Theos-Talk Archives (January 2005 Message tt00428)

Jan 15 2005

Re: STUDYING THE SD


Dear John and friends: 

This is a general note arising from some comments made in the past couple
of weeks: --


The SECRET DOCTRINE is a large 2 volume book (1,500 pages) and will provide
you with months of interesting (though difficult) study. You ought to take
notes as you go along. For the meaning of some words you will have to go to
a large dictionary. But the extra effort will make you one of the most
learned men in the world when mastered. Its nature is to enlarge our minds,
to deepen our intuition, and enable us to understand Universal Brotherhood
as the most practical way of life.

Kindly consider these suggestions: [from Notes by Cmdr. Bowen who
interviewed HPB]


Reading the S.D. page by page, as one reads any other book (HPB says) will
only end in confusion. 

The first thing to do, even if it takes years, is to get some grasp of the 


(1)	"Three Fundamental Principles" given in the Proem. [ S D Vol., I,
pp 14 - 19] 


(2)	Follow that up by study of the Recapitulation -- the numbered items
in the Summing Up to Vol. 1 [ S D Vol. I, Pp. 272 - 284. ]


(3)	Then take the Preliminary Notes to Vol. 2 [ S D , Vol. II, Pp. 1
- 14) and 


(4)	the Conclusion to Vol. 2 [ S D , Vol. II, Pp. 457, 778- end). 


H.P.B. seems pretty definite about the importance of the teaching (in the
Conclusion) relating to the times of coming of the Races and Sub-Races. She
put it more plainly than usual that there is really no such thing as a
future "coming" of races. 

"There is neither COMING nor PASSING, but eternal BECOMING," she says. 

Regarding the "Races" of mankind, HPB says: The Fourth Root Race is still
alive. So are the Third and Second and First -- that is, their
manifestations on our present plane of substance are present. So likewise
the Sixth Sub-Race is here, and the Sixth Root Race, and the Seventh, and
even people of the coming ROUNDS. After all that's understandable. Disciples
and Brothers and Adepts can't be people of the everyday Fifth Sub-Race, for
the race is in a state of evolution. And these terms represent levels of
spiritual achievement.

But she leaves no question but that, as far as humanity at large goes we are
hundreds of years (in time and space) from even the Sixth Sub-Race. H.P.B.
showed a peculiar anxiety in her insistence on this point. 

She hinted at "dangers and delusions" coming through ideas that the New Race
had dawned definitely on the World. According to her the duration of a
Sub-Race for humanity at large coincides with that of the Sidereal Year (the
circle of the earth's axis -- about 25,000 years.) That puts the new race a
long way off. [about 16,000 years]

HPB emphasized the need for grasping the "Fundamental Principles." 

She says: 

"If one imagines that one is going to get a satisfactory picture of the
constitution of the Universe from the S.D. one will get only confusion from
its study. It is not meant to give any such final verdict on existence, but
to LEAD TOWARDS THE TRUTH. 

"It is worse than useless going to those whom we imagine to be advanced
students (she said) and asking them to give us an "interpretation" of the
S.D. They cannot do it. If they try, all they give are cut and dried
exoteric renderings which do not remotely resemble the Truth. 

To accept such interpretation means anchoring ourselves to fixed ideas,
whereas Truth lies beyond any ideas we can formulate or express. 

Exoteric interpretations are all very well, and she does not condemn them so
long as they are taken as pointers for beginners, and are not accepted by
them as anything more. 
Many persons who are in, or who will in the future be in the T.S. are of
course potentially incapable of any advance beyond the range of a common
exoteric conception. But there are, and will be others, and for them she
sets out the following and true way of approach to the S.D. 

Come to the S.D. (HPB says) without any hope of getting the final Truth of
existence from it, or with any idea other than seeing how far it may lead
TOWARDS the Truth. 

See in study a means of exercising and developing the mind never touched by
other studies. 
Observe the following rules: 


1. No matter what one may study in the S.D. let the mind hold fast, as the
basis of its ideation to the following ideas 


(a) The FUNDAMENTAL UNITY OF ALL EXISTENCE. 


This unity is a thing altogether different from the common notion of unity
-- as when we say that a nation or an army is united; or that this planet is
united to that by lines of magnetic force or the like. The teaching is not
that. It is that existence is ONE THING, and it is not any "collection of
things linked together. "


Fundamentally there is ONE BEING. 

This Being has two aspects, positive and negative. 

The positive is Spirit, or CONSCIOUSNESS. 

