Theos-Talk Archives (April 2002 Message tt00144)

Tuesday, April 09, 2002

Re: Emotions What are they ?


Emotions, Theosophy says, are intermediate between our personal and physical nature and the Mind which is also one of our "principles." Further there is in each of us the "Real Human Being" which is the Witness, and the Perceiver. It controls the Mind and the emotions as well as the body.

Here are some interesting statements culled from the original teachings of theosophy that throw light on this important subject of our study and our present being.

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DUAL EGOS IN MAN


We have in each of us two (2) Egos: the Higher and the Lower. And yet, wefunction as though there was only ONE CENTER OF CONSCIOUSNESS that operates in us. 

It is important to realize first of all, that the REAL PERCEIVER within is aware of several planes or "principal divisions of his own nature." Broadly we can say that there is the EMOTIONAL nature in which may be seen as ourdesires, our aversions and likes and dislikes. Then, there is that area of our being that is wise, because it has learned the Laws that operate everywhere, and it chooses to live and work in harmony with those Laws.

These two are divisions of the MIND. Theosophy in employing the doctrine of the "Seven Principles," states that on one side is BUDDHI ( Wisdom), andon the other side of the Mind is the Kamic principle of EMOTION, passions and desires. This is usually called the "Personality" -- it is the "mask" we wear for this incarnation.

When our Mind allies itself with Wisdom it is called the Higher Mind or Buddhi-Manas. This Higher Mind is part of the Spiritual Individual and does not alter from incarnation to incarnation.

When the Mind allies itself with our EMOTIONAL, passional and desire nature(Kama) it is called the Lower Mind or Kama-Manas. This changes each incarnation.

A psychological study of the mind shows that it is further subdivided into several working areas. They can be named correct cognition, misconception,fancy, sleep (or unconsciousness), and memory. 

The real perceptive faculty is to be seen directed by the INNER PERCEIVER through the use of the will. It employs concentration, selection and attention. To achieve these and use them, a firm position has to be assumed. Dispassion (overcoming the distractions of the EMOTIONS of the desire-principle) is to be used. Dispassion can lead to a perception of the "soul" as all-present. It leads to our use of Buddhi-Manas when we need to.

Meditation is the faculty of concentration and attention used to investigate and discover the meaning and relationship of a selected subject to Natureand to ourselves. It may be broadly divided into argument and contrast ofdata, deliberation, ecstasy or 'beatitude,' and EGOISM (or a knowledge of all the powers and range of the Soul's energies). In this case the MOTIONSof the Mind are subdued and controlled. We, the REAL INDIVIDUAL -- as a SPIRITUAL AND ETERNAL SELF -- do the controlling using the superior power ofwill.

The Soul is another word used for the Mind. Man IS a SOUL.

The perceptive faculty is the power of the mind (will). this becomes usable when it is detached from the distractions of the sense impressions, the EMOTIONAL nature, and any aspects of memory or fancy that might divert it from its chosen goal: to know and understand a TRUTH. This has also been called the "Higher-Mind." [ Buddhi-Manas]

The Lower Mind is that aspect which is enveloped in desires, distractions, amusement, fancy, and lack of purpose. It is called the "Lower-Mind." In the case of the average man and woman, this is the predominant intelligencethat we speak of as "my Self." Its chief instrument to contact the body, is the brain. The brain records the sense impressions, and monitors the innumerable operations that relate to actions and the support and the health of the physical body. It also, when impelled by either wisdom, or, desire and EMOTION, the organ that energizes the physical body for the expression of volition through the medium of feelings, thoughts and actions.

In this manner, Theosophical psychology divides man's nature into two cooperative yet, at times, seemingly antagonistic portions. It also teaches in its doctrines that man's nature can be divided into seven chief "principles" or divisions that may work independently of each other, and yet are all required to effect a complete living at any one time.

