251 Seven Stag of Developmentof Man | by Oleg J. Devorn Preamble Some 12,000 years ago in Egypt there were three temples: the Temple of Sacrifice. the Temple Beautiful and the Temple of Initiates. In the Temple of Sacrifice physical deformities were treated: in the Temple Beautiful man’s mental development was furthered; and the Temple of Initiates, located in the Great Pyramid, was devoted to man’s spiritual growth and fulfillment. Those who were in the Temple Beautiful served as light bearers to those who entered into the Temple of Initiates. The light or lamps that they carried symbolized “the faults, the virtues of man, in all his seven stages of development . . . ” (281-25) What were the seven stages of development that “those who entered for their initiation” (281-25) had to undergo? And what were those initiations? The initiations were tests or examinations: These [tests], as they have been since their establishing, were tests through which ones attained to that place of being accepted or rejected by the influences of the mystics as well as of the various ... schools in other Oteg J. Devorn, an architect from Carmichael, California, has been interested in Egypt for many years. His article, “The Ridale of the Great Pyramid Construction,” appeared in a special Letters to the Esitor column i the January 1975 issue of The A.R-E. Journal.282 THE A.R.E. JOURNAL lands. For... the unifying of the teachings of many lands were brought together in Egypt; for that was the center from which there was to be the radial activity of influence in the earth 2067-7 In other words, the seven stages of development of man were known from time immemorial; itis upon them that the design of the Great Pyramid was based. If we overlay a human figure upon a diagram of the pyramid (see illustration), we can immediately discern a correspondence between the seven stages of development and the spiritual centers of man. And the Cayce readings on The Revelation inform us of a further relationship: the seven churches and the seven candlesticks visioned by St. John are also symbols of the seven spiritual centers and their corresponding physical centers in the human body. A question was once asked the sleeping Cayce concerning the Biblical reference to Jesus’ initiation in Egypt: Did His spending three days and nights in the tomb indicate a special initiation? The answer was that “This is a portion of the initiation . . ." (2067-7) ‘Then the reading continued with an astounding statement: “Itis a part ofthe passage through that to which each soul isto attain in its development...” (2067-7) Each soul (that means all of us!) has to {g0 through those seven stages of development. In addition to this, the phases of evolution of human society as recorded in history show a pattern similar to that of individual development; the pattern of these human ages is inscribed in the Great Pyramid as a prophecy: for, as has been seen, there are periods when even the hour, d ‘year, place, country, nation, town, and individuals are pointed out. That's hhow correct are many of those prophecies as made, 5748.5 the record of the earth through the passage through the tomb, or ;ramid, is that through which each entity, each soul, as an initiate ‘must pass for the attaining to the releasing of same—as indicated by the ‘empty tomb, which has never been filled, see? Only Jesus was able to break same . . . which indicated His fulfillment. ‘And there, as the initiate, He went out—for the passing through the initiation, by fulflling—as indicated in the baptism in the Jordan . .. He ppassed from that activity into the wilderness to meet that which had been His undoing in the beginning. 2067-7 What a mine of information the above reading holds for us! It tells us that we all have to go through these tests or initiations and253 SEVEN STAGES Cava LO HLL NI ZONVUINAHINI HNO -HLAMS “419 WOW X-LOS284 THE A.R.E. JOURNAL that Jesus has already gone through them and set us an example. Furthermore, these seven stages of man’s development are presented to us in veiled form in The Revelation, Why, then, ist presented, ye ask, in the form of symbols? Why Is there used those varied activites? These are for those that were, oF will be, or may become, through the seeking, those initiated into an understanding of the glories that may be theirs . 281-16 It therefore follows that we should study in greater detail the seven stages of man’s development, so as to understand more thoroughly what we are up against. However, we should keep in mind that development in each person is not uniform from the first, stage to the seventh, for: lual’s experience in the application of that gained by xperience will be differen. To give an interpretation applies this or that, then would become rote. But know the way, then each apply same as his or her ensizonment, ability, experience, gives the y- For know, in all and through all, the activity af sll fs only as ind God giveth the understanding, the inrease, to such and in the manner as is best fitted for the individual. It is not then asa formula, that there are to be certain activites and certain results. These are true inthe sense that they each represent or present the opportunity for the opening tothe understanding of the individual, but the application isso the individual. For, ashas been given, man is free-illed. And only shen this is entirely given, and atively given to the wll of the Father may ithe even as the if of the Christ. 281-29 Stage Correspondences: Church of Ephesus ® ; Muladhara chakra gonads: underground chamber in the pyramid: birth of Jesus The first test pertains to the element earth. This testis to see how well an entity has overcome the forces of earth. “For the first command is ever as thine own, "Be ye wise and subdue the earth.’ "4 (1299-1) To subdue the earth means to subdue the physical genital urge. The importance of this step is emphasized in the following quotations: “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (Matt. 5:27) "Are ye adulterous... . in act, in the very glories that are thine?” (281-16) not as animals, though the animal instinct is there, of theSEVEN STAGES 255 biological urge, that is @ law! For that is the source of man’s undoing." (5747-3) "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen."” (Rev. 2:5) “Then set the activity in motion and these ‘become either that which takes hold on hell or that which builds to the kingdom within.” 747-3) Therefore man’s regeneration begins with the control of his earthly desires. The wise men who came to worship Jesus at His birth were “those that subdued—not that were ruled by, but subdued the understandings of that in the earth..." (5749-7) This test was conducted in the underground chamber of the pyramid, way down in the bowels of the earth. There the vibrations are of the lowest frequency, yet are the most amplified ‘At the bottom of the spine there is a spiritual center, called in Sanskrit the Muladhara chakra, which is a channel for the life force entering man, An undeveloped man uses and/or abuses this divine creative life force in siring his offspring. Jesus gave it a semantically very apt name: "Son of man.”5 He took this life force on Himself, and hence became the Son of man. Then He said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” ohn 3:14) In Sanskrit this life force is called Kundalini, and when lifted it rises in a serpentine fashion. As it rises, it energizes and opens all the seven spiritual centers on its way, so that the sum total is symbolically called the Tree of Life Hence we have the promise: “To him that overcometh will give to cat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Rev. 2:7) ‘AS an example of the mastery of earth forves—the genital urge being subdued—lesus was incarnated without sin, that immaculately conceived Stage It Correspondences: Church of Smyrna; Svadhishthana chakra: huden gland: underground chamber in the pyramid: Jesus’ baptism and His miracles with water ‘The second test pertains to subduing the element water: water as the beginning of life 7; water as change; water as instability. Here one is tested first for his ability to be stable, for “unstable as water, thou shalt not excel.” (Gen. 49:4) No wonder this ability was tested immediately after the first initiation! This examination took place in an underground chamber of the pyramid, near the site of the first test. As can be seen from the illustration, there is in this256 THE A.R-E. JOURNAL chamber a well {o receive the water of baptism. When one attains stability, Kundalini can rise properly. “For. when this has arisen—and is disseminated properly through the seven centers of the body, it has purified the body from all desire of sex relationships. For, ris és an outlet through which one may attain to celibacy (2329-1) The Son of man, as the water of life, must be lifted, and the promise is: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev, 2:10) The next promise is: “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” (Rev. 2:11) Thatis, he that comes to the realization that in Christ there is no death, and does not revert to the “original sin” shall not taste death again.® ‘To symbolize the degree of stability we must attain within ourselves, Jesus gave us several examples of His mastery over the clement water. He stabilized water. or solidified it above the freezing point, so that He could walk on it; He stilled the stormy waves on the lake: He also changed water into wine. And it was of ‘wine that He said. “Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt 26:27, 28) Water—wine—blood; unstable water becoming, under Jesus’ control, the agent of forgiveness... . and—it ye will accept—the blood cleanses from all unrighteousness.” (281-16) The actual initiation ritual symbolizing mastery over water was shown us by Jesus when He was baptized in the Jordan River by John. Water. it must be understood. is not just a chemical; it is a symbol of the profound mystery of cleansing. Stage IT Corresponddences: Church of Pergamos: Manipura chakra adrenals, solar plexus: the intersection of the entrance and the exit, the upward and the doxnvard passages in the pyramid: the temptations of Jesus in the desert “The third test pertains to the element fire: fire as ambition for self-glorfication: fire as gluttony and self-gratification; fire as desire for self-aggrandizement. For this is “even where Satan's seat is." (Rev. 2:13) Satan is self—selfishness. This test in the pyramid was conducted close to the intersection of the entrance and the exit, the upward and the downward passages. The neophyte. after the prolonged first and second tests. was. on the one hand, beckoned by the warmth of the exterior world; he was tired and hungry. On the other hand, he had toSEVEN STAGES 257 advance further up in aspiration for the truth and the life 9; he had to get his “second wind,” so to speak. Our Lord Jesus set an example for us by overcoming temptations in the wilderness. 7 The desire for self-gratification must be changed to the attitude that "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proccedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt 44:4) Man must realize that the search for truth and righteousness is, of a greater import than satisfying the desires of self: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matt. 5:6) Self-aggrandizement must be curbed: “Thou shalt not temipt the Lord thy God.” (Matt. 4:7) And seeking for praise or self-glorification must be changed to working for the glorification of God: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt. 4:10) We are given this promise concerning the third test: “To him that overcometh will give to eat of the hidden manna.” (Rev. 2:17) Hidden manna is as He gave: “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” John 4:32) And: “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." Uohn 6:53) As Kundalini rises and opens the third center, it increases in vibrational frequency and, blending with the forces entering through this center, becomes the “hidden manna.” 11 There is the promise that, when one has attained this mastery, {I| will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name vwritten, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (Rev. 2:17) This verse is explained in the readings thus: ‘Then in the end, or in those periods as indicated, itis when each entity, each soul has so manifested, so acted in its relationships as to become then as the new name: white, elear, known only to him that hath overcome. Overcome what? The world, even as He. 281-31 Stage 1V Correspondences: Church of Thyatira; Anahanta chakra thymus, cardiac plexus, heart: Queen's Chamber of the pyramid: Transfiguration of Jesus ‘The fourth test pertains to the element air, the breath of air as life, To be overcome in this stage are evil thoughts, lustful thoughts, despair, hopelessness, resentment, hate and jealousy. ‘These should be replaced with thoughts of joy, hope and love “Know that | am he which searcheth the reins and hearts.” (Rev.258 THE A.R-E. JOURNAL 2:23) The following quotations indicate that this test takes place on the mental plane: "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matt 5:28) adulterous in thought . . . in the very glories that are (281-16) “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see (Matt. 5:8) This test, corresponding to the thymus or heart center, was conducted in a larger chamber of the pyramid than those used heretofore, in the so-called Queen's Chamber. (See illustration.) In passing this test one’s vibrations are raised, as Kundalini rises and opens the fourth center. The heart itself is strengthened: “And he that overcometh . .. to him will | give power over the nations.” (Rev. 2:26) “Power over the nations” means supreme power over the life of the whole physical body. #2 A similar promise is given in Deuteronomy to those who turn their minds to God: “And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.”” (Deut, 30:6) ‘As a consequence of this attainment, enlightenment is achieved. Speaking symbolically, itis like having a star that shines in the darkness: “And I will give him the morning star.” (Rey. 2:28) One has renewed faith and hope; understanding dawns unto him as if full of light, so that matters previously veiled become clear and are easily comprehended. Jesus gave us an example of the enlightenment initiation, presented in the Scriptures as His Transfiguration on. the mountain. It is interesting to consider that the enlightement of Moses occurred on the mountains of Sinai; Mohammed was enlightened in the cave on Mount Hira 18 ; the rishis of India attained enlightenment in the caves of the Himalayas; and the disciples received enlightenment in a closed upper room at Pentecost. Stage V Correspondences: Church of Sardis: Vishudda chakra: thyroid. the pharyngeal plexus: Grand Gallery of the pyramid: Jesus’ period from Bethany to Golgotha ‘The fifth phase of man’s development involves concentrating the mind 10 achieve a purpose. We were promised @ new name if weSEVEN STAGES 259 overcame the third test; in the fifth stage our task is to live up to that name: “Thou hast a name that thou livest . . . (Rev. 3:11) The new name is much more than a mere appellation; it indicates our fundamental identity and purpose in this stage of our progress through the earth plane, as is shown in the following excerpt from the readings: In the interpretation of the Name, then: Each entity, each soul, all the experiences through its activities—as a name’ to it from another. Its not only then a material convenience, bu + + «umless itis for material gain—a definite period inthe evolution ‘of the experience of the entity in the material plane. 281-31 ur pattern of how to meet this test is given in the life of Jesus. from the time of His entry from Bethany into Jerusalem up to His Crucifixion. His mastery of the previous phase of development was recognized and He was hailed: “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Mark 11:9) And, as stated in the readings. “Hosanna to the Highest—the King cometh.” " (1152-3) At this point it is vital to avoid getting a "swelled head” over our new, expanded identity, for to fall into self-glorfication here would bee a fatal distraction from our God-given purpose. As always, the Master has shown us the way: « the humbleness—yet the graciousness . . . the dignity of the that concept of how each soul must in each experience live as the in of wheat, as the grain of mustard, as the seeds of every nature; fating that purpose for which it enters into an experience inh sjourn Irrespective of sels individual oF personal desires, leting the personality of self be lost in the indisiduality of the Christ-purpose as He so ‘magnificently gave in that way from Bethany to Jerusalem! 1468-2 Our promise as we pass through this stage is that “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Rev. 3:5) In the pyramid this test took place in the so-called Grand Gallery. Here is where the neophyte walked to his crucifixion, somewhat as our Lord Jesus walked to Calvary, for He is ever our example. And just like Jesus, the novice was given a new name, denoting mastery.260 THE A.R-E. JOURNAL Stag vi Correspondences: Church of Philadelphia: Ajna chakra: pineal gland. cavernous plexus: Antechamber in the pyramid: Crucifixion of Jesus The sixth test pertains to crucifixion. What has to be crucif The self. the selfishness, the my, the myness. For know that the Lord thy God is one, and all that is in the heaven and earth is His. Man must realize that everything he considers a possession, yes, even his life, is but given to him in trust. The destructive nature of self is repeatedly emphasized in the readings ‘What is the meaning of self? ‘That the hurts, the hindrances are hurts to the self-consciousness: and these create what? Disturbing forces . . . confusions and faults of ev nature. For the only sin of man is sefishnes 987-4 ‘To what are ye called? To know that only from the falling away of self may ye be saved. Unto the glorifying of self in Him may ye be saved. 281-16 Therefore “there must be the disseminating ot the giving away of the egoism of self." (281-29) The pineal gland, the so-called “eye of the gods,” 4 can be used only when all self-consciousness is suppressed. Edgar Cayce used to put his conscious mind to sleep, so that he could do his psychic work. This test in the pyramid was conducted in the so-called Antechamber, located at the end of the Grand Gallery and before the King's Chamber. Just how the test was carried out we can only conjecture. Perhaps the neophyte had to go. as Cayce did, into a hypnotic state, or even a cataleptic state. Jesus encouraged crucifixion of the self in the parable of the seed: “Verily, verily, Isay unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit, He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. ohn 12:24, 25) An additional promise was given to those who passed the sixthSEVEN STAGES 261 test: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God. and he shall go out no more.” (Rev. 3:12) “Pillar” signifies the master of the house; itis also a symbol of peace. 