Fellowship of Cosmic Fire
Commentary Semester I Section XI
TCF 104-111
S1S11: Version 1.4 VSK Reconstituted 04Apr05
(Most
of the Tibetan’s text is put in font 16, to provide better legibility when
projected during classes. Footnotes and references from other AAB Books and
from other pages of TCF are put in font 14. Commentary appears in font 12.
Underlining, Bolding and Highlighting by MDR)
[Page 104]
4. Disorders of the etheric body.
We will now
study the etheric body, and its ills and also its
after death condition. This matter can
be only briefly touched upon. All that
may now be indicated is a general idea of the fundamental ailments to which the
etheric may be subject, and the trend which applied medicine may later take
when occult laws are better understood.
1.
Master
DK is ever the healer—even in the presentation of His most cosmological book.
One fact must here be brought out—a fact but
little comprehended or even apprehended.
This is the significant fact that the
ills of the etheric vehicle, in the case of the microcosm, will be found
likewise in the Macrocosm. Herein lies the
knowledge that ofttimes explains the apparent miseries of nature.
2.
It
would, therefore, be incorrect for man to blame all human ills upon the misdeed
of the human race (though those misdeeds, of course, contribute greatly to
man’s problems).
3.
Disease
may be planetary in origin, and perhaps, even solar.
Some of the great world evils have their
source in etheric ills, extending the idea of the etheric to planetary
conditions and even to solar. As we touch upon the
causes of etheric distress in man, their planetary and solar correspondences
and reactions may perhaps be realised.
We will need to bear carefully in mind when studying this matter, that all the diseases of the etheric body will
appertain to its threefold purpose and be either:
4.
We
are participating in the “Ancient Law of Evil Sharing”, presented in Esoteric Healing.
5.
It
will perhaps be easier for us to trace disease on this plane to planetary
etheric conditions than to solar etheric conditions, but DK hints at causes
which are solar.
6.
Diseases
of the etheric body will relate to the threefold purpose of the etheric body as
given below.
a. Functional and thereby affecting its
apprehension of prana, [this includes both reception and assimilation]
b. Organic, and thereby affecting its
distribution of prana,
c. Static, and thereby
affecting the web, when viewed solely from the angle of providing a physical
ring-pass-not, and acting as a separator between the physical and the astral.
7.
We
can already imagine, however vaguely, the difficulties involved in the
malfunction of any of these etheric dynamics.
a.
Insufficient
or over-abundant reception of prana
b.
Insufficient
or excessive distribution of prana
c.
Lack
of protection from astral currents
These three
different groups of functions or purposes are each of paramount interest, lead
to totally different results, and react in a different manner both outwardly
and inwardly.
Viewed from
the planetary standpoint the same conditions will be perceived, and the etheric planetary body [Page 105]
(which is fundamentally the body in the case of the sacred planets, of which
the Earth is not one) will have its functional disorders, which will
affect its reception of
prana, will suffer its organic troubles which may affect its distribution, and those disorders which
permit of trouble in the
etheric web, which forms the ring-pass-not for the involved planetary
Spirit.
8.
Another
important hint is given: for the sacred planets, the etheric body is “fundamentally
the body”. Such Logoi have overcome the magnetic influence of the dense
physical vehicle, which the Logos of Earth has not. For the Lotos of Earth, the
dense physical vehicle is still fundamentally the body.
9.
A
Planetary Logos in incarnation is an “involved planetary Spirit”.
10.
A
sacred planet is one in which the informing Intelligence has taken the
planetary fifth initiation.
No planet is
a sacred planet unless the centre at the base of the spine (speaking
symbolically) is aroused and the great fusion of energies resulting therefrom
has been effected. I refer to this particular world cycle and period and to the
state of affairs in this the fifth or Aryan root-race. (EA 453)
11.
This
arousal occurs only at the fifth degree (by analogy to fifth degree requirements
for the human being—R&I 340)
12.
There
is also this direct statement:
Basically it
might be said that a planet is regarded as "sacred" when its
informing spiritual Life has taken five of the major cosmic initiations and
that a "non-sacred" planet is one whose planetary Logos has not taken
these initiations. This is an inadequate definition and is only in any way to
be understood if you bear in mind that initiation is a process of developing
inclusiveness. (EA 503)
Here I would point out that in the case of
the planetary Spirits Who are on the divine evolutionary arc, the Heavenly Men
Whose bodies are planets, the etheric web does not form a barrier, but (like the Karmic Lords on a higher plane)
They have freedom of movement outside the bounds of the planetary web within
the circumference of the solar ring-pass-not.46
13.
