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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Isis Study report of November 11, 2012

 

Summary and discussion

 Isis Unveiled, vol. I

Chapter XIII – Realities and Illusion

Pages : 493 – 496.

 Necromancy was strictly forbidden in the days referred to in the  Old Testament

 In the Bible the only instance of necromancy found is the story of the king Saul who sought answers to some pressing questions through divination. Having failed to invoke the holy spirits who seem to have abandoned him, he sought out a witch to raise Samuel from the dead, though he, Saul, the ruler himself, had decreed that enchanters, people with familiar spirits, soothsayers etc. were all prohibited to exercise their gifts. When the apparition of Samuel did appear at the invocation of the witch the shade rebuked Saul for having disturbed it from its rest. Moses decreed death against those who raised the spirits of the dead. Nowhere throughout the Old Testament, not in the writings of Homer nor in those of Virgil are to be found any evidence that they regarded raising of the dead otherwise than as necromancy—an accursed art,

Rarest of rare cases of appearance of true Spirits from the abode of the blessed

 The easily evoked “spirits” of the dead are nothing more than the spooks or the astral remains of the dead whose “Spirits,” or the Divine Souls,  have been translated into high spiritual state which is pure and divine, inaccessible to sundry mediums. Mediums evoke through their mediumistic practices only the shade of the dead, merely the astral corpse of the departed.

The true spirit of the dead translated into the “abode of the blessed” can never be invoked except on rarest of rare occasions. It is the doctrine of the ancients that no Soul from the ‘abode of the Blessed’ will return to earth except on extremely rare occasions when its apparition might be required to accomplish some great object in view, as bringing some benefit upon humanity. In such instances the Souls has no need to be evoked. It either sends portentous message by an evanescent simulacrum of itself or through a “messengers” who could appear in material form and personify faithfully the departed.

Easily evoked souls are spooks and no more

 They are spooks or Larvae. Seekers spill fresh blood to attract them. They are not to be communicated with as such communications infect the invokers with psychic and moral contagion. They are larvae from the infernal region of the limbo, the Shoel, the so-called eighth sphere; but these are not the ‘hell’ of the orthodox Christian theological dogma.

Porphyry speaking of such abominable evocations is credited to have remarked : “I cannot prevent the witches from picking up their bones…See the blood they pour in the ditches to allure the souls that will attract oracles.”

Spirit materializations of ancient days are much different and varied in character from the modern mediumistic evocations of spooks

 Many and varied are the ways of communication with true spiritual beings in days of old. Accounts of them are to be found in Sacred books. By no stretch of imagination did they resorted to the practices of modern séances. Medium requires darkness or dim lights, passive condition of medium etc. But the Patriarchs and Prophets of old needed no such aids. For example :

Three angels appeared to Abraham and drank in the full blaze of the sun (Gen. xviii-1)

The spirit of Elias and Moses appeared in day time. It is not probable that Christ and Apostles climbed high mountains during the night—as mediumistic evokers of the dead do.

Jesus is said to have appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden in the early morning.

 Next we will discuss the phenomenon of Levitation—as practiced by Mediums, on the one hand, and Adepts (or Mediators), on the other, and vital differences between the two.

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Isis Unveiled Study – Sunday, 5th November 2012, Summary and discussion

Isis Unveiled, vol. I

Chapter XIII – Realities and Illusion

Pages : 487- 493

Subject: Mediumship and Mediatorship (continued)

 

Passive Mediums and active Mediators:

Both of these opposite characters have appeared in all ages. How can we distinguish between them ? By their character and actions, it is answered, as we judge a tree by its fruits.

 

Character of impure mediums:

They have in them “familiar spirits” who control them. They generally make of their gift a trade. Indian jugglers, African and Asian sorcerers and serpent charmers exercise their gifts for money. They become physically, psychically and morally sick, and reduced to pitiable condition. They are harassed by various intelligences, and their weak and nervous natures are unable to shake off these possessing entities which over-power them. Their disability become chronic and are prevented by these “influences” from undertaking any profession or occupation. They are thus driven to extreme helplessness and are constrained trade their mediumship for money. They are to be pitied, not persecuted.

There are, of course pure and genuine mediums, who are benevolent and do good. The above is not said of these. It is the sickly mediums who are players in séances and dabble with the so-called “spirits of the dead” who suffer.

Not so with Mediators and Hierophants.

 

Character of Mediators

Buddha was a mendicant who refused his father’s throne. The “Son of Man had not where to lay his head.” Apostles provided “neither gold nor silver, not brass in their purses.” Apollonius gave away one half of his fortune to his relatives and the other half to the poor. Iamblichus and Plotinus were renowned for their charity and self-denial. High character of Fakirs and holy mendicants of India is well described by the French Orientalist, Jacolliot. The Pythagorean Essenes and Therapeutae believed their hands defiled by the contact of money. When Apostles (except Peter, as showed himself a coward and thrice a renegade, according to Gospels) were offered money to impart their spiritual powers, indignantly spurned the offer, saying, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” These men were Mediators, guided merely by their own personal spirit, or divine soul, and availing themselves of the help of the spirits so long as these remain in the right path.

Mediums are controlled by inferior spirits or what are called gods. But Mediators have mastery over themselves and over all inferior potencies which obey their irresistible will. When Plotinus was asked to attend public worship of gods, is said to have proudly answered, “It is for them (the spirits) to come to me. In the Hindu sacred book, The Institutions of Manu, it said that the gods control the worlds, but that the gods are subservient to Mantras (incantations), and that Brahmans know the secret of Mantras, and, therefore, Brahmans exercise power over the gods.

Iamblichus asserted and proved by his own example that our soul can attain communion with the highest intelligences, with “natures loftier than itself,” and drove away every inferior spirit or bad demon from his theurgic ceremonies. He taught his disciples how to recognize them. He and Proclus attained and taught how to attain divine powers, over-power mundane life, rendering oneself an organ of Deity. Jesus declared man the lord of the Sabbath, much like the ancient Indian Rishis declared that Man is Deity himself (That Thou Art),and at his command terrestrial and elementary spirits fled from their temporary abodes. Apollonius and many of the Brotherhood of Essenes of Judea and Mount Carmel exercised divine powers. Upanishad declare man to be non other than Deity itself but is ignorant of it, and can overcome ignorance and realize himself to be God Himself.

Why in ancient times unregulated mediums were persecuted.

There must have been very good reasons. Moses had stringent laws against those who practiced such mediumship. Moses, David, Samuel maintained colleges for teaching their students to develop deific powers in themselves, and encouraged to study prophesy, astrology, soothsaying, but discouraged unregulated mediumship by which witches exercised divination by the spirit of Ob ( Astral Light) The latter were put to death, or exiled from the city walls and driven to tombs and waste places. Why was this ? Why were they not tolerated ? Because the ancients had the discerning power by which they could see the difference between good and evil spirits which possessed the poor witches. They knew well that unregulated intercourse with inferior evil spirits brought ruin on the medium and disaster to the community. This is supported by experience of mankind from time immemorial.

 

Can one develop powers of mediumship ?

It is a wrong question, as a medium has no powers, and he develops none. How then mediumship develops ? It is developed by a certain moral and physical condition of man which induces emanation, or an aura, in which controlling intelligences can live, and by which they manifest themselves. He will be channel through which they act and display their power. Their aura changes day by day, and hour by hour. The medium’s moral state determines the kind of spirits that are attracted to him, and influence him intellectually, morally and physically.

Mediumship, passivity and possessions

The perfection of mediumship is in ratio to his passivity, and the danger he incurs is equal in degree. When he is perfectly passive, his own astral spirit may be benumbed, even crowded out of his body, which is occupied by an elemental or what is worse, by a human fiend of the eighth sphere who proceeds to use as his own. Causes of most celebrated crimes is to be sought in such possessions.

 

Passive mediumship and possessions.

Mediums are possessed by elementals or Elementaries, the latter being the spooks of the evil-minded men who are dead. These latter seek such sensitives and weak-minded people and take possession of their bodies and minds, and drive them to vice and crime. Poor mediums labour under the mistaken notions that they are guided by their “guardian angels.” If they were really so guided by benevolent spirits, then they must answer why, in the history of mediuship, are mediums are allowed by these “guardian angels” to suffer nervous and mental disorders, not given them good health and domestic happiness, why deserted them when they faced trial of practicing fraud, driven them to abnormal vice, and so on.

On the contrary, ancient Apostles and thaumaturgists enjoyed good health, and their magnetism never conveyed to the sick patients, whom they sought to cure, their physical and moral taint, nor were they ever accused of vampirism, like the mediumistic healers are.

 

How to overcome mediumship ?

If one unfortunately develops mediumship it is difficult to overcome it. But it is not impossible to get over it. Physical mediumship depends upon passivity. The remedy lies in its antidote, that is—to be active in mind and positive in attitude. Let him cease to be passive. Spirits never control persons of positive character who are determined to resist all extraneous influences. The weak and the feeble minded fall victims to these ghoulish entities and are driven into vice.

