The Cloud upon the Sanctuary
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BY THE COUNCILLOR D' ECKARTSHAUSEN.
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TRANSLATED BY MADAME ISABEL DE STEIGER.
LETTER VI. AND LAST.
God made Himself man to deify man. Heaven united itself with earth
to transform earth into heaven.
But in order that these divine transformations can take place, an
entire change, a complete and absolute overturning and upsetting of our
being, is necessary.
This change, this upsetting, is called re-birth. To be
born, simply means to enter into a world in which the senses
dominate, in which wisdom and love languish in the bonds of
individuality.
To be re-born means to return to a world where the spirit
of wisdom and love governs, and where animal-man obeys.
The re-birth is triple; first, the re-birth of our intelligence;
second, of our heart and of our will; and, finally, the re-birth of
our entire being.
The first and second kinds are called the spiritual, and the third
the corporeal re-birth.
Many pious men, seekers after God, have been regenerated in the
mind and will, but few have known the corporeal rebirth. This last has
been attained to but by few men, and those to whom it has been given
have only received it that they might serve as agents of God,
in accordance with great and grand objects and intentions, and to
bring humanity nearer to felicity.
It is now necessary, my dear brothers, to lay before you the true
order of rebirth. God, who is all strength, wisdom, and love, works
eternally in order and in harmony.
He who will not receive the spiritual life, he who is not born
anew from the Lord, can not enter into heaven.
Man is engendered through his parents in original sin, that is to
say, he enters into the natural life and not the spiritual.
The spiritual life consists in loving God above everything, and
your neighbour as yourself. In this double-love consists the
priniciple of the newlife.
Man is begotten in evil, in the love of himself and of the things
of this world. Love of himself! Self interest! Self gratification!
Such are the substantial properties of evil. The good is in the love
of God and your neighbour, in knowing no other love but the love of
mankind, no interest but that affecting every man, and no other
pleasure but that of the wellbeing of all.
It is by such sentiments that the spirit of the children of God is
distinguished from the spirit of the children of this world.
To change the spirit of this world into the spirit of the children
of God is to be regenerated, and it means to despoil the old man, and
to re-clothe the new.
But no person can be re-born if he does not know and put in
practise the following principle- that of truth becoming the object
for our doing or not doing; therefore, he who desires to be re-born
ought first to know what belongs to re-birth. He ought to understand,
meditate, and reflect on all this. Afterwards he should act according
to his knowledge, and the result will be a new life.
Now, as it is first necessary to know, and to be instructed in all
that appertains to re-birth, a doctor, or an instructor is required,
and if we know one, faith in him is also necessary, because of what
use is an instructor if his pupil have no faith in him?
Hence, the commencement of re-birth is faith in Revelation.
The disciple should begin by believing that the Lord, the Son, is
the Wisdom of God, that He is from all Eternity from God, and that He
came into the world to bring happiness to humanity. He should believe
that the Lord has full power in heaven and on earth, and that all
faith and love, all the true and the good, come from Him alone; that
He is the Mediator, the Saviour, and Governor of men.
When this most exalting faith has taken root in us, we shall think
often of the Saviour, and these thoughts turned towards Him develop,
and by His grace re-acting in us, the seven closed and spiritual
powers are opened.
The way to happiness.- Do you wish, man and brother, to
acquire the highest happiness possible? Search for truth, wisdom, and
love. But you will not find truth, wisdom, and love, save in the
unity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Anointed of God.
Seek, then, Jesus Christ with all your strength, search Him from
the fulness of your heart.
The beginning of His Ascension is the knowledge of His absence,
and from the recognition of this knowledge is the desire for increased
power to seek Him, which desire is the beginning of faith.
Faith gives confidence, but faith has also its order of progress.
First comes historic faith, then moral, then divine, and finally
living faith. The progression is as follows: Historical faith
when we learn to believe the history of Jesus of Nazareth, and through
this simple historical faith in the existence of Jesus, will
evolve moral faith, whose development consists in the acquirement of
virtue by its search and practice, so that we see and find real
pleasure in all that is taught by this Man; we find that His simple
doctrine is full of wisdom and His teaching full of love; that His
intentions towards humanity are straight and true, and that He
willingly suffered death for the sake of justice. Thus, faith in His
Person will be followed by faith in His Divinity.
This same Jesus Christ tells us now that He is Son of God, and he
emphasizes His words by instructing His disciples in the sacred
mysteries of nature and religion.
