“This is a written transcript from the Inner Sight radio program conversations with Sarah and Dale McKechnie. To listen to the original audio recording, visit our primary website at Festival of Goodwill | Spiritual Perspectives Blog”.

The Festival of Goodwill is the third of the three spiritual festivals. We’ve talked in past programs about the Festival of Easter, which is the great Western Christian festival, the Festival of Wesak, which is the great Eastern festival that’s observed by Buddhists worldwide, and which in the Ageless Wisdom teaching is seen as a festival in which not only the Buddha, but his brother, as he is called, the Christ, cooperate together to release the forces of enlightenment into humanity. Now at this third festival, the Festival of Goodwill, the Christ representing the Spiritual Hierarchy or the Kingdom of Masters releases the energy of pure love into humanity. All of these three spiritual festivals recur each year. They form what is called the higher interlude of the annual cycle.

The Great Invocation (a world prayer) itself is such a tremendously potent formula for energizing the goodwill in the world. People may not realize that if they worked with the Great Invocation on a daily basis, they could do so much to strengthen the expression of love and goodwill in the world and ignite it as a little flame within human hearts. People long for peace, and we’ve heard such a cry for peace, and it’s perfectly understandable; we do all want peace. But for peace to exist, I see it as more of an effect or an outcome when there is, in fact, a true goodwill present in the world. So rather than praying for peace, I think we should work for goodwill, and every one of us can start within our own circumstances. Every one of us has a set of relationships and a set of problems that we are dealt, and we can begin to apply goodwill in those problems and relationships by being the first brave one to take a step toward the other, whoever the other is. Make an effort, and I think you’ll see that the response that is evoked more than meets your own initial step. People—most people—are decent at base and hungry for a chance to overcome cleavages. They just don’t know how. So, one has to make the effort.

Listen to Original Radio Broadcast

Editor’s Note: This article is an edited transcript from the Inner Sight radio program, which broadcast weekly for eight years over NYC’s WOR to an estimated 40,000 listeners. In this episode, co-founders Sarah McKechnie and Dale McKechnie explore the profound significance of the Festival of Goodwill.

World Invocation Day coincides with the Festival of Goodwill. It has been observed since 1952. People of goodwill throughout the world are invited to link in thought and sound the Great Invocation on this day - May 31.

Written by Sarah McKechnie (Former International President of Lucis Trust)

To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.
Cardinal John Henry Newman

We live in polarizing times. All around us we witness the effects of minds captured by thoughtforms of a density so hardened that it seems impossible that they could be shattered. But what about our own perspectives, the thoughtforms that guide our perceptions and seem only reasonable. In such times it can be helpful for everyone to examine their thinking and to ask, what does it mean to have a free mind? Most of us probably believe our minds are free—that we think for ourselves, and form our points of view, our opinions, based on clarity of perception and the power of our observations. However, those who study the human psyche in depth understand how easily our minds are held captive by the conditioning of our particular group, beginning with the family, the class one was born into, one’s culture and surrounding environment, and continuing to expand to include one’s social contacts through school, sports and other interests. We don’t exist in a bubble. .

Beyond this impact of fellow human minds is the vast range of impacts and impressions from spiritual energies and forces that flow freely and are testing humanity’s capacity to register correct response. Particularly now, as the energies of a new age are pouring in even as the forces of the past age of some 2000 years have not entirely departed, the stresses and conflicts created by their juxtaposition is generating incredibly powerful turmoil. What we consider as beliefs, convictions, are qualified by a vast range of impressions and vibrations from levels high and low of which we’re unaware. How does one then know what to think? What, for the individual, is true and real? On what basis do we really establish our convictions?

Whole societies can be gripped by the captive mind, which believes that the distinctiveness of that group or society sets it apart from—and above—all else. Whether or not this describes one’s own society, it’s important to recognize that every individual is conditioned by the perspective of his or her group, a conditioning that begins at birth. In addition, because humanity is the middle, mediating kingdom in the great chain of being, it is the recipient of powerful energies and forces pouring in from kingdoms both lower and higher than the human.

