We are collectively immersed in Aquarian vibrations this month (until the 19th at least) and the sign of the water bearer is known for its potential to awaken and reveal, to liberate and to change the status quo. In our quest to know more of the hidden philosophy of truth, we might pause here now, to consider where and how the energy of Aquarius and its ruler Uranus, in their mission of enlightening us through flashes of insight and intuitive realization, might be most usefully directed.
An oft-used phrase for Uranus is ‘expect the unexpected’…. In other words, sudden change is highly likely – so be prepared. Delightfully paradoxical, in true Aquarian fashion. This is a time where we might anticipate sudden change in the system. Strange happenings, instability, unpredictability, revolution, break-down, break-through or break up. If you are feeling weirdly discombobulated at the moment – you’re in tune.
Uranus is said to be the ‘higher mind’. People with strong Uranus energy in their charts (aspects to Uranus from personal planets, the sign Aquarius prominent) are said to have a ‘link to the divine mind’. The question I pose, considering the hidden philosophy is this: how do we know the thought or sense we are experiencing is coming from the divine mind, via the intuitive voice – or from the conditioned mind of our samskaras (impressions from the past)? How do we know the source of our insight is the mind of God and not a product of our own subjective past experience? Equally there is no way we can accurately assess whether or not anyone is speaking to us from the divine mind or from their own samskaras (deep conditioning) as we live largely in a subjective world. There are countless people out in the cyber world bringing us daily messages they claim to have come from ‘Ascended Masters’ etc, via the channel of themselves. But how do we know if this is true??
The philosophy of Tantrika informs us that one way to tell the difference between true intuitive insight and the arising of deep conditioning is to internally question the ‘hunch’. If it is coming from old impressions – samskaras ‘the mind will defend and justify, arguing for its validity and pointing to the ‘evidence’ that seems to corroborate it.’ (Chris Wallis: ‘ Tantra Illuminated’). And by contrast, when the prompt comes from real intuition – ‘it simply remains silent.’
Feelings and emotions are not to be relied on. Peace, ecstasy even – attained through some meditative practice, may seem to be real and true……but why should they be? Knowledge brought forth from mystics and mysticism cannot be relied upon as being true for the simple reason that feelings change. This is the reason the ancients in Alexandria, for instance, were taught both mysticism and philosophy, uniting feeling with knowledge, in their initiation training (which ultimately came from India). The silence the Tantrikas talk about is a quiet but persistent pull, which may take the form of a feeling. The difference between this and the mind’s conditioning – its samskaras is the insight does not justify or explain itself. ‘It just offers itself as a gift!’ As author and Tantrik scholar Christopher Wallis points out – it takes practice to listen to the voice that is quieter than the mind.
Dr Paul Brunton, author of ‘The Hidden Teaching Beyond Yoga’ takes it further. The practice he refers to, in discerning the difference between the voice of the samskaras and the voice of intuition is reasoning. On first glance, these two approaches appear to be opposites. The Tantrika suggests the voice of the higher, divine mind, the intuitive voice is quiet, the mind is non-obtrusive here. And on the other hand, the ancient Indian hidden philosophy of truth tells us truth can only be reached through our human capacity for reasoning – that is, in-depth mental enquiry and concentration.
But wait…… the hidden philosophy goes further. It informs us that there are two different kinds of thinking – the lower and the higher stages of reasoning. Thought, in the first , must be in in the form of analytical judgment – in an effort ‘to distinguish what is substantially real from what is merely apparent.’ We are told this is a task of immense difficulty – requiring a strong intelligence. Brunton goes on to report that the successful conclusion of thinking is not to be confused with the mystic’s ‘direct intuition of reality’ (the lightning-flash). Rather, it marks the successful conclusion of thinking which is perfected reason.
Are you confused? Can I sum it up by saying, in fact these two ancient philosophical systems are one and the same (not surprising given they have a common root in ancient India) and these two commentators are saying the same thing at heart. Tantrika’s ‘practice’ in listening to the voice that is quieter than the mind is the same thing as the sage’s ‘practice’ in looking within to see beyond their feeling experience of the moment to the deeper truth hidden there, via their capacity to reason.
The point of bringing this to your attention and my own, is to give pause to the question of intuition – particularly pertinent in Aquarius season. It seems in these times as mentioned, there is plethora of ‘intuitive channels’. Personally, I don’t unreservedly trust these sources. Perhaps it is simply a case of information overload. Discernment is the challenge here. There are times when we feel deeply confused about our lives and stuck at a cross-roads; times when we look to someone who can guide us on the road. People consult astrologers, psychics, channelers, healers of all description because we are all works in progress, we are not philosophers or practiced mystics. We have not put in the lifetimes of effort required to know our higher intuitive voice, or to have sufficiently honed our reasoning intellect. And so we go to these people, hoping they will give us the answers we need. It may be the person we have consulted ignites some realization. It may be they offer us positive affirmations about ourselves that shift us out of a negative space – pointing out our strengths for instance, as a good astrologer ought to do, at the same time as describing the possible challenges to be negotiated. But having said that, I believe the ancient Indian sages gave good advice when they said concentration and reasoning were pre-requisites on the road to perfecting the higher faculty of insight. We live in an age of instant gratification and so this suggestion probably won’t go down that well. In a time of ever-accelerating time, who has the time? We just don’t. It is so much easier to find someone who will tell us what to do. But easier is not better. And as they say – there are no short cuts to any place really worth going to.
Keeping this short – as I started this post two weeks ago in the midst of Aquarian season. Today (Feb 19) the Sun has ingressed into Pisces and the next task on our evolutionary journey is presenting itself. More of that next time……
Go well out there everyone.
With love & gratitude.
Thank you for clearly mapping the road! The more I strive to live the embodied life of a natural, well seasoned and reasoned mystic the more it feels like an honor to be here. 🙏