In that moment of the epoch as the 19th century draws to a close, darkness is driving the forces of light away. Every individual mind is becoming rigidly fixed and, its conceited ego, lofty. The mind of man is awake – in its extreme activity – and in its intellect's awakening the heart has fallen asleep. What a pitiable condition our Age is in! What wrath, what suffering has darkness perpetrated!
The evolution of consciousness has come to a standstill. Now, for it to progress is impossible without the intervention of the Avatar. In its condition, our Age is weeping at its tragic plight. Our Age is overcome with grief and confusion. Continuously calling out to God, it laments its misfortunes. The tears of our Age beseech God to save the world. The light of our eyes is fading in the approaching darkness of doom. Groping in the black night of man's ignorance it is weeping in sheer helplessness and exhaustion. Imprisoned in its desperation, our Age has forgotten that whenever its tears have flowed they have also been wiped away. The blind always have the Ancient One's staff – the lame, His shoulder. Has not every Age been promised by the Ancient One that whenever darkness dispels light He will take form again to wipe dry the tears of man? But how can our Age remember this when it is blinded by the clouds of darkness; when it is enfeebled and disconsolate? If our Age remembered the Ancient One's assurance, it would have the strength to bear its burden. But at this time, its suffering is too enormous; its trials and hardships a torture. Yet the turmoil of this Age is not hidden from God. It is His game! In the eternal struggle between darkness and light, darkness now seems to be victorious. However, its apparent triumph brings only its own defeat. The mystery is that it is light's (knowledge's) play to let darkness (ignorance) believe itself the victor. What is this darkness before the effulgenceOUR AGE
when a single ray of light can absorb even the deepest darkness? But we are distraught and disheartened; our patience is spent. Our Age is bitterly sobbing its anguish. How can we implore God to come to our aid? The voice of our Age is too weak. Our mind is limited and has no awareness of the boundless workings of the universe. Divine authority rests solely with the five Perfect Masters of our Age. Only they can help. Only they can bring God Himself into human form! Our Age is so tragic! How long will our copious tears continue? Will we remember the ancient promise? This world is about to die; its breath is choking. Man has given up hope. "O Age, do not weep!" The divine voice begins to speak. "The world is sleeping and, to awaken it, the Awakener has again incarnated. The noise of the world is loud and to silence it the Awakener will observe silence. "Every mind is working at a great speed and, to annihilate all minds to some degree, the Awakener will become a seeker. Humanity will be shown the path of love. Be patient; do not despair. The Ancient One's intervention is about to begin." The flow of our Age's tears slows. It ponders what it has heard and its heart speaks, "The Ancient One? The Awakener? Can it be true? So many centuries have passed ... Can fortune be so great?" Our Age begins to look over the earth, seeking the source of that divine message. It finds the five Perfect Masters. Despite its happiness, our Age begins to doubt the news, wondering how the Ancient One can take birth in the world at this time. After deep thought, it is again disheartened and confounded. But it hears the voice calling out once again: "O Age, have no doubts! He is here! Seeing your tears, the five Perfect Masters brought the Formless One into form again. The five Perfect Masters have drawn a veil over the Awakener's eyes, but it will be lifted at the destined hour. Then His work and suffering will begin once more, and the wine of love will flow from His glance." Our Age is convinced; radiant joy and hope flood its heart. "O God! O God, how merciful You are! How fortunate we are. Our Savior, our Redeemer has come at last! How we long to see Him." Our Age turns and this is what it sees – this is what it hears ... "It is I who have created all! ... I am the source of everything in creation!"