Seven Rays

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).

Originally presented by H. P. Blavatsky in the nineteenth century, the Seven Rays is a metaphysical concept that is used within Theosophy and further developed by C. W. Leadbeater, Alice Bailey, Helena Roerich, Manly P. Hall, and many others in Theosophy based organizations [1] such as Agni Yoga, The "I AM" Activity, [2] The Bridge to Freedom [3] The Summit Lighthouse, [4] Share International, [5] The Temple of The Presence (1995), [6] and various other organizations. [7] The "Seven Rays" are said to be seven major types of Light-Substance (spirit/matter) (wave/particle) that compose the created universes. [8]

Contents

[edit] Elaboration of the Concept

According to Alice A. Bailey, each person has a "soul ray" that remains the same through all their incarnations, and a "personality ray" that is different for each incarnation. Each ray is also governed by one of the Ascended masters ("Cosmic Masters of the Ancient Wisdom").

AAB stated the Seven Rays locally originate within the "Solar Logos", i.e., the consciousness of the Sun, and are regarded by Benjamin Creme as being focused to the Solar Logos from the "Galactic Logos" (the consciousness of the Milky Way Galaxy), and having their ultimate origin within the mind of God.

On the local planetary level, it is believed by those adherent to the Theosophical tradition that the Seven Rays are focused from the Solar Logos through the god of our planet, Sanat Kumara, to the "Cosmic Masters of the Ancient Wisdom" (also called the Ascended Masters or Great White Brotherhood) and from them to us, according to what ray we are on.

Each of the Seven Rays is believed to be associated with a different kind of occult energy, a different color, and governed by a different Cosmic Master of the Ancient Wisdom.

[edit] List of the Seven Rays

The Seven Rays are listed below:

Note: Alice A. Bailey and the Church Universal and Triumphant assign different colors and in some cases different Cosmic Masters to each of the seven rays. It is to be noted that in the Letters on Occult Meditation, Alice A. Bailey indicates that there is no simple correspondence between the rays and these colors. The colors, Cosmic Masters, and etheric cities indicated here those indicated by Alice A. Bailey. Where the colors, Cosmic Masters, and etheric cities assigned by the Church Universal and Triumphant are different from those indicated by Alice A. Bailey, they are shown in parenthesis. (According to the Church Universal and Triumphant, each Cosmic Master is believed to also govern a city on the etheric plane above the geographical location shown after their name). Also, each ray has a jewel which is believed to focus the energy of that ray, which is indicated. Lastly is mentioned the characteristic Magic considered by Theosophists to be most compatible with persons on that ray (although anyone of any ray can do any of these various types of magic).

[edit] Other Cosmic Masters Not Assigned to Head the Seven Rays

Besides the seven Cosmic Masters (Ascended Masters) that head the seven rays, according to Alice A. Bailey and Benjamin Creme there are at least 53 other Cosmic Masters, defined as beings who are have reached the Fifth Level of Initiation or above, making a total of 60 in all. According to Alice A. Bailey and Benjamin Creme, the most important Cosmic Master not listed above is the Master Djwhal Khul, the communications director of the Cosmic Masters of the Ancient Wisdom and the Ascended Master from whom Bailey said she received her books. Elizabeth Clare Prophet has revealed the names of a number of these Ascended Masters that were previously unknown.

[edit] Using the Seven Rays in Magical Work

To use the Seven Rays, it is said the first step is to determine what Ray you are on. It is believed the way to do this is to buy a book about the Seven Rays, read it, and meditate on it. Then, after a few weeks, it is believed one can determine one's "soul ray" and "personality ray" (see "Origin of the Concept" above), which are usually different but could be the same.

The next step is said to be to develop a connection with one's Cosmic Master through meditation and ritual. Normally, one would develop a connection with one's "soul ray" Master when meditating and with one's "personality ray" Master when performing magical rituals. It is believed that wearing the color and/or jewel associated with one's ray is helpful in focusing the cosmic energy of that ray.

