Esoterically
an adept is not a Master of Wisdom until He has achieved the fifth
initiation or, in other words, until He has entered the spiritual
plane and His consciousness embraces the fifth or spiritual kingdom.
The
Masters are members of that group of 'Illumined Minds' which is
guided by love and understanding, and by deep compassion and inclusiveness
towards humanity. They are striving towards a comprehension and
translation of the Divine Purpose, and are illumined by knowledge
of the Plan; they are also characterized by a readiness to sacrifice
their own immediate spiritual progress if thereby they can assist
humanity in its upward struggle.
In
comparison with earth-bound human beings, who are still far behind
on the evolutionary path, the Masters have attained a relatively
high state of development. But, as with all else in nature, their
status is only relative in comparison with those already higher
up the ladder, their own position remains humble, and vast expansions
of consciousness still lie ahead of them on the Path of Higher
Evolution, which will eventually take them beyond planetary and
solar spheres into cosmic consciousness.
On
hierarchical levels there is naturally no oral communication,
as the Masters do not avail themselves of physical organs. All
communication on spiritual planes is telepathic. To a lesser extent
this also applies to selected senior disciples on the physical
plane, although effective intercourse is often limited by a lack
of sensitivity on the part of aspirants.
One
of the major functions of the Masters is to convey the principles
of the Plan to their less evolved brothers. The usual technique
employed for this purpose is impression. So far the Masters have
not taught from public platforms, but have mainly worked on intuitive
and mental levels, by telepathically impressing ideas on the minds
of their disciples. However, as more of these Masters make their
appearance among men, and recognition of their powers and wisdom
grows, it is possible that use will also be made of oral teachings,
when they might avail themselves of radio and television facilities.
Although the Masters have reached a stage of spiritual development
far beyond that of man and, comparatively speaking, have achieved
perfection, they should none the less not be considered infallible
as they, at their own level, are also engaged in the never ending
process of evolution.
Purposes
of Service
Those
occasional Masters who for purposes of service are temporarily
functioning in a physical body do not avail themselves of an emotional
body, since they have complete conscious control over their feelings
and emotions. For them the astral plane no longer exists, nor
are they subject to any form of illusion or glamour. They are
therefore completely liberated from material influences and reactions,
as well as from every form of bewilderment to which the ordinary
man is subject. This gives them the freedom to enter the centre
of pure love, the heart of God, and from that centre to spread
the spirit of love and goodwill throughout mankind.
The
sphere of service of many of the Masters does not concern humanity
at all, as these entities are often fully occupied with the application
of the Will of God in other extensive fields in the lower kingdoms.
Body
of Manifestation
Thus
far the Masters have normally functioned in etheric bodies on
subjective levels. Should a Master, however, require a mechanism
for contact with His disciples or the world of men, He can avail
Himself of any type of physical appearance which may suit His
particular requirements and circumstances. He can use or 'overshadow'
an existing physical body, in which case such a body would no
longer remain subject to astral and emotional limitations, or
the mental restrictions of an ineffective brain. These He would
be able to by-pass at will. Usually, however, 'a body of expression
or manifestation' is instantaneously created by His spiritual
Will, and according to His special needs. As a rule this assumed
body will resemble the human form which the adept occupied during
His last initiation, although He is perfectly free to adopt any
form which may suit His purpose.
Whatever
type of body of expression the Master may assume, this will not
encumber Him with a 'personality' to curb His activities or consciousness.
He retains His divine nature, and the exterior through which He
works is merely a created image and the product of His focused
Will and creative imagination, and this may, when demanded by
circumstances, also be instantly discarded, or as far as the human
observer is concerned it may just fade away and disappear into
nothingness. The body that He creates will therefore be of pure
substance and radiant light. It will be a perfect body, even though
to outward appearances, and for the purposes of the Master, it
might display a deformed exterior, perhaps even covered by the
rags of a beggar. Such a body is therefore not the product of
the deva-builders, as these are only summoned by desire which,
being an aspect of the astral body, no longer plays any role in
the life of the Master.
Reprinted
with the kind permission of Share International Magazine.
