Meditation - groupmeditation at full moon

There are 3 stages to this meditation:

1. Preparing the Chalice (same for all 12 meditations)

2. Lifting the Chalice (varies with each meditation)

3. Filling the Chalice (same for all 12 meditations)

These three stages are intended to guide the thinking of the of the Meditation Leader, and are not intended to be read outloud or announced. The meditation leader should, Ideally, express through speech the inner working of the group mind during the in-gathering and up-pointing of the invocative forces assembled for meditation; then, following the silent period, he should guide and ease the return of the group's attention to physical plane consciousness.

1. PREPARING THE CHALICE

We gather and blend our forces into a sincere desire to be a ready instrument for the Forces of Light and Love. With the physical eyes closed, see with the mind's eye two persons in this group with whom you already feel a sense of fellowship in service … See them and yourself as three points of a triangle … Turn toward them with your heart … Visualize a stream of loving regard, of heart energy, flowing from you … to first one then to the other. Again, send a stream of loving regard from you … to one, then the other … Once more, send love from you … to one, then to the other.

Now let individual persons fade out of your field of visualization. See each triangle simply as a three pointed field of heart energy … the triangles interlaced with one another. Thus is created the light body of this group. It is a chalice, built of relationships, bright and shining with service.

2. LIFTING THE CHALICE

3. FILLING THE CHALICE

(Each of the 12 meditations closes with the following process. This process is designed to focus the tapped energies in the group or the individual's heart center thereby making them impersonally available for service to the greater whole of which the group or individual is a part.)

Gently … gradually …
Let us bring our meditation to a close,
Refocussing the mind into the here and now.
Thoughtfully … quietly … together …

(THE GREAT INVOCATION)

Om Om Om

This ends the meditation.

The Great Invokation

From the point of Light within the Mind of God Let light stream forth into the minds of men. Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God Let love stream forth into the hearts of men. May Christ return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known Let purpose guide the little wills of men – The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

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.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

Om... Om... Om...

Many religions believe in a World Teacher or Saviour, knowing him under such names as the Christ, the Lord Maitreya, the Imam Mahdi, the Bodhisattva , and the Messiah, and these terms are used in some of the Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish versions of the Great Invocation.

Men and women of goodwill throughout the world are using this Invocation in their own language. Will you join them in using the Invocation every day - with thought and dedication?

By using the Invocation and encouraging others to use it, no particular group or oganisation is sponsored. It belongs to all humanity.

1.) ARIES: (LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … we reaffirm our strong connection with other serving groups - each working in its own way, at its accepted task within the Plan. United with all true servers, who subjectively form one world group, we look toward the future.

From the "center where the will of God is known," the future is coming our way. That which is new to us, not yet envisioned, nor even imagined by the minds of men, is approaching. During the silent period, we shall attempt to send our spiritual intention forward to meet the future. We send our will-to-good, our willingness to serve God's Plan, our offer to work for the common good these, our gifts of spirit, we send ahead to greet the future. We proceed as though carrying an unlighted candle; even though we do not see our next task in the light, the spirit of service goes forward.

Theme for Silent Meditation:

2.) TAURUS: (LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … we reaffirm our strong connection with other serving groups - each working in its own way, at its accepted task within the Plan. United with all true servers, who subjectively form one world group, we look toward the East, the place of the rising sun on the horizon of consciousness. Look in the direction of new light for a new day.

Imagine ourselves moving eastward toward the altar of the Temple of the World. Behind the altar, out of sight, out of reach, exists the "point of light within the mind of God".

We carry an unlighted candle. At some moment during the Festival of Wesak a beam of light will shine through the single eye of Taurus directly upon the altar of the human spirit. Our candle will be included in the touch of enlightenment and will be lighted.

Theme for Silent Meditation:

3.) GEMINI: (LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … we reaffirm our strong connection with other serving groups - each working in its own way, at its accepted task within the Plan. United with all true servers, who subjectively form one world group, we turn toward the Christ, the "point of love within the heart of God".

We hold the candle that was lit last month by a beam of light upon the altar of the world. The light belongs to the world. Carrying the candle is our responsibility.

