Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle

by Alice A Bailey

  The idea can be conveyed symbolically by the diagram below, which pictures the triangular formation and the mode of a dual growth or progression and expansion of the network because, starting with the initial triangle, two points only are left for the processes of extension.

  [164] The initial triangle was formed by Sanat Kumara, and we call the three energies which circulate through its medium the three major Rays of Aspect. The four Rays of Attribute formed their own triangles and yet, in a paradoxical manner, they are responsible for the “squares” through which their energies at this time pass. Thus the work of transforming the inherited etheric body was begun and has proceeded ever since. In the etheric body of the human being you have a repetition of the same process in the triangle of energies created by the relationship between the Monad, the Soul, and the Personality.

  The Changing Pattern of the Planetary Etheric Body

  It is well-nigh impossible for man to draw or make a picture of the network of triangles and, at the same time, see them taking the circular form in their totality of the etheric body of the planetary sphere. The reason is that the whole etheric body is in constant motion and ceaseless transformation, and the energies of which it is composed are in a state of constant change and circulation.

  It is wise to have in mind that it is the mechanism which changes and that this transformation of the square into the triangle has no reference whatsoever to the transmitted energies or to the various centres, except in so far that it becomes far easier for the energies to flow through the triangular formation of the etheric body than it is to flow—as is now the case—through or around a square and a network of squares.

  I am quite aware that what I am here communicating may seem to you the veriest nonsense and there is, of course, no possible way in which I can prove to you the factual nature of this inter-communicating system or in which you can check and confirm what I say; but then, my brothers, you have no way as yet of ascertaining the factual existence of Sanat Kumara and yet from the very night of time His existence has been proclaimed by the Hierarchy and accepted [165] by millions. Every human being believes a great deal more than he can prove or the validity of which he can establish.

  The centres are in reality those “crossing points” of energies where the etheric body possesses seven triangles or transformed points. From the angle of Shamballa the centres in a human being resemble a triangle with a point at the centre.

  From the angle of the Hierarchy, conditions are somewhat different. You have the seven centres portrayed as lotuses, with varying numbers of petals; nevertheless there is always preserved and recognisably present a triangle, at the very heart of the lotus; always there is the triangle with its communicating point, and to this we give the name, the “jewel in the lotus.” You have therefore the following symbolic presentation of the lotus, and you would do well to study it with care.

  The personality of the man is conditioned by the circle, which is the emanating influence of the lotus, and an interplay is thereby set up. The lotus itself is conditioned by the soul and in its turn conditions the “sphere of influence in the aura of the lotus” thus reaching into and conditioning the personality life. The triangle is conditioned by the Spiritual Triad, when the antahkarana is built or in process of building, and in its turn first of all inspires or fires the soul, and then finally destroys it. The dot at the centre is indicative of monadic life, first of all in its lowest expression of physical life and vitality, and finally as the “point of sensitivity.” Therefore we have:

  1. The Point at the centre, indicative of the monadic life. [166]

  2. The related energies of the egoic lotus, conditioned by the soul.

  3. The sphere of radiation, the emanating influence of the lotus, conditioning the personality.

  4. The triangle of energy, conditioned by the Spiritual Triad.

  The foregoing instruction on the etheric body is not long but it contains much that is relatively new and provides much food for assimilation. [167]

  IV. THE CENTRES AND THE PERSONALITY

  We will now consider the centres as controlling factors in the life of the personality in the three worlds, and their relation to each other, always studying the subject from the angle of their relation to one of the three major planetary centres—Shamballa, the Hierarchy and Humanity—in connection with:

  1. The Point at the Centre.

  2. Related Energies.

  3. Sphere of Radiation.

  4. The Triangle of Energy.

  The abstruseness of this theme is very great; a basic statement will, however, serve somewhat to clarify the subject; it is a statement which has seldom found expression elsewhere. Let me phrase it as simply as possible:

  The centres below the diaphragm, i.e., the solar plexus centre, the sacral centre and the centre at the base of the spine, are controlled by the four ethers of the planetary physical plane; the centres above the diaphragm, i.e., the heart centre, the throat centre, the ajna centre and the head centre, are controlled by the four cosmic ethers, to which we give the names of the energies of the buddhic plane, the energies of the atmic plane, the energies of the monadic plane and the energies of the logoic plane.

  This statement involves a somewhat new concept; it creates a basic relation, making possible the fact that “as above so below.” Think this out. It has serious implications.

  [168] The centres below the diaphragm are—during the evolutionary process—controlled by the first, the second and the third ethers, counting from below upward; when evolution has brought the aspirant to the point of personal integration, then the energies of the highest, the etheric-atomic plane can and do control. When that takes place, then the possibility is present of the energies of the cosmic etheric planes bringing the centres above the diaphragm into full expression. This takes place upon the Path of Discipleship and the Path of Initiation. This interesting process of transference of energies is called by several names, such as “radiatory substitution,” “energising at-one-ment,” and “inspirational reflected light of energy.” All these terms are efforts to express in somewhat inadequate words what happens when the higher energies are substituted for the lower, when the magnetic “pull” of the spiritual energies draws upward and absorbs the lower energies which are concerned primarily with the personality life, or when the reflecting light of the Spiritual Triad and of the Monadic Glory are transferred into the higher energy centres in the final vehicle used by the developed human being.

