Introduction to this presentation by translator/compiler Antti Savinainen
Pekka Ervast (1875–1934), a theosophical lecturer and author, played a pivotal role in establishing the Theosophical movement in Finland . For a concise overview of his life and work, click HERE
Ervast’s tenure as the General Secretary of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) in Finland for over a decade was instrumental. He later founded the Finnish Rosy Cross (“Ruusu-Risti” in Finnish) in 1920, with a focus on esoteric Christianity and the mysteries of the Finnish national epic, the Kaleva. Ervast always held a deep reverence for Madame Blavatsky (1831–1891), whom he believed embodied the true spirit of Theosophy and the Masters' mission to guide humanity towards a new awakening.
Ervast started the meditation group in 1923, which was the first step toward the esoteric school. He gave the group guidance on meditation and instructions for daily spiritual practice, which were based on the ethics of esoteric Christianity, that is, the Sermon on the Mount. After a month of preparation, the student became an aspirant. After the aspirant stage, the students became candidates and were faced with the task of making Christ alive in them. Ervast provided esoteric guidance for ten years, closely monitoring and helping the esoteric students. Ervast was clear that he was just a gatekeeper and servant, but not the teacher at the esoteric school. He emphasized the role of the inner Master, the Christ within. However, he also stated that behind every true esoteric school, there must be a guiding Master in the Theosophical sense.
In this talk to esotericists, Ervast explains in simple terms what it takes to become an esotericist and who the teachers are in this esoteric school of life. It may be that not many can enter the esoteric school in the strict sense, but there are insights in Ervast’s talk that, I believe, are helpful for anyone aspiring to live a more compassionate and spiritual life.
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Pekka Ervast
Dear friends!
What does it mean for a person to become an esotericist in the sense in which we use the word today? It means, first of all, to see the path of life that leads to the truth, to God. One perceives the existence of the kingdom of God, a realm of beauty and truth, but also understands that each individual must traverse their own unique path to reach it. The esotericist gazes upon the grand gates of life, understanding that the path is not easy. It is a high path of beauty and straightness, yet it is also a path of great narrowness.
Outwardly, one becomes an esotericist through the invitation one receives. Typically, this invitation comes to the individual through another person. Human nature may tend to place that external teacher high in our own imagination. That is not what we should do. The external teacher who calls to us is not, esoterically speaking, a teacher at all but rather a gatekeeper and servant.
Everyone can hear this call – but not everyone heeds it. Few souls heed the call of that servant. The servant who called shows by the light of the torch in the darkness where the way leads and how to tread it. Each one must take their own steps on that path, for the great task of the esotericist is at once to become independent. The esotericist must stand on their own two feet, fear nothing, expect nothing from others or from life, and only want to go straight ahead.
The esotericist will soon discover that the servant who calls is not their real teacher. The esotericist has three teachers. None of them is the servant who called. Who are these three teachers of the esotericist? The first is karma, the second is the higher self, and the third is the Master. What does it mean that karma is the teacher of the esotericist? It means aspiration is everyday life. An esotericist is not a person who wants only high moments of excitement. The esotericist is an aspirant who knows and feels with their whole being that daily life must be lived rightly. And this daily life is one’s first teacher. Many an esotericist, on the other hand, may think that now one can begin to follow the Master outwardly and be freed from all the troubles and cares of outward life. But one will very soon find if one attempts such a thing, that one’s own life will put obstacles in one’s way. The esotericist has loved ones who demand their help. One has circumstances of life that prevent one from serving God fully. One has responsibilities that one thinks one can get out of. One has sorrows, worries, and pains – and one felt, when one became an esotericist, that these worries, worries, and pains were accumulating even more around oneself. Now is the everydayness of life and one’s karma the first lesson.
What is the sign when one learns the first lesson? That sign is the inner joy that also shines brightly in their life – inner joy and peace. It is when we receive the teaching of our karma that we truly know how to relate to life in the right way. And then inner joy grows; one becomes happy, calm, and peaceful and fulfills one’s duties. One absorbs the blows of fate and tries to do one’s best to cure one’s karma. One no longer submits to being a slave but is now a joyful servant who takes on the task at hand. One tries in every way to improve one’s karma and help others at the same time, and then an inner joy grows. One shines and spreads happiness around one; wherever one goes, there are just like invisible roses that one sprinkles around in the path of others. A remarkable knowledge of life grows in one; one can wisely show others how to face their difficulties.
But one has another teacher as well. This teacher is their higher self – the inner Master, who listens to the Master's voice – let us say here, the voice of Jesus. It listens to His advice and teachings. The one who, as an esotericist, wants to walk the path will absolutely follow those instructions. And this teacher teaches one to become the master of one’s emotions: “You yourself must control your astral instruments. You have to be the master of your emotions. You have to purify your heart. You have to become good, honest, and pure in your astral body. Your astral body must not be like a multicolored painting, which does not really represent anything but has all kinds of colors thrown in. Your astral body and your aura must become gleaming white. You must strive to be able to fuse all emotions into one great emotion, which is divine love, which is also divine purity and truth.” When we, as esotericists, learn this second lesson, when we learn to control and restrain our emotions, then the sign is that we radiate goodness, understanding, and love; we radiate purity, clarity, and gentleness. The result is that our emotional aura is filled with divine love.
And there is a third teacher. That third teacher is the Master; it is the great Master of us all, Christ – or possibly first another Master sent by Him. But that Master is behind the curtain, in the inner room of the temple. The Master is waiting there for us when we are ready. When we enter the room behind which the Master is, we are examined by the investigators. Then there are those gatekeepers who put us to the test. Each one of us is tested in many ways. The gatekeepers know how we will perform in those tests, whether they will let us into the temple or not. And if we have done well in the school of karma and the higher self, we will also do well in the tests to which we are put. But, if we are lacking something, if we cannot pass the tests that are set for us, then we will still be allowed to go through the school of karma and the higher self and be tested again sometime in the future.
Usually, however, we are not even allowed to take the tests unless there is some guarantee that we can pass them. We take these tests in our daytime and sleep consciousnesses. All these things are of a very individual nature because all tests are different, and each aspirant's Master is their own Master.
We have only to remember that there are three great teachers. Karma marks us with a mark of joy and happiness when we do the lesson. Our higher self as teacher, whose school marks us with the purity of our astral tool, the so-called wedding garment. Then, as the third teacher, everyone’s own Master. The same master can have many disciples, and we are all disciples of the greatest of all Masters. But that third teacher gives us a sign, which may be called a sign of power. Then we get power, and from Him alone, we get power.
I would like to impress one more thing on your mind: all true aspirants are angels or messengers. The Master has sent them out – or if you like to say, they have been sent into the world by God. At any rate, they must feel that they are angels. And we, as esotericists and aspirants, can remember that fact when we say to ourselves: “I am an angel.” Then, it will be easier for us to live this life as it should be lived. For an angel could not misuse their tongue, an angel could not misuse their body and senses. An angel wants to live purely and beautifully – helping, comforting, and supporting others. So let us remember: “You are called to be angels in life!”
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Note from the compiler: The English version of the talk has been slightly abridged and edited. The original talk in Finnish is available HERE