140 - Treading the Probationary Path
140.1 The Probationary Path, its Stages, Tests and Hindrances
What is the Path and what are its main divisions?
The Path is referred to the Spiritual Path of consciousness evolution (the Path of Evolution). It is the evolutionary journey upon which all creatures in the universe are proceeding, as consciousness evolves. It is the transition from a lower state of awareness, to a higher state, leading eventually to identification with supreme universal Consciousness. In regard to man, the path refers to the process in which consciousness evolves from a state of ignorance, to the sublime heights of soul enlightenment.
The Path of Evolution as it involves consciousness in the human kingdom has 3 main stages (each of these three sections have further sub-divisions):
1. The Ordinary Path upon which the personality nature of ordinary or average man is developed. The Probationary Path is the transition at the end of the Ordinary Path and towards the Path of Discipleship.
2. The Path of Discipleship, referred to the Initiation 1, 2 and 3, bringing the personality under the control of the Soul.
3. The Path of Initiation or the Path of Illumination, referred to the Initiations 4 and beyond, bringing consciousness under the control of the Monad or Spirit.
a. Why is it of value for student to know where he/she stands upon the Path and what may be his/her particular problem?
It is essential to know where we stand upon the Path, so that we are aware of the goals relevant to our positions and we can figure out the future progress to strive for. This means correctly identifying which body is being developed and purified, and which level of consciousness is emerging so that right techniques can be applied. On the other hand, this knowledge is also needed for accuracy of astrological prediction and interpretation.
b. What lessons is the student learning on the Probationary Path?
On the Probationary Path, the student is called probationer, or aspirant and is learning preparatory lessons for stepping on to the Path of Discipleship. As this is the Path of Purification, the main lessons involve purification of one’s lower bodies and integration of personality. The student learns to know himself, to discriminate, to ascertain his weakness and to correct them through building his characters, cultivating positive qualities and meditation.
The goals for the Probationary Path are:
- Developing the ability to contact his group, to be sensible of the vibration of the group of which some particular Master is the focal point.
- Developing the faculty of abstract thought, the power to link up with the higher mind, via the causal body.
- Practising technique of Indifference, to end maya and purify the astral body, freeing of the energies of the etheric body from the control of matter.
- Equipping oneself for service to humanity.
Mystical aspirants are the aspirants with mystical consciousness, the attainment of a loving attitude and a sentimental approach to life (people and circumstances). They find that the path to the inner worlds of desire-emotion, of mind and of spiritual vision are the line of least resistance, and thus the physical plane integration and expression suffer. They are the sensitive, struggling people, conscious of duality, torn between the pairs of opposites and long for release from failure and from existence in our current world. The mystic is not a true esotericist or occultist, because he is not dealing with his consciousness with energies and forces but with the vague “Something other”.
GL...Hi Daisy, welcome to 140 course work. In this instance we are learning to make spiritual distinctions and therefore learn discrimination of the various energies and factors that will be integrated as we proceed on this interior journey. I see that you have read the master’s words in this regard and have put them to good use in your description above.
GL...Hi Daisy, welcome to 140 course work. In this instance we are learning to make spiritual distinctions and therefore learn discrimination of the various energies and factors that will be integrated as we proceed on this interior journey. I see that you have read the master’s words in this regard and have put them to good use in your description above.
a. How is this stage of consciousness and activity related to the Path of Probation as you understand that Path?
For my understanding, the mystic stage of consciousness and activity is related to the transition at the final stage of the Probationary Path and towards the early stage of the Disciple Path. At this stage of consciousness, the student becomes aware of capacities and powers but cannot control them intelligently. He experiences flashes of insight, contacting vibrations and the phenomena of other realms but still remains unknowing of the process and cannot recall the experience.
GL…Yes there does tend to be a bit of vagueness in articulating the inner factors to be integrated, even over estimation or inflation in this regard.
The objectivity of mental development has not modified their perspective of spiritual qualities as yet.
Of course there are always exceptions to these basic parameters and in some of these cases we often see well developed examples and these will make a quick transition on to the occult path. There are still many mystics in the world doing valued work and influencing many in their communities but they may not strike a resonance with us with their particular teaching due to the influence of the soul type and mind activity.
GL…Yes there does tend to be a bit of vagueness in articulating the inner factors to be integrated, even over estimation or inflation in this regard.
The objectivity of mental development has not modified their perspective of spiritual qualities as yet.
Of course there are always exceptions to these basic parameters and in some of these cases we often see well developed examples and these will make a quick transition on to the occult path. There are still many mystics in the world doing valued work and influencing many in their communities but they may not strike a resonance with us with their particular teaching due to the influence of the soul type and mind activity.
b. At what stage of the Probationary Path do we find the mystical aspirant? Why do you think so?
