| AGE OF THE SOULAlthough generally speaking, | | | | Kumara.The purpose of the Spiritual Hierarchy |
| spirit essence is ageless and eternal, it is | | | | is to guide and assist humanity's |
| possible to classify souls in terms of its | | | | evolutionary struggle towards higher levels, |
| evolutionary unfoldment or development. Here | | | | towards the fifth kingdom--the kingdom of the |
| we do not speak of the origin of the soul, | | | | gods and even beyond. Their goal is to |
| for from a certain occult point of view, not | | | | release humanity from all of its self-imposed |
| all human souls originated at the same "time" | | | | limitations and false beliefs preventing the |
| or from the same imaginary point in space. | | | | attainment of god-hood, divinity, and |
| According to this viewpoint, not all humans | | | | immortality. The members of the Hierarchy |
| are of the same spiritual race. Our many | | | | teach every person the way out of the cycle |
| racial conflicts have its source in the very | | | | of reincarnation, and the elimination of |
| depth of our souls where our metaphysical | | | | karma.As mentioned above, the many |
| blueprints are diverse and heterogeneous. In | | | | initiations that the Spiritual Hierarchy |
| the channeled teachings of the New Age, our | | | | conducts relates to the various stages of |
| points of origin are associated with certain | | | | humanity's evolution. These initiatory |
| constellations in the starry sky.The | | | | ceremonies are either formally or informally |
| so-called age of the soul may be determined | | | | given. They usually take place in the higher |
| in various ways and there are many forms of | | | | dimensions, those above the astral planes. |
| classifications. These methods of determining | | | | The candidates of these initiations |
| the evolutionary stage of the soul assists us | | | | experience them in the Out-of-the-Body state, |
| to greatly understand the behavioral patterns | | | | and is normally recalled during the waking |
| and mental/spiritual differences in human | | | | state as a "lucid dream."The consciousness of |
| beings.We call some of the various methods of | | | | life begins at the mineral level. It |
| classifying soul development, "the | | | | progresses to the plant kingdom, moving on to |
| Caste-System," "the Planetary Initiatory | | | | the animal kingdom, and finally enters the |
| System," and "the Chronological-Aging | | | | human stage. The human kingdom is marked by |
| System." Each system has its own method of | | | | various evolutionary phases. Most people have |
| delineating soul-progress. We believe that | | | | passed the early primitive stage of |
| psychology would improve its understanding of | | | | humanity's collective evolution--and when we |
| the human psyche if it took the issue of | | | | say "primitive," we refer to the |
| soul-age under consideration.The Caste | | | | consciousness aspect and not to form. The |
| SystemAccording to the Hindus, thousands of | | | | Hierarchy's consideration of mankind, |
| years ago Manu, the progenitor of humanity, | | | | therefore begins with the stage of the |
| instituted the caste system called jati in | | | | average person. When the average person |
| Sanskrit. In this system there are four | | | | begins to awaken spiritually, he is |
| classes called varna. The highest varna is | | | | considered an aspirant. This is analogous to |
| the Brahmin, the priests and scholars. Next | | | | the stage of novice in any religious |
| in rank is the warrior/ruler-caste, called | | | | institution. After this stage comes the grade |
| Kshatriya. Below this are the merchants and | | | | of discipleship.After many tests, a disciple |
| the farmers--the Vaisyas. The lowest class is | | | | qualifies for his first initiation. There are |
| that of the Sudras, the laborers. Outside of | | | | 9 initiations associated with this planet. At |
| the class systems are the "Untouchables." | | | | each stage and initiation there are certain |
| These are the Dravidians, the original | | | | soul qualities that the person has to |
| inhabitants of the land colonized by the | | | | develop, certain traits and habits that has |
| Aryans. This caste-system is still in | | | | to be eliminated, and certain tasks |
| existence today, however, its rigidity has | | | | carried-out. It is a person's |
| caused a great amount of civil problems and | | | | soul-development or expression that gives us |
| unrest; fortunately though, numerous | | | | a clue as to where he or she stands on the |
| political and social reformers have caused | | | | evolutionary scale or spiritual path as |
| positive changes and abolished many of the | | | | reckoned by the Hierarchy. Most saints and |
| caste-system strict rules.According to the | | | | prophets are third and fourth degree |
| exponents of the caste system every soul is | | | | initiates. The fifth initiation marks the |
| born into the caste in accord with its karma. | | | | level of the "Perfect Man."Generally |
| If one is born in a lower caste, it is | | | | speaking, the initiate of the first degree |
| because of its karma. Only if it ameliorated | | | | strives to overcome and balance the physical |
| its karmic condition would it be born in a | | | | appetites and instincts. The second degree |
