First-ranking lessons

[Steppingfeet]

I've been contemplating one specific piece in the Ra material lately, and I have two questions about it. Here is this piece:

52.11 Questioner: Thank you. Just a little point that was bothering me of no real importance.

Well, is there then, from the point of view of an individual who wishes to follow the service-to-others path from our present position in third density, is there anything of importance other than disciplines of personality, knowledge of self, and strengthening of will?

Ra: I am Ra. This is technique. This is not the heart. Let us examine the heart of evolution.

Let us remember that we are all one. This is the great learning/teaching. In this unity lies love. This is a great learn/teaching. In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization. Unity, love, light, and joy; this is the heart of evolution of the spirit.

The second-ranking lessons are learn/taught in meditation and in service. At some point the mind/body/spirit complex is so smoothly activated and balanced by these central thoughts or distortions that the techniques you have mentioned become quite significant. However, the universe, its mystery unbroken, is one. Always begin and end in the Creator, not in technique.

As I understand the above piece, the disciplines of personality, knowledge of the self, strengthening of the will, and even service to others and meditation are *not* the first-ranking lessons; they are the second-ranking lessons. The first-ranking lessons are these central thoughts, as Ra called them:

"Let us remember that we are all one. This is the great learning/teaching. In this unity lies love. This is a great learn/teaching. In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization. Unity, love, light, and joy; this is the heart of evolution of the spirit."

So, at some point, when an entity has learned these lessons, it becomes so smoothly activated and balanced by these central thoughts, that it is only *then* that the second-ranking lessons (which are meditation, service, strengthening of the will, knowledge of the self, and the disciplines of personality) become significant.

So, my first question is: do you guys have any other interpretation of the above Ra piece, or am I correct in my understanding of it as I described it?

That Ra uses that particular sequence is confusing.

Firstly: smoothly activated.
Then: meditation/service/disciplined personality become important.
Then: profit.

To me, there is a reciprocal relationship between these things. (The first two groups. Ra didn't mention profit.) They both feed into, and give to, and strengthen each other.

But the gist of it, I think, is that orientation is of greater consequence.

By orientation, I mean the "direction" that you are pointed, the trajectory that you're headed, the aim of your movement is first and foremost centered on seeking the One - and the light, love, joy inherent in the One. (This orientation arises out of your awareness of the One, however dim it may seem to be.)

With the proper orientation, then the tools and means (strengthening of will, meditation, service, etc.) will be used appropriately. All movement, activity, and energy expenditure (tools and means) will be *aimed* in the direction of your orientation, and used toward that end, and empowered thereby.

Remember when Ra says that it is the being that informs the working, and not vice versa?

I think it is that logic that applies here. The being (aka: unity-love-light-joy) informs the working (meditation-service-will-discipline).

My second question is about one of these central thoughts:

"In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization."

What light did Ra mean in that piece, and why is this thought a *fundamental* learning?

I think that these are "fundamental teachings" because no matter what density you experience, no matter what octave, no matter the particular outer form you are manifesting as (i.e.: person, cat, angel, rock, house, dog bone, biscuits'n'gravy, super massive blackhole), you are *always* working with these dynamics/processes/energies/realities.

In fact, "you" are the result of the interplay between the first three primal distortions stemming from intelligent infinity.

I've loosely connected the Christian idea of "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you" to the above.

Just like Ra describes the seeking of love within the moment being so "central an act of will" -- get yourself in alignment with the fundamentals, and all else will shape around it, accordingly.

About what Ra means by "light" specifically, Seph would be a good one to ask here. Visible light just represents a certain range on the electromagnetic spectrum. My idea about Ra's "light" is that it is what all outer manifestation is made of. Our bodies and planets and wind and gamma rays and ALL the material of all densities - all light.

Good questions Ms. Ankh!
Love, GLB

[Ankh]

I've been contemplating one specific piece in the Ra material lately, and I have two questions about it. Here is this piece:

52.11 Questioner: Thank you. Just a little point that was bothering me of no real importance.

Well, is there then, from the point of view of an individual who wishes to follow the service-to-others path from our present position in third density, is there anything of importance other than disciplines of personality, knowledge of self, and strengthening of will?

