Is this one reason why the Divine does not grant spiritual experiences to everyone until they are inwardly prepared?
This is very true. That is why a process of purification process is needed before one can tread safely on the path. That is why Sri Aurobindo insisted on bringing out the psychic being in the forefront along with opening and surrender to The Mother. The psychic emergence brings right discernment about mixed elements that need to be rejected, such as vanity, pride, ambition that opens us to the destabilising forces. Taking the Divine Name and surrendering to The Mother opens us to Her Grace that protects and helps us on the path. Cultivating faith and sincerity is another way to protect ourselves against these hostile elements that can derail the sadhana and drive us towards the abyss instead of the heights. Vigilance and humility are also safeguards against these forces that are always around to use the chinks in our armour to enter and occupy our mind and heart and inner spaces. Sri Aurobindo has described all this in great detail in his writings. Here are few lines from Savitri reminding us of these dangers and the means of safety.
‘A lie was there the truth and truth a lie.
Here must the traveller of the upward Way—
For daring Hell’s kingdoms winds the heavenly route—
Pause or pass slowly through that perilous space,
A prayer upon his lips and the great Name.
If probed not all discernment’s keen spear-point,
He might stumble into falsity’s endless net.
Over his shoulder often he must look back
Like one who feels on his neck an enemy’s breath;
Else stealing up behind a treasonous blow
Might prostrate cast and pin to unholy soil,
Pierced through his back by Evil’s poignant stake.
So might one fall on the Eternal’s road
Forfeiting the spirit’s lonely chance in Time
And no news of him reach the waiting gods,
Marked “missing” in the register of souls,
His name the index of a failing hope,
The position of a dead remembered star.
Only were safe who kept God in their hearts:
Courage their armour, faith their sword, they must walk,
The hand ready to smite, the eye to scout,
Casting a javelin regard in front,
Heroes and soldiers of the army of Light.’
(Ref. https://incarnateword.in/cwsa/33/the-descent-into-night#p69)
Affectionately,
Alok Da