The free mind is not found on the concrete mental plane, which is driven by the urge to separate, discriminate and stand apart. Only the higher mind is capable of entering deeply into the interior realms where universality is comprehended and the essential wholeness of the cosmos can be grasped. A hint is given in the statement that the intuition is the organ of group perception. Thus, it would seem that cultivation of a healthy scepticism in regard to our cherished individual opinions and deeply held beliefs might be a good place to begin. Why do we believe that such and such a point of view is valid? Are our emotions aroused by our beliefs? What are the ramifications of our perspective in terms of the good of the whole? Does it serve the greater good or only enhance the satisfaction of the personal ego? Does it cast light into areas previously hidden in darkness and awaken goodwill and compassion where there was previously estrangement? Do our perceptions promote inclusiveness and awaken recognition and appreciation for difference?

In today’s world, whole societies are riven by cleavages based largely on political issues. These differences can rend families and cause ruptures in even long-standing relationships. Political dialogue too often expresses a goal of total dominance by one faction over all others. The concept of a “loyal opposition” seems to have disappeared, taking with it the fundamental idea that a democracy—a government run by the people—must strive for consensus with those holding different views and expectations. This can only be accomplished by respect and by keen listening—not only to the words but also to what underlies the motivations of those who hold different beliefs than ours.

In an ideal world, sufficient numbers of minds able to examine their perspectives free of emotion, desire and mistrust of the opposition, are urgently needed. They will represent only a small portion of public opinion, but they can set a powerful example of thoughtful reason based on facts—on evidence—for humanity to follow and open up a channel for light and goodwill to pour in as we envision and build with clarity a new and better world for all.

It wasn’t all that long ago when selfish nationalism and religious intolerance were too well entrenched in human affairs for visionary thinkers to turn the tide against these powerful and selfish agents. But, today, even though these disruptive forces are still at work and active in the world, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to suggest that their potency on the physical plane is slowly waning. The growing impetus towards freedom, sharing, and a sense of the Whole is on the ascendant. We have only to witness the groundswell of enlightened public opinion against separative and narrow-minded thinking. Human consciousness is becoming informed and motivated and characterised by a spirit of goodwill. This note is beginning to change the course and direction of human affairs.

In the last century, it was indicated in the Alice Bailey teaching that the arrayed forces of materialism were active and organised, and that the forces of light were equally active but not so well organised. But, today, there has been a profound shift in this equation, and the forces of light are active and well organised, coordinating their efforts, and working in an ever more cohesive and integrated fashion. Their potency today marks a significant turning point.

Could it be said that the obstructions to the new Aquarian ideas are not so much the fault of the general public but more inclined towards the old entrenched political and religious establishments and institutions? Their crystallised outer forms and their vested material interests are unwilling to accommodate the new values and principles. In this respect, we are reminded of the Christ’s profound words: “You cannot pour new wine into old bottles”. Spiritual philosophy teaches that “all forms exist in order to express truth”. These new impulses dawning in the minds of enlightened and intuitive thinkers require a form, a vehicle to reveal and anchor themselves for the good of the Whole. This is a basic law of the universe, and nothing ultimately can withstand the rising tide of evolution and its impact on the world of form. The course and direction of human affairs are the responsibility of us all. We all have a small part to play in broadening and uplifting human consciousness and turning the gaze of humanity to the Light.

Even though there are obstructions on the way, the momentum towards progressive values is gaining traction. The proliferation of individuals, groups, and NGOs dedicated to human welfare is testimony to the impending trajectory of human affairs. And, if setbacks are encountered that run contrary to a broader vision, they will serve a purpose in showing the hollowness in populist rhetoric and actions. The pressing needs of humanity require solutions founded upon sound principles, responsible government, and social cohesion.

The recent electoral success of Donald Trump in the US will be challenging for all fair-minded and thoughtful people of goodwill, of which there are many. The battle between inclusive soul values and limiting and self-serving personality traits is fermenting crises in the world. The dank mist of separative thinking hovers like a dark cloud. Spiritual principles are not embedded in societies through transactional arrangements or shabby deals. In the fertile soil of social and economic distress, populism flourishes. Pulling up the drawbridge, and excluding ourselves from others, is not the answer. Only an unshakeable identification with the Whole, a trust in “the unconquerable nature of goodness”, and seeing all lives as indispensable and interdependent links in the great chain of life can truly lead humanity out of darkness into the light. And there are a growing number today who sense this vision.

