Alice Ann Bailey, born in England in 1880, was a prolific writer and teacher who became a significant figure in the Theosophical movement and an early proponent of New Age concepts. After emigrating to the United States, she dedicated her life to writing and teaching about esoteric philosophy. Her extensive body of work, produced between 1919 and 1949, outlines a complex system of thought drawing from Theosophy, which she believed was telepathically transmitted to her by a spiritual entity known as 'the Tibetan' or 'D.K.'.

Bailey's teachings cover a broad spectrum of spiritual and societal topics, including the relationship between humanity and the solar system, meditation techniques, spiritual healing, and a vision for global unity. While her writings share common ground with Helena Blavatsky's Theosophy, they also present distinct interpretations and expansions. She founded the Lucis Trust with her husband, Foster Bailey, an organization that continues to disseminate her teachings through various initiatives like the Arcane School and World Goodwill. Bailey passed away in 1949, leaving behind a legacy that influenced subsequent esoteric and New Age movements.

Alice A. Bailey developed a comprehensive system of esoteric thought, often described as neo-theosophical, which she claimed was telepathically dictated by a spiritual guide identified as 'the Tibetan' or 'D.K.' Her writings, spanning from 1919 to 1949, explore themes such as the spiritual structure of the solar system, advanced meditation practices, principles of esoteric healing, and the evolution of human consciousness. These teachings are often categorized under the umbrella of 'Ageless Wisdom,' a term also associated with earlier Theosophical figures like Helena Blavatsky. Bailey's work presented a unique synthesis, expanding upon Theosophical concepts while also diverging in certain aspects, particularly concerning her views on religious themes and her vision for a unified global society.

In 1922, Alice Bailey, along with her husband Foster Bailey, established the Lucis Trust. Initially named the Lucifer Publishing Company, the name was later changed. This organization served as the primary vehicle for publishing Bailey's extensive literary output and for promoting her teachings. Key initiatives under the Lucis Trust include the Arcane School, which offers correspondence courses in meditation and esoteric study based on her writings, and World Goodwill, an organization focused on fostering better international relations through the concept of 'love in action.' The 'Triangles' initiative encouraged groups to meditate daily on right human relations. These endeavors aimed to spread her philosophy and practical spiritual disciplines worldwide.

Central to Bailey's teachings is the concept of the 'seven rays,' understood as fundamental energetic forces underlying all existence and evolution, emanating from the Divine. These rays are presented as influential factors in human psychology, the destiny of nations, and cosmic phenomena. While the idea of rays exists in earlier Theosophical literature, Bailey is noted for her detailed exposition and development of this concept. Furthermore, she elaborated on the constitution of the human being, describing a layered structure comprising the Monad (divine spark), the Soul (higher consciousness), and a Personality composed of the lower mind, emotional nature, and physical/etheric bodies. This model emphasizes the soul as the true self guiding the personality's expression.