309. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire - 27. DIVISION B - IV. THE FUTURE OF MANAS - Part 1- A. BAILEY

DIVISION B - MANAS AS A COSMIC, SYSTEMIC AND HUMAN FACTOR

IV. THE FUTURE OF MANAS - Part 1

It is only intended to handle this immense subject primarily in its relation to MAN, leaving the student to work out for himself much of what might be said, and to expand the concept from the unit to the group, and from the group to the totality of groups within the solar system.  We will only touch upon the development of the mind in man and hint at some probable developments; we shall endeavour to show that manas, as it evolves, leads to certain distinct characteristics, which [418] distinguish it from other developments which may be seen.  The subject therefore will be discussed under the following subheadings:

1. The characteristics of manas.

2. Probable developments of the human mind.

3. Manas in the final rounds.

In studying all these points the emphasis is, of course, to be laid upon the future, and I enlarge not upon that which is already developed.

1. Characteristics of manas.

The main characteristics of manas might be summed up under three heads:

a. Discrimination.

b. Ordered activity.

c. Adaptability.

Let us study these a little and note wherein in days and cycles to come they will be seen working out.

a. Discrimination.  This is necessarily almost the statement of a platitude.  All students recognise the discriminative quality of manas and its selective capacity; all recognise the faculty in man which enables him to distinguish intelligently between the Self and the Not-Self.  What we are apt to forget is that this faculty persists on all planes, and is threefold in manifestation:

First.  Discrimination between the I-consciousness, and that which is cognised in the external world.  This is the ability to distinguish between oneself and all other forms extant.  It is universally developed and has reached a fairly high stage of evolution.

Second.  Discrimination between the Ego and the Personality.  This narrows the concept down to the sphere of a man's own consciousness, and enables him to differentiate between his subjective self or soul, and the bodies which hold that soul enshrined.  This is not [419] by any means so universally developed.  Most men do not as yet distinguish with accuracy between themselves as the THINKER, persistent in time and space, and the vehicle through which they think, which is ephemeral and transient.  The real recognition of this essential duality, and the scientific appreciation of it is to be seen in the mystics, the advanced thinkers of the race, the conscious aspirants, and those nearing the Portal of Initiation.

Third.  Discrimination between soul and Spirit, or the realisation by the man that not only can he say, "I am"; not only can he realise that "I am That"; but that he can advance to a still further realisation, and say, "I am That I am."

In all these expansions and appreciations the discriminative faculty of manas is utilised.

Therefore, we can see for ourselves the future development, and whereto it will lead mankind.  Man now knows himself as a separated unit of consciousness; he NOW distinguishes between himself and all other materialised selves; he now realises himself as distinct from every other functioning sphere of matter from the materialised Logos to the cell in his own physical body, and the cell in all bodies on the physical plane.  This separative instinct, this distinguishing self-centredness has been the nursery wherein the infant, man, has segregated himself until he is of full strength, and able to take his share in the work of his group.  Only the voluntary merging of interest and of aim is of value, and only that is seen in man as he nears the final part of the path of evolution.  It is incident upon an earlier stage of intense self-assertion and intense self-realisation.  This stage is with us now; it marks all manifestation, and is the basis of the preservation of identity.  It distinguishes:

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The Logos and all forms within His body.

The planetary Logoi and all forms within Their bodies.

Man and all forms within his body.

That which must be emphasised is the little realised concept that this assertion of "I am" distinguishes not only man, but is the mantric word which preserves the integrity of all groups likewise.  When man can say "I am That" he is beginning to sense his oneness with his group.  When groups make a similar assertion they are beginning to realise their identity with all other groups.  When a planetary Logos echoes the words "I am That" He is approaching the hour of synthesis, or of absorption.  When a solar Logos utters the words, a year of Brahma will be drawing to a close, and the hour of conscious merging with His greater group will be approaching.  Broadly (in relation to man) it might be stated that:

"I am" refers to the personality consciousness on three lower planes, or to all that is considered as inferior to the causal body.  It concerns a man's realisation of his place upon the globe within a chain.

"I am That" refers to his egoic consciousness, and to the planes of the Triad.  It concerns a man's realisation of his place within the chain, and his relationship to the group of which he forms a part.

