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The Unfinished Autobiography
Alice Ann Bailey somewhat reluctantly agreed to attempt her own autobiography. What finally decided her to write about her life was a letter from a friend who, she says, felt deeply that "I would really render a service if I could show people how I became what I am from what I was. It might be useful to know how a rabid orthodox Christian worker could become a well-known occult teacher."
From her conservative British background, Alice Bailey's life led her in many directions, but always in one direction--towards the time when through drastic personal experience of many kinds she had acquired a synthesis of outlook and understanding, and an absolute conviction that one divine life pervades and animates the one humanity; that the Plan for man requires the cooperation and service of trained and dedicated human beings intelligently informed about world affairs, in collaboration with those who form the spiritual hierarchy, the inner government of the planet. Her life work became an integral part of this synthesis and this realisation. Without in the least losing any of her very human qualities and involvement, her soul took up its commitment to her Master, and her personality provided full cooperation in the field of her accepted service.
Basically the work developed as a duality--her discipleship service to her own Master, Koot Humi, which included the establishment of the Arcane School; and her initially reluctant agreement to work with the Tibetan, the Master Djwhal Khul, in the writing of a series of books presenting the next phase in the continuity of the Ancient Wisdom teaching for the present and the immediate future.
This work with the Tibetan Master started in 1919. In his introduction to "A Treatise on Cosmic Fire", Foster Bailey "The story of many years of telepathic work by the Tibetan with Alice A. Bailey is revealed in her Unfinished Autobiography published in 1951. This includes the circumstances of the first contact with Him on the physical plane which took place in California in November 1919. Thirty years work was planned. When this had been accomplished and within 30 days after that period (in December 1949) Mrs. Bailey gained her release from the limitations of the physical vehicle."
This quick release accounts also for the fact that the autobiography is unfinished.
As her work with the Tibetan developed, and as her own writing, lecturing and early Arcane School work began to demonstrate their usefulness, the Tibetan took advantage of his close telepathic link with AAB to establish certain activities required by the work of Hierarchy for humanity. The Arcane School, although never controlled or supervised by the Tibetan, was used to anchor such service activitjes as Triangles, World Goodwill and the distribution of the Great Invocation. Certain types of meditation work were also suggested by the Tibetan as a planetary service, particularly the Redemptive Meditations on Preparation for the Reappearance of the Christ and on Attracting Money for Hierarchical purposes; and the Arcane School in 1947 began a serious study of the basic problems of humanity based on his book of that title.
The Arcane School, therefore, as an increasingly useful and useable channel between hierarchy and humanity, was used by the Master DK with AAB's consent and cooperation to anchor certain needed esoteric principles and realities firmly in human consciousness and to demonstrate the fact that esotericism is a way of life, and not an escape into vague, mystical abstractions. Her whole life work, although devoted to two distinct services, demonstrated that synthesis of outlook and attitude characteristic of every world disciple.
From her conservative British background, Alice Bailey's life led her in many directions, but always in one direction--towards the time when through drastic personal experience of many kinds she had acquired a synthesis of outlook and understanding, and an absolute conviction that one divine life pervades and animates the one humanity; that the Plan for man requires the cooperation and service of trained and dedicated human beings intelligently informed about world affairs, in collaboration with those who form the spiritual hierarchy, the inner government of the planet. Her life work became an integral part of this synthesis and this realisation. Without in the least losing any of her very human qualities and involvement, her soul took up its commitment to her Master, and her personality provided full cooperation in the field of her accepted service.
Basically the work developed as a duality--her discipleship service to her own Master, Koot Humi, which included the establishment of the Arcane School; and her initially reluctant agreement to work with the Tibetan, the Master Djwhal Khul, in the writing of a series of books presenting the next phase in the continuity of the Ancient Wisdom teaching for the present and the immediate future.
This work with the Tibetan Master started in 1919. In his introduction to "A Treatise on Cosmic Fire", Foster Bailey "The story of many years of telepathic work by the Tibetan with Alice A. Bailey is revealed in her Unfinished Autobiography published in 1951. This includes the circumstances of the first contact with Him on the physical plane which took place in California in November 1919. Thirty years work was planned. When this had been accomplished and within 30 days after that period (in December 1949) Mrs. Bailey gained her release from the limitations of the physical vehicle."
