The immediate presence of a teacher acts as a catalyst upon the student. His defects, no less than his virtues, cannot then be hidden for long, and circumstances will usually so arrange themselves that these qualities will glaringly reveal themselves in time. Hence this is necessarily a probationary period. Tests will come not through any arbitrary act on the part of the teacher but through the ordinary events of everyday life and also through persons met. They are not alone tests of a ethical kind--after all, we are all sinners until we realize truth--as of his devotion to truth rather than its counterfeits. The student will be tested first to observe how far he can remain personally loyal to the teacher--because the latter stands in symbolic relation to truth--despite the efforts of critics and enemies to put a plausible face on their opposition. The most elementary condition of spiritual instruction is complete confidence between the teacher and pupil. All sorts of blind critics and malicious enemies will appear from time to time to attempt to disturb that confidence. They are unconsciously or consciously the instruments of the adverse elements in nature. He will be tested, too, by surface shocks to his prejudices, preconceived notions, and expectations. He will be tested to reveal how far he is willing to go in the unselfish service of humanity when such service comes into conflict with his personal interests. It does not follow that if he does not know when and where he is being tested the test is unfair. It is for him to use his intelligence at such times as at others, and to consult his pledge whenever doubts arise and difficulties occur. These tests will sometimes be plainly evident and therefore comparatively easy to pass through, but there are others which are more subtle or disguised and therefore more difficult to pass through. However, all tests have one object alone--to detach him from the path towards truth. If he keeps this clearly in his mind, it will help him to understand them, and those who emerge with unwavering confidence despite all the oppositions encountered will receive their reward. If after the probationary period is over--and its length cannot be fixed for it will vary with each individual--those whose feet still follow the teacher unhesitatingly and completely will naturally find the interval of time between probation and acceptance is much shorter than will those in whom doubts still linger and hesitation still arises.
-- Notebooks Category 1: Overview of the Quest > Chapter 6 : Student-Teacher > # 605
