no! )l2nged
in a !orld of tho2ght- He m2st de.elo) a li.ing feeling for this silent tho2ght+a*ti.it5- He
m2st learn to lo.e !hat the s)irit )o2rs into him- He !ill soon *ease to feel that this tho2ght+
!orld is
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less real than the e.er5+da5 things !hi*h s2rro2nd him- He /egins to deal !ith his tho2ghts
as !ith things in s)a*e and the moment a))roa*hes !hen he /egins to feel that !hi*h
re.eals itself in the silent in!ard tho2ght+!ork to /e m2*h higher m2*h more real than the
things in s)a*e- He dis*o.ers that something li.ing e,)resses itself in this tho2ght+!orld- He
sees that his tho2ghts do not merel5 har/or shado!+)i*t2res /2t that thro2gh them hidden
/eings s)eak to him- O2t of the silen*e s)ee*h /e*omes a2di/le to him- Dormerl5 so2nd onl5
rea*hed him thro2gh his earA no! it reso2nds thro2gh his so2l- An inner lang2age an inner
!ord is re.ealed to him- This moment !hen first e,)erien*ed is one of greatest ra)t2re for
the st2dent- An inner light is shed o.er the !hole e,ternal !orld and a se*ond life /egins for
him- Thro2gh his /eing there )o2rs a di.ine stream from a !orld of di.ine ra)t2re-
This life of the so2l in tho2ght !hi*h grad2all5 !idens into a life in s)irit2al /eing is *alled
/5 8nosis and /5 S)irit2al S*ien*e 9editation (*ontem)lati.e refle*tion)- This meditation is
the means to s2)ersensi/le kno!ledge- :2t the
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st2dent in s2*h moments m2st not merel5 ind2lge in feelingsA he m2st not ha.e indefinite
sensations in his so2l- That !o2ld onl5 hinder him from rea*hing tr2e s)irit2al kno!ledge-
His tho2ghts m2st /e *lear shar) and definite and he !ill /e hel)ed in this if he does not
*ling /lindl5 to the tho2ghts that rise !ithin him- Rather m2st he )ermeate himself !ith the
loft5 tho2ghts /5 !hi*h men alread5 ad.an*ed and )ossessed of the s)irit !ere ins)ired at
s2*h moments- He sho2ld start !ith the !ritings !hi*h themsel.es had their origin in B2st
s2*h re.elation d2ring meditation- In the m5sti* gnosti* and s)irit2al s*ientifi* literat2re of
toda5 the st2dent !ill find s2*h !ritings and in them the material for his meditation- The
seekers of the s)irit ha.e themsel.es set do!n in s2*h !ritings the tho2ghts of the di.ine
s*ien*e !hi*h the S)irit has dire*ted his messengers to )ro*laim to the !orld-
Thro2gh s2*h meditation a *om)lete transformation takes )la*e in the st2dent- He /egins to
form 62ite ne! *on*e)tions of realit5- All things a*62ire a fresh .al2e for him- It *annot /e
re)eated too often that this transformation
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does not alienate him from the !orld- He !ill in no !a5 /e estranged from his dail5 tasks
and d2ties for he *omes to reali7e that the most insignifi*ant a*tion he has to a**om)lish the
most insignifi*ant e,)erien*e !hi*h offers itself to him stands in *onne*tion !ith *osmi*
/eings and *osmi* e.ents- When on*e this *onne*tion is re.ealed to him in his moments of
*ontem)lation he *omes to his dail5 a*ti.ities !ith a ne! f2ller )o!er- Dor no! he kno!s
that his la/or and his s2ffering are gi.en and end2red for the sake of a great s)irit2al *osmi*
!hole- Not !eariness /2t strength to li.e s)rings from meditation-
With firm ste) the st2dent )asses thro2gh life- No matter !hat it ma5 /ring him he goes
for!ard ere*t- In the )ast he kne! not !h5 he la/ored and s2ffered /2t no! he kno!s- It is
o/.io2s that s2*h meditation leads more s2rel5 to the goal if *ond2*ted 2nder the dire*tion
of e,)erien*ed )ersons !ho kno! of themsel.es ho! e.er5thing ma5 /est /e doneA and their
ad.i*e and g2idan*e sho2ld /e so2ght- Tr2l5 no one loses his freedom there/5- What !o2ld
other!ise /e mere 2n*ertain gro)ing in the dark /e*omes 2nder this dire*tion )2r)osef2l
!ork- All !ho
#)- 44(
a))l5 to those )ossessing kno!ledge and e,)erien*e in these matters !ill ne.er a))l5 in
.ain onl5 the5 m2st reali7e that !hat the5 seek is the ad.i*e of a friend not the domination
of a !o2ld+/e r2ler- It !ill al!a5s /e fo2nd that the5 !ho reall5 kno! are the most modest of
men and that nothing is f2rther from their nat2re than !hat is *alled the l2st for )o!er-
When /5 means of meditation a man rises to 2nion !ith the s)irit he /rings to life the
eternal in him !hi*h is limited /5 neither /irth nor death- The e,isten*e of this eternal /eing
*an onl5 /e do2/ted /5 those !ho ha.e not themsel.es e,)erien*ed it- Th2s meditation is the
!a5 !hi*h also leads man to the kno!ledge to the *ontem)lation of his eternal
indestr2*ti/le essential /eingA and it is onl5 thro2gh meditation that man *an attain to s2*h
kno!ledge- 8nosis and S)irit2al S*ien*e tell of the eternal nat2re of this /eing and of its
rein*arnation- The 62estion is often askedE Wh5 does a man kno! nothing of his e,)erien*es
/e5ond the /orders of life and death? Not th2s sho2ld !e ask /2t ratherE Ho! *an !e attain
s2*h kno!ledge? In right meditation the )ath is o)ened- This alone *an
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re.i.e the memor5 of e,)erien*es /e5ond the /order of life and death- E.er5one *an attain
this kno!ledgeA in ea*h one of 2s lies the fa*2lt5 of re*ogni7ing and *ontem)lating for
o2rsel.es !hat gen2ine 95sti*ism S)irit2al S*ien*e Anthro)oso)h5 and 8nosis tea*h- Onl5
the right means m2st /e *hosen- Onl5 a /eing !ith ears and e5es *an a))rehend so2nds and
*olorsA nor *an the e5e )er*ei.e if the light !hi*h makes things .isi/le is !anting- S)irit2al
S*ien*e gi.es the means of de.elo)ing the s)irit2al ears and e5es and of kindling the
s)irit2al lightA and this method of s)irit2al trainingE ($) Pre)arationA this de.elo)s the
s)irit2al senses- (0) EnlightenmentA this kindles the s)irit2al light- (4) InitiationA this
esta/lishes inter*o2rse !ith the higher s)irit2al /eings-

>no!ledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment /5 R2dol)h Steiner #$%&'( at sa*red+
te,ts-*om
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II

THE STAGES OF INITIATION
THE information gi.en in the follo!ing *ha)ters *onstit2tes ste)s in an esoteri* training the
name and *hara*ter of !hi*h !ill /e 2nderstood /5 all !ho a))l5 this information in the
right !a5- It refers to the three stages thro2gh !hi*h the training of the s)irit2al life leads to a
*ertain degree of initiation- :2t onl5 so m2*h !ill here /e e,)lained as *an /e )2/li*l5
im)arted- These are merel5 indi*ations e,tra*ted from a still dee)er and more intimate
do*trine- In esoteri* training itself a 62ite definite *o2rse of instr2*tion is follo!ed- Certain
e,er*ises ena/le the so2l to attain to a *ons*io2s inter*o2rse !ith the s)irit2al !orld- These
e,er*ises /ear a/o2t the same relation to !hat !ill /e im)arted in the follo!ing )ages as the
instr2*tion gi.en in
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a higher stri*tl5 dis*i)lined s*hool /ears to the in*idental training- :2t im)atient da//ling
de.oid of earnest )erse.eran*e *an lead to nothing at all- The st2d5 of S)irit2al S*ien*e *an
onl5 /e s2**essf2l if the st2dent retain !hat has alread5 /een indi*ated in the )re*eding
*ha)ter and on the /asis of this )ro*eed f2rther-
The three stages !hi*h the a/o.e+mentioned tradition s)e*ifies are as follo!sE ($)
)re)arationA (0) enlightenmentA (4) initiation- It is not altogether ne*essar5 that the first of
these three stages sho2ld /e *om)leted /efore the se*ond *an /e /eg2n nor that the se*ond
in t2rn /e *om)leted /efore the third /e started- In *ertain res)e*ts it is )ossi/le to )artake of
enlightenment and e.en of initiation and in other res)e*ts still /e in the )re)arator5 stage-
"et it !ill /e ne*essar5 to s)end a *ertain time in the stage of )re)aration /efore an5
enlightenment *an /eginA and at least in some res)e*ts enlightenment m2st /e *om)leted
/efore it is e.en )ossi/le to enter 2)on the stage of initiation- :2t in des*ri/ing them it
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is ne*essar5 for the sake of *larit5 that the three stages /e made to follo! in order-

Pre)aration
Pre)aration *onsists in a stri*t and definite *2lti.ation of the life of tho2ght and feeling
thro2gh !hi*h the )s5*ho+s)irit2al /od5 /e*omes e62i))ed !ith higher senses and organs of
a*ti.it5 in the same !a5 that nat2ral for*es ha.e fitted the )h5si*al /od5 !ith organs /2ilt
o2t of indeterminate li.ing matter-
To /egin !ith the attention of the so2l is dire*ted to *ertain e.ents in the !orld that
s2rro2nds 2s- S2*h e.ents are on the one hand life that is /2dding gro!ing and
flo2rishing and on the other hand all )henomena *onne*ted !ith fading de*a5ing and
!ithering- The st2dent *an o/ser.e these e.ents sim2ltaneo2sl5 !here.er he t2rns his e5es
and on e.er5 o**asion the5 nat2rall5 e.oke in him feelings and tho2ghtsA /2t in ordinar5
*ir*2mstan*es he does not de.ote himself s2ffi*ientl5 to them- He h2rries on too 62i*kl5 from
im)ression to im)ression- It is ne*essar5 therefore that he sho2ld fi, his attention
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intentl5 and *ons*io2sl5 2)on these )henomena- Where.er he o/ser.es a definite kind of
/looming and flo2rishing he m2st /anish e.er5thing else from his so2l and entirel5
s2rrender himself for a short time to this one im)ression- He !ill soon *on.in*e himself that
a feeling !hi*h heretofore in a similar *ase !o2ld merel5 ha.e flitted thro2gh his so2l no!
s!ells o2t and ass2mes a )o!erf2l and energeti* form- He m2st no! allo! this feeling to
re.er/erate 62ietl5 !ithin himself !hile kee)ing in!ardl5 62ite still- He m2st *2t himself off
from the o2ter !orld and sim)l5 and solel5 follo! !hat his so2l tells him of this /lossoming
and flo2rishing-
"et it m2st not /e tho2ght that m2*h )rogress *an /e made if the senses are /l2nted to the
!orld- Dirst look at the things as keenl5 and as intentl5 as 5o2 )ossi/l5 *anA then onl5 let the
feeling !hi*h e,)ands to life and the tho2ght !hi*h arises in the so2l take )ossession of
5o2- The )oint is that the attention sho2ld /e dire*ted !ith )erfe*t inner /alan*e 2)on /oth
)henomena- If the ne*essar5 tran62ilit5 /e attained and 5o2 s2rrender 5o2rself to the feeling
!hi*h e,)ands to life in the so2l then in d2e time the follo!ing e,)erien*e
#)- 4%(
!ill ens2e- Tho2ghts and feelings of a ne! kind and 2nkno!n /efore !ill /e noti*ed 2)rising
in the so2l- Indeed the more often the attention /e fi,ed alternatel5 2)on something gro!ing
/lossoming and flo2rishing and 2)on something else that is fading and de*a5ing the more
.i.id !ill these feelings /e*ome- And B2st as the e5es and ears of the )h5si*al /od5 are /2ilt
/5 nat2ral for*es o2t of li.ing matter so !ill the organs of *lair.o5an*e /2ild themsel.es o2t
of the feelings and tho2ghts th2s e.oked- A 62ite definite form of feeling is *onne*ted !ith
gro!th and e,)ansion and another e62all5 definite !ith all that is fading and de*a5ing- :2t
this is onl5 the *ase if the effort /e made to *2lti.ate these feelings in the !a5 indi*ated- It is
)ossi/le to des*ri/e a))ro,imatel5 !hat these feelings are like- A f2ll *on*e)tion of them is
!ithin the rea*h of all !ho 2ndergo these inner e,)erien*es-
If the attention /e fre62entl5 fi,ed on the )henomena of gro!ing /looming and flo2rishing
a feeling remotel5 allied to the sensation of a s2nrise !ill ens2e !hile the )henomena of
fading and de*a5ing !ill )rod2*e an e,)erien*e *om)ara/le in the same !a5 to the slo!
rising of the
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moon on the hori7on- :oth these feelings are for*es !hi*h !hen d2l5 *2lti.ated and
de.elo)ed to e.er in*reasing intensit5 lead to the most signifi*ant s)irit2al res2lts- A ne!
!orld is o)ened to the st2dent if he s5stemati*all5 and deli/eratel5 s2rrenders himself to
s2*h feelings- The so2l+!orld the so+*alled astral )lane /egins to da!n 2)on him- 8ro!th
and de*a5 are no longer fa*ts !hi*h make indefinite im)ressions on him as of old /2t rather
the5 form themsel.es into s)irit2al lines and fig2res of !hi*h he had )re.io2sl5 s2s)e*ted
nothing- And these lines and fig2res ha.e for the different )henomena different forms- A
/looming flo!er an animal in the )ro*ess of gro!th a tree that is de*a5ing e.oke in his so2l
different lines- The so2l !orld (astral )lane) /roadens o2t slo!l5 /efore him- These lines and
fig2res are in no sense ar/itrar5- T!o st2dents !ho ha.e rea*hed the *orres)onding stage of
de.elo)ment !ill al!a5s see the same lines and fig2res 2nder the same *onditions- I2st as a
ro2nd ta/le !ill /e seen as ro2nd /5 t!o normal )ersons and not as ro2nd /5 one and
s62are /5 the other so too at the sight of a flo!er the same s)irit2al fig2re is )resented to
the so2l- And B2st as the
#)- &$(
forms of animals and )lants are des*ri/ed in ordinar5 nat2ral histor5 so too the s)irit2al
s*ientist des*ri/es or dra!s the s)irit2al forms of the )ro*ess of gro!th and de*a5 a**ording
to s)e*ies and kind-
If the st2dent has )rogressed so far that he *an )er*ei.e the s)irit2al forms of those
)henomena !hi*h are )h5si*all5 .isi/le to his e,ternal sight he is then not far from the stage
!here he !ill /ehold things !hi*h ha.e no )h5si*al e,isten*e and !hi*h therefore remain
entirel5 hidden (o**2lt) from those !ho ha.e not re*ei.ed s2ita/le instr2*tion and training-
It sho2ld /e em)hasi7ed that the st2dent m2st ne.er lose himself in s)e*2lations on the
meaning of one thing or another- S2*h intelle*t2ali7ing !ill onl5 dra! him a!a5 from the
right road- He sho2ld look o2t on the !orld !ith keen health5 senses and 62i*kened )o!er
of o/ser.ation and then gi.e himself 2) to the feeling that arises !ithin him- He sho2ld not
tr5 to make o2t thro2gh intelle*t2al s)e*2lation the meaning of things /2t rather allo! the
things to dis*lose themsel.es- It sho2ld /e remarked that artisti* feeling !hen *o2)led !ith a
62iet intros)e*ti.e
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nat2re forms the /est )reliminar5 *ondition for the de.elo)ment of s)irit2al fa*2lties- This
feeling )ier*es thro2gh the s2)erfi*ial as)e*t of things and in so doing to2*hes their se*rets-
A f2rther )oint of im)ortan*e is !hat s)irit2al s*ien*e *alls orientation in the higher !orlds-
This is attained !hen the st2dent is )ermeated thro2gh and thro2gh !ith the *ons*io2s
reali7ation that feelings and tho2ghts are B2st as m2*h .erita/le realities as are ta/les and
*hairs in the !orld of the )h5si*al senses- In the so2l and tho2ght !orld feelings and
tho2ghts rea*t 2)on ea*h other B2st as do )h5si*al o/Be*ts in the )h5si*al !orld- As long as
the st2dent is not .i.idl5 )ermeated !ith this *ons*io2sness he !ill not /elie.e that a !rong
tho2ght in his mind ma5 ha.e as de.astating an effe*t 2)on other tho2ghts that s)read life in
the tho2ght !orld as the effe*t !ro2ght /5 a /2llet fired at random 2)on the )h5si*al o/Be*ts
it hits- He !ill )erha)s ne.er allo! himself to )erform a )h5si*all5 .isi/le a*tion !hi*h he
*onsiders to /e !rong tho2gh he !ill not shrink from har/oring !rong tho2ghts and
feelings for these a))ear harmless to the rest of the !orld- There *an /e no )rogress
ho!e.er on
#)- &4(
the )ath to higher kno!ledge 2nless !e g2ard o2r tho2ghts and feelings in B2st the same !a5
!e g2ard o2t ste)s in the )h5si*al !orld- If !e see a !all /efore 2s !e do not attem)t to
dash right thro2gh it /2t t2rn aside- In other !ords !e g2ide o2rsel.es /5 the la!s of the
)h5si*al !orld- There are s2*h la!s too for the so2l and tho2ght !orld onl5 the5 *annot
im)ose themsel.es on 2s from !itho2t- The5 m2st flo! o2t of the life of the so2l itself- This
*an /e attained if !e for/id o2rsel.es to har/or !rong tho2ghts and feelings- All ar/itrar5
flitting to and fro in tho2ght all a**idental e//ing and flo!ing of emotion m2st /e for/idden
in the same !a5- In so doing !e do not /e*ome defi*ient in feeling- On the *ontrar5 if !e
reg2late o2r inner life in this !a5 !e shall soon find o2rsel.es /e*oming ri*h in feelings and
*reati.e !ith gen2ine imagination- In the )la*e of )ett5 emotionalism and *a)ri*io2s flights
of tho2ght there a))ear signifi*ant emotions and tho2ghts that are fr2itf2l- Deelings and
tho2ghts of this kind lead the st2dent to orientation in the s)irit2al !orld- He gains a right
)osition in relation to the things of the s)irit2al !orldA a distin*t and definite res2lt *omes
into effe*t in his fa.or-
#)- &&(
#)aragra)h *ontin2es( I2st as he as a )h5si*al man finds his !a5 among )h5si*al things so
too his )ath no! leads him /et!een gro!th and de*a5 !hi*h he has alread5 *ome to kno!
in the !a5 des*ri/ed a/o.e- On the one hand he follo!s all )ro*esses of gro!ing and
flo2rishing and on the other of !ithering and de*a5ing in a !a5 that is ne*essar5 for his
o!n and the !orldCs ad.an*ement-
The st2dent has also to /esto! a f2rther *are on the !orld of so2nd- He m2st dis*riminate
/et!een so2nds that are )rod2*ed /5 the so+*alled inert (lifeless) /odies for instan*e a /ell
or a m2si*al instr2ment or a falling mass and those !hi*h )ro*eed from a li.ing *reat2re (an
animal or a h2man /eing-) When a /ell is str2*k !e hear the so2nd and *onne*t a )leasant
feeling !ith itA /2t !hen !e hear the *r5 of an animal !e *an /esides o2r o!n feeling dete*t
thro2gh it the manifestation of an in!ard e,)erien*e of the animal !hether of )leas2re or
)ain- It is !ith the latter kind of so2nd that the st2dent sets to !ork- He m2st *on*entrate his
!hole attention on the fa*t that the so2nd tells him of something that lies o2tside his o!n
so2l- He m2st immerse himself in this foreign thing- He m2st *losel5
#)- &G(
2nite his o!n feeling !ith the )leas2re or )ain of !hi*h the so2nd tells him- He m2st get
/e5ond the )oint of *aring !hether for him the so2nd is )leasant or 2n)leasant agreea/le or
disagreea/le and his so2l m2st /e filled !ith !hate.er is o**2rring in the /eing from !hi*h
the so2nd )ro*eeds- Thro2gh s2*h e,er*ises if s5stemati*all5 and deli/eratel5 )erformed the
st2dent !ill de.elo) !ithin himself the fa*2lt5 of intermingling as it !ere !ith the /eing
from !hi*h the so2nd )ro*eeds- A )erson sensiti.e to m2si* !ill find it easier than one !ho
is 2nm2si*al to *2lti.ate his inner life in this !a5A /2t no one sho2ld s2))ose that a mere
sense for m2si* *an take the )la*e of this inner a*ti.it5- The st2dent m2st learn to feel in this
!a5 in the fa*e of the !hole of nat2re- This im)lants a ne! fa*2lt5 in his !orld of tho2ght
and feeling- Thro2gh her reso2nding tones the !hole of nat2re /egins to !his)er her se*rets
to the st2dent- What !as hitherto merel5 in*om)rehensi/le noise to his so2l /e*omes /5 this
means a *oherent lang2age of nat2re- And !hereas hitherto he onl5 heard so2nd from the so+
*alled inanimate o/Be*ts he no! is a!are of a ne! lang2age of the so2l- Sho2ld he ad.an*e
f2rther
#)- &H(
in this inner *2lt2re he !ill soon learn that he *an hear !hat hitherto he did not e.en
s2rmise- He /egins to hear !ith the so2l-
To this one thing more m2st /e added /efore the highest )oint in this region *an /e attained-
Of .er5 great im)ortan*e for the de.elo)ment of the st2dent is the !a5 in !hi*h he listens to
others !hen the5 s)eak- He m2st a**2stom himself to do this in s2*h a !a5 that !hile
listening his inner self is a/sol2tel5 silent- If someone e,)resses an o)inion and another
listens assent or dissent !ill generall5 s)eaking stir in the inner self of the listener- 9an5
)eo)le in s2*h *ases feel themsel.es im)elled to an e,)ression of their assent or more
es)e*iall5 of their dissent- In the st2dent all s2*h assent or dissent m2st /e silen*ed- It is not
im)erati.e that he sho2ld s2ddenl5 alter his !a5 of li.ing /5 tr5ing to attain at all times to
this *om)lete inner silen*e- He !ill ha.e to /egin /5 doing so in s)e*ial *ases deli/eratel5
sele*ted /5 himself- Then 62ite slo!l5 and /5 degrees this ne! !a5 of listening !ill *ree)
into his ha/its as of itself- In s)irit2al resear*h this is s5stemati*all5 )ra*ti*ed- The st2dent
feels it his d2t5 to listen /5 !a5 of )ra*ti*e at *ertain
#)- &'(
times to the most *ontradi*tor5 .ie!s and at the same time /ring entirel5 to silen*e all
assent and more es)e*iall5 all ad.erse *riti*ism- The )oint is that in so doing not onl5 all
)2rel5 intelle*t2al B2dgment /e silen*ed /2t also all feelings of dis)leas2re denial or e.en
assent- The st2dent m2st at all times /e )arti*2larl5 !at*hf2l lest s2*h feelings e.en !hen
not on the s2rfa*e sho2ld still l2rk in the innermost re*ess of the so2l- He m2st listen for
e,am)le to the statements of )eo)le !ho are in some res)e*ts far /eneath him and 5et
!hile doing so s2))ress e.er5 feeling of greater kno!ledge or s2)eriorit5- It is 2sef2l for
e.er5one to listen in this !a5 to *hildren for e.en the !isest *an learn in*al*2la/l5 m2*h
from *hildren- The st2dent *an th2s train himself to listen to the !ords of others 62ite
selflessl5 *om)letel5 sh2tting do!n his o!n )erson and his o)inions and !a5 of feeling-
When he )ra*ti*es listening !itho2t *riti*ism e.en !hen a *om)letel5 *ontradi*tor5 o)inion
is ad.an*ed !hen the most ho)eless mistake is *ommitted /efore him he then learns little
/5 little to /lend himself !ith the /eing of another and /e*ome identified !ith it- Then he
hears thro2gh the !ords into
#)- &=(
the so2l of the other- Thro2gh *ontin2ed e,er*ise of this kind so2nd /e*omes the right
medi2m for the )er*e)tion of so2l and s)irit- Of *o2rse it im)lies the .er5 stri*test self+
dis*i)line /2t the latter leads to a high goal- When these e,er*ises are )ra*ti*ed in *onne*tion
!ith the other alread5 gi.en dealing !ith the so2nds of nat2re the so2l de.elo)s a ne!
sense of hearing- She is no! a/le to )er*ei.e manifestations from the s)irit2al !orld !hi*h
do not find their e,)ression in so2nds )er*e)ti/le to the )h5si*al ear- The )er*e)tion of the
Finner !ordF a!akens- 8rad2all5 tr2ths re.eal themsel.es to the st2dent from the s)irit2al
!orld- He hears s)ee*h 2ttered to him in a s)irit2al !a5- Onl5 to those !ho /5 selfless
listening train themsel.es to /e reall5 re*e)ti.e from !ithin in stillness 2nmo.ed /5
)ersonal o)inion or feeling onl5 to s2*h *an the higher /eings s)eak of !hom s)irit2al
s*ien*e tells- As long as one h2rls an5 )ersonal o)inion or feeling against the s)eaker to
!hom one m2st listen the /eings of the s)irit2al !orld remain silent-
All higher tr2ths are attained thro2gh s2*h in!ardl5 instilled s)ee*h and !hat !e hear
#)- &%(
from the li)s of a tr2e s)irit2al tea*her has /een e,)erien*ed /5 him in this manner- :2t this
does not mean that it is 2nim)ortant for 2s to a*62aint o2rsel.es !ith the !ritings of
s)irit2al s*ien*e /efore !e *an o2rsel.es hear s2*h in!ardl5 instilled s)ee*h- On the
*ontrar5 the reading of s2*h !ritings and the listening to the tea*hings of s)irit2al s*ien*e
are themsel.es means of attaining )ersonal kno!ledge- E.er5 senten*e of s)irit2al s*ien*e !e
hear is of a nat2re to dire*t the mind to the )oint !hi*h m2st /e rea*hed /efore the so2l *an
e,)erien*e real )rogress- To the )ra*ti*e of all that has here /een indi*ated m2st /e added the
ardent st2d5 of !hat the s)irit2al resear*hers im)art to the !orld- In all esoteri* training s2*h
st2d5 /elongs to the )re)arator5 )eriod and all other methods !ill )ro.e ineffe*ti.e if d2e
re*e)ti.it5 for the tea*hings of the s)irit2al resear*her is la*king- Dor sin*e these instr2*tions
are *2lled from the li.ing inner !ord from the li.ing in!ardl5 instilled s)ee*h the5 are
themsel.es gifted !ith s)irit2al life- The5 are not mere !ordsA the5 are li.ing )o!ers- And
!hile 5o2 follo! the !ords of one !ho kno!s !hile 5o2 read a /ook that s)rings from real
inner
#)- G1(
e,)erien*e )o!ers are at !ork in 5o2r so2l !hi*h make 5o2 *lair.o5ant B2st as nat2ral
for*es ha.e *reated o2t of li.ing matter 5o2r e5es and 5o2r ears-

Enlightenment
Enlightenment )ro*eeds from .er5 sim)le )ro*esses- Here too it is a matter of de.elo)ing
*ertain feelings and tho2ghts !hi*h sl2m/er in e.er5 h2man /eing and m2st /e a!akened- It
is onl5 !hen these sim)le )ro*esses are *arried o2t !ith 2nfailing )atien*e *ontin2o2sl5 and
*ons*ientio2sl5 that the5 *an lead to the )er*e)tion of the inner light+forms- The first ste) is
taken /5 o/ser.ing different nat2ral o/Be*ts in a )arti*2lar !a5A for instan*e a trans)arent
and /ea2tif2ll5 formed stone (a *r5stal) a )lant and an animal- The st2dent sho2ld
endea.or at first to dire*t his !hole attention to a *om)arison of the stone !ith the animal in
the follo!ing manner- The tho2ghts here mentioned sho2ld )ass thro2gh his so2l
a**om)anied /5 .i.id feelings and no other tho2ght no other feeling m2st mingle !ith
them and dist2r/ !hat sho2ld /e an intensel5
#)- G$(
attenti.e o/ser.ation- The st2dent sa5s to himselfE FThe stone has a formA the animal also has
a form- The stone remains motionless in its )la*e- The animal *hanges its )la*e- It is instin*t
(desire) !hi*h *a2ses the animal to *hange its )la*e- Instin*ts too are ser.ed /5 the form of
the animal- Its organs and lim/s are fashioned in a**ordan*e !ith these instin*ts- The form of
the stone is not fashioned in a**ordan*e !ith desires /2t in a**ordan*e !ith desireless for*e-F
(The fa*t here mentioned in its /earing on the *ontem)lation of *r5stals is in man5 !a5s
distorted /5 those !ho ha.e onl5 heard of it in an o2t!ard e,oteri* manner and in this !a5
s2*h )ra*ti*es as *r5stal+ga7ing ha.e their origin S2*h mani)2lations are /ased on a
mis2nderstanding- The5 ha.e /een des*ri/ed in man5 /ooks /2t the5 ne.er form the s2/Be*t
of gen2ine esoteri* tea*hing-)
:5 sinking dee)l5 into s2*h tho2ghts and !hile doing so o/ser.ing the stone and the animal
!ith ra)t attention there arise in the so2l t!o 62ite se)arate kinds of feelings- Drom the stone
there flo!s into the so2l the one kind of feeling and from the animal the other kind- The
attem)t
#)- G0(
!ill )ro/a/l5 not s2**eed at first /2t little /5 little !ith gen2ine and )atient )ra*ti*e these
feelings ens2e- Onl5 this e,er*ise m2st /e )ra*ti*ed o.er and o.er again- At first the feelings
are onl5 )resent as long as the o/ser.ation lasts- ;ater on the5 *ontin2e and then the5 gro!
to something !hi*h remains li.ing in the so2l- The st2dent has then /2t to refle*t and /oth
feelings !ill al!a5s arise e.en !itho2t the *ontem)lation of an e,ternal o/Be*t- O2t of these
feelings and the tho2ghts that are /o2nd 2) !ith them the organs of *lair.o5an*e are
formed- If the )lant sho2ld then /e in*l2ded in this o/ser.ation it !ill /e noti*ed that the
feeling flo!ing from it lies /et!een the feelings deri.ed from the stone and the animal in
/oth 62alit5 and degree- The organs th2s formed are s)irit2al e5es- The st2dents grad2all5
learns /5 their means to see something like so2l and s)irit *olors- The s)irit2al !orld !ith
its lines and fig2res remains dark as long as he has onl5 attained !hat has /een des*ri/ed as
)re)arationA thro2gh enlightenment this !orld /e*omes light- Here it m2st also /e noted that
the !ords FdarkF and FlightF as !ell as the other e,)ressions 2sed onl5 a))ro,imatel5
des*ri/e !hat is meant-
#)- G4(
#)aragra)h *ontin2es( This *annot /e other!ise if ordinar5 lang2age is 2sed for this
lang2age !as *reated to s2it )h5si*al *onditions- S)irit2al s*ien*e des*ri/es that !hi*h for
*lair.o5ant organs flo!s from the stone as /l2e or /l2e+redA and that !hi*h is felt as *oming
from the animal as red or red+5ello!- In realit5 *olors of a s)irit2al kind are seen- The *olor
)ro*eeding the )lant is green !hi*h little /5 little t2rns into a light ethereal )ink- The )lant is
a*t2all5 that )rod2*t of nat2re !hi*h in higher !orlds resem/les in *ertain res)e*ts its
*onstit2tion in the )h5si*al !orld- The same does not a))l5 to the stone and the animal- It
m2st no! /e *learl5 2nderstood that the a/o.e+mentioned *olors onl5 re)resent the )rin*i)al
shades in the stone )lant and animal kingdom- In realit5 all )ossi/le intermediate shades are
)resent- E.er5 stone e.er5 )lant e.er5 animal has its o!n )arti*2lar shade of *olor- In
addition to these there are also the /eings of the higher !orlds !ho ne.er in*arnate
)h5si*all5 /2t !ho ha.e their *olors often !onderf2l often horri/le- Indeed the !ealth of
*olor in these higher !orlds is immeas2ra/l5 greater than in the )h5si*al !orld-
#)- G&(
On*e the fa*2lt5 of seeing !ith s)irit2al e5es has /een a*62ired one then en*o2nters sooner
or later the /eings here mentioned some of them higher some lo!er than man himself++
/eings that ne.er enter )h5si*al realit5-
If this )oint has /een rea*hed the !a5 to a great deal lies o)en- :2t it is inad.isa/le to
)ro*eed f2rther !itho2t )a5ing *aref2l heed to !hat is said or other!ise im)arted /5 the
s)irit2al resear*her- And for that too !hi*h has /een des*ri/ed attention )aid to s2*h
e,)erien*ed g2idan*e is the .er5 /est thing- 9oreo.er if a man has the strength and the
end2ran*e to tra.el so far that he f2lfills the elementar5 *onditions of enlightenment he !ill
ass2redl5 seek and find the right g2idan*e-
:2t in an5 *ir*2mstan*es one )re*a2tion is ne*essar5 failing !hi*h it !ere /etter to lea.e
2ntrodden all ste)s on the )ath to higher kno!ledge- It is ne*essar5 that the st2dent sho2ld
lose none of his 62alities as a good and no/le man or his re*e)ti.it5 for all )h5si*al realit5-
Indeed thro2gho2t his training he m2st *ontin2all5 in*rease his moral strength his inner
)2rit5 and his )o!er of o/ser.ation- To gi.e an e,am)leE
#)- GG(
d2ring the elementar5 e,er*ises on enlightenment the st2dent m2st take *are al!a5s to
enlarge his s5m)ath5 for the animal and the h2man !orlds and his sense for the /ea2t5 of
nat2re- Dailing this *are s2*h e,er*ises !o2ld *ontin2all5 /l2nt that feeling and that senseA
the heart !o2ld /e*ome hardened and the senses /l2nted and that *o2ld onl5 lead to
)erilo2s res2lts-
Ho! enlightenment )ro*eeds if the st2dent rises in the sense of the foregoing e,er*ises from
the stone the )lant and the animal 2) to man and ho! after enlightenment 2nder all
*ir*2mstan*es the 2nion of the so2l !ith the s)irit2al !orld is effe*ted leading to initiation++
!ith these things the follo!ing *ha)ters !ill deal in as far as the5 *an and ma5 do so-
In o2r time the )ath to s)irit2al s*ien*e is so2ght /5 man5- It is so2ght in man5 !a5s and
man5 dangero2s and e.en des)i*a/le )ra*ti*es are attem)ted- It is for this reason that the5
!ho *laim to kno! something of the tr2th in these matters )la*e /efore others the )ossi/ilit5
of learning something of esoteri* training- Onl5 so m2*h is here im)arted as a**ords !ith this
)ossi/ilit5- It is ne*essar5 that something of the tr2th
#)- GH(
sho2ld /e*ome kno!n in order to )re.ent error *a2sing great harm- No harm *an *ome to
an5one follo!ing the !a5 here des*ri/ed so long as he does not for*e matters- Onl5 one
thing sho2ld /e notedE no st2dent sho2ld s)end more time and strength 2)on these e,er*ises
than he *an s)are !ith d2e regard to his station in life and to his d2tiesA nor sho2ld he *hange
an5thing for the time /eing in the e,ternal *onditions of his life thro2gh taking this )ath-
Witho2t )atien*e no gen2ine res2lts *an /e attained- After doing an e,er*ise for a fe!
min2tes the st2dent m2st /e a/le to sto) and *ontin2e 62ietl5 his dail5 !ork and no
tho2ght of these e,er*ises sho2ld mingle !ith the da5Cs !ork- No one is of 2se as an esoteri*
st2dent or !ill e.er attain res2lts of real .al2e !ho has not learned to !ait in the highest and
/est sense of the !ord-

