Initiation
This article is a rewording of the concepts on the theme of Initiation in Lessons 6 and 7 of Teacher Training, by Lucille Cedercrans.
New Methods
The Planetary Logos is taking initiation. He is initiating into his instrument energies and concepts that are new to his level of consciousness and instrument. He is using humanity to do so, the whole of humanity, not a subgroup. In that light, the consciousness of the total humanity has entered into the initiatory process. The Divine Plan now relates to humanity via the process of initiation.
The Hierarchy, the world group of disciples, and humanity are all evolving. The evolution of each is affecting the evolution of the other two. New situations arising within all three, some of which were unexpected, are causing the Hierarchy to respond with new methods and techniques of initiation. At the time these lessons were given, the response was in the nature of an experiment. Since that time, the experiment proved successful and is being used by the Hierarchy as a whole.
The experiment involved the group taking initiation, rather than the individual. It involves the expansion of consciousness enhanced by the externalization of ashramic group consciousness into the brain consciousness of its incarnate group. This externalization manifests as the Plan via the service activities of the group. The group potency, the power potential, established by this group activity will determine the number of incarnations it will take to externalize this ashramic group consciousness; it could take one or three incarnations.
A large group of disciples is currently involved in such an externalization of an ashramic group consciousness. The ashram central to the experiment is somewhat new, being the synthesis of the first, second, and seventh ray ashrams. The disciples attracted to serve in this externalization have incarnated to do so, and were probably associated with one or other of the three ashrams. These disciples find themselves in a somewhat difficult position. On soul levels, they have evolved enough to apply for initiation; on personality levels they have no awareness of or experience of the initiatory process as it relates to them.
These disciples applying for initiation and cooperating with this experiment are already members of the ashram, their positions differing with their points of evolution. According to that point, each shares on soul levels in the Hierarchical consciousness that is the focal point for the ashram. They are being trained in soul-mind-brain contact that will make possible the use of the Science of Impression in their initiatory effort. Each will establish their own contact and be put in touch with Hierarchical consciousness, although the communication will not be received as one might expect it to be. Even so, each disciple has the right to share whatever knowledge, understanding, light, love, or power they are able to contact, and to put it to any use they will. A planned service activity is formulated by a creative act of the will.
Group Service to Groups
The subjective group to which the individual belongs may not necessarily be the same group they are working with in the outer world. It is a group that shares in a state of consciousness, with each other and with what overshadows the group. Each shares in a common purpose and goal. Therefore, the activity of this subjective group will not necessarily be that of a group of individuals on the physical plane in constant contact with each other, with each carrying out the same activity. Instead, each member could be anywhere, sharing in the group consciousness in their brain. Each contributes to the group effort through the individual effort of embodying and applying the shared consciousness. It is a team, and more.
Being composed of disciples of the three ashrams, this group is vast; it functions throughout the entire world, with the common purpose of meeting the needs of humanity. It attracts unto itself the aspirants in the world who are ready to be brought into a relationship with the Hierarchy and with humanity by means of a service activity inspired by the world group of disciples. The aspirants are a vital link in the bridge of humanity and the Hierarchy. The aspirants are in preparation for the application for initiation in a later incarnation.
The world group of disciples transfer the group idea or groupness to the large group of aspirants. This is the beginning of an integration of consciousness initiated by the disciples acting in a relationship that is similar to the relationship that the Hierarchy holds to the disciples. These disciples are beginning to form their own ashrams that are a reflection in consciousness of the ashrams in which the disciples function. The Hierarchy relates the disciples to the aspirants; in turn, the disciples must relate the aspirants to the mass of humanity. The aspirants must be inspired and impressed to serve humanity along the lines indicated by the Plan.
The initiation process is not concerned with the expansion of the consciousness of the initiating agent (individual or group), although that will occur. Initiation is concerned with the evolution of the consciousness of those inspired by and attracted to the initiating effort. The world group of disciples initiates a planned service activity that manifests the Plan; they are inspired to do so in large part through the subjective inspiration and agency of the initiatory effort of the ashrams of the Hierarchy. The service activity of the group of disciples attracts and inspires aspirants, who apply that inspiration through service to the masses of humanity.
