The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The Ancient Wisdom

by Annie Besant
1911 Reprint

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

CONTENTS PREFACE INTRO !CTION C"APTER I C"APTER II C"APTER III C"APTER I) C"APTER ) C"APTER )I C"APTER )II C"APTER )III C"APTER I, C"APTER , C"APTER ,I C"APTER ,II T"E P"#$ICA% P%ANE T"E A$TRA% P%ANE &'(A%O&A T"E (ENTA% P%ANE E)AC"AN T"E B! "IC AN NIR)ANIC P%ANE$

REINCARNATION REINCARNATION *CONTIN!E + &AR(A T"E %AW OF $ACRIFICE (AN-$ A$CENT B!I% IN. A &O$(O$

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

PREFACE This boo0 is intended to p1ace in the hands o2 the genera1 reader an epitome o2 theosophica1 teachings3 s422icient1y p1ain to ser5e the e1ementary st4dent3 and s422icient1y 2411 to 1ay a so4nd 2o4ndation 2or 24rther 0no61edge7 It is hoped that it may ser5e as an introd4ction to the pro2o4nder 6or0s o2 "7P7B1a5ats0y3 and be a con5enient steppingstone to their st4dy7 Those 6ho ha5e 1earned a 1itt1e o2 the Ancient Wisdom 0no6 the i114mination3 the peace3 the 8oy3 the strength3 its 1essons ha5e bro4ght into their 1i5es7 That this boo0 may 6in some to con its teachings3and to pro5e 2or themse15es their 5a14e3 is the prayer 6ith 6hich it is sent 2orth into the 6or1d7 Annie Besant3 A4g4st 199:

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

INTRODUCTION THE UNITY UNDER YIN! A RE I!IONS

Right tho4ght is necessary to right cond4ct3 right 4nderstanding to right 1i5ing3 and the i5ine Wisdom < 6hether ca11ed by its ancient $ans0rit name o2 Brahma )idy=3 or its modern .ree0 name o2 Theosophia3 Theosophy < comes to the 6or1d as at once an ade>4ate phi1osophy and an a11?embracing re1igion and ethic7 It 6as once said o2 the Christian $cript4res by a de5otee that they contained sha11o6s in 6hich a chi1d co41d 6ade and depths in 6hich a giant m4st s6im7 A simi1ar statement might be made o2 Theosophy3 2or some o2 its teachings are so simp1e and so practica1 that any person o2 a5erage inte11igence can 4nderstand and 2o11o6 them3 6hi1e others are so 1o2ty3 so pro2o4nd3 that the ab1est strains his inte11ect to contain them and sin0s e@ha4sted in the e22ort7 In the present 5o14me an attempt 6i11 be made to p1ace Theosophy be2ore the reader simp1y and c1ear1y3 in a 6ay 6hich sha11 con5ey "Pa#e $% its genera1 princip1es and tr4ths as 2orming a coherent conception o2 the 4ni5erse3 and sha11 gi5e s4ch detai1 as is necessary 2or the 4nderstanding o2 their re1ations to each other7 An e1ementary te@tboo0 cannot pretend to gi5e the 2411ness o2 0no61edge that may be obtained 2rom abstr4ser 6or0s3 b4t it sho41d 1ea5e the st4dent 6ith c1ear 24ndamenta1 ideas on his s4b8ect3 6ith m4ch indeed to add by 24t4re st4dy b4t 6ith 1itt1e to 4n1earn7 Into the o4t1ine gi5en by s4ch a boo0 the st4dent sho41d be ab1e to paint the detai1s o2 24rther research7 It is admitted on a11 hands that a s4r5ey o2 the great re1igions o2 the 6or1d sho6s that they ho1d in common many re1igio4s3 ethica13 and phi1osophica1 ideas7 B4t 6hi1e the 2act is 4ni5ersa11y granted3 the e@p1anation o2 the 2act is a matter o2 disp4te7 $ome a11ege that re1igions ha5e gro6n 4p on the soi1 o2 h4man ignorance ti11ed by the imagination3 and ha5e been grad4a11y e1aborated 2rom cr4de 2orms o2 animism and 2etishismA their 1i0enesses are re2erred to 4ni5ersa1 nat4ra1 phenomena imper2ect1y obser5ed and 2anci2411y e@p1ained3 so1ar and star 6orship being the 4ni5ersa1 0ey 2or one schoo13 pha11ic 6orship the e>4a11y 4ni5ersa1 0ey 2or another A 2ear3 desire3 ignorance3 and 6onder 1ed the sa5age to personi2y the po6ers o2 nat4re3 and priests p1ayed 4pon his terrors and his hopes3 his misty 2ancies3 and his be6i1dered >4estionings A myths became script4res and symbo1s 2acts3 and their basis 6as 4ni5ersa1 the 1i0eness o2 the prod4cts 6as ine5itab1e7 "Pa#e &% Th4s spea0 the doctors o2 BComparati5e (ytho1ogy3C and p1ain peop1e are si1enced b4t not con5inced 4nder the rain o2 proo2s A they cannot deny the 1i0enesses3 b4t they dim1y 2ee1 D Are a11 manEs dearest hopes and 1o2ty imaginings nothing more than the o4tcome o2 sa5age 2ancies and o2 groping ignoranceF "a5e the great 1eaders o2 the race3 the martyrs and heroes o2 h4manity3 1i5ed3 6ro4ght3 s422ered and died de14ded3 2or the mere personi2ications o2 astronomica1 2acts and 2or the draped obscenities o2 barbariansF The second e@p1anation o2 the common property in the re1igions o2 the 6or1d asserts the e@istence o2 an origina1 teaching in the c4stody o2 a Brotherhood o2 great spirit4a1 Teachers3 6ho < Themse15es the o4tcome o2 past cyc1es o2 e5o14tion < acted as the instr4ctors and g4ides o2 the chi1d?h4manity o2 o4r p1anet3 imparting to its races and nations in t4rn the 24ndamenta1 tr4ths o2 re1igion in the 2orm most adapted to the idiosyncrasies o2 the recipients7 According to this 5ie63 the Fo4nders o2 the great re1igions are members o2 the one Brotherhood3 and 6ere aided in Their mission by many other members3 1o6er in Page G

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

degree than Themse15es3 Initiates and discip1es o2 5ario4s grades3 eminent in spirit4a1 insight3 in phi1osophica1 0no61edge3 or in p4rity o2 ethica1 6isdom7 These g4ided the in2ant nations3 ga5e them their po1ity3 enacted their 1a6s3 r41ed them as 0ings3 ta4ght them as phi1osophers3 g4ided them as priests A a11 the nations o2 anti>4ity 1oo0ed bac0 to s4ch mighty men3 demigods3 and heroes3 "Pa#e '% and they 1e2t their traces in 1iterat4re3 in architect4re3 in 1egis1ation7 That s4ch men 1i5ed it seems di22ic41t to deny in the 2ace o2 4ni5ersa1 tradition3 o2 sti11 e@isting $cript4res3 and o2 prehistoric remains 2or the most part no6 in r4ins3 to say nothing o2 other testimony 6hich the ignorant 6o41d re8ect7 The sacred boo0s o2 the East are the best e5idence 2or the greatness o2 their a4thors3 2or 6ho in 1ater days or in modern times can e5en approach the spirit4a1 s4b1imity o2 their re1igio4s tho4ght3 the inte11ect4a1 sp1endo4r o2 their phi1osophy3 the breadth and p4rity o2 their ethicF And 6hen 6e 2ind that these boo0s contain teachings abo4t .od3 man3 and the 4ni5erse identica1 in s4bstance 4nder m4ch 5ariety o2 o4ter appearance3 it does not seem 4nreasonab1e to re2er to them to a centra1 primary body o2 doctrine7 To that body 6e gi5e the name i5ine Wisdom3 in its .ree0 2orm D
T"EO$OP"#7

As the origin and basis o2 a11 re1igions3 it cannot be the antagonist o2 any D it is indeed their p4ri2ier3 re5ea1ing the 5a14ab1e inner meaning o2 m4ch that has become mischie5o4s in its e@terna1 presentation by the per5erseness o2 ignorance and the accretions o2 s4perstition A b4t it recognises and de2ends itse12 in each3 and see0s in each to 4n5ei1 its hidden 6isdom7 No man in becoming a Theosophist need cease to be a Christian3 a B4ddhist3 a "ind4 A he 6i11 b4t ac>4ire a deeper insight into his o6n 2aith3 a 2irmer ho1d on its spirit4a1 tr4ths3 a broader 4nderstanding o2 its sacred teachings7 As Theosophy "Pa#e (% o2 o1d ga5e birth to re1igions3 so in modern times does it 84sti2y and de2end them7 It is the roc0 6hence a11 o2 them 6ere he6n3 the ho1e o2 the pit 6hence a11 6ere d4g7 It 84sti2ies at the bar o2 inte11ect4a1 criticism the deepest 1ongings and emotions o2 the h4man heart D it 5eri2ies o4r hopes 2or man A it gi5es 4s bac0 ennob1ed o4r 2aith in .od7 The tr4th o2 this statement becomes more and more apparent as 6e st4dy the 5ario4s 6or1d?$cript4res3 and b4t a 2e6 se1ections 2rom the 6ea1th o2 materia1 a5ai1ab1e 6i11 be s422icient to estab1ish the 2act3 and to g4ide the st4dent in his search 2or 24rther 5eri2ication7 The main spirit4a1 5erities o2 re1igion may be s4mmarised th4sD 1+ One eterna13 in2inite3 incognisab1e rea1 E@istence7 /+ From T"AT the mani2ested .od3 4n2o1ding 2rom 4nity to d4a1ity to trinity7 ;+ From the mani2ested Trinity many spirit4a1 Inte11igences3 g4iding cosmic order7 G+ (an a re21ection o2 the mani2ested .od and there2ore a trinity 24ndamenta11y3 his inner and rea1 $e12 being eterna13 one 6ith the $e12 o2 the 4ni5erse7 H+ "is e5o14tion by repeated incarnations3 into 6hich he is dra6n by desire3 and 2rom 6hich he is set 2ree by 0no61edge and sacri2ice3 becoming di5ine in potency as he had e5er been di5ine in 1atency7 China 6hich is no6 a 2ossi1ised ci5i1isation3 6as peop1ed in o1d days by the T4ranians3 the 2o4rth s4bdi5ision o2 the great Fo4rth Race3 the race 6hich inhabited the 1ost continent o2 At1antis3 and spread Page H

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

its "Pa#e )% o22shoots o5er the 6or1d7 The (ongo1ians3 the 1ast s4bdi5ision o2 that same race3 1ater rein2orced its pop41ation3 so that in China 6e ha5e traditions 2rom ancient days3 preceding the sett1ement o2 the Fi2th3 or Iryan race in India7 In the Ching Chang Ching3 or Classic of Purity3 6e ha5e a 2ragment o2 an ancient script4re o2 sing41ar bea4ty3 breathing o4t the spirit o2 rest241ness and peace so characteristic o2 the Borigina1 teaching7C (r7 %egge says in the introd4ctory note to his trans1ation * The $acred Boo0s o2 the East+ that the treatise < Is attrib4ted to &o #Jan *or Hsan+3 a T=oist o2 the WJ dynasty *A.D. 222-227+3 6ho is 2ab1ed to ha5e attained to the state o2 an Immorta13 and is genera11y so denominated7 "e is represented as a 6or0er o2 mirac1es A as addicted to intemperance3 and 5ery eccentric in his 6ays7 When ship6rec0ed on one occasion3 he emerged 2rom beneath the 6ater 6ith his c1othes 4n6et3 and 6a10ed 2ree1y on the s4r2ace7 Fina11y he ascended to the s0y in bright day7 A11 these acco4nts may sa2e1y be p4t do6n as the 2igments o2 1ater time7C $4ch stories are repeated1y to1d o2 Initiates o2 5ario4s degrees3 and are by no means necessari1y B2igments3C b4t 6e are more interested in &o #JanEs o6n acco4nt o2 the boo07 When I obtained the tr4e T=o3 I recited this Ching Kboo0L ten tho4sand times7 It is 6hat the $pirits o2 hea5en practise and had not been comm4nicated to scho1ars o2 this 1o6er 6or1d7 I got i2 2rom the i5ine R41er o2 the Eastern "6a A he recei5ed it 2rom the i5ine R41er o2 the .o1den .ate A he recei5ed it 2rom the Roya1?mother o2 the West7 No6 the B i5ine R41er o2 the .o1den .ate3C "Pa#e ,% 6as the tit1e he1d by the Initiate 6ho r41ed the To1tec empire in At1antis3 and its 4se s4ggests that the Classic of Purity 6as bro4ght thence to China 6hen the T4ranians separated o22 2rom the To1tecs7 The idea is strengthened by the contents o2 the brie2 treatise3 6hich dea1s 6ith T=o < 1itera11y Bthe WayE < the name by 6hich the One Rea1ity is indicated in the ancient T4ranian and (ongo1ian re1igion7 We readD The .reat T=o has no bodi1y 2orm3 b4t It prod4ced and no4rishes hea5en and earth7 The .reat T=o has no passions3 b4t It ca4ses the s4n and the moon to re5o15e as they do7 The .reat T=o has no name3 b4t It e22ects the gro6th and maintenance o2 a11 things7 *i31+ This is the mani2ested .od as 4nity3 b4t d4a1ity s4per5enesD No6 the T=o *shows itself in two forms+3 the P4re and the T4rbid3 and has *two conditions of+ (otion and Rest3 "ea5en is p4re and earth is t4rbid A hea5en mo5es and the earth is at rest 7 The masc41ine is p4re and the 2eminine is t4rbid A the masc41ine mo5es and the 2eminine is sti117 The radica1 *Purity+ descended3 and the *t4rbid+ iss4e 21o6ed abroad3 and th4s a11 things 6ere prod4ced *I, 2+7 This passage is partic41ar1y interesting 2rom the a114sion to the acti5e and recepti5e sides o2 Nat4re3 the distinction bet6een $pirit3 the generator3 and (atter3 the no4risher3 so 2ami1iar in 1ater 6ritings7 Page M

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

In the T o Te Chin! the teaching as to the !nmani2ested and the (ani2ested comes o4t 5ery p1ain1y7 The T=o that can be trodden is not the end4ring and 4nchanging T=o7"Pa#e -% The name that can be named is not the end4ring and 4nchanging name7 "a5ing no name3 it is the Originator o2 hea5en and earth3 ha5ing a name3 it is the (other o2 a11 thingsN!nder these t6o aspects it is rea11y the same A b4t as de5e1opment ta0es p1ace it recei5es the di22erent names7 Together 6e ca11 them the (ystery *i, ",2,#+7 B $t4dents o2 the &aba1ah 6i11 be reminded o2 one o2 the i5ine Names3 Bthe Concea1ed (ystery7C AgainD

BThere 6as something 4nde2ined and comp1ete3 coming into e@istence be2ore hea5en and earth7 "o6 sti11 it 6as and 2orm1ess3 standing a1one and 4ndergoing no change3 reaching e5ery6here and in no danger *o2 being e@ha4sted+7 It may be regarded as the (other o2 a11 things7 I do not 0no6 its name3 and I gi5e it the designation o2 the T=o7 (a0ing an e22ort to gi5e it a name3 I ca11 it the .reat7 .reat3 it passes on * in constant 21o6+7 Passing on3 it becomes remote7 "a5ing become remote3 it ret4rns *$$%, "-&+7 B )ery interesting it is to see here the idea o2 the 2orthgoing and the ret4rning o2 the One %i2e3 so 2ami1iar to 4s in the "ind4 %iterat4re7 Fami1iar seems the 5erse D A11 things 4nder hea5en sprang 2rom It as e@istent *and named+ A that e@istence sprang 2rom It as non?e@istent *and not named' *$l,2+C7 That a !ni5erse might become3 the !nmani2est m4st gi5e 2orth the One 2rom 6hom d4a1ity and trinity proceed D The T=o prod4ced One A One prod4ced T6o A T6o prod4ced Three A Three prod4ced a11 things7 A11 things 1ea5e behind them the Obsc4rity *out of which they ha%e come+3 and go 2or6ard to embrace the Brightness *into 6hich they ha5e emerged+3 6hi1e they are harmonised by the Breath o2 5acancy *$lii, "+7C "Pa#e .% Breath o2 $paceC 6o41d be a happier trans1ation7 $ince a11 is prod4ced 2rom It3 It e@ists in a11 D A11 per5ading is the .reat T=o7 It may be 2o4nd on the 1e2t hand and on the right NIt c1othes a11 things as 6ith a garment3 and ma0es no ass4mption o2 being their 1ord A ? It may be named in the sma11est things7 A11 things ret4rn *to their root and disappear+3 and do not 0no6 that it is It 6hich presides o5er their doing so < It may be named in the greatest things *$$$i%, ", 2 +7C Ch6ang?Oe *fourth century (C+ in his presentation o2 the ancient teachings3 re2ers to the spirit4a1 Inte11igences coming 2rom the T=oD

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

It has Its root and gro4nd *o2 e@istence+ in Itse127 Be2ore there 6ere hea5en and earth3 2rom o2 o1d3 there It 6as sec4re1y e@isting7 From It came the mysterio4s e@istence o2 spirits3 2rom It the mysterio4s e@istence o2 .od *(). %i, Pt. I, *ec. %i, 7'7C A n4mber o2 the names o2 these Inte11igences 2o11o63 b4t s4ch beings are so 6e11 0no6n to p1ay a great part in the Chinese re1igion that 6e need not m41tip1y >4otations abo4t them7 (an is regarded as a trinity3 T=oism3 says (r7 %egge3 recognising in him the spirit3 the mind3 and the body7 This di5ision comes o4t c1ear1y in the Classic of Purity3 in the teaching that man m4st get rid o2 desire to reach 4nion 6ith the One D No6 the spirit o2 man 1o5es p4rity3 b4t his mind dist4rbs it7 The mind o2 man 1o5es sti11ness3 b4t his desires dra6 it a6ay7 I2 he co41d a16ays send his desires a6ay3 his mind o2 itse12 6o41d be sti117 %et his mind be made c1ean3 and his spirit o2 itse12 becomes p4re N7The reason 6hy men are not ab1e "Pa#e /0% to attain to this is beca4se their minds ha5e not been c1eansed3 and their desires ha5e not been sent a6ay7 I2 one is ab1e to send the desires a6ay3 6hen he then 1oo0s at his mind it is no 1onger hisD 6hen he 1oo0s o4t at his body it is no 1onger his A and 6hen he 1oo0s 2arther o22 at e@terna1 things3 they are things 6hich he has nothing to do 6ith 77*i, &, #+7 Then3 a2ter gi5ing the stages o2 indra6ing to Bthe condition o2 per2ect sti11ness3C it is as0ed D In that condition o2 rest independent1y o2 p1ace3 ho6 can any desire ariseF And 6hen no desire any 1onger arises there is the tr4e sti11ness and rest7 That tr4e *stillness+ becomes *a+ constant >4a1ity3 and responds to e@terna1 things *without error+ A yea3 that tr4e and constant >4a1ity ho1ds possession o2 the nat4re7 In s4ch constant response and constant sti11ness there is constant p4rity and rest7 "e 6ho has this abso14te p4rity enters grad4a11y into the *ins+iration of the + Tr4e T=o *i, ,+7C The s4pp1ied 6ords Binspiration o2C rather c1o4d than e14cidate the meaning3 2or entering into the T=o is congr4o4s 6ith the 6ho1e idea and 6ith other $cript4res7 On p4tting a6ay o2 desire is 1aid m4ch stress in T=oism A a commentator on the Classic of Purity remar0s that 4nderstanding the T=o depends on abso14te p4rity3 and The ac>4iring the Abso14te P4rity depends entire1y on the p4tting a6ay o2 esire3 6hich is the 4rgent practica1 1esson o2 the Treatise7 The T=o Teh Ching says D A16ays 6itho4t desire 6e m4st be 2o4nd3 I2 its deep mystery 6e 6o41d so4ndA B4t i2 desire a16ays 6ithin 4s be3 Its o4ter 2ringe is a11 that 6e sha11 see7* i3 ;+ "Pa#e //%

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

Reincarnation does not seem to be so distinct1y ta4ght as might ha5e been e@pected3 a1tho4gh passages are 2o4nd 6hich imp1y that the main idea 6as ta0en 2or granted and that the entity 6as considered as ranging thro4gh anima1 as 6e11 as h4man births7 Th4s 6e ha5e 2rom Ch6ang?Oe the >4aint and 6ise story o2 a dying man3 to 6hom his 2riend said D .reat indeed is the CreatorP What 6i11 "e no6 ma0e yo4 to becomeF Where 6i11 "e ta0e yo4 toF Wi11 he ma0e yo4 the 1i5er o2 a rat or the arm o2 an insectF $Oe1ai rep1ied3 BWhere5er a parent te11s a son to go3 east3 6est3 so4th or north3 he simp1y 2o11o6s the command N"ere no6 is a great 2o4nder3 casting his meta17 I2 the meta1 6ere to 1eap 4p *in the +ot+ and say3 QI m4st be made into a *sword li)e the + (oysh3E the great 2o4nder 6o41d be s4re to regard it as 4ncanny7 $o again3 6hen a 2orm is being 2ashioned in the mo41d o2 the 6omb3 i2 it 6ere to say3 QI m4st become a man3 I m4st become a man3E the Creator 6o41d be s4re to regard it as 4ncanny7 When 6e once 4nderstand that hea5en and earth are a great me1ting pot and the Creator a great 2o4nder3 6here can 6e to go to that sha11 not be right 2or 4sF We are born as 2rom a >4iet s1eep and 6e die to a ca1m a6a0ingC *(). %i, Pt. I, *ec. %i+7 T4rning to the Fi2th3 the Iryan Race3 6e ha5e the same teachings embodied in the o1dest and greatest Iryan re1igion < the Br=hmanica17 The eterna1 E@istence is proc1aimed in the Chh=ndogyopanishad as BOne on1y3 6itho4t a second3C and it is 6ritten D It 6i11ed3 I sha11 m41tip1y 2or the sa0e o2 the 4ni5erse *%i, ii, ", &+7 The $4preme %ogos3 Brahman3 is three2o1d < Being3 Conscio4sness3 B1iss3 and it is said D "Pa#e /$% From This arise 1i2e3 mind and a11 the senses3 ether3 air3 2ire 3 6ater3 earth the s4pport o2 a11 * (4nda0opanishad3 ii3;+7 No grander descriptions o2 eity can be 2o4nd any6here than in the "ind4 $cript4res3 b4t they are becoming so 2ami1iar that brie2 >4otation 6i11 s422ice7 %et the 2o11o6ing ser5e as specimens o2 their 6ea1th o2 gems D (ani2est3 near3 mo5ing in the secret p1ace3 the great abode3 herein rests a11 that mo5es3 breathes3 and sh4ts the eyes7 &no6 That as to be 6orshipped3 being and non?being3 the best3 beyond the 0no61edge o2 a11 creat4res7 %4mino4s3 s4bt1er than the s4bt1e3 in 6hich the 6or1ds and their deniOens are in2i@ed7 That3 this imperishab1e Brahman A That3 a1so 1i2e and 5oice and mindNIn the go1den highest sheath is spot1ess3 part1ess Brahman A That the p4re %ight o2 1ights3 0no6n by the 0no6ers o2 the $e12NThat death1ess Brahman is be2ore3 Brahman behind3 Brahman to the right and to the 1e2t3 be1o63 abo5e3 per5ading A this Brahman tr41y is the a117 This is the best * -unda)o+anishad , II,ii, ",2,.,""+7 Beyond the 4ni5erse3 Brahman3 the s4preme3 the great3 hidden in a11 beings according to their bodies3 the one Breath o2 the 6ho1e 4ni5erse3 the %ord3 6hom 0no6ing *men+ become Page 9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

immorta17 I 0no6 that mighty $pirit3 the shining s4n beyond dar0nessN I 0no6 "im the 4n2ading3 the ancient3 the $o41 o2 a113 omnipresent by "is nat4re3 6hom the Brahman?0no6ers ca11 4nborn3 6hom they ca11 eterna1 /*h%et sh%ataro+anishad, iii. 7,0,2"'. When there is no dar0ness3 no day nor night3 no being nor non?being *there is+ $hi5a e5en a1one A That the indestr4ctib1e3 That is to be 6orshipped by $a5riti3 2rom That came 2orth the ancient 6isdom7 Not abo5e nor be1o63 nor in the midst3 can "e be comprehended7 Nor is there any simi1it4de 2or "im 6hose name is in2inite g1ory7 Not 6ith the sight is estab1ished "is 2orm3 none may by the eye beho1d "im A they 6ho "Pa#e /&% 0no6 "im by the heart and by the mind3 d6e11ing in the heart3 become immorta1 *I1id., i%, "0-22+7 That man in his inner $e12 is one 6ith the $e12 o2 the 4ni5erse < BI am ThatC < is an idea that so thoro4gh1y per5ades a11 "ind4 tho4ght that man is o2ten re2erred to as the Bdi5ine to6n o2 Brahman3C * (4nda0opanishad + the Bto6n o2 nine gates3C * *h%et3sh%ataro+anishad, iii,"#. + .od d6e11ing in the ca5ity o2 the heart7* Ibid73 Ii+ In one manner is to be seen *the Being+ 6hich cannot be pro5ed3 6hich is eterna13 6itho4t spot3 higher than the ether3 4nborn3 the great eterna1 $o41NThis great 4nborn $o41 is the same 6hich abides as the inte11igent *so41+ in a11 1i5ing creat4res3 the same 6hich abides as ether in the heart A * The 4ether in the heart5 is a mystical +hrase used to indicate the 6ne, who is said to dwell therein.+ ? in him it s1eepsA it is the $4bd4er o2 a113 the R41er o2 a113 the so5ereign %ord o2 a11 A it does not become greater by good 6or0s nor 1ess by e5i1 6or07 It is the R41er o2 a113 the so5ereign %ord o2 a11 beings3 the Preser5er o2 a11 beings3 the Bridge3 the !pho1der o2 the 6or1ds3 so that they 2a11 not to r4in / (rihad ranya)o+anishad, I7, i%, 22,22, Trs. Dr. 8. 9:er.' When .od is regarded as the e5o15er o2 the 4ni5erse3 the three2o1d character comes o4t 5ery c1ear1y as $hi5a3 )ishn43 and Brahm= or again as )ishn4 s1eeping 4nder the 6aters3 the %ot4s springing 2rom "im3 and in the %ot4s Brahm=7 (an is 1i0e6ise three2o1d3 and in the (RndS0yopanishad the se12 is described as conditioned by the physica1 body3 the s4bt1e body3 and the menta1 body3 and then rising o4t o2 a11 into "Pa#e /'% the One B6itho4t d4a1ity7C From the Trim4rti *Trinity+ come many .ods3 connected 6ith the administration o2 the 4ni5erse3 as to 6hom it is said in the Brihad=ranya0opanishad7 Adore "im3 ye .ods3 a2ter 6hom the year by ro11ing days is comp1eted3 the %ight o2 1ights3 as the Immorta1 %i2e *I7, i%, ";+7C It is hard1y necessary to mention the presence in BrRhmanism o2 the teaching o2 reincarnation3 since its 6ho1e phi1osophy o2 1i2e t4rns on this pi1grimage o2 the $o41 thro4gh many births and deaths3 and not a boo0 co41d be ta0en 4p in 6hich this tr4th is not ta0en 2or granted7 By desires man is bo4nd to this 6hee1 o2 change3 and there2ore by 0no61edge3 de5otion3 and the destr4ction o2 desires3 man m4st set himse12 2ree7 When the $o41 0no6s .od it is 1iberated7 * *h%et sh, I, 07+ The inte11ect p4ri2ied by 0no61edge beho1ds "im7 * -und., III, I,0 7+ &no61edge 8oined to de5otion 2inds the abode o2 Brahman7 * -und., III, ii,#+7 Whoe5er 0no6s Brahman3 becomes Brahman7 * -und., III, ii,. + When desires cease the morta1 becomes immorta1 and obtains Brahman7 * <atho+., %i, "#+7 Page 1T

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

B4ddhism3 as it e@ists in its northern 2orm3 is >4ite at one 6ith the most ancient 2aiths3 b4t in the so4thern 2orm it seems to ha5e 1et s1ip the idea o2 the %ogoic Trinity as o2 the One E@istence 2rom 6hich They came 2orth7 The %O.O$ in "is trip1e mani2estation is D the First %O.O$3 AmitRbha3 "Pa#e /(% the Bo4nd1ess %ight A the $econd3 A5a1o0itesh5ara3 or Padmap=ni *Chenresi+ A the Third3 (an84sri < Bthe representati5e o2 creati5e 6isdom3 corresponding to BrahmR7C * 8itel=s *ans)rit Chinese Dictionary, su1 %oce7 + Chinese B4ddhism apparent1y does not contain the idea o2 a primordia1 E@istence3 beyond the %O.O$3 b4t Nepa1ese B4ddhism post41ates 'di?B4ddha3 2rom Whom AmitRbha arises7 PadmapRni is said by Eite1 to be the representati5e o2 compassionate Pro5idence and to correspond part1y 6ith $hi5a3 b4t as the aspect o2 the B4ddhist Trinity that sends 2orth incarnations "e appears rather to represent the same idea as )ishn43 to 6hom "e is a11ied by bearing the %ot4s *2ire and 6ater3 or $pirit and (atter as the primary constit4ents o2 the 4ni5erse+7 Reincarnation and &arma are so m4ch the 24ndamenta1s o2 B4ddhism that it is hard1y 6orth 6hi1e to insist on them sa5e to note the 6ay o2 1iberation3 and to remar0 that as the %ord B4ddha 6as a "ind4 preaching to "ind4s3 BrRhmanica1 doctrines are ta0en 2or granted constant1y in "is teaching3 as matters o2 co4rse7 "e 6as a p4ri2ier and a re2ormer3 not an iconoc1ast3 and str4c0 at the accretions d4e to ignorance3 not at 24ndamenta1 tr4ths be1onging to the Ancient Wisdom7 Those beings 6ho 6a10 in the 6ay o2 the 1a6 that has been 6e11 ta4ght3 reach the other shore o2 the great sea o2 birth and death3 that is di22ic41t to cross7C *>d na%ar!a, $$i$. &7+7 esire binds man3 and m4st be gotten rid o2 D It is hard 2or one 6ho is he1d by the 2etters o2 desire to "Pa#e /)% 2ree himse12 o2 them3 says the B1essed One7 The stead2ast3 6ho care not 2or the happiness o2 desires3 cast them o22 and do soon depart *to Nir5=na+N7(an0ind has no 1asting desires D they are impermanent in them 6ho e@perience them A 2ree yo4rse15es then 2rom 6hat cannot 1ast3 and abide not in the so8o4rn o2 death * I1id., Ii, ;, 0+7 "e 6ho has destroyed desires 2or *6or1d1y +goods3 sin241ness3 the bonds o2 the eye o2 the 21esh3 6ho has torn 4p desire by the 5ery root3 he3 I dec1are3 is a Br=hmana *I1id., $$$iii, ;0+7C And a BrRhmana is a man Bha5ing his 1ast body3C *>d3na%ar!a, $$$iii, #"+ and is de2ined as one7 Who3 0no6ing his 2ormer abodes *e@istences+ percei5es hea5en and he113 the (4ni3 6ho has 2o4nd the 6ay to p4t an end to birthC7 *i1id., $$$iii,,,+7 In the e@oteric "ebre6 $cript4res3 the idea o2 a Trinity does not come o4t strong1y3 tho4gh d4a1ity is apparent3 and the .od spo0en o2 is ob5io4s1y the %O.O$3 not the One !nmani2est D I am the %ord and there is none e1se7 I 2orm the 1ight and create dar0nessA I ma0e peace and Page 11

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

create e5i1 A I am the %ord that doeth a11 these things7C *Is., $l%ii, 7+ Phi1o3 ho6e5er3 has the doctrine o2 the %O.O$ 5ery c1ear1y3 and it is 2o4nd in the Fo4rth .ospe1 D In the beginning 6as the Word K%ogosL and the Word 6as 6ith .od and the Word 6as .odN7A11 things 6ere made by "im3 and 6itho4t "im 6as not anything made that 6as made7 /*t. ?ohn i, ", &'7 In the &aba1ah the doctrine o2 the One3 the Three3 the $e5en3 and then the many3 is p1ain1y ta4ght D "Pa#e
/,%

The Ancient o2 the Ancients3 the !n0no6n o2 the !n0no6n3 has a 2orm3 yet a1so has not any 2orm7 It has a 2orm thro4gh 6hich the 4ni5erse is maintained7 It a1so has not any 2orm3 as It cannot be comprehended7 When It 2irst too0 this 2orm K<ether, the Crown, the @irst Ao!osL It permitted to proceed 2rom It nine bri11iant %ights KBisdom and the 7oice, formin! with <ether the Triad, and then the se%en lower *e+hirothL NIt is the Ancient o2 the Ancients3 the (ystery o2 the (ysteries3 the !n0no6n o2 the !n0no6n7 It has a 2orm 6hich appertains to It3 since It appears *throu!h it+ to 4s3 as the Ancient (an abo5e a11 as the Ancient o2 the Ancients3 and as that 6hich there is the (ost !n0no6n among the !n0no6n7 B4t 4nder that 2orm by 6hich It ma0es Itse12 0no6n3 It ho6e5er sti11 remains the !n0no6n /Issac -yer=s Ca11alah, from the Dohar, ++. 27#-27,'. (yer points o4t that the B2ormC is Bnot Qthe Ancient o2 the Ancients3E 6ho is the Ain $oph7 Again D Three %ights are in the "o1y !pper 6hich !nite as One A and they are the basis o2 the Thorah3 and this opens the door to a11N7Come3 seeP the mystery o2 the 6ord7 These are three degrees and each e@ists by itse123 and yet a11 are One and are 0notted in One3 nor are they separated one 2rom anotherN7Three come o4t 2rom One3 One e@ists in Three3 it is the 2orce bet6een T6o3 T6o no4rishes One7 One no4rishes many sides3 th4s A11 is One7 *i1id., &7&, &7,,&7;+7 Need1ess to say that the "ebre6s he1d the doctrine o2 many .ods < BWho is 1i0e 4nto Thee3 O %ord3 among the .odsFC <and o2 m41tit4des o2 s4bordinate ministrants3 the C$ons o2 .od3C the BAnge1s o2 the %ord3C the BTen Ange1ic "osts7C*8$odus, $%,ii.+ O2 the commencement o2 the 4ni5erse the Uohar teaches D "Pa#e /-%

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

In the beginning 6as the Wi11 o2 the &ing3 prior to any e@istence 6hich came into being thro4gh emanation 2rom this Wi117 It s0etched and engra5ed the 2orms o2 a11 things that 6ere to be mani2ested 2rom concea1ment into 5ie63 in the s4preme and daOO1ing 1ight o2 the V4adrant Kthe $acred TetractysL *-yer=s Cua11alah, ++. ".#-.,'. Nothing can e@ist in 6hich the eity is not immanent3 and 6ith regard to Reincarnation it is ta4ght that the $o41 is present in the di5ine Idea ere coming to earth A i2 the $o41 remained >4ite p4re d4ring its tria1 it escaped rebirth3 b4t this seems to ha5e been on1y a theoretica1 possibi1ity3 and it is saidD A11 so41s are s4b8ect to re5o14tion *metempsychosis3 aE1een oEgi1goo1ah+3 b4t men do not 0no6 the 6ays o2 the "o1y One D b1essed be ItP they are ignorant o2 the 6ay they ha5e been 84dged in a11 time3 and be2ore they came into this 6or1d and 6hen they ha5e >4itted it *i1id., +. ".0+7 Traces o2 this be1ie2 occ4r both in the "ebre6 and Christian e@oteric $cript4res3 as in the be1ie2 that E1i8ah 6o41d ret4rn3 and 1ater that he had ret4rned in Wohn the Baptist7 T4rning to g1ance at Egypt3 6e 2ind there 2rom hoariest anti>4ity its 2amo4s Trinity3 Ra3 Osiris?Isis as the d4a1 $econd %O.O$3 and "or4s7 The great hymn to Am4n?Ra 6i11 be remembered D The .ods bo6 be2ore Thy (a8esty by e@a1ting the $o41s o2 That 6hich prod4ceth themN7and say to Thee D Peace to a11 emanations 2rom the 4nconscio4s 2ather o2 the conscio4s Fathers o2 the .odsN77Tho4 Prod4cer o2 beings3 6e adore the $o41s 6hich emanate 2rom Thee7 Tho4 begettest 4s3 O Tho4 !n0no6n3 and 6e greet Thee in 6orshipping each .od?$o41 6hich descendeth "Pa#e /.% 2rom Thee and 1i5eth in 4s *Euoted in *ecret Doctrine iii, #0,, "0.& ed.F %, #;&, Adyar 8d.'. The Bconscio4s Fathers o2 the .odsC are the %O.OI3 the B4nconscio4s FatherC is the One E@istence3 4nconscio4s not as being 1ess b4t as being in2inite1y more than 6hat 6e ca11 conscio4sness3 a 1imited thing7 In the 2ragments o2 the (oo) of the Dead 6e can st4dy the conceptions o2 the reincarnating o2 the h4man $o413 o2 its pi1grimage to6ards and its 41timate 4nion 6ith the %O.O$7 The 2amo4s papyr4s o2 Bthe scribe Ani3 tri4mphant in peace3C is 2411 o2 to4ches that remind the reader o2 the $cript4res o2 other 2aiths A his 8o4rney thro4gh the 4nder6or1d3 his e@pectation o2 re?entering his body *the 2orm ta0en by reincarnation among the Egyptians+3 his identi2ication 6ith the %O.O$ D $aith Osiris Ani D I am the great One3 son o2 the great One A I am Fire3 the son o2 Fire NI ha5e 0nit together my bones3 I ha5e made myse12 6ho1e and so4nd A I ha5e become yo4ng once more A I am Osiris the %ord o2 eternity *$liii, ", # +7 In PierretEs recension o2 The (oo) of the Dead 6e 2ind the stri0ing passageD Page 1;

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

I am the being o2 mysterio4s names 6ho prepares 2or himse12 d6e11ings 2or mi11ions o2 years *+. 22+7 "eart3 that comest to me 2rom my mother3 my heart necessary to my e@istence on earth N"eart3 that comest to me 2rom my mother3 heart that is necessary 2or me 2or my trans2ormation *++. ""&-""#+7 In Uoroastrianism 6e 2ind the conception o2 the One E@istence3 imaged as Bo4nd1ess $pace3 6hence arises the %O.O$3 the creator ASharmaOdD "Pa#e $0% $4preme in omniscience and goodness3 and 4nri5a11ed in sp1endor D the region o2 1ight is the p1ace o2 ASharmaOd *The (undahis, *acred (oo)s of the 8ast, %, &, #F %, 2+7 To him in the #asna3 the chie2 1it4rgy o2 the Uarath4strians3 homage is 2irst paid D I anno4nce and I *6i11+ comp1ete *my #asna K6orshipL to Ah4ra (aOda3 the creator3 the radiant and g1orio4s3 the greatest and the best3 the most bea4ti241 *F+ *to o4r conceptions+3 the most 2irm3 the 6isest3 and the one o2 a11 6hose body is most per2ect3 6ho attains his ends the most in2a11ib1y3 beca4se o2 "is righteo4s order3 to "im 6ho disposes o4r minds aright3 6ho sends "is 8oy?creating grace a2ar A 6ho made 4s and has 2ashioned 4s3 and 6ho has no4rished and protected 4s3 6ho is the most bo4nteo4s $pirit /*acred (oo)s of the 8ast, $$$i, ++. ".,,".;'. The 6orshipper then pays homage to the Ameshaspends and other .ods3 b4t the s4preme mani2ested .od3 the %O.O$3 is not here presented as tri4ne7 As 6ith the "ebre6s3 there 6as a tendency in the e@oteric 2aith to 1ose sight o2 this 24ndamenta1 tr4th7 Fort4nate1y 6e can trace the primiti5e teaching3 tho4gh it disappeared in 1ater times 2rom the pop41ar be1ie27 r7 "a4g3 in his Essays on the Parsis /translated 1y Dr. Best and formin! %ol. % of Tru1ner=s 6riental *eries' states that Ah4ramaOda < ASharmaOd or "RrmaOd < is the $4preme Being3 and that 2rom him 6ere prod4ced < T6o prime5a1 ca4ses3 6hich3 tho4gh di22erent 6ere 4nited and prod4ced the 6or1d o2 materia1 things as 6e11 as that o2 the spirit *p7 ;T;+7 These 6ere ca11ed t6ins and are e5ery6here present3 in Ah4ramaOda as 6e11 as in man7 "Pa#e $/+ One prod4ces rea1ity3 the other non?rea1ity3 and it is these 6ho in 1ater Uoroastrianism became the opposing $pirits o2 good and e5i17 In the ear1ier teachings they e5ident1y 2ormed the $econd %ogos3 d4a1ity being his characteristic mar07 The BgoodC and BbadC are mere1y %ight and ar0ness3 $pirit and (atter3 the 24ndamenta1 Bt6insC o2 the !ni5erse3 the T6o 2rom the One7 Criticising the 1ater idea3 r7 "a4g says D

$4ch is the origina1 Uoroastrian notion o2 the t6o creati5e $pirits3 6ho 2orm on1y t6o parts o2 Page 1G

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

the i5ine being7 B4t in the co4rse o2 time this doctrine o2 the great 2o4nder 6as changed and corr4pted3 in conse>4ence o2 mis4nderstandings and 2a1se interpretations7 $pentXmainy4sh K the 4!ood s+irit5L 6as ta0en as a name o2 Ah4ramaOda "imse123 and then o2 co4rse AngrXmainy4sh K the 4e%il s+irit5L by becoming entire1y separated 2rom Ah4ramaOda A 6as regarded as the constant ad5ersary o2 Ah4ramaOda D th4s the 4a1ism o2 .od and e5i1 arose *p7 /TH+7 r7 "a4gEs 5ie6 seems to be s4pported by the .Rtha Ah4na5aiti3 gi5en 6ith other .Rthas by Bthe archange1sC to Uoroaster or Uarath4stra D In the beginning there 6as a pair o2 t6ins3 t6o spirits3 each o2 a pec41iar acti5ity A these are the good and the base NAnd these t6o spirits 4nited created the 2irst *the materia1 things+ A one the rea1ity3 the other the non?rea1ity NAnd to s4ccor this 1i2e *to increase it+ Armaiti came 6ith 6ea1th3 the good and tr4e mind A she3 the e5er1asting one3 created the materia1 6or1dN7A11 per2ect things are garnered 4p in the sp1endid residence o2 the .ood (ind3 the Wise and the Righteo4s3 6ho are 0no6n as the best beings *Gas., $$$, &,#,7,"2F Dr. Hau!=s translation, ++."#.-","'."Pa#e $$% "ere the three %O.OI are seen3 Ah4ramaOda the 2irst3 the s4preme %i2e A in and 2rom him the Bt6ins3C the $econd %O.O$ A then Armaiti the (ind3 the Creator o2 the !ni5erse3 the Third %O.O$7 * Armaiti was a first Bisdom and the Hoddess of Bisdom, Aater as the creator, *he 1ecame identified with the earth, and was worshi++ed as the Hoddess of 8arth+7 %ater (ithra appears3 and in the e@oteric 2aith c1o4ds the primiti5e tr4th to some e@tent A o2 him it is said D Whom Ah4ra (aOda has estab1ished to maintain and 1oo0 o5er a11 this mo5ing 6or1d A 6ho3 ne5er s1eeping3 6a0e2411y g4ards the creation o2 (aOda *-ihir Gast, $$%ii, "2&I *acred (oo)s of the 8ast, $%iii+7 "e 6as a s4bordinate .od3 the %ight o2 "ea5en3 as )ar4na 6as the "ea5en itse123 one o2 the great r41ing Inte11igences7 The highest o2 these r41ing Inte11igences 6ere the si@ Ameshaspends3 headed by the .ood Tho4ght o2 Ah4ramaOda3 )ohSman < Who ha5e charge o2 the 6ho1e materia1 creation **acred (oo)s of the 8ast,%. +. "2 note+7 Reincarnation does not seem to be ta4ght in the boo0s 6hich3 so 2ar3 ha5e been trans1ated3 and the be1ie2 is not c4rrent among modern ParsYs7 B4t 6e do 2ind the idea o2 the $pirit in man as a spar0 that is to become a 21ame and to be re4nited to the $4preme Fire3 and this m4st imp1y a de5e1opment 2or 6hich rebirth is a necessity7 Nor 6i11 Uoroastrianism e5er be 4nderstood 4nti1 6e reco5er the Chaldean 6racles and a11ied 6ritings3 2or there is its rea1 root1"Pa#e $&% Tra5e11ing 6est6ard to .reece3 6e meet 6ith the Orphic system3 described 6ith s4ch ab4ndant 1earning by .7R7$7(ead in his 6or0 6r+heus7 The Ine22ab1e Thrice?4n0no6n ar0ness 6as the name gi5en to the Page 1H

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

One E@istence7 According to the theo1ogy o2 Orphe4s3 a11 things originate 2rom an immense princip1e3 to 6hich thro4gh the imbeci1ity and po5erty o2 h4man conception 6e gi5e a name3 tho4gh it is per2ect1y ine22ab1e3 and in the re5erentia1 1ang4age o2 the Egyptians in a thrice un)nown dar)ness in contemp1ation o2 6hich a11 0no61edge is re24nded into ignorance *Thomas Tay1or3 >4oted in 6r+heus, +a!e .&+7 From this the BPrimordia1 Triad3C !ni5ersa1 .ood3 !ni5ersa1 $o413 !ni5ersa1 (ind3 again the %ogoic Trinity7 O2 this (r7 (ead 6rites D The 2irst Triad3 6hich is mani2estab1e to inte11ect3 is b4t a re21ection o23 or s4bstit4te 2or the !nmani2estab1e3 and its hypostases areD *a+ the .ood3 6hich is s4per?essentia1A *b+ $o41 *the Wor1d $o41+3 6hich is a se12?moti5e essenceA and *c+ Inte11ect *or the (ind+3 6hich is an impartib1e3 immo5ab1e essence *ibid73 p7 9G+7 A2ter this3 a series o2 e5er?descending Triads3 sho6ing the characteristics o2 the 2irst in diminishing sp1endor 4nti1 man is reached3 6ho < "as in him potentia11y the s4m and s4bstance o2 the 4ni5erseNZThe race o2 men and gods is one /Pindar, who was a Pytha!orean, Euoted 1y Clemens, $trom., %.72.'NTh4s man 6as ca11ed the microcosm or 1itt1e 6or1d3 to disting4ish him 2rom the 4ni5erse or great 6or1d *i1id., +. 27"+7 "e has the No4s3 or rea1 mind3 the %ogos or rationa1 part3 the A1ogos or irrationa1 part3 the t6o 1atter again 2orming a Triad3 and th4s presenting the more e1aborate septenary di5ision7 "Pa#e $'% The man 6as a1so regarded as ha5ing three 5ehic1es3 the physica1 and s4bt1e bodies and the 14ci2orm body or a4goeides3 that D Is the Bca4sa1 body3C or 0armic 5est4re o2 the so413 in 6hich its destiny3 or rather a11 the seeds o2 past ca4sation are stored7 This is the Bthread?so413C as it is sometimes ca11ed3 the BbodyC that passes o5er 2rom one incarnation to another *i1id., +. 20#+7 As to reincarnationD Together 6ith a11 the adherents o2 the (ysteries in e5ery 1and the Orphics be1ie5ed in reincarnation *i1id., +7 2.2+7 To this (r7 (ead brings ab4ndant testimony3 and he sho6s that it 6as ta4ght by P1ato3 Empedoc1es3 Pythagoras3 and others7 On1y by 5irt4e co41d men escape 2rom the 1i2e?6hee17

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Tay1or in his notes to the *elect Bor)s of Plotinus3 >4otes 2rom on the One beyond the One3 the !nmani2est E@istence D amasci4s as to the teachings o2 P1ato

Perhaps indeed3 P1ato 1eads 4s ine22ab1y thro4gh the one as a medi4m to the ine22ab1e beyond the one 6hich is no6 the s4b8ect o2 disc4ssion A and this by an ab1ation o2 the one in the same manner as he 1eads to the one by an ab1ation o2 other thingsNThat 6hich is beyond the one is to be hono4red in the most per2ect si1enceNThe one indeed 6i11s to be by itse123 b4t 6ith no other A b4t the 4n0no6n beyond the one is per2ect1y ine22ab1e3 6hich 6e ac0no61edge 6e neither 0no63 nor are ignorant o23 b4t 6hich has abo4t itse12 su+er-i!norance7 "ence by pro@imity to this the one itse12 is dar0ened A 2or being near to the immense princip1e3 i2 it be 1a6241 so to spea03 it remains as it 6ere in the adyt4m o2 the tr41y mystic si1enceNThe 2irst is abo5e the one and all thin!s3 being more simp1e than either o2 these *pp7;G1?;G;+7"Pa#e $(% The Pythagorean3 P1atonic3 and Neo?P1atonic schoo1s ha5e so many points o2 contact 6ith "ind4 and B4ddhist tho4ght that their iss4e 2rom the one 2o4ntain is ob5io4s7 R7 .arbe3 in his 6or03 ie $=m0hya Phi1osophie *iii,++.0,-"2,+ presents many o2 these points3 and his statement may be s4mmarised as 2o11o6s D The most stri0ing is the resemb1ance < or more correct1y the identity < o2 the doctrine o2 the One and On1y in the !panishads and the E1eatic schoo17 ,enophanesE teaching o2 the 4nity o2 .od and the &osmos and o2 the change1essness o2 the One3 and e5en more that o2 Parmenides3 6ho he1d that rea1ity is ascribab1e on1y to the One 4nborn3 indestr4ctib1e and omnipresent3 6hi1e a11 that is mani2o1d and s4b8ect to change is b4t an appearance3 and 24rther that Being and Thin0ing are the same < these doctrines are comp1ete1y identica1 6ith the essentia1 contents o2 the !panishads and o2 the )edRntic phi1osophy 6hich springs 2rom them7 B4t e5en ear1ier sti11 the 5ie6 o2 Tha1es3 that a11 that e@ists has spr4ng 2rom Water3 is c4rio4s1y 1i0e the )aidi& doctrine that the !ni5erse arose 2rom the 6aters7 %ater on Ana@imander ass4med as the basis *JKLM+ o2 a11 things an eterna13 in2inite3 and inde2inite $4bstance3 2rom 6hich a11 de2inite s4bstances proceed and into 6hich they ret4rn < an ass4mption identica1 6ith that 6hich 1ies at the root o2 the $=n0hya3 5iO73 the Pra0[ti 2rom 6hich the 6ho1e materia1 side o2 the 4ni5erse e5o15ed7 And his 2amo4s saying NJOPQ RKST *+anta rhei+ "Pa#e $)% e@presses the characteristic 5ie6 o2 the $Rn0hya that a11 things are e5er changing 4nder the cease1ess acti5ity o2 the three g4nas7 Empedoc1es again ta4ght theories o2 transmigration and e5o14tion practica11y the same as those o2 the $Rn0hyas3 6hi1e his theory that nothing can come into being 6hich does not a1ready e@ist is e5en more c1ose1y identica1 6ith a characteristica11y $Rn0hyan doctrine7 Both Ana@agoras and emocrit4s a1so present se5era1 points o2 c1ose agreement3 especia11y the 1atterEs 5ie6 as to the nat4re and position o2 the .ods3 and the same app1ies3 notab1y in some c4rio4s matters o2 detai13 to Epic4r4s7 B4t it is3 ho6e5er3 in the teachings o2 Pythagoras that 6e 2ind the c1osest and most 2re>4ent identities o2 teachings and arg4mentation3 e@p1ained as d4e to Pythagoras himse12 ha5ing 5isited India and 1earned his phi1osophy there3 as tradition asserts7 In 1ater cent4ries 6e 2ind some pec41iar1y $Rn0hyan and B4ddhist ideas p1aying a prominent part in .nostic tho4ght7 The 2o11o6ing >4otation 2rom %assen3 cited by .arbe on p7 9:3 sho6s this 5ery c1ear1y D

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B4ddhism in genera1 disting4ishes c1ear1y bet6een $pirit and %ight3 and does not regard the 1atter as immateria1 A b4t a 5ie6 o2 %ight is 2o4nd among them 6hich is c1ose1y re1ated to that o2 the .nostics7 According to this3 %ight is the mani2estation o2 $pirit in matter A the inte11igence th4s c1othed in %ight comes into re1ation 6ith matter3 in 6hich the %ight can be 1essened and at 1ast >4ite obsc4red3 in 6hich case the Inte11igence 2a11s 2ina11y into comp1ete 4nconscio4sness7 O2 the highest Inte11igence it is maintained that it is neither %ight nor Not?%ight3 neither ar0ness nor Not? ar0ness3 since a11 "Pa#e $,% those e@pressions denote re1ations o2 the Inte11igence to the %ight3 6hich indeed in the beginning 6as 2ree 2rom these connections3 b4t 1ater on enc1oses the Inte11igence and mediates its connection 6ith matter7 It 2o11o6s 2rom this that the B4ddhist 5ie6 ascribes to the highest Inte11igence the po6er to prod4ce 1ight 2rom itse123 and that in this respect a1so there is an agreement bet6een B4ddhism and .nosticism7 .arbe here points o4t that3 as regards the 2eat4res a114ded to3 the agreement bet6een .nosticism and $Rn0hya is 5ery m4ch c1oser than that 6ith B4ddhism A 2or 6hi1e these 5ie6s as to the re1ations bet6een %ight and $pirit pertain to the 1ater phases o2 B4ddhism3 and are not at a11 24ndamenta1 to3 or characteristic o2 it as s4ch3 the $Rn0hya teaches c1ear1y and precise1y that $pirit is %ight7 %ater sti11 the in214ence o2 the $Rn0hya tho4ght is 5ery p1ain1y e5ident in the Neo?P1atonic 6riters A 6hi1e the doctrine o2 the %O.O$ or Word3 tho4gh not o2 $Rn0hyan origin3 sho6s e5en in its detai1s that it has been deri5ed 2rom India3 6here the conception o2 )=ch3 the i5ine Word3 p1ays so prominent a part in the BrRhmanica1 system7 Coming to the Christian re1igion3 contemporaneo4s 6ith the .nostic and Neo?P1atonic systems3 6e sha11 2ind no di22ic41ty in tracing most o2 the same 24ndamenta1 teachings 6ith 6hich 6e ha5e no6 become so 2ami1iar7 The three2o1d %O.O$ appears as the Trinity A the First %O.O$3 the 2o4nt o2 a11 1i2e being the Father A the d4a1?nat4red $econd %O.O$ the $on3 .od?man A the Third3 the creati5e (ind3 the "o1y .host3 6hose brooding o5er the 6aters o2 chaos bro4ght 2orth the 6or1ds7 "Pa#e $-% Then comes Bthe se5en $pirits o2 .odC K9e%. i%. ,.L and the hosts archange1s and ange1s7 O2 the One E@istence 2rom 6hich a11 comes and into 6hich a11 ret4rns3 b4t 1itt1e is hinted3 the Nat4re that by searching cannot be 2o4nd o4t A b4t the great doctors o2 the Ch4rch Catho1ic a16ays posit the 4n2athomab1e eity3 incomprehensib1e3 in2inite3 and there2ore necessari1y b4t One and part1ess7 (an is made in the Bimage o2 .od3C KHen. I, 2;-27L and is conse>4ent1y trip1e in his nat4re < $pirit and $o41 and body3 K"-Thess. 7, 2&U he is a Bhabitation o2 .od3C K8+h. Ii, 22L the Btemp1e o2 .od3C K I Cor.,iii,";L the Btemp1e o2 the "o1y .host3C K I Cor., %i, ".L < phrases that e@act1y echo the "ind4 teaching7 The doctrine o2 reincarnation is rather ta0en 2or granted in the Vew Testament than distinct1y ta4ght A th4s Wes4s spea0ing o2 Wohn the Baptist3 dec1ares that he is E1ias B6hich 6as 2or to come7C K -att. $i., "#L re2erring to the 6ords o2 (a1achi3 B I 6i11 send yo4 E1i8ah the prophetC3 K -al., I%, ,L and again3 6hen as0ed as to E1i8ah coming be2ore the (essiah3 "e ans6ered that BE1ias is come a1ready and they 0ne6 him not7C K -att. $%ii, "2 L7$o again 6e 2ind the discip1es ta0ing reincarnation 2or granted in as0ing 6hether b1indness 2rom birth 6as a p4nishment 2or a manEs sin and Wes4s in ans6er not re8ecting the possibi1ity o2 ante?nata1 sin3 b4t on1y e@c14ding it as ca4sing the b1indness in the specia1 instance7 K?ohn, i$, "-"& L The remar0ab1e phrase app1ied to Bhim that o5ercomethC in 9e%. iii, "23 ? "Pa#e $.% that he sha11 be Ba pi11ar in the temp1e o2 my .od3 and he sha11 go no more o4tC3 has been ta0en as signi2ying escape 2rom rebirth7 From the 6ritings o2 some o2 the Christian Fathers a good case may be made o4r 2or a c4rrent be1ie2 in reincarnation A some arg4e that on1y the pre?e@istence o2 the $o41 is ta4ght3 b4t this 5ie6 does not seem Page 19

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

to me s4pported by the e5idence7 The 4nity o2 mora1 teaching is not 1ess stri0ing3 than the 4nity o2 the conceptions o2 the 4ni5erse and o2 the e@periences o2 those 6ho rose o4t o2 the prison o2 the body into the 2reedom o2 the higher spheres7 It is c1ear that this body o2 prime5a1 teaching 6as in the hands o2 de2inite c4stodians3 6ho had schoo1s in 6hich they ta4ght3 discip1es 6ho st4died their doctrines7 The identity o2 these schoo1s and o2 their discip1ine stands o4t p1ain1y 6hen 6e st4dy the mora1 teaching3 the demands made on the p4pi1s3 and the menta1 and spirit4a1 states to 6hich they 6ere raised7 A ca4stic di5ision is made in the T=o Teh Ching o2 the types o2 scho1ars D $cho1ars o2 the highest c1ass 6hen they hear abo4t the T=o3 earnest1y carry it into practice7 $cho1ars o2 the midd1e c1ass3 6hen they ha5e hears abo4t it3 seem no6 to 0eep it and no6 to 1ose it7 $cho1ars o2 the 1o6est c1ass3 6hen they ha5e heard abo4t it3 1a4gh great1y at it **acred (oo)s of the 8ast, $$$i$, o+. Cit., $li, "+7 In the same boo0 6e read D The sage p4ts his o6n person 1ast3 and yet it is 2o4nd in the 2oremost p1aceA he treats his person as i2 it 6ere 2oreign to him3 and yet that person is preser5ed7 It is not beca4se "Pa#e &0% he has no persona1 and pri5ate ends that there2ore s4ch ends are rea1isedF *%ii,2+ < "e is 2ree 2rom se12?disp1ay3 and there2ore he shinesA 2rom se12?assertion3 and there2ore he is disting4ished A 2rom se12?boasting3 and there2ore his merit is ac0no61edged3 2rom se12?comp1acency3 and there2ore he ac>4ires s4periority7 It is beca4se he is th4s 2ree 2rom stri5ing that there2ore no one in the 6or1d is ab1e to stri5e 6ith him *$$ii, 2+7 There is no g4i1t greater than to sanction ambition A no ca1amity greater than to be discontented 6ith oneEs 1ot A no 2a41t greater than the 6ish to be getting *$l%i,2+7 To those 6ho are good *to me+ I am good A and to those 6ho are not good *to me+ I am a1so good A and th4s a11 get to be good7 To those 6ho are sincere *with me+ I am sincereA and to those 6ho are not sincere *with me+ I am a1so sincere A and th4s *a11+ get to be sincere *$li$, "+7 "e 6ho has in himse12 ab4ndant1y the attrib4tes *of the T3o + is 1i0e an in2ant7 Poisono4s insects 6i11 not sting him A 2ierce beasts 6i11 not seiOe him A birds o2 prey 6i11 not stri0e him < * l%, "+3 I ha5e three precio4s things 6hich I priOe and ho1d 2ast7 The 2irst is gent1eness A the second is economy A the third is shrin0ing 2rom ta0ing precedence o2 others N.ent1eness is s4re to be 5ictorio4s3 e5en in batt1e3 and 2irm1y to maintain its gro4nd7 "ea5en 6i11 sa5e its possessor3 by his *%ery+ gent1eness protecting him *l$%ii,2,#+7 Among the "ind4s there 6ere se1ected scho1ars deemed 6orthy o2 specia1 instr4ction to 6hom the .4r4 imparted the secret teachings3 6hi1e the genera1 r41es o2 right 1i5ing may be gathered 2rom (an4Es 6rdinances3 the >+anishads3 the (ahRbhRrata and many other treatises D %et him say 6hat is tr4e3 1et him say 6hat is p1easing3 1et him 4tter no disagreeab1e tr4th3 and 1et him 4tter no agreeab1e 2a1sehood A that is the eterna1 1a6 *-anu, i%, "&0+7 .i5ing no pain to any creat4re3 1et him s1o61y acc4m41ate spirit4a1 merit *i%, 2&0+7 For that t6ice?born man3 by 6hom not "Pa#e &/% the sma11est danger e5en is ca4sed to created beings3 there 6i11 be no danger 2rom any *>4arter+ a2ter he is 2reed 2rom his body *%i, #2'. %et him patient1y bear hard 6ords3 1et him not ins41t anybody3 and 1et him not become anybodyEs enemy 2or the sa0e o2 Page 19

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

this *perishab1e+ body7 Against an angry man 1et him not in ret4rn sho6 anger3 1et him b1ess 6hen he is c4rsed *%i, #7-#0+7 Freed 2rom passion3 2ear and anger3 thin0ing on (e3 ta0ing re24ge in (e3 p4ri2ied in the 2ire o2 Wisdom3 many ha5e entered (y Being *(ha!a%ad Hit3 , i%, "2+7 $4preme 8oy is 2or the #ogi 6hose (anas is peace2413 6hose passion?nat4re is ca1med3 6ho is sin1ess and o2 the nat4re o2 Brahman *i%, 27+7 "e 6ho beareth no i11?6i11 to any being3 2riend1y and compassionate3 6itho4t attachment and egoism3 ba1anced in p1eas4re and pain3 and 2orgi5ing3 e5er content3 harmonio4s3 6ith the se12 contro11ed3 reso14te3 6ith (anas and B4ddhi dedicated to (e < he3 (y de5otee3 is dear to (e *$ii,"&,"#+ I2 6e t4rn to the B4ddha3 6e 2ind "im 6ith "is Arhats3 to 6hom "is secret teachings 6ere gi5en A 6hi1e p4b1ished 6e ha5e D The 6ise man thro4gh earnestness3 5irt4e3 and p4rity ma0es himse12 an is1and 6hich no 21ood can s4bmerge *>d3na%ar!a, i%, , +7 The 6ise man in this 6or1d ho1ds 2ast to 2aith and 6isdom3 these are his greatest treas4res A he cast aside a11 other riches3 *$ .+7 "e 6ho bears i11?6i11 to those 6ho bear i11?6i11 can ne5er become p4re A b4t he 6ho 2ee1s no i11?6i11 paci2ies those 6ho hate A as hatred brings misery to man0ind3 the sage 0no6s no hatred *$iii, "2+7 O5ercome anger by not being angered A o5ercome e5i1 by good A o5ercome a5arice by 1ibera1ity A o5ercome 2a1sehoods by tr4th *$$,"0'7 The Uoroastrian is ta4ght to praise Ah4ramaOda3 and thenD What is 2airest3 6hat is p4re3 6hat immorta13 6hat bri11iant3 a11 that is good7 The good spirit 6e honor3 the good 0ingdom 6e honor3 and the good 1a63 and the good 6isdom "Pa#e &$% *Gasna, $$$%ii+7 (ay there come to this d6e11ing contentment3 b1essing3 g4i1e1essness3 and 6isdom o2 the p4re *Gasna, li$+7 P4rity is the best good7 "appiness3 happiness is to him A name1y3 to the best p4re in p4rity *Ashem-%ohu+7 A11 good tho4ghts3 6ords3 and 6or0s are done 6ith 0no61edge7 A11 e5i1 tho4ghts3 6ords3 and 6or0s are not done 6ith 0no61edge *-is+a <umata+7 * $e1ected 2rom the A%esta in Ancient Iranian and Doroastrian -orals3 by h4n8ibhoy Wamset8i (edhora+7 The "ebre6 had his Bschoo1s o2 the prophetsC and his &abba1ah3 and in the e@oteric boo0s 6e 2ind the accepted mora1 teachings D Who sha11 ascend into the hi11 o2 the %ord and 6ho sha11 stand in "is ho1y p1aceF "e that hath c1ean hands and a p4re heart A 6ho hath not 1i2ted 4p his so41 4nto 5anity3 not s6orn deceit2411y *Ps. $$i%,&,#+7 What doth the %ord re>4ire o2 thee b4t to do 84st1y3 and to 1o5e mercy3 and to 6a10 h4mb1y 6ith thy .odF *(icah35i39+7 The 1ip o2 tr4th sha11 be estab1ished 2or e5er A b4t a 1ying tong4e is b4t 2or a moment *Pro%. $ii, ".+7 Is not this the 2ast that I ha5e chosenF to 1oose the bands o2 6ic0edness3 to 4ndo the hea5y b4rdens3 and to 1et the oppressed go 2ree3 and that ye brea0 e5ery yo0eF Is it not to dea1 thy bread to the h4ngry and that tho4 bring the poor that are cast o4t to thy homeF 6hen tho4 seest the na0ed that tho4 co5er him3 and that tho4 hide not thyse12 2rom thine o6n 21eshF *Isa. l%iii,;,7+7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The Christian teacher had "is secret instr4ctions 2or "is discip1es3 *-att. $iii, "2-"7+ < and "e bade themD .i5e not that 6hich is ho1y 4nto the dogs3 neither cast ye yo4r pear1s be2ore s6ine *-att. %ii, ;+7 For p4b1ic teaching 6e may re2er to the beatit4des in the $ermon on the (o4nt and to s4ch "Pa#e &&% doctrines as D I say 4nto yo43 1o5e yo4r enemies3 b1ess them that c4rse yo43 do good to them that hate yo43 and pray 2or them 6hich despite2411y 4se yo4 and persec4te yo4N7Be ye there2ore per2ect3 e5en as yo4r Father 6hich is in hea5en is per2ect *-att. %, ##-#0+7 "e that 2indeth his 1i2e sha11 1ose it A and he that 1oseth his 1i2e 2or my sa0e sha11 2ind it *$,&.+7 Whoe5er sha11 h4mb1e himse12 as this 1itt1e chi1d3 the same is greatest in the 0ingdom o2 hea5en *$%iii, #'7 The 2r4it o2 the $pirit is 1o5e3 8oy3 peace3 1ong?s422ering3 gent1eness3 goodness3 2aith3 mee0ness3 temperance A against s4ch there is no 1a6 *Hal., %, 22-2&+7 %et 4s 1o5e one another A 2or 1o5e is o2 .od A and e5eryone that 1o5eth is born o2 .od and 0no6eth .od * I ?ohn i%, 7 +7 The schoo1 o2 the Pythagoras and those o2 the Neo?P1atonists 0ept 4p the tradition 2or .reece3 and 6e 0no6 that Pythagoras gained some o2 his 1earning in India3 6hi1e P1ato st4died3 and 6as initiated in the schoo1s o2 Egypt7 (ore precise in2ormation has been p4b1ished o2 the .recian schoo1s than o2 others A the Pythagorean had p1edged discip1es as 6e11 as an o4ter discip1ine3 the inner circ1e passing thro4gh three degrees d4ring 2i5e years o2 probation7 /For detai1s see .7R7$7 (eadEs 6r+heus3 p7 /M; et7 $e>.'7 The o4ter discip1ine he describes as 2o11o6s D We m4st 2irst gi5e o4rse15es 4p entire1y to .od7 When a man prays he sho41d ne5er as0 2or any partic41ar bene2it3 2411y con5inced that that 6i11 be gi5en 6hich is right and proper3 and according to the 6isdom o2 .od and not the s4b8ect o2 o4r o6n se12ish desires *Diod. *ic. i$, #"+7 By 5irt4e a1one does man arri5e at b1essedness3 and this is the e@c14si5e pri5i1ege o2 a rationa1 being /Hi++odamus, De @elicitate, ii, 6relli, 6+usc. HrWcor. *ent. et -oral., Ii, 20#'7 In himse123 o2 his o6n nat4re3 man is neither good nor happy3 b4t he may become so by the teaching o2 the tr4e doctrine "Pa#e &'% /XQYMZ[\] ^Q[_ NK\O[_Q] N\P[`aSPQ[' b /Hi++o, i1id.'7 The most sacred d4ty is 2i1ia1 piety7 B.od sho6ers his b1essings on him 6ho honors and re5eres the a4thor o2 his days3C says Pampe14s *De Parenti1us, 6relli, o+. Cit., ii, &#,+7 Ingratit4de to6ards oneEs parents is the b1ac0est o2 a11 crimes3 6rites Perictione * i1id.,+. &,2+3 6ho is s4pposed to ha5e been the mother o2 P1ato7 The c1ean1iness and de1icacy o2 a11 Pythagorean 6ritings 6ere remar0ab1e /clian, Hist. 7ar., $i%,".'7 In a11 that concerns chastity and marriage their princip1es are o2 the 4tmost p4rity7 E5ery6here the great teacher recommends chastity and temperance A b4t at the same time he directs that the married sho41d 2irst become parents be2ore 1i5ing a 1i2e o2 abso14te ce1ibacy3 in order that chi1dren might be born 4nder 2a5o4rab1e conditions 2or contin4ing the ho1y 1i2e and s4ccession o2 the $acred $cience /Iam1lichus, 7it. Pytha!., and Hierocl., a+. *to1. *erm. $l%, "#'. This is e@ceeding1y interesting3 2or it is precise1y the same reg41ation that is 1aid do6n in the (Rna5a harma $hRstra3 the great Indian Code7 NAd41tery 6as most stern1y condemned *Iam1., i1id7+7 Page /1

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

(oreo5er3 the most gent1e treatment o2 the 6i2e by the h4sband 6as en8oined3 2or had he not ta0en her as his companion Bbe2ore the .odsCF **ee Aascaul$. Dur Heschichte der 8he 1ei den Hriechen, in the -dm. De l=Acad. De (a%iere, %ii, "27,sE.'. (arriage 6as not an anima1 4nion3 b4t a spirit4a1 tie7 There2ore3 in her t4rn3 the 6i2e sho41d 1o5e her h4sband e5en more than herse123 and in a11 things be de5oted and obedient7 It is 24rther interesting to remar0 that the 2inest characters among 6omen 6ith 6hich ancient .reece presents 4s 6ere 2ormed in the schoo1 o2 Pythagoras3 and the same is tr4e o2 the men7 The a4thors o2 anti>4ity are agreed that this discip1ine had s4cceeded in prod4cing the highest e@amp1es not on1y o2 the p4rest chastity and sentiment3 b4t a1so a simp1icity o2 manners3 a de1icacy3 and a taste 2or serio4s p4rs4its 6hich 6as 4npara11e1ed7 This is admitted e5en by Christian 6riters **ee ?ustin, $$3 #+NAmong the members o2 the schoo1 the idea o2 84stice directed a11 their acts3 6hi1e they obser5ed "Pa#e &(% the strictest to1erance and compassion in their m4t4a1 re1ationships7 For 84stice is the princip1e o2 a11 5irt4e3 as Po14s3 *a+. *to1., *erm., %iii, ed. *chow, +. 2&2+ teaches A BEtis 84stice 6hich maintains peace and ba1ance in the so41 A she is the mother o2 good order in a11 comm4nities3 ma0es concord bet6een h4sband and 6i2e3 1o5e bet6een master and ser5ant7E The 6ord o2 a PythagoreanD 6as a1so his bond7 And 2ina11y a man sho41d 1i5e so as to be e5er ready 2or death / Hi++olytus, Philos., %i'. /i1id., +. 2;&-2;7'. The treatment o2 the 5irt4es in the Neo?P1atonic schoo1s is interesting3 and the distinction is c1ear1y made bet6een mora1ity and spirit4a1 de5e1opment3 or as P1otin4s p4t it3 BThe endea5o4r is not to be 6itho4t sin3 b4t to be o2 .od7C /*elect Bor)s of Plotinus, trans. Thomas Taylor, ed., "0.,, +. ""+7The 1o6est stage 6as becoming 6itho4t sin by ac>4iring the Bpo1itica1 5irt4esC 6hich made a man per2ect in cond4ct *the physica1 and ethica1 being be1o6 these+3 the reason contro11ing and adorning the irrationa1 nat4re7 Abo5e these 6ere the cathartic3 pertaining to reason a1one3 and 6hich 1iberated the $o41 2rom the bonds o2 generation A the theoretic 3 1i2ting the $o41 into to4ch 6ith nat4res s4perior to itse12Aand the paradigmatic3 gi5ing it a 0no61edge o2 tr4e being D "ence he 6ho energises according to the practica1 5irt4es is a worthy manA b4t he 6ho energises according to the cathartic 5irt4es is a demoniacal man3 or is a1so a !ood demon7 *A good spirit4a1 inte11igence3 as the daimon o2 $ocrates+7 "e 6ho energises according to the inte11ect4a1 5irt4es a1one is a .od7 B4t he 6ho energises according to the paradigmatic 5irt4es "Pa#e &)% is the @ather of the Hods7 /Vote on Intellectual Prudence, ++. &2,-&&2'. By 5ario4s practices the discip1es 6ere ta4ght to escape 2rom the body3 and to rise into higher regions7 As grass is dra6n 2rom a sheath3 the inner man 6as to dra6 himse12 2rom his bodi1y casing * <atho+anishad, %i,"7+7 The Bbody o2 1ightC or Bradiant bodyC o2 the "ind4s is the B14ci2orm bodyC o2 the Neo?P1ationists3 and in this man rises to 2ind the $e12 D Not grasped by the eye3 nor by speech3 nor by the others senses *lit., Hods+3 nor by a4sterity3 nor by re1igio4s rites A by serene 6isdom3 by the p4re essence on1y3 doth one see the part1ess One in meditation7 This s4bt1e $e12 is to be 0no6n by the mind in 6hich the 2i5e2o1d 1i2e is Page //

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

s1eeping7 The mind o2 a11 creat4res is instinct 6ith KtheseL 1i5es A in this3 p4ri2ied3 mani2ests the $e12 * -unda)o+anishad, III, ii, 0,.+7 Then a1one can man enter the region 6here separation is not3 6here Bthe spheres ha5e ceased7C In .7R7$7(eadEs Introd4ction to Tay1orEs Plotinus3 he >4otes 2rom P1otin4s a description o2 a sphere 6hich is e5ident1y the T4r\ya o2 the "ind4s D They 1i0e6ise see a11 things3 not those 6ith 6hich generation3 b4t those 6ith 6hich essence is present7 And they percei5e themse15es in others7 For a11 things there3 are diaphano4sA and nothing is dar0 and resisting3 b4t e5erything is apparent to e5ery one interna11y and thro4gho4t7 For 1ight e5ery6here meets 6ith 1ight A since e5erything contains a11 things in itse12 and again see a11 things in another7 $o that a11 things are e5ery6here and a11 is a117 Each thing 1i0e6ise is e5erything7 And the sp1endor there is in2inite7 For e5erything there is great3 since e5en that 6hich is sma11 is great7 "Pa#e &,% The s4n too 6hich is there is a11 the starsA and again each star is the s4n and a11 the stars7 In each ho6e5er3 a di22erent property predominates3 b4t at the same time a11 things are 5isib1e in each7 (otion 1i0e6ise there is p4reA 2or the motion is not con2o4nded by a mo5er di22erent 2rom it *+. l$$iii+7 A description 6hich is a 2ai14re3 beca4se the region is one abo5e describing by morta1 1ang4age3 b4t a description that co41d on1y ha5e been 6ritten by one 6hose eyes had been opened7 A 6ho1e 5o14me might easi1y be 2i11ed 6ith the simi1arities bet6een the re1igions o2 the 6or1d3 b4t the abo5e imper2ect statement m4st s422ice as a pre2ace to the st4dy o2 Theosophy3 to that 6hich is a 2resh and 2411er presentment to the 6or1d o2 the ancient tr4ths on 6hich it has e5er been 2ed7 a11 these simi1arities point to a sing1e so4rce3 and that is the Brotherhood o2 the White %odge3 the "ierarchy o2 Adepts 6ho 6atch o5er and g4ide the e5o14tion o2 h4manity3 and 6ho ha5e preser5ed these tr4ths 4nimpaired A 2rom time to time3 as necessity arose3 reasserting them in the ears o2 men7 From other 6or1ds3 2rom ear1ier h4manities3 They came to he1p o4r g1obe3 e5o15ed by a process comparab1e to that no6 going on 6ith o4rse15es3 and that 6i11 be more inte11igib1e 6hen 6e ha5e comp1eted o4r present st4dy than it may no6 appear A and They ha5e a22orded this he1p3 rein2orced by the 21o6er o2 o4r o6n h4manity3 2rom the ear1iest times 4nti1 today7 $ti11 They teach eager p4pi1s3 sho6ing the path and g4iding the discip1eEs steps A sti11 They may be reached by a11 6ho see0 Them3 "Pa#e &-% bearing in their hands the sacri2icia1 24e1 o2 1o5e3 o2 de5otion3 o2 4nse12ish 1onging to 0no6 in order to ser5e A sti11 They carry o4t the ancient discip1ine3 sti11 4n5ei1 the ancient (ysteries7 The t6o pi11ars o2 Their %odge gate6ay are %o5e and Wisdom3 and thro4gh its straight porta1 can on1y pass those 2rom 6hose sho41ders has 2a11en the b4rden o2 desire and se12ishness7 A hea5y tas0 1ies be2ore 4s3 and beginning on the physica1 p1ane 6e sha11 c1imb s1o61y 4p6ards3 b4t a birdEs eye 5ie6 o2 the great s6eep o2 e5o14tion and o2 its p4rpose may he1p 4s3 ere 6e begin o4r detai1ed st4dy in the 6or1d that s4rro4nds 4s7 A %O.O$3 ere a system has beg4n to be3 has in "is mind the 6ho1e3 e@isting as idea < a11 2orces3 a11 2orms3 a11 that in d4e process sha11 emerge into ob8ecti5e 1i2e7 "e dra6s the circ1e o2 mani2estation 6ithin 6hich "e 6i11s to energise3 and circ4mscribes "imse12 to be the 1i2e o2 "is 4ni5erse7 As 6e 6atch 6e see strata appearing o2 s4ccessi5e densities3 ti11 se5en 5ast regions Page /;

