Commentary on Rule IX
for Applicants
(All Bolding, Underlining and Highlighting
is by MDR)
For Applicants:
From Meditative Themes for Rule IX for
Applicants
We might choose as theme for our meditation:
1.
Either
the full sentence of the Rule for Applicants:
“Let the disciple merge himself within the circle of his other selves.
Let but one colour blend them and their unity appear. Only when the group is
known and sensed can energy be wisely emanated.” (IHS, p. 202)
2.
Or,
additionally, sub-themes which DK refers to in His commentary to this Rule,
such as (IHS, p. 202-203):
a.
“One thing all disciples and applicants for
initiation have to do is to find that particular group of servers to which they
belong on the inner plane, to recognise them upon the physical plane, and to
unite with them in service for the race.” (cf. RI, p. 202)
b.
This recognition will be based upon: (a) unity
of aim, (b) oneness of vibration, (c) identity
in group affiliation, (d) karmic links of long standing, (e) ability to work in
harmonious relation. (cf. RI, p. 202)
c.
Why and
how is the problem of working harmoniously in group alignment more difficult
than it may appear? (cf. RI, p. 202)
d.
In case
if Egoic vibration and relationship exist, yet the outer personalities do not
harmonize, it is the work, then, of the applicant to strengthen the grip of his
Ego upon his personality, so that the esoteric group relation may become
possible upon the physical plane. This he will do by the disciplining of his
own personality, and not by the correction of his brothers. (cf. RI, p.
202-203)
Rule IX
Section I
Let the disciple merge himself within the circle of the other selves.
1.
The
disciple, having reached the stage of evolution where the Rules for Applicants
apply, is the conscious soul in
incarnation and not the personality. We are not talking about personalities
blending with each other (which only feeds the fires of the lower life—cf. TCF
320) but of the merging of souls with souls (all within the One Soul).
2.
This
is the ninth Rule and hence indicates a kind of completion in the sphere of
consciousness as all unifications suggest a type of completion. Nine, we
remember, is the number of perfected consciousness just as seven is the number
of perfected form.
3.
Why a
circle? The circle is the symbol of completion. The circle is also considered
the most perfect geometrical figure. Through the process of evolution, all
things grow and evolve towards sphericity.
4.
The
merging here discussed is the beginning of true group consciousness.
5.
The
“circle of the other selves” definitely exists upon the inner planes and, by
the time a disciples has found his group, has formed upon the outer plane.
6.
A
truly functioning group is a circle of selves. These selves are only
temporarily “other”. At length it will be discovered that the “other selves”
are but one Self.
7.
When
one can begin to say “I am the group” it is because his sense of identity has
expanded from the circle which is his own ring-pass-not to the circle which is
the ring-pass-not of the group. Let us ponder on this.
8.
One
can practice this expansion of identity through the use of the creative
imagination. Such visualization will promote what we might call ‘expansive
identification’
9.
The
circle of the other selves must become the circle of the group-Self.
Section II
Let but one colour blend them and their unity appear.
10.
Harmony
precedes unity. The initial phases of merging necessitate harmony. Unity, based
on commonalty, follows upon the establishment of harmony.
11.
The
members of a discipleship group bring many colors to the group—all the colors
of the seven rays and many additional subtones of color. (Tone and color are,
occultly, synonymous.)
12.
Yet,
there must be “one color” (the color of the soul ray of the group) which must predominate
over all the other colors assembled.
13.
This
is the one color which blends all the
other colors. Its power and authority are such that even if the other colors
clash (when contacting each other on the personality level), the soul power of
the predominating color will blend them. This means that the predominating
color will give to every other sub-color or sub-tone an infusion of quality
which will make it possible for the various colors to resonate harmoniously
with each other.
14.
We
are not speaking of a monochromatic state. Many colors and gradations are
present and through their presence endow the group with a variety of qualities,
enriching its nature and its presentation to the world.
15.
But
the secondary qualities must render themselves subservient to the major
spiritual quality/color of the group. This is an act of unification and occurs, as stated, by means of the fusion of the
preeminent color into every other color.
