A Treatise on Cosmic Fire

by Alice A Bailey

  There is also, the Wheel of a race, or the lesser cycle of incarnations—forming a definite series—wherein the incarnating Monad cycles through a number of lives in a particular race.

  All these cycles of periodic manifestation are concerned primarily with the appearance, or the manifesting of the “sparks” upon one or other of the three planes in the three worlds, or in some part of the physical body of the planetary Logos. The lesser cycles deal with this; the greater turning of the wheel concerns also the appearance, or flashing forth, of the sparks in the planetary or systemic etheric body, or on the four higher planes of our solar system. We can picture to ourselves the glory of this concept; the downpouring of the streams of fiery sparks; their flashing forth into points of intensified fire as they meet conditions which produce occult “ignition”; and the constant circulation of the forty-nine fires constructed of the sixty thousand million human Monads and the countless streams of deva monads: fire on every side—a network of fiery rivers of living energy, focal points of intensified brilliancy and everywhere the sparks.

  There are a few more remarks to be made anent the turning of the various wheels, and we can then take up the consideration of motion and the sheaths.

  Within all those wheels which we have enumerated, are many lesser wheels all governed by the same laws, actuated by the same three forms of activity, and all (in their totality) forming one great whole. It will be apparent [1094] to all conscientious students that the founders of the symbolical method managed to convey in the symbol of the wheel an idea of the triplicity of all atomic activity:

  a. The central point of active positive force the hub.

  b. The negative stream of life the radiating spokes.

  c. The sphere of activity itself, the effect of the interplay of these two the circumference of the wheel.

  If the student can picture those wheels in activity, if he can visualise all parts of the wheel as composed of lesser living wheels, and if he can work into his picture a hint of the interplay of all these fiery essences, coloured with certain predominant hues, he will become aware of conditions, and see before him a picture which is ever apparent to the illuminated seer. If, before doing this, he can vision the whole of the systemic wheel as in a constant state of circulation, in which the tiny lesser lives are impelled by the force of the central solar life to pass throughout the extent of the wheel so that they come in contact with all parts of the wheel, and are impressed by all the varying types of “power-substance,” then the general nature of the method can be somewhat ascertained. We use the term “motion,” but what do we really mean? Simply, and literally, the manifestation of the energy generated through the bringing together of certain aspects of energy, and the triple result thereby produced; the activities resulting from this stream of dynamic electrical energy, emanating from some centre, which sweeps into response all that it contacts, and which holds the responsive units in some form or another.

  From the occult standpoint, all that manifests is spheroidal in form, and is appropriately called a wheel, yet (in dense physical manifestation) the forms are diverse, and many, and unless etheric vision is present, the spheroidal forms of all lives are not apparent. How can this [1095] be explained? There are three major reasons for this illusion, and these we might here touch upon, finding in the word “illusion” (315) the key to the mystery.

  We have been told in connection with the dense physical body that it is not considered a principle and is not (in this second solar system) expressing those qualities which are characteristic of the solar Logos and His present incarnation. We are told, further, that the grosser dense forms of substance, all that is objective and tangible upon the physical plane, are vibrating to a key which is characteristic of the preceding system, being a left-over (if so it might be expressed) of an earlier kalpa.

  These two points must be carefully borne in mind and latitude allowed for them, when endeavouring to express the truth anent motion. Therefore, a number of the atoms of matter are as yet governed by an internal life which has for its main, distinctive feature, the faculty of a much closer adhesion, and a decisiveness of grouping that is inherently characteristic of the present body of manifestation of the solar system. We must remember when considering this, that all that is dense and gross in all forms, concerns only those forms on the three lower subplanes of the lowest systemic planes; the forms are constructed of matter of all the planes, but the percentage of gross matter is as we can plainly see but small. Interaction for the mineral monad exists, and completely negatives the vibration of the three lower subplanes of the physical plane; it passes eventually into forms which are more closely allied to the “true form.”

  The mineral monad has a problem slightly at variance with that of the other kingdoms, for it is specifically an [1096] expression of the lives which were classed as the failures of a previous solar system, and which were doomed to immerse themselves in the forms of the mineral kingdom. Liberation for man comes when he succeeds in freeing himself from the vibration of the three lower planes of our solar system, from that part of the logoic manifestation which constitutes His dense body, and which He does not therefore regard as a principle. It will, consequently, be apparent that there is a correspondence worthy of study to be found in the relation between the mineral monad, a human being, and a solar Logos. Viewing these three as an esoteric triplicity much light may be gained by meditation upon them as

  a. The residual vibration of system 1,

  b. The medial point of activity of system 2,

  c. The subjective energy of the present system.

