GNANY YOGA/PART 6
THE SIXTH LESSON
WITHIN THE MIND OF THE
ONE.
In
our last lesson we gave you the Inner Teachings of the Yogi Philosophy,
relating to the real nature of the Universe, and all that is therein contained.
We trust that you have pondered well and carefully the statements contained in
that lesson, for in them is to be found the essence of the highest Yogi
teachings. While we have endeavored to present these high truths to you in the
simplest possible form, yet unless your minds have been trained to grasp the
thought, you may have trouble in fully assimilating the essence of the
teachings. But, be not discouraged, for your mind will gradually unfold like
the flower, and the Sun of Truth will reach into its inmost recesses. Do not be
troubled if your comprehension seems dull, or your progress slow, for all things
will come to you in time. You cannot escape the Truth, nor can the Truth escape
you. And it will not come to you one moment sooner than you are ready to
receive it, nor will it be delayed one moment in its coming, when you are ready
for it. Such is the Law, and none can escape it, nor alter it, nor modify it.
All is Well, and All is Under the Law—nothing ever "happens."
To
many, the thought that the Universe and all that is therein contained, are
simply "Thought Forms" in the Infinite Mind—Mental Creations of the
Absolute, may seem startling, and a sense of unreality may pervade one. This is
inevitable, but the reaction will come. To some who have grasped this mighty
truth there has come a feeling that "All is Nothing," which idea is
embodied in their teachings and writings. But this is merely the Negative Phase
of the Truth—there is a Positive Phase which comes as one advances.
The
Negative Phase shows us that all that we have considered as real and
permanent—the foundations of the Universe itself—is but a mental image in the
mind of the Absolute, and therefore lacks the fundamental reality that we had
previously associated with it. And realizing this, we are at first apt to feel
that, indeed "all is nothing," and to fall into a state of apathy,
and lack of desire to play our part in the world. But, then, happily the
reaction sets in, sooner or later, and we begin to see the Positive Phase of
the Truth. This Positive Phase shows us that while all the forms, shapes, and
phenomena of the Universe are but parts of a great show-world, still the essence
of all must be Reality, itself, else there would not be even the
"appearance" of a Universe. Before a thing can be a Mental Image,
there must be a Mind to hold that Mental Image, and a BEING to possess that
Mind. And, the very essence of that BEING must pervade and be immanent in every
Image in that Mind. Just as You are really in your Mental
Images, as well as they in You, so must the Absolute be in Its
Mental Images, or Creations, or Thought Forms, as truly as they are in the Mind
of the Absolute. Do you see this plainly? Think well over it—ponder it well—for
in it lies the Truth.
And
so, this Positive Phase of the Truth, is far from depressing—it is the most
stimulating conception one can hold, if he but grasps it in its entirety and
fulness. Even if it be true that all these shapes, and forms, and appearances,
and phenomena, and personalities, be but illusion as compared to the inner
Reality—what of it? Are you not then assured that the Spirit within Yourself is
the Spirit of the Absolute—that the Reality within You is the Reality of the
Absolute—that you ARE, because the Absolute IS, and cannot be otherwise? Does
not the Peace, and Calm, and Security, and Bliss that comes to you with this
Realization, far more than counterbalance the petty nothings that you have
discarded? We think that there can be but one answer to this, when you have fully
Realized the Truth.
What
gives you the greatest Satisfaction and Content in Life? Let us see. Well,
there is the Satisfaction of Immortality. The human mind instinctively craves
this. Well, what that even the highest finite conceptions of Future Life have
given you, can compare with the assurance of Actual Being, in and of the
Absolute? What are your petty conceptions of "heavens,"
"paradises," "happy-hunting-grounds," "divine regions
of the blessed," and the other ideas of the various religious sects, when
compared with the conceptions of your Infinite and Eternal Existence in
Spirit—your relation with The One—that conception of Infinite Wisdom, Being,
and Bliss? When you grasp this truth, you will see that you are "in
Eternity right Now," and are Immortal even this moment, as you have always
been.
