Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge of the Theosophical Society. Discussions on the stanzas of the first volume of The secret doctrine

...is equivalent to saying that Being original: "Sat" was BEING itself. Still, someone might say that the phrase "Universal Mind was not," as it stands, suggests that mind is a manifestation, even though mind is generally not considered a manifestation.

A. Mind, when it is engaged in the act of forming ideas, is indeed a manifestation. However, Universal Mind is not the same thing, because no limited or relative action can be attributed original: "predicted of" to that which is Absolute. Universal ideation began as soon as the Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi"; celestial or primordial entities appeared, and it continues throughout the Cosmic Cycle original: "Manvantara"; a period of universal activity.

Q. To what cosmic plane do the Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi" mentioned here belong?

A. They belong to the first, second, and third planes—the third plane being the actual starting point of the primordial manifestation, which is the objective reflection of the unmanifested. Like the Pythagorean Unity original: "Pythagorean Monas", the first Reason original: "Logos", having brought forth the first group of three, disappears into silence and darkness.

Q. Does this mean that the three expressions of Divine Reason original: "Logoi" that came from the primordial Radiation in the Universe original: "Macrocosm" correspond to Spirit original: "Atma", Soul original: "Buddhi", and Mind original: "Manas" in the Individual original: "Microcosm"?

A. Exactly; they correspond, but they must not be confused with one another. We are currently speaking of the Universe original: "Macrocosm" at the first stirring of the cosmic dawn original: "Manvantaric dawn" when evolution begins, and not of the individual human being.

Q. Are the three planes to which the three expressions of Reason original: "Logoi" belong simultaneous emanations, or do they evolve one from another?

A. It is very misleading to apply mechanical laws to the higher metaphysics of the birth of the universe, or to space and time as we know them; neither existed then. The reflection of this group of three in space and time—the objective universe—comes later.

Q. Have these Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi" been humans in previous Cosmic Cycles original: "Manvantaras", or will they become so?

A. Every living creature, of whatever kind, was, is, or will become a human being in one Cosmic Cycle original: "Manvantara" or another.

Q. But do they remain permanently on that same highly exalted plane during this entire period of the life-cycle?

A. If by "life cycle" you mean a duration of time that extends to a number with fifteen digits referring to a cycle lasting trillions of years, then my answer is most definitely no. The Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi" pass through all the planes, beginning to manifest on the third. Like all other Hierarchies, on the highest plane they are formless original: "arupa"; that is,

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formless, bodiless, without any substance—pure breaths. On the second plane, they first approach Form original: "Rupa". On the third, they become Sons of Mind original: "Manasa-putras", those who incarnate in humanity. With every plane they reach, they are called by different names. There is a continual differentiation of their original, uniform substance; we call it substance, though in reality, it is not a substance we can even imagine. Later, they become Form original: "Rupa"—ethereal shapes.

Q. Then the Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi" of this Cosmic Cycle original: "Manvantara" . . . ?

A. They no longer exist; they have long ago become Planetary, Solar, Lunar, and finally, incarnating Individualities original: "Egos". As has been said, "they are the collective hosts of spiritual beings."

Q. But it was stated above that the Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi" did not become men in this Cosmic Cycle original: "Manvantara".

A. They do not as the "formless" beings. But they do as their own transformations. These cycles should not be confused. The fifteen-digit cycle applies to the solar system, but there is a greater Cosmic Cycle original: "Manvantara" relating to the entire objective universe—the Universal Parent original: "Mother-Father"—and many smaller cycles. The verses original: "slokas" relating to the former have generally been selected, while only two or three relating to the latter were given. Many verses original: "slokas" were omitted because they are so difficult to understand.

Q. Then, upon reawakening, will the humans of one Cosmic Cycle original: "Manvantara" have to pass through a stage corresponding to the Spiritual Being original: "Ah-hi" stage in the next cycle?

A. In some of the cycles, "the tail is in the mouth of the serpent" an ancient symbol, the Ouroboros, representing the cyclic nature of time and eternity. Think about this symbolism.

Q. A human can choose what they will think about; can this analogy be applied to the Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi"?

A. No, because a human has free will and these beings have none. They are obliged to act simultaneously, for the law under which they act provides the impulse. Free will can only exist in a human being who has both mind and consciousness, which allow them to perceive things both within and outside themselves. The Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi" are Forces, not human Beings.

Q. But are they not conscious participants in the work?

A. They are conscious only insofar as they act within the universal consciousness. But the consciousness of the Sons of Mind original: "Manasa-putra" on the third plane is