Listen

The material universe is populated by humanoids, or beings who resemble humans but have degraded consciousness, unaware of spiritual reality. Their consciousness is concentrated only on the material dimensions of length, width and height. They may have some foggy awareness of time, but no scientific knowledge of it. When they leave their bodies in dreams or at death, they travel up the Way of the Esoteric Teaching to the Gate of Association. But because they do not have the Key of Desire, they cannot enter. They must come back again to birth, struggle, suffering and death in the material world until they get it. Outside the path of the Esoteric Teaching there is only materialistic ignorance and suffering.

If a humanoid is very fortunate, he encounters the Esoteric Teaching through a book, another medium or a personal invitation. The only qualification required to enter the Exoteric Circle is a sincere desire to know the Absolute Truth. Therefore we say that the Gate of Association is opened with the Key of Desire.

Anyone can read the publications or attend the meetings and seminars of the Exoteric Circle. This training by association will gradually inject scientific knowledge of consciousness and the three dimensions of time into the consciousness of the humanoid, who then has the chance to become a Candidate for spiritual Initiation, or a human being in the full sense of the term.

If a Candidate displays good progress in advancing spiritual knowledge and service, avoids the numerous pitfalls on the spiritual path and attains the Key of Wisdom, he may be invited by the Master to accept Initiation. Initiation, like marriage, is a lifetime commitment. But unlike marriage, there is no divorce court available. Therefore, one who is considering Initiation must be very careful to ascertain that he is serious before accepting it. And the Master thoroughly tests all Candidates before they may become Initiates.

An Initiate becomes a full-time student of the Master and joins the community of the esoteric school. He is exposed to the complete Absolute Truth, and learns about the three dimensions of eternity through the confidential scriptures of the Esoteric Teaching. He is also expected to develop a specialty in the transcendental technology of the Teaching, and to perform original research. He gets personal, individualized instruction from the Master Teacher and has access to highly confidential sources of spiritual information.

Initiation is best for younger people who are still flexible and can adapt to the demanding lifestyle of an esoteric disciple. Older people who are set in their ways are often better off remaining in the Exoteric Circle and developing their spiritual knowledge in that environment, where they will be more comfortable. After all, discipleship is a very difficult and demanding path. However, if one is determined to become a Master Teacher, it is the only way.

It is not unusual for a student to remain a Candidate for 10 years or more; similarly, it is not unusual for one to remain an Initiate for 25 years or more before becoming a Master Teacher. Many Initiates have to take birth again before becoming a Master. It is far better to err on the side of caution, than to prematurely take on the responsibility for others’ spiritual advancement. It is best if one waits until there is no other alternative before accepting the duties of a Master Teacher.

However, the overall aim of the entire organization of any school of the Esoteric Teaching is to create such Masters of spiritual wisdom. And there are ways to accelerate the process. Only the Master Teacher can know the entire technology of the Esoteric Teaching, for it is his duty to guide the students to their ultimate destinations. What does this mean?

By using the mystic Keys of the Esoteric Teaching, one can transfer his consciousness to any planet or dimension, either temporarily or permanently. In this way one can explore the different dimensions of the material and spiritual universes. Finally, once a Master has determined his preference, at the time of death he can transfer his primary embodiment through the Gates of the Esoteric Teaching to an eternal existence on the spiritual planet or dimension of his choice. This is the end of all suffering, and it is the ultimate aim of the spiritual technology of the Esoteric Teaching, as well as all spiritual paths based on it, such as Yoga and Tantra.

Next: Community of the Esoteric Teaching