ARCANE TEACHING/PART 1
Part I. Fundamental Principles.
Lesson I. The Arcane Teaching.
Lesson II. Absolute Law.
Lesson III. Infinity of
Nothingness.
Lesson I.
The Arcane Teaching.
The Arcane Teaching has come down to the present age
through the corridors of time, from the dim ages of past eras, races, and
schools of thought. Even those highest in the councils of “The Custodians of
The Scroll,” are unable to trace the Teaching, in an unbroken direct line, further
back than the time
of Pythagoras (about
500 b. c.),
and a little later in Ancient Greece, although they
find many references to, and extracts from, the teachings of ancient Egypt and
Chaldea, which serve to show that the Pythagorean and Ancient Grecian Arcane
Schools were founded on occult instruction still more remote, received in a
direct line of succession of teachers and pupils extending over centuries.
Investigators have found traces of the Arcane Teaching in the records of Persia
and Medea, and it is believed that the inspiration for the original
philosophical teaching (not the religion or the pessimism, however) of
Gautama, the founder
of Buddhism, was received
from Arcane sources. Traces are also
to be found in the Hebrew Esoteric Teachings of the “Kabballah” and the
“Zohar.”
The Grecian Arcane Teaching was undoubtedly obtained
directly from Egyptian sources through Pythagoras, the relation between the
early Grecian teaching and philosophies, and the older school of old Egypt,
being very close and intimate. Pythagoras is known to have received instruction
from Egyptian and Persian hierophants. Besides the traditions of the
Arcanes, there is
to be found
the closest resemblance between
the ancient Grecian teachings, and those of the Egyptian Esoteric Fraternities.
Some of the Teachers, however,
hold that the Grecian and
Egyptian schools, respectively, were but two separate off shoots of an original and older Teaching which
had its
origin in the
lost continent of
Atlantis. There are
many Arcane traditions connecting the Teaching with Atlantis, and
it is
possible that both
Egypt and Greece
received it from
this common source, instead of Greece being indebted to Egypt for the
line of transmission. But, be this as it may, it is a fact that all of the
traces of teaching that the various occult schools gather from the traditions,
scraps of doctrine, and legends regarding Atlantis can be reconciled with the
Grecian Arcane Teaching. And it is also a fact that the fragments of the
Egyptian Esoteric Teachings, many of which are still preserved in an undoubted
direct line of succession, are practically identical, in fundamental and basic
points with the Grecian Arcane Teaching. And, as we have said, the Persian,
Medean, and Chaldean legends and traditions, and scraps of teaching, show a
common source of origin with that of ancient Greece.
We are speaking now of the historical view of the
subject, alone. The traditions of the Arcanes hold that the Teaching, in some
form, is as old as the race itself, and that it has been known to the advanced
minds of every great civilization of the past, many of which disappeared
thousands upon thousands of years ago, all traces of them having been lost to
the present sub-race. The traditions hold that the Teaching was handed down
from the Elder Brethren of the race—certain advanced souls who appeared in the
earliest days, in order to plant the seeds of Truth, so that they would grow,
blossom and bear fruit throughout the ages to follow. We do not ask you to
accept this statement—it is not material—the Teaching bears the evidence of its
own truth within itself, without needing the belief in any such authority. It
agrees with the highest reason, and intuition of man, and to those who are
ready to receive it, it shows itself as true. We mention the ancient traditions
only that you may know what is accepted as truth by those high in authority
among the Arcanes.
The word “Arcane” is derived from the Latin word,
“arcanus,” meaning “shut up, closed, hidden, away,” being derived from “arca,”
meaning “a treasure chest.” The English word means: “Hidden; concealed; secret;
esoteric; mystic;” etc. So, the term “The Arcane Teaching” means “The Secret
Doctrine.”
The Arcanes are a loosely organized body of men, who
have lived in all
countries, in all times, since the days of the Ancient Greece, and
probably for thousands of years before. They keep alive the old Teaching,
traditions, legends, and instruction, and give
the same to
the few whom
they meet who
are deemed ready to receive the
same. The innermost Teaching is never written or printed, and is
passed from mouth to ear—from teacher to student—from hierophant to neophyte—as
in the old days. Much of this inner Teaching is of a nature that renders
it most advisable that it be reserved
for the few, for it contains instruction of a nature that would cause it to be
most dangerous were it to
fall into unworthy
hands. Even as
it is, bits of it have leaked out, from time to
time, and falling into the hands of unworthy persons have been used improperly.
Every student of occultism is aware of the danger of which we speak. But the
general principles of the Arcane Teachings have always been offered freely to
those who felt attracted to them, and by them. Portions of them may be found in
the various schools of the Hermetic Philosophy, and among the Rosicrucian and
similar teachings. In Freemasonry, there are hints of the ancient teachings,
carefully disguised and unrecognized by the ordinary members of the order.
The exception to the rule regarding written or printed
Teaching, is to be found
in what the Arcanes know
as “The Arcane Scroll,” which contains many Arcane Aphorisms, or
statements of Teaching, and which are written and renewed from time
to time. The authorized
copies are in the
hands of special persons, high in the Arcane councils, who are known as “The
Custodians of The Scroll,” and who are to be found in every country of the
globe, unknown and working silently. These persons belong to all walks of life,
and society, and carefully avoid notoriety or public attention, in order to
escape the sensational exploitation of the press, and the idle curiosity of the
“wonder-seekers”
who are to be found everywhere. While many of these Arcane Aphorisms have to
do with the special branches of the Teachings, and are
not allowed to be printed and distributed generally, still the Custodians have
always been willing that the fundamental Aphorisms be quoted from in writings
and books on the subject. Accordingly we shall embody a number of the Arcane
Aphorisms in this series of lessons, always quoting them as such, and printing
them in darker type, that they may be distinguished from our own comments and
explanations and personal interpretations. These Aphorisms contain the highest
occult truths, and principles, and we are very glad to have been accorded the
privilege of presenting them to our students.
