The following article is a composite view of the Raja Yoga method of Meditation in its first three stages. This study is from the extensive work of Alice Bailey with the Tibetan that can be found sprinkled throughout their books, especially in "Light of the Soul" and "Letters on Occult Meditation." Please see Links of Light for more information on the books.

Three stages of the Raja Yoga method of meditation are basic for the disciple and are: Concentration, that builds an alignment between mind and brain; Meditation, that builds a bridge between the brain -> mind -> soul, integrating the personality with the soul; Contemplation, that builds the bridge between the lower mind -> soul -> higher mind, to illuminate the personality. These stages are a series of shifts in consciousness accounting for the differences in each ones purpose. In concentration, the consciousness is drawn away from the physical body and polarized in the emotional body. In meditation, the consciousness is drawn away from the emotional body and polarized in the lower mental body of concrete thought. In contemplation, the consciousness is shifted higher and becomes polarized in the plane of abstract thought, or the soul. As a process they culminate in illumination where the shift of consciousness is back into the mental body, allowing abstract ideas to be changed into understanding.

Each stage in the Raja Yoga method of meditation is a foundation for the following stage as they overlap and unfold soul powers until they build the Antahkarana, the bridge of consciousness the disciple uses in service. The sequencing of the three stages represent a developmental continuum: the aspirant on the probationary path perfects concentration in order to dispel maya; the disciple on the path of discipleship perfects meditation in order to dispel glamour; the initiate on the path of initiation perfects contemplation in order to dispel illusion. This gives information as to the intended work at different stages. The goal of the Raja Yoga technique of meditation is the second initiation that prepares the disciple for the path of discipleship.

Meditation can be viewed as a process and we can see the effects of each stage upon the instrument of the soul, the personality. Concentration is attention or one-pointedness that brings the mind into activity, while the emotions and physical body are controlled by the focused mind. Meditation is prolonged concentration focusing the mind on the soul and its direction. This changes the three bodies of the personality into finer substance of higher quality. Creative thinking during meditation is transforming of substance, as energy follows thought. Contemplation is the soul on its own plane looking out into its world and making contact with that world. This causes a pouring down into the brain, via the controlled mind, of soul knowledge and its energy produces illumination. This action energizes the centers, awakening them, as the consciousness shifts to a higher level of abstract thought, to the soul. Two stages follow: illumination, when the polarization shifts back into the mental body, allowing abstract idea to be turned into understanding; inspiration, the result of illumination, working out as service. The process becomes a pattern for ones life with the end result that the soul controls the threefold lower nature using it for service to humanity.

CONCENTRATION

The meditation process begins with concentration and stilling the lower mind. Concentration is focusing the mind on an object and holding the mind steadily on that object. This first step is one of the most difficult stages in the meditation process until that control is achieved where the mind holds steady as intended. The concentration stage requires the meditator to follow several preliminary steps: sit with spine straight and relaxed without slumping or tenseness; breathing should be quiet and regular; visualize the personality aligned with the soul, providing a channel for soul energy. The next step is to use the will by holding the mind on a seed thought, or object, so its meaning is clear in the consciousness. In concentrating on the seed thought you are looking for the truth in the words held in thought. Concentration causes a deliberate turning off of the senses in order to vibrate with the soul and learn what the soul knows. It is finding the quality of the seed thought. The consciousness of an object is found when concentrating on the form through examination; the quality through discrimination; the purpose through inspiration; the cause or soul through identification. Every form of any kind has a soul or conscious principle behind it. Concentration is the work of the aspirant on the probationary path as he perfects it in order to dispel maya.

MEDITATION

Meditation is holding the mind in the light, aware of the Plan for humanity, bringing needed ideas into the consciousness. Meditation is responsible for all expansions of consciousness. The objective of the daily meditation is to train the mind and brain to vibrate in rhythm with the soul as it tries to communicate with its reflection. Meditation will create the following: a connection with soul, mind, and brain; a soul vibration; changes in the personality. Daily meditation produces skill in creating thoughtforms that are caused when the soul and personality meditate in unison and then may be used in service. Esoteric training stresses meditation for its ability to produce: a focused mind; the capacity to visualize; the ability to build thoughtforms; the meaning behind events. The process of meditation is creative work because each thoughtform is a work of creative thought. Meditation is communion with the soul who imposes its ideas upon the mind. During this communion the meditator becomes the soul losing itself in the soul's thoughts not his own. The more efficient one becomes in meditation he can become part of group meditation, a service to humanity, as he works together with other souls, serving as Hierarchy does. Good character and stable living patterns are basic essentials to beginning any form of meditation. Meditation soon becomes a way of life and discipline that makes daily living more worthwhile.

