IV RELIGION
The animal never rises above the sphere of its sensuous desires; but man only
finds true happiness and contentment in the contemplation of that which is
above that sphere. He feels an inward necessity to satisfy his desires for
the Divine and to give this satisfaction is the object of religion. Man rises
up to God by means of his religious aspirations, and man's nature becomes
elevated in the same proportion as his religious ideas become elevated, expanded
and pure. An investigation into the relationship existing between man and
religion, leads to the adoption of the following points:
1. Religion is natural and necessary for man, and an examination of ancient
and modern history will prove the truth of this assertion.
2. Religion is as old as mankind. The principles of religious systems cannot
be a result of invention or arbitrary presumption; their germ must be necessarily
regarded as from divine origin. It has withstood all the revolutions of nature
and only its aspect has changed according to the various necessities or capacities
of the people and the condition of their civilisation; but true religion is
more than simply a code of morals.
3. True religion can be only one, and there can be only one true religion,
because there is only one principle of perfection. Unity, - the law of true
religion - requires a perfect harmony between sensuous and intellectual man.
The divine light, which illuminate man, is for every man one and the same,
and the differences between the various religious systems, are caused by the
different aspects by which this light is seen by different people. The truth
is one, but the forms in which it appears, differ. Every individual man, no
matter where he lives or what he believes, can be a temple in which the divine
spirit will reside. Wisdom is attainable to all, and the attainment of wisdom
by all re-establishes unity.
4. Man rises up to the divine light of love and wisdom by means of his religious
ideas, and becomes thereby more and more susceptible to beneficent influences.
Man, like every other thing in nature, is subject to natural laws, and according
to these he partakes to a certain extent of the nature of the influences with
which he associates. There have been at all times men who rose higher than
others to the divine source, and to whom we may look as upon our guides and
teachers. The revelations and traditions which we have received from such
men are laid down in the history and religions of all nations, and in all
of them can a certain similarity and unity be traced. We may therefore look
upon each men as divine
agents.
5. Divinity can become accessible to man by means of these divine agents,
or, in other words, the divine ray by passing through those media or agents
becomes tinctured with the color which is appropriate to each of them, else
it would for ever remain incomprehensible to man. Some of the angels and prophets
may have existed as human beings, but they all are representations or symbols
of forces or perfections which primordial man originally possessed.
6. By means of these divine agents a communication of thought has been established
from the highest to the lowest. A mode of instruction was thereby possible,
by which those who did not possess sufficient power to rise, could be lifted
up by their guides [1], and by which they could receive information in regard
to the nature of things and the history of mankind.
7. The divine agents or messengers selected in all times certain men, to whom
they communicated their knowledge, and through those men the various colored
light was shed over the different parts of the globe; partly by oral instruction,
partly by tradition by means of symbols, arts or usages. These traditions
have in the course of time become so perverted as to be often almost unrecognizable,
and giving rise to innumerable sectarian differences.
8. The science and history of man comprise therefore the origin and object
of Mythology and Symbolism. Much is fanciful in these systems, but in those
of the oldest nation an identity can be traced.
A large part of these mythologies have their origin in superstition, and in
others the true original meaning has been lost; but sufficient truth remains
to show that the oldest inhabitants of our globe conceived the destiny of
man to be a higher one, than simply to pass through certain chemical and physical
processes. They are all relating to the origin of man, the laws of his existence
and his destiny, and give us a more or less correct history of the visible
and the invisible universe.
9. The celebrated ancient mysteries with their doctrines and initiations took
their origin from these old traditions, handed down from antiquity by the
sages and their disciples. The perpetuation of these mysteries was necessary,
and the secrecy by which they were surrounded was due to the desire of guarding
them against profanation and to keep them intact in their original purity.
