zan_chan said:
BC - what are you making of Part 1 of the BoT? Makes enough sense, I suppose. The "Naples Arrangement" is thrown in there without much explanation, isn't it? He goes through the 1-10 well enough, but that whole 61=0 seems to go by without a word. Oh well.
How about, "There are very few people to-day who have heard of Plato and Aristotle." Was that actually true of 1944? I really can't imagine it could be...
I may be mistaken because I am still digesting this but the 61 =0, etc., are the AIN, AIN SOPH, AIN SOPH AUR - the nothingness/limitless potential. The reasoning for the Naples Arrangement is built up over earlier pages assuming you are referring to the run down on pg 32. The idea that it is a description of the Consciousness of the Universe is mind boggling. I assume that the assigned numbers are gematria, however, I haven't taken the time to understand the cause for each assignment of such. Not sure I want to go there quite yet.
I have read Part 1 in full, once, and I am in my second reading and taking notes as I go. I find little inconsistencies which may simply be 'by extension' in the numeric description of 'man'. Based on Al's approach, I would not expect any further explanation. The question then becomes, how do you see it? I am finding this a brilliant set of metaphors and analogies. It really resonates so far...
I am glad we didn't just jump into the cards. Good call Zan. This section is worthy of its own study! The foundation it should provide - or at least the doors it is revealing - should make the further study much easier to handle. And yes, I look at myself and think "Dah"!
It is Part 1 for a reason...
As for his comments on Plato and Aristotle, we are in special company here at AT. I bet the number who have read Plato or Aristotle especially in 1944 would have been few. How many realize Plato's cave is repeated frequently in modern stories and films? More people know about Freud and Jung. I bet only a fraction have actually read them as well.
I'll have a lot more to say - and ask - after I finish my second reading. Perhaps by tomorrow this will have soaked in a little...
There is so much to think about and process!