Contents
Nancy Maehl The Word
Andrew Nellist Reincarnation
Excerpts from HEART
The WORD by Nancy Maehl
“Words have great significance in communicating on all levels and in all relationships. One of the greatest instruments for practical development lying in the hands of small and great is the instrument of speech. Speech is the most occult manifestation in existence; it is the means of creation and the vehicle for force. In the reservation of words esoterically understood lies the conservation of force; in the utilization of words justly chosen and spoken lies the distribution of the love force of the Solar System—that force which preserves, strengthens, and stimulates.” (Initiation Human and Solar, p74)
Through time, some words become obsolete, meanings change and have little relevance to the existing society or civilization. As man evolves, new words emerge to reflect the expansion and depth of being. The understanding of the relationship between the words contributes to greater cooperation depending on the level of understanding.
This present era has loudly demonstrated how words can connect or disconnect, can unite or divide. They are used to describe our feelings, our thoughts, our aspirations, and our inspirations. Words can lead to actions, reactions, or no actions.
We hear and interpret that sound which resonates within our world both individually and collectively as a group. The words can magnify or diminish our presence. They can be creative or destructive, or healing and transformational. We tend to select those words that identify or reflect ourselves.
“Through the spoken word will come the realization of that true love which unites those who are one in service and in aspiration. The love between the units of the human family will take the form of the utilization of speech for the purpose of creating on all planes through united service, loving cooperation and oneness in aspiration, thought, and endeavor.” (IHS 74-5)
According to The Secret Doctrine, “To pronounce a word is to evoke a thought and make it present; the magnetic potency of the human speech is the commencement of every manifestation in the occult world. To utter a name is not only to define a Being but to place it under and condemn it through the emission of the Word, to the influence of one or more occult potencies. Things are for everyone of us that which the Word makes them while naming them. The Word or the speech of every man is, quite unconsciously to himself, a blessing or a curse; this is why our present ignorance about the properties or attributes of the Idea, as well as about attributes and properties of matter, are often fatal to us.” (Secret Doctrine p 93)
Speech, the word, and the number are attributes of an Idea and propeties of matter. The impulse behind the word reflects the qualities that manifest. It is intersting to note that the word IDEA = 9.4.5.1 = 10
9 is the number of initiation, Shamballa.
4 is the number for harmony through conflict, beauty, intuition.
5 is the number for intellect, mind, 5th kingdom of soul.
1 is the number for will, purpose, synthesis, action.
Idea is the number 10 and represents the perfected prototype. The idea is constantly evolving and unfolding. The above numbers indicate that activity. “When the 5 and 4 are perfectly blended, we have the 9 of a major initiation.” (Cosmic Fire 398) This seems to indicate that the numbers do not stand alone but are constantly blending and unfolding within themselves until the perfected Idea has been consumated. We might conclude that we ourselves and all that exists is an IDEA.
“Names (and words) are either beneficient or maleficent; they are in a certain sense either venomous or health-giving, according to the hidden influences attached by Supreme Wisdom to their elements, that is to say, to the Letters which compose them and the numbers correlative to their letter. The vowels especially contain the most occult and formidable potencies.” (Secret Doctrine p 94)
The associated letters and numbers of a word open an avenue toward a greater understanding of the word itself. Our present era in communication, or lack thereof, has created much tension and strife world wide.
Consider “word” itself in terms of number: 5.6.9.4 = 24 = 6.
5 – higher mind, 5th kingdom
6 – idealism, devotion, persistence
9 – initiation, Shamballa
4 – harmony through conflict, beauty, intuition
The number 24 repeats itself in many words that indicate unity of interaction and connections. The number 24 expresses the double 12, the greater and lesser zodiac. This expresses time and is the key to the great cycle of manifestation. The figures 2-4 define the method of evolution—2 equals the quality of love-wisdom working under the Law of Attraction, drawing man from one point of attainment to another; 4 indicates the technique of achieving harmony through conflict, 4 is the number of the human hierarchy and 2 is the number of the spiritual hierarchy. Also, the fifth kingdom is the spiritual hierarchy [Kingdom of Heaven], and the fourth kingdom is humanity. Until the third initiation, the initiate is occupied with the relationship of 2 and 4 when placed side by side, and, when the numbers are placed one above the other, the initiate passes from 4 (human) into 2 (spiritual hierarchy).
“Learn to work on the plane of mind. When the form controls, then comes the danger that it may be turned in the wrong direction and find its way onto the left hand path and so increase the power of matter and its hold on sentient souls. Anything that tends to increase the power of matter and add to the potent energy of form-substance produces a tendency to the left hand path and away from the Plan and Purpose which it veils and hides…. When the sons of men know the distinction which exists between matter and substance, the lesson of this epoch will be grasped. Other lessons will be left but this one passes. Matter and substance together work out the way of darkness. Substance and purpose blended indicate the way of light.” (Cosmic Fire 268-9)
One can reflect on the statement: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and God was the Word.”