"I am That I am" refers to a man's monadic consciousness, and his relationship to the planes of abstraction.  It concerns his realisation of his position in the scheme.

When the initiate can say "I am That I am," then he has merged himself with his divine essence, and is freed from form.  The first occult assertion marks his emancipation from the three lower kingdoms, and his conscious [421]functioning in the three worlds.  This occurred at individualisation through the instrumentality of manas.  The second occult assertion marks the gradual emancipation of man from the lower three kingdoms, and his complete freeing from lower form domination at the fifth initiation.  At the final assertion, the initiate not only distinguishes between the Self, and all other forms of manifestation; he not only distinguishes between his own identity and the soul, as well as matter in form, but he can discriminate between the three—Spirit, Soul, and Matter—and with this realisation he is entirely liberated from manifestation for this greater cycle.  This inherent discriminative faculty of manas, displayed on ever higher spirals leads a man

Into matter and form,

Through all forms of matter on all planes and

Finally brings about his eventual abstraction from all forms and matter, plus the aggregate of transmuted knowledge which the evolutionary process has procured for him.

b. Ordered activity.  Here comes in the concept of intelligent purpose, pursuing a fixed and settled plan, and working out a preconceived ideal in time and space.  The Microcosm comes into incarnation through impulse based on intelligent purpose originating in his case on the mental plane—the plane of the manasic principle.  An interesting point might here be indicated.  The fifth plane, the mental, may be considered on a large scale as holding, in the case of a Heavenly Man, a position symbolically analogous to that held by the causal bodies of the units on His Ray.  Some causal bodies are on the third and some on the second subplanes, and the intricacy is excessive and various, producing geometrical forms allied somewhat to those portrayed upon the charts.  All is ordered activity of the units (each pursuing his own self-centred purpose and following the inclination of the lower self, whose slogan is "I am").  This will gradually give place to the ordered activity of the groups in which the units recognise the oneness of their self-interest, and therefore intelligently, actively, and with conscious purpose work for the good of the body corporate.  The vibration which occultly accompanies the sounding of the words "I am That" by the units on the physical plane is only very faintly beginning to make itself felt.  Units here and there are sounding it forth by their lives, and are thus passing on the vibration, and setting it in motion against the cruder, coarser one of "I am."

The time for the sounding of the final mantric phrase by ordered active groups lies ahead in the sixth and seventh rounds, and will not reach its full vibration in this solar system at all.  "I am That" will peal forth fully consummated in this system of duality, for the third initiation sees the initiate comprehending its mantric force.  Nevertheless, initiates of the sixth and seventh Initiations will not preponderate in this system.  After the fifth round and the passing into temporary obscuration of two fifths of the human family, the remaining units will achieve an approximate standing as follows:

One fifth will mantrically sound the words "I am That I am. "

Two fifths will achieve the fifth Initiation and will know themselves as "I am That."  They will also be cultivating response to the higher note.

One fifth and a half will attain the third Initiation, and will know themselves as "I am That" in full consciousness.

The remaining units will be those who are treading the Path, and beginning to know themselves as the group.

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In reference to what has been said anent the second characteristic of manas, a very interesting development may be looked for during the coming century.  This is the intensification of business organisation, and the bringing (under law and order), of the entire life of:

Families and groups of families,

Cities and groups of cities,

Nations and groups of nations,

until the human race in every department of its exoteric life will conform to rule,—this voluntarily, and with manasic realisation of group need.  The whole trend of mental effort during the next subraces will be towards the synthesis of endeavour, thus ensuring the good of the corporate body involved.  Many interesting events will occur and many experiments will necessarily be made (some to prove successful and some failures), before manas, or purposeful, ordered, intelligent activity, will control in the life of the peoples of this world.  It is not possible to enter into this in greater detail, as the subject is too vast.

Let us now take the third attribute of manas and its future demonstration.

c. Adaptability.  This is, as we know, the prime attribute ascribed to the third Ray, or the Brahma aspect.  Therefore, fundamentally it may be considered as the attribute of intelligence which adapts the matter aspect to the Spirit aspect, and is a characteristic inherent in matter itself.  It works under the two laws of Economy, and of Attraction and Repulsion; the work of the Mahachohan being primarily along this line.  Consequently the four lesser Rays of Attribute which are synthesised into the third Ray of Aspect, Adaptability, or Active Intelligence, are fundamentally concerned, and the future of manas is therefore involved in the growing influence of these four Rays:

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1. Harmony, Beauty, Art or Unity.

