Fellowship
of Cosmic Fire
Various MDR & Others’ Commentary
and Questions Combined
Semester
I Section III: S1S3
TCF 45-54
Version 1.4.1
VSK 11 April 05
1st Combined Version
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Commentary appears in font 12. Underlining, Bolding and
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COLOR CODE
TEXT in BLACK
MDR
Commentary in BLUE (numbered)
OTHER
Commentary in VIOLET (lettered)
QUESTIONS
in GREEN (MDR’s=”#A”)
CONFLICTS
in
HELP
WANTED & GOOD IDEAS in PINK
II. FIRE
IN THE MICROCOSM
Let us
briefly consider therefore the correspondence between the greater whole and the
unit man and then block out our subject in detail and consider the sections
into which it will be wise to divide it.
1.
We
think we know man, the microcosm, best (when compared to the other three
“atoms” under discussion). Thus, our opportunity to analogize to other “atoms”
from what we ‘know’ of man is a most fruitful exercise.
Fire in the
Microcosm is likewise threefold in essence and fivefold in manifestation.
We have a repeat of the opening sentence given
in the study of Fire in the Macrocosm, with the changing of a few words: p. 37 “In its essential nature Fire is threefold; but when in manifestation it can be seen as a fivefold
demonstration.”
2.
The
triangle represents the essence and the five-pointed star, manifestation.
3.
The
essential fires are threefold—“electric fire”, “solar fire” and “fire by
friction”. The fact that the two lower fires (solar and frictional) are
considered dual produces the five in manifestation.
4.
Five
is a number associated with manifestation because it relates to the five
‘Planes of Brahma’, which are qualified by the third aspect and the third
ray—the aspect and ray of manifestation.
1. There is Internal Vitalising Fire, which is the correspondence to
fire by friction. This is the sumtotal
of individual kundalini; it animates the corporeal frame and demonstrates *#*
also in the twofold manner:
*#* Vibration and Study Hint:
Notice
the use of the “D” words, such as “Demonstration” here. This type of
observation is encouraged to take us deeper into the meaning in the teaching.
The fourth letter has very many meanings especially in the fourth grade solar
system and when manifesting in the fourth scheme in the fourth chain and on the
fourth globe and within the fourth kingdom of nature among the many other
meanings hidden in the number four. [TC]
DK is reputed to have
reviewed this book most carefully, choosing specific words and phrases. Keep
open to the hints provided in word usage, noticing the roots of words, and
you’ll find these type of clues to the energy
underlying the subject under consideration more apparent, and instructive, as
you move through the study.
5.
The
internal fires which vitalize are also twofold.
6.
We
note that “individual kundalini” is not only a fire related to the dense,
liquid and gaseous physical vehicles, but a fire related to the etheric
vehicle.
7.
One
of the great mysteries regarding the constitution of our cosmic physical plane
is why the physical and mental planes should be divided, whereas the astral is
not.
8.
We do
not know whether higher planes are divided (to the same extent) or divided at
all, although activity on the higher three subplanes of, for instance, the
monadic is referenced, and maybe this is subtly true of others of the cosmic
ethers.
Q1. What is the configuration of the various
planes? Don’t they all have 7 subplanes? Or if not all equally segmented, do
they have a higher and lower aspect, sub-divided into a 3 and 4, or some other
sub-division? What do we mean by saying the astral is not segmented. [Especially when, e.g., the chart on page 188 shows senses on
various astral subplanes.]
STUDY HINT:
The answers (if we can ever truly find such!) to these questions are not
necessarily to be found in the few pages we have covered so far. The test in
working with Treatise on Cosmic Fire, is that these are all part of One Book, more with
24 chapters, and clues, elaborations, summaries, may be found in any of the
books. If you are truly seeking to understand the material, use the INDEX in
TCF and the other books – ideally the CDROM from Lucis Trust
. org, the compilations and other resource
material on makara.us, for example, and, most importantly, ask someone sitting
next to you. It’s ok. We’re all just a keyboard away.
First, as latent heat which is the basis of life of
the spheroidal cell, or atom, and of its rotary adjustment to all other cells.
9.
We
note the equivalence between the term “spheroidal cell” and “atom”. Usually, in
human science, the cell is a much larger structure than the atom. Nevertheless,
we have to take notice of how these terms are used in occultism.
10.
We
are speaking here of the human atom as a “spheroidal cell”.
11.
But
are we speaking of the atoms within the human body, or the human body as a
“spheroidal cell”? If man, as a whole, is considered a “cell” or “atom”, we
must question wherein lies the rotary motion of man—at least on the dense
physical level.
Q2. Where is the
nucleus, or central sun, in man? Why is it not similarly visible and brilliant?
What centre would it relate to? Does the repeated use of the
word ‘basis’ or ‘basic’ have relevance? [There is a planetary
correspondence to latent heat, what is it?]
12.
Maybe
we are not aware of the slow rotation of the physical body or of the etheric
(which is said to appear “static”).
13.
The
words “rotary adjustment” is significant. Probably the various rates of
rotation found from one atom to another are really adjustments. As atoms adapt
to one another, it would seem that they would change their rates of rotation.
We are always being told how a “wheel” spins faster during its new cycle.
14.
Probably
as we human atoms meet other human atoms our rotary spin is either hastened or
slowed.
15.
Yet
is seems rather clear that there are certain fixed periods to, let us say, the
rotation of an astral, a mental or a causal body. These periods of rotation are
likely to be secrets of initiation.
Q3. What could
rotation of the subtler bodies appear as in the life of man? What does this
imply?
16.
Points Emerging in Group Discussion:
i.
The
base note of matter
ii.
The
perfected third of the personality
iii.
The
dominant fifth of the soul
iv.
And
the higher note of the monad, an octave above the fundamental
Second,
as active heat or prana; this
animates all, and is the driving force of the evolving form. [This must
connect with the Rising Sign] It shows itself in the four ethers and in the gaseous state, and a correspondence is here found
on the physical plane in connection with man to the Akasha and its fivefold
manifestation on the plane of the solar system.
Q4: There is a
planetary correspondence to active heat, what is it? Is this planet involved
with the other (relating to ‘latent heat’) in a triangle or triangles? How
could we use this knowledge to reinforce or reduce the relevance of these two
dynamics at our microcosmic level?
17.
We
are speaking only of the first (upper) five subplanes of any seven-subplane
system.
18.
The
gaseous subplane (whether cosmic mental, systemic mental, or the 3rd
or 5th subplane of cosmic physical gaseous {i.e., literally, the
gaseous} is the fifth, counting ‘down’ (or occultly). It somehow conveys
etheric energy to the densest two subplanes {i.e., liquid and earthily dense}.
19.
& Q5:
How is the term Akasha being used here?
20.
AKASHA plane relation conflict: In
order to preserve the correspondence, the first of the options would have to be
chosen. We have seen
earlier that the use of the term “Akasha” is not always localized to the second
subplane, yet it often is.
21.
Just
for a balancing point of view (and even though the correspondence would not
work out numerically) this paragraph could be seen as confirming the
association of the Akasha with the monadic plane, for Akasha has a fivefold
expression (including the atmic and four lower planes).
22.
When
Akasha is used in relation to the second subplane, one can see that the second
subplane substance-energy could be conceived as ‘animatory’ since, through the
number two, it would correspond to the soul, the animator.
23.
To be animated is to be stimulated by
soul.
24.
Soul
is reflected in the ether and the etheric body is like the soul in that it is
an animator.
25.
Soul/personality
= etheric body/dense physical {liquid, earthily dense}
Q6 What do you think are the mechanics of how the word
‘animate’ is meant in the context here? How does soul animate? What are the
correspondences to the term animal in this relation? What else animates?
26.
The
gaseous subplane, though technically part of the dense physical of the Logos or
man, acts as a kind of mediator between the two.
Advancing
Study: Note the assignation of Air to the Atmic (Libra Creative Hierarchy) and
the 5th plane counting mystically or ‘upward’; the Buddhic, and
Manasic (as the 5th or gaseous) plane; planes 3, 4, and 5. What do
these relations and numbers suggest?
27.
Points Emerging in Group Discussion:
28.
The
following tabulations show the structure of the two lower planes, with the
addition of archetypal senses.
STUDY
HINT: Review all the ‘Constitution of
Man’ charts; as they all use this same basis of 7 planes. Also, in terms of
numbering, if one is counting from ‘below to above’, this may be called
‘mystical counting’; if counting from ‘above to below', this is the occult
method. Be sure you know which is which. Consider the planes and rays and
symbology of astrology like the letters in this alphabet.
Physical.....
7
6
1. Hearing 5th gaseous
2. Touch, feeling 4th first
etheric
3. Sight 3rd super-etheric
4. Taste 2nd sub-atomic
5. Smell 1st atomic
Astral.....
7
6
1. Clairaudience 5th
2. Psychometry 4th
3. Clairvoyance 3rd
4. Imagination 2nd
5. Emotional idealism 1st (TCF 188)
29.
In
relation to the first five subplanes, notice the implied division between five
and two. On the astral plane, the lower two subplanes (the 6th and 7th)
are off-limits.
VSK:
KUMARA conflict. Are these two ‘senseless’ planes related to the “Two Who
Fell?” Thus the 5 Kumaras on the Cosmic Astral. (Secret Doctrine reference that) the ‘top
two’ were the ones who fell. How do the different named kumaras fit within the
5 Mind Born Sons of Brahma. Is one of the, or ‘all’?, Sanat Kumara?
Here in the case with the Astral Plane senses,
the resonance would be that Imagination and Emotional Idealism, the 2nd,
and 1st subplanes fall, into the physical subplanes … or pervasive …
or is falling and subplane overlay a legitimate process? (Note whether
something ‘falls ‘head to feet’ or slides down. Such as in
the rays to planes on the 5 Kumaras to 7 Hierarchies.
This ‘falling’ relates to the orange and rose
kumaras (autumn harvest and 2nd ray perfume) ,
or the knowledge and love petals of the egoic lotus, the physical and emotional
subplanes, Adam and Eve, respectively, etc., as a ‘falling into generation’.
