The secret of successful altruistic intercession during meditation is, first, to enter the deepest part of his own being, and then--but only then--to enter the deepest part of the other man's. Here he will begin by praying for his spiritual improvement and end by visualizing the thing as done. To spend a few minutes each day in such intercessory service for others is to bless not only them but also himself. All his other virtues flower more radiantly in the sunny air of such benign love. Nevertheless, a practical warning is called for here.
Do not carry your own troubles or your temptations or other people's troubles and situations straight into your meditation. There is a proper time and place for their consideration under a mystical light or for their presentation to a mystical power. But that time and place is not at the beginning of the meditation period. It is rather towards the end. All meditations conducted on the philosophic ideal should end with the thoughts of others, with remembrance of their spiritual need, and with a sending-out of the light and grace received to bless individuals who need such help. At the beginning your aim should be to forget your lower self, to rise above it. Only after you have felt the divine visitation, only towards the end of your practice period should your aim be to bring the higher self to the help of the lower one, or your help and blessing to other embodied selves. If, however, you attempt this prematurely, if you are not willing to relinquish the personal life even for a few minutes, then you will get nothing but your own thought back for your pains.
-- Notebooks Category 23: Advanced Contemplation > Chapter 6 : Advanced Meditation > # 58
