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SECTION THREE - FORCES BEHIND THE EVOLUTIONARY PROGRESS OF THE RACE - Part 2

But, my brother, all things have to become new and that means a new vision, a new idealism, and a new life technique. Past ideals, past dreams and past efforts to tread the Path and express brotherhood have produced most successfully a certain changed attitude in the race, a new orientation to the life of the spirit, and a focussed intention to move forward. That was the desired goal and that goal has now been reached.

The right attitude is now present in many people in every race, and it is the recognition of this which has called forth the activity of the Brothers of the Shadow at this time. They realise that the time of their power is shortening. The hold of the materialistic values over man is steadily becoming weaker. So far has man progressed that there are enough people in the world today to turn the tide if they can be aroused from their apathy.

I tried to arouse them to speed and clear thinking between the years 1932-1938 but though something was accomplished, it was not enough. The blindness, illusion, separativeness and inertia of the aspirants of the world today constitute one of the factors with which the Hierarchy has to contend. Aspirants are preoccupied with their own little affairs and with their own small efforts, instead of relinquishing everything in an endeavour to unite on the needed appeal and activity. They are contending for their own interpretations of truth, and for their pet ideals of peace, living or work and—like Nero—they "fiddle whilst Rome burns." All their lives they have fought for an ideal and a dream, and they love that more than they love humanity. Yet—all that is needed is such a deep love of humanity that it works out on all levels of activity and all life effort. If the idealists of the world would realise the situation as it is, they would relinquish all that they hold dear and come to the rescue of humanity, and thus snatch the helpless masses back from [311] slavery and death. They would battle for the freedom of the human soul with every weapon in the armory of mankind. They would hold back the forces of aggression by force itself if need be. They would aim at clear thinking, and thus clear the channel for the inflow of spiritual force. The major prerequisites today for true world service are an overwhelming love of humanity and a sense of proportion. The only requirements today for disciples and aspirants may be summed up as follows:

1. The doing of everything possible to bring the war to an end. Every physical plane method must be used to drive the forces of evil and of cruelty back to their dark place. Physical plane methods, when motivated by unchanging love of humanity and under the direction of an enlightened soul, become agents of righteousness. There are worse things than the death of the physical body; there is the enslaving of the human soul.

2. The focussing of the inner life towards the Hierarchy in radiant faith. The way of the Coming One must be made clear, and the life force must be dedicated to the outer life of compassion.

3. The clarifying of the mental life in the pure light of the soul. Disciples live too much in the world of feeling; hence the clouding of their vision. When they have clarified their minds and see the situation whole, they can then appeal to the Avatar to make His appearance. This appeal must be made via the Christ.

4. Disciples must endeavour to understand what are the objectives of the Avatar, and thus fit themselves to cooperate.

The second step is to understand clearly what is the task which must be undertaken in preparation for the Coming One. This entails four things:

1. The effort to stand with all other disciples and aspirants in an attempt to call forth the Avatar, to reach Him by focussed intensive thought and to evoke His response. This [312] is the purpose of the new Invocation. It voices intent, makes demand and pledges cooperation.

2. The providing of a nucleus or group through which the Avatar of Synthesis can work when the lesser Avatar has come forth upon the physical plane. This involves individual activity, the sounding out of a clear note, based on clear mental perception, the recognition of those allied in the work and the development of conscious group work. In this group work the personality is subordinated and only the following determinations are dominant:

a. The determination to offer group service—as a group—to the world group.

b. The determination to establish right human relations upon the planet.

c. The determination to develop everywhere the spirit of goodwill.

d. The determination to withstand evil through planned group activity.

3. To construct a network of light and service in every land. This is begun in the individual environment of the server, and gradually extended throughout the world. It was with this idea in view that I suggested the forming of triangles of people, pledged to use the Invocation and to extend its use through the world. It is my specific plan to help mass world thought and thus evoke the Avatar, and likewise to provide a world group through which the new forces and energies can function, the new ideas can spread, and the coming world order find adherents.

4. To prepare the general public for the Coming One by pointing out the testimony of the past, the recognition of the universal need for divine intervention and the holding out of hope to the distressed, the doubting and the tortured. In His appearance lies hope, and history testifies that it has frequently happened at times of world crisis.

Such are the possibilities which I present to your understanding. I have told and taught you much in past years. [313] I have often asked for your cooperation and your help in world service. Some have responded and given help. Many have longed to aid. The majority have done little or nothing. In this moment of crisis (within the world crisis) I again ask for your cooperation and leave you to make your decision.

