BASIC IDEAS -- THOUGHT and CONSCIOUSNESS -- FROM WHERE ?
Aug 19, 2001 05:50 AM
by dalval14
Sunday, August 19, 2001
Dear Friends:
We have been recently considering these themes. Sleep, Dreams,
Consciousness, etc...
Perhaps some of these teachings gleaned from Theosophy may help.
There are probably many more views and queries, and these ought
to be considered and brought to help us all.
Best wishes,
Dallas
===================== IDEAS =====================
THOUGHT, WILL AND FEELING
There is forever a difficulty in dealing with the two opposed
"poles" of existence.
THE MONAD (Spirit/Matter conjoined)
The idea of the MONAD epitomizes this, because it is said to be
eternal. In the Secret Doctrine, H.P.B. deals with this
extensively. ( S.D. I 173 - 184 ) One of the key statement is
in S.D. I p. 289, where we read from an ancient "Commentary"
:"there is not one finger's breath (Angula) of void space in the
whole of Boundless (Universe) ..."
ETERNITY - TIME - DURATION
Eternal means it began its existence when the Universe started.
And that "beginning" cannot be defined. Universes come and go
just as days and incarnations come and go. Instead of "Time,"
the concept of eternal DURATION has to be invoked -- and we enter
the realm of metaphysics.
MANVANTARA
The present "manifestation" or MAHA-MANVANTARA (period of waking
and doing) is said to be a little more than half over. (S.D. II
68 - 70)
It consists of two parts: 1. the descent of Spirit into matter
and then when thoroughly mixed, MIND acts and gives the Monad its
INDIVIDUALITY, its power of perception (all this occurs under
KARMA -- the great LAW of life and of individual living), phase
2 begins and this is the "ascent of Matter made Intelligent" back
to Spirit (This is universality plus all the experience gained).
(S.D. I 200)
BEGINNING AND ENDING
The problem of "beginning" (or "ending") starts when one
considers that Pralaya (rest, non-activity) is always followed by
Manvantara (activity, life, awareness, intelligence and all their
interactions, growths, failures and increments). These cycles
endlessly intertwine as the process of "raising 'matter' up to
the "nature, stature and dignity of conscious godhood" ever
continues.
CYCLES OF WORK AND REST
Each Manvantara is like a new birth (after a gestation period --
so to say) which began in an earlier Manvantara and then passed
through Pralaya, or, the rest period. And this is the lawful
result of all the energies and forces used in that earlier
Manvantara -- just as reincarnation of the human Ego is a result
of the life last lived. And, just as today is the result of all
our "yesterdays."
Each birth of a Universe and of all beings composing it, sees a
period of growth and learning, and this is then followed by one
of support, work, and the imparting of wisdom to those who follow
or surround it.
Then, when the cycles close, there always follows the destruction
(or dispersal) of the "forms," and the transfer into another
plane of consciousness of the psychic and the spiritual
consciousness. But, Theosophy teaches that the components of the
"form" are not "destroyed." They too, are immortal Monads,
though of a lesser degree of learning. They enter into a period
of introspective rest, and assimilate the essence of the
experiences they underwent during the previous Manvantara. This
is analogous to the Devachanic period in the cycle of
reincarnation for all of us.
This process occurs in mankind, as well as for the Atoms of the
Earth, for the world, the solar system, and ultimately, the whole
Universe. But here there is a paradox. The Universe being
immeasurable it is not possible for the WHOLE to be at any time
totally involved in the rest-period of a Pralaya, however vast.
There is always some section somewhere that is awake and active.
CONSCIOUSNESS -- 7 and 10 states
We know how the 7 states of Consciousness ( S.D. I 157, 181) are
described; but, there are states of Universal Consciousness,
learning and Wisdom which we can only vaguely guess at. Perhaps
they are left unidentified purposely, as H.P.B. does in the
diagram at S.D. I 200 where she places a triangle in the 3 planes
above those 4 planes of the 7 GLOBES. She names them: "The
Divine And Formless Plane Of Spirit." (see also SD I 242, 267,
434 II 300-1, 540, 759, 607 footnote. This ought to give us all
room for meditation -- but not for fanciful speculation, unless
sound logic supports.