16.
Another
way of speaking of this psychology, is that if I am infused by the major ray
quality of the group soul, and others in the group are similarly infused, our
various personality colors will not present points of contention, because we
will all have something in common (the preeminent color) by means of which we
can merge and blend.
17.
From
a practical perspective, all personality qualities of the group members must
merge within the soul quality of the group. Personality qualities become
secondary and are submitted to group soul quality which then expresses through
the many personality qualities.
18.
Such
a group will appear unified, not because it is monochromatic, but because its
major soul note is sounding so thoroughly through
all the personality notes, and because its major soul color can be seen
expressing through all the variety of personality colors.
19.
Such
a group will present an image of “unity in diversity”. True Aquarian groups are
of this nature.
Section III
Only when the group is known and sensed can energy be wisely emanated.
20.
The
disciple may make many mistakes when seeking to discover his group. These
misapprehensions may also be instructive and go far in teaching him the nature
of his true Self (at this stage of evolution to be found upon the higher mental
plane) and his personality self.
21.
As
disciples we are each to find a group on the physical plane with which we can
rightly blend and merge our energies. Such a group will, in many if not most
cases, demonstrate as its major ray our soul ray. Or perhaps, for purposes of
instruction, we will be taken into a group the soul ray of which is not our
own. This was the case with a number of Master DK’s students.
22.
For
the most effective specialized work, however, it is best that the majority of
those in any group have the same soul ray. This is largely the case in an
Ashram. There may be temporary guests within any Ashram, present for
instructional purposes or for purposes of ashramic reinforcement, but the
majority will be of the same soul nature.
23.
To
“know” is an act of cognition. To “sense” suggests more the capacity for feeling, generally considered.
24.
A
merging disciple must recognize his
fellow group members as souls. His mind must be attuned to the qualities of the
group and he must clearly discriminate the qualities of his group from those of
other groups.
25.
There
is also the necessity to feel quality,
which, in this context can be considered the sensing of the group.
26.
One
must, therefore, mentally recognize
group quality leading to the recognition of the group as one’s own; one must
also feel the major quality of the
group (a sentient act). That feeling must be one characterized by harmony
leading to ‘sense’ of unity. The mechanism of sentiency will have its own means
of registering harmony and unity. Unless this sentient experience is also
present when a disciple ‘feels towards an into a group’, the group may not be his
own.
27.
There
are higher mechanisms of sentiency than those of the astral vehicle. Astral
bodies which are not yet rendered peaceful and non-reactive may be repelled by
the soul quality of even the correct group. Therefore, much training of the
astral body (so that it can become responsive to the buddhic plane whereon the
majority of Ashrams can be found) is
necessary if the sensing of one’s appropriate group is to be effective.
28.
When
we think of the “wise” emanation of energy we may have to approach from two
perspectives, remembering that, in general, energy
is of the soul and force of the
personality.
29.
Let
us consider the term “emanation”. It suggests a natural outflow of energy
towards that which is exterior to the emanating source. When there is the kind
of freedom which harmony and unity produce, emanation will be a natural and
effortless occurrence. Nothing need be forced.
30.
Individual
or group usefulness depends upon the quality of the emanation, thus, both the
individual and the group must see to the production of the necessary harmony
and unity. The greater the harmony and unity the finer the quality of the
emanation. An individual can be harmonized and unified and so can a group.
31.
Let
us also consider the term “wisely”, for energy is to be wisely emanated. Wisdom, in this context, requires:
32.
True
wisdom is cognizant of the nature and need of form. Wisdom encompasses a
“goal-fitting” application of energy and force.
33.
An
individual who knows himself and has established a harmonious and unified state
within his energy system can affect the environment in a uniformly wise and
beneficent manner.
34.
A
group which knows itself and has established a harmonious and unified state
within its energy system can affect the environment in a uniformly wise and beneficent
manner.
35.
As
individuals within groups, we cannot help but be sources of individual and
group emanation. Can we judge properly of the effect of such emanation? This
would be a good first step.
36.
If we
discover that our individual or group emanation is deficient or in some way
disturbing to higher values in the recipients of the emanation, we know we have
issues of integration to which to attend—individually and in group context.
37.
The
major solution is to attune to the soul ray (whether of the individual or the
group) and ensure that all other subsidiary factors are first harmonious with
it and then unified with it.
38.
Qualities
which differ with the soul ray need not necessarily be disharmonious with it.
There are ways to bend any quality to a superior quality, but it takes close observation,
skill-in-action and much persistence.
39.
Perhaps
each of us individually should take an inventory of our various personality
qualities and see which of them are disharmonious with our soul energy. Our
task will then to be to blend and merge the notes and colors with the note and
color of the soul ray.
40.
The
same approach can be used within the group. A group inventory of quality can be
taken and those which are disharmonious with the group soul note and color can
be identified and eventually harmonized with the higher soul quality.
41.
As
well, any group must see to its effect upon its environment. This is to be done
objectively and impartially.
Paragraph I
One thing all disciples and applicants for initiation have to do is to find
that particular group of servers to which they belong on the inner plane,
to recognise them upon the physical plane, and to unite with them in service
for the race.
42.
The
sentence above is straightforward. The requirement is not easy and is not
always possible.
43.
The
first step is inner recognition. This requires individual sensitivity to soul
quality. There must be a capacity to sense the presence of souls of a certain
quality upon the inner planes.
44.
This
cannot be done unless there is rapport with one’s own soul center on the higher
mental plane.
45.
We
note that the group to be found is a “particular group of servers”. Inner
groups are service groups. They are
gathered for purposes of service.
46.
We
note also that the disciple already “belongs” to such a group. He does not have
to apply to such a group or attempt to fit himself to be a member it—he is already a member.
47.
Recognition
of his group members upon the physical plane may be more difficult because
there are so many veiling forces. We may think that we recognize the true
nature of another human being, but we are often misled by superficialities.
When we get to know another more fully, we are often shocked by what we have overlooked,
or by a realization that the qualities we thought to be present were not
present at all or, at least, not present to any significant degree.
48.
Thus,
we must be possessed of the “esoteric sense” and of two faculties found on the
second and third subplanes of the higher mental plane—“spiritual discernment”
and “response to group vibration”. If these faculties are working for us, we
will not only be able to recognize our inner group (or groups) but see through in a discerning manner to
the soul quality behind a persona. Thus, will we be able to recognize our group
brothers and sisters on the outer plane.
49.
The third
requirement is that we learn to “unite with them in service for the race”. This
seems an obvious requirement but recognition does not necessarily lead to
united cooperative action.
50.
Usually,
it may be expected that if there is sufficient soul contact to recognize our brothers, there will also
be sufficient soul contact to impel service in cooperation with them.
51.
As a
general rule, once we recognize our inner/outer brothers, it will be recognized
that the service in which we are engaged is intimately related to the service
in which they are engaged. Our soul contact will assist us in recognizing the
nature and value of the service they perform even if it is not exactly the same
service we are performing. Because of identicality (or complementarity) of soul
ray, it will be, at least, a service harmoniously related to our own.
52.
Still,
the will to cooperate actively with our inner/outer soul brothers in service
for the race may require another step which some will not take. We remember
that the DINA disciples in Master DK’s Ashram recognized each other on the
inner and outer planes (at least Master DK assisted them to recognize each
other). Yet, they proved incapable of launching a group project which would
have made them truly useful to Master DK’s Ashram.
53.
In uniting
with our inner/outer brothers in service for the race, the power to serve is
greatly increased.
54.
We
can see that Rule IX for Applicants is aimed at increasing the effectiveness of
the disciple's service through a process of recognition, blending and merging.
This recognition will be based upon:—
55.
We
are given the guidelines by which to ensure recognition.
a. Unity of aim.
56.
Our
purpose and vision are to accord with the purpose and vision of members of the
‘circle of selves’.
b. Oneness of vibration.
57.
We
are to both recognize and feel the vibration of the soul ray.
