Fellowship of Cosmic Fire

Commentary Semester VIII Section IV

TCF 974 - 977 : S8S4 Part V

28 November – 13 December 2008

 

The third or spiritual eye has several functions.

1.            We will want to note these carefully.

2.            We have a wonderful compilation on “Eye”. It has some 280 pages. Go to the AWC Group and reference it. In it, of course, are a great many reference to the third eye.

 

  Amongst others,

3.            Other functions will be discussed.

 

 

 it is the organ of illumination, the unveiled eye of the soul, through which light and illumination comes into the mind, and thus the entire lower life becomes irradiated.

 

4.            If the third eye is the organ of illumination and the third initiation is called by many the “Enlightenment” or the “Illumination”, we can infer the role of the third initiation in this initiation.

5.            The soul-in-incarnation sees, usually, through veiled eyes. Sight through the functioning third initiation is unveiled. Even on the Path of Discipleship, however, that third eye is relatively veiled.

6.            If we consider the third eye to be an etheric evocation arising from the interplay between the crown center, the ajna center and the alta major center, then the mind into which illumination comes is the mind as it expresses in the brain consciousness of the personality.

 

It is also the organ through which pours the directing energy [Page 975] which streams out from the conscious creating adept to the instruments of service, his thought-forms.

7.            We see and understand that the adept serves largely through thoughtform building.

8.            As the “organ of illumination” the third eye serves largely a second ray function. As the organ through which directing energy pours, it exhibits a first ray function.

9.            We understand the association of the number five with creativity (and the creative sign Leo). The Adept of the fifth initiation is, above all, a creative being.

10.         We also understand that the adept (an initiate of the fifth degree) is possessed of a third eye even though His personality apparatus is, in most cases, no longer a vehicle produced by ordinary generative means but by the power of Kriyashakti. This means that within the mayavirupa, the spiritual organ called the “third eye” does, indeed, exist.

 

The little evolved do not, of course, employ the third eye for the stimulating of their thought forms.

 

11.         The power of the third eye is not available to the little evolved.

12.         We remember that the insight of the soul is revealed through the third eye and thus, thoughtforms stimulated by the third eye will be built in accordance with those perceived soul patterns.

13.         It is obvious that disciples such as we are, are increasingly to use the third eye for the stimulating of thoughtforms. This means, of course, that we have to evoke the potency of this “eye” in our lives.

14.         The work of Taurus suggests how we are to do this. The ‘Bull of Instinct’ must become the “Bull of Illumination”.

15.         There will be no use of a functional third eye until we change our desires and our values, and thus redirect occult energies to the head where the third eye resides.

 

 The energy used by them in the majority of cases originates in the solar plexus, and works in two directions, either via the organs of generation, or through the physical eyes.

 

16.         Do we realize the profound occultism which is being taught here?

17.         DK is telling us that the majority of human beings energize thoughtforms with energy arising in the solar plexus.

18.         Apparently many thoughtforms deal with the sexual life of humanity and are expressed, eventually, in relation to or through the organs of generation.

19.         Some occult functions of the physical eyes are suggested. Many thoughtforms relate directly to what is “seen” and to that which, being seen, is desired.

20.         We note that the physical eyes (two organs, which together, symbolize dualistic perception) are the eyes in use and not the unitive third eye.

 

In many people these three points—the lower organs, the solar plexus, and the physical eyes—form a triangle of force,

 

21.         This triangle involves the planets Mars, Venus and Mercury in their lower expressions in man.

22.         Man desires what he “sees” and seeks to possess it. Possession of those objects to which sexual energy attaches itself, (i.e., “sex-objects”) is part of this process.

23.         The whole process is very dualistic: man as an egoistic self (i.e., man identified as a lower ego) desires the ‘other’ and goes forth (Mars) to possess that other. Such as man has no notion, alter revealed by the unitive “Eye”, that he is the other.

 

around which the stream of energy flows before going out to the objectivised thought form.

 

24.         Thus, we learn that most thoughtforms are servants of egoistically-based desire.

25.         From another perspective, “why do most human beings create thoughtforms”? Largely, in order to fulfill their lower desires within the dualistically perceived lower three worlds.

26.         We learn that forces circulates between the sacral center, the solar plexus center and the two eyes before attaching itself to the “objectivized thoughtform”—the thoughtform in process of construction.

 

In the aspirant, and the man who is intellectual,

 

27.         DK seems to distinguish between these two. The aspirant is not necessarily the man who is intellectual. Ray difference may distinguish them—the intellectual found more on the hard line rays (especially three and five) and the aspirant upon rays six, four and two. Nor is one type necessarily higher than the other, though usually the aspirant is seen to be more spiritually receptive and advanced than the man who is merely intellectual.

