Make Money Easy For You

分类目录

文章归档

Mudras & Hand Symbolism: Mudras of the Esoteric Christian Tradition Part 2

Last Updated: 2011/10/07

The Channeling Hands

There are times when we need to direct healing energy to a person. This may be done with the Channeling Hands. Although there are many techniques and methodologies for channeling energy depending on the nature of the problem and the healing tradition, this method is simple to recall and does not require much effort on our part.

For a general healing, the two hands are extended outwards–towards and within the aura of the patient–a centimeter or two away from the subject’s physical body. Imagine the hands radiating a white-golden force filling the patient’s aura. Next seal this magnetic-field with an inscription of a symbol meaningful to you. Trace this symbol in the air slightly above or beyond the person or object.

Like everything else in metaphysical practice, prior spiritual training under a true Guru, directly or indirectly appointed by the Holy Council of the Chohans, gives greater satisfactory results in healing operations.

The Manifester Mudra

“And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.” 1 Kings 17:4,6

Elijah, one of the biblical prophets, was commanded by God to go to the “wilderness” to “hide.” This can actually be conjectured to be God’s (actually a Guru’s) command to Elijah to undergo a spiritual retreat to engage in meditation and other spiritual disciplines. Such spiritual retreats are called “Uzzlah” in Islam and “Hitbodedut” in Judaism, of which a specific physical environment is not always meant. Some people seem to think that meditation should only be done in peaceful and quiet surroundings–this is not true for someone of Elijah’s caliber who is able to precipitate such conditions in his soul whenever he wills. Advanced practitioners are not dependent on the environment for peace, for this is a false sense of peace. True peace comes from within and is a state attained by meditators wherever they physically find themselves.

Now while in retreat Elijah was fed bread and meat by ravens. This anecdote may be interpreted literally or more appropriately, esoterically and symbolically. We will not overdwell upon this issue here. What interests us is that Elijah’s needs were somehow fulfilled by an external force as a result of the workings of Cosmic laws. The scriptures do not relate this, but Elijah’s desire or need was preceded by a request to be sustained–”ask and it shall be given”–that is the spiritual injunction. How desires may be requested for fulfillment is “coincidentally” depicted in the picture of Elijah above. The finger-tips of the two hands are placed together forming an empty space between them. Occultism teaches that this mudra builds up a natural magnetic-force between and around the hands while in this position, and this force may be imbued with a certain quality, feeling, idea, or thought. The resultant accumulation of power and the magnetization of this packet of energy with a thought or feeling is known as a thought-form, and at more advanced levels where a degree of consciousness is embued to it, the packet of energy becomes a “servitor” or a “familiar.”

When subsequently released to the Cosmic realms, this thought-form strives to manifest on the physical plane that which it was programmed to do. This is why we name this mudra “the Manifester,” for it helps to generate the energy and force to manifest one’s desires–one reason why it is instinctively used during prayer. The mudra is one of the secret tools applied in the art of mental creation. We may manifest anything within the world of possibility and such manifestations may occur instantly or after a time delay.

In order to manifest anything, one must first accumulate psychic energy. There are many methods of doing this which are taught in metaphysical schools. One must also be able to release the thought-form to angelic intelligences and elementals and to urge their cooperation in the work of manifestation of which in this context we act as the First Cause. Their help are essential and this cannot be done if we do not acquire and maintain a good relationship with these beings or have authority over them. In the biblical story of Elijah mentioned previously, these elemental and angelic beings are represented by the ravens.

As this work with the elementals requires training under a qualified Guru, we will not offer the formula in full here for to convey such power to those who would abuse or misuse it is a dangerous thing to all parties concerned. We are to be responsible for what we give out. If a student abuses power the teacher likewise reaps a percentage of the karmic effects. There are metaphysicians who would deny this in their ignorance; nevertheless, it is true. In their ignorance, irresponsible “paranormals” or Gurus offer their occult teachings, their so-called powers and knowledge without any consideration as to the moral fitness of the recipient. We emphasize right here that some things just cannot be put into print for public consumption–not when the false ego reigns supreme. However, to return from our digression and putting the training work aside, the basic steps for manifesting anything are as follow:

1) Assuming the mudra and the generation/accumulation of Power

2) Attunement

3) Invocation of the angelic intelligences and elementals

4) The building-up of the thoughtform and empowering it

5) Release of the thoughtform with the certainty and faith that it will manifest

The Beast Master

Every student of biblical study is familiar with the story of Daniel and how he was thrown into the lion’s den due to the nefarious plot of jealous individuals (Daniel 6:3-24), and also how he survived the ordeal. Like many other stories in the scriptures, this tale offers more value to us when interpreted esoterically rather than understanding it in a historical sense.

Metaphysically speaking, beasts of prey represent the lower instincts, desires, and emotions within man. The task of the disciple is to tame these energies and harness them for a higher purpose. Therefore, Daniel, having subdued the lions signifies a disciple’s spiritual mastery over the forces governing his four-fold personality–his mental, astral, etheric and physical bodies.

The Beast Master mudra collects energies from the cosmos and directs them to the heart, it also raises and transmutes the lower “animalistic” energies residing in the solar plexus to the heart region where a major chakra is located. The energy that accumulates in the heart builds up the chakra that subsequently attracts a greater influx of power from the Monad, which is the divine spark within the microcosm.

To conduct the Beast Master exercise, extend your left hand outwards, palm facing upwards. The right hand should be placed over the heart, palm inwards. The next step is to visualize the left hand collecting energy from the cosmos. See silvery-golden light from a spiritual source entering your left palm and travelling to your heart. Do this for 5-10 minutes. By placing your right palm over your heart, a closed-circuit is formed that would build magnetism within the chest and thus further nourish the important heart-center.

Continuing to the next phase of the exercise, while still in the same mudra position, visualize a ball of energy in the solar plexus region. See it scintillating and vibrating with power. Suck this energy upward to the heart until the ball of energy at the solar plexus diminishes while the energy in the heart chakra area increases. This second part of the Beast Master should also be done for several minutes.

After completing the second stage, continue with the last step: Visualize a scintillating ball of silvery light above you. Chant and vibrate the word “Yeheshua” for 7x. Now inhale deeply and as you do so, direct a beam of light from this silvery ball of power above you to the crown of your head–continue visualizing its descent downwards where it engulfs the heart. As you hold your breath, see your heart covered in divine radiance as depicted in the picture above of the Benediction mudra. Exhale when you feel uncomfortable. Repeat the chanting and the breathing cycle for 5-10 minutes.

Once the heart chakra has unfolded, the energies residing in it may be directed in various ways by the white magician.

The Heart Polarizer Mudra

The purpose of the Heart Polarizer is to strengthen the psychic center in the heart region and to polarize one’s consciousness at the level where love reigns in all its splendor.

The average person is polarized in the solar plexus chakra where the lower emotions are based. By transcending this chakra and focusing and functioning from the heart center we liberate ourselves from our human mortal thoughts, feelings and attitudes, and claim the heritage of our innate divinity.

To perform this mudra: place the left hand sideways against the center of the chest, thumb inwards to the heart as may be seen in the picture above. Maintain this position for 5 minutes or more while doing deep breathing. Focus your attention upon the heart where the spark of your divinity lies.

The Energizer Mudra (Sign of Reverence)

This mudra generates a certain energy within one’s bio-magnetic field. It is a hand pose to be found in the practices of countless spiritual traditions and religions. While in prayer we often assume this pose and arise out of it spiritually strengthened and nourished. The power generated with the use of this mudra uplifts the mind giving one a new zest and enthusiasm for life. Needless to say, one of the secrets of prayer is the pose of the body and hands that configures one’s energy structure to greatly facilitate the communion between worlds and the exchange of forces.

Execute this mudra by uniting both hands at the level of the chest, palms together and fingers pointing upwards. Maintain this pose for 5-10 minutes–or much longer if you are able to. Feel the energy developing in the area of the hands as it slowly spreads up to the arms and body. This mudra could trigger an automatic response from the nervous system resulting in unusual movements of the limbs and body.

The Christ Wisdom Mudra

This mudra develops in us spiritual wisdom. As mentioned in a previous chapter, every finger symbolically and magnetically represents a certain element. In this mudra we have spirit or ether (middle finger) acting on air or the mental faculties (index finger). When the mind is influenced by spirit it develops spiritual wisdom–not the wisdom of this world, but the wisdom of the gods that transcends human understanding.

For 5-10 minutes (or longer), place the tip of the right forefinger upon the tip of the middle finger of the left hand. The rest of the fingers of the right hand are folded, while in the left only the thumb and first three fingers are extended. The palms of both hands should face towards the chest. Refer to the painting at left.

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

Metaphysical Development & Disciplines Part 1

Last Updated: 2011/10/06

The Need for a Guru

In the spiritual, metaphysical path, various disciplines and exercises are conducted to aid the awakening and the unfoldment of the faculties and virtues of the divinity within. To attune with the Higher Self, one is required to undergo the process of purification and to carry-out meditative exercises. Meditation, concentration, visualizations, chanting, esoteric rituals, and other spiritual disciplines are utilized as aids on the path of spiritual and metaphysical development. In order to tread the metaphysical path a spiritual teacher or Guru is indispensable as a way-shower. The Guru or Adept having been on the spiritual path for many years, or for the greater part of his/her life, or even for several lifetimes is qualified to guide the enthusiastic aspirant. Treading the spiritual path alone without outside assistance and guidance is a difficult task. Only a few great souls are able to do this. However, it should be noted that according to tradition and occult revelation, even great souls like Jesus and the Prophet Muhammad had Guru-Chela relationships with Spiritual Masters, both physical and non-physical. External spiritual preceptors are here to “push” or motivate the aspirant, just as the inner divine Master is present within our beings to “pull” us inwards, to help us gravitate towards the Inner Light.

Learning from books has its disadvantages; firstly, one is unable to bask in the presence of a Guru. A genuine Guru radiates powerful energies that stimulate slumbering souls in his immediate vicinity. The Master’s aura prompts the energy-level of those around him to step-up in frequency. By constantly being in the presence of a Guru one gradually transforms one’s microcosmic vehicles to a higher expression. One accelerates spiritually by being in the proximity of a Spiritual Preceptor. It is like a magnet that induces iron bits to become magnetized just as it is simply by the association.

Secondly, books do not provide all of the keys or knowledge necessary that would open metaphysical doorways to higher worlds or to higher states of awareness. Many keys are omitted in books. Thirdly, books hardly present a two-way interaction that a Guru-Chela relationship offers. From these three points (and there are more) it can be seen how necessary it is to have a Way-Shower. Genuine spiritual/metaphysical teachers are not easily found or met. One meets a real Spiritual Guide partially because of spiritual merit. There is an occult saying, “When the student is ready the Master appears.” The student has to prepare himself for the Master’s advent by attaining a certain soul-level, by spiritual works and study. It should be realized, however, that those individuals passing themselves off as Spiritual Gurus and Metaphysical Masters are hardly what they claim themselves to be. Here lies the problem for the occult tyro–how to discern the true Master from the “false prophet,” or the wolf in sheep clothing and the true Shepherd of the Spirit.

In the traditional teachings of Christianity we are told that St.Peter, one of the Apostles of Christ, guards the portals to the Kingdom of Heaven. He holds within his hands various keys that would unlock the gate and allow the soul to pass the threshold and enter into a world of heavenly delight, to a land where one could pluck and eat the fruits of the Tree of Life. The average Christian interprets this teaching literally. In truth, this is merely an allegory, an esoteric precept referring to the principle that a Spiritual Guru or Murshid, (St.Peter) is necessary to guide one’s spiritual development. The Spiritual Guru holds and preserves the keys of metaphysical (mystical/magickal) development. By applying the keys (the cosmic laws and spiritual principles) that the Guru transmits to his disciples, it would be possible to acquire a spiritual consciousness (the Kingdom of Heaven) and consume the fruits of the Tree of Life (a constant awareness of one’s immortality).

In the early days of Christianity, “priests” functioned as Gurus and not merely as preachers. In the centuries that followed, the priesthood lost the keys to Heaven because of their corruption and degeneration. They subsequently grew envious of those that did possess the keys, the gnosis or spiritual, esoteric knowledge. This was one of the factors that instigated the attack of the orthodoxy upon the Christian sects called Gnostics. These Gnostics were the custodians of the secret, esoteric, spiritual teachings of the Essenes, the Master Jesus and the other divine avatars.

Now it should be realized that not all Spiritual Gurus are of the same evolutionary level. They are of various initiatory grades. Some Gurus offer their services specifically to the masses, to the average person on the street; others are here on the physical plane to help higher-evolved persons, or those of disciple status to attain the first and second planetary initiation. Rarely do we find Gurus who are real Adepts and Masters guiding those who have heard the call of the soul to attain liberation, enlightenment, and the ascension. Each person who is interested in metaphysical and spiritual culture will find himself at the doorstep of the Guru most appropriate to his present state of soul development. When he grows spiritually to a certain point with the guidance of his Preceptor, he may eventually find himself being led to other Gurus of a higher grade or different ray-ashram for further esoteric instructions or for developing a different soul-quality..

Metaphysical Development

In the Path of metaphysical development it would be advantageous and worthwhile for the spiritual aspirant to study the spiritual teachings of various religions and philosophies. Anything that would help refine one’s soul-character and expand one’s metaphysical knowledge is beneficial. The student should be equally comfortable studying the teachings of Alchemy or Zen. By the exploring of various teachings we do not imply that one should build one’s spiritual philosophy upon the foundation of syncretism. This would hardly work if we strive to integrate the superficial, dogmatic aspects of religion. What we would like students of metaphysics to probe is the essence or core of religions, back to the source of all religions, or to the Gupta Vidya–the Ageless Teachings. In the Old Testament, for instance, we were admonished by God to walk the ancient paths (Jeremiah 6:16). This “ancient path” is an esoteric term for the Ageless teachings, or the Ancient Wisdom. Followers of the “New Age” movement may consider the revelations received through the phenomenon of “channeling” as something novel; however, the essence of what is revealed is nothing new and is to be found in the spiritual teachings of all ancient cultures. We admonish the novice not to focus on or speculate too much upon what lies above in the cosmos. It really does not matter what or who lies “up there,” whether it is “Ashtar,” “Kryon,” or the “Pleaidians,” or any other beings flitting around in their merkabah vehicles; what really matters is what lies within you. Pay attention to that, to the task at hand. Improve your character, your spirituality, your evolutionary status, and your awareness. Unfold unconditional love and compassion. Beware of self-complacency and arrogance, thinking that you know everything, or more than others.

The first step of spiritual unfoldment is the purification of the lower aspects of the microcosm of all psychical and physical toxins, negative energies, psychological complexes and fixations, karmic effects, record, and memory; and the transcendence of the false ego. Not only should these unwanted energies be discarded or transmuted, the spiritual aspirant should also be vigilant that they no longer be generated by the mind and emotions or attracted into the microcosmic force-field by establishing a point of attraction through negative thinking and feeling. Conversely, the aspirant should strive to express the divine qualities of the Spirit, such as compassion, tolerance, affection, beauty, order, generosity, selflessness, etc. In Patanjali’s Yogic philosophy these two steps are called Yama and Niyama. They comprise the dos and the don’ts in religious moral teachings.

According to Patanjali’s metaphysical system of development, breathing and physical exercises should next be conducted to maintain healthy and vital bodies. These are called Pranayama and Asana, respectively. Pranayama actually means the control of the life-force within the physical/etheric body, and not to the control of the breath as some occultists would have us believe. Asana means “body-position.” In Hatha yoga we are taught various asanas to help maintain a supple, healthy, vital body. Although beneficial to a certain degree, in our metaphysical system of development we do not stress Hatha yoga too much for this form of yoga actually belongs to the Lemurian Age (the Third Race) where physical cultivation was the basis of spiritual unfoldment. In the days of Atlantis (the Fourth Race), it was Bhakti yoga that was of certain importance, for it helped cultivated the emotional nature. In our present Aryan Age (the Fifth Race), Raja yoga is indispensable for it aids in the development of our mental nature. Metaphysical development should therefore, be concentrated more upon the mental/spiritual plane for it is the most appropriate for our present Soul-Race. Below is a tabulation and clarification of the above information:

1) The First Race — Polarian – No yogas, involutionary race.

2) The Second Race – Hyperborean – No yogas, involutionary race.

3) The Third Race – Lemurian – Hatha yoga, related to the physical/etheric principle.

4) The Fourth Race – Atlantean – Bhakti yoga, related to the emotional/astral principle.

5) The Fifth Race – Aryan – Raja yoga, related to the mental principle.

6) The Sixth Race – Unknown – Yoga unknown, related to the Buddhic principle.

7) The Seventh Race – Unknown – Yoga unknown, related to the Atmic principle.

But to return from our digression:

Following Pranayama and Asana is Pratyahara, or the withdrawing of the senses from external stimuli. This act of withdrawing the senses results in Dharana, a deep concentration upon some inner point within the consciousness. Deep and intense concentration of a lengthy period establishes the state of Dhyana, or meditation. The culmination of the Dhyana-state is Samadhi, or a higher form of consciousness where one experiences the state of bliss and peace. There are various consciousness levels in Samadhi; for simplicity sake we may designate them as “Christ Consciousness” and “Cosmic Consciousness.” The former is related to the Soul-Consciousness of the Higher Self, or the threefold aspects of the Soul–the Higher Mental, Buddhi, and Atma. The latter on the other hand, is related to the Spirit-Consciousness of the Monad, the Divine Spark within the microcosm. The eight steps of the above are often called the “Eight-limbs of Patanjali.”

In metaphysical development we strive to attain ever higher states of consciousness or awareness. In mystical teachings this is often illustrated as a climb towards a mountain peak and we are often advised by mystics to climb the highest mountain. In Holy Scriptures, when the tale is told of mystics “going up” to the mountains to pray and meditate actually refers to an inner ascent in the consciousness and not to an actual physical journey.

In the early stages of metaphysical development it is advisable for the neophyte to introspect and reflect upon the various elements forming his present desires, motivations, ideals, attitudes, beliefs, and feelings–all of the psychological stuff forming his world-view, his belief-framework, his religious-view, and his understanding of life as a whole, as well as its purport. There is much that we take for granted, much that we assume to be true because humanity as a whole or certain groups of humanity have believed in them for centuries. We have been taught many things as “truths” by our elders, our religious leaders, and pedagogues and we accept them at face value without any meaningful effort in reflecting whether they are of any real substance whatsoever. This the neophyte has to rectify first and foremost in his consciousness. The beginner in metaphysical development has to know why he is on the physical plane and for what Cosmic purpose. He has to discover the meta-philosophical truths concerning life and death, and the real reason why he embarks upon metaphysical study. In short, the neophyte has to awaken himself from his ignorance at the first Cosmic level. Until he realizes that in his present condition he knows nothing, the neophyte has not yet arrived at the state where he may acquire true knowledge.

Metaphysical development entails getting rid of the demons of the mind, the idols that drains one’s energies. Idols are not simply statues made of wood and stone; they may be anything at all. Idols at our present stage of soul-unfoldment are glamours and illusions of the psyche. We may define idols do be anything that distracts the soul from carrying-out its evolutionary obligations. Thus, television or the obsession of psychic powers may be considered as idols, and irresponsible Gurus teaching psychicism sans spiritual unfoldment as fabricators of idols. This in fact is one of the avenues of dis-service (dark services) offered by the Fallen Angels. In Islamic tradition Harut and Marut were the two Fallen Angels that taught humanity psychicism/occultism irresponsibly. Low-calibre paranormals and metaphysicians perpetrate this shameful tradition.

Nowadays, people who are interested in psychicism are so eager to unfold paranormal powers. It should be realized that this is not a spiritual goal, because sometime and somewhere along the spiritual path psychic powers would have to be renounced as they simply blind our inner eyes to the spiritual state of Light-Consciousness, symbolized by the saviour-gods in the world mythologies. Psychicism prolongs our needless stay in the lower dimensions. Psychic powers may corrupt the human soul.

Getting rid of or destroying idols is not an easy task. In order to do this we need the help of the Christ-Krishna force, or the light of Muhammad. Invoke their power into your lives; pay more attention to their presence until the intrusion of the demonic idols lose their power and hold over you. In the end you will truly become a holy one, unattached and untainted by anything of this world–”to be in this world but not of it.”

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

Metaphysical Development & Disciplines Part 2

Last Updated: 2011/10/06

One of the most important metaphysical state to acquire is tranquility. Without calmness and serenity it is impossible to carry out most of the other metaphysical exercises or to establish a bridge between the lower and higher aspects of the microcosm. Tranquility is developed through resting the mind, body and emotions in the meditative state. In Buddhism this form of meditation is called samatha. Another form of meditation often associated with samatha is vipassana, or insight meditation. This is basically an introspective exercise where one strives to develop insight into one’s real nature. When the goals of samatha and vipassana are reached one acquires the state of bodhicitta–an enlighten mind.

Our metaphysical development are marked by certain planetary initiations given in higher realms by the Spiritual Hierarchy. These initiations stabilize the new plane of consciousness and frequency-level attained as a result of spiritual evolutionary progress. These initiations also afford us a certain degree of spiritual power. There are 9 planetary initiations that concerns humanity’s spiritual development into divine god-hood. Along the Spiritual Path, the average person first aspires to perfection. This is the stage of “the Aspirant.” When prepared mentally and spiritually to a certain degree the Aspirant is then accepted as a disciple by a Spiritual Master. The Path of Discipleship takes one through the initiations step by step. In the first initiation he is regarded as a Christ-child newly-born. In the second and third initiation the Christ-child gradually matures. In the fourth initiation, esoterically called the “Crucifixion,” the unfolding human soul attains liberation from samsara, or the cycles of birth and rebirth. Here he acquires the title of Arhat, Wali, or Saint. Human perfection is attained in the fifth initiation where one becomes a “Master.” The experience of the ascension is acquired in the sixth initiation. At present, little is known of the seventh, eighth, and ninth initiations.

Metaphysical Disciplines

Below we present some invaluable principles, disciplines, and practices that would not only raise one’s awareness and vibratory frequency, but also form the basis of the unfoldment of divine virtues and powers, and anchor spiritual aspects of the microcosm into the physical/etheric force-field. When the ultimate goal of these disciplines are reached or attained man will no longer be man, he will become a god, a divine being, a Son or Daughter of the Supreme Being. It has long been proclaimed by Christian evangelists that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Nowadays we hear that the Aquarian Age or the Golden Age is at hand. Nothing has essentially changed. It is the same message that the Higher Intelligences ruling the Omniverse wishes to convey to humanity. Waiting for the Kingdom of God or the Golden Age to appear is not dependent upon time in any way. It is not a future event but a state of consciousness. One will never enter heaven or the glories of the New Age by waiting. Passivity will not help man to attain the state or condition that he longs for. Man reaches the peak of attainment by striving, by personal effort, by moving along with the evolutionary current. The way has long been shown by mystics and Spiritual Masters. It is up to us to follow in their footsteps. Spiritual disciplines can be considered as the vehicle that would transport us to the spiritual goal, to the promised land flowing with milk and honey. Below are some precepts and disciplines helpful in the spiritual life:

1) Try avoiding the use of the word “I” in everyday speech. Do not emphasize the lower self in any way. Instead of saying, “I like this,” say “This is nice.” By putting this discipline into action we eventually displace the lower ego with the power and influence of the Higher Self. We would gradually express self-surrender and self-sacrifice and acquire group-consciousness where the Great SELF is perceived in all.

2) Imagine, feel, and know that everyone you meet, that every creature you come across, that every plant or spirit that appears before you is an expression of God–that God is present in every one. Remember the teachings of the Master Jesus: he taught that if we harmed, hurt or did something to another we also did it to him. Every true Master feels this way; their identification with All That Is is so complete that they feel the emotions and thoughts of others as their own.

3) In conjunction with the above practice, do not forget to maintain a constant awareness that your very essence is of God, that in fact you are an embodied Christ or Buddha. See the world through the eyes of an enlightened, compassionate being. Minimize unnecessary thoughts and feelings whenever possible. However, just maintain an awareness of the divine presence within you.

4) Cease filling the physical, emotional, and mental bodies with negative energies and substances. Do not smoke, drink alcohol, consume narcotics or drugs. Gradually become a vegetarian. Avoid foods and beverages that contain chemicals, preservatives, etc. Processed and cooked foods are bad for the physical system. Emotionally and mentally speaking, change every negative thoughts and feelings into their polar opposite. Whenever a negative feeling emerges quickly transmute it. For instance, when you begin to feel anger, calm yourself down and feel peace by recalling your true identity as a divine spark of God.

5) We do not own anything. Realize that it is impossible to own anything, so therefore renounce possessiveness. We are not able to own ourselves, what more other people or earthly goods. Everything comes from Nature and goes back to Her at Her own pleasure.

6) Make sure that every word that passes your lips goes through the three gates of truth, kindness and necessity.

7) Fill your minds with divine thoughts and assume divine attitudes (see article on Divine thinking).

Discern what is Real from what is false. Do not be attached to the false, illusionary, ephemeral objects and conditions in life. Always look for the Real, the essence underlying all things, be attracted and attached to that. It is permanent, unchangeable, infinite, and boundless. It’s nature is bliss.

9) Serve others. Forget the wants and desires of the false ego. Be a willing instrument of the Divine Will.

10) Always give thanks for what you have, for the life within you, for your life on earth, for the varied experiences that Life offers you, or for any other reason that you can think of.

11) Maintain cleanliness physically and spiritually. Keep your homes, offices, cities, country and world tidy and in order. By doing so we emulate the Creator.

12) Be graceful and harmless in everything that you say and do.

13) Express unconditional love and affection to those around you without being overly attached to them.

14) While bathing imagine yourself being cleansed by a powerful white light.

15) Study the precepts of the Saints, Avatars, and Mystics to be found in all Holy Scriptures.

16) Do not live in the past or the future, live in the now.

17) Constantly affirm the following:

“I AM EVERYWHERE IN THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOD AND GOD IS EVERYWHERE IN MY CONSCIOUSNESS.”

And

“I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE, I AND MY MOTHER ARE ONE.”

18) Before falling asleep direct your attention and thoughts to the highest possible level.

19) Jot down all of the psychic and spiritual experiences that you may have.

20) Engage in spiritual study, meditation, occult disciplines, and physical exercises. This will help transmute sexual energy into a higher form needed to fuel and activate dormant brain centers.

21) Refrain from watching too much television and movies or reading trashy novels, or involving oneself in senseless gossip.

22) Connect with Nature. Go to the mountains, the seas, the woodlands and attune your consciousness with them. Walk barefoot, absorb the Earth energies, breathe in the vitalized air and bathe in the sun rays.

23) Socialize with those of similar spiritual interests; exchange ideas; support and encourage others that their faith in the spiritual path may be strengthened.

24) Periodically, retreat to a secluded place several days or weeks at a time to conduct metaphysical exercises.

25) Take several breaks in the course of the day to attune yourself with the Cosmic forces and the Divine Mind. This will not only recharge your batteries but also clear your mind, inspire and awaken your creativity.

26) Cultivate humor. Do not take yourself seriously.

