THE ARCANE TEACHINGS/PART 7

 

Part VII.

Arcane Secrets.

Lesson XIX. The Secret of The Opposites. Lesson XX. The Secret of Rhythm. Lesson XXI. The Secret of Balance.

 

 

 

Lesson XIX.

The Secret of the Opposites.

Let us  now consider The Law of Opposites, or Polarity, the mastering of which constitute one of the Arcane Secrets. Listen to the Aphorism:

Aphorism xxi. Every thing in the Cosmos has its opposite. Every quality, attribute or condition has its opposite. Every thing and every quality,  attribute or  condition is one of a Pair of Opposites—and yet  contains  within itself a  Pair  of  Opposites. Polarity is inherent in every thing. Every thing has its Two Poles; and also is, itself, one  pole  of  something else.  The Pairs of Opposites—the two Opposing Poles—are but phases of the same thing. In the union of  the Two Poles, or Pair of Opposites, there is to be found the “thing-in-itself” of a thing. There is always a Reconciliation and Agreement possible between Opposites— always a possible Synthesis of Opposing Thesis and Antithesis. Every thing “is” and “is not” at the same time, in its qualities, attributes and conditions—and the Reconciliation, Agreement and Synthesis reveals a new “Is.” And yet the Reconciliation, Agreement, or Synthesis—the new “Is”—is but  one Pole, or one of a Pair of Opposites, of a new and higher Polarity or Pair. And, so on, to infinity. In this Aphorism is contained the Secret of the Understanding of all things in the Cosmos.

This Aphorism states a fundamental truth of the Arcane Teaching—the truth that everything is but one pole of a Pair of Opposites. And that  while  every thing has its Opposite, still the two Opposites, together, form  the Real Thing. Every truth is but a half truth. Everything is a paradox. There is “the other side” to everything. There are the “two extremes” to every thing. In this great Cosmic Law is found the fact that diametrically opposed things, physical, mental and spiritual, are in reality but the different poles of the same thing. In this Law is found the explanation of all physical phenomena—the mental activities and states—and the Secret of Sex-Generation and Regeneration—and many other important facts and laws—of Cosmic  Activity.

When one has had his attention directed to the existence of The Law of Opposites, he will see evidences of its presence and operation on all sides, and in all phenomena of the Cosmos. He will soon see that no matter what may be the quality of a thing, another quality diametrically opposed to the first one will always be found. Sometimes it is difficult to discover the opposing quality—but the Law is invariable and constant, and a careful search will always reveal the Opposite. The principle may be called to your mind by reference to a few familiar instances. Thus: You will always find an Up and a Down; a High and a  Low; a  Right and a Left; a Hard and a Soft; a Heavy and a Light; an Abstract and a Concrete; a Long and a Short; a Broad and  a Narrow; a Hot and a Cold; a Sharp and a Dull; an Easy and a Difficult; a North and a South; an East and a West; a Positive and a Negative;  a Male and a Female; a Large and a Small; a Good and a Bad; a Light and a Dark; a Day and a Night; a Love and a Hate; a Courage and a Fear; a Truth and an Untruth; and so on until you will find that, the moment you notice a quality of  a  thing,  that  same  moment  you  will  recognize  an  opposite quality.

Your first impression after noticing these Pairs of Opposites is that they  are composed of things entirely different from each other—entirely apart—and far from being “the same thing.” But examine a little closer, and what do you see? Where do you draw the line between Up and Down? You may say that one thing is “up” and another “down,” in comparison with each other, or in relation to some other thing. But, in the abstract, apart from comparison and relativity—where is your dividing line which causes one direction in Space to be “up” and another to be “down.” You will find that there is no such absolute division, and that your “up” and “down” are but relative and comparative terms, depending upon  some imaginary or temporary dividing line. Astronomers recognize this fact, and one of the first things they teach their students is: “There is no ‘up’ nor ‘down’ in Space!” The same is of  course true with High and Low; Right and Left; etc. Also with  the cardinal  points,  which consist  of  Pairs  of Opposites. Travel North as far as you can go, and reaching the North  Pole you find yourself in a position in  which  whatever direction you travel your next step will lead you South. Travel East as far as you can and you will find yourself returning to your starting point from the West—for  there  is no “East or West Pole.” What is West to us, is East to others. China and India are in the “Great East,” but they are West to America. We can reach them by traveling either East or West.

You think that Hard and Soft are two entirely different things, do you not? Then tell us where you draw the line between Hard and Soft. What constitutes a thing Hard or Soft—except relativity and comparison? Where is your Absolute Hard, or Absolute Soft. Hard and Soft are but names for  degrees  of a Something the  two Opposites or Poles of  which we call “Hard” and “Soft,” respectively. The same is true of Heavy and Light. Where is your dividing line? The terms are but relative degrees of weight, are they not?—poles of the same thing. What is the difference  between Long  and Short—Broad  and  Narrow— Sharp and Dull? These contrasting qualities are but degrees in the same thing. What is the difference between Large and Small? What particular size makes one thing Large and another Small? Where is your standard? What is the difference between an Easy thing and a Difficult one? Is there a positive standard— are they not merely degrees of the same thing, and relative to the strength of power employed?