30.
Because
active heat animates, it is related to the animating factor (the soul).
31.
Again,
active heat is seen as a “driving force” in relation to the form. This relates
active heat to the energy of “progress onward” and “driving forward
through space”.
32.
When
studying esoteric astrology, we learn of the “driving energies” of the
Rising-sign, related to the soul. Following the analogy, the driving energies
of the Rising-sign will have a relation to the etheric body as well.
33.
Active
heat, in this definition, is correlated to the number five, for it
includes the energy of the four ethers and their immediate vehicle of
expression—the gaseous state.
34.
Akasha
is related to sound. The second ray expressed through the “Word” and Vishnu is
the Divine Singer.
This fire
is the basic vibration [the
fundamental, a pedal tone] of the little system in which the monad or human spirit is the
logos, and it [Page 46] holds the personality or lower material man in
objective manifestation thus permitting the spiritual unit to contact the plane
of densest matter. [It
seems that ether holds the lower material man in objective manifestation, or is
it both types of fire—latent and active?] It has its correspondence in the ray of
intelligent activity and is controlled by the Law of Economy in one of its
subdivisions, the Law of
Adaptation in Time.
35.
& Q7 When DK says “this fire is the basic
vibration…” is He talking about “Internal Vitalising Fire” (i.e., interior fire) or about active heat or
prana?
36.
Points Emerging in Group Discussion:
37.
& Q8 Can the Law of Adaptation in
Time be considered the third subdivision of the third
law?
Other Laws subsidiary to the Law of
Economy
“1. The Law of Vibration, dealing with the key note or measure of the matter
of each plane. By knowledge of this law
the material of any plane in its seven divisions can be controlled.
2. The Law of Adaptation, is the law governing the rotary movement of any
atom on every plane and subplane.
3. The Law of Repulsion, governs that relationship between atoms, which
results in their non-attachment and in their complete freedom from each other;
it also keeps them rotating at fixed points from the globe or sphere of opposite
polarity.
4. The Law of Friction, governs the heat aspect of any atom, the radiation
of an atom, and the effect of that radiation on any other atom.” (TCF 219)
Qualities
of Rotary Motion:
1.
Separation, or the repulsive effect,
2.
Momentum, or the interior effect,
3.
Frictional, environal effect,
4.
Absorption, the receptive or attractive effect, (TCF 157)
Q9: Can you offer examples
of the effect of the “Absorptive” effect of rotary motion? Are there some analogies or correspondences
can you find between these 4 qualities and some other quaternary?
38.
According
to the interpretation which sees “active heat” as “this fire”, we could say
that active heat arranges the contact of the human spirit with densest matter
(earthly, liquid and gaeous), but is not the fire of densest matter itself.
39.
Note
this subdivision of the Law of Economy—“the Law of Adaptation in Time”.
2. There is next the Fire or Spark of
Mind which
is the correspondence in man to solar fire.
This constitutes the thinking
self-conscious unit or the soul. This fire of mind is governed by the Law of
Attraction as is its greater correspondence.
Later we can enlarge on this. It is this spark of mind in man,
manifesting as spiral cyclic activity [cyclic impulsions of
a heightening frequency], which leads to expansion and to his eventual return to the
centre of his system, the Monad—the origin and goal for the reincarnating Jiva [Divine Pilgrim] or human being. As in the macrocosm this fire also manifests
in a twofold manner.
40.
Note
the equivalence between “Fire of Mind” and “Spark of Mind”.
41.
Remember
the idea that the “spark of mind” is the presence of the Solar Angel in
man, and the Solar Angel, we remember, is an agent of the “Fire of Mind”
originating on the cosmic mental plane.
42.
Like
the Divine Ray, the “fire of mind” is governed by the Law of Attraction.
Q10: How does the Law of Attraction
really govern the fire of mind? Does it seem logical that the Law of Attraction
circumscribes the mental fire? How can you explain the relation of what you
know of ‘attraction’ and what you know of ‘mind’? Why is the
Law not here referred to fully as the Law of Attraction and Repulsion?
Is it always inherent dual?
43.
We
should consider that the “spark of mind” relates to the higher mental
plane and the soul and not to the energies of the concrete mind expressing on
the lower four subplanes of the mental plane.
44.
There
are cycles of soul impulses, which may be related to the spiral cyclic activity
of the spark of mind. The Solar Angel (via the “spark of mind”) influences its
“shadow man” rhythmically.
45.
Reincarnation
is a major influence of the “spark of mind in man”, and the Solar Angel induces
incarnation.
46.
& Q11: What are the times of the cyclic impulses of
the soul? On a daily basis? A monthly basis or bi-weekly basis, coordinating
with the full moon and new moon? On a yearly basis?
47.
To
study the subject of white magic, one must research the soul’s meditation and
the impulses it sends to its “shadow man” through that meditation.
48.
The
“reincarnating Jiva” is that part of the monad which descends into lower
matter. The Jiva is really the “pilgrim” going forth into a “foreign country”
(to use the terminology of the story of the “Prodigal Son”.
49.
Points Emerging in Group Discussion:
It shows as
that intelligent will which links the Monad or spirit with its lowest point of
contact, the personality, functioning
through a physical vehicle.
50.
The
“spark of mind” is a bridging fire.
51.
Here
the “lowest point of contact” is considered the personality (as a whole). The
etheric fire/radiatory fire permitted the spiritual man to link to “the plane
of densest matter”. The “spark of mind” permits the spirit to link to the
“lowest point of contact”. Interestingly, however, the personality is directly
related to “physical vehicle” just as the soul is to the astral, and the monad
to the mental.
52.
Refer
to the Macrocosm as follows: “Finally are to be found [Page 39] the fires of the cosmic mental plane, which are the fires of the
cosmic ray of will.”
53.
We
note that mental fire has its definite will component. The monad,
generically, expresses through mind.
It likewise
demonstrates, as yet imperfectly, as the vitalising factor in the thought forms
fabricated by the thinker.
54.
We
are speaking here of elemental fire.
55.
We
are speaking of the ‘lower’ division of the fires of mind, remembering that in
all “atoms” the fire of mind is twofold.
56.
The
lower mental fire which involves or expresses through fire elementals which are
more lunar than solar.
As yet but
few thought forms, comparatively, can be said to be constructed by the center
of consciousness, the thinker, the Ego.
57.
What
transpires below is about the two “thinkers”. There are also three if
the spiritual triad is included.
58.
In
the case of DK’s sentence immediately above, the “thinker” is the disciple in
touch with, aligned with, identified with his Ego.
59.
There
are two kinds of thinkers. Soul on its own plane is a Thinker. But man in touch
with his soul is also a thinker. Both types of thinkers are here discussed.
60.
Man
the Monad-in-extension (on the plane of the triad or within the causal body) is
a thinker. The Solar Angel is a supervisory Thinker (a master and initiate of
all degrees) adding its impulses to the thought of man as thinker.
61.
The
Solar Angel does not need to assist the man as thinker, once that man is
established within the spiritual triad. This occurs at the fourth degree.
62.
Even
if the Solar Angel has his highest point on the cosmic astral, at least part of
his influence is within the man.
63.
The
soul or Ego (as the term is often used, when it does not mean the Solar Angel)
is human consciousness (within the causal body) plus a fragment of solar
angelic consciousness which influence the human consciousness. The solar angel
animates and vivifies the causal body. It is responsible for the causal body’s
rising from a relative lifelessness to animation. Within the attentive
ministrations of the Solar Angel, the causal body would not be indwelt by an
“inner spiritual fire”.
64.
All individualized men have causal bodies
(not only those who ‘received’ the causal body in Lemuria.)
65.
When
the soul is the Thinker (with a capital “T”) it is the Solar Angel who is the
Thinker.
66.
When
man thinks as a soul, he is the thinker, working from within his
illumined lower mind, or better, from within the causal body (after the third
degree), and is strongly influenced by the thought of the Solar Angel.
67.
Man
as thinker-in-the-causal-body is most related to the third degree.
68.
When
I (man) have achieved the power to think within the causal body, I am growing into
the thought of the Solar Angel as Thinker. I am successfully blending my
thought with the Solar Angel’s thought.
69.
The
soul (who is, in the white magical process, Rule I) in meditation deep is the
Solar Angel.
70.
So we
are considering
71.
When
the disciple is blending with the Solar Angel’s thought,
he is becoming type of thinker superior to what he was when he could only think
as a man on the lower mental plane.
72.
The
third degree initiate contemplates, the merging
with the causal body.
73.
The
contemplating one slips out of his own meditation into the meditation of the
Solar Angel in contemplation. It is the soul as Solar Angel that originally
contemplates. The one who is achieving the state of contemplation is merged
with thought of his Solar Angel the ‘Greater Contemplator’.
74.
The
two successive states (correlating to Virgo and Libra are:
75.
The
fire of the spiritual triad is not exactly the same as solar fire (through the
ray of the spiritual triad and the ray of the causal body are the same—EP I
168-169).
76.
Solar
angel stimulates heart and “thinking within the heart”; thinking within the
triad stimulates the heart in the head and is still more impersonal.
77.
Disciple
as thinkers are sometimes inspired and sometimes not. The degree to which the
mental unit is infused by the energies found within the causal body (animate as
they are by the presence of the Solar Angel) determines the degree of
inspiration of man’s thought.
78.
When
the mental unit is further animated by the spiritual triad, the inspiration
will change in quality and intensity.
Few people
as yet are in such close touch with their higher self, or Ego, that they can
build the matter of the mental plane into a form which can be truly said to be
an expression of the thoughts, purpose or desire of their Ego, functioning
through the physical brain.
79.
Here
the term “Ego”, with a capital “E”, means the Solar Angel and a Thinker who is
autonomous from man-as-thinker.
80.
The
Ego/Solar Angel does, indeed, function through the physical brain, because the
“spark of mind” actually has a point of implantation within the brain. In this
way, symbolically, Venus/Mercury (soul-infused mind) is anchored in Saturn (the
brain)
Most of the thought forms at present in
circulation may be said to be aggregations of matter, built into form with the
aid of kama-manas (or of desire faintly tinged with mind producing thus an
admixture of astral and mental matter, mostly astral), and largely due to reflex elemental action.
