The Triangles Work, Some of its Challenges, and its Esoteric Nature
The Triangles Work, Some of its Challenges, and its Esoteric Nature.
As students of the Ancient Wisdom, we understand that even in the physical realm, there is more than meets the eye. We are taught that the dense physical body of a human being is informed, energized by an etheric counterpart or matrix. The dense physical body is said to be no principle, but an automaton, and the Tibetan explained that the function of the etheric body is to receive energy impulses and to be swept into activity by streams of force, emanating from some originating source, much like a power station if you like. He attempted to describe human constitution rather from the point of view of energy, and the etheric body is in reality naught but energy. It is composed of countless threads of tiny streams of energy, held in relation to the emotional and mental bodies and to the soul by their coordinating effect. These streams of energy, in their turn, have an effect on the physical body and swing it into activity. As humans are a microcosm, reflecting the Macrocosm or "celestial man," by analogy we can imagine that our globe is also enveloped in an energetic network. The etheric or energy body, therefore, of every human being is an integral part of the etheric body of the planet itself and consequently of the solar system.
We are told that the intersecting energies in the etheric body of the planet are at this time a network of squares. Our system of measurement of geographical coordinates is based on intersecting lines forming squares, if we think of latitude and longitude. By the way, when measuring rising or setting stars, Spherical trigonometry is used, based on spherical triangles. But the key issue here is that when the creative process is complete and evolution has done its work, these squares will become a network of triangles. This deeply esoteric idea allows us to glimpse the intimate relationship between the state of human consciousness and the vitality and lines of force that surround and permeate our globe. The Great Beings we call Masters, who have complete control over mental matter, can 'project,' so to speak, ideas embodying divine purpose into the mental environment, shaping them in ways that further human progress. Throughout history, great thinkers have drawn from this universal pool of ideas, initiating significant artistic trends, scientific breakthroughs, and movements of all kinds. However, without the agency of the etheric body, these ideas cannot be impressed upon the brain and brought into manifestation, “precipitated”, to use an alchemical expression." As above, so below: imagine a planetary etheric vehicle through which higher energies could circulate freely. How many global problems, how many unimaginable developments could become possible?
When a human being achieves a total fusion with his deepest self and becomes a Master, his lower nature has been transmuted and has become a worthy temple of his/her inner divinity. A so-called Master, is someone who has perfected his methods for serving humanity to a – for us at least - unimaginable degree. In the same way, our Earth is destined to become a "sacred planet," as the ancient wisdom tells us, once its Regent accomplishes certain achievements, or “initiations”. But we are an inherent part of the Logos, we can and must consciously contribute to this transformation. The Triangles work is an opportunity to collaborate in a massive effort along occult lines to bring about this transformation; we can truly become the masons who help build this temple. With this triangular network we can expect that the inflow of higher energies will not be confined to specific individuals or groups, but will be available for the whole human race.
The vehicles that animate our transient personality are the result of millions of years of evolution, and so is the Earth’s. In the Proem of the Secret Doctrine, H. P. Blavatsky shows evoking images from an ancient manuscript: this one signifying the Cosmos in a state of universal rest; and the next one, the beginning of manifestation. According to the Ancient Wisdom, the Cosmos appears and disappears periodically and by cycles, and Eastern philosophy beautifully described this coming into manifestation and returning to a cosmic rest as a universal breath. In this eternal pilgrimage, each day is the result or consequence of a previous one, and this is true for all beings, cosmic, human, even an atom. As a small universe, the human soul also is said to reincarnate repeatedly, and the vehicles it uses to express itself in each lifespan are the assimilated result of its experience and the effects of karma set in motion in previous cycles.
