Initiation means ascension. The first initiation is the first step onto the path of ascension.

At the first initiation the main goal is physical self-mastery to a beginning degree. This shows as the Soul starting out to finetune and purify the diet, releasing toxins as much as possible, transcending addictions, and cleansing both the inner and outer physical vehicle.

This process of purification and mastery begins at the first initiation and continues to be refined throughout subsequent initiations, however, a basic level of physical self-mastery over the lower aspects will have been attained during the first initiation.

As the Soul begins working on physical self-mastery, he also simultaneously begins working on emotional self-mastery, although only to a very basic degree. At this stage, the incarnated Soul also begins to become aware of himself as the Soul (even though he is not necessarily consciously aware of this.)

The Integrated Ascended Master realizes that physical self-mastery and purification is an ongoing process that extends into all the higher initiations as well. This is why he is ever working on purifying his physical vehicle to higher and higher degrees.

Author's Bio: 

Dr Joshua David Stone was one of the most influential Spiritual teachers, leaders and forerunners of our time. He had a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology and was a licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor in California, USA.
He served as Official Spokesperson for the Planetary Ascension Movement and made his mark in the Consciousness Community as a prolific writer, authoring the 15-volume Easy to Read Encyclopedia of the Spiritual Path, published in several languages, as well as eight major Ascended Master Training Courses and several comprehensive Training Programs ranging from channeling, the psychology of astrology, the Book of Life of God, to his legendary 2,000 page Counseling Manual, and much, much more.
Today, the I AM University is the one and only Integrated Ascended Master Training Facility in this world. It stands firmly on the foundation of a comprehensive and ever-expanding curriculum which Dr Stone dedicated his life creating.
In 2005, Dr Joshua David Stone passed over to the Spirit world where he continues to Spiritually support the expansion of the I AM University the continuation of which he entrusted into the hands of Gloria Excelsias, his long-term personal assistant and protégé.
Dr Stone is one of the most widely read authors in the New Age Movement and known as the world’s most trusted source for integrated Spiritual development. http://www.iamuniversity.org

Gloria Excelsias is the President of the I AM University, an educational institution with focus on Spiritual and psychological development that was founded by the late Dr Joshua David Stone in 2004 and handed over to her care and leadership in 2005, at Dr Stone’s passing. As Dr Stone’s personal assistant, close friend and protégé, she received ongoing personal training in applied transpersonal psychology and integrated ascension which would prepare her consciousness for her later service work as the University’s President. Having moved the I AM University from California to Salzburg, Austria, her native country, she is now passionately dedicated to running and evolving the I AM University as an inspired writer and speaker, placing thematic priority on Spiritual psychology, the re-integration and updating of ancient occult teachings and the overall unfoldment of human consciousness.

Some of her service projects include:

Planetary World Service: www.PlanetaryWorldService.org

I AM Tunes – Spiritual Audio Download Library: www.IAM-Tunes.org

I AM YOU Foundation - Charity Project: www.IAMYou-Foundation.org

Ascension for Beginners – 365 free articles, 25 mini-courses and 25 meditations for newcomers on the Spiritual path: www.AscensionForBeginners.org