In listening and speaking about the subject of groups and organizations to a number of persons who are from different spiritual paths, I learned that many spiritually oriented people today seem verbally rejecting of the idea of group involvement. Most of those with whom I spoke are oriented toward personal spiritual growth, isolating themselves from any spiritual group activity; perhaps fearing a loss of personal identity. Yet, through our discussions, I observed that, in fact, the majority do demonstrate a proclivity toward community or group consciousness. I do not believe that my observations and their comments are in conflict; for no matter if the people are members of a group or those who are self-involved, the majority are taking steps toward responsible living. In the past there seemed to be only a few who were willing to take responsibility for the effect their lives had upon the whole of a community. Today there is a step toward becoming more involved with the effect one’s life has upon the community. Many are no longer willing to leave the responsibility of the effects of life to others, especially the effects of politics, education, science, and finance. I learned that when the self-involved spiritual seeker comes in contact with his life purpose, it is then he will advance to a group consciousness, and from there he will embrace the world as a cosmic-conscious member.
Community consciousness can be defined as the awareness of one’s responsibility to all peoples in all families, in all groups, in all nations, regardless of outward differences. There is a very decided trend of higher consciousness from those who are striving to participate in a more responsible manner, those who have a group consciousness—from a family to a global to a cosmic awareness. There is also an expanding awareness of the Divine Consciousness, a Divine Spark that is found within each life form, whether it is in a human being, an animal, a country or a planet: a belief that it is through the Divine Spark that every creative life in the world is related to the One Life.
The quotation by Teilhard de Chardin is reflective of that belief. De Chardin was a visionary who had hope for the future of humanity; and in his hope, he revealed how unity, cultural differences and a creative consciousness can uplift humanity.
Shanti
Joleen D. Du Bois
President
Groups and Friendship
by Laura Crow
Friendship creates
a foundation for group work. The basis of friendship is right human relations.
As friendship grows, there develops in each friend:
mindful of his or her attitudes, reactions and responses and take responsibility
for them. A simple, caustic comment can dissolve a friendship unless the
other person understands the cause behind the expression and has a forgiving
nature. Friendship means to subordinate one’s own desires and interests
in favor of those that are for the welfare and good of the friend. To have
a friend, one must be a friend.
A group is a higher form of friendship. In friendship, the goal is limited to individuals. In groups, the goal involves a wider scope of participation and use of members’ energies. It entails dedication to a higher cause, to something that benefits or serves: a segment of humanity or humanity as a whole; the lesser kingdoms and our Planet Earth; that which is designed to externalize the Hierarchy on Earth; that which helps manifest the Plan and Purpose on our planet.
Those qualities that are indigenous to true friendship apply to group members as well, (i.e., respect, loyalty, sacrifice, sincerity, dependability). Group work, by its very nature, requires a synthesis of varying personalities and talents into a coordinated entity that can accomplish the common goal. A group cannot succeed without each member practicing to a major degree: harmony, right speech and right human relations, respect for one another and the goal of the group, tolerance, cooperation, inclusiveness, honesty, striving, discipline, enthusiasm, harmlessness, self-forgetfulness, and responsibility—to each other and in sharing the work of the group. Important to successful group work is the help coworkers give each other in attaining higher consciousness and progressing on their evolutionary path, in overcoming vanities and enemies of their personality natures.
A true group develops “group consciousness,” which is a blending of the consciousness of all those who strive to reach the group goal. Group consciousness arouses the identity of all souls with each other and with the One Soul. It pertains to understanding the oneness of all souls.
If you have ever belonged to a group that has been successful in achieving its goal, you have been privileged to experience the pure joy of participating in a conglomerate of varying personalities and talents who work together harmoniously. You have discovered that the above-named qualities and attributes of the individuals can overcome obstacles and weaknesses that interfere and challenge. The quality of human relations, so important in both friendships and groups, determines the degree of effectiveness produced by cooperation, harmony, love and relationships among members.