Now,
what we have said above is not intended to deny the "heaven-worlds,"
or planes. On the contrary, you will find much in the teachings regarding
these, which the Yogis enter into with much detail. But, we mean that back of
all the "heavens" and "celestial planes," there is a still
higher state of being being—the "Absolute Being." Even the
"heavens," and "heaven-worlds," and regions of the Devas,
or Archangels, are but relative states—there is a state higher than even these
exalted relative states, and that is the State of the Conscious Unity and
Identity with the One. When one enters into that State, he becomes more than
Man—more than gods—he is then "in the bosom of the Father."
And
now, before proceeding to a consideration of the phenomenal manifestation of
the Absolute—the evolving of the Universe in the Infinite Mind—we will again
call your attention to the fact that underlies all the Universe of forms,
shapes and appearances, and that is, as we stated in our last lesson:
All
Manifestations and Emanations of the Absolute are Mental Creations of the
Absolute—Thought-Forms held in the Infinite Mind—the Infinite Spirit in
them—and they in the Infinite Spirit. And, the only Real Thing about Man is the
Spirit involved in the Thought-Form—the rest is mere Personality, which changes
and ceases to be. The Spirit in the Soul of Man, is the Soul of the Soul, which
is never born; never changeth; never dieth—this is The Real Self of Man, in
which, indeed, he is "One with the Father."
And,
now let us consider the Yogi Teachings regarding the creation of the Universe,
and the evolution of the living forms thereon. We shall endeavor to give you
the story as plainly as may be, holding fast to the main thought, and avoiding
the side-paths of details, etc., so far as is possible.
In
the first place, we must imagine ourselves back to the beginning of a "Day
of Brahm,"—the first dawn of that Day, which is breaking from the darkness
of a "Night of Brahm." Before we proceed further, we must tell you
something about these "Days and Nights of Brahm," of which you have
seen much mention in the Oriental writings.
The
Yogi Teachings contain much regarding the "Days and Nights of Brahm;"
the "In-breathing and Out-breathing of the Creative Principle;" the
periods of "Manvantara," and the periods of "Pralaya."
This thought runs through all the Oriental thought, although in different
forms, and with various interpretations. The thought refers to the occult truth
that there is in Cosmic Nature alternate periods of Activity and
Inactivity—Days and Nights—In-breathings and Out-breathings—Wakefulness and
Sleep. This fundamental law manifests in all Nature, from Universes to Atoms.
Let us see it now in its application to Universes.
At
this point we would call the attention of the student that in many of the
presentations of the Hindu Teachings the writers speak as if the
Absolute, Itself, were subject to this law of Rhythm, and had Its
Periods of Rest and Work, like Its manifestations. This is incorrect. The
highest teachings do not so hold, although at first glance it would so appear.
The teaching really is that while the Creative Principle manifests this rhythm,
still even this principle, great though it be, is a manifestation of the
Absolute, and not the Absolute itself. The highest Hindu teachings are firm and
unmistakable about this point.
And,
another point, in which there is much mistaken teaching. In the periods of
Creative Inactivity in a Universe it must not be supposed that there is no Activity
anywhere. On the contrary, there is never a cessation of Activity on the part
of the Absolute. While it is Creative Night in one Universe, or System of
Universes, there is intense activity of Mid-Day in others. When we say
"The Universe" we mean the Universe of Solar Systems—millions of such
systems—that compose the particular universe of which we have any knowledge.
The highest teachings tell us that this Universe is but one of a System of
Universes, millions in number—and that this System is but one, in a higher
System, and so on and on, to infinity. As one Hindu Sage hath said: "Well
do we know that the Absolute is constantly creating Universes in Its Infinite
Mind—and constantly destroying them—and, though millions upon millions of aeons
intervene between creation and destruction, yet doth it seem less than the
twinkle of an eye to The Absolute One."