The negative is SUBSTANCE, the subject of consciousness. 

This Being is the Absolute in its primary manifestation. 

Being absolute there is nothing outside it. 

IT IS ALL-BEING. It is indivisible, else it would not be absolute. 

If a portion could be separated, that remaining could not be absolute,
because there would at once arise the question of COMPARISON between it and
the separated part.  

Comparison is incompatible with any idea of absoluteness. 

Therefore it is clear that this fundamental One Existence, or Absolute Being
must be the Reality in every form there is. 

Since many would not easily grasp it. "Theosophy," she said, "is for those
who can think, or for those who can drive themselves to think, not mental
sluggards." 

The Atom, the Man, the God (she says) are each separately, as well as all
collectively, Absolute Being in their last analysis, that is their REAL
INDIVIDUALITY. 

It is this idea which must be held always in the background of the mind to
form the basis for every conception that arises from study of the S.D. The
moment one lets it go (and it is most easy to do so when engaged in any of
the many intricate aspects of the Esoteric Philosophy) the idea of
SEPARATION supervenes, and the study loses its value. 



(b) The second idea to hold fast to is that THERE IS NO DEAD MATTER. 
Every last atom is alive. It cannot be otherwise since every atom is itself
fundamentally Absolute Being. Therefore there is no such thing as "spaces"
of Ether, or Akasha, or call it what you like, in which angels and
elementals disport themselves like trout in water. That's the common idea.
The true idea shows every atom of substance no matter of what plane to be in
itself a LIFE. 



(c) The third basic idea to be held is that Man is the MICROCOSM. As he is,
so, all the Hierarchies of the "Heavens" exist within him. But in truth,
there is neither Macrocosm nor Microcosm but ONE EXISTENCE. Great and small
are such only as viewed by a limited consciousness. 



(d) Fourth and last basic idea to be held is that expressed in the Great
Hermetic Axiom. It really sums up and synthesises all the others: 

As is the Inner, so is the Outer; 
as is the Great so is the Small; 
as it is above, so it is below; 
there is but One Life and Law; 
and he that worketh it is ONE. 
Nothing is Inner, nothing is Outer; 
nothing is Great, nothing is Small; 
nothing is High, nothing is Low, in the Divine Economy.
No matter what one takes as study in the S.D. one must correlate it with
those basic ideas. 


This is a kind of mental exercise that must be fatiguing -- H.P.B. smiled
and nodded. 

One must not be a fool (she said) and drive oneself into the madhouse by
attempting too much at first. The brain is the instrument of waking
consciousness, and every conscious mental picture formed means change and
destruction of the atoms of the brain. 

Ordinary intellectual activity moves on well beaten paths in the brain, and
does not compel sudden adjustments and destructions in its substance. But
this new kind of mental effort calls for something very different -- the
carving out of new "brain paths," the ranking in different order of the
little brain lives. If forced injudiciously, it may do serious physical harm
to the brain. 

Taking these warnings and concepts into account, it is recommended to adopt
the following if possible: Please make it a point to read at least 1 or 2
(or more if interested) pages a day, and make notes of your questions, as
you go.  

Always try to maintain the "fundamentals" stated above in mind as they will
be found to answer many questions. It will. Be found that answers are made
in various places in the S D and they will have to be pieced together


Here are some hints to look at and learn from.  


HIDDEN HINTS IN THE SECRET DOCTRINE

>From PAGES I TO 67, Vol. I

A PROPHECY. In the 20th century -1900-the scholars of our era will begin to
recognize that the Secret Doctrine has neither been invented nor
exaggerated, but simply outlined-Vol.I, Intro. p. xxxvii. 

In other places the author hints at surprises in store in the way of
manuscripts, etc. It would seem that by 1900 some "discoveries" will be made
by scholars that will support our author. "Once the door permitted to be
kept a little ajar, it will be opened wider with every new century. The
times are ripe for a more serious knowledge than hitherto permitted." Vol,
I, p. xxxviii, footnote.

"We have not long to wait, and many of us will witness the Dawn of the New
Cycle, at the end of which not a few accounts will be settled and squared
between the races." V.I, Intro. xliv.

AN ARCHAIC MANUSCRIPT. Some of the doctrines given out are found by her in a
collection of palm-leaves made impervious to the elements by some unknown
process. Proem V. I, p .I. It is well known that some of the most ancient
eastern manuscripts are on palm-leaves which are cut in oblong, narrow form
and tied with a string. How is this seen by her? Either in the astral light
or objectively, being brought to her table. By whom or what?

