Introduction to the Voice of the Silence H. P. Blavatsky 4/4

Since the first section titled 'The Voice of the Silence', which gives its name to the whole work in three sections is probably the most mystical and complex of the three, and is presented in a way that seems to be a culmination of the other two sections, I have presented it last.

 

'Earlier attempts at uncovering the primordial linguistic revelation in Hinduism took place within the Theosophical Society, founded in 1875 by Madame Blavatsky. In her book, The Voice of the Silence (1889) Nada had been eulogized as the ''soundless sound,'' the ''voice of the spiritual sound.'' Specific passages on Nada and OM from this work then made their way into William James's The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) giving them a kind of legitimacy in Western psychological and religious discourse.' (Guy L. Beck. Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound. University of South Carolina Press. 1993)

 

For more on the subject, see 

Theosophical Basics: Sacred Sound and Mantra

 

Part 1

 

Section 1 – (stanzas 1-13). presents a kind of overview of the path of silent liberation, ending in hearing the voice of the nada, the soundless sound and the requirements thereof-  very much the standard practices of Advaita Vedanta – it requires the practice of concentration, controlling the senses through detachment, pacifying the mind, overcoming the delusion caused by identifying with the material world, achieving inner harmony, complete equanimity, intimate identification with the higher self, thus attaining to deep wellsprings of soul memory and use of the inner, spiritual senses.

Section 2 (stanzas 14-21). This section, quite diverse, had some reflections regarding the astral plane, the importance of selflessness: and a mystical imperative regarding the Kalahamsa.

Section 3 (Stanzas 22-40). The three halls, the hall of ignorance (physical plane), the hall of learning (astral plane), and the hall of wisdom (spiritual plane) and their relation to the four avasthas and the seven lokas. We learn that: ‘’The WISE ONES tarry not in pleasure-grounds of senses.  The WISE ONES heed not the sweet-tongued voices of illusion’’.  The hall of learning is full of delusional dangers, so one should seek one’s teacher in the hall of wisdom. The temptations of Mara are great and one needs to guard against the illusion of separateness. Finally, a type of Kundalini Yoga practice is presented, leading to the possibility of astral projection.

Section 4 (Stanzas 41-50)_is concerned with the seven mystic sounds, linked to the Nadabindu Upanishad and also the Hamsa Upanishad and Hatha Yoga texts. The 7-step ladder of mystics sounds of the inner God:

1- Nightingale song; 

2-Cymbal; 

3- Sea Shell; 

4- Vina (lute); 

5- Flute; 

6-Trumpet blast/thunder; 

7- Silence

Based on the other yoga texts and stanza 50, I think it is plausible to assume that the 7 mystical sounds are related to the Chakras and Kundalini and 7 states of consciousness (and the 7 principles)  accompanied by related Siddhis.

Section 5 (stanzas 51-65) deals with the heady business of the Higher Self conquering the lower self, which in Christian mysticism is called the path of purification. Ere thy Soul’s mind can understand, the bud of personality must be crushed out, the worm of sense destroyed past resurrection. (57) There was also a brief but eloquent call to compassion. But let each burning human tear drop on thy heart and there remain, nor ever brush it off, until the pain that caused it is removed.  (61)

Section 6 (stanzas 66-78) deals with gates and ladders, a kind of prelude to a description of the seven stages, which seems similar to the eightfold yoga path.

Section 7 (stanzas 79-92) A kind of sevenfold Raja Yoga system is outlined, similar to the Eightfold yoga system, beginning with the Pratyahara stage, where a process of merging the five inner senses is explained. The next three stages correspond to the to three Sanyama practices. Upon achieving accomplishment in Samadhi, one becomes ‘’the doer and the witness, the radiator and the radiation, Light in the Sound, and the Sound in the Light’’.

Section 8 (stanzas 93-100), the final one, deals with the Four Noble Truths and the Five Hindrances.

