Fellowship of Cosmic Fire

Commentary Semester IX Section VI

TCF 1132 - 1137: S9S6 Part II

 

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)

It is suggested that this Commentary be read with the TCF book handy, for the sake of continuity. As analysis of the text is pursued, many paragraphs are divided, and the compact presentation in the book, itself, will convey the overall meaning of the paragraph. So please read an entire paragraph and then study the Commentary

 

 

2. Motion produces periodic manifestation.

We must here bear in mind, that we are considering synthetic alignment in connection with the second aspect, and are therefore dealing with the activity of those forms of divine manifestation which are nearing their objective.

 

1.            The third aspect achieved its objective long ago. The second aspect is in process of achieving its objective within this solar system.

2.            Just before the time of achievement comes the period of “synthetic alignment”. This is true of the man approaching the higher initiations and of the Solar Logos approaching the period in which the lesser Planetary Logoi are absorbed into the greater. The final phases of absorption are conditioned by the first ray..

3.            We must always remember that the second aspect of divinity is the form building aspect.

 

  This objective might be defined as ability to vibrate synchronously with the greater unit of which it is a part.

 

4.            This is an important technical method of describing consummation.

5.            The purpose and will of the inclusive factor then drives all processes within the lesser factors which are absorbed in the greater.

6.            Right relationship must be achieved with the greater unit which includes the lesser.

 

  This must, therefore, be considered by the student in seven ways.

 

7.            The number seven is always associated with the second aspect of divinity. The study of the seven rays comes under the second aspect.

8.            Below, DK begins His numbering from below.

 

        The first three ways concern the relation of the perfected or nearly perfected units in the three kingdoms of nature with their immediate group soul,

 

9.            We are dealing with the relation of the units of mineral, vegetable and animal units to their immediate group soul.

10.         The relation of which we are speaking can only occur when the units are perfected or nearly perfected.

11.         We are dealing with ‘vibratory consummation’ indicated as synchronization.

 

and their continued manifestation in any particular kingdom.

 

12.         Perpetuation follows synchronization.

13.         Changes of kingdom also occur following the achievement of perfection within a given kingdom. For instance, the perfected or nearly perfected member of the animal kingdom is poised to become (when the proper cycle eventuates) a member of the human kingdom.

 

        Fourth, the relation of the disciple, or man on the path, to his immediate group, and the laws which govern his reappearance in physical incarnation.

 

14.         The group is that greater unit which contains the human unit who has become a disciple, and is, thus, demonstrating as a perfected or nearly perfected unit.

15.         The group under consideration can be the Ashram or the various egoic groups, lesser and, eventually, greater.

16.         According to the cycles of the greater group of which man is a part, so will be the rhythm of appearance of the unit by means of physical incarnation.

17.         Connected with every ray group, there must be certain cyclic laws determining the reappearance of its units in physical incarnation.

18.         Every egoic group is found upon a particular ray, and the cyclic rhythms of that ray determine the times when the units in the egoic group appear and disappear.

19.         There are also groups of egos categorized by their stages of unfoldment and not by the ray which conditions them.

 

        Fifth, the relation of a planetary Spirit to His group of planets,

 

20.         A “planetary Spirit” is, a Planetary Logos.

21.         The group which contains Him as a unit, is a group of Planetary Logoi.

22.         The section of text above can be read, also, as the relation of a Planetary Logos to the group of sub-Planetary Logoi (Chain Lords, for instance) which are included within His expression. But since we are speaking of the relation of the lesser to the greater, the first reading is probably more accurate.

 

and the processes of man's obscuration, or withdrawal, from physical plane manifestation.

 

23.         As a Planetary Logos containing the unit, man, reaches perfection or nearly so, its human units are withdrawn into obscuration. On our planet, this type of withdrawal of obscuration will not take place until after the "Judgment Day" in the fifth round—whether that round be a chain-round or scheme-round.

24.         Any Planetary Logos Who reaches His "Judgment Day" within a certain chain and during a certain round, is certainly beginning His process of obscuration.

25.         The implication is that the Planetary Logos of Venus (very advanced compared to the Planetary Logos of the Earth) has certainly, long ago, experienced His "Judgment Day". One wonders whether those Venusian human units who did not pass the Venusian "Judgment Day" were sent to Earth just as the human units who do not pass the "Judgment Day" of our Planetary Logos will be sent, most probably, to Mars.

 

        Sixth, the relation of the major three planetary Spirits, or the three major aspects of the Logos and their manifestation.

 

26.         There is reason to think of the “three major planetary Spirits” as the Logoi of the synthesizing planets, and yet these Planetary Logoi are usually numbered among the seven synthesizing planets.

27.         There are, as well, certain obscure Beings Who, each of them, require expression through three of our Planetary Logoi. We can think of them as the Three Logoi, included with the system of a Solar Logos and subsidiary to the Solar Logos. They can also be regarded as the Three Persons of the Logoic Trinity.

28.         It can be questioned whether the Logoi of the synthesizing planets embody the three major aspects of the Logos, fully, or whether the “Three Persons of the Logoic Trinity” are a still greater embodiment of these aspects.

