A Treatise on Cosmic Fire

by Alice A Bailey

  This can be seen in connection with man, a Heavenly Man and a solar Logos, and their bodies of objectivity. In man this polarity is achieved, the three different types of electrical phenomena are demonstrated, and the light blazes forth, irradiating the causal body, and lighting up the entire sutratma, or thread (literally the Path) which connects the causal vehicle with the physical brain. Then disintegration or destruction ensues; the causal body vanishes in a blaze of electrical fire, and the real “man” or self is abstracted from the three world-bodies. So will it be seen in the body of a Heavenly Man, a planetary scheme, and so likewise in the body of the Logos, a solar system.

  The difficulty in apprehending these thoughts is great, for we are necessarily handicapped by lack of adequate terms, but the main ideas only are those I seek to deal with, and the one we are primarily concerned with in this division is the electrical manifestation of magnetism, just as earlier we dealt cursorily with the same electrical phenomena, manifesting as the activity of matter.

  Therefore you have: [316]

  1. Activity . . . . . . electrical manifestation of matter.

  2. Magnetism . . . electrical manifestation of form.

  3. Vitality . . . . . . electrical manifestation of existence.

  This is literally (as pointed out by H. P. B.) (S.D.,I, 567. II, 258) fire by friction, solar fire, and electric fire.

  Fire by friction is electricity animating the atoms of matter, or the substance of the solar system, and resulting in:

  The spheroidal form of all manifestation.

  The innate heat of all spheres.

  Differentiation of all atoms one from another.

  Solar fire is electricity animating forms or congeries of atoms, and resulting in:

  Coherent groups.

  The radiation from all groups, or the magnetic interaction of these groups.

  The synthesis of form.

  Electric fire is electricity demonstrating as vitality or the will-to-be of some Entity, and manifests as:

  Abstract Being.

  Darkness.

  Unity.

  We have seen that electrical manifestation on the first plane caused initial vibration, and on the second its activity resulted in the archetypal form of all manifestation from a God to man, and an atom.

  On the third plane which, is primarily the plane of Brahma, this electrical force showed itself in intelligent purpose. The will-to-be, and the form desired, are correlated by intelligent purpose underlying all. This intelligent purpose, or active will, utilising an instrument, brings us to that most difficult of metaphysical problems, the distinction between will and desire. It is not possible [317] here to handle this delicate subject, save simply to point out that in both will and desire, intelligence or manas is a fundamental factor, and must be recognised. This permeating principle of manas—colouring as it does both the will aspect and the desire aspect—is the cause of much confusion to students, and clarity of thought will eventuate only as it is realised:

  First, that all manifestation emanates, or is electrified, from the cosmic mental plane.

  Second, that the Universal Mind, or the divine thinker, is the intelligent Principle which makes Itself known as the Will-to-be, Desire or Love-of-Being, and that active intelligent purpose which animates the solar system.

  Third, that Maha-deva, or the Divine Will, Vishnu, the Wisdom aspect, or the manifested “Son of Necessity,” and Brahma or active purpose are the sum-total of intelligent consciousness, and are (to the manifesting cosmic Entity) what the mental body, the desire body, and the physical body are to man, the thinker in the three worlds, functioning in the causal body. We must not forget that the causal body contains the three permanent atoms or the three spheres which embody the principle of intelligence, of desire, and of physical objectivity. Always must the analogy be held between the threefold Logos and threefold man, and definiteness of thought and of concept results when the one likeness between these is pondered on. Man is a unit, functioning as a unit in the causal body. He is a triplicity functioning under the will aspect, or mental body; under the desire or wisdom aspect, the astral body; and under the activity aspect, the physical body. He electrifies or vitalises all three bodies or aspects, unifying them into one, and bringing about—by means of the Intelligence He is—coherency of action, simultaneity of purpose, and synthetic endeavour.

  [318] Finally, therefore, it is apparent that, no matter from what angle we study, the threefold Logos (or His reflection, the microcosm) through the Manasic principle, intelligently reduces matter to form, and utilises that form for the fulfilment of the will, desire and purpose of the indwelling Existence; this principle can be seen underlying all three aspects.

  There is no need here to point out the different triplicities which can be built up on the basic idea of Spirit and Matter, linked by Intelligence. This has often been done. I but seek to emphasize that INTELLIGENCE is the main quality of the Logos; that it shows as will, as desire or wisdom, and as activity; and that the reason for this is due to the work earlier accomplished by the cosmic Entity, involving cycles which have passed into the dim mist of retrospect, even from the angle of vision of a solar Logos.

  This developed manasic principle is the intelligent purpose that is bringing about at-one-ment on each plane of the solar system in connection with the subplanes. It will eventually bring about the synthesis of all the planes, and thus bring the cosmic physical plane, as a unified whole, under the complete control of that cosmic Entity Who is seeking expression through that threefold manifestation we call a solar system, or the body logoic.

  On this third plane that intelligent principle demonstrates as coherent activity, either systemic, planetary, or monadic, and also as the triple vibration of spirit-matter-intelligence, sounding as the threefold Sacred Word, or electricity manifesting as sound.

