Part 1 Remember the end of Atlantis?
Dec 31, 2004 03:49 AM
by W.Dallas TenBroeck
Dec 31 2004
WHERE THE RISHIS WERE
The Rishis were the sacred Bards, the Saints, the
great Adepts
Knownto the Hindus, who gave great spiritual
impulses in the
Past and are said to sometimes reincarnate, and who
at one time
livedon the earth among men.
“The world is made of seas and islands. For continents are only great lands
water-encircled. Men must ever live upon sea or land, then, unless they
abide in air, and if they live in the air, they are not men as we know
them.”
Thus I thought as the great ship steamed slowly into the port of a small
island, and before the anchor fell the whole scene seemed to change and the
dazzling light of the past blotted out the dark pictures of modern
civilization. Instead of an English ship I was standing on an ancient
vehicle propelled by force unknown today, until the loud noises of
disembarkation roused me once again.
But landed now, I was standing on the hill overlooking the town and bay.
The strange light and the curious vehicle again obtained mastery over sense
and eye, while the whole majesty of forgotten years rolled in from the
Ocean. Vainly did modern education struggle and soar: I let the curtain
drop upon the miserable present….
Now softly sings the water as it rolls against the shore, with the sun but
one hour old shining upon its surface. But, far off, what is that spot
coming nearer from the West, followed by another and another until over the
horizon rise hundreds, and now some are so near that they are plainly seen?
The same strange vehicles as that I saw at first. Like birds they fly
through the air. They come slowly now, and some have been brought still on
the land. They light on the earth with a softness that seems nearly human,
with a skill that is marvelous, without any shock or rebound.
>From them alight men of noble mien who address me as friends, and one more
noble than the others seems to say, “Wouldst thou know of all this? Then
come,” as he turns again to his vehicle that stands there like a bird in
wait to be off.
“Yes, I will go;” and I felt that the past and the present were but one, and
knew what I should see, yet could not remember it but with a vagueness that
blotted out all the details.
We entered the swift intelligently-moving vehicle, and then it rose up on
the air’s wide-spreading arms and flew again fast to the West, where the
water was still softly singing to the beams of the sun. The horizon slowly
rose and the Island behind us was hidden by the sea from our sight. And
still as onward we flew to the Occident, many more birds made by manlike
that we were in flew by us as if in haste for the soft-singing waters
lapping the shore of that peak of the sea mountain we had left in the
Orient. Flying too high at first we heard no sound from the sea, but soon
a damp vapor that blew in my face from the salt deep showed that we were
descending, and then spoke my friend.
“Look below and around and before you!”
Down there were the roar and rush of mad billows that reached toward the
sky, vast hollows that sucked in a world. Black clouds shut out the great
sun, and I saw that the crust of the earth was drawn in to her own
subterranean depths. Turning now to the master, I saw that he heard my
unuttered question. He said,
“A cycle has ended. The great bars that kept back the sea have been broken
down by their weight. From these we have come and are coming.”
Then faster sailed our bird, and I saw that a great Island was perishing.
What was left of the shore still crumbled, still entered the mouth of the
sea. And there were cars of the air just the same as that I was in, only
dark and unshining, vainly trying to rise with their captains; rising
slowly, then falling, and then swallowed up.
But here we have rushed further in where the water has not overflowed, and
now we see that few are the bright cars of air that are waiting about while
their captains are entering and spoiling the mighty cars of the men whose
clothing is red and whose bodies, so huge and amazing, are sleeping as if
from the fumes of a drug.
As these great red men are slumbering, the light-stepping captains with
sun-colored cloaks are finishing the work of destruction. And now, swiftly
though we came, the waters have rushed on behind us, the salt breath of the
all-devouring deep sweeps over us. The sun-colored captains enter their
light air-cars and rise with a sweep that soon leaves the sleepers, now
waking, behind them. The huge red-coated giants hear the roar of the waters
and feel the cold waves roll about them. They enter their cars, but onlyto
find all their efforts are wasted. Soon the crumbling earth no longer
supports them, and all by an inrushing wave are engulfed, drawn into the
mouth of the sea, and the treacherous ocean with roars as of pleasure in
conquest has claimed the last race of that Island.