2. Concrete Science or Knowledge.

3. Abstract Idealism.

4. Ceremonial Magic.

2. Development of the Human Mind.

When the future results brought about by the four types of force mentioned above are somewhat realised, and their relationship to the adaptation of matter to Spirit (through the building into form), is studied, much of profound significance will be sensed by the student.  In the foretelling of mental developments along these four lines and the prophesying of definite achievement, indications may be given of the path which concrete science may follow.  Let us, therefore, take these four types of force, or these four planetary influences, and study them separately, bearing ever in mind that:

a. Each of them has swung into power during earlier world cycles.

b. One of them, being the influence of our own planetary Logos, is ever present with us, and is the major influence or vibration on the planet.

c. Certain of them are passing out of power at this present time, and others are coming in.

d. During the remainder of this round and the entire fifth round these four rays of attribute will circulate into and out of power ceaselessly; towards the end of the fifth round the third Ray of Aspect will predominate, having begun its work of synthesising and its influence will be paralleled in the sixth round by the gradually growing power of the second Ray of Aspect,—the two types of influence overlapping.  In the seventh round, the power of the second Ray will predominate and the influence of the third will weaken.  The first Ray will make itself felt.  The first Ray, that of[425] Mahadeva ^[cli]49 or the Destroyer, will set its second great impulse upon our planetary evolution by the obscuration of two fifths of the human family.  The impress to be set by the first Ray upon our human family on this globe might be considered as threefold:

First.  At human individualisation in the middle of the third rootrace.  This was produced by a vast destruction of the forms we call animal-man.  This point has seldom been brought out in teaching.  The advent of the Lords of the Flame, the electrical storm which ushered in the period of man, was distinguished by disaster, chaos, and the destruction of many in the third kingdom of nature.  The spark of mind was implanted and the strength of its vibration, and the immediate effect of its presence caused the death of the animal form, thus producing the immediate possibility of the newly vitalised causal bodies vibrating to such purpose that new physical vehicles were taken.  That was the Will aspect manifesting in the fourth round in connection with the human family.

Second.  In the fifth round, at the so-called Judgment.  This will bring about the apparent destruction of two-fifths of the human family, and the translation of the indwelling units of consciousness to other spheres, more [426] suited to their stage of evolution.  This event will be regarded at the time as a catastrophe, but the Knowers will see and know, and three fifths of the human family will understand the reason.

Third.  At the final reabsorption of the perfected monads into their emanating source in the seventh round.  This will be marked by obscuration and the destruction of the form.  Suffering will be practically nil, as the human units involved will have reached a stage where they can consciously co-operate in the process of abstraction.  It is evident therefore that as regards the human family (the manasaputras in incarnation), the fourth, fifth, and seventh rounds hold hid the key to the first aspect.  For the devas it is the first, second and sixth.  For the involutionary entity, whom we call the "spirit of the planet" it is simply the third.

The third Ray holds sway all the time, for the second Ray only came into power in the second round.  It holds sway simultaneously with the second Ray until the end of the age, when it begins gradually to obscure as the first Ray swings into influence again.  Remember, nevertheless, that all three are at all times present.  It is simply a question of degree and of cyclic evolution.

We might now take the four minor Rays, which, with the third, make the sumtotal of manas, and see wherein their influence may be expected.  The subject is so stupendous that we cannot possibly do more than touch upon certain points, nor can we enlarge along the line of the mechanistic development of forms to utilise the force.  This is all hidden in the science of electricity, and as exoteric science discovers how:

To utilise the power in the air, or to reduce electrical phenomena to the uses of man;

To build forms, and create machines to contain and distribute the electrical forces of the atmosphere;

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To harness the activity of matter, and to drive it towards certain ends;

To employ the electrical force in the air to vitalise, rebuild, and heal the physical body;

then the phenomena of the Rays, working in cycles, will be comprehended, and vast opportunities will be seized by man to bring about specific ends during specific cycles.

a. Ray effects.  The Ray of Harmony, Beauty and Art, or the second manasic aspect (adaptability being the third) will work out in the following ways:

In the development of the intuition by the means of the knowledge of sound vibration, and the higher mathematics.  This is being already touched upon exoterically.

