Theos-Talk Archives (November 1998 Message tt00134)

Nov 11th 1998

Dear Augoeides:

I would say that it is precisely because there have been
deviations from HPB's original definitions that confusion as to
meaning has arisen.

The 7 "Principles" in Nature, and reflected in Man were given
similar designations and meanings in MAHATMA LETTERS,  KEY,
S.D., OCEAN, THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY and in HPB's articles.  That
is how it seems to me. I note however that later writers have
employed their own sets of definitions and others who have
learned theosophy at second hand through those sources have
widely adopted those terms and apparently seldom have they
related them to the original teachings of HPB where we all
basically draw our inspiration and learning.

After her death I can trace changes which were claimed by their
authors as "improvements."  But, please allow me to offer the
references that I have relied on:--

The "astral body" was always the "mold" or "electro-magnetic"
astral body the lowest of the 7 layered "Astral" which at the
upper end in the Akasa.  SD I 13fn 257 calls the "Ether" the
"gross body of Akasa.  SD I 18  Akasa is called the "spirit soul"
of Ether.  And so on - many differences.

SD I 174fn 197 326 331fn 343 524fn refer to the Ether and the
astral LIGHT.

The principle of PRANA - vitality (or JIVA in Nature) is quite
different from the ASTRAL body.  Prana:  SD I 157-8 526fn II 596;
KEY 91 118 121 176

KAMARUPA which is only formed after death when the KAMA principle
coalesces with the lower ASTRAL and together they form a "body"
which gradually disintegrates on the Astral Plane.  KEY: PP. 91,
118, 127-8, 176;  SD I 122fn  II 241 596 632.

But this claim that theosophy has "evolved" is to me a "put
down." Since those who claim this do not give to my way of
understanding the pathway they evolved or adopted from HPB to
whatever they say they have "evolved to."  And why would the
pioneer:  HPB, who was the Masters' "messenger" be given a
subsidiary place by modern students ?  That I cannot understand.

Now if that can be solved, laid out on the table, then perhaps
many of us cane arrive at a mutual understanding.  And that is
essentially what I would like to see happen.  It would widen our
capacity to understand and speak to each other.  As I see it the
lack of a common vocabulary stands pretty much in the way.

Do help.

Dallas

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