An
Epitome of Theosophy
By William Q. Judge
THEOSOPHICAL UNIVERSITY PRESS© ( Pasadena- US)
There is also a fate that comes to even Adepts of the Good Law which is
somewhat similar to a loss of "heaven" after its enjoyment for
incalculable periods of time. When the Adept has reached a certain very high
point in his evolution he may, by a mere wish, become what the Hindus call a
"Deva" — or lesser god. If he does this, then, although he will enjoy
the bliss and power of that state for a vast length of time, he will not at the
next Pralaya partake of the conscious life "in the bosom of the
Father," but has to pass down into matter at the next new
"creation," performing certain functions that could not now be made
clear, and has to come up again through the elemental world; but this fate is
not like that of the Black Magician who falls into Avichi. And again between
the two he can choose the middle state and become a Nirmanakaya — one who gives
up the bliss of Nirvana and remains in conscious existence outside of his body
after its death; in order to help Humanity. This is the greatest sacrifice he can
do for mankind. By advancement from one degree of interest and comparative
attainment to another as above stated, the student hastens the advent of the
moment of choice, after which his rate of progress is greatly intensified.
It may be added that Theosophy is the only system of religion and
philosophy which gives satisfactory explanation of such problems as these:
- First.
The object, use, and inhabitation of other planets than this earth, which
planets serve to complete and prolong the evolutionary course, and to fill
the required measure of the universal experience of souls.
- Second. The geological cataclysms of earth; the frequent absence of intermediate types in its fauna; the occurrence of architectural and other relics of races now lost, and as to which ordinary science has nothing but vain conjecture; the nature of extinct civilizations and the causes of their extinction; the persistence of savagery and the unequal development of existing civilizations; the differences, physical and internal, between the various races of men; the line of future development.
- Third.
The contrasts and unisons of the world's faiths, and the common foundation
underlying them all.
- Fourth.
The existence of evil, of suffering, and of sorrow — a hopeless puzzle to
the mere philanthropist or theologian.
- Fifth.
The inequalities in social condition and privilege; the sharp contrasts
between wealth and poverty, intelligence and stupidity, culture and
ignorance, virtue and vileness; the appearance of men of genius in
families destitute of it, as well as other facts in conflict with the law
of heredity; the frequent cases of unfitness of environment around
individuals, so sore as to embitter disposition, hamper aspiration, and
paralyze endeavor; the violent antithesis between character and condition;
the occurrence of accident, misfortune and untimely death — all of them
problems solvable only by either the conventional theory of Divine caprice
or the Theosophic doctrines of Karma and Reincarnation.
- Sixth.
The possession by individuals of psychic powers — clairvoyance,
clairaudience, etc., as well as the phenomena of psychometry and
statuvolism.
- Seventh.
The true nature of genuine phenomena in spiritualism, and the proper
antidote to superstition and to exaggerated expectation.
- Eighth. The failure of conventional religions to greatly extend their areas, reform abuses, reorganize society, expand the idea of brotherhood, abate discontent, diminish crime, and elevate humanity; and an apparent inadequacy to realize in individual lives the ideal they professedly uphold.
THEOSOPHICAL UNIVERSITY PRESS© ( Pasadena- US)
THEOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY PASADENA - US
