Category: The Key To Theosophy (1889): H. P. Blavatsky

"Enq:  But, as I understand it, Buddhi represents in this simile the forest, and Manas-taijasi the trees. Taijasi means the radiance in consequence of its union with Buddhi; i.e., Manas, the human soul, illuminated by the radiance of the divine soul. Therefore, Manas-taijasi may be described as radiant mind; the human reason lit by the [...]

"Enq:  But since you have just said that the fundamental laws of the after death state admit of no exceptions, how can this be?   Theo:  Nor do I say that it does admit of an exception. But the spiritual law of continuity applies only to things which are truly real. To one who has [...]

"Enq:  But if human self-consciousness survives death as a rule, why should there be exceptions?   Theo:  In the fundamental principles of the spiritual world no exception is possible. But there are rules for those who see, and rules for those who prefer to remain blind.   Enq:  Quite so, I understand. This is but [...]

"Enq:  But let us return, now that the subject of the Skandhas is disposed of, to the question of the consciousness which survives death. This is the point which interests most people. Do we possess more knowledge in Devachan than we do in Earth life?   Theo:  In one sense, we can acquire more knowledge; [...]

"Enq:  But Christianity teaches the same. It also preaches progression.   Theo:  Yes, only with the addition of something else. It tells us of the impossibility of attaining Salvation without the aid of a miraculous Savior, and therefore dooms to perdition all those who will not accept the dogma. This is just the difference between [...]

"Enq:  What becomes of the other, the lower Skandhas of the personality, after the death of the body? Are they quite destroyed?   Theo:  They are and yet they are not - a fresh metaphysical and occult mystery for you. They are destroyed as the working stock in hand of the personality; they remain as [...]

"Enq:  To this Science would never subscribe, not even modern psychology. For them, no portion of intelligence can survive the physical brain. What would you answer them?   Theo:  I would not even go to the trouble of answering, but would simply say, in the words given to "M.A. Oxen", "Intelligence is perpetuated after the [...]

"Enq:  In no case, then, do you admit the possibility of the communication of the living with the disembodied spirit?   Theo:  Yes, there is a case, and even two exceptions to the rule. The first exception is during the few days that follow immediately the death of a person and before the Ego passes [...]

"Enq:  There is something in your argument. I confess to having never seen it in this light.   Theo:  Just so, and one must be selfish to the core and utterly devoid of the sense of retributive justice, to have ever imagined such a thing. We are with those whom we have lost in material [...]

"Enq:  But this is more than simple delusion, it is an existence of insane hallucinations!   Theo:  From your standpoint it may be, not so from that of philosophy. Besides which, is not our whole terrestrial life filled with such delusions? Have you never met men and women living for years in a fool's paradise? [...]