Letters on Occult Meditation Read online

  These postulates are as follows:

  l—That all that exists is based on sound or on the Word.

  2—That differentiation is the result of sound.

  3—That on each plane the Word has a different effect. [52]

  4—That according to the note of the Word, or the vibration of the sound, will the work of building-in or casting-out be accomplished.

  5—That the one threefold Word has seven keys, and these seven keys have their own subtones.

  In the apprehension of these basic facts lies hid much light on the use of the Word in meditation.

  In the great original sounding forth of the Sacred Word (the three original Breaths, with their seven sounds,—one Breath for each of the three solar systems) the note was different, and the sounds pitched to a different key.

  In system one, the completion of the First Breath, the culmination, was the sounding forth, in note majestic, of the note FA,—the note which forms the basic note of this system, the note of manifested nature. This note is, and to it must be supplemented the second note for this the second system. It is not fully sounded or rounded out, nor to the end of the greater cycle will it be completed. The Logos sounds it now, and should He cease to breathe it forth, the whole system would disappear into complete obscuration. It would mark the end of manifestation.

  In system two, the present system, the keynote may not be disclosed. It is one of the secrets of the sixth Initiation, and must not he revealed.

  In system three the final third note will be added to the basic notes of the first and second systems, and then what will you have? You will have the major third of the Logoic Personality in its completeness, a correspondence to the major third of the microcosm,—one note for each plane. We have been told that the solar Logos, on the cosmic planes, works at the problem of cosmic mind; that He functions in His physical solar system, is polarised in His cosmic astral, or emotional body, and is developing [53] cosmic mind. So, on the planes of the solar system, is it as with the microcosm. In the realisation of this correspondence and its wise application lies illumination on the use of the Sacred Word in meditation.

  System I . . . .corresponds to the physical body.

  System II. . . .corresponds to the emotional body.

  System III. . . corresponds to the mental body.

  By the study of the Word or Sound in the formation of these three will help come on the use of that Word in the building of the intuitional vehicle, and the purification of the personality.

  Now we will divide what we have to say under four heads, and take up each one of them separately:—

  l—The creative effect of the Sacred Word.

  2—The destructive effect of the Sacred Word.

  3—Its pronunciation and use:—

  a—In individual meditation.

  b—In group and congregational work.

  c—For certain specific ends.

  4—Its effect on the bodies and centres, and its efficacy in effecting egoic alignment.

  June 20, 1920

  1/2 - The Dual Effect of the Sacred Word; constructive and destructive.

  We can today continue with the subject we were considering yesterday. We divided the theme into four divisions and we will take the first two, the effect,—creative and destructive—of the Word. Just a few broad hints will be possible, to form a basis for the intelligent application of the law.

  First, let us repeat the truism that the worlds are the effect of sound. First life, then matter; later the attraction [54] of the matter to the life for purposes of its manifestation and expression, and the orderly arrangement of that matter into the necessary forms. Sound formed the allying factor, the propelling impulse, and the attractive medium. Sound, in an occult and deeply metaphysical sense, stands for that which we term “the relation between”, and is the creating intermediary, the linking third factor in the process of manifestation. It is the akasha. On the higher planes it is the agent of the great Entity Who wields the cosmic law of gravitation in its relation to our solar system, whilst on the lower planes it demonstrates as the astral light, the great agent of reflection, that fixes and perpetuates on its vibratory bosom the past, the present and the future, or that which we call Time. In direct relation to the lower vehicle it manifests as electricity, prana and the magnetic fluid. A simplification of the idea may come to you perhaps in the recognition of sound as the agent of the law of attraction and repulsion.

  The seven great Breaths.

  In sounding forth the Sacred Word in its sevenfold completeness for this solar system, the Logos gathered through inspiration the matter needed for manifestation, and started the evolution of that matter at the first great Breath.

  At the second great Breath came differentiation and the instilling of the second aspect logoic.

  At the third great Breath the activity aspect was demonstrated, matter was impregnated with that faculty, and fivefold evolution became a possibility.

  At the fourth great Breath certain of the Hierarchies responded, and the great Builders more clearly saw the plan. There is a definite connection between the fourth [55] Breath and the fourth Creative Hierarchy, that of the human Spirits. This fourth note of the Logos has a special significance for the human Spirit, and an unique effect in this earth and in this fourth cycle. The relativity of it is such that it is difficult for you in any way to realise that effect. It demonstrates as far as you can grasp it in the harmonic note of the fourth plane and ray. That note permeates the peoples of the world at this time and ever since the fourth root-race. It shows itself in the struggle of humanity to grasp the ideal of harmony and peace, and in the worldwide aspiration in that direction.

  This fourth Breath is especially applicable to human evolution.

  You have therefore:

  Subtone one of the threefold Word gave the first vibratory note and started the movement of the spheres—solar or atomic. It embodies Will.

  Subtone two of the threefold Word instilled the second aspect and called the cosmic ruler of the synthetic ray into manifestation. It marked duality or reflex love.

