Theos-Talk Archives (May 2005 Message tt00401)

ANCIENT RELIGION IN AFRICA  -  P. G. Bowen
 
   
 
 Outside of the records of the ancient Wisdom in Egypt, little is known of
its diffusion in the rest of Africa.  Some evidence of the continent-wide
existence of the ancient doctrines and movement can be had from the
following narrative. 
 
The THEOSOPHIST, Madras, for August 1927 published an article entitled "The
Ancient Wisdom in Africa" written by Patrick Bowen who spent his childhood
and early life there.  He is, perhaps, better known for the SAYINGS OF THE
ANCIENT ONE which he published.
 
 Mr. Bowen, seems to have been recognized early in life for some special
qualities by members of those who were among Initiates of the Ancient
Brotherhood of Wisdom living among the Zulu and the descendants of the old
Bantu race of South and South East of Africa.
 
 Concerning some of this experience, Mr. Bowen wrote:  "Many years ago,when
I, a boy of ten or twelve years of age, I followed my father's wagon through
the wild Bushlands of the Northern Transvaal...I met and gained the
friendship of many natives--principally Zulus--of the class known as
Isanusi, a term popularly but improperly interpreted as "Witch-Doctor."  
 
Why those men, who with Europeans and even with their own people are always
intensely reserved, should have favored me with their confidence is
something I do not, even now, clearly understand...I recall a conversation
with one of their number, by name, Mankanyezi (The Starry One)...My father
had declared his intention of placing me in care of a Missionary, in order
that I might receive some education, and learn white man's ways.  
 
I repeated his words to Mankanyezi, who shook his head mournfully on hearing
them and said:  "Your teachers are doubtless learned men.  But why do they
strive to force their beliefs on us without first learning what our beliefs
are?...To show you how ignorant they are I shall tell you what we teach the
Common Man...We teach that he has a body;  that within that body is a soul; 
and within the soul is a spark or portion of something we call Itongo, which
the Common Man interprets as the Universal Spirit of the Tribe...
 
 
            After Death States
 
 
 After death the soul (Idhlozi) after hovering for a space near the body
departs to a place called Esilweni (Place of the Beasts).  This is a very
different thing...from entering the body of a beast.  
 
In Esilweni, the soul assumes a shape, part beast and part human.  This is
its true shape, for man's nature is very like that of the beast, save for
that spark of something higher...For a period which is long or short,
according to the strength of the animal nature, the soul remains in
Esilweni, but at last it throws aside its beast-like shape and moves onward
to a place of rest.  
 
There it sleeps till a time comes when it dreams that something to do or to
learn awaits it on earth;  then it awakes and returns, through the Place of
Beasts, to earth and is born again as a child.  Again and again does the
soul travel...till at last the Man becomes a True man, and his soul when he
dies goes straight to its rest, and thence, after a space, having ceased to
dream of earth, moves on and becomes one with "That-From-Which-it-Came"--the
Itongo.
 
 
            Universal Spirit--the Root of Universal Brotherhood
 
 
 Then does the Man know that instead of being himself, apart, he is truly
all the tribe and the tribe is he...But the belief of us, wiser Ones, is
something far wider and greater, though similar...We know that the Itongo is
not the mere Spirit of the Tribe, but is the Spirit within and above all
men--even all things;  and at the end, all men being one in Spirit, all men
are brothers in the flesh.
 
 
            The Great Lodge in Africa
 
 
 Mr. Bowen, describes a later visit to Mankanyezi when he was on the point
of traveling into central and East Africa.  The outcome of his trip was
correctly prophesied, even to unplanned detours he would be making that were
not originally on their program.  
 
A meeting with one of Mankanyezi's "elder brothers" was foretold.  When he
was asked for means of recognition of this "elder brother," he was told:
 
 "He is as you say, not my brother in the flesh...he is an Elder in the
Family (Society) to which I belong, whose members are the guardians of the
Wisdom-which-comes-from-of-old.  
 