When the necessary qualities are present,
contact with higher planes, where creativity abides, is available. This,
of course, is not only desirable, but essential to achieve any vision,
whether it is one of friendship or of a group. The higher the value of
the fusion of group members, their sense of at-one-ness and unity, the
stronger the radiation that attracts the attention of the Masters of Wisdom.
This facilitates and strengthens the connection between the two and the
more effective is the guidance and inspiration emanating from the Hierarchy.
In this way, cooperation of esoteric groups contributes to the essential
work of the Masters.
Discipleship and
Group Work
by Joleen D. DuBois
A
disciple is one who is dedicated to the Teachings of the Great Ones. His
dedication is evidenced in his day-to-day life as he embraces the seven
principles of Their Teachings in all of his creative work: the seven principles
of Beauty, Goodness, Righteousness, Joy, Freedom, Sacrifice and Service.
This is also evidenced in his work to embrace, make clear and manifest
the light of their Teachings. The work of a disciple through his dedicated
service to humanity creates centers of illumination, centers of willpower
and sacred places of Beauty on earth and in Space.
The magnetism, radiation and illumination of an advanced disciple or initiate attracts disciples from throughout the world whose consciousnesses are illumined with currents of energy flowing from the Heart of Hierarchy. As disciples awaken and are drawn to the outpouring currents of the Hierarchy, groups are formed. These groups are gradually charged and magnetized by the creative energy radiating from the Hierarchy. The groups are found working in the seven fields of human endeavor: politics, education, communication and philosophy, the arts and sciences, as well as in the fields of religion and finance.
Each person who is drawn to the vision of a magnetized group is attracted by the keynote of his Soul, which is in harmony with the keynote of the group. In time, with spiritual alignment, the person becomes a “working member,” and is recognized by his sensitivity to the vision of the group, by his developed sense of responsibility, by his clarity of thinking and the purity of his heart. The one who is drawn to work in a discipleship group is, therefore, one who takes increasing responsibility for his actions, for his speech, and for his effects upon the working group’s labor, upon related groups and upon the world community. He realizes that all of his expressions, words, motives, and day-to-day activities can harmoniously influence or become discordant to the manifestation of his group’s vision and to the work of related groups, groups who are responding to the Elders of Light.
In referring to the term work, I am implying spiritual work. Spiritual work is a continuing progressive unfoldment of the Spark that is in harmonization with the Divine Plan and Purpose of Life. Work in a discipleship group finds each group-conscious member actively engaged in physical, emotional, mental and spiritual creativity that is in synchronization with the divine Plan. Each group-conscious member helps the other members of the group when there is a need, needs such as an illness, spiritual or earthly trials, changes of fortune, crisis, loss and more. The group conscious member will find ways and means to increase the light of the group mind and to labor for the unfolding vision of the group. A disciple who is a member of the group not only supports the labor of his immediate group, but also the labor of related groups through his conscious awareness and contact with the synthesis of the seven fields. Through such spiritual work, a discipleship group serves the Plan for Humanity.
The disciple in a group can be recognized by his leadership—his dedication, devotion, discipline, intelligence and sacrificial service—to the group vision. He can also be recognized by his alignment to the group goals and objectives: the plan, purpose and projects of the group. A disciple never becomes “lost” in the mechanism of the personality of the group but rather maintains his individuality. To have individuality means to have contact with the Self.1 When the disciple has contact with the Self, he has the love and wisdom to live and think for all humanity. The note of his Soul is tuned to the opus of universal harmony.
It is not uncommon to find group members who use the group for personal gain; or who become caught in a negative whirlpool of criticism, egotism, bossiness and fanaticism; or who are found being occasionally swept into the emotions of anger, jealousy, and greed. But to sustain a true group while it is building its higher mind requires at least three disciples. These are the hard-working disciples of the group, who through many incarnations of the human soul, have purified much of their personal karma and transformed their personality bodies into a deeper spiritual maturity. It is these disciples who, through the light, love and power of the Teachings of the Great Ones, will not succumb to the influences of the dark forces or their agents. They reflect a maturity that is recognized by their infinite patience, humility, positive humor, understanding and depth of forgiveness toward the immature but spiritually motivated member. It is the disciples in the group who, while always aware of the often chaotic emotions of group members treading the probationary path, will exercise spiritual discernment and detachment, and thereby not be controlled by the chaotic activity. It is the disciples, the leadership of the group, whose lighted presence forms the group’s Core. Their sacrificial labor inspires the future of the group work.