Ra: I am Ra. This is technique. This is not the heart. Let us examine the heart of evolution.

Let us remember that we are all one. This is the great learning/teaching. In this unity lies love. This is a great learn/teaching. In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization. Unity, love, light, and joy; this is the heart of evolution of the spirit.

The second-ranking lessons are learn/taught in meditation and in service. At some point the mind/body/spirit complex is so smoothly activated and balanced by these central thoughts or distortions that the techniques you have mentioned become quite significant. However, the universe, its mystery unbroken, is one. Always begin and end in the Creator, not in technique.

As I understand the above piece, the disciplines of personality, knowledge of the self, strengthening of the will, and even service to others and meditation are *not* the first-ranking lessons; they are the second-ranking lessons. The first-ranking lessons are these central thoughts, as Ra called them:

"Let us remember that we are all one. This is the great learning/teaching. In this unity lies love. This is a great learn/teaching. In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization. Unity, love, light, and joy; this is the heart of evolution of the spirit."

So, at some point, when an entity has learned these lessons, it becomes so smoothly activated and balanced by these central thoughts, that it is only *then* that the second-ranking lessons (which are meditation, service, strengthening of the will, knowledge of the self, and the disciplines of personality) become significant.

So, my first question is: do you guys have any other interpretation of the above Ra piece, or am I correct in my understanding of it as I described it?

That Ra uses that particular sequence is confusing.

Firstly: smoothly activated.
Then: meditation/service/disciplined personality become important.
Then: profit.

To me, there is a reciprocal relationship between these things. (The first two groups. Ra didn't mention profit.) They both feed into, and give to, and strengthen each other.

Yes, it is confusing, isn't it? I've been reading this piece many times, but only when looking deeper into it, noticed that Ra emphasized this particular order, and I got surprised to say at least. I guess that it is so because of what you mention later:

But the gist of it, I think, is that orientation is of greater consequence.

By orientation, I mean the "direction" that you are pointed, the trajectory that you're headed, the aim of your movement is first and foremost centered on seeking the One - and the light, love, joy inherent in the One. (This orientation arises out of your awareness of the One, however dim it may seem to be.)

With the proper orientation, then the tools and means (strengthening of will, meditation, service, etc.) will be used appropriately. All movement, activity, and energy expenditure (tools and means) will be *aimed* in the direction of your orientation, and used toward that end, and empowered thereby.

Remember when Ra says that it is the being that informs the working, and not vice versa?

I think it is that logic that applies here. The being (aka: unity-love-light-joy) informs the working (meditation-service-will-discipline).

__________________________________________________

My second question is about one of these central thoughts:

"In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization."

What light did Ra mean in that piece, and why is this thought a *fundamental* learning?

I think that these are "fundamental teachings" because no matter what density you experience, no matter what octave, no matter the particular outer form you are manifesting as (i.e.: person, cat, angel, rock, house, dog bone, biscuits'n'gravy, super massive blackhole), you are *always* working with these dynamics/processes/energies/realities.

In fact, "you" are the result of the interplay between the first three primal distortions stemming from intelligent infinity.

I've loosely connected the Christian idea of "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you" to the above.

Just like Ra describes the seeking of love within the moment being so "central an act of will" -- get yourself in alignment with the fundamentals, and all else will shape around it, accordingly.

About what Ra means by "light" specifically, Seph would be a good one to ask here. Visible light just represents a certain range on the electromagnetic spectrum. My idea about Ra's "light" is that it is what all outer manifestation is made of. Our bodies and planets and wind and gamma rays and ALL the material of all densities - all light.

Good questions Ms. Ankh!
Love, GLB

I think that I am starting to understand what Ra meant by this light. They once said that there is no other material than light, and that in each particle of light there is intelligent infinity present. While we, in our dimension, when looking around, perhaps see different things, different people, and perhaps this way of viewing "all light" brings some sort of separation to the mind? While if you think that everything is light, and that light lies in unity, perhaps this will bring you to the desired orientation of method of seeking the One?