Palpable developments are visible that give rise to hope and optimism. In the last few decades, progress has been made in bringing about global cooperation on matters that impact us all. Global warming and caring for the environment are issues that many governments, environmentalists, and individuals around the world are taking seriously. Since 1997, COP Conferences, or ‘Conference of the Parties’, have been instrumental in bringing about heightened awareness of the global challenges of climate change. Its causes and effects have been tracked and analysed over decades. The pursuit of practical solutions to offset unprecedented rises in global temperatures and its catastrophic effects is well documented. The Millennium Development Goals is another outstanding example of intergovernmental cooperation. Many other initiatives in science, economics, public health, governance, and religion, as well as in the UN, are instrumental in bringing about dialogue and mutual cooperation.

In his recent new book, “This Time No Mistakes – How to Remake Britain”, Will Hutton, a UK journalist and political economist, writes: “Men and women… can only be rounded, moral human beings with the capacity for self-realisation – the fundamental object of existence – if they recognise that they share a common purpose of human betterment with every other human being, which each individual has an obligation to help both themselves and others fulfil”. The book focuses on the challenges in the UK, and how two great traditions – ethical socialism and progressive liberalism – can be fused together to find a better and alternative way forward. Of course, this scenario is not exclusive to the UK, and other countries could benefit from such an analysis.

Alice Bailey reminds us that “upon the inflow and activity of new and higher energies the whole fact of the evolutionary process depends.” We live in a conflicted age characterised by the pull of the past and a vision of the future, and the choice between great contending energies – rank materialism and the liberating power of spirit. The current state of the world is the result of past achievements and mistakes, and the future is determined by the decisions made today. The course and direction of human affairs can only be made by humanity. Each of us is a small part of this momentous planetary awakening. What legacy will we leave for future generations?

At the World Economic Forum (2026) in Davos recently, a North American head of state delivered a presentation titled “Principled and Pragmatic,” outlining the state of the world today. The address highlighted, in stark terms, the challenges ahead and the importance of global stability, human rights, and the rule of law.

The speaker resurrected the aphorism of Thucydides, an ancient Greek historian and soldier, who concluded, “the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must,” which still resonates today.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the US President, as the leader of the free world, delivered the talk, but surprisingly – or perhaps not surprisingly – it was given by the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney. In his address, he offered many perceptive observations.

He spoke about the need for the less powerful to stand up to the might of those who impose their will on others, both internally and externally.

The Power of the Powerless

As an illustration, he cited an essay by Vaclav Havel, the Czech dissident, playwright, and later Czechoslovakian president, titled “The Power of the Powerless.” In the essay, a greengrocer places a sign in his shop window given to him by the authorities: “Workers of the World Unite.” The sign is not displayed because the greengrocer has an overwhelming interest or belief that the workers of the world should unite.

Rather, it is intended to appease those in authority and demonstrate his willingness to conform to the status quo. Like every other shopkeeper and citizen, he must remain compliant to avoid the wrath of the government. “The system’s power”, Mark Carney stated, “comes not from its truth, but from everyone’s willingness to perform as if it were true.”

Current global instability, largely shaped by the US administration, is prompting nation-states to re-evaluate their values and principles, their place in the world, and their relationships with both their nearest and furthest neighbours.

They are refusing to bow to economic pressure.

This movement has been accelerated by Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election. Many have found his transactional and intimidating deal-making diplomacy, his flouting of the rule of law at home and abroad, and his disregard for truth to be a catalyst for re-engaging in a new system of global and regional governance.

Checks and balances, as well as the realignment of nation-states, are now on the agenda.

If there were ever proof that the US Administration’s trajectory is to disengage from the bodies and institutions that have regulated international affairs for the last 80 years, it can be found in the US National Security Strategy.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed this concern when he stated: “There are those that believe the power of law should be replaced by the law of power” during an interview with the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on January 19, 2026.

In that interview, he offered a stark critique of global power dynamics, specifically addressing the United States’ foreign policy under the Trump administration.

