Theos-Talk Archives (July 2006 Message tt00158)

7/7/2006 5:34 PM 

Thanks,  but also consider this:



	DEVIL,  EVIL,  SATAN, etc.


	DUALITY IN EVOLUTION


Mme. Blavatsky in her writings makes it quite clear that THEOSOPHY  does not
deal with evil or black magical practices of any kind.

 There are in the universe and our world two divergent streams of life.

 One builds and constructs.  It is SPIRITUAL.  In fact the whole of
manifestation is built on the one law of universal brotherhood -- a
spiritual brotherhood..

 The other destroys because it is self-centered selfish and treats all
others as strangers to be either feared or despised.

The great duality of Nature (the UNIVERSE, DEITY) is the great MONAD:
SPIRIT and MATTER.  These two are combined most intimately at all times,
places and in all actions.

 Associated with this duality is the one universal INTELLIGENT POWER  called
MAHAT or the Universal MIND.  It is the one factor that combines both SPIRIT
and MATTER, and always is present as coexistent  with the ONE MONAD.

This third factor is for us most important. As humans we are learning the
think and discriminate between right and wrong, between good and evil in
term of impersonal LAW.  That is the perception of the true nature of
cooperative and interactive rules, regulations and laws that harmonize all
diversity.  The immortal nature of all Monads and their right to evolve has
to be considered basic to all organized life. THEOSOPHY states that Man is:
Manas --  a free thinker .  He represents the stage in evolution where the
MIND, the WILL, and the power of MOTIVE  (choice) is being developed. This
is the WISE MIND, associated with SPIRITUAL WISDOM, LAW,  EVOLUTION and
KARMA.

 In response to this Cosmic fact of the Monad being SPIRIT / MATTER, man's
"mind" is dual. Spirit is LAW and fairness to all.  Matter is selfish,
isolated and seeks to secure unfair advantages for itself as a form.  Thus
we may see this aspect is associated with the selfish "personality" -- the
"mask  we wear during each incarnation.

  Black magic and "devil" practices (so-called) are destructive, and bring
pain and sorrow to those who employ them.

 THEOSOPHY is the complete opposite of black magic.  Hence no details  can
be given concerning this.

 However a warning can be issued and that is:  All evil eventually  recoils
on those who choose to use it.  The abuse and selfish use of  knowledge is
EVIL.


	EVIL  (Passions and Desires - KAMA)

KAMA  (Sk.).	Evil desire, lust, volition;  the cleaving to existence
[tanha].  Kama is generally identified with Mara the tempter."   (See SD II
578-9)	GLOS, 170 ;   see also:  MARA  -- GLOS, 206


"...the word KAMA...means "desire,"...the 4th principle was the "body or
mass of desires and passions."  [GITA NOTES 197: -- "Western psychology in
classifications refers solely to mental states...[Eastern} and the ancient
sages classifies the moral states, treating the mental states as mere
effects produced by moral conditions...It lays bare unsuspected bases of
error;  it discloses the most subtle forms of self-delusion;  it marks out
the true course so painstakingly that the dullest mind cannot fail to grasp
a clear perception of the path to true knowledge."]...The west divides man
into intellect, will and feeling, but it is not understood whether the
passions and desires constitute a principle in themselves or are due
entirely to the body..."desires of the flesh"..."fleshly appetites."
	The OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY, p. 45


"The passions and desires are not produced by the body...on the contrary,
the body is caused by the former.  it is desire and passion which caused us
to be born, and will bring us to birth again and again in some body on this
earth...[it] is the balance principle of the whole 7.  It stands in the
middle, and from it the ways go up or down.  It is the basis of action, and
the mover of the will..."Behind will stands desire." 	OCEAN 46


"...the brute in us is made of the passions and the astral body.  The
development of the germs of Mind made man because it constituted the great
differentiation.  The God within begins with Manas or Mind, and it is the
struggle between this God and the brute below which Theosophy speaks of and
warns about.  The lower principle is called "bad" because by comparison with
the higher it is so, but still, it is the basis for action.  We cannot rise
unless self first asserts itself in the desire to do better.  In this aspect
it is called rajas or the active and "bad" quality, as distinguished from
tamas, or the quality of darkness and indifference...rajas [gives] the
impulse, and by the use of this principle of passion all the higher
qualities are brought to at last so refine and elevate our desires that they
may be continually placed upon truth and spirit...Theosophy does not teach
that the passions are to be pandered to or satiated, for a more pernicious
doctrine was never taught, but the injunction is to make use of the activity
given by the 4th principle so as to rise and not to fall under the dominion
of the dark quality that ends with annihilation, after having begun is
selfishness and indifference..."	The OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY   pp. 49-50


	GOOD and "GOD"


The best definition of "God" and Deity, and the "Universe" is that they are
one and the same.  


