THEBROTHERHOOD

OFANGELSANDOFMEN

THEANGELOFTHEPOINTINGHAND

THEBROTHERHOOD

OFANGELSANDOFMENbyGeoffreyHodson

ForewordbyAnnieBesantARIELPRESS

AtlantaColumbus,Ohio

THEBROTHERHOODOFANGELSANDOFMEN

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FOREWORD

Ihavebeenaskedtointroducethisbooktoascepticalworld,andyetaworldinwhicheveryreligion,eachscripture,assertsthefactoftheexistenceofAngelsand of their occasional appearances amongmen. Theymay be called by anyname—angels,nature-spirits,devas(shiningones),elementals.Angelsordevasisthetermoftenappliedtothehighergrades,naturespirits,elementaries,fairies,tothelower.

At this period of evolution, we are under the influence of a natural force,whichwillslowlybecomepredominant ineverydepartmentofnature; it is theforcewhichworksforcooperationbetweenangelhoodandhumanityandseekstobuildbridgesbywhichthetwogreatraces,humanandangelic,maycombinefortheirmutualgood.Thesebridgesareceremonies,chieflyinreligionsandinFreemasonry, for these deal with The Highest spiritual worlds through allworlds,thesuperhuman,thehuman,downtothelowest,thesub-human.

Ihavenotstudiedthesubjectclosely,asMr.GeoffreyHodsonhasdone,buthisobservationsarecongruouswith themanydetails inHindubooksandwithmygeneralknowledgeonthesubject,gainedintravellingindifferentcountriesaswell as by reading. InHungary, for instance, the nature spirits of the earthseemed specially active, quaint little creatures, veritable gnomes, entirelydifferentfromthegorgeoushostsofKuberainIndia,thoughbothareconcernedwiththemineralkingdom.

This book is specially interesting in the suggestionsmade by the angels ofwaysofreachingthem,andastomutualcooperation,andmanymaybeinclinedtoworkfor“TheBrotherhoodofAngelsandofMen.”

—ANNIEBESANT,D.L.

1927

PREFACEAs I consider a Preface to this reprint ofTheBrotherhood of Angels and of

Men,Ifindmyselfinthoughtandmemorybackagaindeepinthewoodsofthesmall village of Sheepscombe in Gloucestershire. There, in 1924, as I wasendeavouringtoobserveandrecorddescriptionsofthenature-spiritlife,Ialmostsuddenly foundmy consciousness translated (if Imay use such a term) to thelevel at which I beheld the great Member of the Angelic Hosts who namedhimself tome,“Bethelda.”While Iwas fullyconsciousandable todictate,hetransmitted to me ideas which have gradually become published in fivesuccessivebooks.*

*The Brotherhood of Angels and ofMen, The Angelic Hosts, Be Ye Perfect, Man the Triune God, TheSupremeSplendour.

Whenever I return to England I always revisit the much-loved village, thecottageandthegardenandthewoodswheremymindbecameopenedtosomeknowledgeoftheKingdomoftheGods.Indeed,abookofthattitle,illustratedbyaSouthAfricanartist,MissEthelwynneQuail,isjustnowreappearinginitsseventhedition.

Thus, Iunderstand, the ideaofcollaborationbetweenAngelsandmenin theservice ofGod and humanity has reached large numbers inmany parts of theworld, and the guidance given in this book has been practised beneficially bymanypeople.

I am grateful to the Publishers of these books and especially to Dr. AnnieBesant who so generously encouraged me from the beginning and wrote aForewordtothiswork.

GEOFFREYHODSONADYAR,1973

THEBROTHERHOODOFANGELSANDOFMEN

CHAPTERI

THEBROTHERHOOD

Theidealofthisbrotherhoodistodrawangelsandmen,twobranchesoftheinfinite family of God, into close cooperation. The chief purpose of suchcooperationistoupliftthehumanrace.

To this end the angels, on their side, are ready to participate as closely aspossible in every department of human life and in every human activity thatholdscooperationinview.

Thosemembersofthehumanracewhowillthrowopenheartandmindtotheirbrethrenof theother sphere,will find an immediate response, and agraduallyincreasingconvictionofitsreality.

While theangelsmakenoconditions,and imposenorestrictionsor limits totheactivitiesanddevelopmentsresultingfromcooperation,theyassumethatnohumanbrotherwouldinvokethemforpersonalandmaterialgain.TheyaskfortheacceptanceofthemottooftheBrotherhood1anditspracticalapplicationtohumanlifeineveryaspect.

Theyaskthosewhowouldinvoketheirpresence,toconcentratethewholeoftheir faculties on the development of the qualities of Purity, Simplicity,DirectnessandImpersonality,aswellasontheacquirementofknowledgeofthegreat Plan whereby the spiritual, intellectual and material constituents,composing alike man and the universe, maintain the ordered march ofevolutionaryprogress.Inthiswaythefundamentalbasisofeveryhumanactivitywillbe the teachingsanddoctrinesof thatDivineandAncientWisdomwhichhas always reigned supreme as the directing influence in the councils of theangels.

The special divisions of the angel host with whom cooperation would beimmediatelypracticableandbeneficialare:

TheAngelsofPower.

TheAngelsofHealing.

TheGuardianAngelsoftheHome.

TheAngelswhobuildForm,everembodyingarchetypalideas.

TheAngelsofNature.

TheAngelsofMusic.

TheAngelsofBeautyandArt.

ANGELSOFPOWER

TheAngelsofPowerwill teachmen to release thedeeper levelsof spiritualenergylatentwithinthem,andwillfill,inform,inspireandchargeeveryhumanactivity with that fiery and resistless energy which is their most prominentcharacteristic. At present, they find in ceremonial a natural medium for theirgiftsandfortheirdesiretoaidtheirhumanbrethren.Ceremonialalwaysattractstheirattention,and,properlyperformed,providesachannelthroughwhichtheycanpourtheirforces.Theyarepresentateveryreligiousceremony,participatingaccordingtothemeasureoftheircapacity,andtothedegreewhichtheceremonyitself permits; they can work more powerfully if the mental attitude of theofficiantsandparticipantsisreceptive.

ANGELSOFTHEHEALINGART

The Healing Angels—under their mighty Head, the Archangel Raphael—beingfilledwithlovefortheirhumanbrethren,pursuetheirworkcontinuously.Theirpresencebythesickbedsofmenisareality,thoughthemindsandheartsof themajority of those responsible for healing of sickness are closed againstthem.Manywhosufferandhavesuffered,knowthemwell.Theystandintheirthousandsonthespiritualandmentalthresholdsofeverysick-room,inhospitalor home, eager to enter in. Hitherto, but few have succeeded, the barriersupraisedbyhumanmindsareofteninsuperable;shouldtheybreakthroughtheseinspiteofopposition,theprecioushealingwhichtheybearinoutstretchedarmswouldbelost,dissipatedintheefforttoovercomeresistance.

GUARDIANANGELSOFTHEHOME

TheGuardianAngels love thehomelywaysofmen, theydesire toshare thehoursoflabourandofease;theylovechildrenandtheirplay,andallthehappyatmosphere of the home. They would guard men’s homes, keeping away allinfluences of danger and of strife, of darkness and disease. They hear thechildren’s prayers at night and bear them to the Lord, and they vivify everyhuman thought of love by adding something of their love and life; often theybear the thought on itsmission and pour it, illumined and increased, into thereceiver’sheart.Theytendtheagedandthesick.Theyareeverreadytoshieldfromharm.Toallwhoseheartsandhomesareopentothem,theywouldgladlycome,bringingmanyblessingsfromonhigh—blessingsofharmonyandlove.

TheBuildingAngelsguidegrowthineveryworld,and,shapingitaccordingtothelaw,seekevertoimprove,toperfectandinspire.Eachimmortalsparkwhichfindsbirthinworldsofthought,offeelingandofflesh,and,growing,becomesman,owesallitsvehicles,orbodies,totheangelbuilders;soalsodoeverygem,everyplant,everyanimal,everyglobe,andeveryuniverse.Theystandingradedorders, these builders, each labouring at his own height, the lesser ones buildgems, the greater ones worlds; there are some who build the outer forms ofangelsandofmen.

Itislackofrecognitionoftheirplaceandaidthathasmadechildbirthinlatertimesaperiodofagonyordeath.Whenmeninvoketheiraid,theywillteachthehuman racehow tobring forth theirkindwith joy, theywill see that thegreatsacrificeisnolongermarredbyfearandcriesofagonyandwoe.

These angels who build man, have, as their Queen, a Holy One, who wonfreedomfromtheburdenofthefleshand,ascendingjoinedtheAngelHosts.Shelaboursever for thecauseofhumanmotherhood,andevennow isbendingallHermightystrengthandcallingallHerAngelCourttolabourfortheupliftmentof womanhood throughout the world. Through Her angel messengers, SheHerself ispresent at everyhumanbirth,unseenandunknown, it is true,but ifmenwouldbutopentheireyesShewouldberevealed.

ShesendsthismessagethroughtheBrotherhoodtomen:

“IntheNameofHimwhomlongagoIbore,Icometoyouraid.Ihavetakeneverywomanintomyheart,toholdthereapartofherthatthroughitImayhelpherinhertimeofneed.

“Upliftthewomenofyourracetillallareseenasqueens,andtosuchqueens

leteverymanbeasaking,thateachmayhonoureach,seeingtheother’sroyalty.Leteveryhome,howeversmall,becomeacourt,everysonaknight,everychildapage.Let all treat allwith chivalry,honouring in each their royalparentage,theirkinglybirth;forthereisroyalbloodineveryman;allarethechildrenoftheKING.”

THEANGELSOFNATURE

TheNatureAngels arewidelydistributed, eachdwellingandworking inhisownelement.Theyrangefrombrownie,elfandfairysprite,throughundineandsylph, to the creatures of the fire. The angels of nature are to be foundeverywherearoundmen’shaunts,intree,inflower,instone,incloud,ensoulingeveryform.

Thegrowthofcrops,offruitandflowers,isundertheircontrol.Itistheywhobring,whenmenso liveas tocreate them,earthquakeandstormand flood. Ifhumanitywouldinvoketheiraid,theymightlearnfromthemhowallthemoodsandproducts of naturemaybe controlled.The climate and theweather of theworldanswertolaw;salamander,undineandsylphofstormarebuttheagentsofthatlaw.

IfyouwouldappealtothegodsofMusicyoumustrisetothoselevelsoftheSelfwherecreativeenergy,creativepower,isstored;fortheAngelsofMusicarebuttheembodimentsofthecreativeWordofGod,theexpressionsofHisVoice.WhenHespeaks,amightyburstofsongspringsfromtheirheartsandpoursitsresonancethroughoutthegradedorderoftheirrace.

TheysingintheirmyriadsinanswertotheWordofGod.Theirsoundisasofamillionharpstouchedbyimmortalhands,theirvoiceislikethesurgingofthesea.Fromthecentreof theUniverse, likeamightytidalflood, theirsonggoesforthinwaveonwaveofglory,asorderafterorderanswerstotheWord; theysendthechorusforth,outwardstotheconfinesoftheUniverse.

Creationneverceases.HisVoiceisheardcontinually,theVoiceofHimWho,seeingvisionsofextrauniversalspace,ofcosmicideations,speaks, tellingHisvision,andtelling,callsthevisionforth,creatingitinformwithinHisUniverse.AtHisVoiceAngelsofMusic leapfromHisLips tobecometheagentsof thepowerofSound;all theworldof creativepower is filledwith theharmonyofHisVoice;andtheAngelsaretoHimasharps,asgloriousstringedinstruments,responding toHiswill.As they sing, theyglowwith the colour of their song.

TheyliveinworldsofLightandSound,theyaretheexpressionofcosmichuesandcosmicsongwithinthelimitsofauniverse.

OurLogosisalensthroughwhichthelightofmyriadsofuniversespassesintoHis own; He is a mighty organ-pipe under the hand of the Absolute. All theLogoiofalltheuniverseanswertothecosmickeyboardonwhichItplays.ThusColour and Sound are born, those wondrous twins, and brought within thelimitationsofearthlytimeandspace.

Everyangel,andeveryman inhis trueself,glowswith thatwondrous light,answerstotheDivineSong,knowswellthetonesoftheCreativeVoice.ThetrueSelfinmanislensandorgan-pipeinminiature;ashesingsandglowsinanswertotheVoiceofGodhereproduces inhisgradebutwithexactitude,everytoneand micro tone of His Voice, every shade of the spectrum of His light. Thesplendours of that rainbow-huedworld pass downwards to the lesser self, andtherehover,thateventhelowestselfmayhear.

Themissionof theMusicangels is tobear this radianceofamillionprisms,this surgingof amillionplanets, downwards to the earsofmenoutwards intomaterialworlds, that even treeandplantandmolebeneath theearthmayheartheVoiceofGodand,hearingit,obey.EverysoundyouhearonearthisanechoofHisVoice,andeverylightineverycolourcomesfromthedazzlingradianceofHisEyes.

Youcannotcall theseangelsdowninto thelowestself; toseeandhear themyoumust rise towards theirworld; as you cross its threshold youwill see themighty throng, ever bathed in myriad rainbow hues, ever chanting forth inanthem-tonestheWordsofGod.Throughthesoundoftheirtrumpetsandflutes,thebeatingof theirwings, and through the lightof the fiery spendourof theireyesandtheradiantbeautyoftheirformscomesthemusicoftheirvoices.Evertheysingthusandplayfrombirthtodeathofuniverses—theyremainthechoralorchestraofGod.

Theyareinneedofhumanearsandhumanhearts,thatthroughthemtheymaybringourworldintune,thatmenmayanswerevermoreandmoretothesoundandrhythmoftheirsong.Tothem,allmenandallangelsareinstruments,everyfaculty of mind and heart is a string. They watch each newborn race witheagerness, seeing in it thepromiseof new instruments, awider rangeof tone,another organ-pipe to answer to the breath ofGod. They see the unity of all,

knoweachaspartoftheonegreatinstrumentuponwhichGodplaysthatwhichHehearsbeyondtherealmsoftimeandspace.Throughthisinstrument-throughall the manifold music—throbs the beating of His Heart, the rhythm of theuniversalpulse.Allthemovementsofthestars,thelightingandsettingofsuns,the birth of planets and their death, the evolution of the race, the waves thatbreak upon the shore, the rise and fall of continents, themelting of the Polarseas, the beating of the hearts of men, the germination of the seed, all theserespondtotherhythmofthepulsingheartofGod.

