QU1. Aquarius Report - 140. Treading the Probationary Path 140.1-4

140 - Treading the Probationary Path

140.1 The Probationary Path, its Stages, Tests and Hindrances

What is the Path and what are its main divisions?

The Path is referred to the Spiritual Path of consciousness evolution (the Path of Evolution). It is the evolutionary journey upon which all creatures in the universe are proceeding, as consciousness evolves. It is the transition from a lower state of awareness, to a higher state, leading eventually to  identification with supreme universal Consciousness. In regard to man, the path refers to the process in which consciousness evolves from a state of ignorance, to the sublime heights of soul enlightenment. 

The Path of Evolution as it involves consciousness in the human kingdom has 3 main stages (each of these three sections have further sub-divisions):

1. The Ordinary Path upon which the personality nature of ordinary or average man is developed. The Probationary Path is the transition at the end of the Ordinary Path and towards the Path of Discipleship.

2. The Path of Discipleship, referred to the Initiation 1, 2 and 3, bringing the personality under the control of the Soul.

3. The Path of Initiation or the Path of Illumination, referred to the Initiations 4 and beyond, bringing consciousness under the control of the Monad or Spirit.

a. Why is it of value for student to know where he/she stands upon the Path and what may be his/her particular problem?

It is essential to know where we stand upon the Path, so that we are aware of the goals relevant to our positions and we can figure out the future progress to strive for. This means correctly identifying which body is being developed and purified, and which level of consciousness is emerging so that right techniques can be applied. On the other hand, this knowledge is also needed for accuracy of astrological prediction and interpretation.

b. What lessons is the student learning on the Probationary Path?

On the Probationary Path, the student is called probationer, or aspirant and is learning preparatory lessons for stepping on to the Path of Discipleship. As this is the Path of Purification, the main lessons involve purification of one’s lower bodies and integration of personality. The student learns to know himself, to discriminate, to ascertain his weakness and to correct them through building his characters, cultivating positive qualities and meditation.

The goals for the Probationary Path are:

• Developing the ability to contact his group, to be sensible of the vibration of the group of which some particular Master is the focal point.
• Developing the faculty of abstract thought, the power to link up with the higher mind, via the causal body.
• Practising technique of Indifference, to end maya and purify the astral body, freeing of the energies of the etheric body from the control of matter.
• Equipping oneself for service to humanity.

What do you understand by the term "mystical aspirant"?

Mystical aspirants are the aspirants with mystical consciousness, the attainment of a loving attitude and a sentimental approach to life (people and circumstances). They find that the path to the inner worlds of desire-emotion, of mind and of spiritual vision are the line of least resistance, and thus the physical plane integration and expression suffer. They are the sensitive, struggling people, conscious of duality, torn between the pairs of opposites and long for release from failure and from existence in our current world. The mystic is not a true esotericist or occultist, because he is not dealing with his consciousness with energies and forces but with the vague “Something other”.

GL...Hi Daisy, welcome to 140 course work. In this instance we are learning to make spiritual distinctions and therefore learn discrimination of the various energies and factors that will be integrated as we proceed on this interior journey. I see that you have read the master’s words in this regard and have put them to good use in your description above. 

a. How is this stage of consciousness and activity related to the Path of Probation as you understand that Path?

For my understanding, the mystic stage of consciousness and activity is related to the transition at the final stage of the Probationary Path and towards the early stage of the Disciple Path. At this stage of consciousness, the student becomes aware of capacities and powers but cannot control them intelligently. He experiences flashes of insight, contacting vibrations and the phenomena of other realms but still remains unknowing of the process and cannot recall the experience.

GL…Yes there does tend to be a bit of vagueness in articulating the inner factors to be integrated, even over estimation or inflation in this regard.
The objectivity of mental development has not modified their perspective of spiritual qualities as yet. 
Of course there are always exceptions to these basic parameters and in some of these cases we often see well developed examples and these will make a quick transition on to the occult path. There are still many mystics in the world doing valued work and influencing many in their communities but they may not strike a resonance with us with their particular teaching due to the influence of the soul type and mind activity.

b. At what stage of the Probationary Path do we find the mystical aspirant? Why do you think so?

