Key Concepts Study Group

A human being is a cycle; an atom is a cycle — in this technical sense. We say that the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening, and we call it a cycle, a day. The time-illusion produced by the moving object — in this case our earth — gives us the notion that a day is produced by an absolute entity called Time, or is an integral part…[Read more]

The doctrine of cycles is one of the most important in the entire cosmic range of the esoteric philosophy, because repetitive or rhythmic action is fundamental in nature. As a matter of fact, every being and thing that exists is an expression of rhythmic pulsation: we are not only the children of cycles greater than ourselves, but actually within…[Read more]

From Mr. Judge

THE word “evolution” is the best word from a theosophical standpoint to use in treating of the genesis of men and things, as the process which it designates is that which has been always stated in the ancient books from whose perusal the tenets
of the wisdom religion can be gathered. In the BhagavadGita we
find Krishna saying tha…[Read more]

Let us briefly consider the birth of worlds as cosmic beings. When such a birth commences there is no form because the energies and characteristics of the systems of worlds about to come forth have been inrolled and dormant for ages. Hindu and other cultures give figures for the lifespan of planets, suns, and other cosmic entities. Planets, they…[Read more]

“By the study of this Law of Cycles we learn that natural progress of all kinds does not occur in one steady stream, like the rush of a railway train on a straight track, but on the contrary, it proceeds by a spiral or screw-like course, in which the same points are successively and continually reached on higher circles of existence. It might, p…[Read more]

The illusion of time is within our own complex constitution. We ourselves are the makers of cycles — time-limits; the cycles of time run their course within ourselves; the circulation of blood in the human body is a cyclic process; the heart-beat and the pulse-beat are cyclic; cravings of the appetites and their satisfaction are cyclic; sickness a…[Read more]

This fundamental law in Occult Science is the basis of the “Law of Correspondences”, which in so many cases has been hit upon by Mystics and used by them intuitionally and, very often it would seem, fancifully. And being acquired merely intuitionally, and no basis or foundation being given, this law has come to be regarded by many as a mere emp…[Read more]

All things which are visible come from the invisible. In the evolution of a planet there is a beginning in homogeneous, radiant matter—such as composes the Milky Way—the basis of all subsequent forms that are brought about, or produced, by the beings existent in that homogeneous state. Each being is a Center and each Center is the same as the One…[Read more]

Thanks Peter for the valuable contribution. Translator rendered the Greek tern anamnesis as recollection probably because the English word Reminiscence is not as much in use as the other two cognate terms–remembrance and recollection–and, moreover, all the three terms are used generally as synonyms.

I believe the term Plato uses is anamnesis which is rendered as recollection in the English translation. It first arises in the Meno which is an inquiry into how virtue arises, i.e. is it something which is teachable, acquired practice or by nature or by some other means. One of the views put forward in the Meno is that recollection is bring…[Read more]

I don’t see an analogy but it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Thinking about the idea of analogy I came to the conclusion that this law should be used carefully. When we know both objects we compare it is easy to see the analogy between them but when one object or both of them are unknown we can easily come to the wrong conclusions. The simplest…[Read more]

Scientific approach to Theosophy is intellectual.The heart of Theosophy is seen and felt in the great works of the poets of the British and American Romanticism – of late 18th and early 19th century.

What did Plato mean by “Recollection ?” It couldn’t be recollection in the ordinary sense we use in daily life. What is the original Greek word which is rendered as Recollection, I wonder ? It must mean recalling to memory what we have forgotten of our true Self and nature, our real being, unborn, deathless.

In Key HPB recalls three kinds of…[Read more]

I wonder if the efficacy of analogy in human communication and in spiritual and philosophical education is evidence or perhaps a clue to the meaning of Plato’s statement, that all learning is recollection?

And so one might go on indefinitely did time and space permit, for the mission of the poet is to point out to those who see it less clearly than himself, the spiritual meaning of temporal things, the ideal which underlies what most people call the real. The poets are the interpreters of human nature and of life, so also are the best novelists from…[Read more]

That’s nicely put, Ram. It also provides a hint to at least one of the ways we might understand the assertion Tat Tvam Asi (That thou art), from our other conversation thread.

~~

I like the concluding remark :

“ At the same time, the use of analogy and correspondence can lift rational thought out of the merely linear mode of thinking and logic by providing a depth and breadth to our endeavours at understanding.”

So very true. If ONE, not many, or, One in many and many in One is true, then many are the many aspects of tha…[Read more]

That’s an interesting question, Gerry. I’m not sure there is an obstacle to thinking analogically given that people use it in almost every sphere of life and field of knowledge. Perhaps the obstacle arises when it comes to what areas of study that analogical thinking should be applied. For example, someone who doubts the reality of any met…[Read more]