Here natural and reasonable faith changes into divine faith, and
we begin to believe that he was God made man. From this faith it
results that we hold as true all that we do not yet understand, but
which He tells us to believe. Through this faith in the Divinity of
Jesus, and by that entire surrender to Him, and the faithful
attention to His directions, is at last produced that living faith, by
which we find within ourselves and TRUE through our own
experience, all that hitherto we have until now believed in merely
with the confidence of a child; and this living faith proved by
experience is the highest grade of all.
When our hearts, through living faith, have received Jesus Christ
into them, then this Light of the World is born within us as in a
humble stable.
Everything in us is impure, surrounded by the spider-webs of
vanity, covered with the mud of sensuality.
Our will is the ox that is under the yoke of its passions. Our
reason is the Ass who is bound through the obstinacy of its opinions,
its prejudices, its follies.
In this miserable and ruined hut, the home of all the animal
passions, can Jesus Christ be born in us through faith.
The simplicity of our souls, is as the shepherds who brought their
first offerings, until at last the three principal powers of our royal
dignity, our reason, our will, and our activity[1] prostrate
themselves before Him and offer Him the gifts of truth, wisdom, and
love.
Little by little, the stable of our hearts changes itself into an
exterior Temple, where Jesus Christ teaches, but this Temple is still
full of Scribes and Pharisees.
Those who sell, Dives and the money changers, are still to be
found, and these should be driven out, and the Temple changed into a
House of Prayer.
Little by little Jesus Christ chooses all the good powers in us to
announce Him. He heals our blindness, purifies our leprosy, raises the
dead powers into living forces within us; He is crucified in us, He
dies, and He is gloriously raised again Conqueror with us. Afterwards
His personality lives in us, and instructs us in exalted mysteries,
until He has made us complete and ready for the perfect Regeneration,
when He mounts to heaven and thence sends us the Spirit of Truth.
But before such a Spirit can act in us, we experience the
following changes:-
First, the seven powers of our understanding are lifted up within
us; afterwards, the seven powers of our hearts or of our will, and
this exaltation takes place after the following manner. The human
understanding is divided into seven powers; the first is that of
looking at abstract objects- intuitus. By the second we
perceive the objects abstractedly regarded- apperceptio. By the
third, that which has been perceived is reflected upon-
reflexio. The fourth is that of considering these objects in
their diversity- fantasia, imaginatio. The fifth is that of
deciding upon some thing- judicium. The sixth co-ordinates all
these according to their relationships- ratio. The seventh and
last is the power of realizing the whole intellectual intuition-
intellectus.
This last contains, so to say, the sum of all the others.
The will of man divides itself similarly into seven powers, which,
taken together as a unit, form the will of man, being, as it were, its
substantial parts.
The first is the capacity of desiring things apart from himself-
desiderium. The second is the power to annex mentally things
desired for himself- appetitus. The third is the power of
giving them form, realizing them so as to satisfy his desire-
concupiscentia. The fourth is that of receiving inclinations,
without deciding upon acting upon any, as in the condition of passion-
passio. The fifth is the capacity for deciding for or against a
thing, liberty- libertas. The sixth is that choice or a
resolution actually taken- electio. The seventh is the power
of giving the object chosen an existence- voluntas. This
seventh power also contains all the others in one figure.
Now the seven powers of the understanding, like the seven powers
of our heart and will, can be ennobled and exalted in a very special
manner, when we embrace Jesus Christ, as being the wisdom of God, as
principle of our reason, and His whole life, which was all love, for
motive power of our will.
Our understanding is formed after that of Jesus Christ; First,
when we have Him in view in everything, when He forms the only point
of sight for all our actions- intuitus. Second, when we
perceive His actions, His sentiments, and His spirit everywhere-
apperceptio. Third, when in all our thoughts we reflect upon
His sayings, when we think in everything as He would have thought-
reflexio. Fourth, when we so comfort ourselves in such wise,
that His thoughts and His wisdom are the only object for the strength
of our imagination- fantasia. Fifth, when we reject every
thought which would not be His, and when we choose every thought which
could be His- judicium. Sixth, when in short we co-ordinate the
whole edifice of our ideas and spirit upon the model of His ideas and
spirit- ratio. Seventh, It is then will be born in us a new
light, a more brilliant one, surpassing far the light of reason of the
senses- intellectus. Our heart is also reformed in like
manner, when in everything,- First, We lean on Him only-
desidare. Second, We wish for Him only- appetere. Third,
We desire only Him- concupiscere. Fourth, We love Him only-
amare. Fifth, We choose only that which He is, so that we avoid
all that He is not- eligere. Sixth, We live only in harmony
with Him after His commandments and His institutions and orders-
subordinare. By which in short, Seventh, is born a complete
union of our will with His, by which union man is with Jesus Christ
but as one sense, one heart; by which perfect union the new man is
little by little born in us, and Divine wisdom and love unite to form
in us the new spiritual man, in whose heart faith passes into sight,
and in comparison to this living faith the treasures of India can be
considered but as ashes.
