14. There is an ‘area’ within the upper reaches of Hierarchy
which seems to overlap with Shamballa. There are Masters Who
are members of both Hierarchy and Shamballa. The most advanced initiates
of our Earth-chain humanity may well be those Who are focussed within
this area.
15. We are also told of those “who have come in on certain
streams of solar energy, astrologically determined, from other planetary
schemes”. These entities are also a part of the “inner group around
Sanat Kumara”. The implication is that They are more advanced than the
Earth-chain initiates.
16. We note the fact that the “central esoteric group
of Six” forms the “heart of hierarchical effort”. Much depends upon
how the word “heart” is being used. Usually, the Christ is considered
the “head” of the Spiritual Hierarchy, and certainly its “heart”. Here
I think the term “hierarchical effort” is referring not just to the
Spiritual Hierarchy of our planet but to the whole hierarchical structure
by which the planet is organised, including all the many Creative Hierarchies,
greater and lesser than man. It would seem that Sanat Kumara and the
six Kumaras surrounding Him are the “heart” of this entire planetary,
hierarchical process. Shamballa is the peak of all hierarchical effort
on our planet.
The result of Their advent,
millions of years ago, was stupendous, and its effects are still being
felt. Those effects might be enumerated as follows: — The Planetary Logos
on His own plane was enabled to take a more direct method in producing
the results He desired for working out His plan. As is well known, the
planetary scheme, with its dense globe and inner subtler globes, is to
the Planetary Logos what the physical body and its subtler bodies are
to man.
Hence, in illustration, it
might be said that the coming into incarnation of Sanat Kumara was analogous
to the firm grip of self-conscious control that the Ego of a human being
takes upon his vehicles when the necessary stage in evolution has been
achieved. It has been said that in the head of every man are seven centres
of force, which are linked to the other centres in the body, and through
which the force of the Ego is spread and circulated, thus working out
the plan. Sanat Kumara, with the six other Kumaras, holds a similar position.
These central seven are as the seven head centres to the body corporate.
They are the directing agents and the transmitters of the energy, force,
purpose, and will of the Planetary Logos on His own plane.
This planetary head centre
works directly through the heart and throat centres, and thereby controls
all the remaining centres. This is by way of illustration, and an attempt
to show the relation [Page 31] of the Hierarchy to its planetary source,
and also the close analogy between the method of functioning of a Planetary
Logos and of man, the microcosm.
1. When the Tibetan writes of “stupendous” results,
we must weigh that word carefully, as His sense of proportion is far
more adjusted than ours and He is not given to exaggeration.
2. Note the use of the word “advent”, which is usually
reserved for discussions of the birth of the Master Jesus. What is being
discussed here is a much greater “advent” in planetary terms.
3. We are understanding that the coming of Sanat Kumara
and the 104 Kumaras was an empowerment for the Planetary Logos, allowing
Him a more direct method of affecting the evolution of this dense planet,
our Earth-globe. In fact, in other sections of the Teaching, we learn
that the Planetary Logos experienced an initiation at that time.
4. When we speak of the Planetary Logos “on His own
plane” we are speaking of the cosmic planes — perhaps the cosmic
mental plane (third sub-level) on which the causal body of the Planetary
Logos is focussed, or even of the cosmic monadic plane, on which the
Monad of the Planetary Logos is focussed.
5. A familiar analogy is given, likening the gross
and subtle system of the planetary scheme to the various bodies, subtle
and dense, of a human being. The various chains and globes of the planetary-scheme
are like the various vehicles and chakras within the human energy system.
Within His planetary scheme, the Planetary Logos is to be considered
as the true Being or Monad.
6. The phrase “firm grip of self-conscious control”
is used to describe the process through which Sanat Kumara and His supportive
Kumaras appeared within the relatively lower planes of our planetary
scheme. The Planetary Logos (acting as the Ego) was assuming greater
and more direct control of His lower manifestation.
7. “As above so below”. If the Planetary Logos (as
Ego) was operating in a way analogous to the way the human Ego or Solar
Angel operates in relation to its personality, then perhaps we are being
told something about the evolutionary status of our Planetary Logos.
8. In the human system of spiritual development, the
Ego/Solar Angel takes a firmer grip (or, at least, increased
notice) when once the fifth petal of the human causal body has
opened to a sufficient degree. From that time forth the Ego is in much
closer supervision of the development of its personality.
9. May it be that the Planetary Logos of our non-sacred
planet, had also reached a similar point in the development of His presumably
ninefold/twelvefold Egoic Lotus on the cosmic mental plane?
10. On the other hand, the term “firm grip” seems
to suggest a later stage of evolutionary development than that
of the unfoldment of the fifth petal of the Planetary Logoic Causal
Lotus. When the fifth petal unfolds in a human being, a ‘firmer’
grip by the Ego is achieved, but not yet a “firm grip”
11. It could be said (referencing the initiatory process
of a human being) that at the first initiation a relatively “firm grip”
is achieved, and at the third initiation a truly “firm grip”
develops.