29.         If one reads around EP II 99, one learns of these Three Beings. Although normally Uranus is considered related to the first aspect; Neptune to the second aspect; and Saturn to the third aspect, the groupings of three see Uranus included among three planets expression the second aspect and Neptune (it may be inferred) included among three planets through whom the first aspect expresses. This has to be solved.

 

        Seventh, the relation of the informing Life of a solar system to the group of constellations of which He forms part, and His periodic manifestation.

 

30.         We continue discussing the relation of lesser groups (and their units) to greater, more inclusive groups.

31.         There are blinds in the section of text above. Does a Solar Logos form a part of a “group of constellations” or a group of Solar Logoi and the stars through which they express? If a Planetary Logos forms a part of a group of Planetary Logoi, then why should not a Solar Logos form a part of a group of solar systems instead of a group of “constellations”?

32.         Everything depends on how the term “constellations” is used. From one perspective, a solar system is a “constellation” of planets. In other words, within a solar system, planets are constellated (or distributed through space and arranged according to cyclic law) in a certain manner.

33.         There are ways in which Master DK seems to consider our solar system a constellation. Elsewhere, He considers it simply a solar system with one Sun. There are a number of contrasting references in the books.

34.         There are constellations of stars, of course, but we must also allow the possibility that there are constellations of planets called solar systems.

 

These subjects have been touched upon when we studied incarnation and, earlier still, when considering pralaya or obscuration, but we dealt then with them in general terms. 

 

35.         Now, apparently, the method of our treatment is more specific.

 

We might now deal more specifically with the final activities, or modes of motion, in these various congeries of lives,

 

36.         Each greater unit is a congery of lives. Each of the lesser units we have been considering is also a congery of lives.

37.         Activities are “modes of motion”. If we could understand the various modes of motion, we would understand the nature of every unit in which such modes are occurring.

 

 and see what occurs during the final stages of conscious existence, and of limited manifestation.

 

38.         The perfection or near perfection of a unit occurs for an B/being during its “final stages of conscious existence”.

39.         We are speaking of moments of consummation for seven different kinds of units.

40.         There are some units in the sequence which, apparently, have been omitted and are not treated.

41.         To review the lives we have been discussing are:

a.                   The perfected or nearly perfected units of the mineral kingdom

b.                  The perfected or nearly perfected units of the vegetable kingdom

c.                   The perfected or nearly perfected units of the animal kingdom

d.                  The perfected or nearly perfected units of the human kingdom

e.                   The group of Planetary Logoi in our solar system

f.                   Either the three higher Planetary Logoi of our solar system (embodying the three major principles), or three still greater Lives corresponding to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (each of which functions through three Planetary Logoi and each of which expresses one of the three main aspects of divinity in our solar system).

g.                  The group of “constellations” or the group of Solar Logoi to which our Solar Logos belongs.

 

 

 The subject [Page 1133] is peculiarly abstruse, particularly where the elemental groups are concerned,

 

42.         Elemental groupings must also have their moments of near perfection, perfection and release.

43.         It is in the next two commentaries that we will discuss the three groups of elemental lives which find expression through the three kingdoms.

44.         When considering the relation of these three groups to the three kingdoms, yes, a degree of abstruseness enters.

 

 but certain interesting points might here be brought out which will bear the closest study.

 

45.         We prepare ourselves then, for truly detailed study.

 

Let us consider the three lower kingdoms first and pass later to the methods and activities of a human being, of a planetary Logos, and of a solar Logos.

 

46.         We note that we are omitting to consider the near perfection and perfection of the Lives which inform certain of the higher kingdoms of nature. As well, Globe Lords and Chain Lords are not being considered.

47.         We also note that in the section of text above only six categories are mentioned, whereas above DK enumerated seven.

 

The appearance, and the final disappearance, of any manifested Life is intimately concerned with the possession, the evolutionary development, and the final disintegration, of the permanent atom.

 

48.         There are three conditions of the permanent atom to be considered in these final phases of the expression in form of any Life:

a.                   The simple existence of the permanent atom without which there would be no appearance of the B/being on planes lower than the plane on which the monadic life of the B/being is focused.

b.                  The degree to which the permanent atom has developed

c.                   The manner in which the permanent atom is preparing to be disintegrated, and finally, the manner in which it is disintegrated.

 

Permanent atoms, as the term is usually understood,

 

49.         When we have qualifying phrase such as this (“as the term is usually understood”) we must be on the alert. Perhaps some equivalent to permanent atoms are, after all, to be found in relation to entities which are not self-consciousness, are not individualized and do not have relative permanence in time and space.

 

 are the property of those lives only who have achieved self-conscious­ness, or individuality, and therefore relative permanence in time and space.

 

50.         This is a fascinating statement and one has to explore it carefully. What shall we say of the atoms appropriated by the Monad before individualization? As the Second Outpouring begins a number of atoms are appropriated by the Monad (EP I 168-169) Are these not “permanent atoms” existing long before individualization becomes possible?