  Little has as yet been given out anent the relation of the four physical ethers and the four cosmic ethers; there is nevertheless a direct relation between them, and this the initiatory process reveals. This also brings about significant changes in the vehicles of humanity. There is also a direct relation between the four aspects of karma (the Law of Cause and Effect) and the four physical ethers, as well as the four cosmic ethers; this relationship will later constitute the basis of a new occult science. Therefore, there is yet much to be grasped by students concerning energy, its emanating sources, its mode of transfer or its transitional processes, and its anchorage within the planetary body, or the physical body of the individual. With some of these [169] ideas we will now deal, thus laying the foundation for future investigation, but saying little which will be of immediate use to the individual student.

  Relationship Between the Higher and the Lower Centres

  It is relatively easy to list the four cosmic ethers and then list the four ethers of the physical plane as we know them, and then make the statement that the average person is controlled by the centres below the diaphragm, which are responsive to the physical plane ethers as they transmit energies from the three worlds of human evolution, and that the initiate is responsive to the cosmic ethers, as they play through and awaken the centres above the diaphragm. It must at the same time be remembered that the seven centres in the etheric vehicle of man are always composed of the physical ethers, but become—upon the Path of Discipleship—the vehicles of the cosmic ethers. To
retain the picture with clarity, it might be well to consider very briefly the four aspects of the centres as I have listed them above, or that totality which they present to the eye of the See-er. These are:

  1. The Point at the Centre. This is the “jewel in the lotus,” to use the ancient oriental appellation; it is the point of life by means of which the Monad anchors itself upon the physical plane, and is the life principle therefore of all the transient vehicles—developed, undeveloped or developing. This point of life contains within itself all possibilities, all potentialities, all experiences and all vibratory activities. It embodies the will-to-be, the quality of magnetic attraction (commonly called love), and the active intelligence which will bring the livingness and the love into full expression. The above statement or definition is one of major importance. This point at the centre is in reality, therefore, all that IS and the other three aspects of life—as listed—are merely indications of its existence. It is that which has capacity to withdraw to its Source, or to impose upon itself [170] layer upon layer of substance; it is the cause of the return of the so-called Eternal Pilgrim to the Father’s Home after many aeons of experience, as well as that which produces experiment, leading to eventual experience and final expression. It is also that which the other three aspects shield, and which the seven principles (expressing themselves as vehicles) protect. There are seven of these “points” or “jewels,” expressing the sevenfold nature of consciousness, and as they are brought one by one into living expression, the seven subrays of the dominating monadic ray are also one by one made manifest, so that each initiate-disciple is (in due time) a Son of God in full and outer glory.

  The time comes when the individual etheric body is submerged or lost to sight in the light emanating from these seven points and coloured by the light of the “jewel in the lotus” in the head, the thousand petalled lotus. Each centre is then related by a line of living fire and each is then in full divine expression.

  Much emphasis has been placed by teachers in the past upon the “killing out” of the centres below the diaphragm, or upon the transference of the energies of these centres into their higher correspondences. This I also have pointed out in other writings and instructions, because it is a definite way in which to convey essential truth. These methods of expression are, however, only symbolic phrases, and to that extent are true; nevertheless, at the close of the evolutionary process every single centre in the etheric body is a living, vibrant and beautiful expression of the basic energy which has ever sought to use it. They are, however, energies which are dedicated to divine and not to material living, and are clear, pure and radiant; their central point of light is of such a brilliance that the ordinary eye of man can scarcely register it. At this point it must be remembered that though there are seven of these points, one at the centre of each lotus, [171] there are only three types of such “jewels in the lotus” because the Monad expresses only the three major aspects of divinity, or the three major rays.

  2. The Related Energies. This expression has reference to what have been called the “petals” of the lotus: with these differentiations of the various energies I seek not here to deal; too much emphasis has ever been laid upon them both by oriental and occidental writers; there is far too much curiosity about the number of petals in any particular centre, about their arrangement and about their colouring and quality. If these matters interest you, you can search in the standard books for this information, remembering as you garner the proffered information that you are not in a position to prove its accuracy; its usefulness, therefore, to you is highly problematical. I write this for real students and for those who seek to live the life of the spirit; the information which theorists seek is amply provided for both by me and many other exponents of the technicalities of the Ageless Wisdom.

  All I would remark is that as the point in the centre is the point of life and the permanent, persistent Eternal ONE, so the related energies or petals are indicative of the state of consciousness which that Eternal One is able—at any stated point in time and space—to express. This may be the relatively undeveloped state of consciousness of the savage, the consciousness of the average man or the highly developed consciousness of the initiate up to the third degree, or the still more vibrant awareness of the initiate of still higher grades. It is ever concerned with CONSCIOUSNESS; only the point at the centre is concerned with the first or life aspect; the petals concern the second or the consciousness aspect, and this must be most carefully borne in mind.