In a similar way, the etheric vehicle of the planet was inherited from a former solar system, it is also the result of karma in some way; but each cycle has its goals, and the aim of the present solar system is its transformation into a network of triangles. This matter, as we can see, is highly esoteric in nature, but even if we do not understand the details, we can at least remain with an open mind, and let our intuition do its work. We live in a universe that is the consequence of a previous one: the necessary immersion into matter, and the intense work with form in a previous period, resulted in an etheric network of squares, and we generally identify the square shape with matter, our field of service. But at this stage of human progress the orientation is different. We are called to a deliberate and conscious effort to contribute in thought to transform this etheric matrix into a network of triangles, through which the incoming new energies can circulate. And those who already understand that "energy follows thought" commit to this work with full confidence that, through a massive invocative effort, we can contribute to its transformation.
Perhaps in the midst of this global crisis, someone might label us as overly idealistic. It is not about assuming the mystical attitude of uplifting ourselves to abstract realms of thought and vaguely wishing for a better future. We are called to an attitude and development along occult lines, which means being firmly grounded in the reality of our global crisis. But—as one of the speakers at the Goodwill seminar on November 2nd said, "changes happen at the speed of trust," and working with Triangles invites us to have genuine trust that directing all the power of our thought and creative imagination creates those appropriate channels through which the energies of a new era can flow in and transform the world. Some of us may find it difficult to visualize the triangles network, but – as an Eastern proverb goes – As one treads the Way, the Way appears.
As we know, the basic energy of this system is love, and love underlies everything, being the basic note or tonic of the present solar system, all others being sub-notes or overtones of this basic note, if we phrase it in musical terms. As we are told, in the next one of the triplicity of solar systems (the third or last before another major cycle), at the dawn of the next “day” of the Solar Logos, when the note of Will is sounded, the etheric body of the earth will begin as a network of triangles, but this will be worked out into a network of interlinked circles or rings, indicating the fulfilment of interlocking relationships. What is the goal of our own stage, will become in turn the foundation to build upon in order to reach a higher state, more in tune with a wholly new humanity and planet.
Now, in this present system, this day of Brahma, as it is referred to in India, the result of evolution, as far as the etheric body is concerned, will be the contact established between all three points of each triangle, making a ninefold contact and a ninefold flow of energy. Nine is said to be the number of initiation, and by the time the destined number of disciples have attained such high level of consciousness and therefore taken the nine possible initiations, this triangular formation of the planetary etheric body will be consummated. Another way to say that when a sufficient number of human units have produced a complete integration and fusion between the higher and lower selves, this planet will glow with a sacredness it is difficult to imagine at present.
When thinking about these things we need to remain with an open mind, and with this attitude, let us now take a look at two symbols, if possible allowing the intuition to flow in. A kind of experiment or exercise. This diagram from the book Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle pictures the triangular formation and the mode of a dual growth or progression and expansion of the network because, starting with the initial triangle, two points only are left for the processes of extension. In this figure, we can glimpse the generative power of the triangle, and if we explore it, we understand how each individual development impacts the entire network: each triangle gives way to another. Sometimes we wonder, how small our individual contribution is, being, as it were, a drop in an ocean. I think this figure in some way reminds us that we all contribute in thought to forming that "massive unity" and “critical mass” that will ultimately save the planet.
It is said that it was the initiator of the Spiritual Hierarchy on our planet millions of years ago, who formed the first triangle at a time when humanity had just received the seed of individuality, thereby abandoning the animal state of consciousness. Thus the work of transforming the inherited etheric body was begun and has proceeded ever since. Can you imagine, 18 million years ago?
We know it is a real challenge for us to visualize such network of triangles, though as we attempt to do it, we connect with the group effort, and are therefore uplifted and inspired by it. Part of the difficulty in visualizing is because the whole etheric body is in constant motion and ceaseless transformation, and the energies of which it is composed are in a state of constant change and circulation. We are told that there is nothing but energy, and this energy manifests itself as many differing and varying energies. Should we have eyes to see, the vision would be magnificent: Seen from the inner side where time does not exist, the human being demonstrates as an amazing kaleidoscopic phenomenon. There is a beautiful description of it in Esoteric Healing in connection with the centers (p. 36).
