Studies in Occultism_第7章_无广告免费看-丁香书院

　　ii。，chap。"Basilides。"（returntotext）
　　48。ItwasaskedinIsisUnveiled，werenottheviewsofthePhrygianBishopMontanus，alsodeemedaHERESYbytheChurchofRome？ItisquiteextraordinarytoseehoweasilythatChurchencouragestheabuseofoneheretic，Tertullian，againstanotherheretic，Basilides，whentheabusehappenstofurtherherownobject。（returntotext）
　　49。DoesnotPaulhimselfspeakof"PrincipalitiesandPowersinheavenlyplaces"（Ephesiansiii。10；i。
　　21），andconfessesthattherebegodsmanyandLordsmany（Kurioi）？Andangels，powers（Dunameis），andPrincipalities？（SeeICorinthiansviii。5；andEpistletoRomans，viii。38。）
　　（returntotext）
　　50。Tertullian：Praescript。Itisundeniablyowingonlytoaremarkablycasuistical，sleight—of—hand—likeargumentthatJehovah，whointheKabalaissimplyaSephiroth，thethird，left—handpoweramongtheEmanations（Binah），hasbeenelevatedtothedignityoftheOneabsoluteGod。EvenintheBibleheisbutoneoftheElohim（SeeGenesis，chapteriii。v。22，"TheLordGod"makingnodifferencebetweenhimselfandothers。）（returntotext）
　　51。Thisishistory。Howfarthatre—writingof，andtamperingwith，theprimitivegnosticfragmentswhicharenowbecometheNewTestament，went，maybeinferredbyreading"SupernaturalReligion，"whichwentthroughovertwenty—threeeditions，ifImistakenot。Thehostofauthoritiesforitgivenbytheauthor，issimplyappalling。
　　ThelistoftheEnglishandGermanBiblecriticsaloneseemsendless。（returntotext）
　　52。ThechiefdetailsaregiveninIsisUnveiled，VolII，pp。180—183，etseq。TrulyfaithintheinfallibilityoftheChurchmustbestone—blind——oritcouldnothavefailedbeingkilledand——dying。（returntotext）
　　53。SeeHieronymus：DeViros，illust。cap。
　　3；Olshausen："NeuenText。，"p。32。TheGreektextofMatthew’sGospelistheonlyoneusedoreverpossessedbytheChurch。（returntotext）
　　StudiesinOccultism，Blavatsky，"AstralBodiesorDoppelgangersAstralBodies，orDoppelgangersM。C。Greatconfusionexistsinthemindsofpeopleaboutthevariouskindsofapparitions，wraiths，ghosts，orspirits。Oughtwenottoexplainonceforallthemeaningoftheseterms？Yousaytherearevariouskindsof"doubles"whatarethey？
　　H。P。B。Ouroccultphilosophyteachesusthattherearethreekindsof"doubles，"tousethewordinitswidestsense。First，manhashis"double"orshadow，properlysocalled，aroundwhichthephysicalbodyofthefetus——thefutureman——isbuilt。Theimaginationofthemother，oranaccidentwhichaffectsthechild，willaffectalsotheastralbody。Theastralandthephysicalbothexistbeforethemindisdevelopedintoaction，andbeforetheAtmaawakes。Thisoccurswhenthechildissevenyearsold，andwithitcomestheresponsibilityattachingtoaconscioussentientbeing。This"double"isbornwithman，dieswithhim，andcanneverseparateitselffarfromthebodyduringlife，andthoughsurvivinghim，itdisintegrates，paripassu，withthecorpse。Itisthiswhichissometimesseenoverthegraveslikealuminousfigureofthemanthatwas，duringcertainatmosphericconditions。Fromitsphysicalaspectitis，duringlife，man’svitaldouble，andafterdeath，onlythegasesgivenofffromthedecayingbody。But，asregardsitsoriginandessence，itissomethingmore。ThisdoubleiswhatwehaveagreedtocallLinga—sarira，butwhichIwouldproposetocall，forgreaterconvenience，"Protean"or"PlasticBody。"
　　M。C。WhyProteanorPlastic？
　　H。P。B。Protean，becauseitcanassumeallforms；e。g。，the"shepherdmagicians"whompopularrumoraccuses，perhapsnotwithoutsomereason，ofbeing"were—wolves，"and"mediumsincabinets，"whoseown"PlasticBodies"playthepartofmaterializedgrandmothersand"JohnKings。"Otherwise，whytheinvariablecustomofthe"deardepartedangels"tocomeoutbutlittlefurtherthanarm’slengthfromthemedium，whetherentrancedornot？Mind，Idonotatalldenyforeigninfluencesinthiskindofphenomena。
　　ButIdoaffirmthatforeigninterferenceisrare，andthatthematerializedformisalwaysthatofthemedium’sAstral，orProteanbody。
　　M。C。Howisthisastralbodycreated？
　　H。P。B。Itisnotcreated；itgrows，asItoldyou，withthemanandexistsintherudimentaryconditionevenbeforethechildisborn。
　　M。C。Andwhataboutthesecond？
　　H。P。B。Thesecondisthe"Thought"body，orDreambody，rather；
　　knownamongOccultistsastheMayavi—rupa，or"Illusion—body。"Duringlifethisimageisthevehiclebothofthoughtandoftheanimalpassionsanddesires，drawingatoneandthesametimefromthelowestterrestrialmanas（mind）andKama，theelementofdesire。Itisdualinitspotentiality，andafterdeathformswhatiscalledintheEastBhut，orKama—rupa，butwhichisbetterknowntoTheosophistsasthe"Spook。"
　　M。C。Andthethird？
　　H。P。B。ThethirdisthetrueEgo，calledintheEastbyanamemeaning"causal—body，"butwhichinthetrans—Himalayanschoolsisalwayscalledthe"Karmicbody，"whichisthesame。ForKarma，oraction，isthecausewhichproducesincessantrebirthsor"reincarnations。"
　　ItisnottheMonad，norisitManasproper；butis，inaway，indissolublyconnectedwithandacompoundoftheMonadandManasinDevachan。
　　M。C。Thentherearethreedoubles？
　　H。P。B。IfyoucalltheChristianandotherTrinities"threeGods，"thentherearethreedoubles。Butintruththereisonlyoneunderthreeaspectsorphases：themostmaterialportiondisappearingwiththebody；themiddleonesurvivingbothasanindependentbuttemporaryentityinthelandofshadows；thethird，immortalthroughouttheManvantara，unlessNirvanaputsanendtoitbefore。
　　M。C。ButshallnotwebeaskedwhatdifferencethereisbetweentheMayaviandKama—rupa，orasyouproposetocallthemthe"Dreambody"andthe"Spook"？
