1.
We
begin the study of BSW (Beauty, Strength and Wisdom), without the help
of an astrological chart or even an indication as to the year of birth.
We suspect, however, that BSW (since he died relatively early in the
process), anywhere from late 1939 to the very early 1940’s, was not
among the youngest of the disciples.
2.
The DINA Disciples
were born across a span of years from the early 1870’s to the late 1890’s
— 1898 being the year when the youngest disciples were born.
3.
Perhaps, then, we can assume that BSW was born somewhere
in the 1870’s or 1880’s. Since he was, apparently, a friend of (or
subjectively related to) JWK-P (who was born in 1888), perhaps the age
difference between them was not so great, though this is, of course,
an assumption.
4.
A group of astrological
students is pondering the astrological hints in the letters written
to BSW and will, if possible, provide us with some reasonable hypotheses
concerning his birth date and time.
My word
to you is as follows: As a disciple, functioning as you do upon the
first Ray of Will or Power and working under the Master of that ray,
the Master Morya, I would suggest that you ponder on the fact that the
first ray is the first sub-ray of the second Ray of Love-Wisdom and
that you must, therefore, round out your development with love to all
beings. You have succeeded most soundly in avoiding the major destructive
qualities of the first ray and your utilisation of energy in the work
of service is commendable. Your aim must be to avoid all static conditions.
Many first ray people become static or crystallised, as that is the
method whereby the first ray destroyers work — and it is all part of
the divine work.
1.
Master DK begins
the instruction with “Brother of Mine”. This not the same form of address
He uses with all disciples at all times. May it not be that the Master
is signaling to this essentially first ray disciple, that he is, at
least temporarily, in the Ashram of Master DK? There is in the word,
“mine”, a kind of spiritual ‘ownership’, as when one says, “That disciple
‘belongs’ to Master M, or to Master KH, etc..”
2.
The Master informs
BSW that the “first ray is the first sub-ray of the second Ray of Love-Wisdom”.
The Tibetan said something quite similar to JWK-P (who is closely related,
at least subjectively, to BSW). It is, of course, a general fact that
the first ray on our planet and in our solar system is, in fact, a subray
of the great Second Ray of Love-Wisdom. Was the Master, however, informing
BSW that his monadic ray was the second, just as he seemed to be telling
JWK-P? After all, those who worked closely with Master DK would have
either the soul or the monad focussed on the second ray, and the second
ray appears nowhere else in BSW’s ray formula.
3.
BSW’s ray formula
is 17-467.
4.
To round-out one’s
development could refer to the “rounding out” of the causal body
taking place, in the later stages of the post third-degree process,
under the ray of the monad. One can, however, begin the intention to
‘round out’ at any point following the first degree, though, perhaps
this process might be focussed during a series of incarnations incorporating
the sign Libra (and closer to the second degree).
5.
BSW is on the Ray
of the Destroyer, but he is far enough advanced to avoid the “major
destructive qualities” of that ray. There are statements later in this
instruction which seem to suggest that he may have had a second ray
personality in a recent, previous incarnation. Perhaps he has schooled
himself somewhat in the use of the second ray. In addition, perhaps
the ray of the monad (should it be the second ray, as seems probable)
is having some effect (even thought the third initiation has not been
reached). The ray of the monad is, we realize, fundamentally
conditioning, and even though before the third degree is taken its number
cannot be readily ascertained by anyone less than a Master, it
is, nonetheless, effective before that point.
6.
DK counsels BSW to
avoid a static, crystallized condition. Even though we do not know the
astrological signs in which and under which BSW was born,
the two words used suggest the possibility of the prominence of Taurus
and Capricorn. Taurus can become “static” and Capricorn “crystallized”.
7.
We are reminded of
a method of destruction employed by first ray workers: they shatter
that which is crystallized. We can see how Capricorn and Saturn can
be involved in such a process.
8.
Apparently there
is some tendency in BSW to become static or crystallized. DK notices
this and warns His chela.
To you,
my brother, I would say (and you will understand): Strength is yours,
because you have steadily trodden the lonely path of the disciple. Wisdom
is yours and this you use in the helping of the little ones. Beauty
must be now the object of your attention. In meditation, I would have
you meditate upon the twelve-petalled lotus of the heart, visualising
it as a deep rose in colour with a heart of gold. I choose the colour
rose, for it will vitalise the astral counterpart of the heart centre,
both in the spine and in its higher aspect in the head centre. My brother
need not infer from this that he loves not, but the pronounced first
ray type needs what is occultly called "the rose of attachment."
They find easily the way of detachment; they create with facility a
protecting shell and they cherish — with high idealism — their isolation.
But when the lesson of isolation is learnt and detachment is the line
of least resistance, then the Rose of the soul should be nurtured and
shine forth. Impersonality is easy for you. You must now learn to be
personal with complete impersonality — a paradoxical acquirement but
one of great value.
1.
Although BSW is fundamentally
from another Ashram (the Ashram of Master Morya), the Master reaffirms
their brotherhood. This necessarily draws BSW closer.
2.
Frequently the Master
speaks to the disciple alone (even though the instructions written are
to be read by others). Not everything is for all ears and eyes. The
Master has the ability to choose just the right words which can speak
to the chela without revealing specific content to the other chelas
who may hear or read what is said.
3.
When one travels
alone (though, really, not alone), one develops strength, because one
has to depend upon oneself. This could well be remembered by all of
us. Sometimes in the early part of our studies, we seem to be alone.
This is all part of the Divine Plan, for to be alone in a new endeavor
builds our strength. Later when we come into more tangible affiliation
with others of like nature, we will cooperate with them, but
will not lean upon them.
4.
We see that Master
DK is emphasizing the three keynotes of his chela — Beauty, Strength
and Wisdom.
5.
Like Strength, Wisdom
has also been developed. We realize that Wisdom is somewhat associated
with the first ray for, when second ray disciples are on the Wisdom
aspect of that ray, they go to Shamballa, as did the Buddha.
6.
When first ray disciples
attempt to develop Love-Wisdom, Wisdom, it would seem, is usually the
easier to develop than Love.
7.
BSW is to help the
“little ones”. This may mean giving aid to those involved in “Little
Chelaship”. In some instances, initiates of both the first and second
degrees are considered “little ones”, though the term relates, perhaps,
more to those nearer the first degree. The suggestion here is that BSW
is not a “little one”, or he could not help those who are.
8.
Beauty, however,
is more correlated with the soft-line rays. BSW has the fourth ray mind
to assist him, perhaps some history on the second ray personality, and
perhaps some possibility of invoking what may reasonably be a second
ray monad.
9.
If Taurus figured
into his horoscope, it would also be a sign conducive to Beauty as would
Libra. Venus, as well, would be important.
10.
An important hint
is given: the heart center may be visualized in various ways, depending
upon the purpose of the meditation. It is usually considered a “golden
lotus”, but in this instance, the color of deep-rose becomes important,
not only to simulate the heart center, but especially its astral
counterpart. The golden center of the lotus will connect is through
color-resonance with the egoic lotus as a “golden lotus”.
11.
So, we note Master
DK choosing a color for His chela’s meditation. A Master will
know how to do this.
12.
Interestingly, mediation
upon the normal heart center, using the color deep-rose, will also stimulate
the heart within the head, which is associated with pure reason and
buddhi. The buddhic plane is the plane of “Beauty”, and so this meditation
is designed to stimulate that quality which is, for now, the most important
quality in BSW’s “Developmental Formula”.
13.
Master DK assures
BSW that he does, indeed, love. He also informs His chela that
he is a “pronounced first ray type”. What does the word “pronounced”
mean? Has the first ray soul quality asserted itself with considerable
strength?
14.
Interestingly, Master
DK associates “rose” with the quality of attachment. Sometimes when
meditating upon the astral body, DK will suggest the color rose. The
astral body is, we know, the vehicle through which attachment comes.
15.
The meditation is
performed in relation to the usual area between the shoulder blades
and about three inches in back of the spine. The color chosen will cause
a particular level of the chakra to respond (in this case, the astral
counterpart of the etheric chakra).
16.
We note that the
“heart within the head” also has an astral counterpart, and that this
counterpart, also, will respond, just as will the astral counterpart
between the shoulder blades.
17.
One gets the impression
that the Master could choose other colors and that different
aspects of the chakric system would respond.
18.
The use of color
may seem innocuous enough, but, really, it may have far-reaching and
unsuspected effects and should not, therefore be a matter of play.
It would certainly not do for this disciple to meditate indiscriminately
on the color pure orange, because it is connected with the first
and fifth rays and thus with the Law of Cleavage. Perhaps, red
(related to the first ray) would not be especially useful in relation
to the Master’s objectives with this chela — producing greater attachment
of the right kind.
19.
It would seem that
BSW has built a “protecting shell” creating an isolation which he cherishes
with “high idealism”. In such a dynamic his sixth ray astral body and
first ray soul would be involved.
20.
Why cherish isolation?
Perhaps, because it suggests a state of invulnerability. First ray souls
have seen many battles and been killed many times in elementally challenging
situations. Just as a fortress can be made invincible, so such individuals
seek to become invincible. Isolation is part of this invincibility.
21.
We have noticed over
and again how Master DK seeks to bring His chelas into balance. With
second ray disciples He encourages detachment. With first ray disciples
(JWK-P was one), He seeks to balance the easily accomplished detachment
with the right kind of balanced attachment.
22.
DK offers His chela
a paradox. He is to become “personal with complete impersonality”. Probably
BSW’s fourth ray mind can relate to such a paradox.
23.
How does one do this?
Perhaps by being willing to relate to the personas of other people,
being willing to be in the presence of such personas and being willing
to discuss any necessary aspect of personal presentation and behavior,
but in such a way that the true identity of oneself and the
other is never forgotten. It is all done within the continuous realization
of spirit-soul. One relates to the person as a spirit-soul and as
if the person represented spirit-soul and is not only a person.
I would
suggest also, my brother, that you seek to teach (even if it is only
one or two people), the Way of the Disciple and that you prepare at
least two people during the next three years for the Path of Discipleship.
They will be sent to you. [page 622] One, you already know. Another,
you will later recognise. This means leading them to find the link with
their group and their Master, for they will be people who have already
made their soul contact.
1.
This is clearly a
second-ray teaching assignment. It will force BSW to break his habitual
isolation. The assignment is not excessive, but it will draw from BSW
capacities which he does not normally exercise.
2.
DK offers a specific
time period for this preparation — three years. It would, of course,
be helpful to have a horoscope to see the nature of the aspects in BSW’s
chart during this period of proposed preparation.
3.
BSW is to work with
aspirants, and, judging from his stated abilities, to strengthen them
and draw forth their wisdom. One of the chief differences between an
aspirant and disciple is the degree of stability and continuity. BSW
(so it would seem at this point in his development) has mastered these.
4.
The Master has prevision
and sees the various relationships in BSW’s life.
5.
DK specifies the
qualifications of those who are to come: they will have made soul contact.
He is specific concerning BSW’s tasks: lead them to find the link with
their group and their Master. It is not stretching things too far to
imagine that that Master might be DK, Himself, and the group might be
one of His outer plane groups (or these groups considered as a whole).
This is probable in as much as He was helping to take some of the teaching
load off Master M. and KH, by taking on some of their “junior disciples”.