Thus cycles are seen to overlap all the time and as far back as
one might go, or as far forward as one might anticipate in time,
there has always been this duality and the eternal and
indestructible MONADIC host has always been a part of it.
Manifestation always imposes the limits of Karma on all entities
that revive, and begin to participate each in their own
legitimate place, in the process of continuing this vast journey
towards ULTIMATE WISDOM and true Living. It has been called
SUBLIME PERFECTION. It has not been defined in the physical
terms we are accustomed to.
PARENT AND CHILD
The "parent" is like a Monad that has accumulated much experience
and has accumulated around it many other Monads which together
frame its WISDOM. In terms of ultimates it is still limited. It
has its own "path" and "journey." As a comet has a 'tail,' so
each Monad has an assembly of "monads of lesser experience,"
which surround and follow it, for which it acts as a "parent."
And yet, we find in the S.D. (S.D. I 174-5 footnote) the idea
that the Monad per se remains unaffected -- and it is the
late-comers (the monads of lesser experience, the "pupils") who
have to voluntarily choose to "adhere to it." It is a puzzle
and a paradox. A statement which it is hard to rationalize. In
any and all cases the law of affinity works, and this is
propelled by the law of Karma that covers everything -- it is the
CAUSELESS CAUSE. On examination, this concept is as difficult of
definition as would be a definition for the ABSOLUTE. The first
volume of the S.D. gives us a survey of most of the important
factors involved -- enough to enable us to reason out and
'intuit' more.
To this primary center, Monads of lesser experience, continually
come from the ocean of the "Monadic Essence." ( see S.D. I 619,
178-9, 632 II 273 ) They are said to adhere to it and give it
an "individuality" which H.P.B. says survives the greatest of
Pralayas. The INDIVIDUALITY is never "lost." [ see H.P.B.
ARTICLES, (ULT) Vol III, p. 265 -- ISIS UNVEILED AND THE
VISISHTADWAITA (Theosophist, January 1886 -- BLAVATSKY:
Collected Works (TPH), Vol. 7, p. 50) Speaking of the vat line
of gurus that are seen to extend infinitely from the past into
our present and then into the future, H.P.B. names them the
"Guruparampara Chain." Some more details of this are given in
TRANSACTIONS of the BLAVATSKY LODGE, pp 23-26. (ULT Edn. -- Vol.
10, BCW)
PURPOSE ? Why this evolutionary struggle?
One of the obligations of existence is the imparting of wisdom
and true knowledge to others, so that they too may consider,
think and if they can, test and try to adopt and use it
themselves. These great concepts of life, its purpose and a
correct way of living have given us the teachings and example of
the Buddhas, Krishna, Jesus, Lao-Tze, Pythagoras, Plato, Hermes
and hundreds of great men and "prophets" have always come,
worked, and left the same general message. Slowly but surely the
power of the concept of brotherhood attracts the attention of
those who suffer and seek to bring their pain (and that of their
fellows), to an end.
It therefore follows that Moksha or Nirvana does not see the
"erasure" of any CONSCIOUSNESS. It continues, and Nature (the
Universe) supports and nurtures it. From this state of spiritual
selfishness they who took temporary refuge there, eventually
return (see S.D. II 79-80, 94, 110-1)
The difference between the "Parent" and the "child" is the amount
of experience that the parent has, compared to the child during
its growing and learning period. If one reads Plato's REPUBLIC
one may gain an insight into the way an ideal society might be
made to function -- based on responsibility and brotherhood, in
our world. This is perhaps a 5th ROUND probability when every
human being voluntarily adheres to brotherhood as a rule of life.
Here we have planted for us (in Theosophy) the "Seed" of the
Great Idea. The plant and tree are yet to come and bear their
golden fruit in the 7th ROUND.
The WISE
The "WISE ONES" are truly our "parents." And physical age has
little to do with it. (see S.D. I 207-210, 272-3)
THOUGHT means there is a MIND functioning. It has 3 main
faculties: it remembers, it thinks constructively, it forgets
(and destruction generally follows, unless anticipation leads
WILL to choose a "path" that is constructive). It is the
INDIVIDUALITY and represents the spiritual base of the eternal
MONAD for each of us.
