If you will study what I have earlier given anent certain of the higher and lower expressions of the rays you will see how these two fields of endeavor - that of the Hierarchy, animated by love and that of the opposite pole, the Black Lodge, working entirely through mind and substance - are engaged and their close relationship will emerge.

You will realize then that the margin of difference is very slight and is to be found solely in intention, in the underlying purpose and the concrete objectives which this group of material workers have set themselves. DN 37.

The distinction between the two exists in both motive and method. TCF 985

You have, therefore, the following direct line of will energy:

The Pointer furthest from the Pole Star in the constellation of the Great Bear. This is, esoterically speaking, a great reservoir or focal point for divine energy, carrying out God's purpose.

The Pointer nearest to the Pole Star is expressive of a lower aspect of the will, which - in speaking of humanity - we call self-will. EA 196.

The stage of responding to the higher aspects of the seven Ray Lives and establishing contact with the Three and the One. This is done under the Law of the Supplementary Seven. RI 226.

First Ray of Will or Power

Special Virtues:

Strength, courage, steadfastness, truthfulness arising from absolute fearlessness, power of ruling, capacity to grasp great questions in a large-minded way, and of handling men and measures.

Vices of Ray:

Pride, ambition, wilfulness, hardness, arrogance, desire to control others, obstinacy, anger.

Virtues to he acquired:

Tenderness, humility, sympathy, tolerance, patience.

This has been spoken of as the ray of power, and is correctly so called, but if it were power alone, without wisdom and love, a destructive and disintegrating force would result. When however the three characteristics are united, it becomes a creative and governing ray. Those on this ray have strong will power, for either good or evil, for the former when the will is directed by wisdom and made selfless by love. EP1 201.

The Second Ray of Love-Wisdom.

Special Virtues:

Calm, strength, patience and endurance, love of truth, faithfulness, intuition, clear intelligence, and serene temper.

Vices of Ray:

Over-absorption in study, coldness, indifference to others, contempt of mental limitations in others.

Virtues to be acquired:

Love, compassion, unselfishness, energy.

This is called the ray of wisdom from its characteristic desire for pure knowledge and for absolute truth - cold and selfish, if without love, and inactive without power.

A bad type of the second ray would be bent on acquiring knowledge for himself alone, absolutely indifferent to the human needs of others. The foresight of such a man would degenerate into suspicion, his calmness into coldness and hardness of nature. EP1 204.

The Third Ray of Higher Mind.

Special Virtues:

Wide views on all abstract questions, sincerity of purpose, clear intellect, capacity for concentration on philosophic studies, patience, caution, absence of the tendency to worry himself or others over trifles.

Vices of Ray:

Intellectual pride, coldness, isolation, inaccuracy in details, absent-mindedness, obstinacy, selfishness, overmuch criticism of others.

Virtues to be acquired:

Sympathy, tolerance, devotion, accuracy, energy and common sense.

One type of this ray is unconventional to a degree, slovenly, unpunctual and idle, and regardless of appearances. EP1 205.

The Fourth Ray of Harmony through Conflict.

Special Virtues:

Strong affections, sympathy, physical courage, generosity, devotion, quickness of intellect and perception.

Vices of Ray:

Self-centeredness, worrying, inaccuracy, lack of moral courage, strong passions, indolence, extravagance.

Virtues to be acquired:

Serenity, confidence, self-control, purity, unselfishness, accuracy, mental and moral balance.

Tamas induces love of ease and pleasure, a hatred of causing pain amounting to moral cowardice, indolence, procrastination, a desire to let things be, to rest, and to take no thought of the morrow. The lower and extremely dangerous way is by Hatha Yoga. EP1 207.

The Fifth Ray of Lower Mind.

Special Virtues:

Strictly accurate statements, justice (without mercy), perseverance, common sense, uprightness, independence, keen intellect.

Vices of Ray:

Harsh criticism, narrowness, arrogance, unforgiving temper, lack of sympathy and reverence, prejudice.

Virtues to be acquired:

Reverence, devotion, sympathy, love, wide-mindedness.

As a statesman, the fifth ray man would be narrow in his views. EP1 208.

The Sixth Ray of Devotion.

Special Virtues:

Devotion, single-mindedness, love, tenderness, intuition, loyalty, reverence.

Vices of Ray:

Selfish and jealous love, over-leaning on others, partiality, self-deception, sectarianism, superstition, prejudice, over-rapid conclusions, fiery anger.

Virtues to be acquired:

Strength, self-sacrifice, purity, truth, tolerance, serenity, balance and common sense.

This is called the ray of devotion. The man who is on this ray is full of religious instincts and impulses, and of intense personal feeling; nothing is taken equably. Everything, in his eyes, is either perfect or intolerable; his friends are angels, his enemies are very much the reverse; his view, in both cases, is formed not on the intrinsic merits of either class, but on the way the persons appeal to him, or on the sympathy or lack of sympathy which they shew to his favorite idols, whether these be concrete or abstract, for he is full of devotion, it may be to a person, or it may be to a cause.

He must always have a "personal God," an incarnation of Deity to adore. The best type of this ray makes the saint, the worst type, the bigot or fanatic, the typical martyr or the typical inquisitor. All religious wars or crusades have originated from sixth ray fanaticism. The man on this ray is often of gentle nature, but he can always flame into fury and fiery wrath. He will lay down his life for the objects of his devotion or reverence, but he will not lift a finger to help those outside of his immediate sympathies. EP1 209.

The Seventh Ray of Ceremonial Order or Magic.

Special Virtues:

Strength, perseverance, courage, courtesy, extreme care in details, self-reliance.

Vices of Ray:

Formalism, bigotry, pride, narrowness, superficial judgments, self-opinion over-indulged.

Virtues to be acquired:

Realization of unity, wide-mindedness, tolerance, humility, gentleness and love.

The bad type of seventh ray man is superstitious, and such a man will take deep interest in omens, in dreams, in all occult practices, and in spiritualistic phenomena. EP1 211.

Ray Methods of Teaching Truth.

Ray I - Higher expression: The science of statesmanship, and of government.

Lower expression: Modern diplomacy and politics.

Ray II - Higher expression: The process of initiation as taught by the Hierarchy of Masters.

Lower expression: Religion.

Ray III - Higher expression: Means of communication or interaction. Radio, telegraph, telephone and means of transportation.

Lower expression: The use and spread of money and gold.

Ray IV - Higher expression: The Masonic work, based on the formation of the Hierarchy and related to Ray II.

Lower expression: Architectural construction. Modern city planning.

Ray V - Higher expression: The science of the Soul. Esoteric psychology.

Lower expression: Modern educational systems.

Ray VI - Higher expression: Christianity and diversified religions. Note relation to Ray II.

Lower expression: Churches and religious organizations.

Ray VII - Higher expression: All forms of white magic.

Lower expression: Spiritualism in its lower aspects. EP1 412.

JPC. June 2006.