The Control of Tho2ghts and Deelings
When the st2dent seeks the )ath leading to higher kno!ledge in the !a5 des*ri/ed in the
)re*eding *ha)ter he sho2ld not omit to fortif5 himselfA thro2gho2t his !ork !ith one e.er
)resent
#)- G'(
tho2ght- He m2st ne.er *ease re)eating to himself that he ma5 ha.e made 62ite *onsidera/le
)rogress after a *ertain inter.al of time tho2gh it ma5 not /e a))arent to him in the !a5 he
)erha)s e,)e*tedA other!ise he *an easil5 lose heart and a/andon all attem)ts after a short
time- The )o!ers and fa*2lties to /e de.elo)ed are of a most s2/tle kind and differ entirel5
in their nat2re from the *on*e)tions )re.io2sl5 formed /5 the st2dent- He had /een
a**2stomed to o**2)5 himself e,*l2si.el5 !ith the )h5si*al !orldA the !orld of s)irit and
so2l had /een *on*ealed from his .ision and *on*e)ts- It is therefore not s2r)rising if he does
not immediatel5 noti*e the )o!ers of so2l and s)irit no! de.elo)ing in him- In this res)e*t
there is a )ossi/ilit5 of dis*o2ragement for those setting o2t on the )ath to higher kno!ledge
if the5 ignore the e,)erien*e gathered /5 res)onsi/le in.estigators- The tea*her is a!are of
the )rogress made /5 his )2)il long /efore the latter is *ons*io2s of it He kno!s ho! the
deli*ate s)irit2al e5es /egin to form themsel.es long /efore the )2)il is a!are of this and a
great )art of !hat he has to sa5 is *o2*hed in s2*h terms as to )re.ent the )2)il from losing
)atien*e
#)- G=(
and )erse.eran*e /efore he *an himself gain kno!ledge of his o!n )rogress- The tea*her as
!e kno! *an *onfer 2)on the )2)il no )o!ers !hi*h are not alread5 latent !ithin him and
his sole f2n*tion is to assist in the a!akening of sl2m/ering fa*2lties- :2t !hat he im)arts o2t
of his o!n e,)erien*e is a )illar of strength for the one !ishing to )enetrate thro2gh darkness
to light- 9an5 a/andon the )ath to higher kno!ledge soon after ha.ing set foot 2)on it
/e*a2se their )rogress is not immediatel5 a))arent to them- And e.en !hen the first
e,)erien*es /egin to da!n 2)on the )2)il he is a)t to regard them as ill2sions /e*a2se he
had formed 62ite different *on*e)tions of !hat he !as going to e,)erien*e- He loses *o2rage
either /e*a2se he regards these first e,)erien*es as /eing of no .al2e or /e*a2se the5 a))ear
to him to /e so insignifi*ant that he *annot /elie.e the5 !ill lead him to an5 a))re*ia/le
res2lts !ithin a meas2ra/le time- Co2rage and self+*onfiden*e are t!o /ea*ons !hi*h m2st
ne.er /e e,ting2ished on the )ath to higher kno!ledge- No one !ill e.er tra.el far !ho
*annot /ring himself to re)eat o.er and o.er
#)- G%(
again an e,er*ise !hi*h has failed a))arentl5 for a *o2ntless n2m/er of times-
;ong /efore an5 distin*t )er*e)tion of )rogress there rises in the st2dent from the hidden
de)ths of the so2l a feeling that he is on the right )ath- This feeling sho2ld /e *herished and
fostered for it *an de.elo) into a tr2st!orth5 g2ide- A/o.e all it is im)erati.e to e,tir)ate
the idea that an5 fantasti* m5sterio2s )ra*ti*es are re62ired for the attainment of higher
kno!ledge- It m2st /e *learl5 reali7ed that a start has to /e made !ith the tho2ghts and
feelings !ith !hi*h !e *ontin2all5 li.e and that these feelings and tho2ghts m2st merel5 /e
gi.en a ne! dire*tion- E.er5one m2st sa5 to himselfE FIn m5 o!n !orld of tho2ght and
feeling the dee)est m5steries lie hidden onl5 hitherto I ha.e /een 2na/le to )er*ei.e them-F
In the end it all resol.es itself into the fa*t that man ordinaril5 *arries /od5 so2l and s)irit
a/o2t !ith him and 5et is *ons*io2s in a tr2e sense onl5 of his /od5 and not of his so2l and
s)irit- The st2dent /e*omes *ons*io2s of so2l and s)irit B2st as the ordinar5 )erson is
*ons*io2s of his /od5- Hen*e it is highl5 im)ortant to gi.e the
#)- H1(
)ro)er dire*tion to tho2ghts and feelings for then onl5 *an the )er*e)tion /e de.elo)ed of all
that is in.isi/le in ordinar5 life- One of the !a5s /5 !hi*h this de.elo)ment ma5 /e *arried
o2t !ill no! /e indi*ated- Again like almost e.er5thing else so far e,)lained it is 62ite a
sim)le matter- "et its res2lts are of the greatest *onse62en*e if the ne*essar5 de.otion and
s5m)ath5 /e a))lied-
;et the st2dent )la*e /efore himself the small seed of a )lant and !hile *ontem)lating this
insignifi*ant o/Be*t form !ith intensit5 the right kind of tho2ghts and thro2gh these
tho2ghts de.elo) *ertain feelings- In the first )la*e let him *learl5 gras) !hat he reall5 sees
!ith his e5es- ;et him des*ri/e to himself the sha)e *olor and all other 62alities of the seed-
Then let his mind d!ell 2)on the follo!ing train of tho2ghtE FO2t of the seed if )lanted in
the soil a )lant of *om)le, str2*t2re !ill gro!-F ;et him /2ild 2) this )lant in his
imagination and refle*t as follo!sE FWhat I am no! )i*t2ring to m5self in m5 imagination
!ill later on /e enti*ed from the seed /5 the for*es of earth and light- If I had /efore me an
artifi*ial o/Be*t !hi*h imitated the seed to
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s2*h a de*e)ti.e degree that m5 e5es *o2ld not disting2ish it from a real seed no for*es of
earth or light *o2ld a.ail to )rod2*e from it a )lant-F If the st2dent thoro2ghl5 gras)s this
tho2ght so that it /e*omes an in!ard e,)erien*e he !ill also /e a/le to form the follo!ing
tho2ght and *o2)le it !ith the right feelingE FAll that !ill 2ltimatel5 gro! o2t of the seed is
no! se*retl5 enfolded !ithin it as the for*e of the !hole )lant- In the artifi*ial imitation of the
seed there is no s2*h for*e )resent- And 5et /oth a))ear alike to m5 e5es- The real seed
therefore *ontains something in.isi/le !hi*h is not )resent in the imitation-F It is on this
in.isi/le something that tho2ght and feeling are to /e *on*entrated- (An5one o/Be*ting that a
mi*ros*o)i*al e,amination !o2ld re.eal the differen*e /et!een the real seed and the
imitation !o2ld onl5 sho! that he had failed to gras) the )oint- The intention is not to
in.estigate the )h5si*al nat2re of the o/Be*t /2t to 2se it for the de.elo)ment of )s5*ho+
s)irit2al for*es-)
;et the st2dent f2ll5 reali7e that this in.isi/le something !ill transm2te itself later on into a
.isi/le )lant !hi*h he !ill ha.e /efore him in its
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sha)e and *olor- ;et him )onder on the tho2ghtE FThe in.isi/le !ill /e*ome .isi/le- If I *o2ld
not think then that !hi*h !ill onl5 /e*ome .isi/le later on *o2ld not alread5 make its
)resen*e felt to me-F Parti*2lar stress m2st /e laid on the follo!ing )ointE !hat the st2dent
thinks he m2st also feel !ith intensit5- In inner tran62ilit5 the tho2ght mentioned a/o.e
m2st /e*ome a *ons*io2s inner e,)erien*e to the e,*l2sion of all other tho2ghts and
dist2r/an*es- And s2ffi*ient time m2st /e taken to allo! the tho2ght and the feeling !hi*h is
*o2)led !ith it to /ore themsel.es into the so2l as it !ere- If this /e a**om)lished in the
right !a5 then after a time++)ossi/l5 not 2ntil after n2mero2s attem)ts++an inner for*e !ill
make itself felt- This for*e !ill *reate ne! )o!ers of )er*e)tion- The grain of seed !ill a))ear
as if en.elo)ed in a small l2mino2s *lo2d- In a sensi/le+s2)ersensi/le !a5 it !ill /e felt as a
kind of flame- The *enter of this flame e.okes the same feeling that one has !hen 2nder the
im)ression of the *olor lila* and the edges as !hen 2nder the im)ression of a /l2ish tone-
What !as formerl5 in.isi/le no! /e*omes .isi/le for it is *reated /5 the )o!er of the
tho2ghts and feelings
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!e ha.e stirred to life !ithin o2rsel.es- The )lant itself !ill not /e*ome .isi/le 2ntil later so
that the )h5si*all5 in.isi/le no! re.eals itself in a s)irit2all5 .isi/le !a5-
It is not s2r)rising that all this a))ears to man5 as ill2sion- FWhat is the 2se of s2*h .isionsF
the5 ask Fand s2*h hall2*inations?F And man5 !ill th2s fall a!a5 and a/andon the )ath- :2t
this is )re*isel5 the im)ortant )ointE not to *onf2se s)irit2al realit5 !ith imagination at this
diffi*2lt stage of h2man e.ol2tion and f2rthermore to ha.e the *o2rage to )ress on!ard and
not /e*ome timoro2s and faint+hearted- On the other hand ho!e.er the ne*essit5 m2st /e
em)hasi7ed of maintaining 2nim)aired and of )er)et2all5 *2lti.ating that health5 so2nd
sense !hi*h disting2ishes tr2th from ill2sion- D2ll5 *ons*io2s self+*ontrol m2st ne.er /e lost
d2ring all these e,er*ises and the5 m2st /e a**om)anied /5 the same sane so2nd thinking
!hi*h is a))lied to the details of e.er5+da5 life- To la)se into re.eries !o2ld /e fatal- The
intelle*t2al *larit5 not to sa5 the so/riet5 of tho2ght m2st ne.er for a moment /e d2lled- The
greatest mistake !o2ld /e made if the st2dentCs mental /alan*e
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!ere dist2r/ed thro2gh s2*h e,er*ises if he !ere ham)ered in B2dging the matters of his
dail5 life as sanel5 and as so2ndl5 as /efore- He sho2ld e,amine himself again and again to
find o2t if he has remained 2naltered in relation to the *ir*2mstan*es among !hi*h he li.es
or !hether he ma5 )erha)s ha.e /e*ome 2n/alan*ed- A/o.e all stri*t *are m2st /e taken not
to drift at random into .ag2e re.eries or to e,)eriment !ith all kinds of e,er*ises- The trains
of tho2ght here indi*ated ha.e /een tested and )ra*ti*ed in esoteri* training sin*e the earliest
times and onl5 s2*h are gi.en in these )ages- An5one attem)ting to 2se others de.ised /5
himself or of !hi*h he ma5 ha.e heard or read at one )la*e or another !ill ine.ita/l5 go
astra5 and find himself on the )ath of /o2ndless *himera-
As a f2rther e,er*ise to s2**eed the one B2st des*ri/ed the follo!ing ma5 /e takenE ;et the
st2dent )la*e /efore him a )lant !hi*h has attained the stage of f2ll de.elo)ment- No! let
him fill his mind !ith the tho2ght that the time !ill *ome !hen this )lant !ill !ither and
die- FNothing !ill /e left of !hat I no! see /efore me- :2t this )lant !ill ha.e de.elo)ed
seeds !hi*h in their t2rn
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!ill de.elo) to ne! )lants- I again /e*ome a!are that in !hat I see something lies hidden
!hi*h I *annot see- I fill m5 mind entirel5 !ith the tho2ghtE this )lant !ith its form and
*olors !ill in time /e no more- :2t the refle*tion that it )rod2*es seeds tea*hes me that it !ill
not disa))ear into nothing- I *annot at )resent see !ith m5 e5es that !hi*h g2ards it from
disa))earan*e an5 more than I )re.io2sl5 *o2ld dis*ern the )lant in the grain of seed- Th2s
there is something in the )lant !hi*h m5 e5es *annot see- If I let this tho2ght li.e !ithin me
and if the *orres)onding feeling /e *o2)led !ith it then in d2e time there !ill again
de.elo) in m5 so2l a for*e !hi*h !ill ri)en into a ne! )er*e)tion-F O2t of the )lant there
again gro!s a kind of s)irit2al flame+form !hi*h is of *o2rse *orres)ondingl5 larger than
the one )re.io2sl5 des*ri/ed- The flame *an /e felt as /eing greenish+/l2e in the *enter and
5ello!ish+red at the o2ter edge-
It m2st /e e,)li*itl5 em)hasi7ed that the *olors here des*ri/ed are not seen as the )h5si*al
e5es see *olors /2t that thro2gh s)irit2al )er*e)tion the same feeling is e,)erien*ed as in the
*ase of a )h5si*al *olor+im)ression- To a))rehend /l2e
#)- HH(
s)irit2all5 means to ha.e a sensation similar to the one e,)erien*ed !hen the )h5si*al e5e
rests on the *olor /l2e- This fa*t m2st /e noted /5 all !ho intend to rise to s)irit2al
)er*e)tion- Other!ise the5 !ill e,)e*t a mere re)etition of the )h5si*al in the s)irit2al- This
*o2ld onl5 lead to the /itterest de*e)tion-
An5one ha.ing rea*hed this )oint of s)irit2al .ision is the ri*her /5 a great deal for he *an
)er*ei.e things not onl5 in their )resent state of /eing /2t also in their )ro*ess of gro!th and
de*a5- He /egins to see in all things the s)irit of !hi*h )h5si*al e5es *an kno! nothing- And
there!ith he has taken the first ste) to!ard the grad2al sol2tion thro2gh )ersonal .ision of
the se*ret of /irth and death- Dor the o2ter senses a /eing *omes into e,isten*e thro2gh /irth
and )asses a!a5 thro2gh death- This ho!e.er is onl5 /e*a2se these senses *annot )er*ei.e
the *on*ealed s)irit of the /eing- Dor the s)irit /irth and death are merel5 a transformation
B2st as the 2nfolding of the flo!er from the /2d is a transformation ena*ted /efore o2r
)h5si*al e5es- :2t if !e desire to learn this thro2gh )ersonal .ision !e m2st
#)- H'(
first a!aken the re62isite s)irit2al sense in the !a5 here indi*ated-
In order to meet another o/Be*tion !hi*h ma5 /e raised /5 *ertain )eo)le !ho ha.e some
)s5*hi* e,)erien*e let it at on*e /e admitted that there are shorter and sim)ler !a5s and
that there are )ersons !ho ha.e a*62ired kno!ledge of the )henomena of /irth and death
thro2gh )ersonal .ision !itho2t first going thro2gh all that has here /een des*ri/ed- There
are in fa*t )eo)le !ith *onsidera/le )s5*hi* gifts !ho need /2t a slight im)2lse in order to
find themsel.es alread5 de.elo)ed- :2t the5 are the e,*e)tions and the methods des*ri/ed
a/o.e are safer and a))l5 e62all5 to all- It is )ossi/le to a*62ire some kno!ledge of *hemistr5
in an e,*e)tional !a5 /2t if 5o2 !ish to /e*ome a *hemist 5o2 m2st follo! the re*ogni7ed
and relia/le *o2rse-
An error fra2ght !ith serio2s *onse62en*es !o2ld ens2e if it !ere ass2med that the desired
res2lt *o2ld /e rea*hed more easil5 if the grain of seed or the )lant mentioned a/o.e !ere
merel5 imagined !ere merel5 )i*t2red in the imagination- This might lead to res2lts /2t not
so s2rel5
#)- H=(
as the method here- The .ision th2s attained !o2ld in most *ases /e a mere fragment of the
imagination the transformation of !hi*h into gen2ine s)irit2al .ision !o2ld still remain to
/e a**om)lished- It is not intended ar/itraril5 to *reate .isions /2t to allo! realit5 to *reate
them !ithin oneself- The tr2th m2st !ell 2) from the de)ths of o2r o!n so2lA it m2st not /e
*onB2red forth /5 o2r ordinar5 ego /2t /5 the /eings themsel.es !hose s)irit2al tr2th !e are
to *ontem)late-
On*e the st2dent has fo2nd the /eginnings of s)irit2al .ision /5 means of s2*h e,er*ises he
ma5 )ro*eed to the *ontem)lation of man himself- Sim)le )henomena of h2man life m2st
first /e *hosen- :2t /efore making an5 attem)t in this dire*tion it is im)erati.e for the st2dent
to stri.e for the a/sol2te )2rit5 of his moral *hara*ter- He m2st /anish all thro2gh of e.er
2sing kno!ledge gained in this !a5 for his o!n )ersonal /enefit- He m2st /e *on.in*ed that
he !o2ld ne.er 2nder an5 *ir*2mstan*es a.ail himself in an e.il sense of an5 )o!er he ma5
gain o.er his fello!+*reat2res- Dor this reason all !ho seek to dis*o.er thro2gh )ersonal
.ision the se*rets in
#)- H%(
h2man nat2re m2st follo! the golden r2le of tr2e s)irit2al s*ien*e- This golden r2le is as
follo!sE Dor e.er5 one ste) that 5o2 take in the )2rs2it of higher kno!ledge take three ste)s
in the )erfe*tion of 5o2r o!n *hara*ter- If this r2le is o/ser.ed s2*h e,er*ise as the follo!ing
ma5 /e attem)tedE
Re*all to mind some )erson !hom 5o2 ma5 ha.e o/ser.ed !hen he !as filled !ith desire for
some o/Be*t- <ire*t 5o2r attention to this desire- It is /est to re*all to memor5 that moment
!hen the desire !as at its height and it !as still 2n*ertain !hether the o/Be*t of the desire
!o2ld /e attained- And no! fill 5o2r mind !ith this re*olle*tion and refle*t on !hat 5o2 *an
th2s o/ser.e- 9aintain the 2tmost inner tran62ilit5- 9ake the greatest )ossi/le effort to /e
/lind and deaf to e.er5thing that ma5 /e going on aro2nd 5o2 and take s)e*ial heed that
thro2gh the *on*e)tion th2s e.oked a feeling sho2ld a!aken in 5o2r so2l- Allo! this feeling
to rise in 5o2r so2l like a *lo2d on the *lo2dless hori7on- As a r2le of *o2rse 5o2r refle*tion
!ill /e interr2)ted /e*a2se the )erson !hom it *on*erns !as not o/ser.ed in this )arti*2lar
state of so2l for a s2ffi*ient length of
#)- '1(
time- The attem)t !ill most likel5 fail h2ndreds and h2ndreds of times- It is B2st a 62estion of
not losing )atien*e- After man5 attem)ts 5o2 !ill s2**eed in e,)erien*ing a feeling In 5o2r
so2l *orres)onding to the state of so2l of the )erson o/ser.ed and 5o2 !ill /egin to noti*e
that thro2gh this feeling a )o!er gro!s in 5o2r so2l that leads to s)irit2al insight into the
state of so2l of the other- A )i*t2re e,)erien*ed as l2mino2s a))ears in 5o2r field of .ision-
This s)irit2all5 l2mino2s )i*t2re is the so+*alled astral em/odiment of the desire o/ser.ed in
that so2l- Again the im)ression of this )i*t2re ma5 /e des*ri/ed as flame+like 5ello!ish+red
in the *enter and reddish+/l2e or lila* at the edges- 92*h de)ends on treating s2*h s)irit2al
e,)erien*es !ith great deli*a*5- The /est thing is not to s)eak to an5one a/o2t them e,*e)t to
5o2r tea*her if 5o2 ha.e one- Attem)ted des*ri)tions of s2*h e,)erien*es in ina))ro)riate
!ords 2s2all5 onl5 lead to gross self+de*e)tion- Ordinar5 terms are em)lo5ed !hi*h are not
intended for s2*h things and are therefore too gross and *l2ms5- The *onse62en*e is that in
the attem)t to *lothe the e,)erien*e in !ords !e are misled into /lending the a*t2al
e,)erien*e
#)- '$(
!ith all kinds of fantasti* del2sions- Here again is another im)ortant r2le for the st2dentE
kno! ho! to o/ser.e silen*e *on*erning 5o2r s)irit2al e,)erien*es- "es o/ser.e silen*e e.en
to!ard 5o2rself- <o not attem)t to *lothe in !ords !hat 5o2 *ontem)late in the s)irit or to
)ore o.er it !ith *l2ms5 intelle*t- ;end 5o2rself freel5 and !itho2t reser.ation to these
s)irit2al im)ressions and do not dist2r/ them /5 refle*ting and )ondering o.er them too
m2*h- Dor 5o2 m2st remem/er that 5o2r reasoning fa*2lties are to /egin !ith /5 no means
e62al to 5o2r ne! e,)erien*e- "o2 ha.e a*62ired these reasoning fa*2lties in a life hitherto
*onfined to the )h5si*al !orld of the sensesA the fa*2lties 5o2 are not a*62iring trans*end this
!orld- <o not tr5 therefore to a))l5 to the ne! and higher )er*e)tions the standard of the
old- Onl5 he !ho has gained some *ertaint5 and steadiness in the o/ser.ation of inner
e,)erien*es *an s)eak a/o2t them and there/5 stim2late his fello!+men-
The e,er*ise B2st des*ri/ed ma5 /e s2))lemented /5 the follo!ingE <ire*t 5o2r attention in
the same !a5 2)on a )erson to !hom the f2lfillment of some
#)- '0(
!ish the gratifi*ation of some desire has /een granted- If the same r2les and )re*a2tions /e
ado)ted as in the )re.io2s instan*e s)irit2al insight !ill on*e more /e attained- A s)irit2al
insight !ill on*e more /e attained- A s)irit2al flame+form !ill /e disting2ished *reating an
im)ression of 5ello! in the *enter and green at the edges-
:5 s2*h o/ser.ation of his fello!+*reat2res the st2dent ma5 easil5 la)se into a moral fa2lt-
He ma5 /e*ome *old+hearted- E.er5 *on*ei.a/le effort m2st /e made to )re.ent this- S2*h
o/ser.ation sho2ld onl5 /e )ra*ti*ed /5 one !ho has alread5 risen to the le.el on !hi*h
*om)lete *ertaint5 is fo2nd that tho2ghts are real things- He !ill then no longer allo! himself
to think of his fello!+men in a !a5 that is in*om)ati/le !ith the highest re.eren*e for h2man
dignit5 and h2man li/ert5- The tho2ght that a h2man /eing *o2ld /e merel5 an o/Be*t of
o/ser.ation m2st ne.er for a moment /e entertained- Self+ed2*ation m2st see to it that this
insight into h2man nat2re sho2ld go hand in hand !ith an 2nlimited res)e*t for the )ersonal
)ri.ilege of ea*h indi.id2al and !ith the re*ognition of the sa*red and in.iola/le nat2re of
that !hi*h d!ells in ea*h h2man /eing- A feeling
#)- '4(
of re.erential a!e m2st fill 2s e.en in o2r re*olle*tions-
Dor the )resent onl5 these t!o e,am)les *an /e gi.en to sho! ho! enlightened insight into
h2man nat2re ma5 /e a*hie.edA the5 !ill at least ser.e to )oint o2t the !a5 to /e taken- :5
gaining the inner tran62ilit5 and re)ose indis)ensa/le for s2*h o/ser.ation the st2dent !ill
ha.e 2ndergone a great inner transformation- He !ill then soon rea*h the )oint !here this
enri*hment of his inner self !ill lend *onfiden*e and *om)os2re to his o2t!ard demeanor-
And this transformation of his o2t!ard demeanor !ill again rea*t fa.ora/l5 on his so2l- Th2s
he !ill /e a/le to hel) himself f2rther along the road- He !ill find !a5s and means of
)enetrating more and more into the se*rets of h2man nat2re !hi*h are hidden from o2r
e,ternal senses and he !ill then also /e*ome ri)e for a dee)er insight into the m5sterio2s
*onne*tions /et!een h2man nat2re and all else that e,ists in the 2ni.erse- :5 follo!ing this
)ath the st2dent a))roa*hes *loser and *loser to the moment !hen he *an effe*ti.el5 take the
first ste)s of initiation- :2t /efore these *an /e taken one
#)- '&(
thing more is ne*essar5 tho2gh at first its need !ill /e least of all a))arentA later on
ho!e.er the st2dent !ill /e *on.in*ed of it-
The !o2ld+/e initiate m2st /ring !ith him a *ertain meas2re of *o2rage and fearlessness- He
m2st )ositi.el5 go o2t of his !a5 to find o))ort2nities for de.elo)ing these .irt2es- His
training sho2ld )ro.ide for their s5stemati* *2lti.ation- In this res)e*t life itself is a good
s*hool++)ossi/l5 the /est s*hool- The st2dent m2st learn to look danger *alml5 in the fa*e and
tr5 to o.er*ome diffi*2lties 2ns!er.ingl5- Dor instan*e !hen in the )resen*e of some )eril
he m2st s!iftl5 *ome to the *on.i*tion that fear is of no )ossi/le 2seA I m2st not feel afraidA I
m2st onl5 think of !hat is to /e done- And he m2st im)ro.e to the e,tent of feeling 2)on
o**asions !hi*h formerl5 ins)ired him !ith fear that to /e frightened to /e disheartened are
things that are o2t of the 62estion as far as his o!n inmost self is *on*erned- :5 self+dis*i)line
in this dire*tion 62ite definite 62alities are de.elo) !hi*h are ne*essar5 for initiation into the
higher m5steries- I2st as man re62ires ner.o2s for*e in his )h5si*al /eing in order to 2se his
)h5si*al sense so also he
#)- 'G(
re62ires in his so2l nat2re the for*e !hi*h is onl5 de.elo)ed in the *o2rageo2s and the
fearless- Dor in )enetrating to the higher m5steries he !ill see things !hi*h are *on*ealed
from ordinar5 h2manit5 /5 the ill2sion of the senses- If the )h5si*al senses do not allo! 2s to
)er*ei.e the higher tr2th the5 are for this .er5 reason o2r /enefa*tors- Things are there/5
hidden from 2s !hi*h if reali7ed !itho2t d2e )re)aration !o2ld thro! 2s into 2n2ttera/le
*onsternation and the sight of !hi*h !o2ld /e 2nend2ra/le- The st2dent m2st /e fit to
end2re this sight- He loses *ertain s2))orts in the o2ter !orld !hi*h he o!es to the .er5
ill2sion s2rro2nding him- It is tr2l5 and literall5 as if the attention of someone !ere *alled to
a danger !hi*h had threatened him for a long time /2t of !hi*h he kne! nothing- Hitherto
he felt no fear /2t no! that he kno!s he is o.er*ome /5 fear tho2gh the danger has not
/een rendered greater /5 his kno!ing it-
The for*es at !ork in the !orld are /oth destr2*ti.e and *onstr2*ti.eA the destin5 of
manifested /eings is /irth and death- The seer is to /ehold the !orking of these for*es and the
mar*h of destin5- The .eil enshro2ding the s)irit2al e5es
#)- 'H(
in ordinar5 life is to /e remo.ed- :2t man is inter!o.en !ith these for*es and !ith this
destin5- His o!n nat2re har/ors destr2*ti.e and *onstr2*ti.e for*es- His o!n so2l re.eals
itself to the seer as 2ndisg2ised as the other o/Be*ts- He m2st not lose strength in the fa*e of
this self+kno!ledgeA /2t strength !ill fail him 2nless he /rings a s2r)l2s on !hi*h to dra!-
Dor this )2r)ose he m2st learn to maintain inner *alm and steadiness in the fa*e of diffi*2lt
*ir*2mstan*esA he m2st *2lti.ate a strong tr2st in the /enefi*ent )o!ers of e,isten*e- He m2st
/e )re)ared to find that man5 moti.es !hi*h had a*t2ated him hitherto !ill do so no longer-
He !ill ha.e to re*ogni7e that )re.io2sl5 he tho2ght and a*ted in a *ertain !a5 onl5 /e*a2se
he !as still in the throes of ignoran*e- Reasons that infl2en*ed him formerl5 !ill no!
disa))ear- He often a*ted o2t of .anit5A he !ill no! see ho! 2tterl5 f2tile all .anit5 is for the
seer- He often a*ted o2t of greedA he !ill no! /e*ome a!are ho! destr2*ti.e all greed is- He
!ill ha.e to de.elo) 62ite ne! moti.es for his tho2ghts and a*tions and it is B2st for this
)2r)ose that *o2rage and fearlessness are re62ired-
#)- ''(
It is )re+eminentl5 a 62estion of *2lti.ating this *o2rage and this fearlessness in the inmost
de)ths of tho2ght+life- The st2dent m2st learn ne.er to des)air o.er fail2re- He m2st /e e62al
to the tho2ghtE I shall forget that I ha.e failed in this matter and I shall tr5 on*e more as
tho2gh this had not ha))ened- Th2s he !ill str2ggle thro2gh to the firm *on.i*tion that the
fo2ntain+head of strength from !hi*h he ma5 dra! is ine,ha2sti/le- He str2ggles e.er
on!ard to the s)irit !hi*h !ill 2)lift him and s2))ort him ho!e.er !eak and im)otent his
earthl5 self ma5 ha.e )ro.ed- He m2st /e *a)a/le of )ressing on to the f2t2re 2ndisma5ed /5
an5 e,)erien*es of the )ast- If the st2dent has a*62ired these fa*2lties 2) to a *ertain )oint he
is then ri)e to hear the real names of things !hi*h are the ke5 to higher kno!ledge- Dor
initiation *onsists in this .er5 a*t of learning to *all the things of the !orld /5 those names
!hi*h the5 /ear in the s)irit of their di.ine a2thors- In these their names lies the m5ster5 of
things- It is for this reason that the initiates s)eak a different lang2age from the 2ninitiated
for the former kno! the names /5
#)- '=(
!hi*h the /eings themsel.es are *alled into e,isten*e-
In as far as initiation itself *an /e dis*2ssed this !ill /e done in the follo!ing *ha)ter-

Initiation
Initiation is the highest stage in an esoteri* training *on*erning !hi*h it is )ossi/le to gi.e
some indi*ations in a /ook intended for the gen2ine )2/li*- Whate.er li.es /e5ond forms a
s2/Be*t diffi*2lt to 2nderstand 5et the !a5 to it *an /e fo2nd /5 all !ho ha.e )assed thro2gh
)re)aration enlightenment and initiation as far as the lesser m5steries-
The kno!ledge and )rofi*ien*5 *onferred /5 initiation *annot /e o/tained in an5 other
manner e,*e)t in some far distant f2t2re after man5 in*arnations /5 62ite different means
and in 62ite a different form- The initiate of toda5 2ndergoes e,)erien*es !hi*h !o2ld
other!ise *ome to him m2*h later 2nder 62ite different *ir*2mstan*es-
The se*rets of e,isten*e are onl5 a**essi/le to an e,tent *orres)onding to manCs o!n degree of
mat2rit5- Dor this reason alone the )ath to the
#)- '%(
higher stages of kno!ledge and )o!er is /eset !ith o/sta*les- A firearm sho2ld not /e 2sed
2ntil s2ffi*ient e,)erien*e has /een gained to a.oid disaster *a2sed /5 its 2se- A )erson
initiated toda5 !itho2t f2rther ado !o2ld la*k the e,)erien*e !hi*h he !ill gain d2ring his
f2t2re in*arnations /efore he *an attain to higher kno!ledge in the normal *o2rse of his
de.elo)ment- At the )ortal of initiation therefore this e,)erien*e m2st /e s2))lied in some
other !a5- Th2s the first instr2*tions gi.en to the *andidate for initiation ser.e as a s2/stit2te
for these f2t2re e,)erien*es- These are the so+*alled trials !hi*h he has to 2ndergo and
!hi*h *onstit2te a normal *o2rse of inner de.elo)ment res2lting from d2e a))li*ation to
s2*h e,er*ises as are des*ri/ed in the )re*eding *ha)ters-
These trials are often dis*2ssed in /ooks /2t it is onl5 nat2ral that s2*h dis*2ssions sho2ld as
a r2le gi.e 62ite false im)ressions of their nat2reA for !itho2t )assing thro2gh )re)aration
and enlightenment no one *an kno! an5thing of these tests and a))ro)riatel5 des*ri/e them-
The !o2ld+/e initiate m2st *ome into *onta*t !ith *ertain things and fa*ts /elonging to the
#)- =1(
higher !orlds /2t he *an onl5 see and hear them if his feeling is ri)e for the )er*e)tion of the
s)irit2al forms *olors and tones des*ri/ed in the *ha)ters on Pre)aration and Enlightenment-
The first trial *onsists in o/taining a tr2er .ision than the a.erage man has of the *or)oreal
attri/2tes of lifeless things and later of )lants animals and h2man /eings- This does not
mean !hat at )resent is *alled s*ientifi* kno!ledge for it is a 62estion not of s*ien*e /2t of
.ision- As a r2le the !o2ld+/e initiate )ro*eeds to learn ho! the o/Be*ts of nat2re and the
/eings gifted !ith life manifest themsel.es to the s)irit2al ear and the s)irit2al e5e- In a
*ertain !a5 these things then lie stri))ed++naked++/efore the /eholder- The 62alities !hi*h
*an then /e seen and heard are hidden from the )h5si*al e5es and ears- Dor )h5si*al
)er*e)tion the5 are *on*ealed as if /5 a .eil and the falling a!a5 of this .eil for the !o2ld+/e
initiate *onsists in a )ro*ess designated as the )ro*ess of P2rifi*ation /5 Dire- The first trial is
therefore kno!n as the Dire+Trial-
Dor man5 )eo)le ordinar5 life is itself a more or less 2n*ons*io2s )ro*ess of initiation
thro2gh the Dire+Trial- S2*h )eo)le ha.e )assed thro2gh
#)- =$(
a !ealth of e,)erien*e so that their self+*onfiden*e *o2rage and fortit2de ha.e /een greatl5
strengthened in a normal manner !hile learning to /ear sorro! disa))ointment and fail2re
in their 2ndertakings !ith greatness of so2l and es)e*iall5 !ith e62animit5 and 2n/roken
strength- Th2s the5 are often initiates !itho2t kno!ing it and it then needs /2t little to
2nseal their s)irit2al hearing and sight so that the5 /e*ome *lair.o5ant- Dor it m2st /e noted
that a gen2ine fire+trial is not intended to satisf5 the *2riosit5 of the *andidate- It is tr2e that
he learns man5 2n*ommon things of !hi*h others *an ha.e no inkling /2t this a*62isition of
kno!ledge is not the end /2t the means to the endA the end *onsists in the attainment thanks
to this kno!ledge of the higher !orlds of greater and tr2er self+*onfiden*e a higher degree
of *o2rage and a magnanimit5 and )erse.eran*e s2*h as *annot as a r2le /e a*62ired in the
lo!er !orld-
The *andidate ma5 al!a5s t2rn /a*k after the fire+trial- He !ill then res2me his life
strengthened in /od5 and so2l and !ait for a f2t2re in*arnation to *ontin2e his initiation- In
his )resent in*arnation he !ill )ro.e himself a more
#)- =0(
2sef2l mem/er of so*iet5 and of h2manit5 than he !as /efore- In !hate.er )osition he ma5
find himself his firmness )r2den*e resol2teness and his /enefi*ent infl2en*e o.er his
fello!s !ill ha.e greatl5 in*reased-
:2t if after *om)leting the fire+trial he sho2ld !ish to *ontin2e the )ath a *ertain !riting+
s5stem generall5 ado)ted in esoteri* training m2st no! /e re.ealed to him- The a*t2al
tea*hings manifest themsel.es in this !riting /e*a2se the hidden (o**2lt) 62alities of things
*annot /e dire*tl5 e,)ressed in the !ords of ordinar5 !riting- The )2)ils of the initiates
translate the tea*hings into ordinar5 lang2age as /est the5 *an- The o**2lt s*ri)t re.eals itself
to the so2l !hen the latter has attained s)irit2al )er*e)tion for it is tra*ed in the s)irit2al
!orld and remains there for all time- It *annot /e learned as an artifi*ial !riting is learned
and read- The *andidate gro!s into *lair.o5ant kno!ledge in an a))ro)riate !a5 and
d2ring this gro!th a ne! strength is de.elo)ed in his so2l as a ne! fa*2lt5 thro2gh !hi*h
he feels himself im)elled to de*i)her the o**2rren*es and the /eings of the s)irit2al !orld
#)- =4(
like the *hara*ters of a !riting- This strength !ith the e,)erien*e it /rings of the
*orres)onding trial might )ossi/l5 a!aken in the so2l as tho2gh of its o!n a**ord as the
so2l *ontin2all5 de.elo)s /2t it !ill /e fo2nd safer to follo! the instr2*tions of those !ho
are s)irit2all5 e,)erien*ed and !ho ha.e some )rofi*ien*5 in de*i)hering the o**2lt s*ri)t-
The signs of the o**2lt s*ri)t are not ar/itraril5 in.entedA the5 *orres)ond to the for*es
a*ti.el5 engaged in the !orld- The5 tea*h 2s the lang2age of things- It /e*omes immediatel5
a))arent to the *andidate that the signs he is no! learning *orres)ond to the forms *olors
and tones !hi*h he learned to )er*ei.e d2ring his )re)aration and enlightenment- He
reali7es that all he learned )re.io2sl5 !as onl5 like learning to s)ell and that he is onl5 no!
/eginning to read in the higher !orlds- All the isolated fig2res tones and *olors re.eal
themsel.es to him no! in one great *onne*ted !hole- No! for the first time he attains
*om)lete *ertaint5 in o/ser.ing the higher !orlds- Hitherto he *o2ld ne.er kno! )ositi.el5
!hether the things he sa! !ere rightl5 seen- A reg2lar 2nderstanding too is no! at last
)ossi/le
#)- =&(
/et!een the *andidate and the initiate in the s)heres of higher kno!ledge- Dor !hate.er form
the inter*o2rse /et!een an initiate and another )erson ma5 take in ordinar5 life the higher
kno!ledge in its immediate form *an onl5 /e im)arted /5 the initiate in the a/o.e+mentioned
sign+lang2age-
Thanks to this lang2age the st2dent also learns *ertain r2les of *ond2*t and *ertain d2ties of
!hi*h he formerl5 kne! nothing- Ha.ing learned these he is a/le to )erform a*tions
endo!ed !ith a signifi*an*e and a meaning s2*h as the a*tions of one not initiated *an ne.er
)ossess- He a*ts o2t of the higher !orlds- Instr2*tions *on*erning s2*h a*tion *an onl5 /e
read and 2nderstood in the !riting in 62estion-
"et it m2st /e em)hasi7ed that there are )eo)le 2n*ons*io2sl5 gifted !ith the a/ilit5 and
fa*2lt5 of )erforming s2*h a*tions tho2gh the5 ha.e ne.er 2ndergone an esoteri* training-
S2*h hel)ers of the !orld and of h2manit5 )ass thro2gh life /esto!ing /lessings and
)erforming good deeds- Dor reasons here not to /e dis*2ssed gifts ha.e /een /esto!ed on
them !hi*h a))ear s2)ernat2ral- What disting2ishes them from the
#)- =G(
*andidate for initiation is onl5 that the latter a*ts *ons*io2sl5 and !ith f2ll insight into the
entire sit2ation- He a*62ires /5 training the gifts /esto!ed on others /5 higher )o!ers for the
good of h2manit5- We *an sin*erel5 re.ere these fa.ored of 8odA /2t !e sho2ld not for this
reason regard the !ork of esoteri* training as s2)erfl2o2s-
On*e the st2dent has learned the sign+lang2age there a!aits him 5et another trial to )ro.e
!hether he *an mo.e !ith freedom and ass2ran*e in the higher !orlds- In ordinar5 life he is
im)elled to a*tion /5 e,terior moti.es- He !orks at one o**2)ation or another /e*a2se one
d2t5 or another is im)osed on him /5 o2t!ard *ir*2mstan*es- It need hardl5 /e mentioned
that the st2dent m2st in no !a5 negle*t an5 of his d2ties in ordinar5 life /e*a2se he is li.ing
and !orking in higher !orlds- There is no d2t5 in a higher !orld that *an for*e a )erson to
negle*t an5 single one of his d2ties in the ordinar5 !orld- The father !ill remain B2st as good
a father to his famil5 the mother B2st as good a mother and neither the offi*ial nor the
soldier nor an5one else !ill /e di.erted from his !ork /5 /e*oming an esoteri*
#)- =H(
st2dent- On the *ontrar5 all the 62alities !hi*h make a h2man /eing *a)a/le and effi*ient
are enhan*ed in the st2dent to a degree in*om)rehensi/le to the 2ninitiated- If in the e5es of
the 2ninitiated this does not al!a5s a))ear to /e the *ase it is sim)l5 /e*a2se he often la*ks
the a/ilit5 to B2dge the initiate *orre*tl5- The deeds of the latter are not al!a5s intelligi/le to
the former- :2t this onl5 ha))ens in s)e*ial *ases-
At this stage of initiation there are d2ties to /e )erformed for !hi*h no o2t!ard stim2l2s is
gi.en- The *andidate !ill not /e mo.ed to a*tion /5 e,ternal )ress2re /2t onl5 thro2gh
adheren*e to the r2les of *ond2*t re.ealed to him in the o**2lt s*ri)t- He m2st no! sho! in
this se*ond trial that led /5 s2*h r2les he *an a*t !ith the same firmness and )re*ision !ith
!hi*h for instan*e an offi*ial )erforms the d2ties that /elong to him- Dor this )2r)ose and
in the *o2rse of his f2rther training he !ill find himself fa*ed /5 a *ertain definite task- He
m2st )erform some a*tion in *onse62en*e of o/ser.ations made on the /asis of !hat he has
learned d2ring )re)aration and enlightenment- The nat2re of this a*tion *an /e 2nderstood
/5 means of the o**2lt s*ri)t !ith
#)- ='(
!hi*h he is no! familiar- If he re*ogni7es his d2t5 and a*ts rightl5 his trial has /een
s2**essf2l- The s2**ess *an /e re*ogni7ed in the alteration )rod2*ed /5 his a*tion in the
fig2res *olors and tones a))rehended /5 his s)irit2al e5es and ears- E,a*t indi*ations are
gi.en as the training )rogresses sho!ing ho! these fig2res a))ear and are e,)erien*ed after
the a*tion has /een )erformed and the *andidate m2st kno! ho! to )rod2*e this *hange-
This trial is kno!n as the Water+Trial /e*a2se in his a*ti.it5 in these higher !orlds the
*andidate is de)ri.ed of the s2))ort deri.ed from o2t!ard *ir*2mstan*es as a s!immer is
!itho2t s2))ort !hen s!imming in !ater that is /e5ond his de)th- This a*ti.it5 m2st /e
re)eated 2ntil the *andidate attains a/sol2te )oise and ass2ran*e-
The im)ortan*e of this trial lies again in the a*62isition of a 62alit5- Thro2gh his e,)erien*es
in the higher !orlds the *andidate de.elo)s this 62alit5 in a short time to s2*h a high degree
that he !o2ld other!ise ha.e to go thro2gh man5 in*arnations in the ordinar5 *o2rse of his
de.elo)ment /efore he *o2ld a*62ire it to the same e,tent- It all *enters aro2nd the fa*t that
he m2st
#)- ==(
/e g2ided onl5 /5 the res2lts of his higher )er*e)tion and reading of the o**2lt s*ri)t in
order to )rod2*e the *hanges in 62estion in these higher regions of e,isten*e- Sho2ld he in
the *o2rse of his a*ti.it5 introd2*e an5 of his o!n o)inions and desires or sho2ld he di.erge
for one moment from the la!s !hi*h he has re*ogni7ed to /e right in order to follo! his o!n
!illf2l in*lination then the res2lt )rod2*ed !o2ld differ entirel5 from !hat !as intended-
He !o2ld lose sight of the goal to !hi*h his a*tion tended and *onf2sion !o2ld res2lt-
Hen*e am)le o))ort2nit5 is gi.en him in the *o2rse of this trial to de.elo) self+*ontrol- This
is the o/Be*t in .ie!- Here again this trial *an /e more easil5 )assed /5 those !hose life
/efore initiation has led them to a*62ire self+*ontrol- An5one ha.ing a*62ired the fa*2lt5 of
follo!ing high )rin*i)les and ideals !hile )2tting into the /a*kgro2nd all )ersonal
)redile*tionA an5one *a)a/le of al!a5s )erforming his d2t5 e.en tho2gh in*linations and
s5m)athies !o2ld like to sed2*e him from this d2t5++s2*h a )erson is 2n*ons*io2sl5 an
initiate in the midst of ordinar5 life- He !ill need /2t little to s2**eed in this )arti*2lar trial-
Indeed a *ertain
#)- =%(
meas2re of initiation th2s 2n*ons*io2sl5 a*62ired in life !ill as a r2le /e indis)ensa/le for
s2**ess in this se*ond trial- Dor e.en as it is diffi*2lt for those !ho ha.e not learned to s)ell
*orre*tl5 in their *hildhood to make good this defi*ien*5 !hen f2ll5 gro!n 2) so too it is
diffi*2lt to de.elo) the ne*essar5 degree of self+*ontrol at the moment of looking into the
higher !orlds if this a/ilit5 has not /een a*62ired to a *ertain degree in ordinar5 life- The
o/Be*ts of the )h5si*al !orld do not alter !hate.er the nat2re of o2r !ishes desires and
in*linations- In the higher !orlds ho!e.er o2r !ishes desires and in*linations are *a2ses
that )rod2*e effe*ts- If !e !ish to )rod2*e a )arti*2lar effe*t in these !orlds !e m2st stri*tl5
follo! the right r2les and s2/d2e e.er5 ar/itrar5 im)2lse-
One h2man 62alit5 is of .er5 s)e*ial im)ortan*e at this stage of initiation namel5 an
2n62estiona/l5 so2nd B2dgment- Attention sho2ld /e )aid to the training of this fa*2lt5
d2ring all the )re.io2s stagesA for it no! remains to /e )ro.ed !hether the *andidate is
sha)ing in a !a5 that sho!s him to /e fit for the tr2th )ath of kno!ledge-
#)- %1(
#)aragra)h *ontin2es( D2rther )rogress is no! onl5 )ossi/le if he is a/le to disting2ish
ill2sion s2)erstition and e.er5thing fantasti* from tr2e realit5- This is at first more diffi*2lt
to a**om)lish in the higher stages of e,isten*e than in the lo!er- E.er5 )reB2di*e e.er5
*herished o)inion !ith regard to the things in 62estion m2st .anishA tr2th alone m2st g2ide-
There m2st /e )erfe*t readiness to a/andon at on*e an5 idea o)inion or in*lination !hen
logi*al tho2ght demands it- Certaint5 in higher !orlds is onl5 likel5 to /e attained !hen
)ersonal o)inion is ne.er *onsidered-
Peo)le !hose mode of tho2ght tends to fan*if2lness and s2)erstition *an ne.er make
)rogress on the )ath to higher kno!ledge- It is indeed a )re*io2s treas2re that the st2dent is
to a*62ire- All do2/t regarding the higher !orlds is remo.ed from him- With all their la!s
the5 re.eal themsel.es to his ga7e- :2t he *annot a*62ire this treas2re so long as he is the
)re5 of fan*ies and ill2sions- It !o2ld indeed /e fatal if his imagination and his )reB2di*es ran
a!a5 !ith his intelle*t- <reamers and fantasti*al )eo)le are as 2nfit for the )ath to higher
kno!ledge as s2)erstitio2s )eo)le- This *annot /e o.er+em)hasi7ed- Dor
#)- %$(
the most dangero2s enemies on the !a5 to kno!ledge of the higher !orlds l2rk in s2*h
fantasti*al re.eries and s2)erstitions- "et no one need to /elie.e that the st2dent loses all
sense of )oetr5 in life all )o!er of enth2siasm /e*a2se the !ordsE "o2 m2st /e rid of all
)reB2di*e are !ritten o.er the )ortal leading to the se*ond trial of initiation and /e*a2se
o.er the )ortal at the entran*e to the first trial he readE Witho2t normal *ommon sense all
thine efforts are in .ain-
If the *andidate is in this !a5 s2ffi*ientl5 ad.an*ed a third trial a!aits him- He finds here no
definite goal to /e rea*hed- All is left in his o!n hands- He finds himself in a sit2ation !here
nothing im)els him to a*t- He m2st find his !a5 all alone and o2t of himself- Things or
)eo)le to stim2late him to a*tion are non+e,istent- Nothing and no/od5 *an gi.e him the
strength he needs /2t he himself alone- Dail2re to find this inner strength !ill lea.e him
standing !here he !as- De! of those ho!e.er !ho ha.e s2**essf2ll5 )assed the )re.io2s
trials !ill fail to find the ne*essar5 strength at this )oint- Either the5 !ill ha.e t2rned /a*k
alread5 or the5 s2**eed at this )oint also- All that the *andidate re62ires is
#)- %0(
the a/ilit5 to *ome 62i*kl5 to terms !ith himself for he m2st here find his higher self in the
tr2est sense of the !ord- He m2st ra)idl5 de*ide in all things to listen to the ins)iration of the
s)irit- There is no time for do2/t or hesitation- E.er5 moment of hesitation !o2ld )ro.e that
he !as still 2nfit- Whate.er )re.ents him from listening to the .oi*e of the s)irit m2st /e
*o2rageo2sl5 o.er*ome- It is a 62estion of sho!ing )resen*e of mind in this sit2ation and the
training at this stage is *on*erned !ith the )erfe*t de.elo)ment of this 62alit5- All the
a**2stomed ind2*ements to a*t or e.en to think no! *ease- In order not to remain ina*ti.e he
m2st not lose himself for onl5 !ithin himself *an he find the one *entral )oint of .antage
!here he *an gain a firm hold- No one on reading this !itho2t f2rther a*62aintan*e !ith
these matters sho2ld feel an anti)ath5 for this )rin*i)le of /eing thro!n /a*k on oneself for
s2**ess in this trial /rings !ith it a moment of s2)reme ha))iness-
At this stage no less than at the others ordinar5 life is itself an esoteri* training for man5- Dor
an5one ha.ing rea*hed the )oint of /eing a/le !hen s2ddenl5 *onfronted !ith some task
#)- %4(
or )ro/lem in life to *ome to a s!ift de*ision !itho2t hesitation or dela5 for him life itself
has /een a training in this sense- S2*h sit2ations are here meant in !hi*h s2**ess is instantl5
lost if a*tion is not ra)id- A )erson !ho is 62i*k to a*t !hen a misfort2ne is imminent
!hereas a fe! moments of hesitation !o2ld ha.e seen the misfort2ne an a**om)lished fa*t
and !ho has t2rned this a/ilit5 into a )ermanent )ersonal 62alit5 has 2n*ons*io2sl5
a*62ired the degree of mat2rit5 ne*essar5 for the third trial- Dor at this stage e.er5thing
*enters ro2nd the de.elo)ment of a/sol2te )resen*e of mind- This trial is kno!n as the Air+
Trial /e*a2se !hile 2ndergoing it the *andidate *an s2))ort himself neither 2)on the firm
/asis of e,ternal in*enti.e nor 2)on the fig2res tones and *olors !hi*h he has learned at the
stages of )re)aration and enlightenment /2t e,*l2si.el5 2)on himself-
3)on s2**essf2ll5 )assing this trial the st2dent is )ermitted to enter the tem)le of higher
!isdom- All that is here said on this s2/Be*t *an onl5 /e the slenderest all2sion- The task no!
to /e )erformed is often e,)ressed in the statement that the st2dent m2st take an oath ne.er
to /etra5 an5thing
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he has learned- These e,)ressions ho!e.er FoathF and F/etra5F are ina))ro)riate and
a*t2all5 misleading- There is no 62estion of an oath in the ordinar5 sense of the !ord /2t
rather of an e,)erien*e that *omes at this stage of de.elo)ment- The *andidate learns ho! to
a))l5 the higher kno!ledge ho! to )la*e it at the ser.i*e of h2manit5- He then /egins reall5
and tr2l5 to 2nderstand the !orld- It is not so m2*h a 62estion of !ithholding the higher
tr2ths /2t far more of ser.ing them in the right !a5 and !ith the ne*essar5 ta*t- The silen*e
he is to kee) refers to something 62ite different- He a*62ires this fine 62alit5 !ith regard to
things he had )re.io2sl5 s)oken and es)e*iall5 !ith regard to the manner in !hi*h the5
!ere s)oken- He !o2ld /e a )oor initiate !ho did not )la*e all the higher kno!ledge he had
a*62ired at the ser.i*e of h2manit5 as !ell and as far as this is )ossi/le- The onl5 o/sta*le to
gi.ing information in these matters is the la*k of 2nderstanding on the )art of the re*i)ients-
It is tr2e of *o2rse that the higher kno!ledge does not lend itself to )romis*2o2s talkA /2t no
one ha.ing rea*hed the stage of de.elo)ment des*ri/ed a/o.e is a*t2all5 for/idden
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to sa5 an5thing- No other )erson no /eing e,a*ts an oath from him !ith this intent-
E.er5thing is left to his o!n res)onsi/ilit5 and he learns in e.er5 sit2ation to dis*o.er !ithin
himself !hat he has to do and an oath means nothing more than that he has /een fo2nd
62alified to /e entr2sted !ith s2*h a res)onsi/ilit5-
If the *andidate is fo2nd fit for the foregoing e,)erien*es he is then gi.en !hat is *alled
s5m/oli*all5 the dra2ght of forgetf2lness- This means that he is initiated into the se*ret
kno!ledge that ena/les him to a*t !itho2t /eing *ontin2all5 dist2r/ed /5 the lo!er memor5-
This is ne*essar5 for the initiate for he m2st ha.e f2ll faith in the immediate )resent- He m2st
/e a/le to destro5 the .eil of memor5 !hi*h en.elo)s man e.er5 moment of his life- If !e
B2dge something that ha))ens to 2s toda5 a**ording to the e,)erien*e of 5esterda5 !e are
e,)osed to a m2ltit2de of errors- Of *o2rse this does not mean that e,)erien*e gained in life
sho2ld /e reno2n*ed- It sho2ld al!a5s /e ke)t in mind as *learl5 as )ossi/le- :2t the initiate
m2st ha.e the a/ilit5 to B2dge e.er5 ne! e,)erien*e !holl5 a**ording to !hat is inherent in
it and let it rea*t 2)on him 2no/s*2red
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/5 the )ast- We m2st /e )re)ared at e.er5 moment that e.er5 o/Be*t and e.er5 /eing *an
/ring to 2s some ne! re.elation- If !e B2dge the ne! /5 the standard of the old !e are lia/le
to error- The memor5 of )ast e,)erien*es !ill /e of greatest 2se for the .er5 reason that it
ena/les 2s to )er*ei.e the ne!- Had !e not gone thro2gh a definite e,)erien*e !e sho2ld
)erha)s /e /lind to the 62alities of the o/Be*t or /eing that *omes /efore 2s- Th2s e,)erien*e
sho2ld ser.e the )2r)ose of )er*ei.ing the ne! and not of B2dging it /5 the standard of the
old- In this res)e*t the initiate a*62ires *ertain definite 62alities and there/5 man5 things are
re.ealed to him !hi*h remain *on*ealed from the 2ninitiated-
The se*ond dra2ght )resented to the initiate is the dra2ght of remem/ran*e- Thro2gh its
agen*5 he a*62ires the fa*2lt5 of retaining the kno!ledge of the higher tr2ths e.er )resent in
his so2l- Ordinar5 memor5 !o2ld /e 2ne62al to this task- We m2st 2nite o2rsel.es and
/e*ome as one !ith the higher tr2ths- We m2st not onl5 kno! them /2t /e a/le 62ite as a
matter of *o2rse to manifest and administer them in li.ing a*tions e.en as !e ordinaril5 eat
and drink-
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( The5 m2st /e*ome o2r )ra*ti*e o2r ha/it o2r in*lination- There m2st
/e no need to kee) thinking a/o2t them in the ordinar5 senseA the5 m2st *ome to li.ing
e,)ression thro2gh man himselfA the5 m2st flo! thro2gh him as the f2n*tions of life thro2gh
his organism- Th2s doth man e.er raise himself in a s)irit2al sense to that same stat2re to
!hi*h nat2re raised him in a )h5si*al sense-
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III

