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Planes of existence
In metaphysics and esoteric cosmology, a plane of existence (sometimes
called simply a plane, dimension, overworld, realm, vibrating plane, or an
inner, invisible, spiritual, supraphysical world, or egg) is conceived as a
subtle region of space (and/or consciousness) beyond, but permeating, the
known physical universe (or a portion of the physical universe itself) and
inhabited by evolving spirit-life beings in different stages of
consciousness.
The above concept may be found in religious, metaphysical and esoteric
teachings - e.g. Vedanta (Advaita Vedanta), Neoplatonism, Gnosticism,
Kashmir Shaivism, Sant Mat/Surat Shabd Yoga, Sufism, Druze, Kabbalah,
Theosophy, Anthroposophy, Rosicrucianism (Esoteric Christian), Eckankar,
etc. - which propound the idea of a whole series of subtle planes or worlds
or dimensions which, from a center, interpenetrate themselves and the
physical planet in which we live, the solar systems, and all the physical
structures of the universe. This interpenetration of planes culminates in
the universe itself as a physical structured, dynamic and evolutive
expression emanated through a series of steadily denser stages, becoming
progressively more material and embodied.
The emanation is conceived, according to esoteric teachings, to have been
originated, at the dawn of the universe's manifestation, in The Supreme
Being Who sent out - from the unmanifested Absolute beyond comprehension -
the dynamic force of creative energy, as sound-vibration ("the Word"), into
the abyss of space. On the other hand, it states that this dynamic force is
being sent forth, through the ages, framing all things that constitute and
inhabit the universe.
Origins of the concept
The concept of planes of existence might be seen as deriving from shamanic
and traditional mythological ideas of a vertical world-axis — e.g. a cosmic
mountain, tree, or pole (such as Yggdrasil or Mount Meru) — or a
philosophical conception of a Great Chain of Being, arranged metaphorically
from God down to inanimate matter.
However the original source of the word "plane" in this context is the late
Neoplatonist Proclus, who refers to to platos, "breadth", which was the
equivalent of the 19th century theosophical use. An example is the phrase en
to psuchiko platei [Dodds, cited in Poortman, 1978, vol II, p.54].
Conceptions in ancient traditions
Directly equivalent concepts in Indian thought are lokas and bhuvanas. In
Hindu cosmology, there are traditionally seven lokas or worlds, while
Buddhist cosmology has a much larger number of "deva lokas", identified with
both traditional cosmology and states of meditation.
Planes of existence are sometimes referred to as "eggs". For example, the
Sanskrit term Brahmanda translates to "the Egg of God". In this context,
Brahmanda is thought to encompass the Anda (astral or subtle) and Pinda
(physical or gross) eggs, in a way metaphorically analogous to a set of
Russian dolls — the larger containing the next smaller, which contains the
next smaller, and so on.
The ancient Norsemen and the Teutonic mythology called "Ginnungagap" to the
primordial "Chaos," which was bounded upon the northern side by the cold and
foggy "Niflheim"--the land of mist and fog--and upon the south side by the
fire "Muspelheim." When heat and cold entered into space which was occupied
by Chaos or Ginnungagap, they caused the crystallization of the visible
universe.
In the medieval West and Middle East, one finds reference to four worlds (olam)
in Kabbalah, or five in Sufism (where they are also called tanazzulat;
"descents"), and also in Lurianic Kabbalah. In Kabbalah, each of the four or
five worlds are themselves divided into ten sefirot, or else divided in
other ways.
Esoteric conceptions
Middle Ages' alchemists, through an hermetic language full of unmistakable
words, phrases and signs indicative of the deep meaning that remains hidden
from the non-Initiate, presented deep conceptions related to man and the
universe's constitution. In his "Physica" (1633), the Rosicrucian alchemist
Jan Baptist van Helmont, wrote: "Ad huc spiritum incognitum Gas voco," i.e.,
"This hitherto unknown Spirit I call Gas." Further on in the same work he
says, "This vapor which I have called Gas is not far removed from the Chaos
the ancients spoke of."
