Triangles BULLETIN No. 153
September 2005

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

Five years ago, the beginning of a new millennium heralded a brighter, positive future for all of humanity. Expectations were high; the hope of many was palpable. None of us can forget the wonderful celebrations that took place throughout the planet at that time. Yet, five years on, this vision has been temporarily shattered in the wake of wanton acts of brutal terrorism, civil conflict, poverty, preventable disease and natural disaster. From one perspective, the present discord and imbalance is purely a reflection of the clash of ideals that is being wrought out on the world stage. The new forms in governance and the law, economics, science, education, and the like that will embody and anchor a higher ethical model are not as yet fully grounded in the outer world. Into this vacuum the disruptive forces of separatism seek to temporarily hold back the tide of evolution.

Yet, all is not lost. Humanity has faced far greater crises in its long journey from darkness to light. Today, there are thousands of groups and individuals who selflessly serve the needs of others in diverse ways. The note of goodwill is gathering momentum, captivating and engaging many in its path. Nevertheless, the depth of the world crisis challenges all thinking men and women of goodwill to uphold a higher vision to dissipate the separative, distorted and negative thinking that engulfs many of our fellow human beings.

We stand at a crossroads; the last two thousand years or so have focused human thinking on religious expression with its emphasis on devotion and idealism. The world’s faiths have been instrumental in nurturing the religious spirit. And, to some extent, this focus has served to develop human spirituality. But, today, there are many thinking people of goodwill who recognise a newer presentation of spiritual truth emerging in consciousness. They understand that the ‘religion’ of the future will address the spiritual aspirations and the practical needs of humanity; it will be inclusive in its presentation; and, yet hold a vision of the higher spiritual possibilities that await fuller revelation with the passage of time.

Events in this millennium have awakened humanity to some of the urgent global problems that can no longer be overlooked, if we are to move forward and allow untold millions of our fellow human beings to live in dignity and freedom. In Triangles, we actively engage in maintaining a clear and unimpeded channel along which revelation may flow. Developed human minds are slowly, but surely, anchoring these magnetic ideas emanating from the transcendent levels to unfold a culture of the soul. The penetrating light of the inner realms is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to uncover the inadequacies in society and release humanity into an era of peaceful co-existence and spiritual opportunity. We stand on the verge of a breakthrough in consciousness that will irrevocably turn the gaze of humanity towards the light.

THE SEVEN RAYS (Part 2)

In a previous article focusing on the seven rays, we discussed how these energies represent the cosmic archetypal building blocks that give their distinctive note or quality to all evolving lives. In this article, the primary emphasis will focus on rays 4, 5, 6 and 7. These energies have been described as the minor rays of attribute, because of their preponderant relationship to the evolution of the human personality in its fourfold nature: physical, etheric, emotional, and mental. The quality or characteristic of each of the four minor rays can be described as:

With these ideas in mind, it will be interesting to elaborate on the ray energies, especially in relation to the four minor rays that are impacting our planet at this time and consider how they are influencing the human kingdom. In the Alice Bailey teaching, we understand that rays 2, 3, 5, and 7 are now conditioning our planet, and that ray 4 will progressively flow into manifestation after 2025. Also, it is commented that ray 6 has been rapidly passing out of manifestation for nearly 400 years, and will continue to do so. These thoughts are revealing, and provide a clue to the apparent upheaval, distress and yet expanding awareness of humanity in the world today. With the passage of ray 6 (idealism), and the inflow of ray 5 (science) and ray 3 (intelligent activity), it is not surprising, especially in the western world, that the hold of ‘organised’ religion is on the wane. As the focus on education accelerates, human beings are learning to further develop their mental capacities. From the remotest regions of the world to our great cities, people of all ages are learning new skills, developing their thought-processes and evolving their potential as human beings. Idealism and devotion were the outstanding characteristics of the last few thousand years, and in the main developed through the pervasive influence of religion. In the coming centuries, the blending and interaction of science (ray 5), intelligent activity (ray 3) and relationship (ray 7) will reach new heights. These characteristics are already evident in the consciousness of humanity. Leading thinkers are elaborating on the relationship between science and religion, and on the need to bring about a connection between the spiritual, human and natural worlds. Also, the synthesising of diverse service initiatives is gradually being formulated in the minds of spiritual thinkers worldwide. No doubt, with the passage of time, we will see a greater integration both on inner and outer levels of these groups, responding to human need with increasing skill in action and unity of purpose, and pooling their substantial resources for the greater Good.

Ray 4 occupies a peculiar position in that it stands midway in the septenate of energies. It plays a significant role in the life of humanity, and leads from conflict to harmony, balance or equilibrium. This energy helps to distinguish truth from falsity, to draw out the emerging spiritual values at the expense of materialistic pre-occupations. Harmony, balance, peace, whatever name we may ascribe is clearly an aspiration of humanity at this time. People are tired of the ceaseless conflict in the world and yearn for peaceful co-existence.

