Knowledge-wisdom must be superseded by intuitive [469] understanding; this is, in reality, inclusive participation in the creative activity of divinity. The divine idea must become the possible ideal, and this ideal must become unfolded and manifested in substance upon the physical plane. The creative thread, now somewhat ready, must be brought into conscious functioning and activity.
Desire-love must be interpreted in terms of divine attraction, involving the right use or misuse of energies and forces. This process puts the disciple in touch with divinity as a progressively revealed Whole. The part, through the magnetic development of its own nature, comes into touch gradually with all that IS. The disciple becomes aware of this sum total in increasingly vivid expansions of consciousness, leading to initiation, realisation and identification. These are the three stages of initiation.
The consciousness thread, in cooperation with the creative thread and the life thread, awakens to a fully aware process of participation in the divine creative Plan—a Plan which is motivated by love and intelligently carried forward.
Direction-Will (which are words describing the orientation produced by the understanding of the two processes of knowledge-wisdom and desire-love) must produce the final orientation of the personality and the soul, fused and blended and at-one, towards the freedom of the Spiritual Triad; then the conscious attempt to use these three energies eventuates in creating the antahkarana upon the mental plane. You will note that at this early stage of the process I am emphasising the words “orientation” and “attempt.” They simply indicate the final control of substance by the initiate.
One of the indications that a man is no longer upon the Probationary Path is his emerging from the realm of aspiration and devotion into the world of the focussed will. Another indication is that he begins to interpret life in terms of energy and forces, and not in terms of quality and desire. This marks a definite step forward. There is too little use of the spiritual will, as the result of right orientation, in the life of disciples today. [470]
In the future, this Science of the Antahkarana and its lower correspondence, the Science of Social Evolution (which is the joint or united antahkarana of humanity as a whole), will be known as the Science of Invocation and Evocation. It is in reality the Science of Magnetic Rapport, in which right relationship is brought about by mutual invocation, producing a responsive process which is one of evocation. It is this science which lies behind all conscious awakening of the centres and their interrelation; it lies behind the rapport between man and man, group and group, and eventually between nation and nation. It is this invocation, and the consequent evocation, which eventually relate soul and personality and soul and monad. It is the outstanding objective of humanity's appeal to God, to the Hierarchy and to the Spiritual Powers of the cosmos, no matter by what name you call them. The appeal goes forth. The invocation of humanity can and will and must evoke response from the spiritual Hierarchy and give the first demonstration upon a large scale of this new esoteric science—esoteric because it is based upon sound. Hence the use of the O.M. Into this science I cannot here go; we must confine our attention to our theme, which is the Science of the Antahkarana.
The Bridge as the Agent of Alignment
The word “alignment” is used much in modern esoteric training. I would point out that in making his alignment, the aspirant is only establishing the first stage of his process of realisation; he is establishing in his own consciousness the fact of his essential dualism. I would also point out that the critical aspect of this process is only arrived at when the distinction is sharply defined and recognised between the integrated and potent personality and the soul. It is an occult truism to state that the aspirant is to be recognised by or triplicity; the disciple by or recognised duality and the initiate by or unity. Note that the symbol of duality for undeveloped humanity is in which the separation of the higher nature from the lower is depicted; in the case of the disciple, it is showing the “path across” or the [471] narrow razor-edged Path between the pairs of opposites, forming later the antahkarana. These symbols, simple as they are, embody and convey vast truths to the illumined mind.
Relatively speaking, and speaking in terms of the mental consciousness, the realisation of duality is only to be found in the three worlds and on the mental plane. When the third initiation is taken, the power of the lower pair of opposites is no longer felt and exists no more. A liberated consciousness and an unrestricted awareness—unrestricted as regards the initiate, moving within the orbit of the planetary Logos (though not unrestricted as regards that greater Life which moves within still other and greater defined limits)—are both understood and expressed. Within the planetary ring-pass-not the initiate moves with freedom and knows no limitation in consciousness. That is why the higher levels of our planetary and systemic planes are called formless. It is this which is the true symbol of alignment, involving as it does the sense of duality but indicating at the same time the way through what are called “the walls of limitation.”
Students would do well to consider the building of the antahkarana as an extension in consciousness. This extension is the first definite effort made upon the Path to bring in the monadic influence with full awareness, and finally directly. This process constitutes the individual parallel to the present inflow of force from Shamballa, about which I have elsewhere spoken. That highest Centre of energy upon our planet is now having a definite effect upon that centre which we call Humanity. This is brought about by direct alignment, and not via the Hierarchy as has hitherto been the case. When the individual antahkarana has been successfully started, and there is even a tenuous thread of living energy connecting the threefold personality and the Spiritual Triad, then the inflow of the will-energy becomes possible. This, in the early stages, can be most dangerous when not offset by the love energy of the soul. Only one thread of the threefold antahkarana passes through the egoic lotus. [472] The other two threads relate themselves directly with the Triad, and hence eventually with the Monad, the source of the triadal life. This is true of the individual and of humanity as a whole, and the effects of this alignment can be seen demonstrating in the world at this time.