CONTINUITY OF PLAN FROM ONE MANVANTARA TO ANOTHER. In this old MS. it is
said (Proem) that during the pralaya the plan for the next manvantara
slumbers until the dawn of the next evolution, when its potential power goes
forth to action. There is, therefore a continuity from manvantara through
pralaya to succeeding manvantara. Continued on pp. 4 and 5 of V.I.

THE BASIS OF AFFINITY, hence for all correlations of force. It is stated
that Leucippus taught an occult law when he declared, 500 B.C., that the
lateral motion of atoms is the root for affinity and correlation of force.
V.I, p. 2.

EACH PERIOD OF EVOLUTION is sui generis. "Yet at each new manvantara, its
organization [speaking of the cosmos] may be regarded as the first and the
last of its kind, as it evolutes every time on a higher plane." V. I, p. 3.

A NEW ELEMENT AT THE END OF OUR 4TH ROUND. "Occult science recognizes Seven
Cosmical Elements, four entirely physical, the fifth -Ether-semi-material,
as it will become visible in the air toward the end of our 4th Round, to
reign supreme over the others during the whole of the 5th Round." Vol. I, p.
12.

AKASA AND MANAS CORRESPOND. See footnote p. 13, Vol. I. "That Akasa, the
fifth universal Cosmic Principle-to which corresponds and from which
proceeds human Manas-is, cosmically, a radiant, cool, diathermanous, plastic
matter, creative in its physical nature, correlative in its grossest aspects
and portions, immutable in its higher principles." It must therefore follow,
under the law of correspondences, that manas in the seven-fold division is
creative, correlative, and immutable in the same way and portions as stated
for Akasa.

MANAS IN THE 5TH ROUND. By following out the correspondence we find that as
Ether, the lower form of Akasa, now semi-material, will become visible in
the air at the end of this Round-the 4th-so manas, now only semi-developed
in this race, will be further evolved in the 5th Round, at the same time
with the parent source, and as the form of Ether spoken of will then be the
superior element in nature, so at the same time the superior principle
reigning in the septenary constitution of man will be manas. 

THE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF MANAS imposes full responsibility on the race, and
thus we see how the turning point is reached and what it may mean, and also
what is the meaning of the "moment of Choice." With full responsibility the
choice must be made by the race which thus has perfect manas. It is for and
towards that period that the Masters of Wisdom are now working so as to
prepare the present Egos for the momentous days when the choice of the good
or evil path must be intelligently made.

WE ARE THE SAME EGOS WHO WERE IN THE ATLANTEAN BODIES, and that they had a
very weighty karma, we may perceive why it is that are those who will be
compelled to make the great choice for good or evil destiny in the next
Round.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EFFECT OF GREAT AND MINOR PRALAYA. 

The question "What happens to the planets during a minor pralaya or
dissolution? is answered in footnote p. 18, V.I. They are dead, as it were,
but not dissolved, for "they remain intact as a huge animal caught and
imbedded in the polar ice remains the same for ages." 

After the great Pralaya no planets remain as their form used to be, but all
are dissolved, their akasic "photographs" alone remaining. This must be
taken metaphorically, or else we will again make objective that which is
subjective. But in a minor pralaya the "dead planets" are objective in
space, but with all their active life and energy gone.


DHYAN CHOHANS NOT THE ONLY TERM FOR THE HIGHEST BEINGS. 

"Each of the various groups has its own designation in the Secret Doctrine."
V. I, p. 22, lines 8, 9. Nor are they personifications of powers in nature.
Vol. I, p. 38, line 18.

EACH ROUND has its special class of Dhyanis to watch over it. The same for
races, p. 42, Vol. I. (a). The present round is watched especially by the
Fourth Class of Dhyanis.

THE ABSOLUTE NOT UNDERSTOOD by the Dhyan Chohans. p. 51, Vol. I, line 16.
And yet some theosophists ask to have definitions or explanations of the
Absolute. We heard of one who claimed to have "communed with the Absolute."

THE BREATH OF BRAHMA. This may be said to be the same as "The Eternal
Breath" spoken of in the Secret Doctrine. It is motion, and proceeds through
space ceaselessly. IT DOES NOT STOP DURING THE PRALAYAS. p. 55, Vol. I, line
11.

IDEALS AND TYPES IN THE ASTRAL LIGHT. The prototype is present in an ideal
form in the Astral Light from dawn to night during the manvantaric
period-everything from man to mite, from giant trees down to the tiniest
blade of grass. p. 63, Vol. I, 1st para. There is a clear correspondence
here with the formation of the astral man, which is the copy, plan, or
prototype on which the corporeal man is formed.