Thus, even if these two aspirants ‘belonged’ to M. or KH, DK might very
well be their temporary Teacher.
6.
When a Master gives
an assignment, it is best followed. Surprisingly, there were some who,
upon receiving assignments, did not follow.
Your ray
is pre-eminently the ray of occultism. Your Master, the Master Morya,
is the head of all esoteric organisations in the world. I bring this
to your attention because there is something you can do, and this work
will be possible when you have developed the facility to register the
psychological troubles of others with greater sensitivity. Mentally,
you grasp a situation rapidly; mentally and by the use of sound speech,
you respond to the need. Your head responds and your soul. To that head
understanding and that soul wisdom (which you have) add the heart approach
also. Go with your brothers into the valley and do not help them only
from the peaks of wisdom. You have mental power, clear understanding,
the faculty of wise adjustment in solution; if to all that, you add
the capacity of reaction to the emotional needs of others, you will
coordinate the personality in a new and helpful way and increase your
ability to serve. You can work with many groups, if you so wish, and
should always work as an energising factor. Your spiritual diary should
be kept with care from this angle and the heart motive, underlying your
activities, noted with attention. Your field of service will this way
be greatly increased, again through being. This can be enhanced through
an increased beauty of the outflow of love and increased love of beauty.
1.
Master DK associates
the first ray with occultism. Elsewhere in the Teaching He tells us
that the advanced scientists working on the fifth ray are really “occultists”.
Of course, the first and fifth rays are intimately related.
2.
Master M. is not
only the head of all esoteric organisations in the world but the head
of all esoteric schools. Master DK is preparing BSW for some work, apparently
to be done in connection with Master M, but it will require greater
sensitivity of the kind developed on the second ray.
3.
First ray types do
not much concern themselves with the psychological troubles of others.
Such troubles are not the kinds of things to which they normally
pay attention, unless they are trained to do so — and indeed,
they can be trained, just as second ray types can be trained to be strong
and stand on their own.
4.
DK is giving His
chela a directive: “add the heart approach also”. We have, it would
seem, a cleavage between the head and the heart, or at least a tendency
to use the head when the heart is called for — even if the heart could
be accessed.
5.
The “peaks of wisdom”
from which BSW must learn to descend seem to suggest the influence of
the sign Capricorn (also a sign of isolation and crystallization).
6.
The Master wants
one thing added to the gifts which already exist — “capacity of reaction
to the emotional needs of others”. We should never imagine that because
the astral body is, in a way, an “illusion” that disciples need not
consider the emotions of others. Disciples are to have a transmutative
and transformative effect upon those emotions — ‘unreal’ as the astral
plane may be.
7.
DK is fitting His
disciple for extended service. He must learn to reach others through
the heart.
8.
BSW is an “energizing
factor” and can increase his field of service “through being”.
These are two first ray factors — energy and being.
9.
But it is Beauty
and Love which will help the most — “an increased beauty of the outflow
of love and increased love of beauty”. Perhaps it is not easy for a
first ray type to work in this way, but this is what is required if
the radiation and effectiveness in service are to be increased.
I have ever
the feeling with you, brother of mine, of your being an ancient comrade,
who knows right well what I would say and, therefore, that I really
need not speak. I hear you laugh at times and say: I know it all. Some
day I'll live it all. Some day you assuredly will and you are far nearer
to that day than seemed possible ten years ago.
1.
Does Master DK have
to have a “feeling” about His ancient comradeship with BSW or does He
know?
2.
The Master resorts
to an interesting form of archaic speech, which may have served BSW
as a hint. The archaic phrase is: “who knows right well”. This is not
current English, but hearkens back to former time which perhaps BSW
will recognize.
3.
The word “comrade”
is interesting, for it suggests a vigorous alliance in relation to
purpose. Maybe it evokes images of the battlefield.
4.
DK is affirming the
rapport which exists between him and BSW. This He does also with ISG-L
and with JWK-P.
5.
DK offers a historical
perspective. It is a hint, telling BSW that he has been under observation
for at least ten years before this first communication by letter. The
Arcane
Continue
with the meditation last given but use no longer the colour rose but
a golden-orange. Blend the rose and orange and keep the meditation entirely
in the heart centre, remembering that that centre is in the spine, between
the [page 623] shoulder blades. Preserve ever the attitude of the Onlooker
in the head. Thus the detachment of the soul will grow whilst the attachment
of the soul to souls will grow and increase. The only breathing exercise
which I set you is a series of long normal breaths, saying mentally
as you inhale: "I gather life and strength." As you exhale,
you will say mentally: "In love I send them forth." Thus the
rhythm of the life of service is indicated and expressed.
1.
The color to be used in
the meditation is changing. It is now the predominant color of the causal
body (golden orange) and so the quality of soul is being added to the
astral nature, transforming it in the direction of love-wisdom.
2.
It is interesting
that the heart center is “in” the spine. Perhaps, DK is speaking of
the root of the center, even though it is to be pictured three inches
behind the
spine.
3.
In order to keep
the balance, even though the meditation is centered in the heart center,
the head focus is simultaneously to be preserved. DK is looking
for the blending of head and heart over which Jupiter officiates.
4.
As well, it looks
as if the Law of Magnetic Impulse is being invoked, providing attachment
of the soul to souls. The individual (as soul) is to be attached to
souls in the world of souls but detached from personalities (even though
able to relate successfully to personality as a soul).
5.
The simple breathing
exercise given is one that can be used by everyone. Its process is a
blend of the first and second rays. The inhalation is conditioned by
the first ray and the exhalation by the second ray.
6.
DK is giving us “the
rhythm of the life of service”. The exercise is beautiful in its simplicity.
Your gift
to the group is that of illumined knowledge and the providing of a firm
basis for action, with the exemplification of skill in action. Later,
when I may call upon the group of disciples to take joint action along
some particular line, your power to know the cause of what is will be
of great usefulness. This group of disciples is a service group and
this must always be remembered.
1.
Each of the disciples
had a gift which he/she could share with the group.
2.
The gifts here mentioned
suggest Taurus/Gemini and Capricorn; also, Venus, Mercury and Saturn.
3.
Illumined knowledge
comes under Taurus and perhaps Gemini, and a firm basis for action under
Capricorn.
4.
We can see how BSW’s
rays also contribute the firm basis for action and the exemplification
of skill in action, for the first ray is the ray of ‘firmness’ (assisted
by the seventh, which is also firm), and the seventh ray is especially
the ray of “skill in action”.
5.
That BSW has the
power to “know the cause of what is” suggests time spent (in previous
lives) upon the fifth ray, under which cause and effect interplay is
illumined.
This past
year has been one of testing and of strain for you and of consistent,
faithful, inner work. You have ever been sure of your spiritual relationships
and that is right and well but you are fortunately less sure now of
the judgments of the personality. When the personality is being relegated
to its rightful place as an instrument and the shift of consciousness
is away from the exterior life of the form to the interior life of the
soul, then true esoteric living becomes possible. In the life of all
disciples, there comes the time when there is an interlude of difficulty.
During that interlude, discovery is made that the personality will,
the personality judgment, and the personality aspiration is a part of
the general glamour — a glamour which can only be dispelled as the soul
pours its life and light with steady radiance into the instrument.
1.
An aspect of the
dual life of the disciple is emphasized. No matter what sort of strain
is occurring in the life (outer or inner) the work is to be faithfully
performed inwardly.
2.
The Master has been
trying to create a degree of uncertainty in the consciousness of his
chela. As with many seventh ray disciples, there may have been a tendency
to judge too readily by outer appearances.
3.
Some Libran themes
are appearing in this paragraph. “Judgement” is a Libran factor as is
the idea of “interlude” — in this case, “an interlude of difficulty”.
The power of Saturn as “tester” seems present.
4.
The personality is
being discovered for what it is. An aspect of the “Dweller on the Threshold”
is emerging.
5.
Those with a seventh
ray personality and brain may be much captivated by “the exterior life
of the form”. A change in orientation is required towards the “interior
life of the soul”. The appearance of a certain type of personal uncertainty
can, interestingly, assist this process.
6.
We find that Master
DK is working with BSW on the dispelling of glamor through the pouring
in of the light of the soul.
7.
The weakening of
incorrect attitudes definitely contributes to progress. It would appear
that BSW has in his nature much stiffness, resistance to change, much
self-certainty. The “interlude of difficulty” has challenged these attitudes.
8.
If Taurus were a
sign of importance, it would certainly contribute to the pouring in
of light (as well as to the static condition which DK mentioned in His
first letter).
You are
a strong soul and must hew your own way through the jungle of mundane
existence. What do I mean by the words "a strong soul"? I
mean not only that your first ray quality of power is expressing itself.
That, of course. But I mean primarily that you are experienced and this
experience of yours enables you to evidence steadfastness and that poise
in isolation which conveys to others the feeling that they can depend
upon you. This, in the second place, means an increasing capacity to
be magnetic and in that word "magnetic" lies the goal of your
personality experience. The first ray person is easily strong but not
so easily magnetic, for magnetism is above all else either a heart or
a solar plexus emanation.
1.
DK emphasizes strength,
but explains that it means more than the expression of first ray qualities.
2.
The word “hew” and
“jungle” are interesting and can be seen as astrological hints. To “hew”
is a Martian action, and the word “jungle” is used in the Teaching in
relation to the “Jungle of Illusion” (in connection with Aries). Perhaps
something about the prominence of Mars or Aries is being suggested.
3.
Strength, in this
instance, means “experience”. BSW is an experienced soul, steadfast
and poised in isolation. We see that he is no beginner on the Path.
4.
Strength also means
“an increasing capacity to be magnetic”. Though magnetism can be understood
in relation to the first ray from an esoteric perspective, it is practically
and psychologically related to the second ray, which BSW is consistently
encouraged to cultivate.
5.
“Magnetism” is his
watch word. The soul is magnetic (no matter what its ray). The personality
must become so.
6.
Notice that DK calls
BSW a “first ray person”. This calls attention to the fact that words
like “person” are not used literally all the time. Here, DK means the
first ray soul. Elsewhere, He uses the term “people” to mean
monads. (cf. I HS 187) One must read carefully.
7.
The contrast between
strength and magnetism is always being brought to BSW’s attention. The
first ray is related to the fifth ray, and the fifth ray, too, has trouble
with being magnetic.
8.
We judge that the
Master is trying to stimulate the heart and even the solar plexus of
His disciple (in the right way). The meditation using deep-rose and
golden-orange were aimed at this stimulation. Fundamentally, however,
it is the heart that is to be stimulated. BSW’s solar plexus
(we can infer) was excessively stimulated in a certain way that made
“astral wandering” a problem.
9.
In general, we find
that the Master does not want us to follow the line of least resistance
because, in doing so, we often fail to become “rounded out”. He is asking
of BSW behaviors which are not easy for him.
10.
We can see how much
of the Master’s work is to detect deficiencies and over-accentuations
and see that they are remedied. If the Master were to examine our aura
now, what deficiencies and over-accentuations would He find, and how
would He seek to help us counterbalance them?
Since your
entry into my group of disciples there is a growing evidence of the
awakening of the heart centre and this should give you encouragement.
