"Seven Dimensions of Religion"
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 6:07 pm
You might be familiar with Ninian Smart's idea of the seven dimensions of religion:
I can't help but to think of our theosophical principles of man every time these are mentioned somewhere. Let's compare:
I. The Practical / Ritual Dimension --> physical ~ linga sharîra --> Stone Aspect
II. The Experiential / Emotional Dimension --> emotional ~ kâma rûpa --> Serpent Aspect
IV. The Doctrinal / Philosophical Dimension --> rational ~ kâma manas --> Eye Aspect
So the "lower threefold world" is there, and in correct order already. What about the rest? For us, the higher threefold world is an esoteric & formless, & then there's the seventh which bridges these two trinities. Smart's dimensions are not metaphysical, but practical. Therefore we must analyze what are the practical working emphases of our brotherhood aspects. I suggest the following correspondences:
III. The Narrative / Mythic Dimension --> bridging personal to archetypal ~ prâna-jiva --> Chalice Aspect
V. The Ethical / Legal Dimension --> ethics, morals ~ buddhi --> ...
VI. The Social / Institutional Dimension --> culture, social communication ~ manas --> ...
VII. The Material Dimension --> ideas molded into physical action by actual work ~ âtma --> ...
Concerning the three higher principles it is not so clear what are the principles stressed, but it seems to be that the whole âtma-buddhi-manas is equally emphasized in all our colour aspects, although a little bit differently in each. But if we think which of them surfaces the most, at the moment they seem to be:
White Aspect: Manas ("The Social / Institutional Dimension")
Red Aspect: Âtma ("The Material Dimension")
Black Aspect: Buddhi ("The Ethical / Legal Dimension")
(Or perhaps the Red & Black the other way around: Black for Material & Red for Legal?)
What do you think?
I. The Practical / Ritual Dimension
II. The Experiential / Emotional Dimension
III. The Narrative / Mythic Dimension
IV. The Doctrinal / Philosophical Dimension
V. The Ethical / Legal Dimension
VI. The Social / Institutional Dimension
VII. The Material Dimension
I can't help but to think of our theosophical principles of man every time these are mentioned somewhere. Let's compare:
I. The Practical / Ritual Dimension --> physical ~ linga sharîra --> Stone Aspect
II. The Experiential / Emotional Dimension --> emotional ~ kâma rûpa --> Serpent Aspect
IV. The Doctrinal / Philosophical Dimension --> rational ~ kâma manas --> Eye Aspect
So the "lower threefold world" is there, and in correct order already. What about the rest? For us, the higher threefold world is an esoteric & formless, & then there's the seventh which bridges these two trinities. Smart's dimensions are not metaphysical, but practical. Therefore we must analyze what are the practical working emphases of our brotherhood aspects. I suggest the following correspondences:
III. The Narrative / Mythic Dimension --> bridging personal to archetypal ~ prâna-jiva --> Chalice Aspect
V. The Ethical / Legal Dimension --> ethics, morals ~ buddhi --> ...
VI. The Social / Institutional Dimension --> culture, social communication ~ manas --> ...
VII. The Material Dimension --> ideas molded into physical action by actual work ~ âtma --> ...
Concerning the three higher principles it is not so clear what are the principles stressed, but it seems to be that the whole âtma-buddhi-manas is equally emphasized in all our colour aspects, although a little bit differently in each. But if we think which of them surfaces the most, at the moment they seem to be:
White Aspect: Manas ("The Social / Institutional Dimension")
Red Aspect: Âtma ("The Material Dimension")
Black Aspect: Buddhi ("The Ethical / Legal Dimension")
(Or perhaps the Red & Black the other way around: Black for Material & Red for Legal?)
What do you think?