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] |