Let us work more definitely at that. I seek not to interfere at this
time with your meditation but you have recognised that, in the press
of work and for the period of the next few years, your work can be directed
by me, if so you will, and thus, for a brief period, you have voluntarily
submitted to the suggestions of a second ray disciple, myself. The pressure
of work on the Masters Morya and K.H. is such that some of us are lifting
what we can off Their shoulders. In the same way the Master Hilarion
is lifting a good deal of the work of training sixth ray disciples off
the shoulders of the Master Jesus. A number of inner adjustments are
going on in the exigencies of the stress of this cycle. It is one work,
my brother, and all forces are expressions of the energy of love and
the potencies of wisdom.
1.
BSW, a first ray
disciple, had been assigned to a second ray Master for guidance. The
assignment is achieving desired results.
2.
Is BSW pursuing mediations
other than those given by Master DK? Perhaps along the first ray line.
3.
DK seems to be asserting
His role as temporary teacher and guide. DK represents the second ray,
and BSW needs the increasing influence of that ray.
4.
Master DK is taking
students of Masters M. and KH, and Master Hilarion is training sixth
ray disciples for Master Jesus (a very interesting proposition) making
us wonder about the presence of sixth ray in Master H.’s makeup. He
certainly seemed to have had it when He manifested as Paul. As for the
first ray, we are told that DK has this ray focussed in His Triad.
“Bear in mind that first ray disciples are in my Ashram, and that there
are aspects of my nature which are of first ray origin, but when you
remember this, bear also in mind that the aspect to which I refer is
Triadal”. (DINA II 761)
5.
The Master reiterates
a major theme: “all forces are expressions of the energy of love and
the potencies of wisdom”. All rays are subrays of the great Second Ray.
DK began with that idea and continues to hammer it home. This strong
first ray disciple needs to hear and understand the import of that statement.
To the wisdom
force of the Buddha, you easily respond. To the militancy and devotion
of the Master Jesus and to the vibration of His organism, the Church
militant, you vibrate also with facility, for the priesthood had long
been your chosen field of service. An ancient sannyasin are you. To
the understanding and the inclusive love of the Christ aspect, as it
expresses itself in the "fire of divine compassion," you only
respond in a secondary sense. The awakening of this compassion should
be one of your objectives in meditation. It will lead to inclusiveness
and the power to "see things as others see them."
1.
The thought that
the Buddha (and His Wisdom) related much to the first ray was earlier
expressed. The first ray within BSW responds easily to the first ray
aspect contained within the quality of Wisdom.
2.
Perhaps, as well,
many lives had been spent upon the sixth ray. Perhaps BSW is now a priest
(or minister) and perhaps he has been so for more than one life. His
sixth ray astral body would help him respond militantly. Perhaps Mars
is placed in a militant or fervent sign — Aries, Sagittarius or Pisces.
3.
If in this life he
is a priest or clergyman, the sixth or twelfth houses of the chart could
be of import.
4.
This is the second
time the word “ancient” has been used in these instructions. “Ancient
comrade” was the first use. Now, “ancient sannyasin”. DK seems to be
calling BSW’s attention to participation in other religious approaches
than Christianity.
5.
The use of the word
“ancient” also seems to emphasize that BSW is not at all new to discipleship.
There is much in these instructions that seems to “look backwards”,
emphasizing this disciple’s former experience.
6.
DK is telling BSW
he needs love. How he does so is masterful. It is the “fire of divine
compassion” which must be cultivated. DK tells BSW that he responds
to it in a “secondary sense”. The Master is not saying, “You do not
love enough”. He is simply asking that that which is secondary be made
primary.
7.
These instructions
inform us that BWS is to cultivate the higher gifts of Neptune — ruler
of “divine compassion” and a planet which is the planet of Vishnu and
the Christ.
8.
BSW is centralized
in himself. Decentralization is needed so that he can put himself in
another’s place.
9.
We see that Master
DK is promoting a ‘program of sensitization’ for His chela. He seeks
to see the drawbridge of the fortress lowered over the mote.
Your meditation
does not now require the practice of visualisation and the registering
of colour. The ancient pomps and ceremonies of a priestly past lie buried
in your consciousness and are easily evoked; in the thrill of stately
ceremonial and of rhythmic organisation, you find your line of least
resistance. The first ray person is conscious of ordered life, the majesty
of ordered forces; the glory of the intelligent "arrangement"
of the powers which lie behind the manifested world is his rightful
field of service. But to this must be added the power to intuit the
Plan as it exists in the heart of love, for only love reveals the Plan
and the part to be played in it by souls at any given time and place.
I am enlarging thus as I seek to enrich your life by two things: by
a recognition of the Plan as it exists on the astral plane at this time,
close to materialisation, and, secondly, by the recognition of the freedom
of all souls to work out that Plan in unison with each other, interfering
not with each other's methods but giving to each other the love and
cooperation at those points where duty and obligation bring contact.
Ponder on this....
1.
When instructing
JWK-P, the Tibetan spoke of the importance of visualization for the
first and seventh ray types. Masonry was to give this to JWK-P, and
perhaps, as well to BSW.
2.
Both BSW and JWK-P
had the fourth ray mental body, which should have helped with the visualization
process.
3.
Here we learn that
BSW’s past is definitely connected to the church — its pomps and ceremonies.
The present life seems to be a continuation of this trend.
4.
It is interesting
to contemplate the words, “the thrill of stately ceremonial and of rhythmic
organization”. When all actions are perfectly and harmoniously executed,
energy passes freely with a thrilling effect. This is the joy of the
‘perfect performance’.
5.
DK seems to be describing
how the first and seventh rays work together in the life of BSW. It
is a beautiful sentence full of revelation for the first ray/seventh
ray type:
“The
first ray person is conscious of ordered life, the majesty of ordered
forces; the glory of the intelligent ‘arrangement’ of the powers which
lie behind the manifested world is his rightful field of service”.
6.
DK’s method is to
affirm what BSW possesses and, then, to seek to add more. The orderly
and intelligent arrangement of forces is understood. But the “power
to intuit the plan as it exists in the heart of love” is not yet acquired.
This is an extraordinary phrase. It seems to suggest that if we love
enough the Plan will be revealed to us: “for only love reveals the Plan”.
These thoughts could well be taken into meditation.
7.
Love, pure reason
and intuition are akin. These are the methods of accessing the Divine
Plan. The heartless reason of the cold mind will not suffice.
8.
The Divine Plan emerges
from moment to moment in the tiniest thought, feeling or action. The
one immersed in intuitive love from moment to moment facilitates the
emergence of the Divine Plan in the tiniest things.
In my last
instruction to you, brother of old, I told you to stand as a tower of
strength to your brothers. With your usual prompt acceptance of any
suggestions which seem to you intellectually and intuitionally constructive,
you have sought to do this. But, my brother, there has been too much
of the tower in your attitude and of the highly placed and rather separative
Observer in the top of the tower. Perhaps my use of the word "tower"
was to blame. Maybe my vision of you as a strong and steady helper,
added to your innate isolation, swept you too far apart. The first ray
disciple loves isolation. It is for him the line of least resistance.
He is, as you know, normally the one who stands alone. This is his strength
and it is also his weakness. He glories in detachment, e'en as you gloried
inwardly over your power to adapt yourself to me, as the teacher assigned
to you by your own Master. You liked the [page 626] facility with which
you made the adjustment, did you not?
1.
Here we see the reason
why the Master must be cautious when He offers advice. BSW is eager
and sincere and will readily accept the Master’s suggestions because
they seem “intellectually and intuitionally constructive”. However,
his interpretation of the advice has not been entirely sound. The term
“tower” in “tower of strength” has somehow strengthened his centralized
and isolative attitudes. He has not descended into the “valleys”, but
has remained the “highly placed and rather separated Observer in the
top of the tower”. The heart attitude which DK has been attempting to
cultivate in His chela cannot flourish from such a position.
2.
Not only the words
of a Master to His chela, but the Master’s vision of him can be effective
for good or ill.
3.
Again and again we
see Master DK attempting to educate his chela away from the “line
of least resistance” — in this case the “love of isolation”.
4.
BSW is a ready disciple
— ready to do anything that is required. He knows that he is on the
first ray and that his temporary Master is on the second. This chela
is fond of his power to accomplish and, it seems, is rather proud about
his ability to adapt from first ray attitudes to those characterized
by the second ray. We see, however, that adaptation is not quite so
easy to accomplish. “Old habits die hard”.
5.
We notice certain
words emerging — “glories”, “thrill”, “pomps”, “ceremonial”. The overall
impression is of an exalted attitude — one that “towers above”
ordinary circumstances, and, perhaps, ordinary people.
6.
The Master seeks
to see this attitude end.
It is not
easy for the first ray disciple to learn attachment (of the right and
spiritual description) any more than it is easy for the second ray disciple
to learn detachment. Disciples on both those rays have an extreme lesson
to learn in this connection; they have to approach the problem from
differing attitudes, for the problem of attachment and of detachment
is one. It is the problem of right values. The first ray type loves
himself, his power and his isolation too much. The second ray type errs
through deep attachment to others and through a too fluid inclusiveness
which is expressed before the disciple understands the true nature of
inclusiveness. The second ray type errs through fear of not being understood
or not adequately loved, and cares too much what others may think of
him and say of him. The first ray type errs in not giving enough thought
to the reaction of others to what he says and does; he prides himself
on his detached attitude and on his immunity from attachment; he likes
to have his strength and isolation appreciated. One suffers from fear.
The other from pride. You exact frankness, my brother, and give it in
full measure; hence my frankness with you.
1.
The first sentence
is foundational, and much of the Master’s efforts with His various disciples
are directed towards inducing counterbalancing attitudes.
2.
Of course, the “attachment”
in question must be “of the right and spiritual description” — namely,
the attachment to souls and not to personalities. However,
the personality aspect of others must not be coldly repudiated.
3.
DK puts the problem
in a larger context. Whether one is dealing with the need for detachment
or attachment, the problem is the same; it is a problem of “right values”.
4.
This paragraph offers
one of the most exact descriptions of first and second ray problems
(in contrast) of any in the entire Teaching.
5.
Self-love is contrasted
with the unwise ‘love’ of others — more of their personalities than
their souls. For the second ray type there is a premature “fluid inclusiveness”
of others, before soul-inclusiveness is understood. The first ray type
seems to reject others, caring too little about their reactions. The
contrast is very clear, is it not?
6.
It all boils down
to “pride” and “fear”. Some people who have both the first and second
rays prominent in their nature are afflicted by both attitudes and the
warfare in their nature is great.
7.
We find DK telling
his chela that he is proud. The Master’s words are direct and karmically
justified, due to the characteristic “frankness” of His chela.
8.
In both cases (whether
one suffers from pride or fear) there is an unsuspected focus on one’s
own “little self” rather than on one’s true Self or the Self of the
‘other’.
It is this
inner "isolation," deeply loved by you and fostered by early
training and present circumstance which militates against your being
telepathically sensitive to other people. Instead of so much "will
to love," why not just love more simply? You and F.C.D. are extreme
types on your specific rays. In him, the heart dominates, e'en though
his wisdom is deep and his understanding rare. In you the head dominates,
and you sit on the summit of your tower, whilst all the time the call
of the heart sounds throughout your being and in your ears. Yet you
fear to descend and walk among your fellowmen in loving identification
with them. It is only through walking the dusty street of life with
our brothers that we find ourselves passing eventually through the portal
of initiation.