Perhaps this point can be brought out more clearly by a consideration of “Hot and Cold.” At first thought no two things seem further removed from one another than these two—they seem to have nothing in common. But let us see. We find that science assumes the existence of a certain Something called “Temperature.” The word is derived from a Latin Word Meaning “measure; proportion; degree.” Science uses it to indicate the “intensity of radiant heat.” And Heat is held to be simply a “state or condition of matter, resulting from vibration.” Temperature then is merely a term used to indicate varying degrees of vibration of a certain kind. Therefore we see that “Hot and Cold” have no real existence as things‑in‑themselves, but are merely degrees in the scale of Heat, the latter being but a term indicating certain kinds of vibrations. Therefore “Hot and Cold” are but degrees of the same thing, in the end—and that “same thing” is but a quality of Something Else—a quality of Motion, having its own Opposite in a higher scale.

Moreover, even on the lower plane “Hot and Cold” are seen to be but relative and comparative. At what point on the thermometer would you  draw a line dividing “Hot” from “Cold”? Everything is a little “hotter” than something else, and a little  “colder”  than  a  third  thing.  So  far  as  the  sensation of “Hot” and “Cold” is concerned, it is quite relative and comparative. Come from a cold hallway, into a warmer room, and you feel quite warm, even though those in the room be shivering. Dip one hand into ice‑water, and the other into boiling water, at the  same  time—and then plunge both hands into a basin of luke‑warm water, at the same moment. What is the result? To one hand the water seems quite warm, while to the other it seems quite cool—and yet the temperature of the water is fixed. Where is your “Hot and Cold,” then? You say that today is “warm” meaning that it is warmer than it has been. A month from now, you may call the same temperature “cool.” In the end you will find that “Hot and Cold” are but names designating degrees of Heat vibration. You know very well what you mean by each term—you recognize them as Opposites—and yet you are unable to fix a dividing line between them or to separate things into two distinct classes of “Hot” and “Cold” respectively. You find that they blend into each other, and that the shades of differences between close degrees are almost indistinguishable in sensation. You see that they are but a Pair of Opposites, and together form Two Poles of the same thing—Heat. The very “Cold” thing is as much  a degree of Heat  as is the very “Hot” thing—the distinction is merely one of  degree.

The same Law is operative in the field of Good and Bad. (We do not refer to “Right and Wrong” in the moral or religious sense, although even that comes under the Law, and is a matter of degrees upon a standard erected by some particular school, religion, or custom—the standard  varying greatly among the schools, sects, or localities. It is often very difficult to determine between “Right and Wrong” in any particular standard or scale, so closely do the degrees shade into each other.) We refer to “Good” in the sense of: “desirable; conducive to satisfaction and happiness”; and to “Bad” in the sense of: “undesirable; conducive to dissatisfaction and unhappiness.” We find, upon analysis and examination, that these two terms are but another Pair of Opposites, which represent degrees of a Something which we may call “Satisfaction” or “Happiness.” A “Good” thing is one which causes Happiness and Satisfaction; a “Bad” thing, one which produces Unhappiness and Dissatisfaction. We readily distinguish between these two results, in general. But when it comes to drawing a fixed line between them on the scale, we find it impossible. Some things are “better” than others; some things are “worse” than others; but these degrees are comparative, and relative. A dirty crust of dry bread tastes very “good” to a starving man; while the same thing would be very “bad” to the taste of a well fed person. And so it is with everything “Good and Bad”—all relative.

Moreover, the same thing may be both “Good and Bad,” at the same time—that is, “Good” for some purposes and “Bad” for others. So we must always inquire “Good” for what? “Bad” for  what? And, likewise, the same thing may be both “Good and Bad,” at the same time, for the same purpose, for two different people. “It’s an ill wind that blows Nobody any Good,” says the proverb. “One man’s Good is another man’s Bad,” says another. “One man’s Loss is another man’s Gain,” says a third. “One man’s Meat is another man’s Poison,” says a fourth. And so on, each illustrating the truth of the general statement. A “Good day’s fishing” may be a “Bad day’s work” for the fish. “Good!” says one man when wheat advances on the Board of Trade—and yet that advance may mean the greatest “Bad” for another. A writer on Natural History once pointed to the long legs and long beak of the Crane, so well adapted to catching fish, as a “mark of the Goodness of Providence.” The fish probably thought it an exceedingly “Bad” provision.

Let us begin with the Positive Pole of Love-Hate, which we call “Love.” We find here a high degree of the emotional quality which consists of the states of “affection; regard; attraction; affinity; etc.” Then, on the  extreme  Opposite of the scale— the Negative Pole‑we find the quality which we  call “Hate,” which consists of “aversion; dislike; repulsion; etc.” These two emotional states seem as different as any two things can be, do they not? It seems almost impossible to conceive that they are but the Opposite Poles of what we may call “Regard,” or “Attraction,” or “Affinity”—and yet such is their real relation. Returning once more to the pole of “Love,” let us descend the scale. Moving down a little on the scale we find states of “less regard,” or “less attraction.” Then still further down, we find states in which the regard or attraction is very greatly reduced. Finally we come to a point at which there appears to be no regard or attraction, and still no repulsion or dislike. This is the neutral point of balance which is always to be found somewhere in the consideration of every Pair of Opposites, and yet which is not a fixed or absolute point, but which varies according to circumstances, persons and various  influences. Then passing down the scale we find manifested a slight repulsion or dislike; this increases as we move down the scale. Finally we notice degrees of intense dislike and repulsion, until finally we find the Negative Pole of “Hate.” You will understand this readily— you have noticed the different degrees of Love and Hate, and have also noticed how these degrees rise and fall according to circumstances and conditions. But have you ever noticed that extreme Love often is suddenly transmuted into extreme Hate, and  vice  versa, under extreme emotion or exciting cause. Who has not seen instances where a woman’s intense Love has been transformed into burning Hate, by the influence of some new cause. In some cases the emotion moves rapidly  backward and forward, to-and-fro, between these two poles, until the person does not know whether he or she Loves or Hates. As in one of Kipling’s poems a woman  says: “I ’hate you, grinnin’ there.…Ah, Gawd, I love you so!”