In
the section immediately above, there is no discrimination between sacred and
non-sacred Planetary Spirits. For both, the etheric web does not form a
barrier.
14.
It
appears that Karmic Lords are found on a still higher plane than Heavenly Men.
15.
It
also appears that Heavenly Men have freedom of movement “outside the bounds of
the planetary etheric web within the circumference of the solar ring-pass-not”.
This may have something to do with the ‘felt presence’ of the various planetary
Logoi on our planet.
16.
We
must look into this term “freedom of movement”; it must refer to consciousness,
as the body of any planet has very little freedom of movement, being confined
(by Law) to its orbit.
(46: The
planetary Spirit is another term for the Logos of our planet, one of the
"seven Spirits before the Throne," and therefore one of the seven
Heavenly Men. He is on the evolutionary
arc of the universe, and has passed many stages beyond the human.
The planetary
Entity is on the involutionary arc and is a very low grade Entity. He is the sum total of all the elemental
lives of the planet.)
17.
An
important distinction is made between the Planetary Spirit and the Planetary
Entity. A Planetary Spirit is a Heavenly Man (one of the Seven Spirits before
the Throne (of the Solar Logos). Sometime the term “Heavenly Man” is to be
discriminated from that of “Planetary Logos”, but not in this case.
18.
The
Planetary Entity, comprised of many unconscious lives, is, on his own level,
unconscious.
Again from
the systemic standpoint, these same effects may be observed, functionally, this time in connection
with the cosmic centre; organically,
in connection with the sum total of the planetary systems; and statically, in connection with the
solar or logoic ring-pass-not.
19.
The
three terms, “functionally”, “organically” and “statically” seem to relate to
the first, second and third rays respectively.
a.
The
term “functionally” relates to vitalization from a greater cosmic center.
b.
The
term “organically” relates to the inclusive distribution of prana within the
Solar Logos’ own system.
c.
The
term “statically” relates to the holding of a ring-pass-not between the Solar
Logos’ physical solar system and His own astral body (or more widely, the
cosmic astral plane).
20.
What
may be the cosmic centre from which our solar system receives the prana which
it will then qualify? If analogy holds good, if will
be from an Entity which comprises it as a chakra, and therefore from the cosmic
Entity which expresses through seven sacred Suns (i.e., which expresses through
the Seven Solar Systems of which ours is One—SSSOWOIO).
We might
now, for purposes of clarity, take up these three groups separately and briefly
touch upon them and hint (for more will not be possible) at methods of cure and
of adjustment.
21.
The
three types of disorders are taken up separately, first in relation to the
microcosm, man.
a. Microcosmic functional disorders.
These have
to do with the reception by man, via the necessary centres, of the pranic
fluids.
22.
Note
again, the use of the words “fluids”. Probably this term will (to the physicist
of the future) reveal the dynamics of pranic flows.
We must
always bear in mind, and thus keep the distinction clear, that these emanations
of prana have to do with the heat latent in matter; when received and functioning through the etheric body correctly,
they co-operate with the
natural latent bodily [Page 106] warmth, and (merging therewith) hold
the body in a vitalised condition, imposing upon the matter of the body a
certain rate of vibratory action that leads to the necessary activity of the
physical vehicle, and the right functioning of its organs.
23.
The
cooperative interplay in the microcosm between pranic emanation and “the heat
latent in matter” (the “natural latent bodily warmth”) is here discussed.
24.
Without
this interplay, the physical body would not be vitalized. This vitalization
occurs through an imposition “upon the matter of the body a certain rate of
vibratory action”.
25.
We
perhaps little suspect how dependent is the physical body
upon vitalization from the etheric body.
It will, therefore, be apparent that the A. B.
C. of bodily health is wrapped up in the right reception of prana, and that one of the basic changes
that must be made in the life of the human animal (which is the aspect we are
dealing with now) will be in the ordinary conditions of living.
26.
When
dealing with the fires of matter, we are dealing with the animal nature of man,
not with his psyche.
27.
Nothing
could be more practical than what is here discussed. Upon humanity’s health
depends much of its effectiveness within the Divine Plan.
