• Evolution is a vast subject – and not purely scientific – an introduction to the idea of evolution.
• Primitive ape man – the soul and individualisation
• Our current position in time is an extremely small portion of our evolution
• All the other planets in our Solar system are also still evolving – ie Mars
• The moon – known once as  ‘the mother of the earth’ – what happened on the moon to make it as it is today?
• Evolution involves many levels of human units, and starting from mineral kingdom through to animal we see how our consciousness is taken through all these levels of being
• Evolution is governed by intelligence and enlightened beings – not chance
• What we think is human is actually borrowed from the Deva kingdom
• We really are here to gain wisdom for our Monad – starting with consciousness and then through the soul and onwards
• Evolution is about losing the concept of ‘separate’, and gaining group consciousness
• How you live your life is what is important, and understanding the chakras and your energy body
• The path of evolution is learning how to control your emotions and act always in a loving way

If you would like to know much more about this subject in detail, A Treatise on Mind Volume 1, 2 and 3 explores the nature of the Samsara and Sunyata interrelationship, questioning the foundations of logical inquiry and scientific application of the consciousness.

The book titled A Treatise on Mind  Volume 4 delves deeper into the mind and is a detailed tantric work which answers many questions the serious practitioner may have as to the nature of mandalas and their relationship to the process of awakening.  In volume 5A and 5B The Tibetan Book of the Dead is thoroughly interpreted using esoteric methods to illustrate the significance of the peaceful and wrathful deities and their significance to the awakening of consciousness.

Physical body conditions are examined in relation to meditation. Wisdom is offered on meditation postures, methods to encourage relaxation, and how to avoid pain in meditation. The necessity of maintaining a healthy physical vehicle is explained in the context of stretching, exercise, and diet.

The deleterious effects of emotionality on decision-making are discussed, and the need to avoid “monkey-mind” is properly elucidated. Via calming the emotions, the Mind becomes revealed, allowing the Soul to reveal itself.

Methods of calming the mind and the objectives of meditation are illuminated by this talk. Stilling the mind, producing internal calm and quiet, “leads to great things.” Recommended techniques of meditation are clarified such as walking meditation, contemplation, and the fundamentals of receiving impressions from the Kingdom of the Soul.

The benefits of dhāraṇī, or tools for meditation are investigated. These include mala, mantra, visualizations of deity, and using nature as one’s object of devotion. This talk also touches upon the various approaches to yoga including Hatha, Bhakti (devotional), and Raja (royal) yoga.

The need to produce a joyful life, goodwill, inner poise and fearlessness are emphasised, thereby magnetising the dynamic energy field of the aura. Through ritual, such as incense and calming music, one may sanctify the meditational space to make it sacred and thus attract devas.  Awakening our inner Temple of Love in the Heart begins by expressing the energy of Joy.

• Understanding of the mysteries of Initiation is key to understanding the life process
• The structure of the human kingdom – animal man, emotional man, intelligentsia, aspirants, disciples
• The Path of Probation and the nine headed hydra and the first initiation process
• Initiation has always been inherent in our societies
• The path of probation and the 1st initiation – the three heads of the hydra
• aspects of money testings
• aspects of material comforts
• spiritual law vs physical plane law
• the second degree initiate
• battling irritation and imperil – developing calmness and serenity
• aspiring to a higher plane during the 2nd initiation
• the series of tests involved with each initiation – mastery of the emotions
• the third initiation – mastery of the mind, touches on fourth and fifth initiations as well

More information on Initiation can be found in our teachings section under initiation. Alice A Bailey also describes the process of initiation in her book “Initiation, Human and Solar” as well as “Rays and Initiations”. Bodo’s book, A Treatise on Mind, Volume 6 also describes aspects of the initiations in more detail. His upcoming publication, “The Way to Shambhala” will go into even more detail about the process of initiation as well as explaining the Hierarchical interrelationships  involved in this aeonic process.

Here is a link to the  page about the 9 Headed Hydra that is mentioned in the above talk.

It is a great idea to get more familiar with the aspects of the hydra, so that you may become more aware of your motivations and behaviour. There are many degrees of subtleties within these aspects, and as mentioned, the process of initiation can actually empower aspects of the hydra that you were previously unaware of, or thought you had mastered / gained control over. It is a process of constant evolution and learning by experience. We highly recommend reading the above mentioned books to gain a greater understanding of the whole process and therefore avoiding some of the more serious pitfalls that the spiritual seeker can fall into.

Reading also “The Labours of Hercules” (also by Alice A Bailey) is a great series of insights to the astrological element of the testings given and how they tie in with the whole process of human evolution.

In this talk, what the aura is and techniques to see the aura are clearly forwarded to listeners. The differences between the "etheric double" and the aura of the emotional body are clarified. Bodo reveals how the colours of the aura may be seen by the physical eye, using the peripheral vision. This ability is present even in those who don't have their major chakras awakened, due to minor chakras in the eyes.

The etheric double is expanded upon. It is also known as the "health aura" created by the energy field of the body's naḍī system. The etheric double exists on the four highest sub-planes of the physical plane, and it extends out a small distance away from the body.  Comparatively, the aura of the emotional body exists on the astral plane. It is less dense than the etheric double and extends further out from the body. 

Bodo explains that thought-forms have various shapes and colours which are clothed by, and can be seen in, the aura. One's aura affects others in the vicinity, thus it is recommended to strive to surround oneself with a brightly lit and radiant aura. It is noted that many peoples’ auras are coloured by the grey-green of selfish adaptability, or orange of the concrete intellect. Other colours that commonly show in peoples’ auras are the green thumb of the gardener, the red of rage, the red-brown of sensuality, the pink of jealousy, the lemon-yellow of harmony, or the sky-blue of high spirituality.

Ideal conditions to see the aura are described, such as when the mind and body are relaxed after a bath, in dim lighting such as with a candle, and while looking in the mirror. The head, hands and fingers are often the easiest areas to see the aura. One may also do an exercise which involves using the hand on a sheet of paper, as is presented in this talk. Bodo notes that techniques to see auras, when practiced enough, may develop one’s vision to the extent of being able to see and communicate telepathically with the deva kingdom.

Finally, the interrelationships between one’s aura and the outer environment are illustrated. Categorised energetically, diseases are generally of two types, provoking either congestion or inflammation. Different types of surroundings can cause or aggravate disease. A variety of examples are given of the types of energetic environments which may attack a sensitive person’s aura and are to be avoided. Also explained are some visualisations to help bolster one’s psychic defenses in difficult environments.