WILL implies the POWER TO CHOOSE, to see polar opposites like
"good and bad," like "Matter and Spirit," etc... It resides in
between the two opposites and its function is to assist the
growth of the "personal" into the impersonal and universal. It
Knows the truth of things and their Ideal nature. It can
recommend on appeal a course of action to the "Lower mind." But
in n o way can it compel (Transactions, pp 66-76; BLAVATSKY:
Collected Works (TPH) Vol. 10)
FEELING implies a sensitivity to the effect of any concept, act,
or thought. This sensitivity is balanced between two extremes:
generosity (brotherhood) and selfishness (isolation). Here is
the difference between vice and virtue. Broadly speaking, one
may say that vice is an exaggerated virtue -- one that has not
been tempered by harmony and balance in this dynamic universe of
continuously changing situations and contrasts. Those chaotic
situations have been produced by our earlier choices and those
which have affected the lives of others who like us are weaving
their freedom.
LIFE and LIVING is an on-going condition with many variables in
which we are all engaged. The Spirit is immortal and employs
many 'personal' lives. Many forms are created out of the matter
which the Spirit continually calls together to frame a new focus
of experience in the plane of "physical existence." This matter
are the "skandhas" the "life-units," all Monads of lesser
experience which accrete to the Individuality because of affinity
and past use. This is Karma in action in regard to our physical
and personal living.
THE SPIRIT IN MAN
On examination the Spirit in Man, (which is immortal and the
cause of incarnation) finds itself confined in Matter (which
gives it a limited form, and with that, fear and ignorance arise,
because the vision of matter without Spirit to illumine and guide
it, sees only death, frustration and dissolution. ). Fear and
ignorance cause suffering when the light of Spirit is denied or
avoided.
WISDOM AND PROGRESS
The "fight" for supremacy and for WISDOM is always in the Mind.
One half of the Mind is spiritual and wise, and the other half,
allied to the form of the present moment, is ignorant of its
potentials -- and therefore, fearful of pain and its ultimate
death.
The mission of the Spirit is to illuminate the Mind, so that its
spiritual half may reflect its WISDOM and assurance of continued
life on to its other half, that is deluded by the limited vision
that matter provides. The faculty known to us as FEELING works
extensively in the material planes, and it not a substitute for
the Spirit, because its present material limitations lead it to
perceive only the present form and its needs and desires.
Mankind, (as Monads) endowed with both WISDOM-MIND and the
DESIRE-MIND has to work his way out of this paradoxical state and
choose which of the two he will use in making decisions. This
decision process is universal and is the only method whereby
Mankind (each one as an Individual, and the whole, as an
intelligent army) moves out of "matter" and its false limits,
into the universal plane of "Spirit" and its universal power to
provide answers that resonate (honestly, sincerely, justly and
truly) in every context.
This is of course, as I see the problem and as I see that
Theosophy makes this view reasonable. But there may be other
views and it would be good to hear them and discuss them.
Best wishes,
Dallas
============================
Thought, Will and Feeling
There is forever a difficulty in dealing with the two opposed
"poles" of existence.
The Monad (Spirit/Matter conjoined)
The idea of the MONAD epitomizes this, because it is said to be
eternal. In the Secret Doctrine, H.P.B. deals with this
extensively. ( S.D. I 173 - 184 ) One of the key statement is
in S.D. I p. 289, where we read from an ancient "Commentary"
:"there is not one finger's breath (Angula) of void space in the
whole of Boundless (Universe) ..."
Eternity - Time - Duration
Eternal means it began its existence when the Universe started.
And that "beginning" cannot be defined. Universes come and go
just as days and incarnations come and go. Instead of "Time,"
the concept of eternal DURATION has to be invoked -- and we enter
the realm of metaphysics.