GOD IS THE LIVING UNIVERSE.  

We are all a part of GOD.  No being is without GOD.  Hence THEOSOPHY
advocates Universal Brotherhood.  This is a act and not a dream or fiction.
God is to be considered the SPIRITUAL SELF in all beings.  The central
interior "life-spark." 

A better term to use is ATMA -- SPIRIT.  It is universal and impersonal.
Regardless of the word that various religions have adopted to designate
DEITY (God), the ONE SPIRIT covers them all.

The BHAGAVAD GITA is your best source for definitions and it ought to be
read carefully and every word weighed for its INNER MEANING.  It ought never
to be read in a hurry.

MAYA means illusion.  Everything changes (maya) except the ONE UNIVERSAL
SPIRIT.  

But, we each carry a "ray" of the ONE SPIRIT in our hearts.


	EVOLUTION - GOOD  and  EVIL


Man is the miniature of the universe.  As above, so below.

Ancient teachings on "creation," or rather the reincarnation of  the
Universe, feature the "sundering of the ONE."

The ABSOLUTE emanates that aspect of itself engaged in the development of
introspection and sensitive perception.  ":KNOW THYSELF": being the key
idea.  But for the meantime we EXIST, and we have work to do -  and an
eternity in which to accomplish that. 


Thereafter LIFE, MOTION, ENERGY, PURPOSE, and THE POWER OF INDEPENDENT
SELF-CHOICE,  being universally diffused (no limits) in the 'PLENUM (?)," it
was filled with the returning to life of the armies (?) of immortal MONADS,
each under KARMA-UNIVERSAL, each, resuming its position and work from the
place and area where Pralaya had overcome it. 



	LOVE and COMPASSION UNIVERSAL


KAMADEVA  (THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY, pp. 170-1), signifies an emblem that
illustrates HARMONY and COOPERATION hence compassion and care for all of
one's brother MONADS, wherever they may be and in whatever avenue of service
they (and we) may be. The theogonical and theological "Kamadeva" as "God of
Love" was reduced to his primal invisible spiritual SELF, by the Ascetic of
all ascetics, Siva, (the Maha-Yogi) and (called by the Mahatma) the Patron
of all Adepts, who,  sensing an attempt by the "God" to induce in him an
emotion of human love (which he had already conquered).

It is to be understood that KARMA is to be considered far greater and more
potent than most (who personalize it)  have imagined --  it  causes the
reincarnation of universes, it is an indissoluble aspect of the ABSOLUTE.
It is like a "super-accountant." It keeps a living and continuous record of
everything. It is the "master" of all the "skandhas" (those Monads impressed
with the qualities of motive that humans can impose using their will for
good or evil. So much so, that we may look on MAHAT, the "Universal Mind,"
as an aspect of Karma (Universal).  It is that which  brings into being
again: universes, worlds and men - the products of their past lives moral
condition.  



	MORAL RESPONSIBILITY and LAW.


All the roots for ethical responsibility are inherent in these ideas.
Deviations from the laws of brotherhood, compassion and assistance, are
immediately noted by Karma, and their effects into the future traced.
Remedial actions are also immediately triggered.(There is no "hiding place."
There is no "absolution" other than reparation offered voluntarily by the
offender for the victim.).

What we think of as SPIRIT and MATTER are aspects of Karma, and since they
neutralize each other.  As they are together the "building blocks of
Nature," they are called the eternal MONADS.  They may be considered
"married" or eternally united.  (Not sexually, but electro-magnetically --
as an illustration). 

[Alchemically we are given as an emblem the concept of the union of the "Red
Virgin" and the "Philosopher's Stone."  --   If one can accept the idea that
the "Red Virgin" symbolizes KAMA, (or selfish desire being in fact the
densest "MATTER") and the "PHILOSOPHER'S STONE" (that dissolves any and all
"containers" is a symbol for the ONE SPIRIT which is universal, and also,
"individual" -- as a "ray" present at the root of every "form" --  cannot be
'contained' by any material limits or boundaries).  

This leads one to the concept of the (our) MONAD (whether:   

1)  universal as an infinitude of infinitesimal living vibrant points of
intelligent life  (string theory?)  -- or   

2)	Personal: the limits of personalized and selfish "desire" are to be
continually contrasted with the universality and impersonality of the ONE
SPIRIT (a "ray" of which is said to inhere in each human).  