May the love of God and of your fellowmen inspire you; the light of your souls direct you and the strength of the group enable you to aid in bringing good out of the present evil by right action and clear thinking.

THE WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION

August 1941

As I have studied the world disciples during the present world crisis, I see them borne down by inertia—not the inertia that comes from selfishness and self-centredness, or the inertia due to lack of understanding of the nature of the crisis, or the inertia due to sheer laziness, but an inertia based upon a deep, inner depression, to a sense of human failure and to an introspectiveness which is natural but useless at this time. Some disciples (both on the probationary path and on the path of discipleship) take refuge in the perpetuation of the activities with which they were engaged when the war started; some take refuge in a determination to wait until the crisis is over, and appear to think that any work along the old lines of spiritual endeavour is of no real use; still others take refuge in a feverish outer occupation with things which the average man who is not spiritually oriented can do as well, if not better. Some disciples and aspirants are spending their time fighting a psychic sensitivity, evoked by world conditions; many are simply overwhelmed and stunned by humanity's pain and agony, by the horror of the moment, by anxiety over the future, and by anticipation of still worse happenings. Their imaginations are working overtime and quite uselessly. To some of these attitudes, all of you are susceptible.

I write today to call all world disciples and aspirants to an intensive period of preparation for future activity and [314] work. From now until the Sun moves northward, I would ask each of you to do three things:

First, strengthen—through meditation, prayer and clear thinking—your faith, confidence and joy, and above all else, deepen your love of humanity, carrying the love of the soul through on to the physical plane and into all your human relations.

Secondly, eliminate out of your personality life, as far as you can or should, anything (mental, psychic, emotional or physical) which might hinder your future usefulness.

Thirdly, plan together for the work of the future. This work can be inaugurated shortly and must be started slowly, carefully, and with unreserved cooperation with me and with each other. It must be carried out steadily and undeviatingly, with no lost motion, once its outlines are determined, and it should be carried out together.

The major need today for each and all who must sponsor the work of the future that I am seeking to do with your cooperation and understanding, is to foster the growth of the will to love and work. This effort on your part will express itself in a steadily deepening love for humanity—for all men and for each other. It will demonstrate in a constant effort to invoke the spiritual will in self-discipline and persistence; it will show itself in the intelligent carrying forward of the plan as I shall seek progressively to outline it.

This work can only be carried forward by people who love their fellowmen enough and have sufficient illumination to enable them to work with me dependably for a period of five years in the face of anything which may happen; they must be people who will endeavour to permit no personality misunderstanding to hinder their usefulness and their group interrelation, and who—because they love enough—will ceaselessly subordinate everything to the task which must be done. The second thing I ask you to do is to gather out of all the past pamphlets and my later writings those plans and instructions on service which will be applicable to the changed conditions and in the immediate future. Study this carefully along with the requests and [315] suggestions in this letter, so that you may know what I, your Tibetan teacher, feel could and should be done by you in the service of the immediate future. I would ask those of you who care to do so to meet together at the time of the Full Moon in October for fellowship, united meditation, consecration and consultation. I would ask those of you who live and work at more distant points to write briefly your reactions to the suggested endeavour, indicating how you feel you can best aid in the task. I would ask all of you who associate yourselves with me in the work of the future, each day to use the very brief meditation which I outline below. It is dynamic, affirmative and—if rightly used—should link head and heart, leading thus to intelligent loving service, and it should also serve to bind you all together in the closest spiritual unity. This will aid in the vitalising of the etheric bodies of all workers, and therefore in a group vitality which will be irresistible.

Suggested Meditation

Each morning, prior to starting the day's activities, achieve an inner quiet, see the Self as the soul, place your self at the disposition of the soul, of humanity and of your group.

1. Then say silently and with full dynamic intent:

At the centre of all love I stand; from that centre, I the soul will outward move; from that centre, I the one who serves will work. May the love of the divine Self be shed abroad in my heart, through my group and throughout the world.

2. Then, focussing your attention and dedication, see the group to which you belong as a great centre of love and light, irradiating the world of men, bringing relief, light, love and healing in increasing measure.

3. Brood then upon the plan to be carried out and upon the indicated service for the coming day. Do this as the [316] soul, keeping the personal lower self in a waiting attitude, like a servant attentive for instruction.

4. Then say:

The joy of the divine Self is my strength.

The power of the spirit of man shall triumph.

The Forces of Light do control the forces of evil.