We find the mystical aspirant at the final stages of the Probationary Path. Because the mystical way leads to the 1st initiation, which is the goal of the Probationary Path.
GL…Yes Daisy I agree with your position, although it would seem this will change as we enter the Aquarian age and more mental types enter the spiritual path. There is also the ray 7 cycle that will be influencing those coming into incarnation just as it was ray 6 influencing during the Piscean era. This will bring in the more mental types and clearer appreciation of the path of occultism in contrast to the mystical way.
GL…Yes Daisy I agree with your position, although it would seem this will change as we enter the Aquarian age and more mental types enter the spiritual path. There is also the ray 7 cycle that will be influencing those coming into incarnation just as it was ray 6 influencing during the Piscean era. This will bring in the more mental types and clearer appreciation of the path of occultism in contrast to the mystical way.
c. Within which stage of the Six Stages of Discipleship can we place the mystical aspirant and why?
We can place the mystical aspirant preceding the first stage of the 6 Stages of Discipleship, which is the Little Chelaship. Because in the wider context of the 6 Stages of Discipleship (Chelaship), the Probationary Path is the first stage.
GL…Yes – However prior to the recent changes and reorganization of the Hierarchy we would assume that all stages of discipleship were populated with mystical disciples and initiates. When we consider the historical spiritual emphasis in India, China and greater Asia we can see the path of mysticism was prevalent. The teachers that influenced and trained those aspirants and candidates for the early initiations also seemed quite mystical in their spiritual orientation. So the requirements for the stages of discipleship have changed somewhat to meet the needs of the new types entering the spiritual path.
140.2 The Distinguishing Requirements of the Stage of Probationary Discipleship
When a human being becomes a "Chela in the Light", certain developments take place which enable him to see the vision more clearly and to know what he must do. (DINA I/722). What are these developments? Give your own understanding of them.
When a human being becomes a Chela in the Light, certain developments take place which enable him to see the vision more clearly and to know what he must do, as the Light ever reveals. These developments are:
- A transition in consciousness from the astral plane to the mental plane with the help and guidance by a higher disciple (a senior). “The chela with the Light leads him by the hand from light into a greater Light.”
- Discernment, distinguishing between the pairs of opposites. This is a Transformation upon the dual way, leading into the Way.
- Awareness of glamour of the astral plane as something from which the aspirant must eventually free himself and aid in freeing the world.
GL…Well said – there is a greater facility for soul contact and this has brought about the use of a more direct technique of integration.
a. Is the vision a gradually unfolding consciousness of what lies ahead or an unconscious remembering of something once sensed and seen? Or is it, in a way, both? Please explain.
The vision is in a way both a gradually unfolding consciousness of what lies ahead and an unconscious remembering of something once sensed and seen. Because the vision is corresponding to the consciousness, it is built up and accumulated by consciousness expansion.
GL…Yes and at some stage in this process of integration, the vision itself is concerned with the Plan and the part that the aspirant can play that also facilitates further spiritual development.
Woops - I see you cover this below Daisy…I see you are not new to these matters…😊
b. What is the vision with which the disciple should be concerned?
The vision that the disciple should be concerned is the one that should be the true reality, free of glamours of the astral plane.
c. Light ever reveals, and upon the Way produces vision. Vision of what?
Light ever reveals, and upon the Way, the vision of a further portion of the Divine Plan is shown.
d. When the probationary disciple knows the pairs of opposites and has gained a vision of that which is neither of them he can pass on to the Path of Discipleship. What do you understand by this type of vision?
The vision of reality of the physical plane and the astral plane, neither of them can the probationary disciple pass on to the Path of Discipleship. Because on the Discipleship Path, he must further developments starting from the mental plane.
140.3 Hindrances on the Path of Probation and Means of Overcoming Them
What would we consider as the typical hindrances of character in the probationer upon the Path of Probation? Can you recognize any of these hindrances in yourself and if so why?
The hindrances on the Path of Probation are the wrong ideas which have been accumulated for ages, preventing men from realizing that they are Spiritual Beings from higher Source and thus identifying themselves with their lower bodies and material. These hindrances are:
- Ignorance (the root of all the other hindrances)
- Egoism
- Attachment (desire)
- Hate (aversion to life)
- Clinging to life
I can recognize the hindrance of attachment in myself as I still have the emotional desire of being loved.
a. What are the qualities we need to cultivate to eliminate the hindrances? Give specific examples.
