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The Rays and the Initiations - Part Two - Section One - The Aspirant and the Mysteries of Initiation
These three major threads which are in reality six, if the creative thread is differentiated into its component parts, form the antahkarana. They embody past and present experience and are so recognized by the aspirant. It is only upon the Path itself that the phrase "building the antahkarana" becomes accurate and appropriate. It is in this connection that confusion is apt to arise in the mind of the student. He forgets that it is a purely arbitrary distinction of the lower analyzing mind to call this stream of energy the sutratma, and another stream of energy the consciousness thread and a third stream of energy the creative thread. They are essentially, all three of them together, the antahkarana in process of forming. It is equally arbitrary to call the bridge which the disciple builds from the lower mental plane - via the egoic, central vortex of force - the antahkarana. But for purposes of comprehending study and practical experience, we will define the antahkarana as the extension of the threefold thread (hitherto woven unconsciously, through life experimentation and the response of consciousness to environment) through the process of projecting consciously the triple blended energies of the personality as they are impulsed by the soul, across a gap in consciousness which has hitherto existed. Two events can then occur:
  1. The magnetic response of the Spiritual Triad (atma-buddhi-manas), which is the expression of the Monad, is evoked. A triple stream of spiritual energy is slowly projected towards the egoic lotus and towards the lower man.
  2. The personality then begins to bridge the gap which exists on its side between the manasic permanent atom and the mental unit, between the higher abstract mind and the lower mind.

Technically, and upon the Path of Discipleship, this bridge between the personality in its three aspects and the monad and its three aspects is called the antahkarana.

This antahkarana is the product of the united effort of soul and personality, working together consciously to produce [455] this bridge. When it is completed, there is a perfect rapport between the monad and its physical plane expression, the initiate in the outer world. The third initiation marks the consummation of the process, and there is then a straight line of relationship between the monad and the lower personal self. The fourth initiation marks the complete realization of this relation by the initiate. It enables him to say: "I and my Father are one." It is for this reason that the crucifixion, or the Great Renunciation, takes place. Forget not that it is the soul that is crucified. It is Christ Who "dies." It is not the man; it is not Jesus. The causal body disappears. The man is monadically conscious. The soul-body no longer serves any useful purpose; it is no more needed. Nothing is left but the sutratma, qualified by consciousness - a consciousness which still preserves identity whilst merged in the whole. Another qualification is creativity; thus consciousness can be focused at will on the physical plane in an outer body or form. This body is will-created by the Master.

But in this task of unfoldment, of evolution and of development, the mind of man has to understand, analyze, formulate and distinguish; therefore the temporary differentiations are of profound and useful importance. We might therefore conclude that the task of the disciple is:

  1. To become conscious of the following situations (if I may use such a word):
    1. Process in combination with force.
    2. Status upon the path, or recognition of the available qualifying agencies, or energies.
    3. Fusion or integration of the consciousness thread with the creative thread and with the life thread.
    4. Creative activity. This is essential, for it is not only through the development of creative ability in the three worlds that the necessary focal point is created, but this also leads to the building of the antahkarana, its "creation."
  2. To construct the antahkarana between the Spiritual Triad and the personality - with the cooperation of the [456] soul. These three points of divine energy might be symbolized thus:
    3.

Illustration

In this simple symbol you have a picture of the disciple's task upon the Path.

Another diagram may serve to clarify:

Illustration

In these you have the "nine of initiation" or the transmuting of nine forces into divine energies: [457]
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