For the purpose of understanding ourselves as intelligent and free MONADS in
evolution, we use the words "Matter" and "Spirit" - and those need further
definition.  One of these will be found in S D  I  167, on the 2 EGOS in
Man.

In considering the evolution of Humanity a fact emerges --  apparently some
of the Divine MONADS  ( Kumaras ?) who first delayed, but later agreed to
"create," actually took up residence  (as a kind of overseeing but
non-meddling TUTOR in each human lower Mind that was approaching
individualization and the trials and tasks relative to such a condition
(ours at present). [ see TRANS p 62 to 67] 



	KARMA  (Action and Reaction - Morally)


[KAMA]...the 4th principle in the classification of man's
constitution...[is] are not merely inherent in the individual nor are they
[are] due to the body per se.  While man is living in the world the desires
and passions--kama--have no separate life apart from the astral and inner
man, being...diffused throughout his being.  But...they coalesce with the
astral body after death and thus form an entity with its own term of life,
though without soul...

During mortal life the desires and passions are guided by the mind and soul
[Higher Manas];  after death they work without guidance from the former
master;  while we live we are responsible for them and their effects, and
when we have left this life we are still responsible, although they go on
working and making effects on others while they last as the sort of
entity...without our direct guidance.  In this is seen the continuance of
responsibility.  They are a portion of the skandhas...which are the
aggregates that make up man.  

The body includes one set of the skandhas, the astral man another, the kama
principle is another set, and still others pertain to other parts.  In kama
are the really active and important ones which control rebirths and lead to
all the varieties of life and circumstances upon each rebirth,  They are
being made from day to day under the great law that every thought combines
instantly with one of the elemental forces of nature, becoming to that
extent an entity which will endure in accordance with the strength of the
thought as it leaves the brain, and all of these are inseparably connected
with the being [man] who evolved them...all we can do is to have thoughts of
good quality...the Masters are not exempt from this law, but they "people
their current in space" with thoughts powerful for good alone."
OCEAN  101-102



	The ASTRAL PLANE and ASTRAL BODY of Man


"The existence, nature, power and function of the ASTRAL LIGHT and its place
as a register in Nature.  That it contains, retains, and reflects pictures
of each and every thing that happened to anyone, and also every thought;
that it permeates the globe and the atmosphere around it;  that the
transmission of vibration through it is practically instantaneous, since the
rate is much quicker than that of electricity as now known.

The existence in the astral light of beings not using bodies like ours, but
not human in their nature, having powers, faculties, and a sort of
consciousness of their own;  these include the elemental forces or nature
sprites divided into many degrees, and which have to do with every operation
of Nature and every motion of the mind of man.  That these elementals act at
seances automatically in their various departments, one class presenting
pictures, another producing sounds, and others depolarizing objects for the
purposes of apportation.  Acting with them in the astral sphere are the
soulless men who live in it.  To these are ascribed the phenomenon, among
others, of the "independent voice," always sounding like a voice in a barrel
just because it is made in a vacuum which is absolutely necessary for an
entity so far removed from spirit...

The astral body of the medium...extended from the physical body, may also
extrude at times any portion of itself such as hand, arm, or leg and thereby
move objects, indite letters, produce touches on the body, and so on...and
the astral body of any person may be made to feel sensation...transmitted to
the brain, causes the person to think he is touched on the outside or has
heard a sound.

Mediumship is dangerous because the astral part of the man is now only
normal in action when joined to the body...to become a medium means that you
have to become disorganized physiologically and in the nervous system,
because through the latter is the connection between the two worlds.  The
moment the door is opened all the unknown forces rush in, and, as the
grosser part of nature is nearest to us it is that part which affects us
most;  the lower nature is also first affected and inflamed because the
forces used are from that part of us.  We are then at the mercy of the vile
thoughts or all men, and subject to the influence of the shells in Kama
Loka...

To attempt to acquire the use of the psychic powers for mere curiosity or
for selfish ends is also dangerous for the same reasons as in the case of
mediumship.  As the...present day is selfish to the last degree and built on
the personal element, the rules for these powers in the right way have not
been given out, but the Masters of Wisdom have said that philosophy and
ethics must first be learned and practiced before any development of the
other department [psychism] is indulged in...

Equally improper is the manner of the scientific schools which...indulge in
experiments in hypnotism in which the subjects are injured for life... For
this reason, those who know all about the psychical world, its denizens and
laws, are proceeding with a reform in morals and philosophy before any great
attention will be accorded to the strange and seductive phenomena possible
for the inner powers of man."        

