_Sympathy and Love for all._--Hitherto we have been dealing chiefly with
forms which are the expression of emotion, or of such thought as is
aroused within the mind by external circumstances. We have now to
consider some of those caused by thoughts which arise from within--forms
generated during meditation--each being the effect produced by a
conscious effort on the part of the thinker to form a certain
conception, or to put himself into a certain attitude. Naturally such
thoughts are definite, for the man who trains himself in this way learns
how to think with clearness and precision, and the development of his
power in this direction shows itself in the beauty and regularity of the
shapes produced. In this case we have the result of an endeavour on the
part of the thinker to put himself into an attitude of sympathy and love
towards all mankind, and thus we have a series of graceful lines of the
luminous green of sympathy with the strong roseate glow of affection
shining out between them (Fig. 37). The lines are still sufficiently
broad and wide apart to be easily drawn; but in some of the higher
examples of thought-forms of this type the lines are so fine and so
close that no human hand can represent them as they really are. The
outline of this thought-form is that of a leaf, yet its shape and the
curve of its lines are more suggestive of a certain kind of shell, so
that this is another example of the approximation to forms seen in
physical nature which we noted in commenting upon Fig. 16.
[Illustration: FIG. 37. SYMPATHY AND LOVE FOR ALL]
_An Aspiration to Enfold all._--In Fig. 38 we have a far more developed
example of the same type. This form was generated by one who was
trying, while sitting in meditation, to fill his mind with an aspiration
to enfold all mankind in order to draw them upward towards the high
ideal which shone so clearly before his eyes. Therefore it is that the
form which he produces seems to rush out from him, to curve round upon
itself, and to return to its base; therefore it is that the marvellously
fine lines are drawn in lovely luminous violet, and that from within the
form there shines out a glorious golden light which it is unfortunately
quite impossible to reproduce. For the truth is that all these
apparently intricate lines are in reality only one line circling round
the form again and again with unwearied patience and wonderful accuracy.
It is scarcely possible that any human hand could make such a drawing as
this on this scale, and in any case the effect of its colours could not
be shown, for it will be seen by experiment that if an attempt be made
to draw fine violet lines close together upon a yellow background a grey
effect at once appears, and all likeness to the original is destroyed.
But what cannot be done by hand may sometimes be achieved by the
superior accuracy and delicacy of a machine, and it is in this way that
the drawing was made from which our illustration is reproduced,--with
some attempt to represent the colour effect as well as the wonderful
delicacy of the lines and curves.
[Illustration: FIG. 38. AN ASPIRATION TO ENFOLD ALL]
_In the Six Directions._--The form represented in Fig. 39 is the result
of another endeavour to extend love and sympathy in all directions--an
effort almost precisely similar to that which gave birth to Fig. 37,
though the effect seems so different. The reasons for this variety and
for the curious shape taken in this case constitute a very interesting
illustration of the way in which thought-forms grow. It will be seen
that in this instance the thinker displays considerable devotional
feeling, and has also made an intellectual effort to grasp the
conditions necessary for the realisation of his wishes, and the blue and
yellow colours remain as evidence of this. Originally this thought-form
was circular, and the dominant idea evidently was that the green of
sympathy should be upon the outside, facing in all directions, as it
were, and that love should lie at the centre and heart of the thought
and direct its outgoing energies. But the maker of this thought-form had
been reading Hindu books, and his modes of thought had been greatly
influenced by them. Students of Oriental literature will be aware that
the Hindu speaks, not of four directions (north, east, south, and west),
as we do, but always of six, since he very sensibly includes the zenith
and the nadir. Our friend was imbued from his reading with the idea that
he should pour forth his love and sympathy "in the six directions"; but
since he did not accurately understand what the six directions are, he
directed his stream of affection towards six equidistant points in his
circle. The outrushing streams altered the shape of the outlying lines
which he had already built up, and so instead of having a circle as a
section of his thought-form, we have this curious hexagon with its
inward-curving sides. We see thus how faithfully every thought-form
records the exact process of its upbuilding, registering ineffaceably
even the errors of its construction.