When are you meditating? One is meditating when the meditator or thinker can sense the abstract truth behind the seed thought. Then you seek to bring the truth down to the mental body, which is not easy to grasp. There is a struggle to comprehend what is there but gradually the truth becomes consciously known on the concrete level of the mental plane. When the truth is grasped then a thoughtform can be built of the truth received. The disciple seeks to find a way to demonstrate the new truth in daily life. The disciple chooses with discrimination the seed thought or object he will meditate on, because through them he builds a ladder of experience that will enable him to eventually use no seed thought or object. As the mind assumes increasingly the meditative attitude of the soul, the brain becomes also increasingly subjugated to the mind, as the mind is to the soul. Thus is the lower man gradually identified with the spiritual man who is omniscient and omnipresent. The disciple on the path of discipleship perfects meditation in order to dispel glamour.

CONTEMPLATION

The third stage of Raja Yoga is contemplation where the shift in consciousness goes from the personality to the soul. It is willing oneself to express the love aspect and the wisdom aspect of the soul. This allows one to be the soul in its own world contemplating the world of meaning behind outer events. In the beginning this is a brief stage but it lengthens as one progresses. It is that identification of the personality with the knower, the soul within, and the two are one. When the mind is absorbed and unaware of separateness of the personal self, it is contemplating. The East calls this state samadhi. The description of contemplation is difficult to explain without having the experience. The difficulty is in the coordination of the mind to send the brain that which is contemplated that it may be useful to the disciple. Many stories have been told of how yogis in this state of contemplation were wounded yet continued meditating unaware of any physical discomfort. In contemplation there is no registration of time and space. Centered in the soul aspect all sense of separateness of the lower personal self disappears and there is total identification with the soul of the thought that has been the object of meditation. This brings knowing oneness with all souls, subhuman, human, and superhuman, and that great sense of group consciousness.

Contemplation relates man to the plane of the soul. It is the spiritual man who contemplates on the world of causes that are the "things of God." By using the controlled instrument of mind the contemplation stage uses the sutratma to submit to the brain what the soul knows, sees and understands. The initiate on the path of initiation perfects contemplation in order to dispel illusion. This is the goal of the disciple.

Contemplation is an essential for disciples in an Ashram. In meditation the goal is to reach the highest point in the meditation process, contemplation, as quickly as possible after going through the stages of concentration, alignment and meditation to reach contemplation. Once reached the meditator seeks to maintain that highest state of consciousness for longer intervals as he works as a soul in its world, contemplating in the world of energies where initiates and Masters work. The work for all disciples is to achieve this higher world where they need to be comfortable. It is such an important goal and state of consciousness that the Tibetan suggested it be carefully observed and recorded. Ashramic groups are contemplative and group unity comes from united group meditation and living the contemplative life, that oneness with all souls, that results in united group activity. This is the true externalization of the Masters' Ashrams on Earth where the Hierarchy can work openly.

The recent probing into space by the Hubble telescope throws new light on our perceptions of the Cosmos. Through the light of this powerful telescope, greater light deep in space is revealing its mysteries. All that prevents humans from seeing beyond themselves is greater light. Scientists are aiding the spiritual awareness of man with their explorations that speed up man's realizations beyond himself.

Through the ages philosophers referred to the symbol of light as representing God in manifestation. Now some scientists are saying that the very substance of the universe is a form of light energy. To find the light of the world, we can look within ourselves to the human soul. Many believe every living form has a soul, a center of light, that reflects the light of God. This light gives wisdom and understanding. Humanity's role is to become a light carrier for our planet. In recent years the inflow of the light of knowledge has quadrupled. This energy of light is causing a flowering in men's minds, opening doors to higher realizations. Man can't rely just on his concrete materialistic mind, called the slayer of the real. Man must extend his light to the abstract higher mind and through soul awareness penetrate into the wisdom of the higher spheres.

