ONE conclusive piece of evidence emerges quite clearly from the corresponding testimony of all traditions: that an archetypal 'Holy Land' does exist; that it is the prototype for all other 'Holy Lands', the spiritual centre to which all others are subordinate. The 'Holy Land' is also the 'Land of the Saints', the 'Land of the Blessed', 'Land of the Living', and 'Land of Immortality'. All these titles have equal validity, including that of the 'Pure Land' [1] which Plato aptly bestows on the 'Abode of the Blessed'. [2] This 'abiding' usually takes place in an 'invisible world', but if one wants to understand this, one must remember that it is the same with 'spiritual hierarchies', spoken of by all traditions and which represent in fact degrees of initiation. [3]
In this contemporary period of our terrestrial cycle - that is to say during the Kali-Yuga - this 'Holy Land', which is defended by guardians who keep it hidden from profane view while ensuring nevertheless a certain exterior communication, is to all intents and purposes inaccessible and invisible to all except those possessing the necessary qualifications for entry. Should its setting in a definite location now imply that this is literally so, or is it only a symbol, or is it both at the same time? The simple answer is that both geographical and historical facts possess a symbolic validity that in no way detracts from their being facts, but that actually, beyond this obvious reality, gives them a higher significance. [4]
We do not claim that this subject has been fully explored; far from it. Indeed, the relationships already discussed could lead to the elucidation of many more. On the other hand, this study has gone deeper than any preceding it, inviting reproach perhaps, from some. We do, however, believe we have not said too much, nor anything that should not be disclosed, even though we may be less disposed than some people to dispute the fact that there is a proper moment for publicly discussing unusual material. Also, on this point of the right moment, note that in the circumstances in which we live today, events happen with such speed that many things, the reasons for which are not immediately obvious, may find real applications much sooner than expected, possibly in ways wholly unforeseen. Although we wish to refrain from anything that may smack of 'prophecies', these words of Joseph de Maistre, [5] even truer today than a century ago, are most fitting to conclude with: 'We must be ready for an immense event in the divine order which we are travelling towards with an accelerated speed that must astound all those who watch. Awesome oracles have pronounced already that the time is now.'