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

are apparent3 and in these centres o2 energy appear 6hir1poo1s o2 matter that separate 2rom each other3 4nti1 6hen the processes o2 separation and o2 condensation are o5er < so 2ar as 6e are here concerned < 6e see a centra1 s4n3 the physica1 symbo1 o2 the %O.O$3 and se5en p1anetary chains3 each chain consisting o2 se5en g1obes7 Narro6ing do6n o4r 5ie6 to the chain o2 6hich o4r g1obe is one3 6e see 1i2e?6a5es s6eep ro4nd i3 2orming the 0ingdoms o2 nat4re3 the three e1ementa13 the minera13 5egetab1e3 anima13 h4man7 Narro6ing do6n o4r 5ie6 sti11 24rther to o4r o6n g1obe and its s4rro4ndings3 6e "Pa#e &.% 6atch h4man e5o14tion3 and see man de5e1oping se12?conscio4sness by a series o2 many 1i2e?periods A then centering on a sing1e man 6e trace his gro6th and see that each 1i2e?period has a three2o1d di5ision that each is 1in0ed to a11 1i2e?periods behind it reaping their res41ts3 and to a11 1i2e?periods be2ore it so6ing their har5ests3 by a 1a6 that cannot be bro0en A that th4s man may c1imb 4p6ards 6ith each 1i2e?period adding to his e@perience3 each 1i2e?period 1i2ting him higher in p4rity3 in de5otion3 in inte11ect3 in po6er o2 4se241ness3 4nti1 at 1ast he stands 6here They stand 6ho are no6 the Teachers3 2it3 to pay to his yo4nger brothers the debt he o6es to Them7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

CHAPTER I THE PHYSICA P ANE
"Pa#e '0% We

ha5e 84st seen that the so4rce 2rom 6hich a 4ni5erse proceeds is a mani2ested i5ine Being3 to 6hom in the modern 2orm o2 the Ancient Wisdom the name %O.O$3 or Word has been gi5en7 The name is dra6n 2rom .ree0 Phi1osophy3 b4t per2ect1y e@presses the ancient idea3 the Word 6hich emerges 2rom the $i1ence3 the )oice3 the $o4nd3 by 6hich the 6or1ds come into being7 We m4st no6 trace the e5o14tion o2 spirit?matter3 in order that 6e may 4nderstand something o2 the nat4re o2 the materia1s 6ith 6hich 6e ha5e to dea1 on the physica1 p1ane3 or physica1 6or1d7 For it is in the potentia1ities 6rapped 4p3 in5o15ed3 in the spirit?matter o2 the physica1 6or1d that 1ies the possibi1ity o2 e5o14tion7 The 6ho1e process is an 4n2o1ding3 se12?mo5ed 2rom 6ithin and aided by inte11igent beings 6itho4t3 6ho can retard or >4ic0en e5o14tion3 b4t cannot transcend the capacities inherent in the materia1s7 $ome idea o2 these ear1iest stages o2 the 6or1dEs BbecomingC is there2ore necessary3 a1tho4gh any attempt to go into min4te detai1s 6o41d carry 4s 2ar beyond the 1imits o2 s4ch an e1ementary treatise as the present7 A 5ery c4rsory s0etch m4st s422ice7 "Pa#e '/% Coming 2orth 2rom the depths o2 the One E@istence3 2rom the ONE beyond a11 tho4ght and a11 speech3 a %O.O$3 by imposing on "imse12 a 1imit3 circ4mscribing 5o14ntari1y the range o2 "is o6n Being3 becomes the mani2ested .od3 and tracing the 1imiting sphere o2 "is acti5ity th4s o4t1ines the area o2 "is 4ni5erse7 Within that sphere the 4ni5erse is born3 is e5o15ed3 and dies A it 1i5es3 it mo5es3 it has its being in "im A its matter is "is emanation A its 2orces and energies are c4rrents o2 "is %i2e A "e is immanent in e5ery atom3 a11?per5ading3 a11?s4staining3 a11?e5o15ing A "e is its so4rce and its end3 its ca4se and its ob8ect3 its centre and circ4m2erence A it is b4i1t on "im as its s4re 2o4ndation3 it breathes in "im as its encirc1ing space A "e is in e5erything and e5erything in "im7 Th4s ha5e the sages o2 the Ancient Wisdom ta4ght 4s o2 the beginning o2 the mani2ested 6or1ds7 From the same so4rce 6e 1earn o2 the $e12?4n2o1ding o2 the %O.O$ into a three2o1d 2orm A the First %O.O$3 the Root o2 a11 being A 2rom "im the $econd3 mani2esting the t6o aspects o2 %i2e and Form3 the prima1 d4a1ity3 ma0ing the t6o po1es o2 nat4re bet6een 6hich the 6eb o2 the 4ni5erse is to be 6o5en < %i2e?Form3 $pirit?(atter3 Positi5e?Negati5e3 Acti5e?Recepti5e3 Father?(other o2 the 6or1ds7 Then the Third %O.O$3 the !ni5ersa1 (ind3 that in 6hich a11 archetypica11y e@ists3 the so4rce o2 beings3 the 2o4nt o2 2ashioning energies3 the treas4re ho4se in 6hich are stored 4p a11 the archetypa1 2orms 6hich are to be bro4ght 2orth and e1aborated in 1o6er 0inds "Pa#e '$% o2 matter d4ring the e5o14tion o2 the 4ni5erse7 These are the 2r4its o2 past 4ni5erses3 bro4ght o5er as seeds 2or the present7 The phenomena1 spirit and matter o2 any 4ni5erse are 2inite in their e@tent and transitory in their d4ration3 b4t the roots o2 spirit and matter are eterna17 The root o2 matter *(41Rpra0riti + has been said by a pro2o4nd 6riter to be 5isib1e to the %O.O$ as a 5ei1 thro6n o5er the One e@istence3 the s4preme Brahman *Parabrahman+ <to 4se the ancient name7 It is this B5ei1C 6hich the %O.O$ ass4mes 2or the p4rpose o2 mani2estation3 4sing it 2or the se12?imposed 1imit 6hich ma0es acti5ity possib1e7 From this "e e1aborates the matter o2 "is 4ni5erse3 being "imse12 its in2orming3 g4iding3 and contro11ing 1i2e7 * "ence "e is ca11ed BThe %ord o2 (RyRC in some Eastern $cript4res3 (RyR3 or i114sion3 being the princip1e o2 2ormA 2orm is regarded as i114sory3 2rom its transitory Page /H

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

nat4re and perpet4a1 trans2ormations3 the 1i2e 6hich e@presses itse12 4nder the 5ei1 o2 2orm being the rea1ity+7 O2 6hat occ4rs on the t6o higher p1anes o2 the 4ni5erse3 the se5enth and si@th3 6e can 2orm b4t the haOiest conception7 The energy o2 the %O.O$ as 6hir1ing motion o2 inconcei5ab1e rapidity Bdigs ho1es in spaceC in this root matter3 and this 5orte@ o2 1i2e encased in a 2i1m o2 the root o2 matter is the primary atomA these and their aggregations3 spread thro4gho4t the 4ni5erse3 2orm a11 the s4bdi5isions o2 spirit?matter o2 the highest or se5enth p1ane7 The si@th p1ane is 2ormed by some o2 the "Pa#e '&% co4nt1ess myriads o2 these primary atoms3 setting 4p a 5orte@ in the coarsest aggregations o2 their o6n p1ane3 and this primary atom en?6a11ed 6ith spira1 strands o2 the coarsest combinations o2 the se5enth p1ane becomes the 2inest 4nit o2 spirit?matter3 or atom o2 the si@th p1ane7 These si@th p1ane atoms and their end1ess combinations 2orm the s4bdi5isions o2 the spirit?matter o2 the si@th p1ane7 The si@th?p1ane?atom3 in its t4rn3 sets 4p a 5orte@ in the coarsest aggregations o2 its o6n p1ane3 and3 6ith these coarsest aggregations as a 1imiting 6a113 becomes the 2inest 4nit o2 spirit?matter3 or atom3 o2 the 2i2th p1ane7 Again3 these 2i2th?p1ane atoms3 and their combinations 2orm the s4bdi5isions o2 the spirit? matter o2 the 2i2th p1ane7 The process is repeated to 2orm s4ccessi5e1y the spirit?matter o2 the 2o4rth3 the third3 the second3 and the 2irst p1anes7 These are the se5en great regions o2 the 4ni5erse3 so 2ar as their materia1 constit4ents are concerned7 A c1earer idea o2 them 6i11 be gained by ana1ogy 6hen 6e come to master the modi2ications o2 the spirit?matter o2 o4r o6n physica1 6or1d7 *The st4dent may 2ind the conception c1earer i2 he thin0s o2 the 2i2th p1ane atoms as Itm= A those o2 the 2o4rth p1ane as Itm= en5e1oped in B4ddhi?matter A those o2 the third p1ane as Itm= en5e1oped in B4ddhi and (anas?matter A those o2 the second p1ane as Itm= en5e1oped in B4ddhi?(anas? and &=ma?matter A those o2 the 1o6est as Itm= en5e1oped in B4ddhi?(anas?&=ma and $thS1a?matter7 On1y the o4termost is acti5e in each3 b4t the inner are there3 tho4gh 1atent3 ready to come into acti5ity on the 4p6ard arc o2 e5o14tion+7 The 6or1d Bspirit?matterC is 4sed designed1y7 "Pa#e ''% At imp1ies the 2act that there is no s4ch thing as BdeadC matter A a11 matter is 1i5ing3 the tiniest partic1es are 1i5es7 $cience spea0s tr41y in a22irming D BNo 2orce 6itho4t matter3 no matter 6itho4t 2orce7C They are 6edded together in an indisso14b1e marriage thro4gho4t the ages o2 the 1i2e o2 a 4ni5erse3 and none can 6rench them apart7 (atter is 2orm3 and there is no 2orm 6hich does not e@press a 1i2e A spirit is 1i2e3 and there is no 1i2e that is not 1imited by 2orm7 E5en the %O.O$3 the $4preme %ord3 has d4ring mani2estation the 4ni5erse as "is 2orm3 and so do6n to the atom7 This in5o14tion o2 the 1i2e o2 the %O.O$ as the enso41ing 2orce in e5ery partic1e3 and its s4ccessi5e en6rapping in the spirit?matter o2 e5ery p1ane3 so that the materia1s o2 each p1ane ha5e 6ithin them in a hidden3 or 1atent condition3 a11 the 2orm and 2orce possibi1ities o2 a11 the p1anes abo5e them as 6e11 as those o2 their o6n < these t6o 2acts ma0e e5o14tion certain and gi5e to the 5ery 1o6est partic1e the hidden potentia1ities 6hich 6i11 render it 2it < as they become acti5e po6ers < to enter into the 2orms o2 the highest beings7 In 2act3 e5o14tion may be s4mmed 4p in a phrase D it is 1atent potentia1ities becoming acti5e po6ers7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The second great 6a5e o2 e5o14tion3 the e5o14tion o2 2orm3 and the third great 6a5e3 the e5o14tion o2 se12? conscio4sness3 6i11 be dea1t 6ith 1ater on7 These three c4rrents o2 e5o14tion are disting4ishab1e on o4r earth in connection 6ith h4manity A the ma0ing o2 the materia1s3 the b4i1ding o2 the ho4se3 and the gro6ing "Pa#e '(% o2 the tenant o2 the ho4se3 or3 as said abo5e3 the e5o14tion o2 spirit?matter3 the e5o14tion o2 2orm3 the e5o14tion o2 se12?conscio4sness7I2 the reader can grasp and retain this idea3 he 6i11 2ind a he1p241 c14e to g4ide him thro4gh the 1abyrinth o2 2acts7 We can no6 t4rn to the detai1ed e@amination o2 the physica1 p1ane3 that on 6hich o4r 6or1d e@ists and to 6hich o4r bodies be1ong7 E@amining the materia1s be1onging to this p1ane3 6e are str4c0 by their immense 5ariety3 the inn4merab1e di22erences o2 constit4tion in the ob8ects aro4nd 4s3 minera1s3 5egetab1es3 anima1s3 a11 di22ering in their constit4ents D matter hard and so2t3 transparent and opa>4e3 britt1e and d4cti1e3 bitter and s6eet3 p1easant and na4seo4s3 co1o4red and co1o4r1ess7 O4t o2 this con24sion three s4bdi5isions o2 matter emerge as a 24ndamenta1 c1assi2ication D matter is so1id3 1i>4id3 gaseo4s7 F4rther e@amination sho6s that these so1ids3 1i>4ids and gases are made 4p by combinations o2 m4ch simp1er bodies3 ca11ed by chemists Be1ements3C and that these e1ements may e@ist in a so1id3 1i>4id3 or gaseo4s condition 6itho4t changing their respecti5e nat4res7 Th4s the chemica1 e1ement o@ygen is a constit4ent o2 6ood3 and in combination 6ith other e1ements 2orms the so1id 6ood 2ibres A it e@ists in the sap 6ith another e1ement3 yie1ding a 1i>4id combination as 6ater A and it e@ists a1so in it by itse12 as gas7 !nder these three conditions it is o@ygen7 F4rther 3 p4re o@ygen can be red4ced 2rom a gas to a 1i>4id3 "Pa#e ')% and 2rom a 1i>4id to a so1id3 remaining p4re o@ygen a11 the time3 and so 6ith other e1ements7 We th4s obtain as three s4bdi5isions3 or conditions o2 matter on the physica1 p1ane3 so1id3 1i>4id3 gas7 $earching 24rther3 6e 2ind a 2o4rth condition3 ether3 and a min4te search re5ea1s that this ether e@ists in 2o4r conditions as 6e11 de2ined as those o2 so1id3 1i>4id and gas A to ta0e o@ygen again as an e@amp1e D as it may be red4ced 2rom the gaseo4s condition to the 1i>4id and the so1id3 so it may be raised 2rom the gaseo4s thro4gh 2o4r etheric stages the 1ast o2 6hich consists o2 the 41timate physica1 atom3 the disintegration o2 the atom ta0ing matter o4t o2 the physica1 p1ane a1together3 and into the ne@t p1ane abo5e7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

In the anne@ed p1ate three gases are sho6n in the gaseo4s and 2o4r etheric states A it 6i11 be obser5ed that the str4ct4re o2 the 41timate physica1 atom is the same 2or a113 and that the 5ariety o2 the Be1ementsC is d4e to the 5ariety o2 6ays in 6hich these 41timate physica1 atoms combine7 Th4s the se5enth s4bdi5ision o2 physica1 spirit?matter is composed o2 homogeneo4s atoms A the si@th is composed o2 2air1y simp1e heterogeneo4s combinations o2 these3 each combination beha5ing as a 4nit A the 2i2th is composed o2 more comp1e@ combinations3 and the 2o4rth o2 sti11 more comp1e@ ones3 b4t in a11 cases these combinations act as 4nits 7 The third s4bdi5ision consists o2 yet more comp1icated combinations3 regarded by the chemist as gaseo4s atoms or Be1ements3C and on this s4bdi5ision many o2 the combinations ha5e recei5ed specia1 names3 o@ygen3 hydrogen3 "Pa#e ',% nitrogen3 ch1orine3 etc73 and each ne61y disco5ered combination no6 recei5es its name A the second s4bdi5ision consists o2 combinations in the 1i>4id condition3 6hether regarded as e1ements s4ch as bromine3 or as combinations s4ch as 6ater or a1coho1 A the 2irst s4bdi5ision is composed o2 a11 so1ids3 again 6hether regarded as e1ements3 s4ch as iodine3 go1d3 1ead3 etc73 or as compo4nds3 s4ch as 6ood3 stone3 cha103 and so on7 The physica1 p1ane may ser5e the st4dent as a mode1 2rom 6hich by ana1ogy he may gain an idea o2 the s4bdi5isions o2 spirit?matter o2 other p1anes7 When a Theosophist spea0s o2 a p1ane3 he means a region thro4gho4t 6hich spirit?matter e@ists3 a11 6hose combinations are deri5ed 2rom a partic41ar set o2 atomsA these atoms3 in t4rn3 are 4nits possessing simi1ar organisations3 6hose 1i2e is the 1i2e o2 the %O.O$ 5ei1ed in 2e6er or more co5erings according to the p1ane3 and 6hose 2orm consists o2 the so1id3 or 1o6est s4bdi5ision o2 matter3 o2 the p1ane immediate1y abo5e7 A p1ane is th4s a di5ision in nat4re3 as 6e11 as a metaphysica1 idea7 Th4s 2ar 6e ha5e been st4dying the res41ts in o4r o6n physica1 6or1d o2 the e5o14tion o2 spirit?matter in Page /9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

o4r di5ision o2 the 2irst or 1o6est p1ane o2 o4r system7 For co4nt1ess ages the 2ashioning o2 materia1s has been going on3 the c4rrent o2 the e5o14tion o2 spirit?matter3 and in the materia1s o2 o4r g1obe 6e see the o4tcome at the present time7 B4t 6hen 6e begin to st4dy the inhabitants o2 the physica1 p1ane3 6e come to the e5o14tion o2 2orm3 " Pa#e '-+ the b4i1ding o2 organisms o4t o2 these materia1s7 When the e5o14tion o2 materia1s had reached a s422icient1y ad5anced state3 the second great 1i2e?6a5e 2rom the %O.O$ ga5e the imp41se to the e5o14tion o2 2orm3 and "e became the organising 2orce *As 'tmR?B4ddhi3 indi5isib1e in action3 and there2ore spo0en o2 as the (onad7 All forms ha5e 'tmR?B4ddhi as contro11ing 1i2e7+ ? o2 "is !ni5erse3 co4nt1ess hosts o2 entities3 entit1ed B4i1ders ?? * $ome are 1o2ty spirit4a1 Inte11igences3 b4t the name co5ers e5en the b4i1ding Nat4re?spirits The s4b8ect is dea1t 6ith in Chapter ,II + ? ta0ing part in the b4i1ding 4p o2 2orms o4t o2 combinations o2 spirit?matter7 The 1i2e o2 the %O.O$ abiding in each 2orm is its centra13 contro11ing3 and directing energy7 This b4i1ding o2 2orms on the higher p1anes cannot here be con5enient1y st4died in detai1A it may s422ice to say that a11 2orms e@ist as Ideas in the mind o2 the %O.O$3 and that in this second 1i2e?6a5e these 6ere thro6n o4t6ards as mode1s to g4ide the B4i1ders7 On the third and second p1anes the ear1y spirit?matter combinations are designed to gi5e it 2aci1ity in ass4ming shapes organised to act as 4nits3 and grad4a11y to increase its stabi1ity 6hen shaped into an organism7 This process 6ent on 4pon the third and second p1anes3 in 6hat are termed the three e1ementa1 0ingdoms3 the combinations o2 matter 2ormed therein being ca11ed genera11y Be1ementa1 essence3C and this essence being mo41ded into 2orms by aggregations3 the 2orms "Pa#e '.% end4ring 2or a time and then disintegrating7 The o4tpo4red 1i2e3 or (onad3 e5o15ed thro4gh these 0ingdoms and reached in d4e co4rse the physica1 p1ane3 6here it began to dra6 together the ethers and ho1d them in 2i1my shapes3 in 6hich 1i2e?c4rrents p1ayed and into 6hich the denser materia1s 6ere b4i1t3 2orming the 2irst minera1s7 In these are bea4ti2411y sho6n < as may be seen by re2erence to any boo0 on crysta114rgy < the n4merica1 and geometrica1 1ines on 6hich 2orms are constr4cted3 and 2rom them may be gathered p1enti241 e5idence that 1i2e is 6or0ing in a11 minera1s3 a1tho4gh m4ch Bcribbed3 cabined3 and con2ined7C The 2atig4e to 6hich meta1s are s4b8ect is another sign that they are 1i5ing things3 b4t it is here eno4gh to say that the occ41t doctrine so regards them3 0no6ing the a1ready?mentioned processes by 6hich 1i2e has been in5o15ed in them7 .reat stabi1ity o2 2orm ha5ing been gained in many o2 the minera1s3 the e5o15ing (onad e1aborated greater p1asticity o2 2orm in the 5egetab1e 0ingdom3 combining this 6ith stabi1ity o2 organisation7 These characteristics 2o4nd a yet more ba1anced e@pression in the anima1 6or1d3 and reached their c41mination o2 e>4i1ibri4m in man3 6hose physica1 body is made 4p o2 constit4ents o2 most 4nstab1e e>4i1ibri4m3 th4s gi5ing great adaptabi1ity3 and yet 6hich is he1d together by a combining centra1 2orce 6hich resists genera1 disintegration e5en 4nder the most 5aried conditions7 (anEs physica1 body has t6o main di5isions D the dense body3 made o2 constit4ents 2rom the three "Pa#e (0% 1o6er 1e5e1s o2 the physica1 p1ane3 so1ids3 1i>4ids3 and gasesD and the etheric dou1le3 5io1et?gray or b14e?gray in co1o4r3 interpenetrating the dense body and composed o2 materia1s dra6n 2rom the 2o4r higher 1e5e1s7 The genera1 24nction o2 the physica1 body is to recei5e contacts 2rom the physica1 6or1d3 and send the report o2 them in6ards3 to ser5e as materia1s 2rom 6hich the conscio4s entity inhabiting the body is to e1aborate 0no61edge7 Its etheric portion has a1so the d4ty o2 acting as a medi4m thro4gh 6hich Page /9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

the 1i2e?c4rrents po4red o4t 2rom the s4n can be adapted to the 4ses o2 the denser partic1es7 The s4n is the great reser5oir o2 the e1ectrica13 magnetic3 and 5ita1 2orces 2or o4r system3 and it po4rs o4t ab4ndant1y these streams o2 1i2e?gi5ing energy7 They are ta0en in by the etheric do4b1es o2 a11 minera1s3 5egetab1es3 anima1s3 and men3 and are by them transm4ted into the 5ario4s 1i2e?energies needed by each entity7 * When th4s appropriated the 1i2e is ca11ed Pr=na3 and it becomes the 1i2e?breath o2 e5ery creat4re7 Pr=na is b4t a name 2or the 4ni5ersa1 1i2e 6hi1e it is ta0en in by an entity and is s4pporting its separated 1i2e7+ The etheric do4b1es dra6 in3 specia1ise3 and distrib4te them o5er their physica1 co4nterparts7 It has been obser5ed that in 5igoro4s hea1th m4ch more o2 the 1i2e?energies are transm4ted than the physica1 body re>4ires 2or its o6n s4pport3 and that the s4rp14s is rayed o4t and is ta0en 4p and 4ti1ised by the 6ea0er7 What is technica11y ca11ed the hea1th a4ra is the part o2 the etheric do4b1e that e@tends a 2e6 inches 2rom the "Pa#e (/% 6ho1e s4r2ace o2 the body and sho6s radiating 1ines3 1i0e the radii o2 a sphere3 going o4t6ards in a11 directions7 These 1ines droop 6hen 5ita1ity is diminished be1o6 the point o2 hea1th3 and res4me their radiating character 6ith rene6ed 5igo4r7 It is this 5ita1 energy3 specia1ised by the etheric do4b1e3 6hich is po4red o4t by the mesmeriser 2or the restoration o2 the 6ea0 and 2or the c4re o2 disease3 a1tho4gh he o2ten ming1es 6ith it c4rrents o2 a more rare2ied 0ind7 "ence the dep1etion o2 5ita1 energy sho6n by the e@ha4stion o2 the mesmeriser 6ho pro1ongs his 6or0 to e@cess7 (anEs body is 2ine or coarse in its te@t4re according to the materia1s dra6n 2rom the physica1 p1ane 2or its composition7 Each s4bdi5ision o2 matter yie1ds 2iner or coarser materia1s A compare the bodies o2 a b4tcher and o2 a re2ined st4dent A both ha5e so1ids in them3 b4t so1ids o2 s4ch di22erent >4a1ities7 F4rther 3 6e 0no6 that a coarse body can be re2ined3 a re2ined body coarsened7 The body is constant1y changing A each partic1e is a 1i2e3 and the 1i5es come and go7 They are dra6n to a body consonant 6ith themse15es3 they are repe11ed 2rom one discordant 6ith themse15es7 A11 things 1i5e in rhythmica1 5ibrations3 a11 see0 the harmonio4s and are repe11ed by dissonance7 A p4re body repe1s coarse partic1es beca4se they 5ibrate at rates discordant 6ith its o6n A a coarse body attracts them beca4se their 5ibrations accord 6ith its o6n7 "ence i2 the body changes its rates o2 5ibration3 it grad4a11y dri5es o4t o2 it the constit4ents that cannot 2a11 into the ne6 rhythm3 and 2i11s 4p their p1aces by dra6ing in 2rom e@terna1 nat4re 2resh constit4ents that are harmonio4s7 "Pa#e ($% Nat4re pro5ides materia1s 5ibrating in a11 possib1e 6ays3 and each body e@ercises its o6n se1ecti5e action7 In the ear1ier b4i1ding o2 h4man bodies this se1ecti5e action 6as d4e to the (onad o2 2orm3 b4t no6 that man is a se12?conscio4s entity he presides o5er his o6n b4i1ding7 By his tho4ghts he stri0es the 0eynote o2 his m4sic3 and sets 4p the rhythms that are the most po6er241 2actors in the contin4a1 changes in his physica1 and other bodies7 As his 0no61edge increases he 1earns ho6 to b4i1d 4p his physica1 body 6ith p4re 2ood3 and so 2aci1itates the t4ning o2 it7 "e 1earns to 1i5e by the a@iom o2 p4ri2ication D BP4re 2ood3 p4re mind3 and constant memory o2 .od7C As the highest creat4re 1i5ing on the physica1 p1ane3 he is the 5ice?regent o2 the %O.O$ thereon3 responsib1e3 so 2ar as his po6ers e@tend3 2or its order3 peace3 and good go5ernment A and this d4ty he cannot discharge 6itho4t these three re>4isites7 The physica1 body3 th4s composed o2 e1ements dra6n 2rom a11 the s4bdi5isions o2 the physica1 p1ane3 is Page ;T

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

2itted to recei5e and to ans6er impression 2rom it o2 e5ery 0ind7 Its 2irst contacts 6i11 be o2 the simp1est and cr4dest sorts3 and as the 1i2e 6ithin it thri11s o4t in ans6er to the stim414s 2rom 6itho4t3 thro6ing its mo1ec41es into responsi5e 5ibrations3 there is de5e1oped a11 o5er the body the sense o2 to4ch3 the recognition o2 something coming into contact 6ith it7 As specia1ised sense?organs "Pa#e (&% are de5e1oped to recei5e specia1 0inds o2 5ibrations3 the 5a14e o2 the body increases as a 24t4re 5ehic1e 2or a conscio4s entity on the physica1 p1ane7 The more impressions it can ans6er to3 the more 4se241 does it become A 2or on1y those to 6hich it can ans6er can reach the conscio4sness7 E5en no6 there are myriads o2 5ibrations p41sing aro4nd 4s in physica1 nat4re 2rom the 0no61edge o2 6hich 6e are sh4t o4t beca4se o2 the inabi1ity o2 o4r physica1 5ehic1e to recei5e and 5ibrate in accord 6ith them7 !nimagined bea4ties3 e@>4isite so4nds3 de1icate s4bt1eties3 to4ch the 6a11s o2 o4r prison ho4se and pass on 4nheeded7 Not yet is de5e1oped the per2ect body that sha11 thri11 to e5ery p41se in nat4re as the aeo1ian harp to the Oephyr7 The 5ibrations that the body is ab1e to recei5e3 it transmits to physica1 centres3 be1onging to its high1y comp1icated ner5o4s system7 The etheric 5ibrations 6hich accompany a11 the 5ibrations o2 the denser physica1 constit4ents are simi1ar1y recei5ed by the etheric do4b1e3 and transm4ted to its corresponding centres7 (ost o2 the 5ibrations in the dense matter are changed into chemica1 heat3 and other 2orms o2 physica1 energyA the etheric gi5e rise to magnetic and e1ectric action3 and a1so pass on the 5ibrations to the astra1 body3 6hence3 as 6e sha11 see 1ater3 they reach the mind7 Th4s in2ormation abo4t the e@terna1 6or1d reaches the conscio4s entity enthroned in the body3 the %ord o2 the body3 as he is sometimes ca11ed7 As the channe1s o2 in2ormation de5e1op and are e@ercised3 the conscio4s entity "Pa#e ('% gro6s by the materia1s s4pp1ied to his tho4ght by them3 b4t so 1itt1e is man yet de5e1oped that e5en the etheric do4b1e is not yet s422icient1y harmonised to reg41ar1y con5ey to the man impressions recei5ed by it independent1y o2 its denser comrade3 or to impress them on his brain7 Occasiona11y it s4cceeds in doing so3 and then 6e ha5e the 1o6est 2orm o2 c1air5oyance3 the seeing o2 the etheric do4b1es o2 physica1 ob8ects3 and o2 things that ha5e etheric bodies as their 1o6est 5est4re7 (an d6e11s3 as 6e sha11 see3 in 5ario4s 5ehic1es3 physica13 astra13 and menta1 and it is important to 0no6 and remember that as 6e are e5o15ing 4p6ards3 the 1o6est o2 the 5ehic1es3 the dense physica13 is that 6hich conscio4sness 2irst contro1s and rationa1ises7 The physica1 brain is the instr4ment o2 conscio4sness in 6a0ing 1i2e on the physica1 p1ane3 and conscio4sness 6or0s in it < in the 4nde5e1oped man < more e22ecti5e1y than in any other 5ehic1e7 Its potentia1ities are 1ess than those o2 the s4bt1er 5ehic1es3 b4t its act4a1ities are greater3 and the man 0no6s himse12 as B I B in the physica1 body ere he 2inds himse12 e1se6here7 E5en i2 he be more high1y de5e1oped than the a5erage man3 he can on1y sho6 as m4ch o2 himse12 do6n here as the physica1 organism permits3 2or conscio4sness can mani2est on the physica1 p1ane on1y so m4ch as the physica1 5ehic1e can carry7 The dense and etheric bodies are not norma11y separated d4ring earth 1i2eA they norma11y 24nction together3 as the 1o6er and higher strings o2 a sing1e "Pa#e ((% instr4ment 6hen a chord is str4c03 b4t they a1so carry on separate tho4gh coordinated acti5ities7 !nder conditions o2 6ea0 hea1th or ner5o4s e@citement the etheric do4b1e may in great part be abnorma11y e@tr4ded 2rom its dense co4nterpart A the 1atter then becomes 5ery d411y conscio4s 3 or entranced3 according to the 1ess or greater amo4nt o2 the etheric matter e@tr4ded7 Anesthetics dri5e o4t the greater part o2 the etheric do4b1e3 so that Page ;1

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

conscio4sness cannot a22ect or be a22ected by the dense body3 its bridge o2 comm4nication being bro0en7 In the abnorma11y organised person ca11ed medi4ms3 dis1ocation o2 the etheric and dense bodies easi1y occ4rs3 and the etheric do4b1e3 6hen e@tr4ded3 1arge1y s4pp1ies the physica1 basis 2or Bmateria1isations7C In s1eep3 6hen the conscio4sness 1ea5es the physica1 5ehic1e 6hich it 4ses d4ring 6a0ing 1i2e3 the dense and etheric bodies remain together3 b4t in the physica1 dream 1i2e they 24nction to some e@tent independent1y7 Impressions e@perienced d4ring 6a0ing 1i2e are reprod4ced by the a4tomatic action o2 the body3 and both the physica1 and etheric brains are 2i11ed 6ith dis8ointed 2ragmentary pict4res3 the 5ibrations as it 6ere3 8ost1ing each other3 and ca4sing the most grotes>4e combinations7 )ibrations 2rom o4tside a1so a22ect both3 and combinations o2ten set 4p d4ring 6a0ing 1i2e are easi1y ca11ed into acti5ity by c4rrents 2rom the astra1 6or1d o2 1i0e nat4re 6ith themse15es7 The p4rity or imp4rity o2 6a0ing tho4ghts 6i11 1arge1y go5ern the pict4res arising in dreams3 "Pa#e ()% 6hether spontaneo4s1y set 4p or ind4ced 2rom 6itho4t7 At 6hat is ca11ed death3 the etheric do4b1e is dra6n a6ay 2rom its dense co4nterpart by the escaping conscio4sness A the magnetic tie e@isting bet6een them d4ring 1i2e earth 1i2e is snapped as4nder3 and 2or some ho4rs the conscio4sness remains en5e1oped in this etheric garb7 In this it sometimes appears to those 6ith 6hom it is c1ose1y bo4nd 4p3 as a c1o4dy 2ig4re3 5ery d411y conscio4s and speech1ess < the 6raith7 It may a1so be seen3 a2ter the conscio4s entity has deserted it3 21oating o5er the gra5e 6here its dense co4nterpart is b4ried3 s1o61y disintegrating as time goes on7 When the time comes 2or rebirth3 the etheric do4b1e is b4i1t in ad5ance o2 the dense body3 the 1atter e@act1y 2o11o6ing it in its ante?nata1 de5e1opment7 These bodies may be said to trace the 1imitations 6ithin 6hich the conscio4s entity 6i11 ha5e to 1i5e and 6or0 d4ring his 1i2e3 a s4b8ect that 6i11 be more 2411y e@p1ained in Chapter I, on &arma7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

CHAPTER II THE ASTRA P ANE
"Pa#e (,% The

astra1 p1ane is the region o2 the 4ni5erse ne@t to the physica13 i2 the 6ord Bne@tC may be permitted in s4ch a connection7 %i2e there is more acti5e than on the physica1 p1ane3 and 2orm is more p1astic7 The spirit?matter o2 that p1ane is more high1y 5ita1ised and 2iner than any grade o2 spirit?matter in the physica1 6or1d7 For 3 as 6e ha5e seen3 the 41timate physica1 atom3 the constit4ent o2 the rarest physica1 ether3 has 2or its sphere?6a11 inn4merab1e aggregations o2 the coarsest astra1 matter7 The 6ord Bne@tC is3 ho6e5er3 inappropriate3 as s4ggesting the idea that the p1anes o2 the 4ni5erse are arranged as concentric circ1es3 one ending 6here the ne@t begins7 Rather they are concentric interpenetrating spheres3 not separated 2rom each other by distance b4t by di22erence o2 constit4tion7 As air permeates 6ater3 as ether permeates the densest so1id3 so does astra1 matter permeate a11 physica17 The astra1 6or1d is abo5e 4s3 be1o6 4s3 on e5ery side o2 4s3 thro4gh 4sA 6e 1i5e and mo5e in it3 b4t it is intangib1e3 in5isib1e3 ina4dib1e3 imperceptib1e3 beca4se the prison o2 the physica1 body sh4ts 4s "Pa#e (-% a6ay 2rom it3 the physica1 partic1es being too gross to be set in 5ibration by astra1 matter7 In this chapter 6e sha11 st4dy the p1ane in its genera1 aspects3 1ea5ing on one side 2or separate consideration those specia1 conditions o2 1i2e on the astra1 p1ane s4rro4nding the h4man entities 6ho are passing thro4gh it on their 6ay 2rom earth to hea5en7 * e5achan3 the happy or bright state3 is the Theosophica1 name 2or hea5en7 &Rma1o0a3 the p1ace o2 desire3 is the name gi5en to the conditions o2 intermediate 1i2e on the astra1 p1ane+7 The spirit?matter o2 the astra1 p1ane e@ists in se5en s4bdi5isions3 as 6e ha5e seen in the spirit?matter o2 the physica17 There3 as here3 there are n4mber1ess combinations3 2orming the astra1 so1ids3 1i>4ids3 gases3 and ethers7 B4t most materia1 2orms there ha5e a brightness3 a trans14cency3 as compared to 2orms here3 6hich ha5e ca4sed the epithet astra13 or starry3 to be app1ied to them < an epithet 6hich is3 on the 6ho1e3 mis1eading3 b4t is too 2irm1y estab1ished by 4se to be changed7 As there are no speci2ic names 2or the s4bdi5isions o2 astra1 spirit?matter3 6e may 4se the terrestria1 designations7 The main idea to be grasped is that astra1 ob8ects are combinations o2 astra1 matter3 as physica1 ob8ects are combinations o2 physica1 matter3 and that the astra1 6or1d scenery m4ch resemb1es that o2 earth in conse>4ence o2 its being 1arge1y made 4p o2 the astra1 d4p1icates o2 physica1 ob8ects7 One pec41iarity3 ho6e5er3 arrests and con24ses the 4ntrained obser5erA part1y beca4se o2 the trans14cency o2 astra1 ob8ects3 "Pa#e (.% and part1y beca4se o2 the nat4re o2 astra1 5ision < conscio4sness being 1ess hampered by the 2iner astra1 matter than 6hen encased in the terrestria1 < e5erything is transparent3 its bac0 is 5isib1e as its 2ront3 its inside as its o4tside7 $ome e@perience is needed3 there2ore3 ere ob8ects are correct1y seen3 and a person 6ho has de5e1oped astra1 5ision3 b4t has not yet had m4ch e@perience in its 4se3 is apt to recei5e the most topsy?t4r5y impressions and to 2a11 into the most asto4nding b14nders7 Another stri0ing and at 2irst be6i1dering characteristic o2 the astra1 6or1d is the s6i2tness 6ith 6hich 2orms < especia11y 6hen 4nconnected 6ith any terrestria1 matri@ < change their o4t1ines7 Page ;;

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

An astra1 entity 6i11 change his 6ho1e appearance 6ith the most start1ing rapidity3 2or astra1 matter ta0es the 2orm 4nder e5ery imp41se o2 tho4ght3 the 1i2e s6i2t1y remo41ding the 2orm to gi5e itse12 ne6 e@pression7 As the great 1i2e?6a5e o2 the e5o14tion o2 2orm passed do6n6ards thro4gh the astra1 p1ane3 and constit4ted on that p1ane the third e1ementa1 0ingdom3 the (onad dre6 ro4nd itse12 combinations o2 astra1 matter3 gi5ing to these combinations < entit1ed e1ementa1 essence < a pec41iar 5ita1ity and the characteristic o2 responding to3 and instant1y ta0ing shape 4nder3 the imp41se o2 tho4ght 5ibrations7 This e1ementa1 essence e@ists in h4ndreds o2 5arieties on e5ery s4bdi5ision o2 the astra1 p1ane3 as tho4gh the air became 5isib1e here < as indeed it may seen in >4i5ering 6a5es 4nder great heat < and 6ere in constant 4nd41atory motion 6ith changing "Pa#e )0% co1o4rs 1i0e mother?o2?pear17 This 5ast atmosphere o2 e1ementa1 essence is e5er ans6ering to 5ibrations ca4sed by tho4ghts3 2ee1ings3 and desires3 and is thro6n into commotion by a r4sh o2 any o2 these 1i0e b4bb1es in boi1ing 6ater7 * C7W7 %eadbeater3 Astra1 P1ane3 p7 H/+7 The d4ration o2 the 2orm depends on the strength o2 the imp41se to 6hich it o6es its birth A the c1earness o2 its o4t1ine depends on the precision o2 the thin0ing3 and the co1o4r depends on the >4a1ity < inte11ect4a13 de5otiona13 passiona1 < o2 the tho4ght7 The 5ag4e 1oose tho4ghts 6hich are so 1arge1y prod4ced by 4nde5e1oped minds gather ro4nd themse15es 1oose c1o4ds o2 e1ementa1 essence 6hen they arri5e in the astra1 6or1d3 and dri2t abo4t3 attracted hither and thither to other c1o4ds o2 simi1ar nat4re3 c1inging ro4nd the astra1 bodies o2 persons 6hose magnetism attracts them < either good or e5i1 < and a2ter a 6hi1e disintegrating3 to again 2orm a part o2 the genera1 atmosphere o2 e1ementa1 essence7 Whi1e they maintain a separate e@istence they are 1i5ing entities3 6ith bodies o2 e1ementa1 essence and tho4ghts as the enso41ing 1i5es3 and they are then ca11ed arti2icia1 e1ementa1s3 or tho4ght?2orms7 C1ear3 precise tho4ghts ha5e each their o6n de2inite shapes3 6ith sharp c1ean o4t1ines3 and sho6 an end1ess 5ariety o2 designs7 They are shaped by 5ibrations set 4p by tho4ght3 84st as on the physica1 p1ane 6e 2ind 2ig4res 6hich are shaped by 5ibrations set 4p by so4nd7 )oice?2ig4resC o22er a 5ery 2air ana1ogy 2or Btho4ght?2ig4res3C 2or nat4re3 6ith a11 "Pa#e )/% her in2inite 5ariety3 is 5ery conser5ati5e o2 princip1es3 and reprod4ces the same methods o2 6or0ing on p1ane a2ter p1ane in her rea1ms7 These c1ear1y de2ined arti2icia1 e1ementa1s ha5e a 1onger and m4ch more acti5e 1i2e than their c1o4dy brethren3 e@ercising a 2ar stronger in214ence on the astra1 bodies *and thro4gh them on the minds+ o2 those to 6hom they are attracted7 They set 4p in them 5ibrations simi1ar to their o6n3 and th4s tho4ghts spread 2rom mind to mind 6itho4t terrestria1 e@pression7 (ore than thisD they can be directed by the thin0er to6ards any person he desires to reach3 their potency depending on the strength o2 his 6i11 and the intensity o2 his menta1 po6er7 Among a5erage peop1e the arti2icia1 e1ementa1s created by 2ee1ing or desire are more 5igoro4s and more de2inite than those created by tho4ght7 Th4s an o4tb4rst o2 anger 6i11 ca4se a 5ery de2inite1y o4t1ined and po6er241 21ash o2 red3 and s4stained anger 6i11 ma0e a dangero4s e1ementa13 red in co1o4r3 and pointed3 barbed3 or other6ise >4a1i2ied to in84re7 %o5e3 according to its >4a1ity3 6i11 set 4p 2orms more or 1ess bea4ti241 in co1o4r and design3 a11 shades o2 crimson to the most e@>4isite and so2t h4es o2 rose3 1i0e the pa1est b14shes o2 s4nset or the da6n3 c1o4ds o2 tender1y strong protecti5e shapes7 (any a (otherEs Page ;G

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

1o5ing prayers go to ho5er ro4nd her son as ange1?2orms3 t4rning aside 2rom him e5i1 in214ences that perchance his o6n tho4ghts are attracting7 It is characteristic o2 these arti2icia1 e1ementa1s3 "Pa#e )$% 6hen they are directed by the 6i11 to6ards any partic41ar person3 that they are animated by the one imp41se o2 carrying o4t the 6i11 o2 their creator7 A protecti5e e1ementa1 6i11 ho5er ro4nd its ob8ect3 see0ing any opport4nity o2 6arding o22 e5i1 or attracting good < not conscio4s1y3 b4t by a b1ind imp41se3 as 2inding there the 1ine o2 1east resistance7 $o3 a1so3 an e1ementa1 enso41ed by a ma1ignant tho4ght 6i11 ho5er ro4nd its 5ictim see0ing opport4nity to in84re7 B4t neither the one nor the other can ma0e any impression 4n1ess there be in the astra1 body o2 the ob8ect something s0in to themse15es3 something that can ans6er according1y to their 5ibrations3 and th4s enab1e them to attach themse15es7 I2 there be nothing in him o2 matter cognate to their o6n3 then by a 1a6 o2 their nat4re they rebo4nd 2rom him a1ong the path they p4rs4ed in going to him < the magnetic trace they ha5e 1e2t < and r4sh to their creator 6ith a 2orce proportionate to that o2 their pro8ection7 Th4s a tho4ght o2 dead1y hatred3 2ai1ing to stri0e the ob8ect at 6hich it 6as darted3 has been 0no6n to s1ay its sender3 6hi1e good tho4ghts sent to the 4n6orthy ret4rn as b1essings to him that po4red them 2orth7 A 5ery s1ight 4nderstanding o2 the astra1 6or1d 6i11 th4s act as a most po6er241 stim414s to right thin0ing3 and 6i11 render hea5y the sense o2 responsibi1ity in regard to the tho4ghts and 2ee1ings3 and desires that 6e 1et 1oose into this astra1 rea1m7 Ra5ening beasts o2 prey3 rending and de5o4ring3 are too many o2 the tho4ghts 6ith 6hich men peop1e the "Pa#e )&% astra1 p1ane7 B4t they err 2rom ignorance3 they 0no6 not 6hat they do7 One o2 the ob8ects o2 theosophica1 teaching3 part1y 1i2ting 4p the 5ei1 o2 the 4nseen 6or1d3 is to gi5e men a so4nder basis 2or cond4ct3 a more rationa1 appreciation o2 the ca4ses o2 6hich the e22ects on1y are seen in the terrestria1 6or1d7 A 2e6 o2 its doctrines are more important in their ethica1 bearing than this o2 the creation and direction o2 tho4ght?2orms3 or arti2icia1 e1ementa1s3 2or thro4gh it man 1earns that his mind does not concern himse12 a1one3 that his tho4ghts do not a22ect himse12 a1one3 b4t that he is e5er sending o4t ange1s and de5i1s into the 6or1d o2 men3 2or 6hose creation he is responsib1e3 and 2or 6hose in214ences he is he1d acco4ntab1e7 %et men3 then3 0no6 the 1a63 and g4ide their tho4ghts thereby7 I23 instead o2 ta0ing arti2icia1 e1ementa1s separate1y3 6e ta0e them in the mass3 it is easy to rea1ise the tremendo4s e22ect they ha5e in prod4cing nationa1 and race 2ee1ings3 and th4s in biasing and pre84dicing the mind7 We a11 gro6 4p s4rro4nded by an atmosphere cro6ded 6ith e1ementa1s embodying certain ideas A nationa1 pre84dices3 nationa1 6ays o2 1oo0ing at a11 >4estions3 nationa1 types o2 2ee1ings and tho4ghts3 a11 these p1ay on 4s 2rom o4r birth3 aye3 and be2ore7 We see e5erything thro4gh this atmosphere3 e5ery tho4ght is more or 1ess re2racted by it3 and o4r o6n astra1 bodies are 5ibrating in accord 6ith it7 "ence the same idea 6i11 1oo0 >4ite di22erent to the "ind43 an Eng1ishman3 a $paniard3 and a R4ssian A some conceptions easy to "Pa#e )'% the one 6i11 be a1most impossib1e to the other3 c4stoms instincti5e1y attracti5e to the one are instincti5e1y odio4s to the other7 We are a11 dominated by o4r nationa1 atmosphere3 i.e.3 by that portion o2 the astra1 6or1d immediate1y s4rro4nding 4s7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The tho4ghts o2 others3 cast m4ch in the same mo41d3 p1ay 4pon 4s and ca11 o4t 2rom 4s synchrono4s 5ibrations A they intensi2y the points in 6hich 6e accord 6ith o4r s4rro4ndings and 21atten a6ay the di22erences3 and this cease1ess action 4pon 4s thro4gh the astra1 body impresses on 4s the nationa1 ha12? mar0 and traces channe1s 2or menta1 energies into 6hich they readi1y 21o67 $1eeping and 6a0ing 3 these c4rrents p1ay 4pon 4s3 and o4r 5ery 4nconscio4sness o2 their action ma0es it the more e22ecti5e7 As most peop1e are recepti5e rather than initiati5e in their nat4re3 they act a1most as a4tomatic reprod4cers o2 the tho4ghts 6hich reach them3 and th4s the nationa1 atmosphere is contin4a11y intensi2ied7 When a person is beginning to be sensiti5e to astra1 in214ences3 he 6i11 occasiona11y 2ind himse12 s4dden1y o5erpo6ered or assai1ed by a >4ite ine@p1icab1e and seeming1y irrationa1 dread3 6hich s6oops 4pon him 6ith e5en para1ysing 2orce7 Fight against it as he may3 he yet 2ee1s it3 and perhaps resents it7 Probab1y there are 2e6 6ho ha5e not e@perienced this 2ear to some e@tent3 the 4neasy dread o2 an in5isib1e something3 the 2ee1ing o2 a presence3 o2 Bnot being a1one7C This arises part1y 2rom a certain hosti1ity 6hich animates the nat4ra1 e1ementa1 6or1d against the h4man3 on acco4nt o2 the 5ario4s "Pa#e )(+ destr4cti5e agencies de5ised by man0ind on the physica1 p1ane and reacting on the astra13 b4t is a1so 1arge1y d4e to the presence o2 so many arti2icia1 e1ementa1s o2 an 4n2riend1y 0ind3 bred by h4man minds7 Tho4ghts o2 hatred3 8ea1o4sy3 re5enge3 bitterness3 s4spicion3 discontent3 go o4t by mi11ions cro6ding the astra1 p1ane 6ith arti2icia1 e1ementa1s 6hose 6ho1e 1i2e is made o2 these 2ee1ings7 "o6 m4ch a1so is there o2 5ag4e distr4st and s4spicion po4red o4t by the ignorant against a11 6hose 6ays and appearance are a1ien and 4n2ami1iar7 The b1ind distr4st o2 a11 2oreigners3 the s4r1y contempt3 e@tending in many districts e5en to6ards inhabitants o2 another co4ntry < these things a1so contrib4te e5i1 in214ences to the astra1 6or1d7 There being so m4ch o2 these things among 4s3 6e create a b1ind1y hosti1e army on the astra1 p1ane3 and this is ans6ered in o4r o6n astra1 bodies by a 2ee1ing o2 dread3 set 4p by the antagonistic 5ibrations that are sensed3 b4t not 4nderstood7 O4tside the c1ass o2 arti2icia1 e1ementa1s3 the astra1 6or1d is thic01y pop41ated3 e5en e@c14ding3 as 6e do 2or the present3 a11 the h4man entities 6ho ha5e 1ost their physica1 bodies by death7 There are great hosts o2 nat4ra1 e1ementa1s3 or nat4re?spirits3 di5ided into 2i5e main c1asses <the e1ementa1s o2 the ether3 the 2ire3 the air3 the 6ater3 and the earth A the 1ast 2o4r gro4ps ha5e been termed3 in mediae5a1 occ41tism3 the $a1amanders3 $y1phs3 !ndines3 and .nomes *need1ess to say there are t6o other c1asses3 comp1eting the se5en3 not concerning 4s here3 as they are "Pa#e ))% sti11 4nmani2ested+7 These are the tr4e e1ementa1s3 or creat4res o2 the e1ements3 earth3 6ater3 air3 2ire and ether3 and they are se5era11y concerned in the carrying on o2 the acti5ities connected 6ith their o6n e1ement A they are the channe1s thro4gh 6hich 6or0 the di5ine energies in these se5era1 2ie1ds3 the 1i5ing e@pressions o2 the 1a6 in each7 At the head o2 each di5ision is a great Being3 the captain o2 the mighty host3 *Ca11ed a e5a3 or .od3 by the "ind4s7 The st4dent may 1i0e to ha5e the $ans0rit names o2 the 2i5e .ods o2 the mani2ested e1ements A Indra3 1ord o2 the A0]sha3 or ether o2 space A Agni3 1ord o2 2ire A Pa5ana3 1ord o2 air3 )ar4na3 1ord o2 6ater A &shiti3 1ord o2 the earth+7 the directing and g4iding inte11igence o2 the 6ho1e department o2 nat4re 6hich is administered and energised by the c1ass o2 e1ementa1s 4nder his contro17 Th4s Agni the 2ire?.od3 is a great spirit4a1 entity concerned 6ith the mani2estation o2 2ire on a11 p1anes o2 the 4ni5erse3 and carries on his administration thro4gh the host o2 the 2ire?e1ementa1s7 By 4nderstanding the nat4re o2 these3 or 0no6ing the methods o2 their contro13 the so?ca11ed mirac1es o2 magica1 2eats are Page ;M

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

6or0ed3 6hich 2rom time to time are recorded in the p4b1ic press3 6hether they are a5o6ed1y the res41ts o2 magica1 arts3 or are done by the aid o2 BspiritsC < as in the case o2 the 1ate (r7 "ome3 6ho co41d 4nconcerned1y pic0 a red?hot coa1 o4t o2 a b1aOing 2ire 6ith his 2ingers and ho1d it in his hand 4nh4rt7 %e5itation *the s4spension o2 a hea5y body in the air 6itho4t 5isib1e s4pport+ and 6a10ing on the 6ater ha5e been done by the aid "Pa#e ),% respecti5e1y o2 the e1ementa1s o2 the air and the 6ater3 a1tho4gh another method is more o2ten emp1oyed7 As the e1ements enter into the h4man body3 one or another predominating according to the nat4re o2 the person3 each h4man being has re1ations 6ith these e1ementa1s3 the most 2riend1y to him being those 6hose e1ement is preponderant in him7 The e22ects o2 this 2act are o2ten noted3 and are pop41ar1y ascribed to B14c0C7 A person has B a 14c0y handC in ma0ing p1ants gro63 in 1ighting 2ires3 in 2inding 4ndergro4nd 6ater3 etc7 Nat4re is e5er 8ost1ing 4s 6ith her occ41t 2orces3 b4t 6e are s1o6 to ta0e her hints7 Tradition sometimes hides a tr4th in a pro5erb or a 2ab1e3 b4t 6e ha5e gro6n beyond a11 s4ch Bs4perstitions7C We 2ind a1so on the astra1 p1ane3 nat4re?spirits < 1ess acc4rate1y termed e1ementa1s < 6ho are concerned 6ith the b4i1ding o2 2orms in the minera13 5egetab1e3 anima13 and h4man 0ingdoms7 There are nat4re? spirits 6ho b4i1d 4p minera1s3 6ho g4ide the 5ita1 energies in p1ants3 and 6ho mo1ec41e by mo1ec41e 2orm the bodies o2 the anima1 0ingdom A they are concerned 6ith the ma0ing o2 the astra1 bodies o2 minera1s3 p1ants3 and anima1s3 as 6e11 as 6ith that o2 the physica17 These are the 2airies and e15es o2 1egends3 the B1itt1e peop1eC 6ho p1ay so 1arge a part in the 2o10 1ore o2 e5ery nation3 the charming irresponsib1e chi1dren o2 nat4re3 6hom science had co1d1y re1egated to the n4rsery3 b4t 6ho 6i11 be rep1aced in their o6n grade o2 nat4ra1 order by the 6iser scientists o2 a 1ater day7 On1y poets and occ41tists be1ie5e in them 84st no63 poets by the int4ition o2 their geni4s3 occ41tists by the 5ision o2 their trained inner senses7 The m41tit4de 1a4gh at both3 most o2 a11 at the occ41tists A b4t it matter not < 6isdom sha11 be 84sti2ied "Pa#e )-% o2 her chi1dren7 The p1ay o2 the 1i2e?c4rrents in the etheric do4b1es o2 the 2orms in the minera13 5egetab1e3 and anima1 0ingdoms3 a6o0e o4t o2 1atency the astra1 matter in5o15ed in the str4ct4re o2 their atomic and mo1ec41ar constit4ents7 It began to thri11 in a 5ery 1imited 6ay in the minera1s3 and the (onad o2 2orm3 e@ercising his organising po6er3 dre6 in materia1s 2rom the astra1 6or1d3 and these 6ere b4i1t by the nat4re?spirits into a 1oose1y constit4ted mass3 the minera1 astra1 body7 In the 5egetab1e 6or1d the astra1 bodies are a 1itt1e more organised3 and their specia1 characteristic o2 B2ee1ingC begins to appear7 411 and di224sed sensations o2 6e11?being and discom2ort are obser5ab1e in most p1ants as the res41ts o2 the increasing acti5ity o2 the astra1 body7 They dim1y en8oy the air3 the rain3 and the s4nshine3 and groping1y see0 them3 6hi1e they shrin0 2rom no@io4s conditions7 $ome see0 the 1ight and some see0 the dar0ness A they ans6er to stim41i3 and adapt themse15es to e@terna1 conditions3 some sho6ing p1ain1y a sense o2 to4ch7 In the anima1 0ingdom the astra1 body is more de5e1oped3 reaching in the higher members o2 that 0ingdom a s422icient1y de2inite organisation to cohere 2or some time a2ter the death o2 the physica1 body3 and to 1ead an independent e@istence on the astra1 p1ane7 "Pa#e
).%

The nat4re?spirits concerned 6ith the b4i1ding o2 the anima1 and h4man astra1 bodies ha5e been gi5en Page ;:

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

the specia1 name o2 desire?e1ementa1s3 *&Rmade5as3 they are ca11ed Zdesire?godsZ+ beca4se they are strong1y animated by desires o2 a11 0inds3 and constant1y b4i1d themse15es into the astra1 bodies o2 anima1s and men7 They a1so 4se the 5arieties o2 e1ementa1 essence simi1ar to that o2 6hich their o6n bodies are composed to constr4ct the astra1 bodies o2 anima1s3 those bodies th4s ac>4iring3 as inter6o5en parts3 the centres o2 sensation and o2 the 5ario4s passiona1 acti5ities7 These centres are stim41ated into 24nctioning by imp41ses recei5ed by the dense physica1 organs3 and transmitted by the etheric physica1 organs to the astra1 body7 Not 4nti1 the astra1 centre is reached does the anima1 2ee1 p1eas4re or pain7 A stone may be str4c03 b4t it 6i11 2ee1 no pain A it has dense and etheric physica1 mo1ec41es3 b4t its astra1 body is 4norganised A the anima1 2ee1s pain 2rom a b1o6 beca4se he possesses the astra1 centres o2 sensation3 and the desire? e1ementa1s ha5e 6o5en into him their o6n nat4re7 As a ne6 consideration enters into the 6or0 o2 these e1ementa1s 6ith the h4man astra1 body3 6e 6i11 2inish o4r s4r5ey o2 the inhabitants o2 the astra1 p1ane ere st4dying this more comp1icated astra1 2orm7 The desire?bodies3 *&]mar^pa is the technica1 name 2or the astra1 body3 2rom &]ma3 desire3 and r^pa3 2orm+ or astra1 bodies3 o2 anima1s are 2o4nd3 as has 84st been stated3 to 1ead "Pa#e ,0% an independent tho4gh 21eeting e@istence on the astra1 p1ane a2ter death has destroyed their physica1 co4nterparts7 In Bci5i1isedC co4ntries these anima1 astra1 bodies add m4ch to the genera1 2ee1ing o2 hosti1ity 6hich 6as spo0en o2 abo5e3 2or the organised b4tchery o2 anima1s in s1a4ghterho4ses and by sport sends mi11ions o2 these ann4a11y into the astra1 6or1d3 2411 o2 horror3 terror3 and shrin0ing 2rom men7 The comparati5e1y 2e6 creat4res that are a11o6ed to die in peace and >4ietness are 1ost in the 5ast hordes o2 the m4rdered3 and 2rom the c4rrents set 4p by these there rain do6n in214ences 2rom the astra1 6or1d on the h4man and anima1 races 6hich dri5e them yet 24rther apart and engender Binstincti5eC distr4st and 2ear on the one side and 14st o2 in21icting cr4e1ty on the other7 These 2ee1ings ha5e been m4ch intensi2ied o2 1ate years by the co1d1y de5ised methods o2 the scienti2ic tort4re ca11ed 5i5isection3 the 4nmentionab1e barbarities o2 6hich ha5e introd4ced ne6 horrors into the astra1 6or1d by their reaction on the c41prits3 *$ee Chapter III3 on B&]ma1o0a 7C+ as 6e11 as ha5ing increased the g412 bet6een man and his Bpoor re1ationsC7 Apart 2rom 6hat 6e may ca11 the norma1 pop41ation o2 the astra1 6or1d3 there are passing tra5e11ers in it3 1ed there by their 6or03 6hom 6e cannot 1ea5e entire1y 6itho4t mention7 $ome o2 these come 2rom o4r o6n terrestria1 6or1d3 6hi1e others are 5isitors 2rom 1o2tier regions7 O2 the 2ormer3 many are Initiates o2 5ario4s grades3 "Pa#e ,/% some be1onging to the .reat White %odge < the "im]1ayan or Tibetan Brotherhood3 as it is o2ten ca11ed *It is to some members o2 this %odge that the Theosophica1 $ociety o6es its inception+ < 6hi1e others are members o2 di22erent occ41t 1odges Page ;9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

thro4gho4t the 6or1d3 ranging 2rom 6hite thro4gh shades o2 grey to b1ac07 * Occ41tists 6ho are 4nse12ish and 6ho11y de5oted to the carrying o4t o2 the i5ine Wi113 or 6ho are aiming to attain these 5irt4es3 are ca11ed B6hiteC7 Those 6ho are se12ish and are 6or0ing against the i5ine p4rpose in the 4ni5erse are ca11ed Bb1ac07C E@panding se121essness3 1o5e and de5otion are the mar0s o2 the one c1ass D contracting se12ishness3 hatred3 and harsh arrogance are the sign o2 the other7 Bet6een these are the c1asses 6hose moti5es are mi@ed3 and 6ho ha5e not yet rea1ised that they m4st e5o15e to6ards the One $e12 or to6ards separated se15es A these I ha5e ca11ed grey7 Their members grad4a11y dri2t into3 or de1iberate1y 8oin3 one o2 the t6o great gro4ps 6ith c1ear1y mar0ed aims+7 A11 these are men 1i5ing in physica1 bodies3 6ho ha5e 1earned to 1ea5e the physica1 encasement at 6i113 and to 24nction in 2411 conscio4sness in the astra1 body7 They are o2 a11 grades o2 0no61edge and 5irt4e3 bene2icent and ma1e2icent3 strong and 6ea03 gent1e and 2erocieo4s7 There are a1so many yo4nger aspirants3 sti11 4ninitiated3 6ho are 1earning to 4se the astra1 5ehic1e3 and 6ho are emp1oyed in 6or0s o2 bene5o1ence or ma1e5o1ence according to the path they are see0ing to tread7 A2ter these3 6e ha5e psychics o2 5arying degrees o2 de5e1opment3 some 2air1y a1ert3 others dreamy and con24sed3 6andering abo4t 6hi1e their physica1 "Pa#e ,$% bodies are as1eep or entranced7 !nconscio4s o2 their e@terna1 s4rro4ndings3 6rapped in their o6n tho4ghts3 dra6n as it 6ere 6ithin their astra1 she113 are mi11ions o2 dri2ting astra1 bodies inhabited by conscio4s entities3 6hose physica1 2rames are s4n0 in s1eep7 As 6e sha11 see present1y3 the conscio4sness in its astra1 5ehic1e escapes 6hen the body sin0s into s1eep3 and passes on to the astra1 p1ane A b4t it is not conscio4s o2 its s4rro4ndings 4nti1 the astra1 body is s422icient1y de5e1oped to 24nction independent1y o2 the physica17 Occasiona11y is seen on this p1ane a discip1e *A Che1R3 the accepted p4pi1 o2 an Adept+3 6ho has passed thro4gh death and is a6aiting an a1most immediate reincarnation 4nder the direction o2 his (aster7 "e is3 o2 co4rse3 in the en8oyment o2 2411 conscio4sness3 and is 6or0ing 1i0e other discip1es 6ho ha5e mere1y s1ipped o22 their bodies in s1eep7 A certain stage *$ee chapter ,I3 on B(anEs AscentC+ < a discip1e is a11o6ed to reincarnate 5ery >4ic01y a2ter death3 and 4nder these circ4mstances he has to a6ait on the astra1 p1ane a s4itab1e opport4nity 2or rebirth7 Passing thro4gh the astra1 p1ane a1so are the h4man beings 6ho are on their 6ay to reincarnation A they 6i11 again be mentioned 1ater on *$ee chapter )II3 on BReincarnationC7+ and they concern themse15es in no 6ay 6ith the genera1 1i2e o2 the astra1 6or1d7 The desire?e1ementa1s3 ho6e5er3 6ho ha5e a22inity 6ith them 2rom their past passiona1 and sensationa1 acti5ities3 gather ro4nd them3 "Pa#e ,&% assisting in the b4i1ding o2 the ne6 astra1 body 2or the coming earth?1i2e7 We m4st no6 t4rn to the consideration o2 the h4man astra1 body d4ring the period o2 e@istence in this 6or1d3 and st4dy its nat4re and constit4tion as 6e11 as its re1ations 6ith the astra1 rea1m7 We 6i11 ta0e the astra1 body o2 *a+ an 4nde5e1oped man3 *b+ an a5erage man3 and *c+ a spirit4a11y de5e1oped man7 *a+ An 4nde5e1oped manEs astra1 body is a c1o4dy3 1oose1y organised3 5ag4e1y o4t1ined mass o2 astra1 spirit?matter3 containing materia1s < both astra1 matter and e1ementa1 essence < dra6n 2rom a11 the Page ;9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

s4bdi5isions o2 the astra1 p1ane3 b4t 6ith a predominance o2 s4bstances 2rom the 1o6er3 so that it is dense and coarse in te@t4re3 2it to respond to a11 the stim41i connected 6ith the passions and appetites7 The co1o4rs ca4sed by the rates o2 5ibration are d4113 m4ddy3 and d4s0y < bro6n3 d411 reds3 dirty greens3 are predominant h4es7 There is no p1ay o2 1ight or >4ic01y changing 21ashing o2 co1o4rs thro4gh this astra1 body3 b4t the 5ario4s passions sho6 themse15es as hea5y s4rges3 or3 6hen 5io1ent3 as 21ashes A th4s se@4a1 passion 6i11 send a 6a5e o2 m4ddy crimson3 rage a 21ash o2 14rid red7 The astra1 body is 1arger than the physica13 e@tending ro4nd it in a11 directions ten to t6e15e inches in s4ch a case as 6e are considering7 The centres o2 the organs o2 sense are de2inite1y mar0ed3 and are acti5e 6hen 6or0ed on 2rom 6itho4t A b4t in >4iescence the 1i2e?streams are s14ggish3 and the astra1 body3 stim41ated neither 2rom the physica1 nor menta1 6or1ds3 is dro6sy and indi22erent7 * the st4dent 6i11 recognise here the predominance o2 the "Pa#e ,'% t]masic g4na3 the >4a1ity o2 dar0ness or inertness in nat4re7+ It is a constant characteristic o2 the 4nde5e1oped state that acti5ity is prompted 2rom 6itho4t rather 2rom the inner conscio4sness 7 A stone to be mo5ed m4st be p4shed A a p1ant mo5es 4nder the attractions o2 1ight and moist4re A an anima1 becomes acti5e 6hen stirred by h4nger D a poor1y de5e1oped man needs to be prompted in simi1ar 6ays7 Not ti11 the mind is part1y gro6n does it begin to initiate action7 The centres o2 higher acti5ities3 * The se5en Cha0ras3 or 6hee1s3 so named 2rom the 6hir1ing appearance they present3 1i0e 6hee1s o2 1i5ing 2ire 6hen in acti5ity7+ re1ated to the independent 24nctioning o2 the astra1 senses3 are scarce1y 5isib1e7 A man at this stage re>4ires 2or his e5o14tion 5io1ent sensations o2 e5ery 0ind3 to aro4se the nat4re and stim41ate it into acti5ity7 "ea5y b1o6s 2rom the o4ter 6or1d3 both o2 p1eas4re and pain3 are 6anted to a6a0en and sp4r to action7 The more n4mero4s and 5io1ent the sensations3 the more he can be made to 2ee13 the better 2or his gro6th7 At this stage >4a1ity matters 1itt1e3 >4antity and 5igo4r are the main re>4isites7 The beginnings o2 this manEs mora1ity 6i11 be in his passions A a s1ight imp41se o2 4nse12ishness in his re1ations to 6i2e and chi1d or 2riend3 6i11 be the 2irst step 4p6ards3 by ca4sing 5ibrations in the 2iner matter o2 his astra1 body and attracting into it more e1ementa1 essence o2 an appropriate 0ind7 The astra1 body is constant1y "Pa#e ,(+ changing its materia1s 4nder this p1ay o2 the passions3 appetites3 desires3 and emotions7 A11 good ones strengthen the 2iner parts o2 the body3 sha0e o4t some o2 the coarser constit4ents3 dra6 into it the s4bt1er materia1s3 and attract ro4nd it e1ementa1s o2 a bene2icent 0ind 6ho aid in the reno5ating process7 A11 e5i1 ones ha5e diametrica11y opposite e22ects3 strengthening the coarser3 e@pe11ing the 2iner3 dra6ing in more o2 the 2ormer3 and attracting e1ementa1s 6ho he1p in the deteriorating process7 The manEs mora1 and inte11ect4a1 po6ers are so embryonic in the case 6e are considering that most o2 the b4i1ding and changing o2 his astra1 body may be said to be done 2or him rather than by him7 It depends more on his e@terna1 circ4mstances than on his o6n 6i113 2or3 as 84st said3 it is characteristic o2 a 1o6 stage o2 de5e1opment that a man is mo5ed 2rom 6itho4t and thro4gh the body m4ch more than 2rom 6ithin and by the mind7 It is a sign o2 considerab1e ad5ance 6hen a man begins to be mo5ed by the 6i113 by his o6n energy3 se12?determined3 instead o2 being mo5ed by desire3 i.e73 by a response to an e@terna1 attraction or rep41sion7

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In s1eep the astra1 body3 en5e1oping the conscio4sness3 s1ips o4t o2 the physica1 5ehic1e3 1ea5ing the dense and etheric bodies to s14mber7 At this stage3 ho6e5er3 the conscio4sness is not a6a0e in the astra1 body3 1ac0ing the strong contacts that sp4r it 6hi1e in the physica1 2rame3 and the on1y things that a22ect the astra1 body may be e1ementa1s o2 the coarser 0inds3 that may set 4p therein 5ibrations 6hich are re21ected to the etheric and dense brains3 and ind4ce dreams o2 anima1 p1eas4res7 The astra1 body 21oats 84st o5er the physica13 he1d by its strong attraction3 and cannot go 2ar a6ay 2rom it7 "Pa#e ,)% *b+ In the a5erage mora1 and inte11ect4a1 man the astra1 body sho6s an immense ad5ance on that 84st described7 It is 1arger in siOe3 its materia1s are more ba1anced in >4a1ity3 the presence o2 the rarer 0inds gi5ing a certain 14mino4s >4a1ity to the 6ho1e3 6hi1e the e@pression o2 the higher emotions sends p1aying thro4gh it bea4ti241 ripp1es o2 co1o4r7 Its o4t1ine is c1ear and de2inite3 instead o2 5ag4e and shi2ting3 as in the 2ormer case3 and it ass4mes the 1i0eness o2 its o6ner7 It is ob5io4s1y becoming a 5ehic1e 2or the inner man3 6ith good de2inite organisation and stabi1ity3 a body 2it and ready to 24nction3 and ab1e to maintain itse123 apart 2rom the physica17 Whi1e retaining great p1asticity3 it yet has a norma1 2orm3 to 6hich it contin4o4s1y rec4rs 6hen any press4re is remo5ed that may ha5e ca4sed it to change its o4t1ine7 Its acti5ity is constant3 and hence it is in perpet4a1 5ibration3 sho6ing end1ess 5arieties o2 changing h4es A a1so the B6hee1sC are c1ear1y 5isib1e tho4gh not yet 24nctioning * "ere the st4dent 6i11 note the predominance o2 the r]8asic g4na3 the >4a1ity o2 acti5ity in nat4re7+ It responds >4ic01y to a11 the contacts coming to it thro4gh the physica1 body3 and is stirred by the in214ences rained on it 2rom the conscio4s entity 6ithin3 memory and imagination stim41ating it to action3 and ca4sing it to "Pa#e ,,% become the prompter o2 the body to acti5ity instead o2 on1y being mo5ed by it7 Its p4ri2ication proceeds a1ong the same 1ines as in the 2ormer case < the e@p41sion o2 1o6er constit4ents by setting 4p 5ibrations antagonistic to them and the dra6ing in o2 2iner materia1s in their p1ace7 B4t no6 the increased mora1 inte11ect4a1 de5e1opment o2 the man p4ts the b4i1ding a1most entire1y 4nder his o6n contro13 2or he is no 1onger dri5en here and there by stim41i 2rom e@terna1 nat4re3 b4t reasons3 84dges3 and resists or yie1ds as he thin0s 6e117 By the e@ercise o2 6e11?directed tho4ght he can rapid1y a22ect the astra1 body3 and hence its impro5ement can proceed apace7 Nor is it necessary that he sho41d 4nderstand the modus o+erandi in order to bring abo4t the e22ect3 any more than that a man sho41d 4nderstand the 1a6s o2 1ight in order to see7 In s1eep3 this 6e11?de5e1oped astra1 body s1ips3 as 4s4a13 2rom its physica1 encasement3 b4t is by no means he1d capti5e by it3 as in the 2ormer case7 It roams abo4t in the astra1 6or1d3 dri2ted hither and thither by the astra1 c4rrents3 6hi1e the conscio4sness 6ithin it3 not yet ab1e to direct its mo5ements3 is a6a0e3 engaged in the en8oyment o2 its o6n menta1 images and menta1 acti5ities3 and ab1e a1so to recei5e impressions thro4gh its astra1 co5ering3 and to change them into menta1 pict4res7 In this 6ay a man may gain 0no61edge 6hen o4t o2 the body3 and may s4bse>4ent1y impress it on the brain as a 5i5id dream or 5ision3 or 6itho4t this 1in0 o2 "Pa#e ,-% memory it may 2i1ter thro4gh into the brain?conscio4sness7 *c+ The astra1 body o2 a spirit4a11y de5e1oped man is composed o2 the 2inest partic1es o2 each s4bdi5ision o2 astra1 matter3 the higher 0inds 1arge1y predominating in amo4nt7 It is there2ore a bea4ti241 ob8ect in 14minosity and co1o4r3 h4es not 0no6n on earth sho6ing themse15es 4nder the imp41ses thro6n into it by the p4ri2ied mind7 The 6hee1s o2 2ire are no6 seen to deser5e their names3 and their 6hir1ing motion denotes the acti5ity o2 the higher senses7 $4ch a body is3 in the 2411 sense o2 the 6ords3 a 5ehic1e o2 Page G1