THE PRIMORDIAL FORM of every manifested thing is like that of an egg. p. 65,
Vol. I. A paramahansa once wrote for the Theosophist an article in which he
said that theosophy was that Branch of Masonry which showed the universe in
the form of an egg.

THE VERBUM, OR WORD, AND ITS FORCE. All religions speak of "the Word." The
Jews, from whom the Christians get their religion, say that the all-powerful
name of God if pronounced will shake the Universe; the Freemasons speak of
the lost word; the Hindus tell of the great word; it is the Greek logos. The
question is often raised, "Supposing there be such a word, wherein is its
force?" H.P.B. says it is in motion and not in number. Note I, p. 67, Vol.
I. The Hebrew Kaballah leans more to number, as being the force of power of
this word.


MATTER DURING PRALAYA. It is in a state of great tenuity seen only by
Bodhisatvas. When evolution begins again it appears like curds in space.
V.I, p. 69.

ELECTRICITY AN ENTITY. V. I, p. 76, line 6; it is an emanation from an
Entity of power, p. 111, footnote, and is coexistent with the one life, p.
81; it is primordial matter of a special nature, p. 82.

PULSATION OF THE HEART AND THE TIDES. Probably due to the universal
expanding and contracting of the atoms, which in turn are caused by the
expansion and contraction of matter of space. V.I, p. 84. "There is heat
internal and heat external in every atom," id.

TWO SORTS OF FIRE OR HEAT. One in the central Sun and the other in the
manifested universe and solar system. V.I, p. 84, 87.

MAGICAL POTENCY OF WORDS is in the vowel sounds and not in the numbers. V.I,
p. 94.
THE TERM "HUMAN" IS NOT TO BE CONFINED TO THIS GLOBE. It must be applied to
all entities who have reached the fourth stage of development on any planet
in space in its fourth round in any chain of planets. V.I, p. 106, 2d para.

BUDDHI AS COMPARED WITH SPIRIT is material, although for us and the highest
conceptions we can form it is wholly beyond materiality. V.I, p. 119, line
7.

THE HUMAN MONAD is the union of the ray from the absolute with the soul.
V.I, p. 119, para. I.

SYMBOLISM AND NUMBERS. They are intimately connected with the hosts of the
Dhyan-Chohans. The basic numbers refer each to distinct groups of ideas
which vary according to the group of Dhyan Chohans referred to. In other
places the author says that, as the Dhyani are connected with evolution in
all its intricacies and mysteries, it follows that symbolism is of the
highest importance. V.I, p. 119 (b).

THE ONE FUNDAMENTAL LAW OF OCCULT SCIENCE is "the radical unity of the
ultimate essence of each constituent part of compounds in Nature-from Star
to mineral Atom, from the highest Dhyan Chohan to the smallest infusoria."
And this is to be applied spiritually, intellectually, and physically. V.I,
p. 120, last para.

KARMA NEEDS MATERIAL AGENCIES to carry out its decrees. V.I, p. 123, line 2.
The material agents spoken of here are not merely those that we class as
such, but many others which are generally conceived of by us as spiritual.
For, as said above, even Buddhi is material when compared with Atman of
which it is the vehicle. 

The clue here given is in regard to THE OPERATIONS OF KARMA THROUGH THE
atoms that are used by the egos in their various incarnations. But in
following this out it must not be forgotten that there is no particle or
point of materiality which is not at the same time mixed with or in company
with another principle-if the word may be used for this purpose-of spirit or
the one life.

THE THREE GROUPS OF BUILDERS. These are as follows: The first is the group
which constructs the entire system as a whole and which includes more than
this globe system; the second is the group of builders who come in when the
system as a great whole is ready and form the planetary chain of this earth;
and the third is that group which builds or projects Humanity, as they are
the great type of the microcosm-man. V.I, p. 128, second para.

THE LIPIKA AS COMPARED WITH THE BUILDERS are the great Spirits of the
universe as a whole, the builders being of a special nature. 

The Lipika, like the others, are divided into three groups, but it is
asserted that only the lowest of these three groups has to do with this
system of ours and that the other two cannot be known, and also that those
two are so high that it is doubtful if even the highest of the Adepts know
about them. It may therefore be supposed that for the Adepts the Lipika of
the higher degree are as great a mystery as the Mahatmas are for us, and
that this ascending scale of greatness ever gives to the soul something
still higher, no matter how far it may progress, to which to look and
aspire. V.I, see whole of page 128.

