Theos-Talk Archives (September 2004 Message tt00343)

Sept 10 2004

Re: Unity : Duality : Triuneness
"I" "Not-I" "We ALL"

Dear Friends:

I have been puzzling over this, please review what I seem to notice and
deduce, and see if the questions I ask of myself at the end are legitimate.

It seems to me that metaphysical considerations are universal and timeless.

Space IS, and has no dimensions except in our limited "physical area" where
we count three, and some without any real foundation add in "time."  

But when "time" is added it is only for a limited period -- a section of
eternal "DURATION."

Is it not a limiting factor that we have to approach our study of
metaphysics with the handicap of being at present almost entombed in three
dimensional substance ( I used substance as it includes other aspects of
matter, visible and invisible, such as radiance, gasses, liquids and solids
-- occultism also mentions as "matter" the astral, psychic, mental and
etherial (akasic) planes of "matter") This gives us 8 divisions, and no
doubt there are more.

The interesting factor included in the Mind its "consciousness." [The
ancient and immemorial SECRET DOCTRINE states that this is: "


"This "Be-ness" [(the One Reality, the Absolute) is the field of Absolute
Consciousness, i.e., that Essence which is out of all relation to
conditioned existence, and of which conscious existence is a conditioned
symbol. ] ... is symbolised in the Secret Doctrine under two aspects. 

1	On the one hand, absolute abstract Space, representing bare
subjectivity, the one thing which no human mind can either exclude from any
conception, or conceive of by itself. 

2	On the other, absolute Abstract Motion representing Unconditioned
Consciousness...Consciousness is inconceivable to us apart from change, and
motion best symbolises change, its essential characteristic. 

This latter aspect of the one Reality, is also symbolised by the term "The
Great Breath," a symbol sufficiently graphic to need no further elucidation.
Thus, then, the first fundamental axiom of the Secret Doctrine is this
metaphysical ONE ABSOLUTE - BE-NESS - symbolised by finite intelligence as
the theological Trinity....

....the Occultist more logically derives from the "Causeless Cause," the
"Eternal," and the "Unknowable," [which] may be essentially the same as that
of the Consciousness which wells up within us: in short, that the impersonal
reality pervading the Kosmos is the pure noumenon of thought....

But once that we pass in thought from this (to us) Absolute Negation,
duality supervenes in the contrast of Spirit (or consciousness) and Matter,
Subject and Object. 

Spirit (or Consciousness) and Matter are, however, to be regarded, not as
independent realities, but as the two facets or aspects of the Absolute
(Parabrahm), which constitute the basis of conditioned Being whether
subjective or objective. " S D I 14-5


While one might take "intelligence" to indicate degrees of sensitivity to
environment and experience in terms of memory, consciousness has an
unplumbed depth of potential.  

In any case it seems to pass, unchanged, (as the sense of "I-ness")
through the various times, experiences, memories and events of physical, as
well as the ranges of metaphysical life (which, to some, are imaginary and
fanciful). It then seems to serve to link together all areas of our
experience, garnered from whatever state we may have passed through. I have
found these can be actively reviewed when one engages in positive
meditation. 

There is "something" in us which KNOWS immediately and precisely what is the
difference between "right" and "wrong" choice. Some call it "The Voice of
Conscience." Others disregard it. The advice of advanced students is:
Listen to it carefully -- it is the voice of our past experience -- from our
own Buddhi.

As I see it, the deeper we delve into the source of the "I," and the
supposed "Not-I," the more confusing things get, because we are trying from
our physical and limited view-point to set limits to that which is limitless
and indescribable. Our problem is: We have to learn to secure a grasp on
the concepts that the ONE CONSCIOUSNESS only can provide.
 
If we were to assume that the "I" is the present encasement of the "form"
we inhabit, then in a moment we will have discarded millions of atoms,
molecules, cells into our surroundings; and in exchange, we have taken on
others -- and, in the magic sensitivity and continuing economy of our
bodies, they have been assigned places of use -- for a while. 

So can we not say that the "I" is the mysterious center of conservation? --
always active in us? And when finally this body dies, is it not translated
after a time into a fresh new body, and we the "eternal Pilgrim" continue
our learning and refinement ? 

By this process the "Not-I" consists of an endless procession of units that
are entering, assisting, and then, exiting our present "form " (the "I") ?
Looking it in this way, the vast ocean of the Universe is always a part of
the "I," and the NOT-I is a concept we can hardly provide rational proof
for. May we say, then, that our "self-consciousness" is gradually being
altered by experience and work to "Universal Self-Consciousness ?" 