SOME PRACTICAL ASPECTS
THE training of tho2ghts and feelings )2rs2ed in the !a5 des*ri/ed in the *ha)ters on
Pre)aration Enlightenment and Initiation introd2*es into the so2l and s)irit the same
organi* s5mmetr5 !ith !hi*h nat2re has *onstr2*ted the )h5si*al /od5- :efore this
de.elo)ment so2l and s)irit are 2ndifferentiated masses- The *lair.o5ant )er*ei.es them as
interla*ing rotating *lo2d+like s)irals d2ll5 glimmering in reddish reddish+/ro!n or
reddish+5ello! tones- After this training the5 /egin to ass2me a /rilliant 5ello!ish+green or
greenish+/l2e *olor and sho! a reg2lar str2*t2re- This inner reg2larit5 leading to higher
kno!ledge is attained !hen the st2dent introd2*es into his tho2ghts and feelings the same
orderl5 s5stem !ith !hi*h nat2re
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has endo!ed his /odil5 organs that ena/le him to see hear digest /reath s)eak- 8rad2all5
he learns to /reath and see !ith this so2l to s)eak and hear !ith the s)irit-
In the follo!ing )ages some )ra*ti*al as)e*ts of the higher ed2*ation of so2l and s)irit !ill /e
treated in greater detail- The5 are s2*h that an5one *an )2t them into )ra*ti*e regardless of
other r2les and there/5 /e led some distan*e f2rther into s)irit2al s*ien*e-
A )arti*2lar effort m2st /e made to *2lti.ate the 62alit5 of )atien*e- E.er5 s5m)tom of
im)atien*e )rod2*es a )aral57ing e.en a destr2*ti.e effe*t on the higher fa*2lties that
sl2m/er in 2s- We m2st not e,)e*t an immeas2ra/le .ie! into the higher !orlds from one
da5 to the ne,t for !e sho2ld ass2redl5 /e disa))ointed- Contentment !ith the smallest
fragment attained re)ose and tran62ilit5 m2st more and more take )ossession of the so2l- It
is 62ite 2nderstanda/le that the st2dent sho2ld a!ait res2lts !ith im)atien*eA /2t he !ill
a*hie.e nothing so long as he fails to master this im)atien*e- Nor is it of an5 2se to *om/at
this im)atien*e merel5 in the ordinar5 sense for it !ill /e*ome onl5 that m2*h stronger- We
o.erlook
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it in self+de*e)tion !hile it )lants itself all the more firml5 in the de)ths of the so2l- It is onl5
!hen !e e.er and again s2rrender o2rsel.es to a *ertain definite tho2ght making it
a/sol2tel5 o2r o!n that an5 res2lts *an /e attained- This tho2ght is as follo!sE I m2st
*ertainl5 do e.er5thing I *an for the training and de.elo)ment of m5 so2l and s)iritA /2t I
shall !ait )atientl5 2ntil higher )o!ers shall ha.e fo2nd me !orth5 of definite
enlightenment- If this tho2ght /e*omes so )o!erf2l in the st2dent that it gro!s into an a*t2al
feat2re of his *hara*ter he is treading the right )ath- This feat2re soon sets its mark on his
e,terior- The ga7e of his e5e /e*omes stead5 the mo.ement of his /od5 /e*omes s2re his
de*isions definite and all that goes 2nder the name of ner.o2sness grad2all5 disa))ears-
R2les that a))ear trifling and insignifi*ant m2st /e taken into a**o2nt- Dor e,am)le
s2))osing someone affronts 2s- :efore o2r training !e sho2ld ha.e dire*ted o2r resentment
against the offenderA a !a.e of anger !o2ld ha.e s2rged 2) !ithin 2s- In a similar *ase
ho!e.er the tho2ght is immediatel5 )resent in the mind of the st2dent that s2*h an affront
makes no differen*e
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to his intrinsi* !orth- And he does !hate.er m2st /e done to meet the affront !ith *alm and
*om)os2re and not in a s)irit of anger- Of *o2rse it is not a *ase of sim)l5 a**e)ting e.er5
affront /2t of a*ting !ith the same *alm *om)os2re !hen dealing !ith an affront against o2r
o!n )erson as !e !o2ld if the affront !ere dire*ted against another )erson in !hose fa.or
!e had the right to inter.ene- It m2st al!a5s /e remem/ered that this training is not *arried
o2t in *r2de o2t!ard )ro*esses /2t in s2/tle silent alterations in the life of tho2ght and
feeling-
Patien*e has the effe*t of attra*tion im)atien*e the effe*t of re)2lsion on the treas2res of
higher kno!ledge- In the higher regions of e,isten*e nothing *an /e attained /5 haste and
2nrest- A/o.e all things desire and *ra.ing m2st /e silen*ed for these are 62alities of the
so2l /efore !hi*h all higher kno!ledge sh5l5 !ithdra!s- Ho!e.er )re*io2s this kno!ledge
is a**o2nted the st2dent m2st not *ra.e it if he !ishes to attain it- If he !ishes to ha.e it for
his o!n sake he !ill ne.er attain it- This re62ires him to /e honest !ith himself in his
innermost so2l- He m2st in no *ase /e 2nder an5 ill2sion *on*erning
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his o!n self- With a feeling of inner tr2th he m2st look his o!n fa2lts !eaknesses and
2nfitness f2ll in the fa*e- The moment he tries to e,*2se to himself an5 of his !eaknesses he
has )la*ed a stone in his !a5 on the )ath !hi*h is to lead him 2)!ard- S2*h o/sta*les *an
onl5 /e remo.ed /5 self+enlightenment- There is onl5 one !a5 to get rid of fa2lts and failings
and that is /5 a *lear re*ognition of them- E.er5thing sl2m/ers in the h2man so2l and *an /e
a!akened- A )erson *an e.en im)ro.e his intelle*t and reason if he 62ietl5 and *alml5
makes it *lear to himself !h5 he is !eak in this res)e*t- S2*h self+ kno!ledge is of *o2rse
diffi*2lt for the tem)tation to self+de*e)tion is immeas2ra/l5 great- An5one making a ha/it
of /eing tr2thf2l !ith himself o)ens the )ortal leading to a dee)er insight-
All *2riosit5 m2st fall a!a5 from the st2dent- He m2st rid himself as m2*h as )ossi/le of the
ha/it of asking 62estions merel5 for the sake of gratif5ing a selfish thirst for kno!ledge- He
m2st onl5 ask !hen kno!ledge *an ser.e to )erfe*t his o!n /eing in the ser.i*e of e.ol2tion-
Ne.ertheless his delight in kno!ledge and his de.otion to it sho2ld in no !a5 /e ham)ered-
He sho2ld listen
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de.o2tl5 to all that *ontri/2tes to s2*h an end and sho2ld seek e.er5 o))ort2nit5 for s2*h
de.otional attention-
S)e*ial attention m2st /e )aid in esoteri* training to the ed2*ation of the life of desires- This
does not mean that !e are to /e*ome free of desire for if !e are to attain something !e m2st
also desire it and desire !ill al!a5s tend to f2lfillment if /a*ked /5 a )arti*2lar for*e- This
for*e is deri.ed from a right kno!ledge- <o not desire at all 2ntil 5o2 kno! !hat is right in
an5 one s)here- That is one of the golden r2les for the st2dent- The !ise man first as*ertains
the la!s of the !orld and then his desires /e*ome )o!ers !hi*h reali7e themsel.es- The
follo!ing e,am)le /rings this o2t *learl5- There are *ertainl5 man5 )eo)le !ho !o2ld like to
learn from their o!n o/ser.ation something a/o2t their life /efore /irth- S2*h a desire is
altogether 2seless and leads to no res2lt so long as the )erson in 62estion has not a*62ired a
kno!ledge of the la!s that go.ern the nat2re of the eternal a kno!ledge of these la!s in
their s2/tlest and most intimate *hara*ter thro2gh the st2d5 of s)irit2al s*ien*e- :2t if
ha.ing reall5 a*62ired this kno!ledge
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he !ishes to )ro*eed f2rther his desire no! enno/led and )2rified !ill ena/le him to do so-
It is also no 2se sa5ingE I )arti*2larl5 !ish to e,amine m5 )re.io2s life and shall st2d5 onl5
for this )2r)ose- We m2st rather /e *a)a/le of a/andoning this desire of eliminating it
altogether and of st2d5ing at first !ith no s2*h intention- We sho2ld *2lti.ate a feeling of
Bo5 and de.otion for !hat !e learn !ith no tho2ght of the a/o.e end in .ie!- We sho2ld
learn to *herish and foster a )arti*2lar desire in s2*h a !a5 that it /rings !ith it its o!n
f2lfillment-
If !e /e*ome angered .e,ed or anno5ed !e ere*t a !all aro2nd o2rsel.es in the so2l+!orld
and the for*es !hi*h are to de.elo) the e5es of the so2l *annot a))roa*h- Dor instan*e if a
)erson angers me he sends forth a )s5*hi* *2rrent into the so2l+!orld- I *annot see this
*2rrent as long as I am m5self *a)a/le of anger- 95 o!n anger *on*eals it from me- We m2st
not ho!e.er s2))ose that !hen !e are free from anger !e shall immediatel5 ha.e a )s5*hi*
(astral) .ision- Dor this )2r)ose an organ of .ision m2st ha.e /een de.elo)ed in the so2l- The
/eginnings
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of s2*h an organ are latent in e.er5 h2man /eing /2t remain ineffe*ti.e as long as he is
*a)a/le of anger- "et this organ is not immediatel5 )resent the moment anger has /een
*om/ated to a small e,tent- We m2st rather )erse.ere in this *om/ating of anger and )ro*eed
)atientl5 on o2r !a5A then some da5 !e shall find that this e5e of the so2l has /e*ome
de.elo)ed- Of *o2rse anger is not the onl5 failing to /e *om/ated for the attainment of this
end- 9an5 gro! im)atient or ske)ti*al /e*a2se the5 ha.e for 5ears *om/ated *ertain
62alities and 5et *lair.o5an*e has not ens2ed- In that *ase the5 ha.e B2st trained some
62alities and allo!ed others to r2n riot- The gift of *lair.o5an*e onl5 manifests itself !hen all
those 62alities !hi*h st2nt the gro!th of the latent fa*2lties are s2))ressed- 3ndo2/tedl5
the /eginnings of s2*h seeing and hearing ma5 a))ear at an earlier )eriod /2t these are onl5
5o2ng and tender shoots !hi*h are s2/Be*ted to all )ossi/le error and !hi*h if not *aref2ll5
tended and g2arded ma5 62i*kl5 die-
Other 62alities !hi*h like anger and .e,ation ha.e to /e *om/ated are timidit5
s2)erstition )reB2di*e .anit5 and am/ition *2riosit5 the
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mania for im)arting information and the making of distin*tions in h2man /eings a**ording
to the o2t!ard *hara*teristi*s of rank se, ra*e and so forth- In o2r time it is diffi*2lt for
)eo)le to 2nderstand ho! the *om/ating of s2*h 62alities *an ha.e an5thing to do !ith the
heightening of the fa*2lt5 of *ognition- :2t e.er5 s)irit2al s*ientist kno!s that m2*h more
de)ends 2)on s2*h matters than 2)on the in*rease of intelligen*e and em)lo5ment of
artifi*ial e,er*ises- Es)e*iall5 *an mis2nderstanding arise if !e /elie.e that !e m2st /e*ome
foolhard5 in order to /e fearlessA that !e m2st *lose o2r e5es to the differen*es /et!een
)eo)le /e*a2se !e m2st *om/at the )reB2di*es of rank ra*e and so forth- Rather is it tr2e
that a *orre*t estimate of all things is to /e attained onl5 !hen !e are no longer entangled in
)reB2di*e- E.en in the ordinar5 sense it is tr2e that the fear of some )henomenon )re.ents 2s
from estimating it rightl5A that a ra*ial )reB2di*e )re.ents 2s from seeing into a manCs so2l- It
is this ordinar5 sense that the st2dent m2st de.elo) in all its deli*a*5 and s2/tlet5-
E.er5 !ord s)oken !itho2t ha.ing /een thoro2ghl5 )2rged in tho2ght is a stone thro!n in
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the !a5 of esoteri* training- And here something m2st /e *onsidered !hi*h *an onl5 /e
e,)lained /5 gi.ing an e,am)le- If an5thing /e said to !hi*h !e m2st re)l5 !e m2st /e
*aref2l to *onsider the s)eakerCs o)inion feeling and e.en his )reB2di*e rather than !hat !e
o2rsel.es ha.e to sa5 at the moment on the s2/Be*t 2nder dis*2ssion- In this e,am)le a
refined 62alit5 of ta*t is indi*ated to the *2lti.ation of !hi*h the st2dent m2st de.ote his
*are- He m2st learn to B2dge !hat im)ortan*e it ma5 ha.e for the other )erson if he o))oses
the latterCs o)inion !ith his o!n- This does not mean that he m2st !ithhold his o)inion-
There *an /e no 62estion of that- :2t he m2st listen to the s)eaker as *aref2ll5 and as
attenti.el5 as he )ossi/l5 *an and let his re)l5 deri.e its form from !hat he has B2st heard- In
s2*h *ases one )arti*2lar tho2ght re*2rs e.er and again to the st2dent and he is treading the
right )ath if this tho2ght li.es !ith him to the e,tent of /e*oming a trait of his *hara*ter- This
tho2ght is as follo!sE The im)ortan*e lies not in the differen*e of o2r o)inions /2t in his
dis*o.ering thro2gh his o!n effort !hat is right if I *ontri/2te something to!ard it- Tho2ghts
of this
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and of a similar nat2re *a2se the *hara*ter and the /eha.ior of the st2dent to /e )ermeated
!ith a 62alit5 of gentleness !hi*h is one of the *hief means 2sed in all esoteri* training-
Harshness s*ares a!a5 the so2l+)i*t2res that sho2ld o)en the e5e of the so2lA gentleness
*lears the o/sta*les a!a5 and 2nseals the inner organs-
Along !ith gentleness another 62alit5 !ill )resentl5 /e de.elo)ed in the so2l of the st2dentE
that of 62ietl5 )a5ing attention to all the s2/tleties in the so2l+life of his en.ironment !hile
red2*ing to a/sol2te silen*e an5 a*ti.it5 !ithin his o!n so2l- The so2l+life of his en.ironment
!ill im)ress itself on him in s2*h a !a5 that his o!n so2l !ill gro! and as it gro!s /e*ome
reg2lar in its str2*t2re as a )lant e,)anding in the s2nlight- 8entleness and )atient reser.e
o)en the so2l to the so2l+!orld and the s)irit to the s)irit+!orld- Perse.ere in silent inner
se*l2sionA *lose the senses to all that the5 /ro2ght 5o2 /efore 5o2r trainingA red2*e to
a/sol2te immo/ilit5 all the tho2ghts !hi*h a**ording to 5o2r )re.io2s ha/its s2rged !ithin
5o2A /e*ome 62ite still and silent !ithin !ait in )atien*e and then the higher !orlds !ill
/egin to fashion and )erfe*t the organs
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of sights and hearing in 5o2r so2l and s)irit- <o not e,)e*t immediatel5 to see and hear in the
!orld of so2l and s)irit for all that 5o2 are doing does /2t *ontri/2te to the de.elo)ment of
5o2r higher senses and 5o2 !ill onl5 /e a/le to hear !ith so2l and s)irit !hen 5o2 )ossess
these higher senses- Ha.ing )erse.ered for a time in silent inner se*l2sion go a/o2t 5o2r
*2stomar5 dail5 affairs im)rinting dee)l5 2)on 5o2r mind this tho2ghtE FSome da5 !hen I
ha.e gro!n s2ffi*ientl5 I shall attain that !hi*h I am destined to attainF and make no
attem)t to attra*t for*ef2ll5 an5 of these higher )o!ers to 5o2rself- E.er5 st2dent re*ei.es
these instr2*tions at the o2tset- :5 o/ser.ing them he )erfe*ts himself- If he negle*ts them all
his la/or is in .ain- :2t the5 are onl5 diffi*2lt of a*hie.ement for the im)atient and the
2n)erse.ering- No other o/sta*les e,ist sa.e those !hi*h !e o2rsel.es )la*e in o2r o!n )ath
and !hi*h *an /e a.oided /5 all !ho reall5 !ill- This )oint m2st /e *ontin2all5 em)hasi7ed
/e*a2se man5 )eo)le form an altogether !rong *on*e)tion of the diffi*2lties that /eset the
)ath to higher kno!ledge- It is easier in a *ertain sense to a**om)lish the first ste)s along
this )ath than
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to get the /etter of the *ommonest e.er5+da5 diffi*2lties !itho2t this training- A)art from
this onl5 s2*h things are here im)arted as are attended /5 no danger !hatsoe.er to the
health of so2l and /od5- There are other !a5s !hi*h lead more 62i*kl5 to the goal /2t !hat
is here e,)lained has nothing to do !ith them /e*a2se the5 ha.e *ertain effe*ts !hi*h no
e,)erien*ed s)irit2al s*ientist *onsiders desira/le- Sin*e fragmentar5 information *on*erning
these !a5s is *ontin2all5 finding its !a5 into )2/li*it5 e,)ress !arning m2st /e gi.en
against entering 2)on them- Dor reasons !hi*h onl5 the initiated *an 2nderstand these !a5s
*an ne.er /e made )2/li* in their tr2e form- The fragments a))earing here and there *an
ne.er lead to )rofita/le res2lts /2t ma5 easil5 2ndermine health ha))iness and )ea*e of
mind- It !o2ld /e far /etter for )eo)le to a.oid ha.ing an5thing to do !ith s2*h things than
to risk entr2sting themsel.es to !holl5 dark for*es of !hose nat2re and origin the5 *an
kno! nothing-
Something ma5 here /e said *on*erning the en.ironment in !hi*h this training sho2ld /e
2ndertaken for this is not !itho2t some im)ortan*e- And 5et the *ase differs for almost e.er5
)erson-
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( An5one )ra*ti*ing in an en.ironment filled onl5 !ith self+seeking
interests as for e,am)le the modern str2ggle for e,isten*e m2st /e *ons*io2s of the fa*t that
these interests are not !itho2t their effe*t on the de.elo)ment of his s)irit2al organs- It is tr2e
that the inner la!s of these organs are so )o!erf2l that this infl2en*e *annot /e fatall5
inB2rio2s- I2st as a lil5 *an ne.er gro! into a thistle ho!e.er ina))ro)riate its en.ironment
so too the e5e of the so2l *an ne.er gro! to an5thing /2t its destined sha)e e.en tho2gh it
/e s2/Be*ted to the self+seeking interests of modern *ities- :2t 2nder all *ir*2mstan*es it is
!ell if the st2dent seeks no! and again his en.ironment in the restf2l )ea*e the inner
dignit5 and s!eetness of nat2re- Es)e*iall5 fort2nate is the st2dent !ho *an *arr5 o2t his
esoteri* training s2rro2nded /5 the green !orld of )lants or among the s2nn5 hills !here
nat2re !ea.es her !e/ of s!eet sim)li*it5- This en.ironment de.elo)s the inner organs in a
harmon5 !hi*h *an ne.er ens2e in a modern *it5- 9ore fa.ora/l5 sit2ated than the
to!nsman is the )erson !ho d2ring his *hildhood at least had /een a/le to /reathe the
fragran*e of )ines to ga7e on sno!5 )eaks and o/ser.e
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the silent a*ti.it5 of !oodland *reat2res and inse*ts- "et no *it5+d!eller sho2ld fail to gi.e to
the organs of his so2l and s)irit as the5 de.elo) the n2rt2re that *omes from the ins)ired
tea*hings of s)irit2al resear*h- If o2r e5es *annot follo! the !oods in their mantel of green
e.er5 s)ring da5 /5 da5 !e sho2ld instead o)en o2r so2l to the glorio2s tea*hings of the
:haga.ad 8ita or of St- IohnCs 8os)el or of St- Thomas a >em)is and to the des*ri)tions
res2lting from s)irit2al s*ien*e- There are man5 !a5s to the s2mmit of insight /2t m2*h
de)ends on the right *hoi*e- The s)irit2all5 e,)erien*ed *o2ld sa5 m2*h *on*erning these
)aths m2*h that might seem strange to the 2ninitiated- Someone for instan*e might /e .er5
far ad.an*ed on the )athA he might /e standing so to s)eak at the .er5 entran*e of sight and
hearing !ith so2l and s)iritA he is then fort2nate eno2gh to make a Bo2rne5 o.er the *alm or
ma5/e tem)est2o2s o*ean and a .eil falls a!a5 from the e5es of his so2lA s2ddenl5 he
/e*omes a seer- Another is also so far ad.an*ed that this .eil onl5 needs to /e loosenedA this
o**2rs thro2gh some stroke of destin5- On another this stroke might !ell ha.e had the effe*t
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of )aral57ing his )o!ers and 2ndermining his energ5A for the esoteri* st2dent it /e*omes the
o**asion of his enlightenment- A third )erse.eres )atientl5 for 5ears !itho2t an5 marked
res2lt- S2ddenl5 !hile silentl5 seated in his 62iet *ham/er s)irit2al light en.elo)s himA the
!alls disa))ear /e*ome trans)arent for his so2l and a ne! !orld e,)ands /efore his e5es
that ha.e /e*ome seeing or reso2nds in his ears that ha.e /e*ome s)irit2all5 hearing-
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I'

