MY BROTHER:

During the coming six months I am going to ask you to do two things: First of all, concentrate your energy each day and do not dissipate it in so many unrelated activities. A wise conservation of energy and the elimination of non-essential activity is for you desirable at this time; it will bring about an inner organization of your forces which in a year's time will greatly increase your usefulness in service.

Secondly, I want you to lay emphasis in your meditation on the simple, and apparently elementary, stage of alignment. The work of watching each day your use of energy, and your meditation practice in alignment will produce in you a greatly increased efficiency. Your alignment is weak. Your motives are all that could be desired from the angle of your knowledge; your devotion to the cause of humanity is equally right; your liking for your fellowmen is very real. Your mind is active and alert, and you are deeply interested in life and in all that concerns human relations. But your coordination and your alignment are not good. The coordination factor is that which governs the integration of your personality - mental, emotional and physical - whilst the alignment factor is related to the control by your soul, and the establishing of a direct line of contact between your soul and your brain, via your mind.

Figuratively speaking, there is a lack of steady contact between the mind and the astral body. Here is the weak place in your alignment. When you are mentally alert, which is quite often, a temporary coordination is set up and there is what one might call a momentary alignment. But the moment your mental activity ceases there is a complete break. You then function as a sentient, emotionally vital and active person, with the mental nature remaining outside the lower alignment.

I told you earlier that you could work as a psychological healer. This is true. But your knowledge of modern psychology is as yet weak; you should read and think more definitely along [193] academic lines for that will aid in bringing about the needed integration and coordination.

In the production of alignment during meditation, I will ask you to do the following exercises, in breathing and in focusing. You know well, do you not, my friend and brother, that the more disciples are aligned and coordinated, the greater will be their power in service.

Then meditate deeply during the next six months on the following six phrases, holding the consciousness as high in the head as possible, and attempting to hold the mind steady in the light and aligned with the brain.

• 1st month - May the light of the soul illumine my mind, and shed a light upon the way of others.
• 2nd month - May the love of the soul control my lower nature, and guide me in the way of love.
• 3rd month - May I act as a soul in all my ways, and thus awaken others to a right activity.
• 4th month - I teach the way to others. I seek to contact souls, not minds.
• 5th month - As a soul, I serve my fellowmen.
• 6th month - I place the torch of truth in other hands, and from my torch they light their light.

If you follow these simple suggestions, my brother, you will be surprised at the results which will appear in a year's time. Simplicity is the way of soul growth. Be simple.