The Arcane Teaching is based upon the fundamental
principle of the existence of an Absolute Supreme Power, which is the Cause and
Reason of the Cosmos and all the manifestations contained therein—all that men
call “the universe.” This Absolute Supreme Power is known in the Arcane
Teaching as “The Law,” and is represented
in the symbols by the word “Lex.”
The Law is regarded as an Abstract Principle of Power,
impossible of being represented by words or even by symbols. It is not a
Pantheistic Deity, or Being—It is an Absolute Principle, beyond definition or
description. It does not manifest Itself in a universe of shapes and forms, by
separating Itself into the Many as the Pantheistic Being is held to do in
certain philosophies. Instead of this It causes Universal Being to
proceed from Infinite Not-Being—causes
the Cosmos to arise from Chaos—causes Manifestation to arise from the
Unmanifest—causes Everything to
arise from Infinite Nothing. The Law is not Being—but the Cause of Being. It
cannot be said to “Be,” in the ordinary sense— It causes
the verb “To Be” to have a meaning.
The Arcane Teaching is not Pantheism, either expressed
or implied—either frankly stated, or subtly concealed behind words. The
Absolute can never become the
Relative. The Law can never separate Itself into bits of “You and I.”
Nor is the Cosmos to be regarded as a nightmare dream; meditation; illusion;
delusion; or imagination; of the Absolute, as some of the philosophical schools
of India, and the pessimistic schools of the West, would have men believe,
against all the natural intuition of the race. The Law does not dream,
meditate, imagine, or “think”—neither is it deluded, or subject to illusion,
delusion or “ignorance,” as some have taught. These are but qualities belonging
to beings—the Law is above beings, and even above Being. To hold otherwise is
to degrade It, and to deny Its Absoluteness.
The Arcane Teaching
holds that other than The Law there is but Infinity, which is Nothingness. The Teaching
distinguishes between the Absolute Law and Infinity, in which it differs from
the majority of other philosophies which holds them to be identical. But this
daring conception is defended and proven to be logical by the Arcane Teachers,
and in this teaching is to be found the only rational explanation of the Cause
and Manifestation of the Cosmos. The Nothingness of Infinity, is not a
condition of “Not-ness,”
but a condition or state of “No-Thingness.”
Infinity is an Infinite No-Thing, in which, however, sleeps the latency,
possibility, potency, and promise, of Everything, past, present, and future. In
its Infinite Nothingness, no thing is in actuality, but every thing is in
latency and possibility, under The Law. The Arcane Teaching on the subject of
the Infinity of Nothingness, is a startling
revelation to those who
have been searching for the Truth in other
philosophies, but who have found themselves wandering ’round and ’round in a
mental circle—never arriving anywhere. The Infinity of Nothingness is capable
of logical and rational proof. This doctrine flies squarely in the face of the
current philosophical dogmas of “From Nothing, no thing comes,” or “Ex
Nihilo, nihil fit.” On the contrary it boldly asserts “From Nothing,
Everything comes,” or “Ex Nihilo, Omnis fit.” But, it must be remembered, that
this Nothing contains within itself the possibility, latency, and promise of
Everything. It is a No-Thing,
instead of a “Not.”
The Arcane
Teachings hold that
at the expiration
of the great cycle of time—after æons of Cosmic
Night, or Period of Infinite Nothingness, The Law moves over the emptiness of
Infinity, and the first activities of a new Cosmic Day, or Manifest Cosmos,
begin to show themselves. The first manifestation is the Cosmic Will, or Life
Principle.
This Cosmic Will is the One Life of the Cosmos, which
many philosophies mistakenly claim to be the Absolute Itself. It is the Universal
Being, but it
is under The Law,
and relative to It, and is not
absolute. From this Cosmic Will, Logos, Demiurge, World-Spirit, or Universal Life Principle, is manifested the
Cosmos or Manifested Universe of life, shape and form. The Cosmos is alive in
every part, and its real nature vests in the Cosmic Will, which is ever behind,
under, and in, all manifestations of the universal activities, from lowest to
highest. Here is the World Spirit, or Pantheistic One-All—but it is under The Law!
In the Cosmos is contained “The Three Principles”—of
Substance, Motion, and
Consciousness; respectively. From
the Three Principles arise all the infinite variety of combinations of
mind, energy and matter, which go to make up the varieties of manifestation in
the universe. The Arcane Teaching includes the doctrine of Perpetual Evolution
of Substance, Energy, and Consciousness, respectively, on all the
various planes of activity. The Teaching
is that there are infinite planes of evolution, in groups of seven, which are
sub-divided in
seven, and so on.
The Arcane Teaching holds that the Cosmos is regulated
by “The Seven Laws,” which are superimposed by The Law upon the Cosmic
Will, and thus upon all that is manifested. These Seven Cosmic Laws are as
follows:
I. The Law of Orderly Trend. Under this law there is always manifested law and
order in the Cosmos, from suns to atoms; from highest to lowest; matter,
energy, and mind. There is no Disorder, Inharmony, or Chance in the Cosmos.
