In his book The Masters and the Path, a Theosophist Charles W. Leadbetter has included an interesting and important message from master Kuthumi in regards to walking on the Path to awakening. This master is known in the esoteric circles as one of the most prominent masters of the non-physical organization called the Brotherhood of Light, and who together with all other masters of that organization works on the spiritual evolution of humankind.

Master Kuthumi and master Morya are said to be the two main Mahatmas responsible for the founding of the Theosophical Society in 1875, an organization that played a huge role in bringing the esoteric teachings to the Western world and which at the time was, just like any other genuine esoteric school, an extension on the physical plane of the Brotherhood of Light.

It is written in the above-mentioned book that the following message from Kuthumi is given as a guidance to the youth who are placed on the Probationary path, which explains the fatherly-like tone of the message; nonetheless, the advice given is pertinent to every aspirant for the Path, regardless of their age. Likewise, this timeless advice can serve well to both aspirants for the Path and those who are already on it. Here is the message:

“I know that your one object in life is to serve the Brotherhood; yet do not forget that there are higher steps before you, and that progress on the Path means sleepless vigilance. You must not only be always ready to serve; you must be ever watching for opportunities—nay, making opportunities to be helpful in small things, in order that when the greater work comes you may not fail to see it.

Never for a moment forget your occult relationship; it should be an ever-present inspiration to you—not only a shield from the fatuous thoughts which float around us, but a constant stimulus to spiritual activity.

The vacuity and pettiness of ordinary life should be impossible for us, though not beyond our comprehension and compassion.

The ineffable bliss of Adeptship is not yet yours, but remember that you are already one with those who live that higher life; you are dispensers of their sunlight in this lower world, so you, too, at your level, must be radiant suns of love and joy. The world may be unappreciative, uncomprehending; but your duty is to shine.

Do not rest on your oars. There are still higher peaks to conquer. The need of intellectual development must not be forgotten; and we must unfold within ourselves sympathy, affection, tolerance. Each must realize that there are other points of view than his own, and that they may be just as worthy of attention.

All coarseness or roughness of speech, all tendency to argumentativeness, must absolutely disappear; one who is prone to it should check himself when the impulse towards it arises; he should say little, and that always with delicacy and courtesy.

Never speak without first thinking whether what you are going to say is both kind and sensible.

He who tries to develop love within himself will be saved from many mistakes. Love is the supreme virtue of all, without which all other qualifications water but the sand.

Thoughts and feelings of an undesirable kind must be rigorously excluded; you must work at them until they are impossible to you. Touches of irritability ruffle the calm sea of the consciousness of the Brotherhood. Pride must be eliminated, for it is a serious bar to progress. Exquisite delicacy of thought and speech is needed—the rare aroma of perfect tact which can never jar or offend. That is hard to win, yet you may reach it if you will.

Definite service, and not mere amusement, should be your aim; think, not what you want to do, but what you can do that will help someone else; forget about yourself, and consider others. A pupil must be consistently kind, obliging, helpful—not now and then, but all the time. Remember, all time which is not spent in service (or fitting yourself for service) is for us lost time.

When you see certain evils in yourself, take them in hand manfully and effectively. Persevere, and you will succeed. It is a question of will-power. Watch for opportunities and hints; be efficient. I am always ready to help you, but I cannot do the work for you; the effort must come from your side. Try to deepen yourself all round and to live a life of utter devotion to service.

You have done well, but I want you to do better yet. I have tested you by giving you opportunities to help, and so far you have taken them nobly. I shall therefore give you more and greater opportunities, and your progress will depend upon your recognizing them and availing yourself of them. Remember that the reward of successful work is always the opening out before you of more work, and that faithfulness in what seem to you small things leads to employment in matters of greater importance.

I hope that you will soon draw closer to me, and in so doing will help your brothers along the Path which leads to the feet of the King. Be thankful that you have a great power of love, that you know how to flood your world with sunlight, to pour yourself out with royal prodigality, to scatter largess like a king; that indeed is well, but take care lest in the heart of this great flower of love there should be a tiny touch of pride, which might spread as does an almost invisible spot of decay, until it has tainted and  corrupted the whole blossom. Remember what our great Brother has written: ‘Be humble if thou wouldst attain to wisdom; be humbler still when wisdom thou hast mastered.’ Cultivate the modest fragrant plant humility, until its sweet aroma permeates every fibre of your being.

When you try for unity, it is not enough to draw the others into yourself, to enfold them with your aura, to make them one with you. To do that is already a long step, but you must go yet further, and make yourself one with each of them; you must enter into the very hearts of your

brothers, and understand them; never from curiosity, for a brother’s heart is both a secret and sacred place; one must not seek to pry into it or discuss it, but rather endeavour reverently to comprehend, to sympathize, to help. It is easy to criticize others from one’s own point of view; it is more difficult to get to know them and love them; but that is the only way to bring them along with you. I want you to grow quickly that I may use in the Great Work; to help you in that I give you my blessing.

The rules which I wish you to make for yourself are these:

(1) Forget yourself and the desires of your personality, and remember only the service of others, devoting your strength, your thought, your enthusiasm wholly to that.

(2) Do not offer an opinion on any matter unless directly asked for it.

(3) Before speaking, always consider how what you say will affect others.

(4) Never betray, or comment upon a brother’s weakness.

(5) Remember that you have yet much to learn, and therefore may often be in error; so speak with becoming modesty.

(6) When called, move at once, not waiting to finish what you happen to be reading or doing; if you are performing a duty of importance, explain very gently what it is.

I wish to draw you closer to me, and if you will keep these rules I shall soon be able to do so. Meantime, my blessing rests upon you.”