[Illustration: FIG. 39. IN THE SIX DIRECTIONS]
_An Intellectual Conception of Cosmic Order._--In Fig. 40 we have the
effect of an attempt to attain an intellectual conception of cosmic
order. The thinker was obviously a Theosophist, and it will be seen
that when he endeavours to think of the action of spirit upon matter he
instinctively follows the same line of symbolism as that depicted in the
well-known seal of the Society. Here we have an upward-pointing
triangle, signifying the threefold aspect of the Spirit, interlaced with
the downward-pointing triangle, which indicates matter with its three
inherent qualities. Usually we represent the upward triangle in white or
gold, and the downward-pointing one in some darker hue such as blue or
black, but it is noteworthy that in this case the thinker is so entirely
occupied with the intellectual endeavour, that no colour but yellow is
exhibited within the form. There is no room as yet for emotions of
devotion, of wonder, or of admiration; the idea which he wishes to
realise fills his mind entirely, to the exclusion of all else. Still the
definiteness of the outline as it stands out against its background of
rays shows that he has achieved a high measure of success.
[Illustration: FIG. 40. AN INTELLECTUAL CONCEPTION OF COSMIC ORDER]
_The Logos as manifested in Man._--We are now coming to a series of
thoughts which are among the very highest the human mind can form, when
in meditation upon the divine source of its being. When the man in
reverent contemplation tries to raise his thought towards the LOGOS of
our solar system, he naturally makes no attempt to image to himself that
august Being; nor does he think of Him as in any way possessing such
form as we can comprehend. Nevertheless such thoughts build forms for
themselves in the matter of the mental plane; and it will be of interest
for us to examine those forms. In our illustration in Fig. 41 we have a
thought of the LOGOS as manifested in man, with the devotional
aspiration that He may thus be manifested through the thinker. It is
this devotional feeling which gives the pale blue tinge to the
five-pointed star, and its shape is significant, since it has been
employed for many ages as a symbol of God manifest in man. The thinker
may perhaps have been a Freemason, and his knowledge of the symbolism
employed by that body may have had its share in the shaping of the star.
It will be seen that the star is surrounded by bright yellow rays
shining out amidst a cloud of glory, which denotes not only the
reverential understanding of the surpassing glory of the Deity, but also
a distinct intellectual effort in addition to the outpouring of
devotion.
[Illustration: FIG. 41. THE LOGOS AS MANIFESTED IN MAN]
_The Logos pervading all._--Our next three Figures are devoted to the
effort to represent a thought of a very high type--an endeavour to think
of the LOGOS as pervading all nature. Here again, as in Fig. 38, it is
impossible to give a full reproduction, and we must call upon our
readers for an effort of the imagination which shall to some extent
supplement the deficiencies of the arts of drawing and printing. The
golden ball depicted in Fig. 42 must be thought of as inside the other
ball of delicate lines (blue in colour) which is drawn in Fig. 44. Any
effort to place the colours in such intimate juxtaposition on the
physical plane results simply in producing a green blur, so that the
whole character of the thought-form is lost. It is only by means of the
machine before mentioned that it is at all possible to represent the
grace and the delicacy of the lines. As before, a single line produces
all the wonderful tracery of Fig. 44, and the effect of the four
radiating lines making a sort of cross of light is merely due to the
fact that the curves are not really concentric, although at first sight
they appear to be so.
[Illustration: FIG. 42. THE LOGOS PERVADING ALL]
[Illustration: FIG. 44. THE LOGOS PERVADING ALL]
_Another Conception._--Fig. 45 exhibits the form produced by another
person when trying to hold exactly the same thought. Here also we have
an amazing complexity of almost inconceivably delicate blue lines, and
here also our imagination must be called upon to insert the golden globe
from Fig. 42, so that its glory may shine through at every point. Here
also, as in Fig. 44, we have that curious and beautiful pattern,
resembling somewhat the damascening on ancient Oriental swords, or that
which is seen upon watered silk or _moire antique_. When this form is
drawn by the pendulum, the pattern is not in any way intentionally
produced, but simply comes as a consequence of the crossing of the
innumerable microscopically fine lines. It is evident that the thinker
who created the form upon Fig. 44 must have held in his mind most
prominently the unity of the LOGOS, while he who generated the form in
Fig. 45 has as clearly in mind the subordinate centres through which the
divine life pours forth, and many of these subordinate centres have
accordingly represented themselves in the thought-form.