More discussions follow.

Isis Study – Sunday, 28th October 2012

Isis Study – Sunday, 28^th October 2012

Summary and discussion

 Isis Unveiled, vol. I

Chapter XIII – Realities and Illusion

Pages : 486 – 487

 Mediumship and Mediatorship

 These two are important truths of ancient psychology. Those who are attracted to the occult and aspire to acquire yogic knowledge and powers—and their number in legion in every country—will do well to understand thoroughly the principles of spiritual psychology and philosophy of Occultism. Whoever ventures headlong into this study and practice without such a thorough knowledge and a thorough grounding in ethics will invariably destroy himself or herself – in the sense that he will either slide into “irresponsible mediumship,” or find himself landed in “Black Magic” which utterly ruin man.

Relevant to the subject under consideration, the first six of the ten propositions of Oriental Psychology are reproduced below (from Isis, vol. II, pp. 587, 588) A familiarity with these axioms are necessary to correctly appreciate the meaning and sense of what follows.

Proposition I :

There is no miracle. Everything that happens is the result of law—eternal, immutable and ever-active. Apparent miracle is due to operation of natural laws nit generally known. There may be laws once “known,” now unknown to science.

 Proposition 2 :

Nature in triune : there is a visible, objective nature; and invisible, indwelling, energizing nature, the exact model of the other, and its vital principle; and, above these two, spirit, the source of all forces, alone eternal, and indestructible. The lower two constantly change, the higher third does not.

 Proposition 3 :

Man is also triune : he has his objective, physical body; his vitalizing astral body(or soul), the real man; and these two are brooded over and illuminated by the third—the sovereign, the sovereign, the immortal spirit. When the real man succeeds himself with the latter, he becomes an immortal spirit.

 Proposition 4 :

Magic, as a science, is the  knowledge of these principles, and of the way by which the omniscience and omnipotence of the spirit and its control over nature’s forces may be acquired by the individual while still in the body. Magic, as an art, is the application of this knowledge in practice.

 Proposition 5 :

Arcane knowledge misapplied, is sorcery; beneficently used, true magic or WISDOM.

 Propositions 6 :

Mediumship is the opposite of adeptship; the medium is the passive instrument of foreign influences, the adept actively controls himself and all inferior potencies.

 In the closing part of the previous blog such personages as Jesus, Moses, Paracelsus, Elisha, Apollonius of Tyana exhibited  extraordinary knowledge and control over forces of nature that, they were in their days, and even in our times would have been, looked upon as miracles. They revived people apparently dead, produced and filled the air with pests, frogs and other creatures by a knowledge of occult chemistry and exercise of power of their will, animated inanimate statues making them walk and talk like creatures, transformed inanimate rod into serpent and budding branch of a tree, animated mandrogora and produced homunculi  and so on.

They were past masters in Magical science and art, some of the principles of which are stated in the foregoing propositions. By Magic is meant Spiritual Wisdom, not the vulgar connotation it has in our day. The basic principle that emerge from a consideration of these propositions is that Man is a Microcosmos, a perfect copy of the great Macrocosmos. All the qualities, faculties, powers and potencies that there are there in the universe is present in man also, such that he is, in fact, a God on earth, there being no other God than man himself. They taught and demonstrated that God-like powers are latent in every man and everyone can develop them to perfection, and become like unto God himself. This is Adeptship.

Great Sages of the Alexandrian school of the 2^nd century, such as, Iamblichus, Plotinus, Porphyry etc. were great Adepts and exhibited god-like powers and had risen to super-human sanctity and chastity in their life. Prof. Alexander Wilder, in his work, Doctrines and principles of the Alexandrian School, gives an account of the life and teachings of Plotinus. He taught that there is in the soul a returning impulse, love, which attracted it inward towards its origin and centre, the eternal good, that the soul contains the beautiful within itself, and that the wise man recognizes it and develops it within himself, through laborious discipline and pure aspiration merges his consciousness with the Divine Consciousness in himself and becomes like a god.

“The infinite is not known through reason…but by a faculty superior to reason, by entering upon a state in which the individual, so too speak, ceases to be his finite self, in which state divine essence is communicated to him. This is ECSTASY.” Hindus call it Samadhi. Such is the stature of an Adept, also called Mediators.

Mediatorship

 The psychological axioms say that when the real (inner) man succeeds in merging himself with the Spirit, he becomes immortal and partakes of the omniscience and omnipotence of spirit and its control over forces of nature. Such are called Adepts. They have self-mastery and mastery over forces of nature. They transcend time, space and causality, and know past, present and future. Apollonius is known to have this power, and for him the present and future were visible as in a clear mirror. This is called spiritual photography. The soul is the camera in which facts, events, future, past and the present, are alike fixed. This is because of his abstimonious mode of life and purity. This is MEDIATORSHIP, as such an one consciously mediates between this world and the higher planes of existence and causes wondrous phenomena to transpire.

Mediumship

 But the above (Mediatorship) is not Mediumship, which is the very antithesis of Adeptship. Mediums are generally sick people and of highly nervous, passive and sensitive nature, who are controlled and moved by forces and influences extraneous to them, over which they have no control. Miscellaneous spirits of all kinds—human, elementary and elemental—use them, and produce various physical and psychological phenomena

There is normal mediumship and abnormal mediumship. All and everyone, for that matter, is a medium, as no one is so impervious to outside influences as not to feel for and sympathise with others. But this is normal mediumship. In the aura of every person external  influences can enter, live and move. But if abnormal mediumship is developed outside influences control the medium who becomes a passive instrument of them.

How is mediumship developed ?

 It may be self-developed.

1. It may develop by extraneous influences.


2. It may be latent throughout life.

The first of the kind may develop in people who for long periods indulge in wrong meditational and yogic practices—“sitting for development,” as they call it—especially in those in which the practitioner resorts to passive mental condition, or, keeping the mind blank. Subjecting oneself to hypnosis renders one weak in will power, weak in mental strength and prone to suggestions of every kind. They fall into mediumship. Attending séances in order to communicate with so-called spirits of the dead lay one open to developing undesirable mediumship.

Kinds of Mediumship

1. Positive


2. Negative


3. Passive


4. Active


5. Receptive


6. Repellent


7. Pure


8. Impure

Mediumship is measured by the quality of person’s aura with which the individual is surrounded. It may be dense, cloudy, mephitic, noisme, nauseating to the pure spirit and attract only foul beings who delight in such atmosphere, like eel does in turbid waters. Such mediumship is undesirable and leads to person’s ruin.

In case of pure mediums their aura will be pure, crystalline, limpid, opalescent as the morning dew. All depends on the moral character of the medium.

Mediumship is antagonistic to Adeptship (or Mediatorship)

Such holy men as Ammonius, Iambliches, Plotinus, Porhyry there gathered about them heavenly nimbus. It was evolved by the power of their own souls in close union with their spirits; by the superhuman morality and sanctity of their livcs, aided by frequent interior ecstatch contemplation. Such holy men pure spiritual influences could approach. They radiated an atmosphere of divine beneficence. They caused evil spirits would flee before them, and left the persons whom they were possessing and obsessing and fled when such holy men approached the victims. This is Mediatorship and not Mediumship. Such men are temples in which dwells the spirit of the living God.

If the temple is defiled by admission of an evil thought or desire, the mediator falls into the sphere of sorcery. This is still mediatorship, but of evil sort. Sorcerer forms his own aura and subjects to his will congenial inferior spirits.

Mediatorship and Mediumship both have existed on earth since the appearance of man on earth. Mediumship is yielding of weak mortal flesh to the control and suggestions of spirits and intelligences other than one’s own immortal Daemon. It is literally obsession and possession.

How many crimes have not been committed by individuals whose minds were implanted with the idea of the crime by evil influences from the Astral Light ! Such carry out the deed suggested to them like automatons. Such is the horror of developing undesirable mediumship.

Happy are the pure in heart, who repel unconsciously, by the very cleanness of their inner nature, the dark spirits of evil. They have no other weapons of defence but that inborn goodness and purity. Meidumhip as practiced in our day is more undesirable gift than the robe of Nessus.

The discussion on Mediatorship and Mediumship will be continued in the next week’s study.

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Isis Study, October 22, 2012.

Summary and comments on Isis study held on October 22, 2012 at Bangalore ULT 

 

Chapter XI : Realities and Illusions

Pages covered : p. 483-487 (Volume I)

Continuing the discourse on the phenomenon  of Suspended Animation and on the signs of real  death as distinguished from the apparent death, the teachings of the Occult philosophy is given by the Teachers, by which students can discern the vast hiatus between Occult Science and modern Science.

Many a remarkable  recorded cases of suspended animation in the 19^th century is given. No doubt numerous cases of the phenomenon are recorded in the contemporary times also. We only have to seek them and bring them to light.