12. The two words “firm grip” suggest the activity of
the planet Vulcan — the planet both of firmness and of the grasping
“grip” or “fist”. Vulcan is involved at both the first and third human
initiations. Following the analogy, the implication is that, somehow,
energy from that planet was involved in the process of the advent of
the Kumaras. Vulcan is involved in many great initiatives, and
is, even today, closely associated with Shamballa through Taurus. The
major approach of humanity to Shamballa occurs at the Wesak Festival
when Taurus (and thus Vulcan) is powerful.
13. While it may be fairly easy to infer the initiatory
status of our Planetary Logos (as much is given along these lines in
various of the books) it is not easy to determine the details of the
process.
14. Perhaps, it is sufficient for us to realize that
the founding of Shamballa/Hierarchy on our planet, coincided with a
significant initiation for the Planetary Logos and meant, in effect,
the possibility of working out His Plans in a much more direct manner
within the lower spheres of His manifestation.
15. This paragraph by the Tibetan is packed with occultism.
Initiation: Human and Solar was the first book published for
the general public, and yet it is so filled with indispensable and deep
occult information.
16. The Tibetan then mentions a most occult subject
relating to the Eighth Rule for Applicants to Initiation:
“When the disciple nears the portal, the greater seven must
awaken and bring forth response from the lesser seven upon the double
circle”.
The seven centres within the head
are, as it were, master centers, and control the seven major
chakras or centers with which we are more familiar.
17. Not much is accurately known about the nature and
position of these seven head centers. They are esoteric even
to most students of occultism, though obviously not to the Masters.
18. We are told in this paragraph
that the Seven Major Kumaras are analogous to these seven head centers.
Just as these Kumaras are the Directing Agents for our entire planetary
life, so the seven head centers within man direct all the other centers
or chakras involved in man’s microcosmic life.
19. When dealing with the seven
head centers, we are compelled to think of the Seven Rishis of the Great
bear who are the Seven Head Centers in an inconceivably vast Being called
the “One About Whom Naught May Be Said”. As well, we are obliged to
think of Vulcan (perhaps the chief planet of Will) and that seems to
have a direct connection to these controlling head centers, as it is
a planet which transmits the Will energy of the Great Bear. These are
rather occult thoughts and need not be too thoroughly investigated here.
They are mentioned to show how much occultism is implied in the pages
of even this earliest of the Tibetan’s books given through Alice
Bailey.
20. As the function of the seven head centers in man becomes more exoteric, it is likely
that the functioning of the Seven Kumaras (in a planetary sense) will
also become more exoteric. This revelation, however, may be a long time
in coming.
21. When the head center as a whole functions as a unity,
it includes the function of the seven head centers. An analogy might
be seen in considering that Shamballa can (like a unified head center)
function as a unity, directing all the other parts of the planetary
life. The various Kumaras may, at times, function relatively independently,
but a synthesized action on the part of Shamballa as a whole would be
a much more powerful expression of directive energy than the functioning
of any particular Kumara separately.
The third kingdom
of nature, the animal kingdom, had reached a relatively high state of evolution,
and animal man was in possession of the earth; he was a being with a powerful
physical body, a co-ordinated astral body, or body of sensation and feeling,
and a rudimentary germ of mind which might some day form a nucleus of a
mental body. Left to himself for long aeons animal man would have eventually
progressed out of the animal kingdom into the human, and would have become
a self-conscious, functioning, rational entity, but how slow the process
would have been may be evidenced by the study of the bushmen of South Africa, the Veddhas of Ceylon, and the hairy Ainus.
1. Here the Tibetan is offering us an interesting piece
of planetary racial history.
2. The state of animal-man before individualization
is described, and from this account that entity was, physically considered,
a mighty specimen — certainly when compared to the physical power and
stature of modern man.
3. We learn that this animal man was “in possession
of the earth”. So, even in those early days, man-as-animal-man was the
“King of Nature”.
4. It is important to focus on the “rudimentary germ
of mind” with which animal man was possessed. This germ could have
developed into real, self-conscious intelligence, alone and unaided.
But aid came through the descent of the Solar Angels and through the
advent of the Kumaras about three million years later. The result of
these two momentous processes was the rapid growth of human self-consciousness
and intelligence, and the eventual production of modern, intelligent
man.
5. The bushmen of South Africa, the Veddhas of Ceylon,
and the hairy Ainus are descendants of those animal men in whom the
spark of mind was not implanted, and who did not benefit directly
from the advent of the “God-Kings” (as the Kumaras Who took physical
incarnation as men came to be regarded). For further fascinating information
along these lines, consult H.P.B.’s The Secret Doctrine.
6. We can understand and appreciate the great difference
in intelligence and development which exists between the three groups
of primitive men here mentioned and modern intelligent humanity. In
this contrast we have a vivid reminder of what would have been the fate
of the human race without the “divine intervention” of the Solar Angels
and the Kumaras.
