In concluding this division upon the use of the Sacred Word in meditation, I would like to indicate certain things, though more than a hint is not possible. This matter has been difficult for you to comprehend, and I fully realize it. The difficulty lies in the fact that so little [84] can be safely said, that the real use of the Word is one of the secrets of initiation and may not therefore be divulged, and that what little can be indicated is of small value to the student apart from the wise attempt to experiment, which experiment must be carried on under the guidance of one who knows. Still, I will indicate certain things which, wisely pondered upon, may lead to illumination.

When meditating in the heart center, picture it as a golden lotus closed. When the Sacred Word is enunciated, picture it as a lotus slowly expanding until the inner center or vortex is seen as a radiating whirlpool of electric light, more blue than golden. Build there the picture of the Master, in etheric, emotional and mental matter. This entails the withdrawing of the consciousness ever more and more inwards. When the picture is fully built then gently sound the Word again, and with an effort of the will withdraw still further inwards and link up with the twelve petalled head center, the center of causal consciousness. Do all this very slowly and gradually, maintaining an attitude of perfect peace and calm. There is a direct relationship between the two twelve petalled centers and occult meditation, and the action of the kundalini fire will later reveal its significance. This visualization leads to synthesis, to causal development and expansion, and eventually conducts a man into the presence of the Master.

The solar plexus is the seat of the emotions and should not be centered upon in meditation. It is a basis for physical healing and will later be more completely understood. It is the center of activity - an activity which must later be intuitional. The throat center works radiantly when the polarization is shifting from the physical atom to the mental permanent atom as dealt with earlier. [85] The mental permanent atom becomes the center of pure reason or of abstract thought. Then comes a time in the development of consciousness when the emotional force which governs so many is transcended and superseded by the force of the higher intellect. It often marks a period when a man is swayed purely by reason and his emotions do not control him. This may demonstrate in the personal life on the physical plane as intellectual hardness. Later, the emotional permanent atom gives place to the intuitional, and pure intuition and perfect comprehension through love is the motive power, with the faculty of reason added. Then the solar plexus is distinguished by the preponderance of the green of activity, for the emotional body is actively the agent of the higher, and engenders but little of the rose of human desire.

In the whirling of the force through the vortex (which whirling forms the petals of the lotus) it will be observed that certain petals predominantly stand out, and each center demonstrates one particular type of cross, with the exception of the two head centers which are the synthesis of the lower crosses. The four-armed cross of the third Logos is found at the base of the spine and the cross of the fourth human Hierarchy in the heart.

When the Sacred Word is intoned by the average aspirant, it carries force through all the inner centers to the etheric, and causes a definite stimulation of the petals in each center. If the lotus is only partially unfolded, then only some of the petals receive the stimulation. This stimulation creates a vibration (especially in the center in which a man meditates - the head or the heart) which causes reflex action in the spine and down to the base. This is not in itself sufficient to arouse the fire; that can only be done in due form, in the right key and subject to certain rules. [86]

When meditation is done in the heart and under occult laws, with the correct intoning of the Word, the force comes through the emotional centers from the intuitional levels. When it is done in the head, the force comes through the mental centers from the abstract manasic levels, and later from the atmic. The one gives spiritual intuition, and the other causal consciousness.

The advanced man is the man who is linking up the two major centers, - the head and the heart, - into one synthetic instrument, and whose throat center vibrates to the same measure. Then you have will and love blended in harmonious service, and the lower physical activity is transmuted into idealism and altruism. When this stage is reached, the man is ready for the awakening of the inner fire. His bodies are refined enough to withstand the pressure and the onrush; they contain nothing dangerous to its progress; the centers are keyed high enough to receive the acquisition of fresh stimulation. When this has been done, the hour of initiation comes when the would-be server of humanity will stand before his Lord, with purified desire, consecrated intellect, and a physical body that is his servant and not his master.