II. The Law of Analogy. Under this law, there is found a correspondence and
agreement between all of the various forms of manifestation. What is true of
the atom, is true of the sun. What is true of the amœba is true of man, and
beings above man. What is true of matter, is true of energy and mind. To know
one is to know all. “As above, so below,” as the Hermetists express it. “Ex Uno
disce Omnes”—“From One know All,” as the Arcane axiom says. This law is applied
in studying the higher planes—they may be known by the lower, just as solar
systems may be known by studying the atoms and molecules.
III. The Law of Sequence. Under this Law, there is included the activities of
what is generally known as “Cause and Effect.” Nothing happens by chance.
Nothing happens without a precedent manifestation, and a subsequent manifestation. Everything has its
“before and after” things. Nothing stands alone, and independent of what has gone
before, nor can it escape from acting upon that which comes after. Everything
proceeds from something, and is succeeded by something.
IV. The Law of Rhythm. Under this law falls a variety of phenomena, among
which is the
important phenomenon of
Vibration. Everything is in constant vibration—everything material, mental or
of energy. Upon this fact depends the variety, degrees, states and conditions
of the manifestations of the Cosmos. All
is in vibration—physical, mental and spiritual. Vibration is the key of
relative power, and relative activities. To control Vibration is to control all
forces in the universe. The control of Vibrations forms an important part of
the Arcane formulas.
V. The Law of Balance. Under this law there is to be found an explanation
for the universal equilibrium, compensation and balance, observed in all of the
manifestations of the Cosmos. One thing balances another, in the physical,
mental and spiritual. Everything has something set opposing it, to balance it.
Everything has its compensation. Everything has its Cosmic price. In an
understanding of the Law of Balance, there is to be found the Secret of Power
and Poise. The Arcane Teaching contain formulas for Balance.
VI. The Law of Cyclicity. Under
this law is
found the cyclic, or circular trend of all things,
physical, mental and spiritual. Everything moves in circles. The wise and
strong convert the circles into spirals. Instead of traveling around in an
eternal circle, the wise and strong rise in spirals to attainment and
advancement. Worlds and atoms; Cosmos and Man; all are under this law, and move
in accordance therewith. To convert the Circle into the Spiral, is one of the
Arcane Secrets, conveyed in its formulas.
VII. The Law of Opposites. Under this law is to be found the explanation of that
wonderful fact in nature—the fact that everything has its opposite;
everything is, and
is not, at the
same time; everything has its other side; every truth is but a half-truth; everything is a paradox; every thesis has its
anti-thesis;
every truth contains a bit of untruth, and every untruth a bit of truth; every
male contains female—every female contains male. Also the fact that opposite
things are alike, in the end; that extremes meet; the contradictions may be
reconciled. In this great Cosmic law is found the fact that diametrically
opposite things, physical, mental and spiritual, are in reality but the
different poles of the same thing. In this law is found the Mystery of
Polarity—in it vests the Secret of Sex-Generation and Regeneration—the Arcane Teaching
embraces all these.
The Arcane Teaching, as presented in these Lessons,
will include the Arcane Formulas whereby the Seven Laws may be applied under
the mind and will of the individual, enabling him to take advantage of the
flood-tide
of Rhythm, and to neutralize the ebb-tide; to enable him to neutralize the Opposites; to
find and hold the Balance and Poise; to convert the Cycles into Rising Spirals;
to take advantage of the Law of Sequence—thus to Master Fate, instead of being
her Slave; to conquer laws by laws; to oppose principle to principle; to
acquire the Art of Mental Alchemy, or Transmutation of Mental States and
Conditions. These and many other fields of occult knowledge will the Arcane
Teaching open out to the earnest seeker. To those who are ready, this Teaching
will appeal. Do you feel attracted to it—then follow the leading of your
intuition. If not, pass it by for the
present, for you are not prepared—instead call the attention of some person more ready, to it,
and thus be an instrument of The Law.
Lesson II.
Absolute Law.
The Arcane Scroll contains the following Aphorisms
regarding this Supreme Power, which in the Arcane Teaching is known as “The
Law.”
Aphorism i. “The Law is.”
Aphorism ii. “Beyond The
Law there is
Not. Higher than The Law there is
Not. Elder than the Law there is Not.”
Aphorism iii. “The Law is the Absolute. Existing beyond Time, and
Space, and Change; transcending the Three Principles and the Seven Laws; It
ever hath been, ever is, and ever shall be. Ever Unique; Unconditioned;
Immutable; Self‑Existent;
Self‑Sufficient;
Independent; Abstract; It dwelleth Unknowable, Unthinkable, Ineffable.”
Aphorism iv. “The Law is the Efficient Reason of All‑Things; and is the Supreme Power and Causer.”
