THE SEVEN RAYS - What Are They? by RLP
"We are told that seven great
rays exist in the cosmos. In our
solar system only one of these seven great rays is in operation. The
seven sub-divisions constitute the "seven rays" which, wielded by our
solar Logos, form the basis of endless variations in His system of worlds.
These seven rays may be described as the channels through which all being
in His solar system flows, the seven predominant characteristics or
modifications of life, for it is not to humanity only that these rays
apply, but to the seven kingdoms as well. In fact there is nothing
in the
whole solar system, at whatever stage of evolution it
may stand, which
does not belong and has not always belonged to one or other of the seven
rays. " (R I 163)
The author of this passage is the Tibetan Master, Djwhal Kuhl. He has been
our primary source of information on the seven rays for the past 70 years.
Until the end of the last century the seven ray system was known and taught
only to a limited few disciples and adepts of the Ageless Wisdom. There
have long been hints of this doctrine concealed within the teachings of all
great philisophies and religions, but it has not been systematically
presented, as have astrology or numerology. Astrology, since ancient
times, has been divided into exoteric and esoteric branches. The ray
teaching, however, has remained esoteric and largely hidden from the
world. Only now, within the last seven decades, have we seen the
beginnings of an exoteric presentation of the seven rays.
The reason for the new emergence of this ancient knowledge at this time
seems quite simple. "When the student is ready, the teacher appears."
Humanity, the World Disciple, is apparently now ready, and stands on the
threshold of a great awakening. New responsibilities, new opportunities
and new light are being urged upon us by the Teachers of the race.
Concurrent with this expansion is the need for a deeper, conscious
penetration by the human race into the essential nature of reality. What
was once occult mystery is now rapidly becoming practical science. Not
only is the teaching on the rays emerging, but so are esoteric astrology,
psychology, healing and many other formerly occult sciences receiving
increased exoteric recognition.
What is meant by the word 'ray'? The Tibetan answers this question
in the
following manner: "A ray is but a name for a particular force or type of
energy, with the emphasis upon the quality which that force exhibits and
not upon the form aspect which it creates." (R I 316) The seven rays
are
seven qualities of energy. Rays do create forms, though the emphasis is
not on the external, but rather on that which lies behind or within the
form.
Modern physics has concluded that all is energy, that within every form
lies an essential network and pattern of energy. The seven ray teaching,
in scientific terms, is an hypothesis that asserts the following: All
energy within form is fundamentally septenate in character. The energy, as
well as tthe forms derived from it, can be described through seven discrete
and archetypal streams.
The seven streams of energy, it is said, are the very vibrations within
matter, space and form which define and infuse all objects, all beings and
all events in manifestation. They combine and interweave to create all the
complex systems we know as reality, from the grandest interstellar
spectacle to the smallest mundane occurrence of daily life. As concepts
they will be found to be familiar, simple and direct of apprehension. They
strike a chord in our consciousness and are, quite literally, closer to us
than breath. Yet the system they compose is as vast and elusive as the
world and the cosmos itself. To truly comprehend and usefully apply this
knowledge can be equally elusive, and is an immeasurable challenge.
The seven primordial energies are beyond complete, exact depiction in
words, or even in thoughts on the planes of this world. They are too
essential and encompassing to be wholly contained or isolated within our
narrow band of the Greater Spectrum. But to stimulate understanding and
the flow of intuition within us, certain descriptive phrases have been used
in connection with the rays. This is a list of some of the more common
synonyms:
Ray One - Will,
purpose, power, destruction
Ray Two - Love,
wisdom, inclusiveness, coherence, magnetism
Ray Three - Active
Intelligence, adaptability, creativity
Ray Four - Harmony
through conflict, beauty, sensitivity, unity
Ray Five - Concrete
knowledge, science, mind, analysis
Ray Six - Devotion,
idealism, adherence, force
Ray Seven - Order, ceremony,
organization, group, magic
The ray teaching gives us an energy picture of creation and of life at all
levels of being. It provides a means of explaining the intricate
interrelationships of all things, spiritual and material; and it proclaims
their oneness and interconnectedness.
As part of this energy picture of the cosmos, human beings are, of course,
themselves composed of ray energies. The various bodies or vehicles of
incarnation of the individual human being - the personality, the mind, the
soul, etc. - are said to issue forth on one or other of the rays. The
particular, dominant pattern of vibration within an individual or group or
nation qill establish its constitution, its environment and the keys to
determine the inante opportunities and limitations of the entity.