THE CONDITIONS OF ESOTERIC TRAINING
THE *onditions atta*hed to esoteri* training are not ar/itrar5- The5 are the nat2ral o2t*ome
of esoteri* kno!ledge- I2st as no one *an /e*ome a )ainter !ho ref2ses to handle a )aint+
/r2sh so too no one *an re*ei.e esoteri* training !ho is 2n!illing to meet the demands
*onsidered ne*essar5 /5 the tea*her- In the main the latter *an gi.e nothing /2t ad.i*e and
e.er5thing he sa5s sho2ld /e a**e)ted in this sense- He has alread5 )assed thro2gh the
)re)arator5 stages leading to a kno!ledge of the higher !orlds and kno!s from e,)erien*e
!hat is ne*essar5- It de)ends entirel5 2)on the free+!ill of ea*h indi.id2al h2man /eing
!hether or not he *hoose to tread the same )ath- To insist on /eing admitted to esoteri*
training !itho2t f2lfilling
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the *onditions !o2ld /e e62i.alent to sa5ingE FTea*h me ho! to )aint /2t do not ask me to
handle a )aint+/r2sh-F The tea*her *an ne.er offer an5thing 2nless the re*i)ient *omes
for!ard to meet him of his o!n free+!ill- :2t it m2st /e em)hasi7ed that a general desire for
higher kno!ledge is not s2ffi*ient- This desire !ill of *o2rse /e felt /5 man5 /2t nothing
*an /e a*hie.ed /5 it alone so long as the s)e*ial *onditions atta*hed to esoteri* training are
not a**e)ted- This )oint sho2ld /e *onsidered /5 those !ho *om)lain that the training is
diffi*2lt- Dail2re or 2n!illingness to f2lfill these stri*t *onditions m2st entail the
a/andonment of esoteri* training for the time /eing- It is tr2e the *onditions are stri*t 5et
the5 are not harsh sin*e their f2lfillment not onl5 sho2ld /e /2t indeed m2st /e a .ol2ntar5
a*tion-
If this fa*t /e o.erlooked esoteri* training *an easil5 a))ear in the light of a *oer*ion of the
so2l or the *ons*ien*eA for the training is /ased on the de.elo)ment of the inner life and the
tea*her m2st ne*essaril5 gi.e ad.i*e *on*erning this inner life- :2t there is no 62estion of
*om)2lsion !hen a demand is met o2t of free *hoi*e- To ask
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of the tea*herE F8i.e me 5o2r higher kno!ledge /2t lea.e me m5 *2stomar5 emotions
feelings and tho2ghtsF !o2ld /e an im)ossi/le demand- In this *ase the gratifi*ation of
*2riosit5 and desire for kno!ledge !o2ld /e the onl5 moti.e- When )2rs2ed in s2*h a s)irit
ho!e.er higher kno!ledge *an ne.er /e attained-
;et 2s no! *onsider in t2rn the *onditions im)osed on the st2dent- It sho2ld /e em)hasi7ed
that the *om)lete f2lfillment of an5 one of these *onditions is not insisted 2)on /2t onl5 the
*orres)onding effort- No one *an !holl5 f2lfill them /2t e.er5one *an start on the )ath
to!ard them- It is the effort of !ill that matters and the read5 dis)osition to enter 2)on this
)ath-
$- The first *ondition is that the st2dent sho2ld )a5 heed to the ad.an*ement of /odil5 and
s)irit2al health- Of *o2rse health does not de)end in the first instan*e 2)on the indi.id2alA
/2t the effort to im)ro.e in this res)e*t lies !ithin the s*o)e of all- So2nd kno!ledge *an
alone )ro*eed from so2nd h2man /eings- The 2nhealth5 are not reBe*ted /2t it is demanded
of the st2dent that he sho2ld ha.e the !ill to lead a health5 life- In this res)e*t he m2st attain
the greatest )ossi/le inde)enden*e-
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( The good *o2nsels of others freel5 /esto!ed tho2gh generall5
2nso2ght are as a r2le s2)erfl2o2s- Ea*h m2st endea.or to take *are of himself- Drom the
)h5si*al as)e*t it !ill /e more a 62estion of !arding off harmf2l infl2en*es than of an5thing
else- In f2lfilling o2r d2ties !e m2st often do things that are detrimental to o2r health- We
m2st de*ide at the right moment to )la*e d2t5 higher than the *are of o2r health- :2t B2st
think ho! m2*h *an /e a.oided !ith a little good !ill- <2t5 m2st in man5 *ases stand higher
than health often e.en than life itselfA /2t )leas2re m2st ne.er stand higher as far as the
st2dent is *on*erned- Dor him )leas2re *an onl5 /e a means to health and to life and in this
*onne*tion !e m2st a/o.e all /e honest and tr2thf2l !ith o2rsel.es- There is no 2se in
leading an as*eti* life !hen the 2nderl5ing moti.e is the same in this *ase as in other
enBo5ments- Some ma5 deri.e satisfa*tion from as*eti*ism B2st as others *an from !ine+
/i//ing /2t the5 m2st not imagine that this sort of as*eti*ism !ill assist them in attaining
higher kno!ledge- 9an5 as*ri/e to their *ir*2mstan*es e.er5thing !hi*h a))arentl5
)re.ents them from making )rogress- The5 sa5 the5
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*annot de.elo) themsel.es 2nder their *onditions of life- No! man5 ma5 find it desira/le for
other reasons to *hange their *onditions of life /2t no one need do so for the )2r)ose of
esoteri* training- Dor the latter a )erson need onl5 do as m2*h as )ossi/le !hate.er his
)osition to f2rther the health of /od5 and so2l- E.er5 kind of !ork *an ser.e the !hole of
h2manit5A and it is a s2rer sign of greatness of so2l to )er*ei.e *learl5 ho! ne*essar5 for this
!hole is a )ett5 )erha)s e.en an offensi.e em)lo5ment than to thinkE FThis !ork is not good
eno2gh for meA I am destined for something /etter-F Of s)e*ial im)ortan*e for the st2dent is
the stri.ing for *om)lete health of mind- An 2nhealth5 life of tho2ght and feeling !ill not fail
to o/str2*t the )ath to higher kno!ledge- Clear *alm thinking !ith sta/ilit5 of feeling and
emotion form here the /asis of all !ork- Nothing sho2ld /e f2rther remo.ed from the
st2dent than an in*lination to!ard a fantasti*al e,*ita/le life to!ard ner.o2sness
e,aggeration and fanati*ism- He sho2ld a*62ire a health5 o2tlook on all *ir*2mstan*es of
lifeA he sho2ld meet the demands of lie !ith stead5 ass2ran*e 62ietl5 letting all things make
their im)ression on him
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and re.eal their message- He sho2ld /e at )ains to do B2sti*e to life on e.er5 o**asion- All
one+sided and e,tra.agant tenden*ies in his sentiments and *riti*isms sho2ld /e a.oided-
Dailing this he !o2ld find his !a5 merel5 into !orlds of his o!n imagination instead of
higher !orldsA in )la*e of tr2th his o!n )et o)inions !o2ld assert themsel.es- It is /etter for
the st2dent to /e matter+of+fa*t than e,*ita/le and fantasti*-
0- The se*ond *ondition is that the st2dent sho2ld feel himself *o+ordinated as a link in the
!hole of life- 92*h is in*l2ded in the f2lfillment of this *ondition /2t ea*h *an onl5 f2lfill it
in his o!n manner- If I am a tea*her and m5 )2)il does not f2lfill m5 e,)e*tations I m2st
not di.ert m5 resentment against him /2t against m5self- I m2st feel m5self as one !ith m5
)2)il to the e,tent of asking m5selfE FIs m5 )2)ilCs defi*ien*5 not the res2lt of m5 o!n
a*tion?F Instead of dire*ting m5 feelings against him I shall rather refle*t on m5 o!n attit2de
so that the )2)il ma5 in the f2t2re /e /etter a/le to satisf5 m5 demands- Pro*eeding from
s2*h an attit2de a *hange !ill *ome o.er the st2dentCs !hole !a5 of thinking- This holds
good in all things great or small- S2*h
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an attit2de of mind for instan*e alters the !a5 I regard a *riminal- I s2s)end m5 B2dgment
and sa5 to m5selfE FI am like him onl5 a h2man /eing- Thro2gh fa.ora/le *ir*2mstan*es I
re*ei.ed an ed2*ation !hi*h )erha)s alone sa.ed me from a similar fate-F I ma5 then also
*ome to the *on*l2sion that this h2man /rother of mine !o2ld ha.e /e*ome a different man
had m5 tea*hers taken the same )ains !ith him the5 took !ith me- I shall refle*t on the fa*t
that something !as gi.en to me !hi*h !as !ithheld from him that I enBo5 m5 fort2ne
)re*isel5 /e*a2se it !as denied him- And then I shall nat2rall5 *ome to think of m5self as a
link in the !hole of h2manit5 and a sharer in the res)onsi/ilit5 for e.er5thing that o**2rs-
This does not im)l5 that s2*h a tho2ght sho2ld /e immediatel5 translated into e,ternal a*ts
of agitation- It sho2ld /e *herished in stillness !ithin the so2l- Then 62ite grad2all5 it !ill set
its mark on the o2t!ard demeanor of the st2dent- In s2*h matters ea*h *an onl5 /egin /5
reforming himself- It is of no a.ail in the sense of the foregoing tho2ghts to make general
demands on the !hole of h2manit5- It is eas5 to de*ide !hat men o2ght to /eA /2t the
st2dent
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!orks in the de)ths not on the s2rfa*e- If !o2ld therefore /e 62ite !rong to relate the
demand here indi*ated !ith an e,ternal least of all )oliti*al demandsA !ith s2*h matters this
training *an ha.e nothing to do- Politi*al agitators kno! as a r2le !hat to demand of other
)eo)leA /2t the5 sa5 little of demands on themsel.es-
4- This /rings 2s to the third *ondition- The st2dent m2st !ork his !a5 2)!ard to the
reali7ation that his tho2ghts and feelings are as im)ortant for the !orld as his a*tions- It m2st
/e reali7ed that it is e62all5 inB2rio2s to hate a fello!+/eing as to strike him- The reali7ation
!ill then follo! that /5 )erfe*ting o2rsel.es !e a**om)lish something not onl5 for o2rsel.es
/2t for the !hole !orld- The !orld deri.es e62al /enefit from o2r 2ntainted feelings and
tho2ghts as from o2r good demeanor and as long as !e *annot /elie.e in this *osmi*
im)ortan*e of o2r inner life !e are 2nfit for the )ath that is here des*ri/ed- We are onl5 filled
!ith the right faith in the signifi*an*e of o2r inner self of o2r so2l !hen !e !ork at it s
tho2gh it !ere at least as real as all e,ternal things- We m2st admit that
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o2r e.er5 feeling )rod2*es an effe*t B2st as does e.er5 a*tion of o2r hand-
&- These !ords alread5 e,)ress the fo2rth *onditionE to a*62ire the *on.i*tion that the real
/eing of man does not lie in his e,terior /2t in his interior- An5one regarding himself as a
)rod2*t of the o2ter !orld as a res2lt of the )h5si*al !orld *annot s2**eed in this esoteri*
training for the feeling that !e are /eings of so2l and s)irit forms its .er5 /asis- The
a*62isition of this feeling renders the st2dent fit to disting2ish /et!een inner d2t5 and
o2t!ard s2**ess- He learns that the one *annot /e dire*tl5 meas2red /5 the other- He m2st
find the )ro)er mean /et!een !hat is indi*ated /5 e,ternal *onditions and !hat he
re*ogni7es as the right *ond2*t for himself- He sho2ld not for*e 2)on his en.ironment
an5thing for !hi*h it *an ha.e no 2nderstanding /2t also he m2st /e 62ite free from the
desire to do onl5 !hat *an /e a))re*iated /5 those aro2nd him- The .oi*e of his o!n so2l
str2ggling honestl5 to!ard kno!ledge m2st /ring him the one and onl5 re*ognition of the
tr2ths for !hi*h he stands- :2t he m2st learn as m2*h as he )ossi/l5 *an from his
en.ironment so
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as to dis*o.er !hat those aro2nd him need and !hat is good for them- In this !a5 he !ill
de.elo) !ithin himself !hat is kno!n in s)irit2al s*ien*e as the Fs)irit2al /alan*e-F An o)en
heart for the needs of the o2ter !orld lies on one of the s*ales and inner fortit2de and
2nfaltering end2ran*e on the other-
G- This /rings 2s to the fifth *onditionE steadfastness in *arr5ing o2t a resol2tion- Nothing
sho2ld ind2*e the st2dent to de.iate from a resol2tion he ma5 ha.e taken sa.e onl5 the
)er*e)tion that he !as in error- E.er5 resol2tion is a for*e and if this for*e does not )rod2*e
an immediate effe*t at the )oint to !hi*h it !as a))lied it !orks ne.ertheless on in its o!n
!a5- S2**ess is onl5 de*isi.e !hen an a*tion arises from desire- :2t all a*tions arising from
desire are !orthless in relation to the higher !orlds- There lo.e for an a*tion is alone the
de*isi.e fa*tor- In this lo.e e.er5 im)2lse that im)els the st2dent to a*tion sho2ld f2lfill
itself- 3ndisma5ed /5 fail2re he !ill ne.er gro! !ear5 of endea.oring re)eatedl5 to
translate some resol2tion into a*tion- And in this !a5 he rea*hes the stage of not !aiting to
see the o2t!ard effe*t of his a*tions /2t of *ontenting
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himself !ith )erforming them- He !ill learn to sa*rifi*e his a*tions e.en his !hole /eing to
the !orld ho!e.er the !orld ma5 re*ei.e his sa*rifi*e- Readiness for a sa*rifi*e for an
offering s2*h as this m2st /e sho!n /5 all !ho !o2ld )2rs2e the )ath of esoteri* training-
H- A si,th *ondition is the de.elo)ment of a feeling of thankf2lness for e.er5thing !ith !hi*h
man is fa.ored- We m2st reali7e that o2r e,isten*e is a gift from the entire 2ni.erse- Ho!
m2*h is needed to ena/le ea*h one of 2s to re*ei.e and maintain his e,isten*eJ Ho! m2*h to
!e not o!e to nat2re and to o2r fello! h2man /eingsJ Tho2ghts s2*h as these m2st *ome
nat2rall5 to all !ho seek esoteri* training for if the latter do not feel in*lined to entertain
them the5 !ill /e in*a)a/le of de.elo)ing !ithin themsel.es that all+em/ra*ing lo.e !hi*h
is ne*essar5 for the attainment of higher kno!ledge- Nothing *an re.eal itself to 2s !hi*h !e
do not lo.e- And e.er5 re.elation m2st fill 2s !ith thankf2lness for !e o2rsel.es are the
ri*her for it-
'- All these *onditions m2st /e 2nited in a se.enthE to regard life 2n*easingl5 in the manner
demanded /5 these *onditions- The st2dent
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th2s makes it )ossi/le to gi.e his life the stam) of 2niformit5- All his modes of e,)ression
!ill in this !a5 /e /ro2ght into harmon5 and no longer *ontradi*t ea*h other- And th2s he
!ill )re)are himself for the inner tran62illit5 he m2st attain d2ring the )reliminar5 ste)s of
his training-
An5one sin*erel5 sho!ing the good !ill to f2lfill these *onditions ma5 de*ide to seek esoteri*
training- He !ill then /e read5 to follo! the ad.i*e gi.en a/o.e- 92*h of his ad.i*e ma5
a))ear to /e merel5 on the s2rfa*e and man5 !ill )erha)s sa5 that the5 did not e,)e*t the
training to )ro*eed in s2*h stri*t forms- :2t e.er5thing interior m2st manifest itself in an
e,terior !a5 and B2st as a )i*t2re is not e.ident !hen it e,ists onl5 in the mind of the )ainter
so too there *an /e no esoteri* training !itho2t o2t!ard e,)ression- <isregard for stri*t
forms is onl5 sho!n /5 those !ho do not kno! that the e,terior is the a.en2e of e,)ression
for the interior- No do2/t it is the s)irit that reall5 matters and not the formA /2t B2st as form
!itho2t s)irit is n2ll and .oid so also !o2ld s)irit remain ina*ti.e if it did not *reate for
itself a form-
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The a/o.e *onditions are *al*2lated to render the st2dent strong eno2gh to f2lfill the f2rther
demands made on him d2ring this training- If he fail in these *onditions he !ill hesitate
/efore ea*h ne! demand and !itho2t them he !ill la*k that faith in man !hi*h he m2st
)ossess- Dor all stri.ing for tr2th m2st /e fo2nded on faith in and tr2e lo.e for man- :2t
tho2gh this is the fo2ndation it is not the so2r*e of all stri.ing for tr2th for s2*h stri.ing *an
onl5 flo! from the so2lCs o!n fo2ntain+head of strength- And the lo.e of man m2st grad2all5
!iden to a lo.e for all li.ing *reat2res 5es for all e,isten*e- Thro2gh fail2re to f2lfill the
*ondition here gi.en the st2dent !ill la*k the )erfe*t lo.e for e.er5thing that fashions and
*reates and the in*lination to refrain from all destr2*tion as s2*h- He m2st so train himself
that not onl5 in his a*tions /2t also in his !ords feelings and tho2ghts he !ill ne.er destro5
an5thing for the sake of destr2*tion- His Bo5 m2st /e in gro!th and life and he m2st onl5
lend his hand to destr2*tion !hen he is also a/le thro2gh and /5 means of destr2*tion to
)romote ne! life- This does not mean that the st2dent m2st sim)l5 look on !hile e.il r2ns
riot /2t rather
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that he m2st seek e.en in e.il that side thro2gh !hi*h he ma5 transform it into good- He !ill
then see more and more *learl5 that e.il and im)erfe*tion ma5 /est /e *om/ated /5 the
*reation of the good and the )erfe*t- The st2dent kno!s that o2t of nothing nothing *an /e
*reated /2t also that the im)erfe*t *an /e transformed into the )erfe*t- An5one de.elo)ing
!ithin himself the dis)osition to *reate !ill soon find himself *a)a/le of fa*ing e.il in the
right !a5-
It m2st /e *learl5 reali7ed that the )2r)ose of this training is to /2ild and not to destro5- The
st2dent sho2ld therefore /ring !ith him the good !ill for sin*ere and de.oted !ork and not
the intention to *riti*i7e and destro5- He sho2ld /e *a)a/le of de.otion for he m2st learn
!hat he does not 5et kno!A he sho2ld look re.erentl5 on that !hi*h dis*loses itself- Work
and de.otion these are the f2ndamental 62alities !hi*h m2st /e demanded of the st2dent-
Some *ome to reali7e that the5 are making no )rogress tho2gh in their o!n o)inion the5 are
2ntiringl5 a*ti.e- The reason is that the5 ha.e not gras)ed the meaning of !ork and de.otion
in the right !a5- Work done for the sake of s2**ess !ill /e the least s2**essf2l
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and learning )2rs2ed !itho2t de.otion !ill /e the least *ond2*i.e to )rogress- Onl5 the lo.e
of !ork and not of s2**ess leads to )rogress- And if in learning the st2dent seeks straight
thinking and so2nd B2dgment he need not st2nt his de.otion /5 do2/ts and s2s)i*ions-
We are not red2*ed to ser.i*e s2/Be*tion in listening to some information !ith 62iet de.otion
and /e*a2se !e do not at on*e o))ose it !ith o2r o!n o)inion- An5one ha.ing ad.an*ed
some !a5 in the attainment of higher kno!ledge kno!s that he o!es e.er5thing to 62iet
attention and a*ti.e refle*tion and not to !illf2l )ersonal B2dgment- We sho2ld al!a5s /ear
in mind that !e do not need to learn !hat !e are alread5 a/le to B2dge- Therefore if o2r sole
intention is to B2dge !e *an learn nothing more- Esoteri* training ho!e.er *enter in
learningA !e m2st ha.e a/sol2tel5 the good !ill to /e learners- If !e *annot 2nderstand
something it is far /etter not to B2dge than to B2dge ad.ersel5- We *an !ait 2ntil later for a
tr2e 2nderstanding- The higher !e *lim/ the ladder of kno!ledge the more do !e re62ire
the fa*2lt5 of listening !ith 62iet de.otion- All )er*e)tion of tr2th all life and a*ti.it5
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in the !orld of the s)irit /e*ome s2/tle and deli*ate in *om)arison !ith the )ro*esses of the
ordinar5 intelle*t and of life in the )h5si*al !orld- The more the s)here of o2r a*ti.it5 !idens
o2t /efore 2s the more deli*ate are the )ro*esses in !hi*h !e are engaged- It is for this
reason that men arri.e at s2*h different o)inions and )oints of .ie! regarding the higher
regions- :2t there is one and onl5 one o)inion regarding higher tr2ths and this one o)inion is
!ithin rea*h of all !ho thro2gh !ork and de.otion ha.e so risen that the5 *an reall5 /ehold
tr2th and *ontem)late it- O)inions differing from the one tr2e o)inion *an onl5 /e arri.ed at
!hen )eo)le ins2ffi*ientl5 )re)ared B2dge in a**ordan*e !ith their )et theories their
ha/it2al !a5s of tho2ght and so forth- I2st as there is onl5 one *orre*t o)inion *on*erning a
mathemati*al )ro/lem so also is this tr2e !ith regard to the higher !orlds- :2t /efore s2*h
an o)inion *an /e rea*hed d2e )re)aration m2st first /e 2ndergone- If this !ere onl5
*onsidered the *onditions atta*hed to esoteri* training !o2ld /e s2r)rising to none- It is
indeed tr2e that tr2th and the higher life a/ide in e.er5 so2l and that ea*h *an and m2st find
them
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for himself :2t the5 lie dee)l5 /2ried and *an onl5 /e /ro2ght 2) from their dee) shafts
after all o/sta*les ha.e /een *leared a!a5- Onl5 the e,)erien*ed *an ad.ise ho! this ma5 /e
done- S2*h ad.i*e is fo2nd in s)irit2al s*ien*e- No tr2th is for*ed on an5oneA no dogma is
)ro*laimedA a !a5 onl5 is )ointed o2t- It is tr2e that e.er5one *o2ld find this !a5 2naided
/2t onl5 )erha)s after man5 in*arnations- :5 esoteri* training this !a5 is shortened- We th2s
rea*h more 62i*kl5 a )oint from !hi*h !e *an *oo)erate in those !orlds !here the sal.ation
and e.ol2tion of man are f2rthered /5 s)irit2al !ork-
This /rings to an end the indi*ations to /e gi.en in *onne*tion !ith the attainment of
kno!ledge of higher !orlds- In the follo!ing *ha)ter and in f2rther *onne*tion !ith the
a/o.e it !ill /e sho!n ho! this de.elo)ment affe*ts the higher elements of the h2man
organism (the so2l+organism or astral /od5 and the s)irit or tho2ght+/od5-) In this !a5 the
indi*ations here gi.en !ill /e )la*ed in a ne! light and it !ill /e )ossi/le to )enetrate them
in a dee)er sense-
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'

