RE: [bn-study] List
Oct 29, 2004 05:46 PM
by W.Dallas TenBroeck
Oct 29 2004
Dear C:
This is an idea exchange group. We study and focus of the teachings of
THEOSOPHY .
We use a number of books and the basic ones are the writings of H. P.
Blavatsky. She brought the teachings of THEOSOPHY to us moderns. Responses
to observations and questions are generally in terms of that philosophy.
All are welcome to participate, study, ask, and make their comments.
Here is a brief survey of our considerations:
1 BASICS
As we can study it, Theosophy commences with the study of great
principles. This is the safest way to begin all study. They are
few and very clear but they underlie all life.
They are in the beginning of The SECRET DOCTRINE
--------------------
ANTIQUITY OF THEOSOPHY
The antiquity of Theosophy is made a first impression on us.
PAGES FROM A PRE-HISTORIC PERIOD.
An Archaic Manuscript -- a collection of palm leaves made
impermeable to water, fire, and air, by some specific unknown
process -- is before the writer's eye. [ H P B looks at it.]
On the first page is an immaculate white disk within a dull black
ground. On the following page, the same disk, but with a central
point. The first, the student knows to represent Kosmos in
Eternity, before the re-awakening of still slumbering Energy, the
emanation of the Word in later systems.
The point in the hitherto immaculate Disk, Space and Eternity in
Pralaya, denotes the dawn of differentiation. It is the Point in
the Mundane Egg (see Part II., "The Mundane Egg"), the germ
within the latter which will become the Universe, the ALL, the
boundless, periodical Kosmos, this germ being latent and active,
periodically and by turns.
The ONE CIRCLE IS DIVINE UNITY, from which all proceeds, whither
all returns. Its circumference -- a forcibly limited symbol, in
view of the limitation of the human mind -- indicates the
abstract, ever incognisable PRESENCE, and its plane, the
Universal Soul, although the two are one. Only the face of the
Disk being white and the ground all around black, shows clearly
that its plane is the only knowledge, dim and hazy though it
still is, that is attainable by man.
It is on this plane that the Manvantaric manifestations begin;
for it is in this SOUL that slumbers, during the Pralaya, the
DIVINE THOUGHT, wherein lies concealed the plan of every future
Cosmogony and Theogony…the term "Divine Thought," like that of
"Universal Mind," must not be regarded as even vaguely shadowing
forth an intellectual process akin to that exhibited by man. …
[H P B prefaces her “THREE FUNDAMENTALS” with these introductory
ideas: ]
>From the beginning of man's inheritance, from the first
appearance of the architects of the globe he lives in, the
unrevealed Deity was recognized and considered under its only
philosophical aspect -- UNIVERSAL MOTION, THE THRILL OF THE
CREATIVE BREATH IN NATURE.
Occultism sums up the "One Existence" thus: "Deity is an arcane,
living (or moving) FIRE, and the eternal witnesses to this unseen
Presence are Light, Heat, Moisture," -- this trinity including,
and being the cause of, every phenomenon in Nature.
INTRA-COSMIC MOTION IS ETERNAL AND CEASELESS; COSMIC MOTION (THE VISIBLE, OR
THAT WHICH IS SUBJECT TO PERCEPTION) IS FINITE AND PERIODICAL.
ETERNAL EXISTENCE
As an eternal abstraction it is the EVER-PRESENT; as a
manifestation, it is finite both in the coming direction and the
opposite, the two being the alpha and omega of successive
reconstructions. Kosmos -- the NOUMENON -- has nought to do with
the causal relations of the phenomenal World. It is only with
reference to the intra-cosmic soul,
THE IDEAL KOSMOS IN THE IMMUTABLE DIVINE THOUGHT, THAT WE MAY SAY: "IT NEVER
HAD A BEGINNING NOR WILL IT HAVE AN END."
With regard to its body or Cosmic organization, though it cannot
be said that it had a first, or will ever have a last
construction, yet at each new Manvantara, its organization may be
regarded as the first and the last of its kind, as it evolutes
every time on a higher plane . . . .
"The esoteric doctrine teaches, like Buddhism and Brahminism, and
even the Kabala, that
THE ONE INFINITE AND UNKNOWN ESSENCE EXISTS FROM ALL ETERNITY, AND IN
REGULAR AND HARMONIOUS SUCCESSIONS IS EITHER PASSIVE OR ACTIVE.