In the late 19th century, the metaphysical term "planes" was popularized by
the theosophy of H.P. Blavatsky, who in The Secret Doctrine and other
writings propounded a complex cosmology consisting of seven planes and
subplanes, based on a synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas. From theosophy
the term made its way to later esoteric systems such as that of Alice
Bailey, who was very influential in shaping the worldview of the New Age
movement. The term is also found in some Eastern teachings that have some
Western influence, such as the cosmology of Sri Aurobindo and some of the
later Sant Mat, and also in some descriptions of Buddhist cosmology. The
teachings of Surat Shabd Yoga also include several planes of the creation
within both the macrocosm and microcosm, including the Bramanda egg
contained within the Sach Khand egg. Max Theon used the word "States"
(French Etat) rather than "Planes", in his cosmic philosophy, but the
meaning is the same.
In the early 20th century, Max Heindel presented in The Rosicrucian
Cosmo-Conception a cosmology related to the scheme of evolution in general
and the evolution of the solar system and the earth in particular, according
to the Rosicrucians. He establishes, through the conceptions presented, a
bridge between modern science (currently starting research into the subtler
plane of existence behind the physical, the etheric one) and religion, in
order that this last one may be able to address man's inner questions raised
by scientific advancement.
Emanation vs. the
big bang
Most cosmologists today believe that the universe exploded into being some
13.7 billion years ago in a 'smeared-out singularity' called the big bang,
meaning that space itself came into being at the moment of the big bang and
has expanded ever since, carrying the galaxies with it. In 1951, this theory
received the blessing of Pope Pius XII.
However, in esoteric cosmology expansion refers to the emanation or
unfolding of steadily denser planes or spheres from the spiritual summit,
what Greek mythology described as "Chaos", until the lowest and most
material world is reached. As theosophist David Pratt emphasizes, at the
midpoint of the evolutionary cycle, the reverse process begins: the lower
worlds gradually dematerialize or etherealize and are infolded or indrawn
into the higher worlds; the heavens are 'rolled together as a scroll'
(Isaiah 34:4). Thus, outbreathing and inbreathing can refer to the expansion
of the One into the many, and the subsequent reabsorption of the many into
the One; not to any 'smeared-out singularity' and its subsequent physical
expansion as postulated in the big bang theory.
According to Rosicrucians, another difference is that there is no such thing
as empty or void space. "The space is Spirit in its attenuated form; while
matter is crystallized space or Spirit. Spirit in manifestation is dual,
that which we see as Form is the negative manifestation of
Spirit--crystallized and inert. The positive pole of Spirit manifests as
Life, galvanizing the negative Form into action, but both Life and Form
originated in Spirit, Space, Chaos! On the other hand, Chaos is not a state
which has existed in the past and has now entirely disappeared. It is all
around us at the present moment. Were it not that old forms--having outlived
their usefulness--are constantly being resolved back into that Chaos, which
is also as constantly giving birth to new forms, there could be no progress;
the work of evolution would cease and stagnation would prevent the
possibility of advancement."
Who inhabits the various planes
Most cosmologies suggest that there are both positive and negative planes.
They indicate that an Earth-departed soul is propelled towards the plane
that corresponds to the level of its merits or demerits. One example of this
understanding can be found in Christianity, where in afterlife, a departed
soul finds itself in either heaven or hell. Other traditions suggest that
there are finer differences between various positive and negative planes,
and that each plane beyond Earth plane becomes more and more subtle. It is
commonly believed that positive planes are inhabited by subtle bodies doing
righteous deeds, whereas negative planes are inhabited by subtle bodies
doing unrighteous deeds.
References
* David Pratt, Cosmology and the Big Bang, a Theosophic viewpoint, Sunrise -
Jun/Jul & Aug/Sep 1993 (last update: June 2000)
* Johannes Jacobus Poortman, Vehicles of Consciousness. The Concept of Hylic
Pluralism, The Theosophical Society in Netherlands, 1978
* Heindel, Max, The Rosicrucian Mysteries (Chapter III: The Visible and the
Invisible Worlds), 1911, ISBN 0-911274-86-3
* Heindel, Max, The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception (Chapter XI: The Genesis
and Evolution of our Solar System), 1909, ISBN 0-911274-34-0
* H.P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, Theosophical Publishing House, 1888
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