It will be seen that all these transmutations of emotional states from one pole to the other—from Love to Hate—from Fear to Courage—are but changes of Polarity, or a shifting of position on the emotional scale. But these changes are always along the scale of the emotion which has the two poles—and not from one  emotion  to  another. Emotions of different scales cannot be transmuted one to another—they must belong to the same scale. Water may be transformed into Steam, and Wood into  Smoke; but Water cannot be transformed into Smoke, nor Wood into Steam. And so it is with the emotional states—the transmutation must be along the degrees of, or between the poles of, the same scale.

And, so, now we arrive at the point of the Arcane Teaching in which is made plain the processes of Mental Transmutation in its phase of Change of Polarity. This forms an important part of the Arcane Processes of Mental Transmutation. By the application of the trained Will, it is possible for the student to transmute one emotional state to its opposite, by changing the polarity. Thus, one may change his Love into Hate, or his Hate into Love, simply by concentrating the Attention and Will upon the Opposite Pole of the state or quality. In the Arcane processes, the student is never told to “fight” or “kill out” an undesirable emotional quality by opposing sheer Will to it— this is a waste of energy, and is moreover quite unscientific. The proper method is to concentrate on the Opposite Pole, and thus change the vibrations and shift the emotional center of Balance.

In the same way, and under the same Law, the emotional states of others may be influenced by polarizing their minds on the opposite pole of the scale of the emotion in question. Hate is not to be combatted…by Hate—this only adds fuel to the fire. The proper way is to form the mental image of Like and Attraction, in your mind, and then concentrate its effects upon the other person. Just as you may change your own emotional states, so may you change his, under the proper conditions and by the proper methods. And, remember this, this process does not consist in the sentimental, negative, rabbit-like attitude of mind that many teachers preach to the students—it does not consist in “turning the other cheek” to be smitten. Far from it, this process is purely volitional and not emotional. It is the bringing into play of the scientific principles of Mentalism— not wishy-washy emotional sentimentalism, or the practice of “kissing the rod that smites you.” The Arcanes are not sentimentalists, nor emotional weaklings. On the contrary, they live in their heads with  their Balance in the  Will.  But, nevertheless, they tell you that the way to combat Hate is by its opposite Pole. This is a Paradox which requires thought to solve. It is the principle taught in the old fable, in which the Sun and the North Wind dispute their power to tear away a man’s cloak from him. The harder the North Wind blew, the closer the man hugged the cloak around him. But when the Sun tried the effect of its heated rays, the man soon dropped the cloak because he found it uncomfortable. Polarizing in an Opposite, negates the first condition.

If you are strong enough to hear the full truth, listen to these words: The advanced occultist regards  both  Love and Hate as emotions of the “Me” side of oneself. Therefore he rises above both, and neither Loves nor Hates, in the ordinary meaning of the terms. He maintains a balance in his “I,” like the man on the tight rope with his balancing pole, first shifting the balance to one side, and then to the other, as occasion renders advisable. He thinks that the slave to Love is as miserable as the slave to Hate—and he avoids both extremes. He finds that the synthesized  Love‑Hate is in itself but one pole of a Something Else—and he moves up higher to that Something. Instead of being compelled to sail according to the wind of Emotion, he ploughs his way through the Sea of Life by the power of the Steam of Will. He knows the Opposites—the Two Poles—of everything, to be but phases of a Synthesis of opposite qualities. He changes them to suit himself and his purposes. He solves the problem of the “two ends” by tying them together. He is Balanced  between the Two Poles. He neutralizes unnecessary qualities, and undesirable ones, by changing their polarity. He grasps both horns of the Dilemma. He embraces the Paradox as a Whole. He claims all—but allows naught to claim him. He uses all—but allows naught to use him. Along this road lies Mastery!

 

Lesson XX.

The Secret of Rhythm.

Let us now consider the Law of Rhythm, the mastery of which  constitutes  one of the Arcane Secrets. Listen to the Aphorism:

Aphorism xxii. In the Cosmos every thing moves. Every thing is in  constant  motion. Every thing is undergoing constant change. Every thing “beats time.” Vibration is universal, and, manifesting according to the Law of Rhythm, constitutes the difference of degree existing between things on all planes. Every thing moves to-and-fro in Rhythm, between its two poles. Every thing rises and falls, in Rhythm, within the limits of its nature. Every thing advances and retreats, in Rhythm, within the limits of its power.

The Aphorism informs us of the truth that in the Cosmos everything moves; is in constant motion; is undergoing constant change. This is one of the fundamental principles of the ancient instruction of the Arcane Teachers, which has been steadfastly adhered to throughout the centuries, until now the most advanced modern science has moved to the same position. Heraclitus, the famous Greek philosopher, who lived nearly twenty-five hundred years ago, and who was affiliated with the Arcane School, made this principle the basis of his philosophy.

His basic principle was: “Everything moves; everything changes; everything is in flux; everything is constantly ‘becoming.’” Clodd, the English scientific writer, says: “Nothing escapes the law of change. The shrewd speculations of Heraclitus, the Ionian, who lived two thousand five hundred years ago, that everything is in a state of flux, and, therefore, that the universe is always “becoming,” have added confirmation in every discovery of modern physics.” Buddha  (b.  c. 600) said: “Everything changes but Change.”