In the poetical phraseology of Manu these conditions are called
the "Days" and the "Nights" of Brahma. The latter is either
"awake" or "asleep." …
MANY WELL-ORGANIZED CREATORS
The Buddhists maintained that THERE IS NO CREATOR, BUT AN
INFINITUDE OF CREATIVE POWERS, which collectively form the one
eternal substance, the essence of which is inscrutable -- hence
not a subject for speculation for any true philosopher.
Upon inaugurating an active period, says the Secret Doctrine, an
expansion of this Divine essence from without inwardly and from
within outwardly, occurs IN OBEDIENCE TO ETERNAL AND IMMUTABLE
LAW, and the phenomenal or visible universe is the ultimate
result of the long chain of cosmical forces thus progressively
set in motion. … To use a metaphor from the Secret Books, which
will convey the idea still more clearly,
AN OUT-BREATHING OF THE 'UNKNOWN ESSENCE' PRODUCES THE WORLD; AND AN
INHALATION CAUSES IT TO DISAPPEAR.
This process has been going on from all eternity, and our present
universe is but one of an infinite series, which had no beginning
and will have no end." …
“GOD”
Parabrahm is not "God," because It is not “a God.” "It is that
which is supreme, and not supreme …IT IS "SUPREME" AS CAUSE, NOT
SUPREME AS EFFECT. PARABRAHM IS SIMPLY, AS A "SECONDLESS
REALITY," THE ALL-INCLUSIVE KOSMOS -- OR, RATHER, THE INFINITE COSMIC SPACE
-- IN THE HIGHEST SPIRITUAL SENSE, OF COURSE. …
[The un-known] “Causeless Cause," is the oldest dogma in
Occultism, millenniums earlier than the Pater-AEther of the
Greeks and Latins. So are the "Force and Matter, as Potencies of
Space, inseparable, and the Unknown revealers of the Unknown."
They are all found in Aryan philosophy …
SUMMATION OF MANIFESTATION
The OCCULT CATECHISM contains the following questions and
answers:
"What is it that ever is?" "Space, the eternal Anupadaka."
"What is it that ever was?" "The Germ in the Root."
"What is it that is ever coming and going?" "The Great Breath."
"Then, there are three Eternals?"
"No, the three are one. That which ever is, is one, that which
ever was is one, that which is ever being and becoming is also
one: and this is Space."
"Explain, oh Lanoo (disciple)." --
"The One is an unbroken Circle (ring) with no circumference, for
it is nowhere and everywhere; the One is the boundless plane of
the Circle, manifesting a diameter only during the manvantaric
periods; the One is the indivisible point found nowhere,
perceived everywhere during those periods; it is the Vertical and
the Horizontal, the Father and the Mother, the summit and base of
the Father, the two extremities of the Mother, reaching in
reality nowhere, for the One is the Ring as also the rings that
are within that Ring. Light in darkness and darkness in light:
the 'Breath which is eternal.'
It proceeds from without inwardly, when it is everywhere, and
from within outwardly, when it is nowhere -- (i.e., maya, one of
the centres). It expands and contracts (exhalation and
inhalation). When it expands the mother diffuses and scatters;
when it contracts, the mother draws back and ingathers.
This produces the periods of Evolution and Dissolution,
Manwantara and Pralaya.
The Germ is invisible and fiery; the Root (the plane of the
circle) is cool; but during Evolution and Manwantara her garment
is cold and radiant. Hot Breath is the Father who devours the
progeny of the many-faced Element (heterogeneous); and leaves the
single-faced ones (homogeneous). Cool Breath is the Mother, who
conceives, forms, brings forth, and receives them back into her
bosom, to reform them at the Dawn (of the Day of Brahma, or
Manvantara). . . . ."
----------------------
SEVEN COSMICAL ELEMENTS and PRINCIPLES
For clearer understanding on the part of the general reader, it
must be stated that OCCULT SCIENCE RECOGNIZES SEVEN COSMICAL
ELEMENTS -- FOUR ENTIRELY PHYSICAL, AND THE FIFTH (ETHER)
SEMI-MATERIAL, as it will become visible in the air towards the
end of our Fourth Round, to reign supreme over the others during
the whole of the Fifth. The remaining two are as yet absolutely
beyond the range of human perception. These latter will, however,
appear as presentments during the 6th and 7th Races of this
Round, and will become known in the 6th and 7th Rounds
respectively….
