Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Isis Study – Sunday, 2nd December 2012

Summary and discussion

 Isis Unveiled, vol. I

Chapter XIII – Realities and Illusion

Pages : 494 – 503

 Two topics which were studied are : the phenomenon of Levitation, and the science of Alchemy and Elixir of life.

 Levitation : By mediumistic passive method and by active will-effort

 How does the phenomenon of levitation—i.e., rising freely in air of body or other ponderable objects---apparently in defiance of the law of gravity—occur ? There is nothing miraculous or “supernatural” in it.

Theosophy shows that the modern scientific theory of gravity, as defined by Sir Isaac Newton, is only half law, and that objects are attracted to each other not due to “mass” but on account of electrical and magnetic phenomenon. Gravity is only half law because only attraction is considered. What about repulsion ? An object or a body is held on the ground by its weight, an effect of gravity, according to science. But Theosophy demonstrates that the weight of objects is not due to gravity, as conceived by modern scientists, but in reality due to the attraction of the body to the earth, as the two are polarized into opposite electrical charges, and unlike poles attract each other. When the electrical and magnetic polarity of an object is altered—the ways by which this can happen, or is done, is the subject of our discussion now—so that the object and the earth are of the same electrical charge, then the body levitates, as like poles repel each other; or it becomes heavier than normal, if the potential difference of the electrical charge of the body vis vis the earth is enhanced.

Earth itself is one vast magnet because of the induction by the Sun’s magnetism, the central star of our system being itself a mega magnet.  Man too possesses this property, and every thing else in the Solar system. Planetary motion is not due to gravity but to magnetic attraction and repulsion between the Sun and planets, which forces are so mutually adjusted that the planets are held in their respective orbits and made to revolve in harmonious revolutions. But this is intelligent and vital electricity and magnetism, not the crude one we ordinarily know of.

Mutual attraction and repulsion between individuals towards each other is also partly due to this property.

Unconscious aethrobacy or Levitation

 The polarity of the medium is altered vis a vis the earth and the medium levitates. Because medium is an ordinary person with a peculiarity of constitution by which he becomes magnetized by an influx from the Astral Light, which is a magento-vital aura interpenetrating and surrounding the earth, just as a piece of iron is magnetized when placed near another magnet or a lodestone. The intensity and permanency of mediumistic power is in proportion to the saturation of the medium with the magnetic or the astral force, just as the magnetic property of the metal is measured by its more or less steel-like character. The condition of saturation of individuals may happen by :

  1. Mesmeric process : may be induced in another by one who is an expert magentizer.

  2. means of a so-called Spirit agency, the medium being  under control of ‘familiar spirits.’

  3. means of self-will : those who consciously perform it by will power.

  4. hereditary propensity : the condition is hereditable like any other physical or mental peculiarity.

Self-saturation with astral force may be achieved by will power by those who have developed power of will by persistence in fixed determination to subjugate matter so much so as to become insensible to external impressions to the extent of even simulating death itself. The ecstatic so enormously reinforces his will power as to draw into himself, as into a vortex, the potencies resident in the Astral Light to supplement his own natural store.

In mesmeric process,  the astral force is projected by exercise of will by the mesmerizer so as to saturate with it another person, or he may draw the force into himself.

Occultists say that when a person so intently fixes his thought upon a point above himself, and the body is thoroughly imbued with the astral influence, the body follows the mental aspiration and rises into the air as easily as a cork held beneath the water rises to the surface.

The fascination of a precipice or the psychological phenomenon of vertigo

Why do some people feel giddy when on the edge of precipice or chasm ? The cause is the same as the one by which levitation of the body happens. People of certain temperament when standing on an edge overseeing a chasm picture in their imagination the consequences of a fall, which creates a centre of attraction below him, and the body follows the attraction. It is fascination created by his own imaginative mind. Unless the fascination is broken the body will follow the thought to the foot of the precipice.

Perpetual motion, Elixir of Life, Universal Solvent

 The first is a dream of science but it has remained a dream. The other two are denied by it. Hermetists have claimed that for ages they have known of “elixir of life” by partaking of which a man can prolong his physical life in the body far beyond the average life span of human beings in general. Universal Solvent, called Alkahest in Alchemy,  is a certain fluid in Nature which is capable of reducing all compound bodies under the sun into their primordial original essence—the first sate of pre-cosmic matter out of which all things in the universe are formed. Van Helmont, Paracelsus and other Kabalists of the middle ages were acquainted with it.

The universe itself illustrates perpetual motion. Atomic theory is science is a proof of it. When perpetual motion is discovered the secret of Nature will have been unravelled. Perpetual motion does not however mean endless motion but by a knowledge of it a machine can be run for an indefinite length of time by reducing resistance and waste by friction to an insignificant measure.

Elixir of Life is no myth. Nature herself demonstrates it. The old Hermetic doctrine teaches us that there is a terrestrial circulation similar to that of the human body. Nature is continually renewing her wasted energies by absorption from the source of energy. Why then man cannot discover this source and renew his life indefinitely ? Hermetists say that the source and nature of this recuperative energy is discoverable, the juices or the essence of it can be used to replenish his own forces. This is a secret of Alchemists. If terrestrial circulation is arrested there is stagnation and death. Similarly when circulation of fluids in human body is stopped, putrefaction and death ensue. It is asserted that Alchemists know of certain substances which can keep the channels of circulation of the human body unclogged and thus prolong life indefinitely. Mineral springs have certain virtues in the cure of diseases and restoration of physical vigour. If the recuperative energy in the bowels of the earth is discovered then the secret of  the fountain of youth will have been discovered.  Adepts know the secret. This is Esoteric Geography and Geology. Some axiomatic principles of it may be considered which are given in The Secret Doctrine, vol. II, page 400 and foot notes.

