Chatur-maharajas catur-maharajas (Sanskrit) (from chatur four + maha great + rajan king)

Four great kings; exoterically guardians of the four quarters of the lowest of the six sensuous worlds; esoterically the four spiritual regents in and of our solar system, mystically intimately connected with karma.

See also MAHARAJA

(See also: Chatur-maharajas, catur-maharajas, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Chaturdasa-bhuvana caturdasa-bhuvana (Sanskrit) The 14 lokas and talas, or spiritual and material worlds of existence.

(See also: Chaturdasa-bhuvana, caturdasa-bhuvana, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Cherub, Cherubim kerub, kerubim (Hebrew) A celestial, sacred, occult being in Hebrew mythology; in the Old Testament various descriptions are given of the Cherubim, the prevailing one being that of winged entities with four faces, those respectively of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. In Genesis, they are the guardians of Paradise; in Exodus (25:18-22) their images are to be placed in the mercy-seat and also in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 6:23-35), but their most frequent association is with the throne or chariot of Yahweh (Jehovah).

 In Ezekiel and the Qabbalah the Cherubim are represented as the four holy living creatures. "These four animals are, in reality, the symbols of the four elements, and of the four lower principles in man. Nevertheless, they correspond physically and materially to the four constellations that form, so to speak, the suite or cortege of the Solar God, and occupy during the winter solstice the four cardinal points of the zodiacal circle" (SD 1:363).

In the ancient Syrian system of enumerating the hierarchies, the Cherubim were equivalent to the sphere of the Stars. In the Jewish Qabbalah a close association is made with them and the four letters of the Tetragrammaton, YHVH; and further with the world of `Asiyyah. In the system of hierarchies propounded by Dionysius the pseudo-Areopagite, the Cherubim rank second in the first trinity: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones. But the Cherubim have a still more mystical connection: "the four celestial beings are . . . the protectors of mankind and also the Agents of Karma on Earth" (SD 1:126).

In the Hebrew Qabbalah the Kerubim are the class of angels or quasi-spiritual beings corresponding with the lower Shechinah or Malchuth, the lowest or tenth of the Sephiroth. Again, "the word cherub also meant serpent, in one sense, though its direct meaning is different; because the Cherubim and the Persian winged (gryphes)

'griffins' -- the guardians of the golden mountain -- are the same, and their compound name shows their character, as it is formed of (kr) circle, and 'aub,' or ob -- serpent -- therefore, a 'serpent in a circle' " (SD 1:364). The color blue is associated with the Cherubim, as the color red is with the Seraphim.

(See also: Cherub, Cherubim, kerub, kerubim, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Chhanda-riddhi-pada chanda-riddhi-pada (Sanskrit) (from chhanda desire + riddhi supernormal power + pada step, ray, beam)

Pleasure-power-training; one of the steps enumerated in raja yoga: "the final renunciation of all desire as a sine qua non condition of phenomenal powers, and entrance on the direct path of Nirvana" (TG 324). The compound itself points out that by abandoning the lower desires and pleasures, one enters upon the path of obtaining the celestial joys and vast expansion of faculty and its spiritual use, although even this last is finally abandoned for a still higher stage.

(See also: Chhanda-riddhi-pada, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Chiti citi (Sanskrit) (from the verbal root chit to think)

Understanding; "that by which the effects and consequences of actions and kinds of knowledge are selected for the use of the soul," or "conscience the inner Voice in man" (SD 1:288n).

Some yogis consider chiti as a synonym of mahat, but theosophic philosophy considers mahat the root and base as well as the germ of chiti. Chiti is manas functioning under the illumination of buddhi, and therefore becomes discriminative or intuitive understanding, an organic activity as contrasted with abstract or pure thought or consciousness.

This function when developed makes of the human intermediate nature an entity virtually identic with a manasaputra, and thus attracts by spiritual affinity guardian spirits or chitkalas, synonymous themselves with manasaputras.

(See also: Chiti, citi, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Chhaya chaya (Sanskrit) A shade, shadow, copy; esoterically, the astral image or body of a person. Besides referring to the human astral form, the term is usually applied to the shadows or copies -- the astral body-projections -- of the spiritual beings or pitris who played an important part in the early evolutionary development of humankind.

