Theosophical Independence Vol. 8 - 1 March 2009
THE MYSTERY OF THE MIND
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Quotes -
It is
curious that the science of Self is made applicable by many to every other thing
but the Self, and the operation of its laws is seen in all beings but our own
being. Everyone lives by some power within himself, whose influence is so
eclipsed and even obliterated that it remains non-recognizable. This takes place
because in the sphere of deeds, other people's will guides our organs of action;
similarly on the plane of feelings our heart is energized by other people's
emotion; our thinking too is done by proxy while our heads often are replete
only with the thoughts of other men.
The student should recognize to the full two fundamental principles: that
theosophy is a great synthesis of religion, philosophy, and science; and that
it, as a synthesis, primarily concerns itself, touches and affects the causal
forces of the Self producing as effects myriad forms; then his task will become
less difficult.
Such a recognition will inevitably lead him to study every Theosophic truth
from three points of view –- spirit, mind, and matter; also to apply every truth
in the three distinct spheres of heart, head, and hands. Such study and practice
will convince him very soon that the synthesis is rooted in and proceeds from
within his spiritual Being, but affects through his actions the deeds of others;
through his likes and dislikes, the pleasures and pains of others; through his
thoughts, the minds of others; and that in turn he is so affected by others. If
Theosophy in study reveals itself as a synthesis of religion, philosophy, and
science in applying its tenets and doctrines, we soon begin to sense that an
additional or fourth factor exists –- a kind of over-soul, which is the Higher
Altruism.
Altruism is the Absolute whose three aspects are the religion to be lived, in
terms of the philosophy to be learnt, and of the science to be practised. To
practice, to learn, to live, for and as the ALL –- is to manifest the Living
Power of Theosophy.
The Living Power of Theosophy must become the power by which we live. As we
have a material instrument and an energizing mind, and as we are in being
spiritual, we must live as spiritual beings our Religion of Joyous Immortality
which ensouls and illumines the mind. Aided by the philosophy of Theosophy we
must let that mind energize our house of flesh, so that the latter is no more a
palace of pleasure, but a Temple of the Living God, the Ruler who rules from
within.
THE LIVING POWER OF THEOSOPHY
B.P. Wadia
The real object to be kept in view is to so open up or make porous the lower
nature that the spiritual nature may shine through it and become the guide and
ruler. It is only "cultivated" in the sense of having a vehicle prepared for its
use, into which it may descend. In other words, it is held that the real man,
who is the higher self -- being the spark of the Divine before alluded to --
overshadows the visible being, which has the possibility of becoming united to
that spark. Thus it is said that the higher Spirit is not in the man, but above
him. It is always peaceful, unconcerned, blissful, and full of absolute
knowledge. It continually partakes of the Divine state, being continually that
state itself, "conjoined with the Gods, it feeds upon Ambrosia." The object of
the student is to let the light of that spirit shine through the lower
coverings.
This "spiritual culture" is only attainable as the grosser interests,
passions, and demands of the flesh are subordinated to the interests,
aspirations and needs of the higher nature; and this is a matter of both system
and established law.
AN EPITOME OF THEOSOPHY
William Q. Judge
Manas, or the Thinker, is the reincarnating being, the immortal who carries
the results and values of all the different lives lived on earth or elsewhere.
Its nature becomes dual as soon as it is attached to a body. For the human brain
is a superior organism and Manas uses it to reason from premises to
conclusions. This also differentiates man from animal, for the animal acts from
automatic and so-called instinctual impulses, whereas the man can use reason.
This is the lower aspect of the Thinker or Manas, and not, as some have
supposed, the highest and best gift belonging to man. Its other, and in
theosophy higher, aspect is the intuitional, which knows, and does not depend on
reason.
In Manas the thoughts of all lives are stored. .... the total quantity of
life thoughts makes up the stream or thread of a life's meditation—"that upon
which the heart was set"—and is stored in Manas, to be brought out again at any
time in whatever life the brain and bodily environments are similar to those
used in engendering that class of thoughts. ...lower Manas ... is so occupied
with the brain, with memory and with sensation, that it usually presents but few
recollections out of the mass of events that years have brought before it. It
interferes with the action of Higher Manas because just at the present point of
evolution, Desire and all corresponding powers, faculties, and senses are the
most highly developed, thus obscuring, as it were, the white light of the
spiritual side of Manas. It is tinted by each object presented to it, whether it
be a thought-object or a material one. That is to say, Lower Manas operating
through the brain is at once altered into the shape and other characteristics of
any object, mental or otherwise. This causes it to have four peculiarities.
First, to naturally fly off from any point, object, or subject; second, to fly
to some pleasant idea; third, to fly to an unpleasant idea; fourth, to remain
passive and considering naught. The first is due to memory and the natural
motion of Manas; the second and third are due to memory alone; the fourth
signifies sleep when not abnormal, and when abnormal is going toward insanity.
These mental characteristics all belonging to Lower Manas, are those which the
Higher Manas, aided by Buddhi and Atma, has to fight and conquer. Higher Manas,
if able to act, becomes what we sometimes call Genius; if completely master,
then one may become a god. But memory continually presents pictures to Lower
Manas, and the result is that the Higher is obscured. Sometimes, however, along
the pathway of life we do see here and there men who are geniuses or great seers
and prophets. In these the Higher powers of Manas are active and the person
illuminated. Such were the great Sages of the past, men like Buddha, Jesus,
Confucius, Zoroaster, and others.
THE OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY
William Q. Judge
“Theosophical
Independence” is produced monthly by Associates of The United Lodge of
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