THE PERMANENT CENTRAL TEMPLE OF THE ASCENSION FLAME

ELECTRONIC PATTERN: Visualize the Crystalline Ascension Flame blazing forth from every human heart, surrounding each lifestream with an Oval of Purity and restoring them to the Perfection of their Divine Plan.

Beloved Chelas,

I AM happy to address you from the Permanent Central Temple of the Ascension Flame in the etheric realm over Long Island, New York―especially during this wonderful month of praise and thanksgiving! The activity of my Flame of the Ascension has been greatly accelerated during this year, due to the fact that both Lady Hope and the magnificent Archangel of Restoration serve as sponsors for the Earth at this time.

In this year of teaching, our chelas have proved to be very able students. You have made earnest efforts to absorb the lessons We have offered, and to expand and project that illumination into the many phases of your personal and universal service.

As the year draws to a close, I would like to review some of the vital principles and practices which we have discussed. In this way, you may refresh your memory, both to assess your personal progress, and to consider that progress in the context of the group work. You may also use this knowledge to help you prepare your petitions to the Karmic Board for the upcoming twelve month cycle.

One of the qualities we have often discussed is constancy―an aspect of the Second Ray. Constancy is closely related to rhythm of service, which is one of the gifts of the Seventh Ray. Due to the radiation of Master Kuthumi as one of the Sponsors and Saint Germain as the Enfolding Spirit for the year, you have improved greatly in these areas. However, there is still further progress to be made. We see that our chelas feel scattered in their focus at times, due to the varied nature of the work to be done. Remember―everything is in Divine Order at all times. Each of you have been given a special gift by our God Parents―and these Gifts, when combined, bring about the fulfillment of the Divine Plan. My suggestion is―simplify!

The need is for discernment of your own area of service. Seek within yourselves that aspect of the Godhead which brings you, particular joy in the fulfillment. This is your special gift! Use that gift as your primary purpose. Take responsibility for your part in the Divine Plan. Then, constancy and rhythm of service will cease to be difficult for you, because your work will be a persistent delight!

Another principle of great importance―both in the personal and group work―is that of purification and protection. These activities must precede all creative endeavors, to insure that the Sacred Flames will be able to do their work. The chalice must be purified, and the vibrational balance protected, whether the chalice is your individual consciousness or that of your group.

This is what Master Jesus meant when he said not to put new wine into old skins. Old states of consciousness have become dry and hardened, and the introduction of new understanding into them causes great stress. This is an extremely important facet of teaching that needs to be clearly understood by Our chelas. Feel free to call upon any of the Ascended Masters for help in this area.

One of the major goals this year bas been to make you cognizant of your own creative potential. Every thought, word and deed is a creative act, albeit a largely unconscious one. When you call forth the Light of God into any situation, you become a conscious co-creator with God. This is a great responsibility as well as a privilege! We are grateful that you have shown yourselves so willing to accept such responsibility. We are especially gratified to see continually increased dedication to the Thoughtform and Theme for this year. This provides substantial impetus to the process of restoration for the Earth, which moves forward without delay!

The most important precept we have endeavored to impress upon our chelas this year―the vital principle which is both the first and last step on the Path―can be stated in three simple words: SEEK THE SILENCE! This cannot be over-emphasized! Yet, in the daily pressures of the world of form, this one principle, which assures both personal and planetary redemption, is often the first to be neglected or overlooked.

Beloved ones, I AM aware of your genuine desire to do whatever is necessary to attain Mastery. I see you strive to master your four lower vehicles, reaching ever toward the Light. However, all striving becomes needless once you have mastered the art of at-one-ment with the Threefold Flame in your heart. This is the only path to the Light!

Entering the Silence can seem very difficult, for there is no greater noise than that created by the outer human self. Therefore, the first step in your effort is to still the clamoring of your four lower vehicles, bringing them into the balance—the calmness—that may receive the Master's voice. Sit comfortably and speak aloud to each body in turn, with the authority of your I AM Presence: "Peace, be still! Mental self, be still! Emotional self, be still! Etheric self, be still! Physical self, be still! BE STILL and know that I AM God!" As you practice wielding your authority, your lower vehicles will respond! Then you shall stand at the outer perimeter of the consciousness of Silence, and affirm: "I now consciously enter into and abide within the Threefold Flame in my heart!"

You have been told that every journey begins with a single step. The journey toward conscious at-one-ment with the Presence of God I AM begins when you diligently seek the Silence every day. Seeking¾you shall find! It is less important that you spend long periods of time in such communion than that you rhythmically seek the Silence for short periods several times a day. In this way you will balance and refresh your consciousness, strengthening your bond with your God Presence. Thus do you also increase your ability to hold the Immaculate Concept for your fellowman, for your time in the Great Silence unifies your vibration with Divine Mind, sharpening your inner vision and dispelling the illusions of the world of form.

Within the Silence, all men are Masters. Within the Silence, all Masters are ONE. The Great Silence exists at the very Heart of us all, and the delight of my Being is to meet you there. Seek the Silence, and then shall we meet face-to-face!

Serapis Bey

* * * *

AN INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE....

As the Beloved Karmic Board convenes twice yearly to consider petitions submitted by the Chohans and other Cosmic Beings, and also from chelas who wish to take part, it is time to join this activity once again. The meetings are held prior to January and July each year at the Grand Teton Retreat, with decisions forthcoming on the first day of those months. Classes to support the petitions of the Ascended Masters in behalf of world progress will be held at Shamballa on consecutive evenings at 8:00 PM (EST) from Friday, December 25 through Thursday, December 31, if you care to join your energies with ours for this purpose. Also, if you wish to submit your petitions (in a sealed envelope marked "Petition Class" on the outside) to be combined with ours, we will be happy to consign them to the Flames on the evening of December 31st, following the closing Class.

Thank you,

The Staff at Shamballa

* * * *