Matter - Revision history

Pablo Sender: /* Physical matter */

2026-04-21T13:40:43Z

Physical matter

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:40, 21 April 2026
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	<blockquote>The atom is elastic, ergo, the atom is divisible, and must consist of particles, or of sub-atoms. And these sub-atoms? They are either non-elastic, and in such case they represent no dynamic importance, or, they are elastic also; and in that case, they, too, are subject to divisibility. And thus ad infinitum, But infinite divisibility of atoms resolves matter into simple centres of force, i.e., precludes the possibility of conceiving matter as an objective substance.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 519.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>The atom is elastic, ergo, the atom is divisible, and must consist of particles, or of sub-atoms. And these sub-atoms? They are either non-elastic, and in such case they represent no dynamic importance, or, they are elastic also; and in that case, they, too, are subject to divisibility. And thus ad infinitum, But infinite divisibility of atoms resolves matter into simple centres of force, i.e., precludes the possibility of conceiving matter as an objective substance.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 519.</ref></blockquote>

			=== Is matter evil? ===

			Spiritual traditions have often depicted matter as evil. The Theosophical tradition, postulating that the whole cosmos is a manifestation of [[Mahat\|the universal mind]], does not support this view. For example, [[C. W. Leadbeater]] wrote:

			<blockquote>The statement that all material things, all differences and limitations are evil is misleading. If by evil you mean what is ordinarily connoted by that word, and not some other and quite different notion of an abstract kind, then matter is not evil. Spirit and matter are equal. Matter is not in opposition to spirit. We find matter troublesome because of the bodies we have to use; but we are here in order to learn what without the physical life could not be conveyed to us. The physical plane experiences give a definiteness and precision to our consciousness and powers which we could never acquire on any plane unless we had spent the necessary time on this.<ref>Charles Webster Leadbeater, ''The Inner Life'' (First Series), (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1917), ???.</ref></blockquote>

	== Additional resources ==		== Additional resources ==

SysopJ at 20:06, 3 December 2024

2024-12-03T20:06:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:06, 3 December 2024
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	<blockquote>The atom is elastic, ergo, the atom is divisible, and must consist of particles, or of sub-atoms. And these sub-atoms? They are either non-elastic, and in such case they represent no dynamic importance, or, they are elastic also; and in that case, they, too, are subject to divisibility. And thus ad infinitum, But infinite divisibility of atoms resolves matter into simple centres of force, i.e., precludes the possibility of conceiving matter as an objective substance.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 519.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>The atom is elastic, ergo, the atom is divisible, and must consist of particles, or of sub-atoms. And these sub-atoms? They are either non-elastic, and in such case they represent no dynamic importance, or, they are elastic also; and in that case, they, too, are subject to divisibility. And thus ad infinitum, But infinite divisibility of atoms resolves matter into simple centres of force, i.e., precludes the possibility of conceiving matter as an objective substance.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 519.</ref></blockquote>

			== Additional resources ==

			=== Video ===
			* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5UAwvS8Hgg The Mists of Paroketh: The Veil of Illusion]''' from OnTimeTV YouTube channel. Posted May 11, 2008. Beautiful short film depicts our descent into matter and our return.


	== Notes ==		== Notes ==

SysopJ: /* General description */

2021-09-16T08:34:14Z

General description

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:34, 16 September 2021
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	Thus, in its ultimate nature, matter is not different from [[spirit]]. In [[Mahatma Letter No. 90\|one of his letters]], [[Koot Hoomi\| Mahatma K.H.]] wrote to [[A. O. Hume]]:		Thus, in its ultimate nature, matter is not different from [[spirit]]. In [[Mahatma Letter No. 90\|one of his letters]], [[Koot Hoomi\| Mahatma K.H.]] wrote to [[A. O. Hume]]:

	<blockquote>The conception of matter and spirit as entirely distinct, and both [[Eternity\|eternal]] could certainly never have entered my head, however little I may know of them, for it is one of the elementary and fundamental doctrines of [[Occultism]] that the two are one, and are distinct but in their respective manifestations, and only in the limited perceptions of the world of senses.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 90 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ~~???~~.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>The conception of matter and spirit as entirely distinct, and both [[Eternity\|eternal]] could certainly never have entered my head, however little I may know of them, for it is one of the elementary and fundamental doctrines of [[Occultism]] that the two are one, and are distinct but in their respective manifestations, and only in the limited perceptions of the world of senses.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 90 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 282. See [[Mahatma Letter No. 90#Page 16\|Mahatma Letter No. 90 page 16]].</ref></blockquote>