Meditation

Meditation as one of the most important practice in spiritual culture is to be found in all religions. There are many systems and forms of meditations with varied goals and purposes. Mahayana and Tantrayana or Vajrayana Buddhism offer an excellent array of systems of meditation that serve souls functioning at various evolutionary stages. The many esoteric practices of yoga, such as Kriya yoga and Lama yoga likewise are wonderful practices of meditation that promotes soul-development. Western and Taoist alchemy, although complex, provide interesting forms of meditations that regenerates and accelerates the body’s basic frequency. The Sufi, Christian, and Kabbalic tradition are replete with their own forms of meditation that are most helpful in attaining the spiritual goal. When the Master Jesus told us not to pray in public buildings as hypocrites would but to seclude ourselves up in our personal rooms and close the door, he was in fact referring to meditation. Our “room” is our consciousness and the “door” is our objective senses that channel external impressions or stimuli. These senses should be closed (Pratyahara) so that our awareness may be focused upon a higher level where the Spirit (Father) dwells:

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. ” (Matthew 6:5-6)

We may undertake meditation for lesser goals such as health, overcoming negative emotions, stress-management, etc., but always keep in mind the higher purposes of meditation. One of the prime objective of the discipline is to anchor the Divine Consciousness into the lower principles of the microcosm. This is an aspect of the “unio mystica,” or the “mystical union” as termed by Christian mystics. It is the marriage between Man and God. Others call it “Cosmic Consciousness,” or “Samadhi.” The mystical union is the manifesting of the New Jerusalem, the “abode of peace” in our minds and hearts. Effects of this divine awareness is the “liberation” from the cycles of birth and rebirth, and the attaining of “Nirvana”–the “blowing-out” or the transcendence of the false ego.

Meditation causes changes in the physiological and psychological functions. It alters one’s awareness and releases certain chemicals and hormones that relaxes and regenerates the whole psycho-biological system. Meditation causes an attunement between the higher and lower aspects of the microcosm as it builds the “antahkarana” or the “golden bridge” that unites the two. One’s basic frequency is raised during meditation and this facilitates metaphysical communication through telepathic means. Meditation also raises one’s intelligence, one’s I.Q., E.Q., and S.Q. In more advanced forms of meditation, the kundalini energy is raised from the base of the spine to the head to meet the down-pouring of the Shivaic forces emanating from the higher aspects of the Soul.

The Mayan Calendar Solar Glyphs

The ancient Mayans have bequeathed to our generation an interesting technology that may be utilized as a system of scrying or meditation. This is the Calendar Solar Glyphs. It is unknown, however, if it was actually used for meditation. Modern occultists have found, notwithstanding, that it facilitates soul-awareness.

The Mayans are a mystery to archeologists and scholars alike. Their technological development in astronomy is truly amazing. Their calendar-system is more advanced than any of our modern developments in that area. Where and how did they acquire their knowledge? According to Occult tradition, the Mayans as well as most of the other American-Indian tribes came from the lost continent of Atlantis. This legendary (now gradually proving to be historical) continent, or perhaps archipelago, said to have submerged into the ocean depths over twelve thousand years ago, developed a highly advanced technological civilization. It is believed that they even developed space-travel and interacted with beings from other solar systems and galaxies. Time-travel and inter-dimensional travel are supposed to be some of the occult technologies possessed and kept secret by the Atlantean priesthood. Were some of these secrets handed-down to the Mayans? Why and how did the Mayans vanish from the face of the Earth without a trace? Did they utilize their secret technologies to shift to a parallel world or to a different dimension? Or perhaps much more plausible, did they build cities underground miles below the earth where they may still be living today? We can only speculate.

What interest us at this present time is the twenty solar glyphs that they left us. These glyphs are part of their calendar system. Recently, occultists have discovered that these glyphs represent powerful Cosmic energies and that these energies may be accessed by meditating upon them. It may be possible that the Mayans physically ascended to a higher plane as a result of the utilization of these symbols during meditation and through their other undiscovered technology–as far-fetched as this may sound. These glyphs represent stages of soul-growth and the lessons that we have to learn at each level; however, we are personally unable at present to determine how these solar glyphs relate to the Mayans lunar-based calendar, for lack of information. Below we offer instructions on how to use these glyphs as a practical system of meditation.

Generally, we should choose the glyph to meditate with according to order, that is, beginning with glyph No. 1, Imix, However, you may if you wish, choose the glyph that you intuitively feel attracted to, or the one that resonates the most with your spiritual consciousness at this present time. Your choice of glyph will change as time goes by in accordance to your spiritual development, and emotional/mental needs. Meditate constantly with one of the glyphs until you feel ready to move on to the next or another glyph. These symbols are keys that open Cosmic portals where spiritual energies may be accessed. By meditating upon any one of them you begin invoking their energies. Be aware that energies are alive and possesses consciousness of some sort. During meditation upon these glyphs you may begin interacting telepathically with them. Do not fear when this happens. Start communicating and ask questions relevant to your spiritual development, your life, and your well-being. Since the energies of these solar glyphs are powerful, we caution you not to be over-stimulated by meditating excessively upon them. Do not meditate on these images for more than ten minutes.

Begin by sitting in the meditative pose. Relax your mind, body and emotions. Do some deep breathing and then focus upon one of the glyphs given below, holding and visualizing it in the mind in its given color for not more than ten minutes, and using the name of the glyphs as mantras; and then releasing their image and resting your attention upon the Silence, the Emptiness, the inner space of the soul for another ten minutes or so, awaiting impressions, activations, healings, and the balancing of the energies within the lower principles of the microcosm. Those of the magickal traditions, might want to scry and use the glyphs as portals to different realities. The “Sign of the Enterer” may be used for this. Below is a table of the glyphs and their general purposes.

[Please see the original paper at our website for the table]

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

Man, the Microcosm; Part 1

Last Updated: 2011/10/06

Of all the mystical symbols known to Initiates, Man (we use the term “Man” to refer to both genders) is considered as the most ancient among them. Man possessing the masculine and feminine natures, is the epitome of the Cosmos on a microcosmic scale. Within Man’s being lies all of the forces, powers, and principles of Nature; embodied within Man are the laws of the universe; mysteriously written within the sacred heart you will find the source of the sacred scriptures of the world. Mystery schools of the past and present regard that being created and considered “good” by the Archcreator as a reflection of the macrocosm; hence the term “microcosm” to refer to the totality of Man, and the usage of mirrors to symbolically convey the teaching of Man’s true pristine nature as exemplified in the teachings of Taoism and Dzogchen.

Paracelsus, the medieval alchemist, believed Man to be a miniature solar system. All of the creative powers utilized in the making of a solar-system are to be found inherent within this cosmic child, within Man–the god-in-becoming. Creative and spiritual powers, however, lie dormant in a latent state within Man; their unfoldment will occur as the result of evolution, the process of growing into God’s perfect image. It really takes a great deal of involvement with the study of the “Book of Man”–with internal inquiry, with introspection, with the application of principles of mysticism and the occult, and the practice thereof to discover exactly why Man is the universe on a lesser scale, on a lower octave. St. Martin, the enlightened “Theosophist,” taught that the study of the nature of Man was the most proper for humanity, especially for the “Man of Desire,” for the aspirant–the seeker of Truth. Qabalists of the Jewish mystical tradition refer to Man as the “microprosopus,” or lesser countenance,” that is, a reflected God upon the realms of formlessness and form. This belief is based on the statement in Genesis of Man being created in God’s image. In Javanese mysticism, Man is known as the “Jagad Alit,” or the “small universe.” There are parallels of this in almost every mystical tradition of the world.

While posing as a microcosmic being, Man is a macrocosmic system to the lower kingdoms in his charge. This is in accord with the principles and famed verse of Hermes; “as above, so below”–to the Law of Correspondence. By studying the microcosm, we in fact study the macrocosm. One of the Quarternary laws of Martinism propounds this particular principle of the “Thrice Greatest.” Sentient beings of the lower lifestreams look upon Man as a God–sometimes as a wrathful one. Animals, with their fine instincts developed for them by their group-spirits, their directors of evolution, perceive Man with a sense of love, and a sense of awe and fear. This ambivalent feeling and response in animals are caused by the complexity of Man’s egoistic expression, the imperfect manifestation of his innate divinity and his relationship towards life as a whole. Primitive Man, or the primitive mind responds in a similar manner towards Nature, but for a different reason–ignorance, the lack of understanding towards God and Self. The problem of apparent inharmony within Nature therefore, lies within Man himself, and only within his Self, within the microcosmic kingdom of God, will he truly find the solution to right living and right relationships. Though the ordinary mind is the slayer of the Real, it is the spiritualized mind that will nullify its miscreations. Such a principle of the mind, the function of reason of which imbued by Buddhi–intuition, love, and the higher intellect–the “intelligence of the heart” of the hierophants of ancient Egypt, would reveal to Man his “Naked Face,” his “Natural State,” his true nature, the foundation of his existence, and the unreality of phenomena–the impermanence of form and aggregates.

Initiates of the hoary past, such as to be found among the secret societies of the Compagnons, Knights Templer, Dionysiac Artificers, and the Operative Masons, designed and built their temples, cathedrals, lodges, and places of worship after the geometric design and anatomy of Man’s body. King Solomon’s Temple and the Great Pyramid are just two examples of sacred edifices constructed after the harmonic proportion embodied within Man. In one sense, Man is the source of all measures, and is himself, the measurer of all things. Within archetypal Man, lies a tome of cosmic measurements, harmonics, and balance. Ancient Greeks produced art-forms–sculptures of the human physical form that stimulated the aesthetic sense and subtly aroused and awakened in the onlooker the memory of his divinity, spiritual nature, and origin. Symmetry in an artist’s soul results in the symmetry of created forms, the harmony and beauty of which triggers in the witnessing soul through impressions impinging upon the consciousness, an alignment with the spiritual SELF. By gazing at spiritual beauty one instinctively feel the presence of the Divine.

Various symbols in the past have been used by esotericists to represent Man. Among the well-known emblems are the pentagram, the five-pointed star, numerologically the pentad; and the hexagram, the six-pointed star–the hexad. The former represents Man’s occult nature, while the latter symbolizes the unity of Man and God; or “coordinated Man”–Man with the perfect harmonization of the lower principles of his four-fold personality and his spiritual triad.

The cross, of which there are many versions, is another ancient design that portrays Man. The use of this symbol probably had its inception during the age of Man’s adoration and veneration towards the Sun. Awakening at dawn, man would face the rising sun with outstretched hands to receive the beneficent rays of life. This pose casts a shadow on the ground in the form of a cross. This was how man was symbolically equated with it. The daily ritual of sun veneration and adoration is still to be found in some cultures, in India especially. It is believed that the rite invokes an additional amount of vital force, or prana that fills the energy-structure of the microcosm. Mantras such as the beautiful Gayatri are also sometimes recited in the rite in conjunction with physical movements, making it a sacred exercise.

At a later period, in the days of the mushrooming of esoteric schools and secret societies in Spain and the rest of Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries, the mystic rose was added to the cross, thus expanding and elaborating upon its symbolism. The union of cross and rose, is in a dynamic sense, the unity of Islamic and Christian mysticism unified by the Knights Templar and expressed in their doctrines. The “Rosy Cross” as it came to be called, was adopted by a certain mystical brotherhood that called itself “Rosicrucian” after the appellation “Rosy Cross,” or “Rosae Crucis,” to give its original Latinized version. So exquisite in form, and so sweet its perfume that the rose signified Man’s unfolding spiritual nature, his innate God-attributes. Qabalistically speaking, the cross has its origin in Malkuth, whereas the rose has its roots in Kether. The substance of the rose is divine, being composed of light, life and love; whereas crystallized spirit is the substance of the cross. Hindu philosophers would say that the rose is a manifestation of Purusha, or Soul; and the cross, Prakriti, or Matter. From one point of view, the rose attached to the cross represents the unfoldment of the anahata (heart) chakra. Rich with metaphysical significance, the Rosy Cross may be considered as one of the Secret Doctrine’s most profound Word made manifest in symbolical form. Meditating upon such a symbol, like the Holy Grail, puts us in touch with a vast fount of wisdom–with the egregore, the archetypal force, the group consciousness, and the psychic pool of spiritual ideas represented by the symbol.

Helena Blavatsky, the messenger of the Himalayan Masters of the 19th century, taught that Man is a being whose highest and lowest principles are linked together by the mental principle, by human intelligence. According to the Ancient Wisdom all beings that exist, have been, or will be Man at a certain phase of their spiritual evolution. It is believed by some occult students that Man lies midway between the higher and lower kingdoms in Nature. He is the link between the celestial kingdoms of be-ing and the natural kingdoms of becoming. St. Martin considered Man as an enigma, for although a divine son of God, with a “superior principle,” generally, Man believes himself to be a contemptible creature, a lowly being devoid of any divine spark and moral strength who was born a sinner and doomed to the eternal flames of Hell unless his faith in an external saviour is strong enough to save him.

Another puzzling feature of Man is the way he expresses himself, the way he contradicts his inner nature; he thinks of one thing, on one hand; then he says another, and later he goes on to act in a manner in opposition to his original thoughts and words–while all along the inner voice is prompting the outer consciousness with its wisdom–quite a queer creature this being called Man. Man is also regarded as a puzzle by the mortal mind because much of Man’s being and function lies hidden in his occult nature, in his immortal identity waiting to be discovered and realized by the progressive mind. Man’s spiritual, invisible being is Man unrevealed, the veiled Isis. To solve the puzzle of Man’s true identity and of his relationship to the universe, Man would have to look within, to stretch his mind and imagination, to allow his intuition full play and to expand his consciousness to new spiritual vistas. The narrow, closed, biased, caged mind will never succeed in the quest of Self-discovery. It is the open mind that will allow the unfoldment of divine seeds; for they are to sprout into the Light and ascend to new spiritual frontiers and possibilities. The mature mind is thoughtful of its place and origin in the scheme of things; the puerile mind is thoughtless regarding its raison d’etre. The riddle of the Sphinx propounded to Oedipus, and his subsequent answer, sums up the main concern of the Mystery Schools of the past of which Man was the prime subject.

Man, evolving from the quadruped phase of a dependent child-on-fours to the adult biped cycle and the tripodal phase of being, in the plane of mind corresponds to the growing spiritualized consciousness of Man. A person who thinks in finite terms is a mortal entrapped by the limitations and constrains that he imposes upon Self. Conversely, a person who regards the Self in the proper light of infinity, eternity, and immortality, commences the process of liberation and salvation. Man, on earth, in the kingdom of Malkuth, is the expression of Self in a certain phase of becoming. The carnal mind, or finite consciousness, subjects Man to the laws of Samsara, to Maya, to the laws of mortality. Attaining the spiritual mind, even that which was in Jesus Christ, we acquire or realize immortality as our true estate. We must first; however, sacrifice our animal indulgences in order for the Christ to appear in our consciousness. We should “die daily” to our self-centeredness like St. Paul. Manly Hall, an occult philosopher of the 20th century and last millennium, made this pertinent statement in his monumental work, “The Secret Teachings of All Ages”:

“Man’s status in the natural world is determined, therefore by the quality of his thinking. He whose mind is enslaved to his bestial instincts is philosophically not superior to the brute; he whose rational faculties ponder human affairs is a man; and he whose intellect is elevated to the consideration of the divine realities is already a demigod, for his being partakes of the luminosity with which his reason has brought him into proximity.”

Man, through his involvement and evolvement in matter, reveals various facets of the dark side of his psyche in the symbolical picturization of his consciousness with objects of mundane experience, such as the parasite, the beast, the robot, and the zombie. Devoid of divine illumination, Man expresses himself with such carnal personas. For instance, one moment he lives upon the sweat of another’s brow like a blood-sucker, and the next moment, he moves mechanically like a machine and aimlessly like an undead with no feeling and mental or spiritual direction in his consciousness and will. As can be seen from this, Man plays a part on the world’s stage in more ways than one, and Shakespeare probably had an inkling of this situation. The protean transformations and expressions of Man’s psyche are the manifestations of the false ego’s unstable nature, and also of Man’s false conception of his true Ego. Man identifies himself with forms, with his desires and mortal aggregates. It deludes him into thinking that he is a separate being, a unique creation, apart from the essence of all manifestations. This causes needless pain and suffering, for the identification with the false, the ephemeral, results in spiritual death and degradation, and the loss of divine light–or “Nur,” to give the Sufic designation. Unity of existence is the basis of Life, and it is wisdom to realize this fundamental condition of the Cosmos. A being who loves, extends out of its Self, to its greater SELF–the universe as a whole, the vital energies and forces that sustains the harmony of the Tao, the orderly functions of the Cosmos.

Wisdom is the way of thinking from God’s point of view, and it is acquired by attuning one’s heart with the heart of the All. Man must grow out of the personality cult, to cease worshipping this idol, this mark and symbol of the beast. This self-proclaimed god is carnal in nature, it is self-centered and egoistic. Its breath is that of sulphur, and the anguish experienced by Man who considers himself as this idol is great, and Man, as a result, undergoes a self-triggered cosmic penalty–that of suffering.. Suffering is the consequence of Man’s own willful violation or the misuse and abuse of the laws of God, of Omneity, for his self-centered purposes. One of the major laws that Man breaks each day is his identification with the false image that he creates for himself. Man should instead realize the true Self, the image of God that he essentially is. God saw that this image, this archetype, this blueprint, was good; therefore Man should likewise see the goodness in this archetypal image which is the reflection of God’s, instead of demeaning and condemning his basic identity. Man must shed his mortality, his mortal habits, his finite way of thinking and living before the “coat of various colors,” the vesture of immortality is bestowed upon him. Man’s focus should be upon his innate divinity and not on the shadow upon the wall of matter. Thinking that Man is mortal is the sin of Adam and Eve, and it caused Eden to fade from their gaze and awareness. The consequences of sin is death–spiritual deal–and this operates in an automatic fashion. Gautama Buddha declared that we are punished by our sins, our karma, and not for them. The all-merciful compassion of God, as embodied by the Bodhisattva Kuan Yin, does not throw the first stone and never will at any misguided individual. Man’s mistakes rebound back to him of their own accord, and this law is inexorable and immutable in its application in the samsaric worlds.

Man, Know Thyself

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that thou visitest him?” (Psalms 8:4)

The above biblical quotation shows that the concern and enquiry into Man were of prime importance not only to the Greek sages who admonished their disciple to “know thyself,” but also to their Hebrew brethren across the Mediterranean; in fact, the wise men of all ancient cultures were of the opinion that unless one occupied one’s time and energy with the seeking out of one’s true nature, of knowing one’s Self, knowing one’s Reality–one’s presence in this physical plane is wasted and not easily acquired again for aeons; one would linger in a hell-like realm called “Hades,” or what Tibetan Buddhism calls “Bardo,” remorsing over all of one’s karmic mistakes and sins. The human form is really a precious jewel, very fragile in its structure and precious in the eyes of Divinity–for it is its instrument in this plane of existence. We should not make the mistake of thinking that the physical form would endure for a considerable period in this three-dimensional world. There are no guarantees in life. The Angel of Death may at any given moment say that our alloted time is spent. Living a hedonistic life robs us of a considerable amount of life-energy that should be returned to our Source in joyous gratitude. The energy at our disposal does not really belong to us–not to the false ego or personality–it belongs to God. For so long we have given to Caesar that which is his and not thought about rendering to God his due. It is an error to utilize the energy given for self-indulgence, for egoistic purposes. Understanding this, we should occupy ourselves with spiritual pursuits, even in the midst of everyday living.

Forsaking egoism or self-centeredness which is Qabalistically, the qlipphotic side of Man, we automatically dethrone most, if not all of the lesser gods, the devils in disguise, such as greed, sloth, jealousy, and lust. On the converse side, transcendental virtues–the Paramitas, such as giving, morality, patience, and perseverance ought to be practiced and lived by Man. Expressions of compassion, mercy, and the serving of life are just some of the many ways that we “cast bread (energy) upon the waters” and have it returned to us tenfold. Spiritual aspirants must learn to be responsible for their own actions, and to control their minds and emotions. Thinking compassionately, calmly, and impersonally is the way of the Divine.

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

Man, the Microcosm; Part 2

Last Updated: 2011/10/06

Another energy-giving of great importance is the acquisition of Self-knowledge, for by such work we will ultimately be in a position to guide others to fulfill their spiritual destinies, and to relieve them from suffering. Man, in our observation, spends too much time with glamour; with fashions and fads; with ephemeral baubles that does not benefit the soul–even with too much indulgence in matters of psychic phenomena, of “trying the spirits” instead of investigating the inner nature of the soul; of resolving psychological imbalances and increasing the awareness of the unity and oneness of all manifestations. Adam, or unregenerated Man, should curb his desires for sensation, no matter where it may be found: in the media, TV commercials, the neighbourhood gossiper, and–this may come as a surprise to some–even in occult or New Age literature. We should end our polarization in the emotional body and climb higher up along the mountain side; we should cease dilly-dallying in the astral world; we should halt most of our attachment and indulgence with psychic matters that more often than not, only arouse pride and arrogance.

Preoccupation with carnal appetites such as sex, wealth, power, and fame eventually lead to suffering. Man wastes his time seeking peace and happiness without–depending upon external sources or environment–and if acquired, he is deluded into thinking of the permanency of such a state. Peace and happiness that are dependent upon externals are artificial and transient, for matter is in a constant state of flux; and as such, an unreliable source of experiencing the state of well-being in a constant, continuous manner. When the Nazarene Master declared “My peace I give unto you,” it is to the unfoldment of the Christ nature within us that is referred to, which does give us a sense of bliss. Living in harmony with the Tao, and knowledge of the True Self and the laws of the Cosmic, leads us to abundant living; it provides us with a greater perspective of life of which all seemingly injustices that we experience and encounter in the mundane sphere are understood as blessings coming from God. Before the New Jerusalem can come into existence, all of the old values, beliefs, attitudes and customs that cause spiritual stagnation and inertia would have to be destroyed, and thrown into the flames for transmutation. Alchemically, Man is both the crucible and the philosophical matter to be transformed.

It is an axiom within the world of esotericism that everything that exists is vibratory. The differences in manifestation of objects being that of a variation in its frequency, or vibratory rate. Even consciousness or one’s personality is vibratory; and the higher the rate, the higher-the soul-expression, intelligence, spirituality, level of awareness, and habitual thought-pattern. Vibration is energy-in-motion, the exhalation of Parabrahm, the pulsating Word, symbolised by the ancient swastika. Without vibration that would be no stimulus to the senses, and therefore, non-awareness of life. What we sense; however, does not convey the Real nature of things, for our senses deceive us, and our interpretation of what we sense is subjected to error; the brain sees what the mind wants it to see. Man, therefore, does not immediately realize or is aware of his transcendental being, his Absolute Self; he instead sees and believes that the “skandas,” his mortal aggregates is his Ego. Esoteric Buddhism teaches us that there is a self to be refuted and a Self to be accepted.; one is conventional, the other is absolute. The real nature of things the enlightened prince Gautama called “sunyata” or voidness. All is energy in motion; that which we call Spirit is energy vibrating at a tremendous rate; matter, on the other hand, is energy vibrating at the nadir of the cosmic scale of vibration. Nature, as scientists say, abhors a vacuum. Space is therefore apparent, and not Real. This seemingly contradicts the statement of the Buddhist that all is void; in reality, however, this substantiates Buddhism’s esoteric viewpoint of the false self and the Real Self. Space, and all manifestations therein, from this point of view are illusory; all is SELF, or being, and nothing can truly exist outside of it.

Man, like all other beings and intelligences is a focalized-pattern of energy manifesting within the Omni-consciousness of the One. At the present stage of his evolution, Man has come to realize the three-fold principle of awareness: the knower, the thing known and the knowing–this is a sense of separation, of duality; animals, especially domestic beasts, are on the verge of attaining this state through the cosmic process of individualization. As evolution proceeds, from the dualistic point of view, the present principle of awareness will merge into a state of Oneness, of being the All. From a dualist, Man becomes a non-dualist.

This paper may contain inconsistencies as it is presented in a shifting form from the dualistic to the non-dualistic point of view; but since we recognize the two truths, the relative and the absolute, it is hoped that readers would likewise adjust their understanding. Conventional truth was what Pontius Pilate enquired of his divine prisoner. Absolute truth was what Jesus sought to represent. The highest respect that can be paid to the Absolute, as all sages have discovered, is silence.

All organic matter is composed of infinitesimal lives, and a higher intelligence mould such life-infused matter into form. Within Man are lesser lives of sentient beings. The cells in his body are beings endowed with consciousness, although the nature of their consciousness can only be conjectured. Man, himself, is analogous to the cells in his body. The composite lives of human beings is a part of a greater being, a greater Life-unit. It is, therefore, rightly declared in scriptures that we live and move in “His” being. This phenomenon is what is known as the hylozoistic theory.

The Shiva Samhita, a manual on Yoga, declares:

“He who . . . knows the microcosm of the body, being absolved from all sins, reaches the highest state.”

We shall, therefore, take a closer look at the microcosm, for to know the Self and its expressions, it is important to understand something of the hidden constitution of Man; his occult anatomy and physiology, and his True Reality and purpose. We propose the following essential points of which we will discuss briefly:

1) The 7 Principles

2) The Chakras

3) The Principle Nadis & Kundalini

4) Chrism Oil & Brain Dews

5) Sutratma, Antahkarana & the Permanent Seed-Atoms

6) The Causal Body & Electronic Belt

7) The Dweller on the Threshold, “I AM” & the Flame Within

The Rays Governing Man & the Stream of Consciousness

9) Man’s Purpose on Earth

The 7 Principles

For Man to exist, to manifest in a realm, he would have to possess a body to function in. That there are 7 planes in the Physical Cosmic Plane, with each plane consisting of 7 subdivisions, making it 49 planes in all, is a teaching of modern Theosophy. The seven planes or dimensions are called, “Physical,” “Astral,” “Mental,” “Buddhic,” “Atmic,” “Monadic,” and “Logoic.” St. Paul’s “third heaven” goes no higher than the Astral Plane; while Prophet Muhammad’s (blessed in his name) journey to the “seventh heaven” is said to be in the Mental or Buddhic dimensions.

Teachings of the sages; however, differ in their division of Man into his component parts, his “bodies” or “principles,” as it is called by modern occultists. They divide Man into 3, 5, or 7–the most common being 3 and 7. This seemingly contradictory assertion by the Seers is probably because of their perspective and their methodology of conveying the Secret Doctrine. According to the triune system, the divisions labelled by Christian mystics are body, mind, and soul; or body, soul, and spirit. St. Paul, however, taught a system of dual bodies; he declared that we had a natural, and a spiritual body (I Cor 15:44). The triune concept within Christianity, it would seem, evolved a little later as the religion progressed in its influence within the European kingdoms. Other ancient traditions and modern mystical teachings acknowledged the division of Man’s being as a triad, among which are to be found in the following table:

Some liberal thinkers of occultism call the tripartite being of Man as self, Self, and SELF–which reminds one of the assertion of someone in a transcendental consciousness state: “I AM,” “I AM THAT,” or “I AM THAT I AM.” We should not, however, make the mistake of thinking that there are three selves. There is only one SELF functioning at various levels; and while burdened with matter, an aspect of the SELF is deluded into thinking that the physical body, emotions and mind are the foundation of its existence. It is possible to correspond the threefold being of Man, the Monad, Ego, and Personality with the following:

Monad — Man

Ego — Hu-man

Personality — Human Being

The Monad is Man, the spark of God, or the atom within God’s body; the Ego as Hu-man, has a portion of the Monad in its being, making it semi-divine; while the Personality as the Human Being upon the physical plane, has a fragment of the Ego, with a minuscule spark of the Monad in the Holy of Holies burning within the heart.

