Self-luminous Matter Matter which shines from itself and not by reflected light; the existence of such matter in interstellar space was believed in by Halley, and The Secret Doctrine states that matter in several phases of the nebulous condition, before it condenses into solar or planetary bodies, is self-luminous; and that the planets are also self-luminous before they become materially concreted globes. Science has long recognized self-luminosity in phosphorus, radium, and in some other bodies.

Philosophically, it is a mere matter of choice whether to regard light as primordial and rudimentary and deduce other phenomena from it, or to consider luminosity as a result of the vibration of molecules -- since light is both. But theosophy agrees with archaic thought in placing light as the first of all manifested things, regarding light as the very essence of matter, not as a decoration of it. Nor is light necessarily associated with heat, as even the humble glow worm attests.

Theosophy teaches that self-luminosity, with or without heat, is of natural necessity a characteristic of everything that is, although this self-luminosity is by no means always visible to our human physical senses. Every entity anywhere, great or small, as well as every aggregate of atoms, is continuously and uninterruptedly self-luminous, continually emanating forth because of the energies ever active within itself an unceasing stream of radiation; and this radiation is of several different kinds, usually enumerated as sevenfold, of which ordinary or physical light is but one manifestation. Everything is radiant, radiating; radiant here meaning not only luminous, but self-luminous, generating radiation of many kinds from within itself. It is the imperfect ability of our organ of vision to

See these many forms of radiation that causes us to be unconscious of them; our eyes have been evolved to sense only one small gamut in the great scale of radiation of the universe surrounding us. Science, with its various kinds of radiation, is becoming keenly cognizant of this ancient fact and scientists are pointing out that not only is visible light but a short stretch of the scale of radiation, but are envisaging the high probability that matter itself in all its forms is but concreted radiation or crystallized light.

(See also: Self-luminous Matter, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Enquiry, self-enquiry, vichara:

To seek an answer to the question "Who am I?" not by intellectual reasoning, but by beholding oneself. To look within.

(See also: Enquiry, self-enquiry, vichara, Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Self-directed Evolution That all evolution is caused by, and consists in the self-expression of the svabhava (essential characteristics) combined with the will of the monad dwelling within the form; in contradistinction to the doctrine that external circumstances are the determining evolutionary factor. The expression applies to every evolving entity, from the life-atom upwards, but has a special significance when applied to man, because he is endowed with the power to blend his personal consciousness with that of the monad within-above; so that what in the animal or unawakened person is an unconscious process becomes in the awakened person a process in which his mind and will acquiesce:

"no purely spiritual Buddhi (divine Soul) can have an independent (conscious) existence before the spark which issued from the pure Essence of the Universal Sixth principle -- or the OVERSOUL -- has (a) passed through every elemental form of the phenomenal world of that Manvantara, and (b) acquired individuality, first by natural impulse, and then by self-induced and self-devised efforts (checked by its Karma), thus ascending through all the degrees of intelligence, from the lowest to the highest Manas, from mineral and plant, up to the holiest archangel (Dhyani-Buddha)" (SD 1:17).

The sooner the individual realizes that he should take himself in hand, and govern or control his life by the highest within him, instead of being the slave of impulses arising from his lower nature, the more quickly will he reach the higher phases of his evolutionary progress, which humanity as a whole may take eons to attain through the slow procedures of the cosmic drive.

The phrase does not mean that each person should follow the bent of his own personal inclinations, but that he should follow the path of duty, which is the path of evolution, as revealed to him by intuition and purity of aspiration. He should become the master of his destiny, spiritually willing his future through self-devised training and efforts upwards.

(See also: Self-directed Evolution, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Thread-soul, Thread-self.

See SUTRATMAN

(See also: Thread-soul, Thread-self, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Definition and meaning of Self-Inflicted Injury :

Self-Inflicted Injury:  An injury to the body of the insured inflicted by himself. (H)

(Source: InsWeb)

Also see these pages: Self-Inflicted Injury , Health Insurance, Health Insurance Sitemap,  Insurance, Insurance Sitemap, Insurance Dictionary - S

Vasana, Conditioning, Tendencies, Self-limitation:

Self-imposed limitations; the general idea is that your true self is unbounded and without attributes, yet most people generate their own bondage and subsequent suffering by faulty identification with that which is less than their true self. These limitations are in essence different forms of attachments, such as attachment to one's:

 · Personal history (memory)

 · Personal strengths and weaknesses

 · Predispositions

 · Likes and dislikes

 · Habits

 · Habitual outlook

 · Opinions

 In short all the things that go into building your individual sense of self or ego. The word vasana is usually translated as mental conditioning or subtle tendencies.

(See also: Vasana, Conditioning, Tendencies, Self-limitation, Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Definition and meaning of Self-Funded Plan :

Self-Funded Plan: Plan of insurance where an employer, which has fairly predictable claim costs, pays the claims rather than an insurance company. See also Administrative Services Only. (LI,H)

(Source: InsWeb)

Also see these pages: Self-Funded Plan , Life Insurance, Life Insurance Sitemap,  Insurance, Insurance Sitemap, Insurance Dictionary - S

Definition and meaning of Self-Insured Retention :

Self-Insured Retention: A form of risk financing through which a firm assumes all or a part of its own losses.

(Source: The Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary )

Also see these pages: Self-Insured Retention , Insurance Business, Insurance Business Sitemap,  Insurance, Insurance Sitemap, Insurance Dictionary - S

Definition and meaning of Self-Funded Plan :

Self-Funded Plan:  Plan of insurance where an employer, which has fairly predictable claim costs, pays the claims rather than an insurance company. See also Administrative Services Only. (LI,H)***

(Source: InsWeb)

Also see these pages: Self-Funded Plan , Health Insurance, Health Insurance Sitemap,  Insurance, Insurance Sitemap, Insurance Dictionary - S

Self-Help for Stress and Pain (Self-Help Approach): Offshoot of applied kinesiology originated by Elizabeth and Hamilton Barhydt and described in their book of the same name, published in 1989.