-------------------------
SECRET DOCTRINE TREATS OF OUR EARTH ONLY
The reader has to bear in mind that THE STANZAS GIVEN TREAT ONLY
OF THE COSMOGONY OF OUR OWN PLANETARY SYSTEM AND WHAT IS VISIBLE AROUND IT,
AFTER A SOLAR PRALAYA. The secret teachings with regard to the Evolution of
the Universal Kosmos cannot be given,
since they could not be understood by the highest minds in this age…
Therefore, that which is given, relates only to our visible Kosmos, after a
"Night of Brahma."
-----------------------------
Before the reader proceeds to the consideration of the Stanzas
from the Book of Dzyan which form the basis of the present work,
It Is Absolutely Necessary That He Should Be Made Acquainted With The Few
Fundamental Conceptions Which Underlie And Pervade The Entire System Of
Thought To Which His Attention Is Invited.
These basic ideas are few in number, and on their clear
apprehension depends the understanding of all that follows;
therefore no apology is required for asking the reader to make
himself familiar with them first, before entering on the perusal
of the work itself. …
The Secret Doctrine establishes
THREE FUNDAMENTAL PROPOSITIONS: --
DEITY -- BE-NESS
(a) An OMNIPRESENT, ETERNAL, BOUNDLESS, AND IMMUTABLE PRINCIPLE ON WHICH ALL
SPECULATION IS IMPOSSIBLE, SINCE IT TRANSCENDS THE POWER OF HUMAN CONCEPTION
AND COULD ONLY BE DWARFED BY ANY HUMAN EXPRESSION OR SIMILITUDE.
It is beyond the range and reach of thought -- in the words of Mandukya,
"unthinkable and unspeakable."
To render these ideas clearer to the general reader, let him set
out with the postulate that THERE IS ONE ABSOLUTE REALITY WHICH
ANTECEDES ALL MANIFESTED, CONDITIONED, BEING. This Infinite and Eternal
Cause -- dimly formulated in the "Unconscious" and
"Unknowable" of current European philosophy -- is the rootless
root of "all that was, is, or ever shall be." It is of course
devoid of all attributes and is essentially without any relation
to manifested, finite Being. IT IS "BE-NESS" RATHER THAN BEING
(in Sanskrit, Sat), and is beyond all thought or speculation.
This "Be-ness" is symbolised in the Secret Doctrine under two
aspects.
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.
On the other, absolute Abstract Motion representing Unconditioned
Consciousness.
Even our Western thinkers have shown that 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.
It may, however, assist the student if a few further explanations
are given here. …
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.
Considering this metaphysical triad as the Root from which
proceeds all manifestation, the great Breath assumes the
character of precosmic Ideation. It is the fons et origo of force
and of all individual consciousness, and SUPPLIES THE GUIDING
INTELLIGENCE in the vast scheme of cosmic Evolution. On the other
hand, precosmic root-substance (Mulaprakriti) is that aspect of
the Absolute which underlies all the objective planes of Nature.
Just as PRE-COSMIC IDEATION IS THE ROOT OF ALL INDIVIDUAL
CONSCIOUSNESS, so pre-Cosmic Substance is the substratum of
matter in the various grades of its differentiation.
Hence it will be apparent that the contrast of these two aspects
of the Absolute is essential to the existence of the "Manifested
Universe."
Apart from Cosmic Substance, Cosmic Ideation could not manifest
as individual consciousness, since it is only through a vehicle
of matter that consciousness wells up as "I am I," a physical
basis being necessary to focus a ray of the Universal Mind at a
certain stage of complexity. Again, apart from Cosmic Ideation,
Cosmic Substance would remain an empty abstraction, and no
emergence of consciousness could ensue.
The "Manifested Universe," therefore, is pervaded by duality,
which is, as it were, the very essence of its EX-istence as
"manifestation."
But just as the opposite poles of subject and object, spirit and
matter, are but aspects of the One Unity in which they are
synthesized, so, in the manifested Universe, there is "that"
which links spirit to matter, subject to object.
This something, at present unknown to Western speculation, is
called by the occultists Fohat. It is the "bridge" by which the
"Ideas" existing in the "Divine Thought" are impressed on Cosmic
substance as the "laws of Nature."
Fohat is thus the dynamic energy of Cosmic Ideation; or, regarded
from the other side, it is the intelligent medium, the guiding
power of all manifestation, the "Thought Divine" transmitted and
made manifest through the Dhyan Chohans, the Architects of the
visible World.