“Let the Army of the Lord responsive to the Word cease their activities. Let knowledge end in wisdom. Let the point vibrating become the point quiescent, and all lines gather into One. Let the Soul realize the One in many, and let the Word go forth in perfecting understanding. ‘I am the worker and the work. The One that Is.’”
A. U. M. = 1. 3. 4. = 8
O. M. = 6. 4. = 10
“The personality as a whole when perfected and brought undercontrol of the Soul is the Word made flesh.” [The stage relates to A. U. M, material and form development.]
“The OM, which is not the Word made flesh but the Word released from form and expressing itself as Soul-Spirit.” (Rays and the Initiations 52-3)
“All work and all created thought-forms (whether they materialize as an organization, a religion, a school of thought, a book, or a life work of any kind) which express spiritual ideals and lay the emphasis upon the life aspect come under the category of white magic. They then form part of the stream of life which we call the right hand Path, because it leads humanity out of form into life, and away from matter into consciousness.” (Treatise on White Magic 269)
Reincarnation by Andrew Nellist
In Esoteric Astrology DK says that reincarnation is implicit in the manifested universe, and is fundamental to systemic pulsation (EA p312). Furthermore, “cyclic impulsion”, “intelligent purposeful repetition” and “conscious in-breathing and out-breathing” would better describe what is a cosmic process (EA pp324-5). In this respect, it is more a matter of deeper spiritual processes than personal life experience, and our souls want to incarnate in order to serve spiritual purpose. He goes on to say that it is group rebirth which takes place, and that the individual is only a part of this. Moreover: “It will be found that rebirth is, in truth, a magical and magnetic interplay between the form side of life and life itself. This interplay is consciously undertaken by the soul which is a product of the two related factors” (EA p326). Incidentally, this is echoed by a later remark that “The whole story of astrology is, in reality, one of magnetic and magical interplay for the production or externalisation of the inner reality; it is the story of the response of form – vast as in a solar system, microcosmic as in a human being, and minute as in an atom or a cell – to the urge or pull of foci of energy and of streams of force” (EA p336).
Through History, reincarnating groups can be recognised by their Ray qualities, and it is for this reason that information was given in The Destiny of the Nations as to Rays influencing nations. “Groups are governed by the astrological signs and by the rays just as individuals are, and these rays affect them, via the ruling planets” (EA p327). In Esoteric Healing it is said that after death the inner man is still conscious, and that on the inner side the Law of Rebirth is known (EH pp494-5). Moreover, advanced souls return quickly, and reincarnation works under the demands of spiritual responsibility, such that even when free of karma one is still under the impulse of service to those who are karmically liable (EH pp403-5). In Esoteric Psychology I we are told that Ray activity lies behind reincarnation, and that cyclic appearance governs the Rays and the kingdoms of Nature (EPI p266). Reincarnation and cyclic activity lie behind all phenomenal appearance. In Esoteric Psychology II it says that there is progress through physical incarnation (EPII p59), and that the Ray of one’s Egoic group is one’s true soul Ray (EPII pp16-18). The Theory of Rebirth enables a true understanding of man (EPII p331), and Psychology needs to recognise the soul, the Law of Rebirth, and the nature of the inner structure of man (EPII p432).
In this regard, it is interesting to look at the references to reincarnation in relation to cases in Discipleship in the New Age I and II. WOI is told that they have a keynote for several incarnations, and that the Rays of this life lay the foundation for the next (DNA I p442). For DLR, “The ray of the personality in a previous life leaves definite habits of thought and of activity”, and their previous Ray two personality offsets first Ray tendencies in this incarnation (DNA I p315). Reference is made to a fellow student, RVB, who made a mistake two lives ago (DNA I p319), while DLR made good development in a previous life, and this life has been a balancing one, and when they return it “should be with a second ray personality” (DNA I pp319-20). WDS would profit from a study of the Rays which are lacking in their equipment, as all their Rays are major Rays of aspect, one-three, and those of attribute, four-seven, are lacking. However, they worked through a fourth Ray personality in a previous life, and this gives a basic influence in this, so balancing the major Rays (DNA I pp379-80). SRD is given with a lot of energy on the two-four-six line, but the astral body, which is usually two or six, is first Ray. “This is a residue of a sixth ray personality in your last incarnation, which was one of great potency and wilfully actuated by what I might call the will aspect of devotion” (DNA I p566). The third Ray physical body also helps in balancing the second Ray nature. DEI has a strong seventh Ray development because that was the personality Ray in their last incarnation (DNA I p497).