There are many of us--one at least in every tribe and nation--throughout
this great land.  We are of many ranks, from the learner to the Master, and
to those Higher Ones whose names may not be spoken...I am a common Brother; 
he of whom I speak is my Elder...I know him because I have often seen him,
though not in the flesh.  Often have we spoken together.  Do you think the
mind of Man can travel only in the flesh?"  
 
 A year later, the travelers had been forced to make the prophesied detour
and reached in the land of the Masai in East Africa a village East of Lake
Nyassa.  There they were greeted by an old man as friends of his "brother
Mankanyezi."  It was ascertained that these two had never actually met
physically.  Their respective territories were separated by over a thousand
miles over which they had not traveled.
 
 
            A Secret Community
 
 
 In the course of his later work in South Africa,  Mr. Bowen wrote of his
meeting from time to time in scattered places with others of the
Brotherhood, and even with some high up in its ranks.  
 
He writes of a secret community in a remote and inaccessible valley...of an
African group quite different physically from those tribes that surrounded
it and with whom they lived in harmony.  He said that physically they
resembled the Berbers of North African and Mediterranean regions, 5,000
miles to the north.  They named themselves "Khabyles" [Kabiri ?].  There was
no way of accounting for their living so far from that area, nor did they
offer an explanation.  
 
 This will remind students of Theosophy of the mysterious Todas of the
Nilghery Mountains of South India, of which Mme. Blavatsky wrote extensively
in her book "THE PEOPLE OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS."   In a recent issue of
Lookout (THEOSOPHY, Vol. 81, p.24.) was published an account of another
mysterious tribe from the mountains of Columbia in northern South America,
called the Kogi.  It seems as though it had a unique mission in their area
of the world.
 
 
            Thought Telegraph
 
 
 The chief of this little community, Mandhlalanga (Strength of the Sun), was
at first reserved, but time and familiarity broke this down.  One day,
speaking of news of distant events that spread among the natives suddenly,
Mandhlalanga offered to explain to Bowen how this happened:  "Thought is
speedier that the electric spark and needs no wires for its conveyance," he
said.  "All it requires is a brain to dispatch it and another to receive
it.  Would you believe if I told you that I and others of the Brotherhoodto
which I belong can transmit our thoughts one to the other, no matter how far
apart our bodies may be?"
 
To Mr. Bowen's enquiry as to how that was to be explained, Mandhlalanga
stated that it might prove as difficult as explaining calculus to one
ignorant of simple addition.  He then offered to teach Bowen, but made no
guarantees that he might learn.  This education continued for about a year
until circumstances forced Bowen to work elsewhere.  Thereafter his contact
with his teacher Mandhlalanga was occasionally continued through the
intermediary of others of the Brotherhood.  Copious notes of the teachings
were kept by him and this could well form the subject of another issue in
this magazine.
 
 Mr. Bowen offers extracts made from his notes.  "Mandhlalanga," I may
explain, "is a Master, or Teacher in the Brotherhood mentioned by
Mankanyezi.  He has traveled in Europe, Asia and America.  He speaks English
and other European languages perfectly, but his talks with me were conducted
in the secret Bantu tongue...the continued existence of which few Europeans
are aware of."  Mandhlalanga deals as follows with:  
 
 
            The Riddle of Existence
 
 
 "The Itongo (Universal Spirit) is ALL that was, is, or ever shall be,
conceivable or inconceivable.  The Itongo is ALL things, all things are of
IT;  but the sum of all things is not the Itongo.  [Similarly for all power,
all wisdom, all substance.]  IT is in them and manifest through them, butIT
is also above them and beyond them, eternally unmanifest.
 
 Man who is of the Itongo can never know the Itongo while he is Man.  All he
can know of IT are certain manifestations which come within the range of his
perception.
 
 
            Manifestation
 
 
 The pupil is generally taught that the manifestations are three in number. 
Namely:
 
                        1.         Universal Mind,
                        2.         Universal Force,
                        3.         Universal Substance or Matter.
 
 But really there are but two manifestations, Mind and Matter.  What wecall
Force is not a separate manifestation.  It is simply certain of the lowest,
or grossest grades of Mind. 
 