And
so the "Day and Night of Brahm" means only the statement of the
alternating periods of Activity and Inactivity in some one particular Universe,
amidst the Infinite Universality. You will find a mention of these periods of
Activity and Inactivity in the "Bhagavad Gita," the great
Hindu epic. The following quotations, and page references, relate to the
edition published by the Yogi Publication Society, which was compiled and
adapted by the writer of these lessons. In that edition of the "Bhagavad
Gita," on page 77, you will find these words attributed to Krishna,
the Absolute One in human incarnation:
"The
worlds and universes—yea, even the world of Brahm, a single day of which is
like unto a thousand Yugas (four billion years of the earth),
and his night as much—these worlds must come and go… The Days of Brahm are
succeeded by the Nights of Brahm. In these Brahmic Days all things emerge from
invisibility, and become visible. And, on the coming of the Brahmic Night, all
visible things again melt into invisibility. The Universe having once existed,
melteth away; and lo! is again re-created."
And,
in the same edition, on page 80, we find these words, attributed to the same
speaker:
"At
the end of a Kalpa—a Day of Brahm—a period of Creative Activity—I
withdraw into my nature, all things and beings. And, at the beginning of
another Kalpa, I emanate all things and beings, and re-perform my
creative act."
We
may say here, in passing, that Modern Science now holds to the theory of
periods of Rhythmic Change; of Rise and Fall; of Evolution and Dissolution.
It
holds that, beginning at some time in the past aeons of time, there was the
beginning of an upward or evolutionary movement, which is now under way; and
that, according to the law of Nature, there must come a time when the highest
point will be reached, and then will come the beginning of the downward path,
which in time must come to an end, being succeeded by a long period of
inactivity, which will then be followed by the beginning of a new period of
Creative Activity and Evolution—"a Day of Brahm."
This
thought of this law of Rhythm, in its Universal form, has been entertained by
the thinkers of all times and races. Herbert Spencer expressly held to it in
his "First Principles," expressing it in many ways akin to this:
"Evolution must come to a close in complete equilibrium or rest;" and
again, "It is not inferable from the general progress towards equilibrium,
that a state of universal quiescence or death will be reached; but that if a
process of reasoning ends in that conclusion, a further process of reasoning
points to renewals of activity and life;" and again, "Rhythm in the
totality of changes—alternate eras of evolution and dissolution." The
Ancient Western Philosophers also indulged in this idea. Heraclitus taught that
the universe manifested itself in cycles, and the Stoics taught that "the
world moves in an endless cycle, through the same stages." The followers
of Pythagoras went even further, and claimed that "the succeeding worlds
resemble each other, down to the minutest detail," this latter idea,
however—the idea of the "Eternal Recurrence"—while held by a number
of thinkers, is not held by the Yogi teachers, who teach infinite
progression—an Evolution of Evolution, as it were. The Yogi teachings, in this
last mentioned particular, are resembled more by the line of Lotze's thinking,
as expressed in this sentence from his Micro-cosmos: "The
series of Cosmic Periods, … each link of which is bound together with every
other; … the successive order of these sections shall compose the unity of an
onward-advancing melody." And, so through the pages of Heraclitus, the
Stoics, the Pythagoreans, Empedocles, Virgil, down to the present time, in
Nietzsche, and his followers, we find this thought of Universal Rhythm—that
fundamental conception of the ancient Yogi Philosophy.
And,
now, returning to the main path of our thought—let us stand here at the
beginning of the dawn of a Day of Brahm. It is verily a beginning, for there is
nothing to be seen—there is nothing but Space. No trace of Matter, Force or
Mind, as we know these terms. In that portion of Infinite Space—that is, of
course, in that "portion" of the Infinite Mind of the Absolute One,
for even Space is a "conception" of that Mind, there is
"Nothing." This is "the darkest moment, just before the
dawn."
Then
comes the breaking of the dawn of the Brahmic Day. The Absolute begins the
"creation" of a Universe. And, how does It create? There can be no
creation of something out of nothing. And except the Absolute Itself there is
but Nothing.
Therefore
The Absolute must create the Universe out of Its own "substance," if
we can use the word "substance" in this connection.