10. One of the oldest and most reliable of the histories of antiquity is that
of the Hebrews [2]. The Cabala gives a very clear conception of cosmology,
and the esoteric meaning of their symbolism is extremely beautiful. Unfortunately
its esoteric sense is at present very little understood even by the Hebrews
themselves or their Rabbis, and has been still more perverted and obscured
by the imperfect translations made from the original text.
V. SCIENCE.
The retrocession of Man, from the true source of light, has rendered it more
difficult for him to obtain true knowledge, because to obtain that knowledge
he must have the light of truth as a guide. Nevertheless a certain degree
of true knowledge must be attainable to man, because every being is subject
to a certain and unchangeable law.
The possibility of this attainment finds its basis not only in the intellectual
germ [3] in man, which is an unchangeable in its intrinsic nature as the principle
from which it originated, but also in the fact that man, in consequence of
his two-fold nature, resembles a mirror, in which all the laws of the sensual
and intellectual realms are concentred. Therefore the knowledge of man is
the basis of every other knowledge; he who perfectly understands man, understands
the laws of the Intellectual and Sensual and can explain everything. In the
study of man, however, we must be careful not to confound the Sensual with
the Intellectual, and to ascribe to the one that which belongs to the other.
There is in fact only one science, it includes the Intellectual and the Sensual;
and both realms have to be studied together. The arbitrary separation of the
two parts of that one science has given rise to the birth and growth of so
many false systems and doctrines and contradictory conclusions. Whenever man
desires to arrive at the truth in regard to the intellectual without using
the means given to him by nature for that purpose, he invariably falls into
error; and it is no less dangerous to attempt to study the sensual without
the light of the intellect. If we desire to use our reason properly, we must
"divinise" our own heart and thereby enable it to approach the source
of all light, which is higher than human reasoning.
The false study of the sensual gives rise to materialism and the false study
of the intellectual leads to superstition; but true science must deal more
with principles than merely with the phenomenal aspect of things. Both extremes
are dangerous; because in one case we crawl like a worm over our path without
seeing to where it leads; in the other case we soar above it and become lost
in the clouds. True knowledge can only be obtained by right discrimination
and by taking into consideration the laws of the Sensuous, the Intellectual
and the Divine, by which alone can become free and return to the universal
source of Light and Truth.
The Science of Numbers.
The entire system of the universe rests upon certain primordial and basic
principles, from which result the substance, shape and action of everything
that exists. These basic principles are called the numbers of nature. Whoever
comprehends them, understands the laws by which nature exists, the proportions
of her component part, the manner and measure of her activity, the connecting
link of all causes and the mechanism of the Cosmos.
Those numbers are not arithmetic symbols, but true principles; they are the
basis of all true science and of all intellectual understanding.
The subject under our consideration is of infinite extent and can only be
understood by the finite Mind, who encompasses within itself the chain of
all causes, proportions and effects, and human language is too imperfect to
fully express the same. Every effect is the result of an energy, and that
energy the expression of a power. The quantity of power expended, corresponds
to the essential, and the quality of energy to the potential number. Principle
and Form are two poles, which are united by the link of Number. By our senses
we receive certain impressions from the sensuous action of things, and by
our reason we receive ideas of their invisible positions and terminations,
if we are able to grasp them. The Intellectual as well as the Sensuous has
number, measure and weight, but they can only be comprehended by our reason
or intuition.
The numbers of the universe are infinite, but their movement is simple and
straight, because everything rests upon the primal numbers: 1 to 10. These
numbers are contained in the four basic numbers (1+2+3+4=10) which fact indicates
the sanctity of the square, the symbol of the divinity of man.
A few remarks about the meaning of numbers
I. The number 1 represents: 1. Absolute unity, the essence and the universal
centre of all Beings. 2. The centres or principles of all individual unities,
which are not absolute and necessary; but only direct or indirect eradiations
of the absolute unity.
II. Signifies:
1. The absolute unity in a state of motion or progression, as an eradication
or reflection of 1.