81.
There
are five (seven) categories of thinker:
82.
A
discriminative study of these types of thinking should help us become more
discerning with regard to the thinking process. Discernment is related to
recognition; discrimination is related to separation.
83.
In
thought as s imply “aggregations of matter”, caused by
“reflex elemental action”, the dimensions of purpose and plan are missing. Such
thoughts come together under the impulse of desire. They are kama-manasic
thoughts and not pure thoughts.
84.
Who is thinking if the thought process is not
to be a reflex action? May we say, it is the
mentally illumined disciple aligned with the higher Ego/Solar Angel?
85.
How
many centers are involved in the various thought processes? Higher centers have
to be involved in thinking if it to be more than the aggregating of thought
matter under the impulse of desire.
86.
We
are to use certain higher chakras during thinking process in order to avoid the
kind of thought which is simply a reflex action. Energy follows thought.
87.
Note,
then, the different foci which may be involved in different qualities thinking.
88.
Practically,
we do not want to let our mental elemental ‘do its own
thinking’, as the aggregations produces will be illusory and will not reflect
the Plan. We (the disciple aligned with the Ego/Solar Angel) want to guide and
direct the mental elemental in the creation of thought which can reflect the
Ego/Solar Angel.
89.
Maybe
we should try to differentiate some terms concerning the subject of soul.
i.
The
Solar Angel
ii.
That
type of consciousness which is focussed within the causal body
iii.
The
human soul, not only in the causal body, but present on the lower mental plane
iv.
The
blend of consciousness cased by the union of high form of human awareness and
Solar Angelic presence. In this case the term “soul” would be equivalent to the
term “Ego” in the second definition immediately below.
i.
The
Solar Angel as an autonomous entity
ii.
The
combination of human soul within the causal body and the energy presence
of the Solar Angel as it animates that causal body.
Thus “Ego” can mean a kind of ‘composite being’ formed of the presence and
consciousness of both man and Solar Angel.
iii.
Ego
can also mean the spiritual triad considered as a higher form of soul or
consciousness.
iv.
EGO
can mean the monad itself, the true center of “I-ness”.
These
dualities of expression are:
90.
Here
is a summary of the four types of energy with which we have been dealing. They
are not given in order, for the higher energy precedes the lower. Nevertheless,
the nature of the four divisions is very clearly explained.
[Page 47]
1. Active
fire or prana. [Etheric fire and vitality, driving the dense physical form
(earthly, liquid and gaseous).]
Latent fire or bodily heat. [The fires within dense
matter, heating it]
2. Mental
energy in the mental body. [Self-engendered fire, the fifth principle]
Purely mental thought forms, animated by
self-engendered fire, or by the fifth principle, and therefore
part of the sphere, or system of control, of the Monad. [The fires of lower mind]
91.
The
wording relating to the mental fires is, perhaps. a
little ambiguous. Are the higher mental fires listed first or second? The
answer is probably that they are listed first in order, because the
first listing concerns “energy” and the second listing “thought forms”.
“Energy” relates to solar fire or higher mental fire, and “thoughtforms” to the
forms build by the mental elemental.
92.
“Self-engendered fire” is the fire of the
soul/Solar Angel. It is ‘soul-fire’ and relates more to the true Self. The
elemental fires are somewhat ‘distanced’ from the Self and cannot be said to be
“Self-engendered”. There is a line of connection from monad, to the higher
mental fires, to the higher internal fires (i.e., the radiatory fires).
93.
We
learn that that which occurs within the lower mental body and is animated
by the self-engendered fire of the fifth principle is also subject to
the control of the monad which, generically, expresses through the mind/mental
elemental just as the soul expresses through the astral body/astral elemental
and the personality through the physical vehicle/physical elemental. The five
is subject to the one, as the Tetraktys reveals (point one in the
Tetraktys being directly above point five)
94.
Points Emerging in Group Discussion:
These form
an esoteric quaternary which with the fifth factor, the divine
spark of intelligent will,
make the five of monadic manifestation—manifestation in this case connotating a
purely subjective manifestation which is neither altogether spiritual nor
altogether material.
95.
Devas
clothe essence. Robes are devically
constructed “Garment of God”. The Whole universe is a ‘Devic Robe’—One Flame is
that which is clothed in Fire. One Flame is naked and the fiery clothing covers
it.
"The
seven brothers are all the children of the same Father, but the elder three
partake of the Father's nature. The younger four resemble the Mother. The three
elder sons go forth into the universe of stars, and there they represent the
Father. The younger four go forth into the universe of stars and show the
nature of the one the Father loved." (EP I 351)
96.
Again,
as in the case of the Solar Logos, the quaternary formed is first viewed from
the esoteric perspective.
97.
Symbolically,
the pentagram stands between the triangle and the square. The pentagram is
subjective and relates to consciousness. The triangle is of the spirit. The
square is of personality and matter. These figures are reflected in
astrological charts used by the Masters.
98.
The
term “intelligent” is attached to will because we are still largely focussed in
the lower two and a half planes of the seven cosmic planes (or from some
another perspective, on the lower three cosmic planes).These lower two and a
half (or three) are the sphere of intelligence, cosmically considered.
We are not yet speaking of pure will, cosmically considered.
99.
Points Emerging in Group Discussion:
3. Finally there is the Monadic Flame
Divine. This embodies the
highest vibration of which the Monad is capable, is governed by the Law of
Synthesis, and is the cause of the forward progressive movement of the evolving
Jiva.
100.
The
Jiva is monad journeying and returning—the ‘experiencing monad’. Part of us
waits for the rest of us to return. (Story of emanation, and the Prodigal Son).
101.
Apparently
the monad is also capable of lower vibrations. Really, the monad is
Self-extended through all the lower dimensions and in those dimensions is
experiencing various vibrations.
102.
Within what we usually call the monad (focussed,
we are told, on the second systemic plane) is the flame which is the real
monad. We may ponder whether the essence of the monad (here called the “Monadic
Flame Divine”) is not more related to the “
103.
In
this solar system (the second or fifth), the Monadic Flame Divine is still
closely associated with the “Fire of Mind” on the mental plane (the ‘Fire of
Soul’). This is not yet the solar system ‘of the monad’.
We now
come, in due course, to the point of merging or to the end of manifestation,
and to the consummation (viewing it monadically) of the great cycle or
manvantara. What shall we therefore
find? Just as in the macrocosm the
blending of the three essential fires of the cosmos marked the point of logoic
attainment, so, in the blending of the essential fires of the microcosm, do we
arrive at the apotheosis of human attainment for this cycle.
104.
Apotheosis
in this case is the fifth degree. Just as the monad achieves the fifth degree
in the “manvantara”, we were wondering whether the solar logoic Monad achieved
the fifth degree in this “Mahamanvantara”.
105.
The
number 25 (according to SDP) is the number of the fourth ray, and humanity is
the kingdom most related to the fourth ray. It may be that in a generic period
of 25,000,000 years, one becomes a Master. The suggested span would date from
Individualization.
106.
In
this solar system, the number five marks attainment. In this solar
system, fulfillment comes in the form of a five-pointed star? Will fulfillment
in the third (next) solar system demonstrate as a seven-pointed star?
107.
Points Emerging from Group Discussion:
When the
latent fire of the personality or lower self blends with the fire of mind, that
of the higher self, and finally merges with the Divine Flame, then the man
takes the fifth Initiation in this solar system, and has completed one of his
greater cycles.13
108.
Note
that one of the fires of mind (related to elemental activity) is still found
within the domain of personality.
109.
Note
also that the “Divine Flame” relates to the first aspect of divinity whereas
the “Divine Ray” is the second ray and relates to the second aspect.
(13 These
terms, Lower Self, Higher Self, Divine Self, are apt to be confusing until the
student apprehends the various synonyms connected with them. The following table may be found helpful:
Father Son Mother
Spirit Soul Body
Life Consciousness Form
Monad Ego Personality
Divine Self Higher
Self Lower Self
Spirit Individuality Personal Self
The Point The Triad The Quaternary
Monad Solar Angel Lunar Lords)
110.
In
all of these triplicities we have the representation of the number eight. 1
+ 3 + 4.
111.
Every
term in the first column is a one. In the second column every term can
be represented by a three. In the third column, we are dealing with a four.
When the three blaze forth as one fire,
liberation from matter, or from material form is achieved. Matter
has been correctly adjusted to spirit, and finally the indwelling life slips
forth out of its sheath which forms now only a channel for liberation.
112.
We
are talking of the fifth initiation.
113.
Full
illumination occurs with the dissipation of the clouds following the explosion
at the fourth initiation.
114.
The
sheath is this case is all vehicles in the lower five worlds.
115.
Although
we are here most probably speaking of the liberation which occurs at the fifth
degree, real liberation from matter occurs at the sixth degree, when the
monad is liberated from the five ‘material’ worlds of Brahma.
116.
When
speaking of consummations, we must be aware of which consummation we are
discussing. The consummation described here seems to go beyond the fourth
initiation (which is the first great consummation). Yet the fourth initiation
is not ruled by the pentagram, and the fifth initiation is.
[Page 48]
III.
FIRE IN MANIFESTATION.
AABStudy
TCf4
Page
three para 1
3.
Finally we have the monadic flame
divine, embodying the highest vibration of which the monad is capable, governed
by the law of synthesis and which is the cause of progressive movement of the
evolving Jiva.
We discover that in the same way that
macrocosmic attainment is determined by the blending of the three fires; so the
apotheosis of human attainment in the present cycle is likewise dependent upon
the blending of the three essential fires of the microcosm.
Fire in Manifestation
We need to recall here the last part of the
famous sentence give to us in the beginning of the explanations of the fire
manifesting both in the macrocosm and the microcosm. Here is that sentence
again to aid our memory: “Fire in the
macrocosm is likewise threefold in essence and fivefold in manifestation”.