This quick release accounts also for the fact that the autobiography is unfinished.
As her work with the Tibetan developed, and as her own writing, lecturing and early Arcane School work began to demonstrate their usefulness, the Tibetan took advantage of his close telepathic link with AAB to establish certain activities required by the work of Hierarchy for humanity. The Arcane School, although never controlled or supervised by the Tibetan, was used to anchor such service activitjes as Triangles, World Goodwill and the distribution of the Great Invocation. Certain types of meditation work were also suggested by the Tibetan as a planetary service, particularly the Redemptive Meditations on Preparation for the Reappearance of the Christ and on Attracting Money for Hierarchical purposes; and the Arcane School in 1947 began a serious study of the basic problems of humanity based on his book of that title.
The Arcane School, therefore, as an increasingly useful and useable channel between hierarchy and humanity, was used by the Master DK with AAB's consent and cooperation to anchor certain needed esoteric principles and realities firmly in human consciousness and to demonstrate the fact that esotericism is a way of life, and not an escape into vague, mystical abstractions. Her whole life work, although devoted to two distinct services, demonstrated that synthesis of outlook and attitude characteristic of every world disciple.
- GenresSpirituality
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1951
9 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Alice A. Bailey
471 books226 followersPease note: this is a different author from Alice Bailey.
Alice A. Bailey (1880-1949) was an English esoteric practitioner and writer.
At the age of 35, she entered the Theosophical Society center in Los Angeles (USA), at the Pacific Grove Theosophical Lodge. In 1919, Bailey (39 years old) severed her ties to the Theosophical Society and began to write texts that he claimed were dictated telepathically by a certain "Tibetan," or "D. K. ». She published those texts under the title Human and Solar Initiation. There she made known the existence of the spiritual hierarchy, which Madame Blavatsky had already spread, although not in an orderly way.
She later revealed that the Tibetan D.K. was the master Djwal Khul. She wrote using the teacher's name for 30 years, from 1919 until her death in 1949.
Alice A. Bailey (1880-1949) was an English esoteric practitioner and writer.
At the age of 35, she entered the Theosophical Society center in Los Angeles (USA), at the Pacific Grove Theosophical Lodge. In 1919, Bailey (39 years old) severed her ties to the Theosophical Society and began to write texts that he claimed were dictated telepathically by a certain "Tibetan," or "D. K. ». She published those texts under the title Human and Solar Initiation. There she made known the existence of the spiritual hierarchy, which Madame Blavatsky had already spread, although not in an orderly way.
She later revealed that the Tibetan D.K. was the master Djwal Khul. She wrote using the teacher's name for 30 years, from 1919 until her death in 1949.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 28, 2011
Probably the most interesting to me because I learned a lot about Alice Bailey. She intrigues me because she has intuited all this interesting esoteric wisdom that she credits to "the Tibetan." My bias wonders if she would have been given any credit if she had just written it as her own. Esoteric knowledge at the time she wrote was a man's world.
August 17, 2009
Alice Bailey had three daughters and grew up wealthy in England, was a Missionary for the Church of England in India, and at the age of 15 was visited by the Tibetan to begin her life's journey. She ended up in a bad marriage in USA and left that to meet Foster Bailey and the rest is herstory.
October 13, 2011
Amazing woman, amazing life - totally inspiring
September 23, 2023
"From 'Rabid' Orthodox Christian to Occult Teacher"
Alice Bailey set out and defined three big purposes for this unfinished autobiography. These are "the fact of the Masters of Wisdom", "new trends in the world today which are definitely influencing mankind and raising the human consciousness", and "how wonderful human beings are". We'll try to circle these points during the review as much as possible.
The majority of the book is focused on the experiences and opinions of a "rabid" Orthodox Christian and how she became an occult teacher. The book is unfinished and was intended to be expanded another 4 chapters from it's current (and unfinished) six chapters. Due to this the majority seems focused on the lead up to her becoming an occult teacher rather than diving deep into the latter, though we get there eventually. These early sections really drive home one of her 3 points of "how human being are wonderful".