Value-Based Realism

Emerging from this global shift is a new order based on principled and pragmatic values – what the Finnish Prime Minister has described as a “value-based realism”. Unlike realpolitik, this new approach accepts present realities while aspiring to create a more principled, resilient, and fairer system fit for the challenges of the 21^st Century.

Whilst the transition into new models of governance and international law, encouraged by middle powers, has flaws and vulnerabilities, it is increasingly evident that continuing with the current inadequacies is no longer viable.

The current international rules-based order worked up to a point:

– It helped avoid escalation into a third world war during the Cold War
– It reduced tensions and conflicts in many regions
– It supported economic prosperity and the protection of human rights for many
– It provided predictability and trust
– It facilitated decolonisation and sovereignty

Its weaknesses include:

– Double standards
– Western-centric bias
– Economic inequality

These failings have relegated many poorer countries to the periphery of the global economy, politics, and diplomacy. Without addressing these past mistakes, progress will inevitably falter.

The system’s reliance on superpowers to control the levers of authority – such as the UN Security Council – has undermined both global stability and national sovereignty.

Consequently, there is an urgent need to overhaul the major global political, financial, and legal institutions and frameworks—including the UN, the World Bank, the IMF, and the International Criminal Court—if a more just and stable system is to emerge. A tall order, indeed, but not impossible.

Just as the passing world order was forged by the US, Russia, and the then British Empire and its Dominions, in the aftermath of the second world order, it is now the middle powers – such as Canada, France, the UK, Germany, Australia, and Finland – that are pursuing a new way forward from the dying embers of the old.

Out of this global upheaval, Alice Bailey commented in the last century, but still relevant today: “The consciousness of humanity has been definitely expanded, and the whole world at this time is thinking” (paraphrased).

She further observed: “The first result of all the turmoil has been to shift the focus of human attention onto the mental plane, and thereby nearer to the sources of light and love.”

Because this affects us all, very few in the world are spared the task of analysing, in greater or lesser degree, the rapidly unfolding global events.

Group of World Servers

The group of world servers, a subject that has been discussed frequently on these pages, is instrumental in driving the changes towards a new system that has at its core “the greatest good for the greatest number.”

This group works in all departments of human living and carry the note of the Aquarian age deeper into human consciousness.

The unfolding divine ideas must go forward, but they must not outpace human capacity to absorb them.

“Thus, creatively”, Alice Bailey wrote, “the glory which is hidden in every form is evoked and slowly brought to exoteric manifestation.”

If anything positive emerged from this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, it was Mark Carney’s presentation. His candid, wide-ranging analysis of global events felt like a breath of fresh air. “We know the old order is not coming back”, he observed, adding, “we believe that from the fracture we can build something bigger, better, stronger, more just.”

So, returning to the greengrocer in his metaphor, we now look to other visionary leaders to follow his lead and to say: “We are taking a sign out of the window.”

“The fiat of the Lord has gone forth; Christ stands attentive to the demand of humanity. That demand is rising and mounting every day and ‘in such an hour as you think not, He will come.’”
Alice Bailey

Over vast cycles, great Messengers of God emerge from the secret place of the Most High God, to establish focal points of energy, which embody the ideas, truths, and notes that characterise new epochs, spanning millennia. They act as divine Intermediaries between God and humanity, and have been described as “extraordinary men who from time to time appear to change the face of the world and inaugurate a new era in the destinies of humanity.”¹ In the annals of history, only a small number of God-men have fulfilled this role, such as the Buddha and the Christ.

Throughout time, there is a continuity of revelation, known in the East as the “Doctrine of Avatars”. Each cycle buttresses the work of Those Who came before, yet each sounds a new note appropriate for future generations.

A number of years ago, Mary Bailey, the then President of The Lucis Trust, gave an inspiring and informative talk² outlining her ideas on the reappearance of the Christ, which were drawn from the Alice Bailey teaching, and her own many decades of study and reflection. The purpose of the talk was to cut through the glamour, confusion, and false claims that surround his return, of which there are many. All those who believe in and work towards the Christ’s second coming, as the world teacher, should reflect from time to time on this imminent and significant planetary event. In doing so, a clearer perspective, a truer presentation, and a purer thoughtform can be built to offset the accumulation of distorted thinking.

