You, my brother, and W.O.I. are likewise being tested in [530] the world of ideas, and you particularly are faced with an acute problem in discrimination.

Your theories, your ideals, your fixed beliefs come between you and humanity as a whole, and the good of the form side of life looms unduly large in your attitude to service. You are, under the glamor of idealism, apt to sacrifice the spirit of love in order to preserve the form of your ideal. Ponder on this for it is basic in its teaching value for you if you grasp rightly the implications. May I ask you to reflect upon the esoteric significance of a truth which as yet seems to you most questionable: Ideals must go as they are now formulated because we are entering into a new age wherein all things will become new. They can safely be relinquished when their place is taken by a real soul love for humanity - inclusive, [531] sane and practical. Ideals are formulations by the human mind. The Hierarchy has no ideals. The Hierarchy is simply the channel for pure love and where love exists there is no danger of harshness, of cruelty, of misunderstanding, of evasion of facts or of harmfulness. Much also that many regard as harmless is definitely harmful in its general effects. Ideals, as usually held, feed pride, lead to stubbornness, and engender a separate superiority; they produce impractical attitudes and negative activities. The one who thus holds them frequently serves only in the limited field, conditioned by his chosen work and colored by his idealism. He excludes the Whole and thinks in terms of the past and as he wants to think. There is no real understanding of an opposing idealism and often no real attempt to comprehend its basis. His emphasis upon his own ideals (in his own consciousness even when not imposed on others) prevents understanding, and he is so busy upholding them and defending them (oft again to himself) and being conditioned by them that the larger human issues escape his attention. He settles down within the limits of his own beliefs. This makes him immediately a theologian and his usefulness then rapidly evaporates, except in the intimate circle of his fellow idealists. As time goes on, crystallization takes place. A "crystal barrier" is set up between the personality and the soul. The soul is seen but its influence is insulated. But - because there is a vision of the soul still persisting - the disciple is deeply dissatisfied. The crystallization eventually affects all aspects of the nature. Emotions settle into "grooves of crystal"; the mind becomes set and brittle. The physical body crystallizes also and gets old rapidly because there is no free flow of life.

Can you grasp this vision and let everything go? Only two types of ray energy are expressing themselves through your lower nature: intellect and idealism. Ponder a little on the effects of this unbalanced condition and consider what it [532] will engender. Be not satisfied with your mental activity and your dedicated idealism. Reach beyond them to the soul whose nature is love and whose identification is with humanity and not with a school of thought or a group of ideals.

My blessing rests ever on you for I have much for you to do. I would remind you that in your last instruction I asked you if you were strong enough to participate in the world distress with no barriers up. I asked this because I saw in you a glamor and a weakness (based on your true ideals) and a negativity which hid itself behind a fearless idealism. I pointed then - if you will recall - to the need for "active understanding." I reiterate again this call.