Theos-Talk Archives (August 2002 Message tt00188)

Dear Brigitte,

I repeat again what Marcello Truzzi wrote:

"Evidence in science is always a matter of degree and is seldom
if ever absolutely conclusive. . . . Both critics and proponents [of 
truth claims] need to learn to think of adjudication in science as 
more like that found in the law courts, imperfect and with varying 
degrees of proof and evidence. Absolute [100%] truth, like absolute 
justice, is seldom obtainable. We can only do our best to 
approximate them."

If that applies to science, it probably applies to most everything 
else.

Daniel

--- In theos-talk@y..., "brianmuehlbach" <brianmuehlbach@y...> wrote:
> Caldwell: 100% certainty??
> 
> Brian: That is the ultimate fall back (if all ells fails), except 
once a foot 
> in the door Theosophist then will come back and say "well you see, 
so 
> maybe it's true there are indeed all these sub races the Secret 
Doctrine 
> claims !?
> 
> Dalval/Dallas wrote (of course Daniel Caldwell doesn't agree with 
that 
> right ?):
> 
> 1. the establishing of the facts that Esoteric and Oriental
> Literature and philosophy have recorded in regard to the
> evolution of our Earth. This covers each of the first 3 ROUNDS
> (3 times around the 7 GLOBES) and, specifically, it deals with
> the history of evolution in this, the 4th ROUND.
> 
> In this 4th ROUND it deals with the most recent time period named
> by HPB in the SD the 4th GLOBE [see Diagram SD I 200]. One must
> remember that these (ROUNDS, GLOBES, RACES, SUB-RACES are
> measures of time.
> 
> Another fact that esotericism speaks of is that there have been
> great changes in material (PHYSICAL), psychological (MIND,
> FEELINGS, EMOTIONS) and spiritual (MONADIC) development. These
> are traced by occultism and a summary is offered to us, together
> with explanations in Vol. 2 of the S D. We can, by reading what
> is offered there, learn in greater detail about our own past
> history. About that which occurred during those vast periods.
> 
> In S D I p. 181, HPB gives basic facts about three lines of
> Evolution. She describes them around that page and names them.
> 
> 1. Spiritual (or MONADIC).
> 2. Intellectual ( or Manasic), and
> 3. Physical. (or material).
> 
> It will be found that the 2nd Vol. of the S D focuses in still
> greater detail on the 4 RACES that have preceded ours. It
> provides information concerning our evolution there and upon the
> development of mind and psyche and Soul. The physical side of
> evolution and its remains as fossils and monuments -- contrasting
> with the Scientific views of geology and archaeology are also
> discussed as of the time when HPB wrote which was over 1110 years
> ago.
> 
> It is very important to realize ( and carry this in mind during
> the following consideration) that the Reincarnating EGO
> (Atma-Buddhi-Manas) in each human being is an IMMORTAL (as a
> MONAD).
> 
> It has been called the Eternal Pilgrim.
> 
> It moves from body to body, as the eras and races pass in time
> and development of faculties that are embodied in the character
> and the talents of each of us. In all cases there is always an
> improving of our range of experience; and, gradually we can trace
> a widening to a comprehension of the Universe, and an intuitional
> inquiry into the causes of both our diversity and coupled, our
> close unity. Ultimately we find that the UNITY of ALL dawns on
> us as a potential and then as an actuality. It is a most
> wonderful prospect and gives to each of us a sense of purpose, of
> dignity, and of an importance, which, once grasped cannot be
> relinquished. We find that brotherhood is the basis for all
> relationships -- there is a commonality--a sharing--of spirit,
> mind and matter, that these are all shared, even though we may
> try to guard that which we think is solely "our own."
> 
> Therefore, we, who now use 5th RACE, "Aryan Race" bodies, were
> the same EGOS that used the old "Atlantean" bodies (through each
> of its 7-fold Races), and, the still older "Lemurian" bodies (and
> their 7-fold RACE development). When we speak of those old
> RACES we are speaking of ourselves when we lived in them and used
> them. We are trying to look into our own past history. When we
> visit Cyclopean monuments, we are revisiting buildings in which
> we may have had a hand in their original construction or
> subsequent renovation and restoration down the eras of time.
