Studies of Individual Instructions
JWK-P
commentary by Michael D. RobbinsThis is a general commentary on the personal instructions to Disciple: JWK-P. There are many important astrological factors which can account for, or correlate with, the spiritual and disciplic process through which JWK-P was passing, and for the advice and counsel offered by the Tibetan. In this commentary, however, the astrological approach will not be emphasized. Other commentaries by this and other commentators will go deeply into the matter.
As this commentator did not know JWK-P (FB) personally, the emphasis of this commentary cannot be on a personal analysis. Instead, there will be a focus upon those points in the instructions which have general applicability to all disciples. However the instructions may have applied with specificity to JWK-P, the attempt will, therefore, be made to understand their applicability to all of us.
To J. W. K-P. (Foster Bailey)
November 1931
BROTHER OF MINE:
I would conjure you to face the future with joy and optimism. Courage you always have but joy you lack. With you, as with F.C.D., much of the physical plane activity is hampered by etheric devitalisation, though the causes producing the existing condition differ. During the past years, I have many times conveyed to you a message the summation of which lies in the emphasis I lay on steadfastness in meditation. Etheric vitalisation lies in meditation where you are concerned and the bringing in of energy to your physical body through its instrumentality. Diet, fresh air and freedom from concern all aid the process but the main cure for you and the source of success in all your work lies in your persistence in meditation and your contemplative endurance.
1. “Joy”, says Master Morya, “is a special wisdom”. The disciple receiving these personal instructions is in the Ashram of the Master M., though temporarily, and most necessarily, “on loan” to Master DK’s Ashram.
2. The Tibetan uses a strong word to request an attitude of “joy and optimism” of JWK-P. The term “conjure” means “to charge or entreat earnestly or solemnly”. The qualities of “joy and optimism” (important for all disciples) must be especially important for this disciple.
3. DK speaks directly, as He knows He can when dealing with a proven first ray disciple. He acknowledges the presence of courage and points directly to the lack of joy. The realistic first ray was very much in evidence, but the more joyful potentials of the hopeful second ray were suppressed.
4. JWK-P (as the husband of Alice Bailey) was in a position of considerable authority with the Lucis Trust and Arcane School, and, thus, the need for these magnetic qualities. Later, after AAB had passed away, that need was even more pronounced.
5. The modern disciple is not strictly a mystical/contemplative being. Practical work in the world is of the utmost importance and the sustenance of etheric vitality is a major concern. DK addresses this very concrete matter, as it adversely affected the output of this disciple.
6. While it is clear that JWK-P was a steadfast and enduring disciple, this attitude of endurance did not, apparently apply to his work in meditation. The Tibetan wishes to see steadfastness and endurance in meditative area increased, with the anticipated effect of strengthening the physical-etheric vitality.
7. There is a direct connection between the mental body and etheric body, especially for people in whom Gemini is a pronounced influence. DK’s solution to the vitality problem is, at least in this case, a meditative solution, calling for steadfastness, persistence and endurance in the inner approach. First ray types (inclined towards practical, effective, executive action in the world) may find concentration upon meditation less agreeable than those upon the second ray.
8. Various expedients useful in increasing vitality are mentioned—diet, fresh air and freedom from concern, but the main emphasis is placed upon meditation.
9. What is “contemplative endurance”? We can think of it as the ability (in consciousness) to ‘become the soul’ during the meditative process and to ‘hold identification as the soul’ during that process. To slip back into identification with the personality (prompted by restlessness or disquietude in the vehicles) would not be a display of “contemplative endurance”.
10. The soul/Solar Angel is a source of tremendous potency and vitalization. It is obvious that if that great source can be persistently tapped, the vitality of the entire personality mechanism will be enhanced. This is something for all of us to remember, even if etheric devitalization is not specifically a problem.
11. As an astrological side note of interest, both Roberto Assagioli and Foster Bailey suffered from problems of etheric vitalization and both were born with the Sun Sign of Pisces—a sign in which physical vitality is often not sufficiently abundant.
The conservation of energy is wise, yet you have untold reserves upon which to draw and as yet you use them not as you might. As before I have told you, you make not adequate use of the meditation period and your physical body suffers in consequence and therefore your work. There is much to be done and through meditation you can accomplish much. You might ask me, my brother, how to utilise the meditation period so as to benefit from it physically. The physical body will take care of itself when the source of supply lies open to use. A modification—to be made by yourself—of the attached meditation would be in order for you, omitting the detail of the stage of ascent but visualising the inflow of energy to the centres in the etheric body and the vitalisation, above all, of the heart and the throat centres. This should be carried forward in a rapid and definite manner and the rest of the meditation period should be given to group work, and to a consideration of the plans to be followed in the unfolding work of the larger group to which this group belongs.
1. “Untold reserves”—a thought which should be a stimulus to all disciples. The fount of supply is accessible to us, but we fail to avail ourselves of it.
2. JWK-P is not alone in his experience of insufficient energy in the midst of plenty.
3. How would we open ourselves to the great source of supply? First we would have to acknowledge that it exists, rather than complain about fatigue (as I suspect we often do).
4. A principle is clear: “The physical body will take care of itself when the source of supply lies open to use”.
5. In all matters of successful access visualization is a key factor. DK asks JWK-P to direct the visualized flow to his heart and throat. Do we have the wisdom to know to which center within our etheric body a visualized flow should be directed? Rarely would we fail if the heart center were deemed as focal.
6. Another principle emerges: rapidity of meditation does not prevent a strong flow of energy; it may ever promote it. Much time and energy may be wasted by meditators in interminable alignments. The first ray types, in general, prefer briefer meditations. Second ray types may linger, failing to move as quickly as they could. But second ray types will more readily have “contemplative endurance”.
You will comprehend what I mean, brother of mine, when I repeat to you the ancient formula:
"Out of the lotus in the head springs the flower of bliss.
Its earliest form is joy.
Out of the lotus in the heart springs the flower of love.
Its earliest indication, wisdom is.
Out of the lotus in the throat emerges the flower of living forms.
The earliest sign is understanding of the Plan."
1. An ancient formula is given. It relates three chakras, the head, heart and throat chakras to various states of consciousness—joy/bliss, wisdom/love and understanding of the Plan/living forms.
2. The idea of the “flower” indicates the fulfillment of a quality.
3. The joy of the soul is precursor to the bliss of the spirit. Joy is based upon “soul assurance”. The presence of the energy of the soul is joy itself. To theorize about the soul as if it were ‘something’ in the distance will not guarantee the presence of the ‘something’ and the joy which arises through that presence.
4. Joy is still related to the forms through which the soul expresses. Joy arises when there is a loving, lighted and powerful expression of soul through form. Bliss has no origin in time and space (even the modified time/space world of the soul) and is of the nature of pure being divorced from even the extremely subtle forms of the spiritual triad.
5. From a simplistic perspective, bliss means that ‘things are as good as they can be’; they can get no better. Bliss is an experience of the perfection of the essential nature of the One Life. Form, and the expression of the Good, the True and the Beautiful through the form, can always improve; bliss is unrelated to relativity. It is a touch of essential being.
6. Let us focus on love and wisdom. Usually they are given an equivalence. In fact, wisdom is more related to Shamballa than is love, and thus can be seen elevated on the scale of perfection over love—but only from one perspective.
7. Thus, it is perhaps strange to ponder on the idea that wisdom is an early indication of the fulness of love. Perhaps we might understand how wisdom leads to the flowering of love if we realize that wisdom (gained from much experience) results in a profound and compassionate appreciation for the beauty of life. Wisdom reveals a light which touches the heart. When one finally (through wisdom) ‘sees what it is all about’, the will to promote fulfilment arises, and a sense of deep relationship to all participants in humanity’s (and nature’s) struggle. Wisdom (as a refined realization caused by ages of clarifying experience) reveals the Good, the True and the Beautiful, and the registered presence of these great Qualities (really, Beings) causes an upwelling in the heart which can only be called Love.
8. Under the influence of wisdom we know how to think and act so as to promote the cohesion of the whole; we know how to avoid harming the whole. Wisdom gives ‘sight of God’s Intention’. That Intention is so motivated by divine love that the sight of it washes over and pervades the seer. He finds himself/herself within the “Ocean of Love” and is filled with gratitude for what wisdom has revealed. Now ‘in love with God and all beings’, he/she is resolved to ‘love the world towards its fulfillment’.
9. I simply share my meditations on this transformation of wisdom into love. You will have your own.
10. The wisdom indicated here is, perhaps, not the “Absolute Wisdom” of the Creator which is based upon the complete realization of eternal verities. Rather, it is the fruit of human experience—a realization which is resonant with Absolute Wisdom.
11. Love and wisdom create in their interplay a ‘virtuous circle’ or, more truly, a ‘virtuous ascending spiral’.
12. Now to the throat center, from which emerges the “flower of living forms”—life-filled forms.
13. The Plan as servant of the Purpose is meant to create a divine manifestation filled with truly living forms. The Divine Plan reveals what these forms are, how they should be related to each other and how they may come to live.
14. God’s Will will not be “done” on Earth, until the living forms, representing the Archetype of God’s Thought emerge on all planes, even the lowest plane. But many mistakes can be made even among those who seek to promote that emergence.
15. When, however, the Divine Plan is truly understood, the mistakes become far fewer and arise more because of circumstance than because of misunderstanding concerning what must be materialized.
16. Consummation in terms of the third and seventh rays is the “flower of living forms”. If we wish to be wise and effective co-creators in the Divine Process, our first really useful task is an accurate understanding of the Divine Plan.
17. It becomes clear that the Tibetan is guiding the stimulation of all of JWK-P’s major centers. The head center would have to be properly stimulated so that “joy” could arise. Joy is JWK-P’s first order of business, and so the stimulation of the head center (through occult meditation) is extremely important. By meditating on Divine Purpose this center can be stimulated.
18. DK asks JWK-P to direct a stimulating, visualized stream of energy to the heart and throat centers as well. Wisdom is another keynote of JWK-P’s life, and wisdom arises in the stimulated heart center.
19. Further, JWK-P is to meditate upon the Divine Plan. This will be aided by the stimulating stream of energy directed to the throat center, from which arises an understanding of the Plan (and later, when success is achieved) the “flower of living forms”.
Joy, wisdom and the Plan! These are for you the three points which must be matured. For B.S.W. it was wisdom, strength and beauty. For you, these other three. You two are very close—closer than either of you have realised. Weakness for you both lies in the failure of one or other of the manifestations of power to flourish. When B. S. W. knows the true significance of beauty and you of joy, release and fuller service will be yours.
1. The Tibetan opens the last paragraph in this first instruction with the sentence, “Joy, wisdom and the Plan!”. We realize immediately that He has just given JWK-P the three keynotes which are to guide his life.
2. From seeing how He has done this for JWK-P, we are alerted to the idea that He may do the same for the other disciples, and, indeed, He does so in a number of cases.
3. Actually, the initials in this disciple’s letter-formula (JWK-P) mean “Joy”, “Wisdom”, and “Knowledge of the Plan”. In the instruction DK calls the necessary quality “understanding” of the Plan.
4. Note how DK refers to this formula as “the three points which must be matured”. This use of words is very important as it indicates that the keynotes given are not necessarily qualities which the disciple does not at all possess, but those which may exist in the disciple’s equipment, but not to a sufficient extent. They have to be ‘grown’ and “matured”.
5. As we study the life-process of the various disciples, let us see if
a. this idea of maturation is required in relation to the qualities presented,
b. or whether what is required is the expression of that which is already quite present,
c. or whether what is required is the establishing of a quality which is hardly present—i.e., deficient.
6. DK makes the link to the disciple BSW (Beauty, Strength and Wisdom). DK is talking to and about two brothers. Their ray formulas are very similar in certain respects. JWK-P has the formula 12-427, while BSW’s formula is 17-467. Thus, three rays are identical, the first, fourth and seventh. These rays are all related to some factor within the planet, Vulcan, a planet most important in the Masonic Process, for Masonry is an occult fraternity of builders, and Vulcan presents the first ray in its building aspect (though the destructive nature of Vulcan cannot be denied).
7. These three rays are the rays most closely relation to Masonry, and indeed, both men were Masons. The Tibetan was able to bring forth His treatise on Masonry, The Spirit of Masonry, supposedly by Foster Bailey, through the convenient fact that Foster Bailey was an well-established Mason.
