Theos-Talk Archives (April 2001 Message tt00062)

Monday, April 09, 2001

Dear Peter and Moderator:


Your questions caused me to review several statements that relate
to these. I saw:


MULAPRAKRITI, or Primordial Matter -- The Parabrahmic root, the
abstract deific feminine principle--undifferentiated substance.
The "Root of Nature."	[T. Glos. p. 218]


"...Ether, is one of the lower principles of AKASA (Primordial
Substance) -- it is the "Astral Light" and primordial substance
is AKASA the Upadhi of DIVINE THOUGHT [MAHAT]." [.D. I 326]


Akasa -- subtile, supersensuous spiritual essence which pervades
all space; the primordial substance erroneously identified with
Ether. It is to Ether what Spirit is to Matter, or Atma to
Kama-rupa., It is the Universal Space in which lies inherent
the eternal ideation of the Universe in its ever-changing aspects
on the planes of matter and objectivity, and from which radiate
the First Logos, or expressed thought....it has but one
attribute -- Sound, for sound is but the translated symbol of the
Logos -- "Speech" -- in its mystic sense. [T. Glos. p. 13]


Matter, to the Occultist...is that totality of existences in the
Kosmos, which falls within any of the planes of possible
perception. [ S.D. I 514 ]


Suddha Sattwa -- A substance not subject to the qualities of
matter; a luminiferous and (to us) invisible substance of which
the bodies of the Gods and highest Dhyanis are formed.
Philosophically, Suddha Sattwa is a conscious state of spiritual
Ego-ship rather than any essence.
[ T. Glos. p. 311 ]


Prakriti -- Nature in general -- as opposed to Purusha--Spirit,
which together are the "two primeval aspects of the One Unknown
Deity.- the "Spiritual Self." [T. Glos p. 260, 265]


MONAD Unity - the One -- but, in Occultism it often means the
unified triad, Atma-Buddhi-Manas, or the duad Atma-Buddhi, that
immortal part of man which reincarnates...[T. Glos 216]


..."force-substance" is the ever-active phenomenal positive
aether--prakriti; while the omnipresent all pervading ether is
the noumenon of the former, the substratum of all, or
Akasa...according to occultism aether is the source and cause.
[ S.D. I 508 ]


Maha Buddhi - Mahat - The Intelligent Soul of the World, the 7
Prakritis or 7 "natures" or planes are counted from Mahabuddhi
downwards." [ T. Glos. 199-200 ]


Buddhi -- Universal Soul or Mind (see Alaya -- the universal
soul); also the Spiritual Soul in man (the 6th principle), the
vehicle of Atma... [ T. Glos p.67 ]


Alaya - Universal Soul [S.D. I 47] Tibetan - Identical with
Akasa in its mystic sense, and with Mulaprakriti in its essence,
as it is the basis and root of all things. [ T. Glos p. 14 ]


Divine Thought cannot be explained, or its meaning explained
except by the numberless manifestations of Cosmic Substance in
which the [Divine Thought] is senses spiritually by those who can
do so....it is represented by a boundless darkness, on the ground
of which appears the first central point in white -- this
symbolizes coeval and co-eternal SPIRIT-MATTER making its
appearance in the phenomenal world, before its first
differentiation.

When "the One becomes Two," it may then be referred to as Spirit
and Matter. [ Monad ]


There is apparently a need for discovering what these words mean
in esotericism and occultism. They are used in many places in
Theosophical philosophy. One should not expect Theosophy to
conform to the notions and vocabulary of modern psychological and
philosophical schools. That is because Theosophy is far more
ancient than any of them and deals with the metaphysical (causal)
as well as the actual evolution of our Earth, ourselves and our
Universe. The first concept that has to be treasured is that
the Universe is alive and conscious in all its parts. The MONAD
(Spirit-Matter unit of life) may appear infinitesimal to us, but
it has locked within it the entire potency of every aspect of
Nature, pat, present and future.

A familiarity with some of the terms is essential if we are to
pursue this study. This passage which is to be found in the 1st.
Volume ( pp. 327 -330 ) is a good sample of their use as well as
an opening to the subject of their inter-relations. Here are
some excerpts from it which seem appropriate:


"To "Spirit" is referable every manifestation of consciousness,
reflective or direct, and the unconscious purposiveness ... as
evinced by the Vital Principle, and Nature's submission to the
majestic sequence of immutable law.

"Matter" must be regarded as objectivity in its purest
abstraction--the self-existing basis whose septenary manvantaric
differentiations constitute the objective reality underlying the
phenomena of each phase of conscious n existence.

Manvantaric impulse commences with the re-awakening of Cosmic
Ideation (the "Universal Mind") concurrently with, and parallel
to the primary emergence of Cosmic substance -- the latter being
the manvantaric vehicle of the former...then, absolute wisdom
mirrors itself in its Ideation, which ...results in Cosmic Energy
(Fohat). Thrilling through the bosom of inert Substance, Fohat
impels it to activity, and guides its differentiations on all the
seven planes of Cosmic consciousness. There are thus Seven
Prakriti, or Natures...