A consideration of the above four Aphorisms will throw
light on the inner meanings contained within them. Let us now consider them in
detail:
Aphorism i. “The Law Is.” In this Aphorism the word “is” denotes
“present, actual existence.” It is as strong a term denoting actual existence
as the English language supplies. But, in the ancient Arcane terminology its
Grecian equivalent was used in a still stronger sense than the ordinary use of
the word “is” indicates. In the English
language, the word “is” is used as
the third person singular of the verb “Be,” in the indicative mood,
present tense. But the words “is” and “be” have two entirely different original
meanings, particularly when considered from the point of view of the ancient
Arcane schools. To explain further: The word “Be” is derived from the Greek
word “phuo,” meaning: “to bring forth; to produce; to be born;” etc., the
original meaning signifying beginning in time; existence of a preceding cause;
relativity, etc. And, accordingly, the ancient Greek philosophers, especially
those of the Arcane schools, used
the term “be” and
“being” to denote the relative existence of the phenomenal or
manifested universe, and not in the sense
of absolute existence. The word
“is,” on the contrary, is derived from the word, “esti,” which in turn was
derived from the Sanscrit word “asti,” both of which denote “existence,” in its
absolute sense, without reference to birth, bringing forth, or production. In
its true and Arcane significance the word “is” is analogous to “am,” which had
its origin in the Sanscrit “asmi,” signifying
absolute existence, which significance was also imparted to
analogous words in
the Hebrew, Egyptian
and other Oriental languages. The word “Is” has the significance of
the word
“Am” in the
following quotation from
Exodus, iii. 14, in the Hebrew Sacred Books: “And God said
unto Moses, ‘I am That I am’; and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the
children of Israel: I am hath sent me unto you.” This then is the sense in
which the Arcane Aphorism employs the term “is”—in the sense of
Absolute Existence. We have taken
the pains to explain this to you at
length, not for the purpose of verbal hair‑splitting, but in order to bring out the true occult
meaning of the term. This, particularly, because we shall use the term “Being”
in its relative sense in connection with the Cosmos, as we proceed. Remember
that there is no “is‑ness”
other than that of The Law—all other “is‑ness” is but “Being” which is relative, created, and
phenomenal. In the true sense, there is no
“is” other than the existence of
The Law. For this reason we shall always print the word in capital letters when
we use it in its
Arcane significance.
Aphorism ii. “Beyond The
Law there is
Not. Higher than
The Law there is
Not. Elder than The Law there
is Not.” In these three sentences
is taught the Absolute Omnipresence; the Absolute Supremacy; the Eternity; and
the Self‑Existence
of The Law. There is naught beyond It,
for there is no beyond; there is naught elder than It, for it is eternal and
self‑existent,
there being nothing precedent to It to have caused or created It. We must here
ask you to consider the fact that the Aphorism uses the term “Not,” instead of
“Nothing,” for the reason that the Arcane meaning of the two terms is
different. In the Arcane sense, the word “Not” means absolute negation—which
denotes the absence of “is‑ness,”
or “am‑ness,”
and also the absence of even relative “being.” “Not” means absolute not‑ness—a condition of non‑existence past, present, or future; absolute or
relative. It is a positive denial of any existence whatsoever, of any kind,
character, or degree, past, present or future. Further than this, language
cannot go. But, the words: “Nothing,” and “Nothingness,” although generally
used as meaning “not‑ness”
in the sense just mentioned, have an entirely different Arcane significance and
meaning. In the Aphorisms, and in all of the Arcane Teaching these words
are used in a relative sense, a capital
“N” being employed to denote the said
use of the word. We shall consider this “‘Nothingness,” a little later
on.
Aphorism iii. The first sentence is: “The Law is Absolute.” In
this sentence is stated the highest truth capable of being expressed in words.
Let us examine the term and see what it really means. “Absolute” means, in its
original and essential significance: “Unbound; Free; Unfettered; Unrestrained.”
There are a number of derivative meanings, but the above definition gives the
essential meaning of the term—and that meaning may be reduced to one word:
“free.” In other words, Absoluteness means
Perfect Freedom—Sovereignty—Supremacy. There can be nothing higher
than Absoluteness. There can be nothing over Absoluteness. There
can be no Power beyond Absoluteness. The “Law” of a thing, or things, is the sovereign power that exercises
a control over it. And an Absolute Law
is the supreme, highest and unqualified Power over
all things. Therefore is the Absolute called Law—therefore is The Law called
Absolute. The term “Absolute Law” is the highest and most positive term in the
language, expressing Power and Control. There can be nothing that can oppose
such Power; or run contrary to It, or overrule It, or “break” It. It is Power
Absolutely Supreme.
The Absolute Law must not only be Self‑Governed and Uncontrolled, but must also be Self‑Existent and Causeless, for if there
were aught else to have created
It, or to have
caused It to exist, then that “other” would be the Absolute. The very
meaning of the term precludes any outside Cause affecting It— It is Causeless;
and It exists of, and because of, Itself. To speak of aught causing, governing,
or binding the Absolute, is to utter words that have no meaning. And even if we
postulate a Supreme Being, governed by the “laws of His
own inner nature,” then these
“inner laws,” rather than the Supreme Being are the Absolute. So, you see that
at the last the Law and the Absolute must be the one and the same.
The Aphorism continues: Existing beyond, Time, and
Space and Change transcending the Three Principles and the Seven Laws; It hath
ever been, ever is, and ever shall be. The words: “Is, hath, ever been, and
ever shall be,” denotes the Eternality of The Law,” for a Self‑Existent, Causeless, Absolute, must be Eternal— for
naught could have caused it, nor could aught ever terminate it. “Beyond Time
and Space” expresses Its Omnipresence and Eternality—Time and Space belong to
the Infinite Nothingness, which is subject to the Absolute Law. “Transcending
the Three Principles and the Seven Laws”—by this is meant the Three Principles
of the Cosmos, and the Seven Laws by which The Law manifests Itself through the
Cosmos, when the latter emerges in Manifestation from the Unmanifest, Infinity
of Nothingness. “Transcending,” means, of course: “surpassing; surmounting; being above”;
“being beyond”; etc. As the Three Principles are aspects of
the Cosmos; and the Seven Laws are caused by The Absolute Law, it follows that
the latter is superior and over them. “Ever Unique; Unconditioned; Immutable;
Self‑Existent;
Self‑Sufficient; Independent;
and Abstract”—let us consider the
meaning of each of the words composing this remarkable sentence:
Ever:
“Always; forever; continually; without
cessation.”