Huxley said: “The more we learn of the nature of things, the more  evident  is  it  that  what  we  call  rest  is  only  unperceived activity; that seeming peace is silent but strenuous battle. In every part, at every moment, the state of the cosmos is the expression of a transitory adjustment of contending forces; a scene of strife in which all the combatants fall in turn. What is true of each part is true of the whole. Natural knowledge tends more and more to the conclusion that ‘all the choir of heaven and furniture of the earth’ are transitory forms or parcels of cosmic substances wending along the road of evolution, from nebulous  potentiality, through endless growths of sun and planet and satellite; through all varieties of matter; through infinite diversities of life and thought; possibly, through modes of being of which we have neither a conception, nor are competent to form any, back to the indefinable latency from which they arose. Thus the most obvious attribute of the cosmos is its impermanence.”

The universal and ceaseless motion of all things is caused, of course,  by the operation of the Principle of Motion—one of the Three Cosmic Principles, which acts upon Substance in the many manifestations arising principally from the action and reaction of the dual principles  of, or rather the opposite poles of, Attraction-Repulsion. Its forms and  varieties are as manifold as are those of Substance, or Consciousness—that is to say, they are practically infinite. The basic activity of Motion, however, is that which we call Vibration, of which the Aphorism says; “Vibration is universal, and manifesting according to the Law of Rhythm, constitutes the difference of degrees between things on all planes.” Modern Science now stands “on all fours” with the Arcane Teaching in this respect, and not only holds that all things are in constant vibration, but also, that the rates of vibration determine the difference in the elemental nature of all things. Everything, from the tiny corpuscle, or electron, of which the atoms are composed, to the greatest masses of matter known to us, manifest the law of Rhythmic Vibration. Moreover, Science has demonstrated that the sole difference between the “elements” which make up the different forms of matter, arises from the rate and degree of vibration manifested by the electrons composing them—that is to say, they are but varying degrees of vibration. The difference between Gold and Lead consists but of differences in  Vibration. The  difference between Light and Beeswax is but a difference in Vibration.

In  previous  lessons  you  have  seen  that  the  Cosmos,  when resolved into the Infinity of Nothingness, is practically Motionless—the Principle of Motion is in a condition of Absolute Rest. And yet, that Absolute Rest is analogous to Motion of such a high degree of Vibration as to be practically Motionless and at Rest. In this condition, or state, the two poles of Motion have been resolved into one—the extremes have merged—Absolute Motion and Absolute Rest are seen to be identical. But from the first Dawn of the new Cosmic Day, there is manifested Vibration on a constantly descending scale, until the lowest point is reached—then the upward trend begins. And in these varying degrees of Vibration is manifested every thing that is in the Cosmos, not only the physical things, but also the mental states. Every mental state, of any and all kinds, has its own degree of Vibration, which makes it what it is, and constitutes its difference from other mental states. And these mental Vibrations may be transmitted from one brain to another, in the phenomena of Mentalism.

It should not be necessary here to inform the student that that which we call sound, light, heat, magnetism, electricity, the X-Rays, and other forms of energy, are but varying forms of  Vibration.  And  that  even  the  most  solid  piece  of  material substance—a diamond or piece of steel, for instance, is composed of a countless number of tiny atoms, which in turn are composed of minute electrons or particles—all in constant vibratory motion, manifesting intense energy, dashing about and circling around each other, bounding and rebounding from each other, each atom resembling a solar system with its circling planets in constant motion. The elementary text-books on physical science inform their readers that every thing, and all things, of which we have any knowledge through our senses, are but appearances arising from differing rates of Vibration. And that, moreover,  our only consciousness of them is the result of Vibration.

But, what of the “Law of Rhythm” which causes everything to “beat time,” as the Aphorism states? Let us consider this Law, for it has a very important bearing upon Mental States and phenomena. “Rhythm,” according to the accepted usage, is “movement in measured time,” the most familiar instance of which is the “time” in music, which is measured by the “beats” of the metronome or the baton. And scientific investigation, as well as the ancient occult teachings, show us that everything in the  Cosmos “beats time,” and moves in accordance with Rhythm. We see this in the swing of the planets; the beating of the human heart; the in-breathing  and  out-breathing  of  the  lungs;  the rise and fall of the tides; and in the operation of Vibration on every plane, in every thing. As Vibration is universal—so Rhythm is universal.

A moment’s thought will show you that all the phenomena in Nature manifest this law of Rhythmic movement between two extremes. There is always the ebb-and-flow of things. Always the rhythmic swing of the pendulum between the two extremes of the thing. Day is succeeded by night; summer by winter; action by reaction; work by rest; activity by inactivity; intermittent symptoms in diseases; “good times” by “bad times” in business; exaltation by depression. On every plane may be observed instances of this universal “pendulum swing” of Rhythm, which carries the thing to-and-from between its two polar extremes. As the Aphorism says: “Everything moves to-and-fro, in Rhythm,  between its two poles. Everything rises and falls, in Rhythm, within the limits of its nature. Everything advances and  retreats,  in  Rhythm,  within  the  limits  of  its  power.” Modern science holds that the Evolution of worlds must have had its precedent Involution, and the Evolution must be followed by Devolution—and so on, to Infinity. It holds that just as the suns and planets were evolved by stages from the nebulæ, so must they  return to the nebulæ, in time; again to begin a new series of evolutionary  world-building. Notice the quotation from Huxley, in the first part of this lesson. Herbert Spencer makes this law of Rhythm one  of  the  principles  of his philosophy.