SOME RESULTS OF INITIATION
ONE of the f2ndamental )rin*i)les of tr2e s)irit2al s*ien*e is that the one !ho de.otes
himself to its st2d5 sho2ld do so !ith f2ll *ons*io2snessA he sho2ld attem)t nothing and
)ra*ti*e nothing !itho2t kno!ledge of the effe*t )rod2*ed- A tea*her of s)irit2al s*ien*e !ho
gi.es ad.i*e or instr2*tion !ill at the same time al!a5s e,)lain to those stri.ing for higher
kno!ledge the effe*ts )rod2*ed on /od5 so2l and s)irit if his ad.i*e and instr2*tions /e
follo!ed-
Some effe*ts )rod2*ed 2)on the so2l of the st2dent !ill here /e indi*ated- Dor onl5 those
!ho kno! s2*h things as the5 are here *omm2ni*ated *an 2ndertake in f2ll *ons*io2sness
the e,er*ises that lead to kno!ledge of the higher !orlds- Witho2t the latter no gen2ine
esoteri*
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training is )ossi/le for it m2st /e 2nderstood that all gro)ing in the dark is dis*o2raged and
that fail2re to )2rs2e this training !ith o)en e5es ma5 lead to medi2mshi) /2t not to e,a*t
*lair.o5an*e in the sense of s)irit2al s*ien*e-
The e,er*ises des*ri/ed in the )re*eding *ha)ters if )ra*ti*ed in the right !a5 in.ol.e
*ertain *hanges in the organism of the so2l (astral /od5)- The latter is onl5 )er*e)ti/le to the
*lair.o5ant and ma5 /e *om)ared to a *lo2d )s5*ho+s)irit2all5 l2mino2s to a *ertain
degree in the *enter of !hi*h the )h5si*al /od5 is dis*erni/le- (A des*ri)tion !ill /e fo2nd in
the a2thorCs /ook Theoso)h5-) In this astral /od5 desires l2sts )assions and ideas /e*ome
.isi/le in a s)irit2al !a5- Sens2al a))etites for instan*e *reate the im)ression of a dark red
radian*e !ith a definite sha)eA a )2re and no/le tho2ght finds its e,)ression in a reddish+
.iolet radian*eA the *lear+*2t *on*e)t of the logi*al thinker is e,)erien*ed as a 5ello!ish fig2re
!ith shar)l5 defined o2tlineA the *onf2sed tho2ght of the m2ddled head a))ears as a fig2re
!ith .ag2e o2tline- The tho2ghts of a )erson !ith one+sided 62eer .ie!s a))ear shar)l5
o2tlined /2t immo/ile !hile the
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tho2ghts of )eo)le a**essi/le to the )oints of .ie! of others are seen to ha.e mo/ile
*hangea/le o2tlines- (In all these and the follo!ing des*ri)tions it m2st /e noted that /5
seeing a *olor s)irit2al seeing is meant- When the *lair.o5ant s)eaks of Fseeing redF he
meansE FI ha.e an e,)erien*e in a )s5*ho+s)irit2al !a5 !hi*h is e62i.alent to the )h5si*al
e,)erien*e !hen an im)ression of red is re*ei.ed-F This mode of e,)ression is here 2sed
/e*a2se it is )erfe*tl5 nat2ral to the *lair.o5ant- If this )oint is o.er+looked a mere *olor+
.ision ma5 easil5 /e mistaken for a gen2ine *lair.o5ant e,)erien*e-)
The f2rther the st2dent ad.an*es in his inner de.elo)ment the more reg2lar !ill /e the
differentiation !ithin his astral /od5- The latter is *onf2sed and 2ndifferentiated in the *ase
of a )erson of 2nde.elo)ed inner lifeA 5et the *lair.o5ant *an )er*ei.e e.en the 2norgani7ed
astral /od5 as a fig2re standing o2t distin*tl5 from its en.ironment- It e,tends from the *enter
of the head to the middle of the )h5si*al /od5 and a))ears like an inde)endent /od5
)ossessing *ertain organs- The organs no! to /e *onsidered are )er*e)ti/le to the *lair.o5ant
near the follo!ing )arts of the
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)h5si*al /od5E the first /et!een the e5esA the se*ond near the lar5n,A the third in the region of
the heartA the fo2rth in the so+*alled )it of the stoma*hA the fifth and si,th are sit2ated in the
a/domen- These organs are te*hni*all5 kno!n as !heels *hakrams or lot2s flo!ers- The5
are so *alled on a**o2nt of their likeness to !heels or flo!ers /2t of *o2rse it sho2ld /e
*learl5 2nderstood that s2*h an e,)ression is not to /e a))lied more literall5 than is the term
F!ingsF !hen referring to the t!o hal.es of the l2ngs- I2st as there is no 62estion of !ings in
the *ase of the l2ngs so too in the *ase of the lot2s flo!ers the e,)ression m2st /e taken
fig2rati.el5- In 2nde.elo)ed )ersons these lot2s flo!ers are dark in *olor motionless and
inert- In the *lair.o5ant ho!e.er the5 are l2mino2s mo/ile and of .ariegated *olor-
Something of this kind a))lies to the medi2m tho2gh in a different !a5A this 62estion
ho!e.er need not /e )2rs2ed here an5 f2rther-
No! !hen the st2dent /egins his e,er*ises the lot2s flo!ers /e*ome more l2mino2sA later
on the5 /egin to re.ol.e- When this o**2rs
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*lair.o5an*e /egins- Dor these flo!ers are the sense+organs of the so2l and their re.ol2tions
e,)ress the fa*t that the *lair.o5ant )er*ei.es s2)ersensi/l5- What !as said )re.io2sl5
*on*erning s)irit2al seeing a))lies e62all5 to these re.ol2tions and e.en to the lot2s flo!ers
themsel.es- No one *an )er*ei.e the s2)ersensi/le 2ntil he has de.elo)ed his astral senses in
this !a5- Thanks to the s)irit2al organ sit2ated in the .i*init5 of the lar5n, it /e*omes
)ossi/le to s2r.e5 *lair.o5antl5 the tho2ghts and mentalit5 of other /eings and to o/tain a
dee)er insight into the tr2e la!s of nat2ral )henomena- The organ sit2ated near the heart
)ermits of *lair.o5ant kno!ledge of the sentiments and dis)osition of other so2ls- When
de.elo)ed this organ also makes it )ossi/le to o/ser.e *ertain dee)er for*es in animals and
)lants- :5 means of the organ in the so+*alled )it of the stoma*h kno!ledge is a*62ired of the
talents and *a)a*ities of so2lsA /5 its means too the )art )la5ed /5 animals )lants stones
metals atmos)heri* )henomena and so on in the ho2sehold of nat2re /e*omes a))arent-
The organ in the .i*init5 of the lar5n, has
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si,teen )etals or s)okesA the one in the region of the heart t!el.e and the one in the )it of the
stoma*h ten-
No! *ertain a*ti.ities of the so2l are *onne*ted !ith the de.elo)ment of these organs and
an5one de.oting himself to them in a *ertain definite !a5 *ontri/2tes something to the
de.elo)ment of the *orres)onding organs- In the si,teen+)etalled lot2s eight of its si,teen
)etals !ere de.elo)ed in the remote )ast d2ring an earlier stage of h2man e.ol2tion- 9an
himself *ontri/2ted nothing to this de.elo)mentA he re*ei.ed them as a gift from nat2re at a
time !hen his *ons*io2sness !as in a d2ll dream5 *ondition- At that stage of h2man
e.ol2tion the5 !ere in a*ti.e 2se /2t the manner of their a*ti.it5 !as onl5 *om)ati/le !ith
that d2ll state of *ons*io2sness- As *ons*io2sness /e*ame *learer and /righter the )etals
/e*ame o/s*2red and *eased their a*ti.it5- 9an himself *an no! de.elo) the remaining eight
)etals /5 means of *ons*io2s e,er*ises and there/5 the !hole lot2s flo!er /e*omes l2mino2s
and mo/ile- The a*62isition of *ertain fa*2lties de)ends on the de.elo)ment of ea*h one of
the si,teen )etals- "et as alread5 sho!n onl5
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eight *an /e *ons*io2sl5 de.elo)edA the remainder then a))ear of their o!n a**ord-
The de.elo)ment )ro*eeds in the follo!ing manner- The st2dent m2st first a))l5 himself
!ith *are and attention to *ertain f2n*tions of the so2l hitherto e,er*ised /5 him in a *areless
and inattenti.e manner- There are eight s2*h f2n*tions- The first is the !a5 in !hi*h ideas
and *on*e)tions are a*62ired- In this res)e*t )eo)le 2s2all5 allo! themsel.es to /e led /5
*han*e alone- The5 see or hear one thing or another and form their ideas a**ordingl5- As long
as this is the *ase the si,teen )etals of the lot2s flo!er remain ineffe*ti.e- It is onl5 !hen the
st2dent /egins to take his self+ed2*ation in hand in this res)e*t that the )etals /e*ome
effe*ti.e- His ideas and *on*e)tions m2st /e g2ardedA ea*h single idea sho2ld a*62ire
signifi*an*e fore himA he sho2ld see it in a definite message instr2*ting him *on*erning the
things of the o2ter !orld and he sho2ld deri.e no satisfa*tion from ideas de.oid of s2*h
signifi*an*e- He m2st go.ern his mental life so that it /e*omes a tr2e mirror of the o2ter
!orld and dire*t his effort to the e,*l2sion of in*orre*t ideas from his so2l-
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The se*ond of these f2n*tions is *on*erned !ith the *ontrol of resol2tions- The st2dent m2st
not resol.e 2)on e.en the most trifling a*t !itho2t !ell+fo2nded and thoro2gh
*onsideration- Tho2ghtless and meaningless a*tions sho2ld /e foreign to his nat2re- He
sho2ld ha.e !ell+*onsidered gro2nds for e.er5thing he does and a/stain from e.er5thing to
!hi*h no signifi*ant moti.e 2rges him-
The third f2n*tion *on*erns s)ee*h- The st2dent sho2ld 2tter no !ord that is de.oid of sense
and meaningA all talking for the sake of talking dra!s him a!a5 from his )ath- He m2st a.oid
the 2s2al kind of *on.ersation !ith its )romis*2o2s dis*2ssion of indis*riminatel5 .aried
to)i*s- This does not im)l5 his )re*l2sion from inter*o2rse !ith his fello!s- It is )re*isel5 in
s2*h inter*o2rse that his *on.ersation sho2ld de.elo) to signifi*an*e- He is read5 to *on.erse
!ith e.er5one /2t he does so tho2ghtf2ll5 and !ith thoro2gh deli/eration- He ne.er s)eaks
!itho2t gro2nds for !hat he sa5s- He seeks to 2se neither too man5 nor too fe! !ords-
The fo2rth is the reg2lation of o2t!ard a*tion- The st2dent tries to adB2st his a*tions in s2*h a
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!a5 that the5 harmoni7e !ith the a*tions of his fello!+men and !ith the e.ents in his
en.ironment- He refrains from a*tions !hi*h are dist2r/ing to others and in *onfli*t !ith his
s2rro2ndings- He seeks to adB2st his a*tions so that the5 *om/ine harmonio2sl5 !ith his
s2rro2ndings and !ith his )osition in life- When an e,ternal moti.e *a2ses him to a*t he
*onsiders ho! he *an /est res)ond- When the im)2lse )ro*eeds from himself he !eighs !ith
min2te *are the effe*ts of his a*ti.it5-
The fifth f2n*tion in*l2des the management of the !hole of life- The st2dent endea.ors to li.e
in *onformit5 !ith /oth nat2re and s)irit- Ne.er o.erhast5 he is also ne.er indolent-
E,*essi.e a*ti.it5 and la7iness are e62all5 alien to him- He looks 2)on life as a means for
!ork and dis)oses it a**ordingl5- He reg2lates his ha/its and the *are of his health in s2*h a
!a5 that a harmonio2s !hole is the o2t*ome-
The si,th is *on*erned !ith h2man endea.or- The st2dent tests his *a)a*ities and )rofi*ien*5
and *ond2*ts himself in the light of s2*h self+ kno!ledge- He attem)ts nothing /e5ond his
)o!ers 5et seems to omit nothing !ithin their s*o)e-
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( On the other hand he sets himself aims that ha.e to do !ith the ideals
and the great d2ties of a h2man /eing- He does not me*hani*all5 regard himself as a !heel in
the .ast ma*hiner5 of mankind /2t seeks to *om)rehend the tasks of his life and to look o2t
/e5ond the limit of the dail5 and tri.ial- He endea.ors to f2lfill his o/ligations e.er /etter and
more )erfe*tl5-
The se.enth deals !ith the effort to learn as m2*h from life as )ossi/le- Nothing )asses /efore
the st2dent !itho2t gi.ing him o**asion to a**2m2late e,)erien*e !hi*h is of .al2e to him
for life- If he has )erformed an5thing !rongl5 or im)erfe*tl5 he lets this /e an in*enti.e for
meeting the same *ontingen*5 later on rightl5 and )erfe*tl5- When others a*t he o/ser.es
them !ith the same end in .ie!- He tries to gather a ri*h store of e,)erien*e e.er ret2rning
to it for *o2nselA nor indeed !ill he e.er do an5thing !itho2t looking /a*k on e,)erien*es
from !hi*h he *an deri.e hel) in his de*isions and affairs-
Dinall5 the eighth is as follo!sE The st2dent m2st from time to time glan*e intros)e*ti.el5
into himself sink /a*k into himself take *o2nsel !ith himself form and test the f2ndamental
)rin*i)les
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of his life r2n o.er in his tho2ghts the s2m total of his kno!ledge !eigh his d2ties and
refle*t 2)on the *ontent and aim of life- All these things ha.e /een mentioned in the
)re*eding *ha)tersA here the5 are merel5 re*a)it2lated in *onne*tion !ith the de.elo)ment of
the si,teen+)etalled lot2s- :5 means of these e,er*ises the latter !ill /e*ome e.er more and
more )erfe*t for it is 2)on s2*h e,er*ises that the de.elo)ment of *lair.o5an*e de)ends- The
/etter the st2dentCs tho2ghts and s)ee*h harmoni7e !ith the )ro*esses in the o2ter !orld the
more 62i*kl5 !ill he de.elo) this fa*2lt5- Whoe.er thinks and s)eaks !hat is *ontrar5 to
tr2th destro5s something in the germ of his si,teen+)etalled lot2s- Tr2thf2lness 2)rightness
and honest5 are in this *onne*tion *reati.e for*es !hile menda*it5 de*eitf2lness and
dishonest5 are destr2*ti.e for*es- The st2dent m2st reali7e ho!e.er that a*t2al deeds are
needed and not merel5 good intentions- If I think or sa5 an5thing that does not *onform !ith
realit5 I kill something in m5 s)irit2al organs e.en tho2gh I /elie.e m5 intentions to /e e.er
so good- It is here as !ith the *hild !hi*h needs m2st /2rn itself !hen it to2*hes
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fire e.en tho2gh it did so o2t of ignoran*e- The reg2lation of the a/o.e a*ti.ities of the so2l
in the manner des*ri/ed *a2ses the si,teen+)etalled lot2s to shine in glorio2s h2es and
im)arts to it a definite mo.ement- "et it m2st /e noted that the fa*2lt5 of *lair.o5an*e *annot
make its a))earan*e /efore a definite degree of de.elo)ment of the so2l has /een rea*hed- It
*annot a))ear as long as it is irksome for the st2dent to reg2late his life in this manner- He is
still 2nfit as long as the a*ti.ities des*ri/ed a/o.e are a matter of s)e*ial )re+o**2)ation for
him The first tra*es of *lair.o5an*e onl5 a))ear !hen he has rea*hed the )oint of /eing a/le
to li.e in the s)e*ified !a5 as a )erson ha/it2all5 li.es- These things m2st then no longer /e
la/orio2s /2t m2st ha.e /e*ome a matter of *o2rse- There m2st /e no need for him to /e
*ontin2all5 !at*hing himself and 2rging himself on to li.e in this !a5- It m2st all ha.e
/e*ome a matter of ha/it-
No! this lot2s flo!er ma5 /e made to de.elo) in another !a5 /5 follo!ing *ertain other
instr2*tions- :2t all s2*h methods are reBe*ted /5 tr2e s)irit2al s*ien*e for the5 lead to the
destr2*tion of )h5si*al health and to moral r2in-
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( The5 are easier to follo! than those here des*ri/ed- The latter tho2gh
)rotra*ted and diffi*2lt lead to the tr2e goal and *annot /2t strengthen morall5-
The distorted de.elo)ment of a lot2s flo!er res2lts not onl5 in ill2sions and fantasti*
*on*e)tions sho2ld a *ertain degree of *lair.o5an*e /e a*62ired /2t also in errors and
insta/ilit5 in ordinar5 life- S2*h a de.elo)ment ma5 /e the *a2se of timidit5 en.5 .anit5
ha2ghtiness !illf2lness and so on in a )erson !ho hitherto !as free from these defe*ts- It has
alread5 /een e,)lained that eight of the si,teen )etals of this lot2s flo!er !ere de.elo)ed in a
remote )ast and that these !ill re+a))ear of themsel.es in the *o2rse of esoteri*
de.elo)ment- All the effort and attention of the st2dent m2st /e de.oted to the remaining
eight- Da2lt5 training ma5 easil5 res2lt in the re+a))earan*e of the earlier )etals alone !hile
the ne! )etals remain st2nted- This !ill ens2e es)e*iall5 if too little logi*al rational thinking
is em)lo5ed in the training- It is of s2)reme im)ortan*e that the st2dent sho2ld /e a rational
and *lear+thinking )erson and of f2rther im)ortan*e that he sho2ld )ra*ti*e the greatest
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*larit5 of s)ee*h- Peo)le !ho /egin to ha.e some )resentiment of s2)ersensi/le things are a)t
to !a, talkati.e on this s2/Be*t there/5 retarding their normal de.elo)ment- The less one
talks a/o2t these matters the /etter- Onl5 someone !ho has a*hie.ed a *ertain degree of
*larit5 sho2ld s)eak a/o2t them- At the /eginning of their instr2*tion st2dents are as a r2le
astonishes at the tea*herCs la*k of *2riosit5 *on*erning their o!n e,)erien*es- It !o2ld /e
m2*h /etter for them to remain entirel5 silent on this s2/Be*t and to *ontent themsel.es !ith
mentioning onl5 !hether the5 ha.e /een s2**essf2l or 2ns2**essf2l in )erforming the
e,er*ises and o/ser.ing the instr2*tions gi.en them- Dor the tea*her has 62ite other means of
estimating their )rogress than the st2dentsC o!n statements- The eight )etals no! 2nder
*onsideration al!a5s /e*ome a little hardened thro2gh s2*h statements !hereas the5 sho2ld
/e ke)t soft and s2))le- The follo!ing e,am)le taken for the sake of *larit5 not from the
s2)ersensi/le !orld /2t from ordinar5 life !ill ill2strate this )oint- S2))ose I hear a )ie*e of
ne!s and there2)on immediatel5 form an o)inion- Shortl5 after!ards I re*ei.e some
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f2rther ne!s !hi*h does not tall5 !ith the )re.io2s information- I am there/5 o/liged to
re.erse m5 )re.io2s B2dgment- The res2lt is an 2nfa.ora/le infl2en*e 2)on m5 si,teen+
)etalled lot2s- K2ite the *ontrar5 !o2ld ha.e /een the *ase had I in the first )la*e
s2s)ended B2dgment and remained silent /oth in!ardl5 in tho2ght and o2t!ardl5 in !ord
*on*erning the !hole affair 2ntil I had a*62ired relia/le gro2nds for forming m5 B2dgment-
Ca2tion in the formation and )rono2n*ement of B2dgments /e*omes /5 degrees the s)e*ial
*hara*teristi* of the st2dent- On the other hand his re*e)ti.it5 for im)ressions and
e,)erien*es in*reasesA he lets them )ass o.er him silentl5 so as to *olle*t and ha.e the largest
)ossi/le n2m/er of fa*ts at his dis)osal !hen the time *omes to form his o)inions- :l2ish+red
and reddish+)ink shades *olor the lot2s flo!er as the res2lt of s2*h *ir*2ms)e*tion !hereas
in the o))osite *ase dark red and orange shades a))ear- (St2dents !ill re*ogni7e in the
*onditions atta*hed to the de.elo)ment of the si,teen+)etalled lot2s the instr2*tions gi.en /5
the :2ddha to his dis*i)les for the Path- "et there is no 62estion here of tea*hing :2ddhism
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/2t of des*ri/ing *onditions go.erning de.elo)ment !hi*h are the nat2ral o2t*ome of
s)irit2al s*ien*e- The fa*t that these *onditions *orres)ond !ith *ertain tea*hings of the
:2ddha is no reason for not finding them tr2e in themsel.es-)
The t!el.e+)etalled lot2s sit2ated in the region of the heart is de.elo)ed in a similar !a5-
Half its )etals too !ere alread5 e,istent and in a*ti.e 2se in a remote stage of h2man
e.ol2tion- Hen*e these si, )etals need not no! /e es)e*iall5 de.elo)ed in esoteri* trainingA
the5 a))ear of themsel.es and /egin to re.ol.e !hen the st2dent sets to !ork on the other
si,- Here again he learns to )romote this de.elo)ment /5 *ons*io2sl5 *ontrolling and
dire*ting *ertain inner a*ti.ities in a s)e*ial !a5-
It m2st /e *learl5 2nderstood that the )er*e)tions of ea*h single organ of so2l or s)rit /ear a
different *hara*ter- The t!el.e and si,teen+)etalled lot2s flo!ers transmit 62ite different
)er*e)tions- The latter )er*ei.es forms- The tho2ghts and mentalit5 of other /eings and the
la!s go.erning nat2ral )henomena /e*ome manifest thro2gh the si,teen+)etalled lot2s as
fig2res not rigid motionless fig2res /2t mo/ile forms
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filled !ith life- The *lair.o5ant in !hom this sense is de.elo)ed *an des*ri/e for e.er5 mode
of tho2ght and for e.er5 la! of nat2re a form !hi*h e,)resses them- A re.engef2l tho2ght
for e,am)le ass2mes an arro!+like )ronged form !hile a kindl5 tho2ght is often formed
like an o)ening flo!er and so on- Clear+*2t signifi*ant tho2ghts are reg2lar and s5mmetri*al
in form !hile *onf2sed tho2ghts ha.e !a.5 o2tlines- K2ite different )er*e)tions are
re*ei.ed thro2gh the t!el.e+)etalled lot2s- These )er*e)tions ma5 in a sense /e likened to
!armth and *old as a))lied to the so2l- A *lair.o5ant e62i))ed !ith this fa*2lt5 feels this
!armth and *old streaming o2t from the forms dis*erned /5 the si,teen+)etalled lot2s- Had
he de.elo)ed the si,teen and not the t!el.e+)etalled lot2s he !o2ld onl5 )er*ei.e in the
kindl5 tho2ght for instan*e the fig2re des*ri/ed a/o.e !hile a *lair.o5ant in !hom /oth
senses !ere de.elo)ed !o2ld also noti*e !hat *an onl5 /e des*ri/ed as so2l+!armth
flo!ing from the tho2ght- It !o2ld /e noted in )assing that esoteri* training ne.er de.elo)s
one organ !itho2t the other so that the a/o.e+mentioned e,am)le ma5 /e regarded as a
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h5)otheti*al *ase in /ehalf of *larit5- The t!el.e+)etalled lot2s !hen de.elo)ed re.eals to
the *lair.o5ant a dee) 2nderstanding of the )ro*esses of nat2re- Ra5s of so2l+!armth iss2e
from e.er5 manifestation of gro!th and de.elo)ment !hile e.er5thing in the )ro*ess of
de*a5 destr2*tion r2in gi.es an im)ression of *old-
The de.elo)ment of this sense ma5 /e f2rthered in the follo!ing manner- To /egin !ith the
st2dent endea.ors to reg2late his se62en*e of tho2ght (*ontrol of tho2ght)- I2st as the
si,teen+)etalled lot2s is de.elo)ed /5 *2lti.ating tho2ghts that *onform !ith tr2th and are
signifi*ant so too the t!el.e+)etalled lot2s is de.elo)ed /5 in!ardl5 *ontrolling the trains
of tho2ght- Tho2ghts that dart to and fro like !ill+oC+the+!is)s and follo! ea*h other in no
logi*al or rational se62en*e /2t merel5 /5 )2re *han*e destro5 its form- The *loser tho2ght
is made to follo! 2)on tho2ght and the more stri*tl5 e.er5thing of illogi*al nat2re is
a.oided the more s2ita/le !ill /e the form this sense organ de.elo)s- If the st2dent hears
illogi*al tho2ghts he immediatel5 lets the right tho2ghts )ass thro2gh his mind- He sho2ld
not ho!e.er !ithdra!
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in a lo.eless !a5 from !hat is )erha)s an illogi*al en.ironment in order to f2rther his o!n
de.elo)ment- Neither sho2ld he feel himself im)elled to *orre*t all the illogi*al tho2ghts
e,)ressed aro2nd him- He sho2ld rather silentl5 *o+ordinate the tho2ghts as the5 )o2r in
2)on him and make them *onform to logi* and sense and at the same time endea.or in
e.er5 *ase to retain this same method in his o!n thinking-
An e62al *onsisten*5 in his a*tions forms the se*ond re62irement (*ontrol of a*tions)- All
in*onstan*5 all disharmon5 of a*tion is /anef2l for the lot2s here in 62estion- When the
st2dent )erforms some a*tion he m2st see to it that his s2**eeding a*tion follo!s in logi*al
se62en*e for if he a*ts from da5 to da5 !ith .aria/le intent he !ill ne.er de.elo) the fa*2lt5
here *onsidered-
The third re62irement is the *2lti.ation of end2ran*e ()erse.eran*e)- The st2dent is
im)er.io2s to all infl2en*es !hi*h !o2ld di.ert him from the goal he has set himself as long
as he *an regard it as the right goal- Dor him o/sta*les *ontain a *hallenge that im)els him to
s2rmo2nt them /2t ne.er a reason for gi.ing 2)-
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The fo2rth re62irement is for/earan*e (toleran*e) to!ard )ersons *reat2res and also
*ir*2mstan*es- The st2dent s2))resses all s2)erfl2o2s *riti*ism of e.er5thing that is
im)erfe*t e.il and /ad and seeks rather to 2nderstand e.er5thing that *omes 2nder his
noti*e- E.en as the s2n does not !ithdra! its light from the /ad and the e.il so he too does
not ref2se them an intelligent s5m)ath5- Sho2ld some tro2/le /efall him he does not )ro*eed
to *ondemn and *riti*i7e /2t a**e)ts the ine.ita/le and endea.ors to the /est of his a/ilit5 to
gi.e the matter a t2rn for the /est- He does not *onsider the o)inions of others merel5 from
his o!n stand)oint /2t seeks to )2t himself into the otherCs )osition-
The fifth re62irement is im)artialit5 to!ard e.er5thing that life /rings- In this *onne*tion !e
s)eak of faith and tr2st- The st2dent meets e.er5 h2man /eing and e.er5 *reat2re !ith this
tr2st and lets it ins)ire his e.er5 a*tion- 3)on hearing some information he ne.er sa5s to
himselfE FI donCt /elie.e itA it *ontradi*ts m5 )resent o)inions-F He is far rather read5 to test
and re*tif5 his .ie!s and o)inions- He e.er remains re*e)ti.e for e.er5thing that *onfronts
him and he
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tr2sts in the effi*a*5 of his 2ndertakings- Timidit5 and ske)ti*ism are /anished from his
/eing- He har/ors a faith in the )o!er of his intentions- A h2ndred fail2res *annot ro/ him of
this faith- This is the Ffaith !hi*h *an mo.e mo2ntains-F
The si,th re62irement is the *2lti.ation of a *ertain inner /alan*e (e62animit5)- The st2dent
endea.ors to retain his *om)os2re in the fa*e of Bo5 and sorro! and eradi*ates the tenden*5
to fl2*t2ate /et!een the se.enth hea.en of Bo5 and the de)ths of des)air- 9isfort2ne and
danger fort2ne and ad.an*ement alike find him read5 armed-
The reader !ill re*ogni7e in the 62alities here des*ri/ed the si, attri/2tes !hi*h the
*andidate for initiation stri.es to a*62ire- The intention has /een to sho! their *onne*tion
!ith the s)irit2al organ kno!n as the t!el.e+)etalled lot2s flo!er- As /efore s)e*ial
instr2*tions *an /e gi.en to /ring this lot2s flo!er to fr2ition /2t here again the )erfe*t
s5mmetr5 of its form de)ends on the de.elo)ment of the 62alities mentioned the negle*t of
!hi*h res2lts in this organ /eing formed into a *ari*at2re of its )ro)er sha)e- In this *ase
sho2ld a *ertain *lair.o5an*e
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/e attained the 62alities in 62estion ma5 take an e.il instead of a good dire*tion- A )erson
ma5 /e*ome intolerant timid or *ontentio2s to!ard his en.ironmentA ma5 for instan*e
a*62ire some feeling for the sentiments of others and for this reason sh2n them or hate them-
This ma5 e.en rea*h the )oint !here /5 reason of the inner *oldness that o.er!helms him
!hen he hears re)2gnant o)inions he is 2na/le to listen or he ma5 /eha.e in an
o/Be*tiona/le manner-
The de.elo)ment of this organ ma5 /e a**elerated if in addition to all that has /een stated
*ertain other inB2n*tions are o/ser.ed !hi*h *an onl5 /e im)arted to the st2dent /5 !ord of
mo2th- "et the instr2*tions gi.en a/o.e do a*t2all5 lead to gen2ine esoteri* training and
more+o.er the reg2lation of life in the !a5 des*ri/ed *an /e ad.antageo2s to all !ho *annot
or !ill not 2ndergo esoteri* training- Dor it does not fail to )rod2*e an effe*t 2)on the
organism of the so2l e.en tho2gh slo!l5- As regards the esoteri* st2dent the o/ser.an*e of
these )rin*i)les is indis)ensa/le- Sho2ld he attem)t esoteri* training !itho2t *onforming to
them this *o2ld onl5 res2lt in his entering the higher !orlds !ith inade62ate
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organs and instead of )er*ei.ing the tr2th he !o2ld /e s2/Be*t to de*e)tions and ill2sions-
He !o2ld attain a *ertain *lair.o5an*e /2t for the most )art /e the .i*tim of greater
/lindness than /efore- Dormerl5 he at least stood firml5 !ithin the )h5si*al !orldA no! he
looks /e5ond this )h5si*al !orld and gro!s *onf2sed a/o2t it /efore a*62iring a firm footing
in a higher !orld- All )o!er of disting2ishing tr2th from error !o2ld then )erha)s fail him
and he !o2ld entirel5 lose his !a5 in life- It is B2st for this reason that )atien*e is so ne*essar5
in these matters- It m2st e.er /e /orne in mind that the instr2*tions gi.en in esoteri* training
ma5 go no f2rther than is *om)ati/le !ith the !illing readiness sho!n to de.elo) the lot2s
flo!ers to their reg2lar sha)e- Sho2ld these flo!ers /e /ro2ght to fr2ition /efore the5 ha.e
62ietl5 attained their *orre*t form mere *ari*at2res !o2ld /e the res2lt- Their mat2rit5 *an
/e /ro2ght a/o2t /5 the s)e*ial instr2*tions gi.en in esoteri* training /2t their form is
de)endent on the method of life des*ri/ed a/o.e-
An inner training of a )arti*2larl5 intimate *hara*ter is ne*essar5 for the de.elo)ment of the
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ten+)etalled lot2s flo!er for it is no! a 62estion of learning *ons*io2sl5 to *ontrol and
dominate the sense+im)ressions themsel.es- This is of )arti*2lar im)ortan*e in the initial
stages of *lair.o5an*e for it is onl5 /5 this means that a so2r*e of *o2ntless ill2sions and
fan*ies is a.oided- Peo)le as a r2le do not reali7e /5 !hat fa*tors their s2dden ideas and
memories are dominated and ho! the5 are )rod2*ed- Consider the follo!ing *ase- Someone
is tra.eling /5 rail!a5A his mind is /2s5 !ith one tho2ghtA s2ddenl5 is tho2ght di.ergesA he
re*olle*ts an e,)erien*e that /efell him 5ears ago and inter!ea.es it !ith his )resent tho2ght-
He did not noti*e that in looking thro2gh the !indo! he had *a2ght sight of a )erson !ho
resem/led another intimatel5 *onne*ted !ith the re*olle*ted e,)erien*e- He remains
*ons*io2s not of !hat he sa! /2t of the effe*t it )rod2*ed and th2s /elie.es that it all *ame
to him of its o!n a**ords- Ho! m2*h in life o**2rs in s2*h a !a5J Ho! great is the )art
)la5ed in o2r life /5 things !e hear and learn !itho2t o2r *ons*io2sl5 reali7ing the
*onne*tionJ Someone for instan*e *annot /ear a *ertain *olor /2t does not reali7e that this is
d2e
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to the fa*t that the s*hoolmaster !ho 2sed to !orr5 him man5 5ears ago !ore a *oat of that
*olor- Inn2mera/le ill2sions are /ased 2)on s2*h asso*iations- 9an5 things lea.e their mark
2)on the so2l !hile remaining o2tside the )ale of *ons*io2sness- The follo!ing ma5 o**2r-
Someone reads in the )a)er a/o2t the death of a !ell+kno!n )erson and forth!ith *laims to
ha.e had a )resentiment of it 5esterda5 altho2gh he had neither heard nor seen an5thing
that might ha.e gi.en rise to s2*h a tho2ght- And indeed it is 62ite tr2e that the tho2ght
o**2rred to him 5esterda5 as tho2gh of its o!n a**ord that this )arti*2lar )erson !o2ld dieA
onl5 one thing es*a)ed his attentionE t!o or three ho2rs /efore this tho2ght o**2rred to him
5esterda5 he !ent to .isit an a*62aintan*eA a ne!s)a)er la5 on the ta/leA he did not a*t2all5
read it /2t his e5es 2n*ons*io2sl5 fell on the anno2n*ement of the dangero2s illness of the
)erson in 62estion- He remained 2n*ons*io2s of the im)ression he had re*ei.ed and 5et this
im)ression res2lted in his )resentiment-
Refle*tion 2)on these matters !ill sho! ho! great is the so2r*e of ill2sion and fantas5
*ontained
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in s2*h asso*iations- It is B2st this so2r*e !hi*h m2st /e dammed 2) /5 all !ho seek to
de.elo) their ten+)etalled lot2s flo!er- <ee)l5 hidden *hara*teristi*s in other so2ls *an /e
)er*ei.ed /5 this organ /2t their tr2th de)ends on the attainment of imm2nit5 from the
a/o.e+mentioned ill2sions- Dor this )2r)ose it is ne*essar5 that the st2dent sho2ld *ontrol
and dominate e.er5thing that seeks to infl2en*e him from o2tside- He sho2ld rea*h the )oint
of reall5 re*ei.ing no im)ressions /e5ond those he !ishes to re*ei.e- This *an onl5 /e
a*hie.ed /5 the de.elo)ment of a )o!erf2l inner lifeA /5 an effort of the !ill he onl5 allo!s
s2*h things to im)ress him to !hi*h his attention is dire*ted and he a*t2all5 e.ades all
im)ressions to !hi*h he does not .ol2ntaril5 res)ond- If he sees something it is /e*a2se he
!ills to see it and if he does not .ol2ntaril5 take noti*e of something it is a*t2all5 non+
e,istent for him- The greater the energ5 and inner a*ti.it5 de.oted to this !ork the more
e,tensi.el5 !ill this fa*2lt5 /e attained- The st2dent m2st a.oid all .a*2o2s ga7ing and
me*hani*al listening- Dor him onl5 those things e,ist to !hi*h he t2rns his e5e or his ear- He
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m2st )ra*ti*e the )o!er of hearing nothing e.en in the greatest dist2r/an*e if he does not
!ill to hearA and he m2st make his e5es 2nim)ressiona/le to things of !hi*h he does not
)arti*2larl5 take noti*e- He m2st /e shielded as /5 an inner armor against all 2n*ons*io2s
im)ressions- In this *onne*tion the st2dent m2st de.ote s)e*ial *are to his tho2ght+life- He
singles o2t a )arti*2lar tho2ght and endea.ors to link !ith it onl5 s2*h other tho2ghts as he
*an himself *ons*io2sl5 and .ol2ntaril5 )rod2*e- He reBe*ts all *as2al ideas and does not
*onne*t this tho2ght !ith another 2ntil he has in.estigated the origin of the latter- He goes
still f2rther- If for instan*e he feels a )arti*2lar anti)ath5 for something he !ill *om/at it
and endea.or to esta/lish a *ons*io2s relation /et!een himself and the thing in 62estion- In
this !a5 the 2n*ons*io2s elements that intr2de into his so2l !ill /e*ome fe!er and fe!er-
Onl5 /5 s2*h se.ere self+dis*i)line *an the ten+)etalled lot2s flo!er attain its )ro)er form-
The st2dentCs inner life m2st /e*ome a life of attention and he m2st learn reall5 to hold at a
distan*e e.er5thing to !hi*h he sho2ld not or does not !ish to dire*t his attention-
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If this stri*t self+dis*i)line /e a**om)anied /5 meditation as )res*ri/ed in esoteri* training
the lot2s flo!er in the region of the )it of the stoma*h *omes to mat2rit5 in the right !a5 and
light and *olor of a s)irit2al kind are no! added to the form and !armth )er*e)ti/le to the
organs des*ri/ed a/o.e- The talents and fa*2lties of other /eings are there/5 re.ealed also
the for*es and the hidden attri/2tes of nat2re- The *olored a2ra of li.ing *reat2res then
/e*omes .isi/leA all that is aro2nd 2s manifests its s)irit2al attri/2tes- It m2st /e 2nderstood
that the .er5 greatest *are is ne*essar5 at this stage of de.elo)ment for the )la5 of
2n*ons*io2s memories is here e,*eedingl5 a*ti.e- If this !ere not the *ase man5 )eo)le
!o2ld )ossess this inner sense for it *omes almost immediatel5 into e.iden*e !hen the
im)ressions deli.ered /5 the o2ter senses are held so *om)letel5 2nder *ontrol that the5
/e*ome de)endent on nothing sa.e attention or inattention- This inner sense remains
ineffe*ti.e as long as the )o!erf2l o2ter sense smother and /en2m/ it-
Still greater diffi*2lt5 attends the de.elo)ment of the si,+)etalled lot2s flo!er sit2ated in the
*enter of the /od5 for it *an onl5 /e a*hie.ed as
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the res2lt of *om)lete master5 and *ontrol of the !hole )ersonalit5 thro2gh *ons*io2sness of
self so that /od5 so2l and s)irit form one harmonio2s !hole- The f2n*tions of the /od5 the
in*linations and )assions of the so2l the tho2ghts and ideas of the s)irit m2st /e t2ned to
)erfe*t 2nison- The /od5 m2st /e so enno/led and )2rified that its organs in*ite to nothing
that is not in the ser.i*e of so2l and s)irit- The so2l m2st not /e im)elled thro2gh the /od5 to
l2sts and )assions !hi*h are antagonisti* to )2re and no/le tho2ght- "et the s)irit m2st not
stand like a sla.e+dri.er o.er the so2l dominating it !ith la!s and *ommandmentsA the so2l
m2st rather learn to o/e5 these la!s and d2ties o2t of its o!n free in*lination- The st2dent
m2st not feel d2t5 to /e an o))ressi.e )o!er to !hi*h he 2n!illingl5 s2/mits /2t rather
something !hi*h he )erforms o2t of lo.e- His task is to de.elo) a free so2l that maintains
e62ili/ri2m /et!een /od5 and s)irit and he m2st )erfe*t himself in this !a5 to the e,tent of
/eing free to a/andon himself to the f2n*tions of the senses for these sho2ld /e so )2rified
that the5 lose the )o!er to drag him do!n to their le.el- He m2st no longer re62ire
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to *2r/ his )assions in as m2*h as the5 of their o!n a**ord follo! the good- So long as self+
*hastisement is ne*essar5 no one *an )ass a *ertain stage of esoteri* de.elo)mentA for a .irt2e
)ra*ti*ed 2nder *onstraint if f2tile- If there is an5 l2st remaining it interferes !ith esoteri*
de.elo)ment ho!e.er great the effort made not to h2mor it- Nor does it matter !hether this
desire )ro*eeds from the so2l or the /od5- Dor e,am)le if a *ertain stim2lant /e a.oided for
the )2r)ose of self+)2rifi*ation this de)ri.ation !ill onl5 )ro.e hel)f2l if the /od5 s2ffers no
harm from it- Sho2ld the *ontrar5 to /e the *ase this )ro.es that the /od5 *ra.es the
stim2lant and that a/stinen*e from it is of no .al2e- In this *ase it ma5 a*t2all5 /e a 62estion
of reno2n*ing the ideal to /e attained 2ntil more fa.ora/le )h5si*al *onditions )erha)s in
another life shall /e forth*oming- A !ise ren2n*iation ma5 /e a far greater a*hie.ement than
the str2ggle for something !hi*h 2nder gi.en *onditions remains 2nattaina/le- Indeed a
ren2n*iation of this kind *ontri/2tes more to!ard de.elo)ment than the o))osite *o2rse-
The si,+)etalled lot2s flo!er !hen de.elo)ed
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)ermits inter*o2rse !ith /eings of higher !orlds tho2gh onl5 !hen their e,isten*e is
manifested in the astral or so2l+!orld- The de.elo)ment of this lot2s flo!er ho!e.er is not
ad.isa/le 2nless the st2dent has made great )rogress on that )ath of esoteri* de.elo)ment
!hi*h ena/les him to raise his s)irit into a still higher !orld- This entr5 into the s)irit2al
!orld )ro)er m2st al!a5s r2n )arallel !ith the de.elo)ment of the lot2s flo!ers other!ise
the st2dent !ill fall into error and *onf2sion- He !o2ld 2ndo2/tedl5 /e a/le to see /2t he
!o2ld remain in*a)a/le of forming a *orre*t estimate of !hat he sa!- No! the de.elo)ment
of the si,+)etalled lot2s flo!er itself )ro.ides a *ertain se*2rit5 against *onf2sion and
insta/ilit5 for no one *an /e easil5 *onf2sed !ho has attained )erfe*t e62ili/ri2m /et!een
sense (or /od5) )assion (or so2l) and idea (or s)irit)- And 5et something more than this
se*2rit5 is re62ired !hen thro2gh the de.elo)ment of the si,+)etalled lot2s flo!er li.ing
/eings of inde)endent e,isten*e are re.ealed to his s)irit /eings /elonging to a !orld so
*om)letel5 different from the !orld kno!n to his )h5si*al senses- The de.elo)ment
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of the lot2s flo!ers alone does not ass2re s2ffi*ient se*2rit5 in these higher !orldsA still
higher organs are ne*essar5- The latter !ill no! /e des*ri/ed /efore the remaining lot2s
flo!ers and the f2rther organi7ation of the so2l+/od5 are dis*2ssed- (This e,)ression++so2l+
/od5++altho2gh o/.io2sl5 *ontradi*tor5 !hen taken literall5 is 2sed /e*a2se to *lair.o5ant
)er*e)tion the im)ression re*ei.ed s)irit2all5 *orres)onds to the im)ression re*ei.ed
)h5si*all5 !hen the )h5si*al /od5 is )er*ei.ed-)
The de.elo)ment of the so2l+/od5 in the manner des*ri/ed a/o.e )ermits )er*e)tion in a
s2)ersensi/le !orld /2t an5one !ishing to find his !a5 in this !orld m2st not remain
stationar5 at this stage of de.elo)ment- The mere mo/ilit5 of the lot2s flo!ers is not
s2ffi*ient- The st2dent m2st a*62ire the )o!er of reg2lating and *ontrolling the mo.ement of
his s)irit2al organs inde)endentl5 and !ith *om)lete *ons*io2snessA other!ise he !o2ld
/e*ome a )la5thing for e,ternal for*es and )o!ers- To a.oid this he m2st a*62ire the fa*2lt5
of hearing !hat is *alled the inner !orld and this in.ol.es the de.elo)ment not onl5 of the
so2l+/od5 /2t also of the etheri*
#)- $H4(
/od5- The latter is that ten2o2s /od5 re.ealed to the *lair.o5ant as a kind of do2/le of the
)h5si*al /od5 and forms to a *ertain e,tent an intermediate ste) /et!een the so2l nat2re and
the )h5si*al /od5- (See the des*ri)tion on the a2thorCs /ook Theoso)h5-) It is )ossi/le for one
e62i))ed !ith *lair.o5ant )o!ers *ons*io2sl5 to s2ggest a!a5 the )h5si*al /od5 of a
)erson- This *orres)onds on a higher )lane to an e,er*ise in attenti.eness on a lo!er )lane-
I2st as a )erson *an di.ert his attention from something in front of him so that it /e*omes
non+e,istent for him the *lair.o5ant *an e,ting2ish a )h5si*al /od5 from his field of
o/ser.ation so that it /e*omes )h5si*all5 trans)arent to him- If he e,erts this fa*2lt5 in the
*ase of some )erson standing /efore him there remains .isi/le to his *lair.o5ant sight onl5
the etheri* /od5 /esides the so2l+/od5 !hi*h is larger than the other t!o++etheri* and
)h5si*al /odies++and inter)enetrates them /oth- The etheri* /od5 has a))ro,imatel5 the si7e
and form of the )h5si*al /od5 so that it )ra*ti*all5 fills the same s)a*e- It is an e,tremel5
deli*ate and finel5 organi7ed str2*t2re- (I /eg the )h5si*ist not to /e dist2r/ed at the
e,)ression Fetheri*
#)- $H&(
/od5F- The !ord ether here is merel5 2sed to s2ggest the fineness of the /od5 in 62estion
and need not in an5 !a5 /e *onne*ted !ith the h5)otheti*al ether of )h5si*s-)
Its gro2nd+*olor is different from an5 of the se.en *olors *ontained in the rain/o!- An5one
*a)a/le of o/ser.ing it !ill find a *olor !hi*h is a*t2all5 non+e,istent for sense )er*e)tion
/2t to !hi*h the *olor of the 5o2ng )ea*h+/lossom ma5 /e *om)ara/le- If desired the etheri*
/od5 *an /e e,amined aloneA for this )2r)ose the so2l+/od5 m2st /e e,ting2ished /5 an
effort of attenti.eness in the manner des*ri/ed a/o.e- Other!ise the etheri* /od5 !ill )resent
an e.er *hanging )i*t2re o!ing to its inter)enetration /5 the so2l+/od5-
No! the )arti*les of the etheri* /od5 are in *ontin2al motion- Co2ntless *2rrents stream
thro2gh it in e.er5 dire*tion- :5 these *2rrents life itself is maintained and reg2lated- E.er5
/od5 that has life in*l2ding animals and )lants )ossesses an etheri* /od5- E.en in minerals
tra*es of it *an /e o/ser.ed- These *2rrents and mo.ements are to /egin !ith inde)endent of
h2man !ill and *ons*io2sness B2st as the a*tion of the
#)- $HG(
heart or stoma*h is /e5ond o2r B2risdi*tion and this inde)enden*e remains 2naltered so long
as !e do not take o2r de.elo)ment in hand in the sense of a*62iring s2)ersensi/le fa*2lties-
Dor at a *ertain stage de.elo)ment *onsists )re*isel5 in adding to the 2n*ons*io2s *2rrents
and mo.ements of the etheri* /od5 others that are *ons*io2sl5 )rod2*ed and *ontrolled-
When esoteri* de.elo)ment has )rogressed so far that the lot2s flo!ers /egin to stir m2*h
has alread5 /een a*hie.ed /5 the st2dent !hi*h *an res2lt in the formation of *ertain 62ite
definite *2rrents and mo.ements in his etheri* /od5- The o/Be*t of this de.elo)ment is the
formation of a kind of *enter in the region of the )h5si*al heart from !hi*h radiate *2rrents
and mo.ements in the greatest )ossi/le .ariet5 of *olors and forms- The *enter is in realit5
not a mere )oint /2t a most *om)li*ated str2*t2re a most !onderf2l organ- It glo!s and
shimmers !ith e.er5 shade of *olor and dis)la5s forms of great s5mmetr5 *a)a/le of ra)id
transformation- Other forms and streams of *olor radiate from this organ to the other )arts of
the /od5 and /e5ond it to the astral /od5 *om)letel5 )enetrating and ill2minating
#)- $HH(
it- The most im)ortant of these *2rrents flo! to the lot2s flo!ers- The5 )ermeate ea*h )etal
and reg2late its re.ol2tionsA then streaming o2t at the )oints of the )etals the5 lose
themsel.es in o2ter s)a*e- The higher the de.elo)ment of a )erson the greater the
*ir*2mferen*e to !hi*h these ra5s e,tend-
The t!el.e+)etalled lot2s flo!er has a )arti*2larl5 *lose *onne*tion !ith this *entral organ-
The *2rrents flo! dire*tl5 into it and thro2gh it )ro*eeding on the one side to the si,teen and
the t!o+)etalled lot2s flo!ers and on the other the lo!er side to the flo!ers of eight si,
and fo2r )etals- It is for this reason that the .er5 greatest *are m2st /e de.oted to the
de.elo)ment of the t!el.e+)etalled lot2s for an im)erfe*tion in the latter !o2ld res2lt in
irreg2lar formation of the !hole str2*t2re- The a/o.e !ill gi.e an idea of the deli*ate and
intimate nat2re of esoteri* training and of the a**2ra*5 needed if the de.elo)ment is to /e
reg2lar and *orre*t- It !ill also /e e.ident /e5ond do2/t that dire*tions for the de.elo)ment
of s2)ersensi/le fa*2lties *an onl5 /e the *on*ern of those !ho ha.e themsel.es e,)erien*ed
e.er5thing !hi*h the5 )ro)ose to
#)- $H'(
a!aken in others and !ho are 2n62estiona/l5 in a )osition to kno! !hether the dire*tions
the5 gi.e lead to the e,a*t res2lts desired- If the st2dent follo!s the dire*tions that ha.e /een
gi.en him he introd2*es into his etheri* /od5 *2rrents and mo.ements !hi*h are in
harmon5 !ith the la!s and the e.ol2tion of the !orld to !hi*h he /elongs- Conse62entl5
these instr2*tions are refle*tions of the great la!s of *osmi* e.ol2tion- The5 *onsist of the
a/o.e+mentioned and similar e,er*ises in meditation and *on*entration !hi*h if *orre*tl5
)ra*ti*ed )rod2*e the res2lts des*ri/ed- The st2dent m2st at *ertain times let these
instr2*tions )ermeate his so2l !ith their *ontent so that he is in!ardl5 entirel5 filled !ith it-
A sim)le start is made !ith a .ie! to the dee)ening of the logi*al a*ti.it5 of the mind and the
)rod2*ing of an in!ard intensifi*ation of tho2ght- Tho2ght it there/5 made free and
inde)endent of all sense im)ressions and e,)erien*esA it is *on*entrated in one )oint !hi*h is
held entirel5 2nder *ontrol- Th2s a )reliminar5 *enter is formed for the *2rrents of the etheri*
/od5- This *enter is not 5et in the region of the heart /2t in the head and it a))ears to the
*lair.o5ant
#)- $H=(
as the )oint of de)art2re for mo.ements and *2rrents- No esoteri* training *an /e s2**essf2l
!hi*h does not first *reate this *enter- If the latter !ere first formed in the region of the heart
the as)iring *lair.o5ant !o2ld do2/tless o/tain glim)ses of the higher !orlds /2t !o2ld
la*k all tr2e insight into the *onne*tion /et!een these higher !orlds and the !orld of o2r
senses- This ho!e.er is an 2n*onditional ne*essit5 for man at the )resent stage of e.ol2tion-
The *lair.o5ant m2st not /e*ome a .isionar5A he m2st retain a firm footing 2)on the earth-
The *enter in the head on*e d2l5 fi,ed is then mo.ed lo!er do!n to the region of the
lar5n,- This is effe*ted /5 f2rther e,er*ises in *on*entration- Then the *2rrents of the etheri*
/od5 radiate from this )oint and ill2mine the astral s)a*e s2rro2nding the indi.id2al-
Contin2ed )ra*ti*e ena/les the st2dent to determine for himself the )osition of this etheri*
/od5- Hitherto this )osition de)ended 2)on e,ternal for*es )ro*eeding from the )h5si*al
/od5- Thro2gh f2rther de.elo)ment the st2dent is a/le to t2rn his etheri* /od5 to all sides-
This fa*2lt5 is effe*ted /5 *2rrents mo.ing a))ro,imatel5
#)- $H%(
along /oth hands and *entered in the t!o+)etalled lot2s in the region of the e5es- All this is
made )ossi/le thro2gh the radiations from the lar5n, ass2ming ro2nd forms of !hi*h a
n2m/er flo! to the t!o+)etalled lot2s and then*e form 2nd2lating *2rrents along the hands-
As a f2rther de.elo)ment these *2rrents /ran*h o2t and ramif5 in the most deli*ate manner
and /e*ome as it !ere a kind of !e/ !hi*h then en*om)asses the entire etheri* /od5 as
tho2gh !ith a net!ork- Whereas hitherto the etheri* /od5 !as not *losed to the o2ter !orld
so that the life *2rrents from the 2ni.ersal o*ean of life flo!ed freel5 in and o2t these
*2rrents no! ha.e to )ass thro2gh this mem/rane- Th2s the indi.id2al /e*omes sensiti.e to
these e,ternal streamsA the5 /e*ome )er*e)ti/le to him-
And no! the time has *ome to gi.e the *om)lete s5stem of *2rrents and mo.ements its
*enter sit2ated in the region of the heart- This again is effe*ted /5 )erse.ering !ith the
e,er*ises in *on*entration and meditationA and at this )oint also the stage is rea*hed !hen the
st2dent /e*omes gifted !ith the inner !ord- All things no! a*62ire a ne! signifi*an*e for
him- The5 /e*ome
#)- $'1(
as it !ere s)irit2all5 a2di/le in their innermost self and s)eak to him of their essential /eing-
The *2rrents des*ri/ed a/o.e )la*e him in to2*h !ith the inner /eing of the !orld to !hi*h
he /elongs- He /egins to mingle his life !ith the life of his en.ironment and *an let it
re.er/erate in the mo.ements of his lot2s flo!ers-
At this )oint the s)irit2al !orld is entered- If the st2dent has ad.an*ed so far he a*62ires a
ne! 2nderstanding for all that the great tea*hers of h2manit5 ha.e 2ttered- The sa5ings of
the :2ddha and the 8os)els for instan*e )rod2*e a ne! effe*t on him- The5 )er.ade him
!ith a ra)t2re of !hi*h he had not dreamed /efore- Dor the tone of their !ords follo!s the
mo.ements and rh5thms !hi*h he has himself formed !ithin himself- He *an no! ha.e
)ositi.e kno!ledge that a :2ddha or the E.angelists did not 2tter their o!n re.elations /2t
those !hi*h flo!ed into them from the inmost /eing of all things- A fa*t m2st here /e )ointed
o2t !hi*h *an onl5 /e 2nderstood in the light of !hat has /een said a/o.e- The man5
re)etitions in the sa5ings of the :2ddha are not *om)rehensi/le to )eo)le of o2r )resent
e.ol2tionar5 stage- Dor the esoteri* st2dent
#)- $'$(
ho!e.er the5 /e*ome a for*e on !hi*h he gladl5 lets his inner senses rest for the5
*orres)ond !ith *ertain mo.ements in the etheri* /od5- <e.otional s2rrender to them !ith
)erfe*t inner )ea*e *reates an inner harmon5 !ith these mo.ementsA and /e*a2se the latter
are an image of *ertain *osmi* rh5thms !hi*h also at *ertain )oints re)eat themsel.es and
re.ert to former modes the st2dent listening to the !isdom of the :2ddha 2nites his life !ith
that of the *osmi* m5steries-
In esoteri* training there is 62estion of fo2r attri/2tes !hi*h m2st /e a*62ired on the so+
*alled )re)arator5 )ath for the attainment of higher kno!ledge- The first is the fa*2lt5 of
dis*riminating in tho2ghts /et!een tr2th and a))earan*e or mere o)inion- The se*ond
attri/2te is the *orre*t estimation of !hat is in!ardl5 tr2e and real as against !hat is merel5
a))arent- The third rests in the )ra*ti*e of the si, 62alities alread5 mentioned in the
)re*eding )agesE tho2ght+*ontrol *ontrol of a*tions )erse.eran*e toleran*e faith and
e62animit5- The fo2rth attri/2te is the lo.e of inner freedom-
A mere intelle*t2al 2nderstanding of !hat is
#)- $'0(
in*l2ded in these attri/2tes is of no .al2e- The5 m2st /e so in*or)orated into the so2l that
the5 form the /asis of inner ha/its- Consider for instan*e the first of these attri/2tesE The
dis*rimination /et!een tr2th and a))earan*e- The st2dent m2st so train himself that as a
matter of *o2rse he disting2ishes in e.er5thing that *onfronts him /et!een the non+essential
elements and those that are signifi*ant and essential- He !ill onl5 s2**eed in this if in his
o/ser.ation of the o2ter !orld he 62ietl5 and )atientl5 e.er and again re)eats the attem)t-
And at the end he !ill nat2rall5 single o2t the essential and the tr2e at a glan*e !hereas
formerl5 the non+essential the transient too *o2ld *ontent him- FAll that is transient is /2t a
seemingF #LL( is a tr2th !hi*h /e*omes an 2n62estiona/le *on.i*tion of the so2l- The same
a))lies to the remaining three of the fo2r attri/2tes mentioned-
No! these fo2r inner ha/its do a*t2all5 )rod2*e a transformation of the deli*ate h2man
etheri* /od5- :5 the first dis*rimination /et!een tr2th and a))earan*e the *enter in the
head alread5
#)- $'4(
des*ri/ed is formed and the *enter in the region of the lar5n, )re)ared- The a*t2al
de.elo)ment of these *enters is of *o2rse de)endent on the e,er*ises in *on*entration
des*ri/ed a/o.eA the latter make for de.elo)ment and the fo2r attri/2tes /ring to fr2ition-
On*e the *enter in the lar5n, has /een )re)ared the free *ontrol of the etheri* /od5 and its
en*los2re !ithin a net!ork *o.ering as e,)lained a/o.e res2lts from the *orre*t estimation
of !hat is tr2e as against !hat is a))arent and non+essential- If the st2dent a*62ires this
fa*2lt5 of estimation the fa*ts of the higher !orlds !ill grad2all5 /e*ome )er*e)ti/le to him-
:2t he m2st not think that he has to )erform onl5 s2*h a*tions !hi*h a))ear signifi*ant !hen
B2dged /5 the standard of a mere intelle*t2al estimate- The most trifling a*tion e.er5 little
thing a**om)lished has something of im)ortan*e in the great *osmi* ho2sehold and it is
merel5 a 62estion of /eing a!are of this im)ortan*e- A *orre*t estimation of the affairs of
dail5 life is re62ired not an 2nderestimation of them- The si, .irt2es of !hi*h the third
attri/2te *onsists ha.e alread5 /een dealt !ithA the5 are *onne*ted !ith the de.elo)ment of
the t!el.e+)etalled
#)- $'&(
lot2s in the region of the heart and as alread5 indi*ated it is to this *enter that the life+
*2rrents of the etheri* /od5 m2st /e dire*ted- The fo2rth attri/2te the longing for li/eration
ser.es to /ring to fr2ition the etheri* organ in the heart region- On*e this attri/2te /e*omes an
inner ha/it the indi.id2al frees himself from e.er5thing !hi*h de)ends onl5 2)on the
fa*2lties of his o!n )ersonal nat2re- He *eases to .ie! things from his o!n se)arate
stand)oint and the /o2ndaries of his o!n narro! self fettering him to this )oint of .ie!
disa))ear- The se*rets of the s)irit2al !orld gain a**ess to his inner self- This is li/eration- Dor
those fetters *onstrain the indi.id2al to regard tings and /eings in a manner *orres)onding to
his o!n )ersonal traits- It is from this )ersonal manner of regarding things that the st2dent
m2st /e*ome li/erated and free-
It !ill /e *lear from the a/o.e that the instr2*tions gi.en in esoteri* training e,ert a
determining infl2en*e rea*hing the innermost de)ths of h2man nat2re- S2*h are the
instr2*tions regarding the fo2r 62alities mentioned a/o.e- The5 *an /e fo2nd in one form or
another in all the great *osmogonies that take a**o2nt of the
#)- $'G(
s)irit2al !orld- The fo2nders of the great *osmogonies did not gi.e mankind these tea*hings
from some .ag2e feeling- The5 ga.e them for the good reason that the5 !ere great initiates-
O2t of their kno!ledge did the5 sha)e their moral tea*hings- The5 kne! ho! these !o2ld
a*t 2)on the finer nat2re of man and desired that their follo!ers sho2ld grad2all5 a*hie.e
the de.elo)ment of this finer nat2re- To li.e in the sense of these great *osmogonies means to
!ork for the attainment of )ersonal s)irit2al )erfe*tion- Onl5 /5 so doing *an man /e*ome a
ser.ant of the !orld and of h2manit5- Self+)erfe*tion is /5 no means self+seeking for the
im)erfe*t man is an im)erfe*t ser.ant of the !orld and of h2manit5- The more )erfe*t a man
is the /etter does he ser.e the !orld- FIf the rose adorns itself it adorns the garden-F
The fo2nders of the great *osmogonies are therefore the great initiates- Their tea*hing flo!s
into the so2l of men and th2s !ith h2manit5 the !hole !orld mo.es for!ard- K2ite
*ons*io2sl5 did the5 !ork to f2rther this e.ol2tionar5 )ro*ess of h2manit5- Their tea*hings
*an onl5 /e 2nderstood if it /e remem/ered that the5
#)- $'H(
are the )rod2*t of kno!ledge of the innermost de)ths of h2man nat2re- The great initiates
kne! and it is o2t of their kno!ledge that the5 sha)ed the ideals of h2manit5- And man
a))roa*hes these great leaders !hen he 2)lifts himself in his o!n de.elo)ment to their
heights-
A *om)letel5 ne! life o)ens o2t /efore the st2dent !hen the de.elo)ment of his etheri* /od5
/egins in the !a5 des*ri/ed a/o.e and at the )ro)er time in the *o2rse of his training he
m2st re*ei.e that enlightenment !hi*h ena/les him to ada)t himself to this ne! e,isten*e-
The si,teen+)etalled lot2s for instan*e ena/les him to )er*ei.e s)irit2al fig2res of a higher
!orld- He m2st learn no! ho! different these fig2res *an /e !hen *a2sed /5 different
o/Be*ts or /eings- In the first )la*e he m2st noti*e that his o!n tho2ghts and feelings e,ert a
)o!erf2l infl2en*e on *ertain of these fig2res on others little or no infl2en*e- One kind of
fig2re alters immediatel5 if the o/ser.er 2)on seeing it sa5s to himselfE Fthat is /ea2tif2lF
and then in the *o2rse of his o/ser.ation *hanges this tho2ght toE Fthat is 2sef2l-F It is
*hara*teristi* of the forms )ro*eeding from minerals or from artifi*ial o/Be*ts that the5 *hange
#)- $''(
2nder the infl2en*e of e.er5 tho2ght and e.er5 feeling dire*ted 2)on them /5 the o/ser.er-
This a))lies in a lesser degree to the forms /elonging to )lants and still less to those
*orres)onding to animals- These fig2res too are f2ll of life and motion /2t this motion is
onl5 )artiall5 d2e to the infl2en*e of h2man tho2ghts and feelingsA in other res)e*ts it is
)rod2*ed /5 *a2ses !hi*h are /e5ond h2man infl2en*e- No! there a))ears !ithin this
!hole !orld a s)e*ies of form !hi*h remains almost entirel5 2naffe*ted /5 h2man infl2en*e-
The st2dent *an *on.in*e himself that these forms )ro*eed neither from minerals nor from
artifi*ial o/Be*ts nor again from )lants or animals- To gain *om)lete 2nderstanding he m2st
st2d5 those forms !hi*h he *an reali7e to ha.e )ro*eeded from the feelings instin*ts and
)assions of h2man /eings- "et he *an find that these forms too are infl2en*ed /5 his o!n
tho2ghts and feelings if onl5 to a relati.el5 small e,tent- :2t there al!a5s remains a
resid22m of forms in this !orld 2)on !hi*h s2*h infl2en*es are negligi/le- Indeed at the
o2tset of this *areer the st2dent *an )er*ei.e little /e5ond this resid22m- He *an onl5
dis*o.er its nat2re /5 o/ser.ing
#)- $'=(
himself- He then learns !hat forms he himself )rod2*es for his !ill his !ishes and so on
are e,)ressed in these forms- An instin*t that d!ells in him a desire that fills him an
intention that he har/ors and so forth are all manifested in these formsE his !hole *hara*ter
dis)la5s itself in this !orld of forms- Th2s /5 his *ons*io2s tho2ghts and feelings a )erson
*an e,er*ise an infl2en*e on all forms !hi*h do not )ro*eed from himselfA /2t o.er those
!hi*h he /rings a/o2t in the higher !orld on*e he has *reated them- No! it follo!s from
!hat has /een said that on this higher )lan manCs inner life of instin*ts desires ideas dis)la5s
itself o2t!ardl5 in definite forms B2st like all the other /eings and o/Be*ts- To higher
kno!ledge the inner !orld a))ears as )art of the o2ter !orld- In a higher !orld manCs inner
/eing *onfronts him as a refle*ted image B2st as tho2gh in the )h5si*al !orld he !ere
s2rro2nded /5 mirrors and *o2ld o/ser.e his )h5si*al /od5 in that !a5-
At this stage of de.elo)ment the st2dent has rea*hed the )oint !here he *an free himself
from the ill2sion res2lting from the initiation of his
#)- $'%(
)ersonal self- He *an no! o/ser.e that inner self as o2ter !orld B2st as he hitherto regarded
as o2ter !orld e.er5thing that affe*ted his senses- Th2s he learns /5 grad2al e,)erien*e to
deal !ith himself as hitherto he dealt !ith the /eings aro2nd him-
Were the st2dent to o/tain an insight into these s)irit2al !orlds !itho2t s2ffi*ient
)re)aration regarding their nat2re he !o2ld find himself *onfronted /5 the )i*t2re of his
o!n so2l as tho2gh /5 an enigma- There his o!n desires and )assions *onfront him in animal
or more rarel5 in h2man forms- It is tr2e that animal forms of this !orld are ne.er 62ite
similar to those of the )h5si*al !orld 5et the5 )ossess a remote resem/lan*eE ine,)ert
o/ser.ers often take them to /e identi*al- No! 2)on entering this !orld an entirel5 ne!
method of B2dgment m2st /e a*62iredA for a)art from the fa*t that things a*t2all5 )ertaining
to inner nat2re a))ear as o2ter !orld the5 also /ear the *hara*ter of mirrored refle*tions of
!hat the5 reall5 are- When for instan*e a n2m/er is )er*ei.ed it m2st /e read in re.erse as
a )i*t2re in a mirrorE 0HG !o2ld mean here in realit5 GH0- A s)here is )er*ei.ed as
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tho2ght from its *enter- This inner )er*e)tion m2st then /e translated in the right !a5- The
62alities of the so2l a))ear like!ise as in a mirror- A !ish dire*ted to!ard an o2ter o/Be*t
a))ears as a form mo.ing to!ard the )erson !ishing- Passions residing in the lo!er )art of
h2man nat2re *an ass2me animal forms or similar sha)es that h2rl themsel.es against the
indi.id2al- In realit5 these )assions are headed o2t!ardA the5 seek satisfa*tion in the o2ter
!orld /2t this stri.ing o2t!ard a))ears in the mirrored refle*tion as an atta*k on the
indi.id2al from !hom the5 )ro*eed-
If the st2dent /efore attaining insight into higher !orlds has learned /5 62iet and sin*ere
self+o/ser.ation to reali7ed the 62alities and the defe*ts of his o!n *hara*ter he !ill then at
the moment !hen his o!n inner self *onfronts him as a mirrored image find strength and
*o2rage to *ond2*t himself in the right !a5- Peo)le !ho ha.e failed to test themsel.es in this
!a5 and are ins2ffi*ientl5 a*62ainted !ith their o!n inner self !ill not re*ogni7e
themsel.es in their o!n mirrored image and !ill mistake it for an alien realit5- Or the5 ma5
/e*ome alarmed at the .ision
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and /e*a2se the5 *annot end2re the sight de*ei.e themsel.es into /elie.ing the !hole thing
is nothing /2t an ill2sion !hi*h *annot lead them an5!here- In either *ase the )erson in
62estion thro2gh )remat2rel5 attaining a *ertain stage of inner de.elo)ment !o2ld fatall5
o/str2*t his o!n )rogress-
It is a/sol2tel5 ne*essar5 that the st2dent sho2ld e,)erien*e this s)irit2al as)e*t of his o!n
inner self /efore )rogressing to higher s)heresA for his o!n self *onstit2tes that )s5*ho+
s)irit2al element of !hi*h he is the /est B2dge- If he has thoro2ghl5 reali7ed the nat2re of his
o!n )ersonalit5 in the )h5si*al !orld and if the image of his )ersonalit5 first a))ears to him
in a higher !orld he is then a/le to *om)are the one !ith the other- He *an refer the higher to
something alread5 kno!n to him so that his )oint of de)art2re is on firm gro2nd- Whereas
no matter ho! man5 other s)irit2al /eings a))eared to him he !o2ld find himself 2na/le to
dis*o.er their nat2re and 62alities and !o2ld soon feel the gro2nd gi.ing !a5 /eneath him-
Th2s is *annot /e too often re)eated that the onl5 safe entran*e into the higher !orlds is at
the end of a
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)ath leading thro2gh a gen2ine kno!ledge and estimate of oneCs o!n nat2re-
Pi*t2res then of a s)irit2al kind are first en*o2ntered /5 the st2dent on his )rogress into
higher !orldsA and the realit5 to !hi*h these )i*t2res *orres)ond is a*t2all5 !ithin himself-
He sho2ld /e far eno2gh ad.an*ed to refrain from desiring realit5 of a more ro/2st kind at
this initial stage and to regard these )i*t2res as timel5- He !ill soon meet something 62ite
ne! !ithin this !orld of )i*t2res- His lo!er self is /efore him as a mirrored imageA /2t from
!ithin this image there a))ears the tr2e realit5 of his higher self- O2t of the )i*t2re of his
lo!er )ersonalit5 the form of the s)irit2al ego /e*omes .isi/le- Then threads are s)2n from
the latter to other and higher s)irit2al realities-
This is the moment !hen the t!o+)etalled lot2s in the region of the e5es is re62ired- If it no!
/egins to stir the st2dent finds it )ossi/le to /ring his higher ego in *onta*t !ith higher
s)irit2al /eings- The *2rrents form this lot2s flo!er flo! to!ard the higher realities in s2*h a
!a5 that the mo.ements in 62estion are f2ll5 a))arent to the indi.id2al- I2st as the light
renders the )h5si*al
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o/Be*ts .isi/le so too these *2rrents dis*lose s)irit2al /eings of higher !orlds-
Thro2gh in!ard a))li*ation to the f2ndamental tr2ths deri.ed from s)irit2al s*ien*e the
st2dent learns to set in motion and then to dire*t the *2rrents )ro*eeding form the lot2s
flo!er /et!een the e5es-
It is at this stage of de.elo)ment es)e*iall5 that the .al2e of so2nd B2dgment and a training in
*lear and logi*al tho2ght *ome to the fore- The higher self !hi*h hitherto sl2m/ered
2n*ons*io2sl5 in an em/r5oni* state is no! /orn into *ons*io2s e,isten*e- This is not a
fig2rati.e /2t a )ositi.e /irth in the s)irit2al !orld and the /eing no! /orn the higher self
m2st enter that !orld !ith all the ne*essar5 organs and a)tit2des if it is to /e *a)a/le of life-
I2st as nat2re m2st )ro.ide for a *hild /eing /orn into the !orld !ith s2ita/le e5es and ears
to too the la!s of self+de.elo)ment m2st )ro.ide for the ne*essar5 *a)a*ities !ith !hi*h the
higher self *an enter e,isten*e- These la!s go.erning the de.elo)ment of the higher s)irit2al
organs are none other than the la!s of so2nd reason and moralit5 of the )h5si*al !orld- The
s)irit2al self mat2res in the
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)h5si*al self as a *hild in the motherCs !om/- The *hildCs health de)ends 2)on the normal
f2n*tioning of nat2ral la!s in the maternal !om/- The *onstit2tion of the s)irit2al self is
similarl5 *onditioned /5 the la!s of *ommon intelligen*e and reason that go.ern )h5si*al
life- No one *an gi.e /irth to a so2ndl5 *onstit2ted higher self !hose life in tho2ght and
feeling in the )h5si*al !orld is not so2nd and health5- Nat2ral rational life is the /asis of all
gen2ine s)irit2al de.elo)ment- I2st as the *hild !hen still in the maternal !om/ li.es in
a**ordan*e !ith the nat2ral for*es to !hi*h it has a**ess after its /irth thro2gh its organs of
sense so too the h2man higher self li.es in a**ordan*e !ith the la!s of the s)irit2al !orld
e.en d2ring )h5si*al e,isten*e- And e.en as the *hild o2t of a dim life instin*t a*62ired the
re62isite for*es so too *an man a*62ire the )o!ers of the s)irit2al !orld /efore his higher
self is /orn- Indeed he m2st do this if the latter is to enter the !orld as a f2ll5 de.elo)ed
/eing- It !o2ld /e 62ite !rong for an5one to sa5E FI *annot a**e)t the tea*hings of s)irit2al
s*ien*e 2ntil I m5self /e*ome a seerF for !itho2t in!ard a))li*ation
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to the res2lts of s)irit2al resear*h there is no *han*e !hate.er of attaining gen2ine higher
kno!ledge- It !o2ld /e as tho2gh a *hild d2ring gestation !ere to ref2se the for*es *oming
to it thro2gh its mother and )ro)osed to !ait 2ntil it *o2ld )ro*2re them for itself- I2st as the
em/r5oni* *hild in its in*i)ient feeling for life learns to a))re*iate !hat is offered to it so *an
the non+seer a))re*iate the tr2th of the tea*hings of s)irit2al s*ien*e- An insight into these
tea*hings /ased on a dee)l5 rooted feeling for tr2th and a *lear so2nd all+aro2nd *riti*al
and reasoning fa*2lt5 are )ossi/le e.en /efore s)irit2al things are a*t2all5 )er*ei.ed- The
esoteri* kno!ledge m2st first /e st2died so that this st2d5 /e*omes a )re)aration for
*lair.o5an*e- A )erson attaining *lair.o5an*e !itho2t s2*h )re)aration !o2ld resem/le a
*hild /orn !ith e5es and ears /2t !itho2t a /rain- The entire !orld of so2nd and *olor !o2ld
dis)la5 itself /efore him /2t he !o2ld /e hel)less in it-
At this stage of his esoteri* de.elo)ment the st2dent reali7es thro2gh )ersonal in!ard
e,)erien*e all that had )re.io2sl5 a))ealed to his sense of tr2th to his intelle*t and reason-
He has no!
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dire*t kno!ledge of his higher self- He learns ho! his higher self is *onne*ted !ith e,alted
s)irit2al /eings and forms !ith them a 2nited !hole- He sees ho! the lo!er self originates in
a higher !orld and it is re.ealed to him ho! his higher nat2re o2tlasts his lo!er- He *an
no! disting2ish the im)erisha/le in himself from the )erisha/leA that is he learns thro2gh
)ersonal insight to 2nderstand the do*trine of the in*arnation of the higher self in the lo!er-
It !ill /e*ome )lain to him that he is )art of a great s)irit2al *om)le, and that his 62alities
and destin5 are d2e to this *onne*tion- He learns to re*ogni7e the la! of his life his karma-
He reali7es that his lo!er self *onstit2ting his )resent e,isten*e is onl5 one of the forms
!hi*h his higher /eing *an ado)t- He dis*erns the )ossi/ilit5 of !orking do!n from his
higher self in his lo!er self so that he ma5 )erfe*t himself e.er more and more- No! too he
*an *om)rehend the great differen*es /et!een h2man /eings in regard to their le.el of
)erfe*tion- He /e*omes a!are that there are others a/o.e him !ho ha.e alread5 tra.ersed
the stages !hi*h still lie /efore him and he reali7es that the tea*hings and deeds of s2*h men
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)ro*eed from the ins)iration of a higher !orld- He o!es this kno!ledge to his first )ersonal
glim)se into this higher !orld- The so+*alled initiates of h2manit5 no! /e*ome .ested !ith
realit5 for him-
These then are the gifts !hi*h the st2dent o!es to his de.elo)ment at this stageE insight into
his higher selfA insight into the do*trine of the in*arnation of this higher /eing in a lo!erA
insight into the la!s /5 !hi*h life in the )h5si*al !orld is reg2lated a**ording to its s)irit2al
*onne*tions that is the la! of karmaA and finall5 insight into the e,isten*e of the great
initiates-
Th2s it is said of a st2dent !ho has rea*hed this stage that all do2/t has .anished from him-
His former faith /ased on reason and so2nd tho2ghts is no! re)la*ed /5 kno!ledge and
insight !hi*h nothing *an 2ndermine- The .ario2s religions ha.e )resented in their
*eremonies sa*raments and rites e,ternall5
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.isi/le )atterns of the higher s)irit2al /eings and e.ents- None /2t those !ho ha.e not
)enetrated to the de)ths of the great religions *an fail to re*ogni7e this fa*t- Personal insight
into s)irit2al realit5 e,)lains the great signifi*an*e of these e,ternall5 .isi/le *2lts- Religio2s
ser.i*e then /e*omes for the seer an image of his o!n *omm2nion !ith the higher s)irit2al
!orld-
It has /een sho!n ho! the st2dent /5 attaining this stage /e*omes in tr2th a ne! /eing- He
*an no! mat2re to still higher fa*2lties and /5 means of the life+*2rrents of his etheri* /od5
*ontrol the higher and a*t2al life+element th2s attaining a high degree of inde)enden*e from
the restri*tions of the )h5si*al /od5-
Dootnotes
M$'0EL FAlles ?ergangli*h ist n2r ein 8lei*hnisF 8oethe Da2st II-

