THE ESOTERIC PHILOSOPHY OF ALICE A. BAILEY: AGELESS WISDOM FOR A NEW AGE PDF

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THE ESOTERIC PHILOSOPHY OF ALICE A. BAILEY: AGELESS WISDOM FOR A NEW AGE by David Borsos A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the California Institute of Integral Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Integral Studies with a concentration ...

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THE ESOTERIC PHILOSOPHY OF ALICE A. BAILEY: AGELESS WISDOM FOR A NEW AGE David C Borsos

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THE ESOTERIC PHILOSOPHY OF ALICE A. BAILEY: AGELESS WISDOM FOR A NEW AGE

by David Borsos

A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the California Institute of Integral Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Integral Studies with a concentration in Learning and Change in Human Systems

California Institute of Integral Studies

San Francisco, CA 2012

CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL I certify that I have read THE ESOTERIC PHILOSOPHY OF ALICE A. BAILEY: AGELESS WISDOM FOR A NEW AGE by David Borsos, and that in my opinion this work meets the criteria for approving a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Integral Studies with a concentration in Learning and Change in Human Systems at the California Institute of Integral Studies.

________________________________________________ Bernard O. Williams, PhD, Chair Dean of Graduate Studies, Energy Medicine University

________________________________________________ Constance A. Jones, PhD Professor, California Institute of Integral Studies

________________________________________________ Shelton A. Gunaratne, PhD Professor Emeritus, Minnesota State University Moorhead

© 2012 David Borsos

Permission Letter, McKechnie/Lucis Trust

withheld for privacy

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Permission Letter, Robbins/Seven Ray Institute

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David Borsos California Institute of Integral Studies, 2012 Bernard O. Williams PhD, Committee Chair

THE ESOTERIC PHILOSOPHY OF ALICE A. BAILEY: AGELESS WISDOM FOR A NEW AGE

ABSTRACT

During a thirty year period Alice A. Bailey (1880–1949), in telepathic collaboration with the Tibetan teacher Djwhal Khul, wrote two dozen volumes on the origins and evolutionary development of Matter and Consciousness within our solar system, our planet, and the human kingdom. Her writings elucidate the forces and energies underlying the world of phenomena which can be consciously developed, controlled, and directed. Based on the ageless wisdom of the world’s religious traditions, yet updated for the needs of our modern intelligence, these teachings reveal a path to soul consciousness and the establishment of right human relations. The purpose of this dissertation is to introduce Bailey’s esoteric philosophy in a way that will stimulate academic study, critique, and debate. My claim is that her writings embody a transcendent wisdom and intelligence which illuminate the problems of humanity and provide practical means for their solution.

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In this dissertation I provide an overview of Bailey’s life, her worldview, and the major themes expressed in her writings. I also address criticisms of universal wisdom traditions and structural-hierarchical models of human development that have arisen in the field of transpersonal studies. The criticisms of three leading scholars in this field, Ken Wilber, Michael Washburn, and Jorge Ferrer, while not directed at Bailey’s writings, draw into question many traditional metaphysical assumptions that appear to be unwarranted in light of our modern understanding. I argue that their criticisms do not apply to Bailey’s esoteric philosophy. I then demonstrate the strength, comprehensive logic, and moral force of Bailey’s writings by using them to outline the possibilities for reconstructing the theory of communicative rationality put forth by philosopher and social theorist Jürgen Habermas. I argue that his intuitions regarding the universal and emancipatory potentials of rationality are correct, but limited by his relatively narrow worldview, and that the force he finds inherent in intersubjective communication is a faint reflection of the transformative powers of the Soul.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the following family members, friends, and coworkers for their help in making this dissertation possible. I thank . . . My parents, Robert and Shirley, and my brother Bob for their love, support, and encouragement over the many years. I would especially like to honor the efforts of my father who sacrificed so much in a lifetime of service to his community. I also want to express my thankfulness for the love and laughter shared with my brother John (1953–1988) whose academic endeavors are an inspiration. Connie Jones, my academic advisor and committee member, for her steadfast support over many years, and for her valuable insights and suggestions. My dissertation committee chair, Bernard Williams, and committee member Shelton Gunaratne, for their thoughtful communications which greatly improved this dissertation. Reference librarians at the California Institute of Integral Studies, the University of California, Berkeley, and especially Jason Dezember at John F. Kennedy University, for their generous assistance. Sarah McKechnie, President of Lucis Trust, for her support and communications over many years. Michael Robbins for his efforts and commitment to bringing the esoteric teachings of Alice Bailey and H. P. Blavatsky to greater public awareness. Everyone who worked with and supported the non-profit group Light on the Bay, especially Caite Bennett, Chris Fong, Kathy Fugitt, Frances Harriman, David and Joann Hopper, Launa Huffines, David Kesten, Ron LeBlanc, Gus Makreas, Eric Malone, Alex Pappas, Diane Poole, Neil Whitelaw, and Jeff Whittier. All of the graduate students in Cohort 5 at CIIS for their support and encouragement, and for teaching me about authenticity. Donald Rothberg for the helpful conversations we’ve had regarding Habermas. viii

