One of the elementary ideas of the Yogi Philosophy most
difficult for the ordinary Western mind to grasp and assimilate
is that of the “planes” of life. This difficulty is most
apparent when the Western student attempts to grasp the Yogi
teachings regarding “the other side.” The Western thought
insists upon the concept of the realm of the life of the
disembodied soul as a place, or places. The Western theology is
responsible for this, to a great extent, although there is also
to be considered the tendency of the Western mind to think in
terms of objective existence, even when life apart from the
objective is being considered. The average Western religionist
insists upon thinking of “heaven” as a place situated somewhere
in space, containing beautiful mansions of precious stones,
situated on streets paved with gold. Even those who have
outgrown this childish idea find it difficult to conceive of
their heaven as a state rather than a place. The Western mind
finds it hard to form the abstract concept, and naturally falls
back on the old idea of a heaven in space.
The Oriental mind, on the contrary, finds it quite easy to grasp
the idea of the several planes of existence. Centuries of
familiarthought on the subject has rendered th concept as
clear and definite as that of place. We have met Western
thinkers who smilingly confessed that they could not divest
their concept of “planes” with that of a level strata, or layer
of some kind of material substance. But this conception is as
far from the truth as is the idea of mere place. A plane is a
state, not a place in any sense of the word. And the student
must learn to eliminate theidea of place from that of plane.
A plane is a condition or state of activity in the eternal
energy of spirit in which the Cosmos lives, and moves and has
its being. In any given point of space there may be many planes
of activity. Taking our examples from the physical world, let us
use the ordinary vibration of sound as an illustration. The air
may be filled with many notes of the musical scale. Each note is
simply a certain degree of vibration of the air. The notes
occupy the same position in space, and yet do not conflict with
each other so far as space‑filling qualities are concerned. It
is an axiom of physics that no two bodies of matter can occupy
the same space at the same time. But thousands of these
vibratory notes may occupy the same space at the same time. This
is borne upon one when he listens to some great orchestral
rendering a musical composition. Many instruments are playing at
the same time, and the air is filled with countless vibrations,
and yet one may pick out any particular instrument if he choses,
and even particular notes may be distinguished. No note is lost,
and yet the entire volume is manifested in the small space of
the ear drum. This is a somewhat rude illustration, but it may
serve to accustom the mind to form the proper concept.
Another illustration, this time on a little higher scale, is
that of the vibrations of light. Light, we know, appears as the
result of the vibratory waves of the ether coming in contact
with physical matter. Each color has its own place on the
vibratory scale. Each ray of sunshine that reaches us is
composed of a great variety of colors—the colors of the
spectrum, which may be separated by means of certain prismatic
instruments. All of the colors are to be found in every point of
space in which the ray of sunlight appears. They are all there,
and may be separated and registered apart from the others.
Moreover, beyond the realm of light visible to the human eye,
there are many colors invisible to the human sight by reason of
their vibrations being either too high or two low. These
invisible colors may be detected by means of instruments.
Perhaps these varying rates of color vibrations may help you to
form the idea of the spaceless planes of existence.
Another illustration may be found in the field of electricity,
in which we find fresh instances of various degrees and
condition of energy occupying the same space at the same time.
On improved telegraphic apparatus we find many messages passing
in each direction along the same wire, each independent, and
none interfering with the others. In the same way, the air may
be filled with a thousand wireless‑telegraphic messages, attuned
to different keys and consequently not interfering with each
other. The various vibrations interpenetrate each other, each
seemingly being unaware of the presence of the other and not
being affected by it. It is conceivable, even, that there might
be a dozen worlds occupying the same portion of space, but each
being keyed on a far different vibratory scale of matter, and
yet none interfering with the other, the living things on each
being totally unaware of the existence of those of the other.
Scientific writers have amused themselves by writing fanciful
stories of such a series of worlds, and indeed they wrote better
than they knew, for they symbolized a metaphysical truth in
physical terms.
But, it may be objected, does the Yogi Philosophy teach that
these planes of Life are but varying forms of vibrations of
matter? Not at all. Far from it. The teaching is that each plane
represents a different degree of vibratory energy—but not of
matter. Matter is merely a very low form of vibratory energy—
even the finest form of matter. There are forms of matter as
much higher than the finest of which the ordinary physical
scientist has knowledge, as his finest matter is higher than the
hardest rock. And beyond the plane of matter rise plane upon
plane of super‑material energy, of which the mind of physical
science does not even dare to dream. And yet, for the purpose of
the illustration, we may say that it is possible to think of
every one of the planes manifesting in the same point of space
at the same time. So you see, the conception of planes has
nothing whatever in common with that of space.
In view of the foregoing, the student will see that when we
speak of the planes of existence of “the other side,” we are far
from meaning to indicate places or regions of space. The Yogi
Philosophy has naught to do with doctrines of heavens or hells
or purgatories in the sense of places. It knows of no such
places, or regions, although it recognizes the real basis of the
teachings which hold to the same.
In this particular volume, we shall not attempt to consider the
general question of the countless planes of existence
manifesting in the universe. The scope of this particular work
confines us to the consideration and description of those
particular planes of the Astral World which are concerned in the
manifestation of the existence of the disembodied souls of the
dwellers upon earth—the so‑called “spirit‑world” of the human
race. We shall see that there are many planes and sub‑planes of
existence on the great Astral Plane of Life—generally known as
The Astral World, in order to distinguish it from the Physical
World below it in the vibratory scale. Each plane and sub‑plane
has its own distinguishing characteristics and phenomena, as we
shall see as we proceed. And yet the same general laws,
principles, and characteristic qualities are common to all.
Finally, before we pass on the consideration of the Astral
Plane, let us once more endeavor to fix in your minds the proper
conception of the real nature of that which we know as “planes.”
When we speak of “rising” from a lower to a higher plane, or of
“descending” from a higher to a lower plane, we do not wish to
be understood as picturing an ascent or decent of steps. Nor are
we picturing a rising or descending from one layer or strata
to another. Even the familiar symbol of rising from the
ocean depths to its surface, is incorrect. The nearest mental
picture possible to be made of the transition from plane to
plane, is that of increase or decrease of vibrations as
evidenced in sound‑waves, light‑waves, or waves of electricity.
By tightening a violin string, one may raise its degree of
vibration and therefore its note. The same may be done by
heating a bar of iron causing its color to change gradually from
a dull red to a delicate violet or white. Or in the case of a
current of electricity, the power may be raised or lowered at
will. If a still more material illustration be required, we have
the case of the hardest mineral which may be changed into an
invisible vapor simply by raising its degree of vibrations by
heat. What is true on the lower planes of manifestation, is true
of the higher. The transition from higher to lower, or lower to
higher may be thought of (if desired) as a change of
vibration in the energy of which all things are composed. This
will come about as near to the truth as our imperfect powers of
conception and comparison will permit. There are no words to
express the higher phenomena—all illustration in terms of the
lower planes are crude, imperfect, and unsatisfactory. But even
by these lowly symbols may the mind of man learn to grasp the
ideas of things above the ordinary senses, and beyond thepower
of ordinary terms to express.
And, now, with the above firmly fixed in your minds, let us
proceed to a consideration of the Great Astral Plane of
Existence.