There are three "higher principles" :

1. Atma - a "ray" of the UNIVERSAL ONE SPIRIT focused in each of us - the source of our CONSCIOUSNESS. 

2. Wisdom acquired over billions of years of experience - called "Buddhi" - a bridge between SPIRIT and the embodied personality - the mask we wear in each "life." [ Note: these two are said to be the "divine duad," or Spirit-&-Divine-Matter," each different from the other in function, yet, eternally conjoined. And, 

3. Mind - or Manas -- a "principle" which is linked closely to Buddhi and which is the active experiencer, the thinker, feeler, willer, inquirer, imaginer and rememberer.

A link between these three (sometimes called the "Triple-Monad"), and the "personality" [or the four-fold "mask"] is formed by a "ray" of Manas thrownas a "bridge" on to the receptive surface of the physical brain, which acts in turn as a "bridge" for the highest aspect of the "personality" of each life. This 'highest aspect' of the personality is called the Kamic principle - its characteristics are chiefly desire, passion and wants and needs- all directed to the selfish and sole benefit of the life, work, responsibilities and pleasures of the present "personality."

The second division of man's "principles" is called the "Personality," (or the "mask" of the Spiritual Individuality). It is constituted of:

1. Kama - desire & passions, and EMOTIONS, 
2. Of the vitality or Life-principle called sometimes personal electricity or "animal" magnetism (Prana);  
3. The model body or electro-magnetic framework on which all the cells, molecules and atoms of the 
4. Physical body, (the 4th principle).

Mind (Manas) being the link between the two natures of man, is said to be 3-fold [details may be read in KEY TO THEOSOPHY, pp. 173-176]. It is also called "Soul." 

In Theosophical psychology, the "soul" is triune. 

1. There is the "Spiritual Soul" when Manas is linked to Buddhi (wisdom and discrimination) - as during meditation on high ethical themes and when one actively seeks to do good to others. Then,

2. there is the "Human Soul" - or Manas (the mind) per se - as when one does work with mathematics, or engineering, or studies to increase one's knowledge. 

3. Finally, there is the "Animal Soul" - which is the Mind allied to Kama (passions, EMOTIONS and desires). In this lower relationship it allows itself to be used to assist the desires (Kama) to frame methods of attaining selfish goals and ambitions. It is, when in that condition totally immoral or rather, a-moral.

To give a quick over-view: Every "form of matter" from the 'life-atom' on up to the greatest UNIVERSE we can conceive of (in time and space) runs under the LAW OF KARMA - the WHOLE as well as all the parts. Karma has also been called the "LAWS OF NATURE," and the Law of "cause and effect. It operates on the ethical plane of the creative faculties of the human mind and marks and responds to 'motive.' Its basis is what is called, in short: BROTHERHOOD.

THE ONE SPIRIT pervades all SPACE without any exceptions. [ There is no remote hell or limbo into which a refuse of dust, or "rejected" souls, etc..., that can be swept away and 'forgotten' or 'isolated.' Such an isolation would be illogical and impossible in an eternal and limitless Universe. ]

THE ONE SPIRIT in its periodical "manifestations" under KARMA which is a part of it, sends out, or rather, emanates an aspect of Itself - Manifested SPIRIT. Simultaneously there is a 'condensation' of the 'opposite contrasting 'pole' of Primordial Matter, these are each in themselves the ultimate divisions of "matter" or "substance." They have been named MONADS, or what we could term the universally divided, yet, all-present units of ATMA-BUDDHI.

These are as permanent, immortal and eternal as is the manifested Universe.Our SELF, Ego, and all the "matter" of which our six "vehicles" (or principles) are formed, consists of such MONADS, each at its own level and stageof intelligent development. 

Each cooperates under the universal and impersonal LAW of Karma, with all the others. There is a vast field of living, responsive, magneto-electric substance that serves to effect the intelligent and living connection which is at all times present between every MONAD and all the rest. It has been called "Jiva." In any "personality" it is named "Prana," (breath), or that aspect of Jiva which is needed for that personality to live as a ray of its consciousness in a sheath of gross matter.

What is being developed or evolved by an Ego in earth-life? Is it not the "perception of Self" - of various degrees of consciousness which show up asinnate qualities and properties in each MONAD? 