Eugene Halton for sharing his insights, and for his kindness and generous spirit. Eduardo Mendieta for research assistance and for allowing me to videotape the Habermas colloquium held at the University of San Francisco in December of 1997. Chris Fong for teaching me, a former introvert and recluse, the value and skills of communication. Susan Sanders for her support, encouragement, and friendship over many years. John Kirkmire for his friendship, support, sharing of ideas, and for providing copyediting assistance with an earlier draft of the dissertation. Colin Bell for reading my original dissertation proposal and for offering sound advice. Shailja Patel for her love, support, and inspiration.

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DEDICATION

Dedicated to those who demonstrate the soul laws of sacrifice and service.

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Table of Contents ABSTRACT....................................................................................................... vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................. viii DEDICATION .................................................................................................... x PART 1 ................................................................................................................... 1 THE ESOTERIC PHILOSOPHY OF ALICE A. BAILEY ................................... 1 CHAPTER 1 ....................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1 Overview ......................................................................................................... 1 Limitations of the Study.................................................................................. 9 Editorial Notes ................................................................................................ 9 CHAPTER 2 ..................................................................................................... 13 BAILEY’S WORLDVIEW .............................................................................. 13 Overview ....................................................................................................... 13 Biography ...................................................................................................... 13 Blavatsky’s Influence.................................................................................... 16 Ontology ....................................................................................................... 19 Epistemology ................................................................................................ 20 The Seven Rays ............................................................................................. 22 The Nature of Esotericism ............................................................................ 25 CHAPTER 3 ..................................................................................................... 28 FUNDAMENTAL ESOTERIC CONCEPTS .................................................. 28 Overview ....................................................................................................... 28 The Initiatory Process ................................................................................... 28 The Spiritual Hierarchy................................................................................. 33 The New Group of World Servers ................................................................ 34 The Creation of Thoughtforms ..................................................................... 36 Devic and Elemental Lives ........................................................................... 38 The Etheric Body .......................................................................................... 42 The Nature of Magical Work ........................................................................ 46 xi

Glamour and Illusion .................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER 4 ..................................................................................................... 55 BAILEY AND TRANSPERSONAL THEORISTS ......................................... 55 The Transpersonal Movement ...................................................................... 55 Wilber’s Three “Problems” with Wisdom Traditions................................... 57 Problem One ............................................................................................. 59 Problem Two ............................................................................................. 62 Problem Three ........................................................................................... 64 Washburn’s Criticisms of Structural-Hierarchical Models ........................... 67 The Dynamic-Dialectical Model............................................................... 67 Comparisons with Wilber’s Model ........................................................... 70 Comparisons with Bailey’s Model............................................................ 74 Ferrer’s Criticisms of Transpersonal Psychology ......................................... 77 The Experiential Vision of Human Spirituality ........................................ 78 The Empiricist Colonization of Spirituality.............................................. 84 The Perennial Philosophy Revisited ......................................................... 86 PART 2 ................................................................................................................. 91 RECONSTRUCTING HABERMAS ................................................................... 91 CHAPTER 5 ..................................................................................................... 91 HABERMAS’ THEORY OF RATIONALITY ............................................... 91 The Great Question ....................................................................................... 91 Introduction to the Problem of Rationality ................................................... 92 “Rationality”—A Preliminary Specification ................................................ 95 The Criticizability of Actions and Assertions ............................................... 96 Esoteric Critique ........................................................................................... 99 CHAPTER 6 ................................................................................................... 101 THE SPECTRUM OF CRITICIZABLE UTTERANCES ............................. 101 Three Forms of Rationality—Objective, Social, and Subjective ................ 101 Esoteric Critique ......................................................................................... 102 Morality................................................................................................... 103 Subjectivity and the Problem of Illusion ................................................ 108 Rational/non-rational dualism............................................................. 109 xii

