SYMBOLS AND SELF

Creating the Cosmic Bridge

 

Symbols touch our lives on many levels, but in the deepest sense they are tools with which we can reach inward. Even without con­scious awareness symbols are a stimulus. They trigger responses. On a simple level we see that sign at the side of the road with the "S" curve on it and automatically put our Foot on the brake. But symbols, also, probe the memory stirring ideas that reach be­yond objectivity. 

Even explored From the most mundane levels symbols add richness to the fabric of our lives. But it is that deeper stirring that we as Mystics must pursue. When we open ourselves to it symbols become stepping stones to a greater understanding of self, and, a bridge to that creative Flow which we can use to shape our lives. 

At the outset we should define the word SYMBOL. Let's begin with the most‑mudane definition From the dictionary and progress through some psychologists' and philosophers' definitions toward mystical meanings. 

From Webster's NEW COLLEGIATE OICTIONARY we Find that SYMBOL is From the Greek SYMBOLON meaning token or sign  something that stands For or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention or accidental resemblance  especially, a VISIBLE SIGN OF SOMETHING INVISIBLE. 

Carl Jung says in MAN AND HIS SYMBOLS, "A word or image is symbolic when it implies something more than its obvious and immediate mean­ing. Because there are innumerable things beyond the range of human understanding, we constantly use symbolic terms to represent concepts that we cannot define or Fully comprehend."

Symbols permeate our daily lives. The very letters of the alphabet used to write this discourse are symbols. They are a means of communicating. To drive on our streets and byways we are expected to learn the meaning of simple forms and colors that have become guides to our own safety and that of others. These symbols are a kind of shorthand. We Find them in chemistry, math, electronics, in business and on maps. They are used to identify the elements of the earth, in astronomy and in astrology. They provide a special language For music and stenographers have their own special shorthand. 

Symbols of this sort can transcend cultural and language barriers. In 1970 there was an article by which Henry Oreyfuss  wrote of BREAKING THE LANGUAGE BARRIER WITH SYMBOLS. He told an interesting story. A delicate piece of business mach­inery was shipped from West Germany to a purchaser in New York. It was carefully crated and marked with three symbols: Two arrows pointing upward, a glass goblet, and an open umbrella with rain­drops above it. It arrived in perfect condition. At each loading area workers knew: to keep it upright, to handle it carefully, and, to keep it dry. Inside the crate the new owner Found that the keys, levers and switches were labeled in German. He had to wait to use his new equipment until someone could translate For him. Since the writing of that article by Oreyfuss much has been accomplished in development of internationally understood signs to replace words For the functioning parts of machinery. 

This is an example of how symbols are used and affect our daily living. These are in reality simple signs that carry a message or instructions quickly and simply where words would be cumbersome. And, they are most effective when they are understood across cul­tural and national boundaries. 

True symbols go deeper. Each of us develops personal symbols. KNOW THYSELF is an admonishment that we as Mystics must em­brace. Self Knowledge is an essential ingredient in achieving the Symbols and Self balance and the harmony of being we seek when we embark on the Mystic path. Seeking to understand our personal symbology is a stepping stone to the awareness and appreciation of deeper eso­teric symbolism. 

Our personal values are often symbolized. Love, home, honor, truth, brotherhood and Family and how we feel about them can often be identified with symbols  some quite unique to ourselves and sometimes by more broadly accepted symbols.

Our dreams are often symbolic. A symbol in a dream may be a kind of intuition in which the symbol takes the place of an actual object or situation that we will not face or cannot solve in a wakened state. In a Discourse on DREAMS AND SYMBOLS it is stated, "Simply put, in our waking state there may be some circum­stance, some reality, to which we are not adjusted. We Fear to confront it. The fear is definitely established in the sub conscious but it assumes a symbol in a dream compelling our attention." 

Many years ago a friend who is a clinical psychologist offered a way to find the meaning in such puzzling dreams. Try this. As soon as you waken examine the puzzling factors and Free associate. It is amazing how this process applied immediately can clarify the meaning of such dreams. When identified in this way the person, the object or situation that seemed puzzling takes a relevance to what is happening in our lives. Such symbols in dreams are temp­orary. When identified they cease to be important. It is what they reveal that we must deal with. 

In the FORGOTTEN LANGUAGE Erich Fromm said, "I believe that sym­bolic language is the one Foreign language we all must learn. Its understanding brings us in touch with the deeper layers of our personalities."  