Based on the degree of light in his mental sphere, there is a stage in group work where the consciousness of a disciple becomes part of a Group whose members are able to function on the higher mental plane; these members have a facility in both subjective and objective realms. This is an indication that there are different levels or stages of group advancement, responsibility, and levels of consciousness found among working groups. Each stage or level is vital to the precipitation of the Hierarchical Plan for humanity.
What is the relationship between the subjective level group and the physical, objective plane group? Eventually the magnetized physical plane group will create and then bond with the subjective level group. When this fusion has taken place, the actively working group member(s) will attend the meetings of the subjective group where he will study and learn. Likewise, the subjective group member(s) will attend the various instructional classes and meetings of the physical plane discipleship group. This is a beautiful and responsible experience for both the subjective and objective plane members. The disciples from each group work hard for each other. The group conscious members of the physical plane group continuously strive to surpass themselves: always engaged in sacrificial service, meditation, living a balanced life, and being mentally-intuitively-spiritually oriented.
There is evidenced a strong urge to ward advancement through the seven principles of Life. Once the groups are fused, the physical plane group members will be charged with the inspiration and the knowledge of the subjective members through telepathic impression. The physical plane group will likewise provide information to the subjective group of their activities and happenings. When a member of the physical plane group dies, he will be drawn into the subjective plane group. When the Call to return is heard by the subjective plane group member, he will be drawn to the physical plane group. This bond between the subjective group and physical plane group is built upon the principle of unity and, thus, cannot be broken or separated. The two groups are aligned with the One Source. Such groups are like constellations forming part of the solar system.
__________________________
1. The Self is the Core of the human being. The True Self is the developing, unfolding human soul, who is trying to liberate himself from the control of maya, glamor and illusion; he is one who is travelling back to the Creator and, in so doing, is becoming his True Self.
Torkom's Teaching on the New Era Groups
Group Members and Dimensions
of Group Consciousness
“If the members of a group want to change the dimension or plane of their group consciousness, they must raise the group’s goals. For example, a goal that is physical in nature must be raised to an emotional goal, then to mental, Intuitional, and Atmic goals, or national, global, and solar goals, and so on. As a group raises the level of its goal, the members of the group must have more information and deeper understanding regarding the plane on which they are operating. If they operate on the physical plane, they must know themselves, as they are, on the physical plane. When they operate on emotional, mental or Intuitional planes, they must know exactly what they are on those planes.” 1
Group
Consciousness and
Levels of Labor
“Group consciousness will work on a national
level when various sections or parties of that nation are dedicated to
the highest good of the nation. Group consciousness will work in humanity
when all nations hold the interest of humanity higher than any national
interest.
“Later, such consciousness of a unified humanity will
fuse with the consciousness of the Hierarchy and Shamballa, then turn into
global, solar, and galactic consciousness—just as a small business becomes
a huge global corporation.
“We will eventually understand that it is more advantageous to be identified as a member of a family than as a single person; as a part of a group than simply as a family; as a nation than as a mere group; as humanity rather than as a nation.” 2
The Group and the Chalice
“It is very interesting to know that the first and second circle of petals [of the Lotus] can unfold if a person has the right relationship with his threefold personality vehicles and with other human beings or with his Teacher, but the third circle of petals cannot be unfolded unless a person unites with an advancing group and demonstrates pure sacrificial love, dedication, and devoted service.
“Many people wait many incarnations to be able to be a part of a group and demonstrate selfless and sacrificial relationships and labor. It is the group’s fire that helps the individual unfold his third circle of petals. This is why group work is very important. It is in group labor that our true character comes out and passes through critical tests.
“The Chalice is the symbol of a group. In the future, a group will be organized as a Lotus with twelve divisions in four groupings. Such a formation will be done scientifically with clairvoyant help so that no immature person penetrates into the group. The central fire will be the Teacher in the group who will try to help petals unfold, demonstrating service in the fields of knowledge, love, and sacrifice.
