Whilst this basic, inescapable and necessary process is taking place, a definite work is going forward in the etheric body. The disciple is learning to lift the energies, gathered from the lower centers, into the solar plexus and from that center into the heart center, thus bringing about a refocusing of the energies above the diaphragm instead of putting the emphasis below. This leads frequently to profound complications, because - from the personality angle - the solar plexus center is the most potent, being the clearing house for the personality forces. It is that process of decentralization and "elevation" of the lower consciousness to the higher which produces the main difficulties to which the disciple is subjected. It is this process also which is going on in the world as a whole today, causing the appalling disruption of human affairs, culture and civilization. The entire focus of humanity's consciousness is being changed; the selfish life (characteristic of the man centered in his desires and consequently in the solar plexus center) is giving place to the decentralized life of the man who is unselfish (centered in the Self or soul), aware of his relationships and responsibility to the Whole and not to the part. This sublimation of the lower life into the higher is one of deepest moment to the individual and to the race. Once the individual disciple, and humanity as well, symbolizing the world disciple, have mastered the process of transference in this respect, we shall see the new order of individual service and of world service established, and therefore the coming in of the awaited new order. [128]

Healers would do well to remember this, and to have in mind that disciples and all good men and aspirants share in this universal disease of humanity which must take its toll psychologically or physically or both. The trouble is of ancient origin and of long established habit and inevitably affects the physical vehicle of the soul. Exemption from the effects of human ills is no indication of spiritual superiority. It might simply indicate what one of the Masters has called "the depths of spiritual selfishness and self-satisfaction." The initiate of the third degree can hold himself exempt, but this is only because he has completely freed himself from glamor and no aspect of the personality life has any further power over him. All the ray types are equally subjected to these particular problems. The seventh ray, however, is more susceptible to the problems, difficulties and diseases incident to the blood stream than are any of the other ray types. The reason is that this is the ray which has [129] to do with the expression and manifestation of life upon the physical plane and with the organization of the relationship between spirit and matter into form. It is concerned therefore today, as it seeks to create the new order, with free circulation and with a consequently intended freedom of humanity from the ills and problems of the past. This is of interest to remember, and students would find it helpful at this time, if they want to cooperate intelligently with the happenings of the day, to collect and study all that I have written about the seventh ray of ceremonial order and magic.