| VII. Why is the Progress of Evolution Cyclic? This
question is one which necessarily appalls us and makes us wonder.
Let us, therefore, deal with it as follows: Certain ideas are involved in the thought
of cyclic progression, and these ideas it might pay us well to contemplate.
1. The Idea of Repetition
This repetition involves the following factors:
- Repetition in time: The thought of cyclic activity necessitates periods of time
of differing length - greater or lesser cycles - but (according to their length) of
uniform degree. A manvantara, or Day of Brahma, is always of a certain length, and so is a
mahamanvantara. The cycles wherein an atom of any plane revolves upon its axis are uniform
on its own plane.
- Repetition in fact: This involves the idea of a key measure, or sound of any
particular group of atoms that go to the composition of any particular form. This grouping
of atoms will tend to the makeup of a particular series of circumstances and will repeat
the measure or sound when an animating factor is brought to bear upon them. When the
vitalizing force is contacting at stated periods a certain set of atoms, it will call
forth from them a specific sound which will demonstrate objectively as environing
circumstances. In other words, [274] the interplay of the Self and the not-self is
invariably of a cyclic nature. The same quality in tone will be called forth by the Self
as it indwells the form, but the key will ascend by gradual degrees. It is similar to the
effect produced in striking the same note in different octaves, beginning at the base.
- Repetition in space: This concept is involved deep in the greater concept of
karma, which is really the law that governs the matter of the solar system, and which
commenced its work in earlier solar systems. We have, therefore, cycles in order, and
repetition in an ever-ascending spiral, under definite law.
The thoughts thus conveyed might be expressed likewise as follows:
- The solar system repeating its activity - Repetition in Space.
A planetary
chain repeating its activity - Repetition in Time.
The constant
consecutive reverberation of a plane note, of a subplane note, and of all that is called
into objectivity by that note - Plane Repetition.
The tendency
of atoms to perpetuate their activity, and thus produce similarity of circumstance, of
environment, and of vehicle - Form Repetition.
When we
carry these ideas on to every plane in the solar system, and from thence to the cosmic
planes, we have opened up for ourselves infinitude. |