	<blockquote>In the book of [[Tibetan Buddhist canon#Tantras\|Kiu-te]], [[Spirit]] is called the ultimate sublimation of matter, and matter the crystallization of spirit. And no better illustration could be afforded than in the very simple phenomenon of ice, water, vapour and the final dispersion of the latter, the phenomenon being reversed in its consecutive manifestations and called the Spirit falling into generation or matter.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 90 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ~~???~~.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>In the book of [[Tibetan Buddhist canon#Tantras\|Kiu-te]], [[Spirit]] is called the ultimate sublimation of matter, and matter the crystallization of spirit. And no better illustration could be afforded than in the very simple phenomenon of ice, water, vapour and the final dispersion of the latter, the phenomenon being reversed in its consecutive manifestations and called the Spirit falling into generation or matter.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 90 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 283. See [[Mahatma Letter No. 90#Page 16\|Mahatma Letter No. 90 page 16]].</ref></blockquote>

	About this, [[W. Q. Judge]] wrote:		About this, [[W. Q. Judge]] wrote:
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	For this reason, matter in its essence (sometimes called "substance"), is seen as [[eternal]]. [[Koot Hoomi\|Mahatma K.H.]] wrote:		For this reason, matter in its essence (sometimes called "substance"), is seen as [[eternal]]. [[Koot Hoomi\|Mahatma K.H.]] wrote:

	<blockquote>Matter we know to be eternal, i.e., having had no beginning (a) because matter is Nature herself (b) because that which cannot annihilate itself and is indestructible exists necessarily — and therefore it could not begin to be, nor can it cease to be (c) because the accumulated experience of countless ages, and that of exact science show to us matter (or nature) acting by her own peculiar energy, of which not an atom is ever in an absolute state of rest, and therefore it must have always existed, i.e., its materials ever changing form, combinations and properties, but its principles or elements being absolutely indestructible.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 88 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 272.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>Matter we know to be eternal, i.e., having had no beginning (a) because matter is Nature herself (b) because that which cannot annihilate itself and is indestructible exists necessarily — and therefore it could not begin to be, nor can it cease to be (c) because the accumulated experience of countless ages, and that of exact science show to us matter (or nature) acting by her own peculiar energy, of which not an atom is ever in an absolute state of rest, and therefore it must have always existed, i.e., its materials ever changing form, combinations and properties, but its principles or elements being absolutely indestructible.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 88 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 272. See [[Mahatma Letter No. 88#Page 16\|Mahatma Letter No. 88 page 16]].</ref></blockquote>

	Spirit (or life) and matter being the two aspects of the same [[principle]], there is no matter without spirit (or life), and no spirit without matter of some kind. [[H. P. Blavatsky]] is reported to have said:		Spirit (or life) and matter being the two aspects of the same [[principle]], there is no matter without spirit (or life), and no spirit without matter of some kind. [[H. P. Blavatsky]] is reported to have said:

Daniele Urlotti at 17:10, 23 April 2019

2019-04-23T17:10:54Z

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	[[Category:Concepts in The Secret Doctrine]]		[[Category:Concepts in The Secret Doctrine]]
	[[es:Materia]]		[[es:Materia]]
			[[it:Materia]]

Pablo Sender: /* Differentiation of matter */

2017-12-27T00:20:33Z

Differentiation of matter

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:20, 27 December 2017
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	The highest state of matter (many times referred to as "substance") is [[Mulaprakriti]], variously called "primordial cosmic substance"<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 24.</ref>, "undiferentiated cosmic substance"<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 75.</ref>, [[Substance#Pre-cosmic_substance\|Pre-cosmic substance]], the root of matter, etc. During the [[manvantara\|manvantaric]] impulse it becomes [[svabhavat]], and later [[akasha]] or the "cosmic substance". Further on this becomes [[cosmic matter]], which differentiates into the different manifested [[planes]].		The highest state of matter (many times referred to as "substance") is [[Mulaprakriti]], variously called "primordial cosmic substance"<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 24.</ref>, "undiferentiated cosmic substance"<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 75.</ref>, [[Substance#Pre-cosmic_substance\|Pre-cosmic substance]], the root of matter, etc. During the [[manvantara\|manvantaric]] impulse it becomes [[svabhavat]], and later [[akasha]] or the "cosmic substance". Further on this becomes [[cosmic matter]], which differentiates into the different manifested [[planes]].

