The Equinox (Volume III, Number I)

THE SEVEN PORTALS This passage also appears to have reference to the early life of the Student—hence he is specially warned against fear. Fear is, of course, the first of the pylons through which one passes in the Egyptian system. It is important then to arrange one’s life in such a way that one never al- lows one thing to interfere with another, and one never makes trouble for oneself. The method given in “Thien Tao” is the best to employ. 31. Fear, O Disciple, kills the will and stays all action. If lacking in the Shila virtue—the pilgrim trips, and Karmic pebbles bruise his feet along the rocky path. The objection to fear is not only the obvious one. Fear is only one of the things which interfere with concentra- tion. The re-action against fear leads to over-boldness. Anything which interferes with the perfect unconscious simplicity of one’s going leads to bruises. Troubles of this kind may be called Karmic, because it is events in the past which give occasion for trouble. 32. Be of sure foot, O Candidate. In Kshanti’s essence bathe thy Soul; for now thou dost approach the Portal of that name, the gate of fortitude and patience. We now come to the third gate. Notice that this is a further confusion of the Portal with the Key. As previously said, patience here implies rather self-control, a refusal to accept even favours until one is ready for them. 33. Close not thine eyes, nor lose thy sight of Dorje (the Svastika);Méra’s arrows ever smite the man who has not reached Vairaga. 99