But one has escaped of all the red giants, and slowly but surely his car
sailed up, up, as if to elude the sun-colored men who were spoilers.
Then, loud, clear, and thrilling swelled out a note of marvelous power from
my captain, and back came a hundred of those brilliant fast cars that were
speeding off eastward. Now they pursue the heavy, vast, slow-moving car of
the giant, surround it, and seem to avoid its attacks. Then again swells
that note from my master as our car hung still on its wings. It was a
signal, obeyed in an instant.
One brilliant, small sharp-pointed car is directed full at the red giant’s
vehicle. Propelled by a force that exceeds the swift bullet, it pierces the
other, itself, too, is broken and falls on the waves with its victim.
Trembling I gazed down below, but my captain said kindly,
“He is safe, for he entered another bright car at the signal. All those
red-coated men are now gone, and that last was the worse and the greatest.”
Back eastward once more through the salt spray and the mist until soon the
bright light shone again and the Island rose over the sea with the
soft-singing water murmuring back to the sun. We alighted, and then, as I
turned, the whole fleet of swift sailing cars disappeared, and out in the
sky flashed a bright streak of sun-colored light that formed into letters
which read:
“This is where the Rishis were before the chalk cliffs of Albion rose outof
the wave. They were but are not.”
And loud, clear and thrilling rose that note I had heard in the car of swift
pinions. It thrilled me with sadness, for past was the glory and naught for
the future was left but a destiny.
Bryan Kinnavan (Wm. Q. Judge)
THE PATH, January 1891.
-----------------------------------------------
THEOSOPHY teaches:
998,100 B C Atlantean continent began sinking
[SD II 10, 141, 144, ISIS I 557, 593].
9,664 BC The last Island related to Atlantis, [“Posedonis”] is said
to have sunk
[ML 155, SD II 5, 8, 406, 444fn, ISIS I
589-94].
1,628 c Thera (Santorini) Volcano Erupts (Tree Ring Dating)
[ L A Times, Aug 29 1996 ]
[ End of Minoan Civilization, and tidal
waves
overwhelm coasts of Eastern Mediterranean.]
==========================================
The vast tsunami in the Indian Ocean that has just been experienced, [Dec.
26 2004] seems to relate in some particulars of geological catastrophe to
the story above. The suffering of individuals is of course enormous and
deserves all our efforts to help and succor.
===========================================
It should be noted that the records of the SECRET DOCTRINE are not limited
by (or to) the present geographical outlines of the configuration of our
present continents.
It may be noted that the present "plate-tectonics" hypothesis is not
endorsed by the S D. This plausible hypothesis has recently engaged the
attention of geologists and geographers. It advances the concept thatour
present known continental patterns are fixed to their "plates." These in
turn "float" and gradually move on a softer subterranean core of a more
fluidic mass of hot rock; and the result is that they have participated
(without altering shape) over millions of years in "continental drift."
But, this is not a theory that is confirmed by the esoteric history of our
Earth, as given in the SECRET DOCTRINE.
In tracing the past history and movements of the RACES, the land masses
follow the order of evolution of the RACES from 1st to the 5th. The book
The SECRET DOCTRINE, does not take into account the location and fate of
many islands and peninsulas since the face of the Earth has changed many
times, and the Poles have been inverted several times [SD II 350 353 360 368
432-3 785-6 436].
The last serious geographical and geological change occurred around 12,000
BC [SD II 8-9] and was followed by the submergence of Posedonis (9,566 BC).
Change in the elevation of the continents and islands is not always violent
states the S D [SD II 787fn].
===============================================================
ATLANTIS, LEMURIA, GIANTS, ETC….
PART 1 --
ATLANTIS, LEMURIA, GIANTS,
[Part II contains Geological chronology,
Theosophical Chronology, etc. ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------
PART 1 =
Mme. Blavatsky in the SECRET DOCTRINE, Vol. I pp. 153 - 205 outlines
the early ROUNDS whereby the circling and evolving hosts of Mankind
pass through the experiences of many degrees of matter until they
reach in the middle, the 4th Round, the most gross. If one refers to
the diagram on p. 200 (SD I) it will be seen that this is the balance
point were the "matter" being evolved is at its densest.