We find the mystical aspirant at the final stages of the Probationary Path. Because the mystical way leads to the 1st initiation, which is the goal of the Probationary Path.

GL…Yes Daisy I agree with your position, although it would seem this will change as we enter the Aquarian age and more mental types enter the spiritual path. There is also the ray 7 cycle that will be influencing those coming into incarnation just as it was ray 6 influencing during the Piscean era. This will bring in the more mental types and clearer appreciation of the path of occultism in contrast to the mystical way. 

c. Within which stage of the Six Stages of Discipleship can we place the mystical aspirant and why?

We can place the mystical aspirant preceding the first stage of the 6 Stages of Discipleship, which is the Little Chelaship. Because in the wider context of the 6 Stages of Discipleship (Chelaship), the Probationary Path is the first stage. 

GL…Yes – However prior to the recent changes and reorganization of the Hierarchy we would assume that all stages of discipleship were populated with mystical disciples and initiates. When we consider the historical spiritual emphasis in India, China and greater Asia we can see the path of mysticism was prevalent. The teachers that influenced and trained those aspirants and candidates for the early initiations also seemed quite mystical in their spiritual orientation. So the requirements for the stages of discipleship have changed somewhat to meet the needs of the new types entering the spiritual path.   

140.2 The Distinguishing Requirements of the Stage of Probationary Discipleship

When a human being becomes a "Chela in the Light", certain developments take place which enable him to see the vision more clearly and to know what he must do. (DINA I/722). What are these developments? Give your own understanding of them.

When a human being becomes a Chela in the Light, certain developments take place which enable him to see the vision more clearly and to know what he must do, as the Light ever reveals. These developments are:

• A transition in consciousness from the astral plane to the mental plane with the help and guidance by a higher disciple (a senior). “The chela with the Light leads him by the hand from light into a greater Light.” 
• Discernment, distinguishing between the pairs of opposites. This is a Transformation upon the dual way, leading into the Way. 
• Awareness of glamour of the astral plane as something from which the aspirant must eventually free himself and aid in freeing the world.

GL…Well said – there is a greater facility for soul contact and this has brought about the use of a more direct technique of integration. 

a. Is the vision a gradually unfolding consciousness of what lies ahead or an unconscious remembering of something once sensed and seen? Or is it, in a way, both? Please explain.

The vision is in a way both a gradually unfolding consciousness of what lies ahead and an unconscious remembering of something once sensed and seen. Because the vision is corresponding to the consciousness, it is built up and accumulated by consciousness expansion. 

GL…Yes and at some stage in this process of integration, the vision itself is concerned with the Plan and the part that the aspirant can play that also facilitates further spiritual development.
 Woops - I see you cover this below Daisy…I see you are not new to these matters…😊

b. What is the vision with which the disciple should be concerned? 

The vision that the disciple should be concerned is the one that should be the true reality, free of glamours of the astral plane.

c. Light ever reveals, and upon the Way produces vision. Vision of what?

Light ever reveals, and upon the Way, the vision of a further portion of the Divine Plan is shown.

d. When the probationary disciple knows the pairs of opposites and has gained a vision of that which is neither of them he can pass on to the Path of Discipleship. What do you understand by this type of vision? 

The vision of reality of the physical plane and the astral plane, neither of them can the probationary disciple pass on to the Path of Discipleship. Because on the Discipleship Path, he must further developments starting from the mental plane.

140.3 Hindrances on the Path of Probation and Means of Overcoming Them

What would we consider as the typical hindrances of character in the probationer upon the Path of Probation? Can you recognize any of these hindrances in yourself and if so why?