"how human beings are wonderful"
A big part of this book is an analysis of personality flaws that she went through and, one can note in certain sections, was still going through. A big point is made of dramatically and consistently emphasizing these negative qualities. This is incredibly important because it draws the reader to your stereotypical hardened fanatical Christian on a mission to save souls and it sets up an antagonism with real people. For example how does someone react to an individual acting high and mighty who thinks shes better than you and is constantly looking at you with disapproval? How do soldiers react to a girl like this? The stories are several and clearly present cases of humanity being understanding and wonderful in these instances. A lesson that was not only useful for her, but now is also useful to illustrate for others.
"new trends in the world today which are definitely influencing mankind and raising the human consciousness"
The book throughout doesn't follow a consistent trail. Though the book is laid out into chapters on cycles the text therein might skip around in time. This is often to bring in examples. She also flutters off on opinions and tangents about trends of the time. I don't think this is ever a good idea in this kind of format. The opinions presented often set up a potential clashing of personalities. When you're trying to reach out to the audience it's likely not best to be inserting ideas around sex, gender, politics, and etc. These are highly polarizing emotional topics and can setup a visible or invisible wall between the reader and the author that certainly wasn't intended. Once this is setup then the rest of your good efforts fall down. I've seen this more than enough with people to understand how easily it can happen. Additionally, these often fail to survive importance over periods of time. It's hard to judge how something seemingly so important will look 2 or more decades down the road. I know of at least one sentence that would absolutely need to be apologized for if judged in the light of today's cultural standards. This is just not the place for that.
"the fact of the Masters of Wisdom"
I have a feeling that if the next chapters were made this would be a lot more effective. You have a few places in which, if you believe it, the events and happenings would clearly prove to the individual the fact of the existence of the Masters of Wisdom. However, very little is detailed here to be of effective proof to those who don't already hold this opinion or are open to accepting it based on the words of Alice. For those who already believe or are interested I think you'll find useful information on the feelings of what it means to be a disciple and the somewhat aloofness of the master upon the life of the individual and her workings.
------
I wish that this book held more about her workings as a mentor, teacher, school leader, and more. However, while I haven't read much of her other works I believe her other books go more into detail about this. We get a lot about the Alice personality, but not so much about how she overcame challenges as a mentor to help others. I find that the style of a published chosen letters of correspondence is often best in this regard. From Crowley to Seckler these often give jewels of understanding of not only the author but their method of teaching, of opinions and challenges of the time (see point 2), and more.
Alice Bailey set out and defined three big purposes for this unfinished autobiography. These are "the fact of the Masters of Wisdom", "new trends in the world today which are definitely influencing mankind and raising the human consciousness", and "how wonderful human beings are". We'll try to circle these points during the review as much as possible.
The majority of the book is focused on the experiences and opinions of a "rabid" Orthodox Christian and how she became an occult teacher. The book is unfinished and was intended to be expanded another 4 chapters from it's current (and unfinished) six chapters. Due to this the majority seems focused on the lead up to her becoming an occult teacher rather than diving deep into the latter, though we get there eventually. These early sections really drive home one of her 3 points of "how human being are wonderful".
"how human beings are wonderful"
A big part of this book is an analysis of personality flaws that she went through and, one can note in certain sections, was still going through. A big point is made of dramatically and consistently emphasizing these negative qualities. This is incredibly important because it draws the reader to your stereotypical hardened fanatical Christian on a mission to save souls and it sets up an antagonism with real people. For example how does someone react to an individual acting high and mighty who thinks shes better than you and is constantly looking at you with disapproval? How do soldiers react to a girl like this? The stories are several and clearly present cases of humanity being understanding and wonderful in these instances. A lesson that was not only useful for her, but now is also useful to illustrate for others.
