Theos-Talk Archives (August 1998 Message tt00377)

Aug 20th

Dallas offers:

MKR;s positing started me thinking:

I ask myself the following questions and try to find answers  from what I
have learned from studying Theosophy: --

What is it in us that urges us to seek to learn and to "meditate ?"

Why, also is there a "feeling" that we ought to practice some of what we
learn either by "study" (other's ideas) of "meditating" on those around us,
or on our own ?

MKR suggests the practice of benevolence, brotherhood, compassion appears to
be the way to be and act out what we learn.

When we consider the nature and make-up of Man -- considered
Theosophically -- as a seven-fold being, ( a miniature copy of the great
Universe ) we can take into consideration what Theosophy has to say on an
applications of this knowledge.   [ I will try to condense (as best I
understand them) some of the many statements one finds in the KEY TO
THEOSOPHY and the SECRET DOCTRINE. ]

The Theosophical scheme views, metaphysically, as a prime starting point,
the prevalence of SPIRIT as an Ideal condition and posits its eternity,
universality and immeasurable "being."  It is outside the range of any
finite or limited thinking, but, it is necessary as a "background" from
which all limitations emerge.  It is not a "god," but it is Divinity, as a
concept of "perfection" which can be attained by certain methods of
self-education and self-discipline.  Actually HPB says that before
"Spirit-in-manifestation" there is the ABSOLUTENESS, concerning which
nothing can be said as no comparisons are possible.

Every being in such grand periods are "limitations" ( during the period of
manifestations/evolution ).  And every being inescapably bathes in it, the
One spirit.  It is the inescapable component ( "root" ) of the
BEING/existence of all things.  In manifestation it has as a polar opposite:
"Matter," or rather, the "root of matter."

Next in "reality" is Law/Karma.  This is the Cause, and highest basis for
manifestation.  In terms of metaphysics, Theosophy advances the concept of
"Root-Matter ( or Mulaprakriti/Maha-Buddhi ) which is moved by Law.  This
"principle" or "aspect" of Spirit-Matter emerges when manifestation occurs.
Matter is inseparable from Spirit.  And both are under LAW -- the eternal
Causeless-Cause.  Matter, as concurrent with Spirit is an imperishable base
for periodical manifestations  The characteristic symbol of Buddhi is
"sound" or "Speech" -- vibration in the abstract.  It is also (passively) a
record of all History and every event of life is known to, and in it -- it
reads and uses the Akas (the 7th and highest aspect of the  "Astral Light").
The "Wisdom of Experience" is its active aspect,  it is the source of our
"Voice of Conscience."  It is the source of "intuition."

Concurrent with Atman/Spirit and Buddhi/wisdom and experience, is the
universal principle of Mahat -- the root of Manas/Mind, the "thinking,
creative," aspect or principle.  [ Mankind, the whole of humanity and every
one of its billions, is endowed with the power to think, to observe, to
inquire, to learn. ]  The quality of Mahat is that which builds and creates
out of "chaos" or the "abyss of unformed "matter" the limitations and forms
of various kinds -- this is done from the impulse of Karma/Law inasmuch as
the unexpended effects of earlier manifestations need to be resolved.

Each fresh Manvantara (evolutionary period) flows forth in limited Time (out
of immeasurable Duration).  Each new period is the "child" of a previous
one.  Each "being" in manifestation is a "child" of its own past being.
Nothing is annihilated.   The Law or KARMA is seen to operate in this, and
involves the unexpended energies of innumerable "beings" of all grades (from
the Buddhas and the Dhyan Chohans, the Mahatmas and the whole range of
Adepts to the most ignorant and truly commencing minds -- the "babies" in
which the potential of thinking is beginning to emerge).

This accounts for the three highest aspects of manifestation:  Atman -
Universal and individual Spirit;  Buddhi - Universal and individual
Wisdom/Law in operation; and, Mahat/Manas/mind - the power to think and to
decide on actions.