In the run-up to the appearance of an avatar, there are those who help to pave the way, to sound the note of the new age, and in their own way to create the right mental atmosphere. Today, their numbers run into many millions. They can be found working in all areas of human life, in the big cities, in provincial towns, and in small villages. The work of the forerunners is indispensable in aiding the Christ in his impending work. Drawn from many backgrounds and religions, or of no religion, they are united in their vision of a better world and widening the horizon of humanity. And, although they may or may not believe in the return of a great divine teacher, they share the same values and principles, which the Christ embodies, and which will characterise the age of Aquarius.

In the Alice Bailey teaching, we learn that the Christ decided in 1945 to resume his role as the World Teacher in physical form. Until then, his reappearance in the outer world was not always a foregone conclusion. The expectation was that he would only use the emotional and mental planes to reach human hearts and minds. The reasons for his return as a physical presence are complex. But we do know that due to the acute suffering caused by World War (1914-1945), the partial shattering of selfish and separative thinking, and the consequent aspiration of humanity for a better world, the Christ responded. He is, it is said, “conditioned and determined by the reaction of humanity itself”³, and to the united and invocative demand of humanity, he must abide.

At the time he made his momentous decision, a world prayer, the Great Invocation, was released. The Invocation is used daily by countless thousands of people of goodwill, from all walks of life, religions, races, and social backgrounds. It plays a central role in preparing the world for his return. It speaks to the soul of all human beings. It is one of the oldest prayers ever known, and yet it is described as the “complete new utterance”⁴ of the Christ for the Aquarian age. People of spiritual inclination and goodwill are encouraged to sound it each day to release light, love, and power into human consciousness.

When the Christ undertook his ministry 2000 years ago, he said: “I came not to bring peace, but a sword”. Upon his return, is it not possible that he will utter similar words again? In esoteric philosophy, the sword has several meanings. One interpretation describes “the cleaving sword of the spirit”, which it is said, “will – without wounding – bring revelation.”⁵ That which is spiritual and that which is material will stand revealed in the full light of day for all to see. In our modern world of consumerism, celebrity, trivia, fake news, populism, and all the other clutter that skews our thinking, truth will emerge in ever-increasing clarity. God and mammon will be clearly defined, and humanity will have to choose its direction of travel.

It is because his work, then as now, is to usher in a new era that the old crystallised and decaying forms must wither on the vine, so that the new ideas can take root and blossom. “All forms”, esoteric philosophy posits, “exist in order to express truth.”⁶ Over time, new foundations will be built to convey the powerful impulse of Aquarius.

The Christ could appear in any race, ethnic background, colour, or religious persuasion, as a man or a woman. He will use a form that is most appropriate and practical for his work. Though it is unlikely he will appear as a great religious leader. Too much distortion and noise have surrounded religion throughout the ages. The shining kernel of truth at its heart lies shrouded in semi-darkness and cocooned in the suffocating confines of theological dogma. Alice Bailey once commented: “The church today is the tomb of the Christ and the stone of theology has been rolled to the door of the sepulchre”⁷. The simple truths of great Avatars are often overlooked, and theological dogma and lavish rituals are often more important in the eyes of religious establishments. Religions, sadly, today, are too divided and separative to reflect the depth and inclusiveness of his vision.

The Christ will anchor a potent, focal point of hierarchical energy on earth. His work will be focused on an area of human life where he can fulfil his purposes, which will be determined by the number, the ability, and the status of the disciples active in his chosen field. He may emerge as a vital force in the political arena, in international diplomacy, or one of the many NGOs, or perhaps in the United Nations or similar worldwide organisation dedicated to the relief of human suffering and the upliftment of human consciousness. It could also be in education, finance, economics or science, or one of the other great pillars of human life, such as law or the social sciences. What we can be sure of, though it will be fitting “to introduce the values, the guidelines and the modus operandi of the age of Aquarius.”⁸

His work and note will reverberate throughout the coming centuries and millennia, not only to span the Aquarian age, but also to look beyond to the next cycle in Capricorn, many thousands of years ahead. Such are the profound challenges that the Christ faces with his inner group of enlightened workers. We can be sure, though, that his vision, influence, and field of service will enfold the whole planet. It will not be exclusive to any one race, religion, or nation.