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'I

THE TRANSFORMATION OF DREAM LIFE
AN INTI9ATION that the st2dent has rea*hed or !ill soon rea*h the stage of de.elo)ment
des*ri/ed in the )re*eding *ha)ter !ill /e fo2nd in the *hange !hi*h *omes o.er his dream
life- His dreams hitherto *onf2sed and ha)ha7ard no! /egin to ass2me a more reg2lar
*hara*ter- Their )i*t2res /egin to s2**eed ea*h other in sensi/le *onne*tion like the tho2ghts
and ideas of dail5 life- He *an dis*ern in them la! *a2se and effe*t- The *ontent too of his
dreams is *hanged- While hitherto he dis*erned onl5 reminis*en*es of dail5 life and
transformed im)ressions of his s2rro2ndings or of his )h5si*al *ondition there no! a))ear
/efore him )i*t2res of a !orld he has hitherto not kno!n- At first the general *hara*ter of his
dream life remains
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2n*hanged in as far as dreams are disting2ished from !aking mental a*ti.it5 /5 the
s5m/oli*al )resentation of !hat the5 !ish to e,)ress- No attenti.e o/ser.er of dream life *an
fail to dete*t this *hara*teristi*- Dor instan*e a )erson ma5 dream that he has *a2ght some
horri/le *reat2re and he feels an 2n)leasant sensation in his hand- He !akes to dis*o.er that
he is tightl5 gras)ing a *orner of the /lanket- The tr2th is not )resented to the mind e,*e)t
thro2gh the medi2m of a s5m/oli*al image- A man ma5 dream that he is fl5ing from some
)2rs2er and is stri*ken !ith fear- On !aking he finds that he has /een s2ffering d2ring
slee) from )al)itations of the heart- <is62ieting dreams *an also /e tra*ed to indigesti/le
food- O**2rren*es in the immediate .i*init5 ma5 also refle*t themsel.es s5m/oli*all5 in
dreams- The striking of a *lo*k ma5 e.oke the )i*t2re of a troo) of soldiers mar*hing /5 to
the /eat of dr2ms- A falling *hair ma5 /e the o**asion of a !hole dream drama in !hi*h the
so2nd of the fall is re)rod2*ed as the re)ort of a g2n and so forth- The more reg2lated
dreams of esoteri* st2dents !hose etheri* /od5 has /eg2n its de.elo)ment retain this
s5m/oli*al
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method of e,)ression /2t the5 !ill *ease merel5 to refle*t realit5 *onne*ted !ith the )h5si*al
/od5 and )h5si*al en.ironment- As the dreams d2e to the latter *a2ses /e*ome more
*onne*ted the5 are mingled !ith similar )i*t2res e,)ressing things and e.ents of another
!orld- These are the first e,)erien*es l5ing /e5ond the range of !aking *ons*io2sness-
"et no tr2e m5sti* !ill e.er make his e,)erien*es in dreams the /asis of an5 a2thoritati.e
a**o2nt of the higher !orld- S2*h dreams m2st /e merel5 *onsidered as )ro.iding the first
hint of a higher de.elo)ment- ?er5 soon and as a f2rther res2lt the st2dentCs dreams !ill no
longer remain /e5ond the rea*h of intelle*t2al g2idan*e as heretofore /2t on the *ontrar5
!ill /e mentall5 *ontrolled and s2)er.ised like the im)ressions and *on*e)tions of !aking
*ons*io2sness- The differen*e /et!een dream and !aking *ons*io2sness gro!s e.er smaller-
The dreamer remains a!ake in the f2llest sense of the !ord d2ring his dream lifeA that is he
is a!are of his master5 and *ontrol o.er his o!n .i.id mental a*ti.it5-
<2ring o2r dreams !e are a*t2all5 in a !orld other than that of o2r sensesA /2t !ith
2nde.elo)ed
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s)irit2al organs !e *an form none other than the *onf2sed *on*e)tions of it des*ri/ed a/o.e-
It is onl5 in so far )resent for 2s as for instan*e the !orld of sense *o2ld /e for a /eing
e62i))ed !ith no more than r2dimentar5 e5es- That is !h5 !e *an see nothing in this !orld
/2t *o2nterfeits and refle*tions of dail5 life- The latter are )er*e)ti/le to 2s /e*a2se o2r o!n
so2l )aints its dail5 e,)erien*es in )i*torial form into the s2/stan*e of !hi*h that other !orld
*onsists- It m2st /e *learl5 2nderstood that in addition to o2r ordinar5 *ons*io2s !ork+a+da5
life !e lead a se*ond 2n*ons*io2s life in that other !orld- We engra.e in it all o2r tho2ghts
and )er*e)tions- These tra*ings onl5 /e*ome .isi/le !hen the lot2s flo!ers are de.elo)ed-
No! in e.er5 h2man /eing there are slender r2diments of these lot2s flo!ers- We *annot
)er*ei.e /5 means of them d2ring !aking *ons*io2sness /e*a2se the im)ressions made on
them are .er5 faint- We *annot see the stars d2ring the da5time for a similar reasonE their
.isi/ilit5 is e,ting2ished /5 the might5 glare of the s2n- Th2s too the faint s)irit2al
im)ressions *annot make themsel.es felt in the fa*e
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of the )o!erf2l im)ressions re*ei.ed thro2gh the senses-
No! !hen the gate of the senses is *losed d2ring slee) these other im)ressions /egin to
emerge *onf2sedl5 and the dreamer /e*omes a!are of e,)erien*es in another !orld- :2t as
alread5 e,)lained these e,)erien*es *onsist at first merel5 of )i*t2res engra.ed in the
s)irit2al !orld /5 o2r mental a*ti.it5 atta*hed to the )h5si*al senses- Onl5 de.elo)ed lot2s
flo!ers make it )ossi/le for manifestations not deri.ed from the )h5si*al !orld to /e
im)rinted in the same !a5- And then the etheri* /od5 !hen de.elo)ed /rings f2ll
kno!ledge *on*erning these engra.ed im)ressions deri.ed from other !orlds-
This is the /eginning of life and a*ti.it5 in a ne! !orld and at this )oint esoteri* training
m2st set the st2dent a t!ofold task- To /egin !ith he m2st learn to take sto*k of e.er5thing
he o/ser.es in his dreams e,a*tl5 as tho2gh he !ere a!ake- Then if s2**essf2l in this he is
led to make the same o/ser.ations d2ring ordinar5 !aking *ons*io2sness- He !ill so train his
attention and re*e)ti.it5 for these s)irit2al im)ressions
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that the5 need no longer .anish in the fa*e of the )h5si*al im)ressions /2t !ill al!a5s /e at
hand for him and rea*h him in addition to the others-
When the st2dent has a*62ired this fa*2lt5 there arises /efore his s)irit2al e5es something of
the )i*t2re des*ri/ed in the )re*eding *ha)ter and he *an hen*eforth dis*ern all that the
s)irit2al !orld *ontains as the *a2se of the )h5si*al !orld- A/o.e all things he *an )er*ei.e
and gain kno!ledge of his o!n higher self in this !orld- The ne,t task no! *onfronting him
is to gro! as it !ere into this higher self that is reall5 to regard it as his o!n tr2e self and to
a*t a**ordingl5- He reali7es e.er more *learl5 and intensel5 that his )h5si*al /od5 and !hat
he hitherto *alled his FIF are merel5 the instr2ments of his higher self- He ado)ts an attit2de
to!ard his lo!er self s2*h as a )erson limited to the !orld of the senses ado)ts to!ard some
instr2ment or .ehi*le that ser.es him- No one in*l2des as )art of himself the .ehi*le in !hi*h
he is tra.eling e.en tho2gh he sa5sE FI tra.elFA so too !hen an in!ardl5 de.elo)ed )erson
sa5sE FI go thro2gh the doorF his a*t2al *on*e)tion isE FI *arr5 m5 /od5
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thro2gh the door-F Onl5 this m2st /e*ome a nat2ral *on*e)t for him so that he ne.er for a
moment loses his firm footing in the )h5si*al !orld or feels estranged from it- If the st2dent
is to a.oid /e*oming a fantasti* .isionar5 he m2st not im)o.erish his life thro2gh his higher
*ons*io2sness /2t on the *ontrar5 enri*h it as a )erson enri*hes his life /5 2sing the rail!a5
and not merel5 his legs to *o.er a *ertain distan*e-
When the st2dent has th2s raised himself to a life in the higher ego or rather d2ring his
a*62isition of the higher *ons*io2sness he !ill learn ho! to stir to life the s)irit2al )er*e)ti.e
for*e in the organ of the heart and *ontrol it thro2gh the *2rrents des*ri/ed in the foregoing
*ha)ter- This )er*e)ti.e for*e is an element of higher s2staina/ilit5 !hi*h )ro*eeds from the
organ in 62estion and flo!s !ith /ea2tif2l radian*e thro2gh the mo.ing lot2s flo!ers and
the other *hannels of the de.elo)ed etheri* /od5- Then*e it radiates o2t!ard into the
s2rro2nding s)irit2al !orld rendering it s)irit2all5 .isi/le B2st as the s2nlight falling on the
o/Be*ts of the )h5si*al !orld renders them .isi/le-
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Ho! this )er*e)ti.e for*e in the heart organ is *reated *an onl5 /e grad2all5 2nderstood in
the *o2rse of a*t2al de.elo)ment-
It is onl5 !hen this organ of )er*e)tion *an /e sent thro2gh the etheri* /od5 and into the
o2ter !orld to ill2mine the o/Be*ts there that the a*t2al s)irit2al !orld as *om)osed of
o/Be*ts and /eings *an /e *learl5 )er*ei.ed- Th2s it !ill /e seen that *om)lete *ons*io2sness
of an o/Be*t in the s)irit2al !orld is onl5 )ossi/le !hen man himself *asts 2)on it the
s)irit2al light- No! the ego !hi*h *reates this organ of )er*e)tion does not d!ell !ithin /2t
o2tside the )h5si*al /od5 as alread5 sho!n- The heart organ is onl5 the s)ot !here the
indi.id2al man kindles from !itho2t this s)irit2al light organ- Were the latter kindled
else!here the s)irit2al )er*e)tions )rod2*ed /5 it !o2ld ha.e no *onne*tion !ith the
)h5si*al !orld- :2t all higher s)irit2al realities m2st /e related to the )h5si*al !orld and
man himself m2st a*t as a *hannel thro2gh !hi*h the5 flo! into it- It is )re*isel5 thro2gh the
heart organ that the higher ego go.erns the )h5si*al self making it into its instr2ment-
No! the feelings of an esoteri*all5 de.elo)ed
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)erson to!ard the things of the s)irit2al !orld are .er5 different from the feelings of the
2nde.elo)ed )erson to!ard the things of the )h5si*al !orld- The latter feels himself to /e at
a )arti*2lar )la*e in the !orld of sense and the s2rro2nding o/Be*ts to /e e,ternal to him-
The s)irit2all5 de.elo)ed )erson feels himself to /e 2nited !ith and as tho2gh in the interior
of the s)irit2al o/Be*ts he )er*ei.es- He !anders in fa*t from )la*e to )la*e in s)irit2al
s)a*e and is therefore *alled the !anderer in the lang2age of o**2lt s*ien*e- He has no home
at first- Sho2ld he ho!e.er remain a mere !anderer he !o2ld /e 2na/le to define an5 o/Be*t
in s)irit2al s)a*e- I2st as o/Be*ts and )la*es in )h5si*al s)a*e are defined from a fi,ed )oint of
de)art2re this too m2st /e the *ase in the other !orld- He m2st seek o2t some )la*e
thoro2ghl5 in.estigate it and take s)irit2al )ossession of it- In this )la*e he m2st esta/lish his
s)irit2al home and relate e.er5thing else to it- In )h5si*al life too a )erson sees e.er5thing in
terms of his )h5si*al home- Nati.es of :erlin and Paris !ill in.ol2ntaril5 des*ri/e ;ondon in
a different !a5- And 5et there is a differen*e /et!een the s)irit2al and the )h5si*al home- We
are /orn into the latter
#)- $%=(
!itho2t o2r *o+o)eration and instin*ti.el5 a/sor/ d2ring o2r *hildhood a n2m/er of ideas
/5 !hi*h e.er5thing is hen*eforth in.ol2ntaril5 *olored- The st2dent ho!e.er himself
fo2nds his o!n s)irit2al home in f2ll *ons*io2sness- His B2dgment therefore /ased on this
s)irit2al home is formed in the light of freedom- This fo2nding of a s)irit2al home is *alled
in the lang2age of o**2lt s*ien*e the /2ilding of the h2t-
S)irit2al .ision at this stage e,tends to the s)irit2al *o2nter)arts of the )h5si*al !orld so far
as these e,ist in the so+*alled astral !orld- There e.er5thing is fo2nd !hi*h in its nat2re is
similar to h2man instin*ts feelings desires and )assions- Dor )o!ers related to all these
h2man *hara*teristi*s are asso*iated !ith all )h5si*al o/Be*ts- A *r5stal for instan*e is *ast in
its form /5 )o!ers !hi*h seen from a higher stand)oint a))ear as an a*ti.e h2man im)2lse-
Similar for*es dri.e the sa) thro2gh the *a)illaries of the )lant *a2se the /lossoms to 2nfold
and the seed .essels to /2rst- To de.elo)ed s)irit2al organs of )er*e)tion all these for*es
a))ear gifted !ith form and *olor B2st as the o/Be*ts of the )h5si*al !orld ha.e form and
*olor for )h5si*al e5es- At this
#)- $%%(
stage in his de.elo)ment the st2dent sees not onl5 the *r5stal and the )lant /2t also the
s)irit2al for*es mentioned a/o.e- Animal and h2man im)2lses are )er*e)ti/le to him not
onl5 thro2gh their )h5si*al manifestation in the indi.id2al /2t dire*tl5 as o/Be*tsA he
)er*ei.es them B2st as he )er*ei.es ta/les and *hairs in the )h5si*al !orld- The !hole range
of instin*ts im)2lses desires and )assions /oth of an animal and of a h2man /eing
*onstit2te the astral *lo2d or a2ra in !hi*h the /eing is en.elo)ed-
D2rthermore the *lair.o5ant *an at this stage )er*ei.e things !hi*h are almost or entirel5
!ithheld from the senses- He *an for instan*e tell the astral differen*e /et!een a room f2ll of
lo! or of high+minded )eo)le- Not onl5 the )h5si*al /2t also the s)irit2al atmos)here of a
hos)ital differs from that of a /allroom- A *ommer*ial to!n has a different astral air from that
of a 2ni.ersit5 to!n- In the initial stages of *lair.o5an*e this )er*e)ti.e fa*2lt5 is /2t slightl5
de.elo)edA its relation to the o/Be*ts in 62estion is similar to the relation of dream
*ons*io2sness to !aking *ons*io2sness in ordinar5 lifeA it !ill ho!e.er /e*ome f2ll5
a!akened at this stage as !ell-
#)- 011(
The highest a*hie.ement of a *lair.o5ant !ho has attained the degree of .ision des*ri/ed
a/o.e is that in !hi*h the astral *o2nter+effe*ts of animal and h2man im)2lses and )assions
are re.ealed to him- A lo.ing a*tion is a**om)anied /5 62ite a different astral *on*omitant
from one ins)ired /5 hate- Senseless desire gi.es rise to an 2gl5 astral *o2nter)art !hile a
feeling e.oked /5 a high ideal *reates one that is /ea2tif2l- These astral images are /2t faintl5
)er*e)ti/le d2ring )h5si*al life for their strength is diminished /5 life in the )h5si*al !orld-
The desire for an o/Be*t for e,am)le )rod2*es a *o2nter)art of this sort in addition to the
sem/lan*e of the desire itself in the astral !orld- If ho!e.er the o/Be*t /e attained and the
desire satisfied or if at an5 rate the )ossi/ilit5 of satisfa*tion is forth*oming the
*orres)onding image !ill sho! /2t faintl5- It onl5 attains its f2ll for*e after the death of the
indi.id2al h2man /eing !hen the so2l in a**ordan*e !ith her nat2re still har/ors s2*h
desires /2t *an no longer satisf5 them /e*a2se the o/Be*t and the )h5si*al organ are /oth
la*king- The go2rmand for instan*e !ill still retain after death the desire to )lease his
)alateA /2t there is
#)- 01$(
no )ossi/ilit5 of satisf5ing this desire /e*a2se he no longer has a )alate- As a res2lt the desire
)rod2*es an es)e*iall5 )o!erf2l *o2nter)art /5 !hi*h the so2l is tormented- These
e,)erien*es e.oked /5 the *o2nter)arts of the lo!er so2l+nat2re after death are *alled the
e,)erien*es in the so2l+!orld es)e*iall5 in the region of desires- The5 onl5 .anish !hen the
so2l has )2rified herself from all desires in*lining to!ard the )h5si*al !orld- Then onl5 does
the so2l mo2nt to the higher regions to the !orld of s)irit- E.en tho2gh these images are
faint d2ring life in the )h5si*al !orld the5 are none the less )resent follo!ing man as his
!orld of desire in the !a5 a *omet is follo!ed /5 its tail- The5 *an /e seen /5 a *lair.o5ant at
the re62isite stage of de.elo)ment-
S2*h and similar e,)erien*es fill the life of the st2dent d2ring the )eriod des*ri/ed a/o.e- He
*annot attain higher s)irit2al e,)erien*e at this stage of de.elo)ment /2t m2st *lim/ still
higher from this )oint-
#)- 010(

'II

THE CONTINUIT( OF CONSCIOUSNESS
H39AN life r2ns its *o2rse in three alternating states or *onditions namel5 !aking
dreaming slee) and dreamless slee)- The attainment of the higher kno!ledge of s)irit2al
!orlds *an /e readil5 2nderstood if a *on*e)tion /e formed of the *hanges o**2rring in these
three *onditions as e,)erien*ed /5 one seeking s2*h higher kno!ledge- When no training
has /een 2ndertaken to attain this kno!ledge h2man *ons*io2sness is *ontin2all5
interr2)ted /5 the restf2l inter.al of slee)- <2ring these inter.als the so2l kno!s nothing of
the o2ter !orld and e62all5 little of itself- Onl5 at *ertain )eriods dreams emerge from the
dee) o*ean of insensi/ilit5 dreams linked to the o**2rren*es of the o2ter !orld or the
*onditions of the )h5si*al /od5- At
#)- 014(
first dreams are onl5 regarded as a )arti*2lar manifestation of slee)+life and th2s onl5 t!o
states are generall5 s)oken of namel5 slee)ing and !aking- Dor s)irit2al s*ien*e ho!e.er
dreams ha.e an inde)endent signifi*an*e a)art from the other t!o *onditions- In the
foregoing *ha)ter a des*ri)tion !as gi.en of the alteration ens2ing in the dream+life of the
)erson 2ndertaking the as*ent to higher kno!ledge- His dreams lose their meaningless
irreg2lar and dis*onne*ted *hara*ter and form themsel.es more and more into a !orld of la!
and order- With *ontin2ed de.elo)ment not onl5 does this ne! !orld /orn o2t of the dream
!orld *ome to /e in no !a5 inferior to o2ter )h5si*al realit5 as regards its inner tr2th /2t
fa*ts re.eal themsel.es in it re)resenting a higher realit5 in the f2llest sense of the !ord-
Se*rets and riddles lie *on*ealed e.er5!here in the )h5si*al !orld- In the latter the effe*ts
are seen of *ertain higher fa*ts /2t no one *an )enetrate to the *a2ses !hose )er*e)tion is
*onfined merel5 to his senses- These *a2ses are )artl5 re.ealed to the st2dent in the *ondition
des*ri/ed a/o.e and de.elo)ed o2t of dream life a *ondition ho!e.er in !hi*h he /5 no
means remains
#)- 01&(
stationar5- Tr2e he m2st not regard these re.elations as a*t2al kno!ledge so long as the
same things do not also re.eal themsel.es d2ring ordinar5 !aking life- :2t in time he
a*hie.es this as !ellE he de.elo)s this fa*2lt5 of *arr5ing o.er into !aking *ons*io2sness the
*ondition he *reated for himself o2t of dream life- Th2s something ne! is introd2*ed into the
!orld of his senses that enri*hes it- I2st as a )erson /orn /lind and s2**essf2ll5 o)erated
2)on !ill re*ogni7e the s2rro2nding o/Be*ts as enri*hed /5 all that the e5e )er*ei.es to too
!ill an5one ha.ing /e*ome *lair.o5ant in the a/o.e manner )er*ei.e the !hole !orld
s2rro2nding him )eo)led !ith ne! 62alities things /eings and so forth- He no! need no
longer !ait for his dreams to li.e in another !orld /2t he *an at an5 s2ita/le moment )2t
himself into the a/o.e *ondition for the )2r)ose of higher )er*e)tion- This *ondition then
a*62ires a signifi*an*e for him similar to the )er*e)tion in ordinar5 life of things !ith a*ti.e
senses as o))osed to ina*ti.e senses- It *an tr2l5 /e said that the st2dent o)ens the e5es of his
so2l and /eholds things !hi*h ne*essaril5 remain *on*ealed form the /odil5 senses-
#)- 01G(
No! this *ondition is onl5 transitional to still higher stages of kno!ledge- If the st2dent
*ontin2es his esoteri* e,er*ises he !ill find in d2e time that the radi*al *hange as des*ri/ed
a/o.e does not *onfine itself to his dream life /2t that this transformation also e,tends to
!hat !as )re.io2sl5 a *ondition of dee) dreamless slee)- Isolated *ons*io2s e,)erien*es
/egin to interr2)t the *om)lete insensi/ilit5 of this dee) slee)- Per*e)tions )re.io2sl5
2nkno!n to him emerge from the )er.ading 2nkno!n to him emerge from the )er.ading
darkness of slee)- It is of *o2rse not eas5 to des*ri/e these )er*e)tions for o2r lang2age is
onl5 ada)ted to the )h5si*al !orld and therefore onl5 a))ro,imate terms *an /e fo2nd to
e,)ress !hat does not at all /elong to that !orld- Still s2*h terms m2st /e 2sed to des*ri/e
the higher !orlds and this is onl5 )ossi/le /5 the free 2se of simileA 5et seeing that
e.er5thing in the !orld is interrelated the attem)t ma5 /e made- The things and /eings of
the higher !orlds are *losel5 eno2gh related to those of the )h5si*al !orld to ena/le !ith a
little good !ill some sort of *on*e)tion of these higher !orlds to /e formed e.en tho2gh
!ords s2ita/le for the )h5si*al !orld are 2sed- Onl5 the reader
#)- 01H(
m2st al!a5s /ear in mind that s2*h des*ri)tions of s2)ersensi/le !orlds m2st to a large
e,tent /e in the nat2re of simile and s5m/ol- The !ords of ordinar5 lang2age are onl5
)artiall5 ado)ted in the *o2rse of esoteri* trainingA for the rest the st2dent learns another
s5m/oli*al lang2age as a nat2ral o2t*ome of his as*ent to higher !orlds- The kno!ledge of
this lang2age is a*62ired d2ring esoteri* training itself /2t that does not )re*l2de the
)ossi/ilit5 of learning something *on*erning the higher !orlds e.en fro s2*h ordinar5
des*ri)tions as those here gi.en-
Some idea *an /e gi.en of those e,)erien*es !hi*h emerge from the insensi/ilit5 of dee)
slee) if the5 /e *om)ared to a kind of hearing- We ma5 s)eak of )er*e)ti/le tones and !ords-
While the e,)erien*es d2ring dreaming slee) ma5 fitl5 /e designated as a kind of .ision the
fa*ts o/ser.ed d2ring dee) slee) ma5 /e *om)ared to a2ri*2lar im)ressions- (It sho2ld /e
remarked in )assing that for the s)irit2al !orld too the fa*2lt5 of sight remains the higher-
There too *olors are higher than so2nds and !ords- The st2dentCs first )er*e)tions in this
!orld do not 5et e,tend to the higher *olors /2t onl5 to the lo!er tones- Onl5
#)- 01'(
/e*a2se man a**ording to his general de.elo)ment is alread5 more 62alified for the !orld
re.ealing itself in dreaming slee) does he at on*e )er*ei.e *olors there- He is less 62alified for
the higher !orld 2n.eiling itself in dee) slee)A therefore the first re.elations of it he re*ei.es
are in tones and !ordsA later on he *an here too as*end to *olors and forms-)
No! !hen these e,)erien*es d2ring dee) slee) first *ome to the noti*e of the st2dent his
ne,t task m2st /e to sense them as *learl5 and .i.idl5 as )ossi/le- At first this )resents great
diffi*2lt5 the )er*e)tion of these e,)erien*es /eing e,*eedingl5 slight- The st2dent kno!s
.er5 !ell on !aking that he has had an e,)erien*e /2t is *om)letel5 in the dark as regards
its nat2re- The most im)ortant thing d2ring this initial stage is to remain 62iet and *om)osed
and not for a moment la)se into an5 2nrest or im)atien*e- The latter is 2nder all
*ir*2mstan*es detrimentalA it *an ne.er a**elerate de.elo)ment /2t onl5 dela5s it- The
st2dent m2st *2lti.ate a 62iet and 5ielding re*e)ti.it5 for the gift that is )resented to himA all
.iolen*e m2st /e re)ressed- Sho2ld he at an5 )eriod not /e*ome a!are of e,)erien*es d2ring
#)- 01=(
slee) he m2st !ait )atientl5 2ntil this is )ossi/le- Some da5 this moment !ill ass2redl5
arri.e- And this )er*e)ti.e fa*2lt5 if a!aited !ith )atien*e and *om)os2re remains a se*2re
)ossessionA !hile sho2ld it a))ear momentaril5 in ans!er to for*i/le methods it ma5 /e
*om)letel5 lost for a long time-
On*e this )er*e)ti.e fa*2lt5 is a*62ired and the e,)erien*es d2ring slee) are )resent to the
st2dentCs *ons*io2sness in *om)lete l2*idit5 and *larit5 his attention sho2ld /e dire*ted to
the follo!ing )oint- All these e,)erien*es are seen to *onsist of t!o kinds !hi*h *an /e
*learl5 disting2ished- The first kind !ill /e totall5 different from an5thing that he has e.er
e,)erien*ed- These e,)erien*es ma5 /e a so2r*e of Bo5 and edifi*ation /2t other!ise the5
sho2ld /e left to themsel.es for the time /eing- The5 are the first har/inger of higher s)irit2al
!orlds in !hi*h the st2dent !ill find his !a5 later on- In the other kind of e,)erien*es the
attenti.e o/ser.er !ill dis*o.er a *ertain relationshi) !ith the ordinar5 !orld in !hi*h he
li.es- The s2/Be*ts of his refle*tions d2ring life !hat he !o2ld like to 2nderstand
#)- 01%(
in these things aro2nd him /2t *annot 2nderstand !ith the ordinar5 intelle*t these are the
things *on*erning !hi*h the e,)erien*es d2ring slee) gi.e him information- <2ring e.er5+
da5 life man refle*ts on his en.ironmentA his mind tries to *on*ei.e and 2nderstand the
*onne*tion e,isting /et!een thingsA he seeks to gras) in tho2ght and idea !hat his senses
)er*ei.e- It is to these ideas and *on*e)ts that the e,)erien*es d2ring slee) refer- O/s*2re
shado!5 *on*e)ts /e*ome sonoro2s and li.ing in a !a5 *om)ara/le onl5 to the tones and the
!ords of the )h5si*al !orld- It seems to the st2dent e.er more and more as tho2gh the
sol2tion of the riddles o.er !hi*h he )onders is !his)ered to him in tones and !ords o2t of a
higher !orld- And he is a/le to *onne*t !ith ordinar5 life !hate.er *omes to him from a
higher !orld- What !as formerl5 onl5 a**essi/le to his tho2ght no! /e*omes a*t2al
e,)erien*e B2st as li.ing and s2/stantial as an e,)erien*e in this )h5si*al !orld *an /e- The
things and /eings of this )h5si*al !orld are /5 no means onl5 !hat the5 a))ear to /e for
)h5si*al )er*e)tion- The5 are the e,)ression and effl2en*e of a s)irit2al !orld-
#)- 0$1(
#)aragra)h *ontin2es( This s)irit2al !orld hitherto *on*ealed from the st2dent no!
reso2nds for him o2t of his !hole en.ironment-
It is eas5 to see that this higher )er*e)ti.e fa*2lt5 *an )ro.e a /lessing onl5 if the o)ened
so2l+senses are in )erfe*t order B2st as the ordinar5 senses *an onl5 /e 2sed for a tr2e
o/ser.ation of the !orld if their e62i)ment is reg2lar and normal- No! man himself forms
these higher senses thro2gh the e,er*ises indi*ated /5 s)irit2al s*ien*e- The latter in*l2de
*on*entration in !hi*h the attention is dire*ted to *ertain definite ideas and *on*e)ts
*onne*ted !ith the se*rets of the 2ni.erseA and meditation !hi*h is a life in s2*h ideas a
*om)lete s2/mersion in them in the right !a5- :5 *on*entration and meditation the st2dent
!orks 2)on his so2l and de.elo)s !ithin it the so2l+organs of )er*e)tion- While th2s
a))l5ing himself to the task of *on*entration and meditation his so2l gro!s !ithin his /od5
B2st as the em/r5o *hild gro!s in the /od5 of the mother- When the isolated e,)erien*es
d2ring slee) /egin as des*ri/ed the moment of /irth is a))roa*hing for the li/erated so2lA
for she has literall5 /e*ome a ne! /eing de.elo)ed /5 the indi.id2al !ithin
#)- 0$$(
himself from seed to fr2it- The effort re62ired for *on*entration and meditation m2st
therefore /e *aref2ll5 and a**2ratel5 maintained for it *ontains the la!s go.erning the
germination and fr2ition of the higher h2man so2l+/eing- The latter m2st a))ear at its /irth
as a harmonio2s !ell+)ro)ortioned organism- Thro2gh an error in follo!ing the instr2*tions
no s2*h normal /eing !ill *ome to e,isten*e in the s)irit2al s)heres /2t a mis*arriage
in*a)a/le of life-
That this higher so2l+/eing sho2ld /e /orn d2ring dee) slee) !ill /e easil5 gras)ed for if
that deli*ate organism la*king all )o!er of resistan*e *han*ed to a))ear d2ring )h5si*al
e.er5+da5 life it *o2ld not )re.ail against the harsh and )o!erf2l )ro*esses of this life- Its
a*ti.it5 !o2ld /e of no a**o2nt against that of the /od5- <2ring slee) ho!e.er !hen the
/od5 rests in as far as its a*ti.it5 is de)endent on sense )er*e)tion the a*ti.it5 of the higher
so2l at first so deli*ate and in*ons)i*2o2s *an *ome into e.iden*e- Here again the st2dent
m2st /ear in mind that these e,)erien*es d2ring slee) ma5 not /e regarded as f2ll5 .alid
kno!ledge so long as he is not in a )osition to *arr5 o.er his a!akened higher so2l
#)- 0$0(
into !aking *ons*io2sness as !ell- The a*62isition of this fa*2lt5 !ill ena/le him to )er*ei.e
the s)irit2al !orld in its o!n *hara*ter among and !ithin the e,)erien*es of the da5A that is
the hidden se*rets of his en.ironment !ill /e *on.e5ed to his so2l as tones and !ords-
No! the st2dent m2st reali7e at this stage of de.elo)ment that he is dealing !ith se)arate
and more or less isolated s)irit2al e,)erien*es- He sho2ld therefore /e!are of *onstr2*ting
o2t of them a *om)lete !hole or e.en a *onne*ted s5stem of kno!ledge- In this *ase all
manner of fantasti* ideas and *on*e)tions !o2ld /e mi,ed into the so2l+!orld and a !orld
might th2s easil5 /e *onstr2*ted !hi*h had nothing to do !ith the real s)irit2al !orld- The
st2dent m2st *ontin2all5 )ra*ti*e self+*ontrol- The right thing to do is to stri.e for an e.er
*learer *on*e)tion of the isolated real e,)erien*es and to a!ait the s)ontaneo2s arri.al of
ne! e,)erien*es !hi*h !ill *onne*t themsel.es as tho2gh of their o!n a**ord !ith those
alread5 re*orded- :5 .irt2e of the )o!er of the s)irit2al !orld into !hi*h he has no! fo2nd
his !a5 and thro2gh *ontin2ed a))li*ation to his )res*ri/ed e,er*ises the st2dent
e,)erien*es an
#)- 0$4(
e.er in*reasing e,tension and e,)ansion of *ons*io2sness d2ring slee)- The 2n*ons*io2s
inter.als d2ring slee)+life gro! e.er smaller !hile more and more e,)erien*es emerge from
erst!hile 2n*ons*io2sness- These e,)erien*es th2s link themsel.es together in*reasingl5 of
their o!n a**ord !itho2t this tr2e 2nit5 /eing dist2r/ed /5 all manner of *om/inations and
inferen*es !hi*h in an5 *ase !o2ld onl5 originate in an intelle*t a**2stomed to the )h5si*al
!orld- "et the less the ha/its of tho2ght a*62ired in the )h5si*al !orld are allo!ed to )la5
into these higher e,)erien*es the /etter it is-
:5 th2s *ond2*ting himself the st2dent a))roa*hes e.er nearer to the attainment of that
*ondition on his )ath to higher kno!ledge in !hi*h the 2n*ons*io2sness of slee)+life is
transformed into *om)lete *ons*io2sness- When his /od5 rests man li.es in s2rro2ndings
!hi*h are B2st as real as those of his !aking dail5 life- It is needless to sa5 that the realit5
d2ring slee) is different from )h5si*al realit5 s2rro2nding the )h5si*al /od5- The st2dent
learns++indeed he m2st learn if he is to retain a firm footing in the )h5si*al !orld and not
/e*ome a .isionar5++to
#)- 0$&(
*onne*t the higher e,)erien*es of slee) !ith his )h5si*al en.ironment- At first ho!e.er the
!orld entered d2ring slee) is a *om)letel5 ne! re.elation- This im)ortant stage of
de.elo)ment at !hi*h *ons*io2sness is retained in the life d2ring slee) is kno!n in s)irit2al
s*ien*e as the *ontin2it5 of *ons*io2sness- The *ondition here indi*ated is regarded at a
*ertain stage of de.elo)ment as a kind of ideal attaina/le at the end of a long )ath- What the
st2dent first learns is the e,tension of *ons*io2sness into t!o so2l+states in the first of !hi*h
onl5 disordered dreams !ere )re.io2sl5 )ossi/le and in the se*ond onl5 2n*ons*io2s
dreamless slee)- An5one ha.ing rea*hed this stage of de.elo)ment does not *ease
e,)erien*ing and learning d2ring those inter.als !hen the )h5si*al /od5 rests and !hen the
so2l re*ei.es no im)ressions thro2gh the instr2mentalit5 of senses-