One could say the Unity bifurcates, and the bifurcation is united by the 3rd
aspect of permanency.  In manifestation they form a Unity which is
tripartite (for purposes of understanding its operations).  One might say
that it is the MONAD in its manifesting condition as Three-in-One.

If we consider "Matter" as the other extreme of manifestation/evolution, as
Theosophy advances it, we have Root Matter, undifferentiated, chaotic and
apparently "lawless."  Yet the whole manifested Universe is ruled by eternal
Law, so even apparent chaos is the condition of units of "matter"  (in
themselves forces, energies and powers) seeking to form intelligent links
with other aspects, other units, so that Life and Law, already active and
present, can either make or find "forms" in which to work and improve, or
"manifest."  In the first Volume of the  "Secret Doctrine" we are given a
survey of this development.  It is shown ( SD I 181) that there are 3 lines
of evolution the Monadic, the Intellectual/mental, and the
Physical/material.  These interblend.  High intelligences, that once were
men like we us, have achieved the responsibility of assisting Karma in its
work.  [ To me this implies that I ought to learn what the laws of Nature
(Karma) are, and then voluntarily try to comply, assist and follow them. ]

It is shown how those "Divine Men" -- the Dhyan Chohans (Lords of Wisdom),
and the Dhyani Buddhas (Enlightened Wise), (and all other hierarchies of
Divine Beings), are each responsible for some aspect of cooperative
development and organizing (under Karma) of the chaotic "matter" of a new
Manvantara (period of Evolution).  They are Men, once like ourselves in our
present condition, who resolved to become wise, studied Nature (which
contains all) and learned her rules, laws and operations -- in all
departments, visible and invisible.  Are we not trying to do this ?

The Matter side of Nature (the Universe, our World and Earth) consists of
several aspects or "principles."

We recognize our own physical frame-work and that comparable physical
aspects of minerals, vegetables, animals.  Then, we have the great elements
we designate earth, water, air, and fire.  We say those are the conditions
under which the natural physical/chemical elements and their compounds can
be found under present conditions of matter (heat, pressure, electrical and
magnetic conditions that we call "normal" for our present living).  We
surmise that the rest of the Universe may be in comparable but not
necessarily identical conditions.

What is not yet entirely clear to us, that which Science investigates, is
the realm of cause, and the forces that unite various components into a
coherent whole.  What causes certain molecules and atoms to aggregate ?  Why
are some rejected ?  What are the forces of intelligence that draw certain
molecules, cells, etc... together to form the specialized organs of our own
bodies, as an instance ?

In considering this Theosophy speaks of the next material component -- the
realm of force and energy, of attraction and repulsion, and gives this the
designation of the "Astral Light."  Each human under the law of his personal
evolution is said to be endowed with a formative and creative "Astral Body."
This astral body has many properties -- the providing of a living
lattice-work upon which the physical molecules and the metaphysical atoms of
physical living are accumulated and arranged, is one of them.  In addition,
it is said to be the repository of the Karma of our present incarnation, and
serves as a base for the roll-over of Karma from previous incarnations to
merge with our present.  It is invisible, elastic, and provides the instant
contact with mind and feeling/emotion that enables communication with all
other intelligent structures and beings in our Universe.  It is the area
where we are most alive, and yet it is one that we know only the fringes of.

Next is the vast Life-principle, that which animates and enlivens all
beings.  Each Sun, (and each of the many planets on which man-like
intelligence develops), is said to be the focus for this energy that
emanates from the ONE SPIRIT (and for each Manvantara this is focussed in a
center called the CENTRAL SPIRITUAL SUN).  Each human being has as his
metaphysical center a corresponding focus (or "heart") -- a radiant living
Being, which we may call our HIGHER SELF.  It gives us life, and serves as
the repository on the metaphysical side of our individual/personal karma.
This Life-energy is creative and causative and engages in every aspect of
our living.  It is referred to as a generic as Fohat -- and each of us is a
"child of Fohat," from that point of view.