  In the comprehension of this, and in the realisation that there are forces present in nature which are in the nature of left-overs, we have the clue to much of the puzzling side of manifestation, to the cruelty and death, the suffering, and the agony which are seen in the vegetable and animal kingdoms. In the term animal kingdom I include man’s physical body. We have also the clue to some aspects of the left hand Path, and a clue to the problem of the basic cause of the appearance of such existences as black magicians. Just as no human being can escape the effects of energy generated by him in an early life, so the solar Logos Himself is working out and so held back by influences which are the result of His earlier activities in System 1.

  The dense physical forms are an illusion because they are due to the reaction of the eye to those forces about which we have been speaking. Etheric vision, or the power to see energy-substance, is true vision for the human being, just as the etheric is the true form. But until [1097] the race is further evolved, the eye is aware of, and responds to the heavier vibration only. Gradually it will shake itself free from the lower and coarser reactions, and become an organ of true vision. It might be of interest here to remember the occult fact that as the atoms in the physical body of the human being pursue their evolution, they pass on and on to ever better forms, and eventually find their place within the eye, first of animals and then of man. This is the highest dense form into which they are built, and marks the consummation of the atom of dense matter. Occultly understood, the eye is formed through the interplay of certain streams of force, of which there are three in the animal, and five in the human being. By their conjunction and interaction, they form what is called “the triple opening” or the “fivefold door” out of which the animal soul or the human spirit can “look out upon the world illusion.”

  The final reason why the spheroidal true form of everything is apparently not seen on the planet can only at this stage be expressed through a quotation from an old esoteric manuscript in the Masters’ archives:

  “The vision of the higher sphere is hidden in the destiny of the fourth form of substance. The eye looks downwards and, behold, the atom disappears from view. The eye looks sideways and the dimensions merge, and again the atom disappears.

  Outward it looks but sees the atom out of all proportion. When the eye negates the downward vision, and sees all from within outwards, the spheres again will be seen.”

>   V. MOTION AND THE FORM-BUILDING IMPULSE

  1. Motion and the Mental Sheath.

  In the first section of this treatise we dealt somewhat with various phases of activity when considering “fire by friction,” and the fiery motion of substance itself. We will only touch on some further aspects of the matter, for it is necessary that the student should bear in mind certain [1098] things. He should endeavour to ascertain the relationship between the universal mind (or the systemic mind) and cosmic mind, and seek to comprehend the purpose of the mental sheath, which is one of the most interesting of the various bodies on account of its fiery gaseous constitution. He should also seek to bring about through meditation that mental control and alignment which will result in stabilisation, and a responsiveness to causal impression. This will lead to the transmission of egoic instruction to the man on the physical plane.

  Certain points in connection with the mental sheath require emphasising, though it is not our purpose to do more than call attention to their nature. Under the law of correspondence, the student should be able to arrive at certain conclusions and judge wisely the assignment of purpose and place to the particular set of lunar pitris who form the vehicle.

  The mental body is composed of only four types of essence, whereas the astral body and the physical are formed of seven types. The devas who compose this body are grouped together as “the cohorts of the fourth order” and have a close connection with that group of cosmic Lives who (through the impress of their influence upon solar matter) are responsible for the fact that our solar system is a system of the fourth order. This group of Lives is manipulated and controlled, in the macrocosmic sense, from cosmic mental levels via the central spiritual sun, and through what is called in esoteric parlance “the fourth solar cavity.” If students will meditate upon the nature of the human heart and its various divisions, and particularly upon one of the valves, light upon this complex problem may be forthcoming. There is a constant inflow of energy from these great Entities on cosmic mental levels; this inflow is the very life itself of the solar units who are the sumtotal of the four lower subplanes of the mental plane, and consequently the life [1099] of the individual units who form the mental bodies of all human beings.

  It will be apparent to all careful students that on all the planes, the fourth subplane has a peculiar and close relation to the fourth Creative Hierarchy, that of the human monads, and this is peculiarly the case in connection with the mental body. Through the medium of the plane number (five), and the subplane number (four), the possibility of initiation for the human being becomes a fact and that particular form of activity which distinguishes his progress is brought about. There are, therefore, two main streams of energy responsible for the form of the mental sheaths,

  a. That emanating from the fourth subplane of the cosmic mental plane, including consequently the remaining three subplanes.

  b. That emanating from the aggregate of those lives who form the fourth Creative Hierarchy. As we know, the esoteric number of this Hierarchy is nine, the exoteric number being four.

