Theos-Talk Archives (December 2003 Message tt00162)

Dec 11 2003





SEVEN Why -- How ? In Nature and in Man





Here are some thoughts on this,



Dallas



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NUMBERS, SYMBOLISM AND SACRED GEOMETRY





As I understand from a study of Theosophy:





A study of the evolution of intelligence in and around the Monads will
show how evolution (universal as well as earthly and individual) takes
place. The Monads are the immortal centers of ever growing sensitivity
and experience. 



In the SECRET DOCTRINE Vol. I we will find that in the period of
Pre-Evolution, the Universe is represented in its ABSOLUTENESS by a
CIRCLE. In describing it, one may say: it is "a sphere with surface
nowhere and center everywhere." It holds ALL, visible or invisible.



Passing in thought, because of the vast cycle of reincarnation, we may
say the Universe reincarnates. Its purpose is to "discover ITSELF." It
remains in this series of cycles until the last of its components (the
Monads) knows ITSELF in its vastness, themselves in their immutability
and all life as cooperation and mutual assistance under LAW. In effect
it is perpetual motion and its final "Goal" is never achieved because
such a "goal" is spiritual and not physical or psychical.



In Manifestation we may say:



The Spiritual Pole: ATMA is always in indissoluble, close relation
with the material pole MATTER. They seem irreconcilable but the fact is
that they are the same thing viewed from two different aspects. [see
BHAGAVAD GITA Notes p. 132-3] The components of the ONE are mirror
images of all its potentials. are the Eternal Pilgrims, the miniature
Universes, always evolving.



If we view the process of evolutionary development we find Theosophy
starts with perfection and universality, and declares the Monads to be:




1. The ABSOLUTENESS, 



2. Space, the ONE SPIRIT, or ATMAN, 



3. As Purified "Forms" of Matter (Mulaprakriti, Suddha Sattva,
Kamadeva) : we think of the Universal Ocean of Monads -- all immortal,
indestructible individuals, and yet each has its own set of qualities
and characteristics, depending on their advance in the many functions
they perform. 



And 



4. UNIVERSAL MIND: this is Universal, impartial Law and sensitivity,
and links all into one. It is The VIEWER , the WITNESS, and as Mind
stands metaphorically between SPIRIT and MATTER it is dual. 



We may refer to These PRIMARY THREE as the PRIMORDIAL TRIANGLE, and they
are set in a CIRCLE. [ S D I 320-1, 612-4, ] These make, then, the
"Four" (4), and are the Divine Tetraktys.





In discussing "sacred geometry," Pythagoras' triangle demonstrates a
basic aspect of this.



The others will be found briefly laid out in S D I pp 5 - 7, and
elsewhere in The SECRET DOCTRINE . [ see in S D I 200-1, 321, 338,
361, 433, 612-3, 616-18; S D II 111, 553, 573[ 



In Theosophical symbolism, we find: 



1. The ONE universal and indescribable ABSOLUTENESS, the
container of all (hence also described as a dull background to the first
CIRCLE.



2. the CIRCLE in manifestation alters into the ovoid "Egg,"
which signifies the Universe of "Polarity" and hence, of limits and
forms, in which evolution and manifestation will take place. (As an
egg. It develops TWO poles, and simultaneously a THIRD: the VIEWER --
Universal MIND -- the Divine Man appears again. He is "Brahma." ) 



3. It is there that we find the ONE seems to divide itself into
these 2 polar streams: SPIRIT and MATTER. The CIRCLE becomes an EGG
(it has two foci or centres Every part of the egg is related directly
to both centres).



4. ONE becomes on the next plane TWO. [Symbolized as the "egg"
(with two poles) of Brahma.] It also signified the REINCARNATION of the
Universe and all connected with it. Brahma wakes, gets active, and then
in due course sleeps again, and again. Man as a thinking evolving
Intelligence does likewise. Some think this is linear progression but
we must remember that all monads are interconnected, and all are
immediately aware of all the others -- thus all progress is
automatically spherical, and in fact universal. 