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

conscio4sness3 2or in the co4rse o2 e5o14tion it has been 5i5i2ied in e5ery organ and bro4ght 4nder the comp1ete contro1 o2 its o6ner7 When in it he 1ea5es the physica1 body there is no brea0 in conscio4sness A he mere1y sha0es o22 his hea5ier 5est4re3 and 2inds himse12 4nenc4mbered by its 6eight7 "e can mo5e any6here 6ithin the astra1 sphere 6ith immense rapidity3 and is no 1onger bo4nd by the narro6 terrestria1 conditions7 "is body ans6ers to his 6i113 re21ects and obeys his tho4ght7 "is opport4nities 2or ser5ing h4manity are th4s enormo4s1y increased3 and his po6ers are directed by his 5irt4e and his bene2icence7 The absence o2 gross partic1es in his astra1 body renders it incapab1e o2 responding to the promptings o2 1o6er ob8ects o2 desire3 and they t4rn a6ay 2rom him as beyond their attraction7 The 6ho1e body 5ibrates on1y in ans6er to the higher emotions3 his 1o5e has gro6n into de5otion3 his energy is c4rbed by patience7 .ent1e3 "Pa#e ,.% ca1m3 serene3 2411 o2 po6er3 b4t 6ith no trace o2 rest1essness3 s4ch a man Ba11 the $iddhis stand ready to ser5e7C *"ere the s]tt5ic g4na3 the >4a1ity o2 b1iss and p4rity in nat4re3 is predominant7 $iddhis are s4perphysica1 po6ers7+ The astra1 body 2orms the bridge o5er the g412 6hich separates conscio4sness 2rom the physica1 brain7 Impacts recei5ed by the sense organs and transmitted3 as 6e ha5e seen3 to the dense and etheric centres3 pass thence to the corresponding astra1 centres A here they are 6or0ed on by the e1ementa1 essence and are transm4ted into 2ee1ings 3 and are then presented to the inner man as ob8ects o2 conscio4sness3 the astra1 5ibrations a6a0ening corresponding 5ibrations in the materia1s o2 the menta1 body7 *$ee chapter I)3 on BThe (enta1 P1ane7C+ By these s4ccessi5e gradations in 2ineness o2 spirit?matter the hea5y impacts o2 terrestria1 ob8ects can be transmitted to the conscio4s entity A and3 in t4rn3 the 5ibrations set 4p by his tho4ghts can pass a1ong the same bridge to the physica1 brain and there ind4ce physica1 5ibrations corresponding to the menta17 This is the reg41ar norma1 6ay in 6hich conscio4sness recei5es impressions 2rom 6itho4t3 and in t4rn sends impressions o4t6ards7 By this constant passage o2 5ibrations to and 2ro the astra1 body is chie21y de5e1oped A the c4rrent p1ays 4pon it 2rom 6ithin and 2rom 6itho4t3 it e5o15es its organisation3 and s4bser5es its genera1 gro6th7 By this it becomes 1arger3 2iner in te@t4re3 more de2inite1y o4t1ined3 and more organised interior1y7 "Pa#e -0% Trained th4s to respond to conscio4sness3 it grad4a11y becomes 2it to 24nction as its separate 5ehic1e3 and to transmit to it c1ear1y the 5ibrations recei5ed direct1y 2rom the astra1 6or1d7 (ost readers 6i11 ha5e had some 1itt1e e@perience o2 impressions coming into conscio4sness 2rom 6itho4t3 that do not arise 2rom any physica1 impact3 and that are 5ery >4ic01y 5eri2ied by some e@terna1 occ4rrence7 These are 2re>4ent1y impressions that reach the astra1 body direct1y3 and are transmitted by it to the conscio4sness3 and s4ch impressions are o2ten o2 the nat4re o2 pre5isions 6hich 5ery >4ic01y pro5e themse15es to be tr4e7 When the man is 2ar progressed3 tho4gh the stage 5aries m4ch according to other circ4mstances3 1in0s are set 4p bet6een the physica1 and the astra13 the astra1 and menta13 so that conscio4sness 6or0s 4nbro0en1y 2rom one state to the other3 memory ha5ing in it none o2 the 1apses 6hich in the ordinary man interpose a period o2 4nconscio4sness in passing 2rom one p1ane to another7 The man can then a1so 2ree1y e@ercise the astra1 senses 6hi1e the conscio4sness is 6or0ing in the Page G/

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

physica1 body3 so that these en1arged a5en4es o2 0no61edge become an appanage o2 his 6a0ing conscio4sness7 Ob8ects 6hich 6ere be2ore matters o2 2aith becomes matters o2 0no61edge3 and he can persona11y 5eri2y the acc4racy o2 m4ch o2 the Theosophica1 teaching as to the 1o6er regions o2 the in5isib1e 6or1d7 When man is ana1ysed into Bprincip1es3C i.e73 into "Pa#e -/% modes o2 mani2esting 1i2e3 his 2o4r 1o6er princip1es3 termed the Z1o6er V4aternary3Z are said to 24nction on the astra1 and physica1 p1anes7 The 2o4rth princip1e is &]ma3 desire3 and it is the 1i2e mani2esting in the astra1 body and conditioned by it A it is characterised by the attrib4te o2 2ee1ing3 6hether in the r4dimentary 2orm o2 sensation3 or in the comp1e@ 2orm o2 emotion3 or in any o2 the grades that 1ie bet6een7 This is s4mmed 4p as desire3 that 6hich is attracted or repe11ed by ob8ects3 according as they gi5e p1eas4re or pain to the persona1 se127 The third princip1e is Pr]na3 the 1i2e specia1ised 2or the s4pport o2 the physica1 organism7 The second princip1e is the etheric do4b1e3 and the 2irst is the dense body7 These three 24nction on the physica1 p1ane7 In "7P7B1a5ats0yEs 1ater c1assi2ications she remo5ed both Pr]na and the dense physica1 body 2rom the ran0 o2 princip1es3 Pr]na as being 4ni5ersa1 1i2e3 and the dense physica1 body as being the mere co4nterpart o2 the etheric3 and made o2 constant1y changing materia1s b4i1t into the etheric matri@7 Ta0ing this 5ie63 6e ha5e the grand phi1osophic conception o2 the One %i2e3 the One $e123 mani2esting as man3 and presenting 5arying and transitory di22erences according to the conditions imposed on it by the bodies 6hich it 5i5i2iesA itse12 remaining the same in the centre3 b4t sho6ing di22erent aspects 6hen 1oo0ed at 2rom o4tside3 according to the 0inds o2 matter in one body or another7 In the physica1 body it is Pr]na3 energising3 contro11ing3 co?ordinating7 In the astra1 body it is "Pa#e -$% &]ma3 2ee1ing3 en8oying3 s422ering7 We sha11 2ind it in yet other aspects3 as 6e pass to higher p1anes3 b4t the 24ndamenta1 idea is the same thro4gho4t3 and it is another o2 those root?ideas o2 Theosophy3 6hich 2irm1y grasped3 ser5e as g4iding c14es in this most tang1ed 6or1d7 "Pa#e -&%

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CHAPTER III 234A O2A &_(A%O&A3 1itera11y the p1ace or habitat o2 desire3 is3 as has a1ready been intimated3 a part o2 the astra1 p1ane3 not di5ided 2rom it as a distinct 1oca1ity3 b4t separated o22 by the conditions o2 conscio4sness o2 the entities be1onging to it7 *The "ind4s ca11 this state Preta1o0a3 the habitat o2 Pretas7 A Preta is a h4man being 6ho has 1ost his physica1 body3 b4t is sti11 enc4mbered 6ith the 5est4re o2 his anima1 nat4re7 "e cannot carry this on 6ith him3 and 4nti1 it is disintegrated he is 0ept imprisoned by it7+ These are h4man beings 6ho ha5e 1ost their physica1 bodies by the stro0e o2 death3 and ha5e to 4ndergo certain p4ri2ying changes be2ore they can pass on to the happy and peace241 1i2e 6hich be1ongs to the man proper3 to the h4man so417 *The so41 is the h4man inte11ect3 the 1in0 bet6een the i5ine $pirit in man and his 1o6er persona1ity7 It is the Ego3 the indi5id4a13 the B I B3 6hich de5e1ops by e5o14tion7 In Theosophica1 par1ance3 it is (anas3 the Thin0er7 The mind is the energy o2 this3 6or0ing 6ithin the 1imitations o2 the physica1 brain3 or the astra1 and menta1 bodies+7 This region represents and inc14des the conditions described as e@isting in the 5ario4s he11s3 p4rgatories3 and intermediate states3 one or other o2 6hich is a11eged by a11 the great re1igions to be the temporary "Pa#e -'% d6e11ing?p1ace o2 man a2ter he 1ea5es the body and be2ore he reaches Bhea5en7C It does not inc14de any p1ace o2 eterna1 tort4re3 the end1ess he11 sti11 be1ie5ed in by some narro6 re1igionists being on1y a nightmare dream o2 ignorance3 hate and 2ear7 B4t it does inc14de conditions o2 s422ering3 temporary and p4ri2icatory in their nat4re3 the 6or0ing o4t o2 ca4ses set going in his earth?1i2e by the man 6ho e@periences them7 These are as nat4ra1 and ine5itab1e as any e22ects ca4sed in this 6or1d by 6rongdoing3 2or 6e 1i5e in a 6or1d o2 1a6 and e5ery seed m4st gro6 4p a2ter its o6n 0ind7 eath ma0es no sort o2 di22erence in a manEs mora1 and menta1 nat4re3 and the change o2 state ca4sed by passing 2rom one 6or1d to another ta0es a6ay his physica1 body3 b4t 1ea5es the man as he 6as7 The &]ma1o0ic condition is 2o4nd on each s4bdi5ision o2 the astra1 p1ane3 so that 6e may spea0 o2 it as ha5ing se5en regions3 ca11ing them the 2irst3 second3 third3 4p to the se5enth3 beginning 2rom the 1o6est and co4nting 4p6ards7 *O2ten these regions are rec0oned the other 6ay3 ta0ing the 2irst as the highest and the se5enth as the 1o6est7 It does not matter 2rom 6hich end 6e co4nt A and I am rec0oning 4p6ards to 0eep them in accord 6ith the p1anes and princip1es7+7 We ha5e a1ready seen that materia1s 2rom each s4bdi5ision o2 the astra1 p1ane enter into the composition o2 the astra1 body3 and it is a pec41iar rearrangement o2 these materia1s3 to be e@p1ained in a moment3 6hich separates the peop1e d6e11ing in one region 2rom those d6e11ing in another3 a1tho4gh those in the same region are ab1e to intercomm4nicate7"Pa#e -(% The regions3 being each a s4bdi5ision o2 the astra1 p1ane3 di22er in density3 and the density o2 the e@terna1 2orm o2 the &]ma1o0ic entity determines the region to 6hich he is 1imited A these di22erences o2 matter are the barriers that pre5ent passage 2rom one region to another A the peop1e d6e11ing in one can no more come into to4ch 6ith peop1e d6e11ing in another than a deep?sea 2ish can ho1d a con5ersation 6ith an eag1e < the medi4m necessary to the 1i2e o2 the one 6o41d be destr4cti5e to the 1i2e o2 the other7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

When the physica1 body is str4c0 do6n by death3 the etheric body3 carrying Pr]na 6ith it and accompanied by the remaining princip1es < that is3 the 6ho1e man3 e@cept the dense body < 6ithdra6s 2rom the Btabernac1e o2 21esh3C as the o4ter body is appropriate1y ca11ed7 A11 the o4tgoing 1i2e?energies dra6 themse15es in6ards3 and are Bgathered 4p by Pr]na3C their depart4re being mani2ested by the d411ness that creeps o5er the physica1 organs o2 the senses7 They are there3 4nin84red3 physica11y comp1ete3 ready to act as they ha5e a16ays been A b4t the Binner R41er3C is going3 he 6ho thro4gh them sa63 heard3 2e1t3 sme1t3 tasted3 and by themse15es they are mere aggregations o2 matter3 1i5ing indeed b4t 6itho4t po6er o2 percepti5e action7 $1o61y the 1ord o2 the body dra6s himse12 a6ay3 en6rapped in the 5io1et?grey etheric body3 and absorbed in the contemp1ation o2 the panorama o2 his past 1i2e3 6hich in the death ho4r ro11s be2ore him3 comp1ete in e5ery detai17 In that 1i2e?pict4re are "Pa#e -)% a11 the e5ents o2 his 1i2e3 sma11 and great A he sees his ambitions 6ith their s4ccess or 2r4stration3 his e22orts3 his tri4mphs3 his 2ai14res3 his 1o5es3 his hatreds A the predominant tendency o2 the 6ho1e comes c1ear1y o4t3 the r41ing tho4ght o2 the 1i2e asserts itse123 and stamps itse12 deep1y into the so413 mar0ing the region in 6hich the chie2 part o2 his post?mortem e@istence 6i11 be spent7 $o1emn the moment 6hen the man stands 2ace to 2ace 6ith his 1i2e3 and 2rom the 1ips o2 his past hears the presage o2 his 24t4re7 For a brie2 space he sees himse12 as he is3 recognises the p4rpose o2 1i2e3 0no6s that the %a6 is strong and 84st and good7 Then the magnetic tie brea0s bet6een the dense and etheric bodies3 the comrades o2 a 1i2etime are dis8oined3 and < sa5e in e@ceptiona1 cases < the man sin0s into peace241 4nconscio4sness7 V4ietness and de5otion sho41d mar0 the cond4ct o2 a11 6ho are gathered ro4nd a dying body3 in order that a so1emn si1ence may 1ea5e 4ninterr4pted this re5ie6 o2 the past by the departing man7 C1amoro4s 6eeping3 1o4d 1amentations3 can b4t 8ar and dist4rb the concentrated attention o2 the so413 and to brea0 6ith the grie2 o2 a persona1 1oss into the sti11ness 6hich aids and soothes him3 is at once se12ish and impertinent7 Re1igion has 6ise1y commanded prayers 2or the dying3 2or these preser5e ca1m and stim41ate 4nse12ish aspirations directed to his he1ping3 and these3 1i0e a11 1o5ing tho4ghts3 protect and shie1d7 $ome ho4rs a2ter death < genera11y not more than thirty?si@3 it is said < the man dra6s himse12 o4t o2 the "Pa#e -,% etheric body3 1ea5ing it in t4rn as a sense1ess corpse3 and the 1atter3 remaining near its dense co4nterpart3 shares its 2ate7 I2 the dense body be b4ried3 the etheric do4b1e 21oats o5er the gra5e3 s1o61y disintegrating3 and the 4np1easant 2ee1ings many e@perience in a ch4rchyard are 1arge1y d4e to the presence o2 these decaying etheric corpses7 I2 the body is b4rned3 the etheric do4b1e brea0s 4p >4ic01y3 ha5ing 1ost its nid4s3 its physica1 centre o2 attraction3 and this is one among many reasons 6hy cremation is pre2erab1e to b4ria13 as a 6ay o2 disposing o2 corpses7 The 6ithdra6a1 o2 the man 2rom the etheric do4b1e is accompanied by the 6ithdra6a1 2rom it o2 Pr]na3 6hich there4pon ret4rns to the great reser5oir o2 1i2e 4ni5ersa13 6hi1e the man3 ready no6 to pass into &]ma1o0a3 4ndergoes a rearrangement o2 his astra1 body3 2itting it 2or s4bmission to the p4ri2icatory changes 6hich are necessary 2or the 2reeing o2 the man himse127 *These changes res41t in the 2ormation o2 6hat is ca11ed by "ind4s the #]tan]3 or the s422ering body3 or in the case o2 5ery 6ic0ed men3 in 6hose astra1 bodies there is a preponderance o2 the coarser matter3 the hr45am3 or strong body+7 Page GH

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

4ring earth 1i2e the 5ario4s 0inds o2 astra1 matter interming1e in the 2ormation o2 the body3 as do the so1ids3 1i>4ids3 gases3 and ethers in the physica17 The change in the arrangement o2 the astra1 body a2ter death consists in the separation o2 these materia1s3 according to their respecti5e densities3 into a series o2 concentric she11s < the 2inest 6ithin3 the densest 6itho4t < each she11 "Pa#e --% being made o2 the materia1s dra6n 2rom one s4bdi5ision on1y o2 the astra1 p1ane7 The astra1 body th4s becomes a set o2 se5en s4perimposed 1ayers3 or a se5en?she11ed encasement o2 astra1 matter3 in 6hich the man may not inapt1y be said to be imprisoned3 as on1y the brea0ing o2 these can set him 2ree7 No6 6i11 be seen the immense importance o2 the p4ri2ication o2 the astra1 body d4ring earth?1i2eA the man is retained in each s4bdi5ision o2 &]ma1o0a so 1ong as the she11 o2 matter pertaining to that s4bdi5ision is not s422icient1y disintegrated to a11o6 o2 his escape into the ne@t7 (oreo5er3 the e@tent to 6hich his conscio4sness has 6or0ed in each 0ind o2 matter determines 6hether he 6i11 be a6a0e and conscio4s in any gi5en region3 or 6i11 pass tho4gh it in 4nconscio4sness3 B6rappedC in rosy dreams3C and mere1y detained d4ring the time necessary 2or the process o2 mechanica1 disintegration7 A spirit4a11y ad5anced man3 6ho has so p4ri2ied his astra1 body that its constit4ents are dra6n on1y 2rom the 2inest grade o2 each di5ision o2 astra1 matter3 mere1y passes thro4gh &]ma1o0a 6itho4t de1ay3 the astra1 body disintegrating 6ith e@treme s6i2tness3 and he goes on to 6hate5er may be his bo4rne3 according to the point he has reached in e5o14tion7 A 1ess de5e1oped man3 b4t one 6hose 1i2e has been p4re and temperate and 6ho has sat 1oose1y on the things o2 the earth3 6i11 6ing a 1ess rapid 21ight thro4gh &]ma1o0a3 b4t 6i11 dream peace2411y3 4nconscio4s o2 his s4rro4ndings3 as his menta1 body disentang1es itse12 2rom the astra1 she11s3 one a2ter the other3 to "Pa#e -.% a6a0en on1y 6hen he reaches the hea5en1y p1aces7 Others3 1ess de5e1oped sti113 6i11 a6a0en a2ter passing o4t o2 the 1o6er regions3 becoming conscio4s in the di5ision 6hich is connected 6ith the acti5e 6or0ing o2 the conscio4sness d4ring the earth?1i2e3 2or this 6i11 be aro4sed on recei5ing 2ami1iar impacts3 a1tho4gh these be recei5ed no6 direct1y thro4gh the astra1 body3 6itho4t the he1p o2 the physica17 Those 6ho ha5e 1i5ed in the anima1 passions 6i11 a6a0e in their appropriate region3 each man 1itera11y going Bto his o6n p1ace7C The case o2 men str4c0 s4dden1y o4t o2 physica1 1i2e by accident3 s4icide3 m4rder3 or s4dden death in any 2orm3 di22ers 2rom those o2 persons 6ho pass a6ay by 2ai14re o2 the 1i2e?energies thro4gh disease or o1d age7 I2 they are p4re and spirit4a11y minded they are specia11y g4arded3 and s1eep o4t happi1y the term o2 their nat4ra1 1i2e7 B4t in other cases they remain conscio4s < o2ten entang1ed in the 2ina1 scene o2 earth? 1i2e 2or a time3 and 4na6are that they ha5e 1ost the physica1 body < he1d in 6hate5er region they are re1ated to by the o4termost 1ayer o2 the astra1 body D their norma1 &]ma1o0ic 1i2e does not begin 4nti1 the nat4ra1 6eb o2 earth?1i2e is o4t?sp4n3 and they are 5i5id1y conscio4s o2 both their astra1 and physica1 s4rro4ndings7 One man 6ho had committed an assassination and had been e@ec4ted 2or his crime 6as said3 by one o2 "7P7B1a5ats0yEs Teachers3 to be 1i5ing thro4gh the scenes o2 the m4rder and the s4bse>4ent e5ents o5er and o5er again in &]ma1o0a3 e5er repeating his diabo1ica1 "Pa#e .0% act and going thro4gh the terrors o2 his arrest and e@ec4tion7

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A s4icide 6i11 repeat a4tomatica11y the 2ee1ings o2 despair and 2ear 6hich preceded his se12?m4rder3 and go thro4gh the act and the death?str4gg1e time a2ter time 6ith ghast1y persistence7 A 6oman 6ho perished in the 21ames in a 6i1d condition o2 terror and 6ith 2rantic e22orts to escape3 created s4ch a 6hir1s o2 passions that3 2i5e days a2ter6ards3 she 6as sti11 str4gg1ing desperate1y3 2ancying herse12 sti11 in the 2ire and 6i1d1y rep41sing a11 e22orts to soothe herD 6hi1e another 6oman 6ho3 6ith her baby on her breast3 6ent do6n beneath the 6hir1 o2 6aters in a raging storm3 6ith her heart ca1m and 2411 o2 1o5e3 s1ept peace2411y on the other side o2 death3 dreaming o2 h4sband and chi1dren in happy 1i2e1i0e 5isions7 In more ordinary cases3 death by accident is sti11 a disad5antage3 bro4ght on a person by some serio4s 2a41t3 *Not necessari1y a 2a41t committed in the present 1i2e7 The 1a6 o2 ca4se and e22ect 6i11 be e@p1ained in Chapter I,3 B&armaC+3 2or the possession o2 2411 conscio4sness in the 1o6er &]ma1o0ic regions3 6hich are c1ose1y re1ated to the earth3 is attended by many incon5eniences and peri1s7 The man is 2411 o2 a11 the p1ans and interests that made 4p his 1i2e3 and is conscio4s o2 the presence o2 peop1e and things connected 6ith them7 "e is a1most irresistib1y impe11ed by his 1ongings to try and in214ence the a22airs to 6hich his passions and 2ee1ings sti11 c1ing3 and is bo4nd to the earth 6hi1e he has 1ost a11 his acc4stomed organs o2 acti5ity A his on1y hope o2 "Pa#e ./% peace 1ies in reso14te1y t4rning a6ay 2rom earth and 2i@ing his mind on higher things3 b4t comparati5e1y 2e6 are strong eno4gh to ma0e this e22ort3 e5en 6ith the he1p a16ays o22ered them by 6or0ers on the astra1 p1ane3 6hose sphere o2 d4ty 1ies in he1ping and g4iding those 6ho ha5e 1e2t his 6or1d7 *These 6or0ers are discip1es o2 some o2 the great Teachers 6ho g4ide and he1p h4manity3 and they are emp1oyed in this specia1 d4ty o2 s4cco4ring so41s in need o2 s4ch assistance7+ Too o2ten s4ch s422erers impatient in their he1p1ess inacti5ity3 see0 the assistance o2 sensiti5es3 6ith 6hom they can comm4nicate and so mi@ themse15es 4p once more in terrestria1 a22airs A they sometimes see0 e5en to obsess con5enient medi4ms and th4s to 4ti1ise the bodies o2 others 2or their o6n p4rposes3 so inc4rring many responsibi1ities in the 24t4re7 Not 6itho4t occ41t reason ha5e Eng1ish ch4rchmen been ta4ght to pray D BFrom batt1e3 m4rder3 and from sudden death3 .ood %ord3 de1i5er 4s7C We may no6 consider the di5isions o2 &]ma1o0a one by one3 and so gain some idea o2 the conditions 6hich the man has made 2or himse12 in the intermediate state by the desires 6hich he has c41ti5ated d4ring physica1 1i2e A it being 0ept in mind that the amo4nt o2 5ita1ity in any gi5en Bshe11C < and there2ore his imprisonment in that she11 < depends on the amo4nt o2 energy thro6n d4ring earth?1i2e into the 0ind o2 matter o2 6hich that she11 consists7 I2 the 1o6est passions ha5e been acti5e3 the coarsest matter 6i11 be strong1y 5ita1ised and its amo4nt 6i11 a1so be re1ati5e1y 1arge7 This princip1e r41es thro4gh a11 &]ma1o0ic regions3 so that a man d4ring earth?1i2e can 84dge 5ery 2air1y as to the 24t4re 2or himse12 "Pa#e .$% that he is preparing immediate1y on the other side o2 death7 The 2irst or 1o6est3 di5ision is the one that contains the conditions described in so many "ind4 and B4ddhist $cript4res 4nder the name o2 Bhe11sC o2 5ario4s 0inds7 It m4st be 4nderstood that a man3 in passing into one o2 these states3 is not getting rid o2 the passions and 5i1e desires that ha5e 1ed him thither A these remain3 as part o2 his character3 1ying 1atent in the mind in a germina1 state3 to be thro6n Page G:

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

o4t6ards again to 2orm his passiona1 nat4re 6hen he is ret4rning to birth in the physica1 6or1d7 *$ee chapter )II3 on BReincarnationC+7 "is presence in the 1o6est region o2 &]ma1o0a is d4e to the e@istence in his 0]mic body o2 matter be1onging to that region3 and he is he1d prisoner there 4nti1 the greater part o2 that matter has dropped a6ay3 4nti1 the she11 composed o2 it is s422icient1y disintegrated to a11o6 the man to come into contact 6ith the region ne@t abo5e7 The atmosphere o2 this p1ace is g1oomy3 hea5y3 dreary3 depressing to an inconcei5ab1e e@tent7 It seems to ree0 6ith a11 the in214ences most inimica1 to good3 as in tr4th it does3 being ca4sed by the persons 6hose e5i1 passions ha5e 1ed them to this dreary p1ace7 A11 the desires and 2ee1ings at 6hich 6e sh4dder3 2ind here the materia1s 2or their e@pression A it is3 in 2act3 the 1o6est s14m3 6ith a11 the horrors 5ei1ed 2rom physica1 sight parading their na0ed hideo4sness7 "Pa#e .&% Its rep41si5eness is m4ch increased by the 2act that in the astra1 6or1d character e@presses itse12 in 2orm3 and the man 6ho is 2411 o2 e5i1 passions loo)s the 6ho1e o2 them A bestia1 appetites shape the astra1 body into bestia1 2orms3 and rep41si5e1y h4man anima1 shapes are the appropriate c1othing o2 br4ta1ised h4man so41s7 No man can be a hypocrite in the astra1 6or1d3 and c1oa0 2o41 tho4ghts 6ith a 5ei1 o2 5irt4o4s seeming A 6hate5er a man is that he appears to be in o4t6ard 2orm and semb1ance3 radiant in bea4ty i2 his mind be nob1e3 rep41si5e in hideo4sness i2 his nat4re be 2o417 It 6i11 readi1y be 4nderstood3 then3 ho6 s4ch Teachers as the B4ddha < to 6hose 4nerring 5ision a11 6or1ds 1ay open < sho41d describe 6hat 6as seen in these he11s in 5i5id 1ang4age o2 terrib1e imagery3 that seems incredib1e to modern readers on1y beca4se peop1e 2orget that3 once escaped 2rom the hea5y and 4np1astic matter o2 the physica1 6or1d3 a11 so41s appear in their proper 1i0enesses and 1oo0 84st 6hat they are 7 E5en in this 6or1d a degraded and besotted r422ian mo41ds his 2ace into most repe11ent aspect A 6hat then can be e@pected 6hen the p1astic astra1 matter ta0es shape 6ith e5ery imp41se o2 his crimina1 desires3 b4t that s4ch a man sho41d 6ear a horri2ying 2orm3 ta0ing on changing e1ements o2 hideo4snessF For it m4st be remembered that the pop41ation < i2 that 6ord may be a11o6ed < o2 this 1o6est region consists o2 the 5ery sc4m o2 h4manity3 m4rderers3 r422ians3 5io1ent crimina1s o2 a11 types3 dr4n0ards3 "Pa#e .'% pro21igates3 the 5i1est o2 man0ind7 None is here3 6ith conscio4sness a6a0e to its s4rro4ndings3 sa5e those g4i1ty o2 br4ta1 crimes3 or o2 de1iberate persistent cr4e1ty3 or possessed by some 5i1e appetite7 The on1y persons 6ho may be o2 a better genera1 type3 and yet 2or a 6hi1e be he1d here3 are s4icides3 men 6ho ha5e so4ght by se12?m4rder to escape 2rom the earth1y pena1ties o2 crimes they had committed3 and 6ho ha5e b4t 6orsened their position by the e@change7 Not a11 s4icides3 be it 4nderstood 3 2or se12?m4rder is committed 2rom many moti5es3 b4t on1y s4ch as are 1ed 4p to by crime and are then committed in order to a5oid the conse>4ences7 $a5e 2or the g1oomy s4rro4ndings and the 1oathsomeness o2 a manEs associates3 e5ery man here is the immediate creator o2 his o6n miseries7 !nchanged3 e@cept 2or the 1oss o2 the bodi1y 5ei13 men here sho6 o4t their passions in a11 their nati5e hideo4sness3 their na0ed br4ta1ity A 2411 o2 2ierce 4nsatiated appetites3 seething 6ith re5enge3 hatred3 1ongings a2ter physica1 ind41gences 6hich the 1oss o2 physica1 organs incapacitates them 2or en8oying3 they roam3 raging and ra5ening3 thro4gh this g1oomy region3 cro6ding ro4nd a11 2o41 resorts on earth3 ro4nd brothe1s and gin?pa1aces3 stim41ating their occ4pants to deeds o2 shame and 5io1ence3 see0ing opport4nities to obsess them3 and so to dri5e them into 6orse e@cesses7 The sic0ening atmosphere 2e1t ro4nd s4ch p1aces comes 1arge1y 2rom these earthbo4nd astra1 entities3 Page G9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

ree0ing 6ith 2o41 passions and "Pa#e .(% 4nc1ean desires7 (edi4ms < 4n1ess o2 5ery p4re and nob1e character < are specia1 ob8ects o2 attac03 and too o2ten the 6ea0er ones3 6ea0ened sti11 24rther by the passi5e yie1ding o2 their bodies 2or the temporary habitation o2 other e@carnate so41s are obsessed by these creat4res3 and are dri5en into intemperance or madness7 E@ec4ted m4rderers3 24rio4s 6ith terror and passionate re5enge241 hatred3 acting o5er again3 as 6e ha5e said3 their crime and recreating menta11y its terrib1e res41ts3 s4rro4nd themse15es 6ith an atmosphere o2 sa5age tho4ght?2orms3 and3 attracted to any one harbo4ring re5enge241 and 5io1ent designs3 they egg him on into the act4a1 commission o2 the deed o5er 6hich he broods7 $ometimes a man may be seen constant1y 2o11o6ed by his m4rdered 5ictim3 ne5er ab1e to escape 2rom his ha4nting presence3 6hich h4nts him 6ith a d411 persistency 3 try he e5er so eager1y to escape7 The m4rdered person3 4n1ess himse12 o2 a 5ery base type3 is 6rapped in 4nconscio4sness3 and this 5ery 4nconscio4sness seems to add a ne6 horror to its mechanica1 p4rs4it7 "ere a1so is the he11 o2 the 5i5isector3 2or cr4e1ty dra6s into the astra1 body the coarsest materia1s and the most rep41si5e combinations o2 the astra1 matter3 and he 1i5es amid the cro6ding 2orms o2 his m4ti1ated 5ictims < moaning3 >4i5ering3 ho61ing *they are 5i5i2ied3 not by the anima1 so41s b4t by e1ementa1 1i2e+ p41sing 6ith hatred to the tormentor < rehearsing his 6orst e@periments 6ith a4tomatic reg41arity3 conscio4s o2 a11 the horror3 and yet "Pa#e .)% imperio4s1y impe11ed to the se12?torment by the habit set 4p d4ring earth?1i2e7 It is 6e11 once again3 to remember3 ere >4itting this dreary region3 that 6e ha5e no arbitrary p4nishments in21icted 2rom o4tside3 b4t on1y the ine5itab1e 6or0ing o4t o2 the ca4ses set going by each person7 4ring physica1 1i2e they yie1ded to the 5i1est imp41ses and dre6 into3 b4i1t into3 their astra1 bodies the materia1s 6hich a1one co41d 5ibrate in ans6er to those imp41ses A this se12?b4i1t body becomes the prison ho4se o2 the so413 and m4st 2a11 into r4ins ere the so41 can escape 2rom it7 As ine5itab1y as a dr4n0ard m4st 1i5e in his rep41si5e soddened physica1 body here3 so m4st he 1i5e in his e>4a11y rep41si5e astra1 body there7 The har5est so6n is reaped a2ter its 0ind7 $4ch is the 1a6 in a11 the 6or1ds3 and it may not be escaped7 Nor indeed is the astra1 body there more re5o1ting and horrib1e than it 6as 6hen the man 6as 1i5ing 4pon earth and made the atmosphere aro4nd him 2etid 6ith his astra1 emanations7 B4t peop1e on earth do not genera11y recognise its 4g1iness3 being astra11y b1ind7 F4rther3 6e may cheer o4rse15es in contemp1ating these 4nhappy brothers o2 o4rs by remembering that their s422erings are b4t temporary3 and are gi5ing a m4ch?needed 1esson in the 1i2e o2 the so417 By the tremendo4s press4re o2 nat4reEs disregarded 1a6s they are 1earning the e@istence o2 those 1a6s3 and the misery that accr4es 2rom ignoring them in 1i2e and cond4ct7 The 1esson they 6o41d not 1earn "Pa#e .,% d4ring earth?1i2e3 6hir1ed a6ay on the torrent o2 14sts and desires3 is pressed on them here3 and 6i11 be pressed on them in their s4cceeding 1i5es3 4nti1 the e5i1s are eradicated and the man has risen into a better 1i2e7 Nat4reEs 1essons are sharp3 b4t in the 1ong r4n they are merci2413 2or they 1ead to the e5o14tion o2 the so41 and g4ide it to the 6inning o2 its immorta1ity7 %et 4s pass to a more cheer241 region7 The second di5ision o2 the astra1 6or1d may be said to be the astra1 do4b1e o2 the physica13 2or the astra1 bodies o2 a11 things and o2 many peop1e are 1arge1y composed Page G9

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o2 the matter be1onging to this di5ision o2 the astra1 p1ane3 and it is there2ore more c1ose1y in to4ch 6ith the physica1 6or1d than any other part o2 the astra17 The great ma8ority o2 peop1e ma0e some stay here3 and a 5ery 1arge proportion o2 these are conscio4s1y a6a0e in it7 These 1atter are 2o10 6hose interests 6ere bo4nd 4p in the tri5ia1 and petty ob8ects o2 1i2e3 6ho set their hearts on tri21es3 as 6e11 as those 6ho a11o6ed their 1o6er nat4res to r41e them3 and 6ho died 6ith the appetites sti11 acti5e and desiro4s o2 physica1 en8oyment7 "a5ing 1arge1y sent their 1i2e o4t6ards in these directions3 th4s b4i1ding their astra1 bodies 1arge1y o2 the materia1s that responded 5ery readi1y to materia1 impacts3 they are he1d by these bodies in the neighbo4rhood o2 their physica1 attractions7 They are most1y dissatis2ied3 4neasy3 rest1ess3 6ith more or 1ess s422ering according to the 5igo4r o2 the 6ishes they cannot grati2y A some e5en 4ndergo positi5e pain "Pa#e .-% 2rom this ca4se3 and are 1ong de1ayed ere these earth1y 1ongings are e@ha4sted7 (any 4nnecessari1y 1engthen their stay by see0ing to comm4nicate 6ith the earth3 in 6hose interests they are entang1ed3 by means o2 medi4ms3 6ho a11o6 them to 4se their physica1 bodies 2or this p4rpose3 th4s s4pp1ying the 1oss o2 their o6n7 From them comes most o2 the mere t6add1e 6ith 6hich e5ery one is 2ami1iar 6ho has had e@perience o2 p4b1ic spirit4a1istic s`ances3 the gossip and trite mora1ity o2 the petty 1odging?ho4se and sma11 shop < 2eminine3 2or the most part7 As these earth bo4nd so41s are genera11y o2 sma11 inte11igence3 their comm4nications are o2 no more interest? *to those a1ready con5inced o2 the e@istence o2 the so41 a2ter death+ <than 6as their con5ersation 6hen they 6ere in the body3 and < 84st as on earth < they are positi5e in proportion to their ignorance3 representing the 6ho1e astra1 6or1d as identica1 6ith their o6n 5ery 1imited area7 There as here D They thin0 the r4stic cac01e o2 their b4rgh The m4rm4r o2 the 6or1d7 It is 2rom this region that peop1e 6ho ha5e died 6ith some an@iety on their minds 6i11 sometimes see0 to comm4nicate 6ith their 2riends in order to arrange the earth1y matter that tro4b1es them A i2 they cannot s4cceed in sho6ing themse15es3 or in impressing their 6ishes by a dream on some 2riend3 they 6i11 o2ten ca4se m4ch annoyance by 0noc0ings and other noises direct1y intended to dra6 attention "Pa#e ..% or ca4sed 4nconscio4s1y by their rest1ess e22orts7 It is a charity in s4ch cases 2or some competent person to comm4nicate 6ith the distressed entity and 1earn his 6ishes3 as he may th4s be 2reed 2rom the an@iety 6hich pre5ents him 2rom passing on6ards7 $o41s3 6hi1e in this region3 may a1so 5ery easi1y ha5e their attention dra6n to the earth3 e5en a1tho4gh they 6o41d not spontaneo4s1y ha5e t4rned bac0 to it3 and this disser5ice is too o2ten done to them by the passionate grie2 and cra5ing 2or their be1o5ed presence by 2riends 1e2t behind on earth7 The tho4ght?2orms set 4p by these 1ongings throng ro4nd them3 and o2tentimes aro4se them i2 they are peace2411y s1eeping3 or 5io1ent1y dra6 their tho4ghts to earth i2 they are a1ready conscio4s7 It is especia11y in the 2ormer case that this 4n6itting se12ishness on the part o2 2riends on earth does mischie2 to their dear ones that they 6o41d themse15es be the 2irst to regret A and it may that the 0no61edge o2 the 4nnecessary s422ering th4s ca4sed to those 6ho ha5e passed thro4gh death may3 6ith some3 strengthen the binding 2orce o2 the re1igio4s precepts 6hich en8oin s4bmission to the di5ine 1a6 and the chec0ing o2 e@cessi5e and rebe11io4s grie27

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The third and 2o4rth regions o2 the &]ma1o0ic 6or1d di22er b4t 1itt1e 2rom the second3 and might a1so be described as etheria1ised copies o2 it3 the 2o4rth being more re2ined than the third3 b4t the genera1 characteristics o2 the three s4bdi5isions being 5ery simi1ar7 $o41s o2 some6hat more progressed "Pa#e /00% types are 2o4nd there3 and a1tho4gh they are he1d there by the encasement b4i1t by the acti5ity o2 their earth1y interests3 their attention is 2or the most part directed on6ards rather than bac06ards3 and3 i2 they are not 2orcib1y reca11ed to the concerns o2 earth?1i2e3 they 6i11 pass on 6itho4t 5ery m4ch de1ay7 $ti113 they are s4sceptib1e to earth1y stim41i3 and the 6ea0ening interest in terrestria1 a22airs may be rea6a0ened by cries 2rom be1o67 %arge n4mbers o2 ed4cated and tho4ght241 peop1e3 6ho 6ere chie21y occ4pied 6ith 6or1d1y a22airs d4ring their physica1 1i5es3 are conscio4s in these regions3 and may be ind4ced to comm4nicate thro4gh medi4ms3 and3 more rare1y3 see0 s4ch comm4nication themse15es7 Their statements are nat4ra11y o2 a higher type than those spo0en o2 as coming 2rom the second di5ision3 b4t are not mar0ed by any characteristics that render them more 5a14ab1e than simi1ar statements made by persons sti11 in the body7 $pirit4a1 i114mination does not come 2rom &]ma1o0a7 The 2i2th s4bdi5ision o2 &]ma1o0a o22ers many ne6 characteristics7 It presents a distinct1y 14mino4s and radiant appearance3 eminent1y attracti5e to those acc4stomed on1y to the d411 h4es o2 the earth3 and 84sti2ying the epithet astra13 starry3 gi5en to the 6ho1e p1ane7 "ere are sit4ated a11 the materia1ised hea5ens 6hich p1ay so 1arge a part in pop41ar re1igions a11 the 6or1d o5er7 The happy h4nting gro4nds o2 the Red Indian3 the )a1ha11a o2 the Norsemen3 the ho4ri?2i11ed paradise o2 the (4s1im3 the go1den "Pa#e /0/% 8e6e11ed?gated Ne6 Wer4sa1em o2 the Christian3 the 1yce4m?2i11ed hea5en o2 the materia1istic re2ormer3 a11 ha5e their p1aces here7 (en and 6omen 6ho c14ng desperate1y to e5ery B1etter that 0i11ethC ha5e here the 1itera1 satis2action o2 their cra5ings3 4nconscio4s1y creating in astra1 matter by their po6ers o2 imagination3 2ed on the mere h4s0s o2 the 6or1dEs $cript4res3 the c1o4d? b4i1t pa1aces 6hereo2 they dreamed7 The cr4dest re1igio4s be1ie2s 2ind here their temporary c1o4d?1and rea1isation3 and 1itera1ists o2 e5ery 2aith3 6ho 6ere 2i11ed 6ith se12ish 1ongings 2or their o6n sa15ation in the most materia1istic o2 hea5ens3 here 2ind an appropriate3 and to them en8oyab1e3 home3 s4rro4nded by the 5ery conditions in 6hich they be1ie5ed7 The re1igio4s and phi1anthropic b4sybodies3 6ho cared more to carry o4t their o6n 2ads and impose their o6n 6ays on their neighbo4rs than to 6or0 4nse12ish1y 2or the increase o2 h4man 5irt4e and happiness3 are here m4ch to the 2ore3 carrying on re2ormatories3 re24ges3 schoo1s3 to their o6n great satis2action3 and m4ch de1ighted are they sti11 to p4sh an astra1 2inger into an earth1y pie 6ith the he1p o2 a s4bser5ient medi4m 6hom they patronise 6ith 1o2ty condescension7 They b4i1d astra1 ch4rches and schoo1s and ho4ses3 reprod4cing the materia1istic hea5ens they co5eted A and tho4gh to 0eener 5ision their erections are imper2ect3 e5en pathetica11y grotes>4e3 they 2ind them a11? s422icing7 Peop1e o2 the same re1igions 21oc0 together and co?operate 6ith each other in 5ario4s 6ays3 so that comm4nities are 2ormed3 di22ering as 6ide1y 2rom each other "Pa#e /0$% as do simi1ar comm4nities on earth7 When they are attracted to the earth they see03 2or the most part3 peop1e o2 their o6n 2aith and co4ntry3 chie21y by nat4ra1 a22inity3 do4bt1ess3 b4t a1so beca4se barriers o2 1ang4age sti11 e@ist in &]ma1o0a A as Page H1

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may be noticed occasiona11y in messages recei5ed in spirit4a1istic circ1es7 $o41s 2rom this region o2ten ta0e the most 5i5id interest in attempts to estab1ish comm4nication bet6een this and the ne@t 6or1d3 and the Bspirit g4idesC o2 a5erage medi4ms come3 2or the most part3 2rom this and 2rom the region ne@t abo5e7 They are genera11y a6are that there are many possibi1ities o2 higher 1i2e be2ore them3 and that they 6i113 sooner or 1ater3 pass a6ay into 6or1ds 6hence comm4nication 6ith this earth 6i11 not be possib1e7 The si@th &]ma1o0ic region resemb1es the 2i2th3 b4t is 2ar more re2ined3 and is 1arge1y inhabited by so41s o2 a more ad5anced type3 6earing o4t the astra1 5est4re in 6hich m4ch o2 their menta1 energies had 6or0ed 6hi1e they 6ere in the physica1 body7 Their de1ay is here d4e to the 1arge part p1ayed by se12ishness in their artistic and inte11ect4a1 1i2e3 and to the prostit4tion o2 their ta1ents to the grati2ication o2 the desire? nat4re in a re2ined and de1icate 6ay7 Their s4rro4ndings are the best that are 2o4nd in &]ma1o0a3 as their creati5e tho4ghts 2ashion the 14mino4s materia1s o2 their temporary home into 2air 1andscapes and ripp1ing oceans3 sno6?c1ad mo4ntains and 2erti1e p1ains3 scenes that are o2 2airy?1i0e bea4ty compared 6ith e5en the most e@>4isite "Pa#e /0&% that earth can sho67 Re1igionists a1so are 2o4nd here3 o2 a s1ight1y more progressed 0ind than those in the di5ision immediate1y be1o63 and 6ith more de2inite 5ie6s o2 their o6n 1imitations7 They 1oo0 2or6ard more c1ear1y to passing o4t o2 their present sphere3 and reaching a higher state7 The se5enth3 the highest3 s4bdi5ision o2 &]ma1o0a3 is occ4pied a1most entire1y by inte11ect4a1 men and 6omen 6ho 6ere either prono4nced1y materia1istic 6hi1e on earth3 or 6ho are so 6edded to the 6ays in 6hich 0no61edge is gained by the 1o6er mind in the physica1 body that they contin4e its p4rs4it in the o1d 6ays3 tho4gh 6ith en1arged 2ac41ties7 One reca11s Char1es %ambEs dis1i0e o2 the idea that in hea5en 0no61edge 6o41d ha5e to be gained Bby some a606ard process o2 int4itionC instead o2 thro4gh his be1o5ed boo0s7 (any a st4dent 1i5es 2or 1ong years3 sometimes 2or cent4ries < according to "7P7B1a5ats0y < 1itera11y in the astra1 1ibrary3 conning eager1y a11 boo0s that dea1 6ith his 2a5o4rite s4b8ect3 and per2ect1y contented 6ith his 1ot7 (en 6ho ha5e been 0een1y set on some 1ine o2 inte11ect4a1 in5estigation3 and ha5e thro6n o22 the physica1 body3 6ith their thirst 2or 0no61edge 4ns1a0ed3 p4rs4e their ob8ect sti11 6ith 4n6earied persistence3 2ettered by their c1inging to the physica1 modes o2 st4dy7 O2ten s4ch men are sti11 sceptica1 as to the higher possibi1ities that 1ie be2ore them3 and shrin0 2rom the prospect o2 6hat is practica11y a second death < the sin0ing into 4nconscio4sness ere the so41 is born into the higher 1i2e o2 hea5en7 "Pa#e /0'% Po1iticians3 statesmen3 men o2 science3 d6e11 2or a 6hi1e in this region3 s1o61y disentang1ing themse15es 2rom the astra1 body3 sti11 he1d to the 1o6er 1i2e by their 0een and 5i5id interest in the mo5ements in 6hich they ha5e p1ayed so 1arge a part3 and in the e22ort to 6or0 o4t astra11y some o2 the schemes 2rom 6hich eath snatched them ere yet they had reached 2r4ition7 To a113 ho6e5er3 sooner or 1ater < sa5e to that sma11 minority 6ho d4ring earth?1i2e ne5er 2e1t one to4ch o2 4nse12ish 1o5e3 o2 inte11ect4a1 aspiration3 o2 recognition o2 something or some one higher than themse15es < there comes a time 6hen the bonds o2 the astra1 body are 2ina11y sha0en o223 6hi1e the so41 sin0s into brie2 4nconscio4sness o2 its s4rro4ndings3 1i0e the 4nconscio4sness that 2o11o6s the dropping o22 o2 the physica1 body3 to be a6a0ened by a sense o2 b1iss3 intense3 immense3 2athom1ess3 4ndreamed o23 the b1iss o2 the hea5en?6or1d3 o2 the 6or1d to 6hich by its o6n nat4re it be1ongs7

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%o6 and 5i1e may ha5e been many o2 its passions3 tri5ia1 and sordid many o2 its 1ongings3 b4t it had g1eams o2 a higher nat4re3 bro0en 1ights no6 and then 2rom a p4rer region3 and these m4st ripen as seeds to the time o2 their har5est3 and ho6e5er poor and 2e6 m4st yie1d their 2air ret4rn7 The man passes on to reap this har5est3 and to eat and assimi1ate its 2r4it7 *$ee Chapter )3 on e5achan+7 The astra1 corpse3 as it is sometimes ca11ed3 or the Bshe11C o2 the departed entity3 consists o2 the "Pa#e /0(% 2ragments o2 the se5en concentric she11s be2ore described3 he1d together by the remaining magnetism o2 the so417 Each she11 in t4rn has disintegrated3 4nti1 the point is reached 6hen mere scattered 2ragments o2 it remain A these c1ing by magnetic attraction to the remaining she11s3 and 6hen one a2ter another has been red4ced to this condition3 4nti1 the se5enth or innermost is reached and itse12 disintegrates3 the man himse12 escapes3 1ea5ing behind him these remains7 The she11 dri2ts abo4t 5ag4e1y in the 0]ma1o0ic 6or1d3 a4tomatica11y and 2eeb1y repeating its acc4stomed 5ibrations3 and as the remaining magnetism grad4a11y disperses3 it 2a11s into a more and more decayed condition3 and 2ina11y disintegrates comp1ete1y3 restoring its materia1s to the genera1 mass o2 astra1 matter3 e@act1y as does the physica1 body to the physica1 6or1d7 This she11 dri2ts 6here5er the astra1 c4rrents may carry it3 and may be 5ita1ised3 i2 not too 2ar gone3 by the magnetism o2 embodied so41s on earth3 and so restored to some amo4nt o2 acti5ity7 It 6i11 s4c0 4p magnetism as a sponge s4c0s 4p 6ater3 and 6i11 then ta0e on an i114sory appearance o2 5ita1ity3 repeating more 5igoro4s1y and 5ibration to 6hich it 6as acc4stomed A these are o2ten set 4p by the stim414s o2 tho4ghts common to the departed so41 and 2riends and re1ations on earth3 and s4ch a 5ita1ised she11 may p1ay >4ite respectab1y the part o2 a comm4nicating inte11igenceA it is ho6e5er3 disting4ishab1e < apart 2rom the 4se o2 astra1 5ision < by its a4tomatic repetitions o2 2ami1iar tho4ghts3 and by the "Pa#e /0)% tota1 absence o2 a11 origina1ity and o2 any traces o2 0no61edge not possessed d4ring physica1 1i2e7 W4st as so41s may be de1ayed in their progress by 2oo1ish and inconsiderate 2riends3 so may they be aided in it by 6ise and 6e11?directed e22orts7 "ence a11 re1igions3 6hich retain any traces o2 the occ41t 6isdom o2 their Fo4nders3 en8oin the 4se o2 Bprayers 2or the dead7C These prayers 6ith their accompanying ceremonies are more or 1ess 4se241 according to the 0no61edge3 the 1o5e3 and the 6i11po6er by 6hich they 6ere enso41ed7 They rest on that 4ni5ersa1 tr4th o2 5ibration by 6hich the 4ni5erse is b4i1t3 modi2ied3 and maintained7 )ibrations are set 4p by the 4ttered so4nds3 arranging astra1 matter into de2inite 2orms3 enso41ed by the tho4ght enshrined in the 6ords7 These are directed to6ards the &]ma1o0ic entity3 and3 stri0ing against the astra1 body3 hasten its disintegration7 With the decay o2 occ41t 0no61edge these ceremonies ha5e become 1ess and 1ess potent3 4nti1 their 4se241ness has a1most reached a 5anishing point7 Ne5erthe1ess they are sti11 sometimes per2ormed by a man o2 0no61edge3 and then e@ert their right241 in214ence7 (oreo5er3 e5ery one can he1p his be1o5ed departed by sending to them tho4ghts o2 1o5e and peace and 1onging 2or their s6i2t progress thro4gh the &]ma1o0ic 6or1d and their 1iberation 2rom astra1 2etters7 No one sho41d 1ea5e his BdeadC to go on a 1one1y 6ay3 4nattended by 1o5ing hosts o2 these g4ardian ange1 tho4ght?2orms3 he1ping them 2or6ard 6ith 8oy7 "Pa#e /0,%

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

CHAPTER I5 THE 4ENTA P ANE The menta1 p1ane3 as its name imp1ies3 is that 6hich be1ongs to conscio4sness 6or0ing as tho4ght A not o2 the mind as it 6or0s thro4gh the brain3 b4t as it 6or0s in its o6n 6or1d3 4nenc4mbered 6ith physica1 spirit?matter7 This 6or1d is the 6or1d o2 the rea1 man7 The 6ord BmanC comes 2rom the $ans0rit root BmanC and this is the root o2 the $ans0rit 5erb Bto thin03C so that man means thin)erA he is named by his most characteristic attrib4te3 inte11igence7 In Eng1ish the 6ord BmindC has to stand 2or the inte11ect4a1 conscio4sness itse123 and a1so 2or the e22ects prod4ced on the physica1 brain by the 5ibration o2 that conscio4sness A b4t 6e ha5e no6 to concei5e o2 the inte11ect4a1 conscio4sness as an entity3 an indi5id4a1 < a being3 the 5ibrations o2 6hose 1i2e are tho4ghts3 tho4ghts 6hich are images3 not 6ords7 This indi5id4a1 is (anas3 or the Thin0er A * eri5ed 2rom (anas is the technica1 name3 the m]nasic p1ane7 Eng1ished as Bmenta17C We might ca11 it the p1ane o2 the mind proper3 to disting4ish its acti5ities 2rom those o2 the mind 6or0ing in the 21esh7+ <he is the $e123 c1othed in the matter3 and 6or0ing 6ithin the conditions3 o2 the higher s4bdi5isions "Pa#e /0-% o2 the menta1 p1ane7 "e re5ea1s his presence on the physica1 p1ane by the 5ibrations he sets 4p in the brain and ner5o4s system A these respond to the thri11s o2 his 1i2e by sympathetic 5ibrations3 b4t in conse>4ence o2 the coarseness o2 their materia1 they can reprod4ce on1y a sma11 section o2 his 5ibrations and e5en that 5ery imper2ect1y7 W4st as science asserts the e@istence o2 a 5ast series o2 etheric 5ibrations3 o2 6hich the eye can on1y see a sma11 2ragment3 the so1ar 1ight spectr4m3 beca4se it can 5ibrate on1y 6ithin certain 1imits3 so can the physica1 tho4ght?apparat4s3 the brain and ner5o4s system3 thin0 on1y a sma11 2ragment o2 the 5ast series o2 menta1 5ibrations set 4p by the Thin0er in his o6n 6or1d7 The most recepti5e brains respond 4p to the point o2 6hat 6e ca11 the great inte11ect4a1 po6er A the e@ceptiona11y recepti5e brains respond 4p to the point o2 6hat 6e ca11 geni4s A the e@ceptiona11y 4nrecepti5e brains respond on1y 4p to the point 6e ca11 idiocy A b4t e5ery one sends beating against his brain mi11ions o2 tho4ght?6a5es to 6hich it cannot respond3 o6ing to the density o2 its materia1s3 and 84st in proportion to its sensiti5eness are the so?ca11ed menta1 po6ers o2 each7 B4t be2ore st4dying the Thin0er3 it 6i11 be 6e11 to consider his 6or1d3 the menta1 p1ane itse127 The menta1 p1ane is that 6hich is ne@t to the astra13 and is separated 2rom it on1y by di22erences o2 materia1s3 84st as the astra1 is separated 2rom the physica17 In 2act3 6e may repeat 6hat 6as said as to the astra1 and the physica1 6ith regard to the "Pa#e /0.% menta1 and the astra17 %i2e on the menta1 p1ane is more acti5e than on the astra13 and 2orm is more p1astic7 The spirit?matter o2 that p1ane is more high1y 5ita1ised and 2iner than any grade o2 matter in the astra1 6or1d7 The 41timate atom o2 astra1 matter has inn4merab1e aggregations o2 the coarsest menta1 matter 2or its encirc1ing sphere?6or1d3 so that the disintegration o2 the astra1 atom yie1ds a mass o2 menta1 matter o2 the coarsest 0inds7 !nder these circ4mstances it 6i11 be 4nderstood that the p1ay o2 the 1i2e?2orces on this p1ane 6i11 be enormo4s1y increased in acti5ity3 there being so m4ch 1ess mass to be mo5ed by them7 Page HG

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The matter is in constant cease1ess motion3 ta0ing 2orm 4nder e5ery thri11 o2 1i2e3 and adapting itse12 6itho4t hesitation to e5ery changing motion7 B(ind?st4223C as it has been ca11ed3 ma0es astra1 spirit?matter seem c14msy3 hea5y3 and 14stre1ess3 a1tho4gh compared 6ith the physica1 spirit?matter it is so 2airy?1ight and 14mino4s7 B4t the 1a6 o2 ana1ogy ho1ds good3 and gi5es 4s a c14e to g4ide 4s thro4gh this s4per astra1 region3 the region that is o4r birthp1ace and o4r home3 a1tho4gh3 imprisoned in a 2oreign 1and3 6e 0no6 it not3 and gaOe at descriptions o2 it 6ith the eyes o2 a1iens7 Once again here3 as on the t6o 1o6er p1anes3 the s4bdi5isions o2 the spirit?matter o2 the p1ane are se5en in n4mber7 Once again3 these 5arieties enter into co4nt1ess combinations3 o2 e5ery 5ariety o2 comp1e@ity3 yie1ding the so1ids3 1i>4ids3 gases3 and ethers o2 the menta1 p1ane7 The 6ord Bso1idC seems indeed abs4rd3 6hen spea0ing o2 e5en the most "Pa#e //0% s4bstantia1 2orms o2 mind?st422 A yet as they are dense in comparison 6ith other 0inds o2 menta1 materia1s3 and as 6e ha5e no descripti5e 6ords sa5e s4ch as are based on physica1 conditions3 6e m4st e5en 4se it 2or 1ac0 o2 a better7 Eno4gh i2 6e 4nderstand that this p1ane 2o11o6s the genera1 1a6 and order o2 Nat4re3 6hich is3 2or o4r g1obe3 the septenary basis3 and that the se5en s4bdi5isions o2 matter are o2 1essening densities3 re1ati5e1y to each other3 as the physica1 so1ids3 1i>4ids3 gases3 and ethers A the se5enth3 or highest3 s4bdi5ision being composed e@c14si5e1y o2 the menta1 atoms7 These s4bdi5isions are gro4ped 4nder t6o headings3 to 6hich the some6hat ine22icient and 4ninte11igib1e epithets B2orm1essC and B2ormC ha5e been assigned7 *Ar^pa3 6itho4t 2ormD r^pa3 2orm7 R^pa is 2orm3 shape3 body7 + The 1o6er 2o4r < the 2irst3 second3 third3 and 2o4rth s4bdi5isions < are gro4ped together as B6ith 2ormC A the higher three < the 2i2th3 si@th and se5enth s4bdi5isions < are gro4ped as B2orm1ess7C The gro4ping is necessary3 2or the distinction is a rea1 one3 a1tho4gh one di22ic41t to describe3 and the regions are re1ated in conscio4sness to the di5isions in the mind itse12 < as 6i11 appear more p1ain1y a 1itt1e 2arther on7 The distinction may perhaps be best e@pressed by saying that in the 1o6er 2o4r s4bdi5isions the 5ibrations o2 conscio4sness gi5e rise to 2orms3 to images or pict4res3 and e5ery tho4ght appears as a 1i5ing shape A 6hereas in the higher three3 conscio4sness3 tho4gh sti113 o2 co4rse3 setting 4p "Pa#e ///% 5ibrations3 seems rather to send them o4t as a mighty stream o2 1i5ing energy3 6hich does not body itse12 into distinct images 6hi1e it remains in this higher region3 b4t 6hich steps 4p a 5ariety o2 2orms a11 1in0ed by some common condition 6hen it r4shes into the 1o6er 6or1ds7 The nearest ana1ogy that I can 2ind 2or the conception I am trying to e@press is that o2 abstract and concrete tho4ghts A an abstract idea o2 a triang1e has no 2orm3 b4t connotes any p1ane 2ig4re contained 6ithin three right 1ines3 the ang1es o2 6hich ma0e t6o right ang1es A s4ch an idea3 6ith conditions b4t 6itho4t shape3 thro6n into the 1o6er 6or1d3 may gi5e birth to a 5ast 5ariety o2 2ig4res3 right?ang1ed3 isosce1es3 sca1ene3 o2 any co1o4r and siOe3 b4t a11 2i11ing the conditions < concrete triang1es each one 6ith a de2inite shape o2 its o6n7 The impossibi1ity o2 gi5ing in 6ords a 14cid e@position o2 the di22erence in the action o2 conscio4sness in the t6o regions is d4e to the 2act that 6ords are the symbo1s o2 images and be1ong to the 6or0ings o2 the 1o6er mind in the brain3 and are based 6ho11y 4pon those 6or0ings A 6hi1e the B2orm1essC region be1ongs to the P4re reason3 6hich ne5er 6or0s 6ithin the narro6 1imits o2 1ang4age7

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The menta1 p1ane is that 6hich re21ects the !ni5ersa1 (ind in Nat4re3 the p1ane 6hich in o4r 1itt1e system corresponds 6ith that o2 the .reat (ind in the &osmos7 *(ahat3 the Third %O.O$3 or i5ine Creati5e Inte11igence3 the Brahm] o2 the "ind4s3 the (and84sri o2 the Northern B4ddhists3 the "o1y $pirit o2 the Christians7+ In its higher regions e@ist a11 the archetypa1 ideas 6hich are no6 in co4rse o2 concrete e5o14tion3 and in its 1o6er the 6or0ing o4t o2 these "Pa#e //$% into s4ccessi5e 2orms3 to be d41y reprod4ced in the astra1 and physica1 6or1ds7 Its materia1s are capab1e o2 combining 4nder the imp41se o2 tho4ght 5ibrations3 and can gi5e rise to any combination 6hich tho4ght can constr4ct A as iron can be made into a spade 2or digging or into a s6ord 2or s1aying3 so can mind?st422 be shaped into tho4ght?2orms that he1p or in84re A the 5ibrating 1i2e o2 the Thin0er shapes the materia1s aro4nd him3 and according to his 5o1itions so is his 6or07 In that region tho4ght and action3 6i11 and deed3 are one and the same thing < spirit?matter here becomes the obedient ser5ant o2 the 1i2e3 adapting itse12 to e5ery creati5e motion7 These 5ibrations3 6hich shape the matter o2 the p1ane into tho4ght?2orms3 gi5e rise a1so 2rom their s6i2tness and s4bt1ety to the most e@>4isite and constant1y changing co1o4rs3 6a5es o2 5arying shades 1i0e the rainbo6 h4es o2 mother?o2?pear13 etheria1ised and brightened to an indescribab1e e@tent3 s6eeping o5er and thro4gh e5ery 2orm3 so that each presents a harmony o2 ripp1ing3 1i5ing3 14mino4s3 de1icate co1o4rs3 inc14ding many not e5er 0no6n to earth7 Words can gi5e no idea o2 the e@>4isite bea4ty and radiance sho6n in combinations o2 this s4bt1e matter3 instinct 6ith 1i2e and motion7 E5ery seer 6ho has 6itnessed it3 "ind43 B4ddhist3 Christian3 spea0s in rapt4ro4s terms o2 its g1orio4s bea4ty3 and e5er con2esses his 4tter inabi1ity to describe itA "Pa#e //&% 6ords seem b4t to coarsen and depra5e it3 ho6e5er de2t1y 6o5en in its praise7 Tho4ght?2orms nat4ra11y p1ay a 1arge part among the 1i5ing creat4res that 24nction on the menta1 p1ane7 They resemb1e those 6ith 6hich 6e are a1ready 2ami1iar in the astra1 6or1d3 sa5e that they are 2ar more radiant and more bri11iant1y co1o4red3 are stronger3 more 1asting3 and more 2411y 5ita1ised7 As the higher inte11ect4a1 >4a1ities become more c1ear1y mar0ed3 these 2orms sho6 5ery sharp1y de2ined o4t1ines3 and there is a tendency to a sing41ar per2ection o2 geometrica1 2ig4res accompanied by an e>4a11y sing41ar p4rity o2 14mino4s co1o4r7 B4t3 need1ess to say at the present stage o2 h4manity3 there is a 5ast preponderance o2 c1o4dy and irreg41ar1y shaped tho4ghts3 the prod4ction o2 the i11?trained minds o2 the ma8ority7 Rare1y bea4ti241 artistic tho4ghts are a1so here enco4ntered3 and it is 1itt1e 6onder that painters 6ho ha5e ca4ght3 in dreamy 5ision3 some g1impse o2 their idea13 o2ten 2ret against their incapacity to reprod4ce its g1o6ing bea4ty in earthEs d411 pigments7 These tho4ght?2orms are b4i1t o4t o2 the e1ementa1 essence o2 the p1ane3 the 5ibrations o2 the tho4ght thro6ing the e1ementa1 essence into a corresponding shape3 and this shape ha5ing the tho4ght as its in2orming 1i2e7 Th4s again 6e ha5e Barti2icia1 e1ementa1sC created in a 6ay identica1 6ith that by 6hich they come into being in the astra1 regions7 A11 that is said in Chapter II o2 their generation and o2 their importance may be repeated o2 those o2 the menta1 p1ane3 6ith here the additiona1 responsibi1ity on their creators o2 the greater 2orce and permanence be1onging "Pa#e //'% to those o2 this higher 6or1d7

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The e1ementa1 essence o2 the menta1 p1ane is 2ormed by the (onad in the stage o2 its descent immediate1y preceding its entrance into the astra1 6or1d3 and it constit4tes the second e1ementa1 0ingdom3 e@isting on the 2o4r 1o6er s4bdi5isions o2 the menta1 p1ane7 The three higher s4bdi5isions3 the B2orm1ess3C are occ4pied by the 2irst e1ementa1 0ingdom3 the e1ementa1 essence there being thro6n by tho4ght into bri11iant cor4scations3 co1o4red streams3 and 21ashes o2 1i5ing 2ire3 instead o2 into de2inite shapes3 ta0ing as it 6ere its 2irst 1essons in combined action3 b4t not yet ass4ming de2inite 1imitations o2 2orms7 On the menta1 p1ane3 in both its great di5isions3 e@ist n4mber1ess Inte11igences3 6hose 1o6est bodies are 2ormed o2 the 14mino4s matter and e1ementa1 essence o2 that p1ane < $hining ones 6ho g4ide the processes o2 nat4ra1 order3 o5er1oo0ing the hosts o2 1o6er entities be2ore spo0en o23 and yie1ding s4bmission in their se5era1 hierarchies to their great o5er1ords o2 the se5en E1ements7 *These are the Ar^pa and R^pa e5as o2 the "ind4s and the B4ddhists3 the B%ords o2 the hea5en1y and the earth1yC o2 the Uoroastrians3 the Archange1s and Ange1s o2 the Christians and (ahomedans+7 They are3 as may readi1y be imagined3 beings o2 5ast 0no61edge3 o2 great po6er3 and most sp1endid in appearance3 radiant3 21ashing creat4res3 myriad?h4ed3 1i0e rainbo6s o2 changing s4perna1 co1o4rs3 o2 state1iest mien3 "Pa#e //(% ca1m energy incarnate3 embodiments o2 resist1ess strength7 The description o2 the great Christian $eer 1eaps to mind3 6hen he 6rote o2 a mighty ange1D BA rainbo6 6as 4pon his head3 and his 2ace 6as imperia1 as it 6ere the s4n3 and his 2eet as pi11ars o2 2ire7* 9e%elation3 @3 1+7 As the so4nd o2 many 6atersC are their 5oices3 as echoes 2rom the m4sic o2 the spheres7 They g4ide nat4ra1 order3 and r41e the 5ast companies o2 the e1ementa1s o2 the astra1 6or1d3 so that their cohorts carry on cease1ess1y the processes o2 nat4re 6ith 4nde5iating reg41arity and acc4racy7 On the 1o6er menta1 p1ane are seen many Che1]s at 6or0 in their menta1 bodies3 *!s4a11y ca11ed (]y]5i R^pa3 or i114sory body3 6hen arranged 2or independent 24nctioning in the menta1 6or1d7+ ??? 2reed 2or a time 2rom their physica1 5est4res7 When the body is 6rapped in deep s1eep the tr4e man3 the Thin0er3 may escape 2rom it3 and 6or0 4ntramme11ed by its 6eight in these higher regions7 From here he can aid and com2ort his 2e11o6men by acting direct1y on their minds3 s4ggesting he1p241 tho4ghts3 p4tting be2ore them nob1e ideas3 more e22ecti5e1y and speedi1y than he can do 6hen encased in the body7 "e can see their needs more c1ear1y and there2ore can s4pp1y them more per2ect1y3 and it is his highest pri5i1ege and 8oy th4s to minister to his str4gg1ing brothers3 6itho4t their 0no61edge o2 his ser5ice or any ideas o2 theirs as to the strong arm that 1i2ts their b4rden3 or the so2t 5oice that 6hispers so1ace in their pain7 !nseen3 4nrecognised3 he 6or0s3 "Pa#e //)% ser5ing his enemies as g1ad1y and as 2ree1y as his 2riends3 dispensing to indi5id4a1s the stream o2 bene2icent 2orces that are po4red do6n 2rom the great "e1pers in higher spheres7 "ere a1so are sometimes seen the g1orio4s 2ig4res o2 the (asters3 tho4gh 2or the most part They reside on the highest 1e5e1 o2 the B2orm1essC di5ision o2 the menta1 p1ane A and other .reat Ones may a1so sometimes come hither on some mission o2 compassion re>4iring s4ch 1o6er mani2estation7 Comm4nication bet6een inte11igences 24nctioning conscio4s1y on this p1ane3 6hether h4man or non? h4man3 6hether in or o4t o2 the body3 is practica11y instantaneo4s3 2or it is 6ith Dthe Bspeed o2 tho4ght7C Barriers o2 space ha5e here no po6er to di5ide3 and any so41 can come into to4ch 6ith any one by mere1y directing his attention to him7 Page H:

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

Not on1y is comm4nication th4s s6i2t3 b4t it is a1so comp1ete3 i2 the so41s are at abo4t the same stage o2 e5o14tion A no 6ords 2etter and obstr4ct the comm4nion3 b4t the 6ho1e tho4ght 21ashes 2rom the one to the other3 or3 perhaps more e@act1y3 each sees the tho4ght as concei5ed by the other7 The rea1 barriers bet6een so41s are the di22erences o2 e5o14tion A the 1ess e5o15ed can 0no6 on1y as m4ch o2 the more high1y e5o15ed as his is ab1e to respond to A the 1imitation can ob5io4s1y be 2e1t on1y by the higher one3 as the 1esser has a11 that he can contain7 The more e5o15ed a so413 the more does he 0no6 o2 a11 aro4nd him3 the nearer does he approach to rea1ities A b4t the menta1 p1ane has a1so its 5ei1s o2 i114sion3 it m4st be remembered3 tho4gh they be 2ar 2e6er and thinner than those o2 the astra1 and the physica1 6or1ds7 Each so41 "Pa#e //,% has its o6n menta1 atmosphere3 and3 as a11 impressions m4st come thro4gh this atmosphere3 they are a11 distorted and co1o4red7 The c1earer and p4rer3 the atmosphere3 and the 1ess it is co1o4red by the persona1ity3 the 2e6er are the i114sions that can be2a11 it7 The three highest s4bdi5isions o2 the menta1 p1ane are the habitat o2 the Thin0er himse123 and he d6e11s on one or other o2 these3 according to the stage o2 his e5o14tion7 The 5ast ma8ority 1i5e on the 1o6est 1e5e13 in 5ario4s stages o2 e5o14tion A a comparati5e1y 2e6 o2 the high1y inte11ect4a1 d6e11 on the second 1e5e13 the Thin0er ascending thither < to 4se a phrase more s4itab1e to the physica1 than to the menta1 p1ane < 6hen the s4bt1er matter o2 that region preponderates in him3 and th4s necessitates the change A there is o2 co4rse3 no Bascending3C no change o2 p1ace3 b4t he recei5es the 5ibrations o2 that s4bt1er matter3 being ab1e to respond to them3 and he himse12 is ab1e to send o4t 2orces that thro6 its rare partic1es into 5ibration7 The st4dent sho41d 2ami1iarise himse12 6ith the 2act that rising in the sca1e o2 e5o14tion does not mo5e him 2rom p1ace to p1ace3 b4t renders him more and more ab1e to recei5e impressions7 8%ery s+here is around us3 the astra13 the menta13 the b4ddhic3 the nir5]nic3 and 6or1ds higher yet3 the 1i2e o2 the s4preme .od A 6e need not stir to 2ind them3 2or they are hereA b4t o4r d411 4nrecepti5ity sh4ts them o4t more e22ecti5e1y than mi11ions o2 mi1es o2 mere space7 We are "Pa#e //-% conscio4s on1y o2 that 6hich a22ects 4s3 6hich stirs 4s to responsi5e 5ibration3 and as 6e become more and more recepti5e3 as 6e dra6 into o4rse12 2iner and 2iner matter3 6e come into contact 6ith s4bt1er and s4bt1er 6or1ds7 "ence3 rising 2rom one 1e5e1 to another means that 6e are 6ea5ing o4r 5est4res o2 2iner materia1s and can recei5e thro4gh them the contacts o2 2iner 6or1ds A and it means 24rther that in the $e12 6ithin these 5est4res di5iner po6ers are 6a0ing 2rom 1atency into acti5ity3 and are sending o4t their s4bt1er thri11s o2 1i2e7 At the stage no6 reached by the Thin0er3 he is 2411y conscio4s o2 his s4rro4ndings and is in possession o2 the memory o2 his past7 "e 0no6s the bodies he is 6earing3 thro4gh 6hich he is contacting the 1o6er p1anes3 and he is ab1e to in214ence and g4ide them to a great e@tent7 "e sees the di22ic41ties3 the obstac1es3 they are approaching < the res41ts o2 past care1ess 1i5ing < and he sets himse12 to po4r into them energies by 6hich they may be better e>4ipped 2or their tas07 "is direction is sometimes 2e1t in the 1o6er conscio4sness as an imperio4s1y compe11ing 2orce that 6i11 ha5e its 6ay3 and that impe1s to a co4rse o2 action 2or 6hich a11 the reasons may not be c1ear to the Page H9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

dimmer 5ision ca4sed by the menta1 and astra1 garments7 (en 6ho ha5e done great deeds ha5e occasiona11y 1e2t on record their conscio4sness o2 an inner and compe11ing po6er3 6hich seemed to 1ea5e them no choice sa5e to do as they had done7 They 6ere then acting as the rea1 man A the Thin0ers3 that are the inner men3 "Pa#e //.% 6ere doing the 6or0 conscio4s1y thro4gh the bodies that then 6ere 2412i11ing their proper 24nctions as 5ehic1es o2 the indi5id4a17 To these higher po6ers a11 6i11 come as e5o14tion proceeds7 On the third 1e5e1 o2 the 4pper region o2 the menta1 p1ane d6e11 the Egos o2 the (asters3 and o2 the Initiates 6ho are Their Che1]s3 the Thin0ers ha5ing here a preponderance o2 the matter o2 this region in their bodies7 From this 6or1d o2 s4bt1est menta1 2orces the (asters carry on Their bene2icent 6or0 2or h4manity3 raining do6n nob1e idea1s3 inspiring tho4ghts3 de5otiona1 aspirations3 streams o2 spirit4a1 and inte11ect4a1 he1p 2or men7 E5ery 2orce there generated3 rays o4t in myriad directions3 and the nob1est3 p4rest so41s catch most readi1y these he1p241 in214ences7 A disco5ery 21ashes into the mind o2 the patient searcher into Nat4reEs secrets A a ne6 me1ody entrances the ear o2 the great m4sician A the ans6er to a 1ong st4died prob1em i114mines the inte11ect o2 a 1o2ty phi1osopher A a ne6 energy o2 hope and 1o5e s4224ses the heart o2 an 4n6earied phi1anthropist7 #et men thin0 that they are 1e2t 4ncared 2or3 a1tho4gh the 5ery phrases they 4se A Bthe tho4ght occ4rred to meA the idea came to meA the disco5ery 21ashed on me Z 4nconscio4s1y testi2y to the tr4th 0no6n to their inner se15es tho4gh the o4ter eyes be b1ind7 %et 4s no6 t4rn to the st4dy o2 the Thin0er and his 5est4res as they are 2o4nd in men on earth7 The body o2 the conscio4sness3 conditioning it in the 2o4r 1o6er s4bdi5isions o2 the menta1 p1ane < the menta1 body3 "Pa#e /$0% as 6e term it < is 2ormed o2 combinations o2 the matter o2 these s4bdi5isions7 The Thin0er3 the indi5id4a13 "4man $o41 < 2ormed in the 6ay described in the 1atter part o2 this chapter < 6hen he is coming into incarnation3 2irst radiates 2orth some o2 his energy in 5ibrations that attract ro4nd him3 and c1othe him in3 matter dra6n 2rom the 2o4r 1o6er s4bdi5isions o2 his o6n p1ane7 According to the nat4re o2 the 5ibrations are the 0inds o2 matter they attract A the 2iner 0inds ans6er the s6i2ter 5ibrations and ta0e 2orm 4nder their imp41se A the coarser 0inds simi1ar1y ans6er the s1o6er ones A 84st as a 6ire 6i11 sympathetica11y so4nd o4t a note < i.e73 a gi5en n4mber o2 5ibrations < coming 2rom a 6ire simi1ar in 6eight and tension to itse123 b4t 6i11 remain d4mb amid a chor4s o2 notes 2rom 6ires dissimi1ar to itse12 in these respects3 so do the di22erent 0inds o2 matter assort themse15es in ans6er to di22erent 0inds o2 5ibrations7 E@act1y according to the 5ibrations sent o4t by the Thin0er 6i11 be the nat4re o2 the menta1 body that he th4s dra6s aro4nd him3 and this menta1 body is 6hat is ca11ed the 1o6er mind3 the 1o6er (anas3 beca4se it is the Thin0er c1othed in the matter o2 the 1o6er s4bdi5isions o2 the menta1 p1ane and conditioned by it in his 24rther 6or0ing7 None o2 his energies 6hich are too s4bt1e to mo5e this matter3 too s6i2t 2or its response3 can e@press themse15es thro4gh it A he is there2ore 1imited by it3 conditioned by it3 restricted by it in his e@pression o2 himse127 It is the 2irst o2 his prison?ho4ses d4ring his incarnate 1i2e3 and 6hi1e his energies are acting "Pa#e /$/+ 6ithin it he is 1arge1y sh4t o22 2rom his o6n higher 6or1d3 2or his attention is 6ith the o4tgoing energies and his 1i2e is thro6n 6ith them into the menta1 body3 o2ten spo0en as a 5est4re3 or sheath3 or 5ehic1e < any e@pression 6i11 ser5e 6hich connotes the idea that the Thin0er is not the menta1 body3 b4t 2ormed it and 4ses it in order to e@press as m4ch o2 himse12 as he can in the 1o6er menta1 region7 Page H9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

