Theos-Talk Archives (August 2002 Message tt00200)

Aug 22 2002

Dear Larry:

Re the 7 KEYS. 7 Principles & The SECRET DOCTRINE

In The SECRET DOCTRINE it is said that the Mysteries are
unlocked by 7 keys ( I xxxviii, 310-1, 363, II 632, 291fn )
This is not to puzzle us, but rather, as I understand it, to
say that each of the Major "principle" are not just name or
label. Each indicates a certain type of universal
relationship that runs through every aspect of nature. Man
is a pivotal aspect of nature. In the Complete spiritual
Man -- the Buddhas, the Dhyanis, the Mahatmas, we find Those
who have mastered and practice that science.

On careful thought, we ought to see that each of the seven
has a link to every one of the rest, making them in total 49
( a square 7 x 7 = 49. [The blind "50" was often used in
antiquity, since the 49 emanate from the ONE PRIMARY AND
UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE: SPIRIT or its symbol UNIVERSAL
UNDIVIDED AND INDESCRIBABLE S P A C E . 49 + 1 = 50]

It also says that they ought not to be mixed ( II 517 ).
How to do that?

H P B says that there are 7 keys but she does not give us a
list. Here and there she offers some explanations. One of
the human qualities of mind that She tried to evoke in us
was the one that would, or could, be called "ATTENTION." We
have to provide the perseverance, the will to learn and to
advance.

We find in the S D that geometry is called the 5th key (II
471). Geometry is what she starts us off on (we are using
"Fifth Race bodies" at this period in our physical
evolution). (S D I 4 - 6). We need to grasp and master
the sequence of universal symbology as an epitome of the
evolutionary and the developmental processes everywhere on
our Earth. The FIFTH PRINCIPLE is also said to be the MIND.

Shall we take the hint and see that our MIND ( the higher
mind) deals in, and understands DIAGRAMS, geometrical
figures, and the REASON for their development. Behind the
forms of geometry lies a number system: addition,
multiplication, subtraction division.

Looking up the qualities of the MIND ( see S D, PATANJALI )
we find it is mainly dual. It is a quality, a principle and
a link. It is detached from all that it observes. Yet, it
can perceive the logic and the life flowing through every
image, and every symbol. It is a tool for the Higher Self,
and a self-acting vitalizing CHOOSER when acting in and on
the Lower Self (and when not entrapped in that Lower Self).

Dual mind leads us to perceive LAW. The moral aspect of our
living is involved in a kind of vibration between WISDOM (
Law-universal, and the joys of understanding) and FOLLY ( or
illusion, delusion, sorrow, pain and suffering ). Why the
latter ? Because the Principle of DESIRE and of PASSION,
and of LUST, and of GREED are all selfish. They are
oriented to the Personal Self of this one life, and
logically they are self-serving and vicious. If we can see,
and admit this is correct, then a great step forward is
taken.

We begin to perceive that virtue, truth, unselfish and
generous action, service of others, are some of the paths
that lead to and reinforce the concept that we are IMMORTAL
BEINGS, and that we as brother pilgrims, are all seeking to
attain the same wonderful and final GOAL -- expressed in
various ways as "final battle with evil," the "rising from
the grave," the "Judgment Day," "entering into Heaven,"
"Nirvana," Moksha," "deliverance from the oppressive wheel
of rebirth," etc...

But what does this mean? There is constant "battle" between
the HIGHER and the Lower SELF. Why ?

It is a battle between long-range virtuous action and
short-termed selfishness. We get to understand the
immortality of the HIGHER-SELF (called ATMA- the UNIVERSAL
SPIRIT) and of the PRIMORDIAL WISDOM OF EXPERIENCE (called
Buddhi). These two conjoined are the MONAD in incarnation.
They are the SPIRITUAL - SOUL working in and with material
forms and circumstances. These two are "principles" ONE
and TWO.

The opposed pair are respectively BUDDHI-wisdom (principle
TWO), and KAMA-ignorance and folly. (principle FOUR).

But there is a necessary link, (a 3rd principle), number
FIVE: The MIND. It is also IMMORTAL because without it,
nothing of the material we live in, and work on could be
discernable, or possible. This makes for the PRIMORDIAL
TRIANGLE (see S D I 200 Diagram) Note that it is placed
ABOVE the 7 GLOBES. It is also left undescribed in that
place. ( But later descriptions are given if we trace them
down, using the INDEX.) The 3 plus the 7 = 10 the sum
total.

On the side of the material we find KAMA (described as
"desires and passions") -- everything that is related to our
material, selfish, lower self. No exceptions. Not
"enlightened selfishness."

The lower principles including "desires" (KAMA ) cannot
reason, have no hold on logic. At the point where MIND
touches (and enlivens) Kama there is a slight burgeoning of
logic and reasoning -- ratiocination based on and solely
focused, as a narrow beam, on the transitory, selfish self
of this life only.

KAMA is the 4th principle. We as humans, today, are all
emerging from the entanglement that this principle creates.
As the S D teaches, the evolution of the "material
intelligence (instinct and self-preservation) " -- which we
developed in the previous Manvantara, using the "Moon" as
our world --
now meets "spiritual intelligence" which does not come down
from anywhere, but which is rather, innate to us all -- it
is the Monad (ATMA-BUDDHI) our "inner God" which through
Manas touches KAMA and endeavours to alter its view-point
from selfishness to universality.