If this is taken as a probable, then the whole UNIVERSE may be considered as a vast SCHOOL in which every level and kind of experience is to be found.And, the rate of progress and individual advancement is chosen by those immortal MONADS from time to time as well as all the time. 

At first they can be seen to emerge from the general and apparent "chaos" of the "Monadic Essence." Then there is a gradual individualization and a passing through the various stages of progressive intelligent development inall the divisions of Nature - akasic, astral, elemental, metals, vegetable, animal until the human-stage is reached. 

In other words each MONAD as it advances in experience becomes responsible for an increasing numbers of other MONADS (of lesser experience), who ally themselves to it through attraction or repulsion and are its "attendants" (skandhas or 'aggregates') for a longer or shorter period of time. If we extend in thought this process, we can understand why it is said that we are,in truth, Universal beings (as eternal and indestructible MONADS) because we embrace the farthermost boundaries of infinitude - the UNIVERSE. We area 'center,' -- a center of THOUGHT -- but, the effects of our thinking move and stir all other beings -- we can say that our 'circumference' is unlimited.

In the man-form each individual Monad undergoes the experience of the "LIGHTING UP OF MANAS." By this process it becomes a "self-conscious" unit. Itacquires the power to see and in a self-reflective way, it can consider itself. This is a "gift" bestowed on it by Higher and More advanced Humans who have already passed through our stage and have "graduated" from it, so tosay. They are known in various ways as the "Fathers," the Prophets, the Buddhas, the Seers, the Wise, the Dhyanis, the Mahatmas, the Masters of Wisdom, Adepts, etc...

Simultaneously, a well-advanced MONAD - one which has reached full SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS earlier, takes over the chore of assisting and guiding (by suggestion and not by any compulsion) the self-devised development of the "newly" aware and self-conscious Monad. It takes up residence along with the MONAD that is developing through its own decisions - assisting when referred to (as the Intuition or the Voice of Conscience).

The "Lighting Up of Manas" is an event that occurs in the Manvantaric cyclefor a certain class of MONADS as they "graduate" from the "animal consciousness class" into the "human-consciousness class." Such a change is said to have occurred a little over 18 million years ago. We as humans, are all in this particular class, living, interacting and working together. It is achange in the type of consciousness and level of responsibility. One might say we are now in the process of mastering our EMOTIONS and developing the power of THINKING about universal and eternal matters -- and as how we can put them to work in our daily lives. The Monad, which is our true SELVES, is aware of the presence of the vast brotherhood of self-conscious Egos who are its personal family, parents, elders, siblings, children, compatriots, etc... And it is only natural that we meet those again from life to life in analogous relationships.

Reincarnation is the process (under karma) whereby the learning process of this immortal MONADIC pupil is perpetuated and held to its individual line.Each personal 'life' is like a 'day' at School.

The ultimate "Goad" we can think of, for ourselves as an EGO-MONAD, is to become a "universally-conscious MONAD." That is the condition of an Adept, a Rishi, or, a Mahatma [great-soul]. The one thing we have as a barrier isthe PERSONAL vitality and ego-centered Kamic EMOTIONS, or the desire-principle which gives us our present waking-life sense of personality when we incarnate into a physical body. 

KAMA -- EMOTIONS

The desire-principle, active in us, is selfish and focused on its likes anddislikes. A concept that the 'lower-mind' in humanity does not like, is the fact and idea that it is subordinate (as intelligence) to the inner Monitor (or Tutor) the HIGHER SELF [Atma-Buddhi]. This ADVANCED MONADIC EGO isan aspect of the ONE UNIVERSAL SELF that pervades the Universe. It even penetrates our sense of selfishness and desire for secrecy and isolation. We cannot "escape" from it. But we can learn to understand and appreciate it, and thereby form a path that can lead us to a condition similar to its present wise state. We, to, can become WISE. It is for the purpose of everholding out this potential "goal" that the Higher Self sacrifices its freedom and liberty - so that we may also eventually achieve a parity with it. This is the "great sacrifice" and it is done out of compassion and a recognition of the universal brotherhood of all in Nature. [ see S D I 207 -210]