 

the triangle may be from the solar plexus, to the throat centre and thence to the eyes.

 

28.         As long as the two physical eyes are involved, dualism has not yet merged with the unitive vision of the third eye.

29.         We thus far have two triangles and a third will be discussed.:

a.            The generative organs, the solar plexus and the two physical eyes

b.            The solar plexus center, the throat center and the two physical eyes.

30.         Note that there is a progression here, as energy seems to go from the lower centers towards the higher

31.         We note that the in these two triangles, two of the centers are the same, but the throat center has replaced the sacral center. Thus, in the aspirant and intellectual man, a higher creativity is demonstrating instead of ordinary sacral procreativity.

 

Later, as the aspirant grows in knowledge and purity of motive,

 

32.         Thus, becoming, shall we say, a disciple…

 

the triangle of energy will have the heart for its lowest point instead of the solar plexus, and the third eye will begin to do its work, though as yet very imperfectly.

 

33.         DK is describing the incipient working of the third eye in the life of the disciple.

34.         The triangle here involves the throat center again, apparently.

35.         These triangles can be compared with the triangles of chakras active in the case of human beings at different stages of evolution. (TCF 170)

36.         Even at the third initiation it may be that the working of the third eye cannot be considered perfect. We may infer this because the Master, Himself, uses the third eye as a “conscious creating adept”.

37.         We will want to associate the opening of the third initiation with heart energy, which tends towards unification, just as the third eye tends towards singleness of vision.

 

Just as long as the "Eye" is directed to the created form, the cur­rent of force will be transmitted to it, and the more one-pointed the man may be the more this energy will be centralised and effect­ive.

 

38.         We are speaking of how to maintain the vitality of any created form. An eye must be upon it, or its coherence and vitality will fade and dissipate.

39.         This makes one wonder who or what is observing the thoughtform called “man”. The answer is, in a way, obvious—“the eye of the soul”.

40.         At the same time, from a practical perspective, we are being informed of the technique for keeping our own creations coherent and vital.

 

Much of the ineffectiveness of people is due to the fact that their interests are not centralised but very diffuse, and no one thing engrosses their attention.

 

41.         Without one-pointed vision, a would-be creator remains ineffective. Diffuse attention (refusal or incapacity to pay attention) guarantees ineffectiveness—i.e., lack of success of bringing intentions through into manifestation.

42.         We are discussing the relation between correct thoughtform building and effectiveness upon the physical plane.

 

  They scatter their energy and are attempting to satisfy every wandering desire, and to dabble in everything which comes their way.

 

43.         The point is clear: dabblers cannot help but be ineffective!

44.         This thought should incline us to strengthen our point of tension.

45.         It is as if we are told of how the early expression of Gemini must be transformed into the one-pointedness of Sagittarius if effectiveness is to be achieved.

46.         Obviously discrimination is needed—the ability to choose where attention will be ‘paid’. This requires the work of Saturn and Libra.

 

Therefore, no thought they think ever assumes a proper form, or is ever duly energised.

 

47.         We are discussing the haphazard creation of weak, inchoate thoughtforms. We are speaking of those who have not yet learned to be true creators.

 

 They are consequently surrounded by a dense cloud of half-formed disintegrating thought forms and clouds of partially energised matter in process of dissolution.

 

48.         The image presented is one of a noxious atmosphere in which clear sight and even the ability to ‘breathe’ is compromised.

49.         Obviously, this is not how we wish for our mental body to appear!

50.         Have we ever felt such a surrounding cloud—within ourselves? In a gathering of people?

 

This produces occultly a condition similar to the decay of a physi­cal form, and is equally unpleasant and unwholesome. It accounts for much of the diseased condition of the human family at this time.

 

51.         What an amazing thought! Our inability to create (accompanied by the unconscious tendency constantly to create) produces a poisonous, decaying atmosphere which affects the health of our physical vehicle and probably the health of our emotional and mental vehicles as well.

52.         Because we are not really conscious on the mental and astral planes (at least not conscious of many conditions existing there) the unwholesome condition of which Master DK speaks is not a ‘reality’ to us and we do not think of its presence as especially dire. The occult perspective, however, reveals how serious the situation really is.

53.         Obviously, our entire planet is presently surrounded by such an unwholesome atmosphere.

 

Failure in thought creation is due also to the fact that [Page 976] the laws of thought are not taught,

 

54.         Scattered throughout Master DK’s books we can find statements and hints regarding these laws. Work with the Fifteen Rules of White Magic reveals some of the laws of thought as does the list of Fifteen Injunctions found in A Treatise on White Magic. The Yoga Sutras bear heavily on the question of the correct creation of thought. The study of illusion in Glamour: A World Problem touches directly on the matter.

