The Equinox (Volume III, Number I)

THE SEVEN PORTALS 70. Remember, thou that fightest for man’s liberation, each failure is success, and each sincere attempt wins its reward in time. The holy germs that sprout and grow un- seen in the disciple’s soul, their stalks wax strong at each new trial, they bend like reeds but never break, nor can they eer be lost. But when the hour has struck they blossom forth. But if thou cam’st prepared, then have no fear. These verses explain the cumulative effect of which we spoke. It is very hard to persist, because very often we seem to make no progress. There is the water on the fire, and nothing whatever appears to be happening. But with- out warning it suddenly boils. You may get the tempera- ture to 99° and keep it at 99° for a thousand years, and the water will not boil. It is the last step that does the trick. One remark in this connection may be useful: “A watched pot never boils.” The student must practise complete de- tachment—must reach the stage when he does not care two- pence whether he attains or not, while at the same time he pursues eagerly the Path of attainment. This is the ideal attitude. Itis very well brought out in ‘Parsifal.’ Klingsor, on having his error pointed out to him, said “Oh, that’s quite easy,” took a knife, and removed all danger of his ever making the same mistake again. Returning, full of honest pride in his achievement, he found himself more ignomin- iously rejected than before. Ultimately the sacred lance is brought back into the Hall where is the Graal, and there, at the right moment, not moved by desire, not seduced by 117