Light in relationship to the mind has three parts: wisdom, understanding and knowledge. If our goal is to be a light carrier we must do three things: 1. Find wisdom by seeing everything in right proportion. 2. Use the heart with the mind and develop understanding. 3. Develop new fields of knowledge. Then the light produces inclusiveness and tolerance in the world. As one expands his consciousness to include all forms of life, he expands his view of life. This results in an open mind and the cultivation of truth. We are the light carriers who must bring light to the world and we do it with our illumined mind.

The Great Invocation invokes light in the words, "the Light within the mind of God . . .stream forth into the minds of men." Man's destiny is to be a light just as it's the destiny of our planet to be a lighted orb.

Dr. Franz Hartmann, a colleague of H.P. Blavatsky, describes light as "the divine light of the Logos is the foundation of all existence. It is the Shekinah of the Jews, the Sophia of the Gnostics, the Daiviprakriti of the Brahmins, the Fohat of the Buddhists, the Mother of Christ of the Christians, the Isis of the Egyptians, the Spiritual Sunlight of the Parsees, and the only possible reasonable object of worship for anyone aspiring toward eternal life, no matter of what religious denomination he may belong, or whatever system of thought he may be inclined to follow."

Science is joining forces with philosophy and religion in its views on light. Science tells us that light is part of radiation energy and all light is similar except for wavelengths. Aren't we the same way? We are the same, except for our wavelengths or consciousness. Our lives depend on light as all living forms depend on light. In meditation, we work with the mind so it becomes a lens to reveal knowledge and light from the soul, increasing our wavelength. The full potential for greater light within the human being is unimaginable at this stage of our evolution. Meditation is a key to higher mind and ultimately, illumination.

According to the Agni Yoga teachings, the Sun we see is the densest point of the true Central Spiritual Sun, which lies behind the visible Sun, and is the light of the solar system penetrating into every atom and form. The visible Sun gives life to all forms and activities, while the Central Spiritual Sun creates our strivings toward perfection. There is a third Sun called the heart of the Sun lying between the two Suns, registering the love of the Sun (Creator) into the hearts of all forms. When we respond to the Central Spiritual Sun, we become in Eastern phraseology, an Agni Yogi, who lives, moves and has his being in the Will of God

The most ancient prayer of the Upanishads, Brihadaranyaki, refers to the mind as it becomes illumined by the greater light of intuition: "Lead us, O Lord, from darkness to light; from the unreal to the real: from death to immortality."

Alice Bailey in "Glamour: A World Problem" pp. 191-192, associates the three Suns to Light with the words, "In that light shall we see Light." Meaning only after one finds light within himself can light in all forms and atoms be seen.

The mystery of light can be solved by light carriers. We do this when we accept the challenge in life to use the light of mind in daily living. Through light we find the meaning behind all our individual, community, national and world events. This makes us light carriers who know that "in that light you will see Light" and so will all humanity. There is no mystery when we find the light within ourselves. Light unveils all mysteries.

Alice Bailey, the well known esoteric writer and teacher was born into a wealthy English family on June 16, l880. She is best known for her work as secretary to the entity known as Master Tibetan, Djwhal Khul. Together they wrote nineteen books and Alice by herself wrote four. These books were given by the Tibetan telepathically in full consciousness to Alice Bailey. Her duty as secretary was to get the new age teachings down exactly as they were given, while putting them in readable English. They wrote together for thirty years and after the last planned book was completed, Alice died on December 15, 1949.

The attributes that caused Alice Bailey to be chosen for the exacting work with the Tibetan were her level of education and sharp intelligence. She had a well developed mind and also a long suffering heart, say her co-workers. Alice was a student of the "Bible" and preached many sermons to large crowds of people. However, she came to the conclusion that the teachings of the East and West should not be divided. They are part of the same whole. She set out to fuse these teachings into the esoteric framework.

Alice Bailey founded an esoteric discipleship training school, the Arcane School in 1923. In this correspondence school, the principles of the Ageless Wisdom are presented through esoteric meditation, study and service, as a way of daily life. Thousands of students have been trained to meet the needs of humanity through the School and the work is strong today with centers in New York, London, Geneva, Tokyo and Darjeeling. It is an Aquarian Esoteric School that trains groups of disciples to serve humanity and the future needs of the planet. An esotericist is one who looks behind world events and seeks its deeper spiritual meanings, then applies this knowledge to living a higher spiritual existence.

