Psyche Dictionary

SOUL

The illusion of separation from spirit. It should be understood that the spirit is that which seeks manifestation and appears as a soul/body. The soul is that which characterizes, shapes, informs, moves and operates the material flesh and action it its unique expression. Without the soul, the body is no more than an automaton or zombie without meaning or purpose. Without the body, the soul is a wraith and an unfinished blueprint -- electricity without a plug. The Psyche is that entire part of the soul that ranges from all the depths of the Unconscious as its roots merge with the physical body all the way up to Consciousness itself, which is the intended goal of the spirit, like the fruit or blossom of a plant. That ultimate product, consciousness, is what the Greeks called the nous and which we translate, somewhat innacurately, as "the mind". But theosophically and alchemically speaking, Mind is much larger. It is the field encompassing both being and non-being, in which the spirit dwells, a continuum or sphere of containment for the All (that is, unaccessable "omiscience"). In short, the spirit seeks to know itself by means of the soul's use of the body as a tool to create consciousness. When, however, the soul identifies too strongly with the body, it soon becomes corrupt, turning into a mere slave of the flesh and the spirit is checkmated and imprisoned.

(See also: SOUL , Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul,)

DIONYSIAN: In religious studies, describes "lunar- or nature-oriented" religions that emphasize the ecstatic and emotional aspects, and the liberating of the psyche from the limitations of mundane consciousness, to enable union with the "group mind", or collective consciousness of the group (named for Dionysus, the Greek God of wine and Ecstasy).

(See also: DIONYSIAN , Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

image

1. Pattern revealed by a hexagram in the I Ching. 2. Awareness from the psyche that comes in various forms such as words, a knowing, or a vision

(See also: Image , Body Mind and Soul)

Nephesh Hayyah (Hebrew) [from nephesh the individualized anima or psyche + hayyah a living being or thing, such as a beast or even the lower part of a human being]

Also Nephesh Hhayyah. Used by Qabbalists for living soul, or the animal soul.

(See also: Nephesh Hayyah , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Nephesh (Hebrew) [from naphash to breathe, take breath]

Originally the vital breath; by extension of meaning, the vital principle in living bodies; hence a living being itself, based on the fact that such a being has life. Again, the appetitive or animal soul as the seat of involuntary or unconscious volitions, the lower affections, and bodily appetites. Nephesh, therefore, corresponds almost exactly with the Greek psyche and Latin anima.

In the Hebrew Qabbalah, nephesh signifies the breath of life, the vital principle in conjunction with the emotions and passions, but modern Western Qabbalists have stressed the idea of the volitional aspect of the human constitution, wrongly making nephesh equivalent to manas rather than prana in the theosophical classification of human principles. Nephesh is the prana-kamic principle.

See also NEPHESH HAYYAH

(See also: Nephesh , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Agnoia or Anoia (Greek) (cf Sanskrit jna; Latin gnosco, nosco; English know, etc.)

Mindlessness, folly; the opposite of nous. In Plato the soul (psyche) attaches itself either to nous or to anoia, which is analogous to the theosophical teaching regarding buddhi-manas and kama-manas.

(See also: Agnoia, Anoia , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

DIONYSIAN: In religious studies, describes "lunar- or nature-oriented" religions that emphasize the ecstatic and emotional aspects, and the liberating of the psyche from the limitations of mundane consciousness, to enable union with the "group mind", or collective consciousness of the group (named for Dionysus, the Greek God of wine and Ecstasy).

(See also: DIONYSIAN , Pagan Organisations, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary, Wicca,)

HOLOTROPIC BREATHWORK

Developed by Dr. Stanislov Grof, a psychiatrist working with people in non-ordinary states of consciousness, and by Christina Grof, a transpersonal teacher, this is a simple, yet powerful technique for self-exploration and healing based on combined insights from modern consciousness research, depth psychology, and perennial spiritual practices.

The method activates non-ordinary states of consciousness which mobilize the spontaneous healing potential of the psyche. Sustained effective breathing, evocative music, focused energy work, and mandala drawing are components of this subjective journey.

Holotropic literally means moving toward wholeness. Virtually all ancient and native traditions recognize the psychological and spiritual healing potential of states of consciousness that differ from what we call ordinary.