I'm still confused though that this teaching goes before meditation and service, cause it seems rather advanced to me. As I mentioned earlier, there are many people who probably attained both realization of the One or fourth density vibration, without this conscious understanding of the light. And yet, Ra says that understanding this is a fundamental teaching...

[anagogy]

I think that I am starting to understand what Ra meant by this light. They once said that there is no other material than light, and that in each particle of light there is intelligent infinity present. While we, in our dimension, when looking around, perhaps see different things, different people, and perhaps this way of viewing "all light" brings some sort of separation to the mind? While if you think that everything is light, and that light lies in unity, perhaps this will bring you to the desired orientation of method of seeking the One?

I'm still confused though that this teaching goes before meditation and service, cause it seems rather advanced to me. As I mentioned earlier, there are many people who probably attained both realization of the One or fourth density vibration, without this conscious understanding of the light. And yet, Ra says that understanding this is a fundamental teaching...

That is because you are WAY over thinking this quote in my opinion Ankh.

You are right, the understanding that all of creation, all of the "light", is the activity of the focus of unity called love in its free will is a substantially advanced teaching. That is why it is my earnest opinion that is not what Ra intended to convey.

They simply meant light in the sense of wisdom. There is wisdom, which is the light of inner illumination, in the central consideration that all is connected. And of course, there is love there too. Love is all about connection.

That central consideration is the rock of general truth, upon which the more specific *refinements* of service and meditation accentuate.

Ra often uses "wisdom" as a synonym for "light". Unity is a balance between compassion and wisdom. That is why the sixth density, which is the cycle of unity, is all about refining that balance.

I found this search enlightening in this regard Light and Wisdom

[Adonai One]

The veil comes from the body, not the light. It's how the body perceives the light that creates a veil we wish to subconsciously see past.

[Plenum]

As I understand the above piece, the disciplines of personality, knowledge of the self, strengthening of the will, and even service to others and meditation are *not* the first-ranking lessons; they are the second-ranking lessons. The first-ranking lessons are these central thoughts, as Ra called them:

"Let us remember that we are all one. This is the great learning/teaching. In this unity lies love. This is a great learn/teaching. In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization. Unity, love, light, and joy; this is the heart of evolution of the spirit."

do you think that this is somehow pointing to the intrinsic motivation?

that is, the intrinsic motivation is like the setting of the compass, to decide what direction one intends to go (a choice made in 3rd density), and then the rest proceeds from there - as technique etc?

and much like the setting of the compass doesn't complete your journey (the journey might be quite distant, with many obstacles), once one has experienced enough to make a considered evaluation that 'love, light, unity, and joy' is what you are after, and you set your mind to it, then you find ways of 'actualising' it, making it real, and able to be lived and experienced more and more.

But without that initial setting of direction, it doesn't matter how much 'practice' you do, or how many mantras you recite, it is not fulfilling or supporting a deep desire for oneness.

[Ankh]

As I understand the above piece, the disciplines of personality, knowledge of the self, strengthening of the will, and even service to others and meditation are *not* the first-ranking lessons; they are the second-ranking lessons. The first-ranking lessons are these central thoughts, as Ra called them:

"Let us remember that we are all one. This is the great learning/teaching. In this unity lies love. This is a great learn/teaching. In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization. Unity, love, light, and joy; this is the heart of evolution of the spirit."

do you think that this is somehow pointing to the intrinsic motivation?

that is, the intrinsic motivation is like the setting of the compass, to decide what direction one intends to go (a choice made in 3rd density), and then the rest proceeds from there - as technique etc?

and much like the setting of the compass doesn't complete your journey (the journey might be quite distant, with many obstacles), once one has experienced enough to make a considered evaluation that 'love, light, unity, and joy' is what you are after, and you set your mind to it, then you find ways of 'actualising' it, making it real, and able to be lived and experienced more and more.

But without that initial setting of direction, it doesn't matter how much 'practice' you do, or how many mantras you recite, it is not fulfilling or supporting a deep desire for oneness.