And yet,
brother of old, I have noted that, in moments of stress and of possible
misunderstanding, you choose the heart way. Were it not so, I would
not thus write.
1.
BSW is in that group-of-nine
called the Telepathic Communicators. Experiments in telepathy were undertaken
in this little group and, apparently, BSW was not especially successful
in cultivating telepathic sensitivity. The Master puts His finger on
the reason.
2.
It matters not that
the isolative attitude (which is at fault) was cultivated early and
fostered by present circumstance (probably the clergy or priesthood);
it has to change.
3.
Some sound advice
is offered. It is true that the Master often asks the disciple to cultivate
the will-to-love, but here He is going a step further and just asking
the chela to “love more simply”. It is the difference between theory
(perhaps elaborate) about a quality to be expressed, versus the simple
expression of the quality.
4.
FCD is a soul deeply
identified with the second ray. His ray formula is 24-127. His problem
was entirely other than BSW’s, as his “Developmental Formula” suggests
— “Freedom from ties; Chelaship; Detachment”.
5.
It seems that Master
DK often teaches BSW through contrasts, which makes one wonder about
the possible presence of the sign of contrasts, Gemini, in BSW’s astrological
chart.
6.
A vivid picture is
presented. The head is dominating as the disciple sits on the summit
of his tower but all the while the “heart is sounding” throughout his
being and in his ears. Apparently, he senses and hears and heart, but
does not know how to respond to it and express it. We have here, an
example of a cleavage between head and heart. The planets Jupiter and
Venus are required to bridge this cleavage.
7.
First ray types pride
themselves on their fearlessness, but no human being who is not an initiate
of the fourth degree is without fear. For those on the first ray, the
fear is often one of intimacy or of compromising the self through humble
associations and acts. The Tibetan makes this clear:
“Yet you
fear to descend and walk among your fellowmen in loving identification
with them”.
What could be lost by such a descent? Power? An exalted self-image?
Would the self be degraded by familiarity with others? Only that collection
of self-referencing ideas we call “ego” would be altered, and this alteration
would only be for the good. Yet, as always, the fear prevents the salutary
act.
8.
A statement of great
importance is made, and it must be absorbed and acted upon if the average
disciple’s vision of the portal of initiation is ever to be more than
a figment of the imagination, which so often it is.
“It is only
through walking the dusty street of life with our brothers that we find
ourselves passing eventually through the portal of initiation”.
The Spiritual Hierarchy is the “Hierarchy of Love” and it is only the
heart which opens the portal. There are many other requirements (it
is true) but without the heart there is no passage.
9.
The Tibetan is asking
us to see our self-image compromised if necessary, to “get our hands
dirty”, if necessary, and our shoes too, in the dusty, muddy streets
— if necessary. And, of course, because mental pride cannot penetrate
into the Ashram, and because every disciple must know the meaning of
true humility — it is, indeed, necessary.
10.
Master DK sees into
the heart of His chela. Basically the heart is sound and is utilized
in moments of real stress and need. During the course of a number of
lives, various defense mechanisms have been erected and have covered
that heart, and the mind has been used as a protection against vulnerability.
It cannot hurt this disciple to be reminded that the Master does, after
all, see his heart and that it is “alive and well”.
11.
The principle to
be extracted is that we have not always been as we are now. Some of
our present attitudes have been built as self-protective mechanisms.
Knowing this, we are more likely to release ourselves from such attitudes.
12.
Mind, for instance,
can be used as a defense against sensitivity and the heart, but it can
also come to serve sensitivity and the heart as the “loving mind”.
I would
like to set you the task of writing an article on the use of love as
an interpreter of men. I commend to you that [page 627] theme for meditation.
You have power in writing and ability in the expression of the deeper
truths through the medium of words and your field of service can be
increased in this respect. Write, therefore, for the many who will listen
to your words, and write with that understanding heart which is yours
in full measure when you descend from your tower and give love both
time and scope.
1.
The Tibetan wants
BSW to learn to see “through the eyes of love” and to interpret his
fellow human beings through those eyes.
2.
BSW has power in
writing. We would look for a strong Mercury or a well-fortified third
house of the horoscope or a dignified ruler of that house. Again, there
may be an indication of the presence of the sign Gemini, which seems
to have been a quite frequent occurrence among Master DK’s disciples.
3.
We note that the
Master never relents in His intention to increase the scope of the disciple’s
field of service.
4.
The Master is asking
BSW to descend and, as it were, ‘uncover’ his waiting heart. The heart
is ready but it has to be released from the captivity of the mind and
the sometimes proud ego it serves.
5.
We begin to see that
initiation is not for those who, because of fear, hold themselves aloof
from their fellowmen.
You are
halfway down from the altitude of your tower and that is good. In my
last instruction, I spoke to you with frankness and you recognised the
justice of that which I said and started to make the needed re-adjustments.
That work must be continued for another year.
1.
The Tibetan is following
His chela’s progress closely. The process of inducing humility and heart-felt
human contact is in motion.
2.
BSW is a prompt and
eager disciple. He wishes to achieve, to advance, and, with his will
and mind, he will put the Master’s suggestions into practice — according
to the level of his understanding.
3.
The quality of “justice”
is referenced — another suggestion of the possibility that the sign
Libra is present in the horoscope. Earlier we discussed the tendency
towards “personality judgment” (judgmentalism), a negative quality of
the Saturnian signs Libra and Capricorn. The Principle of Justice is
important in the psyche of first ray disciples.
4.
We often see Master
DK initiating a process with one of His chelas and then stating how
long it will (or should) take for the process to be completed. In this
case, He predicts that another year of work will be necessary before
BSW will have descended from his tower.
5.
Not all disciples
have been as willing to make the necessary adjustments so promptly.
A prompt acquiescence to the will of the soul is much to be desired
in a disciple. When the soul reveals to us the need to act, how prompt
are we in response?
Have you
any idea, my brother, with what care I watch the work of this group
of disciples? I watch with patient attention, not because of any personal
interest where the personalities of the disciples are concerned but
because of the potency latent in such consecrated groups. If the personnel
of the group can be sufficiently purified and trained and if the disciples
who compose it can be sufficiently welded together into one functioning
unit, then much can be accomplished. All is yet in the trial stage with
many of them and only the coming few years will show the Masters which
of Their groups can stand pressure and yet preserve the soul link which
underlies all the differing personalities.
1.
The Master shares
with BSW (and with all His chelas) the degree of His attentiveness to
the group process. His watchfulness is motivated not by personal interest,
but “because of the potency latent in such consecrated groups”. Eventually,
they can do much good in the world.
2.
DK is a servant of
the Divine Plan and the groups in formation were to become an instrument
of service through which He and the Hierarchy could work. Purification,
training and unity would be required of the group personnel
if the groups were to measure up to opportunity.
3.
We come to understand
that a number of the Masters may be preparing groups for service. The
next few years (written in 1935) were to be crucial in determining the
fitness of the groups under preparation.
4.
The main thing is
that a prepared group must withstand pressure and yet preserve the soul
link.
5.
Perhaps we know from
observing our own lives that the soul link may seem to disappear in
moments of stress. What is desired is a ‘continuity of soul consciousness’
during all manner of pressured, stressful circumstances. When an individual
or a group has proved its capacity to preserve soul consciousness under
such conditions, the stage of fitness (Master M. calls it “goal-fitness”)
has been achieved and the individual or the group may be used.
The problem
of group integration is always a difficult one; it has been particularly
difficult for you to integrate into [page 628] my group of disciples
because of your much cherished and deeply rooted sense of isolation.
This was developed in your last life as a defense mechanism for a very
sensitive personality. This attitude you are, however, learning to relinquish.
For other disciples, the reasons which militate against integration
vary. For some, it is largely based upon submergence in personality
problems; these hold the disciple fast in prison just as you have been
held in your tower of isolation. For others, the problem is to be found
in the powerful will-to-be at the centre, both in its right and noble
sense and in its personality and wrong sense. This attitude produces
a sense of identity and of selfhood which hinders integration. Other
disciples are hindered by the reverse of this attitude and by their
second ray power of attachment and of inclusiveness. This has to be
negated in the case of attachment and necessitates a focussing where
the tendency to expansion is constructively possible.
1.
The Tibetan is now
speaking from a group perspective. He is not offering training for individual
disciples so that they, individually, can advanced. All individual training
is being offered in the context of group usefulness.
2.
The manner in which
BSW is a liability in the process of group integration is now reviewed.
It is his “much cherished and deeply rooted sense of isolation” which
prevents him from integrating into the group of Telepathic Communicators
as he otherwise might.
3.
We read that the
sense of isolation is a relatively recent cultivation, or at least that
it was strengthened considerably in BSW’s last life as a “defense mechanism
for a very sensitive personality”. May we infer that the personality
ray of BSW’s last incarnation was the second ray of Love-Wisdom?
4.
The Master reviews
various types of attitudes and behaviors which militate against the
integration of the disciple into the group. Submergence in personality
problems is often a problem for those upon the soft-line rays. Isolativeness
and personality centralization are difficulties for those on the hard-line
rays.
5.
DK is cautious to
point out that there is a correct approach to the “will-to-be at the
centre”. It is related to soul-centralization and eventually to spirit-centralization.
When, however, a disciple identified as a personality wishes to be at
the center of a group, the integration process in the group will be
harmed.
6.
Disciples in a group
can integrate more easily into and with the group when they develop
the realization that “I am the group” rather than “I am I”.
7.
Second ray disciples,
more easily attached, can hinder the group integration process by becoming
too attached to the personalities of fellow group members. Thus the
need (as expressed in Rule XI for Disciple and Initiates) to sever all
personality ties between group members. This injunction, however, cannot
be interpreted only at face value. The attitude of “personally-impersonal”
and “impersonally-personal” is required, and in no case is there a reduction
of kindness between group members.
8.
DK offers advice
to second ray types who through the power of attachment and inclusiveness
are hindering the integration process. He asks for a “focussing where
the tendency to expansion is constructively possible”. These are interesting
and enigmatic words. Second ray types are conditioned by the expansive
energies of Jupiter. Rather than ‘expand into each other’ in a personality
sense, it is the expansion of group consciousness which is to be cultivated.
By focussing within the group consciousness, second ray types can rightly
direct their expansive tendencies.
With these
ideas before you, you can realise the need I felt for right understanding
on the part of all in this group of disciples as to the rules for group
work and a right comprehension as to the place each of you had to play
in the future work. If all my disciples take hold of the present opportunity
with fresh endeavour and enthusiasm, they will then discover what it
is that the disciples in a Master's Ashram can achieve.
1.
The disciples in
a group are very much responsible for its success or failure.
2.
The Master imparts
the correct Teaching and does all He can to instruct, guard and balance
the group process, but the disciples must apply what they have received.
3.
The Group of Telepathic
Communicators was first group-of-nine formed, and therefore was, in
a sense, the leading group. In it, as well, were many in whom
the first ray was prominent. Thus the need for this group, especially,
to understand and demonstrate “the rules for group work”.
4.
As well, the Tibetan
seeks for each group member to understand his or her particular place
within the group. Light, therefore, is shed upon the problem of the
particular disciple but in relation to the group structure and process.
5.
When we learn to
know ourselves we must consider our identities, skills and abilities
in relation to the group and its needs, and not simply in isolation.
