An
Approach to “The Secret
Doctrine”,
By H. P. Blavatsky
Steven
H. Levy
The symbolic wheel of life
In the Proem of “The Secret Doctrine”
(SD), by Helena P. Blavatsky [1], the
Unknown and Unknowable Root of all being is represented to the finite mind of
the student as abstract unconditioned space.
Co-eternal with the one reality, space, is primordial homogeneous
substance representing the conditioned fullness of space. Space is also dynamic
and in eternal motion. It is ever coming, going and becoming. Any point in
space, being inseparable from the whole in reality, is one in essence with the
Root of all being, permeated with homogeneous substance, and forever becoming.
It is subject to the same universal law of ebb and flow observed as
periodicity, re-embodiment, and cause and effect. Each point in space is a
mirror reflecting the potentiality of the absolute one reality.
In the realm of mathematics, 0 (zero) is like the one unconditioned
reality. It has no conditioned value in itself. It has no direct influence on
the conditioned value of other numbers either when it is added or subtracted.
Yet, without 0, no other numbers can have the possibility of existence, value,
or influence on other numbers. The potentiality and potency of all numbers have
their root in the 0 that has no root or direct influence. The latent and potential
influence of 0 becomes manifested and potent with the appearance of 1 (one).
The infinite variety and influence of all numbers are all possible because of
permutations and transformations of the number 1. In mathematics, every
different number has its root in 1, and that 1 has its root in 0. The 1 is a
unity and a duality.
The first breath of change in a period of manifestation is the ideation
or active formation of the ideal plan of the universe from its latent potential
state in the absolute one reality. This manifested ideation working through and
with manifested homogeneous substance is a unity and a duality since neither
can manifest without the other. It may be called the Universal Over-Soul,
itself an aspect of the Unmanifested Root. Like the relationship of 1 to all
other numbers in mathematics, every individual Soul is identical with it in essence
and origin and owes its manifested existence to it. Like the point in space, each
and every soul reflects like a mirror the potentiality of the Universal Over-Soul
and the unlimited potentiality of the absolute Unknown Root.
Evolution is the gradual manifestation and development of the
potentiality of every soul. As the potentiality of every soul is unlimited
there can be no beginning or ending to the process of evolution, but there can
be periods of time during which the soul reaches a relative stage of
“greatness” The Third Fundamental Proposition of The Secret Doctrine
teaches the evolutionary process that each soul must go through. The
evolutionary “cycle of necessity” for the pilgrim soul is governed by
periodicity, re-embodiment, and cause and effect. Three reasons are given why the
process is called the “cycle of necessity”.
The first reason is that the evolution of soul is governed by the same
law that governs the universe. “The Secret Doctrine” teaches the progressive
development of everything, worlds as well as atoms; and this stupendous development
has neither conceivable beginning nor imaginable end. Our “Universe” is only
one of an infinite number of Universes, all of them “Sons of Necessity”,
because links in the great Cosmic chain of Universes, each standing in the
relation of an effect as regards its predecessor, and being a cause as regards
its successor. (SD, vol. I, p. 43)
The second reason the process is called the “cycle of necessity” is
because no soul, a spark of the Universal Over-Soul, can have an individual and
independent conscious existence before passing through all the different
kingdoms of the phenomenal world of material forms. Conscious existence in all
its degrees requires a material form, and independent self-conscious existence
requires a human form. There is a universal process of ebb and flow that
provides a natural impulse whereby the ideation in the Universal Over-Soul is
gradually manifested in more dense and differentiated forms of matter. As the
soul is one in essence and origin with the Universal Over-Soul, the natural
impulse towards conscious existence in form comes from within the soul itself.
It is the soul that brings forth the different degrees of form necessary for
its evolutionary progress. In the Esoteric Philosophy the spark of Universal
Over-Soul is called the Monad. “The Monad has to pass through its mineral,
vegetable and animal forms, before the Light of the Logos is awakened in the
animal man”. (SD, vol. II, p. 42)
The third reason the process is called the “cycle of necessity” is
because once the light of self-conscious mind is lit up in the human form, it
is necessary for further individual progress in conscious awareness to be
accomplished by self-induced and self-devised efforts checked by the lawful
effects of previous self-induced causes. In the human condition, the spiritual
stream of evolution, whereby the ideal potentiality within the monad is
gradually unfolded from within outward and manifested in material form, and the
physical stream of evolution whereby more complex and differentiated forms are
manifested to provide a suitable material basis for the expression of
consciousness of the monad, are blended with the intellectual stream of
evolution. In other words, once the human stage of evolution is reached the
further impulse to spiritual, physical, and intellectual evolution is provided
by self-conscious choices and efforts within the mind. Therefore, this aspect
of the Third Fundamental Proposition is called the Pivotal Doctrine. At this
pivotal point, human evolution and the evolution of nature is influenced by the
transformation and growth of mind in the human being from lower degrees to
higher degrees of intelligence. This can only be won by personal effort and
merit.
An excerpt from “The Secret Doctrine” will further illustrate the issue:
“Moreover, the Secret Doctrine teaches (…) the fundamental identity of
all Souls with the Universal Over-Soul, the latter being itself an aspect of
the Unknown Root; and the obligatory pilgrimage for every Soul - a spark of the
former - through the Cycle of Incarnation (or ‘Necessity’) in accordance with Cyclic and Karmic law, during the whole
term. In other words, no purely spiritual Buddhi (divine Soul) can have an
independent (conscious) existence before the spark which issued from the pure
Essence of the Universal Sixth principle, - or the OVER-SOUL, - has (a) passed
through every elemental form of the phenomenal world of that Manvantara, and
(b) acquired individuality, first by natural impulse, and then by self-induced
and self-devised efforts (checked by its Karma), thus ascending through all the
degrees of intelligence, from the lowest to the highest Manas, from mineral and
plant, up to the holiest archangel (Dhyani-Buddha). The pivotal doctrine of the
Esoteric philosophy
admits no privileges or special gifts in man, save those won by his own Ego
through personal effort and merit throughout a long series of metempsychoses
and reincarnations. This is why the Hindus say that the Universe is Brahma and
Brahmâ, for Brahma is in every atom of the universe, the six principles in
Nature being all the outcome - the variously differentiated aspects - of the
SEVENTH and ONE, the only reality in the Universe whether Cosmical or
micro-cosmical; and also why the permutations (psychic, spiritual and
physical), on the plane of manifestation and form, of the sixth (Brahmâ the
vehicle of Brahma)
are viewed by metaphysical antiphrasis as illusive and Mayavic. For although
the root of every atom individually and of every form collectively, is that
seventh principle or the one Reality, still, in its manifested phenomenal and
temporary appearance, it is no better than an evanescent illusion of our
senses.” (SD, vol. I, pp. 17-18)
It is a paradox, that although we
experience a phenomenal and temporary existence that is, as H.P.B. states
above, no better than an illusion to the senses compared to the One Reality,
any real evolutionary progress spiritually, intellectually, and physically must
be brought about by replacing the false ideas that arise in the mind due to the
illusion of separateness with enduring wisdom that can be added to the
permanent spiritual part of our nature like pearls on a string.
With so many evidences of self-delusion,
one may wonder how we are to proceed by self-induced and self-devised effort. There
is hope. As mind beings we have the ability and choice to see beyond the
apparent illusions of the senses and witness in the phenomena of our existence
evidence of what is real. Life as we know it is real enough for us. This world
is part of our cycle of necessity because in it and only in it can we learn
that the interdependence of life is real, law is real, and evolution is real.
In spite of many failures, if we choose to keep trying, we will also learn that
the perfectibility of human nature is real.
NOTE:
[1] “The
Secret Doctrine”, Helena P. Blavatsky,
Theosophy Company, Los Angeles, two volumes.
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In September 2016, after a careful analysis of the state of the
esoteric movement worldwide, a group of students decided to form the Independent Lodge of Theosophists,
whose priorities include the building of a better future in the different
dimensions of life.
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