Yeah, I basically agree with you, but still, I thought, as Gary mentioned, that these two things would be more intertwined. For instance, imagine that I do seek unity daily and nightly, but then I stumble upon an intensive catalyst, and I just don't *want* to seek unity with this catalyst as it is completely unacceptable to me. In this instance, I would go into meditation and try to seek answers within. What happened? What is unacceptable? How can I move on on my chosen path? Instead of keep pushing to seek unity, as I understand myself well enough at this point, that I simply don't *want* this unity with this catalyst... Do you see what I mean? And that is how I have been working this far. Of course, after understanding the above piece, I wonder if my method was maybe not completely correct, and maybe one should give more time to these central thoughts instead? But either way, what I am trying to say, is that I didn't think of these techniques or thoughts in that particular order, but both you and Gary do make awesome points of that orientation or compass being there first, then start walking...

---

I think that I am starting to understand what Ra meant by this light. They once said that there is no other material than light, and that in each particle of light there is intelligent infinity present. While we, in our dimension, when looking around, perhaps see different things, different people, and perhaps this way of viewing "all light" brings some sort of separation to the mind? While if you think that everything is light, and that light lies in unity, perhaps this will bring you to the desired orientation of method of seeking the One?

I'm still confused though that this teaching goes before meditation and service, cause it seems rather advanced to me. As I mentioned earlier, there are many people who probably attained both realization of the One or fourth density vibration, without this conscious understanding of the light. And yet, Ra says that understanding this is a fundamental teaching...

That is because you are WAY over thinking this quote in my opinion Ankh.

You are right, the understanding that all of creation, all of the "light", is the activity of the focus of unity called love in its free will is a substantially advanced teaching. That is why it is my earnest opinion that is not what Ra intended to convey.

They simply meant light in the sense of wisdom. There is wisdom, which is the light of inner illumination, in the central consideration that all is connected. And of course, there is love there too. Love is all about connection.

That central consideration is the rock of general truth, upon which the more specific *refinements* of service and meditation accentuate.

Ra often uses "wisdom" as a synonym for "light". Unity is a balance between compassion and wisdom. That is why the sixth density, which is the cycle of unity, is all about refining that balance.

I found this search enlightening in this regard Light and Wisdom

LOL!

Well, that is also an interesting interpretation of this piece. I have thought about this "light" being wisdom instead of the third distortion, but then... I don't know... It doesn't make sense either in some way. Does a being need to understand wisdom in order to be smoothly activated? Is not love alone enough? And is wisdom a fundamental teaching? I don't know, anagogy, hence all these rhetorical questions...

[Unbound]

The veil comes from the body, not the light. It's how the body perceives the light that creates a veil we wish to subconsciously see past.

Just thought I'd leave this here for chewing:

85.18 Questioner: After the veiling process certain veiled functions or activities must have been paramount in creating evolution in desired polarized directions. I was just wondering which of these had the greatest effect on polarization?
Ra: I am Ra. The most effectual veiling was that of the mind.

85.19 Questioner: I would like to carry that on to find out what specific functions of the mind were most effectual and the three or four most effective changes brought about to create the polarization.
Ra: I am Ra. This is an interesting query. The primary veiling was of such significance that it may be seen to be analogous to the mantling of the Earth over all the jewels within the Earth’s crust; whereas previously all facets of the Creator were consciously known. After the veiling, almost no facets of the Creator were known to the mind. Almost all was buried beneath the veil.

If one were to attempt to list those functions of mind most significant in that they might be of aid in polarization, one would need to begin with the faculty of visioning, envisioning, or far-seeing. Without the veil the mind was not caught in your illusory time. With the veil space/time is the only obvious possibility for experience.

Also upon the list of significant veiled functions of the mind would be that of dreaming. The so-called dreaming contains a great deal which, if made available to the conscious mind and used, shall aid it in polarization to a great extent.

The third function of the mind which is significant and which has been veiled is that of the knowing of the body. The knowledge of and control over the body, having been lost to a great extent in the veiling process, is thusly lost from the experience of the seeker. Its knowledge before the veiling is of small use. Its knowledge after the veiling, and in the face of what is now a dense illusion of separation of body complex from mind complex, is quite significant.