Freeing oneself from illusion. ............................................................. 110 Habermas’ appropriation of psychoanalysis. ...................................... 116 CHAPTER 7 ................................................................................................... 121 AN EXCURSUS ON ARGUMENTATION .................................................. 121 The Role of Argumentation in Justifying Validity Claims ......................... 121 Esoteric Critique ......................................................................................... 122 CHAPTER 8 ................................................................................................... 131 MYTHICAL AND MODERN WORLDVIEWS ........................................... 131 The Structures of Mythical Understanding ................................................. 131 Esoteric Critique ......................................................................................... 133 Habermas and the Fifth Ray ................................................................... 136 Mythical Thought and the Fourth Ray .................................................... 140 CHAPTER 9 ................................................................................................... 146 THE DIFFERENTIATION OF FORMAL WORLDS ................................... 146 Basic Attitudes Toward the Objective, Social, and Subjective Worlds ...... 146 Esoteric Critique ......................................................................................... 147 Further Problems with Habermas’ Concept of Subjectivity ................... 148 An Excursus on the Stages of Duality .................................................... 151 CHAPTER 10 ................................................................................................. 153 THE RATIONALITY DEBATES.................................................................. 153 Introduction ................................................................................................. 153 Substantive and Formal Standards of Rationality ....................................... 154 Empirical and Systematic Arguments ......................................................... 155 Esoteric Critique ......................................................................................... 157 Ontological and Epistemological Aspects of Rationality ....................... 159 The Etheric Body and the Chakras ......................................................... 160 CHAPTER 11 ................................................................................................. 165 DECENTRATION AND THE LIFEWORLD ............................................... 165 Cognitive Development and Decentration .................................................. 165 The Lifeworld as Background Knowledge ................................................. 166 Esoteric Critique ......................................................................................... 169 xiii

Decentration Interpreted Esoterically ..................................................... 169 The decentration of worldviews. ........................................................ 169 The decentration of self. ..................................................................... 172 The Lifeworld ......................................................................................... 175 System and Lifeworld ............................................................................. 187 CHAPTER 12 ................................................................................................. 192 SUMMARY AND CONCLUDING REMARKS .......................................... 192 NOTES............................................................................................................ 197 REFERENCES ............................................................................................... 249 APPENDIX A: FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES OF THE AGELESS WISDOM ................................................................................................... 268 APPENDIX B: RAY CHARACTERISTICS: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES ......................................................................................... 269 APPENDIX C: GENERAL CONTRASTS BETWEEN RAY 4 AND RAY 5 ........................................................................................................ 273 APPENDIX D: QUALITIES OF THE RAYS CONDITIONING THE MIND ......................................................................................................... 275

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PART 1 THE ESOTERIC PHILOSOPHY OF ALICE A. BAILEY

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Overview The writings of Alice A. Bailey (1880–1949) make a valuable contribution to human understanding in a variety of fields, most notably religious studies, philosophy, and psychology. Although not well-known, they create a powerful synthesis of Eastern and Western thought and constitute an important modern presentation of the Ageless Wisdom tradition. Regarding this tradition Bailey observes, Methods and techniques may change; dogmas and doctrines appear and disappear as the Ageless Wisdom presents itself, generation after generation, and the continuity of revelation unfolds as the need of humanity demands it. (Bailey 1951b, 281; italics in the original) She states her understanding of the Ageless Wisdom tradition in eight fundamental doctrines which also serve as a concise summary of her worldview (see Appendix A). Bailey repeatedly emphasizes the limitations and temporal nature of any presentation of the Ageless Wisdom and references the Buddha’s injunction in the Kalama Sutta for students to ascertain meaningful truths for themselves rather than to rely on any supposed authorities (Bailey 1925, xv–xvi). Following in the lineage of H. P. Blavatsky’s theosophy, Bailey’s esoteric writings provide a view of the Cosmos and humanity’s role in it by offering a 1

wealth of theoretical and practical knowledge regarding mind, matter, the soul, and the evolution of consciousness. Bailey defines esotericism in terms of a science of energy relationships which underlie and permeate the world of phenomenal forms. She claims that these writings are not her own but result from a thirty-year telepathic collaboration with the Tibetan Master, Djwhal Khul, whose understanding transcends the usual limits of the individual rational mind. The purpose of this dissertation is to demonstrate that Bailey’s esoteric philosophy constitutes a theoretical system, methodology, and embodied practice worthy of serious consideration, research, and academic debate. In his study of Western esotericism and New Age religions, ...