This rather unexpected responsive activity has necessitated much increased activity on the part of the Hierarchy, in order to offset the consequences of any premature inflow of the will force. After the third initiation, when the soul body, the causal body, starts to dissipate, the line of relation or of connection can be and is direct. The initiate then “stands in the ocean of love, and through him pours that love; his will is love and he can safely work, for love divine will colour all his will, and he can wisely serve.” Love and intelligence then become the servants of the will. Soul energy and personality force contribute to the experience of the Monad in the three worlds of life service, and then the age-long task of the incarnating spiritual man is finally accomplished. He is ready for Nirvana, which is but the Way into new fields of spiritual experience and of divine development—incomprehensible as yet, even to the initiate of the third degree. This Way is revealed only when the antahkarana is built and completed and the man becomes focussed in the Triad as consciously as he is now focussed in the threefold lower nature.
Then, and then only, is the true dualism of the divine nature apparent and the illusory duality disappears. Then you have Spirit-matter, Life-form. For this the triple experience of the unfolding consciousness is only preparatory. Through the unfolding consciousness, the initiate knows the significance of life and the uses of form, but stands completely unidentified with either, though blending these dualities in himself into a conscious synthesis. The attempt to convey his state of mind, in words that but limit and confuse, leads to apparent contradictions, and this is one of the peculiar paradoxes of the occult science. Do the above imparted facts make sense to you? Have they meaning for your mind? I think not. You have not yet the needed equipment [473] through which the type of implied awareness can work, or the realisation of that true Self-consciousn
ess which would produce in you an understanding reaction. I simply make the esoteric assertion; later will come apprehension of the truth and that consequent energising which always comes when any abstract truth is truly appreciated and assimilated. But the time has not yet come for the comprehension of the above information. Disciples and aspirants grow through the means of a presented vision—unattainable as yet but definitely an extension of the known and previously grasped. Such is the mode of evolution, for it is ever a pressing forward towards the sensed.
Today, through human effort and hierarchical endeavour, a great alignment and linking up is taking place, and Monad-Soul-Personality are being more directly related than has hitherto been possible. One reason for this is that there are present in incarnation upon the planet many more initiates of the third degree than ever before; there are many more disciples being prepared for the third initiation; and in this third strictly human race, the Aryan (using this term in its generic sense and not in its prostituted German connotation), the three aspects of the personality are now so potent that their magnetic influence and their creative effect are making the building of the antahkarana an outstanding achievement, thus linking and aligning the three aspects in man. The same is true of the three divine centres in the planet which embody these divine qualities: Shamballa, Hierarchy, and Humanity. These are now closely aligned, thus producing a fusion of energies which is causing an inflow of the spiritual will, as well as a demonstration of the Destroyer aspect.
I have here indicated much of interest; I have pointed out a goal and indicated a Way. I have related (in consciousness) the Hierarchy and Shamballa. This signifies a great and critical moment in human affairs and an opportunity hitherto unparalleled in history. The need for a due appreciation of this will be evident, and should incite all who read to renewed effort and to fresh endeavour. Students must [474] seek to meet all the planetary changes and opportunities with corresponding changes in their own lives. They must seek those new attitudes and those new creative approaches which will result not alone in the building of the individual antahkarana, but also in the fusion of the many “radiant strands” which will produce those “connecting cables,” speaking symbolically, which will relate the planetary centres and present the medium along which can pass the fiery will and the predetermined purpose of Deity. This will bring about the reconstruction of the manifested worlds, and in this task each and every one of you can have his share.
Let us now take up our next point in this section and indicate the technique for the constructing of the antahkarana. This will constitute an intensely practical teaching for which all that I have hitherto given should prove a firm foundation.
The Technique of Construction
It is my intention to be very practical. The building of the antahkarana (which is consciously undertaken upon the Path of Discipleship) is a process which is followed under certain ancient and proven rules. When these rules are correctly followed, the sequence of events and the appearance of the desired results are inevitable and unavoidable. There is much that I could say which would be of small use to the average aspirant, as it would be concerned with subjective realities which—though existent and occult facts in a natural process—are as yet unrealisable. My problem is to present the process in such a manner that—towards the end of this century—educators will be thinking, speaking and teaching in terms of bridging, and thus approaching basic statements which have a definite bearing upon this point which we are considering. I would like here very succinctly to recall a few of them to your attention:
1. Knowledge-force expresses itself through the consciousness thread and the creative thread.
2. These two threads are, for the disciple, a fusion of [475] past knowledge (the consciousness thread) and the present (the creative thread).
