Theos-Talk Archives (February 2000 Message tt00023)

Feb 11th 2000

Dallas Responds:


Physical and non-physical -- astral, psychic, mental "spiritual"
planes, and their components of force and of form are looked into
by Theosophy

As far as I can think, the MONAD is not a physical thing.  We
cannot ascribe to it the limits we accept in dealing with our
present physical matter and its properties and conditions.

Although it is called Monad (One -- as a "ray" of the ONE
UNIVERSAL SPIRIT -- ATMAN), yet, in manifestation its link to
"matter" is through a corresponding portion of PRIMORDIAL MATTER
(Maha-Buddhi) or Buddhi.  Thus the Monad is, in manifestation,
Atma-Buddhi -- a "duad."  But further, the need to provide a link
between it and the grossest embodiment of "form" as our kind of
"matter," requires a "thread" over which the Divine Intelligence
may descend as a 'reflection' into the refined physical and
astral matter of the "brain."  In this way arises Kama-Manas or
the  "Lower Mind."  It is linked to the personality and its
desires and passions (Kama) as these are mirrored in our
"matter."  Thus allied to the Monad ATMA-BUDDHI is Manas (the
Higher Mind).  The Mind-Intelligence embodied and present in
Mankind is thus a "triple" MONAD :  Atma-Buddhi-Manas.  (see SD I
243-248, 174-5fn, 570-74 619-34)  This is the Eternal Pilgrim,
the eternal, immortal Reincarnating Ego.  Of course this is very
theoretical.  But on an understanding of these ideas the
structure of the Universe and of man can be seen to correspond.

Hence, the MONAD, being metaphysical -- a Power, Force, Energy,
and an Intelligence, the concept of SIZE is not relevant at all.

Even our current Science, in considering force-fields, places no
limits on their range of influence, although it is theorized that
the further away one gets the weaker the effect is.  Which is
true for electro-magnetic physical matter, or the propagation of
wave energy through a physical medium -- such as we know these.
And yet there is evidence to show that the range of thought or
emotion/desire is not affected in power  by distance or time.

But what do we know of Astral mater -- of which there are 7
grades and aspects?  What of akasa?  Theosophy gives us some
description of their qualities and capacities, as to being the
"model, or frame-work" on which the physical phenomena of weight,
size, density, state, chemical and physical qualities and
relationships are based.

Where we are ignorant is the exact way of perceiving this "astral
matter" and dealing with it as an essential component of
Nature -- used constructively by her as a basis for physical
"things."  HPB addresses this in her article OCCULT OR EXACT
SCIENCE (Theosophist, April, May 1886 -- ULT HPB Articles, II pp.
46-74;  see also:  HPB--THE NEGATORS OF SCIENCE,  Lucifer, April
1891,  ULT HPB Articles II pp. 75-90.)

This is perhaps just as well, since we deal with ourselves and
the matter that we know with our 5 senses selfishly.  We abuse
it.  If we were able to perceive and handle astral matter what
would we do to it?   It is probably just as well that we (as
modern Science does), have been taught to deride the concept.

We are not ready for it, as we do not even understand how and why
Karma operates (even theoretically).  The study of the KEY TO
THEOSOPHY will give us all a better basis from which to grasp
this all-embracing concept of the hidden and all-potent forces on
a plane of Nature that interpenetrates ours at all places and
times, and in fact is constantly modifying it.  This is why the
power of thought, desire and will are said to be the most
powerful forces that man is able to learn about and control.  But
this cannot be done with success from a selfish point of view.
Anything less than complete harmlessness, brotherhood and
altruism beings ruin in its wake.

We ought to also consider that the Monads (elementals) which are
affected by our feelings, desires, thoughts and will, form the
basis for our future Karma.  We give (through the quality of our
motives) shape and power to them, and in turn when the right
cyclic time comes, they return to us bringing advantages or
disadvantages in our lives.

Once we have our own moral natures under control, no doubt the
realm of the astral plane will begin to open before us.  It will
do so naturally because we will no longer have the urge of
curiosity to analyse, destroy or subjugate it.  We will be able
to perceive that it follows its own laws and does it so own work,
and, being satisfied, we will also pursue our work in the area of
its responsibility and duty, leaving to nature the work of
coordination that she already does so well, and as at present, in
spite of our active interference and destructive tendencies.

In the SD (I  251 258) we find that HPB hints at this.

What is the power of thought which transcends distance?  What is
the power of desire that leads mankind to eminence, greatness, or
to the ignominy of personal and selfish power that affects
millions?
(see HPB--THE UNIVERSE IN A NUTSHELL, Theosophist, Jan. 1882,
ULT HPB Articles II pp. 290-300.)

All these are the areas that Theosophy leads us to consider.

I hope that this may lead to more thought along these lines.  Mr.
Judge in his articles ( available "on line" through
BLAVATSKY.NET) offers a number of articles on the nature of
Karma, and the close relations of Elementals (Monads) to our
desires and thoughts -- as they are the "carriers" of our karma
and also affect others.

Dallas

dalval@nwc.net


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

-----Original Message-----
From: Hazarapet
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2000 4:38 AM
Subject: Re: Some Responses to Dallas


In a message dated 2/9/00 5:45:57 PM Eastern Standard Time,
G. Schueler writes:

> the word "infinitesimal" doesn't
>  make any sense.  The monad is, after all, infinite

The words "infinitesimal" and "infinite" are too closely
inter-connected in a variety of ways to make this
contrast intelligible as it stands.  And the common
meaning behind their various associated meanings
and each other is "that which somehow eludes or
transcends the finite, hence, in-finite."

Space and time, as continuums, the continuum of real
numbers, are both infinite in different ways and
infinitesimal in different ways.

For example, real magnitudes
are infinitely divisible (infinitesimal) and infinite
in that + any magnitude can be added to the last
know highest magnitude.  Number is infinitesimal
and infinite because it eludes, escapes, and transcends
any finite analysis/procedure.



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