The Arcane Teaching also shows the Law of Rhythm to be operative in the form of the Days and Nights of the Cosmos— the swing of Rhythm between the Manifest Cosmos and the Unmanifest Cosmos. The Law of Polarity, and the Law of Rhythm are twin-laws—they are bound to each other for Eternity. You will notice the resulting effect, that the rise and fall, or rhythmic pendulum swing, is determined, governed and restrained by the length of the scale of Polarity. Nothing can swing beyond the limits of its poles—nothing can exceed the limits of its nature or power. Consequently, if a thing swings far in one direction, it swings back equally far in the other. If its swing is great, its extremes are widely apart—if the swing is small, then the extremes are close together. The pendulum illustration may be applied to the phenomena on all planes. A short beat of the metronome allows the rod to move only a short distance each way—the long beat admits of a wide swing. And so, those who enjoy  keenly also suffer keenly; while those whose natures allow of but limited suffering, are also capable of only a limited degree of capacity for  enjoyment. A pig suffers but little, and enjoys but little; while a highly organized, sensitive, “high strung” human being, suffers the joys of heaven at times, and also the pain of hell at others. The pendulum swings as far in one direction as in the other.  Only by a Mastery of Mental Rhythm can man hope to escape the pain that his high development would otherwise bring him.

The Arcane Teachers instruct their pupils in the Art of Mental Transmutation, by an understanding of which they may apply the energy and power of Mental Vibrations intelligently, and under the control of the Reason and the Will. When it is understood that the difference between Mental States is like the difference between the Physical Elements—merely a rate of Vibration— then Mental Transmutation or Mental  Alchemy, becomes as real as the Physical Transmutation, or Physical Alchemy, of the ancients, which science is now on the eve of  rediscovering. An understanding of this give one the Mastery of Self, and also the Secret of Mentalism. Moreover, an understanding of the Law of Rhythm enables one to take advantage of the flood-tide of Mental Rhythm, and a neutralizing or rising above the ebb-tide. With an understanding of the Law of Balance, one may so balance and counter-balance himself that he is not disturbed by  the  backward  swing  of the pendulum of Rhythm, but instead may take advantage of its energy and transmute it into desirable things. In this understanding comes the Poise of Power.

Let us now consider the Law of Cyclicity, which is akin to the Law of Rhythm. Listen to the Aphorism:

Aphorism xxiii. Cyclicity is akin to Rhythm, and arises by reason of it. All events tend to move in Cyclic Trend—in constant circular movement of continuous recurrence. The only escape from Cyclicity is found in the process of transmutation into Spirality. This is accomplished by  Advancing the Central Point of Motion. The conversion of the Circle into the Spiral is one of the highest forms of Mental Alchemy.

The Law of Cyclicity manifests in the universal tendency of things to swing in circles. Cyclicity is an outgrowth, or more complex form, of Rhythm. The primal manifestation of Rhythm is action to-and-fro in a straight line or path—a movement backward and forward between the limits of the poles. This would be the invariable movement if the particular force manifested were the only manifestation of force or energy in that particular field of the Cosmos. But when the swinging pendulum (free to move in any direction) is subjected to the conflicting attractions and  repulsions of other manifestations of force and energy, then is manifested the universal tendency toward the circular trend—the tendency to convert the straight path of the swing into a circular path or cycle. The action and reaction, the attraction and repulsion, arising from the conflict between the force of the Rhythmic swing in a straight line on the one hand, and the attractive and repellant forces from without, on the other hand, tend to swing the moving thing in a perfect circle around a Central Point of pivotal centre. And these conflicting forces are in operation through the Cosmos, and  the  manifestation  of  Cyclicity  may  be  noticed  on  all  planes. There is ever the evidence of the cyclic trend of things and events—the tendency to move in circles. The electrons in the atoms move in circles, just as do the planets around the sun; and just as does the sun move around some other center in space. The highest occult teachings, as well as the highest speculations of science, inform us that there is always a movement in circles around some given point; and the movement of this center of motion around some other center; and so on to Infinity.

The Aphorism states that: “All events tend to move in cyclic trend—in constant circular movement of continuous recurrence.” And the experience of man, aided by the reports of history, bear out this statement. The student of human history is struck by the continuous cyclic trend manifested throughout the ages of history. The student of philosophy is attracted by the same evidence in his own field. And so it is with every field of human thought—Cyclic Trend is noticeable everywhere. Races and nations rise, flourish, decline and fall; only to be succeeded by others traveling over the same lines. “Westward, the star of Empire takes its flight,” the center of political power constantly changing. The civilizations of Atlantis, Egypt, Chaldea, Rome and Greece arose and passed away. Our civilization is but traveling over the same general lines. All forms of political government, monarchic, autocratic, democratic, in all their variations, were known in the past as in the present. The same law is observable in the history of philosophical thought. Theories popular in Greece over two thousand years ago afterward fell into disrepute, but are now again forcing their way to the front. The scientific theories of Causation, Continuity, Determinism, and Evolution were popular in Ancient Greece over two thousand years ago. And they were likewise popular in Ancient Egypt and in India centuries before that time. Fashions in literature, dress, and manner constantly recur—traveling ’round and ’round their little circles. Laugh as we may at the absurdity of fashion in dress, nevertheless it proceeds according to Cyclic Law. Religious ideas are as old as the world—pantheism, polytheism, monotheism, and atheism—all have played their parts of fashion in religious thought, over and over again—and will play them again. The present-day revival in interest in occult thought arises from  the same law.

