[The following transactions are compiled from shorthand notes taken at the meetings of the Blavatsky Lodge of the Theosophical Society, from January 10th to June 20th, 1889. They have been somewhat condensed from the original discussions.

"The Secret Doctrine" is based upon the ancient verses of the "Book of Dzyan." Since these verses are too complex for most new students of public philosophy, the members of the "B. L. of the T. S." Blavatsky Lodge of the Theosophical Society agreed to devote their weekly meeting debates to each stanza and various other metaphysical subjects.

The questions were asked by members who, for the most part, based their objections and exceptions on modern scientific grounds and the logical conclusions derived from them. Because these objections are generally shared by students of "The Secret Doctrine," it was decided not to include them in full; only their core meaning has been preserved. The answers in all cases are based on the shorthand reports and represent the Esoteric Philosophy as explained by H. P. B. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky herself.]

I.

THE STANZAS OF THE SECRET DOCTRINE—VOL. I.

STANZA I.

Verse (1). THE ETERNAL PARENT (Space), WRAPPED IN HER EVER INVISIBLE ROBES, HAD SLUMBERED ONCE AGAIN FOR SEVEN ETERNITIES.

Q. Space in the abstract is explained in the Proem (pages 8 and 9) as follows:—

* S. D., I., 8. The Secret Doctrine, Volume 1, page 8.

". . . . Absolute unity cannot become infinity; for infinity assumes the limitless extension of something, and the duration of that 'something.' The One All is like Space—which is its only mental and physical representation on this Earth, or our plane of existence—and it is neither an object of perception nor a subject that perceives. If one could imagine the Eternal Infinite All, the Omnipresent Unity, instead of remaining in Eternity, becoming a varied Universe or a multiple personality through periodic manifestation, that Unity would cease to be one.

Locke's idea that 'pure Space is capable of neither resistance nor motion' is incorrect. Space is neither a 'limitless void' nor a 'conditioned fullness,' but both. On the plane of absolute abstraction, it is the ever-unknowable Deity, which appears as a void only to finite minds. On the plane of mayavic illusory perception, it is the Plenum fullness; the absolute container, the absolute Container of all that exists, whether manifested or unmanifested; it is, therefore, that ABSOLUTE ALL.

There is no difference between the Christian Apostle's phrase 'In Him we live and move and have our being,' and the Hindu Sage's statement, 'The Universe lives in, proceeds from, and will return to, Brahma the neuter, impersonal Absolute.' For Brahma (neuter), the unmanifested, is that Universe in abscondito original Latin: "in hiding" or "concealed", and Brahmâ (masculine), the manifested, is the Logos the Word or creative principle, depicted as male-female in symbolic orthodox dogmas. The God of the Apostle-Initiate and the God of the Sage are both the Unseen and the Visible SPACE.

In esoteric symbolism, Space is called 'The Seven-Skinned Eternal Mother-Father.' From its undifferentiated to its differentiated surface, it is composed of seven layers.

'What is that which was, is, and will be, whether there is a Universe or not; whether there are gods or none?' asks the esoteric Senzar an ancient secret language Catechism. And the answer given is—SPACE."*