15 To “go out ‘no more” means to eseape the karmic wheel of birth and death, and. hence attain immortality Jesus is. as ever, the example of achievement at this level also. Hold fast to that ideal, and using Him ever as the Ideal. And hold up that necessity For each (o meet the same problems. And do nor attempt to shed or to surpass [sidestep] or go around the Cross. This is that upon ‘heach and every soul must look and know itis to be borne in self with 5749-14 Stage Vil Corespondences: Church of Laodicea: Sahasrara chakra: pituitary gland: King’s Chamber of the pyramid: Resurrection of Jesus The seventh test leads to resurrection and salvation. This is the final deliverance from the material world, with its karmic law and the wheel of birth and death At this stage Kundalini is lifted to the crown, the Sahasrara chakra. Here the promise of the crown of life, given at the second stage. reaches fulfillment. The entity has attained the super- conscious state: the vibrations become of very high frequency: and the self-luminous, resplendent aureole of saints, the erown of life, is manifested as the individual becomes conscious of being one with the Father. “When you have lifted up the Son of man then you will know that Iam that Lam.” 18 (John 8:28) That is, at this point one attains Christ Consciousness, the awareness of the ‘soul's oneness ‘with God.” (5749-14) This is expressed as a promise: “To him that overcometh will | grant to sit with me in my throne, even as 1 also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Rev. 3:21) This signifies the state of knowing that “I and my Father are one.""I7 Yet the Bible tells us that all this is not automatic; it must be actively sought. “'I would [that] thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm . . . I will spue thee out of my mouth, (Rev. 3:15, 16) This truth is also stated in the readings: “He [who is] without an ideal is sorry indeed; he with an ideal and lacking courage to live itis sorrier stil.” (1402-1)262 THE A.R-E. JOURNAL To pass this test in the Great Pyramid, one had to break away from the wheel of birth and death, thus becoming the initiate. This last test was conducted in the King’s Chamber. There was in this chamber an empty sarcophagus without a lid. The neophyte was ritually buried in it and had to resurrect himself in three days. This was in order to show "That there will be no more death [for him]. Don't misunderstand or misinterpret! but the inrerprecation of death will be made plain.” (5748-6) This final initiation is that through which each entity, each soul, as an initiate must pass for the attaining to the releasing of same [that is, death}—as indicated by the empty tomb ... see? Only Jesus was able to break same {death’s hold], a it became that which indicated His fulfillment [as the Christ, the Savior]. 2067-7 In short, one who follows His way becomes immortal. The Master was describing this new. blissful state when He said that “in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." (Matt. 22:30) And Jesus is ever the path we must follow to reach this ultimate triumph: “I am the resurrection and I am life: he that liveth and believeth in me even though he die; shall never die again,” 18 Q-48, Where does the soul yo when fully developed? A-dB. To its Make 37444 FOOTNOTES 1. See 281-29 and other readings inthe series (281) on The Revelation 2. The names of the seven churches are taken from the first chapter of Revelation. 3, This is the Sanskrit name for he first spiritual center. See C.W. Leadbeater, The Chakras and M.P. Hall, Man, the Grand Symbol of the Mysteries. The names of subsequent spiritual centers have the same references, ‘This isa free rendering of Gen. 1:28 or 9:1, ‘The author's definition. It was submitted to M.P. Hall, whose comment in ‘personal letter tothe author was, “I think you came toa very thoughtful ‘onelusion in connection with the Christ mystery See M.P. Hall, Man, the Grand Symbol of the Afysteres. ‘This symbology of water is given in 281-16, Paraphrase of 281-36, See The Most Holy Trinosophia of the Comte de St. Germain, with introductory material and commentary by M.-P. Hal, page L. 10, Deseribed in Matt. 1-11SEVEN STAGES 263 u, 2, 13, rr i, 1 See Note 5. In Man, the Grand Symbol of the Mysteries, M.P. Hall quotes a similar statement by St. Chrysostom: MP. Hall, Man, the Grand Simbot of the Mysteries Bid, ALE. Waite, The Holy Kabbalah, Book V—Ill, p. 202 ‘This is from the New English Bible translation, with “that” substituted for what.” ‘This isa frequently used phrase inthe Gospels. This is a paraphrase of John 11:25, 28.