51.         Are not group souls based on collections of permanent atoms?

52.         The following statement requires examination in this regard:

 

“First.  The anchoring of the permanent atoms within their group soul, or the union of matter and consciousness.” (TCF 450)

 

“11. The permanent atoms of men are upon the atomic subplane of each plane, with the one exception of the mental unit.  Those of the animal groups are upon the second subplane; those of the vegetable groups are upon the third subplane; those of the mineral groups are upon the fourth subplane.  There is, therefore, a close analogy between these focal points of force of the group—human or otherwise—and a chain, a globe, and a round, and in their due application comes enlightenment. (TCF 532)

 

53.         The Planetary Logos appears to be the correspondence to the man; the Chain-Lord to the animal groups; the Globe-Lord to the vegetable groups; the round to the mineral groups.

54.         The grouping of the term “round” with the terms “scheme”, “chain” and “globe” is always problematic as the term “round” refers to a cyclic process and not to an Entity, whereas the terms “scheme”, “chain” and “globe” all refer to instruments of expression for Entities of various grades.

55.         There seems to be the suggestion that the permanent atoms of schemes (which He does not mention in this context) and those of chains and globes, which He does mention, are found on progressively ‘lower’ planes or subplanes.

 

 The sumtotal of the permanent atoms of any particular kingdom form the streams of force or spirillae in the greater atoms of solar entities or of lunar entities, while the sumtotal of the permanent atoms of man in the spiritual kingdom (the three triadal atoms, atma-buddhi-manas) form the spiral streams of force within certain centres.” (TCF 532)

 

56.         Now can these permanent atoms of lesser kingdoms be said to belong to Monads and, thus, to those lives which have achieved self-consciousness? Perhaps. It may be that the members of the four lower kingdoms actually ‘belong’ to the Fourth Creative Hierarchy. This is suggested by what is called the “inmineralization”, the “invegetalization” and “inzoonation” of the Monad.

57.         From another perspective, can it be that the entities who have permanent atoms are the great Entities who manifest through the three kingdoms? Such great Entities are surely those who have achieved “self-consciousness, individuality and, thus, relative permanence in time and space”.

58.         It does seem clear, however, that permanent atoms are, indeed, involved in the manifestation of the mineral kingdom, the vegetable kingdom and the animal kingdom and not just the human kingdom.

59.         Although the section of text quoted is not part of the material we are now studying, it seems fair to say (remembering that permanent atoms are “streams of force”) that the lower permanent atoms form streams of force in lunar entities whereas the higher permanent atoms associated with a kingdom form streams of force in solar entities. The lunar entities here referenced may be larger in scope than we suspect. From one perspective, “Jehovah” as described in The Secret Doctrine , is a lunar Entity or god—a ‘moon god’.

 

The permanent atom may be viewed as the focal point of manifestation on any particular plane. 

 

60.         This is one of the very good definitions of the permanent atom.

61.         The functions of this focal point are principally, vitalization and magnetic aggregation.

 

 It serves, if I may use so peculiar a term, as the anchor for any particular individual in any particular sphere, and this is true of the three great groups of self-conscious Lives:

 

62.         This is another useful term—an “anchor”—considering the permanent atom as an anchor for the expression of a particular kind of self-conscious “individual”.

 

a. The incarnating Jivas, or human beings,

b. The planetary Logoi,

c. The solar Logos.

 

63.         Here we are speaking of range of “individuals’, including the first individual—a man—and also far greater Individuals.

 

We must remember here that all the atomic subplanes of the seven planes

 

64.         Solar or systemic planes…

 

 form the seven spirillae of the logoic permanent atom, for this has a close bearing upon the subject under consideration.

 

65.         This is an important statement. The physical permanent atom of the Solar Logos is not found only on the logoic plane. Its ‘spirillac’ constituents are found on all the seven planes, though only on the atomic subplanes of all the planes.

66.         We must, however, explore more deeply the question of whether the seven systemic planes, themselves, can be considered as seven spirillae, or only the seven atomic subplanes of each of these seven systemic planes. The reference immediately below suggests that the planes in their entirety are the correspondence to the seven spirillae of the physical permanent atom of the Solar Logos.

 

Secondly, that all energy, demonstrating in the solar system, is after all the energy of the logoic physical permanent atom, having its nucleus on the atomic subplane of the cosmic physical.  This physical permanent atom (as is the case with the corresponding atom of the incarnating jiva), has its place within the causal body of the Logos on His own plane; it is, therefore, impressed by the totality of the force of the egoic cosmic lotus, or the attractive quality of cosmic love.  This force is transmitted to the solar system in two ways:  Through the medium of the Sun, which is in an occult sense the physical permanent atom; it, therefore, attracts, and holds attracted, all within its sphere of influence, thus producing the logoic physical body:  through the medium of the planes which are the correspondences to the seven spirillae of the physical permanent atom of a human being.  Thus a dual type of attractive force is found: one, basic and fundamental; the other more differentiated and secondary. (TCF 1180)

 

67.         Perhaps the matter of all systemic planes is swept into motion which correlates with the motion of the atomic subplane of each of those systemic planes. Thus, perhaps, both thoughts are correct—that only the subplanes of each systemic plane constitute the seven spirillae of the logoic permanent atom, and, also, that all seven systemic planes themselves, constitute the seven spirillae of the logoic permanent atom.

68.         How shall we look at Saturn (the correspondence to the physical permanent atom of the Solar Logos) and the central planet of six other planetary schemes (Chart VI) in relation to the seven atomic subplanes of the seven subplanes of the cosmic physical plane?