>From the frenetic "law of the jungle" to the sagacity and
perception of human discrimination and calm. Hence in the S
D we are given the general principles of Cosmic evolution
and in Vol. II we are give a survey of the evolution of
human intelligence -- a mixture of the Divine and the
material (animal, instinctual) urges. The whole problem for
us is "who, or what,. in us will be the Master? How will
that affect others? What will it do for us if we take our
future incarnations into account? Will we be making "Good"
or "bad" Karma for ourselves by our present choices?

Awake, paying attention, thinking, recalling memories and
comparing them with possible futures, and thinking in the
"here and now," we are all this narrow realm of personal
intelligence, which in Theosophy is named KAMA-MANAS, the
Lower Mind, the power of thinking borrowed and debased by
our selfish self - the KAMA in us. But it is not wholly so,
since we have noble aspirations, and unselfish urges, and
instinctively we help others in times of crisis. Our first
and most spontaneous urge in a crisis is " How can I help? "
It is brotherhood manifesting, even if we are uninformed as
to the right thing to do.

Thus we say the FIFTH PRINCIPLE -- MANAS -- is split, is
dual: Higher as wisdom (Buddhi-Manas), and Lower as
Un-wisdom (folly and ignorance). KAMA cannot reason. It
can only DESIRE. But at this crucial link, it entangles
Manas and makes it personal, selfish and short-sighted.

If we can see this, then the whole of the BHAGAVAD GITA
becomes a study in our condition, and Arjuna there,
represents ourselves, aspirants to a more controlled and a
wiser life. Krishna is a Great MAN -- one who has achieved
"perfection" ahead of us -- and who has stooped (so to say)
to serve us. It is an allegory of the HIGHER SELF ( the
inner ATMIC RAY ) addressing the Lower Mind -- Kama-Manas.
Our HIGHER SELF addresses our Lower Self. Will the Lower
Self listen? 9 see TRANSACTIONS of the BLAVATSKY LODGE
(ULT) pp 66 to 76 ).

The rest of the principles? The LIFE-principle (Universal
= JIVA), personal = Breath - PRANA .is the 6th principle.

It rules, shapes, designs under the law of Karma the
assemblage of the "skandhas" -- the sensitive life-atoms
(monads of lesser experience) . These "skandhas" are the
vehicles (carriers, bringers) of our personal Karma -- both
good and bad.

This is the 7th the ASTRAL BODY -- we can understand it as
the pattern body made up of extremely powerful, minute
electro-magnetic forces. On this lattice-work are the
physical molecules and atoms assembled and made into the
wonderful and powerful bodies we use. The "physical" is a
concretization of the astral. Yet, the astral is distinct,
and serves as a basis for the physical always -- it is
everywhere in Nature as are the rest of the "principles."

We thus have a "run-down" on the 7 principles -- which are
analogous to the 7 Keys in Nature.

H P B says in the S D that only 3 or 4 of the 7 are given
( S D II 517, 797) Geometry is the 5th ( II 471 ); the
7-fold "human" is another (II 291fn); "occult science" is a
third (I 341); "wisdom" is another and is to be found in
nature (II 797). We have to discover and unveil these, to
our "mind's eye."

But the full development of an understanding of these, rests
on the fulcrum of ethics and morals, as the powers innate to
a knowledge of the 7 keys, is only made available by NATURE
to the human who is absolutely, resolutely and completely
harmless to his environment, and to other humans. For this
reason it is said that each man is the key to the magic of
Nature, and nature will only welcome one who completely and
irretrievably melds with her. As I understand it this means
knowing and obeying all Nature's laws. One becomes, in
effect, a Master of Karma.

For this we have to "go within." No outside "Master," no
"Guide," no postures or breathing exercises can do what the
Mind is to do -- to unite the personality, by moral and
ethical purification with its INNER GOD the ATMA. Motive
must be purified. This is an act of the inner WILL. As
Krishna says in the BHAGAVAD GITA: The inconstant (lower)
mind has to be seized, brought back and placed upon the
SPIRIT." We do this as HIGHER MIND. We control and guide
the Kama-Manas.

I hope this is helpful,

Dallas



-----Original Message-----
From: Larry F Kolts [mailto:llkingston2@juno.com]
Sent:	Wednesday, August 21, 2002 6:01 PM
To:	study@blavatsky.net
Subject:	[bn-study] Secret Doctrine

We are learning something beyond that which we have chosen
to study. I
have mentioned before that just when you think you know
something,
something else is revealed you hadn't come across before.
But it's more
than that.

Whenever one looks up something new to them in the SD and
comes across a
passage that seems to answer that for which he/she is
looking, it may
well be that the answer they find at first is not THE
answer, but perhaps
only a partial answer. By further research other parts to
the answer may
come to light, and even then, that may only be one ASPECT of
the answer
(reflecting on that post Dallas gave us on the KEYS--I'm
still puzzling
that one out)

The Secret Doctrine is put together in such a way that a
simple, quick
solution to questions does not seem possible. We are meant
to search the
way we have to, it's the best way to learn.

Just some reflections following all this discussion so far
on dating the
Atlantean Deluge , etc.

Larry

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