The dangers that beset the student of meditation are dependent upon many factors, and it will not be possible to do more than briefly indicate certain menacing conditions, to warn against certain disastrous possibilities, and to caution the pupil against results that are to be [93] reached by undue strain, by over-excess of zeal, and by a one-pointedness that may lead to an unbalanced development. One-pointedness is a virtue, but it should be the one-pointedness of purpose and of aim, and not that which develops one sole line of method to the exclusion of all others.

The dangers of meditation are largely the dangers of our virtues, and therein lies much of the difficulty. They are largely the dangers of a fine mental concept that runs ahead of the capacity of the lower vehicles, especially of the dense physical. Aspiration, concentration and determination are necessary virtues, but if used without discrimination and without a sense of time in evolution they may lead to a shattering of the physical vehicle that will delay all progress for some one particular life. Have I made my point clear? I seek but to bring out the absolute necessity for the occult student to have a virile common sense for one of his basic qualities, coupled with a happy sense of proportion that leads to due caution and an approximation of the necessary method to the immediate need. To the man therefore who undertakes whole-heartedly the process of occult meditation I would say with all conciseness:

1. Know thyself.
2. Proceed slowly and with caution.
3. Study effects.
4. Cultivate the realization that eternity is long and that that which is slowly built up endures forever.
5. Aim at regularity.
6. Realize always that the true spiritual effects are to be seen in the esoteric life of service.
7. Remember likewise that psychic phenomena are no indication of a successful following of meditation. The world will see the effects and be a better [94] judge than the student himself. Above all, the Master will know, for the results on causal levels will be apparent to Him long before the man himself is conscious of any progress.