| 3. The stage of "leaving each pillar behind its
own shadow." Is it only a truism to point out that as service
proceeds, and the effectiveness of that service increases, the disciple when he enters the
door of the Ashram, discovers he is no longer standing upon the inner side of the door but
has already penetrated a definite distance along the corridor? Certain pillars are left
behind. One of the Masters - using the word in its correct sense - has called these
symbolic pillars the "pillars of propriety," meaning that each pillar passed
indicates the attainment of certain aspects of appropriate conduct. When these aspects of
behavior are developed, the disciple can pass up and down the corridor at will, which
symbolizes to him the, as yet, undeveloped phase of ashramic conduct. These pillars embody
the final phase of illusion - those illusions which bewilder the disciple but have no
effect on anyone outside the Ashram. These you must discover for yourself. There are five
more pillars which you must develop the ability to pass before you have the complete
freedom of the Ashram. You have already learnt to pass seven of them and they, for you,
are now non-existent. |