This actual possession of God or Jesus Christ in us is the Centre
towards which all the mysteries converge like rays to the circle eye;
the highest of the mysteries is this consummation.
The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of truth, morality, and happiness.
It operates in the saints from the innermost to the outside, and
spreads itself gradually by the Spirit of Jesus Christ into all
nations, to institute everywhere an Order by means of which the
individual can reach as well as the race; our human nature can be
raised to its highest perfection, and sick humanity be cured from all
the evils of its weakness.
Thus the love and spirit of God Will one day alone vivify all
humanity; they will awake and rekindle all the strength of the human
race, will lead it to the goals of Wisdom and place it in suitable
relationships.
Peace, fidelity, domestic harmony, love between nations, will be
the first fruits of this Spirit. Inspiration of good without false
similitudes, the exaltation of our souls without too severe a tension,
warmth in the heart without turbulent impatience, will approach,
reconcile, and unite all the various parts of the human race, long
separated and divided by many differences, and stirred up against each
other by prejudices and errors, and in one Grand Temple of Nature,
great and little, poor and rich, all will sing the praise of the
Father of Love.
TRANSLATOR'S NOTE.
I can but fear that, especially in this latter part, our noble
teacher Eckartshausen may displease, even disgust, some of his
readers. To the natural man the things of God are foolishness, and the
intellect that is only equipped with the opinions of this modern
nineteenth century world will probably feel even resentment at what he
or she may think is surrendering their whole natures in an ignoble
manner, and that to follow out teachings which some may consider
savour of the meeting-house or Roman Catholic Chapel- as the ending
suggests both- is really quite unsuitable for the intellectual
religious student of the various religions, Theosophical or Occult
present timees, and to these objections, which one feels come
rather from the head than the heart, I would like respectfully to
suggest a few thoughts.
In the first place, Eckartshausen is addressing himself to the
Elect, these last also including all who desire to know the things of
the Spirit. Many are called but few chosen, many have the desires but
are not strong enough to carry them through; now, Eckhartshausen does
not consider these, he speaks to steady students, and he leads them up
to a point which we all feel few can attain, and that sense of
resentment is not altogether blameable, because it proceeds from an
intuition of our own shortcomings and the magnitude of the whole. In
very simple words the author puts before us the achievement of the
individual man in the greatest work that can be done on earth, the
conscious possession of God- known and taught in the Eastern School,
equally, that of the entering in of finite mortal man into
Omniscience, Immortality, and Infinity. Because we have by too common
use of such phrases lowered and profaned our own ideals, it does not
alter the fact that this possibility and the hope of mankind is
of all things the most superb. Neither, because we feel as ordinary
men and women that these things are too high for us, and our souls
faint within us at the bare notion of such achievement, need we
despair. We must reflect that the whole purpose of Creation is the
ultimate full manifestation of God in Man that though we as mere
individuals can but but make small headway, yet we belong to humanity,
and it is humanity that is to be restored to its pristine glory, and
for which the superlative work of Christ's Incarnation was done. Man,
the greatest of God's works; this Catholic soul of man, when
regenerated brings about the great Redemption. Few as individuals can
attain, save those holy Priests of the Mysteries, those Saints, those
Masters of the Rosy Cross, those first men made perfect, who
lead the way for us to follow each as best he can; remembering, to our
everlasting comfort, that we are now in the Kingdom, that our
Faith keeps us there, and so that we hold on, as it were by the fringe
of His garments, we are in the Fold with our Shepherd. Faith is the
substance of things hoped for, so our Faith is a proof of the
substance to which we are annexed.
As to the objection that there are no masters and doctors, now-
are there not? God has left no one without them. Every one of us
according to his merits and requirements has some teacher of some
sort. Doubtless very few have arrived at the point when what is
called occult knowledge is either given or required; but, when any
mind is able to know the important things of the spirit, it does not
matter in what outward religion he may be placed the doctor and master
will surely come. Experience proves this. In these days there is an
unfortunate idea afloat, that "information" in the things of the
Spirit means mainly clairvoyance, clairaudience, etc. Certainly there
is much, very much, to learn about these matters, which can only be
learned correctly in special manners and under authorised teachers;
but most students are in these matters only impelled by very shallow
curiosity or vanity, and have no intention of real work. These will
not find- otherwise than what they seek. They will find but the
apparitions created by the passions of their soul, having no
substance, therefore, not signifying anything true, which they will
not have the knowledge to understand. The vaporous estate of universal
being will, as under the Satyric form of "Pan," conceal all truth from
them, and they run the risk of losing themselves away from the
Kingdom.