The decision
of the Planetary Logos to take a physical vehicle produced an extraordinary
stimulation in the evolutionary process, and by His incarnation, and the
methods of force distribution He employed, He brought about in a brief cycle
of time what would otherwise have been inconceivably slow. The germ of
mind in animal man was stimulated. The fourfold lower man,
a. The physical
body in its dual capacity, etheric and dense,
b. Vitality,
life force, or prana,
c. The astral
or emotional body,
d. The incipient
germ of mind,
was co-ordinated
and stimulated, and became a fit receptacle for the coming in of the self-conscious
entities, those spiritual triads (the reflection of spiritual will, intuition,
or wisdom, and higher mind) who had for long ages been waiting for just
such a fitting. The fourth, or human kingdom, came [Page 32] thus into
being, and the self-conscious, or rational unit, man, began his career.
1. Master D.K. speaks of “an extraordinary stimulation”
which occurred when the Planetary Logos decided to take a physical vehicle.
Earlier He spoke of a “stupendous” event. We can begin to understand
how significant was this intervention not only for humanity,
but for the planet as a whole.
2. We know nothing of the methods of force distribution
employed by the Planetary Logos, but surely the Masters do, and are
in a position to assess the difference which such methods made to the
speed of the human, and thus planetary evolutionary process.
3. What do we really mean by the “incarnation” of the
Planetary Logos? Surely the mere fact of the existence of a planetary
scheme with various chains, globes and even a physical globe means that
the Planetary Logos is already in incarnation (from the time
that physical globe is created) The various chains and globes are the
various vehicles of his incarnation, just as the mental, astral, etheric
and physical bodies are the vehicles of incarnation for an incarnating
human being.
4. As the term is used here, “incarnation” can be understood
as meaning a more specific focussing by the Planetary Logos of His
attention on the lower spheres of planetary manifestation. “Incarnation”
becomes a term indicating a closer connection between the heights of
planetary logoic being and the depths.
5. “Incarnation” means, therefore, a different and
more acute form of presence. The Planetary Logos, though always
present as the Planetary “Presence”, is still more present as
a result of undertaking what is here describes as “incarnation”. He
is more specifically present through Sanat Kumara than He is
in His more abstracted state and without such a vehicle of expression
as Sanat Kumara (and the other Kumaras) represents.
6. The Tibetan speaks of the Planetary Logos’ achievement,
having brought about within a “brief cycle of time” a process of development
which otherwise would have been “inconceivably slow”. One ponders on
just how slow. Surely, you and I would not be contemplating matters
esoteric and philosophical at this time had not the intervention occurred.
7. In yet another way, this paragraph describes the
individualization process. The lower vehicles of animal man were coordinated
under the pressure of the Planetary Logos’ initiative. These vehicles
became “fit receptacles” for the coming in of self-conscious entities
called “spiritual triads”.
8. We might pause at this point to realize that “we”
(as we essentially are) are spiritual triads (as well as the
monads of which these triads are an emanation).
9. It is as if a certain part of ourselves (the spiritual
part) had been ‘waiting’ for another part of ourselves (the material
part — alive and active in the three lower worlds) to develop, so that
‘we’ could ‘come together’ — uniting all parts of ourselves.
10. The implication is that we were already, as spiritual
triads, “self-conscious”, but that we had not achieved self-consciousness
(of a more limited kind) in the lower worlds (in which we were also
and simultaneously functioning). The self-consciousness of a spiritual
triad and the developing self-consciousness of a developing human being
are quite different in their natures, though both are a form of self-consciousness.
(To understand how things really work we must read the Tibetan carefully.)
11. Individualization was the moment of planetary history
at which the Solar Angels intervened in the affairs of animal man. They
became the bridge by means of which the higher triads could unite
with the lower quaternary. In a way, then, they stand for the number
eight which is the number of the uniting Christ-principle. A
triad, plus a quaternary, plus a Solar Angel, sum to eight.
12. Some might say that the Solar Angels, themselves,
are really the spiritual triads, but I do not think that they are equivalent.
The Solar Angels are highly developed beings, returning from a previously
achieved “Nirvana”. The Solar Angels are (just as we human beings are)
monads with spiritual triads. It was their great skill and understanding
(based upon aeons of experience) which allowed them provide the bridge
for the two aspects of man’s nature — animal man and spiritual triad/monad.
13. A little thought on the matter, however, reveals
that the Solar Angels must have had some definite relation to the spiritual
triads of man. The details of this relation (far beyond the understanding
of man, I suspect) are not discussed in the Teaching.
Another result of the advent
of the Hierarchy was a similar, though less recognised development in
all the kingdoms of nature. In the mineral kingdom, for instance, certain
of the minerals or elements received an added stimulation, and became
radioactive, and a mysterious chemical change took place in the vegetable
kingdom. This facilitated
the bridging process between the vegetable and animal kingdoms, just as
the radio-activity of minerals is the method of bridging the gulf between
the mineral and vegetable kingdoms.