Unique: “Without a like or equal; unmatched; Unparalleled; sole.”
Unconditioned: “Not subject to conditions or limitations;
hence, inconceivable; incognitable.”
Immutable: “Unchangeable; invariable; changeless.”
Self‑Existent: “Free from Cause; existing independent of aught else.”
Self‑Sufficient: “Sufficient for self, without aid or co‑operation.”
Independent: “Not
dependent; not subject to control; not relying on aught; not subordinate
or coordinate.”
Abstract: “Apart from aught else; separate from aught else; existing apart and
in Itself”; etc.
The above definitions need no further explanation or
comment—they tell their own tale, and convey the meaning of the Aphorism
clearly, when thus defined. The Aphorism closes
with the following words:
“It dwelleth Unknowable; Unthinkable;
Ineffable.” These three words have the following meaning:
Unknowable: “That which cannot be known, being too difficult or
subtle for the human intellect”; etc.
Unthinkable: “That which cannot be made an object of
thought; incapable of
being thought; incognitable;
eluding the understanding”; etc.
Ineffable: “Incapable of being expressed in words; inexpressible; indescribable”;
etc.
The
combined idea of
the three terms
is well expressed by Herbert Spencer in his famous
sentence; “By continually seeking to know and
being continually thrown back with a deepened conviction of the
impossibility of knowing, we may keep alive the consciousness that it is alike our highest wisdom and our highest duty
to regard that through which all things exist as The Unknowable.” Or, as Edwin
Arnold in his “Light of Asia” voices the beginning of the teachings of the
Buddha:
“Om, Amitaya!
measure not with words The Immeasurable: nor sink the string of thought Into
the Fathomless, who asks doth err, Who answers,
errs.
Say naught!
Shall any gazer see with mortal eyes; Or any searcher know with mortal mind?
Veil after veil will lift—but there must be Veil upon veil behind.”
But, it may be asked: If The Law is Unknowable,
Unthinkable, and Ineffable, then why do you attempt to inform us regarding It;
why do you attempt to teach us about It? The answer, O Neophyte, is this: We
seek not to explain the unexplainable Law to you—we strive not to describe its
nature to you, for that would be impossible, there being no words to express
It, and no minds capable of
understanding It were
It explained. The Aphorism expresses this truth fully and
emphatically. But we do desire to impress upon your minds and understanding,
the fact that It is. Not only do we ask
you to believe this because the Arcane Teaching is the repository of the
reports of the highest minds of the race—the illumined of all ages—but also
because the intellect and intuition of every advanced man reports to him this
truth, and informs him that back of, beyond, over and under, and in All, there
is the Supreme Law.
No matter what may be his religion, ancient or modern;
or his lack of religion—no matter what may be his philosophy, metaphysics or
theology, named or unnamed—no matter upon what lines he may have thought, if he
has thought at all—Man must ever recognize the report of his reason, and his
intuition, which informs him
of the existence of a Supreme and Universal Law, governing all
things. To deny this, is to deny reason. Faith is not required—reason suffices
and fully informs that The Law is. And with that is‑ness,
the report ceases—the knowledge is then known, to low and high alike. While
advanced beings on higher planes have reported great knowledge regarding the
Cosmos, they state positively that they know no more regarding the nature of
The Law than does the humble thinker on our own plane. But from the highest
comes the same report as that which informs the mind of the lowest—The Law IS.
Therefore in asking you to accept this report of the illumined, the highest of
the race, including those whom we call the Elder Brethren, we ask you to accept
only that which your own reason informs you to be a basic truth—The Law is.
It is true that the race has built around the
conception of the Absolute Law, the varying conceptions of personal deities,
and pantheistic beings, but analyze them all and you will find that the reason
for the activities of these deities,
personal or pantheistic, has been the desire; will; want; inclination or “inner‑laws” which are supposed to actuate their
manifestations, or incite their activities, either consciously, unconsciously;
or according to some of the Hindu schools, because of ignorance, illusion, or
self‑deception.
In short, all of these conceptions of deity are Beings who are actuated by
motives, feelings, desires of “inner‑laws,” just as are men, and other manifested or
created things. The anthropomorphic idea is evidenced not only in the crude
conceptions of deity held by the savages, but also in the higher concepts; and even
in the conceptions
of a Pantheistic Being, or Absolute Being held by
some of the philosophers and religious teachers of East and West. The
pantheistic conception is utterly illogical, for as Schopenhauer says: “When we
think of Nature as God, we show God to the door.” And as the Arcane Teachers
point out, even admitting any of these
conceptions of Being, the mind must see that in the “inner law” that
moves Being to activity—the Law of Itself—there alone is to be found the
Absolute. In such case the Law not the Being, is the Absolute, for it is the
causer, and controller, and mover, and reason
of the universe.