The work of the Great Ones must go on.

The Coming One is on the way. The Avatar approaches.

For this we must prepare.

5. Close with a minute of dynamic quiet.

I will ask you to do this meditation every day until January 1st, 1942, when I will give you another step in this Meditation of Preparation for the Coming One. Its aim is to prepare all of you interiorly. I would ask you also to read and re-read the instruction I gave you on Avatars. (pp. 285-313.)

You will constitute the initial group which I am asking to collaborate with me in the reconstruction work of the New Age. As time goes on, subsidiary groups will be indicated who can work in the various countries as focal points in the great network of light which is forming everywhere under the inspiration of the world disciples and aspirants in every land, as they work under instruction of the Hierarchy. Some of them are known to you. Many of them are not known to any of you. But they represent the working groups of all the Masters, and upon their shoulders rests the work of reconstruction, aided by the thousands and thousands of men and women of goodwill in every land.

The meeting upon the ocean of the two world disciples and leaders marked a crisis in world affairs. The Eight Points (see page 318) formulated by them constitute the basis of the coming world order. They were necessarily large in outline and without details as to application. It will be for a liberated humanity to work out these details, to make the necessary adjustments, and to so rearrange human life that the higher spiritual values may prevail, a simpler mode of life may be instituted, a greater freedom be established, and a wider responsibility be shouldered by every [317] man. This will take time. Some of you may not live to see the full clarification of the way that humanity must go (the "Lighted Way" of the future), but you can, all of you, aid materially in the important task of preparation, in indicating the needed world principles, in spreading the gospel of goodwill, and in establishing right human relations. The work done in thought, in love and in dedicated activity during the next three years is of paramount importance and will produce the stabilisation to take place in the last two years of the five mentioned by me above as your immediate time of cooperation.

You who are working in the midst of the chaos and conflict cannot and will not be able to judge accurately the measure of accomplishment. Only the Members of the Hierarchy (Masters, initiates and the disciples who are out of incarnation at this time) can get a true perspective. The working disciples in the forefront of the battle have to carry on their work in the midst of chaos, turmoil, questioning, pain, and distress. They cannot, therefore, see the picture whole. A few of the more advanced who can "live on the heights and in the valley and the depths" simultaneously can see truly, but their numbers are not large, and the Christ spoke a true word to His bewildered disciple when He said, "Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed." The following of the meditation, adherence to the instructions given, persistence in the face of difficulty, and a staunch belief in the beauty of the human spirit, in the love of God, in the victory of the Forces of Light and in the approach of the Coming One—these are the attitudes which we, the workers on the inner side, ask of those we choose to carry on our work upon the outer plane.

This letter deals with the forming of the group to carry out the plans for 1942-1945. It is being formed in the dark of the year, at the nadir point of human distress, at the most difficult moment in human history, at a point of crisis and—in the case of many of you as individuals—at the time of your deepest personal difficulty. I tell you that all of you, together, are equal to the task.

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I will again write to you and will indicate the practical aspects of the work. In the meantime, ponder and reflect upon what I have written here; begin the meditation and endeavour to strengthen your link with your soul and with each other. Let love—not emotion and sentiment—control your thoughts, words and deeds. I would ask you also to study carefully the indications I have given in the past as to the work which must be done, and I would ask you also to study carefully the Eight Points outlined on the high seas, and the Four Freedoms so oft discussed throughout the world.

Let quietness and depth characterise your inner life.

THE EIGHT POINTS OF THE ATLANTIC CHARTER

August 14, 1941

The President of the United States of America, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, representing his Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, being met together, deem it right to make known certain common principles in the national policies of their respective countries on which they base their hopes for a better future for the world.

First, their countries seek no aggrandizement, territorial or other;

Second, they desire to see no territorial changes that do not accord with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned;

Third, they respect the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will live; and they wish to see sovereign rights and self-government restored to those who have been forcibly deprived of them;

Fourth, they will endeavour, with due respect for their existing obligations, to further the enjoyment by all States, great or small, victor or vanquished, of access, on equal terms, to the trade and to the raw materials of the world which are needed for their economic prosperity;

Fifth, they desire to bring about the fullest collaboration between all nations in the economic field with the object of securing, for all, improved labour standards, economic advancement and social security.