The hindrances on the Path of Probation are the wrong ideas which have been accumulated for ages, preventing men from realizing that they are Spiritual Beings from higher Source and thus identifying themselves with their lower bodies and material. These hindrances are:

• Ignorance (the root of all the other hindrances)
• Egoism
• Attachment (desire)
• Hate (aversion to life)
• Clinging to life 

In Buddhism, these hindrances are considered as the “three poisons” - ignorance, anger and attachment.

I can recognize the hindrance of attachment in myself as I still have the emotional desire of being loved.

a. What are the qualities we need to cultivate to eliminate the hindrances? Give specific examples.

• For eliminating ignorance, we should cultivate wisdom, through esoteric study.
• For eliminating egoism, we should cultivate humility, seeing Divinity present in everything, seeing the great potential, the best version of everyone, from the perspective of their Souls.
• For eliminating attachment, we should cultivate the insight on impermanence, and practice the technique of indifference. We can hold the thought that we are spiritual divine ray, here on earth for learning and service, but this physical world is not our true home. Imagine ourselves letting go, as a free spirit returning to our spiritual Father, our Source, our true home.
• For eliminating hate, we should cultivate unconditional love and the insight of Oneness as God is love and our interconnectedness is the true and ultimate reality. We can practice loving-kindness or compassion meditation by holding the thought of God radiating love to us, and we pass it on - to nature, to those in need, to those we love, and finally, to the one we hate. Feel our heart chakra open up as we do this.
• For eliminating clinging to life, we should study the wisdom teachings to realize more and more the Truth.

GL…well done…

b. Are you aware of a particular quality you need to cultivate which, when present in your character, would enable you to pass a particular test? What is the quality and what is the test?

Yes, I am. The test is suffering from the emotional attachment to the one I love. And the quality that I need to cultivate to enable me to pass this test is the discernment to break the glamour of the astral plane, plus the unconditional love.

GL…Yes I understand Daisy and this is no easy achievement…there is much to consider in these dynamics and as you infer it ultimately comes down to ourselves and our 100% responsibility for the entire matter…such is the nature of attachment and these tests are presented in order to free ourselves from a limiting affliction and glamour. Have you ever looked into attachment style in romantic relationships.?. It is helpful to know our attachment style and this also gives us a clue to the ray and/or sub ray of the emotional body. 

140.4 Major Tests Upon the Paths of Aspiration and Probation

One of the most important tests upon the Probationary Path is the test of money. Why do you think this is so?

The tests upon the Probationary Path involves the transmutation of negative expressions of the personality and the breaking free of glamours of the lower worlds. Therefore, the test of money is one of the most important tests upon this stage, as it relates to the glamour of the material world and the greed or the goodwill in humanity. 

a. The difficulty behind the test of money is due to a wrong attitude to money. Enlarge briefly on this statement.

The difficulty behind the test of money is due to the wrong thought of humanity, which is affected by selfishness, greed and material desire. 

i. What is money?

Esoterically speaking, money is considered as concretised spiritual energy, as a means to real world work and thus together with it is the spiritual responsibility.  

ii. How do we develop a correct attitude to money?

We develop a correct attitude to money by nurturing the quality of selflessness and generosity so that we can use money as means for working towards higher causes and for the great common good.

iii. What is your attitude to money? Do you think you handle money in a manner congruent with spiritual values? Why or why not?

For me, my attitude to money is similar to materials in general. They should serve our basic needs and our group’s and the world’s needs but not our selfish desires. 

Yes, I think that I use money in a manner congruent with spiritual values. I always set aside a part of my income for sharing with others, or donation to charity or community works.

b. We are told that need, love and magnetic power are the three things which, consciously or unconsciously, and when manifesting simultaneously, attract money. (DINA I/272) How do you understand this statement?

“Need, love and magnetic power, when manifesting simultaneously attract money.” When the need is real, the love is unselfish and the magnetic force utilised is rightly motivated and animated by a spirit of love, the new group of the world servers then can act as magnets attracting money. Through right love, right thought or meditation, the financial requirements of the new group of the world servers will be realized.