Underlying all these trends, shifts in consciousness and outer activity sweep the cosmic waves of love (ray 2), bringing about the tendency towards right relations, and an inclusive awareness. Such is the unfolding majesty, intricacy and interrelationship of life. With all these influences and the growing sensitivity of the human family, it is not surprising that people are confused and bewildered. To see behind the outer events to the underlying energy patterns is not always easy, but a deeper understanding of the rays does in part provide a clue to the unfolding mystery of life. In our planetary group work, Triangles, we have the opportunity to help express the higher aspects of these ray energies; so that, amongst other spiritual patterns, wholeness, right relationships and altruistic scientific discovery will permeate human living.

THE PLANETARY NETWORK –

The work of the Tara project Australia focuses a diverse range of "welfare projects, humanitarian ideals and concepts guided by the universal principles of Buddhism". The project is named after the female Buddha, ‘Tara’, who is the Great Compassionate Mother of all Buddhas. The group aims "to make a contribution to the mental and physical welfare of all beings…. [and] to explore solutions to problems of humankind by employing the timeless wisdom of Buddhism". Although the work of the Tara project is based upon Buddhist principles, it does not exclude non- Buddhist participants or activities. The group explains: "we believe this demonstrates the universality of our work and the versatile potential of the philosophy’s relevance in modern times". The Tara project is involved in a number of diverse initiatives. In Australia, it provides services for rehabilitation (such as for drug and alcohol abuse), and provides courses and workshops in Mindfulness, meditation for corporations, small business and groups. Internationally, the group focuses on animal welfare and community development in the third-world regions of the Himalayas.

The Tara project Australia inc.
6 Walter Street
Leichhardt
NSW 2040
Australia
Tel/Fax: +61 2 9560 0302
Email: TheTaraprojectAustralia@compuserve.com

Canadian Crossroads International Canadian Crossroads International (CCI) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to building "a constituency of global citizens committed to voluntarism, international development and social action in the new millennium". Some of the values and beliefs that shape CCI’s remit are:

• we value equitable relationships between the North and South,
• we respect and embrace diversity.
• we believe in the importance of raising awareness and understanding of other cultures and perspectives.
• we believe that everyone has a responsibility to contribute to creating a better world.
• we believe that people, acting together in organizations and communities, have the capacity to bring about a better world. CCI has identified four main areas in order to carry out its work:

1. Sustainable development programming in South and North for volunteers.
2. Global volunteerism. CCI explains: "The foundation of CCI’s programs is volunteer action and leadership. CCI is committed to fostering and sustaining global volunteer networks…."
3. Financial Stewardship. CCI is focused on diversifying its funding base over the next five years with emphasis on long-term, self-generating strategies.
4. Enhanced Organizational Effectiveness. CCI writes: "CCI will continually and critically review its activities from internal and external perspectives so as to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of program delivery".

Canadian Crossroads International
317 Adelaide Street West
Suite 500
Toronto
Ontario M5V 1P9
Canada Tel: +1 416 967 1611; Fax: +1 416 967 9078
Web: www.cciorg.ca; Email: info@cciorg.ca

IN THE TRACKS OF HERCULES

The tests to which Hercules willingly subjected himself and the labours into which he sometimes thoughtlessly rushed are those which are possible to many thousands now. (Alice Bailey)

Myth has always been one of the great ways for humanity to learn about spiritual realities. It is susceptible to many levels of understanding and can reveal something of truth to people at widely different stages of consciousness. The story of the Labours of Hercules demonstrates this to a wonderful degree. Superficially it portrays the exciting adventures of a hero figure. At a much deeper level it depicts in symbol the journey of the awakening soul. As such it carries meaning to us all.

Lucis Trust is hosting an Arts Celebration of dance, music, art, poetry and comedy exploring the many facets of Hercules’ spiritual growth. This will take place in London at Wathen Hall, St Pauls School, Barnes, London on the weekend of 3rd & 4th December 2005. The catalyst for the event is the Kerry Woodward’s ballet, Sidera Herculana, which will be performed by the dance company, ‘Unstructured Light’. In addition to live performances, there will be displays of painting and sculpture as well as talks and opportunities for discussion. From all over the world contributors to the event are offering interpretations of the labours, ranging from the literal to the abstract. The best of the submitted pieces are being performed or displayed during the weekend celebration. Many of the art works are already featured in the website Gallery

(www1.lucistrust.org/hercules) and in addition to the 'Event' display, selected pieces of art and sculpture will be exhibited and offered for sale from the 5th to 10th December at The Lennox Gallery, 77 Moore Park Road, Fulham, London.

Please contact Lucis Trust if you would like to know when tickets become available. Triangles is a world service activity in which people link in thought in groups of three to create a planetary network of triangles of light and goodwill. Using a world prayer, the Great Invocation, they invoke light and love as a service to humanity. Further information is available on request from Triangles. The Triangles Bulletin is for men and women of goodwill and is published four times a year in Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. Triangles is an activity of the Lucis Trust, a non-profit educational charity which exists to promote right human relations.

Triangles is a world service activity in which people link in thought in groups of three to create a planetary network of triangles of light and goodwill. Using a world prayer, the Great Invocation, they invoke light and love as a service to humanity. Further information is available on request from Triangles. The Triangles Bulletin is for men and women of goodwill and is published four times a year in Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. Triangles is an activity of the Lucis Trust, a non-profit educational charity which exists to promote right human relations.

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