Plane (cosmology)
For other uses of the word plane, see plane (disambiguation)See also parallel universeIn
metaphysics and
esoteric cosmology, a
plane of existence (sometimes called simply a
plane,
dimension,
vibrating plane, or an
inner,
invisible,
spiritual,
supraphysical world, or
egg) is conceived as a subtle region of
space (and/or
consciousness) beyond, but permeating, the known physical
universe (or a portion of the physical universe itself) and inhabited by evolving
spirit-
life beings in different stages of consciousness.
The above concept may be found in
religious,
metaphysical and
esoteric teachings -
e.g. Vedanta (
Advaita Vedanta),
Neoplatonism,
Gnosticism,
Kashmir Shaivism,
Sant Mat/
Surat Shabd Yoga,
Sufism,
Druze,
Kabbalah,
Theosophy,
Anthroposophy,
Rosicrucianism (
Esoteric Christian),
Eckankar, etc. - which propound the idea of a whole series of subtle planes or worlds or dimensions which, from a center, interpenetrate themselves and the physical
planet in which we live, the
solar systems, and all the physical structures of the
universe. This interpenetration of planes culminates in the universe itself as a physical structured, dynamic and evolutive expression emanated through a series of steadily denser stages, becoming progressively more material and embodied.
The
emanation is conceived, according to esoteric teachings, to have been originated, at the dawn of the universe's manifestation, in
The Supreme Being Who sent out - from the
Absolute's "
Chaos" beyond comprehension - the dynamic force of creative energy, as
sound-vibration ("the Word"), into the abyss of space. On the other hand, it states that this dynamic force is being sent forth, through the ages, framing all things that constitute and inhabit the universe.
The concept of planes of existence might be seen as deriving from shamanic and traditional mythological ideas of a vertical world-axis —
e.g. a cosmic
mountain,
tree, or pole (such as
Yggdrasil or
Mount Meru) — or a philosophical conception of a
Great Chain of Being, arranged metaphorically from
God down to inanimate matter.
However the original source of the word "plane" in this context is the late
Neoplatonist Proclus, who refers to
to platos, "breadth", which was the equivalent of the
19th century theosophical use. An example is the phrase
en to psuchiko platei [Dodds, cited in Poortman, 1978, vol II, p.54].
Directly equivalent concepts in Indian thought are
lokas and
bhuvanas. In
Hindu cosmology, there are traditionally seven lokas or worlds, while
Buddhist cosmology has a much larger number of "deva lokas", identified with both traditional cosmology and states of
meditation.
Planes of existence are sometimes referred to as "eggs". For example, the Sanskrit term
Brahmanda translates to "the Egg of God". In this context, Brahmanda is thought to encompass the
Anda (
astral or
subtle) and
Pinda (
physical or
gross) eggs, in a way metaphorically analogous to a set of
Russian dolls — the larger containing the next smaller, which contains the next smaller, and so on.
The ancient Norsemen and the Teutonic mythology called "
Ginnungagap" to the primordial "Chaos," which was bounded upon the northern side by the cold and foggy "
Niflheim"and upon the south side by the fire "
Muspelheim." When heat and cold entered into space which was occupied by Chaos or Ginnungagap, they caused the crystallization of the visible universe.
In the medieval West and Middle East, one finds reference to four worlds (
olam) in
Kabbalah, or five in
Sufism (where they are also called
tanazzulat; "descents"), and also in
Lurianic Kabbalah. In Kabbalah, each of the four or five worlds are themselves divided into ten
sefirot, or else divided in other ways.
Middle ages'
alchemists, through an
hermetic language full of unmistakable words, phrases and signs indicative of the deep meaning that remains hidden from the non-Initiate, presented deep conceptions related to man and the universe's constitution. In his "Physica" (1633), the Rosicrucian alchemist
Jan Baptist van Helmont, wrote: "Ad huc spiritum incognitum Gas voco," i.e., "This hitherto unknown Spirit I call Gas." Further on in the same work he says, "This vapor which I have called Gas is not far removed from the Chaos the ancients spoke of."
