The School of Temptations is based on a series of lectures given by Ervast in Helsinki in the autumn of 1927. It is effectively a manual for self-initiation; initiation being elevation into higher states of consciousness and deeper levels of spiritual understanding.

In this book Ervast portrays the process of initiation as a series of trials by earth, by fire, by air and by water. He explains how these trials are accompanied by their own series of temptations and offers a route-map to negotiate a way through these mighty challenges.