____________
THE
OF
THEOSOPHY
A Definitive Work on Theosophy
By
William Quan Judge
CHAPTER 14
Cycles
The doctrine of Cycles is one of the most important in the whole
theosophical system, though the least known and of all the one most
infrequently referred to.
Western investigators have for some centuries suspected that events move
in cycles, and a few of the writers in the field of European literature have
dealt with the subject, but all in a very incomplete fashion. This
incompleteness and want of accurate knowledge have been due to the lack of
belief in spiritual
things and the desire to square everything with materialistic science.
Nor do I pretend to give the cyclic law in full, for it is one that is not
given out in detail by the Masters of Wisdom. But enough has been divulged, and
enough was for a long time known to the Ancients to add considerably to our
knowledge.
A cycle is a ring or turning, as the derivation of the word indicates.
The corresponding words in the Sanskrit are Yuga, Kalpa, Manvantara, but of
these yuga comes nearest to cycle, as it is lesser in duration than the others.
The beginning of a cycle must be a moment, that added to other moments makes a
day, and those added together constitute months, years, decades, and centuries.
Beyond this the West hardly goes. It recognizes the moon cycle and the
great sidereal one, but looks at both and upon the others merely as periods of
time. If we are to consider them as but lengths of time there is no profit
except to the dry student or to the astronomer. And in this way today they are
regarded by
European and American thinkers, who say cycles exist but have no very
great bearing on human life and certainly no bearing on the actual recurrence
of events or the reappearance on the stage of life of persons who once lived in
the world.
The theosophical theory is distinctly otherwise, as it must be if it
carries out the doctrine of reincarnation to which in preceding pages a good
deal of attention has been given. Not only are the cycles named actual physical
facts in respect to time, but they and other periods have a very great effect
on human life and the evolution of the globe with all the forms of life
thereon.
Starting with the moment and proceeding through a day, this theory
erects the cycle into a comprehensive ring which includes all in its limits.
The moment being the basis, the question to be settled in respect to the great
cycles is,
When did the first moment come? This cannot be answered, but it can be
said that the truth is held by the ancient theosophists to be that at the first
moments of the solidification of this globe the mass of matter involved
attained a certain and definite rate of vibration which will hold through all
variations in any part of it until its hour for dissolution comes. These rates
of vibration are
what determine the different cycles, and, contrary to the ideas of
western science, the doctrine is that the solar system and the globe we are now
on will come to an end when the force behind the whole mass of seen and unseen
matter has reached its limit of duration under cyclic law. Here our doctrine is
again different from both the religious and scientific one.
We do not admit that the ending of the force is the withdrawal by a God
of his protection, nor the sudden propulsion by him of another force against
the globe, but that the force at work and determining the great cycle is that
of man himself considered as a spiritual being; when he is done using the globe
he leaves it, and then with him goes out the force holding all together; the
consequence is dissolution by fire or water or what not, these phenomena being
simply effects and not causes.
The ordinary scientific speculations on this head are that the earth may
fall into the sun, or that a comet of density may destroy the globe, or that we
may collide with a greater planet known or unknown. These dreams are idle for
the present.
Reincarnation being the great law of life and progress, it is interwoven
with that of the cycles and karma. These three work together, and in practice
it is almost impossible to disentangle reincarnation from cyclic law. Individuals
and nations in definite streams return in regularly recurring periods to the
earth,
and thus bring back to the globe the arts, the civilization, the very
persons who once were on it at work. And as the units in nation and race are
connected together by invisible strong threads, large bodies of such units
moving slowly but surely all together reunite at different times and emerge
again and again
together into new race and new civilization as the cycles roll their
appointed rounds.
Therefore the souls who made the most ancient civilizations will come
back and bring the old civilization with them in idea and essence, which being
added to what others have done for the development of the human race in its
character and knowledge will produce a new and higher state of civilization.
This newer and better development will not be due to books, to records,
to arts or mechanics, because all those are periodically destroyed so far as
physical evidence goes, but the soul ever retaining in Manas the knowledge it
once gained and always pushing to completer development the higher principles
and powers, the essence of progress remains and will as surely come out as the
sun shines.
And along this road are the points when the small and large cycles of
Avatars bring out for man's benefit the great characters who mould the race
from time to time.
The Cycle of Avatars includes several smaller ones. The greater are
those marked by the appearance of Rama and Krishna among the Hindus, of Menes
among the Egyptians, of Zoroaster among the Persians, and of Buddha to the
Hindus and other nations of the East. Buddha is the last of the great Avatars
and is in a larger cycle than is Jesus of the Jews, for the teachings of the
latter are the same as those of Buddha and tinctured with what Buddha had
taught to those who instructed Jesus. Another great Avatar is yet to come,
corresponding to Buddha and Krishna combined. Krishna and Rama were of the
military, civil, religious, and occult order; Buddha of the ethical, religious,
and mystical, in which be was followed by Jesus; Mohammed was a minor
intermediate one for a certain part of the race, and was civil, military, and
religious. In these cycles we can include mixed characters who have had great
influence on nations, such as King Arthur, Pharaoh, Moses, Charlemagne
reincarnated as Napoleon Bonaparte, Clovis of France reborn as Emperor Frederic
III of Germany, and Washington the first President of the United States of
America where the root for the new race is being formed.
At the intersection of the great cycles dynamic effects follow and alter
the surface of the planet by reason of the shifting of the poles of the globe
or other convulsion. This is not a theory generally acceptable, but we hold it
to be true. Man is a great dynamo, making, storing, and throwing out energy,
and when masses of men composing a race thus make and distribute energy, there
is a resulting dynamic effect on the material of the globe which will be
powerful enough to be distinct and cataclysmic. That there have been vast and
awful disturbances in the strata of the world is admitted on every hand and now
needs
no proof; these have been due to earthquakes and ice formation so far as
concerns geology; but in respect to animal forms the cyclic law is that certain
animal forms now extinct and also certain human ones not known but sometimes
suspected will return again in their own cycle; and certain human languages now
known as dead will be in use once more at their appointed cyclic hour.
"The Metonic cycle is that of the Moon. It is a period of about
nineteen years, which being completed the new and the full moons return on the
same days of the month."
"The cycle of the Sun is a period of twenty eight years, which
having elapsed the Dominical or Sunday letters return to their former place and
proceed in the former order according to the Julian calendar."
The great Sidereal year is the period taken by the equinoctial points to
make in their precession a complete revolution of the heavens. It is composed
of 25,868 solar years almost. It is said that the last sidereal year ended
about 9,868 years ago, at which time there must have been on this earth a
violent convulsion
or series of such, as well as distributions of nations. The completion
of this grand period brings the earth into newer spaces of the cosmos, not in
respect to its own orbit, but by reason of the actual progress of the sun in an
orbit of its own that cannot be measured by any observer of the present day,
but which is guessed at by some and located in one of the constellations.
Affecting man especially are the spiritual, psychic, and moral cycles,
and out of these grow the national, racial, and individual cycles. Race and
national cycles are both historical. The individual cycles are of
reincarnation, of sensation, and of impression. The length of the individual
reincarnation cycle
for the general mass of men is fifteen hundred years, and this in its
turn gives us a large historical cycle related closely to the progress of
civilization.
For as the masses of persons return from devachan, it must follow that
the Roman, the Greek, the old Aryan, and other Ages will be seen again and can
to a very great extent be plainly traced. But man is also affected by
astronomical cycles
because he is an integral part of the whole, and these cycles mark the
periods when mankind as a whole will undergo a change.
In the sacred books of all nations these are often mentioned, and are in
the Bible of the Christians, as, for instance, in the story of Jonah in the
belly of the whale. This is an absurdity when read as history, but not so as an
astronomical cycle. "Jonah" is in the constellations, and when that
astronomical point which represents man reaches a point in the Zodiac which is
directly opposite the belly of Cetus or the whale on the other side of the
circle, by what is known as the process of opposition, then Jonah is said to be
in the center of the fish and is "thrown out" at the expiration of
the period when that man-point has passed so far along in the Zodiac as to be
out of opposition to the whale. Similarly as the same point moves thus through
the Zodiac it is brought by opposition into the different constellations that
are exactly opposite from century to century while it moves along.