  Subtone three of the threefold Word made our fivefold evolution possible. It is the basic note of the five lower planes. It marked activity or adaptability.

  Subtone four of the threefold Word is the sound of the Human Hierarchy, and in its entirety might be called the “cry of Man.”

  Each of the sounds directly called into manifestation one ray, with all that enters in on a ray. Each sound demonstrates particularly on one plane, being the dominant note of that plane.

  The fifth great Breath has an effect peculiar to itself, for in its reverberation it holds the key to all,—it is the Breath of fire. It created a similar vibration to that of the cosmic mental level, and is closely allied with the [56] first Breath. It is the dominant note (in technical musical terminology) of the solar system, just as the third Breath corresponds to the major third. It is the note of the Logos. Each breath attracts to the Logos for purposes of manifestation, some entity on cosmic levels. The reflection of the method can be seen in the microcosm when the Ego sounds the egoic note in the three worlds and prepares to manifest or to come into incarnation. The note attracts around the permanent atoms or nuclei adequate matter for the purpose of manifestation, and that matter is itself informed by some vital entity. Similarly, the cosmic Lords of Fire, the great informing Entities of our solar system, respond when this fifth subtone is sounded forth. Again, the Lords of the Flame within the solar system itself responded when the microcosm sounded the fifth subtone of the monadic note, and involved themselves in human evolution.

  The sixth great Breath drew to itself the Lords of the mysterious Pentacle, the volatile essences of the emotional plane, the desire faculty clothed in matter, the watery aspect of the logoic life.

  At the sounding of the seventh subtone crystallisation occurred and absolute conformity to the law of approach. It resulted in the dense aspect of manifestation, the point of deepest experience. You w
ill note its connection, therefore, with the Ray of Ceremonial Law, one of the great building rays,—a ray which adjusts matter, under set forms, to the desired shapes.

  You may ask here: Why have I thus apparently digressed? It seems to you wide of the mark and beside the question? Let me elucidate. The microcosm has but to repeat the work of the macrocosm. The Spirit or monad on his own plane sounds forth the note (his hierarchical note) and descends into incarnation. It is both [57] the note of attraction and of out-breathing. The personality—the reflection of that monad at the densest point in evolution,—is linked to the monad by the attractive force of the Sacred Word sounded by its monad on its note and on its own subtone.

  But the work of outbreathing is already accomplished. It is involution. The work of in-breathing or reabsorption into the source progresses. When the Personality finds for itself (after lives of stress and search) its spiritual note with the right key and subtone, what is the result? It accords with its monadic note, it vibrates to the same measure, it pulsates with the same colour, the line of least resistance is at last found, and the indwelling life is liberated and. returns to its own plane. But this work of discovery is very slow and the man has to pick out the chord with infinite care and pains. First, he finds out the third of the Personality and sounds that forth, the result being an ordered harmonious life in the three worlds. Then he finds the dominant fifth of the Ego, the keynote of the chord, and sounds that in unison with the Personality note. The result is that a vacuum is formed (if I may so express it) and the liberated man with his informing soul,—the threefold spirit, plus mind and experience—the Three completed by the Quaternary and the Fifth, escapes upward to the Monad. It is the law of attraction demonstrating through sound. Like to like and kind to kind, driven thereto by unity of sound, of colour and of rhythm.

  This leads to the second factor we are considering, the destructive factor. In emancipation comes the breaking of the chains, in liberation comes the abolition of the old forms, in the domination of matter is seen the liberation of spirit. So, in the sounding of the Sacred Word in its sevenfold sense, comes the escaping from the shattered [58] forms; first in the out-breathing, the attraction of matter, then in the in-breathing, the gradual shattering of the material forms and the leaving of them behind.

  Meditation and the Word.

  I have pictured this for you on the systemic scale. Now let me apply it to meditation and see how it will work. Man, when meditating, aims at two things:—

  a—At the formation of thoughts, at the bringing down to the concrete levels of the mental plane, of abstract ideas and intuitions. This is what might be termed meditation with seed.

  b—At the aligning of the ego, and at the creation of that vacuum betwixt the physical brain and the Ego, which results in the divine outpouring, and the consequent shattering of the forms and subsequent liberation. This might be termed meditation without seed.

  At a certain period in evolution the two blend, the seed is dropped and the vacuum is then created, not so much between the higher and the lower vehicles as between them and the intuitional plane or the plane of harmony.

  Therefore, in the sounding of the Sacred Word in meditation man should (if rightly sounding it forth) be able to do both the creative work and the destructive work as does the Logos. It will be the reflection in the microcosm of the cosmic process. He will attract to his bodies matter of the finer kind and cast out that which is coarser. He will formulate thoughtforms that attract to themselves finer matter and repudiate that which is of a lower vibration. He should so sound the Word that alignment will [59] be automatically made, and the necessary vacuum created, eventuating in a downflow from above. All these effects can transpire when the Word is correctly intoned, and each meditation should see the man more aligned, should disperse some of the matter of low vibration in one or other of his bodies, should open up the channel to a greater extent, and so provide a more adequate vehicle for the illumination from higher levels.