69.         DK does not speak specifically of the logoic physical permanent atom, but this is what He seems to mean.

 

The units, therefore, in the three lower kingdoms possess no per­manent atoms but contribute to the formation of those atoms in the higher kingdoms.

 

70.         This is another very important statement. Is it an apparent contradiction? We have read above of permanent atoms in animal groups, vegetable groups and mineral groups, and the planar location of the permanent atoms gathered into these groups has been given. Could these permanent atoms really belong to the Monads of the Fourth Creative Hierarchy? Are all minerals, vegetables and animals but incipient men?

71.         Exactly what do the units in the three lower kingdoms contribute to the formation of permanent atoms in the higher kingdoms, or how do they do so. This is a very technical matter for which we have no immediate, complete answer.

72.         It seems that what DK says below will be at least a partial answer.

 

Certain wide generalisations might here be made, though too literal or too identified an interpretation should not be put upon them.

        First, it might be said that the lowest or mineral kingdom provides that vital something which is the essence of the physical permanent atom of the human being. 

 

73.         So the mineral kingdom contributes a type of energy which goes to the formation of the physical permanent atom of the human being.

74.         The physical permanent atom of the human being is on the atomic subplane of the etheric plane. Above we read that the mineral permanent atom (or, perhaps, the physical permanent atom of the Entity expressing through the mineral kingdom) is on the fourth ether.

75.         We are suggesting that the following question needs to be answered: “Could the permanent atoms involved in these groupings in the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdom belong in some way to the Lords Who inform these various kingdoms?

76.         The term “vital something” is certainly not very specific, but at least we have a statement concerning the relationship between the mineral kingdom and the physical permanent atom of man.

77.         It must be clear that in such considerations we have entered the domain of the fifth ray. At least it will require the occult application of the fifth ray to achieve clarity about the specifics of the processes described.

 

It provides that energy which is the negative basis for the [Page 1134] positive inflow which can be seen pouring in through the upper depression of the physical permanent atom.

 

78.         This is technical language and an incentive to the scientists of the future for deeper understanding.

79.         Is this energetic something provided by the mineral kingdom ‘located’ at the lower depression of the permanent atom, corresponding to the atomic south pole?

80.         Are we to imagine that this energy which is the “negative basis” attracts the energy which is called “the positive inflow pouring through the upper depression of the physical permanent atom?” This seems possible.

 

        Secondly, the vegetable kingdom similarly provides the negative energy for the astral permanent atom of a man, and …

81.         The correspondence between the vegetable kingdom and the astral permanent atom is frequently repeated.

82.         Just what role this negative energy may play in the economy of the astral permanent atom has to be established. We may be advised to hold in mind that, as above, the astral permanent atom (somewhat heart-shaped we are told) may also have a north and south pole.

83.         It seems that the contributions of the lower kingdoms to the lower two permanent atoms of man and to the mental unit, induces an electrical flow which animates these members of man’s atomic triangle.

 

        … thirdly, the animal kingdom provides the negative force which when energised by the positive is seen as the mental unit. 

 

84.         This is predictable, given the sequence established. Notice that we are not speaking of the manasic permanent atom but of the “mental unit”.

85.         When positive force meets negative force a focal point is established. DK, having given us a technical hint about how the mental unit is established, may also be giving us a hint about the manner in which the physical permanent atom and the astral permanent atom are established.

86.         Interestingly, with regard to the physical permanent atom and the astral permanent atom, He speaks as if the atom already exists when the flow of energy passes from the upper depression to the lower. However, when speaking of the mental unit, He seems to be telling us about the flow which creates the mental unit.

87.         If we pause and consider, we are being given some very occultly technical information.

 

This energy which is contributed by the three lower kingdoms is formed of the very highest vibration of which that kingdom is capable,

 

88.         That which the lower kingdoms give to man is of their very best and highest.

89.         Can we say that the diamond is the very best that the mineral kingdom has to offer. Is the diamond, then, related to the physical permanent atom of man?

90.         It is certainly related to every jewel found at the heart of every chakra and also, one would presume, to the "Jewel in the Lotus".

 

 and serves as a link between man and his various sheaths, all of which are allied to one or other of the lower kingdoms.

a. The mental body...  mental unit................             animal kingdom.

b. The astral body...    astral permanent atom…      vegetable kingdom.

c. The physical body...         physical permanent atom..   mineral kingdom.

 

91.         These are clear correspondences. We would expect the principle of crystallization to be found with the physical body; the qualities of vegetative life to be found within the astral body; the quality of mobility (characteristic of the animal kingdom) to be found within the mental body.

92.         We must remember that when speaking of permanent atoms and of the mental unit, we are speaking of points of focus which are exceedingly small. We are also speaking of energy flows.

93.         The energy contributed by the three lower kingdoms is a linking energy, and allows Man (the Monad or ‘point of being/consciousness’) to relate to his various sheaths.

94.         We are being told (at least in the case of the physical permanent atom and astral permanent atom, that the energy contributed by the two lower kingdoms, allows man the Monad to link to his sheaths via these two permanent atoms. The establishment of this “negative basis” induces the flow of attenuated monadic energy through the permanent atoms involved.

95.         The manner in which this flow is induced through the mental unit appears different, but a “negative basis” and positive flow are also involved.

 

In man these three types of energy are brought together, and synthesised, and when perfection of the personality is reached, and the vehicles aligned, we have:

a. The energy of the mental unit...................             positive.

b. The energy of the astral permanent atom...                   equilibrised.

c. The energy of the physical permanent atom                 negative.

 

96.         When is the perfection of the personality reached? In some ways it is not until the fourth initiation. The number most associated with the personal elemental is four.

97.         This set of correspondences is repeated on a higher turn of the spiral within the egoic lotus and also within the spiritual triad.

98.         Within the egoic lotus, the three tiers of petals uphold the trinity of electrical relations. From a still larger perspective, the "Jewel" and the synthesis petals represent the positive pole; the nine normal petals of the ego represent the area of equilibrization; and the members of the atomic triangle the negative energy.

99.         If we discount the permanent atoms, then the "Jewel in the Lotus", itself, is the positive pole; the three synthesis petals the equilibrised area; the nine normal petals the negative field.

100.      The bringing together of these three types of energy and their synthesis is outpictured as the fiery vivification of the members of the atomic triangle and their fiery interaction which contributes significantly to the destruction of the causal body. This happens at the fourth initiation and signifies the true perfection of the personality.

 

Man is then closely linked with the three lower kingdoms by the best that they can provide,

 

101.      Could we say that the Solar Angel is closely liked with the human kingdom by the best which man (i.e., the human kingdom) can provide?

 

and they have literally given him his permanent atoms, and enabled him to manifest through their activity. 

 

102.      Of the Monad appropriating its permanent atoms, we had not been told that they have been taken from the three lower kingdoms, but we have been told of the planes and subplanes from which they have been taken. (EP I 168-169) Here, however, the flat statement is made: that the lower kingdoms have “literally given to him his permanent atoms…”

103.      It does appear, therefore, that the lower kingdoms pre-existed the taking by the human Monad of its lower permanent atoms (i.e., the physical permanent atom and the astral permanent atom, especially). Does this mean that the atoms taken by the Monad are literally atoms which have been participating in the mineral kingdom, the animal kingdom, and even the animal kingdom? (Probably the mental unit was not ‘taken’ in the same way, though we might suppose that the manasic permanent atom was so ‘taken’ or appropriated, as were the buddhic permanent atom and the atmic permanent atom.

104.      At the very least we can say that two of the three lower kingdoms have offered that type of energy which enters into the constitution of the physical permanent atom and astral permanent atom, and that one of these kingdoms, the animal kingdom, has contributed that energy which appears to have made the formation of the mental unit possible.

105.      Let us link what is said of the arising of the mental unit to the information on the contribution of the lower kingdoms to the atomic triangle of man:

 

There appears a triangle on the mental plane, produced by manasic activity, and this triangle of fire begins slowly to circulate between the manasic permanent atom, and a point at the centre of the egoic lotus, and thence to the mental unit, which has appeared upon the fourth subplane through innate instinct approximating mentality. (TCF  709)

 

 

106.      The position of the mental unit on the fourth subplane of the mental plane correlates it with the position of the mineral permanent atom (or the permanent atom of the Entity manifesting through the mineral kingdom) since that permanent atom is on the fourth etheric subplane.

 

The above three groups

 

107.      I.e., the three lower kingdoms…

 

 might be studied also from the standpoint of the three Gunas:21   [Page 1135]

1. Tamas....inertia....mineral kingdom.......physical permanent atom.

2. Rajas.....activity...vegetable kingdom...astral permanent atom.

3. Sattva....rhythm...animal kingdom........mental unit.

       

108.      This is a very interesting set of correspondences. We realize that for man to reach the Sattvic state, he must be mentally polarized.

109.      The Libran relation to the mental unit makes a great deal of sense because Libra rules the mental unit (EA 302) and Libra is also the principle sign correlating with Sattva.

 

          Footnote 21:
          "Hence every manifested God is spoken of as a Trinity.  The joining of these three Aspects, or phases of manifestation, at their outer points of contact with the circle, gives the basic Triangle of contact with Matter,

 

110.      We seem to be speaking of the triangle inscribed within the circle.

111.      The circle, in this case, seems to be the circle of matter through which the three points or aspects work.

 

 which, with the three Triangles made with the lines traced by the Point, thus yields the divine Tetractys,

 

112.      When we look at the three triangles, one may have two points at the base line; another base line having three points; and still another base line, four points.

 

 sometimes called the Kosmic Quaternary, the three divine Aspects in contact with Matter, ready to create.  These, in their totality, are the Oversoul of the kosmos that is to be.

 

113.      This Oversoul is based upon the numbers three, four and ten.

114.      A Tetraktys is a “Kosmic Quaternary” because there are four rows of points. As it represents the Kosmic Quaternary is the Tetraktys to begin with the first point on the logoic plane, and the second on the monadic plane, etc., or to be inverted?

 

"Under Form we may first glance at the effects of these Aspects as responded to from the side of Matter.

 

115.      Form is the response of matter to the formative power of the archetypes.

 

 These are not, of course, due to the Logos of a system, but are the correspondences in universal Matter with the Aspects of the universal Self. 

