TOA Lesson 4
1. List the important points covered in this lecture?
In verse 1 we are told that Ra is a divinity who possess dual consciousness (Neter Neterty). A divinity that has dual consciousness have two eyes, the eye of Heru (moon) and the eye of Ra (Sun), which means consciousness of time and space and consciousness of the transcendental. The scripture continues to state that this divinity also created itself as well as heaven, earth, the breath of life (life force) and life fire. The breath of life is the life force and the life fire that enlivens everything. “…mau n anhk’ is an aspect of the life force(sekhem) that allows mind and body to function. This divinity also created gods and goddesses, human being’s, animals etc. In verse 5, we are then told that this divinity exists in the astral plane where mind is experienced (all experience happen in the mind). This divinity experience time as 1 year compared to 120 years we experience in time and space. This divinity exists in oneness, has many names but is so subtle that the gods and goddesses do not know his names. Everything in creation is grosser than its creator, the subtlest of which does not operate in time and space.
We are then introduced to a second personality in the scripture, Lady Aset and we are told that she is well studied and she has knowledge of the lower mysteries including mythic and ritual level of learning, so she has accomplished the first level of The Temple of Aset, listening to the teachings. This knowledge led her to begin reflecting on the human condition and her heart was disgusted (khak –ab) about existence as a human being because everything changes. Time and space intensify the physical aspect, and when one identify with the body and senses, this causes egoism leading to desires etc. This cause the intellect to be atrophied so people act out of personal feelings instead of universal truth creating destruction, degradation, etc. An important aspect of khak ab is ariyu, which is the feeling memory of one’s experience tied in with a little piece of life fire that goes into one’s heart. This is weighed by the feathers of Maat. Purifying the heart (Ab) means living by maat,/truth and acting with truth which will allow for transformation, for clear intellect because what one experience in conscious mind is the surface, accounting for only 5% of one’s actions, while the unconscious mind accounts for 95% which is based on 100% of the ariyu. So the teaching has to be studied, reflect upon, lived which allows replacement of the negative ariyu in the ab leading to khak – ab where external circumstances do not shake you. This takes diligence and relentlessness, and lots of patience.
2. Which hieroglyphic term covered in this lesson was most captivating for you personally and why?
There were many hieroglyphic terms that captivated me but I must say I was first captivated at the very beginning of the text with verse # 1, where Ra is introduced as “Neter Neterty” a divinity with dual consciousness. Personally, this was new to me so and I wanted to comprehend what was meant by ‘dual consciousness’ as it pertains to Ra, the Creator. This kept me interested throughout the subsequent lesson as I wanted to know the essence of who Ra really is. But while I decided mentally to let the essence of Ra reveal itself in time, the term “,,,mau n anhk khet” in verse 2 kept my attention for quite some time and would not leave my mind even days after the lesson. This was so because I needed to reflect on it more as I didn’t fully comprehend the concept of ‘the breath of life’ being the same but different from the ‘the fire of life’. I have since gathered that the fire of life is in the air, which is breathe in (breath of life) to sustain life, physically and mentally.
3. What teaching (s) did you learn in this lesson do you need to reflect on more or start to apply or work more diligently on implementing on your personality, mentally, emotionally, metaphysically, or otherwise to emulate human Lady Aset on her path?
I think overall I have to work on being more ‘sick and tired of being sick and tired’ as exposed by the teachings of Khak- Ab. Ny, I am sick and tired of somethings but there are still aspects of the ‘illusion’ that I am not detached from. Sometimes I think I am ‘intellectually’ then things happen that prove that I am not. I understand through the teachings in this lesson that
1.I need to listen and reflect more on the teachings that leads to a ‘repudiating’ heart which is necessary for detachment, dispassion etc. Listen to the truth.
2.I have to work more diligently on transforming the ariyu of my unconscious mind/heart. As I learned in this lesson, the conscious mind only control 5% of our actions while the unconscious mind controls 95 % which is based on 100% ariyu. In doing this I have to endeavor to understand what is truth then act with this universal truth instead of my feelings and desires.
3.Through my journey thus far, I have found myself shifting in feelings and emotions. For example, I use to be more down on myself for not acting with maat, practicing my shedy disciplines on time etc. then I shifted to accepting that I have impurities that needs to be worked on and just proceeded to do my best in working on them through practicing, accepting things as they are and as they come. Then as things seem to be getting a little better in certain areas, I shifted to being elated from ‘temporary joy’ of illusory accomplishments which is so deceiving since joy and suffering are both illusions. To emulate Lady Aset, I would have to reflect on joy also as not abiding and recognize the futility of life being a human being in both states, and move beyond feelings altogether and accept universal truth. This is definitely easier said than done so another quality of Lady Aset to apply is relentlessness.
HTP
