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

Q. Mind original: "Manas" is said to be the vehicle of the Spiritual Soul original: "Buddhi", but the universal mind has been spoken of as a Great Soul original: "Maha-Buddhi". What, then, is the distinction between the terms Mind and Soul original: "Manas and Buddhi" when used in a universal sense, versus when they are manifested in a human being?

A. Cosmic Soul original: "Buddhi", which comes from the Spiritual Soul original: "Alaya", is the vehicle of the Great Intellect original: "Mahat" only when that Soul corresponds to Primary Matter original: "Prakriti". Then it is called the Great Soul original: "Maha-Buddhi". This Soul differentiates through seven planes, whereas the Soul original: "Buddhi" in a human is the vehicle of the Spirit original: "Atman". This vehicle is made of the essence of the highest plane of the Spiritual Ether original: "Akasa" and therefore does not differentiate. The difference between Mind and Soul original: "Manas and Buddhi" in a human is the same as the difference between the Sons of Mind original: "Manasa-Putra" and the Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi" in the Universe.

Q. Mind original: "Manas" is the mind, and it is said that the Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi" can no more have an individual Mind—or what we call mind on this plane—than the Soul original: "Buddhi" can. Can there be Consciousness without Mind?

A. Not on this material plane. But why not on some other and higher plane? Once we assume a Universal Mind exists, both the brain (the mind’s vehicle) and Consciousness (its faculty) must be quite different on a higher plane than they are here. They are closer to the Absolute ALL, and must therefore be represented by a substance that is infinitely more uniform—something unique original: "sui generis" and entirely beyond the reach of our intellectual understanding. Let us imagine it as an early and unknowable state of original differentiation. On that higher plane, as it seems to me, the Great Intellect original: "Mahat"—the great cosmic principle of intelligence—acts as a Brain. Through this brain, the Universal and Eternal Mind radiates the Spiritual Beings original: "Ah-hi", who represent the resulting Consciousness or thought. As the shadow of this primordial triangle falls lower and lower through the descending planes, it becomes more material with every stage.

Q. It becomes the plane on which Consciousness perceives objective manifestations. Is that correct?

A. Yes. But here we come face to face with the great problem of Consciousness, and we will have to challenge Materialism. For what is Consciousness? According to modern Science, it is a faculty of the Mind, like the will. We agree with that, but we add that while Consciousness is not a thing in itself original: "per se", Mind is definitely an Entity—at least in its cosmic functions. This is the opinion of all Eastern Idealists.

Q. However, it is popular nowadays to speak dismissively of the idea that the mind is an entity.

A. Nevertheless, "mind" is a term perfectly synonymous with "Soul." Those who deny the existence of the Soul will, of course, argue that there is no such thing as consciousness apart from the brain, and that at death, consciousness ends. Occultists, on the contrary, affirm that consciousness exists after death. They believe that only then does the real consciousness and freedom of the Individual original: "Ego" begin, when it is no longer hindered by earthly matter.

Q. Perhaps the former view comes from limiting the meaning of the word "consciousness" to the faculty of perception?

A. If so, occultism is entirely opposed to that view.

Verse original: "Sloka" (4). THE SEVEN WAYS TO LIBERATION original: "BLISS (Moksha or Nirvana)" DID NOT EXIST.* THE GREAT CAUSES OF MISERY original: "Nidâna and Maya" DID NOT EXIST, FOR THERE WAS NO ONE TO CREATE THEM OR BECOME TRAPPED BY THEM.

Q. What are the seven ways to bliss?

A. They are certain faculties that the student will learn more about as they go deeper into occultism.

Q. Are the Four Truths of the Lesser Vehicle original: "Hinayâna" School the same as those mentioned by Sir Edwin Arnold in "The Light of Asia"? The first is the Path of Sorrow; the second is the cause of Sorrow; the third is the ending of Sorrow; and the fourth is the WAY.

A. All of that is theological and for the general public original: "exoteric", and can be found in all Buddhist scriptures. The version you mentioned seems to be taken from Sri Lankan or Southern Buddhism. However, the subject is treated much more fully in the Aryasanga School. Even there, the four truths have one meaning for the regular priest in the Yellow Robe, and quite another for true Mystics.

Q. Are the causes of misery original: "Nidâna and Maya" aspects of the Absolute?

A. Causality original: "Nidâna" refers to the chain of cause and effect. The twelve causes original: "Nidânas" are the list of the main causes that produce the strongest reactions or effects under the law of Destiny original: "Karma". Although there is no direct connection between the terms "Causality" and "Illusion" original: "Nidâna and Maya" themselves—Illusion being simply a lack of true perception—if we consider the universe as Illusion...

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• See original: "Vide" The Voice of the Silence; Fragment III., The Seven Portals.