And the life of individuals manifests the same trend and tendency. A  little  thought  will  convince  you that  the  majority of  people  travel  in  circles in  life.  The  same  old  thing  over  and over  again,  recurring  at  intervals  of greater or lesser duration, according to the “nature” of the person. The majority of persons are like the squirrel in the cage who travels all day on his whirling wheel—but ends where he began.

“But,” you may say, “if the Cosmos travels around in a continuous circle it would never progress or advance into increased consciousness.” Very true! And if the individual continued in the “constant circular movement of continuous recurrence” he would never advance on The Path. The Aphorism gives us the Secret when it says: “The only escape from Cyclicity is found in the process of transmutation into Spirality. This is accomplished by advancing the Central Point of Motion.” If the Central Point of Motion of a Circle is moved forward, then the Circle  is  converted  into a Spiral. The Central Point is advanced in the Cosmos by the Cosmic Will urging forward the entire Cosmic Process, and thus converting the Cyclic Trend into a Spiral Trend—onward and upward, in advancing and rising circles toward Progress.

And by a similar process, the Individual may convert the Circle of his Life Motion into an Advancing and Rising Spiral, which while carrying him around the Life Circle will at the same time raise him a stage higher at each turn. While  apparently traveling  around  a  circle,  like  the  average  person, he will be a stage higher at each turn. The Mountain of Attainment, around which winds the Spiral Path, is traveled only in this way. ’Round and ’round the Pilgrims travel, seemingly retracing the same steps—but in reality reaching a stage higher each circle they make. They often complain (until they learn better) saying, “I have  gone  ’round  and  ’round,  and  still  reach  nowhere.”  But when they compare their present stage with that of a year ago, they see that they have advanced. Is this not the case with you, friend? Have you not used these very words? Heed the lesson!

By advancing the Central Point, by  the  Will,  the wise  and strong convert the Cycles into Spirals, and thus attain and advance.  As  the  Aphorism  says,  this  “is  one  of  the  highest  forms of  Mental  Alchemy.”

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson XXI.

The Secret of Balance.

Let us now consider the Law of Balance, the mastery of which constitutes one of the Arcane Secrets. This Law may be considered in its three phases of Counterbalance, Compensation, and Poise, respectively. Let us now consider the first phase, viz., Counterbalance. Listen to the Aphorism:

Aphorism xxiv. Know ye, that in the Cosmos every thing is Counterbalanced. Every thing is set‑off and offset by other things. There is always Check and Countercheck in every manifestation, on every  plane, of the Cosmos.

This first phase of Balance, which is known as “Counterbalance,” is a law,  the operation  of  which  is  evident to every investigator of physical science. “Balance” in the Arcane usage may be defined as: “Equipoise; equilibrium; and equality of weight or force.” “Counterbalance” is defined as: “Compensating balance; weight or force opposing equal weight or force.” This phase of the Law of Balance, like its other phases, arises from the existence and operation of the Law of Opposites, or Polarity. Everything in the Cosmos is dual. There is always something opposed to, counterbalancing and checking something else. The Manifest Cosmos could not exist and remain operative without this law. Just as the watch or clock requires a nicely adjusted system of counterweights, counter-springs, and counterbalances, in order that their opposing action may render the movement  of  the timepiece  uniform  and  regular,  so  does  the  Cosmos  require, and possess, an equally nicely balanced and counterbalanced system, in order that its activities may be uniform and regular.

The regular and uniform movement of the planets around the sun is made possible only through the operation of the counterbalancing forces of centrifugal and centripetal gravity, the former manifesting in the tendency of the planet to fly from the central point, the sun; and  the  latter  manifesting in the tendency of the planet to move toward the central point, the sun. The counterbalance of these two opposing tendencies produces regular and constant movement in the elliptic orbit.

In the same way the two phases of Force or Energy oppose and counterbalance each other—one tending to build up, and the other tending to tear down. Some authorities have adopted the use of  the  term  “Force” to designate that form of Motion which tends “to bind together two or more particles of ponderable matter, and which retards or resists motions tending to separate such particles”; for instance, Gravitation, Cohesion, Chemical Affinity, etc. The same authorities use the term “Energy” to designate that form of Motion which tends “to separate two or more particles of ponderable matter, or of the ethereal medium, or which resists or retards the Force tending to bind them together.” Clodd says: “If Force had un-resisted play, all the atoms in the universe would gravitate to a common center, and ultimately form a perfect sphere in  which no life would exist, and in which no work could be done. If Energy had un-resisted play, the atoms in the universe would be driven asunder and remain forever separated, with the like result of changeless  powerlessness. But with these two powers in conflict…the universe is  the theatre of ceaseless redistributions of its contents.”

All through living Nature is this same law of Counterbalance in force. The plant-life nourishes the animal-life, and the latter by means of its waste matter and its disintegrating forms nourishes the former. Moreover, the  very  breathing  of  the two great forms of life, tend to support life in each other. Animals breathe in oxygen in order to support life, and breathe out carbonic-acid gas, the latter being poisonous to animal-life. At the same time the plants, under the action of the sun’s rays, break up the carbonic-acid gas, absorbing the carbon which nourishes plant-life,  and  releasing the oxygen needed by animal life. Thus the refuse element of the plant is the life-giving element of the animal; and  the refuse  element  of the animal is the life-giving element of the plant. As Emerson says:  “Whilst the world is thus dual, so is every one of its parts. The entire system of things gets represented in every particle. There is somewhat that resembles the ebb and flow of the sea, day and night, man and woman, in a single needle of the pine, in a kernel of corn, in every individual of every animal tribe. There action, so grand in the elements,  is repeated within these small boundaries. For example, in the animal kingdom the physiologist has observed that no creatures are favorites, but a certain compensation balances every gift and every defect.”