In the first root-race, "the pure, celestial Being (Dhyan Chohan) and the great Pitris of various classes were commissioned -- the one to evolve their images (Chhaya), and make of them physical man, the others to inform and thus endow him with divine intelligence and the comprehension of the Mysteries of Creation" (SD 2:233n). This idea also appears in the Zohar: "'In the Tzalam (shadow image) of Elohim (the Pitris), was made Adam (man)' " (SD 2:137).

See also SANJNA

(See also: Chhaya, chaya, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Chorea (from Greek choreia dancing)

A disorder of the nervous system, characterized by a peculiar convulsive and irregular action of the voluntary muscles, especially those of the face and extremities. It has been called insanity of the muscles, since their action is without harmony or purpose, and each seems to have a will of its own. It is most common in the impressionable years of childhood and adolescence, though appearing at different ages and associated with other diseases which, as a rule, are free from choreic movements.

All types have significant common features. First, that many cases are free from organic disease shows that this is a purely functional one; when it complicates other diseases, it retains the typical movements of essential chorea. Whether it develops after some infectious or exhausting condition or polluting experience, or after some mental or psychological strain or shock, like fright or fear, the choreiform reaction indicates the occurrence of an unstable balance between the physical and astral bodies and the inner and higher manasic in man. Persons who develop chorea share a common psychic susceptibility which marks those who are subject to disturbances like hysteria, mediumship, epilepsy, and other phases of obsession.

In addition, there are similar signs of a besieging influence at first, as when the child grows peevish, capricious, and restless, wants improper food, is listless at school, suffers with disturbed sleep and night-terrors; and later begin the convulsive movements in the muscles which are naturally under the control of the conscious will.

The individual will thus weakened and, in some cases, psychic changes like hallucinations and somnambulism, point to the characteristic action of some astral influence. Further evidence of this is seen in the danger of chorea developing into more serious nervous disorders; whereas, with proper mental, moral, and physical care, cure results when the spiritual will regains its rightful place in controlling the course of life.

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

Chela cela (Hindi) Archaic spelling cheta (ceta) or cheda (ceda). Servant, disciple.

"a disciple, a pupil, a learner or hearer. The relationship of teacher and disciple is infinitely more sacred even than that of parent and child; because, while the parents give the body to the incoming soul, the teacher brings forth that soul itself and teaches it to be and therefore to see, teaches it to know and to become what it is in its inmost being -- that is, a divine thing.

The chela life or chela path is a beautiful one, full of joy to its very end, but also it calls forth and needs everything noble and high in the learner or disciple; for the powers or faculties of the higher self must be brought into activity in order to attain and to hold those summits of intellectual and spiritual grandeur where the Masters themselves live. For that, masterhood, is the end of discipleship -- not, however, that this ideal should be set before us merely as an end to attain to as something of benefit for one's own self, because that very thought is a selfish one and therefore a stumbling in the path. It is for the individual's benefit, of course; yet the true idea is that everything and every faculty that is in the soul shall be brought out in the service of all humanity, for this is the royal road, the great royal thoroughfare, of self-conquest" (OG 27-8).

"From Book IV of Kui-ti, chapter on 'the Laws of Upasans,' we learn that the qualifications expected in a Chela were: --

1. Perfect physical health;
2. Absolute mental and physical purity;
3. Unselfishness of purpose; universal charity; pity for all animate beings;
4. Truthfulness and unswerving faith in the law of Karma, independent of any power in nature that could interfere: a law whose course is not to be obstructed by any agency, not to be caused to deviate by prayer or propitiatory exoteric ceremonies;
5. A courage undaunted in every emergency, even by peril to life;
6. An intuitional perception of one's being the vehicle of the manifested Avalokitesvara or Divine Atman (Spirit);
7. Calm indifference for, but a just appreciation of everything that constitutes the objective and transitory world, in its relation with, and to, the invisible regions.