MANVANTARA
The present "manifestation" or MAHA-MANVANTARA (period of waking
and doing) is said to be a little more than half over. (S.D. II
68 - 70)
It consists of two parts: 1. the descent of Spirit into matter
and then when thoroughly mixed, MIND acts and gives the Monad its
INDIVIDUALITY, its power of perception (all this occurs under
KARMA -- the great LAW of life and of individual living), phase
2 begins and this is the "ascent of Matter made Intelligent" back
to Spirit (This is universality plus all the experience gained).
(S.D. I 200)
Beginning and Ending
The problem of "beginning" (or "ending") starts when one
considers that Pralaya (rest, non-activity) is always followed by
Manvantara (activity, life, awareness, intelligence and all their
interactions, growths, failures and increments). These cycles
endlessly intertwine as the process of "raising 'matter' up to
the "nature, stature and dignity of conscious godhood" ever
continues.
CYCLES OF WORK AND REST
Each Manvantara is like a new birth (after a gestation period --
so to say) which began in an earlier Manvantara and then passed
through Pralaya, or, the rest period. And this is the lawful
result of all the energies and forces used in that earlier
Manvantara -- just as reincarnation of the human Ego is a result
of the life last lived. And, just as today is the result of all
our "yesterdays."
Each birth of a Universe and of all beings composing it, sees a
period of growth and learning, and this is then followed by one
of support, work, and the imparting of wisdom to those who follow
or surround it.
Then, when the cycles close, there always follows the destruction
(or dispersal) of the "forms," and the transfer into another
plane of consciousness of the psychic and the spiritual
consciousness. But, Theosophy teaches that the components of the
"form" are not "destroyed." They too, are immortal Monads,
though of a lesser degree of learning. They enter into a period
of introspective rest, and assimilate the essence of the
experiences they underwent during the previous Manvantara. This
is analogous to the Devachanic period in the cycle of
reincarnation for all of us.
This process occurs in mankind, as well as for the Atoms of the
Earth, for the world, the solar system, and ultimately, the whole
Universe. But here there is a paradox. The Universe being
immeasurable it is not possible for the WHOLE to be at any time
totally involved in the rest-period of a Pralaya, however vast.
There is always some section somewhere that is awake and active.
CONSCIOUSNESS -- 7 and 10 states
We know how the 7 states of Consciousness ( S.D. I 157, 181) are
described; but, there are states of Universal Consciousness,
learning and Wisdom which we can only vaguely guess at. Perhaps
they are left unidentified purposely, as H.P.B. does in the
diagram at S.D. I 200 where she places a triangle in the 3 planes
above those 4 planes of the 7 GLOBES. She names them: "The
Divine And Formless Plane Of Spirit." (see also SD I 242, 267,
434 II 300-1, 540, 759, 607 footnote. This ought to give us all
room for meditation -- but not for fanciful speculation, unless
sound logic supports.
Thus cycles are seen to overlap all the time and as far back as
one might go, or as far forward as one might anticipate in time,
there has always been this duality and the eternal and
indestructible MONADIC host has always been a part of it.
Manifestation always imposes the limits of Karma on all entities
that revive, and begin to participate each in their own
legitimate place, in the process of continuing this vast journey
towards ULTIMATE WISDOM and true Living. It has been called
SUBLIME PERFECTION. It has not been defined in the physical
terms we are accustomed to.
Parent and Child
The "parent" is like a Monad that has accumulated much experience
and has accumulated around it many other Monads which together
frame its WISDOM. In terms of ultimates it is still limited. It
has its own "path" and "journey." As a comet has a 'tail,' so
each Monad has an assembly of "monads of lesser experience,"
which surround and follow it, for which it acts as a "parent."
And yet, we find in the S.D. (S.D. I 174-5 footnote) the idea
that the Monad per se remains unaffected -- and it is the
late-comers (the monads of lesser experience, the "pupils") who
have to voluntarily choose to "adhere to it." It is a puzzle
and a paradox. A statement which it is hard to rationalize. In
any and all cases the law of affinity works, and this is
propelled by the law of Karma that covers everything -- it is the
CAUSELESS CAUSE. On examination, this concept is as difficult of
definition as would be a definition for the ABSOLUTE. The first
volume of the S.D. gives us a survey of most of the important
factors involved -- enough to enable us to reason out and
'intuit' more.
