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6. The spinal column (from the angle of the esoteric sciences) houses a threefold thread. This is the externalisation of the Antahkarana, composed of the Antahkarana proper, the Sutratma or life thread, and the creative thread. This threefold thread within the spinal column is therefore composed of three threads of energy which have channeled for themselves in the substance of the interior of the column a "threefold way of approach and of withdrawal." These are called in the Hindu terminology: the ida, the pingala and the sushumna paths, and they together form the path of life for the individual man and are awakened into activity sequentially and according to Ray type and the point of evolution. The sushumna path is not used correctly and safely until the Antahkarana has been built and the Monad and Personality are thereby related, even if it is only by the most tenuous thread. Then the Monad, the Father, the will aspect, can reach the personality in a direct manner, and can arouse the basic center, and with it blend, unify and raise the three fires.

7. One of these paths is the one along which the energy which feeds matter is poured. Another is related to the path of consciousness and of sensitive psychic unfoldment. The third is the path of pure Spirit. Thus in every living form the work of the Father, of the Mother and of the Son is carried on. Life-consciousness-form and life-quality-appearance are blended, and the response apparatus of the divine man is perfected, enabling him to contact and recognise the major divine aspects in the kingdoms in nature, in the planet and in the solar system—eventually.

8. These three paths of life are the channels for Electric Fire, Solar Fire and Fire by Friction, and are related in their usage to the three stages of the path of evolution: the path of evolution in the material, earlier stages; the Path of Probation, and the early stages of the Path of Discipleship until the third initiation; and the Path of Initiation itself.

9. The Kundalini Fire, about which so much is taught and written in the East, and increasingly in the West, is in reality the union of these three fires, which are focussed by an act of the enlightened will, under the impulse of love, in the basic center. This unified fire is then raised by the use of a Word of Power (sent forth by the will of the Monad) and by the united authority of the Soul and personality, integrated and alive. The human being who can do this in full consciousness is therefore an initiate who has left the third initiation behind him. He, and he alone, can safely raise this triple fire from the Base of the Spine to the Head center.

As usually interpreted by the ignorant esotericist in the various occult groups, the kundalini fire is something which must be "raised," and when it is raised all the centers will then come into functioning activity and the channels up and down the spine will be cleared of all obstruction. This is a dangerous generalisation and a reversal of the facts. The kundalini fire will be raised and carried up into heaven when all the centers are awakened and the channels up the spine are unimpeded. This removal of all obstruction is the result of the livingness of the individual centers which, through the potency of their life, themselves are effective in destroying all hindrances and obstructions. They can "burn up" all that hinders their radiation.

10. What usually happens in those accidental cases (which do so much harm) is that the aspirant, through his ignorant curiosity and by an effort of the mind (not of the Spiritual will, but purely as an expression of personality will), succeeds in arousing the lowest of the three fires, the fire of matter, Fire by Friction; this produces a premature burning and destroys the Etheric web in the Etheric body. These circular disks or webs are to be found between each pair of the centers up the spine and also in the head. They are normally dissipated as purity of life, the discipline of the emotions, and the development of the Spiritual will are carried forward.

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