Holotropic Breathwork is a powerful method of self-exploration and healing. This work can be useful for artists wishing to facilitate their creativity, persons seeking a deep level of healing, those seeking to explore their inner self and/or the transpersonal dimensions, and it can lead to a spiritual opening and transformation.

(See also: HOLOTROPIC BREATHWORK , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

LUCIUS APULEIUS - the author of 'The Golden Ass', one of the most famous romances in the world, contains the story of Cupid & Psyche. 'The Golden Ass;' is a romance of witchcraft and illustrates the beliefs which were held about witches in pre-christian times. (ABC)

(See also: LUCIUS APULEIUS , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Phren (Greek) Originally the diaphragm, also more loosely the adjacent intestines, and hence that part of the mind which is or seems to be located in those regions -- as we might say the solar plexus. Thus it becomes a synonym for fear, joy, grief; but also for the seat of the mental faculties, thought, will, etc., answering to the several senses of the word wits.

When a distinction is made for philosophical purposes, as by the Pythagoreans, phren is sometimes that mind which man has in common with the animals; at other times it answers to the kamic aspect of manas still overshadowed by buddhi-manas. In both these cases the phrenic mind is in contrast with the purely noetic mind, or buddhi-manas.

In the psychological division made by the ancient Greeks, the phren stands properly for that portion of the human constitution which is ordinarily designated as human mind or reason, the typical characteristic of the human soul which undergoes its devachan.

Hence it is that Homer described the shade or ghost of Patroclus as having both psyche and eidolon, or animal instincts and kama-rupic shape, but entirely without phren -- human mind or reason, which had already shaken off the kama-rupa and gone into its devachan.

The reference to the phren still existing in the kama-rupic shade of Teiresias, in the Odyssey, shows that in this case this great Greek prophet and initiate is spoken of in connection with his nirmanakayic work in the astral world. So well was this known to the ancients, that Teiresias was supposed to retain all his powers after death, while the lower principles of other mortals who died became shades.

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

BIODYNAMIC MASSAGE: In common with all Complementary Medical treatments, the vital force is perceived to affect all the organs of the body. The link between the psyche and the physical was further developed by Gerda Boyesen in the Norwegian hospital service in the late 1960s. where she used massage to remove emotional trauma from organs of the body. She claimed to detect the variations in health by monitoring the fluid sounds through her stethoscope.

(See also: BIODYNAMIC MASSAGE , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

ENERGY THERAPY

The evolution of scientific concepts and technological developments of the late 20th Century has created possibilities for studying subtle energies and their relationship to human systems. Understanding and facilitating the use of subtle energies, both for therapeutic purposes and for the study of human potential, may bring to consciousness a new awareness of the depths of the human psyche.

There are many terms applied to different techniques of energy therapy, see lthe following links: Pranic Healing, Therapeutic Touch, Reiki

(See also: ENERGY THERAPY , Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Soul Generally, the manifesting vehicle or garment in which an ego clothes itself. First in serial order is the monad, on whatever plane and of whatever class; its vehicle or carrier is its efflux, the ego; which in its turn clothes itself in its own vital garment which is soul. Cosmically, therefore, soul is the vehicle or upadhi of spirit.

As the monad creates for its manifestation successive vehicles, soul in its widest sense includes all these, even the physical body; but it is usually used in an aggregative sense to designate the intermediate nature, excluding the monad on the one hand and the physical body on the other. Such division produces the triad of spirit, soul, body, where soul is the vehicle of spirit, and body is the vehicle of soul and spirit.

The soul is evolved by experiences on different planes. In itself it is merely a vehicle; but, informed by the monad, through the latter's ego, it is a living conscious entity. The broad meaning is particularized with qualifying adjectives such as animal soul, human soul, etc. Saying that every living thing -- animal, vegetable, or mineral -- has a soul, refers to the intermediate nature of the being, of which its physical body is the vehicle. Souls, like bodies, are aggregates of innumerable subordinate lives or life-atoms of various orders. Equivalent to the Greek psyche and the Hebrew nephesh.

(See also: Soul , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Timaeus (Greek) A dialogue of Plato in which the Pythagorean philosopher Timaeus gives an account of aspects of cosmogenesis and anthropogenesis. Timaeus himself is stated to have written what was regarded by Pythagoras as a book of great worth entitled Peri Psyche Kosmou Kai Physeos (On the Soul of the World and of Nature).