　　H。P。B。Mostlikely，andweshallanswer，inadditiontowhathasbeensaid，thatthe"thought—power"oraspectoftheMayavior"Illusion—body，"mergesafterdeathentirelyintothecausalbodyortheconscious，thinkingEgo。Theanimalelements，orpowerofdesireofthe"Dreambody，"absorbingafterdeaththatwhichithascollected（throughitsinsatiabledesiretolive）duringlife；i。e。，alltheastralvitalityaswellasalltheimpressionsofitsmaterialactsandthoughtswhileitlivedinpossessionofthebody，formsthe"Spook"
　　orKama—rupa。OurTheosophistsknowwellenoughthatafterdeaththehigherManasuniteswiththeMonadandpassesintoDevachan，whilethedregsofthelowerManasoranimalmindgotoformthisSpook。Thishaslifeinit，buthardlyanyconsciousness，except，asitwere，byproxy；whenitisdrawnintothecurrentofamedium。
　　M。C。Isitallthatcanbesaiduponthesubject？
　　H。P。B。Forthepresentthisisenoughmetaphysics，Iguess。
　　Letusholdtothe"Double"initsearthlyphase。Whatwouldyouknow？
　　M。C。Everycountryintheworldbelievesmoreorlessinthe"double"ordoppelganger。Thesimplestformofthisistheappearanceofaman’sphantomthemomentafterhisdeath，orattheinstantofdeath，tohisdearestfriend。Isthisappearancethemayavi—rupa？
　　H。P。B。Itis；becauseproducedbythethoughtofthedyingman。
　　M。C。Isitunconscious？
　　H。P。B。Itisunconscioustotheextentthatthedyingmandoesnotgenerallydoitknowingly；norisheawarethathesoappears。Whathappensisthis。Ifhethinksveryintentlyatthemomentofdeathofthepersonheeitherisveryanxioustosee，orlovesbest，hemayappeartothatperson。Thethoughtbecomesobjective；thedouble，orshadowofaman，beingnothingbutthefaithfulreproductionofhim，likeareflectioninamirror：thatwhichthemandoes，eveninthought，thatthedoublerepeats。Thisiswhythephantomsareoftenseeninsuchcasesintheclothestheywearattheparticularmoment，andtheimagereproduceseventheexpressiononthedyingman’sface。Ifthedoubleofamanbathingwereseenitwouldseemtobeimmersedinwater；sowhenamanwhohasbeendrownedappearstohisfriend，theimagewillbeseentobedrippingwithwater。Thecausefortheapparitionmayalsobereversed；i。e。，thedyingmanmayormaynotbethinkingatalloftheparticularpersonhisimageappearsto，butitisthatpersonwhoissensitive。Orperhapshissympathyorhishatredfortheindividualwhosewraithisthusevokedisveryintensephysicallyorpsychically；andinthiscasetheapparitioniscreatedby，anddependsupontheintensityofthethought。Whatthenhappensisthis。LetuscallthedyingmanA，andhimwhoseesthedoubleB。Thelatter，owingtolove，hate，orfear，hastheimageofAsodeeplyimpressedonhispsychicmemory，thatactualmagneticattractionandrepulsionareestablishedbetweenthetwo，whetheroneknowsofitandfeelsit，ornot。WhenAdies，thesixthsenseorpsychicspiritualintelligenceoftheinnermaninBbecomescognizantofthechangeinA，andforthwithapprizesthephysicalsensesofthemanbyprojectingbeforehiseyetheformofAasitisattheinstantofthegreatchange。Thesamewhenthedyingmanlongstoseesomeone；histhoughttelegraphstohisfriend，consciouslyorunconsciouslyalongthewireofsympathy，andbecomesobjective。Thisiswhatthe"Spookical"ResearchSocietywouldpompously，butnonethelessmuddily，calltelepathicimpact。
　　M。C。Thisappliestothesimplestformoftheappearanceofthedouble。Whataboutcasesinwhichthedoubledoesthatwhichiscontrarytothefeelingandwishoftheman？
　　H。P。B。Thisisimpossible。The"Double"cannotactunlessthekey—noteofthisactionwasstruckinthebrainofthemantowhomthe"Double"belongs，bethatmanjustdead，oralive，ingoodorinbadhealth。
　　Ifhepausedonthethoughtasecond，longenoughtogiveitform，beforehepassedontoothermentalpictures，thisonesecondisassufficientfortheobjectivizationofhispersonalityontheastralwaves，asforyourfacetoimpressitselfonthesensitizedplateofaphotographicapparatus。NothingpreventsyourformthenbeingseizeduponbythesurroundingForces——asadryleaffallenfromatreeistakenupandcarriedawaybythewind——beingmadetocaricatureordistortyourthought。
　　M。C。Supposingthedoubleexpressesinactualwordsathoughtuncongenialtotheman，andexpressesit——letussaytoafriendfaraway，perhapsonanothercontinent？Ihaveknowninstancesofthisoccurring。
　　H。P。B。Becauseitthensohappensthatthecreatedimageistakenupandusedbya"Shell。"Justasinseance—roomswhen"images"ofthedead——whichmayperhapsbelingeringunconsciouslyinthememoryoreventheaurasofthosepresent——areseizeduponbytheElementalsorElementaryShadowsandmadeobjectivetotheaudience，andevencausedtoactatthebiddingofthestrongestofthemanydifferentwillsintheroom。Inyourcase，moreover，theremustexistaconnectinglink——atelegraphwire——betweenthetwopersons，apointofpsychicsympathy，andonthisthethoughttravelsinstantly。Ofcoursetheremustbe，ineverycase，somestrongreasonwhythatparticularthoughttakesthatdirection；itmustbeconnectedinsomewaywiththeotherperson。Otherwisesuchapparitionswouldbeofcommonanddailyoccurrence。
　　M。C。Thisseemsverysimple；whythendoesitonlyoccurwithexceptionalpersons？
　　H。P。B。Becausetheplasticpoweroftheimaginationismuchstrongerinsomepersonsthaninothers。Themindisdualinitspotentiality：
　　itisphysicalandmetaphysical。ThehigherpartofthemindisconnectedwiththespiritualsoulorBuddhi，thelowerwiththeanimalsoul，theKamaprinciple。Therearepersonswhoneverthinkwiththehigherfacultiesoftheirmindsatall；thosewhodosoaretheminorityandarethus，inaway，beyond，ifnotabove，theaverageofhumankind。Thesewillthinkevenuponordinarymattersonthathigherplane。Theidiosyncrasyofthepersondeterminesinwhich"principle"ofthemindthethinkingisdone，asalsothefacultiesofaprecedinglife，andsometimestheheredityofthephysical。Thisiswhyitissoverydifficultforamaterialist——themetaphysicalportionofwhosebrainisalmostatrophied——toraisehimself，orforonewhoisnaturallyspiritually—mindedtodescendtothelevelofthematter—of—factvulgarthought。Optimismandpessimismdependonitalsoinagreatmeasure。
