The Equinox (Volume I, Number III)

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING one we possess irrespective of our not being able to under- stand it. We have a soul, a veritable living Atman, irrespect- ive of all codes, sciences, theories, sects and laws. What then is this Atman, 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 Chandogya, 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 Brihadaranyaka,* king Janaka asks YAjiiavalkhya, “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?—the 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 Kathaka 5. 15 we find: There no sun shines, no moon, nor glimmering star, Nor yonder lightning, the fire of earth is quenched; * Brihadaranyaka 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 Atman in the aspirant has been awakened by the trumpet of Israfel (The Angel) he proceeds by the path of w. The next path the Aspirant must travel is that of —the Sun; the next that of jp—the Moon; the next that of y—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 Atman—Adonai. 61