#)- 0$G(

'III

THE SPLITTING OF THE HUMAN PERSONALIT( DURING SPIRITUAL TRAINING
<3RIN8 slee) no im)ressions are *on.e5ed to the h2man so2l thro2gh the instr2mentalit5
of the )h5si*al sense+organs- The im)ressions from the ordinar5 o2ter !orld do not find their
!a5 to the so2l !hen in that *ondition- In *ertain res)e*ts the so2l is a*t2all5 o2tside the )art
of the h2man /eing++the so+*alled )h5si*al /od5++!hi*h in !aking life is the medi2m for
sense )er*e)tions and tho2ght- The so2l is then onl5 *onne*ted !ith the finer /odies (the
etheri* /od5 and the astral /od5) !hi*h are /e5ond the s*o)e of )h5si*al sense o/ser.ation-
:2t the a*ti.it5 of these finer /odies does not *ease d2ring slee)- I2st as the )h5si*al /od5 is
*onne*ted and li.es !ith the things and /eings of the )h5si*al !orld affe*ting them and
/eing affe*ted /5 them
#)- 0$H(
so too does the so2l li.e in a higher !orldA onl5 this life of the so2l *ontin2es also d2ring
slee)- The so2l is in f2ll a*ti.it5 d2ring slee) /2t !e *an kno! nothing of this a*ti.it5 so
long as !e ha.e no s)irit2al organs of )er*e)tion thro2gh !hi*h to o/ser.e !hat is going on
aro2nd 2s and see !hat !e o2rsel.es are doing d2ring slee) as !e o/ser.e o2r dail5
)h5si*al en.ironment !ith o2r ordinar5 senses- The )re*eding *ha)ters ha.e sho!n that
esoteri* training *onsists in the de.elo)ment of s2*h s)irit2al sense organs- No! if as a res2lt
of esoteri* training the st2dentCs life d2ring slee) is transformed in the manner des*ri/ed in
the foregoing *ha)ter he !ill !hen in that *ondition /e a/le to follo! *ons*io2sl5
e.er5thing going on aro2nd him- He *an at !ill find his !a5 in his en.ironment as he *o2ld
!hen a!ake !ith his ordinar5 senses- It sho2ld here /e noted that a higher degree of
*lair.o5an*e is re62ired for the higher )er*e)tion of ordinar5 )h5si*al en.ironment- This !as
indi*ated in the last *ha)ter- In the initial stages of his de.elo)ment the st2dent )er*ei.es
things )ertaining to another !orld !itho2t /eing a/le to dis*ern their *onne*tion
#)- 0$'(
!ith the o/Be*ts of his dail5 )h5si*al en.ironment-
These *hara*teristi*s of life d2ring slee) or in dreams ill2strate !hat is *ontin2all5 taking
)la*e in the h2man /eing- The so2l li.es in 2ninterr2)ted a*ti.it5 in the higher !orlds e.en
gathering from them the im)2lse to a*t 2)on the )h5si*al /od5- Ordinaril5 2n*ons*io2s of
his higher life the esoteri* st2dent renders himself *ons*io2s of it and there/5 his !hole life
/e*omes transformed- As long as the so2l remains 2nseeing in the higher sense it is g2ided
/5 s2)erior *osmi* /eings- And B2st as the life of a )erson /orn /lind is *hanged thro2gh a
s2**essf2l o)eration from its )re.io2s de)enden*e on a g2ide so too is the life of a )erson
*hanged thro2gh esoteri* training- He o2tgro!s the )rin*i)le of /eing g2ided /5 a master
and m2st hen*efor!ard 2ndertake to /e his o!n g2ide- The moment this o**2rs he is of
*o2rse lia/le to *ommit errors totall5 2nkno!n to ordinar5 *ons*io2sness- He a*ts no! from
a !orld from !hi*h formerl5 higher )o!ers 2nkno!n to him infl2en*ed him- These higher
)o!ers are dire*ted /5 the 2ni.ersal *osmi* harmon5-
#)- 0$=(
#)aragra)h *ontin2es( The st2dent !ithdra!s from this *osmi* harmon5 and m2st no!
himself a**om)lish things !hi*h !ere hitherto done for him !itho2t his *o+o)eration-
It is for this reason that so m2*h is fo2nd in /ooks dealing !ith these matters *on*erning the
dangers *onne*ted !ith the as*ent into higher !orlds- The des*ri)tions sometimes gi.en of
these dangers ma5 !ell make timid so2ls sh2dder at the )ros)e*t of this higher life- "et the
fa*t is that dangers onl5 arise !hen the ne*essar5 )re*a2tions are negle*ted- If all the
meas2res *o2nseled /5 tr2e esoteri* s*ien*e are ado)ted the as*ent !ill indeed ens2e
thro2gh e,)erien*es s2r)assing in )o!er and magnit2de e.er5thing the /oldest flights of
sense+/o2nd fantas5 *an )i*t2reA and 5et there *an /e no 62estion of inB2r5 to health or life-
The st2dent meets !ith horri/le )o!ers threatening life at e.er5 t2rn and from e.er5 side- It
!ill e.en /e )ossi/le for him to make 2se of *ertain for*es and /eings e,isting /e5ond
)h5si*al )er*e)tion and the tem)tation is great to *ontrol these for*es for the f2rtheran*e of
)ersonal and for/idden interests or to em)lo5 them !rongl5 o2t of a defi*ient kno!ledge of
the higher !orlds- Some of
#)- 0$%(
these es)e*iall5 im)ortant e,)erien*es for instan*e the meeting !ith 82ardian of the
Threshold !ill /e des*ri/ed in the follo!ing *ha)ters- "et !e m2st reali7e that the hostile
)o!ers are none the less )resent e.en tho2gh !e kno! nothing of them- It is tr2e that in this
*ase their relation to man is ordained /5 higher )o!er and that this relation alters !hen the
h2man /eing *ons*io2sl5 enters this !orld hitherto *on*ealed from him- :2t at the same time
his o!n e,isten*e is enhan*ed and the *ir*le of his life enri*hed /5 a great and ne! field of
e,)erien*e- A real danger *an onl5 arise if the st2dent thro2gh im)atien*e or arrogan*e
ass2mes too earl5 a *ertain inde)enden*e !ith regard to the e,)erien*es of the higher !orldsA
if he *annot !ait to gain reall5 s2ffi*ient insight into the s2)ersensi/le la!s- In these s)heres
modest5 and h2milit5 are far less em)t5 !ords than in ordinar5 life- If the st2dent )ossesses
these 62alities in the .er5 /est sense he ma5 /e *ertain that his as*ent into the higher life !ill
/e a*hie.ed !itho2t danger to all that is *ommonl5 *alled health and life- A/o.e all things
no disharmon5 m2st ens2e /et!een the higher e,)erien*es and the e.ents and demands of
e.er5+da5 life- 9anCs task m2st /e entirel5
#)- 001(
so2ght for on this earth and an5one desiring to shirk his earthl5 task and to es*a)e into
another !orld ma5 /e *ertain he !ill ne.er rea*h his goal- "et !hat the senses )er*ei.e is
onl5 )art of the !orld and it is in the s)irit !orld that the /eings d!ell !ho e,)ress
themsel.es in the fa*ts of the )h5si*al !orld- 9an m2st /e*ome a )artaker of the s)irit in
order to *arr5 its re.elations into the )h5si*al !orld- He transforms the earth /5 im)lanting
in it !hat he has as*ertained in the s)irit2al !orld- That is his task- It is onl5 /e*a2se the
)h5si*al !orld is de)endent 2)on the s)irit2al and /e*a2se man *an !ork 2)on earth in a
tr2e sense onl5 if he is a )arti*i)ator in those !orlds in !hi*h the *reati.e for*es lie
*on*ealed++onl5 for these reasons sho2ld he ha.e the desire to as*end to the higher !orlds-
No one a))roa*hing esoteri* training !ith these sentiments and resol.ed not to de.iate for a
moment from these )res*ri/ed dire*tions need fear the slightest danger- No one sho2ld allo!
the )ros)e*t of these dangers to deter him from esoteri* trainingA it sho2ld rather a*t as a
strong *hallenge to one and all to a*62ire those fa*2lties !hi*h e.er5 tr2e esoteri* st2dent
m2st )ossess-
#)- 00$(
After these )reliminar5 o/ser.ations that sho2ld dis)el an5 element of terror a des*ri)tion of
some of the so+*alled dangers !ill /e gi.en- It is tr2e that great *hanges take )la*e in the
st2dentCs finer /odies as des*ri/ed a/o.e- These *hanges are *onne*ted !ith *ertain
)ro*esses in the de.elo)ment of the three f2ndamental for*es of the so2l !ith !illing
feeling and thinking- :efore esoteri* training these for*es are s2/Be*t to a *onne*tion
ordained /5 higher *osmi* la!s- 9anCs !illing feeling and thinking are not ar/itrar5- A
)arti*2lar idea arising in the mind is attended /5 a )arti*2lar feeling a**ording to nat2ral
la!sA or it is follo!ed /5 a resol2tion of the !ill in e62all5 nat2ral se62en*e- We enter a
room find it st2ff5 and o)en the !indo!- We hear o2r name *alled and follo! the *all- We
are 62estioned and !e ans!er- We )er*ei.e an ill+smelling o/Be*t and e,)erien*e a feeling of
disg2st- These are sim)le *onne*tions /et!een thinking feeling and !illing- When !e
s2r.e5 h2man life !e find that e.er5thing is /2ilt 2) on s2*h *onne*tions- Indeed life is not
termed normal 2nless s2*h a *onne*tion fo2nded on the la!s of h2man nat2re is o/ser.ed
/et!een thinking feeling
#)- 000(
and !illing- It !o2ld /e fo2nd *ontrar5 to these la!s if the sight of an ill+smelling o/Be*t ga.e
an5one )leas2re or if an5one on /eing 62estioned did not ans!er- The s2**ess anti*i)ated
from a right ed2*ation or fitting instr2*tion is /ased 2)on the )res2m)tion that a *onne*tion
/et!een thinking feeling and !illing *orres)onding to h2man nat2re *an /e esta/lished in
the )2)il- Certain ideas are *on.e5ed to him on the ass2m)tion that the5 !ill /e asso*iated
in reg2lar fashion !ith his feelings and .olitions-
All this arises from the fa*t that in the finer so2l+.ehi*les of man the *entral )oints of the three
for*es++thinking feeling and !illing++are *onne*ted !ith ea*h other a**ording to la!s- This
*onne*tion in the finer so2l organism has its *o2nter)art in the *oarser )h5si*al /od5- In the
latter too the organs of !ill are *onne*ted a**ording to la!s !ith those of thinking and
feeling- A )arti*2lar tho2ght therefore ine.ita/l5 e.okes a feeling or an a*ti.it5 of !ill- In
the *o2rse of higher de.elo)ment the threads inter*onne*ting the three f2ndamental for*es
are se.ered- At first this se.eran*e o**2rs onl5 !ithin the finer so2l organism /2t at a still
higher stage
#)- 004(
the se)aration e,tends also to the )h5si*al /od5- It is a fa*t that in higher s)irit2al
de.elo)ment the /rain di.ides into three se)arate )arts- This se)aration is not )h5si*all5
)er*e)ti/le in the ordinar5 !a5 nor *an it /e demonstrated /5 the keenest instr2ments- "et it
o**2rs and the *lair.o5ant has means of o/ser.ing it- The /rain of the higher *lair.o5ant
di.ides into three inde)endentl5 a*ti.e entitiesE The tho2ght+/rain the feeling+/rain and the
!ill+/rain-
Th2s the organs of thinking feeling and !illing /e*ome indi.id2ali7edA their *onne*tion
hen*eforth is not maintained /5 la!s inherent in themsel.es /2t m2st /e managed /5 the
a!akened higher *ons*io2sness of the indi.id2al- This then is the *hange !hi*h the st2dent
o/ser.es *oming o.er himE that no *onne*tion arises of itself /et!een an idea and a feeling or
a !ill+im)2lse 2nless he himself )ro.ides one- No im)2lse 2rges him from tho2ght to a*tion
2nless he himself in freedom gi.e rise to this im)2lse- He *an hen*eforth *onfront de.oid of
feeling a fa*t !hi*h /efore his training !o2ld ha.e filled him !ith glo!ing lo.e or /itter
hatredA and he *an remain im)assi.e at the tho2ght !hi*h formerl5
#)- 00&(
!o2ld ha.e s)2rred him on to a*tion as tho2gh of its o!n a**ord- He *an )erform a*tions
thro2gh resol2tions of the !ill for !hi*h there is not the slightest reason for an5one not
ha.ing 2ndergone esoteri* training- The st2dentCs great a*hie.ement is the attainment of
*om)lete master5 o.er the *om/ined a*ti.it5 of the three so2l for*esA /2t at the same time the
res)onsi/ilit5 for this a*ti.it5 is )la*ed entirel5 in his o!n hands-
It is onl5 thro2gh this transformation of his /eing that the st2dent *an enter *ons*io2sl5 into
relation !ith *ertain s2)ersensi/le for*es and /eings for his o!n so2l for*es are related to
*ertain f2ndamental for*es of the !orld- The for*e for instan*e inherent in the !ill *an affe*t
definite things and the /eings of the higher !orlds and also )er*ei.e themA /2t it *an onl5 do
so !hen li/erated from its *onne*tion !ith thinking and feeling !ithin the so2l- The moment
this *onne*tion is se.ered the a*ti.it5 of the !ill *an /e e,teriori7ed- The same a))lies to the
for*es of thinking and feeling- A feeling of hatred sent o2t /5 a )erson is .isi/le to the
*lair.o5ant as a fine l2mino2s *lo2d of s)e*ial *oloringA and the *lair.o5ant *an !ard off this
feeling of hatred B2st as an ordinar5
#)- 00G(
)erson !ards off a )h5si*al /lo! that is aimed at him- In the s2)ersensi/le !orld hatred
/e*omes a .isi/le )henomenon /2t the *lair.o5ant *an onl5 )er*ei.e it in so far as he is a/le
to )roBe*t o2t!ards the for*e l5ing in his feeling B2st as the ordinar5 )erson dire*ts o2t!ards
the re*e)ti.e fa*2lt5 of his e5e- And !hat is said of hatred a))lies also to far more im)ortant
)henomena of the )h5si*al !orld- The st2dent *an enter into *ons*io2s inter*o2rse !ith
them thanks to the li/eration of the f2ndamental for*es of his so2l-
Thro2gh the se)aration of the for*es of thinking feeling and !illing the )ossi/ilit5 of a
three+fold a/erration arises for an5one negle*ting the inB2n*tions gi.en /5 esoteri* s*ien*e-
S2*h an a/erration *an o**2r if the *onne*ting threads are se.ered /efore the higher
*ons*io2sness is s2ffi*ientl5 ad.an*ed to hold the reins and g2ide )ro)erl5 the se)arated
for*es into free and harmonio2sl5 *om/ined a*ti.it5- Dor as a r2le the three h2man so2l+
for*es are not e62all5 ad.an*ed in their de.elo)ment at an5 gi.en )eriod of life- In one
)erson thinking is ahead of feeling and !illingA in a se*ond another so2l+for*e has the 2))er
hand o.er its *om)anions- As long as the
#)- 00H(
*onne*tion /et!een the so2l+for*es is maintained as esta/lished /5 higher *osmi* la!s no
inB2rio2s irreg2larit5 in a higher sense *an o**2r thro2gh the )redominan*e of one for*e or
another- Predominating !ill for instan*e is )re.ented /5 the le.eling infl2en*e of thinking
and feeling from la)sing into an5 )arti*2lar e,*esses- When ho!e.er a )erson of s2*h
)redominating !ill 2ndertakes esoteri* training feeling and thinking *ease to e,ert their
reg2lar infl2en*e on the !ill !hen the latter *onstantl5 )resses on to great e,ertions of )o!er
If then s2*h a )erson is not s2ffi*ientl5 ad.an*ed to *ontrol *om)letel5 the higher
*ons*io2sness and himself restore harmon5 the !ill )2rs2es its o!n 2n/ridled !a5
*ontin2all5 o.er)o!ering its )ossessor- Deeling and tho2ght la)se into *om)lete im)oten*eA
the indi.id2al is s*o2rged /5 his o.er+mastering !ill- A .iolent nat2re is the res2lt r2shing
from one 2n/ridled a*tion to another-
A se*ond de.iation o**2rs !hen feeling 2nd2l5 shakes off its )ro)er *ontrol- A )erson
in*lined to the re.ering of others ma5 then di.erge into 2nlimited de)enden*e to the e,tent
of losing all )ersonal !ill and tho2ghts- Instead of higher kno!ledge
#)- 00'(
the most )itif2l .a*2it5 and fee/leness !o2ld /e*ome s2*h a )ersonCs lot- Or in the *ase of
s2*h inordinate )redominan*e of the feeling life a )erson !ith an in*lination to!ard
religio2s de.otion *an sink into the most degenerate !elter-
The third e.il is fo2nd !hen tho2ght )redominates res2lting in a *ontem)lati.e nat2re
hostile to life and lo*ked 2) !ithin itself- The !orld for s2*h )eo)le has no f2rther
im)ortan*e sa.e that it )ro.ides them !ith o/Be*ts for satisf5ing their /o2ndless thirst for
!isdom- No tho2ght e.er mo.es them to an a*tion or a feeling- The5 a))ear e.er5!here as
*old and 2nfeeling *reat2res- The5 flee from e.er5 *onta*t !ith the things of ordinar5 life as
tho2gh from something e,*iting their a.ersion or !hi*h at an5 rate had lost all meaning for
them-
These are the three !a5s of error into !hi*h the st2dent *an stra5E ($) e,2/erant .iolen*e of
!ill (0) sentimental emotionalism and (4) *old lo.eless stri.ing for !isdom- Dor o2t!ard
o/ser.ation and also from the ordinar5 (materialisti*) medi*al stand)oint an5one th2s gone
astra5 is hardl5 disting2isha/le (es)e*iall5 in degree) from an insane or at least a highl5
#)- 00=(
ne2rastheni* )erson- Of *o2rse the st2dent m2st not resem/le these- It is essential for him
that the three f2ndamental so2l+for*es thinking feeling and !illing sho2ld ha.e 2ndergone
harmonio2s de.elo)ment /efore /eing released from their inherent *onne*tion and
s2/ordinated to the a!akened higher *ons*io2sness- Dor on*e a mistake is made and one of
the so2l+for*es falls a )re5 to 2n/ridled e,*ess the higher so2l *omes into e,isten*e as a
mis*arriage- The 2nrestrained for*e )er.ades the indi.id2alCs entire )ersonalit5 and for a
long time there *an /e no 62estion of the /alan*e /eing restored- What a))ears to /e a
harmless *hara*teristi* as long as its )ossessor is !itho2t esoteri* training namel5 a
)redominan*e of thinking or feeling or !illing is so intensified in an esoteri* st2dent that the
2ni.ersall5 h2man element indis)ensa/le for life /e*omes o/s*2red-
"et a reall5 serio2s danger *annot threaten the st2dent 2ntil he has a*62ired the a/ilit5 to
in*l2de in his !aking *ons*io2sness the e,)erien*es forth*oming d2ring slee)- As long as
there is onl5 the 62estion of ill2mination of the inter.als of slee) the life of the senses
reg2lated /5 2ni.ersal *osmi* la!s rea*ts d2ring the !aking ho2rs
#)- 00%(
on the dist2r/ed e62ili/ri2m of the so2l tending to restore the /alan*e- That is !h5 it is so
essential that the !aking life of the st2dent sho2ld /e in e.er5 res)e*t reg2lar and health5-
The more *a)a/le he is of meeting the demands made /5 the o2ter !orld 2)on a health5
so2nd *onstit2tion of /od5 so2l and s)irit the /etter it is for him- On the other hand it ma5
/e .er5 /ad for him if his ordinar5 !aking life affe*ts him in an e,*iting or irritating !a5 that
is if destr2*ti.e or ham)ering infl2en*es of o2ter life affe*t him in addition to the great
*hanges taking )la*e in his inner self- He m2st seek to find e.er5thing *orres)onding to his
)o!ers and fa*2lties !hi*h *an lead him into 2ndist2r/ed harmonio2s *omm2nion !ith his
s2rro2ndings !hile a.oiding e.er5thing detrimental to this harmon5++e.er5thing that /rings
2nrest and fe.erish haste into his life- And here it is not so m2*h a 62estion of *asting off this
2nrest and haste in an e,ternal sense /2t m2*h more of taking *are that tho2ghts feelings
intentions and /odil5 health are not there/5 e,)osed to *ontin2al fl2*t2ation- All this is not
so eas5 for the st2dent to a**om)lish as it !as /efore esoteri* training for the higher
e,)erien*es no! )la5ing into
#)- 041(
his life a*t 2)on his entire e,isten*e- Sho2ld an5thing !ithin these higher e,)erien*es not /e
as it sho2ld the irreg2larit5 *ontin2es l5ing in !ait for him and ma5 at e.er5 t2rn thro! him
off the right )ath- Dor this reason the st2dent sho2ld omit nothing !hi*h *an se*2re for him
2nfailing master5 o.er his !hole /eing- He sho2ld ne.er /e fo2nd !anting in )resen*e of
mind or in *alm )enetration of all sit2ations of life- In the main a gen2ine esoteri* training
gi.es rise of itself to all these 62alities and as it )rogresses the st2dent onl5 /e*omes
a*62ainted !ith the dangers !hile sim2ltaneo2sl5 and at the right moment a*62iring the f2ll
)o!er to ro2t them from the field-
#)- 04$(

I)

THE GUARDIAN OF THE THRESHOLD
THE im)ortant e,)erien*es marking the st2dentCs as*ent into the higher !orlds in*l2de his
meeting !ith the 82ardian of the Threshold- Stri*tl5 s)eaking there are t!o 82ardiansE a
lesser and a greater- The st2dent meets the lesser 82ardian !hen the threads *onne*ting
!illing feeling and thinking !ithin the finer astral and etheri* /odies /egin to loosen in the
!a5 des*ri/ed in the foregoing *ha)ter- The greater 82ardian is en*o2ntered !hen this
s2ndering of the *onne*tions e,tends to the )h5si*al )arts of the /od5 that is at first to the
/rain- The lesser 82ardian is a so.ereign /eing- He does not *ome into e,isten*e as far as the
st2dent is *on*erned 2ntil the latter has rea*hed the re62isite stage of
#)- 040(
de.elo)ment- Onl5 some of his most im)ortant *hara*teristi*s *an here /e indi*ated-
The attem)t !ill no! /e made to des*ri/e in narrati.e form this meeting !ith the lesser
82ardian of the Threshold as a res2lt of !hi*h the st2dent learns that his thinking feeling
and !illing ha.e /e*ome released !ithin him from their inherent *onne*tion-
A tr2l5 terri/le s)e*tral /eing *onfronts him and he !ill need all the )resen*e of mind and
faith in the se*2rit5 of his )ath !hi*h he has had am)le o))ort2nit5 to a*62ire in the *o2rse
of his )re.io2s training-
The 82ardian )ro*laims his signifi*ation some!hat in the follo!ing !ordsE FHitherto
)o!ers in.isi/le to th5self !at*hed o.er thee- The5 sa! to it that in the *o2rse of th5 li.es
ea*h of th5 good deeds /ro2ght its re!ard and ea*h of thine e.il deeds !as attended /5 its
e.il res2lts- Thanks to their infl2en*e th5 *hara*ter formed itself o2t of th5 life+e,)erien*es
and th5 tho2ghts- The5 !ere the instr2ments of th5 destin5- The5 ordained that meas2re of
Bo5 and )ain allotted to thee in thine in*arnations a**ording to th5 *ond2*t in li.es gone /5-
The5 r2led o.er thee as the all+em/ra*ing
#)- 044(
la! of karma- These )o!ers !ill no! )artl5 release thee from their *onstraining infl2en*eA
and hen*eforth m2st tho2 a**om)lish for th5self a )art of the !ork !hi*h hitherto the5
)erformed for thee- <estin5 str2*k thee man5 a hard /lo! in the )ast- Tho2 kne!est not
!h5- Ea*h /lo! !as the *onse62en*e of a harmf2l deed in a /5gone lie- Tho2 fo2ndest Bo5
and gladness and tho2 didst take them as the5 *ame- The5 too !ere the fr2its of former
deeds- Th5 *hara*ter sho!s man5 a /ea2tif2l side and man5 an 2gl5 fla!- Tho2 hast th5self
to thank for /oth for the5 are the res2lt of th5 )re.io2s e,)erien*es and tho2ghts- These !ere
till no! 2nkno!n to theeA their effe*ts alone !ere made manifest- The karmi* )o!ers
ho!e.er /eheld all th5 deeds in former li.es and all th5 most se*ret tho2ghts and feelings
and determined a**ordingl5 th5 )resent self and th5 )resent mode of life- :2t no! all the
good and e.il sides of th5 /5gone li.es shall /e re.ealed to thee- Hitherto the5 !ere
inter!o.en !ith thine o!n /eingA the5 !ere in thee and tho2 *o2ldst not see them e.en as
tho2 *anst not /ehold thine o!n /rain !ith )h5si*al e5es- :2t no! the5 /e*ome released
from theeA the5 deta*h themsel.es from th5 )ersonalit5-
#)- 04&(
#)aragra)h *ontin2es( The5 ass2me an inde)endent form !hi*h tho2 *anst see e.en as tho2
/eholdest the stones and )lants of the o2ter !orld- And - - - I am that .er5 /eing !ho sha)ed
m5 /od5 o2t of th5 good and e.il a*hie.ements- 95 s)e*tral form is !o.en o2t of thine o!n
lifeCs re*ord- Till no! tho2 hast /orne me in.isi/l5 !ithin thee and it !as !ell that this !as
soA for the !isdom of th5 destin5 tho2gh *on*ealed from thee *o2ld th2s !ork !ithin thee
so that the hideo2s stains on m5 form sho2ld /e /lotted o2t- No! that I ha.e *ome forth from
!ithin thee that *on*ealed !isdom too has de)arted from thee- It !ill )a5 no f2rther heed
to theeA it !ill lea.e the !ork in th5 hands alone- I m2st /e*ome a )erfe*t and glorio2s /eing
or fall a )re5 to *orr2)tionA and sho2ld this o**2r I !o2ld drag thee also do!n !ith me into
a dark and *orr2)t !orld- If tho2 !o2ldst a.oid this then thine o!n !isdom m2st /e*ome
great eno2gh to 2ndertake the task of that other *on*ealed !isdom !hi*h has de)arted from
thee- As a form .isi/le to th5self I !ill ne.er for an instant lea.e th5 side on*e tho2 hast
*rossed m5 Threshold- And in f2t2re !hene.er tho2 dost a*t or think !rongl5 tho2 !ilt
straight!a5 )er*ei.e th5 g2ilt
#)- 04G(
as a hideo2s demonia*al distortion of m5 form- Onl5 !hen tho2 hast made good all th5
/5gone !rongs and hast so )2rified th5self that all f2rther e.il is for thee a thing im)ossi/le
onl5 then !ill m5 /eing ha.e /e*ome transformed into radiant /ea2t5- Then too shall I again
/e*ome 2nited !ith thee for the !elfare of th5 f2t2re a*ti.it5-
F"et m5 Threshold is fashioned o2t of all the timidit5 that remains in thee o2t of all the dread
of the strength needed to take f2ll res)onsi/ilit5 for all th5 tho2ghts and a*tions- As long as
there remains in thee a tra*e of fear of /e*oming th5self the g2ide of thine o!n destin5 B2st
so long !ill this Threshold la*k !hat still remains to /e /2ilt into it- And as long as a single
stone is fo2nd missing B2st so long m2st tho2 remain standing as tho2gh transfi,edA or else
st2m/le- Seek not then to *ross this Threshold 2ntil tho2 dost feel th5self entirel5 free from
fear and read5 for the highest res)onsi/ilit5- Hitherto I onl5 emerged from th5 )ersonalit5
!hen death re*alled thee from an earthl5 lifeA /2t e.en then m5 form !as .eiled from thee-
Onl5 the )o!ers of destin5 !ho !at*hed o.er thee /eheld me and *o2ld th2s in the inter.als
/et!een death and a ne! /irth /2ild
#)- 04H(
in thee in a**ordan*e !ith m5 a))earan*e that )o!er and *a)a*it5 thanks to !hi*h tho2
*o2ldst la/or in a ne! earth life at the /ea2tif5ing of m5 form for th5 !elfare and )rogress- It
!as I too !hose im)erfe*tion e.er and again *onstrained the )o!ers of destin5 to lead thee
/a*k to a ne! in*arnation 2)on earth- I !as )resent at the ho2r of th5 death and it !as on
m5 a**o2nt that the ;ords of >arma ordained th5 rein*arnation- And it is onl5 /5 th2s
2n*ons*io2sl5 transforming me to *om)lete )erfe*tion in e.er re*2rring earthl5 li.es that
tho2 *o2ldst ha.e es*a)ed the )o!ers of death and )assed o.er into immortalit5 2nited !ith
me-
F?isi/le do I th2s stand /efore thee toda5 B2st as I sha.e e.er stood in.isi/le /eside thee in
the ho2r of death- When tho2 shalt ha.e *rossed m5 Threshold tho2 !ilt enter those realms
to !hi*h tho2 hast hitherto onl5 had a**ess after )h5si*al death- Tho2 dost no! enter them
!ith f2ll kno!ledge and hen*eforth as tho2 !anderest o2t!ardl5 .isi/le 2)on the earth
tho2 !ilt at the same time !ander in the kingdom of death that is in the kingdom of life
eternal- I am indeed the Angel of <eathA /2t I am at the same time the
#)- 04'(
/earer of a higher life !itho2t end- Thro2gh me tho2 !ilt die !ith th5 /od5 still li.ing to /e
re/orn into an im)erisha/le e,isten*e-
FInto this kingdom tho2 art no! enteringA tho2 !ilt meet /eings that are s2)ersensi/le and
ha))iness !ill /e th5 lot- :2t I m5self m2st )ro.ide th5 first a*62aintan*e !ith that !orld
and I am thine o!n *reation- Dormerl5 I dre! m5 life from thineA /2t no! tho2 hast
a!akened me to a se)arate e,isten*e so that I stand /efore thee as the .isi/le ga2ge of th5
f2t2re deeds++)erha)s too as th5 *onstant re)roa*h- Tho2 hast formed me /2t /5 so doing
tho2 hast 2ndertaken as th5 d2t5 to transform me-F
(It !ill /e gathered from the a/o.e that the 82ardian of the Threshold is an (astral) fig2re
re.ealing itself to the st2dentCs a!akened higher sightA and it is to this s2)ersensi/le
en*o2nter that s)irit2al s*ien*e *ond2*ts him- It is a lo!er magi*al )ro*ess to make the
82ardian of the Threshold )h5si*all5 .isi/le also- That !as attained /5 )rod2*ing a *lo2d of
fine s2/stan*e a kind of frankin*ense res2lting from a )arti*2lar mi,t2re of a n2m/er of
s2/stan*es- The de.elo)ed )o!er of the magi*ian is then a/le to mo2ld the frankin*ense
#)- 04=(
into sha)e animating it !ith the still 2nredeemed karma of the indi.id2al- S2*h )h5si*al
)henomena are no longer ne*essar5 for those s2ffi*ientl5 )re)ared for the higher sightA and
/esides this an5one !ho sees !itho2t ade62ate )re)aration his 2nredeemed karma a))ear
/efore his e5es as a li.ing *reat2re !o2ld r2n the risk of stra5ing into e.il /5!a5s- :2l!er
;5ttonCs Nanoni *ontains in no.el form a des*ri)tion of the 82ardian of the Threshold-)
What is here indi*ated in narrati.e form m2st not /e 2nderstood in the sense of an allegor5
/2t as an e,)erien*e of the highest )ossi/le realit5 /efalling the esoteri* st2dent-
The 82ardian m2st !arn him not to go a ste) f2rther 2nless he feels in himself the strength to
f2lfill the demands made in the a/o.e s)ee*h- Ho!e.er horri/le the form ass2med /5 the
82ardian it is onl5 the effe*t of the st2dentCs o!n )ast life his o!n *hara*ter risen o2t of him
into inde)endent e,isten*e- This a!akening is /ro2ght a/o2t /5 the se)aration of !ill
tho2ght and feeling- To feel for the first time that one has oneself *alled a s)irit2al /eing into
e,isten*e is in itself an e,)erien*e of dee)est signifi*an*e- The st2dentCs
#)- 04%(
)re)aration m2st aim at ena/ling him to end2re the terri/le sight !itho2t a tra*e of timidit5
and at the moment of the meeting to feel his strength so in*reased that he *an 2ndertake
f2ll5 *ons*io2s the res)onsi/ilit5 for transforming and /ea2tif5ing the 82ardian-
If s2**essf2l this meeting !ith the 82ardian res2lts in the st2dentCs ne,t )h5si*al death /eing
an entirel5 different e.ent from the death as he kne! it formerl5- He e,)erien*es death
*ons*io2sl5 /5 la5ing aside the )h5si*al /od5 as one dis*ards a garment that is !orn o2t or
)erha)s rendered 2seless thro2gh a s2dden rent- Th2s his )h5si*al death is of s)e*ial
im)ortan*e onl5 for those li.ing !ith him !hose )er*e)tion is still restri*ted to the !orld of
the senses- Dor them the st2dent diesA /2t for himself nothing of im)ortan*e is *hanged in his
!hole en.ironment- The entire s2)ersensi/le !orld stood o)en to him /efore his death and
it is this same !orld that no! *onfronts him after death-
The 82ardian of the Threshold is also *onne*ted !ith other matters- The )erson /elongs to a
famil5 a nation a ra*eA his a*ti.it5 in this !orld de)ends 2)on his /elonging to some s2*h
#)- 0&1(
*omm2nit5- His indi.id2al *hara*ter is also *onne*ted !ith it- The *ons*io2s a*ti.it5 of
indi.id2al )ersons /5 no means e,ha2sts e.er5thing to /e re*koned !ith in a famil5 a
nation or a ra*e- :esides their *hara*ter families nations and ra*es ha.e also their destin5-
Dor )ersons restri*ted to their senses these things remain mere general ideasA and the
materialisti* thinker in his )reB2di*e !ill look do!n !ith *ontem)t on the s)irit2al s*ientist
!hen he hears that for him famil5 and national *hara*ter lineal or ra*ial destin5 are .ested
in /eings B2st as real as the )ersonalit5 in !hi*h the *hara*ter and destin5 of the indi.id2al
man are .ested- The s)irit2al s*ientist /e*omes a*62ainted !ith higher !orlds of !hi*h the
se)arate )ersonalities are mem/ers B2st as arms and legs are mem/ers of the h2man /eing-
:esides the se)arate indi.id2als a .er5 real famil5 and national gro2) so2l and ra*ial s)irit is
at !ork in the life of a famil5 a )eo)le or a ra*e- Indeed in a *ertain sense the se)arate
indi.id2als are merel5 the e,e*2ti.e organs of these famil5 gro2) so2ls ra*ial s)irits and so
on- It is nothing /2t the tr2th to sa5 for instan*e that a national gro2) so2l makes 2se of ea*h
indi.id2al man /elonging to that nation for the e,e*2tion of some !ork- The
#)- 0&$(
gro2) so2l of a )eo)le does not des*end into )h5si*al realit5 /2t d!ells in the higher !orlds
and in order to !ork in the )h5si*al !orld makes 2se of the )h5si*al organs of ea*h
indi.id2al h2man /eing- In a higher sense it is like an ar*hite*t making 2se of !orkmen for
e,e*2ting the details of a /2ilding- In the tr2est sense e.er5one re*ei.es his allotted task from
his famil5 national or ra*ial gro2) so2l- No! the ordinar5 )erson is /5 no means initiated
into the higher design of his !ork- He Boins 2n*ons*io2sl5 in the tasks of his )eo)le and of his
ra*e- Drom the moment the st2dent meets the 82ardian he m2st not onl5 kno! his o!n
tasks /2t m2st kno!ingl5 *olla/orate in those of his folk his ra*e- E.er5 e,tension of his
hori7on ne*essaril5 enlarges the s*o)e of his d2ties- What a*t2all5 ha))ens is that the st2dent
adds a ne! /od5 to his finer so2l+/od5- He )2ts on a se*ond garment- Hitherto he fo2nd his
!a5 thro2gh the !orld !ith the *o.erings en.elo)ing his )ersonalit5A and !hat he had to
a**om)lish for his *omm2nit5 his nation his ra*e !as dire*ted /5 higher s)irits !ho made
2se of his )ersonalit5-
And no! a f2rther re.elation made to him /5 the 82ardian of the Threshold is that
hen*eforth
#)- 0&0(
these s)irits !ill !ithdra! their g2iding hand from him- He m2st ste) o2t of the *ir*le of his
*omm2nit5- "et as an isolated )ersonalit5 he !o2ld /e*ome hardened in himself and de*line
into r2in did he not himself a*62ire those )o!ers !hi*h are .ested in the national and
ra*ial s)irits- 9an5 no do2/t !ill sa5E FOh I ha.e entirel5 freed m5self from all lineal and
ra*ial *onne*tionsA I onl5 !ant to /e a h2man /eing and nothing /2t a h2man /eing-F To
these one m2st re)l5E FWho then /ro2ght 5o2 to this freedom? Was it not 5o2r famil5 !ho
)la*ed 5o2 in the !orld !here 5o2 no! stand? Ha.e 5o2 not 5o2r lineage 5o2r nation 5o2r
ra*e to thank for /eing !hat 5o2 are? The5 ha.e /ro2ght 5o2 2)- And if no! e,alted a/o.e
all )reB2di*es 5o2 are one of the light+/ringers and /enefa*tors of 5o2r sto*k and e.en of
5o2r ra*e it is to their 2)+/ringing that 5o2 o!e it- "es e.en !hen 5o2 sa5 5o2 are Onothing
/2t a h2man /eingC e.en the fa*t that 5o2 ha.e /e*ome s2*h a )ersonalit5 5o2 o!e to the
s)irits of 5o2r *omm2nities-F Onl5 the esoteri* st2dent learns !hat it means to /e entirel5 *2t
off from his famil5 national or ra*ial s)irit- He alone reali7es thro2gh )ersonal e,)erien*e
the insignifi*an*e of all s2*h ed2*ation in res)e*t
#)- 0&4(
of the life no! *onfronting him- Dor e.er5thing in*2l*ated /5 ed2*ation *om)letel5 melts
a!a5 !hen the threads /inding !ill tho2ght and feeling are se.ered- He looks /a*k on the
res2lt of all his )re.io2s ed2*ation as he might on a ho2se *r2m/ling a!a5 /ri*k /5 /ri*k
!hi*h he m2st no! re/2ild in a ne! form- And again it is more than a mere s5m/oli*al
e,)ression to sa5 that !hen the 82ardian has en2n*iated his first statement there arises from
the s)ot !here he stands a !hirl!ind !hi*h e,ting2ishes all those s)irit2al lights that ha.e
hitherto ill2mined the )ath!a5 of his life- 3tter darkness relie.ed onl5 /5 the ra5s iss2ing
from the 82ardian himself 2nfolds /efore the st2dent- And o2t of this darkness reso2nds the
82ardianCs f2rther admonitionE FSte) not a*ross m5 Threshold 2ntil tho2 dost *learl5 reali7e
that tho2 !ilt th5self ill2mine the darkness ahead of theeA take not a single ste) for!ard 2ntil
tho2 art )ositi.e that tho2 hast s2ffi*ient oil in thine o!n lam)- The lam)s of the g2ides
!hom tho2 hast hitherto follo!ed !ill no! no longer /e a.aila/le to thee-F At these !ords
the st2dent m2st t2rn and glan*e /a*k!ard- The 82ardian of the Threshold no! dra!s aside
a .eil !hi*h till no! had *on*ealed dee) life+m5steries- The famil5 national
#)- 0&&(
and ra*ial s)irits are re.ealed to the st2dent in their f2ll a*ti.it5 so that he )er*ei.es *learl5
on the one hand ho! he has hitherto /een led and no less *learl5 on the other hand that he
!ill hen*efor!ard no longer enBo5 this g2idan*e- That is the se*ond !arning re*ei.ed at the
Threshold from its 82ardian-
Witho2t )re)aration no one *o2ld end2re the sight of !hat has here /een indi*ated- :2t the
higher training !hi*h makes it )ossi/le at all for the st2dent to ad.an*e 2) to the Threshold
sim2ltaneo2sl5 )2ts him in a )osition to find the ne*essar5 strength at the right moment-
Indeed the training *an /e so harmonio2s in its nat2re that the entr5 into the higher life is
relie.ed of e.er5thing of an agitating or t2m2lt2o2s *hara*ter- His e,)erien*e at the
Threshold !ill then /e attended /5 a )remonition of that feli*it5 !hi*h is to )ro.ide the
ke5note of his ne!l5 a!akened life- The feeling of a ne! freedom !ill o2t!eigh all other
feelingsA and attended /5 this feeling his ne! d2ties and res)onsi/ilities !ill a))ear as
something !hi*h man at a )arti*2lar stage of life m2st needs take 2)on himself-
#)- 0&G(