Force is simply that portion of Mind which endows Matter with Form.  It is
that portion of Mind which transmits the idea of Form to the higher grades
where Consciousness dwells.  Let the Pupil think and he must see that this
is so.  
 
 
            Vibration
 
 
Color, size, shape, what are they?  Simply light vibrations which when
passed on to the Consciousness give the idea of Form.  And what is
vibration?  It is Force.  Heat, cold, hardness, softness, varieties of taste
and smell are all vibrations, and therefore also Force.  If you make Force a
separate manifestation, then also must you make those planes of Mind which
transfer ideas of passion or emotion separate manifestations.
 
 
            In the Beginning...
 
 
 In the beginning of a Cosmic Cycle, the Itongo first manifested in all the
many grades of mind, downward into all the grades of Matter.  But at first
both Mind and Matter were unindividualized.  When, how, or why, only the
Itongo can know.  
 
 
            Individuality
 
 
Individuality began in the highest planes of Mind--those planes which touch
on pure Spirit.  Understanding of what occurred is best gained by the
following conception.  
 
Think of the Cosmos, just before Individuality began, as a vast, amorphous
ocean of Mind and Matter, its surface ripples;  and upper reaches, those
planes of Mind which touch on Spirit, growing denser and denser, downwards
till Matter in Etheric form, is reached;  downward till Ether becomes Gas,
which may be likened to the mineral-charged lower strata of the ocean; 
downward till gases become liquids (muddy water); finally into solids (thick
mud).
 
 The beginning of Individuality in this Cosmic Ocean may be likened to the
starting of myriads of tiny "whirlpools" among the ripples of the surface
(the Spiritualized Mind).  These "whirlpools" under the force of a growing
flood-tide, extended deeper and deeper, till at last all strata were
involved in the swirl.
 
Thus we have Individuality set up, extending from Spiritual Mind to the
Physical Plane.  The "whirlpool" on the surface represents the birth of the
Soul.  Its extension to the muddy depths represents the Soul's descent into
matter.  
 
In matter the Soul has reached the aphelion of its cycle, and now it begins
its long, slow return journey.  By the process of evolution it climbs slowly
upward, from mineral to plant, from plant to animal, from animal to man; 
through all grades and states of human development, shaking off, slowly and
painfully as it climbs, the gross accretions gathered during its descent; 
up through the lower mind to the higher, it climbs, till at last, its cycle
complete, it merges with its source, the Itongo, and ceases to be
Individual, being one with the ALL.
 
 
            Man and his Destiny
 
 
 Man is an individual having in him, as has everything on the physical
plane, all the attributes of the Cosmic Ocean of which he is an
individualized portion.  He has reached on his upward journey the stage of
personal consciousness.  I speak of Man in general.  There are undeveloped
men, whose personal consciousness is but rudimentary as there are others who
have transcended personality and know their real Selves--that immortal
portion first individualized from the lofty planes of the Spiritual Mind.
 
 Man is on a journey, the goal of which is union with the source of his
being--the Itongo.  
 
To reach that goal he must first pass through all experience the Cosmos
affords, and must shake off all accretions accumulated on his descent from
individualizes Spiritual Mind into grossest Matter.  To do this, he is born
again, for his physical body dies, as do his power mental principles;  only
his higher mental principles which are akin with the Itongo survive from age
to age, retaining throughout the Cosmic Cycle the individuality bestowed
upon them at its opening. 
 
 
            These are the Principles of Man
 
 
            1.         The Physical Body (Umzimba).
 
            2.         The Etheric [Astral] Body (Isitunzi)...etheric
counterpart of the physical body, and not really a separate principle,
normally.  But in certain abnormal states it is partially     separable from
the physical body.  It is the medium through which the Lower Mind (or Force)
functions.  
 
            3.         Lower Mind (Amandhla)...That portion of the Mind
which shows little Life-force and other forms of what we call Energy.
 