  But—until correctness is possible—the effect produced by the use of the Word is very little, which is fortunate for the man who uses it. In the studying of the seven great Breaths and their effect on each plane, a man can find out much that should transpire on the different subplanes of each plane, especially in relation to his own development. In the studying of the basic note of the solar system (which was stabilised in System I), much can be found out about the use of the Word on the physical plane. A hint lies here for consideration. In the endeavour to find the note for this solar system, the note of love and wisdom, the student will make the necessary communication between the emotional or desire plane and the intuitional plane, and find out the secret of the emotional plane. In the study of the Word on mental levels and its effect in form building, the key to the erection of Solomon's Temple will be discovered, and the pupil will develop the faculties of the causal body, and eventually find liberation from the three worlds.

  The student must remember, nevertheless, that he has first to find his personality note, and then the egoic, before he can touch the monadic chord. When he has done that he has, for himself, sounded his own threefold Word, and is now an intelligent creator animated by love. The goal is reached. [60]

  June 21, 1920

  Some Practical Hints.

  I wish to make clear this afternoon that it is not possible for me, nor wise and appropriate to give to you different keys in which the sacred Word can be intoned; I can do no more than indicate general principles. Each human being, each unit of consciousness, is so unlike any other that the individual need can only be supplied when full causal consciousness exists on the part of the teacher, and when the pupil has himself reached a point where he is willing to know, to dare and to be silent. The dangers involved in the misuse of the Word are so great that we dare do no more than indicate basic ideas and fundamental principles, and then leave the aspirant to work out for himself the points necessary for his own development and to carry out the needed experiments until he finds for himself that which he needs. Only that which is the result of self-effort, of hard struggle and of bitter experience is of permanent and lasting value. Only as the disciple—through failure, through success, through hardly won victories, and the bitter hours that succeed defeat—adjusts himself to the inner condition, will he find the use of the Word scientifically and experimentally of value. His lack of will defends him largely from the misuse of the Word, whilst his endeavour to love guides him eventually to its correct intoning. Only that which we know for ourselves becomes inherent faculty. The statements of a teacher, no matter how profoundly wise he may be, are but mental concepts until experimentally part of a man's life. Hence, I can but point the way. I may give but general hints; the rest must be threshed out by the student of meditation for himself. [61]

  3 - Pronunciation and Use in Individual Meditation.

  I shall now be very practical. I speak for the man on the Probationary Path, who has therefore an intellectual grasp of what has to be accomplished. He realises approximately his place in evolution and the work to be done if he would some day pass through the portal of Initiation. In this way what I will say will teach the majority who study these letters........The man undertakes to meditate and seeks to conform to the necessary rules. Let me give a few preliminary hints:—

  The aspirant seeks daily a quiet spot where he can be free from interference and interruption. If wise, he will always seek the same spot, for he will there build up a shell around it that will serve as a protection and make the desired higher contact more easy. The matter of that spot, the matter of what you might term the surrounding space, becomes then attuned to a certain vibration (the man's own highest vibration, reached in consecutive meditations) which makes it easier for him each time to start at his highest and so eliminate a long preliminary keying up.

  The aspirant composes himself to a position in which he can be unconscious of his physical body. No hard and fast rules can be laid down as the physical vehicle itself has here to be conside
red,—it may be handicapped in some way, stiff or crippled. Ease of posture is to be aimed at, coupled with alertness and attention. Slothfulness and laxness lead a man nowhere. The position most suitable for the average is cross-legged upon the ground, sitting against something that affords support to the spine. In intensest meditation or when the aspirant is very proficient and the centres rapidly awakening (perhaps even the inner fire pulsating at the base of the spine) [62] the back should be erect without support. The head should not be thrown back as tension is to be avoided, but it should be held level, or with the chin slightly dropped. When this is done, that tenseness that is the characteristic of so many will be gone and the lower vehicle will be relaxed. The eyes should be closed and the hands folded in the lap.

  Then let the aspirant note if his breathing is regular, steady and uniform. Should this be so, let him then relax his entire person, holding the mind positive and the physical vehicle supple and responsive.

  Then let him visualize his three bodies, and having decided whether his meditation shall be in the head or within the heart (I will later take up this point) let him withdraw his consciousness there and focus himself in one or other of the centres. In so doing let him deliberately realise that he is a Son of God, returning to the Father; that he is God Himself, seeking to find the God-consciousness which is His; that he is a creator, seeking to create; that he is the lower aspect of Deity seeking alignment with the higher. Then let him three times intone the sacred Word, breathing it forth gently the first time and thereby affecting the mental vehicle; more loudly the second time, thereby stabilising the emotional vehicle; and in a still louder tone the final time, acting then upon the physical vehicle. The effect upon each body will be threefold. If correctly chanted with the centre of consciousness steadily held within whichever centre has been chosen, the effect will be as follows: