We will now consider the trend of the times and
seasons as far as the rays are concerned:
- RAY I - This ray is still out of physical manifestation
but is beginning to have a definite effect upon the mental
plane; there it influences the minds of disciples everywhere
and lays the stage for the appearance of a certain group
of disciples from Shamballa. Two thousand years from today,
the influence of this ray will be felt powerfully upon
the physical plane. One hundred years hence its potency
will be noted upon the astral plane.
- RAY II - This ray is always in subjective manifestation
and very potent because it is the ray of our solar system
and particularly so at this time as the Hierarchy is approaching
closer to humanity in preparation for the "crisis
of love," and an imminent major planetary initiation.
At this time, however, the second ray is becoming objective
in its influence upon the physical plane. It will become
increasingly so for the next two thousand two hundred
years when it will gradually withdraw into the background.
- RAY III - This ray will remain in objective incarnation
from the point of view of humanity for a very long time
- so long a time that it is needless for us to anticipate
its waning influence. That planetary center which is Humanity
itself still needs the intensified application of these
forces so as to stimulate even the "lowest of the
sons of men."
- RAY IV - This ray, as you know, begins to come into
incarnation early in the next century and - in collaboration
with the developing Saturnian influence - will lead many
on to the path of discipleship. When the peculiar [143]
energy to which we give the somewhat unsatisfactory name
of "harmony through conflict" and the forces
of that planet which stage opportunity for the aspirant
are working in combination and an ordained synthesis,
we can then look for a very rapid adjustment in human
affairs, particularly in connection with the Path. This
fourth ray is, in the last analysis, the ray which teaches
the art of living in order to produce a synthesis of beauty.
There is no beauty without unity, without embodied idealism
and the resultant symmetrical unfoldment. This ray is
not the ray of art, as it is often claimed, but
is the energy which brings about the beauty of those living
forms which embody the ideas and the ideals which are
seeking immediate expression. Many people claim to be
on the fourth ray because they dream of the artistic expressive
life. As I have told you before, creative art expresses
itself upon all the rays.
- RAY
V - This ray has been in manifestation for nearly seventy
years. It will pass out (by special and unique arrangement)
in another fifty years, thus breaking into its own normal
cycle, because it is deemed that the needed special impulse
has been adequate and that the impetus given to the human
"spirit of discovery" has served its purpose.
Any further intensification of the mental processes just
now (except through the general pervasive effect of the
third ray) might prove disastrous. The ray cycles are
usually set and determined, but, in collaboration with
each other and because of the imminent spiritual Crisis
of Approach, the Lord of the Fifth Ray and the Lord of
the World have decided temporarily to withdraw this type
of force. It will take about fifty years to do this. [144]
- RAY
VI - This ray has been passing out of manifestation for
quite some time now, as you know, and will do so with
increasing rapidity.
- RAY
VII - This ray is coming into effective expression now;
there is little need for me to add here anything further
to the mass of information which I have given you in this
treatise and in my other books.
One small point of interest but one of no especial moment
to you is that the Lords of the Rays, through Their planetary
Representatives, constitute a body of directing Forces in
collaboration with the Lord of the World at Shamballa. Their
capacity is advisory and directive but not authoritative.
This may be regarded by some of you as the most interesting
piece of information in this book. If this is your attitude,
then it only indicates your unpreparedness for true esoteric
teaching. Students need a greater sense of the real governing
values and a sense of spiritual proportion. Planetary facts
and solar facts (under which heading the above item of information
might well be placed) can stimulate your imagination and
widen your horizon; for aspirants and disciples, that is
the major value. All information and happenings which are
connected with Shamballa are always exciting to the neophyte
who is apt to forget that he must make his contact with
the more familiar Hierarchy before true and related perception
is his.
I would have you study the tabulation which I gave you
in Initiation, Human and Solar, and which you will
find in the appendix to the first volume of A Treatise
on the Seven Rays. I insert it here for the benefit
of those who have no copy of the first volume of the Treatise,
and whose attention should be turned again from the magnitude
of the Macrocosm to the responsibility of the microcosm.
[145]
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