I have several
times told you that your function in this particular group is to give
strength and power to your fellow disciples. Can you do this with pure
detachment and with deep attachment? Such is your problem. Each of them
needs what you have to give, but needs it in a different manner. I commend
this to you as your theme for study for the next few months and propose
to you the following work. Study those of your fellow disciples whom
you know and seek to get into close rapport with them. Study what they
say and write and try to tune in on their souls and to understand their
personalities. The result will be partially correct and partially wrong.
If they discover what you are doing, you will find that they are all
impersonal enough to permit you to learn some psychology from a study
of their characters, their temperaments and their tendencies. It will
also enable me to give you some training as a practical psychologist
— never an easy thing for a first ray ego....
1.
DK began His instructions
to BSW commending him for his Strength and also his Wisdom. Strength
and Wisdom were two gifts to be shared with his fellow disciples.
2.
Now the Master presents
(again presents) a paradox — to give strength with “pure detachment
and with deep attachment”. It will take the fourth ray mind of BSW to
help resolve this apparent contradiction.
3.
The task is ever
to be detached from personalities and the reactions of personalities,
and yet, to be deeply attached to souls — to the real individual, which
whom, in fact, we are one. This is most easily accomplished if we want
nothing from the individual to whom we are relating.
4.
We see Master DK
calling also for adaptability. Strength and Wisdom cannot be
given to each in the same way. The one who bestows must know the nature
of the one who is to receive. Such knowledge cannot be acquired if the
one who gives remains in a state of isolation and separateness.
5.
The Tibetan is trying
to deepen BSW’s capacity for rapport. Since BSW is a deep student
of the Ageless Wisdom, this rapport is to be generated through the study
of his fellow disciples.
6.
BSW, it would appear,
does not habitually approach others in a psychological manner. The first
ray type may not have all that much interest in the psyches of others,
nor may he wish for others to know him intimately.
7.
BSW is to learn some
psychology. Since there are so many second ray egos in the Tibetan’s
groups, they will be willing to help BSW in this task. Second ray egos
are, generally, more psychological in their orientation than first ray
types.
8.
We come to the point:
it is difficult for first ray egos to become practical psychologists.
They are simply not interested in getting to know others intimately;
at least, this is not their natural trend, though it can be cultivated.
The great first ray leaders of men have been, however, more adept at
psychology. They had to develop the ability along the way, otherwise
they could not succeed. First ray types will do whatever is necessary.
9.
Again there has been
a deletion in the text. Perhaps this letter exists somewhere in its
original form, or perhaps it has been destroyed. In any case, we have
enough to see the general trend of DK’s instruction for this disciple.
“Get to know people. Relate more closely to people. Become attached
even while being detached. Adapt yourself to the psychological states
and needs of other people.”
Tower
” — assailed by lightning and rocking towards a
crash.
2.
We note that the
tower has been weakened to the point of destruction by the soul.
No personality decision would be sufficient to undermine the strength
of so strong an edifice.
3.
The entire task is
not completed, however, for the tower still stands, but the disciple
no longer loves it and retreats to it.
4.
One must marvel at
the consciousness available to the Master. Master DK has the insight
to see the last six incarnations of BSW. He can trace the beginning
of the erection of the “ivory tower” to those earlier times.
5.
In an earlier instruction,
we gathered that the tower was strengthened considerably in the immediately
preceding incarnation immediately as a means of defense to protect a
very sensitive personality. We cannot accurately surmise the personality
rays during those preceding six incarnations. The most recently preceding
incarnation seems to have had a soft-line personality. Was the tower
erected as a defense to protect a series of soft-line personalities,
or were there other motives involved in the erection? One day BSW will
know (with objectivity) just as His Master, DK, now knows.
6.
For that matter,
one day we all will know (with clarity and objectivity) the reason
for our present personality condition, as that reason is rooted in a
number of our preceding incarnations.
7.
The Tibetan is calling
for sacrifice. The ivory tower has been, strangely, a place of comfort
for BSW. When in the tower, BSW has been spared the pains and dissonances
of human interaction. He has been relatively undisturbed in splendid
isolation.
8.
Now that particular
kind of comfort has to be sacrificed, that avenue of retreat relinquished.
9.
However, if this
is done, BSW, himself, may become “a tower of strength to others”.
Thus is the idea of the tower preserved, but it becomes a tower of real
value to the soul because humility will have been achieved.
10.
Early in these instructions
DK asked His chela to become a “tower of strength” to others. The chela
somewhat misunderstood and used the Master’s words to reinforce old
habits. Since that time DK has labored to help BSW understand what it
means to stand, in humility, as a real “tower of strength”. It
would seem that a point of understanding is being reached.
Your major
spiritual activity must now be turned into work at the time of the Full
Moon. Each month spend your periods of inner recollection in getting
ready for the work of the five days of the Full Moon period:
1. The
two days of preparation and introspection.
2. The
day of the Full Moon with its opportunity to tune in with your fellow
disciples in my Ashram.
3. The
two days of attempt to capitalise on that which has been subjectively
gained — making it objective in your consciousness.
The gain
of this exercise, if successfully carried out, in the development of
your inner sensitivity would be immeasurable and its usefulness to your
fellow disciples would be greater than you know.
1.
The days of preparation
are important if the fullest advantage is to be had from the Full Moon
itself.
2.
Of what nature is
this “introspection”? Perhaps there is to be a brooding upon the qualities
which are to be released at the Full Moon. Perhaps, a readying of the
personality for reception.
3.
The instruction for
correct approach on the day of the Full Moon itself may be particular
to BSW, though it seems we could all benefit from doing the same. He
is to “tune in with [his] fellow disciples” in the Tibetan’s Ashram.
The reception of subtle energy on that day is to be a kind of group
reception. For BSW this will strengthen the sense of soul-rapport with
his spiritual comrades.
4.
The two days following
the Full Moon are to be days of objectification in consciousness. The
inner gain is to be worked out and made more tangible.
5.
DK sees the best
paths for His chelas. This type of work proposed is apparently a very
great service opportunity for BSW. The cultivation of “sensitivity”
is BSW’s great need, but it is a soul-sensitivity. The Full Moon
exercise will promote this — immeasurably, says the Tibetan.
The potentials must be very great because the Tibetan is not given to
exaggeration.
6.
When we read of the
potentials to this disciple, do we not imagine that similar potentials
might await us and our groups if we used the Full Moon opportunities
properly?
It has been
a year of change for you, my warrior brother, and the result has been
that there is less of the warrior in you page 630] and more of the disciple
upon the Way of Light. Your ivory tower is still there and stands in
beauty real. Perhaps it will never be destroyed and maybe it will turn
into a haven of refuge for others. Its doors stand wide open and you
are often not to be found within your tower but are busy elsewhere in
the service of your fellowmen. Keep the door open and pass and re-pass
with freedom, using your tower as a "Tower of Silence" for
the lower self, as a place of entrance into the "Secret Place of
the Most High," and as a "Temple of Refuge" into which
the tired, the bewildered and the lonely may pass — there to be aided
and strengthened. You have much wisdom and also the first ray capacity
to take a stand upon principle. For decades, these two (wisdom and principle)
have expressed themselves as far as your personality will permit. But
within you, you have much deep innate love which must — under the process
of balancing to which all true disciples are subjected — have more definite
expression. Before you speak the words of power and of wisdom (which
you speak with such facility and truth from the storehouse of a long
experience), you must pour out the love of your heart upon those who
turn to you for light and strength. Men today have need of love. Had
I told you this five years ago, you might have believed, but you would
not have understood. Now you understand.
1.
Those on the first
ray have, no doubt, been warriors. Scorpio, particularly, is the sign
of the “warrior”. Is this sign present in BSW’s chart?
2.
There has been a
transformation. The quality of this transformation seems to have taken
BSW from the first and sixth rays more towards the second.
3.
The imagery is so
interesting. The ivory tower still stands, but its nature has been transformed.
4.
We remember that
“Beauty” was the chief quality in BSW’s ‘Developmental Formula’. Now
the tower “stands in beauty real”, so, indeed, something of value has
been achieved by the inner process through which he has been passing.
5.
CDP was to build
a tower in her “garden” and use that tower for soul contact. BSW’s tower
is apparently very strongly built, for although rocking to its foundations
not long before, it has not fallen to earth. In fact, it appears to
be of inner, redemptive use, just as was CDP’s garden.
6.
Now BSW’s tower is
for others. He has lost interest in it and is busy elsewhere,
serving.
7.
The Masters are economical
and use anything that is serviceable. DK has recognized that it may
be more useful to see the tower transformed in its nature than to attempt
to bring it down. He presents to BSW new uses for the tower and they
are very beautiful. The tower is to become a “Tower
”. The tower is not for purposes of isolation and self-protection,
but is to be dedicated to higher communion, both for BSW and for others.
8.
We have learned in
studying the instructions of CDP that that which is created through
thought on the inner places is, indeed, real, and has inner utility
of a definite and spiritual kind. Thus it is coming to be for BSW’s
tower.
9.
In
this interesting episode concerning the transformation of the tower,
we see the Master’s ability to turn evil into good — a reflection of
that capacity so consummately demonstrated by Sanat Kumara.
10.
DK begins again to work on the factor of balance.
He commends BSW’s Wisdom and his capacity to take a stand of Principle.
These are first ray capacities. The Master also recognizes “deep innate
love”, which almost surely indicates a monad on the second ray — the
Ray of Love-Wisdom. DK calls for this quality to come more into expression.
11.
DK becomes explicit
about a tendency we have observed when studying the various instructions.
There is a “process of balancing to which all true disciples are subjected”.
This process appears, it would seem, as part of the rounding out of
the causal body. DK, we have noticed, is attempting to cooperate with
that tendency,
and is always offering His chela the means of achieving balance. Love,
magnetism, relationship, rapport, humility, fraternity — these have
been the means suggested by Master DK for counterbalancing BSW’s well-established
first ray characteristics.
12.
One wonders about
this “process of balancing”, whether a series of lives with Libra prominent
would be required to see it accomplished. Such a series may well come
into play before the “wheel” is decisively “reversed” in such
a way that its momentum towards soul-infusion increases irresistibly.
13.
BSW can speak words
of power and wisdom with great facility, but love is to precede the
speaking. “You must pour out the love of your heart upon those who turn
to you for light and strength”. BSW is to pour forth love and, only
then, speak.
14.
In the matter of
acknowledging the need of men for love, BSW has moved from belief
to understanding. This means progress. He now knows and
understands that men need love. This growth of understanding
has been the result of his training with Master DK.
15.
We see that Master
DK seeks for BSW to clothe his words of wisdom and power in love.
The cleavage between head and heart is being overcome. Master DK (who
is, in a way, Mercury) is playing the role of Jupiter and Venus (linking
head and heart) for BSW.
As I have
often pointed out to this group of my disciples, the tendering of constant
personal advice cannot go on forever. There is a limit to what can be
assimilated and much remains yet to be worked out in daily unfoldment.