Music, as a means to be employed in building and destroying, will be recognised, and the laws of levitation and of rhythmic movement in all forms, from an atom to a solar system, will be studied.  The manipulation of matter of all kinds by the means of sound will be practised on the two lower planes, and when the synthesis of the four rays into the third is in process of accomplishment, then a similar knowledge will be displayed on the mental plane.

The laws of fire will be gradually permitted exoteric publication; there are twenty-seven occult laws which are only revealed after initiation at this stage of evolution.  In them are summed up the basic laws of color and of music and rhythm.  When music produces warmth or stimulation, and when pictures, for instance, glow or reveal the subjective within the objective, then will this fourth Ray of Harmony be coming to fruition.

Let us keep the numbering of the Rays clearly in mind.

The numbers preceding the names have to do with the sevenfold manifestation, and the numbers succeeding the names concern the fivefold manifestation of Brahma.

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	1. Will or Power.
Rays of Aspect:	2. Love or Wisdom.
	3. Adaptability or active intelligence	1.
	4. Harmony, Beauty or Art	2.
	5. Concrete Knowledge or Science	3.
Rays of Attribute:	6. Abstract Idealism	4.
	7. Ceremonial Magic	5.

We must now continue with our consideration of the four types of force, emanating from certain great Entities, and the future results that may be expected from their effect upon man, remembering ever that these four influences (with their synthesis, the third Ray of Aspect) sum up, in themselves, the fifth logoic principle of manas.  They are, literally, the radiatory effects of the Divine Manasaputras.  We are concerned primarily with the results to be brought about in the units in Their bodies.

The coming into power of this fourth Ray at any time (and such an advent may be looked for towards the close of this lesser cycle, which ended in 1924) will produce a corresponding activity in connection with the fourth subplane in each plane, beginning with the fourth physical ether; this will result in the following effects:

First, physical plane scientists will be able to speak with authority anent the fourth ether, even though they may not recognise it as the lowest of the four etheric grades of substance:  its sphere of influence and its utilisation will be comprehended, and "force" as a factor in matter, or the electrical manifestation of energy within definite limits, will be as well understood as is hydrogen at this time.  Indications of this can already be seen in the discovery of radium, and the study of radioactive substances and of electronic demonstration.  This knowledge will revolutionise the life of man; it will put into his hands that which occultists call "power of the fourth order" (on the physical plane).  It will enable him to [429] utilise electrical energy for the regulation of his everyday life in a way as yet incomprehensible; it will produce new methods of illuminating, and of heating the world at a small cost and with practically no initial outlay.  The fact of the existence of the etheric body will be established, and the healing of the dense physical body, via the etheric body, by force utilisation and solar radiation, will take the place of the present methods.  Healing will then fall practically into two departments:

1. Vitalisation, by means of:

a. Electricity.

b. Solar and planetary radiation.

2. Definite curative processes, through the occult knowledge of:

a. The force centres.

b. The work of the devas of the fourth ether.

Transportation on sea and land will be largely superseded by the utilisation of air routes and the transit of large bodies through the air, by means of the instantaneous use of the force or energy inherent in the ether itself, will take the place of the present methods.

Religious students will study the side of manifestation we call the "life side" just as the scientist studies that called "matter," and both will come to a realisation of the close relation existing between the two, and thus the old gap and the ancient warfare between science and religion will be in temporary abeyance.  Definite methods of demonstrating the fact that life persists after the death of the physical body will be followed, and the etheric web will be recognised as a factor in the case.  The connection between the different planes will be sought, and the analogy between the fourth etheric subplane and the fourth or buddhic plane (the fourth cosmic ether) will be studied, for it will be realised that the life of those Entities, Whom we recognise as the planetary Logoi, pours [430]through our scheme from the fourth cosmic plane, the cosmic buddhic, and thus in a very special sense through all lesser correspondences.  The alignment will be as follows:

a. The fourth cosmic plane, the cosmic buddhic.

b. The fourth cosmic ether, the fourth plane of the system, the buddhic.

c. The fourth etheric subplane of our physical plane.