But as each of the three groups is divided into seven others (p. 127), it
may be the 21st sub-group which has to do with this globe; and it is said
that as to the highest of the groups it is directly connected with our
karma. V.I, p. 128, last line. Now as Karma rules the entire universe, it
must follow, in order to make and keep harmony, that the "highest grade of
Lipika" referred to on page 128 is not the highest of the last series of 21
sub-groups, but the highest of the whole three groups.

NOTE WELL. Whenever and "entity" is spoken of among the various "hosts" it
is to be known as composed of many entities, just as man himself is
similarly constituted, his total consciousness being that of the whole mass
of beings who go to make up his intricate life.
 
NIRMANAKAYAS. First reference to these on p. 132, note I, where they are
called "the surviving spiritual principles of men," and in the text they are
those who reincarnate for the good of the world if they choose.

ELECTRICITY AGAIN is mentioned as Life, p. 137, 4th line; also p. 139, line
17; also a form of "Fohat"; also p. 145, (b).

ETHER only partially manifested, and not to be fully so until the 5th Round,
p. 140.

THAT ENTITIES ARE CONSTITUTED of many units, each an entity. Thus that
"Fohat," elsewhere called "an Entity," is not one undivided entity but is
made up of others; and that there are as many Fohats as there are worlds.
Note 2, p. 143, and p. 145 (b).

ELIXIR OF LIFE. A hint thereupon. Note 2, p. 144.

ELEMENTALS CONCERNED in all forces, e.g. that electricity, magnetism,
cohesion, and the like are made up of elementals. These of course, are not
all of one class, but of several, p. 146. Near the end of this pate it is
inferentially stated that elementals are generated in millions by other
beings. This must be, in fact, a transforming process in the atoms. By
referring to p. 143 a broad hint will be found as to this in the remarks
upon the "fate of an atom" once caught into any world sphere, and the means
of getting through "a current of efflux." Is this efflux through the
transforming being?

THE MOON. In what sense dead? Only as to her inner principles. Her physical
principles are not dead, but have a certain activity, p. 149, note I. And
her spiritual principles have been transferred to this earth, p. 155, note,
and p. 156, line 6.

DISAPPEARANCE OF THE MOON will have occurred before this earth has passed
through her 7th human round, p. 155, note.

ARCHETYPAL MAN ON GLOBE A. p. 159, last para. Here is a most interesting
hint not often referred to and opening up a vista of thought. In the 1st
round of the monads in this chain of planets, the monads from the preceding
chain of worlds-say the moon's chain-become human beings on Globe A. But in
the 2nd round the process alters, and it is in the 4th round that man
appears on this earth, the 4th Globe. To quote: "on globe A man rebecomes a
mineral, a plant, an animal, on globe B, C, etc. The process changes
entirely from the 2d round, but-" This abruptness is to give the hint to
intuitional investigators, and opens up as great a problem as the 8th sphere
seemed once to be and still perhaps is. But we may ask if on Globe A-unseen
by us-the archetypal process does not obtain?
 
FIGURES AND NUMBERS the key to the whole system. V.I, p. 164, last line.
This has often been stated. Among the Jewish cabalists it is said that the
Universe is built by number, weight, and measure, and that harmony is the
law reigning over all. Now is the hint given be true, that figures and
numbers will not be given for the above reasons, then it is useless for
students to bother their minds about the occult meaning of numbers, as so
many now do; for this occult meaning cannot be found without assistance.

ESOTERIC METAPHYSICS must be understood. V. I, p. 169 last para. This rule
is laid down by the Adepts and is therefore of greater weight than if
formulated by a student. It is useless to attempt to master the system on
the lines of modern research, which at best are empirical, very faulty, and
leading almost always to a materialization of the whole system. Metaphysics
deal with the real because the ideal, and physical science with the
phenomenal and therefore illusory and changeable.

