Theos-Talk Archives (February 1998 Message tt00015)

Dear Bjorn:

The absolute is introduced to theosophical students by HPB in THE SECRET
DOCTRINE, Vol. I. I think it is important because while our minds are
"human" we are able to think in only so many "wavelengths" (so to speak),
and the concepts of Unconditioned Abstract Polarity, or Motion and Space as
HPB presents it, are an organized presentation of the limits of our mind's
reach currently today. As we develop, we will make substitutes for these
concepts which will take on many additional pockets of truth. The mind can
be pictured as becoming cosmic when we learn cosmic laws and acquire new
constructs - both material and spiritual.

>It seems that life consist of two (integrated) compartments:
>
>1. The uncreated
>2. The created

Isn't this HPB's manifest and unmanifest?

>The intellect may challenge the concept of "uncreated existence". Doesn't
everything that exists have
>a cause?

This would be your word, wouldn't it?

The original Creator cannot be created, because there wouldn't
>be anything/anybody to create it/him/her.

This is your introduction of a third thing which I imagine you would
include in the unmanifest category. But isn't our Creator included in both
categories? The Creator uses part of its own body to give us life.

The following concerns primarily the uncreated realm of
>existence, since I believe that an understanding, even though preliminary
and incomplete, of that
>which is before creation will help us understand changing and evolving
life also.

That which is before creation is Unconditioned Abstract Space and
Unconditioned Abstract Motion.


>It follows logically that "something" within the realm of the uncreated is
creating whatever is
>part of creation. What we call "the Absolute" is obviously a part of the
uncreated, even its
>foundation.

We were satisfied identifying a creator, but the absolute doesn't need to
be discussed. We could just discuss the creator.

We "understand" that the Absolute is Existence itself, without
differentiation or
>qualities.

There is an eastern trinty of existence, consciousness and bliss. These
three would not constitute the absolute though, just something unmanifest
because the unmanifest and uncreated does exist, doesn't it?

There is no movement or action of any kind in the Absolute. Therefor It can
NOT CREATE
>anything. It does not do ANYTHING. It just IS. The Absolute is nothing but
unlimited potential. It is
>NOT the Creator. So, there must be an UNCREATED
>something/somebody, that/who is the creating agent. This is what we often
call the "Word".

>What can we say about the Word? First, it must somehow be connected to the
Absolute (otherwise it
>would not exist at all). The objection arises: How can something be
connected to a no-thing that is
>void of all  qualities?

It would seem a lot safer to me if we just associate the first two abstract
concepts that issue forth during manvantara: space and motion. This type of
polarity is easier to understand and along with your point can be
illustrated with pictures of a blank page, a point, a circle, a line in a
circle, a cross in a circle, swastika. Remember this? One thing I see a
little differently here is associated with the "outpouring" from the
awakened point. I don't really see the circle much until both lines are in
place because I think the tendency to reach from one point to another
should precede the outpourings from the center.


I picture the center point awakened and having just the right amount of
energy to reach to a distant point. This would include the motion across
space theme. When the distant point is reached, you have attained a radius,
not a circle. This substitution is more satisfying to my mind because
circle is so radiant and alive. When the subject point is awake and has
reached to the object point and established the object point, then the
other three points on the circle become a further outreach of space.

I like a different illustration of absolute, so we don't really have to
qualify it in any way other than saying we have to go back to it. Let's say
the absolute is our bed at night, only rather than have the bed slept in
continuously and saying we are always rooted in the absolute, let's have a
big family that works different shifts and always have one person sleeping
in the bed. In this way, we have manifest or waking persons, unmanifest or
sleeping person, and a cycle of time.  All of the excitement comes out of
the absolute, but the absolute is nothing more than space - a place to
return to periodically - (and a little cotton and spring for comfort.)

What I think is going to happen is that someday we will know more than now
and we will have words and better illustrations to explain our lives. We'll
be different beings and use different, more progressed definitions. All of
that will be replaced - in detail - concerning what happens - exactly. We
just have to wait.

Bjorn, I'd like to save the rest of your paper for another time because
this is getting to long. Just thought you might like to know your paper was
appreciated and makes someone like me feel nice and chatty.

Bye.

Brenda