　　M。C。Butthehabitofthinkinginthehighermindcanbedeveloped——elsetherewouldbenohopeforpersonswhowishtoaltertheirlivesandraisethemselves？Andthatthisispossiblemustbetrue，ortherewouldbenohopefortheworld。
　　H。P。B。Certainlyitcanbedeveloped，butonlywithgreatdifficulty，afirmdetermination，andthroughmuchself—sacrifice。Butitiscomparativelyeasyforthosewhoarebornwiththegift。Whyisitthatonepersonseespoetryinacabbageorapigwithherlittleones，whileanotherwillperceiveintheloftiestthingsonlytheirlowestandmostmaterialaspect，willlaughatthe"musicofthespheres，"andridiculethemostsublimeconceptionsandphilosophies？Thisdifferencedependssimplyontheinnatepowerofthemindtothinkonthehigheroronthelowerplane，withtheastral（inthesensegiventothewordbySt。Martin），orwiththephysicalbrain。Greatintellectualpowersareoftennoproofof，butareimpedimentstospiritualandrightconceptions；witnessmostofthegreatmenofscience。
　　Wemustratherpitythanblamethem。
　　M。C。Buthowisitthatthepersonwhothinksonthehigherplaneproducesmoreperfectandmorepotentialimagesandobjectiveformsbyhisthought？
　　H。P。B。Notnecessarilythat"person"alone，butallthosewhoaregenerallysensitives。Thepersonwhoisendowedwiththisfacultyofthinkingabouteventhemosttriflingthingsfromthehigherplaneofthoughthas，byvirtueofthatgiftwhichhepossesses，aplasticpowerofformation，sotosay，inhisveryimagination。Whateversuchapersonmaythinkabout，histhoughtwillbesofarmoreintensethanthethoughtofanordinaryperson，thatbythisveryintensityitobtainsthepowerofcreation。Sciencehasestablishedthefactthatthoughtisanenergy。Thisenergyinitsactiondisturbstheatomsoftheastralatmospherearoundus。Ialreadytoldyou；theraysofthoughthavethesamepotentialityforproducingformsintheastralatmosphereasthesunrayshavewithregardtoalens。
　　Everythoughtsoevolvedwithenergyfromthebrain，creates，nolensvolensashape。
　　M。C。Isthatshapeabsolutelyunconscious？
　　H。P。B。Perfectlyunconsciousunlessitisthecreationofanadept，whohasapreconceivedobjectingivingitconsciousness，orratherinsendingalongwithitenoughofhiswillandintelligencetocauseittoappearconscious。Thisoughttomakeusmorecautiousaboutourthoughts。
　　Butthewidedistinctionthatobtainsbetweentheadeptinthismatterandtheordinarymanmustbeborneinmind。TheadeptmayathiswillusehisMayavi—rupa，buttheordinarymandoesnot，exceptinveryrarecases。ItiscalledMayavi—rupabecauseitisaformofillusioncreatedforuseintheparticularinstance，andithasquiteenoughoftheadept’smindinittoaccomplishitspurpose。Theordinarymanmerelycreatesathought—image，whosepropertiesandpowersareatthetimewhollyunknowntohim。
　　M。C。Thenonemaysaythattheformofanadeptappearingatadistancefromhisbody，asforinstanceRamLalinMr。Isaacs，issimplyanimage？
　　H。P。B。Exactly。Itisawalkingthought。
　　M。C。Inwhichcaseanadeptcanappearinseveralplacesalmostsimultaneously。
　　H。P。B。Hecan。JustasApolloniusofTyana，whowasseenintwoplacesatonce，whilehisbodywasatRome。Butitmustbeunderstoodthatnotallofeventheastraladeptispresentineachappearance。
　　M。C。Thenitisverynecessaryforapersonofanyamountofimaginationandpsychicpowerstoattendtotheirthoughts？
　　H。P。B。Certainly，foreachthoughthasashapewhichborrowstheappearanceofthemanengagedintheactionofwhichhethought。Otherwisehowcanclairvoyantsseeinyouraurayourpastandpresent？Whattheyseeisapassingpanoramaofyourselfrepresentedinsuccessiveactionsbyyourthoughts。Youaskedmeifwearepunishedforourthoughts。Notforall，forsomearestill—born；butfortheothers，thosewhichwecall"silent"butpotentialthoughtsyes。Takeanextremecase，suchasthatofapersonwhoissowickedastowishthedeathofanother。Unlesstheevil—wisherisaDugpa，ahighadeptinblackmagic，inwhichcaseKarmaisdelayed，suchawishonlycomesbacktoroost。
　　M。C。Butsupposingtheevil—wishertohaveaverystrongwill，withoutbeingadugpa，couldthedeathoftheotherbeaccomplished？
　　H。P。B。Onlyifthemaliciouspersonhastheevileye，whichsimplymeanspossessingenormousplasticpowerofimaginationworkinginvoluntarily，andthusturnedunconsciouslytobaduses。Forwhatisthepowerofthe"evileye"？Simplyagreatplasticpowerofthought，sogreatastoproduceacurrentimpregnatedwiththepotentialityofeverykindofmisfortuneandaccident，whichinoculates，orattachesitselftoanypersonwhocomeswithinit。Ajettatore（onewiththeevileye）neednotbeevenimaginative，orhaveevilintentionsorwishes。Hemaybesimplyapersonwhoisnaturallyfondofwitnessingorreadingaboutsensationalscenes，suchasmurder，executions，accidents，etc。，etc。Hemaybenoteventhinkingofanyoftheseatthemomenthiseyemeetshisfuturevictim。Butthecurrentshavebeenproducedandexistinhisvisualrayreadytospringintoactivitytheinstanttheyfindsuitablesoil，likeaseedfallenbythewayandreadytosproutatthefirstopportunity。
　　M。C。Buthowaboutthethoughtsyoucall"silent"？Dosuchwishesorthoughtscomehometoroost？
　　H。P。B。Theydo；justasaballwhichfailstopenetrateanobjectreboundsuponthethrower。Thishappenseventosomedugpasorsorcererswhoarenotstrongenough，ordonotcomplywiththerules——
　　foreventheyhaverulestheyhavetoabideby——butnotwiththosewhoareregular，fullydeveloped"blackmagicians"；forsuchhavethepowertoaccomplishwhattheywish。
　　M。C。Whenyouspeakofrulesitmakesmewanttowindupthistalkbyaskingyouwhateverybodywantstoknowwhotakesanyinterestinoccultism。Whatisaprincipalorimportantsuggestionforthosewhohavethesepowersandwishtocontrolthemrightly——infacttoenteroccultism？
　　H。P。B。Thefirstandmostimportantstepinoccultismistolearnhowtoadaptyourthoughtsandideastoyourplasticpotency。