Perhaps the most important and significant function that occurred due to the veiling of the mind from itself is not in itself a function of mind but rather is a product of the potential created by this veiling. This is the faculty of will or pure desire.

[Plenum]

For instance, imagine that I do seek unity daily and nightly, but then I stumble upon an intensive catalyst, and I just don't *want* to seek unity with this catalyst as it is completely unacceptable to me. In this instance, I would go into meditation and try to seek answers within. What happened? What is unacceptable? How can I move on on my chosen path? Instead of keep pushing to seek unity, as I understand myself well enough at this point, that I simply don't *want* this unity with this catalyst... Do you see what I mean? And that is how I have been working this far. Of course, after understanding the above piece, I wonder if my method was maybe not completely correct, and maybe one should give more time to these central thoughts instead?

hmmm. I guess that's the crux of it. How one defines (and works with) the term 'unacceptable'.

and if we sort of back up a bit, before we can define what is 'unacceptable' we sort of have to have a clear notion of what 'acceptable' actually means to us, on a personal level.

The word 'acceptance' can be used in many ways. In common speech, a lot of people would interpret 'acceptance' as being the same as 'condoning'. So a statement like 'I accept Ted Bundy' (if you don't know who Ted Bundy is, please don't google him, as he did some shocking things), might be read as you supporting or condoning his many acts. Whereas from a metaphysical point of view, 'acceptance' here might mean I do not reject this individual, or what he did, he chose his own path, but I would by no means practice those actions myself, and I would by no means endorse, promote, or support such behaviour because it is counter to my own path.

So at some level there is 'total acceptance', even though the actions and the belief patterns of the two paths are diametrically opposed. It's someone 'accepting' the validity of each possible choice (whether positive or negative) but being able to acknowledge their own distinct path.

but I've sort of gone off on my own tangent, so I am not sure if that's the heart of the question or questions that you asked

[xise]

BE mentioned this in another thread, but its worth repeating: understanding can really help speed the process of acceptance.

Ie, understanding why someone would do something really helps in accepting that action or the person behind the action.

I think whole idea of support/approval/disapproval is not useful on the spiritual path. There are simply choices, with consequences, and our job is to freely decide between them without the additional distortion of judgment-condemnation. It is helpful to be aware and think through the options and what you truly want, but I don't think anyone needs to think in terms of supporting/approval/disapproval/right/wrong/good/bad/etc.

And in my experience, probably the best test of whether something is accepted or not is how much emotional disturbance or discomfort an idea or situation causes as well as how easily you understand the origins of that idea or situation.

[Ankh]

Thanks for your replies, brothers.

xise, who is BE?

For me understanding not only speeds up the process of acceptance, but leads directly to an acceptance. If one understands a specific catalyst, the path is then more or less straight to the acceptance of it. For instance, imagine that you bump into a seemingly grumpy person who says something not so nice, but what if this person just has a stomach pain and have a hard time being nice at that moment? Understanding this, leads instantly to an acceptance of the mood of this person, and perhaps even to compassion for him or her. One would perhaps even want to help this person out, or at least say something nice to him or her in order to comfort?

To come back to topic, understanding is not always available in this density. It is rare that we understand the reasons to why people act as they do, or say what they say. We just meet a lot of people, and many times get catalyzed by them. Ra said that the primary mechanism for catalytic experience in third density is other self. So, when this catalytic experience occurs, I've been thinking that the best way of dealing with it is to meditate or contemplate. But Ra said that having central thoughts upon unity is what comes first. Alright, but what if, as I've mentioned, there are instances when at least I don't *want* to seek this unity, because the catalyst is too intense? This is when I would rather contemplate or meditate upon it, instead of pushing on seeking unity. Seeking unity with such an intensive catalyst comes after understanding. Acceptance is after all, a path to unity, as Ra said.

Well, as anagogy said, perhaps I am way overthinking this again. And should just go with whatever works for me and makes me sleep at night.

With this being said, of course, having these thoughts upon unity is also central.