It is true that some of the philosophers and teachers
try to explain away this fact, by saying that “Being and Law” are One. But this
is no solution, for even if that be admitted, then the Law within
the Being is the Efficient Reason and Causer of Action, and the rest of
the Being is controlled, acted upon and moved by the Law within it. The whole
idea of Being must be discarded in
considering the Absolute. The Absolute is, and
can be, only Law. For in all conceptions, The Law
is, and must be, seen to be the Ultimate Cause of all activity. The
advocates of Absolute Being, object that they are unable to conceive of Law
without a Law-giving Being. But,
considering this answer, we soon see
that in order
for the Law-giving-Being to proceed to give or
promulgate Law, it must be moved by some
inner law, desire, want, or will of its own nature—and that simply pushes back
the question one step further. Try as we may, we cannot escape the conviction
that Law is the First, and Last
Cause—the Beginning and the Ending—the Efficient Reason of All‑Things. Law is not a Being—not a Mind—not a Spirit—not
a Thing—It is Law, and naught else. We must accept It as Absolute Power, and as
the Aphorisms present It to us.
Beyond this we cannot go. Examine the
Aphorisms carefully, and you will find that they agree fully with the highest
reports of your reason, and in no way run contrary to it.
Aphorism iv. The Law is the Efficient Reason of All‑Things, and is the Supreme Power and Causer of the
Cosmos. In this Aphorism is stated plainly and clearly the truth that The Law
is the Supreme Power of the Cosmos, and the Causer thereof. The term “Efficient
Reason” conveys the entire truth regarding the creation of or evolution of the
Cosmos. Let us consider the definition of the two words composing the term, in
order to see the meaning still more clearly:
Efficient: “Causing or producing effects or results; acting as
the cause of effects; a prime mover; actively operative; etc.”
Reason: “An efficient cause; a final cause; explanation; that which explains or
accounts for anything; motive of action; etc.”
The Cosmos is explainable only by The Law. Without The
Law there could be no Cosmos. The Law is the cause of the Cosmos, and of every
manifestation within it. The very word “Cosmos” is derived from the Greek word
meaning: “the universe as governed by law.” Not only the Arcane Teaching, but
modern science states as its first axiom: “The Cosmos is Governed by Law.” To
those who prefer the idea of an anthropomorphic Being, or a World‑Spirit, as the Absolute, we have to say that, unfortunately for their idea, the
facts of the Cosmos are all against them—Law is everywhere seen to be dominant
and sovereign, even in its relative manifestations. We cannot escape it, and
should not desire to; and will not desire to, when we understand its meaning.
The explanation of this must wait until its proper place in these lessons. Enough
for the present to state that in all human ideas of Law there is to be
found the correlated ideas of Justice and Equity. Know then that this relative
idea, when transformed to the absolute plane, results in the identification of
Absolute Justice and Absolute Equity, with the Absolute Law. Could mortal ask
more? Has he aught to fear of Absolute Equity and Justice? Can he not postulate
in the Absolute all the highest conceptions of Fair Play that he finds in
himself? The Cosmos is Governed by Law!
Infinity
of Nothingness.
We now invite you to consider the correlative
principle of Truth, in which is set forth the Infinity of Nothingness—Chaos—the
Unmanifest; from which, under The Law, emerges Everything—the Cosmos— the
Manifest. We have informed you that The Law is not a Pantheistic Being, either
breaking Itself into bits, or parts, in order to create Universes; neither does
It imagine, mentally create, dream, or meditate into existence a false and
fictitious Universe “all in its mind,” as pseudo‑occultism and pessimistic philosophies would have you
believe. Listen to the Aphorism:
Aphorism v. “Other than The Law, there is but Infinity, which is
Nothingness. But in that Infinity of
Nothingness, there is Unmanifest, the Latency, Possibility, Futurity,
Potentiality, and Promise of Manifest Everythingness. It is the Chaos from
which, under The Law, emerges the Cosmos. It is the Womb of the Cosmos.”
Postponing for the moment the consideration of the
distinction between the Absolute and Infinity, which is uncommon in ordinary
modern thought, we wish to call your attention to the fact that Infinity is not
designated as “Not,” or as partaking of “not‑ness,” but is spoken of as “Nothingness,” which is a
state of Nothing. In the Arcane Teaching the words: “Nothing” and
“Nothingness,” signify “No‑Thing,”
and “No‑Thingness,”
respectively. This may seem like metaphysical hair‑splitting, but it is not. Not having common words to
express uncommon ideas, philosophers must needs split common words into shades
of meaning and significance, or else remain silent with their thoughts
unexpressed. In order to understand “No‑Thingness,” and a “No‑Thing,” you must understand the meaning of the word “Thing” to which these words are
opposed. A “Thing” is “whatever exists as a separate object of sense or
thought,” in the sense of being and having apparent qualities which can be
thought of in terms of sense‑perception,
such as size, shape, form, etc.—something connected directly or indirectly with
physical appearance—something of the relative universe—something having a
correspondence in experience. And No‑thingness must be the opposite of Thingness.
Therefore the Aphorism practically says that Infinity
is a “Latency” that is No‑Thing
in reality, but yet has an existence of some kind, at least potentially. It can
contain naught actually apparent to the senses; naught that can be experienced;
naught that can be sensed; naught that can be thought of by the intellect,
nor pictured in the
imagination—in short, nothing that is capable of inducing a
mental image in your
mind. And yet it exists
(if the word can be used) as a state or condition in which all is in
Latency, Possibility, Futurity, Potentiality, and Promise. In short, it is The
Unmanifest containing All Manifestation within it in latency, possibility and
futurity, awaiting the force of The Law to bid it conceive, produce, and bring
forth Being. We shall learn about this
Infinite Nothingness shortly,
in connection with another
Aphorism. Enough for
the present to
realize the words of the Aphorism
before us, which informs us that other than The Law there is Not, with the
exception of the Infinity of Nothingness which exists in latency. Other than
The Law, there is Not in the absolute
sense.
