Initiation, Human and Solar-Introductory Remarks

Before entering upon the subject matter of the following articles on Initiation, on the paths that open before the perfected man, and on the Occult Hierarchy, certain statements may be made which seem essential for the judicious study and comprehension of ideas submitted.

It is to be recognised that throughtout these articles facts alleged and definite statements made which are not susceptible of immediate proof by the reader. Lest it be inferred that the writer arrogates to herself any credit or personal authority for the knowledge implied, she emphatically disavows all such claims or representations. She cannot do otherwise then present these statements as matters of fact. Nevertheless, she would urge those who find somewhat of merit in thes pages that they be not estranged by any appearance of dogmatism in the presentation.

Nor should the inadequacy of the personality of the writer as as a deterrent to the open-minded consideration of the message to which her name happens to be appended. In spiritual issues names, personalities, and the voice of external authority, hold small place. That alone is a sfe guide which holds its warrranty from inner recognition and inner direction. it is not, therefore, material whether the reader receives the message of these pages  as spiritual appeal in an idealistic setting, a presentation of alleged facts , or a theory evolved by one student  and presented for the consideration of fellow students.

To each is offered for whatever of inner response  it may evoke, for whatever of inspiration and of light it may bring. In these days of the shattering of the old form and the building of the new, adaptability is needed. We must avert the danger of crystallisation through pliability and expansion. The "old order changeth," but primarily it is a change of dimension and of aspect, and not of material or of foundation.

The fundementals have always been true. To each generation is given the part of conserving the essential features ogf the old  and beloved form, but also of wisely expanding and enriching it. Each cycle must add the gain of further research and scientific endeavour. and subtract which is worn out and of no value. Each age must build in the product and triumph of its period, and abstract the accretions of the past that would dim  and blur the outline. Above all, to each generation is given the joy of demonstrating the strength of the old foundations, and the opportunity to build upon these foundations a structure that will meet the needs of the inner evolving life .

The ideas that are elaborated here find their corroboration in certain facts that are stated in the occult literature now extant. These facts are three in number, and are as Follows:-

(a) In the creation of the sun and the seven sacred planets  composing of our solar system, our logos employed matter that was already impregnated  with particular qualities. Mrs. Besant in her book, 'Avataras' ( which some of us think the most valuable of all her writings, because one of the most suggestive), makes the statement that "our solar system is built out of matter already existing,  out of matter already gifted with certain properties...."This matter therefore, we deduce, held latent certain faculties that were forced to demonstrate  in a peculiar way, under the Law of Cause and Effect, as does all else in the universe. 

(b) All manifestation is of sepentary nature, and the Central Light which we call Diety, the one Ray of Divinity, manifests first as a Triplicity, and then as a septenary. The one God shines forth as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, and these three are again reflected through the Seven Spirits  before the throne, or the seven planetary Logoi.

The students of Occultism of the non- Christian origin may call these Beings  the one, Ray demonstrating through the three Major Rays  and the four minor , making a divine Sepentary. The synthetic Ray which blends them all is the great Love-Divine ray, for verily and indeed "God Is Love". This ray is the Indigo Ray and the blending Ray. It is the one which will, at the end of the great cycle, absorb the others in the achievement opf synthetic perfection.

It is the manifestation of the second aspect of Logoic life. It is this aspect, that of the Form-Builder, that makes this solar system of ours the most concrete  of the three major systems. The love of Wisdom aspect demonstrates through the building of the form, for "God is Love" and in that "God of Love we "live and move and have our being" and will to the end of aeonian manifestation.

(c) The seven planes of Divine manifestation, or the seven major planes of our system, are but the seven sub-planes of the lowest cosmic plane. The seven rays of which we hear so much, and which hold so much of interest and mystery, are likewise but the seven sub-rays of one Cosmic Ray. The twelve creative Hierarchies are themselves but subsidiary branches of one cosmic Hierarchy.

They form but one chord in the Cosmic symphony. When that seven-fold cosmic chord, of which we form so humble a part, reverberates in synthetic perfection, then, and only then, will come comprehension of the words in the Book of Job: "The morning stars sang together." Dissonance yet sounds forth, and discord arises from many systems , but in the progression of the aeons  an ordered harmony will eventuate, and the day will dawn when (if we dare speak of eternities in the terms of time) the sound of the perfected universe will resound to the uttermost bounds of the furthest constellation. Then will be known the mystery of "the marriage song of the heavens."

Reference: Initiation Human and Solar: Alice A Bailey