Now, how can this great constructive and unifying idea -- the Unity of all
Beings -- be provided for our "students" and "beginner's" cogitations? 

It seems to me (in my own experience) an intensive study of the SECRET
DOCTRINE, Vol. I, pp. 1 - 300 helps.

It also helps to remember that the Buddha is the Great Patron of the Adept
Brotherhood. The SECRET DOCTRINE was prepared, presumably under His
supervision. Statements in the MAHATMA LETTERS would seem to support this.

Unless one is able to adopt the concept of (1)individual immortality, (2) of
a Universe of LAW, and (3) of the individual development and progress of all
units of consciousness (un-dying Monads) the puzzle simply deepens.

I find a most important thought is helpful: The Buddha, Krishna, the
Mahatmas, HPB and all the Great ancient Teachers f mankind are not DEAD.
They are alive and continue to work for mankind. If we do not "see" Them
personally, it mans either that we are dong our work well, or that they do
not find it necessary to manifest to us, as we may to have "purified"
ourselves adequately yet. In any case, it is patience we need to develop. 

Another thought: For the physical brain-mind of this incarnation to think
about -- we find, under Karma, we are all incarnated together, so very
close to a monumental re-statement of ancient wisdom, we sometimes fail to
appreciate the gifts already made available. What kind of "novelty" do we
expect?

I have noticed an increasing tendency for contributors to seem to seek for
something "new" -- this is a curious factor -- since the "old teachings:
have not been mastered yet in most cases. 

Is it impatience, or a desire to avoid the consequences of wrong choices
already made by us? Are we seeking to avoid our Karma? Are we really
afraid to meet our future in terms of what we have done in the past ?  

Do we seek for "forgiveness?" Why ? 

This is worth thinking over. Isn't it ?

(Impatience and escapism ! What a combination ! )

Now I ask myself: which of the two Manases is working in this : Lower or
Higher Manas ? Once that is determined, what are we to do ?

Best wishes

Dallas

===============================
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Gerald 
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 2:56 AM
To: 
Subject: Beness and Nonduality


<<This "Be-ness" is symbolised in the Secret Doctrine under two aspects. 

1 On the one hand, absolute abstract Space, representing bare
subjectivity, the one thing which no human mind can either exclude from any
conception, or conceive of by itself. 
2 On the other, absolute Abstract Motion representing Unconditioned
Consciousness. >>

Just some thoughts or perhaps an alternate viewpoint here. Let me explain
how I see this whole business.

Occultists and mystics and yogis in both the east and the west have, from
time immemorial, seen that this universe is one of duality. It is quite
apparent that we have high and low, big and little, up and down, left and
right, good and evil, male and female, and so on and on. And it is equally
apparent that all of these are relative and subjective, that they always go
together, and that you cannot have one without the other to help define it
via comparison. So, they have looked for an ultimate duality, from which
all the others can be derived. They do this by raising consciousnes to the
very peak of dualistic manifestation and then making obervations. In HPB's
model, this would be the first subplane of the first plane. In this
samadhi-like state, a majority of Adepts have reported that the ultimate
duality in our unverse is Space and Motion. Now, this is somewhat
subjective, and others have reported Subject and Object, or as I call it,
the naked I and Not-I (ie., I and Not-I with their definitions removed). 
In Tibetan Tantricism it is Wisdom and Means, or perhaps Kalachakra in
sexual union with his consort. Different lineages over the world have given
this ultimate duality different names, but the ultimate duality is the same
to all observers whatever we want to call it.

In Western Occultism it is pretty much unamimous that Space (when
capitalized, Space refers to one side of the ultimate duality) is the
ultimate for objectivity, the world, the universe, matter. body.
femininity, the moon, and so on. And in the same way, Motion is the
ultimate for consciousness, subjectivity, the I or Self, spirit,
masculinity, the sun, and so on.

When these same Adepts raise their consciousness even further, so that they
observe nonduality -- that which is beyond our 7-plane universe and outside
of space-time and Space and Motion -- they observe Beness. In nonduality
there is no duality at all (thus the name). There is no longer a sense of a
separate self observing something that is different from it. It is totally
ineffable. Nevertheless, they have put words and names to it anyway. While
these names are distortions and interpretations, they do help others in
trying to understand what is going on. 

CUT