Practically, it is a picture of the inherent impulse, the immediate need
and prescribed path of evolution.
The psychological application of the ray hypothesis is of particular
interest because it provides a practical energy framework for understanding
the make-up of individuals and groups. The rays of a person, when
determined, studied and understood, will enable that individual, or his
counsellors or therapists, to 'go to the source'. Knowledge of ones'
energy-essence and underlying vital composition can be invaluable in
developing a balanced program for life, lived in accord with nature
collectively, and with what is individually appropriate and true.
The emanation and interplay of human energy is seen as a reflection of the
energy of the universe. That which is in man is in all things. And,
importantly, it is the energy within that dictates the outer appearance and
behavior of each and all.
In order to undrerstand the "seven streams of force", we are constrained to
use verbal and numerical descriptions. But bear in mind that any words we
may use are mainly attempts to translate a quality into a form. And, in
translations of any kind, something of the original is always lost.
The correspondences between the ray doctrine and numerology will be
obvious, but the rays are not, in actuality, numbers or symbols or
techniques for divination. They are fundamental creative energies, the
vibrations of our very essence. The following summaries of the rays, based
on research in the teachings of the Tibetan, may help to explain the range
and focus of each of the seven qualities:
Ray One. This energy is the beginning and the final synthesis - the source
of all other energies. It is the essence of power and energy itself.
The
first ray is the force of purpose, direction, centralization and one-ness,
of which the will is the keynote. It is characterized by the qualities of
intensity, dynamism, quickness, and dominance. It often results in
detachment, isolation and crystallization. And out of its force and
directness is conceived the power of creative destruction.
Ray Two. Consciousness is born of the second energy, in the union of
duality, spirit and matter. This is the source and blending of light and
love, magnetism and relationship, inclusiveness and coherence. It is the
ray of wisdom, sensitivity and intuition, as well as clarity and attention
to detail. This energy is a qualifying, teaching and healing force.
It
often results in attachment andd attraction, and, curiously, establishes
our awareness of fear, the antithesis of love and relationship. The second
ray is the energy of the entire solarr system and hence is also a ray of
profound synthesis.
Ray Three. Activity and intelligence work out from this source, a result
of purpose and wisdom. It is the energy of full and great manipulations,
creativity and adaptability. Needs are recognized through this force,
plans are formulated, material is selected and business is undertaken. The
third ray is clear, inherent mental and intellectual ideation in pursuit of
truth, with the objective of manifesting in matter and substance. It is
the power which evokes form.
Ray Four. This energy stands symbolically in the center of the seven and
is the magnetic relation of opposites, the point of harmony, bridging and
mediation amidst conflict, pain and struggle - in a sense, the fruition the
duality rooted in the second ray. It stimulates creativity, art and beauty
and is characterized by sensitivity to color and sound. Discrimination,
quickness and a searching for perfection reside here. The intuitive,
relational force is strong in this ray, which evokes life, love and
understanding.
Ray Five. This is the energy of concretion into substance, of knowledge
and science, and of stimulation in the three worlds. It leads to the
searching, analysis and development of ideas, which in the end produces
light and wisdom. It is the energy of differentiation and investigation
which can lead to separativeness, cleavage and crystallization. But the
thoroughness and discrimination with which the fifth force works in the
mind and the intellect leads the way ultimately to understanding and to the
revelation of truth.
Ray Six. The seeds of all devotion and desire pour forth through this
energy. It generates adherence, intensity and persistence. The
determination resident in this ray is a fiery essence, sometimes full of
force, fury and even fanatical display and militant violence. Abstraction
and aspiration characterize the sixth force, in the sense of an idealistic
nature, loyally oriented toward the causal levels of being. The sixth ray
is the power to recognize what is right and righteous, the upward tendency
and the capacity to see the light.
Ray Seven. This last of the seven is the most tangibly expressive on the
outer planes. It is the quality of relationship between spirit and matter
and is thus magical. It is rhythm which builds, integrates, circulates and
manifests. It is the bringer and producer of newness in form. The
relational power of this ray motivates law and order, rule and ritual,
organization and group consciousness. It is practical understanding and
vital energy externalized, which embodies both the center and the periphery.
sciousness. It is practical understanding and
vital energy externalized, which embodies both the center and the periphery.