"Substance" means, literally, "that which stands under,"
being derived from the two Latin words, sub, meaning
"under," and stare, meaning "to stand." The
English word "understand" means, literally, "to stand
under"—the two words really meaning the same. This is more than a
coincidence.
So
the Absolute must create the Universe from its own substance, we have seen.
Well, what is this "substance" of the Absolute? Is it Matter? No! for
Matter we know to be, in itself, merely a manifestation of Force, or Energy.
Then, is it Force or Energy? No! because Force and Energy, in itself, cannot
possess Mind, and we must think of the Absolute as possessing Mind, for it
manifests Mind, and what is manifested must be in the Manifestor, or
Manifesting Agent. Then this "substance" must be Mind? Well, yes, in
a way—and yet not Mind as we know it, finite and imperfect. But something like
Mind, only Infinite in degree and nature—something sufficiently greater than
Mind as we know it, to admit of it being the Cause of Mind. But, we are
compelled to think of it as "Infinite Mind," for our finite Minds can
hold no higher conception. So we are content to say that this
"substance" from which the Absolute must create the Universe is a
something that we will call Infinite Mind. Fix this in your mind, please, as
the first step in our conception.
But,
how can the Infinite Mind be used to create finite minds, shapes, forms, and
things, without it being lessened in quantity—how can you take something from
something, and still have the original something left? An impossibility! And,
we cannot think of the Absolute as "dividing Itself up" into two or
more portions—for if such were the case, there would be two or more Absolutes,
or else None. There cannot be two Absolutes, for if the Absolute were to divide
itself so there would be no Absolute, but only two Relatives—two Finites
instead of One Infinite. Do you see the absurdity?
Then
how can this work of Creation be accomplished, in view of these difficulties
which are apparent even to our finite minds? You may thresh this question over
and over again in your minds—men have done so in all times—and you will not
find the answer except in the fundamental Idea of the Yogi Teachings. And this
Fundamental Idea is that the creation is purely a Mental Creation, and the
Universe is the Mental Image, or Thought-Form, in the Mind of the Absolute—in
the Infinite Mind, itself. No other "creation" is possible. And so
this, say the Yogi Masters, this is the Secret of Universal Creation. The Universe
is of, and in, the Infinite Mind, and this is the only
way it could be so. So, fix in your mind this second step in our conception.
But
then, you ask us, from whence comes Force, Matter, and Finite Mind? Well asked,
good student—your answer shall be forthcoming. Here it is.
Finite
Mind; Force or Energy; and Matter; in themselves have no existence. They are
merely Mental Images, or Thought-Forms in the Infinite Mind of the Absolute.
Their whole existence and appearance depends upon their Mental Conception and
Retention in the Infinite Mind. In It they have their birth, rise, growth,
decline and death.
Then
what is Real about ME, you may ask—surely I have a vivid consciousness of
Reality—is this merely an illusion, or shadow? No, not so! that sense of
Reality which you possess and which every creature or thing possesses—that
sense of "I Am"—is the perception by the Mental Image of the Reality
of its Essence—and that Essence is the Spirit. And that Spirit is the SUBSTANCE
OF THE ABSOLUTE embodied in Its conception, the Mental Image. It is the
perception by the Finite, of its Infinite Essence. Or, the perception by the
Relative of its Absolute Essence. Or, the perception by You, or I, or any other
man or woman, of the Real Self, which underlies all the sham self or Personality.
It is the reflection of the Sun, in the dew-drop, and thousands of
dew-drops—seemingly thousands of Suns, and yet but One. And yet, that
reflection of the Sun in the dewdrop is more than a "reflection," for
it is the substance of the Sun itself—and yet the Sun shines on high, one and
undivided, yet manifesting in millions of dew-drops. It is only by figures of
speech that we can speak of the Unspeakable Reality.