            4.         The Animal Mind (Utiwesilo)...The planes of Mind
which manifest as passion, emotions and instincts.
 
            5.         Human Mind (Utiwomuntu)...The planes of Mind which
manifest as human  consciousness, intellect, higher emotions, etc...  
 
            6.         Spiritual Mind(Utiwetongo)...The higher planes
manifesting Spiritual Consciousness.
 
            7.         ITONGO...The Ray, or spark of Universal Spirit which
informs all lower manifestations.
 
 
            The Brotherhood
 
 
 We call our Brotherhood...using the ancient Bantu speech which is the
mother-tongue of the most wide- spread group of languages in the Continent
[of Africa].  It may be rendered in English as The Brotherhood of the Higher
Ones of Egypt.
 
 The Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in the reign of the Pharaoh Cheops; 
its founder being a Priest of Isis.  It has as its objects the spreading of
the Wisdom-which-comes-from-of-Old among all races and tribes in Africa, and
the study and practice by its members of what we call...that Science which
depends on the power of Thought.  it is the only true Science there is.
 
 
            Grades Of The Brotherhood 
 
 
 These are the grades of the brotherhood and some of the powers and
functions they exercise.
 
            1.         The Pupil...isone under probation which lasts from
one to three    years.  During this time he is under instruction by aMaster
and subjects himself to certain disciplines.  If found  worthy he enters the
brotherhood as a Disciple, at the end of his period of probation.  if
unworthy he is dismissed back to the  world.
 
            2.         The Disciple...is an avowed member of the Brotherhood
and subject to its disciplines.  Under instruction he develops certain
powers..."Mesmerism," is usually one of the earliest to 
develop.
 
            3.         The Brother...A full member of the Order with many
developed powers, of which I may mention, only, power of communication by
thought with those of equal or higher development...what 
European Occultists term Astral Consciousness.
 
            4.         The Elder... an advanced Brother.
 
            5.         The Master...The Teacher of all lower grades...has
many developed powers...
 
            6.         Those who Know(Isangoma)...Of these it is not
permitted to speak save to say that they have attained Consciousness on the
plane of the Real Self.
 
 Besides the above, we have lay Disciples and lay Brothers.  They are men
who are prevented by circumstances from becoming vowed to the Brotherhood. 
They are subject only to self-imposed disciplines and receive but such
teaching as can be given from afar.  We have many lay Disciples, not merely
in Africa but in Asia, Europe and America.  
 
Lay Brothers, however, are but few, for without direct instruction from a
Master few can reach this grade without incurring grave dangers.  We
constantly warn all unavowed Disciples against the danger of attempting to
attain a brother's powers, unaided by the direct instruction of a Master.
 
 
            Perfected Men
 
 
 Let it not be though that our Isangoma, elevated though they be, represent
the supreme development possible to Man on the Physical Plane.  It is not
so.  There are others, not of any Brotherhood, save the brotherhood of All. 
We call them...(that is Supreme Ones, or Perfect Men).  These are men for
whom the necessity for rebirth has ceased.  They dwell on earth in physical
form by their own will, and can retain or relinquish that form as they
choose.  I speak of them but to assure the Pupil of their existence.  Few
below the grade of Master, have ever seen one in the flesh, though all, from
Disciple upward may meet them in the Spirit.
 
 
            The Source of Power
 
 
 "Of the source of power we wield," continues Mandhlalanga, "the Pupil can
learn but little until he attains Discipleship.  
 
But let him ponder this much.  
 
I have likened Individuality to whirlpools in the Cosmic Ocean.  But all
that Ocean has not been cast into individuality.  
 
Between the "whirlpools," myriad though they be, stretch wide, smooth
spaces, identical with them in comparison.  Now it can well be conceived
that a "whirlpool" by setting up minor vibrations within itself may send out
ripples through the smooth spaces which will strike upon and affect in some
degree other "whirlpools."  
 
All the "whirlpools" are constantly doing this.  
 
Now suppose a "whirlpool" to have gained power to control its internal
vibrations and to send them pulsating through the Ocean towards whatever
objective it desires, can you not see that it may produce upon that
objective whatever effect it desires ?  
 