  [172] The state of the consciousness is ever indicated by the size, the colour and the activity of the energies which compose the petals of the lotus; their unfoldment and their development is conditioned by the governing rays, as well as by the age and the length of the soul’s expression. The extent and the nature of the relative “brightness” is also conditioned by the point of focus in any particular life, as well as by the trend of the thinking of the soul which is in incarnation; it must be remembered here that “energy follows thought.” The natural focus or point of polarisation is at times most definitely offset by a man’s line of thought (whatever that may currently be) or by the fact that he is living, consciously or unconsciously, the life of every day. An instance of this can be found in the fact that a disciple’s natural focus might be the solar plexus centre, but because of his fixed and determined thought, the energy which he wields can be directed to one of the centres above the diaphragm, thus producing a temporary atrophying of the centre below the diaphragm and the consequent stimulation of that which lies above that dividing line. Thus are the needed changes made.

  When the cycle of evolution is nearing its close and the initiate-disciple has well-nigh run his course, the energies are all fully developed, active and vibrant, and are therefore consciously used as essential aspects of the initiate’s contact mechanism. This is often forgotten and the emphasis of the student’s thinking is laid upon the centres as expressions of his natural unfoldment, whereas that is of relatively secondary importance. The centres are, in reality, focal points through which energy can be distributed, under skilled direction, in order to make a needed impact upon those centres or individuals which the disciple seeks to aid. These impacts can be stimulated or vitalised at need, or they can be deliberately [173] destructive, thus aiding in the liberation from substance or matter of the one to be aided.

  It is high time that students paid attention to the service angle of the centres, and to the focussing and the use of energy in service. It is here that the knowledge of the number of the petals which form a centre is involved, because this knowledge indicates the number of the energies which are available for service, i.e., two energies, twelve energies, sixteen energies, and so forth. No attention has hitherto been paid to this important point, but it embodies the practical use of the new occultism in the coming New Age. The oriental symbols which are often superimposed upon the illustrations of the centres should now be discontinued, because they convey no real use to the occidental mind.

  3. The Sphere of Radiation. This obviously concerns the radius of influence or the outgoing vibratory effect of the centres, as they are gradually and slowly brought into activity. These centres, or their vibrations, are in reality what creates or constitutes the so-called aura of the human being, even though that aura is frequently confused with the health aura. Instead of the word “frequently” I had almost said “usually,” because that would be more definitely correct. It is the etheric body which indicates and conditions the aura, which is presumed to demonstrate what the personality is, emotionally and mentally, and (occasionally) what is indicated of soul control. This is not a false premise, and I would have you register this fact. It is, however, excessively limited in its import, because the aura is in reality indicative of the subject’s centres. From the study of this aura certain things can be ascertained:

  a. Whether the development is above or below the diaphragm.

  b. Whether the centres are undeveloped or developed. [174]

  c
. Whether the nature of the controlling rays is adequately clear.

  d. Whether the point at the centre and the petals of the lotus are controlled, or whether a balance is being achieved.

  e. Whether the personality is outgoing, and is therefore in a state of livingness, or whether a withdrawing is taking place due to introspection and self-centredness, or to the slow oncoming of the death process.

  f. Whether the personality or the soul is in control, and whether, therefore, a struggle between the two is going on.

  You can see, therefore, how revealing the aura can be to the individual who has the ability to read it with accuracy, and how thankful you should be that such a capacity is relatively rare, or is in the possession of an Initiate or of a Master Whose nature is LOVE.

  The “sphere of radiation” is a potent instrument in service, and its extent and purity of contact should he cultivated by the pledged disciple. There is true occult teaching in the statement in The New Testament that “the shadow of Peter passing by healed.” His aura was of such a nature that it had a beneficent effect wherever and whenever it touched or contacted those in his environment. The control of the Christ over His aura was such that “He knew when virtue had gone out of Him”—He knew, therefore, that healing energies had poured through one of His centres to a needy person or group of persons. It is the aura, and its potency of attraction, and its stability, which also holds a group together, which also keeps an audience listening, and which makes an individual of importance along some definite [175] line of approach to his fellowmen. The “sphere of radiation” is easily determined by those who seek it out and who watch the effect of the radiation upon people in their community and environment. One highly emotional person, working through an overdeveloped and uncontrolled solar plexus centre, can wreck a home or an institution. I give this as an illustration. One radiant, creative life, consciously using the heart or the throat centres, can carry inspiration to hundreds. These are points well worth careful consideration. You must, however, bear in mind that these centres are brought into activity by the cultivation of certain major virtues, and not by meditation or concentration upon the centres. They are brought automatically into the needed radiatory condition by right living, high thinking and loving activity. These virtues may seem to you dull and uninteresting, but they are most potent and scientifically effective in bringing the centres into the desired radiatory activity. When the task is done, and when all the centres are living spheres of outgoing, radiatory activity, they swing into each others’ orbit so that the initiate becomes a centre of living light and not a composite of seven radiant centres. Think on this.