It m4st not be 2orgotten that his energies3 sti11 p41sing o4t6ards3 dra6 ro4nd him a1so the coarser matter o2 the astra1 p1ane as his astra1 body A and d4ring his incarnate 1i2e the energies that e@press themse15es thro4gh the 1o6er 0inds o2 menta1 matter are so readi1y changed by it into the s1o6er 5ibrations that are responded to by astra1 matter that the t6o bodies are contin4a11y 5ibrating together3 and become 5ery c1ose1y inter6o5en A the coarser the 0inds o2 matter b4i1t into the menta1 body3 the more intimate becomes this 4nion3 so that the t6o bodies are sometimes c1assed together and e5en ta0en as one7* Th4s the Theosophist 6i11 spea0 o2 &Rma (anas3 meaning the mind as 6or0ing in and 6ith the desire nat4re3 a22ecting and a22ected by the anima1 nat4re7 The )edRntin c1asses the t6o together3 and spea0s o2 the $e12 as 6or0ing in the (anomaya0osha3 the sheath composed o2 the 1o6er mind3 emotions3 and passions7 The E4ropean psycho1ogist ma0es B2ee1ingsC one section o2 his tripartite di5ision o2 BmindC3 and inc14des 4nder 2ee1ings both emotions and sensations7+ When 6e come to st4dy Reincarnation 6e sha11 2ind this 2act ass4ming 5ita1 importance7 According to the stage o2 e5o14tion reached by "Pa#e /$$% the man 6i11 be the type o2 menta1 body he 2orms on his 6ay to become again incarnate3 and 6e may st4dy3 as 6e did 6ith the astra1 body3 the respecti5e menta1 bodies o2 three types o2 men < a+ an 4nde5e1oped man A b+ an a5erage man A c+ a spirit4a11y ad5anced man7 a+ In the 4nde5e1oped man the menta1 body is b4t 1itt1e perceptib1e3 a sma11 amo4nt o2 4norganised menta1 matter3 chie21y 2rom the 1o6est s4bdi5isions o2 the p1ane3 being a11 that represents it7 This is p1ayed on a1most entire1y 2rom the 1o6er bodies3 being set 5ibrating 2eeb1y by the astra1 storms raised by the contacts 6ith materia1 ob8ects thro4gh the sense organs7 E@cept 6hen stim41ated by these astra1 5ibrations it remains a1most >4iescent3 and e5en 4nder their imp41ses its responses are s14ggish7 No de2inite acti5ity is generated 2rom 6ithin3 these b1o6s 2rom the o4ter 6or1d being necessary to aro4se any distinct response7 The more 5io1ent the b1o6s3 the better 2or the progress o2 the man3 2or each responsi5e 5ibration aids in the embryonic de5e1opment o2 the menta1 body7 Rioto4s p1eas4re3 anger3 rage3 pain3 terror3 a11 these passions3 ca4sing 6hir16inds in the astra1 body3 a6a0en 2aint 5ibrations in the menta13 and grad4a11y these 5ibrations3 stirring into commencing acti5ity the menta1 conscio4sness3 ca4se it to add something o2 its o6n to the impressions made on it 2rom 6itho4t7 We ha5e seen that the menta1 body is so c1ose1y ming1ed 6ith the astra1 that they act as a sing1e body3 b4t the da6ning menta1 2ac41ties add to the astra1 passions a certain "Pa#e /$&% strength and >4a1ity not apparent in them 6hen they 6or0 as p4re1y anima1 >4a1ities7 The impressions made on the menta1 body are more permanent than those made on the astra13 and they are conscio4s1y reprod4ced by it7 "ere memory and the organ o2 imagination begin3 and the 1atter grad4a11y mo41ds itse123 the images 2rom the o4ter 6or1d 6or0ing on the matter o2 the menta1 body and 2orming its materia1s into their o6n 1i0eness7 These images3 born o2 the contacts o2 the senses3 dra6 ro4nd themse15es the coarsest menta1 matterA the da6ning po6ers o2 conscio4sness reprod4ce these images3 and th4s acc4m41ate a store o2 pict4res that begin to stim41ate action initiated 2rom 6ithin3 2rom the 6ish to e@perience again thro4gh the o4ter organs the 5ibrations that 6ere 2o4nd p1easant3 and to a5oid those prod4cti5e o2 pain7 Page MT

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The menta1 body then begins to stim41ate the astra13 and to aro4se in it the desires that3 in the anima13 s14mber 4nti1 a6a0ened by a physica1 stim414s A hence 6e see in the 4nde5e1oped man a persistent p4rs4it o2 sense?grati2ication ne5er 2o4nd in the 1o6er anima1s3 a 14st3 a cr4e1ty3 a ca1c41ation3 to 6hich they are strangers7 The da6ning po6ers o2 the mind3 yo0ed to the ser5ice o2 the senses3 ma0e o2 man a 2ar more dangero4s and sa5age br4te than any anima13 and the stronger and more s4bt1e 2orces inherent in the menta1?spirit4a1 matter 1end to the passion?nat4re an energy and a 0eenness that 6e do not 2ind in the anima1 6or1d7 B4t these 5ery e@cesses 1ead to their o6n correction by the s422erings 6hich they ca4se3 "Pa#e /$'% and these res41tant e@periences p1ay 4pon the conscio4sness and set 4p ne6 images on 6hich the imagination 6or0s7 These stim41ate the conscio4sness to resist many o2 the 5ibrations that reach it by 6ay o2 the astra1 body 2rom the e@terna1 6or1d3 and to e@ercise its 5o1ition in ho1ding the passions bac0 instead o2 gi5ing them 2ree rein7 $4ch resistant 5ibrations are set 4p in3 and attract to6ards3 the menta1 body3 2iner combinations o2 mind? st422 and tend a1so to e@pe1 2rom it the coarser combinations that 5ibrate responsi5e1y to the passiona1 notes set 4p in the astra1 body A by this str4gg1e bet6een the 5ibrations set 4p by passion?images and the 5ibrations set 4p by the imaginati5e reprod4ction o2 past e@periences3 the menta1 body gro6s3 begins to de5e1op a de2inite organisation3 and to e@ercise more and more initiati5e as regards e@terna1 acti5ities7 Whi1e the earth 1i2e is spent gathering e@periences3 the intermediate 1i2e is spent assimi1ating them3 as 6e sha11 see in detai1 in the 2o11o6ing chapter3 so that in each ret4rn to earth the Thin0er has an increased stoc0 o2 2ac41ties to ta0e shape as his menta1 body7 Th4s the 4nde5e1oped man3 6hose mind is the s1a5e o2 his passions3 gro6s into the a5erage man3 6hose mind is a batt1egro4nd in 6hich passions and menta1 po6ers 6age 6ar 6ith 5arying s4ccess3 abo4t ba1anced in their 2orces3 b4t 6ho is grad4a11y gaining the mastery o5er his 1o6er nat4re7 *b+ In the a5erage man3 the menta1 body is m4ch increased in siOe3 sho6s a certain amo4nt o2 organisation3 and contains a 2air proportion o2 matter "Pa#e /$(% dra6n 2rom the second3 third3 and 2o4rth s4bdi5isions o2 the menta1 p1ane7 The genera1 1a6 6hich reg41ates a11 the b4i1ding 4p and modi2ying o2 the menta1 body may here be 2it1y st4died3 tho4gh it is the same princip1e a1ready seen 6or0ing in the 1o6er rea1ms o2 the astra1 and physica1 6or1ds7 E@ercise increases3 dis4se atrophies and 2ina11y destroys7 E5ery 5ibration set 4p in the menta1 body ca4ses changes in its constit4ents3 thro6ing o4t o2 it3 in the part a22ected3 the matter that cannot 5ibrate sympathetica11y3 and rep1acing it by s4itab1e materia1s dra6n 2rom the practica11y i11imitab1e store aro4nd7 The more a series o2 5ibrations is repeated3 the more does the part a22ected by them increase in de5e1opment A hence3 it may be noted in passing3 the in84ry done to the menta1 body by o5er? specia1isation o2 menta1 energies7 $4ch mista0en direction o2 these po6ers ca4ses a 1opsided de5e1opment o2 the menta1 body A it becomes proportionate1y o5er de5e1oped in the region in 6hich these 2orces are contin4a11y p1aying and proportionate1y 4nde5e1oped in other parts3 perhaps e>4a11y important7 A harmonio4s and proportionate a11?ro4nd de5e1opment is the ob8ect to be so4ght3 and 2or this 6e need a ca1m se12?ana1ysis and a de2inite Page M1

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

direction o2 means to ends7 A 0no61edge o2 this 1a63 24rther e@p1ains certain 2ami1iar e@periences3 and a22ords a s4re hope o2 progress7 When a ne6 st4dy is commenced3 or a change in 2a5o4r o2 high mora1ity is initiated3 the ear1y stages are 2o4nd to be 2ra4ght 6ith di22ic41ties A sometimes the e22ort is e5en abandoned beca4se the "Pa#e /$)% obstac1es in the 6ay o2 its s4ccess appear to be ins4rmo4ntab1e7 At the beginning o2 any ne6 menta1 4nderta0ing3 the 6ho1e a4tomatism o2 the menta1 body opposes it A the materia1s habit4ated to 5ibrate in a partic41ar 6ay3 cannot accommodate themse15es to the ne6 imp41ses3 and the ear1y stage consists chie21y o2 sending o4t thri11s o2 2orce 6hich are 2r4strated3 so 2ar as setting 4p 5ibrations in the menta1 body are concerned3 b4t 6hich are the necessary pre1iminary to any s4ch sympathetic 5ibrations3 as they sha0e o4t o2 the body the o1d re2ractory materia1s and dra6 into it the sympathetic 0inds7 4ring this process3 the man is not conscio4s o2 any progressA he is conscio4s on1y o2 the 2r4stration o2 his e22orts and o2 the d411 resistance he enco4nters7 Present1y3 i2 he persists3 as the ne61y attracted materia1s begin to 24nction3 he s4cceeds better in his attempts3 and at 1ast3 6hen a11 the o1d materia1s are e@pe11ed and the ne6 are 6or0ing3 he 2inds himse12 s4cceeding 6itho4t an e22ort3 and his ob8ect is accomp1ished7 The critica1 time is d4ring the 2irst stage A b4t i2 he tr4st in the 1a63 as s4re in its 6or0ing as e5ery other 1a6 in Nat4re3 and persistent1y repeat his e22orts3 he must s4cceed A and a 0no61edge o2 this 2act may cheer him 6hen other6ise he 6o41d be sin0ing in despair7 In this 6ay3 then3 the a5erage man may 6or0 on3 2inding 6ith 8oy that as he steadi1y resists the promptings o2 the 1o6er nat4re he is conscio4s they are 1osing their po6er o5er him3 2or he is e@pe11ing 2rom his menta1 body a11 the materia1s that are capab1e o2 being thro6n "Pa#e /$,% into sympathetic 5ibrations7 Th4s the menta1 body grad4a11y comes to be composed o2 the 2iner constit4ents o2 the 2o4r 1o6er s4bdi5isions o2 the menta1 p1ane3 4nti1 it has become radiant and e@>4isite1y bea4ti241 2orm 6hich is the menta1 body o2 the < * c + $pirit4a11y de5e1oped man7 From this body a11 the coarser combinations ha5e been e1iminated3 so that the ob8ects o2 the senses no 1onger 2ind in it3 or in the astra1 body connected 6ith it3 materia1s that respond sympathetica11y to their 5ibrations7 It contains on1y the 2iner combinations be1onging to each o2 the 2o4r s4bdi5isions o2 the 1o6er menta1 6or1d3 and o2 these again the materia1s o2 the third and 2o4rth s4b?p1anes 5ery m4ch predominate in its composition o5er the materia1s o2 the second and 2irst3 ma0ing it responsi5e to a11 the higher 6or0ings o2 the inte11ect3 to the de1icate contacts o2 the higher arts3 to a11 the p4re thri11s o2 1o2tier emotions7 $4ch a body enab1es the Thin0er 6ho is c1othed in it to e@press himse12 m4ch more 2411y in the 1o6er menta1 region and in the astra1 and physica1 6or1ds A its materia1s are capab1e o2 a 2ar 6ider range o2 responsi5e 5ibrations3 and the imp41ses 2rom a 1o2tier rea1m mo41d it into nob1er and s4bt1er organisation7 $4ch a body is rapid1y becoming ready to reprod4ce e5ery imp41se 2rom the Thin0er 6hich is capab1e o2 e@pression on the 1o6er s4bdi5isions o2 the menta1 p1ane A it is gro6ing into a per2ect instr4ment 2or acti5ities in this 1o6er menta1 6or1d7 "Pa#e /$-% A c1ear 4nderstanding o2 the nat4re o2 the menta1 body 6o41d m4ch modi2y modern ed4cation3 and 6o41d ma0e it 2ar more ser5iceab1e to the Thin0er than it is at present7 The genera1 characteristics o2 this body Page M/

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

depend on the past 1i5es o2 the Thin0er on earth3 as 6i11 be thoro4gh1y 4nderstood 6hen 6e ha5e st4died Reincarnation and &arma7 The body is constit4ted on the menta1 p1ane3 and its materia1s depend on the >4a1ities that the Thin0er has garnered 6ithin himse12 as the res41ts o2 his past e@periences7 A11 that ed4cation can do is to pro5ide s4ch e@terna1 stim41i as sha11 aro4se and enco4rage the gro6th o2 the 4se241 2ac41ties he a1ready possesses3 and st4nt and he1p in the eradication o2 those that are 4ndesirab1e7 The dra6ing o4t o2 these inborn 2ac41ties3 and not the cramming o2 the mind 6ith 2acts3 is the ob8ect o2 tr4e ed4cation7 Nor need memory be c41ti5ated as a separate 2ac41ty3 2or memory depends on attention < that is on the steady concentration o2 the mind on the s4b8ect st4died < and on the nat4ra1 a22inity bet6een the s4b8ect and the mind7 I2 the s4b8ect be 1i0ed < that is3 i2 the mind has a capacity 2or it < memory 6i11 not 2ai13 pro5ided d4e attention be paid7 There2ore ed4cation sho41d c41ti5ate the habit o2 steady concentration3 o2 s4stained attention3 and sho41d be directed according to the inborn 2ac41ties o2 the p4pi17 %et 4s no6 pass into the B2orm1essC di5isions o2 the menta1 p1ane3 the region 6hich is manEs tr4e home d4ring the cyc1e o2 his reincarnations3 into 6hich "Pa#e /$.% he is born3 a baby so413 an in2ant Ego3 an embryonic indi5id4a1ity3 6hen he begins his p4re1y h4man e5o14tion7* $ee Chapters )II and )III3 on BReincarnationC+7 The o4t1ine o2 this Ego3 the Thin0er3 is o5a1 in shape3 and hence "7P7 B1a5ats0y spea0s o2 this body o2 (anas 6hich end4res thro4gho4t a11 his incarnations as the A4ric Egg7 Formed o2 the matter o2 the three highest s4bdi5isions o2 the menta1 p1ane3 it is e@>4isite1y 2ine3 a 2i1m o2 rarest s4bt1ety3 e5en at its 2irst inception A and3 as it de5e1ops3 it becomes a radiant ob8ect o2 s4perna1 g1ory and bea4ty3 the shining One3 as it has been apt1y named7 * This is the A4gaides o2 the Neo?P1atonists3 the Bspirit4a1 bodyC o2 $t7 Pa41+7 What is this Thin0erF "e is the di5ine $e123 as a1ready said3 1imited3 or indi5id4a1ised3 by this s4bt1e body dra6n 2rom the materia1s o2 the B2orm1essC region o2 the menta1 p1ane7 *The $e123 6or0ing in the )igny]namaya0osha3 the sheath o2 discriminati5e 0no61edge3 according to the )ed]ntic c1assi2ication+7 This matter < dra6n aro4nd a ray o2 the $e123 a 1i5ing beam o2 the one %ight and %i2e o2 the 4ni5erse < sh4ts o22 this ray 2rom its $o4rce3 so 2ar as the e@terna1 6or1d is concerned3 enc1oses it 6ithin a 2i1my she11 o2 itse123 and so ma0es it Ban indi5id4a17C The 1i2e is the %i2e o2 the %O.O$3 b4t a11 the po6ers o2 that %i2e are 1ying 1atent3 concea1ed A e5erything is there potentia11y3 germina11y3 as the tree is hidden 6ithin the tiny germ in the seed7 This seed is dropped into the "Pa#e /&0% soi1 o2 h4man 1i2e that its 1atent 2orces may be >4ic0ened into acti5ity by the s4n o2 8oy and the rain o2 tears3 and he 2ed by the 84ices o2 the 1i2e?soi1 that 6e ca11 e@perience3 4nti1 the germ gro6s into a mighty tree3 the image o2 its generating $ire7 "4man e5o14tion is the e5o14tion o2 the Thin0erA he ta0es on bodies on the 1o6er menta1 and astra13 and the physica1 p1anes3 6ears then thro4gh earth1y3 astra13 1o6er menta1 1i2e3 dropping them s4ccessi5e1y at the reg41ar stages o2 this 1i2e?cyc1e as he passes 2rom 6or1d to 6or1d3 b4t e5er storing 4p 6ithin himse12 the 2r4its he has gathered by their 4se on each p1ane7

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At 2irst3 as 1itt1e conscio4s as a babyEs earth1y body3 he a1most s1ept thro4gh 1i2e a2ter 1i2e3 ti11 the e@periences p1aying on him 2rom 6itho4t a6a0ened some o2 his 1atent 2orces into acti5ityA b4t grad4a11y he ass4med more and more part in the direction o2 his 1i2e3 4nti13 6ith manhood reached3 he too0 his 1i2e into his o6n hands3 and an e5er?increasing contro1 o5er his 24t4re destiny7 The gro6th o2 the permanent body 6hich3 6ith the di5ine conscio4sness3 2orms the Thin0er is e@treme1y s1o67 Its technica1 name is the ca4sa1 body3 beca4se he gathers 4p 6ithin it the res41ts o2 a11 e@periences3 and these act as ca4ses3 mo41ding 24t4re 1i5es7 It is the on1y permanent one among the bodies d4ring incarnation3 the menta13 the astra13 and physica1 bodies being reconstit4ted 2or each 2resh 1i2e A as each perishes in t4rn3 it hands on its har5est to the one abo5e it3 and th4s a11 the har5ests are 2ina11y stored in the permanent body A 6hen the "Pa#e /&/% Thin0er ret4rns to incarnation he sends o4t his energies3 constit4ted o2 these har5ests3 on each s4ccessi5e p1ane3 and th4s dra6s ro4nd him a ane6 body a2ter body s4itab1e to his past7 The gro6th o2 the ca4sa1 body itse123 as said3 is 5ery s1o63 2or it can 5ibrate on1y in ans6er to imp41ses that can be e@pressed in the 5ery s4bt1e matter o2 6hich it is composed3 th4s 6ea5ing them into the te@t4re o2 its being7 "ence the passions3 6hich p1ay so 1arge a part in the ear1y stages o2 h4man e5o14tion3 cannot direct1y a22ect its gro6th7 The Thin0er can 6or0 into himse12 on1y the e@periences that can be reprod4ced in the 5ibrations o2 the ca4sa1 body3 and these m4st be1ong to the menta1 region3 and be high1y inte11ect4a1 or 1o2ti1y mora1 in their character A other 6ise its s4bt1e matter can gi5e no sympathetic 5ibration in ans6er7 A 5ery 1itt1e re21ection 6i11 con5ince any one ho6 1itt1e materia13 s4itab1e 2or the gro6th o2 this 1o2ty body3 he a22ords by his dai1y 1i2e A hence the s1o6ness o2 e5o14tion3 the 1itt1e progress made7 The Thin0er sho41d ha5e more o2 himse12 to p4t o4t in each s4ccessi5e 1i2e3 and3 6hen this is the case3 e5o14tion goes s6i2t1y 2or6ard7 Persistence in e5i1 co4rses reacts in a 0ind o2 indirect 6ay on the ca4sa1 body3 and does more harm than the mere retardation o2 gro6th A it seems a2ter a 1ong time to ca4se a certain incapacity to respond to the 5ibrations set 4p by the opposite good3 and th4s to de1ay gro6th 2or a considerab1e period a2ter the e5i1 has been reno4nced7 irect1y to in84re the ca4sa1 body3 e5i1 o2 a high1y inte11ect4a1 and "Pa#e /&$% re2ined 0ind is necessary3 the Bspirit4a1 e5i1C mentioned in the 5ario4s $cript4res o2 the 6or1d7 This is 2ort4nate1y rare3 rare as spirit4a1 good3 and 2o4nd on1y among the high1y progressed3 6hether they be 2o11o6ing the Right?hand or the %e2t? hand Path7 *The Right?hand Path is that 6hich 1eads to di5ine manhood3 to Adeptship 4sed in the ser5ice o2 the 6or1ds7 The %e2t?hand Path is that 6hich a1so 1eads to Adeptship3 b4t to Adeptship that is 4sed to 2r4strate the progress o2 e5o14tion and is t4rned to se12ish indi5id4a1 ends7 They are sometimes ca11ed the White and B1ac0 Paths respecti5e1y7+ The habitat o2 the Thin0er3 o2 the Eterna1 (an3 is on the 2i2th s4bp1ane3 the 1o6est 1e5e1 o2 the B2orm1essC region o2 the menta1 p1ane7 The great masses o2 man0ind are here3 scarce yet a6a0e3 sti11 in the in2ancy o2 their 1i2e7 The Thin0er de5e1ops conscio4sness s1o61y3 as his energies3 p1aying on the 1o6er p1anes3 there gather e@perience3 6hich is indra6n 6ith these energies as they ret4rn to him treas4re?1aden 6ith the har5est o2 1i2e7 This eterna1 (an3 the indi5id4a1ised $e123 is the actor in e5ery body that he 6ears A it is his presence that gi5es the 2ee1ing o2 B I B a1i0e to body and mind3 the B I B being that 6hich is se12? conscio4s and 6hich3 by i114sion3 identi2ies itse12 6ith that 5ehic1e in 6hich it is most acti5e1y energising7 Page MG

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To the man o2 the senses the B I B is the physica1 body and the desire nat4re A he dra6s 2rom these his en8oyment3 and he thin0s o2 these as himse123 2or his 1i2e is in them7 To the scho1ar the B I B is the mind3 2or in its e@ercise 1ies his 8oy and therein his 1i2e is concentrated7 "Pa#e /&&+ Fe6 can rise to the abstract heights o2 spirit4a1 phi1osophy3 and 2ee1 this Eterna1 (an as B I B3 6ith memory ranging bac0 o5er past 1i5es and hopes ranging 2or6ard o5er 24t4re births7 The physio1ogists te11 4s that i2 6e c4t the 2inger 6e do not rea11y 2ee1 the pain there 6here the b1ood is 21o6ing3 b4t that pain is 2e1t in the brain3 and is by imagination thro6n o4t6ards to the p1ace o2 the in84ry A the 2ee1ing o2 pain in the fin!er is3 they say an i114sion A it is p4t by imagination at the point o2 contact 6ith the ob8ect ca4sing the in84ry A so a1so 6i11 a man 2ee1 pain in an amp4tated 1imb3 or rather in the space the 1imb 4sed to occ4py7 $imi1ar1y does the one B I B3 the Inner (an3 2ee1 s422ering and 8oy in the sheaths 6hich en6rap him3 at the points o2 contact 6ith the e@terna1 6or1d3 and 2ee1s the sheath to be himse123 0no6ing not that this 2ee1ing is an i114sion3 and that he is the so1e actor and e@periencer in each sheath7 %et 4s no6 consider3 in this 1ight3 the re1ations bet6een the higher and 1o6er mind and their action on the brain7 The mind3 (anas3 the Thin0er3 is one3 and is the $e12 in the ca4sa1 bodyA it is the so4rce o2 inn4merab1e energies3 o2 5ibrations o2 inn4merab1e 0inds7 These it sends o4t3 raying o4t6ards 2rom itse127 The s4bt1est and 2inest o2 these are e@pressed in the matter o2 the ca4sa1 body3 6hich a1one is 2ine eno4gh to respond to them A they 2orm 6hat 6e ca11 the P4re Reason3 6hose tho4ghts are abstract3 6hose method o2 gaining 0no61edge is int4ition A its 5ery Bnat4re is 0no61edge3C and it recognises tr4th at sight as congr4o4s 6ith itse127 "Pa#e /&'% %ess s4bt1e 5ibrations pass o4t6ards3 attracting the matter o2 the 1o6er menta1 region3 and these are the %o6er (anas3 or 1o6er mind < the coarser energies o2 the higher e@pressed in denser matter A these 6e ca11 the inte11ect3 comprising reason3 84dgement3 imagination3 comparison3 and the other menta1 2ac41ties A its tho4ghts are concrete3 and its method is 1ogic A it arg4es3 it reasons3 it in2ers7 These 5ibrations3 acting thro4gh astra1 matter on the etheric brain3 and by that on the dense physica1 brain3 set 4p 5ibrations therein3 6hich are the hea5y and s1o6 reprod4ctions o2 themse15es < hea5y and s1o63 beca4se the energies 1ose m4ch o2 their s6i2tness in mo5ing the hea5ier matter7 This 2eeb1eness o2 response 6hen a 5ibration is initiated in a rare medi4m and then passes into a dense one is 2ami1iar to e5ery st4dent o2 physics7 $tri0e a be11 in air and it so4nds c1ear1y A stri0e it in hydrogen3 and 1et the hydrogen 5ibrations ha5e to set 4p the atmospheric 6a5es3 and ho6 2aint the res41t7 E>4a11y 2eeb1e are the 6or0ings o2 the brain in response to the s6i2t and s4bt1e impacts o2 the mind A yet that is a11 that the 5ast ma8ority 0no6 as their Bconscio4sness7C The immense importance o2 the menta1 6or0ings o2 this Bconscio4snessC is d4e to the 2act that it is the on1y medi4m 6hereby the Thin0er can gather the har5est o2 e@perience by 6hich he gro6s7 Whi1e it is dominated by the passions it r4ns riot3 and he is 1e2t 4nno4rished and there2ore 4nab1e to de5e1op A 6hi1e it is occ4pied 6ho11y in menta1 acti5ities concerned 6ith the o4ter 6or1d3 it can aro4se on1y his 1o6er energiesA "Pa#e /&(% on1y as he is ab1e to impress on it the tr4e ob8ect o2 its 1i2e3 does it commence to 2412i1 its most 5a14ab1e 24nctions o2 gathering 6hat 6i11 aro4se and no4rish his higher energies7 As the Thin0er de5e1ops he becomes more and more conscio4s o2 his o6n inherent po6ers3 and a1so o2 Page MH

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the 6or0ings o2 his energies on the 1o6er p1anes3 o2 the bodies 6hich those energies ha5e dra6n aro4nd him7 "e at 1ast begins to try to in214ence them3 4sing his memory o2 the past to g4ide his 6i113 and these impressions 6e ca11 BconscienceC 6hen they dea1 6ith mora1s and B21ashes o2 int4ition B 6hen they en1ighten the inte11ect7 When these impressions are contin4o4s eno4gh to be norma13 6e spea0 o2 their aggregate as Bgeni4s7C The higher e5o14tion o2 the Thin0er is mar0ed by his increasing contro1 o5er his 1o6er 5ehic1es3 by their increasing s4sceptibi1ity to his in214ence3 and their increasing contrib4tions to gro6th7 Those 6ho 6o41d de1iberate1y aid in this e5o14tion may do so by a care241 training o2 the 1o6er mind and o2 the mora1 character3 by steady and 6e11 directed e22ort7 The habit o2 >4iet3 s4stained3 and se>4entia1 tho4ght3 directed to non?6or1d1y s4b8ects3 o2 meditation3 o2 st4dy3 de5e1ops the mind?body and renders it a better instr4ment A the e22ort to c41ti5ate abstract thin0ing is a1so 4se2413 as this raises the 1o6er mind to6ards the higher3 and dra6s into it the s4bt1est materia1s o2 the 1o6er menta1 p1ane7 In these and cognate 6ays a11 may acti5e1y co?operate in their o6n higher e5o14tion3 each step 2or6ard ma0ing the "Pa#e /&)% s4cceeding steps more rapid7 No e22ort3 not e5en the sma11est3 is 1ost3 b4t is 2o11o6ed by its 2411 e22ect3 and e5ery contrib4tion gathered and handed in6ards is stored in the treas4re? ho4se o2 the ca4sa1 body 2or 24t4re 4se7 Th4s e5o14tion3 ho6e5er s1o6 and ha1ting3 is yet e5er on6ards3 and the di5ine %i2e3 e5er 4n2o1ding in e5ery so413 s1o61y s4bd4es a11 things to itse127 "Pa#e /&,%

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CHAPTER 5 DE5ACHAN The 6ord e5achan is the theosophica1 name 2or hea5en3 and3 1itera11y trans1ated3 means the shining 1and3 or the %and o2 the .ods7 * e5asthan3 the p1ace o2 the .ods3 is the $ans0rit e>4i5a1ent7 It is the $5arga o2 the "ind4s A the $40h]5ati o2 the B4ddhists A the "ea5en o2 the Uoroastrians and Christians3 and o2 the 1ess materia1ised among the (ohammedans+7 It is a specia11y g4arded part o2 the menta1 p1ane3 6hence a11 sorro6 and a11 e5i1 are e@c14ded by the action o2 the great spirit4a1 Inte11igences 6ho s4perintend h4man e5o14tion A and it is inhabited by h4man beings 6ho ha5e cast o22 their physica1 and astra1 bodies3 and 6ho pass into it 6hen their stay in &]ma1o0a is comp1eted7 The de5achanic 1i2e consists o2 t6o stages3 o2 6hich the 2irst is passed in the 2o4r 1o6er s4bdi5isions o2 the menta1 p1ane3 in 6hich the Thin0er sti11 6ears the menta1 body and is conditioned by it3 being emp1oyed in assimi1ating the materia1s gathered by it d4ring the earth?1i2e 2rom 6hich he has 84st emerged7 The second stage is spent in the B2orm1ess 6or1d3C the Thin0er escaping 2rom the menta1 body3 and 1i5ing in his o6n 4nenc4mbered "Pa#e /&-% 1i2e in the 2411 meas4re o2 the se12?conscio4sness and 0no61edge to 6hich he has attained7 The tota1 1ength o2 time spent in e5achan depends 4pon the amo4nt o2 materia1 2or the de5achanic 1i2e 6hich the so41 has bro4ght 6ith it 2rom its 1i2e on earth7 The har5est o2 the 2r4it 2or cons4mption and assimi1ation in e5achan consists o2 a11 the p4re tho4ghts and emotions generated d4ring earth?1i2e3 a11 the inte11ect4a1 and mora1 e22orts and aspirations3 a11 the memories o2 4se241 6or0 and p1ans 2or h4man ser5ice < e5erything 6hich is capab1e o2 being 6or0ed into menta1 and mora1 2ac41ty3 th4s assisting in the e5o14tion o2 the so417 Not one is 1ost3 ho6e5er 2eeb1e3 ho6e5er 21eeting A b4t se12ish anima1 passions cannot enter3 there being no materia1 in 6hich they can be e@pressed7 Nor does a11 the e5i1 in the past 1i2e3 tho4gh it may 1arge1y preponderate o5er the good3 pre5ent the 2411 reaping o2 6hate5er scant har5est o2 good there may ha5e been A the scantiness o2 the har5est may render the de5achanic 1i2e 5ery brie23 b4t the most depra5ed3 i2 he has had any 2aint 1ongings a2ter the right3 any stirrings o2 tenderness3 m4st ha5e a period o2 de5achanic 1i2e in 6hich the seed o2 good may p4t 2orth its tender shoots3 in 6hich the spar0 o2 good may be gent1y 2anned into a tiny 21ame7 In the past3 6hen men 1i5ed 6ith their hearts 1arge1y 2i@ed on hea5en and directed their 1i5es 6ith a 5ie6 to en8oying its b1iss3 the period spent in e5achan 6as 5ery 1ong3 1asting sometimes 2or many tho4sands o2 years A at the present time3 menEs minds "Pa#e /&.% being so m4ch more centred on earth3 and so 2e6 o2 their tho4ghts comparati5e1y being directed to6ards the higher 1i2e3 their de5achanic periods are corresponding1y shortened7 $imi1ar1y3 the time spent in the higher and 1o6er regions o2 the menta1 p1ane * Ca11ed technica11y the Ar^pa and R^pa e5achan < e@isting on the ar^pa and r^pa 1e5e1s o2 the menta1 p1ane + respecti5e1y is proportionate to the amo4nt o2 tho4ght generated se5era11y in the menta1 and ca4sa1 bodies A A11 the tho4ghts be1onging to the persona1 se123 to the 1i2e 84st c1osed < 6ith a11 its ambitions3 interests3 1o5es3 Page M:

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

hopes3 and 2ears < a11 these ha5e their 2r4ition in the e5achan 6here 2orms are 2o4nd A 6hi1e those be1onging to the higher mind3 to the regions o2 abstract3 impersona1 thin0ing3 ha5e to be 6or0ed o4t in the B2orm1essC de5achanic region7 The ma8ority o2 peop1e on1y 84st enter that 1o2ty region to pass s6i2t1y o4t again A some spend there a 1arge portion o2 their de5achanic e@istence A a 2e6 spend there a1most the 6ho1e7 Ere entering into any detai1s 1et 4s try to grasp some o2 the 1eading ideas 6hich go5ern the de5achanic 1i2e3 2or it is so di22erent 2rom physica1 1i2e that any description o2 it is apt to mis1ead by its 5ery strangeness7 Peop1e rea1ise so 1itt1e o2 their menta1 1i2e3 e5en as 1ed in the body3 that 6hen they are presented 6ith a pict4re o2 menta1 1i2e o4t o2 the body they 1ose a11 sense o2 rea1ity3 and 2ee1 as tho4gh they had passed into a 6or1d o2 dream7 The 2irst thing to grasp is that menta1 1i2e is 2ar more intense3 5i5id3 and nearer to rea1ity than "Pa#e /'0% the 1i2e o2 the senses7 E5erything 6e see and to4ch and hear and taste and hand1e do6n here is t6o remo5es 2arther 2rom the rea1ity than e5erything 6e contact in e5achan7 We do not e5en see things as they are3 b4t the things that 6e see do6n here ha5e t6o more 5ei1s o2 i114sion en5e1oping them7 O4r sense o2 rea1ity here is an entire de14sion A 6e 0no6 nothing o2 things3 o2 peop1e3 as they are A a11 that 6e 0no6 o2 them are the impressions they ma0e on o4r senses3 and the conc14sions3 o2ten erroneo4s3 6hich o4r reason ded4ces 2rom the aggregate o2 these impressions7 .et and p4t side by side the ideas o2 a man he1d by his 2ather3 his c1osest 2riend3 the gir1 6ho adores him3 his ri5a1 in b4siness3 his dead1iest enemy3 and a cas4a1 ac>4aintance3 and see ho6 incongr4o4s the pict4res7 Each can on1y gi5e the impressions made on his o6n mind3 and ho6 2ar are they 2rom the rea1ity o2 6hat the man is3 seen by the eyes that pierces a11 5ei1s and beho1d the 6ho1e man7 We 0no6 o2 each o2 o4r 2riends the impressions they ma0e on 4s3 and these are strict1y 1imited by o4r capacity to recei5e A a chi1d may ha5e as his 2ather a great statesman o2 1o2ty p4rpose and imperia1 aims3 b4t that g4ide o2 nationEs destinies is to him on1y his merriest p1ay 2e11o63 his most enticing storyte11er7 We 1i5e in the midst o2 i114sions3 b4t 6e ha5e the 2ee1ing o2 rea1ity3 and this yie1ds 4s content7 In e5achan 6e sha11 a1so be s4rro4nded by i114sions < tho4gh3 as said3 t6o remo5es nearer to rea1ity < and there a1so 6e sha11 ha5e a simi1ar 2ee1ing o2 rea1ity 6hich 6i11 yie1d 4s content7 "Pa#e /'/% The i114sions o2 earth3 tho4gh 1essened3 are not escaped 2rom in the 1o6er hea5ens3 tho4gh contact is more rea1 and more immediate7 For it m4st ne5er be 2orgotten that these hea5ens are part o2 a great e5o14tionary scheme3 and3 4nti1 man has 2o4nd the rea1 $e123 his o6n 4nrea1ity ma0es him s4b8ect to i114sions7 One thing ho6e5er3 6hich prod4ces the 2ee1ing o2 rea1ity in earth?1i2e and o2 4nrea1ity 6hen 6e st4dy e5achan3 is that 6e 1oo0 at earth?1i2e 2rom 6ithin3 4nder the 2411 s6ay o2 its i114sions3 6hi1e 6e contemp1ate e5achan 2rom o4tside3 2ree 2or the time 2rom its 5ei1 o2 (RyR7 In e5achan the process is re5ersed3 and its inhabitants 2ee1 their o6n 1i2e to be the rea1 one and 1oo0 on the earth?1i2e as 2411 o2 the most patent i114sions and misconceptions7 On the 6ho1e3 they are nearer to the tr4th than the physica1 critics o2 their hea5en?6or1d7

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Ne@t3 the Thin0er < being c1ad on1y in the menta1 body and being in the 4ntramme11ed e@ercise o2 its po6ers < mani2ests the creati5e nat4re o2 these po6ers in a 6ay and to an e@tent that do6n here 6e can hard1y rea1ise7 On earth a painter3 a sc41ptor3 a m4sician3 dreams3 dreams o2 e@>4isite bea4ty3 creating their 5isions by the po6ers o2 the mind A b4t 6hen they see0 to embody them in the coarse materia1s o2 earth they 2a11 2ar short o2 the menta1 creation7 The marb1e is too resistant 2or per2ect 2orm3 the pigments to m4ddy 2or per2ect co1o4r7 In hea5en3 a11 they thin03 is at once reprod4ced in 2orm3 2or the rare and s4bt1e matter o2 the hea5en?6or1d is "Pa#e /'$% mind st4223 the medi4m in 6hich the mind norma11y 6or0s 6hen 2ree 2rom passion3 and it ta0es shape 6ith e5ery menta1 imp41se7 Each man3 there2ore3 in a 5ery rea1 sense3 ma0es his o6n hea5en3 and the bea4ty o2 his s4rro4ndings is de2inite1y increased3 according to the 6ea1th and energy o2 his mind7 As the so41 de5e1ops his po6ers3 his hea5en gro6s more and more s4bt1e and e@>4isiteA a11 the 1imitations in hea5en are se12?created3 and hea5en e@pands and deepens 6ith the e@pansion and deepening o2 the so417 Whi1e the so41 is 6ea0 and se12ish3 narro6 and i11?de5e1oped3 his hea5en shares these pettinessesA b4t it is a16ays the best that is in the so413 ho6e5er poor that best may be7 As the man e5o15es3 his de5achanic 1i5es become 2411er3 richer3 more and more rea13 and ad5anced so41s come into e5er c1oser and c1oser contact 6ith each other3 en8oying 6ider and deeper interco4rse7 A 1i2e on earth3 thin3 2eeb1e3 5apid3 and narro63 menta11y and mora11y3 prod4ces a comparati5e1y thin3 2eeb1e3 5apid and narro6 1i2e in e5achan3 6here on1y the menta1 and the mora1 s4r5i5e7 We cannot ha%e more than 6e are3 and o4r har5est is according to o4r so6ing7 BBe not decei5edA .od is not moc0ed A 2or 6hatsoe5er a man so6eth3 that3C? and neither more nor 1ess3 ? Bsha11 he a1so reap7C O4r indo1ence and greediness 6o41d 2ain reap 6here 6e ha5e not so6n3 b4t in this 4ni5erse o2 1a63 the .ood %a63 merci2411y 84st3 brings to each the e@act 6ages o2 his 6or07 The menta1 impressions3 or menta1 pict4res3 6e ma0e "Pa#e /'&% o2 o4r 2riends 6i11 dominate 4s in e5achan7 Ro4nd each so41 throng those he 1o5ed in 1i2e3 and e5ery image o2 the 1o5ed ones that 1i5e in the heart becomes a 1i5ing companion o2 the so41 in hea5en7 And they are 4nchanged7 They 6i11 be to 4s there as they 6ere here3 and no other6ise7 The o4ter semb1ance o2 o4r 2riend as it a22ected o4r senses3 6e 2orm o4t o2 mind?st422 in e5achan by the creati5e po6ers o2 the mindA 6hat 6as here a menta1 pict4re is there < as in tr4th it 6as here3 a1tho4gh 6e 0ne6 it not < an ob8ecti5e shape in 1i5ing mind?st4223 abiding in o4r o6n menta1 atmosphere A on1y 6hat is d411 and dreamy here is 2orcib1y 1i5ing and 5i5id there7 And 6ith regard to the tr4e comm4nion3 that o2 the so41 6ith so41F That is c1oser3 nearer3 dearer than anything 6e 0no6 here3 2or3 as 6e ha5e seen3 there is no barrier on the menta1 p1ane bet6een so41 and so41A e@act1y in proportion to the rea1ity o2 the so41?1i2e in 4s is the rea1ity o2 so41?comm4nion there A the menta1 image o2 o4r 2riend is o4r o6n creation A his 2orm is as 6e 0ne6 and 1o5ed it A and his so41 breathes thro4gh that 2orm to o4rs 84st to the e@tent that his so41 and o4rs can throb in sympathetic 5ibration7 B4t 6e can ha5e no to4ch 6ith those 6e 0ne6 on earth i2 the ties 6ere on1y o2 the physica1 or astra1 body3 Page M9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

or i2 they and 6e 6ere discordant in the inner 1i2e A there2ore into o4r e5achan no enemy can enter3 2or sympathetic accord o2 minds and hearts can a1one dra6 men together there7 $eparateness o2 heart and mind means separation in the hea5en1y 1i2e3 2or a11 that is "Pa#e /''% 1o6er than the heart and mind can 2ind no means o2 e@pression there7 With those 6ho are 2ar beyond 4s in e5o14tion 6e come into contact 84st as 2ar as 6e can respond to them A great ranges o2 their being 6i11 stretch beyond o4r 0en3 b4t a11 that 6e can to4ch is o4rs7 F4rther3 these greater ones can and do aid 4s in the hea5en1y 1i2e3 4nder conditions 6e sha11 st4dy present1y3 he1ping 4s to gro6 to6ards them3 and th4s be ab1e to recei5e more and more7 There is then no separation by space or time3 b4t there is separation by absence o2 sympathy3 by 1ac0 o2 accord bet6een hearts and minds7 In hea5en 6e are 6ith a11 6hom 6e 1o5e and 6ith a11 6hom 6e admire3 and 6e comm4ne 6ith them to the 1imit o2 o4r capacity3 or3 i2 6e are more ad5anced3 o2 theirs7 We meet them in the 2orms 6e 1o5ed on earth3 6ith per2ect memory o2 o4r earth1y re1ationships3 2or hea5en is the 21o6ering o2 a11 earthEs b4ds3 and the marred and 2eeb1e 1o5es o2 earth e@pand into bea4ty and po6er there7 The comm4nion being direct3 no mis4nderstandings o2 6ords or tho4ghts can arise A each sees the tho4ght his 2riend creates3 or as m4ch o2 it as he can respond to7 e5achan3 the hea5en?6or1d3 is a 6or1d o2 b1iss3 o2 8oy 4nspea0ab1e7 B4t it is m4ch more than this3 m4ch more than a rest 2or the 6eary7 In e5achan a11 that 6as 5a14ab1e in the menta1 and mora1 e@periences o2 the Thin0er d4ring the 1i2e 84st ended is 6or0ed o4t3 meditated o5er3 and is grad4a11y transm4ted into de2inite menta1 and mora1 2ac41ty3 "Pa#e /'(% into po6ers 6hich he 6i11 ta0e 6ith him to his ne@t rebirth7 "e does not 6or0 into the menta1 body the act4a1 memory o2 the past3 2or the menta1 body 6i113 in d4e co4rse3 disintegrate A the memory o2 the past abides on1y in the Thin0er himse123 6ho has 1i5ed thro4gh it and 6ho end4res7 B4t these 2acts o2 past e@periences are 6or0ed into menta1 capacity3 so that i2 a man has st4died a s4b8ect deep1y the e22ects o2 that st4dy 6i11 be the creation o2 a specia1 2ac41ty to ac>4ire and master that s4b8ect 6hen it is 2irst presented to him in another incarnation7 "e 6i11 be born 6ith a specia1 aptit4de 2or that 1ine o2 st4dy3 and 6i11 pic0 it 4p 6ith great 2aci1ity7 E5erything tho4ght 4pon earth is th4s 4ti1ised in e5achan A e5ery aspiration is 6or0ed 4p into po6er A a11 2r4strated e22orts become 2ac41ties and abi1ities A str4gg1es and de2eats reappear as materia1s to be 6ro4ght into instr4ments o2 5ictory A sorro6s and errors shine 14mino4s as precio4s meta1s to be 6or0ed 4p into 6ise and 6e11?directed 5o1itions7 $chemes o2 bene2icence3 2or 6hich po6er and s0i11 to accomp1ish 6ere 1ac0ing in the past3 are in e5achan 6or0ed o4t in tho4ght3 acted o4t3 as it 6ere3 stage by stage3 and the necessary po6er and s0i11 are de5e1oped as 2ac41ties o2 the mind to be p4t into 4se in a 24t4re 1i2e on earth3 6hen the c1e5er and earnest st4dent sha11 be reborn as a geni4s3 6hen the de5otee sha11 be reborn as a saint7 %i2e then3 in e5achan3 is no mere dream3 no 1ot4s?1and o2 p4rpose1ess id1ing A it is the 1and in 6hich the mind and heart de5e1op3 4nhindered by gross matter and by the tri5ia1 cares3 6here 6eapons are 2orged 2or earthEs 2ierce batt1e2ie1ds3 and 6here the progress "Pa#e /')% o2 the 24t4re is sec4red7 When the Thin0er has cons4med in the menta1 body a11 the 2r4its be1onging to it o2 his earth1y 1i2e3 he sha0es it o22 and d6e11s 4nenc4mbered in his o6n p1ace7 A11 the menta1 2ac41ties 6hich e@press themse15es on the 1o6er 1e5e1s are dra6n 6ithin the ca4sa1 body < 6ith the germs o2 the passiona1 1i2e that 6ere dra6n into the menta1 body 6hen it 1e2t the astra1 she11 to disintegrate in &]ma1o0a < and these Page :T

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

become 1atent 2or a time3 1ying 6ithin the ca4sa1 body3 2orces 6hich remain concea1ed 2or 1ac0 o2 materia1 in 6hich to mani2est7 *The tho4ght241 st4dent may here 2ind a 2r4it241 s4ggestion on the prob1em o2 contin4ing conscio4sness a2ter the cyc1e o2 the 4ni5erse is trodden7 %et him p1ace bsh5ara in the p1ace o2 the Thin0er3 and 1et the 2ac41ties that are the 2r4its o2 a 1i2e represent the h4man 1i5es that are the 2r4its o2 a !ni5erse7 "e may then catch some g1impse o2 6hat is necessary 2or conscio4sness3 d4ring the inter5a1 bet6een 4ni5erses+7 The menta1 body3 the 1ast o2 the temporary 5est4res o2 the tr4e man3 disintegrates3 and its materia1s ret4rn to the genera1 matter o2 the menta1 p1ane3 6hence they 6ere dra6n 6hen the Thin0er 1ast descended into incarnation7 Th4s the ca4sa1 body a1one remains3 the receptac1e and treas4re?ho4se o2 a11 that has been assimi1ated 2rom the 1i2e that is o5er7 The Thin0er has 2inished a ro4nd o2 his 1ong pi1grimage and d6e11s 2or a 6hi1e in his o6n nati5e 1and7 "is condition as to conscio4sness depends entire1y "Pa#e /',% on the point he has reached in e5o14tion7 In his ear1y stages o2 1i2e he 6i11 mere1y s1eep3 6rapped in 4nconscio4sness3 6hen he has 1ost his 5ehic1es on the 1o6er p1anes7 "is 1i2e 6i11 p41se gent1y 6ithin him3 assimi1ating any 1itt1e res41ts 2rom his c1osed earth?e@istence that may be capab1e o2 entering into his s4bstance A b4t he 6i11 ha5e no conscio4sness o2 his s4rro4ndings7 B4t as he de5e1ops3 this period o2 his 1i2e becomes more and more important3 and occ4pies a greater proportion o2 his e5achanic e@istence7 "e becomes se12?conscio4s3 and thereby conscio4s o2 his s4rro4ndings < o2 the not?se12 < and his memory spreads be2ore him the panorama o2 his 1i2e3 stretching bac06ards into the ages o2 the past7 "e sees the ca4ses that 6or0ed o4t their e22ects in the 1ast o2 his 1i2e?e@periences3 and st4dies the ca4ses he has set going in this 1atest incarnation7 "e assimi1ates and 6or0s into the te@t4re o2 the ca4sa1 body a11 that 6as nob1est and 1o2tiest in the c1osed chapter o2 his 1i2e3 and by his inner acti5ity he de5e1ops and co? ordinates the materia1s in his ca4sa1 body7 "e comes into direct contact 6ith great so41s3 6hether in or o4t o2 the body at the time3 en8oys comm4nion 6ith them3 1earns 2rom their riper 6isdom and 1onger e@perience7 Each s4cceeding de5achanic 1i2e is richer and deeper A 6ith his e@panding capacity to recei5e3 0no61edge 21o6s into him in 2411er tides A more and more he 1earns to 4nderstand the 6or0ings o2 the 1a63 the conditions o2 e5o14tionary progress3 and th4s ret4rns to earth?1i2e each time 6ith greater 0no61edge3 more e22ecti5e po6er3 his 5ision o2 the goa1 o2 1i2e becoming e5er c1earer and the 6ay to it more p1ain be2ore his 2eet7 "Pa#e /'-% To e5ery Thin0er3 ho6e5er 4nprogressed3 there comes a moment o2 c1ear 5ision 6hen the time arri5es 2or his ret4rn to the 1i2e o2 the 1o6er 6or1ds7 For a moment he sees his past and the ca4ses 6or0ing 2rom it into the 24t4re3 and the genera1 map o2 his ne@t incarnation is a1so 4nro11ed be2ore him7 Then the c1o4ds o2 1o6er matter s4rge ro4nd him and obsc4re his 5ision3 and the cyc1e o2 another incarnation begins 6ith the a6a0ening o2 the po6ers o2 the 1o6er mind3 and their dra6ing ro4nd him3 by their 5ibrations3 materia1s 2rom the 1o6er menta1 p1ane to 2orm the ne6 menta1 body 2or the opening chapter o2 his 1i2e? history7 This part o2 o4r s4b8ect3 ho6e5er3 be1ongs in its detai1 to the chapters on reincarnation7 We 1e2t the so41 as1eep3 *$ee Chapter III73 On &Rma1o0a3 Page 9;+ ha5ing sha0en o22 the 1ast remains o2 Page :1

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

his astra1 body3 ready to pass o4t o2 &]ma1o0a into e5achan3 o4t o2 p4rgatory into hea5en7 The s1eeper a6a0ens to a sense o2 8oy 4nspea0ab1e3 o2 b1iss immeas4rab1e3 o2 peace that passeth 4nderstanding7 $o2test me1odies are breathing ro4nd him3 tenderest h4es greet his opening eyes3 the 5ery air seems m4sic and co1o4r3 the 6ho1e being is s4224sed 6ith 1ight and harmony7 Then thro4gh the go1den haOe da6n s6eet1y the 2aces 1o5ed on earth3 etheria1ised into the bea4ty 6hich e@presses their nob1est3 1o5e1iest emotions3 4nmarred by "Pa#e /'.% the tro4b1es and the passions o2 the 1o6er 6or1ds7 Who may te11 the b1iss o2 that a6a0ening3 the g1ory o2 that 2irst da6ning o2 the hea5en? 6or1dF We 6i11 no6 st4dy the conditions in detai1 o2 the se5en s4bdi5isions o2 e5achan3 remembering that in the 2o4r 1o6er 6e are in the 6or1d o2 2orm3 and a 6or1d3 moreo5er3 in 6hich e5ery tho4ght presents itse12 at once as a 2orm7 This 6or1d o2 2orm be1ongs to the persona1ity3 and e5ery so41 is there2ore s4rro4nded by as m4ch o2 his past 1i2e as has entered into his mind and can be e@pressed in p4re mind?st4227 The 2irst3 or 1o6est3 region is the hea5en o2 the 1east progressed so41s3 6hose highest emotion on earth 6as a narro63 sincere3 and sometimes se12ish 1o5e 2or 2ami1y and 2riends7 Or it may be that they 2e1t some 1o5ing admiration 2or some one they met on earth 6ho 6as p4rer and better than themse15es3 or 2e1t some 6ish to 1ead a higher 1i2e3 or some passing aspiration to6ards menta1 and mora1 e@pansion7 There is not m4ch materia1 here o4t o2 6hich 2ac41ty can be mo41ded3 and their 1i2e is b4t 5ery s1ight1y progressi5e A their 2ami1y a22ections 6i11 be no4rished and a 1itt1e 6idened3 and they 6i11 be reborn a2ter a 6hi1e 6ith a some6hat impro5ed emotiona1 nat4re3 6ith more tendency to recognise and respond to a higher idea17 (ean6hi1e they are en8oying a11 the happiness they can recei5eA their c4p is b4t a sma11 one3 b4t it is 2i11ed to the brim 6ith b1iss3 and they en8oy a11 that they are ab1e to concei5e o2 hea5en7 Its p4rity3 its harmony3 "Pa#e /(0% p1ay on their 4nde5e1oped 2ac41ties and 6oo them to a6a0en into acti5ity3 and the inner stirrings begin 6hich m4st precede any mani2ested b4dding7 The ne@t di5ision o2 de5achanic 1i2e comprises men and 6omen o2 e5ery re1igio4s 2aith 6hose hearts d4ring their earth1y 1i5es had t4rned 6ith 1o5ing de5otion to .od3 4nder any name3 4nder any 2orm7 The 2orm may ha5e been narro63 b4t the heart rose 4p in aspiration3 and here 2inds the ob8ect o2 its 1o5ing 6orship7 The concept o2 the i5ine 6hich 6as 2ormed by their mind 6hen on earth here meets them in the radiant g1ory o2 de5achanic matter3 2airer3 di5iner3 than their 6i1dest dreams7 The i5ine One 1imits "imse12 to meet the inte11ect4a1 1imits o2 "is 6orshipper3 and in 6hate5er 2orm the 6orshipper has 1o5ed and 6orshipped "im3 in that 2orm "e re5ea1s "imse12 to his 1onging eyes3 and po4rs o4t on him the s6eetness o2 "is ans6ering 1o5e7 The so41s are steeped in re1igio4s ecstasy3 6orshipping the One 4nder the 2orms their piety so4ght on earth3 1osing themse15es in the rapt4res o2 de5otion3 in comm4nion 6ith the Ob8ect they adore7 No one 2inds himse12 a stranger in the hea5en1y p1aces3 the i5ine 5ei1ing "imse12 in the 2ami1iar 2orm7 $4ch so41s gro6 in p4rity and in de5otion 4nder the s4n o2 this comm4nion3 and ret4rn to earth 6ith these >4a1ities m4ch intensi2ied7 Nor is a11 their de5achanic 1i2e spent in this de5otiona1 ecstasy3 2or they ha5e 2411 opport4nities o2 mat4ring e5ery other >4a1ity they may possess o2 heart and mind7 "Pa#e /(/%

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

Passing on6ards to the third region3 6e come to those nob1e and earnest beings 6ho 6ere de5oted ser5ants o2 h4manity 6hi1e on earth3 and 1arge1y po4red o4t their 1o5e to .od in the 2orm o2 6or0s 2or man7 They are reaping the re6ard o2 their good deeds by de5e1oping 1arger po6ers o2 4se241ness and increased 6isdom in their direction7 P1ans o2 6ider bene2icence 4nro11 themse15es be2ore the mind o2 the phi1anthropist3 and 1i0e an architect3 he designs the 24t4re edi2ice 6hich he 6i11 b4i1d in a coming 1i2e on earth A he mat4res the schemes 6hich he 6i11 then 6or0 o4t into actions3 and 1i0e a creati5e .od p1ans his 4ni5erse o2 bene5o1ence3 6hich sha11 be mani2ested in gross matter 6hen the time is ripe7 These so41s 6i11 appear as the great phi1anthropists o2 yet 4nborn cent4ries3 6ho 6i11 incarnate on earth 6ith innate do6er o2 4nse12ish 1o5e and o2 po6er to achie5e7 (ost 5aried in character3 perhaps3 o2 a11 the hea5ens is the 2o4rth3 2or here the po6ers o2 the most ad5anced so41s 2ind their e@ercise3 so 2ar as they can be e@pressed in the 6or1d o2 2orm7 "ere the 0ings o2 art and o2 1iterat4re are 2o4nd3 e@ercising a11 their po6ers o2 2orm3 o2 co1o4r3 o2 harmony3 and b4i1ding greater 2ac41ties 6ith 6hich to be reborn 6hen they ret4rn to earth7 Nob1est m4sic3 ra5ishing beyond description3 pea1s 2orth 2rom the mightiest monarchs o2 harmony that the earth has 0no6n3 as Beetho5en3 no 1onger dea23 po4rs o4t his imperia1 so41 in strains o2 4ne@amp1ed bea4ty3 ma0ing e5en the hea5en 6or1d more me1odio4s as "Pa#e /($% he dra6s do6n harmonies 2rom higher spheres3 and sends them thri11ing thro4gh the hea5en1y p1aces7 "ere a1so 6e 2ind the masters o2 painting and o2 sc41pt4re3 1earning ne6 h4es o2 co1o4r3 ne6 c4r5es o2 4ndreamed bea4ty7 And here a1so are others 6ho 2ai1ed3 tho4gh great1y aspiring3 and 6ho are here transm4ting 1ongings into po6ers3 and dreams into 2ac41ties3 that sha11 be theirs in another 1i2e7 $earchers into Nat4re are here3 and they are 1earning her hidden secrets A be2ore their eyes are 4nro11ing systems o2 6or1ds 6ith a11 their hidden mechanism3 6o5en series o2 6or0ings o2 4nimaginab1e de1icacy and comp1e@ity A they sha11 ret4rn to earth as great Bdisco5erers3C 6ith 4nerring int4itions o2 the mysterio4s 6ays o2 Nat4re7 In this hea5en a1so are 2o4nd st4dents o2 the deeper 0no61edge3 the eager3 re5erent p4pi1s 6ho so4ght the Teachers o2 the race3 6ho 1onged to 2ind a Teacher3 and patient1y 6or0ed at a11 that had been gi5en o4t by some one o2 the great spirit4a1 (asters 6ho ha5e ta4ght h4manity7 "ere their 1ongings 2ind their 2r4ition3 and Those they so4ght3 apparent1y in 5ain3 are no6 their instr4ctors A the eager so41s drin0 in the hea5en1y 6isdom3 and s6i2t their gro6th and progress as they sit at their (asterEs 2eet7 As teachers and as 1ight?bringers sha11 they be born again on earth3 born 6ith the birthmar0 o2 the teacherEs high o22ice 4pon them7 (any a st4dent on earth3 a11 4n0no6ing o2 these s4bt1er 6or0ings3 is preparing himse12 a p1ace in this 2o4rth hea5en3 as he bends 6ith a rea1 de5otion "Pa#e /(&% o5er the pages o2 some teacher o2 geni4s3 o5er the teachings o2 some ad5anced so417 "e is 2orming a 1in0 bet6een himse12 and the teacher he 1o5es and re5erences3 and in the hea5en?6or1d that so41?tie 6i11 assert itse123 and dra6 together into comm4nion the so41s it 1in0s7 As the s4n po4rs do6n its rays into many rooms3 and each room has a11 it can contain o2 the so1ar beams3 so in the hea5en?6or1d do these great so41s shine into h4ndreds o2 menta1 images o2 themse15es created by their p4pi1s3 2i11 them 6ith 1i2e3 6ith their o6n essence3 so that each st4dent has his master to teach him and yet sh4ts o4t none other 2rom his aid7 Th4s3 2or periods 1ong in proportion to the materia1s gathered 2or cons4mption 4pon earth3 d6e11 men in these hea5en?6or1ds o2 2orm3 6here a11 good that the 1ast persona1 1i2e had garnered 2inds its 2411 2r4ition3 Page :;

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

its 2411 6or0ing o4t into min4test detai17 Then as 6e ha5e seen3 6hen e5erything is e@ha4sted3 6hen the 1ast drop has been drained 2rom the c4p o2 8oy3 the 1ast cr4mb eaten o2 the hea5en1y 2east3 a11 that has been 6or0ed 4p into 2ac41ty3 that is o2 permanent 5a14e3 is dra6n 6ithin the ca4sa1 body3 and the Thin0er sha0es o22 him and the then disintegrating body thro4gh 6hich he has 2o4nd e@pression on the 1o6er 1e5e1s o2 the de5achanic 6or1d7 Rid o2 this menta1 body3 he is in his o6n 6or1d3 to 6or0 4p 6hate5er o2 his har5est can 2ind materia1 s4itab1e 2or it in that high rea1m7 A 5ast n4mber o2 so41s to4ch the 1o6est 1e5e1 o2 the 2orm1ess 6or1d as it 6ere b4t 2or a moment3 "Pa#e /('% ta0ing brie2 re24ge there3 since a11 1o6er 5ehic1es ha5e 2a11en a6ay7 B4t so embryonic are they that they ha5e as yet no acti5e po6ers that there can 24nction independent1y3 and they become 4nconscio4s as the menta1 body s1ips a6ay into disintegration7 Then3 2or a moment3 they are aro4sed to conscio4sness3 and a 21ash o2 memory i114mines their past and they see its pregnant ca4ses A and a 21ash o2 2ore0no61edge i114mines their 24t4re3 and they see s4ch e22ects as 6i11 6or0 o4t in the coming 1i2e7 This is a11 that 5ery many are as yet ab1e to e@perience o2 the 2orm1ess 6or1d7 For3 here again3 as e5er3 the har5est is according to the so6ing3 and ho6 sho41d they 6ho ha5e so6ed nothing 2or that 1o2ty region e@pect to reap any har5est thereinF B4t many so41s ha5e d4ring their earth?1i2e3 by deep thin0ing and nob1e 1i5ing3 so6n m4ch seed3 the har5est o2 6hich be1ongs to this 2i2th de5achanic region3 the 1o6est o2 the three hea5ens o2 the 2orm1ess 6or1d7 .reat is no6 their re6ard 2or ha5ing so risen abo5e the bondage o2 the 21esh and o2 passion3 and they begin to e@perience the rea1 1i2e o2 man3 the 1o2ty e@istence o2 the so41 itse123 4n2ettered by 5est4res be1onging to the 1o6er 6or1ds7 They 1earn tr4ths by direct 5ision3 and see the 24ndamenta1 ca4ses o2 6hich a11 concrete ob8ects are the res41tsA they st4dy the 4nder1ying 4nities3 6hose presence is mar0ed in the 1o6er 6or1ds by the 5ariety o2 irre1e5ant detai1s7 Th4s they gain a deep 0no61edge o2 1a63 and 1earn to recognise its change1ess 6or0ings be1o6 res41ts apparent1y the most incongr4o4s3 "Pa#e /((% th4s b4i1ding into the body that end4res 2irm 4nsha0ab1e con5ictions3 that 6i11 re5ea1 themse15es in earth?1i2e as deep int4iti5e certainties o2 the so413 abo5e and beyond a11 reasoning7 "ere a1so the man st4dies his o6n past3 and care2411y disentang1es the ca4ses he has set going A he mar0s their interaction3 the res41tants accr4ing 2rom them3 and sees something o2 their 6or0ing o4t in the 1i5es yet in the 24t4re7 In the si@th hea5en are more ad5anced so41s3 6ho d4ring earth?1i2e had 2e1t b4t 1itt1e attraction 2or its passing sho6s3 and 6ho had de5oted a11 their energies to the higher inte11ect4a1 and mora1 1i2e7 For them there is no 5ei1 4pon the past3 their memory is per2ect and 4nbro0en3 and they p1an the in24sion into their ne@t 1i2e o2 energies that 6i11 ne4tra1ise many o2 the 2orces that are 6or0ing 2or hindrance3 and strengthen many o2 those that are 6or0ing 2or good7 This c1ear memory enab1es them to 2orm de2inite and strong determinations as to actions 6hich are to be done and actions 6hich are to be a5oided3 and these 5o1itions they 6i11 be ab1e to impress on their 1o6er 5ehic1es in their ne@t birth3 ma0ing certain c1asses o2 e5i1s impossib1e3 contrary to 6hat is 2e1t to be the deepest nat4re3 and certain 0inds o2 good ine5itab1e3 the irresistib1e demands o2 a 5oice that 6i11 not be denied7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

These so41s are born into the 6or1d 6ith high and nob1e >4a1ities 6hich render a base 1i2e impossib1e3 and stamp the babe 2rom its crad1e as one o2 the pioneers o2 h4manity7 The man 6ho has attained to this si@th "Pa#e /()% hea5en sees 4nro11ed be2ore him the 5ast treas4res o2 the i5ine (ind in creati5e acti5ity and can st4dy the archetypes o2 a11 2orms that are being grad4a11y e5o15ed in the 1o6er 6or1ds7 There he may bathe himse12 in the 2athom1ess ocean o2 the i5ine Wisdom3 and 4nra5e1 the prob1ems connected 6ith the 6or0ing o4t o2 those archetypes3 the partia1 good that seems as e5i1 to the 1imited 5ision o2 men encased in 21esh7 In this 6ider o4t1oo03 phenomena ass4me their d4e re1ati5e proportions3 and he sees the 84sti2ication o2 the di5ine 6ays3 no 1onger to him Bpast 2inding o4tC so 2ar as they are concerned 6ith the e5o14tion o2 the 1o6er 6or1ds7 The >4estions o5er 6hich on earth he pondered3 and 6hose ans6ers e5er e14ded his eager inte11ect3 are here so15ed by an insight that pierces thro4gh phenomena1 5ei1s and sees the connecting 1in0s 6hich ma0e the chain comp1ete7 "ere a1so the so41 is in the immediate presence o23 and in 2411 comm4nion 6ith3 the greater so41s that ha5e e5o15ed in o4r h4manity3 and3 escaped 2rom the bonds 6hich ma0e Bthe pastC o2 earth3 he en8oys Bthe e5er?presentC o2 an end1ess and 4nbro0en 1i2e7 Those 6e spea0 o2 here as Bthe mighty deadC are there the g1orio4s 1i5ing3 and the so41 en8oys the high rapt4re o2 their presence3 and gro6s more 1i0e them as their strong harmony att4nes his 5ibrant nat4re to their 0ey7 #et higher3 1o5e1ier3 g1eams the se5enth hea5en3 6here (asters and Initiates ha5e their inte11ect4a1 home7 No so41 can d6e11 there ere yet is has passed 6hi1e on earth thro4gh the narro6 gate6ay o2 Initiation3 "Pa#e /(,% the strait gate that B1eadeth 4nto 1i2eC 4nending7 * $ee Chapter ,I3 on B(anEs Ascent7C The Initiate has stepped o4t o2 the ordinary 1ine o2 e5o14tion3 and is treading a shorter and steeper road to h4man per2ection+7 That 6or1d is the so4rce o2 the strongest inte11ect4a1 and mora1 imp41ses that 21o6 do6n to earth A thence are po4red 2orth the in5igorating streams o2 the 1o2tiest energy7 The inte11ect4a1 1i2e o2 the 6or1d has there its rootA thence geni4s recei5es its p4rest inspirations7 To the so41s that d6e11 there it matters 1itt1e 6hether3 at the time3 they be or be not connected 6ith the 1o6er 5ehic1es A they e5er en8oy their 1o2ty se12? conscio4sness and their comm4nion 6ith those aro4nd them A 6hether3 6hen BembodiedC they s4224se their 1o6er 5ehic1es 6ith as m4ch o2 this conscio4sness as they can contain is a matter 2or their o6n choice < they can gi5e or 6ithho1d as they 6i117 And more and more their 5o1itions are g4ided by the 6i11 o2 the .reat Ones3 6hose 6i11 is one 6ith the 6i11 o2 the %O.O$3 the 6i11 6hich see0s e5er the good o2 the 6or1ds7 For here are being e1iminated the 1ast 5estiges o2 separateness < * Aham0]ra3 the B I B ma0ing princip1e3 necessary in order that se12 conscio4sness may be e5o15ed3 b4t transcended 6hen its 6or0 is o5er+ < in a11 6ho ha5e not yet reached 2ina1 emancipation < a113 that is3 6ho are not yet (asters < and3 as these perish3 the 6i11 becomes more and more harmonised 6ith the 6i11 that g4ides the 6or1ds7 $4ch is an o4t1ine o2 the Bse5en hea5ensC into one or other o2 6hich men pass in d4e time a2ter the "Pa#e /(-+ Bchange that men ca11 death7C For death is on1y a change that gi5es the so41 a partia1 1iberation3 re1easing him 2rom the hea5iest o2 his chains7 It is b4t a birth into a 6ider 1i2e3 a ret4rn a2ter a brie2 e@i1e Page :H

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

on earth to the so41Es tr4e home3 a passing 2rom a prison into the 2reedom o2 the 4pper air7 eath is the greatest o2 earthEs i114sions A there is no death3 b4t on1y changes in 1i2eEs conditions7 %i2e is contin4o4s3 4nbro0en3 4nbrea0ab1e A B4nborn3 eterna13 constant3C it perishes not 6ith the perishing o2 the bodies that c1othe it7 We might as 6e11 thin0 that the s0y is 2a11ing 6hen a pot is bro0en3 as imagine that the so41 perishes 6hen the body 2a11s to pieces7 * A simi1e 4sed in the (ha!a%ad Purfna+7 The physica13 astra1 and menta1 p1anes are Bthe three 6or1dsC tho4gh 6hich 1ies the pi1grimage o2 the so413 again and again repeated7 In these three 6or1ds re5o15es the 6hee1 o2 h4man 1i2e3 and so41s are bo4nd to that 6hee1 thro4gho4t their e5o14tion3 and are carried by it to each o2 these 6or1ds in t4rn7 We are no6 in a position to trace a comp1ete 1i2e?period o2 the so413 the aggregate o2 these periods ma0ing 4p its 1i2e3 and 6e can a1so disting4ish c1ear1y the di22erence bet6een persona1ity and indi5id4a1ity7 A so41 6hen its stay in the 2orm1ess 6or1d o2 e5achan is o5er3 begins a ne6 1i2e?period by p4tting 2orth the energies 6hich 24nction in the 2orm?6or1d o2 the menta1 p1ane3 these energies being "Pa#e /(.% the res41tant o2 the preceding 1i2e?periods7 These passing o4t6ards3 gather ro4nd themse15es3 2rom the matter o2 the 2o4r 1o6er menta1 1e5e1s3 s4ch materia1s as are s4itab1e 2or their e@pression3 and th4s the ne6 menta1 body 2or the coming birth is 2ormed7 The 5ibration o2 these menta1 energies aro4ses the energies 6hich be1ong to the desire?nat4re3 and these begin to 5ibrate A as they a6a0e and throb3 they attract to themse15es s4itab1e materia1s 2or their e@pression 2rom the matter o2 the astra1 6or1d3 and these 2orm the ne6 astra1 body 2or the approaching incarnation7 Th4s the Thin0er becomes c1othed 6ith his menta1 and astra1 5est4res3 e@act1y e@pressing the 2ac41ties e5o15ed d4ring the past stage o2 his 1i2e7 "e is dra6n3 by 2orces 6hich 6i11 be e@p1ained 1ater3 *$ee Chapter )II 3 on ZReincarnationZ+ to the 2ami1y 6hich is to pro5ide him 6ith a s4itab1e physica1 encasement3 and becomes connected 6ith this encasement thro4gh his astra1 body7 4ring prenata1 1i2e the menta1 body becomes in5o15ed 6ith the 1o6er 5ehic1es3 and this connection becomes c1oser and c1oser thro4gh the ear1y years o2 chi1dhood3 4nti1 at the se5enth year they are as comp1ete1y in to4ch 6ith the Thin0er himse12 as the stage o2 e5o14tion permits7 "e then begins to s1ight1y contro1 his 5ehic1es3 i2 s422icient1y ad5anced3 and 6hat 6e ca11 conscience is his monitory 5oice7 In any case3 he gathers e@perience thro4gh these 5ehic1es3 and d4ring the contin4ance o2 earth?1i2e3 stores the gathered e@perience in its o6n proper 5ehic1e3 in the body connected 6ith the "Pa#e /)0% p1ane to 6hich the e@perience be1ongs7 When the earth?1i2e is o5er the physica1 body drops a6ay3 and 6ith it his po6er o2 contacting the physica1 6or1d3 and his energies are there2ore con2ined to the astra1 and menta1 p1anes7 In d4e co4rse3 the astra1 body decays3 and the o4tgoings o2 his 1i2e are con2ined to the menta1 p1ane3 the astra1 2ac41ties being gathered 4p and 1aid by 6ithin himse12 as 1atent energies7 Once again3 in d4e co4rse3 its assimi1ati5e 6or0 comp1eted3 the menta1 body disintegrates3 its energies in t4rn becoming 1atent in the Thin0er3 and he 6ithdra6s his 1i2e entire1y into the 2orm1ess de5achanic 6or1d3 his o6n nati5e habitat7 Thence3 a11 e@periences o2 his 1i2e period in the three 6or1ds being transm4ted into 2ac41ties and po6ers 2or 24t4re 4se3 are contained 6ithin himse123 he ane6 commences his pi1grimage and treads the cyc1e o2 another 1i2e?period 6ith increased po6er and 0no61edge7 Page :M

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The persona1ity consists o2 the transitory 5ehic1es thro4gh 6hich the Thin0er energises in the physica13 astra13 and 1o6er menta1 6or1ds3 and o2 a11 the acti5ities connected 6ith these7 These are bo4nd together by the 1in0s o2 memory ca4sed by impressions made on the three 1o6er bodies A and3 by the se12? identi2ication o2 the Thin0er 6ith his three 5ehic1es3 the persona1 B I B is set 4p7 In the 1o6er stages o2 e5o14tion this B I B is in the physica1 and passiona1 5ehic1es3 in 6hich the greatest acti5ity is sho6n3 1ater it is in the menta1 5ehic1e3 6hich then ass4mes predominance7 The persona1ity 6ith its transient "Pa#e /)/% 2ee1ing3 desires3 passions3 th4s 2orms a >4asi?independent entity3 tho4gh dra6ing a11 its energies 2rom the Thin0er it en6raps3 and as its >4a1i2ications3 be1onging to the 1o6er 6or1ds3 are o2ten in direct antagonism to the permanent interests o2 the B 6e11er in the body3C con21ict is set 4p in 6hich 5ictory inc1ines sometimes to the temporary p1eas4re3 sometimes to the permanent gain7 The 1i2e o2 the persona1ity begins 6hen the Thin0er 2orms his ne6 menta1 body3 and it end4res 4nti1 that menta1 body disintegrates at the c1ose o2 its 1i2e in the 2orm?6or1d o2 e5achan7 The indi5id4a1ity consists o2 the Thin0er himse123 the immorta1 tree that p4ts o4t a11 these persona1ities as 1ea5es3 to 1ast thro4gh the spring3 s4mmer and a4t4mn o2 h4man 1i2e7 A11 that the 1ea5es ta0e in and assimi1ate enriches the sap that co4rses thro4gh their 5eins3 and in the a4t4mn this is 6ithdra6n into the parent tr4n03 and the dry 1ea2 2a11s and perishes7 The Thin0er a1one 1i5es 2ore5er A he is the man 2or 6hom Bthe ho4r ne5er stri0es3C the eterna1 yo4th 6ho as the (ha!a%ad Hit3 has it3 p4ts on and casts o22 bodies as a man p4ts on ne6 garments and thro6s o22 the o1d7 Each persona1ity is a ne6 part 2or the immorta1 Actor3 and he treads the stage o2 1i2e o5er and o5er again3 on1y in the 1i2e?drama each character he ass4mes is the chi1d o2 the preceding ones and the 2ather o2 those to come3 so that the 1i2e?drama is a contin4o4s history3 the history o2 the Actor 6ho p1ays the s4ccessi5e parts7 To the three 6or1ds that 6e ha5e st4died is "Pa#e /)$% con2ined the 1i2e o2 the Thin0er3 6hi1e he is treading the ear1ier stages o2 h4man e5o14tion7 A time 6i11 come in the e5o14tion o2 h4manity 6hen its 2eet 6i11 enter 1o2tier rea1ms3 and reincarnation 6i11 be o2 the past7 B4t 6hi1e the 6hee1 o2 rebirth and death is t4rning3 a man is bo4nd thereon by desires that pertain to the three 6or1ds3 his 1i2e is 1ed in these three regions7 To the rea1ms that 1ie beyond 6e no6 may t4rn3 a1beit b4t 1itt1e can be said o2 them that can be either 4se241 or inte11igib1e7 $4ch 1itt1e as may be said3 ho6e5er3 is necessary 2or the o4t1ining o2 the Ancient Wisdom7 "Pa#e /)&%

