Fellowship of Cosmic Fire
Commentary Semester I Section IX
(TCF 93-97)
Version 1.4 VSK pages recontituted 1.3.1,
Updated 04Apr05
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3. The prana of forms.
It must
first be pointed out that forms are necessarily of two kinds, each having a
different place in the scheme:
Forms that are the result of the
work of the third and the second Logos, and Their united life.
Such forms are the units in the vegetable, animal and mineral kingdoms.
1.
Forms
which are not yet self-conscious are the combined creator labor of the Third
Logos and Second Logos.
2.
Are
there forms which pre-exist the beginning of the mineral kingdom? If so, they
do would be the work of these two Logoi.
3.
Are
there deva forms which arise from the cooperation of only these two Logoi?
4.
Remember
when speaking of Logoi in this way, we are not discussing either Solar Logoi or
Planetary Logoi, but (when confining ourselves to our solar system) to the
third, second and first aspects of our Solar Logos (responsible, respectively,
for the first, second and third “Outpourings”.
Forms that are the result of the
united action of the three Logoi, and comprise the strictly deva and human forms.
5.
It is
easy to understand why man, a self-conscious being, (in order to exist)
requires the creativity of the First Logos as well as the Second and Third
Logoi. Why should this be the case for all
devas? Or are only the self-conscious devas thus created.
6.
One
answer might be that the devas represent the law, and the First Logos is the carrier
of Will and Law.
There is
also the still simpler form
embodied in the substance of which all the other forms are made. This matter is strictly speaking the atomic
and molecular matter, and is animated by the life or energy of the third Logos.
7.
Usually
“form” is related to the work of the Second Logos, but it correct to say that
the tiny atom of substance and more complex molecules are, indeed, forms.
8.
These
tiny building blocks result from the work of the differentiating and separating
work of the “Third Logos” at the “First Outpouring”.
9.
All
this is detailed in the map below.
[Page 94]
CHART II — LOGOS OF A SOLAR SYSTEM
[Page 95]
In dealing
with the first group of forms, [produced by the united work of the Second and Third Logos] it must be noted that the pranic
emanations given off by units of the animal and vegetable kingdom (after they
have absorbed both solar and planetary prana) are naturally a combination of
the two, [solar and planetary
prana] and are
transmitted by means of surface radiation, as in solar and planetary prana, to
certain lesser groups of devas of a not very high order, who have a curious and
intricate relationship to the group soul of the radiating animal or vegetable.
10.
Another
analogy is given involving still lesser groups of devas. We are dealing here
with the “pranic emanations given off by units of the animal and vegetable
kingdoms”.
11.
These
emanations are a combination of both solar and planetary prana.
12.
The
lesser group of devas receive the “surface radiation” from groups of animals
and members of the vegetable kingdom.
13.
We
note that animals and vegetables evolve by means of a group soul.
This matter cannot be dealt with here. These devas are also of a violet hue, but of
such a pale color as to be almost grey; they are in a transitional state, and
merge with a puzzling confusion with groups of entities that are almost on the
involutionary arc.42,43,43a
14.
We
are presented with obscure intricacies.
15.
We
are not to confuse these devas of a grayish-violet hue with the violet devas
who transmit planetary (and solar) prana to man.
16.
If
there are “entities” on the involutionary arc, then there are certainly forms of life on that arc. The Second
Logos (in combination with the Third Logos) builds such forms.
(42: Involutionary Arc is the term applied to
the first part of the evolutionary process.
It covers the "path of descent," or
the coming down of Spirit into ever denser matter until the lowest point is
reached, the point of densest concretion.
The latter half of the process is called evolutionary and marks the
ascent or return of Spirit to its emanating source, plus the gains of the
evolutionary process.)
17.
This
definition of the “Involutionary Arc” is very straightforward. There are,
however, some puzzling intricacies and many questions about the nature of
involutionary beings.
(43: "The Three Outpourings. In the diagram the "symbols of the three
Aspects (of the Logos) are placed outside of time and space, and only the
streams of influence from them descend into our system of planes....They represent
in due order what are commonly called the three Persons of the Trinity....It
will be seen that from each of them an outpouring of life or force is projected
into the planes below. The first of
these in order is the straight line which descends from the third Aspect; the
second is that part of the large oval which lies on our left hand—the stream
which descends from the second Aspect until it has touched the lowest point in
matter, and then rises again up the side on our right hand until it reaches the
lower mental level. It will be noted
that in both of these outpourings the divine life becomes darker and more
veiled as it descends into matter, until at the lowest point we might almost
fail to recognise it as divine life at all; but as it rises again when it has
passed its nadir it shows itself somewhat more clearly. The third outpouring which descends from the
highest aspect of the Logos differs from the others in that it is in no way clouded by the matter through which it passes, but
retains its virgin purity and splendour untarnished. It will be noted that this outpouring descends only to the
level of the buddhic plane (the fourth plane) and that the link between
the two is formed by a triangle in a circle, representing the individual soul
of man—the reincarnating ego. Here the triangle is contributed by the
third outpouring and the circle by the second...."—The Christian Creed, by C. W.
