There are many different types of inner discipline, each designed to produce its particular effects. However, each of these types can also be put to different uses, and one will often find a particular type of meditation used for a particular purpose by one group, and for a very different purpose by another group.
This is similar to going for a long ride in an airliner. The jet in which you are riding may be identical to hundreds of others, but the point of origin and the destinations will vary considerably.
Take, for example, the Magic of Consciousness as taught in The Nature of The Soul. In that context it is a primarily Seventh Ray meditation process, and the intent of Seventh Ray determines the direction and effect of the meditation.
However, the same basic process appears in the D.K./A.A.B. works as Meditation with Interludes. Only there it has a primarily Second Ray intent and thus Second Ray determines the direction and effect of the meditation.
The same is true of any path distinguished by a particular Ray or Rays. Since Purpose provides motivation and direction, the distinguishing intents of the various Rays determines the effects of the Ray Paths. The inner techniques used may be the same, but the intent behind the practice of those techniques will determine their effects.
If one meditates with a First Ray focus, then the First Ray intent will predominate, and the result of the meditation will be greater motivating power and will.
If one meditates with a Second Ray focus, then the Second Ray intent will predominate, and the result of the meditation will be greater understanding and union.
If one meditates with a Seventh Ray focus, then the Seventh Ray intent will predominate, and the result of the meditation will be the precipitation of purpose into expression.
In each of these, even if the form of inner work—the type of meditation—is identical, the effects on the consciousness and the instrument will be quite different.
If one meditates with a Synthesis focus, then the Synthesis intent will predominate, and the result of the meditation will be to move the consciousness and instrument involved into awareness and expression of synthesis.
Having used one or more of the Ray paths to contact Synthesis, one may then switch one’s inner practice to the Synthesis intent. One’s inner work then begins to move one’s consciousness into Synthesis and to transform one’s instrument into a vehicle of Synthesis.