8. As for BSW’s keynotes, “Beauty, Strength and Wisdom”, are word-symbols exactly related to the Masonic Lodge, embodying the three principle keynotes of the Lodge.
9. Often Master DK will link one disciple with another for reasons of mutual assistance, support or instruction. This seems to have been His motive here, although we naturally cannot say for certain.
10. However, whereas JWK-P survived and flourished in the intensive training process which DK presented, BSW did not, and at some point was either dismissed or resigned for reasons related to astralism and astral magic.
11. DK can see into relevant past incarnations and realizes the close relation between these two souls—something that would, perhaps, become more evident if they pursued a constructive relationship within the context of the training offered.
12. They are both first ray souls, and so they are both on the power ray. DK points out their weaknesses, relating it to the inability to manifest one or other of the manifestations of power—beauty in one case and joy in the other.
13. Normally, we would not think of beauty and joy as specific manifestation of power, for they are more closely related to the soft line of energy, and specifically to the second and fourth rays.
14. But the Master wants these disciples to think about the power aspect of these two qualities—which they would be inclined to do, as they are first ray souls.
15. We can see that DK’s motive is always to produce “release and fuller service” in his disciples. When thinking, in general, about how the qualities of beauty and joy could assist release and service, we can imagine these qualities producing a harmonious and uplifting flow of energy which would be of benefit to all who came under the influence of that flow.
16. The first ray disciple is naturally separative and isolated (unless these tendencies are corrected by the evolutionary process or deliberate occult training). Beauty and joy, however, are relating agencies and give the needed soft-line energy qualities which lead towards Inclusion, the Integration Formula for those upon the first ray.
17. We will have to observe closely the keynote qualities suggested by the Tibetan in terms of any disciple’s ray formula. Will the major quality of the three qualities (usually three) be in contrast to the major ray of the disciple, or along the same line? Or will no pattern in the naming of keynotes be discernible?
18. By relating JWK-P and BSW, DK is intending to strengthen them through association in the ‘enterprise of cultivation’. Sometimes when we know that a brother or friend is engaged in an enterprise similar to our own, we rise to the occasion and do better, not just for our own sake, but for the positive effect it will have upon the co-striving brother or friend. The idea of the increased power of “comrades in arms” comes to mind.
June 1933
I have the same word for you again, my brother. I say to you again and yet again, "Let the joy of the Lord be your strength." There is much to be done and in many ways. Steps have been taken to fit you for what you have to do. Go forward as at present. Let the Plan absorb you but remember at the same time that it works out step by step and that the true helper of the Plan is he who visions it as it may be in the cycle of the life but who also sees the small and immediate step ahead. Therein lies the difference between the mystic and the occultist.
1. How emphatic the Tibetan becomes! How strongly He drives the main point home—“again and yet again”. There is something mantric in His words as He seeks to stimulate the cultivation of joy in the life of JWK-P.
2. It is not for nothing that the Tibetan speaks to JWK-P in terms that are reminiscent of the “Old Testament”. This disciple, himself, used to speak in such terms. It is likely that this phraseology hearkens back to his former incarnations (perhaps in Biblical times and in relation to the Master M).
3. DK refers to inner work, inner preparation, how the Masters help Their students in subtle ways for the work which they have to accomplish in the outer world.
4. For this disciple, the Divine Plan is of the greatest importance. Often the Tibetan points to the excellence of his absorption in that Plan.
5. Advice of tremendous importance is offered. Of course, it is, in a way, obvious advice, but probably is not heeded with sufficient frequency.
6. DK speaks of the importance of the “small and immediate step ahead”. The greater plan may be envisioned, an understanding of the Plan in terms of larger cycles may be achieved, but unless the next immediate step forward is the disciple’s focus, the disciple will fail.
7. The Master’s call is for a sense of proportion, inclining as it does to sense of humility. Great plans make enjoyable and stimulating topics of conversation, but talk is not action and real achievement comes only for those who are capable of understanding the many small steps which lead to the goal, and, more importantly, for those capable of taking those steps.
8. Then a key differentiator is given. The greater number of students of esotericism is in process of transforming themselves from mystics to occultists. DK gives the way to do this: determine the next, small, necessary step and take it.
9. Mystics have great visions but may accomplish little for the world. Through mystics the Plan (though registered) will often fail to work out and through.
10. In a seventh ray Age, this self-stimulating but ineffective approach will no longer serve. It is workers who are needed. The Christ has indicated that the New Age transformation will be achieved “by human hands and human feet”. Necessary are “the next thing to hand” and the “next step forward”.
11. Let us make sure that each of us knows what this task and this step are—actually, realistically, factually. Then, perhaps, we can become occultists—not impractical visionaries.
You are in much better physical condition and your registration of joy must work out also in happiness and eventually in bliss. For you, too, today I have a mantram which may be of service:
"Joy settles as a bird within the heart but has winged its way from the secret place within the head. I am that bird of joy. Therefore, with joy I serve."
You will know whereof I speak when I say that your personality detachment must develop into a deeper attachment to the souls within the forms. Thus understanding grows. There is a vice of detachment as well as a vice of attachment and the true servant of the Plan seeks the middle way. You have a sphere of potent usefulness within my group. You give stability and [Page 159] you carry the gift of assured belief. Each member of my group has been chosen for what he can contribute to the whole....
1. The three terms which relate to the feeling of “well-being” are happiness, joy and bliss. Joy is of the soul, and leads in two directions—reinforcing the desirable happiness of the personality and ‘making application’ to the bliss of the spirit.
2. It is not as if “happiness” is undesirable. Some of the greatest sages are intent upon the happiness of man. In Agni Yoga and Master tells us to say, when asked the purpose of Agni Yoga—“that you should be happy”.
3. The Tibetan, however, is being most specific, and is suggesting that soul states must manifest through the personality and evolve and expand into the still more encompassing states of spirit.
4. The Tibetan shares an important section of the Old Commentary on the subject of joy. Yes, the heart is to be filled with joy, and the heart is to sing with joy, as a bird sings. But, there is a secret place “within the head” which is the fountain-spring of joy. This means that there is “soul realization” and deep, inclusive soul-based understanding which serves as the foundation of joy.
5. To be the “bird of joy” means to identify as a soul working through the heart center. One has an increasingly full soul-understanding, and stands in the joy of the soul even while working through the personality.
6. Can there be true service without joy? Certainly, joy is the ‘leaven of service’, elevating its quality and providing additional energy for carrying it forward. The joyful server is the energized server.
7. It is interesting to see DK asking JWK-P to be more attached to souls and not to carry detachment from personalities too far. JWK-P had a second ray personality, and yet, as a personality, was, it would seem, almost excessively detached. The tendency of the first ray soul was working through the personality. Also, we should not think that excessive attachment is the way of all those upon the second ray. There is a wisdom side to the second ray which can be “cold” and detached. Notice the following from Esoteric Psychology, Vol. I, 203. Describing the vices of the second ray type, DK lists the following:
“Over-absorption in study, coldness, indifference to others, contempt of mental limitations in others.”
8. A Master, in counseling His chelas, applies what might be called ‘corrective balance’. Apparently JWK-P had much to learn about the “Law of Magnetic Impulse”, the second Law of the Soul, which deals with the close rapport of soul to soul in group formation.
9. What DK requests is interesting—to allow personality detachment to develop into soul attachment. While personality detachment can be carried too far, creating cleavage and rebuff, it is also an open door to deeper soul relation. Does this seem a contradiction—that detachment on one level could lead to a desirable attachment on a deeper level? Perhaps we should “ponder on this”.
10. Master DK counsels JWK-P to “seek the middle way”—in this case between detachment and attachment. Balance is desirable.
11. The Master then lists some of this disciple’s valuable qualities, speaking of his “potent usefulness within [his] group”—the word “potent” indicating the first ray contribution.
“You give stability and carry the gift of assured belief”. First ray types can be stabilizing because they emphasize principles, fundamental rules and laws. They promote group focus on essentials.
Why is assured belief a gift? Note that JWK-P has no sixth ray in his equipment (at least, during the incarnation referenced), yet, nonetheless, has “assured belief”, usually a gift of the sixth ray. In any case, doubt in the fundamental verities is ever a danger for even apparently convinced esotericists. To proceed with assurance is to proceed with strength. Energy is not wasted in self-division. We have all had the experience of having our faith or belief strengthened in the presence of one in whom doubt has been conquered. Self-dividing questionings are set aside, and one “gets on with the work”.12. The last sentence of the paragraph is unfinished. Perhaps DK was going to list some of the qualities of the other disciples. The original instructions do exist (somewhere), and perhaps the missing content indicated by ellipses can be found.
June 1934
BROTHER OF MINE:
I would like at this time to make the comment—one of major importance to you—that you are now entering upon the work for which you incarnated. The members of the New Group of World Servers—e'en when they work without mental realisation (not as you do, for you know somewhat of the Plan)—are, nevertheless, working "under impression," as it is called. Their main duty, and the duty to which their souls call them, is to preserve an inner sensitivity. This they do in the majority of cases and, where there is not your background of esoteric knowledge, their intense interest in their work makes them one-pointed and dedicated to their task. Therefore, all personality reactions are subordinated to the work in hand and the lower man presents no impediments to that impression. With you, as with all the members of my group, there is a realisation of the Plan and an inner determination to cooperate and this facilitates the work. For you, therefore, in the immediate future, two things are required. Your sensitivity to inner impression must grow and increase; your will also must be more dynamically used.
1. JWK-P was forty-six at the time of this writing. By forty-nine, DK has suggested disciples should know what their service really is and, presumably, be engaged in it. “By the time a disciple reaches the age of forty-nine his pathway of life service should be clearly defined.” (DINA I 742) This is only natural as forty-nine is seven sevens, and the number seven carries the idea of definition of form.
2. Members of the New Group of World Server are, for the most part, initiates of the first degree or more. They may be unconscious of their true hierarchical affiliations (with no diminution of their effectiveness in service). They are nevertheless, “under impression” which means under hierarchical impression, and, more immediately, under impression from their own soul.
3. Interesting, is it not, how DK describes the main duty of members of the NGWS—“to preserve an inner sensitivity”. No word of what they must do in the world is given. It is assumed that if the “inner sensitivity” is preserved, the more external service work will follow naturally and well.
4. In the case of the disciple, esoteric knowledge helps them achieve a dedicated one-pointedness to the achievement of the task in hand. For those without esoteric knowledge, their intense interest in their field of service accomplishes much the same. We are also familiar with the idea that esoteric knowledge (unless the attitude to it is correct) can become an impediment to service.
5. For the true server the personality presents no insuperable impediment to service. The esotericist knows the personality cannot be allowed to get in the way. The server without esoteric knowledge is so intensely absorbed in the service work that he comes to value it more highly than the demands of the personality. Again, the desirable end is accomplished—either way.
6. From DK’s perspective, there is no question but that some knowledge of the Divine Plan should facilitate service. Have we, who have some knowledge along this line, found this to be the case in our own lives?
7. DK asks of JWK-P two things: that his inner sensitivity be increased and that his will be more dynamically used. The first is the gift of the second ray. Inner sensitivity results in more ready contact, both with the Master and with the Divine Plan. The second request concerning the will relates to the first ray. It will be interesting to see how DK would like to see JWK-P’s will used. The method becomes specific.
These two points I have in view as I consider the nature of the meditation which I must assign to you. The condition of increased sensitivity is dependent upon a perfected alignment and the other upon the right seizure of opportunity, upon directed skill in action and upon a sustained egoic one-pointedness. Therefore, there must be a preservation of such characteristics—with persistence—throughout the day. Your morning meditation should be of a brief and yet potent character and can best be described by the following words: Alignment. Dedication. Directed thought. Recognition of the Plan. Clear-cut realisation. Steady Will. For you, meditation is an assuming of an attitude and its preservation throughout the work of the day. My brother, we can translate all the above into four stages [Page 160] which definitely relate to your life theme, if I may so call it. Begin always with the fourth or final stage and work through to the first:
1. When a Master assigns a meditation it is usually with the purpose of developing quality. None of these disciples (in DK’s groups-of-nine) is an initiate of the fourth degree who has destroyed the causal body. All are still building quality into that vehicle of the soul.
