A Treatise on Cosmic Fire

by Alice A Bailey

  A third factor differentiating the groups of human units who reached self-consciousness on our planet is hidden in the methods employed by the Lords of the Flame at that time. They, we are told, employed three methods.

  First, They themselves took bodies and thus energised certain of the higher forms of the animal kingdom, so that they appeared as man, and thus initiated a particular group. Their descendants can be seen in the highest [1147] specimens of the earth humanity now on earth. They are not even now, however, as far advanced as the groups of units from the moon chain who came in in Atlantean days. Their heredity is peculiar.

  They implanted a germ of mind in the secondary group of animal-men who were ready for individualisation. This group, for a long time, was unable to express itself, and was most carefully nurtured by the Lords of Flame, nearly proving a failure. By the time, however, that the last subrace of the Lemurian root race was at its height it suddenly came into the forefront of the then civilisation, and justified hierarchical effort.

  Thirdly, They fostered the germ of instinct in certain groups of animal-men until it flowered into mind. It must never be forgotten that men have within themselves (apart from any extraneous fostering) the ability to arrive, and to achieve full self-consciousness.

  These three methods bring us to the fourth factor which must be remembered, that of the three modes of motion which powerfully affect the incarnating jivas.

  The Sons of Mind are distinguished by the three qualities of matter as has been earlier brought out, and they have been generically called:

  1. The Sons of sattvic rhythm,

  2. The Sons of mobility,

  3. The Sons of inertia.

  These qualities are the characteristics of the three major Rays, and of the three Persons of the Godhead; they are the qualities of consciousness—material, intelligent, and divine. They are the predominating characteristics of the chains of which our earth is one.[1148]

  Earth Planetary Scheme

  First Chain Archetypal.

  Second Chain Sattvic Rhythm.

  Third Chain Mobility.

  Fourth Chain Inertia.

  Fifth Chain Mobility.

  Sixth Chain Sattvic Rhythm.

  Seventh Chain Perfection.

  The factors which we have considered as affecting the different incarnating units have a vital effect on their cyclic evolution, and the ray and the three main types produce varying periodic appearance. Certain statements have been made in occult books as to the length of time varying between incarnations. Such statements are in the main inaccurate, for they make no allowance for Ray difference, and permit of no calculations as to whether the human unit involved is a unit of inertia, a sattvic point, or a rajasic entity. No hard and fast rule can be laid down at this time for the general public, though such rules exist, and are governed by seven different formulas for the three main types. Within this sevenfold differentiation, exist many lesser, and the wise student refrains from dogmatic assertion on this most peculiar and difficult subject. The fringe of the matter has but been touched upon here. It should be remembered that in the earlier stages of incarnation, the unit is governed mainly by group appearance, and comes into incarnation with his group.

  As time progresses and his own will or purpose becomes more distinctive, he will at times force himself into manifestation independently of his group, as will other group units, and this leads to an apparent confusion which is detrimental to the surface calculations of the superficial student. When this is the case, the particular unit concerned has his record transferred into another file in the hierarchical archives, and becomes what is occultly termed “a self directed point of fire.” He is then strongly individualised, entirely self-engrossed, free of [1149] all group sense, except the earthly affiliations to which he adheres from the instinct of self-protection and personal well-being. In this stage he remains for a vast period of time, and has before him the mastering of a later stage in which he returns to the earlier group recognition on a higher turn of the spiral.

  The rules governing the incarnations of average man have been considered elsewhere, and much information has been given in this treatise and in Letters on Occult Meditation which—if collated—will provide sufficient data for study for a long time. Not much has been given anent the incarnations of disciples and the methods involved in the later stages of evolution.

  It should here be borne in mind that (for a disciple) direct alignment with the Ego via the centres and the physical brain is the goal of his life of meditation and of discipline. This is in order that the Inner God may function in full consciousness and wield full control on the physical plane. Thus will humanity be helped and group concerns furthered. Again it must be remembered that the basic Ray laws and the disciple’s particular type will paramountly dictate his appearances, but certain other forces begin to hold sway which might here be touched upon.

  The factors governing the appearance in incarnation of a disciple are as follows:

  First, his desire to work off karma rapidly and so liberate himself for service. The Ego impresses this desire upon the disciple during incarnation, and thus obviates any counter desire on his part for the bliss of devachan, or even for work on the astral plane. The whole objective, therefore, of the disciple after death is to get rid of his subtler bodies, and acquire new ones. There is no desire for a period of rest, and as desire is the governing factor in this system of desire, and particularly in this planetary scheme, if it exists not, there is no incentive to fulfilment. [1150] The man, therefore, absents himself from the physical plane for a very brief time, and is driven by his Ego into a physical body with great rapidity.

  Second, to work out some piece of service under direction of his Master. This will involve some adjustments, and occasionally the temporary arresting of his karma. These adjustments are made by the Master with the concurrence of the disciple, and are only possible in the case of an accepted disciple of some standing. It does not mean that karma is set aside, but only that certain forces are kept in abeyance until a designated group work has been accomplished.

