XXX. Introduction to Theosophy V

The first sensation that the initiate had to experience within himself came through the teaching of the master. He led him to a quiet, remote place and there he directed the student's attention to the peaceful nature, while saying to him: Look at this plant, how it has sunk its roots into the earth and pushed its stem upward with its leaves, flowers, and fruits — how did it do that? Through the forces it has drawn from the earth. So that if it could speak, it would say to the lifeless mineral soil: I rise above you, but I owe my life to you, and I bow down to you in gratitude. The candidate had to let this humble feeling of gratitude sink in for weeks and weeks.