Chapter 2 Esoteric science

“Every form has its own area of awareness, and evolution is the process whereby forms respond to contact, react to impact, and pass on to greater development, usefulness and effectiveness.”

“The name Science of Impression is that given to the process whereby the establishment of the required relationship in all units of life takes place. The Technique of Invocation and Evocation is the name given to the mode or method whereby the desired relationship is brought about. [Page 51] The Creative Work is the name given to the manifestation of the results of the two above processes.”

Five sciences are involved in telepathic transmission. These are: Contact, Impression, Invocation and Evocation, Relationship, and Sensitivity. They describe different aspects of form reactions to various influences, such as contact, impression, impact, environment, thought context of different minds, and ascending/descending energies. They underline the interlocking, inter-dependent, and inter-communicating system that constitutes the whole planetary system.

The Science of Impression is fundamentally the Science of Sensitivity; it is the art of responsiveness to phenomena and is particularly applied to the reaction, recognition, responsiveness, and registration of all phenomena found throughout the cosmic physical plane. This plane is where our entire threefold planetary Life expresses itself and which we have divided into seven planes of our solar system—from our lowest physical plane up to our highest plane, the logoic.

In the initial stages of responsiveness to contact and impact, the primary task is to develop the necessary apparatus of contact, the medium of learning, the mechanism of registration, and then learning to use it constructively and intelligently. This work continues from cycle to cycle, with the unit of life gradually developing various fields of consciousness and mastering and controlling areas of the surrounding physical, mental, and spiritual worlds. Eventually, the unit of life becomes a human being, self-directed, an individual. Ultimately, the man transforms into the Master, controlling and directing within the periphery of his broad awareness, in harmony with the divine Mind and Plan.

Moving from the common field of telepathic perception, through a gradually learnt process of invocation and evocation, to a state of consciousness marked by trained sensitivity, the disciple progresses. He cultivates a spiritual recognition that is controlled, comprehended, and directed towards useful hierarchical ends. This process is technically referred to as the Science of Impression.

The Science of Impression, if studied by the disciples in the world and by the New Group of World Servers, will greatly facilitate the presentation of those ideals which must and will condition the thinking of the New Age and will eventually produce the new culture and the new civilised expression which lies ahead of humanity, superseding the present civilisation and providing the next field of expression for mankind. This science is, in fact, the basis of the theory of relationships and will lead to the expansion of the idea of right human relations which has hitherto—as a phrase—been confined to an ideal desire for correct interplay between man and man, group and group, and nation and nation; it has also hitherto been restricted to the human society and interplay and remains as yet a hope and a wish. When, however, the Science of Impression has been correctly apprehended and has been brought down to the level of an educational objective, it will be found to be closely linked to the emerging teaching anent invocation and evocation and will be expanded to include not only right human relations to the superhuman kingdoms, but right human relations with the subhuman kingdoms also. It will, therefore, be concerned with the sensitive response of the entire natural and supernatural world to the “One in Whom we [Page 49] live and move and have our being”; it will put mankind into a right relationship with all aspects and expressions of the divine nature, deepening subjective contact and bringing about a diviner objective manifestation and one more in line with divine purpose. It will lead to a great shift of the human consciousness off the levels of emotional and physical life (where the bulk of humanity is focused) on to the levels of mental perception.

2.1 Two major premises

Two “laws” governing telepathic communication:

Omnipresence. The significance of telepathy is encapsulated in the concept of omnipresence. Omnipresence is inherent in the substance itself — the ether, a law in nature because the etheric bodies of all forms constitute the world etheric body, making omniscience possible.
Coherent thinking: The interplay of many minds produces a unity of thought powerful enough to be recognized by the brain. This principle underlines the collective and interconnected nature of telepathic communication. See: TRIANGLES

In connection with disciples and aspirants to discipleship, it is presumed that their minds are somewhat attuned to the soul, and they are aligned so that the soul, mind, and brain are coordinated and function as a unit. The next task is to learn to be responsive to the group and to find and contact those minds energized by similar thought currents.