When he reappears, will the Christian ‘faithful’ in all lands recognise him, or those of other faiths, or of no faith? If they look for the same person from 2000 years ago, it is unlikely they will. Just as we evolve in consciousness, so too does the Christ. Strange as it may seem, for someone so perfect in all aspects, he too has grown in stature, in vision, and in spiritual development.

He now embodies in greater capacity, the triple nature of the Godhead: the will-to-good, love, and light. In doing so, he relates in a unique way, the past, the present, and the future. His service to God and humanity is not yet complete. His work has spanned millennia, and upon his return, he will sound the note of the coming Aquarian age and complete the work that he started long ago.

It is interesting to note that he is the first great Teacher of the race to span two zodiacal cycles, the Piscean and the Aquarian, in which divine love and the divine Will will become outstanding characteristics.

Destined to become the agent of the divine Will to the little lives of the natural world, humanity is learning to work with and wield this energy. At some point, a direct line of approach will be possible between God in the Secret Place of the Most High and the densest levels of His creation. Its consequences are far-reaching and will be the apotheosis of human development, as we know it.

Over the centuries, there has been much distorted thinking around the life and teaching of Christ. For example, in the Gospel story, the Christ brought attention to the truth that he had other folds: “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”⁹ He was and is responsible for the spiritual development of all of humanity.

Another misconception is that he will be returning to correct our mistakes. We, humanity, are instrumental in creating the dire conditions in the world, and it is our responsibility to make amends. It lies within our power, jurisdiction, and capacity to right the wrongs, and figuratively speaking “to make all crooked ways straight”.

He is known in other religious and spiritual traditions as the Kalki Avatar, the Lord Maitreya, the Messiah, the Imam Mahdi, and the Boddhisatva. But the separateness of the Church to divide the world into Christian or heathen, or believer or non-believer, has done much to foster religious intolerance and bigotry, and divorce the Church from the spiritual needs and aspirations of ordinary people—a far cry from the simple and inclusive world-view of the Christ.

If we think the Christ will proclaim his return when in the outer world, we are probably mistaken. But he will be recognised by “the potency of his world influence and the skill in action of his directed energies.”¹⁰ His very presence on the world stage will evoke recognition.

He requires the support of every loving heart and enlightened mind. One way we can contribute is to sound the Great Invocation, a world prayer, each day. The Invocation helps to bridge in consciousness all aspects of planetary Life and create a pathway of return for the Christ. When the invocative demand of humanity reaches a critical point, then he must respond, and in the words of the ageless wisdom, “proceed again to the high place of sacrifice and walk openly with men on Earth.”¹¹

Today, he stands as a supreme spiritual executive, attuned to the Will of the Father and the needs of humanity. Such is his status, he is, as one commentator wrote, “a representative of the great Life ensouling this planet.”¹² He will use all available resources, all departments of human living, especially in global governance and education, and not just religion, to carry out his work as a World Teacher. He serves people of all races, religions, creeds, political persuasions, and backgrounds. His inclusive world-view and developed consciousness see all human beings as integral parts of the One Life, the One Father.

So, as we approach the Festival of the Christ (also known as the Festival of Goodwill, and of Humanity), at the time of the Gemini full moon, let us reflect on Christ’s reappearance, on his awesome responsibilities, and on his profound opportunity to complete the work he started millennia ago. For 2000 years, on this festival, the Christ, it is said, “has represented humanity and has stood before the Hierarchy and in the sight of Shamballa as the God-Man, the Leader of His people and ‘the Eldest in a great family of brothers’”¹³, and preached the last sermon of the Buddha.

The flow of divine love, from the heart of our planetary Life, through the graded ranks of hierarchical Lives, through the Christ, and out into the outer world of human living, is ever present. Along this stream of universal love, the Christ will emerge.