DIJ is told that they will work on the path of psychology in their next incarnation (DNAI p462).They also are given with a first Ray astral body which is an influence from a first Ray personality in their last incarnation, in order to round-out their energies (DNA I p466). They are further asked to give attention to the Full Moon Festivals. BSW is informed that they have an “ivory tower” which has been built over the last six incarnations. Their main spiritual activity should also be turned to work at the Full Moon periods. DK says that: “No cost is too great to pay in order to be of use to the Hierarchy at the time of the Full Moon of May, the Wesak festival; no price is too high in order to gain the spiritual illumination which can be possible, particularly at that time” (DNAI p629). They have a “tendency to astralism” which is “a heritage from other lives and has its basis in old monastic trends and in the dream world in which you wandered in olden times to relieve the monotony of life within the four walls of the cell in which you lived, dedicated to the contemplative life…This means that in this life, your astral body easily reverts to ancient ways, to ancient thoughts, to control by ancient thoughtforms and is consequently subject to facile deception” (DNAI p634). This astral tendency is brought over from a previous life, and their task is to free themselves from magical work until they are “established in soul consciousness”. They are also asked to work with the Full Moon periods (DNAI pp636-7).
The difficulties of BSW in the “magical work of the soul” show the importance of achieving soul control of the personality, and making an effort in this life which will help the next. For IBS soul control of the mental body is important: “During the remainder of your life, if you will work with and control (as a soul) your mental body, you will enter into your next incarnation with the control of the personality centred in the mind. That means a greatly expanded consciousness and far more power to serve…”(DNAI p257). Effort in this incarnation will help the next: “In your next incarnation, you should function through a second ray personality but this will depend upon the success of your present effort and upon your ability to grasp the outlines of your task” (DNAI p258). DPR has worked with persistence for years and “It is because of this steadfastness that it now becomes possible to train your intuition so that when again your path is trodden in a return incarnation, your earthly life will start with that aligned attitude which will permit of early illumination” (DNAI p383). For LUT it is more a matter of astrology: “But your astrological sign has been one of the major factors in constituting your life problem. However, this has been a blessing in disguise, for the problems that it has brought and the difficulties which you have encountered under the sign of the Bull are fitting you for the Scorpio experience in your next life –the greatest experience upon the path” (DNAI p485).
RSW is asked to base their work upon the Seven Rays and to work with the new spiritual psychology. Effort is also required: “Discipline for yourself (and this you like not) and service for your fellow-men, will release in you the knowledge which you gained in earlier lives and there is, consequently, much that you can do” (DNAI p644). RAJ has established a thought rhythm “which will be a powerful incentive in deciding the time of your return when this incarnation comes to an end, the type of vehicle which you will, as a soul, construct, and the nature of the race, nation and type of service to which the overshadowing soul will commit the personality. Energy follows thought.” This relates to the “long-distance view the soul is taking of you and your preparation for fuller service in the next life” (DNAII pp477-8). In the case of DHB “This has been for you an incarnation wherein certain major happenings have taken place. Your soul has, for one thing, taken possession of your personality and gripped your mind (a major determining factor in all processes connected with reincarnation), and has done this in such a way that you will return to incarnation when the time comes with a sense of convinced awareness” (DNAII p663). LFU has “reached a point in your present incarnation where it is also essential that you undertake the summing up of the various conditioning factors in your life. If you can do this, you will be enabled to bring this particular incarnation to a finish on a high note of intelligent and useful living. When the time comes, therefore, for you to pass over to the other side, you will find that you can do so with a full realisation of what should be the theme of your next earthly experience” (DNAII p539). PGC is warned that “any overemphasis of the energies which govern the personality lays the foundation of the form nature in the next incarnation.” This is a hint “as to the mode of unfoldment in connection with karmic responsibility for the future” (DNAII p577). DK later adds: “You are, as I feel sure you know, in process of shifting your entire polarisation in preparation for your next incarnation” (DNAII p587). The main lesson from these cases is that it is positive, conscious action which is required for development, and not just resting upon the process of rebirth.
In The Rays and the Initiations (p88ff) we read that “The major linking agent in the universe is the energy of Love-Wisdom” (RI p89). Humanity and the Hierarchy need to work together in a practical synthesis, and to bring about this alignment the help of the Buddha is needed. The united work of the two highest Representatives of the second divine aspect, the Buddha and the Christ, is required. The Twelve Astrological Festivals are important in channelling energies into the world, but especially important are the Three Spiritual Festivals of Easter, Wesak and the Christ’s Festival. The activity of the Buddha in May and the Christ in June gives a closer link with the energy of spiritual life, and in this way the Christ works with Life more Abundant. He has work as the Word of God, manifesting as the Word made Flesh. “This refers specifically to the great Wheel of Rebirth whereby, upon that turning wheel, souls are carried down into incarnation and then up and out of the soul’s prison; through the turning of the wheel, human beings learn their needed lessons, create cyclically their vehicles of expression (the response apparatus of the soul in the three worlds) and in this way, under soul guidance, and aided by the Hierarchy and its schools of instruction, they arrive at perfection. This entire process is under the control of the Christ, assisted by the Manu and the Lord of Civilisation. These three Great Lords thus represent the three divine Aspects in the Hierarchy; They, with the four Lords of Karma, form the seven Who control the whole process of incarnation” (RI pp92-3).