We as a host of "Human" Monads have just past this mid-point. At the
Mid point which occurred about 18,618,886 tears ago (SD I 150fn) the
significant event called the LIGHTING UP OF MANAS (mind) occurred. In
the 2nd volume of the SD, HPB reviews all these in far greater detail.
OUR POSITION NOW
Our Round is the 4th Round and our Globe is the 4th ("D"). On Globe D
so far 4 "Races" have been evolved. The 3rd was named "Lemurian, "
the 4th, "Atlantean," and the 5th (ours) is named "Aryan" (noble).
The LIGHTING UP OF MANAS occurred during the mid-point of the 3rd
Root-race (Lemurian) [SD II 154-5, 167, 79]
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS AND RACES
Questions concerning the past of Mankind and the old races that had
been given names such as Atlanteans, Lemurians, etc. relate to time
periods, and the nature of geological time measuring, also, the
chronology of the SECRET DOCTRINE was asked about.
In considering the past and the attempts to measure and evaluate such
misty legends as appear to envelop Lemuria and Atlantis -- those
periods when we used Lemurian and Atlantean bodies -- for Occultism
holds that all of us -- we -- as immortal EGOS, were the same
EGO-Minds that were then evolving in those periods and used those
bodies. What does Volume. II of the SECRET DOCTRINE, when compared
with modern Geological periods offer us
It is largely
1. the establishing of the facts that Esoteric and Oriental
Literature and philosophy have recorded in regard to the
evolution of our Earth. This covers each of the first 3 ROUNDS
(3 times around the 7 GLOBES) and, specifically, it deals with
the history of evolution in this, the 4th ROUND.
In this 4th ROUND it deals with the most recent time period named
by HPB in the SD the 4th GLOBE [see Diagram SD I 200]. One must
remember that these (ROUNDS, GLOBES, RACES, SUB-RACES) are
measures of time.
Another fact that esotericism speaks of is that there have been
great changes in material (PHYSICAL), psychological (MIND,
FEELINGS, EMOTIONS) and spiritual (MONADIC) development.
These are traced by occultism and a summary is offered to us, together with
explanations in Vol. 2 of the S D. We can, by reading what is offered
there, learn in greater detail about our own past history. About that which
occurred during those vast periods when we incarnated again and again in
that “past.”
In S D I, p. 181, HPB gives facts about the three lines of Evolution.
She describes them and names them:
1. Spiritual (or MONADIC).
2. Intellectual (or Manasic), and
3. Physical. (or material, physical bodily forms).
It will be found that the 2nd Vol. of the S D focuses in still greater
detail on the 4 RACES that have preceded ours in this Round. It provides
information concerning our evolution there and upon the development of mind,
psyche and Soul.
The physical side of evolution and its remains as fossils and monuments –
contrasting with the Scientific views of geology and archaeology are also
discussed as of the time when HPB wrote which was over 120 years ago.
REINCARNATION OF THE IMMORTAL MONAD
It is very important to realize ( and carry this in mind during the
following consideration) that the Reincarnating EGO (Atma-Buddhi-Manas) of
each human being is an IMMORTAL
(as a MONAD).
It (WE) have been named the ETERNAL PILGRIMS.
It [the Monad] moves from body to body, as the eras and races pass in time,
and all the development of faculties are embodied in the character and the
talents of each of us. In all cases there is an increment, and an improving
of our range of experience.
We can trace a continual widening of our comprehension of the Universe, and
an intuitional inquiry into the causes of both our diversity and coupled
with that the paradox of, our close unity.
Ultimately, we find that the UNITY of ALL dawns on us as a potential and
then as an actuality. It is a most wonderful prospect and gives to each of
us a sense of purpose, of
dignity, and of an importance, which, once grasped cannot be relinquished.
We find that the brotherhood of the immortal Monads is the basis for all
relationships -- there is a commonality, a sharing, of spirit, mind and
matter, even though we may try to guard that which we think is solely "our
own."
Therefore, we, who now use 5th RACE, "Aryan Race" bodies, were the same EGOS
that used the old "Atlantean" bodies (through each of its 7-fold Races),
and, the still older "Lemurian" bodies (and their 7-fold RACE
developments).