So we see we are dealing here with the
threefold fire when it demonstrates in manifestation in its fivefold expression
within the visible solar system.
a)
We have therefore the first fire dealing entirely with activity
of matter, the rotary motion of matter and the development of matter by the
means of friction under the law of economy.
b)
The second fire from the cosmic mental plane dealing with the
expression of the evolution of mind; the vitality of the soul; the evolutionary
expression of the soul as it show forth as that which brings about synthesis of
matter, as the two fires merge consciousness appears; the fire begins to operate under the law of
attraction. The result of the spiral cyclic movement termed within the system
as solar evolution and which is the approximation of our system to its central
point.
We need to note the fivefold expression of this
second fire.
c)
The third fire deals with the evolution of spirit. The
development of spirit can be only expressed in terms of the evolution of
matter; that demonstrates only through the adequacy of the vehicle and the
suitability of the available sheath.
This third fire deals also with the working of
the flame divine under the law of synthesis and with the
consequent result of forward
progressive motion.
To continue
our consideration of the fires which sustain the economy of the visible solar system, and of the
visible objective human being, which produce evolutionary development, and
which are the bases of all objective
efflorescence, it must be noted that they demonstrate as the sumtotal of
the vital life of a solar system, of a planet, of the entire constitution of
active functioning man upon the physical plane, and of the atom of substance.
117.
We
continue with a discussion of the objective fires.
118.
There
are four atoms: Solar Logos, Planet, Man, Atom.
119.
This
little paragraph is a summary of the subject under consideration.
120.
The
word “economy” is deliberately used, is related to the third aspect
(functioning under the Law of Economy), and suggests ‘energy-balance’. Balance
is a quality of Libra, a constellation transmitting the third ray, and closely
related to the third aspect and to the third cosmic law, Law of Economy..
121.
The
“Will-to-Evolve” is the third ray aspect of will. We are dealing here with
fires connected to the third aspect of divinity.
122.
An “efflorescence”
is a flowering. There is “subjective efflorescence” as well. Objective
efflorescence occurs through a personality. Subjective efflorescence occurs in
relation to the soul dimension. Is the full efflorescence of the egoic lotus an
objective efflorescence, a subjective efflorescence or a combination of the
two?
123.
Immediately
below we engage in a useful summary of the main points of the study to this
point.
Speaking
broadly we would say that the first fire deals entirely with:
a. Activity
of matter.
b. The
rotary motion of matter.
c. The
development of matter by the means of friction, under the law of Economy. H. P. B. touches on this in the Secret
Doctrine.14 [14: See S. D., I, 169, 562, 567, 569; II,
258, 390, 547, 551, 552.]
124.
The
purpose of rotary motion can be expressed as ‘total and sufficient exposure in
relationship by means of repetition’. On the outer plane, quality cannot be
transferred from one entity to another entity all at once. Rotation ensures a
gradual transfer and proper assimilation of that which is transferred.
125.
“Friction”
is an external mode of relating, but until true subjective relationship is
possible, friction at least provides for engagement and exchange.
126.
Because
there is always movement there is friction.
127.
When
thinking of friction, we may think of
128.
Friction
relates to relationship which is produced through the meeting of externalities,
‘outer meets outer’. Later ‘inner’ can relate to ‘inner’ through the Law of
Harmony and solar fire.
129.
Fire-by-friction
is the fire active in the personality.
130.
The
class offered examples of fire-by-friction.
131.
The
fires generate by fire-by-friction are objective fires. They are active in the
‘World of Effects’.
132.
Psychologically,
people can experience these fires as stress and “burn out”.
133.
If
only fire-by-friction existed then there would be only rotary motion, and no
real unfoldment and progress. There would, however, be some form of
stabilization for rotary motion stabilizes.
134.
The
world always has all three fires operating simultaneously
135.
The
Swastika (or “Whirling Cross”) is the symbol of Fire by Friction.
136.
Fire-by-friction
operating incessantly and alone would destroy the form. Solar fire sustains the
form.
The
second fire, that from the cosmic mental plane, deals with:
137.
Below
we are dealing with the effects of the second fire.
138.
The
origin of this fire, even with respect to entities of lesser scope such as man,
is the cosmic mental plane. Notice that when dealing with the fires which
animate the microcosm, their cosmic sources are still given.
139.
Solar
fire turns the process from the horizontal line towards the vertical line.
11A. p. 48: Why is it said that the second fire emanates from the cosmic mental plane?
From letter
to FCFMentors etc: 30 March 2005
Dear
Abraham and Fellow Students,
A very brief response in
this direction. The causal body of the Solar Logos (which is often called the
"Heart of the Sun" or which may be conceived, at least, as the vehicle for the "Heart of the
Sun" is said to be 'located' on the first subplane of the cosmic mental
plane. For our solar system, this periodical vehicle of the Solar Logos is for
us the source of the second fire.
The numbers two and five are coordinated in
relation to the causal bodies of various entities, for they are found on the
fifth plane and transmit the fire of Love-Wisdom. Mind and love are transmitted
by such entities as Sirius, Venus, the Solar Angel, and the causal body of man.
At this stage in our development, I would suggest
dividing the cosmic mental plane into three segments--one concerning the mental
permanent atom of the Solar Logos (connected with the Fire of Intelligent Will;
the second connected with the second and third subplanes which would connect
with the Fire of Intelligent Love; and lastly the lower four subplanes which
would be the inspiration behind the Fire of Intelligent Activity.
In my Commentary on the subject TCF (up now in a
more complete form on the FCF website), I have tried to explore the
implications of this association with mentality and Love-Wisdom.
We are given that our Planetary Logos has His
causal body on the third subplane of the cosmic mental. I hypothesize that
sacred planets (and maybe synthesizing planets) have their causal body on the
second subplane of that great plane; and we are further given that the Solar
Logos has His causal body on the first subplane.
It is something of a mystery that the Solar Logos
would have His causal body on the first subplane. One hint for us is that the
Solar Fire of the Solar Logos is inclusive of what we call, on our planet,
"electric fire". It also tells us that the general fire of
Love-Wisdom that can be hypothesized as emanating from the solar Heart of the Sun, is imbued with the quality of Will, and more closely
represents the Solar Logoic 'Spiritual Triad' than does the causal body of man
(focussed, even in the initiate, on the second subplane of the systemic
physical plane).
As far as we know, no human being can have a
causal body on the first subplane of our own systemic
mental plane. Some hypothesize that the human causal body moves to the first
systemic subplane at the third, but there is a reference which tells us that
the destruction of the causal body at the fourth degree takes place when that
causal body is still focussed on the second subplane.
In any case all 'solar-mental hearts' are
focussed on the mental plane (regardless of the entity) and thus the energy
sustaining these and emanating from these is directly related to the second
aspect of divinity.
ABD: In order to answer this question we have
to penetrate into the problem of identity and from our angle, of
identification. When we are talking about the second fire we are only relating
to one aspect of the solar logos. In the same way that when we talk of
Lord Agni we are merely talking of another of his aspects the third aspect
expressing the life of the logos when in manifestation; although he is the
expression of the mental or solar fire expressing the mental vehicle. We need
to differentiate between the vehicle and the internal life. At the level of the
logos identification as we understand it does not present such a difficulty
that it present to being upon the human stage. see
CF page 602/3.
"Students
of the Secret Doctrine when they read carelessly are apt to consider Him only
as the fire of matter and omit to note that He is Himself the sumtotal—and this
is especially the case when they find that Agni is the Lord of the mental
plane.88 He is the animating life of the solar
system, and that life is the life of God, the energy of the Logos, and
the manifestation of the radiance which veils the Central Sun. Only as He
is recognised as Fohat, the energy of matter, as Wisdom, the nature of the Ego
and its motivation, and as essential unity, can any due conception be arrived
at as to His nature or being. He is not the solar Logos on the cosmic
mental plane, for the egoic consciousness of the Logos is more than His
physical manifestation, but Agni is the sumtotal of that portion of the logoic
Ego which is reflected down into His physical vehicle; He is the life of the
logoic Personality, with all that is included in that expression. He is
to the solar Logos on His own plane what the coherent personality of a human
being is to his Ego in the causal body. This is a very important point to
be grasped, and if meditated upon will bring to the student much
enlightenment. His is the life that fuses and blends the threefold nature
of the Logos when in physical incarnation; His is the coherent force that makes
a unity of the triple logoic Personality, but man can only arrive at His
essential nature by the study of the logoic physical vehicle—hence the
difficulty; he can only understand by a consideration of His psychic emanation
as it can be sensed and viewed by passing the history of the races in
retrospect. Man's personality reveals his nature as his life progresses;
his psychic quality unfolds as the years slip away, and when he passes out of
incarnation he is spoken of in terms of quality, good or bad, selfish or
unselfish; the effect of his "emanation" during life is that which
remains in men's minds. Thus only can the logoic personality express
itself, and our knowledge of His nature is consequently limited by our close
perspective, and handicapped by the fact that we are participants in His life,
and integral parts of His manifestation".
In the same way, if we talk about a human being
we can refer to his monad, soul or personality and we know that we talking
about one individuality. Bearing in mind that individuality
although existent upon higher levels does not refer to separate individuality
as we understand it.
So Michael’s question, the second
fire emanates from the cosmic mental plane? -- Is only referring to one
aspect of the logos in the same way that the soul of a human being can be said
to emanate from the mental plane, and yet it is a part of the evolving being we
call man.
MDR 30
March 2005 reply letter
… Thank you ABD for
emphasizing the threefold nature of the Solar Logos. In terms of
astrology/cosmology, we can think of Him as the Central Spiritual Sun, the
Heart of the Sun and the Physical Sun (relating more to His personality nature
and to Agni, as defined in the quotation you cited).
The Heart of the Sun, the Subjective Sun and the
Solar Logos in His causal body, are all related and (in a way) equivalent.
The paragraph you cited is one of the most
important for understanding the nature of Agni as an aspect of the entirety of
the Solar Logos.