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Sixth, after the final destruction of the Nazi tyranny, they hope to see established a peace which will afford to all nations the means of dwelling in safety within their own boundaries, and which will afford assurance that all the men in all the lands may live out their lives in freedom from fear and want;

Seventh, such a peace should enable all men to traverse the high seas and oceans without hindrance;

Eighth, they believe that all the nations of the world, for realistic as well as spiritual reasons, must come to the abandonment of the use of force. Since no future peace can be maintained if land, sea or air armaments continue to be employed by nations which threaten, or may threaten, aggression outside of their frontiers, they believe, pending the establishment of a wider and permanent system of general security, that the disarmament of such nations is essential. They will likewise aid and encourage all other practicable measures which will lighten for peace-loving peoples the crushing burden of armaments.

THE FOUR FREEDOMS

January 6, 1941

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.

The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world.

The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world.

The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world.

The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a worldwide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbour—anywhere in the world.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

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PRACTICAL STEPS IN THE RECONSTRUCTION WORK

September 1941

It will be obvious to you that there is little that I can say as to exact procedure until such time as humanity itself has decided the future conditions of human living. I mean exactly that, my brother. The war is not yet decided. There is a widespread feeling that God (as we call the Central Power of Life itself) will or should intervene; there is a vague demand that right should triumph and a desperate hope that something unexpected will happen that will give victory to the arms of the Forces of Light. This attitude of painful expectancy is universal among the masses—both those in the fighting countries and the neutrals also. In the neutral countries (of which the United States is the largest and the most important) there are two factors conditioning the thinking of the people:

First, a deep-seated though not unnatural selfishness, which prompts the determination to take no real part in the war, except what can be done safely and at the least possible cost, and secondly, a steadily emerging cleavage between the relatively few who have vision and want actively to help the embattled Allies (the agents of the Forces of Light), and the selfish many who—for political, religious or personal reasons—will fight every effort to commit their country further than it is at this time committed, and who hope nevertheless to share in the benefits of victory.

In the last analysis, however, the world situation must be settled by humanity itself. The Hierarchy cannot interfere. Humanity has the privilege and the opportunity to take right action now. The Coming One Who is being so fervently invoked throughout the world, either by prayer, invocation or unvoiced demand, is concerned with readjustment, with the right fusion of forces and with the healing of the peoples. This worldwide invocative demand is largely prompted by a defeatist position or by a compassionate longing to see the long agony of man ended; it is seldom prompted by conviction, by the recognition of possibility or a paralleling decision to right the wrongs which lie back of the world [321] situation and which constitute the alibi of the enemy of humanity—Hitler and his associates.

The Coming One will make His appearance when the tide of battle has definitely turned and the forces of evil are being driven back to their own place. I have made no pronouncement as to time, person or place. I have simply indicated that there is a possibility (subsequent to right action) of the appearing of the One for Whom the centuries have long waited, to Whom prophecy in all lands, the rapidly developing intuition of the people, and established precedent, all bear constant witness. His hour is near, provided the needed steps in preparation are taken, and it is for that that I have approached you. I have not indicated the place of His appearing, the nature of His emergence, or the country of His choice. These are the details which concern Him and not you. Your task is to get ready for His coming. This involves right understanding and increasing labour for humanity as a result of the experience of love within your own individual consciousness. This I emphasise.

I have suggested three preparatory steps to the group of aspirants with whom I am in touch:

1. The use of the great mantram or invocation—in two parts (see pp. 144, 249). The first was used in 1936 and the second in 1940, and is still in use. The first was intended to centralise human desire, and the second was intended to utilise what mental power was available to invoke Those Who (on the inner spiritual side of life) are waiting to help. This They cannot do unless the way is made possible for Them by humanity itself. Such is the law.

2. A general process of educating the public in the fact and use of goodwill. A great but undeveloped potency is still locked up in mankind which, if evoked by man himself, will prove adequate to do two things:

a. Lay the foundation for a stable peace—active and positive because the result of active and positive action—after the Forces of Light have won the victory upon the physical plane.

b. Provide the subjective synthesis or network of light, [322] embodying the force of goodwill as the expression of right human relations. This will guarantee a workable world order and not an imposed tyranny or a mystical and impossible dream.

3. The realisation of a general outline of that coming world order which will be in line with humanity's need, basic in its implications, and which will provide that structure of living interrelation which will foster latent love, intuitional understanding and the creative power in man.

Those are the three major objectives with which I have dealt in past communications. I have also made suggestion as to modes of activity which are practical—some of them of an exoteric nature, such as the compiling of mailing lists, in every country, of those who think and express goodwill; others, such as the creation of the network of light, through the formation of triangles. It is not for me to decide the details of your outer activities. That is for you to do, and for that I have called you to assist me.

