Equinox I (04).pdf

Equinox I (04).pdf Equinox I (04).pdf

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144 THE EQUINOX out the Four Noble Truths, that is in the understanding of the Three Characteristics—the three fundamental principles of Buddhism. Besides representing Malkuth, the Four Noble Truths (viewed in an elementary manner) represent the four lower Sephiroth—Malkuth, Yesod, Hod and Netzach, the state of Right Views carrying with its attainment a transcendency over all wrong views, that is to say all crude and unskilful views, all dogmas, assertions, all doubts, which are as unfertile as the elements are when uncombined, by applying to them what we have termed eslewhere the Pyrronhic Serpent of Selection. The attainment of Right Views is arrived at in three successive steps. (1) The Aspriant contemplates the ills of life; (2) he meditaetas upon them; (3) by strenuous will power he commences to strip the mind of the Cause of Sorrow, namely Change. During this stage a series of humiliations must be undergone, and, not only must the Nephesch be conquered, but also the lower states of the Ruach, until the illumination of the Second Noble Truth of the Eightfold Path shatter the step of Right Views which the Aspirant is standing upon just as the fire of God consumed the Elemental Pyramid—the Tower of the Taro. Having attained to mastery over Right Comprehension the aspirant beings to ess things not as they are but in their right proportions. His views become balanced, he enters Tiphareth, the Solar Plexus, “He sees naked facts behind the garments of hypotheses in which men have clothed them, and by which they have become obscured; and he perceives that behind the changing and conflicting opinions of men there are

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING permanent principles which constitute the eternal Reality in the Cosmic Order.* In Tiphareth the aspirant attains to no less a state than that of conversation with his Holy Guardian Angel, his Jechidah, “The permanent principle behind the conflicting opinions.” Once Right Comprehension has been attained to, he has discovered a Master who will never desert him until he become one with him. II. Right Resolutions or Right Aspirations. Having perceived the changing nature of all things, even of men’s mnds, and having acquired that gloriifed vision by which he can distinguish between the permanent and the impermanent, he aspires to the attainment of a perfect knowledge of that which is beyond change and sorrow, and resolves that he will, be strenuous effort,† reach to the peace beyond; to where his heart may find rest, his mind become steadfast, untroubled, and serene.‡ At this stage the Bodhi Satva of Work commences to revolve within the heart of the aspirant and to break up the harmony of the elements only to attune his aspirations for a time to a discord nobler than all harmony, and eventually to that Peace which passeth Understanding. III. Right Speech. Right Speech is a furthering of Right Aspirations. It consists of a discipline wherein a man not only converses with his Holy Guardian Angel, but outwardly and inwardly lives up to His holy conversation, turning his whole life into * “The Noble Eightfold Path,” by James Allen, in “Buddhism,” vol. i, No. 2, p. 213. A most illuminating essay on this difficult subject. † The same as the “inflamed by prayer” of Abramelin. ‡ Ibid., p. 213. 145

144<br />

THE EQUINOX<br />

out the Four Noble Truths, that is in the understanding of the<br />

Three Characteristics—the three fundamental principles of<br />

Buddhism. Besides representing Malkuth, the Four Noble<br />

Truths (viewed in an elementary manner) represent the four<br />

lower Sephiroth—Malkuth, Yesod, Hod and Netzach, the<br />

state of Right Views carrying with its attainment a transcendency<br />

over all wrong views, that is to say all crude and unskilful<br />

views, all dogmas, assertions, all doubts, which are as unfertile<br />

as the elements are when uncombined, by applying to them<br />

what we have termed eslewhere the Pyrronhic Serpent of<br />

Selection.<br />

The attainment of Right Views is arrived at in three successive<br />

steps. (1) The Aspriant contemplates the ills of life;<br />

(2) he meditaetas upon them; (3) by strenuous will power he<br />

commences to strip the mind of the Cause of Sorrow, namely<br />

Change.<br />

During this stage a series of humiliations must be undergone,<br />

and, not only must the Nephesch be conquered, but also<br />

the lower states of the Ruach, until the illumination of the<br />

Second Noble Truth of the Eightfold Path shatter the step of<br />

Right Views which the Aspirant is standing upon just as the<br />

fire of God consumed the Elemental Pyramid—the Tower of<br />

the Taro.<br />

Having attained to mastery over Right Comprehension<br />

the aspirant beings to ess things not as they are but in their<br />

right proportions. His views become balanced, he enters<br />

Tiphareth, the Solar Plexus, “He sees naked facts behind the<br />

garments of hypotheses in which men have clothed them, and<br />

by which they have become obscured; and he perceives that<br />

behind the changing and conflicting opinions of men there are

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