The three
fundamental centres whereby reception is brought about must be allowed to
function with greater freedom, and with less restriction. Now,
owing to centuries of wrong living, and to basic mistakes (originating in
Lemurian days) man's three pranic centres are not in good working order. The centre between the shoulder blades is in
the best receptive condition, though owing to the poor condition of the spinal
column (which in so many is out of accurate alignment), its position in the
back is apt to be misplaced. The splenic
centre near the diaphragm is sub-normal in size and its vibration is not correct. In the case of the aboriginal dwellers in
such localities as the South Seas, better etheric conditions will be found; the
life they lead is more normal (from the animal standpoint) than in any other
portion of the world.
28.
Very
practical adjustments are in order and the Tibetan becomes specific.
29.
One
wonders about the nature of these “basic mistakes” and why they are not
elaborated here. Perhaps they concern clothing, carriage and food.
30.
Since
the center between the shoulder blades is presently in better working order
than the other two centers in the pranic triangle, advantage should be taken of
this fact.
31.
We
can see the importance of correct posture. Medical disciplines such as the
chiropractic science attempt to address the misalignments of which the Tibetan
speaks.
32.
If
the aboriginal dwellers in the
The race
suffers from certain incapacities, which may be described as follows:
33.
There
now follows a list of the liabilities from which the race suffers in relation
to the health of the etheric body.
First.
Inability to tap pranic
currents, owing to the unhealthy lives passed by so many. This involves the cutting off of the source
of supply, and the consequent atrophying and shrinkage of the receptive
centres. This is seen in an
exaggerated form in the children of the congested quarters of any great city,
and in the vitiated anemic dwellers of the slums. The cure is apparent—the bringing about of
better living conditions, the employment [Page 107] of more appropriate
clothing, and the adoption of a freer and more salubrious mode of living. When
the pranic rays can find free access to the shoulders, and to the diaphragm,
the subnormal state of the average spleen will adjust itself automatically.
34.
As
the Tibetan sees it, the lives of very many human beings are judged unhealthy.
35.
Because
the source of pranic supply is cut off, the organs of reception, assimilation
and distribution have shrunk and atrophied.
36.
Anemia
(which is a low red blood cell count) is the result of this devitalization.
37.
The
cure is not difficult:
a.
Better
living conditions
b.
More
appropriate clothing
c.
A
freer and more healthy way of living
38.
In
considering these requirements, the influences of freedom promoting Jupiter and
Uranus must take the place of the sometimes cramping effects of Saturn.
39.
It is
obvious that relating rightly to the Sun leads to vitalization.
Second. Over-ability
to tap pranic currents. The first type of functional disorder is
common and widespread. Its reverse can
be found where conditions of life are such that the centres (through too direct
and prolonged submittal to solar emanation) become overdeveloped, vibrate too
rapidly, and receive prana in too great an amount.
40.
Upon
initial consideration, this would not appear to be a problem.
41.
In
any case, it is rarer than the first problem.
This is rarer, but is found in some tropical
countries, and is responsible for much of the troublesome debility that attacks
dwellers in these lands.
42.
It is
recognized that living in tropical climes can be enervating.
The etheric body receives prana or solar rays too rapidly, passes it through and out of the
system with too much force, and this leaves the victim a prey to inertia and
devitalisation.
43.
This
rapid passage of prana into and out of the system would give little opportunity
for correct assimilation.
Putting it otherwise, the etheric body becomes lazy, is like an unstrung web, or
(to use a very homely illustration) it resembles a tennis racket which has
become too soft, and has lost its resilience.
44.
We
see that all aspects of the body must be made to work or they will lose their
tone and functionality.
The inner triangle transmits the pranic
emanations with too great rapidity, giving no time for the subsidiary
absorption, [by the dense physical body] and the whole system is
thereby the loser. Later it will be
found that many of the ills that Europeans, living in India, fall heir to,
originate in this way; and by attention, therefore, to the spleen, and by wise
control of living conditions, some of the trouble may be obviated.
45.
Those
venturing to the tropics from northern countries and not used to the conditions
they encounter, and suffer accordingly.
46.
What
sort of attention shall be given to the spleen? Shall it be protected from too
great exposure?
47.
We
see that both these types of trouble are the result of excesses—either
excessive privation or excessive exposure. A more balanced approach will lead
to better health.
In touching
upon similar conditions in the planet, both these types of trouble will be
found. More cannot be said, but in the wise study of solar radiation upon
the surface of the planet in connection with its rotary action, some of the
group rules of health may be comprehended and followed.
48.
The
Tibetan only hints at similar problems on a planetary level, and the hint is
obscure. The rotation of the Earth apparently does not vary in speed. Does the
rotation of the various human vehicles vary according to the extent of pranic
radiation received? Perhaps the circulation
of energies and forces within the vehicles varies.
49.
We do
see that when discussing planetary conditions, we are not speaking so much of individual health as of group health (or as the Tibetan puts it,
“group rules of health”).
The spirit of the planet (or the planetary
entity) likewise has his cycles, and
in the absorption of [Page 108] planetary prana, and in its correct
distribution, lies the secret of fertility and equable
vegetation.
50.
When
we consider the Earth’s vegetation, we note that there are many places of
aridity and consequent infertility. The surface of the Earth is certainly not
covered equably with vegetation. Probably analogies can be drawn in relation to
the human body which in many cases has over- and under-vitalized areas.
51.
We
can conclude, therefore, that solar prana is neither correctly received not
distributed by the etheric body of our planet. It may be justly said, that our
planet is present not in good health.
52.
The
idea of “equable vegetation” suggests the influence of both Venus (the planet
governing the vegetable kingdom) and the sign that it exoterically rules
(Libra), the sign of balance and equability.
53.
Libra,
we are told, is growing in influence in the planetary horoscope, and will
affect positively, the environmental movement, which seeks to restore a balance
of energies and forces throughout the planet (and especially on the physical
plane in relation to the four lower kingdoms of nature—mineral, vegetable,
animal and human).
Much
of this is hidden in the fabled story of the war between fire and water, which
has its basis in the reaction of the fire latent in matter, to the fire
emanating outside of matter, and playing upon it.
54.
The
fire latent in matter is more closely related to water and moisture than the
radiatory fires “emanating outside of matter and playing upon it”.
55.
We
know that both moisture and Sun (water and fire) are necessary for the
flourishing of vegetative life (affecting, of course, animal life). The
maladjustment between solar radiation and the moisture/water, symbolically
ruled by the Moon, contributes to conditions of insufficient fertility (and,
perhaps, to the excessive fertility of the jungle).
In the interval that has to elapse while the two
are in process of blending, come those periods where, through karmic
inheritance, reception is unstable and distribution inequable.
56.
Fire
and water are in process of blending correctly, but there are transitional
periods which are unstable and characterized by inequable distribution.
57.
Earth
appears to be in precisely just such a period.
As the point of race equilibrium is reached,
so planetary equilibrium will likewise be attained, and in planetary attainment
will come the equilibrium that must mutually take place between the solar
planets. When they attain a mutual balance
and interaction then the system is stabilised and perfection reached. The
even distribution of prana will parallel this balancing in the man, in the
race, in the planet and in the system. This
is but another way of saying that uniform vibration will be achieved.
58.
Equilibrium
in the lower groupings leads to eventual equilibrium in the higher groupings
which include the lower. In this way, the achievement of equilibrium works from
below to above.
59.
It is
interesting that, astrologically, the Sun has a certain relationship to Libra
(the sign of equilibrium) known as a “fall”. The Sun falls in Libra, for assertive, self-centered solar tendencies are
moderated, equilibrated and decentralized. Under this influence, there arises a
tendency towards distribution rather than centralization. It is precisely this
distribution which, ecologically, we are attempting to achieve.
60.
Some
of this more even distribution will be achieved during the Aquarian Age
(Aquarius is the sign of distribution), in which the sign Libra (like Aquarius
an air sign) will be strengthened.
b. Microcosmic organic disorders. These are basically two in number:
Troubles due to congestion.
Destruction of tissue due to over-absorption
of prana, or its too rapid blending with latent physical fire.
61.
These
two problems are closely related.
We have a
curious illustration of both of these forms of trouble in sun stroke and in
heat stroke. Though supposedly
understood by physicians, they are nevertheless altogether etheric disorders.
62.
A
useful medical hint is given—one that should direct physicians who treat these
maladies towards a study of the etheric body.
When the nature of the etheric body is better
understood, and its wise care followed both these types of disease will be
prevented. They are due to solar pranic
emanation; in one case the effect of the emanation is to bring about death or
serious illness through the congestion of an etheric channel, while in the
other the same result is brought about by destruction of etheric matter.
63.
Death
and serious illness can be brought about by either congestion or the
destruction of etheric matter.
64.
Usually,
in esotericism, the Moon is considered to be the bringer of death and disease:
When the
building energies of the soul are active in the body, then there is health,
clean interplay and right activity. When
the builders are the lunar lords and those who work under the control of the
moon and at the behest of the lower Personal self, then you have disease, ill
health and death. (EH 191)
We see, however,
that the energies of the Sun, poorly understood and wrongly appropriated can
equally bring disease and death.
The above
illustration has been used with definite intent, [Page 109] but it should be
pointed out that etheric congestion may lead to many forms of disease and of
mental incompetence.
65.
Etheric
congestion, therefore, is not only to
be found in relation to the mal-appropriation of solar pranic currents. It is a
general problem with many attendant difficulties.
Etheric congestion leads to the thickening of the web
to an abnormal extent, and this thickening may prevent, for instance, contact
with the higher Self or principles and its resultants,
idiocy and mental unbalance.
66.
A
very interesting explanation of some forms of mental disorder or imbalance.
Excommunication from the higher Self and higher principles leave the remaining
immersed consciousness in a relatively subhuman state.
67.
As DK
has emphasized in other books (notably EP II), cleavage is at the root of many human ailments.
It may lead to abnormal fleshy development,
to the thickening of some internal organ, and consequent undue pressure; one
portion of the etheric body being congested may lead to the entire physical
condition being upset, resulting in diverse complaints.
68.
Some
specifics regarding the consequences of etheric congestion are given.
69.
The
general effect is “thickening” creating pressure and lack of balance. Any undue
concentration of force (or undue lack) leads to a condition of imbalance and
improper circulation.
Destruction of tissue may lead to insanity of many kinds,
especially those kinds deemed incurable.
The burning of the web may let
in extraneous astral currents against which man is helpless; the brain tissue
may be literally destroyed by this pressure, and serious trouble be
caused through the etheric ring-pass-not having been destroyed in some one
place.
70.
Here
DK discusses the premature destruction of the etheric web.
71.
The
admission of “extraneous astral currents” can lead to insanity—thought, feeling
and action which are interrupted and rendered chaotic. The result—an
uncontrolled life.
72.
The
insanity is incurable because the disruptive intrusion cannot be stopped.
73.
It
appears that brain tissue is destroyed not so much by the burning of the web
but by the pressure of the admitted astral currents.
74.
Those
who eagerly seek communication with the astral plane should take these thoughts
into consideration.
In
connection with the planet a similar state of affairs may be found. Later information may be forthcoming, which
is at present withheld; this will show that whole races have been influenced, and certain kingdoms of nature troubled by
planetary etheric congestion, or the destruction of planetary etheric tissue.
75.
On a
planetary level, we have the disruption of the lives of “whole races”, but the
specific information is withheld. We do know of astrally obsessed groups. The
German people, for instance, with its vulnerable Pisces personality, may have
been one such group (during the Second World War).
76.
The
point to be gathered is that the problem of congestion or destruction is not
simply an individual problem, but can affect planetary groups with very
difficult results.
We have
dealt with the functional and organic ills of the etheric, giving certain
indications for the extension of the concept to other realms than the purely
human. In the human kingdom lies the
key, but the turning of that key opens up a door to a wider interpretation as
it admits one into the mysteries of nature.
77.
It
would seem that in the hands of humanity lie important developments for the
planet as a whole.
78.
The
key that humanity may turn will have more than individual implications; the
turning will lead to an possible apprehension of
larger wholes.
Though that key has to be turned seven times,
yet even one turn reveals untold avenues of eventual comprehension.47,48
79.
We
begin to understand why AAB considered A
Treatise on Cosmic Fire but the ABC of occult knowledge.
80.
Interestingly,
below there is mention of seven key
to the Secret Doctrine, but as many as ten
keys are listed.
(47: The
keys to the Secret Doctrine, by H. P. Blavatsky. See S. D., I, 343; note; II, 551.
1. Every
symbol and allegory has seven keys.—S. D., II, 567; III, 3.
81.
A
“key” in this case is that which will reveal the Ancient Mysteries according to a particular perspective.
82.
Probably,
there is one master key that will
reveal the entirety of the Wisdom from all
perspectives.
2. Only
three keys available in the nineteenth century.—S. D., II, 543. Compare II, 617, 842.
83.
By
these three keys are probably meant the physiological, astronomical and
metaphysical keys.
3. There
are seven keys to the Entrance door to the Mysteries.—S. D., III, 178. Compare I, 346; II, 330; II, 668, II, 731.
4. The
keys, as hinted by H. P. B., are:
a.
Psychological.—S. D., II, 25, note; I, 389.
84.
Dealing
with the qualitative relationship between earthly, systemic and cosmic entities
and the means by which they know each
other.
b.
Astronomical.—S. D., II, 25, note; I, 389; III, 198.
85.
Dealing
with the cycles and physical interplay of the major (for us) planets, stars and
constellations.
c. Physical
or physiological.—S. D., II, 25, note; III, 198.
86.
Revealing
the reflection in matter of archetypal patterns, and the secret powers
contained within the physical mechanism.
d.
Metaphysical.—S. D., II, 25, note; II, 394.
87.
Dealing
with the philosophical understanding of all Earthly, systemic and cosmic
relations, and the Divine Creative Process. The universe is considered as Will
and Idea.
e.
Anthropological.—S. D., I, 389; III, 198.
88.
Dealing
with the formal, physiological, psychological and spiritual aspects of the
various races of human beings and the manner in which these races,
developmentally, reveal the intended unfoldments of the Divine Plan (in
relation to Earth).
f.
Astrological.—S. D., II, 343.
89.
Dealing
with the qualities of the major (for us) planets, stars and constellations
their qualitative interplay and the physical, psychological and spiritual
meaning of their cycles.
90.
g.
Geometrical.—S. D., II, 494; III, 176.
91.
Revealing
the manner in which the Grand Geometrician geometrizes in both matter and form.
h.
Mystical.—S. D., I, 401.
92.
Dealing
with the experienced fusion or union of cosmic entities with the entities which
include them; man in relation to the soul, the soul in relation to the monad,
the monad in relation to the Planetary Logos, etc.
i.
Symbolical.—S. D., II, 561.
93.
Dealing
with the manner in which the greatest Truths are not literally conveyed but
symbolically represented.
j.
Numerical.—S. D., II, 198.
94.
Dealing
with the Divine Numerology on the principle of which all things are built and
organized—since the Primary Entities in cosmos are Numbers.
5. Each key
must be turned seven times.—S. D., I, 22.
95.
At
the very least, this means, one turn for each plane and in relation to each of
the seven major principles. Each turning of the key admits the enquirer more
deeply into an understanding of and participation in the mysteries of the
Divine Process.
6. The Jews
availed themselves of two keys out of the seven.
96.
Presumably
(from what HPB has said elsewhere) one of these was the physical or
physiological key. Another may have
been the astronomical key (cf. SD II 631, note). Both of these would correlate
with the number three which is
closely related to the origin of the Jews in the first solar system (governed
by the third ray), and to the personality nature of the Jews colored by the
third ray. But the astronomical key is not listed as “available” (i.e., the
physiological, psychological, astrological, metaphysical and geometrical), and
elsewhere DK speaks of attempting to give some of the astrological key, so the
Jews cannot have discovered it in its entirety.
Just as A
Treatise on Cosmic Fire endeavoured to give the psychological key to The Secret
Doctrine and to interpret the underlying consciousness which the Beings
(considered in The Secret Doctrine) express, so in A Treatise on the Seven
Rays, I am carrying on the same idea and, at the same time, seeking to give the
needed key to modern exoteric psychology and
also some indications as to the astrological key to The Secret Doctrine to
which H.P.B. refers. (EA 290)
The Ancient
Wisdom teaches that "space is an entity." It is with the life of this
entity and with the forces and energies, the impulses and the rhythms, the
cycles and the times and seasons that esoteric astrology deals. H.P.B. stated
this in The Secret Doctrine. I would remind you that there is an
astrological key to The Secret Doctrine
which cannot yet be given in completeness. (EA 7)
97.
We
are learning that a key may be partially turned, but not necessarily turned in
completeness.
7. The
Metaphysical key is available.—S. D., I, 338.
Compare III, 198.)
98.
Is The Secret Doctrine itself, the
“Metaphysical Key”? It certainly deals with divine theogony and philosophical
cosmogony, which are both metaphysical themes.
(48:
"The seven keys open the mysteries, past and future, of the seven great
rootraces and of the seven kalpas."
Every occult book, symbol and allegory can be subjected to seven
interpretations. There are three locks
to be opened. [Each related
to one of the three great Divine Aspects] Seven keys. Every book can be read exoterically,
subjectively and spiritually. [According
to the three Divine Aspects] All the
keys are not yet available. (See Secret Doctrine, I, 330, 343.) There is the physiological key, the
psychological, the astrological and the metaphysical. The fifth key is the geometrical.)
99.
HPB
is here speaking of available keys:
physiological, psychology, astrological, metaphysical and geometrical (whether
or not completely available).
100.
We
have often been told that A Treatise on Cosmic Fire is the “psychological key” to the “The Secret Doctrine”. Is the book meant, or that body of knowledge
known as The Secret Doctrine?
[Page 110]
We have
considered the reception and distribution of pranic emanations in man, the
planet, and the system, and have seen what
produces temporary disorders, and the devitalisation or the over-vitalisation
of the organic form. Now we can
look at the subject from a third angle and therefore study:
c. Microcosmic static disorders, or a consideration of the etheric
body in connection with its work of providing a ring-pass-not from the purely
physical to the astral. As has been said, both here and
in the books of H. P. B., the ring-pass-not48a is that confining
barrier which acts as a separator or a division between a system and that which
is external to that system. This, as may
well be seen, has its interesting correlations when the subject is viewed (as
we must consistently endeavour to view it) from the point of view of a human
being, a planet and a system, remembering always that in dealing with the [Page
111] etheric body we are dealing with physical matter. This must ever be borne carefully in mind.
101.
DK
reminds us again of the physical nature of the etheric body.
(48a:
"Ring-pass-not. The
circumference of the sphere of influence of any centre of positive life. This includes the fire sphere of magnetic work of the solar orb, viewing it as
the body of manifestation of a solar Logos and inclusive of an entire solar
system. This term is also applied to the
sphere of activity of a planetary Logos or to a planetary scheme and could
equally well be applied to the sphere of activity of the human Ego."—S.
D., I, 346.)
102.
A
very interesting term is given for the body of manifestation of the Solar
Logos: “fire sphere is magnetic work”. We see that this fire sphere is not
simply the fiery sphere of the Sun, but includes the entire solar system.
103.
The
“centre of positive life” is the monad in its physical manifestation. It is
also known as the “central nucleus”.
104.
The
idea of the ring-pass-not seems particularly related to that which is
manifested physically. We might also ask about the extension of other parts of
the aura.
105.
A
centre of positive life may be influential
beyond the sphere usually considered as a ring-pass-not. We might consider such
a sphere as the matter of all kinds
magnetically gathered to act as an instrument of expression for the positive
life. The influence, per se, may
extend greatly beyond that material sphere (considering matter to be of many
possible grades).
Therefore, one paramount factor will be found
in all groups and formations, and this is the fact that the ring-pass-not acts only as a hindrance to that which is of small
attainment in evolution, but forms no barrier to the more progressed.
106.
This
is an extremely important point. We realize (even on the relatively human
level) that a Master can be influential
anywhere on the globe, regardless of the material He
has gathered to be immediately instrumental in His life expression.
107.
The
ring-pass-not counteracts the tendency towards dispersion, and thus creates a
focus which leads to development. This is one of its primary functions. There
is also a protective function.
The whole question depends upon two things,
which are the karma
of the man, the planetary Logos, and the solar Logos, and the dominance of the spiritual
indwelling entity over its vehicle.
108.
The
ring-pass-not (considered as a hindrance) is a karmic factor, and Saturn (‘Lord
of Containment’) is the greatest of the planetary Lords of Karma. Karma works
often through the prevention of expansion until the necessary patterns are
built and harmonized (with each other and with the environment).
109.
When
the “spiritual indwelling entity” achieves dominance over its vehicle, the
influence of the nucleus (the indwelling entity) easily extends beyond the
usual boundaries created by the physical vehicle and the etheric web
(considered as a barrier to contact with more subjective planes).
110.
The
way through the ring-pass-not is the
cultivation and empowerment of the central nucleus.