Three Paths

Q: "Are there different kinds of spiritual paths? What do they lead to?"

A: Those who take the right-handed path practice self-mastery, transforming themselves in order to transform the world. They control their breath, bringing it into the perfect rhythm, in order to create an effect of order and peace. Those who take the left-hand path practice resignation, realizing the perfection in conditions as they are. They too learn breath meditations, but they are never comfortable in controlling their breath. They prefer not to enforce any particular rhythm, even a perfect one. Instead, they like to watch what rhythm develops, and learn from that the condition of the people around them.

The right-hand path leads to a very special position, the position of the Pillar. The purpose of the Pillar is to uphold the right condition, that condition of harmony and balance that brings peace. The Pillar accepts the responsibility for building up and maintaining the atmosphere that promotes growth and progress toward the ideal. His or her aspiration is to remind people of what they could be if they would be who they should be, and to challenge them to their very core to drop their complacency, go beyond their imagined limitations and pursue their ideal. The Pillar can never let down his or her self-discipline, optimism and confidence, for many, many people depend on them and all would be lost if the Pillar were to fall.

The left-hand path leads to the equally important position of the Mirror. The Mirror's purpose is to reveal the beauty in the way things are. The Mirror allows another to be absorbed within his/her heart, and then reflected back to show the qualities of the one who stands before the Mirror. The Mirror gives sympathy, recognition and respect, and becomes the embodiment of love, harmony and beauty. The Mirror is the one whose love is unconditional, who never offers criticism nor blame to anyone. Their purity of heart is their power. They are defenseless by choice, devoted to openness. The Mirror is the Beloved of all, but the Mirror's heart is focused on One alone, the One whom The Mirror sees in everyone.

There is a third path, the path of the Prophet, which combines both left and right handed paths. The Prophet models the spiritual ideal in every aspect of his or her approach to life. It is the most difficult path because it requires working in the world even though one's inclination is toward solitude. The Prophet dislikes any claims, but in facing the public must admit to certain expertise and skill, and accept the problems caused by the expectations and demands so created. The third path is approached from the left-hand path or the right-hand path. When this path is developed in a person, they become able to be the Pillar when that is necessary and the Mirror when that is appropriate. But they renounce the personal comfort of being understood. While the Pillars receive the credit and the Mirrors are much loved, the Prophets are content to do that which their guidance leads them to do, whether or not it is ever recognized or appreciated.

The Pillar radiates a powerful force of peace that harmonizes everyone with the source of that peace and therefor allows them to be harmonious with each other. The Pillar is the cornerstone of God's plan on Earth, the one who can be counted upon to stand firm upon the ground while stretching to the height of the divine ideal.

The Mirror absorbs the pain and confusion of people into his or her own heart, neutralizing it by completing it with the infinite, impersonal emotion wherever it is lacking. The Mirror lives already in the paradise that others seek, yet only they can see it. The very being of the Mirror is forgiveness; their atmosphere is a blessing.

Practically, people go back and forth between these paths as the needs of their lives require. This gives us some experience with both paths so that we can come to realize which path is our own. One makes great progress when one can concentrate on one path and not complicate their development with the opposing tendencies of the other path. At the end of either the left or the right handed path is the beginning of the middle path. The two paths meet and the third path continues from there. Pillar and Mirror are both absorbed in the Prophet, and yet both remain independently viable.

By Puran Bair, author of "Living from the Heart" (Random House, 1998)
© 1999 by The Institute for Applied Meditation, Inc.
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