The remarkable case of the wife of a wealthy merchant in Moscow is cited. She was in a cataleptic state for seventeen days and the civic authorities of Moscow made attempts to dispose off the body. But the family members were wiser in that, having noticed that the decomposition of the body had not set-in, averted the funeral ceremony. After seventeen days she spontaneously revived and lived

Even our modern day medical profession would have pronounced her dead. This only shows that the medical profession even today is unable to be absolutely certain when exactly a person is really dead, as the occult inner-life dynamics are out of the reach of the methods of modern empirical science. What are the occult laws in operation in such cases ?

In cases of spontaneous re-animation of the dead, the recovery is due to an effort of the spirit of the dead person, which may be provoked by numerous causes. In such cases, as well in those cases in which the dead is brought back to life by the exercise of the will power of the thaumaturgist :

The astral body of the dead person has not parted from the physical body; the external functions are simply suspended; the subject is not really dead but in a state of torpor, and restoration is nothing but  a recovery from it.

What do Kabalists say as contrasted with the views of modern medicine?

 They say that death occurs at the instant when both the astral body (or the life-principle) and the spirit part for ever. Those who can see without error on inner hidden planes of being can know it.

Modern science, confined to the physical laws alone, cannot know the moment of separation of the inner from the outer man. Moreover, modern science denies both the astral body and the spirit, but admits nothing more than the life-principle. It, therefore, judges death when life is apparently absent. So, the criteria by which modern science judges death are : cessation of the functions of the heart and the lungs; setting-in of rigor mortis; and setting-in of decomposition of the body.

But the annals of modern medicine is full of recorded cases of “suspended animation” of people pronounced dead due to asphyxiation by drowning, inhalation of gases and other causes. Persons apparently dead due to drowning, even after 12 hours, have recovered.

There is still a most remarkable phenomenon of clear signs of death of those who go into somnambulistic trance. In such cases all the signs of clinical death are apparent.. Breathing and pulse are extinct, body heat has disappeared, muscles are rigid, eyes glazed and body colourless. A case of one Colonel Townhend is cited. He had a remarkable gift of dying any instant and recovering from death. He threw himself into trance before three medical professionals, who, finding all signs of death clearly present, were persuaded that he was dead. He then slowly revived and came back to life.

It may be noted that this power of voluntary suspended animation and revival after days and months of apparent death is quite common among Indian Yogis and Fakirs. They know practically the science of Life in both the physical and the metaphysical aspects. 

Signs of Real Death

 A man is not dead when the body is cold, stiff, pulseless, breathless, and even when displaying signs of decomposition. A man is not dead when buried, not afterwards, until a certain point is reached. That point is : when the vital organs have become so decomposed, that if re-animated, they could not perform their customary functions; the mainspring and the cogs of the machine, so to speak, are so rusted that they would snap upon turning the key. Until that point is reached, the astral body may be caused, without miracle, to re-enter its former tabernacle : either by its own will, or under the resistless impulse of the will of the one who knows the potencies of nature and how to direct them.

Limits of suspended animation and revival

 How do Fakirs remain apparently dead for weeks and months and revive ?  What are the limitations ? Prof. William Gregory’s Letters on Animal Magnetism is cited in which is described cases of most profound  clairvoyant catalepsy, obtained by the famous 19^th century Mesmerist, Baron Du Potet. The spirit is so far disengaged from the body that it is impossible to re-enter it without the effort of the mesmerizer’s will. The subject is practically dead, and, left to itself, the spirit would escape for ever. But the half-freed spirit is still tied to the body by a magnetic cord. It is described by the clairvoyants as appearing dark and smoky by contrast with the ineffable brightness of the astral atmosphere through which they look.

Once the magnetic thread is snapped, nothing can make the spirit to reanimate the body it has left. As long as the cord is intact, strong will of the mesmerizer can force it back into the body.

The great French Occultist, Eliphas Levy, says that resuscitation is  possible while the vital organism remains undestroyed, and the astral spirit is within reach.

Making statues walk and talk.

  The same knowledge and control of occult forces, by which a Fakir can temporarily leave the body and re-enter it at will, or force the astral spirit of the dead person to re-animate the body it has quit, as did Jesus, Elisha, Hierophants can also animate statues, make them walk and talk like living men, and even prophecy.

 It is by the same knowledge and power that Paracelsus, the famous but misunderstood Occultist of 15^th century Europe, to animate mandrogora (mandrake plants), Moses to cover Egypt with frogs and other pets, Aaron to turn his rod into a snake and a budding branch. There is nothing miraculous in this any more than the modern bio-chemists is able to culture a given kind of bacteria in his laboratory. The difference between the two is that the field of research of the former extended far into metaphysics and the latter is limited to physical and biological laws.

While modern science speculates on artificial intelligence, and creates it in robotics, still the hiatus between it and the truly human consciousness is impassable. But the ancients had the knowledge of infusing life and superior consciousness in inanimate objects making them talk, move about like living beings, and impart knowledge, prognosticate future events.

Ancient Theurgists and prophets performed wondrous feats by a thorough knowledge of the god-like powers of man who is the Micrcosm of the Macrocosm :

 When the present perfected European civilization was yet in its formative years, Occult Philosophy, already hoary with age, speculated upon the attributes of man by analogy with those of the Creator, and great Occultists demonstrated to their pupils by the example of their own persons how far could the god-like powers can be developed in man, the Microcosmos.

  

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Isis Study - October 14, 2012

Summary and comments on Isis study held on October 14, 2012 at Bangalore ULT

Chapter XI : Realities and Illusions

Pages covered : p. 479 – 483

 

We have been considering the phenomenon of the re-animation of the apparently dead. There are no absolutely unambiguous answer with modern science to the question : When are the “Dead” dead ? Confessedly there are no certain signs of real death. They have only external evidence. But inner unseen forces at work are inaccessible to tools and methods of modern science.

 External evidences of death are not proofs of real death

 i. immobility of the body ; ii. Cadaverous aspect of the body ; iii. The coldness of body surface ; iv. Absence of respiration and pulsation ; v. the sunken state of the eyes.

These are the criteria by which modern medicine determines death. But these are not certain and definite criteria, since, with all such external evidence there have been, and there are occurring even at this moment in every part of the globe, cases of people pronounced dead and yet reviving from apparent death, even after days and weeks of so-called clinical death. There are hundreds upon hundreds of cases  of people pronounced clinically dead and buried but found upon exhumation signs of reanimation of the body in the coffin, struggle to come out of the dreadful situation and death due to asphyxiation.

 Ancients knew of this

 Democritus and Pliny both asserted that there are no certain signs of real death. Asclepiades, the most distinguished men of his days in Greece, held that it is still more difficult to ascertain real death in case of women.

 Remarkable cases of suspended animation

 Todd Thomson gives an account of many such cases of suspended animation. Francis Neville, a Norman gentleman, twice apparently died, twice in the act of being buried, and both the times, just at the moment of the coffin being lowered, he revived and came back to life.

The case of a 17^th century Lady Russel : she was pronounced dead, taken to the graveyard and about to be buried. When the church bells rang during the funeral service, she sat up in the coffin and exclaimed – “It is time to go to the church !”

Diemerbroese speaks of a peasant who gave no signs of life for 3 days, and when taken to the grave to be buried, revived and lived long thereafter.

A search in the google, listverse.com 20/10/02/02, show top ten of the many horrifying cases premature burial.

The mystery of death

 View of modern science : Men are aggregate of atoms temporarily united by a mysterious force called life-principle. The only difference between the living and dead body is : in one case the life-force is active, and in the other latent. When it is extinct, or entirely latent, molecules obey superior attraction which draws them asunder and scatters them in space. This dispersion is death. But in that process, the dead body is exhibiting intense activity of disintegration and dispersal, which activity is Life.

If death is stoppage of digesting, locomotive and thought grinding machine, how can death be actual and not relative before that machine is thoroughly broken up and its particles dispersed ? So long as any of them cling together, the centripetal vital force may overmatch the dispersive centrifugal action.

Eliphas Levi, the great Occultist of Mediaeval France said :

Change attests movement, and movement only reveals life. The corpse would not decompose if it were dead. All the molecules which compose it are living and struggle to separate. Would you think spirit frees itself first of all to exist no more ? That thought and love can die when the gross forms of matter do not die ? If change be called death, we die and are born again every day, for every day our forms undergo change.

Kabalistic doctrine

 Man is not dead when his body is entombed. Death is never sudden. Nothing goes in nature by violent transitions. Everything is gradual. As it required a long and gradual development to produce the living human being, so time is required to completely withdraw vitality from the carcass. Death can no more be an absolute end, than birth a real beginning. Birth proves the pre-existence of the being, as death proves immortality.

 All cases of reviving the dead by the power of the will are cases of suspended animation :

 Devout Christians believe in the so-called miracle of resurrection of the daughter of Jairus by the word of command of Jesus but they repudiate the same work done by Apollonius, because he is a pagan. In the case of the Gospel account it is ‘Miracle,’ but in the case of pagans it is either the devil or fraud. Scientist on the other hand maintains a uniform stand, and that is, it is all hallucination or trickery.

