He must work upon the unfoldment of the fifth and sixth petals, or the final two in the second circle and must endeavour to bring about two things in connection with his threefold lower nature: [863]
a. He must align his three bodies so that there is a direct channel of contact formed between the Ego and the physical brain.
b. He must strive to bring about a stabilisation of both the astral body and the mind, and must aim at that emotional equilibrium which is produced by the conscious “balancing of forces.”
He must study the laws of transmutation and be a student of that divine alchemy which will result in a knowledge of how to transmute the lower force into the higher, of how to transfer his consciousness into the higher vehicles, and of how to manipulate energy currents so that his own nature is transformed. He will then become a channel for the light of the Ego, and for the illumination of buddhi to pour through for the saving of the race, and the lighting of those who stumble in dark places. He must demonstrate the laws of radioactivity in his own life on the physical plane. His life must begin to radiate, and to have a magnetic effect upon others. By this I mean he will begin to influence that which is imprisoned in others, for he will reach—through his own powerful vibrations—the hidden centre in each one. I do not mean by this the physical or magnetic effect that many quite unevolved souls have upon others. I refer to that spiritual radiation that is only responded to and realised by those who themselves are becoming aware of the spiritual centre within the heart. At this stage the man is recognised as one who can speak occultly “heart to heart.” He becomes a stimulator of the heart centre in his brother, and one who arouses men into activity for others.
The second hint is that as the aspirant becomes progressively radioactive, and as the energy of the inner God demonstrates more and more through the lower personality, the “heat radiations” become so powerful that very definite results are produced of a personal, and also [864] of an environal, nature. A few of these results might be enumerated as follows:
The etheric web, separating the lower physical consciousness of the brain from the astral plane begins to undergo a lengthy process of destruction, and the first “rents” in the web occur. It is through these that the student becomes aware of the inner planes, becomes conscious in the physical brain of the inner happenings, and can (if a disciple) make his contacts with his Ego and (via that ego) with his Guru. (spiritual teacher) This marks a very important development.
The higher head centre increases its activity and becomes capable of receiving flashes of illumination from the higher planes. This happens only occasionally at first but with increasing frequency as the years progress, and the “rents” become more numerous.
The various triangles become vivified and proceed to increased activity in due geometrical progression, whilst the centre between the shoulder blades, the converging point for certain fires, becomes active. This marks a definite stage in the process of transferring the fires into the higher centres. Roughly speaking, this period of the transference of the heat or energy of the lower centres into the higher may be divided into two parts: first, that in which the centres in the lower part of the body (those below the diaphragm) are transferred into the centres in the higher part of the torso. These centres in the torso are three in number, the heart, the throat, and the centre between the shoulder blades. We must here note that the throat centre is situated in the lower part of the throat, and properly belongs to the torso and not to the head. It should also be stated here that the centre between the shoulder blades is not a “sacred” centre, but is of a temporary nature, and is created by the aspirant himself during the process of transference.
[865] The second stage is that in which the energy of the lower six centres:
a. The throat,
b. The heart,
c. The solar plexus,
d. The spleen,
e. The organs of generation,
f. The base of the spine,
are—in due order according to a man’s ray and subray—transferred into the correspondences within the head centre. These seven head centres are the reflection in the microcosm of those “mansions prepared in the Heavens” which receive the sevenfold energy of the monad. These are the chambers prepared by the lower energy which are to be the recipients of “soul or the higher psychic energy.”
The final hint which can be given, may be summed up in the words that as the aspirant progresses, (275) he not only balances the pairs of opposites, but the secret of his brother’s heart becomes revealed to him. He becomes an acknowledged force in the world, and is recognised as one who can be depended upon to serve. Men turn to him for assistance and help along his recognised line, and he begins to sound forth his note so as to be heard not only in human but in deva ranks as well. This he does, at [866] this stage, through the pen in literature, through the spoken word in lecturing and teaching, through music, painting and art. He reaches the hearts of men in some way or another, and becomes a helper and server of his race.
Two more characteristics of this stage might here be enumerated.
The aspirant has an appreciation of the occult value of money in service. He seeks nothing for himself, save that which may equip him for the work to be done, and he looks upon money, and that which money can purchase, as something which is to be used for others and a means to bring about the fruition of the Master’s plans as he senses those plans. The occult significance of money is little appreciated, yet one of the greatest tests as to the position of a man upon the probationary path is that which concerns his attitude to and his handling of that which all men seek in order to gratify desire. Only he who desires naught for himself can be a recipient of financial bounty, and a dispenser of the riches of the universe. In other cases where riches increase, they bring with them naught but sorrow and distress, discontent and misuse.