 

116.      The forms found within “universal Matter” reflect the “Aspects of the universal Self”.

117.      One would assume that the “universal Self” is a Being of immensely vaster scope than the “Logos of a system”.

118.      Form took its birth far outside the province of the Logos of our system, for instance.
 

The Aspect of Bliss, or Will, imposes on Matter the quality of Inertia-Tamas, the power of resistance, stability, quietude.

 

119.      This is a much higher correspondence to Tamas as Tamas is usually interpreted. There is ‘inertia’ in pure Spirit as well as in the unregenerate, unresponsive matter found within lower forms.

120.      The statement in the section of text above suggests a relationship between the logoic plane and the systemic etheric-physical plane.

 

 The Aspect of Activity gives to Matter its responsiveness to action—Rajas, mobility.

 

121.      This is a higher interpretation than that usually given to Rajas. This type of responsiveness seems aligned with sensitivity.

122.      In the world of super-human evolution (and confining ourselves to the cosmic physical plane), the plane of atma is the plane of activity. It reflects itself on both the mental plane and on the etheric-physical plane.

 

 The Aspect of Wisdom gives it Rhythm—Sattva, vibration, harmony.

 

123.      Sattva is more than rhythm. It contains the factor of harmony which indicates an intelligence which correlates the vibrations of those factors which come into relationship.

124.      The “Aspect of Wisdom” can be correlated with both the monadic plane and the buddhic plane. “Buddhi” is often translated as “wisdom”.

 

 It is by the aid of Matter thus prepared that the Aspects of Logoic Consciousness can manifest themselves as Beings."

 

125.      Matter is prepared by Fohat for this type of manifestation. Without prepared matter, the manifestation of the Logoic Aspects of Consciousness as Beings is not possible.

126.      In other words, the First Outpouring must precede the Second Outpouring and makes its work possible.


—A Study in Consciousness, by Annie Besant, p. 9.

All these must be regarded only from the point of view of the personality, the lower self, or not-self.

 

127.      The Three Gunas are being considered from the point of view of the personality. However, they also apply to the higher aspects of man. In such a case, the personality upholds the position of Tamas; the soul expresses Rajas; the Spirit expresses Sattva.

128.      From another perspective, the personality can be sees as rajasic, the soul as sattvic and the Spirit as tamasic—resisting every attempt to change it—“unknown and unafraid, untouched, for aye unchanged.” (DINA II 285)

 

 In illustration of this idea, it might be pointed out that when the animal body of prehuman man was rhythmically adjusted, and had attained its highest or sattvic vibration,

 

129.      The highest type of vibration possible for this type of body….

130.      We do not know how such a vibration would have manifested. Obviously a type of equilibrium was created, waiting to be disturbed by the entry of a higher factor.

 

 then individualisation became possible, and a true human being

 

131.      The “true human being” was obviously not un-individualized,  “prehuman man”.

 

 

 appeared in manifestation.

 

132.      Thus we see Libra involved with setting the stage of individualization. Libra saw to the ‘marriage’ of the Angel and the animal, and, interestingly, rules the mental unit which is strongly stimulated by the individualization process.

 

Each kingdom is positive to the one next below it, and between them is found that period of manifestation which bridges the two, and connects the positive and the negative.

 

133.      For the human kingdom the implications are clear: the members of the fifth kingdom are “positive” to the members of the human kingdom. The greater influences the lesser.

134.      Notice that Master DK is not speaking of forms of manifestation but of “periods of manifestation”.

135.      In some ways it seems we are speaking of “missing links”—states of form and consciousness which are bridges between the kingdoms.

 

 The types of most intense rajas or activity in the mineral kingdom are found in those forms of life which are neither mineral nor vegetable but which bridge the two. 

 

136.      Here, intermediate forms are cited, and not just a “period of manifestation”.

137.      I presume we are to think that when bridging forms are identified they will be characterised by “intense rajas”.

138.      But, what precisely, are these forms?

139.      It is possible that a relatively sattvic period is reached in a kingdom, before transition, and then, to impulse the transition to the next kingdom, a period of rajas is inaugurated. Information below, seems to contradict this possibility.

140.      We seem to have rajas associated with the bridging process between kingdoms and sattva with the actual merging into the next kingdom.

 

Similarly in the vegetable kingdom, the rajas period is seen in fullest expression just before the activity becomes rhythmic and the vegetable merges in the animal. 

 

141.      It appears that the merging of a lower kingdom into a higher is characterized by sattva.

142.      We are being told that without this rhythmic activity there is no merging of the lower kingdom into the higher.

143.      Probably the sequence is: a long tamasic period; the period of rajas climaxed by intense rajas as transition is undertaken between kingdoms; a brief period of sattva following upon intense rajas and signaling the concluding moments of the kingdom just before entrance into a new kingdom.

144.      Such a moment of sattva is probably found in the human kingdom just before the fourth initiation when the full development of the causal body is achieved.

145.      Could we say that the entire period of initiation before the fourth initiation is one of intense rajas and really signals a transition between kingdoms—the human kingdom and the Kingdom of Souls?

 

In the animal kingdom the same is seen in the animals which individualise, passing out of the group soul into separated identity.

