Theos-Talk Archives (November 1998 Message tl00010)

Nov 29th 1998

I employed the word "Ego" to mean the HIGHER MANAS.  This I have
learned and so repeat:

It is one with and part of the triune Monad in manifestation and,
in Man in incarnation.  Our understanding of consciousness begins
with differentiation, and when ultimately all is resolved back
into ABSOLUTENESS at the end of the Kalpic Manvantara,
CONSCIOUSNESS is also reabsorbed in that ineffable UNITY which is
and is not.  The Secret doctrine states that it is not "lost" or
"obliterated" because thus reabsorbed, but in the economy of
Nature every aspect is re-emanated when the new Maha Manvantara
begins operation again.

Cosmically it (CONSCIOUSNESS) is MAHAT or COSMIC IDEATION.
Universal Karma is one of its aspects.  The AKASA is its record
and the Lipika are its scribes.

In Man it (embodied "ray" of CONSCIOUSNESS is the Higher Manas
linked indissolubly to BUDDHI and ATMA - just as Kosmically and
metaphysically MAHAT is linked indissolubly to Maha Buddhi and to
Atman.  [ My sources for this definition and usage are THE KEY TO
THEOSOPHY, the THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY and THE SECRET DOCTRINE all
by HPB.]

Everything is CONSCIOUS.  SPIRIT is the Universal source of all
consciousness.

In man the brain is the finest instrument of sensitive matter so
far devised by Nature in her evolutionary program so that a ray
from the HIGHER MANAS of each individual can reside and work.  It
is the LOWER MANAS and is closely linked to KAMA (passions and
desires) which are a separate "principle" from "mind."

Patanjali says II, 20, 21 :  "The soul is the Perceiver;  is
assuredly vision itself pure and simple; unmodified; and looks
directly upon ideas.(20)  For the sake of the soul alone, the
Universe exists." (21)

In regard to the exercise of will on consciousness, Patanjali
says:  III, 1, 2, 3 :
"Fixing the mind on a plane, object, or subject is ATTENTION. (1)
The continuance of this attention is CONTEMPLATION. (2)  This
contemplation, when it is practiced only in respect to a material
subject or object of sense, is MEDITATION. (3)

I quote as these seem to be the most succinct descriptions of
consciousness and its operation.  There is implied, as I see it,
an Egoic power which employs the will.

The modifications of the mind are said to be five:  correct
cognition, misconception, fancy, sleep and memory.  These
modifications can be brought to an end by the exercise of the
will which forces the mind into an unmoved state - the exercise
of firmness out of regard for a chosen end to be achieved, and
perseveringly adhered to for a long time without interruption.

Dispassion is having overcome one's desires.  Carried to its
utmost it is indifference to all else but the "soul" (the HIGHER
MANAS).

Since we live in a world of many sensations and relations, this
exercise is interior to the man or woman, and is an "inner
attitude."   It is not always made apparent or exposed to others,
but it can be described - as Patanjali does in his YOGA SUTRAS.

Other Sages like Shankaracharya speak of it in different ways.
The whole system of the six schools of Indian Philosophy deal
with consciousness from six different points of view, -- and, it
is the seventh, the Sanatana Dharma (Theosophy in its modern
guise) that reconciles all of those.

That is as I understand the matter.

I hope this explains what I said,

Dallas

>From: Jerry Schueler
>Date: Saturday, November 28, 1998 10:26 
>Subject: Re: RE: Theos-World Re: JIVANMUKTA

>I do not mean to confuse the issue, but as the CONSCIOUSNESS of
>the Ego is always One, the vehicles through which it manifests
>and over which the Ego has control seem to be refined - to be
>spiritualized ?

Dallas, please excuse me for jumping in here, but exactly
what do you mean by "the consciousness of the Ego?"  You
seem to be implying that the Ego is an independent entity
with its own consciousness.
Also, what do you mean by "the Ego has control?"  Is the Ego
controlling the ego for each of us right now? What is free will?

Jerry S.

-- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk --
theos-talk@theosophy.com

Letters to the Editor, and discussion of theosophical ideas and
teachings. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message consisting
of
"subscribe" or "unsubscribe" to theos-talk-request@theosophy.com.