If the analogy holds
good, the Solar Logos will only be a "liberated soul" when He has
destroyed His causal body. This will occur, we may imagine, towards the end
of this particular solar system. In the next solar system, He will already be a
cosmic Initiate of the fourth or fifth degree (depending on which references we
read) but in either case will have no further need of a limiting causal body
and will be expressing through His true soul nature.
I think the analogy with man is quite exact, and
have often seen a closer parallel between the Solar Logos and man than between
the Planetary Logos and man.
Our Solar Logos is for all practical purposes,
Love-Wisdom (having both a second ray personality and second ray soul). What He
will be when expressing monadically is entirely speculative (some say, the
fourth ray).
In any case, His soul nature contains everything
we normally call solar fire--which, as we experience it, is a great attenuation
of the real thing emanating from the cosmic mental plane.
In our solar system, it seems that cosmic solar
fire contains and envelops all that we call electric fire, solar fire, and fire
by friction, which (because our Solar Logos is what He is) are merely
sub-aspects of the Great Second Ray.
It all boils down to, God is Love--and all our
many specific energies are merely sub-sets of that Love.
a. The expression of the evolution of mind or manas. [The Will to Evolve is the third ray aspect of the Will]
140.
How
does mind evolve? May we say, ‘by discovering, understanding and creating
archetypal arrangements in the non-archetypal worlds’?
141.
The fire of mind is behind the evolution of mind.
142.
The
following ideas deal with the capacities of the evolved mind:
a.
An
evolved mind can work with complex contexts
b.
An
evolved mind has facility with language
c.
An
evolved mind can:
i.
Develop Intelligent Will (higher mental function)
ii.
Vitalize thought processes (which occur in the lower mind).
iii.
Build thoughtforms.
iv.
Correlate
v.
Reason through logic, and thus see the truth.
vi.
Remember
vii.
Plan/Anticipate
viii.
Bridge
ix.
Organize/Arrange
x.
Discriminate/Critique/Discern
xi.
Originate and create. Master Morya calls creation the Power of
Combination.
xii.
Abstract
xiii.
Translate
xiv.
Interpret
xv.
Understand
xvi.
Penetrate
xvii.
Relate cause and effect.
xviii.
Live scientifically (as well as intuitively), thus manage life
successfully.
xix.
Intuit (A higher aspect of mind is intuition.)
xx.
Think for itself! Generate thought
independently.
b. The vitality of the soul.
143.
Considering
soul as a state of consciousness.
144.
Can
there be souls with high and low vitality? There can certainly be consciousnesses
which are acute or dull.
145.
With
soul, here, we mean human consciousness within the causal body.
c. The evolutionary expression of the soul as it shows forth in the form
of that elusive something which brings about the synthesis of matter.
146.
DK
speaks of an “elusive something” which promotes the “synthesis of matter”. At
this stage of human development, the soul aspect is certainly elusive.
147.
Soul
provides the coherence of form and its growing synthesis.
148.
Soul
integrates matter. Soul “pulls things together”.
149.
Soul
is cosmos (order and beauty) and matter is chaos (random, purposeless
relationship).
150.
Matter
refers to lower three planes. The action of mental fire /soul upon matter leads
to the integrating of the personality.
151.
The
order in the unfoldment process of the causal body is controlled by the mental
fire.
152.
Points Emerging in Group Discussion:
As the two merge by means of this active energising factor,
that which is termed consciousness appears.15
153.
DK is
suggesting that consciousness appears as the two fires of mind and matter
merge.
154.
Elsewhere,
the appearance of consciousness is said to arise through the merging of spirit
and matter.
As [Page 49] the merging proceeds and the fires become more
and more synthesised, that totality of manifestation which we regard as a
conscious existence becomes ever more perfected.
155.
Consciousness
is perfected as the fires of mind and matter become ever more synthesized.
d. The operation of this fire under the Law of Attraction.
156.
The
Fires of Mind pattern the universe according to the “Fixed Design”.
157.
They organizes and make beautiful. They are responsible for right
building and right patterning.
e. The subsequent result in the spiral-cyclic movement which we call,
within the system, solar evolution, but which (from the standpoint of a cosmos)
is the approximation of our system to its central point.
This must be considered from the standpoint of time.16
158.
“Solar
evolution” proceeds in a spiral-cyclic manner.
159.
When
considering the movement of stars and planets:
160.
The
“central point” of our solar system may be considered the “Central Spiritual
Sun” around which our system revolves. From one perspective this is said to be
the star Alcyone in the Pleiades. Note that it is revolution that we are
discussing, related to the second fire.
161.
The
central point of the Solar Logos can also be considered its monad, the “Central
Spiritual Sun” from an intra-solar perspective.
162.
Do
you recognize spiral cyclic movement in your own life?
(15: In the
Study of Consciousness Mrs. Besant says (page 37): "Consciousness is the
one reality, in the fullest sense of that much-used phrase; it follows from
this that any reality found anywhere is drawn from consciousness. Hence, everything which is thought, is. That consciousness in which everything is,
everything literally, "possible" as well as "actual"—actual
being that which is thought of as existent by a separated consciousness in time
and space, and possible all that which is not so being thought of at any period
in time and any point in space—we call Absolute Consciousness. It is the All, the Eternal, the Infinite, the
Changeless. Consciousness, thinking time
and space, and of all forms as existing in them in succession and in places, is
the Universal Consciousness, the One, called by the Hindu the Saguna
Brahman—the Eternal with attributes—the Pratyag-Atma—the Inner Self; by the
Parsi, Hormuzd; by the Mussulman, Allah.
Consciousness dealing with a definite time, however long or short, with
a definite space, however vast or restricted, is individual, that of a concrete
Being, a Lord of many universes, or a universe or of any so-called portion of a
universe, his portion and to him therefore a universe—these terms varying as to
extent with the power of the consciousness; so much of the universal thought as
a separate consciousness can completely think, i.e., on which he can impose his
own reality, can think of as existing like himself, is his universe.")
163.
It
can be questioned whether the ultimate Reality should be considered consciousness,
per se, though consciousness is surely one of its aspects.
164.
A
very great question arises: “Is the ABSOLUTE conscious?” It is hard for
the human being to conceive of that which lies ‘beyond’ or ‘above’
consciousness, yet throughout the Teaching there are intimations that there is
such a something/
165.
We
find here an important philosophical/psychological definition of a “universe”.
(16:
Universal consciousness, manifesting as consciousness in time and space, as
Mrs. Besant so ably expresses it, includes all forms of activity and spiral
cyclic evolution from the standpoint of cosmic evolution, and in terms of
absolute consciousness, may again be rotary.)
166.
What
is being suggested is the rotation of the entire universe considered as a kind
of ‘ultimate cosmic atom’.
12A. p. 48: After reading the footnote from A Study of Consciousness by Annie Besant, do you believe that
"consciousness is the one reality."? How is consciousness related to
the concept of "being"?
TC: This
relates to p 48 of the Treatise and the Note by Annie Besant about
consciousness. Is consciousness the one reality? How does consciousness relate
to being?
All items of the four kingdom
are conscious in some way. We know too of kingdoms above our own and Beings far
above the seven kingdoms. These higher Beings are conscious but not in a
way which we would really comprehend. However, the term 'consciousness' has
some meaning to us and we can accept that it is a reality applying to all life.
We accept, however, that consciousness takes different forms, the human stage
bringing with it self-consciousness. The concept of 'being' is often used by
philosophers too. It may help to distinguish between consciousness where the
mind plays an important part from consciousness where feeling (buddhic or
astral) is more prominent.
Does 'being' apply where an entity has no life
of its own but only responds to an energy produced by some other person or
group? I'm thinking of shades or ghosts (excluding various discarnate beings who may make contact with the human existence for some
reason)? I guess the answer is -- No. Maybe we should need to talk about
borrowed being for this situation. Maybe, at stages way beyond human
consciousness, consciousness and being become one and the distinction no longer
has much relevance. TC
ABD:
Consciousness is the vehicle for developing the state of being and it is
replaced by the state of being after the decision initiation.
MM: The usual understanding is that “being” or
life is the first principle, matter or form is the third principle, and
consciousness is the middle principle arising from the two. We may understand
that spirit is all-pervasive, therefore it is impossible to experience matter
in isolation. Wherever there is matter, there is spirit, and thus everything is
consciousness.
Can we say the reverse – wherever there is
spirit, there is matter? We may divide our human experience into planes of form
and planes of spirit, and we may imagine that there is no form in the planes of
spirit. But as below, so above. Just as our mental,
astral and physical planes are the planes of form, so perhaps the cosmic
mental, cosmic astral and cosmic physical are all planes of cosmic form. What
we humans regard as planes of spirit without form may still be filled with
cosmic matter and thus filled with consciousness. What exists above the cosmic
mental is beyond our ability to speculate.
How is consciousness related to the concept of Being? I always come back to the point within the circle.
The circle is Being, the point is consciousness. We
always rest in Being, and as we evolve, our
consciousness is able to recognise and identify with Being. Initially
consciousness allows Being to experience form, later
consciousness allows Being to experience Itself.
The
third fire deals with:
a. The
evolution of spirit.
Practically
nothing can at this stage be communicated anent this evolution. The development of spirit can be only expressed as yet in terms of the
evolution of matter, and only through the adequacy of the vehicle, and
through the suitability of the sheath, the body or form, can the point of [Page
50] spiritual development reached in any way be appraised.
167.
“Spirit”
cannot (at this time and in this solar system) be considered in itself only.
168.
From
another perspective, we might say that in this ‘system of consciousness or of
the soul’, spirit can only be considered in terms of consciousness. In terms of
sound, this is like saying that no true “A” can sound—only an “O”.
169.
Yet,
it is interesting to consider that spirit evolves. The “Ray of the
ABSOLUTE” (which is essential spirit), however, does not evolve, but the
consciousness caused by the immersion of this Ray in matter (even in very
rarefied forms of matter) does evolve or expand.
170.
Can
we reasonably suggest that pure being cannot evolve? That it simply is?
