A Wisdom Archive on Arupa

A Theosophical definition of Arupa :
 
Arupa
(Sanskrit) A compound word meaning "formless," but this word formless is not to be taken so strictly as to mean that there is no form of any kind whatsoever; it merely means that the forms in the spiritual worlds (the arupa-lokas) are of a spiritual type or character, and of course far more ethereal than are the forms of the rupa-lokas.
 
Thus in the arupa-lokas, or the spiritual worlds or spheres or planes, the vehicle or body of an entity is to be conceived of rather as an enclosing sheath of energic substance. We can conceive of an entity whose form or body is entirely of electrical substance  - as indeed our own bodies are in the last analysis of modern science. But such an entity with an electrical body, although distinctly belonging to the rupa worlds, and to one of the lowest rupa worlds, would merely, by comparison with our own gross physical bodies, seem to us to be bodiless or formless. (See also Rupa, Loka)
 

 
See also: Arupa, Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » arupa dictionary

Arupa (Sanskrit) (from a not + rupa form, body probably from the verbal root rup to form, figure, represent)
 
Formless, bodiless; in Buddhism, used in a number of compounds, such as arupa-dhatu (the formless element), arupa-loka (world of the formless), and arupa-tanha (desire for rebirth in the formless sphere). Arupa, however, does not mean there is no form of any kind, but that the forms in the spiritual worlds are nonmaterial, highly ethereal and spiritual in type.
 
In the theosophic scheme of the septenary cosmos, the three higher planes are termed arupa planes, formless worlds, where form as we humans perceive it ceases to exist on our objective planes, while the four lower cosmic planes are called rupa-lokas or manifested planes (OG 6, 149). If the cosmos is viewed as a denary, then the three highest planes may be called arupa, while the seven manifested planes are the rupa worlds (Fund 240).
 
"The Formless (''Arupa'') Radiations, existing in the harmony of Universal Will, and being what we term the collective or the aggregate of Cosmic Will on the plane of the subjective Universe, unite together an infinitude of monads -- each the mirror of its own Universe -- and thus individualize for the time being an independent mind, omniscient and universal; and by the same process of magnetic aggregation they create for themselves objective, visible bodies, out of the interstellar atoms" (SD 1:632-3).
 
See also DHATU, LOKA, RUPA

 
(See also: Arupa, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary )

For more dictionary entries, see » arupa dictionary

Religious ecstasy is a trance-like state characterized by expanded mental and spiritual awareness and is frequently accompanied by visions, hallucinations, and physical euphoria. Such an experience usually lasts about a half-hour. However, there are many records of such experiences lasting several days, and some people claim to have experienced ecstasy over a period of over three decades, or to have recurring experiences of ecstasy during their lifetime. Religious ecstasy can be distinguished from spirit possession and hypnosis ... Including:

• Religious ecstasy - Notable individuals or movements

Read more here: » Religious ecstasy: Encyclopedia - Religious ecstasy

Arupa (Sanskrit). "Bodiless", formless, as opposed to rupa, "body", or form.
 
 
Arvaksrotas (Sanskrit). The seventh creation, that of man, in the Vishnu Purana.

 
(See also: Arupa, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,  )

For more dictionary entries, see » arupa dictionary

Arupa-devas (Sanskrit) (from a not + rupa form, body + deva divine being)
 
Formless celestial beings; suggested in The Mahatma Letters (p. 107) to refer to beings who were once men as we now are, but who have graduated out of the human sage into one of the two main classes of dhyani-chohans. According to this scheme, there are men; those superior to men who nevertheless were formerly men, divided into the rupa and arupa; and beneath men two classes who will be men in the future, such as asuras (elementals having a more or less human form) and beasts or elementals of a less advanced class which can be called animal elementals.
 
When used alone, deva is vague and indefinite, as there are celestial beings named devas who are neither ex-men, asuras, nor beasts, but may be looked upon as celestial spirit-elementals.

 
(See also: Arupa-devas, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary )

For more dictionary entries, see » arupa dictionary

samyojana, sanyojana (sa"myojana): Fetter that binds the mind to the cycle of rebirth (see vatta) - self-identification views (sakkaya-ditthi), uncertainty (vicikiccha), grasping at precepts and practices (silabbata-paramasa); sensual passion (kama-raga), resistance (vyapada); passion for form (rupa-raga), passion for formless phenomena (arupa-raga), conceit (mana), restlessness (uddhacca), and unawareness (avijja).
Compare anusaya.

 
 (See also: Samyojana, sanyojana, Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » arupa dictionary

Formless Equivalent to the Sanskrit arupa (without body or form). Because an absolutely formless thing on its own plane would have no qualities by which it could be distinguished from any other entity or thing there, the word seems rather to mean without body or form as seen from our earthly point of view.
 
Hence it implies that entities in the arupa spheres exist as what Plato would call ideas, which will become imbodied in the various lower planes in one or another period during the immensely long cosmic existence.
 
Cosmic pralaya is not such for arupa entities, as only the rupas are dissolved; but this statement, while true, is made from our earthly standpoint.

 
(See also: Formless, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary )

For more dictionary entries, see » arupa dictionary

Rupa (Sanskrit) Form, image, similitude; body, vehicle; contrasted with arupa (formless). Also the first skandha, the material properties or attributes in relation to the skandhas.

 
(See also: Rupa, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary )

For more dictionary entries, see » arupa dictionary

Asomatous (from Greek a not + soma body)
 
Incorporeal; applied to beings having no physical or material body, corresponding to the Sanskrit arupa.

 
(See also: Asomatous, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary )

For more dictionary entries, see » arupa dictionary

A Theosophical definition of Loka :
 
Loka
(Sanskrit) A word meaning "place" or "locality" or, as much more frequently used in theosophy, a "world" or "sphere" or "plane."
 
The lokas are divided into rupa-lokas and arupa-lokas  - "material worlds" and "spiritual spheres." There is a wide range of teaching connected with the lokas and talas which belongs to the deeper reaches of the esoteric philosophy. (See also Arupa, Rupa,  Tala)

 
See also: Loka, Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » arupa dictionary