Scepticism of the scientist and the fanatical dogma of miracle of the church would both stand to benefit and see a glimmer of truth in the phenomena, if only they pay close attention to what both Jesus and Apollonius said when resurrecting the apparently dead. Jesus said of Jairus’ daughter : “She is not dead but sleepeth.” This is a significant expression. If it is ignored, then the Church Fathers will fall into a self-contradiction—force their god to break his own laws and grants unjustly what he denies to others.

Apollonius exclaimed when re-animating the girl who was dead, “She had seemed to die.”

Which means, these are cases of suspended animation. Biographer of Apollonius, Philostratus, says that when the dead girl was being carried to the funeral pyre it was raining fast and her face being turned up, being beaten by rain, must have been a factor in her revival. He never regarded it as a miracle but a natural  phenomenon.

All these go to demonstrate that Asclepiades, Apollonius and many such sages had the merit of distinguishing at a glance between the real death and apparent death.

Limits of suspended animation

 Resuscitation is possible as long as the the electric thread (or Magnetic cord) which links the inner vital body and the physical body is intact. It may remain intact long after so-called clinical death. But science with its narrow methods and theories cannot investigate the subtle realm. But the true scientists, the Occultists, can know by one simple glance, the actual situation, and are able to resuscitate the apparently dead with the power of their Will.

But once the magnetic cord is snapped, as it will, in the natural process of physical death, nothing or no one can resuscitate the dead; then death is irreversible. The soul will have to return back to reincarnation through the cyclic and Karmic law.

Resurrection of the dead by the word of command is a lost science

 Asclepiades, Apollonius enjoyed exceptional powers for discernment of actual death and were able to recall to life those who were seemingly dead back to life in an instant, with pronouncing a word of command. Should modern science deny and repudiate these well attested accounts because they are not amenable to its present methods of investigation ?                                                                                  It is not likely that they will get better of their prejudice and begin discover the lost science.

 There were colleges for teaching prophecy and Occult sciences

 In olden times Thaumaturgists were not called charlatans and Occult science were not derided. There were in those days colleges which taught prophecy and Occult sciences. Hillel had a regular academy, Socrates is said too have sent many students to study Manticism. The study of magic, or wisdom, included every branch of science, the metaphysical as well as the physical, psychology and physiology in their common and occult phases. Study of alchemy was universal since it was both physical and a spiritual science. Ancients studied nature in its double aspects and achieved discoveries which, to our modern day physicists, who study bur its dead letter, is a closed book.

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ISIS STUDY - OCTOBER 8, 2012

Summary and comments on Isis study held on October 8, 2012 at Bangalore ULT

Chapter XI : Realities and Illusions

Pages covered : p. 470 – 479

 It was said in the Isis study report of 16^th Sept – 1^st October that for every discovery made by science there looms before it  a hundred unexplained mysteries. For instance, what is Life ? What is the nature of the difference between the living organism and the dead organism ? So far as chemical and physical forces are concerned there is none till a considerable decomposition of the latter has taken place. Yet  the difference is immense, inconceivably great. What is the nature of this different “something,” where has it gone ? This is a question on which there are speculations and controversies in the academies but nothing is known with certainty. This is because science confines itself merely to the physical, and Man and Nature is regarded as just physical machinery and no more. The Psyche and the Spirit of things are disbelieved in, and even ridiculed. Blind as it is to psychic and spiritual side of Nature and Man, it stands dumb before the mysteries of vital force, of mind, soul and spirit.              

 Only the ancient Oriental psychology has the answers with experimental proofs and ages of experience gathered from remotest past. For it there is no mystery of life remains to be  discovered. Yet modern academies should ignore these is a commentary on the power of bias and prejudice which human mind is generally infested with. Bias, prejudice and scepticism are stumbling blocks in the way of true progress.

This mysterious Life, or Vital Force, which give vital activity, intelligence and consciousness to the organism, and the absence of which makes the organism dead, is demonstrated in innumerable experiments in the phenomenon of :

Reanimation of apparently dead people

Ancient science repudiates the idea of miracle. There are no miracles as the Christian Church proclaims to, and fastens on, the minds of its credulous followers. Apparent miracle is due to the working of laws of Nature not generally known and hence called miracle. If a knowledge of the laws are known it would seem to be perfectly natural, demonstrable and replicable.

 In all ages and everywhere, and at the present time, there have been innumerable cases of reanimation of the dead. We have in the Gospels the story of Lazarus, who was dead, being restored to life by Jesus. Is it a miracle? Certainly not. Thousands of such revivals have been made and thousands, who were proclaimed dead, have naturally revived. Like Jesus, thaumaturgists have accomplished done it in all times.

 The chief difficulty of science to explain this lies in the following two vital points :

 1. The ultimate moment of separation of the Inner Man or Soul from the Outer Body, the casket, when the body is declared dead by science.

2. A prevailing unbelief in the existence of ether soul, or spirit, in Man.

Death results when the Inner Ethereal Soul, Inner Man, withdraws from the outer body, due to the body organism becoming too worn by disease or old age. But as long as the vital connection between the Inner Man and the outer body is not completely, irretrievably, ruptured, the Inner Man may re-enter its body, or made to re-enter it by the will power of the thaumaturgist.

 Will-power of man is so tremendously potential that it can re-animate a body apparently dead, by drawing back the flitting soul that has not yet quite ruptured the thread that through life had bound the two together.

 Experiments :

Many Fakirs in India have allowed themselves to be buried alive before thousands of witnesses, and weeks afterwards have been disinterred and resuscitated. The processes is analogous to hibernation. Jesus, Gymnosophists of India, Apollonius of Tyana and many other prophets and Seers knew the mysteries of life and death thoroughly, very much more than what modern science knows.

That Soul, the vital principle, which animates the body giving it life, vital activity, conscience and consciousness, the absence of which renders the body dead—what is it ? “Whence it came, whither it was going ?” asked Le Conte, the French scientist.

St. Paul, Jesus, Apollonius, Elsisha, ascetics and learned initiates might have recalled to life any man who “was not dead but sleeping” without any miracle.

The axiom is : If the molecules of the cadaver are imbued with the physical and chemical forces of the living organism what is it to prevent them from being set again in motion, provided we know the nature of the vital force, and who to command it.

 Three hypotheses reg. re-animation of the apparently dead are in currency:

Comparison and contrast of them reveals wherein lies the truth.

 1. Theory of science :

For the materialist there is no question of re-infusion of the soul for soul has no existence for him. Human body is looked upon as a vital engine—a locomotive which will start upon the application of heat and force, and stop when they are withdrawn.

2. The Christian Theological view :

To the theologian death cuts asunder the tie which binds the soul and the body, and one no more be returned into the other without a miracle than the born infant can be compelled to resume its foetal life after parturition and the severing of the umbilicus.

3. The doctrine of the Hermetic philosopher

He stands between the above two irreconcilable antagonists, master of the situation. He knows the nature of the soul—a form composed of nervous fluid and atmospheric ether—and knows how the vital force can be made active or passive at will, so long as there is no final destruction of some necessary organ.

The 4 of the 10 axioms of ancient psychology, given in the previous study class blog notes, may be referred to. They throw clear light on the phenomenon and show the relative merits of the forgoing three views.

Experiments to show that Astral Soul is distinct and separable from the body :

 1. Presence of the Astral form in the ashes of the burnt body of plants.

 It was not unknown to European science as far back as 16^th century that the ethereal form of plants were retained in the ashes of the plants and which could be resuscitated. Ashes of burned plants contained in vials, when heated, exhibited their forms. Du Chesne, eminent chemist, assured himself of the fact.

If the astral form of a plant still lingers in its ashes when the plant is dead and burned, could the soul of man, the inner Ego, disappear when the human body is dead ? It must persist and, given proper conditions, should be capable of re-entering and re-animating the body it had cast off. Philosophers say that at death one body exudes the other, by osmose and through the brain. It is held near its old garment by a  double attraction, physical and spiritual, till the physical is decomposed. If before decomposition, if proper conditions are furnished, the soul can re-inhabit the body and resume suspended life. It happen in sleep, in trance, and an Adept in Occultism, by the exercise of his Will, can force it back into the body, like Jesus is reported to have done, in the Gospels, in the case of Lazarus. Such Adepts are “full of God,” says Iamblichus. All the subordinate spirits of the upper sphere are at his command, as he no longer a mortal, but a god.

2. Telepthy and Astral projection or travel

 Proposition no. 9 says :

One of the phases of magical skill is voluntary withdrawal of the inner man from the outer body, at will, and cause it to perform long  journeys.

Numerous unimpeachable evidences are on record of persons having witnessed such performances. Hermotinus, according to Pliny and Plutarch, could at will fall into trance, and his second soul proceeded to any distant place he chose.