2. We are given that condition upon which increasing inner sensitivity depends: perfected alignment. This is, of course, obvious. If there are obstructions in alignment, how can that which is ‘above’ get through to that which is ‘below’? DK found that, at a certain point in the training of even a more advanced group (in the 1940’s), He had to temporarily delay His intended program of meditation to focus on the question of alignment, for He found that the alignment of some of the group members, and of the group as a soul, was too weak. It is quite useless to begin meditating with hope of good result, if a minimum degree of alignment is not established.
3. The more dynamic application of the will depends upon:
a. Right seizure of opportunity:
i. this comes under the “Law of Economy”, and is a recognition of when circumstances are so arranged that any application of the will, will have the maximum effect. This could be called ‘enlightened opportunism’.
ii. If opportunity is seized, all forces have to be marshaled for instant application. This requires great alertness and readiness.
b. Directed skill in action:
i. ‘In-the-moment’ intelligence which does not waver from its objective is also required.
ii. This is not just responsive or adaptable skill in action; it is skillful action which continues to move toward the fulfillment of a particular objective without deflection.
iii. The dynamic application of the will therefore requires directed skill in action.
c. Sustained egoic one-pointedness
i. Unless the soul/ego is ‘behind’ the application of will, one can expect fluctuation and personal will.
ii. Clearly, then, right alignment and frequent meditation are required for the right application of the dynamic will, otherwise a sustained egoic contact will not be possible.
iii. Further, the one-pointedness involved must relate to soul-objectives and not strictly to personal one.
4. It is important to realize that realizations and contacts achieved during successful moments of meditation are often not sustained for any appreciable amount of time. DK is asking this disciple to see to the sustainment of the necessary characteristics (as detailed above). So many differing energy states compete for the disciple’s attention. Important characteristics can be swept away or overcome by a plethora of inconsequential impulses and patterns. So, that which is important must be kept in mind—constantly. Then, real achievement is possible.
5. A formula for brief, potent meditation is given: “Alignment. Dedication. Directed thought. Recognition of the Plan. Clear-cut realisation. Steady Will.” This meditation is suitable for an executive—one who has much to manifest upon the physical plane.
6. A very interesting definition of meditation is given—one that suits occultists (i.e., those who think and act in terms of energy). “For you, meditation is an assuming of an attitude and its preservation throughout the work of the day.” For this disciple, a sustained attitude of the right kind is meditation. It is a kind of ‘meditation in action’ and is related to karma yoga.
1. You live with the idea and you constructively embody it. This is being or realisation.
2. The purpose becomes your purpose and your will is, therefore, the will of the Plan. Towards this higher will, your personal will is steadily directed.
3. This "qualifies" your life in the three worlds and you become potently characterised by the quality of the unfolding Plan. Upon this quality you must meditate.
4. Realisation of the nature, the purpose and the quality of the Plan to which it is your purpose to contribute. This conditions the form which your work will take.
1. Master DK becomes extremely practical, seeking to present to JWK-P the manner in which he can carry out all the suggestions offered above.
2. In this case the sequence of action is from the ‘end’ to the ‘beginning’.
3. The first task is to embody the idea practically—to realize it in the sense of manifesting it. One becomes or is the idea—in manifestation.
4. The disciple is to identify with the purpose which is in process of manifestation. There are to be no little personal purposes, at least none that interfere with the great purpose. A greater purpose takes over. The individual will becomes the “will of the Plan” (a very interesting phrase). It is as if the Divine Plan has a “will of its own”.
5. The disciple is required to blend the personal will with the higher will—the “will of the Plan”. The question, therefore, will always arise: “Is what I am about to think or do in alignment with the ‘will of the Plan’?”
6. The higher purpose and higher will qualify the life of the disciple in the three worlds. The disciple, therefore, becomes qualified by the quality of the unfolding Plan. But what is that quality? And how does that quality specifically relate to the specific disciple?
7. The Plan has three major purposes: the illumination of the mind, the revelation of love and the evocation of the will. Perhaps each disciple will have to focus on one or other of these three qualities. In the case of JWK-P, he is intended to be active in the “evocation of the will”. As an author, he engaged successfully in the “illumination of the mind”. Apparently, he had quite a bit of work to do in relation to the “revelation of love”—a task which could be facilitated by being more attached to the souls of his co-workers.
8. The final stage is a realization of one’s specific role in the Divine Plan. Everyone has his/her niche. Without the clear realization of that niche, all subsequent action cannot be effective.
9. In relation to the Plan two types of understanding are required: 1) realization of the nature and quality of the Divine Plan, in general and 2) realization of one’s specific purpose and individual plan in relation to the Divine Plan.
10. And, of course, all this must be kept in proportion. Both inflation and minimization are a danger to the service which could emerge. The balanced path is the path of greatest accomplishment.
Your task is to work with the Law of Supply. The demand is already there. Your work is to contribute to the success of the New Group of World Servers and to the spreading of the truth and to do this, as ever, with joy. As the demands of the work increase, you must learn to preserve your physical poise and good health, by due attention to food and exercise. You must learn to live increasingly the dual life of the disciple—a life of outer activity and of inner sensitivity. You have but little to fear, for much is already accomplished upon the inner planes. The seizure of opportunity, the recognition of opening doors and skill in activity—to these direct your attention. Your work for the New Group of World Servers is now beginning. There will not be asked of you more than you can accomplish. Use the instructions I give you and strengthen your link with me, for that is for you also an opening door of increased usefulness. Cultivate love for your fellowmen or rather, my brother and my friend, the externalising of that love which you have in full measure. In this will lie the recognition of those who constitute the world group. Here D.R.S. is of service to you for he throws a light on people.
1. It is frequently the task of first ray souls to ensure that conditions are created so that good ideas can manifest—i.e., that they survive. As an astrological side note, it cannot be overlooked that JWK-P had the Moon in Taurus (the sign of resources) conjuncted to the asteroid Ceres (the nurturer and care taker).
2. So, JWK-P is to help financially with the NGWS—to help supply their needs
3. The word “demand” is a first ray word, and makes us think of the “three great demands” which an initiate is entitled to make.
4. DK foresees much work ahead for JWK-P, and also the danger of the loss of physical poise and health. A disciple is to be practical and Master DK addresses Himself to practicalities.
5. A disciple is effective to the extent he can live the “dual life of the disciple”—receptive to guidance from the soul and Master and intelligently, lovingly, powerfully active in the world.
6. DK gauges what He will ask of any disciple, and in doing so, consults the disciple’s inner state—the degree of achievement upon the inner planes. In the case of JWK-P, long experience in the Ashram of Master M has led to much inner achievement (as a firm foundation for outer initiatives to be undertaken).
7. DK re-emphasizes the three factors which will make a more dynamic application of the will possible: “the seizure of opportunity, the recognition of opening doors and skill in activity”
8. DK wants this disciple to be effective in the application of will, yet lovingly so, thus preserving the balance.
9. JWK-P was certainly at least an initiate of the second degree; he would have to be if he were to work actively and authoritatively for the organization and promotion of the New Group of World Servers was beginning. To be a member of the NGWS indicates a relatively advanced state of development.
10. Master DK is encouraging JWK-P to achieve a deeper link with Him, presumably because He is a second ray Master. It is love which this disciple must cultivate, or rather, as DK points out, “the externalising of that love which you have in full measure”. DK can see into the soul. In addition, it is very likely that this disciple is a monad upon the second ray. Only those disciples are related closely to DK who have the soul or the monad (some had both) upon the same ray as His—namely the second ray. As JWK-P is a first ray soul, the monad, by inference, is upon the second ray.
11. After asking JWK-P to externalize the love within him, the Tibetan adds, enigmatically, “In this will lie the recognition of those who constitute the world group”. This can mean one of two things: 1) that when such love is expressed it will lead to the recognition of those who constitute the world group, or 2) that when such love is expressed, members of the world group will recognize the disciple and wish to work under his inspiration.
12. We are told that DRS would be of service in showing JWK-P how to do this. There is an interesting occult blind here, because DRS is Alice A. Bailey (Detachment, Rest, Skill-in-Action), and not a “he” at all.
13. Given the meaning of this last sentence, it is probable that the first of the two interpretations given above is the correct one—i.e., that externalizing the latent love will reveal the members of the world group with whom JWK-P can and should work.
In quietness and in confidence go forward along the Lighted Way and with expectancy as your keynote. Preserve a readiness to handle all that may eventuate. The link between you and your Master strengthens daily.
1. Master DK gives JWK-P a key to success—“quietness” and “confidence”. “Quietness” permits no energy-wasting disturbance. “Confidence” eliminates energy-draining doubt.
2. “Expectancy” is suggested as a keynote. “Expectancy” is an invocation of that which ought to be and can be. In a way, expectancy is almost a demand that that which ought to be shall be.
3. The Tibetan summons JWK-P to a high state of alertness and readiness. Vigilance is a quality which the Master Morya emphasizes—the Master with Whom JWK-P is closely linked. A Master can see many things. In this case, although JWK-P is temporarily under His supervision, He can, nevertheless, see the link between JWK-P and Master M strengthening.
4. Note that this strengthening link in no way minimizes the service which JWK-P is able to provide for the Tibetan. In fact, the service is strengthened thereby.
January 1935
BROTHER OF MINE:
You face the three most strenuous years of your life and by the time you are forty-nine years old, your work will have fallen into such definite lines that you will see the Plan for future service with much greater clarity and will have acquired the desired momentum. Your work ahead lies now in cooperating with those who are the New Group of World Servers and in organising the financing through which much of their work may become possible. The work as it takes shape on the physical plane must be directed towards the spiritual uplift of the thinking people of the world in the first case and in the second place through them will come the uplift of the masses.
1. Master DK turns prophetic here. Saturn is in the tenth house and will be entering the sign Pisces, thus conjuncting the natal Sun. Transiting Pluto (the esoteric ruler of the Sun-sign) is crossing the progressed Ascendant, and progressing Mars is conjuncting progressed Uranus. DK may have had various subjective reasons for predicting the three most strenuous years of JWK-P’s life, but there are also astrological reasons.
2. The importance of the number forty-nine is emphasized. The relevant quotation is given in the commentary on the preceding letter of instruction. Seven sevens bring clarity, and, indeed, the seventh ray is, of all the rays, the most powerful for bringing about clearly formulated outlines.
3. DK helps JWK-P see his work. It is practical, financial work in relation to the NGWS, whose numbers were far smaller in those days than they are presently.
4. The sequence of work is clear: aid, as spiritual uplift, must first come to the thinking people of the world, who will then see to the uplift of the masses.
5. We are reminded that we must put our hours of service in the places which will do the most good. Numbers can be misleading. Often, helping a few who are powerful and influential, is of greater eventual service than helping many who are weaker and inconsequential in their influence. For the most part, the service offered by disciples is for the thinking people of the world and the men and women of goodwill who, then, will be mobilized to help on a large scale the masses of people.
Your work must be largely selective and in the main educational. It will also involve the finding and the training of those who can cooperate. Workers increasingly will be drawn to Great Britain and to the continent of Europe. From the United States of America, the teaching must go out. But Europe is the field for the educating of the world in the ideas of a true world unity and for the wise presentation of the Plan. From that continent can the inspiration go forth to the East and to the West.
1. If the work of JWK-P is to be “largely selective”, he will have to choose wisely those he is to directly serve, otherwise the Law of Economy will be violated. The Tibetan is counseling discrimination in the expenditure of energy in service. This applies to most all disciples, but since JWK-P was assigned work which was so important for the NGWS, it applies especially to him.
2. Although he is first ray soul, his personality ray is the second and, probably, his monadic ray as well. Perhaps this is the reason he is suited to do “educational” work. The proposed Ascendant of Gemini (appearing in a chart {shown above} and erected by one of his co-workers DHB) lends further emphasis to his educational potentials. The sign Gemini, we may have noted, is conspicuously present the astrological equipment of those very close to the Tibetan and His work: Alice Bailey, Foster Bailey, Mary Bailey, and the disciple RSW who was close to Him as well. As Master DK spoke of Himself as the “Messenger”, this is not surprising.
3. The work of finding and training will fall to all of us one day, if it has not already. This is no simple matter, for upon the choice of one’s co-workers and close cooperators much of the success of one’s efforts depends.
4. DK, Himself, found and trained those who worked under His guidance. His methods of finding were, of course, more advanced than ours. He found His students (for instance, the students/disciples/chelas who were to form His outer groups) by their inner light. As for training them, the two Discipleship in the New Age books are all about that training.