> 
> Our present human bodies--that we are using today--each has in
> its past as heredity, one or a mixture of the Sub-Races of the
> 5th RACE. It, the 5th Race, named "Aryan" (or Noble), is said to
> be about 1,050,000 years old [ SD II 141, 144-5, 395]. The Aryan
> race arose among the later sub-races of the Atlanteans, and
> gradually separated from that older root stock. There are still
> human groups and tribes whose heredity can be traced to the
> Atlanteans; and even to the last sub-races of the
> Lemuro-Atlanteans. It takes vast ages for all the traits and
> characteristics of a great Race to die out completely. All this
> complexity is explained in detail in SD vol. II.
> 
> The 3rd Race was named Lemurian. The 4th Race was named
> Atlantean.
> 
> Lemuria, as a continent, is said to have begun slipping below the
> ocean 4,242,352 years back (as of 1888) [ SD I 439fn].
> 
> 998,100 years ago the Atlantean continent began sinking [SD II
> 10, 141, 144, ISIS I 557, 593] The last Island related to
> Atlantis, is said to have sunk 9,664 BC [ML 155, SD II 5, 8,
> 406, 444fn, ISIS I 589-94].
> 
> In the SD we can find that a special date is drawn attention to
> (SD I 150 Fn). It is over 18 million years ago, when the Mind of
> humanity is said to have been "lighted up." [ see SD II 167,
> 254-5, 70-80].
> 
> Since the description of the facts found narrated in ancient
> oriental literature and the secret books of the Occult
> Fraternity, runs in many ways contrary to the hypothesis and
> theories of our modern Archaeology, one finds that much of the
> 2nd Volume of the SD is a great polemic, and many arguments are
> advance in contrasting opposing views: the theories of
> Archaeology and the FACTS of Occult Science and History.
> 
> Our modern Sciences of Archaeology, Geology, Paleontology, etc...
> are hardly 250 years old. Looking at the physical evidence only,
> theories were devised (based on that physical evidence alone) to
> account for the evolution of living beings on Earth. There was,
> and is, an on-going conflict between "evolutionists" and
> "creationists."
> 
> Geology provides details concerning the effect of climate on
> minerals, plants and the fossils of animals and humans, and
> archaeology employs these as clues to the timing of evolutionary
> events. It is all based on physical evidence. The evolution of
> consciousness, mind, intelligence, instinct and intuition are
> invisible, hence the Scientific speculations based on solely the
> physical evidence of change cannot possibly give an accurate view
> of their separate evolution.
> 
> When we look at the evidence of geological change, the S D states
> that in some cases we may also be looking at the concretized
> remains and evidence of evolutionary change in the ASTRAL
> periods. Thus some fossils and strata reflect traces of those
> ancient Astral conditions and its changes during those past eras
> in terms of our present highly condensed material -- which now
> clothes the original Astral forms. [ One might consider (using
> an analogy) that the space between the Atomic nuclei and their
> peripheral electrons was even wider in those early days than they
> are to day, thus making the appearance of "matter" far more
> tenuous--"misty" to us as a perspective. As matter "condensed"
> so did the Astral fossils and strata.]
> 
> The great difference between Occult and material Science in this,
> lies in a grasp of the nature of the early periods of Astral
> development and its changes prior to our so very material
> physical evolution. The early Rounds of our Earth (One, Two,
> Three to the middle of the 4th ROUND) are largely evolutionary
> periods involving only the Astral material and its progress.
> 
> Minerals, plants animals and mankind were all astral in form, and
> just as "solid" to each other then, in those periods, as we are
> today solid to one another in this kind of condensed "matter"
> that we use all the time. Physical Matter, such as we now are
> familiar with, and live in, became gradually more concretely
> manifest and visible in the 4th GLOBE of this, our ROUND (which
> is the 4th in the World series of rounds). The 4th GLOBE, of
> this 4th ROUND, being the densest -- which is where we are, as
> "forms," now.).