| higher caste in a next life. Members of a | | | | initiate works upon purifying and harmonizing |
| certain caste were not allowed to marry those | | | | the emotional nature. The third degree |
| of another class. In such a strict system the | | | | initiate has the onus of purifying, |
| opportunity to progress was not provided. The | | | | developing, and transcending the mind. The |
| lower class eventually became the slaves of | | | | human ego would have to be eliminated or |
| the higher.Although the physical form of the | | | | transcended in the fourth initiation. |
| caste-system is abhorrent to the fine, | | | | Perfection is attained in the fifth |
| sensitive nature of the evolved soul, its | | | | initiation. What lies above that, the |
| essence has a basis in truth. Spiritually | | | | sixth-ninth degree, is beyond the |
| speaking, every person belongs to one of the | | | | understanding of the lower degree initiates |
| class of the caste system. In other words, | | | | and the average person. Between two |
| our soul functions at a certain caste-level | | | | initiations there are several minor ones, not |
| and it eventually evolves through all of the | | | | all of which are celebrated in a ceremonious |
| castes. At present we may function at a | | | | manner. The various events in the life of |
| Sudra-consciousness level, or a | | | | Jesus as recorded in the New Testament |
| Ksatriya-consciousness level, etc. From the | | | | represents the planetary initiations. This is |
| spiritual point of view, there are also | | | | a hidden truth not yet understood by orthodox |
| classes above the Brahmin level. These are | | | | Christianity. The gospel stories are actually |
| the great souls, men and women who have | | | | narratives of our own soul-journey and |
| reached the state of perfection.Briefly, the | | | | development.Not all of the initiations are |
| soul begins its evolutionary journey as an | | | | attained in one incarnation. It takes many |
| Untouchable, this is the soul-stage where one | | | | lives to pass through them. Because of this a |
| simply struggles to survive. One has no | | | | person may be born as a second or third |
| concept of sin at this stage, one simply | | | | degree initiate; a first or fourth degree |
| lives according to the basic instincts. The | | | | initiate; or even as an average person who |
| Untouchables are simple, ignorant people. | | | | has not yet set his foot on the path of |
| Their mentality and spirituality are not yet | | | | spiritual unfoldment. Our children may be |
| awakened. At the next stage, as a Sudra, the | | | | more advanced than us, spiritually speaking, |
| soul has evolved an egoic sense and begins to | | | | just as candidates may be more highly |
| work for self-aggrandizement and | | | | developed than their seniors when they are |
| self-centered purposes. As a Vaisya the soul | | | | first accepted or initiated into a spiritual |
| becomes very ambitious and materialistic and | | | | organization.The Chronological Aging |
| seeks money for its sake alone. The Vaisya | | | | SystemAnother method of gauging the soul's |
| cares for none but for self alone. Everything | | | | age is what we personally call the |
| that exists the Vaisya seeks to own. The | | | | Chronological Aging System. This method has |
| Ksatriya on the other hand has evolved a | | | | attained some publicity when the manuscript, |
| sense of responsibility. He seeks to serve | | | | "The Michael's Handbook" was published; |
| humanity, however, his attempts are still | | | | however, this system is not new and have been |
| tainted by his ego which is now functioning | | | | taught by mystics throughout the |
| in a subtle manner. The Brahmin has commenced | | | | ages.Basically, this system follows the same |
| to renounce the many vices and negative | | | | chronological stages that an organism goes |
| traits that acted as hurdles towards his | | | | through in its life. An organism begins its |
| spiritual progress. There is now little ego | | | | life as an infant and progresses in the |
| left in him. He often has a mystical | | | | following stages: baby, youth (young), adult |
| disposition. In his mind and heart he often | | | | (mature), and the aged (old). Now the soul |
| feels that he has "seen it all" and "have | | | | also undergoes all of the above stages in its |
| known it all." This results in his distaste | | | | development, and even more. Those souls that |
| for the mundane world, and he usually becomes | | | | have passed the stage of "Old-soul" may be |
| a renunciate. The Brahminic soul finds more | | | | said to be Transcendent and Infinite souls. |
| pleasure in things of the spirit rather than | | | | At each stage or age there are seven |
| in worldly pleasures.From the above we can | | | | sub-stages or levels. At every level and |
| see the hypothetical situation where a | | | | every stage, the soul has identifying traits |
| Vaisya, spiritually speaking, is born into a | | | | and characteristics, and these have positive |
| physical Ksatriya caste, or becomes president | | | | and negative aspects. Generally speaking, by |
| of a country. This results in a ruler with | | | | knowing the traits of someone we may tell |
| tyrannical tendencies. Someone who misuses | | | | their soul age, and hence, where they stand |