In due course
of time scientists will recognise that every kingdom in nature is linked
and entered when the units of that kingdom become radioactive. But it is
not necessary for us to digress along these lines. A hint suffices for
those who have eyes to see, and the intuition to comprehend the meaning
conveyed by terms which are handicapped by having a purely material connotation.
1. We are coming to understand that the creation of
humanity through the individualization of animal man followed by the
advent of the Hierarchy was, in fact, a planetary event, affecting
more kingdoms of nature than the newly emerging human kingdom.
2. All kingdoms received stimulation and were elevated
closer to a transition into, what was for them, the next and waiting
kingdom — the mineral kingdom toward the vegetable kingdom, the vegetable
kingdom toward the animal kingdom, and the animal kingdom (of course)
toward the human (the major topic of this chapter).
3. It is sometimes disputed whether, when Master D.K.
discusses “radioactivity”, He means “radioactivity” as that term is
understood by modern scientists. May it not be that He is discussing
what might be called the noumenon of radioactivity of which the
radioactivity with which science is presently more familiar is a special
case?
4. As developed as our modern science may be, it can
only be moreso in centuries to come, and it is then that many of these
mysteries will be solved. There are departments of the Hierarchy which
are specifically focussed on elucidating important changes and developments
within the lower kingdoms. We will have to await their revelation.
5. For practical purposes, we human beings can see
to the development of our own so-called “radioactivity”, by obeying
the “laws of that which radiates” — namely the monad (c.f., Rule XIII for Applicants in IHS). The more we leave strictly individualized consciousness
behind and cultivate group consciousness; the more we learn to transcend
even group-consciousness for the development of “God-consciousness”
(or Oneness); the more “radioactive” we become, and the more fit for
transition into the fifth kingdom of nature, the Kingdom of Souls.
In Lemurian
days, after the great descent of the spiritual Existences to the earth,
the work They planned to do was systematised. Offices were apportioned,
and the processes of evolution in all the departments of nature were brought
under the conscious wise guidance of this initial Brotherhood. This Hierarchy
of Brothers of Light still exists, and the work goes steadily on. They
are all in physical existence, either in dense physical bodies, such as
many of the Masters employ, or in etheric bodies, such as the more exalted
helpers and the Lord of the World occupy. It is of value for men to remember
that They are in physical existence, and to bear in mind that They exist
upon this planet with us, controlling its destinies, guiding its affairs,
and leading all its evolutions on to an ultimate perfection.
1. The three major energies expressed by Shamballa
are purification, destruction and organization.
2. Here, Master D.K., emphasizes organization.
The “initial Brotherhood” had a great task in hand — the civilizing
of newly-human animal man. As well, it was necessary for the Brotherhood
to tend to the evolution of the other kingdoms of nature (which are
never neglected by the Central Government of the planet).
3. Master D.K. makes much of the continuity of the
Brotherhood over many ages, and would have us realize, forcefully, that
that Brotherhood is very much in physical presence (as the Hierarchy
judges physicality) — i.e., physicality includes the etheric
planes of existence.
4. Notice that in this paragraph
the Spiritual Hierarchy is called the “Hierarchy of Light”, and indeed
it was light (rather than love) which was the major need during
those middle-Lemurian days.
5. Why
is it of value for men to remember that the members of the Brotherhood
(whether in the Hierarchy or in Shamballa) “are in physical existence
…” and “exist upon this planet with us, controlling its destinies,
guiding its affairs, and leading all its evolutions on to an ultimate
perfection”?
6. Probably, it is important for us not to think of the Masters and Chohans
as abstractions but, rather, as immediacies. To think
of Them as immediately present has an effect upon our inner and outer
behavior, and holds us more accountable to live according to our highest
standards. Their immediate presence is a powerful stimulant to human
and planetary evolution.
7. Today’s humanity suffers very much from ignorance
of and disbelief in the Spiritual Hierarchy and the Shamballic Lives.
If these Beings were considered as both real and immediately
present, humanity’s entire attitude would change, and human evolution
would made great strides.
[Page 33] The
central home of this Hierarchy is at Shamballa, a centre in the Gobi
desert, called in the ancient books the "White Island."
It exists in etheric matter, and when the race of men on earth have developed
etheric vision its location will be recognised and its reality admitted.
The development of this vision is rapidly coming to pass, as may be seen
from the newspapers and the current literature of the day, but the location
of Shamballa will be one of the latest etheric sacred spots to be revealed
as it exists in the matter of the second ether. Several of the Masters
in physical bodies dwell in the Himalaya mountains, in a secluded spot called
Shigatse, far from the ways of men, but the greater number are scattered
all over the world, dwelling in different places in the various nations,
unrecognised and unknown, yet forming each in His own place a focal point
for the energy of the Lord of the World, and proving to His environment
a distributor of the love and wisdom of the Deity.