It might be appropriate here to define the word “principle” as used to refer to Man’s occult “bodies.” The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as “a basic source.” Principles, in our present context, therefore, are creative centers, sources and builders of forms for the spirit of Man to ensoul; they originate sheaths for the spirit of Man to function at the various levels or planes of the omniverse. According to the definition above, the lowest sheath, the physical body, is not considered a principle because it is not causative; it does not create or engender any other sheaths; of itself, it is lifeless. It is mainly reactive to pulsating streams of energy emanating from the higher principles; and without them, it lies inert. The physical body is sometimes; however, considered as a principle for the purposes of tabulating the list of bodies that Man functions in:

1) Divine Spirit or Atma

2) Life Spirit or Buddhi

3) Human Spirit or Higher Mental/Causal Body

4) Mental Sheath

5) Astral Body

6) Etheric Body

7) Physical Body

The physical body, as a pseudo-principle is sometimes replaced in the list by the fiery spark of Man, his core identity that emanated from the Spiritual Sun, called by Theosophists “Monad,” or “Virgin Spirit” by the Rosicrucians. Man’s individualized being, or Ego is represented by the threefold Spirit enumerated above: the Divine, Life and Human. The personality of Man’s being, on the other hand, sometimes called “the Quarternary,” or the lower trinity if the etheric-physical bodies are considered as one–is represented by the three lower bodies and the mental sheath. The Quarternary is the child of the higher trinity, Man’s Ego, while the Ego itself is an emanation of the Monad. Patterns of interlacing energy form that being we call “Man.”

“The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Cor 15:47)

According to the third point of the Quarternary Law of Martinism (not to be confused with the 4 lower principles of the microcosm), all emanations that proceed from a higher source carry a lesser amount of its progenitor’s characteristics, potencies and qualities. The Ego, according to this law, as a lesser manifestation of the Monad, expresses creative powers, intelligence, and consciousness in a lesser proportion to that which the Monad possesses. On a lower octave of the total spectrum of energy-principles, the Personality is in an analogous state. As a precious child of the Ego, it manifests very little of its emanator’s inherent divinity–although the seed, or image of the Monad, the flickering fire, does lie as a minute spark in the altar of the physical heart.

The Monad issued-out of the highest principle of the Solar Logos as a Divine Spark. It is sometimes called “the Solar Angel.” Solomon, or SOL-OM-ON, is a personification of this central core within the microcosm. The three syllables in the name of this Hebrew monarch, represent the Highest Principle in the Universe, or the Monad in three different languages : Hebrew, Hindu, and Egyptian.

Be-ness, or Being is the natural state of the Monad; becoming is the nature of the lower principles. The consciousness of the Spark of the Logos is divine, and its awareness and consciousness are attuned with “Ra,” or “Helios,” its progenitor. It is, in fact, a cellular body within the greater body of the Solar Logos. The Monad was created in God’s image and it is God’s likeness that the Ego is destined to become through the process of evolutionary transformation. It is through the Ego, the individualized Man, that the Monad fulfills its destiny, the reason for its be-ing. The Ego, however, is incapable of returning to the Monad, to merge with it without gaining the benefit of certain experiences and nourishment from the realms of Matter. It, therefore, engendered the Quarternary–the four lower bodies. The Human Spirit, or Higher Mental–the aspect of God’s intelligence, caused a crystallization of part of itself on a lower plane, and the Mental sheath was born. Buddhi, or the Life Spirit–the aspect of God’s Love, brought the Astral body into existence; and finally, Atma, or the Divine Spirit–the aspect of God’s Will, formed the etheric and physical bodies. The Quarternary evolves in the lower realms and conveys pabulum–or soul-force, the fruit of its physical sojourn, to the Ego. This was intended and designed by the Solar Logos; however, the Personality, the persona, sometimes strays from its destiny like a wayward child, like a prodigal son, with the consequences of spiritual stagnation along the evolutionary spiral.

One of the purposes of the Quarternary is to manifest fully Monadic-Consciousness in the lower worlds. This is preceded by the attainment of Egoic awareness. In Figure 1, we present graphically this attainment according to the stages of Man’s development represented by the average man, the Initiate, and the Adept. We symbolize the Monad with the circle, the Ego with the triangle, and the Quarternary with the square; and all three of them surrounded by the Auric-Egg, represented by the oval. This Auric-Egg is a subtle sac that encloses all of the components of the microcosm. In picture b, the Initiate begins to acquire Egoic awareness of which the average man in a lacks. In c the Adept possessing full Egoic-Consciousness, is just beginning to acquire Monadic awareness.

Although the subject of spiritual evolution is interesting and of prime importance to Self-knowing, we will continue with it later as it is a digression from our present subject. We will instead consider certain esoteric matters associated with the 7 principles.

As mentioned previously, Man is a septenate, and a threefold being; his seven principles corresponds to the seven realms. Man, in his present stage, is only aware of the physical plane. When his consciousness develops and unfolds in the normal course of evolution, he will be able to function with conscious Self-awareness in all seven planes of Life. We have mentioned the threefold-spirit above. The soul, or psyche of Man, is also threefold: it is conscious, emotional, and intellectual.

In Esoteric Christianity, the septenary in its division of 3 and 4, is personified by Joseph, Mary and Jesus–the Ego; and the quadruped, the ass, as the Quarternary. The docile nature of the beast indicates the mastery and complete control of the Ego over the Personality. Krishna’s chariot with Arjuna onboard has the same esoteric significance.

Some schools of esoteric thought call the Ego, “Christ”–the intermediary between God (Monad) and Man (Personality). St. Paul, in one of his letters, admonished his disciples to allow Christ to form within them. Esoterically, this refers to the growth of Egoic influence within the force-field of the Personality.

The Ego is the divine trinity within the microcosm. It is, in fact, the Real Man, the invisible, sentient, and intelligent being. It is bisexual or bipolar, possessing both the masculine and feminine polarities. It represents the Father/Mother God in the microcosm. Atma, the Father aspect, expresses omnipotence; while Buddhi, the Mother aspect–or the Holy Spirit, expresses omnipresence. The higher mental, or Abstract Mind, is that aspect of the Ego, the Son, which is omniscient. In the Qabalah, in the Tree of Life, the Ego is Tiphareth, whereas the Monad is represented by Kether. Intuition is a faculty that has its origin in the Ego–or in Buddhi, to be more specific. Divine Love and compassion are other expressions of the Buddhic principle. It stands to reason that to develop intuition one has to have compassion; love truly, unconditionally, wisely, and divinely. Alchemists of the Renaissance called Buddhi, “the White Eagle.”

In the Masonic mysteries, the threefold Ego is represented by King Solomon, King Hyram, and Hiram Abiff. The ruffians responsible for the “death” of the Master Mason, Hiram Abiff, are the personifications of the physical body, the astral form and the Mental sheath. The killing of Hiram is microcosmically speaking, the willful forgetfulness and disobedience of the lower self–the Personality, the false ego, towards the Higher Self–the Spiritual Triad. The lower mind, the intellect and desires, slays the Voice of Silence, the sway of the Ego; and the Word, that Word of God, which Hiram Abiff personifies, is lost in the being of the Master Mason. Recovery of that which was lost–the acceptance of Egoic influence into the life of the aspirant, occurs when the ruffians repent and align themselves to the higher will. When the Ego dominates the Personality, the aspirant has verily attained the title of a Master Mason. The aspirant acquires a greater understanding, a greater wisdom and a maturity of thought as a result of the resurrection of Hiram Abiff. Spiritual wisdom is the true criterion of Man’s age, and not the material years of the physical body.

Once the Ego has control over the personality, Monadic influence gradually comes into sway. The elements of the Monad and the Ego are collectively the stone that the builders, or the analytical intellect rejected. The word “stone” in Hebrew is “Ahben.” It is composed of two words “Ah,” meaning “father,” and “Ben,” meaning “son.” The stone is therefore, the oneness of the Monad–the Father, and the Ego–the Son. Mystical stones is a constant theme in various spiritual traditions. In Islam we have the Hajar Aswad in the Ka’ba. Solomon’s Temple was built with the “shamir” stone; the mystical Shambhalla preserves the Chintamani; in Revelation, the child of God is given a white stone, etc. The spiritual essence of the Quran itself is the letter Ba with a dot–the dot representing the Stone. This is a profound mystery that will not be discussed in this paper.

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

Man, the Microcosm; Part 3

Last Updated: 2011/10/06

At Man’s present evolutionary stage, his consciousness is polarized in the Astral body, the seat of his emotions. Average people function with their emotional-desire nature predominating over all of their thoughts and actions–the desires of which are detrimental to the health of the physical body. It is by treading the spiritual Path that will repolarize Man to the Mental sheath and the Ego.

The Mental sheath in the microcosm of the average person, is not considered a body as yet for it is still in the developing stages–it is still loosely structured and is embryonic. In this world there is much abuse, misuse and even non-use of the mental faculty, and this does not in the least assist the Mental sheath to grow and improve in its quality. When spiritual emanations of the Ego are allowed to impregnate the lower mind, then the Mental sheath will steadily become a creative body for the true Man to function in.

In the Pyramidal Mysteries, the four sides of the base of the pyramid represent the personality. The Ego is signified by the missing capstone which has an all-seeing eye in its center. This is graphically illustrated in the American dollar, in the picture of the pyramid. Egyptian Initiates of bygone days called the Ego, “the Eye of Horus.” By examining this Divine Eye, certain elements of Man’s occult anatomy may be discerned. This is shown in Figure 2. Not only are the Monad, Atma, Buddhi and Higher Mental present, but other occult structures, such as the Causal body, the Sutratma, and the Antahkarana are also indicated in the All-Seeing Eye of Ra or Horus. This piece of information was revealed intuitively to the writer of this paper.

The capstone of the Pyramid is a symbol of Christ. In the Christian Mysteries, Christ is referred to as the “head of the corner stone.” This description fits only to an edifice of a pyramidal structure. The head-corner stone is the capstone of a pyramid. Also keep in mind that the Spiritual Triad, or Ego is also referred to as the “Christ Self.” Thus we see in this arcana the unity of Egyptian and Christian esotericism. It is interesting to note that whenever a candidate of the Mysteries makes a vow, he makes it before the presence of the Star (Monad), the Sun (Ego), and the Moon (Quarternary). The candidate is made aware of the symbolism of these celestial bodies by the hierophant during initiation. In ancient Egypt, the sacred eye was worn as an amulet. It was called “Usa” by the people. They believed that the wearing of the amulet brought them health and protection. Esoterically, it is Egoic energy functioning within the Quarternary that is the promoter of vitality and the talismanic power behind the above condition.

Of all the principles of Man, modern science is gradually acknowledging the existence of the etheric body, called “Pranamayakosha” by the Hindu mystics. Experimentation with the magnetic force of man, with such phenomena as healing and psychokinesis is now engaging the minds of open-minded, scientific researchers. The etheric body is sometimes known as the “vital body” for it is the battery that runs the physical vehicle. It is also the matrix which the dense physical structure patterns itself after. The etheric body is composed of four etheric substances:

1) The chemical ether–its major function is to direct the metabolism of the body.

2) The life ether–its purpose is to vitalize the body and to direct propagation.

3) The light ether–its function is to cause sense perception.

4) The mental reflecting–this ether is the medium for memory and thought.

This vital body, also called “eidolon,” has a dual function, as implied by the above:

1) It conveys the pranic life-force and the three other ethers into the physical body via the energy-centers called “chakras.” It acts through the nervous system, the endocrine glands and the blood system.

2) It is an intermediary for the conveyance of higher forces emanating from the Ego and the Monad. Man’s consciousness is impressed from the Mental force-field and into the brain cells via the mental reflecting ether.

The etheric body possesses the Vishnu-force. It preserves the integrity of the physical body. It vitalizes this dense body with life essence. The Astral body and Mental sheath, with their destructive feelings and thoughts are constantly imposing a strain upon the physical temple of Man. Negative emotions and thoughts harm tissues; they deplete energy and destroy cells; they cause an imbalance in the glandular system–decrepitude and a weakened body is the result of this onslaught. Harmful emotions cause blockages in the chakras, preventing streams of pranic-energy from penetrating the physical body. Thus the etheric body and the Astral-Mental bodies are constantly at war with each other–one is anabolic–a builder of the gross body; while the other two are predominantly catabolic–destroyers of the physical form. When there is turmoil in the lower bodies, the Ego’s influence is minimized and curtailed. This is one reason why aspirants on the Path are admonished to still the mind and emotions. When there is inharmony among the lower principles, the Voice of Silence–the whisperings of the Ego–does not make an impression upon the brain and objective consciousness. The brain is deaf and dumb to spiritual promptings.

It is important for selfish inclinations of the Astral body to be transmuted into spiritual aspiration–self-centeredness into Self-Allness, before spiritual guidance from the microcosmic trinity is placed at our disposal in conscious awareness. Once the Ego is in full control over the Personality–when the lower bodies are coordinated and functioning in accord with the will of the Higher Self, the Monad is stirred into activity and it makes a greater contact with the lower principles than heretofore.

The Chakras

Within the etheric bodies, are seven major energy-centers called “chakras,” which means “wheel’ in Sanskrit. Christian mystics call them the “interior stars.” Actually, psychic centers are to be found in all of the seven principles. They are the means whereby spiritual forces flow from one principle to another. Hindu metaphysicians liken the etheric chakras to lotuses in the process of blooming in the average person, or already displaying their unfolded petals in the Master-Adept. The unopened chakras droop downwards, away from the face of God, or the face of the Monad. Some species of flowers have this strange characteristic. They simply will not face the sun. It is as though they turned antagonistic towards their life-giver–some people live and behave in a similar manner. Hindu esotericism assigns certain gods and goddesses as rulers of the chakras. “Bijas,” or seed-sounds invoke the energies of those rulers into the chakras.

When awakened and stimulated by the serpent fire, by Kundalini–of which we will deal later–the chakras blossom, and are vivified. Unfolded, active, and developed chakras bestow certain faculties, virtues, and abilities. Hindu metaphysicians call these “siddhis.”

The seven chakras are the magnetic-field vortex of the plexuses of etheric nerves, or “nadi.” They are found in the following locations: at the base of the spine, below the navel, at the solar plexus, in the heart area, at the throat, between the eyebrows, and in the area of the fontanel. In Sanskrit, their names are, respectively: Muladhara, Svadhishthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishudha, Ajna, and Sahasrara.. Each of the chakra, when fully develop, vibrate in high frequencies and with its own specific rate. Vibrating chakras causes a manifestation of certain sounds and colours which, at present, can only be perceived clairvoyantly. In the future, the real technology to capture these images including the aura on screen will be developed–and this would be based on direct electronic conversion of the energies of ultra-light, and not an indirect and unreliable capture through the acupuncture points of the hands.

In an unevolved individual, chakras appear muddied and grayish. In a Master-Adept, chakras are luminous and resplendently brilliant. In the Temple of Solomon, the psychic centers are represented by sacred objects used in various rites and rituals, these objects are: the Ark of the Covenant, the Menorah, the altar of incense, the altar of sacrifice, the sea of brass, and the Urim and Thummim.

Associated with the chakras in the physical body are the endocrine glands. These glands are, starting with the one linked with the Muladhara: gonads, pancreas/spleen, adrenals, thymus, thyroid, pituitary, and pineal. The endocrine glands are crystallizations of the chakras. Each chakra conveys a certain force necessary for the sustenance of the physical organism. Chakras are portals for the influx of etheric forces into the glands. Should a chakra be sluggish in its function, should it be blocked by certain impurities, or should the inflow of etheric forces be impeded in some way, the physical body will consequently feel the effects–it will suffer glandular imbalances and inharmony in some manner. Glands are, therefore, instruments of Man’s karma and they are his “Book of Judgment.”

The spleen center, or svadishthana plays an important role in distributing pranic force throughout the chakral system. It accepts pranic energy and breaks them into a septenary force which are sent to the various chakras–and from thence to the organs of the body via the glandular and autonomic nervous system. Pranic forces flowing into the energy-centers are nullified by negative emotions. Negative attitudes of the mind likewise disrupt spiritual forces flowing into the chakras, especially Sahasrara, the crown center. Narrow-mindedness, animal-curiosity, cynicism, aggression, a judgmental outlook, and other expressions that characterizes a low mentality–these all restrict the ingress of spiritual manna.

The glands, when functioning harmoniously, produces substances that spiritualizes a person’s attitude and appearance. The thymus is often designated as the “youth-sustaining gland.” The hormones that it secretes preserve the cells and prevents them from losing the memory-pattern embodied in their DNA. Divine Love is a thymus stimulant. It is said that those who do not love grow old quickly; on the other hand, the loving are youthfully radiant.

One of the most important endocrine gland in the body is the pituitary. It orchestrates most of the functions of the other hormone-producers. One of its secretions, called “pituitrin,” has an effect of producing the feeling of bliss and love. It transmutes aggression into good-will. If a hormone may manifest the love aspect of the kingdom of God within man, it is in all probability that other substances representing the Will and Intelligence-aspect of the Divine Creator exist, although yet to be discovered by the modern researcher. The possibility of the existence of an “intelligence-hormone” is implied specifically in the effects of a certain Buddhist mantra. Mantras are structured sounds that stimulate the chakras and glands. Tibetan Buddhists believe that the mantra of the bodhisattva Manjushri has the power to awaken or increase one’s intelligence. This might occur through the activation of certain chakras and glands by the sound vibrations of the mantra which stimulates the release of the appropriate hormones.

It is not only the etheric body that possesses chakras as mentioned before; the higher principles–the Astral body, for example, have them too, and they function in an analogous manner–they channel forces from a higher principle or source to a lower body. Chakras of the astral body are not to be found in the same location as the etheric centers, however. Etheric chakras are located on the surface of the etheric body, whereas astral chakras lie more in the interior. When the chakral-systems of the various principles are aligned and functioning in harmony, then a channel for the inflow of Egoic force is established. This means that contact with the higher worlds and with one’s Higher Self is made feasible. Intuitive impressions are more regular and less vague. One regularly hears the voice of the Master and the group of his Egoic Ray.

Chakras are vivified and vitalized as Man unfolds and purifies his nature; as he expands and refines the quality of his consciousness. This vitalization and stimulation cause a reciprocative response by the glands as they secrete hormones of a higher nature and quality. These spiritual secretions restructure the physical body and facial features into a thing of strength, beauty, and youth. They awaken dormant brain cells and form faculty centers in the cerebrum; they improve sense perception. Our thoughts and emotions arouses the glands, and they mould not only our temperament, but our physical manifestation as well. A soul of beauty, purity, strength, and determination produces a divine countenance–a luster in the eyes, and a sweetness in the smile.

Symbolically speaking, the chakras are represented by astrological ruling bodies–Venus, Mercury, the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and the Sun; they are also represented by the elements–earth, water, fire and air–including ether and Azoth, which represents the head centers. In Revelation, they are the “seven seals” and the “seven churches.” In Greek mythology, “Olympus,” the abode of the gods, represents the higher centers, whereas “Hades,” the abode of the shades of the dead, represents the lower centers. Tibetan Buddhism embody the chakral-system in structures called “chorten.” These structures are monuments that are supposed to preserve the relics of the founding Father of Buddhism, or other venerated personages. In the Egyptian Mysteries, the King and Queen’s chamber of the Great Pyramid symbolizes the head centers. Each candidate for initiation is directed therein for certain psychic experiences. Esoterically, this is the focusing and polarizing of the consciousness in the head chakras–a manner of functioning of which the average person is unaccustomed. The seven chakras correspond to the seven kingdoms in Nature. Man as a collective, is the fourth kingdom and is associated with the heart chakra. In the present stage of his soul-development, he is to unfold this center, or the expression of unconditional, divine love.

The man on the street polarizes his consciousness in the solar-plexus center, the seat of the lower emotions in the chakral-system–the center associated with the third, or animal kingdom. This chakra in its negative aspect, is the expression of self-centeredness, selfish ambition, and all sordid desires; the individual who is polarized in this chakra lives like an animal; he is carnally-minded. The spiritual work of an aspirant, or disciple is to redirect the focus and polarization of his consciousness from the lower centers, to the heart and throat chakras–the centers of Divine Love and Creativity, and later to the head centers–the focus of Divine Will. The heart center, once active, stimulates the head chakras through that channel called the “vagus nerve.” This nerve, anatomically, commences in the medulla oblongata and midbrain, and extends downwards to embrace the heart, lungs, and other parts of the thorax. Esoterically, it connects the brain in the heart to the heart in the brain. The vagus nerve is the pathway for the inner breath.

In the advance stages of the practice of “Pranayama,” or the art of controlling the life-force in the breath, the yogic practitioner ceases to breathe through the nostrils. The yogic cessation or stoppage of the breathing cycle activates the intake of prana through the medulla oblongata and the vagus nerve. The control of involuntary functionings of the body is made possible by the mastering of this very important nerve.

Many occultists believe the ajna chakra to be the “third-eye,” symbolised by the horn of the unicorn. When the mechanism of this receptor is functioning, Man would be able to perceive impressions emanating from the spectrum of energies of the higher dimensions; perceiving the distant past, the distant present, and the distant future would be a common thing–the Akashic records of life would be opened to his view. It is probable that the Cyclops of Greek mythology, with their famed single eye between the brows, represents a race of spiritual giants whose third-eye was in the active mode; however, this psychic eye gradually atrophied because of misuse and abuse–this is, esoterically, the tale of the people of Atlantis, the land of the Titans and the Rakshashas.

The third-eye actually is a psychic function and not a particular organ. It embraces the head centers and their glandular counterparts, the third and fourth ventricles of the brain, the medulla oblongata, and the optic thalamus. It is formed and actuated by Egoic energy and the kundalini. Thus to open the third-eye, one has to evoke this Shivaic and Shakti force into the holy chamber of the brain for a spiritual embrace which would give birth to the god of Wisdom–represented by Ganesha. The three aspects of the Ego–Will, Love, and Intelligence–would have to be exercised within Man’s waking consciousness. This is accomplished by the following:

1) The living of a high moral code

2) Service to humanity

3) Meditation

4) The study, practice, and obedience to the laws of the Universe

5) Thinking and expressing in a creative manner

6) The harmonization and coordination of the four lower bodies

7) The occult practice of Trataka, or intense concentration of the eyes upon an object

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

Man, the Microcosm; Part 4

Last Updated: 2011/10/06

The Principle Nadis & Kundalini

The etheric body, according to Hindu mystics, is said to be composed of 72,000 nadis, or subtle nerves. This figure as the actual number is questionable; it is more likely to be symbolic and should not be taken literally. Sushumna, Ida and Pingala are the major nerves of this vital body. Sushumna is the etheric counterpart of the cord of the central nervous system in the spinal column. Ida and Pingala correspond to the two branches of the autonomic nervous system situated along side of the 33 segments of the vertebrae. Ida and Pingala are rooted in the perineum. They rise and flank each side of the sushumna, and they terminate in the openings of the nostrils. Ida is negative in polarity; Pingala, positive. These subtle nerves are the channels for the Yin and Yang energy absorbed through the breath. Hindu yogis have recognized the fact that the breath does not flow equally through the nostrils. A certain cyclic law causes the breath to flow easily through one nostril at a time for an hour or so, and then switching the mechanism to the other nostril. Nature has designed this operation for a certain reason connected with the growth of man’s psyche.

Sushumna has its bottom end at the root chakra, or Muladhara. Its upper end terminates in the brow chakra. Within Sushumna are to be found even subtler nadis called Vajrini-nadi, Chitrini-nadi, and Brahmarandha-nadi. The etheric chakras are anchored in the Chitrini-nadi, and it is this fine nerve in particular that is the pathway for the “serpent-fire,” that electrical, magnetic energy called Kundalini. Five deities are believed to reside in the Brahmarandha-nadi : Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Sadasiva, and Ishvara. These gods are the personifications of certain seed faculties that lie dormant until aroused by their consort, their shakti, the divine Kundalini. Sushumna is one of the repositories in the microcosmic being for the past and present records of the psyche, the subconscious feelings and thoughts of the “Mr Hyde” side of Man. These records are cleansed and transmuted as Kundalini rises and burn her way through.

The Great Central Sun, that spiritual fire burning in the celestial realms, is recognized by occultist as the source of all forms of energies within the galaxy and in our solar system. It radiates its rays into our solar system through the sun, the Solar Logos or deity. This energy qualified by our sun is the divine shakti, the Cosmic Kundalini. An aspect of this cosmic energy is solar prana–that energy that gives and sustains life in physical organism. Cosmic energy is distributed throughout the solar system. Each planetary body receives and assimilates Cosmic Kundalini and qualifies this energy, bestowing upon it its own peculiar quality, and then radiating it out again for the benefit of the other planetary centers. Our satellite, the moon, is also a transformer of Cosmic Kundalini emanating from the sun. The energy that it receives from the sun is transmuted and rayed down upon our earth. Our planet, therefore, is the recipient of various energies emanating from the sun, moon, and the planets; and incidentally, this is the basis of astrology. These energies of the planets, moon, and sun combine with the earth forces in our planetary center and it rises to affect every sentient being that has its abode on Terra. Herein lies the source of Kundalini within Man, for the serpent fire has its origin within the conglomerate energies in the bowels of the earth. It ascends to reside in the vessel prepared for it in the etheric body. This vessel is called “kanda” and it is the etheric counterpart of the coccygeal gland.

Kundalini lies “coiled” within Kanda. It slumbers until awakened through the evolutionary process. Kundalini is the creative potential within Man. It is a dynamic force, a dormant static power that releases atomic energy when aroused. Normally, at Nature’s pace, it may take thousands of millions of years for kundalini to fulfill her destiny within Man. By treading the spiritual path; however, kundalini may be awakened within a single lifetime–with the careful guidance of a true Spiritual Master–though this step should not be attempted by all men who simply desires or is interested in it. It is enough for the average person simply to initially engage in purification exercises and living in accord with spiritual laws. Premature kundalinic activation without certain preparations may cause pain and suffering as the fiery force scorches its way up the spine.It may burn the nervous system causing disorders, mental derangements, and even death. Its awakening should be preceded by the yogic or alchemical steps of soul cultivation so familiar to students of the occult and mysticism. It might surprise some to learn that Kundalini is actually not a “fiery” energy but a cool force. It is the friction between Kundalini and impurities that causes the sensation of heat.

Kundalini energy accelerates evolution, there is no doubt of this; however, unwieldy handling of this energy may cause the opposite effect. Kundalini may give abundant life, or kill the foolish individual who attempts to raise it without full knowledge. Be wary of the so-called Masters that seek to awaken your kundalini for a fee–most of them are deluded and have not even raised their own Kundalini. Energy rising in the back in the form of any sensation does not indicate that the full Kundalini force is rising. There are three aspects to Kundalini and any of one of them may rise up the spine. There is the Kundalini force circulating around the meridian nerves; there is the kundalini force manifesting as sexual energy; and the true kundalini at the base of the spine. Observing the so-called masters of Kundalini energy and we still find them short of the spiritual standards as exemplified by the Saints and Hierophants of the Almighty. The true instant rising of the Kundalini as triggered by Masters of shaktipat are not given indiscriminately but wisely to those who are prepared for it and not for the mere asking of it by the immature soul. Even in shaktipat, it is not the true Kundalini that rises but simply an aspect of it. There is too much sensationalism involved in Kundalini awakening.

The serpent fire, or the force of shakti, when awakened, rises within sushumna to unite with the Shivaic energy from the Ego that may lie within the third ventricle of the brain. Egoic energy, like kundalini has to be evoked for it to be present at the marriage bed inside the cranium. When united, they stimulate the head centers and glands, and the third-eye begins to unfold. It raises Man to a higher plane of consciousness. Inside the cranium, kundalinic fire stimulates the pineal gland. The magnetic union of these head centers causes an explosion of energy which illuminates the entire cranium and causes physical changes in the brain. Kundalini is the source of Man’s regenerative potential. She vitalizes the chakras, and via the chakras, the glands. The glands then secrete hormones that are life and youth preserving. Kundalini is related to the serpent in the story of Genesis. The true interpretation of this book as known to the initiate, remains to be revealed to a wider audience. The Tree of Knowledge with its branches corresponds to the central nervous system with its various plexuses. It is through this nervous system and the senses that we acquire knowledge of the physical plane. The Tree of Life represents the autonomic nervous system to some extent but specifically to the etheric nervous system, or the nadis.