  It is the blending of these two streams of force which (within the confines of the three worlds) results in the progressive activity of man. When this is coupled with the self-engendered action of the individual atoms of any sheath, we have spiral-progressive motion. This is true macrocosmically and microcosmically, for the activity of the cosmic physical plane (our seven systemic planes), is largely dependent upon the co-ordinated activity of certain force manifestations, which might be enumerated as follows:

  a. That of the fourth Creative Hierarchy, who, in their aggregate, form the force centres.

  b. The emanating influences of the fourth cosmic ether, the buddhic plane, upon which is dependent, [1100] throughout the system, the manifestation of that which is tangible and objective.

  c. The opening up, both macrocosmically and microcosmically, of the fourth aspect of the solar and human egoic lotus; this is the revelation of the “Jewel in the Lotus,” and macrocosmically is the perfect co-ordination of the three aspects through the medium of substance; this is the completion of logoic purpose, which is that of the fourth group. It might be expressed otherwise:

  “When all is known of the significance of fourth dimensional existence, then the fourth order with the fifth will complete the sacred nine.”

  d. The specific alignment, interplay or free circulation of force simultaneously through the following manifestations of the one life:

  1. The logoic Quaternary and equally the human.

  2. The fourth systemic ether.

  3. The fourth cosmic ether, the buddhic.

  4. The fourth Creative Hierarchy.

  When this has been completed, the goal universal will have been reached, and the Logos will have assumed the desired control of His physical body; the human units will be then functioning upon the buddhic plane, and the groups of lives who form the mental bodies of the human beings (who are numerically allied with the above progression) will have equally achieved.

  Certain influences and forces play upon the mental sheath of any human being, and produce in it that activity which is termed “spiral progressive.” These forces might be briefly considered as comprising the following:

  1. The energies of the atoms of substance which compose the mental body.

  2. The energies of the lunar father who is the coherent [1101] life of the mental group body. These two groups concern the Not-Self, the third aspect of monadic manifestation.

  3. The energies of the solar Angel, or Father, which is the co-ordinating principle behind manifestation in the three worlds.

  4. The energies of the intelligent lives who form the body egoic. These lives find their emanating source on other levels than the systemic. These two groups concern the egoic principle, the middle principle which links the above and the below, and is the second aspect of monadic manifestation.

  5. The energy emanating from the “Jewel in the Lotus” itself, the focal point of energy in the Upper Triad. This concerns the Self, the highest aspect of monadic manifestation.

  The effects produced by the play of these five types of energy upon each other produce (through the medium of the mental unit) that which we term the mental sheath. This sheath is after all only the aggregate of those atoms within a specific area with which the Thinker has to do, which he holds magnetically within his ring-pass-not, and which serve as the medium for his mental expression, according to his point of evolution. This same definition will be recognised as true of all atomic sheaths, and one of the things which students of the occult sciences will eventually do is to investigate the nature of the informing lives of the sheaths, the qualities of the energies influencing such lives, and the character and force of the basic underlying principles. They will thus arrive at facts concerning energies in the human kingdom which will prove of inestimable value.

  In order to keep the basic idea of this Treatise corresponding in its various divisions, I might call your attention to the four points we considered relative to motion [1102] in the physical and astral sheaths. We found that the effects of such motion might be regarded as four altogether:

  Separation.

  Momentum.

  Frictional Activity.

  Absorption.

  Separation. This separation is brought about through the initial activity of the Ego who produces the first of those forms which he intends to use during the cycle of incarnation, through the bringing together of these energies through self-engendered impulse. He, for purposes of development, identifies himself with that form, and thus temporarily separates himself off from his own real Self. Through the veil of mental matter he first knows separation, and undergoes his first experiences of the three worlds. This deals with separation from the highest aspect. Viewing it from the personality standpoint, separation is again to be seen, for the activity of the monadic sheath, its own internal volition produces the formation of a sphere of activity, distinct in its nature and governed by laws of its own, which—un
til a certain amount of alignment has been achieved during evolution—lives its own separate existence apart from the two lower sheaths, astral and physical. Thus it can be truly said that the “mind slays the Real” (316) and serves as the “great Deluder” of the Self in the one case, and as the “great Separator” in another; it comes between the centralised egoic life and the personality existences.

  This life of separation becomes steadily stronger as the rotary-spiral action of the mental body becomes intensified during the cycles of manifestation, and the “individualised” [1103] Idea becomes daily more dominant. The “Ahamkara” principle, (317) as it is called in the Secret Doctrine, does its work, and man becomes strongly self-centred, and self-conscious in the lower connotation of the term. Later, as higher energies come into play and the effort is made to balance the three types of force manifestations in the three worlds through the three vehicles, the Ego becomes aware of delusion and eventually frees himself. When this is in process of consummation during the final stages of evolution, the mental body becomes a transmitter for force currents from the egoic mind, the antaskarana between the higher mind and the mental sheath is built, and the “transmitting mind body” blends itself with the “reflecting astral body.” Thus separation is negated.

  Students will note, therefore, that the goal for the mental body is simply that it should become a transmitter of the thoughts and wishes of the solar Angel, and should act as the agent for the Triad. The goal for the astral body is that it should be the reflector in a similar way of the buddhic impulses, which reach the emotional body via certain petals in the egoic lotus, and the astral permanent atom. The process of equilibrising the forces in the personality (thus producing stability, and alignment) is brought about through the scientific manifestation of the electrical reactions of the three sheaths.