5. It is interesting that “from the United States of America, the teaching must go out”. This fits with America’s motto: “I light the Way”. But Great Britain and Europe have, perhaps, greater wisdom (due, perhaps, to their greater age) in presenting the concept of world unity and the Plan.
6. Thus, the Tibetan outlines significant roles within the Divine Plan for America, Great Britain and Europe.
Go forward into this work with sure courage and with no sense of pressure. Blend the wise methods of the present organisations with the vision of the newer types of work. This is a spiritual work in which you are engaged and it has educational objectives which have for their goal the dissemination of those principles which must govern world-living and world attitudes during the coming New Age. In the presentation of the work which the New Group of World Servers can do, certain definite and immediate possible programmes can be indicated, such as the educating of public opinion in the principle of non-separativeness. But to do this, much meditation and much clear thinking will be involved.... The technique to be followed and the methods employed to arouse interest and to evoke the needed support are for Western disciples and workers to decide and not for me, your Oriental brother. I can but stimulate your soul to clarity of perception, to wise vision, to [Page 162] true understanding and to right planning. The rest of the work and the materialising of the project lies in your hands and with those who respond to the ideas presented.
1. Work with “sure courage” and “no sense of pressure”. This is reminiscent of the “quietness” and “confidence” enjoined upon JWK-P earlier. To work with calmness and courage under pressure is a gift of the first ray.
2. The methods of the NGWS, ruled by the fourth ray, are enjoined upon JWK-P. He is to blend the old with the new. There is much of the fourth ray of harmony through conflict connected with this international serving group and, significantly, his mental ray is the fourth. His Moon is in Taurus, the sign closely associated with the NGWS.
3. DK outlines the educational objectives which JWK-P should pursue. His Gemini Ascendant will be very useful in this task, as he is to educate public opinion in the “principle of non-separativeness”.
4. DK gives JWK-P and His other trusted disciples much latitude in deciding the nature of the service to be rendered. They are, after all, “Western” disciples and should know the society in which they intend to serve, perhaps somewhat better than the Master, at least in terms of current detail.
5. The Master does not “hold the disciple’s hand”, except, perhaps, in hours of great emergency and when the disciple’s resources are entirely depleted. Instead the Master stimulates the soul of the disciple—note, not the personality.
6. Once there is “clarity of perception,…wise vision, …true understanding, and…right planning”, right action will follow. In this policy of inner stimulation, the Masters demonstrate their tendency to work with causes rather than effects.
As regards your personal development and training, brother of old, I can but enjoin upon you a consideration of the meditation work I gave in my last instruction to you and a renewed effort to meet its demands. You have no idea how a fresh access of power will come to you could you but discipline yourself into giving a dynamic twenty minutes each morning—prior to descending to the day's routine.... This has for years been your problem. Yet this scant twenty minutes, taken each morning with regularity at the hour of 8 A.M. would give you not only the joy you need in your strenuous service, the power and insight you require to stabilise your work, but also a larger measure of physical strength. Your body nature is so constituted that it responds to spiritual healing more than do the bodies of the majority.
1. Often the Master has to repeat His instructions, even to well-intended and responsible disciples. There is a tendency to ‘forget’ that which is a new approach, and to fall back into old habits of non-response to the Master’s suggestions.
2. The idea presented is an important one—meditation as the key to a “fresh access of power”—even twenty minutes of meditation (not a long time when vitalization is at stake). Note however, that it is a “dynamic” twenty minutes, not any kind of merely passive drifting. What would make the twenty minutes dynamic? A sustained point of tension would suffice. Intensity without tenseness holds the key to the access.
3. Note that this disciple (and a number of the disciples, maybe all of them) has had a problem for many years, and it does not simply go away. Old habits die hard and are hard to change (especially when the Moon is in Taurus).
4. DK tried to make the prospect of a short daily meditation attractive. The necessary twenty minutes are called a “scant” twenty minutes—negligible when compared to the hundreds of minutes in each day.
5. The promise is considerable—joy, power and insight and a “larger measure of physical strength”. Who could resist the offer? Meditation is a subjective act, but its outer consequences are considerable.
6. JWK-P’s body is on the seventh ray and responsive to spiritual healing. Seventh ray bodies are more responsive to such healing than are third ray bodies, and, from DK’s description, the body of JWK-P was more responsive than most seventh ray bodies.
July 1935
I have but little to say to you, my brother, as last year I wrote to you in detail and outlined to you the work of the coming years. I change not that work or my suggestions, for if I did so there would be no true synthesis in the output of this group. I am working on a prearranged Plan of my own which was the result of several years' close observation of the members of my group. I have seen no reason to change my original ideas or plan, because you have all developed as I foresaw, though one or two of the group are learning more slowly than the rest whilst one member of my group has unexpectedly leaped ahead.
1. DK works under the Law of Economy. What He has written, He does not usually repeat, except under great necessity.
2. The Master knows the value of what might be called ‘occult continuity’. He knows how long it takes to establish new patterns of behavior. Matter is resistant to new patterns. Perhaps only a few new patterns can be assimilated during a life-time.
3. The Master previsions the goal for the group. Then comes a patient approach to promoting its attainment.
4. Note the care exercised by the Master as He decides upon goals for His group. His plans are “prearranged” and based upon several year’s close observation of the members of his group. A very thorough knowledge of their potentials and liabilities must have been the result.
5. The Master comments in a matter-of-fact way about the accuracy of His own prevision. Most group members have developed as He foresaw. Still, we see that the time equation is very much in our hands. Two are learning more slowly that foreseen, and one “unexpectedly leaped ahead”. We see that the Master (though equipped with profound understanding as to nature and character) cannot foresee all. It is said that even the Christ does not know what humanity will do.
6. Free-will is a potent factor in our development. Humanity, itself, unexpectedly leaped ahead of itself by, perhaps, two thousand years, in discovering and applying atomic energy. What we may do and most probably will do is, perhaps, rather predictable to someone who knows enough. But the exertion of our own freewill can make an unforeseen positive (or negative) difference in outcome.
7. Thus, we may ask ourselves: are we progressing pretty much as the Master might envision our progress, were we His disciple, or are we doing the unaccountable, and either stimulating or retarding our progress?
Your work is being steadily consolidated and, as you lay the foundations deep and begin the superstructure, you must guard the original idea and the initial thoughtform from all possible deterioration. The difficulty of the spiritual builders and the architects of the Plan only really begins when that which they are constructing becomes public property and subject, therefore, to criticism and outer help. Then the task of preserving the original purity of idea and of purpose becomes onerous.
1. JWK-P receives strong advice. Foundations must be lain deep to ensure a stable superstructure. Presumably, he has done this.
2. It is preservation of original intent which is important. The ‘design at the beginning’ is archetypal and divinely inspired. No compromise can be allowed in its integrity. When the design “goes public”, criticism arises and sometimes unhelpful helpfulness, both of which can apply a pressure to compromise the integrity of the original design.
3. DK foresees the need of JWK-P to resist an inevitable pressure to compromise for the sake of expediency. Expediency is a gift or curse of the third ray; the first ray is commissioned to preserve principle.
4. A little thought may help one realize how much the holding to original intent falls to the lot of first ray disciples.
Be prepared for expansion of the work. But expand according to plan and not according to emergency, for you are building in collaboration with the inner Builders and the two structures must be counterparts. Ponder on this, yet be not rigid on non-essentials.
Take the tensity of your inner pressure off the work for awhile, my brother. The momentum at this time is adequate to carry the plans forward. Therefore, hold steady, brood deeply but drive not.
1. When work expands, how shall it expand? If suddenly under the pressure of emergency, error easily appears and a cleavage between the inner builders and the outer direction unwisely taken under pressure. So DK is asking for deliberate changes as opposed to sudden and impulsive changes.
2. We can see that Vulcan (somewhat veiled by the Taurus Moon) is at work here. Vulcan is a first ray planet connected with the soul of JWK-P.
3. Avoiding rigidity in relation to non-essentials is part of skill-in-action.
4. Such practical advice is being given to an earnest, effective disciple! Too much tensity of pressure can destroy both the disciple and the work. Again the Law of Economy is invoked; the momentum is sufficient to carry the work forward; additional tensity and drive are not needed.
5. Do we, too, know when to apply force and when to “let things ride”? The Law of Economy, and respect for the condition of our personality vehicles requires that we know.
6. “Driving” is an external act; brooding deeply empowers the design which must be fulfilled, and subjectively and occultly brings the forces to bear which will fulfill that design. In this case brooding deeply is occult work; driving is more exoteric. The personality drives; the soul, in meditation deep, broods deeply.
January 1936
BROTHER OF MINE:
Every perfecting organism must have in it those elements of life and power which embody the energy of the three aspects of divinity. It must likewise have those force channels through which the other four types of divine energy may express themselves. This may be provided by those disciples who are on each of the seven rays indicated, or by those disciples who can, through their purity and consecration, carry any type of energy which the Hierarchy may choose to project into an organism through their agency. The New Group of World Servers is a rapidly developing organism which must be preserved from undue crystallisation and over-organisation. It must, however, express itself through all the seven ways of divine manifestation. You and your associates have—if you so choose and because we have offered you the opportunity—much to do with the right organisation of the outer expression of the New Group of World Servers. After the initial, preparatory period is over, what has been done subjectively and objectively will be so definite in its effects that the future lines of emergence and the policies and activities will be relatively stable and unalterable. This is a responsibility which must be faced.
1. The Master seems to be calling JWK-P to a realization of the value of diversity in unity (i.e., to an appreciation of the nature and methods of all the seven ray types who may be engaged in the work which JWK-P is overseeing).
2. Note that the first three rays are referred to as “energy”, while, in relation to the four Rays of Aspect, the term, “force channels” is used as well as “energy”.
3. Interestingly, we note that, through “purity and consecration”, a disciple may carry “any type of energy” which Hierarchy chooses to express through them. One is reminded of the Masters Themselves (extremely pure and consecrated) Who can wield any ray energy at the request of Their superiors.
4. It is the tendency of the first ray to crystallize and thus destroy. JWK-P is being warned away from rigidity, crystallization and over-organization so that the NGWS may function flexibly through all the seven ray types who comprise its membership.
5. In those days the NGWS was relatively small. JWK-P and his associates in the Lucis Trust had been given the opportunity to organize the outer expression of the NGWS—a major responsibility.
6. The work of quite a number of the disciples in DK’s outer groups was concerned very much with themselves alone—getting themselves (as personalities) into shape for usefulness. Disciples like JWK-P were already active in world work and trusted with responsible service which had global implications. Does this mean, then, that JWK-P was a “world disciple”? His wife, AAB certainly was.
The task is, however, complicated because the New Group of World Servers has in it so many aspirants and some disciples of whom you can know nothing; these are also working actively and under the new impulses, frequently without being aware of their affiliation as cooperators.
1. As always, the number of cooperators and coworkers may be greater than one thinks.
2. So often we fail to recognize those who are committed to the same task as we, but are using other methods. Our esoteric sense fails us, and the outer non-essentials incline us to perceive a difference in goal when no real difference exists. Every disciple has the task of discriminating the essential from the non-essential, and often, it is not easy.
3. Sometimes it seems as if the NGWS is very select ‘body’ containing only those who are nearing the second initiation or have taken it. At other times, such as this, we learn that even aspirants are included. These apparent contradictions can be solved by realizing that the NGWS can be stratified, having its nucleus/core, its main body, and its periphery.
4. We see DK often enjoining greater flexibility upon JWK-P, and a greater appreciation for ray methods which are not his own. Basically, DK is telling him, in colloquial words, that “it takes all kinds, so be tolerant”.
It is necessary, therefore, for you and other members of my group of workers to hold yourselves sensitive to the new factors and to the people whose task it is—equally with the group to which you belong and recognise—to precipitate the new group activities, the new attitudes and the new techniques. Hence, again, the necessity for a trained inner attentiveness, not only to the voice of your own soul, to my voice and to group impression but also to the voices of those who will be attracted to the group whom you recognise by similarity of purpose, of method and of attitude. This, my brother, is not easy.
1. The Master is asking for inclusiveness. Although the term “Inclusion” is the World of Power indicating the Integration Technique for those whose souls are upon the first ray, it is not easily achieved.
2. How to recognize the new and value it as much as the familiar? The NGWS would be full of cleavages unless such a tolerant and, more, appreciative recognition could be accorded to new methods and new people.