Thus from Spirit, or Cosmic Ideation, comes our consciousness;
from Cosmic Substance the several vehicles in which that
consciousness is individualised and attains to self -- or
reflective -- consciousness; while Fohat, in its various
manifestations, is the mysterious link between Mind and Matter,
the animating principle electrifying every atom into life.
The following summary will afford a clearer idea to the reader.
(1.) The ABSOLUTE; the Parabrahm of the Vedantins or the one
Reality, SAT, which is…both Absolute Being and Non-Being.
(2.) The first manifestation, the impersonal, and, in philosophy,
unmanifested Logos, the precursor of the "manifested." This is
the "First Cause," the "Unconscious" of European Pantheists.
(3.) Spirit-matter, LIFE; the "Spirit of the Universe," the
Purusha and Prakriti, or the second Logos.
(4.) COSMIC IDEATION, MAHAT OR INTELLIGENCE, THE UNIVERSAL
WORLD-SOUL; THE COSMIC NOUMENON OF MATTER, THE BASIS OF THE INTELLIGENT
OPERATIONS IN AND OF NATURE, also called MAHA-BUDDHI.
The ONE REALITY; its dual aspects in the conditioned Universe.
Further, the Secret Doctrine affirms: --
LAW -- BEING
(b.) The Eternity of the Universe in toto as a boundless plane;
periodically "the playground of numberless Universes incessantly
manifesting and disappearing," called "the manifesting stars,"
and the "sparks of Eternity." "The Eternity of the Pilgrim" is
like a wink of the Eye of Self-Existence (Book of Dzyan.) "The
appearance and disappearance of Worlds is like a regular tidal
ebb of flux and reflux." (See Part II., "Days and Nights of
Brahma.")
"Pilgrim" is the appellation given to our MONAD (the two in one)
during its cycle of incarnations. IT IS THE ONLY IMMORTAL AND
ETERNAL PRINCIPLE IN US, BEING AN INDIVISIBLE PART OF THE
INTEGRAL WHOLE -- THE UNIVERSAL SPIRIT, FROM WHICH IT EMANATES, and into
which it is absorbed at the end of the cycle. When it is
said to emanate from the one
This second assertion of the Secret Doctrine is the absolute
universality of that law of periodicity, of flux and reflux, ebb
and flow, which physical science has observed and recorded in all
departments of nature. An alternation such as that of Day and
Night, Life and Death, Sleeping and Waking, is a fact so common,
so perfectly universal and without exception, that it is easy to
comprehend that in it we see one of the absolutely fundamental
laws of the universe.
Moreover, the Secret Doctrine teaches: --
EVOLUTION -- BECOMING
(c) The FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITY OF ALL SOULS WITH THE UNIVERSAL OVER-SOUL, the
latter being itself an aspect of the Unknown Root; and THE OBLIGATORY
PILGRIMAGE FOR EVERY SOUL -- A SPARK OF THE FORMER -- THROUGH THE CYCLE OF
INCARNATION (or "Necessity") in accordance with Cyclic and Karmic law,
during the whole term.
In other words, no purely spiritual Buddhi (divine Soul) can have
an independent (conscious) existence before the spark which
issued from the pure Essence of the Universal Sixth principle, --
or the OVER-SOUL, -- has
(a) passed through every elemental form of the phenomenal world
of that Manvantara, and
(b) acquired individuality, first by natural impulse, and then by
self-induced and self-devised efforts (checked by its Karma),
thus ascending through all the degrees of intelligence, from the
lowest to the highest Manas, from mineral and plant, up to the
holiest archangel (Dhyani-Buddha).
The pivotal doctrine of the esoteric philosophy admits no privileges or
special gifts in man, save those won by his own ego through personal effort
and merit throughout a long series of metempsychoses and reincarnations.
------------------------
This is a lot, but it is important.
The great ideas and laws and history of the Universe and our
earth are said to have been originally impressed b y the Great
Dhyanis as “innate” -- divine ideas on the plastic minds of the
Monads that will undergo their evolutionary effort here.
In the passage of time these are shown in The SECRET DOCTRINE to
have been overlaid and distorted, and then, partially forgotten.
But the myths and the lore of their existence has never been
entirely lost.
If our minds are “limited” it is only as “brain-minds” as our
CONSCIOUSNESS has to use the material of this plane and accept
its limitations, while attempting to elevate it to WISDOM.