 

146.      Is there, then, a bridging form of life between the animal and the human? Is this what is sometimes meant by “animal man”?

147.      Is the sattvic moment that actual moment of merging wherein the animal in process of transition from the animal kingdom to the human kingdom, actually enters the human kingdom?

 

These types of activity must be regarded as constituting for the mineral, physical activity, for the vegetable, sentient activity, and for the animal, rudimentary mental activity.

 

148.      We see three kinds of activity which are added to the lower kingdom as it makes its transition into the higher. The immobile mineral becomes physically active. The relatively insentient vegetable becomes sentiently responsive. (Recent experiments have proven some degree of sentient response in the vegetable kingdom.) To the unthinking animal is added rudimentary mental activity. Each transition adds to the scope of the units rising into a higher kingdom.

 

When this triple activity is achieved it might be noted that the dense physical body of the solar or planetary Logos is fully developed, and conscious contact can then [Page 1136] be made with the etheric or vital body.  It is this contact which produces man, for Spirit (as man understands the term) is after all but the energy, vitality, or essential life of the solar, or planetary Logos.  Its correspondence in man is prana. 

 

149.      Is Master DK saying that all three kinds of transitions must be in process if the human kingdom is to come into existence? Does the upreaching of the animal consciousness into the human require support from lower transitions of the mineral into the vegetable and the vegetable into the animal?

150.      The Spirit/Monad of man (and not only the Solar Angel) is involved in the creation of the individualized animal we call the human being. We are reminded that the Spirit/Monad is an aspect of cosmic vitality and has it ‘location’ within the cosmic ethers.

151.      We find that the cosmic ethers are involved in the individualization process. The "Jewel in the Lotus" is conducted through the cosmic ethers as an expression of the Monad on its own plane, and the three synthesis petals are a results of buddhic downflow. The impulse which produces the ordinary nine petals seems to emanate from the higher mental plane, and probably from the manasic permanent atom of the higher mental plane. (Again, see EP I 168-169)

152.      We are learning that the appearance of man, the self-conscious human being, results from a process of bridging into the cosmic ethers. Man is the vehicle for the sustainment of this bridge between the two aspects of the physical body of the Solar Logos or Planetary Logos—the etheric portion and the dense physical portion.

153.      It is interesting that only when that part of the Solar Logos which exists in the three lower worlds is prepared, can man be ‘created’.

154.      How interesting that man’s Spirit/Monad is to the Solar Logos as prana is to man.

 

A comprehension of this will be brought about if man realises that all the planes of our solar system are but the seven subplanes of the cosmic physical plane.

 

155.      We are ever reminded of this point for good purpose.

 

  It is the realisation of this which will eventually unite science and religion, for what the scientist calls energy, the religious man calls God,

 

156.      Here is an utterly simple statement with profound implications If this conceptual gap (the gap separating the understanding of “God” and “energy”) can be bridged we shall witness entirely new possibilities of cooperation between religion and science.

 

 and yet the two are one, being but the manifested purpose, in physical matter, of a great extra-systemic Identity. 

 

157.      This “extra-systemic Identity”, who is both “God” and “Energy” is probably the "One About Whom Naught May Be Said". Of course “God” and “Energy” extend far beyond this unfathomable Being—unfathomable to us. Ultimately, “God” and “Energy” are the One Universal Logos.

 

Nature is the appearance of the physical body of the Logos, and the laws of nature are the laws governing the natural processes of that body.

 

158.      The physical body of the Solar Logos includes both its etheric and dense physical aspects.

159.      Can it be said that the “laws of nature” extend into the cosmic etheric body of the Solar Logos? We seem to be told this by the text above, yet in other parts of the Teaching, the cosmic etheric body of the Solar Logos seem to belong to the realm of ‘super-nature’.

160.      We must be alert to those occasions in which discussion of the physical body of the Solar Logos indicate both His etheric body and His dense physical body, and those occasions when it means only the dense physical body.

161.      Also, while the physical body of the Logos might be both His etheric body and dense physical body, the “appearance” of that physical body might be confined only to His dense physical body.

 

 The Life of God, His energy, and vitality, are found in every manifested atom; His essence indwells all forms.

 

162.      In this context, the “Life of God” are the energies of His cosmic etheric nature.

163.      Is a “manifested atom” only the kind which appears within the lowest part of the very densest subplane of the cosmic physical plane, or are all atoms found upon/within the cosmic physical plane to be considered “manifested” atoms?

164.      We have learned that all subplanes of the cosmic physical plane (and all sub-subplanes as well) are atomic in nature.

 

This we call Spirit,

 

165.      “Spirit” is the Life of God, His Energy and vitality.

 

yet He Himself is other than those forms, just as man knows himself to be other than his bodies.

 

166.      DK is speaking of the inner and higher principles of the Planetary Logos or Solar Logos found outside Their dense physical body.

 

 He knows himself to be a will, and a purpose,

 

167.      Here we are speaking of the monadic nature of both the Solar Logos and Planetary Logos. The center of energy from which this will and purpose arise is found on the cosmic monadic plane.

 

 and as he progresses in evolution that purpose and will become to him ever more consciously defined.

 

168.      As we come to understand our interior nature more fully, we discover that its expression is our purpose and that the degree of power with which it expresses itself is the strength of our higher will.