  Third, a disciple will return into incarnation occasionally so as to fit into the plan of a greater than himself. When a messenger of the Great Lodge needs a vehicle through which to express Himself, and cannot use a physical body Himself, owing to the rarity of its substance, He will utilise the body of a disciple. We have an instance of this in the manner the Christ used the body of the initiate Jesus, taking possession of it at the time of the Baptism. Again when a message has to be given out to the world during some recurring cycle, a disciple of high position in a Master’s group will appear in physical incarnation, and be “overshadowed” or “inspired” (in the technically occult sense) by some teacher greater than he.

  Fourth, a disciple may, through lack of rounded development, be very far advanced along certain lines but lack what is called the full intensification of a particular principle. He may, therefore, decide (with the full concurrence of his Ego and of his Master) to take a series of rapidly recurring incarnations with the intention of working specifically at bringing a certain quality, or series of qualities, to a point of higher vibratory content, thus completing the rounding of his sphere of manifestation. This accounts for the peculiar, yet powerful, people who are [1151] met at times; they are so one-pointed and apparently so unbalanced that their sole attention is given to one line of development only, so much so that the other lines are hardly apparent. Yet their influence seems great, and out of all proportion to their superficial worth. A realisation of these factors will deter the wise student from hasty judgments, and from rapid conclusions concerning his fellow men.

  Occasionally a variation of this reason for rapid and immediate incarnation is seen when an initiate (who has nearly completed his cycle) appears in incarnation to express almost entirely one perfected principle. This he does for the good of a particular group which—though engaged in work for humanity—is failing somewhat in its objective through the lack of a part
icular quality, or stream of force. When this becomes apparent on the inner side, some advanced disciple puts the energy of that particular quality at the disposal of the Hierarchy, and is sent forth to balance that group, and frequently to do so for a period of rapidly succeeding lives.

  These are a few of the causes governing the periodic manifestation of those who are grouped in the Hierarchical records as “the aligned points of fire.” They are distinguished by the energy flowing through them, by the magnetic quality of their work, by their powerful group effects, and by their physical plane realisation of the plan.

  The coming into manifestation of the superhuman lives (such as greater liberated Existences, or the raja-devas of a plane), the appearing of the planetary Logoi and the solar Logoi in physical incarnation is governed by laws similar in nature to those governing the human unit, but of a cosmic scope. It will be apparent to the most superficial student that the gradual emergence of a plane out of the darkness which exists between systems is produced not only as the result of vibratory response to the enunciated Word, but as the working out of the karma of a [1152] cosmic Life and the relationship existing between that particular Life and the cosmic Existence Whom we call Brahma or the third Person of the Trinity. The deva Ruler of a plane is a superhuman Entity Who comes in under a great cosmic impulse to provide the vibratory form which will make possible the appearing of other and lesser forms. The Lords of the Rays, or the planetary Logoi, are similarly and karmically linked with the second aspect logoic, or with that manifesting Life we call Vishnu. It will thus be seen that three main impulses, each emanating from the will, plan, or conscious purpose of a cosmic Entity are responsible for all that is seen and known in our solar system. This, of course, has been oft emphasised in different occult books but the following tabulation may be of service:

  Cosmic Entity Systemic Entities Number of Impulses Quality

  1. Brahma The Raja Lords 7...Activity Inertia.

  2. Vishnu The Planetary Logoi 7...Wisdom Mobility.

  3. Shiva The Solar Logos 1....Will Rhythm.

  It should be noted here that the above tabulation will apply to the microcosm as well as the macrocosm, and students will find it interesting to work it out.

  3. Triangular Linking.

  Enough has been indicated in this Treatise to show the general plan underlying and accounting for systemic emergence or incarnation, and it is not my purpose here to enlarge at great length. Just as it is not possible for man in an early incarnation to conceive of the effects of evolution upon him and to realise the nature of the man upon the Path, so it is not possible for even great [1153] systemic existences to conceive (except in the broadest and most general terms) of the nature of the solar Logos, and of the effect evolution will have on Him. Suffice it to add, anent this matter, that when certain vast cosmic alignments have been made and the energy from the logoic causal ovoid on the cosmic mental planes is able to flow unimpeded through to the physical plane atom (our solar system) great eventualities and unconceived of possibilities will then take place.

  Certain phenomena likewise of a secondary nature to this major happening will also take place as the cycles slip away which may be generally summarised as follows:

  First. Certain systemic triangles will be formed which will permit of the interplay of energy between the different planetary schemes, and thus bring to more rapid maturity the plans and purposes of the Lives concerned. It should be noted here that when we are considering the transmission of energy through alignment and through the forming of certain triangles, it is always in connection with the energy of the first aspect. It deals with the transmission of electric fire. It is important to bear this in mind, as it preserves the analogy between the macrocosm and the microcosm with accuracy.