At this stage also the aspirant’s life becomes an “instrument of destruction” in the occult sense of the term. Wherever he goes the force which flows through him from the higher planes, and from his own inner God, produces at times peculiar results upon his environment. It acts as a stimulator of both the good and the evil. The lunar Pitris who form the bodies of his brothers and his own body are likewise stimulated, their activity is increased, and their power greatly aggravated. This fact is used by Those Who work on the inner side to bring about certain desired ends. This it is also which oft times temporarily causes the downfall of advanced souls. They cannot stand the force pouring into them, or upon them, [867] and through the temporary over-stimulation of their centres and vehicles they go astray. This can be seen working out in groups as well as in individuals. But, inversely, if the lunar Lords of the lower self have been earlier subjugated and brought under control, then the effect of the force and energy contacted is to stimulate the response of the physical brain consciousness and the head centres to egoic contact. Then the otherwise destructive force becomes a factor for good and helpful stimulation, and can be used by Those Who know how, to lead men on to further illumination.
All these stages have to work out on all the three lower planes and in the three bodies; this they do according to the particular Ray and subray. In this fashion the work of the disciple is carried forward, and his testing and training carried out until the two circles of petals are unfolded, and the third is organised. Thus he is brought, through right direction of energy and wise manipulation of force currents, to the Portal of Initiation, and graduates out of the Hall of Learning (276) into the great Hall of Wisdom—that Hall wherein he gradually becomes “aware” of forces, and powers, latent in his own Ego and egoic group. It is the Hall wherein he gains the right to use the force of the egoic group, for he can now be trusted to wield it only for the helping of humanity. After the fourth Initiation, he becomes a sharer in, and can be trusted with some part of the energy of the planetary Logos and thus be enabled to carry forward the plans of that Logos for evolution.
[868] (e.) Initiation and the Petals. In considering
the connection of the petals and their unfoldment through initiation, there is little which it is permissible to give out at this time for the information of the general public. All that is possible is to give certain statements, containing:
a. Hints as to the right direction of the energy,
b. Suggestions as to the basic mysteries which man has to solve,
c. Indications as to certain correspondences,
d. Practical points for constructive thinking.
Students must remember that the aim of all truly occult teachers is not to give information but to train their pupils in the use of thought energy. It will therefore be apparent why this method of instruction is the one invariably used. It is the method which involves the dropping of a hint on the part of the Teacher, and the correlation perhaps of certain correspondences, coupled with a suggestion as to the sources of light. It involves, on the part of the pupil, the following recognitions:
a. That the hint may be worth following.
b. That meditation is the pathway to the source of light, and that the hint dropped is the “seed” for meditation.
c. That facts, ill-assorted and uncorrelated, are menaces to knowledge and no help.
d. That every aspect of truth, progressively grasped, has to be assimilated, and welded into the experience of the student.
e. That unless the correspondences agree in an atomic, personal, planetary and cosmic fashion, they are not to be trusted.
f. That much information is withheld until the student is a disciple, and still more until he is a pledged initiate. The reason for this is to be found in the [869] fact that all knowledge concerns energy, its application, and its use or misuse.
Let us now continue with our consideration of the petals and Initiation.
Each of the three circles of lotus petals is closely connected with one of the three Halls. This has been earlier referred to. Much of the work connected with the first tier of petals is part of the experience in the Hall of Ignorance. The act of organising and preparing for unfoldment is the most important stage, and that with which man is the most concerned. The act of petal opening is of briefer duration, and is produced by the pouring in of solar heat or fire, and thus bringing about a fresh access of energy. This is produced in our earth scheme through the co-operation of the Mahachohan, of the Chohan of a man’s egoic group, and the particular Ego concerned.
The following tabulation may be found helpful:
I. Knowledge Petals. First circle.
a. Organised in the Hall of Ignorance.
b. Guided by the force and energy of the Mahachohan.
c. The third group of solar Pitris affected.
II. Love Petals. Second circle.
a. Organised in the Hall of Learning.
b. Guided by the force of the Bodhisattva.
c. The second group of solar Lords affected.
III. Will or Sacrifice Petals. Third circle.
a. Organised in the Hall of Wisdom.
b. Guided by the force and energy of the Manu.
c. The first group of solar Angels affected.
At the stage which we are considering (that of the organisation and unfoldment of the first tier of petals), the egoic influence felt at the beginning is but small, but when the three petals become sufficiently active and alive through the energy accumulated and stored up in the [870] ego during the activities of the personal life, a form of initiation then takes place which is a reflection (on a lower plane) of the great manasic initiations. The energy in the outer circle of petals causes it to spring apart from the next circle, and to unfold. This threefold energy becomes interactive and a very definite stage is thus reached. This series of initiations is seldom recognised within the physical brain consciousness owing to the relatively inchoate stage of the bodies, and the unresponsiveness of the brain matter. Yet they are nevertheless initiations of a definite though less important character, and they involve primarily the display (within the personal life of the man) of an intelligent recognition of his group relationships on earth. This recognition is frequently selfish in character, as, for instance, that which the union worker displays, but it is indicative of group interplay.
A similar process takes place when the second circle of petals is organised and ready for unfoldment. This time the World Teacher, the Master and the Ego concerned are co-operating, for these smaller initiations deal with the love nature, with astral or emotional organisation, and with the recognition (by the man in his personal life) of some form of unselfish love, and of a love for some object, person or ideal which leads to altruistic endeavor, and to the negation of the lower self.