The Lucis Trust was formed by Alice Bailey and her husband Foster Bailey to be the legal entity overlooking the Lucis Publishing Company, the Arcane School and its service activities: World Goodwill, Triangles, Lucis Productions - Audio & Video, and The Beacon, a magazine of esoteric philosophy. The books written by the Master Tibetan and Alice Bailey are for the present as well as the coming new age. They provide spiritual students new insights into the coming century's unfoldment and requirements. Because of this the books are more popular now than when they were first written. You can read more about the life of Alice Bailey in "The Unfinished Autobiography" published by Lucis Publishing Company. See Links of Light for Lucis Trust information.

Another goal of Alice Bailey's was to familiarize people with the belief of the actual existence of the "Disciples of Christ who are the Masters of Wisdom, real people, as real as they are to me" she states in "The Unfinished Autobiography." She wanted to show the spiritual Hierarchy as "living men" involved in human events and working under the Office of the Christ.

Alice Bailey's students are grateful for her pioneering work with the Tibetan. They believe that the spiritual Hierarchy, in an effort to assist humanity, intended these books to be distributed in this century so our hearts and minds would have the necessary tools for our evolution.

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Twenty-four Books of Esoteric Philosophy by Alice A. Bailey

Initiation, Human and Solar

An initiation is an expansion of consciousness, leading to revelation and illumination. Initiation is experienced by all forms of life, great and small. The work of the planetary Hierarchy, in its many stages of Mastership, is outlined in this book, and the Fourteen Rules are given by which the neophyte may become an Applicant at the Portal of Initiation.

Letters on Occult Meditation

The science of meditation, as a mind-training technique, is increasingly practiced everywhere. Meditation is concerned with energy flow, energy which is impersonal and fiery in nature; its potential dangers should therefore be understood and avoided, and practices adopted which are safe and trustworthy. This book sets out the basic factors, general and specific, showing the overall objective of the science of meditation to be planetary service.

The Consciousness of the Atom

In this book the scientific relation of matter and consciousness is discussed as evolution progressively affects the atomic substance of all forms. The "atom" emerges as a miniature but complete replica of the energy structure common to all forms of life--cosmic, planetary, human and subhuman.

A Treatise on Cosmic Fire

This volume deals with the underlying structure of occult teaching for the present era and with those vast cosmic processes reproduced through all areas of life from universe to atom. A large section of the book is directed to a detailed exposition of Solar Fire, the Fire of Mind, since this is the dominant energy to be understood and controlled during this second solar system. Among other values, the book provides a compact outline of a scheme of cosmology, philosophy and psychology which serves as a basic reference and text book.

The Light of the Soul

This volume is an original paraphrase, with commentary, of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras are of ancient origin, first reduced to writing by Patanjali, who is considered the founder of the Raja Yoga School. Control of the mind and its illumination by the soul are brought about through the practice of Raja Yoga.

The Soul and Its Mechanism

The soul works through the mechanism of the threefold personality. The method by which the soul and the personality vehicles interact and function together is presented in this volume; and also the way the human constitution, as a whole and in its component parts, responds to the impact of an evolving consciousness.

The Unfinished Autobiography

Although her death in December 1949 prevented the completion of this book, enough of the author's life story emerges to show the stages in her journey from Christian evangelism to mastery of the science of esotericism, and her work as an author, lecturer and teacher.

Discipleship in the New Age, Volumes I and II

These two volumes contain the record of a series of personal and group instructions given to a small group of aspirants over a period of fifteen years by a Master of the Wisdom. They contain detailed teachings on Meditation, Initiation and the Six Stages of Discipleship. They emphasise the new age, pioneering necessity for group work, the development of group consciousness, and the change in training for initiation from individuals to discipleship groups.

From Intellect to Intuition

The development of the intellect, while necessary, is a means to an end. The intellect should become a means of penetrating into new dimensions of thought and consciousness, and of awakening the intuitive faculty of "pure reason". Through occult meditation the gap is bridged between the threefold mind and the intuition.