As life in material forms develops, we can see that it patterns itself on
the astral model that  karma provides;  the pattern of our life-energy is an
intelligence that links the physical to the astral, and both of them to the
One Energy of our Universe.   As evolution proceeds the principle of desire
and feeling, or sensation, also progresses.  It is the dominant aspect of
animal intelligence and is often referred to as instinct.

In Theosophical metaphysics this is named Kama, or "passions and desires."
As a purely material development it would be chaotic indeed, although
regulated by certain basic impulses which manifest as contrasting pairs --
such as:  love - hate;  compassion - tyranny;  calmness -- anger;
dispassion -- impatience;  unselfishness -- pride;  generosity -- avarice;
wisdom -- information;  creative activity -- sloth and indifference; ...and
so on.

The whole assemblage of emotion as contrasted with reason and dispassion may
be included in this "principle" which is the highest aspect of evolution
considered from the material side.  But, in mankind we cannot consider the
material in isolation from the Mind or the Wise aspects of evolution.
Law/karma pervades all and the wisdom of experience organizes the conditions
of living so that we may be presented not only with the just results of our
earlier choices, but with adequate opportunities for further advance in
experience and the acquiring of wisdom.

And this, at last, brings us to the reasons for (as I see it ) MKR's
statement.

It is only in Theosophy that we find a coherent and reasonable base for
considering ethical motives and opportunities as part of our on-going and
ever expanding learning experience as human beings -- as mind-beings encased
in various conditions and forms of matter.

The question arises:  why are we so encased ?  As we progress in life and
grow in understanding, we recognize that we are influencing not only those
around us who are mind beings, but we are impressing our sheaths, or
vehicles (consisting of the Skandhas or "little lives") wit the quality of
our motives, our emotions, our thoughts, feelings and acts.  We either
elevate them in moral tone or we debase them.  At all times we are aware of
this as kind of flash of questioning presents itself to us just as we are
about to make a decision.  The "voice of Conscience" speaks -- and we either
listen or turn a deaf ear to it.

Theosophy (I believe) offers us a further vista.  We are, it states,
comparative in our creative and formative power to the Dhyan Chohans when we
exercise the power of choice in regard to those aspects of matter that have
a lower level of experience and entitative intelligence as compared to
ours -- to the "little lives"  (the living "skandhas") -- the intelligent
centers of force that make up our "lower principles."

If this is true, then our power to create for billions of these little lives
conditions of progress or of retrogression indicates our responsibility to
them and to the rest of Nature.  We either attune ourselves voluntarily to
the creative aspect of Nature, or we participate in retardation and the
'destructive" side -- which is ever "at war" with the constructive side.
 The BHAGAVAD GITA illustrates this situation -- and also provides
information for altering and changing our position as our wisdom grows. ]

I hope this consideration may be of use.

Dallas

> Date: Wednesday, August 19, 1998 9:23 PM
> From: "M K Ramadoss" <ramadoss@eden.com>
> Subject: Re:theosophy

>At 01:18 AM 8/20/1998 +0100, you wrote:
>>Part of practical theosophy is studying/meditating the Theosophical
>>teachings.  It is possible to be "part" of that, and that effects our
lives,
>>and the lives of those around us.  Just some understanding of karma and
>>reincarnation can have a huge effect, but linked in to the other
teachings:
>>races, rounds, giant stone Buddhas in Afghanistan of various hights, etc.,
>>make it all mean a lot more.  4th round/5th race - developing/forming that
>>aspect of MANAS and so on.
>>On theos-talk we tend to see just that theos-talk aspect.
>>
>>Tony

=======================================
>One wonders if we go on studying and keep on studying and attending
>lectures and courses and getting all the certificates signed by *experts*
>and leaders in organizations so that they can adore the walls of our homes
>and offices and we keep on meditating, are there any demonstrable results
>or just keep on doing it in the wishful thinking and hope that one day
>enlightenment will occur or will be honored with admission to the mystery
>school(s) ultimately leading to adeptship.
>
>What about putting into practice a few of the ideas to help our fellow
>beings? The latter may do a lot more good to lot more people than all the
>studies and meditated results.
>
>mkr
>                    SNIP