Triangles in a World of Duality - March 2018

“The problem of duality”, spiritual philosophy comments, is “the problem of existence itself”. Duality, the pairs of opposites, (such as right and wrong, peace and war, happiness and unhappiness, inner and outer, higher and lower, light and darkness, and life and form, to name but a few) confronts the human being at every stage of development. Down the ages, sacred scriptures have alluded to this dichotomy. For example, the Bhagavad Gita, described as “a symphonic vision of God in all things and of all things in God”, depicts the conflict between the spiritual and the material. It portrays the ceaseless struggle of Arjuna, the weary yet valiant disciple, in his solemn dialogue with his spiritual Self, the Lord Krishna. But, there is an abiding and unalterable link that connects these two distinct polarities, life and form, and that is consciousness. In a constantly changing kaleidoscope of patterns, impressions, thoughts and desires, consciousness relates inner and outer, spirit and matter. As life and form are drawn apart, consciousness is born, and as they unite and synthesise, it disappears. Eternal and immutable, the cyclical rhythm of life and death, manifestation and pralaya, and outbreathing and inbreathing, performs its universal and magical dance.

Students of the spiritual sciences will also be familiar with the terms unity and triplicity, which in addition to duality, describe aggregates of energy, focal points of expression in the ever changing landscape of human unfoldment. Triplicity or the Trinity, has been defined as: Life, Consciousness, and Form (personality) in the spiritual sciences; Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma in Hinduism; and Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost in Christianity. But, whatever appellation we use, all nevertheless are one and the same. This triune of essential elements or parts of the Whole is fundamental to a deeper understanding of evolution itself.

In the early dawn of manifested life, the evolving consciousness is ‘loosely’ connected as a triplicity. The personality is embryonic in nature, almost nebulous, and the realms of the soul and the spirit lie far ahead, and far removed. Over countless aeons, the human being cycles in and out of incarnation. There comes a time however when the personality begins to take shape; colour and texture are added, individuality and self-assertion come to the fore. The spark of mind becomes active, bringing the sentient and physical natures into conformity with the intelligent will of the evolving consciousness. Much time must elapse, and experience garnered in the world of form, before the faint and distant voice of the soul can be heard amidst the turmoil and clamour of the outer life.

Whispers of the Soul

All the time, though, the voice of conscience, which has been described as the “whispers of the soul”, is heard. And, whilst often disregarded, it nevertheless serves as a moral compass, as an indicator of (relative) right and wrong. As its influence waxes, the sense of duality becomes ever more acute and distressing. The evolving personality and the inner spiritual nature stand face to face, each seeking to exert its influence over the other.

It is possible, that on a planetary scale, this is the stage of human consciousness today. Torn between two great lines of force, restless and bewildered humanity, the world disciple is coming of age. The stark contrast between the inspirations of the new incoming Aquarian cycle and the old, separative ways of entrenched materialism are clearly visible. The fault lines are deep and wide, and of ancient lineage. But a time beckons when the swing of the pendulum between the two extremes, the dualities, will not oscillate so far in either direction but will tend towards stability, equilibrium and balance. At some point, and probably sooner than we realise, a period of lasting peace, buttressed by an outpouring of universal goodwill, will begin to enfold the human family. A spirit of love will descend, invoked deep from within a weary and tried humanity. Out of the darkness of age-old materialism, an age of light and of quiet will emerge, born out of great struggle, suffering and experience.

The Rising Tide of Evolution

It wasn’t all that long ago that the momentum towards separation and division were too well entrenched to easily turn the tide against these insuperable forces. But, today, even though these same forces are at work and active in the world, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to suggest that their influence and potency on the physical plane are slowly waning. The growing impetus towards freedom, sharing, justice, co-operation, and a sense of the Whole are on the ascendant. We have only to witness the groundswell of educated public opinion against events that are predicated on separative and narrow- minded thinking. Opinion is becoming informed and motivated, and characterised by a spirit of goodwill. This note is beginning to change the course and direction of human affairs.

Many years ago, it was indicated that the forces of materialism were active and organised, and that the forces of light were equally active but not so well organised. Probably, today, there has been a profound shift in this equation, and the forces of light are not only active and organised, but also coordinating their efforts, and working in an ever more cohesive and integrated fashion. This marks a significant turning point.

Could it be said that the obstructions to the new Aquarian impulse (ideas and values) are not so much the fault of the general public or public opinion but more inclined towards the entrenched political and religious establishments and institutions, their crystallised outer forms, and the vested material interests that are unable and unwilling to bend to the rising tide of evolution? In this respect, we are reminded of the Christ’s profound words: “you cannot pour new wine into old bottles”. Spiritual philosophy teaches that “all forms exist in order to express truth”. Spiritual principles and values dawning in the minds of enlightened and intuitive thinkers require a form, a vehicle in which to reveal and anchor themselves for the good of the Whole. This is a basic law of the universe, and nothing ultimately can withstand the flow of evolution and its impact in the world of form.