Initiation could be considered as the process of the assertion of the expansion of consciousness throughout these interrelating groups. As this assertion, the group on the ashramic levels takes initiation and moves on to other service, other responsibilities on the ashramic levels. And this because the growing groupness of the aspirants are moving into the position of application for initiation. And this because the masses of humanity are increasingly joining the ranks of the aspirants. All this is leading to the mass of humanity consciously entering the initiation process, and consciously, purposely aiding a corresponding process serving the three lower kingdoms.
Initiation is not a measure of how spiritual, how soul-infused, how soul-conscious an individual becomes. It is involved with how much attainment one makes possible to others, how much one inspires and impresses others. It is involved with the movement of, the expansion of consciousness of those who are lesser evolved and who are related to the individual. Those who are related are related through the soul and personality rays, and predominately for some time rays one, two, and seven. It is about bringing aspirants and those approaching the aspirant stage into relationship as group.
As an individual, one will attract, along ray lines, those who are karmically related to them; they will be found on the combination of rays through which that individual is related. Until one knows more, it is difficult to define those rays, and the whole subject is complicated by the point of development of the individual and the individual they attract.
The initiation being described here is a new effort, a new plan, and is a combination of several initiations. It has to do with manifesting the Plan. It has to do with the ability of the group of disciples to lift the line (lines) of consciousness that is lesser evolved. In other words, it is serving to aid in the esoteric becoming exoteric, to aid in the subjective becoming objective. As the Plan manifests in humanity in a mass sense, the disciple, the group, the kingdom takes initiation.
Initiation and the Problems of Humanity
To understand the problems of humanity, especially in the light of its entry into the initiatory process, one must build a foundation of understanding of that process. It helps to consider what the whole process involves, not simply any specific degree.
Initiation relates to the birth of consciousness from Soul levels into the three worlds of (in this case) the world persona. This is brought about by the spiritual expansion of the sphere of identified focus to include a greater consciousness of love. The sphere expands to include more of the world of ideas. As the sphere simultaneously expands horizontally, as that identified focus relates those new ideas to the world in which it lives, it becomes group conscious.
The identified focus could be thought of as the world persona of humanity, or as the unit of its expression, a human being. The process of initiation is reflecting in both. One can better understand what the world persona is going through (the nature of the problems of humanity), by better understanding what any of us are going through as a part of the initiatory process.
In that light, relating the process to a human being involved in the stage of discipleship, one can recognize that new energies, new ideas, and new concepts are impacting the sphere of identified focus, and are stimulating a greater consciousness of light. Discipleship might be thought of as the stage of being conscious of incorporating these energies into one’s vehicles such that they can be rightly used in the expanding horizontal relationships.
The instrument has three distinct aspects. The consciousness is focused into a separate “I” in the mental consciousness, an “I” in the astral consciousness, and an “I” in the so-called physical consciousness. Being polarized into one vehicle means that that one is more positive and active, and is having the greatest impact on the I-consciousness in the brain. The I-consciousness in the brain is unaware of the source of the impact as being anything other than oneself within their small sphere of influence. It is the same consciousness in each vehicle, but it is the consciousness identified as the form within which it finds itself. Generally it seems as though one is trapped in a physical body, in brain consciousness, but the soul is reflected in the mental and astral via etheric centers, and is similarly trapped in each vehicle.
As the identified focus expands its consciousness to include consciousness not imprisoned within its normal frequency range, it could become aware of another identity, another “I”. Only experience in consciousness ever actually expands the sphere of identified focus. The astral I-consciousness experiences the expansion with more feeling, depth, and more glamour, while the mental I-consciousness experiences it with a greater depth of understanding, but also illusion. I-consciousness in the brain realizes this gradually, and is the last to know and experience that which is. Each of these spheres is contained within each other, each in the same time and place, but within different frequency ranges. Each I-consciousness is focused within its own vehicle and has its own life and affairs.
The initiation process permits the integration of these apparently separated I-consciousnesses into a greater focus and with the soul consciousness on its own plane who is striving to have greater control over the activity of the incarnate “I”.
Testing as the Agent of Embodiment
(Test, verb: take measures to check the quality, performance, or reliability of something, especially before putting it into widespread use or practice.)