55.         What do you think to be some of the laws of thought? Certainly the very first occult Point of Revelations from the “Five Points of Revelation”—“Energy follows thought and the eye directs that energy” is one of the very first laws of thought.

 

 and men do not know how, through meditation, to create those children of their activity to carry on their work.

 

56.         In other words, men do not understand and cannot practice occult meditation.

57.         The “children of one’s mind” are meant to serve one’s intentions. Our thoughtforms are intended to be our servants.

58.         One remembers the regulatory power of the star Regulus, so closely associated with the creative activity of Leo. That activity must be submitted for first ray/seventh ray restraints.

59.         The hint: one never acts alone. One is intended to scientifically create an army of thoughtforms to carry forth one’s work.

 

Results on the physical plane are much more quickly achieved through scientific thought creation than through the directly physi­cal plane means.

 

60.         Perhaps we find this to be a surprising statement. If we accept it, we will hasten to purify and control our thoughtform-making apparatus.

 

10. For thee, the aspirant on the way of life, the way of conscious building is not yet the goal.  The work of cleaning out the atmosphere of thought, of barring fast the doors of thought to hate and pain, to fear, and jealousy and low desire, must first precede the conscious work of building.  See to thy aura, oh traveler on the way.

11. Watch close the gates of thought.  Sentinel desire. Cast out all fear, all hate, all greed.  Look out and up. (TWM 473-474)

 

61.         We are still a long way from the scientific creation of effective thoughtforms in line with the Divine Plan.

62.         Perhaps another two or three hundred years of close training and supervision may see us in a position to be trusted.

 

 This is becoming more realised, but until the race has reached a point of greater purity and unselfishness, the more detailed explanation of the process must necessarily be withheld.

 

63.         One studies A Treatise on White Magic only to realize that the most practical instructions on the magical process have been withheld. It is obvious from DK’s statements here why this is the case.

64.         “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” and this applies to premature knowledge as well. It is surprising but true that the Masters labor to withhold from man premature knowledge of the Plan. If too much is discovered too quickly, the plans leading towards the manifestation of the Plan could be ruined.

 

Another reason for creative ineffectiveness is owing to the cur­rents which emanate from the majority of people being of such a low order that the thought forms never reach the point of inde­pend­ent action, except through cumulative group work.

 

65.         We are being given reasons for “creative ineffectiveness” and this is an interesting one.

66.         Apparently energy currents animating thoughtforms must be of a relatively high order if thoughtforms capable of real independence are to be generated.

67.         It is arresting to realize, however, that a group in which the majority of members are relatively low grade creators can, nevertheless, together create thoughtforms which are capable of independent action. This points to a certain danger. We come to understand something of the menace of mob or mass psychology and the relative effectiveness of public opinion even of a low order (as was seen in Nazi Germany and more recently in countries under the grip of religious fanaticism).

 

 Until matter of the three higher subplanes of the astral and physical planes finds its place in the thought form, it has to be energised principally by mob energy.

 

68.         Yes, here is Master DK giving us a strong hint in His use of the word “mob”—a powerful and suggestive word. We understand now, from the occult perspective, the reason by demagogues can be so effective and so dangerous. They can shape the thought of the mob and use its energy to render their own thoughts effective on a mass scale.

69.         We are learning that an individual can create independent thoughtforms if that individual can work on the higher etheric and astral subplanes.

70.         We must note, when considering the potencies to be found on these levels (etheric and astral), that the senses of smell, taste and sight are necessarily involved etherically, and the siddhis called emotional idealism, imagination and clairvoyance are involved astrally.

71.         What is really interesting, from the etheric perspective, is that that the capacity of the individual creator to use the fourth ether is insufficient to vitalize thoughtforms to the point of independence.

 

When the higher substance begins to find its way into the form, then it can be seen acting independently, for the individual Ego of the man concerned can begin to work through the matter—a thing before impossible.

 

72.         We are being told that the individual Ego can only work through thoughtforms which have matter of the three higher subplanes.

73.         We are being told that unless the Ego can work through the thoughtforms of the individual creator, those thoughtforms cannot achieve independent action.

74.         This stands to reason, as the individual Ego is found on the third and second subplanes, and, some say, the first subplane of the mental plane as well.

75.         The higher three subplanes of the etheric and astral planes correspond to the higher three subplanes of the mental plane (the subplanes from which soul energy emanates), and thus the resonance and the ability of the Ego to be influential on these subplanes.

 

The Ego cannot work freely in the personality until third subplane matter is found in his bodies; the correspond­ence consequently holds good.

 

76.         Yes, we understand this, do we not?

77.         Still more effective work can be accomplished when second and first sub-plane matter is found in the vehicles and in the thoughtforms being created.

