Theos-Talk Archives (February 2003 Message tt00028)

Monday, February 03, 2003

Dear Friends:

Re: Thought, Will and Feeling

Let me put the "conclusion" ahead of the discussion here:

Looking in a general way at the evolutionary assistance, teaching and
interaction one might say: 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. Tis is perhaps a 5th or 6th Race probability, when, in
our future, every human being voluntarily adheres to brotherhood
generosity and harmlessness 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 Race.

H P B has in one place stated: "Impersonality and non-duality is the
ultimate end of cosmic evolution." [Can the Mahatmas be Selfish? H P
B Articles, Vol. I p 322.]


Discussion: (as I think Theosophy teaches):

There is forever a difficulty in dealing with the two opposed "poles"
of existence.

The Monad (Spirit/Matter conjoined -- as in the "egg of Brahma")

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) ..."

[ In periods of Manifestations -- manvantara -- ATMA serves as the
Universal background in which everything bathes and has its ultimate
being. It the primordial Substance (matter) or BUDDHI which is then
the MONAD in manifestations -- Buddhi, being the accumulated wisdom
through experience of the entirety of that "Universe." This is the
one assurance (metaphysically and intuitionally) that Law or Karma
operates everywhere without variableness.]


Eternity - Time - Duration

Eternal means (tome) it began its existence when our Universe started.
And that cannot be defined. Instead of "Time," the concept of eternal
DURATION has to be invoked -- and we enter the realm of metaphysics.
The "Universe" as a whole, reincarnates after each Pralaya. So the
ultimate beginning is undiscernible in our limited brain-mind.


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)
[Manas the Mind in humanity is said to have been "lit up" over 18
million years ago. (S D I 150, footnote)].

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 (I am putting this badly, of
course for all this occurs under KARMA -- the great LAW of life and of
individual living) then phase two begins, and this is 2. the
"ascent of Matter made Intelligent" back to "Spirit" (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 one of
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.
They forever succeed each other as fresh Monads have t pass through
the process of spiritualization.


CYCLES OF WORK AND REST

Each Manvantara is like a new birth (after a gestation period -- so to
say) which began in the rest period. And this is the lawful result of
all the energies and forces used in an earlier Manvantara -- just as
reincarnation of the human Ego is a result of the life last lived.

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 imparting of wisdom to those who follow or surround it.

Then, when the cycles close, there always follows the destruction (or
dispersal) of the "form," and the transfer into another plane of
consciousness of 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 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 think we know something of the 7 states of Consciousness ( S.D. I
157, 181) but there are states of Universal consciousness 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 the 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 plenty of room for meditation -- but not for speculation unless
sound logic supports.

Thus cycles 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 MONAD 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.


PARENT AND CHILD

Using the query concerning the greater experience of the "parent," is
this not like a Monad that has accumulated much experience, and has
also accumulated around it (as family, neighbours, friends, community,
nation, etc...) 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 "wise parent" might. 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 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
and processes 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 -- BCW 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 for themselves, these great concepts
of life, its purpose and a correct way of living. The Buddha,
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 these states of spiritual selfishness they who
took temporary refuge there, eventually return (see S.D. II 79-80, 94,
110-1)


CHELA / MASTER RELATIONSHIP

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.
Tis is perhaps a 5th or 6th Race probability, when, in our future,
every human being voluntarily adheres to brotherhood generosity and
harmlessness 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 Race.

H P B has in one place stated: "Impersonality and non-duality is the
ultimate end of cosmic evolution." [Can the Mahatmas be Selfish? H P
B Articles, Vol. I p 322.]

To this she adds: "We have to endeavor to work along with nature, and
not place ourselves in opposition to its inherent impulse which must
ultimately assert itself. To oppose it, must necessitate suffering,
since a weaker force, in its egotism, tries to array itself against
the UNIVERSAL LAW. "


The WISE

The "WISE ONES" -- the Great Souls (Mahatmas) are our "Elder Brothers
or if one prefers we may consider them as our "parents and
instructors" Physical age has little to do with it. (see S.D. I
207-210, 272-3)

I hope this may help.

Best wishes,

Dallas

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



-----Original Message-----
From: Gerald Schueler [mailto:gschueler@earthlink.net]
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 9:06 AM
To: Theosophy Study List
Subject: Chela-Master Relationship

H.P.B. - "This is because the brain of a chela is attuned by training
to the brain of the Master. His vibrations synchronize with those of
the Adept, and the untrained brain is not so attuned. So the chela's
brain is abnormal, looking at it from the standpoint of ordinary life,
while that of the ordinary man is normal for worldly purposes."

And just how does a Chela get his or her brain to be "attuned" or
"synchronized" to that of the Master? Certainly not be remaining in
independent control of oneself, or by questioning or doubting. No,
here Blavatsky is clearly saying that the Chela-Master relationship is
one in which the Chela must become fully subservient to the Master,
subservient even to the point of being "abnormal" at least during
training. One must be very sure of one's Master before doing this and
even then a pretty strong faith is needed.

Jerry S.

PS. I want to thank Dallas for recently posting this quote. I had
forgotten it.

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