ThisistheburdenofthesongtheGodsofMusicsing.

ANGELSOFBEAUTYANDOFART

Everythingdivine is beautiful, expressing in its degree theperfect beautyoftheAbsolute.

ThegreaterthedensityinwhichGodlimitsHimself,thedeeperHisbeautylieshidden.SomeamongtheAngelhosts,seeingthebeautyoftheirGod,themselvesembody it,and take itas theirduty in theworldof formtoaid thebuildersofforms,thattheymayfashionallthings,neverforgettingthebeautyofthepatternbywhichtheywork.

TheseAngels ofBeauty seek tomould both growing and completed forms;thatmoreandmorethehiddenlovelinessmayshineforth.AsMusicangelsarethe voice ofGod, these angels areHisHand,withwhichHe paints upon thecanvasoftheuniversethepictureofthevisionHehasseen.

Every timeamanaspires towards theBeautiful, and tries tomodel,paintordrawaccordingtoTheHighesthecansee,hemakeshimselfakintotheangelsoftheHandofGod;foratimetheirrhythmbecomeshis.Ifhecalledthemtheywouldcomeandaddtheirvisiontohisown,theirgeniusofcolourandofform,wouldwakeinhimtheirthirstforallthingsbeautiful,wouldstrivetostimulatehismind tobreak theconventionsand the limitationsofhis time.Theywouldimplant new theories, fresh ideals within his brain; so that the tendency ofhumanmindtosetalimitandfixalawwouldbeovercome,andcreativegenius,hiddeepasthoughwithinaprison,wouldbereleased.Sohissoulwouldbesetfree,andmountingonthewingsofartmightattainthevisionthatisevernew,mightoverridethecanonsofthepast;foreventheBeautyof

Godissubjecttothelawofchange,andgrowsinsplendourdaybyday.

TheAngelsofColourandofFormwouldbring tomanthisgrowingbeauty,this ever- increasing wonder, this infinite loveliness of God, that every manmight sharewith them thehonourwhich is theirsofactingas theHandof theSupremeArtist. Invoke angels in your schools of art, invite them to your aid;thenuglinessshallbebanishedandalltheworldbemorebeautiful.

Theirmessage tomen is thatBeauty ranks high among the offerings on thealtar of theGods, thatBeauty should be regarded as a virtue, and ugliness bebranded as a sin; that every child from birth should see only what is lovely,gracefulanddelicate.

Beautyisnotborn,norcanitdie,itiseternal.OnlyafragmentofBeauty’sselfcan becomemanifest, only a gleam from the eternal Sun ofBeauty can shinethroughauniverse;menseeingit,anddazzledbythesight, thinkthattheyseethewhole, though the whole can never be seen by angel or byman. But thefragment grows, the radiance of the gleam increases, as more and more theuniverse embodies it. More and more the Self and Beauty appears as one inmanifestedworlds,astheyareoneinworldsunmanifest.

True beauty is ever new; and this is the sign bywhich youmay distinguishbetweenthefalseandthetrue.Falsebeauty,productofthelesserselves,changesnot, is fixed, and like all things that are “fixed” in a universe which is evergrowing,isoldfromthemomentitisborn.

Asthereisamotionthroughouttheuniverse,somotionmustbesuggestedbytruebeauty.There isnobeauty inapictureofdeath, thoughdeath itself isnotwithout beauty. Beauty is the soul of all natural things, and lies hid in everyvirtue,especiallylove.Youneednootherstandard,requirenootherlaw;noristhere any other virtue so great as the love of the beautiful, for beauty is theessenceofthemall.

Every law you frame, and every statue you enact, should be tested by thisquestion: “Will the result be beautiful?” This is the ideal by which a citizenshouldmeasurehisconductandhisdutytotheState.ThisisthestandardforthenationsintheirCouncilsandtheirLeagues,forwithoneglancetheartistRulerof a world can estimate the worth of governments and kings. To Him, themeasureofanation’sugliness is themeasureof itsmismanagementofaffairs;themeasureofanation’sbeauty,asofthetrueroyaltyofitsking,isthatoftheprogress it has made. Welcome, then, as continents, as nations, as men, the

presenceoftheangelsoftheHandofGod,theDevasofBeauty,fortheywillfillyourworldsoffeelingandofthoughtwithsuchanimpressoftheirgiftthatyourmore solid selveswillbeunable to resist.Aidedby theangelsof theHandofGod,allmenmaybecomeartists,fortheVisionSplendidwillcomesoclosethateventhedullesteyesmustsee.Poets,dreamers,painters,sculptors,willariseineveryfamily,tillalltheworldbecomesastudio,andearthandstoneandbrickarerecognisedasclayforthemodeller’shand.

YoushallbuildcitiesfairerthanwereeverseeninGreece,foryouareGreecereincarnate; but you have grown since then; the angels who taught in Greecehavegrownsincethen.Togetherwemightfillwholecontinentswithcitiesfairerthanthoseofold.

Youshallmouldyourthoughts,yourfeelingsandyourflesh;youshallbuildaRacegodlikeinitsbeautyanditsstrength;theangelhostswillcometoaidyouinyourtask.

Thisisthevisionofthefuturethatwebring,afutureoflimitlesspossibilitiesof splendour, when once more the children of God, angels and men, cometogetherforthefulfilmentofthePlan.

CHAPTER2

THEFIRSTMESSAGE

SincetheGreatOnehasdrawnsoclosetoourworldandtoyours,itisoffirstimportancethatthebridgebetweenthetwoshouldbefash-ioned,thatthetimemaybehastenedwhen itmaybeusedfreelyfromeitherside.Wemustdevisebetter means of communication; and your studies might well have for theirobjectthewideningofthebridgeandtheinstructionofyourbrethreninitsuse.Theywillfinduscomingmorethanhalfwaytomeetthem,fortheLordHimselfhasdecreedthatweshoulddrawtogetherincloserbondsofunity.

Thefirstessentialonyoursideisabelief inourexistence; tothatend,moreinformationaboutusmustbegiven,andpresentedinsuchamannerthatitwillbeacceptabletothescientistaswellastothepoet,theartistandthedreamer.Inyourscientificstudies,astheytakeyoudeeperintothesuperphysicalrealms,beever observant of our place in the manipulation and adjustment of nature’sforces. Behind every phenomenon you will find a member of our race. Ourposition in nature is closely akin to that of the engineer; he is not the forcehimself;hedirectsit,andashisconstantcareandoversightareessentialtotheefficient running of themachine, so the angels, or devas,2 are essential to theefficient running of the greatmachine of nature, aswell as of each individualengineofwhichitiscomposed,fromatomtoarchangel.Solongasthepresenceofourinvisiblehostsisignoredbysciencetherewillbegapsintheirknowledge,gapswhichcanonlybefilledbyacomprehensionofourplaceintheschemeofthings.

Thatknowledgeisnotlikelytobeobtainedbytheuseofphysicalinstruments;and,therefore,thesecondessentialisanincreaseinthenumberofhumanbeingsable to contact us. Perhaps the easiestmeans of approachwill be found to bethroughtheloveofnature.Thosewhowouldfindusmustlearntocontactnaturefarmoreintimatelythanisatpresentpossibletotheaverageman.Inadditiontoadeeperappreciationofthebeautyofnature,theremustbethatreverenceforall

forms and moods, for all her manifold expression, which springs from arecognition of the presence of the Divine of which these forms, moods andbeauties are but the outward expression. From such an appreciation therewillarise naturally a realisation of the sacred nature of all beauty, and a desire todrawneartothedivinitywithin.Beyondthatagain,alivingsenseofunitywithnaturemustbereached,tillyoucanseeyourselfineverytree,ineveryflower,inevery blade of grass, in every passing cloud, and realise that the manifolddiversitieswhichcomposeavalleyoragardenorawidepanoramaofmountain,seaandsky,arebutexpressionsoftheOneSelfwhichisinyou,ofwhichyouareapart,bymeansofwhichyoucanpiercetheexternalveilofbeautytillitcanhide fromyouno longer thevisionof theSelf.When this realisationhasbeengained,youwillbeonthethresholdofourworld,youwillhavelearnedtoseewithoureyesandtoknowwithourmindsandtofeelwithourhearts.

Thiscapacityalone,however,willnotsuffice,foritisasyetapathwhichfewcantread.Itmay,nevertheless,beregardedasthebroadhighwayleadingtothebridge.

Every true artist has gone along that road, yet few have found us; for theenquiring mind of the scientist and the penetrating gaze of the seer must beaddedtothesensitivenessoftheartist.Thescientistmustlearntobeginwherethe artist leaves off, and, placing himself within the central heart of nature,pursuehis investigationsoutwards towards thecircumference.Hewillnot loseinhisself-realisationthatclarityofmind,thatexactitudeofobservation,whichhesorightlyprizes,buthewilldirectthemfromanewpointofview.Hemustplace hismind inside the tree, the plant, the animal, the element, the atomhewould study; and to do this hemust first follow the path of the artist and thepoet, thephilosopher and themetaphysician, combining the capacities of eachwithin himself. The realisation of the angel world will gradually begin toilluminehisconsciousnessand,throughit,everyproblemtowhichhismindisturned.

Lethimfirstgainthenecessarytechniqueofthelaboratoryandthetextbook,and then, forsaking these for a time, let him meditate, preferably amid thebeauties of nature, appealing to us for guidance and for aid. If he be sincere,knowledgewillsurelycometohim.

Next comes theway of ceremony,where divine ideas, words of power andprecisionofactionarecombined inamannercloselycorresponding to thatby

whichtheangelswork.Letallthechurchesandallthepriestswhoseekthisway,throwopen theirminds and theirwork to us, grant us a greater share in theirbeneficentactivities.Membersoftheangelhostsarehoveringovertheheadsofall congregations, standing beside every priest; yet how often do they findthemself shut out by barriers upraised by human minds. Let priest andcongregation alike throw theirminds open to a recognition of our presence intheirmidst, and invoke our aid; soon, very soon, somewill begin to hear thebeating of our wings, to feel an added power in their work, and, later, anincreasing happiness in their lives. Like Him Who has come, we bring themessageofhappiness—we,whoare expressionsofblissdivine,we forwhompainisnot,norsorrow,norparting,nordeath,noranyinjury,butonlyjoy,lightandever- increasingpower,aswelearntoexpressmoreandmoreof thatWillDivinefromwhichwesprang.

For us, the cornucopia of life is ever full to overflowing and from itsabundance we would feed humanity. The happiness which never fades, butgrows until it becomes an ecstasy of bliss, shall be theirs. Preach, then, yeministersofGod,theGospelofHappiness,inHisNameandinours.Wouldyoubutthrowopenthedoorsofyourheartsandmindstous,doorswhich,inspiteoftheancientteachingofyourfaiths,arefastlockedagainstus,wewouldfillyourchurches,mosquesandtemples.

Thehealer,too,mightinvokeustocometohisaid.Thesickbedsofmencallus, who know no pain.Wonders of healing might be performed if we mightcome freely. To attain this end, youmust combine healingwith religion,withceremonial,aswellaswith theartist’svisionofreality.Ineveryinstitutionforthe care of the young, the sick and the aged, there should be established amagneticcentrewhichwecoulduseasafocus:itshouldbearoomsetapartandmadebeautiful,consecratedbytheproperceremonial,whichwouldhaveasitsobject the invocationofRaphaelandhishealingangels,andofestablishinganatmosphere in which they could work. No great gift of knowledge would beneeded todo this,onlysincerityandvision; the roommightbeshaped likeanoctagon,withanaltartowardstheEast,candlesandthesymbolsofthereligionofthecountryplacedthereon,andafigureofthefounderoftheirFaith,incense,holywaterandfragrantflowers.Everymorningaceremonyofinvocationoftheangels should be performed, and every evening a service of thanksgiving.3 Inevery ward or sickroom, a little shrine might be similarly consecrated andsimilarly employed.Theneverydoctorwouldbecomeapriest, everynurse an

acolyte;weshouldcomeandhealthroughthem,helpinginahundredways.

Inthehomelifeofmanaplaceforusmightbefound.Insomecountries,thepeople invite our presence, but even there, from long continued usage, oldcustoms have lost their life, remaining largely as empty forms. Adaptationssuitedtowesterncivilisationmightwellbedevisedbythosewhowishtocrossthebridgeintoourworld.

Again,perhaps, themostsuitablemethodwouldbe theprovisionofashrinesetapartandusedexclusivelyforinvocationsandofferingstotheangels.Inalltimesofneed,suddencrises,sicknesses,births,anddeaths,theaidoftheAngelswouldbegladlygiven,butthepowerwouldbegreaterandthepresencesmorereal ifmagnetisedcentreswereprovided in thehome.Asingleobjectofgreatbeauty,mentallyassociatedwiththeangelsandwithnature,abowlofflowers,freshlygatheredeveryday,incense,theuseofashortprayerorinvocationeachmorning,andabenedictioneachevening,wouldsuffice.Completecleanliness,anatmosphereofutterpurity, and the singlemotiveofcooperation formutualhelp,areessential;whileaddedtothesimpleceremonymightbeanappropriatereferencetotheFounderofthereligionofthehouse,andaprayer,perhaps,forHisBlessinguponbothangelsandmen.

These few examples will be sufficient to suggest a general method ofcommunionandcooperation,forwhichvariationsmaybedevisedforparticularpurposes; for example, in the studio of the artist, the surgery, the consultingroom,theconcerthall,thelectureroom;everywhere,infact,whereangelsmaybe usefully employed. Further fields of mutual cooperation await us in therealmsofhorticultureandagriculture.

While these practices would not immediately produce a large number ofpeoplecapableofentering intodirectcommunicationwith theangels—even ifthiswere desirable or necessary—theywould gradually effect a change in theconsciousness of the people, a change which would tend to make suchcommunication more easily possible. This development would show itselfparticularlyamongthechildren,who,growingupinsuchanatmosphere,wouldhaveeveryfacilityfordevelopingandusingpowersofcommunication.

