The Inner Culture Activity
The Meaning of Initiation by Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan
English | Italian
The path of initiation means not only study, but also the recognition that the goal is to discover God within, touching thereby the source of all things. It is toward this end that one strives with the help of the power of initiation, and it is from within that all inspiration is received. It is expected of the initiate that the practices entrusted be done regularly with heart and soul, and that the teachings be treasured within the heart, where they may deepen, just as seekers for thousands of years have contemplated the sacred word with deepest devotion.
Initiation is not a secret act; it is a sacred trust given by teacher to disciple and by disciple to teacher. There should be no wall of separation, and if there is one, it must first be removed before one may hope to remove the wall between worshipper and object of worship. The deep impressions received from the spiritual characteristics of the initiator form a model within the consciousness of the initiate, whose personality in time begins to reflect the very ideal of devotion.
When the heart thereby is emptied of all else and becomes attuned to the Divine Presence, this same Presence reveals itself as the very same power which was once thought to be one's own. This explains why devotion is at the same time the cry of the heart of the devotee, and the breath, which brings to life the object of devotion.