"...the intermediary between mind and body--the astral body--is thrown off
at death and left in the astral light to fade away;  and...the real man goes
to Devachan."	OCEAN 150 - 152



	KAMA or Selfish Desire


Theosophy speaks of the "body of desire."  All humans have this - it is
named Kama rupa.

It is a composite -- partly the past (Karmic chain links, that we forged in
past incarnations through our choices) and partly, what we have added to or
subtracted from that "past balance" by our choices and actions in this life.

Using the doctrine of the  7 Principles me we can distinguish the following

-----------------------------

1.	LINGA SARIRA	"Physical" body  (a condensation or crystallization
of the "Astral Body")


2	STHULA  SARIRA	"Astral" Body  ( a sphere (?) of electro-magnetic
force centers (Monads ?)  that give shape (like an electro-magnetic lattice
work) among other things, to the physical body and its interior structures.
Source of healing.  It has a set of senses (Siddhis) of more refined nature
than the physical five senses known to us.


3	PRANA / JIVA	"Life principle" in Man (prana = "breath") and in
Nature (jiva).  Source for the formation of the electro-magnetic "Astral
body"  in man and nature. Related to individual and distributive Karma, and
therefore, serve as plane in which the lines of force" lead the Monads
(skandhas) to their appropriate places in the astral and physical bodies of
man and Nature.


4	KAMA RUPA,  	[Principle or plane of desire, passion, emotion  --
Lower Self, ANIMAL Soul] that relates to the emotional and passionate
impressions we lay on the Monads around us, particularly on those assembled
to form our "personality." Therefore, a primary factor in brotherhood or
enmity (polarity) and cooperation, or non-cooperation  of forms, intentions,
emotions, feelings and thoughts.

It consists of "SKANDHAS"  (Monads of lesser experience that we have
impressed in the past )-they form our "entourage" -- they are dispersed at
the "Second Death" of the Kama Rupic remains (the "shell") and left to fade
out on the astral plane after the EGO  (Buddhi-Manas) ascends to the
condition of Devachan, following physical and astral death.  

They are dispersed at that time, says Theosophy, and cannot (as a coherent
form)  reincarnate (as the Alain Kardec School averred) to find lodging in
other locations where they have affinities. 

But on the cyclic and Karmic return to incarnation of the EGO
(Buddhi-Manas), they reassemble under the attractive power of personal
Karma, to provide the first link to the re-formation of the necessary
vehicles for that "return to physical rebirth"  each time we (the EGO)
require a physical body to reincarnate into,

They begin that essential sensitive link between the Higher Manasic EGO and
the Lower Manas under reconstruction (the "antaskarana") for that fresh
incarnation in the astral man and his material form in Nature.  

We could broadly say:  It is "Kamic" baggage (or unfinished business) from
the past -- it is karmic -- and of course we add or subtract from that
"luggage" (which is embodied in our personality), in this life. But it is
essential as a Karmic link to our past lives, on the "personality" side of
the "Ledger." It, as a mass, and, whether condensed o dispersed,  has
continuity --  since we "created" the impressions  (emotional or manasic)
that started the attraction they now have for us. 

Actually the skandhas (Monads) are not entirely localized around the
physical form but are strewn far and wide, we might say, through Nature --
as a "drop" is UNITED, yet its components may be distributed in the "ocean."
As Karma demands they are reattracted and join up.  "E'en wasted smoke
remains not traceless." Says the Voice. 
[ see also: Key: pp.  91, 118, 128, 143-4, 176, 180, 190]


5	MANASA RUPA,  	[Principle or plane of thought, memory,
anticipation, the seat of  our "sense of self," of "selfishness" in the
Lower Manas, and also, on the "good" side, of selflessness (altruism and
compassion) in the Higher Manas - it is essentially, the Free and
Independent Thinking Self, the HUMAN Soul]. Example: a mind studying
mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, engineering, etc.

Manas is a part of our reincarnating Ego (or the Monad).  In our MONAD it is
to be understood as an aspect as well as a part of ATMA-BUDDHI.  It was
formed as a bridge or link from the Spiritual Man (called in this case the
"antaskarana" thread) to the "Personality," consisting of  Lower Manas,
kama, prana, astral and physical forms.)
[ see: Key: pp.  dual: 92-3, 120, 178-81;  121, 135,  informs Kama-rupa 144,
united to Buddhi: 158-9, 164-5, 174, 180-4, 188-90] 