1. Master D.K. becomes very specific about the reality
and even the ‘location’ of Shamballa. Ancient tradition attests to the
reality of the Shamballa and has named it the “White Island”. The Master insists that its factuality will be
recognized when etheric vision is developed.
2. It has sometimes been disputed whether Shamballa
is ‘located’ in the systemic ethers or in the cosmic ethers
(the logoic, monadic, atmic and buddhic planes of our solar system). Probably
the correct answer is “both”. Man is on the point of developing “etheric
vision”, but is not on the point of developing cosmic etheric vision.
Besides, the cosmic etheric planes (of which the buddhic plane is the
lowest) are planes of non-locality, of ubiquity, of omni-presence. So
when we speak of location, we must be speaking of the physical
ethers. That great omnipresent energies should have specific points of
localized expression on the lower planes is not an unreasonable thought.
3. While etheric vision is rapidly emerging, it pertains
to vision of energy states occurring on the fourth and third ethers
(the exoteric ethers). The second and first ethers are still
esoteric, and Shamballa (as a location) is focussed on the second
ether, and, thus, will remain esoteric for yet some time.
4. That its focus should be the second ether
is significant, as the monad (ever a ‘resident’ of Shamballa) is focussed
on the second systemic plane, the monadic plane.
5. In a deeper sense, however, we must not forget that
the higher focus of Sanat Kumara (at least in relation to the cosmic
physical plane) is on the logoic plane of our solar system. Even the
Christ is beginning to focus there.
6. Grasping the heights and depths of Shamballic demonstration
is important. In a way, Shamballa, being the One, is All.
7. The physical locations (residences) of the Masters
are discussed. Some dwell, we are told, in Shigatse. Probably, since
China’s invasion of Tibet, They no longer do (at least not physically). Shigatse
is no longer an out-of-the-way place, and has changed entirely since
this book was published in 1922.
8. The main point is, however, that many of the Masters
do have physical bodies (whether born in the normal way, or “will-created”
through the power of Kriyashakti). Their dwelling places
are not generally known, as They could not proceed with Their work in
an uninterrupted manner. Those who need to find their way into the physical
presence of a Master will learn the way. This will be increasingly so
as the Externalization of the Hierarchy gathers momentum.
9. We
can understand that when a Master of the Wisdom has a physical body,
the Hierarchy has, in some small manner, externalized. The entire
process of externalization is about the appearance on and through the
physical plane of the lives (and patterns) which focus in the inner
worlds..
10. Note that every Master (regardless
of His ray) is a distributor of “love-wisdom”, the essential quality
of the Hierarchy of Light and Love.
The opening
of the Door of Initiation.
It is not possible to touch
upon the history of the Hierarchy during the long ages of its work, beyond
mentioning certain outstanding events of the past, and pointing out certain
eventualities. For ages after its immediate founding, the work was slow
and discouraging. Thousands of years came and went, and races of men
appeared and disappeared from the earth before it was possible to delegate
even the work done by initiates of the first degree to the evolving sons
of men. But in the middle of the fourth root-race, the Atlantean, an
event occurred which necessitated a change, or innovation in the Hierarchical
method. Certain of its members were called away to higher work elsewhere
in the solar system, and this brought in, through [Page 34] necessity,
a number of highly evolved units of the human family. In order to enable
others to take Their place, the lesser members of the Hierarchy were all
moved up a step, leaving vacancies among the minor posts. Therefore three
things were decided upon in the Council Chamber of the Lord of the World.
1. Although in an introductory book such as Initiation:
Human and Solar, it is not possible to discuss the history of the
Hierarchy during the long ages of its existence on the Earth, that history
exists, and someday will make a fascinating and important study.
2. The members of the Hierarchy are mighty toilers.
Indeed they “toil in Pisces” on a mission of redemption. It is interesting
that Master D.K. uses the word “discouraging” to describe the results
of early hierarchical efforts. Apparently the human/animal-man of the
period was very resistant to cultivation — such was the nature of the
matter of which his vehicles were composed. The Hierarchy had certain
hopes and ideals, but apparently these were not achieved as rapidly
as They had anticipated.
3. To make even a first degree initiate of early man
must have been a Herculean effort. It must have required not only thousands
of years but millions of years. We can only wonder at the loving
patience of the Spiritual Hierarchy.
4. Master D.K. offers here an interesting piece not
only of planetary history, but of solar systemic history.
Towards the middle of the Atlantean root-race, certain members of the
then Hierarchy were called away to higher work elsewhere in the solar
system. This presented opportunity to the evolving Sons of Men, putting
them under pressure. Saturn, the “God of Opportunity” is also the ‘God
of pressure’.
5. It would appear that highly developed human beings
from the Moon-chain were also brought in at this time (under the attractive
impulse of the Mahachohan). It was these individuals who were to fill
the vacancies caused in all the rank and file of Hierarchy by the extra-planetary
summons.