When we speak of those old RACES we are speaking of ourselves when we lived
in them and used them. We are trying to look into our own past history.
When we visit Cyclopean monuments, we are revisiting buildings in which we
may have had a hand in their original construction or subsequent renovation
and restoration down the eras of time.
Our present human bodies--that we are using today--each has in its past as
heredity, one or a mixture of the Sub-Races of the 5th RACE. It, the 5th
Race, named "Aryan" (or Noble), is said to be about 1,050,000 years old [ SD
II 141, 144-5, 395]. The Aryan race arose among the later sub-races of the
Atlanteans, and gradually separated from that older root stock. There are
still human groups and tribes whose heredity can be traced to the
Atlanteans; and even to the last sub-races of the Lemuro-Atlanteans. It
takes vast ages for all the traits and characteristics of a great Race to
die out completely. All this complexity is explained in detail in SD Vol.
II.
The 3rd Race (Round 4 - ours) was named Lemurian.
The 4th Race (Round 4 - ours) was named Atlantean.
LEMURIA
LEMURIA, as a continent, is said to have begun slipping below the
ocean 4,242,352 years back (as of 1888) [ SD I 439fn].
ATLANTIS
998,100 years ago the Atlantean continent began sinking [SD II
10, 141, 144, ISIS I 557, 593]
The last Island related to Atlantis, [“Posedonis”] is said to have sunk
9,664 BC [ML 155, SD II 5, 8, 406, 444fn, ISIS I 589-94].
In the SD we can find that a special date is drawn attention to (SD I 150
Fn). It is over 18 million years ago, when the Mind of humanity is said to
have been "lighted up." [ see SD II 167, 254-5, 70-80, SD I 150fn. ].
Since the description of the facts found narrated in ancient
oriental literature and the secret books of the Occult
Fraternity, runs in many ways contrary to the hypothesis and
theories of our modern Archaeology, one finds that much of the
2nd Volume of the SD is a great polemic, and many arguments are
advanced in contrasting and opposing views: the theories of
Archaeology and the FACTS of Occult Science and History.
ARCHAEOLOGY, GEOLOGY, PALEONTOLOGY
Our Sciences of Archaeology, Geology, Paleontology, etc...
are hardly 250 years old. Looking at physical evidence only,
theories were devised (based on that material evidence alone) to
account for the evolution of living beings on Earth. There was,
and is, an on-going conflict between "evolutionists" and
"creationists."
Geology provides details concerning the effect of climate on
minerals, plants and the fossils of animals and humans, and
archaeology employs these as clues to the timing of evolutionary
events. It is all based on physical evidence. The evolution of
consciousness, mind, intelligence, instinct and intuition are
invisible, hence the Scientific speculations based on solely the
physical evidence of change cannot possibly give an accurate view
of their separate evolution.
ASTRAL CONCRETIZATIONS
When we look at the evidence of geological change, the S D states
that in some cases we may also be looking at the concretized
remains and evidence of evolutionary change in the ASTRAL
periods. Thus some fossils and strata reflect traces of those
ancient Astral conditions and its changes during those past eras
in terms of our present highly condensed material -- which now
clothes the original Astral forms. [One might consider (using
an analogy) that the space between the Atomic nuclei and their
peripheral electrons was even wider in those early days than they
are to day, thus making the appearance of "matter" far more
tenuous--"misty" to us as a perspective. As matter "condensed"
so did the Astral fossils and strata.]
The great difference between Occult and material Science in this,
it lies in a grasp of the nature of the early periods of Astral
development and its changes prior to our present material
physical condition. The early Rounds of our Earth (One, Two,
Three to the middle of the 4th ROUND) are evolutionary
periods involving only the Astral material and its progress.
Minerals, plants animals and mankind were all astral in form, and
just as "solid" to each other then, in those periods, as we are
today solid to one another in this present condensed "matter"
that we use all the time. Physical Matter, such as we now are
familiar with, and live in, became gradually more concretely
manifest and visible in the 4th GLOBE of this, our ROUND (which
is the 4th in the World series of Rounds). The 4th GLOBE, of
this 4th ROUND, being the densest -- which is where we are, as
"forms," now.).