(See also: Timaeus , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

ID - primitive impulses, unconscious forces of the psyche (Freud) (NAD)

(See also: ID , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

SCIENTOLOGY

L. Ron Hubbard's religion, based on sci-fi, psychology and occultism. It attempts, after clearing the psyche of engrams, to place one in touch with former incarnations in order to put the information to further spiritual growth as an Operating Thetan who no longer depends on the body for spiritual effects. The church patterns its worldly foundation on the proven techniques of the Catholic Church, Christian Science, etc.

(See also: SCIENTOLOGY , Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul,)

Principles A beginning, foundation, source, or essence from which things proceed; principles are thus the fundamental essences out of which and from which all things are and exist, usually enumerated as seven in theosophical writings. These kosmic principles, corresponding to the seven planes of the kosmos -- the seven basic types of consciousness-substance of which the universe is formed -- are manifested in the human being, so that we speak of the seven human principles, copies in the small of the seven principles of the universe.

The seven human principles are not a confederation of distinct entities, for man himself is essentially a unit, a monad, expressing his potentialities through a series of vehicles or vestures. The seven principles severally exist as aspects of human consciousness. Whether kosmic or human, they are usually divided into a higher triad and a lower quaternary, these being the numbers of the spiritual and material side of nature respectively.

The higher triad is atman, buddhi, and manas (or, more correctly expressed, atman, atma-buddhi, and atma-buddhi-manas); the quaternary was originally given as kama-rupa, prana, linga-sarira, and sthula-sarira. In a later enumeration sthula-sarira was omitted from the list as not being a principle in itself but the vehicle of the other principles, and the quaternary was made up by adding the lower aspect of manas.

The septenate may also be regarded as a higher and lower triad united by manas, which can attach itself to either and in our present stage of evolution is oscillating between the two. Since these seven rudimentary principles are omnipresent, they give rise to subordinate septenates within the larger septenates, so that each principle is itself subdivided into seven, repeating nature's fundamental structure indefinitely. This becomes clearer when we bear in mind that the universe in all its parts is composed of monads, and that every monad in manifestation expresses itself as a septenate. Though principles and elements are essentially the same, it is convenient to make a distinction whereby the term principle is used for the force or spirit aspect, and element for the vehicular aspect; the principle being the inner, and the element the outer aspect, flowing forth from the principle as its vital vehicle or clothing.

Basically, these human principles are the original essences or elements in the constitution of any entity, macrocosmic or microcosmic, when these elements or essences are integrated into a unit by the power inherent in the essential self of such an entity. Thus there are principles of a cosmos or universe, of a sun, a globe, a man, beast, plant, mineral and of an elemental. All religions and philosophies in all times have taught, albeit after various manners, that man or world or any other being is much more than the physical body.

The physical bodies or vehicles are but the outer shells or carriers of inward invisible, ethereal, and spiritual potencies or essences. In attempting to define the various parts of which our being is composed, many methods of dividing the human constitution have been adopted by different schools following different ways. The theosophic system is a division into seven principles or ultimate elements or essences; and everything within the cosmos is built of the same fundamental spiritual essence or substance and after the same general pattern. Other systems of division are possible, for instance the Christian threefold division of spirit, soul, and body. But the septenary classification is the most ancient one, and it is the common inheritance of all the esoteric schools "left to the sages of the Fifth Root-Race by the great Siddhas [Nirmanakayas]

of the Fourth" (SD 2:636). The following table (cf SD 2:596, ET 952-4) shows the analogy between the seven human aspects and the cosmic aspects:

1. Atman Spirit, Essential Self ----- Unmanifested Logos, Essential Self ----- Paramatman Cosmic Monad, Self

2. Buddhi Spiritual Soul ----- Universal Ideation, Second Logos ----- Alaya, Adi-Buddhi,

3. Manas (Mind) Human Soul ----- Universal Intelligence, Third Logos ----- Mahat Cosmic Mind

4. Kama (Desire) Animal Soul ----- Cosmic Energy (Chaotic) ----- Cosmic Kama Womb of Fohat

5. Prana Life-essence Vitality----- Cosmic Life-Essence or Energy ------ Cosmic Jiva

6. Linga-sarira Model-body ----- Astral Ideation, reflecting terrestrial things ----- Cosmic Ether Astral Light

7. Sthula-sarira Physical body ----- Cosmos Physical universe ----- Sthura- or Sthula-sarira

In this classification atman is enumerated first of the human principles in order to convey the idea that all the other six principles emanate or unroll forth from it. Thus buddhi is emanated first and two portions of the scroll are unrolled, to adopt a Christian metaphor; then from buddhi is emanated manas (the other four principles being still infolded) and three portions of the scroll are unrolled; then from manas is emanated kama -- and so forth until all seven principles are unfolded.