(See also: Self-Help for Stress and Pain, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Self-Applied Health Enhancement Methods (SAHEM): Variation of self-healing developed by Roger Jahnke, C.A., O.M.D., author of The Healer Within: The Four Essential Self-Care Techniques for Optimal Health (HarperSanFrancisco, 1999). The methods fall into four categories: gentle movements and postures (e.g., tai chi); self-massage (e.g., auricular reflexology); breathing exercises; and (d) relaxation practices.

(See also: Self-Applied Health Enhancement Methods, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

inner self healing process: System developed by American-born clinical psychologist and author Swami Ajaya, Ph.D.

Its theory posits an authentic (essential, inner, true) self and a false self. , the inner self is an active inner presence, a radiant essence, core energy, the source of abundance, joy, unconditional love, vitality, and wisdom. The false self is a false image resulting from the world's shabby treatment of everyone.

The inner self healing process enables one to rediscover, come home to, and begin to live from one's true self. It involves experiential psychotherapy, complete self attunement, and meditation. Through attunement sessions, one receives the healing light of one's inner self.

(See also: Inner self healing process, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Lower Nature, Lower Self The dual human nature arises from the fact that manas (mind), the field and substance of human thought and reasoning, is the scene of interaction between the spiritual soul (buddhi-manas) and the animal soul (kama-manas). Thus there is a threefold division, so that lower self may be considered as either the kama-manas as opposed to buddhi-manas, or else the dual human consciousness or false ego, consisting of both selfish and unselfish elements. The term lower nature, however, refers to the animal and selfish side of human nature, that part which tends downwards and which has to be regenerated and raised.

(See also: Lower Nature, Lower Self, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Essene way of self-healing: means of tapping psychic and healing powers of the universe. It encompasses affirmations, visualizations, color therapies, and communion with the angels of the Earthly Mother and Heavenly Spirit. (The Essenes, also called Physicians, were a Jewish sect that preceded Christianity. Their specialty was faith healing.)

(See also: Essene way of self-healing, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

A Theosophical definition of Self :

Self

Man is a sheaf or bundle of forces or energies and material elements combined; and the power controlling all and holding them together, making out of the composite aggregate a unity, is what theosophists call the Self  - not the mere ego, but the Self, a purely spiritual unit, in its essence divine, which is the same in every man and woman on earth, the same in every entity everywhere in all the boundless fields of limitless space, as we understand space. If one closely examine his own consciousness, he will very soon know that this is the pure consciousness expressed in the words, "I am"  - and this is the Self; whereas the ego is the cognition of the "I am I."

Consider the hierarchy of the human being growing from the Self as its seed  - ten stages: three on the arupa or immaterial plane; and seven (or perhaps better, six) on the planes of matter or manifestation. On each one of these seven planes (or six planes), the Self or paramatman develops a sheath or garment, the upper ones spun of spirit, or light if you will, and the lower ones spun of shadow or matter; and each such sheath or garment is a soul; and between the Self and a soul  - any soul  - is an ego.

See also: Self , Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul

Definition and meaning of Indian Self-Determination Act:

Indian Self-Determination Act

In 1975, responding to AIM and public sympathy, Congress passed the Indian Self-Determination Act. It gave individual tribes greater control over matters of their education, welfare programs, and law enforcement.

(Source: Madrid Waddington High School )

Also see these pages:  American History, American History Sitemap, History, History Sitemap

Inner Self or Higher Self - N

Refers to the inner divine nature possessed by human beings. All people are said to possess an inner self, though not all are aware of it.

(See also: Inner Self or Higher Self, New Age, Body mind and Soul)

Definition and meaning of Self- Administered, Trusteed or Directly Invested Plan :

Self- Administered (Trusteed or Directly Invested) Plan: A plan funded through a fiduciary, generally a bank, but sometimes a group of individuals, which directly invests the accumulated funds. Retirement payments are made from the fund as they fall due.

(Source: The Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary )

Also see these pages: Self- Administered, Trusteed or Directly Invested Plan , Insurance Business, Insurance Business Sitemap,  Insurance, Insurance Sitemap, Insurance Dictionary - S

Dr. Lynch's Holistic Self-Health Program: Variation of self-healing developed by James P.B. Lynch, D.C. The primary tool of this program and lifestyle is the Holistic Triangle or Holistic triad, a philosophy that consists of:

(a)           a physical side, which encompasses acupressure, acupuncture, shiatsu, and chiropractic;

(b)          a chemical side, which encompasses food combining, herbalism, homeopathy, macrobiotics, scientific fasting, and vitamin therapy; and (

(c)           a mental/spiritual base, which encompasses biofeedback and self hypnosis.

(See also: Dr. Lynch's Holistic Self-Health Program, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Definition and meaning of SCUBA, Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus:

SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) - a diving mode independent of surface air supply in which the diver uses open circuit self-contained underwater breathing apparatus which supplies air or breathing gases at ambient pressure

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Self-Hypnosis: Self-hypnosis is a self-induced altered state of mental consciousness that allows you to give constructive suggestions directly to your subconscious mind.

(See also: Self-Hypnosis, Magic, Shamanism, Paganism, Wicca)

Self-realization

New Agers use this as a synonym for God-realization. It refers to a personal recognition of one's divinity.

(See also: Self-realization, New Age, Body mind and Soul)