"new trends in the world today which are definitely influencing mankind and raising the human consciousness"
The book throughout doesn't follow a consistent trail. Though the book is laid out into chapters on cycles the text therein might skip around in time. This is often to bring in examples. She also flutters off on opinions and tangents about trends of the time. I don't think this is ever a good idea in this kind of format. The opinions presented often set up a potential clashing of personalities. When you're trying to reach out to the audience it's likely not best to be inserting ideas around sex, gender, politics, and etc. These are highly polarizing emotional topics and can setup a visible or invisible wall between the reader and the author that certainly wasn't intended. Once this is setup then the rest of your good efforts fall down. I've seen this more than enough with people to understand how easily it can happen. Additionally, these often fail to survive importance over periods of time. It's hard to judge how something seemingly so important will look 2 or more decades down the road. I know of at least one sentence that would absolutely need to be apologized for if judged in the light of today's cultural standards. This is just not the place for that.
"the fact of the Masters of Wisdom"
I have a feeling that if the next chapters were made this would be a lot more effective. You have a few places in which, if you believe it, the events and happenings would clearly prove to the individual the fact of the existence of the Masters of Wisdom. However, very little is detailed here to be of effective proof to those who don't already hold this opinion or are open to accepting it based on the words of Alice. For those who already believe or are interested I think you'll find useful information on the feelings of what it means to be a disciple and the somewhat aloofness of the master upon the life of the individual and her workings.
------
I wish that this book held more about her workings as a mentor, teacher, school leader, and more. However, while I haven't read much of her other works I believe her other books go more into detail about this. We get a lot about the Alice personality, but not so much about how she overcame challenges as a mentor to help others. I find that the style of a published chosen letters of correspondence is often best in this regard. From Crowley to Seckler these often give jewels of understanding of not only the author but their method of teaching, of opinions and challenges of the time (see point 2), and more.
June 15, 2014
How devoted I was to this author all those years ago at Findhorn ... Provided almost the entire meaning of my life there.
Fortunately, Meditations on the Tarot saved my soul http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2009/...
For here I found an esotericism which was neither de-personalising, nor de-humanising ...
Fortunately, Meditations on the Tarot saved my soul http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2009/...
For here I found an esotericism which was neither de-personalising, nor de-humanising ...
December 8, 2014
Insight into the human identification of AAB
I have followed the teachings Alice Bailey brought to the world for 50 years, I found this book to be very inspiring as to what I took for this great teacher to fulfill her purpose to serve the Masters.
I was very grateful she took the time to share her story so we might see what it takes to serve,
I have followed the teachings Alice Bailey brought to the world for 50 years, I found this book to be very inspiring as to what I took for this great teacher to fulfill her purpose to serve the Masters.
I was very grateful she took the time to share her story so we might see what it takes to serve,
Read
September 6, 2017Absolutely fascinating, even though unfinished.
Alice Bailey narrates through the lens of the observing objective awareness her life path and strives to give the reader a clear vision of the Victorian era with its definite peculiarities. She is devoted to a clear use of language which is appreciated in a postmodern realm. Her spiritual journey is very much a natural development of inherent impulses toward the truth of the world and of the necessity for clarity which oftentimes makes for situations that may appear unlikely; her observations are fun to read, she confesses to having the ability to laugh at anything in the most detached manner possible, which points to a mind that is ever alert and a predisposition to perception which is unbiased, more so, extrasensory, yet perfectly adapted to all of the challenges of a public or/and a society that are torn by the world wars.
Alice Bailey narrates through the lens of the observing objective awareness her life path and strives to give the reader a clear vision of the Victorian era with its definite peculiarities. She is devoted to a clear use of language which is appreciated in a postmodern realm. Her spiritual journey is very much a natural development of inherent impulses toward the truth of the world and of the necessity for clarity which oftentimes makes for situations that may appear unlikely; her observations are fun to read, she confesses to having the ability to laugh at anything in the most detached manner possible, which points to a mind that is ever alert and a predisposition to perception which is unbiased, more so, extrasensory, yet perfectly adapted to all of the challenges of a public or/and a society that are torn by the world wars.
August 12, 2018
Alice A. Bailey wrote over twenty books of esoteric philosophy, in collaboration with a Tibetan Master, over a period of more than two decades. This is her story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews