Magic and the Probationary Path
For the person who asked about the
beginning stages of magic: it does not matter what term is used whether magic,
mysticism, metaphysics and so on, the procedure is the same when it comes to
genuine initiation. The Probationary
Path precedes the Path of Initiation or Holiness, and marks that period in your
life when you definitely work on the side of the forces of evolution, and work
at the building of your character, by bringing the elemental forces of fire,
air, water and earth into balance.
You would start off by making a rubric of the
positive and negative qualities in your personality and then set about
correcting the ones that are lacking or out of balance. Once you realize which element is out of
balance you then seek with diligence to bring your personality under control. The
quality of the temperament revealed, that is, according to the predominant
element, determiners the basis of your human character.
Once you have discovered where your
weaknesses lie, you will begin building your light body with deliberate intent,
filling any gaps that may exist, and seeking to make it a fit receptacle for
the Christ consciousness which can then channel through your Higher Self.
The immortal destiny of each and all of us
is to attain the consciousness of the Higher Self, and subsequently that of the
Divine or Immortal Spirit. While you are on the Probationary Path you are
taught principally to “know yourself” as was given by the Ancient Ones.
So every time a son or a daughter of man
stands upon the threshold of the Probationary Path the Masters’ work is
facilitated, for it means that one small stream of life energy is now able to
be directed into new channels of higher light frequency, and away from the old
stream which tended to feed the negative energy upon the planet and sustain the
activity of the dark forces. Every time an initiate is admitted into the Planetary
initiatory degrees, it means that a new and powerful agent is available for the
bringing down of force from higher levels to aid in the work of integration and
for the upliftment for humanity.
When you are a probationer, you receive a
great deal of training without really recognizing it consciously. Fault
tendencies are indicated to you as you seek to train yourself sincerely for world
service, and the analysis of motive when truthfully undertaken, serves
amazingly to lift you out of the emotional arena, and into that of the mind. It
is in the mental world that the Masters are first contacted; they can only be
sought in that manner.
All this time you will probably remain in
ignorance of what has happened and you will be unaware of these subjective
contacts. You do, however, recognize in yourself three things:
The First one being increased mental activity. This at first will give you much
trouble, and you can actually wonder what is going on. You may feel as if you
are losing control of your mind instead of gaining control of it but this is
only a temporary condition and gradually you will achieve great control.
The second one is increased responsiveness to ideas about the plan of the Planetary Hierarchy.
This will make you, if you have not balanced your personality, quite fanatical
in the early stages. You may be continually swept away with new ideals, new
modes of living, new dreams for race betterment and so on. You may take up with
one organization after another, looking for the perfect plan to assist the
ailing humanity. However, after a time you will regain your equilibrium, your poise,
as you realize your planetary function.
The third one is increased psychic sensitiveness. This is both a side effect of the
increased frequencies and at the same time a test. Do not be taken in by the
allurement of the psychic powers; don’t be tempted to get off track from your
service to the race and into the glamour of psychism and its use for egotistical
purposes. As an aspirant, you have to grow in all parts of your nature, but
until you can function as a soul-infused-personality, the lower psychic powers
must be quiescent unless you wish to do yourself damage. The time will come
when you have become more balanced and you will be able to use the powers
correctly, but in their higher capacity, not in their lower.
