Speaking about studying in Chapter 3, “The Secret of the Resurrection,” in The Heart of Mysticism, Volume 6: The 1959 Infinite Way Letters, Joel says:
“Read slowly, attentively, and ponder at each step the words that are being read, going back again and again, if necessary, because it is not the quantity of material that is read that is the determining factor, but the degree of unfoldment which comes forth from the reading. Often one sentence or one paragraph is sufficient for this purpose. The student should not attempt to see how much material can be read, but rather how much light and how much understanding can be received from each sentence or paragraph that is read. In this way, spiritual discernment is developed.
“Often from such reading one particular statement or passage will stand out above all the others, and as you close your book, you should let this passage remain consciously within you. Ponder it, repeat it, think upon it, because this passage is a seed of truth which is now being planted within you, and then after you have ceased thinking about it, that seed begins to germinate and eventually takes root, later bearing spiritual fruitage in the form of understanding, wisdom, guidance, and the spiritual experience itself.
“Every time you hear a message of truth, whether in lectures, class, or on tape recordings, the word of God is also being planted within you as a seed, or as a dozen seeds, and out of these, even one, springing up into life, will be sufficient for every purpose. Your periods of meditation, in which you contemplate some passage of truth, ponder it, think upon it, and then finally settle into an inner stillness and let the Spirit bear witness with your spirit, also develop your Soul-faculties. . . .
“Always remember that every step of your journey on the spiritual path should be preceded by prayer. Pray for light, for discernment, for judgment, for awakening, and then there will be a message for you in every bit of inspired literature that you read or from every illumined Soul whom you meet.”