The initiatory process consists of testing of the identified consciousness as a whole, but also a testing of the consciousness polarized within each of the vehicles.
The soul on its own plane ideates, that is, it generates ideas that represent its nature, and its relationship with its purpose as reflected in the Plan. The soul is seeking to incorporate these ideas and the energy of them through the I-consciousness in its triple vehicle. It is seeking to carry these ideas through the mental and astral into the brain, into the physical response mechanism, such that they can manifest outwardly as living proof of the ideas; thus the reality of these ideas can then have their effect in the place where humanity is focused and living today. In the initiatory process, testing in each vehicle involves recognizing the ability or inability of each vehicle to adequately manifest and communicate the soul-generated ideas, and thereby aid the evolution of those within one’s field of influence.
The identified focus on the mental plane is closest in contact and rapport to the soul on its own plane, and through the process of evolution the relationship between the two is expanding, deepening, and becoming more communicative. The soul is communicating ever more clearly to and through the mental focus. This also means that in the past communication was not as expanded; it was relatively more partial. This means that the mental forms the mental-I consciousness previously generated to convey the nature of this relationship are at best partial truths. In that they are partial, they constitute illusions. Yet, they are regarded as anything but illusory, since they carry the note of the divinity of the soul. As the relationship develops, new ideas and new energies from the soul impress the mental I-consciousness. At the time of these new impressions, these new energies do not have adequate mental forms to represent them. This creates a conflict between the entering energies and the previously created and highly regarded forms. These forms seek to maintain their existence, and in their own protection they act to oppose the incoming energies.
As the I-consciousness of the mental vehicle incorporates the incoming energy, that vehicle becomes a conductor of that energy to the I-consciousness imprisoned in the astral vehicle. This is the natural path in that any energy seeking physical expression must first move through and be qualified by the astral nature. Here again conflict and opposition can arise. Previously, the thoughts and energies coming from the mental, that were by definition partial truths or illusions, were interpreted as ideals by the astral focus of consciousness. These ideals were emotionally evaluated as having qualities of perfection worthy of devotion, thereby glamorizing them. Conflict arises between the new energies arriving from the mental focus of consciousness and the ideals the astral focus of consciousness regards as divine, or even perfect; the new energies are emotionally taken to be threats to perfection or divinity and must be opposed.
The impact on the physical comes through the etheric and the etheric center system. Long before there is effective response from the I-consciousness in the brain, there is the registration of the conflict occurring in both the mental and astral aspects of the vehicles. Glamour is the most difficult problem for the I-consciousness of the physical, of the brain, since most humans are completely imprisoned within it. The difficulty is increased by the inability of the I-consciousness in the brain to recognize the illusions (partial truths long held as completely valid) on the mental plane or the glamours (the idealization of those partial truths) on the astral plane.
When one realizes the truth and precipitates the energies of that truth, one does so using patterns of manifestation that they have long accepted, and that are built into their automatic response mechanism. Even though these patterns are not adequately representative of the energies, they are used as the negative (receptive) pole of the energy. In general, this is the positive energy of the soul attracting its polar opposite, the negative energy of the personality, and forcing it into use as its manifestation.
For some time, this is done without the personality recognizing the soul as the source of its actions. Take the example of the aspiring personality having an unusually successful meditation in which there was a clear realization of soul identification. Realization is bringing into focus the energy underlying the concept, in this case soul identification, and this will invariably precipitate a degree of soul energy. Because the personality is the energetic polar opposite of the soul on its own plane, the personality will be evoked into a response by this energy. Initially and without fail, the response will not be that of the personality realizing that it is soul-identified. It will be the personality energized to act as it is, the personality devoid of any realization that it is the soul.
The personality will, without question, be stimulated. The response is inevitable. After the meditation ends and the life of the personality as the personality continues, that stimulation will evidence as the personality acting perhaps more personally than it usually does. This could manifest as anger, fear, depression, jealousy, irritation or any of the patterns contained within the automatic response mechanism.
