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- THE SEVEN RAYS - What Are They?
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- by RLP
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- "We are told that seven great rays exist in the cosmos. In our
- solar system only one of these seven great rays is in operation. The
- seven sub-divisions constitute the "seven rays" which, wielded by our
- solar Logos, form the basis of enless variations in His system of worlds.
- These seven rays may be described as the channels through which all being
- in His solar system flows, the seven predominant characteristics or
- modifications of life, for it is not to humanity only that these rays
- apply, but to the seven kingdoms as well. In fact there is nothing in the
- whole solar system, at whatever stage of evolution it may stand, which
- does not belong and has not always belonged to one or other of the seven
- rays. " (R I 163)
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- The author of this passage is the Tibetan Master, Djwhal Kuhl. He has been
- our primary source of information on the seven rays for the past 70 years.
- Until the end of the last century the seven ray system was known and taught
- only to a limited few disciples and adepts of the Ageless Wisdom. There
- have long been hints of this doctrine concealed within the teachings of all
- great philisophies and religions, but it has not been systematically
- presented, as have astrology or numerology. Astrology, since ancient
- times, has been divided into exoteric and esoteric branches. The ray
- teaching, however, has remained esoteric and largely hidden from the
- world. Only now, within the last seven decades, have we seen the
- beginnings of an exoteric presentation of the seven rays.
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- The reason for the new emergence of this ancient knowledge at this time
- seems quite simple. "When the student is ready, the teacher appears."
- Humanity, the World Disciple, is apparently now ready, and stands on the
- threshold of a great awakening. New responsibilities, new opportunities
- and new light are being urged upon us by the Teachers of the race.
- Concurrent with this expansion is the need for a deeper, conscious
- penetration by the human race into the essential nature of reality. What
- was once occult mystery is now rapidly becoming practical science. Not
- only is the teaching on the rays emerging, but so are esoteric astrology,
- psychology, healing and many other formerly occult sciences receiving
- increased exoteric recognition.
-
- What is meant by the word 'ray'? The Tibetan answers this question in the
- following manner: "A ray is but a name for a particular force or type of
- energy, with the emphasis upon the quality which that force exhibits and
- not upon the form aspect which it creates." (R I 316) The seven rays are
- seven qualities of energy. Rays do create forms, though the emphasis is
- not on the external, but rather on that which lies behind or within the
- form.
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- Modern physics has concluded that all is energy, that within every form
- lies an essential network and pattern of energy. The seven ray teaching,
- in scientific terms, is an hypothesis that asserts the following: All
- energy within form is fundamentally septenate in character. The energy, as
- well as tthe forms derived from it, can be described through seven discrete
- and archetypal streams.
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- The seven streams of energy, it is said, are the very vibrations within
- matter, space and form which define and infuse all objects, all beings and
- all events in manifestation. They combine and interweave to create all the
- complex systems we know as reality, from the grandest interstellar
- spectacle to the smallest mundane occurrence of daily life. As concepts
- they will be found to be familiar, simple and direct of apprehension. They
- strike a chord in our consciousness and are, quite literally, closer to us
- than breath. Yet the system they compose is as vast and elusive as the
- world and the cosmos itself. To truly comprehend and usefully apply this
- knowledge can be equally elusive, and is an immeasurable challenge.
-
- The seven primordial energies are beyond complete, exact depiction in
- words, or even in thoughts on the planes of this world. They are too
- essential and encompassing to be wholly contained or isolated within our
- narrow band of the Greater Spectrum. But to stimulate understanding and
- the flow of intuition within us, certain descriptive phrases have been used
- in connection with the rays. This is a list of some of the more common
- synonyms:
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- Ray One - Will, purpose, power, destruction
- Ray Two - Love, wisdom, inclusiveness, coherence, magnetism
- Ray Three - Active Intelligence, adaptability, creativity
- Ray Four - Harmony through conflict, beauty, sensitivity, unity
- Ray Five - Concrete knowledge, science, mind, analysis
- Ray Six - Devotion, idealism, adherence, force
- Ray Seven - Order, ceremony, organization, group, magic
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- The ray teaching gives us an energy picture of creation and of life at all
- levels of being. It provides a means of explaining the intricate
- interrelationships of all things, spiritual and material; and it proclaims
- their oneness and interconnectedness.
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- As part of this energy picture of the cosmos, human beings are, of course,
- themselves composed of ray energies. The various bodies or vehicles of
- incarnation of the individual human being - the personality, the mind, the
- soul, etc. - are said to issue forth on one or other of the rays. The
- particular, dominant pattern of vibration within an individual or group or
- nation qill establish its constitution, its environment and the keys to
- determine the inante opportunities and limitations of the entity.