 

Astrology: Summer Solstice, June 20, 2024- Part 2 - Chart

Trial and Error

Idealistic, transformative Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto minor grand trine

A day before the full moon, we still have a Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto minor grand trine, with Jupiter trine Pluto (power to positively transform your own life, your environment, and other people’s lives), Jupiter sextile Neptune (compassionate, spiritual, kind, and concerned outlook, belief system, or perspective) and Neptune sextile Pluto ( pioneering spirit, unafraid to challenge the status quo).

 

This  prefigures a very positive Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto minor grand trine, which is coming into place next year. But beginning in August, the rest of the year will be more difficult, culminating in an intense mutable Grand Cross at the Winter Solstice. Pluto is still on a volatile Capricorn/Aquarius cusp for 2024, but we've almost reached a major new, positive sky formation, a distinctive change from the last ten years, which was marked by Uranus square Pluto.

Two tight aspects bring conflicting energies

Mercury sextile Mars  Mental alertness, enthusiasm, and energetic communications figure now. You are productive and take “busy-ness” in stride. You are alert and aware, and can easily turn ideas into workable projects. 

Sun (Mercury, Venus) square Neptune  It can be difficult knowing where or how to direct your willpower under this influence. It’s also a challenge knowing where you stand with others. 

Strong sociable, communicative Sun, Mercury, Venus conjuction in Cancer

Venus conjunct Mercury Lighthearted conversations, sociability, humor, and cooperation are hallmarks of this transit. Mentally, you may not be as disciplined as usual.

Sun conjunct Venus Smooth negotiations with others, graciousness, diplomacy, and charm are with you, although there could also be a tendency to gloss over the less-than-pleasant stuff.

Sun conjunct Mercury You are especially sharp, communicative, and open at this time, as your wants are aligned with your thoughts.  You tend to say what you think now. As well, others could find you self-absorbed for the time being

Some difficult aspects can bring conflict

Moon square Saturn. Some feelings of being blocked are possible now urging you to slow down. There may be problems with older people or authority figures. Domestic affairs may be a little messy. 

Moon opposite Jupiter You’re given to excesses just now, and it can be hard to think of the consequences of overdoing things when you’re in such an elevated mood.

Mars square Pluto You are especially sensitive to anything that reminds you that you are not in control now. A tendency to bully and confront may dominate. Efforts to make changes could be thwarted, or power struggles emerge. It would be wise to observe whatever powerful feelings that confrontations or conflicts arouse under this influence, as this transit has a way of pulling out suppressed matter, or emotional “slush”. Passions run high. 

Summary

We have a major idealistic, transformative  (Jupiter in Gemini), Neptune, Pluto minor grand trine which is beginning to open new perspectives. There is a strong sociable, communicative Sun, Mercury, Venus conjuction in Cancer. Mercury sextile Mars and Sun (Mercury, Venus) square Neptune, would signal a tendency for efficient, focused actions, albeit with misguided directions (which is sort of the story of the modern world in many ways). Moon square Saturn, Moon opposite Jupiter, and a fading Mars square Pluto can a bring certain amount of friction and conflict (notably with Mars square Saturn and Mercury retrograde during most of August).

After the initial five-year phase of the Jupiter-Saturn cycle, marked by the first Jupiter square Saturn on August 1, we've now entered on the more optimistic, productive period of the initial ten-year Jovian phase, to be followed by a more Saturnine phase. After ten years of blogging about deconstructing cycles, it is now a time for embarking on new major life projects, putting into place new plans, and new structures of a long-term nature.

 

Prognostic

 

It is a good time for socializing and building new relationships. A motivation for idealistic, transformative social projects is favoured. This can bring an enthusiasm for dynamic, efficient, productive action, that can be misguided. A certain amount of friction and conflict can emerge along the way

Summer Aspects
Aug 05 –  Mercury Retrograde: in Virgo

Aug 16 –  Mars (Gemini) square Saturn (Pisces) *

Aug 19 – Jupiter square Saturn 1 of 3

Aug 24 –  Uranus sextile Neptune, in orb not exact until 2025

Aug 28 –  Mercury direct

Sept 02 –  Pluto in Capricorn

Sept 17 – Lunar Eclipse in Pisces

Oct 02 – Solar Eclipse at in Libra

 

References

https://cafeastrology.com/thisweekinastrology.html

Astrology: Summer Solstice, June 20, 2024- Part 1 - Review

For the Spring chart, we gave the forecast:

The chart is strongly geared to resolving past issues or conflicts, healing traumas or discovering or recovering something or someone from the past. There is a significant amount of combative Mars energy of a volatile potential. There is also a potential to enjoy an optimistic, cheerful, cooperative, progressive period where projects of social change can enter the picture.

Pluto is still on a volatile Capricorn/Aquarius cusp for 2024, but the Jupiter, Pluto, Neptune minor grand trine is in place, so we've almost reached a new, positive sky formation, a distinctive change from the last 10 years

Perhaps to underscore this big shift, the eclipse season , March 25-April 8, was quite powerful.

March 25 – Lunar Eclipse in Libra

 

March 25- UN Security Council calls for cease fire in Gaza.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/25/un-security-council-adopts-resolution-calling-for-immediate-gaza-ceasefire

 

March 27 A boat collision caused a deadly bridge collapse in Baltimore

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/27/world/bridge-accident-dangers-baltimore-collapse-intl-hnk/index.html

 

April 1 Dramatic internet cancel-culture influenced suicide of prominent alternative cartoonist Ed Piskor rocked the comic book community

https://ew.com/ed-piskor-dead-comic-artist-youtube-host-41-8623603

April 3 Taiwan Earthquake. The quake was the strongest to hit Taiwan since a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in 1999 that killed 2,400 people.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/earthquake-aftershocks-halt-the-demolition-of-a-leaning-building-in-taiwan-death-toll-rises-to-13-1.6836264

 

April 4  Earthquake in New York The U.S. Geological Survey said over 42 million people might have felt the midmorning quake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8, centered near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, or about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of New York City and 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Philadelphia.

https://apnews.com/article/east-coast-earthquake-7d03f7a44a6c1a1ea877820515808bee

Apr 8 – Solar Eclipse in Aries

Total Solar New Moon Eclipse in Aries Mon April 8 2024 'Great American' Leslie Hale Apr 05, 2024 

2017 was the year US became ‘divided’ politically and  it was a period of drastic change & beginning of 7 years of political upheaval in US that continues today

https://www.yourtango.com/zodiac/astrologers-predictions-how-april-2024-aries-solar-eclipse-will-transform-us 

April 10- An astrologer, influenced by QAnon eclipse conspiracy theories and apocalyptic predictions, involved in tragic murder-suicide episode

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/astrology-influencer-who-threw-her-2-kids-onto-l-a-freeway-appeared-agitated-by-impending-eclipse-1.6842225

 

April 18- Man involved in mass stabbing of women at Australian shopping centre

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-68852486 

 

Apr 20– Jupiter conjunct Uranus

 

April 20- Conspiracy theorist sets himself on fire as an act of protest

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/max-azzarello-fire-trump-manifesto-b2532220.html

 

May 10- Powerful Solar Storm, a rare G5 geomagnetic storm not seen since Halloween 2003 is supercharging the northern lights around the world.

https://www.space.com/solar-storm-effects-reach-deep-sea

May 23 – Jupiter sextile Neptune

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/24/us/5-things-to-know-for-may-24-state-visit-gaza-aid-covid-19-college-sports-mortgage-rates/index.html

May 20 The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court sought arrest warrants Monday for leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over actions taken during their seven-month war

https://apnews.com/article/icc-khan-netanyahu-070941d21ccd1f2b9611032b88527575

 

May 24 The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday issued new provisional measures that order Israel to immediately end military operations in Rafah in southern Gaza and to open the governate’s border crossing for urgent aid deliveries.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/05/1150196

May 25 – Jupiter in Gemini until June 9, 2025

June 02 – Jupiter trine Pluto

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/03/us/5-things-to-know-for-june-3-mexico-election-hunter-biden-trial-trump-convicted-middle-east-trash-balloons/index.html

June 10 – Neptune sextile Pluto in orb not exact until 2026

June 11 –  Mars square Pluto (Aquarius) *

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/12/us/5-things-to-know-for-june-12-hunter-biden-gaza-protests-economy-bus-hijacking-medical-debt/index.html

The Tao Te Ching, Lao Tsu - A Theosophical Bibliography - Lao Zi Daodejing

Theosophists have made at least 6 translations of the Tao Te Ching.

Without trying, they have contributed to making the Doa De Jing, one of the most translated texts in the world.

 

 

 

 

Walter Gorn-Old 1894

http://home.pages.at/onkellotus/TTK

 

C. Spurgeon Medhurst 1905

https://sacred-texts.com/tao/mt/index.htm

 

D.T. Suzuki & Paul Carus 1913

https://sacred-texts.com/tao/crv/index.htm

 

Dwight Goddard 1919 (Not really a Theosophist, but his translation of the Lankavatara Sutra, with the assistance of D.T. Suzuki, is quite Theosophy-friendly in my opinion, although purists might object to his renderings, but I think that they were appropriately accessible for a general western public.

http://sacred-texts.com/tao/ltw/index.htm

 

Isabella Mears,  1922

https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupid?key=ha100807469

 

Charles H. Mackintosh 1926

https://ia803105.us.archive.org/.../DaoDeJing...

 

Henry Wei, 1982

https://web.archive.org/.../onke.../TTK/English_Wei_TTK.html

 

Some recommended versions by other translators:

A Translation of Lao-tzu’s Tao Te Ching and Wang Pi’s Commentary

Paul J. Lin 1977

https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/41829/9780472901388.pdf

 

Lao-tzu's Taoteching

Bill Porter (Red Pine), trans. 2009

Some bold readings based on the Mawangdui and Guodian versions. Includes good selections from the commentary tradition.

https://terebess.hu/english/tao/Taoteching_withCommentaries.pdf

 

The Heshang Gong Commentary on Lao Zi's Daodejing

Dan G. Reid 2015

https://www.facebook.com/HoShangKung/posts/pfbid02MXECmts9DYuiL2FJWdS1Ng1d8UXWC1VhDCXiBmuqVSXWLnVTKEGtdEGLqHMFY8Nal

 

Treasuries of the Tao: A Translation of the TAO-TE CHING with Chinese Commentaries revealing a relevance to Taoist Yoga and its Philosophies 

Richard Bertschinger 2016

https://books.google.ca/books/about/Treasuries_of_the_Tao.html?id=YcoTMQAACAAJ&redir_esc=y

 

Tao Te Ching: The Essential Translation of the Ancient Chinese Book of the Tao

John Minford 2018

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/529321/tao-te-ching-by-lao-tzu-translated-with-an-introduction-and-commentary-by-john-minford/9780143133803

The Annotated Critical Laozi:With Contemporary Explication and Traditional Commentary

Guying Chen  2020

https://brill.com/display/title/32696?language=en

 

The Annotated Laozi: A New Translation of the Daodejing

Paul Fischer 2023

https://sunypress.edu/Books/T/The-Annotated-Laozi

Through the Gates of Gold 4 Mabel Collins Chapter 5b The Secret of Strength

Chapter 5, Part 3  

Subjecting his godly power to his animal power 

No brute of the earth is so brutal as the man who subjects his godly power to his animal power. This is a matter of course, because the whole force of the double nature is then used in one direction. The animal pure and simple obeys his instincts only and desires no more than to gratify his love of pleasure; he pays but little regard to the existence of other beings except in so far as they offer him pleasure or pain; he knows nothing of the abstract love of cruelty or of any of those vicious tendencies of the human being which have in themselves their own gratification. Thus the man who becomes a beast has a million times the grasp of life over the natural beast, and that which in the pure animal is sufficiently innocent enjoyment, uninterrupted by an arbitrary moral standard, becomes in him vice, because it is gratified on principle. Moreover he turns all the divine powers of his being into this channel, and degrades his soul by making it the slave of his senses. The god, deformed and disguised, waits on the animal and feeds it.

The God as servant 

And the god in his capacity of servant adds a thousand-fold to all this, by making physical life so much more filled with keenness of pleasure, — rare, voluptuous, aesthetic pleasure, — and by intensity of pain so passionate that one knows not where it ends and where pleasure commences. So long as the god serves, so long the life of the animal will be enriched and increasingly valuable. But let the king resolve to change the face of his court and forcibly evict the animal from the chair of state, restoring the god to the place of divinity. 

Evicting the animal 

Ah, the profound peace that falls upon the palace! All is indeed changed. No longer is there the fever of personal longings or desires, no longer is there any rebellion or distress, no longer any hunger for pleasure or dread of pain. It is like a great calm descending on a stormy ocean; it is like the soft rain of summer falling on parched ground; it is like the deep pool found amidst the weary, thirsty labyrinths of the unfriendly forest.

More than animal, more than god 

But there is much more than this. Not only is man more than an animal because there is the god in him, but he is more than a god because there is the animal in him. 

The animal as servant 

Once force the animal into his rightful place, that of the inferior, and you find yourself in possession of a great force hitherto unsuspected and unknown. The god as servant adds a thousand-fold to the pleasures of the animal; the animal as servant adds a thousand-fold to the powers of the god. And it is upon the union, the right relation of these two forces in himself, that man stands as a strong king, and is enabled to raise his hand and lift the bar of the Golden Gate. When these forces are unfitly related, then the king is but a crowned voluptuary, without power, and whose dignity does but mock him; for the animals, undivine, at least know peace and are not torn by vice and despair.

Not easily done 

That is the whole secret. That is what makes man strong, powerful, able to grasp heaven and earth in his hands. Do not fancy it is easily done.

Great powers of service and of strength. 

The animal in man, elevated, is a thing unimaginable in its great powers of service and of strength.
You forget, you who let your animal self live on, merely checked and held within certain bounds, that it is a great force, an integral portion of the animal life of the world you live in. With it you can sway men, and influence the very world itself, more or less perceptibly according to your strength. The god, given his right place, will so inspire and guide this extraordinary creature, so educate and develop it, so force it into action and recognition of its kind, that it will make you tremble when you recognize the power that has awakened within you. The animal in yourself will then be a king among the animals of the world.

Powers of nature 

This is the secret of the old-world magicians, who made Nature serve them and work miracles every day for their convenience. This is the secret of the coming race which Lord Lytton foreshadowed for us.

The power to rule 

But this power can only be attained by giving the god the sovereignty. Make your animal ruler over yourself, and he will never rule others. 

EPILOGUE
SECRETED and hidden in the heart of the world and in the heart of man is the light which can illumine all life, the future and the past. Shall we not search for it? Surely some must do so. And then perhaps those will add what is needed to this poor fragment of thought.

Part 1 

Part 4

Astrology: Jupiter Trine Pluto June 2, 2024

From  https://astrologyking.com/jupiter-trine-pluto/

Jupiter trine Pluto transit dramatically increases your power and influence. You can use this power to positively transform your own life, your environment, and other people’s lives. You will feel in control of situations and may find yourself in positions of power or authority in group settings.

The most significant gains during this period come from maintaining high morals and not acting selfishly. Gains will still come by putting yourself above others, but the improvements will not have the lasting transforming qualities associated with this transit.

The transitions on the way could include promotion in your career, leading to increased wealth and power. Journeys made now will also powerfully transform your outlook on life and be remembered as once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Overall, a very satisfying and evolving phase of life.

From https://cafeastrology.com/jupiters-transit-gemini-2024-2025/

Jupiter’s trine to Pluto can help us focus. It can also get us in touch with our more deeply buried ambitions.

It’s a time of heightened influence, faith, and insight. The desire for more personal significance can lead us to give of ourselves or motivate us to pursue individual or professional goals more ambitiously. This transit enhances our ability to sway or persuade.

We might seize the opportunity to better ourselves during this transit. It’s a time when long-standing problems can be resolved, and untapped resources can be harnessed. This transit is particularly favorable for business, law, and commerce, empowering us to channel our ambitions more effectively and offering us the power to organize. The desire for success is potent, and our determination is heightened, making it an ideal time for personal and professional growth.

New ventures can thrive, and so can reviving projects already in progress. This powerful aspect can lead to a stronger sense of confidence, as well as increased ambition, gumption, and resourcefulness. We may see opportunities where we previously saw obstacles, and our pursuits can have more depth and power.

From Planets in Transit, Robert Hand: 

Under this influence you will move to make positive changes in your personal and your social world. 

You have a strong desire to reform and remake at this time, you should be striving to improve condtions all around you, to renew and to serve as a vehicle for regeneration in your world. I fyou attain personal power in any way at all, use it to clear up and clean out. You may have the chance to lead or indluence others, so use that influence to help everyone concerned to grow with you. (p. 306)

Astrology: Jupiter in Gemini, May 25, 2024

Some extracts from https://cafeastrology.com/jupiteringemini.html

Whiles Jupiter was in Taurus (May 16, 2023, to May 25, 2024), Jupiter expanded our awareness of our need to establish ourselves and build upon what we own and have. Jupiter in Taurus encouraged us to embrace our needs for comfort, security, grounding, stability, collecting, and providing for ourselves.

Now in Gemini, Jupiter expands our awareness of our need to connect, learn, share, and prosper in our everyday lives. Jupiter in Gemini encourages us to embrace our need to collect, process, and share information. We seek input, mental stimulation, and movement.

Jupiter is in Gemini from:

• May 25, 2024, to June 9, 2025.

In other words, Jupiter spends a little over a year in the sign of Gemini.

With an Air sign Jupiter, we are mentally adventurous, ready and willing to learn, and are interested in mind expansion. We are less attached to our traditional or sentimental values because we are generally impartial and open-minded. We can see many sides to an argument.

More specifically, with Jupiter in Gemini, we attract the most good fortune when we are versatile, sociable, curious, and put others at ease with friendliness and sincere curiosity. It can be advantageous to use our wit and ingeniousness during this transit.

Prosperous areas are communication and learning during this transit. Good fortune or experiences surround these things. In favor now are pursuits and fields that require dexterity, novelty, logic, gathering, collating, reporting, quick thinking, and agility. These areas can be most attractive and/or profitable. This can be a better time for investments in travel or communication. Examples of areas that might thrive include lecturing, tour guides, foreign language instruction, transportation companies, and delivery and shipping.

Mental versatility, curiosity, and friendliness contribute to success.

Winning Good Fortune

With Jupiter in Gemini, we function at our best when we feel connected and “in the know.”

Jupiter in Gemini brings opportunities related to transportation, communication systems, writing, speaking, teaching, reaching out, extending courtesies, being friendly or neighborly, our neighborhood, siblings, schools, checking in, and following our curiosity.

There can be a particular love of information tidbits, gossip, making mental connections and other forms of information sorting, developing skills, and coming up with new ideas with Jupiter in Gemini.

In contrast to the uniformity and passivity of the previous Jupiter cycle while Jupiter was in Taurus, we can now take pleasure in novelty, variety, and making contacts.

Building our communication skills or connections contributes significantly to success. Learning can be our comfort or pleasure zone.

During this cycle, we’re employing wit, versatility, cleverness, and social charm to our benefit—friendliness and sincere curiosity help to put others at ease.

With Jupiter in Gemini, we prefer learning programs that focus on ideas, fact-gathering, interaction, and discussion. Belief systems that connect people and encourage conversation, discussion, and questions are more appealing.