It can take quite some time before the personality can even begin to relate the meditative experience of soul identification to the stimulation of the personality. Eventually, the two will be linked. Eventually the two will be recognized as integral to the initiation process; and eventually the stimulation of the personality will be recognized as a priceless opportunity afforded by the testing aspect of the initiatory process. The nature of the opportunity is the real-time recognition of the automatic response mechanism in action as being caused by the soul rather than being caused by the apparent trigger of the reaction, such as another person, or a situation. Along with that recognition is the deep understanding that the reaction is a sign that one has not created a response that truly reveals the nature of the soul.
To be effective, the opportunity must be seized during the personality reaction. In the moment of its manifestation, one can pause, observe the nature of the reaction, realize that the reactive pattern was created when there was little or maybe no conscious realization of soul identity. The opportunity lies in the realization that the truth one is impressed by needs a better manifestation. Here is the opportunity to bring the energy of the concept to bear on the reactive pattern to such a degree that the pattern is transformed or transmuted. It will be transmuted to the degree of the realization that one has had, and in this understanding realize that this process continues as the expansion of consciousness continues, as the nature of the identification deepens.
Letting the opportunity pass is not only failing the test, it gives the reactive pattern the energy of the truth without living and manifesting the truth. This makes it more likely that the reactive pattern will be used in a similar situation in the future, and become a usual reaction that is far more difficult to modify or replace. It becomes a more solid identification of the persona (It’s just the way I am.) Repressing the opportunity actually creates the form of repression that helps to establish the old form of reaction as the line of least resistance; it gives the old, inappropriate form the life energy of the truth seeking expression. Repression not only increases the power of the old form, but this acts to enliven the opposition to creating a new manifestation of the truth.
Eventually the consciousness can no longer reject the truth, and this results in a climax or high point of the initiatory process. It is finally realized that the existent pattern of manifestation will always manifest in response to the pressure of the truth seeking entry, and in a way will always oppose the manifestation of that truth. The existent manifesting pattern must show itself, and the consciousness must recognize it as inappropriately or incompletely expressing the truth; the consciousness is then given the opportunity to modify the old form or create a new one that better carries the truth into manifestation. This is the way the evolutionary process works.
Of course this is difficult for several reasons. For one, the old pattern is familiar, it has been useful, in most areas of your life you are on good terms with it; and you know the results it brings. It is part of the face of the soul, the persona, the face that others know you by and know what to expect from you. Being identified as form, the persona is loath to any change in the form that diminishes it, or lessens the centrality of its role, or its importance on its own terms.
Between the polarities of the conscious soul and the form-identified persona, there is developing a magnetic tension. Here time becomes important. It is no longer adequate to recognize having been the pattern after the fact. It becomes important to be aware of being the pattern in the midst of being it, call it to a halt, and assert the truth of the realization. Of course the form-identified persona (the face of the soul) opposes this because it does not want to lose face (itself as it is), and this is the downfall of many (most?) disciples at this time. The form-identified persona does not want to pause, to realize that it is being the opposition to becoming the soul in manifestation. Here lies the tension, here lies the opportunity to assert the power of the realization of the truth, and thereby be set free from the imprisoning form. And in setting yourself free, you also set the form (the deva and the substance) free from a less than adequate patterning.
Even if you do pause and put the old pattern on hold while you assert the truth, the pattern will still exist. You have trained that pattern to manifest in specific situations, and when that situation arises that pattern will show itself again; it must. Because you are now experienced, this presents itself as a choice. Again, you must pause, and assert the truth, but this time it also affords the opportunity to retrain, requalify, and adapt pattern to better use. Reversing the opposition to becoming the soul in manifestation involves a definite physical action that portrays the realization of the truth. It means demonstrating the recognized truth, physically. Along those lines, if, in the process of being the old reactive pattern, you have caused harm and especially harm to a relationship, take responsibility for it and requalify the relationship. If harm was done through words, recall the words or do something that alters their effect.
It helps to look at the whole process in the light of the effect on others. If, in the process of requalifying the relationship, you carry negative emotions, like guilt, or discouragement, these will have their effect on others, and would not constitute the manifestation of the realization of truth. The whole test of initiation is that your progress through these tests, as evidenced by your assertion of the truth through your physical life, will have its effect on others. Through that salient display of the realization of truth, others will naturally be attracted to that same truth, and the path of initiation widens for all involved.