To this primary center, Monads of lesser experience, continually
come from the ocean of the "Monadic Essence." ( see S.D. I 619,
178-9, 632 II 273 ) They are said to adhere to it and give it
an "individuality" which H.P.B. says survives the greatest of
Pralayas. The INDIVIDUALITY is never "lost." [ see H.P.B.
ARTICLES, (ULT) Vol III, p. 265 -- ISIS UNVEILED AND THE
VISISHTADWAITA (Theosophist, January 1886 -- BLAVATSKY:
Collected Works (TPH), Vol. 7, p. 50) Speaking of the vat line
of gurus that are seen to extend infinitely from the past into
our present and then into the future, H.P.B. names them the
"Guruparampara Chain." Some more details of this are given in
TRANSACTIONS of the BLAVATSKY LODGE, pp 23-26. (ULT Edn. -- Vol.
10, BCW)
Purpose ?
One of the obligations of existence is the imparting of wisdom
and true knowledge to others, so that they too may consider,
think and if they can, test and try to adopt and use it
themselves. These great concepts of life, its purpose and a
correct way of living have given us the teachings and example of
the Buddhas, Krishna, Jesus, Lao-Tze, Pythagoras, Plato, Hermes
and hundreds of great men and "prophets" have always come,
worked, and left the same general message. Slowly but surely the
power of the concept of brotherhood attracts the attention of
those who suffer and seek to bring their pain (and that of their
fellows), to an end.
It therefore follows that Moksha or Nirvana does not see the
"erasure" of any CONSCIOUSNESS. It continues, and Nature (the
Universe) supports and nurtures it. From this state of spiritual
selfishness they who took temporary refuge there, eventually
return (see S.D. II 79-80, 94, 110-1)
The difference between the "Parent" and the "child" is the amount
of experience that the parent has, compared to the child during
its growing and learning period. If one reads Plato's REPUBLIC
one may gain an insight into the way an ideal society might be
made to function -- based on responsibility and brotherhood, in
our world. This is perhaps a 5th ROUND probability when every
human being voluntarily adheres to brotherhood as a rule of life.
Here we have planted for us (in Theosophy) the "Seed" of the
Great Idea. The plant and tree are yet to come and bear their
golden fruit in the 7th ROUND.
The WISE
The "WISE ONES" are truly our "parents." And physical age has
little to do with it. (see S.D. I 207-210, 272-3)
THOUGHT means there is a MIND functioning. It has 3 main
faculties: it remembers, it thinks constructively, it forgets
(and destruction generally follows, unless anticipation leads
WILL to choose a "path" that is constructive). It is the
INDIVIDUALITY and represents the spiritual base of the eternal
MONAD for each of us.
WILL implies the POWER TO CHOOSE, to see polar opposites like
"good and bad," like "Matter and Spirit," etc... It resides in
between the two opposites and its function is to assist the
growth of the "personal" into the impersonal and universal. It
Knows the truth of things and their Ideal nature. It can
recommend on appeal a course of action to the "Lower mind." But
in n o way can it compel (Transactions, pp 66-76; BLAVATSKY:
Collected Works (TPH) Vol. 10)
FEELING implies a sensitivity to the effect of any concept, act,
or thought. This sensitivity is balanced between two extremes:
generosity (brotherhood) and selfishness (isolation). Here is
the difference between vice and virtue. Broadly speaking, one
may say that vice is an exaggerated virtue -- one that has not
been tempered by harmony and balance in this dynamic universe of
continuously changing situations and contrasts. Those chaotic
situations have been produced by our earlier choices and those
which have affected the lives of others who like us are weaving
their freedom.
LIFE and LIVING is an on-going condition with many variables in
which we are all engaged. The Spirit is immortal and employs
many 'personal' lives. Many forms are created out of the matter
which the Spirit continually calls together to frame a new focus
of experience in the plane of "physical existence." This matter
are the "skandhas" the "life-units," all Monads of lesser
experience which accrete to the Individuality because of affinity
and past use. This is Karma in action in regard to our physical
and personal living.