During these progresses changes take place among men and on
earth exactly signified by the constellations when those are read
according to the right rules of symbology. It is not claimed that the conjunction
causes the effect, but that ages ago the Masters of Wisdom worked out all the
problems in respect to man and found in the heavens the means for knowing the
exact dates
when events are sure to recur, and then by imprinting in the minds of
older nations the symbology of the Zodiac were able to preserve the record and
the prophecy.
Thus in the same way that a watchmaker can tell the hour by the
arrival of the hands or the works of the watch at certain fixed points,
the Sages can tell the hour for events by the Zodiacal clock. This is not of
course believed today, but it will be well understood in future centuries, and
as the nations of the earth have all similar symbols in general for the Zodiac,
and as
also the records of races long dead have the same, it is not likely that
the vandal-spirit of the western nineteenth century will be able to efface this
valuable heritage of our evolution. In Egypt the Denderah Zodiac tells the same
tale as that one left to us by the old civilization of the American continent,
and all of these are from the same source, they are the work of the Sages who
come at the beginning of the great human cycle and give to man when he
begins his toilsome ascent up the road of development those great symbols and
ideas of an astronomical character which will last through all the cycles.
In regard to great cataclysms occurring at the beginning and ending of
the great cycles, the main laws governing the effects are those of Karma and
Reimbodiment, or Reincarnation, proceeding under cyclic rule. Not only is man
ruled by these laws, but every atom of matter as well, and the mass of matter
is constantly undergoing a change at the same time with man. It must therefore
exhibit alterations corresponding to those through which the thinker is going.
On the physical plane effects are brought out through the electrical and
other fluids acting with the gases on the solids of the globe. At the change of
a great cycle they reach what may be termed the exploding point and cause
violent convulsions of the following classes:
(a) Earthquakes
(b) Floods
(c) Fire
(d) Ice
Earthquakes may be brought on according to this philosophy by two
general causes; first, subsidence or elevation under the earth-crust due to
heat and steam, second, electrical and magnetic changes which affect water and
earth at the same time. These last have the power to instantaneously make the
earth
fluidic without melting it, thus causing immense and violent
displacements in large or small waves. And this effect is sometimes seen now in
earthquake districts when similar electrical causes are at work in a smaller
measure.
Floods of general extent are caused by displacement of water from the
subsidence or elevation of land, and by those combined with electrical change
which induces a copious discharge of moisture. The latter is not a mere
emptying of a cloud, but a sudden turning of vast bodies of fluids and solids
into water.
Universal fires come on from electrical and magnetic changes in the
atmosphere by which the moisture is withdrawn from the air and the latter
turned into a fiery mass; and, secondly, by the sudden expansion of the solar
magnetic center into seven such centers, thus burning the globe.
Ice cataclysms come on not only from the sudden alteration of the poles
but also from lowered temperature due to the alteration of the warm fluid
currents in the sea and the hot magnetic currents in the earth, the first being
known to science, the latter not. The lower stratum of moisture is suddenly
frozen, and vast tracts of land covered in a night with many feet of ice. This
can easily happen to the British Isles if the warm currents of the ocean are
diverted from its shores.
Both Egyptians and Greeks had their cycles, but in our opinion derived
them from the Indian Sages. The Chinese always were a nation of astronomers,
and have recorded observations reaching far back of the Christian era, but as
they belong to an old race which is doomed to extinction -- strange as the
assertion may appear -- their conclusions will not be correct for the Aryan
races.
On the coming of the Christian era a heavy pall of darkness fell on the
minds of men in the West, and India was for many centuries isolated so as to
preserve these great ideas during the mental night of Europe. This isolation
was brought about
deliberately as a necessary precaution taken by that great Lodge to
which I adverted in Chapter I, because its Adepts, knowing the cyclic laws
perfectly, wished to preserve philosophy for future generations. As it would be
mere pedantry and
speculation to discuss the unknown Saros and Naros and other cycles of
the Egyptians, I will give the Brahmanical ones, since they tally almost
exactly with the correct periods.
A period or exhibition of universal manifestation is called a Brahmanda,
that is a complete life of Brahma, and Brahma's life is made of his days and
years, which, being cosmical are each of immense duration. His day is as man's
24 odd hours long, his year 360 odd days, the number of his years is 100.