"Such, at the least, must have been the recommendations of one aspiring to perfect Chelaship. With the sole exception of the first, which in rare and exceptional cases might have been modified, each one of these points has been invariably insisted upon, and all must have been more or less developed in the inner nature by the Chela's unhelped exertions, before he could be actually put to the test" (BCW 4:607-8).

(See also: Chela cela, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Chitkala citkala (Sanskrit) (from chit abstract thought or consciousness + the verbal root kal to urge on, impel, stimulate)

The inciters or stimulators of consciousness or intelligent thought; manasaputras. The spiritual beings who, during the course of the early and middle third root-race, furnished humanity with the higher manasic element from their own essence; hence one of the guardian spirits of the human race.

Because the chitkalas or kaumarika manasaputras belong to the Hierarchy of Light or Compassion, they have frequently been allied with what the Chinese call Kwan-Yin, the goddess of mercy or pity, who may be called the feminine aspect of the cosmic Third Logos.

(See also: Chitkala, citkala, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

B.C.E.: Before Common Era. Synonymous with B.C. without religious bias.

(See also: B.C.E., Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

B.C.E: Before Common Era, non-Christian version of B.C.

(See also: B.C.E, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

B.C.E - Before Common Era, non-christian version of B.C.

(See also: B.C.E, Pagan, Wicca Pagan Dictionary)

aryans:

the migrant invaders of india from approximately 1500 b.c; people of spiritual values

(See also: aryans, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Aryans: The migrant invaders of India from approximately 1500 b.c; people of spiritual values.

(See also: Aryans, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

BAST - 1. (Bastet) Egyptian Cat Goddess.

2. (l.c) spiritual expansion (Arabic) (NAD)

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

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura:

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura: the spiritual master of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

(See also: Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

the spiritual master of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; an acharya in the Gaudiya–Vaishnava-sampradaya.

(See also: Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Habal de Garmin (Hebrew, Jewish) According to the Kabbalah this is the Resurrection Body: a tzelem image or demooth similitude to the deceased man; an inner fundamental spiritual type remaining after death. It is the "Spirit of the Bones " mentioned in Daniel and Isaiah and the Psalms, and is referred to in the Vision of Ezekiel about the clothing of the dry bones with life: consult C, de Leiningen on the Kabbalah, T.P.S. Pamphlet, Vol. II., No. 18.

(See also: Habal de Garmin, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

transformation-oriented bodywork (transformational bodywork): Combination of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual processes related to energetic balancing (see energy balancing), psychotherapy, spiritual counseling, and touch therapy. Transformation-oriented bodywork descends from bioenergetics, massage, the personal/spiritual growth movement, and Reichian Therapy. its fundamental principles include the following. (a) Constricted muscles block energy in the body. (b) Constriction shows up as pettiness. (c) The Highest Ideal lies in the realm of Divinity, the Source of both life and meaning for humans and the earth.

(See also: Transformation-oriented bodywork, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Aryan:

Aryan (Aaryan). (a) Literally noble. (b) Follower of Vedic or spiritual path. (c) Ancient dwellers of India who composed the Rig-veda; the chief tribe was that of the Bharathas.

(See also: Aryan, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

yoga:

yoga. (a) Union of the individual self or Atma with the Supreme Being or Universal Self; act of yoking. (b) A spiritual discipline or exercise aimed at control of the senses. (c) Science of divine communion. No single definition of the word yoga suffices. Patanjali's Yoga-sutras define yoga as a series of eight spiritual steps leading to union with God. This is different from the eight steps given in the section titled "The eightfold path of yoga" of Prasanthi Vahini.

(See also: yoga, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Nutripathy: A religious science of experiencing mental, financial, physical, social and spiritual health using specific universal laws, according to Nutripathy...The Key to Your Prosperity, Success and Spiritual Fulfillment (1984). Gary A. Martin, D.N., Ph.D., Th.D., D.Sc., originated the system in the late 1970s, thanks to divine influence. It includes hair analysis and a variation of Bach flower therapy. Its principles include the following. (a) God is in everyone. (b) One's True Self is God (Love). (c) Proper nutrition and realization of one's true identity together make for a perfect life.

(See also: Nutripathy, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)