3. The Tibetan is asking for a stretch. The voice of the soul and the voice of the Master will reveal the identity of new people who are really co-workers in the enterprise of the NGWS. Attentiveness to group impression and to the voices of the approaching ones will also serve to reveal identity of purpose, method and attitude. But mistakes are easy. Habitual rejection of the unfamiliar is to be expected. Only with a keen intuition and a reservation of dismissive judgment can right inclusion be achieved.
4. The task would be difficult. JWK-P is a trusted disciple. The Tibetan does not make it easy for him; nor does He overburden him, asking more than can be accomplish. Disciples like JWK-P would attempt to accomplish anything the Master requested and could damage or destroy themselves in the process unless the Master used discretion in the assignment of work.
This year should see you achieving a greater inner freedom and a clearer spirit of true liberation which will express itself in an attitude of real, and not assumed, joy and peace and a less weighed down spirit of responsibility. It must be remembered that this is a group responsibility. Your task is the attaining of a keener and more sensitive reaction to subtle and spiritual impression and to the group impulses of the New Group of World Servers.... As you go forward with this task, the right method of approach to those working in the New Group of World Servers will appear, the needed doors will open and the correct way of evoking interest will easily become apparent. The work upon the inner planes is already done and only the awakening of the brain and of the objective mind remains to be accomplished in connection with these individuals.
1. Astrology will reveal much here. We can consult the detailed analysis of JWK-P’s chart and progressions which are simultaneously provided with this commentary.
2. When any quality is being cultivated, one must pass through the stage of assuming the quality. This is the “acting as if” stage. DK predicts for JWK-P a period of “real” and not “assumed” joy and peace.
3. It is easy for sincere, capable disciples to become “weighed down” by the spirit of responsibility. The work will be accomplished, but the outgoing, stimulative radiation of the disciple is compromised and does not do the good it could were joy present.
4. Those of us who feel weighed down by responsibility should remember the words addressed to JWK-P, and achieve a real joyfulness in our work, even if we have to pass through years of “assuming” that joy by means of what we might call the ‘will-to-joy’.
5. Greater effectiveness in the case of JWK-P means greater sensitivity.
6. Again, DK assures JWK-P that the inner work has been done. He is to proceed and the process will unfold successfully. JWK-P is an eminently trustworthy disciple; DK works to generate in him a joyful attitude of trust in unfolding process.
One other point remains for me to touch upon. Your orientation to the Plan is right, and you have wisdom and strength. Conserve, however, your strength and remember that right relaxation is just as much a part of the service you can render as the strenuous, unremitting work which leads to enforced and perhaps inconvenient interludes of gaining physical strength. The steady, unbroken, inner push, carried forward through right organisation of the outer factors of time and physical strength is essential. It is not possible, unless there is a balanced life of service, of recreation and again of service.
1. A few years have passed since DK’s first mention of the need for relaxation, and DK is forced to repeat Himself. JWK-P has right orientation to the Plan, wisdom and strength, but again his strength needs conserving and he must learn to balance his life with recreation.
2. DK enunciates a principle for us all: “relaxation is just a much a part of the service you can render as the strenuous, unremitting work…”.
3. It is wisdom to recognize that the body will break down under an unrelieved, unremitting drive. It is the “inner push” which must be steady and unbroken, but that inner push is to be carried forward through “right organization of the outer factors of time and physical strength”. All related factors have to be taken into wise consideration. The limitations of the form, though apparently beneath the consideration of committed, hard-driving disciples, cannot be evaded if the quality of service is not to suffer.
4. The sequence is given: service, recreation and then service again. Will this approach become more common when the seventh ray is more established?
5. The premature release of Shamballic power and the will, will damage the ordinary man and destroy the disciple. JWK-P, a first ray disciple, is will-driven and DK is trying to offset the potential negative effects of this fact.
June 1936
BROTHER OF OLD:
You are in process of gathering together your forces for another cycle of activity in connection with the New Group of World Servers. Forget not, all creative processes proceed with a cyclic rhythm. The rhythm set by the New Group of World Servers is a three year cycle and to this rhythm you will find yourself conforming. The end of one such cycle came in May, 1936. Another towards which we will proceed in a mounting crescendo of work and of success will be in May, 1939. The third will come in May, 1942. Have these dates carefully in mind and thus lay your plans for the future. Thus will you be working with the law and along the lines of least resistance.
1. The Master calls upon the first ray disciple for a consideration of cycles and cyclic rhythm. One is reminded of the sections from the Old Commentary dealing with the “Blessed One”. For the first ray type the following rather seventh ray advice is given:
“Order from chaos, O Pilgrim on the way of death, this is the way for you. Love you must learn. Dynamic will you have. The right use of destruction for the furtherance of the Plan, must be the way for you. Adherence to the rhythm of the planet will release the hidden Blessed One and order bring.” (EP II 36)2. A three year rhythm is discussed. Elsewhere we learn that its three phases are “Crisis-Tension-Emergence”.
3. It is world-work that engages the attention of JWK-P. He cannot conform to an individual rhythm; his work is too important and too responsible. As a committed worker with the Plan, he must follow the rhythms of the Plan.
4. According to the Law of Economy, it is important for every hierarchical worker to work with rather than against established group rhythms. Everywhere, energy must be saved and what we might call ‘cyclic cooperation’ is one of the means of saving.
5. According to this pattern, the year 2002 saw an Emergence. The period from May 2002 to May 2003 was a year of Crisis. As this commentary is being written (August 2003) we are in a period of Crisis, lasting until May 2004.
6. Correlating the individual expenditure of energy with the larger rhythms is one way of aligning the little will with the larger will which works through the Plan.
Make each three year cycle conform to the rhythm of creation. In the first year, lay your emphasis upon the activity of the manifesting principle, using that which appears and with which you have to work. In the second year, let the clarity and the quality of the note to be sounded by the manifesting form appear and be heard. In the third year, behind the form and expressing itself through the quality, let the livingness and the work of the indwelling life emerge for all to see. Bear this in mind as you consolidate the work. The keynote of the first year's work is consolidation, that of the second year must be expansion whilst the keynote of the third year must be the making of a definite impact upon the public consciousness, by the sounding and the emphasising of some one clear note. If this cyclic measure is kept thus in mind, no serious mistakes will be made.... The New Group of World Servers must work in these three year cycles and the foundation of cyclic attainment must be laid. This cyclic rhythm will release from strain and yet enable the workers in the Group to feel that there is no failure. It is impossible to do good work where a sense of failure or lack of attainment is found.
1. To view the three years in a complete cycle in terms of Crisis, Tension and Emergence is one approach. The Tibetan offers another (though related pattern) in the paragraph above.
2. The pattern given here is Consolidation, Expansion, Impact.
3. The first year relates to the third aspect of divinity, the second year to the second aspect and the third ear to the first aspect.
4. The first year involves the physical plane (and mental) particularly. The second year relates to the emotional plane, and the third year to the physical plane again (and the mental).
5. We could relate the three years, progressively, to personality, soul and spirit as well.
6. Materials are to be gathered and consolidated during the first year. This can cause crisis as the necessary energies are marshaled, held and compelled into form.
7. The second year is a year of quality. The quality of the manifesting form is to sound. Expansion proceeds as the necessary point of tension is held. The true nature and pattern of that which is in process of manifestation is reveled during this second year.
8. The third year involves a “definite impact” upon the public consciousness, thus involving the mental plane. Livingness emerges through this impact of the note upon the public consciousness. The physical plane is definitely involved. Impact (it can be appreciated) is also a kind of emergence.
9. By the time the third year is reached, a substantial form exists; its quality is definite and distinct (i.e., it is a qualified form), and that form lives. A will-intended note is sounding vibrantly through the form and making its will-intended impact on the consciousness of humanity.
10. Consolidation-Expansion-Impact
11. Crisis-Tension-Emergence
12. The cyclic measure here presented is a safeguard preventing serious mistakes.
13. The three year cycle is the “foundation of cyclic attainment”. It releases from strain and prevents a sense of failure. Where there is no change of approach or lessening of tension, the result will be inevitable strain followed by exhaustion.
14. Then DK makes a most important statement which is to be absorbed and applied by every disciple: “It is impossible to do good work where a sense of failure or lack of attainment is found”. Why is this the case? Because depression will ensure and, as a result, energy will wane. An insufficiency of energy will not support attainment. A vicious circle of depression and dwindling energy will be created.
15. When, however, attainment is realized, confidence builds and with it comes increasing access to energy. The increasing inflow of energy is more than sufficient to the intended attainment, which achieved, builds further confidence and a still greater access to necessary energy. A ‘virtuous circle’ is created.
One thing I would like here to point out and that is that there are many in other countries, scattered all over the world, who have a close and intimate work to do because they are actively associated with the New Group of World Servers. They have not yet made their contact with you or with those in my particular group of disciples. You must learn, as must the other members of my group, to recognise them. Where there is a recognition of principles, of impartiality in service and pure intelligent goodwill, then give freely of your time and help. Hold out the hand of fellowship. Where there is life and the type of seed is one, then the same flower will appear throughout the world in all lands. Naught can alter the expression of the type and the genus of the manifestation. Bear this in mind.
1. Recognition of the hitherto unknown members of the NGWS is enjoined upon JWK-P. Without this recognition, it is impossible to strengthen their hands. Further, through non-recognition, rebuff may occur and cleavages result with the effect of weakening the whole.
2. The signal qualities for which to look are—
a. (Correct) principles
b. Impartiality in service
c. Pure intelligent goodwill.
3. The Tibetan offers an analogy: if the living seed is identical, the “same flower will appear”. The “genus of the manifestation” is the same.
4. DK is looking for a flowering of goodwill in the world. He trusts that His disciples will have enough of the esoteric sense to recognize the essential quality of potential co-workers.
5. DK is inspiring such disciples as JWK-P to look beyond and through the obvious and into the soul those who are subjective members of the NGWS. These disciples are being trained in occult recognition.
As for you, my brother, keep close to your own soul. Walk carefully and guardedly. Tread fearlessly and joyously in the light of your soul and in the blended light of your group brothers.
1. Sound advice is given” “keep close to your own soul”. How does one “keep close” to one’s own soul? Through meditation and constant invocative inquiry. The soul knows, and its counsel must be invoked and followed when received.
2. Then what could seem contradictory advice is offered. JWK-P is to walk “carefully and guardedly”, and yet, “fearlessly and joyously”. In such a responsible position as his, mistakes would have a broad impact, thus every step must be watched—guarding against useless thoughts, impulses or attacks (mostly subjective).
3. It is the “walk” that must be careful and guarded. It is the personality that walks.
4. But, can we say that it is the soul that treads? And although this treading is not so obvious, perhaps, as the walk, it will be fearless and joyous because it is accomplished in the light of one’s own soul (the seat of joy) and “in the blended light of [one’s] group brothers” (giving the assurance and joy of camaraderie). Their presence is to strengthen and uplift the disciple. In such treading, one is surely not walking alone. The Rules of the Road will not allow one to travel alone. One is treading “with one’s group”, animated by the harmonious presence of fellow souls and confident in the light of that inner source of knowing, loving and willing—the soul.
5. One can see how a disciple receiving such instructions (brief though they are) could ponder over them weeks and months, attempting to understand and apply. We can imagine that the paper on which these letters were written was worn thin with consideration as the years elapsed.
January 1937
BROTHER OF OLD:
With true first ray brevity, you have replied to certain questions which I have put to you and yet these replies are—from my point of view—most disclosing. With you, as with F.C.D. and R.S.U., the main difficulty is lethargy, based on a genuine physical disability. It is not my intention, therefore, to urge you to a greater activity but to a greater organisation upon the inner planes and greater intuitive reflection.
1. The first ray inclines towards brevity; the brevity of this disciple was, however, “full”.
2. The disciples mentioned here were important to DK’s work: FCD, the psychologist Roberto Assagioli, and RSU, Alice Bailey’s close co-worker, Regina Keller. Each of them in his/her own way was an extremely responsible worker and each of them had a physical problem which was real.
3. This “lethargy”, or the inability to get the physical body to respond to intention, is not the same as the “sloth” which plagues the “average initiate” (c.f. R&I 156).