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

CHAPTER 5I THE BUDDHIC AND NIR53NIC P ANES We ha5e seen that man is an inte11igent se12?conscio4s entity3 the Thin0er3 c1ad in bodies be1onging to the 1o6er menta13 astra1 and physica1 p1anes A 6e ha5e no6 to st4dy the $pirit 6hich is his innermost $e123 the so4rce 6hence he proceeds7 This i5ine spirit3 a ray 2rom the %O.O$3 parta0ing o2 "is o6n essentia1 Being3 has the trip1e nat4re o2 the %O.O$ "imse123 and the e5o14tion o2 man as man consists in the grad4a1 mani2estation o2 these three aspects3 their de5e1opment 2rom 1atency into acti5ity3 man th4s repeating in miniat4re the e5o14tion o2 the 4ni5erse7 "ence he is spo0en o2 as the microcosm3 the 4ni5erse being the macrocosmA he is ca11ed the mirror o2 the 4ni5erse3 the image3 or re21ection3 o2 .od A * B%et 4s ma0e man in o4r image3 a2ter o4r 1i0eness7C < Hen7 I3 /M7 + < and hence a1so the ancient a@iom3 BAs abo5e3 so be1o67C It is this in?2o1ded deity that is the g4arantee o2 manEs 2ina1 tri4mph A this is the hidden moti5e po6er that ma0es e5o14tion at once possib1e and ine5itab1e3 the 4p6ard?1i2ting 2orce that s1o61y o5ercomes e5ery obstac1e and e5ery di22ic41ty7 It 6as this Presence that (atthe6 Arno1d dim1y " Pa#e /)'% sensed 6hen he 6rote o2 the BPo6er3 not o4rse15es3 that ma0es 2or righteo4sness3C b4t he erred in thin0ing Bnot o4rse15es3C 2or it is the 5ery innermost $e12 o2 a11 < tr41y not o4r separated se15es3 b4t o4r $e127 *_tma3 the re21ection o2 Param]tm]7+ This $e12 is the One3 and hence is spo0en o2 as the (onad < * It is ca11ed the (onad3 6hether it be the (onad o2 spirit?matter3 _tma A or the (onad o2 2orm or the h4man (onad3 _tma?B4ddhi?(anas7 In each it is a 4nit and acts as a 4nit3 6hether the 4nit be one?2aced3 t6o?2aced3 or three?2aced+ < and 6e sha11 need to remember that this (onad is the o4tbreathed 1i2e o2 the %O.O$3 containing 6ithin itse12 germina11y3 or in a state o2 1atency3 a11 the di5ine po6ers and attrib4tes7 These po6ers are bro4ght into mani2estation by the impacts arising 2rom contact 6ith the ob8ects o2 the 4ni5erse into 6hich the (onad is thro6n A the 2riction ca4sed by these gi5es rise to responsi5e thri11s 2rom the 1i2e s4b8ected to their stim41i3 and one by one the energies o2 the 1i2e pass 2rom 1atency into acti5ity7 The h4man (onad < as it is ca11ed 2or the sa0e o2 distinction < sho6s as 6e ha5e a1ready said3 the three aspects o2 eity3 being the per2ect image o2 .od3 and in the h4man cyc1e these three aspects are de5e1oped one a2ter the other7 These aspects are the three great attrib4tes o2 the i5ine %i2e as mani2ested in the 4ni5erse3 e@istence3 b1iss3 and inte11igence < * $atchit]nanda is o2ten 4sed in the "ind4 $cript4res as the abstract name o2 Brahman3 the Trim^rti being the concrete mani2estation o2 these+ <the three %O.OI se5era11y sho6ing these 2orth 6ith a11 the "Pa#e /)(% per2ection possib1e 6ithin the 1imits o2 mani2estation7 In man3 these aspects are de5e1oped in the re5ersed order < inte11igence3 b1iss3 e@istence < Be@istenceC imp1ying the mani2estation o2 the di5ine po6ers7 In the e5o14tion o2 man that 6e ha5e so 2ar st4died 6e ha5e been 6atching the de5e1opment o2 the third aspect o2 the hidden deity < the de5e1opment o2 conscio4sness as inte11igence7 (anas3 the Thin0er3 the h4man $o413 is the image o2 the !ni5ersa1 (ind3 Page :9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

o2 the Third %O.O$3 and a11 his 1ong pi1grimage on the three 1o6er p1anes is de5oted to the e5o14tion o2 this third aspect3 the inte11ect4a1 side o2 the di5ine nat4re in man7 Whi1e this is proceeding3 6e may consider the other di5ine energies as rather brooding o5er the man3 the hidden so4rce o2 his 1i2e3 than as acti5e1y de5e1oping their 2orces 6ithin him7 They p1ay 6ithin themse15es3 4nmani2est7 $ti113 the preparation o2 these 2orces 2or mani2estation is s1o61y proceedingA they are being ro4sed 2rom that 4nmani2ested 1i2e that 6e spea0 o2 as 1atency by the e5er?increasing energy o2 the 5ibrations o2 the inte11igence3 and the b1iss?aspect begins to send o4t6ards its 2irst 5ibrations < 2aint p41sings o2 its mani2ested 1i2e thri11 2orth7 This b1iss?aspect is named in theosophica1 termino1ogy B4ddhi3 a name deri5ed 2rom the $ans0rit 6ord 2or 6isdom3 and it be1ongs to the 2o4rth3 or b4ddhic p1ane o2 o4r 4ni5erse3 the p1ane3 in 6hich there is sti11 d4a1ity3 b4t 6ere there is no separation7 Words 2ai1 me to con5ey the idea3 2or 6ords be1ong to the 1o6er p1anes 6here d4a1ity and separation are e5er "Pa#e /))% connected3 yet some approach to the idea may be gained7 It is a state in 6hich each is himse123 6ith a c1earness and 5i5id intensity 6hich cannot be approached on 1o6er p1anes3 and yet in 6hich each 2ee1s himse12 to inc14de a11 others3 to be one 6ith them3 inseparate and inseparab1e7 *The reader sho41d re2er bac0 to the Introd4ction3 p7 ;M3 and reread the description gi5en by P1otin4s o2 this state3 commencingD BThey 1i0e6ise see a11 things7C And he sho41d note the phrases3 BEach 1i0e6ise is e5erything3C and BIn each3 ho6e5er a di22erent >4a1ity predominates7+ Its nearest ana1ogy on earth is the condition bet6een t6o persons 6ho are 4nited by a p4re3 intense 1o5e3 6hich ma0es them 2ee1 as one person3 ca4sing them to thin03 2ee13 act3 1i5e as one3 recognising no barrier3 no di22erence3 no mine and thine3 no separation7 *It is 2or this reason that the b1iss o2 di5ine 1o5e has in many $cript4res been imaged by the pro2o4nd 1o5e o2 h4sband and 6i2e3 as in the (ha!a%ad Purfna o2 the "ind4s3 the *on! of *olomon o2 the "ebre6s and Christians7 This is a1so the 1o5e o2 the $42i mystics3 and indeed o2 a11 mystics7+ It is a 2aint echo 2rom this p1ane 6hich ma0es men see0 happiness by 4nion bet6een themse15es and the ob8ect o2 their desire3 no matter 6hat that ob8ect may be7 Per2ect iso1ation is per2ect misery A to be stripped na0ed o2 e5erything3 to be hanging in the 5oid o2 space3 in 4tter so1it4de3 nothing any6here sa5e the 1one indi5id4a13 sh4t o4t 2rom a113 sh4t into the separated se12 < imagination can concei5e no horror more intense7 The antithesis to this is 4nion3 and per2ect 4nion is per2ect b1iss7 As this b1iss?aspect o2 the $e12 begins to send "Pa#e /),% o4t6ards its 5ibrations3 these 5ibrations3 as on the p1anes be1o63 dra6 ro4nd themse15es the matter o2 the p1ane on 6hich they are 24nctioning3 and th4s is 2ormed grad4a11y the b4ddhic body3 or b1iss?body3 as it is appropriate1y termed7 *_nandamaya0osha3 or b1iss?sheath3 o2 the )ed]ntins7 It is a1so the body o2 the s4n3 the so1ar body3 o2 6hich a 1itt1e is said in the !panishads and e1se6here7+ The on1y 6ay in 6hich the man can contrib4te to the b4i1ding o2 this g1orio4s 2orm is by c41ti5ating p4re3 4nse12ish3 a11?embracing3 bene2icent 1o5e3 1o5e Bthat see0eth not its o6nC < that is3 1o5e that is neither Page :9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

partia13 nor see0s any ret4rn 2or its o4t21o6ing7 This spontaneo4s o4tpo4ring o2 1o5e is the most mar0ed o2 the di5ine attrib4tes3 the 1o5e that gi5es e5erything3 that as0s nothing7 P4re 1o5e bro4ght the 4ni5erse into being3 p4re 1o5e maintains it3 p4re 1o5e dra6s it 4p6ards to6ards per2ection3 to6ards b1iss7 And 6here5er man po4rs o4t 1o5e on a11 6ho need it3 ma0ing no di22erence3 see0ing no ret4rn3 2rom p4re spontaneo4s 8oy in the o4tpo4ring3 there that man is de5e1oping the b1iss?aspect o2 the eity 6ithin him3 and is preparing that body o2 bea4ty and 8oy ine22ab1e into 6hich the Thin0er 6i11 rise3 casting a6ay the 1imits o2 separateness3 to 2ind himse123 and yet one 6ith a11 that 1i5es7 This Bthe ho4se not made 6ith hands3 eterna1 in the hea5ens3C 6hereo2 6rote $t7 Pa413 the great Christian Initiate A and he raised charity3 p4re 1o5e3 abo5e a11 other 5irt4es3 beca4se by that a1one can man on earth contrib4te to that g1orio4s d6e11ing7 For a simi1ar reason is "Pa#e /)-% separateness ca11ed Bthe great heresyC by the B4ddhist3 and B4nionC is the goa1 o2 the "ind4 A 1iberation is the escape 2rom the 1imitations that 0eep 4s apart3 and se12ishness is the root?e5i13 the destr4ction 6hereo2 is the destr4ction o2 a11 pain7 The 2i2th p1ane3 the Nir5]nic3 is the p1ane o2 the highest h4man aspect o2 the .od 6ithin 4s3 and this aspect is named by theosophists _tm]3 or the $e127 It is the p1ane o2 p4re e@istence3 o2 di5ine po6ers in their 2411est mani2estation in o4r 2i5e2o1d 4ni5erse < 6hat 1ies beyond on the si@th and se5enth p1anes is hidden in the 4nimaginab1e 1ight o2 .od7 This ]tmic3 or nir5]nic3 conscio4sness3 the conscio4sness be1onging to 1i2e on the 2i2th p1ane3 is the conscio4sness attained by those 1o2ty Ones3 the 2irst 2r4its o2 h4manity3 6ho ha5e a1ready comp1eted the cyc1e o2 h4man e5o14tion3 and 6ho are ca11ed (asters7 *&no6n as (ah]tm]s3 great $pirits3 and Wi5anm40tas3 1iberated so41s3 6ho remain connected 6ith physica1 bodies 2or the he1ping o2 h4manity7 (any other great Beings a1so 1i5e on the nir5]nic p1ane7+ They ha5e so15ed in Themse15es the prob1em o2 4niting the essence o2 indi5id4a1ity 6ith non?separateness3 and 1i5e3 immorta1 Inte11igences3 per2ect in 6isdom3 in b1iss3 in po6er7 When the h4man (onad comes 2orth 2rom the %O.O$3 it is as tho4gh 2rom the 14mino4s ocean o2 _tm] a tiny thread o2 1ight 6as separated o22 2rom the rest by a 2i1m o2 b4ddhic matter3 and 2rom this h4ng a spar0 6hich becomes enc1osed in an egg?1i0e casing o2 matter be1onging to the 2orm1ess 1e5e1s o2 "Pa#e /).% the menta1 p1ane7 The spar0 hangs 2rom the 21ame by the 2inest thread o2 Fohat7C * Boo0 o2 Oyan3 $tanOa 5ii3 H3 A $ecret octrine3 5o17 I3 p7 MM3 199; ed7 A p7 99 Adyar Edition+ As e5o14tion proceeds3 this 14mino4s egg gro6s 1arger and more opa1escent3 and the tiny thread becomes a 6ider and 6ider channe1 thro4gh 6hich more and more o2 the ]tmic 1i2e po4rs do6n7 Fina11y3 they merge < the third 6ith the second3 and the t6ain 6ith the 2irst3 as 21ame merges 6ith 21ame and no separation can be seen7 The e5o14tion o2 the 2o4rth and 2i2th p1anes be1ongs to a 24t4re period o2 o4r race3 b4t those 6ho choose the harder path o2 s6i2ter progress may tread it e5en no63 as 6i11 be e@p1ained 1ater7 *see Chapter ,I3 on B(anEs Ascent7C+ On that path the b1iss body is >4ic01y e5o15ed3 and a man begins to en8oy the conscio4sness o2 that 1o2tier region3 and 0no6s the b1iss 6hich comes 2rom the absence o2 separati5e Page 9T

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barriers3 the 6isdom 6hich 21o6s in 6hen the 1imits o2 the inte11ect are transcended7 Then is the 6hee1 escaped 2rom 6hich binds the so41 in the 1o6er 6or1ds3 and then is the 2irst 2oretaste o2 the 1iberty 6hich is 2o4nd per2ected on the nir5]nic p1ane7 The nir5]nic conscio4sness is the antithesis o2 annihi1ationA it is e@istence raised to a 5i5idness and intensity inconcei5ab1e to those 6ho 0no6 on1y the 1i2e o2 the senses and the mind7 As the 2arthing r4sh? 1ight to the sp1endo4r o2 the s4n at noon3 so is the nir5]nic to the earth?bo4nd conscio4sness3 and to regard it as an annihi1ation beca4se the 1imits o2 the earth1y conscio4sness ha5e 5anished3 is as tho4gh a man3 0no6ing on1y the r4sh?1ight3 sho41d say that "Pa#e /,0% 1ight co41d not e@ist 6itho4t a 6ic0 immersed in ta11o67 That Nir5]na is3 has been born 6itness to in the past in the $cript4res o2 the 6or1d by Those 6ho en8oy it and 1i5e its g1orio4s 1i2e3 and is sti11 borne 6itness to by others o2 o4r race 6ho ha5e c1imbed that 1o2ty 1adder o2 per2ected h4manity3 and 6ho remain in to4ch 6ith earth that the 2eet o2 o4r ascending race may mo4nt its r4ngs 4n2a1tering1y7 In Nir5]na d6e11 the mighty Beings 6ho accomp1ished Their o6n h4man e5o14tion in past 4ni5erses3 and 6ho came 2orth 6ith the %O.O$ 6hen "e mani2ested "imse12 to bring this 4ni5erse into e@istence7 They are "is ministers in the administration o2 the 6or1ds3 the per2ect agents o2 "is 6i117 The %ords o2 a11 the hierarchies o2 the .ods and 1o6er ministrants that 6e ha5e seen 6or0ing on the 1o6er p1anes ha5e here Their abiding?p1ace3 2or Nir5]na is the heart o2 the 4ni5erse3 6hence a11 its 1i2e?c4rrents proceed7 "ence the .reat Breath comes 2orth3 the 1i2e o2 a113 and thither it is indra6n 6hen the 4ni5erse has reached its term7 There is the Beati2ic )ision 2or 6hich mystics 1ong3 there the 4n5ei1ed .1ory3 the $4preme .oa17 The Brotherhood o2 "4manity < nay3 the Brotherhood o2 a11 things < has its s4re 2o4ndation on the spirit4a1 p1anes3 the ]tmic and b4ddhic3 2or here a1one is 4nity3 and here a1one per2ect sympathy is 2o4nd7 The inte11ect is the separati5e princip1e in man3 that mar0s o22 the B I B 2rom the B not I 3C that is conscio4s "Pa#e /,/% o2 itse123 and sees a11 e1se as o4tside itse12 and a1ien7 It is the combati5e3 str4gg1ing3 se12? asserti5e princip1e3 and 2rom the p1ane o2 the inte11ect do6n6ards the 6or1d presents a scene o2 con21ict3 bitter in proportion as the inte11ect ming1es in it7 E5en the passion?nat4re is on1y spontaneo4s1y combati5e 6hen it is stirred by the 2ee1ing o2 desire and 2inds anything standing bet6een itse12 and the ob8ect o2 its desiresA it becomes more and more aggressi5e as the mind inspires its acti5ity3 2or then it see0s to pro5ide 2or the grati2ication o2 24t4re desires3 and tries to appropriate more and more 2rom the stores o2 Nat4re7 B4t the inte11ect is spontaneo4s1y combati5e3 its 5ery nat4re being to assert itse12 as di22erent 2rom others3 and here 6e 2ind the root o2 separateness3 the e5er?springing so4rce o2 di5isions among men7 B4t 4nity is at once 2e1t 6hen the b4ddhic p1ane is reached3 as tho4gh 6e stepped 2rom a separate ray3 di5erging 2rom a11 other rays3 into the s4n itse123 2rom 6hich radiate a11 the rays a1i0e7 A being standing in the s4n3 s4224sed 6ith its 1ight3 and po4ring it 2orth3 6o41d 2ee1 no di22erence bet6een ray and ray3 b4t 6o41d po4r 2orth a1ong one as readi1y and easi1y as a1ong another7 And so 6ith the man 6ho has once conscio4s1y attained the b4ddhic p1ane A he feels the brotherhood that others spea0 o2 as an idea13 and po4rs himse12 o4t into any one 6ho 6ants assistance3 gi5ing menta13 mora13 "Pa#e /,$% astra13 physica1 he1p e@act1y as it is needed7 Page 91

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"e sees a11 beings as himse123 and 2ee1s that a11 he has is theirs as m4ch as hisA nay3 in many cases3 as more theirs than his3 beca4se their need is greater3 their strength being 1ess7 $o do the e1der brothers in a 2ami1y bear the 2ami1y b4rdens3 and shie1d the 1itt1e ones 2rom s422ering and pri5ation A to the spirit o2 brotherhood 6ea0ness is a c1aim 2or he1p and 1o5ing protection3 not an opport4nity 2or oppression7 Beca4se They had reached this 1e5e1 and mo4nted e5en higher3 the great Fo4nders o2 re1igions ha5e e5er been mar0ed by Their o5er6e11ing compassion and tenderness3 ministering to the physica1 as 6e11 as to the inner 6ants o2 men3 to e5ery man according to his need7 The conscio4sness o2 this inner 4nity3 the recognition o2 the One $e12 d6e11ing e>4a11y in a113 is the one s4re 2o4ndation o2 Brotherhood A a11 e1se sa5e this is 2rangib1e7 This recognition3 moreo5er3 is accompanied by the 0no61edge that the stage in e5o14tion reached by di22erent h4man and non?h4man beings depends chie21y on 6hat 6e may ca11 their age7 $ome began their 8o4rney in time 5ery m4ch 1ater than others3 and3 tho4gh the po6ers in each be the same3 some ha5e 4n2o1ded 2ar more o2 those po6ers than others3 simp1y beca4se they ha5e had a 1onger time 2or the process than their yo4nger brethren7 As 6e11 b1ame and despise the seed beca4se it is not yet a 21o6er3 the b4d beca4se it is not yet the 2r4it3 the babe beca4se it is not yet the man3 and b1ame and despise the germina1 and baby so41s aro4nd 4s beca4se they ha5e not "Pa#e /,&% yet de5e1oped to the stage 6e o4rse15es occ4py7 We do not b1ame o4rse15es beca4se 6e are not yet as .ods A in time 6e sha11 stand 6here o4r e1der Brothers are standing7 Why sho41d 6e b1ame the sti11 yo4nger so41s 6ho are not yet as 6eF The 5ery 6ord brotherhood connotes identity o2 b1ood and ine>4a1ity o2 de5e1opment A and it there2ore represents e@act1y the 1in0 bet6een a11 creat4res in the 4ni5erse < identity o2 the essentia1 1i2e3 and di22erence in the stages reached in the mani2estation o2 that 1i2e7 We are one in o4r origin3 one in the method o2 o4r e5o14tion3 one in o4r goa13 and the di22erences o2 age and stat4re b4t gi5e opport4nity 2or the gro6th o2 the tenderest and c1osest ties7 A11 that a man 6o41d do 2or his brother o2 the 21esh3 dearer to him than himse123 is the meas4re o2 6hat he o6es to each 6ho shares 6ith him the one %i2e7 (en are sh4t o4t 2rom their brothersE hearts by di22erences o2 race3 o2 c1ass3 o2 co4ntry A the man 6ho is 6ise by 1o5e rises abo5e a11 these petty di22erences3 and sees a11 dra6ing their 1i2e 2rom the one so4rce3 a11 as part o2 his 2ami1y7 The recognition o2 this Brotherhood inte11ect4a11y3 and the endea5o4r to 1i5e it practica11y3 are so stim41ati5e o2 the higher nat4re o2 man3 that it 6as made the one ob1igatory ob8ect o2 the Theosophica1 $ociety3 the sing1e Bartic1e o2 be1ie2C that a11 6ho 6o41d enter its 2e11o6ship m4st accept7 To 1i5e it3 e5en to a sma11 e@tent3 c1eanses the heart and p4ri2ies the 5ision A to 1i5e it per2ect1y 6o41d be to eradicate a11 stain o2 separateness3 and to 1et the p4re "Pa#e /,'% shining o2 the $e12 irradiate 4s3 as a 1ight thro4gh 21a61ess g1ass7 Ne5er 1et it be 2orgotten that this Brotherhood is3 6hether men ignore it or deny it7 (anEs ignorance does not change the 1a6s o2 nat4re3 nor 5ary by one hairEs breadth her change1ess3 irresistib1e march7 "er 1a6s cr4sh those 6ho oppose them3 and brea0 into pieces e5erything 6hich is not in harmony 6ith them7 There2ore can no nation end4re that o4trages Brotherhood3 no ci5i1isation can 1ast that is b4i1t on its Page 9/

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

antithesis7 We ha5e not to ma0e brotherhood A it e@ists7 We ha5e to att4ne o4r 1i5es into harmony 6ith it3 i2 6e desire that 6e and o4r 6or0s sha11 not perish7 It may seem strange to some that the b4ddhic p1ane < a thing to them misty and 4nrea1 < sho41d th4s in214ence a11 p1anes be1o6 it3 and that its 2orces sho41d e5er brea0 into pieces a11 that cannot harmonise itse12 6ith them in the 1o6er 6or1ds7 #et so it is3 2or this 4ni5erse is an e@pression o2 spirit4a1 2orces3 and they are the g4iding3 mo41ding energies per5ading a11 things3 and s1o61y3 s4re1y3 s4bd4ing a11 things to themse15es7 "ence this Brotherhood3 6hich is a spirit4a1 4nity3 is a 2ar more rea1 thing than any o4t6ard organisation A it is a 1i2e and not a 2orm3 B6ise1y and s6eet1y ordering a11 things7C It may ta0e inn4merab1e 2orms3 s4itab1e to the times3 b4t the 1i2e is one A ha++y they who see its +resence, and ma)e themsel%es the channels of its li%in! force7 The st4dent has no6 be2ore him the constit4ents "Pa#e /,(% o2 the h4man constit4tion3 and the regions to 6hich these constit4ents respecti5e1y be1ongA so a brie2 s4mmary sho41d enab1e him to ha5e a c1ear idea o2 this comp1icated 6ho1e7 The h4man (onad is _tma?B4ddhi?(anas3 or3 as sometimes trans1ated3 the $pirit3 the $pirit4a1 $o413 and $o413 o2 man7 The 2act that these three are b4t aspects o2 the $e12 ma0es possib1e manEs immorta1 e@istence3 and tho4gh these three aspects are mani2ested separate1y and s4ccessi5e1y3 their s4bstantia1 4nity renders it possib1e 2or the $o41 to merge itse12 in the spirit4a1 $o413 gi5ing to the 1atter the precio4s essence o2 indi5id4a1ity3 and 2or this indi5id4a1ised $pirit4a1 $o41 to merge itse12 in the $pirit3 co1o4ring it < i2 the phrase may be permitted 6ith the h4es d4e to indi5id4a1ity3 6hi1e 1ea5ing 4nin84red its essentia1 4nity 6ith a11 other rays o2 the %O.O$ and 6ith the %O.O$ "imse127 These three 2orm the se5enth3 si@th and 2i2th princip1es o2 man3 and the materia1s 6hich 1imit and encase them3 i.e.3 6hich ma0e their mani2estation and acti5ity possib1e3 are dra6n respecti5e1y 2rom the 2i2th *nir5]nic+3 the 2o4rth *b4ddhic+3 and the third *menta1+3 p1anes o2 o4r 4ni5erse7 The 2i2th princip1e 24rther ta0es to itse12 a 1o6er body on the menta1 p1ane3 in order to come into contact 6ith the phenomena1 6or1ds3 and th4s intert6ines itse12 6ith the 2o4rth princip1e3 the desire?nat4re3 or &]ma3 be1onging to the second or astra1 p1ane7 escending to the 2irst3 the physica1 p1ane3 6e ha5e the third3 second and 2irst princip1es < the specia1ised 1i2e3 or Pr]na A the "Pa#e /,)% etheric do4b1e3 its 5ehic1e A the dense body3 6hich contacts the coarser materia1s o2 the physica1 6or1d7 We ha5e a1ready seen that sometimes Pr]na is not regarded as a Bprincip1e3C and then the inter6o5en desire and menta1 bodies ta0e ran0 together as &]ma (anas A the p4re inte11ect is ca11ed the "igher (anas3 and the mind apart 2rom desire %o6er (anas7 The most con5enient conception o2 man is perhaps that 6hich most c1ose1y represents the 2acts as to the one permanent 1i2e and the 5ario4s 2orms in 6hich it 6or0s and 6hich condition its energies3 ca4sing the 5ariety in mani2estation7 Then 6e see the $e12 as the one %i2e3 the so4rce o2 a11 energies3 and the 2orms as the b4ddhic3 ca4sa13 menta13 astra13 and physica1 *etheric and dense+ bodies7 * %inga $harira 6as the Page 9;

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

name origina11y gi5en to the etheric body3 and m4st not be con24sed 6ith the %inga $harira o2 "ind4 phi1osophy7 $thc1a $harira is the $ans0rit name 2or the dense body7+ P4tting together the t6o 6ays o2 1oo0ing at the same thing3 6e may constr4ct a tab1eD "Pa#e /,,%

PRINCIP ES Atm61 B9ddhi Hi#he8 4anas o<e8 4anas S7i8it S7i8it9a: So9: H9man So9:

IFE Atm6

FOR4S B:iss;Body Ca9sa: Body 4enta: Body

Those o= o98 8eade8s <ho a8e mo8e =ami:ia8 <ith the 5ed6ntin c:assi=ication may =ind the =o::o<in# t<o tab:es o= the =o8m;side 9se=9:> B9ddhic body Ca9sa: body 4enta: body Ast8a: body Physica: body Dense ?nandamaya@osha 5i#ny6namaya@osha 4anomaya@osha Ethe8ic P86namaya@osha Annamay@osha FOR4S Ast8a: Body Ethe8ic Do9b:e Dense Body

PRINCIP ES 26ma 1 Anima: So9: in#a Sha8i8a A SthB:a Sha8i8a

A in#a Sha8i8a <as the name o8i#ina::y #iCen to the ethe8ic bodyD and m9st not be con=9sed <ith the in#a Sha8E8a o= Hind9 7hi:oso7hy1 SthB:a Sha8i8a is the Sans@8it name =o8 the dense body1 It 6i11 be seen that the di22erence is mere1y a >4estion o2 names3 and that the si@th3 2i2th3 2o4rth3 and third Bprincip1esC are mere1y _tm] 6or0ing in the B4ddhic3 ca4sa13 menta1 and astra1 bodies3 6hi1e the second and 2irst Bprincip1es B are the t6o 1o6est bodies themse15es7 This s4dden change in the method o2 naming is apt to ca4se con24sion in the mind o2 the st4dent3 and as "7P7 B1a5ats0y3 o4r re5ered teacher3 e@pressed m4ch dissatis2action 6ith the then c4rrent nomenc1at4re as con24sed and mis1eading3 and desired others and myse12 to try and impro5e it3 the abo5e names3 as descripti5e3 simp1e3 and representing the 2acts3 are here adopted7

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The 5ario4s s4bt1e bodies o2 man that 6e ha5e no6 st4died 2orm in their aggregate 6hat is 4s4a11y ca11ed the Ba4raC o2 the h4man being7 This a4ra has the appearance o2 an egg?shaped 14mino4s c1o4d3 in the midst o2 6hich is the dense physica1 body3 and 2rom its appearance it has o2ten been spo0en o2 as tho4gh it 6ere nothing more than s4ch a c1o4d7 What is 4s4a11y ca11ed the a4ra is mere1y s4ch parts o2 the s4bt1e bodies as e@tend beyond the periphery o2 the dense physica1 body A each body is comp1ete "Pa#e /,-% in itse123 and interpenetrates those that are coarser than itse12 A it is 1arger or sma11er according to its de5e1opment3 and a11 that part o2 it that o5er1aps the s4r2ace o2 the dense body is termed the a4ra7 The a4ra is th4s composed o2 the o5er1apping portions o2 the etheric do4b1e3 the desire body3 the menta1 body3 the ca4sa1 body3 and in rare cases the b4ddhic body3 i114minated by the _tmic radiance7 It is sometimes d4113 coarse and dingy A sometimes magni2icent1y radiant in siOe3 1ight3 and co1o4r A it depends entire1y on the stage o2 e5o14tion reached by the man3 on the de5e1opment o2 his di22erent bodies3 on the mora1 and menta1 character he has e5o15ed7 A11 his 5arying passions3 desires3 and tho4ghts are herein 6ritten in 2orm3 in co1o4r3 in 1ight3 so that Bhe that r4ns may read B i2 he has eyes 2or s4ch script7 Character is stamped thereon as 6e11 as 21eeting changes3 and no deception is there possib1e as in the mas0 6e ca11 the physica1 body7 The increase in siOe and bea4ty o2 the a4ra is the 4nmista0ab1e mar0 o2 the manEs progress3 and te11s o2 the gro6th and p4ri2ication o2 the Thin0er and his 5ehic1es7 "Pa#e
/,.%

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

CHAPTER 5II REINCARNATION We are no6 in a position to st4dy one o2 the pi5ota1 doctrines o2 the Ancient Wisdom3 the doctrine o2 reincarnation7 O4r 5ie6 o2 it 6i11 be c1earer and more in congr4ity 6ith nat4ra1 order3 i2 6e 1oo0 at it as 4ni5ersa1 in princip1e3 and then consider the specia1 case o2 the reincarnation o2 the h4man so417 In st4dying it3 this specia1 case is genera11y 6renched 2rom its p1ace in nat4ra1 order3 and is considered as a dis1ocated 2ragment3 great1y to its detriment7 For a11 e5o14tion consists o2 an e5o15ing 1i2e3 passing 2rom 2orm to 2orm as it e5o15es3 and storing 4p in itse12 the e@periences gained thro4gh the 2orms A the reincarnation o2 the h4man so41 is not the introd4ction o2 a ne6 princip1e into e5o14tion3 b4t the adaptation o2 the 4ni5ersa1 princip1e to meet the conditions rendered necessary by the indi5id4a1isation o2 the contin4o4s1y e5o15ing 1i2e7 (r7 %a2cadio "earn * B(r7 "earn has 1ost his 6ay in e@pressing < b4t not3 I thin03 in his inner 5ie6 < in part o2 his e@position o2 the B4ddhist statement o2 this doctrine3 and his 4se o2 the 6ord BEgoC 6i11 mis1ead the reader o2 his 5ery interesting chapter on this s4b8ect3 i2 the distinction bet6een rea1 and i114sory ego is not readi1y 0ept in mind7C+ has p4t this point 6e11 in considering the bearing o2 the idea o2 the pre?e@istence on the scienti2ic tho4ght o2 the West7 "e says D ? "Pa#e /-0% With the acceptance o2 the doctrine o2 e5o14tion3 o1d 2orms o2 tho4ght cr4mb1ed A ne6 ideas e5ery6here arose to ta0e the p1ace o2 6orn?o4t dogmas A and 6e no6 ha5e the spectac1e o2 a genera1 inte11ect4a1 mo5ement in directions strange1y para11e1 6ith Orienta1 phi1osophy7 The 4nprecedented rapidity and m41ti2ormity o2 scienti2ic progress d4ring the 1ast 2i2ty years co41d not ha5e 2ai1ed to pro5o0e an e>4a11y 4nprecedented inte11ect4a1 >4ic0ening among the non?scienti2ic7 B That the highest and most comp1e@ organisms ha5e been de5e1oped 2rom the 1o6est and simp1est A that a sing1e physica1 basis o2 1i2e is the s4bstance o2 the 6ho1e 1i5ing 6or1d A that no 1ine o2 separation can be dra6n bet6een the anima1 and 5egetab1e A that the di22erence bet6een 1i2e and non?1i2e is on1y a di22erence o2 degree3 not o2 0ind A that matter is not 1ess incomprehensib1e than mind3 6hi1e both are b4t 5arying mani2estations o2 one and the same 4n0no6n rea1ity < these ha5e a1ready become the commonp1aces o2 the ne6 phi1osophy7C A2ter the 2irst recognition e5en by theo1ogy o2 physica1 e5o14tion3 it 6as easy to predict that the recognition o2 psychica1 e5o14tion co41d not be inde2inite1y de1ayed A 2or the barrier erected by o1d dogma to 0eep men 2rom 1oo0ing bac06ard had been bro0en do6n7 And today 2or the st4dent o2 scienti2ic psycho1ogy the idea o2 pre?e@istence passes o4t o2 the rea1m o2 theory into the rea1m o2 2act3 pro5ing the B4ddhist e@p1anation o2 the 4ni5ersa1 mystery >4ite as p1a4sib1e as any other7C None b4t 5ery hasty thin0ers3E 6rote the 1ate Pro2essor "4@1ey3 Q6i11 re8ect it on the gro4nd o2 inherent abs4rdity7 %i0e the doctrine o2 e5o14tion itse123 that o2 transmigration has its roots in the 6or1d o2 rea1ity A and it may c1aim s4ch s4pport as the great arg4ment 2rom ana1ogy is capab1e o2 s4pp1ying7C *8%olution and 8thics3 p7 M13 ed7 199G < <o)oro, Hints and 8choes of ?a+anese Inner Aife3 by %a2cadio "earn3 pp7 Page 9M

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

/;:?;9 1ondon3 199M+7C "Pa#e /-/% %et 4s consider the (onad o2 2orm3 _tma?B4ddhi7 In this (onad3 the o4tbreathed 1i2e o2 the %O.O$3 1ie hidden a11 the di5ine po6ers3 b4t3 as 6e ha5e seen3 they are 1atent3 not mani2est and 24nctioning7 They are to be grad4a11y aro4sed by e@terna1 impacts3 it being o2 the 5ery nat4re o2 1i2e to 5ibrate in ans6er to 5ibrations that p1ay 4pon it7 As a11 possibi1ities o2 5ibrations e@ist in the (onad3 any 5ibration to4ching it 6i11 aro4se its corresponding 5ibratory po6ers3 and in this 6ay one 2orce a2ter another 6i11 pass 2rom the 1atent to the acti5e state7 *From the static to the 0inetic condition3 the physicist 6o41d say7+ "erein 1ies the secret o2 e5o14tion A the en5ironment acts on the 2orm o2 the 1i5ing creat4re < and a11 things3 be it remembered3 1i5e < and this action3 transmitted thro4gh the en5e1oping 2orm to the 1i2e3 the (onad3 6ithin it3 aro4ses responsi5e 5ibrations 6hich thri11 o4t6ards 2rom the (onad thro4gh the 2orm3 thro6ing its partic1es3 in t4rn3 into 5ibrations3 and rearranging them into a shape corresponding3 or adapted3 to the initia1 impact7 This is the action and reaction bet6een the en5ironment and the organism3 6hich ha5e been recognised by a11 bio1ogists3 and 6hich are considered by some as gi5ing a s422icient mechanica1 e@p1anation o2 e5o14tion7 Their patient and care241 obser5ation o2 these actions and reactions yie1ds3 ho6e5er3 no e@p1anation 6hy the organism sho41d th4s react to stim41i3 and the Ancient Wisdom is needed to 4n5ei1 the secret o2 e5o14tion3 by pointing to the $e12 in the heart o2 a11 "Pa#e /-$% 2orms3 the hidden mainspring o2 a11 the mo5ements o2 nat4re7 "a5ing grasped this 24ndamenta1 idea o2 a 1i2e containing the possibi1ity o2 responding to e5ery 5ibration that can reach it 2rom the e@terna1 4ni5erse3 the act4a1 response being grad4a11y dra6n 2orth by the p1ay 4pon it o2 e@terna1 2orces3 the ne@t 24ndamenta1 idea to be grasped is that o2 the contin4ity o2 1i2e and 2orms7 Forms transmit their pec41iarities to other 2orms that proceed 2rom them3 these other 2orms being part o2 their o6n s4bstance3 separated o22 to 1ead an independent e@istence7 By 2ission3 by b4dding3 by e@tr4sion o2 germs3 by de5e1opment o2 the o22spring 6ithin the materna1 6omb3 a physica1 contin4ity is preser5ed3 e5ery ne6 2orm being deri5ed 2rom a preceding 2orm and reprod4cing its characteristics7 * The st4dent might 6ise1y 2ami1iarise himse12 6ith the researches o2 Weissman on the contin4ity o2 germ?p1asm7+ $cience gro4ps these 2acts 4nder the name o2 the 1a6 o2 heredity3 and its obser5ations on the transmission o2 2orm are 6orthy o2 attention3 and are i114minati5e o2 the 6or0ings o2 Nat4re in the phenomena1 6or1d7 B4t it m4st be remembered that it app1ies on1y to the b4i1ding o2 the physica1 body3 into 6hich enter the materia1s pro5ided by the parents7 "er more hidden 6or0ings3 those 6or0ings o2 1i2e 6itho4t 6hich 2orm co41d not be3 ha5e recei5ed no attention3 not being s4sceptib1e o2 physica1 obser5ation3 and this gap can on1y be 2i11ed by the teachings o2 the Ancient Wisdom3 gi5en by Those 6ho o2 o1d "Pa#e /-&% 4sed s4perphysica1 po6ers o2 obser5ation3 and 5eri2iab1e grad4a11y by e5ery p4pi1 6ho st4dies patient1y in Their schoo1s7

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There is contin4ity o2 1i2e as 6e11 as contin4ity o2 2orm3 and it is the contin4ing 1i2e < 6ith e5er more and more o2 its 1atent energies rendered acti5e by the stim41i recei5ed thro4gh s4ccessi5e 2orms < 6hich res4mes into itse12 the e@periences obtained by its incasings in 2orm A 2or 6hen the 2orm perishes3 the 1i2e has the record o2 those e@periences in the increased energies aro4sed by them3 and is ready to po4r itse12 into the ne6 2orms deri5ed 2rom the o1d3 carrying 6ith it this acc4m41ated store7 Whi1e it 6as in the pre5io4s 2orm3 it p1ayed thro4gh it3 adapting it to e@press each ne61y a6a0ened energyA the 2orm hands on these adaptations3 in6ro4ght into its s4bstance3 to the separated part o2 itse12 that 6e spea0 o2 as its o22spring3 6hich3 beings o2 its s4bstance3 m4st needs ha5e the pec41iarities o2 that s4bstanceA the 1i2e po4rs itse12 into that o22spring 6ith a11 its a6a0ened po6ers3 and mo41ds it yet 24rther A and so on and on7 (odern science is pro5ing more and more c1ear1y that heredity p1ays an e5er?decreasing part in the e5o14tion o2 the higher creat4res3 that menta1 and mora1 >4a1ities are not transmitted 2rom parents to o22spring3 and that the higher >4a1ities the more patent is this 2act Q the chi1d o2 the geni4s is o2t?times a do1tA commonp1ace parents gi5e birth to a geni4s7 A contin4ing s4bstrat4m there m4st be3 in 6hich menta1 and mora1 >4a1ities inhere3 in order that they may increase3 e1se 6o41d Nat4re3 in "Pa#e /-'% this most important department o2 her 6or03 sho6 erratic 4nca4sed prod4ction instead o2 order1y contin4ity7 On this science is d4mb3 b4t the Ancient Wisdom teaches that this contin4ing s4bstrat4m is the (onad3 6hich is the receptac1e o2 a11 res41ts3 the storeho4se in 6hich a11 e@periences are garnered as increasing1y acti5e po6ers7 These t6o princip1es 2irm1y grasped < o2 the (onad 6ith potentia1ities becoming po6ers3 and o2 the contin4ity o2 the 1i2e 2orm < 6e can proceed to the contin4ity o2 1i2e and 2orm < 6e can proceed to st4dy their 6or0ing o4t in detai13 and 6e sha11 2ind that they so15e many o2 the perp1e@ing prob1ems o2 modern science3 as 6e11 as the yet more heart?searching prob1ems con2ronted by the phi1anthropist and the sage7 %et 4s start by considering the monad as it is 2irst s4b8ected to the impacts 2rom the 2orm1ess 1e5e1s o2 the menta1 p1ane3 the 5ery beginning o2 the e5o14tion o2 2orm7 Its 2irst 2aint responsi5e thri11ings dra6 ro4nd it some o2 the matter o2 that p1ane3 and 6e ha5e the grad4a1 e5o14tion o2 the 2irst e1ementa1 0ingdom3 a1ready mentioned7 *$ee chapter I)3 on BThe (enta1 P1aneC+7 The great 24ndamenta1 types o2 the (onad are se5en in n4mber3 sometimes imaged as 1i0e the se5en co1o4rs o2 the so1ar spectr4m3 deri5ed 2rom the three primary7 *BAs abo5e3 so be1o67C We instincti5e1y remember the three %O.OI and the se5en prime5a1 $ons o2 the Fire A in Christian $ymbo1ism3 the Trinity and the B$e5en $pirits that are be2ore the throneC A or in Uoroastrian3 Ah4ramaOda and the se5en Ameshaspentas7+ "Pa#e /-(% Each o2 these types has its o6n co1o4ring o2 characteristics3 and this co1o4ring persists thro4gho4t the aeonian cyc1e o2 its e5o14tion3 a22ecting a11 the series o2 1i5ing things that are animated by it7 No6 begins the process o2 s4bdi5ision in each o2 these types3 that 6i11 be carried on3 s4bdi5iding and e5er s4bdi5iding3 4nti1 the indi5id4a1 is reached7 Page 99

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The c4rrents set 4p by the commencing o4t6ard?going energies o2 the (onad < to 2o11o6 one 1ine o2 e5o14tion 6i11 s422ice A the other si@ are 1i0e 4nto it in princip1e < ha5e b4t brie2 2orm?1i2e3 yet 6hate5er e@perience can be gained thro4gh them is represented by an increased1y responsi5e 1i2e in the (onad 6ho is their so4rce and ca4se A as this responsi5e 1i2e consists o2 5ibrations that are o2ten incongr4o4s 6ith each other3 a tendency to6ards separation is set 4p 6ithin the (onad3 the harmonio4s1y 5ibrating 2orces gro4ping themse15es together 2or3 as it 6ere3 concerted action3 4nti1 5ario4s s4b?(onads3 i2 the epithet may 2or a moment be a11o6ed3 are 2ormed3 a1i0e in their main characteristics3 b4t di22ering in detai1s3 1i0e shades o2 the same co1o4r7 These become3 by impacts 2rom the 1o6er 1e5e1s o2 the menta1 p1ane3 the (onads o2 the second e1ementa1 0ingdom3 be1onging to the 2orm region o2 that p1ane3 and the process contin4es3 the (onad e5er adding to its po6er to respond3 each (onad being the inspiring 1i2e o2 co4nt1ess 2orms3 thro4gh 6hich it recei5es 5ibrations3 and3 as the 2orms disintegrate3 constant1y 5i5i2ying ne6 2orms A the process o2 s4bdi5ision a1so contin4es 2rom the ca4se a1ready described7 "Pa#e /-)% Each (onad th4s contin4a11y incarnates itse12 in 2orms3 and garners 6ithin itse12 as a6a0ened po6ers a11 the res41ts obtained thro4gh the 2orms it animates7 We may 6e11 regard these (onads as the so41s o2 gro4ps o2 2ormsA and as e5o14tion proceeds3 these 2orms sho6 more and more attrib4tes3 the attrib4tes being the po6ers o2 the monadic gro4p?so41 mani2ested thro4gh the 2orms in 6hich it is incarnated7 The inn4merab1e s4b?(onads o2 this second e1ementa1 0ingdom present1y reach a stage o2 e5o14tion at 6hich they begin to respond to the 5ibrations o2 astra1 matter3 and they begin to act on the astra1 p1ane3 becoming the (onads o2 the third e1ementa1 0ingdom3 and repeating in this grosser 6or1d a11 the processes a1ready accomp1ished on the menta1 p1ane7 They become more and more n4mero4s as monadic gro4p?so41s3 sho6ing more and more di5ersity in detai13 the n4mber o2 2orms animated by each becoming 1ess as the specia1ised characteristics become more and more mar0ed7 (ean6hi1e3 it may be said in passing3 the e5er?21o6ing stream o2 1i2e 2rom the %O.O$ s4pp1ies ne6 (onads o2 2orm on the higher 1e5e1s3 so that the e5o14tion proceeds contin4o4s1y3 and as the more?e5o15ed (onads incarnate in the 1o6er 6or1ds their p1ace is ta0en by the ne61y emerged (onads in the higher7 By this e5er?repeated process o2 the reincarnation o2 the (onads3 or (onadic gro4p?so413 in the astra1 6or1d3 their e5o14tion proceeds3 4nti1 they are ready to respond to the impacts 4pon them 2rom physica1 matter7 When 6e remember that the 41timate atoms o2 each p1ane ha5e their sphere?6a11s composed o2 the coarsest matter o2 the p1ane immediate1y abo5e it3 it is easy to see ho6 the (onads become responsi5e to impacts 2rom one p1ane a2ter another7 "Pa#e /-,% When3 in the 2irst e1ementa1 0ingdom3 the (onad had become acc4stomed to thri11 responsi5e1y to the impacts o2 matter o2 that p1ane3 it 6o41d soon begin to ans6er to 5ibrations recei5ed throu!h the coarsest forms of that matter 2rom the matter o2 the p1ane ne@t be1o67 $o3 in its coatings o2 matter that 6ere the 2orms composed o2 the coarsest materia1s o2 the materia1 p1ane3 it 6o41d become s4sceptib1e to 5ibrations o2 astra1 atomic matter A and3 6hen incarnated in 2orms o2 the coarsest astra1 matter3 it 6o41d simi1ar1y become responsi5e to atomic physica1 ether3 the sphere?6a11s o2 6hich are constit4ted o2 the Page 99

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grossest astra1 materia1s7 Th4s the (onad may be regarded as reaching the physica1 p1ane A and there it begins3 or3 more acc4rate1y3 a11 these monadic gro4p?so41s begin3 to incarnate themse15es in 2i1my physica1 2orms3 the etheric do4b1es o2 the 24t4re dense minera1s o2 the physica1 6or1d7 Into these 2i1my 2orms the nat4re? spirits b4i1d the denser physica1 materia1s3 and th4s minera1s o2 a11 0inds are 2ormed3 the most rigid 5ehic1es in 6hich the e5o15ing 1i2e in?c1oses itse123 and thro4gh 6hich the 1east o2 its po6ers can e@press themse15es7 Each monadic gro4p?so41 has its o6n minera1 e@pressions3 the minera1 2orms in 6hich it is incarnated3 and the specia1isation has no6 reached a high degree7 These (onadic gro4p?so41s are sometimes ca11ed in their "Pa#e /--% tota1ity the minera1 (onad or the (onad incarnating in the minera1 0ingdom7 From this time 2or6ard the a6a0ened energies o2 the (onad p1ay a 1ess passi5e part in e5o14tion7 They begin to see0 e@pression acti5e1y to some e@tent 6hen once aro4sed into 24nctioning3 and to e@ercise a distinct1y mo41ding in214ence o5er the 2orms in 6hich they are imprisoned7 As they become too acti5e 2or their minera1 embodiment3 the beginnings o2 the more p1astic 2orms o2 the 5egetab1e 0ingdom mani2est themse15es3 the nat4re?spirits aiding this e5o14tion thro4gho4t the physica1 0ingdoms7 In the minera1 0ingdom there had a1ready been sho6n a tendency to6ards the de2inite organisation o2 2orm3 the 1aying do6n o2 certain 1ines * The a@es o2 gro6th 6hich determine 2orm7 They appear de2inite1y in crysta1s + a1ong 6hich the gro6th proceeded7 This tendency go5erns hence2orth a11 the b4i1ding o2 2orms3 and is the ca4se o2 the e@>4isite symmetry o2 nat4ra1 ob8ects3 6ith 6hich e5ery obser5er is 2ami1iar7 The monadic gro4p?so41s in the 5egetab1e 0ingdom 4ndergo di5ision and s4bdi5ision 6ith increasing rapidity3 in conse>4ence o2 the sti11 greater 5ariety o2 impacts to 6hich they are s4b8ected3 the e5o14tion o2 2ami1ies3 genera3 and species being d4e to this in5isib1e s4bdi5ision7 When any gen4s3 6ith its generic monadic gro4p?so413 is s4b8ected to 5ery 5arying conditions3 i.e73 6hen the 2orms connected 6ith it recei5e 5ery di22erent impacts3 a 2resh tendency to s4bdi5ide is set 4p in the (onad3 and 5ario4s species are e5o15ed3 "Pa#e /-.% each ha5ing its o6n speci2ic gro4p?so417 When Nat4re is 1e2t to her o6n 6or0ing the process is s1o63 a1tho4gh the nat4re?spirits do m4ch to6ards the di22erentiation o2 species A b4t 6hen man has been e5o15ed3 and 6hen he begins his arti2icia1 systems o2 c41ti5ation3 enco4raging the p1ay o2 one set o2 2orces3 6arding o22 another3 then this di22erentiation can be bro4ght abo4t 6ith considerab1e rapidity3 and speci2ic di22erences are readi1y e5o15ed7 $o 1ong as act4a1 di5ision has not ta0en p1ace in the monadic gro4p?so413 the s4b8ection o2 the 2orms to simi1ar in214ences may again eradicate the separati5e tendency3 b4t 6hen that di5ision is comp1eted the ne6 species are de2inite1y and 2irm1y estab1ished 3 and are ready to send o4t o22shoots o2 their o6n7 In some o2 the 1onger?1i5ed members o2 the 5egetab1e 0ingdom the e1ement o2 persona1ity begins to mani2est itse123 the stabi1ity o2 the organism rendering possib1e this 2oreshado6ing o2 indi5id4a1ity7 With a tree3 1i5ing 2or scores o2 years3 the rec4rrence o2 simi1ar conditions ca4sing simi1ar impacts3 the seasons e5er ret4rning year a2ter year3 the consec4ti5e motions ca4sed by them3 the rising o2 the sap3 the p4tting 2orth o2 1ea5es3 the to4ches o2 the 6ind3 o2 the s4nbeams3 o2 the rain < a11 these o4ter in214ences 6ith their rhythmica1 progression < set 4p responsi5e thri11ings in the monadic gro4p?so413 and3 as the se>4ence Page 9T

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impresses itse12 by contin4a1 repetition3 the rec4rrence o2 one 1eads to the dim e@pectation o2 its o2t? repeated s4ccessor7 Nat4re e5o15es no >4a1ity s4dden1y3 and these are the 2irst 2aint "Pa#e /.0% ad4mbrations o2 6hat 6i11 1ater be memory and anticipation7 In the 5egetab1e 0ingdom a1so appear the 2oreshado6ings o2 sensation3 e5o15ing in its higher members to 6hat the Western psycho1ogist 6o41d term Bmassi5eC sensations o2 p1eas4re and discom2ort7 *The Bmassi5eC sensation is one that per5ades the organism and is not 2e1t especia11y in any one part more than in others7 It is the antithesis o2 the Bac4te7C+ It m4st be remembered that the (onad has dra6n ro4nd itse12 materia1s o2 the p1anes thro4gh 6hich it has descended3 and hence is ab1e to contact impacts3 2rom those p1anes3 the strongest and those most near1y a11ied to the grossest 2orms o2 matter being the 2irst to ma0e themse15es 2e1t7 $4nshine and the chi11 o2 its absence at 1ast impress themse15es on the monadic conscio4sness A and its astra1 coating3 thro6n into 2aint 5ibrations3 gi5es rise to the s1ight massi5e 0ind o2 sensation spo0en o27 Rain and dro4ght a22ecting the mechanica1 constit4tion o2 the 2orm3 and its po6er to con5ey 5ibrations to the enso41ing (onad < are another o2 the Bpairs o2 opposites3C the p1ay o2 6hich aro4ses the recognition o2 di22erence3 6hich is the root a1i0e o2 a11 sensation3 and 1ater o2 a11 tho4ght7 Th4s by their repeated p1ant? reincarnations the monadic gro4p?so41s in the 5egetab1e 0ingdom e5o15e3 4nti1 those that enso41 the highest members o2 the 0ingdom are ready 2or the ne@t step7 This step carries them into the anima1 0ingdom3 and here they s1o61y e5o15e in their physica1 and astra1 5ehic1es a 5ery distinct persona1ity7 The anima13 "Pa#e /./% being 2ree to mo5e abo4t3 s4b8ects itse12 to a greater 5ariety o2 conditions than can be e@perienced by the p1ant3 rooted to a sing1e spot3 and this 5ariety3 as e5er3 promotes di22erentiation7 The monadic gro4p?so413 ho6e5er3 6hich animates a n4mber o2 6i1d anima1s o2 the same species or s4bspecies3 6hi1e it recei5es a great 5ariety o2 impacts3 since they are 2or the most part repeated contin4a11y and are shared by a11 the members o2 the gro4p3 di22erentiates b4t s1o61y7 These impacts aid in the de5e1opment o2 the physica1 and astra1 bodies3 and thro4gh them the monadic gro4p?so41 gathers m4ch e@perience7 When the 2orm o2 a member o2 the gro4p perishes3 the e@perience gathered thro4gh that 2orm is acc4m41ated in the monadic gro4p?so413 and may be said to co1o4r it A the s1ight1y increased 1i2e o2 the monadic gro4p?so413 po4red into a11 the 2orms 6hich compose its gro4p3 shares among a11 the e@periences o2 the perished 2orm3 and in this 6ay contin4a11y repeated e@periences3 stored 4p in the monadic gro4p?so413 appear as instincts3 Bacc4m41ated hereditary e@periencesC in the ne6 2orms7 Co4nt1ess birds ha5ing 2a11en a prey to ha60s3 chic0s 84st o4t o2 the egg 6i11 co6er at the approach o2 one o2 the hereditary enemies3 2or the 1i2e that is incarnated in them 0no6s the danger3 and the innate instinct is the e@pression o2 its 0no61edge7 In this 6ay are 2ormed the 6onder241 instincts that g4ard anima1s 2rom inn4merab1e habit4a1 peri1s3 6hi1e a ne6 danger 2inds them 4nprepared and on1y be6i1ders them7 "Pa#e
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As anima1s come 4nder the in214ence o2 man3 the monadic gro4p?so41s e5o15es 6ith great1y increased rapidity3 and3 2rom ca4ses simi1ar to those 6hich a22ect p1ants 4nder domestication3 s4bdi5ision o2 the incarnating 1i2e is more readi1y bro4ght abo4t7 Persona1ity e5o15es and becomes more and more strong1y mar0ed A in the ear1ier stages it may a1most be said to be compo4nd < a 6ho1e 21oc0 o2 6i1d creat4res 6i11 act as tho4gh mo5ed by a sing1e persona1ity3 so comp1ete1y are the 2orms dominated by the common so413 it3 in t4rn3 being a22ected by the imp41se 2rom the e@terna1 6or1d7 omesticated anima1s o2 the higher types3 the e1ephants3 the horse3 the cat3 the dog3 sho6 a more indi5id4a1ised persona1ity < t6o dogs3 2or instance3 may act 5ery di22erent1y 4nder the impact o2 the same circ4mstances7 The monadic gro4p?so41 incarnates in a decreasing n4mber o2 2orms as it grad4a11y approaches the point at 6hich comp1ete indi5id4a1isation 6i11 be reached7 The desire?body3 or &]mic 5ehic1e3 becomes considerab1y de5e1oped3 and persists 2or some time a2ter the death o2 the physica1 body3 1eading an independent e@istence in &]ma1o0a7 At 1ast the decreasing n4mber o2 2orms animated by a monadic gro4p?so41 comes do6n to 4nity3 and it animates a s4ccession o2 sing1e 2orms < a condition di22ering 2rom h4man reincarnation on1y by the absence o2 (anas3 6ith its ca4sa1 and menta1 bodies7 The menta1 matter bro4ght do6n by the monadic gro4p?so41s begins to be s4sceptib1e to impacts 2rom the menta1 p1ane3 and the anima1 is then ready to recei5e the third great "Pa#e /.&% o4tpo4ring o2 the 1i2e o2 the %O.O$ < the tabernac1e is ready 2or the reception o2 the h4man (onad7 The h4man (onad is3 as 6e ha5e seen3 trip1e in its nat4re3 its three aspects being denominated3 respecti5e1y3 the $pirit3 the spirit4a1 $o413 and the h4man $o413 _tma?B4ddhi?(anas7 o4bt1ess3 in the co4rse o2 eons o2 e5o14tion3 the 4p6ard1y e5o15ing (onad o2 2orm might ha5e 4n2o1ded (anas by progressi5e gro6th3 b4t both in the h4man race in the past3 and in the anima1s o2 the present3 s4ch has not been the co4rse o2 Nat4re7 When the ho4se 6as ready the tenant 6as sent do6n A 2rom the higher p1anes o2 being the ]tmic 1i2e descended3 5ei1ing itse12 in B4ddhi3 as a go1den thread A and its third aspect3 (anas3 sho6ing itse12 in the higher 1e5e1s o2 the 2orm1ess 6or1d o2 the menta1 p1ane3 germina1 (anas 6ithin the 2orm 6as 2r4cti2ied3 and the embryonic ca4sa1 body 6as 2ormed by the 4nion7 This is the indi5id4a1isation o2 the spirit3 the incasing o2 it in 2orm3 and this spirit incased in the ca4sa1 body is the so413 the indi5id4a13 the rea1 man7 This is his birth ho4rA 2or tho4gh his essence be eterna13 4nborn and 4ndying3 his birth in time as an indi5id4a1 is de2inite7 F4rther3 this o4tpo4red 1i2e reaches the e5o15ing 2orms not direct1y3 b4t by intermediaries7 The h4man race ha5ing attained the point o2 recepti5ity3 certain great Ones3 ca11ed $ons o2 (ind < *(anasap4tra is the technica1 name3 being mere1y the $ans0rit 2or $ons o2 (ind7+ < cast into men the monadic spar0 o2 _tma? B4ddhi?(anas3 needed "Pa#e /.'% 2or the 2ormation o2 the embryonic so417 And some o2 these great Ones act4a11y incarnated in h4man 2orms3 in order to become the g4ides and teachers o2 in2ant h4manity7 These $ons o2 (ind had comp1eted Their o6n inte11ect4a1 e5o14tion in other 6or1ds3 and came to this yo4nger 6or1d3 o4r earth3 2or the p4rpose o2 th4s aiding in the e5o14tion o2 the h4man race7 They are in tr4th3 the spirit4a1 2athers o2 the b410 o2 o4r h4manity7 Other inte11igences o2 m4ch 1o6er grade3 men 6ho had e5o15ed in preceding cyc1es in another 6or1d3 incarnated among the Page 9/

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descendants o2 the race that recei5ed its in2ant so41s in the 6ay 84st described7 As this race e5o15ed3 the h4man tabernac1es impro5ed3 and myriads o2 so41s that 6ere a6aiting the opport4nity o2 incarnation3 that they might contin4e their e5o14tion3 too0 birth among its chi1dren7 These partia11y e5o15ed so41s are a1so spo0en o2 in the ancient records as $ons o2 (ind3 2or they 6ere possessed o2 mind3 a1tho4gh comparati5e1y it 6as b4t 1itt1e de5e1oped < chi1dish so41s 6e may ca11 them3 in disting4ishment 2rom the embryonic so41s o2 the b410 o2 h4manity3 and the mat4re so41s o2 the great Teachers7 These chi1d?so41s3 by reason o2 their more e5o15ed inte11igence3 2ormed the 1eading types o2 the ancient 6or1d3 the c1asses higher in menta1ity3 and there2ore in the po6er o2 ac>4iring 0no61edge3 that dominated the masses o2 1ess de5e1oped men in anti>4ity7 And th4s arose3 in o4r 6or1d3 the enormo4s di22erences in menta1 and mora1 capacity 6hich separate the most high1y e5o15ed 2rom the 1east "Pa#e /.(% e5o15ed races3 and 6hich3 e5en 6ithin the 1imits o2 sing1e race3 separate the 1o2ty phi1osophic thin0er 2rom the 6e11?nigh anima1 type o2 the most depra5ed o2 his o6n nation7 These di22erences are b4t di22erences o2 the stage o2 e5o14tion3 o2 the age o2 the so413 and they ha5e been 2o4nd to e@ist thro4gho4t the 6ho1e o2 history o2 h4manity on this g1obe7 .o bac0 as 2ar as 6e may in historic records3 and 6e may 2ind 1o2ty inte11igence and debased ignorance side by side3 and the occ41t records3 carrying 4s bac06ards3 te11 a simi1ar story o2 the ear1y mi11ennia o2 h4manity7 Nor sho41d this distress 4s3 as tho4gh some had been 4nd41y 2a5o4red and others 4nd41y b4rdened 2or the str4gg1e o2 1i2e7 The 1o2tiest so41 had its chi1dhood and its in2ancy3 a1beit in pre5io4s 6or1ds3 6here other so41s 6ere as high abo5e it as others are be1o6 it no6 A the 1o6est so41 sha11 c1imb to 6here o4r highest are standing3 and so41s yet 4nborn sha11 occ4py its present p1ace in e5o14tion7 Things seem 4n84st beca4se 6e 6rench o4r 6or1d o4t o2 its p1ace in e5o14tion3 and set it apart in iso1ation3 6ith no 2orer4nners and no s4ccessors7 It is o4r ignorance that sees the in84stice A the 6ays o2 Nat4re are e>4a13 and she brings to a11 her chi1dren in2ancy3 chi1dhood3 and manhood7 Nor hers the 2a41t i2 o4r 2o11y demands that a11 so41s sha11 occ4py the same stage o2 e5o14tion at the same time3 and cries B!n84stPC i2 the demand be not 2412i11ed7 We sha11 best 4nderstand the e5o14tion o2 the so413 i2 6e ta0e it 4p at the point 6here 6e 1e2t it3 6hen anima1?man 6as ready to recei5e3 and did "Pa#e /.)% recei5e3 the embryonic so417 To a5oid a possib1e misapprehension3 it may be 6e11 to say that there 6ere not hence2orth t6o (onads in man < the one that had b4i1t the h4man tabernac1e3 and the one that descended into that tabernac1e3 and 6hose 1o6est aspect 6as the h4man so417 To borro6 a simi1e again 2rom "7 P7 B1a5ats0y3 as t6o rays o2 the s4n may pass thro4gh a ho1e in a sh4tter3 and ming1ing together 2orm b4t one ray tho4gh they had been t6ain3 so is it 6ith these rays 2rom the $4preme $4n3 the di5ine %ord o2 o4r 4ni5erse7 The second ray3 as it entered into the h4man tabernac1e3 b1ended 6ith the 2irst3 mere1y adding to it 2resh energy and bri11iance3 and the h4man (onad3 as a unit3 began its mighty tas0 o2 4n2o1ding the higher po6ers in man o2 that di5ine %i2e 6hence it came7 The embryonic so413 the Thin0er3 had at the beginning 2or its embryonic menta1 body the mind?st422 en5e1ope that the (onad o2 2orm had bro4ght 6ith it3 b4t had not yet organised into any possibi1ity o2 Page 9;

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24nctioning7 It 6as the mere germ o2 a menta1 body3 attached to a mere germ o2 a ca4sa1 body3 and 2or many a 1i2e the strong desire?nat4re had its 6i11 6ith the so413 6hir1ing it a1ong the road o2 its o6n passions and appetites3 and dashing 4p against it a11 the 24rio4s 6a5es o2 its o6n 4ncontro11ed anima1ity7 Rep41si5e as this ear1y 1i2e o2 the so41 may at 2irst seem to some 6hen 1oo0ed at 2rom the higher stage that 6e ha5e no6 attained3 it 6as a necessary one 2or the germination o2 the seeds o2 mind7 Recognition o2 di22erence3 the perception that one thing is di22erent "Pa#e /.,% 2rom another3 is a pre1iminary essentia1 to thin0ing at a117 And3 in order to a6a0en this perception in the as yet 4nthin0ing so413 strong and 5io1ent contrasts had to stri0e 4pon it3 so as to 2orce di22erences 4pon it < b1o6 a2ter b1o6 o2 rioto4s p1eas4re3 b1o6 a2ter b1o6 o2 cr4shing pain7 The e@terna1 6or1d hammered on the so41 thro4gh the desire nat4re3 ti11 perceptions began to be s1o61y made3 and3 a2ter co4nt1ess repetitions3 to be registered7 The 1itt1e gains made in each 1i2e 6ere stored 4p by the Thin0er3 as 6e ha5e a1ready seen3 and th4s s1o6 progress 6as made7 $1o6 progress3 indeed3 2or scarce1y anything 6as thou!ht3 and hence scarce1y anything 6as done in the 6ay o2 organising the menta1 body7 Not 4nti1 many perceptions had been registered in it as menta1 images 6as there any materia1 on 6hich menta1 action3 initiated 2rom 6ithin3 co41d be based A this 6o41d begin 6hen t6o or more o2 these menta1 images 6ere dra6n together3 and some in2erence3 ho6e5er e1ementary3 6as made 2rom them7 That in2erence 6as the beginning o2 reasoning3 the germ o2 a11 the systems o2 1ogic 6hich the inte11ect o2 man has since e5o15ed or assimi1ated7 These in2erences 6o41d at 2irst a11 be made in the ser5ice o2 the desire?nat4re3 2or the increasing o2 p1eas4re3 the 1essening o2 pain A b4t each one 6o41d increase the acti5ity o2 the menta1 body3 and 6o41d stim41ate it into more ready 24nctioning7 It 6i11 readi1y be seen that at this period o2 his in2ancy man had no 0no61edge o2 good or o2 e5i1A "Pa#e /.-% right and 6rong 2or him had no e@istence7 The right is that 6hich is in accordance 6ith the di5ine 6i113 6hich he1ps 2or6ard the progress o2 the so413 6hich tends to the strengthening o2 the higher nat4re o2 man and to the training and s4b84gation o2 the 1o6er3 the 6rong is that 6hich retards e5o14tion3 6hich retains the so41 in the 1o6er stages a2ter he has 1earned the 1essons they ha5e to teach3 6hich tends to the mastery o2 the 1o6er nat4re o5er the higher3 and assimi1ates man to the br4te he sho41d be o4tgro6ing instead o2 to the .od he sho41d be e5o15ing7 Ere man co41d 0no6 6hat 6as right3 he had to 1earn the e@istence o2 the 1a63 and this he co41d on1y 1earn by 2o11o6ing a11 that attracted him in the o4ter 6or1d3 by grasping e5ery desirab1e ob8ect3 and then by 1earning 2rom e@perience3 s6eet or bitter3 6hether his de1ight 6as in harmony or in con21ict 6ith the 1a67 %et 4s ta0e an ob5io4s e@amp1e3 the ta0ing o2 p1easant 2ood3 and see ho6 in2ant man might 1earn there2rom the presence o2 a nat4ra1 1a67 At the 2irst ta0ing3 his h4nger 6as appeased3 his taste 6as grati2ied3 and on1y p1eas4re res41ted 2rom the e@perience3 2or his action 6as in harmony 6ith 1a67 On another occasion3 desiring to increase p1eas4re3 he ate o5erm4ch and s422ered in conse>4ence3 2or he transgressed against the 1a67 A con24sing e@perience to the da6ning inte11igence3 ho6 the p1eas4rab1e became pain241 by e@cess7 O5er and o5er again he 6o41d be 1ed by desire into e@cess3 and each time he 6o41d e@perience the Page 9G

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pain241 conse>4ences3 4nti1 at 1ast he 1earned moderation3 "Pa#e /..% i.e73 he 1earned to con2orm his bodi1y acts in this respect to physica1 1a6A 2or he 2o4nd that there 6ere conditions 6hich a22ected him and 6hich he co41d not contro13 and that on1y by obser5ing them co41d physica1 happiness be ins4red7 $imi1ar e@periences 21o6ed in 4pon him thro4gh a11 the bodi1y organs3 6ith 4nde5iating reg41arity A his o4tr4shing desires bro4ght him p1eas4re or pain 84st as they 6or0ed 6ith the 1a6s o2 Nat4re or against them3 and3 as e@perience increased3 it began to g4ide his steps3 to in214ence his choice3 It 6as not as tho4gh he had to begin his e@perience ane6 6ith e5ery 1i2e3 2or on each ne6 birth he bro4ght 6ith him menta1 2ac41ties a 1itt1e increased3 and e5er?acc4m41ating store7 I ha5e said that the gro6th in these ear1y days 6as 5ery s1o63 2or there 6as b4t the da6ning o2 menta1 action3 and 6hen the man 1e2t his physica1 body at death he passed most o2 his time in &]ma1o0a3 s1eeping thro4gh a brie2 de5achanic period o2 4nconscio4s assimi1ation o2 any min4te menta1 e@perience not yet s422icient1y de5e1oped 2or the acti5e hea5en1y 1i2e that 1ay be2ore him a2ter many days7 $ti113 the end4ring ca4sa1 body 6as there3 to be the receptac1e o2 his >4a1ities3 and to carry them on 2or 24rther de5e1opment into his ne@t 1i2e on earth7 The part p1ayed by the monadic gro4p?so41 in the ear1ier stages o2 e5o14tion is p1ayed in man by the ca4sa1 body3 and it is this contin4ing entity 6ho3 in a11 cases3 ma0es e5o14tion possib1e7 Witho4t him3 the acc4m41ation o2 menta1 and mora1 e@periences3 sho6n as "Pa#e $00% 2ac41ties3 6o41d be as impossib1e as 6o41d be the acc4m41ation o2 physica1 e@periences3 sho6n as racia1 and 2ami1y characteristics 6itho4t the contin4ity o2 physica1 p1asm7 $o41s 6itho4t a past behind them3 springing s4dden1y into e@istence3 o4t o2 nothing3 6ith mar0ed menta1 and mora1 pec41iarities3 are a conception as monstro4s as 6o41d be the corresponding conception o2 babies s4dden1y appearing 2rom no6here3 4nre1ated to anybody3 b4t sho6ing mar0ed racia1 and 2ami1y types7 Neither man nor his physica1 5ehic1e is 4nca4sed3 or ca4sed by the direct po6er o2 the %O.O$ A here3 as in so many other cases3 the in5isib1e things are c1ear1y seen by their ana1ogy 6ith the 5isib1e3 the 5isib1e being3 in 5ery tr4th3 nothing more than the images3 the re21ections3 o2 things 4nseen7 Witho4t a contin4ity in the physica1 p1asm3 there 6o41d be no means 2or the e5o14tion o2 physica1 pec41iarities A 6itho4t the contin4ity o2 the inte11igence3 there 6o41d be no means 2or the e5o14tion o2 menta1 and mora1 >4a1ities7 In both cases3 6itho4t contin4ity3 e5o14tion 6o41d be stopped at its 2irst stage3 and the 6or1d 6o41d be a chaos o2 in2inite and iso1ated beginnings instead o2 a cosmos contin4a11y becoming7 We m4st not omit to notice that in these ear1y days m4ch 5ariety is ca4sed in the type and in the nat4re o2 indi5id4a1 progress by the en5ironment 6hich s4rro4nds the indi5id4a17 !1timate1y a11 the so41s ha5e to de5e1op a11 their po6ers3 b4t the order in 6hich these po6ers are de5e1oped depends "Pa#e $0/% on the circ4mstances amid 6hich the so41 is p1aced7 C1imate3 the 2erti1ity or steri1ity o2 nat4re3 the 1i2e o2 the mo4ntain or o2 the p1ain3 o2 the in1and 2orest or the ocean shore < these things and co4nt1ess others 6i11 ca11 into acti5ity one set or another o2 the a6a0ening menta1 energies7 A 1i2e o2 e@treme hardship3 o2 cease1ess str4gg1e 6ith nat4re3 6i11 de5e1op 5ery di22erent po6ers 2rom those e5o15ed amid the 14@4riant p1enty o2 a tropica1 is1and A both sets o2 po6ers are needed3 2or the so41 is to con>4er e5ery region o2 nat4re3 b4t stri0ing di22erences may th4s be e5o15ed e5en in so41s o2 the Page 9H

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same age3 and one may appear to be more ad5anced than the other3 according as the obser5er estimates most high1y the more Bpractica1C or the more Bcontemp1ati5eC po6ers o2 the so413 the acti5e o4t6ard?going energies3 or the >4iet in6ard?t4rned m4sing 2ac41ties7 The per2ected so41 possesses a113 b4t the so41 in the ma0ing m4st de5e1op them s4ccessi5e1y3 and th4s arises another ca4se o2 the immense 5ariety 2o4nd among h4man beings7 For again3 it m4st be remembered that h4man e5o14tion is indi5id4a17 In a gro4p in2ormed by a sing1e monadic gro4p?so41 the same instincts 6i11 be 2o4nd in a113 2or the receptac1e o2 the e@periences is that monadic gro4p?so413 and it po4rs its 1i2e into a11 2orms dependent 4pon it7 B4t each man has his o6n physica1 5ehic1e and one on1y at a time3 and the receptac1e o2 a11 e@periences is the ca4sa1 body3 6hich po4rs its 1i2e into its one physica1 5ehic1e3 and can a22ect no other physica1 5ehic1e3 being connected "Pa#e $0$% 6ith none other7 "ence 6e 2ind di22erences separating indi5id4a1 men greater3 than the e5er separated3 c1ose1y a11ied anima1s3 and hence a1so the e5o14tion o2 >4a1ities cannot be st4died in men in the mass3 b4t on1y in the contin4ing indi5id4a17 The 1ac0 o2 po6er to ma0e s4ch a st4dy 1ea5es science 4nab1e to e@p1ain 6hy some men to6er abo5e their 2e11o6s3 inte11ect4a1 and mora1 giants3 4nab1e to trace the inte11ect4a1 e5o14tion o2 a $han0arRchRrya or a Pythagoras3 the mora1 e5o14tion o2 a B4ddha or o2 a Christ7 %et 4s no6 consider the 2actors in reincarnation3 as a c1ear 4nderstanding o2 these is necessary 2or the e@p1anation o2 some o2 the di22ic41ties < s4ch as the a11eged 1oss o2 memory < 6hich are 2e1t by those 4n2ami1iar 6ith the idea7 We ha5e seen that man3 d4ring his passage thro4gh physica1 death3 &]ma1o0a and e5achan3 1oses one a2ter the other3 his 5ario4s bodies3 the physica13 the astra13 and the menta17 These are a11 disintegrated3 and their partic1es remi@ 6ith the materia1s o2 their se5era1 p1anes7 The connection o2 the man 6ith the physica1 5ehic1e is entire1y bro0en o22 and done 6ith A b4t the astra1 and menta1 bodies hand on to the man himse123 to the Thin0er3 the germs o2 the 2ac41ties and >4a1ities res41ting 2rom the acti5ities o2 the earth?1i2e3 and these are stored 6ithin the ca4sa1 body3 the seeds o2 his ne@t astra1 and menta1 bodies7 At this stage3 then3 on1y the man himse12 is 1e2t3 the 1abo4rer 6ho has bro4ght his har5est home3 and has 1i5ed 4pon it ti11 it is a11 6or0ed 4p into himse127 The da6n o2 a "Pa#e $0&% ne6 1i2e begins3 and he m4st go 2orth again to his 1abo4r 4nti1 the e5en7 The ne6 1i2e begins by the 5i5i2ying o2 the menta1 germs3 and they dra6 4pon the materia1s o2 the 1o6er menta1 1e5e1s3 ti11 a menta1 body has gro6n 4p 2rom them that represents e@act1y the menta1 stage o2 the man3 e@pressing a11 his menta1 2ac41ties as organs A the e@periences o2 the past do not e@ist as menta1 images in this ne6 bodyA as menta1 images they perished 6hen the o1d mind?body perished3 and on1y their essence3 their e22ects on 2ac41ty3 remain A they 6ere the 2ood o2 the mind3 the materia1s 6hich it 6o5e into po6ers3 and in the ne6 body they reappear as po6ers3 they determine its materia1s3 and they 2orm its organs7 When the man3 the Thin0er3 has th4s c1othed himse12 6ith a ne6 body 2or his coming 1i2e on the 1o6er menta1 1e5e1s3 he proceeds3 by 5i5i2ying the astra1 germs3 to pro5ide himse12 6ith an astra1 body 2or his 1i2e on the astra1 p1ane7 This3 again3 e@act1y represents his desire?nat4re3 2aith2411y reprod4cing the >4a1ities he e5o15ed in the Page 9M