This brings us to the third group of petals or to the unfolding of the will or sacrifice petals, based on intelligent purpose and pure love. The force in this group calls in a different factor, that of the Manu, as well as the force of the Bodhisattva, and the desired effect is produced through the full co-operation of the fully awakened Ego, aided by his own Master (if he is evolving in a cycle wherein hierarchical effort for humanity takes the form it does in this present one), and the Manu. Eventually (after the second Initiation) the Lord of the World comes [871] in as a factor,—the Lord of world power, fully expressing itself in love.
Speaking generally, therefore, it might be stated that egoic groups in whom the knowledge petals are being organised and unfolded come under the primary influence of the Mahachohan; those in whom the love aspect, or the second circle of petals, is opening come under the primary influence of the Bodhisattva, with the knowledge unfoldment paralleling the work; whilst those in whom the third tier is being opened come under the energy direction of the Manu, with the two other types of force co-ordinated. It will be apparent to the careful reader that in this fact lies hid the secret of why the Mahachohan holds office longer than either of His two Brothers, holding it as He does for an entire world period. The key to these cycles lies hid in the following thoughts: the Bodhisattva and the Manu change more frequently and pass on to other work owing to the fact that They each embody one type of triple force, whereas the Mahachohan is the focal point for five types of energy, each in its turn triple in nature.
In each case of petal unfoldment, certain types of force are generated, dealt with, assimilated, and used, at first unconsciously and finally with full intelligence.
In the Hall of Ignorance the force of the energy of Brahma (the activity and intelligence of substance) is that mostly dealt with, and the man has to learn the meaning of activity based on:
a. Inherent energy,
b. Absorbed energy,
c. Group energy,
d. Material energy or that which is hidden in physical plane matter.
In the Hall of Learning the disciple becomes aware of, and uses the energy of, the second aspect in form-building, in social relations, in family and other group affiliations. [872] He comes to the true recognition of sex and its relations but as yet views this force as something to be controlled and not something to be consciously and constructively utilised.
In the Hall of Wisdom the initiate comes to the knowledge of the first great aspect of energy, the dynamic use of will in sacrifice, and to him is then committed the key to the three fold mystery of energy. Of this energy in its threefold aspect he became aware in the other two halls. At the third, fourth and fifth Initiations the three keys to the three mysteries are given to him.
The key to the mystery sensed in the first Hall, the mystery of Brahma, is handed to him and he can then unlock the hidden energies of atomic substance. The key to the mystery of sex, or of the pairs of opposites, is thrust into his hand, and he can then unlock the hidden forces within all forms. The key to the mystery of sacrifice and to the secret of the Silent Watchers in the cosmos is revealed to him, and he learns to unlock the hidden energies of the will aspect. The dynamo of the solar system is shown to him, if it might so be expressed, and the intricacies of its mechanism revealed.
The following are the three basic mysteries of the solar system:
1. The mystery of Electricity. The mystery of Brahma. The secret of the third aspect. It is latent in the physical sun.
2. The mystery of Polarity, or of the universal sex impulse. The secret of the second aspect. It is latent in the Heart of the Sun, i.e., in the subjective Sun.
3. The mystery of Fire itself, or the dynamic central systemic force. The secret of the first aspect. It is latent in the central spiritual sun.
These three mysteries which we have touched upon above, come in a peculiar sense under the jurisdiction of [873] certain great Lords or Existences, and They have much to do with the revealing of the mystery to those prepared initiates Who come under Their influence during the final stages of the Path.
The mystery of electricity has three keys, each of which is held in the hands of one of the Buddhas of Activity. Theirs is the prerogative to control the electrical forces of the physical plane, and Theirs the right to direct the three major streams of this type of force in connection with our present globe. These three streams are concerned with atomic substance, out of which all forms are constructed. In connection with our chain there are three mysterious Entities (of whom our three Pratyeka Buddhas are but the Earth reflections) Who perform a similar function in connection with the electrical forces of the chain. In the scheme, the planetary Logos has also three co-operating Existences Who are the summation of His third Aspect, and who perform therefore work similar to that performed by the three aspects of Brahma in the solar system. The mystery of this threefold type of electricity is largely connected with the lesser Builders, with the elemental essence in one particular aspect,—its lowest and most profound for men to apprehend as it concerns the secret of that which “substands” or “stands back” of all that is objective. In a secondary sense it concerns the forces in the ethers which are those which energise and produce the activities of all atoms. Another type deals with the electrical phenomenon which finds its expression in the light which man has somewhat harnessed, in the phenomena such as thunder storms and the manifestation of lightning, with the aurora borealis, and in the production of earthquakes and all volcanic action. All these manifestations are based on electrical activity of some kind, and have to do with the “soul of things,” or with the essence of matter. The old Commentary says: [874]
A Treatise on Cosmic Fire Page 76
