| In the previous groups of yogins dealt with, perception was
limited to the phenomenal world, [39] though we must understand by that only the three
worlds of mental perception, astral perception and of the physical senses. The energies
producing concretion and the motive power of thought as it produces effects on the
physical plane are contacted and known. Here however the yogin translates himself into
more spiritual and subtler realms and becomes aware of that which the self (in its true
nature) perceives and knows. He enters into the world of causes. The first group might be
regarded as comprising all who are treading the path of discipleship, and covers the time
from their entrance upon the Probationary Path until they have taken the second
Initiation. The second group is comprised of those higher disciples who - having
controlled and transmuted the entire lower nature - make a contact with their monad,
spirit or "Father in Heaven" and discern what that monad perceives. The first
form of realisation comes to those who are in process of synthesising the six lower
centres into the head centre, through the transmutation of the lower four into the higher
three, and then of the heart and throat into the head. The second group - through a
knowledge of the law - works with all the transmuted and purified centres. They know how
to achieve the real samadhi or state of occult abstraction through their ability to
withdraw the energies into the thousand petalled lotus of the head, and from thence to
abstract them through the other two subtler bodies until all is centred and focussed in
the causal vehicle, the karana sarira, the egoic lotus. We are told by [40] Patanjali that
this is produced by the following five stages. Students should bear in mind that these
stages relate to soul activities, to egoic realisation and not to the reactions of the
lower man and the physical brain.
- Belief. On his own plane the soul rehearses a condition analogous to the belief
of the aspirant in the soul or Christ aspect, only in this case the objective is the
realisation of that which the Christ or soul is seeking to reveal, the spirit or Father in
Heaven. First the disciple arrives at a realisation of the angel of His Presence, the
solar angel, ego or soul. This is the achievement of the previous group. Then the Presence
itself is later contacted and that Presence is pure spirit, the absolute, the Father of
Being. The self and the not-self have been known by this group of initiates. Now the
vision of the not-self dims and passes away and only spirit is known. Belief must ever be
the first stage. First, the theory, then the experiment, and lastly realisation.
- Energy. When the theory is grasped, when the goal is perceived, then activity
ensues - that right activity and that correct use of force which will bring the goal
nearer and make theory fact.
- Memory, or right mindfulness. This is an interesting factor in the process as it
involves right forgetfulness, or the elimination out of the consciousness of the ego of
all those forms which have hitherto veiled the Real. These forms are either self-chosen or
self-created. This leads to a condition of true apprehension or the ability to register
correctly that which the soul has [41] perceived, and the power to transfer that correct
perception to the brain of the physical man. This is the memory referred to here. It does
not refer so specifically to recollection of the things of the past, but covers the point
of realisation and the transference of that realisation to the brain where it must be
registered and eventually recollected at will.
- Meditation. That which has been seen and registered in the brain and which has
emanated from the soul must be meditated upon and thus woven into the fabric of the life.
It is through this meditation that the soul-perceptions become real to the man upon the
physical plane. This meditation therefore is of a very high order as it follows upon the
contemplative stage and is soul-meditation with the object of illuminating the vehicle
upon the physical plane.
- Right perception. The experience of the soul, and the knowledge of the spirit or
Father aspect begins to form part of the brain content of the Adept or Master. He knows
the plan as it is to be found on the highest levels and is in touch with the Archetype. It
is, if I might illustrate in this way, that this class of yogins have reached the point
where they can perceive the plan as it exists in the mind of the "Grand Architect of
the Universe." They are now en rapport with Him. In the other class of Yogins, the
point reached is that in which they are able to study the blue-prints of the great plan
and thus can intelligently cooperate in the building of the Temple of the Lord. The
perception referred to here is of such a high [42] order as to be almost inconceivable to
any but advanced disciples, but in an appreciation of the stages and grades there comes to
the aspirant, not only an understanding of what is his immediate problem and of where he
stands, but also an appreciation of the beauty of the entire scheme.
|