Now think of the "whirlpool" as being a Man.  
 
Is it not clear that by getting full control of the vibrations of his higher
planes, he may dispatch though the Cosmic Ocean of which he is a part,
ripples of various kinds and intensities, which, according to their nature
and strength, will produce effects on all strata, from the highest, which is
of course the most sensitive, even down to the "slime" and "mud" of the
depths.  I give you this as food for thought, and bid you digest it well.”
 
                        -- Patrick Bowen.
SOURCE:         THEOSOPHIST, Madras, India,   August 1927

=======================================================


THE SAYINGS OF THE ANCIENT ONE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Captain P. G. Bowen, one of the most distinguished students of recondite
philosophies and the occult, was born on 29th June 1882 at Cleady House,
Kenmare, County Kerry, Eire. He was the youngest son of Robert Bowen, a
gentleman farmer, a personal pupil of Madame H. P. Blavatsky. 

It was Robert Bowen who wrote down H. P. Blavatsky's priceless words of
guidance for students of The Secret Doctrine, which are contained in the
pamphlet How to Study Theosophy.

Captain P. G. Bowen was originally intended for a scholastic career, but,
disliking the prospect, left Ireland for South Africa, where he became
attached to the Intelligence Department of the South African Mounted Rifles.
It was during this period that he acquired the deep interest in native
dialects and modes of thought that formed the sum of his work in later
years. He spent over 20 years in Africa and his aptitude for native
languages brought him into contact with the real rulers of the tribes. 

Thus he met an Atlas Berber, an initiated teacher, Mehlo Moya and was
admitted into his Occult Brotherhood. The higher grades of attainment
amongst them were spoken of as `Those who Know', and above these, at the
apex of the hierarchically ordered organisation was said to be `The Ancient
One'. 

P. G. Bowen was permitted to copy and publish three fragments, translated
from a document in an archaic Bantu language (Isinzu), which comprise the
present volume and which mirror the re-cognition, progress and evolution of
the SOUL. Here is a gateway to the PATH for all Truth seeking students,
without straying in strange or psychic by-paths. 

It is of special interest that these fragments point to a connection and
common origin with the source from which stem all Esoteric traditions.

It was after the Great War-during which P. G. Bowen saw service both in
South Africa and France that he first met the late George Russell (A. E.).
The two men, linked by their common interest in the mystic and the occult,
became fast friends and worked in close collaboration after P. G. Bowen's
return to Ireland in 1922. 

When A. E. departed for America in 1935, shortly before his death, he
nominated P. G. Bowen to the Presidency of the `Hermetic Society' in Dublin,
which he had opened in 1885, as a branch of Anna Kingsford's London
`Hermetic Society', and which became a focus of the Irish Literary
Renaissance. 

The foremost members of this Society were Charles Johnston (who married H.
P. Blavatsky's niece in 1888) the able translator of the Bhagavad Gita, the
Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali, etc., Stephen Mackenna who translated the Enneads
by Plotinus, the poets and authors James Stephens (The Crock of Gold), Fiona
McLeod and W. Butler Yeats (whom Charles Johnston had introduced to
Theosophy). 

W. Q. Judge, born in Dublin in 1851, the co-founder of the Theosophical
Society in America, was a close friend of A.E. and the `Hermetic Society'
members and helped to kindle the flame of the Irish Literary Renaissance.

In 1933 "at A.E.'s request" P. G. Bowen published the remarkable book on the
inner life The Occult Way, the chapters of which are veritable lessons in
practical occultism. P. G. Bowen, whose reputation is now world-wide, passed
away on 30th July 1940. Whatever he wrote seems to be spiritually `charged'
and yet is intensely practical. As he says of all inspired works 

"They are not mere guide books setting out the configurations of the
universe, they are FIELDS OF EXPERIENCE wherein CONSCIOUSNESS may exercise
itself, and so gain DIRECT KNOWLEDGE of the laws of universal nature".

 
 DTB