To
make it perhaps plainer to some of you, let us remind you that even in your
finite Mental Images there is evident many forms of life. You may think of a
moving army of thousands of men. And yet the only "I" in these men is
your own "I." These characters in your mind move and live and have
their being, and yet there is nothing in them except "You!" The
characters of Shakespeare, Dickens, Thackeray, Balzac, and the rest, were such
strong Mental Images that not only their creators were carried away by their
power, and apparent ability, but even you who read of them, many years after,
perhaps, feel the apparent reality, and weep, or smile, or grow angry over
their actions. And, yet there was no Hamlet, outside of Shakespeare's mind; no
Micawber outside of Dickens; no Pere Goriot outside of Balzac.
These
illustrations are but finite examples of the Infinite, but still they will give
you an idea of the truth that we are trying to unfold in your mind. But you
must not imagine that You and I, and all others, and things, are but mere
"imaginations," like our created characters—that
would be a most unhappy belief. The mental creations held by You and I, and
other finite minds, are but finite creations of finite minds, while
WE, ourselves, are the finite creations of an INFINITE MIND. While our, and
Dickens', and Balzac's, and Shakespeare's creations live and move and have
their being, they have no other "I" than our Finite Minds, while we,
the characters in the Divine Drama, Story, or Epic, have for our "I"—our
Real Self—the ABSOLUTE REALITY. They have merely a background of our finite
personalities, and minds, before which they may desport themselves. until,
alas! the very background fades away to dust, and both background and shadows
disappear. But, we have behind our personalities the Eternal Background of
Reality, which changeth not, neither doth it Disappear. Shadows on a screen
though our Personalities may be, yet the Screen is Real and Eternal. Take away
the finite screen and the shadows disappear—but our Screen remains forever.
We are Mental
Images in the Infinite Mind—the Infinite Mind holds us safe—we cannot be
lost—we cannot be hurt—we can never disappear, unless we be absorbed in the
Infinite Mind itself, and then we STILL ARE! The Infinite Mind never forgets—it
never can overlook us—it is aware of our presence, and being, always. We are
safe—we are secure—we ARE! Just as we could not be created from Nothing—so we
cannot be converted into Nothing. We are in the All—and there is no outside.
At
the dawn of the Brahmic Day, The Absolute begins the creation of a new
Universe, or the recreation of one, just as you may care to state it. The
highest Yogi Teachings inform us that the information relating to this event
(which is, of course, beyond the personal knowledge of man as we know him) has
been passed down to the race from teachers, who have received it from still
higher teachers, and so on, and on and on, higher and higher, until it is
believed to have originated with some of those wonderfully developed souls which
have visited the earth from higher planes of Being, of which there are many. In
these lessons we are making no claims of this sort, but pass on the teachings
to you, believing that their truth will appeal to those who are ready for them,
without any attempt to attribute to them an authority such as just mentioned.
Our reference to this high source of the teachings was made because of its
general acceptance in the Eastern countries, and by occultists generally.
The
Yogi teachings inform us that, in the Beginning, The Absolute formed a Mental
Image, or Thought-Form, of an Universal Mind—that is, of an Universal Principle
of Mind. And here the distinction is made between this Universal Mind
Principle, or Universal Mind-Stuff, as some have called it, and the Infinite
Mind itself. The Infinite Mind is something infinitely above this creation of
the Universal Mind Principle, the latter being as much an "emanation"
as is Matter. Let there be no mistake about this. The Infinite Mind is
Spirit—the Universal Mind Principle is "Mind-Stuff" of which all
Finite Mind is a part. This Universal Mind Principle was the first conception
of The Absolute, in the process of the creation of the Universe. It was the
"Stuff" from which all Finite Mind forms, and is formed. It is the
Universal Mental Energy. Know it as such—but do not confound it with Spirit,
which we have called Infinite Mind, because we had no other term. There is a
subtle difference here, which is most important to a careful understanding of
the subject.
