Theos-Talk Archives (October 1998 Message tt00151)

Oct 28th 1998

Jerry:

Hypnotism reveals that there are many layers (?) of "memory -- some of which
the ordinary person (perhaps you and me) cannot access.  That does not mean
they are not there.  Theosophy claims that we have them impacted in the
astral body and also in the highest aspect of the 7-fold astral light -- the
AKASA.

If this is not taken into account then of course you would be right.

However to be "logical" what value is an illusion that seemingly has no say
in its being or its future ?  What value is experience ?

If you focus on the material side of things alone then you wipe out any
concept of continuity, value to experience, choice or the future ?  As I
read what the Buddha taught, he certainly did not teach that, but some of
his interpreters have.

Dal

=============================



              Dallas TenBroeck
              dalval@nwc,net

> From: Jerry Schueler
> Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 1998 7:23 AM
> Subject: Mind and Memory

    [DALLAS:]
    >That does not make sense to my logic -- I know firmly that
    >neither you nor I are "illusions" although our forms are in
    >constant alteration -- the non-physical MIND through memory
    >retains identity -- or is this "off-base ?"

    It is off base, and it isn't. Mind does tend to retain memory,
    and because of memory over time, we like to think we have a
    real and concrete self or ego or personality.

    You say that you know "firmly" that we are not illusions, and yet
    I would submit that we are indeed illusions and nothing more.
    The basic "atoms" or "substance" that comprise our being is
    emptiness in the Mahayana sense. What happens to ego when
    we lose our memory as in amnesia? What happens to ego
    when we dream? Now, I believe that when we dream we are
    focusing on the astral or mental planes. So, memory on those
    planes is flakey or tenuous at best and thus our sense of
    identity is also. Just as our physical body feels real and concrete,
    so our ego or personality. But both change constantly, and have
    no reality other than in a very relative sense. When we die,
    only the "aroma" of the past life continues. All the "real" details
    dissipate into their true nature which is emptiness.

    Jerry S.