(Except from "Spirtual Initiation in the Western Tradition" by Robert Gilbert)

1.  BROKEN GROUND
“Broken Ground” refers to gaps in information which prevents one from being able to consciously connect observed phenomena with conclusions through a logical train of thought. 

This is common in lower level channeled information which presents particular pieces of information with no explanation of how it could be so, or the larger spiritual context which makes the assertions self-evident. 

“Broken Ground” usually puts the individual at the mercy of “revelation” from a source which claims authority, with no way to consciously integrate the information into a coherent picture of reality.

As an example, it is common in spiritual work which has occult materialistic tendencies to give accounts of humanity’s origins which are attributed to physical actions by physical non-human beings. 

An example is the popular idea that humanity was genetically engineered in a physical manner by particular extra-terrestrial beings.  However the obvious problem with this account is that it really doesn’t explain anything about the spiritual origins of life (although most of its adherents do not think the proposition through enough to consider that).  If humanity was genetically engineered, then how did the beings who did the engineering come to exist?  Were they too genetically engineered by other beings? 

At what point is there a spiritual origin which goes beyond material causation? 

In the end, this theory appears similar to the story that when someone who claimed that the Earth was supported on the back of a great Turtle was challenged with the question “What supports the Turtle?”, he replied “Another Turtle.” 

When asked what then supported that turtle, he thought a moment and closed his presentation with the authoritative statement, “It’s Turtles all the way down!”

2.  CLAIMS TO AUTHORITY
This is one of the most common and most overlooked problems in modern metaphysics.  It can take any number of forms, but always it has the overt or covert suggestion that the teaching of a particular person or group is accurate and important because of the authority of the teacher of group. 

Examples would be an instructor who claimed to be the vehicle of a particular spiritual being, or to speak and act in that being’s authority; a group which claimed to the be the “one, true” representation on Earth of an important esoteric tradition; a teacher who claims to be an ascended master or to come from some elevated spiritual sphere to help benighted humans; etc.

The Rosicrucian principle in this regard is very straightforward: absolutely no claims to authority are permitted for a teacher.  This includes claiming to authoritatively represent the concepts of a particular spiritual being (even if one is indeed doing so), claiming to be the official spokesperson for a hidden spiritual tradition (even if one is), claiming to act in the authority of any beings or groups whatsoever, claiming to be the reincarnation of any important figure (or anyone for that matter), or any claims that one’s material is a “revelation” which should be accepted solely due to one's charisma. 

All of these things are either conscious or subconscious manipulations of the freedom of individuals; it is the free will of individuals which is sacred and must be held free of any coercive claims. 

A teacher must be able to be judged purely on their own character and clarity of teaching; their teaching must be logical and understandable through the independent powers of reason in students, unmanipulated by claims to authority.

3.  RESPECTING THE AUTONOMY OF THE STUDENT
This is the keynote of modern Initiation. Initiation today requires the individual to exert the forces of their spiritual core, their Ego, to directly access deeper spiritual consciousness and activity. Anything which infringes upon the autonomy of the student and diminishes their free will or their capacity for independent discerning thinking is counter to the desired goal. 

Individuals must clearly understand the spiritual path they follow, and make their own choices on that path (not turn their free will over to a charismatic teacher who makes decisions for them.) 

See the discussion in this section regarding “Claims to Authority” for one of the most common violations of this principle.

4.  FULLY CONSCIOUS METHODS OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Initiation in Rosicrucianism demands that the person become more conscious in every way of their own self and of spiritual reality.  Any reduction of awareness to achieve clairvoyant faculties is not permitted, such as entering into unconscious trance states, trance channeling, etc. 

It is not that these things do not work, but that they can weaken the very things that must be strengthened in modern initiation. 

Note that very many traditions around the world insist on this condition and forbid practices like trance channeling on the part of their Initiates.  There is a strong tendency among many independent esotericists to use unconscious methods of spiritual work; one reason for this is that they may have done it in previous incarnations, know instinctively how to do it (it is part of their structure), and be good at it, so it is easier and more gratifying to continue these methods into the present day than to strive for difficult new conscious faculties of spiritual perception.

5.  LUCIFERIC INFLATION
This occurs when someone (often, but not always, someone new to metaphysics and easily manipulated by spiritual forces) develops an exaggerated sense of their own importance and stage of enlightenment.  

This is rampant in modern American metaphysical circles, although perhaps not quite as much today as it was around 10 years ago.  

Signs of Luciferic Inflation include individuals publicly claiming special status such as being the chosen messenger of a world changing revelation, being the next world teacher, being an ascended master, etc.

6.  SENSATIONALISM
Sensationalism is simply emphasizing the most shocking and weird aspects of a subject.  In some cases this sensationalism is intended to attract attention with “shocking revelations” which expose “the biggest secret in history”.  Often these “revelations” are at best very one-sided presentations in a distorted context of more subtle spiritual realities; at worst they are entirely false and serve the aims of particular detrimental groups or beings.

In other cases, sensationalism is used to try to discredit a truth which some interest group does not want to be accepted by the media and the general public.  Sensationalism in this case is usually placing in truth in an extreme, exaggerated context so that it appears ridiculous.  This can often be found when governments try to discredit true information on their misconduct by exaggerating the argument and ridiculing the straw man they set up as a “conspiracy theory.”…

CONTINUED ON P. 177 of book "Spiritual Initiation in the Western Tradition"