Many other beneficial results might be expected, culminating in a generalraising of the whole tone of human life and thought, which would tend tobecomemoresensitive,refinedandresponsive,asaresultofcontactwithangel

consciousness. In time thiswould begin to affect the actual appearance of thephysicalbody,aswellasitsmovementsandgestures;theartsandgracesoflifewouldbegintobemoregenerallyappreciatedandexpressed.

Forthoseofhumanitywhofindwithinthemselvesanaturalresponsetotheseideasandaninstinctivedesiretoapplythem,centresandcommunitiesfortheirpractical use might be formed in the more remote country places. Everycommunityorcentre,formedwithspiritualpurposes,wouldfinditsworkgreatlyincreasedinvalue,rangeandpowerbytherecognitionofthepresenceofangels,andthepracticeofcooperationwiththem.

Thisvalley4iswelladaptedforsuchendeavours,anditisnotunlikelythat,inthe near future, centres, both of theAncientWisdomand of the new religion,will be formed andgrowhere; centres inwhich an increasing recognition andcooperation will be obtained from both the human and angel workers. Bothmagnetically and historically, this valley is particularly suitable for the work;whatever methods are attempted, their success will be greatly enhanced bycooperation.Averygreatreadinesstocombinewillbeshownbytheangelsofthisdistrict,providedalwaysthattheworkhasasitsbasistheidealsandideasoftheAncientWisdom.

Onthephysicalplane,thepreparationandbuildingoftheformisyourwork;ontheinnerplanes,wewillcombinewithyoursuperphysicalselvesinpouringinthe life, instimulatingthe innergrowth, in theprotectionof thecentrefromintrusion,andintheconservationofthepowergenerated.

Acentreheremight serveboth aworkingcommunity and thosewho seekaretreat for meditation and study; the measure of its success will be greatlyincreasedif theconceptionofhumanandangelcooperationiskeptcontinuallyto the frontand thesuggestion toemploysuchcooperation ismade toallwhocome within its sphere of influence. Developments might be expected whichwould be the provision of a sanatorium and rest house— a semi-monasticinstitution—asaretreat,forpurposesofstudy,meditationandinvestigation,withdepartmentsforliterature,artsandcrafts,dramaticrepresentations,dancingandrhythmicexercises.The successful initiationof such schemesmightproducearesultwhichwouldserveasamodelfortheestablishmentofsimilarcentresinotherpartsoftheworld.

The essential factor for success in cooperation between us is the mental

realisationofitspossibility,andthecontinualrecollectionandemploymentofit,in thementalworld, ineverypieceofworkwhich isundertaken.Anyonewhowillearnestlypractisethiswillalmostinevitablydevelopthepowertorealisethepresenceandcooperationoftheangels,andtheirneverfailingresponsetocallsfor aid. It should bemade clear that this conceptionmust be preserved in itssimplestform,entirelyfreefromallsensationalismorelaborateceremonial,norisitsuggestedthatanyattemptshouldbemadetoobtainaclosepersonalcontactwithindividualangels,ortoemploythemfrommotivesofpersonalgain,interestor curiosity; such endeavours would almost inevitably lead to disaster andshould be rigorously excluded. Itmust be as natural for you toworkwith theangels as with each other or with domestic animals. As already stated, thequalitiesofSimplicity,Purity,DirectnessandImpersonalitymustcharacteriseallwho hope to take part successfully in any mutual endeavours. The excitable,emotional,orunbalancedindividualmaynotsafelybebroughtintocontactwiththe great forces working behind and through the angel evolution. Men andwomenwithextremelypracticalandcontrolledminds,possessingalsocapacitiesfor idealismandpositive imagination,are idealworkers; these typesshouldbesought for the initiation of schemes where human-angel cooperation is to beemployed.

Though theworldat largemayderideouraspirations,agrowingresponse isassured.Thereexistswithinthehumanheartandmindaninstinctiveattractionin these directions; it springs in part at least from ancient memories of thosetimeswhenangelswalkedwithmen,andpartlyfromthenaturalseer-shiplatentineveryhumansoul.

CHAPTER3

THESECONDMESSAGE

TheAngelsaskfromyou,notworship—forthatwouldbeinappropriate—butlove;askingonly tobeallowed to joinwithyou inpraiseand thanksgiving toHimWho is theFather of us all, and in adoration of theSupremeTeacher ofAngelsandofMen.Thepowerofourprayerswillbeenhancedbybeingofferedupwithyours;yourliveswillbeenrichedbytheanswertoourcommonactofpraise.OursphereofusefulnesstoGodwillbeenlargedbysharingyours;yourlives will be enriched, your world made glad, by the inauguration of theBrotherhoodofAngelsandofMen.TheaimoftheBrotherhoodistowidentherange of human love by including the angelswithin its rosy glow, so that theconceptofbrotherhood,thekeynoteofthecomingage,shallknownobounds,butwidentoincludealllivingthings,mortalandimmortal—thedwellersintheetherealworldsofair,fireandwater—thepeopleofthelimitlessdominionsofSpace.

Thetimeapproacheswhentheywillnolongerremaininvisibletoyou,forasyouthrowopenyourworldstothem,sowilltheyceasetoresistyourentryintotheirs;throwingwidetheirdoorstheywillinviteyoutopasstheportal,offeringyoufullshareofthosetreasuresofincalculablevaluewhichtheyhaveguardedsolong.Itislovethatwillopenthedoors;lovebetweenyourselvesfirst,sothatyou can never misuse the gifts they will bestow; love also for them, yourbrethren, to whom your love will give the power to reveal themselves. Theangelssendtheirloveandgreetingtoyou,holdingouttheirhandsinfellowship,as bidden by the Lord, Who recently has come again to you and them.Surrounded by angels, as of old, He comes, and we, His servants, bear Hismessageofbrotherhoodandlove,“Beofthesamemind,onewithanother,forthereisbutone

Life,boundlessandinexhaustible,whichistheveryessenceofyouall.Gotothe children of men, draw close to them once more, that those days may be

broughtbackagainwhenangelswalkedwithmen.Dothis,itisthewillofGod.”

Having this command laid upon us we come to you, and to many anotherlisteningone,offeringyouourserviceandourlove,thatHiswillbedone.

Whatwillyouranswerbe,menofearth?

Wewait on that.Wewould light a fire in your hearts that youmay feel theglowofthesamegreatflamethatburnswithinus,theflameofdivineLife,thatrestores as it consumes, ever renewing its fiery power in the lives of those inwhom it burns. That is themeaning of the angel life, this is the secret of theangel fire, the fire divinewhichburns continually; it is the flamewhich leapsfromthatimmortalspark,ourinnermostSelves,whichspringsfromthecentralfieryheartoftheuniverse—theSpiritualSun.

All your faculties will be increased, and all your powers enhanced, till lifebecomes an ecstasy, till unsuspected beauty reveals itself in everything, tillundreamed-ofcapacityforlove,forlife,forhappiness,ariseswithinyou.Thusyou shall findyourway to thatKingdomofHappiness,of ecstasy,ofbliss, towhichourLordinHisdivinecompassionwouldleadyou.

All this,andmore,awaitsyouinthefuture,afuturethatshallbenearorfaraccordingtoyourresponsetoHimandtoHisangelhosts.Hedesirestoopenanewworld toyou—newyet older thanyourselves—toopen toyouKingdomsyetinvisible;Hewillremovethescalesfromyoureyes,andthevisionsplendidwillbeyours.

ComeintothatKingdom,thelandofimmortalityinwhichwedwell,andsharewith us the joys which never fail, the splendours of a world where death isunknown,whereseparationisnot,noranypain.Let thebeauty, thepowerandthejoyofthevisionflowdownintoyourworld,healingitsdistress,relievingitsdrudgery,uglinessandvice,thatallmenmayliftuptheirheadsinpride,havingoncemorebecomethegodstheyoughttobe.

Begonethesunkeneye,thewitheredcheek,thescowlingglance,theshamedmien,theuglyhome.LetLifebebeautifulforall,notforthefewalone;forHeWhocomes,comestoall,andHewouldremovethesedarkblotsuponyourrace,forHeseestheGodwithinyoustrugglingtobefree.

Theselives—dark,drear,dullasthetomb-mustbemadeglad,mustbefilledwithjoy,mustbegiventhefreedomwhichHebidsyougive.

Raiseup theevolvinggod;donotpressHimdownorburyHimdeeperanddeeperinthemireofyourownselfishness.Soshallallbeliftedup,afairerraceshall be born, a nobler type evolve, and a more worthy temple be reared ofhumanbodies,happy,healthy,strongandfree,fitdwellingsfortheGodhiddenwithinthem.

He comes to help you to this end.To help you andHimwe come, offeringourselvestoyou.We,whohavenotfeltthecrampinganddeadeningweightofearth,honouryouforyourgreatpilgrimagesofarfromHisFace—fromWhomyou sprang—so deep into the densematerialworlds.Now that your faces areturnedhomeward,Hebidsussingthewelcomingsong;Hebidsusmeetyouontheway,and, joininghandswithyou, leadyoumoreswiftlyalong thePathofReturnbacktoHisabode,theDwellingPlaceofLight.

CHAPTER4

THEHIGHEST

There is too much satisfaction with that which is not the highest, and notenoughreadinesstoaimhigherandhigherstillinallthingsthataredone.Evenin the pleasant talk of friends, there should always be upheld the ideal thatthoughtandwordanddeedshouldbethehighest;becausethisisnotso,thekeenedgeofheartandmindisblunted,thesenseofgreatnessfallsaway,lesserthingscome into and clog the soul, delaying its progress on the Path. These thingsshouldnotbe,neednotbe;evenlittlethingsaregreatforthosewhocontinuallyaspire.Makesomethinggreatofallthings.Thewalk,thedrive,thefiresidetalk,all the household ways, all your earthly obligations, your pleasures and yourpains,yourstrivingsandyourtimesofease—letthembegreat,thegreatestthat,sofar,hasdawnedwithinyou—thehighestyoucanreach.

Letthisbethemottoforyouall—THEHIGHEST—andletallwhojoinourrankspledgethemselvestothatmotto.We,too,willpledgeourselves,andeverytimethisinwardpledgeisutteredbyaman,anangelshallrepeathispledgeandbearit likea torch toadd to thegreat reservoirofpowerapportionedforourwork.Let eachwhowould so pledge himself, retire into solitude, the private room,some grassy height, somewoodland shade, or, if he needs them not, into thechamberofhisheart.Therewithfixedpurposelethimfirstmeditate,seekingtopenetrateintothedepthandmeaningofourgreatideal;then,havingenvisagedit, lethimmakefirmresolve thathewilleverstrive towards it throughout thisandhisfuturelives;rememberingthattothegreatallthingsaregreat.

Thus,perchance,wemayremovetheblightthatthreatensyourrace,theblightofapathy;inwhichyouaresunksodeepthatonlywars,earthquakes,firesandfloods,faminesandsuddendeathcanstiryoursomnolence.Yourhigherselves—yourangelselves—strivecontinuallytoawakenyou,tosendavisionthroughyour dreams, and here and there a sleeper stirs and stretches, all too often toreturntosleep;yourdreamsmustbedisturbedbytheforceofthingsexternalto

your selves.Wars come to rouse you, and you pray toGod to save you frommorewars!Pestilenceandfaminestridehandinhandacrossyourheedlesslives,andonlyasyouseethemthreateningyourreposedoyouawake,and,foratime,becomeyourgreatest selves.Yet from these, youprayuntoyourLord, askingHimtodeliveryou!Thedelivererfromtheseiswithyouallthewhile,itisyourinnermostself;butasyouwillnotbearousedbytheSelfwithinyou,youmustbeawakenedbytheSelfwithout.Knowthat inwars,plagues,cataclysms,youseeyourselves,theexpressionsofyoursoul,stridingtorchinhand,throughthedormitoriesinwhichyourbodieslie,tostiryoufromyoursleep,todriveawaythe dark shadows of self-satisfaction and content. These other selves of yourswillcomeagainandagainuntilyouyourselvesbanishthemforalltime.Theygofromthenation,fromthosemen,who,answeringtoTHEHIGHEST,liveaccordingtoitslaws;whoseeingthegreatest,striveevertoexpressit,whoneitherrestnorsleep,filledwithacravingwhichdrivesthemonwardsfrompeaktopeakofthemountainsofthespiritualworld.Thatisthewaytorelease,brothers,andthereisnoneother.HEwhotellsyouthatwarmayceasebyactoflaw,doesworsethanlie;hecoversup the truth,so thatmen, feelingsafe,sinkbackagain into theirdreams—andwarreturnsindueseason.

InourBrotherhood,wemustbegintoholdaloftthisgreatidea—THEHIGHEST—andeachmustpledgehimselfthatnothingelsewillsatisfyhissoul.Youmustpreach this gospel—that the cause of all things, good and ill, lies withinourselves, that the good may be made better and the bad disappear, only byactionfromwithin.Itisthelivesofmenyoumustreform,nottheirlaws;livescanonlychangewhentheyconformtoTHEHIGHEST,insteadoftriflingwiththelowest.

No man can plead that he does not know these things. Messenger aftermessengerhascomeandspreadthetruthabroad.Itisyouwhohavelockedupsuchtruthsintemple,church,andmosque,andtakenrefugeinthecourtsoflaw,tillself-denialisunknown,andisdisplacedbydenialoftheSelf.Stillyoulaughcontemptuously,whentoldthatloveshallsavetheworld—orpurity,ortruth,orlaw, or sacrifice. You have hardened your hearts; yet He still comes, theembodiment of love, purity and truth, of law and sacrifice, to teach you onceagaintheancienttruths,lestwar—anevengreaterwar—shouldtakeHisplaceasTeacherofAngelsandofMen.

Letthisbeourmottoandourpassword,thesignbywhichweknoweachother

bydayandnight—THEHIGHEST.Seekanartistfriendthathemaydrawapictureofamemberoftheangelhoststandinguponaglobeandpointingtothesky,andunderneath—“THEHIGHEST.”Callit“TheAngelofthe

PointingHand”;makeitintobadgeandtalisman,blessitwithpowerandloveandcouragetoachieve,thatallwhowearitmaybefilledwithdivinediscontentandacravingforTHEHIGHEST,alongingforthegoal.Learntomaketheforminthementalworldsandfillitwithyourdesire,andsenditouttomen.Chargeittothefullwithyourwill;calluponanangeltoensoulitwithhislife,untilyoufillthementalworldwithglowingformsofangelkindwhichshallcalltothementalselvesofmen, shallwake them from their sleep.Flood thementalworldwiththisideal,theidealofTHEHIGHEST.