A Treatise on White Magic

This book contains the Fifteen Rules for Magic (for soul control)--the soul, the white Magician, becoming manifest through its own inherent "magical" powers. The human being is essentially and inherently divine. The soul is the means whereby mankind evolves a consciousness of divinity, redeems gross matter and liberates the pure flame of spirit from the limitation of form.

From Bethlehem to Calvary

The life experience of the Master Jesus, including the Crucifixion, the Great Renunciation, is reflected in the life experience of all human beings. We can know and consciously cooperate in the journey which leads from the place of spiritual birth to the place of renunciation and resurrection.

Problems of Humanity

Six basic world problems--the psychological rehabilitation of the nations, the children, capital and labor minorities, the churches, and international unity--with many ramifications, continue to present humanity with opportunity for progress. A perspective on these problems is shown in this book; the spiritual factors and subjective causes are related to the outer appearances and effects on the world scene.

The Reappearance of the Christ

Many religions today expect the coming of an Avatar or Saviour. The second coming of the Christ, as the world Teacher for the age of Aquarius, is presented in this book as an imminent event, logical and practical in the continuity of divine revelation throughout the ages. The Christ belongs to all mankind; he can be known and understood as "the same great Identity in all the world religions".

The Destiny of the Nations

A nation is an evolving spiritual entity, subject, as a human being is, to the impact of energies. These energies influence the national consciousness, encouraging recognition of soul destiny and cooperation with that evolving process. The spiritual destiny of many nations and their predisposing soul and personality influences are discussed in this book.

Glamour: A World Problem

World glamour--the sumtotal of human ignorance, fear and greed--can dissipate through the clear, inclusive thinking of those in whom the soul (Christ) principle is awakening. Glamour results from a negative emotional focus; the dissipation of glamour depends on "illumined thinking".

Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle

The scientific basis for the widely accepted ideal of the "brotherhood of man" rests on the fact of the interwoven etheric--or energy--structure underlying all forms in all kingdoms within the planet. It is this essential oneness which provides the conditions for intercommunication on all levels of consciousness, and creates the possibility of simultaneous impression in many by a stream of Plan-inspired energy.

Education in the New Age

Education should be a continuous process from birth to death. It is essentially a process leading to reconciliation of the human and divine elements in the constitution of a human being. Right relationship between God and man, spirit and matter, the whole and the part, should be a prime objective of educational techniques.

The Externalisation of the Hierarchy

This book discusses the interdependence of all states of consciousness and kingdoms in nature within the planet. It shows the interaction between humanity, the Hierarchy and Shamballa, and sets out the essentials of Plan and Purpose which influence human affairs. The process of the externalisation of certain ashrams within the Hierarchy and the practical effects of the process are given in detail.

A Treatise on the Seven Rays:

Esoteric Psychology, Volumes I and II

Five volumes have been written under the overall title of A Treatise on the Seven Rays, based on the fact, the nature, the quality and the interrelationship of the seven streams of energy pervading our solar system, our planet and all that lives and moves within its orbit. These two volumes go extensively into the psychological make-up of a human being as the life, quality and appearance of an incarnating, evolving spiritual entity. They also relate the circumstance of a human psychology to world conditions and to future possibilities.

Esoteric Astrology, Volume III

The science of esoteric astrology is said to be the basic occult science of the future. Astrology is described in this book as "the science of relationships", a science which deals with those conditioning energies and forces which play through and upon the whole field of space and all that is found within it.

Esoteric Healing, Volume IV

Healing is an exact and an exacting science. Esoteric healing is equally scientific, based on a number of requirements, including knowledge of the constitution of man as a spiritual being and of the biology and anatomy of his physical form. In this book the seven ray techniques of healing are described; the laws and rules of healing are discussed; basic causes of disease are shown; and requirements for healing are given in detail.

The Rays and the Initiations, Volume V

The first part of this volume contains the Fourteen Rules for Group Initiation, an extension of the teachings given in Initiation, Human and Solar on the Fourteen Rules for Applicants. The second part of the book is concerned with the nine initiations by which the disciple progressively liberates himself from the various forms of our planetary life. The possibility of group initiation is a development of the present era; this volume emphasises the growth of the group idea--group service, group responsibility, group initiation and group absorption into the centre Hierarchy.

All of Alice Bailey's books are available in clothbound and paperback editions.

There is a CD-ROM edition of The Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy by Alice A. Bailey.

Published by Lucis Trust - See Links of Light

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