The question that is often asked is: "What must I do to unfold the divine powers hidden within me?"

And although it is impossible to give a direct answer to such a question, we will try to throw some light on the subject by setting forth the fundamental principles on which the Mystery Schools have been based in all ages as institutions of philosophical, ethical and religious culture.

The Mystery Schools are composed of enlightened men and women who have been admitted into the society of the Immortals. To attain such a high position, almost inconceivable efforts must first be made, for the aspirant to communion with these most advanced representatives of humanity must rise to their level.

While an uneducated person is capable of spiritual development, the fact remains that ignorance of the material arts and sciences seriously retards his moral progress in the ethical sphere. Not realizing the great importance of discipline, many students of the occult sciences ridicule modern systems of education, which excel in disciplining the mind. To learn to analyze is the first necessary step toward the successful acquisition of knowledge. Before one can think, one must first train the mind in reason, consistency, and logic—the essential ingredients of thought.

All the so-called material arts and sciences are, after all, reflections of the Secret Wisdom. A man who understands mathematics will certainly understand the Divine Plan better than one who is ignorant of it. Pythagoras required of all candidates who sought admission to his school mastery of music, mathematics, and astronomy. Before a candidate can honestly seek admission to the Temple of Wisdom, he must prepare offerings and bring them to the Temple. His only possible offering is himself, and this offering is accepted only if it proves useful for the dissemination of wisdom.

The nearer this vehicle is to perfection, the more useful he is. If he can express himself in a dozen languages, that certainly speaks in his favor. If he is an excellent chemist, a gifted orator, a clear thinker, then he has valuable gifts that can be quickly turned to the service of humanity. But if the candidate, no matter how sincere, comes to the doors of the Temple ignorant and untrained, he must first be prepared for his future work. Such preliminary training takes years. A man who wishes to devote himself unselfishly to the service of God - and this is the first condition for entering the Temple - should, of course, first educate himself, learning the lessons of the material world.

He should under no circumstances try to find the Masters of Wisdom until he is ready to offer them something of real value, because the possibility of being useful is largely limited by mental capacity. 

Manly P. Hall