CHAPTER5

PATIENCE

Canyou conceive an eagerness towork, sogreat that evenourbodies seemneartobreakingunderitspower,yetaneagernesscombinedwithpatiencethatcanwaitathousandyears?Tothatsublimepatienceyoumustattain,forwithinthequalityofpatience are enclosed amultitudeofvirtues, strength to control,power to restrain, vision of the Plan, knowledge of the real, detachment fromresultsandcoordinationof thewill, themind, thebody, so thatwhen the timecomes they act as one. Patience of this kind does not extinguish the fire ofeagernesstoserve,ratherdoesitglowevermorefiercelywithinthecompressionexercised by will and mind. When at last the order comes, when, after thepassingofanage,thedayarriveswhentherestraintsaretobereleased,thenitisthat the power stored up for so long flashes forth through us.We become thecatapultsofGod.

Now that dayhas come; stored-up energies, resulting from thepowerof thegreat ideal, havebeen released intoyourworld.Fearnot the result; the end issure.NotfornoughthaveyourHierarchyandoursplanned, fromtimebeyondyourpowertocount,everwaitingforthearrivaloftheday;soIsaytheendissure.Still theyplan,foragesyetunborn,greatschemes,embodyingthedivineWill;indetail,too,downtotheangelsandthementheychoose.What,then,arewebut incidents, straws,blownby thebreathofGod,except thatwithin thosestraws theself-samebreath is found, so thatbreathanswers tobreath,andHisWillisdone.

Rememberalwaysthattheultimatesourceofpowerisintheidea,thepowerweuseinmanifestedworldsisbuttheforceemanatingfromandthereflectionofthedivineIdea.Ifthisbetrue,thennodelaycanreduceitspotency,noranycircumstance prevent its ultimate expression. Upon this knowledge shouldpatiencebebased.

CHAPTER6

PEACE

Peaceisanessentialprincipleinnature,notmerelyaqualitytobeacquired;itbelongstotheinnateessenceofallthings,and,likelove,isacohesiveprinciple.Behind all movement there is rest; behind all sound there is stillness; so thatbehindthemotionandthemusicofthespheresthereispeace—theequipoiseofGod. Though all His planets and all His peoplemove, He ismotionless, andnoughtistherewithinHiswidedominionsthatcandisturbHispeace,sofirmlyfounded.You, too, if youwould achieve,must find that peace, that power ofdivineequipoisewhichnothingintheouterworldcanshake,whichnountowardcircumstance can destroy. I would have you turn your thoughts to this greatdiscovery, the discovery of thatwithin yourselveswhich is a reflection of thepeaceofGod.Itisnotyourown,itisnotaqualitywhichyouwillacquire;itisapowerthatyouwillrelease;itisthegyroscopiccentreofyoursoul.Atfirstitislikeanisolationofthesoul,sodeepisitsstillness,utterlydevoidofsound.

Thewaytothisrealmofpeaceliesthroughthemind,fortheroadswhichleadtowards,itsboundariesarepavedwiththought;over,thoseroadsthesoulmusttread.Therefore,bythoughtyoumustbegin.Thinkfrequentlypeace;mistakeitnot forquiet,noranyconditionof external things,howevernoiselesshoweverstill;youmustplungedeeper,intotheinnermostrecessesofthesoul,inquestofthe landofpeace. It isnotof themindnorof theheart, though theessenceofboth is rooted deepwithin it.Meditate on peace, thuswill you pave the roadwhichyoumust tread later so that it be smooth and easy foryour feet asyouwalkandnearthefrontier,thesenseofmanifestedlifewillgraduallyfallaway,youwillfeelalone.Fearnot,'tisbuttheauraofthelandofpeacewhichstretchesfarandwideandmeetsyouontheroad;enterit,andletitspowerstrengthenyouforthelaterstagesofthequest;asthestillnessdeepensaroundyou,welcomeitandletitpermeateyoursoul,tilleverynerve,everyatom,seemstofindrest.

Mistakenotthisdeepreflectionforthegoalitself,asmanyhavedone;peace

liesstilldeeper,theinnermostrecessesmustbeexplored;evenwhileallnatureseems to pause, and the goal almost to be won, press on your quest. Thedrawbridge isdown, theportcullis raised;presson, for,compared to thepeacewhich now awaits you, that which you just have known is as discord andturmoil,asfarfromrealityasearthlyfireisfromthespiritualsun,yetrelatedtoit, and therefore to be encountered on theway; itwas external peace and notyourown.Passthenthroughthegates,andbelostinthatwhichisyourself;fallintotheabyss,plungeintothepool,which,thoughitseemsbutnothingness,iseverything—thepoolofpeace.

Thinkdeeplyonthesewords,mybrothers,andtrythequest.Itispartofourangeldiscipline, theschoolingof theangelhosts; lackingtheanchoragewhichyourearthlybodiesgivetoyou,thedevasareuselessingreattaskstilltheyhavefound that stablepointwithin their inmostdepths,which serves them, asyourbodies serve your minds, for leverage; lacking flesh, they have to find thefulcrumdeepwithin.Whyshouldyounotfindit,too,and,havingboththeinnerfulcrum and the flesh, preserve that outer poise unshakeable which is theexpressionofspiritualpeace,thefinal,deepestpointofself,beyondwhichselfisnot?

Itwasfromthissource,sodeepwithin,thatthepowerwasreleasedwhichtheragingtempestontheGalileanseacouldnotgainsay;itwasfromthatlandthatHespoke,sayinguntowindandwave:“Peace,bestill.”Thoughitisnoearthlypeace,itwieldsapowerthatallearthlythingsmustown—resistlessinitsmight.WhenHegaveHispeacetoHisown,saying:“Notastheworldgiveth,giveI,”Hespokefromthatsameinnerland.Thencecamealsothepowerwhich,throughHismusic,tamedthewildestandmostwarlikecreaturesoftheThracianwilds,whichdrewdownthebranchesofthetreesandheldthemstill,whichforcedthelionandthetigerandthesnaketolosetheirfiercenessandtheirlustandbecomequiet,forOrpheussang,“Peace,bestill.”Andever,whereHispresenceis,thereispeace—theremotionseemstocease.

So, He who lives forever in that land of eternal equipoise, comes bringingpeace, and as He, coming thence, brings peace to the world, so may you—drawingontheself-samesource,thedeepestpoint,thestablepoint,thepointofrestwithin yourselves—find peace, and thewarfare of your lower selveswillcease.You toomust acquire themagicof that far-off landwhich shall give toyourvoicethepowertosay“Peace,bestill.”Nonelivingintheseouterworlds

can resist that power; the wildest sylph, the fiercest creature of the fire, theelementals of the storm, the earthquake, the volcano, and the flood,must staytheirmightyonrush,theirresistless,vividplay,atthecommandofhimwhocantrulysay,“Peace,bestill.”

Thispeaceis theessenceofallbeautiful things.Thequiethour, thepeacefulscene, thehomefireside, theclaspinghandsof thosewholove, theworshipofthedevotee,theadorationofthesaint,theblessingoftheGods—allthesehaveas theiressence,peace,andwithoutpeace theirbeauty isgone.Therefore,winpeace.

Yourpeopleshavesomuchwhichwouldbebeautifulbut isnot, forwantofpeace;youapethebeautifulyetachieveitnot,forwantofpeace;nearlyallyourart is spoiledby toomuchstrivingandbywantofpeace.Only thegreatestofyourmenoffirehavetrulyachievedgreatart,great in themeasureofpeaceitenshrines;yeteverythingthatgrows—thegem,therose,theweed,theinsect,theanimal,theman—isbeautiful.Allaretheachievementsofanartwhichspringsfrompeace-likelotusflowers,restingonthesurfaceofthepool.

O,mybrothers,ifyouwouldbutgivetheworldthisonemessage,askingmentoseekpeace;not the freedomfrom theclashofarms,notabsenceofcivilorindustrialstrife,notlesseningoftheclaimsfrommantoman,forthesearebutthehusks,thechaff,whichfliesintotheairatthegrindingofthekarmicmills.Ifyouwouldescapethekarmicdebtofwar,youmustleadthesoulsofmentothatlandofspiritualpeace, inwhichtocontemplateandfind,eachforhimself, thePeaceDivine.

Ifyouwouldbutemulatethesilent-footeddevasoftheair,wholivetheirlives,not in soundlessness, but in song; whose everymoment is a harmony, whoseevery thought paints a bright picture on the canvas of the sky, whose veryheartbeatsarewhisperingsof joy!Whenyou tellmen thatwecome,ask themthis boon in our name—that they will cultivate peace. Life must, indeed, bemotion,andmotionsound;but letall thesoundsofhumanlifebringharmony,andletthemlearntomaketheirpathmelodiousandsweet.Teachthemtolistento themusic of the trees, show them theway firs andpines andbeeches live,swayingtothewindandsingingallthetime.TheyhaveswayedandsungsinceTimewas;nowtheyareincapable,inanycircumstances,ofstridencyordiscordintheirsong.

Sonear,oft-times,dowecome,hoping thatyouwillhear thebeatingofourwings,andyetwefail,andoftenmustretire,drivenaway,almostwithhorror,atthesoundsandformsemittedbyyourwaysofliving.Appealfortheabolitionofeverysoundwhichmighthurttheearofachild,incity,instreet,incountrylane,in factory, farm, or field, so that gradually you will have removed thisimpassable barrier of noise, which you have erected between our world andyours.Teachyourpeopletocultivatethequiethour,tolearnthejoyofpeace,themoodof silent happiness, for these are the obviousways of human life, theseshouldbethenaturalexpressionofyourlives;ifyouhavenotattainedtothesehowcanweteachthedeeperpathsofpeace,thesuperhumanway,howleadyoupastyournormalselvesintothelandwhereGodisseen,walkinginHisgardenofpeace?

Inaugurate a great campaign, bid all thosewho come later to help, that thisgreatwave of ugliness and violence shall pass, for this chance is an essentialpreliminarytotherealisationofourmutualideals.ThoughorderedbythePrinceofPeace,thoughfilledwiththeloveoftheLordofLove,wecannotcomeuntilyouquietenallyourlivesandlistentoourknockuponyourdoor,toourfootfallbeside your hearths. Discord and ugliness must vanish from the world; toremoveitisourtaskandyours—butyoursfirst.Rewardsarepromised,evenatthe beginning of your task, for you shall hear suchmusic, you shall see suchbeautyaswillexceedyournoblestdreams,whenwecomebearingourgifts tomen—gifts that canbegivenonly to aworld ready to receive them,gifts thatcannotbewithheld,whenonce thepreparationhasbeenmade; for, throughoutalltime,thesehavebeenthegiftsoftheangels—musicandbeauty;everyqualityandeverymovementoftheGodwithintheangelfindsexpressionthroughthese.Love,oneforanother,betweenus,showsitselfinburstsofsong;withus,greatthoughts are symphonies; and, as we answer love to love, and thought tothought,alltheairaboutusisfilledwithtonesandsupertones,withharmonies,songs, chants and great chorales; notmanufactured as something to show ourgifts,butasbeautieswhichcannotbewithheld,beautieswhichspringforthfull-born,naturalexpressionsofourintercourse,ourlivesofloveandlabour,inourownworld.

You,too,makepictureseverytimeyouthink;you,too,makemusiceverytimeyou feel, and light and colour and form aswell; and these thingsmight shineresplendentandbeautifulinyourworld,thebeautyoftheirmusicmightfillyourears.Thesethingsareallaboutyou,modified,itistrue,butyouknowthemnot.

You do not live for beauty, your lives are not spent ever listening for a song;furthermore, you spoil your songs, your forms, your light, by greed andselfishnessandvice.Theseerrorswouldquicklyvanishifyoubutheardandsawthemonstroussoundsandsightsthatspringfromthem.

Seeingallwesee,doyouwonderthattheangelsweep,beholdingGodsfallensolow?

CHAPTER7

EDUCATION

This is thewayof the teacher; first touplift the soul; second, to expand themind; thirdly, to vivify the understanding, and fourthly; to co-ordinate body,mindandsoul.

Toteachyou,Imustfirstcallyouupintothelandofjoy,5thatyoumaystandinthepresenceofknowledge.

Knowledgeistrutharrangedinsequences;knowledgeistruthmirroredinthehumansoul;knowledgeisthelife-aspectoflearning—thetwainshouldneverbeconfused.Knowledge is the synthesis of all that learning gives; knowledge isunityasitfindsexpressionintherealmofideas.

Knowledge differs from wisdom. Wisdom ever grows, knowledge isstationary;wisdomistheselfofknowledge,knowledgeiswisdomexpressedasideas; wisdom is innate within the human soul, the human soulmust acquireknowledge.Whenknowledge isgained, it isno longer required;knowledge isonly useful as a key to unlock the hiddenwisdom.Knowledge belongs to theunreal;wisdomtothereal.Knowledgedies,wisdomiseternal;knowledgeistheodour,wisdomistheflower;knowledgeislight,wisdomisthesun;knowledgeisthepicture,wisdomisthevision,thesoulofmanistheartist.

Totheteacher,thepupilistheartistwhowilltranslatewisdomtoknowledgeafterhehasfoundwisdomthroughknowledge.Theteachermustteachwisdom,notknowledge.Themissionoftheteacheristoelevatethepupil,toplacehiminthepresenceofknowledge,thathemayreachouthishandtosuchknowledge,ashe may desire-the teacher watching all the while, guiding the selection,influencingtheexpression,ofthatwhichisacquired.Whenthepupilisfamiliarwith knowledge, the teacher shows him how to use it as a keywithwhich tounlockthehiddenwisdom.Asthedoorsswingwideandwisdomisrevealed,theteacherwithdraws;thereafterwatchesfromafar.

Wisdom cannot be revealed until the soul is lifted up, therefore, let allteachers-to-belearnfirsttoliftupthesoulsofmen.