6. We have been told that many of the highly developed
human units from the Moon-chain never had to pass through the Lemurian
rootrace, and instead entered the Earth-chain to continue their evolution
at some point in the Atlantean rootrace. From what is said here, we
can see that a number of these more advanced Moon-chain human beings
were brought in by necessity.
7. One matter of interest: some of the most important
events on Earth are not caused from within our planetary sphere,
but have causes emanating entirely outside it. In this case, a solar-systemic
requirement affected the development of many forms of life upon our
planet giving opportunity for evolutionary advancement to the human
kingdom.
8. In light of the solar-systemic requirements, certain
decisions were made within Shamballa. These decisions had far ranging
effects felt even today.
1. To close
the door through which animal men passed into the human kingdom, permitting
for a time no more Monads on the higher plane to appropriate bodies. This
restricted the number of the fourth, or human kingdom, to its then limitation.
1. Many owners of intelligent domestic animals may
think that their pet is “almost human” (and in a way this may be correct),
but for the time being (and really for millions of years past) the “door”
into the human kingdom has been closed, and for millions of years will
so remain.
2. The implication is that, at that middle-Atlantean
time, there were sixty billion human monads, just as there are today,
for the number was, as it were, ‘frozen’ by Shamballa’s decision.
3. Note that in the individualization process, it is
the monad which appropriates a body on the lower planes. Monads are
the active ‘players’ in the individualization process, and they work
out their intentions with the aid of Solar Angels
2. To open another
door, and permit members of the human family who were willing to undergo
the necessary discipline and to make the required stupendous effort, to
enter the fifth or spiritual kingdom. In this way the ranks of the Hierarchy
could be filled by the members of earth's humanity who qualified. This
door is called the Portal of Initiation, and still remains open upon the
same terms as laid down by the Lord of the World in Atlantean days. These
terms will be stated in the last chapter of this book. The door between
the human and animal kingdoms will again be opened during the next great
cycle, or "round" as it is called in some books, but as this is
several million years away from us at this time, we are not concerned with
it.
1. If one door was closed, another was opened. Earth-chain
humanity was by no means as advanced as were the initiates of the Moon-chain
who entered in Atlantean days. A means of rapid training was required;
the program of initiation was that means.
2. Again, Master D.K. uses the words “stupendous”,
which should give us pause. Many of us are still transiting into the
fifth kingdom of nature and are not yet full members within it.
Perhaps we have been engaged in this stupendous effort for some time,
with many great exertions still remaining.
3. We note here a mention of the “terms as laid down
by the Lord of the World in Atlantean days” for all who would pass through
the Portal of Initiation. In this respect it must be said that those
who would enter that Portal do not do so on their own terms,
but only if they fulfill the terms laid down by those who are in authority.
4. Mention is made of the next cycle of “round” — the
fifth round. Many are the theories concerning such rounds, but in the
last analysis, most is theorized by students of esotericism than understood.
5. In this paragraph we learn that the next round is
“several million years away”. The word “several” is perhaps deliberately
vague, but surely means under ten, and probably more like four, five
or six. When we ponder the impending onset of the fifth round, many
questions could arise. Several million years seems a very short time,
especially since both the sixth and seventh rootraces must run their
course (and the fifth rootrace be completed) before the fifth round
begins. As well, there is very little time allowed for what H.P.B. has
described as a necessary “pralaya” between rounds.
6. Do these cycles called “rounds” really work in the
rather linear manner described by early Theosophists? If so, the Tibetan’s
reference to only several millions of years before the onset of the
fifth round would be very difficult to explain.
7. One thing is strongly suggested, however — namely,
that the later root races last a significantly shorter time than the
earlier root races. If the Lemurian rootrace lasted perhaps some fifteen
or sixteen million years, the Atlantean some twelve to ten
million years, and the Aryan race (thus far) some one million
years, one can see the spiral tightening dramatically. (We must keep
in mind that the rootrace periods overlap.) The implication is that
the Adamic {first rootrace} and Hyperborean {second} rootraces lasted
far longer than the Lemurian.
8. The spiritual progress of the individual human being
also reflects this tightening spiral; the final and climactic spiritual
developments we call initiations occur with great rapidity when compared
to the protracted period of early human evolution.
9. Another implication we can reasonably gather, is
that we are nearing the end of the fourth round (at least so far as
our Earth-globe is concerned). The round may (as the Theosophists suggest)
continue its progress on globes five, six and seven — all of them subtle
— but its duration on our globe (globe four) cannot be long lasting
(at least not according to the usual Theosophical model).
3. It was also
decided to make the line of demarcation between the two forces of matter
and spirit clearly defined; the inherent duality of all manifestation was
emphasised, with the aim in view of teaching men who want to liberate themselves
from the limitations of the fourth, or human kingdom, and thus pass on into
the fifth, or spiritual. The problem of good or evil, light or darkness,
right or wrong, was enunciated solely for the benefit of humanity, and to
enable men to cast off the fetters which imprisoned [Page 35] spirit, and
thus achieve spiritual freedom. This problem exists not in the kingdoms
below man, nor for those who transcend the human. Man has to learn through
experience and pain the fact of the duality of all existence. Having thus
learnt, he chooses that which concerns the fully conscious spirit aspect
of divinity, and learns to centre himself in that aspect. Having thus achieved
liberation he finds indeed that all is one, that spirit and matter are a
unity, naught existing save that which is to be found within the consciousness
of the Planetary Logos, and — in wider circles — within the consciousness
of the Solar Logos.