One of the main spiritual lessons is that of Detachment, which is “a scientific process of ending karma; it is individual and national karma which brings a man back into a physical vehicle and clothes him with the qualities and aspects of substance” (RI p100). It is the dissipation of the garment which we have worn, and the returning of the lesser lives which made that garment to “the general reservoir of living substance” (RI p102). This is enabled through involvement in the work of the spiritual group of which we are a part. Death is release from the sense of personality separateness in which we have chosen to work for a while, and the process of renewed awareness of the universal life. The spiritual life works out in seven ways “via the living qualities of the seven planetary Logoi Who express Themselves through the seven sacred planets” (RI p106). These work through their cyclic processes of time, in terms of the universal life, and through the transforming energies of the Seven Rays. This transformation requires our conscious cooperation and effort, and we can work with this at the June Festival in Gemini, the sign of “victory of life over form, and of spirit over matter” (RI p89). This is also known as World Invocation Day, calling for united effort in pursuing the spiritual plan, through the practice of goodwill toward humanity and the kingdoms of nature.
Reference Key and Bibliography for books by Alice Bailey:
DNA I: Discipleship in the New Age Vol.I
DNAII: Discipleship in the New Age Vol.II
EA: Esoteric Astrology
EH: Esoteric Healing
EPI: Esoteric Psychology Vol.I
EPII: Esoteric Psychology Vol.II
RI: The Rays and the Initiations
HEART – quotes from Master Morya
The book HEART is published by the Agni Yoga Society in New York and available from the Lusic Trust, Lucis Publishing Co, New York. The following brief quotes were compiled by the editor.
Invulnerable. “Only the energy of the heart makes a man invulnerable and carries him over obstacles. Thus, one should remember the heart as a weapon. Precisely the heart is the weapon of Light! But let them not suspect Us of being opponents of the brain. Let the good ploughman, the brain, labor over his sowing. Let him nuture the seeds and bear the thought, refined and sharpened by battles. But the contemporary perilous state of things has been created by the perverted thinking of the brain. Therefore let us turn to the heart once again as to our judge and leader. Whoever shall aid his near ones to find the path of the heart shall also find his own perfection.” (Paragraph 399)
Labor. “When you are asked how to pass an hour of difficulty, say, ‘Only in expectation; only in striving to the Teacher, or in labor.’ Say, ‘Verily in all three measures.’ Thus, labor must be like the gathering of all of all values for the distant voyage. The quality of labor opens the gates of the heart.” (Para. 406)
Code of the Heart. “Laws have been set down againat many crimes, but one must also have the code of the heart. One must sow good with each glance of the eye and each touch. And the heart will grow in this exercise of the good.” (Para. 410)
Spirit Leads Upward. “The days are so tense that if we think in an earthly way we must walk depressed, but the supermundane law leads us upward. Thus, the one who does not descend ascends. But it is only by spirit that we can avoid descent. Thus, above the earthly decision there is a heavenly one. Thus above the brain there is the heart.” (Para. 149)
Unity. “The summons to a unity of consciousnesses is necessary everywhere, because this is the simplest introduction into the life of the heart. This is not sorcery but a physical law that can weave a salutary net around the planet. Thus, everyone who follows the law of Being can justly consider himself a citizen of the Universe.” (Para. 150)
Devotion. “Complete devotion is the projection of consciousness along the line of Hierarchy. As a taut sail bears along the precious load, so the intensified consciousness carries one beyond the boundaries of danger.” (Para. 166)
The Chalice of the Great Service. “We shall find its components in religious ecstasy, when the heart quivers at the Highest Light. We shall find its components in the feeling of heart-filled love, when the tear of self-renunciation glistens. We shall discern it in the hero’s achievement when power is multiplied in the name of humanity. We shall find it in the patience of the gardener when he ponders over the mystery hidden in a seed. We shall find it in the courage that pierces the darkness. We shall find it in the smile of a child when it is attracted to a sunbeam. We shall find it admidst all flights that carry us into the Infinite. The feeling of Great Service is unlimited; it must fill the heart, which is forever inexhaustible.” (Para. 509)
Love. “Let us give our gratitude for each receptacle of love; it lies on the boundary of the New World, where hate and intolerance are banished. The path of love is the tension of cosmic energy. Thus will people find their place in Cosmos. Not like dry leaves but as flaming lotuses they will be akin to the Highest World.” (Para. 243)