Teachingshouldbeginbyprayer,so that thepupilmaylearn tofreehissoulfromearthlythings.Beingfree,hemustmountonwingsofprayer,thathissoulmay be lifted up. Having lifted him to heights where knowledge dwells, theteacher should support the pupil, holding him by the hand until he learns theequipoiseofthatunaccustomedland.Then,andthenonly,maytheteacherbegintoteach.

There is but one way to teach; that is by sharing, for that is the way Godteaches,andeveryteachershouldbetohispupilasaGod.Theartofteachingisthe art of God; that is His purpose in His universe, to educate. All teachersshouldaspiretobeGodlike,for,beingGodsinminiature,alltheirworkbecomesdivine.

The teachers of a nation should be its noblest sons, its greatest men. Theyshould learn to elevate their souls, should find thosehiddenpathways throughthemindwhich lead frombrain towisdom, fromwisdomback tobrain.Theyshoulduse thesedaily, till all thewaysof flesh,of feeling, thought, ideas andwisdom,areasfamiliar lands.Theteachermustsurveytheselands,eachin itsturn,untilhehasdistilledtheessenceofthemall,haslearnedtostandandtobefreeineachworld.Then,andonlythen,canhetrulyeducate.Thenonlycanheguidehispupil’sfeetalongthepathwhichhehastrodden,thenleavethepupilfreetousethepathwayforhimself.

Fortheteacher,wisdomisthehighest;forthepupil,will.Theteachershouldnot begin to teach until he has touched the highest, lest he should err in thelowest.But,havinglearnedthesecretwherebywisdomisrevealed,andhavingkeptthepathwayfree,seatedinwisdom,hecanorderallhisactionsinthelowerworld according to wisdom’s decree. Then will he be worthy to teach, forwisdomcannoterr.

Withwisdomhewillexaminehispupil’sbody,especiallyitsbrain,theorganwithwhichheisconcerned;hewillorderall thepupil’searthly life, thatbrainandbodymaybedeveloped toexpresswisdom;fornothing lessshouldbehisaim. The body must be supple, loose and free; the brain elastic, sensitive,responsivetowhatishigh,unresponsivetowhatis low.Carefully,daybyday,nay,evenhourbyhour,theteachershouldwatchthegrowthofthebodyandof

brain. The earthly life should be suffused continually with joy, he should notpermiteventheshadowofapain;forpainistheteacherofmaturity,painistheteacherofthepupil’slateryears,notofhisyouth.

Thequalitiesofjoyandfreedommustbedevelopedtotheutmostinthechild;this is essential to ultimate success. Failing this, growthwill bewarped, bodyandbrainwillharden,thehigherfacultiesbedulled.Allthefoodandclothingofthe child must be light, yet containing also the elements of strength. Purityshould surroundhim fromhisbirth; all that isgross shouldbe rigorouslykeptaway. Thus onlymay the body grow to be light and strong, pure, joyous andfree.Havingthese,thebasicfactorsofhisgrowth,allelsewillfollownaturally;virtuewilldevelop,vicewillgainnohold.

Onthese,theteacher’sbasicprinciples,thecurriculumshouldbebased.

Ifthechildshoulderr,lettheteacherblamehimself;hehasnottaughtaright,hehasfailedtoshare;failingtosharemeansthathehasnotloved.Withoutlove,no man should begin to teach. As God watches the growth of His universe,sharingwithitHislife,HiswisdomandHisjoy,somusttheteacher,meditatingcontinually, sharing his vision and his wisdomwith the pupil. As he sees hismany pupils grow in earthly strength and grace, in mental gifts, in heavenlywisdom, he should pay close attention to the diversities of gifts and characterwhich each one develops as he grows; for only by close study and wisediscriminationcanheselecteachoneandplacehiminhisnaturalgroupsothatclassesmaybeformed;foronlythosebesogroupedwhosegiftsandcharacterdemandasimilarityofmethod.

Oneofthemostdifficultandimportanttasksoftheteacheristhegroupingofthepupils in theirclass.Heshouldnotgroupsomuchbyageor subject tobetaught as by innate character.When thus the proper groups are formed, theymaybemingled or even interchanged, but in all that affects the close relationbetweentheteacherandthetaught,apropergroupingshouldbemaintained.Soalso,intheworldofthoughtandfeeling;itiswiththehighestwisdomthattheunderlyingbasesoftheteacher’sartshouldbeapplied.Whentheteacherimpartsknowledge,heshouldatthesametimeshowthepupilhowhemayacquirethatknowledge for himself. Thus it is that,when I lift you to the land of joy andmakeyoufreeofallitswidedomain,Ishowyoualso,howtoopenwideyoureyes,thatforyourselfyoumaysee;forthisistheteacher’sway.

CHAPTER8

JOY

Iwouldsingtoyouofjoy,thejoyoftheGodsastheyrevelinthelandofjoy.

Thelandofjoyisthelandofdreams,whereeverydreamcomestrue.Whereeverythoughtandansweringthoughtthrillswithjoy.

ThelandofjoyisthelandoftheGods,therelivestheGodinman;

FormenareGods,andtheGodlypartdwellsinthelandoftheGods.

Thelandofjoyisbeyondthemind,throughthegatesofeternalpeace.

Angelssharethatlandwithmen,andthesearetheGodswhosing;

Thrillsofgladnessfilltheair,byjoyweliveandbreathe;

Everythingthereisfullofjoy,liketheburstingbudsofspring;

Throughoutallthelandisthefreshnessofmorn,ofdew,ofbud,offlower.

Lightlytheangelspassontheirway,waftedonwingsofjoy;

Naturewearsaperennialsmile,asmilethatisevernew;

Laughterringsthroughthewoodsanddells,forthejoyofeternalspring.

All power, all truth, all vision, allwork, all life, is expressed in that land intermsofjoy.Aneffortofwillsendsawaveofgladnessthroughthatland;newtasksarewelcomedwiththesmileofthosewhogreettheirdearestfriend.Everyheart andevery soul thrillswith thedancinggladnessof spring;vast choirsofangels sing songs of joy. Cherubim and Seraphim disport themselves, theirwingedfacesshiningwithjoy.Inthatlandeverythoughtbecomesapoem.

The lowermanmust join the higherman in the landof joy; the twainmustwalktogetherthroughitsgreenplaces.Thehighermanis

calling,evercallingtothelower:“Come,comeintothelandofjoy.”Ashiseyesareopened,splendouronsplendourisrevealed.TheflutingpipesofSeraphim,thetreblesongsofCherubim—thosetwinssingandplayincon-certinthelandof joy. No earthly eyes can see, no earthly earsmay hear, the vision and themusicofthisland;noearthlyhandoflowermancanevertrulywriteitswonderandbeauty,itsecstasyandthrillinggladness.It isthelandwhereeveryearthlyhappinessfindsbirth;asinglethrillwithinitgivesbirthuntoathousandhappyhours in the world below. Its wayside flowers are parents of earth’s mostlusciousblooms;itstrees,wavingintheeveningbreeze,senddivinemelodiestothelowerearsofmen.

Springlike freshness of air, lily-scented bowers, oceans wide like mightyfrosted panes, reflecting the noon-day sun, rivers of crystal, streamlets whosewaters are of precious stones, waterfalls and cataracts like broken sun-raysflashing through a thousand prisms, billowy foam, showers of spray ofdiamonds,eachdroplightedwithaninwardsun,talltrees,likestatelymothersoftheGodsemeraldclad;cloudsthatarealiveandgambollikethelambsastheyfloatacrossaskyofsweepingvastnesswitheverchanginghues,lightedasifbyathousandsunsets;airbalmy,buoyantandfullofsonglikethetricklingofarill,airofparticleswhichconstantlyexplodeandshedbright radiance,vitalityandallthefreshodoursofspring—ofsuchisthelandofjoy.

It is a land of fair valleys, towering heights, vast chasms, great precipices,every rock and stone bejewelled with a thousand gems; earth that is pigmentreflecting the hues of the sky; each particle of earth a separate life, a pulsing,heart-shapeddiamond, translucent,yet fullofcolourandof light.Everyshadethatpassesovertheskychangesthecolouroftheearth,isbrokentoathousandhuesbymyriadsofnature’sprisms.Therearenodesertsthere,yetallthelandislikeanoasis,amiragethatistrue.

Inthatland,sofarandyetsonear,theimmortalselfofmanresides.Therealldaylonghewalks,companionedbyhisangelkin,eachensouledbyjoy,eachitsembodiment.Theredistanceisnot,foralltheworldisathisfeet;therenotimepasses,foreternityishis.Suchisthelandwhereinthesoulsofmendwell;suchisman’sspiritualhome.

ThoughIspeakofland,ofriver,seaandsky,oftreesthatwavemajestically,ofprecipices and glade, ofmountain-top and field, it is but the essence of thesethings, andnot their form,whichcompose thevaried landscapeof the landofjoy.Foritisthelandoflight,whereallthingsareoflight;thereisnoformthatyou would recognise as form; yet form is known through cognizance of theessenceofallform.Beautygivesecstasy,theansweringthrillofjoy,yetitisnotbeauty’s formbutbeauty’sselfwesee. In thisworldofeternalgladness, thereare nowords, for the soul ofmen and angels have no need ofwords, nor aretherethoughts,forthoughtsarebutdivisionsofideas,aswordsarebutdivisionsofthoughts.Heredivisioncannotbe,forthelandofjoyisunitymademanifest,yetnotinform.

Unityisthebasiclawofthelandofjoy.Alltheknowledgethatmenacquire

by thought ishere,without theneedof thought; all thedeepest love theyeverfeel is here, universally shining, not from a centre or a part, but implicitthroughout.Themusicthatyouknowbythought,byfeelingandbysoundisafaintand faroffechoof itsuniversalmusic.Before thismusiccould find trueexpressioninthelowerworlds,everyatomoftheworldsofthought,offeelingandofflesh,wouldhavetolearntosing,sothattherewouldbenoroomatallforanythingsavemusic;eventhe intersticesbetweentheparticleswhichbuildthe form would be filled with song. Before the lower man could hear thewondroussound,hemustbebuiltanew,ofsingingatoms,sothathecouldheartheatom’suniversalsong.Yet,eventhen,forhimthevisionandthesoundofthelandofjoywouldbeafaroff;forinthat land,thought, love,beautyandmusicareoneandindivisible,interchangeable,eachinstinctwiththeother;inseparableisthisfour-foldlife-force,yetone.

Everyhuman ideation in the lowerworlds is here a living thing, completelycomprehendedinaflashinallitspossibilities,frombirthtoultimateexpressionandfullmaturity,andbeyondthattothefadingofthepower,eventoitsdeath.Birth,maturity,death,here the threeareknownasone. In this landwhere joyreigns,dwelltheideationsoftheuniverse;theyaretheessence,distilleddropbydropfromtheconsciousnessofGod;here,theimmortalselfofmanshedsuponthe lower man the odours of those precious essences, the scents of thoseperfumes.Asthelowerman,inworldofthought,breathestheirdeliciousscent,a systemofphilosophy isborn,a symphony formed,amighty floodofgeniusreleased.

Thecreativefirewhichdrivestheartiston,isfedfromthepetalsoftheflowersfromwhich these perfumes are distilled, for earthly flowers are but the solidembodimentofuniversalideations.Inthelandofjoythereisbutoneperfume—theessenceofeveryodouroftheworldbelow,containingall.Angelsdescendingtothelowerworldswhereheavenlyjoywillonedayreign,bearintheirhands,censers, exhaling perfumes from above, and, as they fly, they swing them,pervadingtheworldofthoughtandfeelingwiththeirpower.Asthethinkingandfeelingselvesofmenbreatheinthescentedpower,greatdeedsofheroismandloveareborninworldsofflesh.Themotherclaspsthebabemorecloselytoherbreast, ready to give her life for it, if need be; the slave of housework toilingwithrebelliousheart,seeingbeforeheralife-time’sdrudgery,takesheartanew;sees husband tired, sees children sick, yet drudges on. Round her the angelsgather,and floodherwith theirperfume; rebellionpasses,peacecomes, in the

morningshewakeswithcourageallrenewed,tocontinuethehourlyheroismofherdailylife.Ofthatheroismtheangelssing,andthesongisheardinthelandof joy;andtheimmortalselfsmiles,knowingthat the timeshallquicklycomewhenthelowerandthehighershallbeone,knowingthathisearthlypilgrimageshall yieldmost precious fruit, that his earthly “son” shall come home, ladenwithgifts,giftsthatwilladdnewsplendour,newgladnessandnewpowertotheecstasybywhichhefindsexpressioninthelandofjoy.

Toeverymanandwomanineverywalkoflifeinthelowerworlds,theangelscome,bearingtheirperfume,thearomaofeternalecstasy.Theywouldwakeninthe hearts of every man, a craving for that scent, would give to men theknowledgethat theyhaveaheavenlyhome,wouldshowtheminthemirrorofthe mind the reflection of their heavenly self—the vision of their ownimmortality.

Thisisthemission,also,ofeveryteacheramongmen,everypreacher,healer,sage,artist, scientist, statesmanandking.Allhaveas theirmission if theybutrightlyunderstood it, to reveal tomanhisowninherentsplendour, to leadhimthroughthesorrowsofhisearthlylifebacktohisspiritualhome,thelandofjoy.

CHAPTER9

VISION

All labour should be performed in the light of vision, and none undertakenuntilvisionhasbeenachieved.Howeverwellplansmaybe laid, theywill failunlesstheyarebaseduponvision.Visionisrelative,andaquestionofdegrees.Itis not fixed, but changes as the minutes pass andmust therefore be renewedconstantly.Vision is the contact of the small selfwith the great Self. It is theknowledgeofdivineideas.

Beforethebirthofstars,beforethegrowthofworlds,camevision—beforeallthingsmanifest and unmanifest is vision.Vision comes before the first act ofGod; it is the life of the unmanifest, and theworld inwhich it dwells.Visionrevealstheplan;istheessenceofthereal,thatfromwhichitsprang,andthatbywhichitgrew,thatbywhichitsultimateexpressionisachieved.Visionregulatesthemarchofthespheres,guidestheuniverse,rulestheCosmos;behindall themultitudeofstarsandworlds,throughouttheinfinitiesofspaceisvision.IfyoudelveintotheinnermostheartofGod,youwillfindHimseatedinthemidstofvision—visionwhichistheheartofthereal;fromHisvisionproceedsthereal,andfromtherealtheunreal.