	The [[Stanzas of Dzyan#Stanza I\|Stanza I.1]] states that before the re-awakening of the universe the "[[Space#Pre-Cosmic space\|eternal parent]]" was "wrapped in her ever invisible robes." According to Mme. Blavatsky, the robes refer to "the substance . . . on the seventh plane of matter counting upwards, or rather from without within."<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 35.</ref>		The [[Stanzas of Dzyan#Stanza I\|Stanza I.1]] states that before the re-awakening of the universe the "[[Space#Pre-Cosmic space\|eternal parent]]" was "wrapped in her ever invisible robes." According to Mme. Blavatsky, the robes refer to "the substance . . . on the seventh plane of matter counting upwards, or rather from without within."<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 35.</ref> These "robes," also referred to as "skins," are the germ for all the septenaries that will be manifested:

			<blockquote>Q. What, then, are the seven layers of Space, for in the “Proem” we read about the “Seven-skinned Mother-Father”?<br>
			A. Plato and Hermes Trismegistus would have regarded this as the Divine Thought, and Aristotle would have viewed this “Mother-Father” as the “[[privation]]” of matter. It is that which will become the seven planes of being, commencing with the spiritual and passing through the psychic to the material plane. The seven planes of thought or the seven states of consciousness correspond to these planes. All these septenaries are symbolized by the seven Skins.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988), 304.</ref></blockquote>

	The opposite process, that of coming back to the source substance, was described by [[Koot Hoomi\|Master K.H.]] in [[Mahatma Letter No. 90#Page 19\|one of his letters]] as follows:		The opposite process, that of coming back to the source substance, was described by [[Koot Hoomi\|Master K.H.]] in [[Mahatma Letter No. 90#Page 19\|one of his letters]] as follows:

Francisco Cuevas: Link to Spanish Version was added

2017-07-28T14:50:15Z

Link to Spanish Version was added

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	[[Category:Theosophical concepts]]		[[Category:Theosophical concepts]]
	[[Category:Concepts in The Secret Doctrine]]		[[Category:Concepts in The Secret Doctrine]]
			[[es:Materia]]

Pablo Sender at 22:44, 18 August 2016

2016-08-18T22:44:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:44, 18 August 2016
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	== General description ==		== General description ==

	[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|Mme. Blavatsky]] explained that the [[Occultism\|occult]] concept of matter is not limited to what can be perceived on the physical [[plane]]:		According to [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|Mme. Blavatsky]], what we call "matter" is the phenomena that appears to our consciousness, "[[substance]]" being its [[noumenon]] or cause:

			<blockquote>In strict accuracy—to avoid confusion and mis-conception—the term “Matter” ought to be applied to the aggregate of objects of possible perception, and “Substance” to noumena; for inasmuch as the phenomena of our plane are the creation of the perceiving [[Ego]]—the modifications of its own subjectivity—all the “states of matter representing the aggregate of perceived objects” can have but a relative and purely phenomenal existence for the children of our plane. As the modern [[Idealism\|Idealists]] would say, the co-operation of Subject and Object results in the Sense-object or phenomenon.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 329.</ref></blockquote>

			She explained that the [[Occultism\|occult]] concept of matter is not limited to what can be perceived on the physical [[plane]]:

	<blockquote>Matter, to the Occultist, it must be remembered, is that totality of existences in the Kosmos, which falls within any of the planes of possible perception.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 514.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>Matter, to the Occultist, it must be remembered, is that totality of existences in the Kosmos, which falls within any of the planes of possible perception.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 514.</ref></blockquote>

Pablo Sender at 23:35, 17 August 2016

2016-08-17T23:35:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:35, 17 August 2016
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	<blockquote>[[Spirit]], [[life]] and matter, are not natural principles existing independently of each other, but the effects of combinations produced by eternal [[motion]] in [[Space]].<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 93b (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 317.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>[[Spirit]], [[life]] and matter, are not natural principles existing independently of each other, but the effects of combinations produced by eternal [[motion]] in [[Space]].<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 93b (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 317.</ref></blockquote>