EMOTIONS (KAMA) and LOWER MANAS

The personal, EMOTIONAL and selfish self is the "Lower Manas." And one of its characteristics is the well-known desire to see if it can break the Lawsof the Universe and the World without having to pay the price of suffering. And in such attempts we can recognize the developing of a false sense ofindependence. It is termed false, because it is short-sighted and does not fully address the question: "After you have achieved your desire and goal, what will you do next?" In every case, if we examine ourselves, we will see that at the back of our consciousness as a "personal being" is a firm and ineradicable knowledge that the Laws of Nature --KARMA-are immutable - the same for everyone and no one can escape the scope of their action. We always get what we desire. So let us desire HIGH and TRUE. Why suffer unnecessarily?

This is a brief exposition as there are many arguments pro and con that canbe used to review the accuracy of such a concept

That UNITY OF THE ONE SPIRIT forms a great symphonic harmony during those periods when there is manifestation - the "music of the spheres." The influence of the small and the great intermingle and each is important to all the others. 

If we are inter-responsible then the Law Of Karma resolves itself into the reasonable treatment of others, the giving to others that which we expect to receive from them - the "Golden Rule."

The duality of Manas which is explained by HPB in the KEY TO THEOSOPHY, p. 173-76, SD II 167. There are many references to this in Theosophical literature, as for instance in SD II 79-80 87 94 186 233 241 246 294 342 109-110 273-5 ; and SD I 267 210 416-7 574 105 130 (the 2 ONES) 295fn, also HPB articles in THEOSOPHIST Vol. 5, pp. 246 (to be found in the ULT Edn. Of HPBArticles III p. 265 and Blavatsky Collected Works Vol 6, pp 248-9 ISIS UNVEILED AND THE VISHISTADWAITA.)

In this last mentioned article HPB states on the authority of the SECRET DOCTRINE that no MONAD ever totally looses its identity during the great timeintervals of Pralaya, between any two periods of manifestation. This great and universal "sleep" ends and all MONADS emerge back on to the stage of manifestation and individual progress at the stage and in conditions similar to those when the went "to sleep."

We are in truth, the "eternal pilgrims," and existence is the eternal "Path."


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I hope this may prove of use. 

Best wishes,


Dallas

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-----Original Message-----

From: folknn
Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 9:43 AM
To:
Subject: Re: EMOTIONS Why have talk lists?


In a message dated 4/7/2002 10:29:34 PM Pacific Standard Time,

--------------writes:

> Emotions ARE physical (or at least part of the non-reincarnating part
> of humans).

Well, I guess I have yet to reach that chapter in my life that explains how
emotions are physical. I can understand how emotions can create a physical
reaction towards any given situation, but I never considered emotions
physical. So I can not comment on such areas.

This is what I have as reference towards each:

*** phys·i·cal adj.

1. a. Of or relating to the body as distinguished from the mind or
spirit.
b. Involving or characterized by vigorous bodily activity: a
physical dance performance.
c. Slang. Involving or characterized by violence: "A real cop would
get physical" (TV Guide).
2. Of or relating to material things: our physical environment.
3. Of or relating to matter and energy or the sciences dealing with them,
especially physics.  
 
*** e· mo·tion·al adj.

1. Of or relating to emotion: an emotional illness; emotional crises.
2. Readily affected with or stirred by emotion: an emotional person who
often weeps.
3. Arousing or intended to arouse the emotions: an emotional appeal.
4. Marked by or exhibiting emotion: an emotional farewell.

*** e·mo·tion n.

1. A mental state that arises spontaneously rather than through conscious
effort and is often accompanied by physiological changes; a feeling: the
emotions of joy, sorrow, reverence, hate, and love.
2. A state of mental agitation or disturbance: spoke unsteadily in a voice
that betrayed his emotion. Synonyms: <A HREF="http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=feeling";>feeling</A>.
3. The part of the consciousness that involves feeling; sensibility: "The
very essence of literature is the war between emotion and intellect" (Isaac
Bashevis Singer).
 
CUT