Discipleship
There are two main categories of discipleship. The first is called Preparatory Discipleship and includes all those who have started the journey and who, by following the Teachings and the indications of their higher selves, are endeavoring to transform themselves for the ultimate acceptance by a Great Teacher as a full disciple.
Full Discipleship is the second category and has two main conditions of acceptance. The first is the Karma of the aspirant. To be accepted, his Karma must be almost completed for as a full disciple he will share a most intimate spiritual connection with the Teacher which would make such a relationship unbearable for the Teacher if certain karmic traits were not outlived.
The second condition is dedicated striving and a readiness to sacrifice oneself to the Service of the General Good. This last requirement contains many of the qualities that can be worked on and developed during the preparatory stage.
A common misconception is that the Teacher is eager and willing to take any and all people as disciples. This is not so. As the individual treads the preparatory path he must begin to fulfill the requirements of full discipleship and must find the Teacher who will ultimately become his Teacher and, having done so, must not waiver from that selected path in the hopes of finding a quicker one. This results in losing one’s way.
When self-renunciation and striving are affirmed in the heart they will become as second nature. The application of the Teaching to oneself and in the life of every day will become joyous, and then progress and even achievement of the sacred aim is assured. But one must ask oneself, and answer with full sincerity, whether there is really such fiery striving and self-denial, or whether there is some secret selfish desire to achieve greater knowledge for covetous purposes. The slightest signs of such hidden desire will be the greatest obstacle on the path of spiritual progress. For success one must have understanding, as well as readiness to practice podvig—the great self-denial—in life.
One must seriously ponder the concept of podvig as the necessary condition. The profound understanding of all the qualities that are included in podvig is extremely important. Therefore, it is useful to write down from the books of the Teaching all the necessary qualities enumerated there, as well as all the vices which are obstacles to the path. Verily, it is most difficult for people to realize that the foundation of discipleship and of all spiritual achievement is the striving toward the Highest Ideal and the fiery purification of all one’s feelings and of one’s whole character. (LHR I, p 286)
see also Disciples
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