The
Yogi teachings inform us that from this Mental Principle there was developed
the Universal Principle of Force or Energy. And that from this Universal Force
Principle there developed the Universal Principle of Matter. The Sanscrit terms
for these Three Principles are as follows: Chitta, or the Universal
Mind Substance, or Principle; Prana, or the Universal Energy
Principle; and Akasa, or the Universal Principle of Matter. We have
spoken of these Three Principles, or Three Great Manifestations, in our
"Advanced Course" of lessons, which followed our "Fourteen
Lessons," several years ago, but it becomes necessary for us to refer to
them again at this place in connection with the present presentation of the
subject. As was stated in the lessons just mentioned, these Three
Manifestations, or Principles, are really one, and shade into each other. This
matter has been fully touched upon in the concluding lessons of the aforesaid
"Advanced Course," to which we must refer you for further details, in
order to avoid repetition here. You will find a wonderful correspondence
between these centuries-old Yogi teachings, and the latest conceptions of
Modern Science.
Well,
to return to the main path once more, the Teachings inform us that The Absolute
"thought" into being—that is, held the Mental Image, or Thought-Form,
of—Chitta, or Universal Mind Principle. This Chitta was
finite, of course, and was bound and governed by the Laws of Finite Mind,
imposed upon it by the Will of The Absolute. Everything that is Finite is
governed by Laws imposed by the great LAW which we call The Absolute. Then
began the Great INVOLUTION which was necessary before Evolution was possible.
The word "Involve," you know, means "to wrap up; to cover; to
hide; etc.;" and the word "Evolve" means "to unwrap; to
unfold; to un-roll; etc." Before a thing can be "evolved," or
"unfolded," it must first have been "involved" or
"folded-in, or wrapped up, etc." Everything must be
"involved" before it can be "evolved;" remember this,
please—it is true on all planes, mental, physical, and spiritual. A thing must
be "put in" before it may be "taken out." This truth, if
remembered and applied to metaphysical problems, will throw the clearest light
upon the darkest problems. Make it your own.
Therefore
before the process of Evolution from the gross forms of Matter up to the
higher, and then on to the Mental, from higher to higher, and then on the
Spiritual plane—that Evolution which we see being performed before our sight
today—before that Evolution became possible there was a necessary Involution,
or "wrapping-up." The Spirit of the Absolute first
"involved" itself in its Mental Image; Thought-Form, or Creation, of
the Mind Principle, just as you may "involve" yourself in an earnest
thought in deep meditation. Did you never "lose yourself" in thought,
or "forget yourself" in an idea? Have you not spoken of yourself as
having been "wrapped in thought?" Well, then you can see something of
what is here meant, at least so far as the process of "involution" is
concerned. You involve yourself in your meditations—the Absolute involves
Itself in Its Mental Creations—but, remember the one is Finite, and the other
Infinite, and the results are correspondingly weak or strong.
Obeying
the laws imposed upon it, the Mental Principle then involved itself in the
Energy Principle, or Prana, and the Universal Energy sprang into
existence. Then, in obedience to the same Laws, the Prana involved
itself in the Akasa, or Universal Matter Principle. Of course each
"involving" practically "created" the "wrapper,"
"sheath" of the lower Principle. Do you see this? Each, therefore,
depends upon the Principle higher than itself, which becomes its "Parent
Principle," as the Yogis express it. And in this process of Involution the
extreme form of Matter was reached before the process of Evolution became
possible. The extreme form of gross Matter is not known to us today, on this
planet, for we have passed beyond it. But the teachings inform us that such
forms were as much grosser that the grossest Matter that we know today, as the
latter is gross in comparison with the most ethereal vapors known to Modern
Science. The human mind cannot grasp this extreme of the scale, any more than
it can the extreme high degree of manifestation.
At
this point we must call your attention to certain occult teachings, widely
disseminated, which the highest Yogi teachers discountenance, and contradict.
We allude to the teaching that in the process of Involution there was a
"degeneration" or "devolution" from higher to lower forms of
life, until the gross state of Matter was reached. Such a teaching is horrible,
when considered in detail. It would mean that The Absolute deliberately created
high forms of life, arch-angels, and higher than these—gods in fact—and then
caused them to "devolve" until the lowest state was reached. This
would mean the exact opposite of Evolution, and would mean a "going
down" in accordance with the Divine Will, just as Evolution is a
"going up" in accordance with the Divine Will.