Leadbeater, pp. 39, 40.)
18.
The
important thing to note in Leadbeater’s description of the Three Outpourings is
that the Third Outpouring descends unobscured by the levels of matter through
which it descends.
19.
The
circle and triangle seem to be missing from the diagram. The triangle will
represent the threefold monad (and is, thus, directly related to the Third
Outpouring. The circle is said to relate to the Second Outpouring, and is the
‘circle of form’.
20.
The
triangle within the circle is a symbol for the soul of man within the causal
body.
21.
We
note that the Third Outpouring descends no lower than the buddhic plane. The buddhi
plane is still one of the planes of life,
and is not part of the threefold dense physical nature of the Solar Logos.
22.
There
is a hint within this fact that the purity of the monad can be met first on the
buddhic plane (and especially at the fourth initiation, which discloses the
buddhic plane to man in a way not possible when the causal body existed).
23.
Sometimes
the monad is called atma-buddhi, indicating its presence within the two highest
planes of the spiritual triad.
24.
Should
the monad be contacted by means of the higher mind, such contact will be mediated and less direct, for even the
higher mind is considered but the gaseous part of the dense physical body of
the Solar Logos, and into that body the monad (per se) does not descend.
(43a See S.
D., I, 98, 99, 100, 103.
1. The
root of life was in every drop of the ocean of immortality. Every atom in matter was impregnated with the
life of the Logos.
25.
Presumably,
this impregnation refers to the Third Logos and the First Outpouring.
2. The
ocean was radiant light, which was Fire, Heat, Motion.
These three are the subjective life
manifesting objectively. Fire:
The essence of the first Logos. Electric fire. Spirit. Heat:
Duality. The
essence of the second Logos. Solar fire. The Son aspect. Consciousness. Motion:
The essence of the third Logos. Fire by friction. Matter.
26.
The
“ocean” here mentioned appears to be the ocean of all matter within the ring-pass-not of a Solar Logos.
27.
Fire,
Heat and Motion are interestingly distinguished and these distinctions should
be remembered.
a.
Fire in relation to the First Logos (Third Outpouring)
b.
Heat in relation to the Second Logos (Second Outpouring)
c.
Motion in relation to the Third Logos (First Outpouring)
28.
Fire is essential.
29.
Heat relates to the duality which frequency represents. Wave motion is involved.
30.
Motion is the rearrangement of pattern in space. It indicates
change of relationship. Motion and change are inseparable.
31.
Below
we are given a tabulation which makes the Trinity clear in relation to the Macrocosm
and Microcosm.
THE
MACROCOSM
First Logos Fire The will to live
or to be. Electric.
Second
Logos Heat Duality, or love between two. Solar.
Third Logos Motion The fire of mind, the
relation between. Fire
by friction.
This
is the subjective expression.
32.
The
highest form of Will is the “will to live or to be”.
33.
We
note that the concept of “heat” involves the dynamic of attraction between two.
Two attracted units feel “heat” for each other.
34.
The
Third Logos is seen here as a relating agent (almost a Second Logos function).
Mind, however, is a relating agent.
35.
There
is often an interchangeability between the second and
third aspects in some tabulations. An example of this is the idea that the
Mother is both the second and the third. The Son, as well, is the third in
sequential order, who becomes the second.
The Sun Will or
power.
Venus-Mercury Love and Wisdom.
Saturn Activity or intelligence.
This is the objective expression.
36.
Although
the Solar Logos/Sun is given as a primarily second ray being, we can see how,
as the veil for Vulcan (one of the chief planets of will) it can be considered as a representation of the first ray and
of the First Logos.
37.
As
the central star of our solar system, the Sun is all-powerful.
38.
Venus
and Mercury can easily be seen as the representatives of Love (Venus, Christ)
and Wisdom (Mercury, Buddha). Other planets such as second ray Jupiter and
second ray/sixth ray
39.
Saturn
is always associated with the third aspect of divinity thought it has much of
the first aspect associated with it.
THE MICROCOSM.
The Monad Electric fire Will or power.
The Ego Solar fire Love and wisdom.
The
Personality Fire by friction Activity or intelligence.
This
is the subjective expression.
40.
The
microcosmic parallel to the first chart is here given.
41.
The
Monad, Ego and Personality are the correspondences to the First, Second and
Third Logoi.
The mental
body Will or power Fire.
The astral
body Love-wisdom Heat.
