Spiral Path

The path of gradual spiritual development that winds slowly over the course of many lifetimes.

"There is a mountain: at the bottom of it is the abyss. Thus, the one who wants to exit the abyss has to climb the mountain. There are two paths that lead to the summit. The first path turns in a spiral way around the mountain, thus spirally it reaches the summit, yet the second is the straight, narrow, and difficult path that as a straight line reaches the summit. The entire suffering humanity climbs along the spiral path that resembles a snail-shell shape, while few are the initiates that climb along the narrow path. The spiral path is very long, yet the narrow and difficult path is short. The latter is the initiatic path of woe and renunciation." -Samael Aun Weor, The Major Mysteries

Those who reach some awakening on the spiral path are called saints, masters, Pratyeka Buddhas ("selfish buddhas"). Such beings have developed the soul but not eliminated the ego. They are called saints, angels, buddhas, etc. but are not one hundred percent awakened.

The spiral path is in stark contrast to the very difficult straight path (or path of the bodhisattva), chosen by very few, because it requires the rapid and complete elimination of all ego (karma).

To learn more, study The Three Mountains by Samael Aun Weor.