Protecting the body from an untimely kundalinic stimulation and a bombardment of astral forces are certain network of nadis, or “etheric webs,” which are found along the subtle spinal cord. In Yogic philosophy, these webs are called “granthi,” meaning “knots.” There are three granthis of considerable importance. They are called “Brahma’s knot,” “Vishnu’s knot,” and “Rudra’s knot.” These are located in the vicinity of the Muladhara, Anahata, and Ajna chakras, respectively. They offer a maximum resistance to Kundalini when she ascends.The shielding off of Kundalini by these knots as she rises, causes manifestations of a painful nature in the body–but this is for the general well-fare of the psychosomatic system. The brain is safe if the warning of pain is heeded and kundalinic arousal halted. These protective shields, or etheric webs are “dispersed” naturally, or raised in frequency through spiritual living and the purification of the nadis. Kundalini herself, however, burns away the subtle dross within sushumna and in the body which the normal purificatory process is unable to accomplish completely. The proper way for raising the fiery force is through magnetization of the higher centers and sushumna and not through direct arousal by the focalization of the consciousness on the slumbering serpent. Kundalini rises as the male and female polar energies within the body are balanced. Yogic mystics often resort to certain contractions and locks of the muscles called “bandhas” to arouse Kundalini and to assist her ascent upwards. These bandhas are applied in the following areas:

1) In the urogenital-pelvic diaphragm

2) In the chest diaphragm

3) In the cranial muscles

These locks are called in Yoga teachings “Mula Bandha,” “Uddhivana Bandha,” and “Jalandhara Bandha,” respectively. These contractions or “locks” rejuvenate the chakras, glands, nerves and nadis. The exercises of these locks are accompanied by directing the internal wind–”prana” and “apana,” which must be balanced in the root chakra.

Kundalini awakening in general, must be supervised by an adept who is well-experienced in these matters and who has had his own Kundalini raised. It is a matter of right timing, the ripeness of the disciple which the Adept-Guru must determine carefully for his disciple. Kundalini arousal can be safe or it can be a dangerous matter depending on the readiness and prior preparation of the chela. One of the dangers of Kundalini arousal which should be noted is the motion of the force–whether it rises upwards or downwards. The right course is upwards, and it is symbolically called the “serpent of wisdom.” The downward course causes sexually deviations and an amplification of the carnal instincts and desires, which are represented by the “red dragon” in myth and allegories. The raised serpent giving heath and vitality may be found in the symbols adopted by the medical and apothecary professions : the caduceus and the coiled serpent around a chalice.

As we have seen, Kundalini is represented by the serpent and dragon, depending on her motion. Her downward spiral is also represented by the scorpion. When she reaches the Sahasrara chakra, when she has united with her Lord Shiva, the Christ force, she is transformed into an eagle, which symbolizes a transcendental consciousness. The wings of an eagle together with the other components of the subtle body are portrayed in that emblem held in the hands of the god Hermes or Mercury–the caduceus–and appropriated by the medical profession as mentioned above. The passage and journey of Kundalini upwards from the base chakra into Sahasrara may be found in the allegories of the Rosicrucian tale of CRC in the Fama Fraternitatis, in the Exodus of the Israelites, in the story of Jesus, in the Grail myth, and in the opening of the seven seals in Revelation. Some occult students believe that the central mystery of the Holy Shekinah in Qabalism refers to Kundalini. The circumambulations of the pilgrims around holy sites such as the Ka’ba in Mecca and Mt. Kailash in the Himalayas are symbolic of the spiralling ascent of the serpent fire. When interpreted esoterically, Moses is believed to have received instructions on Kundalini as implied in the following verse:

“Make thee a fiery serpent and set it upon a pole; and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live.” (Num 21:8)

This serpent upon the pole is the caduceus with Kundalini flowing harmoniously in the three nadis. With the help of Kundalini, every one bitten by ignorance although spiritually dead, shall live as they are spiritually illumined and perceive through the eyes of wisdom.

In Masonry, Kundalini is represented by Hiram Abiff. The 33 degrees of attainment of this esoteric brotherhood, which have degraded in modern times, represents the 33 segments of the spinal column. The resurrection of Hiram is the work undertaken by the Masonic initiate. The life of Jesus also represents kundalinic ascent. The number 33 again appears as the age of the Nazarene Master as he was crucified upon the hill of Golgotha, the place of the skull–the initiate’s skull. In this context Jesus represents the power of Kundalini. More of this will not be revealed here.

Incense plays a role in sanctifying an environment as a preparation for spiritual work. It is used in almost all religions and mystical traditions. Its smoke spiralling upwards to convey Man’s prayers to the gods–as believed by some cultures–represents the rising energy of Kundalini.

Chrism Oil & the Brain Dews

Kundalini alone is incapable of illuminating or transforming brain-consciousness–this is a principle often over-looked by New Agers. Kundalini has to unite with Egoic energies and also convey the etheric substance called by some “Chrism Oil” to the third ventricle of the brain. This oil is produced by the prostrate gland in the male and the uterus in the female. It is transported to the brain by the serpent force where it mixes with the crystallized energies of the Ego called “Brain Dews.” These are then released into the bloodstream and into the nervous system. This results in psychological and biological changes–in the acceleration of the vibratory rate of the body; and it brings about rejuvenation and an improvement in the quality and extent of the magnetic field, the aura surrounding the physical body–but these are the least important of the changes wrought. The important transformations occur in the consciousness.

Chrism oil, sometimes called “the Golden oil,” is developed out of the sexual fluids. If it is not held in the body by conservation and sublimation of semen and the sexual force, is wasted in the act of procreation and generation, especially if the carnal nature is excessively expressed. When conserved, this oil, this “balm of Gilead,” does not automatically reach the third ventricle where it is to blend with its mate unless directed there with the aid of the Kundalini force in the practice of spiritual acclivity techniques. By conserving, transmuting and sublimating sexual energy–called “Ojas-shakti” by yogis–together with the Chrism oil to the cerebrum, we stimulate brain cells and awaken to a higher intelligence. In Taoist yoga, this is called “reversing the flow.” Taoists refer to sexual energy as “ching chi,” which is a transformation of Kundalini and the chi or prana in the gonads. This spiritual force is willed and directed mentally to the head center where it again undergoes some changes to develop into a higher energy called “shien chi.”

Religious and esoteric groups of the past and present practice sexual restrain–some call it “encratism.” All mystical schools in the East and in the West believe that ejaculation of the seminal fluid is detrimental to the mind, body, and soul. It should be noted, however, that the object is not sexual expression, but transformation, sublimation and assimilation.When conserved and sublimated, seminal energy tones up the whole organism. It makes the senses more acute; it brightens the eyes, and causes a certain sheen to be seen on the skin; it also unfolds psychic abilities. Sexual energy is the force that assists man to raise his consciousness to a higher state. Thus we see from this that the energy of procreative sex is a potential power which could and should be transmuted into a higher expression and used for spiritual purposes in right living and in the exercising of certain esoteric techniques to evolve the consciousness to Superconsciousness. Metaphysical sexual unions would occur within the microcosm as a result of sexual sublimation and the absorption of the Chrism oil; and they are as follows:

1) Union between the energies of the lower and higher chakras in the heart and throat centers.

2) Union between the force-field of the pineal and pituitary glands.

3) Union between the Personality and the Ego.

4) Union between the Monad and the Personality-Ego.

Brain-dews, called “Ros” by the ancient Rosicrucians, is a spiritually magnetized fluid that transforms human blood into a river of life, into the saving blood of Christ, into the “redeeming blood of the lamb.” It is the true waters of baptism. Ros is the crystallized Christ substance. The Christ force emanates from the Godhead of the omniverse; it is the son aspect of the cosmos that enters this solar system via the sun. This Christ force, called “Azoth” by alchemists, stands at the door of the Sahasrara chakra and knocks:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20)

Normally, the Christ force stands at the portal uninvited into the sanctum sanctorum. This is because its presence is usually unacknowledged and the way for its entry obstructed and hindered by impurities, psychic toxins, as a result of a materialistic life style and orientation; Other factors also prevent the Christ force from entering the brain to densify into Christ substance or Ros and to have a spiritual effect upon the lower aspects of the microcosm. These are:

1) An unpurified blood stream.

2) Unresponsive chakras.

3) An unconstructed antahkarana or spiritual channel between the Ego–the Spiritual Triad, and the Quarternary.

We therefore, invite the Christ into our system by purification of the chakras, nadis, and bloodstream; and a change in the life-style that is partial to the spiritual life. The latter builds the antahkarana (we will elaborate upon this later).

As we have said before, brain-dews are the condensations of the Christ force or ethers of the higher planes. The bloodstream, as the vehicle of the Ego, determines an individual’s spiritual state, as understood metaphysically. The more Christ substances are assimilated into the blood, the greater will be the body’s etherealization and perfection. It should be noted, however, that the body will absorb only as much Christ substance as the state of an individual’s consciousness would allow. It should also be realized that unless the brain-dews mixes with the Chrism oil, it would simply evaporate and leave no effect upon the whole organism. Love and its manifold expressions greatly increases one’s ability to assimilate the Christ substance. Ros, the condensed fluid of the Christ substance, is believed to impregnate saliva in an adulterated form; the saliva of spiritual people, are therefore said to possess therapeutic and rejuvenative qualities. This can be seen in the gospel stories of the Master Jesus healing the blind with his spittle. Certain Sufi methods of healing also employ the spittle.

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

Man, the Microcosm; Part 5

Last Updated: 2011/10/05

Once the third-eye has been developed with the help of Kundalini, the Chrism oil, the secretions and magnetism of the head glands, and the brain-dews, man would be able to function in the higher worlds with full awareness. These various substances and energies are instrumental to man’s physical resurrection or etherealization. They are collected, blended, and released into the body through the third ventricle of the brain which, in one sense, represents the Holy Grail:

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” (Psalms 23:5)

Hindu yogis call the brain-dews “soma” or “amrita.” It is the nectar or ambrosia of the gods. Manuals on yoga such as the “Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika” advises students to flood the body with it. A superior body of vitality and strength is acquired by the permeation of the blood with soma. Aging is arrested and, it is believed, immortality is acquired–this is the transformation of the natural body called “adhibhautikadeha,” into the divine body “adhidaivikadeha” as termed by Hindu mystics.

“It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (1 Cor 15:44)

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” (I Cor 15:51-54 )

Filling the body with light-energy in the form of soma and Chrism oil is the means whereby the human is changed into the divine.Yogis believe that magickal powers are bestowed upon the individual whose physical body is transmuted into a higher form. It is thought that amrita flows profusely from the third ventricle by stimulating the palate and uvula with the tongue. This exercise is a fundamental practice among various mystical sects in India.

Symbolically speaking, the apron made of lambskin and worn by Masonic initiates during the performance of rituals is emblematic of the Chrism oil to be found in the loins. The covering of the nether regions represents the conservation of the precious energies to be found therein. In Esoteric Christianity, the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordon refers to the anointment within the cranium with the mystic waters of the Chrism oil (Jesus), and the brain-dews (Christ). Or in another sense, Jesus may represent “ching chi” and Christ to the fiery essence in the semen. This is supported by the Greek code-word IKHTHUS, which means “fish” but is also an anagram for the phrase in Greek: “Jesus Christ, god-saviour.” The fish in this context refers to the sperms in the semen and to its odour. As a side note, it would probably interest some that one of the original symbols for Christianity was the fish and not the crucifix. The mark of the fish is to be found in many early Christian tombs and gravestones.

Sutratma, Antahkarana, & the Permanent Seed-Atoms

Sutratma or amrita nadi, is the cord that connects the principles of Man like a string of beads; the principles and sutratma are symbolically speaking, the divine rosary. The purpose of sutratma is to spiritually link the Monad with the Quarternary via the Ego. Sutratma is the conveyor of divine substances from the Ego and the Monad to the lower principles. It terminates its lower end at Sahasrara–the crown chakra, and its physical counterpart, the pineal gland. It is composed of the higher energies of the various planes where it functions. In thickness, sutratma is said to be just a few centimeter in diameter, but is believed to have once extended to the size of Man’s body in past Golden Ages when Man was more spiritually oriented. The reduction of its size was one of the consequences of Man’s disobedience to the will of God, or the violation of the laws of the Cosmos. Sushumna in the etheric body is actually the extension of sutratma. Sutratma, the spiritual umbilical cord, is woven out of other thinner cords called the mental, emotional, and physical cords. The mental and emotional cords are the products of Man’s evolution. They have their upper terminal points in the Ego. They convey mental and emotional forces to the physical body. In bygone days, only the physical cord existed. In the Atlantean period, the emotional cord was developed. In this Aryan Age, the mental cord was formed. The next phase is the development of the spiritual cord called the antahkarana.

The physical cord originates from the Monad and it was bestowed upon Man when he undertook the work of evolving Divine Self-awareness. The physical cord is the rope of life; it is the cord that conveys a certain life essence. As Man develops spiritually, the cords will gradually improve in size and quality. Mental activity strengthens the mental cord, whereas emotional harmony and balance ameliorates the nature of the emotional cord. In the Old Testament, sutratma is referred to as the silver cord:

“and man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets; or even the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:5-7)

The verse above also refers to the fact that the silver cord is detached from the physical body during the process of transition. So long as this cord remains intact, life within the body is sustained, even should Man fall into a cataleptic state with the appearance and clinical pronouncement of death.

The Antahkarana, is the spiritual cord that at Man’s present stage of evolution, is in the process of becoming. It is called by some students of the occult “the rainbow bridge,” and is the actual pathway for the Christ substance, for the alchemical Azoth. Like the mental or emotional cord, it is created by Man’s efforts of obtaining his divinity and immortality. This cord begins in the heart chakra and is growing steadily towards the Monad–the pace of its own growth is in accord with Man’s spiritual works and aspiration–these being meditation, prayers, service to humanity, and a spiritual way of life. Each step of Man’s spiritual progress increases the extension of this spiritual cord towards the One. The Antahkarana is an independent cord but will later merge into sutratma like the other cords. When it does so, Man’s human nature would be transformed into divine godhood. We see, therefore, that there are four cords associated with Sutratma, three of which are already interwoven and merged into Sutratma.

The three cords, mental, emotional, and physical–or the “life cord” as it is usually called, function analogously, in one sense, to anchor-ropes; the anchors in this case are the Permanent Seed-Atoms.

Permanent Seed-Atoms are Man’s “Book of Life.” They record Man’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual development. In Christianity, they are refered to as the “recording angels” that note every thought, feeling and action of Man. There are three Permanent Seed-Atoms that play a role in Man’s spiritual development; these are the Mental, Emotional, and Physical Seed-Atoms. The Mental Seed-Atom is located in the pineal gland, the Emotional Seed-Atom is to be found in the apex of the liver, and the physical seed atom has its abode in the right auricle of the heart. Some schools of occultism teach of an “Etheric Seed-Atom” that has its place in the spleen.Other Seed-Atoms may gradually come into existence as Man’s spiritual development continues to progress. Permanent Seed-Atoms are composed of the substances of their respective planes. The Physical Seed-Atom, for instance, is formed out of the energies of the physical plane. Seed-Atoms in general, registers and preserves the quality, nature, frequency and blueprint of their associated principles. They conserve faculties, talents and abilities formed by the incarnating Ego. The Seed-Atoms are stored in the Causal body when Man is not incarnated in the physical plane. This is symbolised in the allegory of Noah’s Ark that preserved the seeds of animals for a new life-cycle.

Each incarnation improves the record of a Seed-Atom, and each Seed-Atom, as a blue-print, builds what is contained in its memory banks. Seed Atoms carry the vibrational nature of their associated principles. Principles are formed with the same vibrational frequencies of those Seed-Atoms. The quality and form of a manifested principle depend very much on the stored blueprint in the core of the Seed-Atom. The more perfect the blueprint or archetype, the more perfect the principle. Blueprints are improved as Man develops his mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual quality. The contents of seed atoms are the pabulum that nourishes the Ego and builds the Causal Body. St. Paul was aware of the existence of Seed-Atoms. In one of his letters to the Corinthians he declared:

“And to every seed his own body.” (I Cor 15:38)

When Man commences a cycle of incarnation, it is the Physical Seed-Atom that first descends and gives life to a spermatozoon destined to unite with an ovum. A few months later, the Emotional Seed-Atom is implanted into the growing fetus. The pregnant mother then begins to feel the movements of her growing child within her. At the time of birth, the Mental or Consciousness Seed-Atom is anchored into the head center of the infant. In the process of transition from this plane, the Mental-Seed is the first to be released. The Emotional Seed-Atom follows not long after. When the last Seed-Atom leaves the body, the silver cord snaps. The death process itself is triggered with the release of certain information from the Physical Seed-Atom. This information is conveyed to the glands where they produce the hormones necessary to assist the release of the Seed-Atoms from physical anchorage and trigger the death-process.

Seed-Atoms are programmed by the Soul to release certain pulses of information at stated times. These pulse-information manifest in Man’s psychological and physical structure as certain formations, abilities, liabilities, talents or limitations. In the Physical Seed-Atom we also find records of Man’s karma. Man’s karmic sins returns to him when the consequences of his actions are ripe for manifestation. Waves of electromagnetic energy, representing the records of karma, issue from the Seed-Atoms. These waves of energy infiltrate into the bloodstream where they stimulate the endocrine glands. These glands then secrete the appropriate balance of hormones to manifest the nature of the effect of the karmic cause, whether for good or ill. Knowledge of the Physical Seed-Atom located in the heart prompted a Hebrew sage to write about it:

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

The Causal Body & Electronic Belt

Man’s good works do not pass unrecorded. They are the energies that he uses to build the “temple not made with hands,” the Causal body. In each incarnation Man is alloted a certain amount of energy; this is his capital, so to speak, which if used rightly in accord with divine laws and rules in investing and building constructive and creative projects of the Soul, he would prosper well. Energies rightly used acquire a greater value and are deposited into the Causal body, the cosmic bank. These energies are our spiritual treasures that we lay in heaven. When Man passes through transition he takes away nothing along with him accept his karmic deeds, his experiences, memories, and his newly attained stage of soul development. Each incarnation never fail to beautify and glorify the Causal body, for in each embodiment Man does perform some works of righteous, beauty, and love, no matter how far he has strayed from the path of Truth.

The Causal body, as mentioned before, is the repository for the Seed-Atoms. These seeds are stored when Man is in the state of repose, the state of pralaya of the cyclic law of Activity and Rest. This Causal body is also the vehicle for the Ego and Monadic energies of the higher mental plane. In Conte de Graal, one of the Holy Grail stories written by Chretian de Troyes in the late 12th century, portrays the Holy Grail as being carried by a virgin in a procession. Esoterically, this virgin is the Monad, the Virgin Spirit that bears the Causal body, the Holy Grail with its contents of divine nectar–the Egoic energies, spiritual seeds, and the energies related to one’s spiritual development. To drink the nectar from this chalice in this physical plane through meditation and prayer is the act of invoking additional spiritual energies, additional capital to fulfill one’s destiny on this mundane sphere. Only a person of purity may discover the Grail and be its bearer. As the Quarternary is purified of all mental, emotional, and physical impurities, the qualities of the Causal body, the holy blood, are poured into it like a celestial cornucopia pouring its abundance into the chosen one, into the knight who becomes a Grail King thereafter. As can be seen from this, the Causal body is a two-way relay station; it is a transmitter and receiver of divine energies. In the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, God spoke through Isaiah concerning the bestowal of the gifts of the Causal body in this symbolical manner:

“And I will give thee the treasures of darkness [that which is unmanifested on the physical plane] and hidden riches of secret places [spiritual dimensions], that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the god of Israel.” (Isaiah 45:3)

The quest for the Grail is the lifetime search for one’s immortal nature. Socrates, the ancient Greek sage, taught of the possibility of retrieving previous knowledge and talents of the Soul. Where former spiritual knowledge gained by the Soul of Man was concerned, he believed that it was only necessary to discuss upon cosmic truths to awaken the memory of one’s previous attainment.

The Causal body of a spiritually developed individual, manifests as concentric rings or spheres of multicolored, multidimensional fire. In the microcosm of an unevolved man, however, it is a colorless ovoid without any hint of its future glorification. St. Paul was, therefore, right when he declared that one star or Causal body differs from another in glory:

“There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.” (1 Cor 15:41)

It is the incumbent task of Man to endow his holy temple with divine lights and to decorate it with jewel ornaments, for this is indeed the New Jerusalem:

“And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” (Rev 21:18-21)

Coloured gems of the rainbow within the Causal body, metaphorically speaking, represent various aspects of man’s spiritual development. Yellow, for instance represents the development of man’s spiritual intellect. White, on the other hand, is the color of the unfoldment of purity. Pink is the color of divine love and compassion, whereas blue is the color of the will. The Causal body also manifests colors that has no earthly counterpart.

The Electronic Belt is the antithesis of the Causal body. While the Causal body stores the righteous works of Man, the Electronic Belt stores and records his “wickedness,” the energies that he misqualifies; all of his negative karmic deeds. We all know that particles light in weight, such as those of hydrogen and helium, rises into the air. Conversely, heavy particles sink to the ground. The Electronic Belt is composed of such dense particles, and as such, they accumulate at the lower half of Man’s physical body forming a shape like a large cauldron. All of the dross of Man manifests as heavy atoms, molecules, and dense energies. Unless purified and destroyed by the burning action of the Holy Spirit which we visualize and invoke by prayers, decrees, and words of power, the Electronic Belt will continue to bind Man to mortality and prolong his stay in Samsara–the lower planes. Its dissolution will release Man to ascension’s Light.

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

Man, the Microcosm; Part 6

Last Updated: 2011/10/05

The Dweller on the Threshold, “I AM” & the Flame Within

To know Man’s Reality, his True Self, the seeker after Truth would first have to know the false self–or that which he calls “self”–for this false ego is the cloud, the veil that hinders true perception of that which is truly the SELF of Man, that which is called “I AM.” Before the Master Jesus began his ministry, he engaged upon a period of introspection, fasting, meditation, and prayer upon a “mountain top” where he was tempted by “Satan.” In a parallel event in the East, hundreds of years before, Gautama Buddha, before attaining the lofty state of enlightenment underneath the Bodhi tree, was tempted by “Mara.” Mara and Satan, or in psychology–the alter ego, are the “adversaries” of liberation, of soul-development. In modern occult terminology, they are the Dweller on the Threshold.

The Dweller personifies and represents the carnal mind and desires, the false ego and its manifold vices that constantly tempt Man to stray from the path of Truth, from the Path of Righteousness; it also is the subconscious content of the psychosis, phobias, neurosis, and the morbid sense of sin and guilt that attacks the integrity of the psyche. The Dweller, this pseudo-being, is the non-self considered to be the Self by the lower mind. Most of us are familiar with the term, “the Voice of Silence”; the promptings of the Dweller is the “Voice of Noise” that disrupts the tranquility of the soul. The Dweller is an illusory being that every spiritual aspirant has to overcome; although the strategy for overcoming this seemingly powerful opponent is not by direct attack but by using the spiritualized intellect in understanding the falseness of its assertions, wants, and desires. It is by seeing through the deceptive nature and illusory existence of this false ego, this Dweller, that we triumph over its subtle attack in the form of suggestions. We should appreciate its presence, though, for it has a role to play in our lives; it is, in fact, a fragment of energy of all that we truly are.

Man, when stripped down of all his vestures, down to his essential being, is that Silent Watcher, that great “I AM.” Its very nature is Sat-Chit-Ananda, or Existence-Consciousness-Bliss. It is the SELF called by some Hindu philosophers “Brahman.” It is Man’s true reality. This SELF is that which spoke to Moses, the “I Am that I AM” from the burning bush; it is also that which was referred to by the Nazarene Master when he said:

“Before Abraham was, “I AM.” (John 8:58)

It is the Divine Presence within Man mentioned in Psalms:

“Be still and know that I AM God.” (Psalms 46:10)

In the Qabalah, I AM is referred to as “Yekidah.” Kashmiri Shaivism calls the I AM, “Ahamta.” Initiates of ancient Egypt represented Ahamta–which in Theosophy is the Monad–by “Ptah,” the father of the gods. Ptah is often depicted as creating the lower gods or principles by the light of his Eye. Ptah within the microcosm is the nature of be-ness, or be-ing. It is, was, and ever will be. Its qualities are is-ness, now-ness, and here-ness. It is the true image of deity emanated as a spark from the thought of God, from the Divine Consciousness of Parabrahm. The Ego is the entity within the microcosm growing into that I AM image. I AM is the God immanent within the microcosm. A wise sage once declared:

“Greater is He [I AM] that is in you, then he [the Dweller] that is in this world.” (I John 4:4)

The Monad is the SELF that every candidate of the Mystery Schools of the past sought to realize. According to Theosophy, the Monadic core of Man, the I AM, resides in the Paranirvanic, or Anupadaka plane. This is the second highest realm in the Physical Cosmic Plane. Monadic essence is to be found within the Ego in the lower realms, and a minuscule spark of the Spark lies in the depth of Man’s physical heart as a channel and conveyor of Life.

The spark in the heart is threefold in aspect: it is will/power, love/wisdom, and intelligence/activity represented in the flame by the fiery colors of blue, pink and yellow, respectively. It is about a quarter of an inch in height and is said to increase in size in proportion to Man’s spiritual development. This flame carries the image of deity in its essence. It is the God within the heart. This is probably why some sages declare that the seat of Self, the “I” is in the heart. Followers of Zoroaster honour the flame within their temple three times a day; esoterically speaking, this flame is the luminous essence within the heart. Within this spiritual fire, symbolically, the flame of Vesta–goddess of the hearth, is the Permanent Seed-Atom. Most sages of the past of both East and West, like Paracelsus and Sankaracharya, acknowledged the existence of this inner flame, this inner man. Even the Upanishads speak about it. For instance, in the Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad, the inner flame is called “Akasha,” which literally means radiance. In Yogic philosophy it is called “Dahara.” In Christian scriptures, Peter also mentions this inner being:

“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (I Peter 3:4)

In the well-known Buddhist mantra of Avalokiteshvara, “Om Mani Padme Hum,” meaning “I am the Jewel in the Lotus,” the flame is represented by the Jewel and its fiery brilliance. In symbolical form, the flame within is represented by the “fleur de lys.”

The inner flame is Man’s direct connection with his divinity. Its size is increased by the living of spiritual principles. As it grows it raises the vibrations within the microcosm and conveys the abundant life of the Monad to every cell and atom composing Man’s being. Practitioners of soul-cultivation should acknowledge its existence daily. It should be stirred into activity by one’s focused thoughts, attention, and devotions.

The Rays Governing Man & the Stream of Consciousness

We have previously described how the Great Central Sun is the source of divine energy in our solar system. According to occult wisdom, the Cosmic Energy–the divine Shakti, has twelve qualities in its nature, five of which are considered “secret.” This spectrum of energies, the exoteric seven, and the esoteric five, are called “Rays.” These Rays are the expression, the very life force of the Deity, and are sometimes called aeons or emanations. The first three Rays of the seven are called “Rays of Aspect”; they are: the First Ray of Will/Power, the Second Ray of Love/Wisdom, and the Third Ray of Intelligence/Activity. The second class of Rays are called “Rays of Attribute.” These are: the Ray of Creativity/Harmony–the Fourth Ray; the Fifth Ray of Science/Concrete Knowledge; the Sixth Ray of Idealism/Devotion; and the Seventh Ray of Ceremony/Order. Each of the various realms in our Cosmic Physical Plane is influenced by one or more of the Rays. At this time we know almost nothing about the Secret Rays, and although we know very little of the exoteric Rays, they are sufficient enough to provide us food for thought. It is the Law of Correspondence in particular that gives us a greater view of how the Rays relate to our lives and evolution.

