The Ecology of Self
This topic invites a wide range of possibilities. First of all it is desirable to try and define the concepts Ecology and Environment, very much to the fore in the Press in these the latter days of the 20th. century, bearing in mind that there is no such thing as a complete definition, things can only be defined in reference to other things, that is other definitions. Ecology therefore describes a dynamic balance between different forces acting the proscribed parameters of a closed system; and yet there is really no such thing as a closed system in the world unless special measures are taken to ensure it, which can be done adequately for experimental purposes ignoring minimal and subtle effects. The definition is unsatisfactory because it is impossible to avoid ecosystems from impinging on each other. And so as every ecosystem is part of another larger system or in immediate dependancy on adjacent systems so that our definition tends to lose significance. The result, therefore, is to confine it to that which is as completely isolated and complete in itself and to talk about the Ecology of The Earth. That even this is a misconception can be shown using metaphysical arguments.
Which leaves the definition of what is "self" , and is also confused to the point of absurdity when we come to the realization that there are any number of "selves". In psychological terms there is a " self " for every different occasion, which in vulgar terms are really"masks".What of the "self " then, which we are attempting to relate to an ecology ? There is the ecology of that which is the functioning of the human body, an incredible complex of dynamic systems working together in harmony during health, and when one system breaks down the "holistic" paradigm is lost. .Interference of the right kind will often re-establish the norm, and this is the essence of medical practice. That the healthy function of the human unit depends on the esoteric features of human anatomy has been dealt with a number of times and is to be found somewhere in this book.The ecology of the human unit depends in large measure on the healthy function of the endocrine system, and it is well known that the pituitary gland is at the helm , in more ways than one, and even that is under the influence of the electro-magnetic complex which is the the etheric body. The mind behind is still a prime-mover for the conditioning of the whole human unit, and watching and quietly recording is the monad.
And so, in real terms there is no ecosystem to be defined in isolation, as each is an essential part of a complex of associated ecosystems which in turn are contained and subordinate to a larger system in an ever increasing hierarchy of what can be more simply visualised in the sets of mathematics.
The condition is to be attributed to control by a certain aspect of mind , when this is disturbed by an external stimulus then it can be completely thrown out of gear causing a breakdown of function, and may involve the destruction of form also. Such a state is then conceived as a state of chaos which ultimately in the course of time balance will re-establish itself but in an entirely different form , in which case we are obliged to assume that there is some sort of order in chaos, which presents the possibility of another topic(Ref.chapter on Chaos).
Back to Ecology, - the definition of which in the dictionaries is," The relationship of organic life within its environment ", but environment is also a living thing and everchaging .As regards the "self" in the concept of "The Self" which is the origin and substance of manifestation and life provides the idea of a different ecology , in fact because in the Totality of "The Self" the notion of an ecology loses its meaning as" It is All Ecosystems".
The "little self" is an integral part of the whole, and a part of Nature. Nature is that which has already been discussed, but in a somewhat superficial way. The metaphysical way of approach is to envisage Nature as the "Material Realm of Manifestation" .In mythology it has always been regarded as Feminine and in one sense is The Earth Itself, all life being part of "One Life". In this way, whatever affects one life affects all others albeit in a very subtle manner, but in a degree.This is the essence of the "Holistic Principle." To carry this idea further, Nature is the whole of the Manifest Universe and its Controller. In so far as man is a part, it follows that he must have an effect on the rest, even on the other planets, and in even a much lesser degree the galaxy. You may will have doubtless noticed that this follows the principle of The Monad .
What I am about to tell you now is a fact relating to how Man influences the environment, in this respect we are responsible for the chaotic weather pattern. It has always been so, for a very long time, and until some sort of technology is developed to regulate, not control, we will have to put up with it. I think I have said before, sometime, in this class that thoughts and uncontrolled emotions are responsible for the weather. The universe as a whole is allowed to develop through a System of Controlled Chaos, bearing in mind that the entire concept of Creation comes from a Primordial Chaos and is found in all the Creation Myths. The Control is under the supervision of a Heirarchy of Agencies in parameters permitting a certain degree of action by opposing forces .Getting more to the point, there are forces trying to maintain a weather pattern which permits our survival, although sometimes they seem to be making a mess of it; but even then there is a limit to the force of winds, rainfall and temperature, in other words it is a pattern of " controlled chaos". By maintaining strict control of thoughts and emotions we can help to prevent things from getting worse, because in the peculiar way Nature has devised, it is the means by which order is arranged in our weather and to maintain it within the limits of endurance overall , and this is done by allowing only localised extremes, as we are shown most forcibly from time to time. In this way we influence our environment besides polluting the air and water, and in a subtle and yet insidious way we pollute that contentiously held medium the "ether", that is to say a certain level of it, and thereby inflicting an environmental injury on minds. You see, there are a number ways of facing the Environment Problem on different levels, the Global Level is foremost in our minds, a few are conscious of the sacrifice made by the Entity which is Gaia, in order to preserve an environment which permits us to survive, in spite of the cavalier fashion we go about treating its surface, without a thought of recognition. To try and control the weather by technology is a reasonable thing to do, but to do it without some recognition of these things makes it as though we are attempting to control Nature by force .
The individual self has its own ecosystem in its metabolism, and the balance of forces inherent in the subtle vehicles. It is affected by any number of external events, the contact with others produces an exchange of that energy "prana".The handling of produce also comes to mind in this context, whenever you go about feeling the fruit in the supermarket, there is an indefinable change perpetrated by such contact, but don't worry it is very doubtful that it has any significant effect. Eye contact in particular can have a powerful effect on occasion, and in in some cities is regarded as an affront, a protection against it is to wear sunglasses with a mirrored surface and no-one can tell what, or whom you are looking at. There is an interesting superstition still rife in parts of Italy,called "The Evil Eye", with appopriate hand gestures to ward it off. It is true that a certain malevolent feeling can result from what in literature is said "To look daggers " at some-one. In the folklore of certain parts of Italy, anyone associated with accidents and community mishaps is said to have the Evil Eye, and is referred to as the "Jettatura".
It has been a somewhat rambling dissertation, this attempt to describe the "Ecology of Self". In conclusion a word or two about the concept of "sets" as related to this topic : The Law of Synthesis governs this factor in evolution. After the downward phase of involution, in which separation into individual lives is the rule, on the upward arc there occurs a strange phase, i.e. strange to our way of thinking, of an ever increasing complex of "group formation". It does not manifest until the lifestream achieves "soul consciousness", and then is "at one"with its particular group, which in essence is an Entity Itself. And so, this continues into the higher echelons and planes, producing larger and larger groups as they combine into organs of great power devoted to the evolutionary process. Eventually after the requisite elapse of eons of time and experience on the planets and other places in the galaxy, the individual life has the option of being a unit in that complex of group consciousness which is a "Planetary Logos" (there are other choices and for these reference should be made to the later chapters in The Treatise on Cosmic Fire). Such a concept of groups exists in a nebulous sort of way in these times, in the commonality of opinion, ideas, faith, aspirations, tastes etc., regardless of spatial separation .Meanwhile on the "Buddhic Level" the Soul is ever in its particular Group Consciousness on the business of evolution in its own mysterious function of meditation, and otherwise little concerned with events "below", until attracted by the means available .
In the final analysis the determining factor is "Spiritual Ecology" and its"KarmicBalance"and is the key to terrestrial problems.