It was a place where the original Semites could meet the Lord when they had properly qualified themselves. It served as a symbol which spoke to the inner or Higher Self. Sin is man-made. The animal nature in man must be consumed by a divine fire. The feeling of remorse required to expiate sins need not be painful.
Man advances by sacrifices.
The exercise should be done each evening after one has lain down for the night. The body should be completely relaxed while the exercise is being performed. The scenes of the day should be reviewed in the order in which they occurred. We need to feel the fire of remorse for wrongdoing burn to the very marrow of our bones. In the Holy of Holies there was no external source of light.