4. We can see DK as solicitous of JWK-P’s condition and, therefore, not urging towards a still greater expenditure of energy on the outer plane, but rather to inner changes which will increase the effectiveness of the outer work accomplished. These inner changes are “greater organization upon the inner planes” (leading to an efficient economy of outer action) and “greater intuitive reflection” (reveling salient, necessary actions).
This group of disciples has undertaken to do two things:
1. To assist the work of the New Group of World Servers in linking them, widely and consciously, to the men of goodwill throughout the world. This has to be done in order to bring in right and new conditions upon the earth.
2. To find and organise the needed funds for this task. The last is in many ways the outer expression of the first, for just as money has been in the past the instrument of men's selfishness, now it must be the instrument of their goodwill. I commend this to you as a real thought and so to continue to use it (employing an American phrase) as a talking point.
1. The group here discussed are the Telepathic Workers—the very first of the “groups-of-nine” organized by DK. Its outer expression appears to have been the World Goodwill work.
2. We can see that one of the immediate tasks of this specialized “seed group” was to function as a link within the NGWS, connecting them to the men and women of goodwill. Naturally this would empower, animate and illumine those of goodwill, rendering them far more effective in the world.
3. The first of these tasks is both an inner and outer task. The second task, finding the needed funds, is “the outer expression of the first”.
4. Then DK offers one of those impressive statements which have become a seed-thought for many practical workers: “just as money has been in the past the instrument of men's selfishness, now it must be the instrument of their goodwill”. DK knew that He was creating a kind of slogan or “talking point” which could be used to gather money.
5. A concise thought of this kind—embodying a clear contrast between the past and a better possibility for the future—can be memorable and extremely potent.
The above is simply a summation of the task immediately ahead of all of you who are seeking to aid in our work and to this task I urge you and all associated with me. The walls of difficulty must go down and success must follow effort—the united pressure of determined souls pushing through to victory in spite of real odds. This united and definite effort must be carried forward without discouragement or questioning—with due attention to the time factor and with a sense of urgency. This will [Page 167] negate all lost motion and will permit no opportunity to slide. There are, my brother, many who will give their cooperation but who, at this time, sidetrack their cooperation, owing to fear or to the over-emphasis of non-essentials. I refer here to those men of goodwill who are today aware of the urgency of the Master's work but still hold back assistance in full measure. There are those also who do not realise the urgency and are unaware of the immediacy of the Plan or even that there is a Plan. They, however, when faced with the issue will give.
1. The task of the Master is to clarify the work to be done by his disciples and strengthen them in the performance of that work. We see DK mobilizing His workers with vivid imagery (something every leader should remember).
2. He knows the odds and the obstacles. The world was already becoming a dangerous place and the Black Lodge was intensifying its attack on human values. The Master is mobilizing the “massed intent” of his disciples, so that they can mobilize the same for the men and women of goodwill.
3. It is clear that the pressure was on. The goodwill initiative of 1936 had come and gone. We now know that it did not achieve what Master DK (and other Masters) had hoped, and that the world was sliding closer to war. DK calls for the “united pressure of determined souls”—another way of expressing “massed intent”. He realizes that discouragement is an obstacle and seeks to negate the possibility of its expression—at least among His own disciples.
4. “Urgency” is the keynote of this paragraph. Note that since these instructions are not read by JWK-P alone, but by all the disciples in the group-of-nine training as Telepathic Communicators, the Master uses the opportunity to speak to all of them about His expectations.
5. So, DK is calling upon His trusted workers to help overcome fear and discouragement in those who know the issues but who are sidetracked. The easier task is to encourage those who do not really know the Plan and its immediacy, to give to the cause, which DK say they will do when faced with the issues.
6. One can sense how the forces of goodwill were fighting (and had to fight) at that time of history. It was largely an inner and subjective fight against overwhelming odds. Historically we realize that there was not enough goodwill in humanity (nor the fire of the will-to-good) to offset the malign potency of the gathering storm.
It is not for me to deal with this problem, as we shoulder not the responsibilities of the World Servers. I present it to you, my brother, and to my group, and I throw behind you the weight of my strength and the stimulation of my love. One-pointed, directed effort can achieve results in spite of world conditions, misrepresentation by those who do not understand and the failure of responsive interest on the part of one's co-disciples—throughout the world or close at hand.
1. Even in moments of real pressure (and danger) the Master does not assume the responsibilities which His disciples should assume. To do so would be counterproductive.
2. Instead, He stimulates and strengthens them—subjectively.
3. The array of obstacles are noted—misrepresentation by those who do not understand and unresponsiveness by those who should. But good results can still be achieved by focussed, one-pointed effort, and to these He is urging them forward.
Brace yourself, therefore, and with the other members of my group push through. Stand steady and do not be so seriously troubled as to the progress of the work which seems not yet to move as rapidly as desired. When the movement does come, it will be rapid....
1. We see the power of the Master’s words, by means of which He is fortifying His group. These are, in a way, “words of power”, conveying the strength needed. “Brace” and “push through”.
2. We note that a “troubled attitude” is not useful, even in emergency. This thought is difficult for disciples to comprehend and master. Even in the most serious times, the burdened attitude of the personality is less effective than one which carries the note of the joy of the soul.
3. We can see that one of the tasks of the Master or of any leader is the encouragement of His workers, especially in times of stress and opposition.
The following three sentences may aid you in handling your problem and help your progress as a worker:
1. The sense of responsibility shines forth in flickering flames from every soul which has sought and found alignment. Fan those flames into a steady fire in every soul you meet. Ponder on this.
1. Alignment is ignition. The requisite fire is present. It is the task of the disciple to strengthen and steady the flame.
2. But first the flame must be recognized and the moment for fanning the flame seized.
2. The sense of sacrifice is faintly seen in every soul that loves the Plan. Teach them that sacrifice must touch the depths of giving and not call forth that which upon the surface lies or that which can be known. The unseen sacrifice must go with that which can be seen. Teach this.
1. The wonder and beauty of the Plan calls forth the will to see it accomplished. This will is intimately related to sacrifice.
2. The sacrifice which does not hurt is not the effective sacrifice. The sacrifice which is seen carries a reward to the lower ego. The unseen sacrifice is truer and its motive purer. The Hierarchy works constantly through unseen sacrifice. The Pharisee demands that his/her sacrifice be seen (and appreciated).
3. Yet the unseen sacrifice is, after all, noted—by the Hierarchy, and more importantly, by oneself as a soul.
4. The right motive is that it matters not even if the Hierarchy fails to note the sacrifice. All search for recognition must be ended. (c.f. Introduction to Rule XI, R&I, 2110212)
3. The sense of comradeship is surely known by each and all of you but needs the deepening of service shared. Shew this and draw it forth. The comradeship of burdens shared, the sense of deep response to need, the comradeship of service rendered, the urge to sacrifice—teach these to those who seek to work within the Master's plan and show all three yourself.
1. The appreciation of comradeship is a step along the way to group consciousness. Comradeship fortifies labor.
2. Service shared, burdens shared—these deepen comradeship.
3. DK tells what to teach those who seek to work with the Master’s plan: “the comradeship of burdens shared, the sense of deep response to need, the comradeship of service rendered, the urge to sacrifice”. Those who work with these qualities can be evoked as a group. Their service as a group will be strengthened by the bonds of comradeship, which, in turn, are strengthened by their efforts to serve, together.
4. The three words given are, therefore, Responsibility, Sacrifice, and Comradeship.
July 1937
Your mental body, my brother, is upon the fourth Ray of Harmony through Conflict. Hence your power to harmonise, to unify and to comprehend. At the same time (thus indicating soul purpose), it took a fourth ray mental nature (with its love of harmony through conflict) to handle the particular task which your soul assigned, and the undertaking upon which you are engaged in the aiding of the Plan.
1. Approximately six years after the Master began instructing the disciples in these outer groups, He gave them their rays.
2. Much work on group-integration had to be done before it was advisable to turn their attention too much towards themselves.
3. Yet, that a consideration of the rays was part of even their earliest experience with the group is evidenced by the fact that, in their written applications to these groups-of-nine, the prospective members were asked to list their probable rays. Not surprisingly, they were often mistaken.
4. For JWK-P, all rays are given in the same instruction. Some other disciples received their soul and personality rays first and the rays of the personality vehicles in a later instruction.
5. Virtues of the fourth ray mental body are stated: the power to harmonise, unify and comprehend. We can see in this list the relation of the fourth ray to the second—the ray of unit and wisdom.
6. Was JWK-P born with a fourth ray mental nature so that He would be equipped for a destined task, or did DK assign Him this task because He was equipped, or was it merely fortunate (given the nature of the task) that he was equipped with the fourth ray?
7. Note that the fourth ray mental nature has a “love” of harmony through conflict. What that means is that every vehicle qualified by a given ray has a ‘preferred’ method of expression which correlates with the nature of the ray. When the vehicle is forced to function otherwise, discomfort, stress or inhibition are experience (unless the vehicle is highly trained).
Your second ray astral body greatly facilitates your work, giving you understanding and harmlessness; your emotions thus do not interfere with your judgment and your decisions. But the combination of a fourth ray mental body and a second ray emotional vehicle requires careful watching so as to preserve the first ray balance as you grow older and tendencies crystallise into habits. The only way to do this is to deepen and establish the soul contact which (although of the first ray) is, as you will remember, the first subray of the second ray.
1. The helpfulness of the second ray astral body is noted. It is hard to think of “understanding” (a quality of the consciousness) coming from the astral body. Probably, a second ray astral body is absorbent and non-rejecting of the emotional states of others. It allows the conditions of others to enter so that those conditions can be understood.
2. We well realize that disturbing emotions (more typical of astral bodies conditioned by other rays such as the sixth and first) can interfere with judgment and decision. In this case, the mind is relatively free of impact from the emotional body (though, it cannot be denied the every type of astral body has the potential to disturb {or inspire}thought).
3. DK notes a potential problem with balance. A fourth ray mind and a second ray astral body are a powerful combination along the “soft-line”. The detachment of the first ray must be preserved lest the qualities of ‘engagement’ typical of the fourth and second rays, gain the upper hand (for they are not rays as fundamental to JWK-P as the first ray).
4. Yet, withal, it is the second ray which is primary (not only on our planet, but, inferentially, in JWK-P’s energy system). Here, a second ray monad is hinted, for the soul ray is always a subray of the monadic ray (though not the only subray).
5. If the first ray soul quality is to be strong enough to balance the fourth ray mind and second ray astral nature, meditative access to this first ray is necessary.
6. For all of us the principle is clear. The strengthening of subjective qualities occurs through meditation.
As you have already guessed, your physical body is on the seventh ray. Hence your Masonic opportunity and your ability to organise and to rule. I would remind you all that when the statement is made that the physical body is upon the seventh ray, it means that the atoms of the brain, in particular, are coloured and motivated by seventh ray energy. So it is with all the rays upon which a physical vehicle may be found. This provides a definite opportunity to those so constituted at this time in connection with the seventh ray, as it is coming into influence so rapidly. At the same time it provides a problem—that unending problem of the balancing of forces which is the major task of the initiate or of those in training for initiation. Viewing you, therefore, as a complete unit, your rays are:
1. DK has spoken of the sensitivity to “spiritual healing” of JWK-P’s physical body Such thoughts hinted strongly at a seventh ray physical-etheric vehicle, though prior to this point DK had not confirmed the ray of this vehicle.
2. The seventh ray is, of course, related to Masonry and its ritualistic approach to enlightenment.
3. Can a seventh ray vehicle alone lead one into Masonry, or give one the power to “organise and to rule”. This is unlikely. But when the quality of energy provided by the physical-etheric body is made available to the directing personality/soul, then that quality can be used in particular ways—in this case for expression in Masonry and, in general, for a powerful, ruling and ordering approach to living.
4. DK probably realizes that these personal instructions will later have wider distribution. He inserts many teaching points along the way. This is an important one foundational to ray theory. The atoms of the brain are “coloured and motivated” by the ray energy of the physical body. This is true not only for the seventh ray (as in this case) but of any ray energy which rules the physical body.
5. This is a technical piece of information but will probably have considerable utility in later days when ray qualities and vibrations can be researched in relation to the physical brain.
6. The opportunity of the seventh ray physical body and brain is noted. The incoming seventh ray will strengthen the vibration. Every disciple must consider the relation of his ray equipment to the incoming and outgoing rays of the historical period in which he/she may be living. The presence or absence, strength or weakness of rays in the world will definitely affect the ‘individual equation’.