Let me recapitulate a few of the things which have been undertaken in our joint work so that you can clearly see the background of our coming effort and grasp the work as a whole.

1. The first activity was the writing and distribution of the occult teachings through the medium of the books which A.A.B. has assisted me to write. These will serve (when the war is over) to lead humanity forward and nearer to the time when present day occultism will be the theme of world education in some modified form. The books which have been published can be stated—without any conceit—to have no competitors, and these, rightly distributed, will serve a useful part in carrying the consciousness of man to higher levels and in making clear the divine Plan for mankind. In them also the task immediately ahead at the close of the war is clearly indicated.

2. The founding and the work of the Arcane School. This was started by A.A.B. to train those ready for esoteric teaching and to prepare them for the stage and work of [323] Accepted Discipleship. The world today is full of groups occupied with the task of helping one or other of the groups of aspirants and seekers to be found everywhere, or with the more general undertaking of raising the mass consciousness. The Arcane School was therefore formed for two purposes:

a. Primarily to aid the Hierarchy in its work during the world crisis—a crisis for which the Hierarchy has been long prepared. The Arcane School was not and is not the only group with this objective, but it is definitely among the most influential.

b. To train probationary disciples to become accepted disciples, so that the Hierarchy could find those who could safely carry spiritual power and be channels of love and understanding to the world.

You can see, therefore, that the Arcane School is not so much engaged in helping the individual as in aiding the Hierarchy to salvage humanity. For this work, training is required, and the Arcane School provides this.

3. The fact of the existence of the New Group of World Servers was brought to the attention of the general public, and on quite a large scale. This group is composed of aspirants, disciples and initiates, and is intermediate between the spiritual Hierarchy and the intelligent public. Its members are to be found in every country, are unorganised except by their spiritual relation to the Hierarchy and to each other, and through their effort in every field of human consciousness to lead humanity into a more spiritual way of living. They aim to foster the growth of right human relations through goodwill, and this work is still going on.

4. The organising of the men and women of goodwill in every land so that eventually they can set the note of world goodwill for the new world order. Some of this work was started in 1934. Much lies ahead, demanding attention, and will have to be accomplished in a period much more difficult than the pre-war period. The nucleus of this group [324] exists, and among them the livingness of goodwill is still unimpaired.

5. The effort to utilise the power of sound and of thought combined was undertaken through the use of the two great invocations which you have—as a group—distributed throughout the world. Great world prayers have been used for ages; men have been driven by desire and spiritual aspiration to pray, and have recognised the power of the divine response. The art of invocation has been, however, relatively unknown, especially in the West. It employs the dynamic will and the focussed mind, and is intended to evoke response from the Forces which will condition the new world, which can come into being at the close of this war. A focussed will or intention, a convinced mind, a dedicated desire and a planned activity are essential to success.

6. The forming of triangles of light and goodwill, so that an inner network of people, pledged to goodwill, to the use of the power of invocation and to the growth of understanding throughout the world can be created; and a beginning has already been made. This is a potent and workable mode of procedure, once it is given an opportunity to spread.

7. The inauguration of an effort towards definite group work. This must be group work of a new order, wherein individual activity is subordinated to the group objective and the decisions of the group in conclave; it is not work carried forward through the imposition of some one will upon a group of weaker wills. The individual and his mode of working are not regarded as of importance in the group consciousness, because it is the will of the group—unitedly dedicated to a specific objective—which is the point of major importance. This is a new procedure and something to which you can apply yourselves. In this group which I have now formed, opportunity will arise to demonstrate the practicality of this new ideal in service methods.

These are a few of the undertakings in which we have for some years been engaged, and it is suggested that all of [325] them be continued as a background to all future work and a fundamental platform.

You, as individuals, in this group (or in your relations with other groups) all have your personal problems. These problems are simply your participation in world karma and constitute your needed training ground and the field of your spiritual experimentation. With them I shall not deal, for you are all adult souls and progress by defined service, not by being helped. Your task is to aid the work which the Hierarchy plans to do, to find the ways and means whereby that service can be wisely rendered, to discover the manner in which world need (not your group need) can be met, to finance that share in the work of the Brotherhood to which you have been assigned by your soul, and to do your part in developing those human attitudes which are needed if true peace is to be found in the world by 1975. If this work is soundly done, then a world unity can be established which will produce right human relations, a sound world politic, a united spiritual effort and an economic "sharing" which will bring to an end all competition and the present uneven distribution of the necessities of life.

