41 Chapter XLI: The Two Minor Initiations

All the Brothers who formed part of the Ashram had to undergo these two preparatory initiations before they could withstand, in full consciousness and in every vehicle, the tremendous radiation of the Hierarchical Rod and later the overwhelming fiery tension that emanates from the Flaming Diamond of the Lord of the World. Each increase in the electrical tension of the Rods is preceded by a period—sometimes long, sometimes brief—of preparation of the vehicles, especially of the chakras involved in the particular initiation.

The disciple’s preparation for the first hierarchical initiation begins during his stage as a spiritual aspirant, in that Hall of instruction known as the Hall of Learning, for it is during this period that he begins to penetrate, however faintly, the Mysteries of the Kingdom. When, through sustained effort, he is finally admitted into an Ashram—after a long period of observation by advanced disciples—the stage of experience begins in the Hall of Knowledge, where certain preliminary phases of mystical training are offered. Once these are completed, the two lesser initiations are conferred in succession. These are the preparatory initiations for the first hierarchical initiation, through which the disciple becomes closely linked to the Great White Brotherhood, the spiritual Hierarchy that guides the destiny of our planet.

These two preparatory initiations are usually administered within the Ashram itself. The Master—or at times a Chohan of Ray—wields the Hierarchical Rodof Power, temporarily entrusted to Him by the Bodhisattva for such occasions. They are administered in group formation, and although no oath is yet required of the candidates, they must formally promise that their conduct in the world will always align with the sacred Designs of the hidden Lodge.

These initiations are as necessary as the first two root races—the Polar and the Hyperborean—were necessary in their time, for their etheric and semi‑etheric qualities laid the foundation for all subsequent races. The most interesting aspect of these preparatory initiations is their relationship to these two primordial human races, whose historical processes the candidates must follow in order to absorb the psychological experience distilled from them. In the first preparatory initiation, the candidate is shown the historical unfolding from the first to the seventh subrace of the Polar Race. This journey through the racial past becomes a vital preparation that awakens in him the impulse toward higher knowledge.

In the second preparatory initiation, the candidate—or group of candidates—perceives the historical period of the Hyperborean Race. They contemplate this epoch in synthesis, learning among other things the scientific process by which certain deva hierarchies condensed the primordial ether of the highest etheric subplanes into gaseous matter, then into liquid, and finally into dense physical substance. This is one of the great secrets of early planetary formation.

The details of these two initiations are simple and always imparted in group formation. The candidates stand in a semicircle around the Hierophant, who may be an Adept, a Master of Compassion and Wisdom, or—depending on the cyclic impulse of the moment—a Chohan, an Adept who has received the sixth hierarchical initiation, corresponding to the third solar initiation and the first cosmic initiation. The Hierophant stands at the center of the initiatory circle, and at each end stands an Initiate who must have attained at least the third initiation. Their task is to protect the subtle bodies of the candidates by modulating the fiery energies of extremely high voltage that will be released from the Rod.

Although no oath is demanded, the candidates must repeat a solemn promise, each in his own language, as the Hierophant pronounces the traditional mystical formula. The author recalls the essence of this promise, spoken with luminous simplicity:

“Brothers, you have gathered here following the radiant thread of your yearning soul. Tired of probing the soul of the world, you have understood clearly that your spiritual purpose is not in the world, though you live in it, but in those silent regions of understanding where the light shines above all things and where immortal perspectives appear. Having arrived here on the wings of your noble impulses, I ask you: Are you willing to approach those immortal goals, knowing that to reach them requires the abandonment of your lower nature, the practice of harmlessness at all times, and a life more attentive to the service of others than to your own desires?”

The group responds without hesitation, each in his own tongue. The Hierophant continues:

“Do you promise to conduct yourselves correctly in life, to fulfill the noble purposes of your soul, and to approach the spiritual ideal through self‑forgetfulness, harmlessness, and right speech?”

And the group answers in unison: “We promise.”

Then the Master lifts the Hierarchical Rodr and passes it from right to left over the assembled candidates. The sponsors—those Initiates standing at the ends—circulate the fiery energy from left to right. Above the Hierophant appears the five‑pointed mystical star of the Bodhisattva, whose presence sanctifies the ceremony and pours His energy of Love into the heart of each candidate.

Such is the first preparatory initiation, corresponding to the state of consciousness of the aspirants who receive it. The second preparatory initiation differs only in the greater potency of the fiery force released from the Rod and in the fact that the Hierophant must be a Chohan of Ray, assisted by two Adepts or Masters of Compassion and Wisdom.

These lesser initiations are indispensable for the proper development of intellectual and moral capacities, just as the first two root races were indispensable for the unfolding of all subsequent races. One must always adhere to the great hermetic principle of analogy, whose understanding and wise application form the very structure of inner, esoteric, occult, and spiritual knowledge.

Keynotes

• Purpose of Minor Initiations: These ceremonies prepare the disciple's "chacras" and bodies to withstand the "fiery tension" of the Hierarchical Rod and, eventually, the Flaming Diamond of the Lord of the World.

• The Hall of Learning to the Ashram: Preparation begins as an aspirant in the Hall of Learning. After long observation, the student enters the Hall of Knowledge within an Ashram to receive these two preparatory initiations.

• Racial Analogies: These two initiations correspond to the first two human root-races:

  • 1st Minor Initiation: Linked to the Polar Race (Sub-races 1–7); provides the vital stimulus for superior knowledge.

  • 2nd Minor Initiation: Linked to the Hyperborean Race; reveals the scientific process of "ether condensation" where primordial ether becomes gaseous, liquid, and finally dense matter.

• The Ceremony: Candidates form a semicircle around a Hierophant (a Master or Chohan). Two "sponsors" (Initiates of at least the 3rd degree) stand at the ends to protect the candidates by stepping down the high-voltage fiery energies emitted by the Rod of Power.

• The Promise: Unlike major initiations, no binding oath is required. Candidates simply promise to live according to the "holy designs of the hidden Lodge," practicing harmlessness, self-forgetfulness, and correct speech.

Comparison of the Two Minor Initiations

Feature	1st Minor Initiation	2nd Minor Initiation
Hierophant	A Master of Compassion and Wisdom.	A Chohan of a Ray (6th degree Adept).
Sponsors	3rd Degree Initiates.	Two Adepts (Masters).
Energy Level	Standard preparatory fiery tension.	Significantly higher fiery potential.
Spiritual Sign	Five-pointed star of the Bodhisattva.	Presence of the Bodhisattva’s energy.

Summary

• Etheric Transition: The second initiation provides a synthesis of the historical period of the Hyperborean race, showing how devas manipulate etheric subplanes to create physical substances.

• Social Commitment: The core of the promise is a commitment to service over personal desire and the practice of "total harmlessness."

• Hierarchical Link: Upon completion, the candidate is intricately linked with the Great White Brotherhood, though they are still in a preparatory stage for the First Hierarchical Initiation.