January 1940

My BROTHER:

May I say that when I am able to start my instruction to this New Seed Group with the words "My Brothers," you will then know that an adequate measure of group-integration has been achieved and that the real group work can begin. I have earlier stated the wider and more important objectives (Discipleship in the New Age, Vol. I, Pages 80-81.) which are, as you saw, entirely impersonal. I would commit this particular objective to your intelligent consideration. I would have you begin your new work with this objective and goal in your defined consciousness. I therefore stated the objective clearly, so that your minds may be tuned to mine - as far as that may be practically possible. Let your horizon be wide, my brother, and your humility great. I am here speaking individually to you, for you are as yet (the majority of you) individually polarized and the group polarization lies ahead.

Give to each other real love in the times that lie ahead, for it is the fusing and illuminating element in the life of the disciple. Let not your love remain theoretical, but give that true understanding which ignores mistakes, recognizes no barriers, refuses all separating thoughts, and surrounds each other with that protecting wall of love that meets all need wherever possible - physical, emotional and mental. It is this which blends the group into one organized whole, which the Masters of the Wisdom can use in the service of the Plan. The pressure at this time is great upon them and the urgency of humanity's cry grows stronger in their ears. I have given you much time and thought, and earnestly I have sought to aid you on the Way. My love and strength are ever yours, but not always my time and attention. My earnest prayer is that the Light may enfold you and the Love of God transmute your lives.

For many years I have been looking ahead with definite planning and intent to the work which began in the late summer of 1936. I have sought - with the knowledge of some of you - to prepare you all as a group for an active participation in this future work. As I enter upon the task of preparing you for future increased usefulness and for closer cooperation, I must myself perforce take certain risks, and there must be established between us a trust which will be based - not on secrecy and reticences - but on truth and understanding.

I have seriously considered what action I should rightly take. Various alternatives presented themselves - all of them concerned with the group work per se; none of them concerned you, as individuals. I could continue with the groups as they existed but, brother of mine, what more could I say, or do or teach them? The constant impartation of teaching and of information, the constant pointing out of failure, and the constant individual training are no part of the technique of the Hierarchy - certainly not as far as the individual aspirant is concerned. Where world values and where group consciousness are involved, the indication of needed change, the cyclic bringing about of the presentation to the soul of the Ageless Wisdom and the training of the world disciples - such is the definite and ordained technique of the Hierarchy. But this is not their method of work with personalities and with those whose orientation is primarily in the three worlds of human endeavor.

I have endeavored to remove out of this group those elements which might perchance have handicapped it, and which the group members - as they are at present constituted and motivated - are not capable of absorbing. Group unity is not dependent upon personal sympathy, personal liking and understanding as it may exist between the group members, but upon capacity to absorb and assimilate, to lift, to change and to transmute those units which seem at first to be uncongenial or even unsuitable - from the limited point of view of the group member. This is oft overlooked, but upon the capacity to do this depends much of group success. When a group cannot yet be depended upon to do this necessary absorption, the apparent rejection of certain people is not the fault of those people, but that of the group which is not yet integrated enough or unified enough to assimilate certain types of character and certain tendencies. The recognition of this should be fruitful in the preservation of much needed humility. You are being tendered another opportunity. I would ask you to remember this and to endeavor, in relation to this new experiment, to cultivate from the very start a humble spirit and the priceless gift of silence.

I have pointed out along what lines there has been failure, not because I seek to put the emphasis upon failure or to enlarge upon it, but because clarity of thought and of vision is necessary if the work is to go forward in a reorganized and more vital manner. If this New Seed Group measures up to requirements, then there may again arise correspondences to the original groups as planned. They will arise as the spiritual result of the esoteric manifestation of the potency of life to be found in the seed group.

The work to be done by us in joint cooperation (as regards your training) was organized by me into seven teaching units:

I am going to ask you to give two relatively brief periods of time each day to definite and defined meditation. One period (the most important) must be given to the general group meditation, and the other to that meditation which I feel will enable you to function as an integrated personality, fused and blended in consciousness with the soul. This will lead the group as a whole to function correctly, because the individual group units are aligned and rightly adjusted.

What is it therefore which prevents a disciple, as an individual, from having direct approach and direct contact with a Master without being dependent upon a senior disciple as an intermediary? What is it that prevents you from having such direct relation to myself? One or two in this group have direct approach, and another one of you has it but knows it not; several others are well-intentioned and hard-striving disciples but never for a second do they forget themselves; the problem of glamor and preoccupation with spiritual ambition condition some aspirants, a spiritual ambition which is working through a very small personality; some could make rapid progress but are prone to inertia - perhaps they just do not care enough. All desire to move forward, all possess a strong inner spiritual life, but the group antahkarana is usually still incomplete and the aspect of pure reason, which is of the heart, does not control. The evocative power of the Spiritual Triad is not, therefore, adequate to hold the personality steady and the invocative power of the personality is non-existent - speaking from the angle of the group personalities which make up the personality aspect of the Ashram. This is a factor which can only become potent if certain personality relations are adjusted and inertia is overcome. Then, and only then, can the "group stand."