All of the Rays, although having a predominant quality of its own, do possess to a lesser degree the qualities of all of the others. These are called “subrays.” The science of rays gets more complex because each of these subrays in turn has its own subrays, ad infinitum. Each life-unit from atom to sun is influenced by a certain Ray-quality. Rays mould and qualify the consciousness of a life-unit along certain lines of activity and mode of expression. Within Man it bestows upon him his temperament, his inclinations, and his idiosyncrasies.

Our sun evolves along the Second Ray of Aspect, the Ray of Love, which reveals in a way why Love is such a powerful force in our lives and in our solar system. The subrays of the primary ray of the sun are embodied by the planets in our solar system; these planets are the chakras in the body of the Solar Logos. In certain ancient writings they are called “Elohim”–the “Spirits before the Throne.” Our beloved planet is under the influence of the Third Ray of Aspect–the Ray of Intelligence/Activity, which is a subray of the Solar Ray. Now this Ray of Intelligence has its subrays too, and it is these that directly influence the evolution of mankind, individually and collectively. The rays, however, are not all in the active mode at any given time. Only five predominate, and this produces the interesting changes and turn of direction in the progress of civilization and the psychological and natural bend of mind of humanity.

The microcosm of Man, as we have seen, is triune in aspect and septenary in nature. Each principle of Man embodies a Ray. Sometimes these Rays conflict within Man; they pull him in several directions; it is, therefore, his task to manifest harmony out of their discord, alignment out of their disorder. Once alignment occurs in the Rays of the lower three principles–the Rays of the physical body, the astral form, and the mental sheath, then the Personality Ray emerges and begins to hold sway. Man progresses even further when he allows the Egoic Ray to influence his consciousness by subduing the activity of the predominating Personality Ray. When this is accomplished, the Monadic Ray will make itself felt with a repetition of the subduing process on a higher spiral in the being of Man. The Personality Ray when active, has a strong effect upon the physical body and its Permanent Seed-Atom; it has an affinity with this particular principle more than the others. This means that as the Personality Ray exerts itself, its nature can be perceived clearly in the physical body. What is true for the Personality Ray and the Physical body with its Permanent Seed-Atom is likewise true for the Egoic Ray and the astral body with its Emotional Permanent Seed-Atom, and also on a higher level for the Monadic Ray and the mental sheath with its Permanent Seed-Atom. For some particular reason the Monads of Man are only to be found on the Rays of Aspect, and thus as a divine being, Man expresses either the quality of Power, Love, or Intelligence.

As Man evolves, he responds more frequently to the Rays emanating from higher sources, such as the Rays of the Spiritual Hierarchy, the Planetary Ray, and the Solar Ray, etc. All of the Rays correspond with one of the chakras and glands. The predominating Ray within Man affects the glands which in turn secretes substances that manifest a certain personality and body type. Thus generally speaking, there are types of Man with seven basic temperaments and appearances. For instance, we have the man of a commanding nature–this typifies the First Ray. Another man may express a strong devotion to an ideal–this is a man of the Sixth Ray. Individuals with such natures often choose the type of vocation or occupation most suited to their natures. In the above example, the man of the First Ray may choose to be a soldier; the man of the Sixth Ray may choose to be a priest. We evolve more quickly and fully by knowing the Rays governing us and unfolding their qualities within our soul. Humanity as a whole, however, are not solely influenced by their individual Rays–Rays from various sources affect Mankind; these are the Racial Rays; the Ray of the Human kingdom; National Rays; Rays of Cycles; the Planetary Ray; the Solar Ray, etc.

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

Man, the Microcosm; Part 7

Last Updated: 2011/10/04

The subject of Rays is abstruse and complex. With our limited minds and consciousness we can only perceive and comprehend a general picture. Consciousness play a role in unfolding the knowledge we have of ourselves, or rather SELF. It is for this reason that spirituality is equated with the expansion of consciousness, for the more conscious we are, the more divine our expression; the more we apprehend Cosmic purpose, the more responsive we are to sentient contiguity. The inner differences between one kingdom and another is the quality of the consciousness. Those interested in delving more on the subject of Rays ought to study the works of Alice Bailey.

Now we will discuss the interesting subject of consciousness. Consciousness can be considered as a stream of energy limited in its awareness in the lower planes because of the sheaths that it occupies. This limitation causes an illusory, dualistic sense of fragmentation–of separation from the other elements of the Omniverse. This thread of Ariadne, or the stream of consciousness, is never disconnected or severed as the waking consciousness would have us believe. It is in reality a continuum. There is only one divine consciousness functioning at various levels. These levels are:

1) Waking Consciousness–both the objective and subjective aspect

2) Subconsciousness

3) Superconsciousness or Christ Consciousness

4) Cosmic Consciousness

In Hindu philosophy they correspond to:

1) Jagrat

2) Swapna

3) Sushupti

4) Turiya

The first two classifications are the consciousness levels of the Personality; superconsciousness is the state of awareness of the Ego. Turiya is the consciousness-state of the Monad–Buddhism call it Adi Buddha or Alaya Vijnana. Sushupti is the Christ-state that we are immediately concerned with. We are all striving to acquire this state by spiritual living. It is the intermediate state prior to the attainment of Cosmic Consciousness. Sushupti is the “dreamless state,” the Christ Consciousness that we are told to form within us by St. Paul:

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you . . . ” (Ga 4:19)

To possess Egoic Consciousness is to dwell in the secret place of the Most High. This secret place is Munsalvaesche, or Mt. Salvation in the Grail Mysteries. Initiates of the Huna teachings of Hawaii, the “Kahunas,” refer to superconsciousness as, “Aumakua.” Expansion of the consciousness causes a parallel development in the brain, its structure changes to conform to the quality of the operating consciousness.

Swapna, the “dream-state,” is our subconsciousness. It is the storehouse of unprocessed impulses that we create and record in the waking state, such as our phobias. Our instincts have their source here too. The subconsciousness is also the channel for psychic contact with other intelligences–disembodied and embodied. Impulses of this “Id,” as Freud calls it, often emerge in the form of dreams when the waking consciousness is quiescent. Sometimes it erupts in the waking consciousness, and thus we have the interesting phenomenon of hallucinations, which may occur through the auditory or visual faculty. The subconsciousness runs our involuntary functions such as the pulsations of the heart, the peristaltic movement of the bowels, and the pumping of the lungs. The Swapna-state is very receptive to suggestion. It carries-out commands given to it by the waking mind without question–that is, to a certain degree. Hypnotism is a practice that reaches the subconsciousness by bypassing the awareness of the waking consciousness.

Our waking consciousness is dual in nature: it is objective, and it is subjective. Objective consciousness is the result of external stimuli, the perception of vibrations emanating from the world around us. Our subjective consciousness is related to psychic processes occurring inside the psyche and are within voluntary control, such as reasoning, visualization, and imagination. Here inside the subjective consciousness lies most of the tools of Transcendental Magic. Quantum physics is beginning to realize the principle that consciousness affects that which it observes. This is evident in the atomic level. Occultists have long known of this law and have applied it in the art of transmutation.

Mantras are useful tools in producing an altered state of consciousness. Every initiatic tradition employs its use to further Man’s spiritual unfoldment. It is interesting to note that strong emotions such as fear causes an abrupt change and orientation of one’s consciousness state. For instance, when a person is in a state of fear or shock, he often faints. the consciousness shifts from Jagrat to Swapna. This occurs similarly, although in reverse, when one experiences fright in the dream state. One is often jolted back into waking consciousness. Between the various levels of consciousness are what we call the borderline state. We are most familiar with the borderline between Jagrat and Swapna. In this state, psychic manifestations occur more readily. Psychology calls the interesting images seen in this consciousness-level “hypnogogic.” What really occurs in this state is the thinning of certain etheric webs which facilitates the entrance of impulses and vibrations emanating from the etheric and astral planes.

The brain of man produces waves of electromagnetic energies, and these are recorded in EEG machines. Four primary types of brain waves are recognized and they represent his state of consciousness. These waves are called Alpha, Beta, Theta, and Delta.

In an esoteric sense, the classification of humanity into the caste system by the lawgiver Manu symbolizes the levels of consciousness of Man as he evolves and expands his awareness. Jagrat corresponds to the Sudras–the laborers, the lowest class among mankind. Vaishas are the skilled workers and the merchants–they correspond to Swapna. Ksatriyas, or the ruling class are of the Sushupti-state; while the Brahmans are of Turiya. By evolving his consciousness, Man progresses from one state to the next.

Man’s Purpose on Earth

Ever since the fires of the mind began to grow, several profound questions have vexed Mankind, such as , where and how did we originate? who are we? why are we here? Such questions caused Man to formulate hundreds of philosophies and dogmas designed to provide him with a meaning to his existence. Sometimes Man experiences pain, suffering, and struggle in his life–and then asks “why.” If one’s philosophy does not adequately answer the query or offer solace, then the philosophy itself has to be looked into as to what intrinsic value it contains, and whether it is wise to hold on to it, to modify or to replace it altogether.

The subject of Man’s origin and true nature has been discussed previously in a succinct manner; and although our presentation was just the tip of the iceberg, they do provide food for thought. In this section we will concentrate on Man’s purpose here on earth, for this gives us some insight on Man’s collective destiny.

There is a clue to man’s purpose here on earth if we consider what Man takes along with him at the time of so-called death; for if we acknowledge the existence of the higher worlds and the continuity of consciousness through the change called death, then Man’s descent into this physical plane of coarse matter has a definite purpose which is normally forgotten as soon as incarnation takes place. A newly-developed brain does not contain the soul-knowledge acquired in previous lives and in heavenly planes. It is only by the attunement and alignment of brain-consciousness with the Soul that will bring this state of knowingness to the fore-consciousness.

It is evident when we look at the great change called “death” that Man is unable to carry his earthly goods or material things along with him when he passes away from this earthly scene; what he does reap and is able to take along with him from his earthly sojourn are immaterial treasures–things which are often considered valueless by the materialist and in most cases only realized as of great worth in the higher worlds when a greater perspective of life is perceived. The apostle Paul said:

“For the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Cor 4:18)

As we analyze the situation, we can only conclude that the immaterial essence, the “things which are not seen” that Man benefits from being in this world and takes along with him when the mortal body is shed, are the practical experiences that he gains from manipulating matter and the conditions of space and time; also his relating to sentient beings while encumbered in a form made out of clay. The resistence of matter tries the mettle of the soul. It is this resistance of matter that evolves soul-consciousness. The interaction between consciousness and dense matter creates the illusion of time and space. these factors, although unreal, play a part in the evolution of Man’s consciousness. As we can see from this, spiritual evolution is expressively the main purpose of Man’s presence here on Earth.

Evolution can be said to be the law of the expansion of consciousness of a life-unit. It is the principle of becoming aware–aware of the All, of the total expression and essence of the Cosmos. From another point of view, it is simply to be–to be our True SELF. This is a state that transcends space and time. Abiding in the SELF is the perception of God “face to face.” In case someone of a Christian persuasion thinks this as impossible just refer to the incident where Jacob wrestled with some force and ended up by saying:

” . . . for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Gen 32:30)

An individual who lives in such a spiritual condition constantly, no longer lives as a Personality, or Soul, but lives as Spirit. St. Paul knew of this higher state of Be-ness. He wrote concerning it in one of his epistles:

“The first Man Adam, was made a living soul, the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” (I Cor 15:45)

Evolution is the process of manifesting the qualities of God inherent within the consciousness. Heretofore, evolution was worked upon Man by external agencies; now, at our present evolutionary stage of self-consciousness, we are to participate in our own soul-progress. It is said in Genesis, in the Pentateuch, that God rested on the seventh day. The “seventh day” is a symbolical term expressing the inception of Man’s personal involvement with his own soul culture, for where God’s works ends, Man’s labour begins. The twelve tasks of Hercules are the tasks of the soul as it acquires the immortal qualities of the signs of the zodiac. Mortal concepts and behaviour caused the fall of Man. So long as our belief-structure contains ideations and feelings of unworthiness and mortality, we will continue to live in the abyss and not feel the light of the Sun. As Man climbs the steep slopes of the abyss, he learns more and more of the laws of the Cosmos governing his being. Obedience to those laws aligns Man with the Tao.

At each step of the way, evolving Man earns certain symbolical appellations which indicate his spiritual status. In ancient writings these stages of Man’s unfolding consciousness are described as “the darkened spark,” the “flickering light,” and “the radiant son of God.” Relating these stages to the rays, we may say that each stage is influenced by one of the Rays of the triune aspect of Man’s being; for instance, the individual with a “darkened spark,” may be said to be ruled by the Personality Ray; one who is spiritually awakened, who is described as a “flickering light”–such a person is ruled by the Ray of the Ego; and so it goes with the monadic Ray and the person of the third classification. Oriental mystics have their own unique manner of describing these stages based on the condition of discipleship. Buddhism classifies them in the following:

1) Srotopati–”he who has entered the stream.”

2) Sakridagamin–”he who will receive birth only once more.”

3) Anagamin–”he who will be reincarnated no more.”

4) Arhat–”he who sees Nirvana during his life.”

There are higher classifications based on the bhumis of the Bodhisattva.

The steps in the growth of Man’s consciousness are also delineated in that esoteric “book” called the tarot. Each card of the major arcana denotes a certain stage of Man’s spiritual unfoldment. Evolution is God’s Plan. The formulation of this divine idea had its inception in archetypal worlds–in Kether, the first emanation of Ain Soph in the Qaballistic “Tree of Life.” According to this magickal system, to evolve, Man has to balance and embrace the polarities, the various opposites that we experience in life such as, love/hate, wealth/poverty, thinking/feeling, etc. These dualities are symbolised by Boaz and Jachin, the two pillars in King Solomon’s Temple. Man is pulled into entirely different directions by these two conditions; it is Man’s task to harmonize them and walk the central path. The middle way is the Royal Road home.

Conclusion

Man is endowed with several different faculties that assist him in determining and in creating his destiny and reality. Reason, imagination, free-will, are all tools that should be used to realize the true nature of things, the essence of life. Man’s belief-framework determines to a large extent his reality–the environment is a reflection of the contents of the mind and emotions. Replacement of beliefs with a direct knowing of the Spirit liberates man from all conditions that binds and limits divine expression. The Orphics of ancient Greece called the body “the prison house of the soul”–and Man can only free himself from such a dungeon by widening the cracks that emit light. In order for Man to know eternal verities and manifestations of Cosmic life in celestial spheres he would have to develop the necessary apparatuses, the spiritual mechanisms that would aid in the reception of impressions and cognizance of higher vibratory activity. “As above so below” is a truism that Man has to prove for himself; for if the macrocosm creates, and is limitless in its nature and creativity, so likewise is the microcosmic being of Man. At present humanity is patterning and expressing very little of what lies above in the Kingdom of Souls. The potentiality to manifest God’s Kingdom is present, however. Mastery of the elements of our being leads us to management of the cosmos.

Life is a Mystery School. Each day Man faces trials and tribulations–the overcoming of which gives him a greater strength and understanding. Man’s manifold experiences disciplines his mind, body, and soul. Man’s philosophy and attitudes towards life are tested as to their wholesomeness and truthfulness. Revisions to his philosophy are made when they fail to provide him with the peace and energy to grow through life. The search for one’s SELF is the search for enlightenment that is already part of the Spirit. Vajrayana Buddhism teaches the practice of knowing, feeling and imagining that the enlightened state were a part of the consciousness level in the “now,” in the eternal present. This they call the divine pride of being a Buddha. The whole subject of Man can be complex in its simplicity, or simple in its complexity. It all depends upon our understanding and the perspective that we hold, whether we desire to “become” or just “to be,” or perhaps both?

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

Mystery of the Soul Part 1

Last Updated: 2011/10/03

“They will ask thee concerning the Spirit. Say: The Spirit is by command of my Lord, and of knowledge ye have been vouchsafed but little” (Koran Al Israa 17:85)

Introduction

At present we are living in a very complex era that humankind’s intelligentsia call the “Space Age,” the “Computer Age,” the “Atomic Age,” the “Information Age,” and the “Technological Age.” These are descriptive culminating “Ages” of the Piscean period that will soon give way to other developments. In time, we will hear terms or phrases such as, the “Ascension Age,” the “Quantum Age,” the “Hyper-Space Age,” and the “Photon Age.” All of these latter Ages allude and refer to the characteristical nature of the forces that will soon interact, interface and integrate with humanity in the coming Aquarian Age causing a transmutation within the psychosomatic system of man at cellular and atomic levels. The two-helix DNA structure comprising our genes would split and multiply into twelve strands, in accord with the same law that divides a cell. Certain atoms within the pineal gland would simultaneously become active, as would certain sections of the brain. The synapses and dendrites of the neurons of the brain would form new connections all over the grey matter linking both the right and left hemispheres, and both the cerebellum and the cerebrum. Chakras beyond the major seven would likewise be stimulated and anchored into man’s lower force-field. Additionally, the various layers of the chakric-system and their many petals or attributes would unfold giving man untold abilities. It is said that the attainment of enlightenment is not merely a psychological event, it is also a chemical and electrical one. It is in fact an alchemical affair. In short, in the Aquarian Age man will be spiritually mutated, and made anew to a greater perfection-but only if man is prepared and works to facilitate this. This transmutation is the evolutionary quantum leap that awaits humanity.

With all of the awe-inspiring metaphysical developments that would occur, there are still simple truths that would need to be addressed to enlighten the layman, such as the existence of the soul, which is the topic of this paper. There are lots of seekers and potential seekers of a higher reality that need to be shown the way. It is the writer’s hope that this paper would fill the void in people’s mind regarding the hidden side of their existence, and hopefully, cause then to fathom further in the marvelous mysteries of the universe.

The Search for the Soul

The scientific search for the soul began ever since the dawn of spiritualism that had its onset in the early decades of the 19th century when the Fox sisters claimed communications with the spirit world. Still, in spite of all the “marvelous” high-tech achievements of man in these latter days of the Piscean Age, the question of the existence of the soul and its survival of physical death remains unanswered successfully by conventional science. The soul’s existence has not been academically and scientifically “proven” in the laboratory to the satisfaction of scholars of all branches of learning; on the other hand, however, the non-existence of the soul has not been proved either. To our knowledge, the devices that would monitor, measure, and scan frequencies beyond the known energy-spectrum remains to be invented ere the concrete proof of the existence of the soul required by Science may be attained. The many inventions of Tesla and Edison revealed that they were pioneers working on this problem.

Throughout the centuries philosophers have been speculating upon the existence of the soul and its survival of the body; of its nature and relationship to the physical form; of its origin and destiny; and also of its possible glorified nature, or its state of immortality. However, intellectual and analytical reasoning have failed to provide any substantial evidence of an independent entity existing apart from the physical body. The serious search for the soul by our world philosophers and thinkers through a priori, or reason alone seems to have waned in the twentieth century. Perhaps it is realized that the intellect has its limitations in grasping, comprehending, and truly knowing abstract and metaphysical matters, or it could also be the realization that any concept that could be thought of has already been conceptualized in the past–that any novel ideas would merely be variations of former metaphysical speculations and of the wide variety of theories, and would not make man any more wiser. This would once again substantiate the eternal truth that there is nothing new beneath the sun. Still, there are always die-hards.

The physical senses, the mortal mind, and the intellect are poor faculties when it comes to determining the nature of Reality or the Absolute. What is relative may be known intellectually and experienced objectively; relative absolutism may be speculated upon though without knowing whether one’s conclusions are of the absolute truth in the absence of scientific proof, even if they be rational and logical; examples of this is the “Unified theory” of Einstein and the “Idealism” of Kant. Absolute absolutism is simply indescribable and ineffable. It transcends the intellect, and anything said about it in conventional terms is simply misleading. Even our description “indescribable and ineffable” may be inappropriate. From the standpoint of the Absolute all that we know of whether through our senses or intellect are perhaps erroneous and illusory.

In the Qabala, the esoteric oral tradition of the Hebrews/Jews, the Absolute is called “Ain Sof.” It is the hidden God, the Source of all not mentioned in the exoteric scriptures. Jehovah, the god of Moses, with his human characteristics, is merely a reflection of the supreme god found in the pantheons of the coexisting cultures of the time. The existence and nature of Ain Sof was not publicized because the Initiates knew that the mental capacity and spiritual development of the masses had not reached the required level whereby such revelations could be intuitively grasped and safely applied. This state of affairs still exist nowadays but with a twist. Now the mental development of man has far outpaced his spiritual side. Whenever abstract matters are discussed, the human mind tend to concretize and anthropomorphize that which cannot be objectified or understood intellectually; and with man’s failure of apprehending abstract matters he comes to the conclusion of their non-existence. Man, therefore, becomes ignorant of his ignorance.

Though the above ideas concerning Reality may appear to be distinct, in actuality, they are interrelated and are connected with one’s mode of apperception and intuitive insight. Superficially, they are our different ideas or understanding of Absolute Reality. We will not speculate further upon this, for the more we delve intellectually, the further we stray from the truth. Reality may only be known and experienced mystically.

How is the soul related to the above concepts? Is the soul merely another invention of the mind, or can it be known and experienced in a physical and concrete manner, or any way that transcends the physical senses and intellect? As the Age of Pisces relied heavily upon analytical thought in order to apprehend “truth,” so the Aquarian Age will rely most emphatically upon altered states of consciousness, intuition and other higher faculties in order to perceive, experience and comprehend abstract realities. Whether the intuition or a higher faculty proves the existence of the soul will depend entirely upon the empirical knowledge acquired by each individual in an absolute state of awareness. That science would finally prove the existence of the soul, or certain aspects of it at some future date we have no doubt, but the answer to such a question may be acquired here and now through mystical means. In the coming Age there will be a shift of emphasis from speculative metaphysics to applied metaphysics or practical mysticism. Though this is already occurring with the varied activities of the proponents and exponents of occultism and metaphysics in the last few decades, this condition will intensify further in the next millenium. The true knowledge of the soul would have to come from the soul itself. It cannot be otherwise. Science may only discover aspects of it.

When Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity he ushered man onto the road of civilization and into the path of spiritual inquiry. Fire relieved prehistoric man of many fears. With the discovery of fire, man could for once in his life relax in the comfort of his cave without the fear of being attacked by unexpected predators. In his new-found ease man commenced to think and introspect. His higher mind began to awaken and he started off pondering upon the existence of invisible realms and a “self” independent of the material form. This cogitation was triggered by certain experiences that he had such as dreams, psychological impressions, and unexplainable instinctive knowledge. In dreams he felt that something within him goes forth out of the body to continue the activities of the day. This was the birth of the belief in the existence of the soul. The belief and search for an incorporeal principle of human life, therefore, goes way back beyond recorded history and is to be found in all cultures in one form or another. So far, only the spiritual cream of society–the mystics and saints–have solved the problem of the existence of the soul through experimentation in the laboratory of the Spirit.

Throughout the ages mystics, sages, and prophets have impressed upon us the importance of knowing the immaterial entity that animates and directs the body. Some consider this entity to be the mind, the self, the soul, the life-force, the spirit, the ego, the personality, the psyche, the Spark of God, etc. They declare that it is only through knowing this intangible reality of man is it possible to know one’s Source and one’s purpose of being. The instinctive drive that motivates and impels man to search for the soul stems from the imponderable soul-factor itself. The importance of the search is sensed by the mind but the exact reason is not known explicitly. This is what Jung called the religious instinct. Moreover, this “instinct” is not to be found in man alone, but also in the other primates and the cetaceans. Another curious fact is that the higher animals exhibit many so-called human qualities such as guilt shame, and pride. If these feelings are associated with the soul, then soul, or at least soul-essence may be said to indwell in animals also. However, man is considered the only being that wonders about the soul, death, the after-life, etc. In The Meaning of Immortality in Human Experience, William Ernest Hocking (1873-1966), the American philosopher says that,

“Man is the only animal that contemplates death, and also the only animal that shows any sign of doubt of its finality.”

Does the soul really exist? And what is the value of identifying the soul? Without the search and discovery of the “soul” along with the knowledge of its purpose of existence through whatever means possible, there would always be a feeling of dissatisfaction and uneasiness in the bosom of man. Without the undeniable proof of the survival of individual identity life would appear to be a series of meaningless events and experiences. If the soul does not exist and everything ends at the death of the human form then all the struggles and all the strivings in life serves no purpose. Why bother with the harsh teachings of life if all will end up in total annihilation with not a single iota of the immaterial man surviving the physical form? Suicide would be a convenient escape; and yet, somehow, we sense that suicide somehow violates cosmic rules–rules laid down by whom or what?

On the other side of the coin, man’s inflated ego has caused him to believe that he is the only creature on earth with a soul. His “superior intelligence” is proof of it. Man believes that no other creature possesses faculties such as imagination, reason, and the will as he has–the vital faculties needed to control and direct the environment. This reasoning gave man a sense of supremacy and uniqueness; and also the sense of being the chosen one of God, for was he not made “in the image of God”? This is basically an egocentric point of view, one that gives rise to the exploitation, abuse, manipulation and ultimate destruction of Nature. Associated with this belief is the presupposition that intelligent life only exists on earth, and that Man is representative of it. Man is so blinded by the ego that he does not realize that life adapts itself to whatever conditions it finds itself. The chemical and environmental necessities for sentient life here on this planet may not be the requirements for the manifestation of life on another planet. Life may subsist on other or unknown elements. For instance, carbon being the basis of life on this planet may not be the basis of life on other planets. Other planets may make use of silicon, silica, or other materials instead. That which gives life is not any of the known gases, but the universal life-force called prana. Aside from this, from the metaphysical point of view, life does not solely exist in the spectrum of energies that we objectively perceive, but exists even beyond that. So, as an example, a planet such as Venus or Pluto may be host to intelligent beings residing in the higher dimensions of the planet without being detected by the crude telescopes or instruments that we call technologically advanced, such as the Hubble Space Telescope.

Vital questions that might be addressed are whether animals possess souls, or is this a unique gift to man alone; is soul a substance or a function; and that if man evolved self-identity out of the functions of the life-force, at what point of his evolution did he acquire it; and should soul be considered an entity, at what point in the fetal development does it ensoul the form, or does it enter when the baby takes in its first breath? Such questions may only be answered should we possess a true knowledge of the metaphysical part of life. A study and understanding of all of the seemingly intangible aspects of nature such as the microcosmic constituents and functions of man–the etheric elements supporting organic life, the divine spiritual force that sustains the microcosmic structure, the three-fold Soul, etc., assists greatly in answering profound questions.

Man possesses subconscious knowledge of his soul, but for some reason he blocks this out consciously by “pretending” to be ignorant. He hypnotizes himself into disbelieving immaterial realities for this is the line of least resistance to him. Actually it is much easier to remember than to forget. The proof that the soul, the spiritual essence of man exists is that we are searching for it! It is the mystery of the soul searching for itself.

We realize that this topic is controversial in nature, and as being related to religion, it acquires a certain sensitivity among religious fundamentalists. However, this emotional sensitivity should be shelved aside in the rationalistic study of the soul; for one must be objective, open-minded, sensible, tolerant, and circumspect in the acquisition of beneficial knowledge. Unrestrained emotionalism is a hurdle towards the acquisition of truth. Hopefully this paper would offer the reader a greater insight into the mystery of the soul and our intense search for it. This is a complex subject and it would not be possible to wholly satisfy the intellect. Its purpose is no more than to act as a stimulus for the mystical consciousness of the one perusing its pages. Whenever we use the word “soul’ we are generalizing and mean the whole immaterial part of man, unless otherwise specified or implied.

DEFINITION

The Webster’s Dictionary defines soul as “the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life,” and also as the “spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe.” It also defines the soul as the “person’s total self.”