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past3 as the seed reprod4ces its parent tree7 Th4s the man stands3 2411y e>4ipped 2or his ne@t incarnation3 the on1y memory o2 these e5ents o2 his past being in the ca4sa1 body3 in his o6n end4ring 2orm3 the one body that passes on 2rom 1i2e to 1i2e7 (ean6hi1e3 action e@terna1 to himse12 is being ta0en to pro5ide him 6ith a physica1 body s4itab1e 2or the e@pression o2 his >4a1ities7 In past 1i5es he has made ties 6ith3 contracted 1iabi1ities to6ards3 other h4man beings3 and some o2 these 6i11 part1y "Pa#e $0'% determine his p1ace o2 birth and his 2ami1y7 < * This and the 2o11o6ing ca4ses determining the o4t6ard circ4mstances o2 the ne6 1i2e 6i11 be 2411y e@p1ained in Chapter I,3 on B&armaC7+ "e has been a so4rce o2 happiness or o2 4nhappiness to others A this is a 2actor in determining the conditions o2 his coming 1i2e7 "is desire?nat4re is 6e11 discip1ined3 or 4nreg41ated and rioto4s A this 6i11 be ta0en into acco4nt in the physica1 heredity o2 the ne6 body7 "e has c41ti5ated certain menta1 po6ers3 s4ch as the artistic A this m4st be considered3 as here again physica1 heredity is an important 2actor 6here de1icacy o2 ner5o4s organisation and tacti1e sensibi1ity are re>4ired7 And so on3 in end1ess 5ariety7 The man may3 certain1y 6i113 ha5e in him many incongr4o4s characteristics3 so that on1y some can 2ind e@pression in any one body that co41d be pro5ided3 and a gro4p o2 his po6ers s4itab1e 2or sim41taneo4s e@pression m4st be se1ected7 A11 this is done by certain mighty spirit4a1 Inte11igences3* $po0en o2 by "7P7B1a5ats0y in the *ecret Doctrine. They are the %ipi0a3 the &eepers o2 the 0]rmic records3 and the (ah]r]8as3 6ho direct the practica1 6or0ing o4t o2 the decrees o2 the %ipi0a7+ ? o2ten spo0en o2 as the %ords o2 &arma3 beca4se it is their 24nction to s4perintend the 6or0ing o4t o2 ca4ses contin4a11y set going by tho4ghts3 desires3 and actions7 They ho1d the threads o2 destiny 6hich each man has 6o5en3 and g4ide the reincarnating man to the en5ironment determined by his past3 4nconscio4s1y se12?chosen thro4gh his past 1i2e7"Pa#e $0(% The race3 the nation3 the 2ami1y3 being th4s determined3 6hat may be ca11ed the mo41d o2 the physica1 body < s4itab1e 2or the e@pression o2 the manEs >4a1ities3 and 2or the 6or0ing o4t o2 the ca4ses he has set going < is gi5en by these great Ones3 and the ne6 etheric do4b1e3 a copy o2 this3 is b4i1t 6ithin the motherEs 6omb by the agency o2 an e1ementa13 the tho4ght o2 the &=rmic %ords being its moti5e po6er7 The dense body is b4i1t into the etheric do4b1e mo1ec41e by mo1ec41e3 2o11o6ing it e@act1y3 and here physica1 heredity has 2411 s6ay in the materia1s pro5ided7 F4rther3 the tho4ghts and passions o2 s4rro4nding peop1e3 especia11y o2 the contin4a11y present 2ather and mother3 in214ence the b4i1ding e1ementa1 in its 6or03 the indi5id4a1s 6ith 6hom the incarnating man had 2ormed ties in the past th4s a22ecting the physica1 conditions gro6ing 4p 2or his ne6 1i2e on earth7 At a 5ery ear1y stage the ne6 astra1 body comes into connection 6ith the ne6 etheric do4b1e3 and e@ercises considerab1e in214ence o5er its 2ormation3 and thro4gh it the menta1 body 6or0s 4pon the ner5o4s organisation3 preparing it to become a s4itab1e instr4ment 2or its o6n e@pression in the 24t4re7 This in214ence commenced in ante nata1 1i2e < so that 6hen a chi1d is born its brain?2ormation re5ea1s the e@tent and ba1ance o2 its menta1 and mora1 >4a1ities < is contin4ed a2ter birth3 and this b4i1ding o2 brain and ner5es3 and their corre1ation to the astra1 and menta1 bodies3 go on ti11 the se5enth year o2 chi1dhood3 at 6hich age the connection bet6een the man and his physica1 "Pa#e $0)% 5ehic1e is comp1ete3 and he may be said to 6or0 thro4gh it hence2orth more than 4pon it7

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!p to this age3 the conscio4sness o2 the Thin0er is more 4pon the astra1 p1ane than 4pon the physica13 and this is o2ten e5idenced by the p1ay o2 psychic 2ac41ties in yo4ng chi1dren7 They see in5isib1e comrades and 2airy 1andscapes3 hear 5oices ina4dib1e to their e1ders3 catch charming and de1icate 2ancies 2rom the astra1 6or1d7 These phenomena genera11y 5anish as the Thin0er begins to 6or0 e22ecti5e1y thro4gh the physica1 5ehic1e3 and the dreamy chi1d becomes the commonp1ace boy or gir13 o2tentimes m4ch to the re1ie2 o2 the be6i1dered parents3 ignorant o2 the ca4se o2 their chi1dEs B>4eerness7C (ost chi1dren ha5e at 1east a to4ch o2 this B>4eerness3C b4t they >4ic01y 1earn to hide a6ay their 2ancies and 5isions 2rom their 4nsympathetic e1ders3 2ear241 o2 b1ame 2or Bte11ing stories3C or o2 6hat the chi1d dreads 2ar more < ridic41e7 I2 parents co41d see their chi1drenEs brains3 5ibrating 4nder an ine@tricab1e ming1ing o2 physica1 and astra1 impacts3 6hich the chi1dren themse15es are >4ite incapab1e o2 separating3 and recei5ing sometimes a thri11 < so p1astic are they < e5en 2rom the higher regions3 gi5ing a 5ision o2 etherea1 bea4ty3 o2 heroic achie5ement3 they 6o41d be more patient 6ith3 more responsi5e to3 the con24sed pratt1ings o2 the 1itt1e ones3 trying to trans1ate into the di22ic41t medi4m o2 4nacc4stomed 6ords the e14si5e to4ches o2 6hich they are conscio4s3 and 6hich they try to catch and retain7 Reincarnation3 be1ie5ed in and 4nderstood3 6o41d re1ie5e chi1d 1i2e "Pa#e $0,% o2 its most pathetic aspect3 the 4naided str4gg1e o2 the so41 to gain contro1 o5er its ne6 5ehic1es3 and to connect itse12 2411y 6ith its densest body 6itho4t 1osing po6er to impress the rarer ones in a 6ay that 6o41d enab1e them to con5ey to the denser their o6n more s4bt1e 5ibrations7

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CHAPTER 5III REINCARNATION CONTINUED
"Pa#e $0-% The

ascending stages o2 conscio4sness thro4gh 6hich the Thin0er passes as he reincarnates d4ring his 1ong cyc1e o2 1i5es in the three 1o6er 6or1ds are c1ear1y mar0ed o4t3 and the ob5io4s necessity 2or many 1i5es3 in 6hich to e@perience them3 i2 he is to e5o15e at a113 may carry to the more tho4ght241 minds the c1earest con5iction o2 the tr4th o2 reincarnation7 The 2irst o2 the stages is that in 6hich a11 the e@periences are sensationa13 the on1y contrib4tion made by the mind consisting o2 the recognition that contact 6ith some ob8ect is 2o11o6ed by a sensation o2 p1eas4re3 6hi1e contact 6ith others is 2o11o6ed by a sensation o2 pain7 These ob8ects 2orm menta1 pict4res3 and the pict4res soon begin to act as a stim414s to see0 the ob8ects associated 6ith p1eas4re3 6hen those ob8ects are not present3 the germs o2 memory and o2 menta1 initiati5e th4s ma0ing their appearance7 This 2irst ro4gh di5ision o2 the e@terna1 6or1d is 2o11o6ed by the more comp1e@ idea o2 the bearing o2 >4antity on p1eas4re and pain3 a1ready re2erred to7 At this stage o2 e5o14tion3 memory is "Pa#e $0.% 5ery short 1i5ed3 or3 in other 6ords3 menta1 images are 5ery transitory7 The idea o2 2orecasting the 24t4re 2rom the past3 e5en to the most r4dimentary e@tent3 has not da6ned on the in2ant Thin0er3 and his actions are g4ided 2rom o4tside3 by the impacts that reach him 2rom the e@terna1 6or1d3 or at 24rthest by the promptings o2 his appetites and passions3 cra5ing grati2ication7 "e 6i11 thro6 a6ay anything 2or an immediate satis2action3 ho6e5er necessary the thing may be 2or his 24t4re 6e11 beingA the need o2 the moment o5erpo6ers e5ery other consideration7 O2 h4man so41s in this embryonic condition3 n4mero4s e@amp1es can be 2o4nd in boo0s o2 tra5e13 and the necessity 2or many 1i5es 6i11 be impressed on the mind o2 any one 6ho st4dies the menta1 condition o2 the 1east e5o15ed sa5ages3 and compares it 6ith the menta1 condition o2 e5en a5erage h4manity among o4rse15es7 Need1ess to say that the mora1 capacity is no more e5o15ed than the menta1A the idea o2 good and e5i1 has not yet been concei5ed7 Not is it possib1e to con5ey to the >4ite 4nde5e1oped mind e5en e1ementary notion o2 either good or bad7 .ood and p1easant are to it interchangeab1e terms3 as in the 6e11?0no6n case o2 the A4stra1ian sa5age mentioned by Char1es ar6in7 Pressed by h4nger3 the man speared the nearest 1i5ing creat4re that co41d ser5e as 2ood3 and this happened to be his 6i2eA a E4ropean remonstrated 6ith him on the 6ic0edness o2 his deed3 b4t 2ai1ed to ma0e any impressionA 2or 2rom the reproach that to eat his 6i2e 6as 5ery3 5ery bad he "Pa#e $/0% on1y ded4ced the in2erence that the stranger tho4ght she had pro5ed nasty o2 indigestib1e3 and he p4t him right by smi1ing peace2411y as he patted himse12 a2ter his mea13 and dec1aring in a satis2ied 6ay3 B$he is 5ery good7C (eas4re in tho4ght the mora1 distance bet6een that man and $t7 Francis o2 Assisi3 and it 6i11 be seen that there m4st either be e5o14tion o2 so41s as there is e5o14tion o2 bodies3 or e1se in the rea1m o2 the so41 there m4st be constant mirac1e3 dis1ocated creations7 There are t6o paths a1ong either o2 6hich man may grad4a11y emerge 2rom this embryonic menta1 condition7 "e may be direct1y r41ed and contro11ed by men 2ar more e5o15ed than himse123 or he may be 1e2t s1o61y to gro6 4naided7 The 1atter case 6o41d imp1y the passage o2 4nco4nted mi11ennia3 2or3 6itho4t Page 99

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e@amp1e and 6itho4t discip1ine3 1e2t to the changing impacts o2 e@terna1 ob8ects3 and to 2riction 6ith other men as 4nde5e1oped as himse123 the inner energies co41d be b4t 5ery s1o61y aro4sed7 As a matter o2 2act3 man has e5o15ed by the road o2 direct precept and e@amp1e and o2 en2orced discip1ine7 We ha5e a1ready seen that 6hen the b410 o2 the a5erage h4manity recei5ed the spar0 6hich bro4ght the Thin0er into being3 there 6ere some o2 the greater $ons i2 (ind 6ho incarnated as Teachers3 and that there 6as a1so a 1ong s4ccession o2 1esser $ons o2 (ind3 at 5ario4s stages o2 e5o14tion3 6ho came into incarnation as the crest?6a5e o2 the ad5ancing tide o2 h4manity7 These r41ed the 1ess e5o15ed3 4nder the bene2icent s6ay o2 the great Teachers3 and the compe11ed "Pa#e $//% obedience to e1ementary r41es o2 right 1i5ing < 5ery e1ementary at 2irst3 in tr4th < m4ch hastened the de5e1opment o2 menta1 and mora1 2ac41ties in the embryonic so41s7 Apart 2rom a11 other records the gigantic remains o2 ci5i1iOations that ha5e 1ong since disappeared < e5idencing great engineering s0i113 and inte11ect4a1 conceptions 2ar beyond anything possib1e by the mass o2 the then in2ant h4manity < s422ice to pro5e that there 6ere present on earth men 6ith minds that 6ere capab1e o2 great1y p1anning and great1y e@ec4ting7 %et 4s contin4e the ear1y stage o2 the e5o14tion o2 conscio4sness7 $ensation 6as 6ho11y 1ord o2 the mind3 and the ear1iest menta1 e22orts 6ere stim41ated by desire7 This 1ed the man3 s1o61y and c14msi1y3 to 2orecast3 to p1an7 "e began to recognise a de2inite association o2 certain menta1 images3 and3 6hen one appeared3 to e@pect the appearance o2 the other that had in5ariab1y 2o11o6ed in its 6a0e7 "e began to dra6 in2erences3 and e5en to initiate action on the 2aith o2 these in2erences < a great ad5ance7 And he began a1so to hesitate no6 and again to 2o11o6 the 5ehement promptings o2 desire3 6hen he 2o4nd3 o5er and o5er again3 that the grati2ication demanded 6as associated in his mind 6ith the s4bse>4ent happening o2 s422ering7 This action 6as m4ch >4ic0ened by the press4re 4pon him o2 5erba11y e@pressed 1a6sA he 6as 2orbidden to seiOe certain grati2ications3 and 6as to1d that s422ering 6o41d 2o11o6 disobedience7 When he had seiOed the de1ight?gi5ing ob8ect and 2o4nd the s422ering 2o11o6 4pon "Pa#e $/$% p1eas4re3 the 2412i11ed dec1aration made a 2ar stronger impression on his mind than 6o41d ha5e been made by the 4ne@pected < and there2ore to him 2ort4ito4s < happening o2 the same thing 4n 2oreto1d7 Th4s con21ict contin4a11y arose bet6een memory and desire3 and the mind gre6 more acti5e by the con21ict3 and 6as stirred into 1i5e1ier 24nctioning7 The con21ict3 in 2act3 mar0ed the transition to the second great stage7 "ere began to sho6 itse12 the germ o2 6i117 esire and 6i11 g4ide a manEs actions3 and 6i11 has e5en been de2ined as the desire 6hich emerges tri4mphant 2rom the contest o2 desires7 B4t this is a cr4de and s4per2icia1 5ie63 e@p1aining nothing7 esire is the o4tgoing energy o2 the Thin0er3 determined in its direction by the attraction o2 e@terna1 ob8ects7 Wi11 is the o4tgoing energy o2 the Thin0er3 determined in its direction by the conc14sions dra6n by the reason3 2rom past e@periences3 or by the direct int4ition o2 the Thin0er himse127 Other6ise p4tD desire is g4ided 2rom 6itho4t < 6i11 2rom 6ithin7 At the beginning o2 manEs e5o14tion3 desire has comp1ete so5ereignty3 and h4rries him hither and thitherA in the midd1e o2 his e5o14tion3 desire and 6i11 are in contin4a1 con21ict3 and 5ictory 1ies sometimes 6ith the one3 sometimes 6ith the otherA at the end o2 his e5o14tion desire has died3 and 6i11 r41es 6ith 4nopposed3 4ncha11enged s6ay7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

!nti1 the Thin0er3 is s422icient1y de5e1oped to see direct1y3 6i11 is g4ided by him thro4gh the reasonA and as the reason can dra6 its conc14sions on1y 2rom its stoc0 o2 menta1 *Page /1;+ images < its e@periences < and that stoc0 is 1imited3 the 6i11 constant1y commands mista0en actions7 The s422ering 6hich 21o6s 2rom these mista0en actions increases the stoc0 o2 menta1 images3 and th4s gi5es the reason an increased store 2rom 6hich to dra6 its conc14sions7 Th4s progress is made and 6isdom is born7 esire o2ten mi@es itse12 4p 6ith 6i113 so that 6hat appears to be determined 2rom 6ithin is rea11y 1arge1y prompted by the cra5ings o2 the 1o6er nat4re 2or ob8ects 6hich a22ord it grati2ication7 Instead o2 an open con21ict bet6een the t6o3 the 1o6er s4bt1y insin4ates itse12 into the c4rrent o2 the higher and t4rns its co4rse aside7 e2eated in the open 2ie1d3 the desire o2 the persona1ity th4s conspire against their con>4eror3 and o2ten 6in by g4i1e 6hat they 2ai1ed to 6in by 2orce7 4ring the 6ho1e o2 this second great stage3 in 6hich the 2ac41ties o2 the 1o6er mind are in 2411 co4rse o2 e5o14tion3 con21ict is the norma1 condition3 con21ict bet6een the r41e o2 sensations and the r41e o2 reason7 The prob1em to be so15ed in h4manity is the p4tting an end to con21ict 6hi1e preser5ing the 2reedom o2 the 6i11A to determine the 6i11 ine5itab1y to the best3 6hi1e yet 1ea5ing that best as a matter o2 choice7 The best is to be chosen3 b4t by a se12?initiated 5o1ition3 that sha11 come 6ith a11 the certainty o2 a 2oreordained necessity7 The certainty o2 a compe11ing 1a6 is to be obtained 2rom co4nt1ess 6i11s3 each one 1e2t 2ree to determine its o6n co4rse7 The so14tion o2 that prob1em is simp1e 6hen it is 0no6n3 "Pa#e $/'% tho4gh the contradiction 1oo0s irreconci1ab1e 6hen 2irst presented7 %et man be 1e2t 2ree to choose his o6n actions3 b4t 1et e5ery action bring abo4t an ine5itab1e res41tA 1et him r4n 1oose amid a11 ob8ects o2 desire and seiOe 6hate5er he 6i113 b4t 1et him ha5e a11 the res41ts o2 his choice3 be they de1ight241 or grie5o4s7 Present1y he 6i11 2ree1y re8ect the ob8ects 6hose possession 41timate1y ca4ses him painA he 6i11 no 1onger desire them 6hen he has e@perienced to the 2411 that their possession ends in sorro67 %et him str4gg1e to ho1d the p1eas4re and a5oid the pain3 he 6i11 none the 1ess be gro4nd bet6een the stones o2 1a63 and the 1esson 6i11 be repeated any n4mber o2 times 2o4nd necessaryA reincarnation o22ers 4s many 1i5es as are needed by the most s14ggish 1earner7 $1o61y desire 2or an ob8ect that brings s422ering in its train 6i11 die3 and 6hen the thing o22ers itse12 in a11 its attracti5e g1amo4r it 6i11 be re8ected3 not by comp41sion b4t by 2ree choice7 It is no 1onger desirab1e3 it has 1ost its po6er7 Th4s 6ith thing a2ter thingA choice more and more r4ns in harmony 6ith 1a67 BThere are many roads o2 errorA the road o2 tr4th is oneCA 6hen a11 the paths o2 error ha5e been trodden3 6hen a11 ha5e been 2o4nd to end in s422ering3 the choice to 6a10 in the 6ay o2 tr4th is 4ns6er5ing3 beca4se based on 0no61edge7 The 1o6er 0ingdoms 6or0 harmonio4s1y3 compe11ed by 1a6A manEs 0ingdom is a chaos o2 con21icting 6i11s3 2ighting against3 rebe11ing against 1a6A present1y there e5o15es 2rom it a nob1er 4nity3 a harmonio4s choice o2 5o14ntary "Pa#e $/(% obedience3 an obedience that3 being 5o14ntary3 based on 0no61edge and on memory o2 the res41ts o2 disobedience3 is stab1e and can be dra6n aside by no temptation7 Ignorant3 ine@perienced3 man 6o41d a16ays ha5e been in danger o2 2a11ingA as a .od3 0no6ing good and e5i1 by e@perience3 his choice o2 the good is raised 2ore5er beyond possibi1ity o2 change7 Wi11 in the domain o2 mora1ity is genera11y entit1ed conscience3 and it is s4b8ect to the same di22ic41ties in this domain as in its other acti5ities7 $o 1ong as actions are in >4estion 6hich ha5e been done o5er and o5er again3 o2 6hich the conse>4ences are 2ami1iar either to the reason or to the Thin0er himse123 the Page 1T1

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

conscience spea0s >4ic01y and 2irm1y7 B4t 6hen 4n2ami1iar prob1ems arise as to the 6or0ing o4t o2 6hich e@perience is si1ent3 conscience cannot spea0 6ith certaintyA it has b4t a hesitating ans6er 2rom the reason3 6hich can dra6 on1y a do4bt241 in2erence3 and the Thin0er cannot spea0 i2 his e@perience does not inc14de the circ4mstances that ha5e no6 arisen7 "ence conscience o2ten decides 6rong1yA that is3 the 6i113 2ai1ing c1ear direction 2rom either the reason or the int4ition3 g4ides action amiss7 Nor can 6e 1ea5e o4t o2 consideration the in214ences 6hich p1ay 4pon the mind 2rom 6itho4t3 2rom the tho4ght?2orms o2 others3 o2 2riends3 o2 the 2ami1y3 o2 the comm4nity3 o2 the nation7 *Chapter 113 BThe Astra1 P1ane7C+ These a11 s4rro4nd and penetrate the mind 6ith their o6n atmosphere3 distorting the appearance o2 e5erything3 and "Pa#e $/)% thro6ing a11 things o4r o2 proportion7 Th4s in214enced3 the reason o2ten does not e5en 84dge ca1m1y 2rom its o6n e@perience3 b4t dra6s 2a1se conc14sions as it st4dies its materia1s thro4gh a distorting medi4m7 The e5o14tion o2 mora1 2ac41ties is 5ery 1arge1y stim41ated by the a22ections3 anima1 and se12ish as these are d4ring the in2ancy o2 the Thin0er7 The 1a6s o2 mora1ity are 1aid do6n by the en1ightened reason3 discerning the 1a6s by 6hich Nat4re mo5es3 and bringing h4man cond4ct into consonance 6ith the i5ine Wi117 B4t the imp41se to obey these 1a6s3 6hen no o4ter 2orce compe1s3 has its roots in 1o5e3 in that hidden di5inity in man 6hich see0s to po4r itse12 o4t to gi5e itse12 to others7 (ora1ity begins in the in2ant Thin0er 6hen he is 2irst mo5ed by 1o5e to 6i2e3 to chi1d3 to 2riend3 to do some action that ser5es the 1o5ed one 6itho4t any tho4ght o2 gain to himse12 thereby7 It is the 2irst con>4est o5er the 1o6er nat4re3 the comp1ete s4b84gation o2 6hich is the achie5ement o2 mora1 per2ection7 "ence the importance o2 ne5er 0i11ing o4t or stri5ing to 6ea0en3 the a22ection3 as is done in many o2 the 1o6er 0inds o2 occ41tism7 "o6e5er imp4re and gross the a22ections may be3 they o22er possibi1ities o2 mora1 e5o14tion 2rom 6hich the co1d?hearted and se12?iso1ated ha5e sh4t themse15es o4t7 It is an easier tas0 to p4ri2y than to create 1o5e3 and this is 6hy Bthe sinnersC ha5e been said by great Teachers to be nearer to the 0ingdom o2 hea5en than the Pharisees and $cribes7 The third great stage o2 conscio4sness sees "Pa#e $/,% the de5e1opment o2 the higher inte11ect4a1 po6ersA the mind no 1onger d6e11s entire1y on menta1 images obtained 2rom sensations3 no 1onger reasons on p4re1y concrete ob8ects3 nor is concerned 6ith the attrib4tes 6hich di22erentiate one 2rom another7 The Thin0er ha5ing 1earned c1ear1y to discriminate bet6een ob8ects by d6e11ing 4pon their 4n1i0enesses3 no6 begins to gro4p them together by some attrib4te 6hich appears in a n4mber o2 ob8ects other6ise dissimi1ar and ma0es a 1in0 bet6een them7 "e dra6s o4t3 abstracts3 his common attrib4te3 and sets a11 ob8ects that posses it3 apart 2rom the rest 6hich are 6itho4t itA and in this 6ay he e5o15es the po6er o2 recognising identity amid di5ersity3 a step to6ard the m4ch 1ater recognition o2 the One 4nder1ying the man3 he th4s c1assi2ies a11 that is aro4nd him3 de5e1oping the synthetic 2ac41ty3 and 1earning to constr4ct as 6e11 as ana1yse7 Present1y he ta0es another step3 and concei5es o2 the common property as an idea3 apart 2rom a11 the ob8ects in 6hich it appears3 and th4s constr4cts a higher 0ind o2 menta1 image o2 a concrete ob8ect < the image o2 an idea that has no phenomena1 e@istence in the 6or1ds o2 2orm3 b4t 6hich e@ists on the higher 1e5e1s o2 the menta1 p1ane3 and a22ords materia1 on 6hich the Thin0er himse12 can 6or07

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The 1o6er mind reaches the abstract idea by reason3 and in th4s doing accomp1ishes its 1o2tiest 21ight3 to4ching the thresho1d o2 the 2orm1ess 6or1d3 and dim1y seeing that 6hich 1ies beyond7 The Thin0er sees these ideas3 and 1i5es among them "Pa#e $/-% habit4a11y3 and 6hen the po6er o2 abstract reasoning is de5e1oped and e@ercised the Thin0er is becoming e22ecti5e in his o6n 6or1d3 and is beginning his 1i2e o2 acti5e 24nctioning in his o6n sphere7 $4ch men care 1itt1e 2or the 1i2e o2 the senses3 care 1itt1e 2or e@terna1 obser5ation3 or 2or menta1 app1ication to images o2 e@terna1 ob8ectsA their po6ers are indra6n3 and no 1onger r4sh o4t6ards in the search 2or satis2action7 They d6e11 ca1m1y 6ithin themse15es3 engrossed 6ith the prob1ems o2 phi1osophy3 6ith the deepest aspects o2 1i2e and tho4ght3 see0ing to 4nderstand ca4ses rather than tro4b1ing themse15es 6ith e22ects3 and approaching nearer and nearer to the recognition o2 the One that 4nder1ies a11 the di5ersities o2 e@terna1 Nat4re7 In the 2o4rth stage o2 conscio4sness that One is seen3 and 6ith the transcending the barrier set 4p by the inte11ect the conscio4sness spreads o4t to embrace the 6or1d3 seeing a11 things in itse12 and as parts o2 itse123 and seeing itse12 as a ray o2 the %O.O$3 and there2ore as one 6ith "im7 Where is then the Thin0erF "e has become Conscio4sness3 and3 6hi1e the spirit4a1 $o41 can at 6i11 4se any o2 his 1o6er 5ehic1es3 he is no 1onger 1imited to their 4se3 nor needs them 2or this 2411 and conscio4s 1i2e7 Then is comp41sory reincarnation o5er and the man has destroyed deathA he has 5eri1y achie5ed immorta1ity7 Then has he become Ba pi11ar in the temp1e o2 .od and sha11 go o4t no more7C To comp1ete this part o2 o4r st4dy3 6e need to 4nderstand the s4ccessi5e >4ic0enings o2 the 5ehic1es o2 "Pa#e $/.% conscio4sness3 the bringing them one by one into acti5ity as the harmonio4s instr4ments o2 the h4man $o417 We ha5e seen that 2rom the 5ery beginning o2 his separate 1i2e the Thin0er has possessed coatings o2 menta13 astra13 etheric3 and dense physica1 matter7 These 2orm the media by 6hich his 1i2e 5ibrates o4t6ards3 the bridge o2 conscio4sness3 as 6e may ca11 it3 a1ong 6hich a11 imp41ses 2rom the Thin0er may reach the dense physica1 body3 a11 impacts 2rom the o4ter 6or1d may reach him7 B4t this genera1 4se o2 the s4ccessi5e bodies as parts o2 a connected 6ho1e is a 5ery di22erent thing 2rom the >4ic0ening o2 each in t4rn to ser5e as a distinct 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness3 independent1y o2 those be1o6 it3 and it is this >4ic0ening o2 the 5ehic1es that 6e ha5e no6 to consider7 The 1o6est 5ehic1e3 the dense physica1 body3 is the 2irst one to be bro4ght into harmonio4s 6or0ing orderA the brain and the ner5o4s system ha5e to be e1aborated and to be rendered de1icate1y responsi5e to e5ery thri11 6hich is 6ithin their gam4t o2 5ibratory po6er7 In the ear1y stages3 6hi1e the physica1 dense body is composed o2 the grosser 0inds o2 matter3 this gam4t is e@treme1y 1imited3 and the physica1 organ o2 the mind can respond on1y to the s1o6est 5ibrations sent do6n7 It ans6ers 2ar more prompt1y3 as is nat4ra13 to the impacts 2rom the e@terna1 6or1d ca4sed by ob8ects simi1ar in materia1s to itse127 Its >4ic0ening as a 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness consists in its being made responsi5e to the 5ibrations "Pa#e $$0% that are initiated 2rom 6ithin3 and the rapidity o2 this >4ic0ening depends on the co?operation o2 the 1o6er nat4re 6ith the higher3 its 1oya1 s4bordination o2 itse12 in the ser5ice o2 its inner r41er7 Page 1T;

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

When a2ter many3 many 1i2e?periods3 it da6ns 4pon the 1o6er nat4re that it e@ists 2or the sa0e o2 the so413 that a11 its 5a14e depends on the he1p it can bring to the so413 that it can 6in immorta1ity on1y by merging itse12 in the so413 then its e5o14tion proceeds in giant strides7 Be2ore this3 the e5o14tion has been 4nconscio4sA at 2irst3 the grati2ication o2 the 1o6er nat4re 6as the ob8ect o2 1i2e3 and3 6hi1e this 6as a necessary pre1iminary 2or ca11ing o4t the energies o2 the Thin0er3 it did nothing direct1y to render the body a 5ehic1e o2 conscio4snessA the direct 6or0ing 4pon it begins 6hen the 1i2e o2 the man estab1ishes its centre in the menta1 body3 and 6hen tho4ght commences to dominate sensation7 The e@ercise o2 the menta1 po6ers 6or0s on the brain and the ner5o4s system3 and the coarser materia1s are grad4a11y e@pe11ed to ma0e room 2or the 2iner3 6hich can 5ibrate in 4nison 6ith the tho4ght?5ibrations sent to them7 The brain becomes 2iner in constit4tion3 and increases by e5er more comp1icated con5o14tions the amo4nt o2 s4r2ace a5ai1ab1e 2or the coating o2 ner5o4s matter adapted to respond to tho4ght?5ibrations7 The ner5o4s system becomes more de1icate1y ba1anced3 more sensiti5e3 more a1i5e to e5ery thri11 o2 menta1 acti5ity7 And 6hen the recognition o2 its 24nction as an instr4ment o2 the $o413 spo0en o2 abo5e3 has come3 then acti5e co?operation in per2orming "Pa#e $$/% this 24nction sets in7 The persona1ity begins de1iberate1y to discip1ine itse123 and to set the permanent interests o2 the immorta1 indi5id4a1 abo5e its o6n transient grati2ications7 It yie1ds 4p the time that might be spent in the p4rs4it o2 1o6er p1eas4res to the e5o14tion o2 menta1 po6ersA day by day time is set apart 2or serio4s st4dyA the brain is g1ad1y s4rrendered to recei5e impacts 2rom 6ithin instead o2 2rom 6itho4t3 is trained to ans6er to consec4ti5e thin0ing3 and is ta4ght to re2rain 2rom thro6ing 4p its o6n 4se1ess dis8ointed images3 made by past impressions7 It is ta4ght to remain at rest 6hen it is not 6anted by its masterA to ans6er3 not to initiate 5ibrations7 *One o2 the signs that it is being accomp1ished is the cessation o2 the con24sed 84mb1e o2 2ragmentary images 6hich are set 4p d4ring s1eep by the independent acti5ity o2 the physica1 brain7 When the brain is coming 4nder contro1 this 0ind o2 dream is 5ery se1dom e@perienced7+ F4rther3 some discretion and discrimination 6i11 be 4sed as to the 2ood?st422s 6hich s4pp1y physica1 materia1s to the brain7 The 4se o2 the coarser 0inds 6i11 be discontin4ed3 s4ch as anima1 21esh and b1ood and a1coho13 and p4re 2ood 6i11 b4i1d 4p a p4re body7 .rad4a11y the 1o6er 5ibrations 6i11 2ind no materia1s capab1e o2 responding to them3 and the physica1 body th4s becomes more and more entire1y a 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness3 de1icate1y responsi5e to a11 the thri11s o2 tho4ght and 0een1y sensiti5e to the 5ibrations sent o4t6ards by the Thin0er7 The etheric do4b1e so c1ose1y 2o11o6s the constit4tion o2 the dense body that it is not "Pa#e $$$% necessary to st4dy separate1y its p4ri2ication and >4ic0eningA it does not norma11y ser5e as a separate 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness3 b4t 6or0s synchrono4s1y 6ith its dense partner3 and 6hen separated 2rom it either by accident or by death3 it responds 5ery 2eeb1y to the 5ibrations initiated 2rom 6ithin7 It 24nction in tr4th is not to ser5e as a 5ehic1e o2 menta1?conscio4sness3 b4t as a 5ehic1e o2 Pr]na3 o2 specia1ised 1i2e?2orce3 and its dis1ocation 2rom the denser partic1es to 6hich it con5eys the 1i2e?c4rrents is there2ore dist4rbing and mischie5o4s7 The astra1 body is the second 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness to be 5i5i2ied3 and 6e ha5e a1ready seen the changes thro4gh 6hich it passes as it becomes organised 2or the 6or07 *see Chapter II3 BThe Astra1 P1aneC7+7 When it is thoro4gh1y organised3 the conscio4sness 6hich has hitherto 6or0ed 6ithin it3 Page 1TG

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

imprisoned by it3 6hen in s1eep it has 1e2t the physica1 body and is dri2ting abo4t in the astra1 6or1d3 begins not on1y to recei5e the impressions thro4gh it o2 astra1 ob8ects that 2orm the so?ca11ed dream? conscio4sness3 b4t a1so to percei5e astra1 ob8ects by its senses < that is3 begins to re1ate the impressions recei5ed to the ob8ects 6hich gi5e rise to those impressions7 These perceptions are at 2irst con24sed3 84st as are the perceptions at 2irst made by the mind thro4gh a ne6 physica1 baby?body3 and they ha5e to be corrected by e@perience in the one case as in the other7 The Thin0er has grad4a11y to disco5er the ne6 po6ers 6hich he can 4se thro4gh this s4bt1er 5ehic1e3 and by 6hich he can contro1 the "Pa#e $$&% astra1 e1ements and de2end himse12 against astra1 dangers7 "e is not 1e2t a1one to 2ace this ne6 6or1d 4naided3 b4t is ta4ght and he1ped and < 4nti1 he can g4ard himse12 < protected by those 6ho are more e@perienced than himse12 in the 6ays o2 the astra1 6or1d7 .rad4a11y the ne6 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness comes comp1ete1y 4nder his contro13 and 1i2e on the astra1 p1ane is as nat4ra1 and as 2ami1iar as 1i2e on the physica17 The third 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness3 the menta1 body3 is rare1y3 i2 e5er3 5i5i2ied 2or independent action 6itho4t the direct instr4ction o2 a teacher3 and its 24nctioning be1ongs to the 1i2e o2 the discip1e at the present stage o2 h4man e5o14tion7 *$ee Chapter ,I3 B(anEs AscentC+7 As 6e ha5e a1ready seen3 it is rearranged 2or separate 24nctioning *$ee Chapter I)3 BThe (enta1 P1aneC+3 on the menta1 p1ane3 and here again e@perience and training are needed ere it comes 2411y 4nder its o6nerEs contro17 A 2act < common to a11 these three 5ehic1es o2 conscio4sness3 b4t more apt to mis1ead perhaps in the s4bt1er than in the denser3 beca4se it is genera11y 2orgotten in their case3 6hi1e it is so ob5io4s that it is remembered in the denser < is that they are s4b8ect to e5o14tion3 and that 6ith their higher e5o14tion their po6ers to recei5e and to respond to 5ibrations increase7 "o6 many more shades o2 a co1o4r are seen by a trained eye than by an 4ntrained7 "o6 many o5ertones are heard by a trained ear3 6here the 4ntrained hears on1y the sing1e 24ndamenta1 note7 As the physica1 senses gro6 "Pa#e $$'% more 0een the 6or1d becomes 2411er and 2411er3 and 6here the peasant is conscio4s on1y his 24rro6 and his p1o4gh3 the c41t4red mind is conscio4s o2 hedgero6 21o6er and >4i5ering aspen3 o2 rapt4ro4s me1ody do6n?dropping 2rom the s0y1ar0 and the 6hirring o2 tiny 6ings thro4gh the ad8oining 6ood3 o2 the sc4dding o2 rabbits 4nder the c4r1ed 2ronds o2 the brac0en3 and the s>4irre1s p1aying 6ith each other thro4gh the branches o2 the beeches3 o2 a11 the gracio4s mo5ements o2 6i1d things3 o2 a11 the 2ragrant odo4rs o2 2i1ed and 6ood1and3 o2 a11 the changing g1ories o2 the c1o4d? 21ec0ed s0y3 and o2 a11 the chasing 1ights and shado6s on the hi11s7 Both the peasant and the c41t4red ha5e eyes3 both ha5e brains3 b4t o2 6hat di22ering po6ers o2 obser5ation3 o2 6hat di22ering po6ers to recei5e impressions7 Th4s a1so in other 6or1ds7 As the as the astra1 and menta1 bodies begin to 24nction as separate 5ehic1es o2 conscio4sness3 they are in3 as it 6ere3 the peasant stage o2 recepti5ity3 and on1y 2ragments o2 the astra1 and menta1 6or1ds3 6ith their strange and e14si5e phenomena3 ma0e their 6ay into conscio4snessA b4t they e5o15e rapid1y3 embracing more and more3 and con5eying to conscio4sness a more and more acc4rate re21ection o2 its en5ironment7 "ere3 as e5ery6here e1se3 6e ha5e to remember that o4r 0no61edge is not the 1imit o2 Nat4reEs po6ers3 and that in the astra1 and menta1 6or1ds3 as in the physica13 6e are sti11 chi1dren3 pic0ing 4p a 2e6 she11s cast 4p by the 6a5es3 6hi1e the treas4res hid in the ocean are sti11 4ne@p1ored7 "Pa#e $$(%

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The >4ic0ening o2 the ca4sa1 body as a 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness 2o11o6s in d4e co4rse the >4ic0ening o2 the menta1 body3 and opens 4p to a man a yet more mar5e1o4s state o2 conscio4sness3 stretching bac06ards into an i11imitab1e past3 on6ards into the reaches o2 the 24t4re7 Then the Thin0er not on1y possesses the memory o2 his o6n past and can trace his gro6th thro4gh the 1ong s4ccession o2 his incarnate and e@carnate 1i5es3 b4t he can a1so roam at 6i11 thro4gh the storied past o2 the earth3 and 1earn the 6eighty 1essons o2 6or1d?e@perience3 st4dying the hidden 1a6s that g4ide e5o14tion and the deep secrets o2 1i2e hidden in the bosom o2 Nat4re7 In that 1o2ty 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness he can each the 5ei1ed Isis3 and 1i2t a corner o2 her do6n?dropped 5ei1A 2or there he can 2ace her eyes 6itho4t being b1inded by her 1ightening g1ances3 and he can see in the radiance that 21o6s 2rom her the ca4ses o2 the 6or1dEs sorro6 and its ending3 6ith heart piti241 and compassionate3 b4t no 1onger 6r4ng 6ith he1p1ess pain7 $trength and ca1m and 6isdom come to those 6ho are 4sing the ca4sa1 body as a 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness3 and 6ho beho1d 6ith opened eyes the g1ory o2 the .ood 1a67 When the b4ddhic body is >4ic0ened as a 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness the man enters into the b1iss o2 non? separateness3 and 0no6s in 2411 and 5i5id rea1isation his 4nity 6ith a11 that is7 As the predominant e1ement o2 conscio4sness in the ca4sa1 body is 0no61edge3 and 41timate1y 6isdom3 so the predominant e1ement o2 conscio4sness in the b4ddhic body is b1iss and 1o5e7 "Pa#e $$)% The serenity o2 6isdom chie21y mar0s the one3 6hi1e the tenderest compassion streams 2orth ine@ha4stib1y 2rom the otherA 6hen to these is added the god1i0e and 4nr4221ed strength that mar0s the 24nctioning o2 _tma3 then h4manity is cro6ned 6ith di5inity3 and the .od?man is mani2est in a11 the p1enit4de o2 his po6er3 o2 his 6isdom3 o2 his 1o5e7 The handing do6n to the 1o6er 5ehic1es o2 s4ch part o2 the conscio4sness be1onging to the higher as they are ab1e to recei5e does not immediate1y 2o11o6 on the s4ccessi5e >4ic0ening o2 the 5ehic1es7 In this matter indi5id4a1s di22er 5ery 6ide1y3 according to their circ4mstances and their 6or03 2or this >4ic0ening o2 the 5ehic1es abo5e the physica1 rare1y occ4rs ti11 probationary discip1eship is reached3 * $ee Chapter ,I3 B(anEs AscentC+3 and then the d4ties to be discharged depend on the needs o2 the time7 The discip1e3 and e5en the aspirant 2or discip1eship3 is ta4ght to ho1d a11 his po6ers entire1y 2or the ser5ice o2 the 6or1d3 and the sharing o2 the 1o6er conscio4sness in the 0no61edge o2 the higher is 2or the most part determined by the needs o2 the 6or0 in 6hich the discip1e is engaged7 It is necessary that the discip1e sho41d ha5e the 2411 4se o2 his 5ehic1es o2 conscio4sness on the higher p1anes3 as m4ch o2 his 6or0 can be accomp1ished on1y in themA b4t the con5eying o2 0no61edge o2 that 6or0 to the physica1 5ehic1e3 6hich is in no 6ay concerned in it3 is a matter o2 no importance and the con5eyance or non? con5eyance is genera11y determined by the e22ect that the one co4rse or the other 6o41d ha5e "Pa#e $$,% on the e22iciency o2 his 6or0 on the physica1 p1ane7 The strain on the physica1 body 6hen the higher conscio4sness compe1s it to 5ibrate responsi5e1y is 5ery great3 at the present stage o2 e5o14tion3 and 4n1ess the e@terna1 circ4mstances are 5ery 2a5o4rab1e this strain is apt to ca4se ner5o4s dist4rbance3 hyper?sensiti5eness 6ith its attendant e5i1s7 "ence most o2 those 6ho are in 2411 possession o2 the >4ic0ened higher 5ehic1es o2 conscio4sness3 and 6hose most important 6or0 is done o4t o2 the body3 remain apart 2rom the b4sy ha4nts o2 men3 i2 they desire to thro6 do6n into the physica1 conscio4sness the 0no61edge they 4se on the higher p1anes3 th4s preser5ing the sensiti5e physica1 5ehic1e 2rom the ro4gh 4sage and c1amo4r o2 ordinary 1i2e7 Page 1TM

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The main preparation to be made 2or recei5ing in the physica1 5ehic1e the 5ibrations o2 the higher conscio4sness areD its p4ri2ication 2rom grosser materia1s by p4re 2ood and p4re 1i2eA the entire s4b84gation o2 the passions3 and the c41ti5ation o2 an e5en3 ba1anced temper and mind3 4na22ected by the t4rmoi1 and 5icissit4des o2 e@terna1 1i2e A the habit o2 >4iet meditation on 1o2ty topics3 t4rning the mind a6ay 2rom the ob8ects o2 the senses3 and 2rom the menta1 images arising 2rom them3 and 2i@ing it on higher things A the cessation o2 h4rry3 especia11y o2 that rest1ess3 e@citab1e h4rry o2 the mind3 6hich 0eeps the brain contin4a11y at 6or0 and 21ying 2rom one s4b8ect to another A the gen4ine 1o5e 2or the things o2 the higher 6or1d3 that ma0es them more attracti5e than the ob8ects o2 the 1o6er3 so that the mind "Pa#e $$-% rests contented1y in their companionship as in that o2 a 6e11?1o5ed 2riend7 In 2act3 the preparations are m4ch the same as those necessary 2or the conscio4s separation o2 Bso41C 2rom BbodyC and those 6ere e1se6here stated by me as 2o11o6sD The st4dent < (4st begin by practising e@treme temperance in a11 things3 c41ti5ating an e>4ab1e and serene state o2 mind3 his 1i2e m4st be c1ean and his tho4ghts p4re3 his body he1d in strict s4b8ection to the so413 and his mind trained to occ4py itse12 6ith nob1e and 1o2ty themesA he m4st habit4a11y practise compassion3 sympathy3 he1p241ness to others3 6ith indi22erence to tro4b1es and p1eas4res a22ecting himse123 and he m4st c41ti5ate co4rage3 stead2astness3 and de5otion7 In 2act3 he m4st 1i5e the re1igion and ethics that other peop1e 2or the most part on1y ta107 "a5ing by perse5ering practice 1earned to contro1 his mind to some e@tent so that he is ab1e to 0eep it 2i@ed on one 1ine o2 tho4ght 2or some 1itt1e time3 he m4st begin its more rigid training3 by a dai1y practice o2 concentration on some di22ic41t or abstract s4b8ect3 or on some 1o2ty ob8ect o2 de5otionA this concentration means the 2irm 2i@ing o2 the mind on one sing1e point3 6itho4t 6andering3 and 6itho4t yie1ding to any distraction ca4sed by e@terna1 ob8ects3 by the acti5ity o2 the senses3 or by that o2 the mind itse127 It m4st be braced 4p to an 4ns6er5ing steadiness and 2i@ity3 4nti1 grad4a11y it 6i11 1earn so to 6ithdra6 its attention 2orm the o4ter 6or1d and 2rom the body that the senses 6i11 remain >4iet and sti113 6hi1e the mind is intense1y a1i5e 6ith a11 its energies dra6n in6ards to be 1a4nched at a sing1e point o2 tho4ght3 the highest to 6hich it can attain7 When it is ab1e to ho1d itse12 th4s 6ith comparati5e ease it is ready 2or a 24rther step3 and by a strong b4t ca1m e22ort o2 the 6i11 it can thro6 itse12 beyond the highest tho4ght it can reach while wor)in! in the +hysical 1rain3 and in the e22ort 6i11 rise and 4nite itse12 6ith the higher conscio4sness and 2ind itse12 2ree o2 the body7 When this is done there is no sense o2 s1eep or dream nor any 1oss o2 conscio4snessA the man 2inds himse12 "Pa#e $$.% o4tside his body3 b4t as tho4gh he mere1y s1ipped o22 a 6eighty enc4mbrance3 nor as tho4gh he had 1ost any part o2 himse12A he is not rea11y BdisembodiedC3 b4t had risen o4t o2 the gross body Qin a body o2 1ightE 6hich obeys his s1ightest tho4ght and ser5es as a bea4ti241 and per2ect instr4ment 2or carrying o4t his 6i117 In this he is 2ree o2 the s4bt1e 6or1ds3 b4t 6i11 need to train his 2ac41ties 1ong and care2411y 2or re1iab1e 6or0 4nder the ne6 conditions7 Page 1T:

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

BFreedom 2rom the body may be obtained in other 6aysA by the rapt intensity o2 de5otion or by specia1 methods that may be imparted by a great teacher to his discip1e7 Whate5er the 6ay3 the end is the same < the setting 2ree o2 the so41 in 2411 conscio4sness3 ab1e to e@amine its ne6 s4rro4ndings in regions beyond the treading o2 the 21esh o2 the man o2 21esh7 At 6i11 it can ret4rn to the body and re?enter it3 and 4nder these circ4mstances it can impress on the brain?mind3 and th4s retain 6hi1e in the body3 the memory o2 the e@periences it has 4ndergone7C * Conditions of life after deathg Nineteenth Cent4ry o2 No57 199M + Those 6ho ha5e grasped the main ideas s0etched in the 2oregoing pages 6i11 2ee1 that these ideas are in themse15es the strongest proo2 that reincarnation is a 2act in nat4re7 It is necessary in order that the 5ast e5o14tion imp1ied in the phrase3 B the e5o14tion o2 the so413C may be accomp1ished7 The on1y a1ternati5e < p4tting aside 2or the moment the materia1istic idea that the so41 is on1y the aggregate o2 the 5ibrations o2 a partic41ar 0ind o2 physica1 matter < is that each so41 is a ne6 creation3 made 6hen a babe is born3 and stamped 6ith 5irt4o4s or 6ith 5icio4s tendencies3 endo6ed 6ith abi1ity or 6ith st4pidity3 by the arbitrary 6him o2 the creati5e po6er7 As the (4hammadan 6o41d say3 his 2ate is h4ng ro4nd his "Pa#e $&0% nec0 at birth3 2or a manEs 2ate depends on his character and his s4rro4ndings3 and a ne61y created so41 214ng into the 6or1d m4st be doomed to happiness or misery according to the circ4mstances en5ironing him and the character stamped 4pon him7 Predestination in its most o22ensi5e 2orm is the a1ternati5e o2 reincarnation7 Instead o2 1oo0ing on men as s1o61y e5o15ing3 so that the br4ta1 sa5age o2 today 6i11 in time e5o15e the nob1est >4a1ities o2 saint and hero3 and th4s3 seeing in the 6or1d a 6ise1y p1anned and 6ise1y directed process o2 gro6th3 6e sha11 be ob1iged to see in it a chaos o2 most 4n84st1y treated sentient beings3 a6arded happiness or misery3 0no61edge or ignorance3 5irt4e or 5ice3 6ea1th or po5erty3 geni4s or idiocy3 by an arbitrary e@terna1 6i113 4ng4ided by either 84stice or mercy < a 5eritab1e pandemoni4m3 irrationa1 and 4nmeaning7 And this chaos is s4pposed to be the higher part o2 the cosmos3 in the 1o6er regions o2 6hich are mani2ested a11 the order1y and bea4ti241 6or0ings o2 a 1a6 that e5er e5o15es higher and more comp1e@ 2orm 2rom the 1o6er and the simp1er3 that ob5io4s1y Bma0es 2or righteo4sness3C 2or harmony and 2or bea4ty7 I2 it be admitted that the so41 o2 the sa5age is destined to 1i5e and e5o15e3 and that he is not doomed 2or eternity to his present in2ant state3 b4t that his e5o14tion 6i11 ta0e p1ace a2ter death and in other 6or1ds3 then the princip1e o2 so41?e5o14tion is conceded3 and the >4estion o2 the p1ace o2 e5o14tion a1one remains7 Were a11 so41s on earth at the same stage o2 e5o14tion3 m4ch might be said 2or the contention "Pa#e $&/% that 24rther 6or1ds are needed 2or the e5o14tion o2 so41s beyond the in2ant stage7 B4t 6e ha5e aro4nd 4s so41s that are 2ar ad5anced3 and that 6ere born 6ith nob1e menta1 and mora1 >4a1ities7 B4t parity o2 reasoning3 6e m4st s4ppose them to ha5e been e5o15ed in other 6or1ds ere their one birth in this3 and 6e cannot b4t 6onder 6hy an earth that o22ers 5aried conditions3 2it 2or 1itt1e? de5e1oped and a1so 2or ad5anced so41s3 sho41d be paid on1y one 21ying 5isit by so41s at e5ery stage o2 de5e1opment3 a11 the rest o2 their e5o14tion being carried on in 6or1ds simi1ar to this3 e>4a11y ab1e to a22ord Page 1T9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

a11 the conditions needed to e5o15e the so41s o2 di22erent stages o2 e5o14tion3 as 6e 2ind them to be 6hen they are born here7 The Ancient Wisdom teaches3 indeed3 that the so41 progresses thro4gh many 6or1ds3 b4t it a1so teaches that he is born in each o2 these 6or1ds o5er and o5er again3 4nti1 he has comp1eted the e5o14tion possib1e in that 6or1d7 The 6or1ds themse15es3 according to its teaching3 2orm an e5o14tionary chain3 and each p1ays its o6n part as a 2ie1d 2or certain stages o2 e5o14tion7 O4r o6n 6or1d o22ers a 2ie1d s4itab1e 2or the e5o14tion o2 the minera13 5egetab1e3 anima1 and h4man 0ingdoms3 and there2ore co11ecti5e or indi5id4a1 reincarnation goes on 4pon it in a11 these 0ingdoms7 Tr41y3 24rther e5o14tion 1ies be2ore 4s in other 6or1ds3 b4t in the di5ine order they are not open to 4s 4nti1 6e ha5e 1earned and mastered the 1essons o2 o4r o6n 6or1d has to teach7 There are many 1ines o2 tho4ght that 1ead 4s to the "Pa#e $&$% same goa1 o2 reincarnation3 as 6e st4dy the 6or1d aro4nd 4s7 The immense di22erences that separate man 2rom man ha5e a1ready been noticed as imp1ying an e5o14tionary past behind each so41A and attention has been dra6n to these di22erentiating the indi5id4a1 reincarnation o2 men < a11 o2 6hom be1ong to a sing1e species < 2rom the reincarnation o2 monadic gro4p?so41s in the 1o6er 0ingdoms7 The comparati5e1y sma11 di22erences that separate the physica1 bodies o2 men3 a11 being e@terna11y recognisab1e as men3 sho41d be contrasted 6ith the immense di22erences that separate the 1o6est sa5age and the nob1est h4man type in menta1 and mora1 capacities7 $a5ages are o2ten sp1endid in physica1 de5e1opment and 6ith 1arge crania1 contents3 b4t ho6 di22erent their minds 2rom that o2 a phi1osopher or saintP I2 high menta1 and mora1 >4a1ities are regarded as the acc4m41ated res41ts o2 ci5i1ised 1i5ing3 then 6e are con2ronted 6ith the 2act that the ab1est men o2 the present are o5er?topped by the inte11ect4a1 giants o2 the past3 and that none o2 o4r o6n day reaches the mora1 a1tit4de o2 some historica1 saints7 F4rther3 6e ha5e to consider that geni4s has neither parent nor chi1dA that it appears s4dden1y and not as the ape@ o2 a grad4a11y impro5ing 2ami1y3 and is itse12 genera11y steri1e3 or3 i2 a chi1d be born to it3 it is a chi1d o2 the body3 not o2 the mind7 $ti11 more signi2icant1y3 a m4sica1 geni4s is 2or the most part born in a m4sica1 2ami1y3 beca4se that 2orm o2 geni4s needs 2or its mani2estation a ner5o4s "Pa#e $&&% organisation o2 a pec41iar 0ind3 and ner5o4s organisation 2a11s 4nder the 1a6 o2 heredity7 B4t ho6 o2ten in s4ch a 2ami1y its ob8ect seems o5er 6hen it has pro5ided a body 2or a geni4s3 and it then 21ic0ers o4t and 5anishes in a 2e6 generations into the obsc4rity o2 a5erage h4manity7 Where are the descendants o2 Bach3 o2 Beetho5en3 o2 (oOart3 o2 (ende1ssohn3 e>4a1 to their siresF Tr41y geni4s does not descend 2rom 2ather to son3 1i0e the 2ami1y types o2 the $t4art and the Bo4rbon7 On 6hat gro4nd3 sa5e that or reincarnation3 can the Bin2ant prodigyC be acco4nted 2orF Ta0e as an instance the case o2 the chi1d 6ho became r7 #o4ng3 the disco5erer o2 the 4nd41atory theory o2 1ight3 a man 6hose greatness is scarce1y yet s422icient1y 6ide1y recognised7 As a chi1d o2 t6o he co41d read B6ith considerab1e 214encyC3 and be2ore he 6as 2o4r he had read thro4gh the Bib1e t6iceA at se5en he began arithmetic3 and mastered Wa10inghamEs Tutor=s Assistant be2ore he had reached the midd1e o2 it 4nder his t4tor3 and a 2e6 years 1ater 6e 2ind him mastering3 6hi1e at schoo13 %atin3 .ree03 "ebre63 mathematics3 boo0?0eeping3 French3 Ita1ian3 t4rning and te1escope?ma0ing and de1ighting in Orienta1 1iterat4re7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

At 2o4rteen he 6as to be p1aced 4nder pri5ate t4ition 6ith a boy a year and a ha12 yo4nger3 b4t3 the t4tor 2irst engaged 2ai1ing to arri5e3 #o4ng ta4ght the other boy7 *Aife of Dr. Thomas Goun!3 by .7 Peacoc03 7 7+7 $ir Wi11iam Ro6an "ami1ton sho6ed po6er e5en more precocio4s7 "e began to 1earn "ebre6 6hen he 6as bare1y three3 "Pa#e $&'% and Bat the age o2 se5en he 6as prono4nced by one o2 the Fe11o6s o2 Trinity Co11ege3 4b1in3 to ha5e sho6n a greater 0no61edge o2 the 1ang4age than many candidates 2or a 2e11o6ship7 At the age o2 thirteen he had ac>4ired considerab1e 0no61edge o2 at 1east thirteen 1ang4ages7 Among these3 besides the c1assica1 and the modern E4ropean 1ang4ages3 6ere inc14ded Persian3 Arabic3 $ans0rit3 "ind4stani3 and e5en (a1ayN77 "e 6rote3 at the age o2 2o4rteen3 a comp1imentary 1etter to the Persian Ambassador3 6ho happened to 5isit 4b1inA and the 1atter said that he had not tho4ght there 6as a man in Britain 6ho co41d ha5e 6ritten s4ch a doc4ment in the Persian 1ang4age7 A re1ati5e o2 his saysD BI remember him a 1itt1e boy o2 si@3 6hen he 6o41d ans6er a di22ic41t mathematica1 >4estion3 and r4n o22 gai1y to his 1itt1e cart7 At t6e15e he engaged Co1b4rn3 the American Qca1c41ating boy3E 6ho 6as then being e@hibited as a c4riosity in 4b1in3 and he had not a16ays the 6orst o2 the enco4nter7C When he 6as eighteen3 r7 Brin01ey *Roya1 Astronomer o2 Ire1and+ said o2 him in 19/;D BThis yo4ng man3 I do not say will 1e3 b4t is3 the 2irst mathematician o2 his age7C BAt co11ege his career 6as perhaps 4ne@amp1ed7 Among a n4mber o2 competitors o2 more than ordinary merit3 he 6as 2irst in e5ery s4b8ect3 and at e5ery e@amination7 *North British Re5ie63 $eptember 19MM+7 %et the tho4ght241 st4dent compare these boys 6ith a semi?idiot3 or e5en 6ith an a5erage 1ad3 note ho63 starting 6ith these ad5antages3 they become 1eaders "Pa#e $&(% o2 tho4ght3 and then as0 himse12 6hether s4ch so41s ha5e no past behind them7 Fami1y 1i0enesses are genera11y e@p1ained as being d4e to the B1a6 o2 heredity3C b4t di22erences in menta1 and in mora1 character are contin4a11y 2o4nd 6ithin a 2ami1y circ1e3 and these are 1e2t 4ne@p1ained7 Reincarnation e@p1ains the 1i0enesses by the 2act that a so41 in ta0ing birth is directed to a 2ami1y 6hich pro5ides by its physica1 heredity a body s4itab1e to e@press his characteristicsA and it e@p1ains the 4n1i0enesses by attaching the menta1 and mora1 character to the indi5id4a1 himse123 6hi1e sho6ing that ties set 4p in the past ha5e 1ed him to ta0e birth in connection 6ith some other indi5id4a1 o2 that 2ami1y7 *$ee Chapter I,3 on B&armaC+7 A Bmatter o2 signi2icance in connection 6ith t6ins is that d4ring in2ancy they 6i11 o2ten be indisting4ishab1e 2rom each other3 e5en to the 0een eye o2 the mother and o2 n4rseA 6hereas3 1ater in 1i2e3 6hen (anas has been 6or0ing on his physica1 encasement3 he 6i11 ha5e so modi2ied it that the physica1 1i0eness 1essens and the di22erences o2 character stamp themse15es on the mobi1e 2eat4res7C * Reincarnation by Annie Besant3 Page MG+ Physica1 1i0eness 6ith menta1 and mora1 4n1i0eness seems to imp1y the meeting o2 t6o di22erent 1ines o2 ca4sation7 The stri0ing dissimi1arity 2o4nd to e@ist bet6een peop1e o2 abo4t e>4a1 inte11ect4a1 po6er in assimi1ating partic41ar 0inds o2 0no61edge is another BpointerC to reincarnation7 A tr4th is recognised at once "Pa#e $&)% by one3 6hi1e the other 2ai1s to grasp it e5en a2ter 1ong and care241 obser5ation7 #et the 5ery opposite may be the case 6hen another tr4th is presented to them3 and it may be seen by the second and missed by the 2irst7 T6o st4dents are attracted to Theosophy and begin to st4dy it3 at a yearEs end one is 2ami1iar 6ith its main conceptions and can app1y them3 6hi1e the other is str4gg1ing in a maOe7 To the one each Page 11T

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

princip1e seemed 2ami1iar on presentation A to the other ne63 4ninte11igib1e3 strange7 The be1ie5er in reincarnation 4nderstands that the teaching is o1d to the one3 and ne6 to the otherA one 1earns >4ic01y 1ecause he remem1ers3 he is b4t reco5ering past 0no61edgeA the other 1earns s1o61y beca4se his e@perience has not inc14ded these tr4ths o2 nat4re3 and he is ac>4iring them toi1 2411y 2or the 2irst time7* 9eincarnation by annie Besant3 Page M:+ C $o a1so ordinary int4ition is Bmere1y recognition o2 a 2act 2ami1iar in a past 1i2e3 tho4gh met 6ith 2or the 2irst time in the present3C another sign o2 the road a1ong 6hich the indi5id4a1 has tra5e1ed in the past7 The main di22ic41ty 6ith many peop1e in the reception o2 the doctrine o2 reincarnation is their o6n absence o2 memory o2 their past7 #et they are e5ery day 2ami1iar 6ith the 2act that they ha5e 2orgotten 5ery m4ch e5en o2 their 1i5es in their present bodies3 and that the ear1y years o2 chi1dhood are b14rred and those o2 in2ancy a b1an07 They m4st a1so 0no6 that e5ents o2 the past 6hich ha5e entire1y s1ipped o4t o2 their norma1 conscio4sness are yet "Pa#e $&,% hidden a6ay in dar0 ca5es o2 memory and ban be bro4ght o4t again 5i5id1y in some 2orms o2 disease or 4nder the in214ence o2 mesmerism7 A dying man has been 0no6n to spea0 a 1ang4age heard on1y in in2ancy3 and 4n0no6n to him d4ring a 1ong 1i2eA in de1iri4m3 e5ents 1ong 2orgotten ha5e presented themse15es 5i5id1y to the conscio4sness7 Nothing is rea11y 2orgottenA b4t m4ch is hidden o4t o2 sight o2 the 1imited 5ision o2 o4r 6a0ing conscio4sness3 the most 1imited 2orm o2 o4r conscio4sness3 a1tho4gh the on1y conscio4sness recognised by the 5ast ma8ority7 W4st as memory o2 some o2 the present 1i2e is in?dra6n beyond the reach o2 this 6a0ing conscio4sness3 and ma0es itse12 0no6n again on1y 6hen the brain is hypersensiti5e and th4s ab1e to respond to 5ibrations that 4s4a11y beat against it 4nheeded3 so is the memory o2 the past 1i5es stored 4p o4r o2 reach o2 the physica1 conscio4sness7 It is a11 6ith the Thin0er3 6ho a1one persists 2rom 1i2e to 1i2eA he has the 6ho1e boo0 o2 memory 6ithin his reach3 2or he is the on1y B I B that has passed thro4gh a11 the e@periences recorded therein7 (oreo5er3 he can impress his o6n memories o2 the past on his physica1 5ehic1e3 as soon as it has been s422icient1y p4ri2ied to ans6er his s6i2t and s4bt1e 5ibrations3 and then the man o2 21esh can share his 0no61edge o2 the storied past7 The di22ic41ty o2 memory does not 1ie in 2orget241ness3 2or the 1o6er 5ehic1e3 the physica1 body3 has ne5er passed thro4gh the pre5io4s 1i5es o2 its o6nerA it 1ies in the absorption o2 the present body in its present en5ironment3 in its "Pa#e $&-% coarse 4nresponsi5eness to the de1icate thri11s in 6hich a1one the so41 can spea07 Those 6ho 6o41d remember the past m4st not ha5e their interests centred in the present3 and they m4st p4ri2y and re2ine the body ti11 it is ab1e to recei5e impressions 2rom the s4bt1er spheres7 (emory o2 their o6n past 1i5es3 ho6e5er3 is possessed by a considerab1e n4mber o2 peop1e 6ho ha5e achie5ed the necessary sensiti5eness o2 the physica1 organism3 and to these o2 co4rse3 reincarnation is no 1onger a theory3 b4t has become a matter o2 persona1 0no61edge7 They ha5e 1earned ho6 m4ch richer 1i2e becomes 6hen memories o2 past 1i5es po4t into it3 6hen the 2riends o2 this brie2 day are 2o4nd to be the 2riends o2 the 1ong?ago3 and o1d remembrances strengthen the ties o2 the 21eeting present7 %i2e gains sec4rity and dignity 6hen it is seen 6ith a 1ong 5ista behind it3 and 6hen the 1o5es o2 o1d reappear in the 1o5es o2 today7 eath 2ades into its proper p1ace as a mere incident in 1i2e3 a change 2rom one scene to another3 1i0e a 8o4rney that separates bodies b4t cannot s4nder 2riend 2rom 2riend7 The 1in0s o2 the present are 2o4nd to be part o2 a go1den chain that stretches bac06ards3 and the 24t4re can be 2aced 6ith Page 111

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a g1ad sec4rity in the tho4ght that these 1in0s 6i11 end4re thro4gh days to come3 and 2orm part o2 that 4nbro0en chain7 No6 and then 6e 2ind chi1dren 6ho ha5e bro4ght o5er a memory o2 their immediate past3 2or the most part 6hen they ha5e died in chi1dhood and are reborn a1most immediate1y7 In the West s4ch cases "Pa#e $&.% are rarer than in the East3 beca4se in the West the 2irst 6ords o2 s4ch a chi1d 6o41d be met 6ith disbe1ie23 and he 6o41d >4ic01y 1ose 2aith in his o6n memories7 In the East3 6here be1ie2 in reincarnation is a1most 4ni5ersa13 the chi1dEs remembrances are 1istened to3 and 6here the opport4nity ser5es they ha5e been 5eri2ied7 There is another important point 6ith respect to memory that 6i11 repay consideration7 The memory o2 past e%ents remains3 as 6e ha5e seen3 6ith the Thin0er on1y3 b4t the res41ts o2 those e5ents embodied in faculties are at the ser5ice o2 the 1o6er man7 I2 the 6ho1e o2 these past e5ents 6ere thro6n do6n into the physica1 brain3 a 5ast mass o2 e@periences in no c1assi2ied order3 6itho4t arrangement3 the man co41d not be g4ided by the o4t come o2 the past3 nor 4ti1ise it 2or present he1p7 Compe11ed to ma0e a choice bet6een t6o 1ines o2 action3 he 6o41d ha5e to pic03 o4t o2 the 4n?arranged 2acts 2rom his past3 e5ents simi1ar in character3 trace o4t their res41ts3 and a2ter 1ong and 6eary st4dy arri5e at some conc14sion < a conc14sion 5ery 1i0e1y to be 5itiated by the o5er1oo0ing o2 some important 2actor3 and reached 1ong a2ter the need 2or decision had passed7 A11 the e5ents3 tri5ia1 and important3 o2 some h4ndreds o2 1i5es 6o41d 2orm a rather 4n6ie1dy and chaotic mass 2or re2erence in an emergency that demanded a s6i2t action7 The 2ar more e22ecti5e p1an o2 Nat4re 1ea5es to the Thin0er the memory o2 the e5ents3 pro5ides a 1ong period o2 e@carnate e@istence 2or the menta1 body3 d4ring 6hich a11 e5ents are tab41ated and compared and their res41ts are c1assi2iedA then these res41ts are embodied as 2ac41ties3 and these 2ac41ties 2orm the ne@t menta1 body o2 the Thin0er7 In this 6ay3 the en1arged and impro5ed 2ac41ties are a5ai1ab1e 2or immediate 4se3 and3 the 2ac41ties o2 the past being in them3 a decision can be come to3 in accordance 6ith those res41ts and 6itho4t any de1ay7 The c1ear >4ic0 insight and prompt 84dgment are nothing e1se than the o4tcome o2 past e@periences3 mo41ded into an e22ecti5e 2orm 2or 4seA they are s4re1y more 4se241 instr4ments than 6o41d be a mass o2 4nassimi1ated e@periences3 o4t o2 6hich the re1e5ant ones 6o41d ha5e to be se1ected and compared3 and 2rom 6hich in2erences 6o41d ha5e to be dra6n3 on each separate occasion on 6hich a choice arises7 From a11 these 1ines o2 tho4ght3 ho6e5er3 the mind t4rns bac0 to rest on the 24ndamenta1 necessity 2or reincarnation i2 1i2e is to be made inte11igib1e3 and i2 in84stice and cr4e1ty are not to moc0 the he1p1essness o2 man7 With reincarnation man is a digni2ied3 immorta1 being3 e5o15ing to6ards a di5ine1y g1orio4s endA 6itho4t it3 he is a tossing stra6 on the stream o2 chance circ4mstances 3 irresponsib1e 2or his character3 2or his actions3 2or his destiny7 With it3 he may 1oo0 2or6ard 6ith 2ear1ess hope3 ho6e5er 1o6 in the sca1e o2 e5o14tion he may be today3 2or he is on the 1adder to di5inity3 and the c1imbing to its s4mmit is on1y a >4estion o2 timeA 6itho4t it3 he has no reasonab1e gro4nd o2 ass4rance as to progress in the 24t4re3 nor indeed any reasonab1e gro4nd "Pa#e $'/+ o2 ass4rance in a 24t4re at a117 Why sho41d a creat4re 6itho4t a past 1oo0 2or6ard to a 24t4reF "e may be a mere b4bb1e on the ocean o2 time7 F14ng into the 6or1d 2rom non?entity3 6ith >4a1ities o2 Page 11/

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

good or e5i13 attached to him 6itho4t reason or desert3 6hy sho41d he stri5e to ma0e the best o2 themF Wi11 not his 24t4re3 i2 he ha5e one3 be as iso1ated3 as 4nca4sed3 as 4nre1ated as his presentF In dropping reincarnation 2rom its be1ie2s3 the modern 6or1d has depri5ed .od o2 "is 84stice and has bere2t man o2 his sec4rityA he may be B14c0yC or B4n14c0yC b4t the strength and dignity con2erred by re1iance on a change1ess 1a6 are rent a6ay 2rom him3 and he is 1e2t tossing he1p1ess1y on an 4n?na5igab1e ocean o2 1i2e7
"Pa#e $'$%

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CHAPTER IF 2AR4A "a5ing traced the e5o14tion o2 the so41 by the 6ay o2 reincarnation3 6e are no6 in a position to st4dy the great 1a6 o2 ca4sation 4nder 6hich rebirths are carried on3 the 1a6 6hich is named &arma7 &arma is a $ans0rit 6ord3 1itera11y meaning BactionCA as a11 actions are e22ects 21o6ing 2rom preceding ca4ses3 and as each e22ect becomes a ca4se o2 24t4re e22ects3 this idea o2 ca4se and e22ect is an essentia1 part o2 the idea o2 action3 and the 6ord action3 or 0arma3 is there2ore 4sed 2or ca4sation3 or 2or the 4nbro0en 1in0ed series o2 ca4ses and e22ects that ma0e 4p a11 h4man acti5ity7 "ence the phrase is sometimes 4sed o2 an e5ent3 BThis is my 0arma3C i7e73 BThis e5ent is the e22ect o2 a ca4se set going by me in the past7C No one 1i2e is iso1atedP It is the chi1d o2 a11 the 1i5es be2ore it3 the parent o2 a11 the 1i5es that 2o11o6 it3 in the tota1 aggregate o2 the 1i5es that ma0e 4p the contin4ing e@istence o2 the indi5id4a17 There is no s4ch thing as CchanceC or as BaccidentCA e5ery e5ent is 1in0ed to a preceding ca4se3 to a 2o11o6ing e22ectA a11 tho4ghts3 deeds3 circ4mstances are ca4sa11y re1ated to the past and 6i11 ca4sa11y in214ence the 24t4reA as o4r ignorance "Pa#e $'&% shro4ds 2rom o4r 5ision a1i0e the past and the 24t4re3 e5ents o2ten appear to 4s to come s4dden1y 2rom the 5oid3 to be Baccidenta13C b4t this appearance is i114sory and is d4e entire1y to o4r 1ac0 o2 0no61edge7 W4st as the sa5age3 ignorant o2 the 1a6s o2 the physica1 4ni5erse3 regards physica1 e5ents as 4nca4sed3 and the res41ts o2 4n0no6n physica1 1a6s as Bmirac1esCA so do many3 ignorant o2 mora1 and menta1 1a6s3 regard mora1 and menta1 e5ents as 4nca4sed3 and the res41ts o2 4n0no6n mora1 and menta1 1a6s as good and bad B14c07C When at 2irst this idea o2 in5io1ab1e3 imm4tab1e 1a6 is a rea1m hitherto 5ag4e1y ascribed to chance da6ns 4pon the mind3 it is apt to res41t in a sense o2 he1p1essness3 a1most o2 mora1 and menta1 para1ysis7 (an seems to be he1d in the grip o2 an iron destiny3 and the resigned B0ismetC o2 the (os1em appears to be the on1y phi1osophica1 4tterance7 W4st so might the sa5age 2ee1 6hen the idea o2 physica1 1a6 2irst da6ns on his start1ed inte11igence3 and he 1earns that e5ery mo5ement o2 his body3 e5ery mo5ement in e@terna1 nat4re3 is carried on 4nder imm4tab1e 1a6s7 .rad4a11y he 1earns that nat4ra1 1a6s on1y 1ay do6n conditions 4nder 6hich a11 6or0ings m4st be carried on3 b4t do not prescribe the 6or0ingsA so that man remains e5er 2ree at the centre3 6hi1e 1imited in his e@terna1 acti5ities by the conditions o2 the p1ane on 6hich those acti5ities are carried on7 "e 1earns 24rther that 6hi1e the conditions master him3 constant1y 2r4strating his stren4o4s e22orts3 so 1ong as he is ignorant o2 them3 or3 0no6ing them3 "Pa#e $''% 2ights against them3 he masters them and they become his ser5ants and he1pers 6hen he 4nderstands them3 0no6s their directions3 and ca1c41ates their 2orces7 In tr4th science is possib1e on1y on the physica1 p1ane beca4se its 1a6s are in5io1ab1e3 imm4tab1e7 Were there no s4ch things as nat4ra1 1a6s3 there co41d be no sciences7 An in5estigator ma0es a n4mber o2 e@periments3 and 2rom the res41ts o2 these he 1earns ho6 Nat4re 6or0sA 0no6ing this3 he can ca1c41ate ho6 to bring abo4t a certain desired res41t3 and i2 he 2ai1 in achie5ing that res41t he 0no6s that he has omitted some necessary condition < either his 0no61edge is imper2ect3 or he has made a misca1c41ation7 Page 11G

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"e re5ie6s his 0no61edge3 re5ises his methods3 recasts his ca1c41ations3 6ith a serene and comp1ete certainty that i2 he as0 his >4estion right1y Nat4re 6i11 ans6er him 6ith 4n5arying precision7 "ydrogen and o@ygen 6i11 not gi5e him 6ater today and pr4ssic acid tomorro6A 2ire 6i11 not b4rn him today and 2reeOe him tomorro67 I2 6ater be a 214id today and a so1id tomorro63 it is beca4se the conditions s4rro4nding it ha5e been a1tered3 and the reinstatement o2 the origina1 conditions 6i11 bring abo4t the origina1 res41t7 E5ery ne6 piece o2 in2ormation abo4t the 1a6s o2 Nat4re is not a 2resh restriction b4t a 2resh po6er3 2or a11 these energies o2 Nat4re become 2orces 6hich he can 4se in proportion as he 4nderstands them7 "ence the saying that B0no61edge is po6er3C 2or e@act1y in proportion to his 0no61edge "Pa#e $'(% can he 4ti1ise these 2orcesA by se1ecting those 6ith 6hich he 6i11 6or03 by ba1ancing one against another3 by ne4tra1ising opposing energies that 6o41d inter2ere 6ith his ob8ect3 he can ca1c41ate be2orehand the res41t3 and bring abo4t 6hat he predetermines7 !nderstanding and manip41ating ca4ses3 he can predict e22ects3 and th4s the 5ery rigidity o2 nat4re 6hich seemed at 2irst to para1yse h4man action can be 4sed to prod4ce and in2inite 5ariety o2 res41ts7 Per2ect rigidity in each separate 2orce ma0es possib1e per2ect 21e@ibi1ity in their combinations7 For the 2orces being o2 e5ery 0ind3 mo5ing in e5ery direction3 and each being ca1c41ab1e3 a se1ection can be made and the se1ected 2orces so combined as to yie1d any desired res41t7 The ob8ect to be gained being determined3 it can be in2a11ib1y obtained by a care241 ba1ancing o2 2orces in the combination p4t together as a ca4se7 B4t3 be it remembered3 0no61edge is re>4isite th4s to g4ide e5ents3 to bring abo4t desired res41ts7 The ignorant man st4mb1es he1p1ess1y a1ong3 stri0ing himse12 against the imm4tab1e 1a6s and seeing his e22orts 2ai13 6hi1e the man o2 0no61edge 6a10s steadi1y 2or6ard3 2oreseeing3 ca4sing3 pre5enting3 ad84sting3 and bringing abo4t that at 6hich he aims3 not beca4se he is 14c0y b4t beca4se he 4nderstands7 The one is the toy3 the s1a5e o2 Nat4re3 6hir1ed a1ong by her 2orcesD the other is her master3 4sing her energies to carry him on6ards in the direction chosen by his 6i117 That 6hich is tr4e o2 the physica1 rea1m o2 1a6 is "Pa#e $')% tr4e o2 the mora1 and menta1 6or1ds3 e>4a11y rea1ms o2 1a67 "ere a1so the ignorant is a s1a5e3 the sage is a monarchA here a1so the in5io1abi1ity3 the imm4tabi1ity3 that 6ere regarded as para1ysing3 are 2o4nd to be the necessary conditions o2 s4re progress and o2 c1ear?sighted direction o2 the 24t4re7 (an can become the master o2 his destiny on1y beca4se that destiny 1ies in a rea1m o2 1a63 6here 0no61edge can b4i1d 4p the science o2 the so41 and p1ace in the hands o2 man the po6er o2 contro11ing his 24t4re < o2 choosing a1i0e his 24t4re character and his 24t4re circ4mstances7The 0no61edge o2 0arma that threatened to para1yse3 becomes an inspiring3 a s4pporting3 an 4p1i2ting 2orce7 &arma is then3 the 1a6 o2 ca4sation3 the 1a6 o2 ca4se and e22ect7 It 6as p4t pointed1y by the Christian Initiate3 $7 Pa41 D BBe not decei5ed3 .od is not moc0edD 2or 6hatsoe5er a man so6eth that sha11 he a1so reap7C*Halatians, %i, 7+7 (an is contin4a11y sending o4t 2orces on a11 the p1anes on 6hich he 24nctionsA these 2orces < themse15es in >4antity and >4a1ity the e22ects o2 his past acti5ities < are ca4ses 6hich he sets going in each 6or1d he inhabitsA they bring abo4t certain de2inite e22ects both on himse12 and on others3 and as these ca4ses radiate 2orth 2rom himse12 as centre o5er the 6ho1e 2ie1d o2 his acti5ity3 he is responsib1e 2or the res41ts they bring abo4t7