	== General description ==		== General description ==
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	== Differentiation of matter ==		== Differentiation of matter ==

	The highest state of matter (many times referred to as "substance") is [[Mulaprakriti]], variously called "primordial cosmic substance"<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 24.</ref>, "undiferentiated cosmic substance"<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 75.</ref>, Pre-cosmic substance, the root of matter, etc. During the [[manvantara\|manvantaric]] impulse it becomes [[svabhavat]], and later [[akasha]] or the "cosmic substance". Further on this becomes [[cosmic matter]], which differentiates into the different manifested [[planes]].		The highest state of matter (many times referred to as "substance") is [[Mulaprakriti]], variously called "primordial cosmic substance"<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 24.</ref>, "undiferentiated cosmic substance"<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 75.</ref>, [[Substance#Pre-cosmic_substance\|Pre-cosmic substance]], the root of matter, etc. During the [[manvantara\|manvantaric]] impulse it becomes [[svabhavat]], and later [[akasha]] or the "cosmic substance". Further on this becomes [[cosmic matter]], which differentiates into the different manifested [[planes]].

	The [[Stanzas of Dzyan#Stanza I\|Stanza I.1]] states that before the re-awakening of the universe the "[[Space#Pre-Cosmic space\|eternal parent]]" was "wrapped in her ever invisible robes." According to Mme. Blavatsky, the robes refer to "the substance . . . on the seventh plane of matter counting upwards, or rather from without within."<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 35.</ref>		The [[Stanzas of Dzyan#Stanza I\|Stanza I.1]] states that before the re-awakening of the universe the "[[Space#Pre-Cosmic space\|eternal parent]]" was "wrapped in her ever invisible robes." According to Mme. Blavatsky, the robes refer to "the substance . . . on the seventh plane of matter counting upwards, or rather from without within."<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 35.</ref>

Pablo Sender at 20:37, 25 October 2013

2013-10-25T20:37:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:37, 25 October 2013
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	'''Matter''', in the [[Theosophy\|Theosophical]] view, is a manifestation of the One Principle beyond the range and reach of thought, the [[Absolute]]. Matter, as well as [[spirit]], are just aspects of this Principle, though they appear to our perception as being different.		'''Matter''', in the [[Theosophy\|Theosophical]] view, is a manifestation of the One Principle beyond the range and reach of thought, the [[Absolute]]. Matter, as well as [[spirit]], are just aspects of this Principle, though they appear to our perception as being different:

			<blockquote>[[Spirit]], [[life]] and matter, are not natural principles existing independently of each other, but the effects of combinations produced by eternal [[motion]] in [[Space]].<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 93b (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 317.</ref></blockquote>

Pablo Sender at 16:48, 13 May 2013

2013-05-13T16:48:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 13 May 2013
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	== General description ==		== General description ==

	In [[Mahatma Letter No. 90\|one of his letters]], [[Koot Hoomi\| Mahatma K.H.]] wrote to [[A. O. Hume]]:		[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|Mme. Blavatsky]] explained that the [[Occultism\|occult]] concept of matter is not limited to what can be perceived on the physical [[plane]]:

			<blockquote>Matter, to the Occultist, it must be remembered, is that totality of existences in the Kosmos, which falls within any of the planes of possible perception.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 514.</ref></blockquote>

			Thus, in its ultimate nature, matter is not different from [[spirit]]. In [[Mahatma Letter No. 90\|one of his letters]], [[Koot Hoomi\| Mahatma K.H.]] wrote to [[A. O. Hume]]:

	<blockquote>The conception of matter and spirit as entirely distinct, and both [[Eternity\|eternal]] could certainly never have entered my head, however little I may know of them, for it is one of the elementary and fundamental doctrines of [[Occultism]] that the two are one, and are distinct but in their respective manifestations, and only in the limited perceptions of the world of senses.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 90 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ???.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>The conception of matter and spirit as entirely distinct, and both [[Eternity\|eternal]] could certainly never have entered my head, however little I may know of them, for it is one of the elementary and fundamental doctrines of [[Occultism]] that the two are one, and are distinct but in their respective manifestations, and only in the limited perceptions of the world of senses.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 90 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ???.</ref></blockquote>