I can, however, give to you and your fellow disciples much that is of
group import and significance and by this means familiarise disciples
with the rules of that group activity which must govern unfoldment and
service during the coming New Age. I can give the techniques of the
future. I would ask you to brood much upon the work of the new groups
of disciples as they form the seed groups wherein the technique of the
New Age may be expressed. Endeavour to get the picture of the future
work clearly in your mind in its threefold aspects. Brood on the mental
purpose behind all Ashrams, and on my plan for my Ashram. I say "my
plan" advisedly, my brother, as I am asking for your understanding
of the thing which I am seeking [page 631] to do. I am planning for
the future and in line with the Plan. I, your friend and teacher, am
definitely preparing you and your co-disciples for certain possible
and even imminent expansion of consciousness. Later I will ask you to
tune in on the heart life of this particular group in my Ashram, upon
its desire-aspiration life and this, through the medium of your desire-astral
body. When the purpose and the desire of the group (as it endeavours
to tune in on my plan) begins to mature in your mind, then there will
be inevitably produced, upon the physical plane, certain cooperations
and activities which will appear with clarity to your vision. What these
will be, will later emerge, but the time is not yet.
1.
A number of years
have passed since Master DK began the group of Telepathic Communicators.
He has given much personal advice, He cannot keep doing so. Sufficient
assimilation must be demonstrated. They (and we) must use what
has been given.
2.
DK seems to be signally
a turn from imparting personal advice to an approach which involves
giving more that is “of group import and significance”.
3.
DK turns His chela’s
attention to the future, and asks for deeper understanding of His work
— to be arrived at through brooding (a second ray technique akin
to pondering).
4.
It would seem that
Master DK is bringing BSW closer to Him. He seems to be asking BSW to
participate more intensively and specifically in the work which He is
trying to see accomplished.
5.
DK tells the member
of this group that He is preparing them for a definite and imminent
expansion of consciousness. Perhaps, this is a step in the process of
group initiation.
6.
Again, the Master
emphasizes His friendship to BSW. Earlier the term “comrade” was used.
This is another way of bringing the chela closer.
7.
The Tibetan has plans
for BSW. These plans will involve the use of his desire body (on the
sixth ray) for through it, he is to tune in on the heart life and desire-aspiration
life of the group. This tuning in will lead to new, cooperative activities
on the physical plane. None of this would have been possible unless
the process of sensitization had reached a sufficient degree of development.
Your replies
to the questions which I set you entertained me. They were so like you
— earnest, sincere, mental, logical and with the impersonality of the
first ray type. Your answers could have been foreseen. They should prove
helpful to all who read them. Was the task helpful to you? Did the answering
of those questions bring you illumination and those moments of self-revelation
which are not easy for men of your type? When they come, they come on
the wings of blinding light. A study of St. Paul, his revelation and
his way of truth, his logical tenacity (no matter what its disastrous
effects on Christianity may have been) and his impersonality should
give you much — of encouragement, of warning, of truth and of necessity.
You could, my brother, with ease have written the Epistle to the Romans.
Will you find out why?
1.
DK approaches His
chela with a personal touch — the Master was entertained!
2.
BSW’s qualities are
reviewed — earnestness, sincerity, mentality, logic, impersonality.
Is logic unusual when there is a fourth ray mind?
3.
The Master is asking
His disciple to go deeper, not merely to rely upon a ready logical understanding,
but to achieve a heart understanding and increased illumination. This
is not an easy matter for “men of your type” — first ray types.
4.
This is actually
a fascinating paragraph as it likens BSW to St. Paul
5.
It might be interesting
for us to study the “Epistle to the Romans” and see if we can find it
its words indications as to those character traits of St. Paul
which are similar to those of BSW.
included the fourth and sixth rays. The first and
fifth were also present. As the Master Hilarion, He is now the Chohan
on the fifth ray, and may be, conceivably, a first ray monad. So, apparently,
the rays of BSW and Hilarion have many differences, but the Tibetan
thinks there are enough similarities of approach to warrant BSW’s study.
7.
We can see that Master
DK is trying to increase BSW’s access to illumination. Mental illumination
and spiritual intelligence are the characteristics of the disciple who
has achieved the second degree. Of course, the illumination of which
DK is speaking when He refers to St. Paul
, and to the coming of illumination “on the wings of blinding
light” pertains more to the third initiation.
was a mental disciple: “Some of the individuals on this way
of the mind were Sankaracharya, the Apostle Paul, and Meister Eckhart”
(DINA I 44).
9.
From all that has
gone before, we can presume that BSW is a similar kind of disciple.
We know that at one point in His development, the Apostle Paul realized
the treasures of the heart — probably after His third initiation. The
Tibetan seeks for a similar realization (at some point) from His chela
BSW.
The work
of this group of disciples with whom you are associated is growing and
your balanced judgment and clear vision may be needed in time to come.
Give full measure of advice and aid, tempering all with a more vitally
disclosed love. A "mental body as hard as nails" will some
day have to be destroyed. Why not begin preserving intact the principle
of mind, thus permitting it free function but using it with the wings
of love and on errands of compassion. The ordinary man works from emotional
levels, unaided by the mind and without the illumination of the soul.
The advanced man and the aspirant [page 632] work from mental levels,
producing the integration of the personality, and, therefore, power.
The disciple works from soul levels which are the levels of divine love.
He motivates the mind with love, subduing personality sentiment with
universal love, worked out in practice and not preserved in theory.
Could I aid you, my brother, did I not love you that way?
1.
Again a reference
appears which may implicate the sign Libra in the astrological chart.
Or perhaps, it is an indication of a mature fourth ray mind.
2.
The Tibetan emphasizes
BSW’s contribution to the group, suggesting that, if anything, it may
be needed still more in the future.
3.
The phrase, “a more
vitally disclosed love” is interesting, because is suggests the energy
of love as expressed through the etheric body — the vital body.
The Tibetan is asking for the expression of a living love which
is revealed and not concealed.
4.
There are number
of arresting phrases in this section: “A mental body as hard as nails”,
is one such. It seems strange to speak of a fourth ray mind in this
way, but we must remember that our mental body is not the product of
only one incarnation, but has been conditioned for many lives. As well,
various astrological factors may be contributing to the hardness of
the mental body; perhaps aspects from Saturn to Mercury, or Mercury
found in a ‘hard’ sign, like Capricorn.
5.
Master DK suggests
a necessary transformation in the sphere of mind — the task of “preserving
intact the principle of mind, thus permitting it free function but using
it with the wings of love and on errands of compassion”. DK is seeking
a mind conditioned not so much by the planets Mercury and Saturn as
by Venus and Neptune. He is also suggesting the sending of loving
compassionate thoughts. Thus a line of service is recommended.
6.
The Tibetan discriminates
between three modes of work — that of the ordinary man, the advanced
man and the disciple. Three different ‘levels’ of work pertain to the
three types: the emotional level, the mental level and the level of
soul.
7.
We have reinforced
for us the important point that soul levels are the levels of “divine
love” — presumably, no matter what the ray, for the soul ray of BSW
is not the Ray of Love.
8.
A simply brilliant
suggestion is offered regarding the way the disciple must work:
“He motivates
the mind with love, subduing personality sentiment with universal love,
worked out in practice and not preserved in theory”.
These are, so it would seem, high requirements
for a disciple. “Universal love” is a stupendous energy, and DK expects
that the disciple will have access to it and will be able to express
it.
Preservation in theory is also an interesting idea. That which
is “preserved” is somewhat held back from expression. It is as if one
cherishes the idea of universal love, but is loathe to express
the fact.
9.
DK professes His
Love for BSW; it is a “universal love” devoid of human sentiment. The
Master explains that He is helping His chela through the use of just
such a love and asks that the chela realize this, and utilize such a
love when attempting to help others.
10.
A mind motivated
with love — such an important thought! The truly loving mind.
Venus has won the day and the Solar Angels have triumphed. This is the
mind “which is in Christ”. Towards the possession of this type of mind
may we continuously strive.
Can I ask
you to do one piece of work through and in yourself? Will you study
the theory of the transmutation of mental attitudes through the processes
of love — processes which in no way negate the holding of these attitudes
but which motivate and universalise them. Through these processes, a
mental concept can become a fact upon the physical plane through the
activity of love, rightly used. You could do much with this thought
and teach much to those who read your words.
1.
A specific piece
of internal work is suggested. BSW is a most mental disciple and certainly
understands what it is to hold “mental attitudes”. Note that it is possible
to be a mental disciple and still have a fourth ray mind.
2.
DK suggests that
love is a transmuting agent and can transmute mental attitudes.
3.
Through this transmutation,
the magnetism of thoughts will be changed and the configuration of mental
attitudes will be magnetically altered.
4.
Love is the motivator
and love is the ‘universalizer’. Love expands to include the whole.
In this case, love leads mentality into the abstract mind and into the
realm of pure reason.
5.
The Tibetan is now
intensively applying the disciplines and realization of love to BSW’s
internal process.
6.
It would seem that
BSW is a writer of a kind; at least there are many who read his words.
7.
We learn here that
love can also be considered an agent of precipitation. Love, rightly
used, will help mental concepts become facts on the physical plane.
Perhaps, under the influence of love, the desire element is rightly
engaged and leads the thought closer to precipitation.
8.
We remember that
Master DK is talking to a strongly seventh ray disciple — a seventh
ray personality and seventh ray brain/ body. We are, therefore, dealing
with love as part of the white-magical process.
9.
Really, the great
training BSW is receiving is the training in love.
There is
little need for me to do more than give you the facts; you can and will
make your own adjustments. You have the faculty of regarding facts clearly
and then acting upon what you discover or deduce.
Your mental
body (and this may surprise you!) is on the fourth Ray of Harmony through
Conflict and hence the intensity of your mystical interior life. Of
this interior life, few are aware. It is the sweetening, inclusive aspect
in your life and your polarisation is largely there and should be so
increasingly. It is the factor in your life which makes you magnetic
and loved. You have a non-separative mind.
1.
Often Master DK simply
presents BSW with the facts. There seems to be very little necessity
to wrap these facts in soft words. BSW is a frank individual and expects
frankness. He can also be relied upon to make adjustment rapidly.
2.
Again, there seems
to be previous training upon the fifth ray, though the ray of the mind
is now the fourth.
3.
DK remarks that BSW
may consider it surprising that his mental body is upon the fourth ray.
Perhaps he had considered it as a fifth ray mental body — such is the
continuing influence of rays which had been a focus in preceding incarnations.
4.
We learn that we
may surmise that one of our vehicles is focussed on a certain ray, only
to discover that it is not. The qualities we were noticing, and which
led us to conclude that a certain ray was active, were caused by forces
other than the present ray of the vehicle. A number of disciples have
been confused in this way — especially about the rays of the soul, personality
or mind.
5.
We learn that the
fourth ray mental body contributes to an intense, mystical interior
life.
6.
Few would be aware
that BSW had such an intense, inner life, because his seventh ray personality
and brain would cloak the fact.
7.
DK says surprising
things about this fourth ray mind: it is “the sweetening, inclusive
aspect; it makes BSW “magnetic and loved”. It is a “non-separative mind”.
We do not expect separativeness form the mind when it is qualified by
the fourth ray; the first or fifth ray mind, however, can more readily
be used in a separative manner.
8.
It is interesting
that the Master did not speak of these softer mental qualities before.
Instead, He spoke of a mind “hard as nails”; this would seem to be a
legacy quality or a partially astrologically induced.
9.
The Master speaks
of the disciple’s polarization. We judge that for all his mentality,
BSW is not yet an entirely mentally polarized individual. This occurs
at a point midway between the second and third initiation, which may
not be the case for BSW.
10.
Probably the announcement
to BSW of a fourth ray mind would come as a surprise to the reader as
well, had the ray of the mind not been mentioned from the first (in
this Commentary), and had the reader concentrated only on what the Master
said.
11.
The polarization
of the disciple is, however, to be increasingly in the fourth ray mind.
Does this mean that the first ray soul is to express itself through
this vehicle?
Your astral
body is under the influence of the sixth Ray of Devotion and hence your
early interest in things Piscean and [page 633] your strong Christian
tendency. Hence, also, your strong emotional nature which is, however,
well controlled, largely because in this life you have a masculine body.
1.
Is the sign Pisces
prominent in BSW’s chart? There are a few reasons for asking this. Of
course one may be interested in “things Piscean” without, necessarily,
having the sign Pisces prominent.
2.
There was an early
momentum towards things Piscean which may suggest that the sixth ray
was of considerable importance to BSW in immediately preceding incarnations.
He does have, after all, a priestly past.
3.
We are learning that
the sixth ray emotional body can be potent indeed.
4.
Is the Master suggesting
that BSW was recently in a feminine body and that, at that time, the
emotional nature was not so well controlled?
5.
It is interesting,
is it not, that the masculine body will contribute to the control of
the emotions. Contrarily, the feminine body may contribute to their
expression.
6.
There may be a difference
between men and women after all!
7.
We can also imagine
that a seventh ray personality and brain would be factors which would
contribute to the control of the emotions.
8.
The “strong Christian
tendency” probably led to a career in the Church, which, in this case,
may have been the Church of England (Episcopal) rather than the Catholic
Church. Though, there is also a possibility of association with the
Liberal Catholic Church so promoted by prominent members of the Theosophical
Society.
I wonder
if you will be able to grasp my intention or if I shall be able to reach
you. With disciples in my group, I work not on the astral plane. I work
on mental levels, seeking to aid you all in the building of the bridging
link between your personalities and your soul, between each of you as
co-disciples, and between the Ashram and the Brotherhood to which I
belong and which your soul, on its own level, consciously seeks to serve.
But — you have been away from home for some time now.
1.
There has been a
change. A condition not at all discussed during the earlier letters
has emerged and it is serious.
2.
BSW, it appears,
has a strong involvement with the astral plane and this involvement
is making it difficult for DK to reach him.
3.
It is strange that
this liability was not mentioned in earlier letters. Maybe it was latent
and not sufficiently serious to warrant being addressed. Or maybe, it
was addressed in the deleted sentences of various instructions.
4.
It is been only a
half year since the last message. So much of an undesirable nature (from
the standpoint of consciousness) must have happened in a short time.
5.
DK defines His area
of work. He does not work in relation to the astral plane. His work
is with the mental plane, with the link between personality and soul,
and with the soul-links between co-disciples, and between the Ashram
and the Brotherhood (the Hierarchy). These are the legitimate foci of
Master DK’s work.
6.
Using the language
of symbolism (which the fourth ray mind would appreciate), BSW is told
that he has “been away from home for some time now”.
7.
Thus DK signals the
reemergence of a tendency towards “astral wandering”.
You are
not particularly intuitive, my brother, nor has your contact with the
"inner brotherhoods" anything to do with the intuition or
with inspiration. There are no brotherhoods on the plane of the intuition.
The brotherhoods are group forms and are in the nature of being the
personality aspects of the egoic groups. The expression or term, Hierarchy,
is only a word applied to the transfigured personality aspect of all
these egoic groups of liberated egos or souls which function on the
higher levels of the mental plane, and from there seek to aid the sons
of men. Your contact with the Hierarchy is, therefore, on mental levels.
Your contact with what you call "inner brotherhoods" is astral,
with all that this word implies. There is not necessarily anything wrong
or undesirable in this contact, provided that you recognise the plane
whereon you function, with its obvious limitations.
1.
It appears that BSW
is on some glamorous “trip”. He is contacting “inner brotherhoods” (which
are certainly astral brotherhoods — reflections of the real thing,
and perhaps fabrications altogether).
2.
Interesting information
is given here for all who would “channel” the members of the Spiritual
Hierarchy — and there are many such channelers.
3.
DK is trying to give
a proper frame of reference to BSW’s newly emergent astral activities.
These activities are unrelated to intuition or inspiration (which relate
to the Spiritual Triad). DK says flatly, “There are no brotherhoods
on the plane of intuition”.
4.
BSW has contacted
the “personality aspects of the egoic groups”, and not the egoic groups
themselves.
5.
DK tries to explain
what Hierarchy really is, and how it works from the “higher levels of
the mental plane”.
6.
BSW has been dealing
with reflections which he takes for realities.
7.
The Master is trying
to bring a more realistic assessment into the mind of His disciple.
In fact, BSW is presently deluded.
Have you
ever noticed that I am training you to come out of your tower of isolation,
and yet at the same time I am training C.D.P. to stay up on the summit
of her tower? But yours has been a tower of isolated personality, and
she has had to learn (and is still learning) to create a tower of strength
and of resistance to calls of a lower kind. Her tower has naught to
do with the personality. Forget not, my brother, that when you have
learned to leave your tower it does not mean that you must range the
levels of personality life with no true direction.
1.
DK contrasts the
work He is doing with CDP with His work for BSW. Again a second ray
disciple is contrasted with a disciple on the first ray; the contrast
is a vivid one.
2.
The difference between
a tower erected for soul purposes and one which the personality has
constructed is also made clear — even though, earlier, we saw DK trying
to help BSW consecrate his tower to soul purposes.
3.
We are beginning
to understand that BSW created his tower to compensate for a fundamental
weakness. The tower centralized him and gave him a kind of protection
from the very astral wandering in which he is now engaged.
4.
When BSW left his
tower, he, to a degree, lost his center, hence the disorientation of
the present period.
5.
We can see that the
Master ever runs the danger of stimulating imbalance in the life of
his disciple (even though He has had the best of intentions).
6.
CDP needs her tower
to resist calls of the lower kind. It appears that BSW has succumbed
to some calls of a lower kind. He has temporarily forgotten that the
soul on the higher mental plane is the center of life.
The group
of disciples to which you belong, my brother, is upon the mental plane
and exists in two parts: There is the group of disciples to whom you
belong, assigned to specific work by me; there is also the hierarchical
group, my particular Ashram, to which you are affiliated and into which
you must be absorbed by soul dedication and later, as the years slip
away, by initiation. Only one thing prevents your rapid integration
into your true place; that is your ancient love for astral wandering
and for psychic phenomena.
1.
The Telepathic Communicators
are, indeed, a mentally focussed group. It would not do for BSW to reemphasize
an ancient astral polarization. We realize that in the instruction immediately
before this one, DK spoke of the need for BSW to polarizing himself
increasingly in his fourth ray mind.
2.
DK speaks of a twofold
division of the first group. The first aspect of the group consists
of the group of disciples to which BSW belongs. There is also a higher
group; it is Master DK’s Ashram.
3.
We learn that the
Master considers BSW “affiliated” with His Ashram. Stages of absorption
remain to be accomplished. The first stage of such absorption occurs
through “soul dedication”. This stage precedes absorption through initiation
— to be accomplished later. Whether DK is speaking of the second or
third initiation we cannot be sure. Both would bring the disciple into
increasing intimacy with the Ashram.
4.
The “ancient love
for astral wandering” is not, we learn, a harmless pastime. In
fact, it is preventing BSW from “rapid integration into [his] true place”
within the Ashram — presumably through “soul dedication”.
This tendency
to astralism is a heritage from other lives and has its basis in old
monastic trends and in the dream world in which you wandered in olden
times to relieve the monotony of life within the four walls of the cell
in which you lived, dedicated to the contemplative life. Your consciousness
was then mystical, visionary and imaginative, veering off into realms
of astral hallucination. This means that in this life, your astral body
easily reverts to ancient ways, to ancient thoughts, to control by ancient
thoughtforms and is consequently subject to facile deception.
1.
DK explains the origin
of the tendency to astralism and psychism. Monastic life was monotonous
and monks of the period wandered off onto the astral plane to relieve
the monotony. Apparently BSW was a monk and lived confined by the four
walls of a cell.
2.
Like most of Master
DK’s chelas, BSW had spent at least one or two lives in monasteries
in the East or West. We presume that for BSW, the more recent incarnations
were in the West, due to his strongly Christian leanings.
3.
Already a life has
been spent in dedication to contemplation. BSW is no stranger to the
internal life of the mystic.
4.
DK describes the
nature of that earlier life or lives — “mystical, visionary and imaginative,
veering off into realms of astral hallucination”. In those former times,
BSW’s consciousness was deluded, at least in this respect.
5.
The astral body,
so well controlled by his combination of rays and his masculine body,
may still serve as an instrument of deception — “facile” deception.
6.
There are many snares
and traps latent within our energy systems. Probably we do not suspect
what they are, but they can be reawakened under conducive circumstances.
The Master can see these tendencies, whereas we cannot. Thus He must
be very careful in His handling of His disciples.
Three or
four of those with whom you work on the astral plane are genuinely deluded
and they are in danger, for you are holding them back from progressing
on to mental levels. For the majority of the group with whom you work,
there is no reality at all; they are but shells of ancient astral workers,
held together in form-activity by the few people who are on their way
through the astral plane to higher levels. They are also held by those
on the physical plane who are enticed by astral phenomena and temporarily
sidetracked by the glamour.
1.
A kind of inner ‘work’
is occurring. BSW is not working only with dreams. He is alert and awake
on the astral plane, working with other human beings in astral bodies.
2.
DK assess the nature
of this work. BSW’s astral ‘co-workers’ are “genuinely deluded”. Worse,
BSW is holding them back from real progress, which would be achieved
could they transfer their attention to the mental plane.
3.
DK paints a picture
which should prove distressing to His chela. BSW is working mostly with
astral shells, phantoms, held in coherency by those who are on their
way through the astral plane to higher levels. Clearly, the pursuits
of this valued disciple are presently spiritually worthless and even
harmful.
4.
We see why a disciple
cannot be trusted until he has passed the Temptations midway through
the period between the second and third initiations.
5.
A sidetracking is
in full swing, and BSW is participating in it, incognizant of its danger
or of the harm he is doing to others.
6.
Astral phenomena
are ‘real enough’ in their own way, but are illusory, for all that,
and tantalize the unwary, who become, first, interested in them, and,
then, ensnared by them.
7.
We learn that these
ancient shells require human energy to keep them coherent; otherwise
they would disintegrate.
The astral
plane is not for you, my brother. I suggest that you relinquish this
activity and begin again to function as a soul. The soul in its true
nature does not identify itself with phenomena; it is the centre of
spiritual force through which the plans of God come into being. Your
excursions into the world of maya and illusion have held back the group
of disciples with which you are working and have postponed their united
group activity. You have observed none of the rules governing my disciples,
for months; this means, brother of old, that the group integrity has
been infringed and that the group is not at this time functioning as
a unit. Until it is again one functioning whole, our planned work cannot
be undertaken. You are in the difficult position of holding your co-disciples
back from a specific task to which they have been assigned.
1.
Could the Master’s
words be more plain? “Stop it”, DK is saying. “Give up this astral activity
and function again as a soul.”
2.
DK finds it necessary
to help BSW distinguish between astralism and soul activity. Seventh
ray types love phenomena, and BSW, presently, is one such.
3.
But the soul is “the
centre of spiritual forced through which the plans of God come into
being”. The contrast is very clear, but the glamor is thick.
4.
Then come some very
chastening words: BSW’s astral excursions have held his group back.
No true disciple will continue unwise pursuits once he hears such words
from the Master.
5.
One disciple can
retard the progress of many. BSW certainly knows the rules, for he is
a first ray/ seventh ray disciple and a knowledge of law would be a
strong part of his nature.
6.
But for some reason,
he has chosen to go wandering. Probably this would show up in his progressed,
directed horoscope. Neptune
(the planet of the astral plane) must surely be involved,
and since, at the time of the writing of the letter, Neptune
was in Virgo, the Mutable Cross must be strongly involved
in his chart. If so, Neptune
could make strong aspects to important points.
7.
Group unity is utterly
important for the united progress of a group such as the Telepathic
Communicators. One can imagine that certain unwanted astral impressions
would be entering the group field because of BSW’s wanderings.
8.
What will BSW do,
now that the Tibetan has laid so much responsibility upon him? He is
being presented with a test in which present group need is pitted against
ancient, delusive and ‘comforting’ habit. Upon his choice much would
depend.
If you can
grasp clearly the implications of what I now seek to tell you, you will
make real progress. I shall leave you to find out for yourself what
the implications are. You are at a [page 636] point in your development
where — unless you emerge into a more mental type of realisation — you
will crystallise into a high grade astral magician and arrest your own
true development for this life. Three things I would like to point out
to you in this connection:
1.
After so many instructions
which indicated that this chela was, essentially, “on track”, the last
two have sounded the note of danger — danger for the development of
the disciple and the success of the group in which he was a part.
2.
The Tibetan holds
out hope for “real progress”, but BSW will have to interpret what is
said accurately and fathom the perhaps hidden implications.
3.
It is strange, but
BSW’s mind is very good and he has always maintained a mental emphasis.
Suddenly, it seems that that orientation changed. A proper astrological
chart would, it seems, hold the key, but we may have to do without that.
4.
This letter is unique,
for no other chela was in this kind of danger; no other chela gave himself
to astral magic.
5.
What is a “high grade
astral magician”? Presumably one who is of a beneficent nature, but
prefers to work on the higher levels of the world of glamor rather than
with the reality of the soul. Such a tendency once crystallized (and
we remember that BSW has a tendency towards crystallization) would lead
to arrested spiritual development — at least for the remainder of the
present incarnation.
1. You
spend the greater part of your subjective life upon the astral plane.
2. You
endeavour — largely unconsciously — to work as an astral magician
works, using words to bring life and form together. You do not use
the Word.
3. The
work you do is done on astral levels and not from soul levels so that
the Word of Power which the soul would use is stepped down to the
many, many words the astral magician finds necessary. Your emphasis
is now upon the form and not upon the spirit aspect.
1.
If the greater part
of one’s subjective life is spent on the astral plane, then he will
not be engaged in correct occult meditation and alignment with the soul
will become a secondary factor in the ‘spiritual’ life.
2.
It would seem that
BSW had reverted to the use of ancient techniques stored deep within
his subconscious memory. The “many words” he uses are not the Word of
the soul.
3.
BSW has fallen into
the enticing detail of pheonomenalism. He is, no doubt, creating interesting
effects (as least from his astral point of view) but they have no real
value and are of a phenomenal nature (a temptation of the seventh ray
type).
4.
He has slid into
form emphasis — a preoccupation with matter, not spirit. This,
of course, is dangerous, and could make him a captive of the deva kingdom
(which he imagines he is controlling).
5.
Why this should have
happened can only be imagined. Was such ‘work’ accompanied by an increasing
sense of power, in which the first ray type could find satisfaction?
6.
BSW has fallen precipitously,
and is, indeed, “far from home”. It would seem that he changed course
suddenly and began to ignore the instructions and procedures which DK
expected group members to follow.
This is
due to two things: First, the fact that your personality ray is the
seventh and you have likewise a seventh ray brain. Secondly, you brought
this tendency over from a previous life; your task has been to transcend
it all and free yourself from all magical work of every kind until you
are established in soul consciousness. But at present you love this
type of thing and believe that all you contact is a reality. As long
as this is the case, your soul life is blocked at astral levels.
1.
We do understand
how psychism, astralism, and magical work within the veils of form can
be deterrents to real soul contact and knowledge.
2.
Such tendencies are
not at all “spiritual” in the true sense. They are phenomenal and, literally,
‘phenomenally interesting’.
3.
The seventh ray personality
and brain are an open door to such astral activity, especially if the
tendency was already established, which it was.
4.
BSW is missing the
point and purpose of his incarnation. He was to have transcended this
tendency to astral magic in order to establish real and stable soul
consciousness; but he has not done so.
5.
In fact, he is deluded,
thinking and believing that all he contacts is a reality. Of course
astral phenomena are vivid enough to seem real, but they are not. It
seems, at this point, as if BSW is not heeding the Master’s counsel.
This is very unwise.
6.
DK could not be more
frank: “as long as this is the case, your soul life is blocked at astral
levels. We are in a situation in which the soul cannot reach the etheric
body and brain. The soul cannot manifest “on earth”.
7.
This is a cautionary
tale, showing how even those who are relatively advanced, spiritually,
can fall into delusion and have no idea they have done so.
Another
difficulty, growing out of this, is the fact that because of this astral
impasse, your soul is focussed in the astral body. It can get no further
into expression, i.e., on the physical plane, on account of the glamour
which surrounds you. Your personality energy is focussed in the mental
body. This brings the influence of the magical seventh ray to bear upon
your mind, so that you are caught by glamour in two directions. Your
brain being also an expression of seventh ray force facilitates this
work of magic.
1.
DK now goes into
the technicalities. It is not that soul was intended to be focussed
in the astral body, but is so focussed because of the “astral impasse”.
2.
Here is an example
of how a periodical vehicle on a hard-line ray is focussed through a
personal vehicle on a soft-line ray. In fact, this happens twice, for
both soul and personality are on hard-line rays.
3.
It would seem that
the soul was intended to be focussed on the physical plane, just as
in the case of BSW’s friend (whether subjective or objective), JWK-P.
But the soul is blocked.
4.
The dangers in BSW’s
ray combination have emerged in force. The mind is affected by the “magical
seventh ray”, and the brain, responding to the seventh ray of the personality,
“facilitates the work of magic”.
5.
It would seem that
the mind is not free to discern the error into which he has fallen.
The mind, rather, is used to promote the magical motive, rather than
to stand back and see the problem.
Until, my
brother, you are polarised in the soul, you are playing with fire and
the magical work of the astral plane is full of danger for you. Even
your intense interest in Masonry is for this life unwise, for the Masonic
Work is magical work, being a reflection of the processes of initiation
whereby the power of the spirit and the power of substance are brought
together through the "magical work of the soul."
1.
Master DK announces
danger. BSW is “playing with fire” — namely, the eighteen lower fires,
and especially the seven fires of the astral plane.
2.
BSW is intensely
interested in Masonry. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Master
DK chose the formula Beauty, Strength and Wisdom. These are three Masonic
watchwords.
3.
But at this point,
the interest in Masonry can be an aggravation to an already critical
situation.
4.
Anything that tends
to stimulate an interest in or participation in magic is for BSW an
unwise pursuit, for he is not yet the white magician and therefore
cannot release himself from the magic of the form. If the soul were
truly involved, his magic would be of another order and the danger would
not be so grave.
I am speaking with frankness
because I want to see you released from this condition and from the
impasse at which you have arrived. I would ask you, therefore, that
— whether you accept my conclusion or not is immaterial — you give
ten minutes each morning to achieving the attitude and altitude of the
soul and from that point (or as high a point as you find it possible
to attain at any given time) to think through the arguments for and
against your present life attitude and interests. Endeavour to see,
as you so do, that soul and brain are brought en rapport — a thing which
seldom happens with you. If you can do some clear thinking along this
line, you will rapidly free yourself from glamour. Forget not, your
sixth ray astral body intensifies your problem for it leads you to be
devoted to the superficial phenomena which you regard as realities....
1.
For BSW there is
no progress unless he discontinues his present pursuits. He is at an
impasse and can go no further.
2.
DK is asking BSW
to lift his head above the waters, if only for ten minutes each day.
3.
He re-summons His
chela to actually think — a feat he could do so well before his
‘fall’. DK asks for the deliberations of a ray four mind — a consideration
of the pros and cons regarding “present life attitude and interests”.
4.
Because of the astralism,
the soul cannot usually reach the brain. DK asks that BSW really attempt
to have this to occur.
5.
The Master is confident.
If only this chela will think, he can free himself from glamor.
6.
The sixth ray astral
body (empowered by lives along that line) worsens the situation. BSW
is devoted to the superficial phenomena he encounters, and will not
release himself from them.
7.
How interesting that
what began as an attitude of isolation and separativeness, ends in excessive
attachment to superficial phenomena. The balance in BSW’s life has not
been preserved and he has swung from one undesirable condition to its
opposite — equally undesirable.
8.
Again, there is a
deletion, probably of specifics concerning the superficial phenomena
to which BSW is devoted.
9.
Although the situation
is critical, the solution offered is simple, if only BSW will take the
Tibetan’s advice and simply think clearly.
My blessing
rest upon you. I would particularly ask you to make the period of the
Full Moon each month one of true spiritual tension and interest. I would
beg you to try to hear and see what I say. I have worded this with definite
intent. You will gain much from the effort.
1.
Still, the Full Moon
is of great importance to BSW as it always has been.
2.
The Tibetan however,
wants His chela to hear His words and not the many illusory words
reverberating on the astral plane.
3.
Perhaps, at the Full
Moon, a higher sort of phenomenon, generated by the Master, will become
possible, for BSW is not only to “hear” what the Master says, but “see”
it as well.
4.
It would seem that
DK is trying to offer His chela a definitely new and more wholesome
interest on more elevated planes, in order to lift him out of the astral
morass into which he has unwittingly fallen.
5.
Apparently, however,
the new incentive was insufficient to stop the astral wandering.
It is valuable
to note a most significant point of interest: All those who passed through
the gates of death passed to a [Page 93] definitely closer relationship;
they had earned this reward and have availed themselves of that which
I had taught them. They are, as you know, C.D.P., K.E.S., D.P.R. Two
others are today rapidly fitting themselves to follow these three disciples
into the Ashram. They are: B.S.W., who was temporarily side-tracked
for a few years prior to his death, and G.S.S., whose personality vehicles
could not carry the stimulation which reached her via the group. This
sensitivity to undue stimulation is a matter easily rectified now; it
does not constitute a fault, but only a karmic liability. (DINA II 92-93)
1.
BSW passed on near
the end of the experiment with the groups-of-nine, perhaps not to long
after the formulation of the New Seed Group.
2.
Although in the latter
years of his life, he was sidetracked by astralism, he seems to have
managed to free himself from it once on the “other side”.
3.
DK reports that he
was rapidly fitting himself to move into the Ashram, following the three
disciples who had already done so.
4.
It is encouraging
to realize that undue involvement with the astral plane can be corrected
after death, even during that period when the human soul is released
onto the astral plane. Although “dead” from our perspective, it is apparent
that BSW “came to his senses”, and regained that objectivity which had
been so evident in the Master’s early letters to him.