We look toward the Coming One, while He looks out into the world of men where He is preparing to move. He is so near. He is present in every cooperative effort … Present every step of the Way between the aspiring human heart, and the throne of Shamballa … Present in the daily interplay between seekers after Truth, and the Teachers of men … Present in every brotherly alliance: between nations, between races, between religions, between groups … Present in the midst of loving friends … He is here … now …

Theme for Silent Meditation:

4.) CANCER: (LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … we take our place in the Temple of the World. At this point in the year we redirect the emphasis of our spiritual life out into the "center which we call the race of men".

Wherever we-the-group turn our attention, we project a thread of light which can be used by the Hierarchy to channel energy. We turn our attention into the outer community.

We look ahead across the remainder of the year. We reaffirm our link with all who work to manifest the Plan. We prepare to move through the months ahead, manifesting the inner life of the network of souls into radiant outer forms of daily loving service. We go forth ' to the task of helping humanity to "build a lighted house and therein dwell".

Theme for Silent Meditation:

5.) LEO: ( LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … let the roots of our selfhood penetrate more deeply into the matrix of the One Life. Let the group self know its identity with the one group of all true servers. Let the roots of our selfhood sink still more deeply, confidently, into the matrix of the One Life.

During a period of consecrated silence, let the heart of the group unfold its willing petals to the warmth and loving touch of the planetary heart center. We offer ourselves to the very Heart of the Sun, so that the wellspring of love may find in us a free, unimpeded channel for the flow of love into every life we touch. Thus may the sun that shines in the heart of every man be kindled to brighter radiance.

Theme for Silent Meditation:

6.) VIRGO: (LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … we direct our attention to the Mother of the World. We attempt to move toward Her state of consciousness.

She gives eternally of Her substance to nourish consciousness in other lives. Patiently, tenderly, She nourishes and protects and develops those new ideals andprinciples of enlightened living that await birth into form … ideals which have not yet seen the light of day but are taking shape in embryo within the mind of man and the womb of time.

In response to the impulse of Virgo , we dedicate the substance of the group to keep alive that which we are not yet able to express or to produce. We dedicate the group body to hold and cherish and nourish and protect certain germinal efforts, seeds of the future, which can and will be born into the light of the Aquarian Day. Towards that birth occasion (which is a gradual process), we further dedicate our present daily expenditure of time … money … speech … work … tirelessly nurturing the germ of the Plan carefully planted in the One Teaching.

Theme for Silent Meditation:

7.) LIBRA: (LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … we calmly point our attention into that lighted area known as the "place of judgement". In the zodiac it is called Libra . In the consciousness of man it is the judicial power of the mature mind. In the on sweep of evolution it is the working of the Law … the beneficent Law of Life itself. Its motions are just and unavoidable … Its working can be counted upon following every decision, whether wise or unwise.

During the interlude of silence (a few moments from now) let us lift our standard of values, our own scales of judgement, up into the LIGHT OF HIERARCHY, in order that we may learn to see by Their light and to weigh and judge important questions by Their values.

Enter now into the interlude, willing to make needed decisions, to accept the consequences of our decisions, and thus become wise.

Theme for Silent Meditation:

8.) SCORPIO: (LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self ... we realize the struggle of humanity's soul. Daily the vertical pressure of the Plan … and the horizontal pressure of human need throughout this troubled world … set up cross currents, rubbing and straining against each other. The call to service and the reluctance or unreadiness of those who aspire to serve, create conflict in the heart.

The inescapable frictions of daily experience kindle the fires that try us and test us … the fires that temper our metal … burning out the old, the outworn, the unworthy … leaving finally in their place, the undying Spirit of Service … wiser, more steadfast … more compassionate … more willing.

Now, during the silent period, move into that mighty alignment, extending from the most inexperienced server, through ascending grades and orders of spiritual beings upon our planet, to the Most High God.

Theme for Silent Meditation:

9.) SAGITTARIUS: (LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … we pause at the threshold of silent meditation, to bring the group mind to alert focussed attention, straight and pointed as an arrow, symbol of aspiration .

During the period of silence (in a few moments from now) we, the Group Archer, shall hold the bow taut and with steady aim, send our aspiration into the heart of Hierarchy.

The A of Aspiration evokes an answering shaft of light. The Great Ones send Their Arrows of Inspiration into the minds of men. In between the sending forth and the receiving, between aspiration and inspiration, the full capacity of the group mind must be utilized.

We shall aim … send … wait … and when there is an answering inflow of light, we shall direct our love for humanity to the shaping and releasing of that light into appropriate forms of radiant service.

