u/santoshasun

The ninth installment of my chapter-by-chapter analysis of Saint-Martin's "Natural Table".

https://www.avidha-wa.net/teth-%d7%98-rehabilitation-thought-will-action/

Here he turns from the darkness of the last few chapters and begins to consider how we can get out of the trouble that we find ourselves in.

Riffing off the idea of "Thought --> Will --> Action", he argues that we should begin climbing up that three-step ladder, and so begin to act in the world. Pointing out that individual humans can be seen to have a range of abilities, he posits this as the basis for a priesthood of spiritual individuals who could then work within the world for the redemption of all.

In other words, he argues for the use of religion as practice. Acts of devotion that will heal our souls, and bring us closer to God.

In a wistful tone he argues that it is our suffering that allow us to pray in a way in a way that is unique and in some sense novel for the Divine. There is no suffering in the Divine, and so our prayers of suffering are precious gifts.

Part eight of my chapter-by-chapter review of "Natural Table", by Saint-Martin.

https://www.avidha-wa.net/heth-%d7%97-the-universal-law-of-reaction/

In this chapter Saint-Martin leans heavily on the science of his day, bringing up alchemical and astrological considerations, as well as a discussion of the classical elements. Despite these no longer being a part of accepted science, there is still a lot to learn from this chapter.

For me the most important message is the requirement for the flow of Divine Love to be circular. Not just a one-way radiance from God to humanity, but to flow back from us to the Divine. Just as the divine becomes more "Earthy" as it falls into materiality, we can use the Fire of our souls to allow our this Love to rise once again to our Source.

I haven't been updating so much here recently, but my project to write a discussion of each chapter of Saint-Martin's Natural Table continues.

Chapter 7 is a long discussion of a metaphor about human reproduction.

https://www.avidha-wa.net/zayin-%d7%96-the-works-of-man/

From the formation of the seed within the Father, to the development of the child within the uterus, and finally to birth into the Light.

He discusses this in a way that is very close to Plato's cave, but then extends it to his understanding of reincarnation.

In the end, this is one of darkest chapters of the book so far. Full of descriptions of the misery in which we find ourselves, as well as the cosmic suffering caused by the Fall.

But I still see Light. Our ability to cosmically affect the entire Chain of Being -- from bottom to top -- is something that should offer hope.