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As a magnet has its Bmagnetic 2ie1d3C an area 6ithin 6hich a11 its 2orces p1ay3 1arger or sma11er according to its strength3 so has e5ery man a 2ie1d o2 in214ence "Pa#e $',% 6ithin 6hich p1ay the 2orces he emits3 and these 2orces 6or0 in c4r5es that ret4rn to their 2orth?sender3 that re?enter the centre 6hence they emerged7 As the s4b8ect is a 5ery comp1icated one3 6e 6i11 s4b?di5ide it3 and then st4dy the s4bdi5isions one by one7 Three c1asses o2 energies are sent 2orth by man in his ordinary 1i2e3 be1onging respecti5e1y to the three 6or1ds that he inhabitsA menta1 energies on the menta1 p1ane3 gi5ing rise to the ca4ses 6e ca11 tho4ghtsA desire energies on the astra1 p1ane3 gi5ing rise to those 6e ca11 desiresA physica1 energies aro4sed by these3 and 6or0ing on the physica1 p1ane3 gi5ing rise to the ca4ses 6e ca11 action7 We ha5e to st4dy each o2 these in its 6or0ings3 and to 4nderstand the c1ass o2 e22ects to 6hich each gi5es rise3 i2 6e 6ish to trace inte11igent1y the part that each p1ays in the perp1e@ed and comp1icated combinations 6e set 4p3 ca11ed in their tota1ity Bo4r &arma7C When a man3 ad5ancing more s6i2t1y than his 2e11o6s3 gains the abi1ity to 24nction on higher p1anes3 he then becomes the centre o2 higher 2orces3 b4t 2or the present 6e may 1ea5e these o4t o2 acco4nt and con2ine o4rse15es to ordinary h4manity3 treading the cyc1e o2 reincarnation in the three 6or1ds7 In st4dying these three c1asses o2 energies 6e sha11 ha5e to disting4ish bet6een their e22ect on the man 6ho generates them and their e22ect on others 6ho come 6ithin the 2ie1d o2 his in214enceA 2or a 1ac0 "Pa#e $'-% o2 4nderstanding on this point o2ten 1ea5es the st4dent in a s1o4gh o2 hope1ess be6i1derment7 Then 6e m4st remember that e5ery 2orce 6or0s on its o6n p1ane and reacts on the p1anes be1o6 it in proportion to its intensity3 the p1ane on 6hich it is generated gi5es it its specia1 characteristics3 and in its reaction on 1o6er p1anes it sets 4p 5ibrations in their 2iner or coarser materia1s according to its o6n origina1 nat4re7The moti5e 6hich generates the acti5ity determines the p1ane to 6hich the 2orce be1ongs7 Ne@t it 6i11 be necessary to disting4ish bet6een ripe 0arma3 ready to sho6 itse12 as ine5itab1e e5ents in the present 1i2eA the 0arma o2 character3 sho6ing itse12 in tendencies that are the o4tcome o2 acc4m41ated e@periences3 and that are capab1e o2 being modi2ied in the present 1i2e by the same po6er *the Ego+ that created them in the pastA the 0arma that is no6 ma0ing3 and 6i11 gi5e rise to 24t4re e5ents and 24t4re character7 * These di5isions are 2ami1iar to the st4dent as Pr=rabdha *commenced3 to be 6or0ed o4t in the 1i2e+A $anchita *acc4m41ated+3 a part o2 6hich is seen in the tendencies3 &riyam=na3 *in co4rse o2 ma0ing+7 F4rther3 6e ha5e to rea1ise that 6hi1e a man ma0es his o6n indi5id4a1 0arma he a1so connects himse12 thereby 6ith others3 th4s becoming a member o2 5ario4s gro4ps < 2ami1y3 nationa13 racia1 < and as a member he shares in the co11ecti5e 0arma o2 each o2 these gro4ps7 It 6i11 be seen that the st4dy o2 0arma is one "Pa#e $'.% o2 m4ch comp1e@ityA ho6e5er3 by grasping the main princip1es o2 its 6or0ing as set o4t abo5e3 a coherent idea o2 its genera1 bearing may be obtained 6itho4t m4ch di22ic41ty3 and its detai1s can be st4died at 1eis4re as opport4nity o22ers7 Abo5e a113 1et it Page 11M

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

ne5er be 2orgotten3 6hether detai1s are 4nderstood or not3 that each man ma0es his o6n 0arma3 creating a1i0e his o6n capacities and his o6n 1imitationsA and that 6or0ing at any time 6ith these se12?created capacities3 and 6ithin these se12?created 1imitations3 he is sti11 himse123 the 1i5ing so413 and can strengthen or 6ea0en his capacities3 en1arge or contract his 1imitations7 The chains that bind him are o2 his o6n 2orging3 and he can 2i1e them a6ay or ri5et them more strong1yA the ho4se he 1i5es in is o2 his o6n b4i1ding3 and he can impro5e it3 1et it deteriorate3 or reb4i1d it3 as he 6i117 We are e5er 6or0ing in p1astic c1ay and can shape it to o4r 2ancy3 b4t the c1ay hardens and becomes as iron3 retaining the shape 6e ga5e it7 A pro5erb 2rom the Hito+adesha r4ns3 as trans1ated by $ir Ed6in Arno1dD %oo0P The c1ay dries into iron3 b4t the potter mo41ds the c1ayA estiny today is the master < (an 6as master yesterday7 B Th4s 6e are a11 masters o2 o4r tomorro6s3 ho6e5er m4ch 6e are hampered today by the res41ts o2 o4r yesterdays7 %et 4s no6 ta0e in order the di5isions a1ready set o4t 4nder 6hich 0arma may be st4died7 Three c1asses o2 ca4ses3 6ith their e22ects on their "Pa#e $(0% creator and on those he in214ences7The 2irst o2 these c1asses is composed o2 o4r tho4ghts7 Tho4ght is the most potent 2actor in the creation o2 h4man 0arma3 2or in tho4ght the energies o2 the $E%F are 6or0ing in menta1 matter3 the matter 6hich3 in its 2iner 0inds3 2orms the indi5id4a1 5ehic1e3 and e5en in its coarser 0inds responds s6i2t1y to e5ery 5ibration o2 se12?conscio4sness7 The 5ibrations 6hich 6e ca11 tho4ght3 the immediate acti5ity o2 the Thin0er3 gi5e rise to 2orms o2 mind?st4223 or menta1 images3 6hich shape and mo41d his menta1 body3 as 6e ha5e a1ready seenA e5ery tho4ght modi2ies this menta1 body3 and the menta1 2ac41ties in each s4ccessi5e 1i2e are made by the thin0ings o2 the pre5io4s 1i5es7 A man can ha5e no tho4ght?po6er3 no menta1 abi1ity3 that he has not himse12 created by patient1y repeated thin0ingsA on the other hand3 no menta1 image that he has th4s created is 1ost3 b4t remains as materia1 2or 2ac41ty3 and the aggregate o2 any gro4p o2 menta1 images is b4i1t into a 2ac41ty 6hich gro6s stronger 6ith e5ery additiona1 thin0ing3 or creation o2 a menta1 image3 o2 the same 0ind7 &no6ing this 1a63 the man can grad4a11y ma0e 2or himse12 the menta1 character he desires to possess and he can do it as de2inite1y and as certain1y as a bric01ayer can b4i1d a 6a117 eath does not stop his 6or03 b4t by setting him 2ree 2rom the enc4mbrance o2 the body 2aci1itates the process o2 6or0ing 4p his menta1 images into the de2inite organ 6e ca11 a 2ac41ty3 and he brings this bac0 6ith him to his ne@t birth on the physica1 p1ane3 part o2 the brain "Pa#e $(/% o2 the ne6 body being mo41ded so as to ser5e as the organ o2 this 2ac41ty3 in a 6ay to be e@p1ained present1y7 A11 these 2ac41ties together 2orm the menta1 body 2or his opening 1i2e on earth3 and his brain and ner5o4s system are shaped to gi5e his menta1 body e@pression on the physica1 p1ane7 Th4s the menta1 images created in one 1i2e appear as menta1 characteristics and tendencies in another3 and 2or this reason it is Page 11:

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

6ritten in one o2 the !panishadsD 4-an is a creature of reflectionI that which he reflects on in this life he 1ecomes the same hereafter.5 *Chh=ndogyopanishad I)3 @i531+7 $4ch is the 1a63 and it p1aces the b4i1ding o2 o4r menta1 character entire1y in o4r o6n handsA i2 6e b4i1d 6e113 o4rs the ad5antage and the creditA i2 6e b4i1d bad1y3 o4rs the 1oss and b1ame7 (enta1 character3 then3 is a case o2 indi5id4a1 0arma in its action on the indi5id4a1 6ho generates it7 This same man that 6e are considering3 ho6e5er3 a22ects other by his tho4ghts7 For these menta1 images that 2orm his o6n menta1 body set 4p 5ibrations3 th4s reprod4cing themse15es in secondary 2orms7 These genera11y3 being ming1ed 6ith desire3 ta0e 4p some astra1 matter3 and I ha5e there2ore e1se6here *see <arma3 page /H ? Theosophica1 (an4a1 No7 I)+ ca11ed these secondary tho4ght?2orms < astro?menta1 images7 $4ch 2orms 1ea5e their creator and 1ead a >4asi?independent 1i2e < sti11 0eeping 4p a magnetic tie 6ith their progenitor7 They come into contact 6ith and a22ect others3 in this 6ay setting 4p 0armic 1in0s bet6een these "Pa#e $($% others and himse12A th4s they 1arge1y in214ence his 24t4re en5ironment7 In s4ch 2ashion are made the ties 6hich dra6 peop1e together 2or good or e5i1 in 1ater 1i5esA 6hich s4rro4nd 4s 6ith re1ati5es3 2riends3 and enemiesA 6hich bring across o4r path he1pers and hinderers3 peop1e 6ho bene2it and 6ho in84re 4s3 peop1e 6ho 1o5e 4s 6itho4t o4r 6inning in this 1i2e3 and 6ho hate 4s tho4gh in this 1i2e 6e ha5e done nothing to deser5e their hatred7 $t4dying the res41ts3 6e grasp a great princip1e < that 6hi1e o4r tho4ghts prod4ce o4r menta1 and mora1 character in their action on o4rse15es3 they he1p to determine o4r h4man associates in the 24t4re by their e22ects on others7 The second great c1ass o2 energies is composed o2 o4r desires < o4r o4t?goings a2ter ob8ects that attract 4s in the e@terna1 6or1dD as a menta1 e1ement a16ays enters into these in man3 6e may e@tend the term Bmenta1 images B to inc14de them3 a1tho4gh they e@press themse15es chie21y in astra1 matter7 These in their action on their progenitor mo41d and 2orm his body o2 desire3 or astra1 body3 shape his 2ate 6hen he passes into &=ma1o0a a2ter death3 and determine the nat4re o2 his astra1 body in his ne@t rebirth7 When the desires are bestia13 dr4n0en3 cr4e13 4nc1ean3 they are the 2r4it241 ca4ses o2 congenita1 diseases3 o2 6ea0 and diseased brains3 gi5ing rise to epi1epsy3 cata1epsy3 and ner5o4s diseases o2 a11 0inds3 o2 physica1 ma12ormations and de2ormities3 and3 in e@treme cases3 o2 monstrosities7 Bestia1 appetites o2 an abnorma1 0ind or intensity may set 4p "Pa#e $(&% 1in0s in the astra1 6or1d 6hich 2or a time chain the Egos3 c1othed in astra1 bodies shaped by these appetites3 to the astra1 bodies o2 anima1s to 6hich these appetites proper1y be1ong3 th4s de1aying their reincarnationA 6here this 2ate is escaped3 the bestia11y shaped astra1 body 6i11 sometimes impress its characteristics on the 2orming physica1 body o2 the babe d4ring ante nata1 1i2e3 and prod4ce the semi?h4man horrors that are occasiona11y born7 esires < beca4se they are o4tgoing energies that attach themse15es to ob8ects < a16ays attract the man to6ards an en5ironment in 6hich they may be grati2ied7 esires 2or earth1y things3 1in0ing the so41 to the o4ter 6or1d3 dra6 him to6ards the p1ace 6here the ob8ects o2 desire are most readi1y obtainab1e3 and there2ore it is said that a man is born according to his desires7 * $ee Brihad=ranya0opanishad3I)3i53 H3:3and conte@t+7 They are one o2 the ca4ses that determine the p1ace o2 rebirth7 The astro?menta1 images ca4sed by desires a22ect others as do those generated by tho4ghts7 They3 Page 119

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there2ore3 a1so 1in0 4s 6ith other so41s3 and o2ten by the strongest ties o2 1o5e and hatred3 2or at the present stage o2 h4man e5o14tion an ordinary manEs desires are genera11y stronger and more s4stained than his tho4ghts7 They th4s p1ay a great part in determining his h4man s4rro4ndings in 24t4re 1i5es3 and may bring into those 1i5es persons and in214ences o2 6hose connection 6ith himse12 he is tota11y 4nconscio4s7 $4ppose a man by sending o4t a tho4ght o2 bitter hatred and re5enge has he1ped to 2orm in "Pa#e $('+ another the imp41se 6hich res41ts in a m4rderA the creator o2 that tho4ght is 1in0ed by his 0arma to the committer o2 the crime3 a1tho4gh they ha5e ne5er met on the physica1 p1ane3 and the 6rong he has done to him3 by he1ping to impe1 him to a crime 3 6i11 come bac0 as an in84ry in the in21iction o2 6hich the 6hi1hom crimina1 6i11 p1ay his part7 (any a Bbo1t 2rom the b14eC that is 2e1t is 4tter1y 4ndeser5ed is the e22ect o2 s4ch a ca4se3 and the so41 thereby 1earns and registers a 1esson 6hi1e the 1o6er conscio4sness is 6rithing 4nder a sense o2 in84stice7 Nothing can stri0e a man that he has not deser5ed3 b4t his absence o2 memory does not ca4se a 2ai14re in the 6or0ing o2 the 1a67 We th4s 1earn that o4r desires in their action on o4rse15es prod4ce o4r desire? nat4re3 and thro4gh it 1arge1y a22ect o4r physica1 bodies in o4r ne@t birthA that they p1ay a great part in determining the p1ace o2 rebirthA and by their e22ect on others they he1p to dra6 aro4nd 4s o4r h4man associates in 24t4re 1i5es7 The third great c1ass o2 energies3 appearing on the physica1 p1ane as actions3 generate m4ch 0arma by their e22ects on others3 b4t on1y s1ight1y a22ect direct1y the Inner (an7 They are e22ects o2 his past thin0ings and desires3 and the 0arma they represent is 2or the most part e@ha4sted in their happening7 Indirect1y they a22ect him in proportion as he is mo5ed by them to 2resh tho4ghts and desires or emotions3 b4t the generating 2orce 1ies in these and not in the actions themse15es7 Again3 i2 actions are o2ten repeated3 they set 4p a habit o2 the body "Pa#e $((% 6hich acts as a 1imitation to the e@pression o2 the Ego in the o4ter 6or1dA this3 ho6e5er3 perishes 6ith the body3 th4s 1imiting the 0arma o2 the action to a sing1e 1i2e so 2ar as its e22ect on the so41 is concerned7 B4t it 2ar other6ise 6hen 6e come to st4dy the e22ects o2 actions on others3 the happiness or 4nhappiness ca4sed by these3 and the in214ence e@ercised by these as e@amp1es7They 1in0 4s to others by this in214ence and are th4s a third 2actor in determining o4r 24t4re h4man associates3 6hi1e they are the chie2 2actor in determining 6hat may be ca11ed o4r non?h4man en5ironment7 Broad1y spea0ing3 the 2a5o4rab1e or 4n2a5o4rab1e nat4re o2 the physica1 s4rro4ndings into 6hich 6e are born depends on the e22ect o2 o4r pre5io4s actions in spreading happiness or 4nhappiness among other peop1e7 The physica1 res41ts on others o2 actions on the physica1 p1ane 6or0 o4t 0armica11y in repaying to the actor good or bad s4rro4ndings in a 24t4re 1i2e7 I2 he has made peop1e physica11y happy3 by sacri2icing 6ea1th or time or tro4b1e3 this action 0armica11y brings him 2a5o4rab1e physica1 circ4mstances cond4ci5e to physica1 happiness7 I2 he has ca4sed peop1e 6ide?spread physica1 misery3 he 6i11 reap 0armica11y 2rom his action 6retched physica1 circ4mstances cond4ci5e to physica1 s422ering7 And this is so3 6hate5er may ha5e been his moti5e in either case < a 2act 6hich 1eads 4s to consider the 1a6 that D E5ery 2orce 6or0s on its o6n p1ane7 I2 a man so6s happiness 2or others on the physica1 p1ane3 "Pa#e $()% Page 119

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he 6i11 reap conditions 2a5o4rab1e to happiness 2or himse12 on that p1ane3 and his moti5e in so6ing it does not a22ect the res41t 7 A man might so6 6heat 6ith the ob8ect o2 spec41ating 6ith it to r4in his neighbo4r3 b4t his bad moti5e 6o41d not ma0e the 6heat grains gro6 4p as dande1ions7 (oti5e is a menta1 or astra1 2orce3 according as it arises 2rom 6i11 or desire3 and it reacts on mora1 and menta1 character or on the desire?nat4re se5era11y7 The ca4sing o2 physica1 happiness by an action is a physica1 2orce and 6or0s on the physica1 p1ane7 BBy his actionsC man a22ects his neighbo4rs on the physica1 p1aneA he spreads happiness aro4nd him or he ca4ses distress3 increasing or diminishing the s4m o2 h4man 6e12are7 This increase or dimin4tion o2 happiness may be d4e to 5ery di22erent moti5es < good3 bad3 or mi@ed7 A man may do an act that gi5es 6idespread en8oyment 2rom sheer bene5o1ence3 2rom a 1onging to gi5e happiness to his 2e11o6 creat4res7 %et 4s say that 2rom s4ch a moti5e he presents a par0 to a to6n 2or the 2ree 4se o2 its inhabitantsA another may do a simi1ar act 2rom mere ostentation3 2rom desire to attract attention 2rom those 6ho can besto6 socia1 hono4rs *say3 he might gi5e it as p4rchase?money 2or a tit1e+A a third may gi5e a par0 2rom mi@ed moti5es3 part1y 4nse12ish3 part1y se12ish7 The moti5es 6i11 se5era11y a22ect these three menEs characters in their 24t4re incarnations3 2or impro5ement3 2or degradation3 2or sma11 res41ts7 B4t the e22ect o2 the action is ca4sing happiness to 1arge n4mbers o2 peop1e does not depend on the moti5e o2 the gi5erA "Pa#e $(,% the peop1e en8oy the par0 e>4a11y3 no matter 6hat may ha5e prompted its gi2t3 and this en8oyment3 d4e to the action o2 the gi5er3 estab1ishes 2or him a 0armic c1aim on Nat4re3 a debt d4e to him that 6i11 be scr4p41o4s1y paid7 "e 6i11 recei5e a physica11y com2ortab1e or 14@4rio4s en5ironment3 as he has gi5en 6idespread physica1 en8oyment3 and his sacri2ice o2 physica1 6ea1th 6i11 bring him his d4e re6ard3 the 0armic 2r4it o2 his action7 This is his right7 B4t the 4se he ma0es o2 his position3 the happiness he deri5es 2rom his 6ea1th and his s4rro4ndings3 6i11 depend chie21y on his character3 and here again the 84st re6ard accr4es to him3 each seed bearing its appropriate har5est7 *see <arma3 Pages HT to H1+ Tr41y3 the 6ays o2 &arma are e>4a17 It does not 6ithho1d 2rom the bad man the res41t 6hich 84st1y 2o11o6s 2rom an action 6hich spreads happiness3 and it a1so dea1s o4t to him the deteriorated character earned by his bad moti5e3 so that in the midst o2 6ea1th he 6i11 remain discontented and 4nhappy7 Nor can the good man escape physica1 s422ering i2 he ca4se physica1 misery by mista0en actions done 2rom good moti5eA the misery he ca4sed 6i11 bring him misery in his physica1 s4rro4ndings3 b4t his good moti5e3 impro5ing his character3 6i11 gi5e him a so4rce o2 perennia1 happiness 6ithin himse123 and he 6i11 be patient and contented amid his tro4b1es7 (any a p4OO1e maybe ans6ered by app1ying these princip1es to the 2acts 6e see aro4nd 4s7 These respecti5e e22ects o2 moti5e and o2 the "Pa#e $(-% res41ts *or 2r4its+ o2 actions are d4e to the 2act that each 2orce has the characteristics o2 the p1ane on 6hich it 6as generated3 and the higher the p1ane the more potent and the more persistent the 2orce7 "ence moti5e is 2ar more important than action3 and a mista0en action done 6ith a good moti5e is prod4cti5e o2 more good to the doer than a 6e11?chosen action done 6ith a bad moti5e7 The moti5e3 reacting on the character3 gi5es rise to a 1ong series o2 e22ects3 2or the 24t4re actions g4ided by that character 6i11 a11 be in214enced by its impro5ement or its Page 1/T

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deterioration Q 6hereas the action3 bringing on its doer physica1 happiness or 4nhappiness3 according to its res41ts on others3 has in it no generating 2orce3 b4t is e@ha4sted in its res41ts7 I2 be6i1dered as to the path o2 right action by a con21ict o2 apparent d4ties3 the 0no6er o2 0arma di1igent1y tries to choose the best path3 4sing his reason and 84dgment to the 4tmostA he is scr4p41o4s1y care241 abo4t his moti5e3 e1iminating se12ish considerations and p4ri2ying his heartA then he acts 2ear1ess1y3 and i2 his action t4rn o4t to be a b14nder he 6i11ing1y accepts the s422ering 6hich res41ts 2rom his mista0e as a 1esson 6hich 6i11 be 4se241 in the 24t4re7 (ean6hi1e3 his high moti5e has ennob1ed his character 2or a11 time to come7 This genera1 princip1e that the 2orce be1ongs to the p1ane on 6hich it is generated is one o2 2ar?reaching import7 I2 it "Pa#e $)0% be 1iberated 6ith the moti5e o2 gaining physica1 ob8ects3 it 6or0s on the physica1 p1ane and attaches the actor to that p1ane7 I2 it aim at de5achanic ob8ects3 it 6or0s on the de5achanic p1ane and attaches the actor thereto7 I2 it ha5e no moti5e sa5e the di5ine ser5ice3 it is set 2ree on the spirit4a1 p1ane3 and there2ore cannot attach the indi5id4a13 since the indi%idual is as0ing 2or nothing7 The Th8ee 2inds o= 2a8ma Ripe &arma is that 6hich is ready 2or reaping and 6hich is there2ore ine5itab1e7 O4t o2 a11 the 0arma o2 the past there is a certain amo4nt 6hich can be e@ha4sted 6ithin the 1imits o2 a sing1e 1i2eA there are some 0inds o2 0arma that are so incongr4o4s that they co41d not be 6or0ed o4t in a sing1e physica1 body3 b4t 6o41d re>4ire 5ery di22erent types o2 body 2or their e@pressionA there are 1iabi1ities contracted to6ards other so41s3 and a11 these so41s 6i11 not be in incarnation at the same timeA there is 0arma that m4st be 6or0ed o4t in some partic41ar nation or partic41ar socia1 position3 6hi1e the same man has other 0arma that needs an entire1y di22erent en5ironment7 Part on1y3 there2ore3 o2 his tota1 0arma can be 6or0ed o4t in a gi5en 1i2e3 and this part is se1ected by the .reat %ords o2 &arma < o2 6hom something 6i11 present1y be said < and the so41 is g4ided to incarnate in a 2ami1y3 a nation3 a p1ace3 a body3 s4itab1e 2or the e@ha4stion o2 that aggregate o2 ca4ses 6hich can be 6or0ed o4t together7 This aggregate o2 ca4ses 2i@es the 1ength o2 that partic41ar 1i2eA gi5es to the body its characteristics3 its po6ers3 and its 1imitationsA brings into contact 6ith the man the so41s incarnated 6ithin that 1i2e?period to 6hom he has contracted "Pa#e $)0% ob1igations3 s4rro4nding him 6ith re1ati5es3 2riends3 and enemiesA mar0s o4t the socia1 conditions into 6hich he is born3 6ith their accompanying ad5antages and disad5antagesA se1ects the menta1 energies he can sho6 2orth by mo41ding the organisation o2 the brain and ner5o4s system 6ith 6hich he has to 6or0A p4ts together the ca4ses that res41t in tro4b1es and 8oys in his o4ter career and that can be bro4ght into a sing1e 1i2e7 A11 this is the Bripe 0arma3C and this can be s0etched o4t in a horoscope cast by a competent astro1oger7 In a11 this the man has no po6er o2 choiceA a11 is 2i@ed by the choices he has made in the past3 and he m4st discharge to the 4ttermost 2arthing the 1iabi1ities he has contracted7 The physica13 astra1 and menta1 bodies 6hich the so41 ta0es on 2or a ne6 1i2e?period are3 as 6e ha5e seen3 the direct res41t o2 his past3 and they 2orm a most important part o2 this ripe 0arma7 They 1imit the Page 1/1

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so41 on e5ery side3 and his past rises 4p in 84dgment against him3 mar0ing o4t the 1imitations 6hich he has made 2or himse127 Cheer2411y to accept these3 and di1igent1y to 6or0 at their impro5ement3 is the part o2 the 6ise man3 2or he cannot escape 2rom them7 There is another 0ind o2 ripe 0arma that is o2 5ery serio4s importance < that o2 ine5itab1e actions7 E5ery action is the 2ina1 e@pression o2 a series o2 tho4ghtsA to borro6 an i114stration 2rom chemistry3 6e obtain a sat4rated so14tion o2 tho4ght by adding tho4ght a2ter tho4ght o2 the same 0ind3 4nti1 another tho4ght < or e5en an imp41se3 a 5ibration3 2rom "Pa#e $)/% 6itho4t < 6i11 prod4ce the so1idi2ication o2 the 6ho1eA the action 6hich e@presses the tho4ghts7 I2 6e persistent1y reiterate tho4ghts o2 the same 0ind3 say o2 re5enge3 6e at 1ast reach the point o2 sat4ration3 and any imp41se 6i11 so1idi2y these into action and a crime res41ts7 Or 6e may ha5e persistent1y reiterated tho4ghts o2 he1p to another to the point o2 sat4ration3 and 6hen the stim414s o2 opport4nity to4ches 4s they crysta11ise o4t as an act o2 heroism7 A man may bring o5er 6ith him some ripe 0arma o2 this 0ind3 and the 2irst 5ibration that to4ches s4ch a mass o2 tho4ghts ready to so1idi2y into action 6i11 h4rry him 6itho4t his rene6ed 5o1ition3 4nconscio4s1y3 into the commission o2 the act7 "e cannot stop to thin0A he is in the condition in 6hich the 2irst 5ibration o2 the mind ca4ses actionA poised on the 5ery point o2 ba1ancing3 the s1ightest imp41se sends him o5er7 !nder these circ4mstances a man 6i11 mar5e1 at his o6n commission o2 some crime3 or at his o6n per2ormance o2 some s4b1ime act o2 se12?de5otion7 "e saysD B I did it 6itho4t thin0ing3C 4n0no6ing that he had tho4ght so o2ten that he had made that action ine5itab1e7 When a man has 6i11ed to do an act many times3 he at 1ast 2i@es his 6i11 irre5ocab1y3 and it is on1y a >4estion o2 opport4nity 6hen he 6i11 act7 $o 1ong he can thin03 his 2reedom o2 choice remains3 2or he can set the ne6 tho4gh against the o1d and grad4a11y 6ear it o4t by the reiteration o2 opposing tho4ghtsA b4t 6hen the ne@t thri11 o2 the so41 in response to a stim414s means action3 the po6er o2 choice is e@ha4sted7 "Pa#e $)$% "erein 1ies the so14tion o2 the o1d prob1em o2 necessity and 2ree 6i11A man by the e@ercise o2 2ree 6i11 grad4a11y creates necessities 2or himse123 and bet6een the t6o e@tremes 1ie a11 the combinations o2 2ree 6i11 and necessity 6hich ma0e the str4gg1es 6ithin o4rse15es o2 6hich 6e are conscio4s7 We are contin4a11y ma0ing habits by the repetitions o2 p4rposi5e actions g4ided by the 6i11A then the habit becomes a 1imitation3 and 6e per2orm the action a4tomatica11y7 Perhaps 6e are then dri5en to the conc14sion that the habit is a bad one3 and 6e begin 1aborio4s1y to 4nma0e it by tho4ghts o2 the opposite 0ind3 and3 a2ter many an ine5itab1e 1apse into it3 the ne6 tho4ght?c4rrent t4rns the stream3 and 6e regain o4r 2411 2reedom3 o2ten again grad4a11y to ma0e another 2etter7 $o o1d tho4ght?2orms persist and 1imit o4r thin0ing capacity3 sho6ing as indi5id4a1 and as nationa1 pre84dices7 The ma8ority do not 0no6 that they are th4s 1imited3 and go on serene1y in their chains3 ignorant o2 their bondageA those 6ho 1earn the tr4th abo4t their o6n nat4re become 2ree7 The constit4tion o2 o4r brain and ner5o4s system is one o2 the most mar0ed necessities in 1i2eA these 6e ha5e made ine5itab1e by o4r past thin0ings3 and they no6 1imit 4s and 6e o2ten cha2e against them7 They can be impro5ed s1o61y and grad4a11yA the 1imits can be e@panded3 b4t they cannot be s4dden1y transcended7

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Another 2orm o2 this ripe 0arma is 6here some past e5i1?thin0ing has made a cr4st o2 e5i1 habits aro4nd a man 6hich imprisons him and ma0es an "Pa#e $)&% e5i1 1i2eA the actions are the ine5itab1e o4tcome o2 his past3 as 84st e@p1ained3 and they ha5e been he1d o5er3 e5en thro4gh se5era1 1i5es3 in conse>4ence o2 those 1i5es not o22ering opport4nities 2or their mani2estation7 (ean6hi1e the so41 has been gro6ing and has been de5e1oping nob1e >4a1ities7 In one 1i2e this cr4st o2 past e5i1 is thro6n o4t by opport4nity3 and beca4se o2 this the so41 cannot sho6 his 1ater de5e1opmentA 1i0e a chic0en ready to be hatched3 he is hidden 6ithin the imprisoning she113 and on1y the she11 is 5isib1e to the e@terna1 eye7 A2ter a time that 0arma is e@ha4sted3 and some apparent1y 2ort4ito4s e5ent < a 6ord 2rom a great Teacher3 a boo03 a 1ect4re < brea0s the she11 and the so41s comes 2orth 2ree7 These are the rare3 s4dden3 b4t permanent Bcon5ersions3C the Bmirac1es o2 di5ine grace3C o2 6hich 6e hearA a11 per2ect1y inte11igib1e to the 0no6er o2 0arma3 and 2e11ing 6ithin the rea1m o2 the 1a67 The acc4m41ated 0arma that sho6s itse12 as character is3 4n1i0e the ripe3 a16ays s4b8ect to modi2ications7 It may be said to consist o2 tendencies3 strong or 6ea03 according to the tho4ght?2orce that has gone to their ma0ing3 and these can be 24rther strengthened or 6ea0ened by 2resh streams o2 tho4ght?2orce sent to 6or0 6ith or against them7 I2 6e 2ind in o4rse15es tendencies o2 6hich 6e disappro5e3 6e can set o4rse15es to 6or0 to e1iminate themA o2ten 6e 2ai1 to 6ithstand temptation3 o5erborne by the strong o4t?r4shing stream o2 desire3 b4t the 1onger 6e can ho1d o4t against it3 e5en tho4gh "Pa#e $)'% 6e 2ai1 in the end3 the nearer are 6e to o5ercoming it7 E5ery s4ch 2ai14re is a step to6ards s4ccess3 2or the resistance 6ears a6ay part o2 the energy3 and there is 1ess o2 it a5ai1ab1e 2or the 24t4re7 The 0arma 6hich is in the co4rse o2 ma0ing has been a1ready st4died7 Co::ectiCe 2a8ma When a gro4p o2 peop1e is considered 0armica11y3 the p1ay o2 0armic 2orces 4pon each member o2 the gro4p introd4ces a ne6 2actor into the 0arma o2 the indi5id4a17 We 0no6 that 6hen a n4mber o2 2orces p1ay on a point3 the motion o2 the point is not in the direction o2 any one o2 these 2orces3 b4t in the direction 6hich is the res41t o2 their combination7 $o the 0arma o2 a gro4p is the res41tant o2 the interacting 2orces o2 the indi5id4a1s composing it3 and a11 the indi5id4a1s are carried a1ong in the direction o2 that res41tant7 An Ego is dra6n by his indi5id4a1 0arma into a 2ami1y3 ha5ing set 4p in pre5io4s 1i5es ties 6hich c1ose1y connect him 6ith some o2 the other Egos composing itA the 2ami1y has inherited property 2rom a grand2ather 6ho is 6ea1thyA an heir t4rns 4p3 descended 2rom the grand2atherEs e1der brother3 6ho had been s4pposed to ha5e died chi1d1ess3 and the 6ea1th passes to him and 1ea5es the 2ather o2 the 2ami1y hea5i1y indebtedA it is >4ite possib1e that o4r Ego had had no connection in the past 6ith this heir3 to 6hom in past 1i5es the 2ather had contracted some ob1igation 6hich has res41ted in this catastrophe3 and yet he is threatened 6ith s422ering by his action3 being in5o15ed 6ith 2ami1y 0arma7 I23 in his o6n indi5id4a1 past3 there 6as a 6rong?doing 6hich can be e@ha4sted by s422ering ca4sed by the 2ami1y 0arma3 he is 1e2t in5o15ed in itA i2 not3 he is by some B4n2oreseen circ4mstancesC 1i2ted o4t o2 it3 perchance by some bene5o1ent stranger 6ho 2ee1s an imp41se to adopt and ed4cate him3 the stranger Page 1/;

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

being one 6ho in the past 6as his debtor7 #et more c1ear1y does this come o4t3 in the 6or0ing o2 s4ch things as rai16ay accidents3 ship6rec0s3 21oods3 cyc1ones3 etc7 A train is 6rec0ed3 the catastrophe being immediate1y d4e to the action o2 the dri5ers3 the g4ards3 the rai16ay directors3 the ma0ers or emp1oyees o2 that 1ine3 6ho thin0ing themse15es 6ronged3 send c14stering tho4ghts o2 discontent and anger against it as a 6ho1e7 Those 6ho ha5e in their acc4m41ated 0arma < b4t not necessari1y in their ripe 0arma < the debt o2 a 1i2e s4dden1y c4t short3 may be a11o6ed to dri2t into this accident and pay their debtA another3 intending to go by the train3 b4t 6ith no s4ch debt in his past3 is Bpro5identia11yC sa5ed by being 1ate 2or it7 Co11ecti5e 0arma may thro6 a man into the tro4b1es conse>4ent on his nation going to 6ar3 and here again he may discharge his debts o2 his past not necessari1y 6ithin the ripe 0arma o2 his then 1i2e7 In no case can a man s422er that 6hich he has not deser5ed3 b4t3 i2 an 4n2oreseen opport4nity sho41d arise to discharge a past ob1igation3 it is 6e11 to pay it and be rid o2 it 2or e5ermore7 The B%ords o2 &armaC are the great spirit4a1 "Pa#e $))% Inte11igences 6ho 0eep the 0armic Records and ad84st the comp1icated 6or0ings o2 0armic 1a67 They are described by "7P7 B1a5ats0y in The $ecret octrine as the %ipi0a3 the Recorders o2 &arma3 and the (ah=r=8as *The (ah=de5as3 or Chat4rde5as o2 the "ind4s+ < and Their hosts3 6ho are Bthe agents o2 &arma 4pon earth7C The %ipi0a are They 6ho 0no6 the 0armic record o2 e5ery man3 and 6ho 6ith omniscient 6isdom se1ect and combine portions o2 that record to 2orm the p1an o2 a sing1e 1i2eA They gi5e the BideaC o2 the physica1 body 6hich is to be the garment o2 the reincarnating so413 e@pressing his capacities and his 1imitationsA this is ta0en by the (ah=r=8as and 6or0ed into a detai1ed mode13 6hich is committed to one o2 Their in2erior agents to be copiedA this copy is the etheric do4b1e 3 the matri@ o2 the dense body3 the materia1s 2or these being dra6n 2rom the mother and s4b8ect to physica1 heredity7 The race3 the co4ntry3 the parents3 are chosen 2or their capacity to pro5ide s4itab1e materia1s 2or the physica1 body o2 the incoming Ego3 and s4itab1e s4rro4ndings 2or his ear1y 1i2e7 The physica1 heredity o2 the 2ami1y a22ords certain types and has e5o15ed certain pec41iarities o2 materia1 combinationsA hereditary diseases3 hereditary 2inenesses o2 ner5o4s organisation3 imp1y de2inite combinations o2 physica1 matter3 capab1e o2 transmission7 An Ego 6ho has e5o15ed pec41iarities in his menta1 and astra1 bodies3 needing specia1 physica1 pec41iarities 2or their e@pression3 is g4ided to parents 6hose "Pa#e $),% physica1 heredity enab1es them to meet these re>4irements7 Th4s an Ego 6ith high artistic 2ac41ties de5oted to m4sic 6o41d be g4ided to ta0e his physica1 body in a m4sica1 2ami1y3 in 6hich the materia1s s4pp1ied 2or b4i1ding the etheric do4b1e and the dense body 6o41d ha5e been made ready to adapt themse15es to his needs3 and the hereditary type o2 ner5o4s system 6o41d 24rnish the de1icate apparat4s necessary 2or the e@pression o2 his 2ac41ties7 An Ego o2 5ery e5i1 type 6o41d be g4ided to a coarse and 5icio4s 2ami1y3 6hose bodies 6ere b4i1t o2 the coarsest combinations3 s4ch as 6o41d ma0e a body ab1e to respond to the imp41ses 2rom his menta1 and astra1 bodies7 An Ego 6ho had a11o6ed his astra1 body and 1o6er mind to 1ead him into e@cesses3 and had yie1ded to dr4n0enness3 2or instance3 6o41d be 1ed to incarnate in a 2ami1y 6hose ner5o4s systems 6ere 6ea0ened by e@cess3 and 6o41d be born 2rom dr4n0en parents3 6ho 6o41d s4pp1y diseased Page 1/G

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materia1s 2or his physica1 en5e1ope7 The g4idance o2 the %ords o2 &arma th4s ad84st means to ends3 and ins4res the doing o2 84sticeA the Ego brings 6ith him his 0armic possessions o2 2ac41ties and desires3 and he recei5es a physica1 body s4ited to be their 5ehic1e7 As the so41 m4st ret4rn to earth 4nti1 he has discharged a11 his 1iabi1ities3 th4s e@ha4sting a11 his indi5id4a1 0arma3 and as in each 1i2e tho4ghts and desires generate 2resh 0arma3 the >4estion may arise in the mind D B"o6 can this constant1y rene6ing bond be p4t an end to F "o6 can the so41 attain his "Pa#e $)-% 1iberationFC Th4s 6e come to the Bending o2 0arma3C and ha5e to in5estigate ho6 this may be7 The binding e1ement in 0arma is the 2irst thing to be c1ear1y grasped7 The o4t6ard going energy o2 the so41 attaches itse12 to some ob8ect3 and the so41 is dra6n bac0 by this tie to the p1ace 6here that attachment may be rea1ised by 4nion 6ith the ob8ect o2 desire3 so 1ong as the so41 attaches himse12 to any ob8ect3 he m4st be dra6n to the p1ace 6here that ob8ect can be en8oyed7 .ood 0arma binds the so41 as m4ch as does bad3 2or any desire3 6hether 2or ob8ects here or in e5achan3 m4st dra6 the so41 to the p1ace o2 grati2ication7 Action is prompted by desire3 an act is done not 2or the sa0e o2 doing the act3 b4t 2or the sa0e o2 obtaining by the act something that is desired3 o2 ac>4iring its res41ts3 or3 as it is technica11y ca11ed3 o2 en8oying its 2r4it7 (en 6or03 not beca4se they 6ant to dig3 or b4i1d3 or 6ea5e3 b4t beca4se they 6ant the 2r4its o2 digging3 b4i1ding3 and 6ea5ing3 in the shape o2 money or o2 goods7 A barrister p1eads3 not beca4se he 6ants to set 2orth the dry detai1s o2 a case3 b4t beca4se he 6ants 6ea1th and 2ame3 and ran07(en aro4nd 4s are 1abo4ring 2or something3 and the sp4r to their acti5ity 1ies in the 2r4it it brings them and not in the 1abo4r7 esire 2or the 2r4it o2 action mo5es them to acti5ity3 and en8oyment o2 that 2r4it re6ards their e@ertions7 esire is3 then 3 the binding e1ement in 0arma3 and 6hen the so41 no 1onger desires any ob8ect in earth or in hea5en3 his tie to the 6hee1 o2 reincarnation "Pa#e $).% that t4rns in the three 6or1ds is bro0en7 Action itse12 has no po6er to ho1d the so413 2or 6ith the comp1etion o2 the action it s1ips into the past7 B4t the e5er?rene6ed desire 2or 2r4it constant1y sp4rs the so41 into 2resh acti5ities3 and th4s ne6 chains are contin4a11y being 2orged7 Nor sho41d 6e 2ee1 any regret 6hen 6e see men constant1y dri5en to action by the 6hip o2 desire3 2or desire o5ercomes s1oth3 1aOiness3 inertia < *the st4dent 6i11 remember that these sho6 the dominance o2 the t=masic g4na3 and 6hi1e it is dominant men do not emerge 2rom the 1o6est o2 the three stages o2 their e5o14tion+ < and prompts men to the acti5ity that yie1ds them e@perience7 Note the sa5age3 id1y doOing on the grassA he is mo5ed to acti5ity by h4nger3 the desire 2or 2ood33 and is dri5en to e@ert patience3 s0i113 and end4rance to grati2y his desire7 Th4s he de5e1ops menta1 >4a1ities3 b4t 6hen his h4nger is satis2ied he sin0s again into a doOing anima17 "o6 entire1y ha5e menta1 >4a1ities been e5o15ed by the promptings o2 desire3 and ho6 4se241 ha5e pro5ed desires 2or 2ame3 2or posth4mo4s reno6n7 !nti1 man is approaching di5inity he needs the 4rgings o2 desires3 and the desires simp1y gro6 p4rer and 1ess se12ish as he c1imbs 4p6ards7 B4t none the 1ess desires bind him to rebirth3 and i2 he 6o41d be 2ree he m4st destroy them7 When a man begins to 1ong 2or 1iberation3 he is ta4ght to practise Bren4nciation o2 the 2r4its o2 actionCA that Page 1/H

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is3 he grad4a11y eradicates in himse12 the 6ish to possess any ob8ectA he at 2irst 5o14ntari1y and "Pa#e $,0% de1iberate1y denies himse12 the ob8ect3 and th4s habit4ates himse12 to do contented1y 6itho4t itA a2ter a time he no 1onger misses it3 and he 2inds the desire 2or it is disappearing 2rom his mind7 At this stage he is 5ery care241 not to neg1ect any 6or0 6hich is d4ty beca4se he has become indi22erent to the res41ts it brings to him3 and he trains himse12 in discharging e5ery d4ty 6ith earnest attention3 6hi1e remaining entire1y indi22erent to the 2r4its it brings 2orth7When he attains per2ection in this3 and neither desires nor dis1i0es any ob8ect3 he ceases to generate 0armaA ceasing to as0 anything 2rom the earth or 2rom e5achan3 he is not dra6n to eitherA he 6ants nothing that either can gi5e him3 and a11 1in0s bet6een himse12 and them are bro0en o227 This is the ceasing o2 indi5id4a1 0arma3 so 2ar as the generation o2 ne6 0arma is concerned7 B4t the so41 has to get rid o2 o1d chains as 6e11 as to cease 2rom the 2orging o2 ne63 and these o1d chains m4st be either a11o6ed to 6ear o4t grad4a11y or m4st be bro0en de1iberate1y7 For this brea0ing3 0no61edge is necessary3 a 0no61edge 6hich can 1oo0 bac0 into the past3 and see the ca4ses there set going3 ca4ses 6hich are 6or0ing o4t their e22ects in the present7 %et 4s s4ppose that a person3 th4s 1oo0ing bac06ard o5er his past 1i5es3 sees certain ca4ses 6hich 6i11 bring abo4t an e5ent 6hich is sti11 in the 24t4reA 1et 4s s4ppose 24rther that these ca4ses are tho4ghts o2 hatred 2or an in84ry in21icted on himse123 and that they 6i11 ca4se s422ering a year hence "Pa#e $,/% to the 6rong?doerA s4ch a person can introd4ce a ne6 ca4se to interming1e 6ith the ca4ses 6or0ing 2rom the past3 and he may co4nteract them 6ith strong tho4ghts o2 1o5e and good6i11 that 6i11 e@ha4st them3 and 6i11 th4s pre5ent their bringing abo4t the other6ise ine5itab1e e5ent3 6hich 6o41d3 in its t4rn3 ha5e generated ne6 0armic tro4b1e7 Th4s he may ne4tra1ise 2orces coming o4t o2 the past by sending against them 2orces e>4a1 and opposite3 and may in this 6ay Bb4rn 4p his 0arma by 0no61edge7C In simi1ar 2ashion he may bring to an end 0arma generated in his present 1i2e that 6o41d norma11y 6or0 o4t in 24t4re 1i5es7 Again3 he may be hampered by 1iabi1ities contracted to other so41s in the past3 6rongs he has done to them3 d4ties he o6es them7 By the 4se o2 his 0no61edge he can 2ind those so41s3 6hether in this 6or1d or in either o2 the other t6o3 and see0 opport4nities o2 ser5ing them7 There may a so41 incarnated d4ring his o6n 1i2e?period to 6hom he o6es some 0armic debtA he may see0 o4t that so41 and pay his debt3 th4s setting himse12 2ree 2rom a tie 6hich3 1e2t to the co4rse o2 e5ents3 6o41d ha5e necessitated his o6n reincarnation3 or 6o41d ha5e hampered him in a 24t4re 1i2e7 $trange and p4OO1ing 1ines o2 action adopted by occ41tists ha5e sometimes this e@p1anation < the man o2 0no61edge enters into c1ose re1ations 6ith some person 6ho is considered by the ignorant bystanders and critics to be >4ite o4tside the companionships that are 2itting 2or himA b4t that occ41tist is >4iet1y 6or0ing o4t a 0armic "Pa#e $,$% ob1igation 6hich 6o41d other6ise hamper and retard his progress7 Those 6ho do not possess 0no61edge eno4gh to re5ie6 their past 1i5es may yet e@ha4st many ca4ses that they ha5e set going in the present 1i2eA they can care2411y go o5er a11 that they can remember3 and note 6here they ha5e 6ronged any or 6here any has 6ronged them3 e@ha4sting the 2irst cases by po4ring o4t tho4ghts o2 1o5e and ser5ice3 and per2orming acts o2 ser5ice to the in84red person3 6here possib1e on the physica1 p1ane a1soA and in the second cases sending 2orth tho4ghts o2 pardon and good 6i117 Th4s they diminish their 0armic 1iabi1ities and bring near the day o2 1iberation7

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!nconscio4s1y3 pio4s peop1e 6ho obey the precept o2 a11 great Teachers o2 re1igion to ret4rn good 2or e5i1 are e@ha4sting 0arma generated in the present that 6o41d other6ise 6or0 o4t in the 24t4re7 No one can 6ea5e 6ith them a bond o2 hatred i2 they re24se to contrib4te any stands o2 hatred to the 6ea5ing3 and persistent1y ne4tra1ise e5ery 2orce o2 hatred 6ith one o2 1o5e7 %et a so41 radiate in e5ery direction 1o5e and compassion3 and tho4ghts o2 hatred can 2ind nothing to 6hich they can attach themse15es7 The Prince o2 this 6or1d cometh and hath nothing in me7C A11 great Teachers 0ne6 the 1a6 and based on it Their precepts3 and those 6ho thro4gh re5erence and de5otion to Them obey Their directions pro2it 4nder the 1a63 a1tho4gh they 0no6 nothing o2 the detai1s o2 its 6or0ing7 An ignorant man 6ho carries o4t 2aith2411y the instr4ctions gi5en him by "Pa#e $,&% a scientist can obtain res41ts by his 6or0ing 6ith the 1a6s o2 Nat4re3 despite his ignorance o2 them3 and the same princip1e ho1ds good in 6or1ds beyond the physica17 (any 6ho ha5e not time to st4dy3 and per2orce accept on the a4thority o2 e@perts r41es 6hich g4ide their dai1y cond4ct in 1i2e3 may th4s 4nconscio4s1y be discharging their 0armic 1iabi1ities7 In co4ntries 6here reincarnation and 0arma are ta0en 2or granted by e5ery peasant and 1abo4rer3 the be1ie2 spreads a certain >4iet acceptance o2 ine5itab1e tro4b1es that cond4ces m4ch to the ca1m and contentment o2 ordinary 1i2e7 A man o5er6he1med by mis2ort4nes rai1s neither against .od nor against his neighbo4rs3 b4t regards his tro4b1es as the res41ts o2 his o6n past mista0es and i11?doings7 "e accepts them resigned1y and ma0es the best o2 them3 and th4s escapes m4ch o2 the 6orry and an@iety 6ith 6hich those 6ho 0no6 not the 1a6 aggra5ate tro4b1es a1ready s422icient1y hea5y7 "e rea1ises that his 24t4re 1i5es depend on his o6n e@ertions3 and that the 1a6 6hich brings him pain 6i11 bring him 84st 8oy as ine5itab1y i2 he so6s the seed o2 good7 "ence a certain patience and a phi1osophic 5ie6 o2 1i2e3 tending direct1y to socia1 stabi1ity and to genera1 contentment7 The poor and ignorant do not st4dy pro2o4nd and detai1ed metaphysics3 b4t they grasp thoro4gh1y these simp1e princip1es < that e5ery man is reborn on earth time a2ter time3 and that each s4ccessi5e 1i2e is mo41ded by those that precede it7 To them rebirth is as s4re "Pa#e $,'% and as ine5itab1e as the rising and setting o2 the s4nA it is part o2 the co4rse o2 nat4re3 against 6hich it is id1e to repine or to rebe17 When Theosophy has restored these ancient tr4ths to their right241 p1ace in 6estern tho4ght3 they 6i11 grad4a11y 6or0 their 6ay among a11 c1asses o2 society in Christendom3 spreading 4nderstanding o2 the nat4re o2 1i2e and acceptance o2 the res41t o2 the past7 Then too 6i11 5anish the rest1ess discontent 6hich arises chie21y 2rom the impatient and hope1ess 2ee1ing that 1i2e is 4ninte11igib1e3 4n84st3 and 4nmanageab1e3 and it 6i11 be rep1aced by the >4iet strength and patience 6hich come 2rom an i114mined inte11ect and a 0no61edge o2 the 1a63 and 6hich characterise the reasoned and ba1anced acti5ity o2 those 6ho 2ee1 that they are b4i1ding 2or eternity7"Pa#e $,(%

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

CHAPTER F THE AW OF SACRIFICE The st4dy o2 the %a6 o2 $acri2ice 2o11o6s nat4ra11y on the st4dy o2 the %a6 o2 &arma3 and the 4nderstanding o2 the 2ormer3 it 6as once remar0ed by a (aster3 is as necessary 2or the 6or1d as the 4nderstanding o2 the 1atter7 By an act o2 $e12?sacri2ice the %O.O$ became mani2est 2or the emanation o2 the 4ni5erse3 by sacri2ice the 4ni5erse is maintained3 and by sacri2ice man reaches per2ection7 *The "ind4 6i11 remember the opening 6ords o2 the (rihad ranya)o+anishad3 that the da6n is in sacri2iceA the Uoroastrian 6i11 reca11 ho6 Ah4ra (aOda came 2orth 2rom an act o2 sacri2iceA the Christian 6i11 thin0 o2 the %amb < the symbo1 o2 the %O.O$ < s1ain 2rom the 2o4ndation o2 the 6or1d7+ "ence e5ery re1igion that springs 2rom Ancient Wisdom has sacri2ice as a centra1 teaching3 and some o2 the pro2o4ndest tr4ths o2 occ41tism are rooted in the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice7 An attempt to grasp3 ho6e5er 2eeb1y3 the nat4re o2 the sacri2ice o2 the %O.O$ may pre5ent 4s 2rom 2a11ing into the 5ery genera1 mista0e that sacri2ice is an essentia11y pain241 thingA 6hereas the 5ery essence o2 sacri2ice is a 5o14ntary and g1ad po4ring 2orth o2 1i2e that others may share in itA and pain "Pa#e $,)% on1y arises 6hen there is discord in the nat4re o2 the sacri2icer3 bet6een the higher 6hose 8oy is in gi5ing and the 1o6er 6hose satis2action 1ies in grasping and ho1ding7It is that discord a1one that introd4ces the e1ement o2 pain3 and in the s4preme Per2ection3 in the %O.O$3 no discord co41d ariseA the One is the per2ect chord o2 Being3 o2 in2inite me1odio4s concords3 a11 t4ned to a sing1e note3 in 6hich %i2e and Wisdom and B1iss are b1ended into one 0eynote o2 E@istence7 The sacri2ice o2 the %O.O$ 1ay in "is 5o14ntari1y circ4mscribing "is in2inite 1i2e in order that "e might mani2est7 $ymbo1ica11y3 in the in2inite ocean o2 1ight3 6ith centre e5ery6here and 6ith circ4m2erence no6here3 there arises a 2411?orbed sphere o2 1i5ing 1ight3 a %O.O$3 and the s4r2ace o2 that sphere is "is 6i11 to 1imit "imse12 that "e may become mani2est3 "is 5ei1 * This is the $e12?1imiting po6er o2 the %O.O$3 "is (=y=3 the 1imiting princip1e by 6hich a11 2orms are bro4ght 2orth7 "is %i2e appears as B$pirit3C "is (=y= as B(atter3C and these are ne5er dis8oined d4ring mani2estation7+in 6hich "e inc1oses "imse12 that 6ithin it a 4ni5erse may ta0e 2orm7 That 2or 6hich the sacri2ice is made is not yet in e@istenceA its 24t4re being 1ies in the Btho4ghtC o2 the %O.O$ a1oneA to him it o6es its conception and 6i11 o6n its mani2o1d 1i2e7 i5ersity co41d not arise in the Bpart1ess BrahmanC sa5e 2or this 5o14ntary sacri2ice o2 eity ta0ing on "imse12 2orm in order to emanate myriad 2orms3 each do6ered 6ith a spar0 o2 "is 1i2e and there2ore 6ith the po6er e5o15ing into "is image7 "Pa#e $,,% BThe prima1 sacri2ice that ca4ses the birth o2 beings is named action *0arma+3C it is said *(ha!a%ad HTtf3 5iii3;7+3 and this coming 2orth into acti5ity 2rom the b1iss o2 per2ect repose o2 se12? e@istence has e5er been recognised as the sacri2ice o2 the %O.O$7 That sacri2ice contin4es thro4gho4t the term o2 the 4ni5erse3 2or the 1i2e o2 the %O.O$ is the so1e s4pport o2 e5ery separated B 1i2e B and "e 1imits "is 1i2e in each o2 the myriad 2orms to 6hich "e gi5es birth3 bearing a11 the restraints and 1imitations imp1ied in each 2orm7 From any one o2 these "e co41d b4rst 2orth at any moment3 the in2inite %ord3 2i11ing the 4ni5erse 6ith "is g1oryA b4t on1y by s4b1ime patience and s1o6 and grad4a1 e@pansion can each 2orm be 1ed 4p6ard 4nti1 it becomes a se12?dependent centre o2 bo4nd1ess po6er 1i0e "imse127 Page 1/9

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There2ore does "e cabin "imse12 in 2orms3 and bear a11 imper2ection ti11 per2ection is attained3 and "is creat4re is 1i0e 4nto "imse12 and one 6ith "im3 b4t 6ith its o6n thread o2 memory7 Th4s this po4ring o4t o2 "is 1i2e into 2orms is part o2 the origina1 sacri2ice3 and has in it the b1iss o2 the eterna1 Father sending 2orth "is o22spring as separated 1i5es3 that each may e5o15e an identity that sha11 ne5er perish3 and yie1d its o6n note b1ended 6ith a11 others to s6e11 the eterna1 song o2 b1iss3 inte11igence and 1i2e7 This mar0s the essentia1 nat4re o2 sacri2ice7 Whate5er other e1ements may become mi@ed 6ith the centra1 ideaA it is the 5o14ntary po4ring o4t o2 1i2e that others may parta0e o2 it3 to bring others into 1i2e and to "Pa#e $,-% s4stain them in it ti11 they become se12?dependent3 and this is b4t one e@pression o2 di5ine 8oy7 There is a16ays 8oy in the e@ercise o2 acti5ity 6hich is the e@pression o2 the po6er o2 the actorA the bird ta0es 8oy in the o4tpo4ring o2 song3 and >4i5ers 6ith the mere rapt4re o2 singingA the painter re8oices in the creation o2 his geni4s3 in the p4tting into 2orm o2 his ideaA the essentia1 acti5ity o2 the di5ine 1i2e m4st 1ie in gi5ing3 2or there is nothing higher than itse12 2rom 6hich it can recei5eA i2 it is to be acti5e at a11 < and mani2ested 1i2e is acti5e motion < it m4st po4r itse12 o4t7 "ence the sign o2 the spirit is gi5ing3 2or spirit is the acti5e di5ine 1i2e in e5ery 2orm7 B4t the essentia1 acti5ity o2 matter3 on the other hand3 1ies in recei5ingA by recei5ing 1i2e?imp41ses it is organised into 2ormsA by recei5ing them these are maintainedA on their 6ithdra6a1 they 2a11 to pieces7 A11 its acti5ity is o2 this nat4re o2 recei5ing3 and on1y by recei5ing can it end4re as a 2orm7 There2ore it is a16ays grasping3 c1inging3 see0ing to ho1d 2or its o6nA the persistence o2 the 2orm depends on its grasping and retenti5e po6er3 and it 6i11 there2ore see0 to dra6 into itse12 a11 it can3 and 6i11 gr4dge e5ery 2raction 6ith 6hich it parts7 Its 8oy 6i11 be in seiOing and ho1dingA to it gi5ing is 1i0e co4rting death7 It is 5ery easy 2rom this standpoint3 to see ho6 the notion arose that sacri2ice 6as s422ering7 Whi1e the di5ine 1i2e 2o4nd its de1ight in e@ercising its acti5ity o2 gi5ing3 and e5en 6hen embodied in 2orm cared not i2 the 2orm perished by the gi5ing3 "Pa#e $,.% 0no6ing it to be on1y its passing e@pression and the means o2 its separated gro6thA the 2orm 6hich 2e1t its 1i2e?2orces po4ring a6ay 2rom it cried o4t in ang4ish3 and so4ght to e@ercise its acti5ity in ho1ding3 th4s resisting the o4t6ard 21o67 The sacri2ice diminished the 1i2e? energies the 2orm c1aimed as its o6nA or e5en entire1y drained them a6ay3 1ea5ing the 2orm to perish7 In the 1o6er 6or1d o2 2orm this 6as the on1y aspect o2 sacri2ice cognisab1e3 and the 2orm 2o4nd itse12 dri5en to s1a4ghter3 and cried o4t in 2ear and agony7 What 6onder that men3 b1inded by 2orm3 identi2ied sacri2ice 6ith the agonising 2orm instead o2 6ith the 2ree 1i2e that ga5e itse123 crying g1ad1y DC%oP I come to do thy 6i113 O .odA I am content to do it7C What 6onder that men < conscio4s o2 a higher and a 1o6er nat4re3 and o2t identi2ying their se12?conscio4sness more 6ith the 1o6er than 6ith the higher < 2e1t the str4gg1e o2 the 1o6er nat4re3 the 2orm3 as their o6n str4gg1es3 and 2e1t that they 6ere accepting s422ering in resignation to a higher 6i113 and regarded sacri2ice as that de5o4t and resigned acceptance o2 pain7 Not 4nti1 man identi2ies himse12 6ith the 1i2e instead o2 6ith the 2orm can the e1ement o2 pain in sacri2ice be gotten rid o27 In a per2ect1y harmonised entity3 pain cannot be3 2or the 2orm is then the per2ect 5ehic1e o2 the 1i2e3 recei5ing or s4rrendering 6ith ready accord7 With the ceasing o2 str4gg1e comes the ceasing o2 pain7 For s422ering arises 2rom 8ar3 2rom 2riction3 2rom antagonistic mo5ements3 and 6here the 6ho1e nat4re 6or0s in per2ect harmony "Pa#e $-0% the conditions that gi5e rise to s422ering are not present7 Page 1/9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The 1a6 o2 sacri2ice being th4s the 1a6 o2 1i2e ? e5o14tion in the 4ni5erse3 6e 2ind e5ery step in the 1adder is accomp1ished by sacri2ice < the 1i2e po4ring itse12 o4t to ta0e birth in a higher 2orm3 6hi1e the 2orm that contained it perishes7 Those 6ho 1oo0 on1y at the perishing 2orms see Nat4re as a 5ast charne1 ho4seA 6hi1e those 6ho see the death1ess so41 escaping to ta0e ne6 and higher 2orm hear e5er the 8oyo4s song o2 birth 2rom the 4p6ard springing 1i2e7 The (onad in the minera1 0ingdom e5o15es by the brea0ing 4p o2 its 2orms 2or the prod4ction and s4pport o2 p1ants7 (inera1s are disintegrated that p1ant?2orms may be b4i1t o4t o2 their materia1sA the p1ant dra6s 2rom the soi1 its n4triti5e constit4ents3 brea0s them 4p3 and incorporates them into its o6n s4bstance7 The minera1 2orms perish that the p1ant 2orms may gro63 and this 1a6 o2 sacri2ice stamped on the minera1 0ingdom is the 1a6 o2 e5o14tion o2 1i2e and 2orm7 The 1i2e passes on6ard and the (onad e5o15es to prod4ce the 5egetab1e 0ingdom3 the perishing o2 the 1o6er 2orm being the condition 2or the appearing and the s4pport o2 the higher7 The story is repeated in the 5egetab1e 0ingdom3 2or its 2orms in t4rn are sacri2iced in order that anima1 2orms may be prod4ced and may gro6A on e5ery side grasses3 grains3 trees perish 2or the s4stenance o2 anima1 bodiesA their tiss4es are disintegrated that the materia1s comprising them may be assimi1ated by "Pa#e $-/% the anima1 and b4i1d 4p its body7 Again the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice is stamped on the 6or1d3 this time on the 5egetab1e 0ingdomA its 1i2e e5o15es 6hi1e its 2orms perishA the (onad e5o15es to prod4ce the anima1 0ingdom3 and the 5egetab1e is o22ered 4p that the anima1 2orms may be bro4ght 2orth and maintained7 $o 2ar the idea o2 pain has scarce1y connected itse12 6ith that o2 sacri2ice3 2or3 as 6e ha5e seen in the co4rse o2 o4r st4dies3 the astra1 bodies o2 p1ants are not s422icient1y organised to gi5e rise to any ac4te sensations either o2 p1eas4re or o2 pain7 B4t as 6e consider the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice in its 6or0ing in the anima1 0ingdom3 6e cannot a5oid the recognition o2 the pain there in5o15ed in the brea0ing 4p o2 2orms7 It is tr4e that the amo4nt o2 pain ca4sed by the preying o2 one anima1 4pon another in Bthe state o2 nat4re B is comparati5e1y tri5ia1 in each case3 b4t sti11 some pain occ4rs7 It is a1so tr4e that man3 in the part he has p1ayed in he1ping to e5o15e anima1s3 has m4ch aggra5ated the amo4nt o2 pain3 and has strengthened instead o2 diminishing the predatory instincts o2 carni5oro4s anima1sA sti113 he did not imp1ant those instincts3 tho4gh he too0 ad5antage o2 them 2or his o6n p4rposes3 and inn4merab1e 5arieties o2 anima1s3 6ith the e5o14tion o2 6hich man has had direct1y nothing to do3 prey 4pon each other3 the 2orms being sacri2iced to the s4pport o2 other 2orms3 as in the minera1 and 5egetab1e 0ingdoms7 The str4gg1e 2or e@istence 6ent on 1ong be2ore man appeared on the scene3 and acce1erated the e5o14tion a1i0e o2 1i2e and o2 2orms3 6hi1e the pains "Pa#e $-$% accompanying the destr4ction o2 2orms began the 1ong tas0 o2 impressing on the e5o15ing (onad the transitory nat4re o2 a11 2orms3 and the di22erence bet6een the 2orms that perished and the 1i2e that persisted 7 The 1o6er nat4re o2 man 6as e5o15ed 4nder the same 1a6 o2 sacri2ice as r41ed in the 1o6er 0ingdoms7 B4t the o4tpo4ring o2 di5ine %i2e 6hich ga5e the h4man (onad came a change in the 6ay in 6hich the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice 6or0ed as the 1a6 o2 1i2e7 In man 6as to be de5e1oped the 6i113 the se12?mo5ing3 se12?initiated energy3 and the comp41sion 6hich 2orced the 1o6er 0ingdoms a1ong the path o2 e5o14tion co41d not Page 1;T

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

there2ore be emp1oyed in his case3 6itho4t para1ysing the gro6th o2 this ne6 and essentia1 po6er7 No minera13 no p1ant3 no anima1 6as as0ed to accept the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice as a 5o14ntari1y chosen 1a6 o2 1i2e7 It 6as imposed 4pon them 2rom 6itho4t3 and it 2orced their gro6th by a necessity 2rom 6hich they co41d not escape7 (an 6as to ha5e the 2reedom o2 choice necessary 2or the gro6th o2 a discriminati5e and se12?conscio4s inte11igence3 and the >4estion arose D B"o6 can this creat4re be 1e2t 2ree to choose3 and yet 1earn to choose to 2o11o6 the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice3 6hi1e yet he is a sensiti5e organism3 shrin0ing 2rom pain3 and pain is ine5itab1e in the brea0ing 4p o2 sentient 2ormsFC o4bt1ess eons o2 e@perience3 st4died by a creat4re becoming e5er more inte11igent3 might ha5e 2ina11y 1ed man to disco5er that the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice is the 24ndamenta1 1a6 o2 1i2eA b4t in this3 as in so m4ch e1se3 he 6as not 1e2t to his o6n 4nassisted e22orts7 "Pa#e $-&% i5ine Teachers 6ere there at the side o2 man in his in2ancy3 and they a4thoritati5e1y proc1aimed the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice3 and incorporated it in a most e1ementary 2orm in the re1igions by 6hich They trained the da6ning inte11igence o2 man7 It 6o41d ha5e been 4se1ess to ha5e s4dden1y demanded 2rom these chi1d?so41s that they sho41d s4rrender 6itho4t ret4rn 6hat seemed to them to be the most desirab1e ob8ects3 the ob8ects on the possession o2 6hich their 1i2e in 2orm depended7 They m4st be 1ed a1ong a path 6hich 6o41d 1ead grad4a11y to the heights o2 5o14ntary se12?sacri2ice7 To this end they 6ere 2irst ta4ght that they 6ere not iso1ated 4nits3 b4t 6ere parts o2 a 1arger 6ho1e3 and that their 1i5es 6ere 1in0ed to other 1i5es both abo5e and be1o6 them7 Their physica1 1i5es 6ere s4pported by 1o6er 1i5es3 by the earthA by p1ants3 they cons4med these3 and in th4s doing they contracted a debt 6hich they 6ere bo4nd to pay3 %i5ing on the sacri2iced 1i5es o2 others3 they m4st sacri2ice in t4rn something 6hich sho41d s4pport other 1i5es3 they m4st no4rish e5en as they 6ere no4rished3 ta0ing the 2r4its prod4ced by the acti5ity o2 the astra1 entities that g4ide physica1 Nat4re3 they m4st recr4it the e@pended 2orces by s4itab1e o22erings7 "ence ha5e arisen a11 the sacri2ices to these 2orces < as science ca11s them < to these inte11igences g4iding physica1 order3 as re1igions ha5e a16ays ta4ght7 As 2ire >4ic01y disintegrated the dense physica13 it >4ic01y restored the etheric partic1es o2 the b4rnt o22erings to the ethersA th4s the astra1 partic1es 6ere easi1y "Pa#e $-'% set 2ree to be assimi1ated by the astra1 entities concerned 6ith the 2erti1ity o2 the earth and the gro6th o2 p1ants7 Th4s the 6hee1 o2 prod4ction 6as 0ept t4rning3 and man 1earned that he 6as constant1y inc4rring debts to Nat4re 6hich he m4st as constant1y discharge7 Th4s the sense o2 ob1igation 6as imp1anted and n4rt4red in his mind3 and the d4ty that he o6ed to the 6ho1e3 to the no4rishing mother Nat4re3 became impressed on his tho4ght7 It is tr4e that this sense o2 ob1igation 6as c1ose1y connected 6ith the idea that its discharge 6as necessary 2or his o6n 6e12are3 and that the 6ish to contin4e to prosper mo5ed him to the payment o2 his debt7 "e 6as b4t a chi1d?so413 1earning his 2irst 1essons3 and this 1esson o2 the interdependence o2 1i5es3 o2 the 1i2e o2 each depending on the sacri2ice o2 others3 6as o2 5ita1 importance to his gro6th7 Not yet co41d he 2ee1 the di5ine 8oy o2 gi5ingA the re14ctance o2 the 2orm to s4rrender a4ght that no4rished it had 2irst to be o5ercome3 and sacri2ice became identi2ied 6ith this s4rrender o2 something 5a14ed3 a s4rrender made 2rom a sense o2 ob1igation and the desire to contin4e prospero4s7 Page 1;1

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

The ne@t 1esson remo5ed the re6ard o2 sacri2ice to a region beyond the physica1 6or1d7 First3 by a sacri2ice o2 materia1 goods3 materia1 6e12are 6as to be sec4red7 Then the sacri2ice o2 materia1 goods 6as to bring en8oyment in hea5en3 on the other side o2 death7 The re6ard o2 the sacri2icer 6as o2 a higher 0ind3 and he 1earned that the re1ati5e1y permanent might be sec4red by the sacri2ice o2 the "Pa#e $-(% re1ati5e1y transient < a 1esson that 6as important as 1eading to discriminati5e 0no61edge7The c1inging o2 the 2orm to physica1 ob8ects 6as e@changed 2or a c1inging to hea5en1y 8oys7 In a11 e@oteric re1igions 6e 2ind this ed4cati5e process resorted to by the Wise Ones < too 6ise to e@pect chi1d?so41s the 5irt4e o2 4nre6arded heroism3 and content3 6ith a s4b1ime patience3 to coa@ their 6ay6ard charges s1o61y a1ong a path6ay that 6as a thorny and a stony one to the 1o6er nat4re7 .rad4a11y men 6ere ind4ced to s4b84gate the body3 to o5ercome its s1oth by the reg41ar dai1y per2ormance o2 re1igio4s rites3 o2ten b4rdensome in their nat4re3 and to reg41ate its acti5ities by directing them into 4se241 channe1sA they 6ere trained to con>4er the 2orm and to ho1d it in s4b8ection to the 1i2e3 and to acc4stom the body to yie1d itse12 to 6or0s o2 goodness and charity in obedience to the demands o2 the mind3 e5en 6hi1e that mind 6as chie21y stim41ated by a desire to en8oy re6ard in hea5en7 We can see among the "ind4s3 the Persians3 the Chinese3 ho6 men 6ere ta4ght to recognise their mani2o1d ob1igationsA to ma0e the body yie1d d4ti241 sacri2ice o2 obedience and re5erence to ancestors3 to parents3 to e1dersA to besto6 charity 6ith co4rtesyA and to sho6 0indness to a117 $1o61y men 6ere he1ped to e5o15e both heroism and se12?sacri2ice to a high degree3 as 6itness the martyrs 6ho 8oy2411y 214ng their bodies to tort4re and death rather than deny their 2aith or be 2a1se to their creed7 They 1oo0ed indeed 2or a Bcro6n o2 g1oryC in hea5en as a recompense 2or the "Pa#e $-)% sacri2ice o2 the physica1 2orm3 b4t it 6as m4ch to ha5e o5ercome the c1inging to the physica1 2orm3 and to ha5e made the in5isib1e 6or1d so rea1 that it o4t6eighed the 5isib1e7 The ne@t step 6as achie5ed 6hen the sense o2 d4ty 6as de2inite1y estab1ishedA 6hen the sacri2ice o2 the 1o6er to the higher 6as seen to be Bright3C apart 2rom a11 >4estion o2 a re6ard to be recei5ed in another 6or1dA 6hen the ob1igation o6ed by the part to the 6ho1e 6as recognised3 and the yie1ding o2 ser5ice by the 2orm that e@isted by the ser5ice o2 others 6as 2e1t to be 84st1y d4e 6itho4t any c1aim to 6ages being estab1ished thereby7 Then man began to percei5e the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice as the 1a6 o2 1i2e3 and 5o14ntari1y to associate himse12 6ith itA and he began to 1earn to dis8oin himse12 in idea 2rom the 2orm he d6e1t in and to identi2y himse12 6ith the e5o15ing 1i2e7 This grad4a11y 1ed him to 2ee1 a certain indi22erence to a11 the acti5ities o2 2orm3 sa5e as they consisted in Bd4ties that o4ght to be done3C and to regard a11 o2 them as mere channe1s 2or the 1i2e?acti5ities that 6ere d4e to the 6or1d3 and not as acti5ities per2ormed by him 6ith any desire 2or their res41ts7 Th4s he reached the point a1ready noted3 6hen 0arma attracting him to the three 6or1ds ceased to be generated3 and he t4rned the 6hee1 o2 e@istence beca4se it o4ght to be t4rned3 and not beca4se its re5o14tion bro4ght any desirab1e ob8ect to himse127 The 2411 recognition o2 the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice3 ho6e5er3 1i2ts man beyond the menta1 p1ane < "Pa#e $-,% 6hereon d4ty is recognised as d4ty3 as B6hat o4ght to be done beca4se it is o6edC < to that higher p1ane o2 B4ddhi 6here a11 se15es are 2e1t as one3 and 6here a11 acti5ities are po4red o4t 2or the 4se o2 a113 and not 2or the gain o2 a separated se127 On1y on that p1ane is the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice 2e1t as a 8oy241 pri5i1ege3 instead o2 on1y recognised inte11ect4a11y as tr4e and 84st7 Page 1;/