> 
> In this our 4th GLOBE, the 7 RACES which form, also, the
> sub-divisions of time, recapitulate the entire process of
> development (as the fetus does in the womb) of the 3 earlier
> ROUNDS.
> 
> RACES One, Two and Three (Lemurian) up to the middle of the 3rd
> were largely Astral forms -- of Astral matter, and these have
> gradually consolidated as the material conditions changed and
> densified around them. [ SD I 142, ]
> 
> The Astral form is electro-magnetic in character and for each
> individual intelligence (be this mineral, plant, animal or human)
> there is a specific and individual "force-field" to which
> cooperative materials are attracted. These assist in making a
> coherent bodily form.
> 
> Thus, the Astral is held in esotericism to always precede the
> physical.
> 
> If one considers what Science teaches us today about the
> constitution of the atom, we can see that if we analyze our
> physical body to its ultimate nature we are left with
> "force-fields" that are "atomic" in nature and quality. But that
> Power which draws specific atoms to form molecules, cells, and
> physical structures into a living body, is yet to be located, and
> subject to analysis. Yet, it exists since we are here, using our
> bodies and very conscious in them of both feelings and thoughts.
> 
> At our present evolutionary stage, the astral form/entity is
> entirely interior to the physical. It forms the mold or
> framework on which the physical molecules, cells, and other
> physical structures form a coherent cooperative, in which an
> Intelligence (called the Human Personality) can reside. It is
> far more resistant to change than physical matter and serves as
> the continuing basis for our appearance, from childhood to old
> age. There is an astral BRAIN which is the true center of
> Intelligence, and where memory is recorded. The physical Brain
> changes and alters from second to second, (as does the living
> matter of the whole body) and so, the Brain, is constantly
> renewed as it deteriorates and that which needs removal is
> replaced. It is the physical tool of the Astral True Brain.
> 
> In Man's form, a MIND (in addition to the feeling, sensitive
> Personality) also resides [SD II 167, 79-80, 254-5]. Man's form
> has associated with it, all the impulse of a well-developed
> instinctual and desire nature. The Mind in man is of the
> Spiritual essence that inheres in Him; it is THIS (the MONAD --
> the HIGHER SELF) that broods over each of our personalities as we
> live our daily life. We can thus see that no matter how many
> fossils are discovered, the astral, the mental and the spiritual
> heredity and evolution cannot be deduced from them.
> 
> Because of this HPB had to draw comparisons with the facts known
> to Occultism and those tentative theories and hypotheses that
> were being advanced by archaeology, and the scientific theories
> on evolution and heredity that were current in her day -- and
> which as is usually the case became accepted as "true" and as a
> "basis" on which to further pursue study and deposit sich
> additional facts as were unearthed. [One ought to become
> familiar with the 3 books written by Michael Cremo and Richard
> Thompson regarding FORBIDDEN ARCHAEOLOGY -- which uncover some 
> of
> the data that archaeology has concealed -- if it did not fit
> those theories.]
> 
> Since HPB's time, there have been some changes brought on by
> fresh discoveries and technical improvements in the views and
> dating of modern Science, but the basic distinction between the
> physical and the astral, the physical and the intellectual, and
> the physical and the Spiritual consciousness has never yet been
> derived from fossils. Nor have their evolution been traced
> except hypothetically.
> 
> The general theories current when the S D was written over 110
> years ago, are still in place, but thanks to dating techniques
> the antiquity of early times and geological ages have been
> extended and widened. In the 2nd part of this essay we offer
> some data for comparison on this.
> 
> During HPB's time another theory (besides Lyell's 'Gradualism')
> concerning evolution was also under consideration in France,
> based on the observations and hypothesis of the eminent scientist
> Georges Cuvier (1769-1832). Cuvier as a Zoologist and Chancellor
> of the University of Paris developed from his observations of
> fossils found in old geological strata the concept of
> "Catastrophism." Great global cataclysms were seen to
> substantially alter the progress of evolution from time to time.
> A perspective is needed to view these.