| the trust that people places upon him. He | | | | in their evolution. Below is a table of the |
| exploits his position in order to own and | | | | soul stages and their basic traits as |
| acquire the riches of the world for | | | | described in the book "Michael's Handbook," |
| self-centered purposes.We can see the | | | | written by Jose Stevens.[Please visit this |
| difference in soul development as related to | | | | page for table: Infant souls are more |
| class by an individual's understanding of the | | | | concerned with survival issues than anything |
| concept of power. Each class has its own | | | | else, and they often live far from the |
| characteristical understanding of the word | | | | complexities of technological societies. It |
| "power." Ask someone with a Sudra | | | | is said that Infant souls tend to congregate |
| soul-development what his understanding of | | | | in the equator for survival is much easier |
| power is. He will show you his | | | | and simpler there. Negatively, Infant souls |
| muscles--"muscle-power." The Vaisya on the | | | | are aggressive, animalistic, fearful, |
| other hand, will declare that money is power, | | | | superstitious, and ignorant. Their redeeming |
| or even that psychism is power. To the | | | | qualities are simplicity, child-like, |
| Ksatriya, position, rank, or office is power | | | | psychical, and instinctive.Baby souls are |
| . . . perhaps his sword too. Brahmins would | | | | those beings that strictly play the rules of |
| maintain knowledge to be power. The person | | | | society. They are unshakeable in their |
| who said that the pen is mightier than the | | | | beliefs and they have a tendency to succumb |
| sword was a Brahmin. The higher spiritual | | | | to fanaticism, whether it be religion or some |
| classes without doubt would declare love to | | | | other. Baby souls are comfortable with formal |
| be the highest power.Though the Caste-system | | | | rites and ceremonies and are strict |
| has four, five, or even six classes, they are | | | | conformist to the tenets of theological |
| not clearly distinct. In some cases we have | | | | dogmas. The good aspects of Baby souls might |
| an overlapping of classes. For instance, a | | | | include loyalty and obedience, while their |
| soul may be a Sudra-Vaisya, or a | | | | negative aspects dogmatism, pettiness, and |
| Vaisya-Ksatriya, etc. Or a much more precise | | | | brutality.Young souls are struggling to |
| way of classifying this is to consider each | | | | express their innate identity, their |
| class as having four sub-classes. The | | | | divinity; however, they mistakenly do this by |
| following is an example: Sudra-Sudra, | | | | asserting their false ego, by misusing power, |
| Vaisya-Sudra, Ksatriya-Sudra, and | | | | and by manipulating others. Hence, with such |
| Brahmin-Sudra. The next set of sub-classes | | | | tactics, they are often the conflict-makers. |
| would be Sudra-Vaisya, Vaisya-Vaisya, | | | | They are possessive in nature and are deeply |
| Ksatriya-Vaisya, etc. This would make 16 | | | | concerned with power issues. They love to be |
| sub-classes in all, and each sub-class would | | | | known and worshipped and are often the |
| have its own characteristics.We can also see | | | | success-hunters. Young souls are ambitious |
| how the pattern of the caste-syetem | | | | and competitive and ever seek to be prominent |
| corresponds with the four-fold personality of | | | | in their field of expertise. They are great |
| the microcosm: Sudra--physical body; | | | | winners but sore losers. They are |
| Vaisya--astral or emotional body; | | | | materialistically and atheistically oriented, |
| Ksatriya--the lower mental (concrete mind); | | | | and are greatly fearful of death. They love |
| Brahmin--the higher mental (the abstract | | | | luxury and the many comforts of life. |
| mind).The Planetary Initiatory SystemIn order | | | | Positive traits of Young souls are |
| to understand the planetary initiations and | | | | productiveness and industriousness. |
| its relationship to the stages of | | | | Negatively, they are competitive, |
| soul-unfoldment, we should first discuss | | | | self-righteous, manipulative, and given to |
| briefly the meaning of initiation and the | | | | exploitation.Mature souls are less |
| institution behind it.Initiation may be | | | | materialistic than their younger brethren. |
| defined as the "act of inducing, introducing, | | | | Relationships, cultural and intellectual |
| or instructing." It is often ritualistic in | | | | pursuits are of more importance to Mature |
| nature and is to be found in various social | | | | souls than the lower activities of the |
| ceremonies. Fraternal organizations often | | | | personality. This is the stage where the soul |
| extend an initiation to their | | | | commences to search for a meaning in life. |
| member-candidates to impress upon their minds | | | | The soul begins to feel an emptiness in its |
| the importance of the step that they would be | | | | heart for all the mundane things that it |
| taking. There are many forms of initiation | | | | sought after in the early stages offered no |
| related to the life of a human being; for | | | | lasting enjoyment. Mentally, it begins to be |
