Dissertation:
Preparation For The Third Initiation
Nancy J. Kelly,
2005
Abstract
Throughout history, spiritual seekers have practiced disciplines and techniques to more forward on the spiritual path. This dissertation focuses on practices most suitable to prepare disciples for the third initiation, that stage of the path where the soul becomes dominant in the life and illumination or transfiguration occurs. As a result of this dissertation, spiritual mentors and advisors will have a readily available source of suitable spiritual practices for their students or clients who are ready.
The fields of art, science, and spirituality—including the mystical, metaphysical, and esoteric paths—were examined to identify practices which would assist in reaching the third initiation. Creation—and even experience—of great art can be a mystical path, elevating consciousness to transcendent realms. Scientists learn to penetrate into intuitive realms to receive new insights and ideas. The mystics’ spiritual practices—contemplation, prayer, silence, and the practice of the presence of
God—are designed to contemplate, contact, and eventually merge with the higher Realities, leading to experiences of illumination in some cases. The metaphysicians’ approach is more mental, but they also rely on prayer, meditation, and the practice of the Presence. The esoteric tradition emphasizes the unfoldment of consciousness, the transformational process, the exploration and revelation of the inner nature, and the evolutionary path of humanity, or path of initiation. Initiations are understood to proceed through study, meditation, right orientation to the higher world, conscious striving toward a spiritual life, and service.
The third initiation or stage of the spiritual path is achieved after mastery of the physical and emotional planes—the first and second stages—and the gradual elimination of the distortions of the mental plane. The soul becomes dominant in one approaching the end of the third stage. Alignment of the personality to the higher world, and construction of energetic connections to those realms, allows the inflow of divine energy in the experience of transfiguration. The energy center in the forehead, known as the third eye, becomes receptive to light and wisdom from the higher realms, and can distribute those energies for the benefit and blessing of others.
Today’s spiritual seekers working toward the third initiation must first clear any remaining physical addictions, emotional blockages, and subconscious patterns that would hold them in restriction. An expanded nightly review, forgiveness exercises, and work with the basic self, or inner child, are recommended.
Since the purpose of major initiations, such as the third, is to enable disciples to assist the higher world in manifesting God’s Plan on earth, spiritual practices which help disciples to build connections to the higher planes become the most important part of the path. Specific practices focus on lifting the consciousness from concrete mind to abstract mind in order to connect with the spiritual levels of the self, or the Spiritual Triad. These include meditations on the Hierarchy and the Plan, new seed thoughts, contemplation of other abstract symbols, and meditations for each soul ray type for construction of the antahkarana, or energetic bridge to the Spiritual Triad. It is recommended everyone work with a spiritual mentor to determine readiness for this advanced work.
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