Abbe Fretheim in 17^th century could converse with friends, irrespective of great distance that separated them, by the power of his will, convey his thoughts to whomsoever he wished, even caused dreams to be seen by others far away whatever he wished them to dream. He also caused his double to appear to several persons, far away, at the same time. His power to project his double was demonstrated without doubt.

3. Burial and resuscitation of Fakirs in India

 Thousands of witnesses testify to this. Fakirs allow their bodies to be buried for as much as 6 feet under the ground for an indefinite period and come back alive when disinterred. In the book, “Camp and Court of Ranjit Singh,” Osborne describes such a feat by a Fakir in the court of the Prince Ranjit Singh. The Fakir was buried for 6 weeks under ground. Care was taken to ensure that no deception was practiced. When he was disinterred his body was clinically dead, as ascertained by a physician. There was no heat in the body and no pulse, but there was some warmth in the region of the brain. After treatment, such as, pouring hot water in the body, friction, removal of wax and pledgets from ears and nostrils etc. pulse returned, he slowly recovered and spoke to people around. His tongue had been thrust back to block the gullet. The Fakir explained that this was done to prevent air from entering the body interior which, otherwise, would have caused germs of decay to enter the bodily organ and destroy organs.

What do these phenomena prove ?

 That there is a vital principle and a soul in, and separable from the body, that at death separation of the two take place, and that one can learn this science and be able to consciously withdraw from the body and re-enter it at will.

Another question it raises is ; When is dead really dead ?  What is the criteria for declaring a person who has died that he is really dead ? Modern medicine has certain criteria but there have been innumerable cases of resuscitation long after clinical death has been pronounced. There is no certain standard test by which modern medicine can say that a person is really dead despite the fact that by its known clinical tests death has occurred. Are there not innumerable revivals inside the grave after the persons were declared dead and buried ?

To be continued in the next installment.

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Isis Study of 16th September to 1st October 2012

Sunday, September 16^th, 23^rd and October 1st 2012, at the Bangalore ULT

Chapter XIII :  Realities and Illusions
Pages covered : 466 to 474

The propositions one to five of Asiatic Psychology, out of the ten propositions, state as follows :

Proposition 1 : There are no miracles. Everything that happens is the result of law—eternal, immutable, ever active.

Proposition 2 : Nature is triune; there is a visible, objective nature; and invisible, indwelling, energizing nature, the exact model of the other, and its vital principle; and above these two, spirit, source of all forces, alone eternal, and indestructible. The lower two constantly change; the higher third does not.

Proposition 3 : Man is also triune : he has his objective, physical body; his vitalizing astral body (or soul), the real man; and these two are brooded over and illuminated by the third—the sovereign, immortal spirit. When the real man succeeds in merging himself with the latter, he becomes an immortal entity.

Propositions 4 : Magic, as a science, is the knowledge of these principles, and the way by which the omniscience and omnipotence of the spirit and its control over nature’s forces may be acquired by the individual while still in the body. Magic as an art, is an application of this knowledge in practice.

 Proposition 5 : Arcane knowledge misapplied, is sorcery; beneficently used, true magic or WISDOM.

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 The propositions show that the modern learning and research is confined to the outer Nature, and modern science ignores the inner psychic and still deeper spiritual aspects of Man and Nature. The ancient  Science, on the other hand, had penetrated the hidden mysteries of Occult Nature, discovered the potent creative laws and powers, and applied them in practice. Science, by its methods, can know only physical and chemical properties of things, and is unaware of their hidden occult potencies. Science studies only the body of man but is ignorant of the psycho-physiological, psycho-spiritual and divine powers and faculties latent in Man.

Hence to science there are innumerable unexplained mysteries, and those presumably explained hardly one may be said to have become absolutely intelligible. There is not a plant or mineral which has disclosed the last of its properties to scientists. How can they be sure that for every one of the discovered properties there may not be many powers concealed in the inner nature of the plant or stone? And that they are waiting to be brought in relation with some other plant, mineral, or force of nature to manifest themselves in what is called a “super-natural manner.”

Pliny, the ancient naturalist, Aelian, Diodorus, through their own researches into the hidden meaning in ancient fables and extricated from them the truth that some plants and minerals occult properties unknown to moderns. But our modern day schools dismiss such claims as absurd and ignore them.  

The mystery of vital principle

Professor Joseph Le Conte posed a question to his fellow-scientists : what is the difference between a living and a dead organism? He says he can detect none so far as physical and chemical properties are concerned, till the dead body is gradually disintegrated. He asks, can the nature of the difference expressed in formula of material science? What is that is gone and whither is it gone? There is something here science cannot yet understand.. Yet it is this loss which takes place at death. It is the Vital Force.

This Vital Force is the universal motor of all – Life. To explain its nature, even to suggest a reasonable hypothesis, the mystery is but a half mystery, not only for the great Adepts and Seers, but to the believer in a spiritual world too.

Divine Faith, unerring Intuition

To the simple believer there remains divine Faith, which is rooted in his inner senses. It is his unerring intuition with which cold reason has noting to do. It is ineradicable from human psyche.

Experiments which prove that animals possess clairvoyance

Every animal is more or less endowed with the faculty of perceiving things which are not visible to common men, and which can only be discovered by a clairvoyant. H.P.B., in her long study and research all over the world, said she witnessed hundreds of experiments being done with cats, dogs, monkeys, and once with a tamed tiger. Two experiments were done in India—one by a holy mendicant and the other by a sorcerer. Besides confirming possession of clairvoyant faculty by the tiger, the experiments also brought out the difference between White Magic and Black Magic, as the experiments were performed one after the other by the two Magicians. A black mirror known as “magic crystal” was strongly mesmerized by the Hindu Fakir and the tiger made to look into it. The animal’s sight was transfixed to the image, invisible to others, which it saw, unable to take its sight off it, its eyes following the movements of the image.

When it was the sorcerer’s turn, he too went though similar magnetization of the mirror. The tiger howled, groaned and terrified by the image it saw, and at last, breaking the chain with which it was bound, dashed out of the open window.

They demonstrated that animals possess naturally the clairvoyant faculty, and even able to discern between good and bad spirits.

Both these magicians possessed masterly control over animals. They would make the most ferocious beast like a tiger as harmless as a kitten in their presence, such that even children could tease and pull their ears and so on, and the animal would just submit itself.

Demonstration of sovereign Will of man in controlling forces of Nature

HPB quotes from a report of a French traveller  which was published in a New York news paper called Franco American.

One Indian Fakir, Chib Chondar, demonstrated his magical skills. Ten deadly cobras were entwining the limbs of his body. He took out a small pipe tuck in his hair and produced sounds  resembling the call of a bird. The serpents uncoiled themselves from his body, came on the ground, raised one-third of their body and kept time with their master’s music. The Fakir drops his instrument and makes several passes over the serpents which became motionless and rigid like a stick. His eyes assume a strange expression. The French reporter and others who were witnessing the performance felt uneasy and sought to turn away from his gaze, and they later said that if continued his gaze for some more time they would have succumbed to irresistible sleep which came over them. The monkey, his companion, which was trained by him to bring him fire in a brazier, had fallen asleep. He ordered the sleeping monkey to fetch him fire. Obeying the master it does so, even though in a fit of sleep, and then lay down asleep again. The witnesses pulled pinched the monkey to ensure it was really asleep, yet in sleep it obeyed its master’s orders.

They examined the snakes. They all lay in a cataleptic state, like hard wooden sticks. Fakir then awakens them with a few mesmeric passes, and they all slither towards him and coil themselves round his limbs as before.

The  Fakir made mesmeric passes over the limbs of witnesses and suddenly they lose control over their own limbs, nor could they raise from their seats. He makes some more passes and they regain control.

He then went on to show the power of will on inanimate objects.  By mere passes of his hands in the direction of the objects he acted on them without moving from his seat. He paled and extinguished lights in the room, moved furniture without touching them, catching sight of gardener outside who was drawing water from a well he makes passes in the direction and the rope which was being lowered in to the well stopped moving to the astonishment of the gardener. He makes another pass and the rope obeys the gravity and descends into the well.

When asked how he performed such feats, his answer was simple : “I have only one means. ..The will. Man, who is the end of all intellectual and material forces, must dominate over all. The Brahmans know nothing besides this.”

DHARANI – the Hindu mystic charm

Colonel Yule (google search will tell information about him) speaks of this charm. Such feats are produced :
-Sticking pegs into hard rock.
-restoring dead to life.
-turning a dead body into gold.
-penetrating everywhere as air does (in astral form).
-flying.
-Catching wild beasts by hand.
-reading thoughts.
-Making water flow backward.
-eating tiles.
-sitting in the air with legs doubled under. Etc.

Simon the Magus, the contemporary of St. Paul, the Apostle, is credited to have performed all these feats. Of course, the Roman Catholic Church denounced him and accused him of performing his phenomena with the help of the “Devil”—a theological invention.

