Introduction and links to related topics Below are some short introductions. Click on the blue hyperlinked word to get more related articles.
Arya - Arya (Sanskrit) Lit., "the holy"; originally the title of Rishis, those who had mastered the "Aryasatyani" (q.v.) and entered the Aryanimarga path to Nirvana or Moksha, the great "four-fold" path.
But now the name has become the epithet of a race, and our Orientalists, depriving the Hindu Brahmans of their birth-right, have made Aryans of all Europeans. In esotericism, as the four paths, or stages, can be entered only owing to great spiritual development and "growth in holiness ", they are called the "four fruits". The degrees of Arhatship, called respectively Srotapatti, Sakridagamin, Anagamin, and Arhat, or the four classes of Aryas, correspond to these four paths and truths.
Archon - From the Greek meaning “authority,” it is from the same root at “archangel.” In Gnostic belief, the Archons were planetary rulers with various spheres or planes of control. In Gnosticism, while you are alive, they prevent you from focusing on spiritual development. When you die, they prevent you from traveling to God. The only way to get past them is via the recitation of certain magickal formulas. Thus, having the sacred knowledge allows you to reach God, a concept which may be a metaphor for Gnostic practices.
Nidhi - Nidhi (Sanskrit) A treasure; the nine divine treasures or jewels of Kuvera, the Vedic Satan, each under the guardianship of some demon -- or rather a spirit more of the nature of the Greek daimon.
These nine nidhis are popularly given as
padma (lotus),
mahapadma (great lotus),
sankha (conch shell),
makara (marine animal or fish),
kachchhapa (tortoise),
mukunda (kettle drum),
ananda (joy),
nila (a dark color or blue), and
kharva (dwarf).
They are sometimes personified as attendants of Kuvera or of Lakshmi.
All these nidhis are the objects of special worship by the Tantrikas. They differ from the nava-nidhi, or nine treasuries or jewels of wisdom referring to a consummation of spiritual development in occult training, occult life, or mysticism generally. In theosophy the "seven jewels of wisdom" are seven of the nine nava-nidhi.
Meditation - The emptying of the mind of thoughts, or concentration of the mind on just one thing in order to aid mental or spiritual development, contemplation, or relaxation. Although the practice originated in India, it is common to many religions. Hatha yoga is a form of meditation.
Nava Nidhi - Nava Nidhi (Sanskrit). Lit., "the nine Jewels"; a consummation of spiritual development, in mysticism.
Wayshower - A prophet or enlightened one who by virtue of evolutionary progress can lead humanity through spiritual development
Padma - (Sanskrit) The lotus flower, Nelumbo nucifera, symbol of spiritual development and the chakras. Because it grows out of mud and rises to perfect purity and glory, it is an apt representation of spiritual unfoldment.
Auras - The emanation of the astral body. The subtle energy field as seen by psychics. In humans, it tends to be ovoid, and extends from a few inches to several hundred feet or more from the body. The average extends about 18 inches.
The size, color, and content of the aura can vary with changes in mood, health and spiritual development. Dark spots or "blocks" in the aura are thought by many to be early warning signs of illness.
Various scientists have attempted to record the aura with cameras. Most successful were Valentina and Semyon Kirlian in the 1930s. In the 1980s a technique called aura imaging was developed in the U. S. It uses a computer to translate emenations from the hand or fingers into color images of the energy flow around the entire body. How accurate these images are is still open to question.
Theopathy - Theopathy [from Greek theos god + pathos experience, feeling]
The seventh stage of initiation in the Mysteries, where the candidate becomes a selfless channel for communion with his inner god; the third and last stage of spiritual development -- the first being theophany, the second theopneusty. The sense of theopathy, originally used in the Greek Mysteries, was that the adept "suffered" the full influence of the god within him, becoming a selfless, consenting channel for the divine power pouring through him, in utter disregard of the personal self. Because of the immense personal renunciation involved, such an adept was said to suffer -- meaning to bear or carry the divinity within.
The second of these three initiatory grades, theopneusty, was the same as the third, but in less full degree, and signified that the initiate received the inspiration from above-within and, as it were, was breathed into from above, but did not carry the full load of the spiritual fire or inspirational flow. The first stage, theophany, was by comparison a temporary occurrence and signified the appearance of one''s divinity to the initiant''s self-conscious perception; the neophyte met his own inner god face to face, and the appearance or theophany lasted for a greater or less time depending upon various circumstances.
Such terms were held secret in the ancient Mysteries, although the words themselves, as time passed, slowly filtered outwards and often became misunderstood, as by Christian theologians.
Jupiter - Jupiter is in its rulership in Sagittarius. Jupiter is the planet that can tell you about processes in your life. On the physical level Jupiter relates to glandular function, specifically the liver. The sign and house placement indicate the general level of glandular function, and may indicate the most appropriate diet. Aspects to Jupiter can indicate the timing of diet and nutritional changes to achieve healthier processing within the body.
The same is true for the mind. Jupiter indicates a philosophical level of thinking. Its placement and aspects suggest how you relate to the world on the mental level, where you thoughts tend to expand, and how you approach new situations mentally. Jupiter reflects the area where you are most optimistic about life. It can also show where you can become extravagant or how you tend to exaggerate.
Jupiter also shows how you approach religious concepts. Do you examine the details Virgo style? Do you go with what is comfortable Taurus style? Jupiter shows how you come to understand the Universe and God, what inspires you to greater faith, and how you hold onto your beliefs once they have developed.
Jupiter is idealistic. Its placement and aspects show where idealism will take you during your life. Jupiter provides a reflection of how you pursue your mission in life. Here I am referring to your spiritual mission, but also to your career as that pertains to your spiritual development.
Jupiter reflects the human capacity for forgiveness. Each of us has a personal style where relationships are concerned, and each of us forgives the errors and differences in others. Jupiter’s placement and aspects show how we learn to forgive ourselves for weaknesses and mistakes as well. This is how we come to understand ourselves, not as vessels of perfect human expression, but rather as spiritually guided beings who seek our own most inspired, most confident, most successful expression. Jupiter allows us to indulge in excesses, while at the same time guiding us to our goals. This planet shows how your individual sense of humor works. Through Jupiter we come to understand humanity n general and ourselves in particular, both aspiring to be spiritually wise and understanding of self and others.
Abrahadabra - A rewriting of the famous magical word Abracadabra by Aleister Crowley. This places the name “Had,” a short form of the Egyptian Hadith that, according to some sources, represents Horus of Behedet, an area in Egypt. Hadith is the second person of the Thelemic trinity. Crowley believed it was the Word of the Aeon. One aspect of this is that it has eleven letters, thus linking the symbol of humanity, the pentagram (five identical letters) with the number of God, the hexagram, (six diverse letters). It therefore represents the Great Work of personal spiritual development.
Nava-nidhi - Nava-nidhi (Sanskrit) The nine jewels; in Hindu mysticism, "a consummation of spiritual development . . ." (TG 225).
Transpersonal Psychology - Movement stressing full sensory, psychic and spiritual development
Yogic Systems - The various types of yoga, such as Mantra Yoga, Patanjali Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, et al aimed at psycho-spiritual development.
Buddha - Lit., the Awakened One; one who through aeons of spiritual development has attained Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.
This epithet usually refers to Sakyamuni Buddha, who lived and taught in India some 2,600 years ago.
Other-power - The issue of other-power (Buddhas'' power) is often misunderstood and glossed over by many Buddhists. However, it must be pointed out that, in Buddhism, other-power is absolutely necessary if a Bodhisattva is to attain Ultimate Enlightenment.
The Lankavatara Sutra (the only sutra recommended by Bodhidharma) and the Avatamsaka Sutra (described by D.T. Suzuki as the epitome of Buddhist thought) are emphatically clear on this point:
As long as (conversion) is an experience and not mere understanding, it is evident that self-discipline plays an important role in the Buddhist life . but .. we must not forget the fact that the Lanka (Lankavatara Sutra) also emphasizes the necessity of the Buddha''s power being added to the Bodhisattvas'', in their upward course of spiritual development and in the accomplishment of their great task of world salvation. (Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, tr., The Lankavatara Sutra, p. xviii.)
The Avatamsaka Sutra states: Having purified wisdom and means in the seventh stage ... The great sages attain acceptance of non-origination ... On the basis of their previous resolution, the buddhas further exhort them ...: "Though you have extinguished the burning of the fire of affliction, Having seen the world still afflicted, remember your past vows; Having thought of the welfare of the world, work in quest Of the cause of knowledge, for the liberation of the world." (T. Cleary, tr., The Flower Ornament Sutra, Vol II, p. 86)
See also "Easy Path of Practice."
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