This
is contrary to man's best instincts, and the advanced Yogi teachings inform us
that it is but an illusion or error that men have created by endeavoring to
solve spiritual mysteries by purely intellectual processes. The true teaching
is that the process of Involution was accomplished by a Principle involving
itself in the lower Principle created within itself, and so on until the lowest
plane was reached. Note the difference—"Principles as Principles" did
this, and not as Individual Forms of Life or Being. There was no more a
"devolution" in this process than there was in The Absolute involving
itself in the Mental Image of the Mind Principle. There was no
"devolution" or "going down"—only an "involution"
or "wrapping up," of Principle, within Principle—the Individual Life
not having as yet appeared, and not being possible of appearance until the
Evolutionary process began.
We
trust that we have made this point clear to you, for it is an important matter.
If the Absolute first made higher beings, and then caused them to
"devolute" into lower and lower forms, then the whole process would
be a cruel, purposeless thing, worthy only of some of the base conceptions of
Deity conceived of by men in their ignorance. No! the whole effort of the
Divine Will seems to be in the direction of "raising up" Individual
Egos to higher and still higher forms. And in order to produce such Egos the
process of "Involution" of Principles seems to have been caused, and
the subsequent wonderful Evolutionary process instituted. What that "Reason"
is, is Unknowable, as we have said over and over again. We cannot pry into the
Infinite Mind of the Absolute, but we may form certain conclusions by observing
and studying the Laws of the Universe, which seem to be moving in certain
directions. From the manifested Will of the Divine One, we may at least hazard
an idea as to its purposes. And these purposes seem to be always in an
"upward" lifting and evolution. Even the coming of the "Night of
Brahm" is no exception to this statement, as we shall see in future
lessons.
From
the starting of the process of Involution from the Mental Principle, down to
the extreme downward point of the grossest Manifestation of Matter, there were
many stages. From the highest degree of the Finite Mind, down to lower and
still lower degrees; then on to the plane of Force and Energy, from higher to
lower degrees of Principle within Principle; then on to the plane of Matter,
the Involutionary urge proceeded to work. When the plane of Matter was reached,
it, of course, showed its highest degree of manifested Matter—the most subtle
form of Ether, or Akasa. Then down, down, down, went the degrees of
Matter, until the grossest possible form was reached, and then there was a
moment's pause, before the Evolutionary process, or upward-movement, began. The
impulse of the Original Will, or Thought, had exhausted its downward urge, and
now began the upward urge or tendency. But here was manifested a new feature.
This
new feature was "The Tendency toward Individualization." During the
downward trend the movement was en masse, that is, by Principle
as Principle, without any "splitting up" into portions,
or centers. But with the first upward movement there was evidenced a tendency
toward creating Centers of Energy, or Units of activity, which then manifested
itself, as the evolutionary movement continued, from electrons to atoms; from
atoms to man. The gross matter was used as material for the formation of finer
and more complex forms; and these in turn combined, and formed higher, and so
on, and on. And the forms of Energy operated in the same way. And the manifestations
of centers of Mind or consciousness in the same way. But all in connection.
Matter, Energy and Mind formed a Trinity of Principles, and worked in
connection. And the work was always in the direction of causing higher and
higher "forms" to arise—higher and higher Units—higher and higher
Centers. But in every form, center or unit, there was manifested the Three
Principles, Mind, Energy, and Matter. And within each was the ever present
Spirit. For Spirit must be in All—just as All must be in
Spirit.