Vision passes to manifestation through the unmanifest, and if you wouldescape the confines of the universe, seeking the Cosmos, searching for theAbsolute—what youwill find is vision: so vast, so all-embracing, so infinite,that toyou itwill appear asdarkness, darkness fromwhichyouwill shrink; adarkness and a silence so profound as to exclude all possibility of light andsound,astillnesssoabsoluteastoexcludethepossibilityofmotion.

Such is thevisionof theAbsolute.Yourwingsmaynot carryyouacross itswidespaces;youcannotfallintoitsdarkdepths,youreyescannotpenetrateitsutter blackness, wings, eyes and voice serve you no longer, you must turnbackward, craving for sound and light and motion. Yet that which to you ispositivenegation,is thevisionfromwhichalluniversesspring.Descend,then,

oncemore,toyourownworld,findingthereareflectionofthedarknessyoucancomprehend,forevenasyougazeintoitsdepths,visionwillcome,andyouwillknow all that has been, is, and is to be—the vision of theNow, thatwhich isbehindeternity.

Nomanpossesses it,noruler,evenofsystemsorofworlds,canclaimit fortheirown,sincetheythemselvesarebut theshadowsappearingwithinitsdarkdepths.Yetitisnotevanescent,noraerial,norethereal,nordoesiteverchange;ITIS.

The highest pointwithin you is but a reflection of that vision; every cell ineveryworldisorderedbyit.YouandIandallthatliveareorderedbythatvisioninourenfoldingandunfolding.It isnotGod,forGodHimself,whetherHebeman, angel,world, or ruler ofworlds, or even ruler of rulers ofworlds,mustconformtoit.Whenceitcameisnotknown,norevercouldbeknown,foritisbehind all knowledge, even of the Supreme. It is at once apex and base, andsidesof thepyramidofall thingsmanifestandunmanifest.Whenmen,angels,worlds, and rulersofworlds,pass frommanifestation to theunmanifest again,visionremains;norisitchangedinitsvaryingdecrees.

So,mybrothers, in all things letus seek thevision.Wheneveroureyes restuponaform,letusseekitsvision;andwhenwehearasound,orseealight,orgraspanidea,orevenforabriefspacetouchreality,letusrememberthatbehindallthesethereisvision,and,remembering,bendourpowerswithtirelesssearch,tofindit;sincewhenitisfound,thekeyofknowledgeisrevealed.Itisnothere,nor there,noranywhere,buteverywhere.Whenyougazeonbeauty,yougazeupontheSelf,andwhenyougazeupontheSelfyouseeyourself;andbehindthegreaterand the lesserselves isvision.Thevision thatyouhave, thedreamsoffuture lives, the splendourofgreatplans, the inwardurge to tread thepath, tofindthegoal,thecravingofyourheartstomakeaperfectworld,tohealthesick,toappeaseallpain,toannihilatetheignoranceofman—thevisionofallthisinyou,inafaintreflectionofthevisionseenbyThatwhichisthesummationofallthatis.ForbehindThattooisvision.

Thereisagradedorder,includingallvisions,greatandsmall.Rememberthis,andeverseektotestyourownsmallshare,raisingitstagebystagethroughthegradedorderswhichleadfromtheunrealtothereal,andfromtherealtovision.Justasnovisionyoucanhaveiscomparabletothatoftherulerofyourworlds,soisHisvisionnottobecomparedwiththatfromwhichitsprings.Inallyour

lives, in all theworlds, seekvision.Behind the atomand thegem,behind thegrowing plant and mighty tree, behind the fawn, the lion and the tiger too,behind the angel and theman, behind archangels and Solar Lords—is vision;untilyouhavefoundityoursoulwillnotfindrest.Sight,evenmentalsight,istoit as the ideas of aworld to the infinitude of ideations behind allworlds.Yetsightistheinstrumentbywhichitmaybeknown;forthereisagradedorderofsight,astairwayofvision,windinginanever-endingspiralthroughallworldsandthroughallspace;somewhere,ononestepofthatinfinitelysplendidspiralway is physical sight; next above ismental sight, thevisionof themind, and,beyondthat,spiritualsight,whichleadstouniversalsightandthencetoCosmicsightand,beyondthat,unknownsight—unknownsavethatthereisnoend,thatsomewhereinthatunknowninfinitudethehighestandthelowestmeet.Thereisnoughtseparatingthehighestsightfromthelowest,noraretheydifferentsaveastheyshowthemselvesineachindividualsoul.

Thisis thestartingpointforeveryquest, that, inasmuchasitcanshowitselfthrough us, everything is ours; for within man too, that mighty spiral can befound, not of him, but passing through him, winding its way from below,enteringhisfeet,asitwere,andwindingthroughhimtillitpassesoutabovehisheadintohisdeeperself.Throughallthingsthesespiralspass,upthemallthingsmustclimbwithinthemselves.Theselesserspiralsare,tothemightycurvesoftheCosmicstairs,asareitscircularreflectionstotherainbow—nottherainbowitself, but expressions of its light. Behind the lesser and the greater curves isvision—visionofthespiralwhole.

CHAPTER10

THOROUGHNESS

If you find and tread this pathway, see that everything you do is donewiththoroughnessandefficiency.Absenceofthoroughnessisadenialofdivinity.Asdivinityis implicit throughout theuniverse,soshouldthoroughnessbeimplicitthroughoutyourwork.Seta standard foryourselves.Absenceof thoroughnessmeans loss of force, sincewithout it nowork can be clear-cut in its outlines,finishedinitsexpression.Workshouldberegardedasavesselcontainingforce;theforceoftheideabehindit.Thoroughnessgivestothevesselaperfectoutline.Wheretheoutlineofaformisperfect,thereisnolossofforce.Workshouldberegardedasachaliceheldupto themind, that throughthemind, thepoweroftheideaofwhichtheworkistheultimateexpression,maydescendintoit.Iftheworkisnotthorough,thechalicewillbemalformed,thewinespilled;thereforework always with thoroughness. So God works throughout His universe, inwhichthereisnoteventhesmallestpartwhichdoesnotbeartheimpressofHismind.Nothing,howeverminutelysmall,isoverlooked;nothing,howevergreat,that isnot completelypervadedbyandheldwithin thegraspofHismind.Hemakes of His universe a perfect chalice. Under His control no force is everwasted.ThecupofHiswork,fulltooverflowing,neveroverflows.SoalsoHisministerswork,thedualhierarchiesofarchangelsandperfectedsaints,HisHolyOnes,HisrighthandandHisleft.

TheonlyidealforwhichmanmayworthilystriveisthatofjoiningtherankoftheministersofGod,whetherofhumanorofangelkind.ThatidealcanonlybeachievedbysuccessfulimitationofTheirmethods.ThekeynoteofTheirworkisthoroughness; let it be the keynote of yours.Without it the highest cannot beachieved.Ifyourworkconcernsthedetailsoflife,workwithinfinitelycarefulattentiontodetail;ifyoudealinbroaderoutlines,inwidersweeps,planwithanequal thoroughness. Thuswill yourwork embody the power of the idea uponwhichitisbased;thusyouwillachievesuccess.

Itisessentialthattheideashouldbetrue,thatis,anexpressionofthedivineidea.Thenitwillbeasourceofpower,andwillgiveapower,adynamicenergyto theworkwhich is its ultimate expression, raising it to heightsworthy of aworkerwhoaspires toserveas thehandofGod.Theidearepresents thehead;theworker,thehandofGod.

Onthisconceptionbaseallyourwork.Thusyouwillachievegreatness,thusyouwill live according to the highest, thus truthwill be yours, thus youwillenterthelandofjoy,evertolivetherein,forjoyandworkaresynonymsinthelandofjoy.Thereisnojoywithoutwork;allworkisjoy;therefore,mybrothers,whenyouwork,rememberjoy.Trytomakeofyourworldareproductionofthelandof joy.Keep joyuppermost; floodyourhousewith joy,yourgarden, too.Let joyousnesspervadeyourneighbourhood.Preach, teach, inculcatejoy,set itupon high, hold it up before the eyes of men, become yourselves itsembodiments.Thuswillyoubringthesenseofthelandofjoyeventotheearthlyheartsandmindsofmen.

Cease todivideyourworldandwork intocompartments; trainyourselves tosee in every- thing an expression of the One. Practise the discovery ofsynonyms,playatmatchingthem.Donotpassfromworktoplay,fromplaytoprayer,fromprayertoworshipinyourChurch,fromChurchtorecreation;doallthingsasfromacentrefromwhichtheyareseenasone,asindeedtheytrulyare.Thuswillyougiveanewmeaningtolife.Aboveallthingselsethisistheneedofyourrace.

You have lost the sense of unity; you are conquered by the delusion ofdiversity;youareenslavedbytheapparentseparatenessofthings.Soyouhavelostthemeaningandthetruevisionoflife.Thatvisionmustberecoveredbeforeanyadvancecanbeachieved.Thekeynoteofthetruevisionofthemeaningoflifeisunityindiversity;therefore,youmustalsoteachunity.

Unityisthemostintangibleofalltheattributes.Seektograspitinthelowerworld and itwill evade you; therefore, youmust rise above diversity, beyondform,past ideas, even leaving the landof joybehindyousince joy isan idea.Whenthelastvestigeofanideahasbeenemptiedfromyoursoul,unitycanbefound.

CHAPTER11

UNITY

Asthereisalandofjoy,soalsothereisaworldwherediversityisnot,wherethere is unity alone. It is higher than the land of joy, for joy is the land ofuniversalideas,andunityisbehindideas.Youcannotspeakwithanytruthaboutthis land, forwords are diversities.Thereforemay that land be namedby oneword alone; it is the landof unity.Not only is there noneed for otherwords,there are no other words, for the one word “unity” expresses the whole. Toanalyse is to lose it; to synthesise is to lose it; unity cannot be analysed orsynthesised;itisone.

Whatuse,then,inthelowerworlds?This,thatyoushouldobtaintheflavourofit.Theflavourofunitycanbetastedbythemind,canevenbeexpressedinaction asmutual endeavour.Wherever there ismutual endeavour in the lowerworlds,theremenhavecaughttheflavourofunity.Inthehigherworlds,abovethemind,noughtelseexists, for theyarecloser to theworldofunity;unity istheir very life. Of it, perhaps, one sentence may be truly said; it is theembodimentofthewillofGod.Ofthatresistlesswill,nomanlivinginthelowerworlds may know. That it brought all things forth, that it holds all things inexistence, that is the driving power behind all life—thesemay be known; butthey are its attributes and not thewill Itself; bywill amanmust rise throughthought,throughthelandofideas,eventhroughunity,totheverySelf.ThenhemayknowthewillofGod.

Thisisaroadwhicheverymanmaytakeimmediately,aroadwhichonedayeverymanwilltakeirrevocably.Ifhewouldshortenhissojournintheworldsofform,ifhissoulissatiatedofformandseparateness,thenlethimreturn:lethimsetforthupontheroadbywhichhecame,theancientroad,thewell-wornroad,the roadwhich somanyofhis raceandourshave trodden.This road is athisfeet;lethimsetthemthereon.Itpassesthroughhisheart;hemustpaytollwithhisheart’sblood. It leads throughhismind;hemustbe ready to lay asidehis

mind.Thenhewillfindthebridge,thebridgesodifficulttocross,forthewayisverynarrowhere,buteverystephetakeswidensit.

Upontheapproachestothebridgethehumanraceisstandingtoday.

Thenextstageintheevolutionofthehumanmindwillleadtothecrossingofthebridge;itleadsfromtheconcretetotheabstract,fromthoughttoidea,fromseparatenesstounion,fromformtoformlessness,fromtheimpermanenttothepermanent,fromthemortaltotheimmortal,fromtheillusorytotheactual,fromthetemporaltotheeternal,fromthatwhichdiestothatwhichisundying,fromthenaturalmantothespiritualman,fromtheNot-SelftotheSelf.Itisthebridgewhichallsaintshavecrossed;itisthedividinglinebetweenspiritandmind.Itisnotaplace;itisastate;itisnotexternal;itiswithin.

After the bridge has been crossed, places disappear; only states ofconsciousness remain. He who would cross must leave himself behind; first,because no separated self can enter the state of union with the One; second,because the self must remain in lower worlds, as messenger and ambassadorbetween the two lands on either side of the bridge.Having paid tollwith thebloodoftheheart,havingmadereadytolayhismindaside,letthebravepilgrimstepboldlyontothebridge;immediatelyhewillfindhimselfonthefurtherside.

Thebridgewillnotbearhimstanding;onlyashemovesacrossitmayhemakeuseofitssupport.Havingcrossed,hefindshimselfinthelandofjoy,wherepainis forever leftbehind,whereparting isunknown,whereknowledgedwells.Hehasreachedthefirst restingplace.Herehewill findpeace;herehewill renewhiscourageandhisstrength,forthesucceedingstagesofhispilgrimage;herehewill survey the road along which he has passed; here past and present willbecomeone; here hemay estimate the future and collect themany streamsofenergy that he has liberated in the past, and bind them into one.Hewill nowbegin to direct this single stream of power; he will float no longer upon itswaves, at themercyof the current, henceforthhewill take controlofhimself.Knowing the past, hewill possess the future.Here hewill gather together theproducts of his many lives; and will assess their value; here, he will balancecausationandeffect;here,hebeginstobetherulerofthemboth,knowingthemasone;here,hesumsupintoawholethezodiacalexperiencesofhismanylives.

Thus,havingcrossedthebridge,willhelive,thuswillhelabour,knowinghislowerself(themanthathehasleftbehindinworldsofformbelowthebridge)as

hisinstrument.Asinstrument,henceforth,hemustemploythelowerman;uponmind,feelingandbodyhemustplayatwill,renderthemsilentatwill,deprivethemofallself-initiatedvolition, teach themtoanswer tohisgentlest thought,developtothefulltheirautomatism,sothattheylabourintheworldsofformasperfectlyasifhehimselfemployedthem.

Thatportionofhimselfwhichhesentdown,clothingit informthatitmightcommandform,henowwithdraws,leavingtheformbereftofself,noughtbutaninstrument. Later, he will withdraw still further; thus it is of very greatimportancethatfromtheoutsettheformshouldbecontrolled,perfected,trained,ready to be laid aside atwill, according to his need of freedom in the higherworlds, ready to be resumed and to servewith absolute efficiency.This is hisdutyintheworldofform.