  We have here an interesting sequence or inversion, according to the angle of vision, involving the planes as we know them:

  Electricity as vibratory impulse. This causes the aggregation of matter, and its activity within certain bounds, or its awakening to activity within the solar [319] ring-pass-not. This is the first syllable of the Sacred Word.

  Electricity as Light, causing spheroidal objectivity. This is the birth of the Son. It covers the enunciation of the second syllable of the Sacred Word. (123)

  Electricity as Sound. Here we have the completed threefold Sacred Word.

  On the fourth plane this electrical force shows itself as colour. In these four we have the fundamental concepts of all manifestation; all four have an electrical dynamic origin; all are basically a differentiation or effect of impulse, emanating from the cosmic mental plane and taking form (with intelligent purpose in view) on the cosmic physical. Man repeats the process on his tiny scale, dealing only with three planes, and flashing into objectivity on the solar physical. It will be demonstrated later as science attains more and more of the truth that

  1. All physical phenomena as we understand the term have an electrical origin, and an initial vibration on the first sub-plane of the physical plane. [320]

  2. That Light, physical plane light, has a close connection with, and uses, as a medium, the second ether.

  3. That sound functions through the third ether.

  4. That colour in a peculiar sense is allied to the fourth ether.

  We must note here that in the development of the senses, hearing preceded sight, as sound precedes colour.

  An interesting analogy may here be noted between the fourth cosmic ether, and the fourth ether on the physical plane of the solar system. Both are in process of becoming exoteric—one from the standpoint of man in the three worlds, and the other from the standpoint of a Heavenly Man. The fourth ether is even now being investigated by scientists, and much that they predicate concerning ether, the atom, radium, and the ultimate “protyle” has to do with this fourth ether. It will eventually be brought under scientific formula, and some of its properties, knowledge concerning its ran
ge of influence, and its utilisation will become known unto men. Paralleling this, the buddhic plane, the plane of the Christ principle, is gradually becoming known to those advanced beings who are individually able to cognise their place in the body of a Logos of a planetary scheme. The influence of the buddhic plane, and the electrical force that is its peculiar characteristic, are beginning to be felt, and its energy is also beginning to have a definite effect on the egoic bodies of men; the fourth ether of the physical systemic plane is likewise assuming its rightful place in the minds of men, and the electrical force of that subplane is already being adapted and utilised by man in the assistance of the mechanical arts, for methods of transportation, for widespread illumination, and in healing. These four adaptations of electricity: [321]

  1. For mechanical uses,

  2. For transportation,

  3. For illumination,

  4. In healing,

  are but the working out on the physical plane of paralleling utilisation of buddhic electrical force.

  It might here be asked why colour primarily is spoken of as the buddhic manifestation of electricity. We are employing the word “colour” here in its original and basic sense as “that which veils.” Colour veils the sevenfold differentiation of logoic manifestation and, from the angle of vision of man in the three worlds, can be seen only in its full significance on the buddhic plane. All fire and electrical display will be seen to embody the seven colours.

  Again another correspondence between the fourth cosmic ether and the fourth physical ether lies in the fact that they are both primarily concerned with the work of the great builders, bearing in mind that they build the real body of the Logos in etheric matter; the dense physical vehicle is not so much the result of their work as it is the result of the meeting of the seven streams of force or electricity, which causes that apparent congestion in matter that we call the dense physical planes (the three lower subplanes). This apparent congestion is, after all, but the exceeding electronic activity or energy of the mass of negative atoms awaiting the stimulation that will result from the presence of a certain number of positive atoms. This needs to be borne in mind. The work of evolution is based on two methods and demonstrates as:

  Involution, wherein the negative electrons of matter preponderate. The percentage of these feminine electrons is one of the secrets of initiation and is so vast during the involutionary stage that the rarity of the positive [322] atoms is very noticeable; they are so rare as only to serve to keep the mass coherent.

  Evolution, wherein, due to the action of manas, these negative atoms become stimulated and either dissipate back into the central electrical reservoir, or merge in their opposite pole, and are consequently again lost. This results in:

  Synthesis.

  Homogeneity.

  The rarity instead of the density of matter. The fourth cosmic ether, the buddhic, is the plane of air, and is also the plane of absorption for the three worlds. This rarefication of dense matter (as we know it) simply means that at the close of the evolutionary process it will have been transmuted and be practically, from our point of view, non-existent; all that will be left will be the positive atoms, or certain vortices of force which—having absorbed the negative will demonstrate as electrical phenomena of a form inconceivable to man at his present stage of knowledge. These vortices will be distinguished by:

  1. Intense vibratory activity.

  2. The predominance of one certain colour according to the quality of the etheric display, and its source.

  3. Repulsion to all bodies of similar vibratory rate and polarity. Their attractive quality at the end of evolution will cease owing to the fact that naught remains to be attracted.