2.2 Three types

Instinctual Telepathy: This is the most basic form of telepathy, which we share with animals. It’s primarily feeling-based, working through the etheric and astral bodies, using the solar plexus area as a sensitive plate for impact and impression. It was the primary mode of communication in Lemurian times, focusing on self-preservation and self-reproduction. This type of telepathy is still prevalent today, especially among mothers who “feel” that danger is threatening their child or something is happening to them. This is also seen in animal herds or flocks of birds, where information is rapidly transmitted among members. It also manifests in human mass psychology and public opinion, though currently, this is mostly emotional and unintelligent.
Mental Telepathy: In the Aryan race, instinctual telepathy is still the major expression, but mental telepathy is becoming increasingly prevalent. It involves sending a message via the throat center, though the recipient often still uses the solar plexus center. The throat center is the center of all creative work, but the heart and throat centers must eventually be used in synthesis to achieve this type of telepathy.
Intuitional Telepathy: This is one of the developments on the Path of Discipleship and is a result of true meditation. The areas involved are the head and throat, with the head center being receptive to impressions from higher sources. The ajna center receives the idealistic intuitional impressions and can then “broadcast” what is received and recognized, using the throat center as the creative formulator of thought, embodying the sensed or intuited idea.

2.3 Metaphors

An intriguing parallel between the three modes of telepathic work and three significant methods of earthly communication:

Instinctual Telepathy and Telegraph: Instinctual telepathy, which is primarily feeling-based, can be compared to train travel. Just as trains have stations everywhere, instinctual telepathy can reach various points of consciousness. This mode of telepathy is akin to a telegraph system, where simple messages can be sent over great distances.
Mental Telepathy and Telephone: Mental telepathy, which involves the transmission of complex ideas and concepts, is likened to ocean travel. Like ports on the periphery of all lands, mental telepathy is capable of reaching the peripheries of consciousness. It’s analogous to a telephone system, which allows for two-way communication and the exchange of intricate information.
Intuitional Telepathy and Radio: Intuitional telepathy, which is thought to involve higher levels of consciousness, can be compared to air travel. Just as planes can land anywhere, intuitional telepathy can penetrate all areas of consciousness. This form of telepathy is similar to a radio system, which can broadcast messages widely and instantaneously.

This comparison provides a fascinating perspective on how different forms of telepathy might operate, illustrating their potential reach and complexity.

2.4 Contact and Impact

The teachings imparted by the Masters in their Ashrams aim to amplify and refine the disciples’ inherent sensitivity, enabling them to harness it in service. The emphasis here is on the concept of “impact” rather than the often-used term “vibration”. Impact is something we all register. Our five senses have opened up five vast realms of impact, to which our responses have become so automatic that they often bypass conscious realization unless there is a deliberate intention or direction involved. Similarly, human beings respond automatically to emotional stimuli, and increasingly, we are stretching towards mental telepathy. A select few have started to tread the path of spiritual telepathy.

Contact, leading to consequent impact from the soul, is also rapidly evolving, necessitating the laying down of the groundwork for knowledge that will elucidate higher contact, emanating from the Spiritual Triad and unveiling areas of interaction previously known only to the Hierarchy.

Two key conditions encompass these developing contacts:

Contact, for our purposes, can be understood as the recognition of an environment, the exploration of the unknown, the acknowledgement of a presence that has been evoked. This “something other” than the Perceiver is typically sensed first, theorized as a potential possibility, and later invoked by the directed and conscious attention of the one who has sensed its presence, leading to eventual contact.
Impact extends beyond merely registering contact. It evolves into conscious interaction, conveying information and revealing nature. Initially, it serves as a guarantee of a new realm for exploration and spiritual adventure, and as an indication of a wider field where consciousness may expand, progressively registering the divine purpose yearning to be more fully understood.

These sciences —Contact, Impression, Invocation and Evocation, Relationship, and Sensitivity— describe different aspects of form reactions to various influences, such as contact, impression, impact, environment, thought context of different minds, and ascending/descending energies. They underline the interlocking, inter-dependent, and inter-communicating system that constitutes the whole planetary system.

2.5 Supreme Science of Contact

The Supreme Science of Contact has three interdependent modes of expression. These are related to the art of responsiveness and are as follows:

The Science of Impression: This is related to the will-to-be and has a connection with the Spiritual Triad. Its source of emanation is Shamballa, and it is associated with the abstract mind. “The Science of Impression is the bedrock or the foundation for the practice of telepathy.”
The Science of Invocation and Evocation: This mode is connected to love or attraction and is related to the soul in all forms. Its current source of emanation is the Hierarchy, and it is linked with the lower mind, serving as the agent of the soul.
The Science of Telepathy: This science pertains to the mind or human intelligence and has a relationship with the personality. Its source of emanation is humanity itself, and it relates to the head center.

