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A Series of Lessons in Gnani Yoga794
which is never born; never changeth; never dieth—this is The Real Self of Man,
in which, indeed, he is “One with the Father.”
And, now let us consider the Yogi Teachings regarding the creation of the
Universe, and the evolution of the living forms thereon. We shall endeavor
to give you the story as plainly as may be, holding fast to the main thought,
and avoiding the side-paths of details, etc., so far as is possible.
In the first place, we must imagine ourselves back to the beginning of
a “Day of Brahm,”—the first dawn of that Day, which is breaking from the
darkness of a “Night of Brahm.” Before we proceed further, we must tell you
something about these “Days and Nights of Brahm,” of which you have seen
much mention in the Oriental writings.
The Yogi Teachings contain much regarding the “Days and Nights of
Brahm;” the “In-breathing and Out-breathing of the Creative Principle;” the
periods of “Manvantara,” and the periods of “Pralaya.” This thought runs
through all the Oriental thought, although in different forms, and with
various interpretations. The thought refers to the occult truth that there is
in Cosmic Nature alternate periods of Activity and Inactivity—Days and
Nights—In-breathings and Out-breathings—Wakefulness and Sleep. This
fundamental law manifests in all Nature, from Universes to Atoms. Let us see
it now in its application to Universes.
At this point we would call the attention of the student that in many of the
presentations of the Hindu Teachings the writers speak as if the Absolute,
Itself, were subject to this law of Rhythm, and had Its Periods of Rest and
Work, like Its manifestations. This is incorrect. The highest teachings do not
so hold, although at first glance it would so appear. The teaching really is that
while the Creative Principle manifests this rhythm, still even this principle,
great though it be, is a manifestation of the Absolute, and not the Absolute
itself. The highest Hindu teachings are firm and unmistakable about this
point.
And, another point, in which there is much mistaken teaching. In the
periods of Creative Inactivity in a Universe it must not be supposed that