  The vortices in each planetary scheme will be, during evolution, seven. Later, during the period of obscuration, three of the vortices will approximate their masculine pole and eventually but one will be left. In man a similar procedure can be seen in connection with his [323] seven centres during the process of initiation. First there are seven, then three absorb the lower four through electrical interaction. We are here viewing the subject wholly from the point of view of our present discussion. Finally, only the head centre is left, for it is the positive pole to all the others.

  This question of the electrical polarity of the centres is one of real difficulty, and little can be communicated on the matter. It may be safely pointed out, however, that the generative organs are the negative pole to the throat centre as is the solar plexus to the heart. The order of the development of the centres, the ray-type and colour, coupled to the fact that during certain stages of the evolutionary process different centres (such as the base of the spine) are positive to all the others, not even excluding the head centre, leads to the vast complexity of the subject. Likewise certain of the planetary schemes are positive and others negative; three of the schemes are dual, both negative and positive. The same can be predicated anent a solar system, and, curiously enough, anent the planes themselves. For instance, in connection with the earth scheme we have a positive polarity of a temporary nature based on the type of incarnation our particular Heavenly Man is undergoing on our planet. By this is meant that there are masculine and feminine incarnations undergone by Heavenly Men as by men, considering the entire subject from the angle of electrical polarity and not from sex as understood in connection with the physical body.

  Venus is negatively polarised, and hence it became possible for a mysterious absorption by the Earth of Venusian force. Again in this connection the question of sex may serve to elucidate. The karmic tie between the two Heavenly Men—one in a positive incarnation and the other in a negative—caused the working out of an old debt and a planetary alliance. Light flashed forth [324] in Lemurian days in a number of great groups of the human family when these two opposite poles made electrical connection. It needed the joint work of the two Heavenly Men, working on buddhic levels (the fourth cosmic ether) to bring about the blazing forth of the light of manas in the causal groups on the fifth cosmic gaseous plane, the mental plane of the solar system. It will be remembered that it was earlier pointed out that the majority of men function consciously on the fifth subplane of the three planes in the three worlds. In them the fifth principle is beginning to function, but not in sufficient force as yet to do more than keep them in line with the electrical force flowing from the fourth cosmic ether down to the next subplane of the cosmic physical.

  It must ever be borne in mind that each plane and each subplane which is numerically allied, is embodying the same type of force, and is consequently of the same polarity.

  Again, the astral plane and the buddhic plane are related, as we already know; the astral is negative in relation to the buddhic plane. When the polarity of the different planes is known, when the polarity of the subplanes is comprehended, and when the interaction between them and the corresponding cosmic planes is grasped, then will man be free, but not before. When the polarity of the ethers to each other and their relationship to the whole is comprehended, human evolution will have run its course. A Master has solved the problem of electrical phenomena in the three worlds, hence His freedom. Further, when the relationship of the negative form to the positive Spirit is grasped, and their joint connection with the cosmic Entities Who indwell the whole system is somewhat apprehended, group liberation will be achieved.

  Perhaps in considering this abstruse matter it may [325] help to clarify the point of view if it is recollected that man is essentially positive in his own nature but his vehicles are negative; hence he is the central unit of positive electricity that draws and holds to him atoms of an opposite polarity. When he has merged and blended the two poles, and produced light of a definite magnitude during any particular incarnation (which magnitude is settled by the Ego prior to incarnation) then obscuration takes place. The electrical manifestation burns up and destroys the medium, and the light goes out; what we call physical death ensues, for the electrical current burns up that which had caused objectivity, and that which sho
ne. Let us carry this idea further and realise that these units called men (who are positive as regards their own vehicles) are but the negative cells in the body of a Heavenly Man, and are held within His sphere of influence by the force of His electrical life. Bear in mind again that the Heavenly Men are thus positive as regards the lesser lives, but in Their turn are negative as regards the greater Life that contains Them.

  Here again is demonstrated the truth of the teaching given by H. P. B.

  Electric Fire Positive Spirit.

  Fire by Friction Negative Matter.

  Solar Fire Light The two blended and thus producing the objective blaze.

  We have thus considered the question of the electrical origin of all manifestation in connection with the four higher subplanes of the solar system—those four planes which are the four cosmic ethers, and therefore form the body of objectivity of a Heavenly Man in exactly the same sense as the four physical ethers of the solar system form the etheric body of a man. I have here repeated the fact, as its importance has not yet been grasped by the average occult student; this fact—when [326] conceded and realised—serves in a wonderful way to clarify the whole subject of planetary evolution. We have now reached the three planes wherein man functions, or the gaseous, liquid, and dense subplanes of the cosmic physical.

  The whole subject of the akasha will be greatly clarified as exoteric science delves into the question of the ethers. As knowledge of the four types of ethers is available, as the vibratory action of these ethers is realised, and as the details concerning their composition, utilisation, light-bearing capacity, and the various angles from which they may be studied become known then paralleling knowledge anent the corresponding four cosmic ethers will be forthcoming. Much concerning them may be deduced from the already apprehended facts which relate to the four solar physical ethers.