The Spirit in Man
On examination the Spirit in Man, (which is immortal and the
cause of incarnation) finds itself confined in Matter (which
gives it a limited form, and with that, fear and ignorance arise,
because the vision of matter without Spirit to illumine and guide
it, sees only death, frustration and dissolution. ). Fear and
ignorance cause suffering when the light of Spirit is denied or
avoided.
Wisdom and Progress
The "fight" for supremacy and for WISDOM is always in the Mind.
One half of the Mind is spiritual and wise, and the other half,
allied to the form of the present moment, is ignorant of its
potentials -- and therefore, fearful of pain and its ultimate
death.
The mission of the Spirit is to illuminate the Mind, so that its
spiritual half may reflect its WISDOM and assurance of continued
life on to its other half, that is deluded by the limited vision
that matter provides. The faculty known to us as FEELING works
extensively in the material planes, and it not a substitute for
the Spirit, because its present material limitations lead it to
perceive only the present form and its needs and desires.
Mankind, (as Monads) endowed with both WISDOM-MIND and the
DESIRE-MIND has to work his way out of this paradoxical state and
choose which of the two he will use in making decisions. This
decision process is universal and is the only method whereby
Mankind (each one as an Individual, and the whole, as an
intelligent army) moves out of "matter" and its false limits,
into the universal plane of "Spirit" and its universal power to
provide answers that resonate (honestly, sincerely, justly and
truly) in every context.
This is of course, as I see the problem and as I see that
Theosophy makes this view reasonable. But there may be other
views and it would be good to hear them and discuss them.
Best wishes,
Dallas
============================
Thought, Will and Feeling
There is forever a difficulty in dealing with the two opposed
"poles" of existence.
The Monad (Spirit/Matter conjoined)
The idea of the MONAD epitomizes this, because it is said to be
eternal. In the Secret Doctrine, H.P.B. deals with this
extensively. ( S.D. I 173 - 184 ) One of the key statement is
in S.D. I p. 289, where we read from an ancient "Commentary"
:"there is not one finger's breath (Angula) of void space in the
whole of Boundless (Universe) ..."
Eternity - Time - Duration
Eternal means it began its existence when the Universe started.
And that "beginning" cannot be defined. Universes come and go
just as days and incarnations come and go. Instead of "Time,"
the concept of eternal DURATION has to be invoked -- and we enter
the realm of metaphysics.
MANVANTARA
The present "manifestation" or MAHA-MANVANTARA (period of waking
and doing) is said to be a little more than half over. (S.D. II
68 - 70)
It consists of two parts: 1. the descent of Spirit into matter
and then when thoroughly mixed, MIND acts and gives the Monad its
INDIVIDUALITY, its power of perception (all this occurs under
KARMA -- the great LAW of life and of individual living), phase
2 begins and this is the "ascent of Matter made Intelligent" back
to Spirit (This is universality plus all the experience gained).
(S.D. I 200)
Beginning and Ending
The problem of "beginning" (or "ending") starts when one
considers that Pralaya (rest, non-activity) is always followed by
Manvantara (activity, life, awareness, intelligence and all their
interactions, growths, failures and increments). These cycles
endlessly intertwine as the process of "raising 'matter' up to
the "nature, stature and dignity of conscious godhood" ever
continues.
CYCLES OF WORK AND REST
Each Manvantara is like a new birth (after a gestation period --
so to say) which began in an earlier Manvantara and then passed
through Pralaya, or, the rest period. And this is the lawful
result of all the energies and forces used in that earlier
Manvantara -- just as reincarnation of the human Ego is a result
of the life last lived. And, just as today is the result of all
our "yesterdays."
Each birth of a Universe and of all beings composing it, sees a
period of growth and learning, and this is then followed by one
of support, work, and the imparting of wisdom to those who follow
or surround it.
Then, when the cycles close, there always follows the destruction
(or dispersal) of the "forms," and the transfer into another
plane of consciousness of the psychic and the spiritual
consciousness. But, Theosophy teaches that the components of the
"form" are not "destroyed." They too, are immortal Monads,
though of a lesser degree of learning. They enter into a period
of introspective rest, and assimilate the essence of the
experiences they underwent during the previous Manvantara. This
is analogous to the Devachanic period in the cycle of
reincarnation for all of us.