[xise]

BrownEye

[anagogy]

LOL!

Well, that is also an interesting interpretation of this piece. I have thought about this "light" being wisdom instead of the third distortion, but then... I don't know... It doesn't make sense either in some way. Does a being need to understand wisdom in order to be smoothly activated? Is not love alone enough? And is wisdom a fundamental teaching? I don't know, anagogy, hence all these rhetorical questions...

I think they are good questions Ankh, and as always, it is very fun to discuss the subject.

Well, Ra wasn't saying that wisdom was a fundamental teaching, only that unity was. However, you cannot consider unity in any sort of conscious fashion, without extracting both love and light (wisdom) from it. Which is the point I believe Ra was attempting to convey.

Consider that your current density level is a function of how well you are able to apprehend the intrinsic unity of the cosmos. As your understanding of unity increases, the kundalini rises through your spiritual complex, and your density level changes as a result of that. I would describe that understanding as wisdom, or light.

The central consideration of the connection among all things is a base, or platform, by which one can extract both wisdom and love from. From my point of view, love and wisdom are simply two sides of the same coin -- that coin being unity. love and light. light and love. love/light light/love.

If love is acceptance/appreciation, it cannot truly occur without that light or understanding/wisdom.

To truly accept a thing, you must know what it is you are accepting. The level of acceptance, increases with each new plane, or density, of understanding we rise to.

[xise]

I think faith can also be used for the basis of acceptance, but understanding is a lot easier when available. Edit: For me, at least.

[Adonai One]

I'm so glad Ra insisted on the Catalyst of the Spirit being Faith. This one teaching has helped me endlessly. The truest lesson here is faith in all being well and resolvable.

[Charles]

Light is Love. Light is joy. Light is good. Light is something. When something is Light, it weighs nothing, it floats. Darkness is heavy, because it is the absence of something (the absence of Light).

Light is more powerful than darkness, as shown so well in that dream of isis.

Choosing the Light or the dark, is the essence of the free will decision we each need to make in 3D.

Xise (thank you) reminds us of the original communication. We are not part of a material universe, we are part of a thought.

The Creators thought is positive Light (Love). And we are a part of it. DeLightful.

Creation lies within the unity. We are all in this together. We are all loved equally. We all share the same potential. And this We, this Unity, includes the Infinite All. This is why I feel and think of The Confederation of Planets in the Service of The Infinite Creator, as family. They, Us, We are ALL lovable.

[I_Am_The_One]

---

Ranks are but an abstraction of what is all. The lessons are inherent, what is attained is inherent. What is not inherent is the knowingness of the self. Are you not all things? You are very loved. I just want to say that you are very wise, Ankh, but there is truly nothing to learn as you know it. This is my belief/understanding.

I would agree, Ankh is very wise, though all of us are. I also would agree that there Is nothing to learn as we know it, we are everything. So I would suggest that the only thing to "learn" is that you are everyone, every emotion, every thought. this is my belief/understanding. Another thing are we all not perfect? you are the creator, you have your own little universe, right here inside you. Even if everyone else thinks your beliefs are insane, your still the creator and the beliefs you hold are very real. you are the creator...this means you can create. period. Though everyone can generate, the ability to love another entity, no matter how or what they generate, that is the gem. to understand that you actually generated it, not them independently. allows you to realize its not an ability to love......its inherent...natural. Light is all around it composes all the illusions. So we are all immersed in love at all times. Knowing this..love is not an ability. its just awaiting for you to realize it. this is my belief/understanding

---

to me learning is basically re-tracing your steps as the creator..do you not already know all at some level?

---

we are the creator, love is not the whole macrocosm. Love emanates from the creator. it is not to be worshipped as if it were the creator.
Unity emanates love - Love enables unity. Therefore we emanate love, and that love is unity. be it love of and for self. Or Love of for other-self. It is impossible not to serve the creator..

---

[AnthroHeart]

Creator has infinite love. Is it possible in 3D to tap this infinite love or to demonstrate infinite love ourselves?

[I_Am_The_One]

I have no idea Gemini. I love a lot of the stuff you wrote on here though. May I ask what your signature means?