6.	BUDDHI RUPA	[Principle and plane of spiritual knowledge],  and
has been described as the total of all experience that our MONAD ha had --
covering an infinitude of past experiences --  as an eternal Pilgrim. These
"memories," HPB explains, are stored in the (individual and universal)
Akasa. They are the source of intuition and the "Voice of Conscience"  --
also, EGO, Wise Self,  Higher Ego, SPIRITUAL Soul, Buddhi-Manas)
[see Key:  pp.  106, causal body 121, 135-6, 159, 174, 184, 189-90]


7.	ATMA		[THE ONE SPIRIT . It is the PERCEIVER, the WITNESS,
and it is the Ruler of thought. It is also truly universal, impersonal, THE
ONE SELF OF ALL (as "ocean," and the HIGHER SELF of each Human Thinker as
"drop in the ocean." )  In Man it is pictured as a "Ray" that focuses then
entire wealth of wisdom and purpose in his Highest Principle.  It is the
only truly IMMORTAL SELF.

The lower Mind (as most of us are now, when awake) in its aspirations, and
when seeking to purify and spiritualize itself, approaches ATMA  (The HIGHER
SELF) nightly during Sushupti (deep sleep) [see TRANSACTIONS, pp.
64-5-6-7-8]

The MONAD in incarnation (man in his physical body) is ATMA-BUDDHI-MANAS.

-------------------


	SKANDHAS  -  THE VEHICLES OF KARMA


The SKANDHAS are Monads impressed by human motives, and therefore they are
the "carriers" of personal Karma.  This implies a dual, a two faced
situation.  

1	Personal building blocks of our lower nature and 

2	as individuals they are each an eternal MONAD but of lesser
experience than our MONAD.  They have "attached themselves" to us, and we
have modified them in the past by the force of either our selfish personal
desire (Kama) or, by Higher Manasic (Buddhi-Manas ) impersonal aspiration
for good.    


1	Every MONAD as an "Eternal Pilgrim," is an aspiring candidate for
independent "mind-hood" to come, thus our "personal Karma" is bound to us
(our Buddhi-Manas) if we employ Kama-Manas (Lower personal mind) to do this.


2	The "personal entity (Kama-Manas) is then assisted in its own
purification if we chose to employ ideals and aspirations for beneficent and
compassionate work.  The method of reform works both ways. But we are always
the free choosers.  This illustrates the chain of pupil-teacher-pupil which
is endlessly present in the Universe.  (See S D  I  570 - 575)

	HPB wrote  

"Nothing of the "Kama-Rupa" reincarnates. As well imagine that a locket and
chain we had worn all our life, or our reflection in the
mirror-reincarnates. Such is not the teaching we believe in."    BCW 9 342

As a RUPA it cannot as it is dispersed after the reincarnating EGO passes
into 'devachan.' [Second Death.] As individual skandhas they are dispersed
to other karmic loci of attraction, but when the EGO reincarnates it needs a
"body of desires and passions" to do this -- as a link between Manas and the
astro-physical body --  and the Karmic magnetic attraction works to summon
those dispersed skandhas (Monads) back to the Karmic whirlpool of forces
that represents the center of an incoming LIFE, returning to physical
incarnation.

One might say that the Kama-rupa is the energy basis for the Pranic body and
in turn, the Pranic body is the basis for the Astral Body -- which itself
concretizes into the physical form we see and contact all the time when
awake, and call "ourselves" in the here and now.  But we ought to even so,
see that our feelings and thoughts are not PHYSICAL but live within that
shell we call "myself."

---------------------

Best wishes,

Dallas

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

-----Original Message-----
From: Gordon Wood [Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 10:02 AM
To: 
Subject  RE: Origin of Evil

Dallas,

Thank you as always for your contributions here.

Your statement rings true except for the last two words - "hence EVIL." For
me that's the key to this discussion. Isn't this a judgmental statement,
hence a manifestation of duality? 

As you have pointed out over and over pain and suffering are effects of some
cause, karma. If this true, then aren't they our "teachers" in the sense
that they are pointers to a cause that creates discomfort? Rather than
judging, condemning and attempting to eliminate the effects shouldn't we
observe them, contain them for the moment and seek to learn their cause so
the source of the manifested effects can be dealt with? 

I sense we live to experience and experience to learn. When we set about
trying to stop "EVIL" it tends to make things worse rather than better
because we are agitating the symptom and not dealing with the cause. 

I sense Gopi's perspective below is correct but omits the "learn from the
effects" aspect. This could lead some to think he has a passive attitude
about destructive behavior. I'm sure he does not just as I do not. I just
don't sense that whacking at the manifested effects (destructive behavior)
is going to correct or eliminate it. I'm also not suggesting we cease trying
to contain the effects as best we can while we seek out the cause and deal
with it. 

G