HPB says in answer :
“We believe WILL-POWER the most powerful of magnets. The existence of such magical power in certain persons is proved, but the existence of the Devil is a fiction which no theology is able to demonstrate.”

A detail account of trustworthy witnesses if given of the famous Indian rope trick : The juggler throwing one end of a rope high into the air, sends a boy up the rope, who disappears in the sky. The juggler call his down. Not coming down in obedience to his order, the infuriated juggler takes a knife and climbs up the rope so high as to disappear from sight. Then fall on the ground one by one bloody limbs and flesh and severed head of the boy on the ground. The juggler climbs down, puts all the limbs together and the boy comes alive as before to the astonishment of audience.

This is again an exhibition of power of Imagination and Will by which the performer can make people see what he wills them to see. 

Next the phenomenon of reanimation of the apparently dead and the rational of it will be considered.

Isis Unveiled - study class schedule

Text : Isis Unveiled, Volume I, by Madam H.P. Blavatsky

Date : Sunday, September 23, 2012

Time : 10 A.M. to 11-15 A.M. (Indian Time)

Chapter XIII : Realities and Illusions

Pages : Volume I, p. 466, 2nd break - 470, 1st break

Skype ID : ultbangalore

Summary of Isis Study on September 9, 2012

Chapter XIII :  Realities and Illusions
Pages covered : From p.461, beginning of the chapter to p. 465 top.

Modern sceptical unbelief in achievements of ancients :
 It is generally believed that ancient people had not made much advance in knowledge of nature’s laws. But an impartial study reveals that they had made great advances, much more than the modern world has so far made, in the fields of psychology and physics. These two disciplines with them went hand in hand, and they probed hidden potencies in the objects of the natural world and powers of the human mind and soul, which are terra incognita for our modern science. Such claims are disbelieved in and ridiculed.
 For instance, the ancient lore of the talisman is pooh-poohed as an old superstition. When it is said by philosophers that the seven spirits of the Apocalypse have direct relation to the seven occult powers in nature, it is dismissed as an absurdity. Bare mention of magicians working wonders through certain Kabalistic rites convulses sceptics with laughter. But those who have taken the trouble to inform themselves know that the ancients achieved as great discoveries in psychology and physics and that their explorations have left few secrets to be discovered by posterity.
 Ancient Alchemical symbols no more ridiculous than symbols of modern chemistry :
 The ancients preserved and conveyed their knowledge in symbols which moderns don’t understand. While the geometrical figure pentacle, for instance, is no more than any figure of Euclidean geometry for the modern man, the student of occult science knows that it is a synthetic figure which expresses in concrete form a profound truth in nature. No more strange are the symbols of Alchemists to the one versed in that science than the chemical symbols and formulae of the modern chemistry to the student of chemistry. For instance, the symbol of Azoth of the Alchemist represents creative principle in nature, called in Theosophy Astral Light. The symbol encompasses three different levels of being in its signification : the divine, the philosophical synthesis, and the physical synthesis. Incomprehensibility and strangeness of Alchemical symbols felt by the professors of the modern science lies in the fact that they (the modern) know of only the physical and are entirely ignorant of the psychic and the spiritual side of nature. Hermetic philosophers, on the other hand, were past masters in their practical knowledge of, and control over, occult forces and potencies in Nature, and psychological powers in man.
 The ancient science and the art of talisman :
 When a magnet is applied to a piece of iron the latter also becomes magnetized, and it, in its turn, can magnetize other pieces of iron. The iron piece so magnetized does not, on that account, change its physical and chemical properties, neither weighs less or more, but one of the most subtle potencies of nature has entered into its substance, giving it a potency it had not before.
 Talisman is made by the same principle with this difference that: i) the talisman may be any object—a piece of paper, a shred of a fabric, a bit of a metal ; and ii) it has been magnetized, ie., has been imbued with a potency by the influence of the greatest of magnets in nature—the human will. And it is capable of producing certain results according to the will of the person who makes it—for good or bad purpose, for healing or for cursing.
 What is this subtle agent in nature which human will can act upon, and which animals employ in a limited way ?
 The bloodhound can trace a fugitive, wherever he may be hiding, if allowed to sniff at an article handled by him, from the scene of crime to his hiding place. If a psychometer is given a manuscript or an object, however old, he can come to know all about the person who was in contact with it, simply by applying the said object to his forehead or pit of the stomach etc. He enters into conscious sympathy with the surroundings of that object and the persons who were in contact with it and describe them all in detail. (Interested people can refer to the book, “The Soul of Things” by Prof. Denton, which is accessible in google search)
 This is an illustration of the 7^th and the 10^th propositions of Oriental psychology (see either Isis Unveiled vol. ii, p. 587-588, or extract of it in Basic propositions of psychology in the homepage of www.ultindia.org)
 Magnetic vampirism
 There are some people who are magnetic vampires. They have the faculty of drawing to themselves the vital magnetism of others, themselves thus gaining in strength and draining the one who was robbed of his vitality and rendered weakened thereby. This is true of animals also. Experienced breeders tell that young animals should not be herded with old ones, and intelligent physicians forbid parents to have young children occupy their own bed. When David was weak and old his vital forces were recruited by having a young person brought in close contact with him so that he could absorb her strength. So did an empress of Russia who was so feeble in her last days of her life, physicians advised her to keep a robust young peasant girl in her bed at night.
 Dr. Kerner gives the description of the Seeress of Provost, Mme Hauffe—who stated that she supported her life merely on the atmosphere of the people surrounding her and their magnetic emanations, which were quickened in an extraordinary way by her presence. This is an instance of magnetic vampirism. She absorbed by drawing to herself the life of those who were strong enough to spare their vitality in the shape of volatilized blood. Dr. Kerner reported that these persons were more or less affected by this forcible loss.
 What is this subtle fluid of nature by which all things are made and which pervades all Nature ? Says a proposition of ancient psychology :
 There is one common vital principle which pervades the universe, and it is controllable by perfected human WILL.
 This is one of the basic principles of ancient Magic. One illustration is given of a practical application of this law in nature :
 HPB gives an instance of exhibition of human will to move Akasa—the  all-pervading common vital principle of nature. An Adept in magic in Bengal makes a few passes over a piece of common tin, the in-side of a dish cover, regarding it attentively for a few moments, seemed to grasp the imponderable fluid by handfuls and throw it against the surface. When the tin had been exposed to the full glare of light for about 6 seconds the bright surface was suddenly covered with a film. Then patches of darker hue began coming out on its surface. In about three minutes the tin was handed back to people watching. It was found that the surface was imprinted with a picture or a photograph of the landscape that stretched before them.—faithful as nature itself, and every colour perfect. It remained for about 48 hours and then slowly faded away.
  The will of the Adept condensed upon the tin a thin film of Akasa, which made it for the time being like a sensitized photographic plate. Light did the rest.
 The action of the human Will in curing diseases ;
 Persons versed in this science can cure diseases by imparting the desired virtues drawn from Akasa and infuse the same on an inanimate object which is put in contact with the patient. The faith of the patient is a crucial factor here.
 Faith in humans has creative potency. The secret of healing potency lies in the intensity of faith, which acts and moves occult forces of nature to cure diseases and produce such prodigies.
 What then is the difference between modern chemistry and ancient Theurgy or Hermetic science ?
 Modern chemistry is no less a magician than the Hermetic art. But there is a vast difference between the two, and it is this : Hermetic science recognized the duality of nature, and, therefore, has twice as wide a field for experimental research as the chemist. The ancient animated statues, called into being, out of the elements, the shapes of elemental forces of nature, the Kabalistic gnomes. Salamanders, sylphs and undines. He did not create them but simply opened the door of invisible inner nature so as to permit the occult forces to step into view, under certain favourable conditions.
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Isis Study of 2nd September 2012

Summary of the study of Isis Unveiled carried out on Sunday, September 2, 2012, at the Bangalore ULT

Chapter XII : The “Impassable chasm”
Pages covered : 454, first para to the end of the chapter on p. 460.


Vampirism – continued from previous week’s study

 The discussion on the phenomena of Vampirism ends on p. 455 with a narration of one of the most frightful cases of vampirism. It is said to have taken place somewhere in Russia. The story goes that the governor of the province, 60 years age, who was of a malicious, tyrannical, cruel and jealous disposition, ruled the province with despotic authority as his brutal instincts prompted. A young beautiful daughter of a subordinate official of his government was betrothed to a young man whom she loved. But the despotic governor fell in love with the girl and forced her father to consent to  having her marry him. The poor victim, despite her despair, became his wife. His jealous disposition exhibited itself, and he beat and tortured her, confined her to a room, forbade to her to have any outside contact except in his presence. Finally the governor fell ill and died. As his end was approaching, he made her swear that she would not marry again, and that if she did, he would return from the grave and kill her. He was buried in the cemetery across the river. The young girl experienced no further annoyances, got the better of her fears and consented to the importunities of her lover and agreed to be betrothed to him.

