Theos-Talk Archives (July 2004 Message tt00241)

July 19 2004

Dear Katinka: and Friends:

SUNYATA or VOID or EMPTINESS -- are to me all the same thing namely
SPACE.  

And that (SPACE) is only a CONCEPT, as, whether full or empty it is
immaterial. Whether it is occupied by manifestation or Pralaya, objects or
"subjects" forms or ideas, is also immaterial.  

Our present minds (the embodied lower mind -- Kama-Manas)now considering
this seeming paradox, comprehend this idea with difficulty because we are
so deeply immersed in "things" and "substances." 

It is equally difficult for us to visualize the ONE SPIRIT as innumerable
MONADS when Manifestation ( Manvantara) occurs -- filling ALL SPACE.  
[ S D I 289 -- "There is not a finger's breadth...of void Space in the
whole Boundless (Universe)..." ]
 
When Pralaya sets in, all forms of whatever complexity (the 7 prakritis, or
"principles" are resolved into that residuum of forces and energises that
are imperishable. They are a part of the imperishable and eternal AKASA,
and, under eternal KARMA they return when a new Manvantara recommences the
process of evolution. No entity is "erased." It is like reincarnation or
waking up from deep sleep and REMEMBERING things thanks to the "aggregates"
-- skandhas -- which are imperishable.

You are of course right. Why should I study it "from the Buddhist point of
view" ? I believe all translations are defective. Also why should you
trust my "words." I try to convey ideas.

Theosophy embraces Buddhism and Buddhism was the local timely expression of
the same eternal teachings at that time 2,500 years ago. The Buddha Used
Pali or Prakrit --the language of the average man of his time -- just as we
use English now, and the Masters, in writing to Sinnett for instance, used
it and said it was the best medium of and for this time in which to expound
the Philosophy.. 

The ML ( p. 45) states that the Buddha is one of the living Adepts they
treat as their "Patron" -- one of their most revered superiors .

Best wishes,

Dallas
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Katinka Hesselink [mailto:mail@katinkahesselink.net] 
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2004 7:41 AM
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Theos-World Emptiness - maya

Hi Dallas,

The below merely proves that you haven't really studied sunnyata from
a Buddhist point of view. The term sunnyata is translated as
void(ness) or emptiness, but it is a technical philosophical term that
one gets a feel for at some point. To take it literally is to miss the
point totally. [Pedro: you obviously did study it, we come to
different preliminary conclusions about the meaning of the term, but
that is only natural. I'm pretty sure I don't fully understand anyhow.]

As to maya - the illusionary nature of everyday reality is quite
central of HPB's thought. At least one of the ways she means that is
in that everything (including our personality) is temporary. The way I
am today is different (though perhaps only slightly) from the way I
was yesterday. My sense of continuity is to a large extent
illusionary. This computer I use to type this message is temporary -
it will be outdated in ten years time (if not earlier). 

Katinka
--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Dallas TenBroeck" <dalval14@e...>
wrote:
> July 17 2004
> 
> Dear K H
> 
> May I offer for consideration?
> 
> In such a matter does not the comparative positions imply a third, a
> superior one which is able to see both and decide with impartiality ?
> 
> If there is in our Universe LAW, then selection would point to that
which
> harmonizes? Or am I wrong?
> 
> Interdependence is then perceived. It is the one all-inclusive
nature of
> evolution and of the ex-istence of all forms. It also pre-supposes that
> each of such "forms" is energized by its own eternal Power -- a MONAD
> (using the Theosophical definition).
> 
> The concept of "voidness" merely says that if one removes an object to
> another position, the SPACE it occupied, as an ALWAYS EXISTENT, as a
> constant, does not change as it is always there, whether occupied
or not.
> 
> Our present day Science deals with the measurement of objective
materials.
> But there are substances that its physical plane instruments cannot yet
> measure.  
> 
> Our minds however are not limit matter alone, so they transcend the
self-
> made limits of Science. They ask, for instance "Why" is this? 
Likewise,
> there are forces and energies that are not based on "substance /
matter."
> 
> Those who are self-limited to matter and forms, may speak of those
as "Maya.
> " And they would be right from their limited point of view. 
> 
> But this, it seems to me, then brings us to the Source of any
"thing," any
> "form." It is the pursuit by us using our minds of the ultimate cause. 
> 
> And that is what we only "see" of its existence is a deduction -- a
mental
> concept, nebulous though it may be, of the various kinds of effects it
> imposes on substances that are at one or other of the seven stages of
> development.
> 
> Dallas
[cut]



 
Yahoo! Groups Links