It has been wisely written that the way of spiritual enlightenment is a threefold Path of study , meditation , and service . Let us now address ourselves to one aspect of that Path—the science of meditation, its purpose, methods, and the fruits to be garnered by those who initiate a program of daily meditation. In doing so, I hope to shed a little light on this often misunderstood practice, and spur some of you on to renewed effort in connection with your daily meditation.
Initially, let us define the term. The word meditation stems from the root medius, which means middle. Meditation, therefore, represents a middle condition or mediating process. This, of course, suggests a dichotomy, a split of sorts—two conditions requiring a mediator or bridge. The two “split” conditions demanding the adoption of a bridging process are the Soul and the personality.
In the simplest terms then, meditation is employed: first, to span the gap in consciousness between the personality and Soul; second, to open up a channel between these two distinct levels of awareness, thus gradually making available the power and wisdom of the true Self for creative work here on earth; and finally, to produce permanent alignment between these two polar opposites leading to a synthesis and integration of the two. Here we have the explanation for the emphasis upon meditation as a discipline in the various yoga (union) systems coming from the East.
However, not all members of the human family are as yet at that stage of their spiritual pilgrimage which necessitates the use of meditation ; and, further, different stages suggest the use of different techniques. Further still, it should be recognized that, although there are numerous and diverse methods of meditating, all fall within the scope of two major categories: meditation as performed by the mystic and meditation as performed by the occultist. (See Letters on Occult Meditation by Alice A. Bailey.) Both are viable approaches to meditation but each is characterized by its own unique qualities and purposes and intended for a specific stage along the Path.
The way of the mystic is considered a stage along the path of the occultist. Actually, the fully developed and balanced being must learn to blend the qualities of the two. In other words, the occultist, having gone through the mystical stage, must still retain the essential qualities of the mystic if he is to avoid becoming a selfish exponent of power. Let us now compare the qualities of the two, bearing in mind that both are equally important to the overall development of the Soul.
Mystical meditation is polarized negative and is essentially passive and receptive; therefore, the mystic meditates for inspiration and invocation . He aspires to contact, identify, and gain insight into the principles and laws that govern the Cosmos . Contact with the Soul is his prime target leading toward that eventual union which is the purpose of all human evolution. He treads the probationary Path and later the Path of Discipleship until the first initiation , and is thereafter labeled an occultist treading the Path of Initiation .
Occult meditation has a positive polarity and is therefore dynamic, creative, and outgoing in its nature. The occultist has contacted the power, has become a student of occult law, and must now wield the law. He meditates, ever striving to inspire, evoke, and employ the power in creative and benevolent endeavors. The mystic implores “God bless me and my fellow man. The occultist asserts, “I bless my fellow man,” which tends to sound egocentric to the observer who is unaware of the essential nature of the occultist. He has discovered the God-self within and now functioning from that point of ascendancy, is a co-creator with God. The mystic is not necessarily an occultist, but the occultist must, of necessity, embrace the mystic. Mysticism is but a stage upon the path of occultism .
The path of the mystic is the path of the heart, the path of love and of the saint; the path of the occultist is that of the head, of knowledge, and of the sage . The fully enlightened being is a master of wisdom which, as I have pointed out already, is a blending of the head and the heart, and of love and intelligence . Thus, the necessity to synthesize the two.
Occult meditation is sometimes referred to as “seed thought ” meditation. Conversely, the mystic meditates without seed, entering meditation intent upon achieving contact with God, or, at the very least, with his own Soul through techniques of quieting the mind. By rendering the mind quiescent, the mystic endeavors to awaken to and become aware of his intuitional faculties. Intuition (not to be confused with so-called women’s intuition) is metaphysically defined as ‘‘reflective consciousness ," the use of which is the prerogative of the awakening Soul. When the mind is quiet, stable, and serene as a calm and limpid pool of water, it becomes a perfect reflecting surface capable of mirroring within itself higher aspects of consciousness. This is one of the primary intents of the mystical technique. By virtue of this practice, an alignment between Soul and personality occurs which will find its consummation and ultimate intent in the integration of the two.
The mystic’s occult counterpart meditates with the employment of a predetermined “seed” as the focal point of his meditation . Actually, there are two different and useful applications of this “seed thought ” technique. Let us proceed to examine each one separately.
First, there is concentration upon and expansion of an idea. In this instance, the meditator brings his consciousness to bear upon a predetermined thought that is to be the focus of his attention. The seed thought may be any word, phrase, concept, abstraction, or idea or ideal into which the meditator wishes to gain greater insight.
As the thought is held firmly in mind, an occult process is set in motion embodied in the phrase “energy follows thought” which renders the thought electromagnetic. As a consequence of this activity, the energized thought begins to attract substance of the mental plane to itself or, as the Ageless Wisdom calls it— manasic matter , and a full-blown thought form comes into existence.
An incorporeal being has been created. The difference between the initial thought frequency and the now-existing thought form may be likened to the difference between energy and form, or, if you will permit the analogy, vapor and ice.
Every thought pattern possesses its own unique vibratory wavelength, its own fingerprint, as it were, which imbues it with certain magnetic affinities. As the technique is continued and its intensity increased, the thought form proceeds to attract to itself other thought forms existing upon the mental plane for which it has a magnetic attraction; and, the mind begins to expand its awareness and content in relation to the essential theme. This is a higher correspondence to the process called “free association” spoken of in psychological circles. In the one instance, we are dealing with the content to be found in the mind of man, and, in the other, the content within the Cosmic Mind .
The level of telepathic resonance that may occur during meditation is dependent upon the vibratory power of the seed thought and the relative heights to which the meditator can raise the vibrations of his consciousness through focused concentration. “If thine eye be single, thy body will be full of light” (Luke 11:34 ).
As the thought forms aggregate, their power is multiplied and the meditator’s consciousness is thereby elevated, making available still higher possibilities of expansion. Touching the vibratory level of the base thoughts that occupy the minds of some is not difficult and can be done without resorting to meditation . To touch the abstract levels of consciousness that are the sacred precincts of the initiate and master , such as Jesus and Buddha, requires laser-like concentration and dedicated perseverance. The uniqueness and beauty of such levels, however, make them easily identifiable and unforgettable once experienced, and certainly worth the effort .
There is an interesting sidelight to this process. I have some dear friends in the field of parapsychology who astonish me with their willingness to accept almost without question all information that comes through from hypnotic subjects and trance mediums. Caution, meditators, your revelations are not absolute either. Are you encountering a universal truth or merely a thought form created by some individual or group of individuals, embodying their perception of truth?
Have I conveyed a sense of this mystical process and Path to your minds? How difficult it is to reduce the mystical vision and the passion I feel for this glorious and ultimately rewarding process into scribblings upon a page. Language does not suffice; it is incapable of revealing the true essence of the Divine Mysteries .