There is still another symbol given in Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle which provides much food for thought, and is part of an instruction on the etheric vehicle. We see a circle and – if we look closely – we see this periphery as an emanation of a lotus flower, one way the Tibetan found to represent the energies from the soul, as they condition and influence the personality, represented by the outer circle. There is then a sort of interplay set up, between both. From an esoteric viewpoint, the personality is a reflection and emanation of the soul, its vehicle of expression; and the soul a reflection and vehicle of the Monad, so that we have life, quality and appearance all synthesized.
Esoteric writings have used the lotus as a compelling symbol for vortices of energy, centers or chakras, and as expression or description of how the energies of the soul are perceived under the inner eye. The lotus, as H. P. B.’s Secret Doctrine explains, is a universal symbol. It was held sacred from the remotest antiquity, and has amazing features. The seeds of the lotus contain, even before they germinate, perfectly-formed leaves, the miniature shapes of what one day, as perfected plants, they will become. Fractals, we call it now. The lotus, in India, is the symbol of the productive powers of Nature. "Eternal!" says a verse in the Bhagavad Gita, "I see Brahma the creator enthroned in thee above the lotus!"
The lotus has its roots anchored in the mud, its stem passes through the water, and rises through the air, its flower opening to the sunlight. It encompasses the four elements, thus representing the union between the lower and the higher, spirit and matter. It is thus a symbol of the mediating soul, and we can see in this diagram how the lotus connects the higher – the center - with the lower, the outer circle.
Another feature of the physical plant is worth mentioning, for the sake of symbolism: it has been named the “lotus effect.”, and refers to the self-cleaning properties of its leaves, thanks to a dense nanoscale network that repels water droplets with great efficiency. In other words, it has a superhydrophobic surface, it repels water. The German botanist Wilhelm Barthlott discovered this quality and coined the term in the 1970s. It has inspired researchers from the biomedical engineering department at Texas University to create an innovative material with antiseptic and self-cleaning applications. In other words, the lotus has a sophisticated method of purifying itself.
Back to the diagram, the lotus flower, opening to the rays of the Sun, the soul, is conditioned by It, and in turns conditions the "sphere of influence in the aura of the lotus" thus reaching into and conditioning the personality life, symbolically, the air (mind), water (astral nature) and mud (physical).
In the center of this evocative symbol, we also see a triangle, and it will not be difficult to see it representing the Spiritual Triad, the Atma-Buddhi-Manas of Theosophical texts, the “personality of the Monad” as the Tibetan calls it. The dot at the centre is the monadic life, that Spark of the Great Flame, pure will and Life, and an indivisible fraction of the Whole. Don’t we here see the perfected, developed and aligned human being as a reflection of the Cosmos? So summing up, we have: 1. The Point at the centre, the monadic life. 2. The related energies of the egoic lotus, conditioned by the soul. 3. The sphere of radiation, the emanating influence of the lotus, conditioning the personality. We can imagine the etheric body as an agent of impression of these energies. 4. The triangle of energy, conditioned by the Spiritual Triad. For us who work with Triangles, this short instruction by the Tibetan can give us much more understanding on the etheric body (p. 159 Telepathy)
In closing, let us say that it is not unreasonable to imagine the esoteric work carried out in Shamballa and the spiritual Hierarchy being conducted in a triangular formation, and that the completion of the network of triangles would imply that the Shamballa-Hierarchyhumanity triangle is already operative. So much more could be added, on Astrology and the chakras or centers, but I think this is enough for now. As we enter Aquarius, we are told that much more will be revealed about the etheric vehicle and its realm—the etheric body of our globe. Aquarius governs blood circulation, and the sign of the Water Bearer, distributing the water of life to all beings, relates in some way to the etheric network, which distributes energies. In some way, the incoming Age of Aquarius will bring further revelation on the etheric realm, Astrology, and the deliberate and occult use of energy.