book is offered for what it may be worth as a formulation

of an interesting hypothesis. To those who anticipate such a consummation of all their endeavours, this book is tendered in the hope that it may prove an inspiration and a help.
Among occidental thinkers at this time there is a wide diversity of view upon this momentous subject. There are those who think that it is not of sufficient immediate importance to engross their attention, and that if the aver- age man adheres to the path of duty and high-minded at- tention to the business in hand, he will duly arrive at his destination. This is undoubtedly true, yet as capacity for increased service, and the development of powers to be used in the helping of the race are the reward of the man who is willing to make the increased effort and to pay the price which initiation demands, perhaps this book may spur some on to attainment who might otherwise have drifted slowly towards their goal. They will then become givers, and not the recipients of help.
There are those again who consider that the teaching given out in various books hitherto concerning initiation, is erroneous. Initiation has been made out to be fairly easy of attainment, and to call for no such rectitude of
character as might have been anticipated. The following chapters may serve to show that the criticism is not un- merited. Initiation is profoundly difficult of attainment, and calls for a strenuous discipline of the entire lower nature, and a life of self-effacing and self-abnegating de- votion. At the same time, it must be remembered that the earlier teaching is right in essence, though belittled in in- terpretation.
Again, there are some who are interested, yet who feel the possibilities involved are too far advanced for them, and that they need not occupy themselves with them at this stage of their evolution. This book seeks to make it apparent that here and now the average man may begin to build that character and to lay those foundations of knowledge which are necessary before even the Path of Discipleship can be trodden. Due preparation may now be made, and men and women everywhere may — if they choose — fit themselves for the condition of discipleship and tread the Probationary Path.
Hundreds in the East and in the West are pressing onwards towards this goal, and in the unity of the one ideal, in their common aspiration and endeavour, they will meet before the one Portal. They will then recognize them- selves as brothers, severed by tongue and apparent divers- ity of belief, but fundamentally holding to the same one truth and serving the same God.
Alice A. Bailey. New York, L922.
The nature and significance of certain of the present and subsequent writings of Mrs. Bailey make needful a clear definition of the responsibility for their publication.
It is the belief of the publishers that there are many readers of today and of times to come who, by contact with these books, will be led to perceive their inspiration and high authority, and to find therein a guide for their feet and an incentive for steadfast endeavor.
Therefore, the undersigned have undertaken to pub- lish all of Mrs. Bailey's works, and in nearly every instance to make them available to the public without restriction. They jointly assume full responsibility for such publica- tion.
Foster Bailey. Ernest S. Suffern.
New York, 1922.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.