Contents

Reading Assignment
Keynote, A Quote from The Tibetan 4
Seed Thought 4
Study Questions 5
Staff Letter 6
Textual Extracts 7-9

1. What is your definition of a personality? Is there a difference between individual purpose and group purpose in your definition?

2. As the consciousness evolves, the ability to discriminate becomes more refined. Eventually the coordinated personality is transmuted into the instrument of the soul and begins to work in group service. As this gradual progress takes place, how should the personality manifestation be included in your concept of soul service? Should discrimination be naturally developed or should knowledge be imposed on someone to ac- celerate his or her progress?

3. Upon death, the personality is lost; it remains in the memory of loved ones. These memories seem to undergo a process of gradual release, from the specific circumstances surrounding the death of the personality to highlighted accomplishments of its life. The various group affiliations that such a personality belongs to may respond to its death in various ways: anger, revenge, sadness, loss, inevitability, acceptance, happiness, etc. What is the role of a healing group in this personality to soul transition?

4. Everyday to the consciously detached observer, a living/dying process is deliberately taking place on a smaller scale. That which needs to be released dies out. That which needs to carry on does so with clarity of purpose and fuller life. In your own three personality vehicles, make a list of what could be discarded and what should remain of yourself. Do this, as if you knew that you had only a few days to live! You might leave your property in a will; what would you do emotionally and mentally?

It has been said that you are born alone and you will die alone, but this is not true from the soul's view point. The art of dying involves the group. The group that the dying individual belongs to not only includes his family and friends or co-workers, but also his soul group. The role of the personality is the same in the art of dying as it is in the art of living--both can be an act of group service.

The candle is like the personality. When it is all used up it is replaced with another candle. While it is being used it is viewed and admired as it serves itself to the flame. All the candles stored in the drawer are like those personalities that have not activated their potential and have not yet realized the life of service. Unlike the candle, we have the self determination to create the quality of the self--the directional line, the shape, the coloring, and the form of our life from the opportunities and resources given to us. The physical circumstance, emotional condition, and mental situation are lit by experience. When this is in group service the light unites with others to illuminate problems of common experience.

The role of the personality in the death process is to make preparation for sacrifice. The personality, as it gives up its vehicles in the death process, sacrifices the mental, emotional, and physical bodies as a basis for continued life. The experience gained in one life can help shape the life of another. It is the work of the group to select out of each member's experience the seeds of the future--the conditioning values. When the best one has to offer is selflessly given to the life of service, that personality is not just melted away but it is recognized. To be recognized for good or bad is what the personality really wanted in the first place. Those that insulate themselves in containers of protection are like the candles in the drawer, prepared but not in use. The greatest personalities are those in use.

In the spirit of service,
Lynn Bright

In teaching we are taught,
In healing we are healed,
In loving we are loved, and
In serving we are served.
Esoteric Astrology: 81, Dr. Douglas Baker

....The problem of the disciple is to reach a point where he is not hindered or held back by any human being and yet so to handle himself as far as attitude is concerned that he hurts no one in the process of withdrawal. The outer personality claims of attachment are oft so powerful that their clatter and their rattle prevent awareness of the golden thread which links us with another soul. Likewise, overestimation of another person can act as a real hindrance. The chains must break, leaving only a golden thread between each soul--a golden thread which cannot break.
Discipleship in the New Age, Vol. I: 312

One of the ideas which disciples would find it helpful to grasp is that the process of passing over to the other side involves no discontinuance of the three processes of Contact, Impression and Relationship. These being the three words with which I earlier impressed you and which seem to me today to be of major importance in your life. I would have you grasp, if possible, somewhat the permanence of their importance. With the mass of ordinary humanity, focussed in all their activities and their thinking upon the physical plane, the period after death is one of semi-consciousness, of a failure to recognize location, and of emotional and mental bewilderment. With disciples there is still contact with people (usually those with whom they have been associated) in the hours of sleep; there is still the reception of impression from environment and associates, and there is the recognition of relation with (as on earth) the assumption of responsibility.
Discipleship in the New Age, Vol. II: 487-488

One who does not give the fruits of his work achieves three kinds of results after death; auspicious, inauspicious and mixed. But those who are in the renounced order of life have no such results to suffer or enjoy.
Bhagavad-Gita: 258

For the average good citizen, death is a continuance of the living process in his consciousness and a carrying forward of the interests and tendencies of the life. His consciousness and his sense of awareness are the same and unaltered. He does not sense much difference, is well taken care of, and oft is unaware that he passed through the episode of death.
A Treatise On White Magic: 300

The worker in white magic must hold himself free as much as he can from identifying himself with that which he has created or has attempted to create. The secret for all aspirants is to cultivate the attitude of the onlooker and of the silent watcher, and, may I emphasise the word silent. Much true magical work comes to naught because of the failure of the worker and builder in matter to keep silent. By premature speech and too much talk, he slays that which he has attempted to create, the child of his thought is still born. All workers in the field of the world should recognise the need for silent detachment, and the work before every student who reads these instructions must consist in cultivating a detached attitude. It is a mental detachment which enables the thinker to dwell ever in the high and secret place, and from that centre of peace calmly and powerfully to carry out the work he has set before himself. He works in the world of men; he loves and comforts and serves; he pays no attention to his personality likes and dislikes, or to his prejudices and attachments; he stands as a rock of strength, and as a strong hand in the dark to all whom he contacts. The cultivation of a detached attitude personally, with the attached attitude spiritually, will cut at the very roots of a man's life; but it will render back a thousandfold for all that it cuts away.

Much has been written anent attachment and the need to develop detachment. May I beg all students in the urgency of the present situation, to leave off reading and thinking about it aspirationally, and to begin to practice it and to demonstrate it.
A Treatise On White Magic: 559-560

....There is a connection with the first ray aspect which is will, and that of death. Death is now the result of the will of the soul. Eventually it has to be the result of the united will of the soul and the personality and when that happens there will be no fear of death. Ponder on this also.
Discipleship in the New Age, Vol. I: 669

....I ask you to stand together--no matter what eventuates or what forces may seek to separate you. I ask my disciples to love each other in spite of character and ray differences and to work loyally together for group coherence and integrity--no matter what diverse opinions you may hold or what may occur as time elapses. If you can hold together down the years and throughout this life cycle, then the group can carry forward into the future and work together on other planes, thus conserving energy. Can you persist and carry on? Can such a telepathic interplay be set up that the barrier of death will eventually prove no barrier at all and continuity of consciousness persist?
Discipleship in the New Age, Vol. I: 16