You are right, archetypes are used, but those are always with
us -- in Buddhi-Manas. Those are the divine imperishable innate
ideas. They are our common property. They assure us of our
spiritual origins and continued immortal existence and the
pilgrimage we are on. They also remind us we are BROTHERS to all
beings. Hence, we share in all efforts towards the true and the
ideal.
Idealism is the ONE UNIVERSAL MIND acting in all beings and
coordinating Karmic action everywhere. It is MAHA-BUDDHI the
vehicle of the ONE ATMAN.
==================================================
2
THE GRADATIONS OF LEARNING AND RESPONSIBILITY
IN THE UNIVERSE.
The levels and hierarchies of working Wise Men, Mahatmas, Buddhas,
etc...and Great overseeing Forces are many, but every system speaks of
these as facts: Since Theosophy is the most ancient do all systems,
It offers : -- three (3) fundamental propositions
H P B says that they pervade the entire system.
1. The Plan of the Universe in its evolution is a single plan. This
plan has been established back in the beginning of "time," and it
continues, and will continue into the foreseeable future. It is said
that the Universe as a whole reincarnates, and this Plan was handed
down a very long time back. The book The SECRET DOCTRINE describes
this in detail in Vol. I.
2. All is logical, mathematically exact, and coherent. Law and laws
rule all beings and actions impartially. The "Law of Karma" is the
appellation given in Theosophy to this one universal LAW.
It is briefly described as the Law of Harmony whereby all diversity,
and distortion is regulated and made smooth. At the end of LIGHT ON
THE PATH will be found an illuminating essay on Karma. It helps us to
understand if we read and think about what is said there.
3. No part, great or small, old or new, of the illimitable Universe is
forgotten, or omitted from the Laws that guide evolution and
individual progress.
All living intelligent beings are interconnected. Theosophy uses the
word "Monad" to indicate these living, conscious units that fill the
Universe.
Mankind, humanity stands at the mid-point in terms of intelligence
between "instinct," and "intuition."
Each Monad that has reached the human level has this confronting
him/her. The Masters of Wisdom met this challenge and passed it aeons
ago. Yet they remain to help us, their "younger Brothers." We owe
the exposition of Theosophy to Them and their sacrifice. [see S D I
207 -210]
4. From The UNIVERSAL ONE SPIRIT, everything in its vast diversity is
derived. [S D I 14-15]
5. Potentially, every being has the capability of understanding the
whole complexity of the Universe of which it is a vital part.
Spiritual Knowledge (or Wisdom) is inherent, innate at the core, in
the essence of every being. " Look inward, Thou art Buddha ( the
Wise)." expresses this.
We are related to the "Masters." They were once "men" such as we are
now. They are our "Elder Brothers."
5. Hence all living things (the immortal Monads) are related.
Brotherhood expresses this relation whether the level of learning be
small or great. We are brothers in potential, as well as in fact, to
the atoms, molecules, cells, and all the Masters, and other
Personages, or structures of and in the Universe. It is difficult to
conceive of such a supreme UNITY when our world is one of continual
diversity and confusion. Our independent existence our consciousness,
our Mind, ought to be adequate evidence of Spirit working through all
levels of Matter. In our case, it becomes expressed as the Mind and
the independent power of our free thought. The power to choose
defines of progress into the future. Our present lesson is
discovering what this right thought and right choosing. are. ["Good"
has been briefly defined as obeying the Laws of nature.] We need to
know and apply them.
6. The pathways through which the Monads travel to the final goal
(called by some: "Sublime Perfection") are many, and are determined
by their individual Karma -- the Karma of their own free choosing.
Humanity is always composed of such "free-choosers."
7. Consciousness, awareness, "seeing along with," will be found to be
a common factor for all beings, but the levels of achievement and of
perception to which the consciousness is self-raised are many and mark
the progress of and in evolution for every individual.
8. An individual may experience and remember seeing the ALL -- and may
later describe it as LIGHT, COLOR, SOUND. or a discussion with a
PERSONAGE of WISDOM. Such memories are stored and presented to the
waking consciousness in terms that it can understand. But they do
occur. Also they are never forgotten. They are evidence of the
SPIRITUAL MAN WITHIN.