Hewilldohisworkwithease,becausehenceforthheworksfromabove.Nolonger is a stream of thought or a rising feeling, or a craving of the flesh,associatedwithhimself.Heknowsthemasthenot-self,repudiatestheirclaims,and rules thought, feeling and flesh with his liberated will. They are but thebrushwithwhichhepaints, in lowerworlds, thevisionwhich ishis inworldsbeyond the bridge. As pencil, he sharpens them, that he may draw truly thepatternhewillweaveupontheweboftimeandspace,thoseillusoryrulersoftheworldsbelow.

These are the lessons hemust learn ere oncemore he can take the road bywhich he shall attain liberation from the domain of time, space and form.Hetakes his bodies one by one, and perfects them, as a mechanic sharpens andadjustshistools,thattheymaygivehimperfectservice,neverfailinghiminanytasktowhichhesetshishand.Thebodymustbemadepure,light,responsive,accurate and controlled; it must be at ease. Through every nerve, sinew andmuscle, through every organ, through flesh and skin and bone, theremust beease—perfect poise—utter restfulness.Hemust preserve his vital force as hismost precious jewel in the lower world. Without it, the finest body will beuseless;with it,all thingsmaybedone.It is the lifeforceof theformthroughwhichhehimselfisimmanent.

Hewillonlyusethatportionofhisbodywhichtheimmediatetaskdemands;the remainderwill be at rest, acting as a reservoir of vital force.Thuswill hegainhealth,thusdevelopthespecialkindofstrengthwhichhewillneedinordertomanifest, through the formwhich hemaintains inworlds below, the vision

andthepowerwhichhehaswonbeyondthebridge.Thuswillthepencilpointbesharp,thuswillheensureagainsterror,throughfailure,oftheinstrument.

Thisworkwillnotbenew,for,havingglimpsedthevisionofthelandbeyondthe bridge formany lives before he crossed it, he has been preparing himselfwithsuchknowledgeandpowerashecouldcommand,whileimprisonedinthelower worlds. His real, immortal self, with whom he is now united andidentified, influenced him continually by brooding and suggestion, byatmosphere,byvisionandbydream,sothathemightprepare.

His feelings and thoughts he cultivates and refines,making them responsiveonlytothehigher,eliminatingallthatwhichcouldrespondtothelower.Havingthuserectedandperfected thedownwardpointingpyramid,heproceeds to thedecoration and perfection of the higher, so that hemay be ready for the nextstageofthejourney.

Thus, and thus alone,may lowerman, in lowerworlds, become regenerate.Thisisthemeaningofthenewbirth.Manmustdietohislowerselfinorderthathemayfindnewbirthinthehigher.Asinearthlydeath,hefindsrebirthintotheworlds of feeling and of thought, so in this withdrawal of himself from thesovereigntyofform,hemaybesaidtodie.Heisnotlaidinanygrave,nordoeshisbodydisappearbeforetheeyesofmen,yethetrulydies.Thisisthemeaningofthecrucifixion—thedeath,essentialtobirth.EverymanmusttreadtheroadtheSaviourtrod.

Thereisacyclicorderinthisbirthanddeath.Thecrucifixionattheendofonecycle, leads tobirth at thecommencementof thenext. Innever-ending spiralsthegreatdramamustberepeated,manascendingeverhigherasheenacts thatdrama.Itmaywellbecalledacrucifixion,fordeathuponthecrossofmaterialworldsmustbe repeateddaybyday, hourbyhour,minutebyminute, byhimwhowouldtreadthePath.

Letnomanthinkthathecanhidebehinda text,or takeonestepuponthosespiral stairs by trusting in the sorrows of another, however great. It is thisdelusion which has delayed the progress of the western world: that by thesuffering of another, his sins, however he indulge, may be forgotten; that bybathinginanother’sbloodhecanfindthefeetofGod.Suchteachingsmaybringcomfort to themass, forbehind themthere isa truth,howevermuchdistorted;buthewhowouldtrulysavethemassmustleavethemassbehind;relyingonthe

strengthofhisinherentdivinityalone,hemustfindandtreadthepath.

Whenthegreatresolveisoncebornwithinhisheart,whenoncethefirststephasbeentaken,thehelpofmanySaviourswillbehis,andwithhimTheywillfreelyshareTheirblood.ThisisthetrueAtonement,theat-one-mentwhichoneday hemust learn. They, the LiberatedMen, theGreatOnes of the earth; theperfectedsaints,theHolyOnesofGod;the

GuidesandMastersofgreathostsofangels;theHiddenRulersoftheworld;thenever-sleepingWatchers;They,Whosehandsarenevertiredyetareeverfullof labour for theworld;Whose eyes are filledwith pity, power and love, andinfinitecompassion—Theystand,orderuponorder,livinginrealmsbeyondtheland of peace and joy, resting in perfect unity with Him from Whom Theysprang. They and Their angel hosts welcome the pilgrim; They send himstrength,andcheerandcomfortinhistrials;Theylendhimangelstoguidehimon the Path. They smile upon his every fall, knowing that Their ownachievementsgrewlargelyfromtheirfalls;Theyhidehiseyesfromtheradianceof his own successes lest pride should rob him of humility. If from Theirsplendidheights,itwerepossiblethatTheycouldfeelatouchoffear,thatfearwouldbeforhimwho,essayingthepath,hasnotyetdiedtopride.

Aided by the light from These, his great fore-runners, having cast offignoranceandthesuperstitionofthemass,stronginthestrengthofhisdivinity,the pilgrim climbs the hill, learning continually to die, voluntarily crucifyinghimselfinworldsofform,thathemaybeborninformlessworlds.Hemortifieshisflesh,butnotinhermit’scavenormonkishcell,notbythescourgeorshirtofhair, not by penances that destroy the fair beauty of the flesh; he mortifieshimself bymind andwill; his asceticism is of self-restraint in everything; hispenance is the sacrifice of everythingwhichwould hinder his progress on thepath;yetheknowsnotorture,andseldom,inhisearlydays,anguishofsoul.

Thoughthushediescontinually,andsuffersall thepangsofdeath,he isnotmiserable.Heisfilledwithjoy,forheknowsthateverypanghefeels,thateverynailor spear thatpierceshim, liberatesmorepower.As, fromhiswounds,hisbloodflowsdownupontheworldbelow,morebloodflowsin.

Thushelearnstoknowthemysteryofthewoundedhandsandfeetandside.Heknowsthatonlywhenhishandsarepiercedwithnailscanhereachoutandsavetheworld;

thatonlywhenhisbodyisbowedbeneaththecrosscanhebearitsweight,andtread its road; onlywhen hewears the crown of thorns can the kingly poweremanatefromhim;heknowsthatonlywhenhissideispierced,onlywhenthesoldier’s spear (symbolicalof strife and separatenessandpain)hasopenedhisheart,canhepaytollthathemaypassalongtheroad;thathavinggivenofhislife’sblood,hedrawsevernearertothelandofjoywherestrifeandseparatenessandpaincantouchhimnomore,and,intheveryactofgiving,hehearstheechoof the angels’ voices singing in that land. Through his darkness and his pain,there comes a gleam of light, as from a candle burning in thewindow of hisspiritualhome.

So, ever, as he dies, is crucified in the worlds of form, men marvel at hisfortitude;thatevenwhilehesuffers,hesmiles;thateveninthedarknessofhisagony,hiseyesarebright.Mendonot,cannot,knowthathehearsthemusicandsees thevisionof thehigherworld,and that,by thismusicand joy,hiswoe isovercome.Thoughthepathiscalledthepathofwoe,italsomaybecalledthepathofjoy.Thisshouldbeadded:thatthejoyisgreaterthanthewoe,thepeacegreaterthanthestrife,thegrowingpowergreaterthanthewearinessofpain,thelightgreaterthanthedarkness.Themoonitiswhichsets,butalreadyuponhisfacearethefirstgleamsoftherisingsun.

ThushaveItriedtotellthestoryofimmortalman,whovoluntarilysubmittedtotheimprisonmentofform,thedeadeningweightofflesh,thathemightlearntomasterformandflesh.Havingenduredimprisonmentoffleshformanylives,throughmanycenturies,henowseekstoharvestallhisgains.Todothishemustdisentanglehisimmortalpartfromthemortalitywhichitwore,hemustchangethe habit of a thousand lives and free himself from form.TheSaviour namedhimProdigal.

So he treads the path, seeking ever to beautify, to cultivate and refine hisvehicles,hisinstruments,that,afterhehasdiedtothemanddiedtotheircontrol,andwonhisbirth inotherworlds,hemayuseand find in themamany-sideddiamond,whichhemayrenderstillmorehighlypolished,whosemanyfacetshemaynowperfect,thatthroughitstranslucentbeauty,thenewglorywhichishismayshineforthfor thehelpingofhisfellow-men.Such ishisattitude tobodyandtoform;everheregardsthemasmattertobeperfectedandbeautified.

Thisisthepictureofhisinnerandhisoutergrowth.Withinhetreadsthepath,findsthebridgethatleadshimfromthemind,crossesit,andisidentifiedwith

that of which he is a fragment and knows himself as an incarnated part, aseparated gleam of light, from worlds of light, illuminating a portion of theworld below. That part has now become the whole, that beam has beenwithdrawn into the parent light. The outer labour of the pilgrim on the pathconsistsofpolishingthematterwhichhehaswornsince,asaseparatedpart,hecameforth,ofimpartingtoitaperfecttranslucency.

This is themeaningof spiritualdeathand spiritualbirth. It isnot adeathasmanwouldreckondeath,fortheformremains,apparentlyitlivesandbreathes.Symbolically, he truly dies, for hewithdrawshimself from form.Between thedeathwhichmen call death and the death symbolical, there is this difference:that in the death of mortal flesh, the flesh disintegrates, while in the deathsymbolical,itisstillpreserved.Thisdeathrefersmoretothepoweroftheform,and its controlof life; to thathe trulydies. Inmortaldeath there is amomentwhenmen can say “he lives,” amomentwhenmen say “he dies,” amomentwhenmen say “he is dead.” But in the death of himwho is reborn, death iscontinuous.This is amysterywhichonlyhewho treads thepathcan solve. Ifyouwouldunderstandit,seektheroad.

CHAPTER12

THEPATH

Whatreasonsmaybegiventohimwhoasks:“WhyshouldItreadthePathofWoe?”Thereisbutonereason,butitisallsufficient—forlove’ssake.Foritislovewhichbringsabout the firstmurmuringsofdiscontentwithin theheartofman.

The value of his pilgrimage, the estimation of its worth, these may becalculatedintermsofpowertolove.Therecomesatimeinthelongseriesofhismany lives, when love demands an answer and assumes control, when mansurrenders to thepowerof love.Lovefloodshisbeing, fillshisheart, findsanentrance into every nook and cranny of his soul. In him love’s self becomesincarnate.Therefore,hecannolongerdenylove.Thus,filledwithlove,helooksupontheworldwithitseyes,seesthewholeofmanifestedlifeinnootherterms.Beinghimselffilledwithlove,heseesinallthingsanexpressionoflove.Loveishiscosmos,loveishisSelf.Thusillumined,thussuffused,heseesthesorrowsand sufferingof theworld,hehears thecryof every soul inpain, the tearsofsorrowfalluponhisheartandburnlikedropsofliquidflame.

Thebirds,thebeasts,thefishesofthesea,findentrancetohisheart;hefeelstheir anguishas theydie, slaughtered,butcheredby thosewhoknownot love.Seeingallthis,feelingitdeepwithinhissoul,herisesuptosave,andfindsthatheispowerless,thathecannotstaythehandofcruelty,hecannothealthegapingwound.Hehasneithertheknowledgenorthepowertotakeawaytheagoniesofanimalsandmenwhichtearhisheart.Thenconsciousofhisimpotence,sogreatis theanguishofhissoul, that theresolvethathewillachievebothknowledgeandpowerisborn.

Thusitishefindsandsetshisfeetuponthepath.Ifheevershouldfalter,lovedriveshimon;if,inhisweakness,heturnsback,lovebarstheway;ifhewouldstraydownthepleasantby-waysofself-delusionandself-indulgence,loveturnshim back. If, with dead arguments and lifeless theories, philosophers bid him

stay,iftheywouldclosehisearstocriesofpain,lovesoundshermightytrumpetdrivingawayharshtheoriesandphilosophies,burnswithinhimsofiercelythathecan restnomore. If ever,whilehewalks,hedeludeshimselfwithdreams,loveawakenshissoul,shattershisdreams;demandsaction.Shouldhestumble,lovesustainshim;ateverymilestone lovesmilesonhim, takingstrongerholduponhisheart.

Earlyuponthepath,hefindsthatinthenearapproachofloveareknowledgeandpower.Hestretchesforthhishand tohelpandsees thewoundheal.Filledwithanewjoy,thejoyofloveexpressed,hejourneyson.Shouldoneaskofhimthereasonofhispain,thereasonisrevealedbylove.Thusknowledgegrows,theknowledge of the cause of human woe. Then it is he hears love speak:“Knowledgeandpowermustbeweddedwithinyouereyoucanhealthesorrowsoftheworld.”

Thusloveputsintohishandsthestandardhemustbear,andwritesthenameofGoduponit.Menseehimashepassesonhisway,theyseethestandardinhishand,butstrivingtoreadtheName,theyseeonlypower,knowledge,love.TheycannotreadtheNameofGod;theyonlyseethearmour,theswordandtheshieldwhichGodlendstoHissonwhojourneyshome.

Thusarmedandequippedhecrossesthebridge;hearstheangels’welcomingsongs; finds the source of knowledge, power and love; drinks his fill of theseand, being filled, knowshimself divine.Godlike inhis knowledge, power andlove,heturnstohealandsavetheworldwhichhehasleftbehind.Thereisnopainwhichdoesnotanswer to themagicofhis touch,no thirst thatcannotbeassuagedbyhispower,noevilthathisknowledgecannotdissipate,noformoflife, however high or low, in which he cannot see himself. He heals byidentification.Hedrivesawaypainbecauseheispain’sself,becausepainisbutthedarkersideofjoy;beingjoy,healsoispain.