2.6 Three phases

The “Supreme Science of Contact” is comprehensive and intricate, expanding on three phases progressively developed from each other. These are:

Astral Sensitive Awareness: This phase is based on the reactions of the solar plexus and the entire process is carried forward on the astral plane with astral substance. In its highest form, it makes intuitive awareness and intuitive sensitivity possible when carried forward in buddhic substance. Aspirants at one stage of their development are strongly astral-buddhic in nature.
Mental Telepathy: This involves two or more minds and the process is carried out in the substance of the mental plane. It’s a factor that makes the activity we call “impression” possible. This impression comes largely from certain aspects of the mental plane such as:

The soul of the telepathic individual, using the knowledge petals of the egoic lotus—a high form of mental intelligence.
The abstract mind. This aspect of mental substance is used by the Hierarchy to reach the minds of disciples. In recent centuries, the Hierarchy has shifted its focus onto the buddhic plane and away from the mental plane. This is because aspirants of the world are now sensitive to contacts founded upon an astral-buddhic consciousness but carried out within mental substance.

The Occult Science of Impression: This becomes possible when the other two forms of telepathic rapport are present and developing to a certain point of accuracy. It is also dependent on the construction of the antahkarana and the steady orientation of the aspirant or disciple toward the Spiritual Triad. This involves responsiveness to divine purpose. It is useful to realize the substantial nature of these two levels of consciousness.

The higher forms of mental telepathy, involving the soul and the abstract mind, are concerned solely with the divine Plan—as the Hierarchy works it out in the three worlds. The Science of Impression is concerned, therefore, primarily, with the divine Purpose as Shamballa is working it out, and with those higher aspects of hierarchical work which are not concerned with work in the three worlds.

2.7 Initiatory process

The “Supreme Science of Contact” emphasizes four key abilities needed by a disciple preparing for the initiatory process:

The Ability to be Impressed: This refers to the capacity to receive spiritual impressions or energies.
The Capacity to Accurately Register the Impression: Once the impression is received, the disciple must accurately understand and interpret it.
The Power to Record What Has Been Given: The disciple should be able to retain and remember the received impression.
The Ability to Give it Word Forms in the Mind Consciousness: The disciple should be capable of translating the impression into comprehensible thoughts or ideas.

The disciple must then use the received information to invoke the necessary energies and learn to produce a responsive evocation through experience.

2.8 Four sources

The “Supreme Science of Contact” outlines the four sources of impressions for a disciple:

The Disciple’s Own Soul: This impression source aligns with the individual’s inner wisdom or intuition.
The Ashram with Which He is Affiliated: This refers to the spiritual community or group that the disciple is part of, which can guide and influence his spiritual journey.
Directly from the Master: The disciple can receive impressions directly from a spiritual guide or teacher.
From the Spiritual Triad, via the Antahkarana: The Spiritual Triad represents the higher spiritual aspects of a human being, while the Antahkarana is the bridge in consciousness that connects the lower personality with the higher self.

These stages of impression cover different periods of initiation and development, ultimately leading the disciple to master the Science of Impression. This science involves the creation, vitalization, and direction of thoughtforms.

Notably, the Science of Impression is foundational to the practice of telepathy. People receptive to impressions can be divided into two groups: those with unconscious receptivity (majority) and those with conscious receptivity. The former receives impressions via the solar plexus, and the latter through the mind, registered by the brain.

The transition between these states depends on the individual’s ray and soul age, with variations among different ray types. Sixth ray individuals, for example, may transition slowly due to the factor of glamour, while first and second ray people are relatively quick.

2.9 Discipleship training

The training disciples receive from Masters in their Ashrams. The goal of this training is to increase, develop, and enable disciples to use their inherent sensitivity in service. The focus shifts from the overused term “vibration” to using the simpler term “impact.” Gradually, humans are reaching out towards mental telepathy, and some are beginning to explore spiritual telepathy.

