Chapter 4 JB’s Model
The Keirsey Test measures character preferences in three dimensions, and a general psychological predisposition: Extroversion or Introversion (E / I).
These three dimensions could be re-interpreted [JB] in terms of the relative preferences between the three primary rays (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) in such a way that all possible binary combinations of the three rays of aspect are exhaustively compared, thus resulting in Keirsey’s three dimensions.
Source: NGSM.org
4.1 Boolean Logic Derivation
This outline aims to introduce in a very natural way how the three “axes” of human behavior
• Cognitive (S OR N)
• Intelligent (T OR F)
• Volitional (J OR P)
generate eight combinations yielding the four major Keirsey temperaments.
Empirical observations confirm that the eight Keirsey triplets group into four principal temperament duplets, according to how we communicate (abstract vs concrete) and collaborate (cooperative vs utilitarian):
- S AND P: Artisans
- N AND T: Rationals
- N AND F: Idealists
- S AND J: Guardians
These four principal temperaments—each “modulated” by its complementary axis to complete the duplet into a full triplet—constitute the seven Rays of transpersonal psychology, which classify human behavior across diverse social contexts.
We propose a clean way to marry the “AND-duplets” (the four Keirsey temperaments) with the three “OR-axes,” ending up with exactly seven “Rays” or directions in which the human personality differentiates:
Define four composite Rays by simple AND of two Keirsey letters:
• R4 (Artisans) = S AND P
• R5 (Rationals) = N AND T
• R6 (Idealists) = N AND F
• R7 (Guardians) = S AND JDefine three primary Rays as the OR-axes dropped when forming the duplets:
• R1 (Thinking-Judging) = T OR J
• R2 (Intuitive-Feeling) = N OR F
• R3 (Sensing-Perceiving) = S OR PWe now have exactly seven non-empty Rays:
R1, R2, R3 (the three “pure” axes) plus R4…R7 (the four Keirsey AND-duplets).Every MBTI falls into one— and only one— of those seven:
| Ray | Logic | Keirsey family | MBTI types |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | T ∨ J | — | ISTJ, ESTJ, INTJ, ENTJ, …etc (all T- or J-dominant) |
| R2 | N ∨ F | — | INFJ, ENFJ, INFP, ENFP, …etc (all N- or F-dominant) |
| R3 | S ∨ P | — | ISTP, ESTP, ISFP, ESFP, …etc (all S- or P-dominant) |
| R4 | S ∧ P | SP (Artisans) | ISTP, ESTP, ISFP, ESFP |
| R5 | N ∧ T | NT (Rationals) | INTJ, ENTJ, INTP, ENTP |
| R6 | N ∧ F | NF (Idealists) | INFJ, ENFJ, INFP, ENFP |
| R7 | S ∧ J | SJ (Guardians) | ISTJ, ESTJ, ISFJ, ESFJ |
– R1–R3 capture the “left-over” single-letter axes originally collapsed.
– R4–R7 capture the four Keirsey duplets exactly as defined:
- S AND P: Artisans → R4 [T (R1) OR F (R2)]
- N AND T: Rationals → R5 [J (R1) OR P (R3)]
- N AND F: Idealists → R6 [J (R1) OR P (R3)]
- S AND J: Guardians → R7 [T (R1) OR F (R2)]
– No overlaps, no gaps: every MBTI lands in one of those seven.
4.2 Ageless Wisdom
Every human being, in the earlier stages of his development (in ancient Lemuria and Atlantis, or possessing [Page 559] today the Lemurian or Atlantean state of consciousness—and there are many such), comes into incarnation upon one of the four Rays of Attribute, because these rays are peculiarly and uniquely related to the fourth kingdom in nature, and therefore to the fourth Creative Hierarchy. During the long, long cycle of the present fifth race, the so-called Aryan race, there came a period (lying now in the far distant and forgotten past) when individuals who had attained a certain state of consciousness transferred on to one of the three Rays of Aspect, according to the predominance of the energy or the line of force which was conditioned by these rays. One of the Rays of Aspect and two of the Rays of Attribute (rays 3, 5, 7) are conditioned by the first Ray of Power of Will, whilst rays 4 and 6 are conditioned by the second Ray of Love-Wisdom. This I much earlier pointed out. A cycle of lives upon the third Ray of Creative Intelligence (as I prefer to call it) always precedes this transference. This ray experience covers a vast period of time. Except in the occult teaching and the Archives which remain in the custody of the Masters, history—as we know it and as it expresses the emergence from primitive and primeval times—does not exist. From the angle of occultism, history only covers the emergence of those cultures and civilisations which are called the fifth rootrace, only a small part of it being recognised as Aryan; the latter is simply a modern and scientific nomenclature covering a small period of modern history. The Aryan cycle covers the period of the relation between groups and nations though positing (as a necessary hypothesis) previous but unknown cycles of human living wherein primitive man roamed the earth; or positing sometimes the existence of previous civilisations which have completely disappeared, leaving behind them faint traces of ancient organised civilisations and cultural remains, plus indications of interworld relationships of which there is no positive proof; these, it is suggested, must have existed owing to the similarity of architecture, language roots, traditions and the myths of religions. [Page 560]
During these earlier periods all human beings were conditioned by the four Rays of Attribute; both as souls and as incarnated persons they were upon one of these four rays. Towards the middle of the Atlantean cycle (untold millions of years ago) the influence of the third Ray of Active Intelligence became exceedingly potent. Certain of the advanced humanity of the period gradually found their way on to, or rather into, the stream of divine energy which we call the third ray. The possibility, therefore, of their becoming integrated personalities was for the first time recognised, and humanly recognised. Such an integration must ever precede conscious human initiation.
Forget not my earlier statement that all the Rays of Attribute are focussed in and absorbed by the third Ray of Aspect. A study of the charts which I gave and permitted to appear in A Treatise on Cosmic Fire will help you to understand this. They will prove helpful, provided that you remember always that they are only symbolic in nature and constitute attempts to indicate visually a truth.
The Tibetan Master in The Rays and the Initiations