The ancient Persians also had a sevenfold division of man's aspects (Theos 4:21):

1. Physical Body -----Tanwas (bones) ----- Sthula-sarira

2. Model-body ----- Keherpas (aerial form), Persian kaleb ----- Linga-sarira

3. Life-Essence ----- Ushtanas (vital heat) ----- Prana

4. Desire Principle ----- Tevishis (conscious will) ----- Kama-manas

5. Mind (Human Soul) ----- Baodhas (perception through senses) ----- Manas

6. Spiritual Soul ----- Urvanem (Soul), Persian rawan ----- Buddhi

7. Universal Spirit ----- Fravashem or Farohar (Spirit) ----- Atman

In the ancient Chinese I Ching a seven fold classification is also given; and Gerald Massey stated that the Egyptian text often mention "seven souls of the Pharaoh," which he enumerated as follows (with Blavatsky's correction in SD 2:632):

1. Physical Body ----- Kwei ----- Kha soul of blood

2. Model-body ----- Kwei shan vial soul ----- Khaba, the shade covering soul

3. Life Essence ----- Shan vital principle ----- Ba soul of breath

4. Desire Principle ----- Zhing or Zing Essence of Will ----- Akhu, intelligence soul of perception

5. Mind ----- Pho ------ Seb ancestral soul

6. Spiritual Soul ----- Khi ----- Putah, first intellectual father intellectual soul

7. Universal Spirit ----- Hwun pure spirit ----- Atmu divine or eternal soul

Lao-tzu in his Tao-Teh-Ching mentions five principles, pure spirit and the body being taken for granted therein (Key 117).

Adapting the classification of Egyptologist Franz Lambert who tabulated a Qabbalistic classification alongside a hieroglyphic division:

1. Sthula-sarira ----- Guph ----- Chat elementary body

2. Linga-sarira ----- Nephesh ----- Ka astral body, Evestrum, Sidereal Man

3. Prana ----- Khoah hag-Guph ----- Anch vital force Archaeus, Mumia

4. Kama ----- Ruah ------ Hati animal soul // Ab heart, feeling

5. Manas ----- Neshamah ----- Bai intellectual soul, intelligence

6. Buddhi ----- Hayyah ------ Cheybi spiritual soul

7. Atman ----- Yehidah ----- Chu divine spirit

The classification usually met with in the Qabbalah is a fourfold division: 1) neshamah, the most spiritual principle, the breath of being; 2) ruah, the spiritual soul; 3) nephesh, the vital soul; and 4) guph, the physical vehicle.

A sevenfold classification is stated to have been taught by the Gnostics, presented in the Pistis Sophia. "The Inner Man is similarly made up of four constituents, but these are supplied by the rebellious AEons of the Spheres, being the Power -- a particle of the Divine light ('Divinae particula aurae') yet left in themselves; the Soul (the fifth) 'formed out of the tears of their eyes, and the sweat of their torments; . . . The Counterfeit of the Spirit (seemingly answering to our Conscience), (the sixth); and lastly the [Greek moira], Fate (Karmic Ego), whose business it is to lead the man to the end appointed for him . . .' -- the seventh!" (SD 2:604-5).

The Pymander of Hermes states that the self is clothed with

1)    the blissful garment of conscious selfhood;

2)    the garment of knowing or reason;

3)    the garment of fancy, etc., spoken of as the soul;

4)    the garment of life or breath; and

5)    the gross body.

