THE BRIDGE OF THOUGHTS
In accordance with the spiritual teachings, we come to know all things in this world as reflections of inner happenings that are veiled. Centuries past saw bridges in the outer world made of logs, rope, or heavy concrete structures. Today we have high speed rails that span mountain passes and communications technology that can connect us face-to-face with others in places on the other side of the earth. These outer manifestations parallel the bridging work taking place within consciousness, letting reality precipitate and blurring the boundaries between worlds.
At an earlier time, bridging within consciousness was the province of the very few, while the masses were left in ignorance without access to even the essentials of education. Today, people everywhere have access to educational facilities and through technology, at just the touch of a screen, many can access enormous resources of humanity’s knowledge that has been acquired through the lower mind. Building upon this foundation, provides humanity the opportunity to develop the power of thought capable of penetrating the inner spiritual realms which no machine can penetrate. Of course, all opportunities present challenges and counter previous trends. The allure of technology could easily result in humanity becoming lazy and stuck within the unthinking glamour of nonessentials and so forfeiting the massive energy supply of light and goodwill which the mobilization of human thought can provide.
The mystery traditions throughout time have used the symbolism of the bridge as a vehicle of illumination. The Buddha likened His teaching to a bridge or raft that enabled students to cross from the shore of this outer world to the inner shore, a bridge which must be left aside once the shore is reached. Patanjali taught that, through a withdrawal of the senses, we can create that "sacred bridge" that connects us with the source. In her work with the Esoteric section of the Theosophical Society, Helena Blavatsky brought to light the ancient teaching on “The Golden Stairs.” These “Stairs” consisted of directives from ancient eastern esoteric traditions which were devised to lead the student step-by-step on the path to becoming an effective server. The teaching on the antahkarana or inner instrument of light, which was given out less than 80 years ago, holds out the means whereby the promise held within the recesses of the mind can be realized. Those standing within the heart center of the new group of world servers collectively use this bridge to weave lines of relationship–bridging up, down and all around to circumnavigate the earth. At the heart of this bridging work stands the Triangles network.
We must resign ourselves to the fact that the only way in which we can find the clue to [certain esoteric mysteries], lies in the study of the law of correspondences or analogy. It is the one thread by which we can find our way through the labyrinth, and the one ray of light that shines through the darkness of the surrounding ignorance. H. P. Blavatsky, in "The Secret Doctrine," has told us so, but as yet very little has been done by students to avail themselves of that clue. In the study of this Law we need to remember that the correspondence lies in its essence, and not in the exoteric working out of detail as we think we see it from our present standpoint. The factor of time leads us astray for one thing; we err when we attempt to fix stated times or limits; all in evolution progresses through merging, with a constant process of overlapping and mingling. Only broad generalities and a recognition of fundamental points of analogy are possible to the average student. The moment he attempts to reduce to chart form and to tabulate in detail, he enters realms where he is bound to err, and staggers through a fog that will ultimately overwhelm him.
Initiation, Human and Solar, A. Bailey pp.6-7