- Practically, it is a picture of the inherent impulse, the immediate need
- and prescribed path of evolution.
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- The psychological application of the ray hypothesis is of particular
- interest because it provides a practical energy framework for understanding
- the make-up of individuals and groups. The rays of a person, when
- determined, studied and understood, will enable that individual, or his
- counsellors or therapists, to 'go to the source'. Knowledge of ones'
- energy-essence and underlying vital composition can be invaluable in
- developing a balanced program for life, lived in accord with nature
- collectively, and with what is individually appropriate and true.
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- The emanation and interplay of human energy is seen as a reflection of the
- energy of the universe. That which is in man is in all things. And,
- importantly, it is the energy within that dictates the outer appearance and
- behavior of each and all.
-
- In order to undrerstand the "seven streams of force", we are constrained to
- use verbal and numerical descriptions. But bear in mind that any words we
- may use are mainly attempts to translate a quality into a form. And, in
- translations of any kind, something of the original is always lost.
-
- The correspondences between the ray doctrine and numerology will be
- obvious, but the rays are not, in actuality, numbers or symbols or
- techniques for divination. They are fundamental creative energies, the
- vibrations of our very essence. The following summaries of the rays, based
- on research in the teachings of the Tibetan, may help to explain the range
- and focus of each of the seven qualities:
-
- Ray One. This energy is the beginning and the final synthesis - the source
- of all other energies. It is the essence of power and energy itself. The
- first ray is the force of purpose, direction, centralization and one-ness,
- of which the will is the keynote. It is characterized by the qualities of
- intensity, dynamism, quickness, and dominance. It often results in
- detachment, isolation and crystallization. And out of its force and
- directness is conceived the powerr of creative destruction.
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- Ray Two. Consciousness is born of the second energy, in the union of
- duality, spirit and matter. This is the source and blending of light and
- love, magnetism and relationship, inclusiveness and coherence. It is the
- ray of wisdom, sensitivity and intuition, as well as clarity and attention
- to detail. This energy is a qualifying, teaching and healing force. It
- often results in attachment andd attraction, and, curiously, establishes
- our awareness of fear, the antithesis of love and relationship. The second
- ray is the energy of the entire solarr system and hence is also a ray of
- profound synthesis.
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- Ray Three. Activity and intelligence work out from this source, a result
- of purpose and wisdom. It is the energy of full and great manipulations,
- creativity and adaptability. Needs are recognized through this force,
- plans are formulated, material is selected and business is undertaken. The
- third ray is clear, inherent mental and intellectual ideation in pursuit of
- truth, with the objective of manifesting in matter and substance. It is
- the power which evokes form.
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- Ray Four. This energy stands symbolically in the center of the seven and
- is the magnetic relation of opposites, the point of harmony, bridging and
- mediation amidst conflict, pain and struggle - in a sense, the fruition the
- duality rooted in the second ray. It stimulates creativity, art and beauty
- and is characterized by sensitivity to color and sound. Discrimination,
- quickness and a searching for perfection reside here. The intuitive,
- relational force is strong in this ray, which evokes life, love and
- understanding.
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- Ray Five. This is the energy of concretion into substance, of knowledge
- and science, and of stimulation in the three worlds. It leads to the
- searching, analysis and development of ideas, which in the end produces
- light and wisdom. It is the enerrgy of differentiation and investigation
- which can lead to separativeness, cleavage and crystallization. But the
- thoroughness and discrimination with which the fifth force works in the
- mind and the intellect leads the way ultimately to understanding and to the
- revelation of truth.
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- Ray Six. The seeds of all devotion and desire pour forth through this
- energy. It generates adherence, intensity and persistence. The
- determination resident in this ray is a fiery essence, sometimes full of
- force, fury and even fanatical display and militant violence. Abstraction
- and aspiration characterize the sixth force, in the sense of an idealistic
- nature, loyally oriented toward the causal levels of being. The sixth ray
- is the power to recognize what is right and righteous, the upward tendency
- and the capacity to see the light.
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- Ray Seven. This last of the seven is the most tangibly expressive on the
- outer planes. It is the quality of relationship between spirit and matter
- and is thus magical. It is rhythm which builds, integrates, circulates and
- manifests. It is the bringer and producer of newness in form. The
- relational power of this ray motivates law and order, rule and ritual,
- organization and group consciousness. It is practical understanding and
- vital energy externalized, which embodies both the center and the periphery.
- sciousness. It is practical understanding and
- vital energy externalized, which embodies both the center and the periphery.