There is thus a line of least resistance from the planes of the cosmos, producing a special activity in connection with the Heavenly Men, demonstrating on Their Own plane, and sequentially in connection with the units in Their bodies on lower levels.  Lines of force, extending from our scheme extra-systemically, will be a recognised fact, and will be interpreted by scientists in terms of electrical phenomena, and by the religious man in terms of life,—the life force of certain Entities.

Philosophic students will endeavour simultaneously to link these two schools of thought, and to demonstrate the factor of the intelligent adaptation of the electrical phenomena which we call matter,—of that energised active material we call substance,—to the life purpose of a cosmic Being.  In these three lines of thought, therefore,—scientific, religious, and philosophic,—we have the beginning of the conscious building, or construction of the antaskarana of that group which we call the fifth rootrace.

On the fourth subplane of the astral plane, a similar activity will be noted as in process.  The inflowing force will cause an astral stimulation in the bodies of many of the human family who are still on that subplane, and will bring about an awakening of the desire for harmony in a new manner.  This will work out relatively well in the sixth subrace.  It should be remembered that numbers of the old Atlanteans (fourth rootrace men) will respond to [431]the stimulation and will find their way into incarnation at that time, for the four and the six are always closely allied.  We have another suggestive analogy in the fact that the devas of the fourth ether will be soon swinging into recognised utility and that in the sixth subrace the deva evolution will be exceedingly prominent.  The fourth plane is the plane of at-one-ment for certain deva and human units, and certain groups (the fourth Creative Hierarchy and the sixth Deva Hierarchy) have a pronounced karma to work out together.  One can now see the supreme importance of the human Hierarchy, the fourth in this sequence of planes and ideas.

Second Cosmic Plane	Seven Cosmic Logoi.
Fourth Cosmic Plane	Seven Rishis of the Great Bear.
Second Solar Plane	Seven Heavenly Men.
Fourth Solar Plane	Seven centres of the seven     Heavenly Men in the fourth cosmic ether.
Fourth subplane of the solar    physical	Seven centres of the human unit in ether of the fourth order.

The beauty of the interlocking system will be apparent, even though it may not be so immediately understandable wherein lies the relation between these complexities of entities.  We must ever remember that we are considering the force or life-energy of these entities as it pours into, and works through definite, material, substantial forms.

On the fourth subplane of the mental plane there will be, in the immediate future, a period of intensified evolution for the units of the fifth rootrace, prior to their passing out of and into another race, globe, chain, or scheme.  We have on the fourth subplane of the fifth plane the centre of interest for the present race and the day of its opportunity.  Here can be seen the awakening of the higher consciousness, and the first ripple of perception of, and vibratory response to, the causal body. In this [432] connection, we must ever remember that the periphery of the causal body encloses the permanent atoms.  It is the plane of testing, of the major initiations of the Threshold; it is the battleground in man, and from this plane he must secure the right to enter the Path, and procure that control over his lower bodies which will make him a master, and not a slave.

Thus one could progress the idea and fill many books with suggestions as to that which may be expected during the next few centuries but it does not serve any useful purpose to enlarge further.  I might, in summing up these ideas, point out that the immediate future achievement consists in the utilisation of force and of electrical energy for the more harmonious adjustment of the life of man.

One or two more suggestions might be made anent the influence of this fourth Ray of mind, and primarily it might be pointed out that more time has been given to the consideration of this Ray than will be possible with most of the others on account of its holding a place of such importance in this fourth chain of the earth scheme, and on the fourth globe, our earthly planet.  Each planetary Logos pours forth His influence in different rounds, planes, chains, globes, races, and subraces according to their numerical relationship to the scheme of which He is the vitalising Life.  Temporarily, and as the cycle progresses, these forms become receptive and negative, and are thus responsive to the positive influence of the planetary Logos.

One further point I would make, and as it is of an esoteric and occult nature, it can be but hinted at.  At the fourth Initiation, the force of the Logos of the fourth Ray is a vital factor in the initiation.  It is through the application of the Rod of Initiation that His Life energy is applied to the initiate, or the electrical force that emanates from Him is geometrically circulated through certain [433] centres, producing the necessitated stimulation.  At the fifth Initiation similarly the force of the third Logos may be felt, and at the sixth that of the second Logos, while at the seventh the dynamic fire of the first Logos circulates through the body of the Chohan.

