the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING
one we possess irrespective our our not being able to
understand it. We have a soul, a veritable living Âtman,
irrespective of all codes, sciences, theories, sects and laws.
What then is this Âtman, and how can we understand it, that
is to say, see it solely, or identify all with it?
The necessity of doing this is pointed out in Chândogya,
8. 1. 6.
He who departs from this world without having known the soul or those true
desires, his part in all worlds is a life of constraint; but he who departs from this
world after having known the soul and those true desires, his part in all worlds is
a life of freedom.
In the Brihadâranjaka,* king Janaka asks Yâjñavalkhya,
“what serves man for light?” That sage answers:
The sun serves him for light. When however the sun has set?—the
moon. And when he also has set?—fire. And when this also is extin-
guished?—the voice. And when this also is silenced? Then is he himself his
own light.†
This passage occurs again and again in the same form,
and in paraphrase, as we read through the Upanishads. In
Kâthaka 5. 15 we find:
There no sun shines, no moon, nor glimmering star,
Nor yonder lightning, the fire of earth is quenched;
* Brihadâranyaka Upanishad, 4. 3-4.
† These refer to the mystic lights in man. Compare this with the Diagram
2 “The Paths and Grades” in “The Neophyte.” After the Âtman in the
aspirant has been awakened by the trumpet of Israfel (The Angel) he
proceeds by the path of c. The next path the Aspirant must travel is that of
r—the Sun; the next that of q—the Moon; the next that of x—the Star. This
path brings him to the Fire of Netzach. When this fire is extinguished comes
the Voice or Lightning, after which the Light which guides the aspirant is
Himself, his Holy Guardian Angel, the Âtman—Adonai.
61