The physical body Active
intelligence Motion.
This
is the objective expression.
42.
It is
important for disciples to distinguish between mental fire and astral heat. Fire, per se, leads to detachment and
reduction to essence. Heat, as here
understood, leads to joining and merging.
43.
To
distinguish heat from motion, we might think of heat as vibration within a
sustained pattern. The concept of motion requires no concept of pattern. Motion
is foundational to heat and heat derivative from motion.
Physical body.
The brain Monad Will or
power. Electric fire.
The heart Ego Love-wisdom.
Solar fire.
Lower organs Personality Active intelligence.)
44.
Here
the brain is said to correspond with the Monad, but the Monad also has its seat
within the heart.
45.
So
there can sometimes be a reversal when considering heart and brain. In the
heart is life—the monad. The soul
(second aspect) is also anchored in the brain.
46.
There
are many ways to divide the human body according to the Law of Correspondences
and many have validity. Our task is not to become fixated on any one form of
division as the only way.
[Page 96]
In dealing
with the second group, [involving
all three Logoi] the
human form transmits the emanative radiations to a much higher grade of
deva. These devas are of a more pronounced hue, and after due
assimilation of the human radiation, they transmit it principally to the animal
kingdom, thus demonstrating the close relationship between the two
kingdoms. If the above explanation of the intricate inter-relation between the
sun and the planets, between the planets and the evolving forms upon them,
between the forms themselves in ever descending importance demonstrates nothing
more than the exquisite interdependence of all existences, then much will have
been achieved.
47.
The
principle to emerge from this paragraph is the “exquisite interdependence of
all existences”.
48.
Just
as the animal and vegetable forms transmitted (via surface radiation) pranic
emanations to grayish-violet type of deva, human forms transmits their
emanative radiations to “a much higher grade of deva”, “of a more pronounced
hue”—though the specific color is not given.
49.
Human
emanative prana is then transmitted, but these higher type of devas,
principally to the animal kingdom.
50.
In
such pranic transmissions between higher and lower kingdoms, close
relationships between such kingdoms is demonstrated.
Another
fact which must also be brought out is the close relationship between all these
evolutions of nature, from the celestial sun down to the humblest violet via the [Page 97] deva evolution which acts as the
transmitting transmuting force throughout the system.
51.
The
Tibetan is stressing the reality of the close interrelationship between all
forms of life.
52.
The
“humblest violet” (though its color) is actually related to the Sun.
53.
The
function of the deva evolution is given. Throughout the solar system (and
probably throughout any system) this kingdom serves as the “transmitting,
transmuting force”. This may tell us something about the “feminine” in relation
to the “masculine”.
Lastly, all work with fire.
Fire internal, inherent and
latent; fire radiatory and emanative; fire generated, assimilated and radiated;
fire vivifying stimulating, and destroying; fire transmitted, reflected, and
absorbed; fire, the basis of all life; fire, the essence of all existence;
fire, the means of development, and the impulse behind all evolutionary
process; fire, the builder, the preserver and the constructor; fire, the
originator, the process and the goal; fire the purifier and the consumer.
54.
This
description of fire, its types and processes is an excellent summary of all
that has been taught in the preceding pages. All the many processes are
succinctly encapsulated.
55.
To
test ourselves, we might take each of these categories of fire and seek to name
the processes to which they apply:
a.
Fire
internal, inherent and latent
b.
Fire
radiatory and emanative
c.
Fire
generated, assimilated and radiated
d.
Fire
vivifying, stimulating and destroying
e.
Fire
transmitted, reflected, and absorbed
f.
Fire
the basis of all life
g.
Fire,
the essence of all existence
h.
Fire,
the means of development and the impulse behind all evolutionary process
i.
Fire,
the builder, the preserver and the constructor
j.
Fire,
the originator, the process and the goal;
k.
Fire
the purifier and the consumer.
56.
This,
indeed, is a synthesis on the nature of fire.
The God of Fire and the fire of God interacting upon each other, till
all fires blend and blaze and till all that exists, is passed through the
fire—from a solar system to an ant—and emerges as a triple perfection.
57.
The
processes of fire guarantee the emergence of a “triple perfection”.
Fire then passes out from the ring-pass-not as
perfected essence, whether essence emerging from the human ring-pass-not, the
planetary ring-pass-not or the solar.
The wheel of fire turns and all within that wheel is subjected to the
threefold flame, and eventually stands perfected.
58.
All
that can be names in our solar system (and all the other larger systems) is fire. The essence is fire and all
entities are distinct forms of fire.
59.
Every
entity is essentially a “wheel of fire”, and that wheel must turn.
60.
All
is subjected to the threefold flame which is, yet, one flame.
61.
The. Conclusion:
‘Fire perfects’. There is not way to perfection except through fire.