Philosophies and schools of metaphysics have generally
confused the meaning of the
two terms “absolute” and “relative,” and
have used them as identical in meaning. The Arcane Teaching makes a sharp
distinction between the two terms, however—not a difference based upon a
metaphysical hair-splitting
tendency, but because there are two
entirely different ideas which must be expressed in these two words,
and, in spite of the customs of the metaphysicians the distinction must be
made. We do not wish to lead you into an extended metaphysical discussion, but
we think that you should be taught to make this important distinction in the
true meaning of these terms.
The term “absolute,” in its true sense and essential
meaning, implies an apartness;
separation; independence; self-existence;
self-sufficiency;
supreme; unfettered; free. The
“essence of the essence” of its meaning is to be found in
the words “free, independent, self-sufficient.” And when used in connection with the word
“law,” it represents the Supreme Power, depending upon no other power; its own
sovereign; and the ruler of all else, without restriction. This conception we
have in The Absolute Law, which is the Independent, Free, Sovereign Lord of
All.
The term “infinite” has an entirely different meaning,
in its true sense, although the philosophers and metaphysicians often add to it
the attributes of the Absolute, which is a mistake. The word “infinite”
in its true sense and essential
meaning, implies a state of boundlessness; limitlessness; not circumscribed; as
to time, space, variety, possibilities, combination, shape, form, etc. Its
essence may be understood by referring to the words from which it sprung, i.
e., the Latin words “in,” meaning “not”; and “finitus” meaning “finished.” In
short, the word “infinite” means “not finished; not complete; capable of
unlimited manifestation, and possibilities.” So, you see, while the idea of
“Absolute” means fixed, complete, independent
state or condition; “Infinite” means a state of endless and unlimited possibilities
of manifestation and expression.
The true
philosophical idea of Infinity, consists
of the conception of any sort of mental object as having the
quality of quantity which cannot be exhausted by any succession of experiences,
however prolonged or extended, in time, space, variety, or number. By holding
this idea in mind, you will never make the mistake of confounding infinity with
absoluteness, hereafter. The chief cause
of the confusion
arises from the unauthorized use of the term “infinite” in relation to “power.” Power belongs to the
Absolute, and is not one of the attributes of Infinity. “Infinite Power” would
mean an infinite possibility of the manifestation and expression of unlimited power; while Absolute
Power means all the Power there is, fixed, independent and sovereign, unvarying
and immutable, and not subject to changes of degree, etc. Absolute Law is not an
infinite capacity for expression of power—It is
Power-in-Itself.
All the great thinkers of all times, esoteric and exoteric, have agreed in this
idea of the Infinite being the Unlimited Possibility.
The best of the ancient Greek philosophers, from
Aristotle down, held to this idea. As Schopenhauer says: “It is already a
doctrine of Aristotle, that
Infinity can never
be (actual, given,
fixed) but only potential (in
possibility, latency, promise, potentiality).” And as Lewes says: “If Zero is
the sign of a vanished quantity, the Infinite is the sign of continuity.” We
trust that you now see that the Absolute could never become Relative or Many—and that the Infinite alone
is capable of endless changes in shape, form, variety, in time, space, and
number; and contains within itself the
promise, possibility, latency, and potentiality of Everything.
The Arcane Teachers, in the olden time, illustrated
this to their pupils by the following symbols:
The figure “1” standing for the Absolute, and being
fixed, independent, sovereign, and alone. By itself, and in itself it is
incapable of multiplying or dividing—multiply anything by “1”; or divide
anything by “1,” and the thing remains unchanged. Multiply or divide “1” by
itself, and the answer still is “1,” showing that the Absolute cannot be
increased or divided, even by itself. Subtract “1” from itself, and the result
is “0,” showing that if the Absolute were subtracted from it would cease to
exist, and there would be naught left but the Infinite Nothingness. Then the
Teachers called the attention of the pupil to the Zero, or “Infinite Nothing”
symbol, i. e., “0.” In itself, “0” means
Nothing. Multiply or divide
anything by “0,” and the answer is always “0.” Multiply “0” by itself, and “0”
remains—the Infinite cannot increase itself, for in its circle it includes All
Possibility. But divide “0” by itself— and lo! “0 into 0 goes 1 time”: the
answer is “1.” showing that if the Infinite be divided by itself, the Absolute
is found to be at its centre, undisturbed, independent, self-existent. The symbol of Infinity, in mathematics, however,
is not “0” or
Unmanifest Infinity, but ∞ which indicates Manifest Infinity, the
symbol always indicating endless continuation
of action.
Now for the symbol of the Infinite Nothing, becoming
Infinite Everything. Place a string of “0’s,” as follows:
000,000,000,000,000—you see that they still mean
“Nothing.” Now place “1” (the symbol of the Absolute), before the string
and we
have 1,000,000,000,000,000, which
we may enlarge
to infinite number by the addition of “0’s.” Or place the Absolute “1,”
behind the string, and we have .000,000,000.000,000,1, a very small decimal,
which may be carried to infinitesimal smallness by the addition of “0’s.” Thus
we see, by symbols, that the action of the Absolute Law on the Infinite
Nothingness produces Infinite Greatness,
or Infinite Smallness.
