Theo. – Is there any difference between the spiritual condition and the spiritual position?
Spiritual position
The Elder – It may take quite a long time before you are able to really know where an aspirant is standing, spiritually speaking. Babuji himself said that had to spend a long time observing before he could precisely assess the aspirant’s spiritual position.
Theo. – Yet, Babuji was an exceptional and non-standard being, a seeing and hearing personality, who was directly connected with Lalaji, the Masters and the Saints. How do you explain such a paradox?
The Elder – Masters of Wisdom had been mapping the various chakras and spiritual regions for ages. They have given us a very precise description of each chakra, of its structure and its subtle form.
Theo. – A sort of anatomical description of the chakras, in a way!
The Elder – So to speak! The problem is that many think they are spiritually working on a chakra whereas they are only touching its surface. I remember that day when we were watching a Sufi trainer’s video. As the trainer was helping a seeker work on the different points, he pointed at them in order to show the advancement of the yatra. My Master’s comment was; “That is no spiritual; it is psychic.”
Theo. – Which means?
The Elder – Very often, the work will operate only at the lower levels of the soul: the physical level (annamaya-kosha), the energy level (pranamaya-kosha) and the emotional level (manomaya-kosha), so that only the surface portion of the chakras is affected, the spiritual one, which is located at another level, remaining untouched.
Theo. – How do we know?
The Elder – Observation will let you know. But it all depends on the ability, the nature and the own spiritual level of the person who is observing.
Theo. – The spiritual level, though, depends on the work the Master did on the trainer, and on the permission he gave the trainer to transmit pranahuti. It is also the Master who opened the channel for his/her becoming a trainer.
The Elder – Exactly! He even opens the levels of consciousness related to the different regions, the highest one being the Divine consciousness. But the trainer will be granted it only when he/she is ready, and particularly if it is essential for his/her work. Should such ability be given prematurely, it could hamper the trainer’s own evolution, as it needs to be well integrated in order to be used properly.
Theo. – Do you mean that it could be misused?
The Elder – No! Fortunately, the Master has systematically established a protection.
Location of point 10.
Theo. – You have already explained that such capacities should only be used once the trainer has realized God (point 10). Does it mean that, so long as the eleven circles of the ego have not been crossed, the ego can still take control, with all the consequences it would entail?
The Elder – That is the reason why the Master fosters self-forgetfulness, submission or obedience. If it is well understood, the Inner Master will be able to guide the work without letting the ego interfere.
Theo. – What could the ego do?
The Elder – Interpret, embellish or even influence the aspirant. But what do we know about what God has in store for the Truth Seeker? Do we know anything about the way He will have the seeker follow?
Theo. – Humility is the secret! Unfortunately, I don’t know whether I can be humble, because I want so much to do well and learn more and more so as to serve better and better.
The Elder – That thirst for knowledge is good in the way it emphasizes our ignorance. Humility will logically follow.
Theo. (teasingly):
– I see, the more you know and the less you know… I too can deal with paradoxes!
The Elder (smiling):
– Then you become a learned ignorant person, whereas you were only an ignorant learned person, the Elder adds, quite pleased with his new oxymoron.
Caught out, Theo smiled and continued reasoning aloud:
– Do you mean that true knowing comes from unknowing, the sort of knowledge Babuji called Ignorance with a capital I?
The Elder – He used to say that we start with being unknowing, then we become knowing, and we end with being Ignorant.
Theo. – It is a different sort of Ignorance of course…
The Elder – An Ignorance related to the Divine Consciousness.
Theo. – Having become nothing, we become everything. It’s all about that ‘Nothing-and-All’ you have been mentioning for a long time.
The Elder – That’s right. All of this means that it is difficult to reach a definite agreement on a meditator’s spiritual position.
Reading conditions
Theo. – And what about reading conditions?
The Elder – That is different. A trainer can easily have an access to the spiritual and the psychological condition of the aspirant he/she is responsible for.
Theo. – How can we access it?
The Elder – At first, you must be able to read your own condition, which we have been practising for more than two years now. You don’t have to worry about it. Instead of turning your eyes towards your inner self, just turn your inward look towards the meditator who is sitting opposite you.
Theo. – My inward look as an observer towards the aspirant’s inner self, is that it?
The Elder – It is. You have read all that our Masters said about the Sahaj Marg. You have passed the knowledge test of the future trainer. Well! Now, you must forget it all.
Theo. – The whole of it? Why?
The Elder – You must forget to avoid projecting that knowledge onto the aspirant. Even though we all have to pass along similar paths, even when following our Way, our teachings, each one of us has a particular way to approach the Ultimate. That approach is unique, as unique as our relationship with God.
Theo. – Though we are all One!
The Elder – We are, but without being identical; even the spiritual entities of the great Masters remain unique. You can identify them among all others, but they cannot be differentiated from the Unique, from God.
Theo. – Even at the highest level?
The Elder – We don’t distinguish them, but are we able to perceive such a level and what for? Anyway, we can distinguish them only if the great Masters or the Lords want it to happen, if they allow it, when they are on a mission for the Lord, in denser plans.
Theo. – Can they be perceived in the heart region (pindesh) and in the cosmic region (brahmanda-mandal)?
The Elder – They are in the brahmanda-Mandal, generally. They reside there whenever they are on a mission. Reaching our plan of existence is difficult for them.
Theo. – Is that the reason why they have to proceed via a living Master?
The Elder – Living Masters have become perfect instruments for many reasons. Sometimes, even great Beings may sacrifice themselves and become incarnate down here only for guiding us.
Theo. – Why do you refer to the term ‘sacrifice’?
The Elder – I refer to a love-inspired sacrifice. Imagine that such an extremely subtle being, a perfect being, has to become incarnate among us, on this Earth!
Theo. – I needn’t imagine it. Though I am not like them, every day I can feel the earth gravity and the earthly heaviness!
Weighed down by the torrid heat, the Elder stood up and withdrew quietly after he had greeted his friend affectionately. As Theo watched the old man shamble away, he still better understood that notion of sacrifice…
Theophile the Elder
An excerpt from Dialogues with Theophile the Elder
Theophile the Younger’s initiation