EVOLUTION OF THE MONAD A BASIC PRINCIPLE. p. 171, Ist line, V. I. This is
laid down with extreme clearness and should not be forgotten. It is not
expanded so that inattentive minds may get it through much repetition, but
it is postulated once for all. It is still altogether too customary for
students to separate the Monads, first from the globes and then from the
beings thereon. They cannot be thus divided off. All the globes and their
objects are and ever will be monads in stages of evolution, just as we who
now study the question are monads ourselves in other stages. The false
notion should at once be discarded that there was a time when there were no
monads on the globe but that there was here in waiting this ball of earth
coming from no one know where, and that later on monads arrived to occupy
it.
If we carry out the principle laid down, then the globe is the creation of
the monad; and when the globe is evolved, at once monads needing that
experience enter into it corporeality to continue its existence. These later
monads are those far behind in the race who will, in some succeeding period
of evolution, be in a position to evolve on their own account some new globe
in ages yet far distant, for the carrying on of the same process eternally.
For, as a material object cannot spring out of nothing, neither can
education or knowledge or ability to plan arise out of nothing, but must be
based upon and flow from a prior experience or education. So it must be that
even now there are monads encased in the mineral, vegetable, and animal
kingdoms which have never been farther than that, and will during the
remainder of the race evolution continue their education in those lower
kingdoms until their time shall come when, the door opening for their exit,
they will pass out and higher to make room for others.

LIMIT TO NUMBER OF MONADS. Although there can be no such thing as a
metaphysical limit to the monads, yet practically, for the purpose of any
one manvantara, there must be a limited number of monads included within its
evolutionary sweep. Since a manvantara, however vast and inconceivable by
us, is wholly a finite period, it sets its own limits-within the illimitable
absolute-for the monads attracted to it. This of necessity must be, since
the natural world which makes experience possible, being finite because
material, sets the limits by reason of its capacity being bounded. See 1st
para. p. 171, V.I.

FATE OF THE ANTHROPOID APES. This interesting question is raised first on
pp. 173 and 175 V.I. and not disposed of. There, in describing the course of
the evolution of the monad, it is said that the laggards will not be men at
all in this cycle save one exception. On p. 184, 2d para. it seems to be
answered. "In this Round...the anthropoids destined to die out in this our
race when their monads will be liberated and pass into the astral human
forms, or the highest elementals, of the Sixth and Seventh Races, and then
into lowest human forms in the fifth Round..." These descendants of men
through union with animals will thus be karmically rewarded in the next
round after this, instead of having to wait until another manvantara.
 
THE IMPULSE OF EVOLUTION is found in the force of the spiritual breath. It
is not to be supposed because "human monads" cease to come into this chain
of globes that therefore there is no impulse. The term "human monad" means
that monad which having been through all lower experiences is fitted to
inform the so-far perfected human body.

MAN FIRST IN THE 4TH ROUND. p. 187. The flow of human monad is at an end,
except that those still incarcerated in the anthropoids have yet to come in.
Full blown-or rather those that have been through all lower experiences-must
proceed in their order through the strictly human evolution. The necessities
of evolution demands this, and the turning point is reached in the fourth
round which represents the square figure or number, and all monads in the
lower kingdoms have to go on with the work of evolution in those until the
next manvantara. At that time the monads now in human forms will have
progressed beyond, thus leaving room for those below to come up higher.

OUR NATURES FROM WHAT. p. 189. In the note it is distinctly pointed out that
the quotation from Shakespeare about our natures being marvelously mixed
refers to the part which the Hierarchies of progressed souls throughout the
system to which this globe belongs play in giving us our different
combinations.

CORRESPONDENCE OF HUMAN EVOLUTION with the nebular evolution and
condensation is to be found on these last lines of p. 191: "as the solid
earth began by being a ball of liquid fire, of fiery dust and its
protoplasmic phantom, so did man."

ORIGIN OF WHITE AND BLACK MAGIC. See not on p. 192, where it is stated that
at the highest point of development of the Atlantean race-the fourth-the
separation into right and left-hand magic, or consciously good and evil
thoughts, took place. Under the action of Karmic law and by the
reincarnation over and over again of those engaged in these thoughts, the
thoughts were preserved in the realm of mind in the double form of mental
deposits and astral impressions. The mental deposits were brought back again
and again to earth life, and the astral impressions affected all others who
came under their influence. In this way not only were seeds sown in
individual minds through their own thoughts, but a vast reservoir of good
and bad impressions or pictures has been created in the ethereal medium
about us by which sensitive persons are impelled to good and bad acts. And
all repetitions of evil thoughts have added to the stock of evil thus
remaining to affect and afflict mankind . But as the good also remains, the
earnest friends of mankind are able to produce good effects and impressions
which in their turn are added to the sum of good. There need be no feeling
of injustice on the ground that sensitive persons are affected by evil
pictures in the astral light, because such possibility of being thus
impressed could not have arisen except through sympathetic attractions for
them set up in former lives.