3. The life thread or sutratma proper is closely blended with these two. You then have atma-buddhi-manas (the latter being the agent of creation) functioning to a certain degree consciously in the aspirant.
4. The fusion of personality and soul is in process, but when it has reached a certain point it becomes apparent that a creativity or a creative activity of the Will is needed to bridge between the Spiritual Triad and the personality, via the soul.
5. The bridge which must be constructed is called, technically, the antahkarana.
6. This bridge has to be built by the aspirant who is focussed upon the mental plane, because it is mental substance (in three grades) which must be used, and the three aspects of the mind—the manasic permanent atom, the Son of Mind or Ego, and the mental unit—are all involved in the process.
Students would do well to learn that this process of building the antahkarana is one of the means whereby man, the trinity, becomes a duality. When the task is completed and the antahkarana is definitely built—thus producing perfect alignment between the Monad and its expression upon the physical plane—the body of the soul (the causal body) is completely and finally destroyed by the fire of the Monad, pouring down the antahkarana. There is then complete reciprocity between the Monad and the fully conscious soul on the physical plane. The “divine intermediary” is no longer required. The “Son of God Who is the Son of Mind” dies; the “veil of the temple is rent in twain from the top to the bottom”; the fourth initiation is passed, and there then comes the revelation of the Father.
This is the final and far-reaching result of the building of the bridge which is, in reality, the establishing of a line of light between Monad and personality as a full expression of the soul—between spirit and matter, between Father and Mother. It is evidence that “spirit has mounted on the [476] shoulders of matter” to that high place from whence it originally came, plus the gain of experience and of full knowledge, and of all that life in material form could give and all that conscious experience could confer. The Son has done His work. The task of the Saviour or of the Mediator has been completed. The unity of all things is known to be a fact in consciousness, and a human spirit can say with intention and with understanding: “I and my Father are one.”
The above is a brief and probably meaningless statement except theoretically, but it summarises the task which lies ahead and the work of the disciple who is in process of constructing the antahkarana. There is a close connection between the fourth initiation, the quaternary in its evolved condition—vital body, emotional vehicle, mind and soul—and this fourth technical stage of building consciously the “rainbow bridge.” You have therefore:
1. The Quaternary, the creative factor on Earth.
2. The fourth initiation, that of the Crucifixion.
3. The fourth technical stage of building the Antahkarana:
a. Sutratma, the life thread.
b. The consciousness thread.
c. The creative thread, itself threefold.
d. The technical antahkarana, bridging between the threefold personality and the Spiritual Triad.
4. The four stages of the Path of Return:
a. The stage of evolution itself.
b. The stage of the Probationary Path.
c. The stage of the Path of Discipleship.
d. The stage of the Path of Initiation.
Yet it is one and the same entity which participates in and is responsible for all the differentiated aspects, steps and stages—experimenting, experiencing and expressing consciously in every one of these stages or modes of life, until the fourth initiation. Then consciousness itself gives place to life, and yet remains itself. To the above statement, add [477] the fact that it is the fourth kingdom in nature which undergoes all that is indicated above and is conditioned by the four aspects of the one sutratma. Once this is grasped, the beauty of the symbolism and the numerological relationships emerge significantly.
The Construction of the Antahkarana...Past
In connection with this there is no need for elaboration, as it must be obvious that only the man who is the product of a very long and fruitful past experience is equipped to undertake the task of bridge building. Th
e process involves much scientific experience in the art of living, and only the highly trained human enquirer can soundly and safely build the bridge between the highest and the lowest. Each of the major human races has been responsible for the expression and the employment of the threads which together form the antahkarana:
1. In ancient Lemuria, the life thread, the sutratma per se, was the dominant factor in the life expression; the physical body, the animal form nature, and the dense outer factor was the focus of life exuberant, productive and vital.
2. In old Atlantis, the consciousness thread began to function in a way unrealised in Lemuria. Sensitivity, awareness and—as a result—desire and reaction were the keynotes. Active sensitivity as a prelude to full consciousness distinguished the human being. The astral vehicle was a controlling factor. The mind was relatively quiescent, except where the foremost members of the human race were concerned. The humanity of that world cycle were, however, all of them extremely psychic and mediumistic; they were “sensitives,” in the modern use of the term. The state of awareness was astral, and human beings were—as a race—clairaudient and clairvoyant, though in no way able to interpret that which they contacted; they were not able to distinguish astral phenomena from ordinary physical life (particularly in the middle period of their racial history), and the interpreting mind revealed nothing to them. They [478] simply lived and felt. Such was their life history. Two of the threads were functioning; one was not functioning at all. The bridge was not built.
The Rays and the Initiations Page 51