  Second. A final systemic triangle will be formed which will be one of supreme force, for it will be utilised by the abstracted essence and energies of the septenate of schemes as the negative basis for the reception of positive electric energy. This electric energy is able to circulate through the schemes owing to the bringing about of a cosmic alignment. It is the bringing in of this terrific spiritual force during the final stages of manifestation which results in the blazing forth of the seven suns. (323) Though the seven have become the three, this is only in [1154] connection with the dense physical planets. The blazing forth spoken of in the occult books and in the Secret Doctrine is in etheric matter; it is this etheric fiery energy which brings to a consummation (and so destroys) the remaining three major schemes. In this we have a correspondence to the burning of the causal body at the fourth Initiation through the merging of the three fires. It is only a correspondence, and the details must not be pushed too far. The Saturn scheme is esoterically regarded as having absorbed the “frictional fires of systemic space”; Neptune is looked upon as the repository of the “solar flames,” and Uranus as the home of “fire electric.” When, through extra-systemic activity based upon three causes:

  1. Logoic alignment,

  2. The taking of a logoic Initiation,

  3. The action of the “ONE ABOUT WHOM NAUGHT MAY BE SAID,”

  these three schemes are simultaneously stimulated and the fires pass from one to another in a triangular manner, they then too pass into obscuration. Naught is left save the blazing etheric suns and these—through very intensity of burning—dissipate with great rapidity. [1155]

  4. Relation between the Throat, Alta Major and Mental Centres.

  The question of the centres has always had a great deal of interest for men, and much harm has been done through the directing of attention upon the physical centres. Unfortunately, names have been given to the centres which have their counterparts in the physical form, and with the usual aptitude of man to identify himself with that which is tangible and physical, a mass of data has accumulated which is based (not on spiritual knowledge) but on a study of the effects produced through meditation on the physical centres. Such meditation is only safely undertaken when a man is no longer polarised in the lower personal self but views all things from the standpoint of the Ego with whom he is completely identified. When this is the case, the centres in physical matter are recognised as being simply focal points of energy located in the etheric body, and having a definite use. This use is to act as transmitters of certain forms of energy consciously directed by the Ego or Self, with the intent of driving the physical body (which is not a principle) to fulfil egoic purpose. To do this the Ego has to follow certain rules, to conform to law, and to have attained not only conscious control of the physical body, but a knowledge of the laws of energy, and of the constitution of the etheric body, and its relation to the physical. The attention of students must be called to certain fundamental facts anent the centres and thus supplement, correlate, and summarise that already given in this Treatise. That a certain amount of repetition will be necessary is of value, and the information here given and the correspondences indicated, should provide all followers of raja yoga with a basis for sane consideration, wise meditation and a fuller comprehension of the truths involved. Owing to the rapid development of the race, and the future [1156] quick unfoldment of etheric vision, the gain will be very real if occult students have at least a theoretical concept of the nature of that which will be seen relatively so soon.

  The centres, as we know, are seven in number and are formed in matter of the etheric subplanes of the physical plane. As we have been told, there are literally ten, but the lower three are not considered as subjects for the direction of egoic energy. They relate to the perpetuation of the physical form and have a close connection with:

  a. The three lower kingdoms in nature.

  b. The three lower subplanes of the physical plane.

  c. The third solar system, from the logoic standpoint.

  It must be borne in mind that though the three solar systems (the past, the present and that which is to come) are differentiated in time and space where the consciousness of man is concerned, from the point of view of the Logos the
y represent more accurately, highest, intermediate and lowest, and the three form but one expression. The past system, therefore, is deemed esoterically the third, being the lowest and being related to the dense and negative matter. It will be apparent that the past solar system has consequently a close relation to the third or animal kingdom, and this, man has presumably transcended.

  The seven centres with which man is concerned are themselves found to exist in two groups: a lower four, which are related to the four Rays of Attributes, or the four minor rays, and are, therefore, closely connected with the quaternary, both microcosmic and macrocosmic, and a higher three which are transmitters for the three rays of aspect.

  These energy centres are transmitters of energy from [1157] many and varied sources which might be briefly enumerated as follows:

  a. From the seven Rays, via the seven subrays of any specific monadic ray.

  b. From the triple aspects of the planetary Logos as He manifests through a scheme.

  c. From what are called “the sevenfold divisions of the logoic Heart,” or the sun in its sevenfold essential nature, as it is seen lying esoterically behind the outer physical solar form.

  d. From the seven Rishis of the Great Bear; this pours in via the Monad and is transmitted downward, merging on the higher levels of the mental plane with seven streams of energy from the Pleiades which come in as the psychical force demonstrating through the solar Angel.

  All these various streams of energy are passed through certain groups or centres, becoming more active and demonstrating with a freer flow as the course of evolution is pursued. As far as man is concerned at present, this energy all converges, and seeks to energise his physical body, and direct his action via the seven etheric centres. These centres receive the force in a threefold manner: