Glossary of Terms
Adept
A Master of Wisdom. Has taken 5 initiations and passed into the 5th
or spiritual kingdom, from the 4th or human kingdom.
Agni Lord of Fire and one of the oldest and most
revered gods in the Vedas. Symbol of the mental plane - the fires
of mind or manas.
Akasha
Sanskrit root "kas" - to radiate or shine. Higher correspondence
of ether and relates to the substance which is Buddhi.
Akashic
Records Records of all karmic action "impressed"
upon the ethers. Most psychics perceive the distorted reflections
on the astral plane.
Angel
See "Deva".
Angel
of the Presence The devic aspect of the "causal body"
of a person.
Antahkarana
Path or bridge between higher and lower mind, serving as a medium
of communication between the two. Built through meditation/visualisation,
service to humanity and study of occultism.
Ashram
A centre to which the Master gathers aspirants and disciples for personal
instruction
Astral
Body The emotional or feeling body. Watery in nature and
the seat of our desires. One of the most difficult bodies to control.
Atlantis
A continent now submerged in the Atlantic ocean, according to occult
teaching and Plato. Home of the Atlantean or 4th rootrace.
Atma
Universal spirit. The divine Monad. The 7th principle.
Aura
A subtle or invisible essence or fluid which emanates from human and
animal bodies. It is psychic effluvium, partaking of both mind and
body. It is electo-vital and electro-mental. Etheric, astral, mental
bodies.
Avatar
A special emissary of Light and Love that incarnates for the benefit
of humanity, having technically no karmic obligation to incarnate.
There are many types of avatars, from the earthly to the cosmic.
Black
Magic The use of power and the manipulation of matter for
selfish ends. Materialistic focus of forces that negate the evolutionary
urge.
Bodhisattva
One whose consciousness has become intelligence or buddhi. Name of
office Lord Maitreya, known in the west as the Christ. The World Teacher
is the Master of Masters and teacher of angels and humanity.
Brahma
The third aspect of the Hindu trinity - Siva (father/ray 1- will),
Krishna (son/ray 2 - love) and Brahma (mother/ray 3 - intelligence)
Buddhi
Universal soul or mind. It is the 4th plane of perception
of pure intuition, and is the state that all humanity is evolving
toward.
Causal
Body It isn't really a body, objectively or subjectively,
but is the centre of Egoic or Soul consciousness, formed by the conjunction
of buddhi and manas. It is relatively permanent throughout our long
series of incarnations, but is destroyed after the 4th
initiation is reached and we have achieved mastery over the three
lower worlds.
Chain
Seven "chains" of evolution within a planetary "scheme".
There are seven "globes" of evolution within a planetary
chain.
Chakra
Sanskrit - "wheel or disc". An energy centre within one
of the subtle bodies, formed by the intersection of many "nadis"
or strands of etheric substance, forming the seven main chakras of
the human being and the 22 minor chakras. There are also 343 "points
of light" which correspond to the acupuncture points. Chakras
can be energy centres in the solar system or the cosmos, or a human
being.
Chela
A "disciple" or pupil of a spiritual teacher or Master.
Chohan
Lord, Master, a Chief. A 6th degree initiate. A custodian
of one of the seven rays.
Christ
The World Teacher of humanity and angels alike. The Master of Masters.
Embodier of the 2nd or Love aspect of Deity. Known as Maitreya
in the East. Set to "reappear" to 0fulfill His mission started
2000 years ago.
Deva
(Angel) In sanskrit, a resplendent deity. Responsible for building
all forms, from nature to the solar system, which consciousness uses
as a vehicle - from a flower, to a human being, to a planet. Hence,
the lesser builders and the greater builders refer to the different
deva groups.
Dharma
That which one must fulfill as an incarnate Being. One's duty as an
understanding of the Law. Ethical doctrine - justice, harmony, virtue.
Dhyani
Buddhas The 5 Buddhas - Vairocana, Aksobhya, Ratnasambhava,
Amitabha and Amoghasiddhi. Same as Kumaras. See "Kumara".
Dweller
on the Threshold The "shadow" or unredeemed aspect
of the personality that is built up over lifetimes - it can assume
the shape of a grotesque thoughtform. The Soul goes into battle with
the Dweller at a critical stage of its evolution, and eventually emerges
triumphant. This process may take several lives.
Ego
The soul as an individualised unit of consciousness within the greater
ocean of consciousness.
Egoic
Groups The "causal" bodies of individual men and
women, as they exist on the mental plane, as an expression of the
Ego. They congregate in groups according to ray colouring.
Egoic
Lotus The 3 tiers of petals (knowledge, love and sacrifice)
that are opened over the immense period of time that is the Soul's
journey. Eventually the three petals of the central bud (the jewel
in the lotus) are opened when the individual achieves "Liberation".
Elementals
The spirits of the elements of earth, water, fire and air. They are
the lesser "devas" or "builders". They can inhabit
the residual etheric/astral bodies of humans that are still breaking
down after death, much like a hermit crab inhabits a shell.
Esoteric
That which is hidden or veiled. It is subjective wisdom that can only
be perceived with the developed subtle senses.
Etheric
Body The subtle part of the physical body. The physical plane
is divided into 7 subplanes (as are all planes). The lower 3 subplanes
represent the physical body, and the higher 4 subplanes represent
the etheric body.
Fifth
Principle Mind - the intelligent thinking principle which
differentiates the human kingdom from the animal kingdom.
Fohat
Cosmic electricity. Primordial light. The universal propelling life
force. Ceaseless destructive and constuctive power.
Glamour
Illusion or maya, specifically on the astral plane. The former refer
to the mental and physical planes respectively. Glamour is astral
energy colouring mental energy so that it distorts reality.
Globe
An evolution within a "chain" period : seven globes to a
chain. Earth is currently in her fourth "globe" period.
Gnosis
Knowledge of God. The Mysteries of Being. Wisdom. Sophia.
God
Deity or originating cause. See "Logos".
Gunas
(3) The three divisions of matter : Tamas (inertia), rajas (activity)
and Sattva (Harmony).
Guru
Spiritual teacher. A Master in metaphysical and ethical doctrines.
Hierarchy
Group of spiritual beings on the inner planes of the solar system
who are the intelligent forces of nature and who control the evolutionary
processes. Divided into 12 Hierarchies. The Occult Hierarchy or Masters
of Wisdom, disciples and initiates are a reflection.
Individualisation
The moment when "the spark of mind" was implanted in humanity,
over 18 million years ago, through the stimulation of the "lords
of flame", form the Venus "chain" of the Earth "scheme".
Initiations
Successive expansions of consciousness that mark vital stages of the
soul's journey. When one is "initiated", one has already
been self initiated, because "to initiate" means to start
something that will eventually lead to the higher expansion of awareness.
There are initiation ceremonies which "confer" initiation,
and give the candidate an expanded experience that they will never
forget, inspiring them onward in their evolution.
Intuition
"The synthetic understanding which is the perogative of the soul..".
That which is beyond feelings and thought -buddhic awareness.
Kalachakra
The Wheel of Time. Kalachakra tantra most esoteric Mahayana Buddhist
teaching given by "Lords of Shamballa".
Kali
Hindu goddess of life and death. Kali Yuga (age/cycle) is the present
age of death and destruction - a period of 432,000 years.
Kama-manas
Desire mind. The combination of astral and lower mental energy. Source
of all our "glamours".
Karma
The Law of Cause and Effect. Physical action. The Law of Retribution.
Karma of merit/demerit. The whole universe is conditioned by this
law. Moral effect of an act committed which gratifies personal desire.
Kumaras
Hindu for "The mind-born Sons of Brahma". The highest seven
self conscious beings in our planetary scheme. There are 3 "exoteric"
and 3 "esoteric" and Sanat Kumara is the "One"
in between who mirrors the unformed (arupa) realms into the formed
(rupa) realms. These Kumaras originally came to Earth from the Venus
"chain" of the Earth "scheme".
Kundalini
The power of Life - one of the forces of nature (feminine) that lies
coiled, serpent like at the base of the spine. It creates the foundation
of matter, into which spirit incarnates. Awakens naturally through
evolution, but can have very destructive effects if prematurely activated
through wrong meditation or yogic practices.
Lemuria
Continent which preceded Atlantis, the last remnants of which are
Australia, Borneo, Madagascar and Easter Island. It was in this race/continent
that the "spark of mind" was implanted in humanity.
Logos
"God" in a relative sense. There is a Planetary Logos and
a Solar Logos. Logos = word : the creative word (mantram) brings all
forms into manifestation, whether it is a solar system or a human
being.
Lords
of Flame One of the great Hierarchies of spiritual beings
who guide the solar system. Closely related to the Kumaras.
Lotus
Description of any energy centre, human or cosmic. The petals of a
lotus represent different qualities, colours and stages of evolution.
They may be folded and unawakened, or unfolded and awakened.
Macrocosm
The greater body of manifestation in which we (the microcosm) live.
Maitreya
Buddha Forthcoming Buddha of Compassion. The Christ.
Mandala
A mystical diagram in which are drawn symbols representing aspects
of Deity, and used to invoke that energy.
Mahachohan
Lord of Civilisation. Head of the third great department of the Hierarchy.
Embodiment of the 3rd ray or 3rd aspect of Deity
- Active Intelligence, which gives birth to the 4 rays of attribute.
Mahamanvantara
A great cycle of manifestation for a solar system. A "manvantara"
is a lesser cycle within this greater cycle, but still of vast duration
by human standards - 308,448,000 years.
Manas
Mind, mental faculty. Individualising principle. Divided into two
parts - higher mind/lower mind.
Mantrams
A form of words or syllables rhythmically arranged, so that when sounded,
certain vibrations are generated. "The word made flesh."
Manu
The representative name of the great Being who is the Ruler or primal
progenitor of the human race. "Manu" and "Manas"
come from the sanskrit root "man" - "to think".
Manvantara
Period of activity as opposed to a period of rest. Frequently used
to express a period of planetary activity and its seven races.
Maya
Illusion on the physical plane. That which the whole planet is enmeshed.
See "Glamour".
Masonry
Ancient esoteric tradition whereby an attempt is made to align with
the forces of Deity, through ritual, allegory and symbol, and thereby
anchor those forces upon the physical plane. The "Builders"
of Masonry are an allegory for the building, by the soul, of the causal
body. Some more modern orders admit women.
Mayavi
Rupa Sanskrit "illusory form". Body of manifestation
created by a Master through an act of will, for use in the three worlds.
Microcosm
The little universe, or a human manifesting through its body, the
physical body.
Monad
The One. The threefold spirit on its own plane. The unified triad
of atma, buddhi and manas. The immortal essence of ourselves which
uses the soul to incarnate through, just as the soul incarnates through
our personality.
Mother
of the World Great "deva lord" who embodies the
substance of all planes of perception. She is responsible for the
Law of Karma working out through her many deva "agents".
Nadi
A channel for the conveying of prana in the etheric vehicle.
Nirmanakaya
The perfected beings who renounce nirvana (the highest state of spiritual
bliss) and choose a life of self sacrifice, becoming members of that
invisible host which ever protects humanity within karmic limits.
Permanent
Atom Small force centres on each of the planes which hold
the memory of all incarnations, and which the reincarnating soul draws
upon when building new bodies of manifestation.
Personality
The sumtotal of the 3 fold lower self : physical, astral, mental.
Plane
of Perception There are seven planes of perception on this
"cosmic physical" plane - physical, astral, mental, buddhic,
atmic, monadic and Adi. These planes are subdivided into seven subplanes
each, making 49 subplanes in all. An essential part of "septenaries"
in occultism that can be applied with the 7 rays to broaden understanding.
Planetary
Logos The informing entity of any planetary scheme, which
is made up of many other globes and chains - the physical planet just
being one expression of the great life incarnate in a scheme. The
Kumaras or Sanat Kumara is simply the personality expression of this
great being.
Prakriti
That which caused the universe to manifest itself.
Prana
The Life principle, the breath of life.
Pranayama
The science of rhytmic breathing as applied in meditation.
Raja
Lord Angel who ensouls and is the controlling intelligence
of a plane.
Raja
Yoga True system of developing psychic and spiritual powers
and union with the soul. It involves the exercise, regulation and
concentration of thought. It is the "kingly science" and
supercedes hatha and bhakti yoga.
Ray
One of the seven streams of force from cosmic sources that enter our
solar system and condition all life within it, including all the kingdoms
of nature on Earth. The planets in the solar system are really the
"vehicles" that pass this energy on. Each individual has
their own "ray make-up".
Reincarnation
Doctrine of cyclic rebirth by the evolving consciousness through all
types of environments in accordance with the Law of Karma.
Root
Race One of the seven major races that evolve upon a planet
during a "world period". Most Asian races belong to the
4th Atlantean rootrace, and most of the west are of the
5th or Aryan rootrace. There are 7 subraces to each rootrace,
just as there are 7 subplanes to each plane.
Round
A periodical life-wave that pours through a globe, chain and scheme.
Sangha
Community of monks. One of 3 precious jewels that must be held by
one wishing to tread the path of Liberation.
Sanskrit
Ancient language of India, in which the sacred texts are written.
Scheme
The "system of worlds" that constitute the evolution of
a Planetary Logos e.g. Earth, Venus etc. This system includes
chains, globes and rounds, or periodical life waves moving through
it.
Senzar
The secret language or "mystery speech" of initiated adepts
all over the world. It is very ancient, and predates Sanskrit.
Shamballa
The City of the Gods. "Shangri-La". It is situated in the
Gobi desert, and is where Sanat Kumara is "anchored" in
etheric substance.
Siddhis
Psychic powers developed through yogic practices. Many types.
Sirius
Star from which this solar system emanated - important for Earth in
this cycle.
Solar
Logos The great entity incarnate as our solar system. The
planets in this Being's body represent its major "chakras'.
Soul
"Neither spirit nor matter but the relation between them. It
is the middle or love principle and that which reincarnates in different
bodies.
Substance
The principle underlying dense matter.
Sutratma
The "life" thread anchored in the heart - linking spirit,
soul and body via the "permanent atoms".
Tantra
The union of male/female forces in the body that evokes the wisdom
principle and hence highest spiritual awareness. Often distorted into
lower sex yoga practices.
Triad
Atma, buddhi, manas - expression of the Monad.
Vedas
Most sacred and ancient of Sanskrit works, written in hymn form.
Wesak
A festival which occurs at the Taurus full moon every year, celebrating
the birth of the Buddha, and where the Hierarchy gather to receive
newly released forces to the planet. A time for Initiation.
White
Magic Conscious cooperation with spiritual law and the deva
forces to bring about manifested change, for the motive of service
to humanity.
Yoga
Sanskrit "unite". Hatha (physical). Bhakti (devotional -
astral). Karma (yoga of action). Raja ("kingly" - mental)
Agni (fire - intuitive/buddhic)
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