These "illuminations" as experience, are interior. At night during deep
sleep the personal consciousness {Lower Manas} may confabulate for a while
with its "brother" the Higher Manas -- BUDDHI-MANAS. The Buddhi-Manas is
interior to us and is a veil or vase that enshrines the ATMA -- the RAY of
the UNIVERSAL SPIRIT within each of us. It is an experience akin to
Samadhi or Turiya.
Many have offered evidence of their memory of past lives.
The Responsibilities of advanced "Masters of Wisdom" are many and are
described in S D Vol. I.
The great aim is to reach self-consciousness; not through a race or a tribe
or some favored nation, but by and through the perfecting, after
transformation, of the whole mass of matter as well as what we now call
soul. Nothing is or is to be left out. The aim for present man is his
initiation into complete knowledge, and for the other kingdoms below him
that they may be raised up gradually from stage to stage to be in time
initiated also.
This is evolution carried to its highest power; it is a magnificent
prospect; it makes of man a god, and gives to every part of nature the
possibility of being one day the same; there is strength and nobility in it,
for by this no man is dwarfed and belittled, for no one is so originally
sinful that he cannot rise
above all sin.
Treated from the materialistic position of Science, evolution takes in but
half of life; while the religious conception of it is a mixture of nonsense
and fear. Present religions keep the element of fear, and at the same time
imagine that an Almighty being can think of no other earth but this and has
to govern this one very imperfectly. But the old theosophical view makes the
universe a vast, complete, and perfect whole. Now the moment we postulate a
double evolution, physical and spiritual, we have at the same time to admit
that it can only be carried on by reincarnation.
This is, in fact, demonstrated by science. It is shown that the matter of
the earth and of all things physical upon it was at one time either gaseous
or molten; that it cooled; that it altered; that from its alterations and
evolutions at last were produced all the great variety of things and beings.
This, on the physical plane, is transformation or change from one form to
another. The total mass of matter is about the same as in the beginning of
this globe, with a very minute allowance for some star dust. Hence it must
have been changed over and over again, and thus been physically reformed and
re-embodied. Of course, to be strictly accurate, we cannot use the word
reincarnation, because "incarnate" refers to flesh.
Let us say "re-embodied," and then we see that both for matter and for man
there has been a constant change of form and this is, broadly speaking,
"reincarnation." As to the whole mass of matter, the doctrine is that it
will all be raised to man's estate when man has gone further on himself.
There is no residuum left after man's final salvation which in a mysterious
way is to be disposed of or done away with in some remote dust-heap of
nature. The true doctrine allows for nothing like that, and at the same time
is not afraid to give the true disposition of what would seem to be a
residuum. It is all worked up into other states, for as the philosophy
declares there is no inorganic matter whatever but that every atom is alive
and has the germ of self-consciousness, it must follow that one day it will
all have been changed.
Thus what is now called human flesh is so much matter that one day was
wholly mineral, later on vegetable, and now refined into human atoms. At a
point of time very far from now the present vegetable matter will have been
raised to the animal stage and what we now use as our organic or fleshy
matter will have changed by transformation through evolution into
self-conscious thinkers, and so on up the whole scale until the time shall
come when what is now known as mineral matter will have passed on to the
human stage and out into that of thinker.
Then at the coming on of another great period of evolution the mineral
matter of that time will be some which is now passing through its lower
transformations on other planets and in other systems of worlds. This is
perhaps a "fanciful" scheme for the men of the present day, who are so
accustomed to being called bad, sinful, weak, and utterly foolish from their
birth that they fear to believe the truth about themselves, but for the
disciples of the ancient theosophists it is not impossible or fanciful, but
is logical and vast...
Therefore as to reincarnation and metempsychosis we say that they are first
to be applied to the whole cosmos and not alone to man. But as man is the
most interesting object to himself, we will consider in detail its
application to him. This is the most ancient of doctrines and is believed in
now by more human minds than the number of those who do not hold it
I think you may agree that this view of our condition and of universal
evolution under Karma the eternal law that makes Harmony out of discord.
=====================
Hope these prove helpful.
Dallas
========================
-----Original Message-----
From: CURS
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2004 6:23 PM
To:
Subject: List I am new to this....
New to Blavatsky net. I have been reading bn-study list messages and have a
question, as I am confused as to how list is operating. Is there a book that
is being studied? I see references to chapters . . . and topics (
mind/brain), or is any theosophical topic open for discussion at any time?
---
[Back to Top]
Theosophy World:
Dedicated to the Theosophical Philosophy and its Practical Application