In this our 4th GLOBE, the 7 RACES which form it, also, the
sub-divisions of time, recapitulate the entire process of
development (as the fetus does in the womb) of the 3 earlier
ROUNDS.
RACES One, Two and Three (Lemurian) up to the middle of the 3rd
were largely Astral forms -- of Astral matter, and these have
gradually consolidated as the material conditions changed and
densified around them. [ SD I 142, ]
The Astral form is electro-magnetic in character and for each
individual intelligence (be this mineral, plant, animal or human)
there is a specific and individual "force-field" to which
cooperative materials are attracted. These assist in making a
coherent bodily form. The "materials" are also Monads.
Thus, the Astral is held in esotericism to always precede the physical.
If one considers what Science teaches us today about the
constitution of the atom, we can see that if we analyze our
physical body to its ultimate nature we are left with
"force-fields" that are "atomic" in nature and quality. But that
Power which draws specific atoms to form molecules, cells, and
physical structures into a living body, is yet to be located, and
subject to analysis. Yet, it exists since we are here, using our
bodies and very conscious in them of both feelings and thoughts.
At our present evolutionary stage, the astral form/entity is
entirely interior to the physical. It forms the mold or
framework on which the physical molecules, cells, and other
physical structures form a coherent cooperative, in which an
Intelligence (called the Human Personality) can reside. It is
far more resistant to change than physical matter and serves as
the continuing basis for our appearance, from childhood to old
age.
BRAIN
There is an astral BRAIN which is the true center of
Intelligence, and where memory is recorded. The physical Brain
changes and alters from second to second, (as does the living
matter of the whole body) and so, the Brain, is constantly
renewed as it deteriorates and that which needs removal is
replaced. It is the physical tool of the Astral, the True Brain.
MIND
In Man's form, a MIND (in addition to the feeling, sensitive
Personality) also resides [SD II 167, 79-80, 254-5]. Man's form
has associated with it, all the impulse of a well-developed
instinctual and desire nature. The Mind in man is of the
Spiritual essence that inheres in Him; it is THIS (the MONAD --
the HIGHER SELF) that broods over each of our personalities as we
live our daily life. We can thus see that no matter how many
fossils are discovered, the astral, the mental and the spiritual
heredity and evolution cannot be deduced from them.
Because of this HPB, had to draw comparisons with the facts known
to Occultism and those tentative theories and hypotheses that
were being advanced by archaeology, and the scientific theories
on evolution and heredity that were current in her day -- and
which, as is usually the case, became accepted as "true" and as a
"basis" on which to further pursue study and deposit fresh and
additional facts as they were unearthed. [One ought to become
familiar with the 3 books written by Michael Cremo and Richard
Thompson regarding FORBIDDEN ARCHAEOLOGY -- which
uncover some of the data that archaeology has been concealed –
if it did not fit those theories. This has retarded real progress.]
Since HPB's time, there have been some changes brought on by
fresh discoveries and technical improvements, in the views and
dating of modern Science, but the basic distinction between the
physical and the astral, the physical and the intellectual, and
the physical and the Spiritual consciousness has never yet been
derived from fossils. Nor have their evolution been traced
except hypothetically.
The general theories current when the S D was written over 120 years ago,
are still in place, but thanks to dating techniques the antiquity of early
times and geological ages have been extended and broadened. In the 2nd part
of this essay we offer some data (in terms of times) for comparison on this.
GRADUALISM
During HPB's time another theory (besides Lyell's 'Gradualism') concerning
evolution was also under consideration in France, based on the observations
and hypothesis of the eminent scientist Georges Cuvier (1769-1832).
CATASTROPHISM IN EARLIER ERAS
Cuvier as a Zoologist and Chancellor of the University of Paris developed
from his observations of fossils found in old geological strata the concept
of "Catastrophism." Great global cataclysms were seen to substantially
alter the progress of evolution from time to time. A perspective is needed
to view these.
Geologists have revealed many great catastrophic changes that have left
their mark on global geology. For example: (These catastrophic time-frame
estimates are made by modern Geology.)
Early CAMBRIAN Age (estimated at 570 million years ago). Unicellular forms
seem suddenly to give way to multicellular ones showing mineralized
skeletons -- trilobites, etc... The cause for this change is not known.