The repeated copying of mottos and morals that form part of our early education have a great impact upon us one I have found which subsequently  has great value is "To thine own self be true and it Follows as the night the day that thou canst not then be false to any man." To give credit where credit is due it is From Shakespeare's HAMLET. This writer, too, grew up with that quotation. It was oft repeated by my Father and underscored the admonition KNOW THYSELF. 

But we must reach that degree of experience or awareness in life that makes us realize that For the "knowing" we must turn inward. The inner voice reveals so much to us when we are still and listen. 

Man or groups of men can create symbols, but, a mystical symbol is the very thought Form of a Cosmic Law. There are no substitutes For mystical symbols. Just as a mundane symbol can cross language and cultural barriers, eso­teric symbols create links with our inner being. J.E. Cirlot who has written A DICTIONARY OF SYMBOLS says "Symbolism is organized in its vast and creative Function as a system of highly complex relations, one in which the dominant Factor is always a polarity linking the physical and metaphysical worlds." 

Ritual becomes important to the Mystic. It has an ever­deepening meaning as we acquire and hold an understanding of the symbolic aspects. Thus, it becomes important to understand the meaning behind the symbols that are part of our ritual. By keep­ing the meaning alive ritual will never become routine Form. 

The repeated use of symbols we use in our meditation and view in our ritual carries the meanings deep within ourselves. And, great impact For the oft‑repeated writing of quotations as a youth, so too, the esoteric symbols that are a part of our studies and ritual become an integral part of us. As Cirlot said they link us to the COSMIC. 

First and Formost the ROSE AND THE CROSS have meaning For us. The Rosy Cross. The Cross  a symbol for the body of man and the Rose the spiritual unfoldment of the Soul. The meaning of the Red Rose may be taken more deeply as a  representation of the continu­ation of life From one cycle to the next. Again our link to the Cosmic. How deeply a part of ourselves this symbol has become manifests in how we display it. Some of you wear it on your ring finger, others an a chain so that it rests over your heart. Many of us display it in other ways. Learn the meaning of each symbol and draw it into your own being. Ritual carefully done and toughtfully participated in is a "High­way to the Heart." Symbols that have been so implanted in our minds continually call Forth the deep meaning they represent.  

Color takes on symbolical meaning in the robes that we wear. The yellow robe is a symbol of enlightenment and intel­lect. The black represents Being before light came. The Gray robes represent the neutral state giving free­dom to the intoned vibrations of vowel sounds. Symbols deeply meaningful to Mystics are the ANKH, or Crux Ansata, and the ALL‑SEEING EYE. To the ancients the ANKH meant life. To the Mystic it is exclusively a symbol of immortalaity and reincarnation. In BEHOLD THE SIGN it is said that the eye   is symbolic of sight  expecially clear sight. The ALL SEEING EYE represents the all pervading consciousness of GOD. 

It was once said “God has given you the same creative power HE possesses, and HE has made you equal with Him in making the world beautiful and happy For all living creatures”. We are, also, gifted with Free Choice. But, if we are to move forward on the Mystic Path we must accept the statement as a challenge to seek and use that creative power GOD has instilled deep within us and use it in our lives. Perhaps, Today, making the world beautiful and happy is an especially needful task. 

Perhaps, too, the mistake we often make is that we Forget that the small ways that we touch the lives around us are meaningful. We don't have to make a big splash! Each small act of love and caring is a creative pebble that makes an ever widening circle. The hug we give in greeting, the beauty of the garden we create, the food we prepare for a sick or grieving Friend, a smile, a "Thank You," a "How Can I HELP?" all touch a responsive cord that wells up in­side the recipient. Thus, the circle of love and caring widens! Never underestimate the impact of such action and response. 

Each of us has brought into this lifetime unique gifts. Thus, each of us will make those small meaningful gestures differently. if we delve within and accept the challenge inherent in KNOW THYSELF the creative flow of the COSMIC will show us ways to express and give service. Because the very word creativity implies uniqueness one human cannot tell another how to express his or her gifts.

We can recommend to you to learn to understand your personal symbol­ogy, and, to use that understanding as a steppingstone to making deeper mystic symbols an integral part of your life. This requires Faith, meditation, and understanding of intuition ‑‑ and study. it has been said that this course of action is well worth it, For mystic symbology gives us a hint of the thousands of paths waiting that have not yet been walked over.