Today, the conflicts are numerous, vital and unavoidable; they are present in the individual consciousness and in the consciousness of humanity; they present constant points of crises and they are bringing about a point of world tension which seems well-nigh unbearable.  But ahead of the individual disciple and humanity as a whole, lies a point of emergence—thus avows the Ageless Wisdom.

Humanity is not living an uncharted course.  The Plan of Light and Love and Power has been unfolding on our planet for millennia: “The conflict at present involving humanity has its source not only in human weakness and selfishness, but in a situation which…started in Atlantean times and must now be fought out to a finish.”²  The awakening souls of humanity are being presented with the opportunity and the need to bring this ancient conflict between the Lords of Evil and the Messengers of Light to an end.  Humanity must be able to discriminate between and then choose the spiritual values of light, love and reason over the inherent darkness, ignorance and malevolence of materiality.

It is the Principle of Conflict that is the prime factor lying behind the evolution of form as the field of experience for the soul in the four kingdoms in nature: the human and the three subhuman kingdoms of the animal, the plant and the mineral kingdoms.  Conflict is based on the intellectual factor of discrimination which is inherent in the smallest atom of substance, and which reaches its fullest expression in advanced humanity, signaling, when it occurs, that humanity has achieved its purpose and can now pass through the Initiation of Renunciation.³

First there is the conflict of opposing realities and warring elements, then renunciation or detachment and finally, emancipation; there is that which produces war in some form or another, then rejection and finally liberation.  What for mastery contended, must learn to yield and obey the voice of the higher consciousness, the voice of Soul.

Humanity as a whole is ruled by the 4^th Ray of Harmony through Conflict.   Thus, humanity’s inevitable destiny—it’s manifest destiny, is that of eventually achieving the transformed consciousness of harmony.

What will it take to lift humanity from the chaos, turbulence and violence of the day to this enlightened spiritual destiny?

Once again, we turn to the eternal Wisdom of the ages for understanding, knowledge and perspicacity.

Humanity, this Wisdom tells us, is a mediating Kingdom.  It stands at the midway point between the material side of evolution and pure, divine energy.  Part material substance, part divine consciousness, humanity is a product of the union of the two.  It is the bridge connecting the three lower kingdoms with that of the 5^th kingdom of Higher Consciousness, wherein harmony reigns supreme.  Thus, “harmony through conflict” is the keynote of humanity, indicating as it does, the place in consciousness from which humanity evolves and the place in consciousness towards which humanity is progressing.

Humanity has the opportunity to awaken, enliven and redeem material substance—its own and that of its surrounding life.  The process however, is not automatic, nor is it easy or effortless.  As we well know, the attempt to unify and synthesize these diverging but related aspects of life, produces great conflict and marked upheavals—in the personal and the planetary life. 

The sciences of the new age of Aquarius—the science of meditation, the science of service and the science of the Antahkarana (the bridge of higher consciousness), once valued, esteemed and practiced will bring understanding and liberation to a traumatized, confused and suffering humanity.  And so we affirm: “From the centre which we call the race of men; Let the Plan of Love and Light work out; And may it seal the door where evil dwells.” (The Great Invocation)