“In the Higher Worlds, those groups which are sacrificial organisms and have a high level of coordination will be accepted, and spiritual duties will be given to those groups to function as centers in greater groups. This is why group integration is a supreme goal for each group member. Those who take advantage of group members or who are engaged in slander and treason are soon aborted by the group, and their evolution is delayed for many, many incarnations.” 3
“As the love petals of the Chalice unfold, they create pressure on the petals of the heart center in the head to unfold parallel to the love petals of the Chalice.
“The love petals of the Chalice relate a person to humanity. As the love for humanity unfolds, the person feels at one with humanity and shares its joys and sorrows and, in the meantime, turns into a stream of love that pours into the Chalice of humanity.
“The petals of the heart center relate a person to a group and react to the group ‘unhappiness or happiness.’ The love petals of the Chalice open as the human being shows real concern about the condition of humanity. The joys and sorrows of humanity stimulate these petals and help them unfold. The same is true for the heart center in relation to group life. Group joys or group sufferings affect the heart center, and the person begins to transcend his personal love and feel the group love.” 4
____________________________
Editor’s note: All information is reprinted with permission of the Creative
Trust. All rights reserved.
1. Torkom Saraydarian, The Psychology of Cooperation and Group Consciousness
(West Hills, CA: T.S.G. Enterprises, 1989), pp. 23 - 24
2. Ibid., p. 34
3. Torkom Saraydarian, The Subconscious Mind and the Chalice (West
Hills, CA: T.S.G. Publishing Foundation, Inc., 1993) pp. 270-271.
4. Ibid., p. 316
Two,
nine-week classes, will be held during June and July this summer, for spiritually
oriented men and women who have an interest in the Ageless Wisdom esoteric
studies. Joleen D. Du Bois, the founder of the White Mountain Educational
Group will lead each class. Though both classes will be held in Prescott,
each class is also offered to you through the class-by-tape program. All classes
ask for pre-registration.
Ordained in 1981 following seven years of seminary
training, Joleen began offering a variety of spiritually oriented programs
and classes that were deeply seated in the Teachings of Light. Courses which
bring to light the Teachings of Torkom Saraydarian, Helena Roerich and Agni
Yoga. Though recognized as a spiritual teacher, when asked, Joleen will tell
you that she is simply a student of life who enjoys sharing what she is learning
and experiencing.
___________________________________
SUPERMUNDANE - The Inner Life. Selected verses from Book
One of Supermundane - of the Agni Yoga Series of publications,
will be considered and discussed, during what promises to be a very energizing
class. In thinking about the supermundane, "The Great Teacher often directed
the gaze of His disciples to the planets, saying, 'Many are the homes, and
there is life everywhere.' He wanted His disciples to love Infinity."
This class will meet on Tuesdays, beginning June 2 - through July 28th, 7
- 8 p.m.
A GUIDE TO PSYCHIC SELF-DEFENSE. In 1997 the book Battling
Dark Forces: A Guide to
Psychic Self-Defense was published for the purpose of education. The author
of this book, Torkom Saraydarian, envisioned that this book could be used
as guide-line toward understanding the forces of darkness. He explained that
one day his Teacher told him that "…all that exists in the world, in society,
in our mind, and in politics is there for a reason, and that life cannot proceed
without things existing that we both hate and love." His Teacher also explained,
"Don't you see that it is because of these things that we develop virtues,
spiritual principles, health and happiness and make breakthroughs from plane
to plane?" As a group, we will discuss several sections from the book
including "Psychic Attacks," "Slander and Slanderers," "The Battle," "Victory
Over Darkness," "The Legend of Good & Evil," and "Liberation." This class
will meet on Wednesdays, beginning June 3rd - through July 29th, 7 - 8 p.m.
________________________
1. Supermundane I, from verse 176, Agni Yoga Society,
1928, all rights reserved.
2. Battling Dark Forces, Torkom Saraydarian, p.
13. Published by New Vision Publishing, Sedona. Copyright, The Creative Trust.
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