In the past I have outlined for you the general programme and the hoped-for objectives. I have given you much information and have indicated need and its possible solution. I have given you practical suggestions as to procedures and methods. I have asked—as I ask today—for your cooperation, and I ask it on behalf of the Forces of Light, of the spiritual Hierarchy and of distressed humanity.

The present world crisis could be shortened if the spiritually minded people lived up to their inner belief and knowledge. The task of unifying the men and women of goodwill is today infinitely more difficult than it was before the war. It can only be done if each servant of the Hierarchy thinks clearly, loves intelligently and serves to the utmost. I make no plea. I have pleaded much with all of you in the past, and the effort which resulted, though not a complete failure, was not adequately strong enough to off-set the forces [326] of evil, focussed in Germany, Japan and—to a much smaller extent—in Italy.

This last statement (which I have made in other writings) has evoked resentment in the minds of those who believe that the Forces of Light must love so indiscriminately that their work on the side of evolution is negated, and that effort to promote the development of the human consciousness is rendered completely futile or should be held in abeyance until the fight is over. I would here point out that if the Forces of Light—aided by you—did nothing to influence the minds of men, the forces of materialism and of evil would triumph. Humanity would then be spiritually defeated and its evolution would be set back for an indefinite period. I would here call your attention to the words of my great Master and yours: "By their fruits ye shall know them." I would remind you that there would be no world war today if Germany had not marched on Poland. The cause of the widespread cruelty, terror, murder and agony rests squarely on the shoulders of the seven men in Germany.

Had the aspirants and the disciples of the world realised the situation earlier, and had they worked more wholeheartedly, the present catastrophe could have been held within bounds; it could have been retained and the problem worked out upon the inner planes of thought and desire, and could there have been transmuted and the needed readjustments made. But they failed to understand, and the storm broke upon the physical plane.

The next twelve months will be decisive in human affairs. By the end of 1942, chaos and difficulty will still be present, but the sound of the victor's trumpets will be heard. Will the victors be the Forces of Light, under whose banners fight the Allies, or will evil triumph and greed reap the profits of aggression? Will men be led into a darkness which—though not interminable—will engulf the human soul for decades? The answers to these questions lie in the decisions and the activities of humanity itself. The Hierarchy waits.

I have referred to the increased difficulty which will confront the men and women of goodwill (working under the [327] New Group of World Servers). What constitutes the difficulty, if we analyse the situation? Two major factors:

First, the steadily mounting feeling of intense resentment (amounting to hate in the case of some groups and sections of suffering humanity), accompanied by a deep fatigue, a shattered psychological integration as the result of nerve strain, an acute fear of what the future may hold (scientifically developed by the Axis powers), and a numbing of the soul which is the result of death on every hand, loss, separation and the sight of untold pain and suffering.

Secondly, the widespread physical destruction, wrought by the invading and the defending armies—the destruction of great cities with their accompaniments of civilised living, the wholesale wiping out of industrial plants and the mechanics of daily life, the sinking of the ships which distribute the raw products of civilised living and the complete disorganisation of all human affairs in every country in the world—directly or indirectly—and the breaking down of the structure of well-established financial relations, plus the disruption of the ordinary means of communication. Add to this the monetary ruin of the masses of the people, and you have a true and not a sensational picture of the world state. Out of this wreckage of all that man has constructed during the centuries and out of the spoliation of all existing culture and civilisation, the new world order must be built. And, my brother, it will be built, and you can help prepare for this building of a more stable and beautiful way of life.

This creative process begins always in the realm of intention, is impulsed by trained desire, and will be brought into objective expression by the right direction of thought, the inspiration of right ideals, and the educating of the usually unthinking masses (who are, however, today thinking as never before), so that humanity as a whole will appropriate these ideals. They then can be trusted to take the needed action. In this manner the desired conditions will take form upon the physical levels of daily existence. There are many enlightened thinkers working at this time upon these problems; they are actively moulding public opinion; [328] free minds in all countries, or their representatives in the occupied lands, are already laying the foundations of freedom, more surely and soundly than ever before; groups everywhere are organising for the rebuilding (mentally, psychically and physically) of our world and for the reconstruction of our civilisation on saner lines and safer foundations. More intimate and understanding relations are being established between religion, politics and philanthropy, and the part which science, education and economics must play in the future is being brought increasingly into the forefront of human aspiration.