It is believed by some adherents to Theosophy that it is possible for adepts to spiritually travel on the etheric plane to the Etheric City of their Cosmic Master in order to be given instructions by their Cosmic Master or one of their etheric assistants on how they can best serve what Alice A. Bailey called the "Plan of the Masters" for the continual advancement of human beings on Earth to higher Levels of Initiation. In the Church Universal and Triumphant, meditation exercises are taught which are thought to enable members to go to the "retreats" (etheric cities) to receive instructions from the Ascended masters while they sleep.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Kazlev, M. Alan. Schools of Theosophy.
  2. ^ Saint Germain Foundation. The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germain Foundation. Schaumburg, Illinois: Saint Germain Press 2003
  3. ^ Partridge, Christopher ed. New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities Oxford University Press, USA 2004. Describes the Theosophical Society and religious organizations based on a belief in Ascended Masters, such as The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse.
  4. ^ Lewis, James R. Church Universal and Triumphant in Scholarly Perspective Center For Academic Publication 1994.
  5. ^ Creme, Benjamin. The Ageless Wisdom Teaching Share International Foundation 1996. This book presents an introduction to that great body of wisdom underlying the spiritual teachings of all groups throughout the ages.
  6. ^ White Paper - Wesak World Congress 2002. Acropolis Sophia Books & Works 2003.
  7. ^ Braden, Charles S. These Also Believe MacMillan Publishing Company 2000. The classic study of minority religions in the United States of America.
  8. ^ Carson, Reed. Blavatsky' Foreknowledge of The Wave/Particle Duality of Light 1997. It would also be incorrect to claim light is fully explained as a particle. Rather it has a dual nature possessing the properties of both wave and particle. In general, electromagnetic radiation acts more like waves in the radio wave end of the spectrum, more like particles in the x-ray end of the spectrum, and usually (but not always) like a wave in the "middle" light area of the spectrum in our everyday experience. Her ambiguity, then, reflects a fact in nature, the wave/particle duality of nature.

[edit] Further reading

  • Abraham, Kurt. "Introduction to the Seven Rays" School for the Study of the Seven Rays, Lampus Press: 1986.
  • Abraham, Kurt. "Threefold Method for Understanding the Seven Rays." School for the Study of the Seven Rays, Lampus Press, 1984.
  • Abraham, Kurt. "Great Souls: The Seven Rays at the Soul Level" School for the Study of the Seven Rays, Lampus Press, 2002.
  • Bailey, Alice A. The Seven Rays of Life New York: 1995--Lucis Publishing Co. Compilation from all the Alice A. Bailey books of material about the Seven Rays.
  • Creme, Benjamin Maitreya's Mission Amsterdam: 1986 - Share International Foundation.
  • Hodson, Geoffrey The Seven Human Temperaments Adyar, Madras, India: 1952--The Theosophical Publishing House.
  • Hone, Mo. "The Seven Rays Today" A New Appreciation of the Ageless Wisdom and Esoteric Astrology. Pluto Network (UK) 2006
  • Leadbetter, C.W. The Masters and the Path Adyar, Madras, India: 1925--The Theosophical Publishing House. (Chart on P. 229 lists Characteristic Magic of each Ray.)
  • "Kuthumi" - claimed to have been released through Mark Prophet Studies of the Human Aura Colorado Springs, Colorado: 1975 - Summit University Press. Chart on pages 120-121 of the Seven Rays from the perspective of the The Summit Lighthouse.
  • Wood, Ernest The Seven Rays Wheaton, Illinois, U.S.A.: 1925--Theosophical Publishing House

[edit] See also


[edit] External links

  • [1] Basic Ideas of Theosophy, including the Seven Rays
  • [2] Deeper discussion of the Seven Rays
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../s/e/v/Seven_Rays_58c5.html"