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Summary and discussion

Isis Unveiled, vol. I

Chapter XIII – Realities and Illusion

Pages : 494 – 503

 Two topics which were studied are : the phenomenon of Levitation, and the science of Alchemy and Elixir of life.

 Levitation : By mediumistic passive method and by active will-effort

 How does the phenomenon of levitation—i.e., rising freely in air of body or other ponderable objects---apparently in defiance of the law of gravity—occur ? There is nothing miraculous or “supernatural” in it.

Theosophy shows that the modern scientific theory of gravity, as defined by Sir Isaac Newton, is only half law, and that objects are attracted to each other not due to “mass” but on account of electrical and magnetic phenomenon. Gravity is only half law because only attraction is considered. What about repulsion ? An object or a body is held on the ground by its weight, an effect of gravity, according to science. But Theosophy demonstrates that the weight of objects is not due to gravity, as conceived by modern scientists, but in reality due to the attraction of the body to the earth, as the two are polarized into opposite electrical charges, and unlike poles attract each other. When the electrical and magnetic polarity of an object is altered—the ways by which this can happen, or is done, is the subject of our discussion now—so that the object and the earth are of the same electrical charge, then the body levitates, as like poles repel each other; or it becomes heavier than normal, if the potential difference of the electrical charge of the body vis vis the earth is enhanced.

Earth itself is one vast magnet because of the induction by the Sun’s magnetism, the central star of our system being itself a mega magnet.  Man too possesses this property, and every thing else in the Solar system. Planetary motion is not due to gravity but to magnetic attraction and repulsion between the Sun and planets, which forces are so mutually adjusted that the planets are held in their respective orbits and made to revolve in harmonious revolutions. But this is intelligent and vital electricity and magnetism, not the crude one we ordinarily know of.

Mutual attraction and repulsion between individuals towards each other is also partly due to this property.

Unconscious aethrobacy or Levitation

 The polarity of the medium is altered vis a vis the earth and the medium levitates. Because medium is an ordinary person with a peculiarity of constitution by which he becomes magnetized by an influx from the Astral Light, which is a magento-vital aura interpenetrating and surrounding the earth, just as a piece of iron is magnetized when placed near another magnet or a lodestone. The intensity and permanency of mediumistic power is in proportion to the saturation of the medium with the magnetic or the astral force, just as the magnetic property of the metal is measured by its more or less steel-like character. The condition of saturation of individuals may happen by :

  1. Mesmeric process : may be induced in another by one who is an expert magentizer.

  2. means of a so-called Spirit agency, the medium being  under control of ‘familiar spirits.’

  3. means of self-will : those who consciously perform it by will power.

  4. hereditary propensity : the condition is hereditable like any other physical or mental peculiarity.

Self-saturation with astral force may be achieved by will power by those who have developed power of will by persistence in fixed determination to subjugate matter so much so as to become insensible to external impressions to the extent of even simulating death itself. The ecstatic so enormously reinforces his will power as to draw into himself, as into a vortex, the potencies resident in the Astral Light to supplement his own natural store.

In mesmeric process,  the astral force is projected by exercise of will by the mesmerizer so as to saturate with it another person, or he may draw the force into himself.

Occultists say that when a person so intently fixes his thought upon a point above himself, and the body is thoroughly imbued with the astral influence, the body follows the mental aspiration and rises into the air as easily as a cork held beneath the water rises to the surface.

The fascination of a precipice or the psychological phenomenon of vertigo

Why do some people feel giddy when on the edge of precipice or chasm ? The cause is the same as the one by which levitation of the body happens. People of certain temperament when standing on an edge overseeing a chasm picture in their imagination the consequences of a fall, which creates a centre of attraction below him, and the body follows the attraction. It is fascination created by his own imaginative mind. Unless the fascination is broken the body will follow the thought to the foot of the precipice.

Perpetual motion, Elixir of Life, Universal Solvent

 The first is a dream of science but it has remained a dream. The other two are denied by it. Hermetists have claimed that for ages they have known of “elixir of life” by partaking of which a man can prolong his physical life in the body far beyond the average life span of human beings in general. Universal Solvent, called Alkahest in Alchemy,  is a certain fluid in Nature which is capable of reducing all compound bodies under the sun into their primordial original essence—the first sate of pre-cosmic matter out of which all things in the universe are formed. Van Helmont, Paracelsus and other Kabalists of the middle ages were acquainted with it.

The universe itself illustrates perpetual motion. Atomic theory is science is a proof of it. When perpetual motion is discovered the secret of Nature will have been unravelled. Perpetual motion does not however mean endless motion but by a knowledge of it a machine can be run for an indefinite length of time by reducing resistance and waste by friction to an insignificant measure.

Elixir of Life is no myth. Nature herself demonstrates it. The old Hermetic doctrine teaches us that there is a terrestrial circulation similar to that of the human body. Nature is continually renewing her wasted energies by absorption from the source of energy. Why then man cannot discover this source and renew his life indefinitely ? Hermetists say that the source and nature of this recuperative energy is discoverable, the juices or the essence of it can be used to replenish his own forces. This is a secret of Alchemists. If terrestrial circulation is arrested there is stagnation and death. Similarly when circulation of fluids in human body is stopped, putrefaction and death ensue. It is asserted that Alchemists know of certain substances which can keep the channels of circulation of the human body unclogged and thus prolong life indefinitely. Mineral springs have certain virtues in the cure of diseases and restoration of physical vigour. If the recuperative energy in the bowels of the earth is discovered then the secret of  the fountain of youth will have been discovered.  Adepts know the secret. This is Esoteric Geography and Geology. Some axiomatic principles of it may be considered which are given in The Secret Doctrine, vol. II, page 400 and foot notes.

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