GL…Thank you for your insights and experiences you have shared here Daisy. I tend to think it is important to formulate our own ideas on these topics and not just quote the master as it is in deliberation and pondering that discernment is achieved… I get the sense you have much to contribute and so wish to encourage you in this regard …As aspirants and disciples we continually review our performance and values – it is not an easy path but then what would we rather be doing – all the best to you - Geoff 

QU1. Capricorn Study Report – 130. Science and Occultism

130.1 Introduction to Science, Analogy and Correspondence

Review the qualities of the Fifth Ray. 

Picture source: Light Grid

The 5th ray is the expression of Love/Wisdom through the intellect. This occurs through scientific research and experimentation in order that the Plan of Divinity may be revealed through the mind of man. The great work of the 5th ray is the penetration of the Higher Mind that purifies the lower mind, so that humanity may perceive, identify, and know the Mind of God behind all the forms of manifestation. 

Moving into the Aquarian Age, the more evolved of 5th-influenced people will, through the scientific method, seek to prove the validity of metaphysical inquiry. The scientist and researcher will lead the way into the esoteric realities in our time, and reveal through their work those metaphysical Laws and Principles which underlie the Ancient Wisdom Teachings. This 5th ray has much power today in connection with the 5th root-race and with the transference of the consciousness of humanity into the 5th or spiritual kingdom.

Generally, the 5th ray is related to the Lower Mind of Concrete Knowledge, the highest aspect of the lower self. As the ray of Science and Research, the 5th ray is associated with the ability to think rationally, critically, analytically, technically and objectively, to work scientifically with details and great accuracy, to invent, to investigate, to persevere in seeking knowledge, verifying a theory, to invent and discover through research and experiments… On the other hand, the lower manifestation of the 5th ray are insensitive, critical, unforgiving, separative and non-social.

As mental energy, the 5th ray is also related to the Abstract Higher Mind - the embodiment of the Spiritual Triad - a pure channel of the divine will, and the Soul - the Solar Angel, the point of unification, expressing intelligence both abstractly and concretely. The 5th ray mind seeks truth and creates ideas, ideals and ideologies in the fields of science, philosophy and psychology. Thus, in association with higher vibrations, the qualities of the 5th ray includes:

• Thought form building - concretion of energy. Magicians who work with matter and form-building call in the energies of the 7th ray and the 5th ray.
• Truthfulness
• The Mind of God - the Universal Mind, the One Mind. The 5th ray is the implementing factor, the form-building and creative agent, the instrument for the 2nd ray, making the revelation of love possible.
• Telepathy. 
• Light and Illumination. The 5th ray energy is essentially a lightbearer, responding sequentially in time and space to the light of the Logos. 
• Realization of the Soul and its Potentials. The true scientist, being a coordinated personality and working therefore on mental levels, works very close to the soul. The close proximity of the soul negates a separative attitude of the developed personality with the dominant lower mind. Above all, the 5th ray is the ray of intelligent love, just as the second ray is the ray of intuitive love. 
• The Mental Body as the Transfiguring Agent. Prior to the 3rd initiation, three activities of the mind have been accomplished. The lower or concrete mind transmutes the physical body. Then, through the higher or abstract mind, the soul transforms the emotional nature, while the Spiritual Triad transfigures the personality as a whole, making the initiation of the Transfiguration possible.
• The Power to take Initiation. It is the unification and a growing sense of oneness which is required for the 3rd initiation.
• The Use of the Mind for Service. 

Consider how the aspirant who may not have fifth ray in his or her mental body or Personality Ray can still utilize fifth ray methods? Would this be positive?

The aspirant who may not have 5th ray in his or her mental body or Personality can still utilize 5th ray methods by practicing and applying the scientific approach in their lives through:

• Observing 
• Thinking critically, rationally
• Asking questions (especially ‘why’ and ‘how’)
• Investigating, researching
• Experimenting
• Analysing, dispassionately reflecting 
• Being objective 
• Meditating to practice detachment from emotions...
  

