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