Cosmic Ideation is said to be non-existent during Pralayic
periods...there is no one, and nothing to perceive its effects.
There can be no manifestation of Consciousness,
semi-consciousness, or even "unconscious purposiveness," except
through the vehicle of matter; that is to say, on this our
plane, wherein our human consciousness is in its normal state,
cannot soar beyond what is known as transcendental metaphysics,
it is only through some molecular aggregation or fabric that
Spirit wells up in a stream of individual or sub-conscious
subjectivity.

...Matter existing apart from perception is a mere abstraction,
both these aspects of the ABSOLUTE--Cosmic substance and Cosmic
Ideation--are mutually interdependent.....

The term "Matter" ought to be applied to the aggregate of objects
of possible perception, and "Substance" to noumena...inasmuch as
the phenomena of our plane are the creation of the perceiving
Ego--the modifications of its own subjectivity--...

...modern idealists would say the co-operation of Subject and
Object results in the Sense-object or phenomenon, which are
likewise non-existent per se, though concrete realities for the
Entities of whose experience the form a part.

>From the stand point of the highest metaphysics, the whole
Universe, gods, included, is an illusion; but the illusion of
him, who is himself an illusion differs on every plane of
consciousness ... the pure object, apart from consciousness, is
unknown to us while living on the plane of our three-dimensional
World; as we know only the mental states it excites in the
perceiving Ego.

...so long as the contrast of Subject and Object endures--as long
as we enjoy our five senses and no more, and do not know how to
divorce our all-perceiving Ego (the Higher Self) from the
thralldom of these senses--so long, will it be impossible for the
personal Ego to break through the barrier which separates it from
a knowledge of things in themselves (or Substance)."
[ Extracts from S.D. I pp. 327-30 -- this is to be carefully
reviewed and deeply thought over) ]


Would not the "Invisible Robes" be the precursors of the Seven
Prakritis -- or vehicles of "matter?"

Secrecy is observed because in our present general moral
condition we could not refrain from abusing the information. We
have to perfect ourselves morally as well as intellectually and
in terms of brotherhood, if we are to be trusted with the Wisdom
of the World. But, interestingly enough as we are 7-fold beings
that WISDOM is already within us.

The real problem is how to reach to it in its SPIRITUAL ABODE
within each of us, and then make it available for the Whole, as
for our fellows. If in any way we visualize or hope that we may
learn and "possess powers" for personal benefit, the "personal"
connotation makes it impossible for them to emerge.

A further fact ought to be noted and that is: there are many in
the public world who claim to possess powers, or to be able to
teach their acquirement for a fee. This in itself is highly
questionable as, if they in truth possessed those "powers," they
would be using them and not "selling" them. Wisdom is the
birth-right of all. It cannot be patented, sequestered or sold.

Hence we find this very frustrating preliminary to the securing
of any truly Occult information: The personality of the aspirant
has to be self-purified. He or she has to render the hold that
the personality (the Karmic lower self) has over one's
consciousness totally harmless, generous, brotherly not only to
ones' fellow humans but to every least entity alive in our world
and universe. Only after this is done and the Higher Mind is
master of the purified personality, can it be trusted with any
"occult" secrets or powers. H.P.B. has written extensively on
these matters in her articles, perhaps the most important is the
one titled: PRACTICAL OCCULTISM [published first in Lucifer,
April 1888; ULT H.P.B. Articles Vol. II p. 91]

The use of terms such as "male" and "female" refer most probably
to the symbology used in ancient Theogonical and philosophical
systems. The "male" was considered positive and active. The
"female" was considered passive and receptive. Spirit was said
to impel evolution and development. It provided a "starting
point." Matter was said to be the recipient of the "seed" then
it proceeded to assist in the physical, psychic and other
developments, also, to protect and assist the new "seed" in its
growth. Actually the third and most important karmic factor is
the return of the n w entity (under its Karma) to a place where
it would receive the optimum support during its developing stages
when it needed protection and education into a "new incarnation."
Nothing in Nature is done without obedience to the Laws of Karma.
All beings may be said to exhibit aspects of the progressive
development of the eternal Pilgrim, the MONAD in its progress
through every stage and condition that the Cosmos and our Earth
provide.

In symbology the decussated circle (cross encircled -- the
"mundane cross" or matter and consciousness in conjoint
evolution) was used to convey these great fundamental ideas.

The circle represents an ENTITY, be it the illimitable KOSMOS or
a MONAD (the minutest of life-units). The vertical line
represents the potential "male" active principle, and the
"female" potential principle is represented by the horizontal
line (or divine immaculate Mother-Nature).
[ See S.D. I pp 4 - 6 ; II 536 et seq.]

Best wishes

Dallas

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


-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Merriott [mailto:nous@btinternet.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2001 2:00 PM
To: sd@blavatsky.net
Subject: [bn-sd] Stanza 1, sloka 1 (SD I 35-36)

Friends,

Here are a few questions I hope you will share in exploring.