13A. p. 49: The third
fire deals with the evolution of
spirit? Can it truly be said that spirit evolves? In what way yes? In what way no?
MM: If
spirit and matter are the two great principles, then to say that spirit does
not evolve also implies that matter does not evolve. We may regard matter as
always changing and spirit as ever changeless, but they are both expressions of
a greater One, and both must be evolving. Although this does create a paradox -
how can something supposedly changeless evolve?
TC: in
response to MM’s point in response to Q.13. Why does changeless consciousness
evolve through manifestation/pralaya? How can the Absolute, which is changeless
consciousness, become involved in a ceaseless process of change -- which is evolution.
How can the infinite and the finite exist
together? Perhaps one can posit the Absolute as a realm of infinite
possibility. The finite then becomes a realm in which some aspects of this
possibility becomes actual. Since there is an infinity of finite realms, there is a continuous process
of actual evolutions in process? Infinity is therefore changeless in the sense
that it is capable of finite development in an infinite number of ways. In
terms of the finite mind, the Absolute might be said to be infinitely
changeable.
MDR in
letter to AABStudy, 29 March 2004:
Friends: The question is essentially unanswerable,
but I went through about a 1000 pages trying to answer. It is
the Fundamental Mystery of Being” – really of BE-NESS and Being. In a
few words I will try to present the paradox.
All things, including the Universe are 'Next to
NOTHING', which is what an infinitesimal is, but it is unquantifiable or it
becomes measurable and thus no longer an infinitesimal. Compared to the
ABSOLUTE the Universe ever recedes towards NOTHINGNESS. It is the merest point
which exists but has no dimension. Our Universe exists but (in relation to
INFINITITY) has no specifiable magnitude.
With TC, I agree in a way that the ABSOLUTE
is all possibility. I have called it the FOUNT OF ALL POSSIBILITY. But there is
danger in this appellation as it includes the existence of an infinitude
of contra-possibilities, capable of annihilating each other. In other
words, if the INFINITESSENCE is the FOUNT OF ALL POSSIBILITY, it includes the
possibility that it is not the FOUNT OF ALL POSSIBILITY. SELF-annihilation.
There is nothing we can predicate of IT. Every thought in its direction is an
untruth, ready to be contradicted. In fact, I have called IT (THAT which I
should not name) the GREAT CONTRADICTION, for in it are contained all
self-annihilating possibilities, and yet, it is IMMUTABLE and therefore
changeless. Another paradox.
The paltry human mind is boggled. My final answer
(hopeless really) for why any universe exists at all, is that in order for the
ABSOLUTE to BE what it IS, it must also be what it is NOT (hence the appearance
of the Universe--the negation of INFINITUDE, the Necessary Contradiction of all
the ABSOLUTE IS. The Universe, then, is an ever recurrent Child of Necessity,
demanded of the GREAT PERFECTION which, if it is to remain immutably PERFECT
must also be IMPERFECT. The Universe from this perspective is the Great
Imperfection (and ever so, beginningless and endlessly). In other words the GREAT PERFECTION to be
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT must be Imperfect. In order for IT to REMAIN EXACTLY WHAT IT
IS, IT must also become what IT is not. IT includes and must cyclically
generate the possibility of not being ITSELF, i.e., of not being INFINITE but
of being Finite. Thus the endless appearance of an infinite
succession of Universes, which never began and will never end.
There have been forever, we are told, and
infinitude of Universes, and ever will be in linear time. From another
perspective, they do not exist at all and never have. Nagarjuna said the
Universe never arose, and in relation to the BOUNDLESS IMMUTABLE PRINCIPLE,
this is, in some strange way correct, as IMMUTABILITY is INVIOLATE (and yet,
sequentially, cyclically and forever violated by the GREAT OSCILLATION we call the
GREAT BREATH--the ONTOLOGICAL BREATH the oscillation of which is
BE-NESSS/BEING/BE-NESS/BE-ING for ever.
Will all possibilities within the FOUNT OF ALL
POSSIBILITY ever be manifested? Well, there is the possibility that they might! However, the
infinitude of the INFINITESSENCE is infinitely larger than the infinitude of
manifesting Universes. Each time there is a Universe, one possibility of an
infinitude of possibilities is ‘chosen’ (what other word to use?). The
ratio for ever is ‘Infinity to One’. The work of the mathematician Geog Cantor
gets into infinitudes of different magnitudes. His book, the Theory of Transfinite Numbers is a brief
explanation of this rarefied type of thought (obviously on the third ray).
The real problem for us is that the first two
Fundamentals of the Secret Doctrine absolutely contradict each other. And yet,
both are immutably true. Thus paradox lies at the root of the ontological
question and it can never be resolved, not even by the highest Logos which is simply an
'Infinitesimalizing' when compared to the INFINITY OF ALL INFINITIES (the Deity
of Spinoza) no matter how vast in scope or extent. The mystery of BE-NESS can
only be fathomed when GOD is ALL-IN-ALL, which occurs cyclically forever,
except that in immutability there are no cycles. Of all this, we can say that
we and all are PURE BE-NESS, and are living through an 'algorhythmic illusory
imperfection' (i.e., the Universe) of what we really ARE--even though,
ESSENTIALLY we are not living through it at all. The sequence of words -- ive,
Evil, Veil, Vile -- will repay pondering.
I have prepared a commentary on the first part of
TCF if you would like to reference it. I am always updating it and it changes
after every class on the subject.. But the deeper
thought is found in Infinitization of
Selfhood (which Vicktorya edited some ten years ago--and survived) [VSK adds:
questionable as well.] and On the Monad at the
Makara site, which Vicktorya hosts. On
the Monad is my attempt to put this kind of thinking more in the language
of Master DK and of the Ageless Wisdom with which we are more familiar.
The reconciliation between the INFINITE and the
Finite is the more perplexing of all philosophical
questions and is the Question of all Questions.
It is so important because it is fundamentally
OUR STORY--as we are nothing else but "THAT" even while cyclically
appearing to be 'This'.
Nothing we ever seem to be through an infinitude of ever-changing, non-evolving universes is
WHAT we REALLY ARE. The GROUND OF ALL BEING is WHAT we ARE, and in the midst of
relativity, the illusory we must remember this. This is the value of such
thought as that proposed by HPB (an arhat, in my estimation). Through this
greatest of all contrasts we learn something ineffable about the Mystery of
Life. And yet, since there is nothing else but the INFINITE, it is out of
relation with all things and cannot be contrasted with them! Kant avoided all
this, and simply refused to get into it. He was an angel fearing to tread where
other fools (like myself) rushed in.
A word of warning should
here be interpolated:—
Just as it
is not possible upon the physical plane for the physical vehicle fully to
express the total point of development of the Ego or higher self, so it is not
possible even for the Ego fully to sense and express the quality of spirit. Hence the utter impossibility for human consciousness justly to
appraise the life of the spirit or Monad.
171.
Thus,
anything we infer concerning the spirit is the merest hint concerning its
reality. We have to assess ‘our’ position, vis-à-vis spirit, with true
humility.
172.
Yet, spirit has a quality just as the
monad has a ray. Spirit (as we normally discuss it) is not to be considered as
ABSOLUTE REALITY. The ABSOLUTE REALITY (known in cosmos as the Ray of the
ABOLUTE) has no quality. Rather it is all possible cosmic quality and
more.
b. The
working of the flame divine under the Law of Synthesis—a generic term which will be seen
eventually to include the other two laws as subdivisions.
173.
“Synthesis”
is inclusive of the two other cosmic laws—the Law of Economy and the Law of
Attraction. Both subsidiary laws contribute to the purpose of ‘whole-making’
presided over by the Law of Synthesis.
c. The
subsequent result of forward progressive motion—a motion which is rotary, cyclic
and progressive.
174.
DK is
reminding us not to conceive of “forward progressive motion” as non-inclusive
of the earlier two types of motion. Spiral-cyclic motion (of the second ray)
includes the rotary motion of the third ray; “forward progressive motion”
drives through space that which is already moving spiral-cyclically, and
rotorily.
175.
Each
successive aspect includes foregoing aspects. In numerology, the one
includes all other numbers.
The whole
matter dealt with in this Treatise concerns the subjective essence of the solar
system, not primarily either the objective or spiritual aspect.
176.
This,
despite the great detail given in this book re the objective aspect. The
“spiritual aspect” in this case relates to the monad or spirit. DK is saying
that A Treatise on Cosmic Fire is a book primarily about solar fire.
It concerns the Entities who indwell the
form, who demonstrate as animating
factors through the medium of matter, and primarily through etheric matter; who are evolving
a second faculty, the fire of mind, and who are essentially themselves points of fire, cast off through
cosmic friction, produced by the turning of the cosmic wheel,[refer to Stanza III, TCF 15] swept into temporary limited manifestation and due eventually to return
to their central cosmic centre.
They will return plus the results of evolutionary growth, and through
assimilation they will have intensified their fundamental nature, and be
spiritual fire plus the fire manasic.
AABStudy
TCf4
“The whole matter dealt with in this treatise
concerns the subjective essence of the solar system”. We are given in this
paragraph the reason for the writing of this treatise. We will need to bear
this thought in mind as we penetrate deeper and deeper into this study.
This treatise concerns itself with those entities who indwell the form, and who
demonstrate as animating factors through the medium of etheric matter. That
entity who are also evolving the fire of mind and who are themselves points of
fire. Who are cast off through cosmic friction, produced by the turning of the
cosmic wheel and swept into temporary limited manifestation. They are those who
are due to return to their central cosmic centre, embodying the evolutionary
growth and having intensified their fundamental nature, they will then become
spiritual plus manasic fire.
177.
We
are dealing with the Entities with which A Treatise on Cosmic Fire is
principally concerned.
178.
They
are for clarity in tabulation form:
179.
Is DK
talking about the Solar Angels, or man the monad? Or both, and still other
Entities? A number of different kinds of subjective entities are dealt with in TCF.
180.
Monads
are “points of fire”. This symbolical description of the origin of the monads
will repay deep study. It has amazing implications. The sparks cast off,
however, remain undetached.
181.