This process occurs in mankind, as well as for the Atoms of the
Earth, for the world, the solar system, and ultimately, the whole
Universe. But here there is a paradox. The Universe being
immeasurable it is not possible for the WHOLE to be at any time
totally involved in the rest-period of a Pralaya, however vast.
There is always some section somewhere that is awake and active.
CONSCIOUSNESS -- 7 and 10 states
We know how the 7 states of Consciousness ( S.D. I 157, 181) are
described; but, there are states of Universal Consciousness,
learning and Wisdom which we can only vaguely guess at. Perhaps
they are left unidentified purposely, as H.P.B. does in the
diagram at S.D. I 200 where she places a triangle in the 3 planes
above those 4 planes of the 7 GLOBES. She names them: "The
Divine And Formless Plane Of Spirit." (see also SD I 242, 267,
434 II 300-1, 540, 759, 607 footnote. This ought to give us all
room for meditation -- but not for fanciful speculation, unless
sound logic supports.
Thus cycles are seen to overlap all the time and as far back as
one might go, or as far forward as one might anticipate in time,
there has always been this duality and the eternal and
indestructible MONADIC host has always been a part of it.
Manifestation always imposes the limits of Karma on all entities
that revive, and begin to participate each in their own
legitimate place, in the process of continuing this vast journey
towards ULTIMATE WISDOM and true Living. It has been called
SUBLIME PERFECTION. It has not been defined in the physical
terms we are accustomed to.
Parent and Child
The "parent" is like a Monad that has accumulated much experience
and has accumulated around it many other Monads which together
frame its WISDOM. In terms of ultimates it is still limited. It
has its own "path" and "journey." As a comet has a 'tail,' so
each Monad has an assembly of "monads of lesser experience,"
which surround and follow it, for which it acts as a "parent."
And yet, we find in the S.D. (S.D. I 174-5 footnote) the idea
that the Monad per se remains unaffected -- and it is the
late-comers (the monads of lesser experience, the "pupils") who
have to voluntarily choose to "adhere to it." It is a puzzle
and a paradox. A statement which it is hard to rationalize. In
any and all cases the law of affinity works, and this is
propelled by the law of Karma that covers everything -- it is the
CAUSELESS CAUSE. On examination, this concept is as difficult of
definition as would be a definition for the ABSOLUTE. The first
volume of the S.D. gives us a survey of most of the important
factors involved -- enough to enable us to reason out and
'intuit' more.
To this primary center, Monads of lesser experience, continually
come from the ocean of the "Monadic Essence." ( see S.D. I 619,
178-9, 632 II 273 ) They are said to adhere to it and give it
an "individuality" which H.P.B. says survives the greatest of
Pralayas. The INDIVIDUALITY is never "lost." [ see H.P.B.
ARTICLES, (ULT) Vol III, p. 265 -- ISIS UNVEILED AND THE
VISISHTADWAITA (Theosophist, January 1886 -- BLAVATSKY:
Collected Works (TPH), Vol. 7, p. 50) Speaking of the vat line
of gurus that are seen to extend infinitely from the past into
our present and then into the future, H.P.B. names them the
"Guruparampara Chain." Some more details of this are given in
TRANSACTIONS of the BLAVATSKY LODGE, pp 23-26. (ULT Edn. -- Vol.
10, BCW)
Purpose ?
One of the obligations of existence is the imparting of wisdom
and true knowledge to others, so that they too may consider,
think and if they can, test and try to adopt and use it
themselves. These great concepts of life, its purpose and a
correct way of living have given us the teachings and example of
the Buddhas, Krishna, Jesus, Lao-Tze, Pythagoras, Plato, Hermes
and hundreds of great men and "prophets" have always come,
worked, and left the same general message. Slowly but surely the
power of the concept of brotherhood attracts the attention of
those who suffer and seek to bring their pain (and that of their
fellows), to an end.