Taking now this globe -- since we are concerned with no other -- its
government and evolution proceed under Manu or man and from this is the term
Manvantara or "between two Manus." The course of evolution is divided
into four Yugas for every race in its own time and way. These Yugas do not
affect all mankind at one and the same time, as some races are in one of the
Yugas while others are in a different cycle.
The Red Indian, for instance, is in the end of his stone age, while the
Aryans are in quite a different state. These four Yugas are: Krita, or Satya,
the golden; Treta; Dvapara; and Kali or the black. The present age for the West
and India is Kali Yuga, especially in respect to moral and spiritual
development. The first of these is slow in comparison with the rest, and the
present -- Kali -- is very rapid, its motion being accelerated precisely
like certain astronomical periods known today in regard to the Moon, but not
fully worked out.
TABLEMORTAL YEARS
360 (odd) mortal days make1
Krita Yuga has 1,728,000
Treta Yuga has1,296,000
Dvapara Yuga has864,000
Kali Yuga has 432,000
Maha Yuga, or the four preceding,
has4,320,000
71 Maha Yugas form the reign of one Manu, or 306,720,000
14 Manus are4,294,080,000
Add the dawns or twilights between each Manu 25,920,000
These reigns and dawns make 1000 Maha Yugas, a Kalpa, or Day of Brahma
4,320,000,000
Brahma's Night equals his Day and Night together make 8,640,000,000
360 of these Days make Brahma's Year3,110,400,000,000
100 of these Years make Brahma's Life311,040,000,000,000
The first 5000 years of Kali Yuga will end between the years 1897 and
1898.
This Yuga began about 3102 years before the Christian era, at the time
of Krishna's death.
As 1897-98 are not far off, the scientific men of today will have an
opportunity of seeing whether the close of the five thousand year cycle will be
preceded or followed by any convulsions or great changes political, scientific,
or physical, or all of these combined. Cyclic changes are now proceeding as
year after year the souls from prior civilizations are being incarnated in this
period when liberty of thought and action are not so restricted in the West as
they have been in the past by dogmatic religious prejudice and bigotry. And at
the present time we are in a cycle of transition, when, as a transition period
should indicate, everything in philosophy, religion, and society is changing.
In a transition period the full and complete figures and rules respecting
cycles are not given out to a generation which elevates money above all
thoughts and scoffs at the spiritual view of man and nature.
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Ten Benefits of Studying the Blavatskyan
Theosophical Teachings
Studying
the Blavatskyan Theosophical teachings offers numerous benefits that can
greatly enrich one's understanding of spirituality, philosophy, and the nature
of reality. Theosophy, as defined by the
writings of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, has had a profound impact on the
spiritual and philosophical landscape of the modern world. Blavatsky's
teachings draw from a wide range of religious and philosophical traditions,
including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Western esotericism, and present a
comprehensive worldview that addresses fundamental questions about existence,
consciousness, and the cosmos.
Here
are ten benefits of studying the Blavatskyan Theosophical Teachings
1.
Exploration of Esoteric Wisdom
One
of the primary benefits of studying the Blavatskyan Theosophical teachings is
the opportunity to explore esoteric wisdom that is often not readily accessible
in mainstream religious or philosophical traditions. Blavatsky's writings delve
into the esoteric teachings of ancient cultures and mystery schools, shedding
light on profound spiritual truths that have been passed down through the ages.
By delving into these esoteric teachings, students of Theosophy can gain
insights into the nature of consciousness, the structure of the cosmos, and the
evolution of the soul or immortal self.
2.
Synthesis of Eastern and Western Philosophy
Blavatsky's
Theosophical teachings synthesize elements of Eastern and Western philosophy,
offering a comprehensive framework that integrates concepts from diverse
cultural and religious traditions. This synthesis provides students with a
broader perspective on philosophical and spiritual thought, allowing them to
see the underlying unity of seemingly disparate belief systems. By studying
Theosophy, individuals can gain a deeper appreciation for the universal
principles that underlie all wisdom traditions, fostering a sense of unity and
interconnectedness with the world's spiritual heritage.
3.