Theme for Silent Meditation:

10.) CAPRICORN: (LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … we turn toward the East (not geographically, but symbolically). At the place of sunrise upon the horizon of consciousness, visualize a five pointed star. See it as pure white light, and point it upward. See us moving into that form, taking our place in the center of the pentagram . Within the pentagram is the place of protection for all who love and serve the Plan. Remain within the lighted star during the silent period of meditation, while we consider the present moment as a culminating moment of the year. Together we have come this far and some of our work is finished.

The point of completion is the moment to initiate something new. Poised alertly upon this moment, dedicated to the NEW, how much, what part of the NEW is ours to build? For a new day, new forms must be built. If we are to help with the building, we must work in ways new to us, with new tools, new energies, and we must expect unprecedented results.

Theme for Silent Meditation:

11.) AQUARIUS:(LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … we deliberately expose our consciousness to the need for skilled world servers. Response, in the world of men, to the influence of Aquarius , is a more scientific view of service.

Not restless activity, nor aspiration, nor sentimental idealism will make a man a server. Service is the spontaneous expression of steady soul-mind-brain alignment.

Service is the science of liberation. Through living the life of selfless service, the indwelling spirit is released from the prison house of self interest; and its "life more abundantly" is set loose in the server's environment.

Service is the urge to group good. Service is the science of right group relations - whether the "group" be the family, the nation, the planet, or the Ashram . When love permeates the thought life of a group, that group moves to serve within the guidelines of the Plan. Where minds are both trained and loving, where the soul controls the outer form, a station of service is established. Its sound is clearly heard by "Those Who serve the Plan, and those whom the Plan serves".

Theme for Silent Meditation:

12.) PISCES: (LIFTING THE CHALICE)

As one group self … use the mind's eye to look out into the world of men. See the mass of men everywhere glowing with a dim light and, here and there, see points of brighter light where servers are working for the common good.

See serving groups as stations of light, each group working in its own way at its accepted task within the Plan. See each point of steady light growing brighter, until each sheds a ray of light into another's field of radiance … thus is woven a horizontal network of light, holding in relationship all who carry the work load, all who shoulder the creative responsibility, of manifesting the Plan.

Now visualize each point of light in the network as connected vertically with Hierarchy by a strand of light … all strands converging into a vertical cable of light … bonding all true servers to Hierarchy in such a way that we become a company of liberators … agents of freedom in the outer world … releasers of Spirit within our environment.

Theme for Silent Meditation:

                                     Keywords and seed thougts for the year

When the sun enter a new sign and especially at full moon a new tone and quality entering the collective consciousness. This energy can be recognized by all in medititation and by a joint group effort. WWT recommend the following keywords and seed thoughts in connection with meditation at full moon.

Aries WE SEND AHEAD TO GREET THE FUTURE OUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE THE PLAN.

Taurus WE INVOKE FOR MANKIND NEW LIGHT AND THE WILL TO SEE AND CHOOSE THE NOBLER WAY.

Gemini REALIZE THE PRESENCE OF THE COMING ONE.

Cancer HELP HUMANITY TO BUILD A LIGHTED HOUSE.

Leo MAY THE WELLSPRING OF LOVE FIND IN US AN UNIMPEDED CHANNEL.

Virgo WE DEDICATE OUR TIME, MONEY, SPEECH AND WORK TO NURTURE PART OF THE PLAN.

Libra LEARN TO SEE BY THE LIGHT OF THE GREAT ONES AND MAKE DECISIONS ACCORDING TO THEIR VALUES.

Scorpio THE MIGHTY ALIGNMENT THAT CONFERS COURAGE TO THE HEART, AND TRIUMPH TO THE SOUL.

Sagittarius AIM OUR ASPIRATION INTO THE HEART OF HIERARCHY, AIM … SEND … AWAIT THE ANSWERING ARROW OF INSPIRATION.

Capricorn WHAT IS OUR SHARE OF THE BUILDING OF A NEW SOCIETY? WHAT IS OUR TASK?

Aquarius WE REAFFIRM OUR ANCIENT PLEDGE TO SERVE THE WORLD THEN ADD THE NEWER OBLIGATION: TO SERVE MORE CAPABLY, AND WORK TOGETHER.

Pisces WE STRENGTHEN OUR BOND WITH ALL THAT RELEASES THE SOUL OF HUMANITY INTO FULL EXPRESSION.