It might be tabulated thus:

1. The magical force of the seventh Logos is felt at the first Initiation.

2. The aggressive fire of the sixth Logos is felt at the second Initiation.

3. The illuminating light of the fifth Logos is felt at the third Initiation.

4. The harmonising life of the fourth Logos is felt at the fourth Initiation.

5. The blending power of the third Logos is felt at the fifth Initiation.

6. The unifying heat of the second Logos is felt at the sixth Initiation.

7. The dynamic electricity of the first Logos is felt at the seventh Initiation.

Let us now pass on to the brief consideration of the future influence of the third manasic ray of "Concrete Knowledge or Science."  As I have elsewhere pointed out this ray concerns itself with the building of form, with the utilisation of matter, with the embodying of ideas, or of entities, whether cosmic, systemic, lunar, or subhuman.  The planetary Logos of this fifth systemic Ray holds a peculiar position in the scheme of things.  He is the embodiment of the fifth logoic principle of manas.  His is the synthesising scheme for the five schemes of the five Kumaras Who are Brahma, when viewed as the sum total of the third logoic aspect, though He is not the synthesising factor for the seven schemes which are the sum total of logoic manifestation considered as the union of the second and third aspects.  This is a point of prime importance to bear in mind.  His is the influence that leads to the scientific adaptation of matter to form, [434] and His is the life that unifies ever the three and the five.  Let us see if, by illustration, we can make this idea more simple.  He is, as we know, the embodiment of the fifth principle.  His influence, therefore, may ever be felt in His numerical correspondences, for He is the Lord of the fifth Ray in the system, and Ruler of the third Manasic Ray when considering only the third aspect.  At individualisation, or at the coming into incarnation of the self-conscious units, the fifth principle linked the higher three and the lower four.  This took place in the third rootrace and produced a form wherein dwelt Spirit on the third subplane of the fifth plane.  All these analogies will bear pondering upon and the numerical relationship is not by chance.  His was the power that acted via certain schemes, chains, and globes, and produced results in the cells and groups of cells in the body of our particular planetary Logos.  This is given by way of elucidation, and by way of indicating the relative importance of the influence of a planetary Logos upon another planetary Logos during different stages of evolution.

This influence has waxed and waned since that time, dying down during the fourth rootrace, and waxing steadily greater during this fifth or Aryan.  The planetary Logos Whose influence it is has not yet reached the zenith of His power, in this race.  For a period immediately ahead His electrical energising force will pour on to our planet, and will bring about fresh discoveries anent matter and form, and fresh revelations concerning energy in matter.

During the coming subraces His cycle will begin to pass out, and the influence of His Brother, the fourth Logos of Harmony, will reach its zenith for this round.  During the fifth round the power or electrical radiation of the fifth Logos will again be strongly felt, for it is His round, and just as He was largely responsible for the manasic stimulation of animal man in the third rootrace, so in [435] the fifth round will he be instrumental in causing that great separation which we call the "Judgment."  Remember in this connection that these Logoi—when pouring Their influence through a scheme or other septenary—work through Their numerical correspondence in the chains and globes.  In the fifth round, for instance, the fifth chain (a centre in the body of the Heavenly Man) will be the recipient of this fifth type of force and will transmit and circulate it to the other chains via their fifth globe.  Until the race has further evolved the mystery lies securely hid, and the inability of man to find out the enumeration of the schemes, chains, and globes, or to discover whether they are counted from within outwards, or vice versa, conceals that which must be hid.

The influence of this fifth Logos will be felt very considerably now on the fifth subplane of all the planes, specially in the three worlds of human endeavour, and as we are here dealing with man we can count from what is erroneously termed "the bottom up."  Therefore, the mental unit of men in this fifth subrace will receive increased stimulation, enabling man to vibrate on the fifth subplane which literally is the third subplane on the abstract level of the mental plane, on which the causal body is found.  The fifth spirilla will, consequently, become active and the electrical force, or the fohatic current, will pour through it, and enable those men who are at the right stage to utilise this force in order to take the first initiation.

As this fifth influence becomes more and more felt, its effects will be seen on the astral plane in an intelligent conscious control which will be based not so much on the desire for harmony as on a desire for a scientific, intelligent manipulation of astral matter.  When this is the case, the higher psychism will begin to make itself felt.  On the physical plane a great deal of interesting electrical phenomena will be seen, and the opportunity of the [436]Manu to separate races, to segregate types, and to submerge and detach continents will be great.  This is the ray of separative force, and its place, as a factor in the erection and destruction of forms, is very interesting.