Then commences the fearful haunting of the vampire of the dead governor who rode in a black coach in the midnight hour into the mansion where she lived, entered her apartment , beat and tortured her. Shrieks of the young woman were heard in the neighbourhood, some of whom came, burst opened the door and found her lying in the bed in a swoon, and they heard sound of a carriage rumbling out of the courtyard. Her body bore black and blue patches due to beating and pinching, and her neck slightly punctured with drops of blood oozing out. She said her deceased husband appeared in the room exactly as in life except that his face was dreadfully pale. This continued night after night and she was brought close to the door of death.

Physicians had no explanation to offer and priests came and spend the night in prayer, but when midnight approached they were seized with over-powering lethargy and sank into sleep. Molestation of the girl continued thus night after night.

Authorities decided to post a pose of armed guards and priests at the bridge across the river from where came the ghostly carriage. When the carriage appeared in the midnight driving at full speed, they ordered the carriage driver to stop and challenged him. But the guards and the priests were flung side by an electric shock, and the spectral carriage went passed them. Finally the authorities decided to exhume the body of the governor and drive a stake through the heart of the carcass. When that was done a groan issued from the corpse and a jet of blood spurted high into the air. Thereafter the vampire was no more heard of.

This is an eye witness account HPB gives.

Questions raised by Dom Calmet, listed in last week’s blog—of the 26^th August—remains to be answered. They are
i. Exit from and entry of the vampire into the grave without any disturbance of the earth over it.
ii. How to account for the appearance of the spectre of the person dead and buried.
iii. How does the spectre take on objective form, speak, walk and do all things a living person does.
iv. Why do spectres appear only at midnight hours.
v. How is the blood sucked from victims transfused in to the corpse in the grave, which when exhumed is found with nostrils and mouth full of blood, and body quite fresh.
vi. When the exhumed body of the vampire is cremated the spectral appearance ceases.

Answers

 Part of the answers to the questions have already been discussed in the previous blog (of Aug. 26^th study)

Besides the above, two other important laws are to be considered.

First is the laws governing separation of the ethereal body of a man from his gross physical body, and the electro-magnetic laws by which the ethereal form, invisible to the physical sight, is rendered visible, and how it gets fictitious life, and why the phenomena occurs the best in darkness.

A detailed scientific exposition of these laws are found in the article of Mr. W.Q. Judge, entitled, SPIRITUALISM, A “SPIRIT” TESTIFIES. It can be accessed here.

The two irrefragable propositions of occult psychological science explain the phenomenon of vampirism (Isis, I, p. 459)

1. The Astral soul is a separable distinct entity of our ego, and can roam far away from the body without breaking the thread of life.

2. The corpse is not utterly dead, and while it can yet be re-entered by its tenant, the latter can gather sufficient material emanations from it to enable itself to appear in a quasi-terrestrial shape.

 The fallacy of the Roman Catholic Church in its attributing all such unexplained psychological phenomena to the “DEVIL,”` and the great harm which ensues spread of such fallacious religious ideas :
The philosophical Dualism of Good and Evil in the Zoroastrian religion has been disfigured by Catholic clergy into gross anthropomorphic idea of a separate and distinct mutually antagonistic extra-cosmic personalities called God and Devil. It was a theological expediency to explain the problem of evil in life, as solely instigated by the Devil outside of man and Nature.

In the middle ages, when this dogma was mercilessly enforced by the church, many an unfortunate victim of incubus and succubus (see Theosophical Glossary) were burnt a the stake in Auto de fe. It was a monstrous production of religious fanaticism and epilepsy. It was attributed to the Devil and the poor sensitives were subjected to torture and execution by the Church.

Incubi and succubi can have no objective form :
“To attribute its effects to the Devil is blasphemy; implying that God, after creating Satan, would allow him to adopt such a course……to uphold…that the Devil, whom the Catholics endow with a power, which in antagonism, equals that of the Supreme Deity, transforms himself into wolves, snakes, and dogs, to satisfy his lusts and procreate monsters, is an idea within which lie hidden the germs of devil-worship, lunacy and sacrilege. The Catholic Church which not only teaches us to believe in this monstrous fallacy, but forces he missionaries to preach such a dogma, need not revolt against  the devil-worship of some Parsee and South Indian sects.” (I, 459)

What is the so-called Devil Worship of Indians ?
Whom the Christian Missionaries denounce as in league with the devil ?

It is simply this : As discussed in the last week’s (26^th Aug. blog) : They dread visitation of spectral forms of their dead relatives who had been strongly attached to material life, and warded them off by offerings of food and such items they liked when alive.

Where then is the Devil ?
The devil is man’s own sinful nature.

“When we imagine that we see, and hear, and feel him, it is but too often the reflection of our own wicked, depraved and polluted soul that we see, hear and feel.” (I, 459)

A man of high character attracts to himself influences congenial to his higher nature, and  vice a versa. Like attracts Like.

Our waking life thoughts and deeds have corresponding influence on our dream life—which in turn influences, for good or ill, our waking life.

“Thus according to the mood in which our astral forms oozes out during the hours of sleep, according to our thoughts, pursuits, and daily occupations, all of which are fairly impressed upon the plastic capsule called the human soul, the latter attracts around itself spiritual beings congenial to itself. Hence some dreams and visions that are pure and beautiful, others fiendish and beastly”

The faithful believer in the dogma of the Devil of the Church then rushes to the confessional, and he is promised salvation at the cost of some indulgences, which he has to purchase from the Church. But the sceptic, who cannot be led by the nose by the Church, and in absence of any rational explanation, remains indifferent, and gives himself to the devil, which is his own sinful nature. And he dies, with all the terrible consequences dealt with in the foregoing.

HPB ends the discourse with the following wise counsel:
“Let the student of occult sciences make his own nature as pure and his thoughts as elevated as those of these India seers, and he may sleep unmolested by vampire, incubus, or succubus. Around the insensible form of such a sleeper the immortal spirit sheds a power divine that protects it from evil approaches, as though it were a crystal wall.” (I, 460)

ISIS study of 26th August 2012

 

Summary of the study of Isis Unveiled carried out on

Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012, at the Bangalore ULT

 Pages covered : vol. I, p.449. 1^st para to p. 454 top.

Vampirism

 From p. 449 onwards to the end of the chapter on p. 460 the psychological phenomena of vampirism is discussed. It is shown that it is a universal belief among the peoples of all old nations, and well attested by eminent and trustworthy witnesses.

Why study of vampirism is important

Why is this strange phenomenon discussed in Isis ? Because it is one of the psychological mysteries which is not understood by common people, and neglected by modern science to investigate, resulting in growth of much fear and superstition among populace. Spread of right knowledge of the laws governing the phenomena of vampirism would dissipate superstition, extend the horizon of modern medical and psychological sciences in understanding the vital principles for correctly determining the stage of clinical death; and more than all, establish the scientific principles involved in the imperative need for individuals to maintain their personal morality and magnetic purity in their day-to-day lives; and for the civic authorities to observe the vital laws governing correct ways of disposal of dead bodies.

 Explanation of the phenomenon of vampirism :

 Hindus firmly believe in vampires. So do Hungarians. Dr. Pierart, the famous French Spiritualist and Mesmerizer of the 19^th century, made a study of it and has expounded his doctrine on the phenomenon. (Ref. : Pierart : ‘Revue Spiritualiste,’ chapter on Vampirism, which may be searched in google)  He wrote that the vampirism is the spectre returning to suck human blood which can be explained by the law of bicorporeity or soul-duplication, which is well known to “spiritualists.” (By ‘spiritualists’ here is meant the mediums who practiced séance in the 19^th century with the belief that they could communicate with the so-called spirits of the dead people). Spiritualists know well how much is possible for the Astral spectres, whether of living or dead people, under favourable conditions, to manifest their powers. Living people who are mediums, or those who have developed the faculty, which is common to all people, to extend the limbs of their Astral Bodies, or exude the Astral Bodies from out of their outer physical corporeal body, know the powers of the Astral form.

Physical death is followed by separation of principles of which man is composed, and these principles are seven in number. Separation of the Astral from the physical body is the first stage in the series of transfiguration of the Inner Real Man from the outer body, from the state of objectivity, into a series of ascending states of subjective life. In the case of those who have been reasonably good people, the Astral body which they drop at death in the Astral realm, in the second stage of separation of principles, remain as a phantom form bereft of conscience to dissipate entirely over a time, if they are allowed to. These are harmless.

But in the case of very materialistic persons who lived to gratify their lusts and appetites, leave a strong astral spooks which cohere as a distinct entity in Kama Loka for a long time, full of thirst for gratification of their lower passions. If such people who have been wicked, who may be prematurely buried when dead, (ie., before complete separation of the Astral from the physical) become Vampires. These haunt places and are harmful to the living.