7. Why must the initiate or the one who is engaged in initiate training be constantly involved in the balancing of forces? Perhaps it is a question of integration and the right and harmonious utilization of all energy resources. In conditions of imbalance, cleavage and various glamorous and illusory results of over and under emphasis can develop. Progress is delayed.
8. We can see how the Master’s evaluation of His disciples’ ray energies could assist powerfully with achieving the necessary balance. The disciple is thereby enabled to speak of his/her different energy flows in specific and relatively objective terms and, thus, to control them with greater ease.
1. The soul ray—the first Ray of Power or Will.
2. The personality ray—the second Ray of Love-Wisdom.
3. The ray of the mind—the fourth Ray of Harmony through Conflict.
4. The ray of the astral body—the second Ray of Love-Wisdom.
5. The ray of the physical body—the seventh Ray of Ceremonial Order.
1. This is a powerful and effective combination of energies. Interestingly, Mary Bailey, the second wife of Foster Bailey, and such an important figure in the work of the Lucis Trust for at least thirty years, said that her ray chart was the “same as Foster’s). Those who knew her at close hand would probably confirm that she was correct.
2. Noteworthy is the straight line of energy from soul to etheric-physical body, enfolding three rays along the soft-line in the positions of personality, mind and astral nature.
3. A potential for a very balanced approach is hereby indicated, but, as DK suggested, meditative access to the soul would be necessary to preserve the balance.
January 1938
Three words I gave to you, my friend and brother, in my last communication. They were: Responsibility, Sacrifice and Comradeship. I urged on you the task of awakening the aspirants by whom you are surrounded to an understanding of their significance. You comprehend them yourself, but they must be exemplified, explained and nurtured in all whom you draw into the circle of group influence as collaborators and cooperators with the Plan. Responsibility you can shoulder and have always shouldered. Sacrifice you have always rendered and understood. Your values are sound on this and you want nothing for the separated self. Comradeship, you are learning and it is not an easy lesson at any time for first ray souls to master and express. The littleness of the personalities and the pettiness of individual points of view are irksome to the server of the Plan who stands, serene and detached, upon a first ray pinnacle of vision and resultant comprehension.
1. The Master is careful with words. Here he calls JWK-P “my friend and bother”. The term “brother” is always used in all these letters to individual disciples, though can mean various things. Fundamentally, it acknowledges all human beings as ‘brother monads’, for brotherhood is, essentially, of the spirit.
2. The term “friend” is different, and suggests a degree of mutual reinforcement and helpfulness. The relationship is reciprocal.
3. When the Master addresses a disciples using such terms, it can have a powerful effect on how the disciple thinks of himself/herself and his/her work.
4. DK reminds JWK-P of the three words given in a past letter: Responsibility, Sacrifice and Comradeship. Though JWK-P understands them, DK asks that they be “exemplified, explained and nurtured” for the sake of others. These are obviously training words.
5. DK evaluates where JWK-P stands with respect to assimilating and exemplifying the qualities indicated by these words.
6. Responsibility and sacrifice are no problem for him. Comradeship (a quality more easily assimilated by those upon the soft-line rays) is. DK is obviously training JWK-P in the acquisition of second ray qualities.
7. The Master is asking this disciple to do something which does not come easily to first ray types. DK (having somewhat of the first ray in His triadal nature) shows He understands why it is difficult for first ray types to achieve comradeship. The explanation is very beautiful and full of understanding. It is one of those sections which describe better than many the psychological state of those upon the first ray:
“The littleness of the personalities and the pettiness of individual points of view are irksome to the server of the Plan who stands, serene and detached, upon a first ray pinnacle of vision and resultant comprehension”.8. It is clear that the Master knows why the development for which He asks is difficult for JWK-P, but he, nevertheless, asks it.
9. An important counseling or mentoring technique is here displayed. The teacher/mentor/guide demonstrates that he understands the point of view of the one he advises. This promotes the cooperation of the guided one, who is more inclined to attempt to do something difficult or uncongenial to him, simply because he is understood by the one who asks for the change in behavior.
I have three points to take up with you and my message to you is brief. I seek not to impose upon you a definite meditation, beyond suggesting that, as you face and shoulder an increasingly wide financial responsibility, you persist in that brooding meditation in relation to the problem which I gave you a while ago. You are coming—as a first ray disciple who is proving himself—under a closer supervision by your Master. My task is now only to stand by. The three points which I would impress upon you are as follows:
1. DK appreciates this disciple’s practical problems. He realizes that JWK-P is ‘in process’ and working well. He seems not to complicate the way by offering additional factors for consideration.
2. DK recognizes the growing relation between JWK-P and Master M. It appears that Master M is increasingly aware of him as a disciple and is, perhaps, inwardly guiding some aspects of his life process.
3. Master DK knows His own place in such an instance—to “stand by”, presumably supporting with strength, love and wise advice, but not interfering in the growing rapport between a disciple and his Master.
4. We can see that DK is careful about offering JWK-P too many new things. Often there appear reminders about processes already initiated and underway, and reinforcements of the importance of such processes.
5. JWK-P is a powerful worker and it is the role of Master DK to help him become even better at his work. These instructions to JWK-P are not spent helping him solve problems of character and orientation, as is the case in His relation with some of the other less experienced disciples. Occasional statements regarding character are made, but only rarely.
1. Waste not time in backward looking nor in futile consideration of the wisdom or the non-wisdom of past undertakings. Go forward with confidence and intensity. Months of focussed and intense action lie ahead of you and, rightly carried forward, success awaits you in the gathering of the needed equipment to do the Master's work and aid the Plan.
1. It is normal for a sincere and conscientious disciple to indulge in self-recrimination. DK is advising that such backward looking analysis is futile. He is helping to release from a needless and possibly depressing expenditure of energy
2. The Master motivates the disciple, promising success if future action is carried forward rightly.
3. The times were critical then, as they are now. Any loss of time by a powerfully positioned disciple is a loss to the whole.
2. Handle with care the force which flows through you as you shift increasingly into the consciousness of your first ray soul and into a first ray Master's group. See to it that your second ray personality can rightly deal with that force, blending it with love and tempering its power with [Page 170] understanding. The first ray force must deal with circumstance and must not make its impact upon personalities. It is needed to force issues and determine results (note that phrase) but not to shatter and to hurt. True impersonality must be borne in mind and your personality must note its effect upon other personalities and offset its innate and oft most useful destructive work.
1. Here advice is given on handling two very different rays—the first and the second. JWK-P will need the quality of his second ray personality to balance the intensification of the first ray He is experiencing as He comes closer to His first ray master.
2. We see that the ray of the personality may be most needed by the individual to modify the expression of his/her soul ray. If power is tempered with understanding, greater allowance will be made for the imperfections of the form—one’s own form and that of others.
3. Then, a most important piece of advice. “The first ray force must deal with circumstances and not make its impact upon personalities. It is needed to force issues and determine results (not that phrases) but not to shatter and to hurt”. This is extraordinarily valuable counsel and must be borne in mind by every first ray type. It concerns the impersonal use of the first ray, to be used upon the context in which various personalities work but not upon the personalities themselves.
4. Apparently this was a problem for JWK-P. I talked with one second ray disciple who worked with him. This disciple felt she had been “hurt” by his approach—perhaps, a case in point.
5. DK calls JWK-P to a deeper understanding of impersonality. The personal reactions of other personalities have to be taken into consideration. DK acknowledges that JWK-P’s destructive work is often most useful, but, at the same time, cautions him concerning its impact upon other personalities. Again, we see DK calling for a modification of behavior, but doing so in a balanced manner full of understanding. The one being asked to change knows he is understood by the one asking for change.
3. Ponder on joy, happiness, gaiety and bliss; these release the channels of the inner life and reach—in a wide circle—many kinds of men. They heal and cleanse the physical body and help you do your work with little effort, a proper sense of values and a detachment which is based on love and not isolation.
1. Again the disciple is being counseled to develop relationship skills. “Joy” is the first keynote given to him. DK adds a few related words. New among the words is “gaiety”—probably rather far from the ordinary consciousness of this disciple.
2. The value of these approaches is indicated: they “release the channels of the inner life” and, basically, reach many people.
3. So much teaching is here compressed into a few words. These lighter energies heal, cleanse, help one do more with less energy and, in general, help the work be carried forward properly.
4. A major lesson for the first ray type is presented: find that detachment which is based on love and not isolation. Detachment based on isolation is easy for the first ray individual; detachment based on love is not.
5. From the very first (seven year before this instruction was written) the Tibetan saw JWK-P’s major need—a releasing joy. This would bring success to his work and render him effective in wider circles. It takes a long time for new approaches to be cultivated. Periodically, DK reminds him of His original advice.
In closing I would say: I am not dissatisfied with the work which has been done by you and the workers in the field but I call you all to deeper understanding and increased activity.
For you, my brother, I have this word. Let not the glamour of fatigue and of disappointment over world conditions lead to abortive work. Fight not the glamour which seeks to impose itself upon you with your first ray indifference—a potent attitude easily assumed by you as by all first ray types. Fight it by non-recognition and by complete absorption in the immediate task; I refer to a wise absorption which neglects no due physical care nor due time for relaxation. The work goes forward in the world along the correct, indicated inner lines. The disciple who has achieved a measure of sensitivity to the Whole must learn to discriminate between aspects of that whole. You are too sensitive to the desire and feeling aspects of the world personality and the glamour of your own reaction to this. Learn to register with equal sensitivity the mass of the world idealisms and aspiring thought; then the glamour of fatigue and of innate disgust will give place to a keen interest and understanding of the glamour-free disciple.
1. It appears that it is JWK-P that is dissatisfied, and thinking that the Master must be dissatisfied as well. DK will never say, openly and directly to a disciple, that He is dissatisfied. Such a direct statement, in almost all instances, would lead to discouragement and the sense of failure, under which no good work can be done. In this case, however, DK has no dissatisfaction and feels the necessity to remind this self-critical disciple of the fact.
2. DK senses the discouragement his disciple. He names a glamour of fatigue and a glamor of disappointment over world conditions. He recognizes the danger; these glamors can abort good results.
3. Why can an attitude of fatigue and disappointment be considered, in this case, glamours? It would appear that the fatigue is not caused essentially by physical-etheric conditions, but that an astral condition is responsible. The origin of the fatigue is thus upon the astral plane and can be overcome through the right handling of the astral body.
4. It is so interesting to see the balanced approach adopted by Master DK in dealing with JWK-P. Whenever He advises this disciple to proceed in a certain direction, He has to ensure that the advice will not be carried too far.
5. The Master requests that JWK-P not fight the impending glamor with first ray indifference—recognizing but shutting it out and working on in spite of it. The preferred method is to be through “non-recognition and complete absorption in the immediate task”. JWK-P is asked to ignore the glamour in favor of the task to be done (in which, presumably, fresh and absorbing interest is to be shown).
6. Interestingly, no sooner does DK say “complete absorption” than He says “wise absorption”. Balanced advice is always best; it ensures that the energy system is not jeopardized by excessive zeal or an excessive will to follow direction.
7. DK points to JWK-P’s excessive sensitivity—to the “desire and feeling aspects of the world personality”. This drains his vitality and leads to disappointment and fatigue.
8. DK is constantly offering balancing corrections. Earlier he sought for JWK-P a greater attachment to the souls of others in addition to first ray detachment from their personalities. He sought to instill the ability to apply will to circumstances rather than to people. Also He sought to promote joy rather than the attitude of the responsibility-burdened disciple. Now, He requests that JWK-P keep his sensitivity, but direct it to world idealism and aspiring thought rather than only to world desire and feeling. This would obviously have an uplifting effect.
9. DK names a “glamor of innate disgust”. It causes rebuff and leads to isolation from those people and situations which could be redeemed and uplifted if reached in the correct way. To this glamor, over-sensitivity to desire and feeling is a strongly contributing cause. DK wants JWK-P to register more of that which is positive, good and uplifting. For years He has prompted him towards joy, happiness and bliss. The Master is trying to lift some of the unnecessary energic burden carried by this disciple by suggesting the development of uplifting energy states.
10. We learn that when a disciple is “glamor-free”, keen interest and understanding will replace the glamour of fatigue and innate disgust. So many glamorous emotional conditions dull our potential interest, rob us of energy and create barriers instead of bridges.
11. The solution in some ways is very simple: to see and appreciate the good will transform negative energy and liberate new supplies of energy for the work.
12. From the beginning the Master has realized the burden to be carried by JWK-P. His first counsels regarding joy were an attempt to liberate the energy necessary to successfully carry these burdens.
13. We can see that the Master has done everything He considers wise and possible to make of JWK-P a better, more effective and more joyful server.
January 1940
MY BROTHER:
The pressure of the work is heavy upon you and it still remains. I have no particular instruction to give you at this time because what has been initiated will achieve its own momentum and travel towards its inevitable conclusion. I will [Page 171] only add that the effort you are making to meet the demands of the work which I have outlined, draws forth my approval and—if persisted in—should prove of prolonged service to humanity. I would ask you to note the word "prolonged" because you are building for the future and, in the future, the true significance of accomplishment will be yours. Proceed, therefore, with patience, with skill in action and with an unmoved persistence.
1. Again DK acknowledges that, generally, things are moving in the proper direction. He does not add further indication when none is necessary. This disciple is strongly committed to “The Work”, and it is this Work which DK is constantly emphasizing. What personal advice He does give is for the purpose of rendering the Work more effective.
2. The word of “approval” is given. This is rare. The Master generally does not waste time in commendation, unless the word of commendation really serves to further the accomplishment of the intended task. When a word of approval or commendation comes (and it comes rarely) it is deliberate, purposeful and earned.
3. DK shares a vision of the relatively distant future, encouraging JWK-P by stating that his present service will be of “prolonged” usefulness or service to humanity. DK wants him simply to proceed, but gives three qualities which should characterize his continued work:
a. Patience
b. Skill in action
c. Unmoved persistence
4. These three qualities can be related to the second, third and first ray respectively.
5. JWK-P’s direction has been correct; his motives have been correct; his methods have, for the most part, been correct. DK simply helps him refine his technique and seeks to add power and effectiveness to his already worthy work.
6. Does it strike us, as mentors, that if we can understand how the Master seeks to work with His disciples, we shall learn how better to work with our students and ourselves?
7. So much of DK’s work with various of the disciples seems almost remedial. They have many personality problems and are not yet effective servers in the world. JWK-P is an effective and experienced server. DK seeks to make him more effective.
In reference to the work of fusion at which you must arrive in connection with your bodily forces and your soul energy, I would call your attention to the fact that your soul energy is focussed in your physical equipment, thus bringing together the energy of your soul and the force of your seventh ray brain. There is, consequently, a direct alignment between soul and brain and this must be deepened, understood and utilised. Your personality energy (which is of the second ray) is focussed in your fourth ray mind. This leaves your astral body as a unity—by itself, from our standpoint of consideration—and this is, in your case, as it should be. You have a powerful astral body of sufficiently poised control to proceed with the task and the solution of personal relationships, without the undue pressure of personality reactions. Some day a study will be made of the fact that practically all reactions are of an astral or emotional nature, except the reactions of the physical mechanism to the outer tangible environment. This is not yet sufficiently noted by orthodox psychology. The reactions of the personality to the soul and of the astral body to the subjective life are of vital interest to the esotericist.
1. DK now gives an important piece of information. He shares similar information with most of His disciples.
2. The information has to do with the focus of the soul and personality rays through differing vehicles of the personality. This information is important in the task of energy expression and management.
3. JWK-P has his first ray soul focussed through His seventh ray brain. We can see what an important alignment this would be for someone treading the Path of Initiation, as is the case with JWK-P. Further, it would make him potentially extremely effective upon the physical plane—a truly effective worker with the Divine Plan.
4. The second ray personality is focussed through the fourth ray mind. This contributes to his, perhaps, unsuspected sensitivity to the desire and feeling nature of the human psyche. If perchance, the power of the first ray has been excessive or has “hurt” others, one can see that JWK-P would have the equipment to recognize this fact and harmonize the “wrongs” for which he had been responsible. We can also see that if He followed the Tibetan’s advice and attempted to find and work with many members of the NGWS with whom he was not familiar and who lived, perhaps, in a variety of countries, these two rays would help him make and sustain that contact in harmony.
5. The astral body on the second ray stands by itself as a unity. In the case of JWK-P this is as it should be, but if this were the case for others, it might be less desirable.
6. Then something very interesting is said: ‘You have a powerful astral body of sufficiently poised control to proceed with the task and the solution of personal relationships, without the undue pressure of personality reactions.” We note
i. The astral body is powerful (even though it is on the second ray)
ii. The astral body has “poised control”
iii. Because of its poise and control it is useful in the task of solving personality relationships. Because the personality does not express itself through the astral body (even though it is on the same ray), no astral reactions induced by the personality will interfere with the solution of personal relationships.
iv. If we think clearly, we shall see we have a rather impersonal set up in the energy system of JWK-P. This disciple is well on his way to achieving dispassion. An astral body free of personality pressure aids dispassion and promotes impersonality.
v. It would appear that JWK-P had done quite a bit of work with his astral body in previous incarnations. It is not center of crisis, though, it would appear that it was involved in some disappointment or discouragement at various times.
The fusion must, therefore, be made between the mind and the brain, each of which expresses one of the two major energies. That fusion already partially exists. When it is consummated, the mental goal of harmony through conflict will be superseded by the inflow of love, working with power through the brain and (incidentally) your general physical health will speedily improve. How shall this be brought about, my brother? The first stage is one of real difficulty, particularly to first ray people. It comes through the power of visualisation. That is why ritual is of value to such as you and Masonry—being on the first ray and emanating, consequently, from Shamballa—aids the process of visualisation. It gives colour and performance of a tangible kind to inner, subjective activity. Visualisation is a powerful agent in the evocation of the creative imagination. Let me here give you a hint. If you use this idea in the planning of the work which you seek to do for the Hierarchy and for which we are seeking to hold you responsible, and if you carry into all that work the ideal of ritual, of rhythm and of energy distribution, you will evoke a synthetic pattern, a unified procedure and a harmonious working out of the Plan.
1. DK calls for a fusion between mind and brain.
2. Mind and brain are each said to express one of the two major energies—the fourth ray mind expressing the second ray personality (the second ray being a major energy) and the seventh ray brain expressing the first ray soul (the first ray, also, being a major energy).
3. A fusion is already in process. DK gives the results to be achieved. Harmony through conflict (the quality of the mental body) will give way to the “inflow of love” which will work through the brain. Love will express harmoniously upon the physical plane.
4. Love, the healing energy, will improve the physical health as well—“speedily”.
5. DK encourages the development of the power of visualization—apparently difficult for the first ray type—first ray “people” He calls them. Note that first ray souls are called first ray “people”. This is also true for those whose monads are upon a particular ray. They, too, are called “people”. This is worth noting.
6. An important hint is given about Masonry and the power of visualization. The performance of rituals in Masonry promotes the development of visualization, especially needed by first ray types. Masonry is on the first ray. Those on all rays are encouraged to approach an understanding of Shamballa through visualization.
7. An important statement is offered: “Visualisation is a powerful agent in the evocation of the creative imagination.” We see that they are not the same. Visualization is the attempt (often using memory) to formulate visual images. The creative imagination involves a liberated flow of images which come spontaneously without the deliberate attempt to formulate them. The creative imagination can, as it were, ‘shape itself’ according to the held intent. But for the imagination to be really creative, purpose and mind must guide the shaping of images; these images are provided by the attempt to visualize. A flow of images may be produced (some of which seem to appear in useful patterns and sequences and others of which have to be patterned by the will and mind of the disciple). It is as if visualization is the key for entry into the process of creative imagination.
8. DK points to work which JWK-P is seeking to do for Hierarchy and for which Hierarchy is “seeking” to hold him responsible. He is not yet held responsible. He is shouldering the responsibility but it is not yet fully on his shoulders.
9. DK asks JWK-P, in essence, to proceed Masonically—ritualistically, rhythmically, distributively—in all the work he is planning for Hierarchy. If he does so successfully, synthesis, unity and harmony will be the result. These qualities must also, necessarily, emanate from a Masonic Lodge which performs its work properly.
Therefore, I would ask you to give ten minutes each day to the pictorial visualisation of your entire work and programme. See each phase of it as a lotus of living beauty, connected with all the other phases by lines of fiery energy, thus bringing all parts of it into one whole. All the different phases will form a great unity of light and love, expressing itself through the will-to-good. Be not side-tracked when doing this. Use the building energy of your second ray personality and the seventh ray energy of your brain, because through your brain, your first ray soul energy is expressing itself. You do not here consciously work as a soul. You work with as much soul energy as can express itself at any given time through your brain. If you worked with pure soul energy and from soul levels, you would bring in too much of the Shamballa force for the delicate structure with which you are dealing.
1. A definite visualization is given to JWK-P. His work and programme are to be visualized pictorially, each aspect seen as a lotus of living beauty connected fierily with every other.
2. In this living image both the second and first rays would express. The unity, light and love (of the second ray) would permeate the image. The entire image would be generally expressive of the will-to-good (of first ray), and this type of will would also assist in bringing the energy-patterns of the image into expression.
3. Techniques of energy work are given so that the delicate form being created will not be overwhelmed by first ray power from Shamballa and, presumably, shattered.
4. The instructions are interesting as it is apparent that DK expects His disciple to know how to work “as a soul” or, differently, using soul energy to work imaginatively through the brain.
5. Do we know when we are working as souls? Working as personalities? Working using the different aspects of our energy equipment selectively?
6. This technique, while recommended for JWK-P, is useful for all of us. All of us have various aspects to our work which can be unified, harmonized, synthesized and empowered. Such a visualization (suited to our life plan and programme) would surely help the integration of all aspects of our work.
Precede all that you do with a definite effort to bring about the following alignments and in the following order:
1. The alignment of all personality forces with the energy of the personality, focussed in the mind nature. This means an aligned personality with the focus of the attention in the intellect.
2. The alignment of the personality with the soul. This means bringing the mind—which is focussing all the lower energies—into direct relation with the soul.
3. The alignment of soul and brain. This is brought about by dropping the personality and all its forces out of your consciousness altogether and relating soul and brain by an act of the will.
When you have done this, then swing back into the mind nature and, focussed there, proceed with the work of visualisation, as I have above suggested. Build your picture stage by stage.
1. DK gives an alignment preparatory to the visualization work. Many important hints are given here which can be useful when pursing other meditations.
2. First, all personality forces (i.e. vehicles) are seen as aligned with the energy of the personality. The focus is in the mind nature which means, in this case, the intellect.
3. Then personality is aligned with soul, which effectively means bringing the mind into direct relation with the soul. This means to think under soul impression.
4. Then comes an alignment of the first and seventh rays. The soul and brain are aligned. Note that the personality and all its forces are released from consciousness, and soul and brain are related by an act of the will.
5. The sequence is interesting and creates a kind of wheel (of ascent and descent).
6. With all vehicles in proper alignment, we see that the main work is done “in the mind nature” from which the act of visualization proceeds.
7. Whereas imagination is related to the astral plane, visualization is as act involving the mental plane. A utilization of the “creative imagination” involves the utilization of both the astral and mental natures.
Go forward with courage, hope and joy, plus understanding, my brother. Train those who work with you with painstaking care, for much depends upon them. Remember always that you do not work alone.
NOTE: This disciple is still actively engaged in the Tibetan's work.
1. The disciple is cheered upon his way by the Master. The direction is always forward. The blessings of courage, hope and joy are given, and understanding is invoked.
2. Careful, painstaking work is enjoined upon JWK-P for the purpose of training the disciples who work with him. The Master is asking him to make them strong and reliable.
3. The last sentence is as if from the Rules of the Road. “He knows he travels not alone”. (DINA I 584)
4. Walking alone, working alone, traveling alone—all these are tendencies of the first ray soul. While the Master is grateful for the first ray potency of JWK-P which makes him such an asset in this essentially second ray work, He closes by warning Him against the isolative attitude and continues to suggest the absorption of the second ray which facilitates enhanced group relations. The position of Venus in Aquarius, found in JWK-P’s astrological chart, is a help in this process promoting group affiliation.
JWK-P was invaluable both to the Alice Bailey and the Tibetan. AAB told of the many times that the work would have been jeopardized without his knowledge and executive abilities. He continued to oversee the work as the husband of Mary Bailey, remaining a significant power behind the scenes. From all appearances, it seems that DK considered the discipleship work of JWK-P a spiritual success.