　　M。C。Whyisthissoimportant？
　　H。P。B。BecauseotherwiseyouarecreatingthingsbywhichyoumaybemakingbadKarma。Nooneshouldgointooccultismoreventouchitbeforeheisperfectlyacquaintedwithhisownpowers，andthatheknowshowtocommensurateitwithhisactions。AndthishecandoonlybydeeplystudyingthephilosophyofOccultismbeforeenteringuponthepracticaltraining。Otherwise，assureasfate——HEWILLFALLINTOBLACKMAGIC。
　　StudiesinOccultismbyBlavatsky：ConstitutionoftheInnerManConstitutionoftheInnerManOfcourseitismostdifficult，and，asyousay，"puzzling"tounderstandcorrectlyanddistinguishbetweenthevariousaspects，calledbyusthe"principles"oftherealEGO。ItisthemoresoasthereexistsanotabledifferenceinthenumberingofthoseprinciplesbyvariousEasternschools，thoughatthebottomthereisthesameidenticalsubstratumofteachinginallofthem。
　　X。AreyouthinkingoftheVedantins？Theydivideourseven"principles"
　　intofiveonly，Ibelieve？
　　M。Theydo；butthoughIwouldnotpresumetodisputethepointwithalearnedVedantin，Imayyetstateasmyprivateopinionthattheyhaveanobviousreasonforit。WiththemitisonlythatcompoundspiritualaggregatewhichconsistsofvariousmentalaspectsthatiscalledManatall，thephysicalbodybeingintheirviewsomethingbeneathcontempt，andmerelyanillusion。NoristheVedantatheonlyphilosophytoreckoninthismanner。Lao—TzeinhisTao—te—King，mentionsonlyfiveprinciples，becausehe，liketheVedantins，omitstoincludetwoprinciples，namely，thespirit（Atma）andthephysicalbody，thelatterofwhich，moreover，hecalls"thecadaver。"ThenthereistheTarakaRajaYogaSchool。
　　Itsteachingrecognizesonlythree"principles"infact；butthen，inreality，theirSthulopadhi，orthephysicalbodyinitsjagrataorwakingconsciousstate，theirSukshmopadki，thesamebodyinsvapnaorthedreamingstate，andtheirKaranopadhior"causalbody，"
　　orthatwhichpassesfromoneincarnationtoanother，arealldualintheiraspects，andthusmakesix。AddtothisAtma，theimpersonaldivineprincipleortheimmortalelementinMan，undistinguishedfromtheUniversalSpirit，andyouhavethesameseven，again，asintheesotericdivision。（1）
　　X。ThenitseemsalmostthesameasthedivisionmadebymysticChristians：body，soul，andspirit？
　　M。Justthesame。Wecouldeasilymakeofthebodythevehicleofthe"vitalDouble"；ofthelatterthevehicleofLifeorPrana；ofKama—rupaor（animal）soul，thevehicleofthehigherandthelowermind，andmakeofthissixprinciples，crowningthewholewiththeoneimmortalspirit。InOccultism，everyqualificativechangeinthestateofourconsciousnessgivestomananewaspect，andifitprevailsandbecomespartofthelivingandactingEGO，itmustbe（andis）givenaspecialname，todistinguishthemaninthatparticularstatefromthemanheiswhenheplaceshimselfinanotherstate。
　　X。Itisjustthatwhichissodifficulttounderstand。
　　M。Itseemstomeveryeasy，onthecontrary，oncethatyouhaveseizedthemainidea，i。e。，thatmanactsonthis，oranotherplaneofconsciousness，instrictaccordancewithhismentalandspiritualcondition。
　　Butsuchisthematerialismoftheagethatthemoreweexplain，thelesspeopleseemcapableofunderstandingwhatwesay。Dividetheterrestrialbeingcalledmanintothreechiefaspects，ifyoulike；but，unlessyoumakeofhimapureanimal，youcannotdoless。Takehisobjectivebody；thefeelingprincipleinhim——whichisonlyalittlehigherthantheinstinctualelementintheanimal——orthevitalelementarysoul；andthatwhichplaceshimsoimmeasurablybeyondandhigherthantheanimal——i。e。，hisreasoningsoulor"spirit。"Well，ifwetakethesethreegroupsorrepresentativeentities，andsubdividethem，accordingtotheoccultteaching，whatdoweget？
　　FirstofallSpirit（inthesenseoftheAbsolute，andthereforeinvisibleALL）orAtma。Asthiscanneitherbelocatednorconditionedinphilosophy，beingsimplythatwhichis，inEternity，andastheALLcannotbeabsentfromeventhetiniestgeometricalormathematicalpointoftheuniverseofmatterorsubstance，itoughtnottobecalled，intruth，a"human"
　　principleatall。Rather，andatbest，itisthatpointinmetaphysicalSpacewhichthehumanMonadanditsvehicleman，occupyfortheperiodofeverylife。Nowthatpointisasimaginaryasmanhimself，andinrealityisanillusion，amaya；butthenforourselvesasforotherpersonalEgos，wearearealityduringthatfitofillusioncalledlife，andwehavetotakeourselvesintoaccount——inourownfancyatanyrate，ifnooneelsedoes。Tomakeitmoreconceivabletothehumanintellect，whenfirstattemptingthestudyofOccultism，andtosolvetheABCofthemysteryofman，Occultismcallsittheseventhprinciple，thesynthesisofthesix，andgivesitforvehicletheSpiritualSoul，Buddhi。Nowthelatterconcealsamystery，whichisnevergiventoanyonewiththeexceptionofirrevocablypledgedchelas，thoseatanyrate，whocanbesafelytrusted。Ofcoursetherewouldbelessconfusion，coulditonlybetold；but，asthisisdirectlyconcernedwiththepowerofprojectingone’sdoubleconsciouslyandatwill，andasthisgiftlikethe"ringofGyges"mightproveveryfataltomenatlargeandtothepossessorofthatfacultyinparticular，itiscarefullyguarded。Alonetheadepts，whohavebeentriedandcanneverbefoundwanting，havethekeyofthemysteryfullydivulgedtothem……Letusavoidsideissues，however，andholdtothe"principles。"ThisdivinesoulorBuddhi，then，istheVehicleoftheSpirit。Inconjunction，thesetwoareone，impersonal，andwithoutanyattributes（onthisplane，ofcourse），andmaketwospiritual"principles。"
　　IfwepassontotheHumanSoul（manas，themens）everyonewillagreethattheintelligenceofmanisdualtosaytheleast：
