Everyone is aware of the importance of the support of a pillar in any construction, whether of an arcade or a balcony, a bridge or a building. Such support is needed at every stage of the work, until the very end. If this is true of any construction on the objective plane, how much more true should it be on the inner planes of being, when making resolves to reach the desired spritual goal, to steer the barge of life successfully through the ocean of samsara to the other shore.

The great Masters of Wisdom and Compassion are known as the Pillars of Peace because they have become embodiments of peace to such an extent that even by reading and reflecting upon their teachings one gets real peace and solace and inner strength. Many a candidate yearns to tread the path indicated by them, but it is necessary to make prior preparations, just as a mountaineer does before determining to scale the heights, with full awareness of his own strength and stamina. To live the spiritual life is an uphill task; it is a difficult climb all the way, from the dark valley of mire to the summit of the glorious light Nirvanic. Hence the need to gauge one's spiritual strength and moral stamina. Madame Blavatsky has given us sound advice pondering over before taking the first step:

Every pledge or promise unless built upon four pillars—absolute sincerity, unflinching determination, unselfishness of purpose, and moral power, which makes the fourth support and equipoises the three other pillars—is an insecure building. The pledges of those who are sure of the strength of the fourth alone are recorded. (She Being Dead Yet Speaketh, p. 11)

Though these four requisites are interdependent and interrelated, it is necessary to recognize the importance of moral power, which supports and equipoises the three other pillars. The moral nature being the most important aspect of man's constitution, without its support one is not able to achieve anything from the spiritual point of view. Just as physical stamina is necessary on the physical plane—otherwise one would collapse at a critical period—so also on the spiritual plane. To face every crisis, to overcome every difficulty, to go through the ups and downs of life, to meet every situation skilfully, to gain wisdom and unfold compassion, in short, to live to benefit mankind and practise the six glorious virtues, one needs moral stamina.

One of the Masters of Wisdom has said: "You should learn that you may teach, acquire spiritual knowledge and strength that the weak may lean on you, and the sorrowing victims of ignorance learn from you the cause and remedy of their pain." This shows the great necessity of moral power, of steadfastness and willingness to learn because men need knowledge to remove their ignorance. They are not aware of their own real nature and its source; they are bound down by customs and conventions; they do not understand the cause of their own sorrow and suffering; they have not the right precepts to follow; they do not know the twin doctrines of Karma and Reincarnation, the doctrines of responsibility and hope: and so they naturally need solace and comfort which can only be given by those possessing moral power, those who can take the responsibility of supporting the weak and the downcast. Lord Buddha has made an emphatic statement that sorrow is; the cause of all sorrow lies in our passions and desires; therefore the remedy lies in the control of the lower self by the Higher Self, for which moral power, with its accompanying three pillars of absolute sincerity, unflinching determination and unselfishness of purpose, has to be acquired.

From the very beginning of the journey one must develop the virtue of absolute sincerity, the first pillar. An insincere person deceives himself and others, therefore insincerity would be fatal on the path of truth and wisdom. To be sincere, one must practise the second Paramita of Shila, "the key of Harmony in word and act, the key that counterbalances the cause and the effect, and leaves no further room for Karmic action." This means obedience and submission to the great Law. Thoughts, words and deeds are in perfect harmony, and therefore there is no conflict. One has to be honest with oneself and with others in order to be sincere. When man is in search of truth, he has to be true to his higher Self, the God within, the divine parent. Absolute sincerity is the way to self-reliance. When he has learnt to rely upon himself, others also will rely upon him. He has to free himself from the bondage of personal Karma, and therefore absolute sincerity is essential. One needs to be true to the teachings and loyal to the teachers, adhering to one's conviction to continue with the self-chosen task.

Unflinching determination is the second pillar of support and strength in spiritual life. One must determine first what one wishes to do and why, and make due preparations for the great journey, just as it is necessary to prepare for any journey on the physical plane. One must be firm-footed and must have the courage to sustain one's determination. There will be pitfalls on the way, threatening clouds that frighten, dark shadows that oppose; so naturally one will be tempted by Mara to waver and doubt and hesitate. On the spiritual path there is no standstill; one goes forward or backward; therefore, in order to continue on the journey one must have unflinching determination. To practise the fifth key of Virya, "the dauntless energy that fights its way to the supernal TRUTH, out of the mire of lies terrestrial," it is necessary to have unflinching determination. To assume a firm position as self-conscious thinkers, immortal Egos, and to work deliberately, making of the personality a refined instrument and a devoted friend, is our task.

The third pillar is unselfishness of purpose. Purity of motive, not thinking of one's own gain or glory, is an absolutely necessary requisite. One cannot serve humanity and look to one's own interests at the same time. A clear conscience and a firm desire to benefit humanity would bring an end to all conflicts. Throughout the eighteen discourses of the Bhagavad-Gita Krishna stresses the necessity to perform one's duty without any self-interest. It is necessary to examine the motive at the outset, because an impure motive would tarnish both mind and heart. Soul-wisdom cannot be bought or sold. Unselfishness of purpose means a consecrated and dedicated life, and here the first key of Dana, charity and immortal love, would be most valuable. The purpose is so high and pure that personal likes and dislikes would be obstacles on the way. Charity, not only almsgiving but also altruism of mind and heart, has to be practised daily, to fulfil the purpose and serve the great Cause. The slightest tinge of selfishness would be an obstacle, as it would disturb the harmony within and around, and go against the great Law.

In our dealings in life, we are expected to fulfil our promises and carry them out to the best of our ability. Does not spiritual life demand as much? When the human ego, the self-conscious thinker, through his own awakening and yearning makes a promise to his own Divine Parent, the Higher Self, a sacred covenant is entered into. The very act brings precipitations from the storehouse of Karma in a greater mass or with a stronger force; hence the need for the fourfold qualifications. It is necessary to cultivate them day after day, so as to be well-equipped with a moral power which can be used as it is required. If our ideal is to reach the goal of peace and bliss, let us carefully construct the four pillars on a firm foundation so that they may withstand a thousand storms and remain unshaken.

Lift up thy light, O man, arise and shine,
Steadfast while loud the storms of life assail;
Immortal ray of that great Light divine.
'Gainst whose all-power no tempest shall prevail.

Hold high thy lamp above earth's restless tides,
Beacon of hope to those who watch afar.
Falsehood and fear shall pass, but Truth abides;
Thine be the splendour of her deathless star.

Should the world's sin and sorrow round thee rave,
Pierce thou the dark with Truth's undaunted ray,
Send out its light of joy to help and save,
That more and more shine to the perfect day.