¹ The Reappearance of the Christ, Alice Bailey, p.8
² A copy of the talk can be found in her book, ‘A Learning Experience’, Part 111, Chapter 3 titled “Christ as He is – A Supreme Spiritual Executive”
³ The Reappearance of the Christ, Alice Bailey, p.67
⁴ The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, Alice Bailey, p.489
⁵ The Reappearance of the Christ, Alice Bailey, p.111
⁶ The Light of the Soul, Alice Bailey, p.74
⁷ The Reappearance of the Christ, Alice Bailey, p.140
⁸ A Learning Experience, Mary Bailey, p.150
⁹ John, 10:16
¹⁰ A Learning Experience, Mary Bailey, p.150
¹¹ The Rays and the Initiations, Alice Bailey, p.619
¹² A Learning Experience, Mary Bailey, p.154
¹³ The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, Alice Bailey, p.421

From time to time, human and world events converge in such a way as to bring to the surface a recognition of the deep underlying fault lines in societies and nations. Today, we are in such a parlous state.

Whether in international relations, national politics, economics, education, or health care, the same soul-searching continues unabated to find solutions to the growing polycrisis. The old order, founded upon outdated institutions and dogmas, is unable to address the rightful needs and aspirations of an awakening humanity.

Today, the tide is turning as we witness the birth of a new world, beckoning and rising from the ashes of the old. Acknowledging that the tide is turning is crucial for all.

At the end of the Second World War, after the defeat of the Axis powers, a period of unspeakable horror and pain for so many, a new world order was established, not perfect, but better than what preceded it, to ensure that the mistakes of the past were never repeated. To a certain extent, its goals were achieved: avoidance of another devastating world war, dialogue rather than confrontation amongst many nation states, observance of the rules-based international order, rising standards of living, and improved universal education and healthcare.

Today, in the face of unprecedented social changes, the displacement and mass migration of peoples due to war, famine and economic hardship, climate change, and other significant factors, it is hard to imagine how we can wrest ourselves from these deepening problems.

The world order is changing. People’s expectations of a better world remain undaunted. And just as human values evolve, the indomitable human spirit endures.

What was acceptable yesterday is today passé, no longer meeting the needs of an ever-developing humanity. All of these upheavals are the result of the new impulses and energies emanating from inner levels, which lie beyond the ring-pass-not of human experience. With the passage of each century, human sensitivity to these impressions deepens and becomes more attuned to the originating impulses.

The Shift in Awareness: The Tide is Turning

As we navigate these changes, it is clear that the tide is turning, bringing with it new opportunities for growth and understanding.

All the great movements in social welfare, public health, philosophical thought, political reform, religious truth, and scientific discovery are the result of groups of individuals, not necessarily in the same physical location or period of time, interpreting these ideas clearly and focusing them in the outer world of human living. We are reminded in spiritual philosophy, in the words of Helena Blavatsky: “Nothing can manifest in the universe that was not in the universe already.” There is nothing ‘new’ in heaven or on earth. The new is only discovered when the mental capacity and the spiritual inclination of a relative few can interpret the higher patterns and anchor them in human living.

The ebbs and flows of life constantly immerse the human family in great conditioning energies, of which there is no escape.

Today, we stand at a crossroads in consciousness. Behind us stand the conventions, protocols, and order of the past, which are failing to address the deep-seated challenges.

In front of us stands a vision of hope or despair, an age of light or further descent into the darkness of selfishness.

Can we turn the tide in consciousness and offset the gloomy spectre of rampant materialism and isolationism, of nations looking inwards, suspicious of neighbours at best and hostile at worst, and of a blatant disregard of truth?

All the while holding back the rolling tide of evolution into a brighter future? Can we stretch every sinew to embrace a vision of hope founded upon the eternal goodness of the cosmos?

This is the lesson and the challenge before us.

Alice Bailey wrote many years ago that in the hands of the worldwide group of servers, of all those who are dedicated to the welfare of humanity and the planet, lies the salvation of the world.

The many millions who tirelessly work for noble and visionary causes, exoteric and esoteric, stand at the forefront of a momentous movement in consciousness.

Their work is clearly visible in all facets of human thought and activity. Their impetus has the potential to change the dynamics and direction of travel of human and planetary evolution.

Their efforts have a profound influence on public opinion, and the resistance to it is an indication of its growing impact on the world stage.

Evolution is a slow process, but incrementally, the weight of public opinion leans towards a higher standard of ethical living.

The tide is turning, and all those who can lead their lives in a spirit of goodwill, who can think and speak truth, and who care for all living beings are a part of this global transformation in consciousness.