2. Light, or an emanating ray.
3. The origin of all things, the projection of the Divine into the Intellectual.
4. The double law of action and reaction, male and female, positive and negative,
etc..
III. Is the number of results.
1. Without Three there can be no result, either in the Intellectual or physical.
From the 1, the real possibility of existence, and the 2, the energy and reaction,
results 3, the product or form.
2. The constitution of the bodies, formed (a) of the bases of the three elements:
Earth, Water and Fire; (b) the three actions: Action, Reaction and Cause.
3. The immaterial, but not thinking universal principle [4]. The number of
unthinking, but immaterial beings [5] is represented by 3x3=9.
IV. Is the number of perfection.
1. It is the symbol of the divine square, the thinking universe. 2. The representation
of the intellectual man in his primordial condition; and 4. the symbol of
the universe, North, South, East and West.
V. This number may be regarded as 1+4, or as 2+3, or as 4+1, and its aspect
differs accordingly. Five is necessarily for the harmony of a perfect accord;
but in another aspect it is terrible and represents the principle of evil
in its battle with the good. It is the symbol of idolatry, superstition and
fear, which can only become moderated by the combination with 6. It is the
number of suffering and death, and whoever remains with it becomes a victim
of the terrible power of 65.
VI. Is not a perfect number, but good for sensuous results. By 6 as the symbol
of 2x3 visible nature came into existence. It is the symbol of temporal and
changeable existence.
VII. Consists of 3+4; 4+3; or 6+1. It represents the seven principles in their
different combinations, the seven planets and many other things. Like 16 (4x4)
and 9 (3x3) so is 49 (7x7) of great importance.
VIII. (2x4) Is the number of the double square of time and eternity; of the
Intellectual and Sensuous and contains the connection and antiphony of the
same.
IX. (3x3) Is the number of the Sensuous, of Sensuality and Degradation; of
everything circular and material. 4+9 is the number of nature. The relation
1-3-6-9 and of 1-4-6-16 are very important.
X. Is the completion of every thing that exists. In it are combined all the
double, ternary and quaternary relations, and it is the result of 1+2+3+4.
Occult Mathematics, or the application of basic numbers to the spiritual and
physical world.
True mathematics is the basis of all true science. Ordinary mathematics is
its shadow, and is only infallible as long as it occupies itself with material
conceptions. All forms and images of sensuosity are the result of simple principles,
and the origin of mathematics is therefore to be found in something on which
the laws of the Sensuous, of Matter and Form depend; but which in itself is
not material but intellectual. A man may be a very good mathematician on the
ordinary plane, and yet incapable of solving an intellectual or physical problem
as to its genetic cause. The true axioms of Mathematics are intellectual,
and only by such can the regularity of all sensuous products be explained.
In true Geometry we need a scale which can be applied to all kinds of dimensions;
but such a scale can have no extension in itself. It can therefore not be
found in ordinary Geometry, but must be searched for in the intellectual principle
of extension; and consequently it will be impossible for ordinary Geometry
to solve such problems, as for instance the squaring of the circle.
If we wish to measure a curve, it is above all necessary to have a correct
idea about a straight and a curved line. The attempt to explain a curved line
by forming a combination of indefinitely small straight lines, is inadmissible
and irrational and conflicting with the true laws of nature; for besides the
moral proofs of infinite unity and perfection, there are other reasons, why
two such opposites as a straight line and a curved one never can be united
and why such attempt should never be made. Every thing in nature has a number
of differentiation, and this is also the case with both of these lines. Emanation
into infinity is the object of one and detraction from infinite progression
the aim of the other. Both are opposing each other, their numbers and actions
must be different; their numbers are in the proportion 4-9 and in all their
gradations and potencies this proportion remains the same. This law explains
the generic and individual difference between intellectual and sensuous natures,
which although differing from each other, yet are nevertheless derived from
the same source, possess the same original number, and are governed by the
same law. We refer the student to the footnotes on page 82 of the "Theosophical
Miscellanies" (unpublished writings of Eliphas (Levi), which speaks especially
about the sacred number seven.