 

Once the thought form has been vitalised and its etheric form is completed or "sealed" as it is called, it can attain the dense physical form if desired.

 

78.         So many occult hints! Here we have the sealing of the etheric form of the thoughtform. How is this to be done? One imagines that there are certain symbolic gestures (undertaken in the ethers) and Words of Power which can accomplish the task.

79.         All this knowledge was once in our possession, but through misuse it has been withdrawn.

 

This does not mean that the individual thought forms of every man take dense substance upon the etheric, but they will eventu­ate in activity upon the physical plane.

 

80.         DK offers an important qualification for our understanding.

81.         Some thoughtforms, we are to understand, do take dense substance upon the etheric subplanes.

82.         The agglomeration of similar thoughtforms is part of the eventual dense physical plane activity which such thoughtforms achieve.

 

 A man, for instance, is thinking a kindly thought; he has built it up and vitalised it; it is objective to the clairvoyant and exists in etheric matter close to the man.

 

83.         Such a thoughtform has not yet been released, hence its actual closeness to man.

84.         Notice that it takes time to build such thoughtforms.

 

 It will, therefore, find physical expression in an act of kindness or a physical caress.  When the act is over, the caress consummated, the interest of the man in that particular thought form fades out and it dies.

 

85.         We find described the motivating power of thoughtforms and their outworking in particular physical plane expressions.

86.         The expression of a thoughtform seems to remove the motivating power from that thoughtform. The modern phrase, “Been there. Done that” illuminates the process.

87.         As interest fades and the gaze of the eyes is removed from the thoughtform, the thoughtform dies of attrition.

88.         Some thoughtforms are very strong, however, and continue to reappear and, thus, continue to be expressed in the manner described above. Eventually, however, desire for such expression will die, and an expressed thoughtform will not be re-constellated and reinvigorated by desire.

 

 Similarly with a crime—the [Page 977] thought form has been built up and inevitably it will find its physi­cal expression in some deed of one kind or another.

 

89.         We have here the plotting and planning of those who nurture and harbor evil within themselves. In EP II, DK discussed this form of brooding anti-social behavior as particularly related to abnormal individuals upon the second, fourth or sixth rays.

 

All activity of every kind is the result:

 

90.         DK will present the main cause of activity.

 

a.  Of thought forms built consciously or unconsciously.

 

91.         This is very interesting because is makes us question the activity of man before he was capable of much thought.

92.         What of the activity of man before He was individualized? Surely there was activity. Who then was doing the thinking? The same question could be asked re the activity animals.

93.         Of course, there are many grades of thinkers and un-self-conscious lives are responsive to them rather than only to their own individualized center.

94.         Below it will be shown that thoughtforms alone are not the cause of all activities. Lesser impulses also play their role.

 

b.  Of self-initiated thought forms or of the effect of the thought forms of others.

 

95.         Here we realize that a particular form of life may respond as much to the thoughtforms of others as to its own thoughtforms.

96.         Given the non-individualized man, response to the thoughtforms of others (of other and higher beings) is certainly possible.

97.         Response to his own lower impulses also actuates activity.

 

c.   Of responsiveness to one's own inner impulses, or of res­pon­siveness to the impulses of others, and therefore to group thought forms.

 

98.         Here the cause of activity no longer resides in the world of thought but in the world of impulse. Within this world we find impulses from the actor and impulses from others.

99.         It is clear that un-individualized man is certainly possessed of astral and etheric-physical (i.e., instinctual) impulses, and it is these, rather than thought, which impel him into activity.

100.      DK hints at the idea that “group thought forms” are created by combining the impulses of a group. This hearkens back to the creation of independent thoughtforms through mob energy.

101.      We can summarize this little section by saying that activity is caused both by thoughtforms and by lesser impulses (from within the individual or from within a group).

 

It will be apparent, therefore, how vital is this matter,

 

102.      We are speaking of thoughtform vitalization and manifestation.

103.      We are speaking of the sources of those conditioning factors and impulses which drive any being (great or tiny) into action.

 

 and how influenced men and women are by the thought forms they them­selves create, or the mental children of other men.

 

104.      We hear the note of responsibility sounding. Day in and out, night after night, we create thoughtforms and desire forms—mostly unconsciously. This condition must be rectified if we are to become true white magicians.

105.      We are being told that it is not only what we do that counts for good or ill, but what we desire and most of all, what we think—for thinking is the seed of all that transpires on the two lower planes. This is especially true of disciples.

106.      We are being encouraged to take responsibility for our creative life and realize that the whole matter of creation of far more subtle than we may have thought.

107.      The life of the occultist becomes ever more subtle and his responsibility exists on levels which others believe non-existent.

108.      Great caution is demanded of us. Our creations determine our karma and that, collectively, that of the human race.