[AnthroHeart]

I have no idea Gemini. I love a lot of the stuff you wrote on here though. May I ask what your signature means?

I believe in a higher plane, or higher density, we are each a star. Mine just happens to be for anthros, or half man half animal beings.

[I_Am_The_One]

I have no idea Gemini. I love a lot of the stuff you wrote on here though. May I ask what your signature means?

I believe in a higher plane, or higher density, we are each a star. Mine just happens to be for anthros, or half man half animal beings.

Hey I think the same, about the stars. I had that thought, before I found out about the Law of One. I thought some how we are tied to those stars in some form. That's a beautiful idea.

---

Do you mean you have an affinity for such a star, or like your home density is a star like this?

[Aaron]

Let us remember that we are all one. This is the great learning/teaching. In this unity lies love. This is a great learn/teaching. In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization. Unity, love, light, and joy; this is the heart of evolution of the spirit.

The second-ranking lessons are learn/taught in meditation and in service. At some point the mind/body/spirit complex is so smoothly activated and balanced by these central thoughts or distortions that the techniques you have mentioned become quite significant. However, the universe, its mystery unbroken, is one. Always begin and end in the Creator, not in technique.

My thinking is kind of along the same lines as βαθμιαίος that this light is the third distortion. I think that there may be more subtleties when looking at it in terms of a third density incarnation though. When Ra talks about "great learn/teaching" and "fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization" I believe they are talking about things that are realized through multiple densities. All things are always striving back towards that unity, so how can it not be fundamental?

I think that "in this unity lies light" means that in this unity lies the light of knowingness of one's self. However, Ra did not say that specifically, nor did they say that "in this realization of unity lies light". They only said that in this unity lies light, and that it is a fundamental teaching over all planes of existence.

So then I ask myself how can a third density entity within incarnation make use of that? Anagogy posted what I was thinking in regards to that earlier when he said

There is wisdom, which is the light of inner illumination, in the central consideration that all is connected.

and I was relating that thought to this one sentence from 101.2 where they are talking about Jim's spider bite and the negative wisdom:

Positive wisdom adorns the brow indicating indigo-ray work.

And there even seems to be a connection between that and this from 80.15

Even the most unhappy of experiences, shall we say, which seem to occur in the Catalyst of the adept, seen from the viewpoint of the spirit, may, with the discrimination possible in shadow, be worked with until light equaling the light of brightest noon descends upon the adept and positive or service-to-others illumination has occurred

All of this to me is saying that there are conscious ways to work with this fundamental teaching in third density once it is realized. But I am thinking that will only happen in the course of the adept, in one who is "smoothly activated and balanced", not just simply "activated". Once that kind of balance is achieved, then I am thinking the adept is ready to clearly and consciously work on such things as disciplines of personality, knowledge of self, and strengthening of will, that Don specifically mentioned. That's the kind of stuff that's impossible to do if one is still caught up in red, orange, or yellow ray attachments, judgements, and blockages. I think that if a seeker is trying to do those things before realizing the fundamental unity (light) to themselves then they are fooling themselves and other-selves. Even if there is green ray, I feel like it wouldn't be a balanced action because there would not be an acknowledgement of unity in every second, every action, and every thought. (Jeez just typing that out now it sounds almost impossible to realize in this third density life.)

I love that in the end of that answer Ra says to always begin and end in the Creator... Just that is enough for me. Other things will come in time.

P.S. It caught my eye when you said "and even service to others and meditation are *not* the first-ranking lessons; they are the second-ranking lessons". I guess that's true, but why mention that specifically? Ra doesn't say that. My point is that those things may not be "first-ranking lessons", but that I don't think they are less important than the central thoughts of unity. There may not actually be a distinction there because it seems to me like central thoughts of unity, and service, and meditation, may be the same thing at times.

[kycahi]

52.11 Questioner: Well, is there then, from the point of view of an individual who wishes to follow the service-to-others path from our present position in third density, is there anything of importance other than disciplines of personality, knowledge of self, and strengthening of will?