 Testimony of ancient authors

Maimonides (Mosheh ben Maimon), the famous Jewish philosopher of the middle ages (see in google), said that his countrymen maintained an intimate communication with the astral spectres by means of “the feast of the blood.” They dug a hole in the ground and filled it with blood to attract astral spooks in order to obtain from them answers to their questions. Wherever blood is spilt, there congregate astral spectres, as fresh blood gives them the vital energy to prolong their lives.

 Testimony of contemporary scholars

Pierart was critical of Roman Catholic clergy who believed in and practiced driving a stake in the chest of the exhumed bodies of those who are suspected to have become haunting vampires. He advocated a different theory and approach to the problem. His theory coincided with that of the Theurgists of the Neoplatonic school. It is as follows :

 Explanation why vampirism occur

So long as the astral body is not entirely liberated from the physical body when death occurs, it may re-enter the physical at any time by magnetic attraction. Sometime it is only half way out, when the corpse, which nevertheless presents the appearance of death, is buried. Then the terrified Astral Soul violently re-enters the physical body. In such a case one of the 2 things will happen :

i.The unfortunate victim writhes in pain in the grave trying to get out and finally dies of suffocation; Or

ii If he had been grossly material, full of lust and sensuality, he becomes a vampire.

Then his bicorporeal life begins. Their bodies remain in the grave but they roam the whole place outside the grave in their Astral Bodies robbing life-blood from living persons. The ethereal form goes wherever it pleases as long as the subtle magnetic cord linking it to the physical body in the grave is intact. Some times the roaming astral form is visible and sometimes invisible, and it feeds on the vital energy of living men and women.

The blood it sucks from its living victims is transfused into the body in the grave through a mysterious invisible cord of connection. This is a mystery which our psychological and medical science will have to solve one day.

Dead persons buried for several years have been found with corpse—instead of disintegrated and decayed—soft, flexible, eyes open, with rosy complexion, mouth and nostrils full of blood running in torrents under blows, from wounds, and when decapitated.

Bishop d’Avranches Huet (‘Huetiana,” p. 81—see in google) is cited as saying whether vampirism is true or not, one thing is certain, and that is, it has been testified to by many able, trustworthy authors, by many eye witnesses, and that the question should be decided upon by a good deal of caution.

The case of a haunting vampire warded off by burning the body after exhumation

 This is reported to have happened in Bavaria. The spectre of a village herdsman began appearing to several inhabitants of the place, and every one of them died during the following week either due to fright or some other causes. The peasants decided to disinter the corpse of the herdsman and pinned it to the ground with long stakes, as believed in  and advocated by the Roman Catholic Church. But the vampire appeared again the same night plunging several people into suffocation and fright. The village authorities carried the exhumed body to a neighbouring field and burnt it completely. Thereafter, the vampire ceased appearing.

Mysteries in connection with vampirism to be solved by science :

 These questions are raised by the sceptical Benedictine monk of the 19^th century, Dom Calmet (reference  The sworn testimony in official documents : “De l’Inspir. Des Camis,’ H. Blans, 1859. Plon. Paris) :

1. how do vampires quit their tombs, how do they re-enter them, without appearing to have disturbed the earth in the least ?

2. How is it that they are seen roaming about in their usual clothing ?

3. How can they go about, and walk, and eat ?

4. If this is all imagination of those who believe themselves to have been molested by such vampires, how happens it that such   accused ghosts are subsequently found in their graves ?

5. How is it physical body exhibit no sign of decay, full of blood, supple and fresh even after weeks and months of burial?

6. How to explain the fact that their feet have been found muddy and covered with dust on the day following the night they had appeared and frightened the neighbours, while nothing of the sort was ever found on other corpses buried in the same cemetery ?

7. How is it again that once the bodies of vampires are burned  they never reappear ?

8. The occurrences of this phenomenon is so often that it is impossible to eradicate belief in it from people’s minds, but instead, their own experiences fortifies the belief in vampires.

Destruction of belief in vampirism :

Dom Calmet says there are two ways of ending the belief in the phenomena. First : explain it by physical causes; the second : deny it altogether.

The first option is exercised by the Pierart school of mesmerism which the spiritualists may contest. The second option is the approach of scientists in general, as they are loath to investigate psychological mystery which are called by them as paranormal.

This is an age of unbelief.

Deny or accept the only possible explanation :

Therefore, we may either go on denying the phenomenon on the pious advice of Dom Calmet, or accept the only explanation possible :

There is a phenomenon in nature, not known till now to science, and, therefore, denied by it : The phenomena or the state of Half-death. Virtually the body is dead but the astral soul is not yet separated from the body. In such cases two things can happen :

i. If the person in whom matter does not predominate over the spirit, ie., ethics and morality rules and dominates over selfish and animal propensities, or wickedness is not so great as to destroy spirituality, if left alone, and, when the last link is broken naturally between the physical and astral body, it becomes separated from the earthly body. Equal magnetic polarity will violently repulse the ethereal man from the decaying organic mass. The ultimate moment of separation between the two is not ascertainable by science with its methods, as the process is on a subtler plane beyond the reach of physical senses. Or

 ii. If the person had been gross, sensual and wicked, and if buried before the separation, he will become a vampire.

Clinical death is the criterion for physical science to determine the moment of death. But its certainty of clinical death is questionable. The state of half-death is not known to it. From the moment of so-called clinical death to actual separation, or real death, there may elapse several hours, or days or weeks. Hence there are even today, as in the past, innumerable cases of burial of half-dead persons, with all its horrific and tragic consequences.

In this connection, it will be very instructive to recall the dialogue between HH the Dalai Lama and a group of western scientists on this subject of determination of actual moment of death. The dialogue took place in Dharmashala in 1990’s. The two view points – that of western medical science and that of the Mahayana Buddhist Mystic philosophy, were discussed and juxtaposed. Reference : “Sleeping, Dreaming, And Dying – An Exploration of Consciousness with The Dalai Lama,” Edited and narrated by Fransisco J. Verela, Ph.D., Wisdom Publications – Boston, 1997.

 The criteria of clinical death according to western medical science : Excerpts from the dialogue.

 Western medical view is that  death is like turning off a light switch, and it is the end. Medical science is more concerned with preventing death as something evil than with improving the quality of life. (p. 137)

Definition of death : When the brain is dead although the body may be alive for a while is considered as clinical death. This criteria is adopted for harvest of organs of cadaver for organ transplants (p. 138) The breathing centres are located in the brain stem. If the brain dies the breathing centres also die, though the body can be kept alive on a respirator for a long time.

The criteria of death according to Buddhist system :

 The Buddhist system has a different criteria of death, said the Dalai Lama. The definition of death has to be understood in contrast to the definition of life. Life is defined as the basis of consciousness. As soon as the body is no longer able to support consciousness, there is death. To go into further detail one has to look beyond human existence, and take into account the formless realm, the desire realm and the form realm. The definition  given works well in the form realm and the desire realm, but in the formless realm beings have no gross bodies.

Discussing the stages of death, Dr., Dr. Jerome Engel Jr. of Stanford University and UCLA Medical school, narrated an instance in which a Tibetan meditator, Lama Yeshe, died in California in a hospital. He was pronounced clinically dead by the doctors, but his Tibetan friends said he was not dead and asked that he be left alone. Three days elapsed and there were no signs of decay of the body, he being probably in the “clear light” of death.  After three days, they said that he was dead and the body could be removed. But western doctors found no evidence of any life activity during the interval. This is an example that modern medical criterion of clinical death is not the real death but the actual death may be still far off in time.

The Tibetan physicians gave an account of the dying process according to the Buddhist Vajrayana system : there is an energy centre in the heart, in which there is said to be a very subtle white element and a red element (Skt. Bindu). In the process of dying, the white element descends from the head, down through the central channel, and then stops at the heart centre. From below the heart arises a very subtle red element, or drop. As the white element descends to the heart one experiences a pale light. Following this, when the red element ascends to the heart ; when this is occurring there is an a subjective experience of a reddish sheen arising. When the two converge there is a period of blackout, when consciousness is lost. Following the blackout period commences the clear light experience. Clear light experience is gone through by everyone without exception, at the moment of death.

 How long does the clear light experience continue ? this is a very important point. It may last a few seconds or a few minutes, for some several days or even weeks. As long as the clear light of death experience is sustained, the connection between  the very subtle energy-mind and the gross physical body is not severed. It is in the process of being severed but has not yet been completely severed. At the very moment severance takes place, the body begins to decay, and at that point death is said to have occurred. The external sign of this taking place, the red and white elements emerge from the nostrils and genitals. (p. 163, 164)

The Clear light stage of death seems to be equivalent of post-mortem review in which the personal mortal Ego becomes one with the Divine Ego, and in the sublime light of the latter the ego sees all the life events in smallest detail. Till this process is complete actual physical death—ie., separation of the Astral Body from the physical body—would not have taken place. One external sign of the completion of the process is that if body decay has commenced, then it is a sure sign of actual death. Then the body may be disposed off. Otherwise, it becomes a case of premature burial, and in case of very gross and sensual persons, they may become vampires.