In the late 19th century, the metaphysical term "planes" was popularised by the theosophy of
H.P. Blavatsky, who in
The Secret Doctrine and other writings propounded a complex cosmology consisting of seven planes and subplanes, based on a synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas. From theosophy the term made its way to later esoteric systems such as that of
Alice Bailey, who was very influentual in shaping the worldview of the
New Age movement. The term is also found in some Eastern teachings that have some Western influence, such as the cosmology of
Sri Aurobindo and some of the later
Sant Mat, and also in some descriptions of Buddhist cosmology. The teachings of
Surat Shabd Yoga also include several planes of the creation within both the
macrocosm and microcosm, including the Bramanda egg contained within the
Sach Khand egg.
Max Theon used the word "States" (French
Etat) rather than "Planes", in his
cosmic philosophy, but the meaning is the same.
In the early 20th century,
Max Heindel presented in
The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception a cosmology related to the scheme of evolution in general and the evolution of the
solar system and the
earth in particular, according to the Rosicrucians. He establishes, through the conceptions presented, a bridge between modern
science (currently starting research into the subtler plane of existence behind the physical, the
etheric one) and
religion, in order that this last one may be able to address man's
inner questions raised by scientific advancement.
Most cosmologists today believe that the
universe exploded into being some 13.7 billion years ago in a 'smeared-out singularity' called the
big bang, meaning that space itself came into being at the moment of the big bang and has expanded ever since, carrying the galaxies with it. In 1951 this
theory received the blessing of
Pope Pius XII.
In
esoteric cosmology expansion refers to the
emanation or unfolding of steadily denser planes or spheres from the spiritual summit, what Greek mythology described as "
Chaos", until the lowest and most material world is reached. As theosophist David Pratt emphasizes, at the midpoint of the evolutionary cycle, the reverse process begins: the lower worlds gradually dematerialize or etherealize and are infolded or indrawn into the higher worlds; the heavens are 'rolled together as a scroll' (Isaiah 34:4). Thus, outbreathing and inbreathing can refer to the expansion of the One into the many, and the subsequent reabsorption of the many into the One.
According to
Rosicrucians, another difference is that there is no such thing as empty or void space (
vacuum). The space is Spirit in its attenuated form; while matter is crystallized space or Spirit. Spirit in manifestation is dual, that which we see as Form is the negative manifestation of Spirithaving outlived their usefulness--are constantly being resolved back into that Chaos, which is also as constantly giving birth to new forms, there could be no progress; the work of evolution would cease and stagnation would prevent the possibility of advancement.
Most cosmologies suggest that there are both positive and negative planes. They indicate that an Earth-departed soul is propelled towards the plane that corresponds to the level of its merits or demerits. One example of this understanding can be found in
Christianity, where in
afterlife, a departed
soul finds itself in either
heaven or
hell. Other traditions suggest that there are finer differences between various positive and negative planes, and that each plane beyond Earth plane becomes more and more subtle. It is commonly believed that positive planes are inhabited by subtle bodies doing righteous deeds, whereas negative planes are inhabited by subtle bodies doing unrighteous deeds.
*
Aura*
Clairvoyance*
Esoteric cosmology*
Kirlian photography*
Life review*
Reincarnation*
Silver cord*
Spiritual evolution*
Spirituality* David Pratt,
Cosmology and the Big Bang, a Theosophic viewpoint, Sunrise - Jun/Jul & Aug/Sep 1993 (last update: June 2000)
* Johannes Jacobus Poortman,
Vehicles of Consciousness. The Concept of Hylic Pluralism, The Theosophical Society in Netherlands, 1978
* Heindel, Max,
The Rosicrucian Mysteries (Chapter III:
The Visible and the Invisible Worlds), 1911, ISBN 0-911274-86-3
* Heindel, Max,
The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception (Chapter XI:
The Genesis and Evolution of our Solar System), 1909, ISBN 0-911274-34-0
* H.P. Blavatsky,
The Secret Doctrine, Theosophical Publishing House, 1888
*
Vedic cosmology - planetarium*
Planes of Existence - Spiritual Science Research Foundation
*
Planes of Existence - Kheper website
*
The Thirty-one Planes of Existence - according to
Buddhist cosmology
*
Sant Ajaib Singh Ji Memorial Site**
"The Grand Scheme of All Creation"*
Genesis, Planes of Creation, Positive & Negative Powers*
The creation according to Sant Mat*
The inner planes of creation (pdf)
*
The Great Continuum Of Consciousness according to
George A. Boyd*
The Material World a Reverse Reflection of the Spiritual Worlds according to
Rosicrucian cosmology:
**
The Seven Worlds **
The Supreme Being, The Cosmic Planes and God*
Multidimensionality of the Universe