1. The third decision has tremendous implications for
‘graduates of Earth-school’. Such graduates are called “adjudicators
between the pairs of opposites”. (TCF 1178)
2. Early man was bewildered as to “right and wrong”,
as to the true nature of spirit and matter. The ability rightly to discriminate
was simply not a developed part of his equipment.
3. Clarity as to the “line of demarcation” between
spirit and matter, between good and evil, brings with it the possibility
of accurate action, and a treading of a directed path leading toward
one or another of the poles.
4. We can see the planet Saturn at work here. Saturn
is the planet of discrimination which draws a line or boundary between
entities and qualities. Such a bounding line is called a “ring-pass-not”.
5. As well, the fifth ray, governing the “Law of Cleavages”,
must have been an important part of this demarcation between the opposites.
6. We can see that whereas the fifth principle, mind,
was no longer directed as a stimulative factor towards animal man, the
fifth principle inherent in the already individualized man of the period,
was given a strong impetus.
7. The dualities themselves are a reflection of the
fourth ray of ‘warring opposites’. The ability to discriminate
between the opposites is a function of the fifth ray, aided by
the influence of Saturn.
8. A brief story of the psychology of liberation is
told. Essentially the formula is ‘divide and reunite’. There is no way
to conscious oneness except through the distinct separation of the polar
opposites before their reunion occurs.
9. Early man is immersed in, yet oblivious to, duality.
That duality exists has to be brought to his attention. Once he becomes
aware of the duality of his entire existence, he has the responsibility
(Saturn) of choosing which pole he will emphasize.
10. We may ask how Hierarchy clearly defined the line
of demarcation between Spirit and Matter.
11. One method could be through the giving and enforcement
of new laws and codes of conduct which divided right from wrong. We
can see that much of the first and fifth rays must have been involved
in the effort.
12. Rules for achievement must have been imparted, and
members of the Hierarchy must have undertaken a closer supervision of
certain human beings to make sure they conformed to the necessary laws
and the progressive rules.
13. We can imagine that Hierarchy, as the Custodian
of the Law, must have seen to the imposition of punishment (and teaching)
when laws were broken. Only thus could the line of demarcation be reinforced.
14. In short, it is probable that early man was held
more accountable for his actions than before the “line of demarcation”
was emphasized.
The
Hierarchy thus took advantage of the discriminative faculty of mind, which
is the distinctive quality of humanity, to enable him, through the balancing
of the pairs of opposites, to reach his goal, and to find his way back to
the source from whence he came.
1. The ability to discriminate is inherent in mind.
Mind is the fifth principle and the faculty of discrimination is the
gift of the fifth ray.
2. We can see how important is the faculty of choice.
Primitive man did not exercise conscious choice; the period of Martian
domination (desire driven) must run its course before the
reign of deliberative Saturn can be instituted. Saturn is a sacred planet;
Mars (planet of rebellion) is not.
3. Early
man had reached the point when he possessed sufficient experience to
begin to see the consequences of his actions and the probable direction
of those actions. A vision of the possibilities (good and bad) was
conferred by the watching guides of the race, and man could begin to
choose (Saturn) which direction he desired (Mars) to pursue. Later he
could choose the direction he willed to pursue.
4. We might say that when these Shamballic decisions were made, there was
an implicit acknowledgment by the Planetary Directors that humanity
was no longer infant humanity.
This decision
led to that great struggle which distinguished the Atlantean civilization,
and which culminated in the destruction called the flood, referred to in
all the Scriptures of the world. The forces of light, and the forces of
darkness, were arrayed against each other, and this for the helping of humanity.
The struggle still persists, and the World War through which we have just
passed was a recrudescence of it. On every side in that World War two groups
were to be found, those who fought for an ideal as they saw it, for the
highest that they knew, and those who fought for material and selfish advantage.
In the struggle of these influential idealists or materialists many were
swept in who fought blindly and ignorantly, being thus overwhelmed with
racial karma and disaster.
1. If we have studied the Ageless Wisdom, we have heard
of the “Great War” in Atlantis between the “Lords of the Dark Face”
and the “Lord of the Shining Countenance”.
2. What is interesting is to realize that this decisive
war was impulsed by an extra-planetary decision (the calling away to
higher service in the solar system of certain members of the then Spiritual
Hierarchy of the planet), and a resultant decision of Shamballa intended
to meet the planetary emergency induced by the departure of these initiate
members of the then Hierarchy.