How is the Observer related to the fifth ray? The Ajna Center?

The Observer is related to the 5th ray as observing is an act of looking carefully and quietly from a distance, without interfering what is happening. Thus, the observer sees things as they are, objectively, without being affected by subjective emotions.

The Ajna Center - the brow chakra is related to the 5th ray, more in the higher mind aspect as the Ajna represents the highest form of creative intelligence in man. Thus, the Ajna is associated with aspirants, disciples. The Ajna center becomes dominant after the 2nd initiation but only fully function by the 3rd initiation. From the 2nd initiation, the disciple is able to hold the mind steady in the light of the Soul and hence soul energy can flow into the heart center.

Astrologically, what signs are involved? How would one tap Ray qualities by zodiacal indications?

Astrologically, the 5th ray flows through Leo, Sagittarius and Aquarius. 

In Leo, the 5th ray manifests as acute intellect, enhancing leadership skills.

In Sagittarius, the 5th ray manifests as acute intellect, with visionary quality.

In Aquarius, the 5th ray manifests as acute intellect, with a scientific mind.

One would tap the ray qualities by zodiacal indications such as:

Their personal planets (Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Mercury) and Ascendant are in Leo, Sagittarius or Aquarius.

130.2 History of Science, and Scientists

Pythagoras was known as "the father of numbers.” He believed that number was the ultimate level of reality. The true nature of things was its number. Therefore, to understand something, one must know its number. Pythagoras is quoted as saying "number is the ruler of forms and ideas and the cause of gods and demons.” Compare this use of number with knowing a person's monad, soul or personality ray number. 

Beside being a mathematician and a philosopher, Pythagoras is also known as the father of Western numerology. Numerology is based on the proposition that every number and letter has its own unique vibration, affecting our life. Numerology Rule of Thumb is to continue adding numbers together until we get a single digit number between 1 and 9. The only time this rule doesn’t apply is when we come across a number 11, 22, or 33, they are called master numbers. All these numbers have positive as well as negative traits.

Thus, from our name and our birthday, in a multitude of combinations, we can calculate our key numbers such as life path number, destiny number (expression number), maturity number (realization number), soul number (soul urge, heart’s desire number), personality number, pinnacle/cycle numbers, challenge number, balance number… Numbers based on our date of birth affect us for periods in our life (cycles) or are overcome after we reach a certain age (challenges). Numbers derived from our full name at birth reflect who we are within, our in-born talents, characteristics, strengths and weaknesses.

These numbers can help us uncover our destiny, life purpose and the life lessons we’ll face along the way. So, this application is similar to knowing a person’s monad, soul or personality ray number.

Following table shows the keywords of each number from the 2 systems. 

Keywords of Numbers

Among these two systems, we see that numbers have different meanings in most of the cases. However, in my opinion, some traits of the rays can be related to some traits of the numbers in numerology, such as:

Ray 1 and number 1, 6, 8, 9 in numerology.

Ray 2 and number 2, 6, 9 and 11.

Ray 3, 5 and number 4, 7

Ray 4 and number 3, 5, 6, 9.

Ray 6 and number 2, 4, 6, 11

Ray 7 and number 8, 22, 33

130.3 The Scientific Method, exoterically and esoterically considered

Could you have a conversation about whether the empirical scientific method is valid in relation to occultism?

In my opinion, the empirical scientific method is still valid in relation to occultism. However, there are limitations with empirical science as empirical evidences are confined by knowledge from the senses of the material and phenomenal world. 

I would like to put here the quote from Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest scientists and visionary thinkers in the world, whose saying is such a relevant answer. 

“The day science begins to study non-physical phenomena, it will make more progress in one decade than in all the previous centuries of its existence."

~ Nikola Tesla

[The following are The Ten Basic Propositions given by D.K. They are expansions of the three fundamental propositions of God, Law, and Being from the Secret Doctrine.