End of the ORDOVICIAN Period (estimated at 425 million years ago). The cause
of a vast mass extinction that occurred then is yet to be determined. This
was apparently accompanied by a long ice age.
Close of the DEVONIAN Age (estimated at 365 million years ago). Another mass
extinction of species occurred -- cause yet to be determined.
The PALEOZOIC Era closed (estimated at 225 million years ago). A most
violent mass extinction (including the ancient trilobites) occurred leaving
only about 5% of all species alive. It is theorized that the
supercontinent "Pangea" -- "mother" of the present continents was then in
place. Water levels diminished, and sea levels lowered dramatically
Massive volcanic action seems to have taken place following that.
TRIASSIC Period ended (estimated at 190 million years ago). Another mass
extinction of living species was observed. This may have been triggered it
has been theorized, by the impact of large meteorite or a small comet in
the area of Quebec's Lake Manicougan (60 mile wide crater). The subsequent
ice age caused a massive die-off of living forms. It is theorized that the
hypothetical link (Cotylosaurus) between the dinosaurs and the mammals and
reptiles was destroyed at that time.
65 million years ago another comet/meteorite was also estimated to have
collided with the Earth and the resulting devastation caused the death of
most of the Earth's species. This included the remaining dinosaurs and
reptiles. A world wide layer of Iridium between 2 layers of limestone may
have been deposited, as Iridium, rare on Earth, is largely present in
meteorites [1980, Alvarez]. Mammals survived and a new distribution of
fauna bloomed after this.
35 million years ago saw possibly two impacts (one under the Chesapeake Bay,
and another in Siberia) -- that triggered the death of most of the animal
species of the Earth, as a great ice age ensued. .
This catalog causes one to observe that long periods of relative stability
can be traced by geologists to be interrupted by violent events: floods or
volcanism. These upheavals alter the course of Life as a whole.
Archaeologists and Geologists wonder if a new era and change in quality of
life is marked by the rapid development of new species. For example it is
noticed that fossils indicate a rapid rise in the mammalian population of
the Earth following the general demise of the dinosaurs some 65 million
years ago. Later still, human fossils begin to be found in strata that seems
to be around 4 million years old.
In HPB's time a very grudging 40 to 100,000 years was allowed for the
emergence of the human skeletal frame, presumably from that of the apes,
which so closely resembled them.
But the S D teaches that the Apes are the descendents of man and not its
predecessors or progenitors. [ see SD, Vol. I 186, 190-1; II 87fn, 189,
193, 678, 689 ]
MAN IS PRIMITIVE -- APE-FORMS ARE SPECIALIZED DESCENDENTS
Scientists of HPB's time like Mr. De Quatrefages and others, challenged this
"descent from the Apes theory" because anatomically man's skeleton can be
shown to precede that of the Apes. [ S D II 87fn, 287, 315fn, 665fn,
666-8, 677-8, 680-5]
To explain this: Man's skeletal form is far more primitive, and the
skeletons of the Apes show specializations that could only be derived by
environmental requirements placed on them. Whereas the human skeleton can
be shown to remain unchanged in structure no matter how old the strata may
be from which his fossils may be found. The antiquity of the strata shows
no variation in man's skeleton. Further the special characteristics of
various human skeletal features can be found today among us. We are also
aware that today with our current highly technological civilization, there
are savage tribes and races that still co-exist with us in
South America, Australia, Africa, Polynesia, (not to mention the
"inner-city" jungles that we have created in our large cities).
BRAIN SIZE
An additional factor is the size of the brain. It has to be noted that
Man's cranial capacity, the average -- including those we term 'savages' --
is 100 cubic inches or more. This is about 3 times as large as the brain
volume of the largest Ape, the Gorilla, which measures on the average, 31
cubic inches or less. [SD II 193fn, 661, 676, 682].
Giant human skeletons are mentioned in SD II 9 151 194-5 278-9 293fn
330 337 347-8 409 SD II 752-6 774-5 Mahatma Letters, bottom of p. 2]
[ Close of Part 1 of this study and report.]
Part II TO FOLLOW
Best wishes,
Dallas
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