And,
so this Evolutionary process has continued ever since, and must continue for
aeons yet. The Absolute is raising itself up into Itself higher and higher
Egos, and is providing them with higher and higher sheaths in which to
manifest. And, as we shall see in these lessons, as we progress, this evolution
is not only along the physical lines, but also along the mental. And it
concerns itself not only with "bodies," but with "souls,"
which also evolve, from time to time, and bodies are given these souls in order
that they may work out their evolution. And the whole end and aim of it all
seems to be that Egos may reach the stage where they are conscious of the Real
Self—of the Spirit within them, and its relation to the Spirit of the Absolute,
and then go on and on and on, to planes of life and being, and activities of
which even the most advanced of the race may only dream.
As
some of the Ancient Yogi Teachers have said: "Men are evolving into
super-men; and super-men into gods; and gods into super-gods; and super-gods
into Something still higher; until from the lowest bit of matter enclosing
life, unto the highest being—yea, even unto The Absolute—there is an Infinite
Ladder of Being—and yet the One Spirit pervades all; is in all, as the all is
in It."
The
Creative Will, of which we have spoken in these lessons, is in full operation
all through Life. The Natural Laws are laws of Life imposed by The Absolute in
his Mental Image. They are the Natural Laws of this Universe, just as other
Universes have other Laws. But The Absolute Itself has no Laws affecting It—It,
in Itself is LAW.
And
these Laws of Life, and Nature, along its varying planes, Material, of Energy;
and Mental; are also, in the Divine Mind, else they would not be at all, even
in appearance. And when they are transcended, or apparently defied by some man
of advanced development, it is only because such a man is able to rise above
the plane upon which such laws are operative. But even this transcending is, in
itself, in accordance with some higher law.
And
so, we see that All, high and low—good and bad—simple or complex—all are
contained Within the Mind of the One. Gods, angels, adepts, sages, heavens,
planes,—all, everything—is within the Universe, and the Universe is Within the
Mind of the One. And all is proceeding in accordance with Law. And all is
moving upward and onward, along the lines of Evolution. All is Well. We are
held firmly in The Mind of the One.
And,
just as the tendency was from the general Principle toward the particular
Individual Soul, so is there a Reconciliation later on, for the Individual
soul, as it develops and unfolds, loses its sense of Separateness, and begins
to feel its identity with the One Spirit, and moves along the lines of
unfoldment, until it becomes in Conscious Union with God. Spiritual Evolution
does not mean the "growth of the Spirit," for the Spirit cannot
grow—it is already Perfect. The term means the unfoldment of the Individual
Mind, until it can recognize the Spirit Within. Let us close this lesson with
the
CENTRAL THOUGHT.
There
is but ONE. That ONE is Spirit. In the Infinite Mind of that ONE SPIRIT there
arose the Mental Image or Thought-Form of this Universe. Beginning with the
Thought of the Principle in Mind; and passing on to the Principle of Energy;
and then on to the Principle of Matter; proceeded the Involutionary Process of
Creation. Then, upward began the Evolutionary Process, and Individual Centers
or Units were formed. And the tendency, and evolutionary urge is ever in the
direction of "unfolding" within the Ego of the Realization of the
Indwelling Spirit. As we throw off sheath after sheath, we approach nearer and
nearer to the SPIRIT within us, which is the One Spirit pervading all things.
This is the Meaning of Life—the Secret of Evolution. All the Universe is
contained Within the Mind of The One. There is Nothing outside of that Infinite
Mind. There is no Outside, for the One is All in All; Space, Time, and Laws,
being but Mental Images in that Mind, as are likewise all shapes and forms, and
phenomena. And as the Ego unfolds into a realization of Itself—Its Real Self—so
does its Wisdom and Power expand. It thus enters into a greater and greater
degree of its Inheritance. Within the Mind of the One, is All there is. And I,
and Thou, and All Things are HERE within that Infinite Mind. We are always
"held in Mind" by The Absolute—are always safe here. There is nothing
to harm us, in Reality, for our Real Self is the Real Self of the Infinite
Mind. All is Within the Mind of the One. Even the tiniest atom is under the
Law, and protected by the Law. And the LAW is All there Is. And in that Law we
may rest Content and Unafraid. May this Realization be YOURS.
PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL.
NEXT CHAPTER
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