5. Descending to the 3rd plane we have three SPIRIT, MATTER,
MIND. [Total is six, as each of these has dual aspects]. Symbol is the
interlaced triangles (inscribed in a circle) -- one pointing up to
SPIRIT and other pointing down to MATTER. This also is indicative of the
duality of MIND and its intermediary position. [This symbol has
wrongfully been used to indicate the Jewish tribe. But in fact it is
far more ancient than the Jews. It belongs to the "Oriental Kabala and
is Universal.] { S D I 354-5, 591-2, }



6. If to this we add the eternal PRESENCE of the UNIVERSAL
SPIRIT, we have the FIRST 7 [Symbolically it is the POINT IN THE CENTER
of the interlaced triangles. It synthesizes, and harmonizes the other
SIX.] We notice that in some presentations of this symbol, the Egyptian
TAU is centered -- indicating the importance of the UNIVERSAL MIND in it
final complete development.



7. If one looks at the information given in SECRET DOCTRINE,
Vol. I 570-575, one finds that the 7 primary Buddhas, Manus, Rishis,
Archangels, Builders, Cosmocratores, Planetary Spirits, etc. are all
BROTHERS, but each has a special work to perform, hence they are said to
each be One where one of the seven different qualities and
characteristics is emphasized -- but these are not listed as one might
find them in a text-book, as they are also universalized (not
concentrated, as in a personal God) and diffused through all the 7
planes of being, and as such, they influence all manifested beings, and
they form the 49 "fires." [S D I 290-1, 520-1] 



Add to this 49 the UNITY of ABSOLUTENESS, and you have the "BLIND": the
number 50 -- as H P B explains [S D I 520-1].







We have viewed planes 1, 2, 3. Remains plane 4.





This is said to relate to the "personality" or the continually changing
(mayavic) material base. This is the area where the uncountable MONADS
pursue their INDIVIDUAL PILGRIMAGE OF EXPERIENCE under the rules and
laws set by Nature for the development of a Mind that is universal and
impartial -- one that understands both the planes of limited and
evanescent material forms and the purity and stability of Spirit and
Wisdom.





8. The evolving material Universe is said in Theosophy, to be
made up of uncountable Monads -- see SECRET DOCTRINE I p. 289: "There
is not one finger's breadth (angula) of void Space in the whole
Boundless (Universe)." We could compare this to the teaching of our
science as to the prevalence of atoms everywhere, and which are treated
as indestructible, perpetual motion machines. Or another illustration
of the billions of drops and molecules of water that form all the oceans
of our world. As above, so below.





9. We may look on these as follows: [using the article PSYCHIC
AND NOETIC ACTION by H P B as a guide and help -- published in LUCIFER,
October & November 1890, reprinted in H P B Articles, Vol. II, p 7 to
27] These 4 are said to be:





1. KAMA -- desires, emotions, passions -- of which the "animal
kingdom" is an example. These are not thoughts but they can call to
themselves for their life and being, the powers of the Lower manas. We
then say that Kama-Manas comes into existence for a while. When
purified these are metamorphosed back into KAMADEVA, the original
impersonal and primal DESIRE TO KNOW ONES' SELF ( Glos. pp. 170-1 )



2. PRANA -- Life energy drawn from the universal ocean of Jiva.
This is a Universal force that sustains all life. It becomes Karmic
force, and is regulated by Universal Law according to the motive that
underlies the choices made by every living entity. The power to choose.
however limited or great, is said to inhere in all Monads as in all
evolving forms (constructed of Monads).



3. LINGA SARIRA OR ASTRAL BODY -- the electro-magnetic lattice
work of atomic and magnetic forces -- miscalled "atoms" -- on which the
condensed astral material making the physical form (sthula sarira) is
based. This is energized and limited by Karma acting through "prana."
And thus, we have the tenuous and to us on this plane, invisible Body of
Force." 