- For eliminating ignorance, we should cultivate wisdom, through esoteric study.
- For eliminating egoism, we should cultivate humility, seeing Divinity present in everything, seeing the great potential, the best version of everyone, from the perspective of their Souls.
- For eliminating attachment, we should cultivate the insight on impermanence, and practice the technique of indifference. We can hold the thought that we are spiritual divine ray, here on earth for learning and service, but this physical world is not our true home. Imagine ourselves letting go, as a free spirit returning to our spiritual Father, our Source, our true home.
- For eliminating hate, we should cultivate unconditional love and the insight of Oneness as God is love and our interconnectedness is the true and ultimate reality. We can practice loving-kindness or compassion meditation by holding the thought of God radiating love to us, and we pass it on - to nature, to those in need, to those we love, and finally, to the one we hate. Feel our heart chakra open up as we do this.
- For eliminating clinging to life, we should study the wisdom teachings to realize more and more the Truth.
GL…well done…
b. Are you aware of a particular quality you need to cultivate which, when present in your character, would enable you to pass a particular test? What is the quality and what is the test?
Yes, I am. The test is suffering from the emotional attachment to the one I love. And the quality that I need to cultivate to enable me to pass this test is the discernment to break the glamour of the astral plane, plus the unconditional love.
GL…Yes I understand Daisy and this is no easy achievement…there is much to consider in these dynamics and as you infer it ultimately comes down to ourselves and our 100% responsibility for the entire matter…such is the nature of attachment and these tests are presented in order to free ourselves from a limiting affliction and glamour. Have you ever looked into attachment style in romantic relationships.?. It is helpful to know our attachment style and this also gives us a clue to the ray and/or sub ray of the emotional body.
GL…Yes I understand Daisy and this is no easy achievement…there is much to consider in these dynamics and as you infer it ultimately comes down to ourselves and our 100% responsibility for the entire matter…such is the nature of attachment and these tests are presented in order to free ourselves from a limiting affliction and glamour. Have you ever looked into attachment style in romantic relationships.?. It is helpful to know our attachment style and this also gives us a clue to the ray and/or sub ray of the emotional body.
140.4 Major Tests Upon the Paths of Aspiration and Probation
One of the most important tests upon the Probationary Path is the test of money. Why do you think this is so?
The tests upon the Probationary Path involves the transmutation of negative expressions of the personality and the breaking free of glamours of the lower worlds. Therefore, the test of money is one of the most important tests upon this stage, as it relates to the glamour of the material world and the greed or the goodwill in humanity.
a. The difficulty behind the test of money is due to a wrong attitude to money. Enlarge briefly on this statement.
The difficulty behind the test of money is due to the wrong thought of humanity, which is affected by selfishness, greed and material desire.
i. What is money?
Esoterically speaking, money is considered as concretised spiritual energy, as a means to real world work and thus together with it is the spiritual responsibility.
ii. How do we develop a correct attitude to money?
We develop a correct attitude to money by nurturing the quality of selflessness and generosity so that we can use money as means for working towards higher causes and for the great common good.
iii. What is your attitude to money? Do you think you handle money in a manner congruent with spiritual values? Why or why not?
For me, my attitude to money is similar to materials in general. They should serve our basic needs and our group’s and the world’s needs but not our selfish desires.
Yes, I think that I use money in a manner congruent with spiritual values. I always set aside a part of my income for sharing with others, or donation to charity or community works.
b. We are told that need, love and magnetic power are the three things which, consciously or unconsciously, and when manifesting simultaneously, attract money. (DINA I/272) How do you understand this statement?
“Need, love and magnetic power, when manifesting simultaneously attract money.” When the need is real, the love is unselfish and the magnetic force utilised is rightly motivated and animated by a spirit of love, the new group of the world servers then can act as magnets attracting money. Through right love, right thought or meditation, the financial requirements of the new group of the world servers will be realized.
GL…Thank you for your insights and experiences you have shared here Daisy. I tend to think it is important to formulate our own ideas on these topics and not just quote the master as it is in deliberation and pondering that discernment is achieved… I get the sense you have much to contribute and so wish to encourage you in this regard …As aspirants and disciples we continually review our performance and values – it is not an easy path but then what would we rather be doing – all the best to you - Geoff
GL…Thank you for your insights and experiences you have shared here Daisy. I tend to think it is important to formulate our own ideas on these topics and not just quote the master as it is in deliberation and pondering that discernment is achieved… I get the sense you have much to contribute and so wish to encourage you in this regard …As aspirants and disciples we continually review our performance and values – it is not an easy path but then what would we rather be doing – all the best to you - Geoff