There is therefore no need for discouragement. There is only need for determined right action and sacrificing effort. This must be based on faith in the human spirit, on a conviction that good must ultimately triumph because it always has, and a knowledge that the New Age is dawning and that nothing can frustrate its establishment. To the advent of this new era the destruction itself bears witness, because—again quoting my Master, the Christ—you cannot put new wine in old bottles. To your share in the preparatory work for the future new world I call you; to renewed activity upon the outer plane of life I call you, and again I outline to you three years work, plus two years of activity which will grow out of the three years preparation.

Until May 1943, I suggest sound preparatory undertakings for future world activity. This must be accompanied by sound organisation, based on a long range vision of what must be done, and by experimental effort. This is the immediate work for this group and for those whom they may later choose as collaborators. Small groups must grow out of this group later, when it is duly established and functioning.

From May 1943, until November 1944, you should move outward into definite world experience and into a basic cooperation with any similar groups which are engaged in world salvage, primarily along the psychological line, for the psychological rehabilitation of humanity will be the major outstanding need, paralleling that of economic readjustment. [329] These two must receive prior attention by all men and women of goodwill. This group must inspire, promote and strengthen wherever and whenever possible. Such a task can only be undertaken by people who have no religious bias, no political antagonisms and no sense of exclusiveness.

From then until the close of 1945 or the beginning of 1946, the work should consolidate, the men and women of goodwill will swing into increasing usefulness and the potency of their thought and attitude in moulding public opinion should make itself dynamically felt—if you all work as desired. It will be apparent, therefore, how important is the work that you can start now and stabilise during the next eighteen months. The major lines of action you already know, for the goodwill work done in 1936 still remains basic and its processes should be re-studied and employed. But I would make the following practical suggestions concerning the group and its planning.

1. Learn to know and trust each other, leaving each other free to work and plan within the group plan; develop the experience of love in your individual lives and in your group relation. Meet regularly for discussion, planning and united meditation—using the same meditation in this group as I have asked you to follow individually. Subordinate your own wishes and ideas to the group decision. Let this be uniquely a group effort.

2. Press forward with the Triangle work in every possible way and in every country open safely to contact. Plan this work along sound business lines, making a small group of you responsible for its functioning and success.

3. Discover, and where possible contact, all groups which are motivated by a true love for humanity, plus a groping after and understanding of the New Age ideals of freedom, cooperation and inclusiveness. I suggest a gradual compilation of a mailing list of such groups, accompanied with samples of their literature and an analysis of their ideas.

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4. Gather together all the many proposals that have been formulated by individuals, groups of world thinkers and specialists in the different fields of world endeavour as to the New Order. Find out what is being suggested in the many different nations as to the New World Order—both good and bad. This will involve the reading of books, their digesting and analysis, the forming of a small available library, and the study and accumulation of pamphlets on the subject. By doing this, a thoughtform of great potency can be built which will influence the minds of men.

5. Keep in touch with people in all countries—occupied and unoccupied—who can later be swept into constructive activity. Thus this group will be ready to vitalise people and groups everywhere with whom they are in touch—some of which were formed prior to the war and are perforce inactive. The Units of Service in the occupied countries are a case in point. Therefore keep in touch objectively and subjectively with as many people as possible, all over the world.

6. The organising of the needed financial equipment to carry forward this work must be the task of another group within this larger group of mine.

7. Leaders of spiritual, religious and esoteric groups, as well as educational groups, should be approached in the interests of world unity. A letter should be prepared inviting such leaders into a comradeship of mutual friendship and cooperation—not of coordination or fusion. A "coming together" can thus be planned for united strengthening and advice. Such letters should always be the product of group effort and suggestion, after being formulated by the smaller group assigned to its production.

8. A clear formulation of the objectives for which this group has been formed should be drawn up for general circulation; wise business organisation should be applied from the very start; right voluntary help should be enlisted; sound financial policies should be laid down.

9. Definite work, preparatory to any work which future [331] necessity may indicate in Europe or elsewhere, must be undertaken. It is not possible for you to undertake the rehabilitation of the entire planet! There is, however, much that you can do along the line of interpretation of ideals, of unifying and of strengthening other groups. There are also three things possible to this group:

a. The discovery and aiding of the members of the New Group of World Servers in the occupied countries and elsewhere, giving spiritual and practical material aid.

b. Work for the rehabilitation and correct handling of the children in the devastated lands. This is an urgent need and has wide promise and great implications for the future world order. Concentration on this is desirable.

c. Continue with the work of finding and organising the men and women of goodwill throughout the world. It is they who will constitute the agents of this group and other New Age groups in the future. Work done by you prior to the war is thus to be continued, and along similar lines.