[Illustration: FIG. 45. ANOTHER CONCEPTION]
_The Threefold Manifestation._--When the form employed in Fig. 46 was
made, its creator was endeavouring to think of the LOGOS in His
threefold manifestation. The vacant space in the centre of the form was
a blinding glow of yellow light, and this clearly typified the First
Aspect, while the Second was symbolised by the broad ring of
closely-knitted and almost bewildering lines which surround this centre,
while the Third Aspect is suggested by the narrow outer ring which seems
more loosely woven. The whole figure is pervaded by the usual golden
light gleaming out between the lines of violet.
[Illustration: FIG. 46. THE THREEFOLD MANIFESTATION]
_The Sevenfold Manifestation._--In all religions there remains some
tradition of the great truth that the LOGOS manifests Himself through
seven mighty channels, often regarded as minor Logoi or great planetary
Spirits. In the Christian scheme they appear as the seven great
archangels, sometimes called the seven spirits before the throne of God.
The figure numbered 47 shows the result of the effort to meditate upon
this method of divine manifestation. We have the golden glow in the
centre, and also (though with lesser splendour) pervading the form. The
line is blue, and it draws a succession of seven graceful and almost
featherlike double wings which surround the central glory and are
clearly intended as a part of it. As the thought strengthens and
expands, these beautiful wings change their colour to violet and become
like the petals of a flower, and overlap one another in an intricate but
exceedingly effective pattern. This gives us a very interesting glimpse
into the formation and growth of these shapes in higher matter.
[Illustration: FIG. 47. THE SEVENFOLD MANIFESTATION]
_Intellectual Aspiration._--The form depicted in Fig. 43 bears a certain
resemblance to that in Fig. 15; but, beautiful as that was, this is in
reality a far higher and grander thought, and implies much more advanced
development on the part of the thinker. Here we have a great clear-cut
spear or pencil of the pure pale violet which indicates devotion to the
highest ideal, and it is outlined and strengthened by an exceedingly
fine manifestation of the noblest development of intellect. He who can
think thus must already have entered upon the Path of Holiness, for he
has learnt how to use the power of thought to very mighty effect. It
will be noted that in both the colours there is a strong admixture of
the white light which always indicates unusual spiritual power.
[Illustration: FIG. 43. INTELLECTUAL ASPIRATION]
Surely the study of these thought-forms should be a most impressive
object-lesson, since from it we may see both what to avoid and what to
cultivate, and may learn by degrees to appreciate how tremendous is our
responsibility for the exercise of this mighty power. Indeed it is
terribly true, as we said in the beginning, that thoughts are things,
and puissant things; and it behoves us to remember that every one of us
is generating them unceasingly night and day. See how great is the
happiness this knowledge brings to us, and how gloriously we can utilise
it when we know of some one in sorrow or in suffering. Often
circumstances arise which prevent us from giving physical help either by
word or deed, however much we may desire to do so; but there is no case
in which help by thought may not be given, and no case in which it can
fail to produce a definite result. It may often happen that at the
moment our friend may be too entirely occupied with his own suffering,
or perhaps too much excited, to receive and accept any suggestion from
without, but presently a time comes when our thought-form can penetrate
and discharge itself, and then assuredly our sympathy will produce its
due result. It is indeed true that the responsibility of using such a
power is great, yet we should not shrink from our duty on that account.
It is sadly true that there are many men who are unconsciously using
their thought-power chiefly for evil, yet this only makes it all the
more necessary that those of us who are beginning to understand life a
little should use it consciously, and use it for good. We have at our
command a never-failing criterion; we can never misuse this mighty power
of thought if we employ it always in unison with the great divine scheme
of evolution, and for the uplifting of our fellow-man.