Guardian of the threshold, the

Forbids entry to the spiritual world to those who have not purified themselves

April 20th 2012
Those disciples of an initiatic school who seek to gain access to the spiritual world without having done any previous preparatory work will one day find themselves defenceless in the presence of the fearsome being known as the guardian of the threshold. In reality, this being is not external to them and exists within all human beings. It is formed by all their accumulated lower tendencies – their greed, sensuality, aggression, and so on – and it bars their way, preventing them from entering those regions they do not yet have a right to enter. One day, we must all meet the guardian of the threshold and face him. He is to be found in the ninth sephirah, Yesod. His threatening face strikes terror into any follower presumptuously attempting to venture into regions that can only be accessed by one who has worked on purity, mastery and moral strength. Only those disciples armed with knowledge and who have achieved control over their lower instincts succeed in overcoming the guardian of the threshold. Then one look is enough – ‘Be off with you!’ – and he disappears, freeing the path to the heights.