It may be asked wherein this can all be interpreted in terms of fire, and thus the integrity of the thought-form of this book be preserved.  Whenever the words influence, radiation, or the power of a ray, are used, we are dealing inferentially with electrical phenomena, or with energy of some kind.  This energy, or electrical manifestation, this "mystery of electricity" to which H. P. B. refers, ^[clii]50 is the foundation of all manifestations, and lies back of all evolution.  It produces light in ever-growing brilliancy; it builds and moulds the form to the need of the indwelling Entity; it brings about coherence and group activity; it is the warmth that causes all growth, and that fosters not only the manifestations of the vegetable and animal kingdoms but induces interaction between the human units, and lies behind all human relationships.  It is magnetism, radiation, attraction and repulsion, life, death, and all things; it is conscious purpose and essential will in objective manifestation, and he who has solved what lies back of electrical phenomena has solved not only the secret of his own Being, but knows his place within his greater sphere, a planetary Logos, is conscious of the Identity of that cosmic Existence we call a solar Logos, and realises somewhat the place of our system and its electrical relationship with the seven constellations.

We have now to deal with the influence of a force that is waning and passing out of dominance, that of the sixth Ray of Devotion or Idealism.  It will not be possible to predicate much anent it, beyond pointing out certain general ideas which may be of value in the contemplation of Ray cycles in general.

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These Ray influences work through their focal points in all cases (macrocosmic and microcosmic) and these are the etheric centres.  The centres, in the case of all Beings, are ever seven in number, and are composed of deva and human units in group activity, or of force vortices which contain in latency, and hold in ordered activity, cells with the potentiality of human manifestation.  Forget not the occult truism that all forms of existence pass at one stage of their career through the human kingdom.

Cosmic, or extra-systemic rays, impinge upon or circulate via centres found on the second cosmic ether, but which, at the present stage of objectivity, become systemically visible in the fourth cosmic ether, the buddhic.

One permanent cosmic Ray is the ray of our Logos Himself, and the subrays of this ray permeate His entire system.  Six other cosmic Rays, animating other systems, influence ours, finding their reflections in the subrays of our logoic Ray.  To these six cosmic influences our Heavenly Men respond.  They absorb the influence, being centres in the body logoic, pass it through Their schemes, circulate it through Their own centres (chains), and transmit it on to other schemes, coloring it with Their Own peculiar shade and qualifying it by Their own peculiar tone or note.  The whole system of ray influence, or radiatory warmth, considered both physically and psychically, is one of an intricate circulation and interaction.  The radiation or vibration passes in ordered cycles from its originating source, the One Ray, or systemic Logos, to the different centres in His body.  Viewed from the physical standpoint this ray force is the energising factor in matter.  Viewed from the psychical point of view it is the qualitative faculty.  From scheme to scheme, from chain to chain, and from globe to globe, this force or quality passes and circulates, both adding, and at the same time abstracting, and returns to its focal point with two noticeable differences:

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a. The radiatory heat is intensified.

b. The qualitative character or colour is increased.

The effect on the form side is equally noticeable, and the warmth or quality of a Ray not only affects the psyche of a man, a planetary Logos, and a solar Logos, but has a definite effect on material substance itself.

Ray influences work equally on the deva and human Hierarchies, as they function in a planetary or logoic body.  Clarity of thought might eventuate if we ever bear in mind that all forms are dual, both in evolution and in essential nature.  They are the product of the work of the Builders (deva forces) and of active intelligence (the human units) and the two are indivisible in the Divine Hermaphrodite, or Heavenly Man.  They are stimulated in both aspects of their Being by the ray influence.

Let us now tabulate these ideas somewhat:

	Entity	Psychical  Force Centres	Physical  Manifestation	Manifestation
1.	Solar Logos	Heavenly Men	Deva Builders	A solar system
		They energise   and are    active life.	They work  in matter  and hold the life.
2.	Planetary  Logos	Human group  units	Deva Builders	A Scheme.
3.	A Man	Seven etheric centres	Elemental  builders	Bodies.