4. STHULA SARIRA -- THIS IS A PHYSICAL FORM made up of gross
matter -- said to be the "molecules," cells, and other gross matter and
physical structures of the body, etc. it is said to be the "molecules,"
each one being informed by its central "atom." These are in constant
motion and being replaced at an enormous rate every moment. The "Astral
electro-magnetic body" holds them in place for their temporary duties.



10. Going back for a moment to "sacred geometry," if we add these
4 to the 6 we get the total: 10.
That is the totality: ONE.



This may be found to be one way of looking at these things.


SEVENFOLD NATURE OF LIFE




Seven-fold Man and His Vehicles in STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
SD I p 157]

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

Classification in
Vedantic Classification
in

"Esoteric Buddhism"
Classification Taraka Raja Yoga

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

1 STHULA SARIRA ANNAMAYA KOSA
+ 


[Food made | 


body] | STHULOPADHI 

+
| [ Jagrat ]

2 PRANA (Life) . |
| [ awake in the body ]

|
PRANAMAYA KOSA | 

+
[Sutratma] +

3 Vehicle of Prana |


LINGA SARIRA or |

Astral body +

4 KAMA RUPA . +

|


|


|


+ Volitions and|
MANOMAYA KOSA +

| FEELINGS |
Mind sheath] | SUKSHMOPADHI

| +
| [Swapna]

5 MIND |
| [ the dream

|
| state ]

| VIGNANAM
VIGNANAMAYA | 

+ [Knowledge]
KOSA + 



6 Spiritual Soul .
ANANDAMAYA KOSA KARANOPADHI

BUDDHI
[Contemplative, [ Sushupti]


[blissful state] [ deep sleep ]



7 ATMA . . .
ATMA . . . ATMA


[ Turiya ] [Upeksha]


------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------- 




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CORRESPONDENCE : 7 COSMIC & 7 HUMAN "PRINCIPLES." : SD II p. 96]


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

HUMAN aspects or COSMIC
aspects or

Principles
Principles

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



1. Universal Spirit (Atma)
The Unmanifested Logos


2. Spiritual Soul {Buddhi)
Universal (latent) Ideation

3 Human Soul, Mind (Manas)
Universal (or Cosmic) active Intelligence


4. Animal Soul (Kama-Rupa) Cosmic Chaotic
energy

5. Astral Body (Linga-Sarira) Astral
Ideation, reflecting 


terrestrial things.

6. Life Essence (Prana)
Life Essence or Energy

7. Body (Sthula Sarira)
The Earth.





HUMAN PRINCIPLES KEY TO THEOSOPHY, pp.
91-92



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

Sanskrit Exoteric
Explanatory

Terms Meaning

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



LOWER QUATERNARY



a) Rupa or Physical Is the
vehicle of all the other

Sthula-Sarira body
"principles" during life.





b) Prana Life or
Necessary only to a) c) d), and 

Vital
the functions of the lower Manas,

principle
which embrace all those limited to


the (physical) brain.





c) Linga- Astral body The
Double, the phantom body.

Sharira





d) Kama rupa The seat of This is the
center of the animal

animal -
man, where lies the line of 

desires and
demarcation which separates the

passions.
mortal man from the immortal


entity.

---------------------------------------------------------------



UPPER IMPERISHABLE TRIAD





e) Manas --a Mind. Intelligence The future state
and the Karmic 

dual prin- :
destiny of man depend on whether

ciple in its which is the Manas
gravitates more downward to

function higher human Kama-rupa,
the seat of animal 

mind, whose
passions, or upwards to Buddhi,


light, or rad-
the Spiritual Ego. In the latter

iation links
case, the higher consciousness of


the MONAD, for the
individual spiritual aspir-


the lifetime
ations of mind (Manas), assimil-


to the mortal
ating Buddhi, are absorbed by it


man.
and form the Ego, which goes into


Devachanic bliss.



f) Buddhi The Spiritual The
vehicle of pure universal Spirit

Soul



g) Atma Spirit
One with the Absolute as its radiation.



[From: Key to Theosophy pp 91-2]





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DTB





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