　　e。g。，thehigh—mindedmancanhardlybecomelow—minded；theveryintellectualandspiritual—mindedmanisseparatedbyanabyssfromtheobtuse，dullandmaterial，ifnotanimal—mindedman。Whythenshouldnotthesemenberepresentedbytwo"principles"ortwoaspectsrather？Everymanhasthesetwoprinciplesinhim，onemoreactivethantheother，andinrarecases，oneoftheseisentirelystuntedinitsgrowth：sotosayparalyzedbythestrengthandpredominanceoftheotheraspect，duringthelifeofman。These，then，arewhatwecallthetwoprinciplesoraspectsofManas，thehigherandthelower；theformer，thehigherManas，orthethinking，consciousEGOgravitatingtowardtheSpiritualSoul（Buddhi）；
　　andthelatter，oritsinstinctualprincipleattractedtoKama，theseatofanimaldesiresandpassionsinman。Thus，wehavefour"principles"
　　justified；thelastthreebeing（1）the"Double"whichwehaveagreedtocallProtean，orPlasticSoul；thevehicleof（2）thelifeprinciple；and（3）thephysicalbody。OfcoursenoPhysiologistorBiologistwillaccepttheseprinciples，norcanhemakeheadortailofthem。Andthisiswhy，perhaps，noneofthemunderstandtothisdayeitherthefunctionsofthespleen，thephysicalvehicleoftheProteanDouble，orthoseofacertainorganontherightsideofman，theseatoftheabovementioneddesires，noryetdoesheknowanythingofthepinealgland，whichhedescribesasahornyglandwithalittlesandinit，andwhichistheverykeytothehighestanddivinestconsciousnessinman——hisomniscient，spiritualandallembracingmind。Thisseeminglyuselessappendageisthependulumwhich，oncetheclock—workoftheinnermaniswoundup，carriesthespiritualvisionoftheEGOtothehighestplanesofperception，wherethehorizonopenbeforeitbecomesalmostinfinite……
　　X。Butthescientificmaterialistsassertthatafterthedeathofmannothingremains；thatthehumanbodysimplydisintegratesintoitscomponentelements，andthatwhatwecallsoulismerelyatemporaryself—consciousnessproducedasaby—productoforganicaction，whichwillevaporatelikesteam。
　　Isnottheirsastrangestateofmind？
　　M。Notstrangeatall，thatIsee。Iftheysaythatself—consciousnessceaseswiththebody，thenintheircasetheysimplyutteranunconsciousprophecy。Foroncethattheyarefirmlyconvincedofwhattheyassert，noconsciousafterlifeispossibleforthem。
　　X。Butifhumanself—consciousnesssurvivesdeathasarule，whyshouldtherebeexceptions？
　　M。Inthefundamentallawsofthespiritualworldwhichareimmutable，noexceptionispossible。Buttherearerulesforthosewhosee，andrulesforthosewhoprefertoremainblind。
　　X。Quiteso，Iunderstand。Itisanaberrationofablindman，whodeniestheexistenceofthesunbecausehedoesnotseeit。Butafterdeathhisspiritualeyeswillcertainlycompelhimtosee。
　　M。Theywillnotcompelhim，norwillheseeanything。Havingpersistentlydeniedanafter—lifeduringthislife，hewillbeunabletosenseit。Hisspiritualsenseshavingbeenstunted，theycannotdevelopafterdeath，andhewillremainblind。Byinsistingthathemustseeit，youevidentlymeanonethingandIanother。YouspeakofthespiritfromtheSpirit，ortheflamefromtheFlame——ofAtmainshort——andyouconfuseitwiththehumansoul——Manas……Youdonotunderstandme，letmetrytomakeitclear。Thewholegistofyourquestionistoknowwhether，inthecaseofadownrightmaterialist，thecompletelossofself—consciousnessandself—perceptionafterdeathispossible？Isn’titso？Isay：Itispossible。Because，believingfirmlyinourEsotericDoctrine，whichreferstothepost—mortemperiod，ortheintervalbetweentwolivesorbirthsasmerelyatransitorystate，Isay：——Whetherthatintervalbetweentwoactsoftheillusionarydramaoflifelastsoneyearoramillion，thatpost—mortemstatemay，withoutanybreachofthefundamentallaw，provetobejustthesamestateasthatofamanwhoisinadeadswoon。
　　X。Butsinceyouhavejustsaidthatthefundamentallawsoftheafter—deathstateadmitofnoexceptions，howcanthisbe？
　　M。NordoIsaynowthattheyadmitofexceptions。Butthespirituallawofcontinuityappliesonlytothingswhicharetrulyreal。ToonewhohasreadandunderstoodMandukyaUpanishadandVedanta—Sara，allthisbecomesveryclear。Iwillsaymore：itissufficienttounderstandwhatwemeanbyBuddhiandthedualityofManastohaveaveryclearperceptionwhythematerialistmaynothaveaself—conscioussurvivalafterdeath：
　　becauseManas，initsloweraspect，istheseatoftheterrestrialmind，and，therefore，cangiveonlythatperceptionoftheUniversewhichisbasedontheevidenceofthatmind，andnotonourspiritualvision。ItissaidinourEsotericschoolthatbetweenBuddhiandManas，orIsvaraandPrajnsa（2），thereisinrealitynomoredifferencethanbetweenaforestanditstrees，alakeanditswaters，justasMandukyateaches。Oneorhundredsoftreesdeadfromlossofvitality，oruprooted，areyetincapableofpreventingtheforestfrombeingstillaforest。Thedestructionorpost—mortemdeathofonepersonalitydroppedoutofthelongseries，willnotcausethesmallestchangeintheSpiritualEgo，anditwilleverremainthesameEGO。
　　Only，insteadofexperiencingDevachanitwillhavetoimmediatelyreincarnate。
　　X。ButasIunderstandit，Ego—Buddhirepresentsinthissimiletheforestandthepersonalmindsthetrees。AndifBuddhiisimmortal，howcanthatwhichissimilartoit，i。e。，Manas—taijasi（3），loseentirelyitsconsciousnesstillthedayofitsnewincarnation？I
　　cannotunderstandit。
　　M。Youcannot，becauseyouwillmixupanabstractrepresentationofthewholewithitscasualchangesofform；andbecauseyouconfuseManas—taijasi，theBuddhi—lithumansoul，withthelatter，animalized。
　　RememberthatifitcanbesaidofBuddhithatitisunconditionallyimmortal，thesamecannotbesaidofManas，stilllessoftaijasi，whichisanattribute。Nopost—mortemconsciousnessorManastaijasi，canexistapartfromBuddhi，thedivinesoul，becausethefirst（Manas）is，initsloweraspect，aqualificativeattributeoftheterrestrialpersonality，andthesecond（taijasi）isidenticalwiththefirst，andthatitisthesameManasonlywiththelightofBuddhireflectedonit。Initsturn，Buddhiwouldremainonlyanimpersonalspiritwithoutthiselementwhichitborrowsfromthehumansoul，whichconditionsandmakesofit，inthisillusiveUniverse，asitweresomethingseparatefromtheuniversalsoulforthewholeperiodofthecycleofincarnation。
　　SayratherthatBuddhi—Manascanneitherdienorloseitscompoundself—consciousnessinEternity，northerecollectionofitspreviousincarnationsinwhichthetwo——i。e。，thespiritualandthehumansoul，hadbeencloselylinkedtogether。Butitisnotsointhecaseofamaterialist，whosehumansoulnotonlyreceivesnothingfromthedivinesoul，butevenrefusestorecognizeitsexistence。Youcanhardlyapplythisaxiomtotheattributesandqualificationsofthehumansoul；foritwouldbelikesayingthatbecauseyourdivinesoulisimmortal，thereforethebloomonyourcheekmustalsobeimmortal；whereasthisbloom，liketaijasi，orspiritualradiance，issimplyatransitoryphenomenon。
　　X。DoIunderstandyoutosaythatwemustnotmixinourmindsthenoumenonwiththephenomenon，thecausewithitseffect？
　　M。Idosayso，andrepeatthat，limitedtoManasorthehumansoulalone，theradianceofTaijasiitselfbecomesamerequestionoftime；
　　becausebothimmortalityandconsciousnessafterdeathbecomefortheterrestrialpersonalityofmansimplyconditionedattributes，astheydependentirelyonconditionsandbeliefscreatedbythehumansoulitselfduringthelifeofitsbody。Karmaactsincessantly：wereapinourafter—lifeonlythefruitofthatwhichwehaveourselvessown，orrathercreatedinourterrestrialexistence。
　　X。ButifmyEgocan，afterthedestructionofmybody，becomeplungedinastateofentireunconsciousness，thenwherecanbethepunishmentforthesinsofmypastlife？
　　M。OurphilosophyteachesthatKarmicpunishmentreachestheEgoonlyinitsnextincarnation。Afterdeathitreceivesonlytherewardfortheunmeritedsufferingsenduredduringitsjustpastexistence。（4）
　　Thewholepunishmentafterdeath，evenforthematerialist，consiststhereforeintheabsenceofanyrewardandtheutterlossoftheconsciousnessofone’sblissandrest。Karma——isthechildoftheterrestrialEgo，thefruitoftheactionsofthetreewhichistheobjectivepersonalityvisibletoall，asmuchasthefruitofallthethoughtsandevenmotivesofthespiritual"I"；butKarmaisalsothetendermother，whohealsthewoundsinflictedbyherduringtheprecedinglife，beforeshewillbegintotorturethisEgobyinflictinguponhimnewones。Ifitmaybesaidthatthereisnotamentalorphysicalsufferinginthelifeofamortal，whichisnotthefruitandconsequenceofsomesininthis，oraprecedingexistenceontheotherhand，sincehedoesnotpreservetheslightestrecollectionofitinhisactuallifeandfeelshimselfnotdeservingofsuchpunishment，butbelievessincerelyhesuffersfornoguiltofhisown，thisaloneisquitesufficienttoentitlethehumansoultothefullestconsolation，restandblissinhispost—mortemexistence。Deathcomestoourspiritualselveseverasadelivererandfriend。Forthematerialist，who，notwithstandinghismaterialism，wasnotabadman，theintervalbetweenthetwoliveswillbeliketheunbrokenandplacidsleepofachild；eitherentirelydreamless，orwithpicturesofwhichhewillhavenodefiniteperception。Forthebelieveritwillbeadreamasvividaslifeandfullofrealisticblissandvisions。Asforthebadandcruelman，whethermaterialistorotherwise，hewillbeimmediatelyrebornandsufferhishellonearth。
　　ToenterAvichiisanexceptionalandrareoccurrence。
　　X。AsfarasIremember，theperiodicalincarnationsofSutratma（5）
　　arelikenedinsomeUpanishadtothelifeofamortalwhichoscillatesperiodicallybetweensleepandwaking。Thisdoesnotseemtomeveryclear，andIwilltellyouwhy。Forthemanwhoawakes，anotherdaycommences，butthatmanisthesameinsoulandbodyashewasthedaybefore；whereasateverynewincarnationafullchangetakesplacenotonlyinhisexternalenvelope，sexandpersonality，buteveninhismentalandpsychiccapacities。
　　Thusthesimiledoesnotseemtomequitecorrect。Themanwhoarisesfromsleepremembersquiteclearlywhathehasdoneyesterday，thedaybefore，andevenmonthsandyearsago。Butnoneofushastheslightestrecollectionofaprecedinglifeoranyfactoreventconcerningit……ImayforgetinthemorningwhatIhavedreamedduringthenight，stillIknowthatIhavesleptandhavethecertaintythatIlivedduringsleep；butwhatrecollectionhaveIofmypastincarnation？Howdoyoureconcilethis？
　　M。Yetsomepeopledorecollecttheirpastincarnations。ThisiswhattheArhatscallSamma—Sambuddha——ortheknowledgeofthewholeseriesofone’spastincarnations。
　　X。ButweordinarymortalswhohavenotreachedSamma—Sambuddha，howcanwebeexpectedtorealizethissimile？
　　M。Bystudyingitandtryingtounderstandmorecorrectlythecharacteristicsofthethreestatesofsleep。Sleepisageneralandimmutablelawformanasforbeast，buttherearedifferentkindsofsleepandstillmoredifferentdreamsandvisions。
　　X。Justso。Butthistakesusfromoursubject。Letusreturntothematerialist，who，whilenotdenyingdreams，whichhecouldhardlydo，yetdeniesimmortalityingeneralandthesurvivalofhisownindividualityespecially。
　　M。Andthematerialistisrightforonce，atleast；sinceforonewhohasnoinnerperceptionandfaith，thereisnoimmortalitypossible。
　　Inordertoliveintheworldtocomeaconsciouslife，onehastobelievefirstofallinthatlifeduringone’sterrestrialexistence。OnthesetwoaphorismsoftheSecretScienceallthephilosophyaboutthepost—mortemconsciousnessandtheimmortalityofthesoulisbuilt。TheEgoreceivesalwaysaccordingtoitsdeserts。Afterthedissolutionofthebody，therecommencesforiteitheraperiodoffullclearconsciousness，astateofchaoticdreams，oranutterlydreamlesssleepindistinguishablefromannihilation；
　　andthesearethethreestatesofconsciousness。Ourphysiologistsfindthecauseofdreamsandvisionsinanunconsciouspreparationforthemduringthewakinghours；whycannotthesamebeadmittedforthepost—mortemdreams？Irepeatit，deathissleep。Afterdeathbegins，beforethespiritualeyesofthesoul，aperformanceaccordingtoaprogramlearnedandveryoftencomposedunconsciouslybyourselves；thepracticalcarryingoutofcorrectbeliefsorofillusionswhichhavebeencreatedbyourselves。AMethodistwillbeaMethodist，aMussulmanaMussulmanofcourse，justforatime——inaperfectfool’sparadiseofeachman’screationandmaking。Thesearethepost—mortemfruitsofthetreeoflife。
　　Naturally，ourbelieforunbeliefinthefactofconsciousimmortalityisunabletoinfluencetheunconditionedrealityofthefactitself，oncethatitexists；butthebelieforunbeliefinthatimmortality，asthecontinuationorannihilationofseparateentitiescannotfailtogivecolortothatfactinitsapplicationtoeachoftheseentities。Nowdoyoubegintounderstandit？
　　X。IthinkIdo。Thematerialist，disbelievingineverythingthatcannotbeproventohimbyhisfivesensesorbyscientificreasoning，andrejectingeveryspiritualmanifestation，acceptslifeastheonlyconsciousexistence。Therefore，accordingtotheirbeliefssowillitbeuntothem。
　　TheywilllosetheirpersonalEgo，andwillplungeintoadreamlesssleepuntilanewawakening。Isitso？
　　M。Almostso。Remembertheuniversalesotericteachingofthetwokindsofconsciousexistence：theterrestrialandthespiritual。Thelattermustbeconsideredrealfromtheveryfactthatitistheregionoftheeternal，changeless，immortalcauseofall；whereastheincarnatingEgodressesitselfupinnewgarmentsentirelydifferentfromthoseofitspreviousincarnations，andinwhichallexceptitsspiritualprototypeisdoomedtoachangesoradicalastoleavenotracebehind。
　　X。Stop！……CantheconsciousnessofmyterrestrialEgosperishnotonlyforatime，liketheconsciousnessofthematerialist，butinanycasesoentirelyastoleavenotracebehind？
　　M。Accordingtotheteaching，itmustsoperishandinitsfulness，allexceptthatprinciplewhich，havinguniteditselfwiththeMonad，hastherebybecomeapurelyspiritualandindestructibleessence，onewithitintheEternity。Butinthecaseofanoutandoutmaterialist，inwhosepersonal"I"noBuddhihaseverreflecteditself，howcanthelattercarryawayintotheinfinitudesoneparticleofthatterrestrialpersonality？
　　Yourspiritual"I"isimmortal；butfromyourpresentSelfitcancarryawayintoafter—lifebutthatwhichhasbecomeworthyofimmortality，namely，thearomaaloneoftheflowerthathasbeenmownbydeath。
　　X。Well，andtheflower，theterrestrial"I"？
　　M。Theflower，asallpastandfutureflowerswhichblossomedanddied，andwillblossomagainonthemotherbough，theSutratma，allchildrenofonerootorBuddhi，willreturntodust。Yourpresent"I，"asyouyourselfknow，isnotthebodynowsittingbeforeme，noryetisitwhatIwouldcallManas—Sutratma——butSutratma—Buddhi。
　　X。Butthisdoesnotexplaintomeatall，whyyoucalllifeafterdeathimmortal，infinite，andreal，andtheterrestriallifeasimplephantomorillusion；sinceeventhatpost—mortemlifehaslimits，howevermuchwidertheymaybethanthoseofterrestriallife。
　　M。Nodoubt。ThespiritualEgoofmanmovesinEternitylikeapendulumbetweenthehoursoflifeanddeath。Butifthesehoursmarkingtheperiodsofterrestrialandspirituallifearelimitedintheirduration，andiftheverynumberofsuchstagesinEternitybetweensleepandawakening，illusionandreality，hasitsbeginninganditsend，ontheotherhandthespiritual"Pilgrim"iseternal。Thereforearethehoursofhispost—mortemlife——when，disembodiedhestandsfacetofacewithtruthandnotthemiragesofhistransitoryearthlyexistencesduringtheperiodofthatpilgrimagewhichwecall"thecycleofrebirths"——theonlyrealityinourconception。Suchintervals，theirlimitationnotwithstanding，donotpreventtheEgo，whileeverperfectingitself，tobefollowingundeviatingly，thoughgraduallyandslowly，thepathtoitslasttransformation，whenthatEgohavingreacheditsgoalbecomesthedivineALL。Theseintervalsandstageshelptowardsthisfinalresultinsteadofhinderingit；andwithoutsuchlimitedintervalsthedivineEgocouldneverreachitsultimategoal。ThisEgoistheactoranditsnumerousandvariousincarnationsthepartsitplays。Shallyoucallthesepartswiththeircostumestheindividualityoftheactorhimself？Likethatactor，theEgoisforcedtoplayduringtheCycleofNecessityuptotheverythresholdofPara—nirvanamanypartssuchasmaybeunpleasanttoit。Butasthebeecollectsitshoneyfromeveryflower，leavingtherestasfoodfortheearthlyworms，sodoesourspiritualindividuality，whetherwecallitSutratmaorEgo。ItcollectsfromeveryterrestrialpersonalityintowhichKarmaforcesittoincarnate，thenectaraloneoftheSpiritualqualitiesandself—consciousness，andunitingalltheseintoonewholeitemergesfromitschrysalisastheglorifiedDhyaniChohan。Somuchtheworseforthoseterrestrialpersonalitiesfromwhichitcouldcollectnothing。Suchpersonalitiescannotassuredlyoutliveconsciouslytheirterrestrialexistence。
　　X。Thusthenitseems，thatfortheterrestrialpersonality，immortalityisstillconditional。Isthenimmortalityitselfnotunconditional？
　　M。Notatall。Butitcannottouchthenon—existent。ForallthatwhichexistsasSAT，everaspiringSAT，immortalityandEternityareabsolute。Matteristheoppositepoleofspiritandyetthetwoareone。Theessenceofallthis，i。e。，Spirit，ForceandMatter，orthethreeinone，isasendlessasitisbeginningless；buttheformacquiredbythetripleunityduringincarnations，theexternality，iscertainlyonlytheillusionofourpersonalconceptions。Thereforedowecalltheafter—lifealoneareality，whilerelegatingtheterrestriallife，itsterrestrialpersonalityincluded，tothephantomrealmofillusion。
　　X。Butwhyinsuchacasenotcallsleepthereality，andwakingtheillusion，insteadofthereverse？
　　M。Becauseweuseanexpressionmadetofacilitatethegraspingofthesubject，andfromthestandpointofterrestrialconceptions，itisaverycorrectone。
　　X。Nevertheless，Icannotunderstand。Ifthelifetocomeisbasedonjusticeandthemeritedretributionforallourterrestrialsuffering，how，inthecaseofmaterialistsmanyofwhomareideallyhonestandcharitablemen，shouldthereremainoftheirpersonalitynothingbuttherefuseofafadedflower！
　　M。Nooneeversaidsuchathing。Nomaterialist，ifagoodman，howeverunbelieving，candieforeverinthefulnessofhisspiritualindividuality。
　　Whatwassaidis，thattheconsciousnessofonelifecandisappeareitherfullyorpartially；inthecaseofathoroughmaterialist，novestigeofthatpersonalitywhichdisbelievedremainsintheseriesoflives。
　　X。ButisthisnotannihilationtotheEgo？
　　M。Certainlynot。Onecansleepadeadsleepduringalongrailwayjourney，missoneorseveralstationswithouttheslightestrecollectionorconsciousnessofit，awakeatanotherstationandcontinuethejourneyrecollectingotherhaltingplaces，tilltheendofthatjourney，whenthegoalisreached。Threekindsofsleepwerementionedtoyou：thedreamless，thechaotic，andtheonesoreal，thattothesleepingmanhisdreamsbecomefullrealities。Ifyoubelieveinthelatterwhycan’tyoubelieveintheformer？Accordingtowhatonehasbelievedinandexpectedafterdeath，suchisthestateonewillhave。Hewhoexpectednolifetocomewillhaveanabsoluteblankamountingtoannihilationintheintervalbetweenthetworebirths。Thisisjustthecarryingoutoftheprogramwespokeof，andwhichiscreatedbythematerialisthimself。Buttherearevariouskindsofmaterialists，asyousay。AselfishwickedEgoist，onewhonevershedatearforanyonebuthimself，thusaddingentireindifferencetothewholeworldtohisunbelief，mustdropatthethresholdofdeathhispersonalityforever。Thispersonalityhavingnotendrilsofsympathyfortheworldaround，andhencenothingtohookontothestringoftheSutratma，everyconnectionbetweenthetwoisbrokenwiththelastbreath。TherebeingnoDevachanforsuchamaterialist，theSutratmawillreincarnatealmostimmediately。Butthosematerialistswhoerredinnothingbuttheirdisbelief，willoversleepbutonestation。Moreover，thetimewillcomewhentheex—materialistwillperceivehimselfintheEternityandperhapsrepentthathelostevenoneday，orstation，fromthelifeeternal。
　　X。Still，woulditnotbemorecorrecttosaythatdeathisbirthintoanewlife，orareturnoncemoretothethresholdofeternity？
　　M。Youmayifyoulike。Onlyrememberthatbirthsdiffer，andthattherearebirthsof"still—born"beings，whicharefailures。Moreover，withyourfixedWesternideasaboutmateriallife，thewords"living"and"being"arequiteinapplicabletothepuresubjectivestateofpost—mortemexistence。Itisjustbecauseofsuchideas——saveinafewphilosopherswhoarenotreadbythemanyandwhothemselvesaretooconfusedtopresentadistinctpictureofit——thatallyourconceptionsoflifeanddeathhavefinallybecomesonarrow。Ontheonehand，theyhaveledtocrassmaterialism，andontheother，tothestillmorematerialconceptionoftheotherlifewhichtheSpiritualistshaveformulatedintheirSummerland。
　　Therethesoulsofmeneat，drink，andmarry，andliveinaParadisequiteassensualasthatofMohammed，butevenlessphilosophical。NoraretheaverageconceptionsoftheuneducatedChristiansanybetter，butarestillmorematerial，ifpossible。WhatbetweentruncatedAngels，brasstrumpets，goldenharps，streetsinparadisaicalcitiespavedwithjewels，andhell—fires，itseemslikeasceneataChristmaspantomime。Itisbecauseofthesenarrowconceptionsthatyoufindsuchdifficultyinunderstanding。And，itisalsojustbecausethelifeofthedisembodiedsoul，whilepossessingallthevividnessofreality，asincertaindreams，isdevoidofeverygrosslyobjectiveformofterrestriallife，thattheEasternphilosophershavecompareditwithvisionsduringsleep。
　　FOOTNOTES：
　　1。SeeTheSecretDoctrineforaclearerexplanation。
　　（returntotext）
　　2。Isvaraisthecollectiveconsciousnessofthemanifesteddeity，Brahma，i。e。，thecollectiveconsciousnessoftheHostofDhyaniChohans；andPrajnaistheirindividualwisdom。（returntotext）
　　3。TaijasimeanstheradiantinconsequenceoftheunionwithBuddhiofManas，thehuman，illuminatedbytheradianceofthedivinesoul。ThereforeManas—taijasimaybedescribedasradiantmind；thehumanreasonlitbythelightofthespirit；andBuddhi—Manasistherepresentationofthedivineplusthehumanintellectandself—consciousness。
　　（returntotext）
　　4。SomeTheosophistshavetakenexceptiontothisphrase，butthewordsarethoseoftheMasters，andthemeaningattachedtotheword"unmerited"isthatgivenabove。IntheT。P。S。pamphletNo。6aphrase，criticizedsubsequentlyinLucifer，wasused，whichwasintendedtoconveythesameidea。Inform，howeveritwasawkwardandopentothecriticismdirectedagainstit；buttheessentialideawasthatmenoftensufferfromtheeffectsoftheactionsdonebyothers，effectswhichthusdonotstrictlybelongtotheirownKarma，buttothatofotherpeople——andforthesesufferingstheyofcoursedeservecompensation。IfitistruetosaythatnothingthathappenstouscanbeanythingelsethanKarma——orthedirectorindirecteffectofacause——itwouldbeagreaterrortothinkthateveryevilorgoodwhichbefallsusisdueonlytoourownpersonalKarma。（Videfurtheron。）（returntotext）
　　5。OurimmortalandreincarnatingprincipleinconjunctionwiththeManasicrecollectionsoftheprecedinglivesiscalledSutratma，whichmeansliterallytheThread—Soul；becauselikethepearlsonathreadsoisthelongseriesofhumanlivesstrungtogetheronthatonethread。
　　Manasmustbecometaijasi，theradiant，beforeitcanhangontheSutratmaasapearlonitsthread，andsohavefullandabsoluteperceptionofitselfintheEternity。Assaidbefore，toocloseassociationwiththeterrestrialmindofthehumansoulalonecausesthisradiancetobeentirelylost。（returntotext）

查看目录

已是最后一章