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

On the b4ddhic p1ane man c1ear1y sees that 1i2e is one3 that it streams o4t perpet4a11y as the 2ree o4tpo4ring o2 the 1o5e o2 the %O.O$3 that 1i2e ho1ding itse12 separate is a poor and a mean thing at best3 and an 4ngrate241 one to boot7 There the 6ho1e heart r4shes 4p6ards to the %O.O$ in one strong s4rge o2 1o5e and 6orship3 and gi5es itse12 in 8oy2411est se12?s4rrender to be a channe1 o2 "is 1i2e and 1o5e to the 6or1d7 To be a carrier o2 "is 1ight3 a messenger o2 "is compassion3 a 6or0er in "is rea1m < that appears as the on1y 1i2e 6orth 1i5ingA to hasten e5o14tion3 to ser5e the .ood %a63 to 1i2t part o2 the hea5y b4rden o2 the 6or1d < that seems to be the 5ery g1adness o2 the %ord "imse127 From this p1ane on1y can a man act as one o2 the $a5io4rs o2 the 6or1d3 beca4se on it he is one 6ith the se15es o2 a117 Identi2ied 6ith h4manity 6here it is one3 his strength3 his 1o5e3 his 1i2e can 21o6 do6n6ards into any or into e5ery separated se127 "e has become a spirit4a1 2orce3 and the a5ai1ab1e spirit4a1 energy o2 the 6or1d?system is increased by po4ring into it o2 his 1i2e7 The 2orces he 4sed to e@pend on the physica1 3 astra13 and menta1 p1anes3 see0ing things 2or his separated se123 are no6 a11 gathered "Pa#e $--% 4p in one act o2 sacri2ice3 and3 transm4ted thereby into spirit4a1 energy3 they po4r do6n 4pon the 6or1d as spirit4a1 1i2e7 This transm4tation is 6ro4ght by the moti5e 6hich determines the p1ane on 6hich the energy is set 2ree7 I2 a manEs moti5e be the gain o2 physica1 ob8ects3 the energy 1iberated 6or0s on1y on the physica1 p1aneA i2 he desire astra1 ob8ects3 he 1iberates energy on the astra1 p1aneA i2 he see0 menta1 8oys3 his energy 24nctions on the menta1 p1aneA b4t i2 he sacri2ice himse12 to be a channe1 o2 the %O.O$3 he 1iberates energy on the spirit4a1 p1ane3 and it 6or0s e5ery6here 6ith the potency and 0eenness o2 a spirit4a1 2orce7 For s4ch a man3 action and inaction are the sameA 2or he does e5erything 6hi1e doing nothing3 he does nothing 6hi1e doing e5erything7 For him3 high and 1o63 great and sma11 are the sameA he 2i11s any p1ace that needs 2i11ing3 and the %O.O$ is a1i0e in e5ery p1ace and in e5ery action7 "e can 21o6 into any 2orm3 he can 6or0 a1ong any 1ine3 he 0no6s not any 1onger choice or di22erenceA his 1i2e by sacri2ice has been made one 6ith the 1i2e o2 the %O.O$ < he sees .od in e5erything and e5erything in .od7 "o6 then can p1ace or 2orm ma0e to him any di22erenceF "e no 1onger identi2ies himse12 6ith 2orm3 b4t is se12?conscio4s %i2e7 B"a5ing nothing3 he possesseth a11 things B as0ing 2or nothing3 e5erything 21o6s into him7 "is 1i2e is b1iss3 2or he is one 6ith his %ord3 6ho is Beatit4deA and3 4sing 2orm 2or ser5ice 6itho4t attachment to it3 Bhe has p4t and end to pain7C Those 6ho grasp something o2 the 6onder241 "Pa#e $-.% possibi1ities 6hich open o4t be2ore 4s as 6e 5o14ntari1y associate o4rse15es 6ith the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice 6i11 6ish to begin that 5o14ntary association 1ong ere they can rise to the heights 84st dim1y s0etched7 %i0e other deep spirit4a1 tr4ths3 it is eminent1y practica1 in its app1ication to dai1y 1i2e3 and none 6ho 2ee1 its bea4ty need to hesitate to begin to 6or0 6ith it7 When a man reso15es to begin the practice o2 sacri2ice3 he 6i11 train himse12 to open e5ery day 6ith an act o2 sacri2ice3 the o22ering o2 himse123 ere the dayEs 6or0 begins3 to "im to 6hom he gi5es his 1i2eA his 2irst 6a0ing tho4ght 6i11 be this dedication o2 a11 his po6er to his %ord7 Then each tho4ght3 each 6ord3 each action in dai1y 1i2e 6i11 be done as a sacri2ice < not 2or its 2r4it3 not e5en as d4ty3 b4t as the 6ay in 6hich3 at the moment3 his %ord can be ser5ed7 A11 that comes 6i11 be accepted as the e@pression o2 "is 6i11A 8oys3 tro4b1es3 an@ieties3 s4ccesses3 2ai14res3 a11 to him are Page 1;;

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

6e1come as mar0ing o4t his path o2 ser5iceA he 6i11 ta0e each happi1y as it comes and o22er it as a sacri2iceA he 6i11 1oose each happi1y as it goes3 since its going sho6s that his %ord has no 1onger need 2or it7 Any po6ers he has he g1ad1y 4ses 2or ser5iceA 6hen they 2ai1 him3 he ta0es their 2ai14re 6ith happy e>4animityA since they are no 1onger a5ai1ab1e he cannot gi5e them7 E5en s422ering that springs 2rom past ca4ses not yet e@ha4sted can be changed into a 5o14ntary sacri2ice by 6e1coming itA ta0ing possession o2 it by 6i11ing it3 a man may o22er it as a gi2t3 changing it by this moti5e into a spirit4a1 2orce7 E5ery h4man 1i2e "Pa#e $.0% o22ers co4nt1ess opport4nities 2or this practice o2 the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice3 and e5ery h4man 1i2e becomes a po6er as these opport4nities are seiOed and 4ti1ised7 Witho4t any e@pansion o2 his 6a0ing conscio4sness3 a man may th4s become a 6or0er on the spirit4a1 p1anes3 1iberating energy there 6hich po4rs do6n into the 1o6er 6or1ds7 "is se12?s4rrender here in the 1o6er conscio4sness3 imprisoned as it is in the body3 ca11s o4t responsi5e thri11s o2 1i2e 2rom the b4ddhic aspect o2 the (onad 6hich is his tr4e $e123 and hastens the time 6hen that (onad sha11 become the spirit4a1 Ego3 se12?mo5ed and r41ing a11 his 5ehic1es3 4sing each o2 them at 6i11 as needed 2or the 6or0 that is to be done7 In no 6ay can progress be made so rapid1y3 and the mani2estation o2 a11 the po6ers 1atent in the (onad be bro4ght abo4t so >4ic01y3 as by the 4nderstanding and the practice o2 the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice7 There2ore it 6as ca11ed by a (aster3 BThe %a6 o2 e5o14tion 2or man7C It has indeed pro2o4nder and more mystic aspects than any to4ched on here3 b4t these 6i11 4n5ei1 themse15es 6itho4t 6ords to the patient and 1o5ing heart 6hose 1i2e is a11 a sacri2icia1 o22ering7 There are things that are heard on1y in the sti11nessA there are teachings that can be 4ttered on1y by BThe )oice o2 the $i1ence7C Among these are the deeper tr4ths rooted in the 1a6 o2 sacri2ice7 "Pa#e $./%

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CHAPTER FI 4ANGS ASCENT $o st4pendo4s is the ascent 4p 6hich some men ha5e c1imbed3 and some are c1imbing3 that 6hen 6e scan it by an e22ort o2 the imagination 6e are apt to recoi13 6earied in tho4ght by the mere idea o2 that 1ong 8o4rney7 From the embryonic so41 o2 the 1o6est sa5age to the 1iberated and tri4mphant per2ected spirit4a1 so41 o2 the di5ine man < it seems scarce1y credib1e that the one can contain in it a11 that is e@pressed in the other3 and that the di22erence is b4t a di22erence in e5o14tion3 that one is on1y at the beginning and the other at the end o2 manEs ascent7 Be1o6 the one stretch the 1ong ran0s o2 the s4b?h4man < the anima1s3 5egetab1es3 minera1s3 e1ementa1 essencesA abo5e the other stretch the in2inite gradations o2 the s4perh4man < the Chohans3 (an4s3 B4ddhas3 B4i1ders3 %ipi0asA 6ho may name or n4mber the hosts o2 the mighty OnesF %oo0ed at th4s3 as a stage in a yet 5aster 1i2e3 the many steps 6ithin the h4man 0ingdom shrin0 into a narro6er compass3 and manEs ascent is seen as comprising b4t one grade in e5o14tion in the 1in0ed 1i5es that stretch 2rom the e1ementa1 essence on6ards to the mani2ested .od7 We ha5e traced manEs ascent 2rom the appearance "Pa#e $.$% o2 the embryonic so41 to the state o2 the spirit4a11y ad5anced3 thro4gh the stages o2 e5o15ing conscio4sness 2rom the 1i2e o2 sensation to the 1i2e o2 tho4ght7 We ha5e seen him retread the cyc1e o2 birth and death in the three 6or1ds3 each 6or1d yie1ding him its har5est and o22ering him opport4nities 2or progress7 We are no6 in a position to 2o11o6 him into the 2ina1 stages o2 his h4man e5o14tion3 stages that 1ie in the 24t4re 2or the 5ast b410 o2 o4r h4manity3 b4t that ha5e a1ready been trodden by its e1dest chi1dren3 and that re being trodden by a s1ender n4mber o2 men and 6omen in o4r o6n day7 These stages ha5e been c1assi2ied 4nder t6o headings < the 2irst are spo0en o2 as constit4ting Bthe probationary Path3C 6hi1e the 1ater ones are inc14ded in Bthe Path properC or B the Path o2 discip1eship7C We 6i11 ta0e them in their nat4ra1 order7 As a manEs inte11ect4a13 mora13 and spirit4a1 nat4re de5e1ops3 he becomes more and more conscio4s o2 the p4rpose o2 h4man 1i2e3 and more and more eager to accomp1ish that p4rpose in his o6n person7 Repeated 1ongings 2or earth1y 8oys3 2o11o6ed by 2411 possession and by s4bse>4ent 6eariness3 ha5e grad4a11y ta4ght him the transient and 4nsatis2actory nat4re o2 earthEs best gi2tsA so o2ten has he stri5en 2or3 gained3 emp1oyed3 been satiated3 and 2ina11y na4seated3 that he t4rns a6ay discontented 2rom a11 that earth can o22er7 BWhat doth it pro2itFC sighs the 6earied so41D BA11 is 5anity and 5e@ation7 "4ndreds3 yea3 tho4sands o2 times ha5e I possessed3 and 2ina11y ha5e 2o4nd disappointment e5en in possession7C "Pa#e
$.&%

These 8oys are i114sions3 as b4bb1es on a stream3 2airy?co1o4red3 rainbo6?h4ed3 b4t b4rsting at a to4ch7 I am athirst 2or rea1itiesA I ha5e had eno4gh o2 shado6sA I pant 2or the eterna1 and the tr4e3 2or 2reedom 2rom the 1imitations that hem me in3 that 0eep me prisoner amid these changing sho6s7C This 2irst cry o2 the so41 2or 1iberation is the res41t o2 the rea1isation that3 6ere this earth a11 that poets ha5e Page 1;H

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

dreamed it3 6ere e5ery e5i1 s6ept a6ay3 e5ery sorro6 p4t an end to 3 e5ery 8oy intensi2ied3 e5ery bea4ty enhanced3 6ere e5erything raised to its point o2 per2ection3 he 6o41d sti11 be a6eary o2 it3 6o41d t4rn 2rom it 5oid o2 desire7 It has become to him a prison3 and3 1et it be decorated as it may3 he pants 2or the 2ree and 1imit1ess air beyond its inc1osing 6a11s7 Nor is hea5en more attracti5e to him than earthA o2 that too he is a6earyA its 8oys ha5e 1ost their attracti5eness3 e5en its inte11ect4a1 and emotiona1 de1ights no 1onger satis2y7 They a1so Bcome and go3 impermanentC 1i0e the contacts o2 the sensesA they are 1imited3 transient3 4nsatis2ying7 "e is tired o2 the changingA 2rom 5ery 6eariness he cries o4t 2or 1iberty7 $ometimes this rea1isation o2 the 6orth1essness o2 earth and hea5en is at 2irst b4t a 21ash in conscio4sness3 and the e@terna1 6or1ds reassert their empire and the g1amo4r o2 their i114si5e 8oys again 1aps the so41 into content7 $ome 1i5es e5en may pass3 2411 o2 nob1e 6or0 and 4nse12ish achie5ement3 o2 p4re tho4ghts and 1o2ty deeds3 ere this rea1isation o2 the emptiness o2 a11 that is phenomena1 becomes the "Pa#e $.'% permanent attit4de o2 the so417 B4t sooner or 1ater the so41 once and 2or e5er brea0s 6ith earth and hea5en as incompetent to satis2y his needs3 and this de2inite t4rning a6ay 2rom the transitory3 this de2inite 6i11 to reach the eterna13 is the gate6ay to the probationary Path7 The so41 steps o22 the high6ay o2 e5o14tion to breast the steeper c1imb 4p the mo4ntain side3 reso14te to escape 2rom the bondage o2 earth1y and hea5en1y 1i5es3 and to reach the 2reedom o2 the 4pper air7 The 6or0 6hich has to be accomp1ished by the man 6ho enters on the probationary Path is entire1y menta1 and mora1A he has to bring himse12 4p to the point at 6hich he 6i11 2it to Bmeet his (aster 2ace to 2aceC D b4t he 5ery 6ords Bhis (asterC need e@p1anation7 There are certain great Beings be1onging to o4r race 6ho ha5e comp1eted Their h4man e5o14tion3 and to 6hom a114sion has a1ready been made as constit4ting a Brotherhood3 and as g4iding and 2or6arding the de5e1opment o2 the race7 These .reat Ones3 the (asters3 5o14ntari1y incarnate in h4man bodies on order to 2orm the connecting 1in0 bet6een h4man and s4perh4man beings3 and They permit those 6ho 2412i1 certain conditions to become Their discip1es3 6ith the ob8ect o2 hastening their e5o14tion and th4s >4a1i2ying themse15es to enter the great Brotherhood3 and to assist in its g1orio4s and bene2icent 6or0 2or man7 The (asters e5er 6atch the race3 and mar0 any 6ho by the practice o2 5irt4e3 by 4nse12ish 1abo4r 2or h4man good3 by inte11ect4a1 e22ort t4rned to the "Pa#e $.(% ser5ice o2 man3 by sincere de5otion3 piety3 and p4rity3 dra6 ahead o2 the mass o2 their 2e11o6s3 and render themse15es capab1e o2 recei5ing spirit4a1 assistance beyond that shed do6n on man0ind as a 6ho1e7 I2 an indi5id4a1 is to recei5e specia1 he1p he m4st sho6 specia1 recepti5ity7 For the (asters are the distrib4tors o2 the spirit4a1 energies that he1p on h4man e5o14tion3 and the 4se o2 these 2or the s6i2ter gro6th o2 a sing1e so41 is on1y permitted 6hen that so41 sho6s a capacity 2or rapid progress and can th4s be >4ic01y 2itted to become a he1per o2 the race3 ret4rning to it the aid that had been a22orded to himse127 When a man3 by his o6n e22orts3 4ti1ising to the 2411 a11 the genera1 he1p coming Page 1;M

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

to him thro4gh re1igion and phi1osophy3 has str4gg1ed on6ards to the 2ront o2 the ad5ancing h4man 6a5e and 6hen he sho6s a 1o5ing3 se121ess3 he1p241 nat4re3 then he becomes a specia1 ob8ect o2 attention to the 6atch241 .4ardians o2 the race3 and opport4nities are p4t in his 6ay to test his strength and ca11 2orth his int4ition7In proportion as he s4ccess2411y 4ses these3 he is yet 24rther he1ped3 and g1impses are a22orded to him o2 the tr4e 1i2e3 4nti1 the 4nsatis2actory and 4nrea1 nat4re o2 m4ndane e@istence presses more and more on the so413 6ith the res41t a1ready mentioned < the 6eariness 6hich ma0es him 1ong 2or 2reedom and brings him to the gate6ay o2 the probationary Path7 "is entrance on his Path p1aces him in the position o2 a discip1e or che1R3 on probation3 and some one (aster ta0es him 4nder "is care3 recognising "Pa#e $.)% him as a man 6ho has stepped o4t o2 the high6ay o2 e5o14tion3 and see0s the Teacher 6ho sha11 g4ide his steps a1ong the steep and narro6 path 6hich 1eads to 1iberation7 That Teacher is a6aiting him at the 5ery entrance o2 the Path3 and e5en tho4gh the neophyte 0no6s not his Teacher3 his Teacher 0no6s him3 sees his e22orts3 directs his steps3 1eads him into the conditions that best s4bser5e his progress3 6atching o5er him 6ith the tender so1icit4de o2 a mother3 and 6ith the 6isdom born o2 per2ect insight7 The road may seem 1one1y and dar03 and the yo4ng discip1e may 2ancy himse12 deserted3 b4t a B2riend 6ho stic0eth c1oser than a brotherC is e5er at hand3 and the he1p 6ithhe1d 2rom the senses is gi5en to the so417 There are 2o4r de2inite B>4a1i2icationsC that the probationary che1R= m4st set himse12 to ac>4ire3 that are by the 6isdom o2 the great Brotherhood 1aid do6n as the conditions o2 2411 discip1eship7 They are not as0ed 2or in per2ection3 b4t they m4st be stri5en 2or and partia11y possessed ere Initiation is permitted7The 2irst o2 these is the discrimination bet6een the rea1 and the 4nrea1 6hich has been a1ready da6ning on the mind o2 the p4pi13 and 6hich dre6 him to the Path on 6hich he is no6 enteredA the distinctions gro6s c1ear and sharp1y de2ined in his mind3 and grad4a11y 2rees him to a great e@tent 2rom the 2etters 6hich bind him3 2or the second >4a1i2ication3 indi22erence to e@terna1 things3 comes nat4ra11y in the 6a0e o2 discrimination3 2rom the c1ear perception o2 their 6orth1essness7 "Pa#e $.,% "e 1earns that the 6eariness 6hich too0 a11 the sa5o4r o4t o2 1i2e 6as d4e to the disappointments constant1y arising 2rom his search 2or satis2action in the 4nrea13 6hen on1y the rea1 can content the so41A that a11 2orms are 4nrea1 and 6itho4t stabi1ity3 changing e5er 4nder the imp41ses o2 1i2e3 and that nothing is rea1 b4t the one %i2e that 6e see0 2or and 1o5e 4nconscio4s1y 4nder its many 5ei1s7 This discrimination is m4ch stim41ated by the rapid1y changing circ4mstances into 6hich a discip1e is genera11y thro6n3 6ith the 5ie6 o2 pressing on him strong1y the instabi1ity o2 a11 e@terna1 things7 The 1i5es o2 a discip1e are genera11y 1i5es o2 storm and stress3 in order that the >4a1ities 6hich are norma11y e5o15ed in a 1ong s4ccession o2 1i5es in the three 6or1ds may in him be 2orced into s6i2t gro6th and >4ic01y bro4ght to per2ection7 As he a1ternates rapid1y 2rom 8oy to sorro63 2rom peace to storm3 2rom rest to toi13 he 1earns to see in the changes the 4nrea1 2orms3 and to 2ee1 thro4gh a11 a steady 4nchanging 1i2e7 "e gro6s indi22erent to the presence or the absence or the absence o2 things that th4s come and go3 and more and more he 2i@es his gaOe on the change1ess rea1ity that is e5er present7 Whi1e he is th4s gaining in insight and stabi1ity he 6or0s a1so at the de5e1opment o2 the third >4a1i2ication Page 1;:

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

< the si@ menta1 attrib4tes that are demanded 2rom him ere he may enter on the Path itse127 "e need not possess them a11 per2ect1y3 b4t he m4st ha5e them a11 partia11y present at 1east ere he 6i11 be permitted to pass on6ard7 First he m4st "Pa#e $.-% gain contro1 o5er his tho4ghts3 the progeny o2 the rest1ess3 4nr41y mind3 hard to c4rb as the 6ind7 *(ha!a%ad Hit33 5i7 ;G+7 $teady3 dai1y practice in meditation3 in concentration3 had beg4n to red4ce this menta1 rebe1 to order ere he entered on the probationary Path3 and the discip1e no6 6or0s 6ith concentrated energy to comp1ete the tas03 0no6ing that the great increase in tho4ght po6er that 6i11 accompany his rapid gro6th 6i11 pro5e a danger both to others and to himse12 4n1ess the de5e1oping 2orce be thoro4gh1y 4nder his contro17 Better gi5e a chi1d dynamite as a p1aything3 than p1ace the creati5e po6ers o2 tho4ght in the hands o2 the se12ish and ambitio4s7 $econd1y3 the yo4ng che1a m4st add o4t6ard se12?contro1 to inner3 and m4st r41e his speech and his actions as rigid1y as he r41es his tho4ghts7 As the mind obeys the so413 so m4st the 1o6er nat4re obey the mind7 The 4se241ness o2 the discip1e in the o4ter 6or1d depends as m4ch on the p4re and nob1e e@amp1e set by his 5isib1e 1i2e3 as his 4se241ness in the inner 6or1d depends on the steadiness and strength o2 his tho4ghts7 O2ten is a good 6or0 marred by care1essness in this 1o6er part o2 h4man acti5ity3 and the aspirant is bidden stri5e to6ards an idea1 per2ect in e5ery part3 in order that he may not 1ater3 6hen treading the Path3 st4mb1e in his o6n 6a10 and ca4se the enemy to b1aspheme7 As a1ready said3 per2ection in anything is not demanded at this stage3 b4t the 6ise p4pi1 stri5es to6ards per2ection3 0no6ing that at his best he is "Pa#e $..% sti11 2ar a6ay 2rom his idea17 Third1y3 the candidate 2or 2411 discip1eship see0s to b4i1d into himse12 the s4b1ime and 2ar?reaching 5irt4e o2 to1erance < the >4iet acceptance o2 each man3 each 2orm o2 e@istence3 as it is3 6itho4t demand that it sho41d be something other shaped more to his o6n 1i0ing7 Beginning to rea1ise that the one %i2e ta0es on co4nt1ess 1imitations3 each right in its o6n p1ace and times3 he accepts each 1imited e@pression o2 that %i2e 6itho4t 6ishing to trans2orm it into something e1seA he 1earns to re5ere the 6isdom 6hich p1anned this 6or1d and 6hich g4ides it3 and to 5ie6 6ith 6ide?eyed serenity the imper2ect parts as they s1o61y 6or0 o4t their partia1 1i5es7 The dr4n0ard3 1earning his a1phabet o2 the s422ering ca4sed by the dominance o2 the 1o6er nat4re3 is doing as 4se2411y in his o6n stage as is the saint in his3 comp1eting his 1ast 1esson in earthEs schoo13 and no more can 84st1y be demanded 2rom either than he is ab1e to per2orm7 One is in the 0indergarten stage3 1earning by ob8ect?1essons3 6hi1e the other is grad4ating3 ready to 1ea5e his 4ni5ersityA both are right 2or their age and their p1ace3 and sho41d be he1ped and sympathised 6ith in their +lace. This is one o2 the 1essons o2 6hat is 0no6n in occ41tism as Bto1erance7C Fo4rth1y m4st be de5e1oped end4rance3 the end4rance that cheer2411y bears a11 and resents nothing3 going straight on6ards 4ns6er5ing1y to the goa17 Nothing can come to him b4t by the %a63 and he 0no6s the %a6 is good7 "e 4nderstands that the roc0y path6ay that 1eads 4p the mo4ntain?side straight to the s4mmit "Pa#e &00% cannot be as easy to his 2eet as the 6e11?beaten 6inding high6ay7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

"e rea1ises that he is paying in a 2e6 short 1i5es a11 the 0armic ob1igations acc4m41ated d4ring his past3 and that the payments m4st be corresponding1y hea5y7 The 5ery str4gg1e into 6hich he is p14nged de5e1op in him the 2i2th attrib4te3 2aith < 2aith in his (aster and in himse123 a serene strong con2idence that is 4nsha0eab1e7 "e 1earns to tr4st in the 6isdom3 the 1o5e3 the po6er o2 his (aster3 and he is beginning to rea1ise < not on1y to say he be1ie5es in < the i5inity 6ithin his o6n heart3 ab1e to s4bd4e a11 things to "imse127 The 1ast menta1 re>4isite3 ba1ance3 e>4i1ibri4m3 gro6s 4p to some e@tent 6itho4t conscio4s e22ort d4ring the stri5ing a2ter the preceding 2i5e7 The 5ery setting o2 the 6i11 to tread the Path is a sign that the higher nat4re is opening o4t3 and that the e@terna1 6or1d is de2inite1y re1egated to a 1o6er p1ace7 The contin4o4s e22orts to 1ead the 1i2e o2 discip1eship disentang1e the so41 2rom any remaining ties that may 0nit it to the 6or1d o2 sense3 2or the 6ithdra6a1 o2 the so41Es attention 2rom 1o6er ob8ects grad4a11y e@ha4sts the attracti5e po6er o2 those ob8ects7 They Bt4rn a6ay 2rom an abstemio4s d6e11er in the body3C * Bhaga5ad .itR3 ii3 H97+ and soon 1ose a11 po6er to dist4rb this ba1ance7 Th4s he 1earns to mo5e amid them 4ndist4rbed3 neither see0ing nor re8ecting any7 "e a1so 1earns to ba1ance amid menta1 tro4b1es o2 e5ery 0ind3 amid a1ternations o2 menta1 8oy and menta1 pain3 this ba1ance being 24rther ta4ght by "Pa#e &0/% the s6i2t changes a1ready spo0en o2 thro4gh 6hich his 1i2e is g4ided by the e5er?6atch241 care o2 his (aster7 These si@ menta1 attrib4tes being in some meas4re attained3 the probationary che1R= needs 24rther b4t the 2o4rth >4a1i2ication3 the deep intense 1onging 2or 1iberation3 that yearning o2 the so41 to6ards 4nion 6ith deity that is the promise o2 its o6n 2412i11ment7 This adds the 1ast to4ch to his readiness to enter into 2411 discip1eship3 2or3 once that 1onging has de2inite1y asserted itse123 it can ne5er again be eradicated3 and the so41 that has 2e1t it can ne5er again >4ench his thirst at earth1y 2o4ntainsA their 6aters 6i11 e5er taste 21at and 5apid 6hen he sips them3 so that he 6i11 t4rn a6ay 6ith e5er?deepening 1onging 2or the tr4e 6ater o2 1i2e7 At this stage he is Bthe man ready 2or Initiation3C ready to de2inite1y Benter the streamC that c4ts him o22 2ore5er 2rom the interests o2 earth1y 1i2e sa5e as he can ser5e his (aster in them and he1p 2or6ard the e5o14tion o2 the race7 "ence2orth his 1i2e is not to be the 1i2e o2 separatenessA it is to be o22ered 4p on the a1tar o2 h4manity3 a g1ad sacri2ice o2 a11 he is3 to be 4sed 2or the common good7

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The st9dent <i:: be #:ad to haCe the technica: names o= these sta#es in Sans@8it and P6:iD so that he may be ab:e to =o::o< them o9t in mo8e adCanced boo@s> SANS2RIT "9sed by Hind9s% disc8imination bet<een the 8ea: and the 9n8ea: indi==e8ence to the 9n8ea:D the t8ansito8y SHA4A DA4A & SHATSA4PATT UPARATI I TITI2SHA cont8o: o= tho9#ht cont8o: o= cond9ct to:e8ance end98ance & UPACH?RO attention o8 cond9ctI diCided 9nde8 the same headin#s as in the Hind9 PA I "9sed by B9ddhists% the o7enin# o= the doo8s o= the mindI a 4ANOD5?RA5AHHA conCiction o= the NA im7e8manence o= the ea8th:y PARI2A44A 78e7a8ation =o8 actionI indi==e8ence to the =89its o= action

/ 5I5E2A

$ 5AIR?!YA

SHRADDHA =aith SANADD!B ba:ance A ' 4U4U2SHA The man is then the ADHI2ARI desi8e =o8 :ibe8ation ' ANU O4A di8ect o8de8 o8 s9ccessionD its attainment =o::o<in# on the othe8 th8ee1

The man is then the !ATRABHU

4ring the years spent in e5o15ing the 2o4r >4a1i2ications3 the probationary che1R= 6i11 ha5e been ad5ancing in many other respects7 "e 6i11 ha5e been recei5ing 2rom his (aster m4ch teaching3 teaching 4s4a11y imparted d4ring the deep s1eep o2 the bodyA the so413 c1ad in the 6e11?organised astra1 body3 6i11 "Pa#e &0$% ha5e become 4sed to it as a 5ehic1e o2 conscio4sness3 and 6i11 ha5e been dra6n to his (aster < to recei5e instr4ction and spirit4a1 i114mination7 "e 6i11 24rther ha5e been trained in meditation3 and this e22ecti5e practice o4tside the physica1 body 6i11 ha5e >4ic0ened and bro4ght into acti5e e@ercise many o2 the higher po6ersA d4ring s4ch meditation he 6i11 ha5e reached higher regions o2 being3 1earning more o2 the 1i2e o2 the menta1 p1ane7 "e 6i11 ha5e been ta4ght to 4se his increasing po6ers in h4man ser5ice3 and d4ring many o2 the ho4rs o2 s1eep 2or the body he 6i11 ha5e been 6or0ing di1igent1y on the astra1 p1ane3 aiding the so41s that ha5e passed on to it by death3 com2orting the 5ictims o2 accidents3 teaching any 1ess instr4cted than himse123 and in co4nt1ess 6ays he1ping those 6ho needed it3 th4s in "Pa#e &0&% h4mb1e 2ashion aiding the bene2icent 6or0 o2 the (asters3 and being associated 6ith Their s4b1ime Brotherhood as a co?1abo4rer in a ho6e5er modest and 1o61y degree7

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Either on the probationary Path or 1ater3 the che1R= is o22ered the pri5i1ege o2 per2orming one o2 those acts o2 ren4nciation 6hich mar0 the s6i2ter ascent o2 man7 "e is a11o6ed Bto reno4nce e5achan3C that is3 to resign the g1orio4s 1i2e in the hea5en1y p1aces that a6aits him on his 1iberation 2rom the physica1 6or1d3 the 1i2e 6hich in his case 6o41d most1y be spent in the midd1e arcpa 6or1d in the company o2 the (asters3 and in a11 the s4b1ime 8oys o2 the p4rest 6isdom and 1o5e7 I2 he reno4nce this 2r4it o2 his nob1e and de5oted 1i2e3 the spirit4a1 2orces that 6o41d ha5e been e@pended in his e5achan are set 2ree 2or the genera1 ser5ice o2 the 6or1d3 and he himse12 remains in the astra1 region to a6ait a speedy rebirth 4pon earth7 "is (aster in this case se1ects and presides o5er his reincarnation3 g4iding him to ta0e birth amid conditions cond4ci5e to his 4se241ness in the 6or1d3 s4itab1e 2or his 24rther progress and 2or the 6or0 re>4ired at his hands7 "e has reached the stage at 6hich e5ery indi5id4a1 interest is s4bordinated to the di5ine 6or03 and in 6hich his 6i11 is 2i@ed to ser5e in 6hate5er 6ay may be re>4ired o2 him7 "e there2ore3 g1ad1y s4rrenders himse12 into the hands he tr4sts3 accepting 6i11ing1y and 8oy2411y the p1ace in the 6or1d in 6hich he can best render ser5ice3 and per2orm his share o2 the g1orio4s 6or0 "Pa#e &0'% o2 aiding the e5o14tion o2 h4manity7 B1essed is the 2ami1y into 6hich a chi1d is born tenanted by s4ch a so413 a so41 that brings 6ith him the benediction o2 the (aster and is e5er 6atched and g4ided3 e5ery possib1e assistance being gi5en him to bring his 1o6er 5ehic1es >4ic01y 4nder contro17 Occasiona11y3 b4t rare1y a che1R may reincarnate in a body that has passed thro4gh in2ancy and e@treme yo4th as the tabernac1e o2 a 1ess progressed EgoA 6hen an Ego comes to the earth 2or a 5ery brie2 1i2e?period3 say 2or some 2i2teen or t6enty years3 he 6i11 be 1ea5ing his body at the time o2 da6ning manhood3 6hen it has passed thro4gh the time o2 ear1y training and is rapid1y becoming an e22ecti5e 5ehic1e 2or the so417 I2 s4ch a body be a 5ery good one3 and some che1R be a6aiting a s4itab1e reincarnation3 it 6i11 o2ten be 6atched d4ring its tenancy by the Ego 2or 6hom it 6as origina11y b4i1t3 6ith the 5ie6 o2 4ti1ising it 6hen he has done 6ith itA 6hen the 1i2e?period o2 that Ego is comp1eted3 and he passes o4t o2 the body into &=ma1o0a on his 6ay to e5achan3 his cast?o22 body 6i11 be ta0en possession o2 by the 6aiting che1R3 a ne6 tenant 6i11 enter the deserted ho4se3 and the apparent1y dead body 6i11 re5i5e7 $4ch cases are 4n4s4a13 b4t are not 4n0no6n to occ41tists3 and some re2erences to them may be 2o4nd in occ41t boo0s7 Whether the incarnation be norma1 or abnorma13 the progress o2 the so413 o2 the che1R himse123 contin4es3 and the period a1ready spo0en o2 is reached 6hen he is Bready 2or InitiationCA thro4gh that "Pa#e &0(% gate6ay o2 Initiation he enters3 as a de2inite1y accepted che1R3 on the Path7 This Path consists o2 2o4r distinct stages3 and the entrance into each is g4arded by an Initiation7 Each Initiation is accompanied by an e@pansion o2 conscio4sness 6hich gi5es 6hat is ca11ed Bthe 0ey to 0no61edgeC be1onging to the stage to 6hich it admits3 and this 0ey o2 0no61edge is a1so a 0ey o2 po6er3 2or tr41y is 0no61edge po6er in a11 the rea1ms o2 Nat4re7 When the che1R has entered the Path he becomes 6hat has been ca11ed Bthe ho4se1ess man3C *The "ind4s ca11 this stage that o2 Pari5ra8a0a3 the 6andererA the B4ddhist ca11s it that o2 $rot=patti3 he 6ho has reached the stream7 The che1R is th4s designated a2ter his 2irst Initiation and be2ore his second7+ 2or he 1onger 1oo0s on earth s this home < he has no abiding?p1ace here3 to him a11 p1aces are 6e1come 6herein he can ser5e his (aster7 Page 1G1

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

Whi1e he is on this stage o2 the Path there are three hindrances to progress3 technica11y ca11ed B2etters3C 6hich he has to get rid o23 and no6 < as he is rapid1y to per2ect himse12 < it is demanded 2rom him that he sha11 entire1y eradicate 2a41ts o2 character3 and per2orm comp1ete1y the tas0s be1onging to his condition7 The three 2etters that he m4st 1oose 2rom his 1imbs ere he can pass the second Initiation areD the i114sion o2 the persona1 se123 do4bt3 and s4perstition7 The persona1 se12 m4st be 2e1t in conscio4sness as an i114sion3 and m4st 1ose 2ore5er its po6er to impose itse12 on the so41 as a rea1ity7 "e m4st 2ee1 himse12 one 6ith a113 a11 m4st 1i5e and breathe in him and he in a117 "Pa#e &0)% o4bt m4st be destroyed3 b4t by 0no61edge3 not by cr4shing o4tA he m4st 0no6 reincarnation and 0arma and the e@istence o2 the (asters as 2actsA not accepting them as inte11ect4a11y necessary3 b4t 0no6ing them as 2acts in Nat4re that he has himse12 5eri2ied3 so that no do4bt on these heads can e5er again rise in his mind7 $4perstition is escaped as the man rises into a 0no61edge o2 rea1ities3 and o2 the proper p1ace o2 rites and ceremonies in the company o2 Nat4reA he 1earns to 4se e5ery means and to be bo4nd by none7 When the che1R has cast o22 these 2etters < sometimes the tas0 occ4pies se5era1 1i5es3 sometimes it is achie5ed in part o2 a sing1e 1i2e < he 2inds the second Initiation open to him3 6ith its ne6 B0ey o2 0no61edgeC and its 6idened horiOon7 The che1R no6 sees be2ore him a s6i2t1y shortening span o2 comp41sory 1i2e on earth3 2or 6hen he has reached this stage he m4st pass thro4gh his third and 2o4rth Initiations in his present 1i2e or in the ne@t7 *The che1R on the second stage o2 the path is 2or the "ind4 the &4ticha0a3 the man 6ho b4i1ds a h4tA he has reached a p1ace o2 peace7 For the B4ddhist he is the $a0rid=g=min3 the man 6ho recei5es birth b4t once more7+ In this stage he has to bring into 2411 6or0ing order the inner 2ac41ties3 those be1onging to the s4bt1e bodies3 2or he needs them 2or his ser5ice in the higher rea1ms o2 being7 I2 he has de5e1oped them pre5io4s1y3 this stage may be a 5ery brie2 one3 b4t he may pass thro4gh the gate6ay o2 death once more ere he is ready to recei5e his third Initiation3 "Pa#e &0,% to become Bthe $6an3C the indi5id4a1 6ho soars into the empyrean3 that 6ondro4s Bird o2 %i2e 6hereo2 so many 1egends are re1ated7 * The "ind4 ca11s him the Paramahamsa3 beyond the B I BA the B4ddhist names him the Arhat3 the 6orthy7+ On this third stage o2 the Path the che1R casts o22 the 2o4rth and 2i2th 2etters3 those o2 desire and a5ersionA he sees the One se12 in a113 and the o4ter 5ei1 can no 1onger b1ind him3 6hether it be 2air or 2o417 "e 1oo0s on a11 6ith an e>4a1 eyeA that 2air b4d o2 to1erance that he cherished on the probationary Path no6 21o6ers o4t into an a11?embracing 1o5e that 6raps e5erything 6ithin its tender embrace7 "e is Bthe 2riend o2 e5ery creat4re3C the B1o5er o2 a11 that 1i5esC in a 6or1d 6here a11 things 1i5e7 As a 1i5ing embodiment o2 di5ine 1o5e3 he passes s6i2t1y on6ards to the 2o4rth Initiation3 that admits him to the 1ast stage o2 the Path3 6here he is Bbeyond the Indi5id4a13C the 6orthy 3 the 5enerab1e7 * The "amsa3 he 6ho rea1ises BI am T"AT3C in the "ind4 termsA the An=g=min3 the man 6ho recei5es birth no more3 in the B4ddhist7+"ere he remains at his 6i113 casting o22 the 1ast 2ine 2etters that sti11 bind him 6ith threads ho6e5er 2ragi1e3 and 0eep him bac0 2rom 1iberation7 "e thro6s o22 a11 c1inging to 1i2e in 2orm3 and then a11 1onging 2or 2orm1ess 1i2eA these are the chains and he m4st be chain1essA he may mo5e thro4gh the three 6or1ds3 b4t not a shred o2 theirs m4st ha5e po6er to ho1d himA the sp1endo4rs o2 the B2orm1ess 6or1dC m4st charm him no more than the concrete g1ories o2 the 6or1ds o2 2orm7"Pa#e &0-%

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Then < mightiest o2 a11 achie5ements < he casts o22 the 1ast 2etter o2 separateness3 the BI Be5er ma0ing 2ac41ty <*Aham0=ra3 genera11y gi5en as (=na3 pride3 since pride is the s4bt1est mani2estation on the BIC as distinct 2rom others7+ < 6hich rea1ises itse12 as apart 2rom others3 2or he d6e11s on the p1ane o2 4nity in his 6a0ing conscio4sness3 on the b4ddhic p1ane 6here the $e12 o2 a11 is 0no6n and rea1ised as one7 This 2ac41ty 6as born 6ith the so413 is the essence o2 indi5id4a1ity3 and it persists ti11 a11 that is 5a14ab1e in it is 6or0ed into the (onad3 and it can be dropped on the thresho1d o2 1iberation3 1ea5ing its price1ess res41t to the (onad3 that sense o2 indi5id4a1 identity 6hich is so p4re and 2ine that it does not mar the conscio4sness o2 oneness7 Easi1y then drops a6ay anything that co41d respond to r4221ing contacts3 and the che1R stands robed in that g1orio4s 5est4re o2 4nchanging peace that na4ght can mar7 And the casting a6ay o2 that same BI? ma0ingC 2ac41ty has c1eared a6ay 2rom the spirit4a1 5ision the 1ast c1o4ds that co41d dim its piercing insight3 and in the rea1isation o2 4nity3 ignorance < *A5idy=3 the 2irst i114sion and the 1ast3 that 6hich ma0es the separated 6or1ds < the 2irst o2 the Nid=nas < and that 6hich drops o22 6hen 1iberation is attained7+ < the 1imitation that gi5es birth to a11 separateness < 2a11s a6ay3 and the man is per2ect3 is 2ree7 Then has come the ending o2 the Path3 and the ending o2 the Path is the thresho1d to Nir5=na7 Into that mar5e11o4s state o2 conscio4sness the "Pa#e &0.% che1R has been 6ont to pass o4t o2 the body 6hi1e he has been tra5ersing the 2ina1 stage o2 the PathA no63 6hen he crosses the thresho1d3 the nir5=nic conscio4sness becomes his norma1 conscio4sness3 2or Nir5=na is the home o2 the 1iberated $e127 *The Wi5anm40ta3 the 1iberated 1i2e3 o2 the "ind4A the Ase0ha3 he 6ho has no more to 1earn3 o2 the B4ddhist7+ "e has comp1eted manEs ascent3 he to4ches the 1imit o2 h4manityA abo5e him there stretch hosts o2 mighty Beings3 b4t they are s4perh4manA the cr4ci2i@ion in 21esh is o5er3 the ho4r o2 1iberation has str4c03 and the tri4mphant BIt is 2inishedPC rings 2rom the con>4erorEs 1ips7 $eeP < he has crossed the thresho1d3 he has 5anished into the 1ight nir5=nic3 another son o2 earth has con>4ered death7 What mysteries are 5ei1ed by that 1ight s4perna1 6e 0no6 notA dim1y 6e 2ee1 that the $4preme $e12 is 2o4nd3 that 1o5er and Be1o5ed are one7 The 1ong search is o5er3 the thirst o2 the heart is >4enched 2ore5er3 he has entered into the 8oy o2 his %ord7 B4t has earth 1ost her chi1d3 is h4manity bere2t o2 her tri4mphant sonF NayP "e has come 2orth 2rom the bosom o2 the 1ight3 and "e standeth again on the thresho1d o2 Nir5=na3 "imse12 seeming the 5ery embodiment o2 that 1ight3 g1orio4s beyond a11 te11ing3 a mani2ested $on o2 .od7 B4t no6 "is 2ace is t4rned to earth3 "is eyes beam 6ith di5inest compassion on the 6andering sons o2 men3 "is brethren a2ter the 21eshA "e cannot 1ea5e them com2ort1ess3 scattered as sheep 6itho4t a shepherd7 C1othed in the ma8esty o2 a mighty ren4nciation3 g1orio4s 6ith the "Pa#e &/0% strength o2 per2ect 6isdom and Bpo6er o2 an end1ess 1i2e3C "e ret4rns to earth to b1ess and g4ide h4manity3 (aster o2 Wisdom3 0ing1y Teacher3 di5ine (an7 Ret4rning th4s to earth3 the (aster de5otes "imse12 to the ser5ice o2 h4manity 6ith mightier 2orces at "is command than "e 6ie1ded 6hi1e "e trod the Path o2 discip1eshipA "e has dedicated "imse12 to the he1ping o2 man3 and "e bends a11 the s4b1ime po6ers that "e ho1ds to the >4ic0ening o2 the e5o14tion o2 the 6or1d7 "e pays to those 6ho are approaching the Path the debt "e contracted in the days o2 "is o6n che1=ship3 g4iding3 he1ping3 teaching them as "e 6as g4ided3 he1ped3 and ta4ght be2ore7

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

$4ch are the stages o2 manEs ascent3 2rom the 1o6est sa5agery to the di5ine manhood7 To s4ch goa1 is h4manity c1imbing3 to s4ch g1ory sha11 the race attain7 "Pa#e &//%

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

CHAPTER FII BUI DIN! A COS4OS It is not possib1e3 at o4r present stage o2 e5o14tion3 to do more than ro4gh1y indicate a 2e6 points in the 5ast o4t1ine o2 the 0osmic scheme in 6hich o4r g1obe p1ays a part7 By B a 0osmos B is here meant a system 6hich seems3 2rom o4t standpoint3 to be comp1ete in itse123 arising 2rom a sing1e %O.O$3 and s4stained by "is %i2e7 $4ch a system is o4r so1ar system3 and the physica1 s4n may be considered to be the 1o6est mani2estation o2 the %O.O$ 6hen acting as the centre o2 "is 0osmosA e5ery 2orm is indeed one o2 "is concrete mani2estations3 b4t the s4n is "is 1o6est mani2estation as the 1i2e?gi5ing3 in5igorating3 a11?per5ading3 a11 contro11ing3 reg41ati5e3 coordinating3 centra1 po6er7 $ays an occ41t commentary D B$crya *the s4n+3 in its 5isib1e re21ection3 e@hibits the 2irst or 1o6est state o2 the se5enth3 the highest state o2 the !ni5ersa1 PRE$ENCE3 the p4re o2 the p4re3 the 2irst mani2ested Breath o2 the e5er 4nmani2ested $AT *Be?ness+7 A11 the centra1 physica1 or ob8ecti5e $4ns are in their s4bstance the 1o6est state o2 the 2irst Princip1e o2 the BREAT"3 *$ecret octrineA I3 ;;T3 Adyar Ed7+3 are in short3 the 1o6est state o2 the BPhysica1 BodyC o2 the %O.O$7C A11 physica1 2orces and energies are b4t transm4tations o2 the 1i2e po4red 2orth by the s4n3 the %ord " Pa#e&/$% and .i5er o2 1i2e to his system7 "ence in many ancient re1igions the s4n stood as the symbo1 o2 the $4preme .od < the symbo13 in tr4th3 the 1east 1iab1e to misconstr4ction by the ignorant7 (r7 $innett 6e11 says D The so1ar system is indeed an area o2 Nat4re inc14ding more than any b4t the 5ery highest beings 6hom o4r h4manity is capab1e o2 de5e1oping are in position to in5estigate7 Theoretica11y 6e may 2ee1 s4re < as 6e 1oo0 4p into the hea5ens at night < that the 6ho1e so1ar system itse12 is b4t a drop in the ocean o2 the 0osmos3 b4t that drop is in its t4rn an ocean 2rom the point o2 5ie6 o2 the conscio4sness o2 s4ch ha12?de5e1oped beings 6ithin it as o4rse15es3 and 6e can on1y hope at present to ac>4ire 5ag4e and shado6y conceptions o2 its origin and constit4tion7 $hado6y3 ho6e5er3 tho4gh these may be3 they enab1e 4s to assign the s4bordinate p1anetary series3 in 6hich o4r o6n e5o14tion is carried on3 to its proper p1ace in the system o2 6hich it is a part3 or at a11 e5ents to get a broad idea o2 the re1ati5e magnit4de o2 the 6ho1e system3 o2 o4r p1anetary chain3 o2 the 6or1d in 6hich 6e are at present 24nctioning3 and o2 the respecti5e periods o2 e5o14tion in 6hich as h4man beings 6e are interested7 B For in tr4th 6e cannot grasp o4r o6n position inte11ect4a11y 6itho4t some idea < ho6e5er 5ag4e it may be < o2 o4r re1ation to the 6ho1eA and 6hi1e some st4dent are content to 6or0 6ithin their o6n sphere o2 d4ty and to 1ea5e the 6ider reaches o2 1i2e 4nti1 they are ca11ed to 24nction in them3 others 2ee1 the need o2 a 2ar?reaching scheme in 6hich they ha5e their p1ace3 and ta0e an inte11ect4a1 de1ight in soaring 4p6ards to obtain a birdEs?eye 5ie6 o2 the 6ho1e 2ie1d o2 e5o14tion7 This need has been "Pa#e &/&% recognised and met by the spirit4a1 .4ardians o2 h4manity in the magni2icent de1ineation o2 the 0osmos 2rom the standpoint o2 the occ41tist traced by their p4pi1 and messenger3 "7P7B1a5ats0y3 in The *ecret Doctrine3 a 6or0 that 6i11 become e5er more and more en1ightening as st4dents o2 the Ancient Wisdom themse15es e@p1ore and Page 1GH

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

master the 1o6er 1e5e1s o2 o4r e5o15ing 6or1d7 The appearance o2 the %O.O$3 6e are to1d3 is the hera1d o2 the birth?ho4r o2 o4r 0osmos7 BWhen "e is mani2est3 a11 is mani2ested a2ter "imA by "is mani2estation this A11 becomes mani2est7C *(4nda0opanishad3 II3 ii3 1T+7 With "imse12 "e brings the 2r4its o2 a past 0osmos < the mighty spirit4a1 Inte11igences 6ho are to be "is co?6or0ers and agents in the 4ni5erse no6 to be b4i1t7 "ighest o2 these are Bthe $e5en3C o2ten Themse15es spo0en o2 as %ogoi3 since each in "is p1ace is the centre o2 a distinct department in the 0osmos3 as the %O.O$ is the centre o2 the 6ho1e7 The commentary be2ore >4oted saysD The se5en Beings in the $4n are the $e5en "o1y Ones3 $e12?born 2rom the inherent po6er in the matri@ o2 (other?s4bstance NThe energy 2rom 6hich they sprang into conscio4s e@istence in e5ery $4n is 6hat some peop1e ca11 )ishn43 6hich is the Breath o2 the Abso14teness7 We ca11 it the one mani2ested %i2e < itse12 a re21ection o2 the Abso14te7 *$ecret octrine3 I 3 ;;13 Adyar ed7+ This Bone mani2ested %i2eC is the %O.O$3 the mani2ested .od7 "Pa#e &/'% From this primary di5ision o4r 0osmos ta0es its se5en2o1d character3 and a11 s4bse>4ent di5isions in their descending order reprod4ce this se5en?0eyed sca1e7 !nder each o2 the se5en secondary %ogoi come the descending hierarchies o2 Inte11igences that 2orm the go5erning body o2 "is 0ingdom 7 Among These 6e hear o2 the %ipi0a3 6ho are the Recorders o2 the 0arma o2 that 0ingdom and o2 a11 entities thereinA o2 the (ah=r=8as or e5ar=8as3 6ho s4perintend the 6or0ing o4t o2 0armic 1a6A and o2 the 5ast hosts o2 the B4i1ders3 6ho shape and 2ashion a11 2orms a2ter the Ideas that d6e11 in the treas4re? ho4se o2 the %O.O$3 in the !ni5ersa1 (ind3 and that pass 2rom "im to the $e5en3 each o2 6hom p1ans o4t "is o6n rea1m 4nder that s4preme direction and a11?inspiring 1i2e3 gi5ing to it3 at the same time3 "is o6n indi5id4a1 co1o4ring7 "7 P7 B1a5ats0y ca11s these $e5en Rea1ms that ma0e 4p the so1ar systems the se5en %aya centresA she says D The se5en %aya centres are the se5en Uero points3 4sing the term Uero in the same sense that chemists do3 to indicate a point at 6hich3 in Esotericism3 the sca1e o2 rec0oning o2 di22erentiation begins7 From the Centres < beyond 6hich Esoteric phi1osophy a11o6s 4s to percei5e the dim metaphysica1 o4t1ines o2 the B$e5en $onsC o2 %i2e and %ight3 the se5en %ogoi o2 the "ermetic and a11 other phi1osophies < begins the di22erentiation o2 the e1ements 6hich enter into the constit4tion o2 o4r $o1ar $ystem7*$ecret octrine3 I 3 19H3 Adyar Ed7+ This rea1m is a p1anetary e5o14tion o2 a st4pendo4s character3 the 2ie1d in 6hich are 1i5ed o4t the stages o2 1i2e o2 6hich a physica1 p1anet3 s4ch as )en4s3 is b4t a transcient embodiment7 We may spea0 o2 the E5o15er and R41er o2 this rea1m as a p1anetary "Pa#e &/(% %ogos3 so as to a5oid con24sion7 "e dra6s 2rom the matter o2 the so1ar system3 o4tpo4red 2rom the centra1 %O.O$ "imse123 the cr4de materia1s "e re>4ires3 and e1aborates them by "is o6n 1i2e?energies3 each p1anetary %ogos th4s specia1ising the matter o2 "is rea1m 2rom a common stoc07 *$ee in chapter I3 on BThe Physica1 P1aneC the statement on Page 1GM

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

the e5o14tion o2 matter7+ The atomic state in each o2 the se5en p1anes o2 "is 0ingdom being identica1 6ith the matter o2 a s4b? p1ane o2 the 6ho1e so1ar system3 contin4ity is th4s estab1ished thro4gho4t the 6ho1e7 As "7 P7 B1a5ats0y remar0s3 atoms change Btheir combining e>4i5a1ents on e5ery p1anet3C the atoms themse15es being identica13 b4t their combinations di22ering7 $he goes on D ? Not a1one the e1ements o2 o4r p1anet3 b4t e5en those o2 a11 its sisters in the so1ar system3 di22er as 6ide1y 2rom each other in their combinations3 as 2rom the cosmic e1ements beyond o4r so1ar 1imitsNEach atom has se5en p1anes o2 being3 or e@istence3 6e are ta4ght7 * $ecret octrine3 )o14me13 pages 1MM and1:G3 o2 the 199; edition or )o14me 13 1993 page /TH3 o2 the Adyar edition7+ The s4b?p1anes3 as 6e ha5e been ca11ing them3 o2 each great p1ane7 On the three 1o6er p1anes o2 "is e5o15ing rea1m the p1anetary %ogos estab1ishes se5en g1obes or 6or1ds3 6hich 2or con5enienceE sa0e3 2o11o6ing the recei5ed nomenc1at4re3 6e 6i11 ca11 g1obes A3B3C3 3E3F3.7 These are the $e5en sma11 6hee1s re5o15ing3 one gi5ing birth to the other spo0en o2 in *tanha %i, of the (oo) of DhyanI "e b4i1ds them in the 1i0eness o2 the o1der 6hee1s3 p1acing them on the imperishab1e centres7 *$ecret octrine3 )o14me 13 page MG3 o2 the 199; edition or )o14me 13 page /G93 o2 the Adyar edition7+ "Pa#e &/)% Imperishab1e3 since each 6hee1 not on1y gi5es birth to its s4ccessor3 b4t is a1so itse12 reincarnated at the same centre3 as 6e sha11 see7 These g1obes may be 2ig4red as disposed in three pairs on the arc o2 an e11ipse3 6ith the midd1e g1obe at the mid?most and 1o6est pointA 2or the most part g1obes A and . < the 2irst and se5enth < are on the Arcpa 1e5e1s o2 the menta1 p1aneA g1obes B and F < the second and si@th < are on the rSpa 1e5e1sA g1obes C and E < the third and 2i2th < are on the astra1 p1aneA g1obe < the 2o4rth < is on the physica1 p1ane7 These g1obes are spo0en o2 by "7 P7 B1a5ats0y as Bgrad4ated on the 2o4r 1o6er p1anes o2 the 6or1d o2 2ormation3C* $ecret octrine3 )o14me 13 page //13 o2 the199; edition or )o14me 13 page /G93 o2 the Adyar edition? the note is important3 that the archetypa1 6or1d is not the 6or1d as it e@isted in the mind o2 the p1anetary %ogos3 b4t the 2irst mode1 6hich 6as made7+ i.e., the physica1 and astra1 p1anes3 and the t6o s4bdi5isions o2 the menta1 *rSpa and arSpa+7 They may be 2ig4red D ? as

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

"Pa#e &/,% This

is the typica1 arrangement3 b4t it is modi2ied at certain stages o2 e5o14tion7 These se5en g1obes 2orm a p1anetary ring or chain3 and < i2 2or a moment 6e regard the p1anetary chain as a whole3 as3 so to say3 an entity3 a p1anetary 1i2e or indi5id4a1 < that chain passes thro4gh the se5en g1obes as a 6ho1e 2orm its p1anetary body3 and this p1anetary body disintegrates and is re2ormed se5en times d4ring the p1anetary 1i2e7 The p1anetary chain has se5en incarnations3 and the res41ts obtained in one are handed on to the ne@t7 8%ery such chain of worlds is the +ro!eny and creation of another lower and dead chain b its reincarnation, so to say. *$ecret octrine3 )o14me 13 page 1:M3 o2 the 199; Edition or )o14me 13 page /T:3 o2 the Adyar Edition7+ These se5en incarnations *technica11y ca11ed Bman5antarasC+ ma0e 4p Bthe p1anetary e5o14tion3C the rea1m o2 the p1anetary %ogos7 As there are se5en p1anetary %ogoi3 it 6i11 be seen that se5en o2 these p1anetary e5o14tions3 each distinct 2rom the others3 ma0e 4p the so1ar system7 *(r7 $innett ca11s these Bse5en schemes o2 e5o14tionC+7 In an occ41t commentary this coming 2orth o2 the se5en %ogoi 2rom the one3 and o2 the se5en s4ccessi5e chains o2 se5en g1obes each3 is describedD @rom one li!ht se%en li!htsF from each of the se%en, se%en times se%en. * $ecret octrine3 )o14me13 page 1G:3 o2 the 199; Edition or )o14me 13 page 19T3 o2 the Adyar edition7+ Ta0ing 4p the incarnations o2 the chain3 the "Pa#e &/-% man5antaras3 6e 1earn that these a1so are s4b? di5isib1e into se5en stagesA a 6a5e o2 1i2e 2rom the p1anetary %ogos is sent ro4nd the chain3 and se5en o2 these great 1i2e?6a5es3 each one technica11y spo0en o2 as Ba ro4nd3C comp1ete a sing1e man5antara7 Each g1obe has th4s se5en periods o2 acti5ity d4ring a man5antara3 each in t4rn becoming the 2ie1d o2 the e5o15ing 1i2e7 %oo0ing at a sing1e g1obe 6e 2ind that d4ring the period o2 its acti5ity se5en root?races o2 a h4manity Page 1G9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

e5o15e on it3 together 6ith si@ other non?h4man 0ingdoms interdependent on each other7 As these se5en 0ingdoms contain 2orms at a11 stages o2 e5o14tion3 as a11 ha5e higher reaches stretching be2ore them3 the e5o15ing 2orms o2 one g1obe pass to another to carry on their gro6th 6hen the period o2 acti5ity o2 the 2ormer g1obe comes to an end3 and go on ? 2rom g1obe to g1obe to the end o2 that ro4ndA they 24rther p4rs4e their co4rse ro4nd a2ter ro4nd to the c1ose o2 the se5en ro4nds or man5antara a2ter man5antara ti11 the end o2 reincarnations o2 their p1anetary chain is reached3 6hen the res41ts o2 that p1anetary e5o14tion are gathered 4p by the p1anetary %ogos7 Need1ess to say that scarce1y anything o2 this e5o14tion is 0no6n to 4sA on1y the sa1ient points in the st4pendo4s 6ho1e ha5e been indicated by the Teachers7 E5en 6hen 6e come to the p1anetary e5o14tion in 6hich o4r o6n 6or1d is a stage3 6e 0no6 nothing o2 the processes thro4gh 6hich its se5en g1obes "Pa#e &/.% e5o15ed d4ring its 2irst t6o man5antarasA and o2 its third man5antara 6e on1y 0no6 that the g1obe 6hich is no6 o4r moon 6as g1obe o2 that p1anetary chain7 This 2act3 ho6e5er3 may he1p 4s to rea1ise more c1ear1y 6hat is meant by these s4ccessi5e reincarnations o2 a p1anetary chain7 The se5en g1obes 6hich 2ormed the 14nar chain passed in d4e co4rse thro4gh their se5en2o1d e5o14tionA se5en times the 1i2e?6a5e3 the Breath o2 the p1anetary %ogos3 s6ept ro4nd the chain3 >4ic0ening in t4rn each g1obe into 1i2e7 It is as tho4gh that %ogos in g4iding "is 0ingdom t4rned "is attention 2irst to g1obe A3 and thereon bro4ght into s4ccessi5e e@istence the inn4merab1e 2orms that in their tota1ity ma0e 4p a 6or1dA 6hen e5o14tion had been carried to a certain point3 "e t4rned "is attention to g1obe B3 and g1obe A s1o61y san0 into a peace241 s1eep7 Th4s the 1i2e 6a5e 6as carried 2rom g1obe to g1obe3 4nti1 one ro4nd o2 the circ1e 6as comp1eted by g1obe . 2inishing its e5o14tionA then there s4cceeded a period o2 rest3 *technica11y ca11ed a pra1aya+3 d4ring 6hich the e@terna1 e5o14tionary acti5ity ceased7 At the c1ose o2 this period3 e@terna1 e5o14tion recommenced3 starting on its second ro4nd and beginning as be2ore on g1obe A7 The process is repeated si@ times3 b4t 6hen the se5enth3 the 1ast ro4nd3 is reached3 there is a change7 .1obe A3 ha5ing accomp1ished its se5enth 1i2e?period3 grad4a11y disintegrates3 and the imperishab1e 1aya centre state s4per5enesA 2rom that3 at the da6n o2 the s4cceeding man5antara a ne6 g1obe A "Pa#e &$0% is e5o15ed < 1i0e a ne6 body < in 6hich the Bprincip1esC o2 the preceding p1anet A ta0e 4p their abode7 This phrase is on1y intended to con5ey the idea o2 a re1ation bet6een g1obe A o2 the 2irst man5antara and g1obe A o2 the second3 the nat4re o2 that connection remains hidden7 O2 the connection bet6een g1obe o2 the 14nar man5antara < o4r moon < and g1obe o2 the terrene man5antara < o4r earth < 6e 0no6 1itt1e more3 and (r7 $innett has gi5en a con5enient s4mmary o2 the s1ender 0no61edge 6e possess in The system to which we 1elon!7 "e saysD? The ne6 earth neb41a 6as de5e1oped ro4nd a centre bearing pretty m4ch the same re1ation to the dying p1anet that the centres o2 the earth and moon bear to one another at present7 B4t in the neb41o4s condition this aggregation o2 matter occ4pied an enormo4s1y greater 5o14me than the so1id matter o2 the earth no6 occ4pies7 It stretched o4t in a11 directions so as to inc14de the o1d p1anet in its 2iery embrace7 The temperat4re o2 the ne6 neb41a appears to be considerab1e higher than any temperat4res 6e are ac>4ainted 6ith3 and by this means the o1d p1anet 6as s4per2icia11y heated a2resh in s4ch Page 1G9

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

a manner that a11 atmosphere3 6ater3 and 5o1ati1isab1e matter 4pon it 6as bro4ght into the gaseo4s condition and so became amenab1e to the ne6 centre o2 attraction set 4p at the centre o2 the ne6 neb41a7 In this 6ay the air and seas o2 the o1d p1anet 6ere dra6n o5er into the constit4tion o2 the ne6 one3 and th4s it is that the moon in its present state is an arid3 g1aring mass3 dry and c1o4d1ess3 no 1onger habitab1e3 and no 1onger re>4ired 2or the habitation o2 any physica1 beings7 When the present man5antara is near1y o5er3 d4ring the se5enth ro4nd3 its disintegration 6i11 be comp1eted and the matter 6hich it sti11 ho1ds together 6i11 reso15e into meteoric d4st7*Op 7cit73 Page 19+ In the third 5o14me o2 The *ecret Doctrine3 in 6hich are printed some o2 the ora1 teachings gi5en by "7P7B1a5ats0y to her more ad5anced p4pi1s3 it is statedD At the beginning o2 the e5o14tion o2 o4r g1obe3 the moon 6as m4ch nearer to the earth3 and 1arger than it is no67 It has retreated 2rom 4s3 and shr4n0 m4ch in siOe7*The moon ga5e a11 her princip1es to the earth7+ A ne6 moon 6i11 appear d4ring the se5enth ro4nd3 and o4r moon 6i11 2ina11y disintegrate and disappear7 *Op7 Cit7 III3 HM/3 199; Ed7+ E5o14tion d4ring the 14nar man5antara prod4ced se5en c1asses o2 beings3 technica11y ca11ed Fathers3 or Pitris3 since it 6as they 6ho generated the beings o2 the terrene man5antara7 These are the %4nar Pitris o2 the *ecret Doctrine7 (ore de5e1oped than these 6ere t6o other c1asses < 5ario4s1y ca11ed $o1ar Pitris3 (en3 %o6er hy=nis < too 2ar ad5anced to enter on the terrene e5o14tion in its ear1y stages3 b4t re>4iring the aid o2 1ater physica1 conditions 2or their 24t4re gro6th7 The higher o2 these t6o c1asses consisted o2 indi5id4a1ised anima1?1i0e beings3 creat4res 6ith embryonic so41s3 i.e., they had de5e1oped the ca4sa1 bodyA the second 6ere approaching its 2ormation7 %4nar Pitris3 the 2irst c1ass3 6ere at the beginning o2 that approach sho6ing menta1ity3 6hi1e the second and third had on1y de5e1oped the 0=mic princip1e7 These se5en c1asses o2 %4nar Pitris 6ere the prod4ct the 14nar chain handed on 2or 24rther de5e1opment to the terrene3 the 2o4rth reincarnation o2 the p1anetary chain7 "Pa#e &$/% As (onads < 6ith the menta1 princip1e present in the 2irst3 the 0=mic princip1e de5e1oped in the second and third c1asses3 this germina1 in the 2o4rth3 on1y approaching the germ stage in the sti11 1ess de5e1oped 2i2th3 and imperceptib1e in the si@th and se5enth < these entities entered the earth?chain3 to enso41 the e1ementa1 essence and the 2orms shaped by the B4i1ders7 * "7P7B1a5ats0y3 in the $ecret octrine3 does not inc14de those 6hom (r7 $innett ca11s 2irst < and second?c1ass Pitris in the Bmonads 2rom the 14nar chainC D she ta0es them apart as Bmen3C as B hy=n Chohans7C Compare )o14me 13 pages 19:3 /T: and /11 o2 the 199; editionA )o14me 13 pages //:3 /;M and /;9 o2 the Adyar edition+ The nomenc1at4re adopted by me is that o2 the *ecret Doctrine. In the 5a14ab1e paper by (rs7 $innett and (r7 $cott?E11iot on the Aunar Pitris3 "7P7B7Es B%o6er hyanis3C that incarnate in the third and 2o4rth ro4nds3 are ta0en as the 2irst and second c1asses o2 %4nar PitrisA their third c1ass is there2ore "7P7B7Es 2irst c1ass3 their 2o4rth c1ass her second and so on7 There is no di22erence in the statement o2 2acts3 on1y in nomenc1at4re3 b4t this di22erence o2 nomenc1at4re may mis1ead the st4dent i2 it be not e@p1ained7 As I am Page 1HT

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

4sing "7P7BEs nomenc1at4re3 my 2e11o6?st4dents o2 the %ondon %odge and readers o2 their BTransactionC 6i11 need to remember that my 2irst is their third3 and so on se>4entia11y7 The BB4i1dersC is a name inc14ding inn4merab1e Inte11igences3 hierarchies o2 beings o2 grad4ated conscio4sness and po6er3 6ho on each p1ane carry o4t the act4a1 b4i1ding o2 2orms7 The higher "Pa#e &$&% direct and contro13 6hi1e the 1o6er 2ashion the materia1s a2ter the mode1s pro5ided7 And no6 appears the 4se o2 the s4ccessi5e g1obes o2 the p1anetary chain7 .1obe A is the archetypa1 6or1d3 on 6hich are b4i1t the mode1s o2 the 2orms that are to be e1aborated d4ring the ro4ndA 2rom the mind o2 the p1anetary %ogos the highest B4i1ders ta0e the archetypa1 Ideas3 and g4ide the B4i1ders on the arcpa 1e5e1s as they 2ashion the archetypa1 2orms 2or the ro4nd7 On g1obe B these 2orms are reprod4ced in 5aried shapes in menta1 matter by a 1o6er ran0 o2 B4i1ders3 and are e5o15ed s1o61y a1ong di22erent 1ines3 4nti1 they are ready to recei5e an in2i1tration o2 denser matterA then the B4i1ders in astra1 matter ta0e 4p the tas03 and on g1obe C 2ashion astra1 2orms3 6ith detai1s more 6or0ed o4tA 6hen the 2orms ha5e been e5o15ed as 2ar as the astra1 conditions permit3 the B4i1ders o2 g1obe ta0e 4p the tas0 o2 2orm?shaping on the physica1 p1ane3 and the 1o6est 0inds o2 matter are th4s 2ashioned into appropriate types3 and the 2orms reach their densest and most comp1ete condition7 From this midd1e point on6ards the nat4re o2 the e5o14tion some 6hat changesA hitherto the greatest attention had been directed to the b4i1ding o2 the 2ormA on the ascending arc the chie2 attention is directed to 4sing the 2orm as a 5ehic1e o2 the e5o15ing 1i2e and on the second ha12 o2 the e5o14tion on g1obe 3 and on g1obes E and F the conscio4sness e@presses itse12 2irst on the physica1 and then on the astra1 and 1o6er menta1 p1anes thro4gh the e>4i5a1ents o2 the 2orms e1aborated on the descending arc7"Pa#e &$'% On the descending arc the monad impresses itse12 as best it may on the e5o15ing 2orms3 and these impressions3 and so onA on the ascending arc the (onad e@presses itse12 throu!h the 2orms as their inner r41er7 On g1obe . the per2ection o2 the ro4nd is reached3 the (onad inhabiting and 4sing as its 5ehic1es the archetypa1 2orms o2 g1obe A7 4ring a11 these stages the %4nar Pitris ha5e acted as the so41s o2 the 2orms3 brooding o5er them3 1ater inhabiting them7 It is on the 2irst?c1ass Pitris that the hea5iest b4rden o2 the 6or0 2a11s d4ring the 2irst three ro4nds7 The second and third?c1ass Pitris 21o6 into the 2orms 6or0ed 4p by the 2irstA the 2irst prepare these 2orms by enso41ing them 2or a time and then pass on3 1ea5ing them 2or the tenancy o2 the second and third c1asses7 By the end o2 the 2irst ro4nd the archetypa1 2orms o2 the minera1 6o41d ha5e been bro4ght do6n3 to be e1aborated thro4gh the s4cceeding ro4nds3 ti11 they reach their densest state in the midd1e o2 the 2o4rth ro4nd7 BFireC is the Be1ementC o2 this 2irst ro4nd7 In the second ro4nd the 2irst?c1ass Pitris contin4e their h4man e5o14tion3 on1y to4ching the 1o6er stages as the h4man 2oet4s sti11 to4ches them today3 6hi1e the second?c1ass3 at the c1ose o2 the ro4nd3 ha5e reached the incipient h4man stage7 The great 6or0 o2 the ro4nd is bringing do6n the archetypa1 2orms o2 5egetab1e 1i2e3 6hich 6i11 reach their per2ection in the 2i2th ro4nd7 BAirC is the second ro4nd Be1ementC7
"Pa#e &$(%

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The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

In the third ro4nd the 2irst?c1ass Pitris becomes de2inite1y h4man in 2ormA tho4gh the body is 8e11y?1i0e and gigantic3 it is yet3 on g1obe 3 compact eno4gh to begin to stand 4prightA he is ape?1i0e and is co5ered 6ith hairy brist1es7 The third?c1ass Pitris reach the incipient h4man stage7 $econd c1ass so1ar Pitris ma0e their 2irst appearance on g1obe in this ro4nd3 and ta0e the 1ead in h4man e5o14tion7 The archetypa1 2orms o2 anima1s are bro4ght do6n to be e1aborated into per2ection by the end o2 the si@th ro4nd3 and B6aterC is the characteristic Be1ement7C The 2o4rth ro4nd3 the midd1e one o2 the se5en that ma0e 4p the terrene man5antara3 is disting4ished by bringing to g1obe A the archetypa1 2orms o2 h4manity3 this ro4nd being as distincti5e1y h4man as its predecessors 6ere respecti5e1y anima13 5egetab1e3 and minera17 Not i11 the se5enth ro4nd 6i11 these 2orms be 2411y rea1ised by h4manity3 b4t the possibi1ities o2 the h4man 2orm are mani2ested in the archetypes in the 2o4rth7 ZEarthC is the Be1ementC o2 this ro4nd3 the densest3 the most materia17 The 2irst?c1ass so1ar Pitris may be said to ho5er ro4nd g1obe more or 1ess in this ro4nd d4ring its ear1y stages o2 acti5ity3 b4t they do not de2inite1y incarnate 4nti1 a2ter the third great o4t?po4ring o2 1i2e 2rom the p1anetary %ogos in the midd1e o2 the third race3 and then on1y s1o61y3 the n4mber increasing as the race progresses3 and m41tit4des incarnating in the ear1y 2o4rth race7 The e5o14tion o2 h4manity on o4r earth3 g1obe 3 o22ers in a strong1y mar0ed 2orm the contin4a1 se5en2o1d di5ersity a1ready o2ten a114ded to7 $e5en races o2 men had a1ready sho6n themse15es in the third ro4nd3 and in the 2o4rth these 24ndamenta1 di5isions became 5ery c1ear on g1obe C3 6here se5en races3 each 6ith s4b?races e5o15ed7 On g1obe h4manity begins 6ith a First Race < 4s4a11y ca11ed a Root Race < at se5en di22erent points3 Bse5en o2 them3 each on his 1ot7C *(oo) of Dhyan /*tanhas of Dhyan, &I "&+7 < *ecret Doctrine3 )o14me /3 page 193 o2 the 199;3 edition< )o14me ;3 page /93 o2 the Adyar edition7+ These se5en types side by side3 not s4ccessi5e < ma0e 4p the 2irst root?race3 and each again has its o6n se5en s4b?races7 From the 2irst root?race < 8e11y?1i0e amorpho4s creat4res < e5o15es the second root?race 6ith 2orms o2 more de2inite consistency3 and 2rom it the third3 ape?1i0e creat4res that become c14msy gigantic men7 In the midd1e o2 the e5o14tion o2 this third root?race3 ca11ed the %em4rian3 there come to earth < 2rom another p1anetary chain3 that o2 )en4s3 m4ch 2arther ad5anced in its e5o14tion < members o2 its high1y e5o15ed h4manity3 g1orio4s Beings3 o2ten spo0en o2 as $ons o2 Fire3 2rom Their radiant appearance3 a 1o2ty order among the $ons o2 (ind7 *(anasap4tra7 This 5ast hierarchy o2 se12?conscio4s inte11igences embraces many orders7+ They ta0e 4p Their abode on earth3 as the i5ine Teachers o2 the yo4ng h4manity3 some o2 them acting as channe1s 2or the third o4tpo4ring and pro8ecting into anima1 man the spar0 o2 monadic 1i2e 6hich 2orms the ca4sa1 body7 Th4s the 2irst3 second3 and third c1asses o2 %4nar Pitris become indi5id4a1ised < the 5ast "Pa#e &$,% b410 o2 h4manity7 The t6o c1asses o2 so1ar Pitris3 a1ready indi5id4a1ised < the 2irst ere 1ea5ing the 14nar chain and the second 1ater < 2orm t6o 1o6 orders o2 the $ons o2 (indA the second incarnate in the third race at its midd1e point3 and the 2irst come in 1ater3 2or the most part in the 2o4rth race3 the At1antean7 The 2i2th3 or Aryan race3 no6 1eading h4man e5o14tion3 6as e5o15ed 2rom the 2i2th s4b?race o2 the At1antean3 the most promising 2ami1ies being in Centra1 Asia3 and the ne6 race?type e5o15ed3 4nder the direct s4perintendence o2 a .reat Being3 technica11y ca11ed a (an47 Emerging 2rom Centra1 Asia the 2irst s4b?race sett1ed in India3 so4th o2 the "ima1=yas3 and in their 2o4r orders o2 teachers3 6arriors3 Page 1H/

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant

merchants3 and 6or0men3 * Br=hmanas3 &shattriyas3 )aishyas and $h4dras + became the dominant race in the 5ast Indian penins41a3 con>4ering the 2o4rth?race and third?race nations 6ho then inhabited it7 At the end o2 the se5enth race o2 the se5enth ro4nd3 i.e., at the c1ose o2 o4r terrene man5antara3 o4r chain 6i11 hand on to its s4ccessor the 2r4its o2 its 1i2eA these 2r4its 6i11 be the per2ected di5ine men3 B4ddhas3 (an4s3 Chohans3 (asters3 ready to ta0e 4p 6or0 o2 g4iding e5o14tion 4nder the direction o2 the p1anetary %ogos3 6ith hosts o2 1ess e5o15ed entities o2 e5ery grade o2 conscio4sness3 6ho sti11 need physica1 e@perience 2or the per2ecting o2 their di5ine possibi1ities7 The 2i2th3 si@th3 and se5enth "Pa#e &$-% man5antaras o2 o4r chain are sti11 in the 6omb o2 the 24t4re a2ter this 2o4rth one has c1osed3 and then the p1anetary %ogos 6i11 gather 4p into "imse12 a11 the 2r4its o2 e5o14tion3 and 6ith his chi1dren enter on a period o2 rest and b1iss7 O2 that high state 6e cannot spea0A ho6 at this stage o2 o4r e5o14tion co41d 6e dream o2 its 4nimaginab1e g1oryA on1y 6e dim1y 0no6 that o4r g1ad spirits sha11 Benter into the 8oy o2 the %ord3C and3 resting in "im3 sha11 see stretching be2ore them bo4nd1ess ranges o2 s4b1ime 1i2e and 1o5e3 heights and depths o2 po6er and 8oy3 1imit1ess as the One E@istence3 ine@ha4stab1e as the One that Is7 PEACE TO A BEIN!S

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