)

LIFE AND DEATH* THE GREATER GUARDIAN OF THE THRESHOLD
IT HAS /een des*ri/ed in the foregoing *ha)ter ho! signifi*ant for the h2man /eing is his
meeting !ith the so+*alled lesser 82ardian of the Threshold /5 .irt2e of the fa*t that he
/e*omes a!are of *onfronting a s2)ersensi/le /eing !hom he has himself /ro2ght into
e,isten*e and !hose /od5 *onsists of the hitherto in.isi/le res2lts of the st2dentCs o!n
a*tions feelings and tho2ghts- These 2nseen for*es ha.e /e*ome the *a2se of his destin5 and
his *hara*ter and he reali7es ho! he himself fo2nded the )resent in the )ast- He *an
2nderstand !h5 his inner self no! standing to a *ertain e,tent re.ealed /efore him in*l2des
)arti*2lar in*linations and ha/its and he *an also re*ogni7e the origin of *ertain /lo!s of fate
that ha.e /efallen him- He )er*ei.es !h5 he
#)- 0&H(
lo.es one thing and hates anotherA !h5 one thing makes him ha))5 and another 2nha))5-
?isi/le life is e,)lained /5 the in.isi/le *a2ses- The essential fa*ts of life too++health and
illness /irth and death++2n.eil themsel.es /efore his ga7e- He o/ser.es ho! /efore his /irth
he !o.e the *a2ses !hi*h ne*essaril5 led to his ret2rn into life- Hen*eforth he kno!s that
/eing !ithin himself !hi*h is fashioned !ith all its im)erfe*tions in the .isi/le !orld and
!hi*h *an onl5 /e /ro2ght to its final )erfe*tion in this same .isi/le !orld- Dor in no other
!orld is an o))ort2nit5 gi.en to /2ild 2) and *om)lete this /eing- 9oreo.er he re*ogni7es
that death *annot se.er him fore.er from this !orldA for he sa5s to himselfE FOn*e I *ame into
this !orld /e*a2se /eing !hat I !as I needed the life it )ro.ided to a*62ire 62alities
2nattaina/le in an5 other !orld- And I m2st remain /o2nd to this !orld 2ntil I ha.e
de.elo)ed !ithin m5self e.er5thing that *an here /e gained- I shall some da5 /e*ome a
2sef2l *olla/orator in another !orld onl5 /5 a*62iring all the re62isite fa*2lties in this
)h5si*al !orld-F
Thanks to his insight into the s2)ersensi/le !orld the initiate gains a /etter kno!ledge and
#)- 0&'(
a))re*iation of the tr2e .al2e of .isi/le nat2re than !as )ossi/le /efore his higher trainingA
and this ma5 /e *o2nted among his most im)ortant e,)erien*es- An5one not )ossessing this
insight and )erha)s therefore imagining the s2)ersensi/le regions to /e infinitel5 more
.al2a/le is likel5 to 2nderestimate the )h5si*al !orld- "et the )ossessor of this insight
kno!s that !itho2t e,)erien*e in .isi/le realit5 he !o2ld /e totall5 )o!erless in that other
in.isi/le realit5- :efore he *an li.e in the latter he m2st ha.e the re62isite fa*2lties and
instr2ments !hi*h *an onl5 /e a*62ired in the .isi/le !orld- Cons*io2sness in the in.isi/le
!orld is not )ossi/le !itho2t s)irit2al sight /2t this )o!er of .ision in the higher !orld is
grad2all5 de.elo)ed thro2gh e,)erien*e in the lo!er- No one *an /e /orn in the s)irit2al
!orld !ith s)irit2al e5es !itho2t ha.ing first de.elo)ed them in the )h5si*al !orld an5
more than a *hild *o2ld /e /orn !ith )h5si*al e5es had the5 not alread5 /een formed !ithin
the motherCs !om/-
Drom this stand)oint it !ill also /e readil5 2nderstood !h5 the Threshold to the
s2)ersensi/le !orld is !at*hed o.er /5 a 82ardian- In no *ase ma5 real insight into those
regions /e )ermitted
#)- 0&=(
to an5one la*king the re62isite fa*2ltiesA therefore !hen at the ho2r of death an5one enters
the other !orld !hile still in*om)etent to !ork in it the higher e,)erien*es are shro2ded
from him 2ntil he is fit to /ehold them-
When the st2dent enters the s2)ersensi/le !orld life a*62ires 62ite a ne! meaning for himA
he dis*erns in the )h5si*al !orld the seed+gro2nd of a higher !orld so that in a *ertain sense
the higher !ill a))ear defe*ti.e !itho2t the lo!er- T!o o2tlooks are o)ened /efore himA the
first into the )ast and the se*ond into the f2t2re- His .ision e,tends to a )ast in !hi*h this
)h5si*al !orld !as not 5et e,istentA for he has long sin*e dis*arded the )reB2di*e that the
s2)ersensi/le !orld !as de.elo)ed o2t of the sense+!orld- He kno!s that the former e,isted
first and that o2t of it e.er5thing )h5si*al !as e.ol.ed- He sees that he himself /elonged to a
s2)ersensi/le !orld /efore *oming for the first time into this sense+!orld- :2t this )ristine
s2)ersensi/le !orld needed to )ass thro2gh the sense+!orld for !itho2t this )assage its
f2rther e.ol2tion !o2ld not ha.e /een )ossi/le- It *an onl5 )2rs2e its *o2rse !hen *ertain
things !ill ha.e de.elo)ed re62isite
#)- 0&%(
fa*2lties !ithin the realm of the senses- These /eings are none other than h2man /eings- The5
o!e their )resent life to an im)erfe*t stage of s)irit2al e,isten*e and are /eing led e.en
!ithin this stage to that )erfe*tion !hi*h !ill make them fit for f2rther !ork in the higher
!orld- At this )oint the o2tlook is dire*ted into the f2t2re- A higher stage of the s2)ersensi/le
!orld is dis*erned !hi*h !ill *ontain the fr2its mat2red in the sense+!orld- The sense+!orld
as s2*h !ill /e o.er*ome /2t its res2lts !ill /e em/odied in a higher !orld-
The e,isten*e of disease and death in the sense+!orld is th2s e,)lained- <eath merel5
e,)resses the fa*t that the original s2)ersensi/le !orld rea*hed a )oint /e5ond !hi*h it *o2ld
not )rogress /5 itself- 3ni.ersal death m2st needs ha.e o.ertaken it had it not re*ei.ed a
fresh life+im)2lse- Th2s this ne! life has e.ol.ed into a /attle !ith 2ni.ersal death- Drom the
remnants of a d5ing rigid !orld there s)ro2ted the seeds of a ne! one- That is !h5 !e ha.e
death and life in the !orld- The de*a5ing )ortion of the old !orld adheres to the ne! life
/lossoming from it and the )ro*ess of e.ol2tion mo.es slo!l5- This *omes to
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e,)ression most *learl5 in man himself- The sheath he /ears is gathered from the )reser.ed
remnants of the old !orld and !ithin this sheath the germ of that /eing is mat2red !hi*h
!ill li.e in the f2t2re-
Th2s man is t!ofoldE mortal and immortal- The mortal is in its last the immortal in its first
stage- :2t it is onl5 !ithin this t!ofold !orld !hi*h finds its e,)ression in the sense+!orld
that he *an a*62ire the re62isite fa*2lties to lead the !orld to immortalit5- Indeed this task is
)re*isel5 to gather the fr2its of the mortal for the immortal- And as he glan*es at himself as
the res2lt of his o!n !ork in the )ast he *annot /2t sa5E FI ha.e in me the elements of a
de*a5ing !orld- The5 are at !ork in me and I *an onl5 /reak their )o!er little /5 little
thanks to the ne! immortal elements *oming to life !ithin me-F This is the )ath leading man
from death to life- Co2ld he /2t s)eak to himself !ith f2ll *ons*io2sness at the ho2r of his
death he !o2ld sa5E FThe )erishing !orld !as m5 task+master- I am no! d5ing as the res2lt
of the entire )ast in !hi*h I am enmeshed- "et the soil of mortal life has mat2red the seeds of
immortal life- I *arr5 them !ith me into another !orld-
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( If it had merel5 de)ended on the )ast I *o2ld ne.er ha.e /een /orn-
The life of the )ast *ame to an end !ith /irth- ;ife in the sense+!orld is !rested from
2ni.ersal death /5 the ne!l5 formed life+germ- The time /et!een /irth and death is merel5
an e,)ression for the s2m of .al2es !rested from the d5ing )ast /5 the ne! lifeA and illness is
nothing /2t the *ontin2ed effe*t of the d5ing )ortions of the )ast-F
In the a/o.e the ans!er !ill /e fo2nd to the 62estion !h5 man !orks his !a5 onl5 grad2all5
thro2gh error and im)erfe*tion to the good and tr2e- His a*tions feelings and tho2ghts are
at first dominated /5 the )erishing and the mortal- The latter ga.e rise to his sense+organs-
Dor this reason these organs and all things a*ti.ating them are doomed to )erish The
im)erisha/le !ill not /e fo2nd in the instin*ts im)2lses and )assions or in the organs
/elonging to them /2t onl5 in the !ork )rod2*ed /5 these organs- 9an m2st e,tra*t from
the )erisha/le e.er5thing that *an /e e,tra*ted and this !ork alone !ill ena/le him to
dis*ard the /a*kgro2nd o2t of !hi*h he has gro!n and !hi*h finds its e,)ression in the
)h5si*al sense+!orld-
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Th2s the first 82ardian *onfronts man as the *o2nter)art of his t!o+fold nat2re in !hi*h
)erisha/le and im)erisha/le are /lendedA and it stands *learl5 )ro.ed ho! far remo.ed he
still is from attaining that s2/lime l2mino2s fig2re !hi*h ma5 again d!ell in the )2re
s)irit2al !orld- The e,tent to !hi*h he is entangled in the )h5si*al sense+!orld is e,)osed to
the st2dentCs .ie!- The )resen*e of instin*ts im)2lses desires egotisti*al !ishes and all
forms of selfishness and so forth e,)resses itself in this entanglement as it does f2rther in
his mem/ershi) in a ra*e a nation and so forthA for )eo)les and ra*es are /2t ste)s leading to
)2re h2manit5- A ra*e or a nation stands so m2*h the higher the more )erfe*tl5 its mem/ers
e,)ress the )2re ideal h2man t5)e the f2rther the5 ha.e !orked their !a5 from the )h5si*al
and )erisha/le to the s2)ersensi/le and im)erisha/le- The e.ol2tion of man thro2gh the
in*arnations in e.er higher national and ra*ial forms is th2s a )ro*ess of li/eration- 9an m2st
finall5 a))ear in harmonio2s )erfe*tion- In a similar !a5 the )ilgrimage thro2gh e.er )2rer
forms of moralit5 and religion is a )erfe*ting )ro*essA
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for e.er5 moral stage retains the )assion for the )erisha/le /eside the seeds of an ideal f2t2re-
No! in the 82ardian of the Threshold as des*ri/ed a/o.e the )rod2*t of the )ast is manifest
*ontaining onl5 so man5 seeds of the f2t2re as *o2ld /e )lanted in the *o2rse of time- "et
e.er5thing that *an /e e,tra*ted from the sense+!orld m2st /e *arried into the s2)ersensi/le
!orld- Were man to /ring !ith him onl5 !hat had /een !o.en into his *o2nter)art o2t of the
)ast his earthl5 task !o2ld remain /2t )artiall5 a**om)lished- Dor this reason the lesser
82ardian of the Threshold is Boined after a time /5 the greater 82ardian- The meeting !ith
the se*ond 82ardian !ill again /e des*ri/ed in narrati.e form-
When the st2dent has re*ogni7ed all the elements from !hi*h he m2st li/erate himself his
!a5 is /arred /5 a s2/lime l2mino2s /eing !hose /ea2t5 is diffi*2lt to des*ri/e in the !ords
of h2man lang2age- This en*o2nter takes )la*e !hen the s2ndering of the organs of thinking
feeling and !illing e,tends to the )h5si*al /od5 so that their re*i)ro*al *onne*tion is no
longer reg2lated /5 themsel.es /2t /5 the higher *ons*io2sness !hi*h
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has no! entirel5 li/erated itself from )h5si*al *onditions- The organs of thinking feeling and
!illing !ill then /e *ontrolled from s2)ersensi/le regions as instr2ments in the )o!er of the
h2man so2l- The latter th2s li/erated from all )h5si*al /onds is no! *onfronted /5 the
se*ond 82ardian of the Threshold !ho s)eaks as follo!sE
FTho2 hast released th5self from the !orld of the senses- Tho2 hast !on the right to /e*ome a
*iti7en of the s2)ersensi/le !orld !hen*e thine a*ti.it5 *an no! /e dire*ted- Dor thine o!n
sake tho2 dost no longer re62ire th5 )h5si*al /od5 in its )resent form- If thine intention !ere
merel5 to a*62ire the fa*2lties ne*essar5 for life in the s2)ersensi/le !orld tho2 needest no
longer ret2rn to the sense+!orld- :2t no! /ehold me- See ho! s2/limel5 I to!er a/o.e all
that tho2 hast made of th5self th2s far- Tho2 hast attained th5 )resent degree of )erfe*tion
thanks to the fa*2lties tho2 !ert a/le to de.elo) in the sense+!orld as long as tho2 !ert still
*onfined to it- :2t no! a ne! era is to /egin in !hi*h th5 li/erated )o!ers m2st /e a))lied
to f2rther !ork in the !orld of the senses- Hitherto tho2 hast so2ght onl5 thine o!n release
/2t no! ha.ing th5self /e*ome free tho2 *anst go
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forth as a li/erator of th5 fello!s- 3ntil toda5 tho2 hast stri.en as an indi.id2al /2t no! seek
to *oordinate th5self !ith the !hole so that tho2 ma5st /ring into the s2)ersensi/le !orld
not th5self alone /2t all things else e,isting in the !orld of the senses- Tho2 !ilt some da5 /e
a/le to 2nite !ith me /2t I *annot /e /lessed so long as others remain 2nredeemed- As a
se)arate freed /eing tho2 !o2ldst fain enter at on*e the kingdom of the s2)ersensi/leA 5et
tho2 !o2ldst /e for*ed to look do!n on the still 2nredeemed /eings in the )h5si*al !orld
ha.ing s2ndered th5 destin5 from theirs altho2gh tho2 and the5 are inse)ara/l5 2nited- "e
all did )erfor*e des*end into the sense+!orld to gather )o!ers needed for a higher !orld- To
se)arate th5self from th5 fello!s !o2ld mean to a/2se those .er5 )o!ers !hi*h tho2 *o2ldst
not ha.e de.elo)ed sa.e in their *om)an5- Tho2 *o2ldst not ha.e des*ended had the5 not
done soA and !itho2t them the )o!ers needed for s2)ersensi/le e,isten*e !o2ld fail thee-
Tho2 m2st no! share !ith th5 fello!s the )o!ers !hi*h together !ith them tho2 didst
a*62ire- I shall therefore /ar thine entr5 into the higher regions of the s2)ersensi/le !orld so
long as tho2 hast not a))lied
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all the )o!ers tho2 hast a*62ired to the li/eration of th5 *om)anions- With the )o!ers
alread5 at th5 dis)osal tho2 ma5st soBo2rn in the lo!er regions of the s2)ersensi/le !orldA
/2t I stand /efore the )ortal of the higher regions as the Cher2/ !ith the fier5 s!ord /efore
Paradise and I /ar thine entran*e as long as )o!ers 2n2sed in the sense+!orld still remain in
thee- And if tho2 dost ref2se to a))l5 th5 )o!ers in this !orld others !ill *ome !ho !ill not
ref2seA and a higher s2)ersensi/le !orld !ill re*ei.e all the fr2its of the sense+!orld !hile
tho2 !ilt lose from 2nder th5 feet the .er5 gro2nd in !hi*h tho2 !ert rooted- The )2rified
!orld !ill de.elo) a/o.e and /e5ond thee and tho2 shalt /e e,*l2ded from it- Th2s tho2
!o2ldst tread the /la*k )ath !hile the others from !hom tho2 didst se.er th5self tread the
!hite )ath-F
With these !ords the greater 82ardian makes his )resen*e kno!n soon after the meeting
!ith the first 82ardian has taken )la*e- The initiate kno!s f2ll !ell !hat is in store for him if
he 5ields to the tem)tation of a )remat2re a/ode in the s2)ersensi/le !orld- An indes*ri/a/le
s)lendor shines forth from the se*ond 82ardian of the
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#)aragra)h *ontin2es( ThresholdA 2nion !ith him looms as a far distant ideal /efore the so2lCs
.ision- "et there is also the *ertit2de that this 2nion !ill not /e )ossi/le 2ntil all the )o!ers
afforded /5 this !orld are a))lied to the task of its li/eration and redem)tion- :5 f2lfilling
the demands of the higher light+/eing the initiate !ill *ontri/2te to the li/eration of the
h2man ra*e- He la5s his gifts on the sa*rifi*ial altar of h2manit5- Sho2ld he )refer his o!n
)remat2re ele.ation into the s2)ersensi/le !orld the stream of h2man e.ol2tion !ill flo!
o.er and )ast him- After his li/eration he *an gain no ne! )o!ers from the !orld of the
sensesA and if he )la*es his !ork at the !orldCs dis)osal it !ill entail his reno2n*ement of an5
f2rther /enefit for himself-
It does not follo! that !hen *alled 2)on to de*ide an5one !ill nat2rall5 follo! the !hite
)ath- That de)ends entirel5 2)on !hether he is so far )2rified at the time of his de*ision that
no tra*e of self+seeking makes this )ros)e*t of feli*it5 a))ear desira/le- Dor the all2rements
here are the strongest )ossi/leA !hereas on the other side no s)e*ial all2rements are e.ident-
Here nothing a))eals to his egotism- The gift he re*ei.es in the higher regions of the
s2)ersensi/le !orld is
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nothing that *omes to him /2t onl5 something that flo!s from him that is lo.e for the !orld
and for his fello!s- Nothing that egotism desires is denied 2)on the /la*k )ath for the latter
)ro.ides on the *ontrar5 for the *om)lete gratifi*ation of egotism and !ill not fail to attra*t
those desiring merel5 their o!n feli*it5 for it is indeed the a))ro)riate )ath for them- No one
therefore sho2ld e,)e*t the o**2ltists of the !hite )ath to gi.e him instr2*tion for the
de.elo)ment of his o!n egotisti*al self- The5 do not take the slightest interest in the feli*it5 of
the indi.id2al man- Ea*h *an attain that for himself and it is not the task of the !hite
o**2ltists to shorten the !a5A for the5 are onl5 *on*erned !ith the de.elo)ment and
li/eration of all h2man /eings and all *reat2res- Their instr2*tions therefore deal onl5 !ith
the de.elo)ment of )o!ers for *olla/oration in this !ork- Th2s the5 )la*e selfless de.otion
and self+sa*rifi*e /efore all other 62alities- The5 ne.er a*t2all5 ref2se an5one for e.en the
greatest egotist *an )2rif5 himselfA /2t no one merel5 seeking an ad.antage for himself !ill
e.er o/tain assistan*e from the !hite o**2ltists- E.en !hen the5 do not ref2se their hel) he
the seeker de)ri.es himself on the ad.antage
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res2lting from their assistan*e- An5one therefore reall5 follo!ing the instr2*tions of the
good o**2ltists !ill 2)on *rossing the Threshold 2nderstand the demands of the greater
82ardianA an5one ho!e.er not follo!ing their instr2*tions *an ne.er ho)e to rea*h the
Threshold- Their instr2*tions if follo!ed )rod2*e good res2lts or no res2ltsA for it is no )art
of their task to lead to egotisti*al feli*it5 and a mere e,isten*e in the s2)ersensi/le !orlds- In
fa*t it /e*omes their d2t5 to kee) the st2dent a!a5 from the s2)ersensi/le !orld 2ntil he *an
enter it !ith the !ill for selfless *olla/oration-

#)- 0H1(

APPENDI)
THE )ath to s2)ersensi/le kno!ledge as des*ri/ed in this /ook leads the so2l thro2gh
e,)erien*es *on*erning the nat2re of !hi*h it is es)e*iall5 im)ortant to a.oid all ill2sions and
mis*on*e)tions- "et it is /2t nat2ral that the latter sho2ld arise in s2*h 62estions as are here
*onsidered- In this *onne*tion one of the most serio2s mistakes o**2rs !hen the !hole range
of inner e,)erien*e dealt !ith in tr2e s)irit2al s*ien*e is distorted into a))earing in the same
*ategor5 as s2)erstition .isionar5 dreaming medi2mshi) (s)iritism) and other degenerate
)ra*ti*es- This distortion is often d2e to the fa*t that )ersons desiro2s of follo!ing the )ath
des*ri/ed in this /ook are *onf2sed !ith others !ho in their sear*h for s2)ersensi/le realit5
and as a res2lt of methods
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foreign to gen2ine stri.ing for kno!ledge !ander into 2ndesira/le )aths- The e,)erien*es
thro2gh !hi*h the h2man so2l li.es on the )ath here des*ri/ed are !holl5 *onfined to the
realm of )s5*ho+s)irit2al e,)erien*e- The5 are onl5 )ossi/le if e62al freedom and
inde)enden*e from the /odil5 life are attained for *ertain other inner e,)erien*es as is the
*ase d2ring ordinar5 *ons*io2sness !hen tho2ghts are made *on*erning things o2t!ardl5
)er*ei.ed or in!ardl5 felt and !illed tho2ghts !hi*h do not themsel.es originate in !hat is
)er*ei.ed felt and !illed- There are )eo)le !ho den5 the e,isten*e of s2*h tho2ghts- The5
/elie.e that no tho2ght is )ossi/le that is not e,tra*ted from )er*e)tions or from the inner life
de)endent on the /od5- Dor them all tho2ghts are to a *ertain e,tent mere refle*tions of
)er*e)tions and of inner e,)erien*es- This .ie! ho!e.er *an /e e,)ressed onl5 /5 those
!ho ha.e ne.er raised themsel.es to the fa*2lt5 of e,)erien*ing !ith their so2ls a self+
s2staining life in )2re tho2ght- Dor others !ho ha.e li.ed thro2gh this e,)erien*e it is a
matter of kno!ledge that !here.er tho2ght dominates the life of the so2l to the degree that
this tho2ght )ermeates other so2l f2n*tions
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the h2man /eing is in.ol.ed in an a*ti.it5 in !hose origin his /od5 has no share- In the
ordinar5 life of the so2l tho2ght is almost al!a5s mi,ed !ith other f2n*tionsE )er*e)tion
feeling !illing and so forth- These other f2n*tions are effe*t2ated /5 the /od5A 5et tho2ght
)la5s into them and to the degree that is does this a )ro*ess takes )la*e in and thro2gh the
h2man /eing in !hi*h his /od5 has no share- This *an onl5 /e denied so long as the ill2sion
is not dis*arded !hi*h arises from o/ser.ing tho2ght onl5 !hen the latter is 2nited !ith
other f2n*tions- "et an inner e,ertion is )ossi/le !hi*h !ill ena/le the thinking )art of inner
life to /e e,)erien*ed as distin*t from e.er5thing else- Something *onsisting in )2re tho2ght
alone *an /e deta*hed from the en*om)assing so2l+life that is tho2ghts that are self+
s2staining and from !hi*h e.er5thing )ro.ided /5 )er*e)tion or /odil5 *onditioned inner
life is e,*l2ded- S2*h tho2ghts re.eal themsel.es thro2gh themsel.es thro2gh !hat the5 are
as s)irit2al s2)ersensi/le s2/stan*e- An5one 2niting himself !ith them !hile e,*l2ding all
)er*e)tion all memor5 and e.er5 other token of inner life kno!s himself to /e in a
s2)ersensi/le region and e,)erien*es himself
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o2tside the )h5si*al /od5- Dor an5one familiar !ith this !hole )ro*ess the 62estion *an no
longer ariseE Can the so2l li.e thro2gh e,)erien*es o2tside the /od5 in a s2)ersensi/le
!orld? Dor it !o2ld mean den5ing !hat he kno!s from e,)erien*e- The onl5 62estion for
him isE What )re.ents s2*h a )ositi.e fa*t from /eing re*ogni7ed? And the ans!er he finds to
this 62estion is that the fa*t does not re.eal itself 2nless the st2dent first *2lti.ates a *ondition
of so2l !hi*h allo!s him to /e*ome the re*i)ient of this re.elation-
No! )eo)le /e*ome at on*e s2s)i*io2s !hen an a*ti.it5 *onfined entirel5 to the so2l is
e,)e*ted of them in order that something inde)endent of themsel.es sho2ld re.eal itself-
The5 /elie.e that the5 themsel.es gi.e the re.elation its *ontent /e*a2se the5 )re)are
themsel.es to re*ei.e it- The5 e,)e*t e,)erien*es to !hi*h the5 *ontri/2te nothing and !hi*h
allo! them to remain 62ite )assi.e- Sho2ld s2*h )eo)le in addition /e ignorant of the
sim)lest s*ientifi* re62irements for the *om)rehension of a gi.en fa*t the5 !ill take for an
o/Be*ti.e re.elation of non+sensi/le s2/stan*es *ontents and )rod2*tions of the so2l in !hi*h
the so2lCs *ons*io2s )arti*i)ation is red2*ed /elo!
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the le.el maintained in sense+)er*e)tion and !ill+im)elled a*tion- S2*h are the so2l+*ontents
)ro.ided /5 the e,)erien*es and re.elations of the .isionar5 and the medi2m- :2t !hat
*omes to the fore thro2gh s2*h re.elations is not a s2)ersensi/le /2t a s2/+sensi/le !orld-
H2man !aking life does not r2n its *o2rse *om)letel5 !ithin the /od5A the most *ons*io2s
)art of it r2ns its *o2rse on the /o2ndar5 /et!een the /od5 and the )h5si*al o2ter !orldA
th2s the )ro*ess of )er*e)tion !ith the organs of sense is as m2*h an e,tra+)h5si*al )ro*ess
)enetrating into the /od5 as a )ermeation of this )ro*ess from o2t the /od5A so too is the life
of !ill !hi*h rests 2)on the insertion of the h2man /eing into the *osmi* /eing so that !hat
o**2rs in the h2man /eing thro2gh his !ill is sim2ltaneo2sl5 a link in the *hain of *osmi*
o**2rren*e- In this life of the so2l r2nning on the /o2ndar5 of the )h5si*al /od5 the h2man
/eing is to a high degree de)endent on his )h5si*al organi7ationA /2t the f2n*tion of tho2ght
)la5s into this a*ti.it5 and in as m2*h as this is the *ase the h2man /eing makes himself
inde)endent of his /odil5 organi7ation in the f2n*tions of sense )er*e)tion and !illing- In
the
#)- 0HG(
e,)erien*es of the .isionar5 and in medi2misti* )henomena the h2man /eing /e*omes
*om)letel5 de)endent on his /od5- He e,*l2des from the life of his so2l that f2n*tion !hi*h
in )er*e)tion and !illing makes him inde)endent of his /od5- Th2s the *ontent and
)rod2*tions of his so2l are merel5 re.elations of his /odil5 life- The e,)erien*es of the
.isionar5 and the )henomena )rod2*ed /5 the medi2m o!e their e,isten*e to the fa*t that a
)erson !hile th2s e,)erien*ing and )rod2*ing is !ith his so2l less inde)endent of his /od5
than in ordinar5 )er*e)tion and !illing- In the e,)erien*e of the s2)ersensi/le as indi*ated in
this /ook the de.elo)ment of so2l+life )ro*eeds in B2st the o))osite dire*tion from that taken
/5 the .isionar5 and the medi2m- The so2l a*62ires a )rogressi.el5 greater inde)enden*e of
the /od5 than is the *ase in )er*ei.ing and !illing- The same inde)enden*e reali7ed in the
e,)erien*e of )2re tho2ght is attained /5 the so2l for a far !ider range of a*ti.it5-
Dor the s2)ersensi/le a*ti.it5 of the so2l here meant it is es)e*iall5 im)ortant to gras) and
reali7e in the *learest )ossi/le !a5 this e,)erien*e of life in )2re tho2ght- Dor in the main this
#)- 0HH(
e,)erien*e is alread5 a s2)ersensi/le a*ti.it5 of the so2l /2t one in !hi*h nothing
s2)ersensi/le is as 5et )er*ei.ed- With )2re tho2ght !e li.e in the s2)ersensi/leA /2t !e
e,)erien*e onl5 this in s2)ersensi/le fashionA !e do not 5et e,)erien*e an5thing else
s2)ersensi/l5- And s2)ersensi/le e,)erien*e m2st /e a *ontin2ation of that life alread5
attained /5 the so2l !hen 2nited !ith )2re tho2ght- Dor this reason it is so im)ortant to gain
kno!ledge of this 2nion in the right !a5 for it is from its *om)rehension that light shines
forth to /ring *orre*t insight into the nat2re of s2)ersensi/le kno!ledge- The moment the life
of the so2l links /elo! the le.el of *lear *ons*io2sness e,isting in tho2ght the so2l is on the
!rong )ath as far as tr2e kno!ledge of the s2)ersensi/le !orld is *on*ernedE for the so2l is
sei7ed /5 the /odil5 f2n*tions and !hat is than e,)erien*ed is not the re.elation of a
s2)ersensi/le !orld /2t /odil5 re.elations *onfined to the s2)ersensi/le !orld-
L L L
(0) Ha.ing )enetrated to the s)here of the s2)ersensi/le the so2lCs e,)erien*es are of s2*h a
#)- 0H'(
nat2re that des*ri)ti.e e,)ressions *annot so easil5 /e fo2nd for them as for e,)erien*es
*onfined to the !orld of the senses- Care m2st often /e taken not to o.erlook the fa*t that to a
*ertain e,tent in des*ri)tions of s2)ersensi/le e,)erien*e the distan*e se)arating the a*t2al
fa*t from the lang2age 2sed to des*ri/e it is greater than in des*ri)tions of )h5si*al
e,)erien*e- The reader m2st /e at )ains to reali7e that man5 an e,)ression is intended as an
ill2stration merel5 indi*ating in a deli*ate !a5 the realit5 to !hi*h it refers- Th2s it is said on
)age P)age $%Q of this /ookE FOriginall5 all r2les and tea*hings of s)irit2al s*ien*e !ere
e,)ressed in a s5m/oli*al sign+lang2age-F And on )age P)age =0Q a F*ertain !riting s5stemF
!as mentioned- No! an5one ma5 easil5 /e led to s2))ose that s2*h a !riting s5stem *an /e
learned in the same !a5 !e learn the letters of an ordinar5 )h5si*al lang2age and their
*om/inations- In this *onne*tion it m2st /e )ointed o2t that there ha.e /een and there still are
s)irit2al s*ientifi* signs /5 means of !hi*h s2)ersensi/le fa*ts are e,)ressed- And an5one
initiated into the meaning of these s5m/ols attains
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there/5 the means of dire*ting his inner life to!ard the s2)ersensi/le realities in 62estion-
:2t !hat is of far greater im)ortan*e for s2)ersensi/le e,)erien*es is that in the *o2rse of
that s2)ersensi/le e,)erien*e to !hi*h the reali7ation of the *ontents of this /ook leads the
so2l sho2ld in the *ontem)lation of the s2)ersensi/le gain the re.elation of s2*h a !riting
thro2gh )ersonal e,)erien*e- The s2)ersensi/le sa5s something to the so2l !hi*h the so2l
m2st translate into these ill2strati.e signs so that it *an /e s2r.e5ed !ith f2ll *ons*io2sness-
The statement *an /e made that !hat is im)arted in this /ook *an /e reali7ed /5 e.er5 so2l-
And in the *o2rse of this reali7ation !hi*h the so2l *an )ersonall5 determine a**ording to
the indi*ations gi.en the res2lting e.ents o**2r as des*ri/ed- ;et the reader take this /ook as
a *on.ersation /et!een the a2thor and himself- The statement that the st2dent needs
)ersonal instr2*tion sho2ld /e 2nderstood in the sense that this /ook itself is )ersonal
instr2*tion- In earlier times there !ere reasons for reser.ing s2*h )ersonal instr2*tion for oral
tea*hingA toda5 !e ha.e rea*hed a stage in the e.ol2tion of h2manit5 in !hi*h s)irit2al
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s*ientifi* kno!ledge m2st /e*ome far more !idel5 disseminated than formerl5- It m2st /e
)la*ed !ithin the rea*h of e.er5one to a 62ite different e,tend from !hat !as the *ase in
older times- Hen*e the /ook re)la*es the former oral instr2*tion- It is onl5 to a limited e,tent
*orre*t to sa5 that f2rther )ersonal instr2*tion is ne*essar5 /e5ond that *ontained in this
/ook- No do2/t someone ma5 need assistan*e and it ma5 /e of im)ortan*e for him or herA
/2t it !o2ld /e false to /elie.e that there are an5 *ardinal )oints not mentioned in this /ook-
These *an /e fo2nd /5 an5one !ho reads *orre*tl5 and a/o.e all *om)letel5-
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(4) The des*ri)ti.e instr2*tions gi.en in this /ook a))ear at first sight to re62ire the *om)lete
alteration of the !hole h2man /eing- "et !hen *orre*tl5 read it !ill /e fo2nd that nothing
more is intended than a des*ri)tion of the inner so2l state re62ired of an5one in those
moments of life at !hi*h he *onfronts the s2)ersensi/le !orld- He de.elo)s this state of so2l
as a se*ond /eing !ithin himselfA and the health5 other /eing )2rs2es
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its *o2rse in the old !a5- The 2nfolding trainee kno!s ho! to hold the t!o /eings a)art in
f2ll *ons*io2sness and ho! to make them a*t and rea*t on ea*h other in the right !a5- This
does not make him 2seless and in*om)etent for life nor does he lose his interest and skill in it
and /e*ome a s)irit2al resear*her the !hole da5 long- It is of *o2rse tr2e that the st2dentCs
manner of e,)erien*e in the s2)ersensi/le !orld !ill shed its light o.er his !hole /eingA /2t
far from distra*ting him from life it makes him more *a)a/le and his life more )rod2*ti.e-
The ne*essit5 of ado)ting the e,isting method of des*ri)tion is d2e to the fa*t that e.er5
*ogniti.e )ro*ess dire*ted to!ard the s2)ersensi/le *alls the !hole h2man /eing into a*tionA
so that in the moment of s2*h *ognition the !hole h2man /eing is engaged !hile the
s2)ersensi/le *ogniti.e )ro*ess engages the !hole h2man /eing- The !hole h2man /eing
/e*omes an e5e or an ear- Dor this reason !hen information is gi.en *on*erning the
*onstr2*tion of s2)ersensi/le *ogniti.e )ro*esses it a))ears as tho2gh a transformation of
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the h2man /eing !ere meant as if nothing !ere right in the ordinar5 h2man /eing and he
sho2ld /e*ome 62ite different-
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(&) I sho2ld like to add to !hat !as said on ))- P)age $4$Q et se6- *on*erning Fsome res2lts
of initiationF something !hi*h !ith a slight alteration *an a))l5 to other )arts of the /ook-
It ma5 o**2r to someone to ask !hether s2*h fig2rati.e des*ri)tions are ne*essar5 and
!hether it !o2ld not /e )ossi/le to des*ri/e these s2)ersensi/le e,)erien*es in ideas !itho2t
s2*h ill2strations- In re)l5 it m2st /e )ointed o2t that for the e,)erien*e of s2)ersensi/le
realit5 it is essential that the h2man /eing kne! himself as a s2)ersensi/le /eing in a
s2)ersensi/le !orld- Witho2t this .ision of his o!n s2)ersensi/le nat2re !hose realit5 is
f2ll5 manifest in the des*ri)tions here gi.en of the lot2s flo!ers and the etheri* /od5 the
h2man /eingCs e,)erien*e of himself in the s2)ersensi/le !orld !o2ld /e like )la*ing him in
the sensi/le !orld in s2*h a !a5 that the things and )ro*esses aro2nd him manifested
themsel.es !hile he himself had no kno!ledge of his o!n
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/od5- His )er*e)tion of his o!n s2)ersensi/le form in so2l+/od5 and etheri* /od5 ena/les
him to stand *ons*io2s of himself in the s2)ersensi/le !orld B2st as he is *ons*io2s of
himself in the )h5si*al !orld thro2gh the )er*e)tion of his )h5si*al /od5-

THE EN<-