It therefore follows that Moksha or Nirvana does not see the
"erasure" of any CONSCIOUSNESS. It continues, and Nature (the
Universe) supports and nurtures it. From this state of spiritual
selfishness they who took temporary refuge there, eventually
return (see S.D. II 79-80, 94, 110-1)
The difference between the "Parent" and the "child" is the amount
of experience that the parent has, compared to the child during
its growing and learning period. If one reads Plato's REPUBLIC
one may gain an insight into the way an ideal society might be
made to function -- based on responsibility and brotherhood, in
our world. This is perhaps a 5th ROUND probability when every
human being voluntarily adheres to brotherhood as a rule of life.
Here we have planted for us (in Theosophy) the "Seed" of the
Great Idea. The plant and tree are yet to come and bear their
golden fruit in the 7th ROUND.
The WISE
The "WISE ONES" are truly our "parents." And physical age has
little to do with it. (see S.D. I 207-210, 272-3)
THOUGHT means there is a MIND functioning. It has 3 main
faculties: it remembers, it thinks constructively, it forgets
(and destruction generally follows, unless anticipation leads
WILL to choose a "path" that is constructive). It is the
INDIVIDUALITY and represents the spiritual base of the eternal
MONAD for each of us.
WILL implies the POWER TO CHOOSE, to see polar opposites like
"good and bad," like "Matter and Spirit," etc... It resides in
between the two opposites and its function is to assist the
growth of the "personal" into the impersonal and universal. It
Knows the truth of things and their Ideal nature. It can
recommend on appeal a course of action to the "Lower mind." But
in n o way can it compel (Transactions, pp 66-76; BLAVATSKY:
Collected Works (TPH) Vol. 10)
FEELING implies a sensitivity to the effect of any concept, act,
or thought. This sensitivity is balanced between two extremes:
generosity (brotherhood) and selfishness (isolation). Here is
the difference between vice and virtue. Broadly speaking, one
may say that vice is an exaggerated virtue -- one that has not
been tempered by harmony and balance in this dynamic universe of
continuously changing situations and contrasts. Those chaotic
situations have been produced by our earlier choices and those
which have affected the lives of others who like us are weaving
their freedom.
LIFE and LIVING is an on-going condition with many variables in
which we are all engaged. The Spirit is immortal and employs
many 'personal' lives. Many forms are created out of the matter
which the Spirit continually calls together to frame a new focus
of experience in the plane of "physical existence." This matter
are the "skandhas" the "life-units," all Monads of lesser
experience which accrete to the Individuality because of affinity
and past use. This is Karma in action in regard to our physical
and personal living.
The Spirit in Man
On examination the Spirit in Man, (which is immortal and the
cause of incarnation) finds itself confined in Matter (which
gives it a limited form, and with that, fear and ignorance arise,
because the vision of matter without Spirit to illumine and guide
it, sees only death, frustration and dissolution. ). Fear and
ignorance cause suffering when the light of Spirit is denied or
avoided.
Wisdom and Progress
The "fight" for supremacy and for WISDOM is always in the Mind.
One half of the Mind is spiritual and wise, and the other half,
allied to the form of the present moment, is ignorant of its
potentials -- and therefore, fearful of pain and its ultimate
death.
The mission of the Spirit is to illuminate the Mind, so that its
spiritual half may reflect its WISDOM and assurance of continued
life on to its other half, that is deluded by the limited vision
that matter provides. The faculty known to us as FEELING works
extensively in the material planes, and it not a substitute for
the Spirit, because its present material limitations lead it to
perceive only the present form and its needs and desires.
Mankind, (as Monads) endowed with both WISDOM-MIND and the
DESIRE-MIND has to work his way out of this paradoxical state and
choose which of the two he will use in making decisions. This
decision process is universal and is the only method whereby
Mankind (each one as an Individual, and the whole, as an
intelligent army) moves out of "matter" and its false limits,
into the universal plane of "Spirit" and its universal power to
provide answers that resonate (honestly, sincerely, justly and
truly) in every context.
This is of course, as I see the problem and as I see that
Theosophy makes this view reasonable. But there may be other
views and it would be good to hear them and discuss them.
Best wishes,
Dallas
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