The Dual Life of the Disciple

At the appointed time, there comes a turning point in the life of every human being on his or her sacred path, and for humanity too, the world disciple. The voice of the soul is not only sensed but actively engaged with, and triplicity is superseded by an ever increasing recognition of duality, soul-personality and spirit, leading inevitably to that phase which has been called “the dual life of the disciple”. This point of attainment, described as “a life of outer activity and of inner sensitivity”, is a path that stretches the disciple, the world server, on many levels of consciousness.

Not surprisingly then, and because of its advanced nature, “the dual life of the disciple” is a new and relatively unknown psychological ‘state of mind’ in the broadening consciousness of the human family. In this state of spiritual awareness, all sense of duality, ultimately, has to be understood, resolved and worked through on the world stage in ‘physical brain consciousness’. And, whilst engaged in many directions – inwardly and outwardly – such as serving some aspect of the divine Plan; holding a focused inner attitude to the divine planes of awareness; and, consciously building the rainbow bridge that links the higher and lower minds; and yet, at the same time, attending to family and professional responsibilities, the server stands unmoved. This marks an advanced stage of evolutionary development. For those who are ready, opportunity is given in consecrated and deeper planetary service, which is ever the reward of those who are transcending the confines of strictly human experience.

Unity

At some point on the great path of Life, the period of the “dual life of the disciple” ends, the final frontiers of truly human experience beckon, duality gives way to the concluding finale of complete unity, desire for incarnation vanishes, the bondage of karma breaks, and liberation ensues. Soul and personality have been perfected, blended and integrated, ahead lies the pure and formless realms of Spirit, the Monad, the One, the Presence. All that remains in the consciousness of the initiate is spirit-matter, the individual consciousness merged and absorbed within the WHOLE. Nothing is left but God.

Humanity: The World Disciple

Humanity, the world disciple, treads the very same path as the individual server. And, standing at a crossroads today, the familiar and ‘comfortable’ surroundings of age-old practices, rituals, and lines of thought are receding. Ahead lie uncharted waters. A spectre of the unknown to most, a vision of hope to some, and to a few a recognition that we are moving out of one great divine zodiacal cycle into another, presenting greater opportunities in furthering the evolution of the race.

Nationalism, separative thought and the weight of materialism still partially obstruct the free flow of divine energy throughout the planetary Whole. The challenge before us is therefore clear and unequivocal – to aid the human family to respond more fully to the light and love of Hierarchy and, as a consequence, aid the little lives of the lower kingdoms to do likewise.

Through meditation, through the written and spoken word, and through our Triangles work, we can help to concretise the abstract, to anchor the inner realities, and give life, form, texture and quality to the new inspirations, the seeds of hope, that emanate from the lighted realms. Nothing can arrest their descent, appearance and ultimate expression in the outer world, but they can be delayed, if the thought life of humanity is too polarised towards the material. Human free will will decide the outcome of these profound issues, and the group of world servers will play a crucial role in these unfolding events. Goodwill is the key that will release humanity into a golden age of creativity, beauty and light.

With each passing generation, the battleground of human conflict moves away from the physical/etheric and astral realms and is centring itself on to the mental levels. The realm of visionary ideas and truth, and crude propaganda and falsehood, are the new tools in the armoury of both the progressive and materialistic forces. From one perspective, this is sound, but danger lurks, for the potency of the mental plane is immeasurable, and is used in equal measure by the progressive and the materialistic forces for specific ends. And, unless there is a focused goodwill and will-to-good, which can offset the tendency towards the expression of the materialistic forces, the consequences could be grave indeed, plunging humanity into an era of darkness, and stark materialism. Triangles helps to propel the weight of the triple nature of the soul to bear upon the affairs of the world. The advance of light, love, and power, into human consciousness is lifting the gaze of the humanity to the world Avatar, the Christ, the Lord of Love.

‘Great determinations’ and ‘profound settlements within the Will of God’ too are paving the way for His return. Two thousand years ago, clearly and unambiguously, the Christ stated: “whoever is not with me is against me”. Within the human family, choices have to be made, and the issues have never been starker.The work of Triangles is to make clearer in the minds of humanity, those principles and values that are necessary for human progress, in order to swing the weight of public opinion on to the side of the progressive and visionary values.

There is no quick fix for these deep seated problems. There is no ctrl + z computer keystroke to undo the damage and mistakes of yesteryear. Only the steady relentless work of all those who love their fellow human beings and who recognise the nobility and sanctity of human life can act as a magnetic and constructive force for good, and help over time to turn the direction of human thinking away from the material to the spiritual. In time, many will see life, humanity and the world as “one united whole, interrelated, cooperative and harmonised”. Until, then, there is much to do.