| instance, birth, adolescence, adulthood, | | | | open-minded, is introspective, and commences |
| parenthood, etc.-all of these are stages of | | | | its inquiry into the nature of Truth. Mature |
| growth and in certain cultures they are | | | | souls have a sense of caring, they are |
| marked by certain initiatory rituals. These | | | | perceptive, and are open to others-these are |
| rituals are often called rites of passage. | | | | their positive traits. Negatively, they can |
| Initiation in that sense, is an announcement | | | | be over-attached, over-emotional, and |
| or revelation of what one has attained, or | | | | neurotic.Old souls are the teachers and |
| reached.In schools of esotericism, | | | | guides of the younger souls. Having |
| initiations are given to candidates | | | | experienced life and its many facets, |
| requesting occult wisdom. In such initiatory | | | | spiritually speaking, they are the ones among |
| ceremonies, mystic instructions are often | | | | human souls most qualified to show others the |
| conveyed to the one being initiated. Often | | | | Way. Usually, they possess not mere |
| the candidate had to undergo certain tests | | | | intellectual knowledge of Universal Truths, |
| and trials to prove his worthiness. In the | | | | but have experienced them personally through |
| Initiatory schools of Ancient Egypt, for | | | | soul-perception. Old souls enjoy their |
| instance, the candidate had to face the | | | | freedom and have a sense of |
| challenges of the four elements. These trials | | | | inter-relatedness. All things to the Old soul |
| would reveal whether the candidate had the | | | | are inseparable from itself, and are but |
| necessary qualifications, such as sincerity, | | | | aspects of itself. They see and feel God in |
| courage, determination, perseverance, etc., | | | | everything. From the perspective of Young |
| in order to progress in the occult teachings | | | | souls, old timers are sometimes hard to |
| and to preserve them from misuse. When these | | | | fathom. The Old ones seem to lack any |
| arduous tests had been completed the | | | | powerful ambition, motivation, and enthusiasm |
| candidate would be led to a special chamber | | | | for earthly life. They appear to be detached, |
| where he or she would be caused to experience | | | | reticent, and aloof. Old souls enjoy |
| what has been called, "dying while living." | | | | unorthodox spiritual practices, and |
| Through mystic methods the high priest | | | | alternative forms of healing. They are |
| conducting the initiation would release the | | | | esoterically inclined--always searching for |
| ka, the "soul" from the candidate's corporeal | | | | the inner truths in religion rather than |
| form. In these initiations yogic instructions | | | | conforming to its formalities; they are more |
| are given to the initiated one to practice. | | | | spiritually aware than the soul groups of any |
| In most initiatory systems, there are three | | | | other soul stage. Old souls are adept in |
| stages of occult advancement--each stage | | | | choosing and expressing any of their |
| represented by an initiation. In the | | | | past-life personalities according to the |
| initiatory systems of ancient Egypt, these | | | | situations that they face in life. They might |
| three steps are referred to as the | | | | appear authoritative one moment, and at |
| initiations of Osiris, Isis, and | | | | another they may act docile, sweet and |
| Serapis.Planetary initiations are quite | | | | innocent. Old souls know that life is a play |
| different from what we have discussed thus | | | | and that they are merely actors playing |
| far. Man is in a state of evolution, and | | | | roles. From the viewpoint of Baby and Young |
| every stage of his unfoldment is marked by an | | | | souls, the Old ones with their spiritual |
| initiation. Often these initiations are | | | | vision and mystical understanding are simply |
| ritualistically conducted by the members of | | | | heretical. Old souls have often been |
| the Planetary Spiritual Hierarchy. This | | | | persecuted and executed by the ignorant |
| Spiritual Hierarchy is the unseen government | | | | younger souls. The Young ones tend to attack |
| of this planet.The Spiritual Hierarchy, | | | | what they fear and do not understand in the |
| according to the Ancient Wisdom, was | | | | Old ones and thus create unnecessary karma. |
| established about 18 million years ago by an | | | | The Old soul is easygoing, eccentric, kind, |
| interplanetary being from Venus called Sanat | | | | gentle, loving, insightful, intuitive, and |
| Kumara. This exalted entity is the god or | | | | harmless, these are just some of their |
| president-director of planet earth. It was he | | | | positive traits; Old souls have very little |
| who sent many beings to appear on the world | | | | negative traits and ego left, although there |
| scene to instruct humankind on the Path of | | | | are some "species" that can seemingly be |
| Truth, Love and Wisdom. These beings are our | | | | obnoxious for certain karmic reasons. Old |
| avatars, saints and prophets. Many of these | | | | souls are at times lazy, weird, and |
| entities now hold important positions in the | | | | unmotivated. |
| spiritual government headed by Sanat | | | | |