Rig-Veda, Polynesian Tradition, Chuang tse, Plotinus, Shabistari & Tao Te Ching: On the Process of Manifestation
Photo: Indian dancer from Life Magazine.
_____________________________
There was then neither being nor non-being...
Without breath breathed by its own power That One.
(Rig-Veda, X. 129. 1, 2)
He was. Taaroa was his name, he stood in the void: no earth, no sky, no men. Taaroa calls to four corners of the universe. Nothing replies. Alone existing, he changes himself into universe. Taaroa is the light, he is the seed, he is the base, he is the incorruptible. The universe is only the shell of Taaroa. It is he who puts it in motion and brings forth its harmony.
(Polynesian Tradition)
At the beginning of the beginning, even nothing did not exist. Then came the period of the Nameless. When ONE came into existence, there was ONE, but it was formless. When things got that by which they came to existence, it was called their virtue...By cultivating this nature, we are carried back to virtue; and if this is perfected, we become as all things were in the beginning. We become unconditioned.
(Chuang-tse; ch. XII)
He acted Himself into being.
(Plotinus)
From point comes a line, then a circle;
When the circuit of this circle is complete,
Then the last is joined to the first.
(Shabistari)
Going back to the origin is called peace;
It means reversion to destiny.
Reversion to destiny is called eternity.
He who knows eternity is called enlightened.
He who does not know eternity is rushing blindly into miseries.
Knowing eternity he is all-embracing.
Being all-embracing he can attain magnanimity.
Being magnanimous he can attain omnipresence.
Being omnipresent he can attain supremacy.
Being supreme he can attain Tao.
He who attains Tao is everlasting.
Though his body may decay he never perishes.
(Tao Te Ching)
________________________________________________
Recommended Reading:
'Heart of Plotinus: The Essential Enneads'
by Algis Uzdavinys (Author)
Purchase Book:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Description:
Drawing parallels with other traditions, U davinys emphasizes that Plotinus' philosophy was not a purely mental or rational exercise, but a complete way of life incorporating the spiritual virtues. Plotinus is widely regarded as the founder of the school of Neo-Platonism and this book provides an introduction to his teachings and an informative commentary on the Enneads. Also included is a commentary by Plotinus' leading disciple, Porphyry (c. 233-305 A.D.), on an enigmatic passage from Homer's epic, the Odyssey.
_____________________________
Leave a comment