In Nature there is always the operation of the “Check and Countercheck” mentioned in the Aphorism. Each life-form is kept in check by some other life-form. If this were not so, particular life-forms would overrun the  earth. Darwin says; “There is no exception to the rule that every organic being naturally increases at so high a rate, that, if not destroyed, the earth would soon be covered by the progeny of a single pair.” Clodd adds; “If all the offspring of the elephant, the slowest breeder known, survived, there would be in seven hundred and fifty years nearly nineteen million elephants alive, descended from the first pair. If the eight or nine million eggs, which the roe of a cod is said to contain, developed into adult cod-fishes, the sea would quickly become a solid mass of them. So prolific is its progeny after progeny that the common housefly is computed to produce twenty-one millions in a season; while so enormous is the laying power of the aphis, or plant-louse, that  the tenth brood of one parent, without adding the products of all the generations which precede the tenth, would contain more ponderable matter than all the population of China, estimating this at five hundred millions.”

It is the same in plant life. If any single species were to remain unchecked, the entire globe would be covered with it inside of less than  twenty years. The fungi, and other lower organisms, multiply so rapidly (some a billion-fold in an hour) that they would cover the  earth in  a year, if not counterchecked by nature. But the countercheck is always there. Each animal, plant or fungus has its natural enemy which preys upon it for food. Every living thing lives upon other living things—each according to its kind. This is one of the forms of Nature’s counterchecks. This law is brought forcibly to mind when certain plants or animals are transported to other regions, without their natural enemies accompanying them, the result being that they speedily become a danger to the land, and their natural enemies have to be brought to the new region to keep them in check. Students of Evolution see in Natural Selection, and other laws of Evolution, many phases of Counterbalance and Countercheck in the Cosmos—the working out of the law that “Everything is set-off and offset by other things,” as the Aphorism says.

And now let us consider the second phase of the Law of Balance—the phase of Compensation—the Debit and Credit phase of the Cosmic Activities. Listen to the Aphorism:

Aphorism xxv. Know ye, that there is always a Cosmic Debit and Credit. In the Cosmos there is Absolute Compensation. The Cosmic Accounts are always evenly balanced. There is nothing furnished Free—No thing given for Nothing—in the Cosmos. The Equivalent is always demanded and rendered. The Price for Every Thing is always fixed—and Paid.

The truth embodied in the above Aphorism is recognized by the world’s greatest thinkers, although the average person endeavors  to  deny  it,  and  refuses  to  look  the  Truth in the face. That wonderful essay upon “Compensation,” by Emerson, carries the truth to every open mind. All true philosophers have recognized the principle as in existence. Any one may see the fact, if he will stand apart and view the world-picture in the proper perspective. The idea of Compensation is based upon the  phases of Counterbalance and Countercheck—upon Set-off and Offset. In short, it is always a matter of “Paying the Price.” We cannot have the cake, and keep our penny, at the same time. We must always give up one thing to obtain another—we must always relinquish to attain—we must always die to live. Life is a continuous “Pay, pay, pay!” As the Aphorism informs us: “There is nothing furnished Free—No Thing given for Nothing—in the Cosmos”; “The price for Every Thing is always fixed—and Paid.” For every advantage gained, another must be surrendered. This is the Law of the Cosmos, as all  wise men  know it. It does one no good to deny or ignore it—it is Law, fixed, constant, immutable.

Emerson, in his essay on “Compensation,” says: “The theory of the mechanic forces is another example. What we gain in power is lost in time, and the converse. The periodic or compensating errors of the planets is another instance. The influences of climate and soil in political history are another. The cold climate invigorates. The barren soil does not breed fevers, crocodiles, tigers, or scorpions. The same dualism underlies the nature and condition of man. Every excess causes a defect; every defect an excess. Every sweet has its sour; every evil its good. Every faculty which is a receiver of pleasure has an equal penalty put on its abuse. It is to answer for its moderation with its life. For every grain of wit, there is a grain of folly. For everything you have missed, you have  gained something else; and for everything you gain, you lose something. If riches are increased, they are increased that use them. If the gatherer gathers too much, nature takes out of the man what she puts into his  chest;  swells  the  estate,  but  kills  the  owner.  Nature hates monopolies and exceptions. The waves of the sea do not more speedily seek a lever from their loftiest tossing than the varieties of condition tend to equalize themselves. There is some leveling  circumstance  that  puts  down  the  overbearing, the strong, the rich, the fortunate, substantially on the same ground with all others. Is a man too strong and fierce for society, and by temper and position a bad citizen—a morose ruffian, with a dash of the pirate in him?—nature sends him a troop of pretty sons and daughters who are getting along in the dame’s classes at the village school, and love and fear for them smooths his grim scowl to courtesy. Thus she contrives to intenerate the granite and feldspar, takes the boar out and  puts the lamb in, and keeps the balance true. The farmer imagines power and place are fine things. But the President has paid dear for his White House. It has commonly cost him all his peace, and the best of his manly attributes. To preserve for so short a time so conspicuous an appearance before the world, he is content to eat dust before the real masters who stand erect behind the throne. Or do men desire the more substantial and permanent grandeur of genius? Neither has this an immunity. He who by force of will or of thought is great and overlooks thousands, has the responsibility of overlooking. With every influx of light comes new danger. Has he light? he must bear witness to the light, and always outrun that sympathy which gives him such keen satisfaction, by his fidelity to new revelations of the incessant soul. He must hate father and mother, wife and child. Has he all that the world loves and admires and covets?—he must cast behind him their admiration and afflict them by faithfulness to his truth, and become a byword and a hissing.”