A
general principle to emerge is that friction causes sparks.
182.
What
is the cosmic wheel? A galaxy is one such wheel. The wheel of the solar system
is another. A Planetary Logos also manifests as a turning wheel.
183.
We
imagine a rotating wheel and flying sparks. The type of force involved in the
casting off is centrifugal force. The sparks one day return to their
origin by centripetal force.
184.
What
is “cosmic friction”? What is the resistance which causes the friction? When
created wheels turn in space (mulaprakriti) is friction caused? Are the sparks,
as it were, imbedded in the wheel (as potential entities) before it begins to
rotate? Does the centrifugal force caused by rotation, then begin to cast them
off?
185.
We
may well be looking at the physics involved in the origin of the monads
The internal fire of matter is called in the
Secret Doctrine "Fire by Friction."
AABStudy:
TCf4
We now briefly turn our attention to the internal fire of matter.
We are told that those internal fires are both latent and active and show
themselves as the synthesis of the acknowledged fires of the system and
demonstrate as inter planetary combustion. These fires are the basis of life of
the three lower kingdoms of nature and the two lower vehicles of the fourth
kingdom. The fire of mind when blended with the internal fires is the basis of
life in the fourth kingdom and gradually controls the threefold lower man.
It is an effect and not a cause. It is produced by the two fires of
spirit and of mind (electric and solar fire) contacting each other through the
medium of matter. This energy demonstrates in
[Page 51] matter itself as the internal fires of the sun, and of the planets
and finds a reflection in the internal fires of man. Man is the Flame Divine and the fire of Mind brought into
contact through the medium of substance or form. When evolution ends, the fire of matter is
not cognisable. It persists only when
the other two fires are associated, and it does not persist apart from
substance itself.
186.
“Fire
by Friction” is an effect.
187.
We
note that fire-by-friction requires matter for its generation. But
fire-by-friction is the fire in matter and not matter itself.
188.
Matter
is Mother and, as pregenetic substance, pre-exists the three Fires and so does
“Flame”.
189.
It is
as if Matter (pure and pre-genetic) is the reflection of Pure Being, the Flame.
A symbolical diamond is created, with Flame atop, Matter below, and the three
fires between.
190.
Man
as monad is man as “Flame Divine”. The monad is essentially flame.
191.
Here
we learn that the fire of matter only comes into existence through the blending
of the first and second fires and is completely dependent for its existence on
these first two.
192.
All
three exist—spirit/mind/matter. We are talking about creating the internal fire
of matter in matter which already exists.
193.
We
have to distinguish between fire in matter, and matter itself.
194.
A
brilliant definition of Man is given: “Man is the Flame Divine and the fire of
Mind brought into contact through the medium of substance or form.” This is Man
conceived as the product of fires and substance.
Let us now
briefly recognise certain facts regarding fire in matter and let us take them in order,
leaving time to elucidate their significance.
First we might say that the internal fire being both latent and active, shows
itself as the synthesis of the acknowledged fires of the system, and demonstrates, for instance, as
solar radiation and inner planetary combustion. This subject has been somewhat covered by
science, and is hidden in the mystery of physical plane electricity, which is
an expression of the active
internal fires of the system and of the planet just as inner combustion
is an expression of the latent
internal fires. These latter
fires are to be found in the interior of each globe, and are the basis of all
objective physical life.
195.
The
important fact is repeated that the internal fire is both latent and active.
196.
The
internal fires are “acknowledged” because they are more objective. The fire of
mind is not yet acknowledge.
197.
Physical
plane electricity is connected with “active internal fires”; “planetary
combustion” is an expression of “latent internal fires”.
198.
If we
want to have good examples of the two internal fires they are given:
199.
Sometimes
when using unfamiliar terms, it is important to have practical examples at our
disposal.
Secondly, we might note that the internal
fires are the basis of life in the lower three kingdoms of nature, and in the
fourth or human kingdom in
connection with the two lower vehicles.
200.
This
is an important association—the various fires in relations to the kingdoms of
nature.
201.
The
three lower kingdoms of nature are built by the Second Logos, but the internal
fires (associated more with the Third Logos) form the basis of these kingdoms.
202.
The
human kingdom has a number of vehicles—the lower two would normally be
considered astral and physical and are ‘irrational’.
203.
In
this context, because we are not dealing with astral fire, the lower two
vehicles must be considered as etheric and dense physical (in its densest,
liquid and gaseous sublayers)..
The Fire of
Mind, when blended with the internal fires, is the basis of life in the fourth kingdom, and united
they control (partially now and later entirely) the lower threefold man or the
personality; this control lasts up to the time of the first Initiation.
204.
The
“first Initiation” means, in this particular context, the third initiation, for
after the third initiation, the Fire of Will emerges into controlling
prominence.
205.
To
have the fourth kingdom in completeness, the Fire of Mind is necessary.
206.
The
personality is not yet completely controlled by either the fires of lower mind
or the fires of higher mind. For some human beings this control is emerging,
and for those who are soul-aware, the fires of higher mind are assuming
control.
The fire
of Spirit finally,
when blended with the two other fires (which blending commences in man at the first initiation),
forms a basis of spiritual life or existence. As evolution proceeds in the
fifth or spiritual kingdom, these three fires blaze forth simultaneously,
producing perfected consciousness. This
blaze results in the final [Page 52] purification of matter and its consequent
adequacy; at the close of manifestation it brings about eventually the
destruction of the form and its dissolution, and the termination of existence
as understood on the lower planes. In
terms of Buddhistic theology it produces annihilation; this involves, not loss of identity,
but the cessation of objectivity and the escape of Spirit, plus mind, to its
cosmic centre. It has its analogy in the
initiation at which the adept stands free from the limitations of matter in the
three worlds.
207.
One
enters the fifth kingdom at the first initiation—on the Fixed Cross.
208.
But
if the mention of the first initiation (in this paragraph) is a continuation of
the previous paragraph, then we are speaking of the third initiation.
209.
We do
notice (whether it is significant or not) that the term “Initiation” in the
first paragraph is capitalized, and in the second paragraph appears as
“initiation” (uncapitalized). We cannot presume that the Tibetan was aware of
all significant capitalizations, but in this case the capitalization seems
indicative.
210.
The
blending of all fires commences at the first degree and is revealed
at the third.
211.
Spirit
begins to impose itself (on soul levels) at the first degree. Vulcan and Pluto
are first ray planets active before the first degree, and they are first ray
planets of imposition.
212.
Man
becomes conscious of the Fire of Spirit only at the third initiation.
213.
The
Fire of Spirit is active in relation to the soul (the subjective man on
the higher mental plane) at the first initiation.
214.
“Annihilation”
means there is no necessity to return to physical incarnation.
215.
When
is Nirvana? At the fourth degree, there is no need to return. The atmic plane
is called the “nirvanic plane”. At the sixth degree, on starts the
216.
The
shifting of Hierarchy to the buddhic plane may, in general, correspond with the
period in which humanity is to take the first initiation.
The
internal fires of the system, of the planet, and of man are threefold:
217.
These
are summary statements relating to three types of “atoms”—systemic, planetary
and human.
AABStudy
TCf4:
The
internal fires of the solar system, the planet and of man are likewise
threefold:
1. Interior fire at the centre of the sphere producing
warmth. This is latent fire.
2. Radiatory fire. Physical
plane electricity light rays and etheric energy. This is active fire.
3. Essential fire, the fire elementals who are
themselves the essence of fire, divided mainly into two groups:
a.
Fire Devas or evolutionary entities.
b.
Fire elementals or involutionary entities.
Latent fire causes the active growth of that in
which it is embedded and causes that active pushing which brings all that is
found in the kingdoms of nature into manifestation. Radiatory fire causes the
continued growth of that which has progressed, under the influence of latent
fire.
We are now given the sources of these fires:
1.
The solar Logos
Latent fire produces the internal heat making
the solar system productive of all forms of life.
Active fire retains in life and causes the
evolution of all that has evolved by means of latent fire.
2.
The planetary logos --
Follow the example of His superior.
3.
Man
·
Latent fire heat the interior of the human frame and causes production
of all physical body cells; all organism which are nourished by latent heat;
the reproduction of itself by means of the sex function.
·
Human Radiatory heat is related and demonstrates as the health
aura and etheric radiation enabling him to transmit active heat.
1.
Interior fire at the centre of the sphere, those inner furnaces which produce warmth. This is latent fire.
218.
Note
here DK’s geology. There can be fire even if the Earth is hollow. (TCF 897)
219.
The
“Hollow Earth Theory” was (in modern times) first promoted by Master H, or at
least, through certain writings which purport to be from Master H. DK seems to
be confirming this theory.
“The microcosmic resemblance to the great Life of the planet
is seen in the fact that both forms are but outer sheaths or frameworks, sheltering
an inner "vault"; both forms are hollow, both have their
negative and positive extremities, their poles, so to speak, and internally
much proceeds affecting the outer evolutions.” (TCF 897)
2.
Radiatory fire. This type of fire might be expressed in terms
of physical plane electricity, of light rays, and of etheric energy. This is active fire.
220.
All
three types are active radiatory fire.
221.
For
clarity, let us tabulate the three forms of radiatory fire:
222.
These
energies represent the dynamic aspect of internal fire.
3. Essential fire, or the fire elementals who are themselves the essence
of fire. They are mainly divided into two groups:
a. Fire
devas or evolutionary entities.
b. Fire
elementals or involutionary entities.
223.
Up to
this point we have been subdividing internal fire into two
categories—active heat and latent heat. Now there arises a division into three.
224.
This
would create a triangle of manifestation, and seems correct. Perhaps each of
the three basic types of fires will be threefold-eventually.
225.
From
one comes two; from the second another arises. (cf. DINA II 518)
226.
Does
“essential fire” relate mostly to some kind of deva or elemental manifestation?
227.
Is was
asked: do fire elementals who are the essence of fire create (with their
bodies) both latent heat and radiatory fire?
228.
Is was
suggested that the term “elemental” is used to include both evolutionary
and involutionary beings. This
must, of course, be researched.