“The Ten Basic Proposition

One:  There is one Life, which expresses Itself primarily through seven basic qualities or aspects, and secondarily through the myriad diversity of forms.

Two:  These seven radiant qualities are the seven Rays, the seven Lives, Who give Their life to the forms, and give the form world its meaning, its laws, and its urge to evolution.

Three:  Life, quality and appearance, or spirit, soul and body constitute all that exists.  They are existence itself, with its capacity for growth, for activity, for manifestation of beauty, and for full conformity to the Plan.  This Plan is rooted in the consciousness of the seven ray Lives.

Four:  These seven Lives, Whose nature is consciousness and Whose expression is sentiency and specific quality, produce cyclically the manifested world; They work together in the closest union and harmony, and cooperate intelligently with the Plan of which They are the custodians.  They are the seven Builders, Who produce the radiant temple of the Lord, under the guidance of the Mind of the Great Architect of the Universe.

Five:  Each ray Life is predominantly expressing Itself through one of the seven sacred planets, but the life of all the seven flows through every planet, including the Earth, and thus qualifies every form.  On each planet is a small replica of the general scheme, and every planet conforms to the intent and purpose of the whole.

Six:  Humanity … is an expression of the life of God, and every human being has come forth along one line or other of the seven ray forces.  The nature of his soul is qualified or determined by the ray Life which breathed him forth, and his form nature is coloured by the ray Life which – in its cyclic appearance on the physical plane at any particular time – sets the quality of the race life and of the forms in the kingdoms of nature.

Seven:  The Monad is the Life, lived in unison with the seven ray Lives.  One Monad, seven rays and myriads of forms – this is the structure behind the manifested worlds.

Eight:  The Laws which govern the emergence of the quality or soul, through the medium of forms, are simply the mental purpose and life direction of the ray Lords, Whose purpose is immutable, Whose vision is perfect, and Whose justice is supreme.

Nine:  The mode or method of development for humanity is self-expression and self-realization.  When this process is consummated the self expressed is the One Self or the ray Life, and the realization achieved is the revelation of God as the quality of the manifested world and as the Life behind appearance and quality.  The seven ray Lives, or the seven soul types, are seen as the expression of one Life, and diversity is lost in the vision of the One and in identification with the One.

Ten:  The method employed to bring about this realization is experience, beginning with individualization and ending with initiation, thus producing the perfect blending and expression of life-quality-appearance.

This is a brief statement of the Plan.  Of this the Hierarchy of Masters in Its seven divisions (the correspondences of the seven rays) is the custodian, and with Them lies the responsibility in any century of carrying out the next stage of that Plan.”  (Esoteric Psychology I, Page 141-143)]

Design your dream life

Some short notes from the workshop "Design your Dream Life", co-organized by Bright and One Life Connection on 27.10.2018 at Toong.

The 5 Rules for Optimal State of Being

1. Be honest: build trust, and inner confidence by sincerity and speaking the truth.

2. Speak up: open and love yourself enough.

3. Be engaged: focus and committed to your goal.

4. Be interested rather than interesting.

5. Be social: proactively engage, be connected, not socially influenced.

Think about these questions:

- If tomorrow was your last day, what would you do?

- Spend time with family (soul family).

Finding your life's purpose through analyzing your Ikigai - the reason you want to wake up every morning. Write one thing for each sentence:

- What you love doing.

- What the world needs.

- What you are good at.

- What you can be paid for.

Are they the same? Even if there is nobody pay you, you still do it. "This is what I want." Then, you are all in.

Our well-being includes Body, Emotions, Mind and Ikigai. Body energy comes from a healthy lifestyle. Controlled emotions. Calm, clear and strong Mind that can transform the negative patterns.

Ask yourself:

- Are you doing what you want to do or what others want you to do?

When you are true to yourself, then your life is your dream life.

Be yourself.
Be grateful for all the good things in your life.