| Life-Quality-Appearance |
| In studying the rays, we are dealing with life-expression through the medium of matter-form. The highest unity will be realized only when this dual relation is perfected. We therefore are also dealing with possibility, and growth through intelligent application of ‘Truth’. The process of Becoming which leads to Being is a cosmic event involving all forms. Through this process of becoming, lifetime after lifetime, one is subject to different ray influences in order to ultimately synthesize their higher vibrations, {as are all kingdoms, not just our own}. It is in this way that the state of Being that is Pure Awareness or Spirit, is eventually known. This involves the process of shifting the focus of attention progressively out of one form into another, and thus from a higher standpoint, getting a fresh glimpse of possible ‘Truth”. The seven rays are the first differentiation of the divine the triplicity of Spirit-Consciousness-Form, providing a field of expression for manifest deity. This triplicity is interchangeable with the words Life-Quality-Appearance; Spirit-Soul-Body. Life refers to Spirit, to energy, to the first aspect of divinity, The Father, embodied in the 1st ray of Will/Power. It is the essential dynamic electric fire which produces all that is, and is the originating Cause, as well as the Source of all manifestation. Appearance refers to Form/Body; matter or objective expression. It is the illusory tangible outer appearance which is animated by Life. This is the third aspect, The Mother, overshadowed by the Holy Ghost, {Life}, and united with intelligent substance. This is fire by friction; a friction brought about by life and matter and their interplay, producing a change and constant mutation. This aspect is embodied in the 3rd ray of Active Intelligence. Quality or Soul/Consciousness is expressive of the second aspect, The Son, the Cosmic Christ incarnate in form; a form brought into being by the relation of Spirit and Matter, {Father/Mother}, and is embodied in the 2nd ray of Love/Wisdom.. This Cosmic Christ demonstrated his perfection, as far as the human family is concerned, through the medium of the historical Christ. {Jesus was the man before achieving his unity with Spirit. Once accomplishing this on Earth, he became the Living Christ, in the world but not of it, embodying that which he had evolved of the seven ray qualities, as well as the basic principle of the Solar Logos himself, the quality of Love} The seven rays are, therefore, embodiments of seven types of force which demonstrate for us the seven-fold qualities of deity. These seven qualities have, consequently, a seven fold effect upon matter and the forms to be found in all parts of the Universe, and have a 7-fold interrelation between themselves. Life-Quality-Appearance are brought together into a synthesis in the manifested universe, and in man incarnate. The result of this synthesis is sevenfold, producing seven types of qualified forms which emerge on all planes and in all kingdoms. Our seven planes are but the seven sub-planes of the cosmic physical plane. But in order to instill in mankind a willingness to be open to a new psychological approach and an understanding of these energies, the seven ray types must be dealt with from a human angle. |