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The term Ascended Masters will be used for those Masters
and groups, who identify themselves as such. These groups
include the I AM Movement (Guy and Edna Ballard), the Bridge
to Freedom (Geraldine Innocente), The Summit Lighthouse
and Church Universal and Triumphant (Mark and Elizabeth
Clare Prophet), and other offshoots. Historically and content-wise
they can be differentiated from Theosophical groups like
the Theosophical Society (Blavatsky, Besant, Leadbeater),
the Lucis Trust (Alice Bailey) and the United Lodge of Theosophists
(Crosbie). The former are all post-1929 (K's break with
the TS) and present a more or less uniform body of teachings,
which is Theosophical at its core, but greatly amended and
reformulated with concepts like the I AM Presence (Atma-Buddhi),
the Ascension (Leadbeater's 5th initiation), the Violet
Flame (the 7th Ray), and decrees (mantra yoga).
For those with a theosophical background studying the teachings
of the Ballards and Prophets (and other way around), a useful
table
has been added, converting theosophical terms regarding
the occult constitution of man into Ascended Master terminology.
Also a skeletal
presentation of some research done on the dynamics of
the coming and going of messengers might give some relevant
background.
For my own position within the Ascended Master movement
see "Beyond
Guru Ma: New Challenges; New position"
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