Byleavingtheworldofmen,hebecomestheirredeemer.Thisishisprize;thisthegoal;forthishestartedoutuponthepath.Intheactofredeeming,heknowsthegreatestofalljoys—thejoyoflovecompletelyexpressed.

Youwhoread,haveyounotfeltwithinyourheartsthesorrowsoftheworld?Haveitscriesofwoehurtyourheartordoyoustillsleep?Youmaysleepforawhile,butthetimewillcomewhenlovewilltakeyoubythehandandsetyourfeetuponthepath.ItisbecauseofthisthatIhavecome,speakinginthenameof

yourangelself,seekingtoshowyoutheroad,totellyouofitssplendour,ofthegloriesyettoberevealed.Yourownsoulwillawakenyoutoknowledgeofyourowndivinity,youwillariseandmakeofyourearthlyselfatemplewhichshallbe a worthy dwelling-place for your other self, the Self which is divine. Theshrineofthattemplemustbewithinyourheart;withinthatshrine,theChristinyoumustcometodwell.Forthisreason,seetoitthatthetempleofyourbody,thevehicleofyourlife,bebeautiful,thatthroughitsbeautythesplendouroftheGodwithinmayberevealed.

CHAPTER13

METHODSOFINVOCATION

TheceremoniesconsistofamorninginvocationtotheAngelsandaneveningserviceofthanksgiving.

For this purpose the following suggestions aremade: a shrine, in or out ofdoors,shouldbesetapartand,wherepossible,usedexclusivelyforthispurpose;itshouldbeconsecratedbyanappropriateceremonial,whichwouldhaveasitsobjecttheinvocationofthepoweroftheangelsandtheestablishmentofacentreandatmosphereinwhichcontactandcooperationwouldbepossible.Theinitialceremonycouldbeperformedbyapriestofthereligionofthecountry,whoissympathetictotheidealsexpressed,orbyanoccultistpossessingthenecessaryknowledgeandpower.

In the east, should be an altar upon which worshippers should place (a)fragrantflowers,gatheredfreshlyeachday,(b)religioussymbols,(c)apictureorstatueoftheFounderofthereligion,(d)holywater,(e)incense,and(f)candles.Theminimum—where other things are unobtainable—would be flowers and asingleobjectofbeauty.

Essential conditions are complete cleanliness, an atmosphere of utter purity,andasingledesireformutualcooperationofangelsandmenforthehelpingoftheworld.

Joy,simplicityandbeautyshouldcharacterisealltheceremonies,preparationsandarrangements.

Allparticipantsintheceremoniesshouldbeclothedinsimplerobesofcolourcorresponding to that of the group of angels whose aid is being invoked; allundergarmentsshouldbewhite.Oneoftheparticipantsshouldofficiateandactaslinkbetweenthetwocorrespondinggroupsofangelsandmen.

GROUPSOFANGELS COLOURSTOBEWORN

Guardianangelsofthehome ...Roseandsoftgreen

Healingangels ...Deepsapphireblue

Angelsofmaternityandbirth ...Skyblue

Ceremonialangels ...White

Angelsofmusic ...White

Natureangels ...Apple-green

AngelsofBeautyandArt ...Yellow(thewisdomcolour)

Prayersmaybeofferedforparticularpurposes.Wheremorethanonegroupofangels is invoked, the officiant for each should be robed in the appropriatecolourandperformtheappropriateceremony.

PROCEDURE.Oncebeguntheservicesshouldbemaintainedregularlyandarebest performed immediately after the morning and evening ablutions. Thepresenceofchildren—whoshouldwearwhite—isdesirable.

Allshouldenterinprocession,thechildrenleading,theofficiantslast.

Thechildrenshouldsitinahalf-circle,facingthealtar,infrontoftheelders,leavingapassageinthecentrefortheofficiants.

Where very young, aged, sick people or pregnant women are present, theyshould be placed nearest the altar, the rest, with the exception of children,standinginstraightrowsbehindthem.

Eachofficiant,oneforeachgroupofangels,willadvancetothealtarinturn,repeattheappropriateinvocation,duringwhichhewill lift thebowlofflowersabovehishead,followingthemwithhiseyes.Whentakinghisspecialpartintheceremonytheofficiantshoulduseallhispowersofthoughtandwilltosummontheangels.(Themeasureofeffectivenessinallceremonyisproportionatetotheamountofknowledge,willandthought-poweremployedbytheofficiant.)

All present will join with him, to the utmost of their capacity, followingintentlythemeaningoftheprayer.

No undue physical strain should be produced by the effort made, butceremoniesshouldnotbeallowedtodegenerateintomererepetitionofformulas.

Atthesametime,anintensefeelingofjoyin,andasenseofanticipationof,thecompanionshipoftheangelsmustbesteadilymaintained.

Attheeveningserviceofthanksgiving,after theprayer, let theofficiantholdupthebowlofflowers,offeringtheirbeautyandtheirsweetnesstotheangels,and pouring through them deep love and gratitude from his heart towards theangelhosts.Letallpresentsimilarlypourouttheirlovethroughtheofficiantandtheflowers; thensit insilence,givingthanksandmakingtheirprivateprayers;thengodirecttobed.

Whenitisnotpossiblefortheyoung,thesick,theagedorthepregnanttobepresent,thegrouporapartofthegroupshouldgostraighttotheirroomfromtheshrine,bear-ingasecondbowlofflowers,whichhasbeenstandingonthealtarduringtheceremony.

Then,facingthepatient, theparticularceremonyrequiredshouldberepeated—invoking angel guardians for the young and aged, building angels for thepregnant,healingangelsfor thesick.Whereonlyoneroomis thusvisited, thebowlofflowersshouldbeleftonasmallshrineintheroom;whereanumberofvisitsarecalledfor,theflowersshouldbedistributedamongtherooms,placedinvasesontherespectiveshrines.Whereanappropriateobjectofbeautycannotbeprocuredfortheseshrines,flowerswillsuffice.

At risk of repetition it should be made clear that this conception must bepreservedin itssimplestpossibleform,entirelyfreefromallsensationalismorelaborateceremonial;norshouldanyattemptbemade toobtainclosepersonalcontactwithindividualangels,ortoemploythemfrommotivesofpersonalgain,interestorcuriosity.Suchendeavourswouldalmost invariably lead todisaster,andmustberigorouslyavoided.Itshouldbeasnatural toworkwithangelsaswith human beings, or aswith domestic animals; and qualities of SIMPLICITY,PURITY, DIRECTNESS and IMPERSONALITY must characterise all who wouldsuccessfullytakepartinsuchendeavours.

AknowledgeandappreciationoftheteachingsoftheAncientWisdomshouldmake depression and similar moods impossible. Complete confidence in theDivinepowerandDivinejusticecharacterisetheangelhosts,andifmenwouldworkwith them they, too,must attain those qualities. The ability to judge theimportanceofa temporarycircumstancebyseeing its relation to thewhole, tothecompletedscheme,mustbedeveloped,sothat itbecomesimpossible tobe

undulyelated,castdown,orovercomebyanyparticulareventorsuccessionofevents.Thepowertoworkon,withutterfaith,withcompletecertainty,inspiteoftheapparentfailureofanyparticularendeavour,mustbesought;forthustheangelswork.Christianswould dowell to remember and repeat frequently theCollectforthedayofSt.MichaelandAllAngels.

Letmepicturetoyouwhatmaystillcome,giveyouavisionofthatwhichliesahead.

Picture a vast plain, in a far clime, under a clear sky,where thousands andthousandsofyourpeoplegather—and,withthem,thesick,theaged,theyoung—andform,ingreatfiguresontheplain,stars,triangles,pentagons,invokingus,until,descendingtoyourearth,wecome,visible,asrobedinflesh—agloriousdescent into your midst. Not we alone, but, with us, members of your race,coming from the ranks ofThose towhomearth can teach nomore.Therewecomeamongthemultitude,toheal,toguideandtoinspire,and,erewedepart,withpromiseofearlyreturn,topraywiththem,upliftingalltothefeetofHimWho is the Father of us all, our Logos and our Lord. In every land, to everypeople,thusmightwecome.

INVOCATIONSANDPLAYERS

MorningInvocat ions

DEVASOFCEREMONY

Hail,brethrenofthedevichosts!Cometoouraid.GiveusyourfierydevicpowerAswegiveyouourhumanlove.Filleveryplacewithpowerandlife!Sharewithusthelaboursofthisearth,Thatthelife-forcewithinbesetfree.

MUSIC

Hail,devasofMusic!Cometoouraid.Singtousyoursongsofjoy;Filluswithdivineharmony.Awakenus,thatwemayhearyourvoice;Attuneourearstoyoursong;Ensoulourearthlymusicwithyourlight.Sharewithusthelaboursoftheearth,ThatmenmayhearthemelodiesyousingBeyondtherealmsofSpaceandTime.

GUARDIANDEVASOFTHEHOME

Hail,GuardianAngelsoftheHome!Cometoouraid,Sharewithusourworkandplay.

BewithusthatwemayhearyourwingsAndfeelyourbreathuponourcheek;Comeclose,andsenseourhumanlove.Takeourhandsinyours,LiftusforawhileFromtheburdenofthisflesh.

GrantustosharewithyouYourwondrousfreedomthroughoutspaceYourvividlifeinsunlitair,Yourgreatintensityofjoy,YourunitywithLife.HelpussotoworkandplayThatthetimemaybebroughtnearWhenallourraceShallknowyouwell,AndhailyoubrotherpilgrimsOnthepathtoGod.Hail,GuardianAngelsoftheHome!Cometoouraid,Sharewithusourworkandplay,ThattheLifewithinmaybesetfree

BUILDINGANGELS

Hail,devichostswhobuild!Cometoouraid;HelpthisnewbirthIntotheworldofmen.Strengthenthemotherinherpain;AndsendyourgraciousangelsToattendthebedofbirth,AndusherinthedawnOfthisnewlife.GivetothecomingchildTheblessingofourLord.

Hail,devichostswhobuild!Cometoouraid;

Helpthisnewbirthintotheworldofmen,Thatthedivinitywithinmaybesetfree.

HEALINGANGELS

Hail,devasoftheHealingArt!Cometoouraid.PourforthyourhealinglifeIntothis(placeorperson)LeteverycellbechargedanewWithvitalforce.Toeverynervegivepeace.Lettorturedsensebesoothed.MaytherisingtideoflifeSeteverylimbaglow,As,byyourhealingpower,Bothsoulandbodyarerestored.Leavehere(orthere)anangelwatcher,Tocomfortandprotect,Tillhealthreturnsorlifedeparts,Thathemaywardawayallill,MayhastenthereturningstrengthOrleadtopeacewhenlifeisdone.Hail,devasoftheHealingArt!Cometoouraid,Andsharewithusthelaboursofthisearth,ThatGodmaybesetfreeinman.

ANGELSOFNATURE

Hail,devasoftheearthandsky!Cometoouraid.Givefertilitytoourfields,Givelifetoallourseeds,Thatthisourearthmaybefruitful.Hail,devasoftheearthandsky!Cometoouraid;SharewithusthelaboursofourworldThatthedivinitywithinmaybesetfree.

ANGELSOFBEAUTYANDOFART

Hail,angelsoftheHandofGod!Cometoouraid.ImpressuponourworldsOfthought,offeelingandofflesh,AsenseofDivineBeauty.HelpustoseethevisionoftheSelf,TorecogniseinallcreatedthingsTheBeautyoftheSelf;ThatthroughtheBeautywemayfind,HiddeepbehindexternalveilsOfcolour,lineandform,TheVerySelf.

Thus,havinghelpedus,InspireuswiththepowerTogiveexpressioninourlivesToallthatwehaveseen—TotheGood,theTrue,theBeautiful.GrantthatwemayseeandknowYou,theangelsofHisHand,That,seeing,wemaylearntoshareYourtaskofsheddingbeautyontheworld.

Hail,angelsoftheHandofGod!Cometoouraid.Sharewithusthelaboursofthisearth,Thatthebeautywithinmayberevealed.

EveningHymnsofPrayerAndThankgiving

1.

MayblessingsfromaboveFlowforthandbeautifythehumanloveWhichweingratitudepourforthToyou,ourangelhelpersofthisday.AcceptourloveandgratefulprayersAndhelpus,sotoliveandwork,

Thatever,daybyday,YourhostsshallfindusgrowingAkintoyou.

Wecravethisnightyourguardianshipforall,Bewiththeyoung,theaged,andthesick;Surroundtheirbedswithwingsoflightandpeace,Cherishthem,wepray,untilthedawn.And,asthesunoncemorereturnsTogiveuslifeandwarmthandlight,LetusagainpreludeourworkWithsalutationandwithpraiseToHimWhoistheFatherofusall;That,handinhandandsidebyside,HishumanandHisangelsonsMaylabourinHisNameTobringaboutthegloriousdayWhen,inourworldandtheirs,HisWillaloneshallreign.

AMEN

2.

Nightgatherstoitscloseourearthlyday,Andnowwegatherhere,ourangelguest,Tooffertheeourloveandgratitude;Tothanktheeforthyservice.MayThoseWholabourevernightandday,Pourdownupontheeblessingsmanifold,SendtheeTheirsuper-humanloveandgrace;MayTheircompassionfillthee,andTheirlife,Till,overflowing,streamsofloveshallfallFromTheetous,flowbackfromustothee,Bindingourheartsinbondsofbrotherhood,

Unitingusbylinksoflovedivine.

Wepraythee,everanswerourcall,Forwewouldeveropenourheartstothee.Comecloser,blessedmessengersofGod,WewouldhearHiminthebeatingofthywings.Insilence,inserenityofheartandmind,Wegreetthee,attheclosingofthisday;MayHeenfoldtheeinHiseverlastingarmsTillHisradianceandHisjoyshinethroughthee.Bewiththechildren,blessedone,thisnight;Bewiththeagedandthesick;ByeachbedaguardianangelstandThatallmaysleepinpeace,wakingbetimesTofeelthyguardianpresencewiththemstill.

AMEN

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Notes

[←1]*SeeChapter4.

[←2]*Devaisacomprehensivetermforthewholecompanionevolution,fromtheleastnaturespirittothegreatestArchangel.

[←3]*SeeChapterXIII.

[←4]*Thevalleyinwhichthemessageswerereceived.

[←5]*SeeChapterVIII.