> 
> Geologists have revealed many great catastrophic changes that
> have left their mark on global geology. For example: (These
> time-frame estimates are made by modern Geology.)
> 
> Early Cambrian Age (estimated at 570 million years ago).
> Unicellular forms seem suddenly to give way to multicellular ones
> showing mineralized skeletons -- trilobites, etc... The cause
> for this change is not known.
> 
> At the end of the Ordovician Period (estimated at 425 million
> years ago). The cause of a vast mass extinction that occurred
> then is yet to be determined. This was apparently accompanied by
> a long ice age.
> 
> At the close of the Devonian Age (estimated at 365 million years
> ago). Another mass extinction of species occurred -- cause yet
> to be determined.
> 
> The Paleozoic Era was brought to a close (estimated at 225
> million years ago). A most violent mass extinction (including
> the ancient trilobites) occurred leaving only about 5% of all
> species alive. It is theorized that the supercontinent
> "Pangea" -- "mother" of the present continents was then in place.
> Water diminished, and sea levels lowered dramatically Massive
> volcanic action seems to have taken place.
> 
> Triassic Period, at its end (estimated at 190 million years
> ago). Another mass extinction of living species was observed.
> This may have been triggered it has been theorized by the impact
> of large meteorite or a small comet in the area of Quebec's Lake
> Manicougan (60 mile wide crater). The subsequent ice age caused
> a massive die-off of living forms. It is theorized that the
> hypothetical link (Cotylosaurus) between the dinosaurs and the
> mammillae and reptiles was destroyed at that time.
> 
> 65 million years ago another comet/meteorite also collided with
> the Earth and the resulting devastation caused the death of most
> of the Earth's species. This included the remaining dinosaurs
> and reptiles. A world wide layer of iridium between 2 layers of
> limestone may have been deposited as iridium, rare on Earth, is
> largely present in meteorites [1980, Alvarez]. Mammals survived
> and a new distribution of fauna prospered after this.
> 
> 35 million years ago saw possibly two impacts (one under the
> Chesapeake Bay, and another in Siberia) that triggered the death
> of most of the animal species of the Earth, as a great ice age
> ensued. .
> 
> This catalog causes one to observe that long periods of relative
> stability can be traced by geologists to be interrupted by
> violent events: floods or volcanism. These upheavals alter the
> course of Life as a whole. Archaeologists and Geologists wonder
> if a new era and change in quality of life is marked by the rapid
> development of new species. For example it is noticed that
> fossils indicate a rapid rise in the mammalian population of the
> Earth following the general demise of the dinosaurs some 65
> million years ago. Later still human fossils begin to be found
> in strata that seems to be around 4 million years old. In HPB's
> time a very grudging 40 to 100,000 years was allowed for the
> emergence of the human frame, presumably from that of the apes,
> which so closely resembled them. But the S D teaches that the
> Apes are the descendents of man and not its predecessors or
> progenitors. [ see SD, Vol. II]
> 
> Scientists of HPB's time like Mr. De Quatrefages and others,
> challenged this "descent from the Apes theory" because
> anatomically man's skeleton can be shown to precede that of the
> Apes.
> 
> To explain this: Man's skeletal form is far more primitive, and
> the skeletons of the Apes show specializations that could only be
> derived by environmental requirements placed on them. Whereas
> the human skeleton can be shown to remain unchanged in structure
> no matter how old the strata may be from which his fossils may be
> found. The antiquity of the strata shows no variation in man's
> skeleton. Further the special characteristics of various human
> skeletal features can be found today among us. We are also aware
> that today with our current highly technological civilization,
> there are savage tribes and races that still co-exist with us in
> South America, Australia, Africa, Polynesia, (not to mention the
> "inner-city" jungles that we have created in our large cities).
> 
> An additional factor is the size of the brain. It has to be
> noted that Man's cranial capacity, the average -- including those
> we term 'savages' -- is 100 cubic inches or more. This is about
> 3 times as large as the brain volume of the largest Ape, the
> Gorilla, which measures on the average, 31 cubic inches or less.
> [SD II 293fn, 661, 676, 682].