Strictly speaking, Ascended Master is a term for those who have completed their round of earthly lives and have continued to help humanity after leaving the body. Nowadays we often include beings who have never had earthly lives, but whose desire to help humanity draws them to us.

All these beings are what we would called enlightened. That is, they carry a high level of spiritual vibration. They help to alleviate our sufferings and support us through our growth.They help us to aspire to our own ascension.

One of the greatest of these beings is Babaji. He is said to have been embodied for many hundreds of years in the Himalayas.He is mentioned in "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda, himself an enlightened master. He pours out his blessing when connecting with us; his love is inconceivable. He is an Avatar.

Babaji

Briefly, an avatar is one who has so surpassed the tests of earth that they have no need to return. However they have come back with a mission of spiritual importance.

Another of these great ascended masters is Serapis Bey. He has connections with ancient Egypt. He is a very practical master, sees quickly what needs to be done, and acts. He is said to work with the seraphim. He appears to me in his Atlantean form.

Master Kuthumi was introduced to the West by the founders of the Theosophical Society, as was the Master Djwhal Khul. There are many others: Lord Lanto, Lady Nada. Some of these great ones are household names: Jesus, Buddha.

Some have never been on this earth. Vymamus is a great example of this. His consciousness is vast. If you have a problem understanding what is causing a set of circumstances, he is an excellent source to ask. Vywamus was the teacher of Sanat Kumara who has been the Planetary Logos for aeons. According to Diana Cooper, he has now left that post, and Maitreya is the new logos.

Kwan Yin is another female source of help and inspiration. She is labelled both Bodhisattva and goddess. A bodhisattva is one who has reached enlightenment and made a vow that they will assist the earth until every being is enlightened. Kwan Yin brings immense love and support. She is said to be in charge of the new 12th Ray, the ascension ray of unconditional love.

It is said that, during the last few thousand years, when the spiritual energy has been low on the planet, it has been very difficult to achieve enlightenment, and even harder for women. Now that the energy is rising again, women are taking the lead.

It is also said that God can come in whatever form he chooses to help humanity: a great prophet, Krishna, a goddess such as Isis, angels and archangels. It matters not.

Each great spiritual path:Christianity, Buddhism, Yoga, Islam, etc, has a wealth of great souls.