The
evolutionary urge of the human being, that irresistible impulse
to push forward along the Lighted Way "from darkness into light,
from the unreal to the real, and from death to immortality", is
a divine attribute inherent in all created forms and for which
the human mind can give no satisfactory explanation.
The
life of the evolving personality may be divided into five progressive
steps, which are determined by the condition of the indwelling
spiritual flame and the quality of the light that is being radiated.
It should be realized, however, that although these stages are
here only sketchily indicated in a few paragraphs, their sequence
actually covers innumerable incarnations, spread over vast periods
of time which may be reckoned in terms of millions of years.
Especially
during the early stages of existence, man's development is extremely
slow, and it is only when nearing its culmination and when the
soul is beginning to take hold, that a marked increase in the
rate of unfoldment will occur. Furthermore, students should realize
that the classification as set out below is artificial and is
merely given to provide an overall picture of the general process
of development. The procedure will vary considerably from soul
to soul, both in rate and characteristics, and in some instances
the periods described might partly overlap or even show a somewhat
simultaneous development.
The
First Period - the recognition of man as a human being
dates from that prehistoric time when animal-man was provided
with an individual soul, and thus gained 'self'-consciousness
- he was 'individualized'. In this early stage man was still polarized
purely in his physical body and was learning to control it by
means of the desire or emotional body.
This
corresponds with the ancient historical periods of Lemuria and
Atlantis. During this period man as yet had no knowledge or awareness
of any higher existence, and his aspirations did not go beyond
pandering to the lusts and pleasures of the flesh. This period
may be compared with that of a child between the ages of one and
seven years. At this stage the inner flame of the soul is as yet
hardly noticeable to the Teachers of the race, and only appears
as a small pin-point of light, and the driving force of evolution
is still largely instinctive.
The
Second Period is characterized by a polarization in the
emotional body, and is associated with the first signs of an awakening
lower mind of desire. This occurred during the later Atlantean
days. With the mind beginning to permeate the personality, the
desires no longer remain solely focused on the physical life,
but become directed towards the astral level, and a capacity arises
for a deep love and unreasoning devotion for those exhibiting
greater intelligence and wisdom, or in wild and unreasonable hatred
towards some associates. The balance which the reasoning mind
will later achieve is, however, still lacking and the life during
this period will therefore be characterized by emotional extremes.
The
mental aspect is unfolding, but the man is still dominated by
the emotions . If this period is symbolically compared with that
of a single life, it will correspond with the life of a child
of seven to 14 years old - the period covering adolescence and
the maturing of the child. The inner light of the soul remains
dim during this stage, and still hardly noticeable.
The
Third Period is that vital phase when the mind is being
developed, and the life is polarized in the mental body. The man
by now has full control of the physical body, and each incarnation
provides better equipment, with the accent primarily on the quaIity
of the brain as the instrument of the mind. Simultaneously the
emotional body becomes more refined in its life of desire, and
instead of as in the past turning downwards to the material for
its satisfaction, it now tends upwards, and desire becomes transmuted
into aspiration - at first mental aspiration, till later there
comes an awareness of the existence of the subjective worlds.
The man also becomes conscious of the joys of the intellect, and
therefore ever strives for greater adequacy of the mind.
Meanwhile
the divine spark of the soul, which for so long has remained dormant,
has commenced to glow and to develop into a small flame. This
spiritual fire is permeating the body of the soul, supplying it
with warmth, radiating its energies, and allowing the soul to
gain in consciousness on its own plane. The physical brain, however,
does not yet become consciously aware of impressions issuing from
this indwelling force. This period will correspond with the individual
age of between 14 and 20 - the reaching of adulthood.
The
Fourth Period is that wherein the Personality, as a co-ordinated
whole, is for the first time being recognized - the three lower
bodies, the physical, emotional and mental, have become synthesized
into a single working unit under mental control. The consummation
of the personality life has been attained and its attention is
now being consciously focused towards the soul. This is the stage
where the disciple is born, and where he takes his first hesitant
steps on the Path. He has become aware of his duality; he comes
to the realization that his whole being will finally have to become
centred in the soul, and that the soul must come into complete
control of the lower planes.
He
therefore commences to work on this transmutation and the expansion
of his consciousness; he finds this a laborious and painful task,
marked by constant reverses and which can only be achieved by
dedication and persistence. He finds that his most effective tools
in this demanding task are study, meditation and service to his
fellow man. In the course of these struggles, and without the
disciple being aware of it, his inner fire has systematically
been receiving more fuel and is now burning so much brighter that
the inner light is beginning to attract the attention of the Masters.
This marks the maturing adult stage of 28 to 35 years.
The
Fifth Period marks the consummation of the human being
on the physical plane. It is the stage where he enters the Path
of Initiation - initiation into the conscious recognition of the
spiritual worlds. Through sustained meditation, supported by its
two helpmeets, study and service, the disciple is increasingly
making direct contact with the soul's vibration, and more and
more the soul-consciousness is being incorporated to include the
lower planes. The soul light is burning ever brighter, and its
radiation is lighting up the disciple's Path.
During
this period the polarization shifts entirely from the Personality
to the Soul until, towards the end of the fifth stage, liberation
is complete and the man is set free. The next step is that the
polarization shifts even higher, to become centred in the Spiritual
Triad, but this only occurs after the Third Initiation. The fifth
period may be compared with the symbolic age of 42. It is often
found that disciples become impatient or discouraged with their
slow spiritual progress, but it should always be remembered that
all truly esoteric effects are slowly achieved, and that only
after consistent and painstaking work. Should a man make apparently
rapid progress in any one incarnation, this will be due to the
fact that he is only recapitulating that which has already been
acquired in earlier incarnations, and that he is preparing for
his next arduous task.
The
whole path of spiritual evolution is therefore a successive range
of expansions of consciousness, of recognitions and succeeding
revelations, until the world of matter and form stand revealed
in the light of the soul, and illumination is achieved. The disciple
then gradually establishes his conscious life in the subjective
world, the world of reality; his sense of values becomes radically
changed and his time and capacities are devoted to higher objectives.
Reprinted
with the kind permission of Share International Magazine.