Now that you
understand that Infinity means the Infinite Possibility of Things, rather than an Infinite Manifest
Thing, you may be able to see that the Infinity of Nothingness of the Arcane
Teaching is not quite so irrational as it appeared at first sight. In order to
realize the truth of the Aphorism still more forcibly, let us consider what
Infinity (even in the ordinary use of the term) really is. You will find that
all thought if analyzed, implies the Nothingness of Infinity.
Non-Being,
or Nothingness, was always regarded by certain schools of the ancient Greek
philosophy, as existent in a philosophical sense. Empty
space was considered
as truly existent as the atoms
which afterward appeared in space. Plato regarded Empty Space as the matrix, or
mould, in which the universe was formed. He held that there was possible an
abstract realization of pure empty space, which is Nothing; the Void, which is
the all-containing receptacle of creative energy, and in which being, first
distinguished into geometrical figures, becomes the framework
of the physical
world. Scotus held
that since Deity creates the world out of Nothing, then Nothing must
exist as an emanation of Deity. Hegel distinguished between a
“nicht,” or “Not”;
and a “nichts,”
or “Nothing.”
Theology has always held that Deity “created the
universe from Nothing,” thereby implying at least a quase-existence of Infinite Nothingness. Spinoza recognized
an “infinitely infinite” which is practically an Infinite Nothing. Plato said
that “Space as a Thing is incredible, difficult of explanation, most difficult
to comprehend.” And Zeno, the Eleatic, said: “If Space is a Thing, it must be
in Something, and so in Space; for everything that is, is in Something, and so
in Space; and so on ad infinitum. Therefore, Space is not a Thing.” So
much for the philosophers. Let us see what our own reason informs us.
Let us first examine the idea of Space. Space is the
mental symbol for Infinity. Consider yourself as standing at a fixed point in
Space—then you must realize that there exists an infinite distance or extension
in Space, from that point, in an infinite number of directions. Leaving out of
consideration all objects in space—considering Pure Empty Space—and you must
see that there is
an endless extension possible, in innumerable directions—extension
without end. Imagine a number of miles represented in a row of figures extending from earth to
the most distant star; then multiply
that number by itself; and then the product by itself; and so on, for a time
equal to the number of years since
the Cosmic Day
began. Then you would
have a number of miles, the
written figures of which would fill all the space that your mind is able of even conceiving. Then think of a Being
traveling to the extent of that measurement—would he then be near the end of
space? No! the distance traveled by him would be as a mathematical “Nothing” or
Zero, compared with Infinite Space. No mathematician could have figured out the
infinitesimal smallness of the fraction denoting the comparison, were he to
have worked continually since the dawn of the Cosmic day. The calculation would
be endless, because the result would be infinitesimal, and at the end, he would
have to place the sign of “infinity” back of it. Just think! To be able to
travel for all Eternity through Space without coming to an end! You cannot come to an end of Space, even in
thought or imagination—try it! You will find that to think as far as you will
into Space, there must always be Infinite Space
beyond that imagined point. There
is “no up or down” in Space. Space is something with its centre everywhere, and its circumference nowhere. At
the last, philosophy and science are compelled to hold that “Space is merely
the possibility of infinite extension; or the infinite possibility of
extension”—to the Universal Ether. In the end, Ether is called the Great Mystery
of Science. It must be considered as a Nothing that is a Something. A leading
scientific lecturer said, and wrote, recently: “The Ether is unconditioned, an
entity of no properties but of all
possibilities, or, more exactly, not an entity at all, but an
infinite possibility.” And, so we
find, even Matter and Things themselves, arising from and being resolved into
an Infinite Nothingness that is also Infinite Possibility.
Now, for a moment, let us endeavor to imagine the
condition or state of the Infinity of Nothingness—the Unmanifest Cosmos— during
the Cosmic Night, and before the faintest dawn of the new Cosmic Day. The Three
Cosmic Principles are resolved into the condition of the Unmanifest, but are
not destroyed—they are Nothing, but not “Not!” The Three Cosmic Principles are
Substance; Motion; and
Consciousness, respectively. Substance has assumed its most subtle form,
infinitely rarer and finer than the finest
ether—it is practically Nothing, but yet exists in latency, possibility, and promise.
Motion has assumed a rate of vibration so high that it is practically at Rest,
although not destroyed —it is still Motion in latency. Consciousness has
assumed the condition of a deep unconsciousness—a profound dreamless sleep; a
swoon following upon the infinite ecstasy of the Supreme Cosmic
Consciousness of the
previous Cosmic Day. It knows Nothing; is conscious of Nothing—for there
is but Nothing of which it could be conscious, or could know, for all
manifestation has ceased until the dawn of the new Cosmic Day. It is even
unconscious of the presence and power of The Law, although The Law still reigns
over it, and will awaken it once more, as it has many times before, in the
Eternal Chain of Cosmic Days and Nights.
The Cosmos sleeps in the condition of Infinite
Nothingness— the Unmanifest! The Abyssmal Abyss—the Eternal Deep— the Face of
the Waters—the Void—the Cosmic Womb! The Mother Sleeps! The Laws of Cyclic
Rhythm have brought to Her the Rest of the Cosmic Night! But she will awaken
and greet her Supreme Lord at the dawn of the Cosmic Day. From the Cosmic Womb
will proceed The Cosmic Will, which will manifest the universe of universes;
infinitudes of infinitudes of shape, form, and
variety, of things,
life, and beings.
In her Existence
is the Promise of all that Shall
Be throughout the Ages and Aeons of Eternities of Eternities. The Mother
sleeps, sleeps, sleeps! But, through the Night, as through the Day, The Law is,
immutable, unchanged, Absolute.
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