10. Make a close individual study of the Four Freedoms and the Eight Points of the Atlantic Pact, so that the members of this group can soundly envisage the freedoms of the New Age and can therefore think clearly, teach the new ideals correctly, and aid in this main world objective. This understanding is more important than you realise. Out of these suggestions your group plan can take shape. Having made them and having indicated to you the lines of hierarchical desire, I shall say no more. The responsibility is yours, and to you I leave the working out of these ideas. Move rapidly and as a united group with the Triangle work. It is basic in its usefulness and must be widely spread. Move with sureness, and more gradually, with the other aspects of the indicated work.

The strength and usefulness of this group will depend upon the inner union and love with which you work together, offsetting all personality reactions. You will help each other on all levels where help is needed. Let this group [332] work silently and as the Hierarchy works—impersonally behind the scenes. Let them draw upon all available spiritual resources, dedicating all their mental, emotional and material reserves to the work of helping humanity, and let them know (past all questioning) that the Hierarchy stands.

PREPARATION FOR FUTURE ACTIVITY AND WORK

October 1941

Certain questions arise in the minds of all disciples anent the general position of the hierarchical effort, about the possibility of materialising the Plan, and particularly concerning the share in these plans which spiritual groups can undertake. I would have you remember that disciples learn to work with the plan by working; they learn to discover the inner expanding consciousness of humanity by the development of an increasing sensitivity to it; and they find their coworkers in the Plan by the old and tried method of trial and error. The less evolved the disciple and worker, the larger the number of trials and the greater the number of errors.

But the system works, for it is an eliminating as well as a perfecting process, and the residue which remains after due effort, can be trusted. You have those, finally, who remain and who are worthy of trust. Why does this system work? Because by its means the graces of humility, prompt obedience to soul injunction, and inner integrity are unfolded and developed. Where these are present, there will be found sureness of touch when humanity is contacted; sensitivity to the impression of the Hierarchy when that Hierarchy is seeking contact; and a right sense of proportion.

One of the difficulties which comes to the server immersed in the thick of the undertaking is that of preserving contact with the vision. I refer to the vision itself and not to its materialisation. Perhaps I can make my meaning clear if I point out that, just as long as the contact is a vertical one, the work is fairly simple, the next step is apparent and plain, the line of activity to be followed is clear and the inspiration [333] is fresh and vital. But the moment that the consciousness of the disciple becomes inclusive horizontally (and that must take place), then the difficulty becomes great, and the disciple begins to understand—for the first time—the true significance of the words, "the Cross of the Saviour." Yet if he can train himself to stand where the four arms meet (I am here speaking symbolically) he will discover that he stands in the place of power, and at the "midway point." Then he can truly begin (again speaking symbolically) to look off to the four corners of the earth, both subjectively and objectively, and with reality; immediately the strain is terrific.

This is one of the difficulties confronting the New Group of World Servers at this time. You will remember that some little time back I spoke of the crisis with which the group is faced. How can I express in words the nature of this crisis? It is that of the invocation or the precipitation of the Plan, for those two words are synonymous. This necessarily involves a strain—the strain of prolonged inner contact and realisation, plus the effort to use skill in action and due physical plane executive ability. The New Group of World Servers is therefore today pulled two ways. Its effort must be to stand ready at the centre. The new group today stands at the very centre and must preserve and hold its position at all costs. That which signifies the most at this time is the spiritual poise and the spiritual sensitivity of the workers.

It is to this important condition that the group members must pay due attention. Disciples and spiritual workers must not be so occupied with the details of the Plan, with the production of that which will produce the externalisation of the ideas, that the spiritual training and strengthening of the workers is neglected. In the dust and turmoil and noise of the fight, grow not insensitive and hard, or so preoccupied that the needs of those with whom you work are forgotten or pass unnoticed. Let love be the keynote in all relationships, for the power which must salvage the world is the precipitation of love, and how shall that find its way onto the physical plane save through a group whose ears are attuned to its imminent emergence, and through the lives of those [334] in the group who are irradiated by love itself? It is here that there is lack—not intentionally or because of the existence of its opposing quality—but simply through world pressure and strain. In the unfoldment of goodwill in the world at the close of the war—which will be one of the major tasks of the New Group of World Servers—let love be the active force among the senior members of the group. I would like to see more of it among all of you.