Religion and philosophy regards soul as the immaterial aspect or essence of the microcosmic man that confers a sense of self and being–a sense of being an independent entity, quite apart from the external environment. Basically, religious philosophical thought believe the soul to be eternal in essence. Neoplatonism is one of the school of thought that propounds this tenet. The theologian and prelate St. Augustine likewise, believed in the immortality of the soul, as did Cicero, the Roman orator. The soul is often thought to be synonymous with the mind or consciousness. Theology builds up upon the above definitions by considering the soul to be divine in nature and capable of surviving the dissolution of the physical form. In our modern times the belief in soul survival is called Survivalism. Certain schools of metaphysics further assert that the soul, or spirit to be a spark or emanation of the Source of all and that it is an evolving aspect of the microcosm working towards apotheosis or deification.

Perhaps it would be superfluous to say that the soul-concept is subjective. Whether it exists is beside the point: the Self, or soul as an essence has never been perceived objectively by anyone. What are seen as phantoms or ethereal forms by psychics or the average person during certain psychological states are possibly the sheaths enshrouding the spiritual essence. If we have a soul, then what are we? What is “it” that is supposed to possess a soul or Self? Can a Self possess a Self? Is the soul to be differentiated from the Self? Unless we recognize that there are various aspects to the immaterial man we would not begin to understand him. It is in this respect that Occultism, Mysticism, the Ancient Wisdom and Metaphysics in general, are far in advance of the knowledge possessed by exoteric Religion, Philosophy, and Science.

The soul is not wholly definable. We may generalize and say that the soul is the immaterial aspect of man; and yet this non-substantial quality of man is composed of various components, not all of which may be immediately apprehensible by the various faculties of the mind. Also, our media of information conveyance such as words, signs, and symbols are incapable of transmitting the whole truth as it is. The divine aspect of the immaterial man cannot be expressed through language, nor can they be formulated into ideas. A faculty of a lower aspect of the microcosm is incapable of knowing a higher aspect in its entirety. In order for a higher aspect of the microcosm to be known it is necessary to exercise the faculties associated with it. For instance the cliché “it takes a thief to catch a thief” describes and supports our proposition exactly. No one knows a thief better than another thief. Likewise, in order to know something we must be that something or function at its level. This metaphysical principle has a very wide application, and many unusual occult phenomena may be produced from its use.

Although the academic definition of the soul has been given above, there is no standard agreement or understanding as to the terms “soul” and “spirit” and also of the other spiritual concepts taught in the many religions, sects and cults. This lack of standardization causes confusion and often result in senseless heated debates and even physical conflicts. Some systems of metaphysics consider the above terms as archaic and specific words denoting the various aspects of the soul or spirit are utilized instead. Should religion update its terminology and doctrines in accord with the modern findings of science and the pure spiritual teachings of mysticism it would be more aligned with the plan of God and attract more followers into its fold; as it is, true religion appears to be withering in the temples of God. This statement may be contradicted, however, those that argue against it may not understand what true religion is.

The many attributes of the soul are generally known to be the personality, the conscience, the emotional feelings, the mental faculties, the Ego, the memory, the various levels of consciousness, and the will. Generally speaking, philosophy, religion, and metaphysics are all in agreement as to this.

Mystery of the Soul Part 2

Last Updated: 2011/10/03

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

When we speak of religious beliefs we mean its theological tenets. Christianity and Islam share common ideas and beliefs having their roots in a common source–Judaism. This religion in turn derived many of its doctrines and beliefs from the Persians, Egyptians, Babylonians, Chaldeans, and the Sumerians. Perhaps it would be true to say that almost every religion is syncretic, though they may try very hard to cover this up.

Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Taoism are more mystical in nature and differ greatly from the Semitic religions in many basic principles; Hinduism comprising of many philosophical schools of thought, embraces various theological ideas. Some schools of Buddhism teaches that there is no permanent entity called the soul; that what is thought to be the soul is simply a collection of karmic tendencies transmittable from one incarnation to another. Their extreme views are nilhilistic in nature; however, it is doubtful whether this was implied in the teachings of the Buddha. For instance, if there is no Self, then there is also no Gautama Buddha in existence; and yet, prayers are still being directed by the faithful to this exalted being. Fundamentally, although these religions have diverse concepts regarding the soul they all point or refer to the One where all sentient beings originate. All have their own particular name or names for this Source, and all have their personal ideas regarding this Divine Essence.

Theological precepts are often tainted with the frailties of the human ego and intellect and thus offer a poor basis for the study of true religion and its revelations concerning the soul. Nevertheless, we will strive to present its beliefs with as little bias on our part as possible. This section will be brief, for to do justice to the subject would require many pages and go beyond the scope of this work.

In Christian theology it is believed that the soul prior to birth is devoid of any individuality or personality. It is only when God breathes through the nostrils of man that the soul acquires self-consciousness, and is a “living” being–and this condition of being alive is believed to remain with the soul after death. In the Book of Genesis it is recorded that,

“God made man out of the dust of the earth, breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and made man a living soul.” (Gen 2:7)

The phrase “living soul” is equated to the state of being self-conscious. According to this notion unless there is an awareness of the existence of an ego, or a self, a person or being does not truly have a soul. Such a creature is “soulless.” A person may be alive imbued with the soul-essence, the life-force, and yet remain soulless, in the sense that it is not self-aware. Some states of insanity may represent beings who are “soulless.” While the living soul is associated with the awareness of the ego, immortality is associated with the awareness of the superego, the Higher Self. This idea, though, falls in the province of metaphysical thought.

Basically, theology consider the soul to be a substance implanted in man. It is believed to be an entity divinely created and bestowed upon man when man takes his first breath. Christian theology formulated the idea that man is a divine creation, the highest of all beings, and that the whole universe was created for man alone in support of his existence.

In Christianity the terms “lost souls” or “degraded souls” are often expressed. The moral quality of a person’s life is believed to be able to affect the soul. However, from the metaphysical point of view soul-essence is immaculate, perfect, immutable and divine. What may be affected is not its essence but its conscious expression. The consciousness arising from soul essence is that which evolves and strives to reflect the image, archetype or blueprint that God created for man. This is stated emphatically in Genesis; however the statement is often interpreted literally. This blueprint is the image or divine qualities of God. It does not refer to form but to the inner nature of the life-essence.

The Hindus, generally speaking, believe the soul to be an entity that resides in the physical body and is subjected to reincarnation in accord with its karma. The Upanishads says that, “The Supreme Person, of the size of the thumb, dwells forever in the heart of all human beings.” Its esoteric wisdom, moreover, tells us that the immaterial man is constituted of various principles each having their own particular function. The highest principle within the microcosm of man is the Atma, or according to others, the Paratman.

In the Bhagavad Gita, the microcosm is represented by Krishna, Arjuna, the carriage, and the horses. Krishna is the Spirit, the highest aspect of man; Arjuna the evolving soul; the carriage the mind; and the horses the senses. Graphically five horses are often represented. They represent the senses of man through which the vital force escapes and runs uncontrolled. In yoga and esoteric practices the senses are subdued so that the vital force may be directed within to awaken the sluggish Arjuna. Krishna is the guide that assists Arjuna in this project.

ANCIENT BELIEFS

As we mentioned before, the belief in the survival of the soul after death goes way back to the earliest development of humankind. Primitive Neanderthal tribes, for instance, would bury food, tools, and weapons along with the corpses of their departed in order to provide them with the bare necessities in the afterlife. This custom still survive in some cultures and is a clear indication that not only is soul survival believed in but that the afterlife as a continuation of the sort of life lived in the physical world is likewise presumed.

Animism was the prevailing belief among prehistoric man. Everything was considered alive and pervaded with a soul-force that even gave inanimate objects a consciousness and an intelligence of some kind. Stars in particular were believed to be souls long dead and living in heaven. To the primitive mind, the sky or firmaments were considered to be heaven, just as hell was thought to lie beneath the earth.

That the soul “resided” and functioned in the physical body, a location was sought for its residence. Some believed the heart to be the organ of the soul, others pointed to the head. Some primitive cultures thought that the blood was the vehicle of the soul–that the blood carried soul-substances to every part of the body. The demon Mephistopheles in a play written by Goethe (1749-1832) declares the blood to be a “curious thing.” The belief that the blood is the vehicle of the soul is not without foundation, however. If the soul in this context is considered to be the life-force, prana, chi, or even oxygen, one can only surmise how the primitive mind intuited this scientific fact. Scientifically, it has been noticed that blood-transfusion often causes a temporary change in character in the person receiving the donor’s blood. Could it be that blood is impregnated with one’s soul-characteristics? As the blood was associated with the soul, many primitive tribes such as the Scythians evolved the custom of drinking the blood of their enemies or victims in order to absorb their courage, strength, power, and abilities. The custom of forming blood-brothers is also based upon the belief in the importance of the blood as related to the soul, and its transcendence over fleshly ties. Members forming blood-brothers would drink the blood of fellow members thus forming a soul-bond overriding the normal flesh-and-blood relationships.

The ancients often depicted the soul as a bird often human headed, perhaps referring to its ability to fly. The Aztecs, ancient Greeks and Egyptians among the many ancient races, for instance, often portrayed the souls of their dead in murals and pottery as a winged bird taking flight from its lifeless corpse. Eagles, hawks, doves, peacocks and phoenixes were often used to represent the soul.

Not only the head, heart, and blood were believed to be the seat of the soul, but likewise the breath. Believing that the breath is associated with the soul and life, the aborigines of Papua New Guinea would breathe through tubes into effigies of their forefathers in order to confer a certain vitality to their departed souls. This is a magical practice based on the law of similarity. Many tribal cultures practiced the placement of obstructions in the nostrils of their dying ones as a last effort to saving their lives. This they believe would effectively prevent the soul from escaping and causing the death of the body.

It is believed among ancient and savage people that the soul being associated with the life force, illnesses or feebleness of the physical body are caused by the escape of the soul from the gross form. In extreme cases the soul force was “captured” by some evil spirit and it was the task of the shaman, the tribal witch-doctor to recapture the soul and restore it to the corporeal body. The ability of the shaman to dissociate his incorporeal aspect from the gross form supposedly facilitated this sort of work.

The Ancients’ concept of the soul has evolved throughout the ages, and even now our scientific understanding is constantly in a state of change. Our conceptions regarding the soul is associated with our various notions regarding God. As man evolves so does his awareness of the soul and his Source. Man has formed many ideas regarding the nature of his creator. In this context it can be seen that the phrase, “God creates man, and man creates God” has a basis in truth.

Among the ancient cultures, the Egyptians and Hindus were the most advanced in their understanding of the soul. We in particular refer to their mystics, hierophants, and sages. They regarded man as a microcosm with many aspects, both material and incorporeal, with each aspect having its own function to play in the life and destiny of the soul. Their many teachings live on today in contemporary metaphysico-occult philosophy. The ancient Greek philosophers and sages such as Thales, Plato and Pythagoras derived much of their occult knowledge from these wise priests of the Orient.

SCIENTIFIC VIEWS

Along the scientific vein, certain schools of thought believe the self or ego to be a by-product of a brain function, and yet what gives rise to this function is not known, and only given an educational guess. The section of the brain that “causes” a sense of self is likewise not yet discovered. This concept of the “brain causes consciousness” is fundamentally the viewpoint of the mechanists that sees man as merely a machine. The above concept is flawed, however, because portions of the brain have been known to be destroyed and yet the presence of a sense of self still remained. In the condition known as hydrocephalus, for instance, large sections of the cerebral cortex may be destroyed or missing, being filled instead with cerebro-spinal fluid, and yet individuals suffering from such a condition may lead normal lives without suspecting their blight. They may even have an I.Q. above average.

The mechanists, Freud (1856-1939) among them, claim that our behavioral actions are automatic responses to external stimuli, and that life is a result of the right combination of chemicals derived from food and oxygen. That an animating force exists to vitalize the organism they may concede but this force is looked upon as a physical energy akin to electricity. The mechanistic theory describes how perception takes place through the stimulation of the senses that creates nerve impulses, and how these nerve impulses travel to the sections of the brain related to the senses, and how they form sensations; but the theory does not consider the real perceiver that tries to make sense of the sensations. To mechanists, the perceiver is thought to be one of the functions of the cerebral cortex. In short, the mechanistic concept leaves no room for the existence of the soul. To a mechanist the purported existence of the soul is considered as an absurdity.

If the eminent neuropsychologist Karl Lashley (1890-1958), author of Brain Mechanisms and Intelligence, after years of research could not discover the seat of memory in the brain, how much more difficult would it be to discover the seat of the self or soul–not withstanding Descartes’ (1596-1650) assertion that the pineal gland is its locus. This French philosopher and mathematician also declared, “cogito, ergo sum,” or “I think, therefore I am” thus implying that the Self arises into existence as a result of thought, or as a function of the mind. Nevertheless, mystics have proved to themselves the possibility of transcending thoughts and yet remaining in existence, and possessing an exalted sense of Self, unified with the Cosmos. The mystic’s standpoint is supported by Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980), French philosopher and writer. To Sartre, existence does not depend on the functions of the mind, that a being does not exist simply because it thinks. According to Sartre, existence precedes the mind–or thinking.

Rene Descartes’ statement is therefore erroneous, or perhaps our interpretation of his statement is wrong. “I think, because I am” would be closer to the truth. In spite of this, Descartes was somewhat accurate in believing that the pineal gland plays an important role in man’s occult physiology as we shall see later when we discuss the metaphysical purview.

Mainstream science may disavow the existence of the soul on the pretext of its immateriality, undetected by their instruments; and yet, matter in its actual state in similarly immaterial. This was the proposition of Leibniz (1646-1716), the German philosopher, who considered matter as a manifestation of Mind–”a stupid variety of mind.” To explain this graphically, for instance, what we call concrete matter is actually made up of moving molecules. Molecules in turn are made up of whirling atoms, and these are composed of even smaller particles. Should these sub-atomic particles be magnified “nothing” would be found. Matter, is therefore, made up of “emptiness.” We may call this void “energy,” “mind,” or “spirit,” but whatever we call it, the fact remains that matter is actually as insubstantial as the soul. If the reality of one is accepted why not the other? The many particles composing matter are filled with this “nothing,” or space. Another curious fact is that if we were to remove the space inherent within a human body, for instance, and all the “particles” united, the total compaction would result in a piece of matter no larger than a mite of dust. Leibniz’s theory is also paralleled by the thoughts of Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), the American Trancendentalist. According to Emerson matter is “a phenomenon, not a substance.” He also considered the material world to be,

“a divine dream, from which we may presently awake to the glories and certainties of day.”

Science informs us that nothing is destroyed. That matter is just energy possessing a certain structure and magnetic-field. It is acknowledged that everything in existence is made up of energy. Now as the existence of consciousness and a sense of self are undeniable, they should be thought of as indestructible as well, for Science has already implied the idea in its equations. So why then does Science not accept the possible existence of disembodied consciousness–the soul?–because it cannot be perceived? Quiet an absurdity, really–even while embodied the Self cannot be seen. Can you see your Self?

From whence does the sense of self-identity come? It seems that mainstream science is still a long way in finding this one out. However, new paradigms are being formulated by open-minded scientists who are now considering the world-view of eastern mystics in conjunction with the new developments and discoveries in the field of physics and psychology. The theories of quantum physics and transpersonal psychology are closing the gap between essential religion and conventional science. Regarding the mystery of the Self in relation to the brain we are reminded of the words of the researcher and scientist George Buletza who said in the Rosicrucian Digest (Sept. 1983) that,

“Rather than the brain producing Self, it is the other way around. The brain is a product of Self, of Being ever striving to be. The brain is the incredibly fine instrument created by Self in the process of expressing its own nature . . .”

It has been observed in many laboratory experiments all over the world that human consciousness reveals an ability to extend itself beyond the boundaries of the brain and body, that somehow it may perceive or influence events at distant places. Such mental activities suggests to some scientific observers that consciousness may exist independent of the corporeal form.

Many branches of science such as physics, psychology, astrophysics, and biology, are investigating the soul, and each has their own particular methods of inquiry. Perhaps the most important branch of science that has been developed in recent times, relatively speaking, is parapsychology.

Parapsychology

Parapsychology is that branch of science that studies the nature of psychic or paranormal phenomena. Its scope of investigation covers a wide range of subjects: for instance, ESP, hauntings, poltergeist activity, Near-Death Experience, Out-of-the-Body Experience, UFOs, Strange Creatures, Weird Phenomena, etc. There are now many institutes investigating, studying, and teaching this branch of science. The word “parapsychologist” is often misunderstood. Many people seem to think that being a parapsychologist is synonymous to being psychic. This is erroneous. A psychic may not be a parapsychologist, and vice versa. A psychic is someone who perceives impressions through higher senses not ordinarily registered by the physical senses. Psychics may not generally understand the impressions that they register, and may simply believe and be fooled by illusions and appearances. A parapsychologist seeks to understand unusual phenomena through scientific analysis, and by using empirical methods with the aid of carefully devised instruments. A mystically inclined metaphysician, on the other-hand, basically strives to understand phenomena with the aid of his intellect, intuition, and other higher faculties. The parapsychologist’s basic methods are three-dimensional, the psychic’s four-dimensional, and the mystic-metaphysician’s, five-dimensional, or even higher.

To illustrate the difference between a paranormal and a metaphysician’s understanding of phenomena, we will just illustrate one out of many. As an example, supposing a psychic were to receive impressions of an impending disaster, he would consider it to be truth and proclaim it to others. He would make all sorts of predictions anent the impressions that was registered in his mind. He would consider it as a revelation of God.

The metaphysician on the other hand, knowing Cosmic and natural laws, understands the impressions received to possibly be thought-forms-mind creations of fearful beings. Man radiates thoughts, and these thoughts, perhaps without a basis of truth, are received by psychics. The unfortunate thing in all of this is that thoughts are creative. What we habitually think about with intense emotion have a tendency to materialize. So dire predictions often come true; however it does not have to be. We have to learn to eliminate fear. When psychics make predictions they are instilling and intensifying fear among the masses. Now this is a vicious cycle. When people are made fearful by psychics they begin to imagine more catastrophic horrors and these thoughts radiate out again to susceptible psychics who repeat the whole procedure over again. The momentum eventually grows until it manifests physically.

However, let us not digress too far and return to our subject: Parapsychology has established various avenues of research for determining the reality of the soul and the survival of personal consciousness. Although the results of their research are inconclusive by the standards of mainstream science, parapsychologists have been successful in acquiring evidence and vital knowledge that when analyzed seemingly validates the age-old belief in the existence of the soul and its survival of bodily death. Nevertheless, parapsychologists have formulated various theories as to their findings, not all of which aligns with the traditional view of the soul. It is also important to note that the term “soul” is rarely used in mainstream science or parapsychology. The terms “mind,” “consciousness,” and “personality” are often used instead.

Mystery of the Soul Part 3

Last Updated: 2011/10/02

In general, the various branches of parapsychological study related to the soul are Near-Death Experience (NDE); Out-of-the-Body Experience (OBE); Biomagnetic Radiation/Field (aura); Hauntings; Posessions; Bilocation; Past-Life Regression, and ESP.

Many instruments and methods are used in the investigation of psychic phenomena. Hypnosis is often used to uncover subconscious knowledge on a subject. Such a method has been successful in regressing a person to a past life and even between lifetimes. Much knowledge related to the after-life and the soul’s continued existence have thus been acquired.

Unorthodox methods that purports to contact disembodied intelligence might include séances, the Ouija board, the planchette, automatic writing, and the pendulum; some of these methods are similar to the Indonesian Jailangkung and Nini Towok.

One of the former presidents of the Society of Psychical Research, C.D. Broad (1887-1971), believed that paranormal research might eventually prove that psychological events can survive bodily death. He theorized that man had an invisible constituent; this he called the psi-component, or “psychogenic factor.” Ever since the days of Broad, parapsychology has indeed made much progress.

METAPHYSICAL VIEWPOINTS

When we speak of the viewpoints of metaphysics questions might arise inquiring of the source of these teachings. Generally speaking, the tenets of metaphysics are derived from the esoteric transmissions of lofty beings to select members of the human family. These beings have already evolved far beyond the human kingdom and its pinnacle–the perfect human being as portrayed by the archetype Adam Kadmon. These teachings are based on their personal experiences and awareness of the Truth of all things. Some of the students of these lofty beings were able to verify, again by personal experience, part of the teachings that was conveyed by these Spiritual Masters. This would leave aspects of metaphysical teachings as theoretical or hypothetical from the student’s perspective.

There are also metaphysical teachings that have been formulated by students intellectually without knowing its truth experientially before-hand and may consequently be without a foundation in reality. This is the reason why certain metaphysical doctrines are ever-evolving. May the reader ever keep this in mind.

From the superficial investigation of metaphysical conceptions one comes to the conclusion that they are as diverse as the many theories developed by science or theology; however, in essence they all share a common thread in that the soul, the spirit intelligence, is regarded as being a distinctive part of the human organism and has a divine origin. One of the most basic fundamentals in contemporary metaphysics is that there is only One Substance, One Power, One Life, One Mind, One Law in the whole Universe, and each being in its innermost “I AM” core, is part of that One. The other laws and principles of metaphysics stems from this basis. The above statement is not entirely accurate, however. We referred to the One as being in the Universe, when in fact, it is entirely opposite. The Universe is in the One, or is a partial manifestation of the One. To the metaphysician, everything has a divine origin and is essentially eternal. We emphasize the word “essentially,” for there is a difference between form and expression, and its divine essence. For instance we may liken the essence with electricity, the form-the electric bulb, the clarity and power (wattage) of the bulb its expression. Electricity is indestructible, so is the Spirit, the divine intelligence in man. The bulb, the form of man, is ephemeral in nature. The clarity and the wattage, the power that it gives off, is the evolving aspect of man called the soul. The clarity is dependent upon the purity of the bulb, or the soul. It is often tainted by dust and dirt–or the negative emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes. This illustration would indicate that the Spirit is immortal, the form transient, and the soul that aspect of the microcosm that seeks to ever grow spiritually until it is aware of its essential nature. By being aware it becomes immortal, meaning that it is continually conscious of its essential nature. The soul, therefore, is only potentially immortal.

After making our statements above, it should be understood that the soul-concept is ever-evolving, whether from the scientific, theological, philosophical, or metaphysical point of view. One could argue that truth is changeless and that what was true in the past is likewise true for the present and the future. We concur with this, but the problem here is man’s understanding of truth, and the presentation of truth, and not truth itself. Metaphysics may be understood intellectually–this has its limitations; or it may be understood mystically–this provides real knowledge that the intellect has trouble analyzing, formulating into ideas, and putting into words.

One school of metaphysical thought believes the soul to be a function or development arising out of the vital life force that animates all living forms. This vital life force permeates the whole universe. Matter is evolving to the point where it may support life while living organisms evolve to the point where they may eventually support the development of self-consciousness, and this we call “the soul.” However, this does not signify that souls are dependent upon matter for their existence. They are associated with the vital principle of the universe. Some scientists regard the universe as a living organism, or a living thought rather than something lifeless or mechanical. The soul or self-consciousness may be regarded as a higher expression of the life-force that permeates the universe. This signifies that the soul is a dynamic potential inherent within energy. As energy is indestructible, so is the soul in its essence indestructible. As energy is kinetic, forever in movement, so is the soul never the same in its expression–it continually evolves.

Esoteric teachings classify the microcosm into, three, five, or even seven aspects. In the threefold division we have Personality, Soul, and Spirit; or in Indonesian we may say Jiwa, Roh, and Sukma–but keep in mind what we have said before that there is no standard agreement as to the terms used. Sukma may be called “Ingsun,” “Atma,” “the Self,” whatever. Terms are not important in this context, principles are. In the Judaic Qaballa, the threefold microcosm is designated as Nephesh, Neshamah/Ruah, and Yechidah. In Buddhism as Nirmanakaya, Sambogakaya, and Dharmakaya. In Theosophy as Personality, Ego, and Monad. In Hinduism as Rupa, Jiwa, and Atma. In ancient Egypt as Khat, Ka , and Ba.
These threefold divisions have subdivisions. In certain Hindu teachings they are subdivided into five. Theosophical and Rosicrucian teachings divides the microcosm into seven:

[Please visit this page for table: http://www.indotalisman.com/mystsoul.html]

In the Rosicrucian system, the Divine, Life and Human Spirit may be considered as the Soul. The Monad as the Spirit, and the other lower components as the Personality. Each of these components of the microcosm reside in their own plane or dimension, and they are composed of the substances of their respective realm. Each has its own particular function in the operation of the microcosm. Each component vibrates at a certain frequency. Vibrations may be perceived as sound, light, or hue. The seven components of the microcosm, therefore, collectively produces a musical chord, or as a certain color–the conglomeration of all the colors of the components. This collective sound or color may be said to be our “soul” name. This sound may be dissonant or harmonious depending upon one’s soul-development. Each microcosm vibrates at a different frequency; there are no two microcosms quite alike, just as there are no two snowflakes of the exact same pattern. Each component of the microcosm has its primary faculty. The intellect is the faculty of the Lower Mental, the imagination of the Higher Mental, the Intuition of Buddhi, and Inspiration of Atma.

Since this is not a thesis on the occult anatomy of man we will not delve too deeply into the subject, suffice to say that there are many more components in the microcosm than what we have referred to above that are vibrating at a frequency undetectable as yet by our modern technological instruments. However, we will discuss a little so as to give a brief picture of man’s hidden composition.

Aside from the seven major components in man, the microcosm, there is also the thread that connects them all. This is called the sutratma. Forces and impulses from the highest aspect of the microcosm flows to the lower aspects via this connecting bridge. Our reaching up towards our divine Source builds another bridge called the antahkarana. This antahkarana grows from the lowest aspect of the microcosm and eventually anchors itself to the Monad.

The etheric body of man is constructed out of “lines of force.” These are the counterpart of the physical nervous system. Where they criss-cross a power-spot is formed. These are the acupuncture points, the minor and major chakras, and the tan-tiens. Certain energies from external sources accumulate in the etheric body of man. Kundalini is one of them. Kundalini is the cosmic fire, the force that has the power to purify and awaken the lower energy structures of the microcosm. When it awakens it flows through certain pathways of the etheric body. There are various main channels associated with kundalini awakening.

Another vital aspect of the microcosm are the seed atoms. These atoms are records of the evolutionary development of the soul, physically, emotionally, and mentally. They also store our karmic tendencies, expressions, and records. Though each of the seven components of the microcosm has its seed, only three are normally considered in esoteric writings. These are the Physical Seed-Atom, the Emotional Seed-Atom, and the Mental Seed-Atom. Each of these seed atoms has its position in the physical body. The mental seed atom lies in the pineal gland, and this is where our consciousness is seemingly focused. As can be seen from this, Descartes was not entirely wrong in presuming the pineal gland to be the seat of the soul.

As we said before, the seeds are records. They may be thought of as our recording angels. They record our every thought, feeling, and action. Our karma are stored in these seeds as well, and from time to time, when the time is ripe, they release the effects of the karma that we put into motion in our past. The timing of this is determined by a higher aspect of the microcosm, the Ego and our Solar Angel in conjunction with the advice and decree of the Lords of Karma–those beings that assists humanity in balancing and harmonizing all karmic actions.

The pineal gland is also the host of other spiritual components, and this is what makes it the most important gland of the endocrine system. The pineal and pituitary glands are psychic complementaries and their harmonized functioning results in a more perfect human expression. They are there not merely to secrete the known hormones but they play an important role in occult physiology. We regret that very little can be said in this paper.

Within the physical heart lies a spark of the Ego, the Soul, or the Higher Self. The Upanishads refer to this as the “Supreme Person, the size of the thumb.” This spark is threefold in nature, in has three aspects-power/will, love/wisdom, intelligence/activity. They are represented by three colours-blue, pink, and yellow, respectively.

According to mystical thought the physical body is the temple of the soul, and although religion is in agreement, many religious persons have turned their temple into a tomb, with its occupant dead asleep in the darkness of ignorance. Outward ceremonies, forms, and rituals are actually devoid of any true spiritual benefit when mechanically conducted. They may please the emotions but they deceive devotees into believing in their piousness. The outward forms are merely signs of spiritual realities within. It is by understanding and living these realities that one progresses in a true religious sense. For instance, formal religion may ask us to pray once a day, or five times a day; but in true religion we have to be in a constant state of prayer, “25 hours a day, 8 days a week.” Prayer is a certain mental attitude and awareness. It is not in requesting something but accepting that all that we could ever ask for is ours and is being done to us right now. Succinctly, Religion is Mysticism poorly understood as Science is its child that is undergoing a maturing process. More could be said of this but we would stray too far from our main subject.

Origin of the Soul

Man’s innermost being is the Monad. This is the SELF, the God within Man. Its nature is Sat-Chit-Ananda–Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss. The Monad is a spark of the Divine Flame which is the One Existence. The Monad is not a creation, it is an emanation. It is God individualized within the microcosm. The Ego, or the Soul, is in turn an emanation of the Monad, and the Personality an emanation of the Soul. It is the Soul that “creates” the physical body.

All things are manifestations of the One. IT manifests as energy. Energy is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. It is indestructible and eternal. Man, like everything else is made up of energy. He has certain magnetic fields and structures all composed of energy. The Monad within man qualitatively speaking is of God, is God. Quantitatively, the Monad is but a miniscule fragment of the infinite whole. When man is aware of his divine SELF-nature, he experiences the inner essence, the God within and thus declares “unification” with his Source. He realizes that essentially he is “God”–however, keep in mind that this refers to the God nature within and not to God’s totality, to the essence of man and not to his physical form or false ego. Like Jesus Christ he affirms: “I and my Father are one.” This is not blasphemy as theology might teach us. It is the recognition of the love of our Source who has bestowed ITs very being upon us. IT has given us ITs identity. This whole notion might be incomprehensible to some, nevertheless, it is a Truth experienced by mystics of all generations and cultures. There is no separation between God and Man, between God and the Universe. God is immanent within all, and also transcends all. The forgetfulness of this divine union is Man’s fall from divine grace. Man ate the forbidden fruit of intellectual knowledge and has forgotten his essential nature. This densified his being and he was made to wear “animal skins,” that is, the physical body. Man’s innermost being is Light, but because of ignorance he fell into the lower dimensions. Each dimensional descent enshrouded his light with a thicker and thicker vestment until finally he wore animal skins in the three-dimensional world and entrapped himself in matter–the most stupid part of the Mind as Leibnitz said. Man’s original sin is the sin of ignorance and forgetfulness. He who will hear let him hear!

Purpose of the Soul: Evolution

Change is one of the laws of the universe, it results in the cycles of creation/destruction; involution/evolution, etc. The Monad, a spark of the One, is in essence divine. It possesses a divine collective consciousness without any particular awareness of individuality and separation from its Source. However, it was emanated by its Progenitor for a purpose. As a focus point of the One Being it was manifested so that the One could experience various aspects of Itself, to grow in awareness of ITs inner potentiality, nature and power. In order to do that it had to further densify ITs being to the lowest possible dimensional reality. This is the act of involution. Thus, the Monad issued from itself a threefold-Soul which in turned manifested the four-lower bodies: the physical, etheric, astral, and lower mental. Having undergone the involutionary cycle, man is now on the upward path. Humanity is presently on the path of evolution as a continuance of its soul-journey and purpose. Along the path of evolution humanity’s consciousness grew through various lower consciousness levels typified by the consciousness of the minerals, plants, and animals, until finally it attained human-consciousness. What is the end of the soul’s journey? It probably has none. There is no end to evolution in the school of life, or spiritual and cosmic growth. We could say that the end is to merge with God but that is only half the truth. Words cannot express what goes on beyond that, neither can the intellect conceive. Absolute Inertia does not exist in the universe. Galaxies are born, and galaxies die, this goes on eternally. By attaining God-Consciousness, or a higher consciousness level, one goes on to even more lofty spiritual heights that are beyond human understanding. The human kingdom is not the ultimate achievement, infinite possibilities lies before the evolving soul. With God all things are possible–and God partly lies within our being experiencing all things through us. We concede that what we have said above is not easily assimilable and is controversial; however, realize that we do not force ideas upon anyone. It is rather difficult for us to convey abstract ideas with words, therefore, a debate upon this is needless. What we have explained above is simply the main points regarding the soul’s purpose and its cosmic trek, and is not to be considered as the whole-truth. It is merely a partial revelation. The whole subject of the soul’s purpose would take us deep into the study of cycles, rhythms, spiritual races, etc.

There are two aspects of evolution: the evolution of form and the evolution of consciousness; and also two factors regarding the soul to consider: soul essence and soul expressions. When we speak of evolution we refer to the consciousness aspect, and the expression of the soul of its innate divinity.

It takes a complex nervous system and brain to support a higher expression of the Soul, or the sense of Self; and an even greater unfoldment is required for the sustenance of a higher form of consciousness called “Christ Consciousness” or “Cosmic Consciousness.” This is, however, related to organic development.

The evolution of Darwinism refers to the form aspect of life and need not be considered further in this paper except to say that what Darwinism refer to as evolution might simply be a case of adaptation or genetic mutation.

Above we mentioned “soul-essence” and “soul-expression.” The soul’s inner essence is God-essence. It has all the powers, virtues, potentialities of God inherent within it. All of God’s attributes are encoded within the fundamental nature of the soul, just as the human blue-print is encoded in the DNA of every cell of the physical body. Though the soul’s inner nature is divine, its expression or personality is ever-evolving. While incarnated in physical form the soul has a dual task of removing the stains accumulated upon its personality, and of awakening its inner divine being that its expression would reflect the perfection of its essence.

Mystery of the Soul Part 4

Last Updated: 2011/10/02

AGE OF THE SOUL

Although generally speaking, spirit essence is ageless and eternal, it is possible to classify souls in terms of its evolutionary unfoldment or development. Here we do not speak of the origin of the soul, for from a certain occult point of view, not all human souls originated at the same “time” or from the same imaginary point in space. According to this viewpoint, not all humans are of the same spiritual race. Our many racial conflicts have its source in the very depth of our souls where our metaphysical blueprints are diverse and heterogeneous. In the channeled teachings of the New Age, our points of origin are associated with certain constellations in the starry sky.

The so-called age of the soul may be determined in various ways and there are many forms of classifications. These methods of determining the evolutionary stage of the soul assists us to greatly understand the behavioral patterns and mental/spiritual differences in human beings.

We call some of the various methods of classifying soul development, “the Caste-System,” “the Planetary Initiatory System,” and “the Chronological-Aging System.” Each system has its own method of delineating soul-progress. We believe that psychology would improve its understanding of the human psyche if it took the issue of soul-age under consideration.

The Caste System

According to the Hindus, thousands of years ago Manu, the progenitor of humanity, instituted the caste system called jati in Sanskrit. In this system there are four classes called varna. The highest varna is the Brahmin, the priests and scholars. Next in rank is the warrior/ruler-caste, called Kshatriya. Below this are the merchants and the farmers–the Vaisyas. The lowest class is that of the Sudras, the laborers. Outside of the class systems are the “Untouchables.” These are the Dravidians, the original inhabitants of the land colonized by the Aryans. This caste-system is still in existence today, however, its rigidity has caused a great amount of civil problems and unrest; fortunately though, numerous political and social reformers have caused positive changes and abolished many of the caste-system strict rules.

According to the exponents of the caste system every soul is born into the caste in accord with its karma. If one is born in a lower caste, it is because of its karma. Only if it ameliorated its karmic condition would it be born in a higher caste in a next life. Members of a certain caste were not allowed to marry those of another class. In such a strict system the opportunity to progress was not provided. The lower class eventually became the slaves of the higher.

Although the physical form of the caste-system is abhorrent to the fine, sensitive nature of the evolved soul, its essence has a basis in truth. Spiritually speaking, every person belongs to one of the class of the caste system. In other words, our soul functions at a certain caste-level and it eventually evolves through all of the castes. At present we may function at a Sudra-consciousness level, or a Ksatriya-consciousness level, etc. From the spiritual point of view, there are also classes above the Brahmin level. These are the great souls, men and women who have reached the state of perfection.

Briefly, the soul begins its evolutionary journey as an Untouchable, this is the soul-stage where one simply struggles to survive. One has no concept of sin at this stage, one simply lives according to the basic instincts. The Untouchables are simple, ignorant people. Their mentality and spirituality are not yet awakened. At the next stage, as a Sudra, the soul has evolved an egoic sense and begins to work for self-aggrandizement and self-centered purposes. As a Vaisya the soul becomes very ambitious and materialistic and seeks money for its sake alone. The Vaisya cares for none but for self alone. Everything that exists the Vaisya seeks to own. The Ksatriya on the other hand has evolved a sense of responsibility. He seeks to serve humanity, however, his attempts are still tainted by his ego which is now functioning in a subtle manner. The Brahmin has commenced to renounce the many vices and negative traits that acted as hurdles towards his spiritual progress. There is now little ego left in him. He often has a mystical disposition. In his mind and heart he often feels that he has “seen it all” and “have known it all.” This results in his distaste for the mundane world, and he usually becomes a renunciate. The Brahminic soul finds more pleasure in things of the spirit rather than in worldly pleasures.

From the above we can see the hypothetical situation where a Vaisya, spiritually speaking, is born into a physical Ksatriya caste, or becomes president of a country. This results in a ruler with tyrannical tendencies. Someone who misuses the trust that people places upon him. He exploits his position in order to own and acquire the riches of the world for self-centered purposes.

We can see the difference in soul development as related to class by an individual’s understanding of the concept of power. Each class has its own characteristical understanding of the word “power.” Ask someone with a Sudra soul-development what his understanding of power is. He will show you his muscles–”muscle-power.” The Vaisya on the other hand, will declare that money is power, or even that psychism is power. To the Ksatriya, position, rank, or office is power . . . perhaps his sword too. Brahmins would maintain knowledge to be power. The person who said that the pen is mightier than the sword was a Brahmin. The higher spiritual classes without doubt would declare love to be the highest power.

Though the Caste-system has four, five, or even six classes, they are not clearly distinct. In some cases we have an overlapping of classes. For instance, a soul may be a Sudra-Vaisya, or a Vaisya-Ksatriya, etc. Or a much more precise way of classifying this is to consider each class as having four sub-classes. The following is an example: Sudra-Sudra, Vaisya-Sudra, Ksatriya-Sudra, and Brahmin-Sudra. The next set of sub-classes would be Sudra-Vaisya, Vaisya-Vaisya, Ksatriya-Vaisya, etc. This would make 16 sub-classes in all, and each sub-class would have its own characteristics.

We can also see how the pattern of the caste-syetem corresponds with the four-fold personality of the microcosm: Sudra–physical body; Vaisya–astral or emotional body; Ksatriya–the lower mental (concrete mind); Brahmin–the higher mental (the abstract mind).

The Planetary Initiatory System

In order to understand the planetary initiations and its relationship to the stages of soul-unfoldment, we should first discuss briefly the meaning of initiation and the institution behind it.

Initiation may be defined as the “act of inducing, introducing, or instructing.” It is often ritualistic in nature and is to be found in various social ceremonies. Fraternal organizations often extend an initiation to their member-candidates to impress upon their minds the importance of the step that they would be taking. There are many forms of initiation related to the life of a human being; for instance, birth, adolescence, adulthood, parenthood, etc.-all of these are stages of growth and in certain cultures they are marked by certain initiatory rituals. These rituals are often called rites of passage. Initiation in that sense, is an announcement or revelation of what one has attained, or reached.

In schools of esotericism, initiations are given to candidates requesting occult wisdom. In such initiatory ceremonies, mystic instructions are often conveyed to the one being initiated. Often the candidate had to undergo certain tests and trials to prove his worthiness. In the Initiatory schools of Ancient Egypt, for instance, the candidate had to face the challenges of the four elements. These trials would reveal whether the candidate had the necessary qualifications, such as sincerity, courage, determination, perseverance, etc., in order to progress in the occult teachings and to preserve them from misuse. When these arduous tests had been completed the candidate would be led to a special chamber where he or she would be caused to experience what has been called, “dying while living.” Through mystic methods the high priest conducting the initiation would release the ka, the “soul” from the candidate’s corporeal form. In these initiations yogic instructions are given to the initiated one to practice. In most initiatory systems, there are three stages of occult advancement–each stage represented by an initiation. In the initiatory systems of ancient Egypt, these three steps are referred to as the initiations of Osiris, Isis, and Serapis.

Planetary initiations are quite different from what we have discussed thus far. Man is in a state of evolution, and every stage of his unfoldment is marked by an initiation. Often these initiations are ritualistically conducted by the members of the Planetary Spiritual Hierarchy. This Spiritual Hierarchy is the unseen government of this planet.

The Spiritual Hierarchy, according to the Ancient Wisdom, was established about 18 million years ago by an interplanetary being from Venus called Sanat Kumara. This exalted entity is the god or president-director of planet earth. It was he who sent many beings to appear on the world scene to instruct humankind on the Path of Truth, Love and Wisdom. These beings are our avatars, saints and prophets. Many of these entities now hold important positions in the spiritual government headed by Sanat Kumara.

The purpose of the Spiritual Hierarchy is to guide and assist humanity’s evolutionary struggle towards higher levels, towards the fifth kingdom–the kingdom of the gods and even beyond. Their goal is to release humanity from all of its self-imposed limitations and false beliefs preventing the attainment of god-hood, divinity, and immortality. The members of the Hierarchy teach every person the way out of the cycle of reincarnation, and the elimination of karma.

As mentioned above, the many initiations that the Spiritual Hierarchy conducts relates to the various stages of humanity’s evolution. These initiatory ceremonies are either formally or informally given. They usually take place in the higher dimensions, those above the astral planes. The candidates of these initiations experience them in the Out-of-the-Body state, and is normally recalled during the waking state as a “lucid dream.”

The consciousness of life begins at the mineral level. It progresses to the plant kingdom, moving on to the animal kingdom, and finally enters the human stage. The human kingdom is marked by various evolutionary phases. Most people have passed the early primitive stage of humanity’s collective evolution–and when we say “primitive,” we refer to the consciousness aspect and not to form. The Hierarchy’s consideration of mankind, therefore begins with the stage of the average person. When the average person begins to awaken spiritually, he is considered an aspirant. This is analogous to the stage of novice in any religious institution. After this stage comes the grade of discipleship.

After many tests, a disciple qualifies for his first initiation. There are 9 initiations associated with this planet. At each stage and initiation there are certain soul qualities that the person has to develop, certain traits and habits that has to be eliminated, and certain tasks carried-out. It is a person’s soul-development or expression that gives us a clue as to where he or she stands on the evolutionary scale or spiritual path as reckoned by the Hierarchy. Most saints and prophets are third and fourth degree initiates. The fifth initiation marks the level of the “Perfect Man.”

Generally speaking, the initiate of the first degree strives to overcome and balance the physical appetites and instincts. The second degree initiate works upon purifying and harmonizing the emotional nature. The third degree initiate has the onus of purifying, developing, and transcending the mind. The human ego would have to be eliminated or transcended in the fourth initiation. Perfection is attained in the fifth initiation. What lies above that, the sixth-ninth degree, is beyond the understanding of the lower degree initiates and the average person. Between two initiations there are several minor ones, not all of which are celebrated in a ceremonious manner. The various events in the life of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament represents the planetary initiations. This is a hidden truth not yet understood by orthodox Christianity. The gospel stories are actually narratives of our own soul-journey and development.

Not all of the initiations are attained in one incarnation. It takes many lives to pass through them. Because of this a person may be born as a second or third degree initiate; a first or fourth degree initiate; or even as an average person who has not yet set his foot on the path of spiritual unfoldment. Our children may be more advanced than us, spiritually speaking, just as candidates may be more highly developed than their seniors when they are first accepted or initiated into a spiritual organization.

The Chronological Aging System

Another method of gauging the soul’s age is what we personally call the Chronological Aging System. This method has attained some publicity when the manuscript, “The Michael’s Handbook” was published; however, this system is not new and have been taught by mystics throughout the ages.

Basically, this system follows the same chronological stages that an organism goes through in its life. An organism begins its life as an infant and progresses in the following stages: baby, youth (young), adult (mature), and the aged (old). Now the soul also undergoes all of the above stages in its development, and even more. Those souls that have passed the stage of “Old-soul” may be said to be Transcendent and Infinite souls. At each stage or age there are seven sub-stages or levels. At every level and every stage, the soul has identifying traits and characteristics, and these have positive and negative aspects. Generally speaking, by knowing the traits of someone we may tell their soul age, and hence, where they stand in their evolution. Below is a table of the soul stages and their basic traits as described in the book “Michael’s Handbook,” written by Jose Stevens.

[Please visit this page for table: http://www.indotalisman.com/mystsoul.html]

Generally, Infant souls are more concerned with survival issues than anything else, and they often live far from the complexities of technological societies. It is said that Infant souls tend to congregate in the equator for survival is much easier and simpler there. Negatively, Infant souls are aggressive, animalistic, fearful, superstitious, and ignorant. Their redeeming qualities are simplicity, child-like, psychical, and instinctive.

Baby souls are those beings that strictly play the rules of society. They are unshakeable in their beliefs and they have a tendency to succumb to fanaticism, whether it be religion or some other. Baby souls are comfortable with formal rites and ceremonies and are strict conformist to the tenets of theological dogmas. The good aspects of Baby souls might include loyalty and obedience, while their negative aspects dogmatism, pettiness, and brutality.

Young souls are struggling to express their innate identity, their divinity; however, they mistakenly do this by asserting their false ego, by misusing power, and by manipulating others. Hence, with such tactics, they are often the conflict-makers. They are possessive in nature and are deeply concerned with power issues. They love to be known and worshipped and are often the success-hunters. Young souls are ambitious and competitive and ever seek to be prominent in their field of expertise. They are great winners but sore losers. They are materialistically and atheistically oriented, and are greatly fearful of death. They love luxury and the many comforts of life. Positive traits of Young souls are productiveness and industriousness. Negatively, they are competitive, self-righteous, manipulative, and given to exploitation.

Mature souls are less materialistic than their younger brethren. Relationships, cultural and intellectual pursuits are of more importance to Mature souls than the lower activities of the personality. This is the stage where the soul commences to search for a meaning in life. The soul begins to feel an emptiness in its heart for all the mundane things that it sought after in the early stages offered no lasting enjoyment. Mentally, it begins to be open-minded, is introspective, and commences its inquiry into the nature of Truth. Mature souls have a sense of caring, they are perceptive, and are open to others-these are their positive traits. Negatively, they can be over-attached, over-emotional, and neurotic.

Old souls are the teachers and guides of the younger souls. Having experienced life and its many facets, spiritually speaking, they are the ones among human souls most qualified to show others the Way. Usually, they possess not mere intellectual knowledge of Universal Truths, but have experienced them personally through soul-perception. Old souls enjoy their freedom and have a sense of inter-relatedness. All things to the Old soul are inseparable from itself, and are but aspects of itself. They see and feel God in everything. From the perspective of Young souls, old timers are sometimes hard to fathom. The Old ones seem to lack any powerful ambition, motivation, and enthusiasm for earthly life. They appear to be detached, reticent, and aloof. Old souls enjoy unorthodox spiritual practices, and alternative forms of healing. They are esoterically inclined–always searching for the inner truths in religion rather than conforming to its formalities; they are more spiritually aware than the soul groups of any other soul stage. Old souls are adept in choosing and expressing any of their past-life personalities according to the situations that they face in life. They might appear authoritative one moment, and at another they may act docile, sweet and innocent. Old souls know that life is a play and that they are merely actors playing roles. From the viewpoint of Baby and Young souls, the Old ones with their spiritual vision and mystical understanding are simply heretical. Old souls have often been persecuted and executed by the ignorant younger souls. The Young ones tend to attack what they fear and do not understand in the Old ones and thus create unnecessary karma. The Old soul is easygoing, eccentric, kind, gentle, loving, insightful, intuitive, and harmless, these are just some of their positive traits; Old souls have very little negative traits and ego left, although there are some “species” that can seemingly be obnoxious for certain karmic reasons. Old souls are at times lazy, weird, and unmotivated.

Mystery of the Soul Part 5

Last Updated: 2011/10/01

Basically, Baby, Infant and Young souls do not have as yet coordinated personalities and their souls are often governed by the lower instincts and impulses of their personality. Mature and Old souls are more in control and their personalities are integrated and functioning under the direction of the Higher Self, the Soul. At each stage and level the soul’s consciousness level expands. It becomes more spiritually aware. Almost all prophets were Old souls. They gave teachings to the younger ones that eventually was misunderstood by them and created into dogmas. Young souls are incapable of spiritually guiding Old souls. Young souls merely believe that which they feel to be true; Old souls know what they know. Young souls guess, Old souls perceive. It is said that Infant souls learn their karmic lessons through suffering; Baby souls through pain; Young souls through losing; Mature souls through anguish; and Old souls through terror.

There is one principle that ought to be understood, and that is the appropriateness of activity and expression of souls no matter what stage they are on. It is alright for a Baby soul to act as a baby, but for an Adult soul to act as one is inappropriate and is retrogressive. It is possible to draw a correspondence between the three systems discussed above.

The eyes have long been considered as the windows of the soul. This is an occult fact. The soul’s age may be intuitively felt by its eye-emanations, by the way it gazes, the force and quality that it’s eyes radiates. Younger souls are said to have clear energetic eyes while older souls possess a deeper, worn-out, experienced look. Transcendental souls, or those bordering upon perfection, the Old souls, have eyes that radiates power, warmth, love, compassion, and sincerity. They often have a faraway look as though they were looking towards infinity. They have eyes that see through you.

The predominant soul age of the population of any country reflects upon its social life, its social mores, beliefs, and the perpetuation of its cultural and traditional values. A country’s soul-age can clearly be seen in how their internal and external diplomatic affairs are conducted, and how their people act in a crisis. A materialistic nation is basically composed of Young souls whereas a mystically-oriented society is comprised fundamentally of Old ones. Indonesia, the country where this writer lives is mainly composed of Infant and Baby souls; with a smaller percentage of Young souls trailing behind. Adult and Old souls are few in comparison.

TYPES OF SOULS

There are no two Monads exactly alike, just as there are no two Souls exactly of the same similarity. Each Monad, Soul, or entity are one of a kind, each a distinctive facet of the One Divinity, of the One Reality. Nevertheless, generally speaking, it is possible to broadly classify the psychological aspects of souls. There are many systems of classifying humanity based upon body type and psychological nature. Physically speaking, bodies may be classed as ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph; and psychologically as introverted or extroverted, etc. In metaphysics there are also various methods of classification. The astrological method seems to be the most popular one.

It is no coincidence that both the Chinese and Western astrological systems have twelve signs representing twelve types of men. However, esoteric astrology teaches that this sum is erroneous. According to the esoteric teachings there are actually 144 basic types. Exoterically speaking, since the characteristics of each sign, both Western and Chinese have been well-documented in books we will not trouble ourselves explaining them here.

Still related to astrology are the planetary types. This gets its name from the planets of our solar system and the sun and moon, although the latter two are not technically planets. Below we list the positive and negative characteristics of these planetary types of men (excluding the Plutonian, for much is still not yet known of this type) as extracted from Michael’s Handbook:

The Moon or Lunar Type

Positive: Calm, methodical, passive, patient, tenacious, maternal, sympathetic, and receptive.

Negative: Moody, introspective, cold-hearted, incommunicative, willfull, stubborn, unforgiving, depressive, and destructive.

The Sun or Solar Type

Positive: Radiant, creative, elegant, dignified, refined, innocent, fun-loving, and childlike.

Negative: Airy, aloof, intolerant, naïve, indiscriminate, greedy, and juvenile.

The Mercurian Type

Positive: Intellectually active, perceptive, witty, clever, versatile, and clarity of expression.

Negative: Inconsistent, impulsive, explosive, nervous, sarcastic, argumentative, and cynical.

The Venusian Type

Positive: Harmonious, socially warm, loving, gentle, non-judgmental, loyal, easy-going, and friendly.

Negative: Lazy, dependent, indecisive, careless, sentimental, and sloppy.

The Martian Type

Positive: Vigorous, energetic, passionate, decisive, brutally honest, heroic nature, and forthright.

Negative: Impulsive, irritable, pugnacious, defensive, quarrelsome, brutal, rude, lacking forethought.

The Jupiterian Type

Positive: Grand, generous, benevolent, compassionate, kind, loyal, caring, affectionate, and philosophical.

Negative: Self-indulgent, extravagant, conceited, wasteful, and craving attention.

The Saturnian Type

Positive: Paternal, calm, secretive, just, moderate, and self-controlled.

Negative: Immutable, inflexible, overly intellectual, despondent, severe, aloof, and feelingless.

The Neptunian Type

Positive: Spiritual, quiet, idealistic, imaginative, sensitive, graceful, and artistically creative.

Negative: Impractical, unworldly, uncertain, and melancholy

The Uranian Type

Positive: Independent, original, strong-willed, loathing restriction, and humanitarian.

Negative: Eccentric, rebellious, and deviant.

***************

7-Ray Types

Aside from the methods of classification above, the 7- Ray types have acquired popularity in recent years with the teachings of the early Theosophical leaders and the writings of Alice Bailey. The study of the Seven Rays is an abstruse subject and there is much concerning it that has not yet been revealed by the Spiritual Masters. Nevertheless, that which has already been given to humanity in the Alice Bailey teachings are substantial and it takes more than mere intellect to apprehend them.

Before briefly explaining the Seven Ray types, it would be appropriate to clarify matters regarding the Rays. We will attempt to present this simply, in accord with our present understanding of the subject. What are these Rays? Every object, entity, being, and particle radiates energy. The Sun in our solar system radiates tremendous amount of cosmic energies for the purpose of nourishing the planets and all beings therein. The Spiritual Sun, or the Spirit of the Sun, radiates a spiritual energy of a certain quality. This energy has three aspects to it and four attributes, just as the physical light spectrum has three primary colors and four lesser ones. Each aspect and attribute of this primary spiritual energy in turn have specific qualities. These seven differentiations of the primary energy of the Sun are called the Seven Rays. These Seven Rays are much higher in frequency than those detectable by our present scientific instruments.

Every component in the microcosm of man is predominantly imbued by one of the Seven Rays. The physical body, for instance may be ruled by one of the Seven Rays, the emotional or astral body may be ruled by another. When the four lower bodies of the microcosm functions in harmony their ruling Rays are in turn coordinated by one specific Ray. When this occurs there are three ruling Rays in the microcosm of man to consider: the Ray ruling the Monad (the Spirit), the Ray ruling the Soul, and the Ray ruling the Personality. Each microcosm, or each human being as a totality, may not have the same ruling Rays. For instance, one person’s personality may be ruled by the second ray, another the third, or fourth, etc.

A study of these Rays help us to understand the Soul’s make-up, its potentialities, its weaknesses and strengths, its quirks, and karmic destiny. One’s Ray type/s may be considered as the nature of the power assumed in order for one to play one’s role in the cosmic scheme of things. The Seven Rays have spiritual, psychological and physical attributes, powers, and virtues. Their characteristics are represented by the seven fields of endeavor:

[Please visit this page for table: http://www.indotalisman.com/mystsoul.html]

Each Ray may be perfectly or imperfectly expressed, and thus would seem that they have positive and negative qualities. However, the Rays are actually neutral in nature. Some of their attributes are:

[Please visit this page for table: http://www.indotalisman.com/mystsoul.html]

The Seven Ray types of men are represented by the: King-First Ray, Sage-Second Ray, Server-Third Ray, Artisan-Fourth Ray, Scholar-Fifth Ray, Priest-Sixth Ray, Warrior-Seventh Ray.

We regret that we are not able to elaborate upon the teachings of the Rays and how the raw data given above adds up together. To do so would go beyond the scope of this paper. We advice those who wish to delve further to study the teachings of Alice Bailey and her modern interpreters.

SOUL AND IMMORTALITY

Immortality in a religious sense, is the conception of the survival or continuation of self-identity, self-awareness, and all of the soul’s innate qualities and attributes through the “Great Initiation,” as death is sometimes called. Some conceive immortality as a potential condition to be attained by the individual through good works and moral living; others believe that immortality is an innate state of the soul. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), the German philosopher, defined immortality of the soul thus:

“The immortality of the soul means the infinitely prolonged existence of one and the same rational being.”

The above statement implies that Kant believed souls would perceive and rationally understand themselves to be the same as they were in the mortal state.

Among the people of ancient cultures, the Egyptians were perhaps the first to give credence to immortality. For the departed they formulated specific rituals that would guide those souls in the many events of the afterworld, such as the Judgement in the Hall of Osiris. It was believed that their angel of death, the god Anubis, would assist the newly deceased to pass over to the Otherside where in the Judgement Hall it would be weighed on the scales against Maat, or Truth.

The famed “Book of the Dead” was a guide for the Ba, the soul, written in hieroglyphics upon the walls of the tomb so that the soul would know the things awaited it and what it had to do. That immortality was a salient point in Egyptian beliefs may be seen by one of the inscriptions found on a wall of a Fifth-Dynasty tomb:

“They depart not as those who are dead, but they depart as those who are living.”

The belief that the soul survived the body and its eventual return was one of the exoteric reasons that the Egyptians mummified their dead thus preserving it from deterioration. However, the real reason why cadavers were mummified is yet undisclosed. That they did not really expect their departed to return to the same body and be resurrected therein can be seen by their practice of the removal of the internal organs and placing them in special urns. If the body was to be reused they certainly would not have evacuated the internal organs. The practice of mummification is analogous to our modern practice of cryogenics in which newly deceased bodies are frozen. There is always a hope among men that future technology would be able to resurrect the dead. What motivates men to preserve the dead body is the instinctive desire for immortality. Men have always believed that a future life is possible, whether in this dimension or in some other realms. Cicero once wrote that,

“There is in the minds of men, I know not how, a certain presage of a future existence; and this takes deepest root in the greatest geniuses and most exalted souls.”

Why is the immortality of the soul believed in so emphatically in most religions and philosophical thought? In ancient times man was considered to be a dual creature. He had a physical body that was tangible and corporeal; however the ancients also recognized the fact that man had feelings and thoughts, and this was related to an intangible factor that they conceived of as spirit or soul. In addition to this, the many supernatural phenomena such as hauntings and psychic contacts convinced man that the soul was indeed immortal and survive the death of the physical body. To the ancients, another factor that gave credence to immortality is that the life-force accompanies the breath when man as a newly-born child makes its first inhalation, and that they also depart simultaneously at the time of death. The soul was conceived of as being released together with the last breath. Since the breath is indestructible, so likewise was the soul. The living body breathes, the dead does not. Many cultures used the same word to mean both breath and soul, or life-essence. The ancient Greeks for instance used the word, “pneuma” to designate the breath and likewise the vital force that animates man. They also used the word psyche to designate the mind and soul.

Another concept of immortality is that the soul was never created and that it had always existed though its consciousness may not be as developed as it is now. What has no beginning has no end. Whatever had an inception is conceived to have a termination. In the Phaedo, Plato has Socrates arguing for the immortality of the soul.

It is said that the belief in immortality is a direct extension of man’s instinct of self-preservation. All creatures struggle to survive, to maintain the life-force; all of man’s finer instincts imbues within him the sense of the continuity of self-identity notwithstanding the transitory process. It is instinctive in man to believe in a continuation of life rather than its cessation. Subconsciously man knows what the conscious mind only has a faintest realization. In “Ethics” Spinoza affirmed:

“We feel and know that we are eternal.”

From the scientific point of view, granted that the soul survives the physical form, it is still no assurance that it will maintain its integrity or structure forever. For instance, why is it that some religious doctrines believe that the soul may experience “the second death”? In what sense? Also, when the soul is considered to be immortal does this refer to its form or its essence? If its essence is considered immortal science would agree, for it knows that matter and energy are interchangeable one for the other and is essentially indestructible. Nothing is ever destroyed only converted or transmuted. However, as to the permanency of form, of structure–the structure of the soul–this is questionable. Another vital scientific inquiry would be, “Is self-identity and consciousness related to the essence, function, or form of the soul?”

Mystery of the Soul Part 6

Last Updated: 2011/10/01

The many theological hypotheses and theories regarding the survival of consciousness are without a basis from the scientific standpoint. Orthodox science even look askance towards the findings of parapsychology. Accounts such as Near-Death Experience, spontaneous past life recall, hypnotic regressions, Out-of-the-Body Experience, and psychic phenomena in general seemingly point to the immortality of the soul; however, conventional science still find such occurrences inconclusive. Fundamentally, science, however, does not oppose the notion of the existence of the soul or of its immortality; it is at present researching through empirical methods to prove or disprove it. However, it is realized that the phenomenon of the soul does not readily submit to objective analysis. Science realizes the limitations of its instruments in the detection of the existence of the soul.

There is another aspect to immortality and this concerns the physical form. Physical immortality is an ancient belief and is to be found in many cultures. In legends and in tales we find the theme of physical immortality repeatedly. The possibility of its attainment is well believed in among most metaphysicians. There are many highly spiritually developed yogis who are said to have reached the state of physical immortality. We personally possess the secret teachings that according to our preceptors in metaphysics, allow one to acquire immortality not only of the soul, but of the physical body as well–at least, it extends man’s life-span way beyond the norm.

In Taoism spiritual and physical immortality are both given careful consideration. Regarding physical immortality, there are many alchemical formulas supposed to immortalize the material body. Those who achieve physical immortality are called hsien. To the ignorant these alchemical formulas are supposedly made out of mineral or herbal substances; but to the knowledgeable, they refer to the internal processes of chi or energy. The methods for attaining spiritual immortality is associated with the spiritual realization of Tao, the Absolute, the “Mother,” the “Source of all things.” To Lao Tzu, death does not touch the one who has realized the Tao.

According to certain spiritual teachings immortality is the continuous awareness of Self-existence and being without ever lapsing into an unconscious state no matter what psychological and physical conditions or transformations take place such as sleep, concussions, or death. It is the state of realizing one’s divinity and unity with the Source of all. Immortality and the state of being eternal are associated with one’s divine Parent. Unless one recognizes and is aware of this unified state between one’s identity and the Divine Being, one is not immortal, one merely undergoes various changes and is subjected to the whimsical forces of nature. Immortality from this point of view is not something that we automatically acquire when we pass through transition. It is a state that we may acquire here and now. The realization of one’s unity with God is the confirmation of one’s perpetual existence. There are many systems that purport to teach the aspirant the methods of acquiring mystical realization and unification with the divine being, they usually belong to the esoteric section of our world-religions; like religion proper, some of these mystical schools believe theirs to be the best. Popular metaphysics as a whole, embraces many of the above concepts regarding immortality.

The desire for immortality have also taken hold on the minds of computer engineers. To these scientists the computer is analogous to the human brain. They hope that one day a super-computer would be created where every function of the brain would be duplicated, and that it would be possible to transfer or download the human mind and consciousness into it thus creating an artificial habitation for the soul-intelligence. This is their strategy for immortalizing the soul-”a ghost in the machine” reality. Related to this is the supposition that computers and micro-chips would be so advanced and sophisticated in the near future that it would probably generate artificial intelligence-that is, thoughts and feelings of their own.

SOUL FACULTIES

The soul has various psychic faculties though most of them are not being used by the average person. The use of these faculties often result in strange paranormal activities or phenomena. Most psychic phenomena associated with the dead are actually caused by the living. For instance, hauntings are often believed to be “dead persons” appearing to the living, while in most cases hauntings are caused by the astral forms of people who are asleep and inadvertently appearing to others.

Some of the various psychic faculties are: Clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, telepathy, psychokinesis, precognition, soul-travel, and bilocation. These psychic faculties may be developed. It is not merely a gift. Those who are born with them usually have acquired them through psychic-training programs in past-lives. The “powers” that we mentioned above are considered to be the lower faculties of the soul. These powers belong to the etheric, astral and lower mental bodies. There are higher spiritual faculties and these are associated with the higher components in the microcosm, such as the Higher Mental, Buddhi, and Atma.

SOUL CULTURE

Spiritual evolution, when left to nature, progresses at a snail’s pace. Plant-like consciousness may take millions of years just to reach the animal consciousness stage. Human beings, likewise, in the natural course of evolution would similarly require eons just to attain human perfection or godhood–the next kingdom above humankind. However, there are spiritual practices that assists one to shorten this time tremendously. What would take a million years could all unfold in a single lifetime. This was alchemy’s biggest secret discovery–the transformation of lead, which is symbolical of the imperfect human being, into gold, which represents the perfect man. Why wait for nature to transmute lead into gold when it could be done in the laboratory by duplicating and accelerating nature’s processes? This was the alchemist’s reasoning. Though they exoterically referred to metals as the subject of their transformation, they were actually referring to the human soul.

The acceleration of evolution was referred to by the Master Jesus when he mentioned the “strait and narrow path.” According to him only the few would discover this path. These are the teachings that the Master promised to give to his disciples at a time when they were totally prepared for it. These esoteric doctrines and mystical practices are “lost” in the present-day teachings of the Churches. We need not say any more of this.

At present there are many esoteric schools and organizations, both East and West, helping mankind to evolve at a rapid pace. Among the creatures of the four kingdoms, man is the only one able to take his evolution into his own hands. By working with nature, humanity would make much progress. If society en masse reaches the consciousness level attained by the saints there would be no more wars and needless conflicts. This is not an impossibility. Mortal, human thoughts make us believe in our limitations–limitations that actually do not exist.

Soul culture helps us to rapidly evolve and to reach the goal set for us human beings by our Progenitor. In soul-culture there are three basic practices to consider: meditation, energy-work, and soul-refinement.

Meditation

Meditation is the most basic practice in soul-culture. It has been engaged in by saints, prophets, sages, and mystics throughout the ages. There are many meditational methods designed for various purposes. The Hindu yogis have their own methods of meditation, just as the Buddhists and the Taoists have theirs. The Western Tradition also possesses its own forms of meditation.

The basic purpose of meditation is to attune one’s conscious mind with one’s Higher Self, one’s Soul, or one’s inner divinity. In prayer we speak and the higher Intelligences listen; in meditation, the higher Intelligences speak and we listen. Hence, meditation helps us to receive spiritual and divine impulses emanating from God and one’s highest being. Inspiration and self-empowerment are the result of true meditation.

In the more advance practices of meditation we are led gradually to higher and higher dimensions or planes of consciousness where we would ultimately unite or become aware of our Spirit–the Monad. This attainment is referred to by Western writers as “Cosmic Consciousness.” In an ancient scripture we are taught a method of meditation:

“The Self, the inner spirit, ever dwelleth within the hearts of men. Patiently separate Him thou from the cover of the body in which He liveth, even as thou takest off the blades of a reed-plant. Him know thou as pure and immortal; know thou, He is pure and immortal.” (Kathopanishad, II. 6.17)

Energy-Work

Before the advanced practices of meditation may be successfully carried-out, one’s whole force-field and energy-structure would have to be purified, strengthened, refined, awakened, restructured, and empowered. This practice is referred to as energy-work.

The various components of the microcosm that has to be worked upon in energy-work includes the physical body, the chakras, the aura, the etheric channels, the etheric webs, the electronic belt, and the subconscious mind. There are material and psychic toxins accumulated in the vehicles of the Personality that have to be eliminated; and karmic stains that have to be removed. These negative energies causes lots of problems, not only in one’s higher spiritual cultivation practices, but also in daily life. Many of our so-called bad-luck stems from these etheric rubbish accumulated upon our system.

Soul-Refinement

Evolution requires soul-refinement. In order to raise one’s vibrations and improve the quality of one’s force-fields it is also necessary to refine one’s soul-nature, one’s character. It is a person’s low character that generates and attracts negative energies and it would be senseless to constantly perform energy-work when the time could be spent in more beneficial meditational practices. For this reason, aside from energy-work, one has also to work upon spiritualizing one’s character–getting to the root of the problem, so to speak. Almost all religions teaches this aspect of mysticism–a moral standard is set for us to follow. However, sometimes we find it difficult to live up to the standard laid out for us. Sometimes we may consciously know a thing to be right, but subconsciously we are impelled to think, feel or do the opposite. We experience an inner conflict. Metaphysics offer certain methods to overcoming this conflict, and to restructure the subconscious mind with positive energy patterns.

CONCLUSION

It is regrettable that this work could not be presented in a more perfect manner, and that it remains much to be desired. What we have written in this paper merely represents the tip of the iceberg. There is much more to be taken into consideration than what we have addressed in this paper. The Ancient Wisdom is a storehouse of metaphysical knowledge and we advise the interested reader in mystical matters to delve into its study. Certain aspects and knowledge concerning the whole immaterial part of man, as well as the destiny of the Soul goes way beyond the understanding and reach of conventional science and psychics. Nevertheless, There are many more things that could be said about the Soul, not only from the metaphysical point of view, but also from the anthropological, psychological, philosophical, and religious perspective. It is for this reason that we appeal to the reader to do some personal research and acquire the necessary information that would lead to a greater understanding of the Soul–not solely in an intellectual way, but also experientially in a mystical manner through spiritual cultivation. In the early stages of this paper we spelled the word Soul with a small first capital-letter; now we end this work using an upper-case. After studying this paper the reason should be obvious. One last advice: Know Thyself!

How Our Words Impact Our Spiritual Growth

Last Updated: 2011/09/14

Our words show the outer world what our inner world is like. Our words reveal our emotions and our emotions reveal our thoughts. How spiritual growth is influenced by the words that we use will be reviewed in this article.

Our ideal state is reached through the process of spiritual growth. Our ideal state is when our true nature shines through. And our true nature is that which was given to use by our creator.

To let our true nature shine through we need to remove the many filters that distort our projected inner beauty. Are these filters made of some mysterious substance? They are made up of our emotions and our thoughts. Both thoughts and emotions are put forth through our words.

Why have the words that we use become my main focus? Why not choose thoughts and emotions. Words are the easiest to observe which became my main reason for choosing them. And they are the easiest for others to observe and point out to us.

If your friend says that you seem angry it is not hard to have a different opinion. But if they said that you said “I hate everybody” or “I love everybody” that is difficult to challenge. We are able to see our growth by the words that we use. If you want your life to change then simply change your words.

The fleeting nature of thoughts make them difficult to directly change. I am sure you have noticed how your thoughts roam from topic to topic. It is very difficult to capture a picture of your thoughts in any single action.

The same is true for your emotions. They have a tendency to just jump up and surprise us. And when a strong emotional reaction happens it generally is to late to do anything about it.

Observing words is not the same. Changing your words after you have said something is very easy to do. You can change you words completely or simply change the order of what you have said. Instead of saying “You make me mad” you could say “What you are doing makes me mad”. There is a world of difference between those two sentences.

The question is how can this let our true nature shine through. To understand our filters all we need to do is look at our irrational negative emotions. Emotions such as fear, hate, jealousy, anger etc… These negative emotions are best replaced with positive emotions such as gratitude, love, patience, kindness etc…

By paying attention to what we say we can substitute the positive for the negative. To have our thoughts and emotions become more positive we need to make our words become more positive.

The more we clear away the negative the more the positive grows and the more our true nature shines through.

How to Choose a Spiritual Healer – Avoid the Many Mistakes

Last Updated: 2011/09/14

This article will focus on the sometimes difficult task of picking a spiritual healer. Depending on where you live your choices may vary between a few healers to hundreds of available practitioners who offer a wide variety of esoteric sounding services.

Although looking for a healer takes you out of the bounds of the traditional healing arts you do not need to suspend your logic or judgment. The following are four critical questions to ask.

1. Ask friends for referrals – Talking with friends and family would probably be the first place you would go if you were looking for a doctor or dentist. Why not do the same thing when looking for a spiritual healer. Find out from people that you know if they have had any experience with healers. Find out what the results were. How did they feel afterwards. What was the healer like. How many visits did they go for etc…

2. Is the spiritual healer confident in their skills – Practically all products or services come with a money back policy. Will the spiritual healer give you a guarantee of their work? You do not have to have a miracle in one session but are you happy with the results. If they are not confident then maybe they are not for you.

3. How long or often do you have to see them – It is safe to say that you will not be healed in one session but does the healer give you an idea of how many sessions you will need.

4. What determines successful results – {We all like to think that whatever our immediate concern is that someone can help make it go completely away. What type of results will make you happy with your sessions? If you come in with a problem and after 3 sessions you feel 60% better is that successful? Is it successful enough to say you would like more sessions or is it just enough to say that is all you want and can now function very well.

The above questions are critically important to ask. You are the one that decides about your life. Keeping these questions in mind you should be able to find a spiritual healer that you can work with.

Fabulously Funky Favours for your wedding

Last Updated: 2011/09/14

More and more brides are looking to go that one bit further when it comes to their wedding favours. 2007 has seen an even greater rise in unusual and funky wedding favours that really get their guests talking.

Bomboniere nets filled with sugared almonds and favour boxes filled with sweets are still common choices frequenting many a reception table. However, as fashionable trends from the high street are featuring in more regularly in our wedding style, brides are keen to keep up with the Jones. And, what better way to be a talked about trendsetter than by giving your guests fabulously funky favours!?

There are many ways in which you can ensure your wedding favours are high fashion and incredibly en vogue. Firstly, you have to ensure that your tables are probably dressed as these will provide the platform for your show stopping favours. Colourful table linen will be making a major comeback for 2008 weddings as to will lace tablecloths. Equally, the clean, crisp lines of white table cloths are an ever popular choice. Depending on what style your wedding has, this will determine what type of table dressing you have. Just be sure that you have got the look right and match favours with other decorative pieces.

Once your tables are all set and clear, they are ready to provide the platform for your favours. Clear plastic favour boxes moulded into heart shapes look very trendy when filled with nostalgic confectionery. These can then be tied with bright organza ribbon to match your brightly coloured table cloths. Favour like this will give your reception a retro feel.

If your table linen is to be white, there is much option regarding favours. An unusual idea would be to fill clear plastic hearts with preserved rose petals or rose bud potpourri. These can then be tied with lengths of ribbon and tied to the back of your guests chairs. You could attach name cards and these fabulous favours can then double as place cards. This idea is best suited to spring and summer weddings. Look at for it at 2008 weddings in the warmer months…

Chocolate is always a big winner and a trendy choice for funky favours, especially if it’s personalised. Personalised truffles or slabs of chocolate give weddings a vintage feel and always go down very well with guests. Personalised sweet tins, packets and pillow packs are always available in up-to-the-minute trendy styles and look fabulous at place settings.

The elegant candle wedding favours of 2006 and 2007 are now making way for funky alternatives in the shape of novelty candles. Whether these be in the shape of boats, chocolates, flowers or even palm trees they are guaranteed to get your guests talking. Whatever your wedding theme, there’s a novelty shape candle wedding favour for you.

So, if you want to favour your guests with something funky or unusual think clear plastic favour boxes, personalised chocolate and sweets and think novelty candles and you won’t go for wrong. Remember to get the table linen right too as this will set your funky favours off perfectly once you get it right.

This article is brought to you by “World of Wedding Favours” – Offering brides high quality wedding favours and bomboniere at low-cost prices. To view our vast range of wedding favours to suit your special occasion please visit: Wedding Favours

Featured Crystals for January 2007

Last Updated: 2011/09/14

Crystal Suggestions for the New Year!
I thought I would do something different this month and suggest multiple stones- for past, present and future meditations. I used my regular methods of picking the stones as well as my new beautiful Crystal Ally Cards. The cards made a “theme” clear for each phase so I’m including multiple crystals in some entries. Just pick what resonates with you. So enjoy and may we all be able to move forward in this joyous and blessed 2007!

#1(PAST)
MUSCOVITE aka MICA
Once I read about this crystal in the Crystal Bible I knew this was it. This stone is the commonest form of mica and comes in many colors. It is great for angelic contact (I was blessed with alot of angel prescence this Christmas). It has a mystical quality that literally brings a sparkle to the eye and shine to the hair! I picked this stone because it has MANY qualities appropriate to celebrating a new year and taking advantage of a new beginning. Due to space I’ll just list them- *Helps the body attain it’s healthiest weight * It mirrors back our “projections”, the parts of us we refuse to see in ourselves but usually always see in others * It allows the recognition of humanity’s flaws while fostering unconditional love and acceptance.* It relieves tension in the earth as well as our physical body bringing balance and aligning with our meridians.* Bringing flexibility by elimanting nervous stress and anger it disperses insecurity, and clumsiness.* It will assist you in eagerly looking forward to the future and back to the past in gratitude for what you learned. Physically use Muscovite to treat anything caused by distress. It relieves allergies and insomnia, and great for using if you are fasting. Stroke over the skin, carry or hold while meditating. In addition the grounding Smoky Quartz came up as well as sodalite although I feel pretty strongly sodalite was a personal pick. (In the busy-ness of the holidays I neglected myself and the crystals are practically bombarding me to get back to my path:).

#2(PRESENT)
Calcite, Lapis Lazuli, and Topaz
Oh boy the cards were crystal clear about this theme- the importance of an active spiritual life by opening our higher conciousness, finding/admitting truth and to be ready for all the joy and abundance that will come. I really sense that there is an urgent need to “BE” as humankind. Globally our power of thought is gravely important and there was a real active and important on a large level feeling I got when doing this one. Of course it all starts with one and that is the true essence of the present! CALCITE gets us to really be active and induces sponteinity. It is great with kids because it really has that childlike energy (exited wonderment, speeding growth and development). Common and comes in alot of colors, tumbled and raw. I love placing the big raw pieces around a room. It is great on the mental level connecting our mind with emotions, and the spiritual. While calcite almost feels like a beginner’s stone LAPIS has a markedly deeper energy that may feel really intense to some. Don’t be turned off that is just because it resonates and opens so fantastically our third eye chakra. Our higher chakras usually shut down first of all the chakras and many people live without noticing the effects of a closed siritual mind. The sudden opening may be intimitading but start slow by meditating with a piece of obsidian with the Lapis and you will feel quite safe. Our higher chakras must be open to access and intentionally affect the collective consciousness. Lapis brings self-knowledge and with the ability to truly take charge of your life. It harmonizes on all levels. It is a powerful thought amplifier and helps to confront and accept truth. It’s balancing energy bonds relationships and aids in self expression and listening. Place above the diaphragm especially on the third eye/brow. TOPAZ is very familiar as a gem probably because of it’s empathetic ability to give energy where it’s needed most. It also promotes truth and forgiveness. It is a valuable manifestor giving great power to intention and affirmations. It can speed up spiritual development when you feel as though you hit a wall, shining light on your path and tapping into your own inner riches. A happy stone it enables you to spread the sunshine banishing negativity. An emotional stabilizer and problem solver. It imparts a very humanitarian feeling promoting inner wisdom and showing you how to use what you have learned in your life NOW. Position as appropriate.

#3(FUTURE)
Amazonite, Moonstone and Charoite
In my session for the future 2 things came up big time- change (specifically seeing change without fear) and balancing male/female energy. The first is pretty understandable (the future is by nature change!) but the second I’m still not clear on the why but I’m sure I will be…in the future hee, hee. AMAZONITE is a big protector stone. Wear it to block emanantions from electronics, cell phones, microwaves etc. It is also a mental filter allowing your intuition to shift through information before you “take it in”. I find this to really be a message on the importance of protecting ourselves in this the information age. While I do belive we are physically evolving to living with all this “new” mechanical energy it is important to keep exposure in check. It all depends on what is apporopriate for you (maybe a rock salt lamp or ionizer, maybe a tin-foil hat just go with what is right for you). Sometimes I find the abundance of information available overwhelming and confusing. It is those moments where I am telling myself to go within, and balance will be restored. Amanozite is also very soothing and balances male/female energies and aspects of the personality. The stone will assist you in manifesting Universal Love. MOONSTONE is all about cycles, the stone resonates with the moon energy and will powerfully balance male energy with female energy. It is so powerful at promoting the unconscious be careful you do not see wishful thinking as truth. It is a developer of clairvoyence and pschic gifts though. It’s greastest effect is calming emotions with acceptance of change. It gives deep emotional healing and emotional intelligence. Place on the forehead for spiritual meditation or the solar plexus or heart to heal emotions. CHAROITE has been coming up for me alot lately (as I said I know I was neglecting my personal work) and it’s meaning hear is similar. It is a stone of tranformation without fear allowing us to walk our path of service. To facilitate spiritual insight it creates syergy between the heart and crown chakras, and cleanses the aura. It aids coping with enormous spiritual change and raising unconditional love. It brings your purpose into everday reality imparting drive, vigor, spontenaity, perspective while reducing stress and worry. It encourages fast descions by helping those who run off of of other’s thoughts and by generally raising abilities of perception and analysis. Extremely effective when used for gridding (like in the corners of a room).

The Principles of Crystal Healing
Essentially crystals work on a sub-molecular level using vibration to affect energy (including our biomagnetic “sheath”), although there is no traditonal science proving this and western medicine generally does not accept crystal healing. Many crystals are still a mystery as to their specific make up and how they are formed. However more and more is being discovered in molecular science, particularly information about carbon molecules and this knowledge is proving the crystal knowledge that has been used for centuries (as passed down by many different cultures).
Most crystals are formed deep in the earth but in a variety of ways, and some are of extraterriestial orgins (possibly from meteors). Every crystal vibrates uniquely based in part on how it was formed and it mineral composition, but even two crystals of the same type will resonate differently-perhaps one will have a finer vibration-crystals are also sensitive to the user/healer. While every crystal is a “rock” not every rock is a crystal. Crystals are internally perfect, atoms repeating in an order along a lattice (picture a strand of DNA). Eventhough exposure to different minerals may make crystals look different it’s the internal order that determines their classification.
Quantum physicists are delving into a theory that molecules smaller than our comphrehension are what make up the Universe and how each of those molecules resonate is what fundamentally determines everthing that exsists (String Theory).
Crystal healers already know that it’s crystal vibration working with our own vibrations that creates the healing.

« Older Entries

Banner 1

Yet another very useful module you can change. This is great for small updates.

Banner 2!

You can add little things such as special offers or soon to be coming products/article to the website.

Three Simple Steps to Having a Great Day!

Choosing Family Camping Tents

History And Purpose Of Education In The United States

Mother Cow Report Card

Working for the Future

分类目录

文章归档

Mudras & Hand Symbolism: Mudras of the Esoteric Christian Tradition Part 2

Metaphysical Development & Disciplines Part 1

Metaphysical Development & Disciplines Part 2

Man, the Microcosm; Part 1

Man, the Microcosm; Part 2

Man, the Microcosm; Part 3

Man, the Microcosm; Part 4

Man, the Microcosm; Part 5

Man, the Microcosm; Part 6

Man, the Microcosm; Part 7

Mystery of the Soul Part 1

Mystery of the Soul Part 2

Mystery of the Soul Part 3

Mystery of the Soul Part 4

Mystery of the Soul Part 5

Mystery of the Soul Part 6

How Our Words Impact Our Spiritual Growth

How to Choose a Spiritual Healer – Avoid the Many Mistakes

Fabulously Funky Favours for your wedding

Featured Crystals for January 2007

Banner 1

Banner 2!