Contact and Impact: These two terms cover the conditions of developing contacts. Contact refers to the recognition of an environment or something unknown that has been sensed, theorized, invoked, and ultimately contacted. On the other hand, impact goes beyond just registering contact. It evolves into conscious interaction, conveys information, and indicates a new area for exploration and spiritual adventure. It also shows a wider field for consciousness to expand and understand the divine purpose more completely.
Science of Impression: The process of moving from normal telepathic perception through invocation and evocation to a state of trained sensitivity is called the Science of Impression. This science is the foundational Science of Sensitivity, responding to all phenomena throughout the cosmic physical plane.
Developing Apparatus of Contact: In the initial stages of responsiveness to contact and impact, the first task is to develop the necessary apparatus of contact, the mechanism of registration, and learn to use it constructively and intelligently. This development continues from cycle to cycle, with field after field of consciousness slowly being recorded and areas of the surrounding physical, mental, and spiritual worlds coming within the arena of perception.
Evolution of Consciousness: As the unit of life develops, it eventually becomes a human being who is self-directed and individual. Ultimately, the human being becomes a Master, controlling and directing within the periphery of their wide awareness, in consonance with the divine Mind and Plan.

2.10 World service

The Science of Impression is concerned with humanity’s sensitivity and response to the mental activity of other minds or groups of minds. Here’s a summary of the main points:

Science of Impression: This science is fundamental to the evolution of consciousness in the new age. It will facilitate the presentation of the ideals that will shape the thinking, culture, and civilization of the future.
Right Human Relations: The practice of this science will expand the concept of right human relations, which has been confined to interactions between individuals, groups, and nations. It will also include relations with superhuman and subhuman kingdoms.
Sensitivity Response: The Science of Impression will be concerned with the sensitive response of the entire natural and supernatural world to the divine nature. It will lead to a shift of human consciousness from emotional and physical life to mental perception.
Mind’s Dual Action: The trained mind will capture fleeting impressions, subject them to the concretising effect of mental activity, and produce the required form. This process will lead to the externalization of the registered impression.
Impression and Meditation: The process of registering impressions can be expanded in meditation, making the aspirant sensitive to impression while being shielded from the impacts of other minds and the pull of emotional and desire reactions.
Head and Ajna Centres: The Science of Impression involves the activity of the head centre as an anchoring point for the antahkarana, and the ajna centre is involved in translating the recorded intuition into a form and directing it into the world of men.
Technique of Invocation and Evocation: The Technique of Invocation and Evocation is the method whereby the desired relationship is established. The Creative Work is the manifestation of the results of these processes.

2.11 Spiritual groups

The text provides a profound examination of the nature of telepathy among spiritual groups, highlighting several key concepts:

Inner Structure of Thought and Telepathic Medium: The group of world servers and knowers are held together not by an outer organization, but by an inner structure of thought and a telepathic medium of inter-relation.
Diversity within the Group: The group comprises people from diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and life experiences. This diversity poses the question: what provides the common meeting ground that allows for interplay between the minds involved?
Omnipresence and Etheric Body: The concept of omnipresence is based on the etheric body, which is part of the substantial form of the divine. The etheric body, composed of energy, is an integral part of the planet’s and the solar system’s etheric body. Through this medium, every human being is fundamentally related to every other expression of the Divine Life.
Energy Impulses: The etheric body receives energy impulses and is activated by these impulses or streams of force. These energy streams have an effect on the physical body, triggering activity according to the nature and power of the dominant energy at any given time.
The Universal Mind and Human Response: Humanity, as a whole, responds unconsciously to the Universal Mind’s rulings. However, this response is complicated by the evolving human mentality’s growing responsiveness to mass ideas or public opinion.
Hierarchy of Thinkers: There exists an inner group of Thinkers who control the emergence of the great plan and the manifestation of divine purpose. This group is divided into seven main divisions and is overseen by three super-conscious Entities – the Manu, the Christ, and the Mahachohan. These Entities influence the minds of the adepts and initiates, who in turn influence the disciples of the world.
Stepping Down Rates of Vibration: The process of implementing the divine plan involves stepping down rates of vibration until they are heavy enough to affect physical plane matter. This allows for the building of organized effects on the physical plane.
Telepathic Intercommunication: Until now, telepathic intercommunication has largely been confined to the Hierarchy of adepts and initiates, both in and out of incarnation, and their individual work with their disciples.

This text provides a deep understanding of the spiritual mechanics behind telepathy and its role in the interconnectedness of all beings.