To readers of intellect who are dissuaded from the idea of the
"Quest" as being derogatory to their intellect to have faith in that
of which they know nothing, I would also venture to suggest that the
plan should be tried, for nowhere does Eckartshausen or any mystic at
all imply that the intellect is to be stultified. On the contrary,
they assert that the objects for the intellect are so great and noble,
that the intellect naturally, when really honourable to itself,
humbles itself because of the nobility of the objects contemplated. In
everything the intellect is regarded with respect, and it is only
humbled by the comparison it must make when it sees the vast
difference opening for it, when it leaves the small issues of the
sense-life to the great and catholic ones of the new life of man. All
this is not mere words; it is meant precisely as said, not as figment
of the imagination, which has no root in itself- but as the recorded
experience of the wise ones; which we simple ones would do well to
respect.
Now with regard to the last letter a friend suggests some valuable
thoughts which I will quote. With reference to the word gluten, lest
any one should place too gross an interpretation on the word, it may
be as well to bear in mind that a similar term has been used by others
who lead up thence and from every vulgar interpretation, by showing
that what is referred to by Eckartshausen is our sensorial life, the
sensuous spirit in the blood, which having departed from the Image of
its principle needs conversion to and co-ordination with it- not that
the body of sin- the wicked man- should die absolutely, but that he
should be converted and live, by which process he becomes indeed the
body of the divine Image by which he is re-capitulated. If he repent,
he lives with a new whole sensorium.
Thus Dante, among others, speaks in the Paradiso of the double
garment, the spiritual body, and the glorified earthly body. Refer,
moreover, to Isaiah xi. 7, "Therefore their land shall possess the
double, and everlasting joy shall be unto them," and hence it
is that the greatest and humblest of all earthly creatures, viz., the
re-created pure humanity, the Rosy-Cross of the Regeneration, has been
honoured, by such as have known the handmaid of the Lord, the Servant-
Form not yet glorified which He vouchsafed to take upon Him.
Thus the angels will be seen in the same aspect after the Judgment
as before, being true emanations, but the souls of the Saints will
bear "the two-fold garment" spoken of in Canto xxv., viz., the
spiritual and the glorified terrestial or paradisaical body, that is
to say, our sensorium being recapitulated by its Principle,
i.e., in Christ, reigneth with Him in glory, a perfect
manifestation of Deity which is the Omega of all Creation.[2]
These admirable thoughts will surely help to raise ours to a
hopeful belief that such a magnificent future is worthy of all our
highest aspiration and endeavour. Each in our own small way is of use,
we must remember that every stone is wanted by the Master Builder that
He Himself chisels and points to one great End. Surely we should have
infinite patience in all clash of opinions, knowing that opinions
matter nothing.
This little work of Eckartshausen is, as it were, his last Swans
Song. It was greatly esteemed by many, and still holds its own,
stamping the author as a man who wrote from experimental knowledge.
Doubtless he was understood thoroughly only by minds in his own grade
of office, and to such he still speaks principally. It is a mistake to
suppose that his period of history was very different from our own in
these matters; for in all generations there are minds in certain
processes of re-birth, and from time to time these speak with no
uncertain sound; each, as he departs hence, opening another door for a
new aspirant. The work is not a selfish one, it can never be
individual only. It is not our petty individual immortality that is
the aim of such writers as Eckartshausen, but each individual swells
the multitude of the Elect, and so hastens the time of the great, even
the supreme, Consummation.
ISABEL DE STEIGER.
[1] The Three Magi.
[2] It may be observed that Mystics uniformly respect the Historic
Tradition, if but as in a secondary sense, as it were a husk for the
safe keeping of the invaluable kernel, and as the bark protects the
vitality of the tree.. Thus Dean Colet, in his Introduction to
Dionysius, quoting him says- "We have heard as a mystery that Jesus
Christ was made in substance as a man, but we know not how He was
fashioned of the Virgin's substance by a law other than natural, nor
how with feet bearing a corporeal mass and weight of matter He passed
dry-shod over this watery and fleeting existence. The understanding of
this bow has not been considered essential to Salvation."
Scanned from "The Unknown World", Vol. II. - No. 5, June 15, 1895, and
corrected by hand.