The Unfinished Autobiography [Paperback]

Alice A. Bailey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0853301247 | ISBN-13: 978-0853301240 | Publication Date: December 1994

- Alice Ann Bailey received a letter from a friend stating that Mrs. Bailey would really render a service if she could show people how she evolved from a rabid orthodox Christian worker to become a well-known occult teacher. Moved by this letter, Alice Bailey somewhat reluctantly deccided to write her autobiography. 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 may 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 her 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 24 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, her husband Foster Bailey remarks: 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 her 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 activities as Triangles, World Goodwill and the distribution of the Great Invocation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An extract from the Tibetan teacher, written in 1934 briefly explains the intent of these teachings: The books that I have written are sent out with no claim for their acceptance. They may, or may not, be correct, true and useful. It is for you to ascertain their truth by right practice and by the exercise of the intuition. Neither I nor A.A.B. is the least interested in having them acclaimed as inspired writing, or in having anyone speak of them (with bated breath) as being the work of one of the masters. If they present truth in such a way that it follows sequentially upon that already offered in the world teachings, if the information given raises the aspiration and the will to serve from the plane of the emotions to that of the mind (the plane whereon the Masters can be found) then they will have served their purpose. If the teaching conveyed calls forth a response from the illumined mind of the worker in the world, and brings a flashing forth of the intuition, then let that teaching be accepted. But not otherwise. If the statements meet with eventual corroboration, or are deemed true under the test of the Law of Correspondences, then that is well and good. But should this not be so, let not the student accept what is said. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Alice A. Bailey (1880-1949): 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 humanity 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 realization. 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 her work developed as a duality - her discipleship service which included the establishment of an esoteric school; and her initially reluctant agreement to work with the Tibetan, Djwhal Khul, in the writing of a series of books presenting the next phase in the continuity of the Ageless Wisdom teaching. A total of twenty-four books were written by Alice Bailey. These books constitute a continuation of the Ageless Wisdom, a body of esoteric teaching handed down from ancient times in a form which is always suitable to each period. Intended to precede and condition the New Age, the Alice Bailey books offer an unparalleled spiritual approach to the teaching on Shamballa and the Path of spiritual evolution; the spiritual Hierarchy; the new discipleship and training in meditation as a form of service; the teaching on the seven rays and the new psychology of the soul; and the common thread of truth linking all the major world faiths. In addition to her work as an author and lecturer, Alice Bailey established the Lucis Publishing Company, making the teachings of Djwhal Khul available to spiritual seekers and students around the world for over 75 years. Reprinting of the books is financed through a revolving Fund under the administration of the Lucis Trust, a non-profit organization also founded by Alice A. Bailey. No royalties are paid and copyrights are owned by the Lucis Trust. Through these organizations, Alice Bailey provided for the continued publication of these teachings beyond her physical lifetime

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Lucis Publishing Company (December 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0853301247
• ISBN-13: 978-0853301240
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #734,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ALICE A. BAILEY (1880-1949) From her conservative British background, Alice Bailey's life led her in many directions, but always towards the time when she acquired: (1) A synthesis of outlook and understanding leading to an absolute conviction that one divine life pervades and animates the one humanity; (2) A realization that the Plan for humanity 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. From that point on, Alice Bailey's life work became an integral part of this synthesis and this realization. Without 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 Alice Bailey's work developed as a duality, her discipleship service which included the establishment of the Arcane School; and her initially reluctant agreement to work with the Tibetan, Djwhal Khul, in the writing of a series of spiritual books. A total of twenty-four books were written by Alice Bailey. These books constitute a continuation of the Ageless Wisdom, a body of esoteric teaching handed down from ancient times in a form which is always suitable to each period. Intended to precede and condition the New Age, the Alice Bailey books offer an unparalleled spiritual approach to the teaching on Shamballa and the Path of spiritual evolution; the spiritual Hierarchy; the new discipleship and training in meditation as a form of service; the teaching on the seven rays and the new psychology of the soul; and the common thread of truth linking all the major world faiths. In addition to her work as an author and lecturer, Alice Bailey established the Lucis Publishing Company, making the teachings of Djwhal Khul available to spiritual seekers and students around the world for over 75 years. Reprinting of the books is financed through a revolving Fund under the administration of the Lucis Trust, a non-profit organization also founded by Alice A. Bailey. No royalties are paid and copyrights are owned by the Lucis Trust. Through these organizations, Alice Bailey provided for the continued publication of these teachings beyond her physical lifetime.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Honest Book, January 31, 2007

By 

Chrissie Blaze (Madison Heights, MI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unfinished Autobiography (Paperback)

This book was left to me by my grandmother (along with all the Alice Bailey books)when I was only 4. This was in the 1950s, and I have read and re-read this book in particular all my life. Although I have been on the Spiritual Path for most of my life, and have read many wonderful books, as well as had the honour of working closely with the realized English Master, Dr. George King for much of this time, this book never fails to inspire me. I picked it up recently and got so much out of it. Alice Bailey was so honest, true, highly intelligent, respectful and loving towards all life, humble, highly evolved, compassionate and perceptive. She made her mistakes and shares them openly and honestly. Despite this, I believe she is a wonderful role model for everyone.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars inspiring, August 2, 2006

By 

yuliagm "yuliagm" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unfinished Autobiography (Hardcover)

This is probably my favourite of Alice Bailey's books. I often read it when I get the blues, and start questioning where I'm going with my life, am I really as messed up as I feel, etc.

Whereas there are so many books on great teachers that depict them essentially as flawless Gods, Mrs. Bailey is honest about her shortcomings and fears, about the mistakes and wrong choices she's made. Her story shows that with dedication to find the truth inside, anyone can find themselves.

Her life has taken her from a privileged upper class beginnings to an absolute poverty and abuse. She went from an orthodox "know-it-all" and "in your face I'll save you through Jesus whether you want to or not" to a philosopher that knows there are different paths for different people.

Her unwavering faith in goodness in people and ability to find kindness in all works of life has sustained her through situations where many would give up. But it has also made her understanding without being condescending.

I believe that this autobiography should be a required reading for anyone on a spiritual path. Especially those who secretly doubt their worthiness. Making mistakes is only human.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Humble Beginnings......, January 30, 2004

By 

Kerri C. (Ontario, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unfinished Autobiography (Hardcover)

An inside look at how A. Bailey came to work with the Tibetan master, Djwhal Khul. She also describes how (despite her orthodox up-bringing)her mind is changed after studying theology. A very human look at the challenges she faced in bringing The Tibetan's work to the public (without appearing self absorbed or "special"). She also describes the wedge created between those in the then spiritual community. Ms. Bailey was English so her writing is in "Queen's English". Not her best work but honest and humble.