229.
What
do we mean by the “essence of fire”? Can one see it? Are we talking
about the soul quality of fire? It was suggested that research be
conducted on salamanders.
230.
Motive
determines the quality of the elemental. There are positive thoughtforms and
positive elementals, negative thoughtforms and negative elementals.
231.
We
must decide which of these devic and elemental beings are evolutionary or
involutionary. This will not be an easy task as there are many discrepancies in
terminology.
232.
DK
seems to discriminate immediately:
Salamanders,
those little fire elementals who can be seen dancing
in every flame, tending the fires of the hearth and the home, and of the
factory. They are of the same group as
the fire spirits who can be contacted deep in the fiery bowels of the planet. [latent, involutionary]
Fire spirits,
latent in all focal points of heat, who are themselves the essence of warmth,
and can be contacted [Page 67] in the heat of the bodily frame, whether human
or animal, and who are likewise the warmth terrestrial. [latent, probably involutionary]
The Agnichaitans, a higher grade of fire spirit, who form a vortex of
fire when viewed on a large scale, such as in volcanoes and large destructive
burnings. They are closely allied to a still more
important group of devas, who form the fiery envelope of the sun. [latent, evolutionary as they are
devas]
The pranic
elementals, those minute fiery essences who have the ability to permeate the
texture of the human body, of a tree, or of all that may be found in the human,
vegetable and animal kingdoms, and who blend with the fires of the microcosmic
systems. (TCF 67) [active,
involutionary]
Certain of
the deva kingdom who may be described as ensouling certain of the great light
rays, and Who are in Themselves the essence of those rays. Other forms of such elemental lives and of
deva groups might be enumerated, but the above tabulation will suffice for our
present purpose. [active,
evolutionary] (TCF 67)
Later we
will elaborate on this when we consider the Fire of Mind and deal with the
nature of the thought elementals. All
these elementals and devas are under the control of the fire Lord, Agni. When considering Him and His kingdom the
subject can be taken up at greater length.
233.
There
is often a discrimination between elementals and devas; deva usually means a
higher form.
234.
The
term “deva” means a “god” or a “shining one”.
We
might here point out, however, that our first two statements concerning the
internal fires, express the effect that the fire entities have upon their
environment. Heat
and radiation are other terms which might be applied in this sense. Each of these effects produces a [Page 53]
different class of phenomena. Latent fire causes the active
growth of that in which it is embedded and causes that upward pushing which
brings into manifestation all that is found in the kingdoms of nature. Radiatory fire causes the continued growth of that which has progressed,
under the influence of latent fire, to a point receptive of the radiatory. Let us tabulate it thus:
235.
Something
extremely important is said in the first sentence. Earlier two times of
internal fires were described:
236.
We
are now told that these two types of fires are effects that “fire
entities have upon the environment”.
237.
In
other words, “essential fire” is primary fire, and the two effects of
this fire, in the environment, are latent heat/latent fire and active
heat/radiatory fire
238.
Two
fundamental terms emerge with which to describe two fires:
239.
Two
important and succinct definitions are given:
240.
Yet the essential fire of the fire entities is primary to these
two.
241.
Can
it be that on each of the three levels of fire, (internal, mind, spirit), there
will be one fire that is essential, and from which the other two derive?
242.
In
radioactivity come the secrets of initiation.
243.
Radioactivity
relates to the power of the nucleus of the radioactive form of life—mineral,
vegetable, animal, man. A radioactive man is an initiate.
Systemic
or Macrocosmic: The solar Logos or The Grand Man of the Heavens.
244.
Another
term used for the Solar Logos is the “divine Heavenly Man” (TCF 590, EP I 59)
Latent or
interior fire produces the internal heat which makes the solar system
productive of all forms of life. It is
the inherent warmth that causes all fertilisation, whether human, animal, or
vegetable.
245.
As an
important mental peg, we can say that latent/interior fire is the case of
fertility (in all forms of life).
246.
Latent
fire, then, is very rotary, and causes reproduction.
247.
Through
latent/interior fire forms of life evolve into objectivity.
248.
Note
how the words “latent” and “interior” go together.
Active or
radiatory fire retains in life and causes the evolution of all that has evolved into objectivity by
means of latent fire.
249.
Active
fire—
250.
Something
has been brought into objectivity by latent fire; active fire keeps it alive
and causes it to evolve.
251.
What
is said here can form valuable “mental pegs” to help us differentiate between
the functions of latent/interior fire and active/radiatory fire.
Planetary,
or the Heavenly Men:
252.
We
will not, at this time, differentiate between the terms “Planetary Logos” and
“Heavenly Man”
What is
laid down anent the system, as a whole, can be predicated of all planets which
in their nature reflect the Sun, their elder brother.
253.
Note
that the Sun is the “elder brother” of the planets and not their “father”.
254.
In The
Secret Doctrine the Sun “Martanda” and His six brothers come to birth
simultaneously.
Human, or the Microcosmic Man:
Human
latent fire, the heat interior of the human frame causes production of other forms of
life, such as—
1. The
physical body cells.
2.
Organisms nourished by the latent heat. [Many
organisms, i.e., bacteria, living within us]
3. The
reproduction of itself in other human forms, the basis of the sex function.
255.
Well described
here is what “latent fire” and “heat interior” mean to the human being.
Human
radiatory, or active fire, is a factor as yet but little comprehended; it
relates to the health aura and to that radiation from the etheric which
makes a man a healer, and able to transmit active heat.
256.
What
human radiatory fire or active fire means to a human being:
257.
The
healer transmits active heat; this is the secret of his effectiveness.
258.
Note
that although the transmission is radiatory, what is transmitted is heat.
It is
necessary to differentiate between this radiation from the
etheric, which is a radiation of prana, and magnetism, which is
an emanation from a subtler body (usually the astral), and has to do with the
manifestation of [Page 54] the Divine Flame within the material sheaths. The Divine Flame is formed on the second plane, the monadic, and
magnetism (which is a method of demonstrating radiatory fire) is therefore felt
paramountly on the fourth and sixth planes, or through the buddhic and astral
vehicles. These are, as we know,
closely allied to the second plane. This
distinction is of importance and should be carefully recognised.
259.
The
term “Divine Flame” essentially means monad, or the ‘essential monad’
260.
We
note that the “Divine Flame” is formed on the second plane. Shall we say
that the form for the Divine Plane is created on the second plane, but
that its truer origin lies in the “
261.
The
Jiva is to be considered as the reincarnating entity. Jiva is the undetached
spark hanging from the Divine Flame by a fine thread of Fohat. The Jiva is
considered “divine spark” (thrown off, perhaps, by “cosmic friction”).
262.
(88: In the
Secret Doctrine, the Sons of Mind are spoken of as flames. In Stanza VII, 4, "These are the
three-tongued flame of the four wicks.
The wicks are the sparks, that draw from the
three-tongued flame shot out by the seven flames. The spark hangs from the flame by the
finest thread of Fohat."( TCF 206)
263.
This
selection from the Secret Doctrine is extraordinarily pregnant with
meaning.
i.
Sometimes
it can mean the monad itself
ii.
Sometimes
it can mean the Jiva that goes forth or descends from the monad.
264.
Prana is not magnetism. Prana is etheric.
265.
Magnetism
is astral (in its lowest aspect) and comes from the Divine Flame on the monadic
plane, and descends through buddhi on the fourth plane and the astral nature on
the sixth plane.
266.
The
monad is combinations of rays one and two; magnetism is induces by both rays
one and two.
267.
The
Factor of Synthesis is also a combination of rays one and two.
268.
Below
are two explanatory paragraphs showing magnetism as related to the first and second
rays.
“Magnetic Action” related to First Ray
“Owing to the
fact that the Law which governs the Hierarchy is the second systemic law, the
Law of Attraction, students are apt to think that magnetism is a second ray
quality. They are right in so far that all the systemic laws are expressions
of the life of God through the medium, at this time, of the second ray, which
makes our solar system a second ray system. All other laws and qualities (for a law from
the divine angle is the motivating, qualified agent of the divine will, as
understood in Shamballa) are related to the second ray as it manifests through
our planetary Logos. Nevertheless, magnetic action is more
closely allied to first ray functioning than it is to the second ray, and is an
aspect or quality of the Law of Synthesis. It was this magnetic power of the first ray
to which the Christ referred when He said "I, if I be lifted up (The
Ascension Initiation. A.A.B.), will draw all men unto me.” (R&I 376)
269.
It
should be stated that the Law of Synthesis is not exclusively a first ray law,
having in it much of second ray influence.
270.
When
the first and second rays fuse and blend, synthesis is the result.
Magnetism related to the Second Ray
It might here
be useful to point out that magnetism is the effect of the divine ray in
manifestation in the same sense that electricity is the manifested effect of
the primordial ray of active intelligence.
It would be well to ponder on this for it holds hid a mystery. (TCF 44)
Having,
therefore, made the above statements, we can proceed to take up somewhat in
greater detail the interior
fires of the systems, microcosmic and macrocosmic.
271.
Here
the term “interior” seems to relate to both
latent and active heat. In other places, the term “interior” refers only to latent
heat.
14A. p. 52: Please contrast the three internal fires of the
system——interior fire, radiatory fire and essential fire. Is there in your mind a distinct significance
between these fires?
ABD: The three fire are truly one fire and only
demonstrate as a triplicity when in manifestation and according to the
development of the form the occupy at a particular
time.
AABStudy:
TCf4
Question on why so many and varied names for the
same apparently divine expression?
The great number of terms and names given to
the actors in this treatise is deliberate and serves to emphasise the great
number of simultaneous parts played by those actors and to demonstrate the
interrelated activities between all the great numbers of actors in this
fascinating life drama.
The distinction between radiation and magnetism
is emphasised in order to make the point that although energy is one it will
demonstrate differently when in manifestation, and when spirit interacts with
matter.
We have radiation from the etheric, which is
radiation of Prana. We have magnetism, an emanation from the astral plane and
which has to do with the manifestation of the divine flame within the material
sheaths.