There will be many other vibrations within a discipleship group, but the soul
ray vibration will be (at this stage of evolution) of paramount importance.
c. Identity in group affiliation.
58.
We are
to recognize through the Law of Magnetic Impulse those who truly belong to the
same soul group. As we refine this recognition, we may discover that not only
will the soul ray be the same but that the subray of the soul (not that subray called personality ray,
in this case) and the monadic ray will be the same.
d. Karmic links of long standing.
59.
We
are to recognize those with whom we have walked the Path of Life before. This
gives us further assurance regarding our correct group because frequently those
who gather on the outer plane over many years and, even, many lives, will be
those who are inwardly affiliated as souls. There are many ephemeral gatherings
on the outer plane, but those which abide (the deeper relationships in life)
are likely impelled by soul or monadic similarity. (cf. TWM 112)
e. Ability to work in harmonious relation.
60.
If
the fundamental energies are harmonious, the inner group the same, the karmic
links being of long-standing, then (overall) there will be an ability to work
in harmonious relation. Sometimes, it is the outer harmony, which if followed,
that will reveal the inner affiliations. Enduring outer harmony is always an
indicator of a more fundamental harmony and, perhaps, unity. One must
discriminate between deep, abiding harmony and ephemeral moments of harmony.
Superficially, this may appear one of the easiest of the rules, but in
practice it is not so. Mistakes are
easily made, and the problem of working harmoniously in group alignment is
not so simple as it may appear.
61.
The Tibetan
warns us against the assumption that it will be easy to find our inner group
and the outer group which is a reflection of it, and then to work harmoniously
with that inner/outer group.
62.
Mistakes
in the finding of one’s inner and outer group may be based on the overemphasis
of the personality ray and the other rays within the personality. If the soul
vibration is firmly established, mistakes are less readily made.
63.
Many
people embrace others with enthusiasm only to discover that the envisioned
relationship is but a passing event in the phantasmagoria of life. Those who
are identified as personalities find other personalities. Those who are
identified as souls find souls. The key to avoiding mistakes is to establish
soul identification and live that identification.
Egoic vibration and relationship
may exist, yet the outer personalities may not harmonize.
64.
We
have been saying essentially the same.
65.
The
problem appeared often amongst DK’s DINA group members, and probably, we all
have had the experience quite frequently.
It is the work, then, of the
applicant to strengthen the grip of his Ego upon his personality, so
that [Page 203] the esoteric group relation may become possible upon the
physical plane.
66.
If
the personality is too obtrusive, only the grip of the Ego (the power of
Vulcan) will bring about that fusion of soul and personality which will render
the personality qualities expressive of essential soul quality.
67.
This
is such a fundamental need. All of us suffer at times from personality
qualities which simply do not accord with our deeper soul quality and purpose.
68.
To
strengthen the grip of the Ego we must become deeply familiar with our soul
purpose and submit our personality will to will of the soul. The mantram, “Not
my will but Thine be done” is effective in this regard.
69.
If
the personality is compliant to the will of the soul, then esoteric group
relations can manifest upon the physical plane. There are spiritually-intending
groups in which outer personality relations are far too prominent. These outer,
superficial relations must be supplanted by the more real, inner, esoteric
relations.
70.
First
we must discriminate between the two—very clearly, and then take those steps
which will supplant the lower by the higher.
He will do this by the disciplining
of his own personality, and not by the correction of his brothers.
71.
Master
DK offers us the method. We are to discipline our personalities, which means,
in this context, to bend them to our higher will—the will we exhibit as souls.
72.
Esoteric
group relations will not be achieved on the outer plane if we always go about
correcting our brother instead of disciplining ourselves.
73.
To
see the flaw in another is the easy way, the line of least resistance for the
personal ego, and no example of a very profound psychological understanding of
ourselves.
74.
How
much group harmony could be promoted were we simply to follow the advice here
given!
75.
The
one person for whom we are truly and deeply responsible is our own self. When
we have mastered that lower self our ability to recognize our inner and outer
groups, merge and blend with those groups and wisely emanate energy with those
groups will be greatly enhanced.