1. In the Sloka below we find it stated that "Root Nature"
(Mulaprakriti) is the soul of the one Infinite Spirit
(Parabrahm). It is
said that the Hindus call this Root Nature and regard it as
"the
primordial substance, which is the basis of the Upadhi or vehicle
of every
phenomenon, whether physical, mental or psychic. It is the
source from
which Akâsa radiates."

It has been said that Parabrahm and Mulaprakriti correspond to
Atma-Buddhi
in the human principles. So, looking at the statement above what
else can
we deduce about Buddhi and the human constitution?

What might be the "invisible robes" in the Human spiritual
constitution?

2. "These "Eternities" belong to the most secret
calculations, in
which, in order to arrive at the true total, every figure must be
7x (7 to
the power of x); x varying according to the nature of the cycle
in the
subjective or real world; and every figure or number relating to,
or
representing all the different cycles from the greatest to the
smallest-in
the objective or unreal world-must necessarily be multiples of
seven. The
key to this cannot be given, for herein lies the mystery of
esoteric calculations..."

Any thoughts on the above passage? Why should such calculations
be "most
secret" and hence cannot be given?

3. "In the Secret Doctrine the figure and number 4 are the
male symbol
only on the highest plane of abstraction; on the plane of matter
the 3 is
the masculine and the 4 the female: the
upright and the horizontal in the fourth stage of symbolism, when
the
symbols became the glyphs of the generative powers on the
physical plane."

What is meant by the terms "male", "masculine" and "female" in
this passage?

Comments on any of the above very welcome? Don't feel you have
to *know*
the answers, just share some musings, reflections or questions of
you own.

...Peter


====================================
-----Original Message-----
From: Moderator [mailto:nous@btinternet.com]
Sent: 01 April 2001 17:48
To: sd@blavatsky.net
Subject: [bn-sd] Stanza 1, sloka 1 (SD I 35-36)


STANZA I.

1. "THE ETERNAL PARENT (Space), WRAPPED IN HER EVER INVISIBLE
ROBES, HAD
SLUMBERED ONCE AGAIN FOR SEVEN ETERNITIES (a)."

The "Parent Space" is the eternal, ever present cause of all-the
incomprehensible DEITY, whose "invisible robes" are the mystic
root of all
matter, and of the Universe. Space is the one eternal thing that
we can
most easily imagine, immovable in its abstraction and
uninfluenced by either
the presence or absence in it of an objective Universe. It is
without
dimension, in every sense, and self-existent. Spirit is the
first
differentiation from THAT, the causeless cause of both Spirit and
Matter.
It is, as taught in the esoteric catechism, neither limitless
void, nor
conditioned fulness, but both. It was and ever will be. (See
Proem pp. 2
et seq.) Thus, the "Robes" stand for the noumenon of
undifferentiated Cosmic
Matter. It is not matter as we know it, but the spiritual
essence of
matter, and is co-eternal and even one with Space in its abstract
sense.
Root-nature is also the source of the subtile invisible
properties in
visible matter. It is the Soul, so to say, of the ONE infinite
Spirit. The
Hindus call it Mulaprakriti, and say that it is the primordial
substance,
which is the basis of the Upadhi or vehicle of every phenomenon,
whether
physical, mental or psychic. It is the source from which Akâsa
radiates.

(a) By the Seven "Eternities," æons or periods are meant. The
word
"Eternity," as understood in Christian theology, has no meaning
to the
Asiatic ear, except in its application to the ONE existence; nor
is the term
sempiternity, the eternal only in futurity, anything better than
a
misnomer.* Such words do not and cannot exist in philosophical
metaphysics,
and were unknown till the advent of ecclesiastical Christianity.
The Seven
Eternities meant are the seven periods, or a period answering in
its
duration to the seven periods, of a Manvantara, and extending
throughout a
Maha-Kalpa or the "Great Age"-100 years of Brahmâ-making a total
of
311,040,000,000,000 of years; each year of Brahmâ being composed
of 360
"days," and of the same number of "nights" of Brahmâ (reckoning
by the
Chandrayana or lunar year); and a "Day of Brahmâ" consisting of
4,320,000,000 of mortal years. These "Eternities" belong to the
most secret
calculations, in which, in order to arrive at the true total,
every figure
must be 7x (7 to the power of x); x varying according to the
nature of the
cycle in the subjective or real world; and every figure or number
relating
to, or representing all the different cycles from the greatest to
the
smallest-in the objective or unreal world-must necessarily be
multiples of
seven. The key to this cannot be given, for herein lies the
mystery of
esoteric calculations, and for the purposes of ordinary
calculation it has
no sense. "The number seven," says the Kabala, "is the great
number of the
Divine Mysteries;" number ten is that of all human knowledge
(Pythagorean
decade); 1,000 is the number ten to the third power, and
therefore the
number 7,000 is also symbolical. In the Secret Doctrine the
figure and
number 4 are the male symbol only on the highest plane of
abstraction; on
the plane of matter the 3 is the masculine and the 4 the female:
the
upright and the horizontal in the fourth stage of symbolism, when
the
symbols became the glyphs of the generative powers on the
physical plane.
(SD I 35-36)
======================




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