 

So with the planetary Logos and solar Logos.  They dwell within, yet are found without, the planetary scheme or solar system.

 

169.      The analogy to man is exact. The Planetary Logos expresses through a planetary scheme and yet has His higher principles and their vehicles “without” (thus dimensionally beyond) the planetary scheme. The Solar Logos expresses through a solar system and yet has His higher principles and their vehicles “without” (thus dimensionally beyond) the solar system.

170.      As Master DK usually considers the solar system, it consists of the etheric-physical body of the Solar Logos. His cosmic astral body and cosmic mental body are not included nor is His cosmic egoic lotus.

 

It is useful to remember that in the three lower kingdoms, manifestation, or appearance on the physical plane, is ever group manifestation and not the appearance of separated units.

 

171.      The appearance of separated units appears only with individualization.

172.      However separated the apparent units of the lower kingdoms may appear to be, each one of them is part of a group appearance. The question remains: “What is the size of these groupings?” Also, “what higher beings do these groups express?”

 

Each group soul, as it is called, is divided into seven parts which appear in each of the seven races of a world period, and there is an interesting distinction between them and the units of the human kingdom. 

 

173.      We are being told that group souls connected with the mineral kingdom, the vegetable kingdom and animal kingdom are all divided into seven parts.

174.      Apparently the seven parts of a group soul correspond to the “seven races of a world period”. Presumably, these “seven races” are forms assumed by the entities which soon will be human (proto-humans) or are human.

175.      Are we being told that each of the seven races of the human kingdom (including the proto-human types) has its own flora and fauna? Given the long duration of the root-races, this would be a distinct possibility.

176.      We also appear to be told that all seven parts of a group soul appear in each of the seven human root-races of a world period. Though the seven parts may be the same from root-race to root-race, the appearance of each part in a root-race may be in contrast with such an appearance in the next root-race.

 

When portions of the group soul in one of its seven parts are out of incarnation they are to be found on the astral plane, even though the Mother group soul is found on the mental plane.

 

177.      Here we have some very important information speaking of the distribution of the parts of the group soul as found on one or other of the three lower planes.

178.      If the “Mother group soul” is found upon the mental plane, is it the lower mental plane? Perhaps since the “Mother group soul” is a group soul for units in the lower kingdoms, this is likely to be the case.

179.      DK is almost certainly saying that parts of a group soul are not simultaneously in incarnation or that the appearance in incarnation of the various parts are all controlled by certain cyclic laws.

 

 Human units of the fourth kingdom when out of incarnation pass through the astral to the mental and descend again to incarnation from mental levels. [Page 1137]

 

180.      Mental levels, as discussed in relation to units of the fourth kingdom, are higher mental levels. Man takes incarnation from the higher mental plane.

181.      We are presuming this is not the case for the parts of the group souls within the lower kingdoms.

 

Each group soul,

 

182.      Presumably, one for each of the three lower kingdoms…

 

 therefore, subjectively forms a triangle of force with one point (the highest) to be found on the mental plane, the lowest on the etheric levels of the physical plane, and another on the astral plane.  

 

183.      It must be the lower mental plane that is referenced when the lower three kingdoms are discussed.

184.      DK is giving us important information on the planar focus of different kinds of group souls. I have not seen this information given elsewhere.

 

The third point for the mineral group-soul is found on the second subplane of the astral, the vegetable on the third, and the animal on the fourth.

 

185.      Fascinating information, showing that even the mineral kingdom has a point of subjective astral focus!

186.      Presumably, DK is counting from below upwards.

187.      We have been told that no unit in the lower kingdoms (since none of them is yet self-conscious) can have permanent atoms—at least this is what we are told in one reference. Now we read of “points” of force within a group soul focussed on various subplanes. Elsewhere we have been told of permanent atoms associated with the three lower kingdoms (but we are not sure whether these permanent atoms should be associated with the higher lives manifested through the kingdoms and group souls, or with the unself-conscious units within those kingdoms. The former is probably correct.

 

  It is owing to the fact that a centre of force for the animal group soul is found on the fourth subplane of the astral plane that it is possible for transference eventually to be made out of that kingdom into the fourth.

 

188.      Numerology (indicating numerical resonance) is involved in this transference. The animal group has a center of focus on the fourth subplane of the astral plane and can therefore participate in producing the fourth kingdom.

189.      Are there analogies here? The vegetable kingdom having a point of focus on the third subplane of the astral plane and therefore able to make a transition into the third kingdom? The mineral kingdom having a focus on the second subplane of the astral plane and, therefore, able to make a transition into the second or vegetable kingdom?

190.      Also, we must consider that the mental unit is focused on the fourth subplane of the mental plane suggesting an imminent shift into the causal body.

191.      What of man and his transition into the fifth kingdom? From what type of fifth subplane is this transition made—from a fifth (from below) subplane on the astral plane or on the mental plane? May we say that, for man, a focus on the fifth (from below) subplane of the astral corresponds with the causal body’s lowest focus on the fifth (from below) subplane of the mental plane? The appearance of that causal body on that causal body signals the appearance of man.

192.      In any case, we learn to pay close attention to numerical links because they indicate lines of relationship and progression.