As we have said in a previous lesson: The greater the capacity for joy, the greater the capacity for pain. The swing of the pendulum of Rhythm between the two poles of the Opposites measures our relative happiness and unhappiness— comparative satisfaction or dissatisfaction. The capacity for pain is the symbol of advanced Evolution. The tramp has  nothing and desires nothing beyond his immediate wants. His arc is small. Another will have much, but desires still more. His arc is large.  Each, and both, fall a little short of what would constitute happiness for  them. Query: which of the two is the happiest, or the most miserable? The answer of Compensation is: “They are equal in their degree of happiness and unhappiness—in satisfaction and misery. They are twin-brothers of equal heritage.”

A financial panic which makes the millionaire writhe in fear and terror, passes entirely over the tramp. The more one has, the more afraid of  losing it is he; and the harder the blow if the loss occurs. Many ancient philosophical writers insisted that the measure of pain and pleasure is equally distributed between persons—although the degrees of each vary greatly. The man who makes two dollars a day and is able to save a half-dollar out of it, is possibly happier and better satisfied than he who makes a hundred and spends half as much more. What would bring happiness to a savage would bring misery to a college professor. Happiness is comparative, and so is unhappiness. We find happiness where we least expect it—and unhappiness where it surprises us. Just as “to know all, is to forgive all”; so, to know all, is to understand the relativity of satisfaction and happiness. It is said that the “back is always made strong enough to bear the burden”—we do not assert this, as a fact, but we feel that the back gets used to the burden, and feels it not more than other backs feel lesser burdens. And while the proverb that “God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb” may not be scientifically correct, still it is true that the shorn lamb becomes tempered to the wind, and “gets used to it.”

Clodd says: “The simplicity of the simplest forms has been their  salvation.  A  high  organization  brings  with  it many disadvantages, for the more complex the structure the more liable is it to get out of gear.  We cannot have highly convoluted brains and at the same time digestive organs simple and renewable like those of the sea‑cucumber. Death is the price paid for complexity.” And pain is the natural consequence and counterbalance of complexity in life, knowledge, and possessions.

Each one has his troubles and his joys. Each his pains and his pleasures. If we knew all the inside facts concerned with others’ lives we would not be willing to exchange with them, providing we had to live exactly their same lives. Who would wish to exchange his personal life with that of another—taking all that goes with the other’s, and giving up, completely, all that composes his own? Each man’s “cross” is fitted exactly to his particular shoulders—and each man’s “crown” is adjusted nicely upon his particular brow. It takes a philosophical mind to realize this—the tendency is to consider one’s own lot the very worst of all—and the other man’s lot much the better. The other man is probably thinking the same about your’s. Neither would exchange, if he knew the full facts of the case— all the  counterbalances and counterchecks. Each has his own “character,” and all that goes with it. Each has his own arc of happiness and satisfaction—with their opposite poles. As the old Egyptian proverb ran: “‘What will you have?’ said the gods to man. ‘Take it, and pay for it!’”

And now, let us consider the third phase of the Law of Balance—the phase of Poise. Listen to the Aphorism:

Aphorism xxvi. Poise is Power. Poise results from Balance. Balance is secured by adjusting and maintaining the Centre between the Poles of the Pairs of Opposites. By Balanced Poise the Master neutralizes Polarity and Rhythm, by resolving them into Unity. In the Heart of the Storm is Peace. In the Centre of Life there is Poise and Power. Seek it ever, O Neophyte—for in it thou shalt find thy Self.

In this Aphorism is contained the seed‑thought generated in the centuries of thought and experience of the Arcane Teachers. Do not pass it by because of its simplicity. Poised Balance is the aim and goal of the  Arcane Initiates. It is the Secret of Mastery. There is always a Center of Everything. But the Center exists only because of the existence of the Circumference. There is always a Point or Poise between the Poles of every Pair of Opposites. But that Point exists only because the Extremes exist. And in the Central Point is always found the Power of the Whole Event or Thing. In the Center of Gravity of the Earth, one would be able to remain in a position of Perfect Poise, unsupported except by the Concentrated Gravity of the Whole Earth. So nicely Poised that a mere effort of the Will would exert sufficient energy to propel him in any  desired  direction. The  Power  of  the  Opposites are concentrated at the Central Point. There is all Power to be found—and there only. The axiom: “Action and Reaction are Equal” indicates a Central Point in which exists the True Lever which will move the Whole. At the Center one is enabled  to use Action and Reaction without being subject to either. The Arcane Initiate strives to attain this state of Equilibrium and Absolute Poise. He yearns to master the art of traversing the Razor-edge Wire of Life, balancing himself perfectly, like the trained mental athlete that he is, by the Balancing Pole of the Opposites which he has firmly grasped. Pitting the Opposites against each other—neutralizing Pole by Pole—balancing Law by Law—the Master traverses the slender thread which separates the World of Desire from the World of Will.

Oh, Neophyte, in the Center of Life shalt thou indeed find Poise and  Power. In the Heart of the Storm shalt thou find Peace. In the Center of the Cosmos shalt thou find thyself. He who finds the Center of Himself,  finds the Center of the Cosmos. For, at the last, they are one.

 

Vale!

 

 

 

END OF THIS BOOK.

CREATED BY WISDOM DRAGONS