The arbitrary scale used in common Geometry is extremely useful for the purpose
of common life, because it deals with proportions of matter; but if we attempt
to apply the same for the measurements of essential truths, we are likely
to be led into errors, the least of which may grow into extensive dimensions,
while the numbers 4 and 9, as representations of the straight and curved lines
will in their proportions remain unchanged, and they therefore constitute
the proper scale for such thruths. It would be impractical to apply occult
mathematics and geometry to the measurement of sensuous perceptions and ordinary
combinations of matter, neither can common Mathematics be applied to spiritual
things. Matter exists only by and through motion, but matter is not the source
of motion.
This source must necessarily exist in an immaterial principle, and the phenomena
of extension and sensuosity are only the result caused by the action of that
principle. If the principles of matter are dependant on a higher action or
reaction, how much more must this be the case with the evolution of such principles.
Although in the realm of the sensuous there is no motion without extension,
still even the sensuous indicates a motion without extension; that is, an
attraction of the bodies towards a common centre. The Sensuous is always guided
by the Intellectual, and it follows that in the latter the cause of motion
must exist. Both motions, taking an inverse direction, are guided by the number
4, which is the number of all motion. Therefore no arithmetical progression
exists in the realm of the living nature, and the geometrical progression
of the square is the only guiding one, because it is the principle of life
and the activity of living beings.
The number of extension and also of the curved line is 9, because everywhere
in nature, where we find extension, we also find curved lines and both are
therefore equivalent.. Every form in its last analysis approaches the form
of an oval or a sphere. The number of the straight lines belongs to causes
and principles; that of curves to products and results.
The number 4 and 9, the straight and curved line, represent therefore the
two principal laws of nature, and the two should never be mistaken for each
other. Man, ever since he ceased to be perfect, has vainly tried to unite
the same and thereby unsuccessfully attempted to square the circle; or to
understand a fourth dimension of space, problems which can be intellectually
grasped, but cannot be demonstrated on the physical plane. There must be a
distinction made between the natural circle and the artificial one. The first
one does not consist of a periphery of connecting points, but is formed by
an expansion of energy from the centre.
The square is not to be regarded as a geometrical extension, but as a symbol
of a universal creative principle. This principle only reveals itself by the
triangle formed by the three immaterial principles which cause forms and bodies,
and this triangle in combination with the unity of the first principle forms
the basis of all possible phenomena in the realm of the Sensuous. The action
of the principle however is a straight line.
The four allegorical sides of the square represent: The first one, the basis
and root of the others, is the symbol of the first and only cause, whose number
is absolute unity.
The second, emanating from the first, is the first ray, the Adam Kadmon or
primordial man, who in his double capacity is symbolized by two number, also
called the "Son of God".
The third completes the trinity of all existing forms in the visible and invisible
universe; and the jourth represents the essences of all classes and kinds,
whether they are possessed of intellectual powers or restricted to the realm
of the sensuous, and it finally stands in intimate relation with the mysterious
nature of man.
Note 1 from the Editor of The Theosophist:
[ These agents are the Dhyan Chohans. The first teacher who taught the principles
of the ancient Wisdom-Religion on this planet, says the occult doctrine, was
a Dhyan Chohan. A Dhyan Chohan will appear again on this planet as a teacher
and guru at the end of the 7th root-race. - T.S. ].
Return to text.
Note 2 from the Editor of The Theosophist:
[ At the time this book was written, the mythology and traditions of the Hindus
and Egyptians were little known, - Ed. ].
Return to text.
Note 3 from the Editor of The Theosophist:
[ The germ is in fact the 6th principle in man, in which his higher individuality
resides. - T.S. ]
Return to text.
Note 4 from the Editor of The Theosophist:
[Will?]
Return to text.
Note 5 from the Editor of The Theosophist:
[Elementals ?]