Ra: I am Ra. This is technique. This is not the heart. Let us examine the heart of evolution.

Let us remember that we are all one. This is the great learning/teaching.

Note my emphasis of "the." I am trying out the term, "the great assumption" instead of the great learning/teaching. Maybe it will help; dunno yet.

In this unity lies love. This is a great learn/teaching. In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization. Unity, love, light, and joy; this is the heart of evolution of the spirit.

The second-ranking lessons are learn/taught in meditation and in service. At some point the mind/body/spirit complex is so smoothly activated and balanced by these central thoughts or distortions that the techniques you have mentioned become quite significant. [kycahi: Or, perhaps, quite "useful."] However, the universe, its mystery unbroken, is one. Always begin and end in the Creator, not in technique.

My second question is about one of these central thoughts:

"In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization."

What light did Ra mean in that piece, and why is this thought a *fundamental* learning?

Light can be metaphysical, or can't it be? Light is also physical, a photon, and all materialization is made of that photon, right? Light has also sometimes been synonymously used with wisdom, as in - fifth density has sometimes been called both the density of Light and the density of Wisdom? So, what sort of light did Ra mean in this piece, and why is this light so fundamental to learn/understand? Why is this a central thought, or a first-ranking lesson? I hope I make sense with this my second question, cause I am quite confused about this.

I can go either way on this: light as wisdom is my first thinking, and it makes obvious sense.

Ra implies that the Creator brought forth the two things that Don named their enterprise (L/L) after, Love and Light. So Light is as fundamental as Love to the One Creation. I have to admit that knowing this, even believing it with all my heart, doesn't make me feel any better/wiser/stronger/etc. That's for me to deal with, though; I have more learning/teaching to process. Ankh and I might have this in common.

---

At least your dream made sense isis. Sometimes my dreams aren't coherent. I get lots of dreams of restrooms or cafeterias. And usually the restroom is wartorn, and the cafeteria doesn't have much food.

My first thought, GemWolf, is that you programmed a really tough space/time life for yourself in order to confront massive catalysis and achieve massive experience. Those dreams might be your higher self reminding you that this broken and non-delicious world with which you stuck yourself is just a temporary illusion (dream). :-/

Typo edit: switched 2 words

Good luck:exclamation:

[Steppingfeet]

Yeah, I basically agree with you, but still, I thought, as Gary mentioned, that these two things would be more intertwined. For instance, imagine that I do seek unity daily and nightly, but then I stumble upon an intensive catalyst, and I just don't *want* to seek unity with this catalyst as it is completely unacceptable to me. In this instance, I would go into meditation and try to seek answers within. What happened? What is unacceptable? How can I move on on my chosen path? Instead of keep pushing to seek unity, as I understand myself well enough at this point, that I simply don't *want* this unity with this catalyst... Do you see what I mean? And that is how I have been working this far.

I think that when the being is centered upon seeking love, light, unity, and joy, there are many, many variations in the state of mind and mood; many speedbumps, many pitfalls, many dead-ends.

So even when it seems like you don't *want* to seek unity, you are still already in motion, on a course, that, like Plenum was saying, is headed in a certain direction thanks to your inner compass. The seeking of unity is *already* there, a deep, slow-moving undercurrent carrying your forward, informing your will and faith as you move through the many seeming mountains and valleys and deserts of spiritual seeking.

Personally I believe that these "second-ranking" techniques are vitally important. I think that meditation itself is the single most powerful tool we have in our own hands for effecting our own self-transformation and self-realization.

Perhaps the relationship between the so-called "first" and "second" ranking lessons may be illuminated by considering Ra's suggestion to: "Always begin and end in the Creator, not in technique."

The seeker doesn't meditate for the sake of meditation in and of itself, but as a means, or tool, to know the all-self, to know the Creator.

Though I think the closer the individual "I" comes to the infinite all-self, the more that many approaches dovetail into one another, and ideas become synonymous with one another. Kind of like many roads converging into a single path.

I like also what Anagogy said: "That central consideration is the rock of general truth, upon which the more specific *refinements* of service and meditation accentuate."

: ) GLB