The Vedantic classification commonly uses a sixfold division, while other systems employed by the Brahmins, especially the Taraka-Raja-Yogins, is fourfold:

1. Sthula-sarira ----- Annamaya-kosa ----- Sthulopadhi

2. Linga-sarira ----- Pranamaya-kosa ------ "

3. Prana ----- " ------ "

4. Kama

5. Manas

. . . a) volitions, feelings ----- Manomaya-kosa ----- Sukshmopadhi

. . . b) vijnana ----- Vijnanamaya-kosa ----- "

6. Buddhi ----- Anandamaya-kosa ----- Karanopadhi

7. Atman ----- Atman ----- Atman

The ancient Greek writers had their own terms for the aspects of the universe or of man, besides the familiar nous and psyche:

1. Sthula-sarira ----- Soma ----- Corpus

2. Linga-sarira ----- Phantasma or Phasma ----- Simulacrum or Imago

3. Prana ----- Bios ----- Anima

4. Kama-manas ----- Thymos ----- Animus

5. Higher Manas ----- Phren ----- )

6. Buddhi-manas ----- Nous ----- Mens

7. Atman ----- Pneuma ----- Spiritus

In the human constitution the archaic Latins discovered almost as many different spiritual, psychic, and astral elements as the ancient Hindus did. Thus, for instance, there was in man the genius (called in women the juno), closely corresponding to the manasaputric element or higher manas; and when a man died the genius sought its own sphere.

The other parts of the human constitution consisted of a member of the manes and a member of the lares, which two were probably closely identic with the lower human ego and the higher human ego; furthermore after the death of the man there appeared the lemur corresponding to the kama-rupa, shade, or specter; and the larva, which seems to have been identical with the lemur but with even less of the nobler human element in it; so that the lemur may be considered the kama-rupa in its early stages, and the larva when more greatly disintegrated. The physical body of course was considered simply to fall to pieces and to render its elements to the earth which gave it.

In the Scandinavian Eddas, Ask and Embla were two ash trees, and by means of the gifts bestowed upon them human beings were produced.

Another system of classification used in theosophical thought is the considering of the human constitution as composed of monads. The following table gives the monads and their relation to the principles.

See also FOURFOLD CLASSIFICATION

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

Inner Man The true and immortal entity in us, as contrasted with the outward and mortal form (physical body, astral body, etc.). The higher ego, the higher manas or manas in conjunction with atma-buddhi; nous as opposed to psyche.

(See also: Inner Man , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

ORDINARY CONSCIOUSNESS

We are accustomed to seeking special mental powers from the unconscious, the deep psyche or some transcendental state induced by yoga or drugs. In fact, the ordinary mind is itself unplumbed, 99% terra incognita. It can provide an infinite number of undeveloped talents bordering on the supernatural.

(See also: ORDINARY CONSCIOUSNESS , Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul,)

Nous (Greek) [from noos from the verbal root no, gno cf Sanskrit jna, Latin nosco, gnosco, German kennen, English ken, know]

Mind; especially enlightened spiritual intelligence (buddhi-manas) as contrasted with the mere lower mind or ratiocinative faculty, deluded as it always is by passion and ignorance.

Platonic philosophy speaks of the soul (psyche) as able to ally itself either with divine mind (nous) or with passion (thymos); thus we have the same distinction as between buddhi-manas and kama-manas. Sometimes, however, psyche is used without qualification as the lower mind in contrast with the higher mind or nous.

(See also: Nous , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Famous Psychic People

History is full of people with psychic gifts. Some have later proved to be fraudulent, but others have confounded investigators and continue to be a source of mystery. Here you can read brief accounts of famous psychic people, from as far back as the 1800's to modern times.

Read more here: » Psychic Mediums: Famous Psychic People

In the stillness of the night, when not a sound breaks the hushed silence, they timorously creep into your mind. Fragile, flittering forms—often more real than reality—seek you out from the deepest abyss of your soul and open for you a vista of visions—nonsensical, terrifying, fantastic—and sometimes, just sometimes, hauntingly beautiful. You wake up with a lump in your throat that threatens to cascade down your eyes, a lingering nostalgia for something near, yet eternity away. But weren't you closer to believing, even then, that somewhere, all that you saw was real; that, beyond the tangible truth of ticking time, you had lived one moment of timeless infinity? Perhaps that's the secret. The chance to glimpse beyond. Why else should we take a dream, those phantasms of the chaotic unconscious, so seriously?

Read more here: » Meaning of Dreams: Dream Works