When we talk about enlightenment it is a relative thing. Everyone is in different stages of enlightenment, spiritual attainment, spiritual progress or evolution. There is no end to evolution. One can only progress from the stage where they are now. It is a very slow process, yet one can accelerate this process and complete spiritual evolution on earth in a few life times. But one cannot do it in one life. By this I mean taking all the 5 initiations (expansions of consciousness) that makes one a Master of Wisdom and a member of the spiritual kingdom, the kingdom above human kingdom just as the human kingdom is above the animal kingdom.
One can delay the spiritual progress by making mistakes. One day every human being without exception will become a Master. By the end of the Age of Aquarius, that is around 2500 years from now about 50% of the world population would have taken the first initiation. By the end of the Age of Capricorn roughly about 5000 years from now 50% would have taken the third initiation, which means more or less liberated from the cycle of life and death.
First initiation gives people control over their physical body and physical appetites. Second initiation gives people control over their emotional body, emotions and desires. Third initiation gives people control over their mind. Fourth initiation gives contact with the divine or monad without the divine intermediary the soul. Fifth initiation gives the control over the spiritual planes and a man becomes a Master of Wisdom or a ‘Superman’.
The earth has a human population of around 60 billion. Out of that about 7 billion are in incarnation. The other 53 billion are out of physical incarnation. Humanity has been in existence for 18.5 million years. During this time only about 950 people have taken all five initiations (expansions of consciousness) to become Masters of Wisdom and members of the spiritual kingdom. People currently in physical incarnation, about 850,000 people have taken the first initiation, but at the same time about 5 million people are on the verge of taking the first initiation. About 250,000 people have taken the second initiation, 2500 have taken the third initiation, and 500 have taken the fourth initiation. Probably few hundreds or thousands of people may take the first initiation each year but I don’t have any figures for that.
Spiritual progress or point in evolution is measured by the number of initiations a person has taken. For example if someone is halfway to first initiation, the point in evolution is 0.5 and if a person has just taken the first initiation, his or her point in evolution is 1. If someone is halfway between first and second initiation, the point in evolution is 1.5. Point in evolution is something private for the person and it is not published, as it will interfere with their privacy. It is only published after their death.
The average world leader, head of state, dictator or head of a religious group is between first and second initiation. Most people in positions similar to Dalai Lama, Pope, Obama, Cameron or Ban Ki Moon are between the first and the second initiation and usually between 1.2 and 1.6. This is just a guess and I have not measured their spiritual attainment. It is not possible for anyone other than a Master of Wisdom to do that. He does that by measuring the light radiated by their 7 energy centres or chakras. Usually it is not possible to take and hold the position of a world leader without at least taking the first initiation. It is possible but uncommon for somebody in similar positions to have taken the second initiation. Former British Prime Minister Edward Heath has taken the second initiation.
All the great scientists and philosophers such as Newton, Einstein, Darwin, Plato, Socrates have taken the second initiation. People such as Mohammed, Mao, Churchill, Lincoln, Mozart and Beethoven have taken the third initiation. Leonardo, Jesus, and Buddha have taken the fourth initiation. Krishna and Confucius have taken the fifth initiation during their life times. Jesus, St Peter, St John the beloved, and St Paul, all have now taken the 6th initiation. Lord Maitreya, the Christ has taken the 7th initiation. Buddha has now taken the 8th initiation.
The average man on the street is around 0.3 and someone educated to graduate level is around 0.5 (half way to take first initiation) and education is the biggest enlightening influence. To consider oneself as free from the physical realm one have to have taken third initiation. The third degree initiate is functioning as a soul. Then one can become a Master without taking physical incarnation again theoretically but most people may want to take incarnation to serve their fellow men and women.
The fastest way to evolve known to man is taking part in Transmission Meditation, and there is no other service activity that can beat transmission meditation. Transmission meditation is so powerful that children under the age of twelve should not take part in transmission meditation or be in the room at the same time. Also people with serious mental health problems should not take part in Transmission meditation. People can take part in transmission meditation up to three times a week.
If you want to take part in Transmission Meditation you have to join a Transmission Meditation group. There are transmission meditation groups all over the world. You can find nearest transmission group by contacting Share International. Doing Mindfulness meditation also may help but it is not as fast as Transmission Meditation. Group worship and prayer is more powerful than personal worship or prayer. In the same way group meditation is more powerful than personal meditation in achieving spiritual growth. During group worship and prayer spiritual energy from the Spiritual Hierarchy is automatically invoked and distributed among the people participating in the worship. This is due to the invocative power of the group.
Reading Ageless Wisdom teachings and other service activities may help towards spiritual progress. Now Lord Maitreya the Christ is living on earth it will accelerate the spiritual progress of humanity and huge changes will take place in the world. The ‘Arab spring’ and other changes are due to the presence of the Spiritual Hierarchy in the world. We are gradually creating the Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God on earth. I hope this is helpful. If you have any further queries I will be happy to answer them by email.
Recommended reading
Read Benjamin Creme's books online
Maitreya’s Teachings, The Laws of Life,Edited and introduced by Benjamin Crème, Share International Foundation, ISBN 90-71484-31-9
The Great Approach, Benjamin Creme (Share International Foundation, Amsterdam, London, Los Angeles)
The Art of Co-operation, Benjamin Creme (Share International Foundation, Amsterdam, London, Los Angeles)
The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom, Benjamin Creme (The Tara Press)
Maitreya Mission Volume One, Benjamin Creme (Share International Foundation, Amsterdam, London, Los Angeles)
Maitreya Mission Volume Two, Benjamin Creme (Share International Foundation, Amsterdam, London, Los Angeles)
Maitreya Mission Volume Three, Benjamin Creme (Share International Foundation, Amsterdam, London, Los Angeles)
Alice A Bailey, The Reappearance of Christ (London: Lucis Press, 1948)
Alice A Bailey, The Externalisation of the Hierarchy (London: Lucis Press, 1955)
H P Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine (London: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1888)
Helena Roerich, Leaves of Morya’s Garden, Volume I : The Call (New York: Agni Yoga Society, 1924)
- Leaves of Morya’s Garden, Volume II : Illumination (New York: Agni Yoga Society, 1925
Courtesy of Share International Magazine
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