Understanding of Universal Brotherhood
Central
to Blavatsky's Theosophical teachings is the principle of universal
brotherhood, which emphasizes the essential unity of all beings and the
interconnectedness of life. By studying Theosophy, individuals can develop a
profound understanding of the interconnected nature of existence, recognizing
that all living beings are fundamentally linked and that compassion and empathy
are essential for the evolution of humanity. This understanding can lead to a
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harmonious and compassionate society.
4.
Insight into the Nature of Reality
The
Blavatskyan Theosophical teachings offer profound insights into the nature of
reality, consciousness, and the unseen dimensions of existence. Through the
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realms, and the interconnectedness of the material and spiritual planes. This
exploration can lead to a deeper understanding of the nature of reality beyond
the limitations of the physical senses, opening up new vistas of perception and
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5.
Personal Spiritual Growth
Studying
the Theosophical teachings can be a transformative journey that facilitates
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6.
Ethical and Moral Guidance
The Theosophical
teachings provide a comprehensive ethical and moral framework that can guide
individuals in their personal and social interactions. Blavatsky emphasizes the
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practical guidance for leading a virtuous and meaningful life. By studying
Theosophy, individuals can gain clarity on moral issues, cultivate a sense of
ethical responsibility, and contribute to the greater good of humanity.
7.
Appreciation of Comparative Religion
The
study of Theosophy encourages an appreciation of comparative religion and the
underlying unity of religious and spiritual traditions. Blavatsky's writings
explore the common threads that run through the world's religions, highlighting
universal spiritual principles that transcend cultural and historical
boundaries. By gaining a deeper understanding of comparative religion through
Theosophy, individuals can develop a more inclusive and pluralistic
perspective, fostering interfaith harmony and mutual respect.
8.
Intellectual Stimulation
The
Theosophical teachings offer a rich and intellectually stimulating framework
for exploring profound philosophical and metaphysical concepts. Blavatsky's
writings encompass a wide range of subjects, including cosmology, metaphysics,
ancient wisdom, and the evolution of consciousness, providing ample material
for intellectual inquiry and contemplation. By engaging with these teachings,
individuals can expand their intellectual horizons, develop critical thinking
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intrigued philosophers and mystics throughout history.
9.
Healing and Reconciliation
The
Theosophical teachings offer insights into the nature of healing and
reconciliation, both on a personal and collective level. Blavatsky's writings
delve into the esoteric principles of healing, the nature of disease, and the
interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. By studying Theosophy,
individuals can gain a deeper understanding of holistic healing modalities, the
power of the mind in influencing health, and the potential for spiritual
transformation through the healing process. Furthermore, the Theosophical
emphasis on universal brotherhood and compassion can contribute to the
reconciliation of divisions and conflicts within society, fostering a more
harmonious and peaceful world.
10.
Contribution to Global Transformation
Finally,
studying the Blavatskyan Theosophical teachings can empower individuals to
contribute to the ongoing global transformation towards a more enlightened and
compassionate world. Blavatsky's vision of a spiritually awakened humanity,
working towards the betterment of all beings, inspires individuals to engage in
positive action and service to humanity. By embodying the principles of
Theosophy in their lives, individuals can become agents of positive change,
working towards the realization of a more just, peaceful, and sustainable
world.
In
summary, the study of the Blavatskyan Theosophical teachings offers a wide
range of benefits, ranging from personal spiritual growth to the potential for
global transformation. By delving into the esoteric wisdom, ethical principles,
and philosophical insights of Theosophy, individuals can expand their
understanding of the nature of reality, cultivate compassion and empathy, and
contribute to the evolution of humanity towards a more harmonious and
enlightened future. As the Theosophical teachings continue to inspire and guide
seekers of truth and wisdom, their profound impact on individuals and society
is likely to endure for generations to come.
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Elementary Theosophy Who is the Man? Body and Soul
Body, Soul and Spirit Reincarnation Karma
What Theosophy Is From the Absolute to Man
The Formation of a Solar System The Evolution of Life
The Constitution of Man After Death Reincarnation
The Purpose of Life The Planetary Chains
The Result of Theosophical Study
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Charles Webster Leadbeater
Theosophy - What it is How is it Known? The Method of Observation
General Principles The Three Great Truths The Deity
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