 |
vol. title: vol. period: 1882 pages in vol.: 174 A blue curved stroke appears above the right-hand “Notes by the Way” heading. Red strokes appear in the left margin, and a dark wavy line crosses part of the line beginning “Principle, through a variety”. The writer has not been identified. |
Light:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1882.
NOTES BY THE WAY.
Contributed by “M.A. (Oxon.)”
Respecting the question put to me by “A Subscriber,” I can but say what I have gathered from what has been at various times told me. There is, as I learn, a system of spiritual evolution akin to that known by that name on this earth. Manifestly we do not all arrive here on the same plane of progression, though we cannot remember the events which have trained and developed us. Probably we are the result of various experiments, our characters the outcome of different experiences in different states of existence, I do not say on different planets, but in various environments. As Mr. F. F. Cook pointed out in the course of his late papers, the Ego may be expressing itself in various ways, gathering up its mite of experience from each phase of life; the finished character is the final outcome of the experiences of the Ego, the Immortal Principle, through a variety of “lives.” I have always understood that it is at incarnation, i.e., as far as man is concerned, at his birth on this earth, that the Immortal Principle is given. Before a duality, he then becomes a trinity, possessed of a potential immortality, accountable morally, and gifted with opportunities of development which he may use and progress; and which equally he may abuse and retrogress. In the former case he passes to a new and higher experience in a state not dissimilar from that which he leaves when he quits this world. In the latter he passes into an inferior state, becoming what the Occultists call an Elementary. He has, perhaps, led a sensual life and starved his spiritual nature, and his lower psychical principle dominates and drags him down. Such beings gratify tastes which survive only to torment them, by vicarious self-indulgence, and are obsessing Spirits who drive on the weak to crime and sin. They who have not yet reached the plane of incarnation are those who have not yet received the immortal principle and with it conscience and accountability. But these are profound mysteries, and I am a very insufficient expositor of what I do not profess to regard as clearly established and defined in my own mind. There are also various other views not less worthy of attention, and, probably, all are imperfect representations of truth. I may add that the letter of “A.P.S.” in another column contains some most suggestive thoughts which are to the point here.
LIGHT.
September 9, 1882.
Spirit Teachings.—To the Editor of “Light.”—Sir,—In No. XXX. of those most interesting articles, entitled “Spirit Teachings,” the following passages occur:—“Remember that you may be watching the manifestations of the presence of a being without soul, and so without conscience.” “Either those who have passed through incarnation without progress, or those who have reached, but have not yet attained thoroughly to it. These last are most powerful agents, but they know no distinctions of morality.” I am under the impression, but cannot, unfortunately, find the passage, that in some previous number of these lessons it has been stated that the rôle fulfilled by the earth among planets, was the important one of conferring personality. The above extracts would appear to infer that Spirit evolution is effected under a law entailing migration from planet to planet, and in the course of which migrations certain definite spiritual properties or mind qualities are imparted by each planet to the Spirit. Would “M.A. (Oxon.)” kindly consent to enlighten us by a few words of explanation as to “Imperator’s” view of this subject?—Yours, &c., A Subscriber.
NOTES BY THE WAY.
Contributed by “M.A. (Oxon.)”
The August number of the Theosophist contains the latest attempt on the part of the Occultist authorities to post us up on our chances of Re-Incarnation. What with Mr. F. F. Cook, the authors of the “Perfect Way,” Kardec, the Adept Brothers, and Madame Blavatsky, a “multitude of counsellors” indeed, there ought to be wisdom. As a matter of fact, what there is is not very clear. But I gather that the author of “Isis Unveiled” was at first “not permitted to enter into details”—now “she is told to do so.” She says that “Re-Incarnation, i.e., the appearance of the same individual, or rather of his astral monad (or the personality, as claimed by the modern Re-Incarnationists) twice on the same planet is not a rule in nature, but an exception.” If it be asked what is this “astral monad,” it is replied that man is a trinity, consisting of spirit, soul, and body. Each member of this trinity is made up of component parts. The body—of the astral body,; the life principle, and the physical body. They die absolutely when the change called death supervenes. The soul is composed of the mind (animal soul) and passion. These together form the astral monad, or personal Ego, and its vehicle. They survive the change called death, and it is these that, under exceptional circumstances, are Re-Incarnated or, usually, are destroyed after a time. These are “shells,” according to the Theosophist, that communicate at circles, maintaining a certain fitful and specious identity for a time until extinction comes. The spirit or individuality is the Spiritual monad, and is eternally indestructible. The man’s future state depends on what he makes himself now, and whether he is Re-Incarnated or becomes a “shell” depends on his present life. At any rate, the man that we know will not be re-born, but his Spiritual monad will re-clothe itself “in various human forms, every one of them a new personality, thousands of times before the end of the great cycle.” That seems to be the latest word of wisdom, or more precisely, the most recent expression of opinion by those who approach the subject from an Oriental point of view.
STRANGE POWER OF AN ORIENTAL.
The following is a translation from a narrative contributed to Licht, mehr Licht, of August 20th:—
After the defeat of the Turks in the late war, a border town abandoned by the fugitives was occupied by a company of the victorious army, who quartered themselves in the deserted houses. The landlord of an inn, who had not taken flight, reported to a party of the military established in his house, that there was, in an upper room, a Dervish (Turkish monk), who had likewise remained, and whom he had seen perform things so wonderful as to be almost incredible. He offered to introduce his guests to this man, that they might see for themselves, as the Dervish was always ready to exhibit his mysterious power to serious observers. As it was known that among the Ismalite monkhood were many adepts of the secret art, great curiosity was excited by the landlord’s account, and the guests agreed at once to visit the Dervish in a body. Thereupon some ten persons, introduced by the host, entered the apartment of the supposed magician. My informant is an officer, and was an eye-witness of the whole proceeding. He shall speak for himself.
“On our entrance, we saw the Dervish sitting cross-legged, after the manner of Orientals, on a cloth spread out on the floor. He received us with Eastern politeness and friendship, and invited us to sit down. The landlord having provided each of us, at our request, with a cup of Mokka, we sat in a circle round the Dervish, who courteously desired us to remain quiet and silent.* He now took in his hand a small staff hanging on the wall above him, waved it twice in the air, and down there tumbled in front of us a flock of sprightly young geese, with the old ones. Another wave of the hand and they all disappeared.
<... continues on page 14-30 >
Editor's notes
- ↑ The handwritten “2 and 9” is above the printed date, with a caret after “16”. The writer has not been identified.
- ↑ Notes by the Way. by unknown author (signed as M. A. (Oxon.)), Light, Vol. II, No. 89
- ↑ Spirit Teachings. by unknown author (signed as A Subscriber), Light, v. 2, No. 88, September 9, 1882. Printed source page: 406.
- ↑ Notes by the Way. by unknown author (signed as M. A. (Oxon.)), Light, v. 2, No. 88, September 9, 1882. Printed source page: 401.
- ↑ Strange Power of an Oriental. by unknown author (signed as J. Pl.), Light, v. 2, No. 88, September 9, 1882. Printed source page: 404.
Sources
-
Light, v. 2, No. 89, September 16, 1882, p. 409
-
Light, v. 2, No. 88, September 9, 1882, pp. 401, 404, 406