3. Probably, many causes contributed to the onset of
this prolonged war between the spiritual and material tendencies of
humanity. Quite independently of the planetary emergency, humanity had
reached a point of maturity sufficient to allow free choice. Mind was
sufficiently developed to serve desire and thus make it more effective
(for good or ill).
4. That “Great War” was/is of tremendous duration,
considering that the two world wars of the twentieth century are extensions
or recrudescences of the Atlantean war.
5. The Tibetan divides the opponents in our modern
“World War” between the idealists and those who fought for material
and selfish advantage. Probably there were agents of good and evil on
both sides — especially in World War I. But by the time World
War II was precipitated, the true idealists were driven out of the Axis
nations, though perverted, fanatical idealists (and Hitler was surely
one) could still be found.
6. The battle (still proceeding today) is between the
values of the first and very material solar system, and the values which
are divinely intended to be expressed through our solar system (from
one perspective, the second in a series of three).
7. The Shamballic decision of Atlantean times focussed
a tremendous light in the responsive human units of the period.
No great light can appear without evoking the dark counterforce, and
thus it was. Every advance must be made at the expense of the sacrifice
of the old; the old must be evoked in order to be sacrificed.
It is precisely at the moment of possible advance that the opponent
(armed with the weapons of retrogression) can be expected to appear,
These
three decisions of the Hierarchy are having, and will have a profound effect
upon humanity, but the result desired is being achieved, and a rapid hastening
of the [Page 36] evolutionary process, and a profoundly important effect
upon the mind aspect in man, can already be seen.
1. Shamballa’s great decisions are not influential
for only an era; they have great implications for even greater cycles,
enduring for millions of years.
2. We might say that at the time of this ‘Atlantean
Decision’, the way was opened for humanity to begin to enter the fifth
kingdom of nature. First Moon-chain humanity had
to pass through the Portal of Initiation and into the Kingdom of Souls; many did so. Earth-chain humanity, however, was not
far behind, and today is being prepared in large numbers to pass through
the Portal.
3. Given
Sanat Kumara’s close connection to the Venus stream of energy, it is
no wonder that His decision so powerfully affected the mind nature of
humanity. Venus is particularly the planet of the soul-illumined mind.
It is through the Venusian mind that initiation can be taken. The Hierarchy
is alternatively termed the “Society of Organized and Illumined Minds”.
Sanat Kumara is a great Promoter of all in man that is rational and
illumined; He seeks to defeat the irrationality which is the distinguishing
feature of uncultivated animal man.
It might here
be well to point out that, working as members of that Hierarchy are a great
number of beings called angels by the Christian, and devas by the oriental.
Many of them have passed through the human stage long ages ago, and work
now in the ranks of the great evolution parallel to the human, and which
is called the deva evolution. This evolution comprises among other factors,
the builders of the objective planet and the forces which produce, through
those builders, every form familiar and unfamiliar. The devas who co-operate
with the Hierarchical effort, concern themselves, therefore, with the form
aspect, whilst the other members of the Hierarchy are occupied with the
development of consciousness within the form.
1. This is one of the significant paragraphs describing
the deva kingdom and the manner in which it participates within the
hierarchical enterprise.
2. Master D.K. seems to be emphasizing the work of
those devas or angels who long ago passed through the human stage of
evolution. The implication is that one may enter the ranks of angelic
evolution from the human. The opposite is also true in certain cases.
3. The human and deva evolutions are called “parallel”,
which means that neither is subservient to the other, though there will
be devas more advanced than humans, whom they are to obey, and vise
versa.
4. A fundamental (and general) distinction between
the two evolutions is brought forward: Deva members of Hierarchy work
principally with the building of the form, whereas the other members
of Hierarchy (the more human members) work with the development of the
consciousness within the form.
5. Human beings are, in many ways, destroyers of the
form. They learn and advance through the utilization and destruction
of the forms in which they are embodied. They are, as a rule, always
“pushing the envelope”; they resist the limitation which form represents.
This is not true of devas who seek the construction and perpetuation
of harmonious forms.
6. What we may gather from all that is said, is that
the work of Hierarchy is alive and well in the modern world. Hierarchy
is a beneficently guiding and directing Force and without it humanity
would be both lost and endangered.
7. The Spiritual Hierarchy of our planet, under the
guidance of the Christ (and even more potently of the Lord of the World)
is engaged in a special redemptive mission meant to salvage an erring
humanity, and redeem a planet suffering from retardation. Plans for
this redemption are of long standing. They were put into action some
eighteen million years ago and have persisted systematically (though
adaptively) ever since.
8. It may be difficult to extend our appreciation to
those great Beings Who established Hierarchy on Earth long ago, deep
in the night of time, but our gratitude should be profound. The further
we go into our occult studies, we will realize that Their advent made
present human civilization possible. Through Their intervention in
our planetary process, we have been spared untold years of ignorance
and enslavement by the forces of matter. If we manage to extend our
gratitude to Those Who are for us, essentially Saviors, we shall find
that illumination and realization are the result.
